Ling Cage, pick up Lu Mingfei at the start.

The hunters' convoy sped across the boundless desert, leaving the medical research institute that had devoured countless lives and the bustling city ruins far behind, until their outlines completely disappeared below the horizon.

Outside the car window lay an eternally desolate wasteland, with the wind whipping up endless yellow sand, as if draping this lifeless land in a flowing shroud.

Apart from the monotonous sound of wheels rolling over gravel, all that could be heard was the howling of the wind.

The atmosphere inside the armored vehicle was somber.

Feixue leaned against the cold bulkhead; her tactical mask concealed her expression, but it couldn't hide the turmoil in her heart.

The "accident" that saved her life was like a thorn, deeply embedded in her mind.

She repeatedly rehearsed the scene—the second-floor platform, the Devouring Beast behind her, and that incredibly accurate bullet from an even higher position.

"Is it really possible for humans to still be alive on the ground?" This thought haunted her, appearing again and again, only to be forcibly suppressed each time.

Twenty years of education from the Lighthouse and the knowledge accumulated from countless hunting missions all told her that this was a pipe dream.

Without a complete ecological cycle system and without a strong armed force, how can they survive under the dual threats of the ground-based Devouring Beasts and the Mana ecosystem?

But if it's not human, then what is it? A new type of Devouring Beast? Possessing intelligence and using weapons? This is even more absurd than the existence of survivors on the ground.

But how could this be explained? Could it really be like that absurd thought that flashed through her mind—that a Devouring Beast picked up a gun, intending to kill her, but accidentally shot and killed one of its kind behind her? This idea made her laugh at herself, and added to her frustration.

Just as her thoughts were in turmoil, an excited shout came through the communication channel: "Lighthouse! Lighthouse is here to pick us up!"

Feixue stood up and looked out through the observation window. In the hazy sky, an enormous, disc-shaped shadow was slowly descending, like a floating steel mountain in mythology, exuding a reassuring yet oppressive majesty—that was the Lighthouse, their mobile fortress of survival, and what they considered humanity's last home.

"Lower the ES01 elevator platform!" came the cold command from the lighthouse navigation control room.

A mortal struggled to push the heavy control lever, and with a mechanical roar, the huge lifting platform began to slowly descend to the ground.

The convoy accelerated towards the designated rendezvous point. Mo Cheng skillfully switched the communication channel to the control room: "Navigation Control Room, the Hunter Convoy convoy is about to arrive at the designated coordinates."

"Received. The lifting platform is in position and ready for takeover." The control room's response remained emotionless. The platform's descent speed increased accordingly.

When the hunters' convoy, covered in wounds and dust, came to a stop on the platform, the platform landed smoothly.

The heavy protective gate slowly rose, revealing a sprightly old man with silver hair and a robust build waiting behind it. Behind him were personnel responsible for receiving and inventorying the supplies. This was Elon, the chief instructor of the hunters.

"Hey! Instructor Elon!" Erica was the first to jump out of the armored vehicle, waving energetically in an attempt to dispel some of the gloom brought on by the mission.

"Little Erica, are you alright?" Instructor Elon's loud voice was filled with concern.

"How could that be! Look who taught her!" Erica proudly puffed out her chest.

"Hahaha, you're such a smooth talker!" Elon laughed heartily, but his gaze passed over her and landed on Mark, who walked steadily towards him. This was his most prized student, the key figure of the Hunter Commander.

He stepped forward and patted Mark's strong arm firmly, his eyes full of satisfaction: "Well done, Mark. Bringing back so many medical supplies can save a lot of lives. Most importantly, you're all back safe and sound."

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, teacher." Mark gave a tired but sincere smile.

"Alright, it's good that you're back. Let's go, the city defense troops and the supplies department are waiting." Elon turned around and gestured for the convoy to drive onto the platform in an orderly fashion.

Under the guidance of the receiving personnel, the vehicles, weapons, and valuable supplies were sorted and secured properly.

The massive elevator roared to life once more, carrying the survivors and their spoils as it slowly ascended towards the isolated island suspended in the air.

Inside the lighthouse, the passageway leading to the supplies distribution room was already crowded with people eagerly waiting.

For this fortress that navigates through despair, each return of the hunters means the replenishment of survival resources, and also carries people's respect for heroes and their desire for supplies.

The roar of the engine grew louder as it approached, and the ground trembled slightly.

When Mark stood on the first armored vehicle and his figure appeared at the end of the passage, the crowd instantly erupted in enthusiastic cheers.

"Mark! Captain Mark!"

Welcome back!

"Long live the hunters!"

Cheers surged forth like a tidal wave. Mark stood on the car, waving to the crowd; his calm and reliable image had long been a pillar of support for many.

Whether in the eyes of the upper class who value his abilities or in the hearts of the common people who appreciate his equal treatment, Mark enjoys extremely high prestige.

Ran Bing, standing beside him, gently nudged him with her elbow and whispered, "Still so popular, great hero."

Mark smiled without saying anything, but the pride in his eyes was clearly visible.

Amidst the welcoming crowds lining the streets, the convoy slowly drove into the supplies distribution room.

Just then, a black-haired woman with a sophisticated and capable demeanor, dressed in an elegant commander's uniform, walked in from the doorway. She was none other than Jing Nan, the commander of the navigation control room.

"Wow, quite a haul this time, Captain Mark." Jing Nan smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over the medical supplies piled up in the vehicle. "Looks like those guys at the medical center really need to thank you properly."

"It's my duty, Jingnan," Mark replied. "What brings you here? The flight control room..."

"It's just on the way, and I happen to be going to the council meeting with you," Jingnan said. The Lighthouse's council meeting is usually held after the hunters return, and it generally involves reporting on the work of each department.

After the handover process was initiated, Mark left with Jingnan and headed to the core council chamber of the Lighthouse.

The remaining members of the hunter team dispersed. Having gone through a life-or-death ordeal, they were both mentally and physically exhausted and desperately needed rest.

Feixue returned to her cold, simple room.

Only when the alloy door slid shut silently behind her, completely shutting out the noise and gazes of the outside world, did she truly relax.

She walked to the center of the room, her movements slow and deliberate, as if relieved of a heavy burden. Without any hesitation, her fingertips precisely found the buckle behind her ear.

"Click".

With a soft click, the tactical mask that clung to her face all day, symbolizing the sniper's calmness and ruthlessness, was gently removed and casually placed on the table.

Beneath the mask was a face completely different from her usual cold demeanor. Protected by the mask for years, her skin was so fair it was almost translucent, like the finest cold jade. But now, due to the prolonged pressure, faint red marks were left on her cheekbones and the bridge of her nose, adding a touch of fragile reality.

Her features were exquisite and three-dimensional, her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, and her lips were like cinnabar. With the metal covering removed, her eyes revealed their original shape, with slightly upturned corners, carrying an innate coolness and aloofness.

But at this moment, those clear, cold eyes were filled with an inescapable weariness, like stars covered in dust.

Feixue raised her hand and gently massaged her temples and cheekbones, which had been bound for a long time, with her fingertips.

All she wanted now was a good, hot shower to wash away the smell of blood and gunpowder clinging to her skin, as well as the deep-seated fatigue.

Standing beneath the steaming hot water, the warm current washes over my skin, trying to relieve my tense nerves and aching muscles.

"Hoo—" She let out a long breath, as if expelling the stale air and chaos from her chest.

However, while the warm water could wash away the grime, it could not soothe the turmoil in her mind.

The conjecture about the survivors on the ground lingers like a ghost.

But reason told her that there was a lack of solid evidence, and everything was just subjective speculation based on the trajectory of a bullet.

Within the Lighthouse's cognitive framework, this could even be categorized as "hallucinations caused by excessive fatigue."

She shook her head vigorously, tossing her wet hair aside, trying to shake those unrealistic thoughts out of her mind.

"Whether there are people on the ground or not, what does it matter to me?" she told herself, forcibly sealing that shocking conjecture deep within her heart once again. For now, she was merely Snowflake, the sniper of the lighthouse, nothing more.

……

Meanwhile, the team from Dragonbone Village also silently embarked on their journey home.

Going in the opposite direction from the lighthouse convoy, their vehicles headed towards the hidden green valley.

The atmosphere inside the carriage was even more desolate than the desert. Lu Mingfei sat there blankly, his arms draped over his legs, staring vacantly at the floorboards, as if he could still see the blood splattered in the research institute, the desperate look in the eyes of the hunters before their deaths, and the image of the Devouring Beast he had killed falling to the ground.

The physical discomfort had subsided, but the psychological impact remained, like a brand, deeply etched into his soul.

This was the first time he had ever witnessed such a horrific death. Screams, blood, dismembered limbs—everything about him, a high school student who had grown up in a peaceful world, was like hell on earth.

Seeing his dejected state, Maiduo and Xiadou felt sorry for him and wanted to comfort him several times, but Suixing stopped them with her eyes.

Sui Xing shook his head slightly, his cool gaze conveying a clear message: this was a hurdle he had to overcome alone.

Facing death and ending one's own life is an unavoidable issue for survival in the apocalypse.

Any words of comfort seem inadequate at this moment; he needs time and space to process and understand this heavy burden.

Xu Tong focused on driving, occasionally glancing at Lu Mingfei through the rearview mirror, only letting out a silent sigh.

He could understand that a boy from a peaceful world who might never have even experienced fighting was suddenly thrown into such a bloody and cruel battlefield. It was already a testament to his strong will that he didn't break down on the spot.

The journey was silent, save for the roar of the engine and the sound of wheels rolling over the road. This long silence itself was a silent baptism.

When the familiar canyon entrance finally came into view, and the vehicle slowly drove into that pristine land enveloped by rock walls and vibrant life, a sense of relief, as if surviving a catastrophe, slightly dispelled the somber atmosphere in the car.

At the village entrance, several figures were already waiting. Bai Yuekui was still dressed in white, his posture upright and his expression calm.

Beside her stood the burly, resolute-faced Ulan Aodeng, and another calm, wise, and concerned old man—Xia Dou's father, Xia Tianlai.

As soon as the car came to a stop, Maiduo and Xiadou, like fledglings returning to their nest, immediately jumped out of the car and rushed towards their father.

"Daddy!" Maiduo's voice was filled with joy as she hugged Wulan Aodeng's strong arms tightly.

Ulan Aodeng's usually stern and scrutinizing eyes were now filled with undisguised worry. He looked his daughter up and down, then awkwardly patted her back with his large hand. "It's alright, it's alright."

On the other side, Xia Dou also crawled to Xia Tian's side. Xia Tian didn't say anything, but just rubbed his daughter's hair hard and carefully checked her for injuries, his eyes filled with deep fatherly love.

Xu Tong stepped forward and briefly reported the mission to Bai Yuekui and the two parents, emphasizing the unexpected encounter with the Lighthouse team and Lu Mingfei's shooting to save people.

All eyes turned to Lu Mingfei, who was still sitting in the car, looking dazed, and their eyes were filled with a complex worry.

Bai Yuekui raised her hand, stopping any potential questions or words of comfort from the crowd. Her voice was calm yet carried an undeniable authority: "The mission is complete, and everyone is back—that's the best outcome. You're all exhausted; go back and get some rest. We can talk tomorrow."

She walked to the car, looked at Lu Mingfei, and softened her voice: "Lu Mingfei, get out of the car, let's go home."

Lu Mingfei seemed to be startled awake. He raised his head blankly, looked at Bai Yuekui, and then at the familiar scenery around him before getting out of the car with somewhat stiff movements.

He didn't even greet Maiduo and the others, but silently followed behind Bai Yuekui, like a soulless shell.

Bai Yuekui didn't say much, but simply led him towards their neighboring residence.

Returning to that simple yet sheltered "home," Lu Mingfei didn't even bother to take off his dusty coat before collapsing onto the bed. Extreme mental exhaustion and emotional depletion instantly overwhelmed him, and he drifted into a dreamless slumber.

He didn't know how much time had passed when a slow, gentle knocking woke him from his deep sleep.

Outside the window, it was already evening. Lu Mingfei struggled to get up, opened the door, and stood Bai Yuekui with a calm expression.

"Awake? Come and eat." Her words were always so direct.

Lu Mingfei followed silently.

Bai Yuekui's residence was as simple as ever. Simple food was already laid out on the dining table, and the two sat facing each other and began to eat in silence.

Only after he had almost finished eating did Bai Yuekui put down his chopsticks and look at Lu Mingfei, his icy blue eyes seeming to see through people's hearts.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

Lu Mingfei paused, his hand holding the chopsticks still. He lowered his head, his voice hoarse: "...It was terrible. I...I saw many people die, they died horribly...I...I even fired a shot..."

"Fear, nausea, even regret are all normal." Bai Yuekui's tone was calm, offering neither comfort nor blame, but simply stating a fact. "This shows you haven't become numb; your heart is still alive. This is the first and most important lesson you need to learn in the end times—recognize the weight of life, whether it belongs to others or yourself."

She changed the subject and continued, "As for you shooting to save people... from a tactical point of view, it was reckless and disregarded the consequences, potentially putting the entire squad in danger."

Lu Mingfei lowered his head even further.

"However," Bai Yuekui's voice seemed to carry a faint, almost imperceptible warmth, "from a human perspective, you did the right thing. When you have the ability, choosing to reach out and help a fellow human being who is falling is the most shining thing in humanity. The existence of Dragon Bone Village is precisely to protect this humanity. Although I don't encourage you to be so impulsive next time, I also don't want you to completely lose this instinct."

Lu Mingfei raised his head, his eyes filled with confusion and struggle: "Boss Bai, I... I feel so useless. Seeing those things only makes me afraid... I don't want to be like this anymore. I don't want to be able to only watch helplessly next time, or... have to take risks to do anything. I want to become stronger, truly stronger!"

For the first time, a clear and intense desire to become stronger ignited in his eyes.

That was not a slogan born of momentary impulse, but a firm conviction that arose from the depths of one's heart after being tempered by blood and fire.

Bai Yuekui looked at the burning flame in his eyes, a slight smile on his lips, and nodded slightly: "Very good. With this thought, you have truly set foot on the land of this world. Want to become stronger? You can. I will teach you, and everyone in the village will help you. But the road must be walked step by step, and strength needs to be accumulated. Now, your task is to rest well, digest everything you have experienced today, and turn it into your own strength."

She stood up and began clearing the dishes: "Go home and get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow is another day."

Lu Mingfei nodded, stood up, and walked towards the door. His steps were still somewhat heavy, but his back was straighter.