The final team member joined their formation—another Martial Artist seeking advancement through controlled danger. Ten warriors total, representing optimal squad composition for coordinated beast elimination operations.
Wind Wolf's selection as team leader was inevitable and uncontested. His hunting experience and leadership capabilities exceeded anyone else's qualifications by substantial margins.
"Our assigned territory." Wind Wolf indicated a marked zone on the newly distributed tactical map.
Ye Tian studied the designated area with tactical assessment. Thirty kilometers from Linhai Base—farther than most hunting expeditions ever ventured. Virgin territory where unknown threats could emerge without warning.
"Captain, that distance exceeds our normal operational range," one team member voiced what everyone was thinking.
"Unavoidable reality. This clearance mission spans one hundred kilometers of hostile wilderness. Anyone participating knew extreme distances were mandatory."
Resigned acknowledgment rippled through the group. They'd committed to this operation understanding the unprecedented scope.
Strategic Planning Session
Brief tactical discussions produced basic coordination protocols, though experience taught that wilderness plans rarely survived contact with actual threats. Adaptability mattered more than rigid preparation.
Vehicle transport was rejected despite available Yuan Force trucks. Mechanical advantages meant nothing when terrain became impassable—and flexibility trumped cargo capacity when survival was paramount.
"Complete assigned objectives first, then pursue Divine Power Ant opportunities."
His personal mission remained secondary to team loyalty obligations. Wind Wolf's squad would receive his protection and support before individual advancement took priority.
Journey Begins
During the extended trek, casual conversation revealed Zhang Feng's background—the man behind Wind Wolf's legendary hunting reputation.
Elementary cultivation talent. Late-stage Martial Artist after years of struggle.
The mathematical reality was sobering. Elementary genetics meant Elite advancement required overcoming barriers that approached impossibility. Less than thirty percent success probability even with unlimited resources.
For Ye Tian, Elite breakthrough had been inevitable progression through advanced genetic advantages. For Wind Wolf, it represented a lifetime's ultimate achievement that might never materialize.
"This mission is his advancement gamble."
Combat experience could sometimes trigger breakthrough inspiration that static cultivation couldn't provide. But it was desperation disguised as opportunity—risk everything for minimal success chances.
The man's courage demanded respect even if his strategy was statistically suicidal.
Personal Inquiry
"Brother Ye Tian, you're barely twenty with late-stage achievement. Such exceptional talent—why risk dangerous missions rather than secure cultivation with major family protection?"
"Tempering."
The single-word response conveyed philosophical commitment that impressed Wind Wolf immediately.
Most genius warriors from established families avoided wilderness dangers entirely, accepting safe but slower advancement under institutional protection. Real martial artists forged strength through constant challenge rather than comfortable security.
Wind Wolf recognized authentic warrior mentality when he encountered it. His respect was earned through demonstration rather than reputation.
Destination Reached
Thirty kilometers of careful wilderness navigation consumed most of the day. Maintaining alertness across such distances was exhausting, but essential for survival in unfamiliar territory.
"Remember—if intermediate fierce beasts appear, we request Elite team support immediately."
Wind Wolf's reminder carried the weight of hard-earned wisdom. Their squad could handle low-level threats through coordinated effort, but intermediate classification represented lethal escalation.
The communication device clipped to his belt supposedly enabled contact within ten-kilometer range. Yuan Force technology that theoretically connected scattered teams across the clearance corridor.
Ye Tian knew the truth about "support."
With scattered forces across one hundred kilometers facing unknown opposition numbers, no backup would be available when crises emerged. Every squad would face overwhelming challenges simultaneously.
The communication devices provided psychological comfort rather than practical assistance. False hope was sometimes preferable to acknowledged despair.
But awareness of abandonment enabled realistic tactical planning.
Initial Success
"Three Grass Wolves ahead. Low-level classification. Standard elimination target."
The pack grazed three hundred meters distant—weak specimens even among inferior fierce beast categories. Newly promoted Martial Artists could handle individual Grass Wolves through basic technique application.
Coordinated assault eliminated all three within minutes.
Material collection was deemed impractical—Grass Wolf corpses were worth mere thousands but weighed hundreds of pounds each. Transportation burden exceeded economic value.
Systematic Hunting
The pattern repeated across the following hours. Track, engage, eliminate, advance. Low-level creatures with minimal defensive capabilities provided manageable opposition that built team confidence.
Prolonged success bred dangerous complacency among his teammates. Each victory reduced their caution incrementally as false security replaced appropriate vigilance.
Ye Tian maintained constant alertness despite the easy progression. Experience taught that wilderness tranquility preceded devastating surprises.
Valley Approach
"The valley ahead contains our primary clearance objectives. Maximum caution—enclosed terrain concentrates dangerous predators."
Wind Wolf's tactical assessment was accurate. Forests, valleys, and waterways created territorial bottlenecks that attracted powerful creatures. Open plains remained relatively safe through predator dispersion.
As they entered the narrow valley mouth, familiar scanning sensations detected immediate threats.
Three-meter scarlet lizard with dorsal spikes emerged from concealment.
Species: Charizard
Bloodline Talent: Elementary
Fire Talent: Inferior
"Fire-breathing capability confirmed. Flame talent user."
His teammates stared at the unknown creature with uncertainty—this species had never appeared near Linhai Base territories. Their beast identification knowledge was limited to local threats.
"Everyone be careful! Fire-breathing lizard with flame talent!"
Shock paralyzed the squad completely.
Talented fierce beasts represented exponentially greater threats than normal specimens. Flame manipulation could incinerate conventional defenses while providing devastating offensive enhancement.
The real battle was about to begin.
[End of Chapter 28]