Chapter 77 Peace Base

After the heavy snow stopped, the snow accumulation reached a meter deep, and as far as the eye could see, everything was white, making it impossible to distinguish between ditches and flat ground. When had most of the people in the Xinghuo Base ever seen such heavy snow? While marveling at the snowfall, they were also relieved that the base had been so farsighted, otherwise they would have frozen to death.

The people heard news from other bases on the radio; many bases had lost countless lives due to the snowstorm. Meanwhile, these people, far from freezing to death, had actually gained weight from eating and drinking well at home.

The heavy snow brought not only disaster, but also abundant water and boundless vitality. After the snow melted, the land became more fertile, and the wheat and rapeseed, which had been dormant all winter, grew rapidly. By late March, the rapeseed, which had grown to waist height, had flowered, and the wheat had also sprouted ears of grain. It is believed that a bumper harvest will be achieved in a few months.

Taking advantage of the warm spring weather, the Starfire Base focused on two main tasks: expansion and farming. After the start of spring, the base expanded outwards by one ring. Although it only appeared to be one ring larger on the map, even an increase of just one meter in the diameter of the circle adds up to a significant amount of area.

The arable land at the Spark Base has more than doubled, and the existing staff simply couldn't keep up with the demand. However, thanks to the Spark Base's radio programs, especially the "Little Star" program hosted by the two children, many people are coming to visit, and the base's population is rapidly increasing.

The newcomers wouldn't simply sit back and enjoy the fruits of others' labor; they too needed to create a life with their own hands. The base assigned these people to newly expanded lands, allowing them to build their new homes using the methods of their predecessors.

Even though the new home is still barren, thanks to everyone's hard work, we can already glimpse a beautiful future.

Besides those who came because of its reputation, the Peace Base has also generously provided support to several groups of people. Now, the Peace Base has more than 15,000 supporters. With their help, neat villages have been built and beautiful villas have sprung up in the base.

The Starfire Base isn't expanding blindly. Wherever people from the base go, there are always superhumans or Little Darlings protecting them. After a winter of hibernation, Little Darlings have become even stronger. If all the Bloodthirsty Vine vines were to spread out, they could circle the entire base. This means that Little Darlings are now capable of protecting the entire base.

The number of people with superpowers in the base has also increased. Jiang Rong had previously counted that roughly one in sixty people would be a person with superpowers. Now, at the Starfire Base, one in less than fifty people is a person with superpowers. There are now over a thousand registered people with superpowers in the entire base, and over a hundred teams of people with superpowers have been formed.

With so many people possessing superpowers, everyone's safety is greatly enhanced.

The base construction was progressing smoothly, but there were always some unforeseen events. In early April, Jiang Rong received an invitation from Meng Liang to come to the Peace Base to discuss base construction matters.

Holding the invitation from the Peace Base, Jiang Rong smiled: "Let's go, we should at least go and see President Meng."

*

On April 6th, the southeast gate of the Peace Base opened early in the morning. Early that morning, the residents of the base laid out a bright red carpet in front of the steel gate, preparing a high-level welcoming ceremony.

In the eyes of the locals, Xinghuo Base was their brother base, and the two bases maintained a friendly relationship like family. When their own brother came, of course they had to bring out the best to entertain him.

Dou Zhang and his classmates mingled in the crowd, setting up the ceremonial guard. As he listened to the people around him excitedly discussing the situation at the Spark Base, his expression grew increasingly gloomy.

Since arriving at the Peace Base, they realized just how harsh the world outside truly was. Ordinary people toiled away all day at the Peace Base, only to find the food they could exchange for was barely enough to fill their stomachs.

He was initially thought to be a superhuman and would receive preferential treatment. However, his superpower was not outstanding among the many superhumans. Without crystal cores or food, Dou Zhang's superpower stagnated, and he has now been reduced to going on missions with ordinary people.

After months of suffering, Dou Zhang had become emaciated. A few days ago, during a sudden cold snap, several of his close classmates caught a cold. He was lucky enough to escape with his own cold, while his classmates were bedridden.

At the Peace Base, once they fall, only death awaits them. The Peace Base is not peaceful, at least not a friendly place for ordinary people. Being sick and unable to work means being unable to work during that time. If they don't work, they won't even have food to eat.

Dou Zhang could have made a living on his own, but he simply couldn't support so many mouths to feed. He had been starving for several days, and if he were to share what he received today with others, he felt he would starve to death.

Back in the Xinghuo Base, they received a thousand points upon entering. The base provided them with housing and water; a thousand points could buy many things. As long as they were diligent, they could find suitable work and survive at the base.

When they feel unwell, they can go to the doctor for treatment, and with a sick leave certificate, they can receive free meals. But at the Peace Base, if they don't go to work, they won't get any food.

The food at the Spark Base was truly excellent; every meal included four dishes and a soup. Unfortunately, he didn't appreciate it then, thinking even pigs wouldn't eat it. Only after experiencing hunger did he realize how delicious it was. Even in his dreams, recalling that taste made his mouth water.

It's laughable that he shouts for fairness and justice in the places where they are most tolerant, but when he goes to places where there is injustice everywhere, he dares not say anything.

Dou Zhang silently used his supernatural abilities to fix the iron bars in place. Just then, he heard his coworker's sarcastic voice: "Little Dou, you're going to see your old boss today, aren't you excited?"

"Oh, so you guys came from the Spark Base? Xiao Dou, are you confused? Why did you give up your comfortable life and come to our base to suffer?"

"If I were you, I would go and beg the boss of the Starfire Base. Maybe they'll be in a good mood and let me go back."

Dou Zhang's breath hitched, and frustration surged into his mind once again.

There were many people from surrounding smaller bases in the Peace Base, and their group didn't initially stand out when they entered. However, after the two bases established diplomatic relations, and the Spark Base began sending truckloads of vegetables to the Peace Base every month, news about the Spark Base started circulating among the people.

When people are bored, they like to hear gossip. The story of Dou Zhang and his group colluding with soldiers to stage a mutiny at the Xinghuo Base has been told to death. The better the reputation of the Xinghuo Base, the worse the reputation of their group becomes.

Now, in the Peace Base, no matter where Dou Zhang goes, he is seen as a mentally challenged traitor, and no one will treat him well.

He caused trouble at first, but after being severely punished, he never dared to cause trouble again.

Faced with his sarcastic coworkers, Dou Zhang lowered his head and remained silent. It would be a lie to say he didn't regret it. Lately, he'd been thinking: if he hadn't acted impulsively and arrogantly at the Xinghuo base last year, would he be as valued as Lin Meng now? Would he be living a comfortable life with enough to eat and wear?

At that time, the base had just been established, and he had plenty of opportunities to make a name for himself and rise above others. Why did he waste such a good opportunity and instead embark on a path with no way back?

Unfortunately, there's no going back. Now, he can only lower his head and endure his companions' mockery. If he leaves the Peace Base, there are no other bases within a 200-meter radius, and he simply won't survive with his abilities.

Dou Zhang closed his eyes in anguish. If only he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have acted that way in the first place!

*

At exactly nine o'clock in the morning, the convoy from Xinghuo Base stopped in front of the gate of Heping Base. As Jiang Rong opened the car door, she heard the deafening sound of cannons and drums. Looking in the direction of the sound, she saw that the steel gate of Heping Base was wide open, and a red carpet stretched from the outside of the base into the inside. People dressed in festive attire were energetically beating drums and gongs, and everywhere she looked, there was a joyous atmosphere.

In his previous life, he didn't receive this treatment when he came to the Peace Base. Back then, he arrived at the side gate of the base with his son and Jiang Jie, looking disheveled. The main gate of the Peace Base was for people with superpowers; given their status at the time, they weren't even qualified to use it.

Jiang Rong subconsciously looked at the side door to the right of the main gate. It was here in his previous life that he mortgaged his car and all his belongings, then walked into the base with Jiang Xiaoheng's hand in his other hand, holding the Peace Base points card in one hand.

Seeing the familiar gate again, he couldn't help but recall the hardships he endured in the Peace Base in his previous life. The father and son had arrived full of hope, but left emaciated and with gloomy eyes.

In this lifetime, he will never again place his hopes on this base, nor will he ever be manipulated by the people of the Peace Base.

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Rong led his team onto the red carpet. Representing the Peace Base were two of the base's top superhumans: the one on the left, Liu Heng, who had succeeded Meng Liang after his death; and the one on the right, whom Jiang Rong and his team recognized—Zhou Xing, their acquaintance after their initial conflict.

Compared to the burly Zhou Xing, Liu Heng was much more refined in appearance and demeanor. After shaking hands with Jiang Rong, he apologized, "President Jiang, our President Meng is unwell and cannot come to pick you up. Please forgive him."

Jiang Rong smiled and said, "Not at all, we are flattered by the warm welcome from the Peace Base."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Liu Heng led Jiang Rong and the others toward the base: "Team Leader Jiang, please get in our car."

The Peace Base used luxury cars to welcome Jiang Rong and his group, making their military trucks, heavy trucks, and pickup trucks seem rather insignificant in comparison. Jiang Rong didn't stand on ceremony: "Thank you for your trouble! By the way, I brought some local specialties for everyone; please accept them, Captain Liu."

Behind Jiang Rong and her convoy followed a dozen large trucks, each loaded with neatly arranged vegetables. The sight brought tears to the eyes of onlookers, prompting them to exclaim in astonishment: "Why are the vegetables at Xinghuo Base so plentiful and of such high quality, even though we're both bases?!"

Liu Heng was extremely grateful: "On behalf of everyone, thank you, President Jiang!"

Jiang Rong and Liu Heng walked ahead, exchanging polite greetings, while Chu Qiang took the opportunity to nudge Zhou Xing's lower back: "What's wrong, brother? Feeling down because of us?"

Since their meeting at the Jiangbei Oilfield, Zhou Xing had become very close with the superhumans at the Xinghuo Base. But today, Chu Qiang noticed that he seemed preoccupied and not very happy.

Zhou Xing sighed, his voice filled with worry: "Our boss's health has been terrible these past few days, and I'm really worried about him. Brother Chu Qiang, I won't beat around the bush, I'm just not feeling well, I'm scared. What will happen to our base if our boss is gone?"

Chu Qiang patted him on the shoulder understandingly: "Don't worry, Old Master Meng is a lucky man, and Heaven will always be on his side."

The Peace Base is based in the entire city of N, with a coverage area of ​​over 6,000 square kilometers, including over 500 square kilometers within the city walls. Their headquarters are located in the Peace Building, the tallest building in N City, which is nearly 500 meters high and has a hexagonal shape. The building's exterior is made of bulletproof glass, and from its summit, one can overlook the entire base.

In his past life, Jiang Rong never had the chance to climb the building; he could only look up at it when the weather was nice and he came out for some fresh air. He never imagined that in this life he would have the opportunity to enter the building, and even be respectfully invited in by its leaders.

The building has 150 floors, and Meng Liang lives on the top floor. Although the building is high, the elevator ride takes less than a minute. The elevator's exterior is transparent, and as the elevator ascends, Pan Pan and the others' legs go weak: "My God, President Meng lives way too high up!"

Liu Heng laughed and said, "Yes, President Meng likes the view from a high place. He often tells us that only by being in a high place can you have a panoramic view of the whole situation."

Jiang Rong nodded slightly: "President Meng has a brilliant idea." However, he still preferred his family's courtyard, which felt down-to-earth and reassuring.

As the elevator dinged, Meng Liang's floor came into view. Upon exiting the elevator, Jiang Rong saw a person sitting in a wheelchair. The person was tall and thin, with a pale face. He wore gold-rimmed glasses and had a calm expression. His entire body was deeply embedded in the wheelchair, appearing to be seriously ill.

Jiang Rong smiled and stepped forward to shake Meng Liang's hand: "Hello, Mr. Meng, I am Jiang Rong. We have finally met!" Psychic abilities also require the use of superpowers to control others, and the only thing that can counter superpowers is superpower itself.

Before he even reached out, Jiang Rong's wood-based supernatural abilities were already rapidly circulating within his body. If Meng Liang tried to control him, he would immediately sense something amiss.

Meng Liang extended both hands and grasped Jiang Rong's hands tightly with a genuine smile: "I didn't expect President Jiang to be so young. Seeing is believing. Welcome to the Peace Base!"

Meng Liang's hands were cold; when he grasped Jiang Rong's, it felt like the skin of a cold-blooded animal pressed against his hand. A strange feeling rose from the depths of Jiang Rong's heart. Psychic abilities were indeed terrifying; in just one exchange, Jiang Rong felt as if Meng Liang had seen right through him.

Author's Note:

Several of my male friends tested positive, and they are suffering from persistent high fevers and extreme pain.

During this extraordinary time, everyone must take good care of themselves.