Liu Qing quickly took a targeted Antitoxic Potion from her medical kit and injected Researcher Li.

Although the toxin was controlled in time and his life was not in danger, Researcher Li’s entire left arm was swollen and numb. He couldn’t apply any strength with it, and his face was pale and weak. He was clearly unable to continue with high-intensity fieldwork.

Professor Chen looked at Researcher Li’s poor condition, then at the collection list, which was nearly complete. He made a decisive call, "The mission is over. We’re returning to the base immediately!"

They had already gathered a substantial amount on this trip. By picking up the pace on the first day, they had collected so many materials that their progress had already exceeded expectations.

No one objected. They immediately packed up their gear and started back in the direction of Outpost Seven.

The return journey seemed to be going smoothly. They were only a few kilometers from the base and could already see its greyish-white silhouette in the distance through gaps in the sparse woods.

Hope was right before their eyes.

Just then— 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!—

The communicators carried by Xiang Yong, Liu Qing, and Xu Wuyi all blared with a sharp, urgent alarm!

A flashing red distress signal cut its way onto their communication channel, accompanied by a broken cry interspersed with the chaotic sounds of intense combat:

"...This is Pioneer Seven squad! We’ve been ambushed by five... Wolfman War Generals! I repeat, five War Generals! Requesting support! Coordinates..."

The signal was coming from the opposite direction of their return route, deeper within the Dark Blood Mountain Range.

Almost simultaneously, an encrypted communication from the command center at Outpost Seven came through, the voice urgent:

"Panshi Squad, the base has received the distress signal from Pioneer Seven."

"Given your position, Command requests that you assess the situation and dispatch any available combat personnel to the specified coordinates. Provide support to the relief effort. You must do everything possible to bring our comrades home!"

The voice on the communicator added another sentence.

"The First Emergency Squad, led by Old Cat, is already en route to provide aid."

The orders were crystal clear.

Xiang Yong’s gaze swept over the two Martial Artists and three researchers beside him, lingering on the pale-faced Researcher Li, who needed help to stand.

His eyes were sharp as a hawk’s. Without a moment’s hesitation, he made his decision. "Liu Qing, Xu Wuyi, the two of you will escort the professor and the others back to the base. I’m going to provide support!"

It was the safest plan.

Together, Liu Qing and Xu Wuyi were more than capable of handling any potential risks on the final leg of their journey. As the highest-Level and most experienced member of the squad, it was his undeniable duty to go and provide support.

Xu Wuyi tightened his grip on his Meteor Iron Long Spear, his gaze fixed on the direction of the distress signal. A blazing fighting spirit flashed in his eyes.

’Five Wolfman War Generals! And Old Cat is on his way too...’

He looked at Xiang Yong, then back at the weakened Researcher Li, Professor Chen, and the other researcher who all needed protection.

Ordinarily, Liu Qing would be enough to escort them by herself. But with Researcher Li incapacitated, the pressure on her would be immense if anything unexpected happened on the way.

If he left, Liu Qing would have to face all potential risks alone.

"Martial Artist Xiang, I..." Xu Wuyi began, his voice laced with hesitation.

Xiang Yong knew what he was thinking and said in a grave voice, "Your mission is to ensure the researchers return safely! That’s an order!"

The atmosphere grew tense.

Just then, Professor Chen, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke up. "Martial Artist Xiang, let Martial Artist Xu go with you."

All eyes turned to him.

The elderly professor pushed up his glasses and continued, "We’re only a few kilometers from the base. The chances of running into danger are very low now. Having Martial Artist Liu as an escort is more than enough."

"Besides, the relief party from the base is probably just ahead of us."

He paused and looked at Xu Wuyi, his expression full of an elder’s hope for the younger generation.

"One more person means more strength, and a greater hope of saving our comrades in peril. We three—the old, weak, and injured—can’t be a burden."

He said it with a hint of self-mockery, but the words also conveyed his firm resolve.

Xiang Yong’s brow furrowed as he quickly weighed the pros and cons.

Professor Chen had a point. They were only a few kilometers away, heading toward the base; the risk was indeed manageable.

Meanwhile, the squad that sent the distress signal was facing five Wolfman War Generals; their situation had to be dire. One more strong fighter would significantly increase their chances of survival.

He had seen Xu Wuyi’s strength firsthand; he would be a huge asset.

"All right!" Xiang Yong wasted no more time. His decision was swift and final. "Liu Qing, the professor and his team are in your hands! Get them back to the base safely! Xu Wuyi, you’re with me!"

"Yes, sir!" Liu Qing nodded grimly, her twin blades already in her hands as she moved to shield the three researchers.

A sharp glint flashed in Xu Wuyi’s eyes as his suppressed fighting spirit surged. He replied in a low voice, "Understood!"

He cast one last glance in the direction of the base, then turned and met Xiang Yong’s gaze.

Without another word, they both shot forward, like two arrows loosed from a bow, racing toward the source of the distress signal.

Not only were their comrades trapped in a desperate struggle there, but the experienced Old Cat was also en route. A vicious battle awaited.

Behind them, Liu Qing took a deep breath and said to the three researchers, "Let’s pick up the pace. We need to get back to the base as fast as possible!"

...

The interference from the Otherworld’s environment was severe, rendering the map function on their tactical visors almost useless. It couldn’t provide precise, real-time locations for allies or enemies.

But a Martial Artist at a full sprint was incredibly fast. The dull thuds of their footsteps, along with the distant roars and sounds of clashing Energy, served as the best guide.

Xu Wuyi and Xiang Yong pushed their Qi and Blood to the limit, their bodies becoming two blurry afterimages as they streaked through the strange, dark-red forest, racing toward the heart of the battle.

The wind howled in their ears, carrying the increasingly clear sounds of werewolf howls, the explosive clash of weapons, and the furious shouts of Human Race Martial Artists.

The two of them continuously adjusted their course, like a pair of unsheathed blades plunging straight toward the heart of the battle.

Soon, a ravaged clearing in the forest came into view.

Five massive Wolfman War Generals, radiating a ferocious aura, were savagely attacking five members of the Human Race.

Trapped in the center were three people in what looked like researcher uniforms, desperately protected by two blood-soaked Martial Artists of the Human Race.

One of the two Martial Artists wielded a blade, the other used his fists. Both were already wounded. Although their attacks were still fierce, they were clearly growing sluggish, their stamina fading.

With their speed as Martial Artists, they could have broken through the encirclement. But in order to protect the helpless researchers behind them, they were pinned down, forced into a desperate fighting retreat.

The blade-wielding Martial Artist had just parried the claws of one Wolfman War General when another lunged from the flank with uncanny speed, its claws aimed straight for an opening by his ribs.

His momentum spent from the parry, he was unable to muster a new defense. It looked as though he was about to be gutted.

"Vile creature! You’re courting death!"

Seeing this, fury erupted in Xiang Yong’s eyes. He let out a thunderous roar.

He didn’t even slow down. Stomping a foot hard against the ground and cracking it, he shot forward like a cannonball. His fists, sheathed in Alloy Gloves, pulsed with Qi and Blood as he charged with unstoppable momentum, slamming directly into the ambushing Wolfman War General!