On that day outside Jincheng City, Mingyue's trick of "stealing the beams and replacing the pillars" led to the theft of the Yan Yang Pearl.
Feng Guiqu and Yin Qing survived, not killed by Qi Wu. In the explosion, Feng Guiqu shielded Yin Qing, absorbing most of the blast's force.
Even so, Yin Qing, with her ability level, was severely injured.
However, as a reborn individual, relying on her past life's memories, she guided Feng Guiqu to a certain location.
There, the two not only recovered from their injuries but also increased their ability levels.
Feng Guiqu's wind-elemental ability level broke through to level nine, while Yin Qing's wood-elemental ability, due to a fortuitous encounter, soared.
Like Feng Guiqu, she also reached level nine, instantly becoming a high-level ability user.
After their level advancements, Feng Guiqu brought Yin Qing back to the Xuanwu Base.
Upon their return, his subordinate reported a troublesome piece of news: the base was out of food.
Feng Guiqu's trip to Jincheng to collect machinery was precisely to solve the food shortage crisis at Xuanwu Base.
Xuanwu Base is located two hundred li southwest of Yuncheng, in a mountainous region, a natural oxygen bar. Before the apocalypse, Feng Guiqu's sports team was training there.
Because of its rich mineral resources, the state built the country's largest rare metal storage base nearby.
As these were all strategic resources, the base was built exceptionally sturdy, resembling a turtle shell for safety.
When the apocalypse began, Feng Guiqu, using his abilities, led his teammates to occupy the storage base and named it Xuanwu Base.
Xuanwu Base was safe. As long as the gate was closed, zombies couldn't get in, and the facilities inside were complete and suitable for living.
The warehouses stored a vast amount of rare metals, but the only deficiency was a lack of food.
Metal couldn't be eaten. Feng Guiqu realized this as soon as the base was established.
Therefore, at the beginning of the apocalypse, he led the base members to collect supplies everywhere and also gathered a large quantity of seeds.
The plan was that when their existing food ran out, they would cultivate the land and become self-sufficient.
Unexpectedly, due to environmental and climatic changes, all the land turned into scorched earth, no longer suitable for plant growth. The plan failed.
His trip to Jincheng to collect machinery was an attempt to see if they could use machines to dig mountains or excavate exposed land dozens of meters deep.
Perhaps the soil within the mountains and deep underground was not contaminated and could grow crops. This was their only hope.
However, this time, he returned empty-handed and almost lost his life.
"Guiqu, is there really no food left in the base?"
Seeing Feng Guiqu's worried expression, Yin Qing was deeply touched. At this time in her past life, she was also worried about the base's food supply.
As the apocalypse has progressed, zombies are no longer humanity's greatest enemy, as survivors have entered survival bases.
All bases have strong defenses, and zombies cannot easily enter, which is why they have survived.
The biggest crisis for all bases and survivors is the problem of food. The food collected and stored previously has been almost consumed.
And the environmental changes caused food that was not collected in time to rot and spoil.
All plants withered and became extinct, with no new production. Food has become a non-renewable resource.
"There shouldn't be any left. When I left, the base was already rationing one meal a day."
Feng Guiqu's face was full of sorrow. He was only suited for fighting and killing; managing the base and handling official matters truly gave him a headache.
"How about this, first organize the ability users to go out and hunt mutated animals. Bring them back to make broth. At least, we can stabilize everyone's emotions for now."
Yin Qing's experience in managing bases in her past life came into play, offering Feng Guiqu a strategy.
Her ambition was still there; Xuanwu Base was her starting point, and she couldn't let it be destroyed.
Therefore, she proposed a solution, which was merely a temporary measure. She had other backup plans to solve the food problem.
Yuncheng Base survived the crisis in this way back then. However, the time was not yet right, and she wasn't ready to reveal them.
"Qingqing, you're so smart, you're truly my lucky star.
How about this, you become the leader of Xuanwu Base and manage it.
My mind isn't good, so I'll be your deputy. Leave the heavy lifting to me. I'll lead people out to hunt right away."
Feng Guiqu was Yin Qing's devoted fan, wishing he could give her everything he had.
He willingly handed over the authority of Xuanwu Base. A triumphant glint appeared in Yin Qing's eyes as she accepted control of Xuanwu Base as a matter of course.
Hunting mutated animals temporarily solved Xuanwu Base's food crisis. The people in the base could have a bowl of meat broth every day.
Although there was only a piece of meat the size of a quail egg in the bowl, the soup was plentiful, barely keeping them from starving.
But three days later, even the meat broth was gone. Those mutated animals were naturally agile and difficult to hunt.
Moreover, after the mutation, they became even smarter. Upon realizing that Xuanwu Base was hunting them,
they all left the vicinity of Xuanwu Base and went to safe zones to avoid being hunted.
Feng Guiqu led his men out for an entire day but returned empty-handed, not even bringing back a feather.
As he entered the base and saw the hungry base members looking at them with hope, then sadly lowering their heads, Feng Guiqu shamefully fled back to his office.
Hearing the cries of some women and children outside, Feng Guiqu clutched his head and squatted on the ground.
Seeing Feng Guiqu's dejected state, Yin Qing sighed, hesitating whether to reveal her trump card.
"Brother Feng, someone sent an invitation to the base. The food problem can be solved."
A young man in a tracksuit ran into the office, holding a piece of paper with a beaming smile.
"Mingyue Base, First Agricultural Products Trade Fair?
Due to Yunmeng Mountain, Mingyue Base has achieved a bountiful harvest, with a massive yield of grains, oils, fruits, vegetables, dried meats, and cured meats.
In the spirit of mutual exchange and meeting each other's needs, we sincerely invite all bases to visit and trade.
All attendees of the trade fair will receive ten jin of giant rice and a basin-sized tomato per person.
Mingyue Base Lord Mingyue."
Feng Guiqu, who was squatting on the ground, suddenly stood up, snatched the invitation, and read it aloud as he looked.
"We're saved, we're saved! Qingqing, bring all the crystal cores, let's go to Yunmeng Mountain."
The news of the agricultural products trade fair made Feng Guiqu emotionally excited. Xuanwu Base lacked food, not crystal cores.
He directly ran outside to tell everyone the good news.
He wanted to tell everyone to hold on for a little longer, and he would bring back food soon.
Yin Qing's expression faltered. Mingyue Base? She had no impression of it. In her past life, this base didn't exist at all.
However, Yunmeng Mountain was very close to Yuncheng Base. It would be good to make a trip, Yin Qing mused.
Neither she nor Feng Guiqu noticed the note at the bottom of the invitation.
It stated that all agricultural products refused crystal core transactions and required energy resources such as petroleum, metal, and minerals for exchange.
Not only Xuanwu Base received an invitation. All bases near Mingyue Base that possessed energy resources within their bases were on Ji Shiyou's invitation list.
As Wen Qingtian, who was in charge of the base's trade, temporarily requisitioned Shi Henian's transforming vehicle and switched it to flight mode. Within a day, the invitations were delivered according to the list.
"Interesting. This Mingyue Base is worth a visit."
Inside Qinglong Base, the base's leader, Zhao Wumian, held the invitation and said to himself.