Chapter 411: Provoking the Evolution Bear

Chapter 411: Chapter 411: Provoking the Evolution Bear

Despite the interference from the wind, Xiaqing could still use her High Level Evolutionary Hearing Ability to accurately pinpoint the refugee squad’s location: southwest, at a distance of two hundred meters.

’Southwest, two hundred meters...’

Xiaqing made a swift decision. She led the Sick Wolf back ten meters and had it hide motionlessly behind a large, ordinary tree that was more than an arm’s span in diameter. Then, Xiaqing quickly pulled on her Cat Claw Shoes, scrambled six meters up a tree, and took aim with her Silencer Sniper Rifle.

When the fully armed, six-person refugee squad reached the spot Xiaqing had selected, she fired a shot, hitting a vine one hundred and sixty meters away.

Surviving to the tenth year of the Natural Disaster wasn’t just a matter of luck for Xiaqing. Back when she lacked strength, every step she took was a cautious one. Now, even with her enhanced abilities, she didn’t dare relax in the slightest; every step was just as deliberate. If she hadn’t been absolutely certain of her plan, she never would have dared to enter Mountain No. 50 with the Sick Wolf, knowing that refugees were hunting on its Second Peak.

With every step she took, she meticulously observed her surroundings, calculating how to best leverage the creatures of the Evolution Forest to her advantage should a sudden situation arise.

This patch of Evolution Vine—the same type that had once trapped a falcon and a centipede—and the Evolved Giant Lizards in the nearby pond were now Xiaqing’s "allies."

Upon being struck, the vine launched an indiscriminate attack, throwing the area within a forty-meter radius into chaos. Animals hiding in the vicinity scattered, and the pack of Evolved Giant Lizards by the pond began to hunt. Their chosen prey, naturally, were the six largest figures in the area—the humans.

From the speed of their counterattack and their combat style, Xiaqing knew this was a well-coordinated, experienced team. They would surely break free from the Giant Lizards and the vine within twenty minutes.

But twenty minutes was more than enough time.

Xiaqing quickly descended the tree, packed away her Cat Claw Shoes, and led the Sick Wolf back the way they came, retreating from Mountain No. 50. They returned to Zone Seven of Mountain No. 49, the territory of the Green Dragon Team, where it was very safe.

Xiaqing let the Sick Wolf rest at the base of a tree. She then used her Cat Claw Shoes to quickly scale a Big Pine Tree, hiding behind its trunk to observe the battle unfolding on Mountain No. 50.

After fighting off the Giant Lizards, the refugee squad showed no interest in the carcasses and pressed on. Seeing that they weren’t heading toward the rock crevice where the Green Light Peanuts grew, Xiaqing reported to Hu Zifeng that she was safe. She then led the Sick Wolf across Mountain No. 49 under the cover of darkness, returning to the Third Territory through the North Gate at eight o’clock at night.

Little Jiang, who was guarding the territory for her, approached after the Sick Wolf returned to the village. "Sister Qing, did you find it?" he asked.

Xiaqing nodded. "More or less. But I was pressed for time and couldn’t lock down the exact location."

Little Jiang was happy for her. "After tracking that Red Squirrel for so long, it’s finally going to pay off! What time are you heading out tomorrow morning, Sister Qing?"

Xiaqing shook her head. "I probably can’t go tomorrow. Refugees from the Second Territory are on the Third Peak of Mountain No. 50. I suspect they’re going after the Evolution Bear."

"They wouldn’t..."

"ROAR—"

Before Little Jiang could finish his sentence, the furious roar of an Evolution Bear cut through the air. There was no room for doubt now. That group from the Second Territory really was after the Evolution Bear!

"Shit!" Little Jiang cursed and sprinted toward the North Gate. "Sister Qing, I’m heading back!"

"BAA—"

"Sheep Leader, I’m back!" Hearing the Sheep Leader’s anxious cry, Xiaqing immediately shouted in response and ran toward the sound.

Before she reached the Sheep Leader, Xiaqing saw the Sick Wolf sprinting toward her at incredible speed. It charged a tree in the North Buffer Forest—a tree as thick as a human thigh, standing just over two meters from the wire mesh fence. In a stunning move, the wolf used the tree’s elasticity to launch itself over the four-meter-high fence. It then dashed toward the Wolf Cave in Zone Three of Mountain 49 to protect its injured packmate—the sister of the broken leg wolf.

Watching this, Xiaqing confirmed her suspicion. ’The Sick Wolf is even smarter than I thought.’

"ROAR—"

A second furious bear roar echoed from the distance. Xiaqing met up with her companion at the village entrance. She stroked the fur of the Sheep Leader, who was pressed tightly against her leg, as she listened intently.

When she heard gunshots, Xiaqing’s expression turned grave.

’The temperature is already approaching zero. At this temperature, an Evolution Bear should be deep in slumber inside its warm cave. So, these people must have barged into its den and deliberately provoked it.’

’If they charge into the Bear Cave and slaughter the bear, it could enrage the two Brain Domain Evolutionary Bear leaders on Mountain No. 61. And if those two decide to take revenge on humanity, this unfenced settlement will be their first target.’

’Fuck!’

"ROAR!"

This roar was distinctly different from the previous two. A second Evolution Bear had been roused, and the gunfire grew more intense.

"All lords or representatives from Territory No. 1 to the Tenth Territory, report immediately. Do you have any personnel remaining in the Evolution Forest on Mountain No. 50?"

Hu Zifeng was the first to report. "No one from No. 1 Territory."

Xiaqing waited a few seconds. When no one from the Second Territory responded, she pressed the talk button on her radio. "No one from the Third Territory."

Mrs. Zhao responded right after. "Everyone from Territory No. 4 is accounted for within the territory."

...

Even after Shi Zhong reported, there was still no response from the Second Territory. Tan Junjie called them out by name. "Second Territory, please respond."

Tang Zhengpo replied in a calm voice, "Captain Tan, the representative for the Second Territory, Tang Huai, was sent to Territory Land No. 7 for treatment. Before leaving, he completed a formal handover. Zhou Xun is now acting as the temporary representative for the Second Territory."

Tan Junjie replied, "Understood. Zhou Xun, temporary representative of the Second Territory, please respond."

After a dozen seconds, Zhou Xun finally responded, his voice filled with anger. "Captain Tan, a ten-person refugee squad from the Second Territory was attacked by Evolutionary Animals on Mountain No. 50! Only four made it back. The other six are still missing, status unknown. I just tried the radio, but I can’t reach them."

Tan Junjie’s voice remained calm and serious. "Second Territory, report the armaments of the six missing members."

Two minutes passed before Zhou Xun reported back. "They left with four homemade handguns and twenty grenades. Their mission today was to hunt herbivores. They must have run into the bear by accident."

"Understood. All personnel from Territory No. 1 to the Tenth Territory are to remain within their boundaries. Keep your radio channels open."

After Tan Junjie gave the order, Zhou Zhaoping, the representative for No. 8 Territory, asked, "I heard there are Brain Domain Evolutionary Bears deep within the Northern Evolution Forest?"

Hu Zifeng answered, "It’s confirmed. There are at least two adult Brain Domain Evolutionary Bears in the Evolution Forest over sixty li to the north."

Hearing Hu Zifeng’s answer, followed by another series of roars, terrified Zhao Ze. "You mean the same kind of bear from the fourth year of the Natural Disaster? The one that led a huge pack of Evolution Bears and wiped out a settlement of over ten thousand people at White Four Base? And there are two of them living near us? Oh my god—"

"Yes," Hu Zifeng confirmed, then immediately turned on the Second Territory. "Second Territory, you’re telling me you sent a Hunting Team out without briefing them on intelligence this critical?"