The apocalypse struck, and I became a druid.

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Controlling such a large flow of water for precise operations is also a huge challenge for him.

Under his will, the turbid water became docile, scouring the riverbed and carving out the rudimentary waterway as Zhou Lao requested.

The rune group, which split off from the study group, followed closely behind. On the cleared mountain, they began to use paint mixed with monster bone powder and minerals to inscribe the most basic otherworldly runes for building the shipyard foundation.

Once activated, these runes can significantly improve the stability and durability of building structures.

It's essentially part of the foundation.

The entire construction site combines modern human technology with the mysterious power of otherworldly runes, creating a unique construction method.

Time slipped away quietly amidst this hectic activity.

A week later, the shipyard's foundation and main outline had begun to take shape.

The first batch of ink-fragrant wood was also initially processed by Chairman Wu and his team.

That evening, Han Ning was checking the construction progress of the shipyard when the communicator on his waist suddenly vibrated rapidly.

He pressed the answer button, and Li Feng's voice came through:

"Chief Han, it's me."

Li Feng's voice was filled with exhaustion, no longer as steady as before.

"Colonel Li, please speak." Han Ning's heart sank slightly.

"The reconnaissance operation... is over."

Li Feng paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts.

"Of the three teams we sent out, totaling thirty-six people, only sixteen returned. The other twenty... have been confirmed dead or missing."

Although it was expected, the number of casualties still left Han Ning speechless.

Thirty-six skilled fighters, all at least at the Iron level, were wiped out in a single reconnaissance mission, demonstrating the extreme danger of the deep-sea source site.

Li Feng continued his report, relaying the message from the reconnaissance team:

"This underwater reconnaissance came at an extremely high cost, but the results were also very significant."

"The specific locations of the three source points, the general layout of the core area, the routine configuration of the guard forces, and the exact duration and stability of the most important low point period have all been basically confirmed."

"The model predictions are basically accurate, with a window period of approximately three hours and forty minutes."

"We brought back some water samples, rock samples, and a peculiar black crystal from near the source. Director Gao's people are working hard to analyze them. Based on preliminary feedback and reconnaissance intelligence, we can confirm that the assault plan is feasible, but the difficulty is far greater than initially estimated."

"The leaders of all parties have held preliminary discussions and decided to gather their forces and officially execute the 'Deep Tide Decapitation' plan in ten days, which is the next predicted energy trough. Detailed battle plans will be shared with all allies in the coming days."

"Chief Han, regarding the Biyun gathering area... please make preparations as soon as possible," Li Feng said finally.

Chapter 293 Serious Injury

"Did the Sword of Judgment and the Navy suffer any losses?" Han Ning asked hurriedly.

"..." After a moment of silence, Li Feng said in a tired voice,

"Flint and Fire Wolf are dead, and only 3 people returned with the Sword of Judgment."

"As for the Navy's explorers, only 5 of them returned in order to cover everyone else."

"Where is Commander Zheng? Is he injured?"

Li Feng did not answer, but said, "Commander Zheng asked me to invite you to the Sword of Judgment in person. There is something important to discuss with you."

Han Ning's heart sank upon hearing this.

He detected a heavy tone in Li Feng's voice.

"Okay, I understand. I'll get there as soon as possible," Han Ning replied, and then hung up the communicator.

Unexpectedly, the price paid by the Sword of Judgment was far greater than imagined, with even a master like Zheng Weiguo suffering serious injuries.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately arranged affairs in the gathering area, then boarded a snow cake and rushed to the Sword of Judgment's base as quickly as possible.

...

As usual, Lynx was in charge of welcoming Han Ning as he entered the Sword of Judgment.

The atmosphere at the Sword of Judgment's headquarters was heavy. The number of patrol teams had increased significantly, and everyone looked tense.

After the announcement, Li Feng personally came out to greet him.

The moment Han Ning saw him, his gaze sharpened.

Li Feng's left arm was severed at the shoulder, and the thick bandage wrapped around the cut was soaked with dark blood, constantly oozing an ominous liquid.

His face was sallow, his lips were chapped, and his eyes revealed an undeniable weariness.

"Chief Han." Li Feng's voice was a little hoarse. He nodded with difficulty and didn't exchange any pleasantries. "This way, please. The commander-in-chief's condition... is very bad."

He turned and led the way, his steps slightly unsteady, but his back remained ramrod straight.

Han Ning followed silently behind him, passing through several heavily guarded checkpoints, and arrived at a tightly guarded medical room.

There were no fewer than twenty Awakened Ones guarding the entrance, each with a fierce aura, at least at the Great Black Stone level, and a few at the Black Iron level.

They scanned their surroundings warily.

Upon seeing Li Feng and Han Ning, the crowd silently made way for them.

Li Feng pushed open the door to the infirmary, and a strong smell of blood mixed with some kind of putrid and strange odor hit him.

The room was brightly lit. Several medical staff in white coats and a female awakened being emitting a soft white light were gathered around the hospital bed. Everyone had a furrowed brow and sweat on their foreheads.

On the hospital bed, Zheng Weiguo lay there, his once dignified and composed face now as pale as paper, his breath weak.

His situation was even more dire than Han Ning had imagined.

The entire right arm and the part of the left leg below the knee were completely gone. The wounds were covered with thick gauze, but it was no use in preventing the black mist that writhed and spread out like a living thing.

The dark pus and blood gradually soaked through the gauze, dripping onto the bed sheet with a slight "sizzling" sound, corroding tiny holes.

Moreover, his bare chest, cheeks, and even neck were covered with crisscrossing fine cracks, and wisps of black energy oozed from each crack, as if his entire body was being slowly devoured from within by some evil force.

The awakened one placed her hands on Zheng Weiguo's chest, and milky white light continuously poured in, fiercely resisting the black energy. Each time the white light forced the black energy back slightly, more black energy would quickly surge back, even tinging the white light with a faint gray-black hue, making her face increasingly pale and indicating a huge drain on her energy.

"Han... Leader Han Ning... you've arrived..." Zheng Weiguo seemed to sense someone entering, and opened his eyelids with difficulty. His gaze was unfocused for a moment before it became clear. His voice was weak as he tried to force out a polite smile.

Han Ning was shocked. He rushed to the bedside and said in a deep voice, "Commander Zheng, don't speak."

A vibrant, emerald-green light emanated from his body.

An extremely rich life energy burst forth from him, enveloping the entire infirmary.

The realm of life!

A verdant glow spread across the hospital bed, enveloping everyone present.

The suffocating stench of decay in the air was dispelled by a fresh, vibrant, and fragrant breath of life.

The medical staff and awakened individuals felt a surge of energy, and their depleted physical strength began to recover rapidly.

Immediately afterwards, Han Ning raised his hands, and pure, condensed emerald light flowed from between his ten fingers, like countless slender and vibrant vines wrapping around Zheng Weiguo's seriously injured body.

Natural blessings + rejuvenation.

The Druid's enhanced healing and purification skills are activated simultaneously and superimposed on the Life Domain.

The life force washed over Zheng Weiguo's severed arms and legs, as well as all the dark wounds on his body.

The stubborn black mist seemed to have met its nemesis, and under the influence of the rich natural life energy, it began to churn violently.

In just one second, a thick gray mist suddenly rose from Zheng Weiguo's body.

The black mist condensed in the air and did not disperse, gathering into a hideous water ghost that roared silently at the people below.

"Humph!"

Han Ning snorted coldly, his eyes gleaming with golden light.

Call ~

The roaring water ghouls were instantly scattered by the surging green light and could no longer regroup.

At the same time, the dark pus and blood that kept oozing from Zheng Weiguo's wound gradually became lighter in color, and the corrosiveness was greatly reduced.

Fresh flesh and blood tissue begins to wriggle and grow at a visible speed, and the crack itself closes up.

Zheng Weiguo's body trembled, and he let out a suppressed groan. A lot of sweat seeped out from his forehead, and his originally ashen face regained its color.

The faint signs of life also became stable.

The pressure on the awakened one with healing and purification abilities suddenly decreased. He stared in astonishment at everything that was happening before his eyes. The black energy that he had been struggling to resist was now being swept away and purified by the pure emerald energy.

Han Ning focused intently, manipulating the life energy to continuously purify it.

A bright, emerald-green light swirled around him, making him appear as if a forest god had descended.

Zheng Weiguo was not the only one who received treatment.

And there's Li Feng standing next to Han Ning.

Circles of life-giving light, like a mother's comforting rays, automatically gathered on his broken left arm and other wounds on his body, still oozing pus and blood.

Nourished by the flowing light, these wounds were quickly purified and healed.

Until the black mist at Zheng Weiguo's wound became thin and almost transparent, the pus and blood completely turned bright red, and new granulation tissue covered most of the wound, Li Feng's injury was completely healed.

Han Ning slowly suppressed the surging life force emanating from his body.

His forehead was also slightly sweaty, clearly indicating that this all-out effort had taken a toll.

On the hospital bed, Zheng Weiguo's breathing had become steady and long, and the lingering deathly stillness and putrid smell had been completely dispelled.

"Chief Han, you...this..."

At this moment, Zheng Weiguo's eyes widened, and he was too shocked to speak.

Chapter 294 Confession

Even though Zheng Weiguo was a veteran of many battles and had seen the world.

Upon seeing Han Ning's methods, which were almost like "bringing the dead back to life and healing flesh and bones," he revealed an expression unbecoming of his status.