Chapter 80 People from the Capital Base
March has quietly arrived, and the climate change is more rapid than expected.
As if skipping the tail end of spring, a hot, dry air mass swept across the land, and the temperature soared to over thirty degrees Celsius in just a few days.
The midday sun was scorching, causing the parched earth surrounding the base to ripple with waves of heat. The air was thick with dust, rust, and a lingering, increasingly strong stench of decay.
The low temperature slowed down the movement of zombies to some extent, especially ordinary zombies.
But the high temperature seemed to infuse them with a twisted vitality.
Their range of movement has noticeably expanded, and their speed seems to have increased. Although still stiff, their relentless pursuit of living creatures has become even more ferocious. Even more unsettling is that, as temperatures rise, the corpses decompose more rapidly, and pus begins to ooze from the previously frozen or sluggish ulcers on many zombies, attracting even more buzzing mutated insects that swarm around them, making them appear even more terrifying and increasing the risk of infection through contact.
Some zombies that had been lurking in the shadows or deep within buildings began to appear more frequently in the sunlight.
Not only zombies, but other mutated creatures are also noticeably more active.
The roars and cries coming from the distant mountains and ruins became more frequent.
The night was no longer peaceful; various rustling sounds and hunting noises could be clearly heard.
The fire seems to adapt well to the rising temperature, even enjoying it. Its flames are more concealed, but the heat it emits is more noticeable, and you often need to stay away from it to feel cool.
For the survivors, the high temperatures brought new challenges.
Water resources have become more precious. Although water-based ability users like Ruan Ning are unaffected, the drinking water pressure on ordinary people and other ability users has increased dramatically.
The base's water storage facilities are facing a test, and the danger and importance of the water intake mission have increased dramatically. The sweltering weather also makes people more prone to fatigue and irritability, and accelerates physical exertion.
Some makeshift shelters became like ovens, and signs of disease spreading on a small scale began to appear. Search teams had to carry more water and be more careful to avoid operating during the hottest part of the day.
The base management has issued a new announcement emphasizing water conservation, heatstroke prevention, increased daytime patrols, and monitoring changes in zombie activity. In the mission hall, the rewards for missions searching for drought-resistant crop seeds or related technologies have been increased.
Ruan Ning's team did not stop.
They adjusted their schedule, making more use of the early morning and evening. Ruan Ning's water-based abilities played a crucial role at this time, not only ensuring the team had drinking water but also creating small, cool areas when necessary.
During a mission to clean up the water supply facilities in an old residential area east of the base, they encountered dozens of zombies that had gathered because they were near the water source.
These zombies, covered in sticky filth in the hot and humid environment, moved more frantically than usual.
Ruan Ning decisively abandoned some of the long-range water arrows and instead used more water whips and water blades for mid-range control and quick kills, avoiding being approached by the filth.
Lin Yan's explosive power was slightly affected by the sweltering heat, but teamwork became even more crucial. Zhou Min, on the other hand, had to overcome the mental fatigue caused by the high temperature to provide more precise warnings and interference.
The battle ended, and everyone was drenched in sweat and panting heavily. The fire was still raging, and the sparks it spewed were even hotter than usual.
"These days... are getting harder and harder to bear." Zhou Min slumped in the shade, gulping down the cool water that Ruan Ning handed her.
Ruan Ning did not refute. She looked up at the bright sun, then at the dark shadows of zombies that moved slowly and tirelessly under the scorching sun.
In the apocalypse, there are no mild seasons. The harsh winter tests the limits of survival, while the sudden heat tests endurance and willpower, while also releasing more destabilizing factors.
On a sweltering afternoon, the roar of propellers tore through the usual cacophony of the air above the base.
Several helicopters painted in military camouflage, but with obvious signs of repair on their fuselages, slowly landed in the landing area temporarily cleared in the central square of the base, kicking up huge gusts of air and dust.
This unusual commotion attracted the attention of almost the entire base, with many people rushing to the edge of the plaza, peering out with curiosity and vigilance.
Ruan Ning's team had just returned from a morning cleanup mission and were resting at their lodgings when they were startled by the loud noise. They went to the window and looked at the helicopters that were landing.
"A helicopter! The markings of the capital base!" Zhou Min, with her sharp eyes, spotted the markings on the fuselage and exclaimed in a low voice, "Why are they here? Such a large-scale operation?"
Lin Yan's expression turned serious: "Look at those people who came down... they're not simple."
The first to disembark from the helicopter were more than twenty fully armed soldiers and superhumans.
They were well-equipped, moved swiftly and systematically, and had sharp eyes. As soon as they disembarked, they quickly took up advantageous positions around the landing zone, vigilantly scanning their surroundings. The auras of these people were generally not weak; they were at least at the peak of the first tier, and the energy fluctuations of several leaders faintly reached the second tier.
Following them were five or six people dressed in white lab coats or casual clothes, their demeanors distinctly different. They looked somewhat tired, clutching tightly to the silver, sealed cases they carried. Among them, an elderly man with gray hair and glasses was discreetly protected in the center by the others.
The top brass of the Dawn Base, led by Base Commander Zhou Qiming and General Chen Jichuan, had already rushed over with their men to greet them. After a brief exchange, the elite team of guards and researchers was quickly escorted away from the plaza and headed to the core area of the base.
"Capital base... Could it be delivering supplies? Doesn't seem like it, there aren't many people, and they're not carrying much stuff," Zhou Min muttered.
Ruan Ning's gaze followed the tightly protected silver boxes, and her mental power keenly captured the unusual, pure and active energy fluctuations emanating from them—similar to crystal cores, but even more stable.
“These aren’t ordinary supplies.” Ruan Ning withdrew his gaze, lost in thought. “The contents of those boxes have a very peculiar energy reaction. They’re probably technology or research findings.”
Over the next few days, vague yet exciting rumors began to circulate within the base. The purpose of the people from the capital base was gradually becoming clear.
The first thing to be confirmed was the "crystal nucleus extract".
At a briefing organized by the base's management for all registered superhumans, a young researcher from the capital base demonstrated this mysterious liquid.
It is contained in a specially made small glass tube with precise graduations, and it has a faint color that is related to the properties of the crystal nucleus. If it has no properties, it is milky white.
"Through purification and stabilization, the violent energy and impurities in the crystal core have been removed, preserving the purest energy source." The researcher's voice came through the loudspeaker. "A standard dose of the extract can quickly replenish about 60% to 80% of a Tier 1 ability user's energy consumption within 30 seconds to one minute. The effect decreases for Tier 2 and above ability users, but it is still significant. Most importantly, it is universally applicable, and its absorption efficiency is far higher than directly absorbing the crystal core, with extremely low side effects."
During the demonstration, a Tier 1 fire-type ability user from the base, after nearly exhausting his abilities, drank a vial of red (fire-type) extract. Just a few dozen seconds later, his pale complexion visibly regained its rosy hue, and a steady flame flickered again at his fingertips.
This scene caused a huge sensation!
What does this mean? It means that in life-or-death battles, superhumans have an extra trump card: rapid recovery!
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