Chapter 151: Strike Directly at the Dragon's Lair
The Mother Nest Ancient Tree continued to grow taller, its body which originally spanned over sixty meters now stretching towards seventy meters, appearing even more majestic.
The vine's length began to spread, directly breaking through to a kilometer distance, within a radius of one kilometer, everywhere could be reached by the vine's extension.
Of course, this was just the extension distance, to completely cover and occupy the whole area with roots or vines was impossible.
However, having vines present in every area for surveillance and quickly gathering a large number of vines was entirely possible.
"The defensive pressure has dropped."
Su Han perceived the changes of the Mother Nest Ancient Tree, and his heart judged that a thousand meters, although not sufficient to extend the vines to every checkpoint, was relatively close, for example, the Summer Garden Mall and the checkpoints around the commercial streets could definitely be covered with the vines.
The checkpoint at Riverside Avenue was quite far, only able to cover a few small checkpoints in a small range, but the checkpoint at North Ridge Avenue could cover most of it, including the front area of North Ridge Avenue.
Thus, in the case of a monster siege, the support could involve not just the combat units inside the territory, but the Mother Nest Ancient Tree situated at the center could also support with its vines.
By then, whether it be melee combat or defensive battles, there would be great assistance.
Su Han was very satisfied with the tree's transformation; the continuously infused Fusion power enhancing his strength would accurately reflect on the monsters, accumulating power unceasingly.
"The number of Level 4 Vine Giant Rats has reached 400, activity distance 4000 meters..."
Su Han quickly calculated; four kilometers meant that several blocks would fall within the range of activity, which was temporarily sufficient.
However, compared to the Vine Giant Rat, he was more concerned about the Level 4 Tree Womb having an additional Wraith Beast slot, and the distance had also been raised to four kilometers.
"Might as well pick a flying Wraith Beast."
Su Han made up his mind, turned around, and headed for the underground garage, directly arriving in front of the Bat Wing Beast's cage, where the blood-red vines of the Tree Womb from the Mother Nest Ancient Tree's canopy slowly spread from the main body and then reached the front of this cage. Explore more stories with empire
The vine was rapidly writhing, then suddenly bound one of the First-level Intermediate Bat Wing Beasts, pulling it out from the cage and moving it closer to the main body's Tree Womb.
As a womb body, the transformed Wraith Beast based on the experience of the previous three beasts should retain the Flight Ability; however, since the womb body is somewhat weaker, it would need more nutrients to evolve into a Second Order.
...
After fusing with the blood of Level 1 Chang Beast, the attacks by the Chang Beasts did not weaken despite the defeat that day.
On the contrary, over the next few days, the Chang Beasts continued to attack.
Sometimes it was hordes of blood-colored flesh corpses without any more advanced monsters, just to deplete and divert the attention of Su Han and his group.
But such attacks were ineffective; the vines of the Mother Nest Ancient Tree took action, along with the addition of the Apostle Envoys like Guo Gang and Zhang Dahai, often resolving such offensive moves in less than an hour.
The blood of the killed Chang Beasts all transformed into nutrients for nurturing the fourth Wraith Beast, continuously replenishing nutrients.
Sometimes, the attacks came more fiercely, like a surging tide of beasts. At that point, the attacking Chang Beasts would often number in the thousands, aided by powerful monsters.
Such attacks tended to be more intense, and the Second Order Chang Beasts would launch a direct charge, attempting to break through the line by pinpoint assault.
However, not counting him, Su Han's side already had seven Second-order Contractors: Bai Qilan, Yan Meiyu, Zhu Xiong, Gan Xinglei, Ye Kailing, Guo Gang, and Zhang Dahai.
Even excluding Bai Qilan and Yan Meiyu, who were stationed at Shanhu Villa District, there were still seven Second Rank Apostles available.
With such a lineup, no matter how many monsters came, they were all annihilated, with a large amount of Chang Beast blood scattered outside the walls.
The Mother Nest Ancient Tree continuously fused with this blood of Chang Beasts, and after two days, it had reached 76% of the Level 1 Chang Beast blood, not far from leveling up again.
On the fifth day, according to the feedback from Tree-born Worms, the Chang Beasts were still roaming in the mist, but their numbers had decreased and it was temporarily impossible to accumulate enough beasts for a surge.
"About time."
Su Han listened to the feedback from the various checkpoints and muttered, beside him Zhu Xiong heard but did not catch it clearly: "What's about time?"
Su Han smiled and said, "Old Zhu, gather 300 people, we'll go hunt down the thing behind this."
Zhu Xiong looked confused, "You, you know where that monster is?"
"Don't know the exact location, but the day after the Chang Beasts appeared, Qilan passed me a note."
With that said, Zhu Xiong's eyes widened even more.
Wait, you guys are doing this kind of secret communication, should I leave?
He was internally frustrated, but compared to these, he despised the troublesome Chang Beasts and the monster behind them even more.
"What exactly is going on?"
"South City isn't exactly a vast grassland, where can you find both rhinoceros and wolves?"
In a city, places to find such things are limited, outside unusual circumstances such as a tycoon secretly keeping them, legitimate circuses, smuggling, the only place that fits would be a zoo.
Though it's not certain, this place has a higher probability.
"Then why wait these few days?"
Su Han spoke solemnly, "If we don't wait a few days and clear some of the Chang Beasts, but then we leave and get stormed again, how would that work? Plus, we had to let the Tree-born Worms feel out the direction, and also let Kailing keep watch for a while."
During this waiting period, Su Han was not idle.
Although the Chang Beasts did not return to their nest, making it impossible to track them down immediately, their direction of reinforcements could still be gauged.
First, the Tree-born Worms monitored underground movements, then Ye Kailing with her Bat Wing Beast secretly tracked them, and in these few days, they had confirmed the direction — northeast.
And this direction coincides with the location of the zoo.
Upon hearing Su Han's explanation, Zhu Xiong finally understood the sequence of events, and his face showed excitement.
"Finally, it's our turn. I'm going to start summoning people now," he said.
...
Zhu Xiong acted swiftly, gathering most of the patrol and search teams before having Ye Kailing and Zhang Dahai stay behind to guard the camp.
Ye Kailing had a Bat Wing Beast, which could quickly provide support and relay messages, so it was essential to keep her there.
Zhang Dahai, on the other hand, volunteered to stay behind to help defend the camp.
It was not about being cowardly; field work generally accumulated more merits, but he understood his role: excelling in infrastructure was his expertise. Also, having a good relationship with Guo Gang, he volunteered to give up his spot.
Thus, the entire team was assembled in less than half an hour.
Su Han, Zhu Xiong, Gan Xinglei, and Guo Gang led the team, accompanied by two exotic animals: the Alien Thorn Worm and the Centipede-mouthed Blood Toad.
Then came three hundred Vine Giant Rats and three hundred camp combatants, including at least ten First Order Superior Combatants, all well-equipped and clad in armor; it was indeed a formidable armed force.
"Move out!"
With no fanfare, Su Han took the lead, the Bat-winged Alligator Dragon crawling on the ground, carrying Su Han himself.
The mighty team set out directly for the zoo, the aura released by the Bat-winged Alligator Dragon immediately alerting many creatures in the mist, including the Wraith Beasts.
Upon sensing this, the Wraith Beasts surged forward; though just scattered soldiers in the mist, their numbers together exceeded a thousand.
They filled the streets and launched a charge, attempting to crush these daring souls venturing out from the city.
Su Han sneered, thinking, Since I dared to lead the troops out, am I afraid of you?
The Bat-winged Alligator Dragon flapped its wings, and several wind blades, each several meters long, swept down the street.
With a "puff", the sharp wind blades cut through the wraith beasts like a scythe through wheat, severing them one after another, unabated.
With just one attack, two to three hundred Wraith Beasts were slaughtered.
The Bat-winged Alligator Dragon showed no mercy as it prepared to fire a devastating blast of black water.
With a booming sound, several hundred more Wraith Beasts were either killed or injured by the black water cannon.
The onslaught had collapsed; the Bat-winged Alligator Dragon led the team forward uncontested, its massive body trampling all resistance, leaving the remaining wraith beasts powerless to stop it.
"Terrifying, truly terrifying," said Zhu Xiong, watching the bloody scene unfold before him, shaking his head slightly but with a smile stretching ear to ear: "But I love it."
Old Zhu had been through a lot; how could he be put off by such a scene?
He patted the Bone Armor Giant Pig he was riding and murmured, "See that? That's your role model. I'm not expecting wings on you so pigs might fly, but you need to learn to charge straight ahead. Consider that your test."
As Zhu Xiong spoke, he led the charge on the Bone Armor Giant Pig. Though not as fierce as the Bat-winged Alligator Dragon, the sharp fangs and massive body combined, forming a force not even slightly less impressive than a heavily armored tank, unstoppable by the Wraith Beasts.
"Roar"
The unstoppable team continued, and the obstructionist wraith beasts suddenly let out a loud roar, then rapidly started to retreat.
Without hesitation, one after another dashed into the mist, swiftly returning to wherever they had come from.
In a blink of an eye, the remaining wraith beasts had all but disappeared.
Gan Xinglei sensed something was amiss and frowned, warning, "Su Han, I think they might be running away."
The Bat-winged Alligator Dragon's actions were completely unlike those of a second-grade monster. Even if the Wraith Beasts couldn't accurately judge its rank, it didn't mean the monster behind them wouldn't be more cautious.
Su Han shook his head and said, "Just chase them down; they don't have time to escape."
By the time he'd decided to strike directly at the heart, he had considered this issue, but why would they give you time to escape after having already been mobilized?
"Everyone, speed up."
The Bat-winged Alligator Dragon took the lead, rapidly charging towards the zoo.
Although not flying, its massive body allowed it to move almost as fast.
All team members were also mounted on Vine Giant Rats, so their speed was not slow.
The zoo was only a direct three kilometers away from the peripheral zone, well within their range, so reaching it was no problem at all.
As expected, the initial charge met with no Wraith Beast obstructions, but as they approached, the Wraith Beasts gradually increased in number.
In groups, they blocked streets, attempting to stop the team.
But to no avail.
The Bat-winged Alligator Dragon paved the way, and the entire team charged, no Wraith Beast able to halt their motion.
Gradually, the obstructing Wraith Beasts thinned out.
Finally, the team reached the street where the zoo was located. As soon as they arrived, a murderous atmosphere emanated from within the mist.
Low growls sounded, and red figures filled the spacious street and the entrance of the zoo, like a blood-colored army.
All the Wraith Beasts had gathered here, their cold eyes fixed on Su Han's team.
They numbered in the tens of thousands, and behind this massive army, several larger monster figures loomed, distinctly second-order monsters.