Chapter 337: Echoes of Alpha Resolve

The roaring shockwaves from the evolving bears and wolves hammered relentlessly at Xia Qing’s chest and eardrums, but none of it compared to the awe that struck her when the Alpha rose and strode outside.

“My Queen, have some water to recharge before you head out,” she suggested.

Xia Qing believed in lying low when she could but saw no reason to stop a true leader—a wolf with strength, responsibility and courage—from fighting. Every pack needed such a great chief to survive.

The Alpha had lost too much energy and blood from snake venom, so Xia Qing poured not just pure spring water but also added a shot of Premium Nutrient Shake.

The Alpha finished the water quickly and bumped his head against Xia Qing’s protective mask. She froze—she’d never seen wolves communicate like this before.

That gesture was something Xia Qing did with Old Goat only after exhausting brawls. It was her way of expressing happiness after a good fight, but how did the Alpha interpret it?

After downing the concoction, the Alpha shot out of the cave, racing towards the battlefield.

If Xia Qing hadn’t administered serum, treated his wounds and bandaged the exposed bone just an hour ago, she’d never believe a wolf still wracked with Devastation Snake poison and grave injuries could move like that.

Devastation Snake venom belongs to the class of Synthetic Toxin.

Before Luo Pei was poisoned, Xia Qing thought only humans could make this kind of toxin by combining surplus Devastation Element and other poisons. Later, Territory One’s two medics informed her that Synthetic Toxin can also form naturally.

Devastation Snakes have the ability to infuse excess Devastation Element directly into their venom.

These evolving venomous snakes are all marked by a bulge on their heads—the swollen pouch is filled with venom laced with massive Devastation Element. Because the bump looks like a rooster’s comb, they’re also called Crest Snakes.

Crest Snakes, according to ancient Huaguo folklore and records, are mythical snakes with crested heads. They spray deadly venom and toxic mists—no one survives a direct hit.

The Alpha’s condition now matched Luo Pei’s right after he was bitten: the antitoxin serum eased the symptoms but didn’t clear the poison completely.

The Synthetic Toxin had already spread through the evolving creature’s body. The more often the poisoned one used their abilities, the faster the toxin destroyed them. If the Alpha managed to return alive after this fight, even without fresh injuries, he’d still be weaker than before.

The Alpha probably didn’t know this. Xia Qing figured even if he did, he’d still go. Just like Luo Pei, months ago when raptors attacked Hui Three Base, headed out for the front lines even with poison still in his veins.

The strong carry weightier missions and heavier responsibility.

The howls and roars below grew fiercer, but with no fighting yet, it was clear both sides were just measuring each other’s strength. As pack leader, the Alpha had to go.

If he stayed in the cave, once the bears finished probing, they’d attack.

If he appeared and showed his power, the bears would have to think twice before starting a war.

Even with dozens or over a hundred wolves and bears roaring below, Xia Qing—her hearing evolved to level nine—could still pick out the Alpha’s voice. He was giving his all, bellowing at the evolving bear chief, slamming his battered limbs into the ground and shattering rocks.

Pythons? Those things never roar. Xia Qing heard nothing from them in the cave.

The antitoxin serum only neutralized some of the snake venom in the Alpha’s body—it did nothing for the pain. Gritting his teeth through agony, relying on his will and nutrient boost, he kept the evolving bears at bay. Xia Qing could hardly resist the impulse to rush out and blow the leading bear’s head off with her sniper rifle.

She was a top-notch sniper with her rifle and plenty of ammo strapped to her back. But she couldn’t join the fight.

Because she was human. If she joined the fray, it would mean humans were now part of this looming war between two—maybe even three—different packs.

The winning side might be grateful, but the losers would inevitably seek revenge on humans—like the wolves had done tonight.

A human like Xia Qing couldn’t afford the consequences of getting involved.

Over an hour later, daylight began breaking. The fierce standoff finally ended as the Alpha let out a long, resounding howl.

As soon as he finished, the bear chief fell silent, led its pack away and retreated, leaving the wolves’ victory howls echoing through the wild.

Xia Qing listened to the heavy, lumbering footfalls of the retreating bears and the distinct yelps from Lame Wolf’s sideways hops.

The wolves had won!

Leaning against the cave wall with her sniper rifle, Xia Qing’s head buzzed from the relentless howling.

Lame Wolf swaggered in first, followed by Er Gou, limping badly—his bruised front leg was swollen, likely from pounding rocks. For an evolved being, it was a minor injury, a few days’ rest and he’d be fine.

Xia Qing ignored Lame Wolf’s hyper antics, just ruffled Er Gou’s head, and started prepping medicine, waiting for the Alpha to return for re-bandaging.

The Alpha still hadn’t come back, when Crippled Wolf dragged a seven-meter-long python into the cave and dropped it in front of Xia Qing—a clear sign the catch was hers.

“Thanks, Crippled. Let me know if you want to trade.” Xia Qing showed no hesitation, and when Crippled Wolf made no demands, she got to work on her prize. Turns out the python was a Red Lantern—she’d skip the hundreds of pounds of meat and just keep the valuable parts.

The python’s fatal wound was at its heart, but most of the hide was intact—a must-keep.

As soon as her knife touched it, Xia Qing’s eyes brightened. This was a high-tier evolving snake with skin hard as armor—perfect for making top-grade Strength-Based Evolution gear!

Dissecting prey was second nature for Xia Qing after years as off-the-record supply in her squad. She stripped the entire hide, then harvested all the medicinal organs—heart, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, stomach. Once she’d sealed the snake gall and Devastation Snake in an ice-packed cooler, she packed the rest of the organs and hide in her backpack.

Her Yi Stone could repel Devastation Element within a meter. With the backpack’s insulation, the hide and organs wouldn’t spoil for at least ten hours.

Ten hours—that would get her from Hill Sixty all the way home to store the snake hide in her underground stash.

The organs and Devastation Snake? She’d trade them to Idol after returning.

With her pack loaded and a quick check of the six wounded wolves—luckily all uninfected—Xia Qing got ready to head out.

“Crippled, I’m heading back to my territory. Where’s the Queen? She and the two-legged-wolf with broken hind legs need to come with me for more treatment.”