Chapter Five: Battle Axe

Everything happened so suddenly that Hua Feng and his companions had no time to react. They could only watch helplessly as Wu Jing passed away before their eyes, unable to do anything. Although it was said that, upon mastering Vital Energy cultivation, one could possess the power to resurrect the dead, none of them had ever witnessed such a miraculous legend.

Wu Jing, with only ten levels of Vital Energy, was barely stronger than people from before the Ice Age. Hua Feng knew that he, along with Wang Yue, Shuang Ning, and Yun Meng, were now all at the peak of the twentieth level, the highest tier of Vital Energy users, but had been unable to break through for lack of proper cultivation methods. He couldn’t help but wonder: if he were stronger, would there have been fewer sacrifices?

Fortunately, in the army, as long as comrades coordinated well, no one beneath the peak of the fortieth-level King could withstand the power of artillery shells.

Hua Feng settled Wu Jing’s ashes after cremation, silently vowing, “Brother, we’ll take you home.” Their gunshots echoing in mourning across the wilds outside Hurricane Town.

“Return to us, soul!” The anguished cry soared into the sky.

Hua Feng and his companions stood solemnly in two lines, silent in mourning. A shadow hung over every face; though they had won the battle, the cost was too great. The urgent need to strengthen themselves was now at the heart of every person.

Cold crows flew across the sky, snow and ice swirling chaotically.

After setting out, the journey was wordless. Apart from necessary communication, everyone remained silent. Three tanks rolled across the endless snowy wilderness.

The dazzling white expanse was dotted with scattered trees; small animals darted by, and occasionally herds of elk flashed past. All was peaceful and beautiful—if not for the war, this place would be a paradise on earth.

From above, aside from the faint tracks of their treads, it was as if they had never passed through. Fortunately, the blizzard began again, nature itself erasing their traces.

If there were no war, Wu Jing would not have been sacrificed, nor would so many comrades have died far from home, wrapped in their armor. Watching the silver-draped world through the periscope, Yun Meng mused quietly.

After communications were restored, Hua Feng sent a report to headquarters detailing casualties and losses. Upon learning that the Snow Leopard Commando was on its way to meet them, they decided to rendezvous at a point in Inner Mongolia, China. Part of the team would return to camp first with the energy sample, while the rest would be escorted by the Snow Leopard Special Forces.

They also received news that Battle Axe, the largest gang in Country E, had a squad relentlessly pursuing the armored company, and a tough fight might be inevitable. Storm clouds gathered; Hua Feng suddenly felt a longing for a decisive battle.

Traveling across the snowy plain was tedious, but this group seemed unfazed. Each wore clothing marked with a giant axe, glinting coldly in the snow’s reflection. Their purpose was singular—to seize the energy sample.

As Battle Axe’s special squad, their leader was a thirty-fifth-level Vital Energy King, and the dozen or so members split into three teams, each driving the latest land assault vehicles, dubbed “land cruisers.” They advanced aggressively, leaping or crushing small ditches and low shrubs in their path.

The Snow Leopard Commando, after traveling day and night, finally arrived at the rendezvous point four hundred kilometers from the forward base, led by Leopard Head Lin Chong, a major of the thirty-third level.

The rendezvous point was an underground fortress—not large, but fully equipped, about a thousand square meters. It boasted an independent ventilation system, water treatment facilities, laser weapons, and an alloy structure and gate capable of withstanding a small nuclear blast. With the proper command, this fortress, code-named 798 and built for war, could be activated. After contacting Hua Feng and learning that he was almost there, Lin Chong waited patiently inside. Soon, Hua Feng and his group arrived; after a brief handover, the fourteen-member team lined up, and Hua Feng stepped forward to hand Lin Chong the box containing the energy sample.

“Major, this is the energy sample we secured in this mission, paid for with the lives of our brothers. I hope you’ll deliver it to headquarters as soon as possible.” Hua Feng saluted him.

Lin Chong returned the salute, his deep voice reassuring: “Rest assured, Captain. You’ve done well. Leave the rest to us. Take a break; I’ll have someone fly the sample out by helicopter immediately.”

“Yes, Major.” With that, Hua Feng led his team away.

Everyone felt relieved, but Hua Feng knew the real challenge was just beginning. The detector showed Battle Axe was approaching. Lin Chong’s intention was clear: to use the fortress to block the advance of Battle Axe’s special squad.

The intelligence had perhaps been off—they had expected a low-level, thirty-level Vital Energy King, but instead faced a mid-high-level thirty-fifth, with over ten subordinates between the twenty-fifth and thirtieth levels. The latest detector likely wasn’t wrong; a fierce battle was looming.

Hua Feng walked to the room in the fortress where Yun Meng was staying and knocked on the door.

“Little Meng, it’s me. May I come in?”

“Come in, Brother Feng.” Yun Meng suddenly felt how distant such conversation sounded. Ever since joining the army, she could no longer banter and joke with Hua Feng as she once had at school.

He opened the door and saw Yun Meng with her back turned. Hua Feng closed the door and sat beside her.

“Little Meng, I suddenly have a bad feeling,” Hua Feng said, and as soon as the words left his mouth, he became dizzy and lost consciousness.

Hearing Hua Feng collapse, Yun Meng hurriedly turned to support him, exclaiming, “Brother Feng, what’s wrong?” The sudden change left Yun Meng at a loss. At that moment, the alarm sounded—someone was attacking the fortress.