Without waiting for Lu Shiyan to answer, Jin Dongdong, who had recovered from his shock, suddenly spoke in a hoarse voice: "I think so."
He tried to sit up straight, took out the book "Survival Notes in the End of the World" from the backpack that Lu Shiyan had handed him earlier, turned to a certain page, and pointed at the scribbled but clear pictures and words on it.
"There is a kind of energy symbiosis phenomenon recorded here." Jin Dongdong organized his words, "Some powerful mutant creatures can condense special energy cores by themselves. This crystal core is one of them. And some people with special abilities can obtain this energy core through special means, or directly absorb the energy emitted by mutant creatures to quickly improve their strength."
He paused, looking towards the direction of the ruins that had disappeared into the distance, and thought: "Under the Black Wind Village, I'm afraid that's the lair of the 'Corrupted Earth Worm'. Black Wolf kept it there to enhance his supernatural powers."
"It's very likely." Lu Shiyan took over the conversation, "The monster provides power to the black wolf, and the black wolf needs to provide it with 'nutrients'."
When he mentioned the word "nutrients", his voice grew colder.
Su Wan understood instantly and her stomach churned.
"He used living people?" She could hardly imagine that scene.
Lu Shiyan did not answer, but the cold silence was the best answer.
Considering the missing people in Black Wind Village and their cruel treatment of prisoners, this speculation is almost a foregone conclusion.
"What a bunch of beasts!" Li Kui spat.
"The monster died, and the foundation of Black Wind Village collapsed," Jin Dongdong thought, "There may be some deeper connection between them. Perhaps the existence of the monster is the key to maintaining some special structure underground in Black Wind Village."
Lu Shiyan nodded slightly: "The black wolf and the monster use each other and depend on each other. The monster provides him with the source of power, and he provides the monster with shelter and food for survival. Now that the monster is dead, this balance is broken, and the Black Wind Village is naturally destroyed."
Xiao Han looked at the embarrassed crowd and raised his eyebrows: "You guys are really noisy in there. The noise is deafening even a few kilometers away."
Lu Shiyan briefly recounted what had happened, focusing on the underground monsters and crystal cores.
"Hiss, the underground monster can also produce top-level spiritual crystal cores?" Xiao Han looked surprised.
A'mo remained silent, and the muscles in his arms seemed to tighten a little.
"Anyway, the cancer of Black Wind Village has been completely eradicated." Li Kui said with relief, "It's a pity for those who were killed by them."
Lu Shiyan: "Rest first, treat your wounds, and replenish your energy. We'll make a decision after daybreak."
Ah Mo applied medicine to Li Kui's arm. The corrosive pain made him sweat on his forehead. He gritted his teeth and said nothing. Xiao Han applied medicine to Jin Dongdong. Dongdong leaned against the tire of the off-road vehicle. He was still very weak and sipped water.
Su Wan put the still unconscious Hongdou into the space. She stood up and stretched her stiff limbs.
"Hand." Lu Shiyan's voice sounded behind him.
Su Wan turned around.
He pointed at the back of her left hand. There was a tiny scratch, oozing blood and mixed with dust.
"It's just a minor injury." Su Wan wanted to wipe it with her right hand.
He grabbed her wrist, not too hard or too soft. With his other hand he took out a cotton swab and some medicine from the first aid kit.
"Don't move." He lowered his head and used a cotton swab to clean the wound. His movements were a little unfamiliar. As the cotton swab passed by, Su Wan made a "hissing" sound.
Lu Shiyan paused, looked up at her, said nothing, but the strength in his hands was obviously lighter.
Su Wan's heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason. The lights were dim, and his profile was clearly visible. His expression was more serious than she had ever seen. This concentration made her feel a little uncomfortable, and a strange emotion quietly spread in her heart.
"Will it leave scars?" She made small talk, trying to break the slightly ambiguous silence.
Lu Shiyan didn't look up, and said in a low voice: "Maybe. Are you scared?"
"A little bit." Su Wan answered honestly. In the end times, beauty is the most useless thing, but which woman doesn't cherish her skin?
He continued to work, quickly treating the wound, then took out a small piece of gauze and tape and carefully taped it. "It's done."
Su Wan moved her wrist and looked at the small white square on the back of her hand, feeling something strange.
Li Kui took the initiative to check the vehicles and sort out the supplies. Although he was injured, his movements were still quick and agile.
Xiao Han and A'mo were in charge of the guard.
Su Wan took out a small piece of chocolate from the space and handed it to Jin Dongdong: "Replenish some energy."
Jin Dongdong's eyes lit up and he took it and ate it in three or two bites.
After the rest, the convoy set off again.
Two days later, when the fuel tank pointer was about to run out of fuel, the SUV drove to a fork in the road.
"Wait!" Jin Dongdong suddenly shouted. He had been leaning against the passenger window observing the road.
Lu Shiyan stepped on the brakes.
Jin Dongdong jumped out of the car, squatted on the ground and looked carefully for a moment, then returned to the car and said in a tense voice: "Brother Lu, look at these tire tracks."
Everyone got out of the car. On the muddy dirt road, there were several clear and fresh tire marks.
"Heavy vehicles, at least three." Xiao Han often dealt with cars, and knew at a glance, "Tire pattern, military-grade off-road vehicles or armored vehicles."
Jin Dongdong nodded, "That's right. The wheel tracks are very regular, with almost the same spacing. The drivers are highly skilled and disciplined. Most importantly, this direction is one of the main roads leading to the Dawn Base. I suspect that this is most likely an elite team that came out of the Dawn Base to perform a mission. Judging from the freshness of the tracks, they have just been there and should be returning to the base."
Lu Shiyan looked at Jin Dongdong: "Are you sure you want to go back to the Dawn Base?"
Jin Dongdong nodded: "Nine out of ten. Going further down this road, there are almost no other large survivor bases except the Dawn Base."
Lu Shiyan made a prompt decision: "Follow them. If they are really the team from the Dawn Base, following them can save a lot of trouble and arrive faster."
Su Wan did not object. She was willing to take the risk if it would allow her to find her father faster.
"Hold on tight!" Lu Shiyan turned the steering wheel, and the SUV accelerated along the fresh tire tracks.
The off-road vehicle sped along the bumpy dirt road, raising clouds of dust. After chasing for more than half an hour, a convoy consisting of three dark green military trucks and two modified off-road vehicles finally appeared on the horizon ahead.
"They caught up!" Xiao Han whistled, "They look like regular troops, well-equipped."
Lu Shiyan slowed down the car, keeping a distance. The other party had obviously discovered them, and someone in an off-road vehicle at the end of the convoy stuck his head out and raised a telescope.
A moment later, the convoy in front stopped unexpectedly. Several soldiers wearing uniform combat uniforms and armed with live ammunition jumped off the vehicles, quickly dispersed, and took a guard posture.
"They don't seem to welcome us." Li Kui shrank his neck.
Lu Shiyan also stopped the car and gestured to Xiao Han and A'mo, signaling them to be on high alert.
A tall and straight young man got down from the most sturdy modified off-road vehicle that was leading the other team.
He was wearing a well-fitting combat uniform and a pair of gold-rimmed glasses. His temperament was gentle and elegant, which was out of tune with the rough style of this apocalyptic era.
The moment Su Wan saw the man's face clearly, his breath stopped and he froze in place.
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