Chapter 17: A Turning Point in the Struggle for Resources

Liu Yong started the modified off-road vehicle; the engine emitted a deep roar, like a beast poised to strike.

The car sped along the broken road, kicking up clouds of dust.

Their destination was an abandoned research facility. According to Wu Xia’s intelligence, rare resources capable of enhancing curse mark levels might be found there.

Outside the facility, several factions had already gathered, the atmosphere tense and charged.

The curse marks flickered erratically, like ghostly flames dancing, illuminating the greedy yet wary faces of the crowd.

The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood—clearly, more than one conflict had erupted over the resources.

As Chu Feng’s squad appeared, all eyes turned toward them.

A burly man with a face full of scars approached, followed by a dozen heavily armed thugs, each looking fierce and menacing.

The man cast a contemptuous glance at Chu Feng and his team, his hoarse voice cutting through the air: “This place belongs to the Black Serpents. Wise men would turn around and leave now.”

The Black Serpents were a notoriously ruthless raider group in the area, led by the merciless “Black Bear,” whose curse mark was rumored to have reached the intermediate level.

Chen Qiang stepped forward, positioning himself in front of Chu Feng, his voice gruff and resolute: “First come, first served. You want us to leave? You’ll have to get past my fists first!”

“Looking for death!” Black Bear roared, conjuring a mass of black curse mark energy in his hand that formed a gigantic bear claw, sharp and swift as it struck toward Chen Qiang.

“Boom!”

A soil-colored glow burst from Chen Qiang’s body, transforming into a thick earth wall that absorbed Black Bear’s blow.

The wall trembled violently, stones flying, yet it stood firm.

“Not bad,” Black Bear muttered.

Chu Feng took a deep breath as the shadow curse mark silently enveloped him, his figure flickering like a phantom. Appearing suddenly before Black Bear, his deep voice seemed to echo from the depths of hell: “Then let’s see about that!”

An intense battle erupted instantly, curse mark energies weaving together, illuminating the ruins.

Suddenly, Sun Yue shouted, pointing toward the research facility: “Captain, look!”

Chu Feng turned to see a dazzling beam of light shooting up from the top of the facility.

The light pillar atop the research station shone like a beacon piercing the darkness, drawing every eye.

Its radiance was pure and intense, accompanied by a pulse of energy that sent shivers down the spine.

Yet the situation remained grim.

The Black Serpents vastly outnumbered them and coordinated well.

Though their curse mark abilities were not top-tier, their numbers and superior equipment—various firearms and cold weapons used in tandem—pressed Chu Feng’s squad to the brink.

Chen Qiang wielded a massive shield, the soil-colored curse mark flowing over him like an impregnable fortress, blocking most attacks, though several bloody wounds marred his body.

Liu Yong manned a heavy machine gun, its black barrel spitting fire as bullets rained down, but facing enemies from all sides left him overwhelmed.

Sun Yue moved nimbly through the crowd, constantly seeking openings, but under the relentless assault, she suffered a deep slash across her arm.

Pan Yue’s healing curse mark shone softly amid the chaos, continuously emitting gentle light to mend her comrades. Yet the sweat beading her brow and trembling hands revealed she was nearing her limit.

Chu Feng stood at the battle’s heart, his shadow curse mark making him elusive. Every strike was precise and lethal, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.

Watching his teammates’ wounds deepen, his heart burned with anxiety.

At that moment, Sun Yue suddenly screamed, “Captain! I found it! There’s a transport truck behind them, loaded with what looks like resources!”

Chu Feng’s eyes sharpened. The shadow curse mark surged, his figure flickering like a ghost as he dodged attack after attack, moving to the front of the squad and shouting, “Liu Yong, provide covering fire! Chen Qiang, clear a path! The rest, follow me!”

The team moved with seamless coordination. Chen Qiang charged forward like a tank, ramming a path open. Liu Yong’s machine gun roared, suppressing the Black Serpents’ offense. Chu Feng led the others like arrows released from a bow, racing toward the transport truck.

Caught off guard by the sudden counterattack, the Black Serpents’ formation crumbled in confusion, their panic glaring under the flickering curse mark lights.

As Chu Feng neared the truck, he suddenly saw Pan Yue struck hard on the shoulder with a gunstock, staggering dangerously.

His heart tightened. He rushed to her side, shielding her with a cold, predatory gaze as if staring down prey. His voice was low and magnetic: “You’re asking for death!”

Protecting Pan Yue behind him, she leaned against his back, pain and worry causing her to gasp softly. Before she could speak, Chu Feng gently steadied her shoulder and whispered, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

The shadow curse mark swirled in his hands like black flames, engulfing approaching enemies.

His gaze was icy, his strikes ruthless and deadly.

Within moments, the assailants surrounding Pan Yue lay bleeding on the ground.

He quickly helped her up, eyes filled with concern as he examined her wounded shoulder.

The soft shadow curse mark flowed warmly in his hands, easing into Pan Yue’s body.

Biting her lip, she felt the pain gradually fade. Looking up into Chu Feng’s focused eyes, her own shone with admiration and gratitude.

“Thank you, Chu Feng,” she whispered, cheeks flushed.

He smiled gently. “Protecting you is my duty.”

Their eyes met, and a subtle warmth filled the air.

Just then, Wu Xia’s voice shattered the brief calm: “Chu Feng, the enemy’s firepower is too intense—we’re barely holding!”

Chu Feng’s gaze hardened. Turning, he saw Chen Qiang and Liu Yong surrounded, trapped in grave danger.

Supporting Pan Yue, he moved them to a safer spot. “Wait here. I’m going to help them.”

Pan Yue gripped his hand tightly, worry shining in her eyes. “Be careful!”

Chu Feng nodded, then vanished into the fray once more.

But shortly after, a shadow silently approached Pan Yue.

Startled, she prepared to call out but relaxed slightly when she recognized Wu Xia.

Wu Xia held a dagger, her usual diplomatic demeanor replaced by a fierce, ruthless glare.

“Pan Yue, I’m sorry,” she said coldly.

Pan Yue stared at the dagger in horror. “You… what are you doing?”

Wu Xia said nothing, raising the blade slowly…

On the chaotic battlefield, the Black Serpents’ henchmen fell like ripe wheat under the scythe.

Chu Feng’s figure darted among them like a phantom, each strike radiating the sharp chill of the shadow curse mark.

He was the reaper of the battlefield, harvesting the lives of his foes.

Pan Yue stood a short distance away, watching Chu Feng fight through the bloodshed, pride and worry mingling in her heart.

She knew he pushed himself so hard to protect her.

All she could do was recover quickly and keep healing their teammates.

Under Chu Feng’s leadership, the squad tore through the Black Serpents’ ranks like a razor blade.

Liu Yong’s machine gun unleashed a relentless storm of bullets, suppressing enemy fire.

Chen Qiang, like a moving fortress, used his powerful body to ram open paths.

Sun Yue relied on her agility to find and exploit enemy weaknesses from the shadows.

Their teamwork was flawless, a precise machine forcing the Black Serpents into retreat.

Seizing the moment, Chu Feng kicked away Black Bear, who tried to sneak an attack, then appeared beside the transport truck.

He yanked open the door, a strong energy emanating from within. The cargo was piled high with shimmering resource crystals—precious materials capable of raising curse mark levels.

“Found it! The resources!” Chu Feng shouted excitedly.

The squad’s faces brightened; fatigue and pain seemed to lessen.

They quickly loaded the resources into their backpacks.

Yet just as they thought the battle was over, Sun Yue suddenly pointed to a distant valley, shouting, “Captain! Look over there! It seems there’s a cave!”

Everyone looked where she indicated. Deep in the valley lay a dark, yawning cave mouth, bathed in the dying sunlight, mysterious and eerie.

Around the entrance, a strange energy pulsed faintly, like a massive vortex drawing all eyes.

Chu Feng’s heart stirred. He sensed a mightier power hidden deep within the cave.

“There might be more resources there!” His eyes gleamed with excitement as he finished distributing the supplies, then fixed his gaze firmly on the mysterious cave.

“Let’s check it out!”

The off-road vehicle roared to life again, carrying the squad slowly toward the valley’s depths.

The closer they drew to the cave mouth, the stronger the energy pulses became, prickling their skin.

An oppressive tension filled the air, as if a colossal beast was stirring in the darkness.

The vehicle stopped before the cave. Everyone disembarked, weapons raised, eyes scanning the surroundings vigilantly.

The cave yawned endlessly, like the open jaws of a giant beast awaiting its prey.

Chu Feng took a deep breath, feeling the immense power radiating from the cave’s depths. Excitement mixed with a trace of anxiety filled his chest.

He knew this cave might conceal greater secrets, as well as unknown dangers.

He was about to speak when Pan Yue suddenly grasped his sleeve.

Puzzled, Chu Feng looked down, only to see her face pale as death.

“Chu Feng… I…” Her voice trembled, unable to finish the sentence.

His brow furrowed as he caught her eyes fixed behind him.

Slowly turning around, his pupils constricted sharply…