The Interstellar Queen of Scavengers

Chapter 997: Chapter 997: Honest Men Sweating

Ying Tiechui posed a question that stumped Ying Sanqiang, Ying Dadao, and Ying Jian, even causing Ying Tu’s expression to freeze for a moment. But only for a moment, as Ying Tu concealed it well, maintaining a composed face as he explained, ”The Eight-point Spider is a creature undisclosed by the Alliance.”

The next second.

On the screen, Shen Changqing explained, ”The Eight-point Spider is a creature undisclosed by the Alliance because it actually carries the X virus unique to the Star Beast but is not ruled by the virus’s consciousness. It’s not a Star Beast, but surpasses it. As long as you don’t provoke it, it poses no threat to humans.”

Ji You, Chu Jiaojiao, and Sheng Qingyan were all stunned, eyes wide open, as Ji You exclaimed, ”Is there really such a magical Star Beast?”

Chu Jiaojiao said, ”What’s this Eight-point Spider? I’ve never heard of it before. Is it really that magical?”

Sheng Qingyan also showed interest as he bent down slightly, staring at the small spider curled up on the ground, looking weak, pitiful, helpless, and harmless, saying, ”I’ve never heard of it before either. This Eight-point Spider looks too ordinary, not conspicuous at all, and doesn’t seem worth a billion, oh.”

”Don’t get close!” Shen Changqing’s expression tightened as he warned, ”Stay back. Its appearance is no different from a regular spider, except for a few dots on its abdomen, which distinguish it from ordinary ones. Also — it’s very dangerous.”

”Its danger doesn’t lie in its attack power, but in the concentration of X toxin it carries. Even a single bite can lead to a 99% chance of death from the Star Beast virus!”

”That’s right, only one in ten survives.” Shen Changqing spoke with extreme seriousness, his whole body tense as if facing a major threat. First, he put on a helmet, then gloves, goggles, and a scarf. Once he was fully covered, he crouched down, extended his hand, and used tweezers to pick up the curled-up spider, placing it in a sealed bag, saying, ”This way, it can’t escape, and the danger is eliminated.”

Sheng Qingyan patted his chest, still shaken, saying, ”Whoa... that scared the hell out of me. How can there be such a terrifying spider in this world?”

Ji You and Chu Jiaojiao curiously stared at the spider sealed in the transparent bag. Ji You suggested, ”Why don’t we check if there are any more spiders in the web? What if there are a few more? Wouldn’t that be several billion?”

The more Ji You thought about it, the more excited he became.

Shen Changqing shook his head and said, ”No. Generally, there is only one spider per web. The Eight-point Spider is very special; it is hermaphroditic, capable of reproducing on its own. When the old spider senses its impending death, it will lay an egg and use silk threads to weave itself and the egg into a web, wrapping them completely without eating or drinking. Over time, its body will gradually turn into nourishment to support the egg’s hatching.”

At this point, Shen Changqing stared at the spider in the sealed bag, a fine sweat breaking out on his forehead. After wiping his brow, he continued, ”This is a recently hatched baby spider, so it’s not as dangerous as an adult Eight-point Spider. Otherwise, Jiaojiao would have been bitten.”

”Eh?” Chu Jiaojiao was startled again, covering her chest and expressing her relief, ”Luckily, my luck is good and life is great.”

Then, Shen Changqing glanced at Ji You.

”Ahem...” Ji You cleared his throat, then put on a serious face, asking, ”So, because of these special traits, it’s worth so much money?”

Shen Changqing raised his hand to wipe his sweat again, took a deep breath, and said, ”That’s correct. The Eight-point Spider is a species discovered in recent years. Due to its extreme rarity, likely less than ten can be found across the entire Alliance-controlled area. Additionally, it carries the Star Beast X virus but is unaffected by the Beast Tide, making it an excellent research material with immense value. Unlocking its secrets could potentially solve the Star Beast enigma and resolve the Beast Tide crisis. It’s a significant endeavor that could change and save humanity!”

——The Eight-point Spider is said to be worth 1 billion, but it is worth far more. If you find an Eight-point Spider and deliver it alive to the Alliance Research Institute, you might earn a reward of 100 billion credit points.

”Gasp~”

Ji You, Sheng Qingyan, and Chu Jiaojiao all gasped. Chu Jiaojiao clutched her chest, so excited that she became incoherent, ”Oh no... I think the money is making me dizzy...”

——

”Gasp—”

”Gasp—”

”Gasp—” In the enclosed space, Ying Sanqiang, Ying Dadao, Ying Tiechui, and Ying Jian all inhaled deeply. Even Ying Tu couldn’t help showing some emotion as Ying Sanqiang spoke with a tense, excited, and thrilled tone...

”Bo-Boss...”

”We must keep the Eight-point Spider later!”

Ying Dadao added, ”Alive.”

Ying Tiechui frowned, saying, ”It’s too dangerous. Be careful not to get bitten.”

Ying Jian was also too excited to know what to say, but retained a shred of reason, asking, ”Are we just supposed to trust this kid’s word?”

Ying Sanqiang was the first to object, angrily saying, ”The boss already said it’s a creature the Alliance hasn’t disclosed. Just think, if it were disclosed, would these spiders still exist? Those willing to risk their lives for treasure would have turned the entire Eight Star Systems upside down. The Eight-point Spider would be extinct by now.”

Everyone listened, and it seemed quite reasonable. For instance, the Flying Eagle Mercenary Group constantly operates at the edge of danger to make money, taking any profitable job.

After a few seconds of silence, Ying Tu spoke, pointing at Shen Changqing’s face, ”He has no reason to lie. Do you know who he is?”

Ying Sanqiang and the others: ”Who?”

Ying Tu lowered his gaze, ”His surname is Shen.”

Ying Sanqiang and the others quickly examined Shen Changqing’s face. Upon closer look, they finally understood why this boy’s face seemed so inexplicably familiar—this is—

Isn’t this—

Ying Sanqiang and the others stared wide-eyed, mouth agape, ”Shen Chi?”

Ying Tu responded, ”That’s right.”

Ying Sanqiang breathed heavily, ”We... are we going to kill Shen Chi’s only grandson?”

The statement plunged the group into silence.

second.

seconds.

seconds.

Ying Tu slowly said, ”There’s no turning back from a drawn bow.”

Ying Tiechui pounded his fist decisively, ”That’s right, with the arrow ready to be fired, we have no choice. Blame it on Shen Chi’s unlucky grandson running into us.”

Ying Jian’s fingers tapped the sword hilt intermittently as he spoke gravely, ”The best course of action now is to clean up all traces and ensure no one knows it was us.”

Ying Tiechui stood up, declaring, ”Today, I’m going through with this job. I don’t care if he’s Shen Chi’s grandson or son; anyone who comes, I’ll kill them all.”