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Putting aside how cruel this experiment, which is tantamount to sending people to their deaths, is, even the mortality rate of elite troops is so high, then those with slightly weaker physical and mental qualities would probably be wiped out.

Lou Quan craved power, but his conscience wasn't completely extinguished like those old men's; otherwise, he wouldn't have resolutely left the Central Base, and Lou Yu wouldn't have chosen to join him later.

After all, Lou Quan was groomed to be the successor of the Lou Family. If he hadn't assassinated his father and half-siblings to avenge his mother, he would surely be at the center of power in the Lou Family, or even the entire Central Base, by now.

Back then, some people advised him to wait a few more years, saying that once he reached a high position, dealing with those people would be easy.

Lou Quan, who is usually good at scheming, acted rashly this time and chose to take revenge on the spot without considering the consequences.

When asked if he regrets it now, he said he does, regretting that he was too lenient and let those beasts escape with their lives.

It is precisely because Lou Quan still harbors some goodwill that he has gained the loyalty and support of so many subordinates, and that he has been hesitant to initiate the second awakening experiment.

Tao Qiu speculated, "Is he prioritizing the supply of special crops to the army to improve soldiers' physical condition and increase the success rate of awakening?"

"Yes, the higher-ups all guessed his purpose. The emergence of superhumans is now an inevitable trend. Even before the superhumans at the Central Base have reached a significant scale, they've already put immense pressure on several satellite bases. Therefore, satellite bases with the resources are all figuring out how to develop the reagents; nobody wants to be suppressed by the Central Base forever."

Lou Quan's choice was neither wrong in terms of reason nor emotion.

Whether Tao Qiu was truly born into this era or not, it's impossible to define whether this behavior is a case of the survival of the fittest or malicious infighting.

Fate propels different creatures toward their own paths and destinies.

Upon arriving at the valley, the bottom was overgrown with weeds due to the lack of human intervention and the presence of residual Tao Qiu's supernatural energy in the soil, making it appear exceptionally desolate.

Tao Qiu first shrunk his size and entered the cave, removing the stone and bamboo door from inside. Then, he and Lou Yu and the others cleaned the inside.

After unpacking the bedding from the bags, hang it on the pear tree branches to dry in the sun and dissipate the smell. The tables, chairs, bowls, and plates all need to be washed, and the dust swept away.

After a busy morning, they ate the lunch they brought from the base. The three kids stayed at home, while Tao Qiu took Lou Yu to the mountain to collect materials.

After a winter's absence, the fox population seemed to have increased again. The little fox that used to hang around Lou Yu had grown into a large fox, but it remained lively and clever. This time, it even went up to Lou Yu's hand and let him pet it.

After Lou Yu touched its head last time, the smell lingered for several days. It even had a dream about eating Lou Yu, which made it feel very satisfied.

If Lou Yu knew the reason for the little fox's enthusiasm, he would probably be depressed for hours.

Apart from the little fox, all the other foxes were surrounding Tao Qiu, asking him how the winter had gone, when he would start planting crops, and that their crops had already been eaten, and so on.

The Red Fox White Fox only told Tao Qiu's secret to two close foxes, so the other foxes didn't know that Tao Qiu had moved to the human base that winter.

When they were almost in front of the Red Fox White Fox, the foxes all retreated, leaving only Tao Qiu and Lou Yu to go up and meet them.

The Red Fox White Fox's gazes fell on Tao Qiu, and seeing that he was still as strong and healthy as ever, the heavy weight that had been hanging over their hearts for so long slowly lifted.

It seems Tao Qiu is doing well at the human base; these humans haven't wronged him.

They walked together to their usual spot. Lou Yu went to retrieve materials from the Red Fox, while the White Fox chatted with Tao Qiu.

White Fox: "Mmm..."

--Are you and the baby birds doing alright?

Tao Qiu: "Chirp, chirp."

Thank you for your concern. Everything is fine.

White Fox: "Mmm..."

--After you left, we sent foxes to patrol your territory every few days. Occasionally, we would also encounter Green Python and Black Rabbit. So far, your territory remains safe.

Tao Qiu: "Chirp, chirp, chirp"

--Thanks to your help, I came back this time to grow crops, and it won't be long before I can make an exchange with you.

The White Fox squinted and laughed, "Mmm-mmm."

--Looking forward to that day.

Red Fox spoke very little this time, only asking Tao Qiu when Tao Qiu and Lou Yu were about to leave whether he wanted to continue sending foxes to patrol his territory.

After receiving the definite answer Tao Qiu needed, he nodded without saying anything more and watched them fly away with the White Fox.

Tao Qiu needs to plant crops, and the kids need to see their friends, so they'll have to stay in the fields for a few days. But Lou Yu is busy with work and has to go back today.

Tao Qiu and her children caught game for him, stuffing the cargo box to the brim, before reluctantly saying goodbye.

Eldest Cub: "Lou Yu's dad, be careful on the road."

Second Cub: "Lou Yu, be good at home. We'll be back in a few days."

Third Cub: "We'll miss Daddy Lou Yu, and Daddy Lou Yu will miss us too."

Their behavior almost made Lou Yu want to stay and keep them company, but fortunately, reason prevailed in the end, and after a moment of heartache, Lou Yu went back on his own.

Not long after Lou Yu left, Black Rabbit arrived.

Black Rabbit noticed them driving by, but he didn't want to meet Lou Yu and waited until he left before coming over.

"Uncle Black Rabbit!" The Third Cub was the first to run over and pounce into the Black Rabbit's soft fur.

The Eldest Cub Second Cub followed closely behind, and the Black Rabbit lay down on the ground, letting the three cubs roll around on him.

Ever since she became friends with the kittens, Black Rabbit has become a very clean rabbit. After taking a bath, she goes to the flower bushes to rub against them, making sure she smells nice and soft before seeing the kittens.

This time was no different. After waking up from hibernation, he thought about how his cubs might come back in the spring, so he got himself all ready early, just for this moment.

To the humanoid creatures, the Black Rabbit was like a giant black blanket, soft and warm, making them incredibly comfortable to lie on.

Black Rabbit asked the cubs how they were doing at the base, and whether their other father had been mistreating them.

The cubs transformed back into bird form so they could communicate with the Black Rabbit.

Eldest Cub: "Chirp, chirp, chirp."

--How is Lou Yu's father? We're staying in a big house at the base, and we're eating really good food.

Second Cub: "Chirp, chirp, chirp."

--The humans in the base all like us very much. They say we're well-behaved and cute, and they all want to kiss and hug us.

The Third Cub: "Chirp, chirp."

--Dad and Lou Yu's dad protected us very well; no bad guys found us. We are Snow Bird.

Seeing how chubby and healthy the cubs were, Black Rabbit knew they hadn't suffered, but she still needed to find out more, just in case the humans had bullied them in other ways.

The three kids chattered away, telling Black Rabbit everything they had seen and heard at the base. Tao Qiu knew that Black Rabbit only believed what the kids said, so she just listened to their conversation without saying a word.

The children only stopped talking when they got thirsty. Tao Qiu took out a water bottle and poured water for them, then looked at the Black Rabbit and said, "Chirp chirp."

--Now you can rest assured.

Black Rabbit scoffed. "Roar..."

--Humans are very good at disguising themselves. Guard your Snow Bird identities. If they dare to lay a hand on you and your cubs, come back to us. Humans can't do anything to us.

Tao Qiu laughed, "Chirp, chirp."

--I know you love your kids the most, thank you.

Black Rabbit, still a little embarrassed, awkwardly said, "Roar..."

--If you want to thank me, hurry up and grow some crops so I can eat them. I've been working hard guarding your territory these past few days, haven't I?

Tao Qiu smiled and agreed.

Knowing that Tao Qiu and her children were going to see the Green Python and the Little Snake, Black Rabbit stayed with the children for a few hours before leaving.

Tao Qiu also transformed back into bird form and flew towards the Green Python's territory with the chicks.

The Little Snake had invited the bird chicks to her house to play a long time ago, but Tao Qiu didn't want to reveal the chicks' existence at the time, and the chicks couldn't leave the valley, so the matter was delayed again and again.

But today it can finally be realized.

They had just reached the edge of the woods when the Little Snake darted out from inside.

She had grown even bigger, her size now almost matching her mother Green Python. When she swam up to the chicks, she nearly lost control and knocked them all over.

"Hiss! Hiss!"

--Hello? Long time no see! I've missed you all so much!

The Little Snake nestled its three baby birds around its tail, rubbing its head against them repeatedly, and the babies responded enthusiastically.

The Green Python came out a step too late. Tao Qiu glanced at the cubs tangled together, smiled helplessly, and went to talk to the Green Python.

After a long time apart, the Green Python looked at Tao Qiu with a smile in its eyes.

Like the foxes and the Black Rabbit, the Green Python was concerned about their situation at the base. When she heard Tao Qiu say that humans treated him like an honored guest and that he and his child were living well at the base, she felt much more at ease.

Afterwards, the Little Snake led its offspring to its home, which was the mountains and forests, and even caught a lot of prey for them, insisting that they take it back to eat.

When they got home, Tao Qiu and her children all had their mouths full of prey.

Dinner was barbecue. Tao Qiu and the kids sat around the fire, watching the sizzling meat skewers and constantly swallowing their saliva.

The Eldest Cub sighed, "Although it's only been one winter, it feels like we haven't eaten like this in ages. I really miss it."

The leaping flames fell into Second Cub's green eyes. She cupped her face and said, "I still remember the first time we cooked with fire. Did I eat well that day? Was I full? Yes, I was full."