Chapter 552: When Secrets of the Land Are Laid Bare

The main resource the Alliance members brought back from Hill Fifty was top-grade spring water, but only they knew about this. The folks from Territory Two had no idea.

Zhao Ze grew even more anxious. “I heard from Tang Huai that the Sufeng Squad recruited over a hundred refugees into Territory Two but didn’t give them enough food. That’s why those refugees started grouping up to forage and hunt in the Evolved Forest. Every time they passed Section Four and glanced inside, their eyes sent chills down my spine.”

Shi Du chimed in, “They used to hunt and gather around Hill Fifty, but now that place is off limits. Now they’re forced to go even farther, to Mountain 51 or Hill Fifty-Two. No wonder they’re all so on edge.”

Qi Fu added, “To them, we probably look like easy pickings—a soft target sitting on a stash of food.”

“Most of our food’s stored in the Food Depot in Territory One…”

Zhao Ze hadn’t finished when Qi Fu cut in, “Did you send the supplies you brought back from Hill Fifty to Territory One lately? Of course not! In fact, just three days ago, we took quite a lot of grain and vegetables out of the Food Depot. Zhou Xun, who’s always hiding up behind the Wild Grass Wall in Territory Two, saw everything!”

“It’s just that New Year’s is coming. Everyone wants to eat something decent…” Zhao Ze looked even more flustered, instinctively glancing at their strongest ally.

Xia Qing spoke up. “If their goal is to raid our food, and they have the numbers and strength to pull it off, then Territories One, Eight, and Twelve would be their prime targets since that’s where most of the grain is. But if they’re lacking in numbers or firepower, then we’re the ones in danger.”

They’ve got quite a lot of people. So, it’s possible their targets are Territory Twelve and Territory Eight.

Zhao Ze finally relaxed a bit, but a new worry crept in. “Xia Qing, what if the folks from Territory Two take advantage of us being stuck here, slip off to Hill Fifty, and discover the spring water hidden in our valley?”

Everyone turned to Xia Qing.

Losing the food stash would sting, but if people from Territory Two discover the spring water, it’s as good as losing years off their lives and seeing their crops fail. In a way, it could spell their doom.

“Security in the valley is tight. There’s no chance of trouble.” Xia Qing was steady and calm, then dropped another important detail. “Recently, the Territory Management Department sent people over to assess losses in the fields. They collected crop and soil samples from each territory. When these get tested, they’ll find that our area’s soil is rich in selenium, making it selenium-rich soil.”

A collective gasp swept through the group.

Xia Qing’s news sent shockwaves through the lords.

“Selenium-rich soil?” Qi Fu’s voice trembled.

“That’s right,” Xia Qing nodded. “Selenium is an essential trace element for humans and animals. It boosts immunity and blocks heavy metal toxicity. Before the disaster, residents here had just invited an agricultural research team to test the soil. They discovered this place was selenium-rich, but before the village could spread the good news, the disaster struck.”

Shizhong slapped his thigh. “No wonder I’ve felt so much healthier since I came here!”

Kuang Qingwei’s eyes lit up. “Selenium-rich vegetables and grains shouldn’t be sold at regular prices. We should be charging more!”

Yue Haiying kept quiet, but it was clear he was just as pleased.

Xia Qing dropped another bombshell. “There’s more: Third Brother ran tests on the soil where my Green Lantern spinach grows. Turns out, it’s not just high in selenium—its Evolution Element content is off the charts too. That makes it high Evolution Element soil. Crops planted in this kind of soil are less likely to undergo devastation evolution. Third Brother said the soil in every territory where Green Lantern crops grow is probably high Evolution Element soil.”

Boom—

This news set the whole room ablaze.

Zhao Ze leapt to his feet. “That means my Greenlight Alfalfa field is high Evolution Element soil too?”

Xia Qing nodded. “Third Brother said yours is, and other territories have it too—it’s just a matter of size.”

Section Three’s spinach, Section Four’s alfalfa, Section Five’s Green Lantern ginger, Section Six’s Green Lantern chives, Section Ten’s Green Lantern water celery…

Anyone living through these years of catastrophe knows what high Evolution Element soil means. The lords could barely hide their excitement, their discussion intense.

Yue Haiying stayed relatively calm. “So now the Territory Management Department knows we’ve got selenium-rich land and high Evolution Element soil.”

A collective groan followed.

Just like that, their enthusiasm was doused, and the tension returned.

Xia Qing nodded. “Third Brother said if word gets out about the high Evolution Element soil, they’ll probably dig up the whole top layer and take it. Which makes me think—the real purpose behind Territory Two’s recent excursions might be to clear out these territories and install their own people as lords.”

“There’s no way they could pull that off with Territories One, Two, Eight, or Twelve. If I’m right, then when the beast tide arrives, they’ll time things so Captain Tan and the combat teams are kept busy. They’ll try to scare us into abandoning our territories and heading back to the Safe Zone.”

Abandon their land? No way!

Shizhong asked, “Section Two belongs to the Sufeng Squad. If they pull something like this, wouldn’t Deputy Mayor Tang be held responsible?”

Yue Haiying spoke up. “Territory Two could just pin everything on the refugees and pose as victims, standing with us to demand justice from the Inspection Team. They might even use the opportunity to replace the Inspection Team with their own people.”

No one wanted to believe it, but everyone knew Yue Haiying was right. A wave of anger surged in their hearts, stronger than their fear.

Yue Haiying added, “Xia Qing mentioned two scenarios, but there’s a third: the Blazing Fire Squad probably has a different target than Territory Two. Territory Two wants to clear us out and maybe go after Territory One and Two, but the Blazing Fire Squad is likely to act even more aggressively.”

“Blazing Fire is Hui One Base’s top-ranked combat team. They’re stronger than Sufeng and Qinglong put together. After suffering a massive setback in our territory, they’re definitely not giving up their chance to regain face and establish dominance. Judging by Fire Phoenix’s style, her goal is likely to destroy this entire territory.”

Not even Sufeng dares mess with them, let alone us. Qi Fu’s voice shook. “Brother Yue, should we talk to Captain Tan and the Territory Management Department? Maybe they can send reinforcements?”

Yue Haiying shook his head. “It’s all just speculation—there’s no proof. With the beast tide incoming, the base will focus all its strength on protecting the Safe Zone’s 1.93 million people.”

“Captain Tan understands the situation too, which is why he didn’t agree to Section Two’s co-defense proposal.” With things getting more urgent by the minute, Xia Qing didn’t bother with small talk. “Everyone knows where we stand. If you’re afraid and want to give up your territory, now’s the time to leave the Lords’ Alliance.”

“I won’t give up!” Even though he’d been shaking with fear minutes ago, Zhao Ze was the first to stand up. “I’ll never go back to the way things were before. Even if it costs my life, I’m staying right here.”

“That’s right. Even if it kills us, we’re not giving up.” Qi Fu, Kuang Qingwei, and Shizhong rose together, faces set and determined.

Yue Haiying was the last to stand. His expression was grim but full of resolve. “Territory Fifteen is the home of all us broken and battered folks. We’re just like everyone else—we’ll stand and fight till the end.”