The mutated butterflies' offensive was too fierce, especially their high reproductive rate. Within minutes, they could lay eggs on crops, and if they developed overnight, these pests would voraciously consume the crops. Tens of thousands of mu of farmland had already been destroyed. Therefore, Shen Feng's time in Yuzhou was limited. After settling his daughter, he immediately embarked on this journey, heading east first.
Li Keyi was responsible for the farmland in eastern Yuzhou, one of the earliest areas to implement屯田 (túntián - military agricultural colonies) and directly under Yuzhou's jurisdiction. Naturally, Shen Feng's help was needed immediately. Moreover, Shen Feng needed to prevent the butterflies from spreading further.
When Shen Feng arrived in the eastern region, he discovered that most people were carrying many medicines. These medicine containers were connected to sprayers, and many were busy in the fields, spraying pesticides in large quantities.
Shen Feng found Li Keyi and asked, "How is the situation? We now have enough pesticides; can we finally curb the butterflies' migration?"
Li Keyi was overjoyed to see Shen Feng, but she replied with frustration, "No, although the quantity of pesticides is sufficient, it's only enough to deal with normal butterflies. These mutated butterflies are not afraid of pesticides, especially the larger ones. Pesticides can only kill ordinary insect eggs. But even then, these pesticides are like a drop in the ocean. I feel like this year will have a major reduction in yield."
Shen Feng was also helpless upon hearing this. If these butterflies posed no threat to humans, he would not have targeted them. Unfortunately, these butterflies were snatching resources that rightfully belonged to humans, especially food. If the crops were eaten by the butterflies, humans would not be able to harvest any grain.
"Where did those butterflies heading east go? I will eliminate the straggling butterflies in the sky now and prevent them from migrating further. As for the eggs on the ground, we can find ways to clear them," Shen Feng asked.
Shen Feng's current method was very simple: tackle the source. Since these eggs were laid by butterflies, he would directly find the butterflies that had escaped eastward and kill all the butterflies in the sky, thus eliminating their threat.
Li Keyi thought for a moment. At this time, there was indeed no better solution, so she could only indicate the direction of the butterflies to Shen Feng.
"Yesterday, I heard reports from Baidi City that butterflies appeared near their city. Everyone there hid in air-raid shelters, not daring to show themselves. I don't know the condition of the farmland," Li Keyi replied.
"I will go immediately to deal with these butterflies. You continue to lead people in clearing the insects and eggs," Shen Feng decided decisively. He never faltered when it came to combat and would act immediately, knowing that no human or animal was his match.
In the past, Shen Feng was not as powerful, but ever since he became an eighth-tier esper, he understood his strength. Now, he was the strongest among humans, with no one stronger than him. If he wished, he could destroy a city with a hurricane at will, but he had never done so. Now, to deal with these arrogant butterflies in the sky, only by killing them all could he vent his anger.
Shen Feng leaped up, using the wind to fly into the sky, and continued eastward towards Baidi City. Here, there was a long-standing culture, but over the long years, the city had declined, and it was now just a small town of tens of thousands of people.
When Shen Feng arrived nearby, he saw the butterflies flying in the sky. These butterflies looked very large, each with wings several meters wide. On their wings were many strange patterns, many of which could form an eye, making people's morale drop significantly.
These damned butterflies continued to dance above the farmland, laying eggs as they danced. Some butterflies even scattered poisonous powder while flying. This powder would fall to the ground, and if humans touched it, they would hallucinate.
Due to the sheer number of butterflies, ordinary people were no match for them. If they appeared, they were likely to be eaten by the butterflies. Therefore, people hid in air-raid shelters or their homes, not daring to go out. Even soldiers dared not open fire in resistance, as firearms had little effect when used against these butterflies from behind.
Seeing no resistance from humans, the butterflies became even more rampant, wantonly ravaging the crops. These poor crops, in their prime stage of growth, were already covered with many butterfly eggs.
Although the butterfly species appears very beautiful when fully mature, in their early stages, they are all fleshy worms. Butterfly larvae are skilled at devouring crops. Once they accumulate enough energy, they begin to pupate and then emerge as butterflies. This developmental method is called metamorphosis.
Many insects have different forms at different growth stages. For example, butterfly larvae are fleshy worms, and many other insects develop in this way.
The threat posed by these mutated butterflies to humans was too severe. Adult butterflies ate people, their sharp mouths capable of consuming flesh and leaves. The larvae preferred to feed on crops. Originally, these butterflies fed on cruciferous crops, but after mutating, their diet expanded to include any crop without hesitation.
Seeing the butterflies, Shen Feng became enraged and flew towards them. A gust of wind naturally gathered around him, and this wind gradually formed a tornado that swept across the sky, engulfing everything. Some butterflies, sensing danger, tried to fly away but were immediately sucked into the powerful wind.
The tornado swept through the nearby farmland, devouring the butterflies. The butterflies desperately clung to the crops, but even the crops were uprooted. Even if a butterfly tried to grab a plant for stability, it was impossible, and they were all swept into the whirlwind.
In the path of the tornado, these butterflies were swept into the fierce winds. The strong winds were enough to tear the butterflies' broad wings into pieces. Without their wings, the butterflies could no longer cause harm, and even ordinary people could kill them.
Shen Feng's appearance was seen by the people near Baidi City, and they cheered, "Lord Fengshen has arrived! Fengshen has come to save us!"
"Don't celebrate too soon. From what I see, even if Lord Fengshen appears, he cannot salvage our crop losses. Because after he appeared, he summoned a tornado, which even swept up the crops. This way, our farmland will still yield nothing." Someone then calmly analyzed.
However, such analysis was immediately criticized. "At this point, our greatest enemy is these butterflies in the sky. The best thing now is to kill these butterflies and prevent their harm from spreading. As for the reduced crop yield, that is already a foregone conclusion. Now that the city lord has appeared, it will only accelerate this process. Besides, he surely has the ability to feed us."
Shen Feng had too many followers. No matter what he did, someone would always make excuses for him. Even if he did something wrong, people would find various reasons to explain it. This was the current situation. Even if someone saw that Shen Feng's actions were problematic, few dared to speak out.
Under normal circumstances, tornadoes do not appear in China because the terrain in China does not allow tornadoes to form and spread. Only in vast areas like North America do tornadoes occur frequently, especially with the topography of high east and west and low center, which easily allows tornadoes to wreak havoc.
However, regardless of where a tornado appears, it will bring severe disaster. In the past, crops were destroyed by tornadoes. Now, Shen Feng used the tornado as an offensive weapon, instantly causing a devastating blow to the butterflies. Along with the farmland ravaged by the butterflies, large quantities of crops were now lying on the ground. The roots of these crops had been loosened, and even if the tornado stopped, these crops would not survive.
Seeing this scene, Shen Feng could only comfort himself inwardly, "The losses here are at least limited. As long as grain is dispatched from other places later, there will be no danger here. After all, I have already stopped the spread of these butterflies."
The tornado continuously swept through the farmland outside the city. Every time it passed through, it blew down all the crops in the fields. Some crops were even uprooted and flew into the sky, appearing like countless sand and dust being swept up in the wind, forming a pillar in the sky.
The sand and stones lifted by the wind fell on the butterflies, easily shattering their wings. No matter if it was poisonous powder or anything else, it was all destroyed.
Finally, at dusk, Shen Feng stopped his attack. The hundreds of thousands of butterflies that had been flying were all killed by the tornado. Even those that were not killed had lost their wings and could only crawl carefully on the ground like worms. However, as long as they were discovered by humans, these worms were doomed.
Shen Feng slowly landed on the city wall of Baidi City and then said to the city lord, "The butterflies outside the city have been dealt with. However, your farmland has also been destroyed. Hurry up and plant some other crops, such as beans and radishes. If you are still short of food, send a message to Yuzhou."
The city lord of Baidi City was very excited upon hearing this news and said, "No matter the cost, as long as these harmful butterflies are successfully killed, it is worth it. Thank you, Lord Fengshen, for coming to our aid."
Shen Feng shook his head helplessly and said, "It's just that the butterflies in one area have been cleared. There are still other places that need me to handle!"