The square of the Thornburg Fortress was as silent as death.

The person in the iron cage was curled up with a dull look in his eyes, as if his soul had been hollowed out.

Tu Rong stood outside the cage, looking down from above, turning a crystal core in his hand with a sneer on his face.

"Whoever picks it up will live."

He threw the crystal core into the cage, and the crisp sound of the collision broke through the air.

Chaos broke out among the crowd.

The thin man was the first to pounce on the crystal core, his movements like a wild dog snatching food.

Just as he grabbed the crystal core, the strong man behind him kicked him away.

"mine!"

The strong man grabbed the crystal core, his eyes red, like a beast guarding its food.

The thin man got up and rushed over frantically, his voice hoarse.

"I can't die!"

The two men fell to the ground, their fists landing with a dull sound.

A child was knocked down, his forehead hit the iron railing, blood slid down. He raised his head and muttered.

"Mom said there's no point in living."

The old woman held him in her arms, her voice hoarse.

"Hush, don't let him hear."

Tu Rong raised his hand, a ball of flame leaped, and he casually threw it towards the edge of the cage.

The prisoners screamed and shrank into a corner, the firelight reflected on their faces, and despair followed them everywhere.

The strong man finally grabbed the crystal core, sat paralyzed on the ground, and gasped for breath.

"I... won."

The people in the cage lowered their heads in silence, and no one looked at him.

The old woman spoke softly in a low voice.

"Do you think you can survive with it?"

The strong man was stunned, the crystal core in his hand loosened, and his eyes became empty.

He looked up at Tu Rong, his voice trembling slightly.

"I can live, right?"

Tu Rong sneered, leaned down, and spoke in an icy tone.

"What does it have to do with me whether you live or die?"

He waved his hand, and his men rushed forward and dragged the strong man out of the cage.

A strong man's scream tore the air.

The flames licked the iron railings, making crackling sounds.

The old woman hugged the child tightly, closed her eyes, and whispered softly.

"It's painful to live, but I still want you to live."

The man in the corner leaned against the railing, muttering to himself.

"Outside are monsters, inside is hell."

"Is there any meaning in living?"

A woman suddenly stood up, her eyes hard.

"It makes sense."

The voice is low but powerful.

"To live is the meaning."

Tu Rong turned around, clapped his hands and sneered.

"Very good, meaningful."

"It's a pity that you won't live to see that day."

The flames rose, illuminating the person in the cage like a ghost.

The child curled up in the old woman's arms and asked softly.

"Grandma, are we going to die?"

The old woman shook her head, her eyes dim.

"If you die, you won't be hungry anymore."

The fire gradually dimmed, leaving only dead silence in the cage.

The light of the flame gradually dimmed, and the person in the cage fell into deathly silence.

As night fell, fires flickered in the tents of the Thorn Fortress, making the scar on Tu Rong's face look hideously hideous.

Zhang Shun stood in front of him, his eyes flashing and his voice low.

"Here comes the Xuanwu Base."

Tu Rong's eyes narrowed slightly, with a hint of scrutiny and inquiry.

"What base?"

Zhang Shun sneered and spoke slowly.

"A mobile base, like a giant turtle, with thick armor and advanced weapons. Inside, there are resources you can't imagine."

He paused, raised his head, and looked grimly.

"Rice, vegetables, meat, and water. They have everything that is desperately scarce in this wasteland."

Tu Rong's expression suddenly froze, and then a barely perceptible greed emerged.

"You mean, food?"

Zhang Shun nodded, his tone becoming even deeper.

"Yes, it's real food, white rice, fried meat, vegetables, and even bread. These things are daily necessities for them, but for us... they are life."

Tu Rong stood up slowly, his shadow looming over Zhang Shun's head. His voice was low and cold.

"But why would they park outside of a place like this? Aren't they afraid that we would just rob them?"

Zhang Shun sneered, with a hint of mockery in his eyes.

"Because they are confident. You don't know how terrible the weapons of Xuanwu Base are. They can turn a shelter into ruins in a few minutes."

Tu Rong's expression changed slightly, but he immediately regained his indifference. He walked to the table and tapped his fingers lightly on the handle of the knife, as if he was thinking.

Zhang Shun's eyes turned and he spoke in a low voice.

"However, there is something that may help you turn the tables."

Tu Rong stopped and a glimmer of interest flashed in his eyes.

"What?"

Zhang Shun's tone became even deeper and a little secretive.

"Weapons from another world."

Tu Rong's eyes were stern, with a hint of cold light flashing in them.

"Go on."

Zhang Shun took a step closer and lowered his voice.

"That thing you picked up a few years ago, do you know what it can do?"

Tu Rong frowned, sat down slowly, and tapped the table lightly with his fingers.

"That thing is dangerous and will be useless after one use. It's too expensive."

Zhang Shun sneered and shook his head.

"The price? If we can take over the Xuanwu base, what's the price? Do you know how many resources are in that base? Enough for you to dominate the entire wasteland."

Tu Rong did not answer. His eyes were like knives, piercing Zhang Shun, as if he was evaluating the truthfulness of his words.

Zhang Shun didn't care. He knew he had ignited Tu Rong's ambition. He added in a low voice.

"Of course, it's up to you whether to use it or not. I just want to remind you that if you don't take action, you won't even have a chance after they drive away."

My dear, there is more to come after this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!

Tu Rong sneered, his eyes blazing with fire.

"Really? Well, I'd like to see first... whether the facts are as you say."

"If you dare to lie to me..."

Zhang Shun lowered his head suddenly.

"I don't dare."

"I just want some supplies and some advanced weapons, the rest...all is yours!"

If he is a vulture, then Tu Rong is a hungry wolf.

This A-level psychic may not be very powerful, but he has a lot of tricks and schemes. The weapon in his hand is his real killer and the fundamental reason why he became the leader of this shelter. The next morning, the wind and sand gradually subsided, and the huge body of the Xuanwu Base appeared outside the Thorn Fortress.

It was like a sleeping giant beast, its armor reflecting a cold light in the sunlight, and its huge tracks rolling over the wasteland, crushing the sand and gravel on the ground.

The survivors in the fortress rushed to the wall, their eyes filled with shock and fear.

"What is that?" a man murmured, his eyes full of disbelief.

"It's so big... Is it an alien?"

The children hid behind the adults and poked their heads out curiously.

a little girl asked in a low voice.

"Mom, is that a giant turtle? There seems to be someone inside it?"

My mother's eyes were complicated and a little bit scared.

She shook her head and held the child in her arms.

"No, don't talk nonsense."

The survivors were terrified and didn't dare to get close.

At this time, the exit of the base slowly opened and a group of residents walked out.

They were full of enthusiasm and brought pots, shovels, rice and flour, and set up a stove outside the base.

Several strong young men poured water into the pot and lit the fire with expert movements.

The rich aroma quickly spread and carried into the nostrils of the survivors along with the wind.

The crowd on the wall suddenly fell silent. Everyone held their breath and looked towards the stove.