In Wen Wen’s eyes, **Ba Chong’s** abilities were terrifying in close combat.
This wasn’t just because he had killed two mid-sequence monsters—any true-sequence powerhouse could achieve such a feat when ambushing unprepared mid-sequence creatures.
Rather, Wen Wen genuinely believed that few superhumans of the same level could defeat Ba Chong in melee combat. Even with his diverse array of abilities, Wen Wen wasn’t sure if he could match Ba Chong once he reached true-sequence strength.
Ba Chong’s power lay in the phantom figures behind him. He could either have these phantoms repeat his actions at a set frequency after his attacks or have all of them join him in simultaneous strikes.
Fighting him up close meant battling several powerful entities at once, with threats coming from far more than just two hands and two feet. Even with his **Mirror Eye** allowing him to track attack trajectories, Wen Wen had no desire to face an opponent like Ba Chong.
Fortunately, Ba Chong was an ally—the stronger he was, the safer Wen Wen felt.
---
After dealing with the two mid-sequence guards, the team split into two groups: one heading to the **eastern district** to rescue civilians, the other to the **western district** for combat.
The western team soon divided further into four squads.
The largest group, led by Ba Chong and three upper-sequence Wanderers, took over forty Wanderers to assault the heart of the western district—the **royal palace and military barracks** of the **Tigerkin**. This was the most dangerous and critical location in the entire area.
Meanwhile, Wen Wen, Qiao Feiya, and the **Herald of Sound** each led a dozen Wanderers to other strategic points in the west. **Chu Wei** was also assigned to Wen Wen’s team.
Wen Wen’s target was the **Tigerkin Breeding Center**, located near the **Yueshan City Grand Stadium**.
After being trapped in Yueshan City, the Tigerkin had stopped blindly expanding their numbers. They understood that if the human population dropped below a certain threshold, they would be at a severe disadvantage.
Moreover, ordinary **Tiger Slaves**, no matter how numerous, couldn’t turn the tide—they would only strain logistics.
So, the Tigerkin scoured the city for humans with potential superhuman traits or special skills, bringing them here for conversion into **Tigerkin** to strengthen their ranks.
Simultaneously, they researched the conversion process to refine their methods.
There was no denying it—these Tigerkin were formidable foes. Given enough time, they might have developed a civilization rivaling humanity’s. With their innate physical superiority, replacing humans wasn’t impossible.
Wen Wen’s mission was to **destroy this facility** and cause as much chaos as possible nearby. If this place fell into disarray, Tigerkin from other areas would surely rush to its aid—after all, it represented their future.
---
As they advanced, Wen Wen led the charge at the front. Relying on the **Shark Champion’s** physique and the **Javelin’s** mobility, he closed in and instantly killed any Tigerkin he spotted.
Then, he saw a **fat Tigerkin** ahead—this one had dark fur and massive tusks, likely transformed from a wild boar.
*"You’re humans?! How the hell did lowly humans get in here?! You— Wait… You’re **Demon Hunters**?!"*
Before the boar-like Tigerkin could react, Wen Wen grabbed its tusks and kneed it in the face, dazing it.
A barrage of supernatural abilities followed. The thick-skinned Tigerkin didn’t even get a chance to strike back before being beaten to death by the group.
Wen Wen stored the corpse. Such a hefty chunk of meat shouldn’t go to waste—if the **Tiger Plague Virus** wasn’t lurking in these creatures’ flesh, he’d put it to good use.
This **Black Boar-Tiger** was the only **"Slave Master"** they encountered. The rest were just a few **Tiger Warriors** and hordes of **Tiger Slaves**.
Under Wen Wen’s lead, the team advanced unimpeded, quickly reaching their destination.
After scanning the area, Wen Wen and the dozen Wanderers marched menacingly toward a **convenience store**.
The store was open for business, with two apron-wearing Tigerkin inside, meticulously organizing goods like human shopkeepers.
*"Are they… imitating humans?"* Wen Wen’s eyes narrowed in suspicion before he ordered, *"Regardless, we wait here for now. Stay hidden from other Tigerkin."*
The moment Wen Wen’s group barged in, the two Tigerkin opened their mouths to roar—but before a sound escaped, the Wanderers swiftly killed them and dumped the bodies in a corner.
Once the area was secure, Wen Wen sent a message to **Yuan Xiao**: *"Team in position."*
The next phase required all squads to be ready before simultaneous action, so they had to wait.
As they did, Wen Wen examined the dead Tigerkin couple’s clothing and the store’s traces. After a moment, he sighed.
*"These two weren’t just pretending to run a store… They *were* running it. Other Tigerkin even shopped here. They might’ve been the original owners before conversion."*
Chu Wei, standing behind him, scoffed. *"Don’t soften up. Whatever they were before, they’re monsters now. Even one left alive could cause massive casualties."*
Wen Wen incinerated the bodies. *"I’m not softening up. I’ll exterminate every last Tigerkin without hesitation…"*
*"I’m just reflecting. Humans, Tigerkin—we’re all fighting for our kind’s survival. This war isn’t about right or wrong. Only life and death."*
---
After five minutes, the other teams signaled readiness.
The next phase began.
The **Colossus Soldiers** surrounding Yueshan City stirred, hurling massive packages into the air over the city.
The packages burst open mid-flight, releasing compressed pellets of plant matter that rained down like hail across every corner of Yueshan.
The Tigerkin stared curiously at the pellets. Though they suspected a trap, **curiosity was a feline instinct**.
The scent wafting from the pellets was irresistible—and they were certain these held no harmful substances.
Soon, a petite **Tigerkin girl** picked one up, hesitating.
*"Try it! What’s it taste like?"*
*"Should be safe, right?"*
*"Just lick it! Let us see!"*
Encouraged (or peer-pressured) by the others, the Tigerkin girl cautiously gave the pellet a tiny lick—
—and instantly experienced a **soul-melting euphoria**.
She began licking frantically, her eyes squinting in bliss as she flopped onto the ground, rolling around for no reason.
The other Tigerkin, unable to resist, joined in.
Within moments, the area turned into a **large-scale catnip party**, the ground covered in furry, striped bellies…