72: Chapter 72 The Flock of Ravens

Ravens.

Flying ferocious beasts of Bronze Rank or higher, they live in groups, possess significant intelligence, and are skilled in collaborative hunting.

The most troublesome part is their "Ink Feather" talent, which allows them to fire black feathers from a distance.

When these feathers are fired, their attack power is not weak, but what everyone truly cares about is not the Ink Feather's offensive capability.

Rather, it is that after the Ink Feather strikes an object, the feathers char themselves, producing a large amount of graphite-like dust.

This substance was originally useless, but the Ravens use it to create a black fog over the battlefield, obscuring the vision of other creatures and providing a better environmental advantage for their collaborative hunting.

But who could have imagined that this charred, drifting dust could interfere with human power transmission and energy equipment?

It can even paralyze electronic components, causing city defense weapons and certain protective equipment to break down directly.

This results in the complete collapse of the city's defense system.

One must understand that the reason humans can withstand beast tides despite having only one-fifth the number of ferocious beasts...

Aside from their extremely high level of organization, is entirely due to the collaborative defense system provided by cities, energy, and city defense weapons.

Now, this greatest reliance of humanity is facing a massive crisis due to the appearance of these Ravens.

"The number... over ten thousand?" Mike's voice was dry. "Are you sure?"

"Confirmed!" The intelligence officer pulled up a clearer image. "And... among the leaders, there are energy signatures reaching the Gold Rank!"

Gold Rank Ravens!

That meant this group of flying ferocious beasts was not a scattered band of stragglers disturbed by the beast tide, but an organized... aerial legion commanded by high-level leaders!

Mike's expression changed completely.

He turned abruptly and roared at the communications officer:

"Immediately send a dispatch to Wind Ridge City! A large-scale Raven Flock has appeared in the direction of Yuntai Town, numbering over ten thousand with Gold Rank leaders, heading straight for the main city! Repeat, heading straight for the main city!"

The communications officer's fingers tapped rapidly on the keyboard.

Mike stared fixedly at the moving red dots on the map, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

"This is bad..." he muttered. "If this flock of Ravens is allowed to fly over the main city and release Ink Feathers to paralyze the defense system... the pressure on the main city will skyrocket! It's not even impossible for the city to be destroyed!"

...

Soon.

Less than ten seconds after the order was issued, the squad badge on Qin Ce's wrist vibrated violently.

A new emergency mission for everyone appeared, highlighted in red:

[Global Emergency Mission: Intercept the Raven Flock]

[Objective: Kill/disperse as many Ravens as possible, delaying their approach to the main city]

[Military Merit Coefficient: Raven-type ferocious beast base coefficient ×3]

[Extra Reward: Kill a Gold Rank Raven leader, Military Merit +50,000]

At the same time, the Military Merit system's "Real-time Kill List" also opened. Qin Ce glanced at it; the kill value of a Raven was impressively in the top three among Bronze Rank ferocious beasts—second only to a few rare elemental types.

His eyes lit up.

Ravens are flying types, and the Blue Luan is also a flying type.

The main force of the Ravens is Bronze Rank, while the Blue Luan is at Black Iron Peak. However, with the enhancement of the Nine-fold Azure Sky talent, its actual combat power is not inferior to an Upper Bronze Rank. In terms of pure attack power, it can even reach the level of Bronze Peak to weak Silver.

More importantly... he has Nine-Star Insight, allowing him to precisely lock onto target weaknesses in a chaotic battle; he has Breath Condensation, which can compress energy to deal transcendent damage; and he has Spider-Web Wind Blade for area control.

This was practically a hunting ground tailored specifically for him!

...

"Everyone move, the base is entering Level 1 combat readiness."

"The two previous battalions are to stay put."

"Bring out all the anti-aircraft equipment for me, even the oldest ones."

"Fast, fast, fast! Move, move!"

Mike began to issue commands urgently.

He turned and saw Qin Ce, pointing to a nearby machine station.

"Little Qin, go over there and take over monitoring station five. Report any abnormalities to me!"

But after receiving the instruction, Qin Ce looked up at Mike: "Colonel, I want to go and try."

Mike, who was frantically adjusting the anti-aircraft deployment, was stunned: "Try what?"

"Hunting Ravens," Qin Ce said calmly. "My Pet Beast is a flying type and excels in aerial combat. I can attack them from the side and rear. I can't say I'll delay them, but at least I can reduce their numbers!"

Mike looked at him as if he were looking at a madman: "You? Alone? Hunting over ten thousand Bronze Rank Ravens? Qin Ce, I know you're a student from the Elite Class, but this isn't a beast group in a training ground!"

Other officers in the command room also cast mocking glances.

A black iron rank student claiming he wanted to take on a Raven Flock that was at least Bronze Rank?

This wasn't courage; it was stupidity.

Qin Ce did not argue.

He simply condensed a Wind Blade in his palm, held it there without releasing it.

Under the compression of Nine-fold Azure Sky's Breath Condensation, everyone present felt the difference.

"No, this energy, this density..."

"If this counts as Black Iron, then what do I count as?"

Qin Ce's display directly answered all the doubts.

"Colonel, my Black Iron can slay Bronze!"

"Let me go. I believe killing Ravens is more valuable to the situation than watching a monitor!"

Mike stared at him for a long time before slowly shaking his head:

"Qin Ce, I admit your strength far exceeds those of the same rank, and you will surely have incredible potential in the future. But you are, after all, black iron rank, and your Pet Beast is also Black Iron. The Ravens are at least bronze low-grade, and there are so many of them... especially since they are most skilled at collaborative hunting. Going there is just seeking death!"

Qin Ce smiled.

There was no arrogance in that smile, only a nearly indifferent confidence.

"Colonel, didn't my teacher tell you?" he said softly. "The thing I am best at is overcoming many with few."

Without waiting for Mike's response, he had already turned toward the elevator.

"Colonel, thank you for looking after my family. Farewell."

"Wait!" Mike shouted. "At least take a communicator and keep in touch—"

"No need." Qin Ce waved his hand without looking back. "The squad badge has short-range communication capability; that's enough."

...

The elevator doors closed.

Mike stood in the center of the command post, looking at the closed metal doors, then at the red dots getting closer on the holographic map, and finally felt a bit of regret.

"Damn it... I should have held that kid back... a genius like that shouldn't take such risks..."

The adjutant beside him asked in a low voice: "Colonel, should we send someone to follow and protect him? This kid really is too exceptional."

Mike was silent for a moment, then shook his head: "Forget it. He chose his own path. We... will do what we must."

He looked up, staring at the map:

"All anti-aircraft units, enter Level 1 combat readiness! Notify the Yuntai Town garrison to all go underground and avoid this wave of Ravens first!"

"Yes!"

The orders were issued, and the entire base, like a tightly wound machine, began to operate at high speed.

On the ground, Qin Ce had already walked out of the command building.

The sun was setting, and the wind carried the heavy scent of dust and a faint smell of blood.

He raised his hand, and the Blue Luan's summoning rune lit up on his chest.

Amidst a clear, high-pitched cry, the azure-green great bird spread its wings and landed before him.

Qin Ce flipped himself onto its back and patted the Blue Luan's neck.

"Xiao Qing," he said softly, "this time... might be the toughest battle we've ever fought."

The Blue Luan turned its head and gently nudged his arm with its beak; there was no fear in its eyes, only a battle intent eager to be tested.

Qin Ce laughed.

"Let's go."

The Blue Luan let out a long cry and its wings suddenly jolted—

Air currents exploded, and dust flew.

A streak of azure rainbow soared into the sky, flying against the morning light toward the black cloud pressing down on the city in the southwest!

Behind the screens of the command post, Mike and several officers silently watched that receding figure.

"Colonel," a young officer couldn't help but ask, "can he really do it?"

Mike did not answer.

He just stared at the shrinking azure shadow until it completely merged into the horizon.

Then, he slowly exhaled a breath:

"Who knows."

"But at least... he dared to go."

"That is the heart of a powerhouse!"

...