Capítulo 119: Chapter 119: Lin Feng lv25, Decision to Explore Alone
With the lv25 Armor-Piercing Railgun in hand and the lv25 Flying Tiger Armor boasting a defense of 400, Lin Feng felt confident navigating the city freely. The towering buildings would effectively block threats from the sky, like the Cyan Wing Bugs and the Tier 2 Wind Wing Bugs Lin Feng had been wary of.
Especially the latter, whose rapid dives outpaced Lin Feng's reaction time. Only by preemptively activating the bullet time attribute could he spot the Wind Wing Bugs.
But within the city, the skyscrapers that previously shielded the Tiger Bugs' retreat would now serve as Lin Feng's refuge, negating the need for battleship protection.
Standing at the bow of the battleship, Lin Feng gazed at the distant Jia City, taking a deep breath before checking his status panel:
"Lin Feng, lv22/29, Upgrading"
"Health 320, Physique 320, Spirit 345"
After upgrading the Armor-Piercing Cannon, Lin Feng initiated his personal upgrade.
His strength was crucial for the upcoming city exploration, as the gap between late and early Tier 2 was notably larger than in Tier 1.
The lv23 upgrade completed swiftly:
"Lin Feng, lv23/29"
"Health 370, Physique 370, Spirit 395"
Lin Feng's physical prowess now surpassed any early Tier 2 Tiger Bug. With the Flying Tiger Armor, he could barehandedly kill an early-stage Tiger Bug.
Without pause, Lin Feng planned to commence the next phase of his upgrade after a hearty meal.
Inside the battleship's living quarters, Lin Feng shared his plan to explore Jia City with Chen Yanyan, who was preparing lunch in the kitchen.
With a pot of single-soldier rations warming up, a bit of seasoning turned it into a homely meal, similar to what the soldiers ate. But under Chen Yanyan's magical culinary skills, the taste and flavor were elevated.
After hearing Lin Feng's plan, she approached with a pot of stew, considering before agreeing:
"You're right, infiltrating a city of millions with just us is like a drop in the ocean..."
"We'd be exposed by the queen, facing threats from all sides like before."
"The battleship stands out too much. With your armor's flight ability, you're not worried about retreating in the city. But what about the others?"
"Should they retreat first, or stay near the Land Cruiser Battleship? Too far, and their weapons won't work. If a swarm attacks, a single battleship's firepower won't suffice..."
Lin Feng nodded. Their previous venture into Jia City barely advanced three to four kilometers, still ten kilometers from the city center...
Even on the outskirts, they nearly fell into an insect ambush. If the Tier 2 Tiger Bugs had emerged from beneath them...
The Land Cruiser Battleship and Lin Feng himself would bear severe damage, and the other vehicles and team members would face serious harm.
Even with Lin Feng's warning, they'd be encircled and overwhelmed by Black Spinal Bugs, ultimately annihilated by Tiger Bugs' jaws.
Lin Feng initially considered having Li Ran and the others provide outside support, but with Shen Jie's imminent Tier 2 awakening, they'd lose his combat power and need extra protection.
This left the already weakened team even more short-handed.
After deliberating, Lin Feng chose the latter:
"Alright, let them retreat for now."
"This queen seems scared, unwilling to engage us on the outskirts, not seeking revenge..."
"It's weaker than the Haicheng queen. With few Tier 2 subordinates, this might be our chance to learn more about the insects."
Chen Yanyan nodded, smiling:
"I'll stay, maneuver the battleship around Jia City's outskirts, occasionally firing to distract the insects and cover your infiltration."
Lin Feng agreed. With Chen Yanyan's consent, the plan was set.
Previous experiences showed the Land Cruiser Battleship couldn't enter the city without causing significant damage. Lin Feng needed a backup plan, with the battleship ready to assist from outside.
Chen Yanyan's role in covering his actions was crucial, so her agreement was necessary.
Thankfully, aside from worrying about Lin Feng's safety, Chen Yanyan usually prioritized her man's decisions.
With the afternoon plans set, Chen Yanyan ate a bit of lunch, gazing at the distant, worn city...
Suddenly, she noticed something and asked:
"Lin Feng, why is Jia City, though overrun by insects, still intact..."
"Even without resistance, it shouldn't be so unscathed..."
"Remember Haicheng? When we fled, many buildings were damaged, especially with the burrowing for insect tunnels, causing surface collapses, road cracks, and building tilts or collapses..."
Lin Feng put down his bowl, following her gaze outside. He recalled the scene at Haicheng University, where thousands of Red Beetles gathered on the square, fervently digging the queen's emergence pit.
Cities like Jia City, remaining unchanged after occupation, were indeed rare.
In coastal cities, regardless of resistance, insect destruction left them scarred, as seen in online videos.
Jia City's state was unprecedented.
Lin Feng shrugged, proposing an explanation:
"Maybe this queen is too weak, lacking forces to destroy the city, or it passed through without establishing a large nest."
Chen Yanyan nodded. She was slightly worried about Lin Feng's risky decision, hoping to detect danger from details, preventing accidents in the city.
"I'm not worried about Tiger Bugs or Wind Wing Bugs, but the parasitic host you mentioned, the psychic Tier 2..."
Chen Yanyan extended her hand, controlling the battleship to open a window:
"Psychic abilities differ from physical attacks, manipulating energy invisibly and mysteriously..."
"A misstep could easily fall into its trap."
Lin Feng focused, nodding solemnly.
Chen Yanyan was right. Rare psychic Tier 2 insects like parasitic hosts were the real threats.
Facing the parasitized Cheng Zhan, Lin Feng experienced a brief lapse due to its sudden psychic attack.
Thankfully, he neutralized the Tiger Bug threat beforehand. Had he encountered psychic attacks in close combat, even a half-second lapse...
In life-or-death battles, such moments could be fatal!
Fortunately, after killing a Tier 2 parasitic host, Lin Feng gained a permanent 30-point mental boost, reducing interference with focused concentration.
Having eaten his fill, Lin Feng kissed Chen Yanyan, offering reassurance before returning to the bedroom.
Preparing for his lv24 upgrade.
A surge of heat flowed from the weapon into his body, akin to Tier 2 awakening energy, coursing through him.
With nearly 400 attribute points, Lin Feng's strong physique withstood the transformation.
Half an hour later, Lin Feng opened his eyes...
Pleased with the results:
"Lin Feng, lv24/29"
"Health 470, Physique 470, Spirit 495"
"Note: From lv24 onwards, base attribute increase per upgrade is 100, breakthrough values can be inherited."
This upgrade addressed human genetic deficiencies, aligning with insect upgrades.
Post-mid-Tier 2, human and insect physique gaps would narrow with level increases.
Few knew this yet.
Awakeners like Lin Feng, rocketing through levels, were unparalleled on Blue Star.
Chen Yanyan emerged from the bathroom, clad only in a towel, climbing onto the bed, placing a hand on Lin Feng's chest:
"Feeling excited after killing those bugs?"
Lin Feng grinned, initiating his final lv25 upgrade.
...
At 2 PM, the soldiers rested, the city remained eerily quiet, devoid of life except for occasional insect stench.
No insect retaliation or swarms were seen through scopes.
The anomaly worried the already wary team.
Insects never stopped until goals were met, especially against invaders, even at great cost.
This was evident in Wu City's defense, yet Jia City's insects seemed timid, challenging perceptions...
Were high-tier insects diverse like humans?
Each with unique traits and behaviors.
Tier 2 insects displayed human-like intelligence, with queen's mental values rivaling a small truck, comparable to humans.
Seeing the insects cower underground, Li Ran and other leaders worried if Lin Feng would order a reckless push into the insect tunnels.
Past city ventures led to encirclement, sparing lives but injuring over ten, including a soldier losing a leg.
A step too slow, bitten by a Black Spinal Bug, saved by lv9 Red Armor.
His thigh suffered a compound fracture, muscles shredded, relying on armor to hold it together.
Losing over ten percent combat power in one battle was a heavy blow for the hundred-strong company.
Li Ran believed they should fight in open areas, leveraging high-damage shotguns or vehicles to harass swarms.
New recruits, armed but inexperienced in urban combat, needed training for caution and reflexes.
Injuries stemmed from close-range shotgun fire, causing self-inflicted explosions.
Awakeners' durability and lv9 Red Armor saved them.
If confined corridors were tough, insect tunnels would severely limit heavy firepower.
If Lin Feng planned a tunnel assault, Li Ran would oppose.
With no reinforcements, losing the hard-won awakeners was unacceptable.
Cheng Zhan's case made Li Ran wary of possible traitors.
Lin Feng surprised everyone, saying:
"There are two possibilities: first, high-tier insects vary; this one is scared and stays hidden."
"Second, they've set a trap in the city, waiting for us."
"Either way, our soldiers aren't suited for this fight."
"They're too weak. Though this battle strengthened them, many reached mid or late Tier 1."
"But they're far from enduring intense close combat. Post-Wu City, we'll retreat to Jin City..."
"A metropolis of millions."
"Our soldiers will face countless urban battles."
"If they don't grow, insect jaws will teach them to fight."
"That's it for today. Withdraw."
Li Ran paused, agreeing with Lin Feng but sensing he wouldn't return with them.
"And you?"
Lin Feng looked at the quiet Jia City:
"This queen might soon reach Taihu for water and attack Jin City."
"I want to understand its attack patterns and strength."
"Maybe tomorrow, we'll return."
"Invade Jia City's depths, kill more Tier 2 insects, and elevate our elite."
Nodding to Zhang Liying, representing Shen Jie, Lin Feng ended the meeting.
He followed her to Shen Jie's resting SUV.
The lv22 Tiger Bug corpse Shen Jie killed was nearby.
Shen Jie lay on a mattress in the SUV, black armor and bulging veins on his face.
His upgrade seemed unique.
Lin Feng had little experience; natural Tier 2 awakeners were rare in the Federation, excluding gene modifications.
Tier 2 awakening greatly impacted abilities. Lin Feng's copy ability saw minor changes, making his awakening less apparent.
For Shen Jie, whose assimilation greatly altered his body, even transforming him into an insect...
Tier 2 awakening might change internal organs.
Zhang Liying explained Shen Jie's awakening wasn't voluntary; accumulated energy grew active with eating—
Eventually, it erupted around one, causing fainting. Zhang Liying panicked, helping him to the car.
Lin Feng reassured her; physical awakenings weren't dangerous. Surviving initial integration eased the process.
A team was assigned to assist Zhang Liying in protecting Shen Jie. Lin Feng watched the convoy of thirty vehicles and trucks vanish down the highway...
Then prepared to leave.
Before departing, Chen Yanyan handed Lin Feng a shotgun replica:
"You need this more than me, take it."
Lin Feng accepted, slinging it over his shoulder, tapping her arm guard:
"Remember to wear the Red Xuan Armor outside. Remember the man who died before us."
Patting her shoulder, he jumped off the battleship.
Clad in black-red armor, Chen Yanyan lifted her visor, watching Lin Feng walk away, calling:
"Don't forget to meet my family and Rain Rou."
Lin Feng waved without turning back, signaling her to return.
His first solo mission, deep in insect territory, worried Chen Yanyan. In the cockpit, she wiped her tears...
Focused, preparing to cover Lin Feng.
Elsewhere, avoiding detection by hidden insects, Lin Feng sped up, reviewing his final upgraded attributes:
"Lin Feng, lv25/29"
"Health 570, Physique 570, Spirit 595"
His powerful physique let him run over 150 meters per second, faster than a Tier 1 Cyan Wing Bug.
Though slower than Wind Wing Bugs, he outpaced bulky Tiger Bugs.
Even if the Flying Tiger Armor's flight mode was limited in tunnels, Lin Feng could escape with his legs' explosive power...
With this in mind, he slowed, using telepathy to carefully approach the city's depths...
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