After entangled with the Eagle Gang all morning, it was lunchtime. Zhang Shi wiped the sweat from his forehead and flicked it on the ground, the sweat making a sizzling sound.

"This temperature is no longer suitable for living organisms."

Today marks the third day of the extreme heat disaster, with temperatures approaching 50 degrees Celsius. Yet, the flora and fauna of the wilderness continue to thrive, seemingly resistant to this extreme environment.

Based on the patterns of severe cold disasters, Zhang Shi deduced that this should be the highest point of temperature, and if correct, the temperature would gradually drop soon.

Because his shelter was destroyed and the temperature was unbearably high, Ge Dalong didn't even eat lunch. He just sat on the sofa and kept checking the system for information.

By the afternoon, Ge Dalong had fallen ill, the kind of illness that leaves one bedridden and unable to get up. Zhang Shi noticed his flushed face and touched his forehead, discovering that Ge Dalong indeed had a fever.

Logically speaking, a survivor with high physical attributes like Ge Dalong shouldn't get sick easily, but Ge Dalong just happened to fall ill.

Zhang Shi realized the situation was serious and called Wu Qing for help. Wu Qing had heard that Ge Dalong was ill, so she prepared a lot of medicine and medical supplies before coming.

When they arrived at Zhang Shi's place, he ignored the changes at the shelter, checked on Ge Dalong's condition, and then directly prepared a solvent and injected it into Ge Dalong's arm.

"This isn't just a simple fever, it's poisoning!"

Wu Qing's words made Zhang Shi frown.

"Poisoned?"

Wu Qing nodded and continued.

"Don't worry, everything is under control. I've already given him an injection to suppress the virus, and he'll recover after a day of rest."

"You two should get together and think carefully about what he came into contact with and how he got poisoned."

Zhang Shi racked his brains but couldn't recall anything Ge Dalong had been in contact with alone. Since Zhang Shi had returned from his shelter, he was still lively and energetic, indicating that Ge Dalong had likely been poisoned in the cave. The source of the poison could only be determined by Ge Dalong's recollection after he woke up.

After dealing with Ge Dalong, Wu Qing looked at the shelter with great interest and asked a question.

"What treasure have you gotten your hands on this time? The spiritual energy in the shelter is so strong."

Zhang Shi opened his eyes wide and looked at her.

"You can recognize spiritual energy?"

Wu Qing's lips curled up slightly, revealing a small dimple.

"Don't underestimate me. The plants in my house can gather spiritual energy, and absorbing spiritual energy for a long time can enhance physical fitness and magical power."

"By the way, what's Lao Ge doing here? Do you three have some kind of secret? Why didn't you invite me?"

Zhao Feng grinned.

"There's no secret. Old Ge's house was burned down by the Eagle Regiment, so he's staying here temporarily."

"The Eagle Regiment? Isn't Old Ge's shelter in the cliff? How could they find it?"

Zhang Shi shook his head.

"It's still unclear whether the Eagle Regiment's encounter was accidental or a deliberate targeting, but you'd better be careful."

...

As evening fell, the recruitment for the military camp was completed, and a muscular, dark-faced man dressed in ancient attire appeared at the camp gate. Upon seeing Zhang Shi, the dark-faced man respectfully knelt on one knee and bowed to him.

"Greetings, Lord!"

Zhang Shi helped the dark-faced man up and asked him about his name and past experiences.

The dark-faced man tilted his head, his eyes darting back and forth, as if trying to recall his past. After a while, he knelt down once more.

"Reporting to the lord, I can't remember anything."

Zhang Shi stroked his chin, exchanged a glance with Zhao Feng, and had a guess in his mind.

"It's alright, get up quickly. From now on, your name will be Zhang Dazhuang, and you will be responsible for protecting me and everyone else in the shelter. This is your equipment."

Zhang Shi helped Dazhuang up again and glanced at his attributes.

Race: Human

Experience points: Level 1

Rank: Common

Strength: 10

Agility: 4

Physical fitness: 10

Magic: 0

Talent: None

Ability rating: 6

Seeing that his attributes were rather average, Zhang Shi pondered for a moment and then tossed him a set of fine iron protective gear.

When Dazhuang saw the fine iron equipment, his eyes lit up. After thanking Zhang Shi, he couldn't wait to put on the protective gear.

Zhang Shi keenly noticed his joy.

"It seems that in Dazhuang's subconscious, refined iron equipment is a very good thing."

Zhang Shi then took out a bow and arrow and a spear and handed them to him. He then led him around the shelter to familiarize himself with the environment. After explaining some things, Zhang Shi discovered that this Da Zhuang was not the simple-minded, physically strong soldier he seemed to be. On the contrary, he was very clever and could think outside the box.

Zhang Shi secretly rejoiced, thinking that the 200 gold coins were well spent.

Xiao Mei hurried over and told Zhang Shi that Ge Dalong had woken up. Zhang Shi and Zhao Feng quickly returned to the fortress.

At this moment, Ge Dalong was lying flat on the bed, his face pale and looking somewhat weak. Pipi was nestled on his chest, its little tongue constantly licking his cheek.

Upon seeing Zhang Shi and Zhao Feng arrive, Ge Dalong lifted Pipi down and sat up, supporting himself on his back.

"Please excuse my behavior. I don't know why I suddenly felt unwell all over and then fainted."

Zhang Shi pressed him onto the bed.

"Get some rest. Wu Qing came over this afternoon and said you've been poisoned."

Ge Dalong's face immediately changed color.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Feng repeated Wu Qing's diagnosis verbatim.

Ge Dalong tapped his fingers rhythmically on the bed, and after a moment he spoke.

"It was probably that boss who did it. Do you remember when I beat him up, the blood he vomited was black?"

Zhang Shi recalled that things seemed to be as Ge Dalong had said, but there were still many doubts, such as why only Ge Dalong was poisoned while he was still full of energy.

Zhao Feng waved his hand.

"Forget it, forget it. The person is dead and there's no way to verify anything. You're not seriously injured, so don't think about those useless things. Let's eat first, I'm starving."

Zhang Shi called out and had Xiao Mei bring the food directly to Ge Dalong's room. The three of them, along with Da Zhuang, then began to enjoy their dinner.

Zhao Feng was already a glutton, but Da Zhuang had an even bigger appetite. After getting Zhang Shi's permission, he ate twenty large meat buns in one go, and his chopsticks were busy piling food into his bowl.

Zhang Shi and the other two were shocked by Da Zhuang's appetite, which made Da Zhuang a little embarrassed. He put down his chopsticks and scratched his head awkwardly.

"My lord, you flatter me. Although I eat a lot, I am also capable of working. With me here, the territory will surely be safe and sound."

Zhang Shi smiled broadly and nodded.

"It's okay, being able to eat is a blessing, so eat as much as you want."

Beside him, Lao Bai leaned over to report to Zhang Shi on the various matters that had occurred at the shelter that day.

"Master, the sheep have given birth to six lambs, and some of the ewes have started producing milk. I have collected the milk and put it all in the refrigerator. The hen has laid another clutch of eggs, and the hen is incubating them. I expect to get the chicks in two days. The wild boar piglets are growing well, and their appetite has doubled. In the fields, the golden rice is growing well, and I have made a list of the harvest of other vegetables and fruits. Please take a look."

Zhang Shi glanced at the list and was very satisfied with Lao Bai's work. He then granted him the authority to manufacture goat milk wine and gave him some instructions.

"You can start making goat milk wine now. Show me the first batch after it's made."