Chapter 330: Chapter 330: Thunder Power Ability
Large numbers of Thunder Beasts were gathered in Ning Zhi’s area, filling the air with lightning, so the Poison Abyss Beasts did not spread in that direction.
Instead, it was Admiral Yang and his people who drew the Poison Abyss Beasts’ attack. They had just emerged from the underground safety base, and due to the large number of personnel, the evacuation was not yet complete.
Before the main force could form an effective combat formation, a large number of soldiers were assaulted by the Poison Abyss Beasts.
However, these first evacuees were all battle-hardened veterans, and they quickly launched a counterattack against the Poison Abyss Beasts.
The initial counteroffensive did not go smoothly. While the soldiers’ firearms could harm the Poison Abyss Beasts, they couldn’t kill them in a single blow. This provoked the beasts into a frenzied retaliation, spewing venom that contaminated the entire area’s environment.
When Admiral Yang Lei reached the surface, he saw the area enveloped in a blackish-purple toxic fog. Many soldiers had been poisoned. He immediately ordered the biochemical department to analyze the fog’s properties, hazards, and primary components to find a solution.
The blackish-purple toxic fog churned before him, the thick vapor spreading across the ground like a living creature. He raised a hand, signaling the biochemical unit to quickly establish a quarantine zone, then turned to his communications officer and ordered, "Activate a Level Three biochemical emergency response immediately."
Less than ten minutes later, the biochemical team, clad in fully sealed Biochemical Protective Suits, transmitted their initial data. The team leader, Chen Shanshi, his voice muffled by his respirator, reported, "The fog’s main components are neurotoxin A-13 and a corrosive organic acid. It has a pH of 2.8 and is highly volatile. Contact causes burns to the skin and respiratory mucosa, leading to airway damage and laryngeal edema. Severe cases can result in asphyxiation within a short period..." Suddenly, a series of coughs crackled through the comms.
Dean Ding’s holographic image suddenly appeared in the system. Behind her stood a hastily erected field hospital. The normally elegant medical expert looked grim. "This toxin penetrates the skin, causing nerve paralysis in a short amount of time. Wearing protective suits and setting up quarantine zones can mitigate that. However, this toxic fog can also trigger rampages in one’s spiritual power. Even without direct contact, a concentration this high will still have that effect."
"Did everyone hear that? Now, let’s discuss solutions. How do we clear out this toxic fog?" Yang Lei stared at the projected screen before him, which displayed the vital signs of the first group of soldiers exposed to the fog. Their bodies were covered in extensive burns. If it weren’t for the powerful constitution of Spirit Controllers, they would have already died.
"I believe that to control the fog’s production at its source, we have to stop killing the Poison Abyss Beasts," an officer familiar with the creatures proposed. "They only spew venom when their lives are in danger. Moments ago, our soldiers were attacked and immediately responded with a high-density barrage of thermal weapons. The Poison Abyss Beasts were critically wounded, which is what made them spray their venom and create this situation."
"These Exotic Beasts are attacking us! If we don’t kill them, are we supposed to just wait to die?" another officer retorted.
"Of course not. We don’t have to kill them; we can drive them off," the first officer replied. "These Exotic Beasts are afraid of loud noises. We can use sonic weapons to repel them, establish the surface base, and then it won’t be too late to draw up a plan to exterminate them."
"Major General Wang, there’s rarely only one type of Exotic Beast that emerges from a spatial rift. What if another species appears while we’re doing this, one that isn’t afraid of sonic weapons? How would we defend ourselves then?"
"If another species appears, we’ll figure something out for that situation. For now, cease hunting the Poison Abyss Beasts. Deploy the sonic weapons first and drive them away," Admiral Yang Lei ordered, having quickly made his decision.
"Major General Wang," Admiral Yang asked, "since you know they’re afraid of sonic weapons, do you also know how to get rid of the toxic fog they create?"
Different types of toxic fog required different countermeasures. Some could be frozen, deactivating their toxic components. Others could be incinerated by intense fire. These methods were all discovered through research, and using the wrong one would often be counterproductive.
"The Poison Abyss Beasts’ greatest fear is Thunder Energy," Major General Wang said dejectedly. "Specifically, the kind of Purple Thunder that can purge all corruption. The beasts die on contact with it, and this toxic fog would be instantly neutralized if enveloped by it."
He knew the military had extremely few Spirit Controllers with a Thunder Power Ability. The ones that did appear were always low-Level and of no practical use. Therefore, even though they knew how to counter the Poison Abyss Beasts, they were powerless to do so.
"Could we lure the Thunder Beasts here? Or lure the Poison Abyss Beasts to the mining zone where the Thunder Beasts are gathered? See if the two species can wipe each other out," an officer proposed.
"It’s worth a try, but the odds of success are low."
"Speaking of Spirit Controllers with a Thunder Power Ability, the current commander of Zone 11, Ning Zhi, has one! Contact him immediately and have him come over to try," Dean Ding Xiangyang said, suddenly remembering him. The dean had specifically investigated Ning Zhi after he took Ning Han away right in front of her.
"That’s right! Major General Wang, take the soldiers of Zone 12 and proceed to the Ninth Mining Zone at once. Relieve Ning Zhi of his post there, and have Commander Ning report here to Black Mountain Plain immediately," Admiral Yang Lei ordered the major general.
"Yes, sir." The man accepted his orders and immediately departed for the Ninth Mining Zone.
Yang Lei looked toward the temporary field hospital. One room held the bodies of the many soldiers who had already died. From another area, the constant wails of the severely wounded could be heard. The atmosphere in the hospital was one of agony and despair.
"We should have built the surface safety base long ago," Yang Lei said, his expression pained. "If we had one, we wouldn’t have been caught so unprepared by this emergency."
"Admiral Yang, you proposed that right after you took command of the base," his trusted subordinate comforted him. "It was the Military Department that kept delaying the approval. This has nothing to do with you."
"It’s too late for that now," Yang Lei urged. "Go see if Ning Zhi has arrived yet."
The Ninth Mining Zone, where Ning Zhi was stationed, was not close to Black Mountain Plain. By the time Ning Zhi received Admiral Yang’s order and led his subordinates to the plain, a temporary base of a considerable size had already been erected.
The central part of this temporary base was a Level Three quarantine zone established by the biochemical unit. Inside the zone, Biochemical Protective Suits were not required. However, anyone leaving the quarantine had to wear one to avoid the dangers of the toxic fog.
Under the interference from the sonic weapons, the Poison Abyss Beasts had all congregated on the outskirts of the temporary base, not daring to draw any closer.
