Natural Disasters Strikes: I stockpiled like crazy!

Nanzhi controlled the second batch and then the third batch of drums.

"ROAR!!!"

"Zzzzz!"

The area was soon filled with the suffocating stench of burning flesh. Alien beasts convulsed violently as lightning surged through the water-soaked ground. Smoke rose in thick waves.

The gap in the breached wall was quickly patched up.

Witnessing this scene, the exhausted survivors on the third wall erupted into cheers. Their tired faces lit up with excitement and relief.

Sensing the surge of crystal cores, Little Snowball happily harvested wave after wave, its tiny body darting around energetically.

Time passed.

When they first confronted the tide, it had been 2 a.m.

The first batch had now been fighting continuously for nearly five hours.

At around 6:38 a.m., the first shift was finally ordered to retreat.

Except for Nanzhi and Weihao, who still had energy left, the rest of the first batch could barely feel their limbs anymore. Even Baoyin and the earth-type ability users, who had been reinforcing the walls, looked utterly drained.

Even before reaching Tier 4, Nanzhi's speed in absorbing spars had already been astonishing. But after advancing to Tier 4, that speed had skyrocketed.

Tier 3 and below spars could now be absorbed in mere seconds, continuously replenishing her energy.

Even after battling for almost five hours, she still felt capable of fighting another round.

But she knew Weihao would not leave unless she left as well.

And she would not allow him to overexert himself.

Although Weihao could still walk steadily, Nanzhi could sense the subtle sluggishness in his movements. Flashy elemental abilities like lightning and ice consumed enormous amounts of energy.

"Come on, let me help you, darling," Nanzhi teased with a smile.

Weihao did not refuse. His head was indeed throbbing slightly.

He stepped closer and tilted his head a little to match her height.

Nanzhi raised her hand and gently pressed his temples, channeling a bit of mental soothing through her touch.

Weihao let out a quiet breath. The discomfort eased noticeably.

Baoyin had originally wanted to join the front lines, but reinforcing the wall for hours had drained her completely. Now, all she wanted was to collapse onto a bed.

Feng Ran walked not far behind her, looking equally exhausted, like a zombie that had wandered out of the battlefield.

Bingwen and Hei Qian walked shoulder to shoulder, silent but visibly fatigued.

When Nanzhi and her group passed by the exhausted survivors of the first batch, the survivors immediately made way for them.

Many had red-rimmed eyes.

"Miss Lu, thank you for saving me earlier!" shouted the man who had nearly been killed by the wind blades.

Others who had been rescued by Nanzhi echoed their gratitude. The area became noisy with heartfelt thanks.

"Mister Lin, that lightning ability of yours is terrifying! It nearly wiped out hundreds of alien beasts!"

Bingwen and Feng Ran also gained admirers, mostly from their respective metal and fire departments.

"Master Feng!"

"Master Bingwen!"

They had learned their names from the Iron Gale Squad and Zhao Lin, who had been loudly praising them throughout the battle.

"Sister Baoyin, let's get together sometime! Give me some pointers on how to become as strong as you!" called out a woman from the earth department. Several other earth-type ability users stood behind her eagerly.

Baoyin made a pitiful face. "Sister, at least let me eat first."

She was starving.

The earth-type ability users burst into laughter.

"Yes, yes!"

"Young man, you were amazing up there too!" Several members of the gun squad praised Hei Qian.

Most of them were older and far more experienced, yet last night his marksmanship had left them stunned.

Hei Qian's face flushed red at the compliments.

Nanzhi and her group returned to their assigned rooms.

She deliberately chose a room far away from the other survivors.

After setting up a large table, Nanzhi waved her hand.

In an instant, the table was filled with dishes.

Buckets of fried chicken.

Vegetable and meat-stuffed dumplings.

Steamed rice.

Warm soup.

Sweet and sour fish.

Shrimp.

And dessert.

Feng Ran and Baoyin immediately reached for the meat without hesitation.

Lin Weihao, Baoyin, Feng Ran, Bingwen, and Hei Qian all stared at the abundant spread. Their exhaustion seemed to ease slightly just from the sight of it.

They began eating quickly.

Everyone needed to replenish their stamina.

Fortunately, the harvest from the Virtual Farm helped restore physical stamina effectively. The only concern was energy recovery. That could not be achieved through food alone. Proper rest was still necessary.

After filling their stomachs, the five quickly went to sleep.

Nanzhi glanced at Weihao beside her.

He had fallen asleep almost the moment his head touched the pillow.

From her angle, his left cheek was pressed slightly against the pillow, making him look a little chubby.

He looked innocent and cute, making her want to pinch his cheeks.

Suddenly, Weihao let out a muffled chuckle, shifted closer, and wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Stop staring and go to sleep," he murmured.

Nanzhi immediately closed her eyes.

Only after she confirmed his breathing had deepened into true sleep did she quietly enter her Game Lobby.

At this moment, her desire to unlock the Guild Function grew even stronger.

Meanwhile, the first batch of survivors returned to their own rooms to rest.

However, before they could settle down, several children from the kitchen blocked their paths.

"Come with us! Your meals are ready!"

"Meals? We can eat again?"

"Yes! Please follow us."

"Damn! Miss Lu's group is really generous!"

"Please line up properly. There's enough for everyone!"

The women and elderly people on kitchen duty warmly welcomed the survivors who had fought through the night. Each of them wore smiles filled with gratitude.

"Thank you for your hard work!"

"Thank you, sir! Ma'am!"

"It must have been tough. Please eat and rest afterward, young man."

Somehow, the survivors felt their eyes sting.

This sincerity.

This warmth.

It was something they had long lost in Longmen Base, where greed had corrupted everything.

The first batch decisively went to eat first.

After hours of battle, their stomachs were growling fiercely.

Unlike last night's simple meal, this time it was thick porridge with corn bits and ham. On the side was a vegetable dumpling larger than their fists.

They were even given warm soy milk.

The earth-type ability users were the most excited.

"Sister Baoyin didn't lie! There really is food!"

Outside, the second batch of ability users and the gun squad began climbing the walls of the community center.

Wang Bo suddenly spotted a familiar figure among the second batch of the gun squad.

"Dad? What are you doing? That's a firearm. It's dangerous!"

"Let go of me, you brat!"