[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ice-age-apocalypse-i-hoard-billions-of-supplies":3,"chapter-ice-age-apocalypse-i-hoard-billions-of-supplies-ice-age-apocalypse-i-hoard-billions-of-supplies-chapter-477":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},771037,1022,"Chapter 477: A Sinister Presence","ice-age-apocalypse-i-hoard-billions-of-supplies-chapter-477",477,"\u003Cp>Chapter 477: A Sinister Presence\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later, the investigation team followed Zheng Yixian to the depths of the Blood Vine’s lair, where they were greeted by a shocking sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The massive central space of the building had been hollowed out, creating an expansive void that extended from the ground floor to the ceiling of the top level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Blood Vine’s thick, pulsating trunk occupied the center, its movements eerily reminiscent of a living creature breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around them, the walls and floors were adorned with countless hanging oval-shaped objects—thousands of them at a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yixian placed his right hand over his chest, closed his eyes, and muttered a prayer:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May the departed become the hope of the survivors. Their flesh and blood, our sustenance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, the truth behind the Bai Xue Jiao’s food source became crystal clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cult was using the bodies of the dead as nutrients for the Blood Vine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Di frowned, crossing his arms. “How is this any different from cannibalism?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Siyu countered, “There’s a difference. At least this method avoids prion diseases and is psychologically easier to accept.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the macabre scene, none of the investigation team felt physically repulsed. They had witnessed far more grotesque and bizarre things in the apocalypse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Using a mutated plant to process corpses was a relatively humane solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yixian turned to the group with a sincere expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ladies and gentlemen, this is the greatest secret of the Bai Xue Jiao. It determines the life or death of thousands of our followers. Please, I implore you to keep this secret.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yixian wasn’t concerned about Jiangnan District coveting the Blood Vine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, who would willingly eat food grown from corpses unless they were desperate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the plant’s enormous size made it nearly impossible to transport.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Junwu nodded. “Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he casually tossed the red fruit in his hand to Wu Di before heading toward the exit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wu Di looked at the fruit in disgust and passed it to Kong Sheng, who then handed it to Qi Guangming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group treated it like a game of catch, none of them willing to eat it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yixian watched with a faint, enigmatic smile before following them out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he glanced back at the Blood Vine and the thousands of suspended corpses around it, he noticed they were swaying slightly, as if moved by an invisible breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once outside the abandoned building, Bian Junwu noticed the other factions had yet to arrive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suggested meeting the leader of the Bai Xue Jiao, Yuan Kongye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yixian replied, “The leader doesn’t typically handle day-to-day affairs. All external matters are my responsibility.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Junwu was undeterred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since we’re here, we should at least meet her. I’ve heard rumors about your leader—even some of the higher-ups in Jiangnan District are intrigued by her abilities.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yixian’s pupils briefly contracted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The higher-ups in Jiangnan District were interested in Yuan Kongye’s abilities?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a significant development.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuan Kongye’s abilities were indeed extraordinary. She could help others awaken their superhuman powers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Essentially, whoever controlled her had the potential to create an endless army of superhumans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the Bai Xue Jiao, this was both a blessing and an opportunity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they could gain the support of a faction as powerful as Jiangnan District, their cult’s growth would become unstoppable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Yixian finally nodded. “Please wait here for a moment. I’ll inform the leader.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Junwu gestured for him to proceed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zheng Yixian walked away toward St. John’s Cathedral, the team exchanged glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps it was the lingering shock from the Blood Vine, but Wu Di frowned and muttered, “This Bai Xue Jiao gives off an unsettling vibe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kong Sheng responded gravely, “That’s to be expected. Organizations with a religious structure tend to be a bit odd.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meng Siyu added, “Still, the Bai Xue Jiao has managed to survive and keep so many people alive. That’s impressive in its own way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baili Changqing sidled up to Bian Junwu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain, are the higher-ups really interested in Yuan Kongye?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Junwu raised an eyebrow and replied coolly, “When we were sent, someone did mention looking into her abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the rumors are true and she can awaken superhuman powers without any cost, the leaders will undoubtedly want her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baili Changqing whistled, running a hand through his short hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That kind of power is seriously tempting!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Junwu smirked knowingly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you really think it’s that simple?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh? What do you mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baili Changqing blinked curiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Junwu explained, “Power always comes with a price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When we awakened our superhuman abilities, it was after facing life-and-death situations. We earned our powers by gambling with our lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yuan Kongye’s ability supposedly lets people awaken without paying any price. Does that sound plausible to you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baili Changqing’s expression grew serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I have my doubts about that too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Junwu adjusted his glasses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The leadership has considered this as well. The military has been studying superhumans for years, and they find her abilities too incredible to be true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s why we’ve been tasked with investigating her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We need to determine if her powers are as miraculous as claimed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baili Changqing asked, “And if the rumors are true, what then?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Junwu shoved his hands into his pockets, his tone laced with implication.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If the rumors are true, then her ability would be strategically comparable to LV5 Epsilon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mention of “Epsilon” left the entire team visibly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For superhumans, the name “Epsilon” carried an almost mythical weight—heavier than Mount Tai.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout all of Huaguo, there was only one known Epsilon-level superhuman: the enigmatic figure from the Shengjing District.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their abilities defied logic, making them virtually unstoppable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said that anyone targeted by Epsilon couldn’t escape, no matter how far they fled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even Jiangnan District had an Epsilon-level superhuman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bian Junwu himself had once been a candidate for Epsilon-level training, but inherent flaws had barred him from achieving that rank.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Jiangnan District, “Epsilon” was the epitome of power—a dream unattainable for most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, the thought that Tianhai City might harbor someone with Epsilon-level potential left the team shaken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing their reactions, Bian Junwu chuckled lightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m just saying it’s a possibility. But until we meet Yuan Kongye and assess her abilities, it’s too soon to draw any conclusions.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Baili Changqing nodded in understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So, that’s why you’re so eager to meet her—to evaluate her for yourself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly,” Bian Junwu affirmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His words piqued the entire team’s curiosity about Yuan Kongye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Author's Note\u003C\u002Fp>",1093,"2026-06-03T02:47:19.037Z","2026-06-03T02:47:23.880Z",1,"novelbin.me","a8bd3ef65a355c9d447f011268cb000b29256f499eb06ac96baacd01a585c64a","ice-age-apocalypse-i-hoard-billions-of-supplies-chapter-478","ice-age-apocalypse-i-hoard-billions-of-supplies-chapter-359",1370,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fice-age-apocalypse-i-hoard-billions-of-supplies-cover.jpg"]