Inside the train, it seemed someone shared Ethan's bewilderment. A girl in a pink dress whispered, "Who would smuggle Behemoth parasites? That's disgusting."
Her male companion chuckled, "Haven't there been cases of smuggling various wild animals before? Smuggling parasites is similar. Some people have unique tastes; they don't like cats or dogs, they prefer Behemoth parasites. Others believe in the superstition that Behemoth parasites, even Behemoth bones and organs, can be used in medicine to cure all diseases. People are willing to pay, so there will always be someone daring to smuggle."
Ethan listened, dumbfounded. During his three years on the surface, he had seen too many people killed directly or indirectly by parasites. He could never have imagined that anyone would want to keep Behemoth parasites as pets or use them in medicine.
General knowledge classes had mentioned that Behemoth parasites could not be artificially bred or domesticated. They were inherently violent and could not be kept privately. As for medicinal use, that was even more absurd. Parasites and Behemoths came from 'Behemoth Space' and were not natural products of Earth. They carried a multitude of unknown viruses and bacteria; using them in medicine was asking for trouble.
"It's absurd, isn't it?" Cedricl said softly. "The first time I heard about people smuggling Behemoth parasites and their bones and organs, I was as surprised as you are. I thought they must be out of their minds. But it turns out, for money, people can be without limits. Behemoth parasites fetch a high price on the black market. For example, a wolf tick parasite can be exchanged for half a year's worth of food for an adult. The profit is too great, so there are always those willing to take the risk."
Ethan frowned. He could imagine that behind every parasite sold on the black market, there were likely several lives lost. These were not cats or dogs; they were lethal creatures!
Cedricl then patted Ethan's arm, pointing out the window, "Look, that's the 'Rapid Deployment Shaft'!"
Ethan looked and saw massive tubes leading to the surface. He had seen these structures when he first entered Guangling City but didn't know their purpose.
Cedricl explained, "You're from the surface, and the classes haven't covered this yet, so it's no wonder you're not familiar. The 'Rapid Deployment Shaft' is a passage or device for mechs to quickly reach the surface. Part of the city's energy depends on light collectors on the mountains behind the Great Lake District. Sometimes, these devices need repair or replacement due to Behemoth attacks or other reasons, and that's when mech escorts are needed. To allow mechs to reach the surface quickly, we have these 'deployment shafts.' By the way, because the Surface Exploration Corps often has missions, guarding the surface usually falls to our academy. But you have to be a third-year student to go on such missions. We're still a long way off from that."
Ethan nodded, gaining a better understanding of Guangling City through Cedricl's explanations. After a moment, he asked, "Have you awakened your 'Divine Hiding'?"
Cedricl chuckled awkwardly, "Yeah, I awakened it after returning from the forbidden zone. I didn't have the advantage of cultivating visualization techniques before enrolling, so it took some time. But the 'Divine Hiding' I awakened is quite good."
Curious, Ethan asked, "What is it?"
Cedricl touched his nose, lowering his voice, "Electrokinesis, from the natural series. Right now, I can only add high-voltage currents to my combat techniques and mystic arts. My instructor says if I can break through two or three times, it will become very powerful. It has great potential."
Seeing Ethan's reaction, Cedricl quickly reassured, "Don't be discouraged, Ethan. Didn't Instructor Wei say that if you get a 'Primordial Stone Fragment,' it can trigger a transformation in 'Divine Hiding'? Even an average 'Divine Hiding' can become outstanding after such a change. Once you graduate, you can join the Exploration Corps directly, and you might get a chance to obtain a 'Primordial Stone Fragment' to transform your 'Visionary Eye.'"
Ethan hummed in response, not revealing to Cedricl that his 'Visionary Eye' had already transformed. He remembered Marshal promising to give him a book about 'Divine Hiding' after returning to the academy. He had been too busy with cultivation to remember. He decided to ask Marshal for it when he returned on Sunday to see if he could find information about the 'Barrier-Breaking Eye.'
After more than an hour, the train came to a stop near the end of the line. The carriage was nearly empty as Ethan and Cedricl disembarked. They stepped into a bustling neighborhood with narrow streets and low buildings, full of life. Street vendors on tricycles set up stalls directly on the road, and overhead, a tangle of illegally connected electric wires crossed the street.
People walked, cycled, or rode electric scooters, weaving through the narrow streets amid a cacophony of hawking, cursing, and laughter. Ethan felt like he was back in the busy urban areas of the past.
Cedricl, a bit embarrassed, said, "It's a bit chaotic here, but the rent is cheap. It's a far cry from the academy dorms."
Before he could express concern that Ethan might not be used to it, Ethan was already asking, "Which way to your house?"
Seeing Ethan's openness, Cedricl perked up and led the way, "This way. My mom makes the best pancake rolls. I'll have her make some for you to try."
Ethan smiled and nodded in agreement. They navigated the streets and soon arrived at Cedricl's home, only to find a girl about seventeen or eighteen years old sitting by the door, looking dejected. Two boys around thirteen or fourteen were trying to cheer her up, but she remained unsmiling.
"That's Abao, my sister, the second oldest in the family," Cedricl introduced, not forgetting to introduce Ethan. "Xiaoshuang and Xiaoxi are the third and fourth, twins."
Hearing Cedricl's voice, the trio at the door looked up. The twins ran over, pulling Cedricl aside, "Big brother, you're finally back. Go talk to mom; second sister doesn't want to get married."
Cedricl was puzzled, "Married?"
The twins nodded vigorously, "Yes, today, mom and dad are arranging a betrothal for second sister. They say marrying her off will bring in some work points."
"But that's not marriage; it's practically selling her off!"