Chapter Summaries

As the squads traveled toward City R through extreme cold, Xu Duoduo tried to warm Qin Luo by cuddling him, leaving him flustered and convinced she liked him. The journey continued with the group trying to stay warm and upbeat, while Xu Duoduo still wanted to hug him.

• The group endured temperatures so low that their vehicle's thermometer could not register them, and Wang Weihu warned the other squads to keep their engines running.
• Xu Duoduo handed out hand warmers and blankets while the squads shared supplies and complained about the freezing conditions.
• The group changed the music to an energetic song, lifting everyone's spirits as they traveled through the snowy landscape.
• Xu Duoduo pulled Qin Luo into the back row and cuddled him beneath her blanket, but he blushed and pulled away.
• Qin Luo decided Xu Duoduo must like him and offered to switch positions, but she had already returned to her tablet and was thinking about hugging him again.

Team 3A rescued the Flame Squad from repeated attacks by mutated hyenas, with Xu Duoduo and the others quickly overwhelming the packs. After Xu Duoduo showed off her strength and searched the corpses for mutant cores, Qin Luo carried her away, jealous of the attention she received.

• A pack of mutated hyenas chased Team 3A, and Bai Shu and Qin Luo killed them before the squad reached the stranded Flame Squad.
• Team 3A used Lin Qianxing's Beaded Bracelet to block the wind and snow while helping the Flame Squad fight off another hyena pack and change a tire.
• Xu Duoduo charged into a fresh wave of hyenas with her Chainsaw and killed them, then tested Spatial Strangulation and stopped after it consumed much of her energy.
• The Cheetah Squad and White Dove Squad passed by and praised Xu Duoduo over the radio as she searched hyena corpses for mutant cores.
• Qin Luo carried Xu Duoduo away from the corpses, annoyed that the other squads were admiring her.

After 3A helped the Flame Squad escape a hyena attack, Xu Duoduo collected the mutant teeth and meat while the group continued toward their destination through the extreme cold. They arrived safely in City R on January 3, 2030, and found it completely overrun by vegetation and an enormous banyan tree.

• Wang Weihu helped the Flame Squad replace its tire, and the squad gave 3A two mutant cores in thanks for helping defeat the hyenas.
• Chen Xiaofei used his Tornado to separate the hyenas' teeth from the meat, and Xu Duoduo stored the teeth and meat.
• The Flame Squad departed, and 3A gathered the remaining useful materials before returning to its vehicle.
• Xu Duoduo organized the supplies in the Headquarters Space Card and kept the teeth to sell to Lin Qianxing.
• 3A traveled the remaining distance and arrived safely in City R on January 3, 2030.
• The group saw that an enormous banyan tree and other vegetation had overtaken City R, making it look like a primeval forest.

Qin Luo organized several combat teams to enter City R’s mist-covered primeval forest, while Xu Duoduo traded supplies with the other squads. The teams set off with Team 3A in the lead, and Qin Luo warned Chen Xiaofei to stay close as he scouted ahead.

• Qin Luo and Wang Weihu discussed how the combat teams would enter the forest while Bai Shu filmed and Xu Duoduo took in the towering trees.
• Xu Duoduo gave the Cheetah Squad, White Dove Squad, and Rose Squad creams, medicine, and brown sugar ginger powder, receiving useful materials in return.
• Qin Luo assigned the Rose Squad, Cheetah Squad, White Dove Squad, Flame Squad, and Charge Squad to accompany Team 3A into the forest.
• Mu Mei told the Rose Squad to watch their teammates, while the Flame Squad agreed to follow Team 3A's orders and the Charge Squad's captain, Captain Xue, insisted his team obey him.
• Team 3A led the group into the forest, with Chen Xiaofei scouting ahead, Wang Weihu clearing the way, Bai Shu and Xu Duoduo in the middle, and Qin Luo bringing up the rear; Qin Luo told Chen Xiaofei to stay within ten meters.

Xu Duoduo and Team 3A traveled through City R, where she found and collected mutated cotton-flax leaves with help from the Cheetah Squad and White Dove Squad. The Charge Squad mocked her and boasted about its own strength until Xu Duoduo leaped into battle against a Mutated Python, leaving them stunned.

• Xu Duoduo noticed the strange insects in City R and spread Insect Repellent Powder on Qin Luo, Wang Weihu, Bai Shu, and members of the Cheetah Squad and White Dove Squad.
• Xu Duoduo identified mutated cotton-flax leaves from Lin Qianxing’s guide, and Qin Luo cut them down while the two rookie squads helped collect them.
• Xue Feng complained that Team 3A was gathering materials, and Zhuang Yan rebuked him for changing the formation without permission.
• Xue Feng boasted about his abilities and his supposed victory over a swarm of mutated rats while his teammates insulted Xu Duoduo and Team 3A.
• Xu Duoduo leaped into the air with a Chainsaw and struck a Mutated Python, silencing the Charge Squad.

Team 3A killed a Mutated Python after it ambushed Wang Weihu, then continued deeper into the forest to gather materials. The Charge Squad, chastened by the encounter and Qin Luo’s glare, switched from mocking Xu Duoduo to eagerly helping her.

• A Mutated Python attacked Wang Weihu, but Bai Shu, Qin Luo, Wang Weihu, and Xu Duoduo killed it with a coordinated barrage.
• Qin Luo extracted the One-Star Mutant Core and gave it to the little zombie, while Bai Shu explained the snake’s weak point to the Rose Squad.
• The Charge Squad members dropped to their knees when Xu Duoduo looked their way, and Xue Feng told them to play dead after Qin Luo stared them down.
• After a ten-minute rest, the squads continued into the forest and drank Brown Sugar Ginger Soup to restore their stamina.
• Xu Duoduo and Qin Luo gathered more materials with help from the Cheetah Squad, White Dove Squad, and the suddenly eager Charge Squad.

Xu Duoduo and the squads scavenged for supplies in City R before a swarm of mutant birds appeared and a sudden thunderstorm forced everyone to seek shelter. The chapter ended with the squads huddled beneath defensive shelters as lightning struck around them.

• Qin Luo rearranged the squads, sending the Cheetah and White Dove Squads ahead while 3A scouted the perimeter.
• Xu Duoduo found a fast-moving mutated ginseng plant, and Qin Luo carried her away rather than trying to catch it.
• Qin Luo and Xu Duoduo discovered a nesting ground full of mutant bird eggs, and the squads prepared to destroy the eggs and confront the birds.
• Xu Duoduo secretly collected bird eggs and seeds while Qin Luo warned the squads about the approaching thunderstorm.
• A huge swarm of mutant birds appeared as thunder broke overhead, and Wang Weihu, the Rose Squad, and the other squads created shelters for everyone.

Qin Luo’s group sheltered from a violent lightning storm while discussing their route to City R Base and deciding to prioritize delivering relief supplies. During the rest, Qin Luo teased Xu Duoduo and embarrassed himself in front of the other squads.

• Wang Weihu built and camouflaged a rounded earthen shelter so the squads could rest through the lightning storm.
• Qin Luo and the other captains decided to head to City R Base first and postpone searching for the missing combat squads unless they found clues along the way.
• Chen Xiaofei and Bai Shu discussed the dangers facing the different bases while Xu Duoduo ate and drank beside them.
• Qin Luo sat with Xu Duoduo, complained about the tiring journey, then teased her when she stroked his hair.
• Xu Duoduo moved away to gnaw on her Teething Stick, and Qin Luo tried to coax her while Chen Xiaofei and Bai Shu mocked him in front of the watching squads.

The squads prepared to leave Wang Weihu’s earthen fortress and continue their journey toward the Survivor Base in City R despite the worsening snow and darkness. Xu Duoduo shared food with the others, discovered she could form silver claws, and the chapter ended with Qin Luo snapping at Chen Xiaofei and Bai Shu after they teased him about her.

• Qin Luo decided the squads should pack up and travel together toward City R’s Survivor Base, and everyone filled their flasks with hot drinks before setting out.
• Xu Duoduo woke, shared seafood porridge with Chen Xiaofei and Bai Shu, and handed Wang Weihu his breakfast.
• The Rose Squad and Flame Squad shared food and snacks with the other squads while everyone ate inside the fortress.
• Xu Duoduo discovered she could transform her hands into sharp silver claws, then changed them back before anyone noticed.
• Qin Luo called Xu Duoduo cute, and Chen Xiaofei and Bai Shu teased him until he yelled at them to get lost.

Wang Weihu’s rescue teams reached the City R Survivor Base after collecting supplies along the way and found its residents struggling amid severe weather and earthquake damage. Headquarters’ supplies arrived as the teams learned how the base was keeping its ruined buildings barely habitable.

• Wang Weihu left the earthen fortress standing, and the teams resumed their journey through the snow.
• The teams found that a storm had killed the mutant birds, then collected their roasted eggs and harvested more mutant animals and plants along the route.
• The rescue teams reached the City R Survivor Base, raised the national flag, and were welcomed by the excited guards and staff.
• The staff explained that overgrown plants and earthquakes had damaged the base’s buildings, which plant-type ability users had patched together for shelter.
• The Rose Squad handed over Headquarters’ cold-weather supplies, medicine, and food for the staff to distribute.

Qin Luo and the support squads visited the impoverished City R base and learned how shortages, illness, and attacks had strained its residents. After delivering supplies and sharing what they had brought, the squads left to continue searching for missing combat squads.

• The City R leaders welcomed the support squads and explained that scarce ability users, dangerous mutated plants, illness, and frequent attacks had left the base short of food and other supplies.
• The leaders showed Qin Luo and the squads around the base, including its vine cableways, childcare center, school, and elderly care home.
• The City R leaders served the visitors a meal of mutant birds and eggs, but Qin Luo and Wang Weihu urged them to eat instead and explained that the squads had other missions to pursue.
• Xu Duoduo gave milk tablets and candy to children waiting at the reception room doorway.
• Before leaving after a morning at the base, the squads left supplies for the residents, and Xu Duoduo gave them her collected mutant bird eggs and meat.
• After the squads had walked away, the Charge Squad regretted giving away its supplies, while the others laughed at their complaints.

Qin Luo’s group searched northwest of the City R base for the missing combat squads, but found no traces and struggled with disorienting terrain and blocked signals. They rested in a fortress overnight, equipped each squad with whistles, and planned to continue the search.

• Bai Shu checked the tablet’s last recorded location, and the group headed northwest while Xu Duoduo collected mutant plants and Qin Luo’s team fought mutant animals.
• The group found no signs of the missing squads, and Bai Shu observed that the scenery and buildings had begun to look alike.
• The squads argued about fatigue and whether to continue, until Wang Weihu ordered them to stop and rest in the fortress he built.
• Qin Luo suggested the similar scenery might be intended to confuse intruders, while Bai Shu confirmed that signals were blocked and positioning still failed.
• Xu Duoduo handed out whistles so the squads could communicate if their earpieces stopped working.

As the squads rested in a bitterly cold fortress, Xu Duoduo and Qin Luo’s affectionate teasing drew gossip from the others. Xu Duoduo kissed Qin Luo before falling asleep, leaving him flustered and insisting she take responsibility for his first kiss.

• Qin Luo told everyone to rest, and Xu Duoduo shared rice balls while he teased her about eating before she fell asleep.
• Xu Duoduo soothed Qin Luo with food and a drink as the squads watched them act like a couple and gossiped about their relationship.
• After Qin Luo returned from patrol, Xu Duoduo climbed onto his lap and silenced his chatter by biting his lips.
• Qin Luo protested that Xu Duoduo had taken his first kiss and demanded that she take responsibility, but she fell asleep against him.

After a quiet night, Qin Luo’s group realized the strange scenery was likely caused by a powerful mutated plant and lost contact with Chen Xiaofei. Chen Xiaofei returned with news of a Mutant Paradise Tree holding Headquarters fighters captive, and Qin Luo suspected it had fused with a human.

• Qin Luo led the group onward despite the increasingly repetitive scenery, and the Rose Squad concluded a high-level mutated plant was using mimicry to confuse them.
• Qin Luo ordered everyone to stay together, but Chen Xiaofei disappeared from contact as their earpieces and wristbands stopped working.
• Xu Duoduo used her wooden whistle to reach Chen Xiaofei, who returned and reported a beautiful, woman-shaped Mutant Beauty Tree with people trapped in branch cages.
• The Rose Squad identified the threat as a Mutant Paradise Tree with powerful hallucinations, and Chen Xiaofei said the captives appeared alive.
• Li Wei noted that a Mutant Paradise Tree should not look like a woman or create mimicked scenery, and Qin Luo proposed that it might have fused with a human or resulted from someone’s Mutation.

Qin Luo and the squads fought through the Mutant Beauty Tree’s swarm of plants and beasts, but the Charge Squad fell under its mind-controlling gaze. Qin Luo attacked the tree, provoking it into a furious rampage.

• Qin Luo led the squads toward the Mutant Beauty Tree after Bai Shu briefed them on how to resist its mind-controlling ability.
• Wang Weihu and the Rose Squad cleared a path as mutant plants, insects, and animals attacked; Xu Duoduo, Bai Shu, Chen Xiaofei, and Qin Luo fought them off.
• Mu Mei warned that the squads had reached the tree, but Xue Feng looked at its face and was captured in a birdcage.
• The other members of the Charge Squad looked toward Xue Feng and were captured as well.
• Qin Luo hurled thunderstorm bombs at the Mutant Beauty Tree, which screamed and vowed to kill the intruders.

The Mutant Beauty Tree bewitched and wounded the squads, capturing the Charge Squad and Flame Squad while mental contamination and mutant animals wore down the others. Qin Luo fought it blindfolded, and Xu Duoduo rushed to help after it injured her team, leaving Shishi bristling with fury.

• The Mutant Beauty Tree bewitched the Charge Squad, which let its vines bind and capture every member.
• The tree’s scream overwhelmed the Flame Squad, and it swept them into its birdcage while the Cheetah Squad and White Dove Squad struggled against its mental attacks.
• The tree’s hallucinations lured Xu Ge into looking at it, and its vines captured him as Wang Weihu warned everyone not to look.
• Qin Luo blindfolded himself and attacked the tree with Chen Xiaofei, Bai Shu, and Wang Weihu while the Rose Squad and Xu Duoduo fought off mutant animals.
• Qin Luo drove his blade into the tree and unleashed Thunderstorm, but the fight left him and the others bleeding.
• Xu Duoduo ran to help Qin Luo, and Shishi grew fiercer after sensing the tree had wounded their team.

Xu Duoduo and Qin Luo destroyed the Mutant Beauty Tree after Xu Duoduo’s resistance to its illusions let her attack it alongside him. Qin Luo caught the injured Xu Duoduo, who then kissed him in front of the other squads as they recovered from the illusion.

• Bai Shu judged the Mutant Beauty Tree to be at least four-star while Chen Xiaofei, Bai Shu, and Wang Weihu struggled against its attacks and the Mutant Beauty Trees’ branches.
• Xu Duoduo ignored Qin Luo’s warning and charged the Mutant Beauty Tree, whose illusions had little effect on her.
• Xu Duoduo hacked through the Mutant Beauty Tree’s branches with her Chainsaw, breaking its illusion and freeing the people trapped in birdcages.
• Qin Luo drove his Twin-Bladed Knife into the tree’s trunk and flooded the wound with Thunderstorm, destroying the Mutant Beauty Tree but injuring himself with the backlash.
• Qin Luo caught the falling Xu Duoduo, and she kissed him repeatedly while the recovering squads watched in shock.

Shishi and the rescue squads freed the survivors from the Mutant Beauty Tree’s birdcages and learned how Hua Hong had become a monster after her abusive husband infected her. As the survivors prepared to travel to the City R base, Shishi found Mu Enya, who was overjoyed that she could talk.

• Shishi left Qin Luo dazed after kissing him, and Wang Weihu sent the Cheetah Squad and White Dove Squad to rescue the hostages.
• The squads freed the survivors, who revealed that the Mutant Beauty Tree had eaten many captives and that only 150 survivors remained.
• Granny Qian explained that her daughter Hua Hong had been abused by her husband, who infected her and caused her transformation; Bai Shu reassured her that the virus, not her daughter, had harmed people.
• Wang Weihu promised to escort the survivors to the City R base, while Mu Mei and the squads distributed supplies and cared for the children.
• Shishi recognized Mu Enya in a cage, and Mu Enya hugged her, celebrated that she could talk, and thanked her for the rescue.

After defeating the Mutant Beauty Tree, 3A traded its four-star plant mutant core to Mu Mei’s Rose Squad for ten million points and a three-star earth mutant core for Wang Weihu. Xu Duoduo reunited with Qin Luo, and the squads cleared the battlefield while Wang Weihu advised the rookie teams.

• Xu Duoduo left Mu Enya and Zhang Chi’s group to find Qin Luo after admiring their outfits and hearing Mu Enya’s playful suggestions.
• The squads collected mutant animal meat, pelts, and cores as Chen Xiaofei’s Tornado separated the cores from the meat.
• Mu Mei offered ten million points and a three-star earth mutant core for 3A’s four-star Mutant Beauty Tree core, and Xu Duoduo agreed to the trade.
• Qin Luo handed the tree core to Mu Mei, who paid Xu Duoduo and thanked her before fleeing when Xu Duoduo offered to let her pinch her cheek.
• Qin Luo protested when Xu Duoduo offered to kiss him, while Chen Xiaofei and Bai Shu bickered about who was the father.
• Wang Weihu taught the Cheetah Squad and White Dove Squad how to write reports and encouraged them to keep improving, leaving them moved by his advice.

After returning to City R Base with the rescued survivors, 3A learned of a mutant orchard and agreed to collect fruit and supplies with several other squads before heading home. City R Base welcomed the squads and thanked them for their help, while Qin Luo stopped Xu Duoduo from drinking liquor.

• Wang Weihu led the exhausted squads and survivors back to City R Base, where the survivors were handed over for care and reunification with their families.
• Chen Xiaofei, Bai Shu, and Qin Luo planned to rest before returning to H City, but Xu Duoduo spotted Headquarters’ call to gather fruit from a mutant orchard.
• Qin Luo agreed that 3A would visit the orchard, and the Rose, Flame, Cheetah, and White Dove Squads decided to join them the next morning.
• City R Base’s leaders thanked the combat squads for their help and hosted a dinner after Headquarters had supplied the base with equipment, weapons, and power stones.
• Qin Luo told Xu Duoduo not to drink when she picked up a glass of liquor to imitate the others.