Chapter 756: Chapter 370: No Unauthorized Actions

A few seconds later, the bushes were suddenly thrust aside, and a massive member of the Insect Race charged out, lunging straight for Shen Qiuyue at the front!

Shen Qiuyue reacted in a flash, raising her sword in a single motion and striking precisely at the insect’s head.

The insect blocked the attack with its forelimbs and let out a piercing shriek.

"Fire support!"

Li Chang’an yelled, rushing forward to flank the insect with Shen Qiuyue.

"On it!"

Sun Yang raised his Pulse Gun and fired several Pulse Bullets in quick succession, hitting the insect’s body. Green fluid splattered all over the ground.

Han Ruoxi stood at the rear, her hands raised. A powerful arc of electricity struck the insect squarely in the chest.

The insect staggered back a few steps in pain, but it quickly recovered and lunged at Li Chang’an.

Li Chang’an sidestepped sharply to avoid it. His Saw Chain Sword swept out horizontally, lopping off one of the insect’s forelimbs.

Losing its balance, the insect let out a furious roar and tried to counterattack, but Shen Qiuyue seized the opportunity and thrust her sword through its abdomen.

The insect let out one last, agonizing cry before collapsing to the ground. It twitched a few times and then went still.

"It’s dealt with!"

Shen Qiuyue glanced down at the insect’s corpse and let out a soft breath.

"This one... seems to be just a regular patrol-type!"

Han Ruoxi walked over and crouched down to examine the corpse.

’Could it be that the enhanced one from earlier isn’t nearby?’

"Don’t let your guard down!"

Li Chang’an waved his hand.

"This was just the first wave. There could be more trouble ahead!"

"This Insect Race... they’re really getting smarter!"

Bai Lin muttered as he recorded data on his terminal.

"They know how to pick the right moment to attack!"

"So what if they’re smart? We’ll still beat them down so hard they can’t get back up!"

Sun Yang grinned.

"Didn’t we just take care of this one?"

"Don’t get cocky!"

Shen Qiuyue sheathed her weapon.

"You’d better pray we don’t run into anything tougher next!"

"Alright, that’s enough arguing!"

Li Chang’an straightened up.

"Let’s keep moving. Maintain formation. Bai Lin, watch our six. Don’t let anything sneak up on us!"

"Understood!"

Bai Lin quickly switched his terminal’s mode and began scanning the surrounding area for any movement.

The team advanced, their steps now lighter, as if afraid to make the slightest sound.

Before long, the woods ahead began to thin, and their field of view gradually widened.

"Looks like a clearing up ahead!"

Han Ruoxi said in a low voice.

"Should we go check it out?"

"Hold on!"

Li Chang’an raised a hand, signaling them to halt, and carefully observed the situation ahead.

In the center of the clearing was a structure resembling an Insect Hive, but it was far more complex than any they had seen before. Its surface was covered in strange, vein-like patterns that emitted a faint fluorescent glow.

"What is this..." Sun Yang trailed off, stunned.

"The core of the Insect Hive?"

"Impossible!"

Bai Lin quickly shook his head.

"It’s too small to be the core. This must be a temporary hatchery!"

"A temporary hatchery?"

Han Ruoxi frowned.

"Does that mean there are eggs here?"

"Very likely!"

Bai Lin nodded.

"But to confirm where the eggs are, we’ll have to get closer!"

"Get closer?"

Sun Yang gave a wry smile.

"Bai Lin, that sounds a little risky!"

"It is risky, but if we don’t get closer, we can’t determine its purpose!"

Bai Lin said calmly.

"But in the end, it’s Chang’an’s call!"

Li Chang’an stared at the hive ahead, lost in thought for a few seconds before speaking.

"We’ll split into two groups. Shen Qiuyue and I will approach for reconnaissance. Everyone else, provide cover!"

"Understood!"

The team members quickly split up, moving according to Li Chang’an’s instructions.

Li Chang’an and Shen Qiuyue moved forward slowly, trying not to make a sound.

The others spread out along the perimeter of the clearing, keeping a close watch on their surroundings.

When they were about ten meters from the hive, Li Chang’an could finally see what was inside.

In the center of the hive was a transparent chamber, and inside were indeed numerous incubating eggs.

"It really is a hatchery!"

Shen Qiuyue whispered.

"Should we clear out these eggs?"

"We can’t!"

Li Chang’an shook his head.

"The mission objective is reconnaissance, not destruction. We need to bring this information back!"

"Understood!"

Shen Qiuyue nodded, then took out her terminal and snapped a few pictures.

Just then, a low roar suddenly echoed from all around them, the sound growing closer and closer.

"Dammit! Something’s coming!"

Han Ruoxi’s voice came over the comms channel, laced with urgency.

"All units, fall back!"

Li Chang’an immediately gave the order, grabbing Shen Qiuyue and pulling her into a sprint back the way they came.

They hadn’t run far before they saw a huge, enhanced-type member of the Insect Race burst from the woods. Its eyes glowed Red, and its body was even more powerfully built than the one from yesterday.

"Suppressive fire!"

Li Chang’an yelled.

Sun Yang quickly raised his Pulse Gun and opened fire. Powerful Energy Bullets slammed into the insect’s body, but it barely paused, continuing its charge straight for Li Chang’an and Shen Qiuyue.

Standing at the rear, Han Ruoxi raised her hands, and a bolt of electricity viciously struck the insect’s back.

The insect let out a furious roar and momentarily halted.

"Brother Chang’an, this thing is too tough!"

Han Ruoxi yelled.

"Don’t panic! Create distance! Don’t let it get close!"

Li Chang’an directed them as he ran.

"Ruo Xi and Sun Yang, ranged fire! Qiuyue, you’re with me on containment!"

The enhanced insect’s movements were incredibly fast. It leaped, pouncing straight at Li Chang’an, its sharp claws carrying a chilling pressure.

Li Chang’an dodged to the side, his Saw Chain Sword hacking viciously into its flank. It sliced off a piece of carapace, but only a little green slime dripped out. The insect had barely taken any serious damage.

"This thing’s defense is too high!"

Li Chang’an took a few steps back, tightening his grip on his Saw Chain Sword.

"Sun Yang, aim for its joints! Its defense is weak there!"

"Got it!"

Sun Yang immediately repositioned. His Pulse Gun’s sights locked onto the insect’s forelimb joints, and he fired off several Pulse Bullets.

The powerful energy hit its mark, and the insect’s movements faltered for a moment.

"It’s working!"

Sun Yang shouted.

"Keep at it!"

From the other side, Han Ruoxi gathered an even stronger arc of electricity in her hands. She pointed at the insect’s head, and a blinding blue light shot out.

The arc struck the insect’s face, scorching a patch of its carapace black.

The insect shrieked in rage, its limbs gouging deep marks into the ground.

"Now’s our chance!"

Han Ruoxi’s voice was urgent.

"It’s paralyzed!"

Li Chang’an didn’t hesitate. He charged forward, the roar of his Saw Chain Sword activating like a beast’s bellow. He aimed precisely for the insect’s chest and plunged the blade in.

The Saw Chain Sword whirred violently, tearing open a gash in the insect’s chest from which green fluid gushed.

The insect shrieked in pain, frantically swinging its claws to counterattack, but Shen Qiuyue, with swift reflexes, hacked off its other forelimb, cutting its assault short.

"One more push! Finish it!"

Li Chang’an shouted.

Sun Yang’s Pulse Gun continued to fire, and Han Ruoxi’s electrical arcs followed one after another, all their attacks concentrating on the insect’s chest.

The insect’s movements grew more and more sluggish until, with a final howl of Despair, it crashed to the ground and never got up again.

"We got it..." Sun Yang let out a breath of relief, wiping the sweat from his forehead.

"That thing was a real pain in the ass!"

"It’s not that simple!"

Li Chang’an looked up in the direction of the Insect Hive.

"We made too much noise. The nearby members of the Insect Race have definitely noticed us. We have to retreat, now!"

"Retreat now?"

Han Ruoxi hesitated.

"We haven’t fully figured out the situation with the Insect Hive..."

"What’s more important, your life or the intel?"

Li Chang’an shot her a glare.

"Our mission is reconnaissance, not wiping out the hive. We’re already operating outside our parameters. Let’s go!"

Han Ruoxi bit her lip and said no more, quickly retreating with the team.

The entire squad remained on high alert, moving swiftly through the woods as they retreated along the path they had come.

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