Yu Renshu saw Shen Feng evaluating his weapon and then said, "Don't underestimate this saber. This saber has accompanied me for over ten years. During this time, I've never changed my weapon. Because a long time ago, this saber had already killed many pigs, absorbing the scent of blood. After being used for a long time in the apocalypse, it has truly become a formidable weapon!"
"You've read too many novels. A weapon is just a weapon. It has no thoughts and undergoes no other changes. If there are changes, it's wear and tear, eventually breaking. Look, I don't know how many weapons I've replaced. Besides the long sword forged from陨铁 (Yǔn Tiě - Meteorite Iron) I'm carrying, I have nothing else!" Shen Feng shrugged.
Shen Feng never believed that a weapon possessed any particular sentience. Weapons were forged by humans, and their existence was merely to facilitate human slaughter, thus emerging in response to the times. To develop feelings for a weapon would be a colossal joke.
As for Shen Feng's earliest weapon, it was actually a steel pipe. This weapon was very handy to use, and combined with his immense strength, a casual swing could shatter a zombie's skull. Later, Chang Jianyi gifted Shen Feng a samurai sword, which Shen Feng in turn gave to Xu Xing. However, during a battle, it couldn't withstand the impact and broke into two pieces.
Yu Renshu immediately said, "I'm not crazy at all. I'm just stating a fact. Whether a weapon is suitable for its wielder is something that can only be formed through long-term adaptation. And after more than ten years of adaptation, I know this weapon like the back of my hand."
"Alright, alright, talking about this is useless. Let's think about the upcoming battle. Our battlefield is likely to be in the area of the Three Rivers Confluence. This place is quite perilous; one wrong step could lead to disaster," Shen Feng said indifferently.
Then, Shen Feng unfolded the map to determine the marching route.
"These fruit flies are too cunning, building their nests in such treacherous places. And they go out to harass us periodically. We'll probably need to bring some oxygen masks, otherwise, marching forcefully in this terrain will cause many people to faint!" Chu Chaoyan couldn't help but sigh.
Yun Province's terrain has a very large elevation difference. It is precisely because of this significant topographical variation that building new hydropower plants here is ideal. In plain areas, building dams for power generation is almost impossible because there is no height difference, making it impossible to generate electricity.
However, this elevation difference also creates the unique situation in Yun Province. Simply put, it's like having four seasons in one mountain and ten miles with different weather. In many places, the conditions on the mountain and at the foot of the mountain are completely different. It's possible to have snow-capped peaks on the mountain, while at the foot of the mountain, there might be villages where peach blossoms are in full bloom.
The difference between the highest and lowest points can be over a thousand meters. With such a vast elevation difference, it's easy for most people to experience altitude sickness and faint if they encounter mountain climbing here.
Shen Feng suddenly noticed a snow-capped mountain near the fruit fly gathering area, and then he thought of something.
"This snow mountain here seems to be called Meili Snow Mountain. It's a place no one in the world has ever summited. It's even more difficult than climbing Mount Everest. Since I'm going there this time, I'll be the first person to conquer this peak!" Shen Feng said with a smile.
Many exploration teams in the past had wanted to climb Meili Snow Mountain because it had been virtually untouched by humans. It can be said that no human had ever managed to reach this mountain alive and descend. This is because the environment on the mountain is complex and unpredictable, with frequent blizzards. Once this situation occurs, it becomes a matter of life and death for humans.
"Stop talking nonsense now. Our most important task is the battle. To achieve victory, we must kill the fruit flies by any means necessary. I know you can fly very high, even to the troposphere, but now, if you go climbing mountains, wouldn't that be disregarding everyone else?" Chu Chaoyan questioned.
"I was just saying it casually, why are you taking it seriously? We're about to start climbing, so you still need to be careful. If you get too tired, I'll carry you!" Shen Feng said to Chu Chaoyan with concern, as Chu Chaoyan was pregnant at this time.
Chu Chaoyan, however, said dismissively, "I'm a sixth-order ability user. There are very few ability users in the world stronger than me. You can rest assured, I'll be fine!"
Shen Feng looked at Yu Renshu. Before he could speak, she replied, "You don't need to worry about me either. Although I've lost a hand, this pig-slaughtering saber in my hand is enough to deal with any danger!"
Next, Shen Feng led the group to the Hengduan Mountains. The reason this place is called the Hengduan Mountains is that the major roads here are as if they were cut in half, with steep mountains everywhere and broken terrain. This is due to the compression of continental plates. As a result, after the formation of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the land here also formed folds, and the direct consequence of these folds was the creation of a massive mountain range.
Upon arriving at the Hengduan Mountains, the army began climbing. In this situation, many wild beasts emerged and attacked the soldiers.
The more treacherous the environment, the more it can nurture fierce beasts. Especially in the apocalypse, mutated beasts can survive in harsh and difficult environments and possess immense strength. After that, it becomes difficult for any human or other animal to escape their jaws.
A giant mutated lynx appeared on the mountain. It stealthily approached the army, using the surrounding terrain for cover. Looking at the people constantly moving, the lynx clearly thought of its dinner. With so many people, it only needed to catch a few to ensure food for its family.
However, at this moment, a figure suddenly appeared in the distance. Without a word, he drew the long saber on his back. The lynx looked closely and realized that the approaching figure seemed to be a female human. How could it let go of a dinner that was delivered to its mouth? So, it immediately pounced.
"Truly seeking death, not running away, but daring to attack me!" Xu Xing sneered when she saw this situation and then swung her saber.
A cold light flashed through the air. Xu Xing instantly crossed paths with the lynx. In that moment of crossing, the saber had already been swung. Immediately after, a giant lynx was split in two, with countless bright red organs flowing onto the ground. This lynx had died under the long saber in just one second.
The long saber emitted a "humming" sound in the air. This was because Xu Xing had unleashed her ability, causing the entire saber to vibrate continuously. After vibrating, the long saber gained the ability to tear flesh. Even though the lynx was huge, it couldn't withstand even one strike.
Xu Xing then shouted to the people on the road, "A few of you come here and take this prey away. This will be your dinner tonight."
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately rushed over and carried away the lynx that had been split in two. The bones of this prey could be used for medicine, and after skinning it, the fur could be made into cold-resistant clothing that was very warm to wear. As for the meat, it could become food on human tables. Generally, ordinary people wouldn't have the luck to eat such good things.
"Immortal Xing is truly amazing! Such a huge mutated lynx couldn't withstand your attack and was killed in one move. You are truly too powerful!" the soldiers praised sincerely.
Xu Xing waved her hand and said, "What's the use of saying all these unnecessary things? Let's hurry on our way. As for how I discovered the existence of this prey, it's all thanks to Lu Xian. With his ability, he can know the situation within a radius of tens of kilometers, thus making preparations."
Every war is essentially a war of information disparity. If one can predict the enemy's movements in advance, one can make predictions and then make corresponding responses.
Lu Xian is an absolute master when it comes to gathering information. When he appeared in Yuzhou, no invisible ability users dared to enter the city, because as long as their bodies emitted heat, there would be infrared radiation, which Lu Xian could capture.
Lu Xian is now a fifth-order ability user. His ability's coverage is only twenty-odd kilometers, but he knows all the situations within this range, thus predicting the opponent's actions. No matter what mutated beasts dared to approach the army, he could know at the first moment, unless they hid underground, in which case he couldn't sense them.
Shen Feng was very satisfied after seeing Lu Xian's role in the army, and then said, "After this war is over, I'll give you some evolution base to help you become a sixth-order ability user. This will be your reward."
Lu Xian's direct combat strength was actually not strong, but in terms of information gathering, only Lin Yue could surpass him. Others simply couldn't be stronger than him. If one can predict the enemy's movements, then in war, one's side already has the advantage.
"Thank you, City Lord. However, I have a request that I hope the City Lord will grant. I want to use the merits I've earned this time to exchange for an opportunity to lift the punishment, is that possible?" Lu Xian said quickly. He had already thought of a chance for change.
Upon hearing this, Shen Feng reacted and immediately asked, "Are you trying to plead for your wife and ask me to lift the punishment I previously imposed on her?"
Lu Xian nodded and replied, "That's right, that's what I mean. Please, City Lord, grant it!"
Hong Yehui was previously almost killed by Shen Feng for being a spy, but in the end, at Lu Xian's plea, Shen Feng spared her life. The price was that she would have to perform labor service for the rest of her life. This labor service was to continuously teach and educate people without receiving any reward or opportunity for promotion.
Shen Feng thought about it. Hong Yehui had been teaching in schools for eight years, but she had never had an opportunity for promotion, nor could she receive any commendations. No salary, no holidays. This kind of spiritual torment was the most terrifying. Considering the time, Hong Yehui should have realized her mistake. And Lu Xian now wanting to use his merits to offset his wife's mistake was understandable.
So, Shen Feng generously said, "No problem, I will grant your request. When we return to Yuzhou, I will lift the previous ban on her, allowing her to gain freedom. From now on, she can do whatever she wants, and she won't have to perform labor service anymore."
Lu Xian was overjoyed upon hearing this answer and said, "Thank you, City Lord. I will definitely do my best for you from now on and will never betray you."
Shen Feng shrugged, clearly indifferent to such assurances.
However, just as Lu Xian was about to say more, his expression suddenly changed, and he said, "There are many insects flying over from a distance. These insects are very small, about the size of mosquitoes. They must be the parasitic fruit flies! Be careful!"
"Everyone prepare for battle, take out the high-pressure gas cylinders, open them, and everyone put on gas masks. When the battle begins, everyone must protect themselves!" Shen Feng quickly issued the order.
The soldiers were already exhausted from a day of climbing, and many were still catching their breath. Now, upon hearing the order, they didn't dare to rest and immediately took out their gas masks and put them on. They also wore rubber gloves, leaving no exposed skin.