Alien minds may not be great.

But they shouldn't be capable of such bizarre acts.

Last time when aliens were found at the outpost, it was understandable, as it was an infiltration attempt, trying to slowly consume and lurk around Mountain City.

But such alien bases.

Fundamentally, they would have no positive effect.

Once discovered, they'd be immediately eradicated, wasting only financial, material, and human resources.

The more Baiyu thought about it, the more he found it possible.

If that Flesh and Blood Altar really is inside this cave, then things would get complicated; there's no telling how many aliens there are constructing the altar.

Nor is it clear how strong the enemy is.

Relying on just these people, it's difficult to fight against them.

Baiyu planned to retreat first. Although this was his first time leading a team out of the city, success was crucial, but even if it is the first time, he can't take risks.

Life is what matters most.

For truly powerful Martial Artists, talent and perseverance are secondary; the most important thing is the speed of escape.

As long as you can get away from danger.

Even a rookie will eventually cultivate into a master.

Baiyu typically avoids excessive risk.

In times like this, prudence is paramount; when the situation looks bad, make a rapid retreat; that's the choice of the strong.

At this moment.

Baiyu weighed the pros and cons and was about to order a retreat when the whole cave began to shake.

Shouts erupted outside the tent.

Baiyu's heart skipped a beat.

The facial expressions of several Anomaly Bureau members nearby instantly changed, secretly speculating about the situation outside.

Baiyu quickly stepped out.

Only to see Tiger Race and Wolf Race warriors gathered at the cave entrance, their eyes filled with suspicion as they stared at the entrance.

The spirit array's shield there already bore cracks.

Waves of blood-tainted Qi emerged continuously, making the warriors of the Wolf and Tiger Races highly sensitive to this aura.

"Back off, all!"

Baiyu shouted fiercely, keeping a keen eye on the situation, his face grave.

Just the smell made his Pollution Level soar.

The Tiger Wolf Race warriors are highly insensitive to this level of pollution, often unaware even when mutated.

In recent years, the Imperial has enhanced education about Sub-humans, preventing the mindset of seeing mutations as divine punishment.

However.

The Tiger Wolf Race warriors still lack a concept of pollution.

A nearby soldier from the Anomaly Bureau remarked with a grim face, "Sir, there might be deformed weapons below. If we rashly charge in, we could suffer significant losses.

Each deformed weapon is formidable.

Sir.

No matter the action, please think carefully."

The investigator from the Anomaly Bureau evidently feared Baiyu's recklessness, given his youthful appearance that's prone to impulsive mistakes.

"Yes, don't worry."

Baiyu understood his concerns and simply instructed everyone to stay away and prepare for a night return.

Unexpectedly, an anomaly occurred once more.

Several black beams shot from the dense forest, piercing through several bodies instantly, creating bloody wounds.

"Enemy attack!"

"Quick, grab your weapons and face the enemy!"

"Protect the Director!"

Voices rose throughout the camp.

Having experienced the baptism of the previous battle, Baiyu's group of Security Bureau recruits now had some experience, albeit flustered, they didn't completely lose their footing.

The ten elite investigators from the Anomaly Bureau swiftly clustered around Baiyu.

Meanwhile, the Tiger Wolf Race warriors quickly grabbed their weapons, charging towards the direction from which the black beams originated, seeking out the hidden attacker.

"Where's the bounty hunter team? Why didn't the spirit array they set up react?"

Baiyu donned his Forbidden Armament, the mechanical speaker on the armor amplifying his voice.

Several frantic bounty hunters approached.

"Sir, the spirit array was destroyed; there are experts outside."

"Indeed, our spirit array detected no feedback; the foe dismantling it must be far superior to us."

Baiyu frowned, powerless against this panicked group of bounty hunters.

They often operated individually or in small teams; managing over a hundred people was bound to lead to such situations.

Ultimately.

It's the difference between the informal and the regular forces.

After the black beams were shot out, numerous Shell People Race suddenly emerged from all sides.

However, these Shell People looked altogether different from the original ones; their skin was purely black instead of the normal green.

Moreover, blood-red patterns flickered on their shells.

Each held an elongated weapon, peculiar in design, seemingly the source of the black beams.

"Kill!"

The Tiger Wolf Race warriors were the first to charge, heading straight towards the aliens.

Both sides engaged in battle swiftly.

Only then did everyone realize that the number of Shell People was way beyond expectations, with more emerging continuously from the surrounding dense forest.

Their intent was clear.

Approach and enter the cave!

Evidently reinforcements for the Shell People trapped inside the cave.

Baiyu, now fully armored, did not stay behind but rather joined the Tiger Wolf Race warriors in charging the Shell People.

With Forbidden Armament operating at full capacity.

He was like a wolf among sheep, slashing out and claiming lives.

The Shell People stood no chance.

But.

More and more Shell People kept coming,

Baiyu's Blood Qi, stamina, and spirit were rapidly depleting.

"Sir, there are at least two thousand Shell People here! The reports suggesting hundreds are clearly false."

"Maybe the cave is just bait; Shell People have lived underground for years, these sudden appearances must stem from hidden underground bases."

"Impossible! If so many were hiding underground, what do they eat?"

Several investigators started to panic.

Baiyu crushed the shell of one Shell Person, taking a deep breath as more Shell People emerged from the dense forest, saying, "Notify the troops to retreat, don't panic, form an array, and cover each other."

Given the current situation.

Staying meant certain death.

Unknown numbers of Shell People kept emerging from the forest, while the blood-tainted aura wafting from the cave would certainly affect combat strength.

If mutations occurred.

Not only would they fail against Shell People, but they'd also harm allies.

Baiyu's order to retreat was reluctant but wise under the circumstances. Upon his command, all Tiger Wolf Race warriors and Security Bureau soldiers began to regroup and withdraw.

However, just then.

The Shell People, originally advancing aimlessly from all directions, suddenly turned towards Baiyu.

A uniform wave!

The other soldiers couldn't react.

Just a few Anomaly Bureau investigators stayed beside Baiyu, yet despite his surprise, Baiyu wasn't caught off guard.

Baiyu intended to lead the wave of Shell People to a secluded spot, kill them, and bury them on the spot.

But suddenly he sensed a unique spirituality emanating from several people's bodies, completely locking his perception.

Soon after.

Several investigators around him suddenly burst out Blood Qi, forming a unique mark that completely suppressed Baiyu.

"Protect the Director!"

"We'll protect the Director first, you cover from behind!"

Several investigators shouted to others, then quickly hoisted Baiyu, heading swiftly into a nearby forest trail.

This movement.

The remaining didn't know what to do.

But with the ominous wave of aliens attacking, it was the most urgent matter, so most of them had no choice but to pick up their weapons and face the incoming aliens.

Only Baiyu's close associates in the Security Bureau exchanged glances and, instead of staying behind, followed Baiyu in the direction where he was taken.

Baiyu at this moment was nearly being carried by four investigators.

All four were Tier Five Martial Artists.

Combined, their Blood Qi bound him completely.

"Are all of you traitors?"

Baiyu asked calmly, his expression composed, seeking to uncover some information.

But.

There was no reply.

The four maintained their formation, with five others following to prevent his escape.

Silently, the team moved through the forest.

Soon.

An open space behind the forest came into Baiyu's view.