The prize slipped through her fingers.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yun Xiaoxiao''s mood turned sour.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She shot Ling Jing a sullen re.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Ling Jing smirked back at her, lowering his voice to whisper in her ear, "Dare to sell me out for food again, and I''ll spank you until you can''t sit."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yun Xiaoxiao let out a coldugh, crunching the lollipop between her teeth.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was as if she was biting someone''s head off rather than candy.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Ignoring him, she tilted her head back, scanning the area for any sign of Lu Chen and the others.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The sky grew darker, and by the time it was almost their turn, the moon had already risen on the horizon.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Electric lights flickered on at the main gate of the base.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The number of guards on the city walls had doubled since daytime.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Just then, she noticed a well-dressed man approach the guard in charge at the gate, whispering something into his ear.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Afterward, the guard''s gaze swept over the line of survivors.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yun Xiaoxiao clearly felt the guard''s eyes linger on her for a moment longer.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
There was a hint of scrutiny in his gaze.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She narrowed her eyes slightly, her wariness increasing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When it was finally their turn, she and Ling Jing were led to separate inspection areas on the left and right.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The left was for male inspections, the right for females.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As Yun Xiaoxiao entered, a woman in protective gear instructed her to remove her jacket and step into a machine.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After a moment, the woman opened the machine''s door.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Without saying anything special, she told Yun Xiaoxiao she could leave.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Following the fenced pathway, she made her way to the registration desk.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Two workers in protective suits sat there.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Name?" One held a pen and notebook for registration, while the other asked questions.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Behind them stood two armed guards, their faces stern like guardian statues.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yun Xiaoxiao nced at them briefly before averting her gaze.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She smiled innocently, pursing her lips. "My name is Yun Xiaoxiao."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Age?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Five years old."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Supernatural abilities?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"What are supernatural abilities?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yun Xiaoxiao asked with wide, gleaming eyes, appearingpletely clueless.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The two workers exchanged nces, about to write down her information when suddenly a figure appeared at the desk.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Without warning, he struck out at her!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yun Xiaoxiao lowered her gaze, a cold feeling settling in her heart.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She recognized this man – it was the guard captain who had been eyeing her earlier.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He clearly had ill intentions!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Quickly, she pretended to be terrified, "identally" falling off the chair.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
At the same time, she calmed her restless littlepanion, urging it not to act rashly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Waaah!" She looked up, her face a picture of fear and grievance as she burst into loud sobs.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"The uncle is so scary, Xiaoxiao is so afraid, wuwuwu~"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"How could someone do that, attacking a child for no reason?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Yeah, is this how unreasonable Rongsheng Base is?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yun Xiaoxiao''s cries were loud, quickly stirring up discussions among those still waiting in line.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Nearby, Ling Jing stood with his arms crossed, watching Yun Xiaoxiao''s performance with an amused smirk.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
However, he didn''t expose her act.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Instead, he watched the scene unfold with interest.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Hearing the murmurs of the crowd and seeing Yun Xiaoxiao wailing like a little cry-baby, the guard captain furrowed his brow in confusion.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Had he made a mistake?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Was this child not the one they were looking for?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Earlier, he had received orders to find a five-year-old girl with dual Ice and Wood Element supernatural abilities.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
No reason was given, only that once found, the girl was to be bound and sent to the Base Commander''s home.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If she resisted, she was to be eliminated on the spot!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In these apocalyptic times, it was rare to see a child under ten at the base for days on end.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
This greatly narrowed down the search.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
And coincidentally, one had appeared today.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The age and gender matched perfectly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
That''s why he had tried to test her earlier.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If she truly possessed dual supernatural abilities, she would have surely retaliated.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But... she didn''t.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She cried like a helpless child, making him look like a bully.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He glowered at Yun Xiaoxiao, his face dark.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Do you really have no supernatural abilities?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Uncle, what are supernatural abilities?" Yun Xiaoxiao blinked her tear-filled eyes, lookingpletely bewildered.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The man''s lips twitched, and he changed his approach.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"How have you survived until now?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yun Xiaoxiao nced around before pointing at Ling Jing.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"That''s my brother, he protects me."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Ling Jing: ...Heh...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
So he was just a convenient shield, huh?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He gazed at Yun Xiaoxiao nonchntly, "Well, actually..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He deliberately dragged out thest syble, and sure enough, the next second he received a threatening smile from Yun Xiaoxiao.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He pressed his lips together, changing tack.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Actually, my sister is very timid. Please don''t scare her. If she''s done something wrong, just tell me, and I''ll discipline her."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"It''s fine now." The guard captain''s eyes darkened as he turned and returned to his post.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After Yun Xiaoxiao and Ling Jingpleted their registration, they each received an entry permit.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was essentially an ID card, proving they were residents of Rongsheng Base.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
ording to regtions, they had to surrender 10% of all their supplies to enter.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
They would also need to pay a daily protection fee, or risk being expelled from the base.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Yun Xiaoxiao didn''t mind at all, as none of it was really hers anyway.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As for Ling Jing, he also seemed indifferent.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After handing over their supplies, Ling Jing drove through the vehicle entrance into the base.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As soon as they entered, they saw several people holding small signs that read ''Tour Guide'' standing on both sides of the passage, waving at them enthusiastically.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Ling Jing stopped the car and opened the window, beckoning to a short-haired young man.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Are you familiar with the inside of the base?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Yes, I..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Good, get in." Ling Jing cut off the man''s words before he could finish.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The young man got into the car and introduced himself warmly.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"You can call me Little Lin. Feel free to ask me anything about the base."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Alright, I''ll drive around the base first. Can you introduce the different areas?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Of course, no problem."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The car headed towards the right side of the main gate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Little Lin pointed to a grassy area not far from the right side of the gate.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Thewn was covered with tents of various sizes.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
It was overcrowded, with people hangingundry and cooking around the tents...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The toilet seemed to be just another tent, marked only by a piece of paper indicating it was a bathroom.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Overall, it was chaotic, resembling a refugee camp.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"This is where the lowest-ranking survivors live. It''s for ordinary people who don''t have many resources or special abilities.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
They survive by doing hardbor every day, earning three meals.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
When I say meals, I mean three steamed buns.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Actually, they used to get porridge too, but about half a month ago, even that stopped.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Who knows how long they''ll be able to get these buns."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
As Little Lin spoke, there was a hint of mncholy in his voice.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0