Chapter 2907: Town Base-Building Joyfully Underway 29

Northeast of Peace Town, about two days' drive away, lies a vast area marked as a restricted zone.

On old-era maps, that place used to be a highly confidential biological research institute.

After the heavenly disaster struck, the facilities were abandoned; leaked unknown substances mixed with radiation, spawning countless bizarre and perilous mutant creatures, turning the area into a forbidden experimental‑zone ruin, a no‑man's land that has long made people pale at the mention.

However, recently, from some fortunate wanderers who escaped from the fringe areas, a piece of news spread:

After continuous days of poisonous rain rich in special radiation washed over it, the depths of that ruin actually nurtured peculiar crystals.

According to the few who have touched them, those crystals contain a gentle yet powerful purifying energy, remarkably effective in treating toxin wounds from mutant beasts and even alleviating certain hereditary diseases caused by radiation or genetic defects.

The veracity of the news remains to be confirmed, but such material is enough to make any faction's eyes turn red with greed.

Peace Town's scale is no longer what it used to be; after North Town and South Town jointly endured the threat of the Liuhuo Base, their relations have entered an unprecedented period of easing and tacit understanding. Faced with this batch of crystals that could change many people's fates, after several not‑too‑difficult negotiations—mainly Huo Zhaoye and Lu Jun mocking each other a few rounds—they finally reached consensus on the point that it's better to keep it cheap than let outsiders get it.

Cooperate, organize an elite team, and head to the fringe of the experimental zone to gather the crystals.

Jin Chen is naturally an indispensable member of the team; his insight and adaptability have long been a consensus between the two towns. Yet Lu Jun never expected that Yan Tenggu, who usually focuses on farmland and presents himself as gentle and mild, would, upon hearing of this operation, proactively volunteer to go as well.

"The old-era biological experimental zone, even if only its periphery, might still retain some data on soil purification and breeding; even if the chance is slim, it's worth a try."

Yan Tenggu pushed up his glasses, his tone as gentle as ever, "Moreover, I will be helpful in searching for the crystals."

"That makes sense," Jin Chen thought, "after all, they're things that grow from the earth; by rights they should fall under the earth god's jurisdiction."

Huo Zhaoye glanced at Jin Chen, saw him give a slight nod, and also agreed; having one more meticulous person with special knowledge is never a bad thing.

Lu Jun remained silent for a long time—so long that Yan Tenggu thought he would still object—before hearing him whisper, "... Fine. But you must stay close to me; you absolutely cannot act alone."

On the day of departure, the weather unusually cleared up.

In Peace Town's farmlands, under Yan Tenggu's months of meticulous care, the crops are thriving; the once poor, compacted land, though still far from fertile, at least no longer sees the planted crops wither easily, and they are basically free of toxins, edible after a simple wash.

This, on the wasteland, is already a remarkable achievement.

Of course, since the land's essence has not yet been fundamentally changed, food yield and detoxification remain the primary goals; as for flavor, we can't afford luxury yet—being able to eat without poison is already a blessing.

The town's aunts and uncles brought out their housekeeping skills, preparing ample dry rations for the elite members about to embark on the journey; if the struggling small outposts outside saw how rich it is, they'd probably have their eyes pop out.

Jin Chen casually picked up a washed tomato and took a bite; it was juicier than before, but still quite sour.

He set the tomato down, looked at Yan Tenggu still checking equipment, and silently sighed in his heart.

The earth god can't cook without rice, nor can he save this broken land.

Yan Tenggu noticed his gaze, turned his head, looking puzzled, "What's wrong? Is there a problem with the tomato?"

Before Jin Chen could answer, Lu Jun beside him snorted and retorted, "What could be the problem? You're just being picky."

"Having something to eat is already good, you finicky weirdo."

Jin Chen: "?"

He leisurely shifted his gaze to Huo Zhaoye, who was inspecting the vehicle's condition, and said nothing, just quietly watching.

Huo Zhaoye sensed the tattling look, turned his head, and let out the cold‑war vibe, "Lu Jun, did you swallow gunpowder before heading out? Your mouth is so fiery—do you want to go rinse it in the river first?"

Lu Jun: "?" This isn't… just seeing Yan Tenggu's hard‑grown produce being disliked, I'm a bit resentful, right?

He didn't expect Huo Zhaoye to react so strongly, and also felt wronged looking toward Yan Tenggu beside him.

Yan Tenggu had been smiling while watching them bicker, but upon meeting Lu Jun's gaze he flinched slightly, then unnaturally averted his eyes.

Lu Jun saw him avoid, turned his head resentfully, said nothing more, and bent over to tighten the straps of his gear pack with force.

Jin Chen took in the whole scene, intrigued, raised an eyebrow, glanced left at the somewhat lost Yan Tenggu, then right at the visibly low‑spirited Lu Jun, and blinked.

Known, his teaching method is correct, Lu Jun carried it out adequately, yet the earth god still gives vague answers.

But that's the stupid dragon's affair; Jin Chen withdrew his gaze and turned back to Huo Zhaoye.

Huo Zhaoye was struggling to fasten the protective vest with multiple buckles and straps, especially the topmost clasp; Jin Chen walked over.

"Lift your head."

Huo Zhaoye, hearing the voice, immediately stopped moving, obediently lifted his chin, cooperating to expose his neck.

Jin Chen lowered his eyes, his fingers deftly brushed away the straps he had just messed up, found the correct slot, lightly pressed, and fastened it.

Huo Zhaoye remained still, letting him have his way, his gaze following Jin Chen's hands and lowered brows, his mouth unconsciously curling upward.

After Jin Chen helped him put on the vest, checked it top to bottom and found no error, Huo Zhaoye immediately wanted to reach for another protective vest belonging to Jin Chen nearby, to help him put it on.

But Jin Chen raised his hand, lightly touching his palm with his fingertip.

Huo Zhaoye moved, doubtful, lifted his eyes.

Jin Chen picked up his own vest, swiftly put it on, one hand fastening the chest buckle while slightly tilting his head, looking at Huo Zhaoye, "Chief Huo, we're still in the cold war, huh."

Huo Zhaoye: "..."

Cold war… it turns out the pattern of a cold war is that the other side still helps you put on complicated gear, yet refuses your help, and reminds you that you're in a cold war.

What kind of cold war is this?

Huo Zhaoye muttered in his heart, but dared not say it aloud.

Lu Jun beside them watched all this, practically wanting to scoff out loud.

He weakly rolled his eyes, refusing to look any further at this pair who are clearly glued together like glue, yet insist on labeling it a cold war while actually flaunting their affection.

"Showing affection is showing affection, yet they still play these tricks; then what about him and Yan Tenggu, whose state is that a single glance can make his emotions fluctuate—what is that, not acquainted?"

Lu Jun simply turned a blind eye, strode purposefully toward his own off‑road vehicle, opened the door, and was the first to get in.