The area was a haven for criminals before the apocalypse, rife with drug trafficking, fraud, brothels, casinos, and human and organ trafficking. Murder was commonplace to achieve any objective.
After the apocalypse descended, many people here perished, and others arrived from various places. Over these three years, the factions here underwent several reorganizations, each marked by bloodshed and sacrifice. In the subsequent two years, the number of deaths due to turf wars, shootouts, and abductions was likely comparable to those killed by the xenomorphs.
As they traveled, they saw everyone resembling genuine refugees, gaunt and struggling to survive. It was only when they ventured out to see the state of other places that they understood how Lincheng Base was a paradise on Earth.
Within a hundred kilometers of Lincheng Base, they could see green vegetation. However, the further they traveled, the more the landscape turned into vast expanses of yellow sand, especially near the borders. If not for the high mountains and long rivers here, a gust of wind might easily have whipped up a sandstorm.
They wore ordinary clothes and hats. Someone like Sang Jue, with his delicate features, wrapped his face in a cloth, leaving only his eyes exposed. Su Dan Novel Network.
The car windows were unsteady, swaying incessantly with the wind outside, making a noisy racket.
In the past, Sang Jue would have found such a mode of travel unbearable. However, after three years of the apocalypse, even the most pampered individuals would have had their delicate skin toughened. He sat calmly in the back, while Old Jin, an experienced driver, was at the wheel.
This time, he had brought two high-level ability users with less combat experience. One sat in the passenger seat, another beside him. There was one more person by the window, and four squeezed into the back, making it clearly overloaded.
But no one cared.
"I haven't seen our country's mountains and rivers in years. I never thought they'd turn into this state, truly..."
He tried to quote something elegant but failed in the end.
"Times have changed, and things are not what they used to be."
"It's not just times that have changed, but also things and people. Alas, back in the day, when we came here on missions, the roads were filled with beautiful girls, lively and hospitable. When we left, they even chased us with food. Now, there's nothing."
Outside, there was only an endless expanse of yellow sand. The road nearby was sand, and the distant mountains were bare and yellow, with no hint of green.
After watching for a while, a black xenomorph bird, appearing from nowhere, targeted them. Startled, they stomped on the accelerator and sped away. Fortunately, those creatures seemed to know they couldn't catch up, and many flew away.
"Damn it, what kind of world is this? Have you heard the news? The global population is now less than a hundred million! Fuck, I remember the last global census before the apocalypse, the population was nearing ten billion. In three years, one percent remain."
Sang Jue analyzed rationally: "This is even with the appearance of ability users and 007. Without these two, there might only be tens of thousands, or a few thousand, or we might have already gone extinct."
After all, 007 had stated from the beginning that without effective means, humanity would become a footnote in this world's history within ten years.
They didn't know if they could live to see ten years later. However, being in Lincheng, Sang Jue could clearly feel the favoritism of the system called 007 towards them.
Combined with the information he had gathered intentionally or unintentionally over the past three years, and what his family members had learned from Lin Wan, he was particularly curious about the person the legendary Mr. Shen was waiting for.
He hadn't interacted much with Shen Chongyan. Their dealings were always strictly professional. He didn't participate in base management, yet he was universally regarded as the irreplaceable "Savior." He had few people around him, except for a young boy, rumored to be a sword transformed. Sang Jue had never seen him and didn't quite believe it.
"Mr. Jin," he asked, "have you met Miss Jin Wenye?"
Old Jin looked somewhat puzzled by his sudden question. He smiled, "No need to be so formal, just call me Old Jin. The person you're talking about, yes, I've met her, but we're not close."
"Then can you tell me about her?"
Old Jin was confused, "Sang Jue, why are you asking about her?"
"My younger sister at home has feelings for Mr. Shen, but he seems indifferent to everyone. I heard he's waiting for Jin Wenye's sister, so I wanted to ask."
Old Jin was taken aback, "Your sister is quite bold." He thought for a moment and said, "It's fine to tell you. I'm bored anyway. We're really not that close. We just met on the road. Seeing how powerful Shen Chongyan was, we wanted to travel with him. Strong people always offer a sense of security. Later, we realized the truly formidable one was that woman."
He recalled the first time they encountered the symbiote of Ten Mile Lotus. When everyone's lives were hanging by a thread, that woman took Shen Chongyan's sword and, with greater proficiency than him, unleashed a powerful move, saving them.
Later, he guessed that the sword belonged to that woman. She had given it to Shen Chongyan to "establish his authority" and be the savior. 007 was also left by her, including the choice of Lincheng Base's location. She had been guiding them all along.
Now, everyone thought Shen Chongyan was the savior and Jin Wenye was the founder of Lincheng Base, but in reality, it was that woman.
After hearing his description, Sang Jue found it hard to believe, "Isn't 007 an artificial intelligence from the future? Did she also come from the future?"
Old Jin shook his head, "I don't know. That's all I know. However, according to other people's speculation, abilities are something she created. Why else would we awaken abilities out of nowhere? Nuclear explosions? Or xenomorphs? That should have turned us into monsters. It's possible she came from the future. Back then, she arranged everything and disappeared. She hasn't appeared for three years. If she's that powerful, she definitely wouldn't die, yet she's not appearing. Perhaps she went to another world..."
Sang Jue felt overwhelmed.
Was there truly someone who foresaw all their disasters, knew humanity would perish, and crossed time and space to help them?
But if she had the ability, why not help them completely?
So many people had died in this world. In three years, ninety-nine percent of the population was gone.
Was this salvation?
He didn't know. His mind was already in disarray.
Old Jin, not noticing his unusual state, finished sharing his speculations and added, "However, most of it is guesswork. Only Shen Chongyan should know the whole truth. Jin Wenye and the others know a bit more. Aren't you his brother-in-law? Why don't you ask him? If you find out, remember to tell me."
Sang Jue: "..."
Old Jin continued to himself, "But your sister who has feelings for Mr. Shen, you should advise her more. The strong have possessiveness. She disappeared for years, but what if one day she returns and finds out someone covets her man? She'll surely get angry, and it would be bad if you get implicated. Besides, Mr. Shen has lived like a monk these past few years, detached from worldly desires. He probably won't even look at your sister. If your sister is worried about not getting married, introduce her to me. I have several young men under me who are single..."
Sang Jue: "..."