"Let me introduce everyone," Elijah took the lead, introducing Nichs and Quentin''s groups to each other.


    Quentin even shared the identification number of the unit he once served in, instantly bridging the gap between the two sides.


    When Elijah''s survivors heard that Quentin confirmed these new arrivals were indeed genuine soldiers, they quickly gathered around, bombarding them with questions.


    They asked about the virus outbreak, government rescue efforts, and ns for the future.


    Although most had lost hope, they still wanted confirmation.


    The people naturally had a strong sense of respect for soldiers, and Nichs could feel this goodwill.


    However, his answers inevitably disappointed them.


    He exined that there was no longer any functioning government, and everyone was left to fend for themselves.


    The military was doing what it could, actively expanding the safe zones and trying to rebuild government structures.


    However, their current focus was not on densely popted cities like Neoville City, but on the more sparsely popted rural areas and small towns.


    If any survivors were willing, they could follow the soldiers back to the military-controlled areas, which were rtively safer.


    Elijah and Fiona showed no reaction to Nichs''s attempts to recruit people.


    If anyone decided to leave, they wouldn''t mind. In this apocalypse, the one thing that wasn''t in short supply was survivors without food or water.


    As long as they had enough resources, they could recruit as many people as they wanted.


    A few people were indeed tempted, especially when they saw the shiny, well-maintained firearms Nichs carried.


    However, after learning that the military had no method to induce awakenings and that they even had to purchase walkie-talkies from Azure Isle, their interest quickly waned.


    They thought to themselves, "The military doesn''t even have as many resources as Azure Isle! We''ve got control of Neoville City''s international port and storage bases; we have plenty of food and water now. All we care about is awakening, fully immunizing ourselves against the zombie virus, and not worrying about turning into zombies. Why go to the military if theyck everything we need?


    Just to be cannon fodder? We''d rather stay on Azure Isle and have a glimmer of hope!"


    As for firearms, they figured that if the military came here to buy walkie-talkies, surely they could get their hands on weapons too, especially with "Godmother" around. Fiona''s methods had earned their utmost respect.


    Gradually, the survivors'' attitude toward Nichs and his team began to shift, something Nichs and his team felt keenly.


    But they didn''t pay it much mind, as their conversations revealed something far more intriguing—Azure Isle apparently had a way to induce awakenings, or possibly... a serum?!


    As soon as the survivors stopped questioning them, Nichs immediately approached Elijah and Fiona to discuss the awakening serum.


    Elijah and Fiona didn''t deny its existence.


    The two had exchanged a brief nce and decided they could use this opportunity to influence one or two individuals within the military.


    They didn''t have grand ambitions of controlling the military, especially since Elijah''s Seed of Consciousness had its limits—controlling Neoville City was already pushing it.


    However, it was wise to be cautious, and they wanted to nt a couple of people within the military who could ry information back to Azure Isle if needed.


    Nichs and his team were excited, though a bit skeptical.


    Elijah and Fiona didn''t expect them to believe everything right away, so they steered the conversation back topleting the deal for the walkie-talkies and radios.


    As for the awakening serum, they suggested they could discuss it further in the future.


    Nichs nodded in agreement; he had some matters to report back, and they might need to send a few people to infiltrate Neoville City for further investigation. Securing themunication equipment deal was the most pressing task at the moment.


    After chatting a bit longer, Nichs requested to leave, needing to return to headquarters as soon as possible to make his report.


    Elijah escorted the three men out, watching them as they methodically retreated before finally returning to the warehouse.


    Fiona was delivering a speech to the survivors under hermand, outlining the uing trade with the military, including firearms that would eventually be distributed to everyone.


    This speech effectively quashed any lingering doubts among those who had been harboring second thoughts, further solidifying their loyalty to the leadership of Azure Isle.


    Afterwards, Elijah and his team spent more than a day thoroughly clearing out the zombies from the entire mall storage base.


    During the operation, they even managed to rescue a few survivors.


    These survivors had been lucky; they were holed up in a snack and beverage warehouse, which had kept them well-supplied with food and drink, allowing them to survive until now.


    Two dayster, Nichs and his group returned, this time bringing with them arge batch of militarymunication radios, the kind that could make direct phone calls.


    These were handed over to Elijah and his team.


    Vincent, having been informed ahead of time, had already gathered a few people and was waiting at the YLK Group Hotel.


    Vincent''s team had grownrger, thanks to rmendations from a few smaller survivor groups.


    Anyone with even a bit of knowledge in the field ofmunications had been sent to Vincent to aid in his work.


    After receiving the first batch of military radios, Vincent''s team spent several days modifying them.


    Finally, they sessfully retrofitted two units, which were then set up at Azure Isle and the YLK Group Hotel, resulting in a significant improvement in themunication between the two locations.


    While waiting for news on the modifications, Nichs and his team spent time exploring Neoville City.


    They discovered that, just as Elijah had said, the western and southern suburbs, along with the coastal area of Neoville City, had already been cleared of zombies.


    After clearing out the mall storage base, Elijah''s team stationed a squad led by a second-tier ability user to guard it, while the rest of the group continued their efforts in the old town, aiming to secure the entire city and its surrounding areas.


    Nichs''s team also visited Azure Isle and were astonished by the stability and prosperity of the area.


    If it weren''t for the knowledge that they were in a post-apocalyptic world, they might have mistaken it for a pre-apocalypse urban district.


    The safe zone around Azure Isle had expanded significantly after multiple extensions, and survivors from surrounding areas flocked there to trade, which led to the gradual repurposing of previously abandoned storefronts.


    Under Fiona''s nning and allocation, each of the various survivor groups was given a designated spot to set up their own shops for trading supplies.


    Of course, thergest area remained the Azure Isle waterfront service area, which was the only ce that sold awakening and advancement serums, drawing inrge numbers of people.


    Nichs and his group witnessed someone drinking an awakening serum on the spot and sessfully awakening their abilities.


    This sight made them both envious and more determined to expand their trade with Azure Isle.


    When the first batch of modified military radios waspleted, Nichs and his team were at Azure Isle, where they witnessed the sessful phone connection between Azure Isle and the YLK Group Hotel.


    They even had a conversation with their own team members stationed there.


    Relieved and excited, they promptly returned to the YLK Group Hotel to await thepletion of the remaining radio modifications and to discuss future trade deals with Elijah and Fiona.


    Hearing that the military was interested in acquiring awakening serums, Elijah didn''t reject the idea.


    Instead, he took the opportunity to bring up the possibility of trading for firearms. Nichs''s team had already anticipated this and had prepared ordingly.


    After reporting to their superiors, the military had secretly sent people to infiltrate Neoville City for investigation.


    Following this, themand center conducted a series of simtions and concluded that Elijah''s group was a principled organization, leading them to approve a certain level of material trade, including firearms.


    Therefore, Nichs and his team did not refuse the request but imposed a limit on the quantity, simr to how Azure Isle limited the sale of awakening serums to them.