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Soon, Gu Xiaoxi returned to the rally point.

At that time, the three were resting. Seeing them return, everyone immediately felt reassured.

"Let’s continue forward; it’s getting late. If we can’t get out of the swamp after dark, it will be fraught with danger!" Gu Xiaoxi said.

Through Xiang Sinan, Gu Xiaoxi was sure that there must be more comrades ahead. She thought that while they went to find the explosives, these people had moved forward.

As the walking time grew longer, Huang Xin and Guo Qiwei’s physical strength was depleted even more severely, and even with a full stomach, they still felt utterly exhausted.

"Take off your pack. I’ll carry it for you!" Gu Xiaoxi stepped forward and took Huang Xin’s pack.

Yun Xiao also took off Guo Qiwei’s pack, and then said to him, "Hang in there; as long as you can hold on, you’ll win."

But the reality was different. After walking about another two kilometers, Guo Qiwei’s military dog suddenly collapsed, foaming at the mouth, obviously too exhausted to stand.

Guo Qiwei looked at his military dog, only to hate himself for not having trained his dog’s physical strength more. At this point, even if he wanted to rush to the finals with his dog, it was impossible.

"I’ll give up!" Guo Qiwei said, his face pale. He continuously poured water over his military dog, hoping to alleviate some of his fatigue. They had been persisting since yesterday morning until this afternoon, never stopping, so now they couldn’t hold on any longer.

It wasn’t just the military dog that couldn’t hold on; even he himself couldn’t hold on.

They had only walked a small part of the distance, and he was already like this. Even if he stayed, he would just be a burden to his teammates.

Gu Xiaoxi looked at Guo Qiwei and comforted him, "Don’t give up. Let’s rest here for two hours, and then set off again."

Only now did she remember that they had been moving too fast. Although they had rested two or three times, she had forgotten that they didn’t have Inner Strength and naturally couldn’t bear it.

"No, I think you should go ahead! I’ll walk slowly with him! I’m really too tired." At that moment, Huang Xin also expressed her exhaustion. Flying Tiger, though not collapsed, was equally exhausted.

"I’m the team leader, and what I say goes.

Since you’ve joined my team, it’s my responsibility to lead you all out.

Listen well, those who give up voluntarily will be disqualified from participating in the world competition forever.

Not only will you lose the chance this time, but you will also never have another chance.

Guo Dong chose to withdraw because she never thought about going to the world competition.

Are you willing to give up just because you don’t want to drag your teammates down or because you’re physically drained?

If so, and you still want to give up, then I’ll permit it," Gu Xiaoxi said to them in a stern voice.

Her worldview wasn’t about lofty ideals and grand principles, but about a sense of responsibility. Since they’re a team, they must complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They shouldn’t abandon others just because they can’t keep up.

A team like that might be full of strong individuals, but their hearts and spirits would be barren.

Huang Xin and Guo Qiwei didn’t speak again. They wanted to participate in the world competition more than anyone, for it might be the only chance in their lives to earn such honor—a missed opportunity would be a lifelong regret.

However, they were afraid of dragging down Gu Xiaoxi. If they rested here for two hours before starting again, they definitely wouldn’t be able to exit the swamp before dark.

But faced with Gu Xiaoxi’s decisive tone, they were hesitating.

"Those who need to sleep, lie down quickly. We’ll continue in two hours. If you can’t walk then, I’ll have to leave you behind," Gu Xiaoxi said coldly.

Huang Xin and Guo Qiwei exchanged a glance, then silently sat down on the reeds, using their packs as pillows under their heads.

They had never imagined how comfortable the damp and chilly reed land—even more so than a bed—would be.

The moment they lay down, they drifted into a deep sleep.

The two military dogs also lay down beside their owners and closed their eyes. They were too tired as well.

Gu Xiaoxi looked at Baili Tao, who had been silent, "Do you need a break?"

"No need, I can still hold on. Do we have any other tasks now?" Baili Tao asked.

Gu Xiaoxi glanced at the two sleeping figures and then at the sun. It was now noon; in two hours it would be two in the afternoon, and the team would have to move quickly when they set off.

"Just watch over them and take a little rest too. If anything comes up, I will send Xiao Xiao back to meet you," Gu Xiaoxi instructed.

"Okay! Be careful," Baili Tao said with concern.

"Hey, Captain, you wouldn’t forget about me, would you?" Zhuang Sheng called out, raising his hand from one side.

Gu Xiaoxi sighed, "If you’re not tired, follow me. If you’re tired, stay here and watch over them."

"Of course, I’m not tired. I rested all night yesterday. Wherever you go, Captain, I want to follow. I love fighting bad guys with you the most."

Seeing his lively manner, Gu Xiaoxi immediately took Zhuang Sheng and Yun Xiao with her, vanishing into the reeds in an instant.

"Tired?" Gu Xiaoxi asked Yun Xiao.

"Tired! Haven’t you said before? All this is for the mission and to stay alive; I can still hold on," Yun Xiao replied. Thinking it over carefully, she realized that in the face of a mission and life, all obstacles could be overcome.

"Yun Xiao Sister, let me give you a back rub. You won’t be tired after a back rub," Zhuang Sheng volunteered energetically.

Gu Xiaoxi glared at him, "If you don’t behave, then roll back to them!"

Zhuang Sheng immediately covered his mouth to prevent himself from making another sound.

Just then, a series of gunshots rang out from ahead. Then they saw smoke rising from the reeds.

Gu Xiaoxi and her two comrades immediately changed their expressions and became alert, rushing towards the source of the gunfire.

When they got there, to their surprise, three ambushers had been taken out.

And the culprit was a lone male soldier.

When he saw them, he was initially very guarded, but after a moment, he returned to normal, his tone very indifferent as he said, "The ambushers here have been killed by me. You’re too late."

Gu Xiaoxi took a few glances at the man, bronze skin, with camo paint rendering him even darker, his complexion even healthier. It was just the cold and indifferent disposition he carried, which emitted a ’keep out’ vibe at all times.

Just by looking, one could tell he was not the easygoing type.

"Fu Xi! How did you end up alone?" Just then, Zhuang Sheng rushed forward. Apparently, he knew him and they were acquaintances.

Fu Xi just gave him a glance, his face full of contempt as he said, "Pretty boy. Keep whining, and I’ll stuff your mouth with a stinky sock."

Zhuang Sheng immediately covered his mouth, afraid to speak. The man in front of him was the infamous cold, merciless, and violent madman!

He did not doubt the authenticity of these words.

Seeing Zhuang Sheng suddenly cower, Gu Xiaoxi couldn’t help but laugh, "Indeed, every Jack has his Jill! Let’s go, Xiao Xiao has made a discovery."

Yun Xiao and Zhuang Sheng quickly followed Gu Xiaoxi, and at that time, Fu Xi, carrying a pack and leading a military dog, also began walking in the direction Gu Xiaoxi had gone.

"Why are you following us too? Fu Xi, can we be friends? Hey, I don’t mean to be talkative on purpose, it’s because I like you. Fu Xi! Don’t get physical, ouch, ouch, let go off your pig’s trotters..."

"Zhuang Xiaomeng, are you tired of living! I told you to stay away from me, not to talk to me."

Hearing Fu Xi call Zhuang Sheng, Zhuang Xiaomeng.

Gu Xiaoxi and Yun Xiao looked back at Zhuang Sheng in shock, furious, "You actually reported a false name to us!"

"Captain, I’m wronged! My name is Zhuang Xiaomeng on my household registration; it’s what my mom named me.

It’s too effeminate, so later everyone called me Zhuang Sheng, meaning Mr. Zhuang.

I wasn’t reporting a false name... Ow, ow, Fu Xi you bastard, who told you to reveal my name! I’m gonna fight you to the death!"

Gu Xiaoxi’s mouth twitched, this guy’s real name was actually Zhuang Xiaomeng! Damn! It’s so effeminate, such a cute name!

"Zhuang Xiaomeng, stop messing around. There could be hostages ahead!" Gu Xiaoxi, holding Xiao Xiao, said in a relaxed tone.

Zhuang Xiaomeng immediately bristled, if anything went wrong, it’s all mom’s fault. Why did she bestow such a ridiculous name on him. "Please call me Zhuang Sheng!"

"Zhuang Xiaomeng, are you asking for a beating again!" Fu Xi feared Zhuang Xiaomeng’s chatter the most, and Zhuang Xiaomeng feared Fu Xi’s temper the most.

Gu Xiaoxi just felt that this journey had become even more lively than before.

After six kilometers, they found the hostages.

Three people were standing among the reeds, waiting for them.

Gu Xiaoxi let Xiao Xiao take a sniff, but this time she was disappointed. They didn’t find the hostages they were looking for. However, not far from the hostages, Xiao Xiao discovered explosives once again.

It could be said, this was another major discovery.

Yun Xiao, Zhuang Xiaomeng, and Fu Xi each obtained a handkerchief from the hostages.

Afterward, Fu Xi also joined the team Gu Xiaoxi was in.

Two hours later, Gu Xiaoxi woke up the two people who had fallen asleep, and then the team set off again.

Along the way, they encountered two ambushes, but each time they successfully fought back, capturing the enemy and obtaining supplies.

Among them, in this group, Baili Tao and the military dogs were the most exhausted, but his Physical Strength was also very good. Looking at his footsteps, one could tell that the guy also possessed Inner Strength. However, it was unknown which sect he belonged to.

As for Fu Xi, his cold exterior hid a passionate heart. He deliberately concealed his abilities in both confrontations. Gu Xiaoxi could not gauge his depths for the time being. But one thing was certain, he was not a simple character either.

When the sun was about to set, they arrived at a swamp with unfathomably deep waters.

Everyone frowned upon seeing this place.

Going through here is at least a kilometer, are we supposed to swim across? And the day is almost over; there might be an even more dangerous animal lurking below in the swamp. If we encounter a quagmire that drags us down, that will be a real trouble!

"Look everyone, there are wooden boats over there!" Zhuang Xiaomeng pointed towards the opposite side and shouted.

Gu Xiaoxi looked up and indeed saw two small wooden boats, rowed by people to the middle of the water, with six people each. And two more floated on the water near the edge of the reeds.

"There’s a limited number of boats, don’t hesitate, let’s get to the boats first." Baili Tao exclaimed, jumping into the water first and dashing towards the boat.

Their seven people, along with seven military dogs, were too many for just one boat, so they needed at least two. Fu Xi also rushed over immediately.

Gu Xiaoxi and Yun Xiao quickly guarded the perimeter with the military dogs. Having boats was great, but they could become live targets. But without the boats, this swamp was simply impassable.