Apocalypse Survival: Starting with a Shelter

Leaving the Mylac Grand Canyon and heading another hundred kilometers west, Su Wu arrived at the Glimmer Plains.

The Glimmer Plains were a fertile stretch of land surrounded by deserts, rocky terrains, and mountains, once known as the "Jiangnan of the Desert." With a favorable climate, abundant water sources, and a thriving agricultural system, it was also a leader in oil and gas production in the region.

Had it not been nearly 2,000 kilometers away from Jianghe City, Su Wu might have considered establishing a secondary base here.

Now, seeing the plains in person, Su Wu found the environment to be even better than he had imagined.

The radiation levels were effectively zero, with no visible signs of pollution. The air temperature had dropped to a tolerable 62 degrees Celsius, a stark contrast to Jianghe City's 90 degrees. It was nothing short of a paradise in the apocalypse.

What truly astonished Su Wu, however, was the sight of a lake.

Despite the relentless heat, the lake hadn't dried up. Even the deeper waters remained at temperatures similar to those before the apocalypse.

"The ecosystem beneath the lake seems largely intact."

Controlling his reconnaissance drone, Su Wu flew it over the vast, shimmering surface of the lake. Through the high-resolution camera, he observed schools of fish swimming leisurely in the crystal-clear waters.

For a moment, he doubted he was still in the apocalypse.

Regardless, the vibrant scenery filled him with a rare sense of peace.

Su Wu parked the base vehicle by the lake. Days of long-distance travel had significantly depleted the vehicle's water reserves. While still sufficient for survival, continuing to indulge in daily baths would soon strain the supply.

This was the perfect opportunity to replenish the reserves and restore the water tanks to full capacity.

While refilling the tanks, Su Wu discovered something surprising—there was a network signal here. Even more astonishingly, he could access a local television channel.

This was remarkable. Even in bustling Chongzhou City, with its underground shelter housing over 40 million people, there was no functioning television station—only a basic internal network for communication.

Intrigued, Su Wu tuned into the channel.

"This is the Breaking Moon Festival live broadcast.

"Our chefs have just finished roasting the freshly slaughtered cattle and sheep.

"Now, we'll randomly select one lucky viewer to decide the contest format for today's seventh batch of contestants.

"The winner will enjoy unlimited roasted meat tonight!"

The host's enthusiastic voice, accompanied by the sound of drums and cheers, filled the screen. The atmosphere was lively and festive.

Su Wu focused on the scene.

On-screen, a group of men and women in various traditional costumes stood between roaring bonfires over two meters high, their expressions a mix of anticipation and nervousness as they looked toward the host.

Their vibrant demeanor and optimistic spirits stood in stark contrast to the survivors Su Wu had seen in Jianghe City—those who toiled day after day in cramped, dark shelters for meager rations. It was as though they lived in entirely different worlds.

Curious, Su Wu took out his phone and called the program's hotline to participate in the draw.

It didn't take long for his number to be selected.

"Let's see who our lucky viewer is.

"Oh, it's an out-of-town number—from Jianghe City, no less.

"I recall that's nearly 2,000 kilometers away!"

The host's surprise was evident as he quickly connected the call.

"Hello, this is the Breaking Moon Festival live broadcast. Are you a recent settler in the Glimmer Plains? Your number suggests you haven't switched to a local one yet."

"No, I just arrived today. I was refilling water at the lake when I happened to see your program."

Su Wu's voice, amplified by the host's microphone, echoed across the festival site, eliciting a collective gasp from the crowd.

"A visitor from so far away at a time like this must be a fearless warrior!"

The host, though shocked, maintained his professional composure and eagerly asked, "Can we see the vehicle you traveled in?"

"Of course," Su Wu replied, accepting the host's request for a video call.

He adjusted the camera to show his control panel, the hovering crystal pyramid, and the panoramic view of the lake outside.

"That's Lanca Point on Glimmer Lake! It's directly across the lake from our festival site," the host exclaimed, instantly recognizing Su Wu's location.

He then focused on Su Wu's futuristic control panel, which resembled the cockpit of a spaceship.

"This cockpit looks so advanced. No wonder you were able to cross such a vast distance to reach us."

As the conversation continued, the program's audience numbers skyrocketed. News of the call spread rapidly, prompting people to pause their work or gather around televisions and phones to watch.

In this isolated world where the internet was scarce, people were eager to catch a glimpse of what lay beyond their sheltered lives.

Su Wu, relaxed, treated the exchange as casual banter to satisfy his curiosity. Through the host, he learned that beneath the Glimmer Plains lay a massive natural cavern, large enough to house the entire population. The cavern also supported underground farms and livestock facilities.

In addition to this, the lake provided supplementary food resources, ensuring the residents' lives were virtually unchanged from pre-apocalypse days.

The abundance of resources fostered not only material wealth but also a spirit of generosity and peace. Since the apocalypse began, not a single major crime had been reported in the Glimmer Plains shelter, making it even more tranquil than before.

"So, the outside world has become

this harsh—storms, earthquakes, radiation, droughts, one after another."

(End of Chapter)