Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Tang Ling knew from the information library of the First Reserved Camp that sleep was important to the human body.
There were two types of sleep: rapid eye movement sleep (REM) and slow-wave sleep (SWS).
During REM sleep, the eyes of the sleeper would move rapidly and their dreams tended to be more vivid. REM sleep could arrange the memories during the day and the brain would be restarted, so it was great for recovering one’s spirit.
During slow-wave sleep, the brain would produce slow waves with low frequency. It was considered important for memory consolidation, and it was great for the body to recover and revitalize.
When the two stages of sleep combined, it would form a full sleep cycle which lasted for 90 to 110 minutes.
A normal man required four to five sleep cycles, which was the equivalent to seven to eight hours, so that the body and spirit could be maintained at its peak.
Tang Ling monitored his body with his Precise Instinct, and he realized he could perform at his peak with only three sleep cycles. Unfortunately, he did not have the luxury of time to enjoy three sleep cycles.
Therefore, through many trials and errors, he finally discovered a way to maintain a full sleep cycle and compensate for the rest with breaks during his other free time.
He was able to barely complete two sleep cycles, but the effect was nothing close to stellar. Nonetheless, it was able to preserve his body and spirit at a decent level.
That meant that his Precise Instinct had improved without his knowledge. He was as adept as a machine at controlling his body and mastering it. It was similar to a little gadget named the sleep-tracking ring of the old civilization.
Even when his consciousness was muddled during his sleep, he was able to work in accuracy and produce precise results from the calculation.
It raised Tang Ling’s anticipation of his Precise Instinct. What kind of potential would he discover when it was further developed?
The hot spring became quiet once more. The rhythmic murmur from the flowing water was the best hypnotizing lullaby that sent Tang Ling into a deep slumber quickly.
97 minutes later, it was 8.39 a.m.
Tang Ling opened his eyes the moment a full cycle was completed. He did not even waste a second.
His Precise Instinct that worked in the background silently was like the most punctual alarm clock, and it would wake him up at the exact moment.
Without further ado, Tang Ling wore his battle uniform. He jogged out of the First Reserved Camp and arrived in the secret tunnel area of the Cliff of Hope.
There were specialized guards on duty at the area. The tunnels under the Cliff of Hope led to many places, including Safety Sector No. 17 and the battlefield, plus the two forest areas on both sides of the cliff.
The badge of the First Reserved Camp granted access to the tunnel area with the given authority, so anyone with the badge could come and go except to the secret tunnel that led to the safety sector.
“Yo, hunter boy, you’re here again? Are you going to the left or the right forest this time?” the warrior on duty teased Tang Ling when he appeared.
The warrior had never seen an elite New Moon Warrior skip the missions that the Hope Barrier distributed which would actually benefit them more than running towards the forest every day.
Although the kid was clever and sensible, every time he returned from the forest, he would share all the meat that he hunted with the warriors on duty. He did not even keep some for himself.
Therefore, all the warriors on duty were happy to keep the secret of his whereabouts so that this playful hunter would not get kicked out of the First Reserved Camp if he somehow angered the actual management of the camp.
“Either one is fine, left or right.” Tang Ling also grinned happily, unbothered by the teasing.
This was why the warriors on duty liked him. They smiled back at him and skipped the chatter as they opened the door to the tunnel area and brought him into the hub.
There were only a few people in the hub at the moment. The warrior then led him to the tunnel towards the left forest.
After he opened the door, the warrior did not leave in a hurry. Instead, he held Tang Ling back after some hesitation. “Hey, kid…”
“Hmm?” Tang Ling was a little anxious. Did he cross the line? Did going to the forest every day somehow trouble the warriors on duty?
As a matter of fact, it was just Tang Ling’s imagination. The warrior paused for a while and said, “Don’t get addicted to the forest. I know it’s easier to get food there, but isn’t the more dangerous battlefield suited for yourself? You might get even more out of it.”
“Ah, it is…” Tang Ling scratched his head awkwardly. He then looked at the warrior and said solemnly, “But I’m a coward!”
“You little rascal!” The warrior was rendered speechless. He shooed Tang Ling away with a wave of his hand. Tang Ling might be likable, but he had almost no ambitions in their opinion.
******
The left forest was on the left of the Cliff of Hope which acted as a line in between it, dividing the forest into two parts: the inner side and the outer side.
The inner side surrounded the old settlement, the so-called Secondary Safety Zone, and was also known as the inner forest.
The outer side surrounded one side of the battlefield area and further extended to the horizon. It was also known as the outer forest.
The forest on the left of the Cliff of Hope was the left forest while the right side was known as the right forest.
The troops of Safety Sector No. 17 were stationed at the bottom of the cliff, forming a tight security line. Due to the security line, the people from the settlement could never reach the outer forest through the inner forest.
The warriors from the Cliff of Hope would never enter the Secondary Safety Zone through the forest and therefore Safety Sector No. 17 either.
It was also why the 3D holographic projection was able to deceive everyone. Coupled with a powerful deterrent force, the front and back of the cliff were divided into two worlds.
As for why the sector insisted on dividing the area apart, Instructor Thuja unintentionally revealed some information. It was because of the population. They wanted to create a relatively safe area to attract more outsiders to increase the population, especially the great ones like the Leceister Drifter Camp that was wiped out by the Leceister silverback bear. They were all great additions to the sector.
If the bloody truth was laid bare in front of everyone, would the outsiders still want to join the safety sector?
Tang Ling pondered upon that thought as he walked alongside the bushes in the left forest while searching for something.
He was searching for a plant with a cute name that grew under the bushes, the Sournia Tartar. It was a type of plant that resembled a tower, and its red fruit that bloomed during autumn was very sour, hence its name.
The fruit could be used as a spice, but Tang Ling was searching for its leaves instead.
When the leave was crushed, it released a kind of muddy smell together with a tint of sourness that could cover up other scents. It was the best plant for masking smells.
Tang Ling was able to get his hands on some the last time, but as he frequently visited the forest, they were all finished.
His priority was to locate the Sournia Tartar. Otherwise, his chances of surviving in the vast left forest would greatly decrease, let alone have a successful hunt.
The kind-hearted warrior who reminded Tang Ling that the forest might be a good place for food but was less dangerous than the battlefield seemed to have misunderstood something about the forest.
Tang Ling shook his head helplessly. His eyes then gleamed as he extended his hand. A small little Sournia Tartar in the shape of a tower was already in his palm.