278: Chapter 278 Underground Construction Plan!

The morning sun shone through the one-way, high-strength bulletproof glass.

It spilled onto the dining room, which was covered in velvet carpets.

The air was filled with an aroma that, in this Apocalypse, would be enough to incite a brawl among thousands of people.

It was the savory scent of premium A5 Wagyu beef sizzling on an iron plate, mixed with the unique, sweet fragrance of mutated spiritual rice.

"Huhu... hot, hot, hot!"

Ji Wushuang had no self-awareness as an SS-rank fire-type Ability User.

Like a little hamster protecting its food, she stuffed a piece of freshly fried beef into her mouth, her cheeks puffed out.

Her phoenix eyes, which usually exuded an overbearing aura when she wielded her flaming greatsword,

were currently blissfully narrowed into slits.

"Eat slowly, no one is going to snatch it from you."

Lin Yuan elegantly cut open the fried egg on his plate, and the yolk flowed out in an enticing golden yellow.

"Although this mutated fire bull was just slaughtered by you yesterday, it was meant to celebrate my return, so mind your image."

"You have no idea!"

Ji Wushuang swallowed the beef with difficulty, waved her fork, and looked indignant.

"In the half month you were out, Shiyun was practically a devil! She insisted on something called 'recalling past bitterness to appreciate present sweetness' and forced us to undergo 'hunger resistance training.' Although she didn't let us go hungry, eating compressed biscuits and canned food every day made my taste buds want to run away from home!"

Tang Shiyun, sitting opposite her, pushed up her gold-rimmed glasses.

A cold, intelligent gleam flashed across her lenses, and her tone was as calm as if she were reading a financial report:

"That was necessary adaptive training to cope with extreme situations. Besides, I haven't even settled the account regarding certain people sneaking into the warehouse in the middle of the night to roast sweet potatoes."

"Cough, cough!"

Ji Wushuang was instantly choked, her eyes darting around as she began to drink milk frantically.

"Well, you know... the moon is really round tonight."

"It is seven in the morning."

Chu Yanran elegantly wiped the corner of her mouth and calmly added a final blow.

Lin Yuan watched this warm, even somewhat noisy, scene before him.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Alright, now that we're fed and satisfied, it's time to get down to business."

Lin Yuan put down his cutlery and stood up, his black, specially-made combat suit outlining his tall and upright figure.

"Shiyun said the first phase of the underground ecosystem project is finished? Take me to see it."

Mentioning business, the women instantly restrained their playful expressions.

Luo Qinghan silently stood by Lin Yuan's side.

In her arms, she held the time pet "Xiao Qi," who was still fast asleep.

Core members like Chu Yanran, Tang Shiyun, and Ji Wushuang followed closely behind.

The group traversed the base's intricate yet orderly metal corridors.

The Female Survivors and Female Warriors they encountered along the way

all erupted with a fanatical, worshipful light in their eyes the moment they saw Lin Yuan.

They stopped their work in unison and bowed in salute.

"Master!"

The voices were crisp and melodious, merging together.

It was like a chorus of larks.

In this steel fortress of the Apocalypse, Lin Yuan was their only faith; he was their god.

Su Yuyan walked in front to lead the way, her high heels tapping rhythmically against the metal floor.

"The entrance to the underground ecosystem is located on the third underground level of the base. It was originally an abandoned subway hub, but after half a month of day-and-night modifications by the earth-type Ability Users, it has completely changed."

As she walked, she took out a tablet and swiped her fingers across it rapidly:

"The main structure of the first phase is currently complete, half a month ahead of schedule. I have to say, the cooperation efficiency between the earth-type and metal-type Ability Users is a hundred times higher than any construction company from the old era."

"Half a month ahead of schedule?"

Lin Yuan raised an eyebrow. "It seems everyone has been working very hard."

"That goes without saying."

Su Yuyan turned to look at Lin Yuan, a hint of tenderness that only Lin Yuan could understand flashing in her eyes.

"After all, this is a blueprint you planned yourself. No one dares, and no one is willing, to slack off on this project."

Lin Yuan nodded slightly.

The meeting from half a month ago couldn't help but surface in his mind.

At that time, the base had just gone through the siege battle by the Heavenly Secret Pavilion.

Although they had achieved a complete victory, it had exposed some hidden dangers regarding their resource reserves.

In the conference room.

Lin Yuan stood in front of a huge holographic projection map, his finger drawing a large red circle directly beneath the base.

"We are going to build a world right here."

At that time, all the core members were stunned.

"Big Brother Lin Yuan, do you mean... a basement?"

Ye Qingyue raised her hand to ask, looking clueless.

"Is it for storing wine?"

Lin Yuan ignored her jest, his gaze as deep as an abyss:

"Surface resources are ultimately limited. As the Apocalypse progresses, extreme weather will become more frequent: acid rain, extreme cold, radioactive dust... Open-air farming and animal husbandry will become increasingly difficult."

"What we are going to build is a self-sufficient ecological circulation system that is completely independent of the surface environment."

"But..."

Lin Wanrou, who was in charge of logistics, looked troubled.

"There is no sunlight underground, so plants cannot photosynthesize. Moreover, ventilation, water sources, and soil fertility are all major problems."

"Sunlight? I have it."

Lin Yuan waved his hand, and a bag of seeds emitting a faint blue light appeared on the table.

"These are seeds of Abyssal Luminescent Algae and Mimic Sunflowers. The former can cover the walls like moss, releasing soft light similar to natural light; the latter can simulate the solar spectrum, satisfying all the photosynthetic needs of crops."

The women looked at those never-before-seen seeds in shock.

It was as if they were looking at alien technology, although in a sense, it really didn't belong to Earth.

"Soil? I have that too."

Lin Yuan threw out a few more bottles of potion that glowed with a verdant green light.

"Spiritual Soil Conditioner. One bottle mixed with water can convert ten acres of wasteland into Level 1 Spirit Fields. The things grown will not only grow fast but can also improve the consumer's constitution through trace spiritual energy."

"As for water, the underground river is already very abundant; what we need is purification and circulation."

Lin Yuan looked at Luo Qinghan.

"Qinghan, your spatial ability can assist in constructing the nodes for the water circulation pipes, ensuring everything is foolproof."

At that moment, watching Lin Yuan pull out various unheard-of "black technology" materials as if performing magic,

all the women had nothing left in their eyes but shock and an even more blind worship.

In front of this man,

it seemed the words "impossible" did not exist.

If they did, it must be because he hadn't thought about doing them yet.

"Lin Yuan? Hubby?"

Su Yuyan's soft call pulled Lin Yuan back to reality.

"Hmm?"

Lin Yuan came to his senses and found himself standing in front of a huge, ten-meter-tall circular metal door.

This door was full of cyberpunk style.

Its surface flowed with faint blue energy light paths, looking incredibly heavy, as if it separated two worlds.

"We're here."

Su Yuyan pointed to the door, her tone rarely carrying a hint of pride.

"This is the gate to the new world."

Lin Yuan looked at this gate, which was even more magnificent than he had imagined, and couldn't help but exclaim:

"I didn't expect you all to move so fast. I thought I would at least have to wait until I returned to push forward with the core parts."

"In the days when Master was away, everyone was holding onto a burst of energy."

Xia Bingli, who hadn't spoken the whole time, suddenly spoke up.

She crossed her arms over her chest and leaned against the wall, a hint of imperceptible amusement in her cold, clear voice.

"Especially those sisters who joined recently; they all wanted to give you a surprise to prove that they aren't just vases who only know how to eat."

"A surprise?"

Lin Yuan laughed. "I hope it doesn't turn into a shock instead."

"Lin Yuan! That's just not trusting us!"

Chen Hanyue immediately jumped out, leaning in front of Lin Yuan with a mysterious look on her face.

"When I first went in, my jaw almost dropped to the floor! This is no basement; this is simply... hehe, I won't say, see for yourself!"

Looking at Chen Hanyue's "hurry up and ask me, hurry up and praise me" expression, Lin Yuan shook his head with a chuckle.

"Alright, then let me see just how big this surprise you've prepared for me really is."

Lin Yuan stepped forward and placed his palm on the identification area of the metal door.

"Beep—"

"Biological characteristics confirmed: Lin Yuan (Highest Authority)."

"Welcome home, Master."

The cold, synthesized electronic voice fell.

Accompanied by a low mechanical roar, the heavy metal door slowly slid open to both sides.

A wave of humid air, mixed with the fragrance of soil, the scent of flowers and plants, and a faint mist of water,

instantly surged out from the gap and rushed toward them.

In this Apocalypse filled with the smells of rot and gunpowder, this scent was even more intoxicating than the highest-end perfume.

Light shone out from the gap, gradually widening.

Until it completely engulfed the figures of Lin Yuan and the women.

Lin Yuan narrowed his eyes slightly, adapting to the sudden brightness.

When his vision became clear again.