The sight of a woman reprimanding a group of soldiers who couldn't lift their heads in return was telling. Their military region had always had the easiest assignments, with most forces engaged in trade. While they didn't make much, they were neither starved nor frozen. The environment of the Jiangnan base was among the best. As long as no large-scale mutated beast invasions occurred, they felt secure.

After dinner, Zhou You and Shao Qi sat down for their regular meditation session. However, Zhou You gave up in less than an hour this time. When that stone was within him, he hadn't noticed any difference. Only after its absence did he realize why his cultivation speed seemed faster recently.

He stared at Shao Qi for a long time, who appeared as calm as if he were asleep during his meditation. The stone didn't fly out of his body like before. Had he not experienced it himself, he wouldn't have believed in such wonders.

With Shao Qi still meditating, Zhou You took out the three items provided by the research institute for a thorough examination. He had only tested the power of the crossbow before, leaving the other two items unexplored.

The armor was packed in a beautifully designed box with an elegant signature, though its owner's name was unrecognizable. Upon opening the box, he found a pure white Tang suit adorned with an embroidered dragon soaring amidst light blue auspicious clouds. While the design was captivating, he pondered if it suited his age. It felt like something designed for an older demographic.

Zhou You tested the fabric's resilience by trying to slash and burn it, and indeed, it bore no marks or scorching – a truly remarkable garment.

After trying it on, he glanced in the mirror and felt an overall transformation in his aura. Stepping out in this attire, he mused, many might mistake him for a master from some martial arts sect.

The fit was perfect and comfortable against the skin. He was curious about its insulating capabilities given its thinness.

As he admired himself, Shao Qi, having awakened from his meditation, sighed and commented, "I knew it'd be like this. Geng Qinglu always had poor taste in design. How could he come up with good-looking attire? Next time we see him, ask him to redesign one for you."

Zhou You chuckled, "It's not that bad. Quite dignifying, actually."

"What kind of aura? That of middle-aged?" Shao Qi stood up, stretching his limbs. Suddenly, the room heater pinged to life, flooding the space with warm air.

"Why did the heating come on?" Zhou You walked over and drew the curtains, shocked to see a transformed world outside. It had been clear at dinner, but now, snow blanketed the ground and rooftops in a layer of silvery white.

"It's snowing, and the temperature has dropped significantly." Zhou You opened the window and extended his right hand. His multi-function watch promptly displayed the temperature outside as minus ten degrees Celsius.

Closing the window, he inquired, "This weather isn't ideal for traveling. Should we adjust our plans?"

"Snowy days have their own modes of travel. People can't be confined by the weather. In the north, it snows heavily for two months every year. If no one went out, we'd starve."

Zhou You stared at the increasing snow accumulation, lost in thought. He wondered if his parents were still alive and how they had been these past years. His former workplace must have changed; he wasn't sure if he could return to a similar department.

"Did you hear that?" Shao Qi suddenly asked.

Zhou You closed his eyes, clearing his mind. He could hear distant sounds now, the roars of wild beasts echoing back and forth. They seemed close.

"With rapid weather changes, beasts will leave the mountains and attack human bases when they run out of food. Many bases have been destroyed by these starving mutated creatures."

"The food supply in the Yunlan mountain range is probably still abundant. But after today's commotion at the city gates, it wouldn’t be surprising if beasts were attracted," Zhou You recalled the thunder, suspecting the extreme weather change might be related to the thunderclouds.

"Let's sleep. We can discuss any major concerns tomorrow," Shao Qi said, shedding his clothes and lying down. Warriors, to ensure adequate rest, often fall asleep instantly. Within half a minute, his snoring echoed. Zhou You, still in his armor, wondered if it would be uncomfortable to sleep in it and eventually lay beside Shao Qi.

Chapter 069: Heavy Snowfall

The temperature continued to plummet during the night. When Zhou You woke up, he found a snow-covered world, with even distant mountains wrapped in silver. The whole world seemed to be painted in this singular hue.

"The snowfall is intense!" Zhou You exclaimed, opening the window. The biting cold rushed in, chilling him to the bone. A faint broadcast from the inner city repeatedly advised, "Cold wave alert. All schools and businesses are closed starting today. Please stay indoors and keep warm..."

"This snowstorm came on so suddenly. Despite the weather forecast, we couldn’t prepare quickly enough. And it's not just humans who need to prepare; the real concern is the hungry beasts."

Zhou You closed the window and turned, catching sight of Shao Qi emerging from the bed. His body, brimming with energy and sporting a honey-toned complexion, stood in stark contrast to Zhou You's paleness. He showed no embarrassment dressing in front of Zhou You.

Somewhat envious, Zhou You teased, "How long have you been single?"

Shao Qi paused, pondering, "If holding hands with a girl in middle school counts as first love, then I’ve been single for over a decade."

"With your looks, both men and women would be at your beck and call, wouldn't they?"

Shao Qi snorted, "I don’t even know what I want, let alone choose. Besides, it’s the apocalypse. Who has time for love when we're constantly fighting mutated beasts?"

"Yet people are still getting married and having kids, right?"

"What about you?" Shao Qi sized up Zhou You. Before the apocalypse, with his appearance and physique, Zhou You could have easily been a celebrity. He would have probably settled down if the end hadn't come so soon.