Chapter 931: The Hunt at Limestone Pillars

“Screee——”

A massive eagle soared high above the limestone pillars of Section Seven South Hill in Hui Three’s southern territory, letting out a sharp, piercing cry.

Deep in the colorful, dense Evolved Forest, four people stood surrounded by over thirty evolved spotted hyenas, each gripping their weapons and snarling in low voices.

With killing intent in full force, Xia Qing pointed her black long blade at the fiercest hyena blocking her path—the one with the largest build and the loudest bark—her own growl rumbling from deep in her throat.

Both that voice and its steady rhythm were tricks she’d picked up from Alpha. Too bad she wore a mask—her roar could never be as intimidating as the wolf king with bared fangs. Next time, she needed to bring a loudspeaker!

“Three!”

The moment Yang Jin called out, Xia Qing slammed her feet into the ground and charged forward.

The hyena ahead bristled instantly, jaws gaping wide for battle. Xia Qing’s eyes locked onto its form, she kicked through a tree as thick as her waist, bellowed, “Move!”

Yang Jin dashed in as a shadow, sprinting beneath the fig tree where hyenas were thickest. He kicked aside a speed-evolved hyena pouncing at him, hacked down a branch he’d picked out, and dragged it back to their position, killing intent blazing. “Move!!”

Wang Liang, a level six evolved elasticity fighter, slammed into a target tree using his explosive jumping power. “Move!!!”

Ma Jun, gripping his gun, joined in with his own shout. “Move!!!!”

After witnessing the invaders’ overwhelming strength, the hyena pack leader on the rocks let out a sharp, staccato call. The hyenas that had been circling the humans immediately fell silent, their heads low and tails tucked as they backed away.

Food was plentiful in the Evolved Forest. The pack wasn’t desperate enough to pick a fight over a few scrawny prey.

With the hyenas retreating, Xia Qing sheathed her blade and started back to her spot. She glanced over her shoulder—her eyes went wide.

Yang Jin actually managed to chop down a quarter of the tree’s crown and drag it back!

Now that’s what you call a miracle teammate.

Catching Xia Qing’s surprised stare, Yang Jin grinned, looking even prouder than if he’d just closed a million-dollar deal. “See this? The most ripe fruit was on this branch. Think you can carry it?”

“No problem! Let me check the quality first?”

Why not just drag the whole crown out of here and test it later? Simple—hauling such a huge branch through dense forest wasn’t happening.

After testing the tree sap with the Lethal Element Detector, Xia Qing’s eyes lit up even more. “Devastation element content, 2.2 per mille. Non-toxic. Top-quality Green Lantern!”

Ma Jun gasped in delight. “That low? Boss!”

There were still three-quarters of the tree’s crown left, packed with fruit. That was at least a hundred pounds ready for picking!

Yang Jin stayed calm. “The remaining fruit isn’t ripe yet—however many we cut will go to waste. Xia Qing, this branch enough for you?”

“With these, I can propagate a whole fig orchard. The hyenas and this tree probably have a symbiotic relationship,” Xia Qing answered.

After seeing invaders knock down two big trees, kick a packmate flying, and hack off a quarter of the tree crown, the hyenas were clearly intimidated. Still, they just retreated to the tree’s edge—they wouldn’t leave. Proved this tree meant everything to them.

Xia Qing figured the Green Lantern fig tree was bait for the hyenas to lure prey—and the tree thrived thanks to the hyenas’ protection.

That’s why she called it symbiosis. Chop down any more and the hyenas would really fight to the end.

Yang Jin agreed. “Ma Jun, Wang Liang—hold the line. Xia Qing and I’ll deal with the branches.”

“Got it.” Ma Jun and Wang Liang glared down the hyenas, who shrank further under their gaze.

Xia Qing handed Yang Jin a pair of scissors. “Yang, you cut the fruit. The ones with a mix of yellow and purple are ripe—the greenish ones aren’t. Keep them separate. Try not to damage the leaves or bark. I’ll handle the branches.”

Yang Jin was the top speed evolver here—perfect for quick weeding and fruit picking.

Yang Jin snipped away in a flurry. Xia Qing swung her black blade, lopping off thick branches, while the thinner limbs Yang Jin snipped—anything four centimeters wide or less—were cut into meter-long sections, bundled with string, slipped into heavy-duty bags, then wrapped in protective bundles and secured tight. With everything—including the fruit—packed up, she hauled it all onto her back.

Branches, fruit, and Xia Qing’s own supplies didn’t even total six hundred pounds. She slung it up with ease. “Yang, we’re good to move full speed.”

“Alright, let’s go.” The team retreated fifty meters. Only then did the hyenas inside the limestone pillars dare to let out mournful, furious howls that echoed in harmony with the eagle’s cry above.

Once clear of the hyena pack, Yang Jin didn’t suggest exploring the Evolved Forest any further. “It’s getting late. Let’s head back. Xia Qing will carry the load for the first half hour, then switch with Wang Liang.”

Wang Liang, with his evolved elasticity, could use his bounce to carry weight and stay fast.

Hauling over five hundred pounds through slippery, tangled forest was basic work for any strength evolver—and Xia Qing’s specialty. Still, she agreed with Yang Jin’s plan. She could easily handle sniping, leading the way, or covering the flanks.

Three and a half hours later, the four finally broke through every barrier, reaching the barrier at the edge of the southern territory. They piled into their off-roader and sped toward the Safe Zone.

After running more than thirty kilometers, Yang Jin (the team’s energizer bunny) took the wheel. Xia Qing rode shotgun, Ma Jun and Wang Liang sprawled across the back seat.

As they entered the Safe Zone, the giant eagle circling above dared not follow. It feared the human anti-air weapons too much.

Bouncing in the off-roader, Ma Jun piped up, “Sister Qing, can we actually eat these figs we picked?”

After scoring premium Green Lantern supplies, the team was itching to taste the fruits of victory. Yang Jin’s squad was mainly the elite combat team—they hardly ever joined gathering missions—so Ma Jun had to ask Xia Qing if the wild figs they picked were even edible.

Back when she used to lead foraging runs—and after leaving the Safe Zone to become a full-time farming lord—Xia Qing had plenty of experience here.

She shook her head. “The fruit skins are too soft. There’ll definitely be bugs inside. We’ll need to clean them before eating.”

So their biggest win this time was actually getting branches from the Green Lantern fig tree.

Right then, as if reading the mood, Yang Jin reached into his pocket while driving and handed Xia Qing a small bag holding four figs. “I found a couple bug-free ones—it’s in its own pouch.”

Speed evolver perks—Yang Jin had picked seventy pounds of fruit in just a few minutes. Not only had he sorted the ripe from the unripe per Xia Qing’s orders, but he’d even set aside the best ones!

Xia Qing’s longing for speed evolution soared sky-high yet again. As lord of her own land, she needed that kind of ability badly.

“Boss, you’re the best!” Ma Jun didn’t hesitate—he lunged from the back seat and snatched the figs. “Leave the washing to me!”

Wang Liang asked, “Sister Qing, shouldn’t we save these bug-free ripe ones for seeds?”

Already scrubbing down and disinfecting his hands, Ma Jun shot Wang Liang a look like he wanted to deck him. They’d finally scored some premium Green Lantern fruit, and the guy couldn’t shut up.

Xia Qing shook her head. “Figs are pollinated by insects. If bugs didn’t get in, these won’t have seeds. Just eat them.”