Several buildings had already been devoured by flames, leaving only some broken walls and black traces.
The vehicles on the street had come to a complete halt, and the asphalt road had softened from the heat, flowing like molten lava.
the Survivors could only hide in shady areas, like a group of abandoned wild animals, searching for water and food.
Their clothes were soaked through, their bodies covered in sweat and dust, and some had even lost consciousness.
In this high-temperature environment, many creatures couldn’t survive; some withered grass and remaining trash emitted a nauseating smell.
The entire city had turned into a city of death, seemingly devoid of any hope or vitality.
In this apocalyptic scene, humans seemed to have lost hope for the future, merely waiting for death to arrive.
After arriving in Xin City, He Chao and Uncle went directly to the encampment in Xin City.
When they arrived, they saw Zhuzi with a high fever, Deng Ben was by his side using a towel to cool him down.
Hearing the noise, Deng Ben reflexively drew the gun from his waist.
"Don’t panic, it’s me," He Chao said immediately seeing Deng Ben’s movement.
Hearing this familiar voice, Deng Ben’s eyes filled with excitement and he shouted, "Captain!"
He Chao’s brows were deeply furrowed as he looked at Zhuzi lying on the ground, clearly suffering from heatstroke.
Uncle quickly stepped forward, helped Zhuzi up, and said to He Chao, "Let’s get him on the vehicle first, we can talk later."
He Chao snapped back to attention and helped lift Zhuzi into the vehicle.
The Unimog had a spacious interior; besides a four-seater sofa, there were also four single beds, one above the other, at the back.
Including the driver’s and co-driver’s seats,
at least ten people could be accommodated.
After letting Zhou and others take care of Zhuzi, Uncle turned to Deng Ben and asked, "Why couldn’t the walkie-talkie reach you? What happened?"
Deng Ben, pale-faced, replied, "The walkie-talkies malfunctioned yesterday. Zhuzi suddenly fainted this morning, possibly from heatstroke. We were just about to take him back to the base when you arrived."
"What about the others?" Uncle asked. Official source is novel⚑fire.net
"They’re upstairs, should I call them down?"
Uncle said solemnly, "Yes, call everyone down. We’re evacuating, everyone is leaving here, returning to Big Camphor Tree Base."
"Ah? Shouldn’t anyone stay behind?" Deng Ben was still bewildered.
"Yes, it’s too hot, and staying outside is too risky. Hurry up."
Without hesitation, Deng Ben ran out of the vehicle and then upstairs to call Shunzi and the others down.
"How is he now?" Uncle asked seeing Zhou give Zhuzi an IV of glucose water and feed him some medication.
"Heatstroke leading to heat exhaustion. Due to massive loss of water and electrolytes, plus high temperatures; we’re giving him fluids and heat-reducing drugs for now, and after we get back to the base, a few days of rest should be fine."
Though Zhou wasn’t a doctor, he had served on Qiong Island in previous years and was well-versed in these conditions.
Hearing Zhou’s explanation, Uncle slightly nodded, reassured.
Elsewhere, He Chao saw Deng Ben bringing Shunzi and the others down.
The faces of Shunzi and his group were filled with relief, apparently, Deng Ben had already told them about returning to the base.
They couldn’t wait to leave this hellish weather even for another second.
They packed up quickly; in less than two minutes, they were all aboard the vehicle.
For Extra Staff, apart from Xiao Jun and others, He Chao and his team, who frequently traveled outside, had always managed them.
While He Chao wasn’t in Xin City, the Extra Staff in contact with Big Camphor Tree Base were usually the ones stationed in Xin City.
After everyone boarded, Uncle said to Deng Ben:
"Take this walkie-talkie, try reaching out again. Notify all Extra Staff nearby to head to Big Camphor Tree Base.
Not just them, tell them to also bring along those nearby who know and frequently cooperate with the base."
Hearing Uncle’s instruction, Deng Ben was slightly stunned.
"For Extra Staff and those who only cooperate with the base, should we notify them too?"
"Don’t need to find everyone individually, just spread the word. Those who receive it will come; those who don’t, it’s up to their fate now. Three days. If they haven’t made it in three days, they won’t be able to get in."
His words conveyed a sense that something significant was about to happen.
Although Deng Ben didn’t know why those cooperating with the base should also be invited, he followed Uncle’s instructions.
Deng Ben adjusted the walkie-talkie to a specific channel, a frequency only Extra Staff could receive.
Deng Ben began broadcasting: "I am Deng Ben, if anyone hears this message, please respond, state your group number."
The Unimog was equipped with a repeater; anyone within twenty kilometers could receive the message.
Along with a fizzling sound of electricity,
voices came through the walkie-talkie.
"Group three, Zuo Ruxue, received."