Evolution Begins with Elemental Domination

Su Chen had only taken a few steps forward.

When a security guard in uniform drove up in a golf cart, offering him a ride.

"Boss, hop in. I’ll give you a lift." The security guard who had been leading the logging work earlier showed his goodwill.

"Thanks."

Su Chen didn’t refuse.

"Smoke?" Qian Bin pulled a pack of Zhonghua cigarettes from his pocket.

"I don’t," Su Chen replied.

Hearing this, Qian Bin deftly put the pack away and even tucked the cigarette from his mouth behind his ear, suppressing his craving so Su Chen wouldn’t have to breathe in secondhand smoke.

"Boss, that Flame Burst of yours was seriously terrifying. I’d say there are hardly any people in the entire base at your level." Qian Bin’s tone was a bit sycophantic, and his eyes darted over, cautiously observing Su Chen’s reaction.

"It was alright."

Su Chen’s tone was placid, his expression calm. He had actually held back on the energy output for the Flame Burst that had destroyed the tree.

His gaze shifted to a grassy camping area not far away, where he saw several people hacking at the carcass of a tiger-leopard creature with large machetes that glinted with a sharp, golden light.

’If I’m not mistaken, they’re harvesting the beast’s bones.’

A thought flashed through his mind...

’They’re going to make arrowheads.’

And the other man’s next words quickly confirmed his suspicion.

"Making arrowheads."

Qian Bin, who had been watching his expression, continued, "I heard these beast bones are way harder than you’d think. They can also channel Elemental Power well, which makes them perfect for crafting arrowheads."

Using this as an opening, he elaborated.

"We’re cutting down the old trees to build walls. Director Feng and his group are also cutting down trees, but they’re using them to make arrow shafts. He was helping the base with suggestions yesterday, but after what happened last night, he’s ignoring us. A bunch of masters from the sports centers have gone with him, too. His faction is getting stronger and stronger.

Dammit...

We’re stockpiling food and supplies, while they’re gathering military strength. That guy dares to shoot people. Who knows, one day he might just try to steal our food. And with all these little factions popping up, it’s really tiring for a person to develop on their own."

Su Chen remained noncommittal.

Seeing they were almost at their destination, Qian Bin couldn’t hide his intentions any longer and laid his cards on the table. "Boss, are you interested in joining our base’s mutual aid organization? You’d get access to water, electricity, and better food. We could completely take care of your logistical needs."

His true intentions were now revealed.

"No thanks, I’m more used to being alone." Su Chen politely refused him to his face, then pointed to the temporary RV parking area ahead. "You can stop here."

The recruitment attempt had failed. Qian Bin watched Su Chen’s departing figure without any annoyance. As the head of security for the campsite, he had a bit more patience than those brats under his command.

In reality, the Qingye Collection campsite had taken over a large plot of land from Cyan Dragon Village. The land acquisition was only completed through one-time financial compensations, job offers, or gifted storefronts. Most of the uneducated village loafers were basically dumped into the security department.

This hidden faction connected the management with third-party shop owners, and seeing their inventories gradually depleting, they had to start thinking about their own future.

On the way back to his RV, Su Chen was also thinking about something. ’In the face of the apocalyptic disasters that followed the city’s transmigration, forming various factions is inevitable, and it’s understandable for people to huddle together for survival.

But the official organizations haven’t collapsed; in fact, they’re in the process of recovering. If anyone dares to openly try to become a warlord, it’s pure suicide.

Not only would the higher-ups not allow it, I wouldn’t allow it either.

To be frank, just thinking about the biggest benefit to me personally—without the current Security Committee, who would be open-sourcing the Rune synthesis formulas for me?’

As for whether the power of the Rune he displayed while cutting the timber would attract covetous eyes, Su Chen wasn’t worried. He thrived on all kinds of challenges. If someone really decided to take the risk, he wouldn’t mind sending a Flame Burst their way—it would be the perfect way to incinerate the body completely.

...

Back in front of his RV, Su Chen did a full circle to inspect it, finding no signs of damage or scratches on his beloved vehicle.

He didn’t find the little tabby cat under the chassis either. The fish bucket placed to the side was empty of grass carp, and he didn’t know if the kitten had enjoyed them.

"It ate them all."

Just then, a little girl’s innocent voice called out.

A little girl with pigtails, wearing a little white dress, walked over.

She said, "I fed it a piece of pork earlier, and my mom got mad at me. Oh, and the kitty helped watch your RV! It scratched a little thief, and when I ran over, I scared him away!"

At this, the little girl proudly puffed out her chest, raised her right hand, and a ball of fire danced in her palm.

"I see. Then I really have to thank you," Su Chen replied with a smile.

’In this apocalyptic environment, an innocent and carefree child is certainly more approachable than a scheming adult.’

"Hold on, let me get you some chocolate."

Su Chen went in through the back door of the RV and immediately took a bag of white chocolate from the fridge. There were only a dozen or so pieces left in the package, so he just gave the whole thing to the little girl.

He recognized her as the daughter of that ancient architecture designer. Back then, she’d had the same clever look, curiously peeking around.

After a moment’s hesitation, she accepted it with delight. Before running back to ask her mother, she sneakily ate one piece, then scurried back in a fit of glee.

’The battery’s still full.’

Su Chen checked the RV’s power level. Although the sky had grown much dimmer and dark clouds were gathering, a full day of sunlight was enough to completely replenish the power consumed last night.

After a quick check of the interior, he began to pull up the footage from the four-way surveillance cameras. This was a standard monitoring system for RVs, comparable to the Sentry Mode on an electric vehicle.