Chapter 157: Clouds Gather Before the Storm

The Safe Zone at Hui One Base was only two hundred kilometers from the one at Hui San. If the Evolved Raptors couldn’t break through Hui One’s defenses, they’d reach Hui San Base within an hour.

Xia Qing immediately prepared some deodorizer and began spraying it everywhere, wiping out any trace of animal scent around her home. She had to prevent any Scent Evolvers among the raptors from picking up the smell of sheep, wolves, chickens, geese, or even snakes and drawing them right to her territory.

As Xia Qing was spraying around the chicken and goose enclosures, the security squad of Territory Three—Hu Zifeng’s Squad—arrived at the territory, hauling supplies she’d traded for with the Azure Dragon Unit.

Chen Cheng greeted her with a smile. “Qing-jie, where do you want these supplies?”

“Qing-jie, let me handle the spraying.” Guan Tong took the sprayer from Xia Qing and went on with the job. They came here often, and this kind of work was second nature by now.

Xia Qing had the squad move the supplies to the village entrance. After that, she started carrying things home by herself.

There was no other way—just as they reached the village gate, the Alpha Wolf was already standing on the ruined house south of Xia Qing’s place, watching them with piercing eyes. The two injured wolves were still sedated, but the Alpha’s glare looked vicious enough. Xia Qing didn’t dare let Hu Zifeng’s Squad into the village.

Even before, whenever she left the territory and called Hu Zifeng’s Squad to guard, they still weren’t allowed near the village.

Xia Qing hefted a generator box on her right shoulder and carried a huge bucket of diesel in her left hand as she headed home. Then she fetched Boss Sheep, and together—one person, one sheep—they managed to haul two buckets of diesel, two buckets of gas, two boxes of ammo, and a box of grenades into the village, leaving Hu Zifeng’s Squad gaping in surprise.

Those two in Territory Three might as well have been born for the farming life. Their strength was off the charts.

Once the supplies were put away, Xia Qing grabbed her weapons, gave a few instructions to the Wolf Pack and Boss Sheep, then left the village to meet up with Hu Zifeng’s Squad.

The radio was giving real-time reports on Hui One Base’s tense battle with the Evolved Bird swarm, while inside the little house at the edge of Territory Three’s farmland, laughter and lively voices filled the air.

A fire burned bright in the small house, with an iron rack set above the flames. Half a pig sizzled as it roasted, sending delicious aromas that made everyone’s mouth water.

Hu Zifeng’s Squad couldn’t help but envy Xia Qing’s way of life.

“Sis, these wolves are insanely well-behaved.”

“No kidding, they’re better behaved than most people!”

“I hope we get more wounded wolves in the future…” Chen Cheng hadn’t even finished mumbling before his brother gave him a smack, making him shut up real fast.

Xia Qing only had two solar panels left, and the stored power wasn’t enough to run the food dehydrator. So when she was home, she roasted half a Greenlight Pig over the fire. After this round, all it needed was a brief heat-up before it was ready to eat.

With a major battle looming, Xia Qing used her cooking skills to bolster morale.

That half a pig, bones included, weighed barely a dozen kilos, but eleven people polished it off in just a few minutes.

Everyone packed the picked-clean pig bones into vacuum bags. Once they put out the fire and started on the tea, the Evolved Raptors—blocked by Hui One Base’s defenses—had already split into two groups. One veered toward Hui Five Base, and the other raced straight for Hui San.

Hu Zifeng drained his tea in one gulp, stood, and gave the order. “Gear check—everyone, prep for battle!”

“Yes, sir!”

The nine squad members and Xia Qing answered in unison and immediately began checking their guns, ammo, knives, protective suits, and medicine.

Once everything was ready, Hu Zifeng conferred with Xia Qing. “When those Evolved Raptors attack, Boss Sheep and the wolves can’t stay out in the open or they’ll turn into moving targets. You lock them up, then guard your own area. The ten of us will cover the farmland, sound good?”

“Sounds good.” Xia Qing had no objections. “We’ll keep the walkies on at all times, just like we agreed…”

“If you run into danger, safety comes first.” Hu Zifeng couldn’t help teasing her. “You’ve drilled that into us enough times to give us calluses in the ears. Relax.”

Hu Zifeng’s Squad only had one high-ranked Evolver, but their abilities complemented each other perfectly. Their marksmanship and hand-to-hand skills were top-notch, and they were heavily armed. This time, they weren’t storming into Eigolver Forest but instead setting up defensive positions against the raptor horde on familiar ground. The advantage was all theirs.

Xia Qing wanted to say something to boost morale, but nothing came to mind. So she just gave Hu Zifeng’s Squad a firm nod, then turned to find Boss Sheep.

The sky was cloudy today. A thick sheet of white clouds blocked out the sun, casting a shadow over Boss Sheep and his pasture. Xia Qing stood by, keeping an eye on her surroundings.

It wasn’t her imagination—the territory was eerily quiet today. She couldn’t even hear any birdsong.

Back during past beast tides, Xia Qing—being a Strength Evolver—always stayed in the Safe Zone, handling logistics. Most of her job was hauling supplies, tending to the wounded, and clearing out bodies. The atmosphere then was always tense, the air filled with noise and activity.

So this strange calm ahead of the beast tide was a brand new experience for her.

Turns out, silence was even more nerve-wracking than chaos.

“Attention, residents of Hui San Base! A raptor flock numbering in the thousands has entered the Evolver Forest at Hui San Base. Please immediately return indoors, secure all doors and windows and remain quiet. Defense teams and squads, take your positions and prepare for combat.”

“Attention, residents of Hui San Base…”

After the broadcast ended, Tan Junjie’s calm, firm voice rang out over the Lord’s Channel. “All personnel in Territories One through Ten, be advised—the Evolved Bird horde has entered Hui San Base from the southeast sky above the Evolver Forest. Everyone, seek sturdy shelter and stay hidden, reinforce your defenses and try to keep as quiet as possible.”

Clouds drifted past, sunlight poured onto the pasture, and Boss Sheep flicked his ears, still munching away.

Xia Qing gazed southeast, her face tense.

Once Boss Sheep was finally full, Xia Qing scooped him up in her arms and dashed back into the village. Just as she burst through the courtyard gate, she stopped short.

The sheep shed door was wide open, but inside it was empty. The recovering wolves were gone.

Where could the wolves have gone? Could the Alpha have sensed danger and carried the wounded away?

Placing Boss Sheep at his usual toilet spot, Xia Qing gripped her gun and scanned the area. Her gaze finally landed on a muddy paw print on the handle of the security door.

Could it be…

Gun ready, Xia Qing stepped up to the door and listened carefully. All she heard were the soft peeps of chicks and goslings inside. She holstered her gun, drew her knife, twisted the handle and slowly pushed the door open.

Boss Sheep, done with his business and eager to get inside, grew impatient and cracked the door open with a headbutt, striding in first.

With the door open, Xia Qing saw two sedated wolves lying on the sheep tatami in the living room. One glared at her with fierce eyes, while the other looked calm. There was no sign of the Alpha or the other two squad wolves.

Xia Qing just sighed.

Seemed the Alpha already sensed the danger, thought the sheep shed was no longer safe, and upgraded their ‘VIPs’ to a higher-class suite—all without asking the landlord, of course.

“You two just stay put while I check around,” Xia Qing said gently, trying to calm the two wolves. Then she made a quick sweep of the first and second floors as well as the attic, confirming that only the two injured wolves remained. The other three were gone.

Life wasn’t easy. Xia Qing sheathed her knife and headed downstairs, where she saw Boss Sheep already sprawled out next to the wolves, chewing his cud contentedly.

“Xia Qing, you there?”

Hearing Hu Zifeng’s voice through the earpiece walkie-talkie, Xia Qing answered at once, “I’m here.”

“Luo Ge and the others are already engaging the Evolved Bird horde. Leading the charge are five Evolved Monkey-Eating Eagles, each with wingspans over six meters. There are also loads of Evolved Crested Sea Eagles and some raptors we can’t even identify. Their combat power is insane.” Hu Zifeng updated Xia Qing, ending with, “Get ready—shout if you need backup.”

“Got it.” Xia Qing replied, her voice cool and steady.

Xia Qing had heard plenty about the Evolved Crested Sea Eagle on the radio. Largest raptor over the bay, famous for its speed and ruthlessly accurate attacks, it was a major threat to the coastal Safe Zones of Guilin City Base.

But today, those fierce Evolved Crested Sea Eagles were actually ranked below the Monkey-Eating Eagles. Just imagining the level of power those Eagles must have…

And now five of those terrifying Evolved Raptors had shown up!