Darkness shrouded the entire redwood forest. Puddles from last night’s rain filled muddy potholes, splashing muck onto soldiers’ trouser legs as their boots passed. Troops moved like specters through the dim woods. Several white-clad Alphas, hands bound, were shoved deeper into the dense forest. Those who lagged behind felt whips lash their backs, just inches from glands, leaving bloody welts.

The Enigma alighted gracefully on a redwood branch, gazing down at the once-proud Alphas now driven forward like beaten dogs. With an evil arc on his lips, he descended beside the lead Alpha, gripping his neck for a vicious bite. Surrounding Alphas cried out in anger, but the tall Alpha was fragile as a dragonfly’s wing in the Enigma’s grasp. After the brief marking, his pheromone scent vanished as he collapsed into the Enigma’s arms.

“Professor Liman, advise your companions against futile resistance. This is merely a temporary mark, but provoke me, and you’ll become weak, pitiful Omegas crawling at the feet of Alphas and Enigmas’ feet permanently.” The Enigma’s crimson tongue licked the newly marked spot, savoring how the weakened Alpha instinctively pressed against his chest. This intimidation tactic worked well – the strongest Alpha now clung to him shamefully, eyes begging for intimacy.

The Enigma’s lower abdomen tightened. He ordered his men to continue herding the Alpha professors towards the altar while he carried one in the opposite direction. Soon, moans of pain and pleasure echoed from the woods. The Alpha professors halted, watching in humiliation as the Enigma emerged from behind a redwood, adjusting his trousers.

“Professor Liman!” tant couldn’t stand it anymore and shouted hoarsely at the Enigma, “You beast! The professor, he…!”

The Enigma wiped fresh blood from his hands, smoky eyes glinting ominously. His claw-like nails hadn’t retracted, coated in blood from Professor Liman’s chest. “Sea tribe creatures are such hypocrites. Your bodies crave it, yet you cling to chastity. Your professor was foolish, thinking death would save him. Isn’t a slowly cooling corpse more interesting?”

A whip cracked across the assistant’s back. Red-eyed with rage, he lunged at the Enigma, attempting his mid-level differentiation ability “Spatial Transport.” But the Enigma, swift as a ghost, appeared behind him, plunging claws into his vulnerable nape gland. Having killed two elite Alphas so quickly left even the Enigma slightly troubled. A muffled roar from Taotie deeper in the forest made him frown. He tossed aside the assistant’s corpse, coldly ordering, “Keep moving.”

Lu Yunian’s army entered the redwood forest three hours later. Sea folks lurked in every cold pool and deep well, while the Winged tribe controlled the airspace, mainly watching for the Ghost Legion’s black bat army. They weren’t fully prepared, but each day’s delay meant more captured elites swelling the enemy’s ranks.

Before departure, Hai Mu’er tried again to imprison Pei Xiuran, but the cunning doctor wouldn’t fall for the same trick twice. As soon as Hai Mu’er left, he freed himself and blended into Lu Yunian’s cavalry.

Hai Yu and Gu Zeyu remained at headquarters. Lu Yunian placed Gu Lulu in Gu Zeyu’s arms, repeatedly instructing Professor Gu to care for these two troublesome children. Before leaving, Lu Yunian took a syringe from the professor. Glancing at it, then gazing at the unknowing Alpha nearby, he pleaded softly, “Father, if I die in battle, don’t tell Xiao Yu. I ask you and his brothers, please take care for them. If Xiao Yu is willing, find him a new Omega.”

Gu Hengzhi gripped the Omega’s hand, even trying to pull the syringe back. After failing, he clutched Lu Yunian’s wrist, voice trembling, “Child, don’t use it unless absolutely necessary!”

Lu Yunian nodded slowly, withdrawing his hand to place the syringe in an inner pocket near his heart. He turned and raised his hand to call Gu Zeyu over. Gu Hengzhi left with his grandson. The Omega promptly pinned the Alpha against the wall, his fierce kiss overflowing with love like crashing waves. Gu Zeyu’s lips numbed from the intensity, his body half-melting in Lu Yunian’s arms. Alpha and Omega pheromones surged in the air. As they parted, both panted heavily.

“Lu Yunian, are you really not taking me to the battlefield?” Gu Zeyu, finally catching his breath, clung to his Omega, nestling his head against his chest, softly pleading, “I promise not to cause trouble. I’ll stay right behind you, I won’t wander off.”

Lu Yunian tilted his chin up, kissing his smooth forehead again and again. Gu Zeyu squirmed at the ticklish sensation, pressed against Lu Yunian, whispering, “Lu Yunian, I think my rut is coming soon. You must take me with you. What if it starts early?”

Lu Yunian gazed into Gu Zeyu’s eyes, his own darkening. He stroked the curls by Gu Zeyu’s ear, saying, “Be good. Take suppressants this time. Let’s wait for your next rut…”

“Lu Yunian, you’re lying to me.” Gu Zeyu suddenly straightened, pinning Lu Yunian against the wall. His rarely seen sharp gaze made the Omega start to evade. “You don’t want to take me because you can’t guarantee my safety. Worse, you can’t even ensure your own.”

Lu Yunian stared into Gu Zeyu’s light brown eyes, triple-checking he hadn’t transformed into Kun before gently embracing him, coaxing, “It won’t be like that. I’ll return safely. After I defeat Taotie and the Ghost Legion, we’ll find a deserted island for your next rut. Seven days and nights, alright?”

Gu Zeyu slowly leaned in, his hot breath fanning Lu Yunian’s jaw. He gently pressed his nose against the Omega’s, using an ancient incantation to pray once more for his Omega, “Pu Abal.”

Pu Abal. Return safely.