The Azure Dragon Base, in the apocalypse, stood at the forefront of all major bases in terms of strength, reputation, and personnel.
It was located a hundred miles directly south of Cloud City Base, known as Steel City before the apocalypse.
Initially, it was a desolate area, but with the discovery of the world's largest iron ore deposit, numerous mining and steel factories relocated here, gradually developing it into a densely populated small city.
However, due to its short construction time, it lacked sturdy city walls or defenses against zombies.
When the apocalypse began, Zhao Wumian appeared as if from nowhere and took control of the area. No one knew what he did before the apocalypse.
Azure Dragon Base had always maintained close ties with Cloud City Base.
This was a secret known only to the deceased Bu Ying and Zhao Wumian, the leader of Azure Dragon Base.
Zhao Wumian, a legendary figure of the apocalypse, with his level ten gold-element ability alone, could reign supreme.
But his greatest asset was his mind; he was exceptionally strategic and cunning.
He had amassed a large following of ability users, possessing great charisma. Azure Dragon Base was built by him and his followers using their abilities.
They fought zombies, drove away mutated animals, built city walls, and established warehouses.
Everyone in Azure Dragon Base thought with one mind and worked with one effort.
The entire base was a solid unit, possessing the strongest cohesion and sense of belonging among all bases.
"Leader, these are samples of grain and vegetables just harvested from the greenhouse. Please examine them."
Zhao Wumian held an invitation from Mingyue Base, his sword-like eyebrows furrowed, his thin lips pressed together in thought.
A pale young man wearing gold-rimmed glasses entered, holding a tray.
His name was Yue You, Zhao Wumian's capable assistant, an ordinary person without any abilities.
His status in Azure Dragon Base was second only to Zhao Wumian.
In the lawless environment of the apocalypse, an ordinary person without abilities holding such a high position demonstrated Zhao Wumian's magnanimity and breadth of vision.
On the other hand, it also proved Yue You's exceptional qualities.
Although Yue You had no abilities and was physically frail, even weaker than an average person, his intelligence was almost supernatural. His management and planning skills were unparalleled.
It could be said that he was instrumental in the construction of Azure Dragon Base.
He was loyal to Zhao Wumian and dedicated himself to the base, not only because Zhao Wumian had saved his life but also because he had recognized his potential.
From the very beginning of the base's construction, Yue You had predicted that food would become the greatest crisis in the near future.
Therefore, before the environmental changes, he had made plans and, during the base's construction, built a hundred-acre greenhouse.
Acid rain had turned the land outside into scorched earth, but the seeds sown within his greenhouse had already sprouted.
"Yue You, look at this."
Zhao Wumian glanced at the ping-pong-sized potatoes and finger-long cucumbers on the tray, along with a small pile of shriveled rice grains.
He then extended his long, slender, and powerful hand with distinct knuckles, handing the invitation to Yue You's pale, delicate hand.
"The First Agricultural Products Trade Fair? A basin-sized tomato, giant rice? And gifts!"
Reading the invitation, Yue You immediately grasped the key points, muttering to himself.
"What do you think?"
Zhao Wumian rubbed his prominent nose with his finger, his eyes, sparkling like stars, shot out a sharp glint.
"This Mingyue should be the same Mingyue who heavily injured Snake Two.
It was because of her that Cloud City Base was indirectly destroyed, cutting off our source of crystal cores.
I didn't expect her to build a base in Yunmeng Mountain and then hold an agricultural products trade fair.
Our base has a hundred-acre greenhouse, built with countless efforts and crystal cores, yet the food produced is still unsatisfactory.
The yield is low, and the fruits are small, barely maintaining the base's sustenance.
But judging by this invitation, Mingyue Base's agricultural products are not only large but also high-yielding.
Otherwise, they wouldn't be so generous with free gifts and hold a trade fair, even boasting tomatoes the size of a basin.
Logically, this should be impossible in the apocalypse. If it is possible, then they must have special cultivation methods.
Or perhaps some special auxiliary items, like the resurrection medicine Snake Two mentioned.
I believe we should take this opportunity to visit Mingyue Base and investigate.
We must obtain their cultivation methods and secret weapons at all costs.
This will be very beneficial for the future development of Azure Dragon Base."
Yue You's intelligence had never disappointed Zhao Wumian. From a simple invitation, he had analyzed so much.
He not only stated the reasons but also offered suggestions, which was precisely what Zhao Wumian valued in him.
After all, as a leader, he preferred subordinates who could think independently, not only identifying problems but also proposing effective solutions.
"We're on the same page. Notify Snake Two, bring Huan Li, and we'll make a trip to Mingyue Base."
Zhao Wumian and Yue You exchanged a smile, understanding each other without words. Their large and small palms met in the air.
White Tiger Base was located three hundred miles north of Cloud City and was rich in petroleum.
It was an anomaly among bases, as it only accepted ability users and not ordinary people.
Therefore, despite its high overall strength, White Tiger Base had the smallest population among all bases, numbering just over two hundred.
It wasn't that they refused to accept ordinary people, but the reality of the situation made it impossible. Ordinary people simply couldn't survive in White Tiger Base.
Because the area surrounding White Tiger Base was engulfed in raging flames, entering or exiting required being an ability user.
Ordinary people couldn't even get close, let alone enter. The cause of all this was Ren Jian, the leader of White Tiger Base.
He was the son of a petroleum industry family but did not follow in his father's footsteps, instead becoming a boxing coach.
Due to his carefree and somewhat childish personality, his career was unremarkable.
Fortunately, before his parents passed away, they left him a substantial inheritance and a house within the petroleum base, saving him from starvation.
After the apocalypse began, he awakened his abilities. Seeing the rampant spread of zombies, which almost wiped out everyone in the petroleum base, he was enraged.
He set fire to the oil in a fit of anger, intending to burn the zombies to death and perish with them.
As a result, the zombies were burned, he survived, and the fire ignited the underground crude oil.
By chance, a ring of fire formed, surrounding the entire petroleum base.
The flames blocked the zombies' sense of smell, making them unaware of the humans inside.
Furthermore, the intense heat made zombies and mutated animals dislike the area, never approaching it.
He found it quite pleasant to stay inside and was too lazy to move or find another place to settle.
Thus, the carefree Ren Jian, with his large heart, settled down there.
Other ability users discovered the safety within and came to take refuge. Ren Jian welcomed them with open arms; more people meant more liveliness!
White Tiger Base was perhaps the most lawless base in the apocalypse, with no leaders, only friends and brothers.
As long as you could enter, you could find an empty room to live in, and no one would stop you if you decided to leave.
However, Ren Jian was the one with the highest ability level and was an original resident.
Therefore, the ability users who remained in White Tiger Base still followed his lead, calling him Boss.
"Interesting, isn't this a blatant display of wealth? What time is it, and everyone is tightening their belts?
This Mingyue Base is even selling food, how arrogant! And they shamelessly claim.
That anyone who visits will receive ten catties of giant rice and a basin-sized tomato.
If we don't take advantage of this, we'd be doing ourselves a disservice. Brothers, since we're idle, let's all go to Yunmeng Mountain and 'pluck some wool'."
Ren Jian, standing at 1.9 meters tall, shirtless, wearing shorts and slippers, walked out of his room with a swagger, holding the invitation just delivered by Wen Qingtian. He shouted at the top of his lungs.