Chapter 662: Predators in the Evolved Forest

With a quick jerk on the rope, Xia Qing yanked the bait out of the water. As two giant pythons burst from the surface, their gaping mouths big enough to swallow her whole, her first instinct wasn’t fear. Instead, she wanted to leap up and knock both of them out with a single punch.

But right now, her strength didn’t match her courage. Like Yang Jin, Xia Qing dragged the bait as she sprinted toward the trap, luring the two pythons behind her while reporting into the walkie-talkie, “Two more pythons have taken the bait.”

“Copy that. The first one entered the trap. I’m back at the pond, fishing for more.” Yang Jin’s traps weren’t limited to a single spot. His steady, almost indifferent voice made it sound like they were just fishing for minnows, not battling monstrous pythons.

Hidden among the dense trees, Black Wolf spotted Xia Qing being chased by two pythons. He immediately charged in, slashing his razor-sharp claws at the python closest to catching her.

“Shk——”

Wolf claws raked against python scales, producing a screech almost metallic in its intensity. Clearly, both the python’s skin and the wolf’s claws were tough as steel.

Even Black Wolf’s keen claws couldn’t pierce the python’s armor. Enraged by the ambush, the serpent whipped its body around, lunging to bite Black Wolf.

On land, the pythons just weren’t as fast as evolved wolves. Watching Black Wolf easily dodge every strike, Xia Qing shouted, “Black Wolf! Lead that one away, I’ll be back to help you soon!”

Though she wasn’t a Speed Evolver, Xia Qing was still faster than a python. As she sprinted through the trees, python in pursuit, she updated Yang Jin on the walkie-talkie, “Black Wolf’s helping me out—he’s drawn off one of the pythons. I’ll lead the one behind me into the trap, then double back to help with the other.”

“Understood.”

Back at the pond, Yang Jin kept a sharp eye on the water. Three minutes passed without another python surfacing, so he radioed in, “No more pythons in the pond. I’m getting ready to dive.”

Deep in the thick forest, Xia Qing and Black Wolf guided the second python toward another trap. Xia Qing pressed her walkie-talkie, “Copy that. One python’s in the trap, the second is on its way. Expect me and Black Wolf back at the pond in ten minutes.”

Even though Xia Qing’s running speed had improved, she still couldn’t keep up with top-tier Speed Evolvers like Yang Jin. She needed a lot more time to shuttle between the python pond and the traps.

Four minutes later, the second python was caught tight in a sturdy snare.

Nine minutes later, Xia Qing returned to the pond’s edge with Black Wolf.

Yang Jin, already prepared, handed her a rope. He curled his hand into a fist; Xia Qing bumped her fist against his, then grabbed the rope.

Handing over the rope, Yang Jin hugged a large rock and leapt into the water to harvest medicinal herbs.

“Black Wolf, guard the shore for me. Don’t let any beasts jump in and attack!” Xia Qing wasn’t sure if Black Wolf understood, but she didn’t care—she dove into the water, settling on a chosen rock. With her left hand gripping the rope and her right hand holding a gun, she kept her eyes on Yang Jin as he descended.

Both Xia Qing and Yang Jin wore custom protective suits made of a new material, far superior to level-five wilderness suits. Their masks had built-in oxygen systems, letting them stay underwater for three hours with no problem. It’s one reason Yang Jin dared to hatch this underwater harvesting plan.

But Xia Qing wasn’t using her prized sniper rifle. Instead, she carried a special pistol Yang Jin had brought—a weapon usable underwater.

Because water’s density is so much greater than air’s, bullets face huge resistance underwater. If she used her sniper rifle down here, not only would its range and power drop, there’d be real risk of jams or even a barrel explosion.

She’d only test-fired this underwater pistol three times in a shallow pond, just enough to get the feel for shooting below the surface.

Knowing exactly where the medicinal herbs grew, Yang Jin quickly swam to the right depth. He wedged the rock into the wall and pulled out his knife, starting to dig up the herb.

Through the night vision goggles and mask, Xia Qing calmly watched Yang Jin’s surroundings. Suddenly, a dark shape over three meters long, with limbs, glided over from the other side and opened its jaws to attack Yang Jin.

“Crocodile, I’ll handle this!” As she yelled, a bullet streaked through the water, tracing a silver line straight at the crocodile.

Shooting at an underwater target from shore is never accurate, since refraction throws off your aim. Xia Qing had never trained for this, so to ensure her shot landed, she dove in after him.

She’d only practiced with three shots in that shallow pond, but for an elite sniper, that was enough.

Her shot hit the crocodile’s eye dead-on. The beast thrashed in pain, churning the water and crashing into the rock wall—no longer interested in hunting the humans.

While Xia Qing took care of the crocodile, Yang Jin never looked back—he kept digging for herbs, focused on the task.

The crocodile’s wild thrashing clouded the water, cutting visibility. Xia Qing clutched her pistol tighter, eyes fixed on the space behind and below Yang Jin.

A dark shape appeared in the pond’s depths, growing fast.

“Retreat!” Xia Qing shouted, scrambling upright and hauling hard on the rope in her left hand.

On the other end, that rope was tied around Yang Jin’s shoulders.

Come on—hurry up!

The instant Xia Qing shouted the order, Yang Jin sensed a chilling murderous intent rising from below. His protective suit was much bulkier than a wetsuit, making him slower in the water. He pushed away from the rock wall to swim up, but whatever lurked beneath was closing the gap fast.

But Xia Qing was strong enough! With the powerful pull of the rope, Yang Jin shot toward the surface, breaking free of the water.

The moment his feet hit solid ground, the giant python chasing behind exploded from the pond, sending a wave crashing straight at them.

Black Wolf sprang back. Summer Qing was also retreating fast, but then Yang Jin grabbed her, lifted her off the ground, and bolted away with her. She glanced back—and her eyes widened in shock.

This snake was as thick as the hardness-evolved black python their wolf pack had once hunted. That meant it was fifteen meters long and weighed well over a ton! Three meters of its scarlet-striped body broke the surface, tangled with a swarm of slender, bright red Devastation Snakes.

What the heck is this thing’s deal…

She noticed its head was facing her and Yang Jin, but it didn’t look like it wanted to chase. Xia Qing patted Yang Jin, “Captain Yang, wait—give me one of those herbs.”

Yang Jin stopped and pulled a dripping stalk from his pack, handing it over.

Holding the herb high, Xia Qing waved it at the huge snake, calling out as politely as she could, “Herb—herb—here!”

Yang Jin lowered his voice. “You think this is a Brain-Evolved Python?”

“I’m just guessing, since it doesn’t seem to want to attack us. I want to see if it’ll respond.” Xia Qing replied quietly. After she’d waved a bit, the python flicked a huge forked tongue and slowly turned its head away.

But Xia Qing’s heart clenched tight—the python’s head was now turning toward where Black Wolf was hiding!