When the entire city was enveloped by the belated gifts, it fell silent in an instant. The sound of butterfly wings flapping was no longer heard in the sky. These butterflies had long since flown away, and even those that hadn't were struck down by the water mist and fell to the ground.
Butterflies that could not fly were no longer a threat. Although mutated butterflies were incredibly large, that was merely a trick. Butterflies had many natural predators, and a single mistake could lead to them being eaten. Thus, they evolved patterns that instilled fear in their predators, making themselves appear more terrifying, a strategy that proved quite successful.
The patterns on butterflies often gave people an uncomfortable feeling. Many butterflies bore patterns resembling eyes. Human imagination is incredibly powerful; seeing three dots could easily lead to the association of a human face. This is why humans have never been particularly fond of butterflies. Now, with the mutation of butterflies, the discomfort they caused became even more pronounced.
However, humans are highly adaptable. After becoming accustomed to the patterns, they found them commonplace and no longer treated butterflies as monsters.
Currently, countless mutated butterflies fell from the sky to the ground, only to face the attacks of an enraged populace. The mist had already enveloped the entire city, and people were accustomed to this situation, having experienced cities shrouded in mist before. As the city was once again engulfed by mist, the light dimmed considerably, but it was still possible to vaguely see the surroundings.
Seeing the butterflies descending to the ground, people immediately grabbed their weapons and charged, killing these damned creatures.
"But we're finally safe. The butterflies have left the city. I only hope these harmful things never return!" people prayed silently as they killed the fallen butterflies, wishing that these accursed creatures would not return to the city.
Meanwhile, Chang Haojie, piloting a fighter jet, had arrived at the airport. As soon as he landed, someone drove up to greet him.
"Young Master Chang, you've finally returned. If you hadn't come back in time, the damage to our city would have been even more severe," said a staff member from the City Lord's Mansion earnestly.
Chang Haojie gently shook his head and replied, "It's no big deal. I was worried I'd returned too late, but it seems I've arrived just in time."
Immediately, a car took him towards the City Lord's Mansion. From the moment Chang Haojie appeared, the cacophony in the city subsided. Countless people had been firing at the butterflies in the sky, but after the mist enveloped the city, they realized the butterflies had left and ceased their shooting.
Upon arriving at the City Lord's Mansion, Chang Haojie quickly saw a worried Chang Jianyi and immediately asked, "Sister, what's the situation now?"
"You've returned at the perfect time. Fortunately, with your support, the city's casualties were not too severe. It's estimated to be only a few thousand casualties. While this is many times more than usual, it's not a significant loss in the grand scheme of things. However, countless butterflies have spread to other directions. If these butterflies are not dealt with promptly, they will consume a large amount of crops, leading to a reduction in our agricultural output," Chang Jianyi said with a sigh.
"If that's the case, let's hurry and go hunt these butterflies!" Chang Haojie exclaimed.
"It's not as simple as you think. If you leave now, the mist in the city will dissipate, and the butterflies will return to the sky above the city, causing even greater casualties. Moreover, I had already dispatched troops to the south to prevent the butterflies from moving north, but unexpectedly, some butterflies bypassed us and reached Yuzhou. The soldiers in the city must remain to maintain order, otherwise, chaos might ensue. As for the mercenaries, they won't act without profit," Chang Jianyi explained seriously.
Chang Jianyi wanted to dispatch sufficient troops to hunt the butterflies in the sky, but she knew that soldiers could not be easily withdrawn. If someone with ill intentions were to gather a group and cause trouble in Yuzhou, the situation would become dire.
"At this critical juncture, we can't just leave the city. What should we do?" Chang Haojie also began to feel troubled.
Chang Jianyi comforted him, "It's alright. Once your second sister returns, things will be easier. With her ability, she can poison all those butterflies in the sky, though there's a risk of many casualties."
Chu Chaoyan's ability was to control poison gas, which could kill most animals, including insects. After all, insects need to breathe oxygen and have their own respiratory systems. The poison gas could corrode their respiratory systems, causing them to suffocate.
This ability was incredibly powerful, with a vast range and immense destructive power. Even against fully armed soldiers, if they lacked gas masks, she could easily annihilate an army. However, this ability was not perfect, as it could potentially harm allies.
Therefore, in normal times, when Chu Chaoyan needed to use her ability, Shen Feng was usually by her side. This was because Shen Feng could control the airflow, directing the poison gas elsewhere without harming their own people.
Chang Haojie also realized that if Chu Chaoyan used her ability, with her immense power, she could surely clear the sky of butterflies quickly.
However, Chang Haojie immediately thought of another very serious matter and asked, "Right, shouldn't we find my brother-in-law now? Haven't we contacted him yet?"
Chang Haojie understood that the situation in the Chuan-Yu region was already dire. If it didn't improve, there would be immense casualties in a short period. At this moment, they should have their brother-in-law return. With his return, he could surely change the situation, as he was a rare eighth-tier esper.
But Chang Jianyi gently shook her head and said, "We haven't been able to contact him successfully yet. We don't know where he is. We inquired with North America and only learned that he and Xu Xing had gone south, likely to the Amazon region."
Chang Haojie was extremely frustrated. In the past, Shen Feng would often go out, but he would always return promptly. Now, it was different. At the very moment he was most needed, he had been missing for a long time.
Just then, Chang Jianyi remembered something and said, "Actually, I still have a force that can be mobilized. I usually don't use them, but I'm prepared to give them to you now. However, you need to manage them properly!"
Upon hearing this, Chang Haojie quickly asked, "Where is it? Are there any extra soldiers to command?"
Recruitment in Yuzhou had certain limitations. Unlimited recruitment would undoubtedly strengthen their forces in a short period, but it would leave the civilian population extremely vulnerable, something no one desired. Therefore, Yuzhou had always limited the number of soldiers. Many soldiers were also dispersed to other cities to protect smaller towns. Thus, Yuzhou actually had only about thirty thousand soldiers. Guo Pinming had taken ten thousand to Rongcheng, Yang Chang had taken ten thousand to the south to kill butterflies, and the remaining ten thousand were needed to protect the city.
Chang Haojie still thought that his sister and brother-in-law must have a hidden special army that they were now preparing to deploy.
However, Chang Jianyi said seriously, "There are no extra soldiers for you to command. What I can give you are some treants. Once these treants are replenished with energy, they can work continuously. However, these treants may not obey your commands. If they attack humans, you will need to stop them!"
Chang Haojie was shocked by this statement and couldn't help but ask, "What? You mean for me to command treants in battle? Where are the treants?"
"You'll know in a few days. A group of tireless treants will be capturing butterflies in the city. These treants have only one weakness: they fear ultraviolet rays, meaning sunlight. You must keep these treants covered by mist at all times, otherwise, they will die immediately if exposed to sunlight!" Chang Jianyi said.
"Alright, I understand. No matter what, I will complete this mission!"
Chang Jianyi nodded with satisfaction, knowing that her brother had finally grown up. At this critical juncture, it was wonderful that he could help share her burden.
In reality, Chang Jianyi would not use treants unless absolutely necessary, as she knew treants were very dangerous. They only obeyed one master, the original treant tumor, now called Lin Qin. If this entity were to use treants to rebel, it would be adding insult to injury for Yuzhou.
But now, Chang Jianyi had no time to hesitate. The city was currently shrouded in mist and remained safe, but other places must have already suffered from the butterfly onslaught. It was foreseeable that countless people would soon call for support, and Yuzhou had to stand firm. Therefore, they needed to utilize everything they could.
Thus, Chang Jianyi immediately took out her phone and called a researcher: "Tell Lin Qin to prepare to produce treants, but each treant must be equipped with a locator so that we know their position at all times!"
Upon receiving this news, Dean Niu could only shake his head helplessly and replied, "I understand. I will relay this message to Lin Qin. However, it's unlikely that a large number of treants can be produced in a short period. It will require a significant amount of energy, and also a supplement of flesh!"
After hanging up the phone, Chang Jianyi prayed inwardly, "Ah Feng, what happened to you? Why haven't you returned yet?"
Chang Jianyi knew her husband's capabilities. After evolving into an eighth-tier esper, Shen Feng could fly directly in the sky, moving without the need for a glider, and could even carry people and supplies. But now, he seemed to be trapped somewhere, which was why he hadn't appeared until now, causing her some worry.
At this moment, Lin Yue delivered a message. This message was supposed to be delivered immediately, but a battle had occurred midway, and Ning Yuan had to lead his subordinates into the fight. Therefore, only after the battle ended was the delayed intelligence finally delivered.
"We have investigated the matter between Xiao Sheng and Miss Shen, but there is also bad news to tell you: Xiao Sheng has died in battle!" Lin Yue said gravely.
Chang Jianyi looked at the provided documents. After reading the conversation between the two, she understood the conflict between Xiao Sheng and her sister. It turned out they cared for each other, which led to their extreme actions.
Unfortunately, although the conflict was now understood, a perfectly fine person had died in the previous battle.
"Lin Yue, take my sister to the Fengshen Palace. If she refuses to go, force her to go. You cannot let her live alone outside. Do you understand what I mean?" Chang Jianyi said sternly.