"The captain mentioned we wouldn’t stop for a break today. Where are we spending the night?"

"The forest is vast, and the paths are treacherous. We probably won't find any human settlements tonight. Most likely, we’ll camp in a relatively flat area."

"Another night in the open... When will this end?"

"We initially estimated a month's journey to Yang City Base. Given the challenges we've faced, it might take longer. If things go smoothly, we might arrive in Yang City in another half a month."

However, "smoothly" is a term seldom encountered. Ever since they began their escape, they realized one truth: mishaps are omnipresent.

For the next half-day, their convoy faced no significant issues. Their armored vehicles were heavily fortified with adequate firepower, ensuring they could fend off most threats, unless faced with powerful mutants or swarms like ant colonies.

"So your name's Zhou You? Do you know Brother Ning?" Zhan Cheng shooed away the man next to Zhou You and took a seat beside him.

"Brother Ning?"

"He's the leader of our vehicle and a member of the Dawn Exploration Team. Each vehicle has a leader responsible for everyone's safety onboard."

Zhou You, growing curious, inquired, "What's this exploration team? Was it formed by Captain Li?"

Zhan Cheng looked at him quizzically, "Which base did you come from? Didn’t they have exploration teams?"

"Our place was remote and disconnected from the outside world."

Zhan Cheng didn't probe further and explained, "Exploration teams are civilian groups sanctioned by the government. Only individuals with martial artist status can apply. Team members must be martial disciples or above. They undertake missions from the government or private entities for points. For instance, if we successfully reach Yang City this time, the Dawn Exploration Team will receive a hefty reward."

"I heard many have perished during this journey."

Zhan Cheng sighed, his enthusiasm waning. "Yes, there are casualties every day. If we're unlucky and encounter large predators, the numbers can be devastating. The sea is even more perilous. Its monsters can easily capsize ships. Most victims are lost at sea."

"Fortunately, our group has Captain Li, an advanced martial artist. Rumor has it he's close to breaking through to a Master’s level. When he does, he could even establish his own martial school."

"Start his own martial school?" Zhou You was astonished. He hadn't realized Li Hongxi was so formidable. It would be fascinating to spar with him.

"Indeed. I've seen Captain Li in action. Once, we encountered a Cyclops Wolf King, silver-furred and as large as a small car. Ordinary weapons were useless against it. In the end, Captain Li took it on solo. He punched it off a cliff. Everyone speaks highly of him, predicting a bright future."

"Shaolin? Emei? Wudang?" Zhou You felt like he had stepped back in time. He knew of these schools, but weren’t they tourist attractions now?

"Yes, in the second year of the apocalypse, the story of Master Shikong from Shaolin defeating a mutant tiger with a single punch became legendary. Many sent their children to study martial arts there. Unfortunately, a tsunami devastated the coastal cities. Some say surviving monks from the South Shaolin took refuge in North Shaolin."

In the third year of the apocalypse, Han Xi, the female warrior from Emei, stood guard at the southwest base's gate with her spear. Alone, she held off hordes of mutated beasts. Although the beasts back then were not as formidable as they are now, it was still her against many. Since then, people realized that the only way to survive the apocalypse was to become a martial artist.

For a time, numerous once-declined sects emerged, establishing schools and recruiting disciples. They demanded exorbitant tuition fees. Among them, both genuine masters and charlatans thrived, making it hard to distinguish the true from the false.

What's worse, the ambitions of these sect members grew. Some attempted to seize power. Transport between bases ground to a halt, and communication with the central government was almost entirely severed. The military couldn't maintain order, leading to chaos. Street brawls and killings became commonplace, and civilians struggled more than ever.

It wasn't until the fifth year of the apocalypse that Marshal Shao led an elite force on a tour, suppressing any sects causing disturbances. Those who committed heinous crimes were thrown into the forest as prey for the wild beasts, and the rest were conscripted for labor. This elite force, although just a thousand strong, comprised individuals whose skills rivaled Captain Li. And Marshal Shao was even more formidable – rumors had it that he'd bested every martial artist who dared to challenge him.

That year, a new era was proclaimed: the Dawn Era. The Martial Arts Association was established, introducing a series of laws and grading systems. Only those with a certain martial rank could form exploration teams or establish sects. They had to be supervised by the government and, in times of danger, accept military deployment.

"The government still cares for its citizens, providing the common folk with protection, opportunities, and employment. Otherwise, in these times, if power-hungry leaders took control, who knows what would've happened to us?"

Zhou You's heart raced as he listened. Not only had he succeeded in martial arts, but there were also many experts out there. "So, it's now the fifth year of the Dawn Era?"

"Yes, and by now, most major bases have stabilized. Otherwise, as we head north, apart from wild beasts, we might also encounter gangs of bandits."