The Highest Bounty

Chapter 159 You Look Really Weak

The Border River was a desolate zone that connected cosmics with one another. It could be said that it was the boundary between two cosmics. Hence, every once in a while, there were abnormal occurrences that one normally would not witness in cosmic territory.

This Border River was the boundary between Dragon Soar Cosmic Nation and Faye Cosmic Nation. Dragon Soar Cosmic Nation rarely sent people into to the Border River, while Faye Cosmic Nation did not really pay much attention to the jurisdiction of matters within the Border River. Hence, chaos ruled the Border River.

Tampa had never been a well-known planet. It was poor in resources and had a scarce population. Not to mention, it was dilapidated and poverty-stricken. However, one day, a deity descended among them. The person cured the sick and taught the people agricultural knowledge. He stayed on the planet for a whole three years.

After the deity left, the people of Tampa built a temple in his name on the highest mountain and had a day named after him as the Day of Worship. Each year, on that day, they would pay their respects to him.

At first, the tradition was only practiced by a few residents of the planet. However, following the movement set by the Federal Government in an effort to develop the planet, it started to gain wealth. Soon, it was transformed into a tourist destination at Border River. Ever since then, Interstellar Pirates who were passing by Border River would stop by the planet and visit the deity’s temple to pay their respects, wishing for good luck. They were not necessarily religious, but they wanted to be comforted in the aspect that luck was with them.

Gu Ding had always thought that deities and gods were nothing more than humans themselves who so happened were more powerful. They had a higher-ranking gene body and possessed more special abilities, which was why they were able to do more.

The Golden Eagle finally landed in Tampa’s harbor after traveling for two days.

Gu Ding and Biggie left Robert to take care of Liliath while they exited the spaceship.

When Gu Ding stepped out of the hatch, he felt that there was something different about the planet compared to other planets he had visited.

Interstellar harbors were usually rowdy with all sorts of noises coming from Interstellar Pirates, Interstellar Hunters, and traveling merchants who were transporting their cargo. Many people were moving around the harbor on this planet, but the place had an odd sense of serenity to it. Even those who were obviously Interstellar Pirates seemed worried about disturbing the peace as they conversed amongst themselves in hushed voices.

“What’s going on?” Gu Ding scratched his head, mumbling in confusion. He was not used to such environments.

Biggie raised his head to look at the sky. He vaguely felt something. “It’s the will of a powerhouse… It’s a will that leaves an imprint on people’s souls, causing them to feel repressed. The feeling ends up bringing out a sense of respect within a person. That’s why they’re talking in a soft manner. I can feel it too, it’s like a pair of eyes in the sky are watching my every move and warning me not to break the rules. Can’t you feel it?”

“I can’t feel a thing!” Gu Ding raised his voice and everyone at the harbor turned to look at him. There was an accusatory look in their eyes, and Gu Ding quickly covered his mouth with embarrassment.

Gu Ding mumbled in a low voice, “Neptune, hurry up and help us search for that man who has scriptures carved on his body. This planet doesn’t allow people to speak loudly, I’ll go crazy if I stay here for too long.”

“Let me do a quick check. This planet isn’t under much surveillance in locations other than the harbor. There isn’t even a single surveillance camera near the temple. The possibility of finding that person using such a method is very low. Moreover, most of the people on this planet prioritize the purity of the heart and soul; they do not wish to be disturbed by the outside world. Many of them do not have smartwatches, which is why I don’t have access to a lot of information. I suggest you check out the temple since it’s a blind spot. From the looks of it, the person with scriptures carved on him is someone religious. He should be found somewhere near the temple,” Neptune’s news did not sound too good. Gu Ding and Biggie rented a car and headed out. It took them more than two hours to reach the foot of the mountain where the temple was located. “Is there any method of transportation here to get to the top temple on the mountain?” Gu Ding could not help but ask the driver when he saw a winding, bluestone stairway leading up the mountain.

“There isn’t. You need to bring with you a sincere heart when you enter the temple. Only those who finish walking the bluestone stairway are considered truly sincere.” Having heard the driver’s explanation, Gu Ding was speechless when he got off the car. “There are a lot of steps on the bluestone stairway. I took a quick look and calculated that it would take at least three days for an ordinary person to reach the peak of the mountain. There are a few rest stops along the way set up by the temple. There’s a stop available every 1000 meters or so. The entrance fee is completely free. With your stamina and speed, it should take you around twenty hours to reach the peak…”

“Twenty hours is too slow,” said Gu Ding as he activated his rage ability and Ultimate Arts Level 7. With that, all he needed was a slight push from his feet, and he was able to cover more than thirty steps per leap. Biggie quickly followed suit when he saw this.

They ran up the stairway in a mad rush, catching the attention of many around them.

Throughout the past several days, Elsa had been eating for free nearby the temple. She would climb up from the foot of the mountain each day. A meal was provided at every rest stop, so she was able to have 12 meals a day. With that, her stomach was almost always at least 70% full. Even though Elsa could not experience complete satisfaction, it was better than going hungry. She felt like it was the kindest planet in existence. At the very least, no one had attempted to touch her while serving her food, and there was no need for her to break anyone’s hands.

Two months prior, Elsa completed her rite of passage at the age 16. According to Viking tradition, when a child came to be of age, they would be left to fend for themselves. That was why Elsa was kicked out of her house by her mother the day after she had completed her rite of passage. At that time, her mother pointed a finger at her nose and lectured her, “You have two choices. First, find a man who can beat your father and marry him! Second, become strong enough to beat your father in order to continue living and eating in this house for free!”

Else was aware of this tradition that Viking families practiced. However, she had never once thought of marrying herself off to someone because no man in her tribe could withstand more than three moves from her father. As for men who were not Vikings, rumor had it that their thighs could not even compare to the arms of Viking men. Moreover, their height was less than half a Viking’s height. These things were proven over and over again after Elise left her tribe.

Else was at a loss when her father and younger brothers said their goodbyes to her at the harbor.

“If you bring a strong and mighty man back, I’ll definitely give him some leeway. Hmm, I’ll just use 90% of my strength,” her father had winked and said in a low voice when Elsa was boarding her spaceship.

Else nodded vigorously. Upon hearing her father’s words, Elsa felt like her father treated her the best in the world.

At the port, Acoot extended his huge head out to Elsa. Elsa smiled and reached out her hand to scratch it on its neck. Feeling comfort, Acoot closed his eyes.

Right then, Elsa’s father slapped Acoot on the head, and its head immediately hit the ground.

“Why did I even take this stupid dragon as a pet in the first place. It doesn’t know how to do anything but eat. Elsa, why don’t you take Acoot with you. I’ll get a smarter dragon.” Elsa’s father looked expectantly at her.

“No way, I want my own dragon!” Although Elsa had replied in such a manner, all she was thinking about was how difficult it was going to be trying to survive on her own. If she were to bring along such a huge dragon that had an appetite that was ten times her own, she would end up dying of hunger.

Elsa traveled to many different planets after leaving her tribe. She lived in hunger every day. When she heard that a temple in Tampa was providing free meals, her eyes brightened. It took Elsa quite a lot of effort to sneak onto a cargo ship and smuggle herself to the planet.

Elsa did not forget the mission that had been handed to her by her parents even though she was busy trying to fill her stomach each day: Find herself a strong and mighty man.

That was why Elsa constantly challenged martial arts practitioners who looked like powerhouses. However, most of them turned out to not even be as strong as her youngest brother, Jeff. When Jeff went through his rite of passage, he was only four years old. Elsa was pleasantly surprised when she saw a tall man that was accompanied by a shorter man, pass her while she was climbing up the stairway. She immediately gave chase to the two.

Gu Ding was running at full speed and was almost the equivalent of a Rank 8 Gene Body. He was surprised when he saw the girl in a ponytail catch up to them breezily. The girl was as tall as him.

“I’ve got you!” The girl in the ponytail blocked their path.

“Is there anything you need?” Gu Ding and Biggie stopped. She did not look like a threat, and Gu Ding had no idea why she wanted to block their path.

The girl in the ponytail glanced past Gu Ding and her gaze landed on Biggie. She sized him up carefully. “Are you a Viking too? Although, you aren’t that tall, nor do you seem very strong. You don’t really seem like one to me…”

“I’m not.” Biggie shook his head. It was the first time in his life that someone had described him as not tall nor strong enough.

“Well, it’s not that important whether or not you’re a Viking. My name is Elsa, and I want to challenge you!” The girl in the ponytail completely ignored Gu Ding as she focused on Biggie to have a fight with him.

“I’m sorry, I don’t accept your challenge!” Biggie shook his head. He could sense that Elsa was not a weakling, but without Liliath’s hypnosis, he could not fight human beings.

“It’s Elsa, is it? Why do you want to challenge Biggie?” Gu Ding thought that the challenge had come out of nowhere.

“I need to find a strong man and bring him home to my tribe! Only a man who’s stronger than I am can beat my father!” Elsa sounded determined.

“Biggie doesn’t fight people. If you want a challenge, I’ll accept it. However, you must not harass us any further no matter the outcome.” Gu Ding had the impression that Elsa was not someone who would give up easily. He might as well take up the challenge and settle the matter quickly in a fight because he was short of time.

“You?!” Elsa looked blinkingly toward Gu Ding rather unwillingly.

“You kind of look really weak…”