Chapter 749: Crocodile Combat Training

A crocodile’s bite force is terrifying—if it latches on and drags its prey underwater, then adds a few death rolls, the body just gets torn apart.

If the prey isn’t ripped up after a few rolls?

The croc will just pin it underwater until it drowns. Or, a second or third croc might rush in, each grabbing a different part and rolling together until the prey is split open and devoured.

After the disaster, when they began missions in the Evolved Forest, Xia Qing had watched—up close many times—as squad members stepped into a mud trap and were torn apart by crocodiles. Even Tan Qi had seen pictures and videos like this back in elementary school.

So the moment this four-meter-long young croc lunged at Yan Long with its jaws wide open, Tan Qi’s eyes went wide, fists clenched, breath held tight.

Even knowing Aunt Yan was unbelievably skilled, Tan Qi couldn’t help worrying.

Xia Qing also stared wide-eyed, following Yan Long’s every move.

As the croc shot forward, jaws snapping, Yan Long spun in the water, dodged, stamped her feet, and rocketed forward like a cannonball—landing a punch right on its lower jaw.

A second ago that croc was full of swagger, but now it got punched straight out of the water. It splashed down on its back, sending waves everywhere.

Even a small croc can weigh eight or nine hundred pounds! They all knew Yan Long was tough, but nobody expected her to be this strong!

Yan Long had already taught the basics of water spins, treading, and punching in the Reservoir at Section Three. Xia Qing had picked up the technique, but she wasn’t that fast.

If it had been Xia Qing facing the croc, would she have dodged in time?

If she spun early to dodge, she’d give the croc a chance to react. Would she still be able to hit that lower jaw dead-on?

When Yan Long waved them over, Xia Qing and Tan Qi jumped into the water, swimming her way.

Yan Long circled the young croc, which now floated on its back in the water after being stunned. That’s where today’s lesson began.

After Xia Qing and Tan Qi practiced several times on the unconscious crocodile—learning how to punch right at its jaw to stun without killing—Yan Long spun and swam to the far side of the lake. Out of nowhere, she released another hungry four-meter croc, gesturing for Xia Qing to try her hand.

Xia Qing took a deep breath. As the croc closed in with two meters between them, she kicked off hard with her fins and threw a punch.

She moved too soon—the croc dodged, whipping around to use its second attack: the tail sweep.

The croc’s two-meter tail sliced across the water like an oar. As it twisted, jaws snapping, the water’s current dragged Xia Qing along. Forgetting the method, she grabbed on with both arms and legs, clinging tight. Yan Long pulled her punch back when she saw this.

Finding its prey stuck to its belly, the croc tried its first move—dragging Xia Qing underwater for a deadly roll.

Holding her breath, Xia Qing locked her arms and legs around the croc. She squeezed so hard that the crocodile’s shape warped beneath her grip.

Just as Yan Long had explained, crocodiles are fast with powerful jaws and deadly rolls—but they have one glaring weakness: poor stamina.

After a dozen rolls without shaking Xia Qing off, the croc slowed down, then swam deeper, hoping to press her to the bottom and make her black out.

Xia Qing seized the chance, let go with her right arm, and punched the croc just below the jaw. Land a blow here, and it’ll pass out.

Afraid of punching straight through, Xia Qing only used about sixty percent of her strength.

Once she saw the croc was out cold, she let go, grabbed her right big toe, and stretched her leg forward, knee locked, toe flexed. She floated to the surface, letting the cramp fade before taking a deep breath.

Yan Long rose beside her, having stayed close for protection, pointing out her mistakes. Then she let out another crocodile—a smaller two-meter one—this time for Tan Qi.

Tan Qi, being a Speed Evolver, could swim faster than Xia Qing, but she wasn’t nearly as strong. She tried again and again but just couldn’t stun the little croc.

Finally, exhausted and cramping, Tan Qi swapped out and let Xia Qing take over.

When both Xia Qing and Tan Qi eventually managed to take down their crocs, Yan Long started teaching them how to handle two at once.

By five in the afternoon, the first day of crocodile combat training was over. The training squad changed back into their protective suits and headed home.

Yan Long drove on the way back since Xia Qing was completely wiped out, her limbs barely working. Not long after they left, a giant black python, a blood-red Devastation Snake coiled around it, crawled from the northern forest into the lake and swallowed a dazed four-meter croc, then slipped beneath the water.

On a lush mountainside by the lake, two wolf cubs peered from their bamboo basket, eyes wide as they watched the ripples on the water.

Crippled Wolf bent down to lick its little ones, then took the basket and headed back.

Meanwhile, a black Evolved Wolf was busy near Python Pond at Hill Fifty-Five, smashing rocks to finish off a third Devastation Snake. A brown-gray Evolved Wolf, missing a bit from its left ear, grabbed a bag and disappeared into a crack in the rocks nearby.

Yan Long pulled up at the south gate of Section Three. Just as Xia Qing struggled to get out and open the door, Tang Huai came running from Territory Two. “Sister Yan, Xia Qing! Hand me the key—I’ll get the gate.”

“Thanks.” Xia Qing handed him the key.

“No need! Where’d you all go today to wind up so tired?” Tang Huai grinned, unlocked the big iron padlock, pushed open the gate, and handed the keys back. “You going out again tomorrow? Can I tag along?”

Xia Qing replied, “We’re going to battle crocodiles in the lake.”

Uh… Tang Huai instantly switched plans. “How about I drive you all tomorrow instead? Don’t worry, I promise my driving won’t turn your car into scrap.”

With one stomp on the pedal, Yan Long sent the jeep roaring into Section Three—drifting through the S-bend behind the Wild Grass Wall before vanishing from view.

Tang Huai, knowing his driving couldn’t compare, stayed silent in the dust and quietly locked up after Xia Qing.

Yan Long drove straight into the garage. Carrying the already-slumbering Tan Qi out, she glanced at the orange and fig trees and the little seedlings guarded by thorny branches. Across the way, the Chicken House buzzed with life, swallows chirped under the porch, and the Evolved Sheep fixated on her with an indignant stare—making Yan Long’s eyes light up with amusement.

Xia Qing lived alone but took good care of herself. Yan Long hoped Tan Qi would grow up soon and learn to look after herself too. Only then could Yan Long leave with peace of mind.

“Wait up, Sister Yan. Let me pack you some eggs to take home.” Xia Qing, legs still aching, hurried inside and found a pouch, filling it with ten eggs. She reminded her, “Don’t sell these, eat them yourself.”

Yan Long just nodded and took the eggs without standing on ceremony. Backpacking Tan Qi, she left through the Northern Gate. After seeing off Er Yong, Xia Qing pulled out a bunch of dark purple-leaved grass from her bag and called over her huffy companion.

“Old Goat, you ever tried this grass? I checked—non-toxic. It’s from that Green Lantern fish.”

Old Goat rushed right over, sniffed the bunch, and dug in.

Xia Qing climbed onto its back, dangled the grass in front of its nose, and pleaded, “Old Goat, I’m sore all over. Can you give me a ride home?”

The final drill for today was ‘how to dodge a croc attack and escape when you’re exhausted.’ That’s way harder than knocking one out when you’re fresh but could save your life one day.

After learning the skill and making it back to Third Peak, Hill Fifty, Xia Qing truly was spent. She’d recovered a bit in the car, but if Old Goat was willing to carry her, she wasn’t about to walk on her own feet.

Old Goat didn’t mind at all. He set off with his little hundred-pound buddy on his back, heading for home.