A Mosquito

Regarding the next vial of extract Su Ze was to absorb, Liu Wenyin gave him two suggestions: Giant Forest Cockroach extract and Immortal Salamander extract.

Afterward, Su Ze specifically looked into them. Both Exotic Beasts were Tier 2 S-grade, standing at the very top of the Tier 2 Exotic Beast pyramid, with formidable Combat Strength.

Giant Forest Cockroaches generally lived in dense forests on plains. If Su Ze wanted to obtain their extract, he could only purchase it through Evolution Technology's channels.

Immortal Salamanders, on the other hand, appeared in all kinds of mountain forests. People had even spotted them deep within the Black Rock Mountain Range, so there was still hope of obtaining their extract through hunting.

However, S-grade Exotic Beasts were scarce and exceedingly rare to begin with. Su Ze figured his luck would not be that good, so he merely gave Aunt Yun a heads-up in case of need.

After entering the mountains, Su Ze clearly felt everyone in the party becoming more cautious. No one spoke loudly anymore. Everyone kept their eyes peeled, alert for dangers that might appear around them.

Though the mountains before them were tall and sprawling, they were fortunately not too steep, and the path upward was relatively gentle.

After climbing for about an hour, they finally encountered the first Tier 2 Exotic Beast of the trip.

"Look, a mosquito!" someone in the party cried out.

The measure word for mosquitoes was "head"?

You were told to study, but you insisted on herding cows. Look at you now, one of the fish that slipped through the net of nine years of compulsory education... Su Ze grumbled inwardly.

However, when Su Ze shifted his gaze to the mosquito in the air, as big as an old sow, he was immediately stunned.

It really was a whole mosquito!

"Tier 2 C-grade, Blood Spear Mosquito!"

Looking at the mosquito's enormous, spear-like proboscis, one could tell where its name came from. If it sucked someone even once, it would probably punch a clean hole straight through them.

The Pupal Stage Hunters in the party hurriedly drew together, while the few Cocoon Breaking Stage members wore grave expressions and prepared to act.

Just then, Aunt Yun, who had been standing guard beside Liu Wenyin, suddenly moved. She shot into the air like a skyrocket and arrived beside the Blood Spear Mosquito in an instant, swatting at it as though she were an ordinary person killing a mosquito.

Su Ze noticed, however, that arcs of electricity flickered between Aunt Yun's fingers. When that slap landed on the Blood Spear Mosquito, it knocked the creature straight out of the sky.

Electricity kept flashing over the Blood Spear Mosquito's body with crackling pops. It fell to the ground, struggled for two seconds, then stopped moving.

"Holy shit! Aunt Yun is so strong!"

I hereby dub her a human-shaped electric mosquito swatter.

"Aunt Yun absorbed Deep Sea Electric Eel extract and gained a passive skill that lets her attacks carry an electric shock," Liu Wenyin quietly explained to Su Ze.

"Amazing, amazing. She gets lightning special effects the moment she attacks. She'd look even cooler with a little hammer."

"Why would you think a woman wielding a hammer as a weapon would look cool?"

"Well, lightning and hammers are a perfect match."

"Really?" Liu Wenyin mused. "I'll have Aunt Yun give it a try later."

Aunt Yun landed beside the Blood Spear Mosquito's corpse. She first extracted its essence, then removed its enormous proboscis. It was a decent material with some value.

After collecting the spoils, Aunt Yun returned to Liu Wenyin's side. Su Ze could clearly feel the atmosphere in the party shift. Everyone's gazes toward Aunt Yun became more respectful and fearful.

This Blood Spear Mosquito was only the first Tier 2 Exotic Beast they had encountered on the journey. There were six Cocoon Breaking Stage Evolutionaries in the party, more than enough to handle it, yet Aunt Yun had struck first and killed it in an instant with overwhelming force. Her purpose was to intimidate them and establish her authority!

She was displaying her Butterfly Transformation Stage strength to the people in the party, making those with ill intentions abandon any improper thoughts.

At dusk, Su Ze's group arrived at the mountainside.

"We'll set up camp here today," Aunt Yun said.

Naturally, no one else in the party objected. They were paid by the day, so they would have been happy to drag things out for a few more days.

Besides, nighttime really was unsuitable for travel. Many Exotic Beasts rested by day and emerged at night, and nighttime was when they hunted for food. On top of that, visibility was poor after dark, making travel at night far more dangerous than during the day.

In truth, the sky had not completely darkened yet, and they could have continued onward. But if they went any farther, they might encounter Tier 3 Exotic Beasts.

Therefore, camping at the mountainside for the night and crossing the summit area during daylight tomorrow was the safest option.

Everyone lit campfires and ate their own dinners.

Some had brought food with them, while others grilled Exotic Beast meat over the fires. Su Ze also roasted two frog legs for dinner.

As everyone ate, they chatted in small groups. Even someone as taciturn as Li Gaojie had people taking the initiative to strike up a conversation with him. Only Su Ze was ignored.

Su Ze was not surprised. Along the way today, everyone in the escort party had participated in battle to some extent. Su Ze alone had slacked off the entire time, doing nothing but chatting with a beauty. It was only natural that people disliked him.

Behind his back, some called him a pretty boy, said he lived off a woman, and claimed he was a suck-up.

But so what?

They said one good conversation with a wise person was worth ten years of reading. He had chatted with Liu Wenyin all the way here today and benefited immensely, gaining a deeper understanding and insight into Evolutionary Science.

What was wrong with being a pretty boy for the sake of knowledge?

Besides, could a scholar's business really be called sucking up?

Su Ze picked up a fragrant grilled frog leg and handed it to Liu Wenyin. "Sis, give it a try. It's delicious!"

After dinner, everyone began preparing to rest. Other than those standing watch, everyone found a place to sleep. Some leaned against trees, some climbed trees to sleep, and others spread a few leaves on the ground and lay down directly.

Only Liu Wenyin set up a small tent.

Aunt Yun stood guard outside the tent, never leaving her side.

Su Ze lay down outside the tent entrance as well. Sleeping here was absolutely safe.

As usual, he swallowed two Body Strengthening Pills and closed his eyes. Waves of warmth drifted over from the nearby campfire.

Since he had not slept at all the night before and had spent the whole day hiking through the mountains, Su Ze was somewhat tired. He soon drifted into sleep.

He slept very soundly. Though he was camping in the wilderness, this was the most peaceful sleep he had had since crossing over. He had finally left the Mu Kingdom and escaped the Zhao Family's sphere of influence.

In the middle of the night, at some unknown hour, Su Ze was suddenly awakened by a majestic Beast Roar.

Su Ze sprang to his feet. The others in the party were also seasoned Hunters, and they quickly shook off their drowsiness and became alert.

"Enemy attack!"

Aunt Yun's expression was grave as she shouted in a low voice, reminding the others to prepare for battle.

She seemed to know something and was certain that a fierce battle was about to begin.

Liu Wenyin also crawled out of the tent. Everyone formed a protective circle around her.

Aunt Yun scanned their surroundings, seemingly searching for the enemy's location.

"We're finished!"

Someone cried out and pointed toward the trees in the darkness. Pairs of faintly glowing eyes were steadily drawing closer. They were everywhere—in the sky, on the ground, from every direction!

"This is... a Beast Tide?"

PS: Come on, give this some free follow-up reading!

The second update will be at 6 PM.