I transformed into a cute girl and lived a carefree life in the apocalypse.

Luther growled and cursed, removing the illusory image behind him and returning to his previous ancient appearance.

He ultimately didn't dare to actually make a move. Yan Shan's calm and composed attitude made him uneasy, so he chose to swallow his anger.

"Hehe, you flatter me, I'm just being shrewd."

Looking at Luther's disheveled state and the cane that had almost been split in two, Yan Shan even wanted to burst into laughter. This time, their losses were incalculable, and they had paid the price for their previous arrogance and unreasonableness.

However, he didn't laugh out loud. After all, he had to save face for others. It wouldn't be good if they got angry and made some reckless orders in a fit of rage.

Luther, looking grim, flew directly to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier of the Seventh Fleet, ordered the loading of the Sea Serpent's carcass, and the semi-submersible ship returned home with the Seventh Fleet.

The massive Seventh Fleet, with dozens of ships turning in unison, created a spectacular scene, with white spray covering the entire sea surface.

"We'll remember this incident, and we hope you won't regret it later!"

"Take care, I'll take whatever you throw at me!" Yan Shan said boldly, while secretly planning how to defend against the United States' retaliatory actions.

It would be nothing more than economic sanctions or joining forces with other countries to contain and blockade China. However, China's economy is currently extremely strong, and the United States would not fare well if it were to impose economic sanctions.

Joining forces with other countries to contain China is not a good option either. Not to mention that China is about to surpass the United States in international prestige, didn't they also grow to where they are today amidst the encirclement and containment by many powers in the past?

The so-called first and second island chains have become meaningless with China's development, and the blockade against China by the United States and its allies, which cost hundreds of billions of dollars, has collapsed on its own.

Despite technological blockades, generations of Chinese people have worked hard and overcome numerous obstacles to achieve something from nothing, and even surpassed others in some fields.

The more they were blocked, the stronger they became. China's industrial system was forced into the form that the United States least wanted to see—100% complete and comprehensive.

"Don't get too cocky. There's an old Chinese saying, 'There's plenty of time.' You won't keep winning forever!" Hyde flew onto the aircraft carrier, not forgetting to throw out a harsh remark.

Lansenk had all disappeared. Fearing being surrounded and beaten to a pulp by Yan Shan and his men, he dared not linger and fled far away with their ships carrying the sea serpent corpses.

Qin Tianhai approached Yan Shan and said unwillingly:

"Just let them go?"

"What else do you want? Kill them? Then the whole world will be covered in mushrooms!"

"Well... it's quite strange that Russia didn't take any action this time."

As one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, Russia is extremely powerful and even more active than China in some major international affairs, yet it has not sought to gain a share of the spoils.

"Perhaps it's because Youming and the others didn't inform the Russians... or maybe it's about the winter counter-offensive."

Speaking of Russia, it's quite a peculiar country.

Russia, formerly the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, was the first socialist country in the history of the world. It not only brought a brand-new enlightenment education to China in terms of culture and ideology, but also supported the development of China's light and heavy industries.

Although the two sides had some disagreements on national policies, which led to armed conflict, they later joined forces with China, which was still developing in a state of treacherousness, to avoid a second collapse under the encirclement of the United States and a group of Western powers.

At the same time, they also had an extremely strong president who dealt with all conflicts with allies such as the United States of America with tough measures, laying a solid foundation for Russia's future.

The Chinese people nowadays call him the Great Emperor.

Because of the apocalypse, rampant mutated species, and Russia's excessive strategic depth leading to the dispersal of its forces, most of Russia's territory fell. Russia, which should have perished overnight, did not collapse under the leadership of the Great, but instead became stronger with each setback.

They still live like their ancestors, drinking vodka, eating black bread, and fighting against mutated species in the icy and snowy environment.

Just like during World War II, the cold weather served as a line of defense against external enemies, and also as the biggest obstacle for mutated species.

Thanks to the tactics developed during World War II in snowy and icy conditions, the Russian army was able to defeat the mutant species in such weather and reclaim large swathes of lost territory.

Then, as the weather warmed up, they were driven back by the mutated species, losing large swathes of territory. The international community had become accustomed to this, and even their own people were no exception.

However, their actions were not without purpose. Every year, taking advantage of the weather, they were able to obtain a large number of crystal cores at a very small cost, and even a considerable amount of obsidian.

Sometimes, they would invite China, a neighboring country, to provide support. The method of payment was simple and straightforward: the crystal cores dropped by the mutated species killed by China would belong to China.

With such favorable conditions, China has no reason not to accept. As long as Russia invites them, they will definitely go. Right now, they are short of crystal cores, and they even want to sign up enthusiastically!

In the fight against mutated species, China and Russia have maintained a high degree of consistency in their attitudes, and their all-weather strategic partnership has been perfectly demonstrated through such joint actions.

Now, with winter approaching, they are about to launch a counter-offensive. In order to avoid provoking the Chinese side, they should choose to endure for the time being.

Anyway, the sea serpent's corpse isn't of much use to them for the time being, so they might as well muster their energy and prepare for the next wave of crystal core harvesting!

Yan Shan refused to believe that the Underworld Society hadn't informed Russia, another of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, about such a major event. He could even sow discord between them, killing two birds with one stone.

"Alright, let's go back too. Everyone, pay attention, we're heading home!"

Qin Tianhai gave the order, and all the Chinese warships turned around, their momentum only slightly less than that of the United States fleet from before.

However, in an unknown corner of the deserted island, a pair of chilling eyes, as cold as ice, were watching them...

Chapter Ninety-Two: Ambush

The vast ocean holds countless treasures, but it also harbors numerous dangers.

There is a saying circulating among the people.

Even if humanity can leave Earth and venture into outer space, conquering the ocean will still be a very difficult task.

On this vast sea, teeming with endless dangers, a massive fleet sails, with the Stars and Stripes flying from the masts of each ship, symbolizing the identity of this glorious fleet.

United States Seventh Fleet.

In the command room of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, there were three people. One of them was Eisen, the original commander of the carrier, a vice admiral, a military bigwig, an eighth-level superhuman, and the head of a large conglomerate, surrounded by numerous honors.

Despite his noble status, he didn't dare to breathe loudly in front of the other two, bowing and scraping without daring to disobey.

Those two people were naturally Luther and Hyde, two ninth-tier powerhouses.

Ninth-tier powerhouses are revered throughout the nation, and there are only a dozen or so in the entire world. If you include some who are not registered, the conservative estimate is around twenty.

Each of them is a pillar of the nation, renowned for their prestige, and given that they are all top military leaders, it is perfectly normal for Eisen to be so respectful.

However, the faces of these two ninth-level experts were very ugly, filled with indescribable resentment. The energy fluctuations emanating from their unstable emotions made the space inside the command room seem to solidify, making it difficult to breathe.

Eisen roughly guessed what had happened.

It was simply because he was at a disadvantage in the naval confrontation with China just now. Not only did he waste a lot of money, but I also heard that the number one man in the United States had his personal weapon destroyed by Yan Shan.

It's best not to provoke them...

As an eighth-level ability user, he was already at the pinnacle of many ability users, but if he angered these two, he would still die, and no one could save him.

"How's the matter I asked you to handle going?"

After a long silence, Luther asked softly. Eisen's body trembled, and he said respectfully, "We've got the item. It's in the 'square' inside the aircraft carrier."

Upon hearing this, Hyde and Luther's expressions softened somewhat, no longer appearing so somber.

The Seventh Fleet's original operation, like China's recent operation on the deserted island, was a top-secret mission. Apart from a few people, the others didn't even know why they ended up in such a place.

This operation was aimed at recovering something, and they spared no expense in terms of resources and manpower, even sending the Seventh Fleet to the Western Pacific to search for it for more than a month.

"Let me see that thing."

Hyde asked impatiently, because this matter involved far too many things, concerning the future of the United States, and he could not afford to be careless.

"Yes, please come to the next room."

Eisen opened the door to the command center and led them to a certain part of the aircraft carrier.

On the way, Luther suddenly asked, "Hyde, is there any news about that underground organization?"

By chance, they, Hyde and Luther, met with an underground organization and reached an agreement.

This organization appeared very suddenly; the United States had never heard of such an organization before, and its superhuman strength seemed to be quite considerable.

The United States was also involved in the unrest in the Bei'an Military Administrative District, but they hid themselves well enough that the Chinese government, while having some suspicions, lacked evidence to pursue them.

Otherwise, how could an underground organization, with its capabilities, have managed to secretly infiltrate so many high-level superhumans into Bei'an?

Just over an hour ago, members of that organization informed them through secret channels that the carcass of a sequence-level sea serpent had been discovered in China in the Pacific Ocean!

The two of them couldn't sit still any longer. Before their own troops could be mobilized, they went ahead to investigate. The results were exactly the same as what the organization had said, and China almost gained a huge advantage.

"No, we can't find a single clue," Hyde said, shaking his head helplessly.

Needless to say, there must be someone within the United States protecting them, and someone with considerable power, otherwise how could they not find a single clue?

Hyde was well aware of the situation in the country. Among the nine military bases, the gap between the rich and the poor was severe. Although they were all loyal to the United States, they disliked each other and rarely communicated.

In addition, there are quite a few conflicts of interest, and occasionally they even turn to arms. There have been quite a few such incidents, but they are all minor skirmishes, so the Pentagon doesn't bother with them.

Even in peacetime, within the United States, instances of double-crossing are countless. This is true for gangs, and it is true for politicians as well; their hands are hardly clean either.

Then there are the oil tycoons, Wall Street financial giants, and arms dealers, who are the real behind-the-scenes decision-makers of the United States.

The division of interests led to their disagreements, which is why the United States is in its current state.

There's a saying that goes like this—

When capitalists have a 50% profit, they will choose to take risks; with a 100% profit, they will dare to trample on all human laws; with a 300% profit, they will dare to risk the gallows.

The organization must have offered some, or even several, politicians irresistible benefits to cover for them, which is why Hyde's people had difficulty investigating.

“Even we didn’t realize how they knew about China’s actions, and they only notified us afterward. They must know more secrets! We must find them!” Luther said decisively.

"It's tough... Heaven knows how many informants they have in government agencies; their infiltration is too extensive."

Eisen didn't understand what they were talking about. They had just reached one of the elevators on the deck when a sudden fog enveloped the entire fleet.

"what happened?"

Eisen broke out in a cold sweat. The origin of this fog was definitely abnormal; it didn't seem to have formed naturally, and it came too suddenly.