At the World Conference, the major North American power finally decided to use a viral attack, spreading the virus artificially to combat the mutated birds, as this was the only strategy they could devise.
"There are simply too many mutated birds now, and as far as I know, very few countries in the Southern Hemisphere can participate in killing them. The global cooperation you're discussing to eliminate mutated birds and deal with the crisis is, in reality, nonexistent. Therefore, after research by our Congress, we have decided to use a virus to reduce the number of mutated birds," stated the North American side.
The World Conference was conducted online, as there was no longer a suitable venue for multiple countries to meet. Under these circumstances, the World Conference commenced online, with the agenda being how to deal with the crisis brought about by the mutated birds, which was the greatest crisis at present.
However, during the discussions among the major global powers, they consistently failed to find a particularly good solution. This was due to the extreme mobility of the mutated birds, especially migratory ones, which could fly between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres and across continents. With just half a day's preparation, the mutated birds would have already flown away. Moreover, in the Southern Hemisphere, there were hardly any regions with organized national structures. Before the apocalypse, the Northern Hemisphere possessed immense strength, allowing its countries to maintain their power, a feat the Southern Hemisphere could not achieve.
Thus, as Shen Feng had predicted, the countries were unable to devise a good method because they simply lacked the capability.
In the current world, there were still countless giant sea beasts in the oceans, making long-distance navigation a significant problem. Therefore, the plan to kill mutated birds could at best be carried out in the Northern Hemisphere. However, if the Northern Hemisphere launched such an operation, the mutated birds would naturally relocate their nests to the Southern Hemisphere. Once the mutated birds recuperated in the Southern Hemisphere, they would return to the Northern Hemisphere in the summer.
This was no longer a regional problem but a global one. When the zombies and mutated beasts first appeared, the influence of terrain could never be ignored. After all, whether they walked on four legs or two, they were all constrained by the terrain. But now, with the mutated birds, especially migratory ones, capable of large-scale movement, eliminating them would actually require global effort. However, the Northern Hemisphere completely lacked this capability.
At this moment, North America finally proposed a sinister plan: "We can release a virus targeting birds. Birds and humans have different genes, so releasing the virus will selectively eliminate birds, and humans will not contract the disease."
Upon hearing this from North America, almost everyone participating in the meeting began to object. "No, absolutely not. This method is far too dangerous, and releasing viruses can easily harm humans if not handled carefully. We will not agree to this."
Almost everyone opposed this, as they had not forgotten the impact of the coronavirus ten years ago, which had killed at least fifty million people, and the virus had left too many sequelae, affecting the reproductive capabilities of many.
North America directly challenged them: "Then, besides viral or bacterial attacks, do you have any other good ideas? Since you've rejected our proposal, please provide your own solutions."
Everyone in the video conference fell silent because they had no way to deal with the global mutated bird population. More importantly, time was becoming increasingly critical. Mutated birds had strong reproductive capabilities; the more time they were given, the larger the scale of the next mutated bird outbreak would be.
At this point, someone finally spoke, saying earnestly, "I believe using viruses and bacteria to attack birds is impossible because the genetic differences among birds are also very large. A single virus can only infect a specific few types of birds. There are too many bird species in the world, so the virus's effectiveness will be diluted."
In response to such opposition, North America confidently stated, "You underestimate the power of our North American virus laboratories. Whether it flies in the sky or swims in the water, runs on the ground or burrows in the earth, we have studied any animal that can carry viruses. With over twenty virus laboratories in North America, weakening the mutated bird population should be a simple matter."
This statement silenced the representatives from various countries, as they were clearly shocked by these words. Upon closer reflection, North America had biological laboratories all over the world, and their research on viruses and bacteria over decades was extensive. In terms of using viruses and bacteria, North America's capabilities were undoubtedly far superior to other countries.
North America, still proud of this achievement, continued, "Rest assured, the strains held in the laboratories at Detrick alone are sufficient to kill half of the mutated birds globally. This viral attack will be absolutely foolproof."
The World Conference fell silent. The only path left before them was this one, and they had no choice but to choose it. However, would it truly have the predicted effect?
North America continued, "Don't worry, this viral attack will not target humans; it will be directed at birds. By using a virus that affects birds, North America will save all of humanity. This time, North America will be the savior of all mankind."
"Then you do it yourselves. We will not participate in this matter. Viruses and bacteria are simply too dangerous." The representative from China, participating in the meeting, directly hung up the call. China clearly did not agree with North America's approach.
However, North America was determined to proceed. For them, using a viral attack carried no psychological burden, and they indeed possessed the capability. After all, the final experimental data from the biological laboratories established globally were all under their control, making the release of viruses a simple matter.
North America acted decisively, preparing to release the virus.
"A tiny world, how many flies can there be? Just watch my methods; I will surely eliminate the mutated birds. Once the virus is out, who can compete?"
Shen Feng was unaware of what had transpired at the World Conference, as he was not qualified to attend. The matters discussed at the World Conference were also not something ordinary people could know. Such high-level discussions were necessarily known only to a select few, unless those involved leaked the information, no one would know what was discussed.
Meanwhile, after Shen Feng's impassioned speech at the award ceremony in Yuzhou, he directly inspired the ten thousand orphans to follow him with unwavering loyalty, as they too dreamed of the day the apocalypse would end, and they would have a bright tomorrow.
In fact, Shen Feng's words were partly inspired by what He Qiuming had said at Yanshan. At that time, He Qiuan had spoken of his ideal, which was to end the chaotic times. However, Shen Feng found it unrealistic, as He Qiuan at the time only had a slogan for unity. It was impossible to end the chaotic times with just a slogan.
However, although Shen Feng disagreed with He Qiuan's methods, borrowing He Qiuan's ideal was easy. Thus, Shen Feng directly used these words to motivate countless people. Shen Feng's next goal was to cultivate his own force.
In the apocalypse, everyone had become shrewd. It was extremely difficult to trick people into working for you with absolute loyalty. But children were different; their minds were not yet mature. Orphans, especially, after experiencing the feeling of homelessness, would develop a strong dependence on orphanages. Shen Feng seized this opportunity to speak, giving these children a sense of belonging, and thus, these naive children would become devoted.
Ban Xian saw this clearly, as Shen Feng's subtle intentions were easily deciphered. Many other intelligent people also understood. After witnessing Shen Feng's actions, they realized that Shen Feng intended to cultivate his own core force.
Those who understood this said nothing more, as Shen Feng's position in Yuzhou was unshakeable. Therefore, whatever Shen Feng did would receive support. Opposing Shen Feng would be equivalent to becoming an enemy of Yuzhou.
After the award ceremony concluded, Xu Xing pushed the wheelchair back to the orphanage. Wu Yelian was now a director, while Xu Xing had changed jobs.
As they walked, Wu Yelian earnestly continued to admonish her daughter, "Do you know what today's award ceremony meant? It means the City Lord no longer trusts you. The City Lord made you an ability user to work for him. But look at you, you want to go kill bandits. Setting aside any benefits you might gain from doing this, if you actually do it, you'll be ungrateful. Now that you're an ability user, you should fight properly, stay in the army, or be the madam's bodyguard. Look at you."
At this point, Wu Yelian felt a sense of disappointment, as she found her daughter to be incredibly obtuse. She had a great hand to play, yet she was determined to ruin it.
Upon hearing her mother's dissatisfied words, Xu Xing earnestly explained, "Mom, I've really grown up. I know the City Lord's expectations of me, but I also have my ideals. Many weak people are currently being threatened by bandits, and I can't just stand by and do nothing. I want to become a true hero, to punish evil and promote good."
"You? Others can fool you with a few words, and you want to become a hero? Dream on," Wu Yelian said, crushing her daughter's aspirations without mercy.
Xu Xing silently continued to push the wheelchair forward. Wu Yelian's legs had been broken earlier and had not yet recovered. Xu Xing was supposed to be by her mother's side, providing personal care, which was a child's duty. However, Xu Xing had not yet given up on her dream.
Finally, Xu Xing added, "Mom, the City Lord has already agreed to let me act freely. I'll be leaving in a few days. I promise I'll visit often. Mom, take care!"
Wu Yelian fell silent. She said nothing. Although it was natural for a daughter to leave her parents when she grew up, Wu Yelian hadn't expected this day to arrive so soon. It seemed her daughter had truly grown up, though she wondered what her future would hold.
"You... be careful. Run if you encounter danger. In this world, face doesn't matter; survival is the most important thing," Wu Yelian finally said, resignedly, which meant she had ultimately agreed to her daughter's decision.