Chapter 76 The Outskirts of Muddy Village

The afterglow of the setting sun had just painted the walls of Chu Prefecture red.

Yun Bai was just preparing to go out to Qingya Academy to pick up his younger sister and Shen Qi when the Xinyue Hall Squad Yi-34 badge hanging from his waist suddenly began to buzz.

Yun Bai scanned it with his Divine Sense and felt a slight chill in his heart—it was an emergency transmission from Captain Zeng Fu!

The squad was originally scheduled for three days of rest; if it were not an urgent matter, Captain Zeng Fu would never disturb the members' private time using the squad's secret code.

He quickly put on the Divine Sense transmission earpiece used for missions, and Captain Zeng Fu's calm yet urgent voice immediately rang in his mind: "All members, assemble immediately! Outside the north gate of Chu Prefecture, arrive within one stick of incense! Mission Rank: Grade A-plus!"

"I won't have time to have dinner with everyone."

Yun Bai's heart sank. He immediately gave Yang Peilan, who had just returned from buying groceries, a brief explanation, then surged with spiritual power and shot toward the north of the city like an arrow released from a bow.

Outside the north gate, Du San, Fu Lianchuan, and Li Ying had already arrived first and were whispering to each other, their faces bearing a hint of gravity.

Seeing Yun Bai arrive, they nodded to each other in greeting and turned their gazes toward the fully armed and solemn-looking Captain Zeng Fu.

"Captain, what mission is so urgent?"

"Yeah, is the war on the front lines tightening?"

The group began to discuss it.

Such an urgent mission indicated that the pressure of the war on the front lines was increasing, and the construction of the spirit connection platform, a Sharp Weapon capable of changing the course of the war, had to be accelerated.

"Everyone!"

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Captain Zeng Fu got straight to the point, his voice piercing the twilight: "We have just received urgent orders from superiors. The target is the ruins of Niwa Village, located in the hinterland of the Cang Plains, just ten miles away from Huangfeng Mountain!"

He opened the 3D map of the Xuanyuan Formation Plate and pointed his finger at a marked spot: "Niwa Village was slaughtered during the Devilish Qi tide and has become a dead zone. To its west, there is a small river called 'Niwa River,' which originates in the Huangfeng Mountain valley. The water source of this river is an indispensable foundation for the Five Elements Water Spiritual Root required to build the 'spirit connection platform'!"

"Our mission is to thoroughly clear out Niwa Village, ensure the village and water source are free from Devilish Qi pollution, and clear the way for potential long-term garrisoning!"

"This operation will be executed in coordination by four squads: my Squad Yi-34, Squad Yi-226, Team Yi-78, and..."

Captain Zeng Fu paused for a moment, his voice slightly cold, "Huben Squad A."

"Huben Squad A?!"

Du San couldn't help but curse under his breath, "What damn bad luck! Why did we have to run into those bastards led by Chen Yuan!"

Huben Squad A was led by Chen Yuan, who had long-standing grudges with Squad Yi-34.

Half an hour passed in the blink of an eye, and the group was already approaching Niwa Village.

Captain Zeng Fu swept his gaze over everyone and said in a deep voice: "The mission is urgent; put aside personal grievances for now. Squad Yi-226 has already entered the Huangfeng Mountain valley to investigate the upstream water source. We need to clear the south side of the village first. Once Squad Yi-226 sends back the signal, we will enter Niwa Village together with Team Yi-78 and Huben Squad A! Hurry and recover your Qi, and check your equipment!"

"Yes, Captain!"

The group acknowledged, each finding a dry spot to sit down, silently regulating their Qi, and checking their Spirit Guns, Talismans, and Medicinal Pills.

"The other three squads are all in position! Huben Squad A and Team Yi-78 will enter Niwa Village simultaneously with our squad!"

Yun Bai clearly perceived the battlefield dynamics through the tactical compass issued by Xinyue Hall.

"Move out!"

At Captain Zeng Fu's command, the squad darted out like cheetahs.

"Li Ying, situation ahead!"

Approaching the edge of the village, Captain Zeng Fu whispered sharply.

Li Ying raised the tubular "Thousand-Mile Eye" and peered through the pervasive purple-gray haze. After a moment, she shook her head: "Captain, the haze is too thick; visibility is less than ten zhang, and the situation inside the village is unclear! Team Yi-78 and Huben Squad A have already entered from the east and north sides, and no abnormal feedback has been sent back. We will cut in from the south as planned!"

"Maintain defensive formation, advance slowly!"

Captain Zeng Fu ordered.

The group formed a defensive circle, with Captain Zeng Fu in the lead, Fu Lianchuan and Li Ying protecting the flanks, and Yun Bai bringing up the rear, guarding the Formation Master Du San in the center as they stepped into the dead-silent Niwa Village.

"Prioritize clearing that dense forest to the south!"

Captain Zeng Fu pointed toward the south of the village.

The trees there were taller and denser, with tangled vines. The thick branches and leaves blocked out the already thin natural light, and the purple-gray haze settled among the trees, making it appear even more eerie and sinister.

The squad cautiously stepped into the dense forest.

Underfoot was a thick layer of rotting leaves, emitting a moldy smell.

The branches of the towering ancient trees were twisted like ghost claws. In the silence, only the subtle sound of everyone stepping on dead branches could be heard, adding to the oppressive atmosphere.

"Anti-Miasma Talisman! Quick!"

Du San, upon coming into contact with the haze, immediately whispered sharply.

The group quickly activated their Talismans, and a layer of light cyan light curtain covered their eyes, noses, and mouths, isolating most of the poisonous miasma.

Just after entering the dense forest.

"There's a devilish creature!"

Yun Bai, who was bringing up the rear, warned sharply.

Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of an extremely faint gray shadow silently pouncing from behind a broken wall, moving with astonishing speed, aimed straight at his face!

The thick haze severely hindered his vision and Divine Sense perception!

By the time Yun Bai noticed it, the gray shadow was already within reach!

Du San was right behind him; he couldn't dodge!

"Clang!"

At the critical moment, Yun Bai instinctively held his "Gun-Spear" (a standard weapon combining a spiritual energy gun and a melee thrusting spear) horizontally in front of him to block!

A harsh metallic clashing sound rang out!

The gray shadow was parried slightly; it was actually a half-human tall "Gray Monkey"!

It used one of its withered, thin claws to tightly grip the body of the Gun-Spear, and its giant mouth, filled with fangs, carried a foul wind as it bit lightning-fast toward Yun Bai's fragile neck!

There was no way to dodge!

Yun Bai twisted his body violently, pulling the Gun-Spear along with the Gray Monkey to the side!

Rip.

Intense pain came from his left shoulder!

The Gray Monkey's sharp teeth fiercely tore through his shoulder armor, ripping off a piece of flesh, and blood instantly stained his shoulder red!

Yun Bai let out a muffled groan, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes. He took the opportunity to release the Gun-Spear, and his left hand, like an iron pincer, struck out like lightning, accurately grabbing the Gray Monkey's thin neck and slamming it into the ground with all his might!

"Awooo!"

The Gray Monkey let out a shrill, miserable wail.

"Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Just as the Gray Monkey was struggling to get up, several scorching spiritual energy beams hit it accurately!

It was Captain Zeng Fu, Li Ying, and Fu Lianchuan, who had reacted and fired simultaneously!

The dense barrage of projectiles instantly turned the Gray Monkey into a sieve, with filthy blood splattering everywhere.

"Yun Bai!"

Du San was both shocked and ashamed, and he hurriedly stepped forward.

He knew that Yun Bai could have completely dodged it just now; it was to protect him behind him that he had taken the hit head-on.

"I'm fine!"

Yun Bai's face was slightly pale, but his voice was calm, and he didn't even frown.

"Quick, bandage it!"

Li Ying quickly took out hemostatic powder and bandages, skillfully treating Yun Bai's wound.

"It won't affect the mission."

Yun Bai looked at Captain Zeng Fu, his eyes firm.

Captain Zeng Fu looked at him deeply and nodded approvingly: "Good! Continue forward! Stay alert!"

Not long after, another unexpected change occurred.

"Careful!"

It was Yun Bai who noticed it first again.

An even faster gray shadow silently pounced down from the dense tree canopy above, the target still being him, who was bringing up the rear!

The same situation played out again.

To protect Du San, Yun Bai chose to take the hit head-on.

"Clang!"

The Gun-Spear blocked!

"Rip!"

A new wound was added to his left shoulder.

Slam, concentrated fire, the Gray Monkey was killed!

"Yun Bai!"

Du San's voice carried anxiety and self-reproach.

"I'm fine."

Yun Bai's voice remained calm, as if it wasn't he who was injured.

Li Ying quickly treated the wound again.

"What the hell, why do these Gray Monkeys only target Yun Bai?"

Fu Lianchuan couldn't help but say.

"And it feels like they aren't actively attacking, but more like they are fleeing in panic?"

Li Ying observed the Gray Monkey's corpse and raised her doubt.

"That's right,"

Captain Zeng Fu's eyes were sharp, "The movements were hasty and disorganized. They are likely stragglers driven over by squads clearing other directions. Everyone must be even more careful; this indicates there may be a greater danger deep in the village forcing them out!"