Chen Yanyan used her mental power to control the accelerator and brake while keeping her hands on the steering wheel to maintain direction. This approach allowed her to practice her abilities while minimizing mental energy consumption.
Before leaving the service area, she caught a glimpse through the rearview mirror of a mysterious woman partially visible through the window of a luxury camper.
Thanks to her Lv10 awakening, having just crossed into the first-tier threshold, Chen Yanyan possessed excellent vision, able to discern facial details from 100-200 meters away.
She quickly recognized the woman with sunglasses as the national goddess and top-tier celebrity, Jiang Yuner.
It was Chen Yanyan's first time seeing such a high-profile star in person. Although she had worked as an assistant for Lin Youzhi and encountered some second- and third-tier celebrities at a villa in Haicheng's suburbs, top-tier stars were never bound by their agencies.
Jiang Yuner was such a superstar.
Even media capitalists scrambled to provide her with resources.
Although Lin Feng had mentioned this, encountering such a celebrity near her home surprised Chen Yanyan.
Jiang Yuner was even more stunning in real life than on screen, making Chen Yanyan, who prided herself on her looks, feel inferior.
What surprised her more was Lin Feng's lack of interest and even disdain for Jiang Yuner's uninvited presence.
On the way to Haicheng's suburbs, Chen Yanyan, who had been holding back, finally spoke after Lin Feng finished arranging the trunk:
"Did you see the woman in that camper? The window lowered, revealing half her face."
After leaving the service area, Lin Feng had set the three autocannons from the trunk on the camper's second-floor lookout.
Covered with a tarp when not in use, the cannons could be raised and the iron cover lifted for rapid, all-around fire during combat.
This setup was specifically for Chen Yanyan to enhance the camper's attack capacity, transforming it from a support vehicle into a multifunctional combat vehicle, greatly boosting combat potential.
Lin Feng inspected the autocannons, which were inherently red-quality offensive items, albeit worn from battle.
Though Qin Hu agreed to provide heavy weaponry, he couldn't requisition new equipment from the armory.
For the Wu City battle, the frontline's integrity was paramount, necessitating the discreet delivery of used gear.
Fortunately, any item in Lin Feng's possession could be restored to pristine condition with a single upgrade, clearing its wear.
These three battle-worn autocannons had fired thousands of shells, collectively enough to meet the upgrade point requirements with their kill tally.
Thus, with a simple gesture, Lin Feng upgraded the autocannons from Lv10 to Lv11, restoring them completely.
Despite increased damage, they lacked the extra attributes of bound equipment.
Many special functions couldn't be replicated on items without the system's support, and even then, at a cost.
For instance, the Red Armor Shield's shield and absolute defense forms consumed upgrade reserves.
Only cross-tier upgrades could lift some restrictions.
The autocannons' attribute limitations were expected. Lin Feng, observing the three Lv11 autocannons with 60 damage, required two to three precise shots to kill a Black Spinal Bug, yet he wasn't disappointed, instead devising a plan.
After preparations, Lin Feng cleaned his oily hands and returned to the driver's seat.
Chen Yanyan's sudden question about the pre-departure incident caught Lin Feng off guard, but he replied bluntly:
"Because it's troublesome."
"Especially women like her, who are more trouble than they're worth."
"I'm someone who dreads trouble. When we first met, I worried you'd be a hassle. Fortunately, you proved that while not particularly useful, you wouldn't cause trouble."
"So, I brought you along."
"As for that celebrity, what's her name..."
He explained while surveying the roadside.
Chen Yanyan reminded him:
"Jiang Yuner, a top-tier Federation and world-class superstar."
"Her unaltered face is exceptionally beautiful, inspiring many women and celebrities to undergo minor surgeries to resemble her."
Lin Feng shook his head:
"It's not about looks. In these chaotic times, beauty doesn't fill bellies. Even the powerful in Haicheng became insignificant overnight. Those who escaped lost their status without Haicheng."
"This is an era where strength matters. With the alien bugs accelerating their invasion, this trend will only intensify."
"We must develop quickly, not waste time currying favor with some big shot."
"Unless it offers concrete help, like Hu Fei's business or Qin Hu's friendship, it's a pointless drain."
"Don't be misled by the filters crafted in peacetime. Work hard, and you might be the future global superstar, Chen Yanyan."
Chen Yanyan nodded thoughtfully after Lin Feng's explanation.
Abandoning past notions, she felt a twinge of joy, as Lin Feng's equal treatment of other women strengthened her position.
Clearly, ability outweighed appearance.
With Lin Feng's protection and support, her future might indeed hold precious opportunities for global recognition.
Strong enough, people would flock to celebrate and spread her illustrious deeds.
Adjusting her mindset, Chen Yanyan aligned with Lin Feng, focusing on driving.
Soon, 40 kilometers from the service area, Lin Feng detected insect activity. The emergency lanes were dotted with dirt mounds from Red Armor Bugs' tunnels.
These low-level worker bugs tirelessly expanded the insects' habitat, outpacing human industrial efficiency.
Two kilometers further, three kilometers from the toll station, they spotted numerous Red Armor Bugs devouring grass and trees.
In just 24 hours, they had scoured the vast area behind, leaving barren land.
At this rate, the insects would tunnel to Wu City's outskirts within ten days.
From the city's skyscrapers, swarms would be visible skirting the urban edge.
Just like the situation Lin Feng and Chen Yanyan faced—a patrol of 20 Black Spinal Bugs appeared on the highway, simultaneously noticing the camper.
Following Lin Feng's instructions, Chen Yanyan quickly turned the vehicle, firing at the suddenly appearing bugs with her divine handgun.
The Lv9 divine handgun, with only 40 damage, sparked on the Black Spinal Bugs' shells. Neither the fast bullets nor the fragments could harm them, only provoking their aggression.
Recognizing the threat, the Black Spinal Bugs, led by several Lv13 soldier bugs, charged the armored camper.
Ingrained in their genes, soldier bugs instinctively attacked all intruders.
While Chen Yanyan responded, Lin Feng moved to the second-floor lookout, smiling at the pursuing Black Spinal Bugs.
He didn't draw his Lv16 autocannon, instead raising an Lv11 regular autocannon.
Confirming no Wind Wing Bugs overhead, Lin Feng aimed at the lead soldier bugs' limbs through the scope.
Targeting their legs, he opened fire.
With 60 damage, the shots pierced the sharp limbs.
Breaking a Black Spinal Bug's leg slowed or immobilized it, fulfilling Lin Feng's mission objective.
Soon, with Chen Yanyan's evasive maneuvers, the relentless 20 Black Spinal Bugs lay on the road.
Not yet dead, they wouldn't attract other insect inspections.
Lin Feng returned to the driver's seat, directing Ch
en Yanyan to drive the Lv12 armored camper over the crippled bugs.
The upgrade points for the Lv13 camper lay ahead.
Nowhere to run.