Why did you provoke me?

Upon hearing Yu Meng's words, the cripple spread his hands and said, "Don't look at me, I've given you everything I have."

The long-haired man nodded in agreement. "I don't like managing so many people. Over the years, it's just been the Chen family."

Yu Meng could tell they weren't lying, so she tentatively asked, "Your Jing family sister, there should still be someone else, right?"

"Yu Meng, the Jing family is all yours now, why are you still asking us for people?" the lame man asked curiously.

"Hmm, can the Jing family and their patriarch be discussed together?" Yu Meng said with a slight smile.

"Over the years, they've become one, and now they can't be separated anymore?" The long-haired man agreed with the cripple's opinion.

"So, you mean there's no one available over there?"

Yu Meng genuinely believed that the head of the Jing family had his own group of men.

On the surface, the Jing family is the embodiment of justice, and the bone painters they train are sent to the front lines to fight against the aliens.

The talented bone-drawing masters are willing to provide protection without charging any fees, simply because the Jing family's extraordinary lineage has passed down a prophecy. They have been quietly contributing to this world.

But what was the reality? She planted that immortal pet inside the body of the Jing family's true holy master, with the sole purpose of prolonging that person's life.

And without someone to scheme against the cripple and the long-haired man, it wouldn't be possible.

But judging from their attitude now, even if some people do stay, they probably won't be able to command them.

Yu Meng felt a pang of regret. After thinking for a moment, she looked at the long-haired man.

"They won't find you for a while, but it's not entirely safe. My suggestion is that you set up a few maze formations at the entrance to the First Battlefield. After that, the First Battlefield will no longer be open to the public."

"Yu Meng, you will suffer great losses by doing this." The long-haired man knew the general outline of how an alien battlefield operated normally.

"Your affairs are more important than money. We are weak, so we must make thorough preparations. If that still doesn't work, then we'll have to accept our fate. Just don't blame me for not doing my best then."

Both men fell silent. After a long while, the lame man sighed, "We've dragged you into this. If it weren't for us, you wouldn't have gotten involved. You don't blame us for putting you in danger, and you're still so considerate of us. If that day ever comes, we'll definitely stand in front of you."

Yu Meng secretly rolled her eyes. What are you saying? Nothing's even happened yet, and you're already standing in front of me. I'm not prepared to be with you guys.

The two talked things out and then went back.

Only then did Yu Meng have time to look at the big rock.

Niannian turned around from the other side of the stone, "I knew you'd be busy for a while, I didn't join in the fun just now."

Pointing to the lines on the stone, he said, "They're really cunning; they're quick."

Yu Meng laughed, "Why don't you give it a try?"

"Of course, but I don't really feel anything. It's not as good as that big egg-shaped rock."

"This must have taken too long; I haven't even asked the little black cat yet."

"Then ask me now!" Niannian became interested. "My little gray cat and your little black cat seem to be on different paths."

Yu Meng habitually placed her hand on the large rock, and as she moved her fingers, she suddenly froze.

What's going on? This big rock can actually peel off the skin.

She glanced at the large rock by the river and remembered that it could also be used to peel off noodles.

Yu Meng didn't speak, but lowered her hand. She walked to the large egg-shaped stone and placed her hand on it.

The truth is, this can't be revealed.

Yu Meng's heart was pounding uncontrollably. Could there really be something inside?

Niannian didn't disturb Yu Meng, knowing her fourth sister was troubled by something. She'd be fine in a little while.

Yu Meng looked at the little black cat lying on the big rock and established a connection with it.

"Is there anything good in here?"

The little black cat's tail swished back and forth. "It's about to disappear."

"Huh? How long did it live?"

"A very long time."

"Then all my efforts were in vain." Yu Meng was somewhat discouraged.

"No, it said it would give me its most essential parts before it disappeared."

"Is that really true? Then what should I do?"

"It's very simple, you've already done it."

"What?" Yu Meng asked, puzzled.

"It just wants to go back here; the original Xenomorphs all originated here."

Yu Meng was utterly shocked. She wasn't surprised that she had just done it; rather, she was shocked that the source of the aliens was the First Battlefield.

"Then ask it if the aliens will retaliate?"

It took a long time for the little black cat to respond.

"Their growth takes time. This time it will take a very long time."

"How long was that?"

Another half-day of silence followed.

"About the same amount of time." The little black cat's answer was quite enigmatic.

Yu Meng felt relieved; perhaps she could live for several lifetimes.

Now the problem is much easier to solve. She only needs to focus on dealing with outsiders. She doesn't need to worry about trouble brewing at home.

Yu Meng was happy for only a moment before a bad thought suddenly popped into her mind and wouldn't go away.

Without the aliens, can those membrane makers who haven't advanced still advance?

And when this generation grows old, and the aliens are rampaging, what devastation will humanity suffer? Will the events of over a hundred years ago repeat themselves?

Do these three stones in front of us indicate that the world has already experienced three such disasters?

Are there other stones like this in places we don't know about?

Yu Meng's heart was in complete turmoil. What kind of world had she entered? At this moment, she wished she could dream again.

Niannian watched as Yu Meng's expression constantly changed. She took a step forward, intending to pull her fourth sister out of that state.

Before she could even touch her hand, Yu Meng's expression suddenly calmed down. She looked at Niannian's outstretched hand, grabbed it, and said, "It's nothing, I was just thinking about something."

"Are you really alright?" Niannian asked again, still not believing it.

"It's really nothing."

Niannian let out a long sigh of relief. "Fourth Sister, there are some things you shouldn't think about. Your eyes were so scary just now. I thought you..."

"What's wrong with me?" Yu Meng asked.

"It was like utter despair, as if the sky had fallen."

Yu Meng pulled her into the house. "Niannian, aren't you going to write a book? When are you planning to start writing?"

"Huh?" Niannian was confused. Was the topic changing a little too quickly?

"Fourth Sister, it's just an idea; it's still a long way from being written down."

"Have you decided what to write?"

"Fourth Sister, what do you want me to write?" Niannian's mind worked quickly; her fourth sister would never ask a pointless question.

Yu Meng paused for a moment, then patted her shoulder. "I'm so smart, what do I need to write? I can write it myself, can't I?"

"Fourth Sister, you're wrong. Writing a book isn't that simple. You're smart, but I guarantee very few people will be able to understand what you write."

Yu Meng raised an eyebrow. "Why do you say that?"

Niannian rolled her eyes. "Can you even write a simple question?"

"Why would I write something that everyone already knows?" Yu Meng was genuinely puzzled.