Chapter Fifty: The Expedition Team

The formidable strength of the sika deer’s second-tier state was entirely owed to the augmentation brought by the life graft. After all, based on its own life form and potential, the sika deer’s second-tier vitality cap had previously reached only five units. Although this level of strength far exceeded that of humans, it still could not withstand firearms. Just like those mutated crocodiles destroyed by Adam the Oak, they were powerful, but when faced with modern weapons, their greater vitality simply meant they were harder to kill immediately.

But now, with the life graft’s enhancement, the sika deer’s potential matched, or even surpassed, that of the oak tree. The oak, at present, could only animate a limited number of roots and, unable to move, was little more than a living target. The sika deer, however, could move freely. It could leap nearly a hundred meters high, with tremendous force generated upon landing, itself a potent attack. Swift as the wind, its assaults struck like lightning. At such speeds, unless a missile possessed automatic tracking, the sika deer could easily evade it. Even if the missile did track, the deer’s agile movements allowed it to dart through forests and buildings, avoiding these high-yield weapons.

This gave Ji Yu much greater confidence when facing threats from humanity with the sika deer. Yet, the deer had not reached its peak state. Once it attained the fully augmented second-tier pinnacle, its capabilities would likely become even more astonishing. As such, Ji Yu now possessed the ability to fearlessly face most human threats—except for concentrated firepower and massive missile strikes, of course.

Besides, Ji Yu had no intention of becoming humanity’s enemy. Let’s not forget, he himself was human. Only if pushed to the brink would he make such a choice; for now, there was no need.

Strolling leisurely down the forest path, Ji Yu, under the cover of night, began the training he had originally planned: honing his combat reflexes in the sika deer form. Standing in a clearing, Ji Yu bent slightly, and then, enveloped in energy, leapt high into the air. The force from the deer’s hooves ruptured the earth beneath him with a thunderous crack, propelling Ji Yu skyward as the wind roared past his ears.

In that instant, Ji Yu felt a rush of exhilaration unlike anything he’d ever known.

Yet that exhilaration quickly turned to resignation upon landing. The forest was dense with trees, and the sika deer’s body was massive. Not fully accustomed to the deer’s nimble form, Ji Yu crashed down, flattening several trees and tumbling across the ground for quite some distance. He finally came to a stop only after colliding with a stout trunk, snapping it clean in two. The thunderous sound and tremors sent flocks of birds shrieking into the night.

Dust-covered, Ji Yu struggled to his feet. Thanks to the energy shielding his body, the sika deer sustained no injuries—only a bruised sense of dignity. But Ji Yu didn’t mind; after all, no one had seen him. The training was necessary, a crucial process for being able to face future battles with ease.

For the next hour, the surrounding forest suffered greatly. Everywhere Ji Yu moved, chaos followed. Seizing the moment before the life force in the felled trees faded, Ji Yu began rapidly absorbing their vitality through the life graft. Over the next three hours, he busied himself with daily activities to foster the sika deer’s growth and create its homeland.

——————

“Old Zhang, don’t you think the official blockade of the Spinewater Mountain Range seems a bit unusual? On our way here, we saw several convoys from the Southwestern Military District,” Li Dong whispered.

In the forest, Zhang Shuping and his companions pressed forward under the moonlight. To enter the local trail leading into the woods, they had to skirt several official checkpoints. For ease of evasion, they naturally chose to travel at night, moving along the forest near the mountain roads. As they cautiously threaded their way through, they glimpsed several military convoys passing by on the road through gaps in the trees.

Before Zhang Shuping could reply, the tall, impatient Xu Hui spoke up, “Li Dong, are you scared? If you are, you can turn back now.”

“Yeah, they’re just military trucks. Haven’t we seen them the last few times we visited? No need to get so paranoid.”

“Ever since the Purple Moon, the authorities have imposed varying degrees of lockdown on all wilderness areas. Nobody knows exactly why. Some other hikers say mutated creatures have appeared in the forests, but we’ve never encountered any ourselves.”

“That’s right. I think the officials are hiding something, but it definitely isn’t about wild animals with mutated genes. We’ve never seen any—and the media hasn’t reported it either. Don’t trust unreliable rumors; they’re all just hearsay.”

Their hushed, overlapping conversation left Li Dong feeling somewhat embarrassed.

“I just had some questions, that’s all. Who said I was giving up?”

“Good then. Enough chatter, let’s hurry. While it’s still dark, we should get to the trail leading to the Spinewater Gorge. If we’re caught, we’ll end up locked up for a week again.”

“Exactly. Zhang, lead the way!”

Zhang Shuping was taken aback; there was no need for explanation. These like-minded hikers were more eager for the Spinewater Gorge expedition than even he was. Smiling, Zhang Shuping reassured Li Dong, “Come on, Li Dong, don’t be so nervous. The frequent military traffic probably means there’s some facility nearby. There’s nothing to worry about with me guiding you.”

Li Dong wasn’t new to adventure travel, but this was his first time in Spinewater Mountain, and he couldn’t shake a strange sense of unease—he didn’t know where it came from, but it made him jittery. Still, surrounded by his companions, and under the leadership of a seasoned guide like Zhang Shuping, Li Dong forced himself to set aside his worries and nodded with a strained smile, “With you leading, Zhang, I feel reassured. I guess I’m just being overly sensitive. Let’s keep moving so I don’t ruin everyone’s plans. Otherwise, I’d be truly unforgivable.”

Seeing Li Dong’s understanding, Zhang Shuping smiled and patted him on the shoulder. Then he turned to the group and whispered, “Alright, everyone, try not to use your flashlights. Follow me, and be sure to watch your step—it’s dark.”

“Got it.”

“Understood!”

“No worries, Zhang, we’re not newbies.”

“......”

With that, the group shouldered their packs and quietly pressed onward through the thickets, making their way deeper into the night.