Chapter 902: Wolves, Rivalries, and Warm Breakfasts

Whenever a wolf in the pack—or from another group—believes it’s stronger than the Alpha, it challenges the leader for control and first pick at meals.

Scenes like this happen all the time. Letting the strongest wolf lead is how the pack ensures its fighting strength.

So, when the Handsome Huge Wolf came to challenge the Alpha, all the wolves resting or on guard at Hill Fifty-Five slipped out of hiding to watch it go down.

Crippled Wolf, standing at the cave entrance with two pups, sniffed the air and seemed lost in thought.

After soaking twice in the Medicinal Bath, the Handsome Huge Wolf was indeed stronger, but still no match for the Alpha’s speed. It ended up pinned after barely a dozen moves.

The Alpha stood tall in the center of the battleground, lifting its head in a long, echoing howl to declare its dominance. The whole pack joined in, howling their loyalty.

Shaking off dry leaves and dust, the Handsome Huge Wolf got up and sprinted toward Hill Twenty-Five in the western Evolved Forest, ready to take on the Western Wolf King next.

As dawn broke, the Western Wolf King, who had just defended its leadership, let out a proud, lingering howl toward the rising sun.

At the same time, Xia Qing handed over her responsibilities to her teammates, grabbed her sniper rifle and bullets, and made her way to the shooting range on Hill Forty-Nine.

Over at the combat arena, Hu Zifeng’s Squad lay sprawled on the ground. Luo Pei stood at the center, giving them a fierce look and an even fiercer voice. “I didn’t keep you here so you could slack off. If you keep this up, you won’t even be able to beat the Evolved Sheep from Section Three. How do you expect to guard the hills or protect Section Three’s territory?”

“Neither job depends on you! If your whole squad scores below a B on next month’s assessment, I’ll swap you out. You’ll all head off to combat operations in the Evolved Forest to learn the hard way!”

Hu Zifeng’s Squad didn’t dare talk back. Truth was, they’d gotten lazy lately.

In fact, more than a few members in their squad couldn’t even beat Xia Qing or outrun the Evolved Sheep from Section Three now…

After scolding Hu Zifeng’s Squad, Luo Pei headed for the shooting range.

He watched Xia Qing for a few minutes, nodded approvingly, then went to check on the other trainees.

After hitting a stationary target at 1,400 meters dead on, Tang Huai grinned. “Luo, not bad, right?”

Tang Huai wasn’t part of the Azure Dragon Squad or an official trainee under Luo Pei, so Luo Pei kept things polite. “Your form’s fine, but if you want to be a pro sniper, you need a lot more practice.”

Even with the country’s best sniper rifle and three months of training, his effective range stopped at 1,400 meters. If he were an Azure Dragon member, he’d have lost his sniper status long ago.

The next morning, 5:50 AM.

Xia Qing reached the helipad in Territory One just in time to see Tang Huai animatedly offering everyone breakfast. “Did you eat yet? Want to try my fresh Green Lantern oil fritters?”

“Thanks, Brother Huai! Just the smell brings me back eleven years—it’s like a dream. Here, this is a wild veggie corn pancake from my territory. We can’t match your cooking, but it’s filling.” Wen Nengjie took the fritters in both hands, then hesitated to eat more after a small bite.

“Thank you, Brother Huai. Try some of my iced mung bean buns too.” Zhu Li also took a fritter, splitting it with her husband.

After two years of farming, food wasn’t as scarce as before. Still, no one took anything for free. Everyone either traded their own food or swapped other supplies if they forgot to bring some.

“Sister Qing, want some too?” Tang Huai offered the fritters to Xia Qing, looking at her with hopeful eyes.

Everyone noticed Xia Qing had been cold toward Tang Huai lately. One after another, they pretended to focus on their fritters, though their ears were clearly perked.

Xia Qing took the fragrant fritter with a blank face, handing Tang Huai a hot ear of Green Lantern boiled corn in exchange.

“Thank you, Sister Qing! I was just craving boiled corn. This is perfect!” Tang Huai took the corn with both hands, looking so moved he might cry. After being ignored by Xia Qing for days, her gesture nearly made his day.

Watching from the helicopter cockpit, Hu Zifeng rolled his eyes at Tang Huai’s pathetic display.

“Sister Qing, Brother Yue’s group is here.” As a hearing evolutionary, Zhu Li caught the sounds right away and quickly updated Xia Qing.

Xia Qing looked back. Sure enough, not long after, Yue Haiying arrived carrying Yan Yue, and Zhong Tao came in with his wife, He Hui, entering Territory One.

The four of them were on approved leave.

Zhong Tao took his wife to the hospital in the Outer City of the Safe Zone for a checkup, while Yue Haiying and Yan Yue also headed to the hospital for physical assessments and prosthetic limb fitting.

Thanks to the credits earned from growing Green Light Spinach, Hui Three Base had upgraded its benefits for contributors. Now, retired personnel in A-level jobs could get prosthetics in the Inner City hospital at 40% of the regular price.

The years of disaster had left many disabled. With the surge in demand, prosthetic technology kept advancing.

Yue Haiying and Yan Yue, both veterans and now holding A-level posts as director of the Ninth Planting Center’s office and HR head, could enjoy the benefit. He Hui, being military family and B-level, couldn’t.

When Luo Pei showed up right on time with his squad, the helicopter doors opened and everyone readied to board.

Kuang Qingwei double-checked his wife’s backpack for her ID and supplies, whispering, “Once you leave the testing site, stick close to Shi Du and Huo. Don’t ever go off on your own.”

Since Zhu Li turned heads, walking alone in the Safe Zone was risky—human traffickers might target her.

Feeling Xia Qing might think less of her, Zhu Li quickly reassured, “I can handle myself now.”

Kuang Qingwei kept at it. “Doesn’t matter. Being able to protect yourself and being careful aren’t the same thing.”

Zhu Li shoved her treasured fritter into her husband’s hands. “I know. Don’t worry. Just keep an eye on our corn field, okay? Don’t let anyone steal from us.”

Qi Fu told his wife, “If you see something you like, buy it. Don’t worry about credits.”

Madam Shi and Huo Lei also gave their sons a word of warning. “Don’t mess around anywhere shady. Come straight back after your exams.”

Inside the helicopter, Hu Zifeng glanced back at Xia Qing as she boarded alone. He wanted to comfort her like a boyfriend should, but nothing he could say seemed right. He just started up the engine in silence.

Yue Haiying made sure Yan Yue was settled, then took out a big pack of supplies from his bag and handed it to Luo Pei. “This is from Qi Qi, for Yan Long.”

“Thanks.” Luo Pei accepted it, then passed a points card to each of two squadmates, reminding, “Use only the best material.”

Yue Haiying’s credits all went to helping fellow veterans. He took Luo Pei’s help without protest.

Yan Yue, eager to walk again and work more efficiently, gripped the points card. “Thank you, Captain Luo. I’ll pay you back once I save up enough credits.”

Before retiring, Luo Pei had been their commanding officer.

Xia Qing handed two supply packs to Chang Li. “Li Jie, if you see any pretty gold or pink pearls or shells, could you bring some back for me?”

Huh?!

Tang Huai, still eavesdropping, quickly chimed in, “You like pearls, Xia Qing? There’s a mall in the Inner City with plenty. After your meeting, want to go shopping together?”

Xia Qing replied, “No time.”

Everyone else…