Fine tendrils had pierced Lin Yuan's entire back, making him resemble a hedgehog covered in black and red spikes if one ignored Jiang Ziqi. These tendrils continuously filtered the blood within Lin Yuan's body, concentrating the filtered substances into a small ball encased in a flesh membrane.
It was akin to the endocytosis and exocytosis learned in high school biology.
The entire filtration process lasted for 2 hours and 26 minutes.
The final filtered substance was only the size of a ping-pong ball, encased in a black flesh membrane with red patterns.
Lin Yuan, who had been turned into a hedgehog by Jiang Ziqi in a manner similar to Rong Mo Mo, merely stretched his limbs a bit, and the bleeding had already stopped.
He picked up the black flesh ball, glanced at it, and without much thought, tossed it into gasoline, burning it to ashes.
Jiang Ziqi and Wu Tian, standing beside him, said nothing. They simply came up and patted his shoulders, "Let's go, time for dinner."
It was already 7:15 PM.
Dinner was quite simple. They cooked a vegetable soup, added a little salt, sliced a few tomatoes and boiled them, then added some dried shrimp they had brought back. Eaten with steamed buns, it was quite delicious.
Today's broadcast time was as usual. At 8 PM, everyone not on duty had gathered around the radio, listening to the broadcast.
"Good evening, fellow survivors. Hope all is well. Today marks the 17th day since the global bio-crisis outbreak, July 31st, 2023, the 14th day of the sixth lunar month, Monday."
"First, regarding safe zone matters...
First, as per the instructions of the China Anti-Bio-Crisis Command Center, major safe zones are actively cooperating. Our heavy, medium, and light transport aircraft, and drones have completed 307,368 airdrop missions, providing weapons, equipment, and food support to approximately 1.2 million survivors. Airdrop operations are ongoing and are expected to continue for about 7-10 days, depending on weather conditions.
Second, the Shanghai Hu Gang region has been successfully recaptured by our maritime military forces. Port resources are currently being organized, and defense arrays are being constructed. Personnel are being mobilized for transportation and equipment.
Third, the Haizhou Island Military Safety Zone has successfully recaptured the satellite launch base and control departments. Personnel are being dispatched for occupation and defense array construction.
Fourth, as per the instructions of the China Anti-Bio-Crisis Command Center, the Shanghai Hu Gang Military Safety Zone has been established starting today. Along with the Shanghai Song Gang Military Safety Zone, it will serve as a resource transportation safe zone. Rescued civilians will be sent to Aircraft Carrier 002, Aircraft Carrier 003, and Type 075 Amphibious Assault Ship for resettlement and transit, and will not be held in these two safe zones for too long.
Fifth, under the command of the China Anti-Bio-Crisis Command Center and the joint operation of five major military bases, the Qingzhou-Cangzhou railway is scheduled to resume operations within 7 days.
Sixth, the Shuzhou Tianfu Military Safety Zone has begun large-scale agricultural production. The progress is currently stable.
Safe zone matters notification complete. In five minutes, the latest research report from the National Bio-Research Group will be broadcast."
There was quite a bit of information in today's broadcast.
"The Qinghai-Tibet Railway is about to resume operations?!"
"Another safe zone in Shanghai has been secured?!"
"Why are our Shuzhou safe zones already planting crops? _(:з」∠)_"
Although the Shuzhou safe zones were already planting crops, airdrops and rescue efforts had not been neglected. Since the establishment of the safe zone, over 20,000 more people had been rescued.
They should all be cultivating fields in the depths of the mountains now. Those slopes should have been turned into terraced fields.
As for other areas with barren land, it didn't matter. Plant sweet potatoes, plant corn. Sprinkle soil into the rock crevices on the cliffs and plant berries like raspberries, mulberries, and wild prickly pears. If the mountain caves lacked sunlight, it was fine. Raise mushrooms, raise rats, raise earthworms.
Protein, vitamins, and carbohydrates—none could be missing.
"Yes, we should also keep pace with the safe zones and start cultivating our land," Wu Tian said with emotion, nodding.
Lin Yuan also agreed, nodding, "You're right. Let's put in some extra effort these few days to cultivate all the land we can. Even if we don't plant rice, we should plant other trees, like 'San Yue Pao' (Raspberry), 'Can Pao' (Mulberry), 'Ci Pao' (Wild Prickly Pear), these berries. Also, plum trees, peach trees, pear trees, sugarcane—anything that can be planted should be transplanted and cultivated."
These trees and shrubs, of course, couldn't be planted randomly. They needed to be allocated rationally to avoid competition, where they would mutually seize each other's resources. This wouldn't be a problem for nature itself, but it would greatly affect those like Lin Yuan who needed to eat their fruits.
Fortunately, the materials provided by the country clearly explained how to plant these trees and which species they would compete with or form symbiotic relationships with.
Moreover, besides repairing the new settlement, Lin Yuan and the others had not stopped their pursuit of knowledge. In any situation, knowledge is one of your most valuable assets.
The five minutes passed quickly amidst Lin Yuan and the others' discussions. The familiar voice of the announcer returned to the broadcast.
"Next, we will broadcast the latest research report from the National Bio-Research Group.
First, according to combat reports from safe zone troops, no Level 4 mutants have been found within China. Based on the analysis of reports submitted by the World Anti-Bio-Crisis Alliance, Level 4 mutants, in addition to the characteristics of the first three levels of mutants, have significantly enhanced strength and speed. Their bodies are covered with bone armor or specific fungal layers, with defense capabilities that can withstand ordinary rifle, pistol, and grenade attacks. However, against 12.7
Upon hearing this, the team members, including Lin Yuan, pouted, showing some displeasure.
Damn it, how come the entire China's safe zones haven't encountered a Level 4 mutant, yet we ran into one? What rotten luck.
The broadcast continued.
"Second, due to the increasing variety and diversity of abilities and behaviors among fungal mutants that branch off before evolving into night creatures, the China Anti-Bio-Crisis Command Center and the National Bio-Research Group have decided to collectively refer to mutants that undergo branching evolution based on fungal mutants as 'Alphas'.
Although most Alpha mutants cannot withstand ordinary pistol fire, due to the diversity and complexity of their mutations, it cannot be ruled out that Alpha mutants comparable to high-level mutants might appear.
Therefore, survivors must be extremely cautious when venturing out to collect supplies, avoiding attracting the attention of zombies..."