Chapter 88: Lv16 Flying Wing Vehicle, Biological Modification

Seeing the armored vehicle now named "Flying Wing," Lin Feng realized the anticipated transformation was becoming a reality. The newly upgraded vehicle under the tarp not only excited him but also elicited a gasp from Chen Yanyan inside, who was tidying up. Her mental bond with the vehicle allowed her to sense any changes immediately.

Unlike Chen Yanyan's mental exploration, Lin Feng could directly access the data panel to see the specifics of the Lv16 vehicle's upgrades:

"Flying Wing Vehicle Lv16/19, Red Quality"

"Upgrade Points 34/10, Damage 100, Defense 120, Average Speed 150 km/h, Range 800 km"

"Extra Attributes: Biological Armor (Defense +70), Armor-Piercing Front (Damage +60),

Unlimited Firepower (Ten Machine Guns, Average Damage 40),

Self-Propelled Artillery (Three Lv16 Cannons, Damage 120, Ammo 6000, Reload 1/1s),

Life Radar (Consumes 1 upgrade point to detect any being with over 50 health within a 5 km radius),

Storage Space (Consumes 1 upgrade point to expand by 1 cubic meter, currently 60 cubic meters for living and combat area, 50 cubic meters trunk)"

"New Extra Attribute: Ground Effect Flight Mode (Membranous wings unfold at both sides to increase uplift, reduce tire pressure, speed increases by 100 km/h, adaptable to complex water and terrain, fuel consumption increases by 100%, range decreases by 400 km)"

Reading the description of the ground effect flight mode, Lin Feng recalled the legendary ground effect vehicles, once popular but disappeared due to usage restrictions over a decade ago. Now they were revived on his Lv16 Flying Wing Vehicle.

Despite doubling fuel consumption and halving range, being able to navigate through varied terrains effortlessly was invaluable! The top speed of 250 km/h would let Lin Feng dominate the battlefield, using maneuvering and kiting to tackle wave after wave of insect swarms.

This reminded Lin Feng of playing games in challenge modes, where primitive weapons forced reliance on terrain and strategic retreats. Now, with Chen Yanyan driving, he only needed to focus on weapons and grenade launchers to decimate pursuing insect hordes.

The only downside was the short range, 400 km allowing only one and a half hours of operation. With auxiliary tanks, Lin Feng calculated he could eliminate tens of thousands of Black Spinal Bugs in one go. However, Tier 2 insect ambushes would demand long-range solutions, especially against the speedy aerial Tier 2 Wind Wing Bugs.

Without the right opportunity to solo a Tiger Bug for the Lv19 grenade launcher upgrade, Lin Feng hoped Tiger Bug materials could elevate the Lv16 Flying Wing Vehicle or Crimson Flying Armor to the next stage, becoming a trump card against Tier 2 insects.

Tier 2 insects were rare, often surrounded by numerous lower-tier Black Spinal Bugs for protection, making them difficult to kill. Even Qin Hu's team had needed prior information and heavy weaponry for long-range damage before finishing them off up close.

Pleased with the new attributes, Lin Feng noted the time approaching evening and let Chen Yanyan familiarize herself with the Flying Wing Vehicle's changes. He needed to visit Qin Hu at the field hospital in Wu City's rear.

Arranged by Li Ran, a jeep arrived at the service area to pick up Lin Feng. With heightened tensions due to resumed hostilities, Wu City's defense line was under strict security, with armed guards at checkpoints.

Thanks to insider arrangements, Lin Feng, as an outsider, swiftly passed through layers of checks into the rear area. The field hospital, previously the Third Wu City Hospital in the west district, now housed ICU facilities after merging equipment from other hospitals, boasting 30-40 ICU rooms.

Qin Hu was in intensive care, his leg surgery temporarily stopping the bleeding. However, his weakened state delayed his second-tier awakening. With help from institute technicians, he received glucose and nutrients, relying on his robust constitution for gradual self-healing.

Lin Feng didn't recognize the busy technicians in the ICU, from the biotechnology department, far removed from Ding Chenghai's weapon research unit. After stabilizing Qin Hu's condition with their latest techniques, the Tier 2 awakening quietly began.

Shortly after Lin Feng arrived in the waiting room, Qin Hu was moved to a regular ward, temporarily out of danger. The attending doctor and technicians exited the ICU, removing masks and expressing relief:

"Luckily, Major Qin advanced to late Tier 1, his strong constitution pulling him through."

A technician addressed the tense Li Ran:

"Lieutenant, Major Qin has stabilized and is awakening. His wound will heal naturally. Once he's awake, please give him this."

Li Ran received a contract from the technician, which Lin Feng glanced at, noticing the title "Latest Biological Modification Plan."

The technician then smiled:

"Now, can you show us the Tier 2 Tiger Bug corpse?"

Li Ran nodded, instructing guards to escort them to the awakened camp.

Watching the researchers leave hastily, Lin Feng and Li Ran exchanged glances before heading to Qin Hu's ward.

Qin Hu's bandaged leg stump was tightly wrapped, showing no blood. His complexion had improved from pale and gaunt to normal and rosy, regaining color.

Having faced life and death and Tier 2 awakening, Qin Hu had walked through the gates of hell, but his left leg was irretrievably lost. After over an hour of unconsciousness, Qin Hu awoke groggily, the anesthesia still affecting him, leaving him only able to blink and tremble his lips.

After being fed some nutrient solution brought by the institute technicians, his condition gradually improved, allowing him to lean against the raised bed.

Seeing his lost leg, Qin Hu remained silent for a long time. He fully understood his situation—despite completing Tier 2 awakening, he felt like a cripple.

Li Ran handed him the plan, and as he skimmed it, a glimmer of hope returned to his eyes.

Lin Feng noticed the voluntary signature section on the last page, realizing this was an immature biological technology, with the researchers having another motive besides treatment.

While Tier 2 insect experiment subjects were rare, Tier 2 human awakeners were even more precious. They were targeting the newly awakened Qin Hu.

Having lost a leg, Qin Hu was more desperate than they were to restore it.

Lin Feng took a deep breath, initially wanting to dissuade him, but seeing the faint hope in Qin Hu's despairing face, he swallowed his words.

He couldn't save Qin Hu, so he had no right to stop him from deciding.

Lin Feng patted his shoulder:

"Once you've decided, don't regret it. Your wife still waits for you to return..."

After a few comforting words, a weary Qin Hu was urged by nurses to rest, prompting Lin Feng and Li Ran to leave.

Lin Feng took one last look at Qin Hu, whose attributes appeared:

"Qin Hu, Lv20/29"

"Health 190, Constitution 180, Spirit 145"

"Evaluation: Losing a vital body part affected his health and constitution, while despair affected his spirit. He's an incomplete pseudo-Tier 2 awakener."

Indeed, the leg loss was too significant; Qin Hu wasn't a regular Tier 2 awakener. In this state, he couldn't continue battling Tier 2 insects, and leaving the front line would mean fading into obscurity.

Had Qin Hu not awakened as Tier 2, he might have accepted the setback and retired peacefully with his family. But having glimpsed the next realm, he couldn't stop just before the finish line.

Lin Feng believed that if he were in Qin Hu's place, he couldn't accept such an outcome either!

Thus, he refrained from advising against it.

Even with only a ten percent or one percent chance of recovery, Qin Hu would gamble everything!

...

Returning to the service area in silence, Lin Feng bid farewell to Li Ran and entered the hotel, telling Shen Jie and his team to rest early.

They'd head back to the front line in the morning.

To complete additional capture tasks, they'd need to stay longer on the front.

At dawn, Lin Feng, roused by Chen Yanyan, got up and prepared to leave.

Shen Jie and his team were already waiting in vehicles at the exit.

Sitting in the Lv16 Flying Wing Vehicle, Lin Feng ordered:

"Let's go. While both sides are still recovering, let's catch the insects off guard!"

...

Hours later, in ground effect flight mode, Lin Feng not only wiped out a dozen Blue Wing Bugs but also captured three live ones.

Meanwhile, Shen Jie and his team captured two Black Spinal Bug groups, leaving thirty live bugs after killing some!

All collected materials were packed into the vehicle's trunk.

Returning to the service area, they found Han Yuxin, absent for days, waiting outside the hotel, accompanied by two large trucks.

One carried fresh meat Lin Feng needed, the other the much-needed steel plates.

As Lin Feng disembarked, Han Yuxin approached, ready to report on her mission's results, but Lin Feng headed straight to the trunk and said:

"Familiar with Jincheng?"

"Come with me."

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