Chapter 375: Skies Over the Far-Border

On the silver-white fuselage, the sunset’s afterglow shimmered, making it look like a silver fish darting swiftly across the sparkling lake.

Having soared through layers of high clouds for more than a day and a night, the Spirit Energy Fighter was now descending steadily.

From above, the vast basin-like layout of the far-border battle zone unfolded, its highlands encircling the area and neatly blocking several inland passages. Several Safe Zones, clearly teeming with survivors, guarded the primary entrances.

Convoys moved like migrating ants, periodically emerging from the depths of remote mines.

The remaining Safe Zones and Settlements were scattered in small clusters near the lakes.

By contrast to Central China, the far-border region was desolate even before the end times, its extensive reddish-brown land unfurling like an ancient scroll.

If you overlook the chaotic, sprawling complexes and the wandering black corpses, the scene remains truly spectacular.

With hues of red on one side and blue on the other, both on maps and in reality, the far-border region and inland areas resembled a canvas of deep greens and vibrant autumn prints.

As the altitude dropped, the three escort fighter jets turned in unison, as if reluctant to cross the red-blue divide.

“Committee member Yenir, we’ve arrived at the far-border battle zone.”

“Going any further could bring complications. The Military’s main forces are still in the Tarim area of the northwest.”

“It’s best we land here and move southwest—that’s well within the Bloodshadow Legion’s territory.”

Watching the fighter jets outside the porthole as they turned back, Yenir nodded thoughtfully.

The Awakener speaking was an old veteran of the Capital Air Force, who had been assigned to accompany him while casually briefing him on the far-border region.

The veteran’s words were subtle, but Yenir grasped the underlying message.

In the far-border battle zone, Military control is likely even weaker than the intelligence he had received before—probably only a facade of authority…

Main forces in Tarim? That area is essentially where the old Northwest Construction Corps barely clings to existence along the border and the Taklamakan Desert.

Between the Military’s presence in the far-border region and the battle zones of Central China lies an expanse controlled by a Private Faction—a concession born of military impotence.

Fighter jets aren’t permitted to overfly without notice, and the major Safe Zones at the main entry are very cautious about Military interference…

In the Huaxia Battle Zone, incidents like this do happen…

Frankly, it’s hard to justify.

Yet Yenir wasn’t overly surprised; he instinctively glanced toward the distant Canglang Safe Zone.

“Canglang Safe Zone was established about 22 years after the apocalypse, right? I’ve heard their leader is formidable—around Third-Stage Advanced level?”

On his first trip and first time in the far-border, Yenir casually asked the veteran, who had once lived in the aid zone, his eyes briefly alight with curiosity.

Canglang… he recalled encountering stories about this Safe Zone in a previous life.

Apparently, there was once a virus crisis outbreak within its walls.

“Yes, committee member Yenir.”

“Canglang Safe Zone is a large-scale haven. Though its population isn’t as dense as inland, it still houses around 8.6 million people. Its three major Awakener Legions collectively include over 200,000 Second-Stage Awakened.”

“Among them are 31 Third-Stage individuals. Their leader, known simply as Canglang, reached Third-Stage Advanced status 17 years ago—though his true strength now remains unknown. His father, Muladili, was a Third-Stage Advanced some 43 years ago…”

“The Safe Zone’s specialty is copper ore—a type of Spirit Energy mineral unique to the post-apocalypse era, ideal for crafting Spiritual Energy Vehicles.”

“Moreover, positioned at a key hub, this area is one of the main trade routes between the far-border and inland regions, with numerous trade caravans passing through.”

“I recommend you disguise yourself as part of a trade caravan. Keep your identity under wraps to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings…”

Listening as the veteran detailed the vital information, Yenir nodded slightly, clearly understanding the course of action.

Canglang Safe Zone—the name itself betrays its non-military origin. It’s a typical Private Faction designation, often tied to its leader.

Eight million people and 200,000 Awakeners—a striking ratio, especially when nearly all of them are Second-Stage.

Normally, the ratio between ordinary people and Awakeners is roughly 100 to 1; even in nearly Spirit Energy Node-level Safe Zones it can be as high as 300 to 1, yet Canglang Safe Zone stands at just 40 to 1.

This can only mean that its Spirit Energy Node is extraordinarily high, with plentiful resources in its vicinity to support such a large Awakener population.

Two Third-Stage Advanced figures? That, combined with ex-leader Muladili—who was already a Third-Stage Advanced 40 years ago…

Hearing these timeframes, Yenir couldn’t help but feel a tinge of awe.

To have reached Third-Stage Advanced status so early—he must be around 80 years old now. Likely, he was a youth during the apocalypse, his exceptional talent allowing him to establish the Safe Zone. Over decades, he eventually passed his leadership on to his son.

In truth, Canglang Safe Zone has deep roots, having been meticulously managed over countless years…

If his life story were ever written, it would be nothing short of extraordinary.

“So achieving Third-Stage Advanced status so early… now that so much time has passed, could he have even reached Peak Third-Stage?”

Not entirely sure.

On high alert, Yenir pulled on a white mask he had obtained from the Military.

The Military’s diminishing control over the area is largely because they are aware of hidden details and wary of the local Private armed forces. In the early apocalypse, the Military simply lacked the ability to rescue survivors, leaving the far-border region in chaos for a long time—only in the past 30 years has stability slowly returned, allowing the Military to attempt a comeback.

But the resistance is formidable. With corpse hordes and mutants isolating the area, reclaiming it all at once is nearly impossible.

Furthermore, almost every Awakener in the battle zone carved out their own bloody path. Once their Safe Zones were established independently, the new generation’s allegiance to the Military has dwindled significantly…

Isn’t it great to be your own warlord? Any Awakener of real strength despises being controlled.

Frankly, it’s almost as if the land is overrun by warlords now. The actual population and Third-Stage numbers are rarely reported honestly back to the Capital.

“The far-border’s power is truly impressive…”

“And I hear the Bloodshadow Legion’s might is even greater…”

As he habitually rubbed his knuckles, Yenir’s eyes flashed with a sudden, unbidden thought.

No one would ever suspect that he was considering swallowing this entire region…

The Military’s gradual pullback in his previous life was bound to fail—there simply wasn’t enough time.

The apocalypse struck too abruptly. In many remote areas within the Huaxia Battle Zone, local forces never had time to consolidate, ending up decimated by mutants and corpse hordes.

In this life, if he’s to advance his plans, he must not only consolidate power in the inland provinces but perhaps here as well…

“Forget it; for now, it’s best to stay on guard.”

“If I were to swallow this region, I’d need to reach Peak Third-Stage strength to crush everyone.”

“First, take care of the Military. Once my strength grows, then I can act…”

Suppressing his inner ambition, Yenir shook his head; it was clear another task had been added to his list.

But this matter couldn’t be rushed—his current problems were more than enough.

Not only did he need to wrest the Renmane from the Bloodshadow Legion, but he also had to secure the Legendary Suit. If he accidentally crossed paths with a Peak Third-Stage warrior, danger was all too real…

Uncle Liang probably couldn’t stand up against someone at Peak Third-Stage.

Almost instinctively, Yenir glanced over his shoulder at Liang Lie, who stood silently behind him. As always, the man remained slightly stooped and as immovable as a block of wood.