The convoy drove on till dawn, stopping atop a hill for rest. The vehicles needed cleaning, with many spiderwebs still clinging. Insecticides were harmful to materials and people, and any residues were undesirable.

After cleaning, they gathered for breakfast, munching on bread and milk. The events of the previous night left several looking pale.

Shao Qi stood up, "Everyone performed well, following orders and staying calm. But we need to understand mutant beasts better. From now on, we will rotate study shifts, ensuring at least four hours of study daily."

The younger members nodded, but some older men were disgruntled. "At our age, what more can we learn? Mutant beasts evolve constantly. Our knowledge may become outdated."

"Then tell me, what species was that spider swarm?" Shao Qi challenged, noticing that these men kept to their own and probably knew each other from before, with Long Gan as their leader.

"There are dozens of mutant spiders. How would we recognize each one? Their weak spots are usually their belly or legs."

"Then do you know why that swarm attacked us there?"

"Uh..." They exchanged glances. Everyone was puzzled. "Please enlighten us, Captain Shao!"

Shao Qi elaborated, "The latest data updates include the 97th mutant spider, the blue one we encountered. It's large, fast, and its silk can encase a person in 30 seconds, dissolving them in a minute. Had Zhou You not killed it first, our escape would've been much harder."

Some remarked, "It seemed easy enough to kill."

Shao Qi replied with a smirk, "Next time you meet one, run. They can summon their kind and lead them. The area was likely near a nest of grey-blue spiders, drawn out by the toxic blue one."

"Stay alert. The outside world is perilous. Let's not be complacent," Sang Liwu warned sternly.

"Alright, once rested, mount up. We'll be crossing a marshland that might take two days. Prepare nutrient solutions. There won't be time to cook. Also, carry your antidotes. Life is precious, and not everyone will get a second chance."

Someone asked timidly, "Captain Shao, if we were to fall, what compensation would our families receive?"

Shao Qi answered firmly, "Rest assured, this mission is state-sanctioned. Compensation will be based on the rank of Junior Lieutenant. Notable deeds may increase it. But remember, detrimental actions will also have consequences."

"I have another question," said a man with a goatee, raising his hand.

Shao Qi nodded, waiting for the man to continue, "If we successfully complete the task, can the reward be exchanged for something else?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"I heard the institute has a drug for advanced-stage cancer that isn't available on the market. Can I exchange it with my points?"

Without hesitation, Shao Qi replied, "You can, but I can't guarantee it will work for you."

The man nodded fervently, "Thank you, thank you. My mother... she's in the late stages of lung cancer. If I can get that drug, I'll do anything!"

Shao Qi turned to the others and said earnestly, "Once the mission is completed, if any of you have wishes, you can voice them. Whether they can be exchanged will be carefully considered."

As everyone was boarding, Zhou You stood beside Shao Qi and whispered, "I have a wish too."

Seizing the moment, Shao Qi leaned in and gave him a peck, murmuring, "What's your wish?"

Zhou You turned to adjust Shao Qi's belt, grinning, "I'll tell you when we get back. Don't worry, I'll use points too. I'm sure you can grant it."

"Can't you tell me now? Maybe I can fulfill it right away?"

"Not here, not the right place," Zhou You responded, then turned to board his vehicle.

A teasing curiosity nagged at Shao Qi; he couldn’t tell if Zhou You was implying something or if he was overthinking it.

Chapter 167: The Marshlands (Part I)

Just as the convoy began to move, the ground suddenly shook. The lead vehicle was flipped over and tumbled down the slope. The occupants managed to escape through the broken windows, only to watch in horror as the vehicle smashed into a boulder below.

"What happened? An earthquake?" The slope they had just departed from continued to tremble. The passengers from the remaining vehicles hurriedly disembarked and fled. Then, massive blocks of snow from the slope began to slide down, revealing a gigantic mutated beast. It stood slowly, its long limbs and even longer neck evident. After shaking off the snow, it sneezed in the direction of the humans that disturbed its slumber.

Cheng Suyan was blown back several meters by the sneeze, holding her sword aloft, she exclaimed, "Oh my god, what is that? A giraffe?"

"That doesn't look like any giraffe I've seen. It's more like a brachiosaurus!" The mutated beast in front of them was indescribable - tall, towering at least twenty meters high with a length of about five meters. Its gray, furry skin was thick, and it had small eyes, tiny ears, and a rather small mouth, giving it a seemingly gentle appearance.