The intense friction of atmospheric entry turned the entire drop pod red-hot. The terrifying G-forces were strong enough to crush ordinary steel into a thin sheet.
But the geniuses inside were completely unfazed, their expressions never wavering.
After an unknown amount of time, the violent shaking ceased abruptly, followed by an incredibly heavy THUD.
The drop pod had landed successfully.
"PSSSSHH—"
With the hiss of depressurizing gas, the heavy hatch slowly opened.
Blinding, orange-yellow sunlight and an acrid, burning smell instantly flooded the pod.
At that same moment, the team channel on the Subspace Network was automatically established.
Before anyone could get a clear look outside, a rapid-fire shout—calm and devoid of emotion—exploded in their ears.
"Attention, all units! This is an Insect Race artillery camp! I’m counting a large number of Level 3 Gunpowder Insects—over eight hundred! They’re living, long-range artillery. Weak up close, but the Spiritual Energy Cannon Fire they launch can easily melt our flesh!"
"The Gunpowder Insects will be surrounded by a large number of Guard Insects, balanced in both offense and defense! In the center of the camp, there has to be a Level 4 Commander!"
"We must kill the commander at all costs! Prioritize it above all else! Once the commander is dead, the swarm will descend into chaos!"
"Everyone, form defensive formations in squads of ten, now! Follow my commands, and we’ll advance under alternating cover! My name is Tie Mu. I’m taking command of this battle!"
The owner of that voice was none other than Tie Mu, the genius from Qianggang Military Martial High School who Lei Meng had mentioned—the first to complete the hunting mission.
His words, like a command, instantly gave this hastily assembled hundred-person team a sense of purpose.
The instant he finished speaking, the students from the various military Martial Arts High Schools reacted almost instinctively, spontaneously forming ten standard combat squads.
Wielding an assortment of weapons, they moved into a perfect tactical formation and stepped out of the drop pod without the slightest hesitation.
A few students from the regular Martial Arts High Schools were a beat slower, but they reacted quickly, joining the nearest squads to complete the formations.
The very moment they stepped out—
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!"
"WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!"
Devastating cannon fire swept in from all directions!
Spiritual Energy Beams, pulsing with terrifying power, rained down like a torrential storm, instantly blasting the drop pod they had just exited into a pile of burning scrap metal.
The ground trembled violently, and the air grew thick with the acrid smell of gunpowder and ozone.
Looking around, they saw they were in a massive, ring-shaped valley.
The walls of the valley were densely packed with innumerable members of the Insect Race!
Those were the Gunpowder Insects!
Rooted to the rock walls like fixed turrets, they continuously unleashed the deadly "ammunition" within their bodies down onto the valley floor.
In front of them stood rows upon rows of Guard Insects, wielding Bone Giant Shields and sharp bone blades. They formed an indestructible great wall of flesh and blood, shielding the Gunpowder Insects behind them.
The entire valley was a meticulously designed, perfect death trap.
"First, Second, and Third Squads, advance in a wedge formation! Fourth and Fifth, cover the flanks! Everyone else, keep up! Don’t stop, charge!"
Tie Mu’s roar echoed once more, his commands clear and decisive.
"Kill!"
The hundred geniuses let out a heaven-shaking roar in unison.
All manner of attacks soared into the air, flashes of Spiritual Energy glittering as they managed to withstand the first baptism by fire.
In an instant, the battle escalated to its most frantic and brutal stage!
Qin Feng had been assigned to the First Squad, personally led by Tie Mu. They were the spearhead of the hundred-person force, bearing the brunt of the fiercest attacks.
"Hold fast!"
Lei Meng roared, slashing out with his saber to shatter three Spiritual Energy Beams.
But more attacks immediately followed.
A thick Spiritual Energy Beam curved past Lei Meng’s defenses, shooting accurately toward a teammate behind him.
The teammate’s pupils shrank. He tried to dodge, but it was too late.
Just in the nick of time, the black silhouette of a spear seemed to emerge from the void. Though it moved second, it struck first, tapping the Spiritual Energy Beam with unerring precision.
"Thousand Soldiers Guarding!"
An energy vortex, formed from highly compressed vital force, instantly materialized on the tip of Qin Feng’s spear. It deflected the Spiritual Energy Beam, sending it crashing into the empty ground and blasting a massive crater.
"Incredible spear work! Brother, you saved my life! Thank you!"
The teammate who had just had a brush with death shouted, his heart still pounding.
Qin Feng didn’t reply. His eyes were already locked on the Gunpowder Insect on the valley wall that had fired the fatal shot.
He alternated between the Ferocious Bird Footwork and the Dragon Body Technique, his figure weaving through the gaps in the cannon fire, moving so fast he left only a trail of afterimages.
He was not just the team’s sturdiest shield, but also its sharpest spear!
"Seventh Squad, front-left, three o’clock! There’s a gap in the Guard Insect formation!"
Tie Mu’s shout echoed across the battlefield.
But that gap was a trap, like the gaping maw of a beast. Dozens of Guard Insects were silently closing in from the sides, ready to swallow the advancing Seventh Squad whole.
"It’s too late!"
the Seventh Squad’s leader roared in despair.
But a figure moved faster than his voice could travel.
Qin Feng’s figure appeared before the gap as if he had teleported, standing alone against dozens of savage-looking Guard Insects.