Chapter 227 - The Hidden Danger

Many of the students left behind in the Warring Kingdom Civilization were facing the same issues as the trio. Plagues had broken out wherever they settled, triggered by the rotting corpses of mutated beasts. Countless units fell ill, stricken by the disease.

Mild symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea, and dizziness. In severe cases, the plague crippled the units’ ability to fight. Those affected heavily by the plague died, and their corpses became breeding grounds, spreading the plague even further.

To contain the outbreak, many students resorted to burning the bodies, rapidly consuming their supply of Wood. Prices for Wood soared in the group chat, reaching three times the normal rate, yet supply still fell short.

Han Wu sold his Treant Training Ground tickets at a low price to help. Although they sold out quickly, even that wasn't enough to meet the relentless need for Wood to burn the corpses.

After studying the messages and analyzing the situation, Sun Qingnian proposed, “Han Wu, the plague is spreading fast and hitting all the students. Even if it doesn’t affect us now, it could become a major threat later. Why don’t we announce that we’ll handle the corpses? They can pay us in resources, and in return, we’ll take care of disposal. You could use those resources to summon more Dark Cursed Bugs for the job. What do you think?”

Han Wu was still focused on solving the polluted seawater issue, but he agreed without hesitation. Sun Qingnian acted quickly, opening a trade channel. Soon, a mountain of corpses flooded their storage.

Sun Qingnian found a large, empty area on the edge of Han Wu’s shelter and dumped all the bodies there. The pile grew into a mountain tens of meters tall, rising just above Han Wu’s city wall.

Han Wu summoned more Dark Cursed Bugs from his Eternal Altar using the resources the students had provided. Their Gluttony trait, combined with Han Wu’s Famine, barely balanced the rate at which the corpses appeared and the bugs' consumption.

Thankfully, as the Dark Cursed Bugs grew stronger, their appetite increased, giving Han Wu confidence they could handle the rising number of corpses. He ordered them to keep feeding when a peculiar message popped up in the group chat.

One elite student from Demonic Imperial College possessed the Physician Cleansing Flower Spirit, which was capable of purifying the pollution. Han Wu privately messaged her, requesting to purchase some units.

She rejected the offer outright. In her long-winded reply, she claimed the Cleansing Flower Spirit was her core race and that every unit was precious after all the care she’d put into nurturing them.

Han Wu frowned, sensing the true meaning behind her words—she wanted a higher price.

Han Wu changed tactics and suggested a trade instead. Ultimately, he offered to exchange 100 Dark Cursed Bugs for a single Cleansing Flower Spirit. She accepted, and soon Han Wu secured 1,000 Cleansing Flower Spirits. She was pleased and hoped he would trade with her again.

Han Wu released the 1,000 Cleansing Flower Spirits into the surrounding ocean and watched as the pitch-black water quickly returned to its original blue. Their effect was undeniable. With the water clearing, the Deeptrench Frogmen gained more room to maneuver and defend the shelter.

The trio had encountered their fair share of mutated fish and shrimp over the past few days, so they weren’t alarmed by every strange sight. But while scanning the horizon through his telescope, Sun Qingnian spotted a large group of flying beasts heading toward their shelter.

These creatures were bigger, stronger, and capable of flight—troublesome foes by any measure. Fortunately, the shelter had an expert in aerial combat.

Qin Shuang stepped forward. Her core race, the Thunder Sparrows, had diversified into various castes such as Archer, Light Cavalry, and Heavy Cavalry. She commanded a large force of flying units, which intercepted the beasts and swiftly eliminated them all.

The trio worked seamlessly, tackling every new threat that arose. The shelter faced one challenge after another since the start of the calamity, but they had endured them all.

Nevertheless, Han Wu kept his guard up. He feared the danger had not yet arrived. The Divine Civilization would not have recalled all the students if this was the true calamity. He was sure the threat still lurked somewhere in the shadows, waiting to reveal itself. Determined to survive, Han Wu strengthened his units and stayed alert at every moment.

Ten days later, Sun Qingnian scanned the horizon with his telescope as usual. From the northwest, he spotted a massive fleet advancing toward Han Wu’s shelter. Soldiers lined the decks, and large flags fluttered from each ship's mast.

Sun Qingnian recognized the character

Wei

stitched on the flags and immediately sent a message to Han Wu.

[Sun Qingnian: Han Wu, come take a look. That’s the Wei Kingdom fleet.]

Han Wu climbed the city wall and took the telescope. Sure enough, the ships cut through the black waters. The scene was somewhat frightening as mutated beasts swarmed around the fleet, launching relentless attacks.

Yet, every assault from the mutated creatures shattered against the shimmering barrier protecting the ships. Archers aboard fired volley after volley, picking off the beasts that dared to circle too close.

Han Wu noted their impressive arsenal and knew this was no ordinary patrol by the Wei Kingdom. A cold dread settled in his chest. These soldiers were likely here to seize control of his region. He could not imagine another motive for their presence.

Sun Qingnian tried to hold onto hope. “Han Wu, do you think they came to help us fend off the mutated beasts?”

Han Wu shook his head. “I doubt it. The Will of the Warring Kingdom Civilization has marked us as outsiders too. The Wei Kingdom and its native life forms won’t see us as allies.”

“You’re right. Anyone outside our group could be a threat. We need to be cautious.”

Qin Shuang had also received Sun Qingnian’s message and sprinted to the city walls.

“The Wei Kingdom’s fleet is entering our waters fast,” Han Wu told her. “Use your Thunder Sparrows. Find out what they’re after.”

Qin Shuang nodded and transformed into a Thunder Sparrow. Leading a large battalion of Thunder Sparrows, she soared toward the Wei Kingdom's fleet.

𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Soon, the two forces faced each other. The Wei generals quickly realized Qin Shuang was neither a monster invading their civilization nor a native life form.

Qin Shuang hovered high above them, her voice sharp with arrogance. “State your business.”

The generals aboard the ships burst into laughter at her insolence. Though she wielded the Nine Martial Castes’ powers, they dismissed her as too young to challenge them.

Some of the more bloodthirsty generals transformed into flying units, encircling her in the sky.

“Little girl, do you think you’re the only one who can fly?”

“We have no qualms about telling you why we’re here. We act on the orders of our civilization’s Will—to drive out all outsiders and restore peace. You are an outsider, so you must leave this world now. If you refuse, don’t blame the Wei Kingdom for bullying you with our numbers.”

Qin Shuang understood their purpose clearly. The Will of the Warring Kingdom Civilization had spiraled into madness, choosing to exterminate all foreign life to restore order. Ruthless, perhaps, but effective.

Still, she met their threat with defiance. “And what if I refuse to leave?”

One general replied coldly, “Then you will remain here forever as a corpse.”

Without warning, the generals launched their attack, aiming to end her life.