Chapter 47: The Green Beetle

Chu Yunsheng looked up and saw that the one who was taken was actually the first person he had met, Zhang Zicheng.

At this moment, Zhang Zicheng struggled in terror, shouting for help, but he could not break free from the insect's hooks and was carried farther and farther away.

The machine gunner of Bus No. 1, as if startled, poured bullets towards the flying insect that had taken Zhang Zicheng. Chu Yunsheng didn't know if he was aiming at the insect or Zhang Zicheng!

The flying insect circled in the sky a few times, then bit through Zhang Zicheng's head, tore open his body, and casually dropped him. It then turned and pounced on the machine gunner of Bus No. 1, who was spraying flames!

"Don't shoot! Don't shoot!!!" Chu Yunsheng saw Zhong Nan jump onto Bus No. 1 from behind, lying on the roof, and shouting frantically.

It was too late by then. The flying insect seemed to have targeted the machine gunner, flying at high speed over everyone's heads, its hind legs slightly curved, carrying the machine gunner who screamed in terror.

Zhong Nan grabbed the battalion commander, who was about to take over the machine gun, and said solemnly, "Don't shoot!..."

The frenzied flying insect quickly tore apart the machine gunner and continued to circle at high speed, seemingly looking for a new target.

Zhong Nan muttered, "Let it kill. Once it's had enough, it will leave!"

Everyone was somewhat disheartened. Chu Yunsheng also understood Zhong Nan's meaning. With their current strength, they could not deal with such a brazen flying insect. It was simply too fast! One of the flying insects was only hit by several rockets from the ground troops because it was entangled with a helicopter. The other two flying insects kept diving and rising, making it impossible to hit them.

Chu Yunsheng knew that blind shooting would only anger these flying insects. From the habits of the red beetles, an angry insect was far more dangerous than a hunting insect. A hunting insect would usually leave after obtaining enough food, but an angry insect would do everything to eliminate the threat.

Chu Yunsheng pulled Yu Xiaohai and jumped off Bus No. 1. Staying on the roof at this moment was purely suicidal. The two of them sat on the ground next to the bus wheels.

The gunfire from other positions gradually stopped, as if everyone had tacitly accepted the flying insect's rampage. Except for the panicked screams when the flying insect dived and the cries for help from those who were taken, everyone fell into a heavy silence.

After devouring more than ten people, the remaining two flying insects spread their wings and flew away. The scattered crowd gradually gathered again, as if nothing had happened.

Zhong Nan was counting the number of people and casualties on the truck. Chu Yunsheng went over to show his face and then jumped off the truck. He wanted to go and see the flying insect that had been shot down. At the time, he only saw the flying insect fall but was not dead. The ground troops had to use a large amount of weapons and ammunition, along with the military's awakened warriors, to kill it.

When Chu Yunsheng arrived, the scene was already cordoned off by the military. He could only observe from the outside.

The flying insect was green, different from the red beetle, but its body was covered with a hard shell. There were signs of freezing on the insect's body, which was likely due to an ice attack by one of the military's awakened warriors. The shell was riddled with bullet holes of varying depths and a few small holes, indicating that even without its protective layer, the shell's defensive capability was still very high!

From his observations, the flying insect's attacks mainly came from the slightly curved hooks on its hind legs, the tearing of its front legs, and its long, sharp, saw-like mouth.

Chu Yunsheng was a bit uncertain, wondering if his battle armor could withstand such a flying insect.

Then, researchers from Dongshen University also arrived at the scene and began carefully dissecting the flying insect. Chu Yunsheng, recognized as a member of the school's guard team, was temporarily allowed to approach the insect's body.

The researchers named the flying insect the Green Beetle and conducted a detailed anatomical study of its physiological structure. During this process, one researcher was even burned by the liquid inside the Green Beetle.

Under the researchers' instructions, Chu Yunsheng pulled out the Qianbi Sword to test the strength of the shell. As expected, the Green Beetle's shell was much stronger than the red beetle's. Chu Yunsheng had to inject some yuan energy to split the green shell.

This result made Chu Yunsheng a bit discouraged, but fortunately, such flying insects seemed to be rare. Otherwise, if they were to swarm the sky, humans would have no means of resistance.

Chu Yunsheng returned to the truck in a foul mood. The dramatic internal conflict had ended just as dramatically. Almost everyone was dejected, and a heavy gloom hung over everyone, making it hard to breathe.

Qian Dede had been severely reprimanded by Zhong Nan and was now sitting in a corner, sighing. Yu Xiaohai was hiding nearby, diligently practicing his abilities, possibly stimulated by the flying insects. However, Chu Yunsheng hoped he would continue to do so.

The truck started up again and moved slowly, bumping along. Chu Yunsheng closed his eyes to meditate, absorbing yuan energy.

A day of cultivation had left him somewhat fatigued. Just as he was dozing off, he vaguely heard Qian Dede's rustling voice. Chu Yunsheng opened his eyes alertly. The members of the fourth and fifth groups had gathered together, and Yu Xiaohai was calling him over.

The sky's faint light had completely faded, and it was probably night in the sunlight era. Chu Yunsheng checked his watch; it was around 11 PM.

Qian Dede had regained some of his spirit and whispered, "Shh! Brother Chu, the food processing plant is nearby. We're about to act. Everyone will get off the truck one by one, quietly, without making any noise. Zhou Tingyun, you stay on the truck to prevent the captain from looking for us."

"Why do I have to stay on the truck again?" Zhou Tingyun said unhappily.

Qian Dede put on an air of authority and whispered, "Of course, it's you. Who else has the lowest ability and hasn't recovered yet? Can you run away if you encounter danger?" He then comforted her, "You stay and cover for us. We'll definitely give you a share when we return. You can get something without taking risks. Where else can you find such a good deal?"

Zhou Tingyun bit her lip and said excitedly, "I knew you all look down on me!"

Qian Dede frowned and threatened, "Are you with us or not, Zhou Tingyun? If you don't listen to me, go to Qin Heng's group. We don't need you in our fifth group!"

Zhou Tingyun deflated and reluctantly nodded, muttering, "Fine, I won't go. What's the big deal..."

Chu Yunsheng heard her last words clearly, though no one else did. He didn't understand what was wrong with Zhou Tingyun's head. She clearly knew how dangerous this was and that it could cost her life. Why did she insist on going? Qian Dede had already promised to give her a share when they returned. Was she still unsatisfied? Did she want to get more?

Chu Yunsheng thought to himself: Human hearts are indeed greedy, especially in times when food is as valuable as life.

However, he didn't say anything and followed the others, quietly jumping off the truck. At this moment, few people were still on the move; most were exhausted and lying on the ground resting. Apart from a few scattered campfires, the surroundings were very quiet.

Qian Dede had somehow obtained a night vision device, a domestic military product, and led the way. The others followed one by one through the dim crowd.

The black factory processed bread and was located near an overpass on the outer ring road.

After leaving the crowd for a distance, the surroundings were plunged into darkness. Jiang Ye had to turn on a flashlight, and with the weak light, everyone cautiously moved forward.

They didn't encounter any insects along the way, which Chu Yunsheng thought was normal. If there were insects nearby, they would have been attracted by the distant crowd long ago.

Finally, they reached the overpass. At that moment, a light appeared on the horizon. Yu Xiaohai touched Chu Yunsheng and whispered, "Brother Chu, look over there!"

Chu Yunsheng pulled down his mask and saw a large group of glowing flying creatures, like fireflies in summer, illuminating a small patch of the sky with a bright red glow. In the dark world, it looked incredibly magnificent.

"What is that?" Qian Dede crouched down and asked nervously.

Chu Yunsheng shook his head; who knew what it was!

"Look! What's under those things?" Yao Xiang of the fourth group almost shouted, but Jiang Ye quickly covered his mouth. Insects were more sensitive to sound than to light.

Chu Yunsheng strained his eyes and saw the glowing flying creatures flying farther and farther away, about to disappear on the horizon. Under the bright red glow, a huge "tree"-shaped plant was reflected, though its exact appearance was unclear. Its height far exceeded all the surrounding buildings. This was definitely not something that existed in the sunlight era, and Chu Yunsheng had never heard of such a terrifying tree near Shen City.

Everyone looked at each other, stunned. The world seemed to be becoming increasingly strange and complex with the sudden appearance of these unfamiliar creatures.

Chu Yunsheng pushed Qian Dede and said, "Stop thinking and hurry up and find the stuff!"

Everyone snapped out of their amazement and quickly circled around to a red brick house under the overpass. The surroundings were barren and empty.

Qian Dede clearly knew the place well and quickly found the main entrance, probably because he had worked there for a long time.

"Initial observation: no insects, no people!" Qian Dede observed with the night vision device and gave an OK sign.

However, the gate to the yard was open, and everyone's hearts sank, fearing that someone had already ransacked the place!

Qian Dede frowned and pressed against the wall to enter.

Although the night vision device showed no insects, Chu Yunsheng, who had been tricked by it in a supermarket, no longer trusted it. The group members probably knew this too, as they had a dedicated research department working day and night. Therefore, everyone was still very cautious.

Qian Dede led the way straight to the warehouse, which was small and somewhat desolate.

Chu Yunsheng followed Qian Dede. The warehouse was behind the workshop. After rounding the workshop, they reached the warehouse door.

Seeing the warehouse door closed, Qian Dede breathed a sigh of relief and was about to go over.

Suddenly, Chu Yunsheng sensed a surge of yuan energy and a cold aura nearby. He was startled and pulled Qian Dede back, exclaiming, "Be careful!"

Before he could finish speaking, a white-clad woman appeared at the warehouse door, surrounded by intense ice energy. She glanced at Chu Yunsheng and the others, then lightly leaped onto the roof and quickly disappeared from their sight.

Her speed was comparable to Chu Yunsheng's when he activated his battle armor!

"Who was that!?" Jiang Ye, who was following Chu Yunsheng and only saw a shadow, asked nervously.