Quick Travel to the Clouds

Chapter 782 Challenge Dungeon 38

The ten-minute meeting was brief and efficient.

Xie Yipei quickly laid out the action plan for the next few hours: with the camp as the center, within a radius of two kilometers, three sectors were divided for preliminary reconnaissance and clearing.

Lin Xun is in charge of the East District, Yin Chengxu and Miao Yiming are in charge of the West District, and Ding Sheng, Cao Luo and Lu Ting are in charge of the North District, which is relatively dangerous and may be close to the "Hunter" gathering place.

Xie Yipei, Yun Chu, Du Ruo, and Su Yining stayed behind at the camp to provide support from the center. At the same time, they monitored the overall situation through the Fire Iron Flying Ant Network and analyzed some residual energy samples and several broken metal parts that Lin Xun had just brought back from the abandoned tower.

"Remember, the initial focus should be on reconnaissance and probing. If you encounter a 'hunter,' assess their strength. If you can resolve the situation quickly, then take action. If the opponent's strength is unclear or there are signs of reinforcements, retreat immediately and lure them back to camp or a pre-arranged ambush point," Xie Yipei emphasized. "For the first contact, safety comes first. What we need is intelligence, not unnecessary casualties."

"Understood!" The group accepted the order and quickly split into three groups, disappearing silently into the shadows of the ruins like arrows released from a bow.

The camp fell silent for a moment, save for the faint ripples of the array's force field. Su Yining began checking her medical supplies, while Du Ruo's figure appeared and disappeared near the entrance, adjusting the outer warning traps.

Xie Yipei sat on a relatively flat metal plate, with the metal fragments Lin Xun had brought back and a simple hand-drawn energy residue diagram spread out in front of him. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his fingertips unconsciously traced the diagram.

Yun Chu, through the shared vision of the Fire Iron Flying Ants, closely monitored the movements in three directions.

In the East District, Lin Xun moved like a ghost among the ruins, making almost no sound. Occasionally, he would stop to collect samples or leave marks using special tools.

In the western district, Yin Chengxu and Miao Yiming occupied a high point on a half-collapsed water tower, their hawk-like eyes scanning the area below, their longbows and firearms ready to fire at any moment.

In the North District, Ding Sheng and his two companions advanced cautiously in a triangular formation, with Ding Sheng's giant shield and Cao Luo's tower shield in front, and Lu Ting supporting them in the center with two short spears.

Time passed second by second.

About half an hour later, the North District was the first to spot the target.

"Captain, at 30 degrees north of west, approximately 800 meters away, two active units have been detected. They are humanoid in appearance, but their limbs have metallic growths, their movements are stiff, and their energy fluctuations are... one is at the peak of C-level, and the other is close to B-level."

Lu Ting's calm voice rang out in the team channel, accompanied by a blurry image transmitted back by the Fire Iron Flying Ant.

Two creatures, each about 2.5 meters tall, with grayish-black skin, some joints and backs covered in rusted metal armor, and bloodshot eyes, were dragging the remains of some large creature as they slowly walked through a relatively open passage.

"Maintain distance and continue to observe. Watch out for other units," Xie Yipei immediately ordered.

"receive."

A dozen minutes later, a report came from the West District: "Captain, a suspected entrance to a 'Hunter's' lair has been discovered in the West District. It is located in a semi-underground parking lot. There are energy barrier fluctuations at the entrance, with an intensity of B-. There are three low-level 'Hunters' (estimated to be DC-level) patrolling the perimeter."

"Mark the location, do not approach."

The situation in the eastern district was relatively calm, with only some scattered traces of low-level "hunter" activity and a small amount of collectable metal and energy crystal resources discovered.

Xie Yipei quickly integrated the information, sketching out a preliminary threat distribution map around the camp in his mind. "Two medium-sized ones in the north, a suspected nest in the west, and the east is relatively safe. Du Ruo, go and meet Lin Xun, and bring back the resources from the east first. Continue to monitor the north and west, and await instructions."

"Yes," Du Ruo replied, and disappeared from the spot in a flash.

Soon, Lin Xun and Du Ruo returned to the camp with several faintly glowing energy crystals and several pieces of a special metal with a hard texture. Meanwhile, surveillance continued in the North and West districts.

"Captain, those two 'hunters' in the North District have stopped, and they seem to be...feeding?" Lu Ting's voice carried a hint of disgust.

The images show the two "hunters" tearing at the remains with their metallic claws, making a sickening chewing sound.

“A good opportunity.” Xie Yipei’s eyes turned cold. “Ding Sheng, Cao Luo, prepare to draw the C-level peak on the left head-on.”

"Lu Ting, flank around and wait for my signal. Prioritize attacking the joints and energy core of the B-level enemy on the right side."

"Yin Chengxu, Miao Yiming, provide long-range firepower to suppress them and disrupt their perception and movements. Lin Xun, Du Ruo, be ready to cut in and finish them off or intercept any reinforcements that may appear. Move out!"

The moment the order was given, the North District team, which had been lying in ambush, immediately moved into action.

Ding Sheng let out a low roar, and the giant shield glowed with an earthy yellow light. Like a moving mountain, it charged out from behind the cover, slamming heavily onto the ground with a dull thud, attracting the attention of the "Hunter" on the left. Cao Luo followed closely behind, raising his tower shield diagonally to protect the flank.

The two "hunters" immediately stopped eating, their crimson eyes locking onto the charging "prey," letting out a low growl, raising their metal claws, and bringing a stench.

Just as the "hunter" on the left lunged at Ding Sheng, Lu Ting's figure flashed out from a pile of ruins behind him like a ghost. His speed was so fast that he was just a blur. He held two short spears with a bluish-green edge and stabbed them with perfect accuracy at the "hunter's" knee joint and the side waist where the energy reaction was strongest!

*Pfft! Sizzle!*

The sounds of metal rubbing against and penetrating a tough structure rang out almost simultaneously.

The "Hunter" on the right let out a painful roar, its movements suddenly halting, and the light from the energy core at its waist flickered intensely.

call out!call out!

Two arrows, wreathed in flames and ice, were fired almost simultaneously from the high ground in the west district. One was aimed at the left eye socket of the "Hunter," and the other at the exposed neck joint of the "Hunter" on the right, which was exposed due to pain.

The "hunter" on the left jerked its head to the side, the arrow grazing its metal armor and sending sparks flying. The "hunter" on the right wasn't so lucky; an ice arrow pierced most of its neck, further stiffening its movements.

"Now!" Xie Yipei shouted.

Lin Xun and Du Ruo, who had been lying in wait nearby, instantly appeared. Lin Xun's slender rapier, like a viper's tongue, pierced the energy core at the waist of the "Hunter" on the right side from an extremely tricky angle! Du Ruo, meanwhile, crossed her two daggers, creating two dark arcs of light, and slashed hard at the joint of the "Hunter's" supporting leg on the left side.

Snap! Boom!

The energy core of the right-hand "Hunter" shattered with a deafening roar, its massive body stiffening for a moment before crashing to the ground. The left-hand "Hunter" suffered a severe leg injury, letting out a mournful cry as it lost its balance. Ding Sheng seized the opportunity, striking its head with his shield, while Cao Luo's heavy sword slashed fiercely at its neck.

The battle lasted less than a minute from start to finish. The two medium-sized "hunters" were swiftly and decisively eliminated.

[Successfully counter-hunted 'Hunter' (C+ rank) x1, gained 300 points, and obtained 'Rusty Core' x1 special metal.]

[Successfully counter-hunted 'Hunter' (B- Rank) x1, gained 500 points, and obtained 'Hunter's Emblem (Fragment)' x1.]

The system notification rang in the minds of the team members involved in the operation and Xie Yipei, the team leader.