Chapter 259: Future Planning

Lu Ran's palm slammed heavily into the tent flap, and the canvas curtain was instantly torn apart,

fragments of cloth dancing in the gale. He stumbled into the tent, and as far as his eyes could see, it was empty. The cold-proof mat and medical equipment were scattered everywhere, with only the residual black medicinal stains on the ground still carrying a trace of warmth.

The throbbing in his heart intensified sharply, and Lu Ran clutched his chest, bending over to cough,

a metallic, fishy taste rising in his throat. He looked up abruptly and rushed out, following the faint light coming from outside the door.

The blizzard was raging again, and goose-feather-sized snowflakes were being whipped by the gale, hitting his face and stinging painfully. Lu Ran squinted and charged forward,

his enhancement ability pushed to the limit, the airflow around his body clearing a path through the snowflakes. Right on the open snowfield at the edge of the camp, he saw the sight that made his pupils shrink.

Sister Chu Yao Yao was kneeling in the snow, her back straight, her hands pressed tightly against the bite mark on A Nian's right lower leg.

The cold-weather gear on her body had been torn apart, and on her exposed arms,

black patterns crawled all over her shoulders, even spreading to her neck. But her entire body was emitting a soft, golden light like the sun, which pierced through the wind and snow, illuminating the surrounding snowfield brightly.

A Nian lay on the snow, her originally curled-up body gradually relaxing, the look of pain on her face slowly fading, and the black veins on her lower leg were receding at a speed visible to the naked eye, bit by bit returning to their original skin tone.

Lu Ran's steps froze in place; he wanted to shout, but found his throat seemed blocked, unable to make any sound.

He watched Sister Chu Yao Yao's body tremble slightly in the golden light, watched her face turn pale bit by bit,

and watched the blood spilling from the corner of her mouth drip onto the snow, instantly freezing into red ice crystals.

The golden light grew more intense, and Sister Chu Yao Yao's lips moved, as if she were saying something,

but it was completely swallowed by the wind and snow. Lu Ran could clearly feel

that the wave of ability belonging to Sister Chu Yao Yao was burning at a crazy speed,

changing from stable to surging, and from surging gradually toward exhaustion.

He finally realized what Sister Chu Yao Yao was doing. She was releasing the healing ability core; she was using her own life to trade for A Nian's survival.

Lu Ran rushed over like a madman; he wanted to pry open Sister Chu Yao Yao's hands,

wanted to stop her from continuing, but that layer of soft golden light was like an invisible barrier,

blocking him outside. His fists slammed into the golden light, feeling only a wave of warm, rebounding force, unable to get close at all.

"Sister Chu Yao Yao!" Lu Ran finally roared, his voice breaking in the wind and snow. "Stop! Hurry up and stop!"

Sister Chu Yao Yao seemed not to hear; her hands remained pressed tightly against A Nian's wound,

the golden light growing brighter and brighter, so bright it was impossible to keep one's eyes open. Lu Ran watched her body begin to turn transparent, watched her hair turn gray at a speed visible to the naked eye, and watched a look of relief flash in her eyes.

He didn't know how much time had passed when the golden light suddenly retracted, retreating back into Sister Chu Yao Yao's body like a tide.

Sister Chu Yao Yao's body swayed, and her hands dropped powerlessly. She looked up,

glanced in Lu Ran's direction, and her lips moved, but in the end, she didn't say a word.

Then, her body fell straight down, hitting the snow with a dull thud.

A Nian slowly opened her eyes. She looked at Sister Chu Yao Yao lying beside her,

then at Lu Ran rushing over, her eyes filled with confusion. She moved her lower leg and found that the piercing pain had disappeared, replaced by an unprecedented sense of lightness.

Lu Ran threw himself beside Sister Chu Yao Yao, trembling as he reached out to check her breath. Her fingertips were ice-cold, with not a trace of breath. His body shuddered violently, and tears surged out uncontrollably, dripping onto Sister Chu Yao Yao's face and melting the thin layer of frost.

The wind and snow continued, the soft golden light completely dissipated, leaving only the three people in the snow and a deathly silence.

Meanwhile, in the command center of the Western Hills Safe Zone, Lin Chen was sitting around a long table with several leaders of the Starfire Group. A huge map was spread out on the table, marking the current scope of the safe zone, the distribution of mutants in the surrounding area, and the locations of various allied safe zones.

"The current safe zone's defensive works are basically complete, food reserves are enough to support us for three months, and the gaps in medicine and weapons are also being gradually filled." Lin Chen pointed to the Western Hills area on the map, his voice steady. "But this is not enough; we cannot just guard this one-acre-three-fen plot of land."

The old leader sitting in the main seat nodded, holding a cigarette in his hand but not lighting it. "Continue, what are your thoughts?"

"First, expansion." Lin Chen extended a finger. "We need to establish three satellite camps around the safe zone, responsible for food cultivation, weapon manufacturing, and the treatment of the wounded, respectively. This can both disperse risks and expand our range of activity."

"Second, training." He extended a second finger. "The current team members are mostly amateurs with insufficient combat experience. We need to establish a specialized training department, led by experienced veteran members, to conduct systematic training and improve overall combat capability."

"Third, diplomacy." Lin Chen extended a third finger. "We need to establish closer ties with other allied safe zones, regularly exchange intelligence and resources, organize joint patrol teams, and jointly clear out mutant nests in the surrounding area. Only through unity can we survive."

Several leaders nodded one after another and began to discuss in low voices. Some raised questions about the site selection for the satellite camps, some worried about the teaching staff of the training department, and others asked about the specific implementation plan for diplomacy.

Lin Chen patiently answered every question, his thinking clear,

his logic meticulous, and every plan took into account various possible situations. The old leader looked at him, his eyes full of gratification.

"I agree with your plan." The old leader finally spoke, his voice carrying a hint of hoarseness. "I am at ease leaving the Starfire Group to you."

Other leaders also echoed, expressing their support for Lin Chen's plan.

Lin Chen nodded. He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the satellite camp construction site outside. The team members were busy, some moving bricks, some building walls, each person's face filled with drive.

"There is one more thing." Lin Chen turned around and looked at everyone. "Lin Hao has been reflecting for a month. I intend to let him lead a squad to participate in the Eastern Ruins combat mission and make up for his crimes through service."

The old leader was stunned for a moment, then nodded. "Fine, give him a chance."

"Good." Lin Chen's gaze fell on the Eastern Ruins area on the map, his eyes becoming firm. "In three days, we set out."

The discussion in the command center continued, each person's face carrying an unprecedented seriousness. They knew that the implementation of these plans would determine the future of the Starfire Group and the entire safe zone.

The sunlight outside the window was just right, falling on the map and illuminating those dense markings. ===== CHAPTER 260 =====