Countdown: [229:45:05]

The day’s collection work went relatively smoothly.

They encountered a few more sporadic Star Beast attacks, mostly from Low-level Star Beasts drawn by the camp’s energy fluctuations or the researchers’ activity. The three of them dealt with the threats easily.

As usual, Xu Wuyi’s [Undying Flame] efficiently cleansed the battlefield, allowing nature to quickly erase the squad’s tracks and minimizing the risk of being followed.

In the evening, the group returned to camp.

The three researchers didn’t even bother to rest, immediately beginning to process and analyze the samples collected during the day on their makeshift workbenches, their faces a mixture of exhaustion and excitement.

"Professor, look at this!" Researcher Li projected a data set onto the light screen. "The Blood Coagulation Moss contains an unknown active enzyme. There’s no match for it in the Outpost Seven database!"

Professor Chen leaned in for a closer look, his eyes glittering. "And this Blue Fluorescent Ore."

He picked up the piece of ore that Researcher Zhang had collected.

"The energy radiation pattern is very peculiar. It seems... to contain an extremely stable structural force field. If we could just analyze it..."

Watching the three researchers descend into a research frenzy, Xiang Yong shook his head and whispered to Xu Wuyi and Liu Qing, "Looks like we’ll be staying here a few more days. According to the original plan, this isn’t the only sample-rich area."

Liu Qing wiped her twin blades and said lightly, "The mission period is ten days. We have plenty of time."

Xu Wuyi, meanwhile, silently took stock of the Qi and Blood and Spiritual Power he had consumed today.

Frequently using the [Undying Flame] for delicate "cleanup" work had consumed more energy than he’d expected.

He took out the Concentration Potion he had redeemed earlier and drank a small mouthful. The gentle medicinal power slowly nourished his sea of consciousness.

Countdown: [228:03:11]

Night fell once again, and it was Xu Wuyi’s turn to take the second watch.

Liu Qing had stood guard for the first half of the night, and all had been quiet.

When the countdown ticked over to [227:00:00], Xu Wuyi promptly relieved Liu Qing of her post.

Liu Qing nodded at him without a word, then walked to the side, sat down cross-legged, and quickly entered a light meditative state to recover her energy.

Xu Wuyi stood at the edge of the camp, spear in hand. The soft glow of the Energy Shield cast a faint light upon him. He closed his eyes and extended his Spiritual Perception to its maximum range.

Under 1.5 times gravity, the night air seemed thicker, more viscous.

Beasts still roared in the distance, and insects chirped and rustled nearby. Everything seemed no different from the previous night.

But gradually, Xu Wuyi’s brow furrowed slightly.

Because he cultivated the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace and the Shocking God Spear, his Spiritual Perception was far sharper than others of the same rank.

He faintly sensed an extremely subtle vibration coming from the dense forest about a kilometer southeast of the camp.

It wasn’t the sound of Star Beasts running or fighting. It was more like... some sort of rhythmic movement. And there was more than one.

He immediately opened his eyes and switched his tactical visor to life-sign scanning mode.

However, the distance and dense vegetation obscured the scan, revealing only a few faint heat-source silhouettes that were nearly identical to the ambient temperature.

"Martial Artist Xiang, Martial Artist Liu." Xu Wuyi’s voice, calm yet wary, reached them through the squad’s encrypted channel. "Southeast, one kilometer out. Unidentified targets approaching, three to five of them. Moving stealthily. Doesn’t seem like Star Beasts."

Almost the instant he finished speaking, both Xiang Yong and Liu Qing opened their eyes. They were sharp and completely alert, with no trace of drowsiness.

Xiang Yong sprang to his feet in a single fluid motion and silently appeared beside Xu Wuyi, taking the offered observation device and looking southeast.

"The heat signature is weak, almost blending in with the environment... These guys are skilled at Stealth." Xiang Yong’s expression darkened. "At this time, in a place like this, sneaking around..."

Liu Qing also crept over, her twin blades already in hand. She whispered, "The Werewolf Race?"

"Highly likely." Xiang Yong’s gaze turned icy. "Prepare for battle. Wake up the researchers and tell them to stay in the center of the Energy Shield. They are not to come out, no matter what!"

A chill went down Xu Wuyi’s spine, and he tightened his grip on his spear.

The [Undying Flame] in his palm seemed to sense its master’s mood, stirring restlessly within his Qi and Blood.

’Finally... is it happening?’

The countdown ticked coldly on his visor: [226:52:34].

An unknown enemy was closing in, silent and unseen.

The silence of the Dark Blood Mountain Range was about to be broken by battle.

...

[226:50:18].

Xiang Yong quickly woke the three researchers.

They had clearly undergone emergency training. Though their faces showed fear, they didn’t panic. Following orders, they immediately huddled together by the Energy Shield Generator in the center of the camp, even quieting their breathing.

Xiang Yong and Liu Qing returned to Xu Wuyi’s side. The three of them used the shadows and rocks of the camp for cover, their eyes locked on the dense forest to the southeast.

The faint, rhythmic sounds of movement grew closer. If the three of them weren’t such sharp-sensed Martial Artists, they would have barely been able to detect it.

Xu Wuyi’s eyes were sharp, his mind racing.

He lowered his voice, speaking rapidly, "Martial Artist Xiang, Martial Artist Liu, we can’t let them get close. If they discover a Federation research camp here, they’ll likely send word back immediately, which will lead to even bigger trouble."

Xiang Yong’s brow was tightly furrowed; he had naturally thought of this as well.

The Werewolf Race may not have developed technology, but they have their own system of Divine Beings and can transmit messages through prayer.

A passive defense was too risky.

Xu Wuyi continued, "I suggest we strike first. I’ll go take care of them before they pinpoint our exact location."

Hearing this, Liu Qing gave Xu Wuyi a slightly surprised look.

Their numbers and strength were unknown; striking first was just as risky.

Xiang Yong looked at Xu Wuyi, his gaze as sharp as a blade. "Are you sure? They might have a War General Level fighter with them."

The so-called War General is the Werewolf Race’s equivalent of a Human Race Martial Artist.

"I’ve observed their movement patterns and auras. The leader’s energy signature is somewhere between Level 33 and Level 35, so that should be the Wolfman War General. The others are much weaker, just ordinary warriors."

Xu Wuyi’s tone was steady, filled with a calmness that belied his age. "I can handle it. Even if things go sideways, with my Body Technique, it won’t be hard to escape."

He paused, then added, "The camp needs you more. If this is a feint to lure us away, or if there’s another squad, the researchers will be in danger without you."

Even the ancients understood the principle of a wolf feigning sleep to lure its prey.

Xiang Yong was silent for two seconds, his eyes flickering with thought.

He recalled the interview—Xu Wuyi’s incomparably fierce Spear Technique that had even managed to momentarily intimidate him, and that bizarre, domineering Dark Gold Flame.

That level of strength truly was far beyond that of an ordinary Level 31 Martial Artist. It wasn’t impossible for him to single-handedly take down a squad led by a single War General.

"Alright!" Xiang Yong hesitated no longer, making a swift decision. "Be careful. Make it quick. We’ll hold the camp. If anything goes wrong, signal for help immediately. We’ll provide backup at a moment’s notice."

"Understood." Xu Wuyi nodded, showing no hesitation.