Chapter 1049: Storm of Devastation: The Trap Set for Section One

“Copy that.” Hu Zifeng accepted the order and immediately began preparing the explosives.

Using explosives to attack the beast horde during the Devastation Rain was risky business.

The blasts would always trigger Devastation Explosions, and the resulting flow of Devastation Element particles would strike any Evolved Forest creature not wearing protective gear, leading to bodily harm, weakened life force, or even death.

On top of that, the explosion would send any surviving, already unstable animals into a frenzy. Those teetering on the edge would snap, losing all sense of pain and fear—leaving nothing but the instincts to devour and fight.

That’s why when a mid- or large-scale beast horde hits, humans usually try to guide the beasts away from human territories and Safe Zones, driving them back toward the Evolved Forest.

But this time was different. Something within Section One had released an intense scent that drew carnivores like moths to flame. If they didn’t wipe out these crazed animals before they locked on to Section One’s scent, it would be a disaster.

Once those beasts hit the outer edge, even if the iron mesh wall had power running through it, Section One wouldn’t last more than a few minutes before the frenzied monsters broke through.

Faced with this threat, Xia Qing only had two real options:

First, bomb the beast horde relentlessly using bag after bag of explosives to take out the giant predators. Second, set up three defensive lines in the direction of the stampede and wipe them out in stages.

To raise those defenses and destroy over three hundred rabid giant beasts, Xia Qing needed reinforcements—Inspection Teams, two Special Forces squads from Territory Seven, evolved allies from the Alliance, and the strike force from the Ninth Center.

But Xia Qing absolutely could not call on Territory Seven’s Special Forces.

Piecing together everything that had happened over the last two days, she realized it was all part of a massive conspiracy aimed directly at Section One.

The first phase of this scheme was the mysterious disappearance of Hui Three Safe Zone’s Magnetic Sense Evolved fighter, Ma Xiaoyin. That incident put all eyes on the Magnetic Sense Evolved, and for their protection, authorities were certain to restrict their movements.

Second was the ambush on the Magnetic Sense Evolved squad from the Ninth Center during their mission in Northern Section Three. The goal? Deprive Section One of two crucial Magnetic Sense Evolved, making the remaining two afraid to go outside.

Third, someone scattered seeds of Devastation Grass—dark purple-black flowers that lure predators—along Section One’s passageway.

If the ambush succeeded, the Ninth Center would lockdown its remaining two Magnetic Sense Evolved, keeping them inside. That would let the Devastation Grass grow unchecked in the corridor, blossom, and send waves of carnivore-attracting scent into the air.

Now, the six exposed moles—Zhang Kui, Li Cun, and Chen Xia from the Ninth Center, Peng Lin from Section One’s Inspection Team, plus Yan Meng and Feng Wen from Territory Fourteen—had all been under Xia Qing’s strict surveillance. So, the culprit who scattered the Devastation Grass seeds couldn’t have been any of them.

Which meant there were other enemy spies still hidden inside Section One.

Fourth, the blue-skinned Scavenger Squad hidden in the western Evolved Forest stirred up the beast horde with drugs, guiding it straight toward Section One. The carnivores were drawn right in by the Devastation Grass scent clinging to the corridor.

To make sure the plan worked, the enemy even attacked Hui Three’s untainted Pure Spring, leaving its military and squads unable to reinforce Section One in time.

Of course, maybe destroying Hui Three’s Pure Spring was their true objective. Ruining Section One could just be a bonus.

Looking at the whole situation, Xia Qing figured there was only one person in Section One worth all this trouble—the boss from Territory Seven. She was the one who’d cut ties with Hui One Base and shut down two of the Blazing Fire Squad’s income streams. And she happened to be Xia Qing’s idol—Zhang San.

If Xia Qing sent her idol’s bodyguards to intercept the beast horde and her idol suffered an attack from the hidden enemy, the higher-ups would think Hui Three’s Section One couldn’t keep the boss safe. They’d demand he leave.

If that happened, Xia Qing would lose her best ally and companion in this whole territory.

So even if she had to blow the Evolved Forest around her territory to pieces, Xia Qing would not touch Territory Seven’s fighting forces!

Hui One and Fire Phoenix had pushed her too far this time. Once this crisis was over, Xia Qing was determined to strike first and take them down a peg!

“Chik-chik—”

With danger in the air, Xia Qing raised her hand to gently soothe the restless companion wriggling in her protective suit pocket. Slowly, she looked up at the oppressive, storm-dark rain clouds pressing down from above.

The wind picked up. A red-level Devastation Rain, loaded with the highest density of Devastation Element, was about to begin.

After this rain, the aggressive Devastation Grass spreading up from the passageway—where the rain cover didn’t reach—would bloom and send clouds of scent wafting everywhere.

No matter how potent the idol’s pesticide was, spraying it still burned time. After the rain stopped and before the spraying finished, there’d definitely be some flowery scent leaking into the atmosphere, drawing carnivores big and small.

The only way was to take down the beast horde during the Devastation Rain. That way, after the storm, the defenders could focus all their energy on the nocturnal raptors lured in by the lingering scent.

As Xia Qing’s mind raced, the Lords’ channel buzzed with the worried voice of Lord Tan Qi from Section Fifteen. “My chickens are crashing against their cage, looks like they’re being affected by the Devastation Grass scent in the passage.”

Lord Zhu Li from Section Six chimed in. “Same here, the three chickens in my territory are going crazy too. Should I tie them up or what?”

Those chicks, traded from Territory Seven last spring, were now precious treasures for every territory. Once they survived this round of Devastation Rain, they’d start laying eggs. If anything happened to them now, everyone would be heartbroken.

Lord Yuan Yan from Section Five checked in next. “Tie them up and put them in the basement. I’ve already done that and it helped a bit. Teacher Wang, how’s your rabbits holding up?”

Lord Zhao Ze’s Mother from Section Four replied, “I put the rabbits in the basement before the rain started. So far they’re fine.”

“Third Brother said the Devastation Grass in the passage targets carnivores. Rabbits eat grass, chickens eat bugs, so they’re more affected,” griped Tang Huai. “But why on earth are my locusts in the greenhouse going wild too?!”

Shi Du reminded him, “Brother Huai, locusts eat meat too.”

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

“Moo—”

“Awoooo—”

Hearing how carnivorous animals were flipping out in every territory, Xia Qing dashed off but she was still a step behind—her earpiece walkie-talkie burst with the sound of Old Goat’s cage rattling and his furious roar, followed by the deep howl of a wolf.

Trouble erupted in Section Three where Number Four couldn’t handle the emergency alone. Wearing a protective mask, Number Four howled into the receiver, urging Xia Qing to come quick.

“Hang in there, Number Four! I’m almost there!” Xia Qing sent back through her walkie-talkie, rallying her teammate.

Braving the relentless Devastation Rain, head pounding, Xia Qing sprinted out of the Ninth Center, dashed across the passage’s Devastation Grass zone on the rain cover, vaulted over her territory’s iron mesh wall, and rushed straight toward Elder Wolf on the ruins of her house.