Chapter 337: Victory

Chapter 337: Chapter 337: Victory

The sonic waves from the enraged howls of the Evolution Bears and the Wolf Group battered Xiaqing’s chest and eardrums, but none of it was as shocking as seeing the Head Wolf stand up and walk out.

"Queen, drink some water to recover your strength before you go?"

Xiaqing, who always preferred to lay low as long as possible, had no reason to stop a capable, responsible, and committed Head Wolf from going to battle. For a species to survive, it needed and had to have such a great leader.

The Head Wolf was poisoned, had lost too much stamina and blood, and needed to replenish its energy quickly. So, Xiaqing poured out not just Pollution-free Spring Water, but also added a vial of Special Level Nutrient Liquid.

The Head Wolf quickly drank the water and bumped its head against Xiaqing’s Protective Mask. Xiaqing froze for a moment; she had never seen wolves communicate this way with each other.

’This head-bumping gesture was something Xiaqing only did with the Sheep Leader after they were both exhausted from a good fight. Xiaqing did it because she felt exhilarated after a satisfying brawl. How did the Head Wolf come to understand the meaning of this gesture?’

After drinking the spring water fortified with the Special Level Nutrient Liquid, the Head Wolf sped out of the cave and rushed to the battlefield.

If Xiaqing hadn’t injected it with the serum an hour ago and bandaged its bone-exposed limbs, one would never believe that a wolf suffering from Qiang Snake Poison and severe injuries to all four legs could move like that.

Qiang Snake Poison belonged to the category of Qiang Synthesized Poison.

Before Luo Pei was afflicted with Qiang Synthesized Poison, Xiaqing had assumed this type of poison was always created by humans, synthesized from an overdose of Harmful Elements and various toxins. Later, she learned from two Team doctors at No.1 Territory that Qiang Synthesized Poison could also occur naturally.

The Injuring Snake, for instance, had the ability to infuse its venom with an overdose of Harmful Elements.

The common feature of this type of Evolved Poison Snake was a bulge on its head, which contained venom mixed with an overdose of Harmful Elements. Because the bulge on the Injuring Snake’s head resembled a cockscomb, they were also known as Cock Crown Snakes.

The Cock Crown Snake was a mythical, serpentine creature from the ancient folklore and texts of Hua Country, described as having a cockscomb on its head. This creature could spray venom and poisonous mist, and its victims were sure to die.

The Head Wolf’s current condition was the same as Luo Pei’s when he was first poisoned: after the injection of the Antitoxic Serum, the symptoms of poisoning had lessened, but the poison itself was not completely eliminated.

The Qiang Synthesized Poison had already entered the Yi Evolution creature’s body through its bloodstream. The more the poisoned individual used their superpower, the faster the Qiang Synthesized Poison would destroy their body. If the Head Wolf managed to return alive after the battle, even without any new injuries, its body would be weaker than when it left.

The Head Wolf probably didn’t know this, but Xiaqing felt that even if it did, it would still go to fight. It was just like two months ago when the Evolved Fierce Birds attacked Hui San Base. Luo Pei, Hui San Base’s Top Level combatant against the Evolved Fierce Birds, had resolutely set out from the territory to face the flock on the front lines, even though the residual poison in his system had not yet cleared.

Those in high positions of power bore more important missions and responsibilities.

The roars of the bears and howls of the wolves below the mountain grew more intense, but the fighting hadn’t started. This meant both sides were testing each other’s strength. As the leader of the Wolf Group, the Head Wolf had to go out.

If it didn’t appear, the Bear Group would begin their attack as soon as the probing was over.

If it appeared and displayed formidable strength, the Bear Group would have to seriously consider the consequences of starting a war.

Even with dozens, perhaps hundreds, of wolves and bears roaring below, Xiaqing, a Level 9 Auditory Evolver, could still distinguish the Head Wolf’s voice. It was roaring back at the leader of the Evolution Bears with all its might, striking the ground with its already severely injured limbs and shattering rocks.

’Pythons? Those things don’t roar. From inside the cave, Xiaqing couldn’t hear any sound from them.’

The Antitoxic Serum had only neutralized some of the snake poison in the Head Wolf’s body; it couldn’t stop the pain. It was now enduring immense agony, relying on its powerful willpower and the Special Level Nutrient Liquid to intimidate the Bear Group. Xiaqing really wanted to rush out and put a bullet in the head of the lead bear that was roaring at the Head Wolf.

She was an excellent Sniper, carrying a sniper rifle on her back with plenty of Bullets. But she couldn’t go out and fight.

Because she was human. If she joined the battle, it would mean humanity had entered the conflict between the two—or possibly three—groups below.

The victorious side might be grateful to her, but the losing side would definitely seek revenge against humans, just like the Wolf Group’s sudden reprisal tonight.

Xiaqing the human could not bear the consequences of joining the fight.

Over an hour later, as the sky began to lighten, the standoff of intimidating roars was finally brought to a close by a long, resonant howl from the Head Wolf.

After the Head Wolf howled, the leader of the Bear Group didn’t roar back. Instead, it led the Bear Group in retreat amidst the howls of the Wolf Group.

Xiaqing heard the heavy footsteps of the retreating Evolution Bears and the distinctive howl of the Broken Leg Wolf as it zipped and bounded about.

The Wolf Group was victorious!

Clutching her sniper rifle, Xiaqing leaned against the wall, her head ringing from the close-range roaring match.

After the Broken Leg Wolf zipped in smugly, the Sick Wolf limped back as well. Its bruised foreleg was a bit more swollen, probably from slamming it on rocks. For an Evolver, an injury of this degree was nothing; it would heal in a few days.

Xiaqing ignored the frantic Broken Leg Wolf, only rubbing the Sick Wolf’s head before she began preparing medical supplies, waiting for the Head Wolf to return so she could re-bandage its limbs.

The Head Wolf was late in returning to the cave, but the Broken Waist Wolf came in, dragging a python over seven meters long, and placed it in front of Xiaqing. Its actions told her that the Python was hers.

"Thanks, Broken Waist. Just tell me what you want in exchange." Xiaqing didn’t stand on ceremony. When the Broken Waist Wolf made no request, she began processing her prize. After detecting that the Python was Red Light, Xiaqing decided to forgo the several hundred catties of snake meat and take only the most valuable parts.

The Python’s fatal wound was in its heart, so most of the Python Skin was intact. She had to take it.

As soon as she drew her dagger and started working, Xiaqing’s eyes lit up. This was actually an Evolutionary Snake with extremely tough skin—an excellent material for making High Level Strength Evolver Special Protective Equipment!

Butchering prey was the primary job of a non-staff logistics member on a team mission, so Xiaqing was an old hand at it. She quickly skinned the entire Python, then harvested the snake’s heart, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and stomach, all of which had medicinal properties. After sealing the Snake Gallbladder, she placed it along with the Injuring Snake into an insulated medical box filled with ice. The other organs and the Python Skin were sealed and packed into her backpack.

Xiaqing wore a Yi Stone, which could repel Harmful Elements within a one-meter radius. Her backpack had an insulated lining. Between the two, the Python Skin and organs definitely wouldn’t spoil within ten hours.

Ten hours was enough time for her to return to her own territory from Mountain No.60 and place the Python Skin in her underground storeroom.

’The organs and the Injuring Snake? I’ll trade them to my idol when I get back.’

After packing her bag and checking on the six injured wolves, she confirmed that they were lucky and hadn’t been infected by any superbugs. With that, Xiaqing prepared to leave.

"Broken Waist, I’m heading back to my territory. Where’s the Queen? She and that wolf over there with the two broken hind legs need to come back with me for continued treatment."