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Chapter 25
Chapter 25
C25 – Ant Tide
Members of the Combat Pet Teams immediately sneered with contempt. One of them scoffed, “Azure Academy is just the perennial bottom-feeder, a trash academy!”
“Out of these ten, I bet there aren’t even a few elite Combat Pet Masters!”
Jiao Yuanju remained calm, choosing not to engage with them. Jing Haokuo, on the other hand, couldn’t contain his anger and let out a furious roar in response.
Lei Sheng and his group paid no mind to the taunts, their attention fixed on the three teams from Starlight Academy, Lunar Academy, and Apex Academy. Along with Azure Academy, these were Krukshire’s four prestigious institutions, home to the elite.
The targeting of Azure Academy was likely due to the longstanding rivalry among the academies. Azure’s performance had been consistently poor, always ranking last among the four.
Ke Yu scanned the crowd and announced, “Now that we’re all assembled, it’s time to move out!” The four teams, not daring to make a scene, led the troops out of the city.
But as soon as they exited, they were stunned by the sight before them. Mutant Beasts of various kinds swarmed the roadsides and forests, effectively sealing off the city’s exit. The impact was significant, causing turmoil in the pet market as merchants were too frightened to venture out.
“Is our mission to eliminate these Mutant Beasts?” asked the leader of Apex Academy, turning to Ke Yu.
Ke Yu nodded in confirmation. “We’re facing a beast tide, numbering in the thousands. It’s severely disrupting the resource flow between the city and the wilderness. We must eradicate them!”
“Listen up, everyone. We’ll divide into five teams, each with two hundred people. Team leaders will take charge of these students and lead the effort to exterminate the Mutant Beasts, with the students assisting you,” Ke Yu instructed, as the veterans nodded in understanding.
The four team captains, all second lieutenants, stepped forward.
Before they departed, Ke Yu issued a stern warning, “Do not underestimate these creatures. Mutant Beasts aren’t deterred by bullets. We’ll spread out in a fan formation and advance three kilometers before regrouping at a predetermined location. Is that clear?”
“Got it!”
Ke Yu took a quick look at the small squads before leading two hundred people off toward the northwest.
“My name is Pei Anhan. From now on, you’ll follow my orders and stay put. Combat Pet Masters may be formidable, but you mustn’t stray from the group!”
A burly man with a deeply lined face issued this stern warning to Jiao Yuanju and his companions, then gestured for the team to move out.
“Boss, what’s our move?” Jing Haokuo was a mix of nerves and excitement.
“We’ll play it by ear,” Jiao Yuanju responded.
“I never thought I’d be taking orders from him,” Lei Sheng grumbled, his expression icy.
“We’re not in his league. He’s got real strength. We should stick with him,” Jing Dehai advised coolly.
For many in the Phantom Team, this was their first venture beyond the city walls. The disorderly wilderness that greeted them filled many with bewilderment. Was this truly the wilds?
City dwellers had long been cocooned in safety, with a strong military presence and an arsenal of potent weapons at their disposal. Their comfortable existence had nearly erased the memory of the post-apocalyptic world outside, where humans were no longer the dominant force and apex creatures roamed freely. This was the reality of the wilderness.
The group of over two hundred made their way deeper into a forest to the northeast of the city, the soldiers’ faces set with determination, guns at the ready. They forged a path with caution.
It seemed they were being deliberately protective, with the entire group advancing with Jiao Yuanju and his team at the core.
As Jiao Yuanju puzzled over their situation, an old soldier leaned in close and murmured, “If we run into any monsters, stay calm. Just summon your pets, and we’ll handle the rest. And keep clear of the bushes—this forest is treacherous, and its venomous insects can kill.”
“Thank you, sir,” Jiao Yuanju replied, filled with gratitude.
“No need for thanks. You’re the Alliance’s hope. We soldiers might lack special talents, but Krukshire’s future is in your hands.”
“Hold up!”
Pei Anhan’s sudden bellow cut through the air as he scanned the surroundings with a wary eye.
The sound of rustling leaves filled the air, and before long, a dark, river-like mass appeared on the distant ground. Everyone immediately recognized the ominous sight.
Jing Haokuo’s complexion drained to a ghostly white in an instant. Pointing toward the ominous sight, his voice quivered as he asked, “What is that?”
A vast expanse of black stretched out for hundreds of meters before them. It was an army of a hundred million giant ants on the move. Emerging from the underground in all directions, they encircled them as if they were nothing more than prey.