Chapter 775 Escape Route

About ten kilometers southeast of the Federation camp was the encampment of the Lynx Federation team.

The camp was surrounded by heavily guarded Giant Guards clad in thick Biological Armor, as well as various obstacles and barbed wire.

The inside of the camp was a different story, however. Many of the people there were quite lax, either chatting and laughing, hiding alone in some distant spot, or simply sleeping in their barracks tents.

This was because a significant portion of the team’s Fighters were mercenaries. Many of them didn’t get along, and forcing them together would likely lead to trouble. So, the person in charge allowed them to do as they pleased during non-combat situations.

Aside from these individuals, dozens of able-bodied people were busy at work, driving wooden stakes into pre-marked positions.

Others continuously hauled over freshly cut and planed lumber, appearing to be constructing something.

As the ancient trees in the surroundings slowly fell, mournful sounds emanated from within them. A blood-like fluid spurted from the cuts, pieces of bark leaped off the trunks, and leaves scuttled across the ground.

The scene was enough to make one’s skin crawl, yet the men remained completely unfazed. They had grown accustomed to such sights over the past few days. Immediately, people in Protective Clothing and masks came forward to spray a chemical solution, dissolving everything.

Admiral Ingram Seber, the primary leader of this team, stood to the side, coldly watching the men work. A small, thin man wearing round-lensed glasses approached him, carrying a roll of blueprints.

He first wiped the sweat from his brow with a handkerchief, then said respectfully, "Admiral, progress is smooth. We can begin inscribing the ritual today."

Admiral Sebier asked, "How long will it take?"

"Three days," the thin man said.

Admiral Sebier said, "Two days. I’m only giving you two days. This activation device must be completed within two days."

The thin man stammered, "B-but, we don’t have enough of the materials we brought with us. We’ll have to gather them on-site, which will likely delay our progress."

Admiral Sebier’s gaze shifted downward. His gray eyes were devoid of emotion as he said, "I will guarantee you whatever you need. Just handle your part."

The thin man shivered involuntarily. He gave a slight bow, clutched the blueprints tightly, and left with his head lowered.

Admiral Sebier watched the device, which was already beginning to take shape, the scene outside reflected in his gray eyes.

The Lynx Federation’s team had some strength this time, but they were no match for the Federation. Their greatest weakness was the lack of logistical support and an insufficient supply of manpower. Furthermore, they had to rely on the Federation’s transportation system to return.

This doomed them to rely on the Federation, putting them at a significant disadvantage in the struggle for the Lost Object. Although their superiors had already negotiated the distribution of benefits, they had never liked being controlled by others, so they had their own plan.

Since the conventional path was blocked, they had to take an unorthodox approach. This was something they often did.

During a past conflict with their southern neighbor, Tequile, the Lynx Federation was unable to deploy sufficient forces there. So, they forged a new path, sending armed personnel into the Merging Land of a neighboring Central City and traveling from there to Nanocenter City, the site of the dispute, to provide support.

This move could be described as wildly imaginative. Although the Merging Lands are theoretically interconnected, they are in reality extremely far apart. Each Central City’s Merging Land only allows control over the immediate surrounding area, making travel through the unknown regions within exceedingly difficult.

The attempt ultimately failed, with over ninety percent of the personnel dying en route. However, two people did eventually reach their destination.

Yet, these two individuals still had a certain impact on the situation, ensuring that their proxies in Nanocenter City did not lose all their power.

This provided them with an experiential reference. Sometimes, a surprising military move doesn’t mean there are no gains. Only by doing nothing does one gain nothing. This time, they were preparing to execute an even bolder move.

Just then, a telegraph operator took off his headset, quickly translated the message in his hand, and came before Admiral Sebier. He saluted, then handed over the translated text.

"Report, a message came from the Federation’s camp. They engaged Xu Chan again, but due to external interference, they failed to capture him. They are organizing a third pursuit and have reminded us that an unknown faction may also be involved in this matter."

Admiral Sebier’s cold, gray eyes shifted. "Reply to them," he said. "If they need our support, we will rendezvous with them immediately and participate in the encirclement."

On the outskirts of a settlement in an unknown region, Xu Chan called his three Execution Captains together. "What’s your impression after making contact with the people in this camp?" he asked.

The squad had already attempted a trade with the camp’s inhabitants. It was their first contact, and both sides were cautious, so he hadn’t shown himself, lest he arouse their suspicion and stall their progress.

Although Captain Hai looked burly, he was actually a very meticulous person. He said, "It’s hard to say. I mentioned we needed to find something and asked if they could guide us. Not only did they not refuse, but they were quite enthusiastic. I feel like they might be helping us for reasons beyond just the trade. They might have other motives."

Captain Lü, one of Xu Chan’s old subordinates, spoke up. "Captain Hai, are you saying they’re also after the Lost Object?"

Captain Hai didn’t jump to conclusions, shaking his head. "It’s hard to say."

The other captain, Captain Hu, mused, "These people live here. If the Lost Object appeared, shouldn’t they have been the first to find it? Would they wait for us to come and get it?"

Captain Lü said, "Not necessarily. When a Lost Object appears, it attracts creatures from the Merging Land to fight over it. There are plenty of powerful creatures among them. Whether these people have the strength to retrieve it is a big question mark."

Xu Chan nodded and asked, "How strong are the people in the camp?"

Captain Lü said, "These people are no pushovers. It’s said that some of them escaped from the Old Imperial Family, and that seems to be true."

He had dealt with people from the Old Imperial Family often in the past, so he was quite familiar with them.

"This settlement only has thirty to fifty people in total, so I suspect this place is just a secret trading post. They might be connected to the group resisting the Old Dynasty. If so, it’s not surprising they’re hiding here."

There were resistance organizations all over Dashun, and the same kind of resistance forces existed here in the territory of the Old Dynasty. However, most of these people were natives. After the Old Dynasty arrived in the Merging Land, they began to ruthlessly exploit and enslave the locals, leading to the endless emergence of these factions.

"But the strongest person among them is at my level, at best. They can’t threaten us."

Xu Chan looked to Captain Hai, as if seeking his opinion. The latter said, "That’s true, assuming they don’t have other help."

Xu Chan said, "We must still take the necessary precautions. You are all experienced Execution Captains, so I won’t say more on that."

He looked at the three of them, his expression growing serious. "Yesterday’s situation was quite dangerous. The enemy is very strong, and I suspect they already have enough manpower to encircle us. But that doesn’t mean we’ve lost our chance."

"So, from now on, we’re splitting into two teams."

"The three of you will lead a squad to continue searching for the Lost Object. Remember, protect yourselves. If you find it, retreat immediately toward our rear camp. Bring it back, no matter the cost."

The three captains answered with solemn affirmation.

Xu Chan said, "I will stay behind to draw their attention. This will buy you some time."

Captain Lü said anxiously, "Old Xu..."

Xu Chan held up a hand, gesturing for him to be quiet. "I know it’s dangerous, but the few people I encountered yesterday were no slouches. Every one of them has mastered Spiritual Power. It would be very difficult for you to help me. And to be honest, I can fight more effectively without you around. It’s also easier for me to hide."

Hearing this, the three captains were helpless. Although they had all mastered Heart Force and were confident in their strength at that level, it was still difficult to resist Spiritual Power. Anyone who mastered that power had already crossed the threshold into the highest tier of this limit.

Xu Chan said, "This Merging Land is vast. As long as you leave no traces, it won’t be easy for them to find you. I’ll find a way to harass and delay them, not fight them head-on. The longer I can tie them up, the safer you’ll be."

Captain Hai said calmly, "Captain Xu, we’ll follow your orders. It is indeed the best method for now."

Xu Chan then took a pendant-like object from his pocket and tossed it to Captain Hai. "Captain Hai, you hold on to this."

Captain Hai caught it and carefully placed it in a pocket inside his protective gear. This item was also a Lost Object. Its function was to resonate whenever another Lost Object was nearby, or when recent traces of one were present.

It was by relying on this item that they could ensure they would find what they were looking for.

However, this function was not rare. The Semi-Federation and the Lynx Federation likely had similar devices.

Their advantage was that they had a head start, but now their pursuers had caught up, so they had to act quickly.

Xu Chan stood up. "Then let’s get moving. I’m counting on you all." With that, he gave the three men a formal salute.

The three captains also stood and returned his salute with solemn expressions.

After all instructions were given, the personnel split up and began to act. In just over ten minutes, they had completed all preparations and left with the native guides assigned to them by the settlement.

After everyone had left, Xu Chan took out a piece of animal hide he had received in the trade and examined it. It was some kind of pelt, covered with patterns of colored blocks and conspicuous lines depicting safe routes and hiding spots.

It was a map of the nearby passable roads, which the settlement had traded to him, and it also marked the various traps they had set.

Even while providing cover, he wouldn’t fight those people head-on. Instead, he would use his vast experience to delay his opponents. With this map, plus the high explosives left by his team and some special items he had brought along, he could hold them off for some time.

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