Full-Time Public Enemy

Chen Gu's speed suddenly increased as he "rushed to join" Xulong and the others, muttering in dissatisfaction, "The most crucial one has already been dealt with. Do I really need to handle these incompetents myself?"

Xulong, his face grim, manipulated the ambient potential energy to move boulders and block the insects.

The disordered swarm of insects, despite their substantial numbers, was no match for these professional mercenaries. It took only a dozen minutes to eliminate them completely.

From that hole, ever since that particular small insect was killed, no other insects charged out.

The young client remained calm, while Dou Mao glanced at Chen Gu. "How did you figure it out?"

Chen Gu shrugged. "You have to use your brain in combat, not just blindly compete with brute strength."

The mercenaries: "..."

Is he talking about us?

But insects could also have commanders. This was something they knew from their extensive experience fighting the Alien Insect Race, yet they had never encountered it before.

During the battle where Chen Gu became the "Heroic Mercenary King," he had noticed that the Insect Race seemed to be evolving in this direction.

Originally, this was a disadvantage for the Insect Race, as they lacked spontaneous tactical adaptations during combat. Regardless of the situation, they had to "consult" the Empress, then wait for the command to be relayed from the distant Empress back to the battlefield. During this transmission process, the Insect Race would have already suffered heavy losses.

So, they evolved on-the-spot commanders.

And the insects they faced this time exhibited a kind of tacit understanding during their attack. While far inferior to human battlefield command, it still made Chen Gu suspect this swarm had a commander.

The Beast God Seal mercenary group was unaware of this evolutionary trend in the Alien Insect Race, so it was understandable that they hadn't considered this possibility.

If these insects had an on-site commander, Chen Gu guessed it would be one of the small ones. Their vast numbers would allow a commander to hide easily, as the large insects were too conspicuous.

Chen Gu paid no mind to the professional mercenaries' "awkwardness," inquiring, "Have you encountered these kinds of insects before?"

This was the first time Chen Gu had encountered them.

The mercenaries, disgruntled by Chen Gu's earlier sarcasm, prompted Ghost Ape to huff, "Ultimately, they're all just insects. These creatures evolve very quickly, and new species often emerge."

Chen Gu looked at him with a pitying gaze but, in the end, just shook his head without saying a word.

This attitude enraged Ghost Ape. "What do you mean by that? Are you looking down on me?"

Chen Gu wasn't polite to him either. It was this guy who had kept luring the large insects towards him earlier.

"It's the same lesson: you have to use your brain in combat. These insects have clearly evolved to target professionals. If it were a large-scale army battle, their abilities wouldn't particularly stand out. Many in the Insect Race's existing hierarchy are on par with them in combat strength, yet those other types of insects could never have fought you to such a standstill!"

Ghost Ape opened his mouth to retort but, upon reflection, couldn't find the words. It seemed to be true!

They were all formidable professionals, the strongest at the Sixth Energy Level and the weakest at the Fourth Energy Level. Dozens of large insects shouldn't have been able to battle them for so long. They should have been eliminated already.

But now, reflecting on it, they were somewhat puzzled. How exactly did these insects manage to fight us for so long?

Xulong stepped forward. "What do you know?"

Chen Gu sighed. "They must have evolved some resistance, targeting the abilities of certain professionals."

Ghost Ape had a sudden realization. "So that's it!" No wonder I felt so restrained during the fight, as if I couldn't kill any of these insects no matter what!

But when he turned his head, Ghost Ape saw Chen Gu looking at him with an expression that suggested he found Ghost Ape surprisingly teachable. This infuriated him to no end. He snorted fiercely. The problem was, he really couldn't lash out at Chen Gu at that moment, so he could only turn his head away forcefully.

Chen Gu pointed to the cave entrance. "Let's go and have a look inside."

The mercenaries looked at each other, but no one stepped forward first.

Chen Gu smiled indifferently. "I'll go first then."

Dou Mao was somewhat surprised. This guy, suddenly taking responsibility?

Chen Gu had already used the Radiation Field to scout the area. There was no danger.

The tunnel behind the cave entrance had been forcibly excavated by a huge, egg-shaped monster and was only a few tens of meters deep. As Chen Gu emerged from it, the lights on his Mecha shone forward, and his body suddenly shook violently.

Following right behind Chen Gu, Dao Fu crawled out. Chen Gu shouted fiercely, "Close your eyes!"

Dao Fu paid no heed, looked up, and once he did, he couldn't tear his eyes away. About several tens of meters ahead stood a giant stone platform, upon which an immense idol was enshrined!

Compared to the one Director Xue had shown the students via holographic projection, this one was more realistic, with richer details, and its corrupting power was even stronger!

Dao Fu, a Fifth Energy Level 'Misty Songster,' wouldn't easily be seduced and mutated by anomalies, even during ascension. But in front of this idol, he was instantly "attracted"!

Chen Gu immediately sensed something was wrong, cursed silently, and was about to act. Then, a noise came from the cave entrance. The other mercenaries were catching up. Chen Gu bellowed, "Go back!"

Following behind was Bu She, who also didn't trust Chen Gu. You think telling me not to come over will stop me? Besides, Dao Fu has already gone ahead. I can't rest easy with him alone with you!

Bu She rushed over with his head down. Chen Gu cursed inwardly, also wondering. My Radiation Field can clearly sense the situation at the cave entrance now, so why did my perception register it as an empty space just moments ago, with no sign of the stone platform or the idol?

There was no time for Chen Gu to ponder, as Bu She was already approaching. He wouldn't listen to Chen Gu and insisted on coming. It was foreseeable that, like Dao Fu, he wouldn't heed Chen Gu's warning to close his eyes.

"HRRGH... HRRGH... HRRGH—"

Beside them, Dao Fu had already begun to make strange, low growling noises. There's no saving this guy now!

A cold light flashed in Chen Gu's eyes as he backed into the cave entrance. Bu She snorted coldly, assuming Chen Gu had finally shown his true colors and was planning to ambush him.

"Let me show you how tough I am!" Bu She instantly prepared three professional skills, but before he could release them, Chen Gu had already grabbed him by the neck. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

A searing power surged within Bu She's body, as if it would vaporize all his blood!

Biological Nuclear Explosion! Bu She was terrified out of his wits. Chen Gu whispered fiercely in his ear, "Behave yourself!"

Bu She didn't dare to move. Chen Gu, still controlling him, dragged him out of the cave mouth and then casually threw him aside. The searing heat within Bu She vanished. It wasn't actually a Biological Nuclear Explosion!

Bu She sprang up, ready to curse, when suddenly, everyone sensed something and looked towards the cave entrance with uncertain yet alarmed eyes.