The video played on the panel in Lin Qi’s hand.

The perspective was from a collection robot’s aerial view.

The footage began when Lin Qi released the collection robot and followed it all the way to the center of the fallen Beining District, to the building where the Tier Three Aggregated Monster was located.

From the moment the video started playing, the watching higher-ups of the Hongshan Rescue Team showed expressions of surprise.

’It can even take aerial footage?’

The signal interference was so severe that most drone equipment had become useless scrap.

With the exception of Ding Yang, the few less-worldly higher-ups were once again left in a state of minor shock.

Their shock did not last long, quickly turning to horror.

On the rooftop of the building housing the Tier Three Aggregated Monster, humans were gathered.

Not Zombies! But humans!

Zombies would never form a circle and sit on the ground.

Only humans would do something like that.

According to intelligence from Headquarters, Zombies absolutely possessed no intelligence, and it was nearly impossible for them to develop any.

"How is that possible? How could humans be alive in a place like that!"

Everyone was astonished, completely unable to comprehend how such a thing could happen.

Lin Qi spoke up. "That’s the problem. How could humans appear right next to a Tier Three Aggregated Monster?"

"Based on the information I have, even a Tier Two Extraordinary can only barely resist the mental lure of that Tier Three Monster. They could never remain so composed at such a close distance."

"Furthermore, I don’t believe any human has reached the level of a Tier Three Extraordinary at this stage."

As Lin Qi spoke, he deliberately observed everyone’s expressions.

They all maintained their shocked expressions, but when Lin Qi uttered his last sentence, a subtle change flickered across their faces.

Lin Qi was inwardly stunned. ’What does that mean?’

’The officials already have a Tier Three Extraordinary?’

’How is that possible? How long has it even been since the apocalypse started?’ 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

’Did they level up on a rocket ship?’

Lin Qi controlled his own expression.

He had intended to probe for information when he said those words.

Lin Qi did not trust the Dragon Country officials one hundred percent.

"We need to report this to Headquarters. This is an intelligence blind spot."

Ding Yang spoke after the video finished playing.

Lin Qi nodded slightly. He had no intention of rashly taking the next step himself.

He wouldn’t even touch the remaining Moon Gypsum Statues.

Who the hell knew what the deal was with those people on the roof of the Tier Three Monster’s building.

Lin Qi couldn’t rule out the possibility that those people were connected to the Dragon Country officials.

Ding Yang seemed to have read Lin Qi’s mind.

He stood up and said solemnly, "Student Lin Qi, please, you must believe that Dragon Country officials would never do anything to betray the people."

"The humans in this video are definitely not from the Dragon Country government!"

Ding Yang’s words were decisive and firm, even without any intelligence to back them up.

Lin Qi said nothing. This wasn’t something that could be believed based on a simple promise.

Lin Qi wasn’t afraid to assume the worst of everyone in this apocalyptic world.

Especially the so-called officials.

The massive amount of information from the beginning of the apocalypse was enough to make Lin Qi suspicious.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the room grew heavy.

Lin Qi spoke up. "I will wait at the Mo University Camp for new intelligence. In the meantime, the Mo University Camp will not get involved in the events in Beining District."

"If the abnormal situation in Beining District spreads to the Mo University Camp, it’s not as if we are incapable of building something like a nuclear weapon."

Lin Qi’s words were blunt.

Neither the Mo University Camp nor Lin Qi himself would wade into muddy waters and take on greater risks.

From now on, the Mo University Camp’s course of action would be focused on self-preservation.

As for Lin Qi himself, he would continue his daily Meditation.

If he could complete his full promotion to Tier Two Wizard before the situation in Beining District affected Mo University, only then would Lin Qi reconsider getting involved in the Beining District affair.

After all, the only known Tier Three Extraordinary Item was inside that Tier Three Aggregated Monster in Beining District.

After a moment of silence, Ding Yang continued, "Hongshan Camp will immediately dispatch a locomotive to Headquarters to request intelligence and personnel support."

"As soon as there’s any progress, we will immediately sync our intelligence with Mo University Camp."

Lin Qi nodded, then added, "Mo University Camp has a high demand for steel and non-ferrous metals right now. We’re about to start building a super photovoltaic power plant and new weapon production lines."

"With armed support, both Mo University Camp and Hongshan Camp can become more stable in this apocalypse."

Lin Qi’s final words eased the tension.

Even with the suspicion between them, the trade between the two sides could not stop for now.

It was crucial for the development of Mo University Camp, and also for the post-apocalyptic punk project that had just formed in Lin Qi’s mind.

Ding Yang breathed a sigh of relief. He had just been worried that Lin Qi, being a university student, would get hot-headed and disregard their original plans over a mere sliver of suspicion.

Thankfully, Lin Qi’s way of handling things wasn’t so radical.

Ding Yang continued, "Hongshan Camp has already launched an operation targeting a metal smelting plant. We should be able to acquire the first batch of materials soon."

"Furthermore, the information Student Lin Qi brought back is enough to earn a commendation. I will do my utmost to secure it for you."

Lin Qi frowned slightly after hearing Ding Yang’s words.

’A commendation? Why does Ding Yang keep bringing this up?’

’It’s practically useless in the apocalypse. Bringing it up so much is actually a bit disgusting. It’s like he’s trying to get something for nothing with a piece of paper.’

He glanced around. The expressions of the other Hongshan Camp higher-ups seemed to change again at Ding Yang’s words, as if they wanted to speak but were holding back.

His frown deepened.

Seeing this, Ding Yang immediately added, "To be frank, Student Lin Qi, this actually relates to an official secret of ours, one that only the management of the major camps are qualified to know."

As soon as Ding Yang said this, the other higher-ups moved to stop him. "Old Ding!"

Ding Yang waved his hand and continued, "Headquarters is in possession of an Extraordinary Item of a very high Level. This Extraordinary Item can increase the efficiency with which an Awakened grows stronger."

"The method to use it... is through the commendations I mentioned."

Seeing that Ding Yang had already said it, the others no longer tried to stop him.

This was a serious breach of discipline. If this information spread too widely, it would undoubtedly make Headquarters the target of public criticism.

’An Extraordinary Item?’

’A high Level?’

This did align with some of Lin Qi’s suspicions about the Dragon Country officials.

But Lin Qi didn’t plan to dig for the whole truth. Judging by the attitude of the others, he wouldn’t necessarily get a straight answer even if he asked.

He would have to wait until the Dragon Country officials made their move.

Words could lie, but actions wouldn’t.