“If everything goes as expected, tomorrow will be the day of the flash flood. Two days later, the weather will clear up. Before that, I must get myself into peak condition. Only when the ‘path’ appears in two days will it truly be my moment to fight…”

　　After two years of training, even while sleeping, Brian Carter remained highly alert. In the middle of the night, he was suddenly awakened by several muffled sounds that seemed to come from underground. Brian Carter instantly sat up, and then it was as if he heard the thunderous gallop of thousands of horses—the flash flood had erupted.

　　There was no howling wind, no hailstones stinging the skin. The twin suns hung high in the sky, casting gentle rays of light. After packing up his gear and emerging from the lava cave, Brian Carter showed a rare smile at the corner of his mouth. Heaven favored him; he had indeed predicted correctly.

　　Passing through several mountain passes already washed away by the flood, a winding, twisting path appeared before Brian Carter. The youthful spirit in him was on full display at this moment—Brian Carter did two somersaults in excitement and quickly set off to climb upward.

　　The crater could be described as a truly peculiar existence. Not only was the terrain steep and towering, but it was also shrouded in blizzards all year round. Yet, in such a harsh environment, the vegetation on the mountain grew exceptionally lush, and it also contained mineral resources beyond estimation.

　　Back when Brian Carter accidentally discovered the secret of the “path” and returned to the base, he immediately searched the library for information and found a series of introductions about the crater. Although these descriptions were not very in-depth, they further strengthened Brian Carter’s resolve to carry out his plan.

　　“The crater is ring-shaped, with the highest peak at an altitude of 33,000 meters. For every 3,000 meters of elevation, the quality of the minerals contained increases by one level, and there are minerals unique to each altitude.”

　　“At 3,000 meters, there is an abundance of primal fire crystals; at 6,000 meters, primal blue crystals; at 9,000 meters, primal violet crystals; at 12,000 meters, primal black crystals; at 15,000 meters, primal red crystals; at 18,000 meters, primal obsidian crystals; above 21,000 meters, unknown…”

　　This was the information Brian Carter found in the library about the crater, and his current target was the obsidian crystal at 18,000 meters.

　　Last year, someone at the Chongxing Base with incredible luck happened to pick up a piece of obsidian crystal, likely a fragment washed down by the flash flood. In the end, this person traded the roughly two-kilogram piece of obsidian crystal to an instructor for enough nutrient solution to last half a year.

　　This incident left a deep impression on Brian Carter. Calculating that he would need to stay at Chongxing Base for at least another four years, Brian Carter did not hesitate to set his mining target on obsidian crystal.

　　Day after day passed. Other than climbing upward along the winding path, Brian Carter seemed to do nothing else. Even the exposed veins of primal blue and violet crystals beside the path failed to arouse the slightest interest in him.

　　“Before reaching the predetermined destination, I absolutely cannot leave this path, not even half a step. If it disappears, wouldn’t two years of hard work be wasted…”

　　Unconsciously, Brian Carter had come to regard the “path” beneath his feet as a living thing. He ate, drank, relieved himself, and slept all without leaving the winding path. When thirsty, he stuffed snow into his mouth; when hungry, he used nutrient solution to stave off hunger. After the twin suns set, he would stop moving, sit cross-legged on the spot, and use martial arts techniques to keep warm.

　　“Only twenty-two bottles of nutrient solution left, and it’s been less than a month and a half…”

　　“Due to the harsh environment and the gradually thinning oxygen, the energy consumption while climbing is increasing day by day. Physical exertion has already exceeded my original estimates. In ten days, I’ve used up three bottles of nutrient solution, which is double the previous rate… The descent might consume less energy, but I’ll still need to reserve at least fifteen bottles of nutrient solution for the return trip…”

　　Because of the cold, Brian Carter wore both sets of clothes he had brought in his backpack, but even so, he was still shivering from the cold. At this moment, he began calculating the supplies he would need to save for the descent, fixing his gaze on an exposed mineral vein several dozen meters ahead.

　　“Color like fire, hexagonal shape, coexisting with iron rock, and no vegetation within ten meters of the site… That’s right, it’s red crystal. I’ve already climbed to an altitude of 15,000 meters…”

List of Characters in “Star Tomb” <1>

　　Brian Carter: Protagonist, comes from a wealthy family, passionate about ancient martial arts, easygoing and friendly, cares about friends.

　　George Washington: Emperor of a galactic empire in another parallel universe, possesses terrifying strength capable of fighting a neutron war star alone.

　　Lindsay Brooks: Guide within the Immortal Program Space, a little girl in a maid outfit, advanced intelligent being.

　　William Clark: Brian Carter’s friend, child of a military family, also loves ancient martial arts, straightforward personality.

　　Emily Thompson: School beauty at the same intermediate academy as Brian Carter, the object of William Clark’s secret affection.

　　Charles Baker: Only son of the Federation’s top arms dealer, already engaged to Emily Thompson, arrogant, fourth-year student at Augdin Academy, strength above the twelfth level of ancient martial arts.

　　Tarzan: Charles Baker’s follower, strength above the ninth level of ancient martial arts, power type.

　　Kevin Carter: Brian Carter’s father, president of the Federation’s second largest mining company.

　　Lucas Bennett: Brian Carter’s mother, vice president of the Federation’s top research institute.