Many people previously believed that to save humanity from the brink of disaster, they had to find the meteor and send it into space. However, in this world after the volcanic eruptions, people discovered that the meteor was the only thing that could save them. If they could obtain the alien technology hidden within the meteor, their scientific level would undoubtedly leap forward, and they would eventually be able to produce enough food with their own capabilities.
Countless people held this belief. In the environment of the great ice age, producing food had become virtually impossible. This was especially true in tropical regions, which were once capable of producing food. However, these tropical areas were also the most volcanically active. Countless tropical islands had been covered in volcanic ash, rendering them unsuitable for cultivation for many years. Therefore, humanity's only hope was to utilize scientific means to produce food themselves.
Besides plants, which can fix carbon dioxide from the air, humans also possessed the ability to fix it. However, the energy required was too immense, making it impossible for ordinary people to produce food. But with the acquisition of alien technology, things took a turn for the better.
Yue Hengyi also harbored this ambition. He optimistically believed that if he could find the meteor and bring it to the surface, he could research the technology left behind by the aliens. Then, he could become humanity's savior, and the doomsday that had plagued humanity for over a decade would be ended by his hand.
Thus, Yue Hengyi prepared to depart. There was no time to waste, and he couldn't afford to spend much time reuniting with his family. Now, he could only complete his initial plan as quickly as possible.
As Yue Hengyi and his father left the production base, Lu Xian came to see them off. Ordinary people would not have recognized Yue Hengyi as an ability user; only Lu Xian possessed such a capability.
"If you wish to visit here again in the future, simply state your name, and someone will respectfully escort you inside. There's no need to disguise yourselves next time, as no disguise can escape my thermal detection!" Lu Xian said with a smile.
"Just now, I was wondering why my identity was exposed. Now that I see you, I understand everything. It was you, you scoundrel, who caused my exposure!" Yue Hengyi was also very helpless, not expecting his foolproof disguise to be discovered by someone else.
Lu Xian saw the father and son off from the base. Suddenly, Yue Hengyi remembered something and said, "There's something I'm finding difficult to handle right now. Could you offer me some advice?"
"Go ahead and tell me. I'd like to hear what kind of difficult problem you're facing!" Lu Xian said as they walked.
Yue Hengyi then said, "I'm planning to retrieve the meteor from the sea, but I'm worried it would be impolite to leave without saying anything. I've only been here for a day, and I didn't inform anyone upon arrival or mention my departure to Brother Feng. This would be like not considering ourselves guests, but it still seems impolite. So, I'm wondering if I should go and bid him farewell."
"I thought it was some difficult matter, but it turns out to be such a trivial thing. If you want my opinion, you don't need to go see him. Leave a letter, and I'll pass it on to him. The City Lord won't mind such minor details. Besides, he has many important matters to attend to, especially family affairs," Lu Xian replied.
Yue Hengyi asked curiously, "What important matters require his attention so much? And what has happened in his family?"
"It's fine to tell you about this, as long as you don't spread it around. To be honest, Madam Chu gave birth to a daughter, but unfortunately, the child was born very weak. Her condition has worsened significantly in the past two days. Many doctors have been consulted, but none can diagnose her illness. If she doesn't receive treatment, the child will likely die in a few days. Tell me, how can the City Lord have the mind to bother with other things?" Lu Xian responded.
"So that's how it is. If the child truly passes away, it would indeed be a great blow," Yue Hengyi nodded. He was also a father and could understand Shen Feng's current state of mind.
When a grown man watches his child grow weaker and on the verge of death, no matter what means are available to save the child, most fathers would do so without hesitation. Witnessing their child die and a living life vanish before their eyes would be incredibly painful.
"In that case, I won't disturb him. I'll go home to see the children and then leave. I'll leave a letter, and I'll trouble you to pass it on to Brother Feng!" Yue Hengyi said.
Lu Xian nodded and said, "Of course, no problem. I wish you a safe journey and hope you complete your plan soon. However, I don't believe the meteor will be that easy to find."
"Since you don't believe it, I will eventually prove it to you and show you something that will leave you utterly astonished!" Yue Hengyi was very confident now.
Afterward, Yue Hengyi played with his children for a few hours. Then, under the cover of night, he stepped onto a stone slab and left the city, flying towards the north.
Meanwhile, Shen Feng was indeed very troubled. Both public and private matters required his attention, and these two intertwined issues left him feeling weary. The domestic matters, in particular, were incredibly agonizing to handle.
First was his youngest daughter's health. The child coughed every day and was very weak, sometimes lacking the strength to even cry. Despite doctors observing the child's condition daily, her illness remained incurable.
Then there were his son, Shen Xingzhi, and his wife. Shen Xingzhi remained indifferent to Zhou Yuyao, while Zhou Yuyao's every effort to endear herself only seemed to make him dislike her more.
Wang Xiran, along with a group of children, opposed Zhou Yuyao. Consequently, Shen Feng's disciples also had no contact with her. Only Shen Feng's two daughters interacted with her. Since Shen Yishi was still young, she had no ulterior motives, and no one took her seriously. Shen Hongxiu, however, had received guidance from her mother and deliberately engaged with Zhou Yuyao.
Finally, there was his godson, Du Fansheng. He was now an ability user and constantly clamored to go out and fight. Although there were no wars that required his attention, he simply wanted to go out.
Faced with so many complex situations, Shen Feng could only try to mediate, as there was no other solution.
After handing over the household matters to Shen Yu, Shen Feng finally found some peace. However, before he could fully relax, bad news arrived from the front lines.
It turned out that the alliance between Yuzhou and Jinling had been discovered by others. Such an event would not normally cause a stir, as everyone was preoccupied with survival. However, at this moment, numerous grain transport ships were heading east along the Yangtze River, eventually reaching Jinling.
During their voyage, these grain transport ships were attacked by countless bandits, some of whom were even ability users. However, on board were Li Keyi, Xu Xing, and Lin Yue. All three were powerful combatants, and Lin Yue, in particular, could detect hidden individuals from a distance.
Facing attacks from numerous bandits, the three of them fought back and killed these bandits. However, during the process of killing these bandits, countless people were seen on the riverbanks salvaging the bodies of the bandits. It wasn't to bury them, but rather to get a full meal.
Upon witnessing this scene, Li Keyi could only shake his head in resignation and chose not to look. The scenes were too brutal. The deceased bandits were mostly emaciated. If they hadn't run out of places to eat, why would they have become bandits?
Even with such frail bodies, once they were pulled ashore, the people on the riverbanks began to build fires, cut up the bodies, and roast human flesh right there on the Yangtze River. This sight would evoke strong emotions in anyone who saw it. However, the people on the riverbanks were starving and would put anything edible into their mouths. The earthworms and other insects in the surrounding soil had long since been dug up.
"These people are truly detestable. I can't believe they eat their own kind! I really want to go teach them a lesson!" Xu Xing said angrily after witnessing the scene.
"Don't bother with these people. Let's complete our mission quickly and transport all the grain on these ships to Jinling. Then our mission will be accomplished. What happens after this grain is consumed is none of our business!" Li Keyi stopped the angry Xu Xing.
Li Keyi understood very well that these people were merely trying to survive. After all, they would starve to death if they didn't eat. Thus, out of desperation, they couldn't find food, couldn't find prey, and couldn't even find insects. Even tree bark and grass roots had disappeared. The only food they could consume now was each other.
Li Keyi initially thought the matter was settled. No matter how many people dared to rob the ships, they would only meet their demise. Only through iron-fisted methods could they deter these people.
During the battle, Li Keyi also performed exceptionally. In his hands appeared laser swords, which were incredibly sharp. A mere sweep through the air could instantly cleave a human body in two, leading to a tragic death.
Many people never dreamed that the once-revered Goddess of Light would eventually wield a butcher's knife against them.
However, upon returning, Li Keyi discovered an abnormal situation. As he returned, he saw countless people walking along the roads by the Yangtze River, moving upstream. They were heading towards Yuzhou, as they had all heard that there was still food in Yuzhou.
The endless stream of pedestrians on the roads formed the most significant landscape. These people, supporting the old and leading the young, with their emaciated bodies, were struggling to walk. It was uncertain if their bodies could withstand the journey to Yuzhou, but their only hope now was to reach Yuzhou and obtain food.
Li Keyi immediately sensed that something was amiss and promptly notified Shen Feng: "A large number of refugees are currently heading towards Yuzhou. They all want to obtain food. Once these people arrive, our food burden will increase further. We must find a solution quickly! I think it would be best to block them from entering!"