Researcher Zhang was dumbfounded. He subconsciously adjusted his glasses, a newfound reverence in his eyes as he looked at Xu Wuyi.

Xu Wuyi rose to his feet, his expression calm.

He hadn’t expected it either. An ability like the Undying Flame, which focused on "incinerating" the structure of matter, turned out to be so miraculously effective for survival in the wild.

Countdown: [237:15:03]

The squad ventured deeper. After their first encounter, everyone was on high alert.

Sure enough, they were attacked by several more waves of Star Beasts along the way.

There were flying insectoid beasts that could spit acid, multi-legged monsters that lurked in swamps and excelled at ambushes, and swarms of sharp-toothed gnawing rats.

The three of them took turns fighting. Xiang Yong, wearing his Alloy Gloves, unleashed ferocious Fist Momentum, often blowing a Star Beast to pieces with a single punch.

Liu Qing’s Body Technique was agile, her twin blades striking at vital points with extreme efficiency.

As for Xu Wuyi, his Spear Technique was steady and sharp. The Undying Flame became an incredible tool for cleaning up the battlefield; after every fight, he was responsible for disposing of the corpses, eliminating their tracks as much as possible.

This ability of his greatly reduced the pressure on Xiang Yong and Liu Qing, and it put the three researchers much more at ease.

Along the way, the three researchers were also busy, constantly collecting soil, rock, and vegetation samples, and recording environmental data.

Professor Chen would occasionally select specific minerals or plants for Researchers Zhang and Li to focus on collecting.

Countdown: [235:58:47]

After several hours of trekking, the squad finally arrived at the designated Sample Enrichment Area 3—a relatively flat, leeward hollow on the mountainside.

"We’ll set up camp here," Xiang Yong decided after surveying the terrain.

Everyone immediately sprang into action.

Xiang Yong took out several silver-gray metal bases from his gear, unfolded them, and secured them to the ground, forming the camp’s framework.

Liu Qing was responsible for setting up simple defensive traps and sensor alarms in the surrounding area.

Meanwhile, Xu Wuyi helped the three researchers set up the inflatable living tents and cleared out a safe area.

With the Federation’s level of technology, most of this equipment was prefabricated and only required assembly.

Xu Wuyi once again used the Undying Flame to clear the hollow of any dead branches and leaves that might hide venomous insects or snakes, as well as small nests, ensuring the campsite was clean.

Watching the dark golden flame dancing in Xu Wuyi’s palm, and the ground left barren and free of hidden dangers in its wake, Researcher Li couldn’t help but whisper to Professor Chen, "Professor, Martial Artist Xu’s ability is practically tailor-made for wilderness exploration."

Professor Chen’s graying eyebrows twitched. He looked at Xu Wuyi’s back and shook his head. "A Martial Artist’s abilities are their personal secret. Don’t be nosy."

Researcher Li immediately fell silent.

The camp quickly took shape.

In the center stood a small Energy Shield Generator, which emitted a soft glow. It provided light and could, to a certain extent, repel Low-level Star Beasts.

Surrounding it were the three tents for the researchers. Xiang Yong, Liu Qing, and Xu Wuyi didn’t need tents; the physique of a Martial Artist was strong enough for them to rest in the open while maintaining a higher state of alert.

If they stayed in tents, it would be harder for them to respond immediately and provide aid if danger struck.

The sky—or rather, the position of the two pale suns—showed almost no obvious change, but the countdown on their tactical visors clearly indicated that nearly five hours had passed.

"I’ll take the first half of the night watch. Liu Qing, you take the middle watch, and Xu Wuyi, the last." Xiang Yong assigned the duties. "Get some rest. The real work begins tomorrow with the official sample collection."

Xu Wuyi nodded, found a spot near the edge of the camp, and sat down cross-legged, his Meteor Iron Long Spear laid across his lap.

He didn’t fall asleep immediately. Instead, he silently circulated the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace technique, recovering the Qi and Blood and Spirit he had expended during the day.

The night in the Dark Blood Mountain Range was exceptionally quiet, broken only by the chirping of unknown insects and the occasional distant roar of a beast.

Against the dark purple canopy of the sky, the distribution of stars was completely different from that of the Federation’s plane, exuding a sense of strangeness and mystery.

The countdown ticked silently in the corner of their visors, a constant reminder that they were in an Otherworld and their mission was arduous.

Xu Wuyi closed his eyes, but his Spiritual Perception spread out around him like an invisible web.

He knew this ten-day trial had only just begun.

The depths of the mountain range, and the possible existence of the Werewolf Race, would be the true test.

A restrained yet domineering heat, the lingering sensation of the Undying Flame, still seemed to emanate from his palm.

...

Countdown: [231:12:18]

After a short rest, the squad began their official sample collection work.

Professor Chen was clearly the core of this scientific mission. Holding a strangely shaped scanner, he constantly probed the surrounding rock formations and vegetation, muttering to himself as he directed Researchers Zhang and Li.

"Xiao Zhang, the Blood Coagulation Moss sample on the left. Be sure to collect the soil from its roots."

"Xiao Li, record the energy radiation readings from the rock face to the northwest. The fluctuations in that area are a bit unusual."

The two researchers immediately got busy, carefully taking out tools from specialized containers to collect samples and record data.

Xiang Yong, Liu Qing, and Xu Wuyi formed a triangular formation, protecting the three researchers in the middle as they vigilantly scanned their surroundings.

In this strange mountain range, any negligence could lead to annihilation.

Xu Wuyi was responsible for protecting Researcher Zhang, whose main task was to collect geological and low-growing vegetation samples.

He had to frequently bend over and squat, his movements somewhat clumsy, forcing Xu Wuyi to constantly divert his attention to keep an eye on his surroundings, his spear ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

"M-Martial Artist Xu, this ore seems a little different." Researcher Zhang pried a piece of faintly glowing blue ore from a crevice in the rock. Just as he looked up, he saw the tip of Xu Wuyi’s spear flash past his ear like lightning!

"PSSSH!"

A slender, venomous snake, its body camouflaged almost perfectly against the rock, had been attempting to drop down from above. The tip of the spear had accurately pierced it seven inches below the head, and a dark golden flame instantly flared up, turning it to ash.

Researcher Zhang’s face went pale with fright. His hand trembled, and he nearly dropped the ore.

"Be careful," Xu Wuyi said, withdrawing his spear, his tone flat. "Many things here can be venomous or aggressive."

"Th-thank you!" Researcher Zhang said, still shaken. He quickly put the ore into a sample bag, not daring to be careless again.

On the other side, Researcher Li, protected by Liu Qing, needed to climb some low slopes to collect plants from higher up. Liu Qing followed close behind him like a nimble cat, her twin blades always ready to sever any attacking vines or insectoid beasts.

Xiang Yong, meanwhile, stayed glued to Professor Chen’s side. The old professor would sometimes be lost in thought, other times visibly excited, completely immersed in the world of his research. He seemed oblivious to the potential dangers, relying entirely on Xiang Yong to act as an intimidating guardian deity.