Apocalypse: My Items Upgrade Infinitely

Amidst the chaos, Li Ran stepped forward and commanded, "Quiet! Attention!"

Under his scrutinizing gaze, the soldiers straightened up, silencing their doubts, though their eyes still questioned.

Li Ran frowned, feeling Lin Feng was too impulsive, or that today's events were beyond expectations.

He couldn't quite grasp the situation's changes or Lin Feng's actions.

Why had the attack been halted, replaced by a vague truce with the Jia City queen?

But he knew everything changed after Lin Feng ventured alone into Jia City's center.

Though he left the battleship, the city's narrow roads forced it to stay outside. Upon return, the battleship showed no signs of wear.

Thus, Lin Feng must have acted solo.

He ventured into the insect stronghold, and upon return, canceled the attack, presenting a bunch of eggs proclaiming miraculous benefits.

Rapid recovery, healing, and physique enhancement...

Such a boon, with no cost? Li Ran didn't believe in free lunches.

There was only one possibility: Lin Feng, like Cheng Zhan, was parasitized by the Jia City queen.

Perhaps Lin Feng was now an insect in disguise, manipulating the team into becoming its puppets!

After Qin Hu exposed Cheng Zhan as an insect spy, he informed Li Ran of his pending departure for the Federation capital defense.

Li Ran staying with Lin Feng was the best choice...

Before hanging up, Qin Hu warned Li Ran of a crucial task: protect Lin Feng from the queens...

Prevent a repeat of Cheng Zhan's fate.

Especially as Lin Feng rose to prominence in the human-insect war...

He'd become a prime target for queens.

If Lin Feng faltered or sided with insects, his power would hasten humanity's downfall.

Whether parasitized or swayed to defect...

Li Ran must act, ensuring soldiers didn't become weapons against humanity.

At this moment...

Li Ran sensed danger.

He pondered deeper than his men.

If Lin Feng was compromised, he must act, even sacrificing himself to reveal the truth.

Determined, Li Ran turned to the man on the bow and Liu Yi writhing in pain...

Breathing heavily.

Yet soon, Liu Yi's body, after absorbing the nutrients, cooled from a high fever to normal.

Wiping sweat, he stood, confused by over 160 pairs of eyes staring at him.

"What... what's going on..."

Mumbling, Liu Yi felt lost until his socked foot touched cold ground...

Suddenly lucid, Liu Yi realized he was standing unaided!

No crutch! No support!

His shattered thigh bone had healed in mere minutes!

Though standing brought slight pain, he felt his left leg's sensation!

Nerves and blood vessels were fully restored.

His long-standing worry resolved by one bottle of nutrients...

The sergeant was right!

A miracle occurred, despite minor setbacks, but Liu Yi stood to demonstrate!

With Liu Yi joyfully embracing his healed leg...

The doubting soldiers exclaimed in disbelief.

A miracle, as proof.

Lin Feng swallowed his explanation, raising the half-full nutrient bottle, accepting applause and cheers.

Minutes later, as excitement subsided, Lin Feng patted Liu Yi's shoulder:

"Go, bring your squad up."

Indicating the injured squad in the rear.

Twelve remained, with varying injuries.

Amid applause, they appeared one by one.

Lin Feng distributed the remaining nutrients, advising:

"Don't drink too much at once; it's potent like strong liquor, needing acclimation."

"Unless you want to mimic Liu Yi, curling like a shrimp."

Laughter followed, each taking a gulp.

Minutes later, miracles repeated.

Fractures, bruises, and internal injuries healed.

The milky nutrients, akin to a panacea.

Seeing miracles twice, doubts vanished.

They fully trusted it.

Now envying, regretting not volunteering!

The sergeant mentioned physique enhancement from drinking more.

For those with physique abilities, the nutrients' value exponentially increased!

But after the twelve drank, the bottle was empty.

Fortunately, Lin Feng, after sending the healed away, announced:

"Don't worry, there's plenty!"  

"These eggs yield dozens of kilograms of nutrients, sufficient for us."

"Fight hard, and I, Lin Feng, will reward merit, promise kept."

His assurance sparked renewed applause.

Lin Feng waved for quiet, glancing at Shen Jie, continuing:

"With such benefits, one might wonder about side effects?"

"Everyone knows alien insect meat is toxic!"

"This is an undeveloped egg, a Tier 2 egg!"

"Though not lethal, it contains trace toxins for humans, and regular people shouldn't consume much..."

"As for awakeners, they can fully resist toxins. One caveat remains uncertain, needing clarification!"

"No free lunch exists, divine gifts come with costs."

"You might have heard rumors of the Federation's secret gene warrior project, to reverse battlefield losses, as frontlines struggle against insects, gene warriors with the decapitation strike will soon debut!"

"This remains confidential; high command hasn't announced it. But frontline soldiers will witness gene warriors' might."

"Like Thirteenth Division's hero, Major Qin Hu, now a Tier 2 gene warrior, with twice his physique's power! In armor, he can kill a Tier 2 Tiger Bug barehanded, and with weapons, defeat a swarm!"

"Such power demands sacrifice!"

"The gene project involves injecting awakeners with insect genes..."

"Highly active insect cells invade and assimilate tissues, so the stronger the power, the deeper the assimilation."

"But it's worth it!"

"The strength protects humanity, defending the Federation, at the cost of identity!"

"So now, I must be candid, forewarn..."

Lin Feng patted the egg shell:

"These nutrients, though miraculous, may have unknown side effects. They strengthen physique but might leave aftereffects."

"Like Tiger Bug armor, or spiky skin."

With silence, Lin Feng inhaled:

"Rest assured, I drank 20-30 kilograms on the way, in one go. So far, no issues."

"To be safe, if rewarded or obtaining eggs, avoid overconsumption."

"That's it, dismissed!"

Exhaling, Lin Feng returned inside.

Li Ran noted the crowd's thoughtful expressions, whispering in groups.

He approached the healed.

Liu Yi and twelve others, nearly fully recovered, soon ready for battle.

Hearing the sergeant's final words, Liu Yi, who drank most, nervously rolled his pant leg, revealing his healed left leg.

Above the knee, the fracture healed, leaving peeling yellowed skin.

He rubbed it off, exposing new pink skin, veins and muscles visible beneath.

No assimilated insect traits...

Relieved, Liu Yi felt a weight lift.

But as Li Ran appeared, stern-faced, tension returned.

Liu Yi released his pant leg, saluting.

Li Ran frowned, recalling every recruit's background, like residence, family, skills.

After Qin Hu's warning, he prepared to identify hidden insect spies.

He summoned the "injured squad" to a room, questioning them individually.

Liu Yi, first, nervously answered.

Leaving, he sensed the questioning's deeper purpose...

During the sixth interview, a soldier knocked:

"Captain Li, the sergeant wants you, behind the battleship."

Li Ran's expression shifted, quickly regaining composure, dismissing the soldier and interviewee, retrieving the large-caliber rifles surrendered by veteran defectors.

After consideration, he returned them.

Minutes later, Li Ran reached the battleship's rear, finding Lin Feng seated on a stone, with Chen Yanyan, Lin Feng's woman, behind him.

And two unexpected individuals.

Shen Jie and his classmate Zhang Liying.

They'd followed Lin Feng early on, and Li Ran's inquiries revealed Shen Jie and company were high schoolers, lacking combat experience.

Their only exposure might be brief military training.

Despite high awakening levels, their combat experience matched new recruits—zero.

Yet their presence puzzled Li Ran.

But Lin Feng's smile preceded Shen Jie's transformation, nearly provoking Li Ran to draw his pistol.

"Wait!"

Lin Feng said calmly, halting Li Ran's reflex, explaining:

"It's their ability!"

"Devour Assimilate, absorbing insect genes. Consider them natural gene warriors, like Qin Hu."

Li Ran stepped back, observing Shen Jie and Zhang Liying's "true forms."

Shen Jie, in black-yellow armor, bore blade-like mandibles on his arms, even his face resembled Tiger Bug jaws.

Zhang Liying, a smaller Tier 1 Cyan Wing Bug, with shimmering wings in sunlight.

Lin Feng's explanation and their inaction steadied Li Ran.

Inhaling deeply, he asked:

"Is this why you added that speech?"

Lin Feng nodded, revealing gene warriors and exaggerating nutrient costs to help Shen Jie and Zhang Liying showcase abilities.

But more was needed; Lin Feng summoned Li Ran to ease his concerns:

"Brother Qin might have mentioned, after activating, he senses hidden insect spies."

"And Shen Jie and Zhang Liying, with similar abilities, can do the same."

As he spoke, a notification flashed before Lin Feng:

"lv27 Electromagnetic Railgun upgrade complete."

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