The convoy advanced towards the city where Da Xiong was located. Along the way, they prudently avoided large factions and absorbed smaller ones. Useless individuals were killed, while the useful were captured and sent back to their base with their spoils. The leader indulged in wanton extravagance with the plundered resources, discarding half of what he ate and watching the others fight savagely over the scraps. They laughed heartily, living an incredibly comfortable life each day. Unbeknownst to them, these scenes were all captured by satellites and delivered to various bases. While the other seven bases were not paragons of virtue, they at least possessed a righteous faction. Furthermore, as the three major bases united and their power grew, the leaders of other bases could no longer sit idly by. "If you grow stronger and behave like this, you'll trample us underfoot in the future. Can we expect a good life then?" The remaining few bases began to stir covertly. Wild bases with strength grew even more fearful upon witnessing these events. Do you recall the chaos of the Five Barbarians Invasion? Han people were almost wiped out, resorting to cannibalism; women and children became larders, subjected to wanton abuse and slaughter. These scenes were not much different from that era. Survivors in small bases lived in constant fear, and under the guidance of certain factions, they fled elsewhere to avoid the vanguard of the three major bases. However, they left behind quite a mess. The allied forces of the three major bases were initially arrogant, but by the fifth day, they had neither encountered a single survivor nor found any supplies. The massive army had swelled to three hundred thousand, far exceeding the initial projection. The provisions they brought were insufficient, and the recovered resources were depleted. Laozi's gaze fell upon the "granary."
Da Xiong drove the pickup truck up the mountain. After passing through layers of checkpoints, they finally reached their destination. An Nuan got out of the car and looked around, "Radar Base?" "Yes, there was a military unit stationed here before. After the apocalypse, a group of people who didn't leave established this base. The current leader is the former base commander, a middle-aged man in his fifties." "You are about the same age as his granddaughter, so he should be approachable." A fifty-year-old with a granddaughter in her early twenties? How was that possible? An Nuan, along with Chen Wenjing and Chang Kai Tong, followed. After undergoing searches, infrared scans, and laser checks, they were finally allowed inside. The person who greeted them was also a middle-aged man. His head was square and upright, and he carried himself with an air of righteousness, his posture indicating he had undergone training. He was clearly someone who had spent a long time in the military. Da Xiong introduced, "This is Deputy Officer Hao, Hao Yunfeng. Everyone here calls him Commander Hao. Don't let his stern appearance fool you; he's quite flirtatious!" Hao Yunfeng turned back and said sternly, "Silence! This base must be solemn!" "Right, I forgot to tell you, this place is under military management and is very strict! So, even if the conditions are good, you can apply to join freely, but not many can endure it or are willing to stay long." Hao Yunfeng glared at him, "Too much nonsense!" How could he slander them like that? It was clearly those cowards and wimps who couldn't persevere. He himself had persevered and was living well. An Nuan could also see that everyone here possessed an extraordinary "spirit." It was no easy feat for these people to have persevered; she certainly couldn't. Given her lazy habits, she wouldn't last a day. "We're here." Hao Yunfeng swiped his card to enter the elevator, descending to the -6th floor, where a vast circular room housed various instruments. Some instruments were still computing, and people in camouflage uniforms walked back and forth. Hao Yunfeng stood at attention, his boots making a pleasant clinking sound. "Report! The people have been brought!" "Thank you for your hard work! Welcome to my Frost Base, children!" The man had short, silvery-white hair and a pipe clenched in his mouth. He turned and smiled at them. His skin was aged, but his physique was incredibly robust, surpassing many young people. Especially the sharp glint in his eyes indicated he was not to be trifled with. Da Xiong walked over with a smile and gave him a bear hug. "Old man, you're in great shape! Seeing you so strong puts my mind at ease." "Speak your mind quickly, don't beat around the bush. I don't have time for your rambling." Quite forthright! An Nuan quite liked his personality. A base's character is inseparable from its leader. One could say the base's tune is the leader's tune. Like her, lazy and laissez-faire, her community followed her temperament. An Nuan could feel as soon as she entered that this base was righteous and tough, and the leader indeed gave off that impression. She stepped forward, "Hello, my name is An Nuan. These two are Chen Wenjing and Chang Kai Tong, my companions. We are here to see you regarding the matter of the allied forces of the three major bases." "Ah, what rank are you?" Da Xiong said sheepishly, "Old man, would I bring you any cowards?" "Don't let this girl's young age fool you; she's the leader of our Hundred Great Regiment now, very formidable!" "And she's very loyal! There aren't many loyal people these days." The old man glared at him. With just a look, Da Xiong chuckled foolishly and stepped aside. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Chen Shouye, and I am the leader of this base. I know the purpose of your visit, but what confidence do you have? The opponent is an allied army composed of three hundred thousand psychics and mutated beings, equipped with heavy weaponry. What do you have to fight them?" An Nuan understood this was a test. If she answered well, there was a possibility of cooperation. If she answered poorly, let alone cooperation, her own life could be at stake. Although they were all eighth-tier, this base housed seventy thousand people, most of whom were physically fit and capable. Weaponry and equipment were not an issue either. In a fight, neither side would have an advantage. Moreover, the enemy's strength was not insignificant, and they wouldn't care how many troops or how much firepower you had. Did they not have it? Their equipment was even more complete and superior. An Nuan thought for a moment, unable to come up with a perfect answer, so she decided to be direct. "All three of us are eighth-tier. The people I brought are basically sixth-tier, and I've arranged for people to ambush their rear. Is that enough?" "Eighth-tier?" Da Xiong's eyes widened. "I haven't even reached seventh-tier yet, and you're already eighth-tier? Sister Nuan, are you sure you're awake? Did yesterday's wine get to your head? You can't just say anything!" Chen Wenjing unleashed her mental energy, stirring their nerves. The mental power of soldiers was the strongest. It was already difficult to shake ordinary soldiers' mental power, and for veteran soldiers like Commander Hao and the old man, who were also psychics, it was even more so. The old man immediately believed her. He grinned, his crow's feet stretching so long they could catch a fly. An Nuan was puzzled. This smile was so strange, what did it mean?