Question and Answer

After recording the Five-Heart-to-Heaven cultivation method, Gao Zheng asked, "How should we determine if one's physical fitness meets the requirements for cultivation?"

Cai Fenghua pushed up his glasses again and said, "We don't know how to manufacture the specific instruments and equipment, but we do know a thing or two about the threshold metrics."

"First is strength; a single punch needs to reach nearly a thousand jin. Second is speed; a hundred-meter distance must be covered within 4 seconds, which means reaching 25 meters per second."

"Generally speaking, those who reach these two benchmarks can attempt to cultivate, though there are still some who cannot. Consequently, some places have added a third item: a flexibility test. The standard for this hadn't been unified before we left the county, and it's unclear if it's effective."

"However, based on my observations, the exploration team led by Director Ma should all be able to meet the cultivation standards, and most likely exceed them by quite a bit."

After learning these details, Gao Zheng instructed Li Yueqi to print twenty copies of the cultivation method and standards separately. He ordered them to be delivered to all directors and Elite Squad members first, then notified all senior management to convene another group meeting to gradually roll out this cultivation method.

Immediately after, Gao Zheng asked Cai Fenghua again, "Let's set aside the matter of the cultivation method for now. I also want to know if the route you took before arriving at the Huangkang Distillery is safe, and if we can establish contact with the county through that road?"

Cai Fenghua gave a wry smile and said, "I'm afraid not. Our trip was only to understand the surrounding situation, not to blaze a trail. We avoided combat whenever possible and only observed from afar. Along the way, there are about twenty or thirty factories and villages occupied by monsters, the strongest of which likely possess the strength of a High-level Beast Soldier."

Upon hearing this, Gao Zheng relaxed, leaning back in his chair as he said, "That is actually good news. At least they are still at the Beast Soldier level; if they were Beast Generals, that would be difficult to handle."

"By the way, where does the strength of that monkey troop rank among the monsters you've encountered?"

Seeing Gao Zheng so confident, Cai Fenghua felt a surge of joy, but then added with some concern, "They rank on the higher end, I suppose. After all, most monster herds are still led by ordinary Mid-level Beast Soldiers and Low-level Beast Soldiers. This is one of the major advantages of being inland."

"However, the strength levels of the monsters on that road cannot be calculated this way. Although, according to my judgment, that High-level Beast Soldier hasn't broken through yet, our observations suggest that monster strongholds are not fixed at this stage; their mobility is very high. Relying on previous experience might lead to big trouble."

"High mobility?" Gao Zheng couldn't help but feel a bit skeptical, as the monsters they had encountered previously, which were entrenched in villages and factories, tended to build nests locally, and it was hard to imagine them leaving their posts.

Seeing Gao Zheng's doubt, Cai Fenghua explained, "According to the news we received from the city, Beast Soldiers are creatures that get summoned and ordered around. As long as there is a Beast General of the same kind nearby, they will constantly gather around it. Lord Monsters are the same; they instinctively gather all nearby monsters, regardless of species."

"Because of this, Beast Soldiers often leave their posts quickly, following the aura of Beast Generals and Lords. Beast Generals usually occupy an area and constantly roam within it. Only Lord Monsters guard their own nests without moving a step, because their territory has large groups of Beast Generals ordered to patrol it."

"If that's the case, I have a hypothesis. If we encounter monsters that guard their nests stubbornly, but their strength is very weak, could the leader of these monsters have the potential to become a Lord Monster?" Gao Zheng posed his question to Cai Fenghua.

"It is highly likely." Cai Fenghua's expression turned serious. "I don't know where you saw such monsters, Director Gao, but if you can eliminate them early, please do so with all your might. Otherwise, given the growth rate of Lord-level monsters, it will lead to endless trouble."

Gao Zheng laughed heartily and said, "Rest assured, we wiped out that nest months ago."

"Alright, I've learned just about everything I wanted to know. Is there anything you'd like to ask, Cai?"

Cai Fenghua had been waiting for this exact moment. He asked bluntly, "Director Gao, I would like to know which directors of the Xingyan Group are currently at this base, besides you and Director Ma?"

Gao Zheng smiled slightly and said, "You're trying to ask about Young Director Lin, aren't you? He is here. In addition, there are Director He Qishun, Director Guo Qichang, and Director Meng Chang."

Seeing his little scheme exposed, Cai Fenghua smiled helplessly and said, "Young Director Lin is a key figure in the situation the Xingyan Group has created today. I heard about his deeds back in the county, so naturally, I wanted to meet him."

"Don't worry, he is currently the captain of our group's Third Exploration Team. You will see him when he returns. He probably has many questions he wants to ask you as well."

Cai Fenghua straightened his posture and said, "I heard that the board of directors at Xingyan, aside from the full-time directors, have all practiced martial arts. This must be one of the reasons why Xingyan survived this time, right?"

Gao Zheng merely nodded, not elaborating further to Cai Fenghua.

Cai Fenghua smiled. "There is one more thing I didn't mention earlier: the vast majority of modern thermal weapons have lost their effectiveness against Beast General-level monsters, and for Lord-level monsters, only nuclear weapons can truly kill them."

"I wonder if you have any understanding of the cause of that day when the stars appeared in broad daylight."

"According to our judgment, that monster and the one that appeared later in America have likely already broken through the limits of Lord-level monsters and reached the next level."

"By the way, do you remember that bear roar in the Taihang Mountains that day? That monster was at least a Mid-level Beast General back then; it might have reached the Lord level by now."

"Therefore, I hope that after your group practices that cultivation method, you will accelerate the push to open the road to the county seat. Only by working together can we humans survive this disaster."

Gao Zheng was noncommittal toward this statement; after all, the strength of the monsters far exceeded that of humans, and working together was indeed the only way out for now.

Cai Fenghua continued, "I hope to understand the current strength of the Xingyan Group so that I can make a more accurate assessment of your group."

Gao Zheng pondered for a moment, intending to disclose part of the situation regarding the Xingyan Group.

However, something unexpected happened.

Just as Gao Zheng opened his mouth, a member of the exploration team knocked on the door of his office.

Gao Zheng had to signal Cai Fenghua to wait a moment, then shouted toward the door, "Come in."

After the door was pushed open, he saw an exploration team member with a panicked expression.

Gao Zheng asked in surprise, "I remember you are Lin Jin from the Third Exploration Team. What happened?"

Lin Jin hurriedly said, "Director Gao, it's bad. You need to come and see—the captain, the captain has had an accident and has passed out."