Evolution Begins with Elemental Domination

As dusk fell.

The monsters returned to their nests.

The sky rippled with a strange, beautiful crimson. But beneath this enchanting vista, not a single great bird circled in the air.

At this moment, at the campsite, many people’s eyes were fixed on Cyan Dragon Ridge to the south.

The situation at the base had already improved significantly after the archery range director, Feng Zhiyuan, led a group of competitors to sweep and clear out the area to the south. As a result, the southern region was now quite safe.

This gave some people an idea.

If they could just cross Cyan Dragon Ridge, they could return to the urban sprawl of Dongfu City and escape this deathtrap, a place surrounded by monsters on three sides.

And so, a group of people abandoned their cars and all heavy belongings, taking only essential rations, and began to climb Cyan Dragon Ridge.

At first, many others treated it as a joke.

But then, they stopped laughing.

The first wave of pioneers numbered about thirty. After losing two people, the group disappeared over the mountain’s peak one by one.

As for the causes of death, one person was snatched by a diving bird, while the other accidentally fell from the summit.

Cyan Dragon Ridge wasn’t steep. Its surface was covered in ornamental herbaceous flowers. Although there was no dedicated trail, it was definitely possible for people to force their way up.

The ridge was 190 meters high—not exactly tall, but not short either. For those who didn’t exercise regularly, it was definitely not as easy as they might have imagined.

"Looks like it might actually work."

When some succeeded, it naturally caused a commotion.

Considering they were trapped here, uncertain if they’d even survive the night, people who were already lost about their future suddenly grasped at this lifeline. They all began rushing toward Cyan Dragon Ridge to the south.

Some tourists were already in the shelter on the first floor of the public service area, a completely safe zone, yet they still ignored all persuasion and set off for Cyan Dragon Ridge.

"What are they running for? Dongfu City is in total chaos, monsters are invading there too. Crossing the mountains to get to the city is just trading one hell for another." Someone said with utter disdain, a sarcastic smirk on his face.

Most modern smartphones can’t receive FM radio signals without a network connection.

But car radios could handle the task easily. Electric vehicles could even connect to external speakers, broadcasting the local radio station’s messages for all to hear.

Everyone quickly learned a crucial piece of information: Dongfu City’s urban area was also under attack by monsters.

A pessimist, sipping a small bottle of alcohol, said dejectedly, "Just look at the sky. To put it bluntly, Dongfu City isn’t on Earth anymore. We’re doomed. Water, electricity, and the internet won’t be coming back. A resource crisis is bound to erupt sooner or later. When that happens, it’ll be man killing man, man eating man."

This description of the future sent a shiver down everyone’s spine, and it fit perfectly with the typical trajectory of a classic apocalyptic story.

One person grew angry listening to this and felt the urge to kick over the man’s beer bottle.

Many people checked their backpacks only to realize they had abandoned a lot of supplies in their rush to get to the shelter. The thought of a potential food crisis was truly terrifying.

"The second group is setting off."

As everyone watched, a second group of at least a hundred people began their grand, imposing ascent.

The figures formed a long, winding line, like a colony of ants climbing upward.

The path had been trampled into existence by human feet. It veered west, directly toward the setting new sun.

The slanting sunlight enveloped the entire group in a halo of light so magnificent it seemed almost unreal.

"How romantic."

"A grand escape, bathed in sunlight."

Moved by the scene, many people began to file out of the shelter.

Some ran toward the foot of the mountain, hoping to catch the "last bus" before nightfall.

Others ran to the campsite store or to unattended outdoor tents, trying to scavenge as many abandoned supplies as they could.

Just then, a gentle reminder came over the base’s broadcast system.

"The immediate risk of monster invasion within the base has been lifted. We ask all tourists to please be careful when outside and to return to the shelters after nightfall."

"A friendly reminder: the campsite has established additional shelters in the public service area’s family park and multi-function event hall. Ample food, as well as hot and cold water, are provided inside."

"For your own safety, please do not risk climbing Cyan Dragon Ridge."

...

"Ants clinging to a mountain."

It was only after the broadcast reminder that Su Chen looked toward Cyan Dragon Ridge in the south. From his perspective, the figures were as tiny as dots, truly like a swarm of black ants crawling over a high mountain.

’Good luck to them.’

He had already returned to his RV from the resort and driven it to a wide, open lawn in the public camping area.

After parking, Su Chen moved from the driver’s seat to the living area in the back. The first thing he did was check the solar controller panel; the LCD screen showed a full charge.

In fact, the 2000W of solar panels covering the RV’s roof were enough to make the electric meter run backward on a clear day.

Meaning it generated more power than it consumed.

Especially in the country’s northwest region, where the summer days were long and sunny, the battery wouldn’t drain even with the air conditioner running and a high-end PC going at full tilt.

Considering the new world’s sun seemed to have greatly increased the energy density captured by the solar panels, Su Chen wouldn’t have to worry about power outages for a long time.

As for water, the RV’s rainwater collection system was mainly for flushing the toilet, not for daily use.

After arriving at the Qingye Collection Campsite, he had topped off the RV’s freshwater tank. For the next five days, at least, showering wouldn’t be an issue.

This four-wheel-drive RV, which he had named ’Unit 13’, was actually an inheritance from his parents. It was the vehicle they had planned to use to travel the country. The fully customized RV was only completed and delivered from the factory three months after they passed away.

When Su Chen received the notification back then, he paid the final balance immediately.

In the two years since his graduation, the RV had been his primary vehicle. It was his second home, so to speak, and carried a great deal of complex personal emotions.

Unless it was absolutely necessary, he would never abandon Unit 13.

Su Chen found a DJI drone in a storage cabinet—a brand-new, top-of-the-line DJI Mavic 4 Pro he’d bought on release. He also had two Insta360 action cameras, which he’d used extensively while skiing.

At that moment, the car radio was still broadcasting "The Voice of Dongfu, FM 98.5."

An important breaking news bulletin came on.

"...The ’Dongfu City Emergency Security Committee’ has just been established. In response to the threat of this unknown ecological catastrophe, it will be primarily responsible for three major areas: resource coordination, combat defense, and civilian welfare."

"The city will immediately implement a survival rationing system. Essential items such as food, drinking water, first-aid medicine, and gasoline will be subject to rationing. The public should not be overly concerned. Local neighborhood committees and homeowner associations will also participate in regulating the distribution of survival supplies."

"Furthermore, any businesses found to be illegally price-gouging or hoarding goods during this ecological disaster will be subject to the maximum penalty."

In the two hours since the ecological disaster began, all sorts of bad news and undeniable facts had heightened public anxiety, likely triggering widespread looting of supplies within the city.

The bizarre, vibrant sunset, in particular, had shattered the last line of defense in people’s minds.

That wasn’t the sun at all.

The news—or suspicion—that Dongfu City was no longer on Earth was being confirmed, step by step.

With water, power, and communications still down, no one dared to be a step behind, which surely made the situation in the city even more chaotic.

While the establishment of this rationing system couldn’t be said to have completely eliminated the looting, it did provide a further safety net for the citizens, doing its best to alleviate their worries.