People Were More Valuable Than Monsters

The outskirts of City 103.

Once they arrived, everyone in the Warfire Squad let out a sigh of relief. The Rat Tide had indeed not chased after them.

"Did you find out? Which direction did the Rat Tide go?" Zuo Xingyuan asked.

Ma Yu's expression relaxed. He set down his combat communicator, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his lips. "It went southwest. We're safe here."

Zuo Xingyuan let out a long breath and said with a helpless laugh, "I don't even know whether to say we're lucky or unlucky."

"We ran into a Beast Riot last time, and a Rat Tide this time. Still, we survived another close call!"

Yang Chao and the others wore smiles of relief as well. Being alive felt wonderful.

"Captain, you ran into a Beast Riot before?" Ning Ze asked with concern.

Ma Yu's expression turned solemn. "In City No. 022, a War God Level expert was hunting a Lord-class monster. We got caught in the crossfire. The other side sent us a warning. It was difficult, but at least we didn't get dragged too far off course."

Ning Ze fell silent. He did not know a single War God Level expert.

He had only heard that the president of the Limitless Martial Arts School in Jiangnan Base City was likely a War God. Beyond that, he was not certain. Perhaps some executive from the Underground Alliance, or a relative of someone from Qihang Company, might be a War God Level expert.

War Gods did not belong to the same world as them. They were legendary figures.

Encountering such a person in the Wilderness Area—whether that was fortunate or unfortunate—was hard to say.

The gap between them was simply too vast. Since they were called "War Gods," they naturally possessed power akin to that of gods.

"What? Scared?" Zuo Xingyuan teased.

Ning Ze shook his head lightly. "No." His expression hardened as he added, "I want to become a War God Level expert too!"

Zuo Xingyuan laughed happily. "Good. I believe you. But first, you should become a Warlord Level expert. Let's rest for a while. Now that the crisis is over, it's time for you to continue training!"

"Our usual routine..."

"Wait a second!" Ning Ze quickly interrupted.

Zuo Xingyuan asked curiously, "What is it?"

Yang Chao and the others looked over as well.

Ning Ze hesitated before saying, "Can we not have Uncle Xu lure the monsters this time?"

Everyone froze for a moment, then burst into laughter.

Xu Liang was grinning too. Stubbornly, he said, "If you don't want me to go, then I'll definitely go. Watch me bring another Rat Tide back for you, kid!"

Ning Ze laughed. "Alright, I'll be waiting!"

"Hahaha!"

Everyone in the Warfire Squad laughed heartily.

After several hunting missions, standing shoulder to shoulder against other warriors, and going through another escape together...

They no longer saw Ning Ze as a junior, but as a dependable, trustworthy comrade.

They had also begun teasing him freely, without any generation gap in their interactions.

Meanwhile.

The Blood Eagle Squad had also fled far from the city and into the wilderness.

They had already been some distance away from the Rat Tide. The moment they discovered the danger, they fled immediately, so they had it much easier than the Warfire Squad and never encountered the Rat Tide at all.

After the shock subsided, Fei Ying was the first to calm down. He opened his communicator and made a call.

The call connected.

"Xuan Zi, how are things over there?"

"I'm fine. I was farther away and had already been watching them. The moment I spotted the Rat Tide, I ran."

Fei Ying asked anxiously, "What about the Warfire Squad? Were you still following them?"

"The situation was too chaotic. Countless monsters were running too. I could only roughly determine the direction they escaped in. They should be heading toward City 103, but we'll probably need to search to find their exact location."

Fei Ying clenched his fist in frustration, but he could not blame Xuan Zi under those circumstances.

"Search around over there first. We'll come find you right away."

Xuan Zi sounded confused. "Boss, why do we keep following them? It doesn't look like they have much prey." He felt that the captain was probably after some dirty money.

Fei Ying snorted. "They stole our prey. How could we not make them pay it back?"

"Besides, monsters aren't the only valuable things. People are worth the most."

Xuan Zi did not say much more. "Alright, Boss. I'll search for them."

"Be careful. If anything seems wrong, run. We'll be there soon."

After reminding him, Fei Ying hung up and ordered, "Let's go. City 103. The direction is a little off, but it isn't far."

"Yes, Boss."

The Blood Eagle Squad had barely taken two steps when the Communication Watch on Fei Ying's wrist suddenly lit up.

He looked down, irritation flashing through his eyes. Why call so late? They had already run! After composing himself, he answered with a smile.

On the screen, a round-faced man stared ahead. A vertical scar ran down the side of his face, stretching from the corner of his eye all the way to his chin. It looked terrifying.

"Poison Wolf!"

"Fei Ying! What do you want?" Poison Wolf sounded extremely impatient, and his eyes were fierce.

Fei Ying smiled lightly. "I want to tell you about someone. I wonder if you'd be interested."

Poison Wolf frowned, becoming even more irritated. "Speak!"

"Golden Fire Bear!" Fei Ying said slowly, one word at a time. "Or perhaps I should call him Gilded Blade. Your handiwork." His expression carried a knowing smile.

Upon hearing that, Poison Wolf's vicious mouth curled into a cruel smile. "You didn't contact me just for that, did you?"

Fei Ying's smile widened.

"Of course not. As his old enemy, you must have heard of his son, right?"

Poison Wolf's pupils abruptly contracted. Narrowing his eyes, he asked, "What are you trying to say? Don't tell me you found them?"

"Of course." Fei Ying's tone rose and fell dramatically. "It's just... I wonder whether that old bounty still stands?"

Poison Wolf smiled broadly, the scar on his face twisting into an even more frightening sight.

He said slowly, "Of course it stands! Fifty million Huaxia Coins. As long as you tell me their location, I'll transfer it immediately!"

Fei Ying nodded noncommittally, then shook his head with a laugh.

"Poison Wolf, times have changed. Back then, you offered a bounty for the location of the other Warfire Squad members. At the time, their squad did not even have a Warlord. Fifty million Huaxia Coins for coordinates was certainly enough."

"But now..."

Feigning absolute confidence, Fei Ying smiled. "Two Warlords! And an S-Class Genius Warrior who defeated someone... Tsk, tsk. I don't need to explain what that means, do I?"

"These are your enemies."

"If even the slightest clue leaks out, even I'll be in serious trouble."

Poison Wolf's smile remained brilliant, though the scar on his face became more terrifying. He said with certainty, "Dead people don't have troubles!"

Fei Ying shrugged, snorted dismissively twice, and spoke calmly. "That's not for you to decide."

"Oh?"

"Then tell me your price." Poison Wolf's face was smiling, but his eyes had become extremely dangerous.

Fei Ying showed no fear. He spat out two heavy words. "Five hundred million!" After a slight pause, he added, "Five hundred million Huaxia Coins, and I'll tell you their exact location."

"Hehehe."

A hint of madness appeared in Poison Wolf's eyes as he threatened, "You need to live long enough to spend the money you earn, Fei Ying. Don't you think your appetite is a little too big?"

Fei Ying narrowed his eyes and chuckled. "Is five hundred million that much? An Advanced Warrior could earn five hundred million after hunting for over a decade. But you people... you make far more than monster hunting."

Poison Wolf's expression was blank as he said hoarsely, "If you know that, how dare you demand so much?"

"If I dare to name the price, then I'm naturally worth it!"

Fei Ying smiled. "What if I tell you that Golden Fire Bear's son has the strength of an Advanced Warrior?"

"He had Advanced Warrior strength the moment he entered the Wilderness Area. Poison Wolf, I'm not asking for much!"

Fear flickered in his eyes. A newcomer already possessed the strength of an Advanced Warrior. With a little more training, he would have Warlord Level strength. And what about after two years...

Such terrifying talent made it impossible to sleep peacefully if one became his enemy.

But warriors lived with their lives on the line to begin with. He could not possibly let such a perfect opportunity slip away.

The Poison Wolf Squad loved engaging in robbery and extortion. Their wealth was immense. If this succeeded, it would equal several years of his earnings! He was no longer young, and he wanted to make one huge score!

"An Advanced Warrior? You're lying to me!"

Vicious light flashed in Poison Wolf's eyes. The information he had received said Ning Ze had defeated an S-Class Genius Warrior, but his strength had only been close to 3,000 kilograms. How could he possibly have Advanced Warrior strength? The minimum for an Advanced Warrior was 4,000 kilograms!

He knew exactly when Ning Ze had become a warrior. No matter how gifted he was, he could not have improved so quickly!

Fei Ying said calmly, "They just stole prey from our squad. I saw with my own eyes that he easily killed several F-Class monsters. I wouldn't lie about something like this."

"If you disagree, then forget it. I'll head back now."

"After all... I don't have much of a grudge against them. It's only a minor conflict over benefits. Poison Wolf, you decide!"

A fierce gleam flashed in Poison Wolf's eyes, his heart filled with conflict. Ever since hearing about Ning Ze's challenge at the Thunderclap Martial Arts School, he had been looking for an opportunity to eliminate him. Now, that urgency had become even stronger!

An Advanced Warrior!

Less than two months after becoming a Quasi-Warrior! Less than one month after becoming a warrior!

For others, one month was far too short. It was barely different from having just become a warrior.

But Ning Ze's rate of improvement was so terrifying. How could he dare let Ning Ze keep growing?

Poison Wolf blinked rapidly once, then said fiercely, "I agree. But Fei Ying, you know the consequences if you deceive me!"

Fei Ying smiled faintly. "I'm helping you solve a huge problem. Don't look at me like that."

Poison Wolf snorted heavily. "Five hundred million Huaxia Coins for one location. You really dare to ask!"

"Five hundred million should be nothing to you." Fei Ying's smile did not fade. "When I tell you the location, give me two hundred million. Once you see them, give me the remaining three hundred million."

"Fine!" Poison Wolf agreed without hesitation. "Tell me where they are now!"

Fei Ying's eyes flickered. "We've been separated for so long, and they're traveling with a newcomer. I need to search first. They're somewhere in this city, so wait for my news."

"You don't even know their location?" Poison Wolf was furious.

Fei Ying spread his hands. "Following them is risky. If you had responded sooner, none of this would have been necessary."

"If you dare deceive me, you know my methods!"

"Hehe. Just wait."

The call ended. Fei Ying waved forward, smiling broadly. "Let's go, brothers. Find them, and there'll be money for everyone."

"Find them and you get fifty million. Once we give them the location, another fifty million Huaxia Coins will be split among you."

Da Zhuang asked worriedly, "Will they really give us the remaining three hundred million?"

Fei Ying smiled. "They will. If they don't share it, I won't mind recording a video and letting the warriors in the Base City have a look."

A bloodstained pedestrian street.

Ning Ze was fighting six Black Spotted Cat Monsters. Human and beast figures intertwined, icy-white claw marks crisscrossed through the air, and streaks of silver-white Sword Light flashed in every direction.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The longsword and sharp claws collided continuously, scattering orange sparks with every impact.

Ning Ze was completely immersed in his rapid improvement.

Not far away, on the top floor of a ruined building over twenty meters tall, there had once been an entertainment club.

The VIP room on the top floor was covered in dust. Zuo Xingyuan and the others stood by the window, watching the battle below.

Yang Chao held a machine gun at the ready. If anything went wrong, he would open fire.

Watching the graceful figure below move with ease even under the attacks of six cat monsters, Zuo Xingyuan could not help but praise him. "This kid... why do I feel like he gets fiercer the longer he fights? Six F-Class monsters can't do anything to him! Even I'd need to put in some effort to deal with those monsters."

Xu Liang nodded in deep agreement, his expression becoming extremely strange.

"It's been three days. He's fought nonstop. Doesn't the kid get tired? Even I get tired from luring monsters for him!"

Ma Yu's eyes were full of admiration. Turning his head, he said, "Old Xu, I think you can't beat him anymore."

"Bullshit!" The moment he heard that, Xu Liang jumped up as if someone had stepped on a cat's tail.

"Could he possibly be stronger than me? Even if he mastered the First Layer of Gale Sword Master, he'd only have just reached Advanced Warrior strength. Micro-level Movement Technique is impressive, but my strength is nearly twice his. How could he beat me?"

Zhang Chen said coolly, "Look at his strength. Does he seem like someone who has only just reached 4,000 kilograms, an Advanced Warrior? Those monsters were the ones you lured over while running away in a sorry state."

Xu Liang could not keep his face straight and retorted unhappily, "What do you mean, running away in a sorry state? If I looked too strong, would they have followed me here?" After a brief pause, he looked at Ning Ze's effortless figure below and muttered, "Did those monsters skip a meal? They were so vicious when chasing me, but over here they turned into weaklings."

Zhang Chen said slowly, "Xiao Ze's strength isn't weak. I suspect he has already mastered the Second Layer of Gale Sword Master. Force Generation at 2.1 times—3,000 kilograms of strength can produce 6,300 kilograms of power. He isn't much weaker than you!"

Xu Liang wanted to argue, but as soon as he opened his mouth, he saw Ning Ze force a Black Spotted Cat Monster back with one sword strike. That kind of power was clearly not weak. Those monsters could not really have been starving; that had only been a joke.

He muttered quietly, "How could it be the Second Layer? How could it be that easy to train?"

Zuo Xingyuan said with interest, "It's not just strength. Micro-level Movement Technique alone wouldn't make it this easy. This kid's speed is no worse than yours, yet his Movement Technique has reached the Micro-level. Old Xu, you really can't beat him!"

Xu Liang was left speechless by Zuo Xingyuan's words. Embarrassed and irritated, he turned around and said, "What are you butting in for, Old Zhang? If I can't beat him, can you?"

Zhang Chen turned and silently stared at Xu Liang.

"What? You can't beat him either, right?" After saying that, Xu Liang felt somewhat comforted. There were three Advanced Warriors and two Warlords in the squad. At least someone would be keeping him company.

Zhang Chen spoke expressionlessly. "I don't think my nephew and I would fight each other. But you... if you keep improperly teasing his girlfriend, there's a chance he'll beat you up in the future."

Xu Liang bared his teeth. A hand landed on his shoulder.

He looked up and saw that it was Yang Chao, still holding the machine gun.

"Alright, it's time for you to work. Go lure more monsters!"

Xu Liang turned to look. The six cat monsters lay dead in the street. Ning Ze stood with his eyes closed and his sword in hand, looking exceptionally cool.

With his eyes shut, the sword tip pointed straight at the ground behind him, as if he were savoring the battle he had just fought.

"Fine! I'm just doomed to work myself to death. The kid's obviously stronger than me now, so why do I still have to lure monsters?"

Muttering under his breath, Xu Liang obediently went to search for suitable monsters.

In truth, he was only complaining aloud. Deep down, he was very willing to help Ning Ze.

Xu Liang was not the strongest fighter, but he was full of combat wisdom. Within the squad, no one was better at training others than him. When Zuo Xingyuan had first joined, Xu Liang had been the one arranging his battles. This time, he had taken on the job voluntarily as well.