Everyone in the group was extremely tense and busy after receiving the message. They not only needed to find a safe place away from the sea and where they could hide as soon as possible, but also had to find ways to keep warm and resist the coming cold and freezing temperatures.

Time was of the essence, the task was arduous, and everyone was working like spinning tops, not daring to stop for a moment.

Xu Anran was filled with worry. She felt that the freeze might cause the information network to completely collapse and become unusable. So, she made a quick decision and decided to inform everyone in advance, under the identity of Old K: "From now on, I will no longer send any messages. I am preparing to leave this world."

Just a week later, a terrifying scene unfolded—fish-men came ashore in droves! These monstrous creatures first stormed into coastal villages and residential areas, mercilessly breaking down doors and unleashing a bloody massacre. Those survivors who managed to escape from the beach, terrified, filmed and photographed the horrific scenes they witnessed, quickly uploading them to the internet, instantly causing a massive uproar.

Faced with this sudden disaster, people panicked and rushed to escape from the coast, running frantically towards the inland areas.

Meanwhile, emergency shelters in various official countries are under construction and nearing completion. Government departments are issuing important notices online, guiding citizens to seek protection at the nearest shelters.

However, this harrowing escape was far from smooth. Many, slow to react, were caught and devoured by the relentless fish-men; others, who were slightly faster, succumbed to the extreme cold and froze to death during the long, cold journey. The scene was horrific and heartbreaking.

The merfolk's attack was swift and merciless, sweeping across the entire coastal city with astonishing speed. The bloody massacre plunged the once bustling city into a deathly silence, countless lives lost in this sudden catastrophe. Most residents failed to escape the merfolk's clutches; only a very few lucky ones managed to find hiding places and survive.

Those who were lucky enough to escape have already reached safe shelters.

The government acted swiftly, providing shelter and employment opportunities for the survivors to help them rebuild their lives. However, the fish-men's ambitions did not stop there; they continued their advance inland, and the war gradually spread.

Amidst this tense situation, the departure time for Song Mingzhu and Zhao Chang'an's train quietly arrived. The two reluctantly bid farewell to everyone, agreeing to meet in the waiting hall, before leaving.

Uncle Li held a high-speed waiting room ticket, which allowed him to choose when to leave. Because he was worried about Xiao Feng, he wanted to spend more time with the child, so he decided to leave with Xu Anran and the others.

With Mingzhu and Chang'an gone, the remaining people suddenly felt much more relaxed. Before, the valley was exceptionally lush with trees, but thanks to their efforts, most of them had been cut down. The mountain of firewood piled up inside the cave was a testament to their hard work; all preparations were complete, and there was no need to busy themselves with other matters for the time being. Now, they could finally rest and enjoy a moment of peace.

Xu Anran took out the electronic encyclopedia she had previously acquired from her spatial storage. In the quiet night, they studied medical emergency knowledge together using the book.

As night fell, everyone would gather around the campfire, listening intently as Xu Anran explained the contents of the book. Sometimes, they would use the leftover firewood or venture deeper into the valley to cut more timber.

Then, following the instructions in the e-book, they tried to make some simple and practical furniture, such as wooden beds and chairs. These handcrafted creations not only brought them a sense of accomplishment but also added warmth and comfort to their lives.

Daytime becomes their time to rest and recharge. After all, the chill of the night can strike at any moment, so sufficient sleep is crucial for maintaining their strength.

And so, the days went by, and their skills became more and more proficient.

However, one day, as they were engrossed in learning how to make a rocking chair, Xu Anran suddenly noticed a message flashing on her phone screen from a group chat. She looked closer and saw that the fish-men had already evacuated and vanished without a trace!

Xu Anran quickly relayed the news to everyone, and they all knew what it meant—the departure of the fish-men foreshadowed the imminent arrival of the freezing cold. So, everyone immediately sprang into action, preparing with all their might to meet the challenge of this frigid weather.

Working together, they carried the thick wooden planks into the cave, which had already been insulated, and carefully built a huge triangular wooden hut. Inside, they meticulously installed a coal stove, ensuring good ventilation; then, they lit the coal, allowing the warm firelight to gradually spread.

On the outer perimeter, they also lit a roaring fire with firewood, forming a sturdy defensive line to resist the cold from the outside world.

Everyone rummaged through their most prized and thickest clothes and quickly put them on. Xu Anran took out two fully charged heated suits, first putting one on herself, and then carefully helping Xiao Feng put on the other.

Once everything was ready, everyone gathered around the fireplace and sat down, savoring this rare moment of warmth. They watched the thermometer and chatted in hushed tones; the temperature inside the large wooden cabin was five degrees Celsius, which was quite nice compared to the outside temperature.

Meanwhile, Xu Liang and she took out some coal from their spatial rings and neatly placed it in the corner of the room, just in case they needed to replenish their fuel. And so, life went on peacefully and steadily, and two days passed in the blink of an eye.

As night fell, a chill enveloped the earth. People gathered as usual around the fire for warmth. The flames leaped, their warm light illuminating everything around them. Holding sweet, roasted sweet potatoes, they savored their delicious flavor.

However, at that moment, an unusual atmosphere quietly spread. The previously cheerful atmosphere instantly turned heavy, as if an invisible force was approaching. Suddenly, that mysterious and fearsome "it" appeared without warning!