Chapter 22: Lv7 Absolute Defense, Rescue Arrives

"Lin Feng, Lv7/9"

"Health: 40, Constitution: 35, Spirit: 36"

"New Over-Level Ability: Divine Arm Lv11/19"

Lin Feng's basic attributes showed little change, but his focus was on his arms.

Stimulated by the energy surge, Lin Feng's arms had healed completely and grown even stronger, with a slight bulge in the outer carapace when exerting force.

This newfound strength made him eager to unleash the Metal Storm attribute of his Divine Handgun and unleash a hail of bullets.

However, the need to replenish his ammo and the presence of many survivors around kept him grounded, suppressing his urge.

After gathering external information from Ding Chenghai, Lin Feng checked his phone. With ten minutes until rescue arrived, he briefed the women and returned to the rooftop window, leaping back into the tenth-floor corridor.

Drawing his Lv7 Divine Handgun, Lin Feng, with his powerful arms, could now wield its high fire rate freely. Even the largest beetle swarm would fall before his gun.

Walking through the corridor littered with severed limbs, Lin Feng saw no further insect gathering; having killed over 150 beetles, he had shattered this small swarm.

He glanced at his gun:

"Divine Handgun Lv7/9, White Quality"

"Upgrade Points: 88/10, Damage: 25, Effective Range: 1000 meters, Remaining Bullets: 1800/2000"

He had expected more upgrade points from killing 150 beetles, but many bullets hadn't dealt full damage, especially under Lv4, where stray shots killed many, uncounted.

Still, 88 points were enough for further upgrades, though reaching beyond Lv9 remained uncertain.

Lin Feng suspected the soldier bugs Ding mentioned were Lv9 or higher, highly evolved and impervious to rifle bullets.

Facing such monsters, the army needed a fortified unit to handle them. Ding's words suggested these soldier bugs outnumbered the entire Federation army...

To gather enough supplies in Haicheng, Lin Feng needed to grow stronger quickly, capable of soloing soldier bugs!

He began upgrading the Divine Handgun while scavenging usable carapaces from the beetle corpses.

He soon gathered a dozen intact carapaces.

Setting down his bag, Lin Feng used a tool to pierce a red carapace with his Divine Handgun, crafting it into an upgradeable item.

In three to four minutes, his Red Armored Shield reached Lv7:

"Red Armored Shield Lv7/9, White Quality"

"Durability: 10/10, Defense: 35, Variant Forms: Carapace (Unconditional), Shield Armor (12h/1 Carapace), New Variant: Absolute Defense (1/1 Carapace)"

Spending fifteen carapaces, he upgraded to Lv7, gaining a new form. He added five more for reserves.

Testing the new form, his shield armor emitted a red glow, creating a faint red dome five meters around him.

The shield displayed energy waves, not physical matter, lasting ten seconds before dispersing.

During this, Lin Feng found slow-moving objects could pass through, but fast strikes got stuck.

Curiously, bullets with high penetration halted at the shield, unable to pass.

This phenomenon reminded Lin Feng of non-Newtonian fluids, which resist fast force.

But the energy shield was more complex, protecting him and allies when needed.

The cost, however, was high—a single reserve for ten seconds.

After testing, Lin Feng used remaining carapaces on another new Red Armored Shield, upgrading it from Lv2 to Lv6, storing five carapaces.

As upgrades progressed, the carapace form shrank, extending shield armor duration—Lv7 provided 12 hours, Lv6 six hours.

The new shield was for Zhang Yuruo; her Lv4 shield might not suffice. The Lv7 Absolute Defense, with its enigmatic nature, couldn't be shared yet.

Lin Feng foresaw Zhang Yuruo's Red Armored Shield would reveal its secrets once she returned.

This versatile, high-defense shield armor would be highly sought, potentially mass-produced.

Lin Feng wished to keep some secrets, yet supported humanity's resistance enough to avoid a quick defeat that endangered him.

Moreover, ensuring Zhang Yuruo's safety was crucial. The shield armor was his parting gift, granting her leverage for rewards and power.

Mass-producing the shields also kept Lin Feng less conspicuous.

After weighing options, Lin Feng, clad in pristine red-silver shield armor and holding a small shield, returned to the rooftop, approaching Zhang Yuruo.

"This is a higher-grade shield. Swap it with yours. It maintains shield armor like mine for about six hours, usable five times."

"Once safe, have experts study it, see if they can replicate its creation. The battlefield has plenty of materials."

Zhang Yuruo took the smaller, lighter shield, understanding Lin Feng's intent, and kissed him deeply.

When they parted, she held his face tenderly, whispering:

"After leaving Haicheng, contact me. Ask if you need anything. I'll be in Gangcheng waiting."

Lin Feng smiled, urging her to swap it quickly.

Zhang Yuruo removed her coat, taking out the Lv4 carapace from her back. It fit conveniently, wrapping her in shield armor with a button press.

Installing Lin Feng's advanced shield, Zhang Yuruo shivered, donned her jacket, then handed the Lv4 carapace to Chen Yanyan.

Chen Yanyan beamed, glancing at Lin Feng. Seeing his approving smile, she mimicked Zhang Yuruo, placing it on her back.

Instantly, she felt secure.

Some others on the rooftop watched, surprised and curious. A few, like Liu Yueqi and her would-be uncle Zhang Xuan, showed envy.

As the teachers' leader, Zhang Xuan, young and charismatic, was adept at manipulation. In a day, he orchestrated events, using giant bugs to eliminate the previous head and positioning himself as leader.

He saw Lin Feng's group's uniqueness and regretted his earlier words...

Yet this armed man survived the swarm.

Fortunately, Zhang Xuan involved everyone, aligning them against Lin Feng, preventing direct inquiries.

He planned to approach Chen Yanyan, seeking Lin Feng's secrets, rallying others to demand the gun or armor.

In minutes, schemes formed in Zhang Xuan's mind; dealing with young men was simple.

But his thinking hadn't shifted from peacetime order.

As thoughts churned, a distant noise reached the rooftop.

Everyone stood, looking skyward. Soon, a growing black dot in the west resolved into a helicopter.

Cheering, they erupted, invigorated despite their exhaustion, energized like never before.

However, Lin Feng, versed in military matters, quickly identified the helicopter—not a rescue or transport, but a long, weapon-laden craft with 20mm cannons on each side...

A Federation multipurpose attack helicopter!

During the cheers, Lin Feng discreetly led the women to the communication station.

Ding Chenghai sighed, shaking his head:

"I was right. The insects likely sent aerial units, so they deployed the Wuzhi helicopter; regular transports can't defend themselves."

He spoke with engineering professors, securing a small communication device, palm-sized, with an old black-and-white display.

Handing it to Lin Feng, Ding Chenghai said gravely:

"Sorry, we can't take you."

"This signal decoder only receives specific frequencies, but has broad range. I'll update you on research intel."

"Good luck, Lin Feng. I trust you'll escape. Remember, heading inland is safer. I'll be in the Northwest waiting!"

Lin Feng accepted it, nodding firmly:

"Don't worry, I'm my family's only hope. I won't die easily!"

The helicopter hovered overhead, lowering two ropes.

Amidst the wind, two black-clad special forces rappelled down.

Upon landing, they raised large-caliber guns, addressing the crowd with loudspeakers:

"Stay where you are!"

"Only those called go up!"

"First, Ding Chenghai!"