ã€ŠIce Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Suppliesã€‹


 Chapter 1: Rebirth After the Apocalypse

    "Pain, such intense pain!"

    Zhang Yi''s entire body was engulfed in excruciating pain.

    This wasn''t just a sensation; it was a harsh reality happening to him.

    At this moment, he was being mercilessly beaten by friends and neighbors he once trusted and helped. Punches, kicks, and even sticks rained down on him.

    In this resource-scarce post-apocalyptic world, they didn''t care about Zhang Yi''s previous help and attacked him without hesitation.

    As hey dying, he vaguely saw his dream girl, Fang Yuqing, standing at the back of the crowd. She pitifully shouted, "I made him open the door. Give me an extra share of the supplies!"

    It was this woman who tricked Zhang Yi into opening the door, leading to his death.

    Zhang Yi looked at her with eyes full of hatred and regret.

    He could only me himself for being too foolish and kind-hearted, bing a stepping stone for others in this apocalyptic world.He wished he could do it all over again.

    If he had the chance, he would not show anyone mercy and live for himself!

    Suddenly, Zhang Yi''s vision went ck, and he lost consciousness.

    But the next moment, he abruptly opened his eyes and sat up from the couch.

    The hellish scene he had just experienced and the terrible pain were still vivid in his mind.

    Zhang Yi gasped for air, his body quickly soaked with sweat.

    "What¡¯s going on? Wasn''t I killed by those beastly neighbors?"

    Coming to his senses, Zhang Yi began to examine his surroundings.

    This ce was familiar; it was his own home.

    Thefortable temperature in the air felt oddly surprising.

    In December 2050, Earth was hit by a global Cambrian storm caused by the explosion of a supernova 500,000 light-years away.

    Global temperatures plummeted. In Tianhai City, where Zhang Yi lived, daily temperatures were minus sixty to seventy degrees Celsius. Blizzardssted a month, burying the entire city.

    It was said that in northern China, temperatures reached a terrifying minus one hundred degrees, and thend was covered in ice and snow.

    Various species went extinct on arge scale, and even humans lost more than ny-five percent of their poption in this disaster.

    Zhang Yi stood up and took a bottle of water from the fridge, drinking more than half of it.

    Although the chilled water was icy, to him now, it was like nectar.

    In the apocalypse, people could only get water by going out in the extreme cold of minus sixty to seventy degrees, and digging snow to melt into water.

    This task could quickly freeze people to death.

    After drinking the water, Zhang Yi looked at his phone.

    The disy showed the date "November 12."

    There was still a whole month until the apocalypse.

    "Looks like I''ve been reborn."

    Zhang Yi took a deep breath and quickly understood what had happened.

    That month''s experience couldn''t have been a dream, especially the pain of being dismembered; it was too real.

    Zhang Yi raised his head, feeling incredibly grateful for his second chance.

    At the same time, a fierce glint shed in his eyes.

    He remembered clearly who had killed him.

    In this life, he would live well and wouldn''t show mercy to those beasts.

    Moreover, he had to take revenge on those animals while ensuring his safety.

    But now, Zhang Yi first needed to consider how to survive the apocalypse a monthter.

    Zhang Yi''s living conditions were rtively good.

    His parents had died early, and he had inherited a 120-square-meter house in Tianhai City.

    He also had over 2 million in savings, which would be prettyfortable in ordinary times.

    However, when the apocalypse came, the world would face a severe shortage of resources.

    His savings wouldn''tst long.

    To survive, he needed a massive amount of supplies.

    With the chance to prepare in advance, Zhang Yi not only wanted to survive but also to maintain a certain quality of life in the future.

    Food, entertainment, everything needed to be taken care of, or long-term survival would drive him crazy.

    Moreover, weapons and equipment were essential to ensure his safety andplete his revenge on the neighbors.

    Just then, a beam of white light suddenly appeared before Zhang Yi.

    He thought his right eye was blurry and rubbed it.

    Suddenly, a strange idea emerged in his mind.

    It seemed this white light was a part of him, and information about it appeared in his brain.

    With a thought, Zhang Yi''s consciousness entered the white light.

    Inside, he found an enormous white space.

    He had no idea how big it was; it was just a vast expanse of whiteness.

    "Is this... a interdimensional space?"

    "Looks like I gained some special abilities after being reborn."

    Zhang Yi''s heart leaped with joy.

    It seemed the gamma rays had mutated his body, giving him extraordinary powers.

    With this enormous space, storing supplies for the apocalypse would be much easier.

    However, Zhang Yi wanted to know how much this space could store and whether there were any limitations.

    His consciousness returned to his room, and he started trying to put things into the space.

    He began with cups and basins, which quickly went in.

    Then he triedrger appliances.

    Television, fridge, washing machine,puter, air conditioner, vacuum cleaner.

    The white space epted everything.

    Moreover, Zhang Yi could retrieve items from the space with just a thought.

    However, some objects subjected to strong external forces and not existing independently couldn''t be stored, like trying to remove a floorboard from the ground¡ªit did not react.

    "The interdimensional space seems to have many rules I need to explore."

    "But just this huge space that can store objects will allow me to hoard massive resources!"

    He licked his lips, a bold n forming in his mind.

    Zhang Yi worked as a warehouse manager for Walmart''s South China warehouse.

    As the world''srgest supermarket, Walmart''s inventory had everything one could think of.

    In China, there were three giant warehouses: Central China, South China, and North China.

    These warehouses were incredibly massive, especially the South China warehouse.

    Built in 2040, it was 1500 meters long, 720 meters wide, and covered over a million square meters¡ªthe world''s most giant warehouse!

    Walmart''s Greater China president hailed it as the world''s eighth wonder!

    Of course, the world officially recognizes only seven wonders, and the so-called eighth wonders are self-proimed and number in the thousands.

    However, the size and storage capacity of the South China warehouse indeed dominate the global warehousing field.

    Its regr supplies could sustain millions of people in several cities for a week.

    In other words, if Zhang Yi could empty one warehouse and move everything into his space, he would have enough supplies tost several lifetimes!

    The critical point was Walmart''s strict quality control.

    The warehouse contained no low-end, substandard brands.

    Food, household goods, and luxury items were all reputable brands.

    If Zhang Yi could empty a Walmart warehouse, he wouldn''t be free from worrying about supplies for the apocalypse; he would live quitefortably.

    As the warehouse manager, Zhang Yi was extremely familiar with every shelf, surveince equipment, and staff schedule in the warehouse.

    Emptying the warehouse wouldn''t be difficult for him.

    Having made up his mind, Zhang Yi felt much more rxed.

    "Grumble~"

    Just then, Zhang Yi''s stomach protested loudly.

    He rubbed his belly and nced at the yellow braised chicken rice on the table.

    After hesitating, he smiled and shook his head, deciding not to eat the takeout.

    "There''s only a month until the apocalypse. I should enjoy the good food while I can; I won''t have the chanceter. Why be so stingy with myself?"

    Having endured cold and hunger for a month, Zhang Yi was eager to eat something hot and delicious.

    What''s the point of saving money now?

    After the apocalypse, money would be worthless paper. It was better to spend it all now and not waste it.

    Zhang Yi turned cheerfully, deciding to treat himself to a luxurious meal at a high-end restaurant he had previously been barely able to afford.

 Chapter 2: Femme Fatale

    Chapter 2: Femme Fatale

    Zhang Yi stepped out of his home, greeted by a tranquil scene brimming with human joy and serenity.

    Numerous parents yed with their children in the neighborhood square, their faces adorned with happy smiles.

    But Zhang Yi knew that all this would turn into nothing but bubbles in a month.

    He quickly walked out of the neighborhood. Not far away, there was a Michelin three-star restaurant.

    A meal there would cost at least five to six thousand, and Zhang Yi had never been willing to splurge on dining there before.

    But now, he didn''t care at all.

    Having returned from the dead, he needed to celebrate properly!

    Upon entering the restaurant, Zhang Yi found a window seat and ordered all the most expensive dishes, along with a bottle of Lafite wine.This extravagant meal cost him fifty thousand yuan.

    Even the waiters in the restaurant looked at Zhang Yi with ambiguous expressions, assuming he must be a wealthy heir.

    After all, who else would eat such expensive food in one sitting?

    Zhang Yi ignored what others thought. He began to devour the food when the table was filled with delicious dishes.

    Perhaps because he had endured six months of an ice-bound apocalypse, the delicious food moved him to tears.

    His voracious eating drew the attention and gossip of the surrounding diners.

    But Zhang Yi couldn''t care less.

    In the apocalypse, people would kneel and bow for a pack of instant noodles.

    When that timees, all civilization and morality will turn to dust.

    While Zhang Yi was eating in the restaurant, a woman passing by the window stopped in her tracks.

    She was a woman with long, flowing hair and delicate makeup. She wore Gi high heels and carried an LV handbag.

    This woman was Fang Yuqing, the one who had killed Zhang Yi in his previous life.

    Beside her was her good friend, Lin Cainin.

    The two women couldn''t help but take a few more nces at the Michelin three-star restaurant as they passed by.

    They both longed for such a luxurious ce, but their finances prevented them from splurging there.

    However, this didn''t stop them from scrutinizing the interior, hoping to spot a wealthy young man they could hook up with.

    To their surprise, Fang Yuqing spotted Zhang Yi inside, with a table full of top-tier food in front of him.

    "Isn''t that Zhang Yi? How does he have the money to eat here?" Fang Yuqing eximed.

    Lin Cainin was equally shocked, covering her mouth, "Is Zhang Yi really that rich?"

    As she spoke, she gave Fang Yuqing an ambiguous look andughed, "Yuqing, you''re fortunate! The guy chasing you turns out to be a hidden rich kid."

    "Look at that table of food. It must cost at least fifty or sixty thousand. How can an ordinary person afford such an expensive meal?"

    Lin Cainin''s tone was envious.

    She knew that Zhang Yi had been pursuing Fang Yuqing for two and a half years.

    But Fang Yuqing had always kept Zhang Yi on a string, neither rejecting nor epting him.

    Fang Yuqing was a total gold digger. She always believed she could marry a quality rich guy and be a young mistress.

    But she couldn''t bear to give up on Zhang Yi, who had a car and a house in Tianhai City.

    So, she always kept Zhang Yi as a backup.

    Her backup principle was: not proactive, rejecting, ormitting.

    Seeing Zhang Yi enjoying a luxurious meal worth tens of thousands today made Fang Yuqing start to doubt.

    "Could it be that Zhang Yi is actually a hidden rich kid?"

    Fang Yuqing rested her chin in her hand, pondering.

    The more she thought about it, the more she felt it was possible.

    "Right, isn''t this amon plot in TV dramas?"

    "Someone who is very wealthy but pretends to be ordinary to find true love."

    Fang Yuqing believed her own words, her eyes lighting up.

    If that were true, she could save a lot of effort.

    After all, Zhang Yi had been pursuing her, and she believed that if she just nodded, Zhang Yi would immediately propose to her.

    Lin Cainin urged, "Yuqing, let''s go inside and find Zhang Yi!"

    In truth, she was eyeing the delicious food on the table.

    This was a Michelin three-star restaurant. Ordinary people wouldn''t get to taste such delicacies in their lifetime.

    Fang Yuqing hesitated momentarily but shook her head, "That wouldn''t be good! It might make him think I''m a gold digger."

    "Let''s wait outside and pretend to bump into him."

    Fang Yuqing wasn''t foolish. She wouldn''t lower her stance just for a meal.

    Even if Zhang Yi was wealthy, she had to maintain her goddess demeanor.

    Only then, when they were together, could she control Zhang Yi and keep him as her devoted admirer.

    So the two of them hid not far from the restaurant, waiting for Zhang Yi toe out.

    Zhang Yi ate for over an hour, happily rubbing his round belly.

    The taste of the Michelin three-star food was ordinary, but to someone reborn from the apocalypse, it was enough to move him to tears.

    Next, he nned to buy supplies at a nearby supermarket.

    This was to test the storage capacity of his interdimensional space, to avoid any problemster.

    Although he was confident about moving supplies from Walmart, it was better to be cautious.

    Having experienced hunger, he couldn''t allow any idents.

    Zhang Yi happily paid the bill and walked out of the restaurant under the waiters'' enthusiastic smiles.

    At that moment, a familiar voice rang out.

    "Zhang Yi, what a coincidence!"

    Zhang Yi turned his head and saw Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin.

    Fang Yuqing tucked her hair behind her ear, deliberately exposing her fair neck and pink earlobes.

    Zhang Yi sneered inwardly. This ssic green tea trick was designed to make men feel moved unintentionally.

    As a top drama queen and femme fatale, Fang Yuqing naturally knew this well.

    But unfortunately, the current Zhang Yi was no longer the naive admirer he once was.

    Not long ago, this woman had caused his death, a miserable and tragic death.

    She had even intended to break his ribs to make soup!

    Thinking of this, Zhang Yi''s gaze turned cold, filled with naked killing intent.

    Anyway, the apocalypse would soon arrive, and even killing her wouldn''t be a problem.

    Should he finish her off?

    Fang Yuqing shivered under Zhang Yi''s gaze and nervously said, "Zhang Yi... what''s wrong?"

    Zhang Yi quickly restrained his gaze and said lightly, "Nothing, I mistook you for someone else."

    He suddenly changed his mind.

    Letting this woman die so easily would be too lenient.

    Besides, killing her now would likely lead to legal consequences.

    Zhang Yi didn''t want to be in jail when the apocalypse came.

    It was better to let her experience the despair of the apocalypse before dealing with her.

    With the element of surprise on his side and his memories from before his rebirth, Zhang Yi had a hundred ways to make her die in agony.

    So, for now, there was no need to deal with her.

    The most important thing now was to build the safest refuge, ensuring he could live safely andfortably in the apocalypse.

 Chapter 3: Shopping and Stockpiling

    Chapter 3: Shopping and Stockpiling

    Zhang Yi¡¯s attitude towards Fang Yuqing was decidedly frosty.

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin sensed something was amiss.

    However, after mistakenly believing Zhang Yi was a concealed wealthy heir, they didn''t get angry at his coldness but instead became more eager to approach him.

    After all, a bit of temper in a rich man is seen as a mark of distinction!

    ¡°Hey, Zhang Yi, were you dining at this restaurant just now?¡± Lin Cainin said, feigning nonchnce.

    Zhang Yi frowned slightly. This woman was no better than Fang Yuqing; they were both of the same ilk.

    She had a hand in the food that tricked him and caused his death.

    ¡°Yes.¡±Zhang Yi replied coldly, then turned around and walked towards the supermarket with his hands in his pockets.

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin hurried to catch up.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, where are you heading?¡± Fang Yuqing asked with a gentle smile.

    ¡°To the supermarket.¡±

    Zhang Yi''s voice remained cold, tinged with impatience.

    If it weren''t for his desire to let her experience the despair of the apocalypse, he would have already killed her.

    Fang Yuqing nced at Lin Cainin and quickly said, ¡°What a coincidence! We were just about to buy some things, too. We can go together!¡±

    Zhang Yi had already figured it out by now.

    They must have seen him eatingvish at the Michelin three-star restaurant and mistakenly thought he was a hidden rich kid.

    That''s why they were suddenly so enthusiastic.

    He couldn''t be bothered to say anything to them and just headed towards the supermarket.

    The more indifferent he was, the more Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin believed he was a wealthy heir.

    Otherwise, how could he be so audacious?

    The two followed closely by Zhang Yi''s side, with Fang Yuqing asionally brushing up against him on purpose.

    Whenever Zhang Yi looked at her, she would shyly turn her head, blushing like a bashful maiden.

    Zhang Yi sneered inwardly.

    Drama queen, you¡¯re quite the actress. If you went into movies, you¡¯d surely win an Oscar.

    Zhang Yi entered the supermarket, grabbed a shopping cart, and walked inside.

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin quickly grabbed carts and followed him.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, were you dining with someone?¡± Fang Yuqing asked with a smile.

    Zhang Yi approached the food section, responding coldly, ¡°Can¡¯t I eat alone?¡±

    Fang Yuqing¡¯s eyes lit up, and she quickly said, ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t mean that. It¡¯s just that the food there is so expensive. I thought you might have been treating someone.¡±

    Lin Cainin couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Zhang Yi, you only make about ten thousand a month, right? That meal must have cost you half a year''s sry.¡±

    ¡°Looks like your family left you quite a bit of money.¡±

    Fang Yuqing red at Lin Cainin harshly.

    Idiot, how could you say such a thing?

    As a top drama queen, the most important rule is: talk about romance with the rich and money with the poor!

    Realizing her mistake, Lin Cainin quickly tried to cover up.

    ¡°Haha, I was just kidding. We¡¯re all good friends, and money doesn¡¯t really matter.¡±

    But Zhang Yipletely ignored them.

    He reached the food section and looked at the shelves full of goods like he was entering a treasure trove.

    In his previous life, he knew what it was like to make a pack of instant noodlesst two days.

    So he had an infinite desire for food.

    Zhang Yi went straight to the shelves and threw food into the cart.

    Sausages, instant noodles, self-heating hot pots, and condiments were all bought inrge quantities.

    His actions left Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin stunned.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, why are you buying so much food? Are you going camping?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    Zhang Yi replied indifferently.

    Lin Cainin grew suspicious and whispered to Fang Yuqing, ¡°Would a rich heir take this kind of food camping?¡±

    Fang Yuqing was also puzzled but didn¡¯t want to give up the idea that Zhang Yi was wealthy after remembering the Michelin three-star meal.

    She hurried over to Zhang Yi and said eagerly, ¡°Do you need any help?¡±

    With freebor avable, Zhang Yi had no reason not to use it.

    Plus, seeing Fang Yuqing¡¯s pretend innocent smile sparked a desire for revenge in him.

    He had a month to prepare for the apocalypse.

    Building a perfect shelter to ensure his safety wasn¡¯t difficult.

    As for living supplies, he could get them from the Walmart warehouse.

    This way, he could ensure he lived safely andfortably during the apocalypse.

    Why not let Fang Yuqing know he was storing supplies and have here begging himter?

    As for Fang Yuqing leaking his whereabouts and attracting those bastard neighbors, that was easily solvable.

    He wouldn''t have to worry about being besieged as long as his safe house was strong enough. Instead, he could counterattack those neighbors!

    Thinking about their helplessness, Zhang Yi¡¯s smile turned a bit twisted.

    Yes, this was indeed an option worth considering.

    Zhang Yi decided to contact a securitypany to build such a safe house.

    If feasible, he would go with this n.

    If not, he would leave the city and find a secluded wilderness to build an underground shelter.

    This was a two-pronged strategy.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s lips curled up slightly. ¡°You can help push the cart.¡±

    Fang Yuqing quickly agreed.

    Zhang Yi also had Lin Cainin fetch another cart.

    Although they were filled with doubt, they did as told.

    Zhang Yi bought many non-perishable food, including instant noodles, sausages, preserved meat, and canned goods.

    He also filled one cart with fresh meat, fruits, vegetables, and some live fish.

    He wanted to test if his interdimensional space had any special effects on storing fresh goods.

    With three carts full of supplies, Zhang Yi had the cart full of beef,mb, and canned goods pushed by the two women.

    It must have weighed at least five hundred kilograms, leaving them sweating profusely.

    Fang Yuqing pouted andined, ¡°Zhang Yi, how many people are you feeding? Are you nning something and not telling me?¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled coldly and said, ¡°Weather is unpredictable. What if the world ends one day? I''m just stocking up on supplies!¡±

    Zhang Yi was telling the truth, but no one would believe him.

    This had already been proven by a doctor named Li.

    Fang Yuqing thought Zhang Yi was joking andughed, ¡°If you don¡¯t want to tell, just don¡¯t. Why joke like that?¡±

    ¡°But you have to treat me to a meal for helping you so much today!¡±

    Fang Yuqing¡¯s eyes were full of expectation.

    She hoped Zhang Yi would take her to a Michelin three-star restaurant.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s lips curled slightly, ¡°Sure, but I''m busytely. Maybe next month.¡±

    Fang Yuqing happily replied, ¡°Great, it¡¯s a deal then!¡±

    Lin Cainin quickly added, ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s all go together!¡±

    Helping push a cart and getting a fancy meal in return made her very happy.

    Seeing Lin Cainin¡¯sck of awareness, Fang Yuqing red at her again.

    But Lin Cainin pretended not to notice.

    Zhang Yi went to pay, spending over ten thousand yuan on supplies.

    He paid without batting an eye.

    These supplies would be worth tens of thousands of times more in the apocalypse! They could even be priceless.

    At that time, no matter how much money you had, you might not be able to buy a bite.

    Because Zhang Yi bought so much, the supermarket generously lent him the carts.

    Zhang Yi unhesitatingly ordered the two women to help push the supplies home.

    He could have driven his car to transport the supplies, but with freebor, why not use it?

    The two womenined about being tired, but they were motivated by the promise of a fancy meal.

    So, the three of them pushed the three carts of supplies back to the neighborhood.

 Chapter 4: Booking 500 Tables at a Five-Star Hotel

    Chapter 4: Booking 500 Tables at a Five-Star Hotel

    Zhang Yi and the two women pushed the threerge carts of supplies back to the neighborhood.

    Along the way, many neighbors witnessed this scene and couldn''t help but start gossiping.

    Zhang Yi no longer cared about being seen stockpiling supplies.

    Since these two drama queens knew about his shopping spree, the news couldn''t be kept under wraps.

    If he were just trying to ensure his survival, he could sell all his assets and retreat to a deste ce to build an impregnable fortress.

    But how could he avenge himself on the neighbors who had dismembered him alive in his previous life that way?

    Without killing those people, Zhang Yi''s inner torment would never disappear.

    So, one of his post-apocalyptic ns was to stay in this neighborhood and exact brutal revenge on everyone who had wronged him!Of course, this n''s prerequisite was that the securitypany could build him an impregnable shelter.

    Otherwise, he would still need to prepare a backup n, which involved constructing an underground shelter in a remote location.

    Zhang Yi looked at the neighbors around him, who were smiling and gossiping about why he had bought so many supplies.

    He could already foresee the scene of these neighbors trying to break into his house to rob him during the apocalypse.

    He had experienced all this firsthand.

    But he wasn''t afraid because this time, he would be fully prepared.

    He intended to make those people see the supplies but unable to obtain them, ultimately driving them to despair.

    Zhang Yi and Fang Yuqing lived in the same apartment building.

    Because Zhang Yi managed the warehouse at Walmart, neighbors often asked him to help buy discounted items.

    Thus, everyone knew Zhang Yi.

    Seeing Zhang Yi and the two women returning with so many supplies, a grandma with her grandson walked over.

    She looked at the food in the carts, especially the fresh beef andmb, and couldn''t help but feel tempted.

    "Zhang, why did you bring back so much stuff? Is it from the warehouse clearance?"

    "You can''t use all that; how about sharing some with the neighbors?"

    This was Aunt Lin from the neighborhoodmittee. She often used her small power in themunity to boss around the neighbors, acting like a leader.

    In the past, she frequently asked Zhang Yi to help her buy discounted goods, as she loved getting bargains.

    In the previous life, she had also pestered Zhang Yi for some food.

    But when the neighbors stormed Zhang Yi''s house to rob him, she was more energetic than the younger people.

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin didn''t want to provoke this woman, quickly saying, "These are all Zhang Yi''s purchases. We just helped him bring them back."

    Aunt Lin''s eyes immediately turned to Zhang Yi, smiling, "Zhang, it looks like these are from your warehouse. How about sharing some with Aunt Lin?"

    As she spoke, her grandson, Xiaohu, had already climbed onto one of the carts and grabbed a box of choctes.

    Although he was young, he had a sharp eye. That box of imported choctes sold for over two hundred yuan in the supermarket.

    Without a word, Zhang Yi snatched the choctes back.

    He stated coldly, "I¡¯m keeping these for myself."

    With the apocalypse approaching, he couldn''t be bothered to be polite anymore.

    Aunt Lin''s face turned soured, "You..."

    Zhang Yi''s outright refusal embarrassed her in front of the neighbors, and made her angry.

    Especially since her grandson, Xiaohu, started crying for the choctes after being pushed away by Zhang Yi.

    He even pointed at Zhang Yi and cursed, "You bad guy, give me back my choctes! Or I''ll beat you up!"

    Zhang Yi looked at him coldly and said sternly, "Say another word, and I''ll p you."

    Xiaohu was scared into silence, then burst into loud sobs, rolling on the ground.

    Aunt Lin hurried tofort her grandson and angrily reproached Zhang Yi.

    "How dare you, an adult, argue with a child?"

    "It''s just a box of choctes. What''s wrong with giving it to the kid?"

    "Why don''t you just give him a box? I''ll pay you backter. We won¡¯t take advantage of you!"

    Zhang Yi sneered.

    Nowadays, with mobile payments, paying on the spot is incredibly convenient.

    Her talk of payingter was clearly an excuse to avoid payment.

    "I said these are for my own use. If you want some, go buy them at the supermarket!"

    Zhang Yi chuckled coldly, then called Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin to leave.

    As they walked away, they could hear Aunt Lin cursing behind them.

    Zhang Yi ignored it.

    Aunt Lin''s son and daughter-inw worked elsewhere, leaving her alone to care for her grandson.

    The olddy usually bought groceries daily.

    So when the apocalypse arrived, their supplies would be the first to run out.

    In the previous life, Zhang Yi had helped them out of sympathy.

    But without his help this time, the immoral old woman and her mischievous grandson would be lucky to survive ten days.

    Zhang Yi had no intention of arguing with soon-to-be corpses.

    It''s not that he was heartless, but everyone would struggle to care for themselves once the apocalypse arrived.

    Others'' lives naturally came after his own.

    After pushing the three carts of supplies home, Zhang Yi dismissed the two women.

    "Zhang Yi, don''t forget to treat us!" Fang Yuqing said yfully, winking at him.

    But Zhang Yi only felt nauseous at her coquettish behavior.

    He gave a perfunctory response.

    The two women initially wanted to stay and look for clues that Zhang Yi was a hidden rich heir.

    But seeing his disinterest in hosting them, they had to leave.

    After they left, Zhang Yi opened his interdimensional space and stored all the supplies inside.

    He intended to observe whether the supplies would change after being stored in the space.

    Afterpleting this task, it was alreadyte.

    Zhang Yi didn''t rush to rest but took out paper and pen to meticulously n the next month''s preparations.

    Although he was usuallyzy, the will to survive could unleash immense potential.

    "To livefortably in the apocalypse, first, I need to secure food. That''s easy."

    "Besides my regr purchases, I can get more from the warehouse. But I must proceed cautiously and only gather supplies a few days before the apocalypse to avoid attracting attention. Getting arrested now would be fatal."

    Zhang Yi wrote "Food" in his notebook and ticked it off.

    "Next is heating."

    "After the apocalypse, energy supplies will be extremely scarce, and air conditioning will soon be unusable."

    "Therefore, I need to use the simplest method. A firece is the best option!"

    Fireces are simr to traditional Chinese kang beds, using primitive methods to generate heat.

    This is amon way to survive the long winters in Europe, where winters are especially cold.

    "That means I need to remodel the house, preferably adding instion."

    Thinking about remodeling, Zhang Yi recalled how his home was broken into in his previous life, making him anxious.

    "I need to turn my home into an impregnable fortress."

    "First, I need to install thick steel tes or alloy materials, strong enough to withstand explosions."

    After the apocalypse, people would do anything to survive, so thorough preparations were necessary.

    He couldn''t afford to gamble with his safety. Having tasted death once, he never wanted to experience it again.

    The security house problem could also be solved.

    Tianhai City had securitypanies that provided services for the elite, including building safe houses.

    Zhang Yi remembered reading about a top billionaire overseas who built a super fortress capable of withstanding small nuclear attacks.

    "Next, I need to ensure I have enough medicine. I can''t risk falling ill without treatment."

    "Walmart''s warehouse has plenty ofmon medications for colds and fevers, but that''s not nearly enough."

    "The post-apocalyptic storm willst for decades, so I need to be fully prepared."

    Fortunately, Zhang Yi had good connections in Tianhai City.

    As a warehouse manager, he knew people in hospital storage departments.

    He could get any medication he needed if he offered enough money.

    With these issues resolved, Zhang Yi tapped his notebook with his pen.

    "There''s one more critical issue to address."

    His gaze sharpened.

    "That is weapons!"

    Humanity would lose its moralpass in the apocalypse, and fights for resources would bemonce.

    Lives would be as insignificant as weeds. To survive, one must have sufficientbat power.

    Zhang Yi wasn''t a martial arts expert; even the best fighters feared a well-wielded knife.

    He wouldn''t have to worry if he had prepared enough powerful weapons.

    "Machetes, crowbars, and axes are easy to get."

    "Bows, crossbows, and air rifles can be sourced too."

    "But the most formidable option is American-style cutlery. However, acquiring this within the country would require essing the ck market."

    "Going abroad to get it? That''s impractical. It''s a long trip, and I don''t have a foreign firearms license, so I can''t just buy from weapon stores."

    Zhang Yi scratched his chin. This problem wasn''t immediately solvable.

    But with a month left, he should be able to find a way if he was willing to spend money.

    He spent three hours crafting a perfect n, then took a satisfying hot shower and fell asleep in hisfortable bed.

    ...

    The next morning, Zhang Yi got up from bed.

    He hadn''t slept well, waking up from nightmares several times.

    When he woke up and realized he was still in his warm,fortable bed, he breathed a sigh of relief.

    The apocalypse had left a deep scar on his psyche.

    To avoid repeating past mistakes, Zhang Yi was more determined than ever to be fully prepared!

    After getting up, Zhang Yi made himself breakfast.

    He then opened his interdimensional space to check the status of the supplies stored overnight.

    To his delight, the meat, fruits, and vegetables were as fresh as the day before.

    Meat''s condition might not show much quickly, but fruits and vegetables typically lose freshness overnight.

    However, stored in the interdimensional space, they looked as fresh as the day he bought them.

    "My interdimensional space must be independent of this world''s time flow, perhaps even slowing or stopping time. This is fantastic news!"

    "Now, I can store as many things as I want without worry."

    Thinking this, countless items came to Zhang Yi''s mind.

    What about prepared meals if he could store fresh meat, vegetables, and fruits?

    Though he could cook, he wasn''t as skilled as professional chefs.

    Eventually, he''d get tired of his cooking.

    So, Zhang Yi immediately called Tianhai City''srgest five-star hotel, Grand Fortune.

    This hotel offered takeout, and their food was top-notch, which Zhang Yi loved.

    "Hello, this is Grand Fortune. How can I assist you today?"

    Zhang Yi quickly said, "I need to book 500 tables for a three-day feast at my home."

    The person on the other end was stunned.

    Five hundred tables would take a long time to prepare.

    Moreover, being a five-star hotel, their cheapest banquet table costs thirty thousand yuan.

    Five hundred tables would total over ten million yuan!

    The staff didn''t dare decide alone and quickly said, "Please hold, I need to consult our manager."

    After a while, another person took over the call.

    "Good day, sir. I''m Chen Dingfang, the manager of Grand Fortune. How may I address you?"

 Chapter 5: Loaning Money

    Chapter 5: Loaning Money

    Zhang Yi responded, ¡°My name is Zhang Yi. Is there any issue with me ordering 500 tables of banquets?¡±

    The manager was taken aback. Such an order was unprecedented in the hotel¡¯s history.

    However, such arge order would definitely be epted.

    ¡°Mr. Zhang, 500 tables will cost over a million yuan. If you want to proceed, we will start preparing immediately, but we will need a 200,000 yuan deposit upfront.¡±

    Zhang Yi replied, ¡°No problem. Send me your ount details, and I¡¯ll transfer the money.¡±

    With money, things get done quickly. The manager readily agreed, added Zhang Yi¡¯s contact information, and then sent him the bank ount details.

    Without hesitation, Zhang Yi transferred the 200,000 yuan.

    Upon confirmation of the deposit, the manager immediately mobilized all departments.¡°Hurry, we¡¯ve got a big order! Tell the procurement department to stock up, and the kitchen should halt all other delivery orders!¡±

    ¡°We need to prepare 500 tables of banquets within a day!¡±

    ...

    On the other end, after hanging up the phone, Zhang Yi couldn''t help but sigh, ¡°Although money will be useless in a month, it''s still necessary for purchasing things now.¡±

    He had about 2 million yuan, thebined inheritance from his parents and his own savings.

    Now, half of it was gone. It was a bit painful, to be honest.

    But then he thought, this wasn''t necessarily a bad thing.

    Many people had piles of cash thatter turned into worthless paper.

    Not everyone had the chance to spend their money.

    ¡°However, there are still many expenses ahead, and I need to find a way to get more money.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes fell on his house.

    The property, located in the central ring of Tianhai City, covered 120 square meters and was built 10 years ago.

    It was worth over 4 million yuan per square meter at market prices.

    That meant the house was worth at least 5 million yuan.

    ¡°Got it, I can mortgage the house for a loan, and there¡¯s the money!¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled. Once the loan was taken, he wouldn¡¯t need to repay it, which was quite afortable thought.

    He immediately left home and drove to the bank to apply for the loan.

    On the way, he received a message from Fang Yuqing.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, weekends are so boring. I wish someone could apany me for a walk.¡±

    Zhang Yi nced at it and tossed the phone aside.

    He arrived at the bank to process the loan.

    Given therge loan amount,plete documentation, and the fact that the house was fully paid off, the loan was approved swiftly, though the bank only granted him 4 million yuan.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t haggle. After all, it was essentially free money, and he didn¡¯t have the time to argue with the bank.

    After signing the documents, the bank transferred the money to his ount.

    ¡°Now, after spending over a million on banquets, I still have about 5 million yuan.¡±

    ¡°Remodeling the house should be enough. But I still need to buy a lot of medicine and weapons. This money might not suffice.¡±

    Zhang Yi stroked his chin, contemting how to get more money.

    At that moment, a guy with dyed yellow hair noticed Zhang Yi, deep in thought and approached him with a gleam in his eye.

    ¡°Hey, buddy, need some cash?¡±

    Zhang Yi looked up at the guy.

    ¡°Who are you?¡±

    The yellow-haired guy''s smile deepened, and he lowered his voice, ¡°I¡¯m asking if you need money, and the bank won''t lend it to you?¡±

    Zhang Yi instantly understood the guy¡¯s intentions.

    He must be a loan shark!

    An idea struck Zhang Yi.

    He sighed, pretending to be troubled, ¡°Yeah, my family''s business urgently needs funds. But the bank...¡±

    Zhang Yi trailed off, looking troubled.

    The yellow-haired guy seemed to understand immediately.

    Anyone who could get a bank loan wouldn''t turn to loan sharks.

    He said to Zhang Yi, ¡°Yeah, banks are strict nowadays, with all sorts of rules, and loans take forever to get approved.¡±

    ¡°But if you need money urgently, I can help you.¡±

    Zhang Yi eyed the guy cautiously.

    ¡°You? Can you really help? I need several million.¡±

    The guy''s eyes lit up excitedly hearing it was a big deal.

    He took out a business card and handed it to Zhang Yi.

    ¡°Ourpany specializes in helping people in urgent need. If you need money, look no further!¡±

    Zhang Yi nced at the card, which read ¡°Duoduo Loan Financial Services Co., Ltd.¡±

    The guy''s title was Sales Manager Hu Minghua.

    Zhang Yi pretended to be excited, ¡°Can you lend me money quickly? I need 5 million. If you can help me through this tough time, I guarantee I can repay it within three months!¡±

    Hu Minghuaughed, ¡°That¡¯s negotiable. Ourpany ispetent. We¡¯re here to help people like you who need funds urgently.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s discuss this at our office.¡±

    With a look of anticipation, Zhang Yi nodded and followed Hu Minghua to theirpany.

    The so-calledpany was in a secluded office building.

    Upon entering, Hu Minghua led Zhang Yi to the boss''s office.

    The loanpany¡¯s boss was a burly man wearing a high-end Bton suit, clearly trying to project a legitimate business image.

    However, there was a certain menace in his demeanor.

    Years of hustling in society would give someone that air.

    Hu Minghua introduced Zhang Yi¡¯s situation to the boss, ¡°Manager, this is the client who wants to borrow money.¡±

    The boss, Chen Xiong, smiled and invited Zhang Yi to sit.

    ¡°Mr. Zhang, how much do you want to borrow?¡±

    True to a loan shark''s nature, the conversation was straightforward and blunt.

    Suchpanies were inherently illegitimate and didn''t follow many rules.

    They had ways of ensuring repayment, so they weren¡¯t worried about defaults.

    Zhang Yi said, ¡°I want to borrow 5 million.¡±

    Chen Xiong frowned, ¡°Oh, that¡¯s not a small amount. But Mr. Zhang, let me warn you that our interest rates are very high. You should understand that.¡±

    Hu Minghua chimed in, ¡°Mr. Zhang''s business urgently needs funds. Once the business turns around, the money can be repaid quickly. Right?¡±

    The two of them yed off each other, which Zhang Yi noted with amusement.

    Feigning eagerness, Zhang Yi said, ¡°Yes, I can repay it quickly. A higher interest rate is fine as long as you lend me the money.¡±

 Chapter 6: Building the Ultimate Safe House

    Chapter 6: Building the Ultimate Safe House

    Chen Xiong''s face lit up with a smile.

    ¡°Great. Our interest rate is 4%. You borrow 5 million, and you¡¯ll have to repay 7 million. So, you need to give me an IOU for 7 million.¡±

    ¡°Additionally, you must have sufficient coteral. Houses, factories, cars, anything of value.¡±

    Zhang Yi pretended to hesitate momentarily, then gritted his teeth and took out the property deed.

    He had used this for the bank loan, which was still on him.

    ¡°My house is worth over 5 million. I¡¯ll use it as coteral. I also have a Mercedes worth 300,000. If I can¡¯t repay, you can take it too.¡±

    Chen Xiong had never encountered such a straightforward client before and quickly took the property deed to inspect it.

    After verifying the information, he felt even more satisfied.ording to the current market price, that house was worth at least 5.5 million!

    With the car added, there was no way he could lose on this deal.

    However, Chen Xiong still expressed dissatisfaction.

    ¡°Mr. Zhang, your house is worth at most 5 million. If you want to take 5 million from me, I¡¯d be at a loss.¡±

    Zhang Yi looked desperate and said, ¡°Mr. Chen, you have to help me! I urgently need the money.¡±

    ¡°If you can get me the money today, I''ll settle for 4.5 million!¡±

    Chen Xiong and Hu Minghua exchanged nces, amusement gleaming in their eyes.

    They were in the business of exploiting desperation.

    The more urgent someone needs money, the harder they¡¯d fleece them!

    ¡°No, no, this deal isn''t worth it.¡±

    Finally, after some haggling, they agreed on 4 million.

    However, Zhang Yi demanded that the money be transferred to his ount that day.

    Though heartless, the loanpany was highly efficient.

    After signing the contract, Zhang Yi quickly received 4 million in cash in his ount.

    He chuckled inwardly.

    For Chen Xiong, this money was as good as thrown at the dogs, and it was never returned.

    ¡°Hmm¡­ there¡¯s something self-deprecating about that analogy.¡±

    Zhang Yi happily walked out with the money.

    As he left, Chen Xiong and Hu Minghua''sughter echoed from the office.

    ¡°Ha ha ha! This deal was way too easy. That fool actually walked out with 4 million.¡±

    Chen Xiong said smugly, ¡°We¡¯ll make at least 2-3 million from this deal. No worries about this month¡¯s performance now!¡±

    Hu Minghua leaned on the table,ughing, ¡°Boss, he signed the contract so easily. Could there be an issue with the house?¡±

    Holding the property deed, Chen Xiong smiled, ¡°The deed is real, no issues. As long as the house is his, he can¡¯t escape.¡±

    With the property deed and the 7 million IOU, they had ways to take over that house.

    Not only that, they had more methods to squeeze Zhang Yi drypletely.

    Chen Xiong sipped his coffee elegantly.

    ¡°If worsees to worst, we can contact overseas organizations and see if he has any valuable organs to sell.¡±

    ¡°We never do a losing deal!¡±

    ...

    Zhang Yi left the loanpany, grinning.

    He nced back at the office building with a hint of disdain.

    ¡°They¡¯re so generous, giving me money for free.¡±

    From now on, Zhang Yi would have no dealings with Chen Xiong and Hu Minghua.

    More likely, they would perish in the apocalyptic cold wave a monthter.

    Zhang Yi now had about 9 million yuan in his hands.

    Enough to execute his ns.

    After all, with every purchase from now on, he could use prepayment methods.

    That 9 million would have the purchasing power of tens of millions!

    There is no need to scrape more funds; otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t mind milking various online lending tforms.

    Zhang Yi drove to Tianhai City''s renowned Zhanlong Security Company.

    Zhanlong was one of thergest securitypanies in China, specializing in services for billionaires and celebrities.

    Sometimes, even government officials hired them for protection.

    Zhang Yi chose them because he had heard in his previous life that Zhanlong had built a billion-dor top-tier safe house for the wealthiest heir in Jiangnan Province!

    That heir, from a real estate tycoon family, livedvishly even during the apocalypse, thanks to the safe house Zhanlong built for them.

    Zhang Yi arrived at Zhanlong and exined his needs to the receptionist.

    A staff member from the business department promptly escorted Zhang Yi to a lounge.

    The receptionist served him freshly brewed coffee.

    Shortly after, a burly man with a crew cut entered the room.

    He wore a ck suit, giving off an impression of a refined brute.

    One couldn''t help but worry that his suit might burst from his muscr frame.

    But such a person instilled a sense of security in clients.

    ¡°Hello, sir. My name is Wu Huairen, business manager. How can we assist you?¡±

    Wu Huairen sat beside Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi sipped his coffee and said, ¡°I need you to build a safe house for me.¡±

    ¡°One that can withstand the apocalypse, the highest level of safety.¡±

    Upon hearing this, Wu Huairen''s expression turned serious.

    To others, such a statement might soundughable.

    But for Zhanlong, it was no joke.

    The wealthiest and most powerful people often feared death the most.

    Years ago, billionaires abroad had spent billions on apocalypse shelters.

    In recent years, many wealthy people worldwide have followed suit.

    Some genuinely fearedrge-scale natural disasters.

    Others had too many enemies and sought extra security.

    Zhanlong''s doomsday shelters emerged to meet this market demand.

    Wu Huairen became more courteous upon hearing Zhang Yi''s request for an apocalypse-grade shelter.

    Suchrge orders were rare annually.

    ¡°Mr. Zhang, Zhanlong is a world-ss securitypany. We can certainly meet your requirements.¡±

    Zhang Yi immediately asked, ¡°If I need you to remodel a room on the 24th floor, can you do it?¡±

    Wu Huairen found this request peculiar. Typically, such shelters were standalone vis or underground bunkers.

    Few wealthy individuals chose to build shelters in apartments.

    But Zhanlong aimed to please its clients.

    Wu Huairen confidently replied, ¡°Absolutely! We¡¯re the top securitypany globally.¡±

    ¡°With our technology, we can fulfill your request.¡±

    Hearing this, Zhang Yi was satisfied.

    If so, he would turn his house into a safe house!

    He chose to stay to witness the demise of those who had wronged him.

    Wu Huairen handed Zhang Yi a tablet.

    ¡°Our services are customized. You can select what you need from here, with corresponding prices listed.¡±

    In the digital age,munication was convenient.

    Zhang Yi took the tablet and carefully reviewed the services.

    There was no doubt that Zhanlong was a professionalpany.

    With enough money, Zhanlong could meet any requirement.

    From building underground shelters 100 meters deep to constructing underwater safe houses.

    However, these projects were too slow for Zhang Yi, who had only a month.

 Chapter 7: Acquiring Equipment

    Chapter 7: Acquiring Equipment

    After reviewing the information about the safe house, Zhang Yi promptly selected his service items.

    First, the entire house would be reinforced, with all materials reced.

    Walls, ceilings, and floors would be entirely constructed using 200mm thick alloy, recing the original structures.

    This aerospace-grade material weighs only one-third of steel but is ten times stronger than high-grade steel!

    Using this material for the safe house would allow it to be embedded into Zhang Yi¡¯s building without causing load-bearing issues.

    The windows would be made of the best bulletproof ss in the world.

    Next, the venttion system would be upgraded with air filtration capabilities.

    No harmful gases would be able to prate from the outside.Lastly, aprehensive surveince system would be installed, providing full coverage inside and outside the house.

    The doors would be reced with heavy-duty security doors made from the same material as bank vaults, making them almost impossible to breach even with small explosives.

    In summary, Zhang Yi''s only requirement was to turn his house into an impregnable fortress!

    After selecting these features, Zhang Yi returned the tablet to Wu Huairen.

    Wu Huairen reviewed the selections, his eyes widening in astonishment.

    A house of only 120 square meters was being fortified like a tank.

    ¡°With weapons added, this would be practically a fortress!¡±

    Wu Huairen muttered.

    Hearing this, Zhang Yi''s eyes gleamed.

    ¡°Oh, do you have expertise in fortresses?¡±

    Wu Huairen chuckled, ¡°I used to be a mercenary abroad. I¡¯m well-versed in military weapons and fortifications.¡±

    A spark of inspiration struck Zhang Yi.

    He lowered his voice and asked, ¡°Do you have a way to procure firearms?¡±

    This question made Wu Huairen''s expression serious.

    In China, private ownership of firearms is strictly prohibited.

    ¡°Mr. Zhang, you must understand, in principle, such items are not allowed for private ownership.¡±

    Wu Huairen also lowered his voice.

    ¡°Are you facing a dangerous enemy that has you this fearful?¡±

    Zhang Yi seized the opportunity.

    ¡°Exactly, I''ve angered some dangerous people. They are ruthless and armed.¡±

    ¡°I was wondering if I could get some guns for self-defense. Otherwise, hiding in my house won¡¯t be a long-term solution.¡±

    Wu Huairenughed, ¡°Mr. Zhang, I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t help with that. We are a legitimatepany.¡±

    However, Zhang Yi could read from Wu Huairen¡¯s eyes that it wasn¡¯t impossible; he just didn¡¯t want to get involved.

    Zhang Yi took a deep breath.

    Then he told Wu Huairen, ¡°This safe house project will cost me over 8 million yuan. If something happens to meter, it won¡¯t look good for yourpany either.¡±

    He stared at Wu Huairen, speaking deliberately, ¡°I just want something for self-defense. If you can help me, I¡¯ll make it worth your while.¡±

    Wu Huairen remained silent, frowning as he weighed the matter.

    He had the connections but wasn¡¯t sure about Zhang Yi¡¯s background and thus was hesitant to make a referral.

    ¡°You should go home for now. I can¡¯t do this myself, but I can ask around. If I hear anything, I¡¯ll let you know.¡±

    Wu Huairen was evidently indecisive.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t push further. Firearms were indeed a sensitive issue.

    He smiled, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll wait for your news then.¡±

    ¡°By the way, this matter is urgent. Please expedite the safe house construction.¡±

    Wu Huairen said, ¡°It will bepleted within two weeks.¡±

    After their discussion, Zhang Yi immediately signed the contract.

    He also paid a 1 million yuan deposit.

    As for the remaining bnce, there¡¯d be no chance to pay it in this lifetime.

    Leaving Zhanlong Security Company, Zhang Yi felt relieved about the living situation.

    Next, he got into his car and called an acquaintance, Liu Yang.

    Liu Yang ran a hunting ground in Tianhai City, having leased several hundred acres in the West Hills, filled with harmless animals for people to hunt for leisure.

    He had many legally obtained crossbows,pound bows, and air rifles.

    Zhang Yi had visited a few times before, so he had Liu Yang¡¯s contact.

    He called Liu Yang to request a batch of these items, even offering to pay a premium.

    Liu Yang, a businessman who knew he might need Zhang Yi¡¯s help in the future, readily agreed.

    ¡°Brother Zhang, what do you need so many weapons for? They¡¯re only for hunting or personal use, not for harming people, right?¡±

    Liu Yang asked, cautiously joking.

    After all, selling these weapons meant he¡¯d be partially responsible if they were used uwfully.

    Of course, running a hunting ground in Tianhai City indicated Liu Yang had significant backing.

    But he had no reason to risk it for an ordinary friend like Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yiughed, giving a casual excuse, ¡°You¡¯re overthinking it! I¡¯ve arranged a hunting trip with some friends to an African wildlife park. We need more equipment!¡±

    Liu Yang clicked his tongue, ¡°Wow, Brother Zhang, you sure know how to have fun! But be careful; Africa has many lions and hyenas.¡±

    ¡°Yeah, I will. How soon can you get the items ready?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve got them here. Come by when you¡¯re free to pick them up.¡±

    Not wanting to dy, Zhang Yi drove straight to the West Hills hunting ground to collect the items.

    Time was extremely precious now; he couldn''t afford any dys.

    He bought five high-quality steel crossbows, three advancedpound bows, and 300 arrows each from Liu Yang.

    Additionally, he purchased two top-notch hunting knives.

    Made of Damascus steel, these knives were incredibly durable and sharp, unlikely to get damaged unless used excessively on adamant objects.

    Perfect for self-defense (orbat).

    All these items filled the trunk of his car.

    Seeing the array of equipment, Zhang Yi felt a surge of security.

    He then drove home with the gear.

    Since all purchases were legitimate, and he had a hunting license, he wasn¡¯t worried about police inquiries.

    By the time he got home, it was dusk.

    Zhang Yi went out again, enjoying a hearty hot pot meal at Haido (Note: One of the most famous Chinese hotpot restaurants).

    nning to make his hot pot in the future, he immediately ordered 10,000 packs of Haido hot pot base.

    The Haido staff were stunned, suspecting Zhang Yi of being a rival business causing trouble.

    However, Haido¡¯s excellent service prevailed, and they didn¡¯t confront Zhang Yi.

    Eventually, the store manager came out and epted the order after verifying with Zhang Yi.

    The condition was cash payment to prevent potential sabotage by apetitor.

    Zhang Yi readily agreed, paying over a million yuan on the spot.

    Such generosity left the manager grinning from ear to ear, even throwing in 500 extra packs as a gift for Zhang Yi.

 Chapter 8: Supplies Gradually Arrive

    Chapter 8: Supplies Gradually Arrive

    Zhang Yi left his address with the staff, instructing them to deliver the hot pot baseter.

    As for the food supplies, he would retrieve those from Walmart¡¯s warehouse.

    Hot pot bases from the store would never be leaked. Usually, the retail packs avable in the market were far inferior to what the restaurant used.

    Otherwise, no one would bother going to the restaurant for hot pot.

    After finishing his meal, Zhang Yi received a call from the hotel manager when he nned to return home.

    ¡°Mr. Zhang, your orders are ready to go. Should we deliver them right now?¡±

    ¡°Yes, just deliver them.¡±

    Zhang Yi returned home, waiting for the delivery of the feast.Those 500 banquet tables would be enough for him for two to three years at least.

    With eight to nine million yuan in his hands, he no longer cared about spending money; he was eager to spend it all.

    On his way home, Zhang Yi pondered what other foods he liked.

    He then ced orders with several major restaurants in Tianhai City, asking them to deliver a hundred tables each.

    He ordered thousands of tables covering the eight major Chinese cuisines and Western food!

    This effectively took care of his food needs for the next several decades.

    Shortly after, the catering trucks from the Grand Fortune Hotel arrived at the entrance of Yue Lu Community.

    A convoy of twenty to thirty vehicles caused a massive traffic jam, leaving themunity residents stunned.

    The security guard, Uncle You, hurried over to stop them, asking about their purpose.

    The hotel manager exined the situation, but Uncle You insisted that the homeowner had toe down before he could open the gate.

    Given the scale of the operation and the trucks'' unknown loads, he couldn¡¯t let them in without ensuring themunity''s safety.

    The hotel manager had no choice but to call Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi came downstairs to the entrance.

    The entrance was crowded with residents, including neighbors from his building and the onlookers Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin.

    Zhang Yi approached Uncle You, smiling, ¡°Uncle You, they¡¯re delivering food for me. Let them in.¡±

    Uncle You looked astonished.

    ¡°Food delivery? What are you ordering that needs so many trucks?¡±

    The surrounding neighbors were equally shocked upon hearing it was a food delivery.

    ¡°Goodness, this must be at least several hundred tables! Where is he nning to put them?¡±

    ¡°Could Zhang Yi be hosting a banquet at home?¡±

    ¡°Is he getting married? But several hundred tables seem excessive!¡±

    ¡°Look closely, it''s from the Grand Fortune, a five-star hotel!¡±

    ¡°Ordering several hundred tables from there must cost at least a few hundred thousand yuan!¡±

    ¡°My goodness, spending hundreds of thousands on a banquet. Zhang Yi must be a hidden millionaire!¡±

    The neighbors chatted animatedly, their gazes towards Zhang Yi now tinged with awe and respect.

    Fang Yuqing, witnessing this, bit her lip and resolved to win Zhang Yi over.

    She walked up to him smiling, ¡°Zhang Yi, what have you been up totely, buying so much?¡±

    Zhang Yi ignored her and handed Uncle You a cigarette.

    Seeing the homeowner arrive, Uncle You opens the gate, allowing the Grand Fortune Hotel convoy to enter.

    Zhang Yi led the way.

    Though he didn''t acknowledge Fang Yuqing, she didn¡¯t mind, continuing to walk beside him, chatting merrily.

    ¡°Is there something going on at home that you can¡¯t tell me? Aren¡¯t we good friends?¡±

    ¡°In the future, I hope to learn more about you. Don¡¯t treat me like an outsider.¡±

    Zhang Yi gave her a deep look, then sneered, ¡°These items are for my boss. Thest time we visited the restaurant, it was his treat.¡±

    He sighed, ¡°I wish I were that wealthy.¡±

    Fang Yuqing¡¯s expression changed instantly.

    ¡°You¡­ you¡¯re joking, right?¡±

    Zhang Yi shrugged, ¡°Why would I lie to you? We¡¯ve known each other for years. You know my family¡¯s situation.¡±

    ¡°My parents passed away years ago. I¡¯m just a warehouse supervisor. How could I have that kind of money?¡±

    His exnation left Fang Yuqing¡¯s face clouded with uncertainty.

    She suspected a true wealthy heir would have a substantial family business.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s parents had been gone for years, and he had only a modest inheritance, so he couldn¡¯t be a wealthy heir.

    Now that Zhang Yi himself admitted he wasn¡¯t wealthy, her suspicions were confirmed.

    She silently distanced herself from Zhang Yi, adjusting her hair and smiling politely, ¡°Whether you¡¯re rich or not, we¡¯re still good friends, right? I¡¯m not a gold digger.¡±

    She emphasized the word ¡°FRIENDS.¡±

    A schemer never burns bridges, always keeping backup ns and admirers for their convenience.

    Zhang Yi smirked, saying no more.

    Meanwhile, the Grand Fortune Hotel staff began unloading the banquet tables and moving them to the location Zhang Yi specified.

    Given his good rapport, Zhang Yi borrowed an underground storage space from themunity¡¯s management to temporarily store the items.

    Although 500 banquet tables wererge, they didn¡¯t take up excessive space once packed in meal boxes.

    Zhang Yi ordered the finest foods: abalone, sea cucumber, shark fin, Australian lobster, truffles, caviar, and more.

    Moving these 500 banquet tables into the storage took some time.

    Even the hotel manager was astounded. He had never encountered such a massive takeaway order in his career.

    Zhang Yi simply told them to continue moving the items into the storage.

    He then discreetly waited for the movers to leave before storing everything in his interdimensional space.

    Others might find his actions odd, but who had the time to care about someone unrted in this cold world?

    So, whether neighbors or hotel staff, they at most gossiped a bit, but none truly cared.

    Soon, all 500 banquet tables were stored in Zhang Yi¡¯s interdimensional space.

    In the evening, Zhang Yi received a call from Wu Huairen, the manager at Zhanlong Company.

    Wu Huairen informed him they were ready and could start constructing the safe house anytime.

    He asked when Zhang Yi would be avable for the work tomence.

    Zhang Yi told him they could start the next day.

    Meanwhile, he nned to move to a hotel temporarily.

    After discussing the safe house, Zhang Yi awaited further news from Wu Huairen.

    He had another crucial matter to discuss with Wu Huairen¡ªacquiring weapons.

    After a moment''s hesitation, Wu Huairen spoke in a low voice, ¡°If you genuinely need something like that, I can refer you to a source. However, it will be quite costly.¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded, understanding the situation.

    Money was no longer meaningful for him now.

    ¡°That¡¯s not an issue, as long as the quality is good.¡±

    Wu Huairen rxed, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll make the arrangements. I¡¯ll let you know where to trade in three days.¡±

 Chapter 9: The Super Warehouse

    Chapter 9: The Super Warehouse

    Having secured a means to acquire firearms, Zhang Yi felt a significant weight lift from his shoulders.

    Possessing such weaponry would provide a profound sense of security in a post-apocalyptic world, whether faced with humans or other threats.

    Zhang Yi packed his important belongings into his interdimensional space the following day.

    Since his apartment was undergoing transformation into a safe house, he would temporarily move into a hotel.

    Early in the morning, three ck vans drove into the Yue Lu Community.

    Arge group of workers from Zhanlong Security Company, d in uniforms, disembarked and began measuring Zhang Yi¡¯s house.

    Several curious neighbors watched the scene unfold.

    ¡°Has Zhang Yi lost his mindtely? Why is he always up to such strange things?¡±Some colleaguesughed, ¡°Yeah, just the other day, I saw him buying three carts full of food at the supermarket!¡±

    ¡°Hahaha! Anyone who doesn¡¯t know better might think the apocalypse ising. All that food will just get to rot!¡±

    ¡°Maybe he¡¯s having some kind of mental breakdown!¡±

    People couldn¡¯tprehend Zhang Yi¡¯s unusual behavior, treating him as a joke.

    Even Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin thought he had gone mad.

    Lin Cainin remarked, ¡°I get it now. No wonder he went to that Michelin three-star restaurant. His brain must be fried!¡±

    Fang Yuqing frowned, feeling particrly displeased.

    She was filled with frustration when she remembered how she had gone out of her way to approach Zhang Yi, helping him push all those items home until her feet were sore.

    ¡°What on earth is Zhang Yi up to?¡±

    Lin Cainin expressed concern, ¡°He did promise us a fancy meal. He won¡¯t forget, right?¡±

    She had been eagerly anticipating a meal at the Michelin three-star restaurant.

    Fang Yuqing scoffed, ¡°Forget it! Seeing how unstable he istely, I wouldn¡¯t go even if he invited me.¡±

    ¡°It would be so embarrassing to be seen dining with him!¡±

    She aimed to marry a wealthy man and couldn¡¯t afford to tarnish her reputation.

    Though disappointed, Lin Cainin had no choice but to give up.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t care about his neighbors'' opinions.

    In a month, they would see who the real joke was.

    Zhang Yi left home and drove to the Walmart warehouse.

    It was Monday, time to go to work and scout the warehouse for future actions.

    The Walmart warehouse was located in the Economic Development Zone, on the outskirts of Tianhai City.

    Due to the lowernd costs, manyrge corporations had their warehouses there, including pharmaceuticalpanies.

    This would make it easier for Zhang Yi to acquire essential medicinester.

    Upon arriving at the Walmart warehouse, Zhang Yi clocked in as usual.

    As the warehouse supervisor, Zhang Yi was intimately familiar with the ce.

    He knew every warehouse and shelf like the back of his hand.

    What once felt mundane now filled him with excitement.

    Soon, all these goods would be his, vital for survival in the apocalypse.

    As Walmart¡¯s South China main warehouse, it held an unimaginable amount of supplies.

    There were tens of thousands of cases of coke alone!

    The entire warehouse spanned over a million square meters, packed with various necessities.

    It stored food, clothing, and hardware as well as cars, drones, diesel generators, and barrels of gasoline.

    Almost anything a supermarket sold could be found here.

    Having worked there for years, Zhang Yi knew exactly what was on each shelf.

    He was also well-acquainted with the work schedules and camera cements.

    Despite the tight security, he knew how to exploit its vulnerabilities to disable the surveince system within ten minutes.

    Then, using his interdimensional space, he could take everything.

    But he wasn¡¯t in a rush to act.

    With plenty of time, he didn¡¯t want to arouse suspicion.

    After a round through the warehouse, Zhang Yi left.

    He walked to the neighboring Ruining Pharmaceutical Company warehouse, carrying a pack of Huanghelou cigarettes. (Trantor Notes: Huanghelou is a Chinese premium cigarette brand)

    Since they worked nearby, he was familiar with the staff there.

    He sought out Zhou Hairun, a manager at the pharmaceutical warehouse.

    They knew each other well, given their shared workce environment.

    Inrge corporation warehouses, some people always exploited their positions for personal gain.

    Zhou Hairun¡¯s brother-inw was the vice president of Ruining Group.

    So, he frequently siphoned off pharmaceuticals from the warehouse to sell.

    After chatting for a bit, Zhang Yi subtly mentioned his need for several boxes of emergency medicines.

    Zhou Hairun was initially wary.

    But when Zhang Yi offered to pay double the market price, Zhou Hairun couldn¡¯t resist.

    They eventually agreed on 300,000 yuan for fiverge boxes of medicines.

    A normal person wouldn¡¯t use half of that amount in a lifetime of illnesses.

    With the medicines secured, Zhang Yi was nearly ready for the apocalypse.

    With less than a month until doomsday, he had no desire to continue working.

    He went to the warehouse manager¡¯s office and requested twenty days off, citing a family funeral.

    Given Zhang Yi¡¯s good standing and excellent rapport with the manager, the request, though lengthy, was granted without issue.

    For the next while, Zhang Yi nned to rx in a five-star hotel.

    He would wait for his purchased supplies to arrive and for the safe house to bepleted.

    As he left the manager¡¯s office, he saw Fang Yuqing bent over, making coffee at the machine.

    Despite her scheming nature, she did have an alluring charm, exuding an inherent sensuality.

    Her swaying hips attracted several eager young men.

    A colleague named Zhou Peng, whom Zhang Yi remembered well, invited Fang Yuqing to a Jay Chou concert, unting his tickets.

    Zhou Peng lived in the samemunity as Zhang Yi and was one of Fang Yuqing¡¯s loyal admirers.

    In the previous life, he was among those responsible for Zhang Yi¡¯s demise.

 Chapter 10: Confronting the Bootlicker

    Chapter 10: Confronting the Bootlicker

    Zhou Peng was fawning over Fang Yuqing,vishing her with attention.

    However, it was evident that Fang Yuqing was indifferent towards men like Zhou Peng.

    Financially, Zhou Peng was worse off than Zhang Yi; he didn''t even own an apartment, living in a rented one instead.

    Despite this, Fang Yuqing smiled and said, ¡°Thank you, Zhou Peng. But I''ve already made ns with a friend that evening. Such a shame!¡±

    Zhou Peng''s face fell with disappointment.

    He had spent an entire month¡¯s sry on those concert tickets.

    He had hoped to confess his feelings to Fang Yuqing during the concert.

    But his ns were now in vain.Seeing this, Zhang Yi¡¯s lips curled into a sardonic smile.

    He knew Zhou Peng¡¯s obsequious efforts would ultimately lead nowhere.

    However, Zhou Peng, embarrassed and frustrated, noticed Zhang Yi¡¯s smirk and became incensed.

    To distract himself from his awkwardness, Zhou Peng approached Zhang Yi and said, ¡°Zhang Yi, you''re really something!¡±

    ¡°Making a woman help you move things? How shameless can you be?¡±

    ¡°Fang Yuqing came to work todayining of a sore back. Next time, don''t bother her with such things!¡±

    Zhang Yi nced at Fang Yuqing.

    So, it was her who spread the word.

    Fang Yuqing feigned concern: ¡°It''s nothing. I''m fine. I just have a bit of back strain from overexerting myself.¡±

    She even touched her lower back and winced, showing a pained expression.

    To assert his masculinity before Fang Yuqing, Zhou Peng boldly pointed at Zhang Yi, ¡°You should give Fang Yuqing 500 yuan for medical expenses.¡±

    To his surprise, Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes turned icy as he red at Zhou Peng, ¡°She helped me voluntarily. I didn''t ask her to.¡±

    ¡°Who the hell do you think you are? telling me what to do?¡±

    ¡°Do you think you''re somebody important?¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s fierce retort left both Zhou Peng and Fang Yuqing stunned.

    Zhou Peng, merely an ordinary clerk with no power or influence, was taken aback by Zhang Yi¡¯s sudden anger.

    He had dared to reprimand Zhang Yi only because Zhang Yi had always been mild-mannered and non-confrontational.

    But now, faced with Zhang Yi¡¯s genuine fury, Zhou Peng backed down, stammering, ¡°Why are you yelling? I was just discussing this with you.¡±

    Zhang Yi sneered and turned away.

    He couldn¡¯t be bothered to waste words on Zhou Peng.

    To him, everyone around him now seemed like walking corpses.

    In a month, 99% of them would die in the apocalyptic cold wave.

    Why argue with the dead?

    After Zhang Yi left, Zhou Peng scurried to Fang Yuqing and whispered, ¡°Fang Yuqing, I told you Zhang Yi is no good. Stay away from him.¡±

    Fang Yuqing frowned, feeling puzzled.

    In recent days, Zhang Yi had seemed like apletely different person.

    He no longer greeted her warmly.

    He didn¡¯t chat with her or bid her good night anymore.

    ¡°There must be something weird!¡±

    Fang Yuqing thought to herself.

    ...

    After work, Zhang Yi drove to a five-star hotel in Tianhai City.

    It was the same hotel where he had ced his banquet orders, the Grand Fortune Hotel.

    Hearing of Zhang Yi¡¯s arrival, the manager of Grand Fortune Hotel promptly arranged a guest room for him with a beaming smile.

    A night in a five-star hotel cost over a thousand yuan.

    But Zhang Yi didn¡¯t mind the expense at all.

    With millions still at his disposal, it would be wasteful not to spend it.

    That night, to Zhang Yi¡¯s surprise, Fang Yuqing initiated contact.

    Fang Yuqing: ¡°Zhang Yi, I passed by your apartment today and saw it being renovated!¡±

    Zhang Yi smirked, ¡°Yes.¡±

    Fang Yuqing: ¡°You¡¯ve been acting quite oddtely, stockpiling goods and renovating your apartment. Is something about to happen?¡±

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow.

    This schemer was cunning but not stupid.

    Clearly, his recent actions had piqued her curiosity.

    But Zhang Yi didn¡¯t care. Other people¡¯s opinions meant nothing to him now.

    ¡°Nothing¡¯s going on.¡±

    He replied coldly and tossed his phone aside.

    On the other end, Fang Yuqing felt a pang of difort at Zhang Yi¡¯s indifferent response.

    For the past two years, Zhang Yi had been nothing but attentive to her.

    He always checked on her, finding excuses to chat and wish her goodnight every evening.

    But recently, his demeanor had changed entirely¡ªcold and distant.

    This unsettled Fang Yuqing.

    She could ignore Zhang Yi but couldn¡¯t bear the thought of Zhang Yi ignoring her.

    To Fang Yuqing, it was as if a fish had escaped her pond.

    Though Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t a wealthy heir, he was still a decent middle-ss guy.

    She could always fall back on Zhang Yi if she couldn''t marry into wealth.

    Fang Yuqing picked up her phone and sent another message.

    ¡°I feel like we¡¯ve been out of touchtely. It¡¯s making me feel a bit lonely.¡±

    But no reply came for a long while.

    Biting her lip, Fang Yuqing grew irritated.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with Zhang Yitely? Is he possessed? How dare he ignore my messages!¡±

    Her roommate, Lin Cainin, overhearing Fang Yuqing¡¯sints, approached with a giggle.

    ¡°Zhang Yi has been acting strange indeed. Who knows why he¡¯s hoarding so much food and drink or why he ordered so many banquets from the hotel.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s as if he¡¯s preparing for a shortage of supplies.¡±

    Fang Yuqing frowned slightly.

    ¡°Do you think something is about to happen? Did Zhang Yi get a heads-up, which is why he¡¯s stockpiling?¡±

    Lin Cainin paused, then burst intoughter.

    ¡°Yuqing, you¡¯re being silly! If something big were going to happen, the government would have issued a warning.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re perfectly fine. Stockpiling would just make us look foolish.¡±

    Fang Yuqingughed self-deprecatingly.

    ¡°True.¡±

    ...

    Zhang Yi spent several days in the five-star hotel suite.

    He went nowhere, dedicating his time to ordering banquets from various hotels and practicing with hispound bow and crossbow.

    Fortunately, Zhang Yi had prior hunting experience, providing a solid foundation.

    Now, within a fifteen-meter range, his uracy was remarkably high.

    With a professional-gradepound bow, even an ordinary person could shoot arrows rivaling those of ancient master archers.

    It wasn¡¯t just effective against humans; it could also significantly damage wild boars, wolves, andrge dogs.

 Chapter 11: The Completion of the Safe House

    Chapter 11: The Completion of the Safe House

    Three dayster, through Wu Huairen¡¯s connections, Zhang Yi sessfully acquired two guns and a hundred rounds of ammunition.

    Although the price was steep, Zhang Yi had noints.

    With these substantial weapons, his confidence in his safety during the apocalypse grew considerably.

    He alsopleted his transaction with Zhou Hairun, obtaining five crates of high-end imported medicines for the apocalypse.

    Another week passed.

    Wu Huairen called Zhang Yi to inform him that the safe house had beenpleted ording to his specifications and invited him to inspect it.

    Zhang Yi finally left the hotel where he had been staying and drove back to Yue Lu Community.

    Wu Huairen personally guided Zhang Yi through the inspection of the house.Upon entering his apartment, Zhang Yi was impressed.

    Zhanlong Security Company lived up to its reputation as a top-tier domestic security firm.

    Their speed and quality in constructing the safe house were impable.

    The entire house had been fortified with 200mm thick alloy panels, just as Zhang Yi had requested.

    From the outside, it looked no different.

    Wu Huairen patiently exined every feature to Zhang Yi.

    ¡°The venttion system uses military-grade technology, capable of filtering out any harmful gases, preventing any toxic attacks from outside.¡±

    ¡°The entire house¡¯s instion system has been redone using professional-grade materials from the Arctic Research Institute.¡±

    ¡°Apart from the firece you requested, it can also prevent 99.5% heat loss.¡±

    At this point, Wu Huairen gave Zhang Yi a mysterious smile.

    ¡°We installed a surveince system throughout the building to ensure your safety. A total of 300 cameras allow you to monitor every single floor.¡±

    Zhang Yi was left speechless with astonishment.

    He could only marvel at how money could buy services beyond an ordinary person¡¯s imagination.

    He walked to the balcony and found it transformed into arge floor-to-ceiling window.

    Wu Huairen exined, ¡°The windows are made of bulletproof and explosion-proof materials, even sturdier than the 200mm alloy panels.¡±

    ¡°They also allow ample light and necessary external observation.¡±

    Zhang Yi was thoroughly satisfied with his safe house.

    No one could forcibly enter his home unless a heavily armed military force attacked.

    Even if the entire building copsed, his room would likely remain intact.

    ¡°I¡¯m very pleased with the safe house you¡¯ve built,¡± Zhang Yi said with a smile.

    Wu Huairen also smiled broadly.

    He presented some documents for Zhang Yi to sign and said, ¡°If everything is satisfactory, please settle the remaining bnce within three months.¡±

    Zhang Yi cheerfully nodded, ¡°Of course!¡±

    However, he no longer needed to pay the bnce.

    The thought of securing a ten-million-dor safe house for just a one million yuan deposit was exhrating!

    Zhang Yi lounged on the sofa, surveying his near-perfect safe house.

    However, upon reflection, he realized he had overlooked something crucial: the source of life itself¡ªwater.

    Zhang Yi smacked his forehead, ¡°How could I forget something as vital as water?¡±

    After the Ice Age apocalypse, although the frozen environment would allow ice to be melted for water, the outside temperature would be minus sixty to seventy degrees, and going out would be perilous.

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t tolerate such a significant vulnerability in his safe house!

    He promptly used an online delivery tform to order 100 giant water barrels.

    It would be enough for several years with a total capacity of 500 cubic meters.

    Combined with the mineral water he could retrieve from the warehouse, his water supply problem was perfectly resolved.

    The delivery was impressively swift.

    A few hourster, the barrels arrived at Zhang Yi¡¯s door.

    Zhang Yi went to themunity entrance and asked Uncle You, the security guard, to let the deliveryman in.

    Seeing Zhang Yi¡¯s peculiar purchases again, the surrounding neighbors gossiped.

    ¡°Is there something wrong with Zhang Yi?¡±

    ¡°Yeah, he keeps buying all these strange things.¡±

    ¡°A few days ago, I saw them carrying steel tes at least ten centimeters thick into his house.¡±

    ¡°Haha, maybe he¡¯s gone mad, trying to build a safe house like in the movies!¡±

    ¡°I saw videos of rich people doing this abroad, but it¡¯s just paranoia.¡±

    ¡°Now he¡¯s buying so many water barrels. Does he think Tianhai City will run out of water? Hahaha!¡±

    ¡°Come on, Tianhai City is by the sea!¡±

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t be bothered to argue with his neighbors.

    He just sneered inwardly, thinking that when the Ice Age apocalypse arrived, they would realize how foolish they had been.

    He had no interest in exining to them.

    These people would just mock him and ignore his well-intentioned advice.

    Some might even turn on him, using him of spreading rumors and disturbing the peace, possibly leading to his arrest.

    Uncle You was chatting with an elderly neighbor, Mr. Tang, at the entrance.

    Seeing Zhang Yi, Uncle You walked over warmly, ¡°Zhang, why do you need so many water barrels? If you need help, just let me know.¡±

    Zhang Yi felt a pang of emotion for the kind-hearted Uncle You.

    Uncle You, a retired soldier with no children, had been a diligent security guard in themunity for over a decade.

    In his previous life, he had given hisst bit of food to a starving mother and daughter and had starved to death himself.

    He was one of the few beacons of humanity Zhang Yi had encountered in the apocalypse.

    So, Zhang Yi said, ¡°Uncle You, this winter¡¯s weather will be extreme. I have inside information that it¡¯s going to be harsh.¡±

    ¡°To be safe, you should stock up on food and water to avoid price hikester.¡±

    Uncle You, knowing Zhang Yi to be a kind-hearted young man, frowned at this advice.

    ¡°Zhang, is this true?¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded, ¡°Look, I¡¯ve prepared so much already. Stock up on instant noodles and bottled water; these things don¡¯t spoil easily.¡±

    Uncle You nodded thoughtfully.

    Living alone, he already liked to keep a stock of instant noodles and sausages conveniently.

    With Zhang Yi¡¯s warning, he decided to buy more for peace of mind, knowing they wouldn¡¯t go to waste.

    However, Mr. Tang, listening to their conversation, came over and cautioned Zhang Yi, ¡°Zhang, you shouldn¡¯t say things like that.¡±

    ¡°Our society is stable and prosperous; we won¡¯t run out of supplies. Spreading such rumors could get you reported and in trouble.¡±

    Zhang Yi rolled his eyes but said nothing more.

    He had done his part in warning them. Whether they believed him was their choice.

 Chapter 12: Emptying a Billion-Dollar Warehouse

    Chapter 12: Emptying a Billion-Dor Warehouse

    Zhang Yi had the deliveryman bring the 100 giant water barrels to the warehouse and then ced them into his interdimensional space before bringing them home.

    Once home, Zhang Yi began filling the barrels by turning on all the faucets. At this rate, it would take at most a week to fill all 100 barrels.

    As the days passed, Zhang Yi didn''t idle for a moment. He spent every penny he had without hesitation. He dined and boughtrge quantities of food from top-tier restaurants, storing them in his interdimensional space.

    During this time, he also practiced archery and firearm shooting on Tianhai City¡¯s shooting range, honing his skills. Transforming into abat expert in a month was unrealistic. But with a bow, crossbow, guns, and a super safe house with a full metal shell, he would fear no danger.

    Naturally, his actions did not escape everyone''s notice. However, everyone around him viewed Zhang Yi as a joke, thinking he had lost his mind, andughed at him privately. Even Fang Yuqing deliberately distanced herself from him, unwilling to interact.

    Thus, time slipped by. Soon, more than twenty days had passed, and the apocalypse was drawing near. Zhang Yi had amassed a massive stockpile of supplies, including food, weapons, and heating equipment. But these alone didn''t provide him with enough security. He decided to target the giant Walmart warehouse.

    By securing this warehouse, he could obtain a lifetime''s worth of supplies!

    He chose not to wait until thest day to act, remembering a detail from his previous life¡ªhe had heard rumors that the authorities had prior knowledge of the iing gamma-ray burst. They had quietly started transferringrge amounts of supplies without the public''s knowledge. Zhang Yi couldn''t take any chances; he had to act early.

    Moreover, even if all the supplies in the Walmart warehouse disappeared, the authorities, preupied with seeking refuge, wouldn''t have the resources to investigate thoroughly. This gave Zhang Yi a suitable buffer period.

    Returning to the warehouse, Zhang Yi resumed his job as usual. Although the Walmart warehouse had staff on duty 24 hours a day, only ten people worked the night shift. Zhang Yi decided on a straightforward and crude method: spiking their tea with sleeping pills.

    With only three days left until the apocalypse, he wasn''t worried about getting caught. As all the staff were his old acquaintances, Zhang Yi easily seeded. Once the pills took effect and the staff were deeply asleep, Zhang Yi went to the monitoring room and shut down all the warehouse cameras.

    Knowing theyout of the warehouse by heart and having meticulously nned and rehearsed in his mind countless times, Zhang Yi executed his n smoothly.

    He donned gloves and shoes two sizesrger, then swiftly approached the warehouse.

    Staring at the colossal warehouse, Zhang Yi took a deep breath and began collecting the supplies. By simply ncing and willing, the entire shelf would move into his interdimensional space.

    He started with the beverage section. Tons of mineral water, drinks, and alcohol, including high-end wines and spirits, were all stored here. Zhang Yi didn''t discriminate; he stored everything in his space.

    In no time, thousands of cubic meters of beverages vanished.

    Next, he moved to the fuel section, which was stocked with smokeless coal, canned gasoline, and alcohol. These were household items for storage or outdoor activities. Tens of thousands of boxes of smokeless coal, countless cans of solid alcohol, and barrels of gasoline were found. These quantities wouldst Zhang Yi several centuries!

    He had no intention of leaving anything for others. Post-apocalypse, these supplies wouldn¡¯t reach ordinary people anyway. Without hesitation, he stored everything, organizing the items in his interdimensional space using his years of warehouse management experience.

    Then, he proceeded to the food section, which was even more abundant. Tens of thousands of tons of supplies were packed into several warehouses that looked like small mountains. Canned food, packed roast chicken, roast duck, snacks, and high-end treats filled the shelves.

    ¡°This willst me ten lifetimes!¡± Zhang Yi remarked.

    He wasn''t picky; he took everything he could.

    After clearing the food section, Zhang Yi moved to the sports equipment area. Exercise equipment was essential for maintaining his health and strength in his safe house. Despite the limited space in his safe house, the unlimited capacity of his interdimensional space allowed him to take everything he wanted.

    Among the valuable items were baseball bats and fencing equipment, excellent for self-defense. He also found skiing and mountaineering gear, including professional-grade cold-weather clothing capable of withstanding temperatures as low as minus 100 degrees Celsius¡ªthetest technology from 2050.

    Zhang Yi''s eyes lit up. These would be the best cold-weather gear when the Ice Age Apocalypse hit. He wasted no time storing all the top-tier cold-weather clothing and sleeping bags in the warehouse.

    After two hours, Zhang Yi had emptied the Walmart warehouse, which spanned over a million square meters.

    With the warehouse emptied, Zhang Yi felt an indescribable satisfaction. Even in the face of the impending Ice Age, he felt confident he could livefortably.

    Returning to his post, Zhang Yi removed his gloves and oversized shoes and stored them in his interdimensional space. Then, he drank some of the teaced with sleeping pills and slumped over the table, feigning sleep.

    After an unknown period, he was awakened by urgent shaking.

    ¡°Supervisor, supervisor, something big has happened! Wake up!¡±

    Zhang Yi slowly opened his eyes, feigning confusion as he looked at his colleagues.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    A warehouse employee, trembling, pointed at the warehouse.

    ¡°It¡¯s like we¡¯ve seen a ghost! The entire warehouse has been emptied!¡±

    ¡°What!¡±

    Zhang Yi feigned shock, mming his hand on the table as he stood up.

    Pretending to be dumbfounded, he saw the empty warehouse.

    Though he knew exactly what had happened, he yed his part perfectly, his legs giving out as he stammered, ¡°What happened here? How did all the supplies disappear?¡±

    The employees around him were equally nervous.

    ¡°Yes, the warehouse held supplies worth at least a billion! Even withrge trucks, it would take days to empty it all. How did it vanish overnight?¡±

    No one mentioned the earlier nap; taking a quick snooze during a night shift was amon, albeit unspoken, practice.

    Zhang Yi, with a stern face, pretended to pace in worry.

    ¡°This is too bizarre for us to handle. We need to report this to the higher-ups immediately!¡±

    The employees, though tense, didn¡¯t panic. The situation had escted to a level beyond their responsibility.

    With the warehouse¡¯s billion-dor inventory gone in just two hours, it was apparent none of them could be held ountable.

    Given their modest sries, risking their lives for thepany was out of the question.

    So, they all agreed with Zhang Yi''s suggestion.

    Zhang Yi promptly called the warehouse manager to report the incident.

    Upon hearing the news, the manager was stunned, initially thinking Zhang Yi was joking.

 Chapter 13: The Ice Age Arrives

    Chapter 13: The Ice Age Arrives

    Zhang Yi emptied the entire South China Walmart warehouse!

    Goods worth tens of billions entered his interdimensional space.

    Feigning ignorance, he immediately reported the theft to Walmart¡¯s senior management.

    News of the theft quickly spread throughout Walmart¡¯s South China division.

    Arge group of senior executives, shocked, rushed to the scene and reported the incident to the police.

    Tom Watson, the general manager of the South China warehouse, turned pale upon seeing the empty warehouse.

    ¡°Oh, my God! How will I exin this to headquarters?¡±

    In fact, Walmart¡¯s headquarters in the United States had already issued orders, demanding the rapid transfer of all supplies back to the country.It was said that this was a directive from the top U.S. leadership, and ships were already on their way to Tianhai Port.

    Now, everything was ruined!

    On the other hand, Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t worried about being exposed.

    It was too unbelievable that goods worth tens of billions disappeared from an entire warehouse in just two hours.

    Even if the police investigated thoroughly, they wouldn¡¯t uncover the truth quickly.

    Moreover, Walmart was a foreignpany, not a state-owned enterprise, so the investigation wouldn¡¯t have been as rigorous.

    Nheless, Zhang Yi pretended to be nervous and scared, cooperating with the police investigation.

    After a night of questioning, Zhang Yi was released.

    The police were also skeptical.

    Despite the internal cameras being disabled, the absence of evidence of vehicles around the warehouse perplexed the case.

    Either the goods vanished into thin air, or Walmart orchestrated an inside job.

    Logically, thetter seemed more usible.

    Without supernatural phenomena, it was impossible to exin how millions of cubic meters of goods disappeared in two hours.

    While Zhang Yi and other ordinary employees were somewhat suspicious, the theft''s inexplicable nature diverted the main focus away from them.

    Since Walmart was a foreignpany without significant domestic political connections, the police investigation wasn¡¯t highly efficient.

    Concerned about international implications, the investigation was sluggish and could take months to resolve.

    Zhang Yi was temporarily forbidden to leave Tianhai City and had to cooperate with both the police and Walmart¡¯s internal investigations.

    After returning home, Zhang Yi looked through the blinds of his floor-to-ceiling windows.

    It was December 10th, just two days before the Ice Age''s arrival.

    From now on, he only needed to stay home and wait, ensuring afortable future.

    Zhang Yi felt very secure with the billions'' worth of supplies in his interdimensional space.

    Hey in his bedroom, exhausted from the night''s events and interrogation.

    ...

    Zhang Yi slept until evening. Upon waking and turning on the TV, he saw news about the Walmart South China warehouse theft.

    Due to the theft''s massive and mysterious nature, all major news outlets nationwide covered it.

    ¡°Such arge warehouse, emptied in a few hours¡ªit must be an inside job!¡±

    ¡°It must be an inside job, likely orchestrated by Walmart¡¯s management to im insurance.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s millions of cubic meters of goods, impossible to transport in one night, even withrge trucks.¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly. The truth would remain unknown until the apocalypse struck.

    For the next two days, Zhang Yi stayed home, not venturing out.

    He knew the world had little time left.

    To ensure his safety, he wouldn¡¯t leave his room.

    During this period, the police and Walmart¡¯s headquarters investigators summoned him again for questioning.

    They suspected Zhang Yi¡¯s behavior that night butcked evidence and had too little time for a thorough investigation.

    Meanwhile, some acquaintances messaged Zhang Yi, asking about the incident, but he brushed them off.

    Finally, December 12th arrived.

    The gamma-ray burst hit Earth at 2 AM,sting only a moment but devastatingly affecting the.

    Hours before, Zhang Yi sealed his roompletely, lighting the firece.

    With energy supplies dwindling soon, air conditioning and heating would fail. Only primitive heating methods would work.

    At 2 AM, sitting on his sofa by therge floor-to-ceiling window, holding a beer, Zhang Yi intently watched the outside world.

    Suddenly, a sh of white light appeared at the horizon, turning the night as bright as dusk for a brief moment before darkness returned.

    Most people were asleep and didn¡¯t notice this fleeting change.

    But Zhang Yi, understanding its significance, felt a chill down his spine.

    He took arge gulp of beer, the refreshing Budweiser calming his nerves.

    Throwing a few more logs into the firece, Zhang Yi turned on the TV, watching programs while awaiting the world¡¯s transformation.

    Minutester, snow began to fall densely outside.

    Initially, the kes were small, but within two minutes, they turned intorge, heavy snowkes!

    The wind howled outside, and the snowstorm grew terrifying in an instant.

    The city was quickly enveloped in a sudden blizzard.

    This was nature¡¯s power, changing without warning.

    Zhang Yi felt a twinge of anxiety.

    Despite his well-prepared safe house, his previous experience of the Ice Age apocalypse made him uneasy.

    Would this 8-million-yuan safe house withstand the impending extreme cold?

    Yet, as the firece zed, the indoor temperature became very warm.

    It''s almost ufortably hot.

    The thermometer read 32.6¡ãC.

    Looking outside, the snow was rapidly burying the city.

    Zhang Yi felt more at ease.

    He reduced the amount of firewood, as the high temperature was ufortable.

    He stayed awake to observe the unfolding changes.

    Rest couldeter; there was no need to work.

    In less than half an hour, the balcony was covered in thick snow.

    Zhang Yi checked his phone, finding the inte abuzz with news of the sudden temperature drop.

    People on the Intemented the early onset of winter, unprepared for the severe cold.

    ¡°Damn, this weather! It¡¯s already minus ten degrees!¡±

    ¡°The roads will be ice-covered tomorrow. How will we get to work?¡±

    Some people, however, were pleased.

    ¡°With all this snow, we won¡¯t have to go to work tomorrow, haha!¡±

    Especially those in southern regions, who are excitedly sharing selfies with the snow they rarely see.

    Zhang Yi shook his head. This was just the beginning.

    The snow would continue for at least three months, with temperatures plummeting further.

    Soon, their joy in the snow would vanish.

 Chapter 14: Extreme Cold, Watching the Outside World

    Chapter 14: Extreme Cold, Watching the Outside World

    The Ice Age had begun.

    Tianhai city is in the south of China, where snow is rare. Now the heavy snowfall there stirred up much discussion online. Some peopleined, while others felt fortunate.

    But none of them knew that this snowfall and drastic temperature drop were not temporary but would persist and intensify.

    Eventually, this would bring about a disaster that no one could endure.

    At this moment, Zhang Yiyfortably on his sofa at home, enjoying the twenty-something degrees Celsius inside his safe house, sipping a chilled Budweiser beer, feeling utterly content.

    Just then, Zhang Yi¡¯s phone rang.

    He picked it up and saw that there were a lot of chat group messages.

    His former ssmates, hobby groups, andmunity groups were discussing the unexpected blizzard.¡°Oh my Gosh, why did it suddenly start snowing so heavily? The weather forecast didn''t say anything about this!¡±

    ¡°I was woken up by the cold in the middle of the night. I had to get up and turn on the heater.¡±

    ¡°Sigh, my heater is terrible at warming the ce. It¡¯s getting colder and colder.¡±

    ¡°I wonder how long this cold weather willst. I haven''t even bought my winter clothes yet!¡±

    Everyone was chattering, expressing their feelings in various ways.

    However, Zhang Yi could sense that most people weren¡¯t taking the sudden cold snap seriously. Some were even pleasantly surprised.

    Zhang Yi knew very well that this was only temporary.

    Yawning, he decided not to continue watching.

    He returned to his warm bed, covered himself with a plush velvet quilt, andfortably closed his eyes.

    His bed was incrediblyfortable, an upscale item he had taken from the Walmart warehouse.

    Especially the mattress, rumored to be the same model used by a certain female celebrity, worth 3 million yuan.

    Outside, the snow was falling heavily, and the wind was howling, while inside, the firece was zing warmly, making the temperature pleasant.

    In such a cozy environment, Zhang Yi quickly fell asleep.

    ...

    The next morning, Zhang Yi was woken up by his phone ringing.

    He opened his eyes and saw that it was Fang Yuqing calling him.

    Being woken from a good dream, Zhang Yi was naturally in a foul mood.

    He picked up the phone and asked irritably, ¡°Why are you calling me so early?¡±

    Fang Yuqing was startled by Zhang Yi¡¯s cold tone.

    However, she quickly said, ¡°Zhang Yi, it¡¯s so cold outside today! Did you stock up on supplies because you knew it would get this cold?¡±

    Fang Yuqing¡¯s voice trembled as if she was trying hard to endure something.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s lips curled into a mocking smile.

    Indeed, this bitch wouldn''t call unless she needed something.

    Hezily replied, ¡°I just heard a friend mention it. I didn¡¯t expect it to get this cold.¡±

    He threw off his quilt. The room was so warm that he was starting to sweat.

    Putting on his slippers, Zhang Yi walked towards the floor-to-ceiling window, and the familiar scene before him narrowed his eyes.

    The heavy snow had buried the entire city. He could no longer see the streets or the bushes by the roadside.

    Only the outlines of the city buildings were faintly visible, with many houses¡¯ ground floors half-buried.

    And the snow was still falling, with no signs of stopping.

    On the phone, Fang Yuqing continued, ¡°No wonder you stocked up on so much stuff. Zhang Yi, you could have told me about this. Now I¡¯m freezing!¡±

    Zhang Yi frowned, annoyed that she dared toin to him.

    He hung up the phone and tossed it aside.

    Then he went to the bathroom for afortable hot shower.

    Afterwards, he took out a piece of top-grade A5 Wagyu beef from his space. For breakfast, he would have steak with pasta.

    While eating breakfast, he turned on the TV.

    The cold snap had just begun, so there hadn''t been any power outages yet, and the TV worked fine.

    But even if there were outages, Zhang Yi was prepared with various backup power sources, dozens of generators, and a massive gasoline supply.

    Energy wouldn¡¯t be a problem for at least three hundred years!

    After turning on the TV, Zhang Yi switched to the morning news channel.

    Even though he, as a reborn individual, knew the situation outside, watching the news was still a way to pass the time.

    On the news channel, the anchors were wearing thick down jackets.

    Remember, TV stations usually have central heating and a priority power supply.

    But for the anchors to need down jackets meant the temperature had dropped beyond what central heating could handle.

    The female anchor, trying to maintain a steady tone, reported, ¡°Last night, a strong cold front hit globally, causing drastic temperature drops everywhere. The average drop ranged from 70 to 100 degrees Celsius.¡±

    ¡°Meteorological departments are investigating the cause of this cold front.¡±

    ¡°In theing days, please keep warm to avoid frostbite.¡±

    ¡°Try to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.¡±

    ¡°The authorities will handle this issue appropriately. Please remain calm.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t spread or believe rumors, and refrain from panic buying. This snowstorm will soon pass.¡±

    Hearing this, Zhang Yi scoffed.

    With the Ice Age descending, survival depended on oneself. Doing nothing and staying home would only lead to an early death.

    The top right corner of the TV screen showed that the outdoor temperature in Tianhai City had reached minus 65 degrees Celsius!

    Yesterday, the highest temperature was still 15 degrees Celsius, meaning it had dropped by 80 degrees overnight!

    Zhang Yi shrugged. This temperature drop matched his previous life¡¯s experience.

    But now, wearing pajamas and sipping wine, eating steak and pasta, he felt no outside cold.

    After all, his 8-million-yuan safe house, with emphasized instion, ensured almost no heat loss inside.

    Just then, Zhang Yi¡¯s phone rang again.

    Curious, he wanted to see what his previously mocking neighbors were saying.

    First, he saw a message from Fang Yuqing.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, why did you hang up on me?¡±

    ¡°The snow outside is so heavy, I can¡¯t go out. Didn¡¯t you stock up on a lot of food? Can you lend me some? I¡¯ll pay you back after the snowstorm.¡±

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, a cold smile forming on his lips.

    This bitch was smart, knowing that with such heavy snow, food prices would skyrocket.

    Unwilling to venture out in minus 60 to 70 degrees cold, she wanted Zhang Yi¡¯s supplies.

    But Zhang Yi knew this Ice Age wouldst long, not pass quickly.

    And he certainly wouldn¡¯t give Fang Yuqing any food!

    In his previous life, he was deceived by this bitch, giving her much of his food.

    In the end, she betrayed him, causing his death, and even wanted to cook his ribs into soup!

    Such a woman, Zhang Yi now only wanted to toy with her and watch her suffer.

    With a yful smile, he messaged Fang Yuqing.

    ¡°You should have said earlier; I¡¯ve nearly finished my stock. Look, I just cooked steak for breakfast!¡±

    He then took a selfie with the steak and red wine, making sure to include himself in pajamas, and sent it to Fang Yuqing.

 Chapter 15: The Bitch Begs for Supplies

    Chapter 15: The Bitch Begs for Supplies

    At this moment, Fang Yuqing was curled up in her rented apartment, tightly wrapped in two quilts.

    Despite setting the air conditioner to 40¡ãC, the room temperature couldn''t even reach 0¡ãC.

    She shivered all over, feeling the cold air infiltrating the quilt.

    Seeing the photo Zhang Yi sent, Fang Yuqing''s eyes widened in disbelief.

    She couldn''t fathom that in such frigid weather, Zhang Yi wasfortably wearing thin pajamas, eating steak, and drinking red wine.

    They lived in the same building, yet it seemed like they were in entirely different worlds.

    Seeing the delicious steak and the bottle of high-end red wine on his table made Fang Yuqing''s mouth water.

    As a top-notch gold-digger, she was well-versed in high-end goods.From her knowledge, the steak Zhang Yi was eating was undoubtedly premium Wagyu beef.

    And the French wine beside him was definitely grand cru ss¨¦, costing at least twenty or thirty thousand yuan per bottle!

    While she was freezing to death, Zhang Yi was livingfortably, which made Fang Yuqing seethe with jealousy.

    She immediately messaged Zhang Yi.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, I wish I could dine with you!¡±

    She felt her hint was undeniable.

    Based on Zhang Yi¡¯s past behavior, he would undoubtedly offer to bring her steak and wine.

    But Zhang Yi, upon seeing this message,ughed happily.

    Did she still think he was her devoted admirer?

    He leisurely replied with a message.

    ¡°If you want some, go buy it at the supermarket!¡±

    Fang Yuqing''s face froze upon seeing this message.

    Isn¡¯t that obvious?

    It was minus sixty or seventy degrees outside; exposing even a bit of skin would risk frostbite.

    How could such a delicate girl like her be expected to go out in this weather?!

    Biting her lip, Fang Yuqing angrily said, ¡°Zhang Yi, you¡¯re not a real man! I¡¯m giving you such a good opportunity, and you don''t even know how to seize it. Hmph!¡±

    At this moment, Fang Yuqing still had some pride.

    Though she craved steak and high-end red wine, she saw Zhang Yi as just another fish in her pond.

    She didn¡¯t believe the snowstorm would exist too long.

    So, she maintained her aloof goddess image, not directly asking Zhang Yi for food.

    Zhang Yi ignored her and checked other chat groups to see some drama.

    In the neighborhood group chat, he saw Aunt Lin from themunitymittee urging everyone to stay calm and stay indoors.

    ¡°Don¡¯t panic; this is just a sudden drop in temperature; it will pass in two or three days.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t hoard supplies; trust in our government.¡±

    ¡°Ourmunitymittee will help everyone get through this snowstorm. Please follow orders and don¡¯t make trouble.¡±

    A homeowner expressed dissent.

    ¡°With such heavy snow, who knows when it will stop? It¡¯s hard to go out now; shouldn''t we stock up on supplies?¡±

    ¡°Exactly, let¡¯s go buy some groceries. Prices might skyrocket soon.¡±

    Aunt Lin immediately raised her voice.

    ¡°What are you doing? You¡¯re making trouble!¡±

    ¡°Hoarding supplies will only drive up prices. Then everyone will have to pay more.¡±

    ¡°If anyone hoards supplies and I find out, I¡¯ll report them for disrupting public order!¡±

    Zhang Yi smirked at Aunt Lin¡¯s authoritative tone in the chat.

    On the first day of the Ice Age, the weather was brutally cold, but the supermarkets were not yet emptied of supplies.

    Venturing out in the heavy snow was risky, but one could still stock up on some essentials.

    However, Aunt Lin¡¯s intimidation made many peoplecent, staying indoors without buying food.

    The consequences were foreseeable.

    At that moment, Aunt Lin turned her attention to Zhang Yi.

    She tagged Zhang Yi in the group chat.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, you¡¯ve been stockpiling at home for some time. With the severe snowstorm, you must not set a bad example.¡±

    ¡°Stay home these days. If I catch you going out to buy things, don¡¯t me me for reporting you!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s face darkened.

    This old hag, holding a grudge because he didn¡¯t give her suppliesst time, now took the opportunity to target him.

    However,munitymittee members like Aunt Lin were insignificant to Zhang Yi now.

    He replied with a cold smile, ¡°Aunt Lin, no one knows how long this snowstorm willst. If itsts a long time and people run out of food, can you take responsibility?¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s question resonated with many.

    People were dissatisfied with Aunt Lin¡¯s words but hesitant to oppose her due to her position.

    With Zhang Yi leading, others began to voice their concerns.

    ¡°Right, if we don¡¯t stock up and run out of food, who will be responsible?¡±

    ¡°Can you bear that responsibility?¡±

    Aunt Lin, seeing the bacsh, felt a bit panicked and grew more resentful towards Zhang Yi.

    How dare he openly defy her in the group, undermining her authority!

    ¡°Rest assured, ourmunitymittee guarantees there will be no shortage of supplies. The snowstorm will pass soon.¡±

    ¡°And you, Zhang Yi, stop stirring trouble. Your behavior is illegal!¡±

    Curled up at home, Aunt Lin gritted her teeth, thinking, ¡°This Zhang Yi is too audacious. I¡¯ll find a way to deal with himter.¡±

    Zhang Yiughed heartily.

    Even in these dire times, this old woman still clung to her petty authority. It wasughable.

    ¡°Oh my, I can''t take such an usation.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Aunt Lin. I won¡¯t go out. You do as you please!¡±

    His supplies were fully stocked; there was no need to join the crowds at the supermarket.

    Those who believed Aunt Lin¡¯s nonsense would sufferter.

    Zhang Yi felt a bit of pity. The apocalypse would freeze and starve countless people.

    But some deserved their fate, especially those neighbors who had wronged him in his past life.

    Their fate was irrelevant to him now; his only goal was to survive.

    Other people''s lives or deaths had nothing to do with Zhang Yi.

 Chapter 16: Aunt Lins Retaliation, Zhang Yi Fires Back

    Chapter 16: Aunt Lin''s Retaliation, Zhang Yi Fires Back

    Zhang Yi yawned, sitting idly on his sofa.

    While others were enduring hunger and freezing cold, he lived morefortably than in paradise.

    His home was equipped with the perfect instion system and an endless fuel supply to keep his safe house at the mostfortable constant temperature all winter.

    He had nothing more to do but ensure each day was filled with joy and contentment.

    There was nothing interesting on TV at the moment. All live broadcasts had been halted due to the extreme cold.

    After all, the beautiful anchors he usually enjoyed watching couldn''t possibly endure temperatures of minus sixty or seventy degrees, or even over a hundred degrees below zero, to perform in skimpy outfits.

    If anyone could, Zhang Yi would have to give them a thumbs-up and say, "What a trooper!"

    When he opened his interdimensional space, he saw many electronic devices, including numerous gaming consoles and AAA video games.He had stacks of PS5s, Switches, and Xboxes, all brand new and unopened.

    As for game cartridges, there were tens of thousands.

    Zhang Yi pulled out thetest PS5 and hooked it up to his 100-inch Sony TV, starting up a game.

    He was ying thetest AAA action game, Bayta 3.

    Nearby were games like Elden Ring, The Witcher 3, and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

    These were perfect for passing the time.

    If he found the game durations too short, other games like Civilization and Cities: Skylines were notoriously time-consuming and could keep him entertained for days.

    Without worrying about work or social obligations, this life was even better than before the apocalypse!

    Since he was alone at home, Zhang Yi wore only pajamas, snacked while gaming, and thoroughly enjoyed himself.

    After a while, his phone rang.

    He nced at it and saw that the annoying Aunt Lin from themunitymittee had tagged him in the group chat.

    "Zhang Yi, the roads outside are blocked by snow. Come out with tools and help clear the snow!"

    Her tone was imperious.

    Zhang Yi noticed she was rallying everyone in the group to clear the snow, but few responded.

    Unexpectedly, she had specifically targeted him.

    Zhang Yi nced at the heavy snow outside, which had nearly buried the entire first floor.

    Three meters of snow was almost impossible to clear manually.

    Moreover, Zhang Yi knew this snowstorm wouldst for at least three more months.

    Going out to clear snow now was futile.

    He immediately refused, "It''s so cold outside, you''d freeze just stepping out. We should wait until the snow stops to clear it."

    Others in the group agreed with Zhang Yi.

    "Yeah, it''s minus seventy degrees outside. We''d get frostbite in no time."

    "We''re not living in the Northeast of China (Trantor Notes: Northeast is the coldest region in China); we don''t have proper cold-weather gear. How can we go out?"

    Aunt Lin was furious.

    "What kind of attitude is this? Clearing snow is for everyone''s benefit, not just mine!"

    "You young men should step up during a disaster and help themunity instead of shirking responsibilities."

    She directed her ire at Zhang Yi, who had led the opposition.

    "Zhang Yi, as amunitymittee member, I order you to go out and clear the snow!"

    "In these critical times, we must unite and follow themittee''s instructions!"

    "Anyone who opposes will be dealt with by themittee once the disaster ends!"

    Aunt Lin yed themunitymittee card, silencing the residents.

    With the disaster just starting and social order still in ce, no one dared to disobey.

    Though themittee''s power seemed insignificant, their authority impacted daily life, making residents hesitant to defy them.

    Everyone remained silent, hoping Zhang Yi would confront Aunt Lin and speak up for them.

    Zhang Yi understood their thoughts and felt a deep disdain for them.

    However, he wasn''t one to swallow his pride.

    He decided to confront Aunt Lin openly.

    Reviewing the chat history, he saw that Aunt Lin had tagged a few easy-going young people in themunity.

    She had avoided the troublesome ones or those with power and influence.

    Zhang Yi sarcastically remarked, "Aunt Lin, you''re right. Since it''s for everyone''s benefit, themunitymittee should lead by example in clearing the snow."

    "And if we''re talking about strength, plenty of strong young men are in themunity. Why did you only tag a few of us?"

    "Do you think we''re easy targets? You didn''t tag any of the people with social resources and background."

    "What, are you too scared to confront them?"

    The other residents nodded in agreement, satisfied with Zhang Yi''s response.

    "Zhang Yi is saying what we''re all thinking!"

    "Exactly, she always picks on the easy-going ones. Why not ask Chen Zhenghao and Xu Hao?"

    Everyone knew who Zhang Yi was referring to.

    Living in the samemunity, they were well aware of the influential figures among them.

    For instance, Chen Zhenghao in unit 601 was a notorious local big shot, running earth-moving projects with hundreds of men under him.

    Xu Hao, in unit 802, was the son of a famous real estate developer in Tianhai City, with family ties to officials.

    Aunt Lin had deliberately avoided mentioning them because she didn''t dare to provoke them, knowing they wouldn''t give her the time of day.

    Zhang Yi exposed Aunt Lin''s cowardice, making her lose face.

    She felt humiliated and, in her anger, flooded the chat with lengthy voice messages.

    "Clearing snow is a public service for everyone''s benefit. Some people are just petty andck any sense of contribution!"

    "Such individuals are a blight on ourmunity!"

    "If you don''t want to help, fine. There are plenty of others with higher awareness than you."

    "And I''m not ying favorites. I just didn''t see the need to tag everyone. Get your facts straight!"

    "If you continue to nder me, I''ll report you!"

    Aunt Lin''s defense only made things worse.

    Especially her threat to call the police made Zhang Yiugh out loud.

    Some residents, intimidated by Aunt Lin, reluctantly took their tools to clear the snow.

    But Zhang Yi remained unafraid.

    Not only were Aunt Lin''s demands unreasonable, but the police wouldn''t support her actions either.

    Besides, did she really think all societal functions were still operating normally?

 Chapter 17: Aunt Lin, the Bully

    Chapter 17: Aunt Lin, the Bully

    Zhang Yipletely disregarded Aunt Lin''s words, treating them as nonsense.

    However, feeling idle and wanting to have fun at the old woman''s expense, he provoked her.

    "Wow, Aunt Lin, you seem quite capable! Why don¡¯t you ask Chen Zhenghao and Xu Hao toe down and clear the snow?"

    He mentioned their names in the group, showing no regard for anyone''s face.

    Chen Zhenghao, also known as Brother Hao, was a notorious gangster.

    In his previous life, Chen had broken into Zhang Yi''s home, wielding a hatchet.

    Xu Hao was an arrogant and domineering wealthy heir, the first to attack Zhang Yi with a knife.

    These neighbors, with only a few exceptions, had all participated in the attack and robbery against Zhang Yi in his past life.He suspected that each of them had taken a share of his belongings after his death.

    So Zhang Yi had no intention of sparing anyone''s feelings; he exposed their dirty secrets openly, sickening them.

    Aunt Lin''s face turned pale as she looked at her phone.

    Zhang Yi had named them directly, putting her in a difficult position.

    If she backed down now, she would be aughingstock, losing all authority.

    She tagged Chen Zhenghao and Xu Hao in the group with no other option.

    "Neighbors, themunity is our home. Clearing the snow is everyone''s responsibility. Please bring your tools and join us."

    Soon, Chen Zhenghao, with an ID of 25#602, responded with several question marks.

    Then he posted a voice message in the group.

    "Clear the snow? Clear your damn head! Are you blind? Can''t you see it''s still snowing heavily outside?"

    "Are you brain-dead? If you''re sick, find a doctor. Don''t bark here. Tag me again, and I''ll kill you!"

    Chen Zhenghao''s tirade against Aunt Lin was harsh and vulgar.

    The residents, listening to the tirade, couldn''t help butugh, holding their stomachs.

    Aunt Lin thought she was important, but people didn''t take her seriously.

    A minormunitymittee member held some sway over ordinary residents but meant nothing to someone like Chen Zhenghao.

    Xu Hao, the wealthy heir, also sent a voice message.

    "Why should I care about clearing the snow? I don''t need to go to work. I can stay in bed all day."

    He even posted a picture of himself lying in a thick quilt, holding a woman.

    Xu Hao had bought this house to keep his mistress and was now stuck here by chance.

    Aunt Lin asking him to clear the snow made him think she was crazy.

    Unable to retort to Chen Zhenghao, Aunt Lin tried to stand her ground with Xu Hao.

    "You''re also a resident here! Clearing the snow is your duty."

    Xu Hao scoffed, "Bah! I pay property fees every month. Without my money, youmunitymittee members would starve."

    "Taking our money and acting high and mighty, as if you''re in charge. Hrious!"

    Rich kids like Xu Hao were no pushovers. Although idle, they had seen the world and wouldn''t be intimidated by a minormunitymittee member.

    He continued, mocking her, "I am where I am because of my family''s power, unlike you paupers. Go clear the snow if you need to. I want to leave this hellhole as soon as possible."

    His arrogant words enraged everyone.

    But they couldn''t refute him, for his statements were painfully true.

    Chen Zhenghao and Xu Hao''s defiance dampened everyone''s spirits.

    Aunt Lin''s authority was reduced to a joke, and no one paid her heed.

    Furious, Aunt Lin didn¡¯t me Chen Zhenghao or Xu Hao but instead targeted Zhang Yi.

    She believed her mobilization had seeded until Zhang Yi had disrupted it.

    So, she privately messaged Zhang Yi, seething with anger, "Zhang Yi, are you deliberately making things difficult for me?"

    "What do you want? I asked everyone to clear the snow. Was that unreasonable?"

    "No one will do it, and we might be trapped. Do you want that?"

    Zhang Yi''s eyebrows lifted.

    Oh, someone wants to be scolded?

    "You old hag, stop pretending! Bullying the weak and fearing the strong, barking like a dog!"

    "You didn''t dare to respond to their insults, but youe to me to feel powerful?"

    "Listen, I''m not to be messed with. Bark at me again, and I''ll destroy you!"

    Zhang Yi had perfectly gauged Aunt Lin¡¯s character¡ªa bully who cowered before the strong.

    His harsh words terrified Aunt Lin.

    Living with her grandson, Aunt Lin depended on hermunitymittee status for respect.

    If someone disregarded her position and threatened her life, she was powerless.

    Terrified, she blocked Zhang Yi, trembling, unsure if it was from the cold or fear.

    "That bastard! He''s aplete psycho!"

    "I better not provoke him now, but I''ll make his life difficultter!"

    She imagined using hermittee power to trouble Zhang Yi, withholding supplies or excluding him frommunity events.

    She fantasized about Zhang Yi begging for mercy, while she would coldly refuse, saying, "Weren''t you arrogant? Keep being arrogant!"

    Thinking about this, she smiled smugly.

    "Sooner orter, you''ll beg me!"

    "Right now, I won''t stoop to your level."

    Satisfying herself with this petty victory, Aunt Lin continued urging others in the group to clear the snow.

    Despite their disdain, some honest residents, worried about future travel, reluctantly ventured out in the minus seventy degrees to clear the snow.

    Having dealt with Aunt Lin, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t expect another troublemaker.

    His phone rang, showing a call from Chen Zhenghao.

    Angered by Zhang Yi¡¯s earlierments, Chen Zhenghao seemed intent on scaring him.

    Zhang Yi, already harboring resentment towards this thug, narrowed his eyes at the iing call.

    Hoping the fool would confront him, Zhang Yi prepared for a nasty encounter.

    He answered the call.

 Chapter 18: Whos Afraid to Play Rough

    Chapter 18: Who''s Afraid to y Rough

    The moment the call connected, a torrent of vicious curses spewed forth.

    "Are you looking for death, you little shit? Who the f**k gave you the balls to talk about me in the group?"

    "Do you have a death wish, you little punk? You must not want to live if you dare mess with me."

    "I have a hundred ways to f**k you up. Believe it or not?"

    Chen Zhenghao was a notorious thug in Tianhai City, with a gang of several hundred men. Rumor had it that he had been involved in several murder cases.

    Living in the same neighborhood as him, all the residents avoided him, not daring to provoke him.

    To assert his dominance, Chen Zhenghao¡¯s style was ruthless; anyone who dared to offend him, even slightly, would pay a hefty price. This was what they called maintaining face in the underworld.

    So, even though Zhang Yi had merely mentioned him in the chat group, Chen Zhenghao saw it as a challenge to his authority.Over the phone, he roared, "You really want to die! You talk big, huh? Daring to mention me."

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t about to coddle him. He sneered, "And what are you, exactly?"

    "Stop pretending to be tough, you worthless piece of trash. If you think you''re a big deal,e here and show me!"

    Cursing at him felt immensely satisfying. In his previous life, this man had led the charge into his home, resulting in his death. Zhang Yi had been harboring this anger for a long time.

    On the other end, Chen Zhenghao was stunned. He hadn''t expected Zhang Yi to talk back!

    He was enraged, spewing even filthier curses.

    Zhang Yi interrupted, "You''re just a useless piece of garbage. All you can do is run your mouth. Who are you trying to scare? Go eat sh*t!"

    After that, Zhang Yi hung up the phone and blocked him.

    Blocking him right after cursing him out felt incredibly satisfying, imagining Chen Zhenghao fuming on the other end.

    Zhang Yi walked to the TV and turned on the surveince cameras.

    When Zhanlong Security Company built his safe house, they installed cameras throughout the entire building.

    In essence, the entire building was now under his surveince.

    Zhang Yi nced at the sixth floor where Chen Zhenghao lived. Sure enough, the door soon burst open violently.

    Chen Zhenghao stormed out, dressed in a down jacket and wielding a baseball bat, looking menacing.

    However, the moment he stepped outside, he shivered.

    With the temperature at minus seventy degrees outside, he had put on only a down jacket over thermal underwear, leaving the zipper open to show off his chest tattoos.

    The freezing cold quickly taught him a lesson.

    Seeing no one around, Chen Zhenghao rubbed his hands together and hurriedly got into the elevator.

    Zhang Yi, sitting on his sofa, leisurely picked up a crossbow from under the coffee table.

    This hunting crossbow was powerful enough to shoot through a 300-kilogram wild boar, with its 20-centimeter bolts piercing deeply into flesh.

    He hummed a tune as he loaded a bolt into the crossbow.

    After practicing for a while, he had be quite skilled with it. Within a 15-meter range, while not a sharpshooter, he wouldn¡¯t miss a head-sized target.

    As the elevator ascended, Zhang Yi grabbed the loaded crossbow and went to the door.

    His giant security door had a special shooting hole at a height of two meters.

    Zhang Yi stood on a chair and opened the door¡¯s shooting hole, which could only be operated from inside.

    He then aimed the crossbow at the hallway outside.

    For extra precaution, he also had a handgun in his pocket.

    Even if Chen Zhenghao were made of iron, he wouldn¡¯t escape unscathed today.

    Soon, the elevator dinged, and Chen Zhenghao came out cursing.

    He quickly found Zhang Yi¡¯s apartment from the notes in the chat group.

    At the door, he started banging with the baseball bat, cursing loudly.

    "Zhang Yi, you coward,e out!"

    "Weren''t you talking big just now? Come out and see how I¡¯ll f*** you up!"

    He raged and pounded on the door, but the security door, 20 centimeters thick and bulletproof, was more challenging than some armored vehicles.

    Naturally, it couldn¡¯t be broken with a baseball bat. Instead, the impact hurt Chen Zhenghao¡¯s hand.

    He kept cursing, oblivious to the fact that he was being aimed at with a crossbow.

    Watching Chen Zhenghao¡¯s ferocious demeanor, Zhang Yi smirked.

    He aimed the crossbow at Chen Zhenghao¡¯s head but then changed his target.

    In this post-apocalyptic world, everyone in the building would eventually die, except himself.

    Chen Zhenghao was no exception.

    Killing him now would be too easy and not nearly as satisfying.

    After all, in his previous life, these crazed neighbors had dismembered and eaten him alive.

    Zhang Yi''s smile turned wicked.

    He wouldn¡¯t let this scum die so quickly!

    So, he adjusted his aim.

    With a subtle whoosh, the sharp bolt flew and pierced Chen Zhenghao¡¯s leg.

    The bolt, capable of killing a wild boar, went clean through his calf!

    Chen Zhenghao screamed in agony, copsing to the ground, clutching his leg and wailing.

    In such extreme cold, a through-and-through wound like that would render his leg useless.

    Without proper medical treatment, infection was inevitable.

    Chen Zhenghao would die miserably from pain and the freezing cold.

    Writhing on the ground in pain, Chen Zhenghao finally realized he had provoked a formidable opponent.

    Thugs like him thrived on their fearlessness and audacity, banking on the fact that ordinary people wouldn¡¯t fight back.

    But facing someone who dared to use a crossbow, even they felt fear.

    Terrified, Chen Zhenghao had no idea where the bolt hade from.

    Despite the excruciating pain, he dragged himself back to the elevator, one leg useless.

    Zhang Yi chose not to shoot again. He wanted Chen Zhenghao to live a little longer.

    After all, he wasn¡¯t a demon.

    Back in the elevator, Chen Zhenghao¡¯s cold sweat froze in the sub-zero temperature.

    But his heart felt even colder.

    The ruthless attack had shown him pure killing intent.

    In today¡¯s society, anyone who dared to shoot a crossbow at a person was not to be trifled with!

    Looking at his crippled leg, Chen Zhenghao saw that the bolt hadpletely pierced his calf.

    Blood stained half his pants before freezing.

    In the ultra-low temperature, his pain was somewhat numbed.

    But this didn¡¯t bring relief, only more fear.

    He knew that without treatment, his leg would be unable to keep within half an hour.

 Chapter 19: Giving Them an Ice Water Bath

    Chapter 19: Giving Them an Ice Water Bath

    Trantor: Duckpond; Editor: AOH888

    Chen Zhenghao finally felt a wave of fear wash over him.

    He took out his phone and dialed 120 for an ambnce, but the call wouldn''t go through. For over two minutes, he kept trying, only to see the busy line message.

    Chen Zhenghao''s heart sank. The extreme cold had brought the entire city, including hospitals, to a standstill.

    Even if some hospitals were still operating, the heavy snow had sealed off the city, making it impossible for ambnces to get through.

    Chen Zhenghao was a tough guy. After much hesitation, he decided to operate on himself. At the very least, he had to remove the crossbow bolt from his leg.

    Struggling back home, he fetched a knife, an alcoholmp, gauze, and some hemostatic medicine from a drawer. As someone who often got into fights, he always kept such items at home.

    Chen Zhenghao cut open his pants leg with the knife. Seeing the wound, his face turned pale.Under the extreme cold, the wound on his leg had already frozen.

    Although this temporarily stopped the blood loss, the area around the wound had started turning purple, and his calf waspletely numb.

    Chen Zhenghao felt hopeless. He knew that, at this moment, he could only rely on himself.

    Fortunately, he was a hardened thug. After a brief moment of thought, he started operating on himself.

    Since the cold already numbed his leg, he managed toplete the operation without anesthesia.

    The process was excruciating, and he nearly passed out from the pain.

    However, his calf was clearly ruined.

    Lying on the sofa, breathing heavily, Chen Zhenghao''s eyes were filled with murderous intent towards Zhang Yi.

    "Zhang Yi, you little b*stard, I will kill you, I swear!"

    Chen Zhenghao wasn''t joking. He genuinely nned to kill Zhang Yi. Otherwise, how could he continue living in Tianhai City?

    Chen Zhenghao picked up his phone. Since Zhang Yi had blocked him, he could only tag him in the owner''s group chat.

    "Zhang Yi, you dog, wait and see. If I don''t kill you, my name isn''t Chen Zhenghao!"

    The other residents didn''t know what had happened but were worried for Zhang Yi, knowing he had offended Chen Zhenghao.

    Chen Zhenghao was a notorious thug, and his retaliations were vicious.

    However, if they knew Zhang Yi had shot him with a crossbow and crippled his leg, they would be speechless with fear.

    Some people, though, were excited. Aunt Lin, who had been humiliated by Zhang Yi, was particrly gleeful.

    "Let the dogs fight! Neither of them is any good!" she said, delighted.

    "It would be best if that thug Chen Zhenghao beats Zhang Yi to death for cursing me!"

    Fang Yuqing also saw the group messages. She smirked, hoping Chen Zhenghao would deal with Zhang Yi.

    How dare Zhang Yi be so cold to her and refuse to bring her food?

    However, no one dared to speak up, fearing involvement.

    Seeing the message, Zhang Yiughed out loud.

    As long as he stayed inside his safe house, even a hundred Chen Zhenghaos couldn''t touch him.

    Zhang Yi sent a voice message to the group.

    "Who do you think you are, barking like a dog? Try messing with me again, and I''ll cripple your other leg too!"

    The residents were shocked. They couldn''t believe Zhang Yi dared to stand up to Chen Zhenghao.

    It seemed Zhang Yi had already injured Chen Zhenghao.

    Chen Zhenghao gripped his phone tightly, nearly breaking it.

    "Zhang Yi, you wait! I will kill you!"

    Zhang Yi responded unflinchingly, "Bring it on, dog! Let''s see who dies first!"

    In the post-apocalyptic world, Zhang Yi did not need to be polite. Social norms and moral constraints were meaningless to him now.

    On the other side, Chen Zhenghao was furious.

    Back in his room, relying on the minimal heat from the air conditioner, he regained feeling in his leg, though the pain was excruciating.

    Now needing a crutch to move, he contemted his next move.

    Chen Zhenghao realized killing Zhang Yi wouldn''t be difficult.

    He believed he had been caught off guard by the crossbow bolt.

    Now prepared, he could call his henchmen to storm Zhang Yi''s home and kill him.

    The freezing weather meant hospitals and police stations were non-functional, making this the perfect time for murder.

    Chen Zhenghao called his henchmen, ordering them to bring weapons ande to his aid.

    Many of Chen Zhenghao''s goons lived nearby. Upon receiving his orders, they armed themselves with machetes, baseball bats, and steel pipes and gathered at Chen Zhenghao''s ce.

    Seeing his injured leg, they loudly vowed to kill Zhang Yi to avenge him.

    Despite his injury, Chen Zhenghao coldly dered, "I''ll be fine after resting for a few days and getting treatment at the hospital once the snow melts."

    "But this dog dared to shoot me. That''s an affront to my authority."

    "If I don''t kill him, how can I maintain my reputation?"

    One of his goons, holding a steel pipe, shouted, "Boss, just tell us his apartment number, and we''ll chop him up right now!"

    Chen Zhenghao nodded, "He''s in apartment 2401 in this building. Be careful, though. That little bastard has a crossbow. He ambushed me with it."

    Another goon, wielding a bat, shouted, "What a dishonorable move, using a crossbow to ambush someone!"

    Chen Zhenghao instructed, "Be cautious. I know he''s alone. Just avoid getting shot, break down his door, and kill him!"

    His henchmen were fearless thugs. Despite knowing Zhang Yi had a weapon, they were excited.

    With the snow sealing off the city and now enforcement to fear, they could attack openly.

    Human malice thrived under suchwlessness.

    Armed, they headed to Zhang Yi''s apartment, intending to break in and kill him.

    Zhang Yi, fully aware that Chen Zhenghao would seek revenge, remained untroubled.

    He continued ying his game, monitoring the building through the surveince system.

    Seeing Chen Zhenghao''s henchmen approach, Zhang Yi calmly prepared for their arrival.

    His table was covered with weapons, ready for action.

    These scum deserved no mercy.

    Soon, Chen Zhenghao''s henchmen reached Zhang Yi''s door.

    Cautious of the crossbow, they carried wooden boards as makeshift shields.

    Upon reaching Zhang Yi''s door and finding no immediate threat, they began their assault.

    "Open the door!"

    "You dared to shoot our boss? We''ll kill you today!"

    "Today will be your death day. Open the door!"

    They cursed and hammered the door with their bats and iron rods, trying to break in.

    Annoyed by their noise, Zhang Yi shouted, "Can''t you use more strength? Did you skip breakfast?"

    Enraged by Zhang Yi''s taunt, they intensified their assault.

    However, the 20-centimeter-thick alloy door, designed to withstand small explosions, was impervious to their primitive attacks.

    After a long effort, they barely scratched the surface, leaving a few minor dents and chipped paint.

    Stunned, the thugs realized the door was pure metal, incredibly thick and solid.

    "This door is solid metal! How are we supposed to break it?"

    "Who does this guy think he is? How many enemies does he have?"

    The goons were dumbfounded.

    They had promised Chen Zhenghao they would beat Zhang Yi half to death and bring him back.

    Failing to break the door, they continued cursing and hammering, not knowing what else to do.

    Zhang Yi, losing another life in his game, finally had enough.

    Irritated by the constant noise, he went to the kitchen, attached a hose to the faucet, and climbed up to the shooting hole.

    None of the thugs outside noticed the activity above them, still shouting and cursing.

    Zhang Yi chuckled, turned on the faucet, and sprayed them with a torrent of water.

    The water poured down like a storm in the narrow hallway, drenching the thugs instantly.

 Chapter 20: Starting a Life of Comfort

    Chapter 20: Starting a Life of Comfort

    Can you imagine what it feels like to be drenched in freezing water at minus seventy degrees?

    Holding the hose, Zhang Yi sprayed the water on those thugs outside his door.

    With a temperature difference of about a hundred degrees between the inside and outside, the water steamed as it left the hose but quickly froze upon contact with the thugs.

    They were all wearing down jackets and sweaters in the freezing cold.

    The cold water soaked thempletely, making them feel like they were plunged into an ice cer.

    "Damn! It''s freezing! I''m going to die of cold!"

    "Ahhh, stop! Stop it!"

    At that moment, they would have preferred a severe beating to this torturous cold.Their lips turned purple one by one, and some even fainted from the extreme cold.

    Instinctively, they fled from Zhang Yi¡¯s door.

    In just a few seconds, they werepletely drenched.

    They didn''t even make it to the elevator before their clothes froze solid.

    Seeing them flee, Zhang Yi finally turned off the water.

    He had initially nned to use the crossbow to teach them a lesson.

    However, reloading it was too slow, and they might retaliate through the shooting hole.

    Spraying them with water proved far more effective.

    Those thugs, now thoroughly chilled, quickly ran back to Chen Zhenghao''s apartment.

    Seeing them return in such a sorry state, Chen Zhenghao was furious.

    "Where''s that little bastard? Did you bring him back?"

    But the thugs hurriedly grabbed nkets and sheets to warm up.

    Their clothes were soaked and frozen stiff.

    The dozen men scrambled for dry clothes and nkets in the room.

    But there weren¡¯t enough to go around, so some had to huddle together for warmth, a rather bizarre sight.

    Chen Zhenghao was livid, mming the table and shouting, "Someone exins what happened!"

    After regaining warmth, a few thugs shakily exined the situation to Chen Zhenghao.

    "That Zhang Yi is too despicable. He sprayed us with a hose. We couldn''t bear it!"

    "Their door is ridiculously thick. We spent ages hitting it, and all we did was chip the paint."

    Chen Zhenghao frowned deeply.

    When he went to Zhang Yi¡¯s door himself, he noticed how sturdy it was.

    It seemed that forcing their way in would be difficult.

    However, he soon sneered.

    "No matter how fortified his ce is, there must be a w somewhere."

    "And I don''t believe he can stay indoors forever!"

    "Keep watch nearby. The moment he steps out, kill him!"

    Chen Zhenghao''s order was met with shivering but eager nods from his henchmen.

    Despite their freezing state, they tried to appear fierce.

    Yet, they couldn¡¯t imagine that Zhang Yi had no intention of ever leaving his home.

    Outside was hell, while his room was a paradise.

    Why would he ever leave paradise for hell?

    ...

    After dealing with Chen Zhenghao and his thugs, Zhang Yi returned to his game.

    He knew they wouldn''t give up but could not break into his home.

    As for going out?

    He would never take that risk, even if it were one in a million.

    Why venture out when he could livefortably at home?

    Later, Zhang Yi went to the floor-to-ceiling window to check the outside.

    Some people were trying to clear the snow.

    He spotted Uncle You, the security guard, a dedicated and enthusiastic retired soldier who always took the lead in such situations.

    Among those shoveling snow were some good-natured young people from the owners'' group.

    However, Aunt Lin and the othermunitymittee members were nowhere to be seen.

    They were struggling to dig through two to three meters of thick snow.

    But Zhang Yi knew their efforts were futile.

    Clearing a path from the building to themunity entrance would take an entire day.

    And even if they managed that, the roads outside werepletely covered.

    Such thick snow could only be cleared by professional snowplows.

    However, in the South of China, such vehicles didn¡¯t exist.

    Going out had be impossible.

    Moreover, in minus seventy-degree weather, they couldn¡¯tst long outside.

    Without proper cold-weather gear, their bodies couldn¡¯t handle such low temperatures.

    Staying outside for more than half an hour risked frostbite.

    Zhang Yi shook his head.

    These honest people were quite pitiful.

    However, since it was their choice, Zhang Yi had no intention of intervening.

    After all, it had nothing to do with him. He just wanted to survivefortably.

    By afternoon, Zhang Yi felt hungry. He retrieved a sumptuous meal from his interdimensional space.

    Today''s meal was simple: a te of Australian lobster, a serving of Wellington steak, two Huangshan pancakes, and a bottle of c.

    Such delicacies were abundant in his space.

    Living at home all the days, Zhang Yi''s schedule had be rtively free.

    He slept when tired and ate when hungry without distinguishing between day and night.

    Outside, the snow continued to fall.

    Zhang Yi nced out the window and saw that the snow-clearing effort had ended.

    The ground they had cleared was quickly covered again by the snow.

    They must have realized that their efforts were futile against nature.

    Lying on his sofa in thermal underwear, Zhang Yi enjoyed the 27¡ãC warmth of his home.

    He turned on the TV to watch some programs.

    Many TV stations across the country had ceased broadcasting. Only a few provincial channels and CCTV were still on the air.

    These channels mainly broadcast messages encouraging and reassuring the public.

    "At this moment, our eyes are on Beijing, where officials are strategizing andmanding the fight against the snow disaster!"

    "Reports indicate that due to inadequate snow disaster management in the United States, two hundred million people are affected, with tens of millions of deaths!"

    "In contrast, our country¡¯s snow disaster management is under control, and everything is improving."

    "We urge everyone to stay calm and trust in the government!"

    Zhang Yi shook his head.

    The scale and severity of this snow disaster were beyond humanprehension.

    Despite the authorities'' efforts, human power was too insignificant to go against nature.

 Chapter 21: Two Bitches

    Chapter 21: Two Bitches

    Trantor: Duckpond; Editor: AOH888;

    In the chat group, Aunt Lin continued to prattle on.

    "Everyone has seen the news, right? Our country has the power to handle this snow disaster!"

    "Don''t worry, all problems will be resolved smoothly."

    "Also, if anyone needs supplies, those who can help, please do. After all, this snow disaster will soon pass, and there''s no need to hoard supplies."

    However, very few responded to her.

    Clearly, after two days with no signs of the snow disaster ending, many people were beginning to worry.

    Fang Yuqing sent Zhang Yi another message."Zhang Yi, are you okay?"

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow. Fang Yuqing probably thought Chen Zhenghao had already dealt with him.

    However, he didn¡¯t believe Fang Yuqing was genuinely concerned.

    "I''m fine."

    "Oh, that''s good."

    Fang Yuqing was actually a bit disappointed.

    But she quickly added, "We''ve run out of food at home. I remember you bought a lot of stuff. Can you give me some?"

    "I''ll treat you to a mealter, okay? ?( ¡ä???` )"

    Zhang Yi''s lips curled into a cold smile.

    It is too apparent that this woman had a motive for contacting him.

    He remembered that during theirst trip to the supermarket, Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin had also bought some supplies.

    Although they didn''t buy as much as he did, it was enough tost more than two days.

    "Oh, that was a long time ago. I didn''t keep those things at home. Honestly, I don''t have much either."

    Fang Yuqing persisted.

    "Then how about a few packs of instant noodles? You manage a warehouse, so you must have plenty at home."

    Zhang Yi responded bluntly.

    "I really don''t have any instant noodles left. Look, I have to make do with these."

    He took a picture of his table,den with Australian lobster and Wagyu steak, and sent it to Fang Yuqing.

    On the other end, Fang Yuqing¡¯s eyebrows shot up in anger.

    "Damn you, Zhang Yi! What do you mean by this? Are you trying to provoke me?"

    Beside her, her friend Lin Cainin peeked out from under the covers.

    Because it was too cold, the two of them were sharing a bed.

    Seeing the delicious food in the picture, Lin Cainin''s eyes gleamed with envy!

    These pampered women never cooked for themselves.

    They always ordered takeout or had men treat them to meals.

    The heavy snow had trapped them in the city, leaving them to subsist on instant noodles and canned food they usually wouldn''t touch.

    Seeing Zhang Yi enjoying lobster and steak, the two women were both angry and envious.

    They were angry because Zhang Yi was indulging alone and not offering them any.

    Lin Cainin immediatelymented sourly, "Wow, Zhang Yi is too much! He has all this good food and didn''t think of you!"

    "And to think he used to say he liked you. Hmph, he''s totally insincere!"

    Fang Yuqing was equally displeased.

    This wasn''t the first time Zhang Yi had sent her such pictures.

    She knew Zhang Yi was deliberately provoking her.

    However, she believed Zhang Yi still liked her and was just trying to make her yield.

    "Hmph, foolish! Does he think a bit of food will make me his girlfriend?"

    "Zhang Yi, you are too naive!"

    Fang Yuqing dismissed him with disdain.

    As a proud gold digger, she needed to maintain her aloof image.

    But the sight of Zhang Yi''s food made her hunger impossible to hide.

    Lin Cainin, understanding her well, suggested, "Yuqing, why not tell Zhang Yi you¡¯ll have dinner with him? But make him provide the food!"

    "This way, you keep your dignity and get to enjoy lobster and steak."

    "I¡¯m sure he''ll be thrilled to agree!"

    Fang Yuqing frowned, considering the idea.

    To her, Zhang Yi was just a high-level backup.

    Though he was handsome and had some wealth, he was far from her ideal of a wealthy and powerful man.

    As in regr days, she would never lower herself for him.

    But now, she was tired of eating instant noodles and canned food every day.

    "Alright, I¡¯ll give him a chance to have dinner with me!"

    Fang Yuqing reluctantly agreed.

    She picked up her phone and sent Zhang Yi a message.

    "Zhang Yi, it¡¯s been a while since we hung out. How abouting over for dinner tonight?"

    Zhang Yiughed when he saw the message.

    "Oh! Did you prepare me for dinner? Sure, many thanks!"

    This response made Fang Yuqing''s face turn pale with anger, though it could also be from the cold.

    She fumed at Lin Cainin, "Zhang Yi is so ungrateful! I gave him a chance to have dinner with me, and he expects me to host!"

    Lin Cainin was equally taken aback.

    She hadn''t expected the formerly eager-to-please Zhang Yi to be so difficult now.

    "Strange, could a simp really grow a backbone?"

    Fang Yuqing threw her phone aside in frustration.

    "Zhang Yi, I originally nned to keep you as a backup. Now you¡¯ll have to take a backseat!"

    "I''m truly angry now!"

    "From now on, I won¡¯t speak to him again. Even if he begs, it won''t help!"

    Lin Cainin, though craving the food, agreed and fanned the mes.

    "Exactly, he should know his ce!"

    "Trying to pursue you while being so stingy? Such a man deserves to be single forever!"

    The two continued to curse Zhang Yi.

    During this time, Fang Yuqing kept checking her phone, expecting an apology from Zhang Yi.

    But no messages came, darkening her mood further.

    Seeing this, Lin Cainin decided to take matters into her own hands.

    She secretly messaged Zhang Yi.

    "Zhang Yi, you¡¯re so foolish! Yuqing is upset. Do you realize how serious this is?"

    Zhang Yi saw the message and chuckled.

    Reading chat group messages had be a form of entertainment for him.

    What could be more intriguing than human nature revealed during an apocalypse?

    Reading through Lin Cainin¡¯s message, Zhang Yiughed even harder.

    "ying good cop, bad cop, huh? You two really know how to put on a show!"

    He had long seen through their scheming.

    Lin Cainin usually acted as the go-between to maintain Fang Yuqing''s pure goddess image.

    Asking for gifts or hinting for Zhang Yi to spend money on Fang Yuqing were always Lin Cainin''s jobs.

 Chapter 22: The Backup is Still Useful

    Chapter 22: The Backup is Still Useful

    Zhang Yi pretended to be clueless, "What''s wrong? I haven''t done anything bad!"

    Lin Cainin responded, "Are you stupid? The heavy snow has trapped the city, and we''re almost out of food at home."

    "This is the perfect time to show your loyalty to Yuqing by bringing over some delicious food."

    "If I were you, I''d send over all the good stuff like steak and lobster from home."

    "Yuqing would be so touched, and your chances would definitely improve!"

    Reading Lin Cainin''s message, Zhang Yi could already imagine the gold digger drooling at the thought.

    He sneered coldly.

    This behavior was no different from begging.But the ridiculous part was that they wanted to beg while acting like they were doing him a favor.

    As if Zhang Yi giving them food was them giving him a chance.

    Their hypocrisy made Zhang Yi want to p them hard!

    Despicable!

    Zhang Yi decided to toy with these two bitches.

    He replied, "But I don''t have much food left either! Just enough for me."

    Lin Cainin frowned and immediately scolded, "Are you out of your mind? How long could the snowstormst? Starve for a bit and use this chance to win over Yuqing. Isn''t that a great deal?"

    "If you can''t even part with a bit of food, you clearly don''t care about Yuqing at all!"

    Zhang Yiughed even harder.

    These two women were ying the good cop, bad cop routine, thinking they had it all figured out.

    But Zhang Yi, having been reborn, saw through their shameless tactics long ago.

    Facing Lin Cainin¡¯s maniption, he merely replied with a single "Oh," and then tossed his phone aside, ignoring her.

    Seeing the "Oh," Lin Cainin was furious.

    "Oh? What do you mean by ''Oh''!"

    "I''ve been talking for so long, and this is your attitude?"

    "Hurry up and send over the food! I want steak and lobster too!"

    Lin Cainin was a glutton. She hadn¡¯t eaten anything good for the past two days and was drooling over Zhang Yi¡¯s feast.

    She had nned to use Fang Yuqing¡¯s name to trick Zhang Yi into sending all the good food over.

    But things didn¡¯t go as expected.

    That single "Oh" nearly made her lose her cool!

    Could it be that¡­he no longer had any interest in Fang Yuqing?

    No, no, that¡¯s impossible!

    Recalling how diligently Zhang Yi had pursued Fang Yuqing over the past few years, Lin Cainin shook her head.

    "He must be having a momentarypse in judgment!"

    Angry, Lin Cainin went to Fang Yuqing and exaggerated the situation.

    Of course, she told Fang Yuqing she was only asking Zhang Yi for supplies to help her.

    Fang Yuqing¡¯s face remained cold as she replied, "Hmph, who is Zhang Yi? Do I know him? Don¡¯t mention him again!"

    For Zhang Yi to regain her favor, he would need to apologize sincerely for the past few days and pay a hefty price for her forgiveness.

    Lin Cainin nudged Fang Yuqing, "Zhang Yi doesn''t get it, but you have other admirers, don¡¯t you?"

    Their neighborhood had several of Zhang Yi''s colleagues from the warehouse.

    Among them was Zhou Peng, the biggest simp for Fang Yuqing.

    Fang Yuqing knew exactly who Lin Cainin was referring to.

    She sneered, as Zhou Peng wasn¡¯t even worthy of being her backup.

    Though he worked at Walmart, he didn¡¯t even own a house in Tianhai City and was still renting.

    Fang Yuqing merely used him for small favors and had no real feelings for him.

    Lin Cainin persuaded, "It''s so cold outside, and the snow is so heavy. We can''t go out to buy anything. Why not use him to help us out?"

    Fang Yuqing''s gaze shifted, realizing Lin Cainin had a point.

    So, she messaged Zhou Peng.

    Unexpectedly, Zhou Peng arrived within five minutes, bringing a backpack full of food.

    Working at the Walmart warehouse, he often took discounted items home, so he had some stockpiled.

    A single message from Fang Yuqing had him eagerly delivering the best items.

    Zhou Peng pounded his chest, "Yuqing, just tell me what you need. You know I''d do anything for you!"

    Fang Yuqing rarely smiled at him but did this time.

    "Thank you, Zhou Peng! You''re so sweet!"

    A few sweet words, and she sent Zhou Peng off.

    Back inside, her demeanor changed instantly.

    "Hmph, Do you think you stand a chance with me? Maybe in your next life!"

    ...

    In the entire building, the atmosphere was growing tense.

    Despite running the air conditioners constantly, the indoor temperature remained below freezing.

    Residents in Tianhai City were not used to such extreme cold.

    Additionally, they didn¡¯t have the habit of stockpiling supplies. Two days of being snowed in they had nearly emptied their fridges.

    Although Aunt Lin kept saying everything would be fine and the snowstorm would soon pass, people were starting to have doubts.

    Zhang Yi, however, was quite content observing everything.

    In this apocalypse, he was well-prepared and living morefortably than before it began.

    He watched the chaos outside like a detached observer.

    After Zhang Yi had taught Chen Zhenghao and his henchmen a lesson, they hadn¡¯t returned to bother him.

    They knew Zhang Yi''s home was well-fortified.

    Besides, Chen Zhenghao¡¯s leg was essentially crippled. Without hospital treatment, he would be permanently disabled within days.

    The others, drenched in freezing water, were now suffering from colds and fevers.

    Without proper heating, they might die from high fevers even before running out of food.

    Zhang Yi spent his days at home ying video games and reading chat groups.

    Sometimes he exercised, making use of the many gym equipment he had.

    He also read various professional books he had downloaded, like The Barefoot Doctor''s Manual and The Militia Training Manual.

    Better safe than sorry¡ªknowing such skills might save his life in an emergency.

    Outside, the snow continued to fall, the sky cloaked in clouds, making it hard to distinguish day from night.

    On the third morning, Zhang Yi got out of bed and feasted on a fresh Peking duck while checking the time.

    "It''s about time. The real show should be starting."

    Zhang Yi said calmly.

    At that moment, the group chat on his phone exploded.

 Chapter 23: Power and Water Outage

    Chapter 23: Power and Water Outage

    Three days after the apocalypse began, the real chaos finally started.

    Zhang Yi knew exactly what would happen today, so he stayed up all night, eagerly waiting to watch the show unfold.

    The event was quite simple.

    The entire Yue Lumunity suddenly lost power!

    Shortly after, the water supplypany couldn''t function properly due to the cascading effects of the power outage.

    The water supply system malfunctioned, cutting off water to every household.

    All of this was within Zhang Yi¡¯s expectations.

    At the start of the apocalypse, no one could predict how long this extreme cold disaster wouldst.The authorities were still struggling to address the snow disaster.

    However, as days passed, by the third day, they realized this wasn''t something that could be resolved by human effort.

    The extreme cold had caused major hydroelectric power nts to shut down, and thermal power nts also stopped functioning because staff couldn¡¯t get to work.

    Once the stored power in cities across the country ran out, power outages became inevitable.

    At this point, only a few nuclear power nts were still operating.

    However, the electricity they generated was reserved entirely for government use.

    The power and water outage plunged the lives of ordinary people into darkness!

    Zhang Yi had anticipated this. He had already started two silent generators to power his home.

    After setting everything up, Zhang Yi checked his phone and saw that the chat groups were flooded with messages.

    "Do you have power at home?"

    "We lost power! And the water''s out too. What is going on!?"

    "We¡¯re out of power and water too! It''s freezing cold, the heaters are useless, and we can''t use electric heaters. How are we supposed to live like this?"

    "Why isn¡¯t the government doing anything about this? If this continues, people will freeze to death."

    Zhang Yi shook his head silently.

    At this point, the government couldn¡¯t take care of everyone.

    To survive, people would have to rely on themselves.

    He knew that the true apocalypse started today.

    Without modern society¡¯s electricity and food, humanity would face mass deaths.

    Thinking about this, Zhang Yi nced around his home with lingering fear.

    Seeing his house, warm as spring and as secure as a fortress, and his interdimensional space filled with endless supplies, he felt a surge of warmth and security.

    The chat group was filled with anxiousints.

    If it weren¡¯t for advanced technology keeping phone batteries operational in the cold, they wouldn¡¯t even be able to use their phones.

    But without power, even phones would eventually be useless.

    "How long will this snowst? The heaters don¡¯t work, and it¡¯s minus thirty degrees inside."

    "If this continues, we¡¯ll freeze to death!"

    "The water''s out too. Are we supposed to drink snow?"

    "We don¡¯t have much food left either. The snow has blocked the doors, and we can¡¯t go to the supermarket. What are we supposed to do?"

    People started tagging Aunt Lin.

    "Aunt Lin, didn¡¯t you say everything would be fine?"

    "Yeah, I believed you and didn¡¯t go out to buy supplies. What do we do now?"

    "When will the governmente to rescue us? Say something!"

    Facing her neighbors'' questions, Aunt Lin was filled with anxiety and fear.

    She was even more terrified than her neighbors.

    The owners didn¡¯t know how the government would rescue them.

    However, Aunt Lin, through themunitymittee, had already received some insider information.

    "Right now, the entire world is experiencing heavy snow. They say it¡¯s a once-in-a-hundred-thousand-year snowstorm. We might be facing another mass extinction, another apocalypse!"

    "The authorities are trying their best, but with a poption of over a billion, it¡¯s impossible to take care of everyone."

    "Major cities in the country have already fallen!"

    "To survive, we must rely on ourselves. Stock up on supplies, especially food and heating fuel."

    "I¡¯ve already started collecting supplies from households under the guise of themunitymittee."

    "But isn¡¯t that harming others?"

    "Harming others? If I don¡¯t, we¡¯ll freeze or starve to death within three days! I can¡¯t worry about others right now!"

    "This snow disaster will kill many. I must ensure my family and I survive first."

    "Yes, while we still have some influence, let¡¯s gather as many supplies as possible. Surviving is the most important thing right now!"

    Aunt Lin stared intently at the messages in themunitymittee group, her whole body trembling violently.

    Despite the indoor temperature being minus thirty degrees, cold sweat dripped from her forehead.

    Lying in bed, wrapped in three thick nkets that nearly suffocated her, she didn¡¯t dare uncover herself.

    The room was like an ice cer.

    Her grandson, Hu, nestled under the nkets, asked, "Grandma, why is it so cold outside? When will Dad and Mome back?"

    Aunt Lin''s heart sank as she looked at her grandson.

    She had just spoken with her son and daughter-inw today.

    They were stuck in their rented apartment in another city, and their situation wasn¡¯t much better.

    "I must protect us both. We have to survive!"

    Aunt Lin bit her lip hard, her eyes shing with determination.

    "Hu, don¡¯t worry. Dad and Mom will be back soon."

    Afterforting her grandson, Aunt Lin picked up her phone and started speaking in the chat group.

    "Everyone, this snowstorm is temporary. The weather is too cold, so power and water outages are not surprising."

    "Rest assured, workers are already repairing the issues."

    "The government has issued a notice that in these extraordinary times, ourmunitymittee will manage the neighborhood."

    "We hope everyone will cooperate with us. If anyone doesn¡¯t cooperate and causes serious consequences, we¡¯ll ask the police to arrest and interrogate themter!"

    Aunt Lin¡¯s severe words sparked intense dissatisfaction among the owners.

    They hadn¡¯t expected themunitymittee to intimidate them instead of addressing their concerns.

    But they were also scared and didn¡¯t dare to oppose her openly.

    Zhang Yi leisurely watched Aunt Lin¡¯s messages on his phone, chuckling.

    He knew Aunt Lin was lying. In his previous life, she had used such despicable tactics to swindle many supplies from others.

    But he had no intention of exposing her lies.

    After all, the fate of the other neighbors was irrelevant to him.

    Zhang Yi turned on the TV and resumed his game.

    Power and water outages?

    That was no problem. His warehouse was stocked with a massive amount of backup batteries, generators, fuel, and solid alcohol.

    As for water, he had stored 500 tons of tap water, not to mention tens of thousands of tons of bottled water and drinks in his warehouse.

    And if necessary, he could melt snow for water.

    In short, hecked neither fresh water nor energy.

 Chapter 24: Aunt Lins Threat

    Chapter 24: Aunt Lin''s Threat

    While ying his game and enjoying snacks, Zhang Yi was livingfortably despite the harsh conditions outside.

    Tianhai City, or the entire world, was experiencing widespread power and water outages.

    The water issue was somewhat manageable.

    Those who couldn''t stand it anymore could venture out to collect snow for water.

    But the power outage¡ªthat was the absolute nightmare!

    Modern people, ustomed tofort, couldn''t survive in sub-zero temperatures without electricity.

    It wasn¡¯t entirely the government¡¯s fault, as most power nts could not operate simply because engineers and workers couldn''t get to work.

    Zhang Yi recalled that in the following days, there would still be a brief period of limited power supply each day.The government didn''t want everyone to freeze to death.

    However, the power generated by the 21st-century nuclear and renewable energy nts was quite limited.

    At most, it would allow people to charge their phones or heat some water.

    As for high-power appliances like air conditioners and heaters, those were out of the question.

    Meanwhile, themunity chat group was filled with cries of despair. Fear had driven them to band together, hoping someone could bring them some hope.

    Chen Zhenghao, who had been crippled by Zhang Yi, was nearly frozen to death in his own home.

    Already injured, the extreme cold only worsened his condition.

    His henchmen were in even worse shape.

    Although Zhang Yi had only drenched them with a hose, the extreme cold left them with no means of warming up.

    Indoor temperatures had dropped to minus fifty or sixty degrees.

    Many of them had developed high fevers, with temperatures reaching 39¡ã or even 40¡ã.

    They hadn''t thought to stock up on medicine like ibuprofen, and going out to buy it was impossible.

    Thus, they could only endure the hardship.

    This was why Zhang Yi hadn''t killed them outright.

    Watching them slowly freeze to death in despair was far more satisfying than killing them swiftly.

    Sitting on the carpet, Zhang Yi was engrossed in his game.

    Outside, the cold wind howled, and snowkes swirled, but inside, the temperature was afortable 27¡ãC.

    The lights were bright, food and entertainment were plentiful, and hecked nothing.

    If there was one thing missing, it was a femalepanion.

    However, Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t foolishly driven by lust.

    Having suffered because of women in his previous life, he now prioritized his safety and quality of life above all else.

    Unless he was sure it was safe, he wouldn''t let anyone into his safe house.

    In the apocalypse, human nature was unpredictable.

    He had witnessed a woman kill her husband for a packet of instant noodles.

    Just then, his phone lit up again.

    With interest, Zhang Yi saw that Aunt Lin had tagged everyone in the owners'' group chat.

    "Due to the severe snowstorm impacting everyone''s lives, we have received official notification that the snow will continue for a short while."

    "To help everyone get through these tough times with dignity, themunitymittee will collect supplies from each household for redistribution."

    "This is an official directive, so everyone must cooperate! Anyone who is selfish and refuses to follow the organization¡¯s arrangements will face consequencester!"

    "Remember, you all have your own weaknesses!"

    Zhang Yi sneered.

    This was the same tactic she used in his previous life.

    As amunitymittee member, Aunt Lin had ess to more information than the average person.

    She knew that the apocalypse had already paralyzed the authorities in Tianhai City.

    She was trying to use deception and intimidation to collect supplies from others.

    However, Aunt Lin''s tactics were rtively crude.

    After all, she was just an old woman with a middle school education.

    Any intelligent person could see through her lies.

    Even if the authorities were to coordinate resources, they wouldn''t issue such an order.

    However, in a building with over fifty households, there would always be some who were scared and would listen to Aunt Lin out of fear.

    Zhang Yi had no intention of intervening. He just wanted to watch the drama unfold.

    Sure enough, Aunt Lin''s forceful demand for supplies finally pushed some people too far.

    Wang Min, who lived on the 15th floor and was also Zhang Yi''s colleague, often brought things home from the warehouse.

    Everyone knew this.

    Aunt Lin''s order to collect supplies meant their household couldn¡¯t escape.

    Wang Min argued, "We can''t go out with the snow blocking our doors, and each household barely has enough to eat. Now you want to collect and redistribute everything? That''s ridiculous!"

    Another resident, Sun Zhichao, added, "It''s hard enough for everyone to have some food stored up. Collecting it all is too much!"

    Aunt Lin, gritting her teeth, pressed the voice message button hard.

    "I¡¯ve already said this is an extraordinary time, requiring extraordinary measures!"

    "The snowstorm will soon pass. Don¡¯t worry. We just need to redistribute supplies for now."

    "Many families don¡¯t have enough to eat. Are you all so selfish?"

    "Think about your neighbors too!"

    Some families had stored up supplies, while otherscked them.

    So, thosecking supplies naturally supported Aunt Lin.

    "That''s right, we''re all neighbors. What''s wrong with helping each other?"

    "It''s just some food and drink. Normally, we can afford these things, but now the situation is special!"

    "This is an official decision. If you don¡¯tply, the consequences won¡¯t be something everyone can handle."

    The group chat quickly turned into a debate.

    Zhang Yi remained silent, and so did Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin.

    They had plenty of supplies at home but would never hand them over.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s hope to just watch the drama soon faded.

    Even though he stayed silent, Aunt Lin messaged him directly.

    "Zhang, you work at the warehouse, so you must have plenty of food and drink at home, right?"

    "I remember you bought three cartloads of stuffst time!"

    "Now, with everyone in trouble, it''s time for you to step up and help out."

    "Don¡¯t worry; once the snowstorm is over, we¡¯ll return everything to you, and everyone will remember your kindness."

    Aunt Lin had incited fear and then began targeting households one by one.

    If she could trick even one household, it would provide enough supplies to keep her and her grandson alive for a few more days.

    Naturally, as the Walmart warehouse supervisor, Zhang Yi was her prime target.

 Chapter 25: Berating the Old Hag

    Chapter 25: Berating the Old Hag

    Zhang Yi sneered.

    In his previous life, he underestimated the severity of the snow disaster.

    Thinking he could earn goodwill from his neighbors, he handed out some of his stored supplies.

    But what was the result?

    Instead of gratitude, people assumed he had an abundance of supplies at home.

    In the end, his door was broken down, and he was killed, his body used for food.

    It could be said that his death in his previous life was partly due to this old woman!

    A sly smile crept across his face as hezily sent a voice message."That''s great! I¡¯m out of food at home too. Aunt Lin, when you collect supplies, could you spare some for me?"

    Aunt Lin, infuriated, started cursing loudly in her house.

    "Bah! Who do you think you''re fooling? You must have plenty of supplies at home."

    "Humph, working at the warehouse for so many years, you can''t tell me you didn''t stash anything away!"

    Her confidence came from Zhang Yi''s history of helping neighbors buy discounted items from the Walmart warehouse.

    Damaged packaging or near-expiry goods were sold at very low prices.

    As an employee, Zhang Yi had priority in buying them, and sometimes the warehouse even distributed them as benefits.

    Aunt Lin''s face turned blue with anger, and she bit her lip, refusing to give up.

    She was convinced that Zhang Yi was a big fish; if she could pry his supplies loose, she and her grandson could livefortably for at least another week!

    Taking a deep breath, Aunt Lin tried to sound firm yet gentle.

    "Zhang, don''t joke with Auntie. Everyone knows you''re the supervisor at the Walmart warehouse. How could you be short of food and drink at home?"

    "This is an official directive. You mustply! Your contribution will be remembered by everyone and the government."

    "Be a pioneer, and bring your supplies over to Auntie''s ce."

    Zhang Yi picked his teeth with a toothpick, having just finished a meal of roastmb leg, and repliedzily.

    "I''m not lying, I¡¯m really out of food. Even richndlords don''t have surplus grain nowadays!"

    "Aunt Lin, why don''t you give me a few packs of instant noodles? As a member of themunitymittee, you should set a benchmark and be a pioneer!"

    Seeing Zhang Yi''s resistance, Aunt Lin knew being soft wouldn''t work.

    She hardened her tone, her voice growing stern.

    "Zhang Yi!"

    "Talking nicely doesn''t work with you, does it?"

    "Do you think I''m speaking on my own behalf? I''m representing the government!"

    "Refusing to hand over your supplies means opposing the government. I will make sure to deal with you!"

    Zhang Yiughed coldly.

    "Bah!"

    "Representing the government? You''re just waving a chicken feather as a token of authority!"

    "You''re just amunity staff, not even a civil servant."

    "Usually, you can fool the old folks, but trying to act tough with me? Are you out of your mind?"

    "Do whatever you want. I''ll be waiting at home!"

    Zhang Yi mercilessly exposed Aunt Lin''s true nature.

    Community staff weren''t official government employees, not even in the civil service. Aunt Lin wasn''t even a minor leader in themunitymittee.

    On the other hand, even if she were a high-ranking official, Zhang Yi wouldn''t care at this moment.

    After berating Aunt Lin, Zhang Yi hung up and blocked her number.

    He had no time to argue with this shrew.

    His actions nearly drove Aunt Lin mad with rage!

    Zhang Yi had repeatedly opposed her, humiliating her.

    As someone who fancied herself the leader of themunity, how could she endure this?

    "Zhang Yi, you despicable creature! I wish I could kill you!"

    Aunt Lin roared in fury.

    But in reality, she was powerless against Zhang Yi.

    She thought about kicking Zhang Yi out of the owners'' group chat but realized it wouldn''t harm him much.

    She also considered rallying the others in the group to condemn Zhang Yi, but that would only expose his refusal to hand over supplies.

    If others followed his response, she wouldn''t be able to deceive them.

    No matter how she thought about it, there was nothing she could do to Zhang Yi.

    The more she thought about it, the angrier and more frustrated she became.

    In the end, she had to swallow her rage.

    Her priority now was to deceive others while they were still oblivious, to gather as many supplies as possible!

    ...

    Over the next two days, Aunt Lin managed to deceive a few households into handing over some supplies through a mix of coaxing and intimidation.

    However, not everyone was foolish.

    In the apocalypse, people''s first concern was their own survival and that of their families.

    Some chose to ignore Aunt Lin.

    Others, with more aggressive personalities, cursed her out and sent her packing when she came to their doors asking for supplies.

    And for the likes of Chen Zhenghao and Xu Hao, Aunt Lin didn''t even dare to approach.

    Zhang Yi watched all of this through his surveince cameras, clear as day.

    But he continued his life as usual, ying and eating without bothering with others'' affairs.

    From the onset of the snowstorm, five days had passed.

    Most households had only stored enough food for three to five days.

    In thismunity, some people had more supplies because they worked atrge warehouses.

    However, due to the extreme cold, heating requires fuel and food, leading to faster supply consumption.

    These days, the chat group started showing signs of hostility.

    Initially, people had waited patiently for the government''s rescue.

    But now,cking heating and food, their attitudes were changing.

    Especially those who had been deceived by Aunt Lin. They couldn''t hold back any longer and began questioning her in the group.

    "@25#1 Unit 1502-Lin Chunxia, Aunt Lin, you said the supplies would be redistributed?"

    "Our food is all gone. It''s been two days. Can you give us some now?"

    "Yeah, you promised to redistribute so everyone would have something to eat!"

    The residents were moring, including those who hadn''t handed over any supplies, hoping to take advantage of the situation.

    But Aunt Lin remained silent.

    She could see the messages but had no intention of giving any supplies back.

    She and Zhang Yi were the only ones who truly understood the gravity of the situation.

    Outside, chaos reigned. Only those with supplies could survive; the rest could only wait for death.

    Clutching her grandson, curled up under five nkets, Aunt Lin seethed, "No way I''m giving back the supplies I worked so hard to trick out of people!"

 Chapter 26: Double-Crossing

    Chapter 26: Double-Crossing

    Seeing Aunt Lin''sck of response, the neighbors finally realized they had been duped by her.

    The chat group was suddenly filled with "kind words" directed at Aunt Lin.

    But Aunt Lin had decided to deceive her neighbors from the very beginning, and she certainly didn''t care about their curses.

    However, someone had his eyes on the supplies she had swindled from others.

    For example, the thug Chen Zhenghao!

    Although it had been five days since the apocalypse began, people still didn''t know what the situation outside was like.

    So, they hadn''t yet reached the point of fighting desperately for supplies.

    In Zhang Yi''s memory, Chen Zhenghaoter led a group of his thugs to rob others, even resorting to murder.But at this moment, he hadn''t yet decided to rob his neighbors of their supplies.

    Even a thug has some sense. He hadn''t chosen to break into Zhang Yi''s home after Zhang Yi shot his leg because he wasn''t sure he could seed.

    Now, their supplies were running low as well.

    As a thug, Chen Zhenghao didn''t have the habit of stockpiling supplies at home.

    His fridge was full of beer, but it was frozen solid and not filling, and it could only be consumed by smashing and gnawing on ice.

    Seeing Aunt Lin''s actions gave him an idea.

    Aunt Lin had imed she would collect supplies and then redistribute them.

    Although he scoffed at Aunt Lin''s words, it was obvious now that she had swindled some supplies from her neighbors.

    So, he had a legitimate reason to take them!

    Even if the snow melted and the matter blew up, Aunt Lin wouldn''t dare do much out of guilt.

    Thus, Chen Zhenghao picked up his phone and called Aunt Lin.

    At that moment, Aunt Lin was at home, happily eating cookies with her grandson, Xiaohu.

    Instant noodles had to wait for the brief daily power supply to boil water.

    Just then, the phone rang urgently.

    "Grandma, the phone!"

    Hu pointed at the phone.

    Aunt Lin snorted disdainfully, thinking it was one of the neighbors she had swindled.

    She felt no guilt towards those fools and even thought they were idiots.

    But when she picked up the phone and saw the caller''s name, her face turned pale with fear.

    "Chen Zhenghao? What does he want with me?"

    Chen Zhenghao was a notorious thug with many underlings and a powerful background.

    Not someone a small-timemunity staff like her could mess with.

    Aunt Lin answered the call.

    Chen Zhenghao''s voice came through, "Hey, Aunt Lin! You''ve got quite the skill, getting everyone''s supplies into your hands."

    Hearing the word "supplies," Aunt Lin instantly became alert.

    She coughed, "Ahem, as amunity staff, it''s my duty to manage supplies for everyone."

    Chen Zhenghaoughed coldly, "Heh, that¡¯s perfect. We¡¯re running low on supplies at home, so send some over quickly!"

    Aunt Lin''s face froze. She hadn''t expected this thug to demand her supplies!

    She seemed to forget that she had also used unscrupulous means to swindle these supplies from her neighbors.

    Though Aunt Lin didn''t dare provoke Chen Zhenghao, she didn''t want to give up the supplies she and her grandson needed to survive.

    Gritting her teeth, she said, "I still need to organize these supplies. Not everyone has handed them over yet, so I can''t redistribute them."

    Chen Zhenghao was already losing his patience.

    This old hag didn''t know her ce, trying to brush him off!

    He cursed, "You old hag, don''t push your luck!"

    "Those supplies have all been pocketed by you, right?"

    "I''m telling you, if you hand them over obediently, I''ll let it go. Otherwise, hehe, I''lle and take them myself!"

    Aunt Lin was terrified, trembling and speechless.

    She had always bullied the weak and feared the strong. When dealing with ordinary residents, she was sharp and overbearing.

    But she had no idea how to handle someone like Chen Zhenghao.

    Mustering her courage, she said, "What do you want? I warn you, don''t mess around! I''m amunity staff!"

    Chen Zhenghaoughed even harder, "Pah, what nonsense! Do you really think you''re important? If you don''t give them to me, I''lle and take them myself!"

    With that, Chen Zhenghao hung up.

    Because of the extreme cold, he had gathered his thugs at his ce.

    Not only to keep warm but also because many of them had fallen ill after being doused by Zhang Yi. Someone needed to care for them.

    Furthermore, as a thug with some brains, Chen Zhenghao realized the situation was worsening.

    So, he gathered his men to maintain control.

    If things got really bad, having manpower would give him absolute authority!

    However, with so many people, they needed food.

    After hanging up, he immediately called his thugs and headed to Aunt Lin''s ce.

    Using a mop as a crutch and carrying a baseball bat, Chen Zhenghao led his men to Aunt Lin''s door with great momentum.

    Zhang Yi watched the whole scene through his surveince cameras.

    Sitting on his sofa with his legs up on the coffee table, he munched on chips while watching the monitor.

    "Oh, it looks like a dog-eat-dog show is about to start!" Zhang Yi chirped.

    Only five days into the apocalypse, such an interesting drama was unfolding, involving people he despised.

    Zhang Yi felt very pleased.

    Suddenly, he thought of the foolish neighbors who had been tricked by Aunt Lin.

    Based on his memories from his previous life and his understanding of these neighbors, he knew that despite this incident, some would continue to fall for Aunt Lin''s tricks.

    People always have a tendency for wishful thinking, and the Confucian culture ingrained in them made them instinctively submit to figures like Aunt Lin.

    Thus, Aunt Lin would continue to exploit them.

    Zhang Yi stroked his chin, "What if I record this and share it in the group?"

    A mischievous smile appeared on his face, "That would be quite entertaining!"

    So, he pressed the record button.

    When Chen Zhenghao and his men reached Aunt Lin''s door, they began shouting for her to open up.

    Yuelu Community was a mid-range residential area, and every household had security doors.

    But everyone knew that security doors were meant to keep out petty thieves, not withstand a determined break-in.

    Aunt Lin''s home was no fortress like Zhang Yi''s.

    Though she tried desperately to block the door, the lock couldn''t withstand the determined assault of a group of thugs.

    Using baseball bats, steel rods, and crowbars, they quickly broke the lock.

    It was clear this wasn¡¯t their first time doing something like this.

    Once the lock was broken, the tables and sofas Aunt Lin used to block the door were no match for them.

    Through the camera, Zhang Yi saw Aunt Lin''s pale, terrified face.

 Chapter 27: Kicking Lin Xiaohu

    Chapter 27: Kicking Lin Xiaohu

    Trantor: Duckpond; Editor: AOH888

    Soon, Zhang Yi heard Aunt Lin''s shrill scream, like that of a pig being ughtered.

    After storming into the apartment, Chen Zhenghao pped Aunt Lin hard across the face.

    "You old hag, tricking the neighbors out of their supplies! I''m doing this as a service to justice!" Chen Zhenghaoughed heartily.

    Aunt Lin was knocked to the ground, her head spinning, unable to speak for a long time.

    Chen Zhenghao ordered his men, "Search the ce! Take all the food and drink. This was collected from the neighbors and shouldn¡¯t go to waste on her!"

    His henchmenughed, winking at each other, and swarmed into the kitchen and bedrooms, ransacking every corner of Aunt Lin''s house.

    They quickly found arge stash of instant noodles, bread, biscuits, bottled water, and more.Aunt Lin crawled over, crying, and clutched Chen Zhenghao''s leg, pleading, "You can''t take everything. Some of this is for my grandson and me. How are we supposed to survive if you take it all?"

    Chen Zhenghao stared at her coldly and sneered, "Not my problem! Get lost!"

    With that, he used his good leg to kick her in the face.

    "Ah!!"

    Aunt Lin screamed and fell backward.

    At that moment, a shout came from the bedroom, "You bastards, get out of here!"

    It was Aunt Lin''s grandson, Lin Xiaohu, who had seen them take the chocte biscuits he had hidden. His eyes turned red with rage.

    He pulled out a fruit knife from a drawer and stabbed one of Chen Zhenghao''s henchmen in the buttocks.

    In such extreme cold, any injury could be fatal.

    The henchman yelled in pain.

    When he turned and saw it was a child who had stabbed him, his eyes red with anger!

    "Damn you!"

    Enraged, the henchman kicked Lin Xiaohu in the stomach with all his strength.

    The full-force kick from an adult was not something a six-year-old could withstand.

    Lin Xiaohu screamed and was sent flying through the air, crashing into the wall and sliding down like a rag doll.

    The scene was exactly like the saying, "hitting someone like hanging a picture."

    Chen Zhenghao and his men burst intoughter at the sight.

    "Haha! Fifth Brother, when did you get so good at kicking?"

    "You actually sent that little brat flying. Impressive!"

    The henchman, nicknamed Fifth Brother, pulled the knife out of his buttocks and said smugly, "How''s that? Too bad you didn''t get that on video!"

    Aunt Lin, herself injured, had initially wanted to y dead on the floor.

    But seeing her beloved grandson kicked so hard, she cried out in despair, "Hu, my grandson!"

    She crawled over to Lin Xiaohu.

    Chen Zhenghao pointed at Aunt Lin and said righteously, "This is the price you pay for deceiving your neighbors. I''m doing this as a service to justice!"

    With that, his groupughed heartily and left Aunt Lin''s house with their spoils.

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow at this brutal scene.

    Seeing the despicable Aunt Lin and her family beaten up brought him immense satisfaction. He felt no sympathy for them.

    However, this scene also signified the beginning of the copse of civilized society within the building.

    From now on, violence and savagery would only increase.

    After all, once a crack appears in the ice, it rapidly expands.

    "s, it''s a shame it doesn''t concern me."

    "Watching them fight to the death over a few supplies, while I lie at homefortably, is quite dull."

    Lying on his imported sofa, Zhang Yi smiled contentedly.

    Then he uploaded the recorded video to the group chat.

    The chat was filled with residents cursing Aunt Lin for deceiving them.

    When they saw the video Zhang Yi had uploaded, showing Chen Zhenghao breaking into Aunt Lin''s house and beating her and her grandson, they cheered.

    "Haha, the swindler got what she deserved!"

    "Brother Hao is awesome! This is how you deal with such people!"

    "That''s the price for being a liar!"

    "Hehe, trying to steal a chicken but losing the bait. Hrious!"

    Although they knew Chen Zhenghao wouldn''t return the stolen supplies, they were delighted to see Aunt Lin beaten.

    Some even started praising Chen Zhenghao as a hero.

    "Brother Hao is the best!"

    "No wonder he''s a big shot. He has a strong sense of justice!"

    "If it weren''t for Brother Hao, we wouldn''t have known what to do with that shameless old hag."

    "Brother Hao, be careful. That old hag might report you to the police."

    Some even offered advice to Chen Zhenghao, showing concern for him.

    Chen Zhenghao had gained both fame and fortune, not facing any collective opposition from the residents and securing arge amount of supplies.

    Zhang Yi watched the chat and smirked, shaking his head.

    The residents failed to realize one crucial point.

    If Chen Zhenghao could break into Aunt Lin''s house today, he could do the same to theirs tomorrow.

    As people gradually lost hope for the outside world, such events would only be moremon.

    However, seeing the residents still chatting happily in the group suggested one thing.

    Despite theirints, they still had some supplies.

    Many residents worked in warehouse districts and had a habit of stockpiling supplies.

    Even those who didn''t work in such areas had purchased discounted goods through various channels.

    A box of nearly expired instant noodles could sustain a family of three for five days if rationed carefully.

    Therefore, while staying warm and well-fed was challenging, survival was still possible with careful rationing.

    In his previous life, Zhang Yi survived for a month before starving neighbors broke in and devoured him alive.

    Everyone knew the saying "Don''t unt your wealth," and in the current situation, no one dared show they had supplies.

    They all pretended to be in dire straits to avoid others asking to borrow from them.

    However, they were merely surviving, with no quality of life.

    Zhang Yi stopped reading the chat.

    He took out a target from his interdimensional space and set it up against the wall.

    Then he picked up his crossbow andpound bow, practicing his shooting skills.

    Even though his safe house was as solid as a fortress, survival in the apocalypse required constant vignce.

    Only by practicing survival skills daily could he ensure his continued survival.

    Moreover, practicing shooting was an enjoyable pastime for Zhang Yi.

    He didn''t need to practice his marksmanship with firearms.

    As a member of the shooting association, he knew how to use guns.

    While not an expert marksman, holding a gun was inherently intimidating!

    With only a hundred bullets, unlike reusable arrows, he needed to conserve them.

 Chapter 28: One Pack of Instant Noodles for 2000 Yuan!

    Chapter 28: One Pack of Instant Noodles for 2000 Yuan!

    Aunt Lin had been robbed of her supplies by Chen Zhenghao, and both she and her grandson Lin Xiaohu were severely beaten.

    Though the old woman managed to hold on, she was still able to move around.

    However, her grandson Lin Xiaohu, who had been kicked hard in the stomach by one of Chen Zhenghao''s underlings, was in a dire situation.

    A six-year-old couldn''t withstand such a blow, and his internal organs were severely injured.

    In her desperation, she could only plead for help in the group chat, hoping someone would help save her grandson.

    But due to her previous deceit in swindling supplies, no one felt any sympathy for her.

    "Please, I know what I did before was wrong, but my grandson is innocent!" she cried.

    "He''s just a child. Please, someone save him!"Aunt Lin''s desperate cries filled the chat, but no one offered to help.

    Instead, they mocked her.

    "Who knows if this is true or another scam."

    "Yeah, besides, we¡¯re not doctors. We can''t help you."

    "If you hadn¡¯t swindled supplies from everyone, Brother Hao wouldn¡¯t have beaten your grandson. It''s all your fault."

    Aunt Lin broke down, sobbing uncontrobly, "It''s all my fault! I¡¯ll kneel and beg if someone can save my grandson!"

    At that moment, a woman named Zhou Ke''er sent a message.

    "Let me take a look at the child. I can''t guarantee I can save him, though."

    Zhang Yi immediately pictured a tall, imposing woman with a long ponytail.

    Zhou Ke''er was a doctor at Tianhai City''s First People''s Hospital.

    In his previous life, she had saved many lives with her medical knowledge and was one of the few good people among the neighbors.

    Usually aloof and not one to chat much in the group, she spoke up now because she saw Lin Xiaohu was in critical condition.

    Aunt Lin, remembering the doctor in theirmunity, profusely thanked her and quickly sent Lin Xiaohu over.

    Half an hourter, Aunt Lin''s anxious voice rang out in the group again.

    "Does anyone have hemostatic drugs, anti-shock medication, or antibiotics?"

    "My grandson needs surgery. Please, help us! I¡¯ll kneel and beg!"

    Lin Xiaohu was severely injured, his liver ruptured by the kick.

    Although Zhou Ke''er was a doctor, she didn¡¯t have the necessary medications at home.

    The residentsughed off Aunt Lin''s plea.

    "No one keeps those kinds of medications at home!"

    Chen Zhenghao added sarcastically, "How about kneeling and begging right here in the group?"

    A wave of "hahaha" messages followed.

    Aunt Lin''s voice, trembling with tears, pleaded, "If you can help, I¡¯ll kneel and beg right now!"

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow.

    He did have those medications in his interdimensional space, but he had no intention of giving them up to save Lin Xiaohu.

    Firstly, in the apocalypse, medications were as crucial as food, and he didn¡¯t want to expose his supplies.

    Secondly, he despised Aunt Lin and her spoiled grandson.

    Even if Lin Xiaohu miraculously survived, he wouldn¡¯tst through the harsh winter.

    It was better to keep the medications for himself.

    No matter how much Aunt Lin begged in the group, no one stepped forward to help.

    Eventually, Zhou Ke''er sent another message.

    "I''ve temporarily stabilized Lin Xiaohu, but it''s just an emergency measure. He needs proper surgery at a hospital to survive."

    She also offered to treat any urgent medical issues the residents might face.

    The group chat quickly filled with praises for her.

    Even Chen Zhenghao and the wealthy heir Xu Hao eagerlyuded Zhou Ke''er¡¯s benevolence.

    On regr days, the aloof doctor didn¡¯t receive much attention from the neighbors.

    But now, everyone feared death, so they showered her with praise.

    Zhang Yi stayed silent, merely observing the situation unfold.

    For the past few days, Fang Yuqing hadn¡¯t contacted him.

    Zhang Yi was quite content with the peace, knowing she would eventuallye to him for help.

    For now, she maintained her pride, considering herself too superior to lower herself for a man.

    Except for wealthy men, of course.

    But what aboutter?

    The snow continued to fall, burying the entire first floor.

    Leaving themunity was impossible, and even exiting the building meant facing over five meters of snow.

    Running out of supplies was inevitable.

    When that time came, Fang Yuqing¡¯s nature would drive her to seek Zhang Yi¡¯s help.

    ...

    A week had passed since the apocalypse began.

    Seven days might not seem long, but for those enduring extreme cold, confined to their homes, it felt like an eternity.

    Initially, they held onto hope, but now, most hade to terms with reality.

    Waiting for rescue was a slim possibility.

    News of the global snow disaster, a once-in-a-hundred-thousand-year event, had reached them through the inte.

    The entire world was buried in snowstorms, with temperatures in some northern cities dropping to below minus one hundred degrees, making rescue operations impossible.

    Although the government encouraged unity and survival through limited channels, the sight of the frozen city had crushed their spirits.

    As supplies dwindled, the situation became more desperate.

    Aunt Lin''s food had been taken by Chen Zhenghao, and her grandsony critically injured, driving her to madness.

    She ranted in the group, demanding everyone hand over their supplies, iming her authority as amunity staff.

    But now, the residents were wiser and ignored her.

    In the chat, a mother named Xie Limei, who lived on the 12th floor suddenly sent a message.

    "Does anyone have food? My child and I haven''t eaten in two days. I can pay a high price!"

    This message caused a subtle shift in the group.

    Previously, everyone believed the disaster would soon pass and the city would reopen.

    While there were food transactions, the prices were only slightly higher than usual.

    But now, as supplies ran out, food became life itself.

    Soon, someone responded, "I have a few packs of instant noodles. If you want them, it¡¯s 1000 yuan per pack."

    A pack of instant noodles for 1000 yuan!

    In the past, this was unimaginable.

    No one realized the impact this transaction would have on the entire building.

    Zhang Yi, resting his chin on his hand, looked at his phone and murmured, "Interesting times are ahead."

    Xie Limei hesitated, still holding onto a sliver of hope that the snow disaster would end.

    But then, Xu Hao, the wealthy heir who hadn¡¯t spoken in the group for a while, suddenly chimed in.

    "I¡¯ll pay 2000 yuan per pack! How many do you have? I¡¯ll buy them all!"

 Chapter 29: The Tenth Day

    Chapter 29: The Tenth Day

    Wealthy heir Xu Hao¡¯s outrageous offer instantly set the group chat aze.

    "What? 2,000 yuan for a pack of instant noodles? Did I hear that right?"

    "Hey, don¡¯t drive up prices like this! I¡¯m really scared now."

    Some trembled as they spoke, "The snowstorm will pass, right? There¡¯s no need to do this."

    The shaky voice message revealed the sender''s inner panic.

    People hadn''tpletely given up hope. Each morning, they hoped to see the snow stop, the sunrise, and life return to normal.

    But the high-priced food transactions between Xie Limei and Xu Hao deeply shook their fragile minds.

    Someone tried to stay calm, saying, "Are you kidding? 2,000 yuan for a pack of noodles? Do you really think it¡¯s the end of the world? Hahaha!""It''s just a heavy snowfall, wintering early. It¡¯s not like we''re facing a zombie apocalypse!"

    Zhang Yi read the message and chuckled, shaking his head.

    A zombie apocalypse?

    Don''tpare such trivialities to this ice age.

    Zombies, though terrifying, could still be fought by humans.

    But against the forces of nature, humanity was as fragile as insects before the universe''s might.

    They still didn¡¯t realize the true scale of the disaster they were facing.

    Xu Hao arrogantly said in the group, "Don''t worry about it! I have money, and I''m willing to spend it for peace of mind. If you want to sell, private message me. If not, forget it!"

    Xu Hao tried to appear indifferent.

    But Zhang Yi saw through his facade¡ªhe was terrified.

    Otherwise, he wouldn''t offer such an exorbitant price for a pack of noodles.

    It wasn¡¯t hard to understand.

    Though Xu Hao was wealthy, with assets worth billions, in this apocalypse, he couldn¡¯t even order takeout.

    Wealth didn¡¯t equate to stupidity. Realizing the crisis''s severity, Xu Hao began to buy supplies at high prices from his neighbors.

    Xie Limei, the mother, was desperate, "How can you do this? We have no food left. Buying food is a matter of life and death."

    Xu Hao replied bluntly, "I¡¯m notpeting with you. I just offered a higher price, and it''s up to them to decide who to sell to. It''s none of your business."

    Seeing Xu Hao ignore her, Xie Limei cried in the group, "Please help us. My daughter is only eight months old. Without food, I can''t feed her, and we¡¯ll both starve!"

    The group remained silent to Xie Limei''s pleas.

    This was the moment when humanity''s selfish nature was most apparent.

    Xu Hao''s offer of 2,000 yuan per pack of noodles was too tempting.

    Xie Limei could only offer half that price.

    In Tianhai City, the average sry was about 5,000 yuan.

    Who would sell their hard-earned supplies cheaply?

    Many privately messaged Xu Hao, negotiating transactions.

    Xie Limei realized what was happening and continued to cry for help in the group.

    But no one responded, not even a word offort.

    People feared that showing sympathy would lead Xie Limei totch onto them for help.

    This helpless mother sobbed uncontrobly.

    Taking care of herself was already difficult, let alone caring for an eight-month-old baby.

    Zhang Yi remembered Xie Limei from his previous life.

    His impression of her was vague, as she always appeared as a weak, pitiful mother, earning sympathy and surviving by exchanging supplies.

    But strangely, both she and her daughter survived well into the apocalypse.

    Zhang Yi''s eyes shed with insight.

    This woman wasn¡¯t as simple as she seemed. Beneath the soft exterior was a cunning survivor.

    She likely benefited from his death, too.

    Zhang Yi understood that in an apocalypse, excessivepassion was a death sentence.

    So, he watched Xie Limei with cold indifference.

    Too many would die in the apocalypse; he only cared about his own survival. Others'' lives or deaths didn¡¯t matter to him.

    However, Xie Limei¡¯s cries eventually had some effect.

    Uncle You, the security guard, softened and agreed to give her some food.

    Xie Limei thanked him profusely, iming she¡¯d remember his kindness forever.

    Through his surveince, Zhang Yi saw Xu Hao sessfully buy supplies

    It wasn¡¯t a vast amount, but enough for him and his girlfriend to survive a few weeks.

    Zhang Yi sneered, "This is thest warmth money can buy in the apocalypse."

    Soon, people would realize that money was worthless and only supplies mattered.

    Then, many would regret selling their supplies.

    Xu Hao had indeed set a harmful precedent in the group.

    Given that many residents in the 25-unitplex were friends or colleagues, Xu Hao¡¯s high-priced purchases affected everyone.

    When he used real money to set high prices for supplies, everyone realized how scarce supplies were.

    People clung even tighter to what they had.

    At the start of the snowstorm, some still shared or traded supplies with neighbors.

    But now, they were more miserly than Scrooge.

    Even best friends were refused food with various excuses.

    The tenth day of the ice age had arrived.

    At Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin''s home, supplies were nearly gone.

    Once picky eaters of gourmet food, they now fought over a pack of instant noodles.

    The food they bought earlier and what Zhou Peng, the simp, brought over was almost finished.

    At this rate, they¡¯d starve within a week.

    The two sat on the sofa, wrapped in nkets, their faces pale.

    On the coffee tabley an opened pack ofpressed biscuits.

    Lin Cainin looked at the biscuits and said to Fang Yuqing, "Yuqing, this is ourst pack ofpressed biscuits."

    Pain filled Fang Yuqing''s eyes.

    In the past, she would never touch such coarse food.

    Now, she ate every bit, even crumbs that fell to the floor.

 Chapter 30: The Perfect Backup

    Chapter 30: The Perfect Backup

    Lin Cainin continued, "We have five packs of crispy noodles and three packs of instant noodles left. There''s half a jar of Lao Gan Ma (Trantor Notes: A famous chili source in China) in the kitchen, but the mantou and noodles are long gone."

    Fang Yuqing clutched her head in anguish.

    "Crispy noodles! Crispy noodles! That stuff doesn''t fill us up at all!"

    Lin Cainin stared at her, "Yuqing, the situation outside is getting worse. Do you think this snowstorm will ever stop?"

    Fang Yuqing froze for a moment, then turned her head to look out the window.

    Through the ice-covered ss, she could faintly see the snowkes continuously falling from the sky.

    It had been snowing for ten days without a moment of respite.

    The second floor waspletely buried, making it impossible to go outside.The streets were eerily silent, with no sign of snowploughs dispatched by the authorities.

    Fang Yuqing''s heart sank to the depths of despair.

    She had no idea how long this snowstorm wouldst.

    Or if it would ever end.

    Covering her eyes, Fang Yuqing cried in pain, "Lin, what should we do? If this continues, we will starve to death."

    Lin Cainin gritted her teeth and asked, "Does Zhou Peng have any food left?"

    Fang Yuqing shook her head, "I''ve asked him several times, even pretended to befriend him. But he¡¯spletely drained, not a crumb left."

    "Thest time he brought me two packs of instant noodles, that was his final stash. Now he''s as skinny as a skeleton. He definitely doesn''t have any more food."

    Lin Cainin clenched her fists in frustration, "Is there anyone else we can try?"

    "Look, we''re both beautiful. If we make a move, there will definitely be men willing to help us."

    Fang Yuqing nced at her, annoyed, "Are you stupid? Everyone treats their supplies as their lifeline now."

    "Even if they are attracted to us, they won''t easily give up their supplies."

    "And with the weather so cold, even if we offered ourselves to them, they¡¯d be too frozen to do anything."

    As she spoke, a sh of pain crossed Fang Yuqing''s eyes.

    Lin Cainin didn¡¯t know that Fang Yuqing had already tried this method.

    She had hoped to use her beauty to trade with men for supplies.

    But her standards were too high.

    She wanted someone at least 1.85 meters tall, a civil servant, and earning 50,000 yuan a month before she would consider sleeping with them.

    Even the sixty-year-old grandpa next door said, "You''re toote. If you''de half a month earlier, I might have been able to rise to the asion."

    Lin Cainin bit her lip, deeply afraid.

    As a woman with some beauty, she had nned to use her looks as herst resort for survival.

    But the cold had turned out to be an excellent deterrent against such ns.

    Suddenly, an image of a man shed in her mind.

    She said to Fang Yuqing, "Yuqing, did you forget you have another simp?"

    Fang Yuqing knew exactly who Lin Cainin was talking about.

    She pursed her lips stubbornly, "Hmph, that disgusting man. Unless hees and begs for my forgiveness, I will never contact him first!"

    She had approached Zhang Yi several times, intending to give him a chance to bring her supplies and win her favor.

    But Zhang Yi¡¯s cold attitude, even sending her pictures to provoke her, had left her furious.

    She vowed to make Zhang Yie and grovel at her feet.

    If she contacted him now, it would ruin her image as a cool, aloof goddess.

    No, for Fang Yuqing, this was absolutely uneptable!

    Her image had to be maintained, or how would she ever attract a wealthy heir suitor?

    Lin Cainin reminded her, "Did you forget? Zhang Yi stocked up a lot of food before. Even after a month, he must have more than the average household."

    "If you go to him, he''ll definitely agree to give you supplies."

    Hearing about the food, Fang Yuqing felt tempted.

    But she hesitated, "But when I asked him before, he was so cold."

    Lin Cainin said, "You''re so naive! He probably thinks he doesn''t deserve you and wants to give up. After all, you¡¯ve been pretty cold to himtely."

    Fang Yuqing immediately got excited.

    "Well, that''s his own fault! He¡¯s just a nobody, pretending to be a wealthy heir. I wasted so much affection on him for nothing!"

    Lin Cainin grinned, "But he¡¯s a perfect backup, isn¡¯t he? A backup is meant to be used when needed."

    "Just give him a little smile, rekindle his hope, and then he¡¯ll give you whatever you want."

    Fang Yuqing nodded, feeling her heart waver.

    She decided to try contacting Zhang Yi again, this time using all her charm to get what she needed to survive.

 Chapter 31: Zhang Yis Wealth, the Bitch Cries with Envy

    Chapter 31: Zhang Yi''s Wealth, the Bitch Cries with Envy

    After Lin Cainin''s persuasive words, Fang Yuqing found her arguments quite reasonable.

    The mostpelling reason, however, was her extreme hunger.

    Remembering the pictures Zhang Yi had sent her before¡ªsteak, lobsters, desserts, and fruits¡ªmade her mouth water.

    All her pretensions could be set aside for a good meal.

    So she picked up her phone and sent Zhang Yi a voice message in her most gentle tone.

    Zhang Yi was at home, lounging on his sofa and watching TV shows.

    Most global TV stations had stopped broadcasting, but he had already downloaded many ssic films and variety shows to pass the long, tedious hours.

    "Ding-dong!"His phone rang.

    Zhang Yi nced at it and saw Fang Yuqing''s name. His lips curled into a mocking smile.

    So, this woman finally couldn¡¯t hold on to her pitiful pride any longer.

    He opened the voice message and immediately heard Fang Yuqing''s trembling, affectedly sweet voice.

    "Humph, Zhang Yi, you annoying guy! You haven''t chatted with me for so many days. You''re so bad!"

    "I just said a couple of things the other day, but I regretted it immediately!"

    "But I''m a girl; it¡¯s embarrassing to speak first. You''re so inconsiderate!"

    As a professional gold digger¡ªFang Yuqing was adept at acting coquettishly.

    Otherwise, she wouldn¡¯t have been able to fool Zhang Yi in their previous life.

    Hearing her cutesy voice, Zhang Yi felt a momentary softness.

    If he didn¡¯t know her true malicious nature, he might have given in.

    Zhang Yi replied with a message.

    "I¡¯ve been feeling unwelltely, probably sick, so I haven''t checked phone."

    Fang Yuqing immediately asked, "Are you Sick? Did you catch a cold in this freezing weather? You must keep warm."

    "No, it''s heatstroke."

    Zhang Yi replied.

    Fang Yuqing stared at his message, stunned.

    Heatstroke?

    Are you kidding me?

    Their house was already at minus fifty or sixty degrees.

    They had to wrap themselves in nkets and huddle together for warmth, struggling to sleep soundly every night.

    And he says he has heatstroke?

    "Zhang Yi, stop joking. How could anyone get heatstroke in such cold weather?"

    Zhang Yi sent back a curious emoji.

    "Cold? Oh, I have a firece, so I don''t feel it."

    "With the fire burning, it gets quite hot inside. I probably got sick from sleeping too close to the fire."

    As he spoke, he took a picture of the roaring fire in his firece.

    In the photo, he included his bare legs and the pile of snacks, leftovermb chops, and chicken drumsticks on his coffee table.

    Then, he sent the photo to Fang Yuqing.

    Seeing the photo, if the previous ones had only made her a bit jealous, this one set her eyes aze with envy!

    A firece!

    In such cold weather, a firece was a godsend.

    Even in the far north, with one of these, the temperature outside could be minus dozens of degrees without a problem.

    A firece''s heating ability was even better than a heater''s, providing direct warmth.

    For the past 10 days, Fang Yuqing''s whole body had almost lost all sensation due to the cold.

    Now, besides food, her most desired thing was a way to stay warm.

    A few days ago, she and Lin Cainin had burned a chair for warmth.

    Although it only provided about ten minutes of heat, the high temperature from the mes moved her to tears on the spot.

    But there weren¡¯t many things left at home to burn.

    After burning that chair, she could only long for that feeling again.

    Who would have thought Zhang Yi would have a firece at home?

    Tianhai City was in the south, where winter didn¡¯t usually require down jackets. Who would install a firece at home?

    Fang Yuqing didn¡¯t have time to ponder this. Her eyes were fixated on the photo, with only one thought in her mind¡ªshe wanted to go to Zhang Yi¡¯s ce!

    Seeing Zhang Yi lounging with bare legs and a pile of food on the table, Zhang Yi had be her biggest hope!

    Lin Cainin, wrapped in a nket beside her, noticed Fang Yuqing''s expression change.

    She leaned over and eximed, "My goodness! Is this photo real? How can someone live so well in such times!"

    "This ce is heaven!"

    Fang Yuqing snapped out of her daze.

    "Yes, everyone else is starving and freezing at home. Why is Zhang Yi living sofortably?"

    "Maybe this photo and the previous ones were all photoshopped."

    She had an idea and called Zhang Yi on a video call.

    To see if it was real or not, she just needed a look.

    Lin Cainin also leaned in, staring at the screen.

    Zhang Yi saw the call request and smirked.

    He was curious to see this bitch beg him humbly.

    If he couldn¡¯t see her die in despair, how could he avenge his tragic death in the previous life?

    So he epted the call.

    As soon as the call connected, they saw each other''s current situation.

    Zhang Yi had just finished exercising and was lounging shirtless on the sofa.

    His room was brightly lit, with fitness equipment behind him and stacks of food visible in the kitchen.

    He asionally cooked meals himself for fun.

    So, in his kitchen, there were boxes of dried scallops, fish maw, and abalone, along with instant noodles, caviar, truffles, and other gourmet canned foods.

    To him, these were just asional snacks.

    But to the two women on the other end, these were the most desirable foods!

    Compared to Zhang Yi¡¯sfort and leisure, Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin looked extremely disheveled.

    Both were wrapped in thick nkets, their faces pale from the cold.

    They couldn¡¯t use most of their cosmetics due to the low temperature, making them look rather haggard.

    They no longer appeared as refined as they once did.

    Seeing Fang Yuqing, a trace of disappointment shed in Zhang Yi''s eyes.

    The goddess he had pursued so fervently in the past, in her natural state, was just a six out of ten.

    Reflecting on his past obsession with this so-called beauty, he cursed himself internally.

    The two women didn¡¯t notice Zhang Yi¡¯s expression.

    Their eyes werepletely drawn to the things in Zhang Yi¡¯s house.

    His bare torso indicated afortably warm indoor temperature.

    The bright lights were unimaginable in a time when power was rationed to less than an hour a day.

    Officials had even banned the use of high-power appliances, threatening to cut off power for vitions.

    But the food piled like a small mountain in Zhang Yi¡¯s kitchen made their eyes light up with envy!

    These two women, who had been living onpressed food for days, couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of hunger and jealousy.

 Chapter 32: The Bitchs Pleas

    Chapter 32: The Bitch''s Pleas

    Through the video call, Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin saw Zhang Yi''s current living conditions.

    Thefortable temperature and abundant food made them feel like they were staring at heaven itself. They couldn''t fathom how, ten days into the apocalypse, someone could still live sofortably.

    Zhang Yi asked indifferently, "How have you been? You both look thinner. Congrattions!"

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin felt like cursing.

    Did they want to lose weight? No, it was all from hunger!

    They had been rationing one pack of instant noodles per day to stretch their supplies.

    Lin Cainin, her eyes greedily fixed on the food in Zhang Yi''s home, swallowed hard and said enviously, "Zhang Yi, howe you have so much food? Is it all from that time we shopped together?"

    Zhang Yi nced at the kitchen and said nonchntly, "Oh, that stuff? It''s just junk food. I eat a bit when I''m toozy to cook. I don''t usually touch it."He was telling the truth. His interdimensional space was filled with gourmet foods he had ordered from top restaurants. Plus, the Walmart warehouse held supplies worth billions, including tens of thousands of food items.

    For Zhang Yi, these words were casual, but to Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin, they were a tant disy of wealth.

    Especially since a pack of instant noodles in theirmunity group was now worth 2000 yuan!

    Zhang Yi could clearly see their throats moving as they swallowed their saliva, obviously drooling over his food.

    But Zhang Yi said nothing, simply enjoying their envious gazes.

    "Zhang Yi, you have so much food at home. That''s amazing! Many people outside can''t even eat!" Fang Yuqing said, giggling.

    "You''re so smart. No wonder you bought so much back then. You must have nned it all along!" she continued.

    Zhang Yi''s lips curled into a slight smile. "Oh, it¡¯s just luck."

    Fang Yuqing then asked, "Zhang Yi, your home looks so warm. And it''s not the scheduled power supply time, yet your house is so bright. Why?"

    This was her biggest question. Nothing is more desirable than warmth when you''re freezing.

    Zhang Yi smiled and turned his phone camera to show the firece. "I installed a firece! It''s really warm, makes the whole ce hot."

    He added deliberately, "By the way, you two look really cold. Is it that bad outside?"

    "I haven''t gone out in over ten days, so I don¡¯t know what it¡¯s like outside."

    These words were intentionally provocative.

    Of course, Zhang Yi knew the situation outside; just checking themunity chat gave him all the details of everyone''s suffering and how cold their homes were.

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin were seething with rage. They knew Zhang Yi was deliberately rubbing it in their faces.

    But they couldn''t deny the truth: he was living in luxury.

    Fang Yuqing now had one thought: she had to move into Zhang Yi¡¯s ce!

    Seeing Zhang Yi''s food supplies and the warm environment, who wouldn¡¯t want that?

    Fang Yuqing immediately adopted a pitiful tone, blinking her eyes and sweetly saying, "Zhang Yi, you¡¯re so impressive. I really admire you!"

    "Can Ie visit you? I haven¡¯t seen you in so long, and I miss you!"

    She believed this tactic would work. It had worked on many men before, making them do anything for her.

    She thought of Zhang Yi as a perfect backup who would eagerly agree if she offered him a bit of affection.

    If she could get into his home, she had many ways to make sure she could stay.

    After all, she could give him some ¡°benefits¡± in return. Weren''t all men like this?

    But Zhang Yi, seeing her coquettish demeanor, felt nothing but disgust.

    He couldn''t believe he had chased after this woman for two years.

    When they worked in the warehouse, there were few female employees. Fang Yuqing, with her coy and flirtatious behavior, was like a goddess to him.

    Blinded by infatuation, he had idolized her, treating her as the light of his life.

    But after being betrayed and killed in his previous life, any romantic illusions he had about her had shatteredpletely.

    Seeing her bare face, Zhang Yi felt no emotional stirrings, just irritation.

    He smirked mockingly, thenzily leaned back on the sofa, resting his cheek on his hand. "It''s really cold outside, so you should just stay home and rest. Don¡¯t wander around."

    "I don¡¯t know how cold it is outside, but judging by how you look, it must be pretty bad."

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin were stunned by his refusal.

    Fang Yuqing, in particr, felt her confidence shatter. She had always considered Zhang Yi a reliable backup who would do anything for her with a single gesture.

    But now, even though she offered to visit him, he rejected her without hesitation!

    This seriously hurt her pride.

    And Zhang Yi¡¯s nonchnt tone added salt to the wound.

    She couldn''t ept this oue. Knowing there was a warm, food-abundant haven just a few floors away while she starved at home was unbearable.

    After all, she considered herself a goddess!

    Fang Yuqing¡¯s face stiffened, and then she forced a smile.

    "Zhang Yi, don¡¯t joke around!"

    "You used to treat me so well."

    "How can you refuse when I want to visit you? I¡¯m not asking for anything else."

    She pouted, looking aggrieved, hoping to evoke his sympathy.

    Most men, seeing her like this, would feel protective and agree to her requests immediately.

    But Zhang Yi was different.

    Since Fang Yuqing¡¯s betrayal and his subsequent death, he felt nothing but hatred for her.

    Zhang Yi replied, "You know, every time I asked you to visit me, you always had excuses, saying it wouldn''t be appropriate for two single people to be seen together."

    "I think you were right. We should keep our distance to avoid gossip."

    When Zhang Yi pursued Fang Yuqing, he had to go through borate efforts just to have a meal or watch a movie with her.

    He prepared gifts, surprises, and booked high-end restaurants for a chance to be with her.

    But whenever he suggested she visit his home, she always found some excuse.

    Now, he threw her past words back at her tauntingly.

 Chapter 33: Humiliating Rejection

    Chapter 33: Humiliating Rejection

    Fang Yuqing''s expression faltered.

    She was well aware of her past actions. Despite her demure facade, she knew she was far from innocent.

    In her mind, Zhang Yi was still a backup, someone she could easily manipte.

    Despite Zhang Yi¡¯s cold attitude, Fang Yuqing believed he was just ying hard to get. She was convinced that if she pushed a little harder, she could win him over.

    So, she pouted and said coquettishly, "I did all that for you! Zhang Yi, don''t be so petty!"

    "It was all my fault? Let mee over right now and apologize in person, please."

    She bit her lip gently, a blush appearing on her cheeks.

    "At the very least, let mee over and massage your legs and shoulders."Zhang Yi couldn''t help but inwardly exim, "Holy Shit!"

    In such cold weather, her acting skills, making her appear like a shy maiden, were impressive.

    It was a shame she didn¡¯t pursue a career in acting!

    However, Zhang Yi was not swayed.

    "That won''t do. We''re not a couple, and such intimate actions are uneptable."

    Zhang Yi replied righteously, "I am an old-school person."

    Fang Yuqing was nearly driven mad by his words.

    She practically offered herself to him, yet he continued to act aloof!

    Did he really need her to spell it out?

    As long as he let her stay at his ce, she¡¯d shower him with benefits, potentially even sleep with him.

    Perhaps she hadn''t made herself clear.

    Desperate to live in Zhang Yi¡¯sfortable home, Fang Yuqing ignored Lin Cainin''s presence.

    "Zhang Yi, actually, I¡¯ve always had a good impression of you."

    "Being boyfriend and girlfriend is not out of the question!"

    "After all, affection can grow over time!"

    She covered her face, pretending to be shy. "Oh, I¡¯m so embarrassed. Do I need to spell it out?"

    Her coy behavior, coupled with her flirtatious nces, was indeed seductive.

    If it had been the old Zhang Yi, he might have been so overwhelmed that he would have immediately let her in.

    Being a maniptive and deceitful woman wasn¡¯t easy. It required years of honing one¡¯s skills.

    Her performance showcased her mastery.

    But Zhang Yi quickly pondered whether to let this deceitful woman into his home.

    Don''t misunderstand. He wasn¡¯t being saintly.

    He simply thought that, after pursuing her for two years, it might be worth it to finally sleep with her and settle past grievances.

    However, this thought was immediately dismissed.

    This was the apocalypse, and any potential risk had to be eliminated.

    Thus, he would not open his door to let anyone into his fortress-like home.

    Survival was paramount.

    Zhang Yi sneered, looking at Fang Yuqing with a mocking gaze.

    "Fang Yuqing, have you misunderstood something?"

    He spread his hands, saying, "I admit, we had a decent rtionship in the past."

    "But," he leaned closer to the camera, smirking, "did you really think I liked you?"

    This statement was a severe blow for someone as vain as Fang Yuqing!

    Sure enough, her face turned pale.

    Lin Cainin nced at her, a hint of schadenfreude in her eyes.

    Fang Yuqing demanded, "Zhang Yi, what... what do you mean? Didn¡¯t you love me the most?"

    Zhang Yiughed.

    "Don''t get me wrong. You are pretty, but I never intended to date you, just to have fun."

    "With my conditions, finding a hot girl in Tianhai City is not difficult."

    "Where do you get the confidence that I¡¯ve been desperately pursuing you?"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s tone was dismissive.

    He was telling the truth. As a native of Tianhai City, owning an apartment worth millions, and having a stable job with a monthly sry exceeding ten thousand yuan, plus being tall and handsome, Zhang Yi was a top-notch prospect in the local dating market.

    If it weren¡¯t for his kindness and naivety in the past, he could have had many women.

    His words felt like daggers to Fang Yuqing''s heart.

    The worst blow for someone who prided herself on her allure was her charm being dismissed, as it was her lifeline.

    She had always viewed Zhang Yi as a simp, keeping him around while pursuing wealthier men.

    Now, Zhang Yi was telling her she was just another fish in the pond.

    This was unbearable for her!

    Her voice quivered with anger, "Zhang Yi! You... you¡¯re too much!"

    Zhang Yi sneered, adding more fuel to the fire.

    "Alright, enough pretending to be an innocent girl."

    "I¡¯ve observed you long ago. You¡¯re just a gold-digger, always thinking about hooking a wealthy man. Do you think rich men are idiots?"

    "By the way, you¡¯re infamous among the wealthy heirs in Tianhai City."

    "One day you entice Mr. Zhang, the next Mr. Li. They just toy with you for a few days, and you really think you could marry a rich man?"

    "Do you know what they call you behind your back? A ¡®bus¡¯, a munal socket!¡¯"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s ruthless taunts left Fang Yuqing trembling with rage.

    In her eyes, Zhang Yi had always been a backup, a simp, yet now he mercilessly mocked her.

    It was aplete destruction of her self-esteem!

    "Zhang Yi! Shut up!" she screamed.

    Zhang Yiughed, "I¡¯m just speaking the truth. Why are you so upset?"

    "Aren¡¯t these all things you did yourself? "

    With that, Zhang Yi cut off the call, not giving Fang Yuqing a chance to retaliate.

 Chapter 34: Ugly People Cause Trouble

    Chapter 34: Ugly People Cause Trouble

    Zhang Yi ruthlessly berated Fang Yuqing, exposing her maniptive and gold-digging nature as a two-faced schemer.

    This deeply struck a nerve with Fang Yuqing.

    Despite being materialistic, promiscuous, and ying with men''s feelings, she still believed herself to be a good girl.

    Zhang Yi''s harsh criticism shattered her self-confidence.

    If even someone like Zhang Yi could disdain her so openly, it meant her charm wasn''t enough to attract the wealthy men she dreamed of marrying.

    After Zhang Yi hung up, Fang Yuqing quickly sent several voice messages.

    He didn''t need to listen to know she was cursing him.

    But did Zhang Yi care?Of course not.

    In the apocalypse, this maniptive woman would die slowly in the extreme cold and hunger.

    Zhang Yi only toyed with her, enjoying her misery.

    Why get angry with a dead person?

    Seeing her furious and helpless expression filled Zhang Yi with satisfaction.

    "Hahaha!"

    Zhang Yiughed heartily.

    He went to the kitchen and took a bottle of Romanee-Conti from the fridge.

    This wine was worth 200,000 yuan and stored in a temperature-controlled wine cab at Walmart''s warehouse.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t have much of this high-end wine, just a few dozen bottles.

    Feeling good today, he decided to celebrate.

    His home was never short of electricity. During renovations, he had installed backup power and noiseless generators.

    He had plenty of energy supplies.

    He went to the living room and set up a grand feast with a sense of ceremony.

    French escargot, tomahawk steak, Stargazy pie, Jinling salted duck, paired with a bottle of Romanee-Conti.

    In the apocalypse, societal rules were rapidly disappearing.

    Zhang Yi ate whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, in whateverbination he desired.

    He could even eat caviar as a meal.

    Such a luxurious life was likely unmatched in the ordinary world.

    The sudden onset of the apocalypse meant even the world''s most powerful and wealthy people didn''t have time to prepare adequately.

    Take Xu Hao, for example. His father was a renowned corporate magnate in Tianhai City.

    But ording to Zhang Yi''s memory, his father died within half a month of the apocalypse.

    All his wealth became worthless, and the overweight, out-of-shape mancked the survival skills needed for the apocalypse.

    ...

    Meanwhile, in the apartment shared by Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin, Fang Yuqing was having a meltdown.

    She smashed things in a rage, cursing Zhang Yi.

    Under normal circumstances, she wouldn''t be so furious.

    But now, seeing Zhang Yi¡¯s home filled with warmth and luxury like a paradise, while she suffered in the freezing cold and hunger, was unbearable.

    She couldn''t ept that such a paradise was just out of reach.

    "Zhang Yi, you bastard! Who do you think you are to insult me!"

    "If it weren''t for this snowstorm, I wouldn''t even look at you!"

    Fang Yuqing gritted her teeth in fury.

    On the sofa beside her, Lin Cainin watched her with a hint of contempt in her eyes.

    "It''s your fault for ying around too much. Otherwise, we''d be enjoying the food and warmth at Zhang Yi¡¯s ce now!"

    Fang Yuqing snorted, "He''s nothing! Just owns an apartment and some savings!"

    "I, Fang Yuqing, aim to marry into a wealthy family and be a rich wife!"

    Lin Cainin frowned, "But now, Zhang Yi has plenty of food and a firece. That¡¯s better than any wealthy heirs."

    She looked outside at the falling snow, which showed no sign of stopping.

    She worriedly said, "Will this snowstorm ever end?"

    The remaining official TV channels were still encouraging people.

    Experts, dressed in thick down jackets, shivered as they imed the disaster would soon pass.

    They urged people to stay strong and endure.

    But there was no sign that the disaster was abating.

    Lin Cainin hugged herself tightly, "If the snow doesn¡¯t stop, we¡¯ll either freeze or starve to death!"

    Her words turned Fang Yuqing¡¯s anger into fear.

    Ten days had passed since they were trapped indoors.

    These ten days felt like ten years. Anyone who hadn¡¯t experienced it couldn¡¯t understand the torment.

    It could even drive a person to a mental breakdown.

    Despite being maniptive and superficial, Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin, as women in their twenties, had fragile hearts.

    Facing the relentless snow, they thought of death.

    Fang Yuqing curled up on the sofa, her mind filled with images of Zhang Yi¡¯s warm, food-filled home.

    She angrily said, "It¡¯s not fair! Why should Zhang Yi live sofortably while I, so beautiful, suffer?"

    Lin Cainin nced at her but said nothing.

    She wrapped herself in a nket, pulled out her phone, and searched her contacts for Zhang Yi.

    Soon, Zhang Yi received a message from Lin Cainin.

    When he saw the message, he was enjoying premium red wine with a luxurious meal.

    His eyes glinted with amusement.

    Watching these bitches struggle in the apocalypse was more entertaining than a movie!

    He read Lin Cainin''s message.

    "Zhang Yi, I¡¯m so d you finally saw through Fang Yuqing."

    "I always knew she was a gold digger, never truly caring about you."

    "I hoped you¡¯d teach her a lesson one day. Congrattions on waking up!"

    Zhang Yi chuckled.

    "Such stic friendships! So quick to betray Fang Yuqing."

    But it made sense. Birds of a feather flock together.

    Lin Cainin and Fang Yuqing were both maniptive schemers.

    He replied, "It¡¯s nothing."

    Lin Cainin continued, "Seeing you chase after Fang Yuqing always made me sad."

    "Zhang Yi, did you know... I¡¯ve always been secretly in love with you."

    "Now that you¡¯ve let go of Fang Yuqing, how about us being together?"

    Zhang Yi almost spat out his wine.

    "Damn, this gold digger is shameless!"

    He shook his head. "Tsk tsk, reality hits hard. She must have been having a tough time these past ten days."

    In the past, Lin Cainin had always looked down on Zhang Yi.

    Despite her own mediocrity, she considered herself a goddess.

    Now, seeing Zhang Yi reject Fang Yuqing and live in such luxury, she wanted to take advantage.

 Chapter 35: Fake Friends

    Chapter 35: Fake Friends

    Zhang Yi sighed. "Does this woman think I''m some kind of trash collector?"

    Fang Yuqing, despite being a gold digger, at least knew how to flirt and dress up. But Lin Cainin? Aside from being cheap and narcissistic, what did she have?

    However, out of a perverse sense of humor, Zhang Yi grinned and said, "Oh, is that so?"

    "But I just gave Fang Yuqing a thorough scolding. You two are such good friends. If you stay with me, won''t it affect your rtionship?"

    Lin Cainin''s eyes lit up, sensing an opportunity.

    Without hesitation, she said, "Friends? We''re just roommates."

    To gain Zhang Yi''s trust, she began to reveal Fang Yuqing''s dark secrets.

    "You have no idea how much I despise her!""She''s incrediblyzy. These days, she says she''s afraid of the cold and won''t even go to the bathroom. She uses mineral water bottles to pee in. It''s disgusting!"

    "Don''t be fooled by her innocent act. She goes to nightclubs every night to find men."

    "If she meets a rich guy, she throws herself at him."

    "When she¡¯s out of money, she sells herself. Otherwise, how could she afford all those cosmetics and designer bags on a 5,000 yuan monthly sry?"

    "She charges 1,500 yuan a night. She''s so cheap! I despise her."

    Zhang Yi was surprised to learn about Fang Yuqing''s side activities.

    He bit his lip, feeling that the world was truly absurd.

    Fortunately, he wasn¡¯t foolish. While he pursued Fang Yuqing, he never became a pathetic simp like Zhou Peng.

    Lin Cainin continued to reveal more of Fang Yuqing''s secrets to gain Zhang Yi''s trust.

    "Don''t be fooled by her pure act. She''s had multiple abortions."

    "In college, she even had several sugar daddies."

    ...

    Zhang Yi silently watched and recorded their conversation.

    Lin Cainin clearly had long harbored resentment against Fang Yuqing.

    After all, Fang Yuqing, better at flirting and more attractive, always overshadowed Lin Cainin, making her just a sidekick.

    No woman willingly ys second fiddle.

    Why else do you think the pretty girls in college always have unattractive, overweight friends?

    After venting her feelings towards Fang Yuqing, Lin Cainin continued her confession to Zhang Yi.

    "Zhang Yi, you have no idea how much it hurt watching you chase Fang Yuqing all these years."

    "Now, I finally have a chance to confess my feelings to you. Let me be your girlfriend! I promise to love you wholeheartedly."

    "And during these lonely times at home, having a woman by your side can be veryforting. I can help you with many things."

    Lin Cainin was practically begging Zhang Yi to let her stay with him, willing to do anything for the chance.

    But Zhang Yi had no interest in someone like her.

    He forwarded their conversation to Fang Yuqing and then replied to Lin Cainin, "I''m touched, but let''s just forget about it."

    Lin Cainin, unwilling to give up, asked, "Why? Don''t you need a woman right now?"

    Zhang Yi, suppressing his nausea, said into his phone, "Yes, I like women. But you''re too ugly!"

    He then muted his phone and tossed it aside.

    Lin Cainin turned red with anger after hearing Zhang Yi''s voice message.

    Did he just call her ugly?

    That was a severe insult!

    Whenever she posted her photos online, she received countlesspliments calling her beautiful.

    Just as Lin Cainin was fuming, she heard an angry scream.

    "Lin Cainin, you wretched woman!"

    Fang Yuqing, seeing the messages where Lin Cainin ndered her, exploded with rage.

    The two started fighting, pulling each other''s hair and scratching arms.

    They fought until they were exhausted, ring at each other with hatred.

    If it weren¡¯t for the freezing weather and the need to live under the same roof, they might have killed each other.

    Both Lin Cainin and Fang Yuqing despised Zhang Yi.

    But deep down, their envy for him overshadowed their hatred.

    If Zhang Yi agreed to let them into his home, they would abandon their dignity and crawl over like dogs.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi continued his simple, mundane, yet wealthy life.

    Every night, he watched news, something he never did before.

    Although the news was still heavily filtered, it provided some information about the outside world.

    "Tianhai City officials announced that to meet the public¡¯s electricity needs, power will be supplied daily from 1 to 2 PM."

    "High-power appliances cannot be used. The electricity is only for small devices like kettles and phones."

    "Most power nts have halted operations. We hope everyone will conserve electricity to avoid long-term outages."

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow at the news.

    In the past few days, power had sporadically returned for less than an hour each day, sometimes just for a few minutes.

    The officials, even with limited resources, were trying their best to provide electricity to the public.

    Most power nts worldwide had shut down, and energy resources were dwindling fast in this new Ice Age.

    What caught Zhang Yi''s attention wasn¡¯t the news content but the tone of the female anchor and the way the news was presented.

    The anchor spoke sternly, and the news was no longer aimed atforting the public.

    This meant the officials had stopped downying the disaster''s severity.

    Unable to control the situation, they decided to reveal the full extent of the disaster, urging people to face reality and find ways to survive.

    Sure enough, when Zhang Yi checked his phone, he saw that the chat groups had exploded.

    People cursed the officials, cried in despair, and frantically sought supplies at exorbitant prices.

    The price of instant noodles had skyrocketed from 2,000 yuan per pack to 5,000 yuan per pack in just two days!

    Zhang Yi shook his head in disbelief.

    Human greed was tantly evident. Despite knowing the world was ending, people still traded food and water for money.

    Saying nothing, Zhang Yi continued to observe everything like a detached observer.

    Life had to go on. Even without hope, no one wanted to die. They would struggle to survive, even if just barely.

 Chapter 36: Vicious Women

    Chapter 36: Vicious Women

    With the water pipes frozen, themunity faced a severe water shortage.

    The only way to get water was to brave the outside temperatures of minus seventy degrees Celsius to fetch snow from the ground floor.

    But even bringing back the snow posed a problem: how to melt it.

    The temperature in the building was even minus fifty or sixty degrees, turning the ice as hard as cement.

    Driven by thirst, some residents tried licking the ice, only to have their tongues stuck and severely injured by the cold.

    During these days, Zhang Yi noticed through his surveince cameras that Chen Zhenghao¡¯s thugs came to spy every day.

    They believed Zhang Yi would eventuallye out to fetch water and nned to ambush him then.

    However, after many days, they never saw Zhang Yi leave his home. They couldn¡¯t imagine how well-stocked Zhang Yi¡¯s house was.

    In his fortified home, he could livefortably for the rest of his life without worrying about food or drink.

    ¡°Is Chen Zhenghao still alive? He¡¯s quite tenacious,¡± Zhang Yi mused.

    Chen Zhenghao had been shot in the leg. Without proper treatment, his leg would be useless, and infection could even im his life.

    In such extreme cold, any injury could lead to a fatal fever. Surviving was a miracle.

    ¡°Maybe the cold is too extreme for the virus to survive, and that¡¯s why he hasn¡¯t died yet?¡± Zhang Yi pondered, not well-versed in medical matters.

    However, he didn¡¯t care much whether Chen Zhenghao lived or died; it wouldn¡¯t significantly impact him.

    Chen Zhenghao¡¯s death was merely a matter of time.

    ...

    The next morning, Zhang Yi woke up, still groggy, and grabbed his phone.

    Checking the chat groups and forums for news was now his primary source of entertainment.

    Seeing others struggle desperately in the extreme cold while he lived infort in this apocalyptic world brought him immense satisfaction.

    This stark contrast quelled his boredom and asional loneliness. Compared to those freezing or starving to death, he was incredibly fortunate.

    Opening his phone, he was surprised to see messages from Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin.

    Fang Yuqing wrote, "Zhang Yi, I¡¯m sorry. I was too cold yesterday, and my emotions were out of control. I shouldn¡¯t have taken it out on you."

    "You were right. I was too naive and ignorant before, not recognizing who truly cared for me."

    "Now I realize you¡¯re the one who treated me the best. I actually have strong feelings for you."

    "Can you forgive me? Let¡¯s live together from now on."

    "I want to be your woman. You must be lonely living alone during this apocalypse."

    "I cane over to keep youpany so you won¡¯t be alone."

    Zhang Yi sighed. The once arrogant Fang Yuqing had finally shed her dignity and pride in the face of disaster.

    Despite his merciless taunting, she had to swallow her pride and beg him.

    "Tsk tsk tsk," Zhang Yi shook his head. In his past life, he had been foolish.

    He could have had her easily if he had known she was this kind of woman.

    Women like Fang Yuqing, pretending to be pure goddesses, were utterly worthless.

    Zhang Yi replied, "A bad apple can quench thirst, but I¡¯m not that desperate."

    In his interdimensional space, he could help himself and plenty of high-end products from Japan.

    It wasn¡¯t that Zhang Yi desired them, but Walmart¡¯s warehouse had everything.

    After closing Fang Yuqing¡¯s chat, he opened Lin Cainin¡¯s messages.

    This woman was even bolder. Perhaps knowing she wasn¡¯t as attractive as Fang Yuqing and thus at a disadvantage inpetition, she sent him suggestive selfies.

    These would have caused a scandal in the past, but now, she was desperate.

    Zhang Yi quickly replied, "I feel nothing, not even a stir, justughter."

    Then he ignored her. He knew that after seeing theforts of his home, these two women would stop at nothing to get in.

    They had already discarded their dignity and would soon resort to any means necessary.

    But what did it matter? Zhang Yi had fortified his home into a steel fortress to handle any situation.

    ...

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin, upon receiving Zhang Yi¡¯s responses, erupted in anger.

    They had thrown away their dignity, begging him humbly.

    Lin Cainin, in particr, sent every possible suggestive selfie. Yet Zhang Yi said her photos made himugh.

    A great humiliation!

    Even though she couldn¡¯t put on makeup or dress up, she was still a woman, wasn¡¯t she?

    Both women grew increasingly resentful. Their current lives were hellish, enduring both hunger and extreme cold. Zhang Yi¡¯s home was theirst hope.

    Fang Yuqing gritted her teeth, her eyes filled with venom.

    ¡°If worsees to worst, we¡¯ll break into his house!¡±

    ¡°I must live in his home. I can¡¯t endure this suffering anymore!¡±

    ¡°If necessary, I¡¯ll kill Zhang Yi!¡±

    She was willing to do anything to stay in Zhang Yi¡¯s home. However, as a woman, she knew she couldn¡¯t overpower Zhang Yi.

    Thinking this over, Fang Yuqing¡¯s cold gaze turned to the neighboring apartment.

    She and Lin Cainin had already fallen out, their former fake friendship shattered.

    But now, Fang Yuqing needed help.

    She went next door and said to Lin Cainin, ¡°That damned Zhang Yi is watching us starve and freeze without letting us into his home.¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t just sit here and die!¡±

    ¡°That apartment is too good for him. Let¡¯s find a way to take it from him!¡±

    Lin Cainin¡¯s eyes gleamed with greed at Fang Yuqing¡¯s suggestion.

    If begging Zhang Yi didn¡¯t work, they¡¯d have to deceive or rob him.

    ¡°Alright, I agree!¡±

    ¡°Why should that bastard Zhang Yi live in such a good house?¡±

    ¡°He should be thrown out to freeze and be eaten by wild dogs!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re the ones who should live in his home!¡±

 Chapter 37: Intrusion

    Chapter 37: Intrusion

    Driven by their hatred for Zhang Yi and their desire for his home, the two bitches temporarily formed a united front. However, when it came to figuring out how to seize Zhang Yi''s apartment, they needed to discuss it thoroughly.

    "If we go to take the house by force, the two of us may not be able to overpower Zhang Yi. We still need external help," one said.

    Even on a normal day, two of them couldn''t defeat Zhang Yi. Not to mention, they were now cold and hungry, while Zhang Yi was well-fed and full of energy.

    Lin Caining bit her lip. "What if we call a few neighbors to join us?"

    Fang Yuqing shot her a cold re. "Are you stupid? Even if Zhang Yi has a lot of supplies, it won''t be enough to share with that many people! The fewer people who know about this, the better."

    Lin Caining anxiously asked, "Then what do you suggest?"

    Fang Yuqing replied smugly, "We can call Zhou Peng!"

    Zhou Peng was her loyal simp, always at her beck and call. Unlike Zhang Yi, who had at least a brain and wouldn''t let Fang Yuqing manipte him at will.

    Zhou Peng was utterly brainless. He might even die for her if she asked. Fang Yuqing nned to use Zhou Peng to help seize Zhang Yi''s house.

    Lin Caining pped her hands andughed. "Great idea! That simp is really a good choice."

    Fang Yuqing immediately called Zhou Peng.

    At that moment, Zhou Peng was already starving.

    As a warehouse staff, he initially had plenty of food at home, but he had given most of it to Fang Yuqing.

    Completely unaware that she was merely ying him, Zhou Peng believed that his sacrifices would make Fang Yuqing marry him in the future.

    When he saw Fang Yuqing''s call, he forgot his hunger and cold, and eagerly ran over.

    Upon arriving at Fang Yuqing''s apartment, she immediately came over, looking pitiful, and told him how Zhang Yi had harassed her. "Boohoo, Zhang Yi is such a beast! I just asked him for some food, and he said I had to sleep with him in exchange."

    "Zhou Peng, you know I''m not that kind of woman!" Fang Yuqing''s tear-streaked face made Zhou Peng''s heartache.

    Seeing her distressed and thinking she came to him for help instead of anyone else made him feel special.

    This must be love, he thought.

    Zhou Peng felt it was time to show his manliness. Maybe he could seize the opportunity to win Fang Yuqing over once and for all.

    He pounded his chest and said, "Zhang Yi is such a bastard! How dare he treat you like that? I''ll kill him!"

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining exchanged nces, thinking how easy it was to manipte him.

    They didn''t even need to use their prepared tricks; Zhou Peng volunteered to deal with Zhang Yi.

    Fang Yuqing clung to Zhou Peng''s arm, gazing at him seductively. "Zhang Yi has stored a lot of food at home, and he has a firece too. It''s so warm there. Why should someone like him live in such a ce?"

    "Zhou Peng, let''s find a way to take his house. Then we can live there together, okay?"

    Zhou Peng already disliked Zhang Yi. Zhang Yi was better-looking and wealthier than him and had always been favored by Fang Yuqing.

    Now, feeling the faint touch of Fang Yuqing throughyers of clothing, Zhou Peng felt a surge of triumph.

    "Haha, alright! Yuqing, don''t worry. Leave it to me!" Zhou Peng agreed, feeling victorious.

    Fang Yuqing warned, "But you have to be careful. Zhang Yi is selfish and shameless. If we go to seize his house, he might fight back. We need to bring weapons and strike first."

    Lin Caining added, "I say we should just kill him right away!"

    She hated Zhang Yi the most because she had once sent him her private photos, only for Zhang Yi to respond that she was too ugly. If this got out, she''d be humiliated.

    Thus, Zhang Yi had to die!

    Zhou Peng hesitated. Killing someone was easier said than done. After all, they had lived in a civilized society for over twenty years. Starting something like this wasn''t easy.

    Seeing his hesitation, Fang Yuqing scowled. "What, you disagree? Zhang Yi bullied me so much, and you still pity him? So all your past derations of love were lies, huh?"

    Zhou Peng''s nature as a simp re-emerged. "No, no, don''t be angry, Yuqing. I''ll listen to you, alright?"

    To get Fang Yuqing, he would kill. After all, in this apocalyptic world, people''s morals were crumbling.

    Fang Yuqing said, "Alright then, let''s go now! We''ll trick Zhang Yi into opening the door, and once he does..."

    She made a throat-slitting gesture.

    Lin Caining brought the prepared tools: two kitchen knives and a steel pipe she had dismantled from a clothes rack.

    Zhou Peng took one of the knives and hid it in his thick down jacket.

    Once they were ready, they headed to Zhang Yi''s house with murderous intent.

    At Zhang Yi''s door, Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining hid with their weapons to avoid being seen through the peephole. They signaled Zhou Peng to knock and lure Zhang Yi out.

    Zhou Peng nodded, feeling the knife in his coat for reassurance. He knocked on the door. "Zhang Yi, are you home? It''s Zhou Peng!"

    Hearing the voice outside, Zhang Yi was curious. "Zhou Peng?"

    Although they both worked in the warehouse, they weren''t on good terms, especially since they both had a thing for Fang Yuqing, which led to conflicts.

    This guy couldn''t be here for anything good¡ªin an apocalypse, there was no good news.

    Instead of opening the door, Zhang Yi turned on the monitor to check the surveince footage. He saw two women hiding on either side of the door, armed and looking murderous. A chill ran down his spine.

    "Trying to kill me? How dare you bitches want to kill me!" Zhang Yi sneered, his eyes filled with cold determination. We''ll see who kills whom.

 Chapter 38: â€œGoldenâ€ Shower

    Chapter 38: ¡°Golden¡± Shower

    Zhou Peng, getting no response, knocked harder on the door. "Zhang Yi, Zhang Yi! It''s Zhou Peng! Open the door, I have something important to tell you."

    Zhang Yi sneered, grabbed his gun, and unlocked the safety with a click. He walked to the door. "Who''s there?"

    Hearing Zhang Yi''s reply, Zhou Peng signaled Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining to prepare.

    The two women, nervous about their first attempt at murder, became resolute at the thought of living in Zhang Yi''s warm, food-stocked house once he was dead.

    Zhou Peng pleaded, "Zhang Yi, it''s Zhou Peng. We''re out of food. For old times'' sake, could you spare some?"

    Feigning a pitiful look, he secretly prepared to draw his knife. Zhang Yi leaned against the door and replied nonchntly, "We don''t have any food left. I can''t help you."

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining cursed silently. How could he have no food? The kitchen was stocked with boxes of delicacies. They had nned for this.

    Zhou Peng, gritting his teeth, took out a box of ibuprofen from his pocket. "Zhang Yi, I won''t take it for free. I''ll trade you this box of ibuprofen."In the freezing weather, many were suffering from colds and fevers, making medicine as valuable as food. To lure Zhang Yi, Zhou Peng offered his precious ibuprofen.

    Behind the door, Zhang Yi pondered how to deal with them.

    Killing them with his gun or crossbow would be easy but tedious.

    In this apocalyptic world, death was a relief; living was the actual hell. He wouldn''t let them off that easily. An idea struck him.

    He grabbed an empty bottle and, feeling the urge from his earlier beer, began to fill it. "Ibuprofen? That''s valuable. Let me think about it," he saidzily, urinating into the bottle.

    The people outside heard the faint sound of water but couldn''t tell what Zhang Yi was doing. Thinking they were close to sess, their faces lit up with excitement.

    Zhou Peng urged, "Open the door so we can trade. I only need two packs of instant noodles."

    Given the current prices, ibuprofen could be traded for at least five packs. He offered a low price to trick Zhang Yi into opening the door.

    "Two packs? I wouldn''t want you to suffer a loss," Zhang Yi finished filling the bottle with a frothy, warm liquid.

    Thinking Zhang Yi was about to agree, Zhou Peng leaned against the door. "It''s fine. I''m starving, and we''re colleagues. Better you than someone else. Open up!"

    Zhang Yi climbed onto a stool to reach the shooting hole in the door and poured the warm, fresh liquid onto the three people outside.

    They were startled by the sudden dousing. Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining screamed. "Ah! What is this? It''s hot water!"

    Feeling the warmth, they were briefly pleased until they caught the pungent smell. "It''s... urine!!!"

    The women screamed like ughtered pigs and began vomiting. Zhou Peng, enraged, pounded on the door. "Zhang Yi, you bastard! Get out here, I''ll kill you!"

    The heavy alloy door didn''t budge, only hurting Zhou Peng''s hand. Inside, Zhang Yiughed heartily. "How''s the taste? Good? You idiots thought you could trick me? Pathetic!"

    Realizing they had been exposed, the trio cursed Zhang Yi furiously. Zhou Peng yelled, "Damn it, shouldn''t have wasted time talking! I''ll kill you when I get in!"

    He drew his knife and furiously hacked at the door, but it was made of reinforced alloy, capable of withstanding RPG sts. The knife rebounded, narrowly missing his head and leaving an extended cut on his cheek. His hand bled from the impact.

    In winter, human skin is more fragile, and pain is more intense. Zhou Peng was terrified; the near-miss could have killed him. His fear was interrupted by the sharp pain. "Aahhh!!!!" he screamed.

    Seeing this, the women fled in terror, leaving Zhou Peng behind. Zhang Yi, watching through the camera, considered shooting them but decided against it.

    Why risk his life? In this apocalyptic world, better to y it safe and oust them.

    "I''ll oust them. Let''s see how long they survive in this frozen hell," Zhang Yi thought, returning to his game.

    Zhou Peng, shaken, sat trembling on his sofa at home. Fang Yuqing, seeing him covered in urine, screamed, "Get off my couch!"

 Chapter 40: Gunshot

    Chapter 40: Gunshot

    Zhang Yi lit the stink bomb and quickly threw it through the shooting hole above the door.

    As soon as the stink bomb hit the ground, a thick ck smoke began to rise.

    The acrid smell quickly spread through the corridor.

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin, upon smelling it, felt as if they had opened a can of ten-year-old sealed feces, and immediately started vomiting.

    ¡°Ugh¡­ What is this, ugh¡­¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi, ugh¡­ You¡¯re despicable!¡±

    As the smell intensified in the corridor, the two women hastily fled.

    However, Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t worried about the smell returning to his house. After closing the shooting hole, the house became semi-sealed.Although air could still circte, the house was specifically built with an air filtration system, preventing odor or harmful air from entering.

    Watching the two women staggering and retching through the surveince cameras, Zhang Yiughed heartily.

    Soon, however, he received aint from his neighbor.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, what did you throw at your door? It smells awful! Could you please consider your neighbors?¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s neighbors were a young couple who had moved in two years ago.

    However, Zhang Yi hardly interacted with them, only asionally nodding when they met in the elevator.

    At this point, he didn¡¯t care about maintaining neighborly rtions.

    In the apocalypse, he did everything solely for his own safety, not caring about others.

    He wouldn''t hesitate to eliminate others as long as he could live safely andfortably.

    In the apocalypse, any hint of altruism had to be immediately eradicated!

    ¡°If you don¡¯t like it,e and fight me!¡± Zhang Yi said, then blocked the neighbor.

    Again, he wasn¡¯t in the mood to argue and waste his breath.

    Soon, Zhang Yi noticed the neighborining about him in the group chat.

    But unfortunately, no one cared about their trivial matter.

    Zhang Yi chuckled. It felt terrific to be shameless.

    That afternoon, Zhang Yi was suddenly awakened from his sleep.

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    A loud noise echoed through the corridor, quickly spreading throughout the building.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s expression turned serious. It sounded like a gunshot.

    Could someone in theirmunity have a gun?

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t sure if it was a gunshot or fireworks. He quickly went to the living room, turned on the TV, and checked the surveince cameras.

    The scene he saw made his pupils contract involuntarily.

    In front of the third-floor apartment, Chen Zhenghao, with one leg broken, was holding a ck gun.

    The cold, dark gleam of the gun was enough to make anyone shiver.

    The apartment door was open, and from the surveince angle, two legs could be vaguely seen inside.

    Chen Zhenghao¡¯s subordinates, holding some food and candles, walked out with grins on their faces.

    It was clear that the residents of the third-floor apartment were dead. Even if they weren¡¯t, having been shot and losing all their supplies, they wouldn¡¯tst long.

    It was 10 AM, usually when every household went out to dig snow for water.

    Everyone going out together temporarily raised the temperature in the corridor, preventing it from getting too cold.

    No one could survive without water, so this activity happened daily.

    Chen Zhenghao seized this opportunity to kill and rob.

    ¡°Ding dong!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s phone rang.

    He nced at the phone and saw a message in the group chat.

    Chen Zhenghao had sent a voice message.

    ¡°Now that we¡¯re snowed in, we can¡¯t rely on anyone but ourselves.¡±

    ¡°I, Chen Zhenghao, will take on the responsibility of being the leader of Building 25th. From now on, everything here will be under my control!¡±

    ¡°If you follow my order, I can ensure your survival. But if anyone dares to challenge me, hehe!¡±

    Chen Zhenghao then sent two pictures.

    One was of the gun in his hand, and the other was of the third-floor resident lying in a pool of blood.

    The usually noisy group chat fell silent.

    Everyone was shocked by the bloody and brutal scene.

    Most residents were likely filled with fear.

    They had never seen such scenes in peacetime, nor could they even imagine them.

    But now, the bloody reality was right in front of them.

    In this building sealed off by a snowstorm, others were hell!

    No one dared to contradict Chen Zhenghao. Everyone feared death.

    Sitting on the sofa, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but say, ¡°Chen Zhenghao is smart! No wonder he thrived in society.¡±

    Chen Zhenghao used both intimidation and incentives, not just scaring the residents.

    He only had one gun, and no one knew how many bullets he had.

    But Zhang Yi knew the quantity wouldn¡¯t be much, given how tightly controlled guns were in the country.

    Zhang Yi had spent a lot of money, and they only sold him 100 bullets.

    Moreover, Chen Zhenghao had only about five or six underlings.

    With fifty households and over a hundred people in the building, if pushed too far, a cripple like him wouldn¡¯t stand a chance.

    So, the best way to keep the residents in line was to use threats and promises, intimidating and enticing them.

    Human nature always fears death.

    Even though they understood that if Chen Zhenghao could kill the third-floor resident today, it could be their turn tomorrow, they still harbored a fluke mentality.

    For instance, those living on higher floors might think Chen Zhenghao would deal with others before reaching them, giving them at least half a month¡¯s reprieve.

    Thus, they wouldn¡¯t risk their lives, expecting others below to resist.

    And those on other floors might think Chen Zhenghao wouldn¡¯t follow a sequence in his killings.

    They might feel that resisting would surely get them killed, so it¡¯s better to stay hidden, hoping someone else would die first.

    Zhang Yi shrugged. None of this mattered to him.

    While others might fear Chen Zhenghao, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t.

    If Chen Zhenghao dared to appear at his door, his fate would be entirely in Zhang Yi¡¯s hands.

    Whether the neighbors lived or died had nothing to do with Zhang Yi.

    If they chose to be ostriches and not resist, Zhang Yi had no interest in ying the hero to save them.

    At that moment, his phone suddenly beeped urgently.

    Zhang Yi picked it up and saw hundreds of new messages!

    He found himself being added to a new group chat.

    Curious, Zhang Yi checked it out.

    The residents had created a new group, excluding Chen Zhenghao and his men.

    Apparently, Chen Zhenghao¡¯s death threats had prompted some to consider banding together for warmth.

    Zhang Yi remained silent, confident in his own safety.

    He was just interested in seeing what this group could achieve.

 Chapter 39: Stink Bomb

    Chapter 39: Stink Bomb

    Chapter 39: Stink Bomb

    Fang Yuqing, upset about her sofa, was disgusted by the urine-soaked Zhou Peng.

    He had been doused the most while standing at the door. She yelled at him to get off the couch immediately.

    Zhou Peng felt deeply wronged. He had only followed Fang Yuqing''s orders to trouble Zhang Yi, and now, covered in urine, freezing, and injured, Fang Yuqing was treating him this way!

    However, being the simp that he was, he quickly rationalized that Fang Yuqing had every right to scold him.

    After all, he hadn''t done his job well and was now dirtying her sofa. He felt even more that he deserved the reprimand.

    He promptly stood up and apologized, "I''m sorry, Yuqing. It''s my fault. Please don''t be disappointed."

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining, eager to change out of their urine-soaked clothes, waved him off. "Get out, we need to change."Zhou Peng quickly left Fang Yuqing''s home. The two women rushed to change out of their soiled clothes, but even after changing, the pungent smell lingered. It wasn''t just on their clothes; their hair and skin were also contaminated, and some had even flowed inside their cors.

    Given the freezing weather, bathing was out of the question, so they had to endure the stench.

    Their failed attempt and the humiliating shower only fueled their hatred for Zhang Yi. "What do we do now? Zhang Yi is too cunning to handle easily!"

    "Whatever it takes, we have to get his apartment!"

    "We''lle up with a n. He must have a weak spot!"

    While the two women were scheming, Zhang Yi sent Fang Yuqing a message: "This time it was urine. Next time, I''ll pour feces on you! "

    He hadn''t prepared much this time, but he would have drenched them in filth if he had the time.

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining turned green at the thought. If they were covered in feces, they''d rather die.

    Zhang Yi turned off the chat without reading Fang Yuqing''s replies. Although he had muted the notifications, the number of unread messages quickly climbed, indicating they were unpleasant.

    He checked the neighborhood group chat and was amused by what he saw. Ever since Chen Zhenghao took over her home, Aunt Lin seemed mentally unstable, constantly sending voice messages demanding everyone''s supplies.

    "I''m themunitymittee staff! If you don''t listen to me, I''ll have you all arrested once the snow melts!"

    "Did you hear me? Bring all your food to my ce today!"

    This time, few people paid her any mind. After over ten days, everyone had realized the true state of the world.

    The authorities couldn''t help everyone, and Aunt Lin''smunity title was meaningless now. Instead, people ridiculed her.

    "Crazy old woman, why don''t you just die already?"

    "Remember when you scammed us out of a box of instant noodles? I haven''t forgotten!"

    Others brought up the start of the snow disaster. "Remember when you said everything would be fine and discouraged us from stockpiling? Look where we are now!"

    This reminder ignited everyone''s anger.

    Early on, some wanted to stock up despite the cold, but Aunt Lin assured them it wasn''t necessary and threatened those who did.

    Dayster, when snow sealed all exits, it was toote. Without her interference, they could have had enough supplies for an extra two weeks.

    "Curse you, you troublemaker!"

    "It''s all your fault we''re suffering!"

    The neighbors bombarded Aunt Lin with curses. Wealthy heir Xu Hao then chimed in, offering exorbitant amounts of food: "I''m buying food at high prices, any kind. I''ll pay 10,000 for a pack of instant noodles and 5,000 for a water bottle!"

    Instant noodles now cost 10,000 each, showing Xu Hao''s desperation. His money, unused, was bing worthless.

    Zhang Yi shook his head. "At this time, he still thinks money can buy things."

    As soon as Zhang Yi spoke, someone replied, "I have some food to sell."

    Zhang Yi was speechless. Even in dire times, some people were willing to risk everything for money, betting the snow disaster wouldn''tst long. But Zhang Yi knew better; this snowstorm would drag on, and the world would take a long time to recover, rendering money useless.

    Recalling a mischievous thought, Zhang Yi remembered he had plenty of toilet paper, unlike his neighbors. If their toilet paper ran out, what would they use?

    He chuckled but then dismissed the thought. "They''re barely eating; they probably don''t need much toilet paper."

    This foreshadowed the impending breakdown of the fragile peace. Once food ran outpletely, people would be terrifying beasts.

    The next day, Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining were back at Zhang Yi''s door, pleading to be let in, iming they were freezing to death. Zhang Yi ignored them. Freezing to death was exactly what he hoped for.

    When he didn''t respond, they begged for food, invoking their past connection. Zhang Yi, watching through his monitor, saw they hade with umbres, clearly traumatized by yesterday''s urine shower.

    He wasn''t foolish enough to open the door. He suspected they were armed, ready to kill him and steal his home and supplies. Zhang Yi thought for a moment, then opened his interdimensional space.

    There were many misceneous items he had collected, knowing they might be useful someday. Now was that day.

    He retrieved two stink bombs from the toy section. These prank toys released an incredibly foul odor when ignited, which was hard to wash off, even with soap and water.

    Hearing Fang Yuqing and Lin Caining''s voices outside, Zhang Yi grinned and approached with the stink bombs.

 Chapter 41: Neighbors Who Only Shout Slogans

    Chapter 41: Neighbors Who Only Shout Slogans

    As soon as the new group was formed, neighbors began to talk in a panic.

    "Chen Zhenghao is a devil! He broke into and robbed three households."

    "The two young people in 301 tried to resist and were immediately shot dead by him."

    "The other two households, 302 and 401, were so scared that they handed over all their food and drinks."

    "Living without food or water means waiting for death, doesn''t it?"

    Someone angrily said, "We must unite and fight against this tyrant, Chen Zhenghao!"

    Immediately, others responded.

    "Yes, there are so many of us. How can we fear five or six of them?""If we all unite, he''s no threat!"

    "But he has a gun!"

    "Humph, so what if he has a gun? How many bullets can he have?"

    "Exactly, if we rush him, he can''t stop us!"

    "I can take him down with a left kick and a right whip!"

    "He''s a cripple now, not worth mentioning. If he didn¡¯t have a gun, I could handle him alone!"

    Everyone was filled with righteous anger, as if they couldn''t wait to rush to Chen Zhenghao''s ce and execute him right now!

    However, someone interrupted at this moment.

    "So, when do we act?"

    This question caused a brief silence.

    Talking tough was easy, but risking their lives was a different matter.

    Everyone understood the reasoning, but no one wanted to be the first to get shot.

    They talked big to persuade others to take the risk.

    "Well, this isn''t a problem. We can definitely handle him!"

    "After all, he''s a desperado with a few punks. We need to n carefully."

    "Right, rushing in without a n is foolish. We need to win with wisdom!"

    Zhang Yi smirked.

    Just a moment ago, they were saying Chen Zhenghao was nothing and boasting about their martial prowess.

    Now, when it was time to act, they started talking about winning with wisdom?

    He found it quite amusing.

    At this moment, Uncle You, the security guard, suddenly spoke up.

    "We can''t let Chen Zhenghao continue. If this goes on, we''ll all be killed by him."

    "Even if we''re not shot, being robbed of food and water is a death sentence."

    "I can lead the charge. Let''s teach these scum a lesson together!"

    Uncle You was usually quiet.

    He was a retired soldier with a straightforward and passionate character.

    He was well-respected in themunity.

    Facing scum like Chen Zhenghao, who disregarded human life, he was filled with rage.

    "Wow, Uncle You, you''re awesome! No wonder you were in the army. Impressive!"

    "Uncle You, I support you. Do you need a weapon? You can use my kitchen knife."

    "I have a sword I bought on a tripst year. It''s very sharp. I''ll lend it to you."

    "Chen Zhenghao is just a cripple. Uncle You, just find a chance to sneak up on him from behind, and don''t give him a chance."

    Everyone praised Uncle You, giving all sorts of advice.

    But no one said they would go with him to deal with Chen Zhenghao.

    Uncle You was somewhat speechless.

    "Chen Zhenghao has five or six men and a gun. I can''t do it alone."

    "At least, we need a dozen young men toe with me. Only then can we be safe."

    "I have military training and some skills. I can lead the charge."

    Residents with adult males fell silent.

    Meanwhile, women like Fang Yuqing, who had no adult males at home, were energized.

    "Right, we women are weak and can''t handle such scum. It''s time for the men of Building 25 to show their manliness!"

    "The men in our building are amazing. You must seed!"

    "It''s time to show your chivalry. I hope you seed quickly and protect us weak women."

    The adult males in the group were naturally unhappy.

    Some were single, either living alone or with friends.

    They might risk their lives to fight the thugs, but the attitude of the female tenants made them reluctant.

    It was clear that the women expected them to risk their lives as their duty.

    The men were not pleased.

    "No way! You always want female priority. Now, in danger, you want us to go first. Why?"

    "We''re giving you the equality you wanted. If we go, everyone goes together."

    "You were so tough online. Why not show it to Chen Zhenghao?"

    "I''m not unwilling to risk my life, but I''ll only protect my own wife and kids."

    The female tenants, seeing the men unwilling to face Chen Zhenghao, began to scold them.

    "Are you men or not? Isn''t your turn to step up now?"

    "Asking women to take risks, how can you say that!"

    "You''re all cowards! Disgusting! I''ll never marry someone like you!"

    The new group was supposed to discuss how to deal with Chen Zhenghao.

    But it turned into a gender confrontation.

    Zhang Yi watched with amusement.

    This situation was exactly the same as in his previous life.

    That''s why, in his past life, Chen Zhenghao killed half the building''s residents and still managed to control the rest with just a gun.

    They didn''t even struggle, just closed their eyes and epted their fate.

    Uncle You, seeing this, anxiously called for calm in the group.

    "Stop arguing. Dealing with Chen Zhenghao is the priority."

    A female tenant from the seventh floor, named Liu Tiantian, was one of the mainbatants in the gender argument.

    At 22 years old, she had just graduated and was a self-proimed goddess.

    With tempers ring, Liu Tiantian responded to every malement with a spray of insults.

    Even kind-hearted Uncle You wasn''t spared.

    "Uncle You, stop pretending to be nice! You were in the army, so you should be the first to charge."

    "There are so many men in our building. If each one takes one down, everyone else will be safe!"

    "In today''s society, women are clearly more important. Your only role is to serve us."

    "I hope the useless men in this group understand this and don''t make me repeat myself!"

 Chapter 42: Reserve Rations

    Chapter 42: Reserve Rations

    Liu Tiantian''sments were immediately met with ridicule from a group of male residents.

    "It¡¯s the apocalypse, who cares about pampering little princesses like you?"

    "Haha, do you really think you¡¯re that important?"

    "Risking our lives to protect you? In your dreams!"

    Uncle You, who was being criticized, was left speechless.

    He couldn¡¯t understand why everyone was reacting this way when he was genuinely trying to help.

    Since he wasn¡¯t good at arguing, he simply stopped talking.

    Zhang Yi watched the group chat with amusement, finding it quite entertaining, considering the limited ways to pass the time.In conclusion, Zhang Yi felt that most people in the group deserved their fate.

    The argument in the group chat grew increasingly intense.

    Maybe because they had been repressed for so long, everyone found a rare outlet to vent.

    The chat was filled with vile and filthy words, bing unbearable to read.

    Eventually, they forgot the original purpose of creating the group.

    Zhang Yi set his phone aside and went to the kitchen.

    Although he had plenty of ready-made food in his dimensional space, he asionally enjoyed cooking to add a bit of joy to life.

    He took out fresh ingredients from his space.

    The potatoes, green onions, ginger, and garlic were as fresh as if just dug out from the ground.

    The beef brisket was also very tender, with its bright red color looking quite appetizing.

    Walmart, the world¡¯s top supermarket brand, certainly didn¡¯t disappoint with the quality of its goods.

    Zhang Yi prepared a pot of potato and beef brisket stew and made some tbread, sticking them to the sides of the pot.

    The tbread absorbed the stew¡¯s juices, bing exceptionally tasty.

    Picking up his phone, he saw that Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin had messaged him again.

    This time, their voices were filled with desperate pleas.

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin were crying heavily, obviously terrified by Chen Zhenghao¡¯s killings.

    These two bitches could not resist evil.

    Thus, they were likely to be Chen Zhenghao''s following targets.

    Especially after witnessing Zhang Yi''s fortified security door, they saw his home as a haven and wanted to move in.

    "Zhang Yi, no matter how big our past conflicts were, you once loved me, didn¡¯t you?"

    "You can''t just watch me die, can you?"

    "I know you act tough, but you have a soft heart. Please, save me!"

    Lin Cainin was even more shameless than Fang Yuqing.

    "Zhang Yi, I don''t want to die. Let me stay at your ce, and I''ll do anything you want! Just don''t let me die at their hands."

    Zhang Yi could feel their fear.

    Honestly, if his home wasn¡¯t fortified and he lived in a cold, foodless house, his despair wouldn¡¯t be any less than theirs.

    But would he pity these two women?

    Ha, of course not!

    In fact, he had been longing for this moment.

    The more desperate they were, the more thrilled Zhang Yi felt.

    Without responding, he leisurely recorded a video for them.

    In the video, arge pot of potato and beef brisket stew simmered in front of Zhang Yi, while a firece roared nearby.

    The warm, peaceful atmosphere of his home contrasted sharply with the snowy storm and howling wind outside.

    For the two women, this was an immense provocation.

    At this moment, they weren¡¯t worried about being full; they were struggling just to stay alive.

    They continued to beg Zhang Yi to let them live with him.

    Zhang Yi chose to ignore them.

    He neither agreed nor refused.

    He wanted to leave them a sliver of hope, making them grovel even though they knew it was unlikely.

    The day passed in such dullness.

    After seizing some supplies, Chen Zhenghao and his men weren¡¯t in a hurry to act again.

    They understood that pushing too hard would provoke a united resistance from the residents.

    Their strategy was to subdue some, appease some, and kill some, which was the most rational approach.

    However, that night, Zhang Yi noticed through the surveince that Chen Zhenghao''s men were up to something.

    The entire Tianhai City had no power at night, except for Zhang Yi¡¯s home, which the other residents hadn¡¯t noticed.

    Zhang Yi saw Chen Zhenghao¡¯s men carrying two corpses out the door.

    Zhang Yi took a closer look and found the faces familiar.

    He remembered clearly because he knew almost all the residents in the building.

    But these two were not from their building.

    So, they must have been Chen Zhenghao''s henchmen, who had been called over when the snow first fell.

    Thinking for a moment, Zhang Yi understood what had happened.

    When Chen Zhenghao and his men attacked Zhang Yi''s home, Zhang Yi had drenched them with a hose.

    In the extreme cold of minus sixty or seventy degrees, this was deadly.

    These two must have frozen to death.

    Catching a cold and developing a fever in such low temperatures could be fatal without afortable environment and medication like ibuprofen.

    This exined the short lifespans in ancient times.

    The two corpses were stripped of all clothing and thrown at the stairwell.

    Zhang Yi frowned, initially puzzled by their actions.

    If they just wanted to dispose of the bodies, they could have thrown them out the window, where the snow would cover everything.

    Why leave them at the door?

    Then, a chilling thought crossed Zhang Yi¡¯s mind, making his pupils contract.

    Could it be that Chen Zhenghao left the bodies as reserve rations?

    The idea made Zhang Yi¡¯s hair stand on end and sent shivers down his spine.

    But it was the most usible exnation.

    The freezing temperatures turned the world into a giant refrigerator, eliminating worries about food spoge.

    Many modern perceptions of the apocalypse came from movies, where cannibalism wasn¡¯t umon.

    Historical records also mentioned horrifying practices like eating children during times of great famine.

    Years of peace had made people forget those stark historical records.

    Now, with the apocalypse upon them.

    Zhang Yi took a deep breath, calming his racing heart.

    Compared to others, he epted this reality more quickly.

    After all, he had experienced an apocalypse before and had even been eaten as food.

    He knew that when pushed to the brink, hunger could drive humans tomit any atrocity, consuming anything edible.

    "Chen Zhenghao is truly ruthless!"

    Although Zhang Yi detested the gangster, he couldn¡¯t help but be impressed.

    Many understood the theory.

    But to actually consider theirrades'' bodies as reserve food before running out of supplies, was almost inhumane.

 Chapter 43: Shes Panicking

    Chapter 43: She''s Panicking

    After Chen Zhenghao killed the resident of 301, the atmosphere in the entire building became extremely tense.

    The group chat had fallen silent; no one dared to speak anymore.

    Chen Zhenghao seemed to realize that everyone had secretly formed a new resident group without him.

    But such things couldn¡¯t be stopped.

    All he could do was threaten and coax the residents in the group.

    "The situation is tough now; everyone is just trying to survive. No one wants to kill."

    "If that kid in 301 hadn¡¯t attacked my men first, I wouldn¡¯t have killed him by mistake. I¡¯m not a devil!"

    "I hope we can get along peacefully from now on. If we need some food, please lend us some.""If you cooperate, I guarantee we can all live peacefully."

    Hearing this, some people indeed let down their guard.

    Some even believed that perhaps the resident of 301 died because he made the first move, as Chen Zhenghao said.

    This type of behavior is known as Stockholm Syndrome, where victims start to empathize with their abuser when shown any kindness.

    Zhang Yi continued to watch from the sidelines, neithermenting nor participating.

    However, he became more cautious of Chen Zhenghao.

    Although his home was well-fortified and Chen Zhenghao and his few men with a single gun had no chance of breaking in, being extra cautious in an apocalypse was never wrong.

    "If he really causes trouble, I¡¯ll find an opportunity to kill him," Zhang Yi said calmly.

    This brief peace was shattered the next day.

    Despite fearing Chen Zhenghao, residents had to go downstairs to break ice for water to survive.

    So, someone quietly opened their door, intending to sneak down and dig for snow, but they were caught by Chen Zhenghao¡¯s men, who were on the lookout.

    The hungry thugs had already consumed the supplies they had looted on the first day.

    Now, they were seeing all the residents as their prey, ready to rob anyone they caught.

    The new group chat was filled with urgent cries for help.

    When Zhang Yi opened the chat, he was amused.

    The one crying for help was Liu Tiantian, who lived on the seventh floor, right above Chen Zhenghao.

    That morning, she had tried to sneak downstairs to dig for snow under the cover of darkness but was caught.

    Living alone, she was an easy target for Chen Zhenghao''s men, who were also desperate and frustrated after being cooped up for almost half a month. They were eager to find a woman to relieve their frustrations.

    Liu Tiantian wasn¡¯t particrly beautiful, but she was young and had a decent figure.

    Given the limited choices, they weren¡¯t picky.

    So, Chen Zhenghao''s men, armed with wrenches and iron rods, cameughing.

    Liu Tiantian quickly shut her door and, in desperation, turned to her neighbors for help.

    "Sob, someone, please save me! They¡¯re breaking down my door. I¡¯ll be killed!"

    "@Uncle You, Uncle You, please save me! Didn¡¯t you serve in the army? They can¡¯t beat you."

    "They¡¯re brutal. We need to unite!"

    "If something happens to me, you could be next!"

    Liu Tiantian, crying, sent voice message after voice message to the group.

    But she wasn¡¯t so arrogant when she was berating the male residents in the group chat yesterday.

    Uncle You replied, "Miss, this is too sudden. I can¡¯t take on so many of them alone!"

    Uncle You, though kind, wasn¡¯t going to throw his life away.

    Chen Zhenghao had five or six men and a gun, which even an ex-soldier like him couldn¡¯t handle alone.

    If they had formed a security team yesterday, there might have been hope to scare them off.

    Liu Tiantian felt a cold chill at Uncle You''s words.

    She cried, "You can¡¯t do this! Can¡¯t you protect a single woman? What kind of men are you?"

    "Sob, if I die, I¡¯ll haunt you!"

    Some had initially sympathized with her, but her shameless moral coercion sparked anger.

    Combined with the insults she hurled at the male residents yesterday, old and new grudgesbined.

    "Yeah, we¡¯re all useless. Little princess, you¡¯re so amazing. You don¡¯t need our help!"

    "Haha, go and fight them off with your punches!"

    "Weren¡¯t you shouting yesterday? Turns out you still need us."

    "You might as well die. Your death would bring happiness to many families!"

    The group chat was filled withughter.

    There was no sympathy for Liu Tiantian¡¯s plight, only a sense of schadenfreude.

    With her home being robbed, at least the others felt safe for now.

    Liu Tiantian, seeing these cold responses, fell into despair.

    She turned to the female residents for help.

    But their replies were equally unhelpful.

    "We¡¯re all sisters, but we can¡¯t do anything in this situation."

    "Hang in there! We support you spiritually."

    "You have to hold on, or they might do something terrible to you if they break in!"

    "Yeah, with so many of them, they might really hurt you."

    Some offered perfunctoryfort, while others cruelly scared her.

    After all, human emotions didn¡¯t connect universally. Long periods of confinement and the threat of death had twisted many minds.

    More people joined the chat, but the topic had shifted.

    "At least take one of them down with you before you die, as a service to themunity!"

    "Yeah, if your home is raided, you won¡¯t survive anyway. Might as well take one down with you."

    Liu Tiantian, trembling with rage, tried to respond when her door was kicked open with a bang.

    In Zhang Yi''s home, he watched the surveince feed as Liu Tiantian screamed and was dragged out by her legs by Chen Zhenghao''s thugs.

    "Exercising in this freezing weather? These guys have some serious stamina!" Zhang Yimented.

    It made sense, though. In dire times, when people did not know when they might die, biological instincts to reproduce kicked in.

    Zhang Yi took a bite of his chocte bar and said to the surveince screen, "At this temperature, exposing any skin is life-threatening."

 Chapter 44: Why Should I Give Alms?

    Chapter 44: Why Should I Give Alms?

    Although no one saw Liu Tiantian¡¯s end, everyone could guess what happened.

    A girl falling into the hands of a group of wolves¡ªwhat oue could there be?

    Even if Chen Zhenghao spared her life, she would still die, having lost all her resources for survival.

    However, there wasn¡¯t much sorrow among the residents. Instead, they breathed a sigh of relief.

    At least Liu Tiantian could keep Chen Zhenghao¡¯s group fed for a while.

    Yet, this served as a wake-up call for the other residents.

    If things continued like this, none of them would survive for long.

    That afternoon, Zhang Yi found himself added to yet another chat group.He chuckled wryly. In such an unstable environment, people¡¯s suspicions grew, forming more and more small groups.

    As if gathering in numbers would make them stronger.

    Zhang Yi nced at the group members, noticing only six or seven people.

    Zhou Peng, Fang Yuqing, Lin Cainin, and a few other neighbors were among them.

    Zhang Yi frowned slightly, unsure of their intentions.

    Soon, someone reached out to him.

    Fang Yuqing: "@Zhang Yi, Zhang Yi, it¡¯s too dangerous outside. Chen Zhenghao will eventuallye for us. We must unite."

    Zhang Yi replied indifferently, "I¡¯m fine on my own right now."

    Lin Cainin added, "That¡¯s not the point. You¡¯re alone, but Chen Zhenghao has five or six men and a gun! So you¡¯re not safe either."

    Zhang Yi smirked. Why didn¡¯t they ask Chen Zhenghao who broke his leg?

    Chen Zhenghao hadn¡¯t dared to retaliate because he knew Zhang Yi was tough.

    Zhang Yi asked, "So, what do you want?"

    Fang Yuqing quickly responded, "Living scattered is too dangerous. We decided to move in together. This way, even against Chen Zhenghao, we have strength in numbers."

    Zhang Yiughed, "What, gathering together makes you unafraid of his gun?"

    Ridiculous. If numbers mattered, the building¡¯s fifty households and over a hundred people could easily stomp Chen Zhenghao to death.

    They were all cowards, gathering only for psychologicalfort.

    Another member, Sun Zhichao, a finance white-cor worker, spoke up.

    "With more people, at least they¡¯ll be cautious. We can also barricade the door together, making it harder for them to break in."

    "But we need a good stronghold."

    Fang Yuqing quickly added, "Zhang Yi, your ce has a balcony and a sturdy security door, perfect for resisting Chen Zhenghao."

    "So, we hope you can join our team. Let¡¯s fight Chen Zhenghao together!"

    Zhang Yi understood now.

    Fang Yuqing must have told them about his fortified home.

    They probably knew he had a perfect instion system and ample food.

    Zhang Yi sneered. Their n was loud and clear to him!

    Zhang Yi curtly replied, "I don¡¯t need it, thanks. I¡¯m quitefortable on my own. If you want to cohabit, find your own ce!"

    Letting seven or eight people crowd into his home?

    Who knew who was human and who was a ghost? That would only bring danger to himself.

    Besides, Zhang Yi owed them nothing. Why should he help them?

    After Zhang Yi¡¯s refusal, the group members were obviously displeased.

    Sun Zhichao: "Zhang Yi, we¡¯re all in danger. You can¡¯t be so short-sighted! Only together can we survive!"

    Another member, Wang Min, added, "We chose your ce because it has a balcony for fetching snow. We¡¯re not taking advantage of you; we can protect you too!"

    Zhang Yiughed so hard his mouth twisted.

    He sent a message to the group: "Protect me???????"

    The string of question marks showed his ridicule.

    Did they know how he was living now?

    Protect him? The audacity!

    Cuddled under a nket, Fang Yuqing pursed her lips and began her moral coercion.

    She knew Zhang Yi disliked her and wouldn¡¯t let her in.

    So, she used the group to pressure Zhang Yi.

    She thought that, in such a life-and-death situation, Zhang Yi should be magnanimous despite past grievances.

    Lin Cainin: "Zhang Yi, okay, I admit we need your help. But think about it, letting us into your home could save seven or eight lives!"

    "Can you really watch us be killed by Chen Zhenghao? We¡¯ve been friends and neighbors for years!"

    Of the seven or eight people, Zhang Yi indeed knew them all.

    Some were even on good terms, including a colleague from the same workce.

    They all pleaded for Zhang Yi to let them in, considering their past friendship.

    But after being persecuted to death in his previous life, Zhang Yi was no longer soft-hearted.

    Many in this group had shared his suffering back then.

    In the apocalypse, humanity meant nothing.

    Survival was the only rule!

    So he said, "At this point, whether we survive depends on our own abilities. You¡¯re of no value to me, so why should I protect you?"

    With that, Zhang Yi immediately left the group.

    Trying to exploit him was a dream!

    Without morals, he wouldn¡¯t be morally ckmailed.

    After the chat, Zhang Yi took out a box of potato chips from his space.

    He sat by the window, in his soft recliner, eating chips and enjoying the view.

    Ignoring the extreme cold outside, the snowyndscape was indeed beautiful.

    The ground was covered in a pure white nket, pleasing to the eye.

    At that moment, he saw a ck dot moving on the 18th floor of the opposite building, followed by a desperate scream.

    Looking closely, Zhang Yi saw a person falling through the air.

    In an instant, the person disappeared into the six or seven-meter-deep snow.

    With temperatures below minus seventy degrees, anyone buried in the snow was doomed.

    It seemed that the situation in other buildings was just as dire.

    As supplies ran out, fights for resources, even violence and murder, were breaking out everywhere!

    Every inhabited ce was bing a hell on earth.

    While munching on chips, Zhang Yi contemted the future.

    It seemed he needed to be wary not only of his neighbors but also of survivors outside.

    In the apocalypse, anything could happen.

 Chapter 45: Deciding to Launch an Attack

    Chapter 45: Deciding to Launch an Attack

    Within Building 25, Chen Zhenghao and his men had raided several residents, directly or indirectly causing the deaths of five people.

    This situation prompted many residents to band together.

    Their solution was not to live separately but to stay together.

    They used heavy objects to block the doors, preventing Chen Zhenghao and his men from breaking in.

    As for getting water, they did so through the windows.

    Some floors had balconies that caught snowfall.

    Fang Yuqing and her group moved into Wang Min''s apartment on the 18th floor.

    Wang Min was Zhou Peng''s cousin. She ran a cosmetics business in Tianhai City and was an independent, sessful woman.Therefore, she had some assets, and her home was a three-bedroom, two-living room apartment, the sameyout as Zhang Yi''s.

    The others were her colleagues and close friends.

    In an apocalypse, even if people wanted to group up, they only dared to invite those they trusted.

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin were allowed in because Zhou Peng vouched for them.

    As a token of their loyalty, they shared the situation at Zhang Yi''s apartment.

    At this moment, everyone sat in the living room, wrapped in thick down jackets, scarves around their necks, trying to seal every part of their bodies.

    Since Zhang Yi refused their offer to live together, everyone was in a bad mood.

    Wang Min looked at Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin, saying coldly, "I let you stay here because of my cousin, and you promised to convince Zhang Yi to let us move into his ce."

    "But now Zhang Yi refuses. What do you propose we do?"

    Zhou Peng was a simp, but Wang Min was sharp and could tell these two women were difficult.

    If they hadn¡¯t mentioned Zhang Yi, Wang Min would never have let them join.

    Fang Yuqing hurriedly said, "Sister Wang, listen to me. Zhang Yi''s supplies are abundant, and he even has a firece!"

    "If we can move into his apartment, life will be much easier."

    After being repeatedly refused by Zhang Yi, Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin gave up hope of his help.

    So, they sold out Zhang Yi¡¯s situation.

    They showed the photos and videos Zhang Yi had sent them.

    Lin Cainin added, "Yes, you¡¯ve seen the videos. You know howfortable Zhang Yi¡¯s apartment is now."

    "If we work together to move into his ce, not only can we resist Chen Zhenghao, but we can also livefortably."

    Hearing this, Wang Min and the others couldn¡¯t help but take out their phones to watch the videos again.

    The footage of Zhang Yi¡¯s home, warm and inviting, made their eyes light up with envy.

    Wang Min frowned, "But he made it clear he doesn¡¯t want us to move in."

    At this moment, Sun Zhichao, a bespectacled man, adjusted his sses and spoke in a low voice, "He¡¯s too selfish, ignoring everyone else''s survival."

    "We don¡¯t need to be polite to such a person. I suggest we use special methods!"

    Everyone understood what Sun Zhichao meant¡ªbreaking into Zhang Yi''s home and forcing him to give up his apartment!

    His friend, Lu Tao, loudly supported him, "I think it¡¯s a good idea! He¡¯s selfish and only cares about himself. Why should he live in such a good apartment?"

    Wang Min frowned slightly, "But ording to Zhou Peng, their security door is very sturdy. We¡¯re not like Chen Zhenghao and his men; we¡¯re not good at this."

    Zhou Peng added, "Yes, and Zhang Yi is particrly nasty. Last time we knocked on his door, he poured urine on us from above!"

    Mentioning that incident made Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin nauseous, almost vomiting.

    Even now, they still had the smell left by Zhang Yi on their hair and skin.

    If not for their stuffy noses from the cold, the smell might have driven them away.

    Sun Zhichao adjusted his sses and sneered, "It¡¯s easy. We just need to cover ourselves well, wear masks, and use umbres. Then we won¡¯t be affected by his tricks."

    "As for breaking in, hehe!"

    He looked at Lu Tao.

    Lu Tao coughed and said, "I used to work for a locksmithpany. I¡¯m very familiar with these things. I can unlock most of themon locks on the market!"

    Hearing this, Fang Yuqing and the others almost jumped for joy.

    "Great! Once we open their security door, with so many of us, let¡¯s see how Zhang Yi resists!"

    Fang Yuqing cursed through gritted teeth.

    She had begged Zhang Yi, but he refused to let her in, humiliating her in various ways, making her hate Zhang Yi to the core!

    "When we get in, I¡¯ll shove his head into the toilet and make him eat!"

    Zhou Peng, the sycophant, eagerly added, "I¡¯ll make sure to do the honors!"

    Zhou Peng''s crudeness disgusted Fang Yuqing, but she needed him now, so she smiled, "Alright, eat more beans and onions."

    The group was cheerful and harmonious.

    They believed that with so many of them, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t be able to resist.

    They found umbres and wrapped themselves tightly, carrying tools to break in, and headed to Zhang Yi¡¯s ce.

    Zhang Yi had installed an rm system that would alert him to any movement on his floor.

    So, he knew immediately when they climbed up the stairs.

    He saw the group during the surveince, but since they were covered up, he thought it was Chen Zhenghao¡¯s group.

    "Perfect timing. I didn¡¯t finish youst time, so this time you¡¯ll learn another lesson."

    Zhang Yi sneered.

    But he still didn¡¯t n to kill Chen Zhenghao yet.

    If Chen Zhenghao died, who would clean up these scumbag neighbors?

    That would be no fun.

    The group was well-wrapped and, once near Zhang Yi¡¯s ce, opened several umbres.

    This way, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t use water or stink bombs to drive them away quickly.

    All this was information provided by Fang Yuqing.

    She naively thought that no matter how many defenses Zhang Yi had, supplies in one apartment would eventually run out.

    Using water and stink bombs would be Zhang Yi¡¯sst resort.

 Chapter 46: High Voltage

    Chapter 46: High Voltage

    The group had reached Zhang Yi¡¯s door, holding umbres. However, Dragon Security Company had installed numerous pinhole cameras on this floor.

    These cameras captured every move from various angles.

    As they approached the door, Zhang Yi saw one person pull out some shiny metal tools from his pocket and insert them into the keyhole of his security door.

    ¡°Picking the lock?¡± Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow but wasn¡¯t concerned.

    If their security door could be easily picked, then Dragon Security¡¯s professionals might as well eat dirt.

    Not only was this door world-ss,parable to a bank vault, but it also had fiveyers of defense.

    To open the outermost lock would require a top-notch locksmith.

    Moreover, Zhang Yi had installed a physical bar inside.The moreplex the mechanism, the simpler the solution. However, simple mechanisms could beplex to counter.

    For instance, Zhang Yi¡¯s door.

    Since he didn¡¯t n on going out, he had inserted a 10 cm thick steel bar inside!

    Unless hit repeatedly by a car, it couldn¡¯t be broken by human force.

    Zhang Yi had considered the possibility of someone trying to pick the lock, so he installed a particr defense system.

    Watching the surveince on the TV, Zhang Yi took out his phone, opened the control app for his safe house, and pressed a button.

    Instantly, a massive electric current surged through the security door!

    Lu Tao, who was focused on picking the lock, screamed as the powerful current coursed through his body!

    The others, terrified, quickly backed away.

    ¡°Help...help me!¡± Lu Tao, his face contorted in pain, begged hispanions.

    The powerful electric current gripped him like a vice, making it impossible to break free.

    Fang Yuqing, Zhou Peng, and the others were stunned.

    They hadn¡¯t expected this and had no suitable insting tools.

    Soon, smoke began to rise from Lu Tao¡¯s body, filling the air with the smell of burning flesh.

    ¡°Boom!¡±

    He copsed to the ground, his clothes charred, and the skin on his arms and face carbonized.

    Clearly, he was beyond saving.

    ¡°Ahhh!!!¡±

    Fang Yuqing, Lin Cainin, and the others screamed.

    Witnessing someone die before their eyes was a tremendous shock.

    Inside the room, Zhang Yi¡¯s lips curled into a slight smile.

    Oddly, he felt a sense of satisfaction.

    But who could they me?

    If they dared to target Zhang Yi, they deserved to die!

    Wang Min and the others were horrified, and their n to pick the lock had failed.

    Sun Zhichao, a longtime friend of Lu Tao, had eyes zing with anger.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, you b****rd! Get out here!¡± he yelled, smashing the iron shovel against Zhang Yi¡¯s door.

    The loud noise echoed through several floors.

    However, the heavy iron door remained undamaged.

    The surface paint chipped away, revealing the thick alloy beneath.

    Zhang Yi stood by the door, hands in his pockets, smirking. ¡°Trying to break my door? Are you looking for death?¡±

    He shook his head, sighing, ¡°Why not just live peacefully?¡±

    Hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s mocking tone, the people outside were both furious and frightened.

    Wang Min shouted, ¡°Zhang Yi, we came to discuss living together peacefully, and you killed someone! You¡¯re worse than Chen Zhenghao, a murderous devil!¡±

    Hearing a woman¡¯s voice, Zhang Yi realized it wasn¡¯t Chen Zhenghao outside.

    But he felt no remorse for killing Lu Tao; people like him deserved to die.

    After thinking for a moment, he figured out who was outside.

    It had to be Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin¡¯s group!

    They were the only ones who knew howfortable Zhang Yi¡¯s house was.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s face darkened as he angrily shouted, ¡°Pretending to be righteous? You came to my house, tried to break in, and wanted to rob me. You deserved to die!¡±

    ¡°How dare you bark here like dogs! It¡¯s hrious!¡±

    Sun Zhichao pretended to stay calm.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, we mean no harm. We just want to talk.¡±

    ¡°But you killed our good friend Lu Tao without warning. Isn¡¯t that too much?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you owe us an exnation?¡±

    Zhang Yiughed heartily.

    ¡°Just here to talk? Breaking in without invitation, picking my lock, and you call that talking?¡±

    ¡°Hah, after breaking in, you¡¯d probably kill me or throw me out to die.¡±

    ¡°Then you¡¯d enjoy the safe house I prepared, right?¡±

    The group exchanged nces, realizing Zhang Yi had guessed their intentions.

    Sun Zhichao¡¯s frown deepened. His friend¡¯s gruesome death fueled his hatred for Zhang Yi.

    But breaking in was now their priority.

    He took a deep breath and shouted, ¡°Zhang Yi, this is yourst chance! Open the door and let us in. Otherwise, you¡¯ll face consequences you can¡¯t handle!¡±

    Fang Yuqing also shouted, ¡°Zhang Yi, we won¡¯t hurt you. We just want to live together and against this disaster. Don¡¯t be ungrateful!¡±

    Lin Cainin added, ¡°Yes, we¡¯ll even let you stay in the master bedroom and use the supplies first!¡±

    They were extremely anxious.

    Just a wall away was paradise, and they had waited long enough.

    Zhang Yi scoffed at their words.

    ¡°Are you insane? This apartment is mine, yet you act like it¡¯s yours.¡±

    ¡°Bring it on. Let¡¯s see if you can break in!¡±

    As he spoke, Zhang Yi readied his pistol and crossbow.

    The hunt was about to begin.

    Through the surveince, he could see everything outside and even hear their whispered discussions.

    The group gathered to discuss their next move.

    The most timid, Ge Jialiang, nervously asked, ¡°What do we do? Lu Tao is dead. We can¡¯t pick the lock. Should we retreat? We don¡¯t want to attract Chen Zhenghao¡¯s attention.¡±

    Sun Zhichao retorted, ¡°What are you afraid of? We¡¯re on the 24th floor. Chen Zhenghao¡¯s group would be exhausted climbing up here. If they want to kill and rob, they¡¯ll start with the lower floors.¡±

    Wang Min, looking severe, said, ¡°Zhang Yi is really tough. It¡¯s like he knew the apocalypse wasing and prepared thoroughly.¡±

 Chapter 47: Tetanus Arrows

    Chapter 47: Tetanus Arrows

    Indeed, some people started noticing the peculiarities of Zhang Yi.

    In this frozen apocalypse, everyone was starving and freezing. Even those who had stocked up supplies were living miserably.

    Yet, he was well-fed and warm, even having installed a firece in Tianhai City, a southern city.

    With his sturdy security door, it was clear he had prepared for such a situation.

    Zhou Peng scowled and angrily said, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, Zhang Yi is even more detestable! He knew about the snow disaster but didn¡¯t warn his neighbors and only took care of himself!¡±

    ¡°Pah!¡±

    He spat fiercely.

    Holding a personal grudge against Zhang Yi, Zhou Peng never missed an opportunity to defame him.Wang Min and the others still frowned, ignoring Zhou Peng.

    If it were them, they¡¯d prioritize themselves and their families, too, not caring about others¡¯ survival!

    ¡°The problem is, what do we do next? Picking the lock didn¡¯t work. Can we break the door down?¡± Wang Min asked, looking at Zhou Peng, Sun Zhichao, and Ge Jialiang.

    These three were the few men in their group, and they would be the main force if they had to break down the door.

    They murmured and discussed for a while.

    Through the surveince, Zhang Yi saw them leave the staircase.

    Holding a gun in his left hand and a crossbow in his right, he leisurely watched them go.

    He could have acted and killed two people, but he wasn¡¯t in a hurry. Life had been too dull; he needed some excitement.

    He wanted to see how they nned to break down the door.

    This was also preparation for dealing with more difficult people in the future.

    After a while, they returned.

    This time, they carried arge, thick wooden beam.

    It looked like it was dismantled from a bed.

    The women held umbres to prevent Zhang Yi from pouring cold water on them.

    The three men hoisted the beam and rammed it against the door with a loud ¡°Duang!¡±

    The sound was loud, and Zhang Yi could feel the walls trembling.

    But he wasn¡¯t worried. The 20 cm thick steel door wouldn¡¯t break unless the Hulk was on the other side.

    Zhou Peng, Sun Zhichao, and Ge Jialiang put all their strength into it.

    Zhang Yi just sat on the sofa, watching them ram the door, asionally checking his house¡¯s status through the mobile app.

    The app, designed by Dragon Security Company, allowed users to monitor their home¡¯s status at all times.

    He didn¡¯t let his guard down, holding his weapons steadily, ready to act if necessary.

    However, despite their efforts, the door remained intact after several minutes, with only some white marks and no dents.

    After five minutes, the group was utterly dumbfounded.

    ¡°How thick is this door?¡±

    ¡°Even bank vault doors aren¡¯t this strong!¡±

    ¡°Who uses such a door at home?¡±

    Sun Zhichao and the others were nearly desperate, roaring in frustration.

    The sight of this on the surveince made Zhang Yi smile, feeling reassured about his safe house''s quality.

    ¡°Alright, time to teach you a lesson.¡±

    Zhang Yi stood up, put the gun in his pocket, and opened an iron box.

    Inside were 20 crossbow bolts, all covered in rust.

    These alloy bolts were hard to rust, but Zhang Yi had deliberately made them rusty.

    A slight scratch could cause tetanus.

    In this medical-less environment, it wouldn¡¯t kill quickly but would cause infections and festering wounds.

    Anyone hit by these bolts would either have to amputate to survive or die in extreme pain.

    Zhang Yi learned this trick from Chen Zhenghao.

    Although Chen Zhenghao survived with a crippled leg, Zhang Yi wondered how he¡¯d survive another tetanus arrow.

    With a devilish grin, Zhang Yi climbed to the shooting hole.

    Fang Yuqing and the others, holding umbres, couldn¡¯t see what was happening below.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t care; he just shot at the umbres.

    If they died, so be it. If not, even better!

    ¡°Whoosh!¡±

    The first tetanus arrow pierced an umbre, followed by a blood-curdling scream.

    Without waiting, Zhang Yi quickly loaded a second arrow and shot without aiming since they were all clustered together.

    Another scream followed the second shot.

    Zhang Yi calmly reloaded, drawing the bow again.

    The group finally realized what was happening, screaming and scattering.

    Zhang Yi, unhurried, aimed and shot at their arms and legs, avoiding vital areas.

    Out of the remaining six, three were hit, and one was shot twice.

    Due to the slow reloading speed of the crossbow, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t shoot them all before they escaped his line of sight.

    He shrugged.

    No matter; those hits were already as good as dead, destined to die painfully.

    As for the rest, Zhang Yi had all the time to y with them slowly.

    Time was on Zhang Yi¡¯s side.

    Even now, he didn¡¯t open the door to finish them off, remaining cautious.

    Not even a one in ten thousand chance of injury was worth the risk for Zhang Yi.

    ¡°The only issue is the consumption of crossbow bolts.¡±

    Zhang Yi frowned, thinking ahead.

    He had bought 300 crossbow bolts and 300 arrows.

    After each use, retrieving them was difficult.

    Though he still had plenty left, foresight was essential.

    After some thought, he had an idea.

    He opened his storage space and rummaged through it, quickly finding what he needed.

    The warehouse had many ball bearings that could be fired from the crossbow.

    Even toy ss marbles could be lethal when shot from a professional-grade crossbow.

    If he ran out of crossbow bolts, there were plenty of metal items in the storage that could be modified.

    Zhang Yi felt relieved.

    ¡°With these, I canst a lifetime!¡±

    While Zhang Yi felt at ease, others were in misery.

    Fang Yuqing and her group initially nned to rob Zhang Yi¡¯s house by force.

    Instead, they ended up losing one person and had three others hit by tetanus arrows, fleeing in disgrace.

    They didn¡¯t even dare to retrieve Lu Tao¡¯s body.

 Chapter 48: Without Medicine, Death is Certain

    Chapter 48: Without Medicine, Death is Certain

    Fang Yuqing, Wang Min, Sun Zhichao, and the others fled back like defeated dogs.

    Once inside, they shut the door and all copsed, drenched in cold sweat, gasping for breath.

    The injured, in particr, were in agony, biting their lips as theyy on the sofa.

    Zhang Yi''s arrows had hit Sun Zhichao, Zhou Peng, and Ge Jialiang.

    After all, they were the main attackers closest to Zhang Yi''s door.

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin, having experienced Zhang Yi''s methods before, stood further back and were unscathed.

    Thus, among the seven who went, the three men were either dead or hit by tetanus arrows.

    Initially, due to the extreme cold, they didn¡¯t feel much pain.But once home, enduring the intense cold, they had to grit their teeth to remove their clothes.

    Seeing the wounds, their faces turned pale!

    If it were ordinary arrows, they could pull them out, disinfect with alcohol, and take some anti-inmmatory medicine.

    But these arrows were rusty!

    Without antibiotics, an infection in this environment meant a horrible death.

    "No, no! How could this happen?"

    Sun Zhichao''s pupils contracted in terror, understanding the implications as fear of death enveloped him.

    ¡°p!¡±

    A sharp sound echoed as Wang Min pped Fang Yuqing hard.

    The injured were her close friends and rtives.

    All this was because Fang Yuqing persuaded them to rob Zhang Yi¡¯s house.

    How could she not be furious?

    ¡°Bitch, it¡¯s all your fault!¡±

    ¡°You said his door was just strong! Why are there arrows? Did you know this and stand back on purpose? Why are you unharmed?¡±

    Wang Min, taller and stronger than Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin, terrified Fang Yuqing with her p.

    Fang Yuqing covered her face, tears of grievance streaming down.

    "I didn¡¯t know! Thest two times we went, he didn¡¯t use arrows."

    Zhou Peng, hit in the arm, saw his beloved being hit by his cousin and hurried over to protect her.

    "Cousin, don¡¯t! I can testify, Yuqing really didn¡¯t know!"

    Wang Min was furious with her cousin¡¯s stupidity.

    She pointed at Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin, "Then why are they unharmed? I saw them stand far back!"

    Lin Cainin, displeased, muttered, "Weren¡¯t you unharmed too? How can you use us?"

    Wang Min, enraged, cursed, "I was just lucky! We¡¯re all in this mess because of you two. Get out!"

    Sun Zhichao, however, stopped Wang Min, signaling her with a look.

    ¡°We¡¯re injured and need care.¡±

    He whispered.

    He didn¡¯t want to die, but the arrows had to be removed, and they had to pray not to get infected.

    Wang Min¡¯s chest heaved with rage, ring at Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin.

    ¡°Help them!¡±

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin, eyes shing with resentment, still went to tend to the injured.

    Seeing the arrow wounds, their faces turned pale.

    Zhang Yi''s arrows were professional-grade, capable of hunting wild boars and wolves.

    Embedded deeply in human flesh, removing them was a considerable risk.

    They had no professional medical personnel or equipment, making treatment impossible.

    One wrong move could lead to massive bleeding and death.

    Wang Min thought for a moment and said, ¡°We need to call Dr. Zhou for help!¡±

    She meant Zhou Ke¡¯er.

    Previously, Lin Xiaohu¡¯s ruptured liver was saved by her.

    Wang Min stepped aside to call Zhou Ke¡¯er.

    Soon, Zhou Ke¡¯er arrived.

    Wang Min rushed over, gripping her hands excitedly.

    ¡°Dr. Zhou, our lives depend on you!¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er, in a long ck down jacket, still couldn¡¯t hide her tall, slender figure.

    She carried an iron medical box on her shoulder.

    Seeing the injuries, her brow furrowed.

    ¡°Arrow wounds again?¡±

    Wang Min, curious, asked, "Again? Who else got shot?"

    A flicker of unease crossed Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s face.

    ¡°No one, just patients at the hospital before.¡±

    Wang Min found it odd but had no time to dwell on it.

    ¡°Dr. Zhou, please, help them quickly!¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er said no more and checked the injuries.

    By now, their faces were deathly pale.

    With the arrows stuck, they couldn¡¯t stop the bleeding, and in temperatures of minus sixty or seventy degrees, it was deadly.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er frowned, ¡°Their wounds are too deep! Without professional equipment, I can¡¯t guarantee a sessful surgery.¡±

    Wang Min urged, ¡°Dr. Zhou, please do it! We trust you.¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er shook her head.

    ¡°The arrows are rusty. This will cause infections.¡±

    ¡°I can only remove the arrows, but without antibiotics, they will get infected. And then¡­¡±

    She didn¡¯t finish, but everyone understood.

    In this environment, infection meant certain death!

    Wang Min¡¯s tears flowed. Sun Zhichao and the others were her close friends, and Zhou Peng her cousin.

    In the apocalypse, people were already insecure.

    Losing so many loved ones in one day would be unbearable!

    "That Zhang Yi is so cruel! He did it on purpose. How could he be so vicious?"

    "Even if we took his house, we wouldn¡¯t kill him!"

    Wang Min cursed in grief.

    ¡°Zhang Yi?¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er recalled meeting him.

    She remembered him as a sunny, handsome man.

    But her cold nature meant they didn¡¯t interact much.

    ¡°Anyway, without medicine, removing the arrows still poses a great risk. I hope you understand.¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er said calmly.

    In this apocalypse, everyone had to be prepared to die at any moment.

    Suddenly, Fang Yuqing seemed to remember something.

    Excitedly, she said, ¡°Medicine? I remember Zhang Yi has some!¡±

 Chapter 49: Shamelessly Begging Zhang Yi for Medicine

    Chapter 49: Shamelessly Begging Zhang Yi for Medicine

    Hearing that Zhang Yi had medicine, Wang Min and Sun Zhichao immediately became excited!

    When facing death, people grasp at any straw to save their lives.

    Struggling, Sun Zhichao asked, ¡°Is it true? Does he really have medicine?¡±

    Wang Min red at Fang Yuqing, ¡°You better not be lying! Because of you, several of us are seriously injured.¡±

    Hearing Zhang Yi''s name now sent shivers down her spine.

    Fang Yuqing exined, ¡°About a month ago, Zhang Yi suddenly changed. He started hoarding supplies like crazy.¡±

    ¡°Every day, I saw trucks delivering things to his home.¡±

    ¡°One time, I saw a medicalpany''s trucke to ourmunity, and Zhang Yi went to receive it.¡±¡°They carried tworge boxes into his house. They must have been filled with medicine!¡±

    Hearing this, Zhou Ke¡¯er also said, ¡°Antibiotics aren¡¯t rare. If he foresaw the disaster and stockpiled supplies, he would definitely have a lot of antibiotics and anti-inmmatory drugs.¡±

    As a doctor, Zhou Ke¡¯er was confident in this assessment.

    Seeing a glimmer of hope for survival, Sun Zhichao¡¯s eyes shone with a crazed light.

    ¡°Then go to Zhang Yi and make him give us the medicine to save my life!¡±

    ¡°He caused my injury, so he must save me!¡±

    Wang Min, biting her lip, looked conflicted.

    ¡°But after what just happened, he probably hates us. Why would he give us medicine?¡±

    Ge Jialiang, writhing in pain on the sofa, groaned, ¡°Oh, I feel like I¡¯m dying.¡±

    ¡°Think of something! Go beg Zhang Yi, you must save us!¡±

    Fang Yuqing added, ¡°We didn¡¯t hurt him. We even nned to leave some supplies for him after breaking in.¡±

    ¡°Instead, he didn¡¯t appreciate our kindness and attacked us. We are the righteous ones, what¡¯s there to fear?¡±

    Hearing their words, Zhou Ke''er understood what had happened, but her eyes filled with disbelief.

    But this matter didn¡¯t concern her, so she didn¡¯tment.

    She opened her medical box, taking out gauze to stop the bleeding for the injured.

    Her medical supplies were almost gone.

    She had kept a small amount of emergency supplies at home, not much.

    In recent days, she had helped several neighbors, depleting her stock.

    If Wang Min and the others couldn¡¯t get medicine, she might only be able to remove the arrows and bandage the wounds.

    At the very least...she could make their deaths less painful.

    Despite their bold talk, they still believed they were in the right.

    They were just trying to survive, so how could that be wrong?

    Zhang Yi was to me for being too selfish. Why should he enjoy such good living conditions alone?

    After a moment of thought, Wang Min pointed at Fang Yuqing, ¡°You¡¯re the best person for this! I know Zhang Yi pursued you before, so you¡¯re the most suitable.¡±

    Sun Zhichao and Ge Jialiang weakly agreed.

    After all, it was Fang Yuqing who told them about Zhang Yi¡¯s situation and assured them that his defenses were weak, leading them to risk everything foolishly.

    Although Zhou Peng was reluctant to send Fang Yuqing to beg Zhang Yi, the intense pain in his arm and the threat of death made him side with Wang Min.

    He said to Fang Yuqing, ¡°Yuqing, we¡¯re a team, right? Please, just this once. We all need to survive to protect you.¡±

    Fang Yuqing was conflicted, and deeply unwilling.

    After all, Zhang Yi had humiliated her before.

    But now she had no choice.

    Her connection with Zhou Peng allowed her to join this group.

    Otherwise, a fragile woman like her would be of little use against the likes of Chen Zhenghao.

    Other groups wouldn¡¯t choose to take her in.

    Even if they did, she might end up as a ything.

    In the apocalypse, a woman with no skills other than being pretty and coquettish was cheap.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er took out her surgical knife. With limited resources, sterilization was impossible.

    Even alcoholmps would freeze at these temperatures.

    Besides, without medicine, sterilization was meaningless.

    She had Sun Zhichao bite on a towel, and then started extracting the arrow.

    Without anesthesia, the procedure soon filled the room with screams like those of a ughtered pig. Sun Zhichao nearly bit through the towel!

    The horrific scene terrified everyone, hastening Fang Yuqing¡¯s plea for medicine from Zhang Yi.

    With no choice, Fang Yuqing dialed Zhang Yi''s WeChat voice call.

    ¡°Buzz...buzz...buzz...¡±

    Zhang Yi, at home, was about to eat something.

    Strangely, despite killing for the first time, he felt remarkably calm.

    There was no fear, only a sense of triumphant revenge.

    This pleased him. In the apocalypse, such a mindset was essential for survival.

    He had feared vomiting or losing sleep.

    But having experienced more crises than anyone else, little could shake his mental state.

    When the phone rang, Zhang Yi, intrigued, saw it was Fang Yuqing calling. His eyes widened with a surprised smile.

    ¡°Oh? After such a beating, calling to curse me out?¡±

    Zhang Yi answered without hesitation.

    The worse their situation, the happier he was.

    He put it on speaker and continued making lunch in the kitchen.

    ¡°Hello, how may I help you?¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s voice was gentle as if he hadn¡¯t just killed Lu Tao or shot arrows at Sun Zhichao and the others.

    His calmness made Fang Yuqing and the others feel even more terrified.

    Fang Yuqing, with everyone watching, used the speakerphone.

    She pleaded, ¡°Zhang Yi, Lu Tao is dead. Zhou Peng and the others are dying from your arrows. Sob¡­¡±

    She cried pitifully, hoping to win Zhang Yi¡¯s sympathy.

    But Zhang Yi coolly said, ¡°Oh, dead is dead. We all die eventually.¡±

    Holding a knife near the microphone, he added, ¡°You don¡¯t really think you¡¯ll survive this snow disaster, do you?¡±

    His voice, like a devil''s, sent chills down Wang Min and the others¡¯ spines.

    Zhang Yi had voiced their deepest fear.

    With the city snowbound, their building was an isted ind.

    Even if they survived, for now, supplies would soon run out. If not killed by Chen Zhenghao, they¡¯d freeze or starve to death.

    Trembling, Fang Yuqing cried, ¡°Zhang Yi, I know I was wrong. It¡¯s my fault for not epting your advances. But I¡¯ve changed. Can you forgive me?¡±

 Chapter 50: Toying with the Bitch

    Chapter 50: Toying with the Bitch

    Zhang Yi asked indifferently, "What do you think?"

    Besides Fang Yuqing, Wang Min and the others nudged her to get to the point.

    Sniffling, Fang Yuqing tearfully said, "Zhang Yi, Zhou Peng and the others were badly injured by your arrows. Without medicine, they will die from infection."

    "Didn''t you stockpile a lot of medicine? Please, lend us some."

    "I... I promise we won''t bother you again!"

    Zhang Yi paused, bewildered by Fang Yuqing''s twisted logic.

    "Fang Yuqing, do you know why I used rusty arrows on them?"

    "I want them to suffer and die from the infections. That''s the whole point!""And now youe to ask me for medicine? Are you insane?"

    Zhang Yiughed mockingly.

    Fang Yuqing and the others understood this. But if they didn''t shamelessly beg Zhang Yi, they could only watch theirpanions die.

    The three men¡ªZhou Peng, Sun Zhichao, and Ge Jialiang¡ªwere their hope for survival.

    Crying, Fang Yuqing pleaded, "Zhang Yi, we were wrong. Please, spare them this time. We promise never to trouble you again."

    "And in these tough times, we should help each other."

    "Don''t be so heartless. Wouldn''t their deaths make you feel worse?"

    Before she finished, Zhang Yi firmly said, "No, I feel great."

    Fang Yuqing was at a loss for words.

    Wang Min, desperate, approached Zhang Yi, "Zhang Yi, I¡¯m Wang Min. Do you remember? I even treated you to a meal before!"

    Zhang Yi rolled his eyes.

    Previously, Wang Min had asked for his help to get a batch of goods from the warehouse at a low price. Zhang Yi had indeed had a meal with her but hadter helped her make a substantial profit.

    "Do you think that matters?" Zhang Yi sneered.

    Wang Min swallowed hard, hearing Zhou Peng¡¯s screams from the living room.

    Zhang Yi, relishing their misery, wished he could see their wretched faces.

    Wang Min continued, "Zhang Yi, we¡¯re all struggling to survive, and there¡¯s also Chen Zhenghao, a dangerous thug. We should leave room for future aid."

    "If you give us medicine this time, I, Wang Min, will remember your kindness and repay you."

    Zhang Yi dismissed her, "Kindness? Do you think I¡¯m an idiot?"

    "Those idiots were hurt by me, and you¡¯ve got a corpse at my door."

    "No matter what I do, we¡¯re enemies. Helping you would only invite future revenge. That¡¯sughable!"

    Wang Min tried to exin, "We aren¡¯t that kind of people!"

    "Enough! This is pointless."

    Zhang Yi clicked his tongue. "Whether you are or not doesn¡¯t matter. What matters is I don¡¯t believe you, so I won¡¯t help."

    Saving those who want to harm you? That¡¯s pure naivety. No matter how persuasive they were, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t waver.

    Seeing Zhang Yi unmoved, the group grew desperate.

    Wang Min, eyebrows raised in anger, said, "Zhang Yi, don¡¯t push us too far! If you force us into a corner, we don¡¯t know what we might do!"

    Zhang Yi sneered, "Haven¡¯t you already tried everything?"

    "If you had the capability, you¡¯d have broken in, killed me, and taken everything already."

    "I¡¯m not scared of threats."

    Fang Yuqing grabbed the phone, tearfully saying, "Zhang Yi, do we have to end up like this? We used to be so close."

    "Can¡¯t we let go of our grudges and start over? I¡¯ve always had feelings for you!"

    Next door, Zhou Peng bit on a towel during his surgery. Hearing this, his eyes nearly bulged out, and he groaned louder.

    Faced with such hypocrisy, Zhang Yi was impressed by her shamelessness.

    In this environment, Zhang Yi was like a rich tycoon. Gold-digging women clinging to rich men were nothing new.

    Suddenly, an evil idea crossed Zhang Yi¡¯s mind.

    He knew the others were nearby and Zhou Peng could hear their conversation.

    So Zhang Yi deliberately said, "Sigh, Yuqing, I still have feelings for you. But you hurt me too deeply before."

    This lit a spark of hope in Fang Yuqing.

    Ignoring the angry res around her, she trembled with excitement, "Yi, I knew you still cared for me!"

    "You¡¯re silly. I¡¯ve always liked you. Everything before was just a test. How could you not understand my feelings?"

    Wang Min and the others felt nauseated, while Zhou Peng was furious.

    However, they hoped that if Fang Yuqing won over Zhang Yi, they might gain ess to his house and supplies, so they stayed silent.

    "Yi, let me move in with you! I¡¯ll be your woman from now on. I¡¯ll do anything you want, okay?"

    Zhang Yi smiled slightly.

    "Alright!"

    Fang Yuqing was so excited she almost jumped, more thrilled than drinking soy milk.

    Lin Cainin quickly added, "Take me too, take me!"

    Fang Yuqing coldly nced at her,ughing inside.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s voice came through the phone again.

    "But Yuqing, I only love you. So, I can only ept you alone."

    "As for those others, you should distance yourself from them. In these hard times, we don¡¯t need a bunch of people dragging us down. Right?"

    Everyone''s faces changed.

    They had hoped Fang Yuqing would get Zhang Yi to help them all.

    But Zhang Yi¡¯s words suggested he wanted to cut ties with them.

    Fang Yuqing, too excited to care, eagerly nodded.

    "Okay, okay, everything you say. I¡¯ll listen to you!"

    "Thene over now, and leave the others behind."

    "Okay, I¡¯lle right away. Wait for me!"

    Fang Yuqing¡¯s face flushed with excitement. The thought of escaping her hellish life made her forget everything else.

    She ran toward the door.

    Wang Min and the others, filled with rage, watched as Fang Yuqing prepared to leave them for Zhang Yi.

    Lin Cainin grabbed her, "Don¡¯t leave us! I¡¯ve had enough of this life too!"

    Before Fang Yuqing could respond, Wang Min pped her hard.

    "You shameless bitch! After causing all this, you want to leave us? No way!"

 Chapter 51: No Medicine, Wait for Infection

    Chapter 51: No Medicine, Wait for Infection

    Wang Min and the others were furious.

    It was Fang Yuqing who had tempted them to attack Zhang Yi¡¯s house.

    Now, they were either dead or wounded, while she wanted to abandon them to enjoy herself? Absolutely not!

    Zhou Peng, undergoing surgery, was enraged to hear Fang Yuqing nning to go to Zhang Yi.

    ¡°Yuqing, how could you do this to me? Didn¡¯t you say you hated Zhang Yi the most?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you remember saying you wanted to be my woman?¡±

    Fang Yuqing, pped by Wang Min, covered her face but stubbornly said, ¡°Is it wrong for me to pursue my happiness? Staying with you all is only temporary. When our supplies run out, won¡¯t we all die?¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi¡¯s house is sofortable, with food and warmth. What¡¯s wrong with me going to him?¡±She looked at Zhou Peng, who was in pain, with a look that seemed to plead for understanding.

    ¡°Zhou Peng, you¡¯re a good man, and you¡¯ve always been kind to me.¡±

    ¡°But if you love someone, shouldn¡¯t you want them to be happy?¡±

    ¡°Although you¡¯ve helped me, you shouldn¡¯t stop me from seeking a better life. Can you give me more than Zhang Yi can?¡±

    Zhou Peng¡¯s face turned deathly pale, stuttering, unable to respond.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er frowned and said, ¡°Don¡¯t move! If I cut an artery, you¡¯ll die!¡±

    Wang Min, nervous, rushed over to hold Zhou Peng down.

    ¡°Cousin, don¡¯t get so angry over this wretched woman. Your life is more important!¡±

    She took a deep breath, ring at Fang Yuqing. ¡°Fang Yuqing, if you want to leave, we won¡¯t stop you. But only if Zhang Yi brings us medicine in exchange!¡±

    Lin Cainin blocked the door, raising her chin, ¡°Fang Yuqing, if you¡¯re leaving, we¡¯re going together!¡±

    Fang Yuqing red at them in frustration, turning to Zhang Yi, ¡°Yi, you heard them. They won¡¯t let me go! Why don¡¯t you give them some medicine?¡±

    Zhang Yi, enjoying the drama in his kitchen, smiled slightly, saying, ¡°Medicine is precious. How can I trust they¡¯re not lying? They might even be deceiving you.¡±

    ¡°They could hold you hostage to ckmail me!¡±

    ¡°Yuqing, we can¡¯t fall for that!¡±

    With the speakerphone on, everyone heard their conversation clearly.

    Zhou Peng yelled, ¡°Yuqing, don¡¯t believe him! He¡¯s just ying you.¡±

    Indeed, outsiders would think so.

    But Fang Yuqing, desperate in this situation, saw Zhang Yi¡¯s words as a lifeline.

    Even though she rationally knew it might not save her, she clung to it desperately.

    She nodded repeatedly, ¡°You¡¯re right, Yi.¡±

    Then she crazily lunged at Lin Cainin blocking the door.

    ¡°You vile woman, get out of my way! Don¡¯t stop me!¡±

    The two women immediately started fighting.

    Desperate to reach Zhang Yi¡¯s apartment, Fang Yuqing went berserk, tearing at Lin Cainin¡¯s hair and biting her arm.

    Lin Cainin, in pain, fought back just as fiercely.

    They fell to the ground, looking like two madwomen.

    Wang Min couldn¡¯t stand it anymore. The patients needed surgery, and their fight could jeopardize it.

    So she joined in, helping Lin Cainin subdue the hysterical Fang Yuqing.

    ¡°Ahhh!!! Let me go! Let me go! Let me go!¡±

    Fang Yuqing screamed, looking insane.

    Wang Min frowned and pped her face six or seven times.

    Fang Yuqing, dazed by the blows, finally quieted down.

    Wang Min sneered, ¡°You want to leave? Dream on!¡±

    She picked up Fang Yuqing¡¯s phone and called Zhang Yi.

    ¡°Zhang Yi. Fang Yuqing is with us. If you want to save her, bring us medicine!¡±

    Zhang Yi shrugged.

    ¡°There are too many of you. I¡¯m scared. What if you kill me?¡±

    ¡°So, Yuqing, although I want to be with you, they won¡¯t allow it! Don¡¯t me me!¡±

    Zhang Yi deliberately spoke loudly.

    Fang Yuqing, hearing this, screamed in agony, her eyes filled with hatred as she looked at Wang Min and the others.

    Zhang Yi ended the call, an evil smile on his face.

    The cruelest thing was to give the desperate a glimmer of hope, only to snatch it away.

    He had no intention of letting that bitch in; he just wanted to disgust the others.

    At worst, they might kill Fang Yuqing.

    Back in their room, Fang Yuqing wailed for a long time before her cries turned into bitter sobs.

    But she didn¡¯t hate Zhang Yi; she hated Zhou Peng and Wang Min.

    She believed that without them stopping her, she would be in Zhang Yi¡¯s house, eating fine food and enjoying a warm firece.

    Wang Min sneered at Fang Yuqing.

    She looked at Lin Cainin, who had fought against Fang Yuqing, and felt pleased. At least Lin Cainin wasn¡¯t siding with Fang Yuqing.

    Good friends turning on each other in times of crisis.

    ¡°You see, this woman only thinks of herself, never considering others. If you want to stay with us, keep an eye on her! Don¡¯t let her escape.¡±

    Wang Min coldly instructed Lin Cainin.

    Lin Cainin nodded eagerly, ¡°I will, Sister Wang!¡±

    She nced at the crying Fang Yuqing, her eyes filled with hatred, saying word by word, ¡°I won¡¯t let her run! If we suffer, she will too. Why should she alone enjoy a good life!¡±

    In the living room, Zhou Ke¡¯er finished the makeshift surgeries on the three men.

    Without sterilization or anesthesia, she could only quickly remove the rusty arrows and stop the bleeding with gauze.

    Tragically, there weren¡¯t even disinfected cotton balls, as the medical alcohol had frozen.

    The only upside was the extreme cold numbed their pain, causing them to pass out.

    But the downside was also severe; the extreme cold made their bodies prone to necrosis.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er, after cleaning her hands of blood, closed her medical kit.

    ¡°This is just a temporary fix. Without medicine, there¡¯s a high risk of infection. Be prepared.¡±

    Wang Min and the others looked hopeless.

    With Zhang Yi refusing to help, how could they get medicine?

 Chapter 52: Exposing Zhang Yiâ€™s Wealth

    Chapter 52: Exposing Zhang Yi¡¯s Wealth

    Zhou Ke¡¯er extended her hand to Wang Min.

    Naturally, she wouldn¡¯t help for free.

    Wang Min understood and handed her a pack of biscuits.

    Although not much, it was enough for Zhou Ke¡¯er to eat for two days if rationed. Zhou Ke¡¯er was satisfied and left.

    After she left, the room''s atmosphere became extremely oppressive.

    The pain from the wounds was still intense, making the three men lie on the sofa, wrapped in nkets, unwilling to move.

    Zhou Peng looked at Fang Yuqing on the floor, his eyes filled with sorrow.

    As for the others, their gazes towards her were hostile.Sun Zhichao took a deep breath, ¡°We can¡¯t just wait to die. We must get medicine from Zhang Yi! Otherwise, if the wounds get infected, we¡¯ll die horribly!¡±

    He looked at Wang Min and Lin Cainin, saying seriously, ¡°You must understand that without men to protect you, it¡¯s hard to survive in this apocalypse.¡±

    Wang Min and Lin Cainin''s faces looked grim.

    They knew Sun Zhichao was right; otherwise, Wang Min wouldn¡¯t have chosen to team up with them from the start.

    ¡°But... we have no way to deal with Zhang Yi.¡±

    Wang Min sighed deeply, filled with helplessness.

    Their forced assault had failed, costing them dearly. What other options did they have?

    Sun Zhichao, gritting his teeth against the pain, said, ¡°I have an idea. It¡¯s worth a try!¡±

    Everyone¡¯s eyes lit up, looking at Sun Zhichao.

    ¡°What idea?¡±

    ¡°If there¡¯s hope, we must try it!¡±

    ¡°Yes, waiting here is just waiting to die. We might as well take a risk!¡±

    Sun Zhichao said, ¡°Zhang Yi has a firece, which means he has a lot of fuel. And judging by his videos, he has plenty of food.¡±

    ¡°Only a few of us know this. But clearly, we can¡¯t break into Zhang Yi¡¯s house on our own.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s spread the news to the entire building!¡±

    Sun Zhichao¡¯s eyes gleamed maliciously like a cobra¡¯s.

    ¡°If we can¡¯t deal with him, a few hundred people can!¡±

    ¡°And there¡¯s that mad dog Chen Zhenghao with a gun! His gang are ruthless killers; they¡¯ll definitely go after Zhang Yi!¡±

    ¡°Once they deal with Zhang Yi, we should easily get some medicine and food.¡±

    As soon as he finished, Ge Jialiang eximed excitedly, ¡°That¡¯s a great idea! I agree!¡±

    The others quickly nodded in agreement.

    Given their current situation, they had no better options.

    Fang Yuqing suddenly started cursing at everyone, ¡°You¡¯re despicable! How can you do this?¡±

    ¡°If you ruin Zhang Yi, what will happen to me when I go live with him?¡±

    Wang Min, face cold, walked over and pped Fang Yuqing hard. Her face was already swollen like a pig¡¯s head.

    Wang Min grabbed Fang Yuqing¡¯s hair, dragging her to the bedroom amid her screams.

    Then Wang Min called out, ¡°Zhou Peng,e here and deal with her!¡±

    Zhou Peng¡¯s arm was injured, but not too severely.

    Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t aimed for vital spots; he intended for them to die slowly from infection.

    So, Zhou Peng was still capable of physical activity.

    Hearing Wang Min¡¯smand, Zhou Peng hesitated, ¡°Cousin, isn¡¯t this wrong? I really like her. How can I hurt her?¡±

    Fang Yuqing trembled on the bed, pleading for mercy.

    ¡°No, you can¡¯t do this to me! Zhou Peng, didn¡¯t you say you love me?¡±

    Wang Min spat, ¡°You little vixen, causing us so much pain. Letting you sleep with my cousin is a favor!¡±

    She said to Zhou Peng, ¡°Don¡¯t be foolish! This woman is cheap and has probably slept with many men.¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t your goal to sleep with her? Here¡¯s your chance. Afterward, let¡¯s see if she can still fool you!¡±

    Wang Min knew how to deal with Fang Yuqing.

    Once Zhou Peng slept with her, his infatuation would fade.

    Zhou Peng shouted and rushed into the bedroom, pushing Wang Min aside.

    ¡°Don¡¯t talk about her like that! I truly love Yuqing, and I won¡¯t force her!¡±

    He stood with his neck stiff.

    Wang Min, furious, pointed at Zhou Peng, unable to speak.

    ¡°You useless simp!¡±

    She underestimated the loyalty of a simp.

    Zhou Peng said, ¡°No, I¡¯m not a simp! Yuqing is genuinely good to me. I believe if I win her over with time, she¡¯ll love me!¡±

    He turned and gave Fang Yuqing what he thought was a charming smile.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. I¡¯m here.¡±

    He remembered when he first came to the city, young and alone, with just a middle school education. People looked down on him.

    Only Fang Yuqing had been kind, even letting him help her move things.

    During his lonely times, she gave him a chance to treat her to meals.

    That trust warmed his heart.

    He¡¯d rather hurt himself than Fang Yuqing. Even after her harsh words, he med Zhang Yi, thinking Fang Yuqing was just deceived.

    He believed that if he waited patiently, she would realize he was the best man for her.

    Seeing Zhou Peng¡¯s silly smile, Fang Yuqing felt relieved.

    Though letting him have his way wouldn¡¯t be a big deal, she still found him disgusting.

    The others, seeing Zhou Peng¡¯s simping, were speechless.

    But now, their focus was on uniting the others to against Zhang Yi.

    So they ignored Zhou Peng.

    ...

    Wang Min and the others decided to expose Zhang Yi¡¯s stockpile to everyone.

    Using collective strength, they nned to break into Zhang Yi¡¯s house.

    Only by doing so could they get the medicine and save Sun Zhichao and the others.

    Wang Min posted Zhang Yi¡¯s videos and photos in the chat group.

    She wanted Chen Zhenghao to see them too.

    Wang Min: ¡°Guys, did you know someone is living sofortably? This selfish behavior is utterly shameless!¡±

    ¡°These videos were taken at Zhang Yi¡¯s ce recently. Think about how we¡¯ve been living, and look at his life! Is this fair?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s discuss how to handle this.¡±

    Usually, this group was silent, with only Chen Zhenghao asionally threatening the neighbors.

    Wang Min¡¯s posts quickly grabbed everyone¡¯s attention.

    Neighbors eagerly watched the videos.

    Seeing the luxurious life in the videos, everyone was almost driven mad with excitement!

    ¡°He¡¯s wearing pajamas inside? It¡¯s over minus seventy degrees in our ce. How does he stay warm?¡±

    ¡°They have lights on at night! Where¡¯s the electricitying from?¡±

    ¡°Are these recent videos? Aren¡¯t they from before?¡±

    Some doubted.

    Everyone was starving and freezing; it was unimaginable that someone could eat hot meals and live in a warm house.

 Chapter 53: Neighbors Begging Zhang Yi

    Chapter 53: Neighbors Begging Zhang Yi

    Wang Min immediately said, "I can assure everyone that these videos were taken recently."

    "Zhang Yi¡¯s home is well-stocked with all kinds of supplies, whether it¡¯s food or fuel. So he¡¯s living a life like heaven!"

    Lin Cainin also spoke up, "That¡¯s right, I can confirm it! I helped him when he went to the supermarket to buy things."

    "He bought so many things for his home, don¡¯t you all remember?"

    Lin Cainin¡¯s words sparked many memories.

    "Yes, there were trucksing and going at Zhang Yi¡¯s house all the time. I didn¡¯t know what he was up to."

    "Could he have known about the snow disaster in advance? That¡¯s outrageous! He didn¡¯t even warn us!"

    "Zhang Yi is so immoral! How could he do something so hical?""We¡¯ve been neighbors for years, living together. He¡¯s too selfish!"

    Everyone was filled with righteous indignation, ming all their current suffering on Zhang Yi.

    They didn¡¯t consider that even if Zhang Yi had warned them about the apocalypse, would they have believed him?

    Of course, they didn¡¯t think about that. They just felt Zhang Yi owed them.

    Immediately, someone said, "Zhang Yi must be held ountable for this!"

    "Yeah, why should we suffer while he lives the good life?"

    "He has so much food, fuel, medicine, and energy. He must share it with all of us."

    "We¡¯re suffering; he should bear the main responsibility!"

    All the neighbors were red-eyed.

    They couldn¡¯t tolerate the current situation.

    If everyone was suffering, it would be tolerable.

    Why should they live like dogs while he enjoys paradise?

    No, if they had to die, everyone should die together!

    Chen Zhenghao and his men also saw the videos in the group chat.

    Chen Zhenghao¡¯s eyes turned red.

    "Zhang Yi, you dog! How dare you live sofortably!"

    One of Chen Zhenghao¡¯s legs was crippled, all thanks to Zhang Yi.

    Among the residents, he hated Zhang Yi the most.

    He hadn¡¯t continued attacking Zhang Yi because Zhang Yi¡¯s apartment was too hard to break into, and he¡¯d suffered a loss. He wouldn¡¯t act unless necessary; besides, he didn¡¯t know Zhang Yi had so many resources!

    If he had known, he would have risked his life to attack Zhang Yi.

    The group chat quickly filled with over a hundred messages.

    Many people started tagging Zhang Yi, demanding an exnation.

    "@Zhang Yi, Zhang Yi, we¡¯re all suffering, freezing and starving. You have so much food and fuel. Share some with us!"

    "Yeah, we¡¯ll remember your kindness. Don¡¯t be ungrateful."

    "Zhang Yi, we¡¯ve been neighbors for years. You can¡¯t just watch us die!"

    "Zhang Yi, I¡¯m Aunt Wang from the 20th floor. Remember, I lent you two green onions before? We have such a good rtionship; you should give us some supplies!"

    "Brother Zhang, it¡¯s me, Liu Wenqiang. We¡¯re like brothers! Let me stay with you. It¡¯s dangerous out here, and I can protect you."

    ...

    They came with moral coercion, begging, and reasoning¡ªall demanding Zhang Yi share his supplies.

    Messages popped up continuously, and Zhang Yi noticed them.

    Everyone in the group demanded he share his supplies, but Zhang Yi just watched coldly, not in a hurry to respond.

    He wanted to see how amusing their true faces could be.

    Aunt Lin said, "Zhang Yi, I¡¯m themunitymittee director! And I¡¯m the elder of this building. I¡¯ll decide how to distribute the supplies!"

    Another, a mother named Xie Limei, said, "Zhang Yi, my baby and I are starving. You praised my baby before. Save us! I¡¯ll let the baby call you godfather. Even... if you have other demands, I can agree."

    The wealthy heir, Xu Hao, said, "Zhang Yi, let me stay with you. I¡¯ll give you all my assets! No, my father is dead; our family¡¯s billions in assets are all yours!"

    After watching this drama for a long time, Zhang Yi slowly typed a single word.

    "Oh?"

    That single word made everyone even more excited.

    The moral coercion continued, and the begging became more desperate.

    After a while, Zhang Yi calmly asked, "Are we even close? Why should I share my things with you?"

    At this point, everyone was on the brink of despair.

    Reasoning with them was pointless.

    To survive, they were ready to abandon all moral boundaries.

    Zhang Yi knew this and had no intention of reasoning with them.

    He simply wanted to y with them.

    His gaze turned wicked, remembering the scene from his previous life.

    Back then, he had opened his door out of kindness.

    Then, these neighbors had rushed in, struck him with an axe, and, before he was even dead, started tearing him apart and eating him!

    He wanted revenge.

    So he would toy with these pathetic yet hateful people to his heart¡¯s content!

    Immediately, someone in the group got angry.

    "Zhang Yi, how can you say that? We¡¯ve been neighbors for years; mutual help is the right thing!"

    "What¡¯s the point of you surviving alone? Young people shouldn¡¯t just lie around enjoying themselves; you should think about others!"

    "If you hadn¡¯t kept this to yourself and hoarded supplies, we wouldn¡¯t be in this situation!"

    "Right, we¡¯re suffering because of you. You must atone!"

    ...

    Zhang Yi replied, "Oh."

    "And then?"

    More pleas, threats, and insults followed.

    They were like shipwreck survivors in the icy waters of the North Antic, surrounded by sharks.

    Then they saw a small fishing boat nearby.

    The boatman was leisurely enjoying hotpot and singing as he rowed past.

    Desperately, they swam over, begging to be pulled aboard.

    The closer they were to the edge of despair and hope, the more their minds copsed, revealing their twisted nature.

    Watching their distorted faces, Zhang Yi smiled, taking out a bottle of Grange from his wine cooler and some top-grade French foie gras from his space.

    Red wine and foie gras were a perfect match.

    The bitterness of the foie gras and the tannic astringency of the winebined to create a delightful vor.

    This allowed even Chinese people unustomed to red wine to appreciate its taste.

    While eating foie gras and drinking red wine, Zhang Yi watched his neighbors¡¯ desperate performance.

    Some sent him private messages, and some even called him.

    Zhang Yi opened each message with interest.

    Mother Xie Limei: "Zhang Yi, please save me and my baby! If you let us stay with you, you can do anything you want to me."

    College student Zhang Siyu: "Brother Zhang Yi, I¡¯m still young. I don¡¯t want to die. Take me in! Just give me something to eat."

    Many other women, including those with husbands, sent private messages.

    They knew the current market value and understood that money couldn¡¯t sway Zhang Yi.

    So they all offered their bodies in exchange for Zhang Yi¡¯s protection, hoping to get some food at least.

 Chapter 54: Zhou Keer

    Chapter 54: Zhou Ke''er

    How did Zhang Yi react to the messages from the female residents?

    He simply treated them as entertaining little stories and didn¡¯t bother to reply.

    Some daring ones even sent him private selfies, but Zhang Yi nced at them without much interest.

    These women were overly confident. A few looked decent, but most were average.

    Unlike professional influencers who knew how to pose, these women had little appeal.

    Testing men with this?

    What men could resist such a test?

    As for the male residents, it was even more straightforward.Some addressed him as a brother, asking for help. Others were elderly, morally coercing Zhang Yi to take care of them.

    The most disgusting was a gay man whose requests Zhang Yi didn¡¯t even want to discuss.

    After scrolling through the messages, Zhang Yi felt bored.

    He ced his phone on a stand in front of him, waiting for some more creative ideas to pop up.

    Then hey on the sofa, drinking red wine and eating foie gras, admiring the beautiful snow outside.

    Half a month had passed, and the snow hadn¡¯t stopped.

    The entire city was covered in snow. ording to Zhang Yi¡¯s memory, after a month, everything below the west building would be buried.

    How long it would snow, he wasn¡¯t sure.

    But he had no reason to go outside.

    People ventured out searching for survival, but now no one knew where they could survive¡ªexcept Zhang Yi.

    Hezily mused to himself, ¡°Staying home every day is boring. Maybe I should go out for a bit?¡±

    Once most people in the building died, he could go out and explore.

    Zhang Yi remembered he had several snowmobiles in his warehouse.

    These were meant to be delivered to a nearby city for use at an artificial snow park.

    So, even if the snow outside was ten meters deep, he had a way out.

    ¡°Though I can''t leave now, with this method, I can go out safelyter.¡±

    Feeling tempted, Zhang Yi considered it.

    Staying home all the time could get boring; going out to rx might be nice.

    He had state-level cold-resistant clothing and snowmobiles, so he wasn¡¯t afraid of minus sixty or seventy degrees.

    Zhang Yi continued to scroll through the neighbors¡¯ messages out of boredom.

    Among them, one caught his attention.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s message wasn¡¯t about pleading or sending private photos.

    She calmly proposed a trade.

    "Mr. Zhang, our food and medicine are running low. I hope you can provide some help. In return, I can offer medical assistance."

    ¡°Zhou Ke¡¯er?¡±

    Zhang Yi quickly recalled her appearance.

    She was a doctor at Tianhai City¡¯s First People¡¯s Hospital, 26 years old, tall and slender, about 175 cm.

    What impressed Zhang Yi most was not her cool, ascetic beauty but her impressive figure with a 36D bust.

    Especially in winter, when she wore ck sweaters, her figure was hard to ignore in the elevator.

    ¡°No wonder she¡¯s a doctor. Very rational. Not begging for charity, but proposing a trade.¡±

    Zhang Yi appreciated Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s approach.

    In the apocalypse, only valuable people deserved to survive.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er showed her value through her medical skills.

    Without certain abilities, she couldn¡¯t have worked at Tianhai City¡¯s top hospital.

    In the apocalypse, medical skills were crucial.

    Although Zhang Yi had prepared many medicines and studied this area, he wasn¡¯t arrogant enough to think he could handle all diseases.

    Having a doctor around would significantly enhance his chances of survival.

    Moreover, Zhang Yi had assessed Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s character.

    In his previous life, she died after giving food to Xie Limei.

    Whether out ofplete despair or genuine kindness, Zhang Yi saw a glimmer of humanity in her.

    Adjusting his posture, Zhang Yi pondered aloud, ¡°Maybe I should keep her around to take care of me and my little brothers?¡±

    ¡°While I¡¯m livingfortably, my brothers aren¡¯t doing so well. That¡¯s a problem.¡±

    Zhang Yi was a young man with needs. In a world where morals andws had copsed, people didn¡¯t need to suppress their desires.

    ¡°Hahaha!¡±

    Zhang Yi suddenlyughed, pping the armrest.

    ¡°I¡¯m tempted, but unfortunately, I¡¯m very afraid of dying. Although Zhou Ke¡¯er is a good candidate, withoutplete control over her, I can¡¯t let her in.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s wait and see!¡±

    ¡°Survivors will appear eventually. With my resources, finding good doctors and women won¡¯t be hard.¡±

    Zhang Yi was pragmatic, a man who had died once.

    He replied to Zhou Ke¡¯er, ¡°I¡¯m healthy now and don¡¯t need a doctor. But I do have plenty of medicine and food.¡±

    ¡°If you want to trade, offer something useful to me.¡±

    No matter how beautiful or talented she was, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t let her take advantage of him.

    He never made a losing deal.

    After a long silence, Zhou Ke¡¯er replied.

    ¡°Can it be an advance payment? I... I really can¡¯t hold on any longer.¡±

    Her tone carried hesitation and shame.

    It was clear that, without other options, she wouldn¡¯t easily plead with a man she barely knew.

    After pondering, Zhang Yi responded, ¡°I can give you food and medicine. But you have to do me a favor.¡±

    ¡°What favor?¡± Zhou Ke¡¯er asked.

    Zhang Yi said, ¡°The neighbors are likely to attack me. If you find out their ns, inform me.¡±

    Zhang Yi knew the desperate neighbors woulde for his supplies.

    But he wasn¡¯t afraid.

    He spent a fortune building his steel fortress, choosing various features personally.

    The goal was to withstand such an assault!

    His home was like a war bunker, albeit with less firepower.

    Even armed soldiers couldn¡¯t breach his house without heavy weapons.

    Let alone these half-dead neighbors, starving and freezing for half a month.

    He proposed this condition to give Zhou Ke¡¯er an excuse.

    Moreover, having an inside informant added an extrayer of security, allowing him to prepare in advance.

 Chapter 55: The Neighbors Plan to Attack Zhang Yi

    Chapter 55: The Neighbors n to Attack Zhang Yi

    After much hesitation, Zhou Ke''er finally agreed to Zhang Yi''s proposal.

    Her morals and conscience didn''t allow her to be a despicable person.

    However, in her eyes, the neighbors'' decision to rob Zhang Yi out of jealousy was even worse.

    So she chose to help Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi said, ¡°Alright, I need to see useful information from you first, then I''ll give you what you want. Let''s see how you perform!¡±

    Zhou Ke''er replied, ¡°I understand.¡±

    She was kind-hearted but definitely not stupid. She wouldn''t foolishly expect Zhang Yi to help her unconditionally.

    Their conversation ended there.Zhang Yi nced at therge group chat, which had over 99+ messages, still full of moral coercion and threats directed at him.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, where are you? Give us an answer! Will you hand over your supplies or not?¡±

    Some were getting impatient.

    Zhang Yi smirked coldly. It looked like they were nning to attack his house.

    ¡°Go to hell!¡± Zhang Yi replied with a smile.

    Immediately, the group chat exploded with curses and vile insults.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t care. If they had the guts, they coulde.

    Having killed with his own hands and feeling no guilt, he didn¡¯t mind killing more.

    ¡°Fine, Zhang Yi, you asked for this!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say we didn¡¯t give you a chance, you selfish, despicable person!¡±

    ¡°From now on, you will bear all the consequences!¡±

    The cursing gradually subsided.

    Zhang Yi guessed they had probably created a new group, excluding him, to n their attack.

    Taking a deep breath, Zhang Yi felt a mix of tension and excitement, his body trembling slightly.

    Even though he knew his home was an impregnable steel fortress, facing an attack from over a hundred people was still nerve-wracking.

    But the excitement ignited his blood.

    He had longed to personally punish those who had cannibalized him in his previous life!

    His eyes gleamed coldly as he summoned his weapons to the living room.

    Five steel crossbows, three professional-gradeposite bows, over 290 crossbow bolts, and 300 arrows.

    There were also tworge iron boxes of steel rods, machetes, a 1.2-meter-long crowbar, baseball bats, and hunting knives.

    Allid out on the table, they were perfect tools for killing.

    In addition to these physical weapons, he had pepper spray, electric batons, gasoline, arge number of chemical reagents, and dozens of Molotov cocktails made from bottles, cloth strips, and gasoline.

    Zhang Yi''s eyes glowed with a chilling light.

    ¡°Bring it on, as many as you want!¡±

    ...

    Just as Zhang Yi expected, the neighbors were furious when they saw he wouldn¡¯t hand over his supplies.

    Sun Zhichao created a new group chat, adding all the living residents except Zhang Yi.

    They even included Chen Zhenghao.

    Seeing Chen Zhenghao made some people uneasy.

    However, Chen Zhenghao reassured them, ¡°Everyone, our top priority now is to deal with Zhang Yi. His supplies are likely more than all of oursbined!¡±

    ¡°If we take him down, we can get a huge amount of supplies.¡±

    ¡°So, don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t attack anyone else for now.¡±

    ¡°But I want half of the supplies from this operation!¡±

    Chen Zhenghao had suffered at Zhang Yi¡¯s hands and knew his house was well-defended and equipped with crossbows.

    He didn¡¯t dare to attack alone, so he nned to use the residents as cannon fodder.

    He figured over a hundred people should be able to breach Zhang Yi¡¯s house.

    How many weapons could Zhang Yi have? How many could he kill?

    Even though Chen Zhenghao and his men were only six, no one thought his demand for half the supplies was unfair. Instead, they saw him as a good person.

    He had a gun but was willing to share half with everyone. How generous!

    Sun Zhichao said, ¡°Right, we should temporarily set aside our past grievances. The main goal is to breach Zhang Yi¡¯s house and reim the collective supplies!¡±

    With these two leading the charge, everyone naturally followed.

    Seeing Zhang Yi¡¯sfortable life made them all jealous, their eyes red with hatred, wanting to kill him and take his ce.

    ¡°Knives in hand, follow me! Kill Zhang Yi, seize the supplies!¡±

    ¡°Kill that shameless selfish jerk!¡±

    They roared with anger.

    Only a few remained silent, like Uncle You and Zhou Ke¡¯er.

    Even those who usually had a good rtionship with Zhang Yi, those he had helped, put everything aside for survival.

    Nothing was more important than living. To survive, they could abandon all morals!

    ...

    Zhang Yi was at home, cleaning his gun.

    He was familiar with it, having used it often at the shooting club.

    In the month before the apocalypse, he had intensified his training.

    He had no pressure hitting a person at close range.

    At that moment, Zhou Ke¡¯er sent a message.

    ¡°They¡¯re nning to attack your apartment.¡±

    Seeing the message, Zhang Yi replied with an ¡°Oh, got it.¡±

    Sitting on her sofa, Zhou Ke¡¯er frowned at his calm reply.

    She tightened the twoyers of nkets around her and tucked her white feet inside.

    ¡°They¡¯ve gone to every resident. They¡¯ve seen your videos and have gone mad.¡±

    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to do something?¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er believed the most rational approach was to hand over some supplies to appease the crowd¡¯s anger.

    Otherwise, one person couldn''t fight off so many.

    Over a hundred people could easily tear down an apartment!

    Zhang Yi smiled without exining much.

    He simply said, ¡°Remember, don¡¯te over this time. I¡¯m warning you once.¡±

    ¡°Then, just watch the show!¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er frowned, filled with curiosity.

    She couldn¡¯t understand where Zhang Yi¡¯s confidence came from when facing over a hundred people alone.

    This wasn¡¯t a joke. If his home was breached, the crazed crowd would surely kill him!

    ¡°Could he be insane?¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er muttered to herself.

    But it was Zhang Yi¡¯s choice, and there was nothing she could do.

    She decided to follow his advice and not join the attack.

    She had moral boundaries and wouldn¡¯t partake in such a bloodthirsty act, whether it involved Zhang Yi or the other neighbors.

 Chapter 56: The Assault

    Chapter 56: The Assault

    Zhang Yi sat quietly at home, awaiting the arrival of the crazed neighbors.

    His expression was serious, and arge array of weapons wasid out in front of him.

    At that moment, he received a message from Uncle You, the security guard.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, you better run! They¡¯re alling for you with weapons.¡±

    A warm feeling surged in Zhang Yi¡¯s heart. In such a world, it was rare to find good people.

    He smiled and replied, ¡°Uncle You, don¡¯t worry. I can handle this.¡±

    Uncle You was silent for a moment, seemingly understanding that there was nowhere to run now. Resistance was the only option.

    He said, ¡°Zhang Yi, I hope you can survive. I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t help you this time.¡±Uncle You felt deeply ashamed. He owed Zhang Yi a favor because Zhang Yi had reminded him to stock up on supplies, enabling him to gather plenty of instant noodles and sausages.

    Now, his living conditions were still manageable.

    But seeing Zhang Yi about to be besieged by so many people, he felt powerless.

    Zhang Yi replied calmly, ¡°Your kindness is already shown by not joining them. Don¡¯t worry about me.¡±

    Uncle You¡¯s choice was the most prudent. Coming over to help Zhang Yi now would likely result in being hacked to death by the more than one hundred residents.

    After a brief chat with Uncle You, Zhang Yi remained cautious and didn¡¯t reveal any details about his home.

    Trust no one fully, regardless of who they were.

    Before long, Zhang Yi felt a slight tremor beneath his feet and heard a rumbling sound from outside.

    ¡°They¡¯re here,¡± Zhang Yi murmured.

    He knew that was the sound of over a hundred people flooding up the stairs.

    However, Zhang Yi lived on the 24th floor.

    With the elevators out of service, those climbing the stairs would be utterly exhausted.

    Of course, not only were the people from the lower floorsing.

    At least, through the surveince on hisrge screen, Zhang Yi saw his neighbors from the adjacent 2402 apartment alsoing out with kitchen knives and wrenches.

    Next door was a young couple, the woman holding a kitchen knife and hiding behind the man.

    Their eyes glowed with envy as they stared at Zhang Yi¡¯s door.

    Knowing that their neighbor had been living a heavenly life for the past half month must have driven them mad with jealousy.

    The crowd soon filled the corridor outside Zhang Yi¡¯s door, making itpletely impassable.

    A few held umbres over their heads to prevent Zhang Yi from pouring cold water on them.

    Before long, someone couldn¡¯t hold back and started banging on the door.

    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi, get out here! This is yourst chance if you don¡¯t want to die!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t wait for us to break in, or it¡¯ll be toote for words then!¡±

    Through the surveince, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t see Sun Zhichao or Chen Zhenghao among them.

    This confirmed one thing: Sun Zhichao and Chen Zhenghao hadn¡¯t told them about the actual situation in Zhang Yi¡¯s house.

    In other words, they intended to use the other neighbors as cannon fodder, letting them bear the brunt of Zhang Yi¡¯s crossbow and high-voltage attacks first.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t hesitate, as he had plenty of energy and wasn¡¯t worried about the electricity.

    He pressed the high-voltage button.

    A fierce electric current immediately seized the young man banging on the door, his face contorted in pain!

    The most terrifying part was that with over a hundred people packed into the corridor, the electric current passed through him to many others behind him!

    ¡°Ahhh!!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s high voltage, get back!¡±

    Those behind him, feeling the shock, quickly let go.

    If not for their thick clothing, they wouldn¡¯t have had a chance to escape.

    Everyone got a taste of the high voltage, their muscles twitching in pain.

    The man banging on the door and the seven or eight people around him suffered the worst, unable to escape, their bodies charred ck by the electricity.

    The others, terrified, didn¡¯t dare to help.

    After about ten seconds, Zhang Yi cut the power.

    Nine people copsed to the ground, smoke rising from their bodies, filling the air with the smell of roasted meat and burnt clothes.

    ¡°Bang!!¡±

    The nine fell together, their bodies charred ck, uncertain if they were dead or alive.

    But everyone knew that even if these people had a breath left, in their current state, they were as good as dead.

    Everyone¡¯s eyes widened in terror at the scene before them.

    They hadn¡¯t expected so many to die instantly, right before their eyes.

    The expressions of those electrocuted were extremely grim, their eyes wide open in death.

    Several women in the crowd couldn¡¯t bear it, screaming and bending over to vomit.

    But their stomachs were empty, and they could only retch.

    Some felt the urge to flee.

    But when they reached the stairwell, they found it blocked by Chen Zhenghao and his men.

    ¡°What do you think you¡¯re doing? Get back!¡± Chen Zhenghao, holding a gun, spoke menacingly.

    The stairwell was their only escape route, and Chen Zhenghao blocked it to force everyone to fight Zhang Yi.

    If they died, Chen Zhenghao could rightfully take their resources.

    Sun Zhichao and a few others, dragging their wounded bodies, were also present.

    They looked at the nine corpses with cold expressions, clearly sharing the same intention as Chen Zhenghao.

    Seeing the crowd¡¯s fear, Sun Zhichao shouted, ¡°That damn Zhang Yi is a beast! He¡¯s killing his neighbors.¡±

    ¡°Brothers and sisters, we must kill Zhang Yi to avenge them!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. Use wood to break the door; just don¡¯t touch it!¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s out of tricks. He¡¯s desperate!¡±

    ¡°Once we break down this door, there¡¯s warmth and endless food waiting for us!¡±

    Sun Zhichao¡¯s words rekindled the crowd¡¯s anger.

    They had endured hunger and cold for over half a month. For a bite of food and a moment of warmth, they were willing to risk everything!

    Someone quickly fetched a piece of wood, seemingly dismantled from arge cab or bed.

    ¡°Brothers, let¡¯s break it down! Open the door and kill that dog Zhang Yi!¡±

    A group of people, holding the wood, began frantically ramming Zhang Yi¡¯s door.

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    The violent ramming caused the water on Zhang Yi¡¯s table to ripple.

    But Zhang Yi found it not intense enough.

    He retrieved arge Sennheiser speaker from his storage space, connected it to his phone, and yed his favorite song, "Love While Doing."

    The energetic song red inside, further enraging the people outside.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, you¡¯re dead! We¡¯ll kill you today!¡±

    ¡°You will pay with your life for my brother¡¯s death!¡±

    They rammed the door harder.

    But after dozens of hits, they were dismayed to find the door barely budged.

    A dozen strong men exerting force together, totaling over a thousand pounds, left only white marks and tiny dents on the ck iron door.

    Despair filled their hearts.

    ¡°What kind of door is this? Why is it so strong?¡±

    ¡°At this rate, how long will it take to break it down?¡±

    Everyone was panting heavily.

    They were working in temperatures below minus seventy degrees, and with insufficient food, they had little strength.

    Many felt their legs weakening and had to rotate shifts.

    But at this rate, they would all be exhausted before breaking the door.

    One man approached, stared at the door for a while, and then eximed, ¡°This... this is a bank vault door!¡±

    He worked in a bank and recognized the details.

    Despair spread among the crowd.

    ¡°Does that mean it can¡¯t be broken?¡±

    The bank employee shook his head bitterly, ¡°Forget using wood. Even with explosives, you couldn¡¯t break this top-grade vault door!¡±

    ¡°Without the key, only the world¡¯s top lockpickers could possibly open it.¡±

    At this point, Zhang Yi, holding a crossbow, moved to the shooting hole.

 Chapter 57: Heavy Casualties

    Chapter 57: Heavy Casualties

    Zhang Yi watched the crowd outside his door, discussing their strategies.

    This time, Zhang Yi didn''t bother to aim carefully. Since they wanted his life, there was no need to be polite.

    He wasn''t a saint.

    He raised his crossbow and began shooting.

    Soon, several people were hit by arrows and fell.

    Only then did the people outside realize how deadly Zhang Yi¡¯s crossbow was.

    ¡°He has weapons! Be careful!¡± someone shouted.

    The crowd panicked, trying to scatter.However, the corridor was so crowded, with over a hundred people crammed together, that there was no room to move.

    In their fear, their hurried attempts to escape caused a chain reaction, with many tripping and falling.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t care. He just focused on his work.

    The sound of arrows whistling through the air was like a death knell, terrifyingly relentless.

    This only made the crowd more desperate, as they frantically tried to squeeze into the stairwell.

    Some people who fell were trampled by others before they could get up.

    Screams of pain echoed everywhere.

    Chen Zhenghao, standing at the stairwell with his gun, aimed at those trying to flee.

    ¡°What are you afraid of? He¡¯s just one man! Go get him!¡± he shouted, his cold eyes and the ck muzzle of his gun forcing the crowd back into action.

    Chen Zhenghao¡¯s goal was to use them as cannon fodder, depleting Zhang Yi¡¯s defenses. He couldn¡¯t let them escape.

    Sun Zhichao and the others, hoping to survive, stayed far back, avoiding the arrows.

    Zhang Yi fired dozens of crossbow bolts. In such a densely packed crowd, almost none missed their mark.

    This caused immense suffering for the neighbors.

    However, the desperation of the neighbors brought out their resourcefulness.

    Someone noticed the shooting hole in the door and shouted, ¡°He¡¯s shooting from that hole! Just block it!¡±

    Immediately, someone raised a mop and broom to block the shooting hole.

    Others tried to throw objects into Zhang Yi¡¯s room.

    Zhang Yi remained calm, quickly closing and locking the iron door behind the shooting hole.

    This door could only be opened from the inside and was impregnable from the outside.

    With this, Zhang Yi had neutralized a significant part of the threat, taking down dozens of their fighters.

    Seeing Zhang Yi could no longer shoot arrows, the neighbors slowly recovered from their terror.

    The corridor was a mess, with many injured by arrows, their wounds varying in severity.

    Some had been hit in vital areas and died on the spot.

    When the neighbors saw the rust-covered tetanus arrows, their hearts sank.

    They knew that all who had been hit were unlikely to survive.

    Some, having lost loved ones, cursed Zhang Yi loudly through their tears.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, you damn scoundrel, you¡¯re despicable and shameless!¡±

    ¡°Come out if you have the guts! Fight me one-on-one!¡±

    ¡°You devil, I¡¯ll fight you to the death!¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi! I will kill you!¡±

    Their shouts and curses filled the air, but the only response was the loud music ring from Zhang Yi¡¯s room.

    The lively song lyrics echoed provocatively.

    After love, you understand how deep love is

    Only after losing do you know what to cherish...

    Outside, the curses continued, while inside, Zhang Yi''s room was filled with lively music, a stark contrast that seemed to mock everyone.

    Indeed, it was a direct provocation.

    Zhang Yi had fired dozens of crossbow bolts and felt his arm getting sore. He went to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of Coke from the fridge, and gulped it down.

    ¡°Ah! So refreshing!¡± Zhang Yi eximed, then continued to monitor the crowd on his screen.

    Seeing that Zhang Yi¡¯s door was unbreakable, the neighbors were both anxious and desperate.

    ¡°What do we do now?¡± someone muttered.

    Just then, Sun Zhichao shouted, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I have an idea!¡±

    Everyone turned to look at him, struggling to walk with his injured leg.

    He pointed to the wall of Zhang Yi¡¯s apartment and smiled, ¡°The door is made of alloy, but the walls are just bricks and cement. We can definitely break through them!¡±

    Hearing this, everyone¡¯s eyes lit up with realization.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t I think of that!¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t break the door, but we can break the walls!¡±

    ¡°There are so many of us. It won¡¯t take long to smash through the wall.¡±

    ¡°Haha, Zhang Yi, you scoundrel, you won¡¯t expect this!¡±

    Inside, Zhang Yi saw the neighbors suddenly cheering and raised an eyebrow.

    The music was too loud, so he couldn¡¯t hear what they were saying.

    However, Zhang Yi remained calm, nning to watch their next move.

    He wasn¡¯t worried; he had considered all possible threats when building his fortress.

    If these people could easily breach his defenses, then he deserved to die.

    The crowd, armed with tools, quickly lined up in front of Zhang Yi¡¯s outer wall, swinging iron hammers and axes.

    ¡°Bang!!¡±

    A burly man used all his strength to smash the hammer against the wall, causing cracks and white dust to fall.

    Seeing this, everyone¡¯s eyes filled with excitement, thinking they had found Zhang Yi¡¯s weak point.

    They attacked with even more vigor.

    But as the burly man swung the hammer for a second blow, a metallic clink sounded.

    ¡°ng!¡±

    The man screamed, dropping his hammer, his hands bleeding profusely and freezing in the cold.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    Everyone was confused. What kind of wall could withstand such a heavy blow?

    Someone brushed away the white dust, revealing the underlying material, and was shocked.

    ¡°This... this wall is made of steel!¡±

    Everyone was stunned and rushed over to see.

    Indeed, beneath the outeryer of ster was thick, heavy ck metal, the same material as the door.

    One person couldn¡¯t help but scream to the sky, ¡°Why would anyone build an apartment with steel walls?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe the entire apartment is made of iron!¡±

    Several people desperately hammered at other parts of the wall, hoping to find a weak spot.

    But wherever they hit, they found the same solid steel walls.

    Inside, Zhang Yi smirked.

    ¡°You think I didn¡¯t foresee this? Sorry, my home is built with 20 cm thick steel tes.¡±

    ¡°Even a cannonball can¡¯t break it, let alone your iron hammers and axes.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s greatest trait was his fear of death. He had considered every possible scenario and fortified his apartment ordingly.

    During the final inspection, he checked every inch with a hammer to ensure its durability.

    Having been invaded and eaten in his previous life, the psychological trauma was immense. He would do anything to prevent it from happening again.

    The hammering continued outside, but Zhang Yi, annoyed by the noise, activated the noise-cancetion feature in his room.

    This feature also prevented anyone from using sound-based attacks against him.

    After about twenty minutes, the noise finally ceased.

    The entire building¡¯s residents stared nkly at the solid metal walls, their hopes as cold as the snow outside.

    ¡°How can this be? Why would anyone build a apartment like this?¡±

    Someone covered their face, screaming in despair.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s neighbors, the young couple, also expressed their frustration, ¡°We knew they were renovating, but we didn¡¯t expect this.¡±

    Few normal residents would construct such a fortress.

    Sun Zhichao, Zhou Peng, and Ge Jialiang¡¯s eyes were bloodshot.

    If the entire building¡¯s residents couldn¡¯t break into Zhang Yi¡¯s home today, they were doomed to die.

    Sun Zhichao bit his lip so hard it bled, but he didn¡¯t notice.

    ¡°Zhang Yi knew about the snow disaster all along! He did everything to prepare for it!¡±

    He pointed at Zhang Yi¡¯s apartment, shouting in anger.

    The neighbors red at him, cursing Zhang Yi through their tears.

    ¡°Despicable Zhang Yi, thinking only of himself!¡±

    ¡°If we all die, what¡¯s the point of you living alone? Won¡¯t you be lonely if you¡¯re the only one left?¡±

    ¡°One day, you¡¯ll regret not warning us or helping us! You¡¯ll be consumed by guilt and remorse!¡±

    ¡°How can you sleep at night? Don¡¯t you feel any guilt?¡±

    Realizing they couldn¡¯t do anything to Zhang Yi, some resorted to selfforting thoughts.

    They hoped that one day, Zhang Yi would face divine retribution for his actions.

    Little did they know, Zhang Yi was livingfortably inside, caring little about these familiar strangers.

    Chen Zhenghao, supervising with his gun, also saw the steel walls and recognized the challenge they posed.

    Now, he was only interested in taking Zhang Yi¡¯s apartment.

    ¡°What¡¯s the rush? This is just the beginning!¡±

    ¡°Even if the walls are made of steel, what about the ceiling? The floor?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe he turned his home into an iron box!¡±

    Chen Zhenghao¡¯s words reached Zhang Yi through surveince.

    Zhang Yi nodded in approval.

    ¡°This guy is clever.¡±

    But he sighed, shaking his head, ¡°Too bad, I¡¯m not stupid either.¡±

    The neighbors, encouraged by Chen Zhenghao, moved to the floors above and below Zhang Yi¡¯s apartment.

    They used hammers, axes, chisels, and wooden sticks, trying every method they could think of.

    They were just 20 centimeters away from their hope of survival.

    But soon, they fell into more profound despair.

    They discovered that Zhang Yi¡¯s apartment was indeed an iron box!

    Every angle, up and down, left and right was sealed with thick steel tes.

    In this powerless environment, without electric saws or drills, they would have to chisel away for a year without food or drink to break through these walls.

 Chapter 58: Despair

    Chapter 58: Despair

    Chen Zhenghao and his group spent the entire morning hammering away at Zhang Yi''s walls. However, after peeling off the ster and flooring, they discovered a thickyer of steel tes.

    The 20 cm thick steel tes were nothing short of a nightmare for them!

    Using only human power, there was no hope of breaking through.

    Operating in the extreme cold, without sufficient food to replenish their energy, they were only hastening their own deaths.

    Many were exhausted, copsing to the ground.

    Their stomachs rumbled loudly, a symphony of hunger.

    They clutched their empty bellies, feeling the gnawing hunger take over.

    There wasn''t much food left among them.Some began eyeing their neighbors, their thoughts turning dark as they noticed the white flesh peeking through the gaps in clothing.

    A horrifying idea started to form in their minds.

    This is meat.

    The terrifying thought sent chills down their spines as they tried to banish it from their minds.

    But once the idea took root, it provided a desperate option in their bleak situation.

    They knew that if it came to it, cannibalism would be inevitable.

    ¡°Is there really no other way?¡± Sun Zhichao asked in anguish, feeling his arm start to fester and swell.

    Without antibiotics or even basic anti-inmmatory medicine, they couldn''t effectively clean their wounds.

    The rust from the arrows still lingered in their injuries.

    Under such conditions, death seemed unavoidable.

    ¡°Damn Zhang Yi, why are you so ruthless? Why should you live while so many of us die? What¡¯s so wrong with sacrificing yourself for the greater good?¡±

    Sun Zhichao screamed at the sky, his soul twisted by despair.

    At that moment, a neighbor spoke up.

    ¡°Maybe you can try the balcony. When they renovated their house, they turned the balcony into arge floor-to-ceiling window. You might have a chance to break in!¡±

    The other residents couldn''t see the back of Zhang Yi''s house, but this neighbor could.

    Building 25 had some floors with balconies, and Zhang Yi''s apartment on the 24th floor had a small tform.

    Normally, he used it for growing flowers and drying clothes.

    Hearing this, the desperate crowd looked up.

    ¡°The window? Yes, if there¡¯s a window, there¡¯s a way in! It can¡¯t be sealed offpletely!¡±

    ¡°If there¡¯s a window, we can break in!¡±

    Without hesitation, the group stormed into Zhang Yi¡¯s neighbor''s apartment.

    The two balconies were separated by about 15 cm and had a fence in between.

    But these barriers were nothing to the crazed crowd.

    However, the balcony wasn''t as insted as the hallway.

    While the hallway was sealed off by each household, retaining some warmth, outside, the north wind howled, and the heavy snow could freeze a person in hours.

    But Chen Zhenghao and his group didn¡¯t care. As long as they could break into Zhang Yi¡¯s house, they believed they would have everything they needed!

    Howling like madmen, they jumped onto Zhang Yi¡¯s balcony.

    Naturally, Zhang Yi noticed this.

    The two sides locked eyes for less than a second before the neighbors, wielding their tools, began hammering at therge floor-to-ceiling window.

    Zhang Yi dragged his white recliner to the window, leisurely lying down and pouring himself a steaming cup of coffee.

    The small balcony quickly filled with a dozen people.

    Their faces, pale and twisted with madness, resembled living corpses.

    Their crazed expressions were utterly devoid of humanity.

    Zhang Yi thought, if there were real zombies, they would probably look like this.

    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡±

    The dull sound of hammering echoed off the ss.

    Braving the wind and snow, the group frantically smashed the window.

    Even when identally injuring themselves, they felt no pain, letting their blood flow and then freeze.

    While hammering the walls, the desire hadn¡¯t been as strong.

    But now, separated only by ayer of ss, they could clearly see how luxurious Zhang Yi¡¯s life was!

    Inside, the firece roared with mes. Zhang Yi, wearing only light clothing,y like a lord in his white recliner.

    Next to him was a cup of steaming coffee, likely a cappino, judging by the foam.

    Weapons cluttered the coffee table, but that wasn¡¯t the focus.

    The focus was the pile of half-eaten snacks beneath the table.

    Chips, burgers, soda, pizza, roast chicken, roast duck, even spicy noodles!

    These items drove the neighbors on the balcony mad.

    Though only half a month away from such luxuries, they were as excited as seeing long-lost family.

    ¡°Roar!!¡±

    ¡°Ahhhh!!!¡±

    Their excitement made them forget how to speak, resorting to desperate howls.

    They hammered the window with all their might, using every ounce of strength.

    Zhang Yi sipped his coffee, enjoying the show.

    He calmly remarked, ¡°Who said ss is weaker than metal?¡±

    The cost of this wall had been astronomical. For the sake of living quality, Zhang Yi had declined Dragon Security Company¡¯s proposal to use metal, opting instead for custom-made bulletproof ss.

    He remembered the securitypany¡¯s manager, Wu Huairen, saying, ¡°This wall is so thick it can withstand not just bullets, but even cannonballs!¡±

    The bulletproof ss used in vehicles for Western leaders was made from this material, though only half as thick.

    Soon, the hammering crowd noticed something wrong.

    They had expected the ss to shatter after a few hits.

    But after dozens of people hammered away for a long time, there wasn¡¯t even a crack.

    ¡°What kind of ss is this?¡±

    ¡°Is it bulletproof ss?¡±

    The term ¡°bulletproof ss¡± came from a bespectacled man¡¯s throat, filled with despair, like a voice from the depths of hell.

    If it could withstand cannonballs, it certainly wouldn¡¯t yield to their tools.

    ¡°No, I don¡¯t believe it!¡±

    A young man roared, ¡°My fate is mine to control, not the heavens! I refuse to believe I can¡¯t break it!¡±

    ¡°If I break it, the firece, the food, and drink inside will be mine. I must break it!¡±

    Perhaps it was the extreme cold or the vacition between hope and despair, but their minds seemed frozen.

    They chose to abandon reason and brute force their way to a future!

    Zhang Yi pped for them, moved by their determination.

    But he felt a bit hungry.

    So he retrieved some food from his storage space: braised pork knuckles, caramelized bananas, and some snacks, including pure cocoa chocte.

    He continued to eat while watching the show outside.

 Chapter 59: Use More Force, Havenâ€™t You Eaten?

    Chapter 59: Use More Force, Haven¡¯t You Eaten?

    Separated by just a window, the people outside braved the fierce wind and snow, hammering at the ss with twisted expressions.

    Inside, Zhang Yiy leisurely in his recliner, enjoying his delicious food.

    The stark contrast drove the neighbors outside nearly mad with jealousy.

    They cursed loudly, their voices hoarse and eyes bloodshot.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, you just wait! I¡¯ll kill you soon!¡±

    ¡°When I break this ss, you¡¯re dead, you selfish scum!¡±

    ¡°You won¡¯t be arrogant for much longer; today is your death day!¡±

    ¡°All that food and hot coffee, it¡¯s all mine, all mine!!¡±Hearing this, Zhang Yi raised his coffee and gestured toward them.

    ¡°Keep it up, you can do it!¡±

    Soon, the people outside grew tired.

    This was the 24th floor, with strong winds and heavy snow quickly lowering their body temperatures.

    They had to switch out every ten minutes.

    But after half an hour, the ss only had a few small scratches.

    Their hearts sank further into despair.

    However, the sight of Zhang Yi¡¯sfortable life behind the transparent ss filled them with jealousy, preventing them from giving up.

    Half an hourter, they were still at it.

    Zhang Yi noticed a few of Chen Zhenghao¡¯s subordinates among the crowd.

    Clearly, Chen Zhenghao wasn¡¯tpletely uninvolved in this.

    Zhang Yi decided it was time.

    He got up from his recliner, walked to the coffee table, and picked up a bottle.

    The ss outside was frosted, and the neighbors didn¡¯t know what Zhang Yi had, thinking it was just a drink.

    But then they saw him light something with a lighter.

    A hole appeared above them, and a ball of fire was thrown out.

    As a countermeasure, Zhang Yi''s home had shooting holes at the front and back.

    The bottle arced through the air, and in the shocked eyes of the crowd, it hit the ground.

    ¡°Smash!¡±

    A clear sound, followed by roaring mes!

    Zhang Yi had made Molotov cocktails. Even in extremely low temperatures, gasoline could burn fiercely, releasing heat.

    Gasoline sttered everywhere, igniting immediately!

    The balcony was small, and the down jackets and cotton pants of the dozen people caught fire, quickly engulfing them in mes.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s mouth twisted into a yful smile as he lit another Molotov cocktail and threw it outside.

    ¡°Ah!!! Fire, fire!!!¡±

    The dozen people crowded together, with the divided balcony making it hard to jump to the neighbor¡¯s balcony.

    They couldn¡¯t escape, and the mes consumed them.

    Zhang Yi watched them turn into twisted, burning fireballs.

    Some tried to roll on the ground, using the snow to extinguish the mes, but the effect was too weak.

    Gasoline can burn even when wet.

    Others tried to climb to the neighbor¡¯s balcony but lost their grip in their panic and fell from the 24th floor.

    With a long scream, they plummeted.

    From that height, the snow below might not cushion their fall enough to save them.

    Physics dictated that even if they survived, they¡¯d be severely injured, their internal organs ruptured.

    Essentially, they were as good as dead.

    Zhang Yiughed, ¡°At least falling to your death is better than burning to death!¡±

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    A grim face suddenly pressed against the ss, twisted and terrifying, ring hatefully at Zhang Yi.

    ¡°Help me, save me!¡±

    In extreme pain, he begged Zhang Yi for help.

    Zhang Yi raised his coffee cup in a mock salute.

    ¡°Save you? Go to hell, trash!¡±

    The man¡¯s desperate cries were drowned out as the mes consumed him.

    On the neighbor¡¯s balcony, sixty or seventy people waiting to take turns were pale with fear at the sight of this hellish scene.

    ¡°Help, save me!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to die, please help!¡±

    The burning people tried to climb over, grabbing the railings.

    But a man on the neighbor''s side kicked their hands without hesitation.

    ¡°Get away! You¡¯re already done for; don¡¯t drag us down!¡±

    He kicked harder when they wouldn¡¯t let go, eventually kicking their fingers off.

    The man struggled for a while, then looked at them in despair before falling at the railing.

    The smell of burning flesh filled the air, a scent familiar from summer street vendors.

    In a short time, all the dozen people had died.

    Some had only been lightly burned initially but were prevented from escaping by their neighbors, who feared the mes would spread to them.

    Some, in too much pain, jumped from the 24th floor.

    The burning fire brought a rare warmth to the people.

    Slowly, they moved closer, warming their hands, sneaking looks of satisfaction.

    The fire burned for over twenty minutes before dying down.

    The neighbors looked at the charred bodies with fear in their hearts.

    They had lost over thirty people trying to get to Zhang Yi!

    With no way to break down the doors or walls, how could they seize Zhang Yi¡¯s supplies?

    Despair filled the air.

    But another feeling grew stronger, changing the neighbors¡¯ expressions.

    Starving for so long, they couldn¡¯t ignore the horrifying thought creeping into their minds.

    Their throats moved constantly.

    Suddenly, a woman started crying.

    ¡°I can¡¯t take it anymore!¡±

    After working all day, they had hoped to break into Zhang Yi¡¯s apartment easily.

    But the results left them in despair!

    So many dead, yet they hadn¡¯t even cracked Zhang Yi¡¯s walls or windows.

    She ran to Zhang Yi¡¯s balcony, and Zhang Yi thought another group wasing to hammer the ss.

    But she suddenly knelt before the ss.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, I¡¯m starving, please save me! Just give me a piece of bread!¡±

    She wasn¡¯t alone. Others came, kneeling and crying, begging Zhang Yi for food.

    Their plight was truly heart-wrenching.

    Most of those kneeling were women, hoping to gain Zhang Yi¡¯s sympathy.

 Chapter 60: Bounty on Chen Zhenghao

    Chapter 60: Bounty on Chen Zhenghao

    The pitiful cries of the women outside the window continued unabated. Their foreheads were bleeding from kowtowing so forcefully, presenting a heartbreaking scene.

    Zhang Yi sighed, walked to the window, and said, "Everyone, don¡¯t do this. It makes me feel bad."

    He lifted a steaming bowl of noodles in his hand.

    "When I feel bad, I just want to eat."

    "Slurp¡ª"

    Zhang Yi took a big mouthful of noodles, making the neighbors drool with hunger. They couldn''t have been more envious.

    Upon hearing this, the cries intensified, and they kowtowed even more vigorously.

    "Zhang Yi, we were wrong. We just want to survive!""Please spare us some food. Let us live like dogs if we must."

    "We''ll do anything you ask from now on, just please help us."

    Zhang Yi continued eating his noodles.

    In times of hunger, being able to eatrge mouthfuls of noodles was an unimaginable blessing.

    After eating half the bowl, he casually ced the remaining noodles right in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

    The neighbors, separated by a single pane of ss, could see the noodles but couldn¡¯t reach them. They pressed their faces against the ss, hoping somehow to eat.

    "Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t give you a chance. Whoever brings me Chen Zhenghao¡¯s head will get noodles like this from me for a week, every meal until full!"

    Zhang Yi had no intention of pitying these people.

    But their constant hammering on his walls and windows was irritating.

    So, why not let them turn on each other?

    That would be the most interesting thing to watch.

    He posted his message in the group chat, informing everyone in the building.

    The neighbors outside his window hesitated upon hearing his words.

    Chen Zhenghao had a gun; going after his head might cost them their own lives.

    But facing Chen Zhenghao was still better than facing Zhang Yi.

    The piles of corpses around Zhang Yi¡¯s apartment proved that he was much more dangerous than Chen Zhenghao!

    At that moment, Chen Zhenghao was observing from the neighboring balcony, unable to hear Zhang Yi¡¯s words but sensing the growing tension.

    He had already lost two more men in this failed assault.

    To continue controlling the building, he needed more manpower.

    As he contemted his next move, Chen Zhenghao felt a sharp, pricking sensation on his back, making his hair stand on end.

    He turned suddenly, gun in hand, to find everyone staring at him with strange expressions.

    "What are you all doing?" he demanded.

    Seeing his gun, they hesitated, stepping back.

    "Get lost!" Chen Zhenghao roared.

    Their expressions remained odd, almost like they were looking at food rather than a person.

    Feeling a chill, Chen Zhenghao quickly gathered his remaining men and left.

    "What about Zhang Yi¡¯s ce?" Sun Zhichao asked.

    "Fuck it, we can¡¯t break in. Think of something elseter!" Chen Zhenghao cursed and left in a huff.

    The neighbors outside Zhang Yi¡¯s window, unable to withstand the bone-chilling wind and snow, gradually dispersed.

    Zhang Yiyfortably in his warm home, waiting for the real show to begin.

    After this battle, the building had lost around thirty people.

    Almost everyone had participated in the attack, exhausting their energy.

    With fewer resources, the internal conflicts would be even more terrifying.

    ...

    Soon, Zhang Yi received numerous private messages.

    After the battle, the neighbors were thoroughly intimidated.

    Their limited strength was nearly depleted, preventing them fromunching anotherrge-scale attack on Zhang Yi¡¯s home.

    Facing Zhang Yi¡¯s imprable defenses, they had lost all hope.

    Many started begging Zhang Yi for mercy or offering trades.

    For instance, Xu Hao, a rich second-generation, sent pictures of his girlfriend, offering her in exchange for food.

    "Zhang Yi, I¡¯ll give you my woman. Just give me some food, okay?"

    "She¡¯s a famous car model in Tianhai City. Look at her figure and face, she¡¯s top-notch! I guarantee you¡¯ll like her. Help me, please!"

    Zhang Yi recognized the model. Xu Hao had bought an apartment here just to be with her.

    She always dressed provocatively, exuding a constant allure.

    In the past, she wouldn¡¯t even nce at the men around her.

    Now, Xu Hao was willing to trade her for a few meals.

    And the woman seemed eager for the trade, knowing Zhang Yi¡¯s home had plenty of food.

    "Such worthless goods!" Zhang Yi sneered.

    He had to admit, the model had an impressive figure and stunning looks.

    But Zhang Yi would never let a woman like her into his home.

    She might stab him in his sleep and take over his home.

    A woman willing to sell her body for money had no moral bottom line.

    Zhang Yi disdainfully watched her video five times before closing the chat window.

    There were other messages too.

    Men rarely contacted him, knowing they had nothing valuable to trade for food.

    Uncle You was the exception, happily congratting Zhang Yi on repelling the attackers.

    However, many women reached out.

    For instance, Fang Yuqing messaged excitedly, "Yi, you¡¯re amazing! I knew you¡¯d be fine."

    "They¡¯ve locked me up at home. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll find a way toe to you!"

    Zhang Yi chuckled, ignoring her message.

    The sky quickly darkened. It was only about 5 PM, but the nights were long and cold, with temperatures dropping another ten degrees.

    The remaining TV stations continued broadcasting.

    "Thanks to official efforts, the snow disaster is improving. Please stay calm, the problem will be resolved soon."

    "Due to severe cold, avoid going out to prevent frostbite. Provide assistance to those in need."

    "Let¡¯s unite to ovee the current difficulties. Tomorrow will be better!"

    Zhang Yi found the news more entertaining thanedy shows.

    He was curious how these TV stations maintained operations and where they had relocated.

    Listening to the amusing news, Zhang Yi scrolled through the chat records, reading the neighbors¡¯ curses, pleas, and groveling.

    Those cursing him had lost family members.

    When in a good mood, Zhang Yi responded with mocking blessings.

    "Congrattions to those who lost family members. You can roast them for a funeral feast and mix their ashes with rice!"

    His sarcastic remarks provoked even harsher curses from them.

    Suddenly, he noticed movement on the balcony.

    Curious, Zhang Yi walked to the window.

    The bright snow outside provided ample light, revealing people moving corpses.

    Specifically, they were moving the charred bodies.

    These people were wrapped up tightly. When they noticed Zhang Yi watching, they jumped in fright.

    "Zhang Yi, we¡¯re not here to harm you. Don¡¯t misunderstand!"

    "We¡¯re just here to move the corpses."

    Their voices trembled, avoiding Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze.

    Zhang Yi smirked.

    "Oh? Moving corpses? Are they your family?"

    "And why not just throw them below? Are you building a grave at home?"

    They stammered, "Well... these corpses are useless to you, so just ignore us."

    Forcing themselves to stayposed, they quickly dragged the bodies away.

    Zhang Yi waved at them through the ss.

    "You¡¯re quite ruthless, finally reaching this point?"

 Chapter 61: Zhou Keâ€™er Canâ€™t Stand It

    Chapter 61: Zhou Ke¡¯er Can¡¯t Stand It

    The next day, Zhang Yi heard gunshots in the corridor.

    "Bang!" "Bang!"

    Two gunshots echoed like tworge firecrackers.

    This was undoubtedly Chen Zhenghao''s doing.

    It was clear that Zhang Yi''s words from yesterday had already taken effect.

    In the face of imminent death, people''s fear of death began to fade away.

    The promise of a week¡¯s worth of hearty meals was an irresistible temptation.

    Zhang Yi opened the surveince system and saw the conflict erupt.Two men holding wrenches and kitchen knivesy on the ground, blood staining the corridor red.

    But Chen Zhenghao didn''t fare much better either. He leaned against the wall, holding his gun, looking visibly shaken.

    They had intercepted people fetching water here, so naturally, others could take the opportunity to retaliate against them.

    Chen Zhenghao signaled his subordinates to drag the two bodies away while he quickly retreated to his apartment.

    He gripped his handgun tightly. This was now hisst line of defense.

    Dragging the bodies back home, Chen Zhenghao gave his men a look, and they immediately dragged the corpses to the back of the kitchen.

    Chen Zhenghao¡¯s eyes were cold as he sat on the freezing sofa, unable to find much warmth.

    After returning yesterday, he saw the messages in the group chat and realized that Zhang Yi had ced a bounty on him.

    This made him furious.

    He considered himself the hunter, with Zhang Yi merely the prey!

    Prey had no right to fight back against the hunter!

    However, he underestimated the desperation of people on the brink of death.

    Early this morning, two desperate young men hade for his life.

    This made Chen Zhenghao feel a sense of danger, but it also drove him to even greater madness!

    "Die! I''ll kill you all. If you want me dead, you die first!"

    Chen Zhenghao roared.

    As he calmed down, he suddenly felt a pain in his back.

    He called over one of his men to check it out.

    His subordinate took one look and eximed, "Boss Hao, you¡¯ve been stabbed!"

    Chen Zhenghao¡¯s down jacket had a 30 cm long cut made by a kitchen knife, and fresh blood was visible on the ck jacket if one looked closely.

    The extreme cold outside and the adrenaline rush had numbed his pain initially.

    But now, hearing his subordinate, the pain hit him hard.

    "Damn those bastards, they dared to ambush me!"

    Sweat beaded on his forehead, and he quickly grabbed his phone to call Zhou Ke¡¯er.

    "Dr. Zhou, I¡¯ve been hurt. Come over and bandage me up!"

    Before long, Zhou Ke¡¯er arrived at Chen Zhenghao¡¯s ce with her medical kit.

    Her eyes were filled with loathing as she looked at the murderous thug, but she had no choice but to treat his wounds to survive.

    In fact, Chen Zhenghao¡¯s arrow wound didn¡¯t cause an infection because Zhou Ke¡¯er had treated it.

    Though she was unwilling, facing the thug¡¯s gun, she had no choice.

    "I won¡¯t do this for free," Zhou Ke¡¯er said coldly.

    Chen Zhenghaoughed, pointing to the kitchen, "I¡¯ll give you a share of the foodter!"

    Zhou Ke¡¯er sniffed the air, smelling the strong stench of blood.

    Her face changed. With years of hospital experience, she knew exactly what it was.

    Suppressing her urge to vomit, she said coldly, "No need."

    Chen Zhenghaoughed, "Still so high and mighty, Dr. Zhou? One day you¡¯ll eat it too. If not, you¡¯ll die!"

    "I¡¯d rather die."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er frowned.

    "I can''t let that happen! In this world, having a doctor around is too important," Chen Zhenghao sighed.

    Had Zhou Ke¡¯er not treated his leg injury back then, he would have lost more than just a leg; he would have lost his life!

    "Don¡¯t worry, if it everes to it, I¡¯ll save you forst," Chen Zhenghao said, his eyes gleaming with lust.

    He had long desired this beautiful woman, but her usefulness kept him in check.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er, frowning, stayed silent and treated his wound.

    In no time, the wound was bandaged.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er picked up her medical kit, intending to leave.

    But Chen Zhenghao signaled his man, who blocked the door.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s heart raced, "What do you want?"

    Chen Zhenghao replied, "Nothing. You can¡¯t leave until I¡¯m fully healed."

    Chen Zhenghao was genuinely afraid.

    Countless people wanted him dead, and with limited medicine, having a doctor by his side gave him some peace of mind.

    Ignoring her resistance, he forced her to stay.

    Soon after, his subordinate brought out a pot of cooked food.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er, thinking about what it might be, nearly vomited.

    Luckily, her hospital experience helped her keep herposure.

    Chen Zhenghao offered her some food, but she refused.

    He sneered, ignoring her.

    He believed she was just pretending to be virtuous. One day, when hunger overcame her, she would eat.

    "This can¡¯t go on. Those bastards are rebelling against us. It''s not good."

    "Only by killing Zhang Yi and taking over his apartment will we be safe."

    "His ce is like a fortress with ample supplies, enough tost us for months. By then, the snow disaster might be over."

    "So, we need to focus on dealing with Zhang Yi."

    Chen Zhenghao told his men.

    They exchanged worried nces.

    "Boss Hao, we¡¯ve attacked Zhang Yi¡¯s ce several times but always failed."

    "His ce is like a turtle shell, imprable!"

    Chen Zhenghao said, "I don¡¯t believe there are no ws. He must leave his home at some point!"

    "Let''s move next door to his ce and take turns watching him. The moment he steps out, we¡¯ll kill him!"

    "Living on the higher floors is safer too."

    His men, feeling lost, nodded in agreement.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er overheard their conversation.

    Using the excuse of going to the bathroom, she secretly messaged Zhang Yi, informing him of their n.

    Zhang Yi read it and chuckled.

    "Think I¡¯ll step out? Not a chance!"

    "Got it. You stay and keep observing."

    As a doctor, Zhou Ke¡¯er was valuable, and Chen Zhenghao wouldn¡¯t kill her. For now, she was safe.

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry. He had ced a bounty on Chen Zhenghao, and someone would eventually take the risk of killing him.

    Chen Zhenghao and his men packed their supplies and moved to the 24th floor, bringing Zhou Ke¡¯er with them.

    The young couple living next door to Zhang Yi were terrified by Chen Zhenghao¡¯s arrival.

 Chapter 62: Live-Streaming a Feast for the Neighbors

    Chapter 62: Live-Streaming a Feast for the Neighbors

    "Open the door, open the door!"

    "It''s Chen Zhenghao. We''re swapping houses with you. Open up, or I''ll shoot!"

    Inside, the young couple clung to each other in fear.

    "What do we do? They¡¯re here to take our house. We won¡¯t even have thest bit of food left," the wife said, looking at her young husband with despair.

    The husband, a bespectacled office worker, hugged his wife, trying tofort her, "Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯ll be okay. If they want the house, we¡¯ll give it to them."

    "Quick, hide the remaining food on us."

    The couple hid their scarce food in their clothes and, trembling, opened the door.

    Seeing the fierce-looking Chen Zhenghao and his men, the man swallowed nervously and bowed, "Brother Hao, this house is yours now. We¡¯ll leave immediately!"As he tried to leave with his wife, one of Chen Zhenghao¡¯s men sneered and raised an iron pipe.

    "Bang!"

    With a dull thud, the man¡¯s vision went ck as he copsed, disbelief etched in his eyes even in unconsciousness.

    He didn¡¯t understand why, even though he hadplied, they still attacked him.

    The woman screamed in terror, watching her husband fall, only for another pipe to strike her head, silencing her screams.

    Two of Chen Zhenghao¡¯s men approached, ensuring the couple would never speak again.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er, witnessing the murders, covered her mouth, utterly shocked.

    She had never seen such brutality and couldn¡¯t maintain herposure despite her strong psychological resilience.

    Chen Zhenghao nced at her, smirking coldly, "It''s too cold. They were going to die sooner orter. Dr. Zhou, you need to get used to this."

    Having killed many, Chen Zhenghao had lost all respect for life.

    Moreover, he feared Zhang Yi¡¯s bounty and the recent attack had instilled fear in him.

    He needed to suppress the residents more brutally to make them submit.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er stifled her nausea and said nothing.

    Chen Zhenghao arrogantly entered the apartment, instructing his men to clean up the bodies.

    ...

    Over the next few days, Zhang Yi often heard noisesing from the apartment next door.

    He knew it was Chen Zhenghao and his men searching for weaknesses in his defenses.

    They also took turns monitoring Zhang Yi¡¯s front door and back window, hoping to catch him when he went out to dump trash or fetch snow for water.

    But Chen Zhenghao didn¡¯t know Zhang Yi had a huge storage space with ample water supplies.

    However, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t risk opening the window to throw out trash since Chen Zhenghao had a gun.

    Yet, having more trash wasn¡¯t a big deal for a homebody like Zhang Yi.

    When bored, he yed games or watched downloaded movies and TV shows.

    The resident chat group still echoed with pleas and furious curses directed at him.

    "Zhang Yi, you¡¯re an inhuman bastard!"

    "You could extend our lives, but you¡¯re too selfish!"

    "You¡¯re destined to be lonely forever!"

    "Don¡¯t you have a heart? By not helping us, you¡¯ll live your life in guilt and regret!"

    Facing the neighbors¡¯ curses, Zhang Yi had a simple response.

    He decided to live-stream his meals, recording his daily life to show them.

    "Hello, everyone. Today, I¡¯m making braised pork!"

    He tossed arge piece of pork belly, weighing at least two pounds, onto the cutting board.

    The neighbors went crazy with envy.

    "Why use so much pork belly for braised pork? If you can¡¯t finish it, don¡¯t waste it. Give it to me!"

    "Zhang Yi, you¡¯re a beast! You don¡¯t deserve that pork belly!"

    "Zhang Yi, I haven¡¯t had meat for a week. Please, just let me have some pork skin!"

    "Even a sip of the oil would do. You don¡¯t need it, right? Give it to me, please!"

    The starving neighbors had no resistance to such high-fat food.

    Zhang Yi cooked skillfully, the aroma of the braised pork seemingly wafting through the screen.

    After a while, Zhang Yi frowned, tasted a piece, and spat it into the trash.

    "Too much soy sauce! Damn, the whole pot is ruined."

    Although he cooked often, Zhang Yi rarely maderge dishes, and an excess of soy sauce had ruined the taste.

    The caramelized sugar was also overdone, making the meat bitter.

    "How can I eat this? Such a waste, such a waste!" Zhang Yi shook his head, frustrated.

    Intending to show off his cooking skills, he had messed up.

    Regrettably, he had no dogs at home to eat the ruined pork, so he had to throw it all away.

    The group chat exploded instantly, the neighbors going mad.

    "Don¡¯t throw it away! My mouth is a trash can; throw it to me!"

    "Why did you throw it away? Why, why, why? Ahhhh!!"

    "Throw out your trash now, and I¡¯ll pick it up!"

    "Master, your old servant iste. Do you need a dog to handle your trash?"

    Some were so angry they nearly fainted.

    Their hearts bled at the thought of the wasted food.

    In the freezing cold, with no gas for cooking, even a hot meal was a luxury, let alone braised pork, which they couldn¡¯t even dream of.

    Yet, Zhang Yi had thrown away an entire pot!

    "Better eat something ready-made."

    Zhang Yi shifted the camera to his clean, neat table, filled with various dishes.

    The warm yellowmp made the food look even more appetizing.

    Zhang Yi pointed to each dish, enthusiastically introducing them.

    "Tonight¡¯s dinner includes oil-braised shrimp, scallion-braised sea cucumber, specialty tofu, sweet and sour Yellow River carp, nine-turn intestines, marinated fish fillets, sweet and sour pork tenderloin, ckfish egg soup, and candied yams."

    "Folks, the dishes are ready. Time to eat!"

    He set up his phone like a food vlogger, picking up his chopsticks to feast.

    The group chat went wild.

    "Zhang Yi, just give me a bite. I¡¯ll kowtow to you!"

    "Zhang Yi, let my child have a bite of fish, even just the tail!"

    "Zhang Yi, you¡¯re my father, and I¡¯m your son. Let me have a sip of soup!"

    The desperate pleas filled the chat, with some even bombarding Zhang Yi¡¯s phone with calls.

    Ignoring them, Zhang Yi enjoyed his meal, savoring each bite.

    Seeing the furious expressions of his neighbors made the meal even more delicious for him.

 Chapter 63: Infection

    Chapter 63: Infection

    Zhang Yi''s ostentatious disy of wealth made the entire apartment building''s residents feel like their hearts were bleeding. Even the leftover food scraps from Zhang Yi''s meals were considered delicacies by them. Yet, Zhang Yi wouldn''t share even that with them.

    In Sun Zhichao''s home, the aftermath of the failed assault on Zhang Yi¡¯s house was bing apparent. Their hopes of acquiring antibiotics had been dashed. Only two days had passed, and the consequences were already evident.

    The three injured men felt unbearable itching around their wounds. The bandages were starting to show unusual yellowish stains.

    Unable to bear it any longer, Sun Zhichao tore off his bandage to inspect his wound, only to find it festering and pus-filled, emitting a nauseating stench akin to that of a rotting animal carcass.

    ¡°No, no, no! I don¡¯t want to die!¡± Sun Zhichao cried out, tears and snot streaming down his face.

    Zhou Peng and Ge Jialiang, seeing this, were even more terrified. They unwrapped their own bandages, praying they weren¡¯t infected. Unfortunately, the reality was harsh; they found their wounds simrly infected.

    They might have had a chance at healing if they had only sustained minor cuts. However, their injuries were deep, caused by rusty crossbow bolts embedded in their flesh. Thebination of the injuries, bacterial infection, andck of adequate nutrition and medication made wound deterioration inevitable.

    The three men screamed in agony, driven nearly insane by the pain and fear.In the room, Fang Yuqing trembled, clutching her phone. She sent a message to Zhang Yi.

    ¡°Yi, they¡¯ve gone mad. I¡¯m so scared. Can youe and save me? I¡¯ll do anything you ask if youe.¡±

    After a while, Zhang Yi replied.

    ¡°Yuqing, it pains me to see you like this. But I can¡¯t leave; Chen Zhenghao is right next door. If youe to me, be careful not to get caught by them. Yesterday, they killed my neighbors next door. If they see you, they might target you too.¡±

    Hearing that Chen Zhenghao was next door, Fang Yuqing hesitated, her face full of dread.

    Chen Zhenghao had killed many people, and she didn¡¯t dare to take the risk.

    ¡°Yi, I¡¯m too scared. Can youe and get me? You have weapons, right?¡±

    Zhang Yi cursed her in his heart. This shameless bitch expected him to go get her?

    ¡°I¡¯d like to, but after what happened the other day, I¡¯m feeling unwell. Let¡¯s talkter; I¡¯m a bit tired. Bye-bye!¡±

    Hearing the screams outside, Fang Yuqing¡¯s face turned pale. She sent another message to Zhang Yi, but he ignored her.

    In the following days, Zhang Yi¡¯s life was affluent and leisurely.

    With no need to work, he could sleep whenever he wanted and wake up whenever he liked. There was no need to worry about survival or to pander to anyone.

    If anyone dared to upset him, he could just curse them back. His life was utterly satisfying.

    Next door, Chen Zhenghao constantly schemed to kill Zhang Yi and take over his house. But he hadn¡¯t seen Zhang Yi leave his home for days. Without Zhang Yi stepping out, Chen Zhenghao had no chance to deal with him.

    Ironically, because Zhang Yi had ced a bounty on him, Chen Zhenghao lived in constant fear, unable to trust even his closest men. He slept with his gun in hand, his nerves fraying.

    Chen Zhenghao eventually came up with a n.

    Zhang Yi monitored the entire building through his surveince. He noticed that Chen Zhenghao seemed to be plotting something.

    Gradually, more young, strong men started entering Chen Zhenghao¡¯s home. Some came willingly, others were forced at gunpoint.

    Chen Zhenghao''s group expanded to ten people, more than before.

    Zhang Yi realized what was happening.

    ¡°He¡¯s scared, so he¡¯s recruiting people to protect himself from being killed and having the bounty imed.¡±

    But Zhang Yi saw this as a futile effort.

    The building¡¯s residents, now reduced to about seventy people after Zhang Yi had killed dozens, were running out of supplies. Soon, their food would run out, leading to inevitable cannibalism.

    Chen Zhenghao¡¯s recruitment meant he now had to provide food for ten people, which was unsustainable. His gun could only maintain his power for so long, and it likely had few bullets left.

    Zhang Yi messaged Zhou Ke''er, asking about the situation with Chen Zhenghao.

    After a long wait, Zhou Ke''er replied.

    ¡°Chen Zhenghao and his men have gone mad. They¡¯ve run out of food and started eating people! I haven¡¯t eaten in two days and feel like I¡¯m starving to death.¡±

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t surprised. He might also choose death over eating human flesh, but he wasn¡¯t in that desperate situation yet.

    Zhou Ke''er continued, ¡°They go out every day looking for people. If they find anyone, they attack and kill them. It¡¯s ironic; the people you killed allowed some to survive a bit longer.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ve faced resistance and have casualties too.¡±

    After a long pause, Zhou Ke''er sent another message.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, can you still save me?¡±

    Zhang Yi sensed her desperation. The once proud doctor had been reduced to begging for survival.

    After thinking for a long time, Zhang Yi decided he couldn¡¯t let Zhou Ke''er die. A top-tier surgeon was invaluable and hard to find.

    ¡°I need you to do something for me. If you seed, I¡¯ll save you.¡±

 Chapter 64: Enjoying the Benefits of Scheming

    Chapter 64: Enjoying the Benefits of Scheming

    Zhang Yi could ept Zhou Ke''er, but she had to prove herself first. Zhang Yi''s requirements were simple: be useful, pose no threat, and above all, don¡¯t be a saint. He had confidence in the first two points but wanted to see if Zhou Ke''er could be ruthless when necessary.

    He assigned her a task.

    Zhou Ke''er did not immediately respond, clearly struggling with the decision. Zhang Yi wasn''t in a hurry; time was on his side. If Zhou Ke''er couldn''t pass the test, he would abandon her without hesitation. After all, Zhang Yi was in good health and the likelihood of sudden illness was low. He also rarely went outside, minimizing the risk of injury. Zhou Ke''er¡¯s survival, however, was uncertain.

    ...

    The next day, Zhang Yi slept until ten in the morning. After getting out of bed and freshening up, he changed into his workout clothes and started exercising on the treadmill. In the apocalypse, maintaining good physical fitness was crucial for dealing with danger and avoiding illness.

    He ran for an hour, sweating profusely, then took a hot shower. The sense of pride he felt was overwhelming; such luxuries were unimaginable for many people now.

    Suddenly, there was a loud noise from outside.

    "Bang! Bang! Bang!"Zhang Yi quickly wrapped himself in a towel and went to investigate. He heard cursing from Zhou Peng.

    Turning on the surveince, Zhang Yi saw Zhou Peng hacking at his door with two kitchen knives.

    "Zhang Yi, get out here! All you do is hide inside like a coward, you useless piece of trash!"

    Zhang Yi smirked, "Oh, really? Go on, then. What''s next?"

    It wasughable. Those who couldn''t survive dared to use provocations against Zhang Yi? They were the ones desperate, not him.

    Zhou Peng was using his left hand to strike the door, barely able to lift his right arm. Zhang Yi realized Zhou Peng''s arm was infected. Upon closer inspection, he saw that it was swollen.

    Approaching the door, hands in his pockets, Zhang Yi calmly said, "Zhou Peng, feeling the effects of infection?"

    "I remember in biology ss, the teacher told us about wound infections."

    "Tetanus bacteria on the rusted iron enter your wound, proliferating like maggots on a corpse."

    "Your arm''s wound must be at least ten centimeters deep. Despite the cold outside, your flesh is warm, a perfect breeding ground for bacteria."

    "The wound festers, exuding pus, as the bacteria multiply and eat away your flesh. Eventually, they travel through your bloodstream, infecting your entire body."

    Zhang Yi''s vivid description made Zhou Peng''s arm ache even more. Cold sweat poured down his face as he felt the bacteria consuming his body.

    Even knowing Zhang Yi was trying to scare him, he couldn''t suppress the terror.

    "Ahhh! Zhang Yi, I''ll kill you!"

    Zhou Peng had lost his mind, knowing he was doomed. He made onest desperate attempt, though it was futile.

    In the next room, Chen Zhenghao''s subordinates heard Zhou Peng''s screams and asked, "Should we kill him?"

    Chen Zhenghao thought for a moment and said, "He''s nearly dead from infection. You want to eat diseased meat?"

    They exchanged looks and decided not to take the risk.

    Zhou Peng continued hacking at the door, cursing Zhang Yi, until he was exhausted and slumped to the ground, crying for mercy.

    Zhang Yi sighed, "You''re done for. Your wound is rotten and beyond saving. You might as well do something you''ve never dared to do while you''re still alive."

    Tears filled Zhou Peng''s eyes. Hearing Zhang Yi''s words, he fell into deeper despair.

    Was he really going to die?

    Fear consumed him, but soon, anger took over. With nothing left to lose, he was no longer afraid.

    Struggling to his feet, Zhou Peng kicked Zhang Yi''s door, but the pain from the hard door almost made him faint.

    Ignoring the pain, he staggered back to his ce, seeing Sun Zhichao using a candle to heat a knife before pressing it to his wound.

    "Sizzle¡ª"

    The sound of burning flesh and the smell of smoke filled the air as Sun Zhichao screamed in pain despite biting down on a cloth.

    He hoped this would kill the bacteria, but it was a futile, ignorant attempt.

    "Brother..."

    Wang Min watched Zhou Peng with sorrow, unable to offer anyfort.

    She knew Zhou Peng wouldn''tst much longer. The stench of rotting flesh filled their home, an unbearable pain for the living.

    Zhou Peng ignored Wang Min and headed to where Fang Yuqing was held.

    Seeing Zhou Peng, Fang Yuqing screamed, "Zhou... Zhou Peng? What are you doing?"

    Zhou Peng approached her, his bloodshot eyes fixed on her.

    "Yuqing, will you marry me?"

    Even at the end of his life, this pitiful man only wished to marry Fang Yuqing, a ridiculous yet humble request in the apocalypse.

    Fang Yuqing, pinching her nose in disgust, replied, "No, I won''t!"

    Zhou Peng¡¯s heart shattered. He had given so much for Fang Yuqing, even his life, yet she had never felt a thing for him.

    "No!! You love me, you do! I must have you, even if I die!"

    Losing his mind, Zhou Peng was determined not to die without getting what he wanted.

    Outside, no one cared about the noise. To them, Fang Yuqing was the cause of their misery and deserved her fate.

    "Get away from me! You stink, it''s disgusting!"

    Fang Yuqing yelled.

    "You dare call me disgusting?"

    Enraged, Zhou Peng ripped off his bandage. His wound was swollen, ck, and oozing pus.

    In a horrifying move, he grabbed the rotting flesh and stuffed it into Fang Yuqing¡¯s mouth.

    "Eat it! Eat it!"

    Fang Yuqing gagged and retched, but Zhou Peng forced the rotten flesh into her mouth.

    Zhou Peng grinned maniacally, feeling unprecedented satisfaction as he humiliated his so-called goddess.

 Chapter 65: Zhou Keers Decision

    Chapter 65: Zhou Ke''er''s Decision

    Zhou Peng tore off Fang Yuqing¡¯s clothes, disregarding the room¡¯s temperature of over minus sixty degrees Celsius. Fang Yuqingy there helplessly, her eyes vacant.

    But when Zhou Peng took off his pants, he discovered a cruel reality¡ªhe couldn¡¯t get an erection.

    In such extreme cold, and with his deteriorating physical condition, even given the chance, he couldn¡¯t perform.

    ¡°Get up! Get up!¡± Zhou Peng tried various ways to stimte himself, but nothing worked. It seemed like that part of him had lost all sensation.

    Seeing this, Fang Yuqing sneered, ¡°You really are useless!¡±

    ¡°Ahhhhhh!!!!¡±

    Zhou Peng¡¯s desperate scream echoed through the room, resembling the howl of a defeated beast.

    ...Zhou Ke''er, after a night of deep contemtion, finally gave Zhang Yi a definitive answer.

    She knew this was Zhang Yi¡¯s test for her.

    Although it was extremely dangerous, if she didn¡¯t do it, she knew she would soon die at the hands of Chen Zhenghao and his men.

    She had to take the risk.

    That evening, Chen Zhenghao and his men were sitting in the living room, and he sent one of hisckeys to the kitchen to cook.

    Zhou Ke''er, who was observing from the corner, suddenly stood up and said, ¡°I¡¯ll help him.¡±

    Chen Zhenghao¡¯s cold gaze fell on her, and he smiled eerily.

    ¡°Hahaha, I knew you couldn¡¯t hold out any longer!¡±

    Zhou Ke''er''s whole body tensed, her blood nearly freezing.

    Chen Zhenghao continued, ¡°Two days without food¡ªanyone would break. Dr. Zhou, it¡¯s not shameful to want to live!¡±

    Zhou Ke''er breathed a slight sigh of relief and bit her lip. ¡°You¡¯re right, I don¡¯t want to die; I want to live.¡±

    Chen Zhenghao, thinking she hade around, nodded, ¡°That¡¯s the right attitude. You¡¯re still useful to me. I don¡¯t want you to die too soon!¡±

    Zhou Ke''er took a deep breath and silently turned to help in the kitchen.

    The kitchen was filled with bloodstains, and even with a stuffy nose, the stench was overwhelming.

    Suppressing her nausea, she began chopping wood and lighting a fire as directed by theckey.

    Given the energy crisis, they were forced to burn furniture for cooking.

    The makeshift stove in the kitchen held arge iron pot.

    Once the fire was lit, snow in the pot began to melt into water.

    The melted snow was murky and filled with impurities, but in these dire times, no one could be choosy.

    While watching theckey, Zhou Ke''er also observed the activity outside the kitchen. Her palms sweated nervously because if she were caught, she would surely die.

    After a while, theckey threw some ingredients into the pot and added some random spices.

    ¡°Watch it,¡± theckey said coldly, leaving the kitchen.

    After ensuring it was safe, Zhou Ke''er took a small bottle from her pocket. She hurriedly unscrewed the cap and poured a heap of white powder into the pot.

    Afterwards, she quickly hid the bottle and stirred the powder into the soup.

    Despite the danger, no one noticed her actions.

    Later, Zhou Ke''er brought out arge pot of food, and everyone eagerly gathered to eat.

    Zhou Ke''er also took a bowl of soup to gain their trust and returned to her room.

    No one cared about her; they only focused on eating the hot food that represented survival.

    Sitting on her bed with the bowl of soup, Zhou Ke''er waited.

    She had added arge dose of sleeping pills to the pot. As a doctor, she knew the effects well¡ªthis amount would knock out even an elephant.

    Soon, she heard the snores from the living room.

    Cautiously, she found everyone asleep on the sofas and chairs.

    Zhou Ke''er held her breath and messaged Zhang Yi.

    ¡°I drugged them heavily. They¡¯re all unconscious. What¡¯s next?¡±

    Zhang Yi had been waiting for her message to confirm she couldplete the task and prove her value.

    ¡°Drag them to the balcony,¡± Zhang Yi replied.

    Zhou Ke''er bit her lip. This was a terrifying task, as she could be killed if they woke up.

    However, as a professional doctor, she was confident in the drug¡¯s potency.

    Following Zhang Yi¡¯s instructions, she dragged each person to the balcony. Even in the freezing cold, they remained deeply unconscious.

    Zhang Yi watched everything from his window, satisfied.

    Afterpleting the task, Zhou Ke''er asked with trembling voice, ¡°What now?¡±

    ¡°Wait a moment,¡± Zhang Yi said, putting down his phone.

    He retrieved a thick winter coat and ten child-sized ropes from storage space.

    Armed with a loaded crossbow, a machete, and a handgun for extra safety, he felt a sense of security.

    Opening the locks on his balcony door¡ªeach with fingerprint, electronic, and physical mechanisms¡ªZhang Yi stepped outside for the first time since the apocalypse began.

    Despite the cold wind, his professional-grade winter clothes kept him warm.

    Zhou Ke''er shivered near the window, hugging herself.

    ¡°Are you going to kill them?¡± she asked.

    Zhang Yi grinned, raising his gun at the unconscious thugs and tossing the ropes at Zhou Ke''er''s feet.

    ¡°Not me, you are.¡±

 Chapter 66: The Oath of Loyalty

    Chapter 66: The Oath of Loyalty

    Zhang Yi stood on his balcony, leaning against the window, ready to retreat at any moment if the situation turned dire.

    Chen Zhenghao and his subordinatesy unconscious on the neighboring balcony, appearing lifeless.

    However, Zhang Yi couldn''t be sure they were truly unconscious.

    What if they had set this up with Zhou Ke''er to lure him in? It was possible that once he crossed over, they would get up and attack him.

    Additionally, the gap between the two balconies was around ten centimeters, with a slippery stainless steel railing made treacherous by the snow.

    If Zhang Yi tried to climb over, Zhou Ke''er could push him, causing him to fall from the 24th floor.

    Thus, Zhang Yi pointed his gun at the unconscious Chen Zhenghao and his men.

    "Use these ropes to tie their hands behind their backs!""And I remember Chen Zhenghao has a gun. Hand it over."

    Zhou Ke''er, exhausted from two days without food and from dragging ten people to the balcony, looked at Zhang Yi with frustration.

    "You''re too cautious!"

    "Caution keeps you alive. I won''t take unnecessary risks," Zhang Yi said coolly.

    Reluctantly, Zhou Ke''erplied, tying their hands behind their backs with the ropes.

    When she retrieved the gun from Chen Zhenghao¡¯s pocket, Zhang Yi aimed his gun at her head.

    "Remove the magazine and throw it to me."

    Zhou Ke''er bit her lip, "How can I trust you? What if you go back on your word after I do all this?"

    Zhang Yi replied, "You have no other choice but to trust me. Only by trusting me can you survive in this harsh environment."

    After a moment¡¯s thought, Zhou Ke''er realized she had no other options. She couldn''t break her moral code and resort to cannibalism, so she would eventually starve to death.

    Following Zhang Yi''s instructions, she removed the magazine and threw it at his feet.

    Zhang Yi nced at it, confirming it was indeed Chen Zhenghao¡¯s gun, and then said, "Go back inside."

    Nervously, Zhou Ke''er returned to the room. She was on edge, knowing that if Chen Zhenghao woke up, Zhang Yi could retreat, but she would be left to die.

    Yet, as Zhang Yi had pointed out, she had no choice.

    Once Zhou Ke''er was back inside, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t immediately cross over.

    He picked up the gun from the ground, checking the magazine to find three bullets left.

    He tossed the gun into his storage space and then returned to his room to fetch a water hose.

    Spraying a hose was less noisy and conserved bullets, and it avoided attracting unnecessary attention.

    Spraying from a three-meter distance, Zhang Yi watched the water, warm at first, quickly turn to ice as itnded on the unconscious bodies.

    Inside, Zhou Ke''er watched in horror, hugging herself as the scene unfolded.

    From a room temperature of over twenty degrees Celsius to an outside temperature of minus seventy, the almost hundred-degree difference caused the warm water to emit steam before freezing on contact.

    The ice water woke them up, causing them to scream in terror as the cold water soaked through their clothes, freezing them solid.

    "Ahh!!!"

    One of Chen Zhenghao¡¯s men, lips turning purple, screamed in horror.

    Trying to get up, he slipped on the ice-covered balcony, unable to rise due to his bound hands.

    Chen Zhenghao awoke with ice water on his face, realizing he had been drugged. But there was no time to think about who had betrayed him. The ice water left him feeling like he was being pierced by thousands of needles.

    They struggled and shouted, but with their hands tied and the ground frozen solid, they couldn¡¯t get up.

    "Zhang Yi!!"

    Chen Zhenghao spotted Zhang Yi spraying them from the adjacent balcony and roared in rage.

    Zhang Yi finally stepped out of his room, opening the previously sealed window slightly. But it was toote for Chen Zhenghao to retaliate; his life was slipping away.

    "You''ve caused enough trouble. It''s time to die," Zhang Yi said coldly.

    Chen Zhenghao and his men had killed nearly half the building¡¯s residents, almost catching up to Zhang Yi¡¯s body count.

    Leaving them alive would mean a future showdown with Zhang Yi. Although Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t afraid, he preferred to avoid unnecessary risks.

    Nothing was safer than a dead enemy.

    Chen Zhenghao and his men used theirst bit of strength to struggle and curse, but they couldn¡¯t get up. The cold water soaked through their clothes, turning them into solid ice blocks.

    Within two minutes, their skin turned purple, their bodies convulsing violently.

    After three minutes, they stopped moving, having be tenrge ice blocks.

    Five minutester, the ice blocks became a solid mass, freezing them into a single chunk of ice.

    To conserve water, Zhang Yi stopped spraying. Frozen like that, without modern medical intervention, they were as good as dead.

    Zhang Yi returned to his room, locking the floor-to-ceiling window securely.

    Changing out of his heavy winter gear, he called Zhou Ke''er.

    "You passed the test. You cane over now."

    In the neighboring room, Zhou Ke''er sighed in relief upon hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s voice.

    "Okay, I¡¯lle right over," she replied, trembling.

    She grabbed her medical kit and fled the hellish room.

    Zhang Yi unlocked the heavy security door¡¯s multiple locks, then stepped back, aiming his gun at the entrance.

    Watching the surveince, he ensured Zhou Ke''er''s state was stable before unlocking the final electronic lock via his phone app.

    "You cane in now!"

    Outside, Zhou Ke''er pushed the heavy door with all her strength. As soon as it opened a crack, a wave of warmth enveloped her, making her eyes shine with joy.

    This warmth was something she hadn¡¯t felt in a long time.

    She pushed the door harder and stepped inside, feeling like she had entered paradise.

    The ice-cold feeling that had gripped her body began to melt away, reced by a soothing warmth like a hot bath.

    Soon, the sixyers of clothing she wore became unbearably hot. Desperate, she hurriedly stripped off heryers, not caring that Zhang Yi was pointing a gun at her.

 Chapter 67: Proving Youre Harmless

    Chapter 67: Proving You''re Harmless

    The room was incredibly warm.

    Zhou Ke''er felt as if she was being roasted in a furnace while wearing her thick down jacket. She couldn''t stand the difort any longer and quickly took off the heavy clothing to cool down, not caring that Zhang Yi was pointing a gun at her.

    She panted heavily, tears of joy welling up in her eyes. The warmth was overwhelming. Such afortable indoor temperature was the only environment suitable for human life. She hadn''t felt such a simple happiness in a long time.

    "Have you forgotten something? For example, this is my home, and you haven''t fully passed my test yet," Zhang Yi said coldly.

    Only then did Zhou Ke''er remember the man in front of her.

    Zhang Yi''s gun was still aimed at her.

    Zhou Ke''er forced a smile, "You are really cautious. I''ve done everything you asked, dealt with your enemies. Isn''t that enough to earn your trust?"

    Zhang Yi replied calmly, "Those people were also a big problem for you. Eliminating them wasn''t entirely for me; you had your own survival needs.""Getting rid of them only proves you''re somewhat useful and meets the basic conditions for being my helper."

    "But now, you need to prove that you''re harmless!"

    Zhang Yi pointed out the crucial issue. Having survived the apocalypse for a long time, he couldn''t trust anyone easily. Regardless of who a person was before, they could lose their humanity in the apocalypse. He could only trust himself, ensuring his survival.

    Zhou Ke''er felt helpless. She had followed Zhang Yi''s instructions but didn''t know how to make him trust her.

    However, she absolutely did not want to leave this warm house!

    "What do I need to do to prove that I''m harmless to you?" Zhou Ke''er asked, her eyes filled with a nearly humble plea.

    Zhang Yi looked at her cautiously, "You''re not carrying any weapons, are you?"

    Zhou Ke''er raised her hands, "Look, I don¡¯t have any dangerous weapons on me."

    Zhang Yi remained expressionless, shaking the gun in his hand.

    "Raise your hands!"

    Zhang Yi intended to search her to ensure she wasn''t hiding any weapons.

    Zhou Ke''er felt embarrassed but knew she wasn''t in a position to negotiate. This warm house was too preciouspared to her previous environment; it was practically heaven. She understood that to gain something, one must pay a corresponding price.

    "Okay, I understand," Zhou Ke''er said, gathering her courage andplying with Zhang Yi''s request. She was smart enough to know what to give up to get what she wanted.

    Zhang Yi''s eyes were fixed on her, preventing her from suddenly pulling out a deadly weapon. This was entirely for safety; he had no other intentions.

    Zhou Ke''er slowly raised her hands and ced them behind her head, pressing her body against the door as if mimicking scenes from TV shows.

    Zhang Yi cautiously approached her and conducted a thorough search.

    "Is this good enough now?" Zhou Ke''er asked after Zhang Yi finished the search.

    Zhang Yi confirmed she wasn''t carrying any weapons. He then nced at the medical kit on the floor and said, "I suggest you take a shower first."

    Zhou Ke''er''s face turned redder. She hadn''t showered in a long time and knew she might smell, but there was nothing she could do about it.

    Embarrassed, she hurried into the bathroom.

    Zhang Yi retrieved some women''s clothes from his storage space and ced them outside the bathroom door.

    "Here are some clothes for you to change into. I picked a set based on your size. Try it on and let me know if it fits. If not, I''ll find another set."

    Zhang Yi''s experience managing the warehouse had honed his eye for sizing clothes.

    From inside the bathroom, Zhou Ke''er replied softly, "Okay."

    Then came the sound of water running.

    Zhang Yi sat down on the sofa, waiting for Zhou Ke''er to finish her shower before continuing their conversation.

    In the bathroom, Zhou Ke''er turned on the shower. She couldn''t hold back her tears as the hot water sprayed over her. Only after losing everything did she realize what happiness was. The conveniences of everyday life, which she once took for granted, now felt precious. Human civilization''s advancements had made life sofortable.

    After half a month without a shower, Zhou Ke''er meticulously cleaned herself. After half an hour, she remembered this was Zhang Yi''s house and hurriedly finished up, conscious that water was a valuable resource.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t rush her. He had plenty of water stored, and even if it ran out, there was an abundance of ice and snow outside.

    The bathroom door opened with a click.

    Zhang Yi looked over and saw a steaming arm reach out to grab the clothes he had left outside.

    Soon, Zhou Ke''er stepped out wearing pajamas, her wet hair cascading down her back, creating a striking beauty.

    Zhang Yi, holding his gun, remained unmoved by her beauty. His gaze was still cautious.

    He wouldn''t let down his guard until he was sure this woman could be trusted. In the apocalypse, even seemingly harmless women or children could be deadly threats.

    "Thank you, Zhang Yi. I haven''t had a shower and used up some of your water in a long time. I hope you don¡¯t mind," Zhou Ke''er said, feeling embarrassed.

    Being in a strange man''s house, she felt very uneasy. She didn¡¯t know much about Zhang Yi and wanted to be cautious and respectful to avoid angering him and being thrown out.

    Having experienced thefort of a safe house, she didn''t want to return to the freezing outside world.

 Chapter 68: A Settled Matter

    Chapter 68: A Settled Matter

    Zhou Ke''er noticed that Zhang Yi still harbored a sense of caution towards her, thinking to herself, "No wonder he can live sofortably in the apocalypse."

    "Sit down," Zhang Yi gestured to the sofa beside him, holding a gun in his hand.

    Zhou Ke''er obediently sat down on the sofa about two meters away from Zhang Yi, her hands neatly ced on her knees, like a well-behaved child.

    "Listen, the reason I let you stay here is because you hold some value to me," Zhang Yi said. "But you must always remember, this is my home. Your ability to live here is a gift from me."

    "So, you must obey all mymands. Otherwise, I will throw you out."

    "If I find that you have any ill intentions towards me, I will kill you without hesitation!"

    Hearing Zhang Yi''s cold words, Zhou Ke''er couldn''t help but think, "So cold-blooded." Though she understood his reasoning, she wished he could speak a bit more gently; it would have moved her more.

    She didn''t know that Zhang Yi had once been gentle, but his gentleness had always been wasted.Zhang Yi pointed to a room. Their house had three bedrooms and a living room. In addition to Zhang Yi''s master bedroom, there were two guest rooms.

    "You will stay in that room. But let me tell you upfront, every corner of this house is monitored."

    "So you will always be under surveince, with no privacy."

    "The door is a security door, only slightly thinner than the front door, but it can''t be opened by force."

    "I hold the key, and you can onlye out when I allow it."

    "If you have any objections," Zhang Yi pointed to the door, "you can leave now!"

    There was no way Zhou Ke''er would leave. Even with Zhang Yi''s harsh conditions, this house was a paradisepared to the harsh environment outside.

    She nodded, "Okay, I will listen to you."

    Zhou Ke''er''spliant attitude pleased Zhang Yi.

    She was indeed a smart woman, makingmunication easy. If it were someone like Fang Yuqing or Lin Cainin, they would probably cry and fuss. They deserved to die in this apocalypse.

    Zhang Yi put away his gun and adjusted another gun''s position.

    Looking at Zhou Ke''er, his tone softened slightly.

    "You are very smart, which makes things easier for us all."

    "You should understand that outside is a hell. Besides relying on me, you have no other way to survive."

    "So now, I will tell you a secret, and you should listen carefully."

    Zhou Ke''er widened her eyes in surprise.

    "A secret? You... are willing to tell me?"

    She thought that someone as cautious as Zhang Yi wouldn''t easily reveal secrets. It must not be simple.

    Zhang Yi said, "Telling you this secret is to ensure your loyalty. But even if you leak it, I¡¯m not too worried. After all, everyone is struggling to survive in this world, and I¡¯m not afraid of anyone posing a threat to me."

    He shrugged, "Those who tried to kill me before were all dealt with. You saw it yourself."

    Zhou Ke''er nodded, looking at Zhang Yi seriously, eager to hear what he had to say.

    Zhang Yi spoke slowly, "You might have read on the media about the cause of this snow disaster. It was caused by a supernova explosion, leading to a gamma-ray burst."

    "This radiation can affect the human body, possibly causing mutations."

    "So, I gained a superpower: an independent alternate space."

    Ignoring Zhou Ke''er''s astonished look, Zhang Yi continued, "The reason I can live sofortably now is because I stored arge amount of supplies in my space."

    "Otherwise, you can see that my house alone wouldn''t hold much."

    "Therefore, if I¡¯m alive, you can enjoy these supplies with me. There will be food to eat and hot water to shower with."

    "If I die, this house will soon be no different from other houses, and you will still starve to death."

    Zhang Yi didn''t fully trust Zhou Ke''er, even though he knew she was kind.

    He only believed in interests, not human nature.

    Human nature can be twisted with little effort.

    By telling Zhou Ke''er that her survival depended on his, Zhang Yi ensured she would be his loyal ally.

    To gain Zhou Ke''er''s trust, Zhang Yi took a long sandwich from his space and threw it to her.

    Seeing Zhang Yi seemingly perform a magic trick, taking out a sandwich with empty hands, a trace of trust finally appeared in Zhou Ke''er''s surprised eyes.

    "Superpower? Does such a thing really exist?"

    Looking at the sandwich in her hand, she swallowed hard but didn¡¯t dare to eat it, waiting for Zhang Yi''s order.

    Such arge sandwich, outside, would be enough for two families to fight over!

    Especially since she hadn''t eaten for two days.

    Zhang Yi said calmly, "Eat it, it¡¯s yours."

    Zhou Ke''er couldn''t hold back any longer. She took a big bite of the sandwich.

    Seeing her eating hurriedly, Zhang Yi worried she might choke and handed her a ss of water.

    Zhou Ke''er ate the sandwich in big bites, moved to tears by the food she once scorned.

    Why did this sandwich taste so good?

    Zhang Yi, meanwhile, gentlyid out the rules for living there.

    "I don''t trust you that much, so you need to be sensible."

    "Cleaning, cooking, don¡¯t make me give orders."

    "The sewer is frozen, so use special stic bags for the toilet and throw them out through the hidden door in the window. You¡¯ll handle this."

    "In other words, you¡¯re my maid now. You¡¯ll earn afortable living environment and food throughbor. Understand?"

    Zhang Yi''s house couldn¡¯t support idle people.

    Zhou Ke''er finished eating and nodded repeatedly, "I understand, ma¡­master."

    She shyly called him "master."

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, finding her adaptability impressive. It was no wonder she became a chief physician at a young age.

    Seeing her full and content, Zhang Yi smiled.

    He rested his chin on his hand, his eyes on her fair neck.

    "Do you know why I chose you, even though we weren¡¯t the closest?"

    Zhou Ke''er pursed her lips, "Because I¡¯m a doctor."

    "Youck nothing, but you can¡¯t ensure you won¡¯t get sick or injured."

    Zhang Yi nodded slightly, "That¡¯s one reason. Although I¡¯m healthy, one must always be prepared."

    He took out half a bottle of wine from under the coffee table, and with another sleight of hand, two wine sses.

    Pouring two sses of wine, he pushed one towards Zhou Ke''er.

    "So, do you know the second reason?"

    Zhou Ke''er took the wine, hesitated, and then drank a sip, realizing there was no free lunch.

    "Because I¡¯m a woman, and a beautiful one at that."

    She had a clear understanding of her situation.

    Putting down the ss, she stood up.

    Before Zhang Yi, she untied her bathrobe.

    Zhang Yi, not pretending to be a gentleman, felt the need to release the pent-up negative energy umted over half a month.

    So, today was settled.

 Chapter 69: A Good Nights Sleep

    Chapter 69: A Good Night''s Sleep

    This night was destined to be exceptionally long.

    Zhou Ke''er finally got the warm room she desired. Now, she could sleepfortably for the first time since the apocalypse began.

    Zhang Yi locked the door from the outside, keeping the only key with him.

    Business was business, and basic principles had to be maintained. Even though Zhang Yi knew Zhou Ke''er was a kind person, letting her in and allowing her to survive was already a great act of kindness.

    He couldn¡¯tpletely let his guard down around her in the short term.

    After showering, Zhang Yi returned to his bedroom to rest.

    He slept for half a day, waking up feeling refreshed, his eyes brighter than usual. Having a woman around added some fun to life; living alone, he worried he might eventually go insane. Humans are, after all, social animals.

    However, Zhou Ke''er had to be obedient and absolutely harmless.Zhang Yi checked the surveince and saw that Zhou Ke''er was still sleeping soundly in bed. She hadn¡¯t had a proper rest for a long time, so she was sleeping very deeply, not having woken up yet.

    Raising an eyebrow, Zhang Yi got dressed, washed up, and went to the living room to prepare breakfast. He took some food out of his storage space and ced it on the coffee table.

    Then he went to Zhou Ke''er''s door, unlocked it, and knocked.

    "Come out and eat something!"

    It was amusing. Zhang Yi could see everything in the house clearly, but he stillcked politeness. Basic respect was necessary if they were to live together long-term.

    Zhou Ke''er''s soft, tired voice came from inside. "Okay, I''ll be right out."

    Zhang Yi went to the dining table, picked up a cheese burger, and walked to the window while eating.

    Overnight, therge block of ice on the neighboring balcony had grown bigger. Snow had fallen on it, turning it pure white, and the twisted shapes of ten corpses could be faintly seen inside.

    Zhou Ke''er came out of her room, blushing slightly at the sight of Zhang Yi. As a well-educated doctor from a prestigious university, she had always been proud and aloof, maintaining her chastity until now. People from high society valued these things greatly.

    However, she hadn¡¯t given herself to her husband or lover but exchanged her chastity for survival with a rtively unfamiliar man during the apocalypse.

    Yet, looking at Zhang Yi¡¯s tall figure and his cold, rational, handsome face made her feel strangely secure.

    Women often have special feelings for their first man.

    Zhang Yi liked Zhou Ke''er because she was beautiful. What man wouldn¡¯t love a woman with a great figure and a pretty face? However, love was out of the question for now. Perhaps, once hepletely trusted her, he might develop feelings.

    Living alone in the apocalypse was exhausting; emotional support was needed.

    Zhang Yi pointed to the food on the table. Zhou Ke''er saw the hot burgers, fried chicken, and fries.

    Zhang Yi had ordered these items inrge quantities from KFC and McDonald¡¯s before the apocalypse. Thanks to the space''s preservation ability, they were still hot when taken out.

    Zhou Ke''er swallowed hard and couldn¡¯t resist picking up a burger and taking a big bite. Fast food she used to disdain now tasted so delicious it made her want to cry.

    Within ten minutes, she finished all the food on the table.

    Lying back in her chair, she let out a satisfied burp. Seeing Zhang Yi¡¯s amused expression, she covered her mouth in embarrassment.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t mind.

    "Finished?" he asked.

    Zhou Ke''er tilted her head, "Not quite. But I shouldn¡¯t eat too much at once; it can cause stomach issues."

    "Then get to work."

    Zhang Yi pointed outside.

    Zhou Ke''er obediently walked over. Zhang Yi took two sets of cold-resistant suits from his space, making her eyes widen in amazement, even though she had seen it before.

    Her resolve to follow Zhang Yi strengthened. In the apocalypse, survival chances increased by following powerful individuals.

    Zhang Yi threw her one set, and they both put them on.

    "What are we doing?" Zhou Ke''er asked curiously.

    "Breaking that block of ice," Zhang Yi replied, pointing to the neighboring balcony.

    Zhou Ke''er shuddered. The bodies were merged with the ice; breaking it would shatter the corpses.

    "Why do this if they¡¯re already dead?" she asked.

    Zhang Yi shrugged, "Maybe I just really hate them."

    Seeing her surprised expression, Zhang Yi added, "Everyone in this building wants to kill me and take my supplies. I need to show them I¡¯m not to be messed with."

    "In the past, they thought I was a coward hiding at home. I don¡¯t mind their opinions, but it gets annoying over time. They need a reminder."

    There was another reason Zhang Yi didn¡¯t mention: vengeance.

    Chen Zhenghao had repeatedly tried to kill him, which infuriated Zhang Yi. Simply freezing them to death was too lenient.

    Realizing something, Zhou Ke''er pointed at herself, "You¡¯re not making me do it, are you?"

    She was exasperated. She had eliminated Chen Zhenghao and his men, and now Zhang Yi was still cautious.

    "This is called being cautious!" Zhang Yi replied seriously.

    If he went over and she closed the window, what would he do? Though he wouldn¡¯t starve, livingfortably was preferable.

    Zhou Ke''er rolled her eyes, finding Zhang Yi¡¯s extreme caution amusing.

    He gestured for her to proceed, handing her a baseball bat.

    She noticed his defensive stance and felt even more exasperated by his caution. Despite her reluctance, she took the bat, climbed over the railing, and onto the neighboring balcony.

    Zhang Yi took out his phone and began recording.

 Chapter 70: Intimidation

    Chapter 70: Intimidation

    Zhou Ke''er raised the baseball bat in her hand and, staring at the huge block of ice in front of her, gritted her teeth and decisively smashed it down!

    Having studied medicine, she wasn''t particrly squeamish about dealing with corpses.

    "Crack!" The ice block shattered with a sound, sending a painful shock up her hand. "Ouch!" she eximed, dropping the baseball bat.

    Frowning slightly, Zhou Ke''er rubbed her sore hand. "It''s so hard!"

    Without waiting for Zhang Yi to say anything, she went back inside and returned with arge iron hammer. "This is more useful!" she said with determination.

    Zhang Yi remained silent for a moment, realizing he had underestimated this woman.

    Zhou Ke''er raised the hammer and smashed it down hard. Since there wasn''t too much water poured on the ice block, the iceyer wasn''t overly thick. Her strength was considerable, and she managed to shatter arge piece.

    Zhang Yi filmed the entire process with his phone.After the first hammer blow, Zhou Ke''er became more daring, and the fear she initially felt dissipated.

    With the sounds of cracking ice, the block shattered into several pieces.

    At this point, the contents were unrecognizable¡ªjust a mess of colors¡ªbut Zhang Yi knew exactly what they were.

    After finishing Zhang Yi''s task, Zhou Ke''er climbed back over.

    "What''s the point of recording this?" she asked while changing clothes, curious.

    A smirk yed on Zhang Yi''s lips as he sent the video to the building¡¯s chat group.

    Zhou Ke''er suddenly understood. "You want to intimidate them so they won''t bother you again?"

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly. "Not just that. I want to rece Chen Zhenghao in their minds."

    The neighbors feared Chen Zhenghao far more than they did Zhang Yi. Chen Zhenghao had a gun and would kill them and take their supplies without hesitation. Even though Zhang Yi had killed many people, he was still seen as a guy hiding at home, relying on sneak attacks.

    Zhang Yi wanted to take control, preparing for the day he might need to leave his house. He couldn¡¯t guarantee he¡¯d never need to go out.

    Zhou Ke''er nodded, supporting Zhang Yi''s approach.

    Zhang Yi sat on the sofa to rest and check the group chat¡¯s reactions.

    Zhou Ke''er, obedient and close like a kitten, leaned beside him, watching the group chat with him.

    They looked like a pair of lovers deeply in love.

    Zhou Ke''er¡¯s feelings for Zhang Yi were rooted in dependency and a woman''s inherent admiration for strength. To Zhang Yi, she was more of a servant at this point. If feelings developedter, he wouldn''t mind, but for now, she was just a usefulpanion.

    The inte seemed to have worsenedtely. It took a minute for the video to uploadpletely, likely due to the heavy snow affecting the surrounding base stations. Nevertheless, China¡¯s infrastructure was world-ss, somunication hadn''t yet be impossible, though long-distancemunication faced more interference.

    Curious neighbors clicked on the video, and upon seeing the gruesome deaths of Chen Zhenghao and his men, manyughed madly, tears mingling with theirughter.

    ¡°Chen Zhenghao, that devil is finally dead!¡±

    ¡°Cui, you can rest in peace now!¡±

    ¡°Finally... he¡¯s finally dead! We can go out again!¡±

    ¡°Good riddance, you bastard! Hahaha! Hahaha...¡±

    The neighbors hated Chen Zhenghao deeply. If he hadn¡¯t led the violent chaos, many people in the building wouldn''t have died. Their family, friends, and loved ones were brutally killed by Chen Zhenghao and his gang, leaving them with an indescribable hatred.

    Zhang Yi posted a message in the group chat:

    ¡°Chen Zhenghao is dead. I, Zhang Yi, killed him.¡±

    Zhou Ke''er nced at him with slight resentment, thinking, "Wasn''t it me who did it?"

    Zhang Yi continued, ¡°From now on, this building is under my control.¡±

    The neighbors suddenly remembered the video was posted by Zhang Yi and that Zhou Ke''er was seen helping him.

    ¡°Zhang Yi... did you kill Chen Zhenghao?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re amazing! Thank you for getting rid of that monster!¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi, do you have any food? I¡¯m starving. My son is dead, my daughter is dead. But I want to live!¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi, there must be food in your house, right? Please give me some. I¡¯ll do anything you want!¡±

    The neighbors'' reactions disappointed Zhang Yi. They seemed to beg more than they feared him.

    He turned to Zhou Ke''er. ¡°I killed Chen Zhenghao, but why aren¡¯t they afraid of me?¡±

    Without hesitation, Zhou Ke''er replied, ¡°Becausepared to Chen Zhenghao, you¡¯re a good person!¡±

    Zhang Yiughed at the idea. ¡°Me, a good person? Don¡¯t tter me.¡±

    Zhou Ke''er seriously said, ¡°To me, you are a good person. You¡¯ve never killed anyone without reason.¡±

    ¡°As for Chen Zhenghao, he deserved to die.¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled but said nothing. He didn¡¯t think of himself as a good person, but at least he hadn¡¯t lost his basic moral principles yet.

    Then, someone sent a voice message.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, is Zhou Ke''er living with you? Why only her and not me?¡±

    Seeing Zhou Ke''er in the video sparked a realization and jealousy among the neighbors. Many now saw a chance to gain Zhang Yi''s favor.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, I can do anything Zhou Ke''er can do, and better! Please let me in, too!¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi, I¡¯ve liked you for a long time. Can you be my boyfriend?¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi, even though I¡¯m a man, I¡¯ll do anything for you...¡±

    Zhang Yi found their messages disturbing.

    Zhou Ke''er was equally stunned and felt a sense of crisis. As a woman and a doctor, she knew she wasn¡¯t irreceable.

    She bit her lip, determined to show her value and cling to Zhang Yi.

    The neighbors'' jealousy and resentment towards Zhou Ke''er grew, and they all pleaded with Zhang Yi.

    Especially Fang Yuqing, who was furious when she saw these messages.

    Fang Yuqing: ¡°Yi, are you with Zhou Ke''er now?¡±

    Zhang Yi ignored her.

    Fang Yuqing panicked. In her filthy room, she looked like a madwoman.

    Sun Zhichao, Zhou Peng, and Ge Jialiang had been dead for days, but she still had hope.

    She believed she would one day enter Zhang Yi''s house and live a good life.

    With trembling hands, she typed: ¡°Zhang Yi, now that Chen Zhenghao is dead, can Ie to your ce?¡±

    ¡°Didn''t you say we would be together? Didn''t you promise to take care of me?¡±

    ¡°You said you¡¯d keep me warm and happy. You promised!¡±

    ¡°You have to take me in! Don¡¯t stay with other women; you¡¯re mine!¡±

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t expect Fang Yuqing to be alive.

    He coldly replied, ¡°Are you still alive?¡±

    Fang Yuqing¡¯s eyes lit up.

    ¡°Zhang Yi must have thought I was dead and let Zhou Ke''er in. Now that he knows I¡¯m alive, he¡¯ll choose me over her.¡±

    Her lips trembled with excitement. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Zhang Yi. You liked me so much; you wouldn¡¯t change your mind, right?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t let Zhou Ke''er stay. Let mee. I love you the most! Kick her out!¡±

    At that moment, the disheveled Wang Min and Lin Cainin noticed Fang Yuqing''s excitement.

    Realizing she was chatting with Zhang Yi, they rushed over, faces contorted with rage.

    ¡°Fang Yuqing, don¡¯t think you can abandon us and live well alone!¡±

    They fought over the phone, desperately sending messages to Zhang Yi.

    Lin Cainin: ¡°Zhang Yi, I¡¯m better than Fang Yuqing. I can do anything she can and more. I won¡¯t treat you as a backup.¡±

    Wang Min: ¡°Zhang Yi, I¡¯m older, but that means I know how to care for you. Young girls don¡¯t understand tenderness. Give me a chance!¡±

    Zhang Yi found their messages amusing.

    Zhou Ke''er, feeling even more insecure, clung tightly to Zhang Yi''s arm, afraid he might leave.

 Chapter 71: Stop Contacting Me, I Dont Want Her to Misunderstand

    Chapter 71: Stop Contacting Me, I Don''t Want Her to Misunderstand

    Zhou Ke''er''s initiative made Zhang Yi feel a hint of happiness and warmth in his heart.

    Although he wasn''t easily swayed by women, he also needed tenderness and care. Zhou Ke''er was undoubtedly a beauty, and her charm was naturally impactful.

    He enjoyed the process of hering closer to him, both physically and emotionally.

    A mischievous idea crossed Zhang Yi''s mind. If Fang Yuqing saw him and Zhou Ke''er being so intimate, would she go mad with jealousy?

    Thinking this, Zhang Yi immediately picked up his phone and took a selfie with Zhou Ke''er clinging to his arm. He then sent the photo to Fang Yuqing.

    "Qing, you''re a good person. But unfortunately, you came toote. I''ve found someone better now."

    "You will bless us, won''t you?"

    Fang Yuqing, who was still desperately fighting for her phone, saw the message notification and quickly grabbed the device.The three women stared at the message in shock. They saw Zhou Ke''er and Zhang Yi snuggled together, clearly a couple.

    No matter in terms of education, talent, or looks, Zhou Ke''er was far superior to them.

    Fang Yuqing had only a modest education and worked as a warehouse clerk. Compared to Zhou Ke''er, a high-ss, well-educated beauty, she felt utterly crushed.

    Jealousy burned within them, consuming their hearts.

    "Yi, no! You can''t do this to me. I love you, I love you the most."

    "She must be deceiving you. She doesn''t really love you! Give me a chance, and I''ll prove that I''m the one who truly loves you!"

    Zhang Yi sneered and replied, "No need. Ke''er and I are truly in love. She''s far better than you. Do you really think you stand a chance?"

    "So, let''s not contact each other anymore. I don''t want her to misunderstand."

    Zhang Yi knew his words would drive Fang Yuqing mad with anger because he understood he was herst hope in this apocalyptic world.

    Destroying a person''s hope in such a manner was incredibly satisfying for him, especially doing it in this way.

    Fang Yuqing always considered herself a goddess, expecting men to worship her.

    But today, another woman had taken what she believed to be hers. The key point was that this other woman was indeed better and more beautiful than her.

    The pain and despair were doubled!

    She regretted deeply, wanting to beat herself up for not marrying Zhang Yi when she had the chance!

    Just as Zhang Yi predicted, Fang Yuqing went almost insane, screaming hysterically.

    "I don''t believe it, I don''t believe it!"

    "Zhang Yi, you were my simp! You worshipped me for two years. Why are you not devoted now when I''m so willing?"

    "That bitch, why did you take what''s mine? You deserve to die!"

    "Yes, Zhou Ke''er, it''s all that bitch''s fault!"

    Seeing Zhang Yi''s message, Lin Cainin and Wang Min pointed at Fang Yuqing andughed heartily.

    "Hahaha, you pathetic whore, you''re getting what you deserve. This is your karma!"

    "Spit! You deserve every bit of this!" Her former best friend, Lin Cainin, cursed with gritted teeth, full of contempt.

    With red eyes, Fang Yuqing tried to send another message to Zhang Yi, only to find she had been blocked.

    This meant Zhang Yi hadpletely cut her off.

    Soon, she would die in this apocalyptic world, and the torment and humiliation Zhang Yi had inflicted on her gave him immense satisfaction.

    Zhang Yi put down his phone, a happy smile on his face.

    The more pain that wretched woman suffered, the happier he felt.

    Zhou Ke''er snuggled closely to him, curiously looking up at him.

    Zhang Yi turned his head, and their eyes met.

    Suddenly, he frowned and gripped her hand tightly.

    "Do you think I''m cruel?"

    Zhou Ke''er''s breath became rapid, her face flushed with nervous excitement.

    "You... you must have your reasons for doing this."

    Zhang Yi''s gaze deepened as he recalled how Fang Yuqing had treated him in his previous life.

    He had given her everything, only to be betrayed and tricked into opening his door, leading to his gruesome death at the hands of his neighbors.

    The excruciating pain of being slowly dismembered was beyond human imagination.

    "Good that you understand," Zhang Yi said, not wanting to exin further. It had nothing to do with Zhou Ke''er, after all.

    ...

    After Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke''er dealt with Chen Zhenghao, the atmosphere around them became much quieter. At least, there were no more daily disturbances and surveince from the next door.

    Chen Zhenghao himself never knew that Zhang Yi killed himrgely because he was too much of a nuisance.

    The overall atmosphere in Building 25 rxed slightly, no longer as oppressive as before.

    But Zhang Yi knew this was just an illusion. The longer the apocalypsested, the more twisted human nature would be.

    Even without Chen Zhenghao, those who had tasted human flesh might still resort to killing.

    But, as always, what did it matter to him?

    That morning, Zhang Yi got up and went to open Zhou Ke''er''s door.

    Blushing, Zhou Ke''er went to the bathroom and then returned to prepare breakfast for Zhang Yi.

    Her cooking skills were average, but still better than Zhang Yi''s.

    asionally, Zhang Yi would want freshly made food and would ask her to cook.

    Of course, Zhang Yi always made Zhou Ke''er taste the food first before eating it himself.

    While eating, Zhang Yi scrolled through WeChat and some still-functioning news apps.

    Currently, a few apps were still operational, maintained by the authorities.

    Most people couldn''t survive the extreme cold, but the higher-ups always had disaster response ns, allowing some so-called important people to live.

    Suddenly, he saw a familiar face in a group chat.

    It was the crazy troublemaker, Aunt Lin.

    Aunt Lin: "The snow disaster will soon be over! My brother, the secretary of Jiangnan Province, told me over the phone."

    "You all need to listen to me now, or I''ll have you all executed when this is over!"

    "Did you hear me? Bring me food right now!"

    But no one in the group paid her any attention.

    "She''s gone mad. But it''s a miracle she''s still alive! I remember Chen Zhenghao targeted her first," Zhang Yi said nonchntly.

    Across from him, Zhou Ke''er''s face showed a trace of sadness.

    "When I treated Lin Xiaohu, I pitied them and gave them some supplies," she said softly.

 Chapter 72: Uncle Yous Request for Medicine

    Chapter 72: Uncle You''s Request for Medicine

    Upon hearing Zhou Ke''er mention her previous aid to Aunt Lin, Zhang Yi nced at her.

    Zhou Ke''er quickly exined, fearing Zhang Yi would think she was too saintly. "At the time, the snow disaster had just begun. I thought it would pass quickly."

    Zhang Yi chuckled dismissively, cing his phone on the table and folding his hands. "That¡¯s not the issue."

    "The supplies you gave them should have been used up by now. What has she been surviving on?"

    Zhou Ke''er, still chewing on a piece of rib, paused and ced the rib back into her bowl. "Lin Xiaohu died about ten days ago because there were no medications."

    Zhang Yi nodded. "That makes sense then." Heughed suddenly. "Aunt Lin always said Lin Xiaohu was her darling, and she would do anything for him. Looks like she did just that."

    Zhou Ke''er couldn''t help but cover her mouth, giving Zhang Yi a reproachful look. "I''m eating!"

    "Hahaha!" Zhang Yiughed heartily, pleased with his sessful joke. Having someone to talk to made life more enjoyable.While they were chatting, they suddenly heard shouts from outside.

    They both turned to look out the window.

    On the balcony of building 18, about ten meters to the west of their building, a naked man stood, raising his arms to the wind and shouting. Then, as they watched, he jumped off like a diver.

    Zhou Ke''er frowned slightly, sighing. "When will this snow disaster end?"

    In these apocalyptic times, many people chose to end their lives out of despair.

    Zhang Yi shook his head. "Who knows? Changes in nature aren¡¯t something humans can control with current technology."

    "As long as we can stay alive, that''s all that matters."

    Just then, Zhang Yi''s phone rang. He picked it up and saw it was Uncle You, the security guard.

    With his experiences from his past life, Zhang Yi only trusted two people in this life: Uncle You and Zhou Ke''er. Both had sacrificed themselves for others, adhering to human moral principles until their deaths.

    That¡¯s why Zhang Yi allowed Zhou Ke''er to live in his house as a servant.

    Uncle You was the second most well-prepared person in the building after Zhang Yi. As a single man in his sixties, without children, and working as a security guard, he had stocked up on cheap instant noodles and sausages to save on living costs.

    Zhang Yi answered the phone.

    "Hello, Uncle You."

    "Zhang Yi, hey... how... how are you doing?" Uncle You stammered, his voice carrying a hint of awkwardughter.

    Knowing Uncle You for many years, Zhang Yi understood that such behavior usually meant he needed something but felt embarrassed to ask.

    Considering Uncle You¡¯s background, Zhang Yi figured he could lend him some supplies. After all, as a former soldier with goodbat skills, Uncle You could be a useful ally in dangerous situations.

    So, Zhang Yi was happy to extend small favors to him.

    "Uncle You, I¡¯m doing alright. It¡¯s just that with another person in the house, supplies are running out faster."

    He nced at Zhou Ke''er, who blushed and continued eating her meal.

    "Oh, that is a problem. More people mean more consumption. Yes, that¡¯s true." Uncle You¡¯s tone grew weaker, indicating he was finding it hard to ask his favor.

    After hesitating for a while, he finally spoke. "Zhang Yi, I need to ask you something."

    "Uncle You, no need to be polite. Just say it. If it¡¯s within my power, I¡¯ll help."

    Uncle You, embarrassed, said, "It¡¯s like this. Xie Limei¡¯s daughter Tang Bao has a fever, and I don¡¯t have any medicine."

    "Her whole body is red, and Xie Limei and I are worried sick. Do you have any medicine?"

    His voice trembled with urgency and pleading.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. He didn¡¯t expect Xie Limei to find herself a caretaker like Uncle You! She certainly had good taste, finding the second most resourceful person in the building after him.

    However, remembering Xie Limei¡¯s situation from the past life, Zhang Yi quickly understood. She looked pitiful but had survived longer than him, clearly not as simple as she seemed.

    Xie Limei, not yet thirty, was quite attractive, scoring a solid six, and her figure was voluptuous despite having given birth.

    A lifelong bachelor, Uncle You was naturally drawn to her allure.

    Zhang Yi decided not to meddle in others'' private affairs. If Xie Limei could secure someone to care for her child, that was her skill.

    "Congrattions, Uncle You!" Zhang Yi said.

    Uncle You, embarrassed, replied, "Congrattions for what? We¡¯re just surviving together. You know my situation. If not for this snow disaster, I wouldn¡¯t have found a partner."

    Zhang Yi said, "I still have some medicine. You cane and get itter."

    His tone was light, but mentioning "some" conveyed an important message¡ªthat he didn¡¯t have much left. Yet, in these harsh conditions, he was still willing to give it to Uncle You, showing his generosity and reliability.

    Uncle You was moved, struggling to speak. "This... Zhang Yi, how can I thank you?"

    "You¡¯ve helped me twice now. If you ever need me, and I say no, then I¡¯m not human!"

    Moved, Uncle You made a vow.

    Zhang Yi smiled. "Uncle You, we¡¯ve known each other for years. In my eyes, you¡¯re like my own uncle!"

    "Don¡¯t be polite. Come and get the medicine."

    Zhou Ke''er, sitting across from him, pouted yfully and made a funny face at Zhang Yi. She realized that beneath his stern exterior, he had a cunning side.

    After hanging up, Zhou Ke''er asked curiously, "Are you really that close with Uncle You?"

    Zhang Yi picked up his bowl and chopsticks, replying casually, "Human rtionships are based on mutual benefit. This is especially true in the apocalypse."

    "Uncle You is kind and strong. Making him owe me a favor could be useful in the future."

    He paused for a moment.

    "And on a personal level, I don¡¯t want his humanity to be lost in this apocalypse. That¡¯s a precious thing."

 Chapter 73: The Scheming Mother

    Chapter 73: The Scheming Mother

    After a while, Zhang Yi heard a knock on the door.

    Following that, Uncle You''s voice came through. "Zhang Yi, it''s You Jiguang. Are you home?"

    Zhang Yi habitually checked the surveince monitor.

    However, his brow quickly furrowed because standing at the door wasn¡¯t just Uncle You; there was also a woman holding a child. Despite being wrapped in a thick down jacket, Zhang Yi knew she was Xie Limei, the child''s mother.

    "What is she doing here?" Zhang Yi thought. He had a good impression of Uncle You, but he had no particr rtionship with Xie Limei. Based on his experience from his previous life, he knew this woman was not simple.

    Zhang Yi got up from his chair and walked to the door. Zhou Ke''er took a nce but didn¡¯t act, understanding that Zhang Yi was the master of this house.

    Zhang Yi approached the door but didn''t open it. "Is it Uncle You?" he asked, pretending not to know.

    Uncle You replied, "Yes, it¡¯s me."At that moment, Xie Limei interjected, her voice filled with a sobbing tone, "Zhang Yi, my daughter Tang Bao has a high fever that won''t subside. Please help her!"

    Zhang Yi took out a prepared box of acetaminophen suspension drops and a box of Little Sunflower Cold Medicine, then threw them out through the shooting hole above the door.

    "Take the medicine and give it to the child quickly. Being sick at a time like this is no small matter," Zhang Yi said.

    Uncle You quickly picked up the medicine, his eyes full of gratitude. "Zhang Yi, thank you, thank you so much!"

    Xie Limei took the medicine, and while Uncle You was about to leave with her, a strange light shed in her eyes. She said, "Zhang Yi, I have a request. Can we let the baby stay at your ce for a while?"

    "I know you have a heater and it¡¯s warm inside, but our ce is freezing!"

    "With the baby being sick, I worry she¡¯ll get worse. Can you do us this favor?"

    Uncle You looked startled. Xie Limei hadn¡¯t mentioned this to him on the way here. He felt awkward, realizing he hadn¡¯t discussed this with Zhang Yi beforehand. Now, Xie Limei¡¯s sudden request put him in an ufortable position. Seeing her pleading eyes, he didn''t know what to say.

    Inside, Zhang Yi smirked at her boldness.

    "Is this Xie Limei? Sorry, but in these times, I can¡¯t let people into my home. Besides, we¡¯re running low on coal too, and it¡¯s not much warmer here than outside," Zhang Yi replied, not intending to be swayed.

    Xie Limei¡¯s plea sounded noble, but Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke''er had no experience taking care of a child, nor did they want the hassle. Letting the child in would inevitably mean letting Xie Limei in too. It would be hard to get rid of her once she was inside, especially if she had bad intentions. Zhang Yi didn¡¯t want the trouble of constant vignce.

    Uncle You, sensing Zhang Yi¡¯s firm stance, gently said to Xie Limei, "Zhang Yi has already done us a great favor by giving us the medicine. Let''s go back and bundle up more clothes; the child won¡¯t freeze."

    Xie Limei wiped her tears, speaking pitifully, "You¡¯re a man; you don¡¯t understand. The baby is so small and fragile."

    She then turned back to Zhang Yi, "Zhang Yi, I know this request is a bit much, but I have no other option!"

    "Sister knows you have a kind heart, which is why I''m shamelessly making this request."

    "Please, for the baby¡¯s sake and for Uncle You¡¯s sake, let her stay at your ce for a while!"

    Her plea was designed to tug at heartstrings and included Uncle You in her request, making it hard for anyone not to relent unless they were truly hard-hearted.

    But Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t easily moved.

    "Sister Xie, in times like these, I can''t let anyone into my home. You know everyone in this building wants to take over my house and kill me."

    "I¡¯m scared, really scared. I can¡¯t let strangers in."

    "I believe you understand, don¡¯t you, Uncle You?"

    Uncle You nodded repeatedly, feeling embarrassed but also understanding Zhang Yi¡¯s concerns.

    "Yes, Zhang Yi has already been very good to us. Who else would give us medicine? You know how hard it is to get medicine now," Uncle You said to Xie Limei.

    Xie Limei bit her lip, not refuting Uncle You but looking tearful and pitiful.

    "But didn''t you let Zhou Ke''er stay in your house?" she asked.

    Zhang Yiughed dismissively, "Zhou Ke''er is my girlfriend. Is there a problem with that?"

    Though Zhou Ke''er knew Zhang Yi was just making an excuse, she couldn¡¯t help but smile slightly. Women often value sweet words from men more than the truth. Even knowing it was a lie, she foundfort in it.

    Xie Limei frowned, seeming to think of another argument. But Uncle You, feeling ashamed and not as thick-skinned, pulled her back firmly.

    "Let''s go. Don¡¯t bother him anymore. Zhang Yi has been kind enough. Don¡¯t be too demanding!" Uncle You said, a bit sternly.

    Seeing Uncle You was genuinely angry, Xie Limei immediately switched to a more aggrieved expression.

    "I know, I don¡¯t want to push it. It''s all for the child."

    Uncle You turned back to the house and apologized, "Sorry, Zhang Yi. Don¡¯t mind her. Thank you so much for your help!"

    Zhang Yi replied, "No worries. It¡¯s understandable. Let¡¯s support each other through these times."

    Watching through the surveince, Zhang Yi saw Uncle You take Xie Limei and the child downstairs.

    Returning to the dining table, Zhang Yi told Zhou Ke''er, "This woman is a bit tricky."

    Zhou Ke''er shrugged indifferently, "There are plenty like her."

    Zhang Yi nodded, "True, but Uncle You and I get along well. I¡¯m worried she might disrupt our rtionship."

    Uncle You was Zhang Yi¡¯s ideal helper. Zhang Yi didn¡¯t want Xie Limei to influence him negatively.

    He decided to stay wary of Xie Limei. At the very least, she had her eyes on his house and supplies.

 Chapter 74: Night Assault on Zhang Yis Home

    Chapter 74: Night Assault on Zhang Yi''s Home

    Uncle You brought Xie Limei and the child back home. After closing the door, he spoke with a displeased tone, ¡°What were you thinking, asking him to take care of the child? It¡¯s chaos outside; we don¡¯t know if people are friends or foes. The fact that he gave the child medicine proves he¡¯s trustworthy and a good person. How could you be so demanding?¡±

    Xie Limei, sitting on the bed and feeding the baby, undid her blouse to help the child swallow the medicine. She didn¡¯t argue with Uncle You but responded in a soft, vulnerable voice, ¡°I did it for the child. You know, my only motivation for living now is the baby. If anything happens to her, what¡¯s the point of me living?¡±

    Tears fell from her eyes as she spoke.

    Uncle You, turning to see her exposed chest, felt his heart soften despite his stern demeanor. His tone softened, ¡°I understand your intentions, but we must show gratitude for kindness received. Without Zhang Yi, I wouldn¡¯t have thought to stockpile supplies and would not have survived this long! I owe him a great debt that I must repay.¡±

    At that moment, Xie Limei¡¯s voice interrupted his thoughts. ¡°Actually, I don¡¯t think you need to be so grateful to Zhang Yi. If he truly trusted you, he would have let us in to sit and chat. Instead, he threw the medicine out the window without showing his face. Isn¡¯t that being cautious?¡±

    Uncle You felt a pang of anger. ¡°What nonsense are you saying? He was kind enough to give us medicine. How can you twist his kindness like that?¡±

    Xie Limei calmly continued, ¡°I¡¯m not talking nonsense. Sure, he helped you, but it didn¡¯t cost him much. Maybe he¡¯s giving you small favors now, hoping you¡¯ll be hisckey in the future. If he were truly a good person, could he have used such ruthless methods to kill dozens of neighbors? Unless he lets us live in his house, I won¡¯t believe he¡¯s a good person. His house is big enough for the three of us.¡±

    Before she could finish, Uncle You shouted, ¡°Enough!¡±His face turned red with anger, scaring Xie Limei and making the baby cry.

    Xie Limei hurriedlyforted the baby, apologizing softly, ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I was just worried. Being extra cautious isn¡¯t wrong in these times.¡±

    Uncle You said coldly, ¡°Don¡¯t ever say such things again! I know the difference between right and wrong. If I doubt my benefactor, am I still human?¡±

    Uncle You, though simple-hearted, wasn¡¯t foolish. He knew that even if Zhang Yi helped with an ulterior motive, it didn¡¯t matter. There are no unprovoked acts of kindness in this world. Having worked as a security guard for over ten years, he understood the ways of the world.

    Xie Limei, realizing Uncle You¡¯s anger, decided not to push further. But this didn¡¯t mean she gave up on convincing him. She desperately wanted to live in Zhang Yi¡¯s warm house. Looking at her eight-month-old baby, she made a silent vow to do whatever it took to survive.

    ...

    That night, the silver moonlight cast a cold and lonely glow over the snow-coveredndscape. Snow had been falling for nearly a month, sometimes heavily, sometimes lightly, but never ceasing. The snow in the Yue Lu neighborhood piled up to the roofs, covering the ground in a thick white nket.

    Most people, out of habit, slept at this time.

    The entrance to Building 25 waspletely blocked by tons of snow, creating an imprable barrier. Suddenly, the snow at the entrance seemed to shift, with bits of ice falling to the ground. Soon, arge chunk of ice was pushed out, and a shovel emerged from the opening.

    The hole grewrger as more snow was cleared, revealing ten figures dressed in heavy clothing, armed with shovels, rebar, and axes. The leader, a small, gaunt man with sharp, intimidating eyes, directed them to move forward quietly.

    "Move up!" hemanded in a low voice.

    The group moved with precision, some carrying makeshift shields made from wooden boards and frying pans. As they reached the tenth floor, they encountered a resident sneaking down to fetch snow. Without a word, a burly man swung his shovel, striking the resident''s head.

    Blood sttered on the wall as the resident fell without a sound.

    The burly man turned to the leader and asked, ¡°Second Uncle, what should we do with him?¡±

    ¡°Second Uncle¡± replied, ¡°Leave him here for now. We¡¯ll deal with him after the job is done.¡±

    The group continued climbing, their target: Apartment 2401, Zhang Yi¡¯s home.

    At this moment, Zhang Yi was fast asleep, with Zhou Ke''er locked in the adjacent guest room.

    The intruders silently reached the 24th floor, showing no signs of exhaustion despite the climb, indicating they were not ordinary people but might be from special professions.

    Arriving at Zhang Yi¡¯s door, they didn¡¯t rush to break in. The leader signaled for silence and called, ¡°Old Donkey,e here!¡±

    A middle-aged man wearing a gray knitted hat and carrying a gray backpack stepped forward.

    ¡°Get this door open,¡± the leader instructed.

    Old Donkey nodded, ¡°Leave it to me.¡±

    He set his backpack down in front of Zhang Yi¡¯s door and pulled out various tools, including detonators and several rectangr objects wrapped in yellow tape. After a while, everyone hid in the hallway.

    ¡°Boom!¡±

    An earth-shattering explosion echoed through the building, waking everyone from their sleep.

    Zhang Yi was no exception. The explosion right outside his door left his ears ringing, and his eardrums throbbing with pain.

 Chapter 75: The Power of White Phosphorus

    Chapter 75: The Power of White Phosphorus

    Zhang Yi reacted swiftly. Still in his pajamas, he jumped out of bed, immediately retrieved his handgun from the alternate space, unlocked the safety, and held it firmly.

    He turned on his phone to check the surveince footage.

    The living room was intact.

    In Zhou Ke''er''s room, she was curled up in a corner, clutching her nket and looking terrified.

    Seeing that everything inside was safe, Zhang Yi breathed a sigh of relief.

    Then he checked the footage outside.

    He noticed a group of more than ten people sneaking around.

    They were armed mainly with shovels, rebar, wooden boards, and axes.However, the wooden boards caught Zhang Yi''s attention. Upon closer inspection, he realized they were redposite boardsmonly used on construction sites.

    Zhang Yi remembered clearly that there were no construction workers living in their building.

    However, in neighboring building 26, over twenty workers lived in apany-rented house.

    As the dust settled, the intruders rushed to the door to check if the explosion had been sessful.

    It was evident that they hade well-prepared, with a clear goal: Zhang Yi''s supplies!

    Zhang Yi''s gaze turned icy. It seemed the news of his well-stocked home had spread outside.

    Outside the door, Second Uncle and his group were dumbfounded by the intact, heavy metal door.

    "Old Donkey, what kind of job did you do? This thing didn''t even scratch the door!" one of the workers angrily questioned Old Donkey.

    Old Donkey was equally surprised. "This isn¡¯t right! The explosives I prepared were fine."

    "Maybe they got damp," he suggested.

    Old Donkey was a demolition expert in the engineering team, but he used primitive methods. So, while the explosion was loud, itcked the power of professionally made explosives. If it had been more potent, it would have at least damaged the surrounding walls, if not breached Zhang Yi''s door.

    In short, it was more of a scare tactic than a real threat.

    Zhang Yi felt relieved after confirming via his phone app that his house was undamaged. But his anger red up.

    These people wanted him dead!

    Well, he''d kill them first!

    The group outside was stillining, with some trying to break down the door with their shovels. They didn¡¯t notice the small window above the iron door opening.

    Zhang Yi lit a Molotov cocktail and threw it outside.

    mes instantly erupted.

    Unsatisfied, he retrieved several small white bottles from his space, containing a nearly transparent liquid.

    These were bottles of white phosphorus dissolved in sulfur dioxide, essentially makeshift white phosphorus grenades.

    White phosphorus grenades, known as "hellfire," burn at temperatures exceeding 1000¡ãC, incinerating all biological matter within their range. The explosion produces intense light and sttering burning fragments that are nearly impossible to remove once they contact skin, creating horrifying wounds and psychological terror. Internationally, the use of white phosphorus grenades is banned.

    But Zhang Yi didn¡¯t care about such restrictions. He would use any means necessary to effectively kill his enemies!

    The Molotov cocktail fell to the ground, creating a ze. However, its lethality wasn¡¯t significant since the attackers'' clothes were soaked from the snow, making them harder to ignite.

    Yet, the mes on the ground caused the sulfur dioxide to evaporate rapidly, igniting the dissolved white phosphorus!

    Instantly, the temperature in the air soared to over a thousand degrees!

    The fire sttered onto their clothes, which wouldn¡¯t extinguish no matter how hard they tried.

    The hallway outside turned into a sea of fire within moments.

    Zhang Yi''s swift action caught the attackers off guard, giving them no time to react.

    Many were engulfed in white phosphorus mes.

    Their down jackets and cotton clothing became perfect fuel.

    "Ah!!!"

    "Help! Save me!"

    Their agonizing screams echoed like cries from hell. Being burned alive is one of the most excruciating ways to die. Even a matchstick burn causes intense pain, let alone being engulfed in mes.

    Feeling unsatisfied, Zhang Yi retrieved his handgun and started shooting outside.

    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡±

    He no longer cared about conserving bullets, shooting wildly like setting off firecrackers.

    One by one, bodies fell.

    Of the more than ten attackers, eight corpses remained. Only five or six managed to escape.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t chase them, adhering to his principle of safety first.

    After ensuring the attackers were dead, he closed the shooting window and turned on the air filtration system to prevent smoke from entering the house.

    Zhang Yi looked at his empty gun, shaking his head. "This thing runs out of bullets too quickly. Good thing I didn¡¯t buy a machine gun, or I¡¯d run out of hundreds of bullets in no time."

    He realized he needed to find more firearms and ammunition.

    Previously, his sense of danger hadn¡¯t been as strong. But today¡¯s attack using explosives served as a wake-up call.

    Surviving in the apocalypse meant facing formidable opponents.

    If someone came with enough explosives, they might blow up his entire building!

    Of course, that was an exaggeration. Such arge quantity of explosives would be hard toe by.

    Still, the incident made Zhang Yi more vignt.

    "I¡¯ll kill everyst one of those bastards!" Zhang Yi muttered angrily.

    He walked to Zhou Ke''er''s room and opened the door.

    Zhou Ke''er was curled up in a corner, her head buried between her knees.

    "It''s over," Zhang Yi said.

    Hearing his voice, Zhou Ke''er felt a sense of security wash over her. Though he was overly cautious and often cold, at this moment, he was her greatestfort.

    She looked up at Zhang Yi and tried to sound defiant. "I wasn''t scared. I just thought it was an earthquake, so I hid in the corner."

    Zhang Yi chuckled. "On the 24th floor, hiding wouldn''t save you from being crushed in an earthquake!"

    Zhou Ke''er stood up and asked, "What happened?"

    Zhang Yi sat on her bed.

    Before Zhou Ke''er moved in, the room was bare, with no bedding. But now it had a cozy feel, with a pink velvet nket, yellow bedspread, and ckce underwear and stockings hanging on the windowsill.

    It was clear she was a meticulous woman.

    Her daily cleaning kept not just her room but the entire house, including Zhang Yi''s bedroom, spotless.

    Zhang Yi thought, "Having a sensible woman around is really nice. If it weren''t for the apocalypse, a woman like this would cost a fortune in bride price."

 Chapter 76: The Tianhe Gang from Building 26

    Chapter 76: The Tianhe Gang from Building 26

    Zhang Yi recounted the events that had just transpired to Zhou Ke''er. "It was those workers from Building 26!"

    "There''s a new development nearby, so many workers have rented ces around here."

    Zhou Ke''er was curious. "Our neighborhood is considered middle to upper-ss. Would they really spend that much money?"

    Zhang Yi replied, "Ten people crammed into one room. How expensive do you think that is?"

    Zhou Ke''er nodded in understanding. Then, a look of concern appeared on her face. "So, these guys are actually more dangerous than Chen Zhenghao!"

    Zhang Yi nodded in agreement. "Chen Zhenghao was just amon thug. In peaceful times, ordinary people were afraid of him because they didn¡¯t want trouble. But now, everyone¡¯s survival is uncertain. If not for his gun, he¡¯d have been beaten to death long ago."

    "But these workers are different. They do physicalbor every day, so they¡¯re much stronger than ordinary people. Theirbat abilities are also more formidable."

    "Moreover, they know each other well and work in groups, making them more coordinated and dangerous."Zhang Yi took a deep breath. "Luckily, I killed that demolition expertst night. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t sleep well."

    Zhou Ke''er asked, "So what¡¯s our next move? Do we retaliate?"

    Zhang Yi''s eyebrows furrowed. "Of course we retaliate!"

    "But I¡¯m not going over there. It¡¯s unwise to step onto their turf. Look what happened¡ªhalf of them got killed by me."

    Zhou Ke''er rolled her eyes. "But you have a gun!"

    "Even with a gun, it¡¯s not wise," Zhang Yi said firmly. "Even if I kill them all, getting hit with a shovel would be a huge loss for me."

    Zhou Ke''er shook her head. "You''re really... cautious."

    "But if you don¡¯t go out and find them, how will you retaliate? They don¡¯t seem afraid to die; they act like desperados!"

    Indeed, who would y with explosives in an apartment building? One wrong move, and they could bury themselves alive.

    Zhang Yi rubbed his chin, already formting a n. "It seems like if we want to live peacefully, we¡¯ll need to find some cannon fodder."

    He picked up his phone and opened the Building 25 group chat.

    Due to the recent explosion, the neighbors were all awake and chatting frantically in the group.

    "What was that noise just now? An earthquake? Or a bomb?"

    "The sound came from upstairs. Could it have been a meteorite?"

    "Quite possibly. Why else would the temperature be so strange? Maybe humanity will go extinct like the dinosaurs."

    The chat was filled with wild spections.

    Zhang Yi typed, "The workers from Building 26 broke into our building and tried to kill and rob us. I discovered them in time and drove them away."

    "Zhang Meng from the 16th floor was killed."

    "And the noise was from the explosives they used."

    The neighbors were immediately on edge upon hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s words.

    "What? We just dealt with Chen Zhenghao, and now thoseborers areing after us!"

    "They¡¯re ruthless. I heard there were frequent fights at their construction site."

    "How did the people from Building 26 get here?"

    Zhang Yi replied, "They dug a tunnel through the snow on the first floor and attacked us."

    Someone quickly responded, "Copse that tunnel and lock the door!"

    Zhang Yi countered, "That won¡¯t work. Such doors can be easily broken. Even if you block it, they can climb in through the fourth-floor windows."

    The neighbors were terrified.

    "If Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t driven them away, they might have broken into our homes and killed us!"

    "What do we do? How can we fight thoseborers?"

    "Half the people in our building are dead. Most of the survivors are the elderly, women, and children."

    Most able-bodied people had died near Zhang Yi¡¯s home earlier.

    "Thank goodness we have Zhang Yi!"

    "Zhang Yi, you¡¯re amazing! You drove away so many of them alone."

    "With you here, we feel safe. You¡¯re our hero!"

    After some initial panic, people started praising Zhang Yi, realizing he was their strongest defense. They started calling him a hero, hoping he would continue to protect them.

    Zhang Yi found it amusing.

    Previously, they had cursed him in the group chat, calling him selfish and despicable. Many had lost family members to him and hated him deeply.

    But now that they needed him, they called him a hero. Did they really think he was an idiot?

    Zhang Yi smirked and typed, "Fighting them used up a lot of my weapons. Now, it¡¯s hard for me to even protect myself. You¡¯ll have to fend for yourselves."

    Laughable. Why should he protect them? Whether they lived or died had nothing to do with him.

    After sending the message, Zhang Yi fell silent, ignoring the increasingly desperate pleas from the neighbors.

    "Zhang Yi, you can¡¯t just let us die!"

    "If we all die, it¡¯ll be just you two left. Won¡¯t you feel lonely?"

    "If we all die, you¡¯ll be a target. Who knows how many people are watching you!"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes grew cold.

    Thatst point was true. Many people were likely eyeing him, especially after the video he had posted in the group chat. His neighbors would have forwarded it, and now other residents knew about his well-stocked home.

    The people outside might just be envious, but the nearby buildings could make a move to seize everything from him.

    Uncle You sent Zhang Yi a private message, expressing his concern. "I know those scumbags from Building 26. I¡¯ve had drinks with them before!"

    "The bastards came to target you? I won¡¯t let them get away with it."

    "Zhang Yi, if you need help, tell me. I¡¯ll help you deal with them."

    Zhang Yi smiled. "Uncle You, how many of them are there?"

    Uncle You replied, "They had over thirty people initially, but about ten have died recently. There are around twenty left."

    "I know their leader, Huang Tianfang. We chatted before. But those bastards caused a lot of trouble in Building 26."

    "Spit! I¡¯ll never team up with those scumbags."

    Uncle You and the workers both came from rural backgrounds, but while the workers had mixed in society, Uncle You had spent many years in the military. Their mindsets werepletely different.

 Chapter 77: Zhang Yi, If You Donâ€™t Come Out, Ill Kill Your Neighbors!

    Chapter 77: Zhang Yi, If You Don¡¯t Come Out, I''ll Kill Your Neighbors!

    Based on Uncle You¡¯s introduction, Zhang Yi got to know a bit about those attackers. The group of workers was employed by an engineeringpany called Tianhe Group. They weren''t official employees but were hired by a contractor who had taken on the job, and they followed him. However, they boasted about being employees of Tianhe Group to save face. Hence, their group called themselves the Tianhe Gang, and their leader was the small, gaunt man named Huang Tianfang.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, do you have any ns against them? Just let me know if you need my help,¡± Uncle You offered.

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly. It was impossible for him to attack this so-called Tianhe Gang. His greatest advantage was his steel fortress. Leaving his room to face nearly twenty people, even with a gun, was incredibly risky.

    ¡°Uncle You, let''s y it safe! I don¡¯t have any ns for revenge right now. It¡¯s just me, and even if I include you, there¡¯s no guarantee of sess.¡±

    ¡°Unless,¡± a glint appeared in his eyes, ¡°we can mobilize all the neighbors in the building.¡±

    Uncle You understood Zhang Yi¡¯s intention. ¡°You mean we should unite everyone in the building against them, just like how Huang Tianfang¡¯s gang operates?¡±

    ¡°Yes, exactly,¡± Zhang Yi affirmed.

    Uncle You agreed, ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll propose this idea in the group chat to see how many people are willing.¡±Zhang Yiughed, ¡°No need to rush. If you eagerly try to recruit them, they might think you have ulterior motives or even take advantage of your goodwill.¡±

    Uncle You asked, ¡°So what should we do?¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled, ¡°We¡¯re in no hurry. We have enough supplies; we¡¯ll just wait it out. The Tianhe Gang will definitelye back for revenge after losing so many people to me. When that happens, the neighbors will naturallye to us for help.¡±

    Uncle You couldn¡¯t help but admire, ¡°Zhang Yi, you¡¯re truly clever!¡±

    They quickly agreed to temporarily ignore the Tianhe Gang. In the group chat, neighbors tried to coerce Zhang Yi and Uncle You into leading the fight against the Tianhe Gang, using moral pressure andpliments.

    While they praised Zhang Yi and Uncle You, calling them good people (though Zhang Yi found it offensive, thinking, ¡°You¡¯re the good person; your whole family are good people!¡±), they also made excuses, iming they were too weak,cked food, or were elderly or women, and thus couldn¡¯t fight.

    Zhang Yi knew these shameless neighbors well and chose to ignore them. He believed they would feel the pain once the threat hit closer to home.

    ...

    In the following two days, Zhang Yi began gathering intelligence from the outside. He wouldn¡¯t risk going out himself, as too many people coveted his supplies and might feed him false information. Instead, he asked Zhou Ke''er and Uncle You to gather intel. As a doctor and a security guard, they had broadworks.

    Zhang Yi wanted to know who in the Yue Lu neighborhood¡¯s 30 buildings posed a threat to him. This information was easy to obtain; a quick inquiry revealed who had the most kills and thergest forces.

    Zhou Ke''er diligentlypiled a list for Zhang Yi, detailing the size and weaponry of various factions.

    After reviewing it, Zhang Yi felt more at ease. Despite being a middle-to-upper-ss neighborhood, Yue Lu didn''t harbor too many ruthless individuals. ording to the intel from Zhou Ke''er and Uncle You, two factions were notably troublesome.

    One was the Tianhe Gang from Building 26, formed around a small construction team from Tianhe Group, boasting strongbat abilities. Their main weapons were shovels and rebar, without any guns. The explosives used against Zhang Yi were homemade by one of their demolition workers, who had been killed by Zhang Yi. Therefore, they couldn¡¯t make any more.

    "Still, there''s no certainty they don¡¯t have some explosives left. We need to be cautious and look for opportunities to send some cannon fodder to exhaust their supplies," Zhang Yi mused.

    Besides the Tianhe Gang, another faction caught his attention. In Building 21, a group of young people called themselves the Mad Wolf Gang. Despite the cringey name, theirbat skills were formidable. The group, consisting mostly of students and street thugs, was led by two notorious loafers, Wang Qiang and Xiao Lu, well-known troublemakers in the Yue Lu neighborhood. They had grown powerful in the absence of a dominant figure like Zhang Yi.

    Only these two factions could pose a significant threat to Zhang Yi. Other buildings had few residents left, as many hadmitted suicide or killed each other over scarce resources.

    Feeling more confident, Zhang Yi instructed Zhou Ke''er, ¡°Keep gathering intel. Make sure we understand their armaments thoroughly, especially whether they have guns.¡±

    Zhou Ke''er obediently nodded and continued her efforts.

    ...

    Over the next few days, Zhang Yi and Uncle You agreed to stay home, never stepping outside. The Tianhe Gang, having suffered heavy losses and injuries, vowed revenge against Zhang Yi but were temporarily too fearful to act directly against him. Instead, they turned their wrath on his neighbors.

    Huang Tianfang, unable to kill Zhang Yi, decided to take out his anger on the neighbors. He thought, ¡°Zhang Yi, if I can¡¯t kill you, I¡¯ll kill your neighbors. Watching them die should make you feel guilty. How will you face their usations? Killing your neighbors is the best revenge!¡±

    Embracing this twisted logic, Huang Tianfang led another raid on Building 25, attacking several households. After each kill, they wrote bloody messages in the hallways.

    "Zhang Yi, if you don¡¯te out, I¡¯ll kill all your neighbors!"

 Chapter 78: Neighbors Seek Protection

    Chapter 78: Neighbors Seek Protection

    Chapter 78: Neighbors Seek Protection

    Huang Tianfang thought he was clever, killing many people in Building 25 to force Zhang Yi out. If this were a movie with a saintly protagonist, Zhang Yi would surelye out to negotiate with Huang Tianfang. Unfortunately for Huang, Zhang Yi felt no guilt and was instead delighted.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s goal was to incite fear among the neighbors by letting Huang Tianfang kill a few more, making them turn to him for help. Just two dayster, the neighbors couldn''t take it anymore. They saw the bloodstained messages Huang Tianfang left behind and unanimously believed that only Zhang Yi could resolve the situation by confronting Huang Tianfang.

    The group chat was flooded with messages, private messages, and voice calls directed at Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi nced at the neighbors'' reactions in the group chat.

    "Zhang Yi, this is your mess to clean up! The Tianhe Gang came because of you and got killed by you. This has nothing to do with us!"

    "Yeah, you caused this, so you should deal with it. You can''t make us bear the consequences!"

    "They said they won''t stop killing until youe out. Zhang Yi, if you have any conscience, you''ll go solve this!""Do you really have the heart to watch us die because of you?"

    Reading these messages, Zhang Yiughed. He wasn''t angry because he knew his neighbors'' nature very well. He casually sent a few messages to the group.

    "I didn¡¯t invite them here. They came to kill me, and I fought back. Now it¡¯s my fault?"

    "You can''t defend yourselves, and that''s my problem? How?"

    "You said they¡¯re too dangerous. That¡¯s exactly why I¡¯m staying inside. My house is safe! "

    He even added a smiling emoji at the end.

    The neighbors were furious.

    "Zhang Yi, you¡¯re safe, but what about us?"

    "You''re leaving us to die! How could you be so heartless?"

    "You brought them here. Why should we face the consequences? Do you have no conscience?"

    Zhang Yiughed out loud at their indignation. He knew his neighbors were shameless.

    He coldly retorted, "Why should I care about you? Your lives or deaths mean nothing to me."

    "Don''t talk to me about conscience. When you attacked my home, didn''t each of you take part?"

    "I''m generous enough not to shoot each of you dead. Now you want to talk about conscience?"

    He added menacingly, "Do you really think I won''t kill you?"

    Hisst message silenced many. They remembered Zhang Yi wasn''t someone to mess with. How did Chen Zhenghao die? He was frozen into an ice block and shattered by Zhang Yi!

    Zhang Yi stopped responding and sent a message to Uncle You.

    "Uncle You, it¡¯s your turn to step up!"

    Uncle You replied, "Don''t worry, I¡¯ve got this!"

    The group chat fell into confusion after Zhang Yi''s harsh words. Their moral ckmail had failed, and negotiations had broken down, meaning they still had to face the murderous Tianhe Gang.

    With most of the men in Building 25 dead or injured, only Zhang Yi and Uncle You had any realbat ability left.

    "What should we do? We thought killing Chen Zhenghao would let us live, but the Tianhe Gang is even worse!"

    "Chen Zhenghao killed to assert dominance and get food. Huang Tianfang kills for revenge. They kill anyone without hesitation!"

    "Are we really going to die here?"

    "Damn it, why has the worlde to this? Are we headed for a future of barbarism?"

    "The snow disaster isn¡¯t ending soon. We¡¯re all going to die in this snow."

    Many fell into deep despair, believing they wouldn¡¯t survive much longer.

    At that moment, Uncle You, usually silent, spoke up in the group chat.

    "Everyone, don''t panic. The Tianhe Gang has only about twenty members. If we unite, we can fight them!"

    His words brought a glimmer of hope to many. As a retired soldier and security guard, Uncle You was known for his reliability.

    "Uncle You, thank goodness you¡¯re here!"

    "We thought you were dead because you were so quiettely."

    "With you here, we¡¯re safe!"

    "Uncle You, tell us what to do. We¡¯ll support you!"

    Reading the neighbors'' messages, Uncle You felt a twinge of frustration. They wanted him to lead while they watched from the sidelines.

    He sighed, "I can¡¯t do it alone."

    "My supplies are exhausted. I haven''t eaten for days and have no strength left."

    "You¡¯re likely in the same situation. How can we fight in this state?"

    Some neighbors stayed silent, while others, who had been eating well on roasted meat, said nothing.

    "Uncle You, we¡¯re all short on food. We can¡¯t help you either."

    "What should we do? We¡¯ll follow your lead."

    Once again, they said ttering words.

    Uncle You suggested, "To confront the other buildings, we need Zhang Yi."

    "His house has plenty of weapons, and he¡¯s well-fed and strong."

    "He¡¯s the best choice to lead us!"

    The neighbors exchanged uneasy nces. They had just angered Zhang Yi, and now they needed his leadership.

    "But Zhang Yi just told us to fend for ourselves."

    "He won¡¯t leave his house, and we can¡¯t get him toe out."

    "But if he leads us, that would be the best."

    Though they found Zhang Yi detestable, they acknowledged his strength. He had killed many people and defeated the formidable Chen Zhenghao.

    Uncle You offered, "Let me talk to Zhang Yi. Maybe I can convince him toe out."

    The neighbors quickly responded, "Uncle You, it¡¯s all up to you!"

 Chapter 79: Subduing the Neighbors as Cannon Fodder

    Chapter 79: Subduing the Neighbors as Cannon Fodder

    Zhang Yi watched the conversation unfold in the group chat. He then received a private message from Uncle You.

    "Zhang Yi, what do we do now?"

    Zhang Yi replied, "It''s almost time. When the momentes, back me up. We need to make these people listen to me obediently."

    "A bnce of rewards and threats will keep them in line. Only then will our building be safe."

    Whether or not the others were safe didn''t matter to Zhang Yi; he only cared about his own safety. Moreover, many of these neighbors had family members killed by him and would seek revenge if given a chance. Therefore, it was best to deal with them now.

    After discussing the n with Uncle You, they returned to the group chat.

    Uncle You pretended to tag Zhang Yi, "Zhang Yi, everyone here needs you now. If you''re the only one left in this building, wouldn''t you feel lonely?"

    "So please show some kindness and help everyone out! They will surely be grateful to you from the bottom of their hearts!"The neighbors chimed in quickly.

    "Yes, yes, if you save us, we will be eternally grateful to you!"

    "From now on, you''ll be in charge of the building."

    "Zhang Yi, the lives of my whole family are in your hands!"

    ttering words poured in, but Zhang Yi only sneered.

    "I''m only here because of Uncle You. Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t bother talking to you. Why should I care about you when I''m doing fine by myself?"

    "Going out to risk my life for you seems pointless to me!"

    The more Zhang Yi spoke like this, the more anxious the neighbors became.

    "Zhang Yi, please don¡¯t say that! We¡¯ll do anything you ask if you save us!"

    Desperate to survive, even in the face of despair, they clung to any hope of staying alive.

    Zhang Yi coldly asked, "Oh? Really? Will you do whatever I ask?"

    "Do all of you agree?"

    The neighbors hesitated for a moment.

    Someone said, "As long as you don¡¯t ask us to die, we agree to any other condition!"

    Zhang Yi questioned, "What if I ask you to take up arms and fight the Tianhe Gang? Will you do it?"

    The chat fell silent.

    No one spoke, each hoping someone else would volunteer.

    Zhang Yiughed loudly, "So you just want me to risk my life, right? Fine, I won''t bother with you then."

    "When Huang Tianfanges with his men, just stretch out your necks and let them cut. Goodbye!"

    Uncle You quickly intervened, "Zhang Yi, don¡¯t leave us! We¡¯ll all listen to you."

    "Given the choice of certain death or fighting back for a chance to live, I¡¯ll fight with you!"

    He then began rallying the others.

    "What are you hesitating for? If we fight together, there¡¯s hope. Otherwise, we¡¯ll be killed one by one!"

    Uncle You¡¯s encouragement worked.

    Realizing they might have a chance if they fought, the neighbors reluctantly agreed to follow Zhang Yi¡¯s orders.

    Zhang Yi and Uncle You, ying good cop and bad cop, thus gained control over the entire building.

    Zhang Yi calmly stated, "Alright, from now on, everyone must follow mymands."

    "The situation is dire, and the enemy could attack at any moment. Any signs of lethargy or negativity will be seen as a betrayal of the entire building!"

    "And when that happens, don¡¯t me me for killing that person first!"

    He scanned the list of group members.

    "Don''t let me find anyone hiding and refusing to fight. If I do, I¡¯ll kill them first! No one gets to sit back and reap the benefits without risking their necks!"

    Zhang Yi said this because he noticed only about twenty people had spoken in the group chat. Clearly, some intended to hide and let others fight.

    Hearing this, those who agreed to follow Zhang Yi were also displeased.

    "Fang Lin,e out! I saw you yesterday, don¡¯t pretend you¡¯re dead!"

    "Liang Yulu, where are you? Stop hiding and pretending not to see the messages. We¡¯lle find you!"

    The neighbors, eyes red with anger, tagged the ones they knew were hiding.

    Seeing no way out, those hiding sheepishly responded.

    "I just woke up and saw the messages."

    "Huh? What¡¯s going on? Are we fighting back? Great!"

    "I¡¯m not afraid of death; I just didn¡¯t see the messages."

    A group of people offered feeble excuses.

    Zhang Yi ignored them. "In any case, since you chose me as your leader, you must obey my orders. Anyone who chickens out is betraying everyone and deserves to die!"

    The neighbors fell silent, knowing Zhang Yi meant business.

    With over fifty people already dead at his hands, there was no doubt he¡¯d kill them if they defied him.

    After wielding the stick, Zhang Yi decided it was time for some carrot.

    "Rest assured, I¡¯m a kind-hearted person. I won¡¯t let you starve. If you follow my orders, I¡¯ll help you find supplies."

    Zhang Yi had been nning this for a while.

    With an engineering team capable of using explosives, there was no guarantee that even stronger enemies wouldn¡¯t emerge in the future.

    He lived on the 24th floor. While his house was built of metal, a copse on the floors below could still affect him greatly.

    Therefore, he intended to use the neighbors as cannon fodder, keeping them on lower floors to act as sentries and, if necessary, sacrifice themselves.

    Feeding them was necessary for this n.

    But Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t willing to use his stored supplies. He needed to go out and find more.

    He also needed more weapons and ammunition, as he had used up twenty bullets in the recent fight.

    Traveling was simple. With the snow over ten meters deep, vehicles were useless.

    However, there were vehicles specifically designed for snow¡ªsnowmobiles.

    Zhang Yi had five snowmobiles in his storage space, two with cockpits and three small snow scooters.

    In this snowbound era, while others struggled to leave their homes, he could travel freely around the city.

    The chat exploded with excitement.

    "Zhang Yi, you can go out and find supplies?"

    "With all that snow and no way to drive, are you going to walk through it? You¡¯d freeze to death!"

    Zhang Yi replied, "The environment outside is harsh, but for everyone¡¯s sake, I¡¯ll try my best."

    "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ve worked in warehousing for many years. I know where all the warehouses,rge malls, and supermarkets are in Tianhai City."

    "Finding supplies isn¡¯t difficult for me."

 Chapter 80: Snowmobiles

    Chapter 80: Snowmobiles

    The neighbors were like people who had met their savior. Even those who had lost all hope and were wrapped in nkets waiting to die now had a glimmer of light in their eyes.

    "Zhang Yi, can you really go out and bring back supplies?"

    "If you can do that, we can survive!"

    "Although the blizzard has sealed off the city, the resources produced in the past few decades should be enough for us to live on!"

    "Zhang Yi, I''m really... so touched!"

    "We treated you so poorly before, and now you''re still..."

    Some people choked up.

    Previously, many of their family members had been killed by Zhang Yi. But now, their hatred seemed to vanish, reced by gratitude.Zhang Yi spoke deeply, "Since I''ve be the head of this building, I have to take responsibility for everyone!"

    "Besides, my own supplies are running low. Going out to find more is our only way to survive."

    Zhang Yi¡¯s words reassured everyone. In a post-apocalyptic world, when someone imed to be doing good deeds, others often found it hypocritical. But if the person had their own interests at stake, it seemed more believable.

    After all, the apocalypse hadsted for almost a month. Many families had already starved to death. So, they thought, even if Zhang Yi had hoarded a lot of supplies, it would run out eventually, especially with two people now consuming it faster.

    The neighbors were immensely grateful, praising Zhang Yi as if he were a deity.

    Even Zhou Ke''er joked, "If you started a religion now, you could be a prophet!"

    In times of disaster, religion often grew rapidly because people needed spiritual support.

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly, "There''s no need toplicate things with cannon fodder."

    "Just a moldy bun is enough to make them see me as dearer than their own fathers."

    Zhou Ke''er asked curiously, "But are you really going out?"

    Her eyes showed a hint of worry and guilt.

    Zhang Yi understood she genuinely thought his supplies were running low and felt she was a burden.

    He pinched her soft cheek, smiling, "Don''t worry, there''s enough here to feed you."

    "I''m just looking for a good opportunity to see what''s outside."

    Normally, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t dare venture out, fearing ambushes from crazy neighbors. But now, he had be everyone''s hope for survival, so they wouldn¡¯t attack him.

    Zhou Ke''er nodded, "Then let me go with you!"

    She knew Zhang Yi didn¡¯t fully trust her, so she volunteered to apany him.

    Zhang Yi looked at her deeply and slowly shook his head, "We''re in this together now; do you think I still doubt you?"

    "A woman should stay home and wait for her man to return!"

    Zhang Yi stood up slowly.

    Zhou Ke''er¡¯s eyes filled with emotion.

    But it didn''tst long because Zhang Yi quickly packed the remaining food and coal into his alternate space.

    "I trust youpletely!" Zhang Yi said with a smile.

    Zhou Ke''er was speechless, feeling both touched and exasperated. Just when she was moved by Zhang Yi, he reverted to his usual self.

    Ignoring Zhou Ke''er''s helpless expression, Zhang Yi returned to his room to change clothes.

    This was his first time leaving the building since the apocalypse began.

    Despite the snow sealing the city, making it devoid of life and less dangerous, Zhang Yi took precautions. He wore a cowhide jacket, hard to pierce without significant force. He ced a frying pan on his front and back for added protection against bullets. Finally, he put on a heavy coat, feeling both bulky and secure.

    He took a crowbar from his space, testing its weight. In a real fight, a heavy crowbar was more effective than a machete. A crowbar strike could incapacitate someone immediately, unlike a knife wound.

    Fully armed, he loaded his handgun''s magazine and put it in his pocket.

    Once ready, Zhang Yi left his home.

    Despite wearing professional-grade cold-weather gear, he could still feel the cold. However, it wouldn''t hinder him; physical activity would warm him up.

    Holding the crowbar, Zhang Yi cautiously descended the stairs, observing his surroundings. Being careful was paramount.

    He encountered no incidents on his way. Most people weren''t foolish enough to challenge him.

    Zhang Yi entered the west building, finding it deserted due to the Tianhe Gang''s activities, which had driven residents to the upper floors. The ce was a mess, with broken windows and dismantled security bars letting the wind howl through.

    Zhang Yi carefully climbed out through a hole in the window. His feet sank into knee-deep snow. Fortunately, the snow hadpacted, preventing him from sinking further, but it was still hard to walk through.

    He surveyed the silent Yue Lu neighborhood, hearing only the wind. No one seemed to be watching.

    Zhang Yi took out a snowmobile from his space, filled with gas beforehand.

    Operating the snowmobile wasn¡¯tplicated. Zhang Yi quickly learned from the manual and hopped on.

    The engine roared to life, and Zhang Yi drove the snowmobile out of the neighborhood. He sensed eyes watching him from windows but wasn''t concerned. The noise from the snowmobile was loud and drew attention, but he didn¡¯t fear exposing it. Many already had designs on his supplies; this wouldn¡¯t change much.

    He drove through the snowyndscape, familiar enough with the area to navigate byndmarks despite the buried streets.

 Chapter 81: The Police Stations Armory

    Chapter 81: The Police Station''s Armory

    The once bustling Tianhai Cityy silent and deste. Snow nketed everything, and from high above, only the silhouettes of tall buildings could be seen amidst the vast expanse of white.

    Zhang Yi raced across the snowyndscape on his snowmobile. Having isted himself at home for nearly a month, he felt exhrated to be speeding through the snow. The wind howled past his ears, and the thrill was indescribable, making him let out a few joyful howls.

    The snowmobile¡¯s noise was particrly attention-grabbing. Zhang Yi saw fleeting shadows behind the ss of high-rise buildings. Despite the apocalypse, resilient humans managed to survive, much like tenacious locusts. This extreme cold was akin to pesticide; those who survived would gradually adapt.

    Feeling the gun in his pocket gave Zhang Yi a sense of security. In this city, every survivor was a potential threat. In the apocalypse, one should never trust human nature.

    Zhang Yi''s first target wasn¡¯t the nearby supermarket. Instead, he headed straight for the Tianhai City Police Station, knowing it would have weapons. He remembered the saying, "All feares from insufficient firepower." Therefore, he aimed to acquire as many weapons, especially firearms, as possible.

    After half an hour, Zhang Yi arrived at the Tianhai City Police Station. Most of it was buried in snow, and the six-story building''s bottom three floors werepletely covered. Luckily, the police station was an independent structure with higher ceilings than residential buildings. Otherwise, Zhang Yi would have found nothing if he had arrived a few dayster.

    He parked the snowmobile in front of the western window, turned off the engine, removed the key, and grabbed his crowbar. With a loud crash, he shattered the tempered ss and climbed inside.

    The interior was pitch ck, but Zhang Yi was prepared. He took out a miner''smp from his space, a small yet highly bright device used by underground miners. Once turned on, it illuminated the surroundings like a miniature sun.Unfamiliar with the police station''syout, Zhang Yi had to search room by room. On the snow-covered second floor, he pried open a locked room and was slightly moved by the sight inside.

    In the corner, seven or eight police officers were huddled together, wrapped in thin nkets. Their bodies were as pale as the snow. Zhang Yi sighed deeply, feeling a twinge of sadness. These officers were likely on night duty when the blizzard struck,cking proper winter clothing. They appeared to have frozen to death.

    Zhang Yi considered burying them but decided that leaving them in the building where they had dedicated their lives was a fitting end. He bowed his head in respect, mourning those who had once protected the city, and then continued his search.

    The police station was cluttered, making the search time-consuming. When he got tired, Zhang Yi took a piece of pure cocoa butter chocte from his space and ate it to replenish his energy before resuming his search.

    After nearly two hours, Zhang Yi found the armory, but it was locked. He spent a long time trying to pry it open before realizing he needed the key. Knowing it would be in the duty room, he went to retrieve it.

    With the key, Zhang Yi opened the armory and was amazed. It contained numerous firearms, including pistols and rifles, amounting to dozens of guns. He even found a sniper rifle, though he didn¡¯t recognize its make or model. Zhang Yi didn¡¯t care; he collected everything, nning to study themter.

    The sniper rifle excited him the most. Even if his marksmanship wasn¡¯t perfect, it could still intimidate people. Zhang Yi considered himself talented with guns, especially handguns, and his rebirth had made his shooting more decisive. He had hit almost every target during his previous encounter with the Tianhe Gang.

    Feeling like a sharpshooting genius, Zhang Yiughed at himself. He also found over a thousand rounds of ammunition, old confiscated guns, and other equipment like bulletproof vests, riot helmets, shields, and batons.

    "These are enough to form a formidablebat team!" Zhang Yi thought happily, collecting everything. Just these finds made the trip worthwhile.

    Leaving the police station, Zhang Yi found his snowmobile covered in a thickyer of snow, realizing he had been out for most of the day.

    "I should find some food for those bastards," he muttered, thinking of his neighbors.

    After circling the area, he found a supermarket that wasn¡¯tpletely buried. Breaking a window to enter, he discovered it had been thoroughly looted, with shelves as clean as if freshly bought. Only a few frozen vegetable scraps remained.

    "This ce is too close to the residential area, no wonder it¡¯s empty," Zhang Yi mused, noting it was a convenience store. "Larger malls further from residential areas should still have supplies."

    Having worked in warehousing, Zhang Yi knew Tianhai City¡¯syout well. He decided to head to the Economic Development Zone, where a Wanda za mall had been built two years ago. It was far from residential buildings and less likely to have been looted.

    Climbing back on his snowmobile, Zhang Yi drove towards the Economic Development Zone, anticipating another sessful haul.

 Chapter 82: Food for the Neighbors

    Chapter 82: Food for the Neighbors

    Zhang Yi arrived at the Wanda za in the Economic Development Zone. As expected, only the roof was visible above the snow. Following his usual method, he broke the ss on the roof and used climbing ropes to lower himself inside.

    Inside the mall, traces of its former bustling atmosphere remained. The circryout showcased various stores filled with exquisite goods. Expensive clothes, shoes, and various household items were now worthless and could be taken freely. Zhang Yi selected some useful items, filling his space with everything from entire stores.

    The supermarket was located on the basement level. After collecting some supplies, Zhang Yi headed down. As he anticipated, being far from residential areas, the supermarket was still fully stocked. However, the quality of the goods left much to be desired.

    The mall had partially copsed under the weight of the snow, letting cold air in, which ruined the food. Shelves were covered in frost. Snacks and cookies had iceyers, and the vegetable section, though not rotten, was severely dehydrated and tasteless. The meat section fared better, with frozen solid meats that resembled zombie flesh. The fish tanks had burst, leaving no chance for fresh fish.

    In normal times, this food would be thrown away or sent to factories to be repurposed. Zhang Yi shrugged, "I wouldn¡¯t eat this even if it were free!"

    However, to his starving neighbors, this subpar food would be a luxury.

    Zhang Yi took out tworge duffle bags and filled them with rotten vegetables, zombie meat, and some waterlogged bread and cookies. Soon, both bags were full. He left the rest of the food, thinking it might save others¡¯ lives in the future.

    After finishing, Zhang Yi checked his Rolex. Even in extreme cold, it kept running, though the time might not be precise. It showed 3:30 PM. Returning to Yue Lu neighborhood would take another hour.Not wanting to waste time, Zhang Yi left the supermarket with the supplies and rode his snowmobile back. By the time he reached Yue Lu, it was getting dark.

    The engine''s noise was particrly noticeable in the quiet neighborhood. As Zhang Yi returned, faces appeared in windows, staring intently at him.

    On the 15th floor of Building 26, Huang Tianfang, the Tianhe Gang leader, squinted at the new snowmobile. Half his face, burned and scarred from the fire, looked even more menacing. "There''s such a thing, as a vehicle that works in the snow. If we had it, we could find food outside instead of eating rotten meat," he murmured.

    A burly man beside him said, "Second Uncle, in our region, this is called a snowmobile."

    Huang Tianfang''s eyes locked on the snowmobile. "Whatever it¡¯s called, we need to get it!"

    Others watching Zhang Yi had simr thoughts. After half a month of istion, many were on the brink of insanity. Leaving the neighborhood was their only hope for survival, and Zhang Yi''s snowmobile reignited that hope.

    Zhang Yi felt the greed and murderous intent in their gazes but felt secure knowing the weapons he had found. He parked the snowmobile in the underground garage, where it was out of sight, and stored it back in his space.

    Carrying the two duffle bags, Zhang Yi walked towards his building. His heavy footprints excited the neighbors, who shouted from their windows.

    Huang Tianfang''s men also noticed. "Second Uncle, do you think it''s food?" one asked.

    "Of course! Why else would he go out?" Huang Tianfang replied.

    Excited murmurs spread among his men. "If he found food, we''re saved!"

    "Let¡¯s rob him and take the snowmobile too!"

    Their eyes turned red with greed, but Huang Tianfang cautioned them. "Don''t rush. That kid is Zhang Yi, the one who killed Chen Zhenghao. He''s ruthless and has a gun. We need to be careful."

    Some workers grumbled at Huang Tianfang''s caution, believing they should strike while Zhang Yi was outside. A few decided to sneak down, armed with knives and wrenches.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi, carrying the supplies, entered the building. He texted Uncle You to meet him for assistance.

    Uncle You, hearing the snowmobile, had already rushed down. Seeing the tworge duffle bags, he eximed, "Zhang Yi, you found so much stuff!"

    Zhang Yi smiled, "Professional tasks need professional people."

    The two hurriedly carried the supplies upstairs. Zhang Yi knew some of Huang Tianfang¡¯s men had followed, but he wasn¡¯t worried. He had anticipated this and was fully prepared.

 Chapter 83: The Assailants

    Chapter 83: The Assants

    Zhang Yi spoke calmly, "Indeed, it''s very difficult to find supplies outside. As soon as I went out, I visited all the supermarkets and malls I could remember in the vicinity."

    "As a result, all the nearby malls were already looted, leaving nothing behind!"

    "But I didn''t give up. I knew everyone was waiting for me. To make sure everyone could eat, I was determined to search the entire Tianhai City if necessary to bring back food for everyone!"

    "Finally, I had to go to the western part of the city. Only then did I manage to get this small amount of supplies."

    Zhang Yi handed the two bags to Uncle You, then went back to open the door for Zhou Ke''er, bringing her down with him.

    Afterwards, he sent a message in the group chat, summoning the neighbors toe and get the food.

    Before long, the neighbors swarmed in. The staircases were filled with people, all skinny and starving, their eyes filled with anticipation and greed as they stared at the bags in front of Zhang Yi.

    Some seemed ready to pounce and grab the bags, but when they saw the ck metal object in Zhang Yi¡¯s right hand, they became fearful.Squinting, Zhang Yi smiled, "I went to great lengths to get these supplies for you all!"

    He signaled Zhou Ke''er to open the bags. She obediently unzipped them and dumped the contents on the ground.

    "Whoosh!"

    A pile of food appeared before everyone''s eyes. There were vegetables, meat, bread, and cookies! Although the quality seemed dubious, and in the past, even dogs wouldn''t have eaten these, now the starving neighbors were ecstatic, their eyes gleaming green!

    Uncle You raised his fist and shouted, "Long live Zhang Yi! Long live Zhang Yi!"

    The neighbors quickly caught on, shouting, raising their fists.

    "Long live Zhang Yi! Long live Zhang Yi!"

    "Zhang Yi, you¡¯re our great hero!"

    "Brother, from now on, you''re my real brother. Please ept my bow!"

    At this point, even if Zhang Yi asked them to crawl like dogs, they would obey. The temptation of food was simply too great.

    Among the crowd, Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin struggled to the front. They looked extremely disheveled, with greasy, messy hair, like two madwomen.

    Seeing Zhang Yi bring back so much food, Fang Yuqing waved excitedly, "Yi, it¡¯s me, Yuqing!"

    She gazed at Zhang Yi with admiration, feeling that he still had feelings for her, even though he had Zhou Ke''er by his side. Surely, he would give her more food.

    Next to her, Lin Cainin bitterly pleaded, "Qing¡¯er, we¡¯re best friends. Help me get more food from Zhang Yi."

    Fang Yuqing nced at Lin Cainin with disdain and pushed her away, "Get lost! You wretched woman!"

    Their quarrel made Zhang Yi frown.

    Someone immediately growled at them, "Stop causing trouble and listen to Brother Zhang Yi!"

    The surrounding people red at Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin, making them quiet down.

    Fang Yuqing muttered, "Why are you yelling? Do you know my rtionship with Brother Zhang Yi?"

    Seeing everyone settle down, Zhang Yi spoke, "I went through great efforts to bring back these supplies. Naturally, I intend to share them with you all."

    His tone suddenly turned cold, "But now is a time of crisis. I absolutely won¡¯t feed idlers! If you eat this food, you must take up arms against the enemy."

    "If anyone dares to eat without contributing, I¡¯ll make sure they vomit back more than they ate!"

    Looking at the gun in Zhang Yi''s hand and the food on the ground, everyone nodded, submitting to Zhang Yi¡¯s carrot-and-stick approach.

    "Alright, let¡¯s distribute the food!" Zhang Yi said, ready to start calling names.

    Just then, two arms appeared outside the west window.

    Several workers from the Tianhe Gang had broken in. Seeing the pile of food on the ground, their eyes lit up with excitement!

    "Brother Zhao, so much food! We¡¯ve struck gold!" one worker eximed.

    "No need to say more, grab it!" another worker shouted, pulling out a weapon and rushing at Zhang Yi.

    These men were truly ruthless. Despite facing dozens of people, they didn¡¯t hesitate.

    They saw the others as sheep, recognizing only a few capable fighters.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s pupils contracted. Instinctively, he drew his gun but then changed his mind. Instead of shooting, he retreated, shouting, "This food is for you. Don¡¯t let them take it!"

    "Anyone who takes down one of them gets food for five!"

    Hearing this, the initially terrified neighbors stopped running.

    Indeed, Zhang Yi brought this food back for them. If it were taken, what would they eat?

    Food was life. Without it, they were as good as dead.

    Moreover, Zhang Yi had promised food for five for each enemy taken down!

    The neighbors nced around. With dozens of them here, what was there to fear?

    Several young men gritted their teeth, pulled out weapons, and charged.

    Nowadays, people carried weapons whenever they went out, making it convenient.

    Zhang Yi retreated, gun pointed forward, to prevent anyone from stealing food amid the chaos.

    The Tianhe Gang men were caught off guard. Expecting the crowd to flee, they were shocked to see them suddenly attack as if injected with adrenaline!

    In a blink, chaos erupted.

    The west hall wasn¡¯trge. With dozens of people crammed inside, the sh of shovels, steel pipes, and kitchen knives echoed loudly.

    For the food, everyone fought desperately. The extreme cold numbed the pain of their wounds.

    Quickly, people were injured.

    But those who could still stand kept swinging their weapons frantically.

    Uncle You was a key fighter, wielding an iron rod with fierce intensity, smashing down while shouting.

    Though the Tianhe Gang men were fearless, they couldn¡¯t withstand such numbers. They were quickly overwhelmed.

    The air filled with the sounds of rage.

    It was a cathartic release of emotions.

    Living in constant fear of death and frequent attacks from the Tianhe Gang, dealing with them swiftly now brought a sense of relief.

    Their fear of the Tianhe Gang lessened significantly.

    After the fight, six bodiesy on the ground.

    Besides the Tianhe Gang members, two neighbors had fallen.

    Zhou Ke''er frowned slightly at the sight.

    As a professional surgeon, she knew these two might still be saved but required proper surgical conditions, ample medicine, and blood transfusions.

    Given the current survival conditions, that was impossible.

    She sighed helplessly, "Is this the lost world?"

 Chapter 84: I, Zhang Yi, Do Not Keep Useless People

    Chapter 84: I, Zhang Yi, Do Not Keep Useless People

    Zhang Yi looked at the neighbors in front of him and nodded with satisfaction.

    After this fight, they could now be suitable vanguards and cannon fodder, making it easier for him to handle future attacks from other buildings. All he had to provide was a bit of junk food and various empty promises.

    "p! p! p!"

    Zhang Yi pped his hands and smiled. "Well done! Did you see? As long as we stand united, there''s nothing to fear from these people!"

    He gestured to two of the most vigorous young men. "You two,e over here!"

    The two young men were overjoyed, ignoring the bloodstains on their faces as they approached Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi grabbed arge handful of food from the ground and stuffed it into one person''s arms. One handful wasn¡¯t enough, so he added more! Inted buns, moldy cookies, dehydrated vegetable leaves, and a big piece of white zombie meat¡ªall good stuff!

    The other neighbors watched this scene, swallowing hard, wishing those things were theirs.Zhang Yi gave both men arge pile of food and patted their shoulders. "Keep up the good work, and I won¡¯t let you go hungry!"

    The two young men, Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei, were so excited they trembled. This food was enough for them to eat well for several days! Tears flowed down their faces¡ªthey hadn¡¯t eaten decent food in a long time.

    "Brother Zhang Yi, we¡¯ll follow you loyally from now on!"

    "We''ll listen to you. You¡¯re like our brother!"

    At this moment, they looked at Zhang Yi with eyes full of gratitude.

    Seeing the hope in their eyes, the other neighbors regretted not putting in more effort earlier.

    This was precisely what Zhang Yi wanted to see. After rewarding the two most diligent young men, Zhang Yi addressed the rest, "Now, it''s time to distribute the food. Come one by one!"

    Zhang Yi had observed everyone''s performance during the fight. Those who worked hard got more food; those who didn''t got less. Most people received just a piece of bread or a couple of cookies smaller than a child''s palm.

    Having raised dogs before, Zhang Yi knew one thing: if you feed a dog too much, it beszy and less obedient. The best way to keep it obedient is to keep it hungry but not starving. The same principle applied to people.

    The neighbors, disappointed by the small amount of food they received, dared notin, seeing the two exemrs who got more.

    Zhang Yi pointed at a wealthy heir young man, Xu Hao, who quickly stepped forward and extended his hands. "Where''s my food?"

    Zhang Yi looked at him disdainfully, kicked the ground, and casually threw a piece of fruit candy into his hands. "That''s your food."

    The surrounding neighborsughed mockingly. Even those who received little felt better seeing someone get even less. Xu Hao stared in disbelief, humiliation overwhelming him. He shouted angrily, "Are you kidding? Why do I only get a piece of candy?"

    Zhang Yi sneered, "You have the nerve to ask? While others were fighting, you were hiding at the back. Even giving you this candy is an act of charity!"

    Xu Hao had pretended to be brave, shouting loudly and holding a stick, but he stayed at the back during the fight. Now, facing Zhang Yi, he felt wronged. "It wasn¡¯t my fault! They surrounded the enemies so tightly I couldn¡¯t even get close!"

    Zhang Yi replied coldly, "Not my problem. I care about results, not excuses."

    Xu Hao, enraged and unwilling to ept the injustice, shouted, "This is unfair! You¡¯re targeting me!"

    Zhang Yiughed contemptuously, "Fair? Who do you think you are to talk about fairness with me? I¡¯m not here to reason with you; I¡¯m giving orders. Understand, you useless piece of garbage?"

    He nced at Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei. "What do we do with those who don¡¯t follow orders?"

    Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei, now loyal followers, put their food down carefully and approached Xu Hao. Despite his initial protests, Xu Hao was quickly beaten into submission, his body convulsing in pain.

    In the apocalypse, reasoning was a fool''s game. Only fists mattered. After the beating, Zhang Yi ordered, "This is what happens to those who disobey the leader¡¯s orders!"

    "If anyone thinks I¡¯m being unfair, you can leave now. Just drop your food and go; I won¡¯t hold a grudge."

    No one stood up, unwilling to part with their food. Seeing theirpliance, Zhang Yi nodded, "Good. Now we have an understanding."

    He approached the beaten Xu Hao, who was still clutching the piece of candy. Zhang Yi cruelly stepped on his hand, making him release it in pain. Kicking the candy away, Zhang Yi coldly said, "Learn your lesson. I, Zhang Yi, do not keep useless people!"

    After this demonstration, everyone obediently waited for their food distribution, not daring to voice any objections. Zhang Yi quickly finished distributing the food, leaving only a few without any.

 Chapter 85: Humiliating the Bitches

    Chapter 85: Humiliating the Bitches

    "Alright, the supplies have been distributed."

    Zhang Yi motioned for Zhou Ke''er to put away the remaining supplies into the bags.

    At this moment, a desperate shout erupted from the crowd.

    "Yi, I haven''t received any food yet! I haven''t!"

    It was Fang Yuqing. She had assumed Zhang Yi would surely take special care of her and give her the most food. However, after waiting anxiously for a long time, she had received nothing.

    Beside her, Lin Cainin also pleaded, "Yi, how could you forget me too?"

    Zhang Yi looked at them mockingly.

    "I didn¡¯t forget you."Their faces lit up with joy, and they thought Zhang Yi was saving the best forst as a special treat. But Zhang Yi''s next words plunged them into despair.

    "You two were never going to get any."

    Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin stared in shock, as if they couldn''t believe their ears.

    Lin Cainin blurted out, "Why? Everyone else got food, why didn''t we?"

    Fang Yuqing, unable to ept this, rushed forward with tears in her eyes, "Yi, you''re joking, right? You wouldn''t do this to me."

    "Didn''t you say you liked me?"

    Zhang Yi crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow, "I did say I liked you. But did you take it seriously?"

    "I say that to many girls. We were just having fun, and everyone knew it."

    "Now I''m no longer interested in you, so don''t bother me anymore. I have a girlfriend now."

    As he spoke, he deliberately pulled Zhou Ke''er into his arms.

    Standing next to Zhou Ke''er, Fang Yuqing looked pitiful byparison. Zhou Ke''er was a graduate of a prestigious university, a chief physician at a top hospital, with impable looks, figure, and temperaments. Fang Yuqing, on the other hand, was a small-time office worker, constantly flirting with various men, spending her nights at clubs. It was clear to anyone who was the better choice.

    Especially now, with Fang Yuqing looking disheveled and dirty, while Zhou Ke''er was well-dressed and neatly groomed, the contrast was stark.

    Fang Yuqing couldn¡¯t bear the blow. Her greatest pride¡ªher looks and charm¡ªwas being trampled by Zhang Yi. She cried, pointing at Zhang Yi, "No, this can''t be true! You invited me to stay at your ce not long ago. Why are you treating me like this now?"

    Zhang Yi sneered, "Are you talking about that? I was just ying with you. Look at how ridiculous you are now."

    He then looked at Wang Min and Lin Cainin, "Hey, didn¡¯t she always brag about how I liked her and would let her in?"

    Wang Min and Lin Cainin nodded eagerly.

    "Yeah, she was always dreaming. Said you would let her stay."

    "This kind of trash doesn''t know her ce. She even caused my cousin''s death. She deserves to die!"

    Zhang Yi publicly humiliated Fang Yuqing, stripping her dignity bare. Everyone around looked at her with disdain.

    Fang Yuqing, face pale, covered her ears, "No, stop saying that! Please, stop!"

    Zhang Yi ignored her pleas and continued, "You think you''re some kind of goddess, always aiming to snag a rich second-generation guy."

    "But don¡¯t you know, in Tianhai City, you''re infamous in the wealthy circles? Everyone knows you''re just a cheap thrill."

    He turned to Xu Hao, "Xu Hao, what''s her nickname?"

    Xu Hao, cowering on the ground, gritted his teeth and replied, "The high-minded gold digger!"

    Laughter erupted from the crowd.

    "Hahaha!"

    "Never thought there''d be such a person in our building."

    "I used to have a crush on her. Damn, knowing it would¡¯ve taken just a few hundred bucks, I wouldn¡¯t have wasted so much effort!"

    "What a shameless woman!"

    Surrounded by ridicule and insults, Fang Yuqing tried to cover her ears but couldn¡¯t block out the noise.

    "Ah!!!!"

    She screamed hysterically and ran out.

    Zhang Yi took out a small packet of cookies and threw it in front of Xu Hao. "Smart move. Here''s your reward."

    Rewarding obedience was necessary, even like training a dog. Xu Hao, eyes filled with joy, didn''t expect to regain the food he thought he had lost. Despite the recent beating, his resentment toward Zhang Yi faded significantly. He began to see Zhang Yi as a fair leader, realizing his previous defiance was misced.

    "Thank you, Brother Zhang Yi. I¡¯ll obey from now on!"

    Lin Cainin then stepped forward, "Zhang Yi, Fang Yuqing offended me before, but I have no quarrel with you. I even spoke up for you earlier. Shouldn¡¯t I get more food?"

    Zhang Yi nced at her, "No."

    Lin Cainin exploded, "Why not? You pursued her, not me!"

    Zhang Yi, serious, replied, "I just find you annoying and don''t want to give you any. Is that not enough?"

    Lin Cainin was left speechless.

    "You¡­"

    Zhang Yi said, "The supplies are mine to distribute. I decide who gets what. Got a problem? Keep it to yourself!"

    "It''s not fair!"

    Lin Cainin cried bitterly.

    "Only fools talk about fairness."

    Zhang Yi ignored her. The others watched with schadenfreude.

    Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei, understanding Zhang Yi¡¯s intent, quickly escorted Lin Cainin away, preventing her from causing more trouble.

    With the supplies distributed, Zhang Yi spoke up, "Now, let¡¯s discuss how to fortify our defenses."

    Standing beside Uncle You, Xie Limei frowned and whispered, "Why didn¡¯t we get any? You killed two, so we should get food for eleven!"

    Uncle You reassured her, "Zhang Yi won¡¯t forget us. Be patient."

    Xie Limei red at him, muttering under her breath while eyeing Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi addressed the group, "There are 47 people in our building, excluding the children."

    "Excluding myself, Zhou Ke''er, Uncle You, and Xie Limei, there are 43 left. We''ll divide into six groups, with seven to eight people each."

    "We''ll take turns on 24-hour shifts to prevent attacks from other buildings."

    "If anyone sees intruders, knock on the stair rails or other metal objects to alert everyone."

    "Once people wake up, use the same method to notify those on higher floors."

    Zhang Yi put his hands in his pockets and said seriously, "The rewards I mentioned earlier still stand. Kill an enemy, get food for five!"

    "If you don¡¯t achieve anything but still stand guard, you¡¯ll get food for one daily. However, others will choose their portions first, and your share won¡¯t be guaranteed."

    Turning to Uncle You, Zhang Yi said, "Uncle You, you¡¯ll handle the arrangements."

    Uncle You nodded, "No problem!"

 Chapter 86: The Sniper Rifle

    Chapter 86: The Sniper Rifle

    After Zhang Yi finished speaking, the neighbors bowed their heads, weighing the pros and cons.

    Someone asked, "Zhang Yi, it''s understandable that you and Zhou Ke''er don''t need to be on guard duty. But why doesn''t Uncle You need to either? He''s our best fighter!"

    Zhang Yi stared at the man and said firmly, "Precisely because Uncle You is a keybatant, he needs to conserve his strength for critical battles. Understand?"

    This reasoning was somewhat flimsy, but no one dared to contradict Zhang Yi.

    In truth, Zhang Yi''s real intention was to ensure Uncle You''s safety. While the others were on the front lines, tasked with defending against enemy assaults from other buildings, effectively serving as cannon fodder or, more politely, expendables, Uncle You was skilled and loyal¡ªan ideal subordinate for Zhang Yi, someone he wanted to keep alive for future usefulness.

    After organizing everything, Zhang Yi instructed the neighbors to return to their homes, leaving only those on duty near the west wing. Any attacks on their unit would have to pass through the west wing, whether through tunneling from below or climbing through fourth-floor windows. Guarding this area would allow them to detect any intruders promptly.

    Once everyone else had gone upstairs, Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke''er returned to their apartment. Zhang Yi never left his back exposed to those he didn''t trust.

    With no one else around, Xie Limei finally couldn''t hold back any longer. "Zhang Yi, did you forget about our food?"Zhang Yi looked up at Xie Limei, his eyes coldly amused.

    Uncle You quickly pulled her arm, "What are you saying?"

    Xie Limei insisted, "Uncle You did the most, yet we get nothing. That''s too..."

    Zhang Yi interrupted, "The supplies I brought back aren¡¯t just what''s been handed out. The good stuff is still with me."

    "Uncle You,e to my ceter and get some."

    Xie Limei¡¯s expression brightened instantly. "I knew you wouldn''t let him work for nothing!"

    Uncle You gave her a sideways nce, "I told you, Brother Zhang Yi is a trustworthy man!"

    Zhang Yi smiled silently.

    Back at home, Zhang Yi retrieved a box of instant noodles from his alternate space and ced it at the door, notifying Uncle You toe by in ten minutes. He then quickly shed his cold-weather gear.

    ¡°ng!¡±

    The frying pan hidden inside his leather jacket fell to the floor. Zhou Ke''erughed as she picked it up. "There probably wasn¡¯t a soul outside. You''re overly cautious!"

    Zhang Yi grinned, "I won¡¯t need this thing anymore." He had found something better.

    Police-issued bulletproof vests were snug and secure. Back in his warm home, Zhang Yi felt a profound sense of happiness. Even in cold-weather gear, the chill was pervasive, especially when riding the snowmobile, despite temperatures of minus seventy degrees.

    He ced some food from his alternate space on the table. Since he had taken all the food with him, he and Zhou Ke''er had fasted all day. Now, they sat at the table, eating heartily.

    Zhou Ke''er asked curiously, "What¡¯s it like outside?"

    Zhang Yi replied, "What do you expect? The city is snowed in, with the lower floorspletely covered."

    "At this rate, even if the snow stops and temperatures normalize, it¡¯ll take over half a month for the snow to melt."

    Zhou Ke''er nodded. "But now it''s about to be winter, so the temperature will only drop further."

    "That''s not a problem for us," Zhang Yi said. "The real threat now is people."

    "People in the apocalypse are more terrifying than demons."

    After their meal, Zhou Ke''er cozied up to Zhang Yi, hugging his shoulder.

    Zhang Yi nced at her. "What are you doing?"

    Her face flushed slightly. "Getting warm!" She pressed her body, ¡°rich in fattyyers,¡± against him. Ever since Zhang Yi had awakened her desires, she clung to him daily. Fortunately, Zhang Yi was young and vigorous; an average man wouldn''t have been able to keep up.

    Zhang Yi smiled and yfully pped her on the butt. "I have no time for you now. Go take a shower and wait for me in bed!"

    Zhou Ke''er flirtatiously winked at him before heading off to bathe.

    What could make Zhang Yi set aside even the allure of beauty? Naturally, it was a man''s true passion¡ªguns!

    He took out all the firearms he had collected today. Zhang Yi had some knowledge of guns, having been a member of Tianhai City''s shooting club and frequenting the range. Police firearms, with their superior performance, easily reced his ck market purchases.

    He swapped out his old guns for two police-issue pistols, fully loaded. With the gun holsters and tactical belts, he strapped them to his waist. Then, he turned his attention to the rifles and a sniper rifle.

    While the shooting range in Tianhai City had rifles for target practice, it didn¡¯t have sniper rifles. Fortunately, the inte was full of detailed information on various firearms.

    Zhang Yi praised thergepanies whose servers still operated, likely in cooperation with the government, to maintain civilization¡¯s remnants. He quickly learned how to use these guns, thanks to his prior experience.

    "Even if my aim isn¡¯t perfect, I know how to fire and reload. That''s enough."

    The presence of firearms alone was a significant deterrent. He loaded all the magazines and safety-checked the guns before storing them back in his alternate space for quick ess in emergencies.

    Zhang Yi found the sniper rifle particrly appealing. Guns are a man''s romance, and his fascination with firearms was natural. He lifted the rifle, using the scope to look at the opposite building. The window lock fifty meters away was clearly visible through the scope.

    "I need to try out this rifle. It''s the perfect weapon for ambushes," Zhang Yi thought, smiling. He preferred covert attacks over direct confrontations. Sneaking in a corner and taking out enemies unseen was his style.

 Chapter 87: The Tianhe Gangâ€™s Revenge

    Chapter 87: The Tianhe Gang¡¯s Revenge

    Zhang Yi felt a thrill as he held the sniper rifle, using the scope to observe the entire neighborhood.

    It was nighttime, and without electricity, the apartment buildings were pitch ck inside. However, the snow reflected enough light that the outside remained a white expanse where some scenery could still be seen.

    Suddenly, Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes narrowed.

    When he looked toward the garage, he saw two small ck dots moving.

    "The garage, people. Looks like they¡¯re going after my snowmobile!"

    Zhang Yi''s lips curled into a mocking smile.

    Earlier, he had pretended to store the snowmobile in the garage. Sure enough, someone hade sneaking around at night. Unfortunately for them, it was a futile effort.

    A whileter, Uncle You arrived.Seeing the unopened box of instant noodles at the door, his eyes welled up with emotion.

    "Didn''t expect it to be Bai Xiang brand. Zhang Yi, you¡¯re so generous!"

    This box of instant noodles, if rationed, could feed his group of three for a week.

    Uncle You felt deeply touched when he thought about how Zhang Yi didn¡¯t have much food left yet still gave him so many noodles.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t have many of these instant noodles at home, only around twenty thousand boxes in his warehouse. He hadn¡¯t even eaten one yet, preferring the gourmet meals prepared by top chefs at home.

    Uncle You picked up the instant noodles, knocked on the door, and said, "Zhang Yi, I¡¯m taking the noodles. Thank you!"

    Zhang Yi put down the sniper rifle and went to the door, saying, "Uncle You, no need for thanks between us!"

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t care about others, but he made sure Uncle You had enough to eat. Only by ensuring Uncle You was well-fed could he be a top fighter and human shield.

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t heartless; he wouldn¡¯t let Uncle You die unless absolutely necessary. Well, unless absolutely necessary.

    Uncle You scratched his head and chuckled. "Don¡¯t take what Xie Limei said to heart. She tends to be a bit sharp-tongued."

    Zhang Yi lowered his eyelids and smiled lightly. "Why would I hold a grudge against a woman? I¡¯m not that petty!"

    "But Uncle You, are you really going to raise someone else''s child?"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s tone carried a hint of probing. He didn¡¯t like Xie Limei but didn¡¯t want to sour his rtionship with Uncle You either. So, he nted seeds of doubt subtly.

    Uncle Youughed. "In these times, what can we say? Finding a woman like her is already fortunate."

    Zhang Yi nodded. "True. Sister Xie is a good woman, not bad-looking, and she can bear children."

    "I don¡¯t mean anything else. Just think you¡¯re underestimating yourself, Uncle You."

    "In these times, strong men who are good fighters are in high demand! Jokingly, you could even get a celebrity if you wanted."

    Uncle You was pleased by the praise. "Am I really that good?"

    Zhang Yi replied, "Look at the current situation. Those pretty boys who can sing, dance, and rap are useless, unable to fend for themselves."

    "Only men like us can give women a sense of security."

    Then Zhang Yi changed the subject. "But still, Sister Xie is quite good. Work hard, and maybe she¡¯ll give you a child too!"

    "After all, every man should have his own child. Raising someone else¡¯s kid is... well..."

    Uncle You felt uneasy. Zhang Yi¡¯s words stirred thoughts in him. He liked Xie Limei¡ªshe was well-built, skilled, and satisfied him, an old bachelor. But her child was a burden, often waking him at night and disrupting his rest. If the child were his own, he¡¯d ept it. But raising someone else¡¯s child was different.

    People are inherently selfish. Uncle You had been suppressing these thoughts, but Zhang Yi¡¯s words made him reconsider.

    "Haha, thinking about children now is unrealistic. Maybeter, when things stabilize," Uncle You said, forcing a smile.

    "Right, right, just saying. I hope you and Sister Xie find happiness."

    Uncle You nodded. "I¡¯ll be going now. Contact me if you need anything!"

    After Uncle You left, Zhang Yi loaded the sniper rifle''s magazine and stored it in his alternate space. These rifles and sniper rifles would be his secret weapons.

    A whileter, the sound of water in the bathroom stopped. Zhou Ke''er came out, wrapped in a pink towel. Her milk-white skin and long, shapely legs glowed under the light.

    Lying on the sofa, Zhang Yi massaged his temples andzily said, "I¡¯m a bit tired today. Come and give me a massage."

    Zhou Ke''er nodded, walked over, and began massaging his body gently.

    ...

    That night, the weakened Tianhe Gangunched another attack on Building 25.

    Their recent sesses made them dismissive of everyone in Building 25 except Zhang Yi.

    This time, they were surprised to encounter resistance.

    Leading the attack was Huang Tianfang''s nephew, Huang Wei, known for his stealth attacks.

    Around 2 AM, he led eight men into Building 25 under the cover of darkness.

    They were met with a barrage of bricks from above.

    "Bang! Bang! Bang!"

    The guards quickly retaliated with whatever they had¡ªkitchen knives, sticks, stones, and bricks¡ªhurling them down to dy the attackers. They also banged on stair rails and windows to alert everyone else.

    Soon, the entire building was awake.

    Driven by revenge and desperation for supplies, Huang Wei¡¯s men pressed on despite their small numbers.

    But their numbers and fierce fighting skills were no match for the well-prepared residents of Building 25. The promise of food for every kill spurred the residents into a frenzy, each eager to im the bounty.

    The fightsted only a few minutes, leaving three bodies behind.

    Seeing the unfavorable situation, Huang Wei shouted, "Retreat, now!"

    As they fled, the residents of Building 25 cheered, chasing after them. One worker, too slow to escape, was struck on the buttocks with a kitchen knife, screaming in pain as he struggled to climb out.

    The residents didn¡¯t dare pursue further into the night, unsure of what awaited outside.

    Zhang Yi, awakened by themotion, went to the balcony and watched the fleeing Tianhe Gang members. An idea struck him.

    "Could I take them out with the sniper rifle from this distance?"

 Chapter 88: Precision Shooting, Perfect Aim

    Chapter 88: Precision Shooting, Perfect Aim

    When a man encounters a beautiful woman, his first thought is often to ¡°get into¡± know her better.

    Simrly, when he gets his hands on a good weapon, he can''t resist trying it out. This instinct is ingrained, like the childhood habit of picking up a good stick and pretending it¡¯s a sword.

    And now, Zhang Yi had a sniper rifle¡ªa weapon most ordinary people in China couldn''t even dream of handling, let alone use against others.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see how well this thing works!¡±

    Zhang Yi retrieved the sniper rifle from his alternate space and stood on the balcony of his 24th-floor apartment, aiming downwards.

    The 8x scope was incredibly powerful. What looked like tiny ants from the 24th floor were now clearly visible.

    Zhang Yi held his breath to prevent his exhaled warm air from fogging the scope.

    The seven people escaping through the snow were moving slowly, making it easy to aim.Suppressing his excitement, Zhang Yi aimed at one person''s back and pulled the trigger.

    For some reason, at the moment the bullet left the chamber, he had a strange feeling¡ªthis bullet would hit for sure!

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    The gunshot rang out loudly in the silent night, waking countless people from uneasy dreams.

    Through the scope, Zhang Yi saw the person fall to the ground, blood staining the snow.

    ¡°Wow, how am I such a good shot? Could it be that I¡¯m a natural talent?¡±

    Zhang Yi was both surprised and delighted. He had only wanted to test the gun, not expecting a perfect shot.

    ¡°What was that strange feeling just now?¡±

    He was puzzled but didn¡¯t have time to dwell on it. The remaining men quickened their pace upon hearing the shot and seeing theirrade fall.

    Zhang Yi quickly reloaded and aimed at the next person.

    As he focused on his target, that mysterious feeling reappeared.

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    Another gunshot, another person down.

    Zhang Yi realized he wasn¡¯t just lucky. This was a special ability!

    Excited, he mumbled to himself, ¡°It seems my awakened ability isn¡¯t just about the alternate space. I didn¡¯t realize my full potential until now.¡±

    He could now confirm his ability was rted to precision shooting.

    Switching from close-rangebat with bows and handguns to a sniper rifle, the feeling became more pronounced.

    Thrilled, Zhang Yi reloaded and aimed for another headshot.

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    The person¡¯s head exploded in a cloud of blood mist.

    Confirming his incredible uracy, Zhang Yi continued shooting.

    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡±

    With each shot, a body fell. The remaining men couldn¡¯t escape back to their base, all dying midway.

    Seven bodiesy in the snow, blood staining the whitendscape.

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t stop smiling. From now on, he could stay hidden and take down enemies from a distance!

    Downstairs, the neighbors, hearing the gunshots and seeing Huang Wei¡¯s men fall one by one, were terrified.

    ¡°That gunshot came from upstairs!¡±

    ¡°It must be Zhang Yi!¡±

    ¡°A sniper rifle, from that distance, one-shot kills. Zhang Yi must be a sharpshooter!¡±

    Stunned and fearful, they realized Zhang Yi could kill them as easily as squashing an ant.

    Their imagination ran wild, making Zhang Yi seem like an elite soldier hiding in the city.

    ¡°It¡¯s best to obey Zhang Yi from now on.¡±

    ¡°Yes, we¡¯re only alive because Zhang Yi hasn¡¯t turned against us.¡±

    This night, Zhang Yi¡¯s reputation skyrocketed. Anyone with some knowledge of firearms knew the difference between the power of a handgun and a sniper rifle.

    When a handgun could dominate a building, the thought of someone wielding a sniper rifle was terrifying.

    Zhang Yi put away the sniper rifle and massaged his shoulder. The recoil had made his shoulder ache.

    Uncle You sent a message, asking if Zhang Yi was the one shooting. Recognizing the sound as a sniper rifle, he was curious if Zhang Yi had military experience.

    Zhang Yi replied, ¡°I got it from the police station today.¡±

    Uncle You, impressed, asked, ¡°Were you in the military? Your marksmanship is incredible.¡±

    Zhang Yiughed, ¡°Just a natural talent.¡±

    Uncle You didn¡¯t press further, assuming Zhang Yi didn¡¯t want to talk about it. He was relieved to know it was Zhang Yi''s shooting. If it were someone else, they would be in danger.

    After chatting briefly, Zhang Yi went back to his room, lying in his warm, soft bed.

    The next morning, he woke up around nine, washed up, and let Zhou Ke''er out of her room.

    ¡°Make something to eat. I want some freshly made food. How about two bowls of spicy noodles?¡± Zhang Yi said.

    Zhou Ke''er smiled, ¡°My cooking isn¡¯t as good as the restaurants.¡±

    Zhang Yi shrugged, ¡°Just practice more. We have plenty of time.¡±

    Tired of restaurant food, Zhang Yi craved some homemade dishes for a change.

    Zhou Ke''er obediently went to the kitchen and soon returned with two bowls of spicy noodles. Zhang Yi took a bite, finding the taste quite good.

    As they sat at the table, Zhou Ke''er curiously asked, ¡°I heard gunshotsst night. Were you shooting from the balcony?¡±

 Chapter 89: The Warehouse District

    Chapter 89: The Warehouse District

    Zhang Yi nced at Zhou Ke''er and smiled. "Yes."

    He took a bite of the noodles. Zhou Ke''er''s cooking was average, but noodles are rtively simple to make, so they were decent enough.

    "I found it while I was out. It''s a sniper rifle," Zhang Yi said casually.

    Zhou Ke''er''s beautiful eyes sparkled with excitement. "A sniper rifle? Do you know how to use it?"

    "Not only do I know how to use it, but I''m also very good at it," Zhang Yi boasted. "Last night, I took down seven people with seven bullets."

    Men love showing off their trophies to women, and Zhang Yi was no exception. He felt proud and wanted to impress Zhou Ke''er.

    Zhou Ke''er looked at Zhang Yi with admiration. Being with such a capable man gave her a stronger sense of security.

    "Zhang Yi, you''re amazing!" she eximed, resting her chin in her hands and gazing at him with admiration.Zhang Yi chuckled, "Aren''t you curious about how I know how to use a sniper rifle?"

    Zhou Ke''er shook her head. "What does it matter to me? Even if you were a murderer or a psychopath in the past, I''m sticking with you now. It''s better than dying out there, right?"

    Zhang Yi nodded, "You''re smart, unlike some foolish women who always ask too many questions."

    ...

    In Building 26, the Tianhe Gang discovered the bodies of Huang Wei and his men in the morning.

    Huang Tianfang had felt something was wrong when he heard the gunshotsst night but didn''t dare check until morning. Seeing the ten corpses piled outside, he was filled with rage, but his fear was ten times greater.

    The Tianhe Gang was now down to nine people, significantly weakening theirbat power. Even if they forced the remaining residents to join, it wouldn''tpensate for the loss of skilled workers. If a fight broke out with another building, they''d be at a severe disadvantage.

    "They have guns, not just any guns, but possibly rifles or sniper rifles," Huang Tianfang said gravely. "The shotsst night were dense, which means they have plenty of ammunition. This opponent is not to be underestimated."

    His men were equally terrified.

    "Boss, what do we do now? Big Wei and the others are dead. We¡¯ve lost half our people. Do we still fight?"

    Huang Tianfang looked viciously towards Building 25. "Fight my ass! They have guns. What do we fight with?"

    His men grew anxious. "But if we don¡¯t rob his supplies and snowmobile, we won''t have enough food tost a few days!"

    After a moment of silence, Huang Tianfang said, "Tonight, we¡¯ll go and retrieve Big Wei¡¯s body."

    His men exchanged uneasy nces. They had been through thick and thin together, and now they had to¡­ They felt a pang of sorrow but remained silent. Survival took precedence over everything else.

    ...

    After Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke''er finished eating, Zhang Yi stood up. "I''m heading out."

    Zhou Ke''er quickly stuffed a bag of chips into her pocket. Zhang Yi didn''t say anything but, this time, he didn''t put away the two boxes of food in the kitchen. After living together for a while, he trusted Zhou Ke''er''s intelligence. She wouldn¡¯t betray him unless a better opportunity presented itself.

    Zhang Yi went downstairs. The guards on duty straightened up immediately upon seeing him.

    "Brother Zhang, are you going out?"

    Zhang Yi nodded, "Keep up the good work!"

    He climbed out of the west wing window, then pretended to go to the garage. Soon, he rode his snowmobile out of the neighborhood.

    Many eyes watched him from behind windows, their gazes filled withplex emotions¡ªexcitement, envy, and anger.

    In Building 21, the self-proimed Tiang Gang,posed of young men in their twenties, watched Zhang Yi leave.

    Tiang Gang leader Wang Qiang, holding a bloodstained machete, frowned. "Where does he hide his snowmobile?"

    Last night, he had sent people to steal Zhang Yi''s snowmobile.

    His second-inmand, Xiao Lu, replied, "Our neighborhood is quiterge, and he''s hidden it well. It''s hard to find."

    Wang Qiang scoffed, "We must get that snowmobile no matter what! With it, we can search for supplies and expand our gang."

    Xiao Lu nodded, "Indeed. Heroes rise in troubled times. This era is our opportunity!"

    He looked in the direction Zhang Yi had gone, his eyes bloodshot. "But first, let¡¯s find some cigarettes. I haven¡¯t smoked in half a month; I¡¯m going crazy!"

    Elsewhere, leaders of other units discussed Zhang Yi. To them, Zhang Yi was both a threat and an opportunity. He had guns, including high-powered rifles, but also a snowmobile for fetching supplies. Some wanted to fight him, others to cooperate, but one thing was certain¡ªthey would soon confront him.

    ...

    Zhang Yi first checked nearby supermarkets but found they were all buried under snow. Even the small ones werepletely covered.

    "It seems the entire city is off-limits for food unless the snow melts. Onlyrge supermarkets and warehouses are viable options."

    Zhang Yi thought of the ce where he used to work.

    In the southwest direction of the Economic Development Zone, there was arge area of warehouses built by variouspanies due to cheapnd prices.

    Zhang Yi had already looted the Walmart warehouse, but otherpanies¡¯ goods¡ªmedical supplies, food, cars, toys¡ªwere still there.

    "Let¡¯s take a look. Maybe there¡¯s something useful."

    He decided and headed towards the warehouse district.

    The warehouse was about ten kilometers away, so he arrived in under twenty minutes. The area was vast, with tall factory buildings that hadn¡¯t umted too much snow.

    As Zhang Yi approached, he could still see some rooftops.

 Chapter 90: The Gas Station

    Chapter 90: The Gas Station

    Zhang Yi knew this area too well. Hundreds ofpanies'' warehouses, varying in size, were concentrated here in Tianhai City.

    "If I could gather all the supplies, it wouldn''t just be enough for me; it could feed thousands of people."

    However, the real question was whether those supplies were still here.

    Zhang Yi took out his handgun and crowbar, heading to check the nearby RT-Mart warehouse first. He smashed the window from the top and peered inside, only to find the huge factory building empty.

    "Did they move everything out?"

    Zhang Yi was not surprised; he had expected this. He continued to other warehouses, finding the same results. Medical equipment, daily necessities, food, even snacks, and pet food¡ªeverything had been cleared out.

    "Just as I thought."

    "When a disaster strikes, the experts notify the authorities first. They would prioritize moving the supplies."This was why Zhang Yi had emptied the Walmart warehouse a week before the disaster. He knew that when a disaster struck, those in power would only think of themselves, disregarding ordinary people''s lives.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t give up searching. There were hundreds of warehouses here; he might find something useful.

    After half a day, he found a warehouse storing cars. The massive area, over a million square meters, was filled with cars neatly arranged like sardines. Among them were many luxury cars worth millions before the apocalypse, but now they were practically useless. Even though they couldn¡¯t be driven in the snowy conditions, Zhang Yi decided to collect some.

    "Men love cars. Seeing these luxury cars, I might as well collect a few for fun, even if I can¡¯t drive them now."

    He chose a dozen of his favorite cars and stored them in his alternate space.

    The rest of the day was spentbing through the warehouse district. Most warehouses had been emptied, leaving behindrge machinery and building materials that were too cumbersome to move. There was no food or daily necessities to be found.

    Zhang Yi bit his lip, collecting various items like a scavenger. Heavy trucks, excavators, a Rolls-Royce Phantom, bulldozers¡ªanything that might be useful in the future.

    "If I need them, they¡¯lle in handy," he convinced himself.

    Finally, Zhang Yi decided to stop. He had gathered everything useful from the area and didn¡¯t need anything urgently for now.

    He took out a piece of chocte, quickly ate it, and then gulped down some snow to wash it down. Drinking hot water was impossible in this freezing weather; it would cool down within minutes.

    As he finished, he thought of one more ce to check¡ªgas stations. He had gathered many vehicles and thought of gasoline and diesel.

    His current stock of fuel in the alternate space was enough for daily life, but given the situation, he would rely heavily on the snowmobile for transportation. This meant his fuel reserves might notst.

    Out of caution, Zhang Yi decided to visit a gas station and see if he could get more fuel. He rode his snowmobile towards thergest gas station in Tianhai City.

    When he arrived, the sight made him exhale a long breath of white smoke. The huge gas station waspletely buried under snow, and he could only identify its location by the tall buildings around it.

    Though he had expected this, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but feel disappointed.

    "Gas stations don¡¯t have high-rise buildings, so how am I supposed to find a ce to refuel?"

    "Damn it!"

    Zhang Yi frowned at the situation. With the snow depth, digging it out manually was nearly impossible. Plus, who knew how long this snow disaster wouldst? Would he have to ration fuel strictly?

    Based on his current fuel reserves and the snowmobile¡¯s consumption, he might run out in twenty years.

    "Humans are so weak. If only I could use heavy machinery to dig," Zhang Yi thought wryly.

    Just as he was about to leave, an idea struck him.

    "Excavation equipment?"

    "An excavator might work!"

    He had just collected several work vehicles from the warehouse, including excavators. He had originally picked them for future use, not expecting to need them so soon.

    Although using an excavator to dig through snow was unusual, the idea seemed feasible. The snow had umted for less than a month and hadn¡¯t formed a hard iceyer yet. An excavator could easily handle it. He only needed to dig down to the doors or windows and break in.

    "It can work!"

    Zhang Yi decided to act immediately, taking arge excavator out of his alternate space.

    "Boom!"

    The nearly twenty-ton excavator hit the ground and sank more than a meter into the snow.

    Zhang Yiughed. "This makes it easier. Saves me some digging."

    The snow on the surface was still rtively thin and couldn¡¯t support such weight. The snow below, however, waspacted and firmer.

    Though it was his first time operating an excavator, it wasn¡¯t difficult. During his warehouse job, he operated cranes, forklifts, andrge trucks. After a bit of tinkering, he figured out how to drive it.

    His technique wasn¡¯t perfect, but it was enough to get the job done.

 Chapter 91: Found a New Path

    Chapter 91: Found a New Path

    Operating the excavator was rtively straightforward, primarily involving two push levers and a control stick for the bucket. Zhang Yi found the fuel tank and filled it with diesel from his alternate space.

    Then he climbed into the control room and turned the key.

    "Rumble!"

    Fortunately, the low temperature didn¡¯t severely affect the new machinery, and the excavator started without issue. Zhang Yi began maneuvering the excavator, shoveling the snow to the sides. Initially slow, he gradually picked up speed.

    After half an hour, he had dug a three-meter-deep pit, and the tracks could move slowly. The excavator¡¯s tracks, instead of wheels, made it remarkably effective in the snow. Zhang Yi even thought that in special circumstances, this machine could serve as a transport vehicle.

    Though slow, the excavator¡¯s tracks moved smoothly over the snow. They could handle even muddy swamps, proving to be extremely versatile!

    Despite hisck of experience, Zhang Yi managed to excavate the snow for nearly two hours until he hit solid building structures. Overjoyed, he began clearing the snow along the building¡¯s outline, revealing therge rooftop tform of the gas station.

    Finding the gas station''s building made the task easier. Following the structure, he methodically cleared the snow. Due to hisck of proficiency, it took Zhang Yi a full five hours to reach the convenience store window of the gas station.Thankfully, he used the excavator, not his hands, or he would have been exhausted to death.

    Zhang Yi climbed down from the excavator, stored it back into his alternate space, and broke the window to jump inside.

    He was startled by the sight inside. The snow had breached the doors, filling most of the space. Fortunately, the back door was still visible.

    Walking carefully on the snow, Zhang Yi searched for the fuel storage area. Gas stations typically have underground storage tanks, reducing the risk of being buried by snow.

    It didn¡¯t take long for Zhang Yi to find the entrance to the storage area. Despite the spacious front, the back area waspact, making the entrance easy to locate. Using a crowbar, he pried open the iron door and illuminated the space with his miner''smp.

    The sight made him gasp. Five massive storage tanks, each holding about 200 cubic meters of fuel, stood before him. The sheer volume was overwhelming.

    Zhang Yi thought for a moment, then carefully stepped back outside to remove any static electricity from his body before daring to re-enter.

    The gas station had ceased operations, and the ce was pitch dark. Using the miner¡¯smp, Zhang Yi sealed the fuel pipes with stic and cling film to prevent leaks.

    Then, he stored the enormous tanks in his alternate space. With three tanks of gasoline and one diesel, he no longer had to worry about fuel for his vehicles in the future.

    "Wait a minute!"

    A sudden thought struck Zhang Yi.

    "If I can use the excavator to dig through the snow, doesn¡¯t that mean I can uncover other buried ces as well?"

    "This means the entire world could be a massive treasure trove!"

    "Possibly a treasure trove for me alone!"

    Zhang Yi''s mind raced with excitement at this realization.

    Underneath the snow, countless treasures awaited discovery.

    "All valuable items, all valuable items!" Zhang Yi thought, feeling a surge of confidence. He no longer feared any shortage of supplies.

    The whole world could be at his disposal!

    Following the tracks left by the excavator, Zhang Yi climbed back to the surface, mounted his snowmobile, and decided to end his search for the day. It was gettingte.

    He made another trip to the supermarket in Wanda za, grabbing two bags of junk food to take back.

    As soon as the snowmobile appeared outside the neighborhood, many people peered through their windows, watching him intently.

    Zhang Yi parked the snowmobile behind his building, pretending to put it in the garage, then carried the two bags of food back to Building 25.

    Without needing to be summoned, the neighbors gathered at the entrance. This time, Fang Yuqing didn¡¯te. She seemed to have epted that Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t give her any more food. However, Lin Cainin remained hopeful and tried to get some food.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t even nce at her.

    "Everyone worked hard dealing with the intruders yesterday. Today¡¯s food is your reward."

    "Let¡¯s distribute it ording to our agreed-upon rules."

    He distributed the food based on contribution. Since the food was limited, those who did less work received less food. In simple terms, those who cked off shouldn¡¯t expect to eat much.

    Because of the sniper rifle incident, the neighbors were more fearful of Zhang Yi and didn¡¯t darein. They also knew that Zhang Yi had killed the most enemies.

    Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei, who hadn¡¯t been on duty the previous night, received only single portions, which were barely enough to fill them. They looked disappointed.

    Li Chengbin said, "Brother Zhang, just waiting for them to attack could take forever."

    "You killed more than ten of them. They¡¯re probably too scared toe back. How are we supposed to earn our rewards?"

    Young men tend to be impatient. Zhang Yi, touching his nose, smiled calmly. "Opportunitiese to those who are prepared. I only said that killing one enemy would earn you five portions of food. But I never said you had to wait for them to attack."

    Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei¡¯s eyes lit up.

    "You mean we can take the initiative?"

    "We can kill people from other buildings for rewards?"

    They were thrilled.

    They desperately needed food and wanted to prove themselves within the group. They hoped to be Zhang Yi¡¯s trusted followers.

    Zhang Yi pondered.

    So far, only the Tianhe Gang from Building 26 had attacked Building 25. But who knew what might happen in the future?

    Especially after Zhang Yi revealed his snowmobile, more people in the neighborhood would surely target him.

    Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei¡¯s suggestion intrigued Zhang Yi. These people were originally recruited as cannon fodder. If they wanted to risk their lives, so be it.

    Besides, the junk food was of little value to Zhang Yi.

    Smiling approvingly, Zhang Yi said, "Of course you can! Anyone from outside our building is an enemy. Killing them ensures our collective safety."

    "From now on, you can kill anyone from other buildings and exchange their bodies for rewards."

    That was the rule. Given the harsh cold and heavy snow, they could only target nearby buildings. Naturally, their first target would be Building 26, home of the Tianhe Gang.

    Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei cheered excitedly.

    The others had mixed reactions but were visibly interested. After all, who wouldn¡¯t want more food?

 Chapter 92: If You Dont Save My Grandson, You Deserve to Die!

    Chapter 92: If You Don''t Save My Grandson, You Deserve to Die!

    After distributing the food, Lin Cainin caused anothermotion but was beaten badly by Zhang Yi''sckeys, Jiang Lei and Li Chengbin. Then, Zhang Yi sent everyone back home.

    As Zhou Ke''er walked beside him, she linked her arm with his and whispered, "Something feels off in the neighborhood today."

    Zhang Yi subtly withdrew his arm and asked indifferently, "Oh? What''s going on?"

    Zhou Ke''er hesitated momentarily, realizing that Zhang Yi didn''t want to be restrained in any way, especially outside their home. "I have this strong feeling that many eyes are watching us. It¡¯s quite unsettling."

    Zhang Yiughed lightly, "It¡¯s not surprising. The appearance of a snowmobile is bound to attract envy. This is the South, and such a vehicle is extremely rare. Having it means being able to go out and search for supplies, which trantes to survival. Who wouldn¡¯t want that?"

    Zhou Ke''er looked worried. "Do you think people from other buildings might attack us too? It could be very dangerous."

    Zhang Yi looked around to ensure no one was nearby and then lowered his voice. "We have plenty of cannon fodder, don¡¯t we? And besides, no matter how capable they are, breaking into our home is nearly impossible."

    Zhou Ke''erughed, "But if people are desperate, who knows what they might do!"Zhang Yi nodded, "You¡¯re right about that."

    As they conversed, Zhang Yi habitually scanned their surroundings. He noticed a ck crack at the edge of his vision. As they passed the 13th floor, he saw the iron door of the stairwell slightly ajar with a blood-red eye staring through the gap.

    "Who''s there!" Zhang Yi''s muscles tensed. Even with his bravery, the sudden encounter made him uneasy.

    The stairwell door burst open with a bang. A disheveled woman rushed out, wielding a bloodstained kitchen knife, and aiming at Zhang Yi¡¯s head.

    "Ah!!" Zhou Ke''er screamed.

    Zhang Yi quickly pushed Zhou Ke''er aside, causing himself to fall as well. The knife missed its target. The woman, however, continued her assault. Zhang Yi rolled down the stairs, protected by his thick clothing and bulletproof vest, preventing serious injury.

    As he steadied himself several floors down, he recognized the woman¡ªAunt Lin, who had disappeared for a long time. She relentlessly pursued him, eyes bloodshot, brandishing the knife.

    "Zhang Yi, you must pay for my grandson''s life!"

    "Damn old hag!" Zhang Yi, nowposed, retrieved a thick crowbar from his alternate space and swung it at her. The narrow stairwell left Aunt Lin no room to dodge. The crowbar didn¡¯t hit her head but struck her shoulder instead.

    "Crack!"

    Zhang Yi heard the sound of bones breaking. The frail woman crumpled to the floor, clutching the bloodstained knife, ring at Zhang Yi with hatred.

    "Kill... kill you! Avenge my grandson!"

    Zhang Yi coldly stared at her and then smashed the crowbar onto her hand, shattering her fingers and making her drop the knife.

    "Ah!!!" Her screams echoed through the stairwell.

    Hearing themotion, the patrol team rushed over. Seeing Zhang Yi and Aunt Lin, they asked, "Brother Zhang, what happened?"

    Zhang Yi replied icily, "This old hag tried to kill me!"

    The men cursed, "This old woman deserves to die!"

    "Brother Zhang is our hope. If she wants to kill you, we should just kill her!"

    "She''s crazy. She¡¯s going to be a problem if left alive."

    Aunt Lin had indeed lost her mind, constantly spouting nonsense in the group chat before disappearing.

    Zhang Yi said, "Go back. I¡¯ll handle this."

    They didn¡¯t dare disobey and left quietly. Zhou Ke''er, standing on the stairs, looked worriedly at Zhang Yi.

    "Zhang Yi, are you hurt?"

    Zhang Yi pointed at Aunt Lin¡¯s head, "She can''t hurt me!"

    Aunt Lin defiantly red at Zhang Yi. "Zhang Yi, you deserve to die! You killed my grandson. You¡¯ll go to hell for this!"

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t immediately act. He calmly asked, "Your grandson wasn¡¯t killed by me. Why are you seeking revenge from me?"

    Aunt Lin had timed her attack perfectly, waiting for Zhang Yi to return and then ambushing him. Zhang Yi had been momentarily distracted by his conversation with Zhou Ke''er, allowing her to get close. Normally, his vignce would have prevented such an ambush.

    Zhang Yi wanted to know why this madwoman had targeted him.

    Aunt Lin, eyes filled with hatred, snarled like a rabid dog. "My grandson died because of you! You deserve to die! I should drink your blood, eat your flesh, and bite you to death!"

    Zhang Yi remained calm. "But I didn¡¯t kill your grandson. In fact, I¡¯m your benefactor. It was Chen Zhenghao¡¯s men who kicked your grandson to death. I killed Chen Zhenghao for you. You should be thanking me."

    Aunt Lin hesitated, and then her anger red. "Don¡¯t pretend to be a good person! My grandson didn¡¯t die right away. He suffered and died because you wouldn¡¯t give me the medicine to treat him. You¡¯re the murderer!"

    Spittle flew as she raged, her eyes bloodshot like a vengeful ghost.

 Chapter 93: The One at Fault Is You

    Chapter 93: The One at Fault Is You

    Zhang Yi finally understood the whole story.

    ¡°Oh, so that''s how you see it,¡± he said, nodding. ¡°But isn¡¯t there some misunderstanding here?¡±

    He looked down at Aunt Lin, meeting her hateful gaze. Then he lowered his voice, speaking softly, ¡°You know, I¡¯m actually quite soft-hearted, despite my tough exterior.¡±

    ¡°How could I bear to watch a child die in agony?¡±

    ¡°So,ter on, I did bring medicine to your house.¡±

    Aunt Lin¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You¡¯re lying!¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not lying. I really did go to your house. Think carefully. Oh, maybe you were too focused at the time and forgot.¡±

    A hint of regret appeared in Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes. ¡°Actually, Lin Xiaohu was still alive then. I clearly saw his chest moving.¡±¡°But why did you...?¡± Zhang Yi sighed. ¡°He had a chance to survive, but you took that away from him. You¡¯re such a good grandmother!¡±

    His gaze turned cold, and his tone became icy.

    Aunt Lin¡¯s already unstable mind became even more chaotic upon hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s words. Her eyes showed a mix of panic and confusion.

    ¡°Could it be that Hu wasn¡¯t dead? Did I really kill him by mistake?¡±

    ¡°No, impossible! Hu was dead. You killed him!¡± Aunt Lin screamed.

    Zhang Yiughed, pointing at Zhou Ke''er. ¡°If you don¡¯t believe me, ask Doctor Zhou! Could Lin Xiaohu have been saved?¡±

    Aunt Lin turned her head nkly to look at Zhou Ke''er.

    Seeing Zhang Yi¡¯s sinister smile, Zhou Ke''er felt a chill run down her spine. She finally understood why Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t killed Aunt Lin right away and instead engaged in such a long conversation with her. He didn¡¯t just want Aunt Lin dead; he wanted to destroy her mentally and emotionally.

    Zhou Ke''er nodded slowly. ¡°Yes, Lin Xiaohu could have been saved.¡±

    ¡°I contacted Zhang Yi at the time, and he agreed to send the medicine.¡±

    ¡°But you didn¡¯t wait. You wrongly assumed Lin Xiaohu was dead. If you had waited a little longer, maybe he wouldn¡¯t have died.¡±

    Zhou Ke''er didn¡¯t finish her sentence, knowing it was already devastating enough.

    Aunt Lin clutched her face, wailing in agony.

    ¡°No, that can¡¯t be! I didn¡¯t know he was still alive. I thought he was already dead!¡±

    Her already broken mind further fragmented. She couldn¡¯t distinguish reality from her chaotic memories. Her hatred for Zhang Yi had kept her going, but now his words and Zhou Ke''er¡¯s confirmation shattered her world.

    ¡°Could it be that I, not Zhang Yi, was the one who killed my grandson?¡±

    Zhang Yi suddenly shouted, ¡°Hahaha, so that¡¯s how it is!¡±

    ¡°This is the great grandmother of the Lin family, who imed to love her grandson but ended up killing him herself!¡±

    ¡°You really loved him!¡±

    ¡°Your son and daughter-inw entrusted their child to you. Can you face them now?¡±

    Aunt Lin¡¯s eyes grew vacant, and she clutched her head, howling in pain.

    ¡°No, that¡¯s not true! It¡¯s not true!¡±

    ¡°Yes, it is!¡± Zhang Yi taunted.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not true!¡±

    ¡°Yes, it is! You did it!¡±

    Aunt Lin wailed in despair, while Zhang Yi stood by, adding fuel to the fire.

    Even Zhou Ke''er felt a chill. Zhang Yi was terrifying in his methods. It was a mistake to provoke someone like him.

    ¡°Ah!¡± Aunt Lin suddenly screamed and ran headfirst into the wall.

    She had lost all will to live. For her, death was the only escape.

    But at the critical moment, Zhang Yi decided to y the hero. ¡°Stop!¡± he shouted, kicking Aunt Lin away.

    She tumbled down the stairs, her body falling to the next floor.

    Zhang Yi sighed deeply. ¡°Aunt Lin, you have to look ahead. Don¡¯t give up on life!¡±

    ¡°After all,¡± his smile grew colder, ¡°you survived by sacrificing your grandson. How will you face your family if you die now?¡±

    Aunt Lin coughed up blood, unable to speak, but her eyes were filled with pleading.

    ¡°Please, stop. Please, don¡¯t say anymore!¡±

    Neighbors, alerted by the noise, came to see what was happening.

    ¡°Look everyone, Aunt Lin wants to kill herself!¡± Zhang Yi called out.

    ¡°How did she survive this long? Do you still have food at home?¡±

    The neighbors looked at Aunt Lin with disgust. Despite doing whatever it took to survive, no one could stomach the idea of harming their own loved ones.

    Aunt Lin, overwhelmed by the scornful gazes, coughed up more blood, her eyes filled with pain and struggle.

    ¡°She won¡¯tst long. Half an hour at most before she freezes to death,¡± Zhou Ke''er said quietly to Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi had beaten her so severely that her internal organs were damaged.

    ¡°Freeze to death?¡± Zhang Yi frowned. ¡°That¡¯s too cruel. In this cold weather, letting her freeze to death is inhumane!¡±

    The neighbors were shocked by Zhang Yi¡¯s words.

    Was Zhang Yi going to spare Aunt Lin?

    Zhou Ke''er, knowing Zhang Yi well, nced at him. ¡°What are you nning?¡±

    Zhang Yi sighed, ¡°It¡¯s hard for an old woman. Let¡¯s make her warm before she goes.¡±

    He pretended to reach inside his coat but actually took out a bottle of alcohol from his alternate space. He unscrewed the cap and poured it over Aunt Lin.

    The neighbors then understood Zhang Yi¡¯s intention. Despite their shock, they found it fitting¡ªafter all, this was Zhang Yi.

    When had he ever shown mercy?

    After emptying the bottle, Zhang Yi quickly stepped back, lit a cigarette, took a few puffs, and then flicked it at Aunt Lin.

    ¡°Whoosh!¡±

    mes erupted, engulfing Aunt Lin in seconds.

    Her screams echoed through the stairwell.

    Zhang Yi turned away, not bothering to look back.

    The neighbors, terrified, quickly made way for him, their eyes filled with fear.

 Chapter 94: Chen Lingyu from Building 9

    Chapter 94: Chen Lingyu from Building 9

    After Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke''er returned to their room, Zhang Yi threw off his cold-weather gear, sat on the sofa, and cursed vehemently, "That damned crazy woman!"

    He sprawled out on the sofa, rxing.

    Zhou Ke''er walked into the bathroom, and after a while, she came out carrying a basin of hot water. Smiling, she knelt in front of Zhang Yi, gently removed his cotton socks, and began to wash his feet.

    "Did that scare you just now?" she asked softly.

    Zhang Yi leaned back against the sofa and replied, "Not really. Ever since the apocalypse began, nothing surprises me much anymore. In chaotic times, even the most absurd things can happen."

    He was wearing a police-issue bulletproof vest. Unless the old woman was a nimble assassin capable of precisely targeting his neck, she couldn''t hurt him. And Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t a stationary target; he could dodge.

    "Did anything happen in the neighborhood while I was out? Especially in the other buildings, any unusual activity?" Zhang Yi inquired.

    Zhou Ke''er nodded slowly. "I was just about to tell you."Zhang Yi sat up slightly, his eyes filled with curiosity and caution. "Oh? What happened?"

    While massaging his feet, Zhou Ke''er exined, "The person in charge of Building 9 is a former patient of mine, named Chen Lingyu. She contacted me today, hoping I could bridge a connection between you and her. She said she wanted to discuss something with you."

    Zhang Yi frowned slightly. "Building 9, Chen Lingyu?"

    The name was unfamiliar to him. Despite living in the same neighborhood, Yue Lu was vast, stretching about 500 meters from north to south. Building 25, where he lived, and Building 9 were like the ends of a vige, with no daily interaction.

    "What does she want to discuss?" Zhang Yi asked.

    Zhou Ke''er shook her head. "She just said she wanted to talk about a coboration with the head of Building 25. But the specifics need to be discussed with you."

    Zhang Yi sneered. "Coboration? Nonsense!"

    "Ick nothing, while they¡¯re just waiting to die in their building. What can they offer in coboration?"

    Zhou Ke''er smiled lightly. "So, should I tell her you¡¯re not interested?"

    Zhang Yi waved his hand. "No need to rush. Hmm... tell me about her and the situation in their building."

    Zhou Ke''er then shared the information she had gathered.

    Chen Lingyu owned a beauty and cosmeticspany in Tianhai City valued at two billion yuan. Although it was called a cosmeticspany, it was essentially a multi-level marketing enterprise. Chen Lingyu, 38 years old, had above-average looks and a strong, assertive personality¡ªa typical tough businesswoman. She had met Zhou Ke''er during a visit to the First People''s Hospital for treatment. Their rtionship was limited to asional nods of acknowledgment.

    Building 9 was now under Chen Lingyu¡¯s and her subordinates'' control. ording to Zhou Ke''er, it was well-managed, with only ten deaths so far.

    After hearing this, Zhang Yi cracked his knuckles and nodded. "In times like these, a woman managing a building? This Chen Lingyu is quite capable!"

    Zhou Ke''er sighed lightly. "Yes, after all, she¡¯s been brainwashing people for years through her MLM business. She¡¯s skilled at manipting people."

    Zhang Yiughed. "That''s a ruthless person! Truly ruthless, willing to betray even family. Such a woman must not be underestimated!"

    Zhou Ke''er nodded in agreement. "I don¡¯t have a good impression of her either. We hadn¡¯t been in touch for a long time, and today she suddenly reached out, asking me to ry a message."

    Zhang Yi shrugged. "It¡¯s not surprising. News of my snowmobile and ability to gather supplies has spread throughout the neighborhood. Who wouldn¡¯t be jealous? Who wouldn¡¯t want my snowmobile?"

    Zhou Ke''er nodded again. "So, do you still want to talk to her?"

    Zhang Yi ced his hand under his chin, pondering for a few minutes. "Let¡¯s talk."

    "I want to know what the other buildings are nning. At least I shouldn''t provoke them all at once. Otherwise, if all 29 other buildings turn against me, it won¡¯t be good."

    If Zhang Yi stayed in his fortified home, he wouldn¡¯t fear them. But now that he knew the outside world was a treasure trove, he needed to continue going out to gather supplies. For that, he couldn¡¯t afford to antagonize all the other buildings just yet.

    While enjoying Zhou Ke''er''s meticulous massage, Zhang Yi opened his WeChat. He had over 99 friend requests, most of which he ignored, as they were usually people begging for supplies.

    Among the friend requests, the first one he noticed was from "A: Chen Lingyu, President of Furong Group." Her profile picture showed a woman in a business suit, white shirt, arms crossed, with an exaggerated smile¡ªthe typical profile picture of someone in MLM.

    Just as Zhang Yi was about to ept, another slightly familiar profile picture caught his eye. Business people often used their personal photos as avatars, and Zhang Yi immediately recognized this one.

    It was Li Jian, the CFO of Walmart South China. Zhang Yi had met him once at apany annual meeting.

    Li Jian¡¯s friend request was sent just this morning, around 10:30 AM, shortly after Zhang Yi had left the neighborhood.

    "It seems he¡¯s reaching out for the same reason," Zhang Yi thought.

    After a brief consideration, Zhang Yi decided to ept both friend requests simultaneously.

    Both responses were almost immediate.

    "Mr. Zhang, hello! I¡¯m Chen Lingyu from Building 9. I¡¯m currently in charge here. I¡¯d like to discuss something with you."

    "Hello, Mr. Zhang. I¡¯m Li Jian from Building 18. Thank you for epting my friend request. I¡¯d like to discuss cooperation on behalf of the residents of Building 18."

    Zhang Yi opened Chen Lingyu¡¯s chat first.

    "What do you want to discuss?"

    Chen Lingyu replied quickly, "Text chat is inconvenient. Can we have a voice call?"

    "No, I¡¯m not avable for that. Just say what you need to here."

    Zhang Yi¡¯s response was cold. He knew MLM women too well; give them an inch, and they¡¯d talk your ear off for days.

    "State your business concisely. I¡¯m not a patient man and dislike wasting words."

 Chapter 95: Discussing Cooperation and Attitude

    Chapter 95: Discussing Cooperation and Attitude

    Zhang Yi decided to first give Chen Lingyu a taste of his authority, ensuring she knew he wasn''t to be trifled with.

    In Building 9, Chen Lingyu paced back and forth in her room. She wasn''t nervous but rather trying to stay warm by walking around. She wore manyyers of clothing, yet made an effort to look sophisticated, even donning a coat with a fox fur cor.

    Receiving Zhang Yi''s cold message, she took a deep breath and murmured to herself, "He really is a formidable character! I can''t be careless."

    Despite herposed exterior, Chen Lingyu was inwardly quite tense and even fearful of Zhang Yi. After all, his reputation had spread far and wide. It was said that he single-handedly killed half of his building¡¯s neighbors. Moreover, he possessed an array of weapons, including a terrifying sniper rifle! The various rumors made those who heard about Zhang Yi deeply afraid.

    Chen Lingyu calmed herself and typed out a message she had rehearsed countless times in her mind.

    "Mr. Zhang Yi, it¡¯s an honor to finally speak with you. We have long heard of your remarkable deeds. I sincerely hope we can meet."

    "I understand you have a snowmobile that allows you to go out and gather supplies. We, in Building 9, hope to coborate with you."

    Zhang Yi nced at the message and sneered."Coboration? What can you offer me in return? Coboration must involve a fair exchange, you should understand that."

    Chen Lingyu quickly replied, "Our building is quite harmonious, with very few deaths. We have ample manpower!"

    "With your snowmobile, you can venture outside to gather supplies. We can provide you with 76 people, all strongborers."

    "The world outside is now an unimed territory buried under snow. In other words, whoever can reach it first can im it."

    "You have the transportation and weapons, and I have obedient workers ready to follow orders. Together, we can achieve great things!"

    Zhang Yi yawned and rubbed his ears.

    "It sounds impressive, but it¡¯s all empty promises."

    "Tell me, how do you n to survive tomorrow before talking about development?"

    Chen Lingyu swallowed hard.

    "That¡¯s where youe in. We need you to gather food to ensure our survival. After that, our people can assist with any projects you have in mind."

    Zhang Yi shook his head, losing interest.

    "A leader of an MLM group might be good at deceiving desperate residents, but trying to fool me is a joke."

    Toozy to type, he sent a voice message instead.

    "I¡¯m not interested in what you¡¯re offering. Goodbye!"

    Chen Lingyu, hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s message, panicked.

    She gritted her teeth and quickly typed another message.

    "You''ve be the object of envy in the entire neighborhood. Just provide us with food, and we¡¯ll remain neutral towards you."

    "You don''t want us as enemies, do you?"

    Reading this, Zhang Yi''s expression turned slightly serious.

    This was what he wanted to hear. Why beat around the bush with useless chatter?

    "Ah, these pesky MLM people!"

    "Oh, so many buildings are nning to attack me? I find that hard to believe. I¡¯m doing just fine; no one¡¯s attacking me," Zhang Yi probed.

    Chen Lingyu knew Zhang Yi was testing her. To show sincerity, she had to reveal some information.

    "Zhang Yi, you¡¯re a smart person. You must understand the principle that possessing valuable items brings disaster. The entire neighborhood houses thousands of people, all waiting to starve to death in their homes."

    "You¡¯re the only one who can venture out for food. Wouldn¡¯t you be jealous if you were them?"

    "People haven¡¯t acted yet because they¡¯re weighing the pros and cons. But it''s only a matter of time before they attack you."

    "All we ask is that you provide us with basic food supplies, and our building will never turn against you."

    Hearing this, Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes narrowed.

    This was, in a way, a threat.

    "Oh? So, if I don¡¯t agree, Building 9 will attack Building 25, correct?" His voice was icy and filled with menace.

    Chen Lingyu shivered but quickly replied with firmness, "I believe you won¡¯t choose to do that. Fighting us gains you nothing."

    She was confident because of the distance between Building 9 and Building 25. If Zhang Yi attacked, he¡¯d cut off his own escape route and risk attacks from other buildings.

    "We only need some food, nothing more."

    "And with my leadership and your military strength, we could dominate the entire neighborhood!" Chen Lingyu said, her excitement growing.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s smile turned contemptuous.

    "This is the first time I''ve seen someone beg so confidently."

    Chen Lingyu inhaled sharply, "This... this is cooperation!"

    Zhang Yi replied indifferently, "Let me think about it. I¡¯ll give you an answerter."

    He closed the chat window, not wanting to continue the conversation.

    cing his phone on hisp, Zhang Yi began pondering the future developments.

    He didn¡¯t care much about Chen Lingyu. Building 9 alone was no threat. They had no idea how many guns and how much ammunition Zhang Yi possessed. If they attacked, he could wipe them out single-handedly with his assault rifle and his precision shooting ability.

    The real problem was the other buildings. If they all banded together to attack Building 25, Zhang Yi would have to kill a lot more people, which would be exhausting.

    He nced at his fortified home. The aerospace alloy shell could withstand even artillery fire. Even if the entire neighborhood attacked, they couldn¡¯t break through.

    "How likely is that?" Zhang Yi wondered.

    If all 29 buildings united against him, the chances were significant.

    "Given the current power constraints, they can¡¯t use high-powered tools like jackhammers or electric drills."

    "Manually demolishing a building in these freezing conditions and with a severe food shortage is impossible."

    "Considering their physical state, they¡¯d freeze after walking outside for a bit. Where would they find the strength to demolish a wall?"

 Chapter 96: Should I Kill Them All?

    Chapter 96: Should I Kill Them All?

    After careful consideration, Zhang Yi came to a satisfactory conclusion: as long as he stayed put in Building 25, leveraging his firepower and the fortress-like strength of his safe house, even if the residents from the other 29 buildings united against him, they couldn¡¯t do much.

    In the current situation where food was extremely scarce, and the temperature was unbearably cold, just walking a few steps in the bitter cold was an immense struggle. Twenty people couldn¡¯t match the strength of one person from the old days.

    "My personal safety isn¡¯t an issue. Worst case, I¡¯ll ride my snowmobile and break through their siege, using my weapons to engage them in guerri warfare until they¡¯re all worn down."

    "But doing so is incredibly troublesome. How long will it take to kill people from 29 buildings?"

    "If I don¡¯t kill them, they will certainly attack me."

    Zhang Yi mulled over his options.

    Should he spend the time and effort to eliminate everyone in the neighborhood who posed a threat to him, or should he find another solution?

    He hadn¡¯t made a decision yet.ncing at his phone, Zhang Yi decided to chat with Li Jian as well. He needed to see if all the building leaders had simr thoughts.

    Opening the chat with Li Jian, he saw that Li Jian had already started introducing their situation enthusiastically.

    "Mr. Zhang, Ie to you with sincere intentions, hoping to cooperate in building a harmonious home, an apocalypse utopia."

    "So far, Building 18 has only lost five elderly people due toplications from the extreme cold."

    "By reasonably nning and distributing resources, we¡¯ve maintained harmony among the residents."

    "I believe this is the best way to survive the apocalypse, preserving the seeds of human civilization and facilitating post-disaster reconstruction."

    "Currently, weck an effective food source. We hope to cooperate with you, offering manpower and resources in return for your assistance in gathering supplies to meet our needs."

    "We can also help mediate rtionships with other units to prevent conflicts."

    Zhang Yi felt much morefortable after reading Li Jian¡¯s message.

    As expected from the CFO of a major corporation, his emotional intelligence was leagues ahead of someone like Chen Lingyu from an MLM business. His message was clear, concise, and respectful.

    However, what intrigued Zhang Yi the most was the mention of a harmoniousmunity. Despite the apocalypse havingsted over twenty days, they hadn¡¯t had any deaths from conflicts.

    Turning to Zhou Ke''er, who was massaging his feet, Zhang Yi asked, "Ke''er, do you know anything about the situation in Building 18?"

    Zhou Ke''er thought for a moment and replied, "I¡¯ve heard a bit. Their building leader is very charismatic. After the apocalypse began, he united all the residents and adopted a centralized resource distribution method, allowing most people to survive till now."

    Zhang Yi nodded. "Indeed, it takes a skilled manager to not only manage ounts but also maximize benefits."

    Li Jian¡¯s approach was the most reasonable one Zhang Yi had encountered so far. Unlike other buildings, Building 25 had suffered massive resource wastage due to internal conflicts. Theoretically, if a person minimized physical and mental exertion, they¡¯d need very little energy and could survive on one meal a day.

    "Li Jian is quite the talent," Zhang Yi mused. "But surviving long-term in an apocalypse like this is still impossible."

    Li Jian excelled at establishing order and had early on united everyone in Building 18. But if faced with external attacks from groups like the Tianhe Gang or ruthless individuals like Chen Zhenghao, they¡¯d likely be ughtered.

    "It''s like how ancient Central ins civilizations repeatedly fell to nomadic invaders. Without military protection, all stability and harmony are illusory."

    Zhang Yi asked, "What will you do if I refuse your offer?"

    Li Jian pondered for a long time before replying.

    "We extend our invitation to cooperate in a spirit of friendship."

    "If you refuse, I¡¯ll regret it deeply, but I¡¯ll still hope for future opportunities to work together."

    Zhang Yi chuckled. This kind of official response was pleasing.

    "So, you won¡¯t join other buildings in attacking Building 25? Or join them if they do?"

    Li Jian¡¯s reply was frank.

    "Our force is for self-defense only. We won¡¯t actively attack others."

    "It¡¯s not that weck the capability, but pointless internal conflicts will only result in mutual destruction."

    Zhang Yi almost apuded. Li Jian, though cautious, framed his words righteously.

    Building 18¡¯s harmoniousmunity had survived half a month without conflict, simply because theycked the courage to fight. Li Jian was a sensible person, knowing that if Zhang Yi fought others, they wouldn¡¯t gain much by joining in. They¡¯d rather wait and see.

    "If Zhang Yi loses, they can coborate with the victor."

    "Wait for my response," Zhang Yi messaged, then checked his friend requests.

    Initially, he had ignored numerous friend requests from people asking for supplies. Now, he saw requests from several building leaders, all seeking to talk and request Zhang Yi¡¯s help in gathering supplies for survival.

    However, their offers were limitedbor, women, and promises not to attack during conflicts. The only difference was the manner of their request.

    Lying on the sofa, staring at the ceiling, Zhang Yi muttered, "Now, I have two choices: fight or cooperate."

    "Fighting means killing everyone who poses a threat. It¡¯s doable but time-consuming and resource-draining."

    "Exterminating the residents of all 30 buildings in the neighborhood would exhaust my ammunition. The police station only had about a thousand rounds."

    "This is assuming ideal conditions. If they hide in buildings, I can¡¯t risk going in."

    "Moreover, while I have no qualms about killing, I¡¯m not a psychopathic butcher."

    "Most people in the neighborhood don¡¯t have deep grudges against me. Killing them all would be too much."

    "Plus, it might mess with my own mental state."

    Rubbing his temples, Zhang Yi concluded that killing everyone in the neighborhood wasn¡¯t a viable option. It was far too troublesome.

 Chapter 97: The Attitudes of Each Building in the Community

    Chapter 97: The Attitudes of Each Building in the Community

    Listening to Zhang Yi''s murmuring, Zhou Ke''er felt her heart race with anxiety. At this moment, no one in the entiremunity knew they were teetering on the edge of hell, dancing madly between life and death. Their fate rested on Zhang Yi''s whims.

    "Thank goodness I chose to stay with him," Zhou Ke''er thought, feeling a deep sense of relief.

    Suddenly, Zhang Yi looked at Zhou Ke''er and patted the sofa beside him. "Come here."

    Zhou Ke''er walked over and sat next to him. The room was warm, so both of them were dressed casually infortable loungewear. Zhou Ke''er had no clothes of her own here; everything she wore was chosen by Zhang Yi. Naturally, the style was to his liking, making her look incredibly cute and suited to her figure. Sitting close to Zhang Yi, she was as gentle as a Siamese cat.

    Zhang Yi picked up a ss of water from the table, took a sip, and asked Zhou Ke''er, "Ke''er, from your perspective, should I fight them or make peace?"

    Zhou Ke''er was surprised that Zhang Yi was asking for her opinion. It was a sign of trust, and she was happy about it, even though she had initially thought he was about to say something more intimate. Slightly disappointed, she was still d he valued her input.

    After thinking for a moment, she replied, "If you fight them, can you withstand thebined assault of the residents of the other 29 buildings?"

    "Yes, no problem at all," Zhang Yi said confidently.In truth, he felt a bit uncertain¡ªhe was 99.99% sure, but that 0.01% still lingered in his mind. He couldn¡¯t guarantee that no one in the other buildings had explosives powerful enough to bring down his building. But such a scenario was as likely as an H-bomb falling from the sky and hitting his house. If it happened, he couldn''t do anything about it, so he chose not to dwell on it.

    Zhou Ke''er looked at Zhang Yi with surprise. She had thought he might say it was impossible, but his certainty caught her off guard. After all, he had never disclosed how many weapons and supplies he had.

    Thinking about his abilities, she realized that with Zhang Yi''s supernatural powers, anything was possible. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "But if you make peace, won''t you have to provide for everyone in themunity afterward?"

    Zhang Yiughed heartily. "Based on their proposals, that''s exactly what they expect."

    Zhou Ke''er immediately protested, "That¡¯s impossible! Even if each building has only 50 survivors, that¡¯s 1,500 people! Providing for so many people would require an enormous amount of supplies. Expecting you to bear that burden alone is unreasonable!"

    Zhang Yi waved his hand dismissively. "The calctions aren''t that simple. They propose high demands, waiting for me to negotiate. Also, don¡¯t consider them as good people. Anyone controlling a building has their own group. They¡¯ll prioritize their own people. The rest are just reserves. Do they need to waste food on reserves?"

    Zhou Ke''er agreed, nodding. "Even so, providing for 30 buildings'' worth of supplies is a huge burden!"

    Zhang Yi nodded, "Exactly. So I need to avoid this trouble."

    "I could kill them all, but it¡¯s aplicated and risky process. I¡¯d have to leave my house and engage them directly."

    He rubbed his head. "Do you have any ideas on how I can avoid both the hassle of killing everyone and the trouble they bring?"

    Zhou Ke''er pondered deeply. Zhang Yi wrapped his arm around her slender waist, lost in thought.

    After a while, Zhou Ke''er said, "There¡¯s no clear solution. To them, you¡¯re their only hope. If you don¡¯t help them, they¡¯ll definitely try to kill you."

    "But there¡¯s a theoretical solution, though impractical."

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What is it?"

    Zhou Ke''er smiled, "Avoidance might be shameful but effective. You could leave thismunity and live elsewhere to escape them."

    Zhang Yi stared at her, initially finding her suggestion absurd andughable. Leave his hard-built safe house? However, an idea suddenly struck him.

    Could he store the safe house in his alternate space and take it with him?

    He had previously attempted to storerge items, but they had to be standalone objects. His safe house was integrated into the building¡¯s structure. Taking it would require dismantling it, but how?

    "If it could be dismantled, those scoundrel neighbors would have done it already," he thought. This idea, though bold and almost impossible, intrigued him.

    Maybe in the future, under certain conditions, he could try it out. But for now, it wasn¡¯t feasible.

    Seeing Zhang Yi¡¯s serious contemtion, Zhou Ke''erughed, "I was just joking. You¡¯re not really considering it, are you?"

    Zhang Yi smiled, pinching her nose. "Then what do you suggest?"

    Zhou Ke''er pouted, "I don''t know!"

    Zhang Yi''s eyes grew deep. "Then let''s wait and see. Time is on our side, and we have the advantage!"

    For now, Zhang Yi nned to continue observing the situation and making a decision based on the developments. He held the initiative, and with his arsenal of firearms and precise shooting ability, he wasn¡¯t afraid of a group attack.

    Currently, the only potential trouble was the other 29 buildings uniting against him. However, given the post-apocalyptic mistrust and self-interest, such unity was unlikely. Each building had its own way of surviving: Zhang Yi, the Tianhe Gang, and the Wolf Gang through force and ughter; Chen Lingyu through brainwashing and control; Li Jian through scientific management creating a harmoniousmunity.

    These differing ideologies meant mutual distrust and potential enmity among them. Uniting them all would be difficult. Zhang Yi intended to keep observing and adjust his strategy ordingly. With control over the situation and sufficient firepower, he remained confident in his ability to handle whatever came his way.

 Chapter 98: Establishing Authority

    Chapter 98: Establishing Authority

    Zhang Yi had made up his mind to wait and see how the situation developed. However, he also knew that some people would not be able to contain their greed and would attempt to take action against him. Therefore, he needed to be extra vignt about safety for the foreseeable future.

    He had a police helmet to protect his head and a bulletproof vest for his body. But when he looked at his legs, he frowned. While his upper body was protected, hecked bulletproof pants.

    After some thought, Zhang Yi came up with an idea. He took out a bulletproof vest from his alternate space and handed it to Zhou Ke''er.

    "Is this for me?" Zhou Ke''er asked, excitedly.

    "No, help me take it apart. I need to use it," Zhang Yi replied.

    Disappointed, Zhou Ke''er pouted but obediently took the vest and used scissors to cut the seams. The threads were tough, designed to withstand immense impact. It took her considerable effort to finally separate the vest into two pieces of fabric.

    Zhang Yi took the pieces, measured them against his legs, and nodded in satisfaction. Wrapping the fabric around his legs and covering them with winter pants, he effectively created makeshift bulletproof pants.

    "The legs also have major arteries; I can''t be careless," he muttered.Once he was fully equipped, Zhang Yi pondered for a while, realizing he couldn''t let his neighbors feel toocent. He needed to instill a sense of crisis, prompting them to take the initiative to fight others. After all, he had organized them as cannon fodder, not to pamper them.

    Given the signals from other buildings, he had to respond. So, he sent a message to the residents'' group chat, informing everyone of the current situation.

    "@Everyone: Brothers and sisters, family of Building 25! We are facing a significant crisis. Some people want to steal our food."

    "Nearby buildings are envious of our ability to go out and find food, so they¡¯ve threatened us. They im that if I don¡¯t share our food with them, they will attack our building."

    As soon as Zhang Yi''s message went out, the group chat exploded with activity.

    The neighbors, who had just glimpsed a hope of survival and now relied on Zhang Yi to bring back food daily, were outraged. They couldn¡¯t ept the idea of other buildings wanting to rob them.

    "Damn it, what are those bastards thinking? If they have the guts, they should go find food themselves!"

    "Fight them to the death! We won¡¯t give them a single grain of our food!"

    "Yeah, we have Zhang Yi with us! If ites to a fight, we can take them on!"

    However, some people expressed concerns.

    "But there are only about thirty people in our building now. If all the other buildings attack us, can we really hold out?"

    "That... does seem difficult."

    "Can¡¯t we negotiate with them, ask them not to attack us?"

    "Haha, do you really think that¡¯s possible? Everyone is fighting for food to survive. Who¡¯s going to listen to reason?"

    "Ah? Then what should we do?"

    "Fight! Without food, we¡¯ll die anyway!"

    The neighbors argued fiercely. While many were outraged, a significant number were also fearful. The thought of opposing the entire neighborhood, with potentially thousands of attackers, felt like suicide.

    Zhang Yi sent another message at an opportune moment.

    "You all know the situation outside. The heavy snow has buried all low-rise buildings, including most grocery stores."

    "Finding supplies is extremely difficult andrgely dependent on luck."

    "There are thousands of people outside. If we give them our food, you will have nothing to eat."

    "I, Zhang Yi, don¡¯t want to provoke them. I still have enough supplies for a few days. The decision is up to you."

    "Do you want to keep the food for yourselves or give it to them for temporary peace? The choice is yours."

    Zhang Yi¡¯s ultimatum was like putting a gun to someone¡¯s head and asking if they wanted to live or die. In reality, there was no choice.

    Hearing his message, the neighbors realized they had no retreat. Without food, they were as good as dead. Fighting gave them a chance to survive.

    "I understand now. Let¡¯s fight them!"

    "This food is ours. Why should we give it to them?"

    "They can go to hell!"

    "Yeah, if they can¡¯t get their own food, they shouldn¡¯t think about stealing ours. How despicable!"

    "I, Luan Qiang, hate people like that the most. Disgusting!"

    Seeing the mood sufficiently roused, Zhang Yi dered, "Alright, we can¡¯t let them look down on us! We need to show them our strength."

    "Tonight, Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei, you¡¯ll lead a team to attack Building 26. The Tianhe Gang doesn¡¯t have many people left. Finish them off!"

    "This will avenge our fallen family members and serve as a warning to the other buildings!"

    Li Chengbin responded enthusiastically, "Got it, Brother Zhang!"

    Jiang Lei echoed, "Yes, Brother Zhang!"

    Zhang Yi continued, "As for me, I¡¯ve been busy all day and am quite tired. I won¡¯t join you tonight. Next time, for sure."

    Li Chengbin reassured him, "Brother Zhang, we understand. You¡¯ve worked hard today!"

    Jiang Lei added, "Brother Zhang deserves the credit. We can¡¯t let you handle everything, right, everyone?"

    The neighbors responded in unison, "Absolutely right!"

    Zhang Yi smiled, "Good brothers, off you go!"

    After riling up the neighbors, Zhang Yi tossed his phone aside, picked up Zhou Ke''er, and headed to the bedroom. She let out a yful scream.

    An hourter, Zhang Yiy on the sofa, a cigarette in his mouth, while Zhou Ke''ery exhausted but content on his chest.

    "Ding!"

    A WeChat notification sounded. Zhang Yi picked up his phone and saw a message from Jiang Lei.

    "Brother Zhang, the Tianhe Gang is tougher than we thought!"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s lips curled into a smile.

    "Of course, it¡¯s tough! If it were easy, I would have already stormed in and wiped them out myself."

    The Tianhe Gang members were construction workers, strong and armed with makeshift weapons. They understood how to use the terrain to their advantage.

    Jiang Lei and his team would undoubtedly suffer heavy casualties in an assault on the well-prepared gang. Zhang Yi didn¡¯t mind. These neighbors were expendable to him.

    Feigning concern, he asked, "How are our casualties?"

    Jiang Lei reported, "We lost eight men and only managed to kill three of theirs."

    Zhang Yi was pleased with the oue. The Tianhe Gang didn¡¯t have many members left, but they were all tough fighters. Losing three more members would almost leave Huang Tianfang alone.

 Chapter 99: Ambush

    Chapter 99: Ambush

    Zhang Yi asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

    Jiang Lei, surprised that Zhang Yi would inquire about his well-being, quickly responded, "Just a scratch, I''m fine."

    Zhang Yi immediately adopted a tone of righteous indignation. "These Tianhe Gang scoundrels nearly injured one of my key men!"

    "Jiang Lei, you don''t have to stand guard tomorrow. Take a day off to rest."

    Then he addressed the group chat, "Tonight, everyone performed admirably. Tomorrow, we will reward your efforts. Everyone who participated in the assault on the Tianhe Gang will receive at least double portions of food!"

    "Jiang Lei was wounded bravely in action, an example for us all. He will rest tomorrow and receive an extrarge serving of braised pork rice!"

    The neighbors were thrilled by Zhang Yi''s words of encouragement.

    Despite the loss of eight neighbors, death had be a numbing reality. The prospect of double food portions tomorrow was what truly excited them.Jiang Lei¡¯s reward was especially enviable¡ªan extrarge serving of braised pork rice! Even though they had some ingredients, theycked the spices to cook properly and couldn¡¯t afford to light fires. Eating whatever was avable had made them forget the taste of braised pork rice.

    "Zhang Yi is amazing! Hooray!"

    "Following Zhang Yi is the way to go. There¡¯s meat to eat!"

    "Damn it, I didn¡¯t get any kills this time. Next time, that braised pork rice will be mine!"

    Many secretly resolved to fight even harder next time.

    ...

    The next morning, Zhang Yi put on his full-body gear before leaving the house. He nned to visit some well-known malls and hotels nearby to see if there was anything useful.

    He climbed out of the west wing window, noticing arge, bloodstained depression in the snow.

    Reflecting on the recent frequent battles, Zhang Yi sighed briefly and then focused, preparing to retrieve his snowmobile. Riding out of the neighborhood, he felt the familiar sensation of being watched.

    He couldn¡¯t see through the windows, but he knew many eyes were on him. Zhang Yi raised his head, his cold gaze sweeping across the high-rises.

    These people might be his enemies and fall by his hand in the future.

    As his gaze moved closer, he suddenly sensed something was off.

    Building 21.

    The red "21" on the wall stood out, triggering a strong sense of unease.

    "Building 21, the Wolf Gang..."

    Zhang Yi frowned, quickly piecing together the oddity.

    The Wolf Gang¡¯s building wasn¡¯t far from his. Despite knowing Zhang Yi had supplies and a snowmobile, they hadn¡¯t made any moves against him.

    Initially, Zhang Yi thought they were cautious and feared him. But now it seemed too strange. Even if they were cautious, they were still a group of young, hot-blooded men. How could they be indifferent to the tempting snowmobile?

    Moreover, leaders from other nearby buildings had approached Zhang Yi to discuss cooperation, but the Wolf Gang never contacted him.

    This behavior was abnormal, extremely abnormal!

    In Zhang Yi''s understanding, this behavior could only mean one thing: the quietest dog is the most vicious. They were nning a secret attack!

    Feeling more confident with the gun in his pocket and the loaded weapons in his alternate space, Zhang Yi sent a message to Uncle You and Zhou Ke''er, instructing them to lock their doors and stay alert for potential ambushes from other building residents.

    He then started his snowmobile and rode out.

    As he reached the edge of the neighborhood, an ambush urred!

    Snow burst from the ground in front of him, and a door panel suddenly stood upright, blocking his path.

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t stop in time, quickly turning the handlebars.

    "Bang!"

    The snowmobile hit the door panel sideways, throwing two people hiding in the snow into the air. They had tied the door panel with ropes, using it as a makeshift barrier. However, the lightweight panel didn¡¯t trip Zhang Yi but instead was flung away.

    TV shows often misled viewers into thinking such traps worked effortlessly. In reality, it was impractical.

    Zhang Yi immediately realized he was ambushed!

    Seven or eight people quickly emerged from the snow, brandishing weapons and charging at him.

    Taking a deep breath, the cold air helped Zhang Yi stay calm. He quickly drew his gun, and by the time he disengaged the safety, the attackers were already close.

    Zhang Yi fired!

    "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"

    Ordinary people, even armed with a gun, might panic at such close quarters. But Zhang Yi¡¯s precise shooting ability ensured his bullets didn¡¯t miss. Three shots took down three men, each shot a headshot!

    Barely pausing for breath, Zhang Yi saw more attackers approaching with knives, mere meters away. One raised his machete high, aiming to strike Zhang Yi.

    In a split second, Zhang Yi turned his gun.

    Before the attacker could bring his knife down, Zhang Yi¡¯s gun was already in his mouth.

    The attacker¡¯s body froze, words forming but never spoken.

    "Bang!"

    A bullet blew his brains out.

    The sight stunned the other attackers, who had never seen someone so ruthless with a gun¡ªevery shot a kill, wiping out five of theirrades in an instant!

    Terrified, the remaining attackers froze.

    Zhang Yi gave them no chance to recover, firing two more shots, killing two more men.

    Thest three attackers, now terrified, turned and fled.

    Zhang Yi aimed at their backs, then changed his mind.

    Biting the gun barrel, he started his snowmobile and pursued them.

    Running in the snow, the attackers couldn¡¯t move fast. More like crawling than running.

    Hearing the snowmobile''s roar behind them, they panicked, wetting their pants in fear.

    Catching up to thest attacker, Zhang Yi rammed him with the snowmobile.

    The man¡¯s body was flung into the snow. Zhang Yi¡¯s snowmobile crushed his upper body, snapping his spine and then his skull.

    The remaining attackers, hearing the screams, turned paler, running as if pursued by a demon.

 Chapter 100: Kill to Your Heartâ€™s Content!

    Chapter 100: Kill to Your Heart¡¯s Content!

    After Zhang Yi rode over thest man, he nced back. Although the snow cushioned the man¡¯s fall, the 400-kilogram weight still caused him to spit blood. Zhang Yi ended his suffering with a single shot and continued to leisurely chase the remaining men.

    He wanted to know where these attackers came from. Anyone who dared to harm him must pay the price.

    The direction of their escape seemed to be Building 21, the territory of the Wolf Gang.

    Inside Building 21, on the seventh floor, Wolf Gang leader Wang Qiang and deputy leader Xiao Lu watched the scene below, their hearts bleeding. They had spent days preparing for this robbery, gathering intel on Zhang Yi¡¯s travel routes and times. They even sent ten men to ambush him. They believed it was a foolproof n, but they hadn¡¯t ounted for Zhang Yi¡¯s exceptional marksmanship or his ample supply of bullets. Not only had they failed to kill Zhang Yi and seize his snowmobile, but they had also lost many men and now faced Zhang Yi¡¯s wrath.

    Wang Qiang ordered, "Gather everyone at the entrance and set up traps. Also, beware of his gun!"

    Xiao Lu nodded, "Don¡¯t worry. Our corridors are well-prepared. If he dares toe in, we¡¯ll kill him here. The result will be the same!"

    Despite their tough talk, both men retreated from the windows, fearing Zhang Yi¡¯s sniper rifle. Poking their heads out was akin to suicide.

    Inside Building 21, the Wolf Gang members huddled in fear, praying Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t storm in. Outside, Zhang Yi continued his pursuit, casually shooting each man he encountered. Thest man barely reached the front of Building 21 when Zhang Yi¡¯s snowmobile roared beside him.Zhang Yi nced at the dark room ahead, aware that the Wolf Gang members were likely lying in ambush. He didn¡¯t use his gun this time but took out his Damascus steel hunting knife, a weapon designed for hunting beasts but never before used on a human by him.

    "Swish!"

    The knife shed through the man¡¯s neck effortlessly, sending his head flying and then rolling on the ground.

    The sight chilled the hiding Wolf Gang members to their core. All ten men they sent out had been killed by Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi parked his snowmobile, got off, and picked up the severed head, tossing it into a room in the west wing. The head rolled several times before stopping, its empty eyes staring at the people inside.

    Silence filled the room. The Wolf Gang members were tense, knowing a fierce battle awaited if Zhang Yi decided toe in armed. Many would die.

    Zhang Yi stood outside Building 21, not entering. He knew there were traps and ambushes inside. Not wanting to risk his life, he chose not to charge in.

    He didn¡¯t want to let the Wolf Gang off easily, though. The gunshots had alerted everyone in themunity, including those in Building 25. Uncle You and Li Bin, leading the patrol team, came rushing to support Zhang Yi.

    "What happened, Zhang Yi? How did you get into a fight with them?" Uncle You demanded angrily.

    "They ambushed me outside, so I killed them all," Zhang Yi replied coldly.

    The ten bodies lying at the entrance to Building 21, covered in blood, were a stark sight.

    "Those damn bastards, so despicable!" Uncle You roared. "If anything happens to Zhang Yi, our food supply is cut off, and we¡¯ll have no chance of survival!"

    The realization hit everyone, and they became frightened, understanding the gravity of the situation.

    Zhang Yi waved his hand. "Go back and gather everyone. Bring them all here."

    The group returned to Building 25 and called all the residents.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s expression was grim, his mood foul. He wasn¡¯t afraid of ambushes; such dangers were inevitable in the apocalypse. He had prepared well, with full body armor and assault rifles in his space. Ordinary people couldn¡¯t harm him. But he was furious because he knew someone in Building 25 had betrayed him to the Wolf Gang.

    The exnation was simple. Zhang Yi deliberately varied his departure times to avoid predictable patterns. The temperature made it impossible for anyone to lie in wait in the snow for long. Yet today, they ambushed him perfectly, indicating an insider had tipped them off.

    Though Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t angry about the betrayal, knowing his neighbors weren¡¯t trustworthy, he wanted to kill the informant. The problem was, anyone in the building could have done it. Since he couldn¡¯t identify the traitor, he decided to treat everyone equally.

    Inside Building 21, the Wolf Gang members fortified their positions, expecting heavy casualties if Zhang Yi attacked. Zhang Yi decided to let them fight amongst themselves, feeling no sympathy for either side.

    His cold gaze swept over the residents. They sensed his foul mood and felt fearful.

    After a while, Zhang Yi spoke coldly, "Building 21 attacked me. If I die, you all die too. Their attempt on my life is an attempt on yours. We must kill them all!"

    "Uncle You, you¡¯lle with me this time. Li Chengbin will lead the rest tounch an attack on Building 21. For every enemy you kill, I¡¯ll reward you with food for ten!"

    The generous reward stirred many hearts. Some who missed their chance to prove themselves the night before were eager.

    However, some voiced objections.

    "Attacking now isn¡¯t wise. They¡¯ll be expecting retaliation. Better to strike at night," said a man named Guo Dahai, suggesting they leave Uncle You behind as he was a key fighter.

    Many murmured in agreement. "He¡¯s right. Attacking at night is better."

    "Is Zhang Yi too angry to think clearly? We need to stay calm."

    "Uncle You is our strongest fighter; he should lead the attack."

    Hearing their doubts, Zhang Yi¡¯s cold gaze swept over them.

 Chapter 101: Disobedience Leads to Death

    Chapter 101: Disobedience Leads to Death

    Hearing their objections, Zhang Yi smirked.

    His smile made everyone immediately fall silent.

    "Have I been feeding you so well recently that you''ve grown fat and fearless?"

    Zhang Yi''s gaze swept over the crowd,nding on Guo Dahai.

    The chubby, balding man took two steps back in fright.

    "When I became the building leader, I made it clear that everyone must obey me."

    He revealed a sinister smile. "Heh, it hasn''t even been a few days, and you¡¯ve already forgotten?"

    With that, Zhang Yi suddenly pulled out a handgun and aimed it at Guo Dahai¡¯s head, pulling the trigger."Bang!"

    Guo Dahai''s head exploded in a spray of blood, causing several female neighbors to scream in horror.

    No one had expected Zhang Yi to shoot without hesitation, killing someone on the spot.

    "Anyone who disobeys will die."

    Zhang Yi coldly addressed the crowd.

    At this moment, everyone suddenly remembered that Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t their gentle neighbor who brought them food. He was a demon who had killed most of the building''s residents!

    The scene was deadly silent; no one dared to make a sound.

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, acting nonchnt.

    "Now, go and wipe out those Wolf Gang members! Who''s in favor? Who''s against?"

    After a few seconds of silence, Li Chengbin raised his hand and said, "I¡¯m in favor. Let¡¯s follow Zhang Yi¡¯s lead!"

    The others then slowly raised their hands. "Follow... follow Zhang Yi''s lead!"

    Seeing this, Zhang Yi¡¯s face rxed into a gentle smile.

    "That¡¯s more like it! We¡¯re all family, and family should help each other."

    "Look, I¡¯m not setting you up. I killed ten of their men myself! The rest are left for you dozens to handle. Isn¡¯t that fair?"

    "Do your best. Uncle You and I will go out and find food for you. Tonight, we¡¯ll have a feast!"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s strategy ofbining rewards and threats was effective.

    Though the neighbors were initially terrified by Guo Dahai¡¯s death, they felt less resentful knowing it wasn¡¯t them. Moreover, Zhang Yi promised to bring back more food, quelling their discontent.

    Zhang Yi, holding his gun, watched them head towards Building 21.

    Whether willing or unwilling, they had no choice but to grab their weapons and charge towards Building 21.

    Soon, the sounds of chaos and shouting could be heard from within.

    Zhang Yi checked his watch¡ªa simple yet unassuming golden Rolex.

    "Let them fight. I have to go. Otherwise, who knows what time I''ll return."

    He turned to Uncle You. "Let¡¯s go. I¡¯ll need your help this time."

    Today''s outing was a routine search, with no particr targets in mind. Bringing Uncle You along was no problem.

    Uncle You grinned, ncing at the distant Building 21, and nodded. "Alright, let¡¯s go!"

    Zhang Yi winced, pretending to clutch his ribs in pain.

    "I can''t drive the snowmobile. I hurt my ribs in the fight earlier."

    Uncle You, seeing the snowmobile, volunteered, "Let me drive!"

    Zhang Yi smiled and nodded. "Alright."

    So, Uncle You took the driver¡¯s seat, and Zhang Yi sat behind him.

    The injury was fake; Zhang Yi simply didn¡¯t trust others with his back.

    The two left the neighborhood together.

    Uncle You, without a helmet and goggles, squinted as the icy wind battered his face. Despite the difort, he felt exhrated.

    It had been a long time since he¡¯d left the neighborhood. The half-month of confinement had left him feeling oppressed.

    "Haha, it feels great to be out!"

    "So, Zhang Yi, where are we heading?"

    Zhang Yi casually replied, "The city is vast. We can go anywhere. Let¡¯s check out the World Trade Center first!"

    The World Trade Center was a famousmercial district in Tianhai City.

    Uncle You nodded and drove towards the World Trade Center, relying on his memory of the surroundings.

    After over half an hour, they arrived.

    The World Trade Center area looked like a forest of high-rise buildings, half buried in snow.

    Zhang Yi and Uncle You got off the snowmobile and began scavenging inside the buildings.

    For Uncle You, everything in themercial street felt new and exciting.

    Especially in the upscale malls, he saw counters full of luxury brands¡ªgold, silver, jewelry, designer clothes, and luxury cars in showrooms.

    What once were untouchable luxury items were now ownerless and avable for the taking.

    Overjoyed, Uncle You started stuffing a bag with items, mainly clothes, especially children''s clothes.

    Zhang Yi found it both amusing and annoying.

    He approached Uncle You. "Uncle You, there¡¯s no food here. Seems we came to the wrong ce."

    Uncle Youughed. "True, but we¡¯re not short on food at home. The real problem is that kids grow fast and outgrow their clothes."

    Zhang Yi chuckled, sitting on a nearby chair.

    "You and Aunt Xie seem to be getting along well."

    Uncle You grinned. "What¡¯s there to get along or not? We¡¯re just getting by together. Having a woman to warm the bed gives life some hope, doesn¡¯t it?"

    Hearing this, Zhang Yi''s eyes gleamed with a mischievous light.

    "If that¡¯s what you like, I can introduce you to some well-endowed women who can take good care of you."

    Uncle You''s body noticeably trembled, though he was facing away from Zhang Yi.

    "That... that wouldn¡¯t be right. You know, I¡¯m not that kind of person."

    Zhang Yi gave him a knowing look.

    He knew Uncle You frequently visited Yuhu Street, where a barber shop offered more than just haircuts.

    Uncle You was straightforward but not immune to feminine charm. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have been so easily taken by Xie Limei.

    "Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯re buddies. I¡¯ll take care of it!"

    Zhang Yi threw his arm around Uncle You¡¯s shoulder, grinning.

    "Oh, you... always joking! I¡¯m a decent man."

    Uncle You licked his lips, his words contradicting the smile he couldn¡¯t hide.

    "Yeah, yeah!"

    Zhang Yi assessed the situation.

    Uncle You had feelings for Xie Limei, but they weren¡¯t deep. If Xie Limei caused trouble in the future, Zhang Yi could deal with her without straining his rtionship with Uncle You. He could simply find him another woman.

    With their immediate search proving unfruitful, Zhang Yi decided they needed to explore further.

 Chapter 102: Weapon Intel

    Chapter 102: Weapon Intel

    Zhang Yi and Uncle You strolled aimlessly outside, casually collecting supplies.

    As they chatted, the topic shifted to the current situation in the neighborhood.

    Uncle You asked, "There are already people nning to make a move against you. They''re envious of your snowmobile!"

    "The situation is going to get moreplicated. Do you have any ns?"

    Zhang Yi, rarely in a conversational mood with Uncle You, sighed. "You¡¯re asking me? I was going to ask you the same thing!"

    He let out a long sigh. "Everyone is eyeing my snowmobile, knowing it''s the only viable means of transportation now. Everyone wants to take it from me."

    "What can I do? Just protect it as best as I can, and of course, protect myself too."

    Uncle You nodded gravely. "You''re right. In this situation, it¡¯s already a struggle for you to take care of us. Taking care of the entire neighborhood of over a thousand people is impossible!"Zhang Yi agreed, "Exactly. So now, I can only take things one step at a time and find solutions as theye."

    After a moment of contemtion, Uncle You said, "Actually, this morning, Huang Tianfang contacted me."

    Zhang Yi''s sharp eyes instantly turned icy. "What did he want?"

    Uncle You, facing away, didn''t notice Zhang Yi''s expression change. He continued, "Huang Tianfang is scared of you now and wants to make peace."

    "He also mentioned that the other buildings are forming an alliance to pressure you."

    "Someone invited him to join. He can refuse their invitation, but he wants you to provide food and cold-weather supplies."

    Zhang Yi snorted. He had heard such demands so often that they had be repetitive.

    "Everyone wants a piece of me now, huh? Scary!"

    Although his tone was casual, his eyes betrayed no fear. If not for concerns about ammunition, he could wipe out the entire neighborhood given enough time. But safety first.

    "Huang Tianfang and his Tianhe Gang need to be dealt with. The same goes for the Wolf Gang. I won''t let any of them go!"

    His voice was calm, almost indifferent, but his words carried a chilling intent. They had attacked him first, so he had to ensure their death. To survive the apocalypse, he couldn''t tolerate any threats to his safety.

    Uncle You agreed, "They deserve to die. They''ve killed too many innocent people and attacked you without provocation."

    "But do you have enough weapons to fight them?"

    Since emptying the police station''s armory, Zhang Yi had amassed a substantial arsenal. But Uncle You wasn¡¯t aware of the exact amount, thinking Zhang Yi might have depleted his ammunition after several battles.

    A gleam shed in Zhang Yi''s eyes before he sighed. "I¡¯m running low on bullets. But as long as the battles aren¡¯t toorge-scale, I should manage."

    Uncle You scratched his head. "Zhang Yi, if we had enough weapons, could we sessfully protect ourselves and your snowmobile?"

    Zhang Yi''s eyes lit up instantly. "Uncle You, do you know where we can find more weapons?"

    Though he still had plenty of ammunition, his sniper rifle bullets were running low. The police station only had a limited supply, and finding more would be beneficial.

    All fear stems from insufficient firepower.

    Uncle You grinned proudly. "Did you forget what I used to do? I served in the army for five years!"

    Zhang Yi eagerly asked, "Did you serve in Tianhai City?"

    If so, Uncle You could lead him to the military camp to gather weapons.

    Uncle You replied, "No, I served elsewhere. But I have old friends in the Tianhai City garrison and know where it¡¯s located."

    "If we can reach the military camp and find their ammo reserves, you¡¯ll never have to worry about running out of bullets again."

    Admiration shone in his eyes. "A sharpshooter like you without ammo would be a terrible waste!"

    The military valued strength and a sharpshooting expert like Zhang Yi was revered among soldiers. Having witnessed Zhang Yi''s terrifying marksmanship, Uncle You was naturally in awe.

    Overjoyed, Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t expected such a pleasant surprise! "What are we waiting for? Let¡¯s go!"

    Military weapons were abundant. If they could find tanks and armored vehicles, he could use them to eliminate anyone who opposed him.

    "Uncle You, you¡¯re a treasure!" Zhang Yi''s eyes sparkled with excitement.

    Uncle You scratched his head, slightly embarrassed by Zhang Yi''s enthusiasm. "Don¡¯t get too excited. There¡¯s more to it."

    "The ce is quite remote, in the northwest of the city, over a hundred kilometers from here."

    "Even if we get there, the snow might have buried everything, making it hard to find anything useful."

    Zhang Yi¡¯s mysterious smile appeared. Excavation? That was something he was familiar with.

    "No worries. Let¡¯s locate the ce first. If we can find it, we might figure out a way to ess itter."

    His tone grew serious as he patted Uncle You¡¯s shoulder. "We¡¯re facing potentially numerous enemies. We need more weapons to protect ourselves and our loved ones!"

    Uncle You nodded firmly. "You¡¯re right. Let¡¯s go find it!"

    They hopped onto the snowmobile, braving the cold and snow as they headed northwest towards Tianhai City.

 Chapter 103: Found the Military Camp

    Chapter 103: Found the Military Camp

    The wind and heavy snow meant the snowmobile couldn¡¯t go too fast; otherwise, there was a risk of overturning. Zhang Yi and Uncle You maintained a speed of about fifty kilometers per hour. After more than two hours, they reached the northwest wilderness.

    They left the city''s buildings behind and lost mostndmarks. The snow was more than ten meters thick, covering almost everything on the ground.

    In front of themy a vast expanse of white. Uncle You stopped the snowmobile by the roadside and observed multiple times to confirm their direction. He pointed to a protruding white hill in the distance. "Fortunately, we still have that to guide us! It''s not far, about five kilometers away."

    Zhang Yi nodded, his heart filled with anticipation.

    Soon, they arrived at the base of the hill. Scattered protruding structures were still visible on the ground. Uncle You said, "We¡¯re close. As for the exact location of the military camp... I need to confirm it again."

    "Alright, let¡¯s search carefully," Zhang Yi replied.

    They parked the snowmobile by the roadside and began to search for the camp. Military camps rarely had tall buildings; the dormitories were typically two or three stories high for easy assembly in emergencies. The camp''srge area added to the difficulty of the search. Without Uncle You, who knew the way, Zhang Yi might have taken ten days to half a month to find it.

    After searching for a while, Uncle You''s eyes lit up as he spotted a building not far away. "Found it!""Found the military camp?" Zhang Yi asked eagerly.

    Uncle You shook his head, pointing at the building''s golden signboard. "Found a bathhouse!"

    Zhang Yi''s expression turned speechless as he nced sideways at Uncle You.

    Uncle You chuckled. "Don''t worry! Finding this means I can confirm the camp''s location."

    He exined that the bathhouse was owned by arade. Uncle You visited annually to catch up and spend money.

    "Bathhouse...? Curious, he asked, "A bathhouse outside the military camp? Does it get business?"

    Uncle Youughed. "You don''t get it, do you? Business is great here! Life in the military is dull, and most soldiers don¡¯t have girlfriends. Young men with high energy need an outlet. They don¡¯t have anywhere to spend their monthly allowance inside the camp, so theye here. Soldiers are strong and disciplined, so they¡¯re weed by the bathhouse."

    Uncle You spoke passionately about his past in the military, his eyes shining with memories.

    Zhang Yi smiled. "And the camp leaders don¡¯t care?"

    Uncle You shrugged. "Of course, it¡¯s against regtions, but leaders understand the soldiers'' needs and turn a blind eye."

    Pointing at the bathhouse, he said, "Seeing this confirms the camp''s general location."

    Uncle You turned to the north, carefully observing for a while before pointing to a distant spot. "There! Do you see the watchtower?"

    Zhang Yi squinted, spotting a ck dot in the snow. "Yes, I see it."

    Uncle You said, "The camp is there."

    Zhang Yi asked, "But the camp isrge. How will we find the armory?"

    Uncle You replied, "Years ago, I visited myrade and entered the camp. I remember the armory''s approximate location."

    "Let¡¯s go check it out!" Zhang Yi urged.

    Knowing the general location, he could use an excavator next time to dig it out.

    They hopped on the snowmobile and sped toward the spot. Soon, Uncle You pointed out the area.

    "It''s around here. It¡¯s a shame we came toote. Everything¡¯s buried under the snow!"

    Uncle You looked guilty. "Sorry, Zhang Yi. This trip might have been in vain."

    He had hoped the ce wouldn¡¯t bepletely buried, but reality proved him wrong.

    Zhang Yi studied the snowy ground, memorizing prominentndmarks like the watchtower and the officer''s office building, which weren¡¯t fully covered.

    "Don¡¯t worry. You meant well! Maybe when the snow melts, we cane back," he reassured Uncle You.

    Uncle You smiled sheepishly and nodded. Zhang Yi patted his shoulder. "Let¡¯s head back!"

    It was gettingte, and the return trip would take another two to three hours. They couldn¡¯t dy further.

    Uncle You quickly started the snowmobile.

    ...

    Back in the neighborhood.

    "Retreat, quickly!" Li Chengbin led arge group of neighbors, hastily retreating from the Wolf Gang¡¯s territory in Building 21.

    Their assault had failed miserably, resulting in heavy losses with over ten people killed.

    Fighting away from home put them at a disadvantage. Despite their numbers, the Wolf Gang was well-prepared, with traps set up, making the fight one-sided. However, they did manage to kill five or six enemies.

    Exhausted and gasping in the freezing cold, they decided further attacks were unwise and retreated.

    On the way back, Li Chengbin calcted potential rewards from Zhang Yi, feeling pleased.

    But not everyone shared his enthusiasm. Some were deeply unhappy, their faces showing displeasure.

    "What was the point of this attack? We lost over ten people for nothing!"

    "Thest assault on the Tianhe Gang was the same. We lost more people than we killed. If this continues, we¡¯ll all die!"

    "Are we just fighting for Zhang Yi''s sake? I nearly lost my head out there!"

    "Zhang Yi orders us to attack while he and Uncle You stay back. They¡¯re the best fighters but avoid the battle."

    Theseints came from a few middle-aged men in the group. Cunning and experienced, they contributed the least butined the most. Facing the fierce Wolf Gang, some were injured or narrowly escaped death, fueling their resentment towards Zhang Yi.

    Hearing this, Li Chengbin frowned and shouted, "Watch your mouths! Don¡¯t talk nonsense!"

    "If Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t brought us food, many in our building would have starved to death. How dare youin now?"

 Chapter 104: Getting Greedy

    Chapter 104: Getting Greedy

    Li Chengbin¡¯s words didn¡¯t silence theiners. Instead, a chubby man with sses sneered, "Li Chengbin, you¡¯re about the same age as Zhang Yi, and yet you¡¯ve made him your father already?"

    "Can¡¯t you see he¡¯s just using us as cannon fodder?"

    The term "cannon fodder" had a powerful impact, changing the expressions of many neighbors. Given their losses in recent days, attacking both the Tianhe Gang and the Wolf Gang, they had lost over a dozen people. Realizing this could be their fate sent chills down their spines.

    Li Chengbin pointed at the man and shouted, "Stop talking nonsense! At the very least, we¡¯re eating because of Zhang Yi."

    The chubby man, named Luan Qiang, scoffed, "Sure, he gives us food. I was touched at first."

    "But then he started forcing us into fights, pushing us into the fire pit!"

    "We could just stay in our own building. Why do we have to fight others?"

    "We should ensure our own safety and let Zhang Yi find food for us. That¡¯s the best oue.""But no, he has to cause trouble, making enemies with everyone. What happens if they alle to attack us?"

    Then Luan Qiang dropped a bombshell.

    "And from what I¡¯ve seen, he never eats the food he brings us."

    "So he must be keeping the good stuff for himself and giving us the trash!"

    "There are so many supermarkets and malls out there. Do you really believe it¡¯s hard for him to find food?"

    "He¡¯s just fooling us!"

    His words resonated with many. Initially, they thought they only needed to guard Building 25 and Zhang Yi would bring them plenty of food. But now, Zhang Yi was making them fight others¡ªthis was too cruel!

    They didn¡¯t want to die. Why should they be sent to their deaths?

    A woman in the crowd muttered, "Zhang Yi is going too far, making us risk our lives unnecessarily."

    Emotions are contagious, especially among people in the same situation. Gradually, others began expressing their dissatisfaction.

    "We risk our lives every day while he just goes out and finds some food."

    "He¡¯s just lucky to have a snowmobile. His contributions aren¡¯t greater than ours."

    "Right, if I had his snowmobile, I could find food too. What¡¯s so hard about that?"

    "I think Luan Qiang is right. Zhang Yi just wants us as cannon fodder, risking our lives for him!"

    Li Chengbin¡¯s grip on his shovel loosened. He suddenly shouted, "Enough! Stop saying such things. If Zhang Yi finds out, he¡¯ll kill you all!"

    Everyone fell silent, realizing the truth of his words. Luan Qiang, with a sinister smile, approached Li Chengbin and whispered, "We¡¯ve all said it. Are you going to report us and have Zhang Yi kill us all?"

    All eyes turned to Li Chengbin. If he said anything unsatisfactory, they would kill him to keep him quiet.

    Li Chengbin felt a chill down his spine, swallowing hard. "I have no such intentions. We¡¯re all neighbors."

    "And if you die, do you think I¡¯ll survive? Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t report anything."

    Luan Qiang finally smiled. "Good!"

    "We¡¯re just venting. Nothing more."

    Others echoed, "Right, we¡¯re justining."

    "Just like when we used toin about our bosses at work. But we still went to work, right?"

    Everyone smiled, but their eyes held something else. They had lost too many people in recent days, and everyone had their own thoughts.

    Soon, Zhang Yi and Uncle You returned with two bags of junk food. After hearing about the battle, Zhang Yi pretended tofort everyone and publicly rewarded Jiang Lei and Li Chengbin with two servings of braised pork rice each. The other neighbors also received more than two servings of food each.

    However, Zhang Yi noticed something off about their attitudes. While they didn¡¯t say anything, their eyes held a trace of rejection towards him.

    He sneered inwardly, knowing they had begun to doubt him. But so what? He knew these neighbors well¡ªthey had the intention but not the courage. When Chen Zhenghao first appeared with a gun, they were terrified and submissive.

    Now, no matter how much they disliked being cannon fodder, Zhang Yi only needed a gun and a piece of moldy bread to make them obedient.

    These contemptible people didn¡¯t deserve to be treated like humans.

    Meanwhile, Uncle You happily handed the clothes he had collected to Xie Limei. Her eyes lit up as she gratefully epted the clothes. Uncle You had picked out branded clothes, even asking Zhang Yi for guidance. Xie Limei, never having worn such expensive clothes, was overjoyed to have new clothes for herself and her child. She hugged Uncle You¡¯s arm affectionately. "You¡¯re so kind, Uncle You!"

    Seeing the new clothes, the neighbors were envious. Empowered, Luan Qiang asked Zhang Yi, "Next time you go out, can you bring us some clothes, too?"

    "Preferably down jackets, or..." He eyed Zhang Yi¡¯s professional-grade cold-weather gear greedily. "Like the ones you¡¯re wearing. You should be able to find some, right?"

    Everyone¡¯s eyes filled with longing as they looked at Zhang Yi. Luan Qiang continued, "Since Uncle You can find clothes, why not help us, too, next time?"

    Zhang Yi frowned, sneering inwardly. They were already lucky to have food, yet they now wanted better clothes.

    Smiling, Zhang Yi nodded. "I¡¯ll see what I can do."

    "But my snowmobile is small and can¡¯t carry much. Should I stop bringing food and look for clothes instead?"

    Everyone immediately objected.

    "No, we still have clothes. They¡¯re not as warm, but we won¡¯t freeze to death. Without food, it¡¯s unbearable!"

    Zhang Yi nodded slowly. "Alright, I¡¯ll keep finding food first. If there¡¯s a chance, I¡¯ll look for warmer clothes too."

    "To ensure you never feel cold again!"

    He smiled brightly.

 Chapter 105: Using Fire

    Chapter 105: Using Fire

    After distributing the food for the day, Zhang Yi noticed the stockpile had significantly increased due to the deaths of over ten people in the past few days. Many familiar faces had vanished, including Fang Yuqing and Lin Cainin, who had likely starved or frozen to death.

    Returning home, he was greeted by Zhou Ke''er, who emerged from the kitchen wearing an apron. Her gentle smile lightened his mood slightly. Over time, Zhou Ke''er had be ustomed to her role as Zhang Yi''s servant. She was a smart woman, understanding that in the apocalypse, clinging to a strong protector was the safest path. Thus, she always aimed to fulfill Zhang Yi''s every need, even anticipating tasks he hadn¡¯t asked for.

    "What are you cooking?" Zhang Yi asked as he removed his cold-weather gear.

    Zhou Ke''er knelt down, handed him slippers, and ced his snow boots on the shoe rack. "I¡¯m making beef stew with potatoes. I know you like it, so I¡¯m trying my best. Not sure if it¡¯s any good."

    Craving something warm to soothe his stomach, Zhang Yi sat on the sofa. Zhou Ke''er brought him a basin of warm water to soak his feet. Thefort and rxation from the hot water made his tense body unwind. Despite having various cold-weather gear, running around in the snow all day still left him feeling chilly. At times like this, he deeply appreciated having a warm home.

    Overall, he was in a good mood today. Having pinpointed the military camp''s location, he could go alone next time to excavate the armory. The camp''s weaponry and ammunition would far surpass the police station¡¯s supply. They might even have powerful military weapons like grenades and RPGs, though tanks and armored vehicles were unlikely due to their weight sinking into the snow.

    "But there should be plenty of weapons and ammo!" he thought. "With these, no one here will be able to threaten me."

    Amid his joy, unwee thoughts crept in, like the recent ambush by the Wolf Gang. Fortunately, his body was well-protected, and he had a gun with ample bullets. In a close-quarters fight in the snow, he would never have managed against ten attackers."I must eliminate the Wolf Gang. They¡¯re hiding after realizing my firepower. I can¡¯t storm in recklessly. How should I deal with them?"

    Zhang Yi fell into deep thought.

    "Attacking a high-rise directly is foolish. They have plenty of retreat space, while the attackers struggle in the snow without cover. Narrow hallways make it hard to fight from below. And if they use Molotov cocktails like I did, we¡¯ll either burn or suffocate from the smoke."

    An idea suddenly struck him. "Fire attack? Yes, I can use a fire attack!"

    Recalling news reports about residential fires trapping and suffocating upper-floor residents, Zhang Yi saw potential. "People can''t enter, but smoke can! And smoke rises. Even if they flee to higher floors, it won¡¯t help."

    "The low-temperature outside means they keep windows and doors sealed, so they¡¯ll suffocate faster. If they try to escape through windows, I can shoot them one by one."

    Zhang Yi pped his hands in delight at the brilliant strategy for dealing with hidden enemies.

    "But for this to work, it must be a big fire. Most buildings have dismantled mmable materials except for the doors."

    He quickly devised a n. "There are plenty of trees outside. I¡¯ll chop down more in theing days. Fresh wood is damp, producing thicker smoke when burned. Just need to douse it with gasoline. Perfect!"

    Satisfied with his n, Zhang Yi rxed. Zhou Ke''er brought dinner, and he praised her cooking. "Your skills are improving!"

    "Really? If you like it, I can cook for you every day!" Zhou Ke''er beamed with happiness.

    Zhang Yi nodded, smiling. While they ate, Zhou Ke''er sat across from him. His mind wandered to resolving the neighborhood''s troublesome neighbors. He nned to avoidrge-scale conflicts until he had gathered enough wood and excavated the military camp''s weapons. Only then could he confidently eliminate those plotting against him.

    As they ate, Zhou Ke''er suddenly remarked, "Many people have died in our unit recently."

    Herment broke Zhang Yi¡¯s train of thought. He looked at her, his tone neutral. "Oh, really? And?"

    Zhou Ke''er continued, "I think they might resent you. Be careful."

    Her eyes showed concern for Zhang Yi. Women are perceptive, and she had sensed the neighbors¡¯ changes.

    Zhang Yi smiled warmly, rubbing her soft cheek. "Don¡¯t worry. If I needed your reminders for such things, I¡¯d have died countless times already!"

    Zhou Ke''er seriously added, "The death rate is too high. Some might betray you, coborating with others to harm you."

    Zhang Yi nodded but remained nonchnt. "It doesn¡¯t matter if they betray me. I¡¯ve never trusted any of them."

    "In fact, I n to kill them all eventually."

    His neighbors¡¯ betrayal was no surprise to Zhang Yi.

    Shocked, Zhou Ke''er covered her mouth. Then she sighed. "I¡¯ve been worrying for nothing. You¡¯re far more ruthless than them!"

    Her words conveyed disappointment, but she felt reassured. Having such a reliable man by her side made her feel secure.

    A thought suddenly struck her. Zhang Yi said he trusted no one. What about her?

    Living together for some time, Zhou Ke''er had given him her most precious self and grown deeply dependent on him. Women are emotional, and even the smartest can''t help but get attached. She hoped she was different.

    "Zhang Yi, do you trust me?" Zhou Ke''er asked, her eyes filled with anticipation and even a hint of pleading. In such a cold, untrustworthy world, she longed for a bit of warmth.

    Zhang Yi looked at her and replied without hesitation, "Ke''er, you¡¯re the only person I trust in this world!"

    Stars seemed to twinkle in Zhou Ke''er¡¯s eyes, her face blushing. "You... you''re just lying to make me happy, aren¡¯t you?"

    Zhang Yi shook his head. "Of course not. You¡¯re unique. No one else matters but you!"

    His gaze was firm, as if his words were genuine.

    Tears welled up in Zhou Ke''er¡¯s eyes, and she felt deeply moved, almost believing his words.

    Zhang Yi gently smiled and offered her a piece of beef. "Here, have some food."

    Seeing her happiness, Zhang Yi sighed inwardly. Women are easy to manipte if you lie without hesitation.

    He did like Zhou Ke''er, but his only true love was himself. However, he needed her to believe he loved her to ensure her loyalty and stability. Like apany calling employees "family" only to discard them when convenient, Zhang Yi used emotions to secure her devotion.

    After dinner, Zhang Yi decided to take a bath. Zhou Ke''er blushed and asked, "Do you need help washing your back?"

    Seeing her affectionate gaze, Zhang Yi nodded. "Sure, it¡¯s hard to reach on my own."

    ...

 Chapter 106: Tianhai Military Camp

    Chapter 106: Tianhai Military Camp

    At this moment, the neighbors in Building 25 were huddled in their homes, eating the food Zhang Yi had provided. They hadn''t bathed in almost a month, their bodies itching and some even developing skin diseases. They couldn''t afford to use hot water for bathing, reserving every bit for drinking. Falling ill after a bath meant certain death.

    Jiang Lei and Li Chengbin, college roommates and best friends working at the samepany, were in high spirits that night. Zhang Yi had given each of them a box of braised pork rice. Though the food was rock-hard from the cold, they managed to warm it up by tucking it inside their down jackets.

    In the pitch-ck room, wrapped in thick nkets, only their heads were visible. Jiang Lei struggled to scoop a piece of braised pork with his spoon, savoring it like a gourmet meal. "Thank goodness we sided with Zhang Yi. We¡¯re eating braised pork now!" he eximed happily.

    However, Li Chengbin was silent, gnawing at his frozen rice. Unlike Jiang Lei, who used a spoon, Li Chengbin found it easier to eat by biting directly into the frozen food.

    Seeing his friend¡¯s silence, Jiang Lei nudged him with his elbow. "Don¡¯t you agree? We should stick with Zhang Yi."

    "Look at Zhou Ke''er¡ªstill looking morous in brand-name clothes, even Canada Goose jackets. She can even take baths!" Jiang Lei¡¯s eyes were full of envy.

    Li Chengbin nced at him, mumbling, "What¡¯s the use of envying them? We don¡¯t have what it takes."

    Jiang Lei sighed, "You¡¯re right. If we had their resources, I¡¯d try my luck too. But before that, I¡¯d let you enjoy first," he joked."Shut up. I wouldn¡¯t touch you if you were thest person on earth!" Li Chengbin retorted.

    Jiang Lei insisted, "Don''t be so quick to judge. It¡¯s not that bad."

    "Shut up! The more you talk, the grosser it gets!" Li Chengbin snapped.

    After a moment of silence, Li Chengbin finally spoke seriously, "Jiang Lei, don¡¯t you think Zhang Yi is using us as cannon fodder? He doesn¡¯t care if we live or die."

    Jiang Lei looked shocked. "What do you mean?"

    Li Chengbin recounted the neighbors'' conversations from earlier. Jiang Lei fell silent too. "Talking about it won¡¯t change anything," he said finally. "We thought about killing him and taking his supplies, but we couldn¡¯t. He almost killed us instead."

    "In this world, the one with the strongest fists is the boss. He gives us food, so we have to obey him."

    Li Chengbin remained silent. Just then, their phone rang. Li Chengbin pulled it out from his pocket, his expression turning serious as he read the message. There was a mix of tension and excitement in his eyes.

    ...

    The next day, Zhang Yi rode his snowmobile out of the neighborhood as usual. After yesterday''s ambush, he took a different route this time. He didn¡¯t bring Uncle You along today because he nned to dig up the buried weapons and gather more wood for future use.

    The previous night, Li Jian and Chen Lingyu had contacted him again, asking about his decision. Zhang Yi brushed them off, saying he needed more time to think. But he sensed their impatience growing. He didn¡¯t care about their attitudes; he was focused on their actions. The 29 buildings forming a united front would take time, and Zhang Yi intended to use that time to prepare thoroughly.

    After two and a half hours, Zhang Yi reached the spot from the previous day. The vast white expansey before him, broken only by a fewndmarks. He retrieved his excavator from his alternate space and began digging.

    With his improved skills, Zhang Yi quickly unearthed a building. He wasn¡¯t sure if it was the armory, but finding any building was progress. He jumped down to investigate and found a soldier''s dormitory instead. The neatly made beds andck of bodies surprised him.

    "Strange. Why are there no bodies?" he wondered.

    Checking several dormitories, he found the same scene. "Could they have all left?" he thought. The realization dawned on him: the soldiers were likely relocated to protect high-ranking officials who knew about the impending disaster. The officials had moved to shelters, taking the soldiers with them for protection and logistics.

    This exined the empty warehouses Zhang Yi had seen before. The officials had likely moved their supplies as well.

    Understanding this, Zhang Yi grew wary. These officials could reemerge as a significant threat once the disaster passed. However, for now, their presence maintained some semnce of order, dying the rise of armed factions.

 Chapter 107: A Big Harvest

    Chapter 107: A Big Harvest

    Zhang Yi didn''t have much time to think here; the days were long, but the nights were short. If he didn¡¯t find the armory quickly, it might be dark by the time he returned. However, finding the dormitory at least provided a reference point.

    Zhang Yi climbed out of the dormitory onto the snow and beganparing the surroundingndmarks in his memory with those described by Uncle You.

    The excavator resumed its work. It didn¡¯t take long for Zhang Yi to find the armory. The armory was heavily fortified, resembling a concrete box covered in snow, making its full appearance unclear. Zhang Yi found an iron door with a heavy silver lock.

    He took out a crowbar and exerted all his strength, but after struggling for a long time, he couldn¡¯t break the lock. "Military armories aren¡¯t so easily breached! But I can''t use a gun either."

    With his hands on his hips, deep in thought, Zhang Yi suddenly remembered he had driven the excavator here. pping his forehead, he quickly climbed back into the excavator and used it to break the lock.

    Impatiently, he entered the armory. Pushing aside the steel door, the sight inside would make any man¡¯s blood boil. Zhang Yi saw his first real armory, different from his imagination, without mountains of bullet boxes inrge iron cabs.

    The armory had many iron racks against the walls, holding numerous ck rifles. On the racks, there were also gray-green boxes made of some unknown metal, looking very heavy. Camouge uniforms and helmets hung on the walls, with some camouged paint underneath the racks.

    Zhang Yi took a deep breath and first stored all the rifles in his alternate space. He now had so many guns, that it seemed impossible to ever use them all unless he formed a post-apocalyptic survival squad someday. Regardless, he stored them for potential future use.His main interest was in finding bullets, grenades, and RPGs. Cautiously, he opened the metal boxes, finding various types of bullets. Having learned about firearms at a shooting club, Zhang Yi understood which bullets matched which guns.

    The armory contained around 2,000 handgun bullets, over 5,000 rifle bullets, and more than 3,000 sniper bullets. He also found a military sniper rifle, different from his police model, with better environmental adaptability, water, dust, and cold resistance, though less precise.

    For Zhang Yi, precision wasn¡¯t an issue, as his superpower ensured urate shooting.

    What delighted Zhang Yi even more was finding ten boxes of grenades, each holding five grenades, for a total of fifty grenades!

    This discovery was already a big harvest for Zhang Yi.

    "If they all went on missions, they¡¯d need to take their gear. That¡¯s why over half the equipment in this armory is gone."

    The sudden snow disaster caught them off guard, and they left these supplies behind in their haste. For Zhang Yi, the amount was more than sufficient.

    "However, there should be more than one armory in the military camp."

    ording to Uncle You, the Tianhai City garrison had a regiment of around 1,500 soldiers. It was unlikely to have only one small armory.

    After collecting everything, Zhang Yi continued clearing the snow along the concrete walls with the excavator. Soon, he found another armory nearby. This armory had fewer weapons and equipment, but Zhang Yi still found several thousand bullets and two boxes of grenades.

    "Considering everything, this is more than enough!"

    Zhang Yi smiled in satisfaction.

    With these weapons, no one in Tianhai City could pose a threat to him in terms of firepower. He had never used grenades before but could ask Uncle You for guidance or find instructions online.

    He didn¡¯t find any heavy weapons. The Tianhai City garrison was an infantry unit,cking artillery and armored vehicles. Heavy machine guns and simr weapons were likely taken on missions. If not for the snow disaster¡¯s rapid onset, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t have found these weapons and ammunition.

    "No matter what, these weapons are more than enough for me."

    "This also points me in a direction. In the future, I can gather weapons from police stations and military units across different cities."

    Every sizable city had police stations and garrisons. With his means of transportation, Zhang Yi could cross cities to seek weapons and equipment in nearby satellite towns.

    After ensuring he had found everything valuable in the vicinity, Zhang Yi drove away from the military camp. He didn¡¯t go far. The surrounding area was a wilderness with many trees, perfectly matching his needs.

    He used the excavator to break the trees at the waist and stored them in his alternate space.

    Busy for a long time, he returned home at nightfall. The neighbors were waiting for him to distribute food, but this time Zhang Yi returned empty-handed.

    Seeing the neighbors, Zhang Yi spread his hands. "I searched many ces today but found no food. Everyone, please bear with it!"

    People shouldn¡¯t be fed too well; a full belly leads to rebellious thoughts. Just yesterday, some neighbors had started asking for clothes. Today, Zhang Yi deliberately brought back nothing to remind them: "You¡¯re all my dependents. Don¡¯t overstep your bounds! If you want to eat, behave!"

    Hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s words, the neighbors began murmuring.

    "What? No food today?"

    "Impossible, there are so many ces to search. Can¡¯t you try harder?"

    "It¡¯s tough without food tonight!"

    "You worked all day and found nothing?"

    Zhang Yi smiled at the chattering crowd. "Are you done talking?"

    Everyone fell silent, their faces unhappy but their mouths shut.

    "Recently, you all seem to be gettingcent, forgetting that you begged me to save you."

    "Has it only been a few days, and you already think I¡¯m obligated to bring you food?"

    "If that¡¯s the case, we can part ways. You can find your own food from now on."

    Everyone was shocked.

    Li Chengbin quickly said, "Brother Zhang, that¡¯s not what we meant. We understand how hard you work! The snow outside makes it difficult to find food. Please go and rest first!"

 Chapter 108: Training the Neighbors

    Chapter 108: Training the Neighbors

    Zhang Yi shrugged. "So that''s how it is today."

    After saying this, he waved his hand to dismiss everyone. But just then, Luan Qiang, who was standing in the crowd, spoke up.

    "Zhang Yi, it''s hard for you to find things on your own. Why don''t you take a few more people with you?"

    "I think your snowmobile can seat three people easily. If everyone helps, we''ll surely find things faster!"

    Others turned to Zhang Yi with eager eyes. The idea of going out to find supplies was very tempting. Especially after seeing Uncle You bring back clothes for Xie Limei and her daughterst time. If they could go out, they could take whatever they wanted.

    "Zhang Yi, if you need help, we''re all willing!" a woman bravely said.

    Zhang Yi narrowed his eyes slightly, thenughed. "So, you''re all eyeing my snowmobile now? If that¡¯s the case, we might as well part ways. From now on, I won''t be responsible for you anymore!"

    Luan Qiang hurriedly tried to exin, but Zhang Yi was done wasting words. He pulled out his handgun and loaded it expertly."Click!"

    The sound of the safety being disengaged caused everyone''s faces to change drastically. They quickly backed away.

    "Zhang Yi, don''t act rashly! We were just discussing, no other intentions."

    "Right, if you don''t agree, let''s forget about it, okay?"

    "We actually appreciate you finding food for us and were just worried you''d tire yourself out. Don''t misunderstand!"

    Zhang Yi sneered. "In the future, don¡¯t say things that harm our unity."

    "Or maybe I¡¯ve been feeding you too welltely."

    With that, Zhang Yi raised his gun and shot Luan Qiang dead.

    No one expected Zhang Yi to start shooting without a word. They thought he would reason with them, and then they could use their numbers and words to pressure him into agreeing to their demands.

    But they forgot, the rtionship between them and Zhang Yi was never equal. Dialogue required enough capital!

    Screams erupted as the neighbors fled in terror, tripping over each other in the narrow stairway.

    "Without killing a few, you won¡¯t understand your ce," Zhang Yi said coldly, firing several more shots, killing six more people before stopping. He watched the rest scatter like frightened dogs.

    Only Uncle You and Xie Limei stayed behind. Uncle You stood by Zhang Yi''s side, while Xie Limei hid behind him, ying the ostrich.

    Uncle You said to Zhang Yi, "They''ve forgotten their ce, getting too full of themselves."

    Zhang Yi thought, "If it weren¡¯t for keeping them as cannon fodder, I¡¯d have killed them all already." Outwardly, he shrugged generously. "It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m a kind person. I forgive them."

    With his ample firepower, Zhang Yi now acted with impunity.

    Xie Limei clung to Uncle You¡¯s arm, looking at Zhang Yi with fear.

    "Kind? You wish..."

    "Let¡¯s go back," Zhang Yi said, carrying his gun and walking with a disdainful stride.

    He was almost ready. These cannon fodder wouldn¡¯tst long. Even if they didn¡¯t die in the uing conflicts, Zhang Yi nned to eliminate most, if not all, of them.

    He didn¡¯t care whether they lived or died. Even after killing a few, they¡¯d stille begging for food.

    ...

    Just as Zhang Yi anticipated, the residents of Building 25 were terrified, fleeing back to their homes and locking their doors tightly. At that moment, they recalled the fear of being controlled by Chen Zhenghao. They hid in their homes daily, unsure when death woulde.

    They created a new chat group privately, excluding Zhang Yi, Zhou Ke''er, Uncle You, and Xie Limei. Since the cial apocalypse began, dozens of groups had formed within the building, reflecting the deep mistrust and deceit among people.

    "What do we do now? Zhang Yi is enraged and wants to kill us! We don¡¯t have guns. How can we fight him?" someone anxiously asked.

    After a while, the residents, recovering from their shock, began discussing.

    "Zhang Yi doesn¡¯t reason at all! We were just discussing, and he started shooting."

    "What¡¯s scary is he¡¯s been killing so many with a gun these days. How many bullets does he have? Why does a regr person have so many bullets, even a sniper rifle?"

    "I¡¯ve been saying Zhang Yi is a city war god or a retired special forces soldier. You didn¡¯t believe me!"

    "Who cares who he is? We shouldn¡¯t have trusted him in the first ce!"

    "He¡¯s very selfish. Everything he does for uses with a price."

    "Helping us was all fake! He¡¯s not kind at all."

    "Yes, he wants us as cannon fodder, to fight for him and seize supplies and territory!"

    ...

    The chat group exploded with curses directed at Zhang Yi, including Zhou Ke''er, Uncle You, and others associated with him. Although they couldn¡¯t oppose Zhang Yi openly, they regained their self-respect and became warriors against him.

    After a round of venting, they felt much better, but a new problem arose.

    "Though Zhang Yi is selfish and gives us food with ulterior motives, what will we eat if he stops providing food?"

    The chat fell silent for a long time. Hiding in their rooms, the residents were shocked and gripped by fear. They remembered how they lived before Zhang Yi provided food¡ªeating anything edible, even boiling leather belts and jackets. Some desperate enough to eat excrement, like dogs surviving through secondary digestion.

    Nothing is more unbearable than falling from hope back into despair. If they had never seen the light, they wouldn¡¯t fear the darkness. But having experienced Zhang Yi¡¯s food, they couldn¡¯t return to their former lives.

    Finally, someone spoke up, "If you think about it, Zhang Yi isn¡¯t so bad. Those he killed deserved it."

 Chapter 109: The Whole Neighborhood Pressures

    Chapter 109: The Whole Neighborhood Pressures

    Faced with the terror of imminent death, the residents began to reminisce about Zhang Yi¡¯s good deeds. Once someone initiated the thought, others were easily swayed, especially now that they were all hungry, making them appreciate the food Zhang Yi had provided even more.

    "Come to think of it, maybe we were too harsh on Zhang Yi?"

    "He braves the harsh wind and snow to find food for us, and he has to find enough for dozens of people."

    "Yeah, so he didn''t find any today. We won''t starve to death; we can endure for a bit."

    "Those who got killed brought it on themselves. They spoke out of turn."

    "Exactly, who are they to think they can take his snowmobile? They deserved to die!"

    "Oh, I remember now. Luan Qiang was a real jerk. He let his dog off the leash once, and it almost bit me!"

    "Is that so? Well, he truly deserved to die then! And he got us into this mess before dying.""Regardless, we need to convince Zhang Yi to continue finding food for us!"

    "Right, that''s our only way to survive."

    "He''s right. Zhang Yi''s house is made of alloy; we can''t break in. We have to beg for his mercy!"

    Just as Zhang Yi predicted, a little kindness made the neighbors audacious, while harsh treatment had them groveling. Confucius was right: it is difficult to manage both women and petty people; being close makes them impertinent, while distancing them causes resentment.

    Not long after Zhang Yi returned home, someone in the Building 25 group chat tagged him and apologized.

    "Zhang Yi, we were wrong today. We sincerely apologize."

    "We hope you''ll overlook our behavior for the sake of our long-term neighborly rtions."

    "It was all Luan Qiang¡¯s fault! None of us had such intentions. Please understand!"

    "We will follow your instructions from now on."

    "And, if you could, please go out to find food again tomorrow. We are really starving."

    Seeing these messages, Zhang Yi smirked coldly, toozy to respond.

    "Let them stew in their own guilt and despair," he thought. "Maybe I should use them as a death squad onest time?"

    "Throw a couple of moldy pieces of bread their way, and they¡¯d scramble to do it."

    Just then, a series of "Ding Dong! Ding Dong!" notifications caught his attention. He had most group chats muted, so why these alerts?

    Curious, Zhang Yi checked and understood the situation.

    Chen Lingyu from Building 9 had added him to a new group chat. He nced at the members and realized the significance: exactly 30 people, including many familiar names like Li Jian from Building 18, Huang Tianfang from Building 26, Wang Qiang from Building 21, and Zhang Yunan from Building 5.

    These were the leaders of all 30 buildings in the neighborhood.

    Sharp-eyed and contemtive, Zhang Yi muttered, "Looks like they¡¯re finally ready to confront me."

    Zhang Yi knew this day woulde. Unlike him, with an endless supply of resources, the other buildings were barely scraping by. Each day was a struggle for them.

    Once Zhang Yi entered the group, Chen Lingyu announced, "I''ve added Zhang Yi. Let''s discuss the matter."

    Silent, Zhang Yi waited to see what they had to say.

    His nemesis, Wang Qiang from Building 21, spoke first, his tone hostile. "Zhang Yi, I hear you¡¯ve been livingfortably in Building 25, eating well every day, while ignoring us poor neighbors!"

    Zhang Yi chuckled but didn''t bother arguing. Talking against 29 voices, especially online, was pointless.

    "If you dragged me in just to hear you babble, I''m leaving now."

    Huang Tianfang quickly interjected, "Don¡¯t be hasty, Zhang Yi. If you leave now, who knows what might happen!"

    Zhang Yi sneered, "Are you threatening me, Huang Tianfang? I¡¯ve killed so many of your Tianhe Gang members. How dare you bark here?"

    "Believe me, I could wipe you all out by tomorrow!"

    Behind his phone, Huang Tianfang felt a chill down his spine and hastily sent a voice message, "Don''t scare me! The leaders of the other 29 buildings have formed a united front. Attacking one of us means attacking all of us."

    "No matter how strong you are, can you handle so many of us?"

    Zhang Yi''s eyes shed.

    Indeed, they had united. A front of 29 buildings against him.

    Li Jian, the good guy, intervened, "Alright, everyone, calm down. We created this group to negotiate, not to kill each other."

    Wang Qiang snorted, "Alright, Old Li, tell him our n."

    Li Jian exined, "Alright, Zhang Yi, let me exin our agreement."

    "The leaders of the 29 buildings have formed a united front to pressure Building 25. If you attack any of us, all the other buildings will provide aid."

    "Second, we ask you to provide resources to ensure our basic survival."

    "In exchange, we won''t attack Building 25."

    "Third, to ensure you fulfill your promises, we want your snowmobile to be shared among everyone, not kept for personal use."

    "Fourth, we need you to disclose any resource locations you know. With the city buried in snow, not everyone can find supplies, even with a vehicle."

    Li Jian concluded, "Zhang Yi, that¡¯s it. Have you understood?"

    A sneer curled Zhang Yi''s lips.

    These demands were outrageous. They wanted his snowmobile, expected him to lead them to resources, and demanded he ensure their survival. In return, they simply promised not to attack Building 25?

    They were dreaming.

    Although ridiculous, Zhang Yi understood the logic behind their demands. Negotiations were about extracting benefits, and their absurd demands were just an opening gambit.

    They believed they could overpower Building 25 with theirbined might, underestimating Zhang Yi''s firepower. They didn¡¯t know he had amassed a considerable arsenal of weapons and ammunition.

    A fight between them wouldn¡¯t even be close. Sheer numbers didn¡¯t guarantee victory. Just as a single alien weapon could decimate Earth¡¯s fleet, Zhang Yi¡¯s superior firepower could annihte them.

    Silent, Zhang Yi contemted his next move.

 Chapter 110: Compete with Me on Resources? Are You Sure?

    Chapter 110: Compete with Me on Resources? Are You Sure?

    Zhang Yi stayed silent, mocking these people''s foolishness. He was eager to see their astonished and panic-stricken faces when they finally witnessed his true strength.

    "Should I just kill them all now and clean up Building 25 while I¡¯m at it?" Zhang Yi muttered, stroking his chin.

    With ample firepower and a method to deal with people hiding in buildings, killing everyone in the neighborhood wouldn¡¯t be too difficult for him. Additionally, the useless neighbors in Building 25 could also be eliminated.

    "No, doing that would still leave security gaps. Even if I decided to eliminate them, I¡¯d have to do it one building at a time."

    "But what if they all decided to fight me to the death? With thousands of them, they could crush me under their sheer numbers alone."

    "Although these people are cowards, the probability of this happening isn¡¯t zero. My life is far more valuable than theirs, so I can¡¯t take unnecessary risks."

    "I need a more foolproof n."

    As Zhang Yi pondered, the building leaders in the chat group grew impatient with his silence. They believed they had the upper hand, thinking Zhang Yi had no other choice but to bow to their demands.In their minds, it was impossible for anyone in Yue Lu Community to fight against thousands of people simultaneously. If such a person existed, it would be a myth.

    Wang Qiang began to urge, "Why aren¡¯t you speaking? Hurry up and respond! You have to agree to this whether you want to or not. Otherwise, we won¡¯t show mercy!"

    Chen Lingyu chimed in, "Zhang Yi, no one wants to die. We all just want to survive. While you might feel it¡¯s unfair, sometimes one has to bend to circumstances. Remember, a wise man knows when to yield!"

    Li Jian added, "Mr. Zhang, you should seriously consider this matter. We don¡¯t want to resolve this through conflict, but we also want to survive."

    "If you agree to cooperate, the resource issue for the entiremunity can be well managed. Perhaps we can even return to the civilized state we had before."

    Others chimed in with variousments, some ying good cop, others bad cop. Ultimately, their message was clear: Zhang Yi had to agree to their demands, or he would die.

    Zhang Yi nced at the group messages, and an idea formed in his mind as he read through the names of the building leaders.

    "Capture the ringleader first!"

    If he could eliminate the leaders of each building, the remaining people would undoubtedly descend into chaos. Letting them tear each other apart would mean fewer people for him to deal with.

    He then slowly responded, "I need time to consider this. You¡¯ve had plenty of time to discuss this, but you haven¡¯t given me any time to think."

    "Moreover, I suggest we meet in person to discuss. It''s difficult tomunicate clearly with so many voices here."

    "Why don¡¯t we arrange a meeting of all the building leaders in a few days to discuss cooperation? What do you think?"

    As soon as Zhang Yi proposed this, Wang Qiang sneered and responded, "Are you suggesting we all gather together so you can kill us all?"

    "We can meet, but you muste to our territory. Let¡¯s say Building 21."

    Zhang Yi smiled, knowing they wouldn¡¯t agree easily. After all, surviving this long meant none of them were fools.

    He wasn¡¯t in a hurry and replied calmly, "You can also send representatives to meet, but the meeting must be in Building 25."

    His tone was firm, brooking no argument.

    Wang Qiangughed loudly, "Why should it be on your terms? Do you take us for idiots?"

    Huang Tianfang added, "Zhang Yi, stop ying tricks. We¡¯re not fools."

    Zhang Yi snorted, "If you¡¯re too afraid to send a few representatives, what¡¯s the point of talking?"

    "Don¡¯t like it? Fine, let¡¯s fight then. Forget the talks."

    Both sides were incredibly stubborn, unwilling to show any weakness. Maintaining a strong stance in negotiations was crucial; otherwise, you¡¯d end up being manipted.

    Once again, the mediator, Li Jian, stepped in. "Everyone, calm down. We can work this out."

    He asked Zhang Yi, "How do you propose we talk?"

    Zhang Yi replied, "I''m not unreasonable. Send representatives from the 29 buildings to meet and discuss how we can cooperate."

    "Given that you all covet my resources and snowmobile, why should I risking to your territory?"

    "My terms are clear. It¡¯s up to you whether youe or not."

    "I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve done your research on me. To be honest, I knew about this unprecedented cold wave long before it hit."

    "That¡¯s why my house is fortified and impregnable. You can¡¯t breach it. If ites to it, we can see who can oust whom."

    After sending his message, Zhang Yi stared at the screen, testing to see if anyone in themunity could potentially breach his house.

    Although the probability was low, the imminent battle might involve facing thousands of attackers, so he had to be thorough in his considerations.

    Mathematics never lies, and indeed, the low-probability event did not ur. After some deliberation, the group seemed disheartened.

    They knew Chen Zhenghao had been killed by Zhang Yi, and Huang Tianfang¡¯s attempt to use explosives had failed, leaving Zhang Yi¡¯s house intact.

    These were ordinary people,cking ess torge quantities of explosives to demolish a building. If Zhang Yi chose to stay inside, they had no means to force him out.

    After a while, a leader spoke up, "You might be able to protect yourself, but can you protect everyone in your building?"

    Zhang Yi rolled his eyes.

    Did they think he was a saint?

    Clearly running out of ideas, they resorted to moral ckmail.

    "In a situation like this, of course, I¡¯ll prioritize my own survival. Don¡¯t waste time with meaningless moral arguments," Zhang Yi replied.

    Chen Lingyu, growing anxious, added, "Even if your house is sturdy, you¡¯ll eventually run out of food. Do you n to hide forever?"

    "Escaping reality like an ostrich is meaningless."

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t stop grinning. "We¡¯ll see who can oust whom."

    Compete with him on resources?

    Zhang Yi had one response: "I¡¯ve never cared how many resources others have because none of them have more than I do."

 Chapter 111: Zhou Keers Massage Techniques

    Chapter 111: Zhou Ke''er''s Massage Techniques

    None of the other building leaders anticipated Zhang Yi would handle the situation this way.

    Given that Zhang Yi had to go out every day to find supplies, they naturally assumed he needed to venture out to survive. However, now Zhang Yi stood with his hands in his pockets, revealing his true stance.

    "So, you want to fight me? Fine, I¡¯ll just hide inside my imprable fortress and see what you do!"

    As everyone hesitated, Li Jian broke the deadlock.

    "I think negotiation is the best solution. It¡¯s better than a mutually destructive fight," Li Jian said.

    "If ites to negotiating, I¡¯m willing to step forward."

    Zhang Yi smiled and said, "Mr. Li, I¡¯ve always admired your sensible approach. Back when we worked together, I thought you were the most reasonable person."

    "Come over and talk. I trust you more than those who prefer sneak attacks."By calling Li Jian "Mr. Li," Zhang Yi signaled familiarity, subtly undermining Huang Tianfang and Wang Qiang.

    Internal discord was key to such temporary alliances. Though these 29 buildings had formed a united front against Zhang Yi, there were inherent conflicts among them. They¡¯d been rivals before, only uniting due to themon threat Zhang Yi posed.

    Indeed, Zhang Yi''s words had an effect.

    Wang Qiang sneered, "Li Jian, do you think you can represent all of us?"

    Huang Tianfang added coldly, "We can¡¯t let you go alone to talk!"

    Chen Lingyu chimed in, "If that¡¯s the case, I should go too!"

    Each leader feared the others might make a secret deal with Zhang Yi. This disruption caused chaos, with everyone demanding to negotiate.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes gleamed with a hint of malice.

    "I¡¯m not afraid of youing; I¡¯m afraid you won¡¯te!"

    "Fine, tomorrow at 2:30 PM, I¡¯ll be waiting in Building 25. If you¡¯rete, I won¡¯t wait!"

    He left no room for bargaining and promptly exited the chat.

    If sessful, he could eliminate these 29 leaders tomorrow. Although it might incite collective resentment from their followers, leaderless chaos would prevent swift reorganization, giving Zhang Yi time to dismantle them one by one.

    Confident in his superior firepower and imprable fortress, Zhang Yi feared no opponent!

    The footbath had cooled. Zhang Yi lowered his head and said to Zhou Ke''er, "Alright, dry my feet."

    Zhou Ke''er nodded and used a cloth to dry his feet before emptying the water and returning to massage him.

    As Zhang Yi watched the beautiful doctor, he reached out his hand.

    "Don¡¯t use your phone for the next few days. Give it to me for safekeeping."

    With a potential battle looming, Zhang Yi needed to eliminate all security risks.

    Zhou Ke''er hesitated briefly before handing over her phone. "Is there going to be a fight?"

    She asked softly.

    Zhang Yi replied calmly, "Maybe. I need to prepare for war. This time, the number of enemies is unprecedented."

    "Oh, I understand," Zhou Ke''er nodded and continued massaging without further questions.

    Knowing Zhang Yi well after living together for so long, she knew not to ask too many questions when he was serious.

    Seeing his stern expression and asionally sharp eyes, Zhou Ke''er understood he was deeply contemting his strategy. She focused on fulfilling her role.

    After a moment¡¯s thought, Zhou Ke''er moved behind Zhang Yi, cing her soft, white hands on his shoulders and massaging with perfect pressure. Recently, she learned new massage techniques and began applying them to Zhang Yi¡¯s head.

    "What¡¯s this¡­" Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes zed over.

    Zhou Ke''er''s expert fingers pressed into his scalp, sending a wave of delight through his nerves.

    "Feels good," Zhang Yi murmured.

    Zhou Ke''er blushed with joy. "I¡¯m d you like it. I just learned this recently."

    Leaning back on the sofa, Zhang Yi felt utterly rxed, his mind clearing.

    He closed his eyes, thinking about tomorrow¡¯s meeting with the 29 building leaders. If they all showed up, he would kill them without hesitation. Their followers would be thrown into disarray, giving him a chance to eliminate them one by one.

    However, not all of them were fools. Some might not show up, maintaining a wait-and-see stance.

    What should he do if that happened?

    Zhang Yi¡¯s mind drifted into the massage-induced tranquility. After pondering for a while, he made up his mind. If fewer than half showed up or none at all, he¡¯d temporarily agree to their terms, lulling them into a false sense of security.

    Then, through a series of maneuvers, he¡¯d incite internal strife among them, weakening theirbat strength before finding the right opportunity to kill them all.

    Time was on Zhang Yi¡¯s side. Unless he actively attacked other buildings, he could crush any of them with ease.

    "Patience is key. Rushing leads to mistakes, and one mistake could put me in danger."

    "I¡¯ll be a patient hunter, setting traps and waiting for the prey to walk into them."

    With his thoughts organized, Zhang Yi attributed his rity to Zhou Ke''er''s new massage technique.

    Preparing for tomorrow''s negotiations, he needed capable people to manage the situation. Naturally, he thought of Uncle You first.

    He messaged Uncle You, exining the n for tomorrow. Uncle You replied immediately, "Just tell me what to do. I¡¯m at your service!"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s continuous small gestures of kindness and his impressive marksmanship had thoroughly won Uncle You over. He was now unwaveringly loyal, ready to follow Zhang Yi¡¯s orders without hesitation.

 Chapter 112: Deployment of Troops

    Chapter 112: Deployment of Troops

    Zhang Yi spoke to Uncle You, "You don¡¯t need to do anything special. The negotiations tomorrow will be on our turf."

    "The representatives from the other 29 buildings mighte. I need someone to maintain order."

    "I want you to lead this task."

    Uncle You nodded. "That¡¯s easy. When they arrive, we¡¯ll search them and make them discard any weapons."

    "Exactly," Zhang Yi replied. "I¡¯ll inform the other neighbors."

    Uncle You agreed. "Alright, that¡¯s settled then."

    After confirming with Uncle You, Zhang Yi opened the group chat for the residents of Building 25.

    The residents were still begging Zhang Yi not to abandon them, hoping he would continue providing food as he had before.Zhang Yi was done with their pleas. He typed, "Tomorrow, representatives from the other 29 buildings wille to pressure me. They want me to decide whether or not to provide them with resources."

    "If that happens, I might have to abandon you. You know I can protect myself just fine."

    "Or you can follow my orders, stand guard tomorrow, and perhaps we can survive. I¡¯ll try my best to secure resources for you."

    Hearing this, the neighbors grew anxious.

    No one dared to object. They all agreed, promising to follow Zhang Yi''s orders.

    After all, most of Building 25''sbat power came from Zhang Yi. Without his protection, they could be wiped out by the Tianhe Gang or the Wolf Gang at any time.

    After making his ns, Zhang Yi patted Zhou Ke''er''s hand.

    "Rest early tonight! Tomorrow is a big day."

    Zhou Ke''er bit her lip and whispered in his ear, "In that case, should I help you rx tonight?"

    Zhang Yi smiled, "I need to conserve my strength. Let¡¯s keep it simple."

    Zhou Ke''er nodded and positioned herself in front of Zhang Yi.

    ...

    The next morning, Zhang Yi woke up at seven. ncing at his Rolex, he saw it was still early but couldn¡¯t fall back asleep. He got out of bed and began preparing his gear for the negotiations.

    He equipped himself with a bulletproof vest, modified bulletproof pants, a police helmet, a crowbar, and a machete. He also ced two military knives in his pants pockets for closebat, which were more practical than the machete.

    He strapped on two fully loaded police handguns and six additional magazines on his waist. Then, he retrieved two assault rifles from his alternate space, each fully loaded. He nned to use these to quickly take out arge number of people if necessary.

    Finally, he equipped his beloved sniper rifle.

    Surveying his arsenal, Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze fell on the boxes of grenades in his alternate space. "If they all gather in one room, I could just throw a grenade and cripple them, if not kill them outright."

    A cold smile yed on Zhang Yi''s lips.

    He had learned how to use grenades from online tutorials. This weapon, with its mid-range area of effect, was simple to use. He had never used one before, but after surviving so long in the apocalypse and killing dozens, his resolve was as hard as steel.

    "Next, we just need to wait for the fish to take the bait!"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s cold eyes gleamed with anticipation.

    ...

    By twelve noon, Zhang Yi was fully armed and went downstairs, instructing everyone to gather on the seventh floor.

    Apartment 1301 was a spacious one-bedroom unit, ideal for hosting many people. Its height made it safe from attacks from below, and even if a fight broke out downstairs, Zhang Yi could quickly return to his safe house. It was very secure.

    The neighbors, desperate for Zhang Yi¡¯s food,plied without objection and gathered in the unit. Zhang Yi nced at them without a word, then threw two ck duffel bags on the floor. "This is today¡¯s food. Distribute it."

    In reality, Zhang Yi had collected food yesterday but had withheld it. After a day without food, the neighbors lunged at the bags, ravenous.

    Zhang Yi watched them devour the food without saying a word. Today might involve a fierce battle, and these cannon fodder might not survive. He wasn¡¯t being kind by feeding them onest meal; he needed them to be strong enough to fight for him.

    Once they had eaten, Zhang Yi addressed them.

    "Today¡¯s task is simple. I¡¯ll be negotiating with the other building leaders."

    "We aim for peacefulmunication, with little chance of a violent conflict. Your job is to stand guard and maintain order."

    "If the negotiations seed, you¡¯ll no longer live in fear and can return to a normal life."

    "So, stay vignt and don¡¯t let anyone disrupt the negotiations. Understood?"

    Zhang Yi painted a promising picture of returning to a normal life.

    Hearing the words "normal life," the neighbors were moved to tears. Some squatted down and cried, overwhelmed by memories of their previous harmonious life and the harsh reality of the past month.

    One neighbor asked, "Zhang Yi, is it true? Can we go back to the way things were?"

    "Yes!" Zhang Yi nodded confidently, his gaze unwavering.

    "If we conclude these negotiations sessfully and resolve the food issue, there will be no more bloodshed."

    "So, for the sake of a brighter future, give it your all today!"

    The neighbors were motivated, vowing to follow Zhang Yi¡¯s lead in the hope of a better future.

 Chapter 113: Does Having More People Make You Great?

    Chapter 113: Does Having More People Make You Great?

    After the neighbors had eaten, Stockholm syndrome made them feel grateful to Zhang Yi. When he mentioned the possibility of returning to normal life without constant fear, their spirits were immediately lifted.

    "If that''s the case, let''s do it!"

    "I''m sick of this life. If I can return to a normal life, I''m willing to risk my life!"

    Seeing their morale boosted, Zhang Yi slowly stood up from his chair.

    "Alright, let''s assign tasks to everyone."

    They were about to face the ruthless individuals from the other 29 buildings. To ensure Zhang Yi¡¯s safety, preparations had to be thorough¡ª even if everyone else had to die, they needed to buy enough time for him to return to his safe house.

    Aside from Zhang Yi and Uncle You, there were 28 usable people on site. Zhang Yi instructed Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei to lead 18 people to guard the west entrance of the building. The entrance was booby-trapped, leaving only a narrow passage for one person at a time, surrounded by various appliances and equipment.

    If anyone attacked, they would have to enter one by one, essentially walking into a death trap. A full-frontal assault would require removing the obstacles, which would take a considerable amount of time.Even if the other 29 buildingsunched a sudden attack during the negotiations, Zhang Yi could use the dy to kill everyone on site and leave calmly.

    Uncle You was assigned to maintain order on the 13th floor with 10 people. Zhang Yi''s remaining manpower mainly served as a fa?ade. Even if 29 people came, Zhang Yi could kill them all in such an open space.

    Everything was going ording to his n.

    After setting up, Zhang Yi waited for their arrival. The agreed time was 2:30 PM, but given the urgency, people began emerging from other buildings after 2 PM.

    It looked like a swarm of antsing out of an anthill.

    ck shadows dotted the snowyndscape, and the number of people kept increasing¡ªthere were at least five or six hundred, and the number was still growing! The central area of themunity was packed, with almost no empty space.

    "ying tricks with me, huh?" Zhang Yi sneered, pulling out his phone to send a message in the building leader group chat.

    "Have everyone back off. If you don''t, don''t bothering today."

    After sending the message, he pocketed his phone and took out a sniper rifle, hiding it under a table by his feet.

    He shouted out the window, "Uncle You!"

    Uncle You, holding a thick crowbar, entered. "Zhang Yi, what are your orders?"

    Zhang Yi said, "There are too many people. I''m afraid the boys can''t hold the line. Go assist them! Don''t worry, I''ll provide fire support from here."

    Uncle You nced outside, his pupils shrinking, but he nodded firmly. "Got it, I''ll handle it!"

    Even after Zhang Yi''s message, the crowd didn''t stop. They halted five meters from Building 25, blocking it so densely that the light was dimmed. Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei felt chills down their spines. If the crowd charged, even with the terrain advantage, they could only dy for a short time.

    "How do we stop so many people?"

    "They said they wereing to negotiate, but this looks more like an invasion!"

    "We''re doomed!"

    The guards at the west entrance felt a cold chill in their hearts, unsure how to respond.

    A calm voice came from the stairs. "Why the panic? If they wanted to fight, they would have already charged."

    Uncle You, holding a crowbar, calmly walked down. His presence reassured the others, knowing hisbat prowess.

    Li Chengbin frowned, "Uncle You, there are too many people! Did the entiremunitye? How do we fight?"

    The others looked at Uncle You with fearful eyes, seeking guidance.

    Uncle You reassured them, "No need to worry. Their target isn''t you, but Zhang Yi, to pressure him in negotiations."

    "And think about it, what do you have that they want?"

    His exnation calmed the group. Realizing they had nothing of value, they felt less threatened. The real target was Zhang Yi, not them.

    For the first time, they felt grateful for their insignificance.

    Suddenly, the crowd parted, and five people emerged, nked by subordinates. They were Huang Tianfang from Building 26''s Tianhe Gang, Wang Qiang from Building 21''s Wolf Gang, Li Jian from Building 18''s Harmony Home, Chen Lingyu from Building 9, and Zhang Yunan from Building 5.

    They approached Building 25 with confident expressions, especially Wang Qiang, the 22-year-old street punk, feeling invincible backed by a thousand men. Facing Zhang Yi seemed trivial.

    "We''re sure to win this negotiation!" Wang Qiang said smugly.

    Huang Tianfang''s sallow face twisted into a triumphant grin. "Zhang Yi is probably wetting his pants now. He has no choice but toply with our demands."

    With a thousand against thirty, they couldn''t imagine losing. To them, Zhang Yi was just a small obstacle.

    Li Jian adjusted his sses, his demeanor calm yet proud. Organizing such arge group was a feat he had never imagined.

    Chen Lingyu, arms crossed, said haughtily, "Stop dawdling in the cold. Let''s go in and tell Zhang Yi our terms. He has no choice but to ept."

 Chapter 114: Fire in the Hole!

    Chapter 114: Fire in the Hole!

    The five representatives from the other buildings looked at each other before Huang Tianfang shouted loudly, "Where is Zhang Yi? We¡¯re here to negotiate!"

    Uncle You, carrying a crowbar, walked over. The scene reminded him of his days in the military, making him feel twenty years younger with his blood boiling with excitement. Fearlessly, he looked at the five building leaders and said, "Our boss is upstairs waiting for you. What, didn¡¯t the 29 of you agree toe together?"

    Li Jian adjusted his sses, maintaining his polite and humble smile. "We discussed it yesterday and decided it wasn¡¯t suitable for everyone toe. So we selected the five most capable among us to represent the rest."

    They had their concerns too, fearing Zhang Yi might take the opportunity to eliminate all the leaders in one fell swoop. After lengthy discussions, they decided to send the five most influential leaders to negotiate with Zhang Yi.

    Uncle You, following Zhang Yi¡¯s instructions, frowned slightly and said, "Fine,e in. But only the five of you, no one else."

    "And for safety¡¯s sake, if you have any weapons, it¡¯s best to put them away. It would be unpleasant if we had to search you."

    This demand changed their expressions. Chen Lingyu¡¯s eyebrows shot up as she angrily eximed, "A body search? What does Zhang Yi mean by this? Is this his attitude?"

    Wang Qiangughed maniacally, drawing a machete and pointing it at Uncle You. "Zhang Yi must have a death wish to be making demands at a time like this! Are you people really not afraid of dying?"Huang Tianfang¡¯s cold smile deepened. "Is Zhang Yi blind? Can¡¯t he see the situation here? With just a few dozen of you, we could drown you in our spit!"

    Uncle You didn¡¯t waste words, pulling out his phone. He had been in constant contact with Zhang Yi to keep him updated on the situation below. Hearing the arrogance in their voices, Zhang Yiughed, "I understand. Wait a moment."

    He realized he needed to curb their arrogance. These guys needed to understand that having more people didn¡¯t always mean things would go their way.

    Zhang Yi walked to the window and opened it, letting the cold wind rush in. He nced down, seeing the crowd below. Retrieving a grenade from his alternate space, he swiftly pulled the pin, as he had learned from online tutorials, and threw it into the crowd.

    Those at the back were watching the scene unfold. Although their numbers wererge, most were just there to make up the numbers. They didn¡¯t take the situation seriously, believing that with so many people, someone would be forced to provide them with food, clothing, and other supplies for free. They chatted happily, dreaming of an easy future.

    Suddenly, they heard a whistling sound and instinctively looked up to see something falling.

    "What¡¯s that?" someone asked, thinking it was just a thrown stone, paying it no mind as it was still far away.

    Before they could react, the grenade hit the ground.

    "Boom!!!"

    The explosion sent mes skyward. Seven or eight people near the st were immediately blown apart, with blood and shattered limbs flying alongside the snow.

    "Ah!!!"

    The deafening explosion triggered a wave of panic and screams. One grenade had instantly killed seven or eight people, with two at the center torn to shreds by shrapnel. The st and shrapnel injured ten more, leaving them bleeding heavily. In this environment, they were as good as dead.

    The sudden explosion shocked everyone. Ordinary people rarely encountered grenades in their lifetime. Even in the apocalypse, they hadn¡¯t imagined being attacked by grenades.

    Chaos ensued. Despite therge crowd, most were there to make up numbers, and they werepletely disorganized. In the panic, they trampled over each other trying to escape. The building leaders turned pale, trying to calm the chaos.

    "Don¡¯t panic! Don¡¯t panic!" they shouted, trying to assert control. But this was no disciplined army. Even their most loyal followers were terrified, hugging the ground or huddling together.

    Just then, Uncle You¡¯s phone rang with a mocking voice. "Does having more people make you great?"

    Wang Qiang and the others were stunned. The grenade hade from Zhang Yi! Where did he get a grenade? Why did he have one? Even Uncle You and Li Chengbin were shocked, realizing what had happened only after hearing Zhang Yi''s voice. A wave of relief washed over them.

    Uncle You, still in shock, cleared his throat and addressed Wang Qiang and the others. "Any objections now?"

    They were too frightened to speak, exchanging looks that revealed how deeply they had underestimated Zhang Yi. Having guns was one thing, but pulling out a sniper rifle was another. Now, even grenades?

    Facing Zhang Yi with just sticks and knives seemed impossible now.

    With a somber face, Wang Qiang said, "We came to negotiate. No need for this kind of aggression."

    Zhang Yi¡¯s voice dripped with contempt, "Do you need over a thousand people for a negotiation? I found them annoying, so I helped clear them out."

    Looking at his watch, Zhang Yi said, "Oh, it¡¯s almost 2:30. You have five minutes. If you¡¯re not here by then, there¡¯s no need to negotiate. Let¡¯s fight instead!"

    "Fight?" they thought, realizing they were outmatched.

    Wang Qiang and the others broke into a cold sweat. Chen Lingyu clenched her legs, biting her lip in pain. She had wet herself when the grenade exploded but couldn¡¯t let anyone know.

    "Please, we came in good faith to cooperate. Just wait, we¡¯reing up!" Li Jian said urgently. He walked up to Uncle You, "Can you tell us where Zhang Yi is?"

    With a slightly smug expression, Uncle You replied, "13th floor!"

    That meant climbing nine floors, which would leave them breathless.

    Without dy, they dropped their weapons and rushed up the stairs.

 Chapter 115: Letâ€™s Go Plant Corn

    Chapter 115: Let¡¯s Go nt Corn

    From the window on the 13th floor, Zhang Yi saw the thousand-plus neighborhood residents scattering in panic, and he couldn''t help but gasp. This was his first time using a grenade. To be honest, he hadn¡¯t expected it to have such a powerful effect. Maybe it was because he had watched too many TV shows where heroes shrugged off grenades and other explosives without a scratch. But in reality, modern firearms'' lethality to ordinary people was unimaginable!

    With just one grenade, Zhang Yi had turned over a thousand people into terrified mice, directly and indirectly killing nearly twenty. Initially, he had nned to throw more grenades, but after the first explosion, the rest of the people scattered like birds and beasts. Continuing to throw grenades wouldn¡¯t have been as effective. Seeing how useless they were, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t bother wasting his grenades. After all, he only had twenty boxes of grenades and needed to use them sparingly.

    He sat in his chair, waiting for Wang Qiang, Huang Tianfang, and the others to arrive. After a few minutes, the winded individuals finally reached him. In such cold weather, climbing nine floors in one go was beyond most people''s stamina. Only the construction worker Huang Tianfang and Zhang Yunan, the leader of Building 5, managed slightly better. Zhang Yi knew Zhang Yunan ran a boxing gym and was skilled in martial arts, but it didn¡¯t matter to him. After all, he had a gun. Beyond seven steps, the gun was faster; within seven steps, it was both fast and urate!

    "Is it just you guys?" Zhang Yi asked in a t tone.

    Seeing so few people, Zhang Yi felt a bit disappointed. If he couldn''t capture all the building leaders in one go, he¡¯d have to resort to his backup n.

    After catching their breath, the previous arrogance of Wang Qiang and the others had mostly vanished. Facing someone who could casually toss a grenade, what were they inparison?

    Li Jian, still catching his breath, said, "Yes, we are... the representatives!"

    "Oh." Zhang Yi responded indifferently, "Then let¡¯s talk."Wang Qiang and the others, having caught their breath, found ces to sit down but kept their distance from Zhang Yi. Everyone knew he was armed.

    Li Jian, as usual, took the lead. Looking at Zhang Yi seriously, he began, "Zhang Yi, you know the situation is difficult. Everyone is short on food and clothing, and many people are starving or freezing to death."

    "I¡¯ve even heard that some buildings have started resorting to cannibalism!"

    "If this continues, none of us will survive."

    "So I hope you understand, we aren¡¯t targeting you specifically. We just want to survive, which is why we have to negotiate with you in this way."

    Li Jian''s tone was much more polite than before. Without the grenade, his approach would have been very different.

    However, Zhang Yi remained unmoved. "Don¡¯t try to y the emotional card with me. Do you think that works now?"

    "Let me hear your conditions first."

    From the outset, Zhang Yi had dominated the conversation. Even though they tried to maintain aposed front, the fact that they had just climbed nine floors meant they were physically at a disadvantage. This was all part of Zhang Yi''s calction!

    The leaders exchanged nces. Wang Qiang nodded at Li Jian, signaling him to speak.

    Knowing that negotiation was their only option now, Li Jian frowned, thought for a moment, and slowly began, "What we want are essential supplies."

    "First, we need food, and we need your help to gather it from outside."

    "Second, we need materials for warmth, such as clothes and nkets."

    At this point, Li Jian paused, and the others stared intently at him. Reluctantly, he continued, "If our cooperation goes well, we can even assist you in gathering supplies. If we can find more materials together, it would benefit everyone."

    After finishing, Li Jian felt he had spoken well and asked Zhang Yi, "Mr. Zhang, what do you think?"

    No matter what Li Jian said, it always sounded pleasant. However, Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t naive and understood the underlying meaning of his words.

    Language is an art. Even with the same demands, the way they were phrased made all the difference. Zhang Yi quickly grasped the implications and sneered.

    "I get what you¡¯re saying. You want me to help you gather food and supplies without any limit."

    "And you also want to use my snowmobile, correct?"

    Li Jian tried to exin further, but Zhang Yi¡¯s expression darkened. Without another word, he pulled out his gun and mmed it on the table.

    The five leaders instinctively tried to escape, but Uncle You and his men had already blocked the door.

    Wang Qiang, trying to appear fierce, shouted, "What do you mean by this, Zhang Yi? I¡¯m telling you, even if you kill us, the whole neighborhood won¡¯t spare you!"

    Li Jian tried to calm the situation, "Mr. Zhang, don¡¯t get excited. We can talk this through!"

    Zhang Yi, however, smiled faintly. "Why are you so nervous? I just find this handgun a bit cumbersome and wanted to air it out. Don¡¯t be so jumpy! Come, let¡¯s continue."

    The five leaders, faces pale, reluctantly sat back down.

    Zhang Yi continued, "First, let me tell you that I can¡¯t agree to your demands!"

    They tried to interject, but Zhang Yi raised his hand to stop them.

    "Don¡¯t rush, let me finish."

    "You¡¯re asking me to take care of the entire neighborhood? That¡¯s a joke. No one can do that."

    "Thirty buildings, over a thousand people¡¯s supplies¡ªit would be exhausting just to gather that much each day!"

    "The key point is, as far as I know, none of you are so kind-hearted that you''d worry about your neighbors starving while you¡¯re barely getting by yourselves."

    Zhang Yi¡¯s tone was sarcastic as he nced at the five leaders. They looked at each other, remaining silent. Only Li Jian seemed deep in thought, weighing the pros and cons.

    His building, Harmony Home, survived at the highest rate because it shared resources equally and avoided internal conflict. But if they had to divide limited supplies among so many, their harmonious setup would copse into chaos.

    Seeing no objections, Zhang Yi said, "Now, let me tell you my conditions for cooperation. Whether you ept them or not, they won''t change. Otherwise, we fight!"

    The leaders'' expressions were mixed. Despite their fear of Zhang Yi¡¯s strength, they knew he could easily overpower any single group or even multiple groups working together.

    Zhang Yi raised one finger, "First, I can provide you with supplies, mainly food. But the quantity is limited¡ªI¡¯ll supply enough for ten people per building."

    "Who gets the food and how it¡¯s distributed is up to you. That¡¯s your internal matter."

    "This means I¡¯ll be supporting over 300 people¡¯s worth of supplies daily, which is my limit."

    As Zhang Yi spoke, the five leaders fell silent, deep in thought. They hadn''t expected Zhang Yi to agree to supply the entire neighborhood. Their primary concern was ensuring their own factions'' survival.

    "Ten people¡¯s worth of supplies is too little," Chen Lingyu protested first. "There are 76 people in our building. I have over 20 employees under me. How do we divide such a small amount?"

    Zhang Yi gave her a cold look. "So, no deal then?"

    His tone carried a deadly threat, and Chen Lingyu remembered his earlier statement¡ªif negotiations failed, they would fight.

    Huang Tianfang quickly intervened, "Wait! Chen Lingyu, you¡¯re not speaking for all of us!"

    "I think the supply amount can still be negotiated."

    Huang Tianfang was eager to agree, knowing that with Zhang Yi¡¯s firepower, resisting was futile. His own gang¡¯s numbers had dwindled significantly, so ten people''s worth of supplies was more than enough for him.

    Wang Qiang, calcting, also thought ten was too few but kept quiet for now, considering other options.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s expression remained cold, "Providing for 300 people daily isn¡¯t a small task. Do you think that¡¯s easy?"

    Just this single issue had already exposed cracks in their alliance. Those with more people under them needed more supplies, while those with fewer were more willing to agree.

    Li Jian, deeply troubled, knew that with only ten portions of supplies for over eighty people, his leadership would copse into chaos and infighting.

    After some thought, Li Jian said, "Let us consider this further. What are your other conditions?"

    Zhang Yi smiled, "Fine. Next, regarding the supplies I¡¯ll provide, there¡¯s a cost."

    He ced his right hand on the table, inches from his gun, tapping lightly.

    "Since we need to sustain 300 people, we must develop self-sufficiency."

    "Relying solely on scavenging isn¡¯t sustainable. Who knows how long this snow willst?"

    "So, we must start farming!"

    With a flourish, Zhang Yi produced a bag of corn seeds and tossed it in front of them.

    "While scavenging, I found a batch of seeds. I think we should nt crops to ensure a stable food supply."

    Jokingly, Zhang Yi added, "Like our ancestors, food shoulde from hard work!"

 Chapter 116: Teammates from Hell

    Chapter 116: Teammates from Hell

    Li Jian and the other four building leaders exchanged baffled looks, unsure of what Zhang Yi was up to.

    "nting crops?" Huang Tianfang scoffed, his displeasure evident. "Have you ever farmed before? In this freezing weather, the crops will all die."

    Zhang Yi calmly replied, "Hey, you can¡¯t say that! Back in Siberia, didn¡¯t they promote corn farming extensively?"

    "If you think corn won¡¯t work, I have other seeds: potatoes, wheat. One of them is bound to work."

    Li Jian and the others were speechless.

    "Zhang Yi, this isn¡¯t a joke. How cold do you think it is outside? And where would you nt them in this icy snow?" Li Jian asked incredulously.

    Zhang Yi, however, remained serious. "What does the cold matter? Haven¡¯t we survived this long?"

    "This snow disaster couldst indefinitely. You might have noticed that the higher-ups have all vanished, preparing for a long-term situation.""This suggests the apocalypse will continue for quite some time. If we don¡¯t start growing crops, our food will soon run out, and we¡¯ll all die."

    "As for where to nt them, that¡¯s easy." Zhang Yi pointed outside the window. "Isn¡¯t therend everywhere? We just need to clear the snow, and there¡¯snd beneath!"

    "Tobat the cold, we can use underground nting methods. Although it¡¯s tough, we have to try."

    "Only by maintaining a sustainable ecosystem can we survive this apocalypse!"

    Among the five leaders, Huang Tianfang and Li Jian seemed interested.

    Huang Tianfang had farming experience, and solving food issues through agriculture would give him an advantage over the city folks. Li Jian, seeing the potentialbor force among his building''s many residents, realized that transitioning to an agricultural model could boost his influence in themunity.

    Wang Qiang, skeptical, eyed Zhang Yi. Farming wasn¡¯t something he¡¯d ever do, but as the boss of Building 21, he could easily make others do the work.

    Li Jian raised a pertinent question. "If we¡¯re going to start farming, we need sufficient food. Three hundred portions won¡¯t be enough."

    Zhang Yi¡¯s lips curled into a smile. "I don¡¯t need three hundred people. Three hundred is already too many."

    He spread his hands. "Alright, let¡¯s discuss my second condition."

    "Each building must send people to clear the fields daily. I need to see your progress."

    "After all, I¡¯m not working hard to find food just to feed freeloaders!"

    Zhang Yi tapped his fingers on the table, watching the leaders mentally calcte their next moves.

    "These are my two conditions. Agree to them, and I¡¯ll provide supplies."

    "And if you ept, the quality of the food will be guaranteed. In the future, I might even provide cigarettes, alcohol, clothes, and medical supplies!"

    This promise caused a stir.

    Wang Qiang shot up from his chair. "You can get cigarettes??"

    His eyes were filled with longing.

    Huang Tianfang¡¯s lips trembled with excitement. "Do you have any cigarettes? Give me one to try! I haven¡¯t smoked in over half a month; I¡¯m going crazy!"

    Both men were heavy smokers, and going without cigarettes for more than two weeks was driving them mad. Their recent irritability was partly due to withdrawal.

    Zhang Yi grinned, pulling out a pack of cigarettes and tossing one to each of them.

    The two men greedily grabbed the cigarettes and rushed to light them up.

    "Got a light?" Wang Qiang asked urgently.

    "Here, quickly!" Huang Tianfang replied.

    They fumbled to light their cigarettes, deeply inhaling the smoke, and exhaling with expressions of pure bliss. They could forgo meals, but not smoking was unbearable.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s smile widened.

    "So, do you agree to my terms now?"

    Chen Lingyu, meanwhile, was too preupied with her wet pants to care, shivering in silence. Zhang Yunan, a muscle-bound, simple-minded man, was too baffled by the farming conditions to speak up.

    Li Jian, hoping to negotiate further, was abruptly interrupted by Wang Qiang.

    "As long as you can guarantee my cigarette supply, I¡¯ll agree to any conditions!" Wang Qiang demanded. "But make sure I get at least two packs a day!"

    Huang Tianfang echoed, "Same for me."

    Zhang Yi replied, "I can only give you one pack a day each. Any more, and I can¡¯t find enough."

    Both men quickly agreed. "Deal! Just make sure we get our daily pack!"

    Zhang Yi spread his hands, "So, we¡¯re in agreement, right?"

    Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang, easily swayed by their addiction, had no objections. Li Jian, however, remained stone-faced, silently cursing them for their betrayal.

    Seeing the internal conflict, Zhang Yi''s grin widened. "Until you give me a clear answer, nothing is official. If you want your cigarettes, you¡¯ll have to confirm your agreement first."

    Wang Qiang, lost in his smoky haze, impatiently turned to Li Jian and the others. "What are you waiting for? We got what we wanted. Let¡¯s agree and be done with it!"

    Li Jian protested, "But this is¡ª"

    Wang Qiang snapped, "Enough! I said we agree. Stop wasting time. I hate long-winded people!"

    Huang Tianfang, blowing out a smoke ring, added, "We should be reasonable. Zhang Yi¡¯s been amodating. We should understand his position too."

    Li Jian, face dark, silently cursed Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang. These two idiots had already caused infighting right in front of Zhang Yi!

 Chapter 117: The Power of the Sniper Rifle

    Chapter 117: The Power of the Sniper Rifle

    Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang, driven by their addiction to cigarettes, were eager to agree to Zhang Yi''s conditions just to secure a daily pack. Meanwhile, Chen Lingyu, preupied with her own difort, was barely able to focus.

    Li Jian, forced to speak up, said, "These conditions are indeed harsh. We can¡¯t make such decisions alone. Otherwise, the other buildings won¡¯t agree."

    Zhang Yunan, the simple-minded leader of Building 5, followed suit. "Yeah, we can¡¯t decide on this so easily. We need to discuss it further."

    Zhang Yi''s expression turned cold, and his voice followed suit. "Discuss further? Are you messing with me? If the five of you can¡¯t decide for the whole neighborhood, why did youe here as representatives to negotiate?"

    Outside, Uncle You and his men tightened their grip on their weapons and moved closer to the door, their faces stern and cold.

    Wang Qiang and the others felt a chill run down their spines. They realized that Zhang Yi could easily kill them if he wanted to¡ªafter all, he had a gun, and they had brought nothing.

    Wang Qiang quickly intervened, "Wait, who said we can¡¯t decide? We¡¯ve already agreed that the five of us would make the decisions. Do you think the others won¡¯t listen?"

    "Honestly, Zhang Yi¡¯s conditions are eptable," he added, exposing his eagerness andck of negotiation skills. As a young street punk, hecked the experience for such critical talks.Li Jian and Chen Lingyu were furious at Wang Qiang''s recklessness. But once the words were out, they couldn''t be taken back. Huang Tianfang also supported Zhang Yi''s conditions, seeing it as a beneficial arrangement.

    "Everyone should be reasonable. Zhang Yi has his own difficulties. We shouldn¡¯t push too hard," Huang Tianfang said, trying to gain Zhang Yi¡¯s favor. "Zhang Yi, I agree to your terms!"

    Wang Qiang followed suit, "Me too!"

    Zhang Yunan, still unsure what to say, just kept frowning and pretending to think deeply.

    Only Li Jian and Chen Lingyu had some sense, but Chen Lingyu, distracted by her own situation, couldn¡¯t contribute effectively. Li Jian was left alone, struggling to maintain a cohesive front.

    Zhang Yi watched them with interest while keeping an eye on the situation outside. Suddenly, he noticed something rming. The crowd he had dispersed with a grenade was regrouping and quietly moving towards Building 25.

    Zhang Yi''s lips curled into a sneer. "Taking advantage of the negotiations tounch a surprise attack? ssic move."

    He turned to the five leaders and asked, "Did you arrange for people to attack while we¡¯re negotiating?"

    Wang Qiang and the others were bewildered. Wang Qiangughed dismissively, "What are you talking about? We¡¯re all here. Who would attack and risk their own lives?"

    Zhang Yi remained indifferent. "I agree, but you¡¯d better investigate when you get back."

    He suspected the attackers weren''t acting on the leaders¡¯ orders. Either other leaders had decided to sacrifice these five to distract Zhang Yi, or their own men were attempting a power grab, disregarding their leaders¡¯ lives.

    Li Jian''s face turned pale as he realized the situation. "They¡¯ve started the attack!"

    Wang Qiang, Huang Tianfang, Chen Lingyu, and Zhang Yunan were shocked. "Those idiots! Who told them to do this?"

    Zhang Yi''s smile remained cold. He suddenly reached down and grabbed his ck sniper rifle.

    "Everyone, sit down!!" Zhang Yi shouted, aiming the ck barrel at the five leaders.

    Uncle You and his men quickly sealed off all exits. The sight of the sniper rifle left the five leaders terrified.

    "Zhang Yi, we swear it wasn¡¯t us! Please don¡¯t shoot!" Wang Qiang pleaded, sweating profusely.

    Chen Lingyu, already struggling, copsed to the floor, her pants even wetter.

    Ignoring them, Zhang Yi turned and set up his sniper rifle at the window. Below, the attackers were gathering at the temporary main entrance, ready to storm Building 25.

    Zhang Yi aimed at a tall figure in the crowd and pulled the trigger.

    "Bang!"

    The deafening sound echoed through themunity as the head of the leader from Building 11 exploded, sttering the snow with red and white.

    The attackers froze in shock.

    "Bang!"

    Another shot, another head exploded.

    Finally, the attackers realized what was happening and either fled or dropped to the ground in panic.

    Zhang Yi, his eyes cold, methodically targeted those lying on the ground.

    "Think you¡¯re smart? Lying down like that? I¡¯ll kill you all!"

    The booming sound of the sniper rifle echoed through themunity, each shot sending a chilling message.

    In the negotiation room, the five leaders were petrified, realizing the true terror of Zhang Yi.

 Chapter 118: Zhang Yis Kindness Can Never Be Repaid

    Chapter 118: Zhang Yi''s Kindness Can Never Be Repaid

    Zhang Yi killed over a dozen people in one breath.

    "Have you ever yed that game where you smash tadpoles?" he asked.

    In spring, there are many tadpoles in small streams, swimming in groups. When you throw a stone into the water, the tadpoles scatter instantly. It''s quite interesting.

    When Zhang Yi killed people, it felt simr to smashing tadpoles. Seeing people clustered together, he would pick off the most conspicuous ones. The rest would be scared out of their wits and flee in panic.

    The remaining residents watched in horror as the people beside them died. Blood and brain matter from their neighbors sttered onto them. This kind of deterrent was enormous, leaving them with no courage to resist for the foreseeable future.

    Seeing them so terrified, Zhang Yi slowly put away his sniper rifle. He turned back to face the five stunned leaders.

    "Have you made up your minds?" he asked calmly.

    Even the usually vicious Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang felt their legs trembling at this moment. It was human nature to fear firearms.Wang Qiang gulped and raised his hand. "I agree to your two conditions."

    Huang Tianfang followed suit, "I have no objections either!"

    Zhang Yunan and Chen Lingyu, too stunned to speak, simply raised their hands to indicate their agreement.

    Seeing the others capitte, Li Jian bitterly raised his right hand. "I agree too."

    A slight smile yed on Zhang Yi¡¯s lips.

    "Good. Starting today, you¡¯ll begin working. Tomorrow afternoon, I¡¯ll notify you to collect supplies."

    "And be diligent! I¡¯ll be watching you. Don¡¯t try any tricks."

    They all nodded in agreement.

    Zhang Yi waved them off. "You may leave."

    Li Jian, disheartened, was the first to leave the negotiation room, followed by Zhang Yunan. Chen Lingyu, trembling and almost unable to stand, walked out with an odd gait.

    Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang lingered, hesitant to leave. "Zhang... Zhang Yi, could you give me that pack of cigarettes? After all, we¡¯rerades now!" Wang Qiang pointed at the pack in Zhang Yi''s hand, eyes full of longing.

    Huang Tianfang, afraid of missing out, quickly added, "Wang Qiang, don¡¯t think you can hog it all! Zhang Yi, I haven¡¯t had a cigarette in ages. Could you give it to me?"

    Zhang Yi nced at them, picked up the half-empty pack, and tossed it to the floor. "Split it yourselves."

    The two men lunged at the pack like wild dogs, wrestling each other on the ground.

    "Little brat, how dare you grab from me!"

    "Old man, let go! Give it here!"

    In the end, the pack was torn apart, each managing to grab a few cigarettes before ring at each other and leaving.

    The crisis at Building 25 was temporarily resolved. Zhang Yi put away his sniper rifle and sat back in his chair, his expression serene. Today''s oue wasn¡¯t the best he had hoped for, which was to kill all 29 building leaders in one fell swoop. However, this oue wasn¡¯t bad either. Outwardly, he had reached an agreement with them, but he nned to incite them to destroy each other and then strike at the opportune moment.

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry. With ample supplies and a well-protected living environment, he held the advantage of time.

    After the five building leaders left, the residents of Building 25 breathed a sigh of relief and hurried over to ask Zhang Yi about the meeting''s oue.

    Under his armed deterrence, Zhang Yi exined that they hadpromised and agreed to provide food for 300 people in exchange for peace. Moreover, everyone needed to participate inbor to developnd for sustainable agriculture.

    The neighbors were stunned.

    "Food for 300 people? Can we manage that?"

    "And if we give them all the food, what about us?"

    No one understood why Zhang Yi proposed such conditions without consulting them first.

    Zhang Yi calmly exined, "If we don¡¯t reach this agreement, what do you suggest? Fight the entire neighborhood¡¯s thousand-odd people?"

    He scoffed, "I don¡¯t mind. They can have the numbers, but I¡¯m not afraid. Can you hold up?"

    The neighbors exchanged awkward nces, unable to respond. Ny-nine percent of Building 25¡¯s firepower was concentrated in Zhang Yi. With his superior firepower and almost impregnable fortress, he could survive well alone. But what about them? They¡¯d be killed and cooked as kebabs by the enragedmunity members.

    Zhang Yi softened his tone, "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll try my best to find food. I won¡¯t let you starve."

    The neighbors looked up, their eyes filled with gratitude and disbelief, tears welling up.

    "Zhang Yi, you..."

    A woman choked, "You¡¯re truly... making me cry."

    "Zhang Yi, you¡¯re taking the burden of all of Building 25 on your shoulders! We¡¯re so grateful!"

    "Zhang Yi, we were right to trust you. You¡¯re a leader worthy of our respect!"

    Moved to tears, the neighbors realized the pressure of finding food was solely on Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi sighed softly, his tone gentle and sincere. "Stop crying. I know some of you had opinions about me and thought I was a bad person."

    "But no matter what you think, I genuinely want everyone to live well. Not just me, but each and every one of you!"

    Jiang Lei, wiping his tears, shouted, "Brother Zhang, we won¡¯t disappoint you! We¡¯ll always remember your kindness!"

    The neighbors nodded and whispered among themselves.

    "Looking back, Zhang Yi only killed those who deserved it. He never attacked anyone unprovoked."

    "He was just defending himself. He¡¯s actually been good to us. Maybe we misunderstood him. He¡¯s truly a good person!"

    "From now on, I¡¯ll fully support Zhang Yi and all his decisions!"

    "Zhang Yi¡¯s kindness can never be repaid!"

 Chapter 119: An Open Strategy

    Chapter 119: An Open Strategy

    Zhang Yi''s emotional speech moved the neighbors to tears, sending them back to work with renewed determination.

    Only Uncle You remained behind. He approached Zhang Yi, scrutinizing him as if seeing him for the first time.

    "Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?" Zhang Yi asked with a smile.

    Uncle You shook his head, embarrassed. "No, it''s just that you seem different today, not quite like your usual self."

    Zhang Yi knew what Uncle You was thinking. With a smile on his lips and half-closed eyes, he asked, "Are you wondering why I made that cooperation agreement with them?"

    Uncle You nodded. "Yes, it doesn¡¯t seem like your usual style topromise. Providing food for 300 people daily is a lot of work! With just your snowmobile, how many supermarkets would you need to raid to feed that many mouths?"

    Zhang Yi took his time answering. He nced outside, then pointed. "Is there anyone out there?"

    Uncle You immediately went to check, returning after confirming no one was around. "No, no one¡¯s there."Zhang Yi nodded. Some words had to be kept secret; otherwise, his recent efforts to deceive the neighbors would be wasted.

    He exined, "Cooperating with them is just a temporary measure. I initially nned to gather all the building leaders here and kill them all. Without leaders, the buildings would fall into chaos, giving me a chance to destroy them one by one."

    "But today, they only sent five people. Even though they are the most powerful leaders, killing them wouldn''t solve the problem. The others have already formed an alliance."

    "So, I had to hold back my urge to kill, appearing weak and making them think I was too scared to take on all 29 buildings. That¡¯s why I seemed topromise."

    Uncle You¡¯s eyes lit up. "That makes sense! I knew your behavior earlier wasn¡¯t like you!"

    Zhang Yi felt relieved that Uncle You understood. "Did you get all that?"

    Uncle You shook his head, confused. "Not really, but it sounds very reasonable."

    Zhang Yi sighed deeply. "Alright, to put it simply, I¡¯m lulling them into a false sense of security. Once they show a weakness, I¡¯ll take them down."

    "And I¡¯ve also set two big traps for them!" Zhang Yi¡¯s lips curled into a devilish smile.

    Uncle You, intrigued, urged, "Tell me about these traps!"

    Zhang Yi looked outside again. "Go check if there¡¯s anyone there."

    Uncle You, thinking he saw someone, rushed out to check again, finding no one. Confused, he returned. "I didn¡¯t see anyone!"

    Zhang Yi shrugged. "Neither did I. Just double-checking. What if someone approached while we were talking?"

    Uncle You was speechless.

    Clearing his throat, Zhang Yi continued, "First, the limited supply of resources¡ªeach building gets only ten portions."

    "That won¡¯t be enough, and as the saying goes, it''s not the scarcity that¡¯s the problem, but the uneven distribution. When I distribute food, everyone will see it."

    "But once the building leaders take the food back, they won¡¯t distribute it to everyone. What do you think will happen?"

    Uncle You quickly responded, "They¡¯ll have internal strife!"

    "Exactly! Internal strife!" Zhang Yi nodded. "Those who don¡¯t get food will fall from hope back into deep despair, which is worse than death!"

    "Before, everyone was starving, so it was fair. Even if they died first, others wouldn¡¯t escape freezing or starving to death."

    "But now, knowing that ten people per building can get stable food, how will their mentality change?"

    After a moment of thought, Uncle You felt a chill. This maniption was too cruel! Giving hope only to snatch it away, forcing everyone to face death equally but making some survive at the expense of others. This feeling of being trampled on, discriminated against, and treated unfairly would drive people mad.

    Looking out the window as the five leaders left, Zhang Yi saw the other building residents gradually dispersing.

    Soon, each building would face brutal internal conflict and fighting.

    "Those in utter despair forget their fear of death and will drag someone down with them before dying!"

    "Things will get interesting then," Zhang Yi said with a smile.

    Uncle You admired Zhang Yi¡¯s calm demeanor, both respecting and fearing him. He felt fortunate not to be on Zhang Yi¡¯s bad side.

    "Zhang Yi, you¡¯re incredibly smart and terrifying!" Uncle You remarked.

    Zhang Yi shook his head, maintaining his calm gaze. "No, I have some intelligence, but I don¡¯t see myself as a genius maniptor."

    "The current situation is because I¡¯m moreposed than them."

    "I have enough food and warm clothes, I sleep well, and I don¡¯t worry about food or temperature."

    "I have strong firepower, giving me confidence to face them head-on. My fortress is strong, and I¡¯m not afraid of their threats."

    "When you have these conditions, you don¡¯t fear or panic. They, on the other hand, are constantly cautious, their intelligence clouded."

    Zhang Yi then joked, "Even a world champion boxer, after starving for thirty days, would lose to me in the ring. Don¡¯t you think?"

    Uncle You was puzzled. "Starve for thirty days? That person would be dead!"

    Zhang Yi replied confidently, "Exactly! A dead person can¡¯t beat me!"

    Initially thinking it was a clever retort, Uncle You reconsidered and found it to be a profound truth.

 Chapter 120: The Strategy of Wearing Down the Enemy

    Chapter 120: The Strategy of Wearing Down the Enemy

    Zhang Yi spoke to Uncle You, "What I¡¯m using isn¡¯t a scheme, it¡¯s an open strategy."

    "Not everyone among that group is an idiot. People like Li Jian and Chen Lingyu are very cunning, always thinking ahead."

    "They must have guessed my intention is to weaken their strength."

    "But what can they do about it? I¡¯ve already demonstrated my formidable strength and used substantial benefits to attract the fools among them."

    "In a crowd of unruly people, the proportion of fools is much higher than that of smart ones. Li Jian and Chen Lingyu don''t hold much sway and don¡¯t have enough power to convince everyone."

    "Those who only see immediate benefits and cripple themselves are always the majority."

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but sigh, "Even ancient emperors did such stupid things, let alone people in this littlemunity of Tianhai."

    Uncle You listened in awe. His level of education wasn¡¯t enough to fully grasp Zhang Yi¡¯s words, so he just looked at Zhang Yi with wise eyes. Scratching his head, he said, "What you¡¯re saying makes a lot of sense! Hehe... hehe."He could only use a smile to cover his embarrassment. Then he changed the topic and asked, "But why do you want them to farm? In this cold weather, it¡¯s impossible to grow crops, right?"

    Zhang Yi looked out the door. This time, Uncle You had learned his lesson and proactively checked the surroundings. "There¡¯s no one outside; you can speak freely," he said.

    Zhang Yi smiled. "Some things are actually simple; don¡¯t overthink them."

    "I¡¯m having them farm just to intensify their conflicts and wear them down."

    He spread his hands. "Right now, the only thing they can offer is theirbor."

    Uncle You pondered for a long time before saying, "So, this is a strategy to wear them down?"

    "Precisely," Zhang Yi said, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Since I didn¡¯t kill all their leaders today, the next time we fight, there will be even more to kill. I need to weaken theirbat power as much as possible."

    Zhang Yi leaned closer to Uncle You, a serious look in his eyes. "None of these people can be trusted. The conflict between us is irreconcble and will inevitably lead to a fight. So, we must not let our guard down."

    "Also, keep everything I say to yourself!"

    Uncle You, deeply impressed by Zhang Yi¡¯s wisdom, nodded slowly and firmly. "I understand! Zhang Yi, our whole family¡¯s hope for survival is pinned on you. I¡¯ll do whatever you say!"

    Zhang Yi nodded with satisfaction. "Good. Let¡¯s stick to the n and see how far they can go."

    Zhang Yi had only shared part of the truth with Uncle You. In reality, he had more tricks up his sleeve that he didn¡¯t disclose. He already knew there were traitors in Building 25 colluding with people from other buildings. These traitors had previously tried to harm him and would certainly try again in the future, such as the ambush by the Wolf Gang in the snow.

    Zhang Yi returned to his residence and checked on Zhou Ke''er through the surveince camera. He had be stricter with her, locking her in her room whenever he went out, as he couldn¡¯t afford to risk his life, especially with the impending battle.

    Despite the tight control, Zhou Ke''er adapted well. She was smart and knew what to do and what not to do. At least, she didn¡¯t challenge Zhang Yi¡¯s authority and obediently did whatever he asked, acknowledging that she was a maid and Zhang Yi was her master. The master¡¯s orders were absolute.

    At that moment, Zhou Ke''er was practicing yoga in her room. She wore a pink tank top that highlighted her full figure and brown yoga pants that entuated her perfect legs. Her graceful movements were both elegant and mesmerizing.

    Zhang Yi walked to her door, took out the key, and unlocked it. Zhou Ke''er looked up, her forehead glistening with sweat, a lock of hair sticking to it, giving her a slightly alluring look.

    "You¡¯re back!" Zhou Ke''er greeted him with genuine joy, bending her legs to stand up. Her eyes sparkled with a sincere smile. She knew Zhang Yi had been out for something important today, and seeing his rxed expression, she assumed the negotiations had gone well.

    She walked up to him, wrapped her hands around his neck, and eagerly asked, "How did the negotiations go?"

    Her close proximity naturally pressed her ample chest against Zhang Yi, giving him a sensation described by a single phrase: "Any closer and he would explode."

    Instead of feeling overwhelmed, Zhang Yi felt more invigorated. He hugged Zhou Ke''er tightly, kissed her passionately, and then led her to the couch.

    "Here¡¯s what happened in the negotiations..." Zhang Yi told her everything. Maybe it didn¡¯t mean much, but sometimes, a man just wants to share his experiences with a woman.

    "The next few days might be chaotic. Stay home and don¡¯t go anywhere," Zhang Yi warned, his tone bing cold. "Soon, all the trouble will disappear."

    Zhou Ke''er, nestled against Zhang Yi¡¯s chest, listened intently, not fully understanding as Zhang Yi only gave a brief overview without touching on the critical details. Nheless, she smiled happily, feeling cherished that Zhang Yi didn¡¯t want her to take any risks.

    "Zhang Yi, you must be carrying a heavy burden, and I can¡¯t help much. Sometimes I feel quite useless," Zhou Ke''er said, a hint of guilt in her voice.

    Zhang Yi looked at her, thinking, "I didn¡¯t buy insurance to get my money¡¯s worth but to have a safety in case something goes wrong. I¡¯d rather never need you, my primary doctor."

    Blushing, Zhou Ke''er held Zhang Yi tightly. "But there are things I can do, like helping you relieve stress."

 Chapter 121: Harmony

    Chapter 121: Harmony

    For the next period, the focus of conflicts shifted away from Zhang Yi and toward the other units and the internal affairs of each building.

    Through a sessful negotiation, Zhang Yi managed to create cracks in their loose alliance and leveraged the condition of only providing ten portions of food per building to instigate significant internal unrest.

    Now, he observed when and how the conflicts would arise. Regardless of the oue, it would only benefit him.

    As expected, the moment Wang Qiang, Huang Tianfang, Li Jian, Chen Lingyu, and Zhang Yunan returned, conflicts erupted!

    While the five of them were negotiating with Zhang Yi, some people had already disregarded their safety and tried to storm Building 25. If not for Zhang Yi''s deterrence with the sniper rifle, those five wouldn¡¯t have survived.

    Naturally, these five were furious. After leaving Building 25, they immediately began to settle scores with those who made the decisions to attack. Throughout the entire afternoon, the neighborhood echoed with screams as a bloody purgemenced.

    However, the next day, life seemed to return to normal. No matter how many had died, the survivors had to continue struggling to live. Each building sent people to the central za to clear the snow.

    Zhang Yi knew that the building leaders had likely conspired to hide the "ten portions of supplies" detail. Otherwise, most residents wouldn¡¯t obedientlye down to work.Today''s snowstorm seemed milder than usual. The long-missed harmonious gathering of over a thousand people in themunity wasn¡¯t for a scramble over supplies, but for collectivebor.

    Holding their tools, everyone looked at their neighbors working around them. Their smiles were awkward at first but gradually turned warm.

    "It¡¯s been so long since we all came out together like this!"

    "Before the snow disaster, ourmunity was so lively!"

    "Yes, every evening, everyone woulde out for a walk. I remember your family had a golden retriever, so adorable!"

    "Ah, yes! Our dog, Little Jin, was so well-behaved, that even if you hit it with a stick or a knife, it wouldn¡¯t bite back. Such a sweetheart."

    "Hehe, let¡¯s not talk about it. After the snow disaster, maybe we¡¯ll get another one!"

    "By then, we might only be able to keep pr bears."

    "Let¡¯s get to work! Our building leader said the more we work, the more food we get."

    "Yes, let¡¯s work hard. We can experience the life of farmers!"

    "With hope for the future, life is looking up!"

    An elderly man looked up at the sky. It was a bleak gray, but he fancied he could see a faint sun, as if the snow clouds were about to clear and bright sunshine would soon spread, driving away all the cold.

    "We¡¯ve reached a peace agreement in ourmunity. No more fighting and killing every day. We can eat and stay warm."

    "Life is getting better and better!"

    The elderly man smiled contentedly.

    The entiremunity atmosphere turned harmonious. Everyone worked together, chatting andughing. Despite the ongoing snowstorm, having hope made the hard work seem easier. Therge gathering even made it feel warmer.

    Wang Qiang and the other building leaders oversaw the work with their subordinates. The residents had long been used to this and even felt it was natural for the leaders to enjoy the most resources without doing any work.

    Only Li Jian, as a leader, still worked diligently, shoveling snow with a serious expression while the others enjoyed themselves.

    Fully armed, Zhang Yi came downstairs. Seeing this scene, he smiled slightly.

    "Hey, Zhang Yi, heading out to find supplies?" Huang Tianfang from the neighboring building greeted Zhang Yi from afar, waving and signaling for the cigarettes Zhang Yi had promised.

    Zhang Yi smiled warmly, "Yes, everyone is working hard. I can''t ck off! Don¡¯t worry, your cigarettes are safe."

    From another direction, Wang Qiang shouted, "Zhang Yi, can you manage alone? If there¡¯s too much stuff, I can help!"

    Zhang Yiughed heartily, "No need, I have my snowmobile. It can carry as much as needed!"

    "Alright then, wait for me to return! And make sure everyone works hard. I¡¯ll check the progress when I get back. If it¡¯s not good enough, I¡¯ll deduct supplies!"

    He spoke with a big smile, then pretended to head to the back garage. Soon, the sound of an engine roared, and Zhang Yi rode off on his snowmobile.

    Watching Zhang Yi leave, Wang Qiang''s face darkened. "Where the hell does he keep that vehicle? I''ve searched everywhere and can''t find it!"

    Huang Tianfang muttered, "So it¡¯s called a snowmobile, not a sled."

    ...

    Leaving themunity, Zhang Yi nced back at the harmonious scene, feeling a strange sense of irony.

    However, he had no time to sympathize with the residents. Theirrge numbers posed a threat to him, and letting them solve their problems themselves only benefited Zhang Yi.

    This time, Zhang Yi didn''t head to the supermarket but to Tianhai Pearl Mall, a famous old mall with a history of seventy years in Tianhai City. Known for its affordable and good-quality products, the twelve-story building housed mostly small shops selling cheap jewelry, knock-off clothes, underwear, hardware, and more.

    Zhang Yi went there because he knew of a veterinary shop in the mall. Upon arrival, he found the upper half of the building sticking out of the snow. Finding a suitable spot, he broke in through a window. Ignoring the other stores with little interest, he headed straight for the veterinary shop.

    Inside, Zhang Yi used a crowbar to smash the ss and began rummaging through the medicine cabs. Nowadays, you couldn''t buy arsenic from pharmacies, but rat poison was still avable, colorless and tasteless, yet deadly.

 Chapter 122: We All Have a Bright Future

    Chapter 122: We All Have a Bright Future

    The rat poison in the veterinary shop was a hotmodity, so the store had quite a bit in stock.

    Soon, Zhang Yi found two boxes, totaling over thirty bottles of rat poison.

    "This amount should be enough to poison three hundred people, right?" Zhang Yi mused. "Even if it doesn''t kill them outright, it''ll cause organ failure, and without treatment, they¡¯ll die for sure."

    Looking at the small bottles in his hands, Zhang Yi''s lips curled into a smile. They had asked him to help collect food, so he had no reason to refuse. If they weren¡¯t afraid of death, he had nothing to say. He could only thank them for their trust.

    However, poisoning them couldn''t be rushed. Especially in the first few instances, they¡¯d be cautious and have others eat first. But they couldn''t always be that careful, especially with the current food shortages.

    He had researched that rat poison takes ten to thirty minutes to take effect. Even if they tested for poison, not everyone would know about this.

    "Finding the right opportunity to poison all of them would be the best oue!" Zhang Yi smiled, putting all the rat poison into his alternate space.

    Having secured the poison, Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry to return. He needed to make it look like he had gone to great lengths to find food for 300 people.Leaving the veterinary shop, Zhang Yi looked around. Most of the shops sold cheap clothes and underwear.

    An idea suddenly struck him.

    "I don''t need clothes, but I do need fuel. These clothes are mostly made of synthetic fibers, which are harmful when burned, producing thick ck smoke."

    "Hehe, this will be perfect for dealing with those hiding in buildings who refuse toe out!" Zhang Yi''s eyes lit up with excitement at the thought.

    He felt like a destructive genius. Every boy is a natural-born troublemaker from a young age. The thought of setting a big fire with no one to stop him filled him with anticipation.

    "Who isn''t a little rascal at heart, hehe!" Zhang Yi chuckled and immediately began using his alternate space to collect random clothes.

    In no time, dozens of store¡¯s worth of clothes were in his space. He didn¡¯t take more than needed, just enough for fuel. What would he do with so many cheap women¡¯s underwear? Keeping them would be perverted.

    Once he deemed the timing right, Zhang Yi headed to the Wanda Mall in the development zone.

    Therge Yonghui Supermarket below the mall had plenty of supplies. Gathering food for 300 people was easy. Maintaining this for another month wouldn¡¯t be a problem, as he was only providing basic survival rations, not enough to fill them up.

    He packed the food inrge bup bags, then removed two iron sheets and tied them to his snowmobile, creating a simple sled.

    With everything ready, Zhang Yi rode back to Yue Lu Community. By around five in the afternoon, the sky was getting darker, and themunity was deserted.

    They couldn¡¯t work outside all day. Zhang Yi cautiously pulled out his handgun, chambered a round, and went to observe. The snow had been dug into numerous pits, piled around the perimeter.

    Estimating thebor involved, he figured they had worked for at least two or three hours. "Given theirck of food and clothing, they must be exhausted after such work."

    "I¡¯m eager to see their despair and madness when they realize they¡¯ve worked all day and haven¡¯t received the promised food." Zhang Yi''s tone was cold, as if discussing something irrelevant to himself.

    He took out his phone and contacted Uncle You, Jiang Lei, and Li Chengbin, asking them to bring weapons.

    Soon, they arrived armed, shocked to see therge amount of food Zhang Yi had brought back.

    "Zhang Yi, where did you get so much food?" Their eyes were filled with suspicion.

    Previously, Zhang Yi had only brought back about thirty portions of food each day. Now, he had ten times that amount! This imbnce made them think Zhang Yi was deliberately rationing their food.

    As he notified the building leaders to send people to collect the food, Zhang Yi casually exined, "I had to go further away to find it. The city is big, and the farther you go, the more dangerous it gets. I didn''t want to go before, but now I had no choice."

    In such cold weather, the farther you went from home, the more dangerous it became. A neighbor nodded, "That¡¯s true. Zhang Yi risks a lot every day to find food."

    "I agree. If his snowmobile broke down, that would be disastrous!"

    Li Chengbin frowned slightly, clearly not convinced by Zhang Yi''s exnation, but he said nothing and stood aside with his weapon.

    Soon, people from the other buildings arrived, but none of the building leaders came, only their subordinates. Zhang Yi smirked at their caution, worried he¡¯d capture them all at once.

    He didn''t waste time, calling out, "Start from Building 1,e get your food!"

    He took out a knife and slit open a bup bag, revealingrge stic bags of food. Each bag contained ten portions of food. Zhang Yi tossed a bag a few meters away, letting them pick it up themselves.

    They said nothing, collected the food, and left quickly.

    After distributing all the supplies, Zhang Yi called the residents of Building 25 to the hallway to distribute their share. Their faces finally showed joy.

    With everyone fed, Zhang Yi¡¯s expression became warmer. He smiled and said, "From now on, there''s no need to be so tense. Although we can¡¯t abandon our weapons, we can see the dawn of hope."

    "We all have a bright future."

    Neighbors looked at each other, their excitement unspoken. If this continued, they wouldn''t mind working daily.

    Zhang Yi pped his hands, "Alright, everyone, head back! We have work to do tomorrow."

    They obediently returned to their homes. That night, for the first time, they could rx a little and enjoy a good meal.

 Chapter 123: Watching from the Sidelines

    Chapter 123: Watching from the Sidelines

    Zhang Yi temporarily didn¡¯t need to do anythingplicated. He only needed to go out every day, pretending to collect food, and then distribute it to the neighbors in themunity. The enjoyable part was watching the conflicts within the other buildings unfold! Dismantling enemies from within is always the fastest.

    Zhang Yi returned home and, as usual, checked the surveince footage on his phone. After confirming that there was nothing unusual inside the house and that Zhou Ke¡¯er was still in her room, he opened the door and went in. He opened Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s door and then took a long, hot shower.

    Being outside all day, his cold-weather gear kept him from getting frostbite, but his skin still felt the cold, causing his pores to contract. Only when the hot water from the shower sprayed over his head and body did he fully rx.

    Zhang Yi washed his face vigorously, feeling incredibly fortunate. "This state won¡¯tst long," he thought. "Once I get rid of those troublemakers, I¡¯ll find afortable ce to live a new life."

    Having been reborn for a month, Zhang Yi had already dealt with most of the people responsible for his death in his past life, using methods far crueler than what they had used against him. Next, he nned to clean up the entiremunity, dealing with them along the way. Afterward, he would dismantle his safe house and move it elsewhere.

    The quality of the safe house was incredibly sturdy. Zhang Yi¡¯s current n was to find arge amount of explosives and blow up the entire building. The other items in the safe house could be stored in his alternate space. The outer shell of the safe house was made of lightweight and sturdy aerospace metal, almost indestructible even if it fell into the snow. After all, it was designed to withstand the friction of reentry from space!

    "It won''t take long to deal with these guys," Zhang Yi smiled joyfully. In the near future, he would bury his hatred and pain in this ce and start a new life.

    After his shower, Zhang Yi wrapped himself in a towel and went to open Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s door. She sat on the bed, her face flushed, her long legs tightly crossed, trying to endure something.As soon as Zhang Yi opened the door, she dashed to the bathroom without meeting his eyes. Zhang Yi scratched his chin, wondering, "What¡¯s going on?"

    Soon, he heard the sound of running water and realized, "I locked her in all day; she must have been bursting!" His lips curled into a mischievous smile. "She¡¯s quite particr, not even willing to use a bottle."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er emerged from the bathroom, her face still red. She looked exhausted after holding it in for so long. Zhang Yi approached, wrapping an arm around her slim waist and holding her white wrist.

    "Are you really that weak?"

    Zhou Ke¡¯er rolled her eyes at him. "Try it yourself next time!"

    Zhang Yi shrugged. "I¡¯m not that picky. If I can''t hold it, I¡¯ll use a bottle."

    He rubbed his stomach, feeling hungry. He hadn¡¯t noticed it outside, but now that he was in a warm room, the hunger hit him.

    "Make some food, with extra meat. I''ve been burning a lot of energytely."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er smiled and nodded. "Alright, I¡¯ll make braised pork for you today!"

    She happily ran to the kitchen, like a gentle and virtuous wife.

    ...

    While Zhang Yi enjoyed theforts of home, the leaders of the other buildings received the food brought by their subordinates. Seeing the stic bag of food, their expressions varied, but most were disappointed.

    Ten portions of food were just the basic daily ration, fitting into a single stic bag.

    In the Wolf Gang, Wang Qiang ignored his subordinates, rushed up, and tore open the stic bag. After rummaging for a while, he found a pack of cigarettes. His eyes lit up, holding the pack like a treasure.

    His subordinates, all long-time smokers, eyed the pack with hunger. They hadn¡¯t smoked in nearly a month, driving them to madness.

    The second-inmand, Xiao Lu, couldn¡¯t help but ask, "Boss, can I have one?"

    Other subordinates, emboldened, also asked, "Boss, give us one too!"

    "We¡¯re going crazy without a smoke. It¡¯s driving us nuts!"

    Wang Qiang frowned, displeased. He usually smoked a pack a day. This pack was just enough for him. If he shared, it would be half gone. Seeing the bloodshot, crazed eyes of his subordinates, he was startled.

    After some thought, Wang Qiang said, "These cigarettes are hard toe by. I forced Zhang Yi to get them! You¡¯re my good brothers, so I¡¯ll let you have a taste. Work hard from now on!"

    The subordinates, desperate for a smoke, readily agreed to anything Wang Qiang said.

    Grudgingly, Wang Qiang handed out cigarettes, his hands trembling, his heart bleeding.

    When his men received the cigarettes, they immediately lit them up, their eyes tearing up with happiness. Only true smokers understood the bliss of that moment.

    Like widows long without a man, meeting a robust young man.

    But the joy was short-lived. The cigarettes were soon smoked up. Wang Qiang quickly pocketed the rest, pretending not to see their longing looks.

    "Alright, let¡¯s distribute the food!" he announced.

    Opening the stic bag, Wang Qiang saw the low-quality bread and biscuits, but to him, they were treasures. They had been eating ¡°roasted food¡± for so long, they craved normal human food.

    "Swallowing hard," Wang Qiang gestured to a subordinate, who walked over dazedly. Wang Qiang handed him a piece of bread, smiling. "Xu Yi, You¡¯re the weakest, you eat first!"

 Chapter 124: Conflict

    Chapter 124: Conflict

    Wang Qiang didn¡¯t dare to be the first to eat the food, fearing Zhang Yi might have poisoned it. Xu Yi, thinking Wang Qiang was being kind, grabbed the food eagerly and began stuffing his mouth. Wang Qiang and Xiao Lu watched him eat, waiting for some time to see if anything happened. When Xu Yi showed no signs of distress, they rxed.

    ¡°Come on, everyone, there¡¯s enough for all!¡± Wang Qiang called out.

    Simr scenes unfolded in other buildings. Zhang Yi¡¯s notorious reputation had spread. After all, he was the one who single-handedly dealt with more than half a building¡¯s worth of people and caused significant losses to the fiercest gangs in themunity, the Crazy Wolf Gang and Tianhe Gang. Everyone was extremely wary of him.

    Despite the wariness, they couldn¡¯t refuse the food sent to them. Most building leaders had people test the food first. Understanding human nature, Zhang Yi had provided untainted food on the first day to gradually lower their guard and incite internal strife. He nned to wait for the opportune moment to strike decisively.

    That night, every building leader and their subordinates devoured their share of the food. Meanwhile, the ordinary residents at home waited in vain for their portion, still naively believing that the food was meant for everyone.

    ¡°Wife, we don¡¯t need to worry anymore. They¡¯ll bring us food as long as we work hard,¡± a man said optimistically.

    ¡°Yes, dear. We¡¯ll survive this snow disaster! When it¡¯s over, I want to have three children with you¡ªone like you, one like me, and one like both of us!¡± his wife responded with hope.

    Elsewhere, a young man prayed, ¡°Mom, Dad, you must be watching over me from heaven. Don¡¯t worry, everything is getting better. There will be no more hunger and killing. I will live well!¡±That night, the building leaders and their subordinates ate their fill, while the ordinary residents went to bed with empty stomachs but hopeful dreams.

    ...

    The next morning, Zhang Yi woke up around seven. He no longer sleptte because the room temperature was maintained between 25¡ãC and 27¡ãC, making the bed less appealing. While brushing his teeth, he heard themotion outside. With a small devilish smile, he walked to the window, his muscr upper body exposed.

    From several directions, he heard intense argumentsing from at least five or six buildings.

    ¡°Ge Damin, didn¡¯t you say we¡¯d get food as long as we worked? Where¡¯s the food now?¡± a resident shouted.

    ¡°I told you, this is the situation we¡¯re in. We need to discuss food distribution in a meeting toe up with a n that satisfies everyone,¡± Ge Damin responded evasively.

    In another building, a resident questioned, ¡°Brother Huang, we worked hard as you instructed, but you didn¡¯t give us any food!¡±

    ¡°Old man, you dare question me? Your work was pathetic. How dare you ask for food!¡± Huang retorted angrily.

    ¡°But...¡±

    ¡°But what? Work harder today, and you might get some food. No work, no food!¡± Huang snapped.

    In Wang Qiang¡¯s territory, a subordinate timidly said, ¡°Boss, you promised us food yesterday...¡±

    ¡°Hah! Who else wants food? Step forward! No one? Good. Remember, letting you live is my greatest charity. Anyone who disrespects me will be dealt with!¡±

    Zhang Yi watched, smiling silently, knowing the purging had begun. He and Zhou Ke¡¯er had a simple breakfast of spicy soup, fried dough sticks, and steamed buns. The spicy soup was made from a soup packet, the fried dough sticks were semi-finished, and Zhou Ke¡¯er had made the steamed buns herself. Zhang Yi enjoyed her homemade food more than the ready-made delicacies stored in his alternate space. Having a woman at home, bustling in the kitchen in the morning, brought a sense of normalcy and life to his days.

    After breakfast, Zhang Yi left Zhou Ke¡¯er with lunch and locked her in her room. He then went out, pretending to gather supplies.

    At themunity center, residents were still busy working. Uncle You, Jiang Lei, and Li Chengbin had Zhang Yi¡¯s permission to supervise rather thanbor. The other residents, under their building leaders¡¯ supervision, continued shoveling snow. However, their spirits were visibly lower than the previous day, their expressions numb, anxious, and filled with unease.

    Before leaving, Zhang Yi whispered to Uncle You, ¡°Be extra cautious. With the food shortage in other buildings, chaos is imminent. Protect ourselves and avoid trouble.¡±

    Uncle You, already aware of Zhang Yi¡¯s n, nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I know what to do.¡±

    Satisfied, Zhang Yi left themunity.

    He wandered around for half a day, eventually arriving at a library. This city library was well-built and had not been buried by snow, with most of its books remaining dry. Zhang Yi had never been much of a reader in the digital age, where consuming information on phones was more convenient. But now, with the inte nearly copsed, he found himself seeking sce in books. He hoped to findfort and warmth in literature amidst the harsh apocalyptic reality.

    After spending half the day in the library, Zhang Yi chose a copy of Haruki Murakami¡¯s ¡°Norwegian Wood¡± and tucked it into hisrge pocket, feeling the weight of culture. He left the rest of the books for future visits, thinking that taking them all at once might overwhelm him.

    Returning to themunity at dusk, Zhang Yi followed his routine, first calling Uncle You and others to maintain order and then notifying residents toe down for their food. This time, he noticed shadowy figures at every building window¡ªfaces full of hope watching him distribute food.

 Chapter 125: Dead Silence, Decay

    Chapter 125: Dead Silence, Decay

    The leaders of each building sent people to collect the food in an orderly manner. Zhang Yi also distributed food to the residents of his own building and returned home as usual.

    The next day, apart from Li Jian, none of the building leaders distributed any food to the ordinary residents.

    That night, seeing theirst hopepletely destroyed, the residents of themunity went utterly mad!

    Themunity became unprecedentedly chaotic.

    At some point, the sounds of shouting and killing began to emanate from each building. The desperate screams and furious curses echoed through the corridors, barely muffled by the northern wind.

    The pitch-ck night was their only cover. When these cowardly ordinary people no longer feared for their lives, the ruling leaders of each building finally realized how powerful they were!

    Not everyone had Zhang Yi¡¯s perfect defensive fortress and terrifying firepower. Still stuck in the era of cold weapons, the advantage of numbers had a massive impact on the battle.

    Zhang Yi sat on his warm, cozy white velvet quilt, quietly watching out the window.The lights were off, creating a tranquil silence that starkly contrasted with the howling wind, snow, and agonizing screams outside.

    He had no idea what was happening outside but knew that the more people died tonight, the better it was for him.

    Before going to bed, Zhang Yi checked the security of his room onest time, reloaded his handgun and assault rifle, and theny down with a satisfied sigh.

    ...

    The next morning.

    When Zhang Yi stepped out of his building, the sight before him made him gasp in shock.

    What had been a pristine white snowyndscape was now covered in blood.

    In the courtyard¡¯s center, fifty or sixty bodiesy strewn about haphazardly! Judging by their appearance, it seemed they had been forced to jump from high ces.

    Some curled up into balls before they died, not killed by the fall but frozen to death from their injuries in the icy snow.

    Zhang Yi lifted his head, scanning the surrounding buildings. He saw darkened, congealed bloodstains on many windows.

    It was clear how brutal the battle had been the previous night!

    By this morning, no one hade out to shovel snow, not even to remove the pile of bodies.

    Residents of Building 25 stood at the entrance, terrified, not daring to breathe too loudly. They felt incredibly fortunate to be under Zhang Yi¡¯s protection. Otherwise, they too would have faced a simr fate.

    Uncle You approached Zhang Yi and asked, "Zhang Yi, do we still need to work today?"

    Zhang Yi nced at Uncle You, and then at the nervous neighbors behind him. He replied calmly, "If you want to keep eating, you have to work!"

    "Unless," he pointed to the bodies on the ground, "you want to end up like them."

    The crowd shuddered. Compared to the dead, they were extremely fortunate! At least they didn¡¯t have to fight for scarce food or risk their lives.

    "It¡¯s just work. As long as we¡¯re alive, it¡¯s fine!" they thought.

    "Yes, yes, we¡¯ll get to work right away!" The neighbors, stimted by the grim scene, eagerly grabbed their tools and started shoveling snow.

    Seeing the scene around him, Uncle You asked Zhang Yi, "It seems like no one from the other buildings is out shoveling snow. Should we notify them?"

    Zhang Yi nced at him and then smiled, "Do you think they have the time for that now?"

    Uncle You was puzzled, "Huh?"

    Zhang Yi exined, "Last night was just the beginning. This conflict is between the ruling leaders and the ordinary residents of each building."

    "Unless they can solve the food distribution issue, one side must bepletely eliminated!"

    "One night isn''t enough for that!"

    Hearing Zhang Yi''s exnation, Uncle You felt a chill run down his spine. "Is this what they call the strategy of killing with borrowed knives?"

    "So, what do we do next?" he asked.

    Zhang Yi replied nonchntly, "What does it matter to us? Let them kill each other slowly!"

    The right moment had yet to arrive, and he wasn¡¯t in a hurry. In the afternoon, Zhang Yi returned and distributed food to his residents as usual. However, he noticed that the people from some buildings had changed; they were no longer the same group he was familiar with.

    It seemed that control over some buildings had shifted hands during the scramble for food. But it didn¡¯t matter to him who the leader was; he would cooperate with whoever was in charge.

    However, that night, Zhang Yi sent a message to the building leaders¡¯ group chat.

    "If I don''t see anybor results tomorrow, I can''t guarantee there will be food, including cigarettes."

    The next day, when Zhang Yi stepped out, he saw everyone gathering to work once again. However, today, the number of people had decreased by at least a thirdpared to two days ago! In other words, the issue of unfair food distribution had resulted in the deaths of at least 400 people in two days.

    Uncle You, unable toprehend the scene before him, asked Zhang Yi, "These people clearly know that there are only ten portions of food per building, not enough for everyone. Why don''t they resist and fight for a chance to survive?"

    Zhang Yi chuckled, "Maybe they haven''t reached the point of life and death yet."

    "Or perhaps, in extreme despair, they¡¯ve epted their fate and see death as a form of relief."

    "Human nature is aplex thing, beyond anyone¡¯splete understanding. Not even mine."

    Shaking his head, Uncle You murmured, "But this can¡¯tst forever. Are we just going to watch them continue like this?"

    Zhang Yi shook his head, smiling. "It won¡¯tst long. Whether due to ack of resources or continuous conflict, they¡¯ll quickly perish in this apocalypse."

    Uncle You swallowed hard, at a loss for words.

    At that moment, a woman in a fur coat trudged through the snow towards them. "Zhang Yi, I want to discuss cooperation with you again."

    It was Chen Lingyu, the leader of Building 9. She was covered in blood, clearly having survived a brutal fight the previous night.

    But she had survived.

    Zhang Yi smiled disdainfully, "You? What can you discuss with me?"

    Chen Lingyu stared into Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes, trying to use the skills she had honed in years of sales. "Themunity will copse if it continues like this! The internal conflicts are too severe, making effective management impossible."

    "Even if you can bring back more food, there will always be people using force to take more. This will only escte the conflicts, leading to more deaths!"

    Zhang Yi watched her calmly, "Oh, and then?"

    Of course, he knew this would happen. The current situation was exactly what he had orchestrated.

 Chapter 126: No Help Possible

    Chapter 126: No Help Possible

    Chen Lingyu continued, "I can help you manage themunity scientifically. If this model works well, it could even expand to other areas."

    "In these apocalyptic times, the world''s systems are in chaos. We could even establish our own kingdom!"

    "You be the king, and I''ll assist you. What do you think?"

    Zhang Yi just smiled. Despite having graduated from Tianhai Industrial University and having five years of social experience, he wasn''t naive enough to be persuaded by a smooth-talking woman selling a pyramid scheme.

    "Not interested," he said coldly, dismissing the topic.

    "But..." Chen Lingyu tried to persuade him further, but Zhang Yi waved her off.

    "No need to say more. We don''t know each other well, and I don''t want to hear your spiel."

    Zhang Yi''s firm gaze made Chen Lingyu''s face pale as she took two steps back, as if losing her strength.After the fierce battlest night, this woman was obviously scared. She was here more to seek Zhang Yi''s protection than to genuinely propose a partnership.

    But who was she? She wasn¡¯t pretty; she was getting on in years, and she had no remaining value. Zhang Yi had no reason to protect her.

    Chen Lingyu said sadly, "If this continues, we might die one day."

    Zhang Yi nced at her and emphasized, "Take out that ''we'' from your sentence."

    You might die, but not me, Zhang Yi.

    Chen Lingyu shook her head helplessly.

    Zhang Yi looked at this woman who could barely be considered a strong figure and curiously asked, "A woman like you, surviving alone in the apocalypse¡ªdon''t you have a husband?"

    Chen Lingyu smiled bitterly and shook her head. "We separated long ago."

    "Oh, all alone, huh?"

    Chen Lingyu shook her head. "Not exactly. I have a daughter. She''s been studying in the U.S. since she was ten, attending a private school."

    When she mentioned her daughter, Chen Lingyu''s eyes lit up noticeably.

    "My life doesn''t depend on men. After my divorce, I raised my child by myself. I started by washing dishes for others and working as a trainee in a beauty salon. Step by step, I became the CEO of a pre-IPOpany!"

    "I''m no worse than any man! Zhang Yi, if you refuse to cooperate with me for this reason, it''s your loss!"

    Chen Lingyu made onest effort.

    Zhang Yi rubbed his nose and said slowly, "Generally speaking, only the heads of group corporations are called CEOs. As the owner of a smallpany, you should be called the general manager."

    Chen Lingyu''s face turned awkward.

    "Well, it''s not strictly like that. There''s no rule that only the head of a group can be called a CEO!"

    Zhang Yi found it somewhat amusing. It seemed Chen Lingyu''s educational level didn''t surpass junior high school. In a corporation, there are only shareholders, and the CEO is just a job position.

    Not understanding such basic corporate roles, what kind of entrepreneur was she trying to be?

    "Alright then, go back to your business," Zhang Yi said, walking around Chen Lingyu, not wanting to argue with a pyramid scheme promoter.

    However, as he looked into the distance, he saw a surprising scene.

    Building 18, managed by Li Jian, presented apletely different scene from the other buildings.

    Li Jian, wrapped in a thick ck down jacket, was energetically shoveling snow. Though he was short and inconspicuous from a distance, Zhang Yi felt a certain resilience in him.

    In front of Building 18, everyone worked in an orderly fashion. After ten minutes of work, each person rested, and then new people took over.

    Zhang Yi was deeply moved. Such a scene was unimaginable in the apocalypse.

    He couldn''t help but walk over, standing quietly near Li Jian and watching them work.

    Li Jian soon noticed Zhang Yi. He looked up, his eyes shadowed with fatigue, his body noticeably thinner.

    "Zhang Yi? Why are you here?" he asked.

    Zhang Yi didn''t answer directly. He looked at the people of Building 18. Although their faces were pale, there was a glimmer of hope in their eyes, unlike the people from other buildings who were numb and living like walking corpses.

    Zhang Yi felt both relief and curiosity. He asked Li Jian, "How did you manage this?"

    "Manage what?" Li Jian asked back.

    "While other buildings have been fighting fiercely over food distribution, your building hasn¡¯t. How did you avoid such conflicts? Did you conceal the truth?" Zhang Yi asked.

    Li Jian''s face showed a proud expression. Despite his short stature, he straightened his back and said, "I didn¡¯t hide anything! From the beginning, I told everyone in our building the results of the negotiations."

    This result surprised Zhang Yi. He was amazed that Li Jian dared to do so, not fearing internal chaos.

    "But there are only ten portions of food. It''s impossible for all of you to survive on that. Why didn¡¯t they revolt?" Zhang Yi asked.

    Li Jian seemed to anticipate this question. He calmly said, "No one in our building wants to be a beast. So, we share the ten portions equally. If there¡¯s one portion, we share that as well."

    Zhang Yi snorted, crossing his arms mockingly. "But this way, you¡¯ll all die. None of you will survive."

    "You think you¡¯re smart, but you¡¯ve made the most foolish choice!"

    Li Jian fell silent, unable to refute Zhang Yi¡¯s words. He knew Zhang Yi was right. In harsh environments, beastly nature suited survival better than human nature.

    Zhang Yi shook his head, not intending to delve further into the topic. His curiosity brought him here, but he had no interest in their fate.

    As Zhang Yi turned to leave, Li Jian called out, "Zhang Yi, wait! Can¡¯t you help us?"

    "Sorry, that¡¯s not possible!" Zhang Yi replied firmly, with no room for negotiation.

    He looked down at the short middle-aged man before him and said indifferently, "With your ability, you could easily rally the most promising people, divide the resources, and ensure your survival."

    "But you¡¯re hesitant, trying to save everyone. Yet youck the ability to protect them all. By doing so, you¡¯remitting a crime!"

    "The path you chose, you walk it yourself!"

 Chapter 127: Taking the Bait

    Chapter 127: Taking the Bait

    Zhang Yi ignored Li Jian''s request and turned to leave. Li Jian was a typical idealist. However, achieving ideals required strength, not just slogans.

    Returning to Building 25, Zhang Yi passed by Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang. Both men had cigarette butts in their hands, sucking so hard it looked like they might swallow the filters.

    Seeing Zhang Yi, they immediately put on fawning smiles and hurried over.

    "Brother Zhang, aren''t you going out today? Or did you collect all the food yesterday?" Wang Qiang asked with a wide smile, looking enthusiastic enough to be Zhang Yi''s cousin.

    "I''m going out in a while," Zhang Yi replied with a smile.

    Huang Tianfang also came over, grinning. "Zhang Yi is the biggest contributor to ourmunity! Not like these useless folks," he said, pointing at the residents shoveling snow, "They can''t even do a simple task and just keep asking for food! Hmph!"

    Zhang Yiughed. "If they don''t know how to work, you should teach them!"

    Wang Qiang nced at the obedient residents he had tamed and sneered. "They have arms and legs, don''t they? A good beating will make them obedient!"Then, with a sly smile, he turned to Zhang Yi. "Brother Zhang, this Jinwan is too strong for me! Next time, could you get me some Yuxi cigarettes?"

    Huang Tianfang interjected, "Yuxi? Why not ask for Zhonghua? Just be d you have cigarettes at all. Don''t burden Zhang Yi!"

    Zhang Yi smiled. "That''s not a big problem. I''ll look for some and bring them if I find any. It shouldn''t be too difficult."

    "Besides, at this time, cigarettes are precious, but there''s no concept of whether they are valuable or not. If you ask for Yuxi or Zhonghua, that''s fine. But if you ask for brands like Dajiang or Hong Sanhuan, I might have trouble finding those!"

    The three of themughed heartily, the atmosphere very congenial.

    "By the way, I''ll see if I can find some good liquor for you guys. A bit of alcohol in this cold weather will warm you up!"

    Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang were thrilled by Zhang Yi''s words. Both loved drinking, and alcohol was indeed a great way to keep warm in this cold.

    "Brother Zhang, you''re so generous! I misjudged you before. If you need any help, just let us know!" Wang Qiang gave Zhang Yi a thumbs up, genuinely moved.

    Huang Tianfang, not wanting to be outdone, said, "Zhang Yi, you''re our savior! I owe you my life, and from now on, I''m yours tomand!"

    Zhang Yi smiled warmly, patting their arms. "We''re partners now! We''re all just trying to survive this apocalypse, and only cooperation will lead to a win-win situation."

    "Feel free to ask for anything you need! If I can provide it, I will."

    With that, Zhang Yi pointed outside. "I¡¯m heading out now!"

    Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang quickly responded, "Take care!"

    Zhang Yi nodded with a smile and went to get his snowmobile, leaving the Yue Lumunity.

    Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang watched Zhang Yi''s departing figure, their expressions turning a bitplex. They nced at each other, neither liking the other much, and then walked away separately.

    On his way back, Wang Qiang pondered, "Why has Zhang Yi suddenly be so nice? Giving me cigarettes and even offering to bring back alcohol."

    "Did I misunderstand him before?"

    He furrowed his brows, deep in thought.

    After the apocalypse, he coveted Zhang Yi''s snowmobile, tried to steal it, and even ambushed Zhang Yi in the snow. Only then did Zhang Yi retaliate against the Crazy Wolf Gang.

    Wang Qiang pped his forehead. "So it wasn¡¯t Zhang Yi being untrustworthy; it was me who was wrong first. Zhang Yi¡¯s a good guy, someone I can get along with!"

    A sinister smile slowly crept across his face. "I like dealing with straightforward people!"

    ...

    On the other side, Huang Tianfang also pondered Zhang Yi''s sudden friendliness. "Why is he being so nice to me? Logically, he shouldn''t fear me with his strength."

    "Maybe he genuinely wants peace and doesn¡¯t want to fight anymore. After all, he¡¯s alone, and his followers aren¡¯t truly loyal to him."

    "If the fighting continues, he might die one day too. So he¡¯s scared!"

    Feeling he understood Zhang Yi''s change in attitude, Huang Tianfang smirked smugly. "This is good news!"

    ...

    After leaving themunity, Zhang Yi headed to the library again. "Norwegian Wood" by Haruki Murakami was fascinating, its subtle mncholy embodying post-war Japanese culture.

    He leisurely finished the book, put it back on the shelf, and left. He wasn''t the type to bring books home only for them to gather dust in his alternate space.

    Zhang Yi belonged to that group of people who loved buying books at bookstores but lost interest once they got home.

    Checking his Rolex, he saw it was afternoon. He should gather some food and return to themunity.

    He murmured to himself, "I wonder when those guys will fall for it. I need to slowly lower their guard and then find the right moment to strike."

    Leaving the library, he gathered the necessary supplies at a supermarket and rode his snowmobile back to themunity.

    This time, among those collecting supplies, were several building leaders. Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang were among them, eagerly eyeing the bup bags at Zhang Yi''s feet.

    Of course, their goal was the cigarettes and alcohol Zhang Yi had promised. They came in person to ensure they got the rare goodies and prevent conflicts with their subordinates.

    Seeing them, Zhang Yi¡¯s lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile.

    "Alright, everyone line up and collect your food in order!" Zhang Yi called out.

    The leader of Building 1 stepped forward and whispered to Zhang Yi, "Zhang Yi, since you can get cigarettes for Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang, could you get some for us too?"

 Chapter 128: Closing the Net

    Chapter 128: Closing the Net

    The fact that Huang Tianfang and Wang Qiang had cigarettes was no secret. These two weren¡¯t the type to keep things hidden. While others worked, they would openly smoke outside. It didn¡¯t take long for the other building leaders to figure out that Zhang Yi was the one providing them with cigarettes.

    Soon, other leaders who were addicted to smoking began to make requests. They hoped Zhang Yi could also provide them with cigarettes.

    Zhang Yi hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "Providing cigarettes for so many people might be a bit difficult."

    The other building leaders immediately became anxious.

    "Zhang Yi, you can''t be biased!"

    "We don¡¯t ask for much, just one pack a day!"

    "This is my lifelong request!"

    With a helpless sigh, Zhang Yi said, "Alright, I''ll try my best. Starting tomorrow, I¡¯ll provide cigarettes for those who need them."Seeing the smokers'' sess, those who didn''t smoke also stepped forward with their requests.

    "I don''t smoke, but I like chewing betel nuts. Can you get some?"

    "I want to drink a little. Even the cheapest wine will do!"

    ...

    Zhang Yi, feigning exasperation, said, "Alright, alright, I''ve noted down all your requests. I won¡¯t favor anyone, everyone will get what they want!"

    Satisfied with his response, everyone left with their supplies, smiling.

    After they left, Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei approached Zhang Yi, visibly upset.

    "Brother Zhang, aren¡¯t you being too generous with them?"

    "Giving them food is already a huge favor, and now they¡¯re asking for more!"

    Zhang Yi calmly replied, "Their requests aren''t unreasonable. I can¡¯t afford to be biased. It¡¯s fine, let¡¯s just go with it."

    The others looked at Zhang Yi as if seeing a stranger. They couldn¡¯t believe how the once ruthless Zhang Yi had be so soft.

    But since Zhang Yi was the one finding the supplies, they had no right toin.

    After distributing the supplies, Zhang Yi returned home. He took a hot shower, thenyfortably on the sofa in his pajamas, staring at the ceiling.

    "It¡¯s about time."

    The infighting among the other buildings had already caused significant casualties. The initial death toll exceeded 400, with hundreds more injured during the fights. These injured individuals were unlikely to survive, and even if they did, they wouldn¡¯t pose any immediate threat.

    That morning, Zhang Yi walked around themunity and observed the number of active people. There were about 700 left.

    Using cigarettes and alcohol as bait, he had sessfully lured the building leaders out.

    The time to close the had arrived!

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t n to dy any longer. Since major conflicts were unlikely to break out again in the short term, dragging it out served no purpose. Additionally, the food he provided would restore their strength, increasing their threat to him over time.

    "Tomorrow is the day!"

    Zhang Yi''s eyes narrowed, a sh of cold killing intent passing through them.

    ...

    The next day, Zhang Yi left themunity as usual. He didn¡¯t inform anyone, not even Uncle You, about his n.

    This operation was crucial, and if he missed the opportunity, it wouldplicate future actions and increase the risks. Zhang Yi trusted no one.

    After leaving themunity, he went straight to the supermarket. He collected arge amount of food, mainly bulk buns, steamed buns, and bagged bread.

    Today, Zhang Yi made sure to find higher-quality food and brought more than usual.

    "Thest meal should be a good one. I¡¯ve been kind enough."

    After piling up the food, Zhang Yi retrieved the rat poison he had obtained earlier from his alternate space.

    The colorless and odorless powder was lethal even in small amounts. Since the food was slightly spoiled and discolored, the poison would be undetectable.

    Wearing a gas mask, he found in the military camp, Zhang Yi carefully sprinkled the rat poison on the food. This process took him half an hour toplete.

    "Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang might have someone test the food for poison, but they¡¯re too greedy to share cigarettes and alcohol. Old smokers and drinkers tend to drop their guard when ites to their vices. I''ll poison the cigarettes and alcohol."

    Zhang Yi took out several packs of cigarettes, removed the stic wrapping, and carefully mixed rat poison into the tobo.

    He knew that Wang Qiang and others were used to receiving unsealed cigarettes from him. This familiarity would reduce their suspicion.

    For the alcohol, Zhang Yi dissolved the rat poison in alcohol and used a syringe to inject it through the bottle caps. It was a crude method, but effective. Returning home near dusk, the dim lighting would make it hard for the drinkers to notice any ws.

    After two hours of preparation, Zhang Yi packed the food into bags and loaded them onto the sled behind his snowmobile.

    Despite the lighter snowfall, the wind was still fierce. Leaning against the mall''s wall, Zhang Yi lit a cigarette, taking small puffs to avoid freezing his lungs with the cold air.

    "Perhaps today is the end. Everything seems to be going smoothly, almost too smoothly," Zhang Yi murmured.

    The behavior of the other buildings'' people matched his expectations perfectly. This cooperation made Zhang Yi feel uneasy.

    "Everything has been too smooth. They¡¯re not fools. How could I y them all so easily?" Zhang Yi mused, narrowing his eyes.

    "This false harmony is temporary. They¡¯re not dumb. They¡¯ll act against me sooner orter. Are they waiting for an opportunity?"

    "There''s a mole in Building 25. Who could it be? Are they still alive or already dead?"

    These questions gued Zhang Yi, but he found no answers. He wasn''t Sherlock Holmes or Detective Conan,cking the skills to uncover such secrets.

    However, he had something better in this post-apocalyptic world¡ªhis fortress and his guns!

    Zhang Yi tossed the cigarette on the ground, crushed it with his foot, and said coldly, "No matter what ns you have, against absolute strength, all schemes are meaningless."

 Chapter 129: First Strike, Counterkill!

    Chapter 129: First Strike, Counterkill!

    After everything was prepared, Zhang Yi carried the "special" food, rode his motorcycle, and returned to the Yue Lumunity.

    Upon arriving at themunity, Zhang Yi first called Uncle You, Jiang Lei, and Li Chengbin over to maintain order.

    Soon, they arrived at the courtyard, armed with iron rods, shovels, and kitchen knives.

    "Zhang Yi, we''re here!" Uncle You called out.

    Zhang Yi nced at them and nodded. "Alright, wait here. I''ll call everyone down to collect their supplies."

    Zhang Yi took out his phone and notified the building representatives toe over.

    Uncle You, holding an iron rod, stood beside him like a loyal guard. Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei stood slightly behind Zhang Yi, leading others to protect him.

    Zhang Yi nced at them out of the corner of his eye. Today, Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei seemed more focused than usual. Out of habit, Zhang Yi stepped back a few paces, positioning himself behind the crowd.Soon, the representatives from various buildings began arriving. Seeing them, a smile shed across Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes. His n had seeded! Using rare items like cigarettes and alcohol, he had sessfully lured the building representatives out.

    Except for Li Jian from Building 18¡ªwho adhered to his principles of fairness and refused to personallye to collect supplies¡ªmost of the representatives were here. The cigarettes and alcohol they collected wereced with high doses of rat poison. Once ingested, it would take 10 to 30 minutes for the poison to take effect, leading to their deaths.

    Zhang Yi narrowed his eyes and smiled, "Alright, everyonee and collect your supplies!"

    Starting with Building 1, Zhang Yi threw the supplies two or three meters away, letting the representatives pick them up themselves. One by one, the representatives walked over and took their respective supplies.

    "Building 21!" Zhang Yi called, looking at Wang Qiang.

    Wang Qiang, head down, walked over. Zhang Yi bent down to pick up a bag of food. Just as he was about to stand up, he heard a shout, "Now!!"

    Wang Qiang pulled a handgun from his pocket and fired at Zhang Yi! Zhang Yi''s pupils contracted, and he instinctively tried to dodge. At that moment, Uncle You, standing nearby, pushed him away.

    "Bang!"

    ...

    "Bang!"

    ...

    "Bang!"

    Three gunshots rang out right beside Zhang Yi''s ear. The sudden attack made each shot feel like an eternity. Uncle You''s body slowly copsed, knees buckling as he fell to the ground. A ringing filled Zhang Yi''s ears as he looked up, seeing a group of people with ferocious expressions charging at him.

    Wang Qiang held a handgun, Huang Tianfang brandished a kitchen knife, and Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei, less than two meters away, had betrayed him. Out of the thirty or so people present, at least half were rushing towards Zhang Yi, weapons gleaming coldly.

    They had waited a long time for this moment. Zhang Yi intended to lull them into a false sense of security and then eliminate them, but they, too, had grown tired of Zhang Yi and wanted him dead. Zhang Yi was the strongest in themunity, and as long as he lived, others could die at any time.

    Moreover, they knew Zhang Yi''s home was a perfect shelter,fortable and well-stocked with food. Regardless of their motives, they couldn''t allow someone as powerful as Zhang Yi to exist in the Yue Lumunity.

    Many of them had even bought off Zhang Yi''s close aides, Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei. They believed Zhang Yi''s death was inevitable. Even with a gun, Zhang Yi couldn''t kill everyone at such close range.

    As Uncle You fell, Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze grew cold and terrifying. Today¡¯s n had been kept secret from everyone, including Uncle You, who didn¡¯t know Zhang Yi was wearing a bulletproof vest and pants. Even if the bullets hit him, they wouldn''t have harmed him. But Uncle You, grateful for Zhang Yi¡¯s help, had unhesitatingly taken the bullets for him.

    This stirred a rare feeling of guilt in Zhang Yi, followed by overwhelming rage. Jiang Lei, the closest to Zhang Yi, roared and swung his shovel at Zhang Yi''s head. Zhang Yi quickly rolled on the ground, dodging behind his snowmobile. He adjusted his stance and stood up, a ck assault rifle suddenly appearing in his hand, loaded and ready.

    The attackers'' expressions turned from ferocity to confusion, then to fear.

    "Rat-a-tat-tat-tat-tat..."

    Facing a life-or-death crisis, Zhang Yi squeezed the trigger tightly, holding the gun handle firmly as he began to spray bullets. Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei, the closest to him, were riddled with bullet holes in an instant. Ignoring everything else, Zhang Yi fired at anyone standing.

    Behind Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei were a dozen patrol team members, who were stunned when Wang Qiang started shooting. They hadn¡¯t joined in the attack, but Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t differentiate friend from foe in this chaos. The bullets didn¡¯t spare anyone.

    With too many enemies, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t take chances. He assumed everyone was an enemy. Killing them all was his only option. Rows of people fell, including the once-arrogant Wang Qiang, who hadn¡¯t even reached Zhang Yi before being riddled with bullets. His eyes remained wide in disbelief, unable to fathom where Zhang Yi got the assault rifle. If not for the rifle, they would have won.

    The handgun had given Wang Qiang false confidence. But just as Zhang Yi didn¡¯t know about Wang Qiang¡¯s handgun, Wang Qiang was unaware of Zhang Yi''s bulletproof vest and assault rifle. The difference was that Zhang Yi was prepared for a gunfight, so Wang Qiang never stood a chance.

    "He has an assault rifle! Run!"

    Huang Tianfang, terrified, dropped his knife and fled. The other building leaders screamed in fear and ran, cursing their parents for not giving them more legs.

    Zhang Yi, consumed by rage, saw Uncle You lying in a pool of blood, motionless. Even with his hardened heart, he felt a pang of sorrow. "Uncle You, thank you for taking the bullets for me. I¡¯ll avenge you and kill them all!"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s voice was icy. This was the first time since the apocalypse that he faced so many opponents, yet it turned into a one-sided ughter. As Zhang Yi had said before, in the face of absolute strength, all schemes were meaningless.

 Chapter 130: Leave None Alive

    Chapter 130: Leave None Alive

    A full magazine was quickly emptied. Zhang Yi didn''t have time to reload and immediately threw the assault rifle to the ground. Then he drew two police pistols from his waist.

    The attackers couldn¡¯t run fast in the snow, and Zhang Yi shot them all, each bullet a headshot.

    In less than twenty seconds, almost everyone was dead! A few individuals, trembling with fear, stood in the snow with their hands raised, faces filled with terror and pleas.

    "Zhang Yi, we¡¯re not with them, this has nothing to do with us!"

    "I swear, I swear this has nothing to do with me! Please don¡¯t kill me!"

    Zhang Yi recognized these building leaders. They hadn¡¯t moved when Wang Qiang and the others attacked him, so they were likely uninvolved in the assassination plot.

    Therefore, Zhang Yi pulled the trigger.

    "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"The heads of the building leaders exploded, and they fell into the snow.

    Zhang Yi then aimed at thest person alive, Chen Lingyu, the leader of Building 9. She was so scared that she soiled herself, tears and snot running down her face.

    "Zhang Yi, this really has nothing to do with me. Please believe me! I have a thirteen-year-old daughter abroad, and I need to live to see her return."

    Zhang Yi looked at her coldly and, after two seconds of silence, fired, ending her life.

    The white snow was stained red with blood. Zhang Yi stood alone amid dozens of corpses. Even in the apocalypse, it was the first time he had killed so many people in one go!

    He knew that most of these people were probably not involved in the plot to kill him. For example, Chen Lingyu and other patrol team members. But Zhang Yi had no choice. He couldn¡¯t let anyone who might harm him live. If he spared them today, they could be a future threat.

    Dead people are the safest.

    "You would all die sooner orter. Living is so painful; let me send you to heaven."

    Zhang Yi exhaled a puff of white smoke, holding his gun.

    "From this perspective, I¡¯ve relieved you of your suffering. You should thank me."

    If these neighbors knew this after their deaths, they might sarcastically say: "Thank you, indeed!"

    After killing all his enemies, Zhang Yi scanned the surroundings. The loud gunfire had already drawn all the neighbors to their windows. They watched this brutal battlefield, eyes filled with awe and respect for Zhang Yi. Some were even grateful for what Zhang Yi had done.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze turned towards Buildings 26 and 21, the territories of the Tianhe Gang and the Crazy Wolf Gang. Wang Qiang and Huang Tianfang had initiated the attack on Zhang Yi. Originally, their subordinates were waiting at the entrance to rush in and seize supplies as soon as their leaders made a move.

    However, when Zhang Yi pulled out the ck M4 carbine, they hesitated. Zhang Yi''s gaze made them even more afraid.

    Crazy Wolf Gang¡¯s second-inmand, Xiao Lu, trembled as he backed away. "Retreat, quickly retreat! Don¡¯t let that demone over!"

    Terrified underlings scattered, fleeing down the corridors in panic. Zhang Yi didn¡¯t chase them. Instead, he walked over to Uncle You.

    Not far away, Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei¡¯s bodiesy with over a dozen bullet holes still bleeding. They had been Zhang Yi¡¯s loyal subordinates, fighting alongside him many times. But now, they had betrayed him.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t care. He considered betrayal normal, even expecting it from Uncle You and Zhou Ke''er. But after today, Uncle You¡¯s status in Zhang Yi''s heart would rise significantly. At least, he would trust him with important tasks.

    "Uncle You, are you still alive?"

    Zhang Yi half-knelt, examining the surroundings to prevent a sneak attack, while checking Uncle You¡¯s pulse.

    "No pulse!" Zhang Yi was shocked, but he quickly remembered he was wearing cut-resistant gloves, which made it impossible to feel a pulse.

    He turned Uncle You over, seeing three clear bloodstains. The bullets hadn¡¯t hit the heart, so Zhang Yi didn¡¯t know if he could be saved. But he had to try.

    From his alternate space, Zhang Yi took out a tube of adrenaline and stabbed it into Uncle You¡¯s chest.

    Then he shouted towards Building 25, "Help me!"

    The neighbors at the entrance stood in fear, shocked by Zhang Yi''s disy of killing. They didn¡¯t dare approach.

    Zhang Yi''s cold gaze swept over them, startling them into action. Afraid of Zhang Yi, they rushed to help.

    "Lift him carefully and take him to my home! Be gentle; if he gets hurt, I¡¯ll burn you with him as paper offerings for Uncle You!"

    Terrified, the neighbors carefully carried Uncle You, more cautiously than they would their own parents. Zhang Yi followed closely, holding his gun.

    As they reached the seventh floor, they heard a woman¡¯s cry.

    "Uncle You, what happened to you? You can¡¯t leave us! If something happens to you, how will we survive?"

    Xie Limei, carrying her child, ran down the stairs, crying.

    Zhang Yi noticed that Uncle You¡¯s eyelids twitched as Xie Limei cried. He sighed inwardly, "Uncle You, you¡¯re too kind-hearted! If you weren¡¯t so righteous, I might have killed you first."

    If someone couldn''t be used and was highly skilled, they became a significant threat.

    Zhang Yi would kill them without hesitation. However, now he owed Uncle You a great favor, so he couldn¡¯t be angry with Xie Limei.

    The neighbors, knowing Xie Limei''s rtionship with Uncle You, made way for her.

    Xie Limei, holding her child, knelt beside Uncle You, purposely staying close to Zhang Yi, and began crying loudly.

    "Honey! Look at me! I¡¯m Limei, you promised to marry me!"

    "And our baby, you said you wanted to watch her grow up. Once the apocalypse is over, we can live happily together."

    "Hubby!!!" (A five-second wail here.)

    "You can¡¯t break your promise!!!" (Same as above.)

    "If you leave, how can we live? You might as well take us with you."

    "Why did you try to be a hero? Blocking bullets might show your righteousness, but what about us?"

    ...

    Zhang Yi¡¯s skin crawled. Xie Limei didn¡¯t mention Zhang Yi once, but every word implicated him.

    She cried for Uncle You, but it was clear she was telling Zhang Yi that Uncle You had taken bullets for him. If Uncle You died, Zhang Yi would have to take care of her and her child.

 Chapter 131: Shameless Old Woman

    Chapter 131: Shameless Old Woman

    Zhang Yi¡¯s face twisted in disgust. This wretched woman was truly revolting.

    She had started calling Uncle You "husband" now? Since when? Zhang Yi had never heard her call him that before.

    Great, now she was using Uncle You¡¯s act of shielding Zhang Yi from bullets as moral leverage to make him take care of her and her daughter.

    You truly deserve to die!

    Zhang Yi nced at Uncle You, who was still barely alive. Whether he could survive depended on Zhou Ke''er¡¯s skills.

    If Uncle You weren''t still breathing, Zhang Yi would have already pped Xie Limei senseless.

    But Uncle You was still alive, so Zhang Yi had to endure for now. After all, the man had taken bullets for him. He couldn¡¯t just deal with his woman and her child while he was still breathing, could he?

    So Zhang Yi kept a cold, silent expression.Xie Limei cried for a long time, but Zhang Yi showed no reaction, making her anxious. Uncle You was her carefully chosen long-term provider. Now that her provider was on the verge of death, she needed a new one to support her and her daughter.

    Uncle You¡¯s death wouldn¡¯t particrly sadden her, but taking advantage of the situation to emotionally manipte Zhang Yi was something she was more than willing to do.

    Sniffling, Xie Limei turned to Zhang Yi, her eyes full of tears. "Zhang Yi, will my husband be alright?"

    Husband, my foot! Zhang Yi thought, already cursing her in his mind.

    "Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll do everything I can to save Uncle You! Zhou Ke''er is a chief physician at a major hospital. With her around, there¡¯s hope for Uncle You''s recovery."

    Zhang Yi had stored a lot of things in his alternate space, including threerge containers of medicine and medical equipment found in the warehouse district.

    "I will do everything I can to save Uncle You," he repeated. "But whether it works or not is up to fate."

    Xie Limei, still crying, said, "If anything happens to him, I don¡¯t want to live either!"

    Zhang Yi remained silent, not wanting to engage in this topic.

    Seeing Zhang Yi¡¯sck of response, Xie Limei silently cursed him. How could he be so heartless? Uncle You had taken bullets for him, and Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t even look after them in return?

    Hating Zhang Yi inwardly, she didn''t dare say it aloud. Instead, she cried and extended the baby wrapped in her arms toward Zhang Yi.

    "Zhang Yi, if my husband dies, I don¡¯t want to live either. But please, for his sake, take care of our child. I beg you!"

    Zhang Yi quickly said, "Sister Xie, what are you saying? I will do everything to save Uncle You!"

    He waved his hand, rejecting the notion of taking on the burden.

    Xie Limei pressed, "What if he doesn¡¯t make it?"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s expression turned serious. "I will do everything I can!"

    "But what if that¡¯s not enough?"

    "Trust me, I¡¯ll do my best. You surely hope Uncle You will be fine, right?"

    Zhang Yi stared into Xie Limei''s eyes, speaking each word deliberately.

    Caught off guard by Zhang Yi¡¯s directness, Xie Limei stammered, "Of course, I... I certainly hope my husband recovers!"

    Seeing Zhang Yi¡¯s debating skills, she dared not argue further and continued crying, holding her child.

    Zhang Yi instructed the neighbors to carry Uncle You to his home. Since they lived on the 24th floor, the neighbors had to swap out twice to carry him up, each panting heavily by the time they reached the door.

    No one dared toin, knowing Zhang Yi would kill them without hesitation if he was displeased.

    At the door, Zhang Yi told them, "Leave him here and go."

    Relieved, the neighbors hurried downstairs.

    Xie Limei, holding her baby, cried while watching Uncle You.

    Frowning, Zhang Yi said, "Sister Xie, please go home. We¡¯re about to perform surgery on Uncle You to remove the bullets. You can''t help here."

    Xie Limei resolutely replied, "No! He needs someone by his side now. I won¡¯t leave him!"

    She knelt down and grasped Uncle You¡¯s hand tightly. Seeing the pain lessen on Uncle You¡¯s face, Zhang Yi was annoyed but restrained himself.

    Saving Uncle You was the priority. He couldn¡¯t afford any more dys, so he opened the door.

    For Xie Limei, stepping inside felt like entering a paradise. Having survived a month in freezing conditions, she and her baby had only managed thanks to Uncle You¡¯s body heat.

    Feeling the warmth and seeing the familiar yet distantforts of civilized society brought tears to Xie Limei¡¯s eyes¡ªthis time, genuine tears.

    Zhang Yi called Zhou Ke''er to help move Uncle You, while Xie Limei, uninvited, entered the house, carrying her baby. Spotting a water dispenser in the corner, she eagerly picked up a cup and began filling it with hot water.

    Zhou Ke''er and Zhang Yi watched, Zhou Ke''er was surprised that Zhang Yi allowed her inside. Seeing Uncle You covered in blood at the door, she understood.

    Zhang Yi''s eyes showed disdain as Xie Limei used his cup, drinking the hot water with bliss.

    "Ah, hot water is so good!"

    Xie Limei looked at her baby. "Zhang Yi, do you have any form at home?"

    Busy moving Uncle You, Zhang Yi''s face darkened at the question.

    "What did you say?"

    Startled by his re, Xie Limei realized the situation.

    Holding the cup, she stammered, "The baby needs to drink too! My husband loved the baby very much."

    Zhang Yi''s cold gaze bore into her. "Come help now! Or I''ll kick you out!"

    Terrified, Xie Limei followed, holding her baby.

    Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke''er moved Uncle You into an empty room. Zhang Yi¡¯s three-bedroom apartment had one room for a soundproof generator, powering the safe house.

 Chapter 132: Counterattack and Annihilation

    Chapter 132: Counterattack and Annihtion

    Zhang Yi moved the generator aside and then took out arge white bed from his alternate space. This scene left Xie Limeipletely dumbfounded.

    "Is this some kind of magic trick?" she murmured, unable toprehend what was happening before her eyes.

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t be bothered to exin. He turned to Zhou Ke''er and said, "Save Uncle You at any cost! Tell me what medicine and medical equipment you need, and I''ll do my best to provide them."

    Zhou Ke''er, used to handling crises, remained calm despite Uncle You¡¯s bloodied state. She calmly listed the items she needed. Zhang Yi retrieved the required medicine and equipment from his alternate space and handed them to her.

    "How¡¯s the situation? Is there still hope?" Zhang Yi asked in a deep voice.

    Zhou Ke''er changed into her surgical clothes, mask, and gloves, her demeanor bing professional and even somewhat sacred. She cut open Uncle You¡¯s clothes with scissors, her brows furrowing deeply.

    "The situation is very grim! The bullets are in dangerous positions. If they¡¯ve damaged any internal organs, he might not make it with the current conditions," she said.

    Zhang Yi took a deep breath and patted her shoulder. "Do your best!" he said. He had done everything he could. If Uncle You couldn''t pull through, there was nothing more he could do.Xie Limei began crying again. Annoyed by her wailing, Zhang Yi snapped, "Shut up! Don''t disturb the surgery. If you interfere, you know the consequences!"

    Xie Limei''s crying stopped abruptly. She bit her lip, looking fragile. "Maybe I should go outside. I can¡¯t help here anyway."

    The living room outside wasfortable, with soft sofas, hot water to drink, and a big TV to watch. When she arrived, she noticed food in the kitchen. Xie Limei was eager to leave the blood-soaked room and enjoy herself outside.

    A cold smile formed on Zhang Yi¡¯s lips. He stared at Xie Limei and said, "This surgery is crucial for your husband''s life! So, you need to stay and help."

    "But I don¡¯t know how to treat patients!" Xie Limei protested.

    "Then help pass instruments and wipe the sweat. Even if you can¡¯t do anything, your presence will encourage Uncle You," Zhang Yi said.

    Before Xie Limei could argue, Zhang Yi added in a tone that brooked no argument, "This is decided! Stay here and help. I need to go out."

    With that, Zhang Yi stepped outside and locked the door from the outside. He couldn¡¯t let Xie Limei mess around in his ce. "I don¡¯t have time to deal with you now. I¡¯ll handle those damned people first and find a dark spot to bury youter!" he muttered coldly.

    He sat on the sofa, throwing the cup Xie Limei had used into the trash in disgust. Then he went to the kitchen, took a can of milk from the fridge, and drank it in one go. Returning to the living room, Zhang Yi started organizing his weapons. Once all his weapons were sorted, with assault rifles, pistols, and sniper rifles fully loaded, and grenades counted, Zhang Yi left his home.

    ...

    In the central area of themunity, patches of red stained the ground like blooming plum blossoms. The ground was littered with corpses. The snowmobile, left in the snowstorm, along with the scattered food bags, remained incredibly tempting.

    After Zhang Yi left with Uncle You, some desperate or starving people emerged from the buildings to drag the supplies back. Zhang Yi walked steadily, his steps firm and measured, unaffected by anger. The other side had fired the first shot. Not retaliating would be impolite.

    Originally, he had nned to poison them peacefully. However, since they chose a more violent approach, Zhang Yi had no qualms about reciprocating. The sky darkened as Zhang Yi descended the stairs, pulling out his phone to send a message to everyone in themunity¡¯s group chat.

    "Everyone, gather on the fourth floor."

    He put the phone in his chest pocket, then, armed with a rifle, moved to the fourth floor, waiting quietly for everyone to arrive. Soon, the neighbors began to appear. They looked at Zhang Yi with trepidation, afraid of angering him and inviting death.

    But they didn¡¯t dare disobey. Without Zhang Yi¡¯s food, they faced certain death. Only about twenty people were left in Building 25. They gathered together, looking at Zhang Yi with fear.

    "Brother Zhang, those who attacked you have nothing to do with us!"

    "We know nothing. We are your most loyal supporters!"

    Zhang Yi raised his hand, silencing them. He slowly turned his gaze toward the group, his eyes filled with murderous intent, making it impossible for anyone to meet his gaze.

    Having killed nearly a hundred people, Zhang Yi exuded a palpable killing aura that instilled fear in everyone who met his eyes.

    "Those people betrayed me, ambushing Uncle You and me, leaving Uncle You severely injured. They must pay the price!" Zhang Yi¡¯s voice was cold.

    "Tonight, we willunch a counterattack," he dered.

    The crowd¡¯s faces grew even more fearful. "A counterattack? With just us?" they thought Zhang Yi had gone mad.

    In the courtyard battle, he had an advantage with an assault rifle. Butunching a nighttime raid with a dozen people was too risky! A simple stone dropped from above could crush him.

    Zhang Yi reassured them, "Leave the building to me. You just need to guard the perimeter. If anyone jumps out, finish them off."

    The crowd still didn¡¯t understand why anyone would jump from the building, but as long as Zhang Yi didn¡¯t force them tounch an assault, they agreed.

    Zhang Yi pointed to Building 21, the Crazy Wolf Gang''s territory. "Now, surround that building!"

 Chapter 133: Smoked Duck

    Chapter 133: Smoked Duck

    The neighbors of Building 25 followed Zhang Yi¡¯s orders, picked up their weapons, and surrounded Building 21. They weren''t sure what Zhang Yi nned to do. If a fight really broke out, this loose encirclement seemed pointless.

    Meanwhile, the members of the Crazy Wolf Gang upstairs noticed the unusual activity.

    "Zhang Yi has brought people to surround us!" one of the gang members warned.

    Everyone felt a chill run down their spines, their hair standing on end! Zhang Yi had just killed so many people, including their leader Wang Qiang, leaving these wolf cubs pale with fear.

    Knowing Zhang Yi wasing made them panic even more, pushing some to the brink of madness.

    "We¡¯re doomed! We can''t possibly fight that demon! He¡¯s too terrifying!" a yellow-haired gang member wailed, clutching his head.

    At this moment, Xiao Lu, the second-inmand of the Crazy Wolf Gang, rushed over, grabbed him by the cor, and pped him twice.

    Then he yelled at the group, "What are you afraid of? This building is our stronghold. Even if Zhang Yi has a gun, he¡¯ll lose ayer of skin if he tries to get in here!""Pull yourselves together and fight him to the death!"

    With Xiao Lu¡¯smand, the gang members barely held themselves together. They gripped their weapons tightly, guarding every trap, ready to fight Zhang Yi to the death.

    But Zhang Yi didn¡¯t enter as they expected. He merely instructed his neighbors to watch every window to prevent anyone from escaping.

    Then, Zhang Yi went to the fourth-floor entrance of Building 21. His right eye shed with a white light, and arge pile of freshly cut, wet wood filled the room.

    Next, he piled in cheap synthetic fiber clothes, nearly filling the entire room. Only then did he take out a barrel of gasoline and spill it on the floor.

    Afterpleting these tasks, he stepped out of the room. No one was at the front entrance, so none of his neighbors saw what he did.

    Zhang Yi took out a handgun and fired, breaking the gasoline barrel. Gasoline gushed out, forming a natural fuse leading to the door.

    Zhang Yi walked over and lit the gasoline trail with a lighter. "Whoosh!" mes roared to life, illuminating the entire room.

    Zhang Yi quickly retreated, and within seconds, the fire zed ferociously! The synthetic clothes caught fire instantly, and the mes engulfed the whole room.

    The wet wood, with its moisture evaporated, also caught fire quickly. However, the ipletebustion produced thick ck smoke, which mixed with the smoke from the burning synthetic clothes and rose into the air.

    In this cold weather, every window in the building was tightly shut. The smoke had nowhere to go but up, seeping through every crevice like a ck dragon, quickly engulfing floor after floor!

    Upstairs, the Crazy Wolf Gang members were waiting for Zhang Yi to attack. Instead, they were greeted by an unbearably acrid ck smoke.

    "Cough, cough, cough... They¡¯re setting a fire!!"

    "These people are despicable, shameless! Zhang Yi, that coward, even with a gun, is too scared to fight us directly!"

    "Quick, open the windows, let the smoke out!"

    "Cough, cough, cough... cough, cough..."

    "Water, is there any water? Wet your clothes and cover your nose."

    "Where¡¯s the water? It¡¯s all ice!"

    "Pee, pee on the clothes!"

    "Ah, my eyes! My eyes are burning, I can¡¯t see anything."

    "Cough, cough, cough... I... cough, cough..."

    The thick smoke quickly filled the entire building. When the people inside realized the problem and tried to open the windows, they found them sealed shut by ice and snow. There was no way to open them.

    The building had turned into a giant oven, and they were the ducks inside. However, calling them roast duck wasn¡¯t quite right. They were more like smoked duck.

    Zhang Yi stood outside the building, holding his rifle. The yellow mes illuminated his face, and he felt incredibly warm.

    He reminisced about his college days, when his department organized a bonfire party. Everyone sang and danced around the fire, and those times were truly memorable.

    But tonight''s bonfire was muchrger and wilder than that.

    At this point, the surrounding neighbors finally understood what Zhang Yi was doing. They could hear the screams and coughing from inside the building, sending chills down their spines.

    The building had be a death trap, and Zhang Yi blocked the only way out.

    People inside could either wait to die ore out and be killed.

    Soon, someone couldn¡¯t bear it any longer. They braved the smoke, rushing down the stairs, trying to escape. But with his eyes stinging and vision blurred, he stumbled and fell into the mes.

    Amidst the terrifying screams, he soon sumbed to the fire.

    "Crash!" Someone upstairs smashed a window and jumped out. From seven or eight floors up, faced with death, they jumped without hesitation.

    But afternding, before they could celebrate surviving the fall, a waiting woman with a knife shed them dead.

    "Li Yun, you¡¯re getting good at this. You used to be afraid to even kill a chicken!" a neighbormented,ughing.

    Proud of thepliment, Li Yun wiped the blood off her face. "Everyone¡¯s working hard; I can¡¯t ck off!"

    Just as she spoke, she noticed another person falling from above. Blood spurted from their mouth, and their eyes were filled with soot. Barely alive, their body convulsed.

    "Ah, here¡¯s another one. Let me handle it!" Li Yun said cheerfully. She walked over, raised a cleaver, and with a "thud," chopped off their head.

    The other neighbors were doing the same.

    The people upstairs had no idea what awaited them below. They believed breaking the windows and jumping was their only way to survive.

    The neighbors worked diligently, feeling the warmth of the mes on their faces, smiling with contentment.

    "This fire is beautiful!"

    "Yes, we should do this more often."

    While everyone was busy, Zhang Yi stood by the entrance, enjoying the warmth.

    Residents of other buildings also saw the mes, and smoke, and heard the screams, filling them with fear.

    "What should we do? Will Zhang Yi use the same method on us?"

    Every resident had this thought.

    Rather than waiting to die, why not fight Zhang Yi?

    But how? Fight Zhang Yi and his assault rifle with their bare hands?

    The memory of Wang Qiang and over ten others being shot like a sieve was still fresh in their minds.

    They didn¡¯t dare.

    "It¡¯s okay. Zhang Yi won¡¯t kill everyone. He won¡¯t!"

    "Grievances have a source. I wasn¡¯t involved in this."

    They clung to the hope of mercy, preferring to pray rather than confront Zhang Yi.

 Chapter 134: Burning

    Chapter 134: Burning

    Building 21 burned fiercely for more than half an hour before the mes began to diminish. However, the thick smoke continued unabated. By this point, it was impossible for anyone inside the building to still be alive.

    Without venttion, they had no way to prevent the toxic gases from entering their bodies. The only oue for them was a painful death. Even if a few people miraculously survived, staying inside the building would eventually kill them, as the smoke wouldn''t dissipate quickly.

    Zhang Yi turned and walked towards Building 26. "Let''s go to the next one!" he called out.

    The neighbors from Building 25, their bloodlust aroused, followed eagerly. They had never experienced such an exhrating way of killing, where they controlled others'' lives. The thrill of it excited them beyond measure.

    A group of them roared, following Zhang Yi towards Building 26, the territory of the Tianhe Gang.

    The residents of Building 26 watched the scene from their windows. Seeing Zhang Yi and his group approaching, they were terrified.

    Someone inside shouted, "Zhang Yi, Huang Tianfang is already dead. This has nothing to do with us!"

    "Injustice has a source, and debts have a master. You can''t kill innocent people!"Hearing this, Zhang Yiughed heartily. "Innocent people?"

    "Do you consider yourselves innocent?" Zhang Yi asked, his eyes filled with sarcasm.

    "Everyone alive in your building has blood on their hands. Besides, even if you are innocent, what does that have to do with whether I kill you or not?"

    Zhang Yi didn''t care how many people were involved in the attack on him. As long as anyone was even slightly suspicious, he would eliminate them without mercy. In the apocalypse, there was no room for any mercy. Otherwise, it would bring disaster upon himself in the future.

    "Let''s continue!" Zhang Yimanded, instructing his people to seal off Building 26 and setting it on fire from the ground floor.

    Screams and curses echoed from the building. Several people, shouting like madmen, charged down the stairs, only to be shot in the head by Zhang Yi the moment they showed themselves.

    Soon, thick smoke enveloped Building 26 as well. Zhang Yi took his time, methodically killing one building at a time to ensure no one escaped.

    He quickly dealt with the people in Building 26 and continued to the other buildings previously confirmed to have been involved in the attack on him.

    Five buildings burned, their mes reaching the sky, with thick smoke billowing. The entiremunity was illuminated, and the surrounding temperature rose, causing nearby ice and snow to melt, lowering the horizon.

    The residents of other buildings were terrified, many urinating themselves in fear. Zhang Yi calcted the time and, realizing he wouldn''t be able to kill everyone in one night, decided to rest and check on Uncle You¡¯s condition.

    To avoid trouble from the remaining people, Zhang Yi decided to appease them temporarily.

    He took out a megaphone from his alternate space and shouted into themunity, "Everyone, rest assured, I, Zhang Yi, never harm the innocent. This time, I''m only targeting those who attacked me."

    "For those who have been friendly to me, I will not harm you. Do not be afraid!"

    Hearing this, the residents of other buildings felt like they had grasped theirst hope. Even though they knew Zhang Yi might be deceiving them, they chose to believe him. People tend to deceive themselves, always hoping for the best oue.

    "Zhang Yi isn''t going to kill us? That''s great news!"

    "Yes, we didn''t attack him. This has nothing to do with us. Zhang Yi shouldn¡¯t be targeting us."

    "He killed so many people; he must be tired. I don''t believe he can kill everyone in themunity."

    People don''t fight when not in absolute desperation. Zhang Yi gave them hope, but they chose to be ostriches, burying their heads in the sand and pretending there was no danger around them.

    After finishing his speech, Zhang Yi told his neighbors, "Alright, that''s it for today''s activity. Go rest!"

    The neighbors, though reluctant to leave the warmth of the fires, said, "We''ll stay here and warm up for a bit!"

    The mes were so warm! Going back inside meant facing the cold, so staying by the fire was much morefortable.

    "Suit yourselves," Zhang Yi said indifferently, then turned and walked back to Building 25.

    The neighbors, unwilling to leave, gathered around the fire, their eyes filled with delight. However, the mes slowly began to diminish as the fuel Zhang Yi provided ran out.

    "What do we do now? The fire is getting smaller!" one person eximed anxiously.

    Another looked around and suddenly had a bright idea. Whispering to two others nearby, they quickly grabbed a corpse and threw it into the fire.

    "Crackling!" The sound of oil sizzling in the high heat was followed by the mes roaring back to life.

    "Great idea! Haha, how could we forget that animal fat is excellent fuel!"

    There were plenty of bodies around, enough to keep the fire going for a while. If they got hungry, they could even cook some meat.

    What a wonderful barbecue feast!

    ...

    On his way back, Zhang Yi passed by the bodies of Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei. He paused briefly, feeling a curious urge.

    These two had been useful, obedient, and diligent. They had at least been well-fed while following him. So why had they suddenly turned on him?

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t surprised, just curious. He searched their bodies and found their phones. Using the firelight, he unlocked the phones using their faces.

    Browsing through their chat histories, his expression became yful. "So that''s what happened!"

    Zhang Yi chuckled, tossing their phones into the snow.

    Returning home, Zhang Yi opened the temporary hospital room door. Zhou Ke''er stood against the wall, her long legs crossed, her blue surgical gown unable to hide her graceful figure.

    Zhang Yi nced at the hospital bed. Uncle Youy with an oxygen mask on, and the heart monitor showed stable waves.

    Zhang Yi breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed Uncle You¡¯s life was saved, sparing Zhang Yi from feeling too guilty about his fallenrade.

 Chapter 135: The Second Mutant

    Chapter 135: The Second Mutant

    Zhang Yi looked at Zhou Ke''er and said, "Ke''er, thank you for your hard work!"

    Zhou Ke''er smiled and shook her head. "I''m happy to help you."

    As they were chatting, Xie Limei suddenly walked over, holding her child. Her face showed a pitiful expression as she spoke to Zhang Yi, "Zhang Yi, we haven''t eaten all day. Could you please get something for me and the baby?"

    Zhang Yi looked down at her with a mocking gaze. If it weren''t for Uncle You, he would have thrown this troublesome woman into the snow long ago. But now, she had sessfully earned Zhang Yi''s disdain, making her as good as dead in his eyes.

    For now, he had other people to deal with, so he temporarily spared her life. Without saying much, he waved his right hand, and a box of instant noodles appeared in front of Xie Limei.

    "Take these. After all, you are Uncle You''s family, and I won''t let you go hungry."

    Xie Limei stared in shock. "What... what kind of magic trick is this?"

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t be bothered to exin. He didn''t care if Xie Limei knew about his abilities. After all, a dead person couldn''t reveal secrets.Zhang Yi wrapped his arm around Zhou Ke''er, intending to take her back to rest. After hours of surgery, she was very tired. As they were about to leave, Xie Limei followed and said, "Is there anything else besides instant noodles?"

    "I saw eggs in the kitchen, and there are chicken bones in the trash."

    She looked weak, but her eyes were fixed on Zhang Yi. Zhang Yi, annoyed, remarked, "There are only instant noodles. Eat it or leave it."

    Seeing Zhang Yi¡¯s anger, Xie Limei stepped back and quietly said, "Alright, instant noodles are fine. I was just asking."

    Zhang Yi supported Zhou Ke''er back to her room. She smiled and said, "Now we have another troublemaker at home."

    Zhang Yi replied calmly, "She won¡¯t be a trouble."

    Seeing Zhou Ke''er¡¯s legs were weak from fatigue, Zhang Yi ced her on the bed and gently removed her shoes. Her toes, covered in ck stockings, curled up cutely.

    "I¡¯ve been standing all day, my feet might smell..." she murmured.

    Smell? Perfect!

    Zhang Yi''s smile turned a bit wicked, but seeing Zhou Ke''er so tired, he decided to let her rest for now.

    "How is Uncle You? How long will it take for him to recover, or is it just a temporary recovery, and he won''tst long?" Zhang Yi asked.

    Zhou Ke''er''s eyes showed a strange expression. She said, "He was seriously injured and lost a lot of blood. We didn''t have any blood bags. Initially, I thought it would be very hard to save him."

    Zhang Yi frowned. He hadn¡¯t considered the need for blood bags, not being a professional medical worker.

    "Then how did you manage to save him?" he asked.

    Zhou Ke''er looked puzzled. "At first, his heart rate was close to zero, but suddenly, his body seemed to undergo some change. The activity of his cells increased rapidly, and even the bleeding reduced significantly."

    She spread her hands, indicating her confusion.

    "I can''t exin it."

    Zhang Yi was stunned. He was all too familiar with such extraordinary urrences because he had experienced them himself! Uncle You might have awakened some special ability.

    Since his rebirth, Zhang Yi had considered the possibility. Gamma rays had altered his gic sequence, turning him into a mutant. So, could others also develop abilities?

    Over the past month, in amunity of over a thousand people, no second mutant had appeared, suggesting that the conditions for mutation were extremely stringent. Gic mutations are rare, and the direction of mutation is uncertain.

    Yet, Uncle You had be the second mutant, besides Zhang Yi himself!

    "Could near-death situations trigger awakening? That might be a prerequisite," Zhang Yi thought.

    "If so, the conditions are too harsh. If the mutation doesn''t include self-healing, the person would die even after awakening."

    "If Uncle You hadn''t met me, he would have died."

    Zhang Yi rxed, realizing the probability of encountering other mutants in the future was extremely low. He wondered what kind of ability Uncle You had awakened.

    After some thought, Zhang Yi told Zhou Ke''er, "From now on, give Uncle You a daily dose of muscle rxants or sedatives. It shouldn''t affect his health but will control his actions."

    Zhou Ke''er was surprised but quickly understood.

    "Is Uncle You like you, having developed some special ability?"

    Zhang Yi nodded. "I think so, but we have no experience with this. We don¡¯t know what he might be."

    "Do you know the Hulk? He mutated due to gamma radiation."

    Zhang Yi spread his hands and smiled wryly. "If Uncle You turns into the Hulk and loses control, he might destroy the house!"

    He exaggerated, but in reality, given the principle of energy conservation, even if Uncle You transformed, he wouldn''t possess great strength in his current state. For safety, Zhang Yi needed to observe him to ensure his mutation wasn¡¯t harmful.

    Zhou Ke''er nodded. "That¡¯s simple. Leave it to me."

    Zhang Yi kissed her and gently said, "You¡¯re tired today. Get some rest."

    Zhou Ke''er nced outside. "What about Uncle You? Can Xie Limei take care of him?"

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly. "She¡¯s a troublesome woman but not stupid. She knows that if anything happens to Uncle You, I''ll kick her out immediately. So she¡¯ll take better care of him than you."

    Zhou Ke''er nodded in agreement. "That makes sense."

    Zhang Yi told her to rest and then left the room, only to find Xie Limei making instant noodles, her eyes darting around as if looking to steal something.

    Zhang Yi approached and said, "Sister Xie, you can stay with Uncle You. You¡¯ll be able to take care of him at night."

    Xie Limei nodded obediently, appearing verypliant. Zhang Yi gestured for her to enter the room. Sheplied, and Zhang Yi locked the door from the outside.

 Chapter 136: Stabbing to the Point

    Chapter 136: Stabbing to the Point

    After taking care of matters at home, Zhang Yi grabbed his gun and left. It was time to settle a lingering issue.

    The building was almost empty. Most of the neighbors had gone out to barbecue, leaving only two upied apartments. Zhang Yi approached the door of one of the remaining upied apartments, the one where Lin Caining and Fang Yuqing used to live.

    He pulled out his handgun and shot the lock twice, then kicked the door open. With a riot shield in his left hand and the gun in his right, he stepped inside.

    The room was dark, so Zhang Yi turned on his heamp, illuminating the entire room. Every corner became as clear as day. Suddenly, a woman with disheveled hair rushed at him with a kitchen knife, screaming.

    Unfazed, Zhang Yi raised the riot shield. The weak sh had no impact, and the woman fell to the ground from the recoil. Zhang Yi turned to face her, a mocking smile on his lips.

    "Long time no see, Fang Yuqing!" he said, shining the heamp directly at her face, forcing her to squint. Fang Yuqing, covered in blood and filth, looked like neither a person nor a ghost. The room reeked of rot, bones littering the floor. In one cornery a half-eaten corpse, its remaining clothes revealing it to be Lin Caining.

    "No wonder you¡¯ve survived. You truly are a fake friend," Zhang Yi taunted.

    Fang Yuqing shielded her eyes from the light and, recognizing Zhang Yi, let out a cry of despair and rage."Zhang Yi, why aren¡¯t you dead? Why?!"

    "Those useless fools couldn¡¯t even kill you. They¡¯re worthless!" she screamed, her voice filled with hatred.

    Zhang Yi smirked. "You foolish woman, did you think colluding with Wang Qiang and turning Jiang Lei and Li Chengbin against me would kill me?"

    "Pathetic. You¡¯re nothing but a pawn, easily manipted and discarded."

    It had been Fang Yuqing who tipped off Wang Qiang, leading to his ambush in the snow. She had also turned Li Chengbin and Jiang Lei against Zhang Yi, orchestrating their attack. Her skill at maniption was exceptional, but in the end, she had only brought destruction upon herself.

    "I hate you, Zhang Yi! All of this is your fault!" Fang Yuqing raged, her voice breaking.

    "You chased me for two and a half years but suddenly stopped. How dare you betray me? If you had just persisted a little longer, I would have agreed to marry you! But you abandoned me for that bitch. I hate you both!"

    Growing more agitated, she lunged at Zhang Yi. He didn¡¯t even bother using his gun. He simply raised the riot shield and knocked her down.

    "What a bitch," he muttered. Dealing with such a delusional woman, Zhang Yi felt no need for further words.

    He put away his gun and took out a crowbar, advancing towards Fang Yuqing. Without hesitation, he smashed her wrists and ankles. Her emaciated body offered little resistance; her bones snapped easily under the crowbar¡¯s force, her screams like a twisted symphony.

    Fang Yuqing writhed in pain, her defiance crumbling. She began to sob and beg for mercy.

    "Zhang Yi, please, don¡¯t kill me. I don¡¯t want to die!"

    Ignoring her pleas, Zhang Yi yanked her by the hair and dragged her to the window. He smashed the bars of the balcony window with the crowbar.

    Fang Yuqing knew what wasing. He was going to throw her from the eighth floor, ensuring she would either die from the fall or freeze to death in the snow.

    Tears and snot streamed down her face as she begged, "Zhang Yi, spare me! I¡¯ll do anything you want!"

    Zhang Yi felt a twisted satisfaction hearing her pitiful cries. Memories of his past life surfaced, where her maniptive charm had lured him into a trap, leading to a gruesome fate.

    "You deserve this," Zhang Yi said coldly.

    He put away the crowbar and pulled out a sharp knife, slicing her clothes with swift, precise motions until she was left shivering and naked. She thought he intended to assault her and stammered, "You can have me, just let me live."

    Zhang Yi looked at her skeletal frame and sighed in disappointment. "You¡¯re nothing but skin and bones now. No appeal left."

    He had once desired her and chased her for years. Now, the sight of her repulsed him.

    Grabbing her thin ankle, he dangled her out the window. Fang Yuqing screamed, struggling like a dying animal. Zhang Yi enjoyed her terror before letting go, sending her plummeting into the snow below.

    He watched her fall, seeing her body make a crater in the snow. Zhang Yi sighed, "Am I too kind? Letting her die so quickly seems too merciful."

    If he had more time, he would have preferred to slowly torture her. But he had too many targets to deal with and couldn''t waste time on her.

    "I really am a kind person," Zhang Yi mused, walking away.

 Chapter 137: The Billion-Dollar Super Shelter

    Chapter 137: The Billion-Dor Super Shelter

    The next morning, Zhang Yi asked Zhou Ke''er to check on Uncle You¡¯s condition. The results left Zhou Ke''er astonished.

    She reported to Zhang Yi, "His recovery is excellent, at least ten times faster than an average person!"

    This confirmation reassured Zhang Yi that Uncle You had indeed awakened a special ability.

    "I understand. Take good care of him and make sure he recovers fully!" Zhang Yi said, patting Zhou Ke''er¡¯s hip and giving her a meaningful look.

    Zhou Ke''er nodded knowingly and took a syringe from the medicine box, slowly injecting it into Uncle You¡¯s arm.

    Watching them finish their work, Xie Limei walked over with a smile and made a request.

    "Zhang Yi, I forgot to bring my charger. Could you help me get it? And we also need diapers for our baby."

    Her demeanor was calm, as if she intended to stay indefinitely. She believed Zhang Yi owed Uncle You a life debt, and by extension, she and her child deserved his care as well.Zhang Yi nced at the unconscious Uncle You. He knew that people inas could still hear things around them, so he smiled at Xie Limei and said, "I have urgent matters to attend to outside. I¡¯ll help you with that once I''m done."

    Xie Limei¡¯s smile grew wider. "Alright, just don¡¯t forget!"

    After providing them with food and water, Zhang Yi locked Xie Limei and her child back in the small room. He was forming a n to deal with the troublesome woman.

    ...

    Fully equipped, Zhang Yi gathered all the neighbors downstairs to continue clearing out other buildings.

    The neighbors were surprised. "Zhang Yi, didn¡¯t you say yesterday that you¡¯d only clear out the buildings where the main attackers lived?"

    Zhang Yi smiled and replied, "Yes, but after further investigation, I found that several other buildings also had people involved in the attack on me."

    "Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t harm innocent people, only those who are evil. After the action, our building will control the entiremunity. I will assign these buildings to you to manage."

    Spreading his hands, Zhang Yi painted a bright future for the neighbors.

    "Only by clearing out the pests can we have true peace and happiness. Don¡¯t you agree?"

    Many neighbors were pleased by Zhang Yi¡¯s words, envisioning a future where they could be building leaders themselves and live morefortably. Some doubted his ims but dared not voice their concerns due to their fear of Zhang Yi.

    Among the crowd was a former rich kid, Xu Hao, whose eyes revealed a mix of terror and anxiety. His body trembled slightly. A neighbor noticed and asked, "Xu Hao, what¡¯s wrong?"

    Xu Hao quickly lowered his head and replied, "Nothing, just feeling a bit cold."

    The neighbor advised, "Oh, then make sure to keep warm. Catching a cold in this weather can be deadly."

    Zhang Yi led his group to begin a systematic purge of the buildings with stubborn resistance. Early in the morning, many were still in bed when Zhang Yi¡¯s infernal barbecue began.

    By the time the smoke woke them up, it was toote to escape. Zhang Yi set fire to each building while announcing through a loudspeaker, "I¡¯m not a man who kills indiscriminately! My investigation shows that people in these buildings participated in the attack on me."

    "Hand over those people, and I¡¯ll let the rest of you go. If you refuse, I¡¯ll consider you aplices and eliminate you all!"

    Upon hearing this, the unaffected buildings fell silent.

    "Zhang Yi is reasonable. Those people deserved it."

    "As long as the fire doesn¡¯t reach us, Zhang Yi will stop once he¡¯s done with them."

    "This has nothing to do with us. He won¡¯t kill us for no reason."

    "Better to stay home. Going out means getting shot. I trust Zhang Yi is reasonable."

    Holding this mindset, they watched the spectacle from a safe distance.

    Moreover, the fires benefited themunity by raising the temperature, making everyone a little warmer.

    As the mes roared, the upstairs residents couldn¡¯t stand it anymore. They pushed a few people out and pleaded with Zhang Yi, "These are the ones who tried to harm you. Please, let us go!"

    Zhang Yi nced at them and calmly raised his gun.

    "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"

    He shot them all and said indifferently, "Nonsense! You¡¯re just using each other. Do you have proof?"

    By noon, Zhang Yi had cleansed seven more buildings. Twelve buildings in total were now empty, and the remaining eighteen housed fewer than 500 people. These survivors were from the weakest buildings and hadn¡¯t attacked Zhang Yi.

    Rubbing his temples, Zhang Yi felt it was time to stop the ughter. The remaining people posed no threat to him. Continuing the massacre might affect his sanity.

    "Today¡¯s cleansing ends here. I¡¯ll deal with the other buildingster," he announced, then turned to leave, ready for a well-deserved rest.

    As he walked away from the burning funeral feast, a figure broke away from the crowd and followed him. Hearing footsteps behind him, Zhang Yi turned coldly and asked, "What do you want?"

    Xu Hao raised his hands quickly. "Brother Zhang, don¡¯t misunderstand. I have important information for you!"

    Zhang Yi sneered. "Important information?"

    With themunity under his control, what could be so important?

    Xu Hao nced around nervously and whispered, "Brother Zhang, have you heard about the billion-dor apocalypse shelter built by Wang Siming, the son of the richest man in Jiangnan?"

 Chapter 138: Fishing or Surrender?

    Chapter 138: Fishing or Surrender?

    Xu Hao''s words immediately triggered Zhang Yi''s memories from over a decade ago.

    In the 2030s, sci-fi movies suddenly gained worldwide poprity, with apocalyptic films being the hottest genre. This trend supposedly started with the Chinese film series "The Wandering Earth."

    Those years saw a surge in apocalyptic films dominating box office charts annually. The influence of these movies led some people, including the world''s top billionaires, to start building shelters.

    At the time, most people saw this as a joke. Few genuinely believed the apocalypse woulde.

    Zhang Yi remembered a particr event that stayed on the trending topics list for months and became a popr meme.

    The story involved Wang Siming, the son of the richest man in Jiangnan, who spent $1 billion to build a shelter imed to be indestructible. Incidentally, this shelter was built by the War Dragon Security Company, which Zhang Yiter sought out for rted reasons.

    However, there was no follow-up on that shelter afterwards. Gossip was rampant, but people generally dismissed it as a rich kid''s whimsy.

    Zhang Yi quickly recollected these past events and looked seriously at Xu Hao."Do you know where that shelter is?" he asked.

    If such a $1 billion super shelter existed, it would undoubtedly be one of the safest ces in the world. Its safety, interior space, and facilities would be far superior to the shelter Zhang Yi built for 8 million yuan. It was a true apocalypse fortress, even capable of withstanding H-bombs, which piqued Zhang Yi''s curiosity.

    Xu Hao looked around cautiously and said, "There are too many eyes here. Let''s talk back at your ce."

    Zhang Yi nodded and had Xu Hao lead the way. Xu Haoplied, demonstrating his sincerity by walking ahead obediently.

    They returned to Building 25 and went to Zhang Yi''s room on the eighth floor. Zhang Yi closed the door behind them, leaned against the wall, and crossed his arms.

    "Now there¡¯s no one here. Tell me everything," Zhang Yimanded.

    Xu Hao didn''t hesitate. He knew Zhang Yi''s personality and dared not waste time.

    "That shelter is actually Yunque Manor 101!" Xu Hao revealed.

    "Yunque Manor 101?" Zhang Yi repeated the name, recognizing it immediately.

    Yunque Manor was one of the most expensive vi districts in Tianhai City. Thend was so valuable that even calling it "worth its weight in gold" was an understatement. The cheapest vi there cost over 100 million yuan. The residents were all extraordinarily wealthy.

    Yunque Manor 101 was Wang Siming''s vi, rumored to be worth 250 million yuan. After his father passed away, Wang Siming inherited billions. Though he indulged in luxury and wasn¡¯t adept at business, causing him to drop off the rich list, he was still known as the "First Prince of China" due to his extravagant lifestyle over the past decade.

    Rumors imed he had affairs with over 80% of China''s top actresses and had dated tens of thousands of women.

    Zhang Yi eyed Xu Hao with a yful smile.

    "Why are you telling me this?" he asked skeptically.

    Xu Hao quickly exined, "I want to follow you. Just let me be your subordinate, and I''ll help you take over that shelter!"

    Zhang Yi narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the man before him. A billion-dor super shelter was incredibly enticing to Zhang Yi. He was almost done with his business at the Yue Lumunity, having eliminated most threats. Some people outside likely knew he had arge stockpile of supplies. Moving to a better shelter and keeping a low profile would be wise.

    However, could he trust Xu Hao?

    Zhang Yi sneered, "You think I''m an idiot? Why would you tell me about such a valuable ce?"

    Xu Hao hurriedly rified, "I know where it is, but Wang Siming currently controls it. I can''t take it by myself, so I need your help."

    "That''s why I''m asking to follow you. As long as you provide for me, I''ll do everything I can to help you."

    Zhang Yi''s face remained impassive. "If it¡¯s such a top-tier shelter, it won''t be easy to conquer."

    "Besides, we have no rtionship. You suddenly offering such a gift makes me suspicious. Do you think I''ll believe in free lunches?"

    Xu Hao saw Zhang Yi¡¯s caution and knew he had to convince him further. He revealed more crucial information, "I not only know the location but have been inside. I understand theyout well."

    "Previously, Wang Siming and I were still in contact. He heard about you and nned to lure you there to steal your supplies and snowmobile."

    Zhang Yi''s eyes shed with killing intent. Xu Hao panicked and exined, "But I refused him! I wouldn''t dare plot against you!"

    Zhang Yi coldly remarked, "Perhaps you''re still trying to fish for information now."

    With that, Zhang Yi pressed his handgun to Xu Hao¡¯s forehead.

    "I could shoot you right now," he threatened.

    Xu Hao trembled, his legs nearly giving out. "Don¡¯t kill me! I swear, I¡¯m telling the truth! Please, believe me!"

    A gunshot rang out.

 Chapter 139: Wang Simings Hundreds of Thousands of Girlfriends

    Chapter 139: Wang Siming''s Hundreds of Thousands of Girlfriends

    The gunshot made Xu Hao''s pupils shrink in fear, and his body went limp. Zhang Yi¡¯s shot had intentionally missed his head, passing by his ear instead. The near miss scared Xu Hao to death. He sat on the ground, gasping for air.

    "Brother Zhang, please don''t kill me. Everything I said is true!" Xu Hao pleaded.

    Zhang Yi narrowed his eyes and slowly squatted down, staring directly into Xu Hao¡¯s eyes. "Give me a reason to believe you''re not conspiring with Wang Siming to trap me. Then, you might have a chance to live."

    Xu Hao took several deep breaths, trying to calm himself. "Because following you offers a better chance of survival than opposing you."

    "I''ve seen what you''re capable of. I''m not stupid enough to be your enemy. Wang Siming, livingfortably in his shelter, is easier to deal withpared to you."

    Xu Hao clenched his teeth and continued, "Besides, I¡¯d rather see that mother fucker Wang Siming dead than you."

    A glimmer of interest shed in Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes. "Oh? Weren''t you two friends?"

    "Friends? Ha!" Xu Hao¡¯sugh was filled with resentment and bitterness. "To him, I''m probably no better than a dog."Xu Hao went on to exin their rtionship. "My family is wealthy and influential in Tianhai City. My father¡¯spany is worth billions. By all rights, I should be one of the top young elites in the city, right?"

    "But when Wang Siming returned from abroad, everything changed. His family¡¯s wealth and power far surpassed ours. In the eyes of others, I might be a rich and influential young master. But to Wang Siming, I¡¯m nothing."

    Zhang Yi nodded slightly, finding the story interesting. "I remember Wang Siming saying something once: ''I don¡¯t care if my friends are rich or not; they¡¯ll never be richer than me.''"

    Xu Hao nodded. "Exactly."

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t fully understand. "So, you hate him just because he''s richer than you?"

    "No, you don¡¯t understand our circle," Xu Hao said, shaking his head. "My family is in the construction business, and the Wang family is our biggest client. We practically depend on them to survive."

    "So, when Wang Siming returned, I had to bend over backwards to please him."

    Xu Hao¡¯s eyes filled with humiliation and his fists clenched tightly.

    "As a privileged young master for over twenty years, having to stoop so low to please someone else was humiliating. Worse, if he fancied my woman, I had to send her to his bed personally."

    Xu Hao¡¯s face turned red with anger. "That was my woman! Mine! But I had to send her to him several times."

    "Because of this, I became aughingstock among the young elites in Jiangnan."

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, feeling somewhat sympathetic. A prominent young master, forced to offer his girlfriend to another man to curry favor, was indeed degrading.

    Curious about women, Zhang Yi asked, "I¡¯ve heard Wang Siming has a fondness for beautiful women. Some say he¡¯s had hundreds of thousands of girlfriends. Is that true?"

    Zhang Yi had always been skeptical of such ims. Even if one lived to be a hundred, that would only be 36,500 days. It seemed impossible to have that many girlfriends.

    Xu Haoughed. "Brother Zhang, no offense, but the lives of the truly wealthy are beyond your imagination."

    "You might think the lives of the rich in web novels are exaggerated, but the reality is even more outrageous."

    Zhang Yi¡¯s interest was piqued. "Oh? How so?"

    Xu Hao exined, "Wang Siming¡¯s women aren¡¯t just in the thousands; they number in the hundreds of thousands!"

    Zhang Yi was momentarily stunned before bursting intoughter. "Are you kidding me? Even emperors like Sima Yan, with his thousands of concubines, couldn¡¯t manage that many women."

    Xu Hao, feeling Zhang Yi¡¯s disbelief, said, "Brother Zhang, it''s true! The rich have their unique ways."

    "Exin," Zhang Yi said, now genuinely curious.

    Xu Hao detailed, "Wang Siming has people all over the country scouting for women. These women range from top actresses and online influencers to local socialites and ordinary girls."

    "He has dozens of phones, each representing different provinces. Each phone contains numerous WeChat groups filled with local beauties."

    "Whenever he travels, he can summon hundreds of women from these groups. Even when he¡¯s not traveling, he can still have his pick of women from all over the country with a single message."

    Xu Hao paused, then added, "Have you seen those videos online of girls writing messages on their bodies? Things like congratting EDG for winning or Messi for his victories?"

    "Those videose from women in Wang Siming¡¯s groups. He just needs to give an order, and they¡¯ll perform various acts. Writing on their bodies is the least of it."

    Zhang Yi listened in amazement. He never imagined the lives of the super-rich could be so extravagant. "So, he keeps these women as a kind of reserve, using them whenever he pleases?"

    "Exactly," Xu Hao confirmed. "With his wealth, he can afford to indulge in such extravagances."

    Xu Hao added humorously, "In a way, it¡¯s a form of wealth redistribution, isn¡¯t it?"

    Zhang Yi shook his head in disbelief. "No wonder there are so many single women in big cities."

    Now convinced of Xu Hao''s sincerity, Zhang Yi decided to give him a chance.

    "Alright, Xu Hao. I¡¯ll consider your offer. But remember, betray me, and you¡¯ll wish you were dead."

    Xu Hao nodded vigorously, relieved. "Thank you, Brother Zhang. I won¡¯t let you down."

 Chapter 140: Three Conditions

    Chapter 140: Three Conditions

    Xu Hao''s revtion gave Zhang Yi a glimpse into the lives of the elite. But that wasn''t important now.

    After listening to Xu Hao¡¯s story, Zhang Yi looked at him calmly and asked, "So, tell me your n. If I agree to cooperate, how exactly will you help me?"

    Xu Hao, sensing that he had piqued Zhang Yi¡¯s interest, became more animated.

    "I still have contact with Wang Siming. When I told him about you, he became very interested in your supplies and your snowmobile," Xu Hao exined.

    "So, we can stage a y. Pretend that I''ve lured you there, and once Wang Siming opens the door, you can use your skills to take him down in no time."

    Zhang Yi thought for a moment, then looked at Xu Hao and asked, "If Wang Siming¡¯s shelter is worth $1 billion, would he really need my supplies?"

    Having watched sci-fi movies, Zhang Yi knew that suchrge-scale shelters usually had enough supplies tost for years. It seemed unlikely that Wang Siming would be in need of more after just one month.

    Xu Hao scratched his head, showing a wry smile. "Well... the shelter was built over ten years ago.""When Wang Siming first built it, it was more of a whim. After his initial interest waned, he didn¡¯t take it seriously anymore and used it more like an ordinary vi."

    "The supplies stored there were eventually discarded as trash, and the space was converted into entertainment rooms and sports areas."

    Listening silently, Zhang Yi¡¯s mind began constructing a mental blueprint of the super shelter.

    "What about weapons and defenses? A shelter of that caliber must have some serious security measures, right?" Zhang Yi asked, his concern evident.

    Xu Hao suddenly fell silent.

    He then said, "Unless you agree to work with me and ensure my survival, I can''t tell you that information."

    Xu Hao was not foolish. If he disclosed everything, he would lose all his leverage.

    Zhang Yi sneered, shaking his handgun. "If you won¡¯t tell me, why should I keep you alive?"

    Xu Hao swallowed hard. "Even if you kill me, I won¡¯t tell you. This information is my only hope for survival!"

    "I know you n to kill us all eventually, right?"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes shed with a peculiar light. Xu Hao was spot-on. Zhang Yi did intend to eliminate most of his neighbors once the other building threats were neutralized. Keeping the residents of his building around was a temporary measure to deal with external threats.

    "You seem quite smart. How did you figure it out?" Zhang Yi asked with a chilling smile.

    Xu Hao, biting his lip, said, "Because you¡¯re not a kind person. You¡¯ve kept us around only to deal with the other buildings'' threats. Now that most of those threats are gone, you have no reason to keep us."

    Zhang Yi lowered his gun. Xu Hao was right; he was indeed clever.

    "So, instead of waiting to die, I''m gambling on a chance to live by trading my information," Xu Hao added.

    Zhang Yi squinted, weighing the pros and cons. ording to Xu Hao, the $1 billion super shelter was far superior to his current safe house. If Zhang Yi could take it over, his quality of life would significantly improve.

    But there were risks:

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t trust Xu Hao. Regardless of his convincing story, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t fully believe someone with whom he had a poor rtionship. Establishing mutual trust was crucial.

    Even if everything Xu Hao said was true, the operation¡¯s risks were unknown. Zhang Yi¡¯s current safe house was secure and had helped him fend off numerous attackers. Wang Siming''s shelter, which could withstand H-bombs, was hundreds of times more secure. Zhang Yi¡¯s existing weapons might not be enough to breach it.

    After a long silence, Zhang Yi made his decision.

    He looked at Xu Hao coldly and said, "I¡¯ll let you work with me, but there are conditions you must follow."

    Xu Hao, tense and anxious, suddenly rxed, his face lighting up with joy. He had gambled and won.

    "Of course! Whatever you say!" Xu Hao responded eagerly.

    Zhang Yi began, "First, you must give me a detailed exnation of the shelter¡¯syout, especially its security systems and firepower."

    Xu Hao nodded quickly. "That¡¯s no problem. After the shelter was built, Wang Siming showed it off to many people. I was one of the visitors."

    Zhang Yi continued, "Second, I need you to kill someone for me."

    Xu Hao was puzzled. "Who do you want dead that you can¡¯t kill yourself?"

    Zhang Yi smiled. "Someone inconvenient for me to deal with directly. Just wait for my instructions."

    Xu Hao didn¡¯t hesitate. Killing one person was a small price to pay for his survival.

    "Alright, what''s the third condition?" Xu Hao asked, swallowing nervously as he noticed Zhang Yi¡¯s smile turning sinister.

    Zhang Yi said, "Come with me. I need to get something for you."

    Not knowing what to expect, Xu Hao obediently followed Zhang Yi to the 24th floor. Zhang Yi left him at the stairwell. "Wait here. I¡¯ll be right back."

    With that, Zhang Yi entered his apartment, leaving Xu Hao standing anxiously by the stairs.

 Chapter 141: Poison

    Chapter 141: Poison

    Xu Hao waited outside for a few minutes before he heard the door open. He quickly peeked out to see Zhang Yi walking over with a silver briefcase. Xu Hao''s eyes were drawn to the mysterious case, wondering what was inside.

    Zhang Yi approached Xu Hao and spoke in a calm tone, "Do you know what I did before all this?"

    Xu Hao shook his head, confused. In the past, Xu Hao had been a wealthy heir, and Zhang Yi was just an ordinary young man in themunity. Xu Hao had never cared about Zhang Yi''s background.

    Zhang Yi continued, "I was a fighter. In 2041, I won my first Southeast Asian freebat championship. In 2042, I defeated Japanese Heavy Artillery Raylong and then went on to sweep through Japan''s karate masters for three consecutive years."

    "Later, I joined the French mercenaries and fought in the Middle East for years. They called me the Half Fox."

    "Growing tired of the constant fighting, I returned to China and became a simple warehouse manager and part-time hitman."

    Xu Hao was taken aback. He had never imagined that the man before him, besides being handsome, had such a hidden past. It made sense now why Zhang Yi¡¯s marksmanship was so precise and why he was so ruthless in killing.

    Xu Hao thought to himself, "No wonder. No wonder his marksmanship is so urate, and he¡¯s so merciless when killing.""This man is either a retired urban war hero or a professional hitman. It all makes sense now!"

    "This is a real boss. Following him in the apocalypse is the only way to survive!"

    As Zhang Yi spoke, he opened the silver briefcase. Inside, he took out a syringe filled with a blue liquid. The deep blue color made Xu Hao instantly think of poison.

    Movies often depicted scenes like this, and the sight filled Xu Hao with dread. He took several steps back, fear gripping him. "Brother Zhang, what are you doing?"

    Zhang Yi smiled slightly and approached with the syringe. "This is a slow-acting poison wemonly used. It takes a week to take effect, and without the antidote, it''s fatal."

    "If you want me to believe you, let me inject this. Don''t worry; once we take Wang Siming¡¯s shelter, I''ll give you the antidote."

    Xu Hao¡¯s eyes widened in terror. "Poison? No, please don¡¯te near me!"

    Zhang Yi, losing patience, replied, "You don¡¯t have a choice now. Whether you want it or not, you¡¯re getting the injection."

    With that, he pinned Xu Hao against the wall, pulled down his pants, and slowly injected the needle into his buttock. Xu Hao felt humiliated and began to cry.

    Zhang Yi quickly finished, put away the syringe, and smiled, "From now on, you¡¯re one of mine."

    Xu Hao, shaking, pulled up his pants, but suddenly felt dizzy and copsed to the floor. "Ugh... ugh..." he dry-heaved, feeling extremely unwell. His head spun, and he had difficulty breathing.

    This convinced Xu Hao that he had been poisoned. Zhang Yi spoke calmly, "No need to panic. This is a slow-acting poison. I did this so we don¡¯t have to doubt each other."

    "If you betray me, you¡¯ll die too. And once I get the shelter, there¡¯s no reason for me to kill you. In fact, I¡¯ll provide you with ample food and afortable living environment."

    After dry-heaving for a while, Xu Hao realized he had gained Zhang Yi''s trust, even though he felt resentful. "I understand. I¡¯ll contact Wang Siming as soon as I get back. Let¡¯s move quickly."

    Zhang Yi nodded. "Good. Go back now. I¡¯ll give you further instructions soon."

    Xu Hao, breathing heavily, struggled down the stairs. Zhang Yi watched him go, feeling slightly relieved. Agreeing to work with Xu Hao and investigate the billion-dor shelter was a significant challenge.

    In truth, the so-called poison didn¡¯t exist. Zhang Yi had used methylene blue injection, a treatment for methemoglobinemia. If injected too quickly, it caused dizziness, dry heaving, and chest tightness, mimicking poisoning symptoms.

    This ensured Xu Hao wouldn''t deceive him and prevented any future betrayal. "First, I need to clear out the remaining problems in themunity. Then, I¡¯ll check out the shelter," Zhang Yi nned.

    Returning home, Zhang Yi checked the surveince footage of the sickroom. Uncle You was awake, and Xie Limei sat beside him, whispering. Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t hear but guessed it wasn¡¯t anything good.

    He smiled and walked over to open the door. Hearing the door, Xie Limei immediately stopped talking and pretended tofort her child. Ignoring her, Zhang Yi approached Uncle You with a smile.

    "Uncle You, you¡¯re awake! You scared me. I¡¯m d you¡¯re okay."

    Uncle You, looking weak, managed a smile. "Thanks to the doctor here, I would¡¯ve died without them."

    "I heard you dealt with Huang Tianfang and the others? Well done!"

    Zhang Yiughed, "They were nothing. Not worth mentioning."

    He opened his jacket to reveal his bulletproof vest. "I was wearing this. They thought their gun was some secret weapon, but it was useless against me."

    Uncle You, eyes wide in surprise, looked embarrassed. He had risked his life to protect Zhang Yi, not knowing Zhang Yi had been wearing a bulletproof vest all along.

    Zhang Yi said, "I should have told you earlier. Who knew they would suddenly attack?"

    "Luckily, you¡¯re okay. Otherwise, I¡¯d feel guilty."

    Uncle You, still embarrassed, said, "I didn¡¯t do much. You saved me."

    Zhang Yi waved his hand, "No need for formalities. Your intention was enough for me."

    In a few words, Zhang Yi made it clear that he didn¡¯t owe Uncle You much, just acknowledging his good intentions. This rified their rtionship, preventing futureplications.

 Chapter 142: Surgery

    Chapter 142: Surgery

    Zhang Yiforted Uncle You for a while. At this moment, Uncle You held a different significance for Zhang Yi. Uncle You''s body had mutated, and although the specific abilities were still unknown, based on Zhou Ke''er''s description and current observations, it seemed to enhance his physical abilities. This was crucial for Zhang Yi! What he needed was someone reliable¡ªwell, it might sound harsh¡ªa strongborer and a meat shield.

    "Take your time recovering; you don''t need to worry about other things right now," Zhang Yiforted.

    Uncle You, sounding weak, said, "No, I feel like I have no strength at all right now. I can''t even lift my arms. If this continues, I don''t know how long I''ll be a burden to you."

    Zhang Yi knew it was the muscle rxants taking effect. "Don''t worry, just focus on getting better. I''ll handle everything else!"

    Uncle You looked gratefully at Zhang Yi and nodded.

    Overhearing this, Xie Limei quickly chimed in, "Zhang Yi, you¡¯re so good to my husband. Our family doesn¡¯t know how to thank you! From now on, we will rely on you!"

    Uncle You blushed and weakly said, "Amei, we can''t always trouble him. Once I''m better, I''ll take care of you."

    Xie Limei ced her hand on his shoulder and, sounding aggrieved, said, "It takes a hundred days to heal from bone injuries, and you were shot! Who knows how long it will take for you to recover? Even when you do, your body won¡¯t be the same. What can you do?""Zhang Yi is so capable. If he wants to take care of us, why would you refuse? It would just waste his goodwill."

    Uncle You''s face turned red. Being naturally inarticte, he didn''t know how to refute Xie Limei''s words.

    Zhang Yi smiled slightly and said, "Sister Xie is right. I will take care of your family."

    Xie Limei''s eyes lit up, and she excitedly said, "Zhang Yi, you promised! You can''t go back on your word!"

    Zhang Yi smiled and nodded. "Of course, I never go back on my word."

    Uncle You, feeling extremely embarrassed, stammered, "Zhang Yi, I... I..."

    Zhang Yi stopped him. "Just focus on recovering!" With that, Zhang Yi stood up to leave. As he reached the door, he mentally counted down: 3, 2...

    Before he reached 1, Xie Limei''s voice called out, "Zhang Yi, wait a moment. I need to talk to you!"

    Zhang Yi curled her lips slightly. Xie Limei had been confined in this room for a day. Although he provided food and hot water, people always wanted more, and she would undoubtedly have more requests. When she came, she hadn¡¯t brought any personal belongings for herself or the baby.

    Turning around with a smile, Zhang Yi asked, "Sister Xie, what do you need?"

    Xie Limei said, "Zhang Yi, we''ve been here all day. My phone¡¯s out of battery, and the baby needs a diaper change. Could you get some things for us?"

    Zhang Yi smiled wryly. "Sister Xie, I''ve been busy all day and am really tired. You know, my days are filled with fighting and killing, which is physically and mentally exhausting."

    "Besides, I''m not familiar with your ce or Uncle You''s. I don¡¯t know where anything is. Why don¡¯t you go get it yourself?"

    Xie Limei hesitated, ncing at the bedridden Uncle You for reassurance. Pretending to joke, she said, "Just make sure you let me back in when I return!"

    Zhang Yiughed, "Come on, do you think I¡¯d do that? Uncle You is still here. If I didn¡¯t let you back in, what would that make me?"

    Xie Limei slyly smiled, suddenly cing the baby in Zhang Yi''s arms. "Alright, you take care of the baby for a bit. I''ll be back soon!"

    She thought Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke''er couldn¡¯t handle a baby, so by leaving the child, Zhang Yi would have to let her back in. Zhang Yi saw through her little scheme andughed internally.

    You think I can''t abandon this child?

    Outwardly, he smiled and said, "No problem. But make sure toe back quickly. I¡¯m not good with kids."

    Xie Limei beamed, "Don''t worry; I won''t stay out long. It''s such a nice ce; I wouldn''t want to leave!"

    She nced around thefortable apartment, satisfaction evident in her eyes, as if she were inspecting her new home. Zhang Yi opened the door, letting her out.

    After closing the door, Zhang Yi looked down at the swaddled baby. The child had fair, tender skin, cool to the touch, like a piece of delicate jelly. Zhang Yi felt a rare pang of tenderness. He touched the baby¡¯s cheek, feeling the cool, soft skin.

    Taking a deep breath, he muttered, "I''ll find someone to take care of youter."

    He then took out his phone and messaged Xu Hao. With the baby in his arms, he returned to Uncle You''s room to chat.

    ...

    Leaving Zhang Yi''s apartment, Xie Limei was hit by a bone-chilling cold. She shivered, quickly putting on her hat and shoving her hands into her pockets.

    "So cold! It''s freezing out here!" She nced back at Zhang Yi¡¯s sturdy door, her eyes filled with jealousy and longing.

    "It¡¯s so warm inside. Compared to this, outside is like an ice hell!" she thought.

    "For my baby to grow up healthy, we must live here. We can¡¯t leave!"

    Imagining her child''s future in that warm apartment, Xie Limei smiled contentedly. However, the biting cold soon snapped her back to reality. Hugging herself, she hurried downstairs.

    When she reached Uncle You''s apartment and took out the key, a shadow appeared behind her. Xu Hao raised a blood-stained kitchen knife and swung it at her neck.

    "Thud!"

    Blood sprayed like a fountain. Xie Limei copsed to the ground, her eyes wide with fear and reluctance. Xu Hao delivered a few more blows to ensure she was dead. Satisfied, he quickly left the scene.

    Back at Zhang Yi''s ce, he held the baby and chatted with Uncle You. "I''ve decided. Let Sister Xie and the baby stay here. Once you''re fully recovered and the baby grows up, they can move back."

    Uncle You nodded, touched by Zhang Yi¡¯s kindness, unaware of the sinister plot unfolding outside.

 Chapter 143: Making an End

    Chapter 143: Making an End

    Uncle You was deeply moved by Zhang Yi''s words, unsure how to express his gratitude.

    "This... this is too much trouble for you. Your resources are limited! Adding three more people means we¡¯d need more than double the coal just for heating."

    "I''ll move out once I''m healed. I have arms and legs; I can''t just let you support us."

    Zhang Yi smiled and replied, "Let''s not talk about that now. Just focus on your recovery. We''ll discuss the future when the timees."

    Just then, the baby in Zhang Yi''s arms suddenly started crying loudly.

    Zhang Yi had no experience with babies. The way he was holding the child was incorrect, which quickly woke the baby up and made her cry nonstop.

    Zhang Yi tried to soothe the baby, but no matter what he did, she wouldn¡¯t stop crying. The noise was giving him a headache.

    Even though he had faced dozens of killers, he had never felt such a headache.Uncle You, equally helpless, said, "It''s always been Xie Limei who took care of the baby at home."

    With no other option, Zhang Yi went to ask Zhou Ke''er for help.

    "Can you think of a way to calm this baby down?" Zhang Yi asked, looking desperate.

    However, Zhou Ke''er was just as clueless when she saw the crying baby.

    "I... I don''t know how to take care of a baby either!" she admitted.

    Zhang Yi had a sudden idea. "How about giving her a sedative? If that doesn''t work, maybe a bit of a sleeping pill?"

    Zhou Ke''er looked at him in disbelief.

    "Giving a baby sleeping pills would be very harmful to her body. That''s not a good idea. Where is her mother?"

    Zhang Yi replied coldly, "She went back to get some things."

    With no other choice, Zhou Ke''er took the baby from Zhang Yi.

    Both of them were inexperienced in handling babies, and Zhou Ke''er couldn¡¯t calm her down either.

    Suddenly, Zhang Yi had a thought. "Could it be that she needs a diaper change?"

    Zhou Ke''er realized the same thing. She opened the swaddling clothes and found that the baby¡¯s diaper was indeed full.

    Zhang Yi coughed and stepped back a few paces. He took out a bag of diapers from his alternate space and ced it on the ground.

    "It''s all yours," he said, stepping further back.

    Zhou Ke''er rolled her eyes but had no choice. She spent a good amount of time changing the baby¡¯s diaper, and the crying finally subsided.

    Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke''er then went to Uncle You¡¯s room to keep himpany and have Zhou Ke''er check on his condition.

    Zhang Yi asked, "Uncle You, have you noticed any changes in your body? Anything unusual?"

    Uncle You weakly shook his head.

    "I feelpletely drained. The only thing I notice is that my wound itches."

    Zhou Ke''er reassured him, "That means your wound is healing. It''s a normal phenomenon."

    Zhang Yi learned that Uncle You''s mutation didn¡¯t grant him immunity to drugs. This was valuable information.

    They chatted for another half hour, but Xie Limei still hadn¡¯t returned.

    Uncle You began to worry. "Why isn''t she back yet?"

    Zhang Yi''s pupils narrowed as he replied, "Could she have encountered danger?"

    He quickly stood up, looking concerned. "The situation outside is chaotic. People are still fighting between buildings. Even Jiang Lei and Li Chengbin attacked me yesterday."

    "We can''t guarantee there are no traitors among the remaining people."

    "This is bad. Sister Xie might be in danger!"

    Zhang Yi looked tense.

    Uncle You, equally worried, said, "Zhang Yi, please go check on her! Make sure she¡¯s safe."

    Zhang Yi nodded. "Ke''er, take care of Uncle You and the baby. I¡¯ll go check!"

    After saying that, he quickly left the room.

    Zhang Yi returned to his apartment and began gearing up.

    A bulletproof vest, bulletproof pants, tactical belt, pistol, and knife. An M4 slung over his shoulder, and a bulletproof helmet clicked into ce.

    Fully prepared, Zhang Yi took out his phone and sent a message to themunity¡¯s group chat.

    "Everyone, gather in room 1301 on the 13th floor. I will distribute supplies and decide the allocation of units in the Yue Lumunity."

    "You can choose any unit. Firste, first served."

    After sending the message, Zhang Yi specifically messaged Xu Hao: "Stay put at home."

    Then he put his phone away and walked out the door.

    Zhang Yi''s pace was slow, but he could hear the rush of footsteps echoing in the stairwell.

    The neighbors, knowing that Zhang Yi was going to distribute supplies and allocate units, were thrilled.

    They scrambled to the 13th floor, eager to im the best units.

    Zhang Yi, with an assault rifle in hand, walked down the stairs at a leisurely pace.

    It took him five minutes to descend the stairs from the 11th floor.

    When he reached the 13th floor, he heard excited chatter from room 1301.

    The neighbors were ecstatic, imagining a future filled with peace and prosperity.

    "With the other buildings subdued, ourmunity will be ours to rule!"

    "Haha, Zhang Yi is generous, letting each of us manage a building. Imagine having the other units as our servants!"

    "The main concern is the supply of resources. Zhang Yi needs to keep providing food or share the snowmobile with us."

    "I think he¡¯ll agree. Themunity is stable now; he won¡¯t want to disrupt the peace."

    "We can support Zhang Yi as themunity leader, and in return, he provides food and safety. It¡¯s fair."

    "In return, we can offerbor and help defend themunity from outsiders."

    They didn¡¯t know Zhang Yi was outside the door, listening to their fantasies.

    He smiled coldly, hearing their naive ns.

    With a mocking grin, Zhang Yi pulled out two grenades from his alternate space.

    He also grabbed a riot shield, positioning it in front of him.

    Prepared, Zhang Yi pulled the pins from the grenades and rolled them into the room.

    He quickly raised the riot shield and stepped back.

    Inside, one of the neighbors noticed the rolling objects.

    "Huh, what¡¯s this?"

    He bent down to take a closer look.

    When he recognized the grenades, it was toote.

    A burst of fire swallowed him instantly.

    "Boom!!!!!!!"

    The explosion blew apart the dozen people inside, shaking the entire building.

 Chapter 144: Not a Single One Left

    Chapter 144: Not a Single One Left

    Zhang Yi leaned against the corner of the hallway, using the riot shield to protect himself.

    The explosion was louder than he had anticipated, causing his eardrums to ache.

    However, the st''s power didn¡¯t reach him; only some dust fell from the walls.

    Zhang Yi let out a long breath.

    Holding the riot shield firmly, he gripped his loaded assault rifle and slowly walked to the door of Room 1301.

    Seeing the scene inside, Zhang Yi''s body rxed.

    The grenades had worked excellently.

    The room was a mess, with bodies scattered everywhere. The furniture had been knocked over, crushing some of the people underneath, leaving only parts of their bodies visible.In a corner of the room, a man covered in blood struggled to get up but failed. He red at Zhang Yi with intense hatred.

    "We helped you so much... Why did you kill us?!"

    As he spoke, blood filled his mouth, but he continued to roar in anger.

    He felt betrayed, believing they had helped Zhang Yi for so long, only to be discarded like used tools.

    "You helped me? I don''t think so," Zhang Yi replied coldly. He raised his gun, aimed at the man''s head, and ended his life with a single shot.

    Pathetic neighbors. They still thought they had helped Zhang Yi until the end. Without Zhang Yi¡¯s protection, they would have died long ago. Allowing them to live until now was Zhang Yi¡¯s greatest kindness to them.

    Zhang Yi then aimed his gun at each person or corpse on the ground, shooting them all in the head.

    Sure enough, one of them couldn¡¯t keep pretending and got up, screaming and trying to fight Zhang Yi. But he was met with a cold, merciless bullet.

    "Bang!"

    ...

    "Bang!"

    ...

    "Bang!"

    ...

    Each bullet fired from the carbine took a life, the sound slow but powerful.

    Every shot from Zhang Yi hit its mark; he never wasted a bullet. Ammunition was incredibly precious in the apocalypse.

    After five minutes, Zhang Yi had shot every person. During that time, some cursed, some begged, and others screamed in despair. But Zhang Yi was fair, treating each one equally with a single bullet.

    "One, two, three, four... fifteen, sixteen... hmm?"

    Zhang Yi frowned slightly and counted again.

    "The number doesn¡¯t seem right."

    He had previously counted. Excluding himself and Uncle You¡¯s families, there were 18 survivors in the unit. Subtracting Xu Hao, there should be 17 left. But no matter how he counted, there were only 16 bodies.

    "Indeed, there¡¯s a clever one who realized I intended to kill them, so they didn¡¯te."

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly, then thoughtfully stroked his chin.

    "It seems... it was that guy, right?"

    Zhang Yi recalled the person, a real estate agent.

    "Damn, why struggle so hard? It''s not like you can survive!" Zhang Yi sighed, then raised his gun.

    He started searching floor by floor.

    Zhang Yi knew where the person lived, so the search area was greatly reduced.

    An hourter, Zhang Yi found him hiding in a kitchen cab.

    "You think you¡¯re smart?" Zhang Yi mocked.

    Under the man''s despairing gaze, Zhang Yi gave him a taste of brain surgery with a bullet.

    With that, the entire Building 25 had only five survivors left.

    The culprits who had invaded Zhang Yi¡¯s home and tried to eat him alive were all dead.

    Although Xu Hao was an outsider, he had suffered a worse fate in the previous life.

    As a high-profile wealthy heir, he had drawn attention by buying supplies in the group, making his family one of the first to be attacked and overrun.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s revenge journey had finallye to an end.

    With no more obstacles in his heart, Zhang Yi felt the world be clearer, even his breathing smoother.

    "Feels great!" Zhang Yi exhaled contentedly.

    From now on, there would be no one in the Yue Lumunity who could threaten him.

    In the days toe, he would enjoy a peaceful life.

    Of course, this depended on him and Xu Hao sessfully taking over Wang Siming''s doomsday shelter, said to be capable of withstanding H-bombs.

    Then he would leave this ce,pletely disappearing from everyone¡¯s view.

    Zhang Yi sheathed his assault rifle and returned home.

    He approached Uncle You¡¯s sickroom, putting on a sorrowful expression.

    "Uncle You, I have some bad news. Sister Xie... sigh!"

    Zhang Yi clenched his fist and sighed deeply.

    Uncle You, realizing something was wrong, asked in disbelief, "What happened to Xie Limei?"

    Zhang Yi exined, "The neighbors have been dissatisfied with us for a long time. They secretly colluded with people from other buildings, nning to kill us and take our supplies and my home."

    "Although I killed Jiang Lei and Li Chengbin, there were still traitors among the remaining people."

    "Fearing my retaliation, they acted first, killing Sister Xie... sigh!"

    Zhang Yi''s face was full of grief, his expression one of profound sorrow.

    Uncle You closed his eyes in pain and mmed his fist onto the bed.

    "Bang!" The steel-framed bed''s corner copsed from the impact.

    Zhang Yi''s eyes gleamed.

    It seemed he was right; Uncle You¡¯s mutation was strength-based.

    This was perfect,plementing Zhang Yi¡¯s abilities well. With Uncle You handling heavybor, there would be no shortage of manpower for physically demanding tasks.

    "Uncle You, don¡¯t worry! I made sure they didn¡¯t get away. I killed them all, avenging Sister Xie!"

    Uncle You slowly opened his tear-filled eyes.

    He was a sentimental man. Although he initially stayed with Xie Limei for her body, they had grown attached over time, making it impossible for him not to feel heartbroken.

    "Those people deserved to die. I knew they were unreliable. Despite all our efforts for this building, they neither appreciated us nor even resented us!"

    "They deserved to die!" Uncle You said angrily.

    He had no doubts about Zhang Yi¡¯s words.

    Firstly, over the past month, he had witnessed the neighbors¡¯ ingratitude firsthand. He had also seen Jiang Lei and Li Chengbin¡¯s attack on Zhang Yi.

    Thus, Zhang Yi¡¯s im that the neighbors had conspired with outsiders to kill them made sense.

    Secondly, and most importantly, Zhang Yi had been with him in the sickroom for a long time after Xie Limei left, making it impossible for Zhang Yi to have been the one who killed her.

    Zhang Yi approached, speaking sincerely, "Uncle You, I bear responsibility for this, too. I didn¡¯t expect them to be so ruthless! Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll find you a young and beautiful wife with great skills!"

    Uncle You was silent for a moment.

    He then slowly said, "I prefer mature and voluptuous women."

 Chapter 145: Entrusting the Orphan

    Chapter 145: Entrusting the Orphan

    Uncle You seemed to understand things clearly. Those who have experienced the apocalypse tend to see life and death with more rity, having been through so many separations and losses. Moreover, he and Xie Limei were a couple who got togetherte in life and didn''t have a deep emotional foundation. Her death didn''t plunge him into unbearable grief.

    Seeing Uncle You¡¯s reaction, Zhang Yi smiled in relief. "No problem, I¡¯ll make sure to find someone who¡¯ll satisfy you!"

    As they spoke, Zhou Ke''er came over, holding the crying baby, looking lost and helpless. "Zhang Yi, Uncle You, she''s crying again. What should I do?"

    Zhang Yi and Uncle You exchanged nces, both equally clueless. They were an old bachelor and an experienced driver, neither with any experience in taking care of a baby.

    "Maybe... she''s hungry?" Zhang Yi suggested, ncing at Zhou Ke''er, his gaze lingering on her well-endowed chest.

    Her face turned red with embarrassment. "What are you thinking? I haven¡¯t had a child, so I don¡¯t have milk for her!" she said, a bit flustered.

    Zhang Yi said, "We really aren¡¯t equipped to take care of this child. We need to find someone experienced." He looked at Uncle You. "Uncle You, should we send this child to someone else?"

    When Xie Limei was alive, Uncle You could take care of the baby for her sake. But with Xie Limei gone, expecting Uncle You to take care of the baby was unreasonable. Uncle You wasn''t foolish; he wouldn''t do such a thankless task.However, as he looked at the baby wrapped in the swaddling clothes, he hesitated, feeling a bit conflicted. "But if we send the child away, will she survive?"

    Zhang Yi nodded affirmatively. "Don¡¯t worry. After this battle, themunity is unlikely to facerge-scale conflicts again. I¡¯ll find a reliable family to take her in and provide some essential supplies. She¡¯ll be fine!"

    Uncle You felt relieved by Zhang Yi¡¯s assurance and nodded. "Yes, that seems to be the best solution."

    Seeing Uncle You agree, Zhang Yi went over to Zhou Ke''er and took the baby from her. The baby seemed to understand what was about to happen and started crying even louder.

    "I''ll find a good family for you," Zhang Yi said coldly, looking at her pink little face. "Sorry, though you¡¯re innocent, I can''t carry this burden. Too many innocent people have died in this world; me it on the world."

    Zhang Yi knew that sending the child away meant she had less than a 1% chance of survival. Both he and Uncle You understood this. Sometimes, pretending ignorance was the only way to cope. Avoiding the truth might be cowardly, but it was practical.

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t bear to harm the child, but he couldn¡¯t take care of her either. Leaving her with someone else was the only option. Her fate would be left to the heavens.

    Zhang Yi found a backpack and packed two packs of diapers, two bags of form, and a ten-pound bag of rice in it. Carrying the backpack and holding the crying child, he left the house with his gun in hand.

    Building 25 was now eerily quiet. The neighbors were all dead, and the world seemed to have be peaceful. Zhang Yi walked down the stairs and headed towards Building 18.

    The entiremunity was silent. Zhang Yi had killed most of the people in a single battle, especially all thebatants. The remaining residents were not a significant threat, at least not to Zhang Yi.

    Some people peeked through their windows, eyes filled with fear as they watched Zhang Yi.

    "Is Zhang Yiing to kill us?" they whispered in terror.

    Zhang Yi walked steadily towards Building 18, a ce known for its slogan of harmonious living. The residents of Building 18 were scared to death. The building still housed over sixty people, with deaths mainly due to freezing orplications.

    Li Jian has managed to maintain his ideals as an idealist until now, which is why Zhang Yi hasn''t attacked Building 18.

    Zhang Yi stood at the entrance of Building 18 and fired two shots into the air.

    "Li Jian,e out!!"

    Soon, Li Jian appeared before Zhang Yi, his short, frail body looking even more exhausted. Dark circles under his eyes and a sallowplexion made him look like he could copse at any moment.

    "Zhang Yi, I''m here," Li Jian said, summoning the courage to stand before him.

    Zhang Yi observed Li Jian, noting that the man wasn¡¯t trembling. Understandable, given all he had been through, Li Jian was likely numb to the prospect of death.

    "Aren¡¯t you afraid of me?" Zhang Yi asked with a smile.

    Li Jian swallowed hard. "I am. But fear is useless. And I think you didn''te here to kill us today."

    He pointed to the swaddled baby in Zhang Yi¡¯s arms, from which crying could still be heard. "You came alone, holding a child. Knowing your character, you wouldn''te to kill with a child in your arms."

    Zhang Yi nodded. "You''re right. I always knew you were a smart man. I came to bring you a child. Your building has the most survivors. Are there any nursing mothers among you?"

    Li Jian''s eyes lit up with excitement. He saw a chance for survival in Zhang Yi¡¯s words.

    "Yes, yes, we have! Are you looking for a wet nurse for the baby?" Li Jian nodded quickly, eagerly affirming.

    Zhang Yi nodded. "Good! This child is now yours to care for. In return, I won''t kill any of you."

    He handed the child to Li Jian. Overwhelmed, Li Jian took the baby, looking at her with deep gratitude. The child had just saved the lives of everyone in his building.

    Zhang Yi dropped the backpack on the ground. "This contains diapers, form, and a bag of rice."

    "I know you might not use the form for the baby, but just make sure she stays alive. If you can¡¯t manage, I won¡¯t me you. But don¡¯t deliberately harm her. Baby meat is tender and fatty; keep an eye on your people."

    "Since I¡¯m entrusting her to you, I expect you to show some respect."

    Li Jian nodded quickly, ncing at the heavy backpack and listening to Zhang Yi¡¯s tant threat. "Rest assured, we will take good care of this child! She¡¯ll be fine."

    Zhang Yi nodded, satisfied, and turned to leave.

 Chapter 146: Hope

    Chapter 146: Hope

    Li Jian turned back and called out loudly into the building, ¡°Liu Mei, Liu Mei! Come down quickly!¡±

    Soon, a long-haired woman ran over. Li Jian solemnly handed the baby to her and said, ¡°From now on, this child is in your care. Treat her as if she were your own daughter who passed away. She mustn''t suffer any harm. She is our lifeline, understand?¡±

    The woman named Liu Mei, who had recently lost her daughter, looked at the baby girl with intense emotions. She hugged the baby tightly, unwilling to let go.

    Zhang Yi smiled casually, ¡°Looks like I can be at ease, right?¡±

    Li Jian nodded repeatedly. ¡°Yes, you can bepletely assured!¡±

    Zhang Yi said nothing further. He felt he had done his part for the baby; her fate was no longer his concern.

    He nced at the emaciated Li Jian and then looked up at Building 18. Suddenly, he asked, ¡°How many people are still alive in this building?¡±

    Li Jian cautiously replied, ¡°There are 66 people left.¡±¡°66?¡± Zhang Yiughed happily. That number is quite lucky. It looks like I¡¯ll have good luck soon!¡±

    Li Jian forced a smile in response.

    Zhang Yi continued, ¡°What¡¯s your n for survival? I won¡¯t be providing you with any food, you know!¡±

    Li Jian hesitated for a moment before saying, ¡°We¡¯ll find a way! We¡¯ve survived this long, facing many hardships.¡±

    ¡°As long as we¡¯re alive, there¡¯s hope. Heaven never seals off all exits, I firmly believe that!¡±

    Zhang Yi smirked and leaned in closer to Li Jian, speaking temptingly, ¡°Solving the food problem is simple. See those buildings I burned down? There¡¯s enough food in there tost you a while!¡±

    Li Jian¡¯s face turned ashen. He shook his head firmly, ¡°No, we won¡¯t stoop to that level. Once you start down the wrong path, destruction is inevitable.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d rather die with dignity than live dishonorably. At least our conscience will be clear.¡±

    Zhang Yi was genuinely surprised. He hadn¡¯t expected to find someone with such unyielding principles in these desperate times.

    ¡°It¡¯s rare to see someone maintaining their integrity in these conditions,¡± he thought, genuinely impressed.

    He smiled slightly at Li Jian, ¡°Honestly, I admire you.¡±

    Li Jian struggled to smile, ¡°Thank you, but I admire you more. You have the ability to survive and thrive, even in the apocalypse. That¡¯s something I can¡¯t do.¡±

    Gathering his courage, Li Jian tried onest time, ¡°Zhang Yi, I have a request...¡±

    ¡°Stop!¡± Zhang Yi raised his hand to cut him off. ¡°I know what you¡¯re going to say, but there¡¯s no need. I won¡¯t help you. I don¡¯t have the time.¡±

    Li Jian, puzzled, asked, ¡°Why not? You provided 300 portions of food before. Now the wholemunity¡¯s poption is about that number. With your ability, managing themunity and leading everyone to survive is possible!¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°All beings suffer. I¡¯m not a Buddha who can save everyone.¡±

    ¡°Even if I did save them, they might not be grateful. I understand the principle of ¡®a bushel of rice gives thanks, but a peck of rice breeds resentment.¡¯¡±

    ¡°In these chaotic times, taking care of oneself is already a great feat. I don¡¯t have the ambition or the capacity to care for everyone. I just want to live well.¡±

    Li Jian¡¯sst hope crumbled, his face showing his despair. Despite his optimistic words about finding hope, he knew their chances of survival were slim.

    Zhang Yi looked at him and suddenly said, ¡°In life, you have to rely on yourself. You¡¯ve somewhat touched me, proving that humanity still has some light even in the apocalypse.¡±

    ¡°So, I¡¯ll give you a chance.¡±

    Zhang Yi theatrically reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag of corn seeds. He threw it on the ground and continued rummaging, soon pulling out seeds for wheat, rice, soybeans, potatoes, and sweet potatoes.

    ¡°These are your chances. You can try to grow your food. Of course, you can also eat them if you want. It¡¯s up to you. This is all I can do for you.¡±

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t know much about farming, so he provided various seeds and tubers. It was like tossing fish into a pond, hoping for a miracle. If Li Jian and his people survived, it would show that heaven favored those who maintained their integrity. If not, they would perish.

    Having done his part, Zhang Yi turned and left Building 18 without hesitation.

    Li Jian stood there, stunned, looking at the seeds and tubers on the ground, feeling overwhelmed. ¡°Can these things grow in temperatures of minus 60 to 70 degrees?¡±

    Suddenly, a white-haired old man hurried out of the hallway. Ignoring the cold, he picked up the seeds and tubers, stuffing them into his clothes to keep them warm.

    ¡°Quick, gather these seeds. If we can grow them, we won¡¯t have to worry about food!¡± the old man urged.

    Li Jian¡¯s eyes lit up. This was a retired professor who had specialized in crop studies at an agricultural university. Due to his advanced age, he had survived in Building 18.

    ¡°Professor Ge, can you grow these crops? Even in this cold weather?¡± Li Jian asked excitedly.

    Professor Ge, trembling from the cold, replied, ¡°There¡¯s a chance. We must try! Even if hope is slim, if we seed, we can survive!¡±

    Li Jian realized the opportunity and quickly helped gather the precious seeds and tubers, stuffing them into their clothes for warmth.

    ...

    Afterpleting his task, Zhang Yi returned home, feeling immensely relieved. The grudges and conflicts within themunity were finally over. Now, he just needed toplete one more task before he could enjoy a peaceful life with Zhou Ke''er, perhaps having ten children together.

    As Zhang Yiyzily on the sofa, Zhou Ke''er emerged from the room after changing Uncle You¡¯s bandages.

    Seeing Zhang Yi, she asked, ¡°Are you done with everything?¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded, ¡°Yes, I¡¯m hungry. Go make us some food.¡±

    ¡°Alright, what do you want for lunch?¡± Zhou Ke''er asked, heading to the kitchen and putting on an apron.

    Zhang Yi walked into the kitchen, hugging her from behind, and whispered, ¡°I want you!¡±

    She blushed, ¡°What are you doing? Uncle You is still next door!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, the soundproofing is good. He can¡¯t hear us.¡±

    ¡°I need to cook. Can¡¯t you wait a bit?¡±

    ¡°You cook, I¡¯ll handle my own business. No conflicts.¡±

    ...

 Chapter 147: Xu Haos True Colors

    Chapter 147: Xu Hao''s True Colors

    That night, Zhang Yi stayed up veryte. With themunity''s issues finally resolved, he felt an immense sense of rxation. He had been holding back, but this time he indulged without reservation. Zhou Ke''er, having umted her own desires, also released everything that night. However, there was still a disparity between them. Zhang Yi¡¯s stamina and energy were robust, and he was still full of vigor the next morning. Zhou Ke''er, on the other hand, was exhausted and could barely get out of bed to make breakfast.

    Zhang Yi, in a good mood, took some food from his alternate space and ate. Next, he had to see how Xu Hao¡¯s contact efforts had gone. Once he received word from Xu Hao and felt confident about their chances, he would go check out the situation with him. Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry, but Xu Hao was very anxious. After being injected with what he believed to be poison, Xu Hao hadn¡¯t slept well all night, convinced he was on the verge of death.

    In the morning, Xu Hao messaged Zhang Yi. "Brother Zhang, I¡¯ve alreadymunicated with the other side. When are we going over?"

    Zhang Yi smiled slightly and quickly typed back, "Come over to my ce; let''s discuss this in detail."

    Soon, Xu Hao arrived at Zhang Yi¡¯s door. When Zhang Yi opened the door and let him in, Xu Hao''s expression mirrored the shock and delight previously seen on Zhou Ke''er and Xie Limei. He looked around, his face lighting up with a foolish smile, as if a beggar had entered a paradise filled with gold and jewels.

    "It''s so warm here; is this heaven?" Xu Hao said foolishly.

    Zhang Yi rolled his eyes. "This is my home."

    Xu Hao snapped out of it, immediately feeling unbearably hot. Wrapped in six or sevenyers of clothing, the 26-degree temperature inside made him feel like he was in an oven. He quickly stripped off severalyers of down and cotton clothes, then approached Zhang Yi somewhat awkwardly."Brother Zhang, I¡¯ve talked with Wang Siming. I¡¯ll pretend to cooperate with him and then bring you over. When he opens the door, we¡¯ll take the opportunity to take him down!" Xu Hao said eagerly.

    Zhang Yi, sitting on the sofa with his legs crossed, pointed to the sofa opposite and said, "Sit! No rush, let''s talk this through."

    Xu Hao looked at the high-end, pristine white sofa but didn¡¯t dare sit on it, fearing he¡¯d dirty it after not having bathed for a month. Instead, he sat on the carpet, still feeling immensely satisfied.

    "An entire month, a whole month! I finally feel warmth again!" Xu Hao thought, filled with gratitude.

    From his seated position, Zhang Yi looked down at Xu Hao. The once arrogant wealthy heir, now resembled a humbled stray dog. No, he was indeed a stray dog. Xu Hao looked up at Zhang Yi, trying to curry favor.

    "Brother Zhang, let me tell you how the conversation went," Xu Hao began.

    Zhang Yi smiled slightly and extended his hand. "No need for that trouble; I¡¯ll see for myself."

    Xu Hao¡¯s face froze. "Wh-what? See for yourself?"

    "Give me your phone. I want to read the chat history between you two!" Zhang Yi¡¯s smile was bright, but to Xu Hao, it looked terrifying.

    There were things in his conversation with Wang Siming that he couldn¡¯t let Zhang Yi see. Just as he had disparaged Wang Siming in front of Zhang Yi, he couldn¡¯t let Wang Siming know either.

    "Hurry up and give me the phone. You¡¯re not hiding anything from me, are you?" Zhang Yi¡¯s narrowed eyes revealed a slit of murderous intent.

    "No, I... I..." Xu Hao¡¯s forehead started to sweat, his eyes darting, his right hand instinctively covering his pocket.

    Zhang Yi, losing patience, pulled out a ck handgun and pointed it at Xu Hao''s head. "Can¡¯t you behave when I talk nicely?"

    Xu Hao quickly pleaded, "Brother Zhang, don''t shoot! I did say some bad things about you to him, but it was only to mislead him. I didn¡¯t mean any of it!"

    Zhang Yi, growing impatient, barked, "Give it to me now!"

    Terrified, Xu Hao shakily handed over his phone, unlocking it first. "The battery... it¡¯s dead," Xu Hao whispered, trying onest time to resist.

    Zhang Yi took the phone and saw that the battery was indeed almost dead. Given the limited daily power supply for ordinary residents, it wasn¡¯t surprising. Xu Hao and Wang Siming must have talked for a long time. Zhang Yi grabbed a power bank from under the coffee table and plugged it in.

    Xu Hao¡¯s face turned deathly pale, his body deting like a punctured balloon. Zhang Yi flipped through the chat history with Wang Siming, scrolling back.

    "Oh, you¡¯ve been in contact for half a month already?" Zhang Yi noted with a smile.

    Xu Hao stayed silent, unable to utter a word.

    Zhang Yi scrolled further, his lips curling into a disdainful smile.

    No wonder Xu Hao hadn¡¯t wanted him to see the chat history. The content was quite rich. Initially, Xu Hao had nned to have Wang Siming deal with Zhang Yi and then take over Zhang Yi¡¯s safe house and supplies. At that time, Xu Hao had referred to Zhang Yi as "that damned dog, strutting around just because he has a gun. Why does he get to live in such a nice ce?"

    "Hmph!" Zhang Yi¡¯s coldugh made Xu Hao tremble with fear.

    As Zhang Yi continued reading, he saw how Xu Hao¡¯s evaluation of him changed over time. When Zhang Yi had subdued the entire building and defeated the Tianhe Gang and Crazy Wolf Gang, Xu Hao¡¯sments turned to, "This guy is ruthless, killed dozens of people in one go. Not easy to deal with."

    After Zhang Yi wiped out nearly all the building leaders and burned down twelve buildings, Xu Hao''s tone shifted again, "Zhang Yi is tough, really capable. Brother Ming, I can¡¯t handle him alone, but the two of us together can definitely take him down."

    Xu Hao had used numerous insulting terms to describe Zhang Yi in the early conversations, filled with disdain. He had indeed nned to lure Zhang Yi to Wang Siming¡¯s ce, hoping Wang Siming¡¯s trap would eliminate him.

    Zhang Yi, sneering, shook the phone in front of Xu Hao. "How do you exin this?"

    Xu Hao swallowed hard, hastily exining, "Brother Zhang, let me exin! I said those things to mislead him, to make him think I was on his side. Only by doing that could I deceive him!"

    Raising his right hand to the light, Xu Hao swore, "If I have any ill intentions towards Brother Zhang, let me die a horrible death!"

    Zhang Yi scoffed, "Swearing doesn¡¯t mean anything now. Be practical."

 Chapter 148: The Fake Surrender Plan

    Chapter 148: The Fake Surrender n

    After reading through Xu Hao''s chat history, Zhang Yi felt a sense of calm. There were no surprises; everything Xu Hao said matched what Zhang Yi had anticipated. He never believed that someone like Xu Hao, who was opportunistic and self-serving, would be loyal to anyone but himself. Xu Hao was merely hedging his bets between Zhang Yi and Wang Siming, choosing whichever side benefited him the most.

    Xu Hao, panicked, knelt before Zhang Yi, trying to justify his actions. "Brother Zhang, you injected me with poison. I can''t harm you. If anything happens to you, I¡¯m dead too. Yes, I spoke ill of you before, but I never acted against you. Now, I''m fully on your side!"

    Zhang Yi remained silent, stroking his chin in thought. From the chat logs, he gathered several important pieces of information.

    Firstly, Xu Hao had revealed Zhang Yi¡¯s weaponry to Wang Siming, but only mentioned the handgun. He hadn¡¯t disclosed Zhang Yi¡¯s assault rifles, sniper rifles, or grenades. This suggested that Xu Hao had considered betraying Wang Siming to join Zhang Yi earlier than expected.

    Secondly, Wang Siming''s primary interest was Zhang Yi¡¯s vast supplies and the snowmobile. Xu Hao had described Zhang Yi''s safe house as a treasure trove of resources, enough tost a couple of years. This showed Wang Siming''s shelter was indeed running low on supplies, likely because he lost interest and cleared out most of the stored food.

    After processing all this, Zhang Yi had a basic n forming in his mind. He threw the phone onto the table and asked Xu Hao, "Tell me more about the specifics of Wang Siming''s shelter, especially the weapons and defense systems. Don''t leave anything out."

    Relieved by Zhang Yi¡¯s calm demeanor, Xu Hao detailed everything he knew. "After the shelter was built, Wang Siming invited many people from our circle to visit. He¡¯s always been ostentatious, eager to show off. The shelter has five floors¡ªtwo above ground and three below. The ground floors look like a regr vi. The underground floors house a sports arena, waterbed room, entertainment rooms, storage, and a control room."

    Zhang Yi nodded, urging Xu Hao to continue. "What about the defense systems?"Xu Hao thought for a moment and replied, "The shelter was built to withstand nuclear attacks, using materials simr to those in spacecraft. It¡¯s nearly impossible to breach it directly. However, itcks heavy weaponry due to strict domestic regtions. The strongest firepower inside includes a couple of gold-ted Desert Eagles Wang Siming collected."

    "But there are gas and me traps. There are devices that can release tear gas and sleeping gas, and the entrance has a high-temperature me thrower. During a demonstration, Wang Siming showed us how it could roast a chicken in a second. It can turn the passage into a giant oven, reaching temperatures of 1800 degrees Celsius. Even steel would melt."

    Zhang Yi listened carefully, not missing a word. He began mentally mapping out the shelter¡¯syout and defensive systems. Then, he took a piece of paper and started sketching.

    Ensuring his safety was paramount. No matter how enticing the shelter was, if the danger exceeded 3%, Zhang Yi would abandon the n. His current safe house was risk-free and provided a decent quality of life. However, staying there indefinitely wasn¡¯t viable, as rumors about his supplies would inevitably spread, attracting trouble.

    "Now, Wang Siming¡¯s primary targets are my snowmobile and supplies. If he can¡¯t get those, killing me serves no purpose. We have no personal grudge. So, I¡¯ll hide the snowmobile when we go. The worst-case scenario is being captured, but he won¡¯t kill me outright," Zhang Yi reasoned aloud.

    Concluding his thoughts, Zhang Yi turned to Xu Hao. "Your n is to pretend to cooperate with Wang Siming and lure me there. He won''t kill me but will use gas to capture me. Once he opens the door, we can attack him together, right?"

    Xu Hao nodded eagerly. "Exactly! Once we¡¯re inside, I¡¯ll pretend to capture you, then take the chance to kill him!"

    A hint of joy shed in Xu Hao¡¯s eyes.

    Zhang Yi realized that Xu Hao didn¡¯t know about his gas masks. In Xu Hao¡¯s mind, he would use Zhang Yi as bait, then kill Wang Siming himself. It was a ssic "fake surrender" strategy

 Chapter 149: The Power Experiment

    Chapter 149: The Power Experiment

    Xu Hao looked at Zhang Yi and said with real eyes: "Brother Zhang, my life is now in your hands, are you still afraid that I will betray you?"

    "If anything should happen to you, I will die too!"

    Zhang Yi believes that the n is indeed feasible.

    Xu Hao understand Zhang Yi will use him as a shield, plus Xu Hao thought he was poisoned, can not pit Zhang Yi.

    And once sessfully into the shelter, with Wang Siming that two golden sand eagle can not be difficult Zhang Yi.

    "The sess rate is very high, at least above 95 percent."

    Zhang Yi gave the evaluation in mind.

    But, eventually, there will be a little unease.

    His way of being is a word of "if"!

    He''s good at defense, but he''s not good at offense.

    I''d be lying if I said I wasn''t nervous about attacking a super sanctuary for the first time.

    "Fire, gas, if only there was a way to solve this problem once and for all."

    Zhang Yi sighed in her heart.

    He can''t rest easy when the initiative is not in his own hands.

    Suddenly, Zhang Yi''s mind shed a light.

    No, wait a minute!

    Fire, gas...

    Why do you think I forgot something?

    Zhang Yi wanted to seize that spark of inspiration.

    He instinctively sensed that it was important, that he had something else to use.

    "Got it!

    After some hard thinking, Zhang Yi finally realized what it was.

    His power space!

    For a long time, Zhang Yi only regarded the power space as the ability to store objects, and never considered applying it to thebat level.

    However, different Spaces can receive objects, and time within them is close to absolutely static.

    If you can use this function, can it be a very powerfulbat ability?

    Zhang Yi is a little excited, if you can really tap out the potential of your ability, the harvest is undoubtedly unimaginable!

    Zhang Yi immediately can not wait to stand up.

    Kneeling on the ground Xu Hao is still waiting for Zhang Yi''s reply.

    Zhang Yi waved at him and said: "You go back and wait for my news, I will give you an answer in a few days."

    Xu Hao was terrified, "But Brother Zhang, even if I can wait, the poison in my body can''t wait!"

    Zhang Yi gave him a white look: "What are you afraid of?"

    I said seven days to poison. Seven days.

    I will give you an answer in three days, or in one or two days.

    Just wait!"

    Xu Hao hair numbness, God knows how bad he felt after the shot.

    Now he also felt that his body had be weak.

    Xu Hao also want to say what, but Zhang Yi fierce eyes let him retreat.

    "That...

    I''ll go back and wait for your answer.

    You must contact me!"

    Xu Ha this bitter melon face left Zhang Yi.

    While Zhang Yi was still inspired, he hurried back to the room and continued to think about how to develop his ability.

    In fact, for different Spaces, Zhang Yi has always only used it to store objects.

    For its ability, Zhang Yi''s understanding is not transparent, just know some of the approximate, enough is enough.

    For example, different Spaces can contain objects that exist independently.

    And once there is a strong external force, it is difficult to collect.

    Let''s say a house in a building.

    Or dig a patch of snow out of the ground.

    All of this is very difficult.

    And what is the effect on living organisms, Zhang Yi has only done experiments with a fish.

    How it works in people, he doesn''t know.

    "In the future, when I have time, I must spend my energy to develop my abilities."

    I don t know if there are other areas for me to develop besides different space and urate shooting.

    "But for now, I have to think about how I can use my abilities to block the attack methods of Wang Siming''s sanctuary."

    Zhang Yi touched her chin and looked serious.

    "Gas gas, heat spewing mes."

    "When they burst out of the trap, they are activelying at me, so there is no resistance to collect."

    In theory, it can be done!"

    Zhang Yi''s eyes became brighter and brighter, and his thinking slowly opened the door of a new field.

    "The inside of my alien space is absolutely still or almost absolutely still."

    "So, if I keep the kic energy the same, as long as I turn the direction, make the vector change.

    I can even return the object that attacked me!"

    Zhang Yi excitedly paced back and forth in the room, her eyes bursting with excited light.

    After some thought, he left the room and went downstairs to an empty house.

    Then he started a fire and tested it.

    After the me burned up, Zhang Yi extended his right hand toward the me, five fingers open, using his own ability to collect with different Spaces.

    Not surprisingly, the process went very smoothly.

    Because Zhang Yi uses the rules that exist in different Spaces.

    Only in the past, he used to fight with heat weapons, and did not pay attention to the development of powers.

    After receiving the me, Zhang Yi immediately opened an exit from the direction of the me inside the different space, but it was the original location of the me in the outer space.

    "Whew --"

    The mes "rub!"

    It was sprayed out.

    If it looks from the outside, it looks as if Zhang Yi has performed some kind of magic to bounce back the collected me!

    "Isn''t that -- full counterattack?"

    Zhang Yi opened her eyes wide andughed with surprise.

    "Ha ha ha, I see!

    Different Spaces can also be used in this way."

    "This is the magic of defense!"

    At this time, Zhang Yi is like a child who has discovered a new toy.

    Man to death is a young man, whose heart has not had a dream of bing the mothend?

    In excitement, Zhang Yi clenched her fist, and her eyes became extremely bright in the light of the firelight.

    "Next, I need to master this skill.

    Then any attack at a distance, nay, even at close range, will be useless against me!"

    "However," Zhang Yi pinched her chin, "if this ability is used on people, what effect will it have?"

    Zhang Yi''s different space only let live once, that is, a pomfret in the tank.

    But the next day, he was dead.

    At the beginning, Zhang Yi did not think much, but felt that it was a pity that she could not build a shelter inside.

    But now when ites tobat...

    Then we''ll have to do it on a living person.

    Zhang Yi hugged her arms, and her eyes gradually became indifferent.

    Isn''t that easy?

    That night, Zhang Yi went to a unit building, let them hand over a person out.

    He led the man into the empty room and handed him a "knife" rolled up in A4 paper.

    The middle of the house is lit by a fire, and Zhang Yi''s tall figure is full of oppression under the reflection of the fire.

    And the poor fellow held the fake knife, and his body trembled with fear.

    Zhang Yi looked at him and smiled and waved.

    "Come,e and attack me!

    If you can beat me, I will reward you with a piece of bread."

 Chapter 150: The Power of Spatial Ability

    Chapter 150: The Power of Spatial Ability

    The man was still frightened by Zhang Yi''s words, but he had no way to escape. He had to follow Zhang Yi''smand. So, he waved the fake knife in his hand and rushed at Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi''s expression was extremely focused. When the man charged at him, a white light shed in Zhang Yi''s right eye. After a month of use, opening and closing his spatial ability had be instinctive.

    In an instant, an invisible and intangible spatial portal appeared in front of Zhang Yi.

    As the man swung the fake knife towards Zhang Yi''s shoulder, something terrifying happened. His arm vanished into thin air right in front of Zhang Yi, as if it had entered an unseen world.

    Panicking, the man tried to stop himself. Zhang Yi grabbed his arm and yanked him into the spatial space.

    Zhang Yi''s perspective switched to inside the spatial space, where he observed the man he had just brought in. The man waspletely still, not even his breathing or heartbeat showed any signs of life.

    Zhang Yi frowned slightly, unsure if the man had died upon entering the space or if his time had stopped and he would revive upon leaving.

    He quickly released the man from the spatial space. As soon as the man emerged, his face turned pale, and he copsed, gasping for air."Oh? It seems this does affect living beings. If they stay too long, they could die!" Zhang Yi nodded, gaining critical information.

    "What did you feel just now?" Zhang Yi asked.

    The man, weak and pale, replied, "I felt like I entered a world of white, with mountains of supplies stacked everywhere. It felt like I stayed there for a century; it was terrifying. I might have been hallucinating."

    Zhang Yi''s pupils shrank.

    It turned out that while the body remained still in the spatial space, the consciousness continued. This meant the time in the spatial space wasn''tpletely static; it was just incredibly slowpared to the outside world.

    Staying there for too long would be unbearably painful, potentially causing mental copse and death.

    "So, if a living being stays too long in the spatial space, they might die from mental breakdown? Interesting!"

    Zhang Yi gained more insight into his spatial ability.

    He gestured for the man to stand up, who trembled as he got to his feet. Zhang Yi tried to pull him back into the spatial space, but it felt as difficult as moving a skyscraper.

    "Does this mean it doesn''t work onrge living beings? Or is there another reason?"

    Zhang Yi frowned, approached the man, and pulled a knife from his leg.

    Before the man could react, Zhang Yi shed, severing two of his fingers.

    "Ah!!" The man fell to the ground, clutching his wound and screaming.

    Unfazed, Zhang Yi used his spatial ability to collect the severed fingers, which worked without issue this time.

    "Live bodies don''t work, but severed parts do. Why is that?"

    Zhang Yi returned the fingers, curious about his spatial ability.

    However, he had gathered valuable information.

    Looking at the man groaning on the ground, Zhang Yi thought for a moment, then took out a roast chicken from the spatial space and ced it before him.

    "Eat this aspensation."

    He also gave the man a roll of gauze to bandage his wound.

    Despite the pain, the man eagerly grabbed the hot chicken, his eyes filled with tears. He was too hungry, having even gnawed on his leather sofa at home.

    Ignoring his pain, he started devouring the chicken.

    Zhang Yi patiently waited by the fire.

    Once the man finished eating, Zhang Yi said, "Now let''s continue. This time, throw something at me."

    Instead of resenting Zhang Yi, the man seemed grateful and eagerly nodded. After bandaging his wound, he continued to assist Zhang Yi in his experiments.

    A few hourster, Zhang Yi had all the experimental data he needed and a deeper understanding of his spatial ability.

    First, there were limitations on collecting materials; it couldn''t collect objects with strong external forces and didn''t work on living beings.

    Second, he could open a portal connecting the real world and the spatial space. While he hadn''t figured out an offensive use, he could transfer physical attacks and redirect them.

    These insights were a treasure trove for Zhang Yi.

    "Now I know how to deal with Wang Siming''s sanctuary."

    Hisst bit of concern vanished. Looking at the man who helped him, Zhang Yi sincerely said, "Thank you for your help."

    Before the man could respond, Zhang Yi''s knife swiftly cut his throat.

    "Spurt!"

    Blood sttered, and the man fell. Fear shed in his eyes before giving way to relief. He even died with a smile, d to escape the cruel world, at least after eating a delicious roast chicken.

    For the next two days, Zhang Yi brought someone in daily to continue his experiments and practice his new skills, ensuring he could use them seamlessly for his safety in uing actions. Each person who assisted him got a full meal before being killed, as Zhang Yi couldn''t risk anyone learning about his abilities.

    Three days passed quickly.

    Zhang Yi had mastered his skills and called Xu Hao, "We can go now!"

    Xu Hao looked much older these days, his face pale, lips purple, and deep dark circles under his eyes, even though he wasn''t actually poisoned.

    "Brother Zhang, I feel like I''m dying."

    Zhang Yi chuckled internally. These days, he had provided food for Xu Hao, and logically, Xu Hao had been living easier than before.

    Pretending to think, Zhang Yi fetched a vial of saline solution and said, "I can give you an injection to temporarily alleviate your symptoms."

    Xu Hao, seeing hope, quickly bared his arm.

    "Give me the shot!"

    Zhang Yi injected the saline and calmly said, "This will ease your symptoms for at most five days, but you''ll still die from the poison. So, you''d better hope this mission seeds, or neither of us will survive."

    Feeling the saline''s effect, Xu Hao''s spirits lifted.

    "Brother Zhang, I won''t gamble with my life. This time, I''m fullymitted to following you!"

 Chapter 151: Cloud Manor

    Chapter 151: Cloud Manor

    Zhang Yi instructed Xu Hao to contact Wang Siming and prepare for departure.

    Xu Hao said, "That''s easy. I told him to give me some time to lure you into a trap. So he''s just waiting for my message!"

    "It¡¯s clear that he covets your supplies, especially the snowmobiles and food. If you agree, we can go tomorrow!"

    Zhang Yi nodded, "Alright, then contact him right now in front of me."

    Zhang Yi confiscated Xu Hao''s phone to prevent him from doing anything behind his back.

    Xu Hao obedientlymunicated with Wang Siming in Zhang Yi''s presence, and they arranged to meet the next day without any issues.

    "Wait for my signal," Zhang Yi said, taking the phone and heading home to prepare his weapons and gear.

    When Zhou Ke''er saw him busy again, she asked, "Haven''t you solved all the problems in themunity? Where are you going now?""To a better ce. Don''t ask too many questions; you''ll find out when the timees," Zhang Yi replied calmly.

    Zhou Ke''er wisely kept silent, knowing better than to pry.

    Before leaving, Zhang Yi thoughtfully left half a month''s worth of food for Zhou Ke''er and Uncle You. In case something happened to him, the food would keep them alive for two weeks.

    Zhou Ke''er looked worried. Zhang Yi had never done anything like this before. She suddenly felt scared and hugged him tightly.

    "Zhang Yi, you''re not going to do something dangerous, are you? I''m a bit scared."

    Her tall, slender figurebined with her soft curves made her embrace particrly enticing, a natural advantage she might not have intended to use as temptation.

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow and smiled, "What, you want onest time before I go?"

    Zhou Ke''er''s face turned red, "It''s up to you. This time, I''ll go along with whatever you want. I can just wear a white shirt or an apron."

    Zhang Yi chuckled, pinching her delicate chin. "Don''t worry, I never do anything I''m not sure of. I¡¯m more afraid of dying than anyone else and won''t put myself in danger."

    "But I always prepare for everything in advance; it''s a personal habit."

    He pulled her head closer and kissed her deeply, not letting go until she was almost out of breath. A thin thread of saliva broke and hung from her lips as he pulled away.

    "I have important things to do this afternoon. I''ll deal with you properly when I get back!"

    Zhou Ke''ery weakly on the couch, blushing, and nodded shyly, "Okay."

    Zhang Yi left the house and knocked on Xu Hao''s door.

    "Xu Hao, open up!"

    Xu Hao opened the door and was surprised to see Zhang Yi. "Brother Zhang, what do you need?"

    Zhang Yi, wearing cut-resistant gloves, gestured with his thumb, "Let''s go. We''re leaving now!"

    Xu Hao''s eyes widened. "Didn''t we agree to go tomorrow?"

    "Tomorrow?" Zhang Yi scoffed. "The best strategy is deception. If we told him tomorrow, surprising him today will catch him off guard!"

    Xu Hao thought, You¡¯re too cautious! But he had to admit, "Smart, very smart!"

    Zhang Yi had another reason for this strategy. People are naturally suspicious, and while Wang Siming might seem carefree as a wealthy heir, he wasn''t a fool. If things went too smoothly, he might grow suspicious. Zhang Yi''s sudden decision would make Wang Siming believe he had truly fallen into the trap.

    Zhang Yi led Xu Hao downstairs, pretending to fetch the snowmobiles. Xu Hao was about to get on but was stopped by Zhang Yi, who took out a white tie.

    "Put your hands out," Zhang Yi ordered.

    These stic ties were used on construction sites to bind steel pipes, incredibly strong and tightening with any struggle, almost as good as handcuffs.

    Xu Hao pleaded, "Brother, don¡¯t you trust me by now? I''m on your side, and I''m still poisoned!"

    Zhang Yi said calmly, "No special reason, I just feel more secure this way. And when we get to Wang Siming, he''ll only believe you if you''re bound."

    Xu Hao was reluctant but knew resisting was pointless, so he obediently stretched out his hands to be tied.

    After that, Zhang Yi had him sit at the front of the snowmobile while he drove from behind.

    "Vroom!" The snowmobile roared to life, heading out of themunity.

    The wind and snow whipped Xu Hao''s face like tiny knives, making it painful and hard to keep his eyes open. If not for his thick turtleneck sweater, his face might have frozen.

    "Brother, this wind hurts! Do you have an extra helmet?" Xu Hao called out.

    Zhang Yi, wearing a bulletproof helmet, replied coldly, "No. Just bear with it. Besides, looking more miserable makes it more convincing."

    Xu Hao felt like crying inside.

    ...

    An hourter, they arrived near Cloud Manor, the most exclusive vi district in Tianhai City.

    Seeing the surroundings, Zhang Yi was momentarily stunned by the beauty.

    The ce was exceptionally good, beyond words.

    While Zhang Yi had seen luxurious vis and skyscrapers, this vi district stood out for its geographical location.

    Cloud Manor backed onto two mountains and faced the Lu River in Tianhai City. From a distance, it resembled a grand armchair, with Cloud Manor sitting in the middle.

    The mountains provided a natural barrier, with wind funneled between them towards the river. This perfect feng shui was clearly chosen by an expert.

    Southern businessmen were particrly obsessed with feng shui, so it was natural for a luxurious vi district to have excellent feng shui.

    What struck Zhang Yi most was that Cloud Manor''s location created a natural wind shelter. The snow was blown from the mountains to the river, so while other ces had snow piled up to over ten meters, here it was only two or three meters.

    "I used to think the apocalypse was fair to everyone," Zhang Yi mused. "But it seems even the wealthy get extra favor from heaven."

    Xu Hao ttered, "What good does it do? Compared to you, Brother Zhang, they¡¯re not living the life!"

    Zhang Yi smiled, "Stop ttering and lead the way!"

    Xu Hao asked curiously, "Aren¡¯t we riding in? It¡¯s quite a walk otherwise."

    Zhang Yi said lightly, "I said walk, so walk. No more questions!"

 Chapter 152: The Foul-Mouthed Man

    Chapter 152: The Foul-Mouthed Man

    After Xu Hao got off the snowmobile, Zhang Yi stored it in his spatial space.

    Xu Hao stood by, his eyes wide open. "What... What is this?"

    Zhang Yi gave him a casual nce. "Never seen it before?"

    Xu Hao was speechless, thinking, I¡¯d be shocked if I had! "So, Brother Zhang, you''re a mutant!"

    Zhang Yi replied, "I prefer terms like superhuman or empowered individual. ''Mutant'' feels a bit derogatory."

    Xu Hao, full of curiosity, said, "I''ve learned something new today!"

    Zhang Yi trudged through the snow, with Xu Hao quickly following, his face full of ttery. "Brother Zhang, I''ll stick with you from now on! You''re like a real brother to me. Look after your little brother!"

    Zhang Yi replied, "That depends on your performance."Xu Hao nodded vigorously, "Don''t worry, don''t worry. I know Wang Siming very well. This operation will be foolproof!"

    Zhang Yi sneered, "You''d better be right!"

    Storing the snowmobile was to prevent Wang Siming from killing him. Although Zhang Yi had mastered new abilities with his spatial space, he avoided unnecessary risks.

    The two walked into themunity. Cloud Manor had over a hundred vis. The blizzard had mostly been blown away, covering only half of the doorways. Additionally, being near the river, the temperature was higher than in the Yue Lumunity.

    As they walked through the snow, they gradually attracted some attention. Zhang Yi clearly noticed figures appearing behind some windows.

    He asked Xu Hao, "Why do I feel like there are still many survivors here? Do wealthy people normally stockpile food?"

    Xu Hao was very familiar with this. "Actually, they do. But their stockpiles are different from what regr families store."

    "For example, my dad once stored over a hundred top-quality Spanish hams in our cold storage!"

    "And the people living here are all famous tycoons. Almost every vi has a wine cer and specially supplied food."

    "Since everyone lives separately, they don''t face the widespread hunger and conflict like in the Yue Lumunity. So, they can survive a bit longer."

    Zhang Yi nodded, "I see."

    He wasn''t too concerned about this. After all, nobody here knew him, and due to the food shortage, these wealthy people would eventually starve.

    They walked along the road towards Wang Siming''s vi, which was centrally located and numbered 101. Zhang Yi observed the surroundings as they walked, both to check for dangers and to familiarize himself with the area for future ns.

    As they passed a vi, they suddenly heard an excited shout.

    "Hey, are you here to rescue us?"

    Zhang Yi and Xu Hao turned to see a man bundled up in a ck down jacket, energetically waving from an open window.

    "Who is it?" Zhang Yi nced at Xu Hao. "Your friend?"

    Xu Hao was unsure. He had many acquaintances nearby. "I don''t know. But Brother Zhang, let''s ignore him and let him die!"

    Xu Hao didn''t care. Zhang Yi nodded and was about to continue.

    Seeing their indifference, the man became anxious.

    "Damn it, are you deaf? F***, I''m calling you over and you don''t hear me?"

    The man trudged through the snow, quickly blocking their path.

    Zhang Yi frowned slightly. Such foulnguage? Why did it sound familiar?

    His hand moved to his thigh, tempted to kill the man. However, considering the uing mission, he didn''t want to rm anyone and refrained from acting.

    He just coldly stared at the man, trying to figure out his identity.

    Xu Hao stepped up, not wanting Zhang Yi to dirty his hands. "Who the f*** are you?"

    The man pulled down the scarf covering his face, revealing a pale, chubby face.

    "Don''t you recognize me? I''m Zhang Yuan Zheng, the famous TV host!"

    Zhang Yiughed. No wonder the voice sounded familiar. That foul mouth had be his trademark in the entertainment industry.

    Zhang Yuan Zheng didn''t notice their expressions and started cursing again.

    "You two are like candles, aren''t you? Why don''t you light up?"

    "Damn, we''ve been calling for so long, and now you show up to rescue us. What have you been doing with our taxpayer money?"

    Zhang Yi wanted to p him but became curious about his mention of calling for help. Could Zhang Yuan Zheng contact the hidden organization in Tianhai City?

    "What do you mean by that? We..."

    Zhang Yi started to ask, but Zhang Yuan Zheng interrupted.

    "I''m telling you, we need to leave here now. The vi is expensive, but we¡¯re out of food and fuel."

    "You need to take us to the shelter and arrange separate housing for me and my partner. We can''t live with others."

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow at the mention of a "shelter." This was the first he¡¯d heard of such a ce in Tianhai City.

    However, it made sense. Every city had ns for emergencies like floods or air raids. The hidden organizations were likely in those shelters.

    "Do you know where the shelter is?" Zhang Yi asked.

    Zhang Yuan Zheng widened his eyes, "You''re asking me? How can you ask me? Aren''t you from the shelter to rescue us?"

    Zhang Yi was getting annoyed by his shrill voice. This man had been rude from the start, always acting superior. Zhang Yi wondered where his confidence came from.

    "We''re not from there. And stop dreaming. They can''t even take care of themselves, let alone you."

    "What... what?" Zhang Yuan Zheng held his head in shock. "How is that possible? We pay a lot in taxes. We''re celebrities. Don''t they fear public bacsh if they abandon us?"

    Zhang Yi and Xu Hao looked at him as if he were an idiot.

    Xu Hao whispered to Zhang Yi, "The vi area has few people, so news doesn''t spread much. He probably doesn''t know the real situation outside."

    Zhang Yi asked, "Doesn''t he go online?"

    Since the apocalypse,munications were severely restricted. For Zhang Yi in the Yue Lumunity, only local contacts were possible. Distant friends or rtives were unreachable. However, official media still used super servers to broadcast nationwide.

    Had Zhang Yuan Zheng received no external information?

    Suddenly, Zhang Yi recalled the official broadcasts filled with empty reassurances.

    "ording to Hopkins University, this snowstorm willst three months, after which global temperatures will rise above freezing."

    "China hasunchedprehensive relief efforts and achieved remarkable results."

    "In response to public demands, we persistently fight the snowstorm..."

    "New mechanisms, new directions, new ie sources, new advantages, new paths..."

    "Key, fundamental, crucial, core, guaranteed..."

    "We''ll fully adapt to the cold, a short-term pain for long-term gain."

    He realized why Zhang Yuan Zheng was so clueless.

 Chapter 153: Zhi Yin, Youâ€™re So Beautiful

    Chapter 153: Zhi Yin, You¡¯re So Beautiful

    Looking at the foul-mouthed Zhang Yuan Zheng in front of him, Zhang Yi found him somewhat pitiable. This man still deluded himself into thinking someone woulde to rescue him. He probably believed that the snow disaster would soon end, allowing him to return to his life as a star and continue looking down on ordinary people.

    It was no wonder that those with higher status and wealth feared the apocalypse the most; they had the most to lose.

    "Let''s go," Zhang Yi said, not wanting to waste any more time with Zhang Yuan Zheng, and called for Xu Hao to leave.

    However, Zhang Yuan Zheng wasn¡¯t happy about being ignored. "Where did youe from? Do you have food? We''re far from the supermarkets and stores thatmon folks go to. We used to get our food flown in from abroad, but now it''s too cold for nes to fly. Damn, those useless people took my money and did nothing. When this is over, I''m going to sue them!"

    He continued in amanding tone, "You have food, right? Sell me some, I''ll pay ten times the market price!"

    Zhang Yi sighed. "I have things to do and didn¡¯t want to bother with you. But you are really asking for it!"

    With that, Zhang Yi swung his hand, pping Zhang Yuan Zheng hard across the face. The force knocked Zhang Yuan Zheng to the ground, blood and teeth flying.

    Zhang Yuan Zheng held his face in shock, pointing at Zhang Yi with trembling fingers. "You... you dare hit me! Do you know who I am? I¡¯m Zhang Yuan Zheng! You¡¯ll pay for this!"Zhang Yi, truly angered, rushed forward and kicked Zhang Yuan Zheng¡¯s face repeatedly with his heavy snow boots.

    "You idiot, do you really think you¡¯re so important? Trying to act tough with me? I''ll beat you to death!"

    Xu Hao joined in, kicking Zhang Yuan Zheng several times. Zhang Yuan Zheng, initially defiant, soon started crying and begging for mercy.

    "Stop, stop it!" A voice called out from the vi, interrupting the beating.

    Zhang Yi and Xu Hao looked up to see a slender figure emerging from the house, wrapped inyers of clothing. The figure approached, and as they got closer, they removed their hat and scarf, revealing a delicate, pale face.

    "Is it really him?" Zhang Yi and Xu Hao both eximed.

    The face belonged to none other than Cai Mingyu, a well-known idol who had risen to fame over the past few years.

    Seeing their surprised expressions, Cai Mingyu smiled confidently. "I see you recognize me. I¡¯m the famous idol, Cai Mingyu. This person you¡¯re beating is my friend. I hope you can spare him for my sake."

    Zhang Yuan Zheng, emboldened by Cai Mingyu''s presence, got up and sneered, "I¡¯m Mingyu''s close friend! You¡¯ll regret this when his fanse after you!"

    Zhang Yi found their ignorance pitiful. Cai Mingyu frowned and pulled out a lip balm from his pocket. "The air is so dry, my lips are cracking," he said, applying the balm.

    As he did so, he asked, "Aren¡¯t you sent by Director Shi to take me away?"

    Zhang Yi, puzzled, replied, "No, we''re just passing by."

    Cai Mingyu''s eyes dimmed, looking like a jilted lover. "How could she abandon me like this? She promised to love and care for me forever."

    Zhang Yi understood the nature of Cai Mingyu''s rtionship with Director Shi. "We have things to do, so we¡¯ll be leaving. Goodbye."

    Cai Mingyu blocked their path, "Wait! You must have food. Please share some with us. I can give you my autograph in exchange."

    Zhang Yuan Zheng chimed in, "You¡¯re lucky! Mingyu¡¯s autograph is worth thousands online!"

    Zhang Yiughed, "Not interested."

    If not for his principle of not hitting women, Zhang Yi might have already attacked. Cai Mingyu, biting his lip, seemed to steel himself and said, "Fine, we can take a photo together! How about that?"

    Zhang Yuan Zheng''s eyes widened, almost in tears. "Mingyu, no! You can¡¯t just take photos with anyone. They don¡¯t deserve it!"

    Cai Mingyu, determined, replied, "Dada, we need food. I¡¯m willing to make this sacrifice."

    Zhang Yuan Zheng, wiping his nose, reluctantly agreed, "Fine, I respect your decision!"

    Turning to Zhang Yi, he said, "You hear that? Mingyu will take a photo with you. This is your lucky day! Just give us some food."

    The two of them were so absorbed in their self-congrattion that they didn¡¯t notice Zhang Yi''s bewildered expression.

    Shaking his head, Zhang Yi muttered, "I can''t believe people like this exist."

    Xu Haoughed, "Brother Zhang, don¡¯t think celebrities are any better than regr people. Many of them are worse."

    "I¡¯ve slept with quite a few ''pure'' idols and pretty boys. Their private lives are a mess!"

    "Take Cai Mingyu, for example. He¡¯s been kept by a female bigwig in Tianhai. Otherwise, how could he live here?"

    Ordinarily, Zhang Yi might have enjoyed toying with these clowns, but he had important things to do today.

    He waved them off, "Move aside. I don¡¯t have time for this."

    Hearing this, Cai Mingyu and Zhang Yuan Zheng''s faces changed, as if they had heard the most unreasonable request.

 Chapter 154: The Pretty Lady

    Chapter 154: The Pretty Lady

    Cai Mingyu trembled, pointing at Zhang Yi, "He... he actually refused! Does he know how many people dream of taking a photo with me?"

    Zhang Yuan Zheng, whileforting Cai Mingyu, angrily yelled, "Who the hell are you two? Do you know where you are and the difference in status between us? You don¡¯t appreciate the opportunity before you and deserve to remain lowlifes forever!"

    He was afraid Zhang Yi and Xu Hao would leave, as their food supplies were running low. So he grabbed Zhang Yi''s sleeve and did not let him go.

    "Let me tell you, since you''re here, you must give us some food! Otherwise, you won''t leave!" Zhang Yuan Zheng shouted hysterically.

    Xu Hao sighed, "This guy is finished."

    Sure enough, Zhang Yi was irritated by Zhang Yuan Zheng''s shrew-like behavior. He didn''t want to cause unnecessary trouble, but some people just loved asking for it. What else could he do?

    Without a word, Zhang Yi grabbed Zhang Yuan Zheng by the hair and pulled out his gun. As Zhang Yuan Zheng opened his mouth to scream, Zhang Yi shoved the gun into his mouth and aimed at his cheek.

    "Bang!"A muffled gunshot echoed, and Cai Mingyu froze for a second before screaming in terror. Half of Zhang Yuan Zheng''s face was blown open, teeth shattered, and blood poured out. It was a gruesome sight.

    "Ugh... ugh ugh ugh..." Zhang Yuan Zheng writhed in pain on the ground.

    Zhang Yi coldly said, "Why be so foul-mouthed? You brought this on yourself." He nced at Cai Mingyu, whose face, heavily covered in makeup, turned even paler.

    Cai Mingyu retreated a few steps, crying, "Don''t shoot! We can talk this out. Just don¡¯t kill me. I¡¯ll give you whatever you want, even if it''s..." His face showed a shameful expression as he bit his lip, "Even if you want me."

    Zhang Yi''s face twitched. "Seriously?"

    Xu Haoughed, "That¡¯smon in high society. Nothing new."

    "Too bad I¡¯m not interested," Zhang Yi said indifferently.

    Cai Mingyu shouted, "Whether you like men or women, just say the word, and I can arrange it!"

    Zhang Yi realized that this idol, when faced with disaster, was more useless than ordinary people. Pointing his gun at Cai Mingyu, Zhang Yi mockingly said, "Sing your hit song. Sing it a hundred times, and I¡¯ll let you go."

    "A hundred times?" Cai Mingyu hesitated but started to sing. "Hey hey hey¡ª"

    Zhang Yi frowned, "What the hell are you singing?"

    Cai Mingyu looked aggrieved, "That''s my hit song! It even won awards!"

    Zhang Yi sneered, "Stop ying games. You know which song I mean. Sing it!"

    Xu Hao added, "And you have to dance and rap, too!"

    Cai Mingyu''s face darkened with shame as he adjusted his middle part. "Zhi Yin, you¡¯re so beautiful..."

    Zhang Yi nodded in satisfaction, "It''s best when the original performs it. Right?"

    Xu Hao agreed, "Absolutely. Nobody else can replicate this."

    Zhang Yi kicked Cai Mingyu, making him turn around. "Dance a hundred times, and you can stop. Otherwise, I¡¯ll shoot you!"

    Cai Mingyu''s body stiffened as he danced more energetically.

    Zhang Yi and Xu Hao left them behind. The gunshot had alerted many in the neighborhood, including Wang Siming. But it didn¡¯t matter.

    Wang Siming already knew Zhang Yi had a gun, so hiding it was pointless. Instead, showing up openly might make Wang Siming underestimate him.

    As they walked through themunity, more people appeared at their windows, eyeing Zhang Yi and Xu Hao.

    For some, the sight of armed men was a threat, but for others in despair, it was a glimmer of hope.

    In Vi 204, a stunningly beautiful woman peered through the window. Wearing a ck cashmere robe, her snow-white skin contrasted starkly. Her delicate face, wlessly maintained with high-end cosmetics, reflected her status.

    She watched Zhang Yi and Xu Hao pass by, biting her pink lips in indecision.

    Her vi, equipped with a firece, was warmer than outside, but her carbon fuel was almost gone, and her food had run out three days ago. Now, she felt dizzy from hunger, and without food or fuel, she feared she would soon die from starvation or cold.

    Such deaths were torturous, slow and filled with despair.

    Despite being neighbors, there was no interaction among the residents. She had tried contacting friends, but they turned her down as soon as she mentioned needing supplies.

    The world had be harsh.

    Seeing these strangers, the woman felt a spark of hope. If they could survive in such harsh conditions, they must have enough food and supplies.

    "I must try to contact them if I want to survive. No, I must survive!" She looked at herself in the mirror.

    Her reflection showed a beautiful, captivating woman. As a top celebrity, she had been a national goddess for many men. She believed she could try to persuade them. After all, who could refuse such a stunning star?

 Chapter 155: Cloud Manor 101

    Chapter 155: Cloud Manor 101

    Zhang Yi remained unaware that he was being targeted. His mind was intensely focused on the impending life-and-death showdown.

    Before long, they arrived near Cloud Manor 101. From a distance, Zhang Yi could already see it.

    If Cloud Manor was a luxurious city for the rich, then Cloud Manor 101 was the pce.

    It was a ck luxury vi constructed from unknown materials. Although the exterior paint made it look simr to other vis, the metallic texture was unmistakable. Covered in snow, it looked majestic and luxurious, reminiscent of a Nordic castle in the snow.

    Though it appeared to be only two stories high, it was nearly twenty meters tall, with steps rising two to three meters above the snow.

    As soon as Zhang Yi arrived, he opened a portal to his spatial space in front of him.

    This portal was invisible and intangible, a two-dimensional ne without thickness. Anything attacking Zhang Yi would pass through it into another space. While he hadn''t figured out how to use it offensively, its defensive and counterattack capabilities were maxed out, suiting Zhang Yi''s cautious approach.

    Although Xu Hao had assured him there were no heavy weapons in the shelter, Zhang Yi chose to trust himself.Zhang Yi pushed Xu Hao forward, making him stumble, then pointed a gun at his head. "This is the shelter you mentioned? Go open the door!"

    Xu Hao looked up at the ck metal door and shouted, "Wait a moment, I''ll open it for you."

    Inside the vi''s control room, a man in a yellow silk robe watched the surveince feed intently. This was the famous Chinese tycoon Wang Siming.

    Seeing Xu Hao give a signal, Wang Siming remained unmoved, not pressing the button to open the door.

    Though they had agreed to meet tomorrow, Zhang Yi''s arrival today caught him off guard. He hadn''t had time to prepare everything, and he didn''t see the snowmobile he coveted.

    Despite having food and women in the shelter, Wang Siming, who valued freedom above all, longed to leave and breathe the free air outside.

    "Where¡¯s the snowmobile?" Wang Siming frowned in dissatisfaction. So he continued to watch silently, not opening the door.

    Xu Hao pretended to unlock the door with a retinal scanner, which was obviously ineffective.

    Growing impatient, Zhang Yi aimed the gun at Xu Hao''s head, "You bastard! Trying to trick me? Believe me, I¡¯ll shoot you right now!"

    Panicking, Xu Hao pleaded, "Don''t shoot! I can open it, really! Just let me try again."

    Trembling, he approached the door, signaling to the camera, "The door can open, it can open! Don¡¯t waste our efforts, we¡¯ve worked too hard to fail now!"

    In the control room, Wang Siming understood Xu Hao''s message. Xu Hao was indicating that if they didn¡¯t capture Zhang Yi this time, he would die, and without Xu Hao, there¡¯d be no one to lure Zhang Yi again.

    Though Wang Siming didn¡¯t fully trust Xu Hao, he knew the shelter''s defenses were impregnable from a modern physics standpoint, so he had nothing to fear.

    "If you try any tricks, I¡¯ll roast you alive!" Wang Siming smirked, then pressed the button to open the door.

    Outside, hearing the mechanical sounds, Zhang Yi grabbed Xu Hao, using him as a shield, and pressed the gun to his head.

    Though it looked like an act, it wasn¡¯t entirely. If anything unexpected happened, he would use Xu Hao as a shield or shoot him without hesitation.

    In front of Zhang Yi and Xu Hao, a heavy ck metal door slowly opened.

    Three meters high, it had no lock, instead using an interlocking mechanism that left no gaps. The door opened, revealing a sleek, futuristic design.

    Behind the door was a ten-meter-long corridor, sealed with dark silver metal, lit by dozens of small lights, making it very bright.

    It was hard to believe this shelter was built ten years ago, as it looked extremely advanced even by today''s standards. Such was the power of money.

    Xu Hao pointed inside, "Brother Zhang, let¡¯s go. There¡¯s another door inside that leads to the shelter."

    At the end of the corridor was another dark gold metal door, the gold and silverbination looking both luxurious and magical.

    Zhang Yi pressed the gun against Xu Hao''s head, pushing him forward step by step.

    He was secretly prepared for any imminent danger.

    When they reached the middle of the corridor, the door behind them quickly closed.

    In the control room, Wang Siming held a ss of red wine in one hand and pressed a green button on the control panel with the other.

    Suddenly, hundreds of small holes appeared in the corridor, spewing white gas that quickly enveloped Zhang Yi and Xu Hao.

    Wang Siming listened to the soundsing from the corridor, hearing angry curses.

    "Xu Hao, you damn dog! How dare you trick me!"

    "Open the door or I¡¯ll kill you!"

    "Hahaha, Zhang Yi, stop struggling! If you kill me, you''ll die too! Just ept your fate. I don¡¯t want your life, just your supplies."

    "In your dreams! I¡¯ll kill you right now!"

    "Go ahead, shoot! If I die, so do you!"

    Gunshots echoed in the corridor.

    Wang Siming swirled his wine, waiting patiently.

    The shelter used high-strength sedative gas, causing a 24-houra with just a bit of inhtion. Even upon waking, one would be weak and powerless.

    After waiting five minutes for the gas to fill the corridor, ensuring Zhang Yi and Xu Hao had inhaled arge amount, he stopped the gas.

    "Go tie them up!" Wang Siming smiled confidently, feeling everything was under his control.

    Little did he know, Zhang Yi wore a gas mask and had used his spatial space to absorb the gas. Zhang Yi only pretended to be unconscious while Xu Hao was genuinely knocked out.

    Zhang Yi, slightly squinting, positioned himself to face the dark gold metal door. The moment Wang Siming appeared, he would draw his gun and take him down.

 Chapter 156: The Sleeping Gas

    Chapter 156: The Sleeping Gas

    Leaning against the wall, Zhang Yi waited quietly for Wang Siming. As he had predicted, Wang Siming didn¡¯t go for an immediate kill with high-temperature methrowers. After all, killing Zhang Yi outright wouldn''t serve any purpose for him.

    After a while, the dark gold door slowly opened. Zhang Yi opened his eyes a sliver, his right hand ready to draw his gun. However, upon seeing the face of the person who entered, he paused.

    It wasn¡¯t Wang Siming.

    Zhang Yi cursed internally. Damn, Xu Hao! He hadn¡¯t mentioned that there were other people in the shelter. Under normal circumstances, people wouldn¡¯t let anyone but their closest family into their shelter during a crisis. Unless, like Zhang Yi, they had unlimited resources and had chosen highly useful partners like Zhou Ke''er and Uncle You.

    The person who entered was tall and burly, holding a kukri knife and a bundle of ropes at his waist. Zhang Yi recognized him as Lin Geng, a movie star often seen on TV and a close friend of Wang Siming.

    Suppressing his urge to attack, Zhang Yi knew he had to be patient. His life wasn¡¯t in immediate danger, and he couldn¡¯t confirm that there were no other traps in the shelter until he saw Wang Siming himself.

    Lin Geng poked Zhang Yi with the kukri, causing a sharp pain, though Zhang Yi''s thick clothing dulled it. He gritted his teeth, watching Lin Geng closely. If Lin Geng made any threatening moves, Zhang Yi would retaliate instantly.

    Fortunately, Lin Geng only tested him briefly, then took Zhang Yi¡¯s gun and tied him up tightly with the ropes. Xu Hao, already unconscious from the sleeping gas,y like a dead pig.Lin Geng carried Zhang Yi on his shoulder into the shelter. Zhang Yi squinted, observing the interior. The lives of the wealthy were beyond ordinary imagination. They passed through a circr hall, full of futuristic metallic d¨¦cor like a sci-fi spaceship, but more luxurious.

    Lin Geng threw Zhang Yi onto the floor. "Here he is. This guy was easy to deal with, no trouble at all."

    Lin Geng¡¯s voice carried a tone of contempt. To him, Zhang Yi, bound and sedated, was already defeated.

    A man in a yellow robe emerged from a nearby door. "Wasn¡¯t that expected? I spent ten billion dors on this shelter. If it couldn¡¯t handle one person, my money would have been wasted."

    Zhang Yi recognized the man and smiled slightly. The main target had arrived.

    Seeing Zhang Yi tightly bound, Wang Siming rxed and started chatting with Lin Geng. Meanwhile, Zhang Yi opened his spatial space and released the high-strength sleeping gas he had absorbed earlier.

    Wang Siming and Lin Geng didn¡¯t notice anything unusual, continuing their conversation.

    "How about we take that snowmobile for a spin? I wonder what the outside world is like."

    "Sure, we can get some food too."

    They nned how to use Zhang Yi¡¯s snowmobile,ughing. Suddenly, Wang Siming saw Lin Geng swaying.

    "Lin Geng, stop moving!"

    Lin Geng, confused, replied, "I¡¯m not moving. You¡¯re the one swaying. Wait, why do you look like six people?"

    Realizing something was wrong, they both copsed.

    Zhang Yi, free from the ropes, quickly cut his bonds and released himselfpletely. He confiscated their weapons, including Wang Siming''s two gold Desert Eagles.

    "Showy but useless," Zhang Yi remarked, finding them less practical than his police pistol. He stored everything dangerous in his spatial space.

    Next, he used professional-grade rope to bind Wang Siming and Lin Geng, ensuring they couldn¡¯t escape. He even used zip ties on their wrists, thumbs, and legs to secure them further.

    With his captives secure, Zhang Yi turned his attention to the shelter, which was reportedly the world''s most expensive. The spacious living room alone was over a hundred square meters, decorated in a warm yellow with elegant silver-gray furniture, exuding an air of high ss.

    Arge 100-inch TV hung on the north wall, with gaming consoles and cartridges below it. Clearly, they were avid gamers. The living room''s centerpiece was a high-end imported sofa, with arge bar stocked with various liquors in one corner and an open-n kitchen on the other side.

    Beyond the living room was a door. Zhang Yi, gun in hand, gently opened it, revealing a bright light that momentarily stunned him.

    He had expected a backyard with a pool and garden, but what he saw was a vast ecological garden filled with rare nts and tropical vegetation, even in the cold. A portion of it was a farnd, now mostly abandoned.

    Curious, Zhang Yi explored further, delighted to see such lush greenery in the apocalypse. The garden''s temperature was higher, aided by UVmps for photosynthesis. Many nts had wilted due tock of care, but the setup was impressive.

    At the end of the garden was an empty zoo-like area, with cages and traces of animals long gone.

    "This is a billion-dor shelter? It¡¯s a mini-ecosystem!" Zhang Yi marveled.

    Continuing his exploration, Zhang Yi admired the advanced, sustainable design. The shelter''s team had done an excellent job. He reached the edge of the shelter and saw arge yard through frosted windows.

    "This ce is amazing. From now on, it''s mine!" Zhang Yi dered, smiling. Living here would be far better than his cramped apartment.

    Eager to explore more, Zhang Yi climbed to the second floor. The decor was even more extravagant, with numerous sofas, lounge chairs, and scattered clothes, suggesting a life of indulgence. The floor was littered with bottles, cigarette butts, and trash.

    Each room had abel indicating its use: game room, pet room, entertainment room, waterbed room. Zhang Yi felt like he had found an exciting treasure trove, eagerly opening each door.

    The game room alone was over a hundred square meters, filled with every imaginable gaming console and cartridge, plus a wall of rare collectibles worth millions.

    "ying games here would be awesome. Damn, rich people know how to have fun!" Zhang Yi couldn''t help but curse in envy.

    He shut the door and eagerly moved to the next room. Opening it, he was stunned to see three beautiful women inside. They were huddled in a corner, terrified by the armed stranger.

    One girl, withrge, fearful eyes, asked, "Who are you? What do you want?"

 Chapter 157: What Is a Chicken

    Chapter 157: What Is a ''Chicken''

    The room contained three girls, all dressed seductively, each with a unique allure. One appeared mature and alluring, with a figure like a ripe peach, seemingly ready to burst with a touch. Another looked petite and innocent but had an astonishingly voluptuous figure, the ssicbination of a youthful face with a mature body. The third had a high-ss, cold demeanor, with a slender figure about 1.8 meters tall, and a perfect body ratio. Zhang Yi recognized her as a famous model with over five million online followers.

    Seeing them, Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze inevitably wandered, unsure where to settle. He couldn''t help but sigh, "The way the rich enjoy themselves is indeed sophisticated and professional."

    Holding his gun, Zhang Yi walked into the room. The three girls, frightened, huddled together in a corner. One looked sad, another pitiful, and thest one disdainful. The mix of these emotions only made them more enticing.

    "No wonder they¡¯re professionals. Just a look and a move can be so captivating."

    If it were any other typical man, he might have lost control by now. But this was Zhang Yi, and the oue was slightly different.

    He scanned them with his eyes and asked, "Are you ''Chicken''?"

    The girls'' faces instantly turned ugly upon hearing this term.

    "How can you insult us like that? We are not ''Chicken,'' we¡¯re guests here!" one protested.Zhang Yi nced at their scantily d bodies, his meaning clear. "Whose family lets guests dress like this? Is it some kind of family tradition?"

    The sarcasm made the girls feel embarrassed, trying to cover up with their hands, but there was too much exposed skin to cover.

    Zhang Yi pulled a chair over and sat in front of them, his gun casually swinging. "So, where are you ''Chicken'' from?"

    Although the women were beautiful and had stunning figures, possibly skilled in various advanced techniques, Zhang Yi had a particr sense of cleanliness and didn¡¯t like sharing women. If they had no other skills, he would throw them out. He didn¡¯t keep freeloaders.

    Yes, this billion-dor shelter was now his.

    Seeing the gun, the girls dared not resist. The tall, high-ss-looking girl, however, stubbornly said, "I¡¯m not a ''Chicken''!"

    "Not a ''Chicken''? Then what are you?" Zhang Yi asked.

    "I¡¯m a socialite!" she dered proudly.

    "A socialite?" Zhang Yi nodded. "Oh, that means ''Chicken''!"

    In Tianhai City, socialites were essentially high-ss ''Chicken,'' a fact well-known to locals like Zhang Yi.

    The high-ss girl stomped her foot in anger, "I¡¯m not! I have a master''s degree from Tianhai University, an English major with a level eight proficiency, and a national level seven in ballet!"

    Zhang Yi nodded, "Oh, so you¡¯re a ''Chicken''?"

    The girls were furious. The mature, sexy one took a deep breath and said, "That¡¯s a prejudice against us. The men we interact with are all high society. We elevate ourselves through these interactions."

    "Don¡¯tpare us with ''Chicken.'' To integrate into high society, you need more than a pretty face and a good body. We also need high-level education and rich inner qualities."

    Zhang Yi pped his hands, "Well said! So, does your way of interacting with high society men include intimate rtions?"

    The girls exchanged nces. The mature one argued, "That does happen, but we¡¯re not ''Chicken.'' We have choices. Only when we deem the person worthy do we engage in intimate rtions."

    The high-ss girl added, "My body, my choice. It¡¯s modern times, and your view is discriminatory against women."

    The cute girl, pouting, said, "Don¡¯t be prejudiced against us!"

    Zhang Yiughed. "So, you¡¯re still ''Chicken''!"

    The three girls shouted in unison, "We are not!"

    Zhang Yi waved dismissively, "What¡¯s the big deal? Making money isn¡¯t shameful. Being able to get into Wang Siming¡¯s house means you¡¯re top-tier ''Chicken.'' If society allowed it, you¡¯d deserve an award."

    The cute girl couldn¡¯t take it anymore. ring at Zhang Yi, she said, "Do you know how hard we work? I won a national pianopetition and can y ''Flight of the Bumblebee.'' Have you heard of it?"

    ''Flight of the Bumblebee'' made Zhang Yi raise an eyebrow. He was familiar with the piece from a movie he liked, "The Legend of 1900." The climax featured the protagonist ying thisplex piece, leaving Zhang Yi awestruck at the pianist''s skill.

    He looked at the cute girl in surprise, "You can really y it?"

    Proudly, she lifted her chin, "Of course! I y it excellently!"

    The high-ss girl also said, "I can y it too!"

    Zhang Yiughed. ying ''Flight of the Bumblebee'' required at least an eighth-grade proficiency in piano, with nine being the highest. These girls were among the nation¡¯s best pianists, yet they turned to this life.

    "It''s aughable world. The apocalypse brings fairness in death," Zhang Yi thought. Despite their talents, the lure of money was irresistible.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s lustful gaze diminished as he looked at them. Raising his gun, he ordered, "Turn around and lean against the wall."

    The girls, misunderstanding his intent, smirked. Men were all the same, they thought, wanting to take advantage in the end.

    Pretending to be scared, they turned and leaned against the wall, skilled in the act.

    Zhang Yi took out some ropes and zip ties from his spatial space, binding them tightly, using a professional technique known as ''tortoise shell binding.''

    At first, they thought he wanted to y bondage games, but soon realized he was serious. After securing them, Zhang Yi threw them into the pet room and locked the door.

    There was no time to rx. Zhang Yi was not driven by lust and needed to ensure the house was safe. He had more exploring to do.

 Chapter 158: Letâ€™s Talk

    Chapter 158: Let¡¯s Talk

    Zhang Yi searched through the other rooms on the second floor again, finding that this level was mainly for entertainment. Besides the pet room, there was a room full of various props called the Hehuan Room and an intriguingly themed Waterbed Room. However, the Waterbed Room was no longer in use. The overall temperature in the shelter was around 10¡ãC, likely because they had started conserving energy due to high consumption.

    In the Waterbed Room, Zhang Yi found five or six corpses on the ground.

    ¡°No wonder there was such a chill when I came in! So this is the problem,¡± Zhang Yi remarked. He had seen enough corpses to remain unfazed by the sight.

    The six bodies were all women, and very beautiful ones at that. Zhang Yi guessed they were simr to the three girls in the pet room¡ªso-called socialites.

    ¡°This shelter isn''t as harmonious as it appears,¡± Zhang Yi said tly.

    Surviving in a shelter with nine women and two men could easily revert to a primitive societal state. Although Zhang Yi didn¡¯t know exactly how they had died, he could guess.

    Regardless, the girls in the pet room were likely involved.

    ¡°I need to deal with them. These women, willing to sell their bodies for money, are a menace,¡± Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes shed with a determined killing intent. While it was a pity, he would act rationally and do what needed to be done.Having explored the two floors above ground, Zhang Yi remembered Xu Hao mentioning an underground level. He found the entrance to the basement and descended.

    The two underground floors were designed primarily for doomsday survival. B1 looked like the interior of a spaceship, with eight independent rooms, all sealed with heavy alloy doors. There were no keyholes; Zhang Yi guessed they used maic cards or retinal scans.

    After half a day''s effort, he couldn¡¯t open any of the rooms.

    ¡°Looks like I¡¯ll need to pry information from Wang Siming, the owner,¡± Zhang Yi muttered to himself.

    Realizing that only strength ensured survival in the apocalypse, Zhang Yi returned to the first floor after spending over half an hour touring the shelter.

    Wang Siming and Lin Geng were still unconscious, as was Xu Hao, who had inhaled even more sleeping gas than the other two andy on the ground like a dead fish.

    Zhang Yi had no patience to wait for them to wake up. He fetched a bucket of water from the kitchen sink and dumped it on Wang Siming¡¯s head. Though the room temperature was around 10¡ãC, the cold water was still a shock.

    Wang Siming shivered and slowly opened his eyes.

    ¡°Awake?¡± Zhang Yi¡¯s deep voice reached his ears.

    Wang Siming saw Zhang Yi, fully armed, sitting before him. Trying to move, he found himself tightly bound.

    ¡°How did you do it?¡± Wang Siming couldn¡¯t understand how Zhang Yi had turned the tables. He had seen Zhang Yi bound tightly like a mummy.

    ¡°In the apocalypse, one needs some survival skills,¡± Zhang Yi exined briefly, then continued, ¡°You don¡¯t have the luxury to discuss this now. Let¡¯s talk about other things. For instance, how you will cooperate with me to save your life.¡±

    As Wang Siming woke fully, he realized the gravity of his situation. He felt intense frustration. How could his supposedly impregnable shelter be breached so quickly? Ten billion dors¡ªwasted!

    ¡°What do you want?¡± Wang Siming asked solemnly.

    Zhang Yi smiled slightly. ¡°No need to be too nervous. You didn¡¯t kill me when I arrived, so I won¡¯t harm you either. Though I¡¯m not exactly a kind person, I have my principles. Besides, killing you, the heir of the Wang family and the future head of the Lin Group, wouldn¡¯t benefit me.¡±

    Before the apocalypse, Wang Siming''s status was indeed significant. His parents were influential tycoons with substantial backing.

    Hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s assurance, Wang Siming rxed a bit. He took a deep breath and said, ¡°What do you want? We can negotiate. Just don¡¯t harm me.¡±

 Chapter 159: Relax, Dizziness Is Normal

    Chapter 159: Rx, Dizziness Is Normal

    Zhang Yi calmly took out a pack of Jinling Thirteen Hairpins cigarettes, lit one, and put it in his mouth.

    ¡°Do you smoke?¡± Zhang Yi offered a cigarette to Wang Siming.

    Wang Siming instinctively turned his head away. ¡°Thanks, but I don¡¯t smoke this brand.¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled slightly. Despite the dire situation, Wang Siming''s preferences remained evident, showing he hadn''t been short of supplies recently. Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry to negotiate terms. He smoked leisurely, flicking the ash onto the floor.

    ¡°To be frank, I came here to find a safe ce to live,¡± Zhang Yi said. ¡°The outside world is too dangerous¡ªshort on supplies and unbearably cold. Your ce is big; having one more person wouldn¡¯t make a difference, right?¡±

    Wang Siming felt a bit calmer hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s tone. ¡°So, you just want to move in? You don¡¯t n to kill me and take over this ce?¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°Why would I need to kill you?¡± He spread his arms. ¡°This ce is huge, even if a hundred people moved in, it would still feel spacious. I have no reason to kill you without cause. Besides, I¡¯d like to use this opportunity to be friends with you.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s sincere attitude made Wang Siming¡¯s eyes shift. ¡°Oh? You want to be friends?¡±Zhang Yi nodded seriously. ¡°Exactly!¡± He stood up and began to pace. ¡°This snow disaster is troublesome and has caused societal chaos, but such abnormal weather can¡¯tst forever. One day, society will return to normal. As a small-time guy, if I could befriend someone like you, I¡¯d rise quickly when things stabilize.¡±

    Wang Siming¡¯s face showed a proud expression. ¡°Of course! A small gesture from me could elevate you significantly! In the past, just pping you would bring apensation that could save you thirty years of struggle!¡±

    He spoke arrogantly but thought, It seems this guy believes the snow disaster will end soon, so he¡¯s still fearful of civilized order and won¡¯t kill me.

    Zhang Yiughed. ¡°Exactly. We can help each other. I move in, and in return, I provide you with security. You¡¯ve seen what I can do!¡±

    ¡°I also have transportation and can go out to find supplies and take you to other ces. I believe we will cooperate well. There¡¯s no need for violence; that¡¯s for barbarians. I, Zhang Yi, am not like that!¡±

    Wang Siming rxed further. ¡°Alright, I agree. Untie me first.¡±

    Zhang Yi shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re being too hasty. I¡¯ve shown my sincerity, but what about you? How can I trust you?¡±

    Wang Siming frowned. ¡°What do you want? You can take anything from this house. If you need women, there are three socialites on the second floor.¡±

    Zhang Yi narrowed his eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t need those things. To show your sincerity, I need you to give me the user manual for this shelter!¡±

    ¡°Only then can I fully trust you.¡±

    Wang Siming hesitated. Zhang Yi continued, ¡°Without it, I can¡¯t guarantee my safety here. It¡¯s just a user manual. Even if you don¡¯t give it to me, I could eventually figure it out myself.¡±

    Wang Siming frowned deeply. ¡°It¡¯s not that easy. This shelter is moreplex than you think.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s expression hardened. ¡°I¡¯m being very sincere with you. If you¡¯re willing to cooperate, we¡¯ll get along. But,¡± he took a deep breath, his gaze turning cold, ¡°don¡¯t push me.¡±

    Wang Siming shivered internally. He was very afraid of death, more so than the survivors in Yue Lumunity who had faced life-and-death struggles. Being wealthy, he could still enjoy life once the disaster was over, so he cherished his life deeply.

    ¡°Okay, if I give you the user manual, can you guarantee not to kill us?¡± Wang Siming asked.

    Zhang Yi nodded slowly, his gaze steady. ¡°I told you, I¡¯m not a murderer. And once the snow disaster is over, I hope to be your friend.¡±

    Wang Siming believed Zhang Yi because he had no other choice. Zhang Yi could kill him anytime.

    Following Wang Siming''s instructions, Zhang Yi found the shelter''s user manual on hisputer. After examining it, Zhang Yi was impressed by the shelter¡¯splexity and precision. Without the manual, any random operation could trigger the control panel¡¯s self-destruct mechanism, turning the shelter into a steel tomb.

    ¡°Now, can you untie me?¡± Wang Siming asked.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t look up. ¡°Don¡¯t rush. I need to verify the manual first.¡±

    He went to the control room with theputer and tried various functions. After confirming everything worked, he nodded in satisfaction. ¡°From now on, I, Zhang Yi, am the owner of this shelter!¡±

    He put down theptop, returning to the first-floor living room. Wang Siming, seeing him, asked, ¡°So, is everything in order? Untie me, I¡¯m getting numb!¡±

    ¡°Alright, wait a moment.¡± Zhang Yiid a nket on the floor, then approached Wang Siming, pulling out a golden w knife from his waist. He hugged Wang Siming¡¯s head and plunged the knife into his neck.

    Blood gushed out like a spring. Wang Siming stared at Zhang Yi in shock, unable to understand why he was being killed despite cooperating.

    Unable to speak, blood foam bubbled from Wang Siming¡¯s throat. Zhang Yi gently lowered him onto the nket, soothingly saying, ¡°Rx, rx, take a deep breath. Yes.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯ll be dizzy at first, but that¡¯s normal. Soon, you won¡¯t feel any pain.¡±

    Wang Siming soon felt nothing, dying with his eyes open, full of unwillingness.

    Zhang Yi wrapped him in the nket to prevent blood from staining the floor, making cleanup easier.

    ¡°Sorry, I couldn¡¯t exin everything. You¡¯re useless to me now. I can¡¯t keep a deadweight,¡± Zhang Yi softly exined.

 Chapter 160: Release

    Chapter 160: Release

    After dealing with Wang Siming, Zhang Yi also killed Lin Geng, who was still unconscious, sparing him any pain. Zhang Yi ced both corpses into his spatial space, nning to dispose of themter. He cleaned the remaining bloodstains on the floor with a mop from the bathroom.

    Xu Hao was still unconscious. Zhang Yi stared at him for a minute. He could kill Xu Hao now without him ever knowing, but he hesitated.

    "To kill or not to kill?" Zhang Yi debated.

    Without Xu Hao''s help, Zhang Yi wouldn''t have found this ce. Without his cooperation, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t have sessfully infiltrated the shelter and taken control. However, Zhang Yi couldn''t ept living under the same roof with someone he couldn''t trust.

    After much thought, Zhang Yi made a decision. He didn¡¯t immediately deal with Xu Hao but instead returned to the second floor.

    There were still the three women to deal with. Keeping them would be a waste of resources, so it was better to handle them quickly.

    Zhang Yi went to the second floor and opened the pet room door. The three women, tied up tightly, sat back-to-back on the soft carpet. Theirrge areas of exposed white skin and intentionally revealed seductive flesh would make any normal man drool.

    Honestly, if Zhang Yi didn¡¯t know they were "chicken," he might have considered keeping them around, even just for asional performances of "Flight of the Bumblebee."Their mouths were gagged, and they whimpered, eyes full of pleading. They seemed to sense that this man was very dangerous and began to fear for their lives.

    Zhang Yi walked over, pulling them up from the floor and leading them downstairs.

    Passing through the second-floor central living room, he saw clothes, underwear, stockings, uniforms, and condoms scattered everywhere.

    Zhang Yi paused. The three women thought he was interested and looked at him with pleading eyes, trying to get closer.

    Zhang Yi ignored them, picked up their clothes, and continued pushing them downstairs.

    As they neared the entrance hall, the women realized what was happening and shook their heads in fear.

    Zhang Yi pulled out a w knife, cutting their bonds, and threw their clothes at them. "Leave here! Go fend for yourselves outside."

    Zhang Yi had no grudge against them, so he didn¡¯t want to kill them; that was his bottom line. However, he also couldn¡¯t keep these scheming "Kun" in his house, as they would pose a danger.

    Their fate outside was none of Zhang Yi''s concern. "The world will kill you, not me!"

    Though it felt like an unnecessary move, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t want his hands stained with blood from people he had no personal enmity or conflict of interest. It was one of the few remaining aspects of his humanity.

    The three women, realizing they were being expelled into the snow-covered world, cried bitterly, pleading desperately with Zhang Yi. Despite their promises of providing the highest level of service, Zhang Yi remained unmoved.

    Faced with the choice between his principles and desires, Zhang Yi chose to protect his integrity. He didn¡¯t believe in the humanity of these "Kun."

    With his gun pointed at them, the three women, in despair, quickly dressed and left the shelter.

    Once they were outside, Zhang Yi closed the entrance. Seeing their upper bodies in fur, and lower bodies in ck stockings and high heels, Zhang Yi shook his head. "Freezing to death would at least preserve their beautiful bodies as specimens. Better than being killed by my own hand!"

    Now, only Zhang Yi and Xu Hao remained in the shelter. Xu Hao, having inhaled arge amount of sleeping gas, would wake up at an unknown time. For safety, Zhang Yi also tied him up.

    Having just taken control of Cloud Manor 101, Zhang Yi began to explore the shelter¡¯s internal structure. He opened previously inessible doors using the ess keys he found¡ªck metal key cards.

    In the basement, Zhang Yi was eager to see how many supplies were left. He used an ess card to open the heavy metal door to the warehouse.

    The circr door opened with a rumbling sound, releasing a wave of cold air that made Zhang Yi shiver.

    Inside, he found a mess. Many canned goods were scattered on the floor, their contents spilled but not spoiled due to the low temperature. Zhang Yi, wearing snow boots, slowly walked in, finding a 200-square-meter warehouse with dwindling supplies, mostly canned food.

    "No wonder the cans are scattered everywhere. It seems Prince Wang was sick of eating them." Zhang Yi shook his head in disbelief.

    The warehouse''s food could sustain one person for at least half a year. However, Prince Wang, used tovish meals, found these ten-year-old cans unappetizing. Moreover, he had to share with Lin Geng and the "Kun."

    "Rich people¡¯s consumption habits are indeed vastly different from ordinary people¡¯s. If it were me, this warehouse would be full of cans andpressed food, enough for one person for decades!" Zhang Yi sighed.

    The securitypany that designed the shelter considered doomsday survival but overlooked Wang¡¯s eating habits. ording to Xu Hao, many cans had been cleared out by Wang Siming.

    Zhang Yi opened a can of luncheon meat with his w knife. "If this were thrown into Yue Lu Community, people would fight to the death for it."

    But Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t interested in these foods, as his spatial space had fresh ingredients and gourmet meals prepared by top chefs. He left the food for future use, just in case.

    Exploring the rest of the shelter, Zhang Yi found more rooms, all secured with thick metal doors, only openable with maic cards. The highest level of ess was now his.

    Satisfied with his new stronghold, Zhang Yi realized it had an enormous energy consumption problem. Powering and heating this multi-level, thousand-square-meter shelter required fifty times the energy of his small safe house. With his current energy reserves, he could only maintain the shelter for five years.

    "Not a huge problem," Zhang Yi mused. "There are plenty ofrge gas stations outside. I''ll just empty a few more to solve this issue."

    After thoroughly checking the shelter, Zhang Yi feltpletely secure. Compared to his small 800,000 yuan house, this ce offered unmatched defense andfort. Even the furniture was top-notch from world-ss manufacturers.

    Back in the first-floor living room, Zhang Yi added six months¡¯ worth of energy to the shelter, raising the temperature to afortable 27¡ãC.

    "From now on, this will be my home. If only I had a few obedient and sensible women to y poker with, life would be perfect."

    "To have a full deck, I¡¯d need at least four women!" Zhang Yi imagined. "They could y cards while I watched from under the table. Heh, what a life!"

    Lying on the sofa, Zhang Yi closed his eyes, smiling at the thought of his future life.

 Chapter 161: Go, Before I Change My Mind

    Chapter 161: Go, Before I Change My Mind

    After resting for a while, Zhang Yi took out some stimnts from his spatial space and administered them to Xu Hao. To wake him up faster, he also sshed some ice water on his face. After a bit of this, Xu Hao finally opened his eyes, exhausted.

    "Ugh, so cold!"

    Seeing Zhang Yi in front of him, Xu Hao was momentarily stunned, then filled with joy.

    "Brother Zhang, did you... did you seed?"

    He looked around for Wang Siming but saw nothing. Zhang Yi didn''t speak; he just untied the ropes around Xu Hao. Xu Hao never expected that this time he would wake up to find they had taken over Wang Siming¡¯s luxurious shelter without any effort on his part. This made him incredibly happy.

    He was curious, though. Both of them had been hit by the sleeping gas in the trap, so how had Zhang Yi woken up so quickly and taken control of the shelter?

    "Brother Zhang, where is Wang Siming? How did you deal with him?" Xu Hao asked curiously.

    Zhang Yi replied calmly, "Did you forget? I''m a city soldier king, an expert from the mountains, a mercenary returned from the battlefield. Taking down someone like Wang Siming is nothing."Xu Hao burst outughing.

    "Hahaha! Brother, you¡¯re amazing. I knew I was right to trust you."

    "From now on, I''ll follow you without any reservations! With you protecting me, I¡¯ll never have to worry about survival again."

    Zhang Yi picked up a heavy backpack from the sofa and ced it in front of Xu Hao.

    "These are your rewards. Take a look."

    Xu Hao''s eyes lit up, and he rubbed his hands together, "This... how can I ept this?"

    "No need to be polite; it''s what you deserve," Zhang Yi said tly.

    Xu Hao, no longer holding back, opened the backpack in front of Zhang Yi.

    "Wow¡ª"

    Inside was a pile of food: biscuits, bread, chocte bars, chicken legs, cream cakes, rice cakes... The entire backpack was packed full, easily weighing twenty or thirty kilograms! Xu Hao''s smile stretched from ear to ear.

    "Brother Zhang, you¡¯re truly like a brother to me! Just say the word if you need anything, and I won¡¯t hesitate!"

    As Xu Hao tore open a bag of chicken legs and expressed his loyalty to Zhang Yi, Zhang Yi finally smiled slightly.

    "Oh? You said it yourself! I didn¡¯t force you."

    He pointed outside with his chin. "Take these things and leave."

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t let Xu Hao stay, but his conscience wouldn¡¯t let him be ungrateful either. Xu Hao, though troublesome, had indeed helped him a lot in this matter. So, Zhang Yi decided to give him enough food to survive on his own.

    Xu Hao, halfway through tearing the packaging, froze upon hearing this. Time seemed to stand still as he stared at Zhang Yi, his body stiffening.

    Zhang Yi looked down at him calmly, his gaze containing an unyielding will.

    After a long pause, Xu Hao came to his senses, his heartbeat elerating wildly, causing a ringing in his ears as if electricity was coursing through them. He couldn¡¯t ept this reality. He had thought he had sessfully joined Zhang Yi''s team and helped him secure this luxurious and safe shelter. Why wouldn¡¯t Zhang Yi let him stay?

    Xu Hao¡¯s eyes reddened as he looked at Zhang Yi with pleading eyes. "Brother Zhang, what did you just say? I didn¡¯t hear clearly."

    He hoped he had misheard.

    But Zhang Yi, word by word, said clearly, "You can¡¯t stay here. Take your reward and leave."

    Tears instantly streamed down Xu Hao¡¯s face. Clutching the backpack, he retreated a few steps, curling into a corner for security.

    "You promised to keep me! You said so yourself!"

    Zhang Yi shook his head with a bit of helplessness.

    "I did promise you. But I can always go back on my word. We''re adults; we should know that verbal agreements are the easiest to break. It¡¯s always been this way, especially now."

    Zhang Yi¡¯s bluntness was shocking. To ensure his own safety, he was willing to discard any moral principles. This behavior made Xu Hao cry even harder. He curled up like a helpless child, shouting angrily at Zhang Yi, "You can¡¯t do this to me! You can¡¯t go back on your word!"

    "I helped you so much, and I don¡¯t want anything else from you, just your protection so I can survive. Can¡¯t you even ept that?"

    "If you keep acting like this, you¡¯ll die alone, with no one to trust or stand by you!"

    Zhang Yi just smiled indifferently, his expression showing disdain.

    "Oh, so what? At least I¡¯ll still be alive."

    "But if I let my soft heart get me killed, I¡¯ll have nothing!"

    He didn¡¯t bother arguing with Xu Hao because it was pointless. They weren¡¯t on the same level of strength. Whatever Zhang Yi wanted Xu Hao to do, Xu Hao had toply.

    Zhang Yi waved outside. "Go! These foods willst you a month if you ration them. In that month, find a way to survive. I''ve already been as kind as I can to you."

    Xu Hao shook his head desperately. "No, I won¡¯t go!"

    It was too cold outside. From Yue Lu Community to here, it was a world of snow and ice. Leaving here meant certain death sooner orter. After experiencing the warmth andfort of the shelter, how could he leave?

    Zhang Yi smiled.

    Then he raised his gun.

    "Do you really want to force me to do this? I hoped we could part peacefully without me having to point a gun at your head."

    Seeing Zhang Yi raise the gun, Xu Hao¡¯s face showed even more fear.

    "I can¡¯t leave! I still have your poison in me!"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s tone grew colder. "There¡¯s no poison. It was just a coloredmon drug; you won¡¯t die."

    Xu Hao''s face turned pale. He realized he had been tricked by Zhang Yi.

    "Even so, you can¡¯t kick me out! How can you be so ungrateful?"

    He raised the backpack. "I helped you take over a shelter, and this is all I get? It¡¯s far from enough!"

    Zhang Yi took a deep breath. His patience was wearing thin. He stared at Xu Hao, his tone bing emotionless.

    "Don¡¯t forget, you owe me your life too!"

    "What? When?"

    "Of course. Back in themunity, I should have killed you! But I didn¡¯t. So, you owe me your life."

    Zhang Yi continued, "Now, I use your life and this bag of food as payment. You¡¯ve made a huge profit!"

    He pointed the gun at the door and used a remote to open it.

    "Go quickly! If you dy, I might change my mind."

 Chapter 162: I Gave You a Chance

    Chapter 162: I Gave You a Chance

    Zhang Yi''s gaze had already turned icy as he pointed the gun at Xu Hao''s forehead. The dark gun barrel brought back memories of Zhang Yi''s cold and ruthless killings, making Xu Hao realize Zhang Yi wasn''t joking.

    Xu Hao felt extremely aggrieved, his heart filled with hatred for Zhang Yi. The hatred in his eyes was evident, with bloodshot veins covering his pupils.

    "Fine, I''ll go!" Xu Hao gritted his teeth, walking towards the passage with a face full of reluctance.

    As he walked, he looked around the luxurious decorations of the shelter. Such an opulent survival environment, even better than anything he had experienced before, filled him with a strong sense of resentment.

    When Xu Hao reached the passage, he suddenly turned around, ring at Zhang Yi with malice. "Zhang Yi, you''re untrustworthy! You''ll get youreuppance one day!"

    Zhang Yi merely nced at him calmly. Xu Hao sneered, turned around, and walked into the passage.

    Zhang Yi stared at his back for several seconds, hesitating. Then he raised his gun, aiming at the back of Xu Hao''s head.

    "Bang!"A hole appeared in Xu Hao''s head, clean through from the back to the front. He died instantly and painlessly, copsing limply in the passage.

    Zhang Yi sighed, looking at Xu Hao''s body. "Anger won''t make you stronger; you need strength."

    He walked over to Xu Hao, picking up the backpack he had left behind. "I intended to let you live, but why did you seek death yourself?"

    Zhang Yi had been hesitant about killing or not killing Xu Hao. Out of his principles, he had decided to let Xu Hao leave. But Xu Hao''sst words changed his mind.

    "I already let you go, so I''m not ungrateful. We were square at that point. But then you threatened me. Killing you is reasonable!"

    Satisfied with his logic, Zhang Yi nodded to himself. In Cloud Manor, Xu Hao was the only one who knew his identity and had knowledge of the shelter¡¯syout. He could bring trouble to Zhang Yi someday.

    Zhang Yi felt somewhat grateful to Xu Hao for giving him a valid reason to kill him. After killing Xu Hao, he stored the body in his spatial space.

    Then he turned on the multi-million dor sound system in the room, ying a cheerful song:

    "Mama, just killed a man. Put a gun against his head, pulled my trigger, now he''s dead. Mama, life had just begun. But now I''ve gone and thrown it all away..."

    Zhang Yi fetched a mop and bucket from the bathroom, whistling cheerfully as he cleaned up the bloodstains on the floor.

    "I hope this is thest time I have to kill someone. No one here knows my past, and no one wille to disturb me. If I could live here until the end of the apocalypse, or until I die of old age, that would be wonderful!"

    "But it''s probably very unlikely," Zhang Yi smiled to himself.

    He soon cleaned up the bloodstains. The entire room was now quiet, with only him alive, making it unusually silent. The house was so big, it felt a bit lonely.

    "I should go get Ke''er. A mature man always needs a beautiful woman by his side to make life interesting."

    "As for Uncle You..." Zhang Yi had other thoughts. The shelter wasrge with many rooms, but Zhang Yi didn''t really want Uncle You to move in. Since he and Zhou Ke''er were still in their honeymoon phase, they wanted their space.

    Ke''er always managed toe up with something new, and having others in the house hindered her creativity. For example, she would wear only a white shirt or an apron. With another man in the house, they wouldn''t be able to enjoy themselves freely.

    "I already have a better shelter. I might as well let Uncle You stay in the safe house. He once took a bullet for me; I owe him. Providing him a good living environment is fair repayment."

    "Also, I can''t move the safe house into my spatial space right now. It¡¯s better to leave it in Yue Lumunity as a backup base. If needed, I can return and live there, with someone to look after it."

    Zhang Yi''s n was clear, solving the problem perfectly. Uncle You would likely be very grateful.

    However, Zhang Yi still needed to solve one issue for Uncle You¡ªthe problem every man understands.

    Both Zhang Yi and Uncle You were physically healthy men, one in his twenties, the other in his sixties. Naturally, they had physical and psychological needs.

    After killing Xie Limei, Zhang Yi felt he owed Uncle You a woman.

    "I promised Uncle You I¡¯d find him a better one. But there aren''t many women left alive in themunity, and even fewer who meet the criteria."

    "Hmm, it''s a bit difficult. I''ll leave this problem forter. If worsees to worst, he can find a few women in themunity to get by."

    Given the limited conditions, one couldn¡¯t be too picky.

    Zhang Yi sat on the sofa, in front of a 100-inch TV. Curious about what Wang Siming usually watched, he found the remote and turned on the TV. The ck screen slowly lit up.

    Zhang Yi walked to the bar, filled with various branded drinks, many of which he had never heard of, supplied by foreign vineyards.

    Pouring himself a ss of fresh beer, he watched the TV. He expected to see the few remaining official channels but was surprised to see a white female host speaking in English.

    "#$&&^(^*)&..."

    Zhang Yi admitted his English was only CET-6 level, and his spoken English was terrible. He couldn''t understand a word.

    "Strange, how can it receive foreign channels? The blizzard should have affected signal transmission. Even phones have limited signal range. How did he do it?"

    Zhang Yi, surprised, switched channels. Each channel was still a foreign one. As he flipped through dozens of foreign channels, he realized something.

    "This shelter must have a super-strongwork system!"

    Excited, Zhang Yi checked the control room. Following the lines, he found a hidden door revealing a closet-sized independent server!

    "He actually set up a server in his own home. Impressive!" Zhang Yiughed, eyes brightening.

    Though he didn''t fully understand how it worked, the signal reception indicated thework system in this shelter was incredibly powerful, capable of global signal transmission. This meant Zhang Yi could ess global information through thework.

 Chapter 163: Sweet as Honey

    Chapter 163: Sweet as Honey

    The ten-billion-dor shelter was undoubtedly top-tier, even by the standards of a decadeter. With such an advancedwork setup, Zhang Yi could now ess information from the outside world more urately. Domestic news channels often focused on entertainment, presenting them as serious news.

    Sitting down, Zhang Yi began browsing internationalworks, eager to learn about the current global situation beyond Tianhai City. The information he found aligned with his expectations. The extreme cold had killed most living creatures, and due to poormunication, the exact global death toll was unknown. However, ording to a mathematical model from Hopkins University¡¯s undergroundb, the global poption had plummeted from 8.5 billion to about 2 billion.

    "In just one month, nearly three-sevenths of the poption wiped out. If 5% survive, it will be a miracle," Zhang Yi sighed.

    Despite the harsh environment, humans continued to fight and kill each other, with extremely low temperatures halting production activities. No crops could be grown, and resources couldn¡¯t be extracted, leading to a severe shortage of food and energy. Wars broke out everywhere, from personal conflicts to international disputes, all over these precious resources.

    "Fortunately, I¡¯m well-prepared," Zhang Yi took a deep breath, feeling grateful for his foresight.

    As he continued browsing, he stumbled upon information about "mutants." A mysterious American website used this term for those who had mutated, inspired by their once-poprics. Zhang Yi straightened up; he was eager to learn more about this, given his own spatial abilities resulting from mutation.

    Through his research, Zhang Yi discovered widespread mutations across the globe. Hundreds of countries reported the appearance of mutants, including humans, animals, insects, and nts. The mutations varied, some positive, granting extraordinary abilities, while others negative, distorting bodies horribly.

    For instance, he saw a video of a girl in Russia¡¯s icy wilderness who could conjure fire from her hand. Unfortunately, the mested only two seconds before extinguishing, leaving the girl unconscious. "In this cold, awakening to fire abilities is rather tragic," Zhang Yi mused.He also saw other mutants, such as a person whose body had turned a ghastly green, resembling a grotesque version of the Hulk. Another had a body capable of detaching parts while keeping them functional. Though details were scarce, these mutants represented a biological evolution, albeit sometimes for the worse, with some suffering severe radiation damage without gaining any powers.

    Zhang Yi meticulously noted all avable information. Although the number of known mutants was low, he suspected many were hiding their abilities, making the world outside still very dangerous.

    Resolving to stay hidden in the shelter, Zhang Yi decided to bring Zhou Ke''er over. Used to herpany, he found life more interesting with a beautiful, understanding woman by his side. As for Uncle You, Zhang Yi had other ns. He didn¡¯t want Uncle You living in the shelter since he and Zhou Ke''er were still in their honeymoon phase, enjoying intimate moments that would be hindered by another man¡¯s presence.

    Zhang Yi equipped himself and opened the shelter¡¯s heavy metal door, admiring its futuristic design. Outside, he saw footprints, likely from the three women he had released earlier. Dressed inadequately for the cold, they probably wouldn¡¯t survive long.

    "Am I wasting resources?" Zhang Yi wondered, noting the high quality of Tianhai City¡¯s "socialites." They rivaled some celebrities in looks. He had considered giving them to Uncle You but decided against it, fearing their maniptive nature might cause trouble.

    "Never mind, there will always be better women," Zhang Yi muttered as he walked out.

    He decided not to use the snowmobile to avoid drawing attention. As he neared Vi 204, he suddenly heard a woman¡¯s voice.

    "Please wait!"

    "Hmm?" Zhang Yi paused, finding the voice very familiar, as if he had heard it often.

    "Wait?" he thought. "Wait for what?"

    Recalling a ssic movie line that had once gone viral, Zhang Yi turned towards the voice, his finger on the trigger.

    At the door of Vi 204 stood a figure wrapped in a ck down jacket. Seeing Zhang Yi turn, she moved towards him excitedly.

    "Please wait, I... I have something to tell you."

    Hearing the childlike, high-pitched voice, Zhang Yi confirmed the person¡¯s identity. His eyes lit up with surprise and delight. "Are you Da Mi Mi?"??.

 Chapter 164: Under the Same Roof

    Chapter 164: Under the Same Roof

    The woman in the long ck down jacket panted as she walked up to Zhang Yi. She pulled down her scarf, revealing a delicate, fair face. Zhang Yi recognized her immediately. Fewizens in China wouldn¡¯t know her: she was Yang Siya, one of the hottest stars of recent years, the woman countless men dreamt of.

    ording to Xu Hao, Cloud Manor was home to many wealthy and influential people, including top celebrities. Yang Siya, with her wealth, naturally had the means to buy property here. Seeing her, Zhang Yi felt a ripple of excitement. Though he wasn¡¯t one to chase after stars, as a normal man, he naturally admired beautiful actresses, especially those with perfect figures. Zhang Yi had been a fan of Yang Siya for a long time. Many lonely nights had been spent with her photos and videos.

    Although she was a few years older than Zhang Yi and had been married before, these weren¡¯t disadvantages to him; in fact, they made her even more appealing.

    Yang Siya looked at Zhang Yi withrge, pitiful eyes and said timidly, ¡°I haven¡¯t eaten in three days. Can you take me with you? I don¡¯t want to die here.¡±

    Her eyes seemed to have hooks that could snatch a man''s soul. As an actress, her acting skills might have been criticized, but seducing men came naturally to her. This time, she decided to gamble with her beauty to secure a chance to survive.

    Zhang Yi looked at her, silent. To be honest, he was quite tempted. After all, here was his favorite actress, practically throwing herself at him. Who wouldn¡¯t want to live under the same roof as a star and experience the joy of having her serve him as a maid?

    But he had to consider safety. He frowned, ¡°In these times, everyone¡¯s life is tough. If you want me to take you with me, you need to give me a good reason.¡±

    Yang Siya bit her lip lightly¡ªa gesture both pure and seductive. Her lips were pink and shiny, like cherries, making one wonder how troublesome eating would be with such lips. This woman was inherently alluring.Some said that Yang Siya might not be the most beautiful of the popr actresses, but she was certainly the most capable of stirring male fantasies. The celebrity halo made Zhang Yi feel even more desirable in her current helpless state.

    Looking at Zhang Yi with her rabbit-like eyes, she took a step forward and said softly, ¡°I just want something to eat. If you give me that, I¡¯ll agree to any condition you have.¡±

    Her words were suggestive, making it hard for Zhang Yi to refuse.

    Looking at her cherry lips, Zhang Yi sighed internally. She appeared so helpless, like a fragile little white rabbit¡ªor rather, a big white rabbit. However, she didn¡¯t hesitate when it came to subtly agreeing to Zhang Yi¡¯s suggestive request.

    Yang Siya¡¯s thoughts were more mature than those of someone like Zhou Ke''er, which exined how she could run her own filmpany and be both an artist and a boss. Zhang Yi knew she wasn¡¯t as easy to bully as she looked, which made her even more attractive to him.

    ¡°Follow me!¡± Zhang Yi finally said.

    He turned back, abandoning his n to return to Yue Lumunity to fetch Zhou Ke¡¯er. They still had plenty of supplies, and there was no immediate rush.

    Seeing this, Yang Siya breathed a sigh of relief. Her charm still worked, and luckily, Zhang Yi was a young man.

    Yang Siya followed Zhang Yi to Cloud Manor 101, her eyes widening in surprise at the vi before them. ¡°Isn¡¯t this Wang Siming¡¯s house?¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled slightly. ¡°It¡¯s mine now.¡±

    He took out the maic card key and opened the door. Yang Siya, full of curiosity, followed him inside. The room was warm, with a temperature of 27¡ãC, making it cozy andfortable. Soon, Yang Siya felt hot and hurriedly took off her thick clothes, revealing her figure wrapped in a ck sweater. Despite the modest clothing, her impressive figure was still evident, making Zhang Yi¡¯s jaw clench.

    Sensing Zhang Yi¡¯s unabashed gaze, Yang Siya bit her lip lightly. She knew what he was thinking, but having chosen to use her beauty to seek protection, she couldn¡¯t afford to act reserved. Calmly, she sat down opposite Zhang Yi. Even in her modest clothing, her figure left much to the imagination.

    ¡°Thank you for letting me in,¡± she said in her soft, cute voice.

    ¡°What¡¯s your rtionship with the previous owner?¡± Zhang Yi asked cautiously.

    Yang Siya admitted she knew Wang Siming, but when she saw Zhang Yi acting as the owner, she was curious. Zhang Yi, however, didn¡¯t answer her question and instead asked, ¡°How well do you know Wang Siming?¡±

    She nodded slightly. ¡°In our circle, who doesn¡¯t know him? But it¡¯s not like we¡¯re close. He¡¯s rich and famous, so we¡¯d asionally meet at events.¡±

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow and poured her a ss of water. ¡°Then don¡¯t worry about him. Just remember, I¡¯m the owner here now.¡±

    ¡°Thank you.¡± She took a sip, feeling itchy all over as her body warmed up, not having bathed for a while. She looked at Zhang Yi pleadingly. ¡°Can I use the bathroom here?¡±

    ¡°Go ahead,¡± Zhang Yi said generously, pointing her to the bathroom .

 Chapter 165: A Clever Woman

    Chapter 165: A Clever Woman

    Whose bathroom is bigger than their bedroom and equipped with all sorts of recreational amenities? If the person is poor, we call it frivolousness. If the person is rich, we call it the yful taste of a yboy or the refined interest of the wealthy. Wang Siming, known for his lecherousness, excelled in this area, making his bathroom uniquely extravagant.

    Zhang Yi, ever polite, didn¡¯t demand to check Yang Siya upon entry. However, for safety reasons, he felt he had no choice but to thoroughly inspect her once she was clean, ensuring she had no hidden weapons or poison. This was a matter of principle, and no one was exempt.

    Inside the spacious bathroom, over 80 square meters with a massive gold-ted massage bathtub resembling a fish pond, Yang Siya turned on the water, letting it flow over her body. She sighed with relief, savoring the long-missedfort of a hot bath. Such luxuries seemed mundane until they were lost. For someone who valued beauty and cleanliness, being unable to bathe was akin to torture.

    As the hot water soaked her hair and washed over her delicate face, she felt warm and rxed. Yet her mind remained active. From the moment she entered this vi, she had been contemting her next move. Encountering Zhang Yi in this desperate situation, she decided to gamble with the only asset she had left¡ªher body, which many men dreamed of.

    In the face of life and death, many things can be set aside. Yang Siya found herself somewhat relieved upon meeting Zhang Yi. Despite his dangerous aura, he was handsome and tall, far from the ugly old men she had feared.

    "If it¡¯s with this man, staying with him for a while might not be such a loss," she thought, a resigned smile on her lips.

    Given the choice, she wouldn¡¯t be doing this. Unlike many in the entertainment industry who climbed up using the casting couch, Yang Siya relied on her abilities and her family¡¯s prominent background in Beijing. Even though she had been married, her body and spirit remained clean.

    "I¡¯ve decided. I¡¯ll talk to him and ask him to stay here for a while. I¡¯m prepared to offer something in return," she murmured, embracing herself under the hot water."I just need someone to protect me, provide food and shelter. Once the snow disaster ends, I¡¯ll leave, and no one will know. I¡¯ll still be the dazzling star," she said with newfound determination.

    After a while, Yang Siya emerged from the bathroom, her wet hair draped over her shoulders like a lotus flower blooming from the water.

    "Zhang Yi, can you let me stay here?" she asked, looking pitiful. "I¡¯m weak, and in this harsh environment, it¡¯s hard to survive alone. I need a man to protect me. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t trouble you for long. Once the snow disaster ends, I¡¯ll leave, and this memory will remain just between us."

    Her sincerity was a strategic move, hoping to secure Zhang Yi¡¯s protection.

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, impressed by her approach. "She¡¯s a clever woman. This makes things easier," he thought. He disliked foolish women who often acted like saints and caused trouble. Yang Siya, understanding the transactional nature of using her body for survival, made things straightforward. This way, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t have to waste time on false emotional exchanges.

    He neededpanionship to fulfill his fantasies as a fan and to bring life to the empty house. With Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er, two intelligent beauties, his life wouldn¡¯t be dull. Even ying cards would be more fun.

    "This is a fair deal," Zhang Yi thought, enjoying the simplicity of it. He appreciated Yang Siya¡¯s pragmatic approach.

    Yang Siya, hoping the world would return to normal so her efforts wouldn¡¯t be wasted, bit her lip. "The world will return to normal," she insisted, gazing at the snow outside.

    Zhang Yi shrugged. "It¡¯s unlikely. Even if the ice age ends, the world won¡¯t be the same."

    Yang Siya remained hopeful. "If it doesn¡¯t, all my efforts would be in vain."

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t mind her hope. If she chose to leave one day, he¡¯d remember the good times they shared. There were many obedient and understanding girls outside; he wouldn¡¯t dwell on her departure. In the apocalypse, he lived for the present.

    Seeing her intentions clearly, Zhang Yi decided not to waste time on emotional pretense. "Alright, you can stay, but in my house, you must follow my rules. That¡¯s a basic principle," he said firmly, his seriousness unchanged regardless of who she was??.

 Chapter 166: The Three Rules

    Chapter 166: The Three Rules

    Yang Siya, being a savvy businesswoman, understood the importance of clear transactions. Zhang Yi appreciated this straightforward approach, as he disliked unnecessaryplications.

    Zhang Yi nced outside. It was getting dark, being wintertime, and it seemed they wouldn¡¯t be able to leave tonight. "It''s gettingte. Let''s rest," he suggested.

    ...

    As the wind and snow calmed outside, Zhang Yi retrieved some clothes from his spatial space and ced them by the bed. "Here are some new clothes. You can change into them."

    Seeing Zhang Yi¡¯s ability to retrieve items seemingly out of thin air, Yang Siya''s eyes widened in astonishment. "What kind of ability is this?"

    "A little trick," Zhang Yi smiled.

    As he turned to leave, her soft, pleading voice stopped him. "Don¡¯t go."

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, smiling. "What¡¯s the matter?""There are some things we need to discuss," Yang Siya said, her face slightly reddening. Despite preparing herself mentally, she still felt confused and hesitant about her rtionship with Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi stretched and said, "I¡¯m a bit hungry. Let¡¯s go to the living room. We can talk while we eat."

    Yang Siya nodded, her eyes lighting up at the mention of food. Shortly after, they sat on the living room sofa. Freshly washed, Yang Siya had regained her elegant appearance, her hair styled in a bun, exuding the aura of a refined housewife. She wore a ck off-shoulder dress, highlighting her smooth shoulders and deep cleavage.

    Elegance never goes out of style. Even in the apocalypse, her presence was pleasing. Just having her around, even as a beautiful decoration, was worthwhile. Zhang Yi reclined on the sofa, cing hot food on the table, which amazed Yang Siya, thinking it was some kind of magic trick.

    "Eat up! We¡¯ll talk as we eat. Let¡¯s rify some things to avoid future troubles," Zhang Yi said, biting into a hot cheeseburger andying down the rules.

    "My house is quite big, and having one more woman won¡¯t be a problem. My only requirement is that you obey me."

    "You¡¯re smart; you should understand what I mean, right?"

    Yang Siya, still embarrassed by recent events, bit her lip. "I understand. In our industry, such things aren¡¯t unusual."

    Zhang Yi nodded in satisfaction. Smart people were easier to deal with. He didn¡¯t have many demands from Yang Siya. Keeping her was like having a beautiful ornament at home. With Zhou Ke¡¯er joining soon, the two women could share household chores and alternate duties without much pressure.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s sudden thought made him frown. "I remember buying some medicines from Zhou Hairun. Let me checkter."

    Yang Siya, suppressing her shyness, boldly addressed Zhang Yi. "I can agree to your demands, but I have some conditions I hope you¡¯ll respect."

    Zhang Yi spread his hands, indifferent. "Let¡¯s hear them."

    Yang Siya, in her soft voice, said, "First, our rtionship is limited to the duration of the snow disaster. If we ever part ways, I hope you won¡¯t reveal anything that happened here. As a public figure, if people find out what we did, my career would be over."

    Zhang Yi slightly pursed his lips. Like Zhang Yuan Zheng and Cai Mingyu, she hoped society would return to normal after the disaster. Those who enjoyed societal benefits most were least willing to see it copse.

    "Alright, I promise not to reveal anything we did," Zhang Yi replied, easing her concerns. As a popr national idol, any rtionship with her would excite men, making them eager to boast.

    "Second, I¡¯ll follow your requirements, but you can¡¯t force me to do things I don¡¯t want to do."

    Her voice grew softer. She needed the courage to set such terms. She felt shame over using herself as a bargaining chip. Despite acting tough, she had lost her autonomy and was now at Zhang Yi¡¯s mercy. She hoped he would respect her in some way.

    Zhang Yi found joy in her mix of humiliation and shyness.

    "I¡¯ve learned my lesson. I used to value young girls, but now I see the appeal of mature women," Zhang Yi thought.

    Moving closer, Zhang Yi¡¯s approach frightened her. Her instinctive attempt to keep distance failed as he pulled her into his arms. Her face flushed, she looked away, unable to meet his gaze. Zhang Yi grinned, holding her chin to make her face him.

    "You came to me willingly. Don¡¯t act so pitiful. Even if it''s a temporary arrangement, as a top actress, I expect your best performance. It¡¯ll make me happier, and it¡¯s better for you too, right?"

    His domineering gaze made her heart tremble. Despite her hopes, she realized she had little choice.

    "Fine, but you must agree to my conditions first," she insisted.

    Zhang Yiughed lightly. "Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯m not a demon. As long as you behave, I won¡¯t make things too difficult for you."

    "Not too difficult," he thought, "but I didn¡¯t say not at all."

    Yang Siya red at him but could only pout in silent frustration.

 Chapter 167: Zhou Haimei

    Chapter 167: Zhou Haimei

    Zhang Yi made a three-point agreement with Yang Siya, allowing her to move in as she wished.

    However, Zhang Yi could sense that she still felt some shame and anger inside. After all, being a top-tier popr actress, she was tightly controlled by a man, which naturally made her somewhat unwilling. But instead of feeling unhappy, Zhang Yi found it even more enjoyable!

    Men inherently enjoy conquest; the more untamable the wild horse, the more he wants to tame it. This woman was damned sweet!

    Because of Yang Siya, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t return to Yue Lu District. On the one hand, he inquired about the situation at Cloud Manor to facilitate moving inter. On the other hand, he subtly probed Yang Siya to prevent her from bing a threat to him.

    Thus, a full day passed. Zhang Yi left a room for Yang Siya, but like he did with Zhou Ke¡¯er before, he didn''t give her a key.

    ¡°I need to go out for a while. You stay in the room and behave,¡± Zhang Yi said, leaving some food for Yang Siya. As for the bathroom, it was not an issue since all the rooms here had private bathrooms. When the shelter was built, everything was well thought out.

    Hearing that Zhang Yi was going out, Yang Siya showed a nervous expression. ¡°When will you be back?¡±

    After the apocalypse hit, she had spent a considerable time in loneliness and fear. Now, even though she had been taken advantage of by this bad man, as a woman, she felt a certain sense of security. Honestly, if Zhang Yi had been courteous and didn¡¯t take advantage of her at all, she would be more afraid that he had other schemes. Now that Zhang Yi was leaving, she was once again scared. She didn''t want to be alone anymore.¡°Don''t worry, I''m just going out to pick someone up. I''ll be back soon!¡± Seeing Yang Siya''s timid demeanor, Zhang Yi couldn''t help but smile. The hard shell on the surface was slowly crumbling. What an interesting woman!

    Yang Siya pursed her lips, her face showing a cold expression again as she sat primly on the sofa. ¡°Alright,e back soon.¡±

    Just as Zhang Yi was about to leave, a thought struck him. He turned back to Yang Siya and asked, ¡°A lot of rich people and celebrities live here, right?¡±

    Yang Siya blinked, ¡°Yes, this is thergest wealthy district in Tianhai City. Even the poorest here are billionaires!¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded. A mischievous smile appeared on his lips. ¡°So, are there any big-breasted, simple-minded rich women around?¡±

    Yang Siya''s eyes widened, and she stood up excitedly. ¡°Are you serious? Are you serious? If you keep joking like this, I''ll... I''ll get mad!¡±

    She red at Zhang Yi, clenching her little fists. Zhang Yi blinked, realizing she was projecting herself. Hmm, she indeed fit the big-breasted criterion but wasn¡¯t brainless. Zhang Yi exined with a smile, ¡°You misunderstood! I wasn¡¯t talking about you but other people.¡±

    Yang Siya was stunned, covering her mouth in surprise and stepping back a couple of paces. ¡°You... you scoundrel! That''s too much!¡±

    How long had it been, and he was already nning to find another woman? Did she have no charm at all? Ah, what am I thinking? He''s just a bad guy, a pervert! Yang Siya felt a mix of shame and anger. Zhang Yi, however, was speechless. He admitted he was a bit lustful, but not to the extent of looking for women everywhere. The reason he asked was purely out of consideration for Uncle You, hoping to find a suitablepanion for him. After all, he was quite lonely. As for women, Zhang Yi wasn''t that desperate. If it weren¡¯t for his youthful crush on Yang Siya, he wouldn¡¯t have let her into the shelter so easily. Honestly, even the three women he drove away had looks not much worse than hers. Moreover, their skills in that regard were undoubtedly better than hers.

    ¡°It¡¯s like this. I have a friend back home who has been very kind to me. But he was hurt by a bad woman and now needs somefort from the opposite sex.¡± ¡°I wanted to find him apanion, that¡¯s why I asked. After all, your connections among wealthy women are quite extensive.¡±

    Hearing Zhang Yi''s exnation, Yang Siya realized her misunderstanding. Yet, with her current view of Zhang Yi, she still thought of him as a lustful wolf. However, since she was under his roof, she couldn''t refuse his request. Moreover, since Zhang Yi had the ability to survive in the apocalypse, his friend was likely not much worse. Introducing her friend to him could also mean saving a life.

    Yang Siya said, ¡°There are still some rich women around, but finding one who is simple-minded is tough.¡± She frowned slightly, then cautiously asked, ¡°Would it be okay if she''s a bit older?¡±

    Hmm? Older? That¡¯s great! Zhang Yi hoped to find a mature, sensible woman for Uncle You, unlike Xie Limei, who was always reckless.

    ¡°My friend is in his fifties. He prefers mature women.¡± Sorry, Uncle You. Even if you liked eighteen-year-old girls, I couldn''t help. Young women are too much trouble.

    Yang Siya sighed in relief, ¡°If that''s the case, it¡¯s easier!¡± She looked at Zhang Yi and asked with a smile, ¡°You know Zhou Haimei, right?¡±

    Zhang Yi''s pupils shrank slightly at the mention of the name. Zhou Haimei was his childhood goddess! Not only Zhang Yi, but even his father liked her a lot when he was alive. Back then, Zhou Haimei was known as the nation''s sweetheart and had won many film and TV awards. Now in her fifties, she was transitioning to motherly roles but often outshined the lead actress due to her stunning looks. Even at her age, Zhou Haimei remained beautiful and voluptuous. Even Zhang Yi had to praise her mature charm.

    ¡°Uncle You, I¡¯ve found the best for you this time!¡± Zhang Yi quickly had Yang Siya contact Zhou Haimei.

    Soon, Zhou Haimei arrived at Zhang Yi''s home. The once exquisite beauty looked a bit thinner and more exhausted due to the snowstorm, but deep in her eyes, there was undeniable excitement at the chance to survive.

    Yang Siya said to Zhang Yi, ¡°I¡¯ve exined everything to her. She has no objections.¡±

    Of course, in the face of life and death, most people cannot maintain their pride and arrogance.

 Chapter 168: The Fishermen

    Chapter 168: The Fishermen

    Zhang Yi brought some food to Zhou Haimei. Seeing the food, her eyes lit up. She thanked Zhang Yi with thest bit of her dignity before sitting on the sofa and devouring the food ravenously.

    After she finished eating, Zhang Yi asked, ¡°You understand everything, right?¡±

    Zhou Haimei nodded, ¡°Yes, you¡¯ve found me a home, right?¡±

    A woman in her fifties could see things more fairly. Perhaps at their age, they didn¡¯t ce as much importance on so-called love. Marriage and living together were more about matching each other''s status. As long as the conditions were met, they could be together. So when Yang Siya told her that she could find her a long-term meal ticket, she agreed without hesitation. The only regret was that she initially thought the man would be Zhang Yi.

    With Yang Siya paving the way, Zhang Yi saved a lot of trouble. Before setting off, he sternly reminded the two women that the safety house and the shelter must be kept secret! They must not reveal it to anyone outside under any circumstances. Otherwise, it could attract greedy people to seize it.

    ¡°If I find out that anyone leaks information about this ce, there will be no need for them to live anymore,¡± Zhang Yi said calmly but coldly, his eyes filled with pure killing intent. Both women were terrified and quickly assured him they wouldn¡¯t do anything stupid.

    Zhang Yi nodded and didn¡¯t say more. These two women were not young, and having fought in the entertainment industry, they were not naive. His warning was just a precaution. After giving instructions, he sent Yang Siya back to her room and prepared to take Zhou Haimei to Yue Lu District.

    ...The cold wind howled, the icy northern wind carrying snow as it blew across the Lu River. Compared to when the snow disaster first hit, the snowfall had decreased significantly. After all, in the extreme cold, there weren''t many water molecules in the air to condense into ice. The low temperature continued, and the wind remained as biting as ever.

    Across the river from Cloud Manor was a small town called Xu Family Town. On one side of the river was the vi district where the richest people in Tianhai City lived, and on the other side was a suburban rural area. In the past, people in Xu Family Town lived by growing grains and vegetables. Every household built greenhouses, growing grains and vegetables to sell in Tianhai City. Over the years, although they weren''t as wealthy as city dwellers, their lives were decent.

    After the extreme cold storm hit, their lives were better than those in the city. Although they faced the same freezing temperatures, they didn¡¯tck food. Moreover, their physical strength was better than city folks. Despite the ice and snow, they lived rtivelyfortably, which was somewhat ironic.

    At noon, the warmest time of the day, the outside temperature rose to minus sixty degrees, and the snow slightly decreased. On the Lu River, a group of Xu Dong Vige vigers appeared, wrapped tightly in their clothes. They brought five or six dogs, all sled dogs like skan Mmutes and Huskies, all wrapped in cotton coats due to the low temperature. The vigers cherished these dogs, treating them better than themselves because, in the south, they were the only animals still useful forbor.

    However, these sled dogs were different from the goofy ones seen in normal times. Their eyes were filled with fierce hostility, their mouths revealing sharp teeth, and their fur stained with blood.

    Led by a fifty-something dark-faced man, the group reached the ice. The dark-faced man walked back and forth on the ice, sometimes lying down to look into its depths. After a while, he tapped a spot with the stick in his hand.

    ¡°Here, start digging!¡±

    As soon as he spoke, a dozen people behind him moved forward. They unloadedrge ice-breaking tools from the sled and ced them at the designated spot, tying them to the dogs with ropes.

    ¡°Run, run!¡±

    The dog handlers firmly held the ropes and shouted, and the dogs began to run, pulling the ice-breakers to crack the ice. With the dogs'' strength, the ice-breaking was efficient, and soon a huge round hole was opened on the ice.

    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ve got fish!¡±

    The dark-faced man waved, and the handlers quickly stopped the dogs and lifted the icebreakers out. Under the broken ice were a dozen or so frozen fish.

    After the river froze, the oxygen levels in the water decreased, causing the fish to rise for air. Though they didn¡¯t find a breathing hole, they died near the ice surface, providing the fishermen of Xu Family Town with a good food source. By breaking the ice, they could dig out the frozen fish, their main protein source.

    Led by Xu Dahai from Xu Dong Vige, the group was busy as usual. Xu Dahai, once just a fisherman with average status in the vige, became an important figure after the apocalypse due to his fishing skills. For instance, he only needed to designate spots for fishing while others did the physicalbor.

    A viger, Xu Manjin, approached Xu Dahai, chatting idly. ¡°Uncle, do you think the city folks are all frozen by now?¡±

    Xu Dahai snorted disdainfully, hands in his pockets. ¡°Those city folks, they don¡¯t even know how to farm, relying on us to feed them. Now they probably can¡¯t even eat a full meal, likely frozen to death already.¡±

    Xu Manjin nodded, grateful. ¡°Good thing we¡¯re from the countryside. No matter how bad the weather, we have food and strength, so we¡¯re not afraid of surviving!¡±

    ¡°This weather is too chilling. When will it pass?¡± Xu Manjin nced at the luxurious vis across the river, his eyes a mix of disdain and uncertainty about the future. Surviving was true, but this wasn¡¯t the life they wanted.

    Xu Dahai frowned slightly, squinting against the snow. ¡°Hard to say! But in this weather, we¡¯ll survive. As long as we work hard, we won¡¯t starve!¡±

    ¡°I remember when I was in Mohe, it was just as cold. We even swam shirtless!¡±

    The men chatted idly. They used to gather and discuss international affairs, always mentioning Europe and the US, belittling other countries. But now, without news sources and no mood for foreign affairs, they only talked about the city''s suffering.

    Suddenly, a distant engine sound reached them from across the river. Though faint, it was distinct in the silent, snowy world.

    Xu Manjin paused, ¡°I think I hear an engine?¡±

    Xu Dahai listened carefully, then looked astonished. No mistake! The sound was just like the motor on his fishing boat.

    ¡°At this time, how can there be a vehicle? Aren¡¯t the city folks all frozen?¡±

    Everyone stopped their work, looking toward the direction of the engine sound.

 Chapter 169: You Dare to Rob Me?

    Chapter 169: You Dare to Rob Me?

    Zhang Yi rode the snowmobile with Zhou Haimei towards Yue Lu District. Driving along the riverbank, the snow-covered Lu River looked majestic. However, there was noticeably less snow on the ice surfacepared to the ground. The Lu River, connecting to the East China Sea, had arge specific heat capacity, causing its temperature to change more slowly. They even saw people fishing on the ice.

    As Zhang Yi observed the scenery, he felt a rare sense of human presence. However, a sudden realization struck him.

    "Fishermen? Have they adapted to this extreme cold?" Zhang Yi was astonished. During his month in Yue Lu District, he witnessed the misery people endured. Yet, across the river in Xu Family Town, the vigers had adapted to the cold. It wasn''t surprising, though. Farmers work year-round, getting up early tobor in the fields regardless of the weather. Their ability to adapt far surpassed that of city dwellers spoiled by air conditioning and heating.

    "Human adaptability is truly frightening! If it were me, I wouldn''t know how to survive a winter without heating or air conditioning," Zhang Yi mused.

    But his thoughts were cut short by terrifying barking from the ice ahead. Zhou Haimei screamed, pointing at the river, ¡°Dogs!¡±

    Zhang Yi saw them too. Eight ferocious dogs were charging towards them, dragging two makeshift sleds with four men on them. Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes narrowed, realizing trouble was ahead¡ªnot just now, but future trouble. Originally, he nned for the city''s inhabitants to perish quickly in the snow disaster, leaving him and a few others in shelters to survive. But he hadn''t ounted for the countryside adapting to the severe cold, posing a potential threat.

    For now, his snowmobile was a target. ¡°Hold on tight!¡± Zhang Yi revved the engine, speeding up to avoid a confrontation. Fighting one person could lead to dealing with an entire vige. He sped ahead, the dogs frantically chasing, their eyes wild with savagery. These dogs had survived many battles, even eating human flesh during desperate times, making them extremely dangerous.

    The snowmobile was fast, but so were the sleds. The fishermen had anticipated his path, blocking his way. One fisherman hurled a fish spear at Zhang Yi. ¡°D*mn it!¡± Zhang Yi cursed. The spear would have taken a chunk of his arm if it hit. He swerved the snowmobile sharply, braking suddenly, causing Zhou Haimei to be thrown off into the snow. The once-famous actress cried in fear, unable to get up.Two sleds blocked Zhang Yi¡¯s path, the eight sled dogs barking ferociously, baring bloody teeth. Zhang Yi¡¯s scalp tingled. He feared the dogs more than the men; humans could be reasoned with, but dogs were relentless.

    The fishermen approached, armed and holding the dogs¡¯ leashes. ¡°Leave the vehicle and the woman, then get lost!¡± one man with a machete shouted.

    Zhang Yi coldly assessed them, memorizing the position of each man and dog. Then he drew his pistol, aiming at them. ¡°Fes, let us pass. I don¡¯t want trouble, and you don¡¯t want to die.¡±

    The sight of the gun made them step back. Zhang Yi gestured with the gun. ¡°How about you move aside?¡±

    The four men exchanged nces, their hostility undiminished. They were survivors, not easily scared. A young man with a rogue look asked, ¡°Buddy, where¡¯d you get the snowmobile and the gun?¡±

    Zhang Yi sneered, ¡°Inherited.¡±

    They eyed each other, seemingly debating whether to retreat. But the lure of the snowmobile and Zhou Haimei¡¯s presence reignited their greed. The snowmobile was a top-tier vehicle, far superior to dogs. And a woman, especially a well-maintained celebrity, was a raremodity in the apocalypse.

    The rogue, Xu Xingwang, said, ¡°Buddy, this is Xu Dong Vige¡¯s territory. If you want to pass, pay a toll.¡± He pointed at the snowmobile and Zhou Haimei. ¡°Leave either the vehicle or the woman!¡±

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t believe their audacity, treating his gun as a bluff. He frowned and sneered, ¡°You see this gun in my hand, right?¡±

    The four men hesitated but didn¡¯t back down. Survivors in the apocalypse were tough and bold. Another skinny man with a felt hat taunted, ¡°Who are you scaring? There are four of us and eight dogs. How many bullets do you have?¡±

    ¡°Leave the woman and the vehicle, or else try your luck!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze turned icy. He saw more peopleing from the river. The river was less than a hundred meters wide, with Xu Family Town on the other side. If more vigers arrived, they¡¯d surround him. Zhang Yi could protect himself, but Zhou Haimei might be torn apart by the dogs. He took a deep breath. They were forcing his hand.

    With no more room for negotiation, Zhang Yi swiftly drew a second gun, shooting each of the four men in the head. They fell instantly, blood sttering.

    With the men dead, the eight dogs charged at Zhang Yi and Zhou Haimei, barking ferociously.

 Chapter 170: Enmity with Xu Family Town

    Chapter 170: Enmity with Xu Family Town

    The gunshots did not scare off the rabid dogs. Instead, they became even more frenzied, baring their teeth and lunging at Zhang Yi and Zhou Haimei. Zhou Haimei screamed, paralyzed with fear as the dogs closed in.

    Gritting his teeth, Zhang Yi quickly shot and killed the two dogs near Zhou Haimei. But the remaining six dogs were already upon him, making it toote to use the gun.

    "Dimensional Gate!" Zhang Yi shouted, opening a portal to a different dimension in front of him.

    The barking of the dogs abruptly vanished as they were swallowed by the portal. Zhang Yi took a deep breath. If he had been bitten on an unprotected part of his arm, he might have lost a chunk of flesh, and there was a high risk of infection. This was his first time using his dimensional ability inbat, and it proved incredibly effective¡ªalmost invincible in terms of defense. The dogs would suffocate and die in his alternate space due tock of oxygen.

    With his nerves steadying, Zhang Yi saw more people approaching from the distance on the ice. Knowing he couldn¡¯t stay, he quickly helped the terrified Zhou Haimei onto the snowmobile and sped away. He also collected the two dead dogs into his space.

    Not long after Zhang Yi left, Xu Dahai arrived with his men. The vigers of Xu Dong Vige saw the four bodies on the ice, their eyes filled with grief. They had sensed something was wrong when they heard the gunshots.

    ¡°I¡¯ve always said not to act rashly when encountering strangers. Now look what happened¡ªthey¡¯ve lost their lives!¡± Xu Dahai said with a pained voice. The four young men had been impulsive, ignoring Xu Dahai¡¯s caution and deciding to intercept the stranger with their sled dogs. Now, theyy dead.

    Xu Manjin looked around and noticed something strange. ¡°Where are the dogs? Where did they go?¡±The vige''s dogs were well-trained and would not run away easily. The absence of the dogs was baffling. The vigers looked around but found no trace of them.

    ¡°Something¡¯s not right. This guy isn¡¯t ordinary. He had a snowmobile and a gun. He¡¯s definitely someone special!¡± Xu Dahai said, his face darkening. This incident would be difficult to exin to the vige.

    ¡°No matter what, he killed our people. This won¡¯t end here!¡± Xu Dahai dered. ¡°We should go back and inform the vige chief. This guy might have extraordinary abilities, just like Chunlei.¡±

    The others nodded in agreement, taking the bodies back to Xu Dong Vige.

    Xu Dong Vige, located at the eastern edge of Xu Family Town, was a remarkable sight in the snowyndscape. Hundreds of igloos of varying sizes formed a cluster, with a white castle made of snow bricks at the center, resembling something out of a Japanese anime.

    Inside the castle, the furnishings were also made of snow, including chairs, tables, and chandeliers. In the castle owner''s room, strange sounds asionally emerged.

    ¡°Eri, naughty children must be punished!¡± a voice said.

    ¡°Ah! Not there¡­¡± another voice responded.

    A chubby young man was engrossed in hisptop, surrounded by tissues. Just as he was about to reach his peak, the door¡ªa wooden board¡ªwas pushed open. Several burly men entered, led by a stern old man with a long beard.

    ¡°Chunlei, something has happened!¡± the old man announced.

    The young man, Xu Chunlei, was startled, his moment ruined. He quickly closed hisptop, but the sounds continued from under the covers. The burly men, seeing the scene, were taken aback, realizing they had interrupted something private.

    The old man, Xu Dongsheng, the vige chief, scolded, ¡°You¡¯re a grown man, yet you¡¯re still doing this!¡±

    Xu Dongsheng tried to pull the nket off Xu Chunlei, who resisted fiercely. ¡°This is my hobby! So what if I¡¯m a bit perverted?¡±

    ¡°You ungrateful brat! I¡¯ve been trying to set you up with someone from the vige, and you still act like this!¡± Xu Dongsheng shouted.

    ¡°Who cares about those old women? I don¡¯t want them!¡± Xu Chunlei retorted.

    After a brief struggle, the nket was yanked off, leaving the men in an awkward silence, trying to stifle theirughter. Xu Chunlei, now exposed, reluctantly asked, ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡±

    Xu Dongsheng nodded to Xu Dahai, who exined, ¡°Today, we went fishing, and Xu Kang, Xu Guangzhi, Xu Youbin, and Xu Xingwang were killed.¡±

    Xu Chunlei¡¯s face turned serious upon hearing about the deaths. ¡°How did this happen? We had subdued the nearby viges, hadn¡¯t we?¡±

    ¡°This time, it wasn¡¯t anyone from Xu Family Town. It was someone from across the river,¡± Xu Dahai exined, recounting the events.

    Xu Chunlei listened intently, his expression growing grim. Vige Chief Xu Dongsheng said, ¡°This person is very strong. He killed four men and eight dogs with ease. I worry he might pose a future threat to our vige.¡±

    ¡°Chunlei, could this person have powers like yours?¡± Xu Dongsheng asked.

    Xu Chunlei nodded. ¡°It¡¯s possible. Though I am the chosen one, there could be others with powers destined to challenge me, to make me stronger!¡±

    He propped his chin on his hands, deep in thought. ¡°Perhaps this is my first trial outside the beginner vige!¡±

    The elders were used to Xu Chunlei¡¯s dramatic expressions. Xu Dongsheng said, ¡°The Xu family must avenge our kin. No one can kill our people without facing consequences!¡±

    ¡°Chunlei, this person is formidable. It¡¯s up to you to handle this.¡±

    The elders praised him, boosting his confidence. Xu Chunlei, feeling proud, covered his right eye andughed deeply. ¡°Leave it to me! I¡¯ll see just how strong I can be!¡±

    ¡­

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi sped towards Yue Lu District with the shaken Zhou Haimei. He felt troubled. Xu Family Town was just across the river from Cloud Manor, less than a kilometer away. Killing the four vigers could provoke a retaliatory attack.

    ¡°I¡¯m not afraid, but I left Yue Lu District to avoid trouble, and now I¡¯ve stumbled into new trouble. I just want a peaceful life with some beauties. Why force me into conflicts?¡± Zhang Yi thought.

    He realized his abilities were more defensive than offensive, but he was nearly invincible in defense. His dimensional skills and fortified shelter were impregnable against most threats.

    ¡°If they¡¯re smart, they¡¯ll leave me alone. But if they seek their own doom, I¡¯ll wipe them outpletely!¡± Zhang Yi resolved.

    Soon, they reached Yue Lu District. Zhang Yi parked the snowmobile outside building 25. The area was quiet since he had cleared it of threats. Building 25 was now a strict no-go zone for others.

    ¡°We¡¯re here. Get off,¡± Zhang Yi said to Zhou Haimei, who was still shaken. Her heart pounded as she followed him.

    ¡°The person I want you to meet is upstairs. Come with me,¡± Zhang Yi said.

    Zhou Haimei sighed, feeling resigned. She knew she was no match for younger women but hoped to find a semnce of peace. She followed Zhang Yi up the 24 flights, pausing to rest twice along the way.

    Before entering, Zhang Yi checked the surveince feed on his phone. Everything was normal. Zhou Ke''er was reading in the living room, and Uncle You was resting. Satisfied, he opened the door and led Zhou Haimei inside.

    Hearing the door, Zhou Ke''er looked up, her face lighting up with joy. She was about to run into Zhang Yi''s arms but stopped when she saw the woman with him. Her expression turned wary.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, you¡¯re back! Congrattions on your sess!¡± Zhou Ke''er said, helping Zhang Yi remove his heavy coat while eyeing Zhou Haimei. She recognized the former actress immediately, feeling a pang of insecurity. Would Zhang Yi prefer this older, still-beautiful woman? This new addition threatened her position in the household.

    One woman could lie low, but with two,petition was inevitable. In these times, good positions and good men were always contested.

 Chapter 171: Uncle You, Do You Want a Wife?

    Chapter 171: Uncle You, Do You Want a Wife?

    After helping Zhang Yi take off his coat, Zhou Ke''er clung tightly to his arm, her face full of tenderness. "Are you thirsty? Do you want a hot drink? Or are you hungry? I can make you something to eat."

    She pressed his arm between her ample bosom, almostpletely engulfing it. Zhang Yi was somewhat taken aback; she had always been obedient, but this was the first time she had been so forward. He quickly realized that Zhou Ke''er saw Zhou Haimei as apetition. Indeed,petition breeds improvement!

    Zhang Yi found this amusing. With Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya vying for his favor, he would be the one to benefit. This was a ssic case of "when two mussels fight, the fisherman profits."

    Turning to Zhou Haimei, Zhang Yi said, "You can sit here for a while."

    Zhou Haimei, though amused by Zhou Ke''er''s hostility, said nothing. She simply nodded and sat down on the sofa. Zhang Yi then pulled Zhou Ke''er into her room.

    Once inside, Zhou Ke''er stared at Zhang Yi with a jealous look. "I just realized you like mature women, don''t you?"

    "Don''t overthink it. I brought her to take care of Uncle You," Zhang Yi exined with a smile. "Though, you''re not wrong about my preference for mature women."

    Zhou Ke''er sensed there was more to his words. "Hmm?"Changing the subject, Zhang Yi asked, "How is Uncle You''s condition?"

    "His recovery is astonishing. Normally, it would take at least three months, but he has almost fully healed. I also injected him with a muscle rxant as you suggested, but even that couldn''t fully contain his strength," Zhou Ke''er exined.

    Zhang Yi nodded, now certain that Uncle You''s mutation was a physical enhancement type. "And his mental state? Is it normal?"

    "I haven''t noticed any changes. He seems as normal as ever," Zhou Ke''er replied.

    Relieved, Zhang Yi said, "That''s good!" He then instructed Zhou Ke''er to chat with Zhou Haimei in the living room to establish a good rtionship since she would be Uncle You''s woman.

    Realizing Zhou Haimei wasn''t a rival, Zhou Ke''er¡¯s hostility vanished. She happily went to chat with Zhou Haimei, eager for somepany.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi went to Uncle You''s room. Opening the door, he saw Uncle You sitting on the bed, holding a phone andughing strangely. Hearing the door, Uncle You quickly hid his phone under the pillow.

    "Zhang Yi? You''re back! Why didn¡¯t you knock?" Uncle You¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment.

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, understanding what he was doing. "Uncle You, were you just reading ¡®The Spring and Autumn Annals¡¯?"

    Uncle You coughed, "Just passing the time. Never mind that. What kept you busy outside all day?"

    Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t told Uncle You about the shelter before, but now it seemed appropriate. He sat by the bed and exined the situation.

    Uncle You was astonished. "These rich folks really know how to prepare! I used to think they were wasting money on useless stuff, but they¡¯ve ousted us in the apocalypse. We¡¯re the fools!"

    "Indeed, with their resources, the wealthy are more likely to survive," Zhang Yi agreed.

    Uncle Youughed heartily, "Lucky for me, I have a good friend like you. That''s why I''m still alive."

    Zhang Yi smiled warmly. If he had any friends left in the apocalypse, it was undoubtedly Uncle You.

    "So, how has your body changed recently?" Zhang Yi asked.

    Uncle You didn¡¯t hide anything. "My body is different. Such severe gunshot wounds, yet I¡¯ve almost fully healed in just a few days." He lifted his shirt to reveal a muscr, well-defined abdomen, still bandaged but free of bloodstains. "My strength has increased too."

    To demonstrate, he grabbed the iron bedframe and twisted it effortlessly. Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes gleamed with interest. Such strength could easily kill a tiger in closebat!

    "I feel like a monster," Uncle You admitted, both thrilled and apprehensive.

    Zhang Yi reassured him, "You¡¯ve simply awakened a powerful ability." He exined the concept of biological mutations and shared some information he had gathered online.

    Understanding now, Uncle You rxed. To build trust, Zhang Yi revealed his own mutation and demonstrated by retrieving an item from thin air. Uncle You was astonished, smacking the bed in disbelief. "No wonder you always seem to have everything! So that''s your secret!"

    His excitement caused the bed frame to bend under his weight. Zhang Yi watched with amusement, pleased with Uncle You¡¯s growing strength. His loyalty and newfound abilities would be invaluable.

    Suddenly, Zhang Yi asked, "Uncle You, do you want a wife?"

    Uncle You was taken aback. "What?"

    "If you want, I can bring you a wife," Zhang Yi continued. "Beautiful, well-built, and mature¡ªjust your type!"

    With a knowing look, Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow. Uncle You¡¯s eyes widened, and he swallowed hard. After Xie Limei¡¯s death, he had been deeply saddened. Being a fifty-something bachelor, finding a woman had been challenging. Now, hearing that Zhang Yi had found him a wife, Uncle You was overjoyed.

    "Of course, I want a wife! Where is she? Let me see her!"

 Chapter 172: Generous Gift of Car and House

    Chapter 172: Generous Gift of Car and House

    When Uncle You heard that Zhang Yi was sending a wife to him, he got so excited that he jumped out of bed.

    Zhang Yi looked at the door, "She''s right outside!"

    Uncle You, upon hearing this, felt a bit embarrassed. "Zhang Yi, did you exin our situation to her?"

    Zhang Yi felt a bit speechless inside.

    It''s no wonder he''s been single for over ten years; even at a time like this, he feels embarrassed. If not him, who else should be single?

    "Don''t worry, she knows everything. She''s willing to live with you!" Zhang Yi rolled his eyes at him.

    Uncle You was still slightly bashful, but Zhang Yi dragged him outside.

    They went to the living room where Zhou Ke''er was happily chatting with Zhou Haimei.Upon hearing the noise, Zhou Haimei turned her head to look.

    She and Uncle You locked eyes.

    Uncle You, seeing Zhou Haimei''s appearance, was momentarily confused, but soon realized who she was and opened his mouth in surprise.

    "You... you are Zhou Haimei?"

    Zhou Haimei, seeing the honest, dark-skinned man in front of her, sighed inwardly.

    From an aesthetic standpoint, the man in front of her was not her type.

    But at this moment, she had no other choice.

    Zhou Haimei stood up gracefully, walked over, and said with a smile, "Hello. You must be Mr. You?"

    Uncle You nodded quickly, like a pile-driving machine.

    Zhang Yi said, "You two are acquainted now. From now on, take care of each other and solve each other''s problems together."

    "In urgent times, I''ll skip the pleasantries."

    "This house will be your marital home. Live here steadily. Zhou Ke''er and I will move out for now and won''t disturb your life together."

    Zhang Yi didn''t want to go through the typical matchmaking routine, saving time.

    Moreover, from Uncle You''s excited eyes, Zhang Yi could tell that he was looking forward to spending time alone with Zhou Haimei.

    Hearing that Zhang Yi was leaving the house for him, Uncle You felt a bit uneasy.

    "This... how can I ept this? This house is your hard work!"

    Zhang Yi said, "I''ve found a new ce. It would be a waste for this ce to sit empty. You staying here will be like watching the house for me, and I''ll feel reassured!"

    His memories of the Yuelu neighborhood were mostly bloody.

    Although most of the people he killed deserved it, there were still some coteral damages.

    Leaving here and living in a different environment was necessary for his mental health.

    Zhang Yi moved close to Uncle You and smirked, "Also, with everyone living together now, isn''t it inconvenient for some things?"

    Uncle You licked his dry lips and nodded repeatedly, agreeing with Zhang Yi.

    Zhou Haimei also nodded happily.

    The house was veryfortable to live in, equipped with a firece and a perfect instion system.

    Living here was much better than her mansion at Cloud Manor!

    Zhang Yi said to Zhou Ke''er, "Go pack your things. I''ll take you to the new houseter!"

    Zhou Ke''er nodded happily and went to pack her things.

    Zhang Yi called Uncle You aside to exin other matters.

    "Before I go, there are some things I need to tell you."

    "First, about your abilities. You need to train and explore them yourself; they have great potential and room for improvement. The stronger your abilities, the better you can protect yourself."

    "Second, personal safety. Don''t have any mercy on the neighbors in thismunity. You''ve seen theplexity of human nature this past month. So don''t easily trust them, and don''t pity them."

    At this point, Zhang Yi pointed towards Zhou Haimei.

    "Especially don''t let a woman influence your thinking. A capable man will neverck women; you need to know who is the head of the household!"

    Uncle You nodded repeatedly, but whether he really took it to heart, Zhang Yi would have to see.

    Soon, Zhou Ke''er had packed her things.

    They were mostly personal items.

    She didn''t have many belongings, but Zhang Yi had given her many stockings and underwear, which filled up a suitcase.

    Zhang Yi put the items into his interdimensional space.

    Before leaving, he stocked the kitchen with enough food tost Uncle You and Zhou Haimei for two months.

    As for food after that, Uncle You would have to manage himself.

    After all, he was now a person with abilities and couldn''t rely on Zhang Yi forever.

    Leaving the house, Zhang Yi took onest look at his home.

    This safe house cost 8 million Huabi and had helped Zhang Yi survive many crises.

    Now, it seemed small and simple. But the memories of this past month were unforgettable.

    Zhang Yi touched the heavy metal door and smiled contentedly.

    Uncle You and Zhou Haimei escorted them downstairs.

    As they were leaving, Zhang Yi nced at the snowmobile.

    He smiled and said to Uncle You, "You can''t go out looking for food without a vehicle. This snowmobile is yours!"

    "Feel free to visit me anytime."

    If Zhang Yi ever needed help from Uncle You, this vehicle would allow him to get there immediately.

    Uncle You was moved to tears by Zhang Yi''s generosity and repeatedly refused.

    "No, I can''t ept this! You''ve already given me so much, Zhang Yi. I can''t take more!"

    Zhang Yi said seriously, "You need to think about the future."

    "But if you give this to me, what about you?"

    Uncle You looked worried.

    Zhang Yi shrugged, "I''ll manage with something else."

    He walked to the door, and a white light shed from his right eye, revealing a snow car in the snow.

    It was a snow car, not a snowmobile.

    With a sleek silver-grey body, it looked like a supercar. It had red sleds on both sides at the front and abination of wheels and tracks underneath.

    The interior was spacious, with plenty of room for passengers.

    If not for the base, it was essentially a supercar!

    Its appearance made the difference between it and the snowmobile stark.

    It was likeparing a Ferrari to a Suzuki motorcycle!

    Uncle You, Zhou Haimei, and Zhou Ke''er were stunned.

    Goodness, you call this "something else"?

    Zhang Yi sighed and said to Uncle You, "I''m reluctantly giving you my beloved snowmobile. I''ll just have to manage with this!"

    "I don''t really like it; it consumes too much fuel. But what can I do? We''re good friends!"

    Uncle You: Ah, alright, alright¡­

    Is this the advantage of having spatial abilities? It''s freaking enviable!

 Chapter 173: Moving to the New Home

    Chapter 173: Moving to the New Home

    Zhang Yi pulled Zhou Ke''er into the car, waving goodbye to Uncle You and Zhou Haimei.

    He had been reluctant to use this vehicle before, partly due to fuel economy. Thisrge snow car consumed a lot of fuel, and driving on snow was entirely different from driving on t ground. Plus, it had been more convenient to use a motorcycle when he was going out alone every day.

    However, from now on, he would hardly need to go out, so there was no need to be stingy.

    After Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke''er left, Uncle You looked at Zhou Haimei with eagerness in his eyes, making Zhou Haimei feel a bit embarrassed.

    "Let''s go back and rest; it''s pretty cold outside," Uncle You said, rubbing his hands and chuckling.

    Zhou Haimei nodded. Now, she had to adapt and live with Uncle You, regardless of the circumstances. But it only took one day for her to have noints whatsoever. Uncle You''s awakened ability to strengthen his physique made him exceptionally energetic.

    As the saying goes, women are like wolves at thirty and tigers at forty. Even a woman like Zhou Haimei, who was over forty, was thoroughly impressed by him. She decided to follow him wholeheartedly from then on.

    "You can''t judge a person by their appearance. You need to get to know them deeply before making a judgment," Zhou Haimeiter liked to share her experiences with other women....

    Zhang Yi drove the motorhome, taking Zhou Ke''er back. Along the way, Zhou Ke''er excitedly watched everything outside. She had been confined to the neighborhood for so long, with the furthest she had ever been being the fourth floor.

    Now that she could go out, her mood brightened significantly as she eagerly looked around, wanting to take in all the scenery. However, soon, her eyes showed disappointment because, between the vast heavens and earth, only ice and snow remained eternal. The traces of human civilization were left as mere steel and concrete, without the bustling streets.

    "Zhang Yi, is our new home beautiful?" Zhou Ke''er could only ce her hopes on the new residence.

    Zhang Yi smiled slightly. "It''s big and beautiful. It''s much morefortable than the house we lived in before!"

    Zhou Ke''er''s eyes lit up.

    "No wonder you could be so generous! I was wondering, with your personality, how could you give away a meticulously built safe house."

    Zhang Yi corrected her, "I''m not giving it away, just lending it to them temporarily. If we ever need it, we''lle back."

    He still had the highest authority and the key to the safe house. Whenever he wanted, he could take it back. It wasn''t that he didn''t trust Uncle You, but it''s prudent to be cautious in the apocalypse. People can change, and he had to be prepared.

    "By the way, there''s someone new at home. I''m telling you in advance so you can be mentally prepared," Zhang Yi said calmly.

    A trace of suspicion shed in Zhou Ke''er''s eyes. "Someone new?"

    "Ah! I get it!" She giggled, "Is it the original owner of the house?"

    "No, I killed him," Zhang Yi said, suddenly remembering something and pulling over to the side of the road. If it hadn''te up, he might have forgotten to dispose of those bodies.

    Zhou Ke''er didn''t know what Zhang Yi was doing. She tightened her coat and followed him.

    She saw Zhang Yi pull a pile of bodies from the interdimensional space and throw them down a slope into a ditch.

    These bodies included those who died in the shelter, as well as Wang Siming, Lin Geng, and Xu Hao.

    Zhou Ke''er recognized the three instantly, her eyes widening in surprise.

    "You mean the house is Wang Siming''s vi?"

    "Yeah, is there a problem?" Zhang Yi asked, habitually pping his hands.

    Zhou Ke''er sighed, shaking her head. "Nothing, it''s just hard to believe someone as once influential as him died so easily."

    Zhang Yi scoffed, "In the apocalypse, life is cheap, and everyone dies coldly. Don''t be sentimental. Just staying alive is enough; who cares about others!"

    He left the bodies by the roadside, knowing they would soon be buried by snow.

    Back in the car, Zhou Ke''er followed him.

    "Is the person you left behind one of his women?" Zhou Ke''er asked, a hint of jealousy in her tone.

    Zhang Yi saw her pout through the rearview mirror and found her especially cute.

    When he first met her, she was a cool and aloof doctor. But now, their close rtionship had made her reliant on him, turning her into a jealous girl. Women are indeed amazing creatures.

    "Don''t overthink it. I just needed someone to help with the housework," Zhang Yi exined.

    Zhou Ke''er pouted, her long ck hair falling over her corbone, looking like an unhappy girl.

    Zhang Yi felt a wave of affection.

    He smiled, "Don''t be upset! She''s just a helper. The one I love most is you! My feelings for you are as high as a mountain! How could shepare?"

    Zhou Ke''er''s pout slowly disappeared, and she asked, "Really?"

    Zhang Yi nodded, "Of course! You''re young, beautiful, and became an attending physician at a top hospital at a young age. How could I not like such a wonderful girl?"

    Zhang Yi was good with words, effortlessly sweet-talking. Perhaps after being deceived by Fang Yuqing, he lost his awe of beautiful women. Without the burden of morality, he was naturallyposed and confident.

    When pursuing a girl, never be humble; show confidence. Only then can you attract them.

    Zhou Ke''er murmured, feeling pleased by Zhang Yi''s words.

    Though she had a medical PhD, she was inexperienced in rtionships. The end-of-the-world bridge effect made her deeply love the dangerous and powerful man beside her.

    She hugged his arm and rested her head on his shoulder. "I knew you liked me!"

    Her sweet face was full of happiness.

    Zhang Yi nced at her, feeling a slight stir in his heart.

    Her current demeanor reminded him of his once innocent self.

    Zhang Yi couldn''t help but question if living selfishly was right.

    But soon, he felt at ease.

    If being selfish brought more happiness, why not? At least he had never wronged Zhou Ke''er, so he shouldn''t be considered a scumbag.

 Chapter 174: Ice and Snow Abilities

    Chapter 174: Ice and Snow Abilities

    Zhang Yi drove the snow car, taking Zhou Ke''er to Cloud Manor. They had to pass the road by the Lujang River. Zhang Yi observed the river surface, feeling cautious. He had killed several vigers and eight precious sled dogs; they certainly wouldn''t let it go easily.

    However, as he looked along the way, Zhang Yi saw no signs of people on the river. "It''s best if they don''t cause trouble," he thought.

    As they drove back, the snow gradually became heavier. Recently, the snowfall wasn''t as intense as it had been initially. The moisture in the air was limited, resulting mostly in light snow or dry, biting winds.

    But now, the snow was getting heavier, prompting Zhang Yi to turn on the wipers to clear the windshield. The road ahead was bing hard to see, causing Zhang Yi to frown slightly. "Why does this snow feel worse than when the snowstorm first started?"

    The wind and snow intensified, and even inside the car, they could hear the howling wind outside. The wipers couldn''t clear the snow fast enough, as if the snowkes were being drawn towards the snow car.

    Zhang Yi realized something was wrong. "This snow... doesn''t seem natural!"

    Suddenly, arge snowdrift appeared ahead and crashed into the car.

    With a loud "bang!" the car shook.Zhou Ke''er screamed, grabbing Zhang Yi''s arm tightly. "Zhang Yi, why is the snow so heavy?"

    Zhang Yi''s expression turned serious. "It''s probably more than just heavy snow!"

    The road ahead waspletely obscured, making it difficult for the car to move. This situation had two possibilities: either the snowstorm had suddenly intensified, or someone was causing trouble.

    In the apocalypse, with the emergence of abilities, what was once impossible had be possible. Zhang Yi''s right eye shed with white light as he opened the interdimensional space gate in front of the snow car. The raging snowstorm was drawn into the space, disappearing without a trace.

    Clearing a path, Zhang Yi elerated forward. Soon, noticing the snow car''s speed wasn''t slowing down, the snowstorm shifted direction.

    Zhou Ke''er looked ahead and suddenly pointed in fear, "A... a snow tornado!"

    A snow tornado formed in front of the car, quickly growing to dozens of meters high and heading straight for them!

    Zhou Ke''er turned pale with fear. In the face of such natural power, human strength seemed insignificant. Even the snow car felt like a toy.

    Zhang Yi knew this was no natural phenomenon but an attack from someone with abilities. Likely from Xu Family town, or possibly Cloud Manor. He needed to stay calm; panicking would be fatal.

    Facing his first enemy with abilities, Zhang Yi had no prior experience in such battles. Online information told him that everyone''s mutations were unique, making it impossible to predict others'' powers or their extent. The key to victory was understanding the opponent''s abilities.

    "My ability is absolute defense. As long as I stay calm, they can''t kill me. Their ability clearly involves manipting ice and snow. They must be nearby to control it so precisely. I need to understand their attack methods," Zhang Yi thought, quickly assessing the situation.

    Facing the massive snow tornado, Zhang Yi opened the interdimensional gate in front of the snow car. The gate''s range covered the entire car, shielding it from front to back.

    With a "whoosh," the tornado reached them. Zhou Ke''er shut her eyes in terror, screaming. But the giant snow tornado vanished in an instant, leaving only gently falling snowkes.

    Not far away, behind a snowdrift, Xu Chunlei was stunned. His seemingly unstoppable attack had disappeared suddenly.

    He couldn''t understand what kind of ability could negate his powerful snow tornado attack. The move had visibly drained him, leaving his face pale.

    The two Xu family members with him, holding homemade rifles, asked quietly, "Chunlei, are you okay?"

    Xu Chunlei gritted his teeth. "I''m fine! But this guy is tough. He must also have abilities, but I can''t figure out what."

    "Retreat!" Xu Chunlei ordered decisively. People always fear the unknown, and as Xu Dong Vige''s strongest, his orders were absolute. The two men prepared to leave with him.

    Inside the snow car, Zhang Yi had put on tactical goggles. He took out an assault rifle from his interdimensional space, loading it with a click.

    "The attacks have stopped. It seems that attack was exhausting for them," Zhang Yi said. "Let''s see where they are!"

    Zhang Yi was a firm believer in science. Even if people gained powers through gic mutations, they still had toply with physicalws. Such a snow tornado required immense energy, leaving the user temporarily vulnerable.

    His interdimensional space was a bit of a cheat. It didn''t require energy to store or release items, merely redirecting attacks. Now was the time to counterattack.

    With the tactical goggles'' night vision, Zhang Yi saw three human-shaped heat signatures a few hundred meters away, across the Lujang River. Zhang Yi quickly got out of the car, aiming his rifle at the three figures and firing.

    "Bang! Bang! Bang!"

    Bullets flew through the space, one hitting a man''s leg.

    "He has an assault rifle!" the man screamed in pain.

    Xu Chunlei''s pupils shrank as he looked towards the other side of the river. At such a distance, they could barely see each other as small dots.

    "Too far," Zhang Yi muttered, quickly putting the assault rifle away. Despite precision aiming aids, the rifle''s performance and wind made precise hits difficult.

    He then pulled out his favorite sniper rifle, aiming at the middle figure, whose heat signature stood out.

 Chapter 175: The First Encounter

    Chapter 175: The First Encounter

    Zhang Yi pulled the bolt of his rifle and pulled the trigger. However, during the brief moment he switched guns, Xu Chunlei on the other side of the river seemed to sense the danger. With a fierce wave of his right hand, arge spiral of ice and snow whirled up, forming a thick snow mist around them, obstructing Zhang Yi''s view.

    The thermal signals in Zhang Yi''s tactical goggles disappeared. His shot hesitated for a moment, and although he fired, his intuition told him he had missed. Undeterred, he opened the dimensional gate and returned Xu Chunlei¡¯s snow tornado back to him.

    Xu Chunlei was shocked. "How can he use my skill? Is he... a copy ninja like Kakashi?"

    The snow tornado, stronger than before, shattered the snowy mist. Despite his weakening state, Xu Chunlei hurriedly summoned more ice and snow to block the attack. Zhang Yi, holding his gun, meticulously searched for their positions, ready to take the shot as soon as an opening appeared.

    "Boom!" The sh of ice and snow resounded loudly, followed by swirling snow mist, like a cloud of dust rising over the Lujang River. The view waspletely obstructed, leaving no chance for a clear shot.

    Zhang Yi frowned. Through this brief encounter, he realized that his opponent was not skilled in using their abilities. The second attack was notably weaker. Driving over to attack might sessfully eliminate them, but Zhang Yi decided against it for several reasons:

    Crossing the river would mean entering Xu Family Town, the opponent''s territory, likely filled with traps.

    It was their home ground, potentially harboring unknown dangers.Zhou Xue¡¯er was still in the car.

    Weighing the risks, Zhang Yi put away his sniper rifle, cautiously retreated a few steps, and got back into the snow car. "If you have the guts,e after me. But next time, it will be on my turf."

    He quickly drove away towards Cloud Manor.

    On the other side of the river, Xu Chunlei, pale with fear, was filled with terror. Since gaining his abilities, he had established Xu Dong Vige''s dominance in Xu Family Town, subduing surrounding viges single-handedly. This was the first time his power was countered sopletely, almost costing him his life.

    "This isn''t how the story is supposed to go! I''m the protagonist, aren''t I?" Xu Chunlei almost wanted to cry.

    Next to him, a man hit by a stray bullet in the leg reached out to him, "Chunlei, stopmenting and get me back home. I can''t make it!"

    Xu Chunlei wore a bitter expression, "You can''t make it? I''m barely holding on too!"

    The intense battle had drained him significantly; such extraordinary powers were not easily wielded. The uninjured man sighed, "Stop talking, both of you. I''ll have to take you back myself, won''t I?" He helplessly supported them, slowly making their way back to Xu Family Town.

    ...

    Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke''er encountered no further obstacles on their way to Cloud Manor. The battle had been a valuable experience for Zhang Yi, giving him a deeper understanding of his abilities. "I must train my powers thoroughly when we get back. The future world will likely belong to those with abilities."

    Zhou Ke''er, still shaken, patted her chest. "That was so scary. I''m d you were there! Did you kill him?" she asked curiously.

    Zhang Yi shook his head. "It was too far, and it was night. I couldn''t pursue him. But I think I scared him enough not to trouble us easily."

    His most effective weapon against other ability users was a sniper rifle. His fighting style was best suited for defensive counterattacks or ambushes. Zhou Ke''er worried, "What if hees back for revenge? He can manipte ice and snow from a distance. What if he buries our ce in snow?"

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly. "Don''t worry. Our new shelter is very safe. Even if buried in snow, it won''t affect our lives. And with my abilities, I''m not afraid of his attacks."

    His ability to reflect all physical attacks was like an absolute defense. Zhou Ke''er felt reassured and smiled.

    They arrived at Cloud Manor, and Zhang Yi led her to Vi 101. Therge ck vi standing in the snow filled Zhou Ke''er with anticipation. It was far more grand than their previous safe house. Zhang Yi opened the door and led her through the passage inside.

    "Lights on!" hemanded, and the lights in the living room lit up, revealing a luxurious space. The nine-tier crystal chandelier from abroad, costing over ten million yuan, sparkled like a piece of art.

    Even Zhou Ke''er, from a well-off family, was captivated by the beauty, her eyes filled with joy and curiosity. "Is this our new home? It''s so beautiful!"

    Zhang Yi checked the surveince on his phone, showing Yang Siya lying on a bed in ckce lingerie, lost in thought, unaware she was being watched. Her rxed posture and seductive figure were alluring.

    Zhang Yi smiled and said to Zhou Ke''er, "Wait here for a moment."

    He needed to introduce the two women. Zhou Ke''er nodded and sat on the sofa, curiously looking around the room. Zhang Yi went downstairs to Yang Siya''s room.

 Chapter 176: How Can It Be You!

    Chapter 176: How Can It Be You!

    The room in the basement was spacious, about fifty square meters. It had a double bed, a private bathroom, a desk, and a bookshelf filled with books. Yang Siya, still adjusting to her new environment, felt a mix offort and confusion being kept like a canary by a handsome stranger. She was somewhat at ease yet uncertain about how long this situation wouldst.

    Suddenly, the thick metal door opened with a "screech." Startled, Yang Siya quickly sat up and grabbed her clothes to cover her body. Zhang Yi walked in, nced at her alluring figure with a smile, and said, "Come on, I want to introduce you to a friend."

    "A friend?" Yang Siya asked, puzzled.

    "You''ll understand when you meet her." Zhang Yi thought for a moment and added, "Since she was here first, you''ll have to call her ''sister.''"

    Yang Siya instantly understood. "Is she your girlfriend?"

    "Sort of, sort of." Yang Siya''s head spun at the unexpected turn of events, realizing she was stepping into aplicated situation. "Get dressed ande up quickly!" Zhang Yi said before leaving.

    Biting her lip, Yang Siya felt a mixture of emotions. She, a top-tier Chinese celebrity, now had to share her space with another woman. But she had no choice but toply under the circumstances. She ced her long, ck-stockinged legs on the floor and began dressing in the ck dress Zhang Yi had given her. Determined, she knew that the first meeting between women often determined the power dynamic, so she decided to dress well.

    Back on the first floor, Zhang Yi waited patiently, understanding that women never left without taking their time. As expected, it took Yang Siya a full twenty minutes toe up from the basement. Zhou Ke''er, sitting beside Zhang Yi, was equally alert, pulling out her makeup bag to touch up her appearance. Both women were silentlypeting.Yang Siya entered the living room, ready to greet Zhou Ke''er with a smile, but as soon as their eyes met, the atmosphere became tense. Both women stared at each other in shock, anger, and shame.

    "How can it be you!" they eximed in unison.

    Zhou Ke''er¡¯s eyes were filled with anger and indifference, while Yang Siya''s gaze darted away, avoiding Zhou Ke''er''s eyes. Zhang Yi, surprised by their familiarity, asked, "What¡¯s your rtionship?"

    Zhou Ke''er, biting her lip, replied with frustration, "She''s my cousin!"

    Zhang Yi was stunned by the coincidence that the two women he had saved were cousins. "But it seems like you two have some issues," he remarked.

    "Yes, we have some disagreements," Zhou Ke''er said angrily, folding her arms.

    Sensing something was off, Zhang Yi noticed Yang Siya signaling him toe over. She pulled him aside, pleading, "Zhang Yi, please don''t let her know about us."

    "About what exactly?" Zhang Yi asked, feigning ignorance.

    "About our... arrangement," Yang Siya said shyly.

    Seeing their contrasting reactions, Zhang Yi''s curiosity deepened. He decided to get to the bottom of their rtionship and called them over for a conversation. From their attitudes, he could tell Yang Siya was the more guilty party, while Zhou Ke''er harbored some resentment towards her.

    After some questioning, Zhang Yi learned the whole story. Yang Siya¡¯s mother was a Zhou, making her Zhou Ke''er''s aunt by blood. Both families were renowned schrly households with many distinguished members. The Zhou family excelled in the medical field, while the Yang family had produced numerous professors, including Yang Siya¡¯s grandfather, a former president of Qingyuan University.

    The conflict arose from Yang Siya''s choice to enter the entertainment industry, which both families viewed as disgraceful. Especially for a woman to enter such a morally ambiguous field was seen as tarnishing the family name. Zhou Ke''er resented the ridicule their family faced because of Yang Siya.

    "People in Shengjing¡¯s elite circles mocked our family because of her. Even I was ridiculed for having an actress as a cousin. How could I not be angry?" Zhou Ke''er said.

    Yang Siya sighed softly. "But I love acting and the spotlight. Is that so wrong?"

    Zhou Ke''er scoffed, "It would be fine if you were a respectable actress. But you became famous because of your looks. Don''t you know why you''re popr?"

    Zhang Yi''s eyes roved over Yang Siya''s body, d in a low-cut ck dress that highlighted her full bust and slender legs in ck stockings. He nodded in agreement with Zhou Ke''er.

    Yang Siya, unable to retort, knew that from a prestigious family, bing a star known for her body was disgraceful. She felt guilty towards her cousin, especially now that she was her cousin¡¯s boyfriend¡¯s mistress.

    Zhang Yi intervened, "Let''s not dwell on the past. Here, you are neither a schrlydy nor a top-tier actress. You¡¯re neighbors helping each other survive." His tone was firm, leaving no room for argument. Zhou Ke''er had to suppress her grievances, while Yang Siya looked at her with a guilty expression.

    Zhang Yi then assigned them tasks, mainly housekeeping and managing the garden and farnd. "Don¡¯t let those areas go to waste. Take good care of the garden and the fields. Understood?"

    Both women were happy to have something to do, as doing nothing would drive them crazy. Tending to nts and growing vegetables would keep them upied and fulfilled.

 Chapter 177: Petty Jealousy

    Chapter 177: Petty Jealousy

    Zhang Yi arranged a room for Zhou Ke''er on the second floor, where his room was also located. After exining the basic requirements, he instructed Zhou Ke''er to tidy up her room. Zhou Ke''er obediently went upstairs, and once she was out of sight, Yang Siya finally breathed a sigh of relief.

    She looked at Zhang Yi with heartfelt gratitude. "Zhang Yi, thank you for not telling her about us."

    "I already feel guilty enough towards her. So, I hope you can keep our rtionship a secret from her."

    Knowing that Zhang Yi was Zhou Ke''er''s boyfriend filled her with a strong sense of guilt.

    A twisted smile slowly formed at the corners of Zhang Yi''s mouth. This house wasrge, but with three people living together, it would be nearly impossible to keep Zhou Ke''er from finding out. Yang Siya''s request was essentially self-deception. But why refuse her?

    "First of all, Zhou Ke''er and I aren''t exactly boyfriend and girlfriend," he said with a cheerful nod. "But since you asked, I''ll respect your wishes."

    Yang Siya was surprised at how readily Zhang Yi agreed. She let out a long breath and bowed slightly to him. "Thank you!"

    "Do as you please," Zhang Yi repliedzily, lying back on the sofa. Now that they were away from Yuelu Community, he could finally rx and enjoy life. With two beautiful women managing the household chores, he could spend his days ying games and eating delicious food¡ªtruly the life of a winner!So what if the apocalypse was harsh on everyone else? It didn''t concern Zhang Yi.

    Yang Siya then suggested, "I''ll cook dinner."

    Zhang Yi was surprised. "You can cook?"

    With a hint of pride, Yang Siya said, "Of course! Don''t think all celebrities are useless in daily life. When I¡¯m bored, I like to cook to relieve stress." She walked to the open kitchen in the corner of the living room, bent down, and began looking for ingredients in the cabs.

    "Hey? There''s no food here!" she eximed.

    Zhang Yi walked over to her. "If you need any ingredients, just let me know." With that, he pulled arge amount of food from his interdimensional space and ced it on the table. "Is this enough?"

    Yang Siya¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment at the sight of fresh chicken, duck, bass, pork, abalone, sea cucumber, and dried scallops appearing out of thin air. "How do you have all these things?" she asked, barely believing her eyes.

    She hadn''t seen such ingredients in a long time, and they were remarkably fresh. Though raw, the sight made her mouth water with hunger.

    "That''s how we''ll eat from now on," Zhang Yi said softly. Yang Siya felt a great sense of relief. She had expected to survive on canned food and preserved meat, but this richness made her feel much more bnced.

    "Okay," she said, her eyes sparkling with joy.

    "You get started; I''ll exin everythingter," Zhang Yi said, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving.

    Yang Siya gave him a helpless look before eagerly selecting a few ingredients to start preparing dinner. Soon, Zhou Ke''er finished organizing her room and came downstairs. Zhang Yi noticed that Yang Siya would need some time to finish cooking, so he stretched and went to take a shower.

    With nothing else to do, Zhou Ke''er sat on the sofa and turned on the TV to watch some recorded shows. Zhang Yi, fresh from his shower and now infortable pajamas, found the atmosphere quite enjoyable.

    Yang Siya was still diligently cooking in the kitchen, putting extra care into the meal, likely out of guilt towards Zhou Ke''er. But Zhou Ke''er¡¯s resentment was not easily dispelled. When Zhang Yi was not around, the two women did not speak a word to each other. Zhou Ke''er sat on the sofa with her back to Yang Siya, turning up the TV volume.

    Zhang Yi observed the situation with amusement. He walked over to watch Yang Siya cook. Several dishes were already prepared, and the aroma was mouthwatering. "You really cook on your own?" he asked, surprised.

    In his mind, such a celebrity should never have to cook.

    Yang Siya smiled slightly. "The Yang family has strict household rules. I learned to cook from my mother when I was very young."

    Zhang Yi raised his eyebrows, pleased. The household indeed needed a good cook. Neither he nor Zhou Ke''er were particrly skilled in the kitchen, and eating their own cooking every day would get boring quickly.

    ...

    Feeling content, Zhang Yi retrieved a bottle of beer from the fridge and sat beside Zhou Ke''er on the sofa. Zhou Ke''er¡¯s face showed a wary expression as she kept her eyes glued to the TV screen.

    Zhang Yi noticed her expression and smiled oddly. "Dinner''s ready;e eat," Yang Siya called out, trying to sound cheerful.

    Zhou Ke''er bit her lip, reluctant to get up, but Zhang Yi pulled her over.

    Yang Siya adjusted her hair, looking slightly embarrassed. She wondered if Zhou Ke''er had noticed anything between her and Zhang Yi. Zhang Yi, with a cheerful smile, pulled Zhou Ke''er to sit beside him. "Come, try the celebrity chef''s cooking."

    There were six dishes on the table: braised bass, stir-fried kidneys, pork with jellyfish skin, and ck fish egg soup. Zhou Ke''er tasted the bass and scoffed, "Too salty! How can anyone eat this?"

    Yang Siya lowered her head, pushing rice around her bowl, unsure of how to respond. Zhang Yi could see she was flustered. Yang Siya had indeed been startled earlier, making it hard to gauge the seasoning properly.

    Zhang Yi inwardly smiled. He intended to stir up jealousy andpetition between the two women. If they became too friendly, they might team up against him. Discovering that they were cousins had made him more cautious. He realized he could be an outsider if they united.

    While the possibility of them overthrowing him was slim, especially with all the supplies in his interdimensional space, he believed caution was always wise. So, he purposefully showed affection to Yang Siya in Zhou Ke''er''s presence to maintain a delicate bnce of rivalry.

    With a mischievous smile, Zhang Yi took a piece of stir-fried kidney and offered it to Zhou Ke''er. "Here, try this! It''s really good for you."

    Zhou Ke''er¡¯s expression softened a bit. She opened her mouth, allowing Zhang Yi to feed her. "Ah!"

    Zhang Yiughed, putting the food in her mouth. She chewed, licked her lips, and gave him a seductive look before ncing at Yang Siya, as if dering her territory.

    Zhang Yi felt ecstatic. Creating apetitive environment was indeed the best way to keep everyone motivated.

 Chapter 178: Love is a Disease

    Chapter 178: Love is a Disease

    That night, Zhang Yi slept in Zhou Ke''er¡¯s room. He knew he had to bnce his attention between the two women to maintain harmony.

    Zhou Ke''er leaned against Zhang Yi, looking up at him with wide eyes. "Zhang Yi, do you love me more or her?"

    Zhang Yi smiled and patted her head. "Silly girl, of course, I love you more! How could shepare to you? You are my precious healer. She''s just an actress; it''s nothing serious."

    "But you two look like a couple in a TV drama," Zhou Ke''er remarked.

    "Silly, don''t overthink it. How can you doubt your ce in my heart?" Zhang Yi reassured her.

    His words weren¡¯t entirely untrue. From a practical standpoint, Zhou Ke''er was more valuable to him than Yang Siya. Yang Siya¡¯s only advantages were her cooking skills and celebrity status.

    Hearing his words, Zhou Ke''er beamed with joy and hugged him tightly. "I knew you loved me the most!"

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly at the sight of the little woman in his arms. Love? He shook his head, indifferent to the concept.He thought to himself, "I don¡¯t need love, nor do I have time for it. I am a man; sometimes, I need a woman. But once my desires are satisfied, I am ready to move on to other things. Women only talk about love because they can do nothing else, elevating it to an absurd level. They try to convince us that life revolves around love. In reality, love is insignificant in the grand scheme of things. I only understand desire. That is natural and healthy. Love is a disease."

    ...

    In the following days, Zhang Yi kept a close watch on the rtionship between Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya. To fuel their rivalry, he deliberately showed affection to Yang Siya in Zhou Ke''er''s presence. Even subtle gestures like a nce or a touch would stir Zhou Ke''er¡¯s jealousy.

    Zhou Ke''er neverined to Zhang Yi, but her jealousy deepened her hostility towards Yang Siya. Meanwhile, Yang Siya, burdened by guilt and undeserved animosity, diligently did most of the housework, empathizing with Zhou Ke''er''s feelings of losing her man.

    Zhang Yi enjoyed this dynamic. Yang Siya¡¯s lingering celebrity pride was slowly being eroded by Zhou Ke''er, reducing the risk of the two women teaming up against him. A harmonious household was not his goal; he preferred them divided, ensuring his dominance.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s days were filled with leisure activities: ying cards, badminton, and video games with the women. Zhou Ke''er developed a keen interest in video games, often seen lounging in her pajamas, engrossed in various games with Zhang Yi.

    The ability user from Xu Family Town never reappeared, likely deterred by Zhang Yi''s formidable defenses. Life for the trio wasfortable and pleasant.

    Yang Siya, out of guilt, took on most of the household chores, and Zhou Ke''er didn''t hesitate to let her. This arrangement suited Zhang Yi perfectly, as Zhou Ke''er''s medical skills were invaluable. Yang Siya proved not to be just a pretty face; she had a keen sense of quality living, excelling in cooking and gardening. She turned the neglected garden into a thriving space, with Zhang Yi providing seeds from his interdimensional space for her to cultivate.

    In his spare time, Zhang Yi focused on two activities: gathering global intelligence using his supeputer and training his abilities in the underground gym.

    He thought this peaceful life would continue indefinitely, safe and self-sufficient in their secure shelter until the apocalypse ended. But one day, a phone call shattered this tranquility.

    While practicing precision shooting with aposite bow in the basement, his phone rang unexpectedly. It wasn¡¯t a regr call but a traditional phone call, which was unusual. He hadn¡¯t received calls from anyone familiar for years, relying on voice messages instead. In the current apocalyptic world, there were no service calls or scams. So, where was this calling from?

    Curious, Zhang Yi saw an unfamiliar number with no saved contact. His instinctive caution in the apocalypse made him wary. The caller must have bad intentions.

    He considered the risks and hung up. But the phone rang again almost immediately.

    "Who could be so desperate? A familiar face perhaps, surviving and needing to contact me?" Zhang Yi doubted the likelihood. Even if it were an old acquaintance, he had no interest in helping.

    He hung up again and blocked the number. Yet, as he was about to put his phone away, it rang again from the same number. Zhang Yi was genuinely shocked. He had already blocked the number; how could they call again?

    Swallowing hard, Zhang Yi realized something strange was happening. His mind echoed one thought repeatedly: Don¡¯t answer!

    Taking a deep breath, he hung up and re-blocked the number, convinced he must have made a mistake earlier. He watched the number enter his cklist, then stared at his phone screen.

    If it rang again, something was truly off. Momentster, the phone rang with the same number.

    Zhang Yi''s heart pounded. This was truly abnormal.

 Chapter 179: Strange Call

    Chapter 179: Strange Call

    Zhang Yi was utterly speechless. There were indeed many things in this world that he couldn''t understand.

    "Why didn''t you answer my call?" a ghostly voice emanated from his phone. The call had connected on its own after the number dialed in again!

    Zhang Yi felt a chill run down his spine, but he quickly calmed himself. As bizarre as this situation was, there could still be an exnation. If the caller was a hacker, they could potentially manipte his phone in such a way.

    "Who are you?" Zhang Yi asked coldly.

    The person ignored Zhang Yi''s question and began reciting some information. "Zhang Yi, born in 2025, currently 25 years old, resident of Jinwan District, Tianhai City, living in Room 2401 of Building 25, Yuelu Community..."

    The person urately listed Zhang Yi''s personal details, which confirmed to Zhang Yi that he was dealing with a top-tier hacker who had somehow essed his personal information through the Inte.

    Listening to this recital, Zhang Yi''s initial rm gave way to a sense of calm. He had nothing particrly noteworthy in his past. Knowing his details was one thing, but what could anyone really do with that information? He was confident enough to challenge, "So what if you have my details? You think that will make me send you supplies? If you''re so bold, go ahead and expose them. Let''s see if I''m scared!"

    There was a brief pause on the other end before the voice resumed. "I also know that you''re currently staying in Room 101 of Cloud Manor. That house belonged to Wang Siming, whom you''ve killed, right?"A cold glint shed in Zhang Yi''s eyes. The fact that the caller knew his current location was rming. Zhang Yi narrowed his eyes. He had been careful not to let anyone know his whereabouts, understanding the added danger each new person knowing posed.

    "Who are you and what do you want?" Zhang Yi demanded, his tone colder now.

    Sensing Zhang Yi''s change in tone, the caller grew more confident. "I''m your current neighbor. I also live in Cloud Manor. But you''d better not get any ideas. I can expose your information at any time."

    "I suppose you wouldn''t want others to know about your residence here, right?"

    Zhang Yi realized why the person had found him and painstakingly gathered his personal information. If the caller was indeed in Cloud Manor, this was manageable. Zhang Yi could find an opportunity to eliminate this threat.

    "So, is that all you wanted to say? What do you really want?" Zhang Yi pressed.

    "Simple. I see you have plenty of supplies and can afford to keep women around. I want you to share some of your supplies with me," the caller said.

    "Share with you? Why should I?" Zhang Yi sneered. "You think just because you have some information on me, you can make demands? Even if you expose me, it won''t matter much."

    "Well, what if people find out you have the stolen supplies from the Walmart warehouse?" the caller suggested, his tone turning smug.

    The mention of the Walmart warehouse made Zhang Yi more cautious. He had looted the entire South China warehouse of Walmart three days before the apocalypse, amassing goods worth billions. These supplies were his lifeline, ensuring his survival.

    "You''re talking nonsense. The Walmart warehouse heist involved a massive amount of goods. Do you really think a small-time supervisor like me could have done it?" Zhang Yi replied, feigning ignorance.

    The caller, sitting in a dimly lit room with only the glow of aptop screen, grinned. "No need to y dumb with me. That heist is definitely linked to you. Even if you''re not the mastermind, you have a significant amount of those supplies!"

    "Even a single shelf¡¯s worth from that warehouse would be enough tost you a year," the caller continued, his small eyes gleaming with intelligence behind thick LOTOS sses. "I won''t hide my identity. I''m Lu Fengda from Zhiyun Group. You''ve heard of me, right?"

    Zhang Yi had more than just heard of him. Lu Fengda''s name was renowned. Zhiyun Group was one of the top three information security firms in the country, and Lu Fengda was its powerful chairman.

    With someone like Lu Fengda involved, it made sense how Zhang Yi''s phone had been hacked. But there was a more pressing concern: if Lu Fengda could hack his phone, could he have also breached the security of the shelter, which was managed by a supeputer?

    The shelter had been built by a top securitypany at a cost of $10 billion,plete with independentrge-scale servers. It should have robustwork security measures in ce. Moreover, Lu Fengda didn''t seem to be at his office but rather at home,cking thework infrastructure to perform such advanced hacking.

    If he had control over the shelter¡¯swork, he wouldn¡¯t need to contact Zhang Yi via phone but would instead directly demonstrate his power over the shelter¡¯s systems. This deduction gave Zhang Yi some reassurance.

    "Ah, Mr. Lu. I''ve heard a lot about you. No wonder you could hack my phone," Zhang Yi said, maintaining a calm demeanor.

    "For survival, I had no choice. You have plenty of supplies, enough for two women. One more mouth to feed shouldn''t be a problem," Lu Fengda said. "Provide me with supplies, and I''ll keep your secret. Plus, I can help secure yourwork from future hacks. What do you think?"

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t about to admit any involvement with the Walmart heist. Lu Fengda was likely bluffing to get a reaction.

    "I don''t know what you''re talking about. I have no connection to any warehouse theft. But let''s say hypothetically, what if I don''t cooperate?" Zhang Yi asked, testing the waters.

    "Think it over. I''m sure you don¡¯t want to risk your currentfortable life. I can be a valuable ally or a dangerous enemy," Lu Fengda replied, his tone menacing.

    Zhang Yi realized he needed to handle this carefully. He needed to find a way to eliminate this threat withoutpromising his position.

 Chapter 180: Extortion

    Chapter 180: Extortion

    Zhang Yi calmly said, "Mr. Lu, don''t joke around like this. Do you think a small manager like me has that power?"

    Lu Fengda snorted coldly. "Zhang Yi, I''ve lived many years and seen more things than you can imagine. Do you think I''d say this without evidence?"

    "Let me tell you, through your phonework, I can gather much information about you." He spoke firmly, "You definitely have the stolen goods from the Walmart warehouse!"

    Killing intent filled Zhang Yi''s eyes as he cursed inwardly: Damn old man! I''ll definitely kill you!

    Cloud Manor truly lives up to its reputation as the top wealthy district in Tianhai City, with hidden talents everywhere. This was something Zhang Yi hadn''t considered, and he couldn''t have anticipated it.

    The world is unpredictable!

    Zhang Yi knew he couldn''t hide things any longer and coldly replied, "I do have some of the goods, but I sold most of them for cash. After all, there''s not enough space at home to store everything."

    Lu Fengda nodded, finding this exnation reasonable. He didn''t believe all the stolen goods were in Zhang Yi''s possession because, in his logic, there was no such thing as a spatial ability."That doesn''t matter. As long as I spread the word, your life won''t be easy."

    "So, do you agree to my terms?"

    Zhang Yi knew that Lu Fengda could spread the word and possibly let everyone know he had the stolen goods. Not to mention, the whole city of Tianhai would covet his goods. If investigated deeply, his spatial ability could be exposed. That would be the end!

    Zhang Yi knew there were many powerful forces hidden in Tianhai City. Those with power and influence were lying low, armed to the teeth. Even with strong protection, Zhang Yi didn''t want to invite trouble.

    He rubbed his forehead and said to Lu Fengda in a deep voice, "Fine, I can give you some goods. But you must keep this absolutely secret! Otherwise, I''ll kill you first!"

    Lu Fengda was ecstatic and repeatedly agreed, "Don''t worry, I''m not stupid. This matter stays between us. Let''s work happily together, haha!"

    Seeing his goal achieved, Lu Fengdaughed heartily. Then he started listing his demands, "I need food, white liquor, underwear, and cotton socks... Bring these to me."

    Zhang Yi asked, "How should I deliver these to you?"

    Lu Fengda hesitated momentarily and said, "I live in Vi 302. Drop the goods at my door!"

    "Don''t try any tricks, or I''ll expose your secret. Then you''ll have no peace!"

    Zhang Yi said, "Rest assured, I''m living quitefortably now and don''t want any trouble."

    After saying this, Zhang Yi hung up the phone, his eyes filled with intense killing intent. He had been extorted! Lu Fengda must die, no doubt about it!

    Killing intent flooded Zhang Yi''s mind. He wanted to grab a gun and storm into Lu Fengda''s house to kill him immediately! But reason told him this was unwise. Lu Fengda, an old fox, wouldn''t give his address if he feared Zhang Yi woulde after him.

    Zhang Yi took several deep breaths. He rubbed his head, feeling unable to stay calm, his thoughts overheating.

    Thinking this, he left the basement to find Zhou Ke''er. Zhou Ke''er was sitting on the couch in the living room reading a book. She wore a light purple tank top and shorts, her long, smooth legs crossed on the couch, her fair feet delicate and cute. Zhou Ke''er, with her model''s body, had particrly eye-catching legs, which Zhang Yi liked the most.

    He walked over, covering her face with his hands from behind and kissing her lips hard. Sweet, cool, and tasty.

    "Baby, I need to talk to you about something."

    Zhou Ke''er smiled, curling her legs up and tilting her head, "Sure!"

    Zhang Yi sat next to her, took her water cup, and drank a sip.

    "Here''s the thing, our location has been discovered."

    He briefly exined Lu Fengda''s situation to Zhou Ke''er, hiding his plundering of the Walmart warehouse. He only told her that Lu Fengda knew he had a lot of goods and was ckmailing him.

    After listening, Zhou Ke''er also felt it was troublesome. Zhang Yi said, "You''ve dealt with people like this more than I have. In your understanding, what will he do?"

    Zhou Ke''er thought seriously for a while before cautiously sharing her thoughts. "I''ve indeed dealt with such people. They may not be as omniscient as ordinary people think, but their intelligence is definitely high!"

    She looked at Zhang Yi and added, "And their moral standards are extremely low!"

    "A person with high moral standards cannot be a sessful businessman."

    Zhang Yi nodded, "I understand that!"

    Countless well-known entrepreneurs have ended up in jail. The dirty secrets behind the scenes are unavoidable. Without a low moral baseline, building a big business is impossible.

    "I want to kill him. But I''m worried he has contingencies, so I don''t dare to act."

    "But letting him live means being ckmailed by him, which I absolutely cannot tolerate!"

    Zhou Ke''er nodded. She understood Zhang Yi''s temper.

    "His greatest threat to you is his information. If leaked, it could pose a threat to you, right?"

    Zhang Yi nodded, "Exactly."

    Zhou Ke''er frowned, lightly biting her pinky finger, mumbling, "That would be terrible!"

    "What do you mean?"

    Zhang Yi asked.

    Zhou Ke''er looked at him, her eyes shining. "I heard a story before. An inte mogul was colluding with a corrupt official. Later, the official was investigated, leading to the mogul. To eliminate evidence, the official had the mogul killed. But eventually, the evidence in the mogul''s possession was exposed online!"

    Zhang Yi said, "I seem to have heard that story too. The mogul stored evidence on a cloud drive with an automatic upload program. Only by manually stopping it daily could he prevent it from uploading."

    "So, once he died, the evidence spread online the next day."

    Zhou Ke''er nodded. "That''s my biggest fear! Even if you kill him, it might not stop our information from leaking!"

 Chapter 181: Truth Hidden Among Lies

    Chapter 181: Truth Hidden Among Lies

    Zhang Yi fell into silence. The current dilemma left him with no perfect solution. If he didn''t kill Lu Fengda, he would be at the mercy of his ckmail. Lu Fengda, an old fox who had long dominated the business world, was far more skilled in scheming than he was.

    Over time, Lu Fengda would only take more and more from Zhang Yi. But if he killed him, Zhang Yi worried about the risk of his secrets being exposed. It felt like a Trisrans'' dilemma: having the power to easily destroy the opponent but not daring to act out of fear.

    Zhou Ke''er frowned slightly, also trying toe up with a solution for Zhang Yi. Feeling frustrated, Zhang Yi grabbed one of her white, tender feet, ying with it to help him think. Zhou Ke''er''s face blushed, and her thoughts started to scatter. Her beautiful eyes showed a hint of seduction as she looked shyly at Zhang Yi.

    "If we can''t think of a solution, maybe we should rx first. There''s no rush. We can pretend to cooperate with him for now and slowly figure out a countermeasure."

    Zhang Yi shook his head. "Dragging it out too long isn''t good for us. The key is, if I can''t find a way to resolve this, I''ll feel stifled."

    Neither of them coulde up with a good idea. At this moment, Yang Siya returned from the botanical garden. Seeing Zhang Yi looking so serious on the couch, she couldn''t help but ask, "Is something wrong?"

    Zhang Yi looked at Yang Siya. He still didn''t fully trust her and hadn''t nned to discuss this with her. However, an extra mind might bring more ideas, and Yang Siya, with her rich social experience and background as a boss, might offer some useful suggestions.

    "Honey,e here! I need to discuss something with you."Zhang Yi called Yang Siya over to sit beside him and briefly exined the situation. Hearing what Lu Fengda had done, Yang Siya also frowned deeply. "This is really tough! He''s a very cunning person and must have precautions against you."

    She sighed, "This is what we call ''a lie spreads fast, the truth takes time to catch up.'' Those of us in the entertainment industry have suffered a lot from this. It''s truly hateful!"

    Yang Siya''s offhand remark sparked an idea in Zhang Yi''s mind. A sh of inspiration hit him.

    "Wait a minute! You mentioned spreading lies?"

    Yang Siya said, "Yes, isn''t he spreading your information just like those unscrupulous media in the entertainment industry spreading rumors about celebrities?"

    "He doesn''t have any solid evidence, does he?" Zhou Ke''er snorted disdainfully.

    "The problem is that even if it''s a lie, once it''s out of Lu Fengda''s mouth, people will believe it."

    Zhang Yi propped his chin on his hands, his mind racing. "Lu Fengda has my information, but it''s not solid evidence. However, if spread, it could still cause trouble. We can''t stop him from spreading it; we don''t have aputer expert to counter it. But if we treat it as spreading rumors, we might have a way!"

    Zhang Yi''s eyes began to shine as a n formed in his mind. Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya looked at him curiously.

    "What are you nning to do?"

    Zhang Yi smiled mysteriously and didn''t tell them. "I need to prepare first. I''ll let you know when I''m ready!"

    He kissed both women on the cheek. Having someone to brainstorm with was indeed better than racking his brain alone. He then left the living room and headed to the control room on the first floor. After closing the door and ensuring no one could disturb him, he took out his phone and dialed Lu Fengda''s number.

    The call was quickly answered. "Hey, Zhang Yi, is everything ready?"

    Zhang Yi, sounding impatient and irritated, said, "Why are you so anxious? Do you really think I have that much stuff? Damn it, if you didn''t have dirt on me, I''d kill you!"

    Zhang Yi''s hostile tone angered Lu Fengda, whoughed loudly, "You stupid kid! If you kill me, you won''tst long either!"

    "I''m telling you, don''t even think about it. Once I''m dead, your information will automatically be sent to every phone in Tianhai City within 24 hours!"

    "Imagine the consequences then!"

    Within 24 hours. Zhang Yi quickly grasped the concept. It seemed Lu Fengda had set the information to auto-upload after their call.

    "Hmph, you''re ruthless! Wait for a while, and I''ll send the stuff."

    Zhang Yi hung up, a smile ying on his lips. He then turned on the supeputer in the control room. Thisputer had a built-in server and could connect to the global inte via the Neb Satellite Network, naturally covering Tianhai City. After a moment of thought, Zhang Yi devised a n.

    He didn''t know much aboutputers but enough to use them. For instance, posting on the few remaining city forums and using mass messaging software to send messages to everyone.

    "South China Walmart warehouse theft mystery solved¡ªconfirmed as internal theft, goods transferred back home early."

    "Where did Walmart''s hundred-billion-yuan goods go? ording to eyewitnesses, armed forces appeared that night for a secret escort. Police remain silent."

    "Revealed! Tianhai City''s biggest theft case is connected to the snow disaster, with UFO sightings."

    Zhang Yi racked his brain to create various sensational news. The best way to bury the truth was to hide it among a heap of lies, making it impossible to discern. It might not deceive everyone, but it would make most people think it was all nonsense. Thus, Lu Fengda''s dyed information could not be trusted, greatly reducing Zhang Yi''s exposure risk.

    Zhang Yi edited and saved the content but didn''t send it out immediately. The target audience was everyone in Tianhai City, the only ones who could pose a threat in this frozen world.

    "So far, this should do it. I''ve done all I can. Whether it seeds depends on fate!"

    Zhang Yi prepared for the worst oue. However, Lu Fengda had to die!

 Chapter 182: Sniping

    Chapter 182: Sniping

    Zhang Yi followed Lu Fengda''s instructions and packed the necessary supplies into a canvas bag. After gearing up, he carried the bag and walked towards Lu Fengda''s residence.

    Zhang Yi was extremely cautious, holding a riot shield to prevent potential gunfire from Lu Fengda. Step by step, he approached Vi 302, ced the canvas bag on the steps at the front door, and then walked away from the vi. He went a considerable distance before hiding behind a pine tree. The branches, covered with snow, provided excellent visual cover.

    In his hands appeared a sniper rifle wrapped in white cloth. This was no longer the police sniper rifle he had used before but a military model with better adaptability to extreme environments, ensuring optimal performance.

    Kneeling and using a branch as a support, he aimed at the canvas bag at the door. From 500 meters away, as soon as Lu Fengda appeared, he could take the shot.

    After making all the preparations, Zhang Yi took out his phone and texted Lu Fengda, "The items are at your door."

    There was no response. Zhang Yi frowned slightly, holding the gun, waiting quietly for Lu Fengda to appear. However, there was no movement from the house after a long time.

    "Hmm?" Zhang Yi found this unusual. Was it possible that the old man hadn''t received the message? Instinctively, he wanted to call Lu Fengda, but he stopped himself when he touched his phone.

    "No, if I call or send another message, it would imply that I know he hasn¡¯t picked up the items yet. If he''s doing this on purpose, he¡¯ll suspect I''m nearby."Zhang Yi took a slow breath, his eyes still glued to the scope. "Wait a bit longer! He wouldn''t risk his life to contact me for supplies if he wasn¡¯t going toe out. Unless he''s already dead."

    Zhang Yi kept kneeling, never taking his eyes off the canvas bag. Luckily, he wore the best winter gear, or his right leg would have frozen within ten minutes.

    Minutes passed slowly. After about fifteen minutes, the door to Vi 302 finally opened slowly. The barrel of a double-barreled shotgun cautiously scanned the surroundings before a short old man emerged from the house.

    Lu Fengda''s face was easily recognizable to anyone who had been online, confirming his identity immediately. He looked down at the canvas bag, preparing to pick it up.

    "Bang!" The deafening sound echoed through the neighborhood as Lu Fengda''s head was blown open, his body copsing and crashing against the door before falling heavily to the ground.

    Seeing the sessful hit, Zhang Yi quickly packed up his sniper rifle and pulled out an assault rifle, charging towards Vi 302. He first shot Lu Fengda in the head again, then decisively rushed into the house.

    Lu Fengda''s vi wasn''t asrge as Wang Siming''s shelter, but it was still spacious. Zhang Yi was looking for theputer capable of sending timed messages. He searched every corner, destroying any electronic device he found immediately.

    He quickly reached Lu Fengda''s room, where he saw argeputer tower and three monitors on a workbench. Raising the butt of his gun, Zhang Yi was about to smash it but hesitated.

    Lu Fengda¡¯sputer was likely valuable and contained precious data. "I''ll store it in my alternate space; the information inside won''t be able to be sent out that way!" Zhang Yi was frugal, never wasting even a grain of rice, so he stored the entireputer in his alternate space.

    After doing this, Zhang Yi exhaled deeply. "Now, it¡¯s up to fate!" He had destroyed all physical devices, but Lu Fengda might still use cloud-based technology. Zhang Yi wasn''t familiar with high-techputer systems and was unsure if Lu Fengda could manage this.

    Given that Lu Fengda was a topputer expert in the country, this was a strong possibility. "I need to get back and spread disinformation online. Even if my info gets out, I need to create enough confusion to cover my tracks."

    Zhang Yi left Lu Fengda''s house, leaving his corpse with blood already frozen into crimson ice crystals at the door. He searched the body, finding an expensive Patek Philippe watch worth at least millions, and a high-quality jade Guanyin pendant, worn so much it had developed a patina. He also found a phone in his pocket. Zhang Yi tossed the Patek Philippe watch and phone into his alternate space but left the jade pendant with Lu Fengda as a burial item.

    In the apocalypse, luxury items were less valuable than a piece of bread. Zhang Yi then returned to the shelter and began spreading disinformation online. By the time he finished, night had fallen.

    Zhang Yi cracked his neck, stretching as he left the control room. Zhou Ke''er approached, concerned. "Zhang Yi, what have you been doing in there for so long? You must be hungry. I made bullwhip stew and chicken soup. Come have some!"

    Zhang Yi smiled, "Sure, I am a bit hungry." Having two considerate women at home made life worth protecting at all costs.

    Yang Siya was also in the living room. They knew Zhang Yi was handling something crucial, so they waited for him to finish. Zhang Yi sat at the table; one woman handed him chopsticks while the other served him soup.

    As Zhang Yi drank the soup, he asked, "Have you received any messages on your phones?"

    Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya both said they had received messages about a theft at a Walmart warehouse. "A bunch of random stuff, several messages. We don''t know what it means!" Zhou Ke''er looked puzzled at her phone.

    Yang Siya added, "It seems like someone''s trying to cover something up."

    Zhang Yi took a sip of turtle soup. The soup was indeed delicious. "Exactly, it''s a cover-up. Those are the smokescreens I released."

    Over the next 48 hours, hundreds of messages would be sent across Tianhai City''s social forums and to everyone''s phones. Since he couldn''tpletely prevent Lu Fengda from sending messages, he would bury the truth in a sea of useless information.

 Chapter 183: Setting Traps

    Chapter 183: Setting Traps

    Zhou Ke''er, resting her chin in her hands, pondered aloud, "But won''t this just make people more suspicious?"

    Yang Siya also frowned slightly. "Yeah, suddenly stirring up this topic could easily draw attention."

    Zhang Yi ate a fish ball and replied calmly, "Attracting attention is unavoidable. Whether I send these messages or not, Lu Fengda will spread information anyway. By releasing these smokescreens, I can confuse the situation. With so much information out there, I doubt anyone has the energy to verify each piece."

    He sipped his soup. "Moreover,pared to the big organizations and enterprises in Tianhai City mentioned in the messages, the possibility of me acting alone bes the least likely."

    Yang Siya''s eyes lit up as she looked at Zhang Yi. "That''s really smart! It''s like in our entertainment industry. If a scandal breaks out but a bigger celebrity makes headlines, the previous story quickly gets forgotten."

    She leaned on the table, her small, white hands propping up her chin, inadvertently revealing her impressive cleavage, showing arge expanse of fair skin and deep valleys. As she gazed at Zhang Yi''s profile, a look of admiration appeared in her eyes. It seemed the man before her was not only handsome and capable but also very clever.

    At that moment, Zhou Ke''er looked at the information on her phone and tilted her head. "But all these messages areing from yourputer. If someone traces the IP address, won''t they find you immediately?"

    Yang Siya''s expression changed subtlety. She was right. Whether Zhang Yi sent the messages anonymously or from multiple ounts, the IP address remained unique. If someone with the right skills or organizational capabilities investigated, they could easily pinpoint Zhang Yi as the culprit. His suspicion would then be the greatest.Zhang Yi''s face remained impassive as he continued drinking his soup. Zhou Ke''er sensed the tension and quickly apologized. "I didn''t mean it like that! Given that there are probably very few people left alive in Tianhai City, and even fewer who understand how to trace IP addresses, your approach is still very sessful, Zhang Yi!"

    Zhang Yi took another sip of soup, picked up a piece of turtle shell, and began to gnaw on the skin. In aposed tone, he said, "Unless the world reverts to a primitive state, or we live like cavemen, it''s impossible to hide our trackspletely. I never expected to deceive everyone entirely. But by doing this, I can at least make most people less likely to suspect me first."

    "As for those powerful organizations with strongwork capabilities, it''s inevitable that we''lle into contact with them."

    Zhang Yi had alreadye to terms with this. Even in an apocalyptic world,workmunications still existed, and finding someone was not too difficult for high-level officials. If not for the unexpected appearance of Lu Fengda, Zhang Yi thought he could have enjoyed a peaceful year or so. Instead, his tranquil life was disrupted in less than half a month.

    He had no regrets. He despised feeling coerced, so killing Lu Fengda was a necessary action.

    "And although I dislike the idea of anyone discovering our shelter''s location, with this stronghold, no one can threaten our safety unless they have top-tier armed forces."

    Hisbat skills and an almost inexhaustible supply of food and a shelter built for $1 billion, capable of withstanding nuclear attacks, were his ultimate safeguards.

    Seeing Zhang Yi''s calm demeanor, Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya felt reassured. No matter how smart they were, they were still women. In times of crisis, most women tend to rely on men, except a few strong individuals.

    "Knowing you have things under control, we feel at ease!" Yang Siya said, patting her ample chest with a happy expression.

    Zhang Yi nced at her with a smile. "Don''t be too happy yet! While I''m confident in defending this home, you can''t just sit idly by!"

    Yang Siya blushed, gently biting her lip and ncing at Zhang Yi, hinting that others were present. Zhang Yi felt a bit speechless. Good grief, was that all she thought about?

    In reality, Yang Siya was quite innocent. She felt she couldn''t help Zhang Yi much, aside from doing household chores every day.

    Raising his hand, Zhang Yi flicked her smooth forehead. "I need you to help me set traps!"

    "Ouch!" Yang Siya covered her forehead, casting a reproachful look at Zhang Yi. She and Zhou Ke''er looked at him in confusion. "Traps?"

    Zhang Yi nodded. "This house has incredible defensive capabilities, built to withstand nuclear war orrge-scale natural disasters. But itcks adequate defense against human threats, which is understandable given Huaguo''s strict weapon controls."

    "So, I n to set up tight traps around the shelter."

    A cold glint shed in his eyes. "If anyone dares toe after us, they''ll never leave!"

    Zhou Ke''er immediately nodded. "Zhang Yi, tell me what I can do to help!"

    Ever since Yang Siya arrived, Zhou Ke''er had felt a growing sense of urgency, bing more proactive in helping Zhang Yi.

    Yang Siya added quickly, "I don''t know much about traps, but I''ll do my best with whatever task you give me!"

    Zhang Yi nodded. "Alright then."

    He retrieved arge pile of items from his alternate space, mostly hardware products.

    "tter¡ª"

    The floor was soon covered with items, including dozens of boxes of steel nails as long as a palm, ropes, steel wires, and animal traps. The two women were dazzled by the array.

    Zhang Yi picked up a 20-centimeter steel nail from the floor and said, "Setting traps in this snowy terrain is the hardest for anyone to notice!"

    "Let me teach you how to do it. Listen carefully and remember the positions when setting the traps. Otherwise, if we identally fall into our own traps one day, it''ll be disastrous!"

 Chapter 184: Setting Traps

    Chapter 184: Setting Traps

    Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya realized that real danger might be approaching, making them extremely vignt and focused on learning. Zhang Yi took out a wooden board and a hammer. "Nails scattered on the ground won''t hurt anyone! So, you need to nail them to the boards. Once buried in the snow, they can instantly pierce through someone''s foot!"

    "But using just nails isn''t enough. They''re too smooth and can be easily pulled out." Zhang Yi exined while taking out a box of long screws. "Combine these with the nails. The nails have better pration, while the screws increase the damage. Understand?"

    The two women listened attentively. Seeing the sharp nails and the spiral grooves on the screws, they could imagine the excruciating pain when pulled out, taking chunks of flesh with them. Yang Siya''s feet instinctively curled up at the thought of such pain, while Zhou Ke''er, being a doctor, was moreposed.

    Zhang Yi took a few minutes to craft a simple trap with the board and nails. "We need to make at least 1000 of these nail traps! Spread them within a 100-meter radius around the vi!"

    Next, he pulled out arge animal trap with jagged, sharp teeth that looked terrifying. "You''ve seen these on TV. They can snap a wolf''s leg clean off. For humans, it can pierce through flesh and hit bone, essentially incapacitating a person."

    "These need to be ced within the inner ring of the nail traps to avoid being detected by probing tools."

    "You two handle these traps while I take care of the rest!" Zhang Yi instructed.

    Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya nodded and started making the nail traps, hammering away diligently. Zhang Yi was also busy, observing the terrain outside from a window. The only routes to Vi 101 were two pathways. Zhang Yi recalled finding two explosivendmines in the Tianhai City military armory, perfect for burying in these routes.Caution was paramount; the mines could destroy tanks and armored vehicles, let alone people. Zhang Yi realized the traps'' first use would be the most effective. If someone used tools to clear the nails, he needed a countermeasure.

    After half a day, the three finished making 1000 nail traps. Yang Siya''s hands were blistered, but she didn''tin, knowing her value to Zhang Yi was less than Zhou Ke''er, a doctor. She needed to prove her worth to maintain Zhang Yi''s favor.

    Zhang Yi appreciated her effort, even if he didn''t say it. "Alright, let''s get to work!"

    They put on their winter gear and went outside to set the traps around Vi 101. Zhang Yi meticulously supervised their cement and corrected any mistakes.

    "The nail boards shouldn''t be too loose! Ideally, when someone steps on one, they fall andnd on another, which could pierce their chest, face, or neck, killing them instantly."

    "Bury the boards just enough to cover them. The snow will hide thempletely soon."

    Despite this being Zhang Yi''s first time setting traps like these, his survival experience in the cutthroat environment of Yuelu District had given him a wealth of knowledge in killing enemies effectively.

    Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya followed his instructions carefully, though they were nervous about stepping on the traps themselves. Zhang Yi kept a close watch to ensure their safety.

    Once the nail traps and animal traps were set, Zhang Yi cautiously avoided them and moved to the two pathways. Using an entrenching tool, he dug two deep pits over a meter deep and carefully ced the explosive mines inside.

    Fully armored for safety, with a dimensional gate ready to absorb most of the st if something went wrong, he buried the mines and smoothed the surface with snow to leave no trace.

    These remote-detonated mines wouldn''t go off from pressure but could be triggered electronically by Zhang Yi when needed, making them perfect for ambushingrge groups or powerful enemies.

    Next, Zhang Yi devised a n to prevent anyone from clearing the traps with tools. He tied steel wires to grenade pins and buried them in the snow. Whether kicked or triggered by tools, these would explode, creating further obstacles.

    After meticulously cing about 30 grenade traps around Vi 101, Zhang Yi ensured that anyone approaching would have to sacrifice many lives, possibly dozens.

    "That should do it," Zhang Yi muttered, exhaling a breath of white steam. The traps might be less effective against professional armed forces, but approaching the vi would be lethal for untrained enemies.

    Zhang Yi had two more defenses besides the traps. He nced back at the fortress-like shelter, its 10-meter-long tunnel equipped with sleep gas, tear gas, and high-temperature methrowers capable of melting steel.

    And the final line of defense was Zhang Yi himself.

 Chapter 185: Waiting

    Chapter 185: Waiting

    After setting up the traps, the three of them returned to the room.

    Yang Siya and Zhou Ke''er were participating in this kind of dangerous activity for the first time. Moreover, someone might die because of the traps they set up. This feeling made them extremely nervous, but also inexplicably excited. After all, they had never experienced anything like this before. Yang Siya''s eyes sparkled with aplex light, even showing some eagerness.

    "Zhang Yi, when will the enemye?" Yang Siya asked, her eyes filled with anticipation.

    Zhang Yi couldn''t help butugh at her hopeful expression. "I wish I had wasted my efforts, but you seem to be hoping they will attack us."

    "However, it probably won''t be soon," he added, pointing to his head. "Anyone with a bit of sense wouldn''t easily attack at a time like this. Anyone who has survived until now isn''t simple."

    Yang Siya propped her chin on her hand, looking out the window. "Is that so?" She wasn''t sure if she wanted someone to step on her traps or if she preferred to stay in a peaceful yet boring safe environment.

    As she was lost in thought, she suddenly heard a piercing noise. Turning her head, she saw Zhang Yi installing door bolts with a welding machine in the corridor.

    "What are you doing? Aren''t these two thick metal doors secure enough?" she asked.Zhang Yi thought of thete Lu Fengda. Continuing to install the door bolts on both sides of the corridor, he replied, "Most areas of this vi are automated. Someone who hacks into our control center could easily open these two doors. Sometimes, technological advancements bring great ws, but the basic principles of physics don''t lie!"

    He installed three door bolts in the corridor, each inserted with ten-centimeter thick construction steel bars. Even if someone got to the corridor, breaking all three steel bars in a short time would be impossible.

    "Better safe than sorry!" Zhang Yi said, taking a deep breath with a serious expression.

    Seeing how cautious Zhang Yi was, Yang Siya felt somewhat speechless, while Zhou Ke''er, already used to it, looked at Zhang Yi with admiration in her eyes. Thinking carefully, Yang Siya realized that Zhang Yi''s actions made sense. A very cautious and death-fearing man might live longer than the average person.

    Looking at theyout inside and outside the shelter, Zhang Yi felt much more at ease. The only thing that still worried him waswork security.

    "It would be great to have awork expert here!" Zhang Yi couldn''t help but mutter.

    Hearing this, a hint of sadness appeared on Yang Siya''s face. "Xinxin is pretty good withworks. Unfortunately..."

    Zhang Yi looked over at her. "What happened?"

    Zhou Ke''er suddenly remembered something and asked Yang Siya, "Isn''t Xinxin studying in Tianhai City? Do you know how she''s doing? Is she... still alive?" Zhou Ke''er''s voice grew weaker as she spoke.

    Under the blizzard, how many people could survive? If not for meeting Zhang Yi, she might have be a frozen corpse by now, or worse, someone''s food.

    Seeing Zhang Yi''s questioning gaze, Zhou Ke''er exined. Yang Siya had a cousin, Yang Xinxin, who studied in Tianhai City. Yang''s family was well-educated; everyone was a genius except for Yang Siya, who entered the entertainment industry due to poor academic performance. Zhou Ke''er, for instance, had already earned a PhD from a top medical school at 26 and was a chief physician in a top-tier hospital.

    Yang Xinxin, 18, attended Tianqing Academy, a prestigious school in Tianhai City. Despite her physical disability due to polio, she was exceptionally smart with a talent forputers, winning numerous international awards by 16. ording to Zhou Ke''er, she was also a top hacker, responsible for hacking the White House''s website two years ago and cing the Chinese g on it.

    Hearing Zhou Ke''er''s story, Zhang Yi couldn''t help but marvel at the disparity between people.

    "So, where is she now? Can you find her?" Zhang Yi urgently needed aputer expert to secure hiswork.

    Yang Siya, closing her eyes in pain, slowly shook her head. "She''s been out of contact for a long time. After the snowstorm hit, I tried to reach her, but there''s been no word. She would have found a way to contact me if she were alive. The fact that she hasn''t..."

    Yang Siya''s voice choked, her eyes tearing up as she turned away. Zhou Ke''er, too, looked sad. Although she didn''t often contact Yang Xinxin, they were still cousins.

    Zhang Yi thought for a moment, then said to Yang Siya, "Maybe she just doesn''t want to deal with you?"

    "Huh?" Yang Siya expectedfort but was surprised by his nonsensical question.

    Angrily stomping her foot, she shouted, "Why are you saying that?"

    Zhang Yi replied calmly, "Think about it: everyone in your family is a genius, but you''re just a fool in their eyes. If they were in trouble, who would seek your help?"

    "You... you''re so mean!" Yang Siya couldn''t help but punch Zhang Yi lightly in the chest. It felt good.

    Keep going!

    The previously heavy atmosphere lightened up. Zhang Yi still felt some regret. If Yang Xinxin were still alive, having her join the team would be beneficial. Being paralyzed, she wouldn''t threaten him much, and given Yang Siya and Zhou Ke''er''s beauty, she probably wasn''t bad-looking either. Genes don''t lie!

    "Such a pity!" Zhang Yi sighed. But since he couldn''t get what he wanted, there was no point in dwelling on it. The shelter already had a strong firewall. Without a topwork expert, it wouldn''t be easily breached.

    "From now on, we have only one task¡ªwait!" Zhang Yi said, squinting his eyes deeply.

 Chapter 186: Developing Superpowers

    Chapter 186: Developing Superpowers

    Everything that happened next unfolded exactly as Zhang Yi had predicted. As it turned out, Lu Fengda had set up an automatic message-sending program. Twenty-two hours after his death, the program sent a message to everyone in Tianhai City. The content of the message revealed Zhang Yi''s identity, current location, and the news that he might possess arge amount of stolen goods from the Walmart warehouse.

    Zhang Yi had been expecting this message. When he finally saw it, he felt a strange sense of relief.

    ording to Lu Fengda''s message, it only mentioned that "Zhang Yi possesses some of the stolen goods from the Walmart warehouse, a significant quantity." The term "significant quantity" did not mean "all," and it wasn''t quantified. After all, Lu Fengda himself had no idea how much Zhang Yi actually had, and he couldn''t have imagined that Zhang Yi possessed a space superpower.

    "This is a good thing! At least it lowers the level of danger I''m facing," Zhang Yi thought. In this age of extreme scarcity, if people knew he had an entire super warehouse''s worth of supplies, no one in the world would remain calm. However, Zhang Yi had already buried Lu Fengda''s message under a sea of fake information. Ordinary people or forces would find it difficult to discern the truth from the mass of misinformation.

    "If someone can find me, they definitely aren''t ordinary, or they have aputer expert," Zhang Yi murmured. But all of this was within his calctions, so it was unsurprising.

    Zhang Yi put his phone aside and looked at a target 400 meters away. A target at this distance looked no bigger than a mosquito''s head. Yet, it already had seven or eight arrows stuck in it.

    Zhang Yi raised his high-techpound bow with his left hand and took an arrow from the quiver at his waist with his right hand, cing it on the bowstring. Thanks to the pulley system, drawing thepound bow was quite easy. His gaze was intensely focused, and a strange power surged into his right eye, attaching itself to the arrow with his will.

    "Whoosh!" The arrow flew out swiftly, seemingly wrapped in an invisible force that made it fly even faster. "Thud!" The arrow hit the target squarely in the center, its tail shaking violently.After more than half a month of relentless training, Zhang Yi had developed some new abilities from his superpowers. This was an extension of his "precision shooting" ability, a power that could affect space. By deliberately attaching his superpower to objects, he could enhance their power. For flying objects, it also increased uracy, as if he could influence their movement in space with his will.

    For instance, the effective range of his highly uratepound bow was originally 200 meters. But with his superpower, the range extended to 400 meters! This level of precision rivaled that of a regr sniper rifle. And when Zhang Yi used a sniper rifle, its power naturally doubled.

    The bow and arrow were merely training tools. In a real fight, using a gun would undoubtedly be more efficient. But through continuous practice, his precision shooting ability had given him a pleasant surprise. By amplifying the uracy and power of flying objects, he wondered what would happen if he applied this ability to melee weapons or even his own body.

    This thought quickly became an obsession. Zhang Yi started experimenting on himself bit by bit. The results were astonishing! His uracy undoubtedly improved. For example, he could precisely chop a vertically standing coin with a hunting knife. Moreover, when he wrapped himself in his superpower, air resistance greatly decreased, allowing him to move at twice his normal speed.

    As a famous naval admiral once said, "Speed is power." Although his physical strength hadn''t increased, doubling his speed also doubled his destructive power. Faster speed also meant better evasion, making escaping much easier.

    "My superpower may seem simple, but it has limitless potential for development," Zhang Yi thought, increasingly pleased with his abilities. He felt that he had only scratched the surface and that many more abilities were yet to be fully developed. What would it be like if he couldpletely master his superpowers? He couldn''t even imagine.

    "Grumble¡ª" Zhang Yi''s stomach suddenly growled. Rubbing his belly, a wave of uncontroble hunger hit him. Zhang Yi stuffed two chocte bars from his space into his mouth. Although the newly developed abilities were exciting, they were also extremely energy-consuming. Power came from cells, and since he couldn''t photosynthesize, he had to gain energy from food. Using his powers required eating more to replenish his strength.

    As he munched on the high-calorie chocte bars, Zhang Yi thought, "Even for superhumans, food is essential to replenish strength. In other words, no matter how powerful we are, without enough food, we can''t use our superpowers."

    He suddenlyughed, "Who would have thought that in the end, the decisive factor for the strength of superhumans would still be the amount of food?"

    Looking at the massive training ground, Zhang Yi squinted his eyes contentedly. "In that case, doesn''t that make me invincible?" At least in a battle of attrition, he was unbeatable.

    ...

    Everyone still alive in Tianhai City recently received countless messages about the theft at Walmart''s South China warehouse. These messages were overwhelming, with hundreds arriving in just two days. Most people were puzzled, not knowing where these messages came from or what they meant. However, some astute individuals sensed something was amiss. After all, all the tforms that generated spam messages were gone, and very few could spread messages so widely.

    The words "Walmart warehouse" carried immense allure at such a time. When the incident happened, it caused a huge stir in Tianhai City. It was said that the stolen goods were worth billions!

    "If we could find those supplies, we could livefortably in this post-apocalyptic world!" Many people reached the same conclusion.

 Chapter 187: The West Hill Base

    Chapter 187: The West Hill Base

    The widespread rumors caught the attention of some keen individuals. They sensed that these rumors were deliberately concealing something. However, with hundreds of messages, they couldn''t verify each one, leaving most people helpless. Yet, some managed to extract useful information through analysis.

    Fifty-two kilometers west of Cloud Manor lies the West Hill area, named after the mountain range. Since the 1960s, Tianhai City officials had built shelters across various locations. Initially, the goal was air defense and protection against nuclear attacks. ording to data, Tianhai City now has 356 shelters. However, most of these shelters are simple air raid shelters and underground emergency facilities,cking substantial food supplies and being quite basic in construction. These are for ordinary city residents.

    In contrast, special shelters for military and high-ranking officials were far superior in security and resource supply. One such sheltery 200 meters underground in West Hill. Although the entire West Hill was now covered in snow, many people still lived underground. This vast underground facility could amodate over ten thousand people and resembles a grand subterranean city. Constructed from the sturdiest alloy, it was like an underground fortress.

    Inside the West Hill organization''s leader''s office, a middle-aged man in a gray Zhongshan suit with slicked-back hair was reading a document behind a mahogany desk. A cup of hot tea was beside him, and the room''s temperature was pleasant, making it impossible to feel the cold outside. The room''s decor was antique, with even the centuries-old bookshelves. This man was Chen Xinian, a former high-ranking official of Tianhai City and now the leader of the West Hill organization.

    Chen Xinian nced asionally at theputer screen on his desk while reviewing the document in his hand.

    "Is the base''s energy problem still unresolved?" he muttered.

    "The power supply can be supplemented by the people in the Fourth Life Pod generating electricity, but without ess torge amounts of fossil fuel, the troops can only travel by foot or dog sled."

    "And relying solely on manpower to generate electricity won''t cover the future energy shortfall of the base," he mused. Quickly, he devised a solution. He picked up his Hero pen and wrote his directive on the document."Increase the working hours in the Fourth Life Pod to 12 hours daily to earn nutrient solutions. Additionally, cut off their power supply for six hours each night to reduce unnecessary energy consumption."

    After signing the document, Chen Xinian ced it on a pile of papers on his desk. Just then, his secretary, Ge Rou, knocked and entered, cing a report in front of him.

    "Leader, we have results regarding the previously received information."

    "Most of the messages originated from Vi 101, Cloud Manor, in Lijiang District. However, one message came from the phone of Lu Fengda, Chairman of Zhiyun Technology, located at Vi 302 in Cloud Manor."

    Chen Xinian nonchntly epted the report. "Tell me about Zhang Yi mentioned in this message."

    He was toozy to read the detailed report, so he focused when he heard Lu Fengda''s name. Ge Rou recited Zhang Yi''s information meticulously. When Chen Xinian learned that Zhang Yi was merely a small manager at a Walmart warehouse in Tianhai City, his interest waned.

    "A mere warehouse supervisor couldn''t be behind this. Even if he gained something, it wouldn''t be significant."

    "He probably embezzled supplies during his tenure and has been living off those stolen goods," Ge Rou added, nodding in agreement.

    Chen Xinian smiled knowingly. "This is all a plot by the Americans. They must have sensed something was wrong before the gamma rays arrived and hoarded supplies. But trying to create supernatural events is just self-deception!"

    Ge Rou ttered him, "How could they know their foolish actions had long been seen through by you, Leader?"

    "Should we investigate Zhang Yi?" Ge Rou asked.

    Chen Xinian tapped his desk thoughtfully. "Send a few people to check out Lijiang District. We haven''t searched that area yet. We might find some supplies."

    Ge Rou nodded, "I''ll arrange for a team to investigate immediately!"

    This matter wasn''t of great concern to Chen Xinian, and Ge Rou went to make the necessary arrangements.

    Xu Family Town, Xu Dong Vige. The vigers received those hundreds of messages, too. The messages were no different from spam for these long-isted vigers, and they didn''t pay much attention. Instead, the constant notifications irritated them.

    Only one person took it seriously¡ªXu Chunlei, the top fighter of Xu Dong Vige and an ice-elemental ability user. After hisst fight with Zhang Yi, he had warned the vigers about Zhang Yi''s formidable strength. Despite their resentment over their kinsmen''s deaths, the vigers, led by Xu Dongsheng, decided toy low temporarily due to their fear of Zhang Yi.

    Life in Xu Dong Vige returned to normal. It was sustained by stockpiled vegetables and grains and fishing on the ice, which ensured they didn''t worry about food.

    However, the otaku Xu Chunlei was deeply troubled. "Wasn''t I supposed to be the chosen one, with top-tier abilities and countless beauties at mymand? Why do I have to run when facing him?"

    His frustration waspounded by the vigers'' disappointment in him, which stung his sensitive nature. So, upon receiving a lot of information and noticing the mention of Cloud Manor, he suspected a connection to the mysterious figure who had scared him off.

    "What if I analyze this information and find something useful?"

    Xu Chunlei, being aputer-savvy otaku, decided to dig into the data, having little else to upy his time. He was a disciplined person, limiting himself to only five or six ¡°self-rewards¡± a day. With plenty of free time, he began analyzing the messages.

 Chapter 188: Xu Chunlei Discovers a Secret

    Chapter 188: Xu Chunlei Discovers a Secret

    "I... I found it!" Xu Chunlei eximed excitedly as he sat in front of hisputer. He adjusted his sses, his chubby body shaking with excitement. Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t skilled withputers, so he hadn¡¯t encrypted the messages he sent. Cracking Zhang Yi''s IP address was easy for Xu Chunlei, and he quickly discovered that the hundreds of recent messages originated from two IP addresses. Most came from a singleputer, with only one message from a different IP address.

    Following this lead, Xu Chunlei easily uncovered Zhang Yi¡¯s identity. "Zhang Yi, Walmart warehouse supervisor..." The name sparked a glint in Xu Chunlei''s eyes, and his excitement grew. "The Walmart warehouse theft! Over a billion worth of goods were emptied overnight!" He had once thought it was a case of the thief crying "thief," but now it seemed this Zhang Yi was highly suspicious.

    Xu Chunlei, an anime and manga enthusiast with a wild imagination, got up and paced the room, his chubby body wobbling with each step. After a few steps, he got tired and plopped back into his chair. "Could he really have emptied the entire Walmart warehouse?" he pondered. "With abilities like these, anything previously impossible bes usible. But to pull off such a feat, he''d need spatial abilities, like a vacuum cleaner capable of holding vast amounts of items."

    He remembered the fight where his attacks suddenly vanished in front of Zhang Yi but wereter returned. "It¡¯s not just about deflecting attacks; it¡¯s like storing them somewhere and releasing themter," Xu Chunlei thought, his eyes shining brighter. "I get it! He must have spatial abilities, and all the stolen goods from the Walmart warehouse are probably in his hands! That would also exin how he owns a luxurious snowmobile, which is rare in the south."

    Xu Chunlei''s face quivered with excitement. But then, reality set in, and he slumped back into his chair, feeling disappointed. "Compared to his abilities, my ''Snow st'' is not on the same level. Could it be that he is the protagonist, and I¡¯m... the viin?" This thought sent chills down his spine as he recalled countless games he had yed.

    "In games, there are always mini-bosses¡ªtougher than regr enemies but ultimately there to give yers experience points." Realizing his inferiority, Xu Chunlei grew fearful. "I must never cross him again. I should try to befriend him instead. And I need to warn the whole vige not to provoke him!"

    Worried about the vige''s daredevils, Xu Chunlei left his house immediately to find Xu Dongsheng, the vige head and patriarch of the Xu family. Xu Dongsheng greeted him warmly, surprised to see him out. "Chunlei, it''s rare to see you outside! If it weren¡¯t for your mother making you go for a walk, you¡¯d never leave the house."

    Gasping for breath, Xu Chunlei said, "Grandpa, something big has happened, and I need to tell you."Xu Dongsheng stroked his beard and smiled, "Oh, what''s the big news?" Usually, he wouldn''t take Xu Chunlei''s words seriously, but given Chunlei''s abilities, Xu Dongsheng decided to listen.

    Xu Chunlei urgently shared his findings with Xu Dongsheng. "Grandpa, Zhang Yi is very powerful. His abilities counter minepletely. We must avoid any conflict with him!"

    "Xu Dong Vige is just across the river from Cloud Manor. You should inform the vigers to stay away from that ce, even when fishing!" he advised.

    Xu Dongsheng, however, was fixated on another detail. "So, you¡¯re saying that the Walmart warehouse theft was his doing? And the stolen goods worth billions are with him?"

    Xu Chunlei, in his earnestness, nodded, "Based on my analysis, that''s the most likely scenario! Only a spatial ability user could empty a giant warehouse in such a short time!"

    Confirming this, Xu Dongsheng''s eyes sparkled with a sly glint. He stroked his beard and mused, "If we could get those supplies for Xu Dong Vige, they wouldst us years!"

    Realizing where the conversation was heading, Xu Chunlei grew rmed. "Grandpa, you mustn''t get any ideas about him!"

    Xu Dongsheng dismissed his caution. "Chunlei, you¡¯re too timid! Our vige has hundreds of residents and thousands more in Xu Family Town! Do you think one person can stand against so many?"

    Xu Chunlei hesitated, unable to argue. "But I can feel that he is very dangerous!"

    Scoffing, Xu Dongsheng replied, "He has broken your courage! In my youth, the nearby viges fought fiercely, often dragging back the dead. We fought over water,nd, and even minor disputes!"

    Recalling those times fondly, he continued, "For the survival of Xu Dong Vige, we would give our lives!"

 Chapter 189: A Snake Swallows an Elephant

    Chapter 189: A Snake Swallows an Elephant

    Xu Chunlei looked at Xu Dongsheng that firm expression, heart regret. He had not thought that his kindness had brought about such a result. "Third Grandpa, that man has a gun in his hand! And he has powers, too. Going after him will kill a lot of people." "We have food now and we can survive." "Is it really worth it?" Xu Dongsheng took a deep breath, coldly reprimanded, "What do you know?" "It is freezing and no food crops can be grown. We''re just living off our past." "But what happens when the grain runs out?" "We Xu family have to carry on the family line in the future, how can we dare to have children without food?" Xu Dongsheng raised his head and looked

    helplessly at the sky. "I have not been without great disasters. At a time like this, you can only care about the people around you." "To rob, to kill, are in order to live, and the reproduction of the family ah!" Xu Chunlei also want to say something, three grandpa stared at him directly. "Well, don''t say any more! Then you will do what I tell you to do." "As a person with the best genes in the Xu family, I will arrange several women for you to have children." And you can choose what you want first!" Xu Chunlei''s scalp was tingling. This is not the end he wanted! At the thought of Zhang Yi''s ability, he is also afraid. Xu Chunlei is very afraid of death! He

    ''s cowardly, but what''s wrong with that? If he dies, he will no longer be able to reward himself with those two-dimensional idols on the hard drive. His Akizuki Ari, Manaka Ayuki, Haruno Yuu, Naigisaka Haruka, Shirayu Rinkin, Kuwanazuki, Sawa Kariwa, Madiwa Rika... Will never be seen again. No, he would never allow such a world to exist! Fatty Xu clenched his fists and shook slightly. Seeing his strange appearance, Xu Dongsheng asked curiously: "Are you holding in urine?" Go and find a ce to go to the toilet before your dder is full." ''That''s not true! Xu Chunlei suddenly loud. "I... I''m not going to fight that man! I can''t fight him!" Xu Chunlei''sst

    words were almost tearful. He was terrified of death. Xu Dongsheng froze for a moment, then angrily said: "Xu - spring - thunder! Are you still one of us Xu family? How can you be a deserter at a time like this?" Xu Chunlei gnawed his teeth, bearing in mind the fear of the elders of the n, "I can''t beat him." My powers have been restrained by him, so it doesn''t matter whether I go or not." "Grandpa, I don''t want to die." Xu Dongsheng coldly stared at him, after a long time, he did not disdain the cold hum. "Useless things! We Xu family so many talents, you can do it without a person! Get out of here!" Xu Chunlei such as amnesty, turn around and run back, afraid to runte Xu Dongsheng changed his mind. Xu Dongsheng looked at the fat man''s back and exhaled a long puff of white smoke. "The boy is good in everything but cowardly." "That''s all. He might as well not go. Keep his genes and maybe pass his powers on to the next generation!" Xu Dongsheng puffed out his chest, "Our Xu family is also a big family, the number of people thriving!" Can''t it be done without him?" He immediately called several branches of the Xu family and told them the good news. When the big guys heard that there was such arge library of people nearby, their faces were excited like flowers. "The boy''s name is Zhang Yi!" A middle-aged man with a fierce face, "It is he who killed my son, I have long wanted to avenge him!" "This time, we''ll count the old and the new together!" A tall middle-aged man nearby said, "If he really has that much material in his hand, we Xu family can use it for decades!" "Thank God for the care of our Xu family, at this time, sent such a big gift!" Someone put their hands together and thanked God. Big guy can''t wait to go back, call the nsmen and then go to find Zhang Yi "borrow grain". "When the timees, let Spring Lei pass first, his ice and snow rush, ordinary door, ss simply can not block." "Someone suggested. "Yes, we have the important battle force of Spring Thunder, but it will have a big effect!" Xu Dongsheng smell speech, but said with a straight face: "This time, spring thunder he will not go!" The words of the next few branches were heard, and suddenly they were discussed with surprise. "What? Spring Thunder not to go? It is That''s not good, is it?" "That is, he alone can handle the functions of hundreds of others. If he does not go, nothing else, then Zhang Yi has a gun in his hand, and he will kill many of us!" "Third Uncle, you are the patriarch, you can''t indulge him in this matter!" Xu Dongsheng impatiently tapped his

    crutches. "All right! Shut up!" "Spring Lei he is thest time to y with Zhang Yi suffered internal injuries. That Zhang Yi is a master with deep internal skills. Although Spring Lei appears to be okay, he is actually hurt very badly." "He will have to recuperate at home for some time." "So we won''t take him with us on this mission!" Although Xu Dongsheng some look up to Xu Chunlei cowardice, but after all that is his descendants of this vein, he always partial to some. Although others still haveints, but the face of the patriarch has to be given. Then think of the whole family of hundreds of men, dealing with a mere Zhang Yi is certainly not a pr

    oblem, we will no longer say anything. Xu Dongsheng''s eyes became serious. "All right, now go back and gather your people for me!" "Just like the previous fight with the next few viges, boys over the age of 16 have picked up their weapons for me!" "Take all the shotguns and y powder hidden near the house." After all, he is also an inhuman, and we must not be careless!" "To win this battle with the least casualties!" Thest days have been more than a month, Xu Dongcun has experienced many battles so far, and has formed a certain sense of discipline. Xu Dongsheng arrangement, immediately all branches of the thing people back convenor. A mobilization, th

    e vige of hundreds of men are holding weapons in the vige square gathered. A dense group of people, we do notck of food on weekdays, so the spirit is very full. It''s night. Vige chief Xu Dongsheng ordered all the people under the leadership of the branches, divided into six teams began to cross the Lujiang River, toward the Yunque Manor! They put a bit on the dog''s mouth, for fear that the barking of the dog rmed Zhang Yi. Then dogs pulled sledges and sent the vigers over. After crossing the river, the dogs and sledges stayed on the bank. After all, the dogs they raise are particrly precious, and thest time Zhang Yi solved eight at once, the vigers were distressed. The rest, but not one of them want to die! At this time, in the Yunque Manor, the 101 vi located in the center is brightly lit, which is particrly obvious. Zhang Yi sat at the table with Zhou Ke and Yang Siya, enjoying the food on the table. Candlesticks were set on the table, a bottle of ''83 Lafite was ced on a red silk tablecloth, and the meals were all French dishes Zhang Yi had ordered from the Michelin restaurant. Regardless of the dangers that may arise outside, life inside this vi can be described as a paradise. Don''t be bothered by the stress of life, just enjoy it. Even Yang Siya, who fantasized about leaving one day at the beginning, gradually immersed herself in this beautiful ce and could not extricate herself. At that moment, a faint cry from the distance broke the silence.

 Chapter 190: The Power of Traps

    Chapter 190: The Power of Traps

    Zhang Yi''s senses were the sharpest. Upon hearing the sound, he immediately looked out the window. The outside was pitch ck, making it difficult to see anything in the distance. He stood up silently and said, "I''ll go check it out. You two keep eating."

    Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya nced curiously out the window but saw nothing in the dark. Zhang Yi slowly ascended to the second floor. Keeping the lights off ensured the floor remained dark from the outside. He stood by the window, pulling out his infrared binocrs to scan the vi''s surroundings. Under the night sky, numerous red silhouettes were slowly encircling the vi.

    A smirk appeared on Zhang Yi¡¯s face. "They arrived faster than I expected!" He had already guessed their identity. Only the residents of Xu Family Town could have reached here in just two days. And only such short-sighted people would rush in without proper investigation.

    "If you''re so eager to die, thene on!" A murderous gleam shed in Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes. Anyone who disturbed his peaceful life deserved to die! Moreover, such arge force was definitely not here for a friendly visit; they were here to rob him of his supplies!

    "Ordinary people can''t threaten the safety of the shelter. Let''s see if any ability users from their vige havee. If they have, I¡¯ll take this opportunity to eliminate them!" Zhang Yi put away his binocrs and retrieved a tactical visor and a sniper rifle from his dimensional space. Setting the rifle on the window sill, he aimed through the thick nano-grade bulletproof ss.

    He waited for the right moment to open the window and take out the ability user. As for the other cannon fodder, he¡¯d let them test the effectiveness of his traps first.

    Meanwhile, the first team from Xu Family Town had reached the outskirts of Cloud Manor and were on the edge of Zhang Yi¡¯s trap zone. Seeing the brightly lit vi in the distance, they felt like they were dreaming. In the post-apocalyptic world, they had survived by building an ice vige with Xu Chunlei¡¯s abilities, relying on ancient fishing techniques and stored food.

    They couldn¡¯t imagine someone still enjoying such a luxurious lifestyle! A viger couldn''t resist and took a step forward. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his foot. "Ahhh!" he screamed, falling to the ground. The others quickly checked and found his foot impaled by a wooden nk covered with sharp steel nails that had pierced through his foot.The viger¡¯s face turned pale. In this severe cold, such a severe injury could be fatal. "Quick, carry him back!" The team leader ordered, and they angrily cursed Zhang Yi. "Despicable! Setting traps in the snow!" "Notify everyone to be careful. The ground is filled with nail boards!"

    Commanding from the rear, Xu Dongsheng issued orders upon hearing the news: "Proceed with caution. That man is prepared, but such elementary traps won¡¯t stop us! Move slowly. Use sticks and branches to clear the traps."

    The six teams, approaching from different directions, intended to surround Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter. Following Xu Dongsheng¡¯s orders, they improvised tools¡ªsticks, shovels, and branches¡ªto clear the snow-covered traps. Zhang Yi observed all of this.

    "They think they''re smart? The second wave of traps activate," Zhang Yi muttered mockingly. Why wouldn''t he have ounted for that if they knew to clear traps this way?

    The first group acted as sappers, clearing several nail boards from the snow. Encouraged by their sess, they sped up. Suddenly, one person felt resistance from his stick, like it had hit a string. The buried wire triggered a grenade. "Boom!" An explosion ripped through the night, sending nearby people flying.

    "Bombs!" shouted the panicked vigers, retreating in fear. However, they barely took a few steps before sharp pains struck their chests and faces. Inspecting themselves, they found their chests covered in blood. Although they avoided the st, they were struck by shrapnel.

    "Ahhhh!" The air filled with screams of agony. Themotion unsettled the other teams. Another unfortunate viger triggered another grenade, causing another explosion that killed or injured over ten more people.

    "Bombs! We can¡¯t move forward!" In terror, many vigers scrambled to retreat. But in their panic, they stepped on the nail boards again, not fully cleared before. Losing direction in the dark, they stepped into the traps, nails piercing their feet and causing them to fall, some evennding face-first onto the nails.

    "Ahhh!" screamed one unfortunate man, blind and desperate, trying to pull the nails from his face. In his struggle, he ripped off his skin, leaving a bloody eye hanging. The vigers, never having seen such carnage, were utterly terrified.

    While they had fought with neighboring viges, those conflicts were over resources andnd, not intended to kill. Zhang Yi¡¯s traps were designed to kill from the start. The scene turned chaotic, with people inadvertently injuring each other in their panic, resulting in more deaths and injuries. In the first moments alone, the Xu Family Town lost over ten people, with twenty more injured, and they had barely reached the outskirts of Vi 101.

 Chapter 191: Greed is a Deadly Poison

    Chapter 191: Greed is a Deadly Poison

    The vigers of Xu Family Town suffered heavy casualties, with the ground littered with the wounded. Though they were alive, their agony was worse than death. Some had their feet impaled by the traps and were trying to pull out the nail boards to stop the bleeding. The boards were not just studded with smooth nails but also with threaded screws. Any forceful attempt to remove them only made things worse, tearing the flesh like barbed hooks.

    "How did ite to this?" they wondered. They had always been victorious in their skirmishes around Xu Family Town, never facing such a humiliating defeat.

    Finally, someone realized the core issue. "Chunlei didn''te!" The moment this was said, everyone understood. Xu Chunlei, with his ability to manipte ice and snow, was like a cheat code in these wintry conditions. Their strength had never been their own; it was always because they had Xu Chunlei.

    The leaders of the teams, with grim faces, decided to temporarily retreat. They approached Xu Dongsheng. "Vige Chief, we need Chunlei! There¡¯s still over a hundred meters to go, and we don''t know how many more traps are hidden beneath the snow. We need Chunlei to clear the way!"

    Everyone started speaking at once, urging Xu Dongsheng to call for Xu Chunlei. Xu Dongsheng¡¯s expression soured. He had harshly scolded Xu Chunlei earlier, calling him a coward and dering that Xu Family Town could take down the shelter without him. Now, after the first wave of attacks, the vigers were at a loss.

    In the shelter''s second-floor window, Zhang Yi, holding his sniper rifle, watched silently. "Why hasn¡¯t the ice and snow ability user made a move yet?" There were too many people for him to identify the ability user. If the user revealed themselves, Zhang Yi could quickly target them. The distance from the vi to the frontline of the vigers was less than 200 meters. Even if the ability user was cautious and attacked from a greater distance, as long as it was within 2000 meters, Zhang Yi could still take the shot.

    "Hurry up ande," Zhang Yi muttered.

    Meanwhile, Xu Dongsheng faced mounting pressure from the vigers. Asking him to seek help from Xu Chunlei? The thought of a grandfather begging his grandson was unbearable. He gritted his teeth, unable to bring himself to do it."Are we helpless without Chunlei?" he barked. "This guyid traps around his house, but in our youth, we set snares and traps in the mountains. It¡¯s nothing new! Let¡¯s move forward slowly, dismantle every trap. He¡¯s here; he can¡¯t escape!"

    The vigers were apprehensive, but Xu Dongsheng handed his binocrs to a nearby man. "Take a good look inside that vi."

    The man eagerly took the binocrs and looked towards the vi. Through the brightly lit windows, he saw avish interior, warm and inviting. He saw two stunningly beautiful women sitting at a table, eating and asionally ncing outside. The table was covered with delicious, steaming food.

    "Gulp¡ª" The man swallowed several times, drooling over the food and the women. Others grabbed the binocrs, each seeing something they desired: food, a warm andfortable home, and the beautiful women.

    "If you can get past those traps, everything in that vi is yours!" Xu Dongsheng dered, pointing at the vi less than 200 meters away. The vigers were tempted. Returning home after losing so many people felt uneptable.

    "But the traps and bombs in the snow¡ªhow do we deal with them?" someone cautiously asked. Another suggested, "Let¡¯s call Chunlei. His abilities can clear the snow, exposing all the traps."

    Nods of agreement followed. Xu Dongsheng¡¯s face reddened. As the elder of the Xu family and the vige chief, his pride was at stake. Asking Chunlei for help was out of the question.

    "Humph! Cowards!" he spat. "It seems without Chunlei, the rest of you are useless! If anyone is scared, go back and spare us the shame!"

    His harsh words stung the vigers, who felt both ashamed and angry. "We¡¯re not cowards, Grandpa!" a young man shouted. "I¡¯ll capture Zhang Yi myself!"

    Driven by anger, the young men grabbed their tools and turned to clear the traps. Xu Dongsheng nodded approvingly. "That''s the spirit! Be careful, and these traps will be nothing!"

    Learning from the first wave, the vigers became more cautious. They started throwing chunks of ice ahead of them, triggering traps from a distance and paving a safer path. Zhang Yi watched their efforts from the shelter¡¯s second floor, noting their strategy.

    "The ingenuity ofmon folk," he thought. "This method will neutralize many of the traps. But high-tech traps won''t be so easily ovee."

    The vigers moved forward, clearing more traps and even triggering a few grenades, which boosted their confidence. Xu Dongsheng smiled triumphantly. "Keep moving! Hunters, stay ready. If Zhang Yi fires, shoot back immediately!"

    Xu Dongsheng¡¯s cousin, Xu Dongping, an old hunter, grinned, holding his ancient rifle. "Don¡¯t worry. If he shows his face, I¡¯ll put a hole in his head!"

 Chapter 192: Your Tribesmen Are Flying

    Chapter 192: Your Tribesmen Are Flying

    The vigers from Xu Family Town continued dismantling traps as they advanced. By using thick blocks of ice and snow to pave the way, they managed to cover the nail boards hidden underneath. Although Zhang Yi''s traps were rtively simple, they were easy to neutralize once revealed. He noted this for future improvements.

    There were two routes from outside Cloud Manor to Vi 101: the south gate and the west gate. All the vigers from Xu Family Town hade from the south, so they were now concentrating on the southern route. Zhang Yi wasn''t particrly concerned about them. The vigers couldn¡¯t fathom the strength of a well-fortified shelter. They probably thought it was just another concrete structure, easy to breach. Their ignorance would be their downfall.

    Through his sniper scope, Zhang Yi continued to scan the area, particrly wary of the ice and snow ability user he had encountered before. But despite waiting, he saw no sign of any significant changes in the snow or weather.

    "Is he waiting for me to show myself, or did he note at all?" Zhang Yi wondered, slightly puzzled. The name Xu Family Town indicated that many of the townspeople shared the surname Xu and were likely rted. It seemed unlikely that the ability user would let his kin march to their deaths without helping to clear the snow and traps.

    "Is he really not here? Was he injured by my stray bulletsst time?" Zhang Yi''s frown turned into a cold smile. "Good, better if he''s dead!"

    Meanwhile, the vigers, numbering in the hundreds, were slowly advancing up the southern path towards the shelter. As they dismantled traps, their pace quickened. Being closer, they could now clearly see the vi¡¯s luxurious interior. In the past, only the wealthiest and most powerful people could live in Cloud Manor. Each vi, costing over a billion, was decorated with top-tier furnishings. Even the curtains were made from fine silk.

    Not to mention, there were two stunningly beautiful women standing by the window, watching the approaching vigers. One young man¡¯s breathing grew heavy, and his steps quickened.

    Inside, Yang Siya watched the approaching crowd with mounting fear, her heart pounding. She instinctively stepped back, clutching her chest. But beside her, Zhou Ke''er remained calm, sighing softly."How many more will die this time?" Zhou Ke''er mused.

    Yang Siya hugged herself tightly, her face pale. "Where is Zhang Yi? Will they break in?"

    If those men broke in, she dreaded to think what might happen to her. Despite everything, Zhang Yi had been rtively kind to her, never forcing her into anything. These vigers, however, gave off a vibe of pure greed, lust, and brutality that made her shiver.

    Zhou Ke''er, noticing Yang Siya¡¯s terror, smirked arrogantly. She lifted her chin, showing off her swan-like neck. "Is this all it takes to scare you? How will you ever stay by Zhang Yi¡¯s side?"

    Zhou Ke''er had spent a month with Zhang Yi in Yue Lu Community, surviving numerous betrayals and witnessing Zhang Yi¡¯s deadly prowess. What was happening now was a minor event to her. She knew Zhang Yi had nned the demise of these vigers.

    From the second-floor window, Zhang Yi, like an experienced hunter, waited for his prey to walk into his trap. As the vigers approached within fifty meters of the vi, Zhang Yi confirmed the density of the crowd. He activated the vi''s active noise-canceling system, muting all external sounds. Then, he pressed an electronic button.

    A massive explosion erupted on the road outside the vi. Even with the noise-canceling, the st was clearly audible. mes shot into the sky, lighting up the night and revealing the colorful fragments of what seemed like fireworks¡ªexcept they were the dismembered bodies of the vigers. The explosion created a five-meter-deep crater, tearing up the concrete beneath the snow.

    The explosion urred right in the middle of the Xu Family Town¡¯s formation, killing dozens instantly and sending shockwaves that hurled others into surrounding traps. Nail boards and animal traps inflicted further injuries on the already wounded vigers.

    Zhang Yi watched the gruesome scene unfold. Vigers screamed in pain, clutching their pierced feet or impaled faces, some with nails driven deep into their flesh, others trapped in animal traps, desperately trying to free themselves.

    Seeing their agony, Zhang Yi shook his head and sighed. "If only I had morendmines, I could kill them all quickly and spare them the suffering."

    Outside, the air was filled with agonized screams, resembling the cries of crows in a graveyard. Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya, witnessing the carnage, instinctively stepped back. They could see some injured vigers stumbling closer, pleading for help with contorted faces.

    "Help me, help me!" one viger, missing his lower half, crawled towards the window, staring at Yang Siya with desperate eyes. His lower body was a horrific mess.

    Yang Siya¡¯s hair stood on end, and she bent over, vomiting uncontrobly. Even Zhou Ke''er, despite her toughness, turned pale and looked away. Only Zhang Yi remained unfazed. He had seen too much death and destruction to be affected anymore.

    Living or dead, the strong survived, and Zhang Yi was unflinchingly ready to face it head-on.

 Chapter 193: The Hunter and the Cold Arrow

    Chapter 193: The Hunter and the Cold Arrow

    The sudden explosion instantly imed over thirty lives, with countless more deaths following due to the ensuing chaos. The agonized cries of the vigers from Xu Family Town echoed across Cloud Manor. The horror left the survivors pale with fear, with some younger ones driven insane, screaming and running away.

    Those who were still alive were in shock from the explosion. Some were temporarily blinded, others were knocked unconscious, and some had their eardrums ruptured, leaving them deaf. Xu Dongsheng and the other senior members of the Xu family stood in stunned silence, their expressions nk and their eyes lifeless. They couldn''t ept the reality before them; the shock was too great for their minds to process.

    A mentally disturbed young man ran over and clung to Xu Dongsheng¡¯s leg, yelling hysterically, "They''re dead! They''re all dead! Blown to pieces¡ªarms, heads, everything!"

    "Grandpa, they¡¯re all dead!" Even in his delirium, the young man instinctively sought thefort of his elders, hoping for some reassurance. But, hearing his words, Xu Dongsheng felt his brain slowly rebooting, only to copse in despair.

    He looked at the carnage before him, his breathing rapid and sweat freezing on his forehead in the extreme cold. "He''s a demon... not a man, but a demon! We just wanted his supplies, and he killed dozens of us!" Xu Dongsheng''s eyes were wild, his speech incoherent. The seventy-year-old man was breaking down, unable to withstand the blow.

    With so many dead and as the instigator of this doomed attack, Xu Dongsheng couldn¡¯t escape me. The vigers, who had hoped the elders would lead them, now saw their leader in a state of mental breakdown. They became like headless chickens, running in panic, only to fall into more traps.

    Zhang Yi, watching from the second floor, confirmed the absence of the ice and snow ability user. He put away his sniper rifle. At a distance of 200 meters, there was no need to waste bullets. A white sh in his right hand revealed an exquisitepound bow and two quivers of arrows. Zhang Yi hung the quivers on his waist and held the bow in his left hand, issuing amand to the shelter''s intelligent system.

    "Open the window in front of me."Therge bulletproof ss window slowly lifted, letting the icy wind and snow rush in. Zhang Yi narrowed his eyes and quickly drew three arrows, cing them on the bowstring. Thanks to his precision shooting ability, he didn''t need extensive aiming. In half a month, he had mastered shooting three arrows simultaneously.

    Standing in the dark, Zhang Yi began his hunt, targeting the remaining vigers without mercy.

    "Swish!"

    "Swish!"

    "Swish!"

    Three sharp arrows whistled through the air, unaffected by the wind and snow due to the enhanced abilities. They struck three fleeing vigers, piercing through their chests cleanly. Combined with precision shooting, the modernpound bow was powerful enough to prate wild boars, let alone vigers in down jackets.

    In the pitch-ck night, with Zhang Yi''s floor remaining unlit, the silent arrows went unnoticed by the panicked vigers. Zhang Yi calmly continued to draw and shoot arrows, systematically picking off the fleeing vigers.

    Each arrow imed another life, and soon Zhang Yi had personally killed twenty-six vigers. It was only then that the remaining vigers noticed something was wrong.

    "There''s a hunter!" one viger shouted.

    The armed vigers hurriedly raised their guns to return fire. But Zhang Yi was using a bow, so there was no muzzle sh or light to give away his position. Equipped with infrared tactical goggles, Zhang Yi had a massive advantage over those relying on their eyes.

    Seeing the armed vigers, Zhang Yi prioritized taking them out. He opened a portal before him that swallowed any iing projectiles¡ªa top-tier defensive measure akin to a cheat. The old hunters only managed a single shot before arrows pierced their heads, leaving them with eyes wide open in disbelief. They couldn''tprehend how arrows could reach such a distance.

    As vigers fell one by one, many of them close friends and rtives, Xu Dongsheng and the other elders felt immense regret. Especially Xu Dongsheng, who now recalled Xu Chunlei''s warnings. He had never taken Zhang Yi seriously, but now he realized his arrogance and self-confidence had cost them dearly.

    Xu Dongsheng pped his face hard. "I deserve to die! I''m the Xu family''s sinner!" He shouldn''t have ignored Xu Chunlei''s advice. Things might have been different if he had at least brought Xu Chunlei along. For his pride, he had condemned over a hundred vigers to death.

    Zhang Yi continued to shoot, and each arrow was released into groups of three. His ability-assisted shooting felt exhrating, like ying a game with cheats. Against an ability user, ordinary people stood no chance, highlighting the disparity in power.

    "Since you came, none of you will leave!" Zhang Yi''s voice was cold. He intended to kill every one of them.

    At that moment, the wind and snow intensified, obscuring Zhang Yi''s view like a blizzard. His eyes lit up with excitement. "Why are you just showing up now!"

    The ice and snow ability user from Xu Family Town had finally made a move! Zhang Yi switched to his sniper rifle. In such a storm, arrows were insufficient. A sniper rifle was necessary!

 Chapter 194: Chase in the Snow

    Chapter 194: Chase in the Snow

    Xu Chunlei finally arrived, drawn by the explosion across the river. As an ability user, he understood the vast difference between ordinary people and those with powers. Having faced Zhang Yi before, he knew his abilities werepletely countered by Zhang Yi''s. If Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t been cautious of an ambush, Xu Chunlei would have died that day. But he couldn''t stand by and watch his entire vige die.

    The vigers of Xu Family Town, recognizing the familiar sight, breathed a sigh of relief. They knew Xu Chunlei hade to their rescue. Struggling from the riverbank, Xu Chunlei used his power to create a snowstorm, blocking Zhang Yi¡¯s line of sight while shouting to the vigers, "Run! Run!"

    Awakening from their shock, the vigers realized the attack had failed, and they had suffered heavy casualties. Unsure of what other traps Zhang Yi might have in store, they hurriedly gathered their injured rtives and carried the bodies of their fallen family members. Some, reduced to pieces, could only be taken inrger chunks, further slowing their retreat.

    Xu Chunlei was extremely nervous, terrified of dying, yet he knew he couldn¡¯t live with the guilt if everyone died here. He maintained the snowstorm, giving the vigers time to escape, the same tactic he had used to escape before.

    Zhang Yi watched the snowstorm inside the shelter, obscuring his vision and putting away his sniper rifle. His defensive abilities were incredibly strong, but his offensive capabilities, particrly at long range, were more limited. Shooting blindly into the snowstorm would only waste bullets. However, Zhang Yi had prepared to deal with the ice and snow ability user.

    Maintaining such arge snowstorm consumed a lot of energy. The distance from the shelter to the riverbank was over 700 meters. "Let''s see how long you can keep this up!" Zhang Yi muttered as he closed the window, letting the snowstorm rage outside. He opened his dimensional space and methodically suited up: bulletproof vest, pants, helmet, thermal clothing, and cut-resistant gloves. He armed himself with a knife, grenades, a w knife, and a pistol, leaving heavier items in the dimensional space for easy ess.

    Fully equipped, Zhang Yi quickly descended the stairs. He nced at Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya, leaving them with a brief "Wait for me here," before heading out.

    Yang Siya, having just finished vomiting, felt weak on the couch. Watching Zhang Yi''s decisive and vigorous demeanor filled her with a strong sense of security. The attack showed her how weak and powerless she was and how strong andposed Zhang Yi was. She couldn''t help but wonder how lucky she was to be by his side, yet she felt guilty for being unable to contribute more. All she could think to do was try harder in bed, feeling inadequate in every other way.Zhang Yi left the shelter, bypassing the chaotic southern route and opting for the western path to avoid his own traps. He wasn¡¯t worried about the vigers escaping because he had a vehicle. Zhang Yi took out his snowmobile and drove out of Cloud Manor via the other route, circling back to the riverbank for the chase.

    Xu Chunlei struggled to maintain the snowstorm, blocking Zhang Yi¡¯s line of sight. After a while, noticing the gunfire had ceased and Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t followed, he felt a brief sense of relief. But soon, everyone heard the sound of an engine.

    The snowmobile roared down the path, Zhang Yi using autopilot while firing an assault rifle at the retreating vigers. Bullets sprayed out like fire, taking seven or eight lives in an instant. The vigers screamed in terror. "Chunlei, stop him!" someone shouted.

    Hearing the call, Zhang Yi scanned the crowd, spotting a conspicuous figure: slightly overweight, facing Zhang Yi with raised hands while everyone else fled. "It''s you!" Zhang Yi tossed the assault rifle to the passenger seat and set up his sniper rifle.

    "Boom!" The shot rang out, but an icy barrier suddenly formed, diverting the bullet. The enhanced bullet, wrapped in energy, pierced through the ice but veered off course, missing Xu Chunlei by just twenty centimeters and mming into the ice.

    Xu Chunlei felt a chill run through him, narrowly escaping death. With Zhang Yi¡¯s improved spatial abilities and the power of the sniper rifle, he could now prate the snowstorm. However, the bullet¡¯s trajectory was still affected.

    "Chunlei, go!" A sled pulled up, and a man extended a hand. Realizing Zhang Yi¡¯s threat, they were all fleeing for their lives. Xu Chunlei grabbed the hand and was pulled onto the sled.

    Zhang Yi stopped at the riverbank. The wide river, its thick ice formed over a month of freezing temperatures, was likely five or six meters deep. After briefly hesitating, he turned and drove onto the ice in pursuit.

    This was the perfect chance to eliminate the enemy ability user. They had caused too much trouble already, and Zhang Yi had no reason to let them go. The snowmobile roared across the ice, rapidly closing the distance on the sleds. Despite the sled dogs'' efforts, they couldn¡¯t outrun the snowmobile.

    As he closed in, Zhang Yi set up his sniper rifle, seeking an opening to target Xu Chunlei. Killing the ability user would turn the remaining vigers into defenseless sheep. In the face of danger, Xu Chunlei summoned incredible strength, maintaining the snowstorm to block Zhang Yi¡¯s view. Knowing his attacks couldn''t harm Zhang Yi, he focused on obstructing his aim.

    However, the fleeing crowd was scattered. Spotting Xu Chunlei protecting himself, Zhang Yi turned his gun on the vigers instead.

    "Boom!" The shot echoed across the river, piercing through three people huddled on a sled and dropping them onto the ice.

 Chapter 195: Breaking the Ice

    Chapter 195: Breaking the Ice

    Xu Chunlei''s ability could disrupt Zhang Yi''s vision, but its range was limited. He could protect himself, but not the others. On the ice, vigers from Xu Family Town fled in panic, making them easy targets for Zhang Yi. He had no qualms about killing them since they attacked first. With his military-grade sniper rifle enhanced by his abilities, Zhang Yi''s shots were devastating. One shot prated three people, filling the air with a mist of blood.

    Reloading, Zhang Yi aimed again and fired, killing two more vigers. Each sled was crowded with three or four people carrying their rtives'' bodies, slowing them down. Realizing this, someone shouted, "Drop the bodies! Run!"

    The vigers were torn. They were carrying their loved ones'' bodies, adhering to their belief in proper burial for peace and blessings. But the relentless killing machine behind them left them no choice. Reluctantly, they abandoned the bodies on the ice, hoping it would slow Zhang Yi down. It did little to impede his progress, as a vehicle would always outrun dogs. The gunfire continued, each shot echoing with death as vigers fell.

    Xu Chunlei watched in agony as his fellow vigers fell. His cousin, Xu Yongzhi, shouted desperately, "Chunlei, do something!"

    The others looked to Xu Chunlei with pleading eyes. Only an ability user could stop another ability user. Xu Chunlei, under immense pressure, felt his mind breaking. In his desperation, an idea struck him. He stretched his right hand towards Zhang Yi''s path, his eyes glowing blue. With a slow, deliberate motion, he clenched his hand.

    "Crack!" A sharp sound echoed as a long fissure appeared on the ice, expanding rapidly. Zhang Yi''s snowmobile tilted dangerously as it hit the fractured ice. He grabbed the window frame as the vehicle lost bnce, the auto-pilot system quickly applying the brakes. The snowmobile tilted, forcing Zhang Yi to halt the chase.

    He jumped out, assessing the situation. The ice had cracked significantly, forming a ten-meter-long fissure that ensnared one of the snowmobile''s wheels. Zhang Yi realized that while Xu Chunlei couldn''t break through the five or six meters thick icepletely, his potential to control ice could grow stronger.

    From afar, the vigers were escaping into the trees, taking advantage of the pause in Zhang Yi¡¯s pursuit. He raised his sniper rifle and fired twice more, killing two more vigers before they disappeared. "Looks like fighting on the ice is out of the question from now on," Zhang Yi muttered, observing the long fissure."If his ability was stronger, or the ice thinner, I¡¯d be in the water right now," Zhang Yi thought. He exhaled, white vapor escaping his lips. He used his spatial ability to reposition the snowmobile, then drove back to Cloud Manor.

    The southern route was in disarray, with most of the traps destroyed, leaving only thest fifty meters intact. Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t concerned; he had killed enough invaders. He nned to clear and re-establish the trapster.

    Returning home, he found Yang Siya pale and weak on the couch, having vomited all her food from the day. Despite her outward disdain, Zhou Ke''er was massaging Yang Siya''s head, helping her rx. Seeing Zhang Yi return, Zhou Ke''er asked, "Did you get the ability user who attacked usst time?"

    Yang Siya, weakly, looked up at Zhang Yi. He shook his head, "No. The guy is a coward, won''t face me head-on. His abilities make it hard to kill him." Zhang Yi was cautious not to engage on unfavorable terms, but he was confident he could win in a direct confrontation.

    Yang Siya''s gaze dropped, and she softly asked, "Aren¡¯t you afraid of being held ountable for killing so many people? Killing is illegal."

    Her tone was weak, reflecting her shaken belief that the world would return to normal. Zhang Yi smiled, walked over, and pinched her soft cheek. "What do you think?"

    Yang Siya remained silent, knowing deep down that her hope for a return to civilization was a dream. Zhang Yi stood up, feeling hungry after the fight. "Ke''er, I''m hungry. Make me something to eat."

    Zhou Ke''er immediately stood up, "Sure, what do you want?"

    "Roasted pig brain, spicy duck blood, duck gizzards with garlic, and nine-turn pig intestines," Zhang Yi replied.

    Yang Siya''s face turned even whiter at the names of the dishes. "Ugh¡ª" she gagged.

    Zhang Yi chuckled, "Feeling weak? You should eat something to regain your strength."

    Yang Siya, flushed with anger, snapped, "Are you a devil?"

    Seeing her angry expression made Zhang Yi happy. He leaned in and whispered, "How about something more nutritiouster tonight?"

    Yang Siya blushed but didn¡¯t reject his advance this time.

 Chapter 196: Hero or Coward?

    Chapter 196: Hero or Coward?

    Xu Family Town, Xu Dong Vige.

    The vigers fled back, looking miserable and defeated. Many were so traumatized by the horrors they had witnessed that their eyes were vacant, and they copsed into the snow. The air was filled with the cries of the wounded and the mourning of those who had lost loved ones.

    The women who had stayed behind were horrified by the sight. They had expected to wee back victorious heroesden with spoils of war. Instead, the once proud and robust group returned halved in number, broken and bleeding.

    "Where''s my son? Where is he?"

    "Little Zhi, Little Zhi!"

    "Wait, where''s my husband? Did something happen to him?"

    The women frantically searched for their fathers, husbands, and sons, only to be met with grief and despair.

    Xu Chunlei stood in the snowy square, feeling profoundly uneasy as he observed the vigers'' plight. "I warned them," he sighed and quickly retreated to his home, unwilling to face the grieving vigers.However, it wasn''t long before someone barged into his house. "Xu Chunlei! Why are you hiding here?" His cousin, Xu Yongzhi, grabbed his arm, his voice urgent, "Come quickly, Grandpa is dying! He wants to see you!"

    Shocked, Xu Chunlei hurried to Xu Dongsheng''s house, dragging his plump body along. When he arrived, he found the entrance crowded with people, their expressions a mix ofplexity and usation. Xu Chunlei felt a chill run down his spine, as he saw no gratitude in their eyes, only me and resentment.

    "Ugh!" An elder spat on the ground. A weeping woman, her eyes red with tears, gritted her teeth and said, "Chunlei, I heard you didn''t go with them. Why didn''t you go? You''re the one with the powers in our family. When troublees, you should be the first to face it. But instead, you stayed home like a coward. Do you know how many people died because of you?"

    Xu Chunlei, sweating profusely, tried to exin, "I... I told them not to go. I warned them." But no one listened, or if they did, they didn''t care. With so many dead, nearly every family had lost someone, and the atmosphere was thick with resentment.

    People pointed fingers and hurled usations at him. "If you had been there, you could have used your powers to prevent the bombings. What were you thinking?" Xu Chunlei felt angry but couldn''t bring himself to shout back. Years of reclusive living had made him timid, and he couldn''t stand up to his elders.

    A schrly-looking old man with sses and neatly parted hair stepped out at that moment. "Enough!" hemanded. The vigers fell silent but continued to re at Xu Chunlei. The old man, Xu Dongtang, Xu Dongsheng''s younger brother and a respected figure in the family, gave Xu Chunlei a meaningful look. "Go in. Your grandpa wants to see you."

    Xu Chunlei lowered his head and walked into the house. The structure was one he had built using his ice abilities. After the heavy snowfall, he had used his powers to build shelters for everyone. These ice houses were well-insted and windproof, although they required regr maintenance to prevent melting from indoor fires.

    Inside, Xu Dongshengy on his ice bed, looking frail. The recent shock had taken its toll on his already old body, causing him severe distress. Seeing Xu Chunlei, Xu Dongsheng''s face showed guilt. "Chunlei, you''re here."

    Xu Chunlei rushed to his side, "Grandpa!" Xu Dongsheng weakly said, "It''s my fault for not listening to you. If I had, so many of our family wouldn''t have died."

    Xu Chunlei felt a lump in his throat. The vigers'' usations had deeply hurt him, but his grandfather''s understandingforted him. Xu Dongsheng continued, "I was foolish, thinking we were unbeatable just because we won fights with the neighboring viges after the snowstorm. Now I see it was because of you. Without you, we''re just farmers and fishermen, pretending to be warriors."

    As he approached death, Xu Dongsheng realized his mistakes, though it was toote. He looked at the chubby young man by his bed, holding his hand. "I''ve told the others to me me, not you. We''re just ordinary people; we can''t fight those with great powers. They might say harsh things, but don''t hold it against them. We''re family, and we must support each other to survive."

    Xu Chunlei nodded, feeling touched. "I understand, Grandpa. I won''t hold it against them."

    Xu Dongsheng smiled weakly. "I''m dying, and I''m worried about our family. Chunlei, please protect the Xu family after I''m gone."

    Xu Chunlei was taken aback and gripped Xu Dongsheng''s hand tightly. "Grandpa, don''t say that. You''ll be fine!" But Xu Dongsheng''s smile was strained. At his age, he knew his body''s limits and could sense his approaching death.

    "Chunlei, take care of the family," he said, waving his hand weakly. "Now, let me rest."

    Xu Chunlei called out several times, "Grandpa!" but Xu Dongsheng only muttered, "I''m tired. Let me sleep."

    With that, his head fell to the side, and he passed away. Xu Chunlei called for the others, and the vigers rushed in, finding Xu Dongsheng lifeless. They wept and wailed, mourning their loss. Seeing no one paid him attention, Xu Chunlei slipped away quietly, burdened by grief and guilt.

 Chapter 197: Xu Chunleis Awakening

    Chapter 197: Xu Chunlei''s Awakening

    Xu Chunlei felt defeated today. His mind was clouded with conflicting thoughts and a sense of frustration. Was the disastrous oue really his fault? If so, he had warned Xu Dongsheng many times and ultimately saved the remaining vigers. Without his intervention, none would have survived Zhang Yi''s relentless assault.

    But if it wasn''t his fault, perhaps fewer would have died if he had joined the initial attack. As he walked home slowly, these thoughts weighed heavily on him. "Grandpa entrusted me with protecting the Xu family before he died. But what can I do? If that killeres, I can''t stop him; I can only run."

    Hemented, "I thought awakening my abilities would make me a hero, but why do so many troubles find me? I just want to be azy, carefree guy!" Xu Chunlei couldn''t make sense of it all.

    Just as he reached his home, he saw a girl waiting at the door. She was about eighteen or neen, wearing a long white down jacket with brown fur trim around the hood. Her small face peeked out from under the hood.

    Seeing Xu Chunlei, she walked over quickly. "Are you Chunlei?" Xu Chunlei''s heart skipped a beat. As an otaku, he was naturally awkward around real-life women. Her sweet voice made his mind race. "Uh... yeah, I''m Chunlei. Who are you?"

    Though they were from the same vige, he didn''t recognize everyone. The girl smiled sweetly. "I''m Xu Lili. Thank you for saving my father today." Her eyes were filled with gratitude.

    "My father said if it weren''t for you, they would have all died there." Xu Chunlei''s previously confused eyes brightened. He wasn''t a viin; he was a hero. He was supposed to be a hero!

    "Ha, it was nothing," he said modestly. Xu Lili continued, "My father is too weak toe himself, so he sent me to thank you." She lowered her head, embarrassed. "Sorry, we don''t have anything to give you. I came empty-handed."Xu Chunlei quickly waved his hands, "No, no, we¡¯re from the same vige. No need to be so formal! If you ever need anything, juste to me." Xu Lili chatted with him for a bit, then waved goodbye and disappeared into the snow.

    Watching her leave, Xu Chunlei''s heart pounded. Although he didn''t see her face clearly, he felt he had fallen in love with her. "Xu Lili? We must be distantly rted," he thought, contradicting his self-proimed indifference to real-life women. He clenched his fist, determination in his eyes. "I will protect this family. I must give her and our future children a safe environment."

    Back home, he pondered how to handle the uing crisis. His encounters with Zhang Yi had shown him the man''s terrifying resolve. Zhang Yi killed without hesitation, using traps and weapons designed for maximum lethality. Xu Chunlei imagined Zhang Yi as a bloodthirsty demon.

    "He must be furious. He mighte to attack Xu Dong Vige and kill everyone!" Xu Chunlei promised his grandfather he would protect the vige and now had love to fight for. But how could he confront Zhang Yi directly?

    Xu Chunlei couldn''t bear the thought of fighting Zhang Yi head-on. He had never killed anyone; the most he had done was use his abilities in skirmishes with neighboring viges. After much thought, he concluded there was only one solution: negotiation.

    Excited by his idea, he thought, "I''m a genius! It''s dangerous, but to protect the Xu family and Lili, it''s worth the risk!" He quickly sat at hisputer, searching for a way to contact Zhang Yi. "Lili must like me, right? I saved her father. She must have feelings for me."

    As he fantasized, he convinced himself of her affections, even imagining their future children. In reality, she was just being polite and building rapport with him, an ability user in their vige. But Xu Chunlei,cking real-world experience with women, was swept away by a small gesture of kindness.

    The next morning, Zhang Yi carefully cleaned up the damaged traps around the vi. The most powerful grenade traps and explosive mines had been triggered, but animal traps and nail boards were still scattered everywhere. The ground was littered with corpses, some whole, others in pieces. He buried the remains to avoid waste and reset the traps.

    With most of the traps destroyed, only those within fifty meters of the vi remained intact. But Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t worried. He had killed enough invaders, and Xu Dong Vige was unlikely to dare approach again. The traps would remain for any future threats.

    Reflecting on the recent battle, Zhang Yi admired the ice ability user who had maintained a cautious distance throughout the fight. Both he and the user shared amon trait: a fear of death. Zhang Yi respected that pragmatism.

    However, he also recognized the potential danger. The ice ability was incredibly versatile, offering both offensive and defensive capabilities and the ability to alter terrain. It was like having an ice mage from an online game.

    "I need to find a way to eliminate him," Zhang Yi decided. "Such a powerful ability user could be a major problem in the future. If he can¡¯t be an ally, he must be dealt with as an enemy."

 Chapter 198: Negotiation

    Chapter 198: Negotiation

    After setting up the traps, Zhang Yi returned to his shelter. The vigers from Xu Family Town were not his main concern; the ice and snow ability user was. However, after witnessing the user''s potential, Zhang Yi decided not to cross the river for battle. He would wait for the right moment to snatch an opportunity and take down his opponent with a sniper rifle, now enhanced to a formidable range of 1500 meters.

    Back in the living room, Zhang Yi sat on the sofa as Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya attentively came over to massage his shoulders and legs. Afterwards, Yang Siya¡¯s attitude became noticeably more affectionate. Recognizing the harsh reality and her own helplessness, she smartly chose to depend on the man before her.

    Life was enjoyable for Zhang Yi. The two women wore the outfits he provided: Yang Siya disyed her impressive figure in a low-cut slip dress with ck stockings by Balenciaga. Zhang Yi insisted she walk around barefoot, finding great pleasure in watching her graceful movements.

    Zhou Ke''er, with her tall, model-like figure and elegant demeanor, embodied the image of an ideal wife. Zhang Yi constantly pushed her boundaries, making her wear increasingly provocative clothing, with his favorite being a nude apron look, which was both arousing and suggestive of domestic bliss.

    As Zhang Yi relished this lifestyle, his phone suddenly rang. It was an unknown number. He thought of Lu Fengda from a few days ago, who had essed his personal information through the inte. Zhang Yi''s information was not hard to find, being sold by various tforms.

    The phone kept ringing. Zhang Yi, moreposed this time, answered casually. "Hello."

    An excited voice responded, "Zhang Yi! Hello, I''m Xu Chunlei! Thank you for taking my call. Can we talk? I have something important to discuss."

    "Xu Chunlei? You''re from Xu Family Town," Zhang Yi noted, his eyes narrowing. Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya also tensed up. They held no goodwill towards the people who had attacked their shelter the previous day.Xu Chunlei rified, "I''m from Xu Dong Vige in Xu Family Town, but that''s not important. I called to propose a truce. Let''s not have any more conflicts. How about we make peace?"

    Zhang Yi chuckled coldly. "Peace? Are you joking? You¡¯ve been causing trouble from the start. Now that you can''t win, you want to make peace? The world doesn¡¯t work that way."

    Xu Chunlei, feeling nervous, started sweating. To him, Zhang Yi was a powerful and terrifying figure. "No, I mean we seek your forgiveness. It was our vige''s fault. We haven''t harmed you, but we''ve suffered greatly. Can you forgive us? We''re willing to meet any conditions you set."

    Zhang Yi sensed the fear in Xu Chunlei''s voice and found it curious. If Xu Dong Vige really wanted peace, they would have sent someone more reliable. The nervous voice on the other end didn¡¯t seem experienced.

    He rubbed his chin, pondering. "Can I ask if you can represent Xu Dong Vige in this negotiation?"

    Xu Chunlei swallowed hard and nodded. "Yes, I can."

    "Why? Who are you?"

    "I''m the ability user who fought you twice," Xu Chunlei admitted, revealing his identity to gain Zhang Yi''s attention.

    Zhang Yi''s demeanor shifted upon realizing the person on the other end was the ice and snow ability user. "So, it''s you."

    "Yes, it''s me. Zhang Yi, do you think I''m qualified to negotiate?"

    Given his abilities, Xu Chunlei indeed had the qualifications. Zhang Yi, wary of his potential, took him seriously. "Oh? So if I agree to peace, Xu Dong Vige will meet any of my demands?"

    Xu Chunleiughed nervously, "As long as the conditions aren''t too difficult, I can agree."

    Xu Chunlei, having seen Zhang Yi''s abilities, was certain Zhang Yi controlled arge cache of Walmart supplies. Thus, he doubted Zhang Yi needed food or other basic resources. Xu Chunlei wasn''t foolish, just reclusive.

    Zhang Yi smiled, realizing Xu Dong Vige had little interest. Their stored grains and fish catches paledpared to his resources. However, there was one thing he coveted.

    "Alright. What I want is you, Xu Chunlei!" Zhang Yi dered.

    He desired Xu Chunlei''s limitless potential with his ice and snow abilities. If he could recruit Xu Chunlei, it would be immensely beneficial in the future.

 Chapter 199: Lap Pillow

    Chapter 199: Lap Pillow

    Xu Chunlei was startled by Zhang Yi''s words. He shouted in fear, "Don''t do this! I''m... I''m a virgin!"

    Zhang Yi rolled his eyes, while Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya couldn''t help but giggle. "Idiot! What are you thinking? I mean I''m interested in your abilities," Zhang Yi rified.

    "Here''s the deal. If you really want to make peace,e here yourself. Show me you''re worth negotiating with!" Zhang Yi emphasized, "Otherwise, I won''t tolerate your repeated harassment. Your powers don''t work on me. If I cross the river, wiping out your entire vige will be a piece of cake!"

    Zhang Yi''s threat seeded in scaring Xu Chunlei. "No! Don''t!" Xu Chunlei shouted, standing up and pacing nervously. Facing Zhang Yi terrified him. "Destroying Xu Dong Vige gains you nothing! Besides, don''t think we have no defenses," Xu Chunlei attempted to sound confident.

    Zhang Yi sneered, "Defenses? I''d like to see what you have. Remember, I have a sniper rifle. I don''t need to get close to kill every one of you. Unless you n never to leave your houses again!"

    Xu Chunlei was extremely nervous. He had attempted a heroic act, hoping to use his abilities to negotiate peace and earn Xu Dongsheng¡¯s approval, and perhaps win Xu Lili''s admiration. But if he messed this up and angered Zhang Yi, he would be Xu Dong Vige''s biggest traitor.

    "Wait! Zhang Yi, don''t get angry. Let''s talk more, okay?" Xu Chunlei pleaded. "Keeping Xu Dong Vige around is beneficial to you too. Xu Dong Vige and Cloud Manor can help each other against external threats in the future!"

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow and scoffed, "Enemies? Right now, you''re my biggest enemy. You tried to take everything from me, failed, and now want peace without paying a price. Does that make sense to you? As far as I''m concerned, only you, Xu Chunlei, have the right to talk to me.""You cane or not. Whether I cross the river depends on my mood," Zhang Yi said, pushing Xu Chunlei to make a choice.

    Xu Chunlei''s fear of Zhang Yi grew, the shadow of Zhang Yi¡¯s power loomingrge in his mind. He remembered how Zhang Yi had ughtered his people like animals. "I''lle! I''lle, okay?" Xu Chunlei blurted out, desperate not to lose thisst chance.

    Zhang Yi, seeing Xu Chunlei had taken the bait, smiled. "Good. Come at 2:30 PM. It''s a bit warmer then." Zhang Yi hung up before Xu Chunlei could change his mind.

    On the other end, Xu Chunlei stood in shock. He couldn''t believe he had agreed so impulsively. The reality of facing Zhang Yi was terrifying. He had survived before by staying hidden and using his abilities from a distance. If he got closer, he could imagine a hundred ways he might die.

    Xu Chunlei copsed to his knees, his face dark with despair. "I''m doomed this time."

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi ced his phone on the table, contemting how to handle the afternoon meeting. He understood Xu Chunlei¡¯s abilities well: controlling snow and ice for attacks and defense, and creatingrge-scale environmental effects. But Zhang Yi''s dimensional gate could nullify physical attacks, and he could snipe Xu Chunlei from 1500 meters away. Up close, Zhang Yi''s equipment would give him a decisive advantage.

    "Should I kill him?" Zhang Yi wondered. A highly potential ability user could be a great threat but also a valuable ally. Xu Chunlei¡¯s abilities were appealing. If abilities were ranked, Xu Chunlei''s would be above Uncle You''s physical enhancement, and only slightly below Zhang Yi''s spatial abilities.

    "I''ll test him first. Decide to kill or recruitter," Zhang Yi decided. He had no deep hatred for the vigers of Xu Dong Vige, having already killed over a hundred. They were like ants trying to invade his shelter, unworthy of his anger. But Xu Chunlei intrigued him.

    After lunch, Zhang Yi took a nap. Yang Siya wanted to join him, but he refused. "I have important business this afternoon. I¡¯ll deal with youter!" he said, declining her request to sleep together but allowing her to sit on the bed and provide ap pillow.

    Yang Siya obediently sat on therge bed, lifted herce nightgown, and revealed her smooth, rounded thighs. Zhang Yi rested his head on her legs, enjoying the soft and stic feel.

    He put aside thoughts of Xu Family Town, focusing on resting to maintain his best condition for the meeting with the ice and snow ability user. "Wake me up at two," he saidzily.

    "Okay, rest easy," Yang Siya replied. As Zhang Yi closed his eyes, she smiled subtly at his handsome, determined face. The more time she spent with him, the more she liked his character. She had initially thought of him as a bad man, but now found his badness intriguing and felt safe with him.

    "Rest well, my little man," she whispered, gently caressing his face.

    "Stop it," Zhang Yi muttered, blinking up at her.

 Chapter 200: The Dutiful Grandson

    Chapter 200: The Dutiful Grandson

    At 2 PM, Zhang Yi, fully equipped, stood by the window, waiting for Xu Chunlei to arrive for their negotiation. From this vantage point, he could spot anyone stepping onto the river ice, well within the 1500-meter range of his sniper rifle.

    Zhang Yi removed his Rolex and ced it on the table, checking the time. If Xu Chunlei showed up, it would give Zhang Yi full control. Even if negotiations failed, he could kill Xu Chunlei instantly. Should the talks copse, Zhang Yi wouldn''t massacre Xu Dong Vige but would regrly patrol the riverbank, sniping any vigers who ventured out to fish¡ªan essential food source they couldn¡¯t afford to give up.

    After waiting a while, a shadow emerged from the chaotic snow and trees on the other side of the river. Zhang Yi raised his sniper rifle and looked through the scope. He clearly saw a plump figure in a ck down jacket, legs resembling two square blocks, and aical furry hat. "It''s him!" Zhang Yi recognized the figure, having seen the same silhouette through his tactical visor the previous night.

    As Xu Chunlei stepped onto the ice, he immediately slipped and fell hard on his backside. Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but burst intoughter. "Is this the ice and snow ability user I was so cautious about? The one with limitless potential?" he chuckled but quickly reminded himself not to judge by appearances.

    Xu Chunlei¡¯s next clumsy attempt to stand up ended with another face-first fall into the snow. Zhang Yi struggled to contain hisughter, finding it hard to take Xu Chunlei seriously. After a few more embarrassing slips and falls, Xu Chunlei cautiously got back on his feet and started his precarious journey across the ice.

    Zhang Yi watched closely, making sure there were no signs of an ambush. After several minutes of Xu Chunlei¡¯s awkward trek, it was clear he was alone. Zhang Yi rxed slightly. "Looks like I''ve really scared them."

    Satisfied that it wasn¡¯t a trap, Zhang Yi put away his sniper rifle and prepared to meet this interesting ability user. Xu Chunlei finally reached the shore, his breathingbored, and called Zhang Yi from his iPhone. "Hello, I''m at the shore. How do I get to you? I''m afraid of the traps around your ce."

    "No need. I''m already here," came Zhang Yi''s cold voice from ahead. Xu Chunlei looked up to see Zhang Yi''s piercing gaze. One was heavily armed, the other bundled up and breathless. Zhang Yi found the scene somewhat amusing, far from his envisioned dramatic encounter.Xu Chunlei, however, felt his legs go weak with fear. "You... you''re Zhang Yi?" he stammered.

    Zhang Yi nodded, "And you must be Xu Chunlei?"

    "Yes, that''s me," Xu Chunlei replied, mustering his courage. "I came to negotiate peace. Continuing this fight benefits no one. It''s pointless."

    Zhang Yi sneered, "Whether it has meaning isn¡¯t for you to decide. As the aggressors, you should be ashamed."

    Xu Chunlei scratched his head awkwardly. "I understand. It was our fault. What will it take for you to agree to peace?"

    Xu Chunlei¡¯s humble approach caught Zhang Yi off guard. He had expected a more confrontational stance. Instead, the plump, clumsy man before him was far from a shrewd negotiator. Zhang Yi felt like he was hitting a soft target.

    Not showing his thoughts, Zhang Yi crossed his arms and sternly asked, "What are you willing to sacrifice for my forgiveness?"

    Xu Chunlei blinked and quickly responded, "Anything but the lives of our vigers. Whatever you want, we''ll do our best to meet your demands."

    The situation was peculiar. Zhang Yicked nothing, while Xu Dong Vige had nothing to offer. Yet Zhang Yi needed to assert his dominance. "Who ordered the attack on my shelter? That person must die for us to talk."

    Unexpectedly, Xu Chunlei answered eagerly, "That''s easy! It was Grandpa who decided. He died from fright when he got back. So, you should be satisfied now, right?" His genuine smile made Zhang Yi''s eye twitch.

    "You''re pleased about this, aren¡¯t you?" Zhang Yi thought, impressed by Xu Chunlei''s apparent sincerity. "You¡¯re quite the dutiful grandson," he muttered sarcastically.

    Xu Chunlei scratched his chubby face. "The dead are gone. The living must move forward. And this was our fault to begin with, so we can''t me you."

    Seeing Xu Chunlei¡¯s earnest attitude, Zhang Yi contemted his next move. It would be highly beneficial if he could turn this powerful ability user into an ally. Otherwise, Xu Chunlei would remain a significant threat. "Alright," Zhang Yi finally said. "I have some conditions. Let''s see if you can meet them."

 Chapter 201: Surrender

    Chapter 201: Surrender

    Fatty Xu''s simple and honest appearance gave Zhang Yi an inexplicable sense of familiarity. He had known people like this before.

    People who were not good at socializing, who grew up in ordinary environments, often developing a sense of inferiority. Their poor social skills made it hard for them to make friends as they grew up. So, when someone showed them a bit of kindness, they would give their all. After being betrayed by their so-called friends, they would start doubting reality and immerse themselves in anime.

    Fatty Xu exhibited these traits, especially his excessive empathy. He could even consider things from Zhang Yi¡¯s perspective, the man who had killed hundreds of people from Xu Dong Vige.

    Seeing Fatty Xu like this, Zhang Yi''s desire to kill him diminished. However, he didn¡¯t fully trust him and intentionally said, "You¡¯re quite magnanimous, aren¡¯t you? Surely, I killed some of your rtives this time? Don¡¯t you want to avenge them?"

    Zhang Yi stared intently at Fatty Xu''s face. If there was any unusual expression, he would act immediately and take him down first!

    However, the sudden change in expression he anticipated did not appear. Fatty Xu merely lowered his eyelids, slightly saddened, and said, "My parents... they both died shortly after the snowstorm."

    "My dad had a heart attack on the first day of the drastic temperature drop. The snow was too heavy. We couldn¡¯t get him to a hospital or find an ambnce, so he died at home."

    "And my mom, who was in poor health, died in bed a weekter."Fatty Xu''s face showed a hint of apology: " I''m Sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to tell you these things."

    "After all, there¡¯s nothing happy about them. I apologize if it affected your mood."

    He smiled awkwardly, looking somewhat embarrassed.

    Zhang Yi was silent momentarily before asking, "What about the rest of your family? Aren¡¯t the people in Xu Jia Vige all one family?"

    "One family? Hmm... sort of!" Fatty Xu''s expression was slightly confused, as if he didn¡¯t see a problem with this statement but also found it puzzling.

    "Though we''re of the same n, no one in my family ever thought much of me. In their eyes, I¡¯m probably just a worthless guy who only knows how to y on theputer at home!"

    Fatty Xu scratched his head and smiled, "You see, they all treat me like this. How much feeling can I have for them?"

    "So, I don¡¯t hate you for killing the people of Xu Jia Vige. On the contrary, I admire you."

    "You were so cool, chasing us down with a sniper rifle while driving!"

    At this point, Fatty Xu looked at Zhang Yi with eyes full of admiration.

    He dreamed of being a hero as cool as that, making everyone in the vige admire him and stop seeing him as a useless fat nerd.

    Zhang Yi stared at Fatty Xu for a long time. Fatty Xu was also very nervous inside. He knew little about Zhang Yi''s abilities and could only guess they were rted to space. But one thing was sure, Zhang Yi''s abilitiespletely restrained his. So, if they fought, he had no chance of winning at this distance!

    After a full minute, Zhang Yi slowly spoke, "Alright, since you¡¯vee to make peace, I¡¯ll give you a chance!"

    "I have no interest in your vige. Those muggles can¡¯t affect me much. But you, you¡¯re interesting. For your sake, I¡¯ll spare Xu Dong Vige!"

    Zhang Yi knew exactly how to deal with people like Fatty Xu. He was timid and sensitive but would give his all if you showed him some recognition. He needed to be treated gently, not coerced.

    Sure enough, Fatty Xu was thrilled to hear this. For his sake? Did this mean Zhang Yi recognized him? It was a great honor for someone as powerful as Zhang Yi to recognize him!

    "Thank you!" Fatty Xu said, moved.

    "Don''t be in such a hurry! I have other conditions."

    Zhang Yi continued, "From now on, you must follow my orders! You cannot refuse any of my demands."

    Zhang Yi very much wanted a powerful ice-based ability user under hismand. Since killing him and the people of Xu Dong Vige wouldn''t benefit him, he might as well show kindness to Fatty Xu and recruit him.

    Fatty Xu hesitated a bit upon hearing this condition. "Any demand?"

    This vague concept worried him. What if Zhang Yi had his eyes on him one day?

    Zhang Yi saw his concern and smirked. "I won¡¯t send you to your death!"

    Keeping Fatty Xu was to have a useful helper when facing tough enemies in the future.

    Seeing Fatty Xu''s hesitation, Zhang Yi thought for a moment and pulled out his trump card.

    "A die-hard otaku like you shouldn''t be able to resist this!"

    Zhang Yi reached out and took something from a huge warehouse in another space, then handed it over.

    "If you follow me, you won¡¯t be mistreated."

    Fatty Xu looked up and saw what Zhang Yi had handed over. His eyes were glued to it, and his whole body trembled with excitement.

    "Rei Ayanami!!!"

    What Zhang Yi took out was an unopened Rei Ayanami figure. It was a limited edition from 2024, with only 50 released worldwide, and its online price had soared to 25,000 yuan, but it was still hard to get!

    This was the most coveted treasure for an old otaku like Fatty Xu!

    Fatty Xu couldn''t believe his eyes and pointed at himself, "This... is this for me?"

    Zhang Yi nodded, "I have plenty more like this. I also have some generational rare collectibles."

    "If you follow me, I guarantee you''ll have enough figures, pillows, and game cartridges!"

    You need to use the right means for the right person. For someone like Fatty Xu, other things might not work, but this definitely would!

    Fatty Xu let out an excited yelp, pounced on the precious Rei Ayanami figure, and hugged it tightly, his eyes burning with passion.

    "Zhang Yi, you¡¯re an otaku too! Do you... like Ellie?"

    Fatty Xu looked at Zhang Yi with anticipation.

    Zhang Yi was silent for a moment and then slowly shook his head. "I''m not a kid anymore."

    Fatty Xu''s face fell, and he lowered his head in disappointment.

    "Yeah... that''s true."

    Zhang Yi sneered, "Only newbie otakus like you would like her! In my heart, Rinko Nanase is the true eternal goddess!"

    The light in Fatty Xu''s eyes, which had dimmed, lit up again. It was the feeling of finding a kindred spirit.

 Chapter 202: The Best Tool

    Chapter 202: The Best Tool

    Just like that, Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu unexpectedly became partners. Zhang Yi naturally liked Fatty Xu because this harmless little fatty seemed easy to handle. Being around someone without any scheming always gave a sense of security, much like having a pet cat or dog. Of course, the main reason Zhang Yi took him in was his powerful ice ability. If Fatty Xu grew stronger, he would be a valuable asset under Zhang Yi¡¯smand.

    And for Fatty Xu? As an adult man who loved anime but was misunderstood by those around him, it had always been a source of pain. Meeting someone like-minded in Zhang Yi made him instantly feel close.

    "Zhang Yi, let¡¯s add each other on WeChat! Then we can talk about anime more often, hehe!" he said, sidling up to Zhang Yi. "I¡¯ve got 100TB of great stuff! Some limited editions from Japan you can¡¯t find here!"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s expression twisted a bit. "Actually¡­ I have a girlfriend."

    Fatty Xu''s face stiffened, then he bitterly retorted, "Three-dimensional women are so boring!"

    Zhang Yi ruthlessly replied, "You only say that because no real woman likes you, right?"

    Fatty Xu''s face turned pale, and he stepped back, looking at Zhang Yi in horror. "How did you know? Why did you have to say it out loud?"

    "And it''s not true that no one likes me. Hmph, there¡¯s a pretty girl chasing after me right now, and I¡¯m just thinking about whether to ept her or not!" he added stubbornly.Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, "Oh, really?" He didn¡¯t believe it for a second.

    "But since you¡¯re here, I need a favor," Zhang Yi said as an idea popped into his head.

    Fatty Xu blinked, "What favor?"

    "Follow me, and you¡¯ll see!" Zhang Yi replied, pulling out a snowmobile from thin air.

    This disy of pulling objects from thin air made Fatty Xu even more envious and awestruck. "Time can¡¯tpare, space is king! Brother Zhang, your ability is unique in the whole world!"

    Zhang Yi opened the car door and got in, curious, "Where do you get these theories? They¡¯re quite borate."

    Fatty Xu chuckled, "It¡¯s from our anime circle."

    Zhang Yi sneered, "Time is hidding, space is king?" He suddenly thought of something about himself. When he was on the brink of death, he had traveled back to the time before the apocalypse¡ªwasn''t that a form of time travel?

    "Could it be that I have a time-rted ability that hasn¡¯t been developed yet?" Zhang Yi had always suspected this. His rebirth, or time reversal, might be linked to his awakened powers. But so far, he hadn¡¯t found any signs of such abilities.

    "No matter. My abilities are just in their early stages. Maybe I''ll discover higher-level uses with more practice and refinement," he thought.

    Fatty Xu excitedly sat in the passenger seat, looking around curiously after fastening his seatbelt. "It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve been in a car! Thest time was two years ago when I visited my dad in the hospital."

    Zhang Yi nced at him, "You don¡¯t go out often?"

    Fatty Xu nonchntly replied, "I rarely go out unless my mom forces me to go downstairs for some activity."

    Zhang Yi nodded, "Oh, your mom forced you."

    Fatty Xu nodded, "Yeah, my mom forced me."

    As they chatted, Fatty Xu slowly realized something was off. "Wait, why does it feel like I¡¯ve been insulted?"

    Zhang Yi held back hisughter and started the car, driving away.

    "Brother Zhang, where are we going?" Fatty Xu asked.

    "Taking you to find something good!" Zhang Yi replied, heading towards arge gas station ten kilometers away.

    The shelter consumed a lot of energy; with his current reserves, it would onlyst about five years. Cautiously, Zhang Yi wanted to stockpile more. However, if he had to do it himself, he would have to use a digging machine, which would be time-consuming. That¡¯s why he hadn''t rushed to do it yet.

    But with Fatty Xu, the perfect ice-based tool, Zhang Yi first thought of using his ability to excavate the resources buried under the snow!

    They stopped in a vast, snowy expanse. Zhang Yi checked the surrounding buildings to confirm the location, then told Fatty Xu, "Help me clear out this snow!"

    Fatty Xu didn¡¯t know what Zhang Yi was nning, but since he had acknowledged Zhang Yi as his leader, he obedientlyplied. He walked over, extended his hands towards the snowy ground, and his eyes glowed an icy blue.

    Zhang Yi felt a familiar surge of power from Fatty Xu, simr to the one he felt when he used his precision shooting skills.

    Quickly, the snowy ground began to tremble violently. The umted snow,pacted into a solidyer like ice, started to crack, making a deep rumbling noise.

    "Poof¡ª"

    "Poof¡ª"

    "Crack¡ª"

    The ground cracked like a dense spiderweb, and thenrge chunks of ice and snow floated up and were thrown to the sides.

    Zhang Yi observed Fatty Xu closely. Although Fatty Xu had surrendered and became his subordinate, Zhang Yi still needed to understand his skills. As the saying goes, "Never drop your guard."

    Fatty Xu¡¯s expression was rxed initially, but as he cleared more snow, he began to strain. After five minutes, he had cleared a ten-meter-wide pit, revealing the gas station buried underneath.

    "Huff¡ª" Fatty Xu withdrew his power and copsed to the ground, panting heavily. "Brother Zhang, is this good?"

    Zhang Yi nodded, maintaining a calm exterior but feeling ecstatic inside. With Fatty Xu as a top-tier tool, acquiring resources would be so much easier in the future!

    He handed Fatty Xu two chocte bars. "Eat something to replenish your energy!"

    Fatty Xu¡¯s eyes lit up at the sight of the chocte bars. They were his favorite, but he hadn¡¯t had any in a long time. "Thank you, Brother Zhang!"

    He took the chocte bars, tore open the wrappers, and stuffed them into his mouth. The rich cocoa vor melted in his mouth, and he felt like crying with happiness.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi slid down the edge of the snow pit and collected the fuel stored in the gas station¡¯s underground tanks.

 Chapter 203: You Really Are a Genius

    Chapter 203: You Really Are a Genius

    With this haul, Zhang Yi secured several years'' worth of fuel. Climbing out of the snow pit, he saw Fatty Xu and nodded, ¡°Yes, it¡¯s done.¡±

    This statement acknowledged the sessful fuel collection and praised Fatty Xu. Without his help, this task wouldn¡¯t have beenpleted so easily.

    Fatty Xu was thrilled, pping his hands, ¡°That¡¯s great! Brother Zhang, you¡¯re amazing!¡±

    His genuine admiration made Zhang Yi feel a bit embarrassed. In reality, all Zhang Yi did was use his spatial ability to collect the fuel tanks. Fatty Xu did the heavy lifting.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t you guys ever think about digging for resources before?¡± Zhang Yi asked.

    Fatty Xu sighed, ¡°Of course we did. But we couldn¡¯t venture far from the vige with the bitter cold. Even with sled dogs, our breeds aren¡¯t suited for prolonged activity in such harsh conditions. So, we just excavated nearby supermarkets and granaries, which were enough for us. There was no need to go further.¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled warmly at Fatty Xu, liking him more and more. He was a top-tier helper. ¡°That¡¯s not a problem for me. Just stick with me, and you won¡¯t be shortchanged!¡± Zhang Yi said slyly, ¡°I¡¯ll even give you a can of the diesel and gasoline we collected!¡±

    Fatty Xu was initially pleased, but then his face fell. ¡°Brother Zhang, I appreciate the thought, but I cannot transport a gasoline can back home.¡±Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a shame. I¡¯m not the kind of guy who shortchanges his brothers. I guess I¡¯ll have topensate you another way.¡±

    He pulled out a backpack from his spatial storage¡ªthe one he had given Xu Hao. It was packed full of food. Handing it to Fatty Xu, he said, ¡°Here¡¯s some food as a reward for your help.¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s eyes lit up as he eagerly took the backpack. It was so heavy that he almost dropped it. Opening the zipper, he saw it was filled with high-quality food¡ªchocte, chicken legs, cream bread¡ªall from well-known brands, unlike the small, inferior products from his vige¡¯s supermarket.

    ¡°Brother Zhang¡­¡± Fatty Xu¡¯s eyes filled with tears. No one had treated him this kindly since his parents passed.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t these too much?¡± Fatty Xu asked, feeling a bit shy. He felt he hadn¡¯t done much¡ªjust clearing some snow while Zhang Yi did the main work.

    ¡°I always treat my people well. If you stick with me, you¡¯ll eat and drink well!¡± Zhang Yi assured him, patting Fatty Xu on the shoulder with a smile.

    Determination filled Fatty Xu¡¯s eyes. He saw Zhang Yi as a mentor who recognized his worth. ¡°Yes, Brother Zhang! I¡¯ll follow you and work hard!¡±

    Zhang Yi thought that otaku was so easy to please.

    With the needed supplies secured, Zhang Yi drove Fatty Xu back. On the way, he asked about how Fatty Xu awakened his abilities. Fatty Xu¡¯s face turned beet red, clearly ufortable. Zhang Yi, sensing something was odd, pressed him for answers.

    Unable to evade, Fatty Xu hesitantly exined, ¡°After my mom died, I didn¡¯t want to live either. But I couldn¡¯t bring myself tomit suicide, so I justy in bed, hoping to starve to death. It seemed easy enough, since we were out of food.¡±

    Zhang Yi asked, ¡°So you awakened your ability when starving?¡±

    ¡°No, not exactly,¡± Fatty Xu scratched his chubby face awkwardly. I was warm under the covers, and since I hadn¡¯t starved yet, I decided to enjoy myself onest time. My parents always warned me that too much self-gratification was bad for your health and lifespan, but I didn¡¯t care about that anymore.¡±

    ¡°So, I overindulged a bit,¡± Fatty Xu admitted.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyelid twitched, understanding how Fatty Xu awakened his ability. ¡°How many times?¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s face almost buried itself in his pants. ¡°I lost count. Maybe twenty times? Until I couldn¡¯t feel anything anymore.¡±

    ¡°Then, after I passed out, I felt a strange and wonderful change in my body,¡± Fatty Xu added.

    Zhang Yi was speechless. Awakening an ability from excessive self-gratification was unheard of! He could only think that everyone has their unique path.

    Zhang Yi dropped Fatty Xu off by the river. Fatty Xu looked at the several-hundred-meter-wide Lujang River and timidly asked, ¡°Brother Zhang, can¡¯t you take me across?¡±

    Given his physique, running several hundred meters was challenging. Zhang Yi smiled, ¡°My car slides easily on ice.¡±

    After the car broke down on the riverst time, Zhang Yi had been extra cautious. This was Fatty Xu¡¯s territory; Zhang Yi needed to stay alert.

    Fatty Xu asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t your car a snowmobile?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but it¡¯s not an icebreaker. It can only drive on snow, not ice,¡± Zhang Yi exined.

    Fatty Xu thought the exnation made sense, though he remembered Zhang Yi driving across the river skillfully the night before. However, he didn¡¯t question it and unbuckled his seatbelt to get out.

    Before he left, Zhang Yi warned, ¡°Chunlei, be careful.¡±

    Fatty Xu felt a surge of warmth hearing his name. ¡°Brother Zhang, what is it?¡±

    Zhang Yi seriously replied, ¡°The apocalypse is dangerous. Your Xu Jia Town is famous for its grain and vegetable production. People mighte to steal your food. Be cautious!¡±

    Fatty Xu gulped nervously. ¡°Yes, Brother Zhang, I¡¯ll remember!¡±

 Chapter 204: Tranquil Times

    Chapter 204: Tranquil Times

    Fatty Xu trudged along the ice-covered Lujang River, heading back. Meanwhile, Zhang Yi drove back to Cloud Manor. He had a deeper purpose for telling Fatty Xu those words. Warning the people of Xu Jia Town? He wasn''t that kind-hearted. They had attacked him twice; if they were wiped out one day, he wouldn¡¯t feel a thing.

    Zhang Yi knew that other groups might attack Cloud Manor in the future. Xu Jia Town, nearby, served as a natural shield. By instilling this mindset in Fatty Xu, anyone approaching would be seen as a potential enemy. This way, Xu Jia Town could help absorb some of the animosity aimed at Zhang Yi.

    "Having such a tool is not bad at all," Zhang Yi mused, watching the clumsy figure on the ice. However, he knew he must remain vignt. Fatty Xu sought his protection because of his disyed strength. Without it, he might have already been killed by Xu Dong Vige.

    From now on, Zhang Yi needed to continue strengthening himself to remain a formidable force. He turned away, feeling confident about his secure rear.

    But there was one thing Zhang Yi hadn''t anticipated: Fatty Xu, the strongest fighter in Xu Dong Vige or Xu Jia Town, wasn''t the one with the most power in the vige.

    Back at the vige, Fatty Xu excitedly reported the good news to the current n leader, Xu Dongtang. He believed that making peace with Zhang Yi meant safety for the vige. However, Xu Dongtang''s face darkened after hearing the report.

    After a long silence, Xu Dongtang coldly said, "Who told you to act on your own?"

    Fatty Xu expected praise, so Xu Dongtang''s reaction felt like a cold p. "Sixth Grandpa, but¡­ I prevented our vige from being attacked! You''ve seen Zhang Yi¡¯s strength; we can''tpete with him."Xu Dongtang sneered, "You dare speak of yesterday¡¯s events? Would we have lost so many people if you hadn''t hesitated?"

    Fatty Xu¡¯s face paled, unable to retort. Xu Dongtang continued, "If not for you, would your third grandpa be dead now? You made peace without permission and think it¡¯s a great achievement!"

    "Your arrogance is astounding!"

    Fatty Xu felt a stinging pain and deep disappointment on his face. "But¡­ I promised Third Grandpa that I would protect the vige. Peace is the best way..."

    "Silence!" Xu Dongtang''s sudden shout silenced Fatty Xu. His elder¡¯s authority made him avert his eyes. "That was presumptuous and foolish! I am the n leader now; you must seek my permission for any action! No more acting on your own!"

    Fatty Xu looked down, feeling very wronged. He believed he had done the right thing.

    Xu Dongtang¡¯s tone softened, patting Fatty Xu¡¯s shoulder, "Chunlei, I know you meant well, but you''re young and inexperienced. Because of you, our family suffered greatly. I stood up for you, or they would have expelled you from the vige."

    He sighed, "You need to stay here and atone. Don¡¯t do anything foolish again. Just follow the vige¡¯s orders. Understand?"

    Fatty Xu, feeling like he had no choice, nodded. "I understand."

    "Good, you can go now. Remember, no more unauthorized actions!"

    Fatty Xu left Xu Dongtang''s house, feeling despondent. Xu Dongtang watched him go, adjusting his sses, and muttering, "Young people, you are so arrogant. Don¡¯t think you can disrespect your elders just because you have some ability!"

    He then took out his phone and messaged the heads of the vige¡¯s branches, "Don¡¯t worry about Zhang Yi. I¡¯ve contacted him, and he agreed to a truce. He won''t threaten our safety anymore!"

    The heads, who had been worried about Zhang Yi attacking, breathed a sigh of relief and praised Xu Dongtang.

    "Sixth Grandpa, you''re amazing! You settled that scoundrel immediately!"

    "We should have made you the n leader earlier. Third Grandpa was too old and confused, making such mistakes."

    "Let¡¯s not speak ill of the dead."

    "Having Sixth Grandpa leading us is a blessing."

    Back at Cloud Manor, Zhang Yi discussed the situation with Fatty Xu and Xu Dong Vige with Zhou Ke¡¯er and Yang Siya, hoping to ease their worries.

    Yang Siya patted her chest, "That''s such a relief!"

    Zhou Ke¡¯er teased, "Really? You were that scared?"

    Yang Siya huffed, "I wasn¡¯t! I just¡­ didn¡¯t want to see such bloodshed again."

    If the fighting had continued, Zhang Yi would have wiped out the entire vige of a thousand people. Zhang Yi could definitely do it.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er smirked, "Yeah, yesterday you were vomiting like crazy."

    Yang Siya blushed with embarrassment, "Zhou Ke¡¯er!"

    "Hmph!" Zhou Ke¡¯er, smugly holding Zhang Yi''s arm, said, "Honey, you¡¯re amazing!"

    Zhang Yi shrugged, "Those vigers are just like stray cats and dogs, no threat to me. But if some underground forces show up, that will be troublesome."

    Yang Siyaforted him, "You always think the worst. Since we¡¯ve solved the immediate problem, let¡¯s celebrate!"

    Zhang Yi thought, trouble wille if you don''t think ahead. But seeing their happy faces, he didn¡¯t voice his concerns.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er walked to the bar, picking out two bottles of Burgundy wine, "Let¡¯s have a drink tonight to celebrate!"

    Yang Siya¡¯s eyes gleamed mischievously, "I¡¯ll cook my best dishes!"

    Known for her social prowess and impressive drinking skills, she nned to teach Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke¡¯er a lesson.

    Zhang Yi chuckled, "Just a little. I¡¯m not good with alcohol."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er and Yang Siyaughed even more. "Tonight¡¯s special! We¡¯ll drink just enough."

    The three of them ended up drinking until they were senseless.

    Late at night, Zhou Ke¡¯er was the first to pass out. Yang Siya, who drank half a bottle more, also sumbed. Only Zhang Yi, supposedly a poor drinker, sat at the table,pletely sober.

    Watching the two women who tried to get him drunk, Zhang Yi smiled. "I forgot to mention, I used to work in the alcohol sales business."

    But looking at them, his throat tightened. Both women, dressed in light pajamas,y on the couch, their clothes in disarray. Yang Siya¡¯s slip dress exposed her smooth shoulders and half of her bosom, while Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s disheveled pose exuded a wild allure.

    Zhang Yi remembered Yang Siya¡¯s earlier request and couldn¡¯t help but smile wickedly.

    ...

    After teaching Xu Jia Town a painful lesson, they never crossed the Lujang River again. Zhang Yi¡¯s days were peaceful, enjoying time with two beautiful women. With ample supplies and entertainment, life was enjoyable.

    On the other hand, Zhang Yi frequently received messages from Fatty Xu.

    "Brother Zhang, I''m bored at home. When will you take me on a mission?"

    "Brother Zhang, we should form a superpower team. Five members, each representing a color. You¡¯d be the leader, me Dragon Hero, and I¡¯d be Snow Mastiff Hero."

    "Brother Zhang, why aren¡¯t you responding? If you don¡¯t like it, we could be the Rainbow Team. I¡¯d be the Blue King, and you¡¯d be the Colorless King. How about that?"

    Since meeting Zhang Yi, Fatty Xu felt he had found a kindred spirit. Alienated in his vige after the battle, he longed for Zhang Yi¡¯spanionship andfort.

    To win him over, Zhang Yi chatted with him asionally and gathered information.

    Over time, Zhang Yi found it hard to keep up. Fatty Xu had too much energy with no girlfriend, sending hundreds of messages a day. Even without replies, he kept talking.

    ¡°Fatty, don¡¯t you have anything better to do?¡± Zhang Yi asked, exasperated.

    After a brief pause, Fatty Xu''s shocked voice replied, "Damn! Brother Zhang, how did you know? Are you that calcting? Impressive, I¡¯m convinced!"

    Zhang Yi: "..."

    Covering his face, Zhang Yi was speechless. He understood that people like Fatty Xu were often unappreciated. They¡¯d give their all for someone who treated them well, even if it was for ulterior motives. Feeling pity, Zhang Yi used ChatGPT to respond to Fatty Xu. It only took a few ¡°Oh,¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± or ¡°Really?¡± to make him happy.

    Wait, am I acting like a jerk? Zhang Yi shook his head, dismissing the thought.

    Days passed peacefully. Yang Siya tended to the garden, reviving many withered nts. She also nted vegetables, especially scallions, and peppers, which tasted best when fresh.

    Zhang Yi inspected the shelter, eliminating many safety hazards. Yet, one problem lingered: cybersecurity.

    Looking at the huge supeputer in the control room, Zhang Yi frowned. Thisputer controlled the shelter, providing numerous conveniences. Without it, the shelter would be paralyzed.

    If the shelter¡¯swork were hacked, the consequences would be dire. "How to solve this problem?" Zhang Yi pondered.

    He recalled Lu Fengda, who easily essed his personal data. Even Fatty Xu found his phone number. Network security was a significant issue that must be addressed to prevent the shelter from falling to a top-tier hacker.

 Chapter 205: Yang Siyas Secret

    Chapter 205: Yang Siya''s Secret

    When the sky was dark that night, Yang Siya quietly tiptoed into the living room and carefully walked upstairs. She nced at Zhang Yi¡¯s room, aplex expression shing in her eyes. Changing direction, she approached Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s door and gently knocked.

    "Come in," Zhou Ke¡¯er whispered, her beautiful face appearing as she opened the door. Seeing Yang Siya, she said softly, "Come in."

    Yang Siya slipped into the room, and Zhou Ke¡¯er cautiously checked Zhang Yi¡¯s room before slowly closing the door. Yang Siya took out her phone and handed it to Zhou Ke¡¯er. Sitting on the bed, Zhou Ke¡¯er looked at the message on the phone and immediately frowned deeply.

    "This..." Her expression was veryplicated, filled with conflict and reluctance. She seemed at a loss for what to do.

    Yang Siya walked over and pleaded softly, "Ke¡¯er, you have to help with this. You¡¯ve been with Zhang Yi for a long time; he¡¯ll listen to you more than to me."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er looked very hesitant. She ced her white hand on her chest and helplessly said, "I understand how you feel. But I know Zhang Yi too well. He won¡¯t do something like this!"

    Yang Siya grew anxious. "But we can¡¯t just watch and do nothing! She¡¯s your sister, too!"

    Zhou Ke¡¯er bit her lip, and her eyes were pained. "But we don¡¯t even know what¡¯s happening over there. Zhang Yi is excessively cautious, and that¡¯s what¡¯s kept us alive. He won¡¯t take this risk!"Yang Siya closed her eyes and took a deep breath, and when she opened them, her gaze was firm. "If we don¡¯t try, how will we know it won¡¯t work?"

    Zhou Ke¡¯er, seeing her determined expression, curiously asked, "What do you n to do?"

    Yang Siya¡¯s right hand moved down her neck, over her chest, and down her body. "A woman¡¯s best weapon is her body."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er suddenly grew wary. "So, you¡¯re nning to seduce him, right?"

    Yang Siya blushed. "It¡¯s not like that! I¡¯m doing this for Xin Xin!"

    Zhou Ke¡¯er snorted. "Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know what you¡¯ve been up to!"

    Yang Siya¡¯s eyes avoided Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s as she said, "Just tell me if you¡¯ll help or not."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er frowned slightly. "Help you?"

    She was a smart woman and quickly understood what Yang Siya meant. Her face turned red with embarrassment. "I¡­ I won¡¯t do that! It¡¯s too shameful!"

    While the two women discussed how to win over Zhang Yi, there was a knock on the door. Both Zhou Ke¡¯er and Yang Siya were startled. The only person who could be knocking at this time was Zhang Yi.

    Yang Siya¡¯s heart raced. They hadn¡¯t finished their conversation, and now Zhang Yi was here. How would they exin?

    Zhou Ke¡¯er hurried to open the door. Zhang Yi stood there in ck pajamas, looking at her and the seated Yang Siya with a yful expression. He had noticed Yang Siya sneaking upstairs. His cautious nature, or perhaps his spatial abilities, made him sensitive to his surroundings.

    He was curious about what these two women had to discuss at night that couldn¡¯t wait until daytime. Both women were in pajamas, Zhou Ke¡¯er in pink and Yang Siya in purple, both very revealing as Zhang Yi had chosen them.

    These pajamas covered just enough while revealing tantalizing glimpses of their skin. The sight of their white legs, exposed cleavage, and small, bare feet was highly stimting.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er blushed, and Yang Siya looked like a child caught with her hand in the cookie jar, making Zhang Yi suspicious. "Are you two that close?" he asked, tilting Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s chin and looking into her eyes.

    "You don¡¯t have to hide it from me. I¡¯m pretty open-minded. If you ever want to do this again, feel free to do it in front of me."

    "People are naturally curious," Zhang Yi teased.

    Even Zhou Ke¡¯er, normally innocent, understood his insinuation. "Oh, you¡¯re awful! I¡¯m not into girls!" she protested, yfully hitting Zhang Yi¡¯s chest.

    "Oh, you¡¯re not? Then why are you two in bed together in the middle of the night? Sharing techniques?" Zhang Yi asked, looking at Yang Siya with yful suspicion.

    Yang Siya, quick on the uptake, exined, "It¡¯s not like that, Zhang Yi. We were just discussing a family matter."

    "Family matter?" Zhang Yi paused. His parents had passed away years ago, and his rtives in Tianhai City were distant. He had no close family ties. However, not everyone was like him.

    Zhang Yi entered the room, closed the door, and sat with the two women on the bed. "Tell me. I hope there are no secrets between us."

    Zhang Yi smiled at them. "Do you have any rtives you want to bring here?"

    They had grown close, having spent time together. If they wanted to leave, Zhang Yi would be reluctant but wouldn¡¯t stop them.

    "It¡¯s not that," Zhou Ke¡¯er shook her head, looking sad. "I lost contact with my family after the snowstorm. I don¡¯t know if they¡¯re alive or dead."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s family was far away, some even abroad, makingmunication impossible. They were likely dead in the snowstorm.

    Zhang Yi nodded and looked at Yang Siya, who seemed uneasy. "Actually... my family contacted me."

 Chapter 206: The Genius Female Hacker

    Chapter 206: The Genius Female Hacker

    Hearing this, Zhang Yi lowered his eyelids. He hadn¡¯t spent much time with Yang Siya; from the beginning, she never gave up on the idea of leaving. He hadn¡¯t expected this day toe so soon. But so be it. Though he felt a bit reluctant, he wouldn¡¯t cling to her¡ªafter all, everyone had to move on with their lives.

    "Are theying to take you away?" Zhang Yi asked.

    Yang Siya quickly shook her head. "No, it¡¯s not like that! Actually... actually..." She hesitated, her ck-stockinged feet curling uneasily.

    Zhang Yi found this strange. "What do you mean? I don¡¯t understand. Your family has found you, but they don¡¯t want to take you away?"

    Yang Siya gave a bitter smile. "It¡¯s true that a family member contacted me. But it¡¯s not about taking me away. It¡¯s that..."

    She struggled for a while before looking at Zhang Yi with pleading eyes. "It¡¯s that she¡¯s in danger and hopes I can save her!"

    Her pleading look was heart-wrenching, making Zhang Yi want to hold her and never let go. Understanding why she had kept this from him and secretly discussed it with Zhou Ke¡¯er, Zhang Yi smirked.

    "Oh¡ªso that¡¯s how it is!"Save someone unrted to him? Was he supposed to be some saint? Realizing her secret was out, Yang Siya threw caution to the wind. Crawling over the bed, she clung to Zhang Yi¡¯s arm, begging, "Zhang Yi, please help me this once! She¡¯s my only family; I can¡¯t lose her!"

    Her scent wafted into Zhang Yi¡¯s nose, intoxicating. She was using her body to persuade him¡ªan age-old tactic. Even Zhou Ke¡¯er joined in, "Zhang Yi, I know this has nothing to do with you, but she¡¯s our family. If we let her die, we¡¯ll feel guilty forever!"

    Zhang Yi smiled at them, "You want me to rescue someone? Do you know what¡¯s going on outside?"

    "My information is already out there. Many people covet my resources and this super shelter! Leaving here means venturing into danger. Why would I do that for a stranger?"

    Without hesitation, Zhang Yi refused. Beauty tricks didn¡¯t work on him. Time spent together didn¡¯t cloud his judgment.

    Seeing his resolute refusal, Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er grew desperate. This was theirst hope to save her.

    "Zhang Yi, I can¡¯t just watch her die!"

    "If you save her, I¡¯ll do whatever you ask from now on!" Yang Siya was willing to sacrifice everything to save her cousin. Zhou Ke¡¯er, too, bit her lip and whispered something into Zhang Yi¡¯s ear, lighting his eyes up.

    "Really?" Zhang Yi asked.

    Recently initiated into intimacy, Zhou Ke¡¯er had been shy about trying new things. Yet now, she suggested some bold ideas, which greatly tempted Zhang Yi.

    "So, will you do it?" The two women looked at him expectantly.

    Taking a deep breath, Zhang Yi was about to refuse when Yang Siya added, "Xin Xin¡¯s legs aren¡¯t good. In this cold, she won¡¯t survive long outside. Just thinking about it breaks my heart!"

    Zhang Yi paused. "Xin Xin?"

    He remembered this name. Yang Siya mentioned her cousin, Yang Xinxin, who had studied at a prestigious school in Tianhai City. Eighteen years old, very beautiful, and a top-notch hacker.

    Eighteen, beautiful, and a top hacker.

    These keywords made Zhang Yi think¡ªshe was a rare gem! His main concern now was cybersecurity. Finding a reliableputer expert was challenging in these times, and trust was paramount. If not for trust issues, he would have brought in Lu Fengda, theputer expert.

    But Yang Xinxin was Yang Siya¡¯s cousin and Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s rtive, making her trustworthy. An eighteen-year-old, paralyzed beauty fit the criteria of "beautiful, talented, and tragic."

    Swallowing his initial words, Zhang Yi held Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s hands, looking at them affectionately. "Alright, you don¡¯t need to say more!"

    "If she¡¯s your sister, she¡¯s my sister too! How could I ignore her danger?"

    Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er were overjoyed, especially Zhou Ke¡¯er, who couldn¡¯t believe these words came from Zhang Yi, known for his selfish pragmatism. His agreement made her incredibly happy.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er thought sweetly: Zhang Yi must be doing this for me. He really loves me!

    With tears of joy in her eyes, Yang Siya eximed, "Thank you so much, Zhang Yi!"

    Wiping her tears, Zhang Yi told them, "Do you think I¡¯m a heartless person who only cares about benefits? My coldness is just a facade. For those close to me, I¡¯m very caring!"

    He kissed their hands lightly, making the two women blush. Their opinions of him changed significantly. Zhou Ke¡¯er felt even more in love, and Yang Siya suddenly became attracted to him.

    The two women exchanged nces and then yfully pushed Zhang Yi onto the bed. Biting her lip, Yang Siya gazed at him seductively, "Zhang Yi, let us reward you once tonight!"

    This was the only way she could think of to repay him.

    Raising an eyebrow, Zhang Yi teased, "Just once? You underestimate me?"

    "How many times depends on your ability!" Yang Siya retorted, biting her cherry lips.

 Chapter 207: The Monster

    Chapter 207: The Monster

    Zhang Yi decided to rescue Yang Xinxin. After all, the shelter''s biggest issue was cybersecurity. An automated house underwork attack could pose unimaginable threats. This decision wasn¡¯t made lightly; Zhang Yi nned it carefully and gathered all necessary information beforehand.

    After a tiring night, Zhang Yi called Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er to discuss the rescue n.

    "Tell me in detail about her current situation," Zhang Yi said cautiously.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er nced at Yang Siya. "You should tell him. You¡¯re closer to Xinxin and know more."

    Yang Siya, sitting upright, spoke seriously, "Xinxin is trapped at Tianqing Academy!"

    "Tianqing Academy is the top private school in Tianhai City. It¡¯s not open to the public, so ordinary people know little about it. It¡¯s an integrated school from kindergarten to university, only for the children of the elite and a few geniuses."

    "Everyone who graduates from there bes a key yer in politics and business."

    Zhang Yi nodded, familiar with this. By 2050, education had be prized. Ordinary people, elites, and the powerful received entirely different levels of education with no intersection. This led to the creation of exclusive educational institutions, or aristocratic schools. While degrees still mattered to ordinary people, they meant little to the true upper echelons."If she¡¯s in school, how has a disabled girl survived until now?" Zhang Yi wondered. Schools were densely popted with limited resources. Survival might be possible through fighting for food, but Xinxin, who had polio from childhood, seemed unlikely to survive such conditions.

    Yang Siya exined, "Tianqing Academy has food supply channels with ample stored food. Xinxin and others took refuge in the school cafeteria, so they didn¡¯t starve."

    Zhang Yi nodded, finding this reasonable. "But if she could contact the outside world, why didn¡¯t she reach out sooner? Why wait until now?"

    This puzzled Zhang Yi. In dire straits, people would try every possible way to survive, seeking help from anyone. Why did she wait almost two months into the apocalypse?

    Yang Siya was stumped by this question, her expression uncertain. "I was so worried I didn¡¯t think to ask her," she said.

    She took out her phone. "I¡¯ll call her now."

    Zhang Yi nodded, watching her silently. Yang Siya dialed the number on the speaker.

    "Beep¡ªbeep¡ªbeep¡ª"

    "Sorry, the number you dialed is temporarily unavable. Please try againter..."

    Yang Siya looked embarrassed. "I¡¯ve tried calling her again, but it¡¯s always unavable."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er covered her mouth,ughing, "Maybe she thought you were dead and didn¡¯t call you!"

    "Not true!" Yang Siya red at her.

    Zhang Yi rubbed his left hand with his right. "How far is Tianqing Academy from here?"

    Yang Siya thought for a moment. "About ten kilometers."

    "About?" Zhang Yi chuckled at her vague grasp of distance. He pulled out his phone and checked the map. Though signals were poor and satellite positioning was problematic, pre-apocalypse maps were still useful for distance measurements.

    After some searching, Zhang Yi found the answer. "Tianqing Academy is in the West Hill area. From Cloud Manor, it¡¯s 22.6 kilometers as the crow flies."

    "Given that distance, it¡¯s a miracle you got through once."

    Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er suddenly understood. "No wonder!"

    Zhang Yi teased Yang Siya, "But it¡¯s also possible she thought you were dead and didn¡¯t bother calling."

    Yang Siya clenched her fists, "No way! I¡¯m an adult, you know!"

    Zhang Yi stood up, "Follow me to the control room."

    Ordinary phones couldn¡¯t use the Neb satellite chain to transmit signals, but the super server could. Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er, who knew little aboutputers, followed Zhang Yi obediently.

    Zhang Yi used theputer in the control room to make awork call to Yang Xinxin. Soon, a static-filled noise came through, suggesting strong interference.

    "They must be in an area with very unstable signals," Zhang Yi concluded.

    After a few seconds, a soft, cute voice came through. "Who are you?"

    Hearing this, Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er became excited. "It¡¯s Xinxin!"

    Yang Siya quickly leaned in, "Xinxin, it¡¯s your sister! Where are you? Tell me, and I¡¯lle get you soon!"

    The voice on the other end was intermittent and full of static. "I¡¯m at the school cafeteria... very dangerous... take me... away..."

    Hearing "dangerous," Zhou Ke¡¯er and Yang Siya grew tense, and Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes sharpened.

    "What¡¯s the danger?" Zhang Yi asked.

    "Cats... they... kill..."

    The noise grew louder, making it hard to hear. Suddenly, a chilling scream came through, not a human sound but a long, eerie howl. Zhang Yi, Yang Siya, and Zhou Ke¡¯er all felt a chill down their spines. Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er, terrified, clung to Zhang Yi.

    Chaos erupted on the other end. "Run!"

    "Mon-mon-mon... monster!"

    The voices were filled with terror and despair. The eerie howl continued without pause. Zhang Yi even heard the sounds of flesh tearing and bones being chewed. These sounds were more horrifying than anything he had heard while surviving in Yue Lu District.

    "Crack... crash..."

    "Beep¡ªbeep¡ªbeep¡ª"

    The call abruptly ended, leaving only a busy signal echoing urgently.

 Chapter 208: Three Superhumans

    Chapter 208: Three Superhumans

    The call abruptly ended, leaving only the ¡°beep beep¡± sound echoing in the control room. Zhang Yi sat in his chair, eyes half-closed, deep in thought. Initially, he thought it would be a simple rescue mission, but now it seemed moreplicated, involving unexpected dangers. He dislikedplications.

    At this moment, Yang Siya nervously clung to Zhang Yi¡¯s arm. "Zhang Yi..." Her eyes were full of pleading, even teary. Her sister¡¯s danger made her desperate, hoping Zhang Yi would save her.

    Zhang Yi smiled reassuringly at Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er. "Don¡¯t worry. I said I would save her, and I will."

    Though the situation might be troublesome, it wasn¡¯t difficult for Zhang Yi now. After all, he had two superhuman allies. With Uncle You acting as a tank in front, Fatty Xu controlling the field as a mage, and Zhang Yi finding the right moment to strike from behind, the formation was perfect. In the early days of the apocalypse, a trio of superhumans could sweep through most territories. Besides, he desperately needed a top-tierputer expert now.

    With Zhang Yi¡¯s promise, Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er felt relieved. Afterforting them, Zhang Yi contacted Uncle You and Fatty Xu, asking them to join him for the rescue mission. Uncle You agreed immediately. Fatty Xu, not daring to disobey Zhang Yi, saw it as a simple rescue operation and agreed too.

    Given the potential danger surrounding Yang Xinxin, Zhang Yi decided to depart for Tianqing Academy the next day. As for the eerie, ghostly wail heard during the call, Zhang Yi could guess its nature. It was either a gene-mutated superhuman or another mutated creature. Though it sounded terrifying, the fact that Yang Xinxin, a paralyzed girl, had survived a month suggested it wasn¡¯t beyond their capability to handle.

    The night before departure, Zhang Yi meticulously checked his weapons and equipment. Facing mutants required more caution than dealing with ordinary people. Despite their higher recoil, he even switched his handguns to models with greater power, loaded with armor-piercing rounds. All equipment was prepared as usual: small items carried on him,rge weapons stored in his spatial space, ready for immediate use.

    The next morning, Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er prepared avish breakfast for Zhang Yi. He wasn¡¯t going to take them along. Despite their exposure to some brutal scenes, they would likely freeze up in a life-and-death situation, having nobat skills and bing liabilities.Seeing the table full of food, Zhang Yi ate sparingly, sampling each dish but avoiding overindulgence. Eating too much could hinder his actions, and drinking too much soup or porridge could lead to inconvenient bathroom breaks in the freezing weather, risking frostbite. Having learned from past mistakes, Zhang Yi never ate too much before going out and drank little water. If he exhausted his energy, he had ample food and water in his spatial space.

    After breakfast, Zhang Yi¡¯s phone rang. It was Fatty Xu. He answered, "Hello."

    "Brother Zhang, I¡¯ve crossed the river! Waiting by the roadside for you!"

    Fatty Xu knew Zhang Yi¡¯s area was full of traps and didn¡¯t dare approach. Under the snowy the buried bodies of his second brother and sixth grandpa.

    "Wait for me. I¡¯ll be there soon."

    Zhang Yi hung up and turned to Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er. "I¡¯m leaving now. For your safety, stay in the basement while I¡¯m gone."

    Yang Siya, puzzled, asked, "Why the basement? Isn¡¯t this house safe?"

    Zhou Ke¡¯er tugged at her sleeve. "Just do as he says!"

    Zhou Ke¡¯er knew Zhang Yi too well and understood his intention. The information came from Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er, and the person to be rescued was their rtive. There was a chance this was a trap they set up. Though this was highly unlikely, Zhang Yi never trusted probabilities, only himself.

    Feeling confused, Yang Siya followed Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke¡¯er to the basement. Zhang Yi locked them in separate alloy rooms with his high-security key, ensuring no one could let them out until he returned.

    "This way, even if someone breaks in, they won¡¯t threaten your safety," Zhang Yi said with a smile. He left them with enough food and water, and the rooms had private bathrooms, so cleanliness wouldn¡¯t be an issue.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er smiled warmly. "Thank you, Zhang Yi. We¡¯ll wait for you toe back!"

    Now understanding the situation, Yang Siya felt slightly ufortable being suspected but wasn¡¯t angry since Zhang Yi was risking his life to save her sister. "Zhang Yi, please bring Xinxin back safely!"

    Zhang Yi patted his nose, smiling. "If she¡¯s safe when I arrive, I¡¯ll bring her back safely."

    With his promise, Yang Siya sighed in relief, her ample chest rising and falling. She blew Zhang Yi a kiss. "I¡¯ll be waiting to keep youpany when you return!"

    "Now I have to hurry back, or I¡¯ll feel bad for neglecting you," Zhang Yi replied with a grin. Sweet words, though cheap, were effective.

    Yang Siya shyly bit her lip, murmuring, "As long as you care for me, I¡¯ll be happy."

    This promise to rescue her sister stirred something in Yang Siya¡¯s heart, making her believe Zhang Yi was doing it for her. If this wasn¡¯t love, what was there to hope for?

    A gentle ripple spread in her heart, lingering long after.

    ...

    Locking the two women in the alloy rooms, Zhang Yi left the house, taking a deep breath. He didn¡¯t like guarding against those close to him, but to live safely in these times, he had to be cautious and never let his guard down.

    Moreover, the basement rooms werefortable and warm, and he left them plenty of food. They were much better off than him, who had to face danger outside. With this thought, Zhang Yi felt his actions were justified.

 Chapter 209: Tianqing Academy

    Chapter 209: Tianqing Academy

    Zhang Yi headed down the road towards the river. Fatty Xu, bundled up tightly, stood with his hands in his pockets, stomping his feet to stay warm. Upon seeing Zhang Yi, he waved enthusiastically. "Brother Zhang, I¡¯m here!"

    Zhang Yi approached, saying, "I told you to meet at nine in the morning. What time is it now?"

    Fatty Xu scratched his head and chuckled. "I was worried I¡¯d bete and dy your ns, Brother Zhang."

    Zhang Yi sighed. He took the snowmobile out from his spatial space, opened the door, and said, "Get in. It¡¯s too cold outside!"

    Fatty Xu happily climbed into the passenger seat, and Zhang Yi turned on the car heater. Despite the high fuel consumption due to the cold weather, Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t concerned since Fatty Xu¡¯s abilities made fuel acquisition easier.

    With the heater on, Fatty Xu rxed significantly, thinking gratefully, "Brother Zhang is so considerate, worried I might freeze."

    "Brother Zhang, where are we going today?" Fatty Xu asked.

    "We¡¯re going to a school to rescue someone," Zhang Yi replied."Rescue? Oh, I see! It must be someone very important to you, right?" Fatty Xu looked serious.

    Zhang Yi smirked slightly. "Important? You could say that." Yang Xinxin¡¯sputer skills were indeed critical to him now.

    After a brief moment of gratitude, Fatty Xu¡¯s chatty nature resurfaced. He chattered endlessly about his life, making Zhang Yi wish he could use his smart speaker to fend him off. Without earplugs, he could only let Fatty Xu¡¯s words in one ear and out the other.

    "Our vige¡¯s Xu Lili, she¡¯s totally into me! Every time she looks at me, it¡¯s different from how she looks at others. She even came over to thank me! Girls these days are just shy. If she likes me, she should just say so!"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s forehead was full of ck lines. If not for the uing mission, he would have kicked Fatty Xu out of the car.

    "By the way, what¡¯s the vige¡¯s current attitude towards me?" Zhang Yi asked.

    Fatty Xu¡¯s babbling ceased abruptly, and his expression turned awkward. "Uh¡­ well¡­"

    Did it even need to be said? Zhang Yi had killed or maimed half the vige¡¯s men. They would never be grateful. If not for fear of Zhang Yi¡¯s power, they would seek revenge. But Fatty Xu couldn¡¯t say this out loud. At least Zhang Yi enjoyed a moment of silence.

    As they waited, a ck snowmobile approached from the distance.

    "He¡¯s here," Zhang Yi said.

    Fatty Xu looked curiously towards the approaching vehicle. Soon, Uncle You parked his snowmobile nearby.

    "Zhang Yi, long time no see!" Uncle You greeted cheerfully.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes lit up with admiration. Uncle You¡¯s ability was a physical enhancement, increasing his bodily strength and cell activity, making him a perfect tank. Despite the heavy clothing, his robust physique was evident.

    "Long time no see, Uncle You. You¡¯re looking great!"

    Uncle You proudly flexed his arm. "I feel ten years younger, like a man in his thirties. My stamina and strength are at their peak!"

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Especially your stamina, right?"

    Uncle You chuckled. "All of it."

    After some friendly banter, Zhang Yi introduced Fatty Xu to Uncle You.

    "This is Fatty Xu¡ªXu Chunlei, an ice-based superhuman who can manipte ice and snow."

    "And this is Uncle You, You Jiguang, a physical enhancement superhuman and a respectable veteran."

    Fatty Xu and Uncle You greeted each other, though both were puzzled by the gathering of three superhumans. In the early days of the apocalypse, superhumans were rare. The odds of three of theming together were slim.

    Uncle You, unable to hide his curiosity, asked, "Zhang Yi, what mission needs the three of us?"

    Fatty Xu was also curious.

    "Three superhumans for this task means the enemy must be formidable," he said.

    Zhang Yi waved his hand dismissively. "It¡¯s not thatplicated. We¡¯re just going to a school to rescue a girl."

    "A girl?" Uncle You and Fatty Xu¡¯s eyes lit up.

    "What grade in college?"

    "What grade in elementary school?"

    Zhang Yi red at Fatty Xu. "Keep your otaku tendencies in check!"

    Fatty Xu innocently covered his mouth.

    Zhang Yi exined, "She¡¯s my girlfriend¡¯s sister. We just found her in a school about 20 kilometers away. There seem to be some anomalies there, possibly mutated creatures. For safety, I called you both."

    Uncle You nodded. Fatty Xu noticed something odd in Zhang Yi¡¯s wording.

    "Mutated creatures? Not superhumans?"

    Zhang Yi sneered. "Who said only humans can mutate? Any cellr organism can mutate. It could be a pet or seafood from the market. Who knows what¡¯s mutated?"

    "It could be human, but if so, they¡¯ve gone insane," Zhang Yi added, recalling the eerie sound that couldn¡¯te from a normal human.

    Uncle Youughed heartily. "No matter what it is, with the three of us, we can handle it."

    Zhang Yi nodded. "Exactly. With the three of us, nothing can threaten us."

    Uncle You agreed. "So, let¡¯s get going!"

    "Alright, let¡¯s move out!" Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu got on the snowmobile, and Uncle You rode the motorcycle Zhang Yi had given him.

    Zhang Yi used his smartphone¡¯s GPS to navigate to Tianqing Academy. Despite the satellite issues, positioning still worked fairly urately.

    Once positioned, Zhang Yi drove towards Tianqing Academy, with Uncle You riding alongside on his motorcycle.

 Chapter 210: The Survivors

    Chapter 210: The Survivors

    [A Few Days Ago]

    At the original site of Tianqing Academy, the entire campus was buried under white snow, with only a few bell towers and the tips of tall buildings protruding above the surface. This once bustling elite school, spanning 2,000 acres, hadpletely vanished under the snow. It was hard to believe anyone could still be alive beneath this icy cover.

    The students'' survival was due to the sturdy construction of the Tianqing Academy buildings and the immense funds invested in their construction. After all, the children studying here were the offspring of high-ranking officials and wealthy businessmen. The quality of their school was a hundred times better than that of public schools.

    A group of students had taken refuge in one of the school¡¯s gyms. Beneath the snow, the air was thin, and the terrifying events they faced left everyone physically and mentally exhausted. Small groups huddled together, faces pale and filled with fear and anxiety. Their teacher had just gone to the warehouse for food, leaving them to rest.

    In a corner of the gym, a long-haired girl in a wheelchair stared nkly at the basketball court floor. Her skin was sickly pale, even whiter than the snow outside. Her frail frame seemed like a breeze could blow it away. But beneath her ck hair was an exquisitely beautiful, small and delicate face, with features resembling Yang Siya but a different demeanor.

    Yang Siya¡¯s face always bore a look of determination and strength, while this girl¡¯s delicate and pitiable appearance could stir any man¡¯s protective instincts. In short, she was an absolutely pitiful beauty, as fragile as a flower that might wither at any moment. She was Yang Siya¡¯s cousin, Yang Xinxin.

    Despite being a genius hacker, Yang Xinxin looked lonely. Only one long-time friend stayed by her side; the other students kept their distance, looking at her disdainfully. It wasn¡¯t that Yang Xinxin had done anything wrong¡ªshe was simply a burden due to her disability and the fact that she was still alive.

    Everyone feared the unknown terror lurking in the shadows in these dire times. Having a cripple around meant more trouble. Their teacher, a person of strong moral integrity, insisted on taking her along whenever danger approached. Initially, everyone sympathized with and took care of Yang Xinxin. However, their attitudes changed as their numbers dwindled from over a hundred to just a few dozen. Yang Xinxin, despite doing nothing wrong, became a scapegoat, with some ming her for the deaths of their friends."Why are you still alive when others are dead?"

    "Is it your fault everyone¡¯s dying?"

    In the face of death, some humans reveal rare kindness, while others unleash hidden malice. Thetter is easier, as hatred is easier learned than forgiveness. This malice twisted their hearts. Under the pressure of death, they needed an outlet for their negative emotions. Bullying the weak provided a perverse satisfaction.

    With oxygen running low, the students had little energy left. They leaned against the walls or sat on gym mats, starting to converse.

    "Do you think we can survive?" a girl asked slowly.

    The nearby girls, their faces weary, showed fear and resignation. Another girl hugged her knees, trembling, "We will survive. We must."

    "But so many have died!"

    "Li Huimin, Yuan Sisi, Zhao Huan, Tong Siya..."

    Each name sent a chill through their hearts. These were their ssmates, people they had watched die.

    At this moment, a girl with wavy hair nced at Yang Xinxin in her wheelchair. A surge of loathing rose within her.

    "Why is this cripple still alive when so many are dead?"

    Once started, this topic was hard to stop. The students found an outlet for their anger, ring at Yang Xinxin.

    "We always have to bring her when we run. It¡¯s so annoying! If only we could feed her to the monsters!"

    "Yeah, what¡¯s the point of her living? She might just die from her illness anyway."

    "I think she¡¯s a jinx. Instead of dying, she drags us down!"

    Their expressions grew twisted with perverse delight. Criticizing Yang Xinxin gave them a twisted sense of pleasure in their despair. They convinced themselves that her death would save them all.

    Simr discussions about the necessity of protecting Yang Xinxin arose on the boys'' side.

    "We¡¯ve protected her long enough. Isn¡¯t that enough?"

    A boy with a buzz cut frowned. "Maybe we should stop bringing her."

    Leaning against the wall, a boy with styled hair spoke wearily, "Does it matter? Teacher Liang never leaves anyone behind. But people keep dying."

    He was the ss monitor, Wu Chengyu.

    Then, a girl with a ponytail stood up among the first to criticize Yang Xinxin. With a strange smile, she approached Yang Xinxin.

    Yang Xinxin looked up, fearful, "Zhang... Zhang Mengning..."

    Zhang Mengning stood over her, her gaze growing venomous. She bent down and whispered, "Yang Xinxin, why don¡¯t you just die?"

    "You¡¯re a total burden, so disgusting!"

    The harsh words hung in the cold air, and the resentment of the group seemed to crystallize in their hearts, directed squarely at the frail girl in the wheelchair.

 Chapter 211 Bullying

    Chapter 211 Bullying

    Zhang Mengning said these cruel words to Yang Xinxin with a smile on his face.

    Yang Xinxin suddenly stayed in ce, her eyes open nkly, and two lines of tears slipped directly along her cheeks.

    When they saw this scene, no one stood up and used Zhang Mengning, butughed.

    Some people even pped their hands and thought Zhang Mengning had done a good job.

    "Zhang Mengning, you have enough! Everyone is a ssmate, how can you say such cruel words!"

    A girl with short hair and handsome appearance came over and quickly blocked Yang Xinxin''s front.

    She is Yang Xinxin''s best friend Lu Kevan. If she hadn''t been pushing Yang Xinxin''s wheelchair, Yang Xinxin would have died.

    Zhang Mengning covered his stomach and suddenly burst outughing wildly.

    "Ha ha ha! Lu can burn, what are you, and you deserve to talk to me like this!"

    Her eyes shed a touch of disdain cold awn, pointing tondingbustible and saying: "You are such a special care for students, and dare to talk back to thisdy, forget your identity?"

    Among aristocratic schools, the hierarchy is stricter.

    Zhang Mengning is the daughter of a rich family, while Lu Kengli, though well-off, can be ced at the bottom of Azure College.

    Lu Combustible blushed and clenched his fist and said, "What if your family has money? Now this is the time, can your family have money to save you?"

    Zhang Mengning said angrily: "Shut up! No matter when, the gap between you and us can''t be erased!"

    "Just leave this hellhole and see the light of day again. You and I are still not from the same world!"

    She looked at Yang Xinxin viciously,ughing and pointing at her.

    "Yang Xinxin, it is because you have dragged down everyone that we have died so many ssmates now!"

    "You should die quickly and stop living!"

    Yang Xinxin''s eyes were full of tears, and she was cursed so viciously by Zhang Mengning. She didn''t have a rebuttal, just lowered her head and let the tears fall on the white back of her hand.

    Yang Xinxin couldn''t stand his friend being abused so much.

    She retorted: "Zhang Mengning, Xinxin, she is also a human being, and she also has the right to live! Why do you say that about her?"

    "Shin Shin is not to me for the deaths of others!"

    At this moment, another girl with a long ponytail and a princess-like oval face stood up.

    She said slowly: "However, a disability that can only sit in a wheelchair will really drag us all down!"

    The girl''s name is Zheng Yuncong, and she is the daughter of an official in Jiangnan Province.

    She came gently, her eyes fixed on Yang Xinxin, and a natural arrogance appeared on her face.

    "So, Zhang Mengning said nothing wrong. You are indeed a burden!"

    "In the past, everyone didn''t leave you for the sake of ssmates, but you shouldn''t be so uninteresting?"

    "Do you kidnap us morally with your disability?"

    "It''s too much to do this, really."

    With these two girls taking the lead, other people who have long been dissatisfied with Yang Xinxin, or those who simply want to see others die, began to me Yang Xinxin.

    Yang Xinxin is very beautiful, and the body has poliomyelitis. In addition, the top hacker''s personal design perfectly conforms to the setting of beauty, strength and misery.

    Therefore, in the past, her poprity in Azure College has been very high, and many boys are eager to be her knight to protect her.

    This naturally makes many girls jealous of her.

    At this point, the long-suppressed evil thoughts were released with everyone.

    "Yang Xinxin, will you not drag us down?"

    "It''s really... If it weren''t for Liang Yue''s soft heart, I would have wanted to leave you behind."

    "Please, can you find a ce to die by yourself!"

    Yang Xinxin lowered his head and didn''t refute a word, but the white back of his hand was too hard, and veins stood out.

    Lu can burn a person in front of her, trying to argue for her.

    "What have you done for Xinxin? Every time I take care of her, don''t put your desperate situation on others!"

    Zhang Mengning pointed out thatnding isbustible and said sarcastically: "Lu isbustible, you are so poor. The family is a prominent darling daughter, and you are just a student who takes special care of the school."

    "If it weren''t for her health, would she be friends with you? I think she just wants to use you and gain superiority from you!"

    "Don''t be silly, if she is well, she won''t talk to you!"

    Lu can burn angrily said: "It won''t! Xinxin, she is not such a person."

    Yang Xinxin lowered his head and said nothing.

    However, a group of girls twittered around her, which made her very ufortable.

    "It''s so noisy."

    She whispered.

    However, this sentence has long been buried in the quarrel of all people.

    Among the students, a girl with high-grade wine red hair and delicate appearance suddenly came over.

    "Don''t make any more noise! At this time, we should all unite and help each other!"

    As soon as the red-haired girl opened her mouth, the tone of other girls suddenly weakened.

    Because her family belongs to the top ss, she is also the Communist Youth League secretary in the ss, named Shen Miaoke.

    Shen Miaoke looked at Yang Xinxin gently and bowed his head and said, "Xinxin, don''t worry! Although you are very troublesome now, we will not give up!"

    "I''m sure you won''t me us all, will you? Let''s continue to be good friends in the future!"

    As she spoke, she smiled and extended her right hand to Yang Xinxin.

    Shen Miaoke looks so gentle.

    She even stood up and spoke for Yang Xinxin, who was besieged by everyone.

    Just her tone, always let a person feel some subtle ufortable.

    Yang Xinxin did not reach out.

    Shen Miaoke waited for a moment, and his expression was awkward.

    Her head tilted and she wanted to look Yang Xinxin in the eye through her bangs.

    "Don''t you even want to shake hands with me? I have always cared about you most!"

    The students around are also looking like watching a good show.

    Others said, "Miaoke, you are so kind! You are still so kind to useless people like her."

    "Hey, Yang Xinxin, what do you mean? Miaoke shakes hands with you, don''t give your face shameless!"

    "Cut, you won''t be disabled in your legs. Is there something wrong with your brain?"

    The girlsughed at Yang Xinxin here, while the boys watched the excitement not far away, and had no intention ofing to help.

    In today''s depressing environment, watching others be bullied can also make them get morbid pleasure.

    Yang Xinxin''s hand was held up. Just as she raised her hand forward, an abnormal sound suddenly came from behind them.

    "Dang!"

    They subconsciously turned back, and then heard a very piercing scream.

    The three-meter-high metal window outside the gymnasium was pushed down, and a big paw with a length of five or six meters and a dark glow of metal light extended from the inside.

    The w buckled Zheng Yuncong''s head and carried it high into the sky very easily.

    A strange big face appeared outside the gymnasium, with a gloomy smile on the corners of the mouth.

    "Meow--"

 Chapter 212: Dinner Time

    Chapter 212: Dinner Time

    Zheng Yuncong''s body was lifted like a rag doll. Her entire body went rigid as blood began to seep from her head. Before she could scream for help, she was swiftly yanked out the window. The enormous ck monster brought her to its face, its scarlet tongue licking her, the barbs on its tongue tearing her flesh until her face was unrecognizable.

    "Ahhh!!!"

    The gym erupted in terrified screams. Everyone scrambled to the back of the gym, trying to escape. No one thought of Yang Xinxin, except for Lu Keran, who pushed her wheelchair as fast as she could.

    A group of students reached the back door only to find it sealed shut. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn¡¯t open it.

    "Damn, it''s frozen shut!"

    "Open it, or we¡¯re all dead!"

    The students were pale with fear, some wetting themselves in panic. Meanwhile, the ck monster had already entered the gym. Standing over ten meters tall, it was entirely ck, its body covered in blood and grime. Its hair was as sharp as steel needles,pletely blocking the gym''s main entrance.

    The monster held Zheng Yuncong, licking her for a moment before casually biting off her head."Ssh¡ª"

    Blood gushed out like a fountain.

    "Ahhh!!!"

    The girls screamed, copsing to the floor in terror. The boys frantically tried to open the back door, but it was frozen solid and blocked by tons of ice and snow, impossible to move.

    The monster tossed Zheng Yuncong¡¯s body aside and walked into the gym, blocking the door with its massive frame. It tilted its head, seemingly assessing the frightened students. They saw a mocking intelligence in its eyes, chilling them to the bone. This was no mindless beast but a sentient monster.

    The students huddled in a corner, paralyzed by fear, unable to muster any will to fight. Suddenly, someone shoved Yang Xinxin, wheelchair and all, towards the monster. She fell forward, hitting the floor hard. The monster¡¯s attention was immediately drawn to her, and it took a step closer.

    "Xinxin!" Lu Keran screamed, her legs paralyzed with fear, unable to move. The monster loomed over Yang Xinxin, whoy helpless on the floor. Just then, the boys who had pushed her made a run for the door.

    The monster''s head turned slightly, its amber eyes locking onto them. Its mouth curled into a mocking smile.

    "Smack!"

    The monster''s huge w pped down, instantly crushing two boys to the ground.

    "Spurt!"

    The slight pressure was enough to rupture their internal organs, causing them to vomit blood. Desperately, they tried to crawl away, unwilling to die. They were sons of wealthy families, destined for great futures. How could they die here?

    Ignoring the motionless Yang Xinxin, the monster turned its attention to the fleeing boys. Its ws, sharp as knives, shed at them, tearing their bodies open and sttering blood everywhere.

    With the monster¡¯s back turned, Lu Keran mustered her courage and rushed to help Yang Xinxin up. Wu Chengyu¡¯s eyes lit up as he whispered to his friends, "I get it. The monster attacks moving targets. Yang Xinxin pretended to be dead and survived."

    His friends nodded, realizing why Li Yong and Zhou Keqiang had died when they tried to run.

    "So what do we do? y dead?"

    Wu Chengyu¡¯s eyes turned cold. "ying dead might not work. This monster could be toying with us. Here¡¯s what we¡¯ll do."

    After a quick discussion, Wu Chengyu incited the others, "Quick, while the monster is distracted, let''s make a run for it!"

    "If we stay here, we¡¯re dead. Someone needs to go get Teacher Liang!"

    Some were too scared to move, but others, desperate to avoid death, decided to take the risk.

    "Everyone rush it! It can''t kill us all. Staying here is certain death!"

    Fueled by extreme fear, a few boys, their eyes red with rage, decided to act. The monster, still toying with the struggling boys, had its back turned. Li Yong and Zhou Keqiang, covered in blood, still fought to live, calling out for help.

    "Help us! Don¡¯t leave us behind!"

    "Please, Wu Chengyu, Xiao Ran, we¡¯re best friends!"

    Rather than killing them outright, the monster seemed to enjoy their struggle, batting them around like toys. Meanwhile, the other boys crept behind the monster, trying to escape.

    Ignoring their ssmates'' pleas, they moved stealthily, but Li Yong and Zhou Keqiang¡¯s cries drew the monster¡¯s attention.

    "Look, they¡¯re running!"

    The monster¡¯s eyes narrowed, its head rotating 180 degrees to spot the fleeing boys. They froze, terror gripping them. In a desperate bid for life, they sprinted for the door.

    "Smack!"

    "Smack!"

    "Smack!"

    The monster''s ws struck quickly, crushing the boys¡¯ chests and leaving them lifeless on the ground.

 Chapter 213: The Tang Sword and the Female Warrior

    Chapter 213: The Tang Sword and the Female Warrior

    The three students stopped by the monster red furiously at Li Yong and Zhou Keqi. "Bastards!!!"

    Knowing they wouldn''t survive, Li Yong and Zhou Keqiughed despite the blood streaming from their mouths. "No one lives! If we die, you all die with us!"

    The monster now had seven new ythings, and its excitement grew. It raised its massive ck tail, ws scraping the ground. Taking advantage of the distraction, Wu Chengyu and two others darted out of the gym, faces alight with relief.

    Wu Chengyu grinned triumphantly. "Sorry, but better you die than us!" Hispanions praised him. "Chengyu, you¡¯re so smart! You used them to distract the monster so we could escape."

    As they fled, Wu Chengyu exined, "I figured it was a mutated cat. Cats love to y with their prey before eating. Unless they¡¯re starving, they¡¯re not interested in dead mice."

    The monster noticed a few had escaped inside the gym but wasn¡¯t concerned. The rest of the students were still there. The gym was like its personal pantry, full of food. Other students huddled in corners, envious of those who escaped. Some attempted to imitate them, sneaking away.

    But the monster was now alert and wouldn¡¯t let them seed. "Smack! Smack!" Louder than before, the monster ended its y, crushing the students beneath its ws. The remaining students screamed in horror, nearly breaking down.

    At that moment, a shout echoed, "Damn monster, don¡¯t hurt my students!"Despair turned to hope as the students saw their teacher return. "Teacher Liang is back!"

    A tall woman with a high ponytail stood at the door, wielding a traditional Tang sword. She charged at the monster, the de glinting with a faint blue light. The monster, recognizing the danger, shrieked and dodged.

    Seeing the bodies on the ground, Teacher Liang Yue''s eyes filled with sorrow, but she saw the surviving students and decided not to engage the monster inside. She slowly moved deeper into the gym, clearing a path to the door. Understanding her intent, the monster smirked and grabbed a student¡¯s body before slinking out.

    Holding her sword tightly, Liang Yue cautiously followed. Outside, she found only the monster¡¯s burrowed snow tunnels. She sighed in relief but also felt an overwhelming exhaustion. How long could she protect her students in this deadly game of cat and mouse?

    For over a month, most of her students had died, not from the cold, but at the hands of this monster. If not for her exceptionalbat skills and awakened superhuman abilities, she too would have be its meal. But constantly defending against the monster while protecting her students was wearing her down.

    Liang Yue sheathed her Tang sword. ss representative Shen Miaoke approached timidly, "Teacher Liang!"

    Liang Yue nodded and gestured to the sack at her feet. "Distribute the food to everyone." She found a corner, sat down with her sword, and closed her eyes to rest. She was utterly exhausted.

    Since the apocalypse began, the school had be a graveyard. The monster had killed most people, not the cold. Only Liang Yue¡¯s strength and abilities had kept her alive. But protecting so many students and constantly defending against the monster was draining herpletely.

    Shen Miaoke and a few girls handed out the food to the survivors. Soon, Wu Chengyu and hispanions returned, nonchntly grabbing some food. They acted as if nothing had happened, ignoring their earlier betrayal.

    Just then, Zhang Mengning, who had previously scolded Yang Xinxin, snapped. The death of her best friend, Zheng Yuncong, had pushed her over the edge. She rushed at Yang Xinxin, screaming, "Why are you still alive when everyone else is dead? You should be the one dead, you useless cripple!"

    "Why won¡¯t you just die?"

    Yang Xinxin remained silent. What could she say? She understood too well that me needed no justification. Lu Keran defended her friend, "Zhang Mengning, be reasonable! How is this Xinxin¡¯s fault?"

    Zhang Mengning, tears streaming, stomped and cursed, "I hate her, so what?"

    Shen Miaoke tried to calm her, "Zhang Mengning, please stop." She handed some food to Yang Xinxin. "Xinxin, eat something."

    Zhang Mengning pped the food to the ground. "Stop wasting food on her! The school¡¯s supplies are limited. She¡¯ll die eventually. Better save it for those who can use it!"

    Liang Yue, eyes closed, opened them briefly at themotion. Seeing the students fighting again, she closed her eyes. She was too tired. These conflicts happened daily. Someone would snap, argue, or even fight. She had no energy left for these issues, needing all her strength tobat the monster.

    Zhang Mengning¡¯s shouting filled the gym. In a corner, a girl sat on a gym mat, clutching her head, eyes filled with despair. "It¡¯s useless. All this arguing is pointless. We¡¯re all going to die, eaten by that monster!"

    "Don¡¯t you see? We¡¯re all just food for it, kept alive because it likes fresh meat!"

 Chapter 214: The Mutated Creature

    Chapter 214: The Mutated Creature

    The girl¡¯s outburst left everyone with chills. It was true; the monster always picked a few people to kill each time it appeared, never ughtering too many at once. It was as if it were raising chickens and ducks, selecting a few to eat when it was hungry.

    ¡°We have no hope left!¡± the girl screamed in despair. ¡°There will be no rescue! This world is already doomed!¡±

    ss president Wu Chengyu, however, bit his lip and retorted, ¡°There will be hope! There has to be!¡±

    ¡°We are the elite of this society, destined for greatness. We won¡¯t die here!¡± He gazed at the sky, sealed off by thickyers of ice and snow. ¡°Once we get out of here and contact the outside world, my father wille and rescue me!¡±

    But escaping to the surface was a monumental challenge. Despite her formidable abilities and martial arts background, Liang Yue couldn¡¯t fend off the mutated monster while protecting arge group of students.

    After an hour-long drive, Zhang Yi, Fatty Xu, and Uncle You arrived at the former site of Tianqing Academy. Thendscape was a vast, white expanse, but a small hill near the academy provided a reference point to confirm their location.

    The three got out of the car, Zhang Yi holding his handgun and instructing the others, ¡°Stay alert. There could be danger.¡±

    Fatty Xu gulped and instinctively stepped back. Uncle You, however, stood resolutely at the front, his military training and sense of dutypelling him to protect the others.¡°Everything is buried under the snow. How do we know where to find the person you¡¯re here to rescue?¡± Uncle You asked, a bit perplexed.

    Zhang Yi pulled out his phone to contact Yang Xinxin, but the call wouldn¡¯t go through. ¡°The signal is poor here.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s search around. This school is huge, and some tall buildings must be sticking out,¡± Zhang Yi suggested. ¡°The map shows the school¡¯syout. Once we find a building, we can figure out where Yang Xinxin might be.¡±

    Fatty Xu looked disheartened. ¡°This elite school is massive. I heard it even has a golf course.¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded. ¡°The campus covers 3,000 acres. We¡¯ll drive around and look. There¡¯s no rush.¡±

    Without a car, searching would take forever. Uncle You suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s split up to search faster.¡±

    Zhang Yi shook his head. ¡°No, we stick together for safety. Slow and steady.¡±

    Uncle You agreed, and they resumed their search. Soon, they spotted the top of a building.

    ¡°There¡¯s a tower up ahead! Let¡¯s check it out,¡± Zhang Yi said.

    Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu approached the structure. Using the map, Zhang Yi identified it as the astronomy center. ¡°The astronomy center is in the southeast. The dorms and cafeteria are in the north, quite far apart.¡±

    Fatty Xu suggested, ¡°Could they hide in ssrooms or the gym? They¡¯d need arge space to move around and enough oxygen.¡±

    Zhang Yi considered this. ¡°Maybe. The dorms and cafeteria are the best bets because of the food and shelter. But we should also check ces like the gym and ssrooms.¡±

    As Zhang Yi analyzed the possible locations, Fatty Xu and Uncle You entered the astronomy center¡¯s tower. Fatty Xu used his ability to manipte the ice and snow, clearing a path to a window.

    ¡°We can get in here!¡± Fatty Xu eximed.

    Zhang Yi dismissed the idea. ¡°We¡¯re not here to collect telescopes.¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s face fell, but Zhang Yi softened his tone. ¡°Those telescopes might be usefulter for scouting. We might as well grab them while we¡¯re here.¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s confidence surged, and he and Uncle You prepared to enter the building. Suddenly, Zhang Yi felt a chilling presence, the sensation of being watched by a predator.

    He turned, guns ready, and his eyes widened. A massive ck creaturey silently in the snow, its eyes fixed on him. The beast¡¯s head was asrge as a Tyrannosaurus rex¡¯s, its ck fur bristling like steel needles, and its amber eyes gleamed with an unsettling intelligence.

    ¡°A mutated creature!¡± Zhang Yi thought, recognizing it from Yang Xinxin¡¯s descriptions.

    The creature¡¯s gaze remained locked on Zhang Yi, but it didn¡¯t attack. Zhang Yi noted the absence of the usual bloodthirsty intent. The beast seemed more curious than hostile.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Zhang Yi wondered, puzzled by the creature¡¯s behavior.

 Chapter 215: The Snow Tunnel

    Chapter 215: The Snow Tunnel

    The sudden appearance of the gigantic monster startled Zhang Yi. However, he quicklyposed himself. After facing numerous life-and-death situations, his nerves were steel-like. What surprised him was that the monster showed no hostility towards him. As Zhang Yi pondered how to deal with it, Fatty Xu and Uncle You climbed out of the snow and approached, looking for some ropes to descend further.

    Their emergence caught the monster''s attention. Fatty Xu, upon seeing the enormous creature, screamed in terror. Instinctively, he thrust his right hand forward, unleashing his power. Snow and ice erupted from the ground, surging towards the monster.

    "Stop!" Zhang Yi shouted, but it was toote. In the snowy terrain, Fatty Xu''s power was unrivaled. The snowstorm, mixed with heavy ice, pummeled the ck monster. It let out a piercing scream and moved like lightning across the snow.

    "So fast!" Zhang Yi''s eyes widened. The massive creature moved swiftly, dodging the ice attack effortlessly and charging at Fatty Xu. Realizing the threat, Zhang Yi immediately enveloped himself with his spatial ability.

    "Double speed!"

    With his spatial ability enhancing his speed, Zhang Yi could double his movements, necessary to counter the beast¡¯s attack. As the monster closed in on Fatty Xu, Zhang Yi raised his guns and fired rapidly.

    "Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

    The casing fell to the ground as Zhang Yi unleashed a flurry of bullets. The monster was fast, but Zhang Yi¡¯s enhanced speed allowed him to aim urately. Armor-piercing rounds struck the beast, sparks flying as some of its hard fur was clipped. It roared in anger but appeared not seriously injured.Zhang Yi gasped. Those were armor-piercing bullets, yet they only managed to trim its fur. During the brief distraction, Uncle You stepped in front of Fatty Xu. His muscles bulged, and his body grew to over two meters tall, his skin turning stone-like. He punched the monster squarely in the face.

    "Boom!"

    The impact created arge depression in the snow as the beast''s face twisted nearly 90 degrees, forcing it back several steps. It let out an infuriated roar.

    "It''s a feline!" Zhang Yi thought, noting the monster¡¯s roar. Whether it was a mutated cat or something from the zoo, it was extremely dangerous. Felines were apex predators of their size ss, barring mustelids.

    Unhesitatingly, Zhang Yi holstered his handguns and switched to a sniper rifle. Against this beast, a handgun wasn¡¯t sufficient. The power of a sniper rifle was necessary.

    The monster saw three opponents: the robust Uncle You and Fatty Xu together and Zhang Yi a dozen meters away. It naturally chose to charge at Zhang Yi first. Zhang Yi, acting quickly, fired the sniper rifle.

    "Bang!"

    His deafening shot was even more powerful. The monster sensed danger and tried to dodge, but it couldn''t outpace the sniper bullet, enhanced by his ability.

    "Crack!"

    The bullet struck its cheek, shattering rows of its steel-like whiskers and causing blood to spurt. Enraged, the monster curled into a ball, its body covered in spikes, and rolled towards Zhang Yi.

    "Damn it!" Zhang Yi didn¡¯t expect this maneuver. The rolling spiked ball plowed through the snow, creating deep fissures. Zhang Yi¡¯s speed made dodging impossible, but he didn¡¯t need to.

    "Dimensional Gate, open!"

    He opened a gate to a parallel dimension in front of him. While he enjoyed offense, defense was his strong suit. Once in the parallel dimension, any creature would be trapped in a frozen world, slowly perishing.

    Sensing the danger, the monster abruptly changed direction mid-air and rolled away, disappearing hundreds of meters away.

    "Damn, so close!" Zhang Yi cursed, frustrated at missing the chance to trap the beast. He wanted to study this mutant and understand the differences between mutated creatures and superhumans.

    Fatty Xu and Uncle You quickly joined Zhang Yi, all eyes on the retreating monster. Zhang Yi aimed his sniper rifle but didn¡¯t fire. The monster, realizing their threat, retreated cautiously before turning and vanishing into the snow.

    "Where did it go?" Uncle You was astonished. Such a massive creature disappearing so suddenly was baffling.

    Fatty Xu spected, "Could it have spatial abilities, too?"

    Zhang Yi shook his head. "Doesn¡¯t seem like it. If it did, it would have used them earlier."

    His spatial senses told him the monster had simply run off. They approached where the monster vanished and found arge tunnel leading into the snow.

    "A tunnel!" Uncle You eximed.

    "With this thing nearby, finding the people we¡¯re looking for will be tricky," Fatty Xu said seriously. "If that monster is around, there shouldn¡¯t be any survivors in the school."

    "Brother Zhang, are you sure your information is urate?"

 Chapter 216: A Desperate Struggle

    Chapter 216: A Desperate Struggle

    Fatty Xu''s doubts were not unfounded. It was hard to believe that ordinary people, let alone someone with his abilities, could survive an encounter with such a monstrous creature without thorough preparation. Considering its size, the amount of food it needed was enormous, likely dozens of times that of a normal human. Fatty Xu couldn¡¯t fathom how it had survived all this time without preying on the people at the school.

    However, Zhang Yi had a different perspective. "You didn¡¯t notice one crucial thing," he said. "That creature didn¡¯t intend to harm us initially."

    Zhang Yi looked at Fatty Xu. "If you hadn¡¯t suddenly attacked it and provoked it, we might not have ended up in this situation."

    Fatty Xu was bewildered. "Did I really provoke it? I was just terrified!"

    Zhang Yi recalled the monster¡¯s eyes, sensing an intelligence there, not just the mindless hunger of a beast. "It¡¯s possible the mutation enhanced its intelligence significantly, maybe evenparable to humans."

    "And I did hear Yang Xinxin¡¯s voice during that phone call. The monster couldn¡¯t have made that call," Zhang Yi continued.

    He approached therge hole the monster had created, peering into its depths. The tunnel was enormous, big enough for a vehicle to pass through, and provided a crucial air supply that could exin why people hadn¡¯t suffocated underground.

    After contemting for a while, Zhang Yi made a decision. "Let¡¯s go down and take a look.""What? Go down there?" Fatty Xu eximed, frightened. "What if we encounter that monster again? This is its territory!"

    Zhang Yi looked at Fatty Xu hard. "Have you forgotten your own abilities? You¡¯re an ice and snow maniptor and scared to fight in the snow?"

    Fatty Xu realized his oversight. In the snowy environment, his powers were at their peak. If the monster attacked, he could bury it under tons of snow.

    Feeling embarrassed, Fatty Xu scratched his head. "I guess I was just too scared earlier."

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t criticize him further. Fatty Xu had the leastbat experience and was the most timid among the three. Over time, with more battles, his strength would undoubtedly grow. Superpowers alone didn¡¯t determinebat effectiveness; intellect, courage, and even luck yed crucial roles.

    With Fatty Xu¡¯s powers as their foundation, Zhang Yi¡¯s absolute defense, and Uncle You as a strong shield, they were not afraid of facing the monster underground.

    Zhang Yi stored their snowmobiles in his spatial space, and the three descended into the monster¡¯s tunnel. Uponnding, they discovered an intricatework of tunnels beneath the snow, all carved out by the monster.

    The tunnels were dark, so Zhang Yi lit a miningmp, illuminating a hundred meters ahead. Even in the darkness, the monster couldn¡¯t ambush them. Zhang Yi also produced two boxes of crayons, exining, "We¡¯ll use these to mark our path so we don¡¯t get lost."

    "But how will we find our way in thisbyrinth?" Fatty Xu asked.

    Uncle You sniffed the air cautiously. "There¡¯s a strong smell of blood."

    Fatty Xu quickly added, "It must be from the monster. Who knows how many it has eaten? We should follow the tunnels with the least blood scent."

    Zhang Yi rolled his eyes. "With all three of us here, especially in the snow, you should be more confident. If we encounter the monster, it should be the one running away."

    He retrieved a golden handgun and methodically loaded bullets. Uncle You recognized the weapon immediately. "Golden Desert Eagle!"

    "Yes," Zhang Yi replied. The Desert Eagle, one of the most powerful handguns in the world, had ten times the firepower of the police handgun he had previously used. It surpassed even the renowned AK-47 in terms of kic energy. Its drawbacks were its weight and strong recoil, making it difficult for an average person to handle.

    Armed with armor-piercing rounds, Zhang Yi was confident that the Desert Eagle could significantly damage the monster if they faced it again. After loading the weapon, he chambered a round and said, "Uncle You, your scouting skills are the best. Lead the way following the monster¡¯s path. It will head towards any living people for food, and we¡¯ll find them by following it."

    Fatty Xu was still nervous, but Zhang Yi¡¯s confident words reassured him. "Yes, Boss!"

    Following Uncle You¡¯s lead, they traced the scent of blood. Zhang Yi marked their path with crayons, embedding the tips into the snow walls to avoid detection and destruction by the monster.

    Teacher Liang Yue and the dozen or so surviving students had been at the Tianqing Academy gymnasium for three days. Theirst food search was also three days ago, leaving everyone hungry. Liang Yue faced a difficult dilemma. The monster circled nearby, ready to strike if they showed any weakness. She couldn¡¯t leave the students to search for food alone, but sending others would be a death sentence.

    Due to the thin air, they risked suffocation in the confined space under the snow. Liang Yue had the strength to fight the monster but couldn¡¯t simultaneously protect the students and search for supplies. They had tried before, and the monster had ignored her, attacking the students instead, resulting in heavy casualties.

    Liang Yue guarded the gym entrance for three days with her Tang sword. The monster hadn¡¯t attacked again, but her instincts told her it was still nearby. "We can¡¯t hold out any longer," she thought, fatigue evident in her eyes. She had eaten very little, and the hunger made her anxious and uneasy.

    Protecting all her students was her duty as a teacher and a hired bodyguard, but the reality was harsh. She had to make difficult choices.

 Chapter 217: Meditation

    Chapter 217: Meditation

    Liang Yue gripped her Tang sword tightly. Despite the gnawing hunger, it could also ignite a fierce will to survive¡ªan instinctual drive. The students'' faces were filled with numbness and madness in the gymnasium. Over the past month, they had constantly faced death, witnessing their friends die one by one. This relentless strain had fractured their sanity.

    Justst night, a girl hanged herself from the basketball hoop while everyone was distracted. The next morning, when the others discovered her body, no one cried; they remained eerily calm.

    Liang Yue knew things couldn¡¯t go on like this. As the only teacher in the group, she felt responsible for giving these kids a fighting chance for the future. As she pondered their situation, ss president Wu Chengyu and youth league secretary Shen Miaoke approached her.

    "Ms. Liang," Wu Chengyu began.

    Liang Yue looked up at them.

    "Shouldn¡¯t we go out to find some food?" Wu Chengyu suggested. "If this continues, we¡¯ll starve to death."

    Shen Miaoke, with her hands sped in front of her, looked sorrowful. "You¡¯re our only hope. What will happen to us if you stay here resting instead of looking for food?"

    Liang Yue was taken aback. She realized they thought her reluctance to search for food was due to fear of the monster, that she was afraid to die.Taking a deep breath, Liang Yue reminded herself not to get angry with her students. "What if the monster attacks while I¡¯m gone?" she asked.

    Shen Miaoke frowned. "That¡¯s why you need to be quick! Grab the food ande right back!"

    Wu Chengyu added, "Don¡¯t worry, Ms. Liang. We¡¯ll do our best to protect everyone."

    He looked at Liang Yue with a touch of disdain. At a time like this, still thinking about protecting everyone¡ªare you stubborn or just foolish? But he also acknowledged her utility, thinking, At least you¡¯re useful enough to keep us alive. Just listen to smart people like me, and everything will be fine. If the monsteres, we¡¯ll sacrifice a few to buy time until you return.

    Shen Miaoke sped her hands together, pleading, "Ms. Liang, please! Our lives depend on you!"

    Liang Yue gazed deeply at the two students. Without a word, she used her Tang sword to help herself stand up. "Alright, I¡¯ll go out now. Take care of yourselves," she said.

    Wu Chengyu and Shen Miaoke readily agreed. Wu Chengyu had learned the monster¡¯s habits well over the past month. It enjoyed toying with its prey and stored food, so it only killed a few at a time.

    Liang Yue walked out of the gym, Tang sword in hand, stepping into the icy corridor. Several students quickly closed the door behind her. Exhaling a puff of white breath, she looked towards the end of the ice corridor before heading towards the cafeteria.

    She hadn¡¯t gone far when she quickly hid in a corner of the ice tunnel, pressing her back against the wall and closing her eyes. She entered a state of meditation.

    Meditation wasn¡¯t a mystical ability. Even ordinary people could learn it with proper guidance and achieve a state of inner peace. For martial artists, it was a required practice to clear their minds and focus inwardly. Legends spoke of martial masters who, through meditation, entered a profound inner realm. Liang Yue hadn¡¯t reached such heights, but as a top martial artist, she could use meditation to calm and conceal her presence.

    I can¡¯t wait any longer. Rather than being picked off individually, taking a decisive stand is better. Liang Yue resolved, determined to either kill the monster or die trying. She was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, driven by her duty to protect her students.

    Meanwhile, she overlooked that felines, as natural hunters, were experts at concealing their presence. Back in the gym, the students instinctively huddled in the corners after Liang Yue left. Yang Xinxin sat in her wheelchair, looking fragile like a crystal rose.

    Lu Keran knelt beside her, gently touching her arm and leg. "Does it still hurt?" she asked.

    Yang Xinxin had been used as bait a few days earlier and was pushed out to lure the monster. Luckily, the creature was more interested in moving targets, and she had survived, though bruised and injured.

    Forcing a pale smile, Yang Xinxin replied, "I¡¯m okay. It¡¯s so cold I can¡¯t feel the pain anymore."

    Lu Keran rxed a bit, seeing her friend smile. "Don¡¯t give up hope. We have to survive, right?"

    Yang Xinxin nodded firmly. "Yes, we¡¯ll survive. We have to."

    Nearby, Zhang Mengning sneered, her face twisted in madness. "You think you¡¯re so lucky, don¡¯t you? You believe luck will always be on your side?"

    "Even if you survive, what good will it do? You¡¯re just a cripple, a burden to everyone."

    "If I were you, I¡¯d have killed myself already. You¡¯re living a painful life and dragging others down with you."

    Other students also looked at Yang Xinxin with twisted smiles. They felt it was unfair that she, despite being disabled, had the same right to live as they did. "What¡¯s the point of clinging to life?"

    "When the monsteres next time, you won¡¯t be so lucky."

    Yang Xinxin remained silent. She was never good at arguing, preferring to avoid confrontation unless online. Lu Keran, unable to bear it any longer, was about to speak up when she noticed a huge amber eye peering through a nearby window.

 Chapter 218: Mind Your Own Business

    Chapter 218: Mind Your Own Business

    "Run!" Lu Keran screamed in terror.

    The ck monster had silently appeared outside the gymnasium, unnoticed until it was seen. They couldn''t fathom how such a massive creature could move so stealthily.

    Run? But where to?

    Realizing the danger, the students screamed and tried to flee in all directions. The monster¡¯s w easily shattered the reinforced window, reaching inside. The five- to six-meter-long arm, with sharp ws like gleaming steel des and hair like sharp spikes, raked through the gym.

    It seemed almost yful, like a giant cat ying with mice, though the sight would appear absurdlyical from an outsider''s perspective.

    But this enormous cat was not cute as it wed at a group of helpless humans. The razor-sharp ws swiftly shed through the air, leaving several bodies with long gashes, their innards spilling out immediately.

    The hellish screams were even more terrifying, especiallying from their ssmates. Wu Chengyu and his group, though terrified, were prepared. They hid in the back, pushing unlucky students forward as shields. One wasn¡¯t enough; they pushed forward another and another, selecting the strongest students they had roped into their n. The rest, even if they realized the betrayal, could do nothing but curse in futility.

    At that moment, Lu Keran, pushing Yang Xinxin, was the fastest to react. Ironically, having a wheelchair gave them a survival advantage.Meanwhile, while hiding and waiting, Liang Yue seized the opportunity to strike. A faint blue mist emanated from her body as she gripped her sword sheath with her left hand and the hilt with her right. With a fierce shout, she dashed towards the ck monster like lightning.

    "Ha!!"

    The white de gleamed as it sliced through the air, aiming for the monster¡¯s neck. Liang Yue had poured all her strength into this attack, determined to fight to the death. If she won, it would be a hard-fought victory that would ensure their survival. If she lost, she would be the first to die.

    The monster, engrossed in toying with the students, was unprepared for the sudden assault. As Liang Yue approached, its ck fur bristled like a porcupine''s quills, each hair as hard as steel.

    "Meow¡ª"

    The piercing roar threatened to burst eardrums. Cats are known for quick reflexes, but Liang Yue was equally fast. Her de shed, severingrge clumps of fur that fell to the ground with metallic clinks.

    "Shhhrkk!"

    A gash over a meter long opened on the monster¡¯s neck, spraying blood. Enraged, the creature retreated, roaring furiously. Liang Yue, abandoning defense, pressed her attack with a do-or-die resolve.

    Like a ghost, the monster retreated ten meters, but Liang Yue stayed close, her de shing through the air. Her eyes conveyed a deadly determination, which the monster sensed.

    "Meow¡ª"

    Its screams grew more desperate as it began to defend itself. Liang Yue¡¯s Tang sword was incredibly powerful. She had mastered numerous martial arts, including national techniques, kenjutsu, Krav Maga, and Muay Thai, seeking the strongestbat skills. Her strikes were deadly, focused solely on attack.

    As they fought fiercely, snow walls crumbled, covered in terrifying gashes from her de and the monster''s ws. The students inside the gym, hearing the battle outside, were too scared to move.

    They watched as cracks appeared on the walls, some from the sword, others from the monster¡¯s ws. Their only hope was to pray silently for Liang Yue¡¯s victory, theirst chance for survival.

    During this intense battle, Zhang Yi, Uncle You, and Fatty Xu followed the noise and found an exit. Their sudden appearance caught both Liang Yue and the monster¡¯s attention.

    Liang Yue, seeing the neers, thought, I¡¯ve never seen them before; they must be outsiders!

    Hope sparkled in her eyes. Rescuers from the outside? Surely, they were here to save them, considering the school¡¯s prestigious students had powerful and wealthy parents.

    "Help me defeat this monster!" she shouted to Zhang Yi and his team.

    Fatty Xu raised his hand to attack but was stopped by Zhang Yi. "Brother Zhang?"

    Fatty Xu was confused. He thought it was their duty to help fellow humans against the monster. Why was Zhang Yi stopping him?

    "Wait!" Zhang Yimanded, watching Liang Yue intently. Her sword skills were sharp and deadly, far beyond ordinary. She wasn¡¯t just a martial artist; her strength and speed suggested she was a superhuman with exceptionalbat abilities.

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t tell if she was a friend or foe. His mission was to find Yang Xinxin, not to save unrted people. The ck monster was formidable, and engaging it could risk their safety. There was no need to intervene.

    "No need to get involved. She seems to be handling it. Let¡¯s go rescue the others," Zhang Yi said, heading towards the gym.

    Fatty Xu paused, scratching his head. Zhang Yi¡¯s reasoning made sense. He initially wanted to help because she was young and beautiful, but he realized it was unnecessary. Helping a stranger might lead to awkwardness if misinterpreted, he thought, remembering past embarrassments.

    "Better not be the fool here," he decided, following Zhang Yi.

    Uncle You, recognizing Liang Yue¡¯s formidable skills, felt cautious. He knew he¡¯d stand no chance against her despite his military training. Deciding it was wiser to follow Zhang Yi and avoid unnecessary danger, he joined them in searching for survivors.

    Liang Yue was shocked and frustrated as she saw the three ignore her plea and head into the gym. Unable to spare attention, she focused on the monster, battling fiercely. She could only watch helplessly as Zhang Yi¡¯s group entered the gym.

    "What are you doing?" she shouted but had no choice but to continue fighting. Her students¡¯ safety was in her hands, and she couldn¡¯t afford distractions.

 Chapter 219: The Paralyzed Girl

    Chapter 219: The Paralyzed Girl

    "Bang!"

    The gymnasium doors were forcefully pushed open, the equipment barring them no match for Uncle You¡¯s titan-like strength. Zhang Yi stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over the frightened students.

    The students nearly screamed, but seeing that three humans had entered, they felt a bit more at ease. Zhang Yi quickly spotted the girl in the wheelchair¡ªYang Xinxin. He had seen her photo before and recognized her immediately.

    "Good, you¡¯re still alive," Zhang Yi sighed in relief. If she had died before he arrived, all his efforts would have been in vain.

    As Zhang Yi walked towards her, Wu Chengyu stepped forward, adjusting his hair and straightening his custom blue uniform. "Are you from the West Hill Base? Did my father send you?" he asked.

    "West Hill Base? What¡¯s that?" Zhang Yi replied, puzzled by the unfamiliar name.

    Seeing them fully armed, Wu Chengyu mistook them for personnel from a refuge organization. With a slight smile, he introduced himself: "I¡¯m Wu Chengyu. My father is Wu Jianguo, the director of the Tianhai City CZ Bureau. You must be familiar with his name."

    Wu Chengyu¡¯s appearance was somewhatical. Despite his expensive hairstyle and custom uniform, over a month in the apocalypse without a bath or clean clothes left him looking barely better than a beggar. Yet he still unted his status, which only made him moreughable.Zhang Yi, smiling, asked, "Are you familiar with the West Hill organization?"

    He wanted to gather intelligence about this group. Wu Chengyu, however, looked confused. "You¡¯re not from West Hill? Then you must be from another refuge. Strange, this ce is closest to West Hill; why would they send you instead?"

    Zhang Yi deduced multiple high-level refuges in Tianhai City, recalling simr mentions by Zhang Yuan and Cai Mingyu at Cloud Manor. These refuges were not the emergency shelters set up for the public but more secure and exclusive locations.

    "How much do you know about the refuges?" Zhang Yi probed further.

    Sensing something amiss, Wu Chengyu realized these people weren¡¯t sent to rescue him. "You¡¯re not from a refuge? I don¡¯t know much, just that there are some ces like that."

    He bit his lip. "If we had known the snowstorm would get this bad, I¡¯d be there now!"

    Seeing Wu Chengyu¡¯sck of useful information, Zhang Yi moved past him towards Yang Xinxin. Seeing Zhang Yi¡¯s group as saviors, the other students rushed to surround Uncle You and Fatty Xu.

    "My father is Wang Chongming, chairman of Chongming Group. Get me out of here, and he¡¯ll pay you any amount!"

    "My dad is Li Gang, and my mom is Zhang Cuiyun. You know what those names mean in Tianhai City!"

    "Take me out, and I¡¯ll pay you. If you want to be an official, my parents can arrange that too!"

    The students¡¯ eyes were filled with desperation and a strange madness. They had been surviving in this dire situation for too long, and seeing a glimmer of hope, they clung to it desperately. Uncle You and Fatty Xu, ufortable with the situation, realized they couldn¡¯t rescue everyone without burdening themselves.

    Unlike Zhang Yi, theycked the heart to dismiss the students harshly. Despite their awkwardness, they couldn''t bear to refuse outright. However, none of the students dared approach Zhang Yi, sensing an intimidating aura around him, enhanced by the golden Desert Eagle he held.

    Zhang Yi, exuding a palpable killing intent, walked to Yang Xinxin. Lu Keran, pale and frightened, instinctively wanted to flee but couldn''t muster the courage. Yang Xinxin, on the other hand, raised her delicate face, looking at Zhang Yi with innocent eyes.

    Crouching down, Zhang Yi looked into her pretty eyes, asking gently, "You¡¯re Yang Xinxin, right?"

    "Yes," she nodded.

    "I¡¯m Zhang Yi. Your sisters, Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er, have sent me to rescue you. Will youe with me?" he asked.

    "Okay," Yang Xinxin replied without hesitation. In her current situation, anyone willing to save her wasn¡¯t an enemy.

    Zhang Yi nodded. "Alright, let¡¯s go."

    "Wait¡­ please wait!" Yang Xinxin suddenly said.

    Curious, Zhang Yi tilted his head. "What is it?"

    "Can you do me a favor?" Yang Xinxin asked earnestly, her eyes clear and bright like gems.

    "What kind of favor? Don¡¯t ask for something tooplicated, like saving all your ssmates," Zhang Yi joked.

    Yang Xinxin looked towards the icy corridor, where the sounds of battle still echoed. The shing metal noises were nerve-wracking. "Can you stop them from fighting? I¡¯m worried for him," she said.

    "Oh?" Zhang Yi looked towards the corridor, hearing the ongoing fierce fight. The battle was intense but not one-sided.

    "Just stopping them is doable," he said, thinking it wouldn¡¯t be too hard. With ns to have Yang Xinxin help him withwork maintenance at the refuge, gaining her favor now would be advantageous.

    Seeing Yang Xinxin nod, Zhang Yi smiled. He stood up, approached Fatty Xu, and whispered, "Come with me."

    As Zhang Yi moved, the students instinctively stepped aside, not wanting to get too close. Fatty Xu, relieved to escape the students¡¯ pleas, followed Zhang Yi out the door.

 Chapter 220: Why Are You the Nations Hope?

    Chapter 220: Why Are You the Nation''s Hope?

    Zhang Yi and hispanions entered the corridor where Liang Yue was fiercely battling the ck monster. The ground was littered with steel needles, emitting a dark, eerie glow. Zhang Yi, wearing cut-resistant gloves, picked up two of the needles and stored them in his spatial space forter study.

    "Fatty, do it!" Zhang Yi signaled to Fatty Xu.

    Fatty Xu stepped forward, raising his hands towards Liang Yue and the ck monster, activating his powers. "Crack¡ª" Huge cracks appeared around the ice and snow corridor. Liang Yue¡¯s pupils contracted as she quickly retreated.

    The next moment, hundreds of tons of ice and snow copsed from above,pletely blocking the corridor and separating Liang Yue from the ck monster. Enraged, Liang Yue turned to Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu, trembling with fury.

    "You!" she shouted.

    Fatty Xu hid behind Zhang Yi, terrified. Zhang Yi, however, smiled and ced his hand on the trigger of his Desert Eagle. "No need to thank me. We''re all human, and it''s only right to help each other."

    Liang Yue was furious, her whole body shaking. She raised her Tang sword, pointing its tip at Zhang Yi''s face. "Do you know what you¡¯ve done? I was just about to defeat that monster!"

    "This was myst chance. If I missed this opportunity, the monster wouldn¡¯t fall for my trick again!" she shouted, her voice filled with despair. Liang Yue had burned all her strength for this showdown, and failure meant death for her and her students, one by one.Zhang Yi looked innocent. "Oh? I just wanted to help, afraid you¡¯d lose to the monster."

    He pointed to the ssroom where Yang Xinxin was. "If not for your student worrying about your safety and asking for my help, I wouldn¡¯t have intervened."

    Liang Yue¡¯s eyes zed with anger and hatred for Zhang Yi. "You bastard!" She charged at Zhang Yi, her speed like a whirlwind, not inferior to the ck monster¡¯s.

    Seeing her intent to kill, Zhang Yi¡¯s expression turned serious. "Such a pretty woman, but anger doesn¡¯t suit you!" he said, raising his Desert Eagle.

    "Bang!"

    The enormous recoil shook Zhang Yi''s shoulder. The bullet''s power, enhanced by his abilities, was immense. Liang Yue, determined to kill Zhang Yi, swiftly shed her sword, creating a fan-shaped arc that deflected the bullet into the walls on either side.

    A top-tier iaido master could cut through a tennis ball traveling 820 km/h. With her abilities, Liang Yue could even split a bullet. Within moments, she was upon Zhang Yi, her sword ready to strike.

    Zhang Yi smiled, waiting for this moment. A Dimensional Gate opened in front of him. Liang Yue sensed the danger but couldn¡¯t stop in time. "Whoosh¡ª" She disappeared into the gate. Zhang Yi counted to two and released her, ensuring she wasn¡¯t trapped long enough to die.

    Reappearing, Liang Yue copsed, exhausted and terrified. "What was that?" she gasped, weak from the fight with the monster and her drained energy. Days of hunger and fatigue left her unable to stand.

    Zhang Yi shrugged. "I tried to help, but you attacked me. What a difficult woman to understand." He walked over and took her Tang sword. "I¡¯ll keep this dangerous weapon safe for you," he said with a smile. The sword, capable of splitting bullets, was a rare and valuable weapon.

    Liang Yue red at him, seething with anger. "Give me back Loong Roar Sword!" She nearly fainted from the loss of her precious sword. "Alright, calm down. Getting angry is bad for you. Students, help your teacher to rest," Zhang Yi instructed.

    Several students nervously approached, helping Liang Yue to a corner. She leaned against the wall, too weak to stand, ring at Zhang Yi with impotent rage. "Who are you? Why are you here?" she demanded.

    Zhang Yi looked at Yang Xinxin and replied, "I¡¯m here on behalf of her family to take her away."

    "Take her away?" Liang Yue and the other students looked hopeful. "Can you take us too?" they pleaded. "It¡¯s too dangerous here. That monster has killed hundreds of us already!"

    "Please, take us with you! My father will reward you greatly! You can name any price!"

    "My father is a director!"

    "My father is a minister!"

    Zhang Yi grew impatient with their pleas. "I¡¯m here only to take her away. The rest of you should contact your own families for help."

    The students, realizing Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t help them, grew desperate. "We can¡¯t reach our families! Please help us! We¡¯ll reward you richlyter!"

    Liang Yue recognized Zhang Yi and hispanions'' strength and knew they were exceptional. "You must have a good ce to live and plenty of food," she said. Please, save these children. They are the future hope of our nation!"

    The students looked at Zhang Yi eagerly, but he onlyughed coldly. "The nation¡¯s hope? Are you saying only the children of officials and the rich are the hope, while ordinary children are not?"

    "I don¡¯t see anything special about you. Is it your arrogance?" Zhang Yi scoffed, shaking his head. "If you¡¯re so exceptional, you should be able to survive on your own. Sorry, I¡¯m just an ordinary kid. I can¡¯t save you ¡®elites.¡¯"

 Chapter 221: You Are Useless

    Chapter 221: You Are Useless

    "Are you kidding? You want me to save you?" Zhang Yi thought incredulously. He wasn¡¯t inclined to rescue these elite students. Raised with silver spoons in their mouths, their lives had been more extravagant and fulfilling in twenty years than many people''s sixty-five. These young masters and mistresses would be a burden if rescued.

    "I¡¯m only here for Yang Xinxin. The rest of you are on your own!" Zhang Yi dered, turning to take Yang Xinxin away.

    However, these cunning children of officials and wealthy businessmen quickly realized Zhang Yi had no intention of taking them along. Several students approached Yang Xinxin, seizing her.

    "You must take us with you! Or we¡¯ll kill her!" Zhang Mengning threatened, her face twisted with malice.

    Lu Keran, shocked by her ssmates¡¯ actions, rushed to free Yang Xinxin but was pushed to the ground by a tall boy. "Don¡¯t! You¡¯re all ssmates; you can¡¯t do this!" Liang Yue weakly protested, but no one listened. To them, she was merely a glorified bodyguard.

    Several students restrained Yang Xinxin. Zhang Mengning red at Zhang Yi, "If you don¡¯t take us, no one leaves!"

    Zhang Yi scoffed, turning to Fatty Xu and Uncle You. "Why are there so many self-righteous people in this world?" he asked, seemingly casual but ready to act.

    With a quick, nonchnt turn, he switched to his police-issue handgun, more manageable for precision shots."Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!"

    Four consecutive shots echoed as Zhang Yi fired without hesitation. The students holding Yang Xinxin copsed, blood oozing from bullet holes in their foreheads. Their eyes widened in shock before life left them, and they fell to the ground, dead.

    "Killing! Ah!!!"

    The surrounding students screamed and scattered, looking at Zhang Yi with fear as if he were a wild beast. Liang Yue, furious and shocked, pointed at Zhang Yi, "You... you killed those children!"

    Zhang Yiughed coldly, "Children? They knew how to use a ssmate¡¯s life to threaten others, and you call them children?"

    Ignoring their moral arguments, Zhang Yi walked to Yang Xinxin. The dead bodies didn¡¯t faze her, her expression detached. "Desensitized?" Zhang Yi wondered, hoping she wouldn¡¯t be too psychologically scarred.

    Liang Yue continued to berate Zhang Yi for his cold-blooded actions, pleading for him to take the other students, too. Zhang Yi paid her no mind, extending his hand to Yang Xinxin. "Let¡¯s go. I¡¯m taking you home."

    For the first time, Yang Xinxin¡¯s light blue eyes showed emotion. "Okay," she nodded, taking his hand.

    "Can you take my friend too?" she pleaded, looking at Lu Keran nearby. "She¡¯s a special student at Tianqing Academy, just like me."

    "Special student?" Zhang Yi asked, intrigued.

    Yang Xinxin exined, "This school has two kinds of students: children of the elite and those specially admitted for their talents. Lu Keran is a mechanical genius, on par with engineering graduates from Caltech. She built this custom wheelchair for me."

    Zhang Yi examined Lu Keran, a short-haired girl with a robust physique, essential for a mechanical engineer. "What can you do?" he asked.

    Lu Keran¡¯s eyes brightened, seizing the opportunity. "I¡¯m skilled in vehicle design and repair, and I know a lot about firearms. If you take me, I can modify cars and guns for you. I¡¯ve also studied swordsmithing and can forge weapons if conditions allow."

    Impressed by her skills, Zhang Yi pped, "Alright, you cane too."

    Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin exchanged nces, excitement in their eyes. "Thank you¡­ What should we call you?" Lu Keran asked.

    "Call me Zhang Yi. You can call me Brother Yi," he replied with a smile.

    "Thank you, Brother Yi!" Lu Keran beamed, overjoyed.

    Zhang Yi had Lu Keran push Yang Xinxin¡¯s wheelchair as they prepared to leave. The remaining students, on the verge of tears, begged, "Mr. Zhang, we have skills too! I¡¯m a great driver!"

    "I know eightnguages; I can be your trantor!"

    "I¡¯m well-versed in literature and can recite Dream of the Red Chamber backwards!"

    Despite their elite education, their skills were mostly impractical in the apocalypse. The remaining students, realizing their futile pleas, turned to Shen Miaoke, the brave girl with long, wavy hair.

    "Now that Ms. Liang is weak, and the monster is still around, what will we do if ites back to kill us?" she asked Zhang Yi.

    "Without your intervention, Ms. Liang might have killed the monster. Are you just going to leave us to die?" she argued, trying to appeal to his sense of responsibility.

    Zhang Yi remained unmoved. "You speak as if you¡¯d survive if we hadn¡¯t intervened. Maybe you¡¯d all be dead by now."

 Chapter 222: Not as Frail as She Seems

    Chapter 222: Not as Frail as She Seems

    The students were reluctant to ept reality and wanted to argue further, but Zhang Yi waved his gun, and their mouths instantly fell silent. They could only watch with envy and hatred as Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin followed Zhang Yi.

    As they watched them leave, the remaining students exchanged resentful nces, full of anger but powerless to do anything. Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran bowed in gratitude as they passed Liang Yue.

    "Thank you for caring for us during this time, Teacher Liang," Yang Xinxin said sincerely.

    Despite their ssmates'' cruelty, Liang Yue was a responsible teacher who cared for them. Yang Xinxin knew Liang Yue couldn''t abandon the others and leave with them, so she didn''t invite her along.

    Liang Yue, too exhausted to speak, merely nodded faintly. Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran said nothing more and followed Zhang Yi and his group.

    Once they had walked far, Liang Yue struggled to her feet. "Follow them!" shemanded. "I¡¯m seriously injured, and that monster won¡¯t be much better off. Now, while it doesn¡¯t daree out, we should follow them and at least find a way out of here."

    The students finally understood. "That¡¯s right! If we want to survive, this is our only chance!" they realized.

    Two girls came forward to help Liang Yue, and the group followed Zhang Yi¡¯s party out. They had considered leaving before, but the maze of tunnels dug by the monster made it impossible to find the right path. With Zhang Yi¡¯s group leading the way, they hoped not to get lost.Fatty Xu noticed the group following them and whispered to Zhang Yi, "Those people are following us. What should we do?"

    Zhang Yi smiled, "What, do you feel sorry for them?"

    Fatty Xu shook his head, "Not really."

    "Then do you want to bury them all? With your power, you could copse the tunnel and bury them alive," Zhang Yi suggested.

    Fatty Xu was startled, "No, I don''t mean that. They haven''t done anything to me."

    Zhang Yi shrugged, "Then just ignore them. We can''t save everyone. We''re not capable of supporting dozens of people."

    Fatty Xu nodded, finding Zhang Yi¡¯s reasoning sensible, and continued walking.

    The markers Zhang Yi had made earlier came in handy as they followed them back to the snowy surface. Zhang Yi immediately retrieved two snowmobiles from his spatial storage without wasting time.

    "Fatty, you ride with Uncle You," Zhang Yi instructed.

    Fatty Xu grimaced, "A motorcycle in this cold? It¡¯s going to be freezing!"

    Zhang Yi ced a helmet on his head, "This will help."

    "Oh, this isn¡¯t so bad! I¡¯ve always wanted to try riding a motorcycle!" Fatty Xu eagerly ran to sit on the motorcycle¡¯s sidecar with Uncle You.

    Zhang Yi then opened the front passenger door, carefully cing Yang Xinxin inside and storing her wheelchair. Lu Keran sat obediently in the back seat.

    "Let¡¯s go! Time to head back!" Zhang Yi said, honking the horn and signaling Uncle You to start the engine. The snowmobiles roared to life and quickly sped away from Tianqing Academy.

    Not long after, Liang Yue and her group emerged from the snow tunnels. Their hopes were dashed as they saw only the exhaust trails of the departing snowmobiles.

    "Where do we go now?" a girl asked, bewildered, looking at the endless whitendscape. At least underground, they had shelter and food, but now they had nothing.

    Wu Chengyu stepped forward, smiling confidently as he pulled out his phone, "Leave it to me!"

    With a signal restored outside, he intended to contact his influential father to send help from the West Hill Base.

    On the way back, Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran rxed in the warmth of the car, gradually showing signs offort after over a month trapped beneath the snow, constantly facing monster attacks. Seeing their dirty and fatigued appearance, Zhang Yi smiled and extended his hand, producing two bottles of mineral water, several chocte bars, and some bread.

    "Have something to eat to replenish your energy. Be careful not to eat too quickly, or you might get stomachaches. Getting sick now would be very painful," Zhang Yi advised.

    Lu Keran¡¯s eyes filled with tears of gratitude, "Brother Yi, you¡¯re such a kind person! Thank you!"

    Despite her tomboyish nature, Lu Keran¡¯s personality was pleasant and easy to get along with. Yang Xinxin, though appearing frail, politely thanked Zhang Yi before starting to eat. Zhang Yi nced in the rearview mirror, his smile growing.

    Once they had finished eating and restedfortably, Zhang Yi began conversing with them. "Xinxin, you¡¯re really impressive," he said.

    Yang Xinxin looked puzzled, "Brother, are you talking about me? I don¡¯t think I¡¯m impressive at all."

    She smiled softly, like a budding flower. "I¡¯ve always been a burden to everyone. I''d be dead by now if it weren¡¯t for Lu Keran''s protection."

    Lu Keranughed, "We¡¯re good sisters; no need to be so polite!"

    Zhang Yi smiled, not entirely agreeing with Yang Xinxin. "Is that so? But I think you¡¯re quite remarkable."

    Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran looked curious, wondering why Zhang Yi thought so. Zhang Yi exined, "You¡¯ve had polio since childhood, confining you to a wheelchair, yet you survived in such dangerous conditions. That¡¯s quite extraordinary."

    Zhang Yi continued before Yang Xinxin could respond, "You might attribute it to luck or Lu Keran¡¯s protection, but surviving multiple monster attacks over a month isn¡¯t just luck."

    He smiled at Yang Xinxin, "I think there¡¯s more to it. Am I right?"

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s pure and innocent expression slowly faded. "Brother, you¡¯re very smart. No wonder you¡¯ve survived and even cared for those two silly sisters."

    Her smile turned somewhat sinister, her demeanor changing entirely. "You¡¯re very clever in figuring it out. I didn¡¯t just survive by luck."

    Lu Keran was shocked, "What are you two talking about?"

    Zhang Yi remained calm. "It¡¯s not about being exceptionally smart. From an outsider¡¯s perspective, there were too many coincidences. And when you asked me to stop the fight between your teacher and the monster, it wasn¡¯t to protect your teacher but the monster."

    He concluded, "You¡¯ve been feeding that monster, haven¡¯t you?"

 Chapter 223: The Target is You, Brother

    Chapter 223: The Target is You, Brother

    After listening to Zhang Yi''s words, Yang Xinxin''s mouth curled into a meaningful smile.

    "Brother, you''re very smart! You''ve guessed about sixty to seventy percent of the truth."

    "But I''m not as bad as you think!" Yang Xinxin adjusted her hair, revealing her fair and slender neck.

    "I''m not the owner of Huahua, nor did Imand it to kill my ssmates and teachers. However, it has indeed been protecting me all this time."

    Upon hearing Yang Xinxin call the monster "Huahua," Lu Keran''s eyes widened in astonishment.

    "Huahua? Is it... is it the stray cat you used to feed?" she asked, shocked.

    Zhang Yi waited quietly for Yang Xinxin to exin. He was very interested in the mutated cat. When he arrived at Tianqing Academy, he couldn''t quickly determine Yang Xinxin''s location. The monster''s appearance seemed almost deliberate, as if leading him to her. If Fatty Xu hadn''t attacked and angered it, it might not have intended to harm him. Such a smart and powerful mutant would be perfect if tamed! After all, animals are far more loyal than humans.

    Yang Xinxin, looking into the distance, began to exin, surprising Lu Keran with her story. The monster was indeed a mutated stray cat. Due to her polio, Yang Xinxin spent most of her time in the dormitory, feeding a stray cat named Huahua behind the building. Their bond grew strong during that time, so Huahua never attacked her.Lu Keran, taking a long breath, said, "No wonder! It scared me every time it showed up but never attacked us. I thought we were just lucky!"

    Zhang Yi, however, wasn''t satisfied with her exnation. "Is it really that simple? Just gratitude for feeding it?" he asked.

    He looked at Yang Xinxin, his expression yful. "So it led us here and didn''t attack us just out of instinct?"

    Yang Xinxin, smiling, responded, "Brother, your observation skills are impressive! Nothing escapes you."

    "Yes, Huahua became incredibly intelligent after mutating. It understands my words. I told it that someone woulde to take me away and not to harm you."

    "Although, I didn''t expect you to be so strong!" she added, ncing at Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow. "So, did you also instruct it to kill your ssmates?"

    "No, not that," Yang Xinxin replied, smiling. "Although many were annoying, I didn''t hate them enough to kill them."

    "Initially, they died because some had abused Huahua before and because Huahua needed to eat."

    Her gaze darkened. "But things changedter."

    "You have no idea how many times they considered me a burden and wanted to leave me to distract Huahua. They even deliberately overturned my wheelchair or pushed me out."

    Yang Xinxin''s smile grew cold. "It''s hrious. They had no idea Huahua wouldn''t harm me, so I survived every time, deepening their hatred towards me!"

    "They wanted me dead because my survival reminded them of their evil intentions. As long as I lived, they felt guilty and ufortable, realizing their own wickedness."

    "That made them even more desperate to see me dead!"

    Lu Keran fell silent, recalling the many idents she and Yang Xinxin had faced. Despite being aware of the truth, she felt powerless to resist. Liang Yue had done her best to protect everyone, but her strength was limited and couldn''t cover every student.

    "Now I understand," Lu Keran said quietly. "I often thought we were doomed."

    Yang Xinxin, caressing the bottle in her hand as if it were a cat, smiled brightly at Zhang Yi. "So, Brother, when Huahua started toying with them and gradually killing them, it was indeed rted to me."

    "Do you think Xinxin is cruel?" she asked.

    Zhang Yi looked at her for a few seconds before smiling. Cruel? Maybe a little. But instead of being repelled, he felt a sense of admiration. This girl was like him¡ªof the same kind.

    "They have nothing to do with me. Whatever you did is your business. I don''t care," Zhang Yi replied. "I''m rescuing you because I promised your sister and need your skills as a top-notch hacker."

    Yang Xinxin nodded, unsurprised. "In this world, only those with value are saved."

    Zhang Yi reassured her, "Don¡¯t worry. Join my team, follow orders, and work diligently, and you¡¯ll never face cold, hunger, or death again. I guarantee it."

    Hiring new, talented members, he needed to make them feel secure. What he promised was mostly true. As long as nothing unexpected happened, following him would ensure afortable life.

    "Thank you, Brother Yi," Lu Keran said.

    "Thank you, Brother," Yang Xinxin echoed with a smile.

    Zhang Yi checked the rearview mirror before asking, "Xinxin, I have one more question."

    "Please ask, Brother."

    "The apocalypse has been going on for a while. Why didn¡¯t you contact your sisters earlier? Why only recently? And how did you manage the signal issue buried so deep under the snow?"

    Yang Xinxin giggled, "Brother, I''m a world-ss hacker. Handling signals is easy for me. Besides, Huahua helped."

    "As for contacting my sisters..." She opened her eyes, revealing a sly glint. "I never intended to contact my foolish sisters."

    "From the start, my target was you!"

 Chapter 224: Both of You Are Talented

    Chapter 224: Both of You Are Talented

    Snow continued to fall, albeit lighter than a month ago, but the wind was fierce. The snowmobiles headed towards Cloud Manor, cold outside, but warm andfortable inside the vehicles. Zhang Yi¡¯s expression remained unchanged, though his eyes showed a flicker of surprise.

    "Your target is me? What do you mean by that? We¡¯ve never had any prior contact," Zhang Yi said, intrigued.

    Yang Xinxin exined softly, "I originally thought my foolish sister was dead. With her intellect and capabilities, she could manage in the entertainment industry but saving lives? She¡¯d be lucky to save herself."

    "Therefore, I never ced my hopes on her."

    Zhang Yi asked, "And then?"

    "Then, my phone received messages from the outside world." She pulled out her phone from her clothes¡ªa device Zhang Yi had never seen before. It seemed to be a custom-made product, hence its powerful signal reception.

    "Its performance rivals that of a supeputer. Just a little analysis, and I could find all the information about you, Brother," she said, tilting her head to examine Zhang Yi¡¯s handsome, determined profile.

    "Xinxin really admires you, Brother! Even though you were just an ordinary warehouse manager, you achieved so much in the apocalypse."Zhang Yi felt a chill down his spine. A top hacker could easily ess your information in an era of highly developed information technology.

    "How much do you know about me?" Zhang Yi asked, uneasy.

    "Almost everything!" Yang Xinxin said confidently. "Anything that can be found online, I can uncover with a few keystrokes."

    "Like your involvement in the Walmart South China warehouse theft case, your bank transfer records, and the numerous neighbors you killed in the Yue Lu District!"

    She suddenly covered her face with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and her eyes filled with infatuation. "After reading your story, Xinxin became obsessed!"

    Zhang Yi thought She¡¯s a yandere!

    Being targeted by a beautiful, tragic, and crazy girl was both thrilling and unsettling. Not knowing if it was a good or bad thing, Zhang Yi took a deep breath and said, "So you knew I was living with Yang Siya and Zhou Ke¡¯er, and you used them to contact me. Is that right?"

    Yang Xinxin nodded, "Yes, exactly! Although I wasn''t sure if you woulde to save me, I knew if you didn¡¯t, I¡¯de to find you."

    "But you dide to save me, and Xinxin is so happy!" she eximed, lightly grasping Zhang Yi¡¯s coat hem and blushing.

    Zhang Yi was speechless. He thought he had everything under control, only to be caught in someone else¡¯s n. This cunning girl was indeed someone to be kept on his side rather than as an enemy.

    "Xinxin, I have a question. You and that monster cat seem to have a good rtionship. Will it follow your orderspletely?" Zhang Yi asked.

    Yang Xinxin pondered, cing a slender finger on her lips, then shook her head. "Brother, have you ever kept a cat?"

    "With cats, you can be their friend. They¡¯ll be close to whoever treats them well. But being their master is too difficult."

    "Especially with stray cats."

    Zhang Yi rubbed his head in frustration. "That¡¯s tricky then! I was hoping to recruit a powerful ally!"

    Looking through the rearview mirror, Zhang Yi sensed something following them through the heavy snow. His instincts told him it was the monster cat.

    "Is it reluctant to part with Yang Xinxin?" Zhang Yi mumbled. Cats are unpredictable creatures. Domesticated pets aside, stray or rural cats retain their wild nature, are distrustful of humans, and are difficult to tame.

    "Maybe I can try. Plenty of cat food, fish snacks, and treats are in the warehouse. Those might be more appealing than human food," Zhang Yi mused. "I haven¡¯t tried them, so I can¡¯tpare, but it¡¯s worth a shot!"

    Back at Cloud Manor, Zhang Yi thanked Fatty Xu with a food package and a limited-edition Madoka Kaname pillow, which Fatty Xu joyfully clung to. For Uncle You, Zhang Yi provided tworge barrels of gasoline, a precious resource for him.

    "Thank you both for your hard work today," Zhang Yi said, smiling.

    Happy with the generous reward and easy mission, Uncle You and Fatty Xu left contentedly, offering their help again in the future. Zhang Yi, generous to his allies, never hesitated to reward them.

    "See you next time!" they parted ways, and Zhang Yi brought Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran back to the shelter. Starved and frozen for over a month at Tianqing Academy, the two girls were thrilled to find themselves in the warm, luxurious refuge.

    "Wow, this ce is like a dream!" Yang Xinxin eximed, while Lu Keran, usually tough, cried tears of joy.

    "As long as you help me and ensure this ce¡¯s security, you can live here happily forever," Zhang Yi promised.

    Lu Keran swore her loyalty, "Big Brother, I¡¯ll follow you wholeheartedly from now on!"

    Yang Xinxin shyly asked, "Does helping you include... daily life?"

    Zhang Yi, slightly exasperated, knelt in front of her, patting her cold cheek. "Such a young girl, yet you know so much!"

    "But your main task is to help me maintain the security of this shelter. Got it?"

    Despite her beauty, Zhang Yi saw Yang Xinxin primarily as a topputer expert. Her usefulness far exceeded her attractiveness. His words relieved her caution but left her feeling slightly disappointed, and she wondered if he found her disability repulsive.

    Women areplicated creatures. If Zhang Yi showed interest, she¡¯d be wary; if he didn¡¯t, she¡¯d feel rejected.

 Chapter 225: Mechanical Expert

    Chapter 225: Mechanical Expert

    Zhang Yi quickly brought Yang Siya and Zhou Ke''er to the living room. Seeing Yang Xinxin safe and sound, they burst into tears of joy and rushed forward.

    "Xinxin! It¡¯s so great that you¡¯re alive!"

    "Do you know how worried we were about you?"

    Yang Siya knelt in front of Yang Xinxin with a fawning smile. "Why didn''t you contact me earlier? You must have suffered a lot out there!"

    However, Yang Xinxin showed little warmth towards her celebrity cousin. With a cold snort, she replied, "My lowly sister! You only became famous by exploiting men¡¯s fantasies. Aside from relying on your body, what else can you do?"

    "If it weren¡¯t for discovering you were with Brother Zhang Yi, I wouldn¡¯t have contacted you at all!"

    Yang Siya¡¯s face turned awkward. Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, realizing the strained rtionship between the cousins. It was no wonder, given Yang Siya¡¯s reputation and Yang Xinxin¡¯s intellectual prowess.

    "Brother Zhang Yi?" Zhou Ke''er remarked, intrigued by Yang Xinxin¡¯s respectful address. "Since when did Xinxin be so polite to anyone?"In her memory, Yang Xinxin, due to her extraordinary intelligence, rarely acknowledged anyone.

    After brief introductions, Lu Keran shared her background. Although not from a prominent family, her parents were university professors, making her upbringing respectable.

    pping his hands, Zhang Yi assigned tasks to Yang Siya and Zhou Ke''er.

    "Mimi, prepare a good meal to wee Xinxin and Keran."

    "Ke¡¯er, organize their rooms."

    Zhou Ke''er cheerfully agreed, "Sure! I¡¯ve already prepared Xinxin¡¯s room; I just need to set up one more."

    Yang Siya began working in the kitchen to prepare the dinner.

    As for Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin, who had just arrived, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t rush them into work. Given theck of proper bathing conditions at Tianqing Academy under the snow, he sent them to take a bath first.

    Lu Keran pushed Yang Xinxin to the bathroom. Knowing their measurements, Zhang Yi provided several sets of clothes for them to choose from. In the kitchen, Yang Siya nced at Zhang Yi, her knife moving slower.

    Zhang Yi sighed, "Still holding onto that after so long?"

    Yang Siya pouted, "You can do whatever you want to me, but don¡¯t think about doing the same to those innocent students."

    Zhang Yi chuckled. He had no such intentions. His previous treatment of Yang Siya stemmed from knowing she came with her body as a bargaining chip for survival. But Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin were different¡ªthey were skilled talents essential for the shelter¡¯s security. Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t desperate. They needed to focus on fortifying the shelter.

    If emotions developed over time, well, that was beyond his control. The two girls spent a long time in the bathroom. Coming from decent families, the long period without proper bathing had been tough. In afortable environment with hot water, they thoroughly cleansed themselves.

    After their baths, the girls emerged in the clothes Zhang Yi had prepared. Feeling refreshed, they looked at Zhang Yi with growing affection¡ªafter all, he was their savior, providing them with a safe andfortable home.

    "Big Brother, we¡¯re done!" Lu Keran said cheerfully.

    Zhang Yi, smiling, invited them to sit, offering hot drinks to replenish their energy. With a coffee machine avable, Yang Siya served Yang Xinxin a cappino while Lu Keran opted for an Americano.

    Crossing his legs, Zhang Yi casually chatted with them. "Xinxin, you¡¯ll be responsible for the shelter¡¯swork security. Is that alright?"

    Though Zhang Yi knew little aboutputers, he knew Yang Xinxin¡¯s expertise.

    Yang Xinxin nodded confidently, "Leave it to me!"

    Turning to Lu Keran, Zhang Yi asked, "You¡¯re skilled in mechanics. Can you manufacture weapons and ammunition?"

    Lu Keran sat up straight, "Big Brother, I can! But I¡¯ll need specialized mechanical equipment."

    "And for ammunition, the necessary materials aren¡¯t readily avable in the market."

    "But for cold weapons, the materials can be sourced from other metals at home. However, forging tools are required."

    Zhang Yi smiled, "That¡¯s not a problem."

    He stood and led Lu Keran to the basement, revealing a spacious room filled with industrial machinery he had salvaged. From CNC machines to various high-end equipment, they were invaluable.

    "Can you use these? If not, I can find more from steel factories," Zhang Yi offered.

    Lu Keran¡¯s eyes sparkled at the sight of the advanced machinery. "These are perfect! Even if some aren¡¯t directly useful, I can modify the parts."

    Her enthusiasm reassured Zhang Yi. Her mechanical skills would be crucial for their survival.

    "First, organize the equipment. Later, you can help create whatever we need," Zhang Yi instructed.

    Zhang Yi had plenty of chemical supplies for ammunition materials in his spatial storage. Large firearms were abundant, but he needed bullets and suppressors¡ªespecially for his sniper rifle, which made too much noise, hindering stealth operations.

    "Rest assured, Big Brother! Leave it all to me!" Lu Keran said confidently, flexing her well-toned arms.

    Watching her enthusiasm, Zhang Yi felt delighted. He initially expected less, but her talents were a pleasant surprise.

    "Since you¡¯re familiar with materials, check this out," Zhang Yi said, handing her the Loong Roar Sword from Liang Yue.

    "Is this an ancient artifact? When I took it, your teacher seemed ready to fight to the death," he mused.

    Lu Keran, familiar with the sword, eagerly examined it. As she unsheathed the de, a cold gleam, and a clear ringing sound emerged.

    "This is Teacher Liang¡¯s treasured sword! Finally, I can see it up close," Lu Keran admired the sword, studying it like a rare gem. After a long while, she reluctantly sheathed it and returned it to Zhang Yi.

    "This sword, Loong Roar, was crafted by Yuan Lin, the greatest swordsmith in China. It¡¯s not an ancient relic but a modern masterpiece made of Adamantium, said to be the hardest metal, capable of slicing through diamonds."

    Zhang Yi was astonished. "That¡¯s impressive!"

    Lu Keran exined, "Adamantium was developed ten years ago for military applications but was too costly and scarce. Some used it for cold weapons, creating indestructible des."

    "This one, Loong Roar, was given to Teacher Liang as a reward for saving a high-ranking official¡¯s life. It symbolizes immense honor to her, which is why she values it more than her life."

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes glowed as he admired the sword. It was no wonder Liang Yue could fight the mutant cat¡ªordinary des would have dulled.

    "This is a great weapon. I¡¯ll keep it safe," Zhang Yi decided, preferring it over his previous Damascus steel hunting knife for self-defense.

 Chapter 226: Changing Winds

    Chapter 226: Changing Winds

    In the evening, Zhang Yi and hispanions hosted a banquet to wee Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran. Having gone so long without such good food, even these elite students from a prestigious school quickly abandoned their initial restraint and began eating with enthusiasm.

    Zhang Yi quietly put down his chopsticks, amused by the sight of the two girls eating. While watching with concern, Yang Siya and Zhou Ke''er kept adding food to their tes while asking about their time at Tianqing Academy.

    With her mouth full, Lu Keran exined, "The school wasn¡¯t short on food! There were over three hundred students, but we had twelve dining halls and an internal supermarket. We had plenty of supplies."

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly, trying to imagine the aristocratic school based on Lu Keran''s description. She swallowed a meatball and gratefully looked at Zhang Yi, "But if you hadn¡¯te to rescue us, even with all the food, we wouldn¡¯t havested long in such cold weather."

    Zhang Yi nodded, "It''s fortunate you were underground with arge group. The temperature would have been less severe."

    Snow and ice are good instors, at least effective against wind. In Xudong Vige, the snow-covered houses maintained warmth thanks to Xu Chunlei''s efforts to build them with ice and snow.

    "As long as you work hard here, you won¡¯t go hungry," Zhang Yi assured them. He appreciated Lu Keran¡¯s straightforward personality, not because he had ulterior motives, but because he preferred dealing with honest people.

    Lu Keran kept nodding, "Thank you, Brother!"Yang Siya and Zhou Ke''er exchanged nces, relieved that Zhang Yi didn¡¯t see the two neers as burdens. They had worried that the extra mouths to feed would strain their resources, unaware of the vast supplies in Zhang Yi''s spatial space.

    Even if they all ate freely every day, their supplies wouldst over two hundred years. Moreover, Zhang Yi could always find more frozen supplies, so food was never an issue.

    After dinner, Yang Siya took the initiative to clean up, a task she had recently taken over entirely. Even when Zhou Ke''er was around, Yang Siya would take on the chores, transitioning from initial wariness to trust and feeling guilty.

    In this household, Zhou Ke''er was a doctor, Yang Xinxin was aputer genius, and Lu Keran was a mechanical expert. But what about her? Apart from keeping Zhang Yipany, what could she do? Although Zhang Yi never criticized her, Yang Siya was a strong-willed woman who disliked being a useless ornament.

    At the dinner table, Zhang Yi discussed the shelter¡¯s rules with Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran. Their harmonious interaction left Yang Siya feeling a bit left out. She wished to be as indispensable as Zhou Ke''er and the others.

    After dinner, they rxed on the sofa, watching TV. Zhang Yi leaned back, with Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya beside him. Given the presence of the two younger girls, they refrained from being too affectionate. Yang Xinxin, observing the dynamic, noticed something unusual but kept quiet, understanding that such rtionships weremon in the apocalypse.

    Only Lu Keran, sitting cross-legged and barefoot on the bed, waspletely engrossed in the giant TV. They could watch stored movies and TV shows or official news from around the world. Domestic news wasrgely ignored as it held little valuable information.

    As they watched, the atmosphere in the living room grew tense. Today¡¯s news delivered a crucial yet unsettling message:

    "The snow disaster has shown no signs of stopping after over a month, with extremely cold temperatures remaining. Connections between most global regions have begun to break down, leading to increasing resource conflicts, especially between countries and regions. The extreme weather has caused many official institutions to lose control, with armed organizations rising to seize resources and survivors."

    This news was rming, indicating that the world had officially entered a state of anarchy in which armed forces would no longer be restrained.

    "This is bad!" Zhang Yi muttered, arms crossed.

    Yang Siya didn¡¯t quite understand, "Hasn¡¯t the chaos already started? I didn¡¯t expect it to be so dire."

    She sighed, having once hoped the world would return to normal so she could resume her life as a beloved star. But now, she no longer dared to entertain that thought.

    "It¡¯s different," Zhang Yi exined. "Previously, even armed organizations feared higher authorities. But after a month of extreme cold, it¡¯s clear the ice age won¡¯t end soon. Without fear of retribution, these groups will act without restraint."

    Yang Xinxin added, "It¡¯s like regtions in an organization. Not everyone follows them strictly, but their existence keeps people in check. Now, there¡¯s no order left in the world!"

    "Not entirely," Zhang Yi nced at Yang Xinxin. "The most powerful forces still belong to the highest levels. However, the extreme cold has hampered their ability to manage other regions effectively, leading to the rise of warlord-like powers."

    "It¡¯s akin to the Shang and Zhou era," he continued. "The Zhou king controls the central power, while local armed forces govern their areas. This situation will persist unless the apocalypse ends."

    Yang Xinxin nodded in agreement. Yang Siya, blinking, remarked, "Isn¡¯t that somewhat positive? At least there¡¯s still some deterrence."

    Zhang Yiughed, "Not at all!"

    "Why not?" Yang Siya asked.

    "In the past, all power belonged to the central authority. Now, local armed forces have control, signaling the start of a chaotic warlord era," Zhang Yi exined, taking a deep breath. "An era where human lives will be as cheap as grass."

    Battles between ordinary people resulted in limited casualties. However, when superhumans got involved, the death toll would rise sharply, though still iparable to the devastation wrought by armed forces vying for resources. The safety of civilians would be even more precarious.

 Chapter 227: The Cat

    Chapter 227: The Cat

    Zhang Yi always monitored the changing external situation, as it directly affected the safety of his future life. He might have been overly cautious, thinking powerful organizations wouldn''t attack his shelter, but he had to prepare for everything.

    "Xinxin,e and see your new equipment!" Zhang Yi called out, standing up from the sofa and motioning for Yang Xinxin to follow him to the supeputer room.

    Yang Xinxin wheeled herself into the control room, eyes lighting up at the sight before her. The setup was so luxurious it felt like being in outer space. Wang Siming, who pursued luxury, had even installed OLED screens on the control room floor. A blue light flowed like a gctic river, and therge control panel''s buttons were neatly arranged.

    "From now on, thework security here is your responsibility!" Zhang Yi said, patting her shoulder. He couldn''t help but nce at her immobile legs. Despite her polio and paraplegia, Yang Xinxin was a genius hacker¡ªperfect for this role.

    Yang Xinxin nodded, rolling her wheelchair to the control panel. Zhang Yi granted her secondary ess, allowing her to maintainwork security without altering the core system.

    Without a word, Yang Xinxin ced her white hands on the control panel and began working like a pianist. ck and blue panels filled therge screen, code shing rapidly. Unable to understand, Zhang Yi stood beside her, watching with interest.

    Yang Xinxin had scanned the shelter¡¯swork in under ten minutes. "Are there any vulnerabilities?" Zhang Yi asked.

    Yang Xinxin replied, "This Gxy Light system, from ten years ago, was the top personalwork system. It''s incredibly powerful and can still outperform most systems worldwide. Its AI is excellent, theoretically making it invulnerable.""But," she continued, "a top hacker can create vulnerabilities."

    "In the past two weeks, the system has faced thousands of attacks. If not detected in time, the entirework could copse in a month."

    Zhang Yi''s eyes narrowed. His suspicion was confirmed. After the Lu Fengda incident, the shelter had drawn the attention of capable adversaries.

    "Can you fix the vulnerabilities and block these attacks?" Zhang Yi asked.

    Yang Xinxin smirked. "Brother Zhang Yi, don''t forget my specialty!"

    As a world-ss hacker,work security, especially offensive tactics, was her forte. Though her opponents were skilled, they were no match for her.

    "Fixing vulnerabilities is easy. I¡¯ll also set up a new encryptedwork. Stop using the old router¡ªwireless hacking is too simple."

    Zhang Yi agreed. "Do as you see fit!"

    In no time, Yang Xinxinpleted her task and looked up with a smile. "Brother, I¡¯m done!"

    Zhang Yi praised her, "Xinxin, you¡¯re amazing!"

    Yang Xinxin, pleased by his praise, added, "That was just simple maintenance. But now, I¡¯ll find out who¡¯s trying to hack us."

    She licked her lips, excited by the challenge of counter-hacking. Taking on more difficult tasks was instinctual for a top hacker like her.

    Zhang Yi thought for a moment before asking, "How confident are you? What¡¯s the risk if you fail?"

    Curious about the organization spying on him, Zhang Yi preferred gaining information over direct attacks. Yang Xinxin responded, "It''s hard to say without knowing their exact strength. So far, their attacks haven¡¯t been very strong."

    "But don''t worry. Even if I can¡¯t break into theirwork, I can hide my tracks well enough to avoid detection."

    Satisfied, Zhang Yi nodded. "Alright, go ahead!"

    If someone provoked him, he¡¯d retaliate. As they spoke, Zhou Ke''er¡¯s panicked voice echoed outside. "Zhang Yi, something''s wrong! A... a monster!"

    Zhang Yi and Yang Xinxin exchanged nces. "That cat of yours seems very attached to you," Zhang Yi joked.

    Yang Xinxin tilted her head. "It probably trusts only me among humans. Worried about me, it followed us here."

    Zhang Yi noticed the cat following them. He intended to tame it as a weapon and now was the time to do so to prevent further casualties.

    "Let''s check it out!" Zhang Yi said, pushing Yang Xinxin¡¯s wheelchair out of the control room.

    Zhou Ke''er, pale and trembling, clung to Zhang Yi¡¯s arm. "Zhang Yi, there¡¯s a huge monster outside! It''s meowing at the window."

    "Keran said Xinxin needs to go to it. It followed her here."

    Zhang Yi reassured her, "Don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s Xinxin¡¯s friend. Let¡¯s go see."

    They pushed Yang Xinxin to the living room and saw the monster cat outside. Its huge red eyes glowed in the night, staring into the house. It meowed, not aggressively but as if urging them toe out and feed it.

    Upon seeing Yang Xinxin, the cat sat quietly in the snow, looking almost like an oversized pet despite its sharp, steel-like fur.

    Yang Siya hid behind a table, watching it cautiously, while Zhou Ke''er stayed close to the ss window but kept a safe distance. The cat¡¯s calm demeanor reassured them somewhat.

 Chapter 228: Building Trust

    Chapter 228: Building Trust

    Zhang Yi observed the giant mutant cat, Huahua, sitting in the snow for a long time, now covered with snow. Despite this, Huahua disyed no hostility, just a vignt gaze directed at them. asionally, when it blinked, Zhang Yi noticed signs of fatigue.

    "It looks like the battle with Liang Yue took a toll on it," Zhang Yi remarked.

    The fight between Huahua and Liang Yue had drained both of them significantly. Liang Yue¡¯s sword, Loong Roar, had left several wounds on the cat. This likely prompted Huahua to follow Zhang Yi and Yang Xinxin here, seeking the only human it trusted.

    Zhang Yi saw an opportunity to tame the cat. "Let¡¯s go feed the cat," he told Yang Xinxin. He equipped himself and helped Yang Xinxin put on a thick coat before leaving the shelter.

    "Meow¡ª" Huahua uttered a cautious cry upon seeing Zhang Yi but showed no aggressive behavior. Its gaze held wariness and fatigue.

    Sitting in her wheelchair, Yang Xinxin waved at Huahua. "Huahua, don¡¯t be afraid! Come to your sister."

    However, Huahua only watched her, asionally ncing at Zhang Yi, and whimpered softly, not approaching. Clearly, some caution was still harbored towards Zhang Yi, especially after their earlier conflict at Tianqing Academy.

    Zhang Yi smiled and opened his spatial gate. "Whoosh¡ª" A mountain of cat treats, dried fish, and bags of cat food poured out."Come on, Huahua! Have some food! The outside world is too harsh. If you agree to be my pet, I¡¯ll ensure you¡¯re well-fed and sheltered," Zhang Yi coaxed.

    Huahua stared intensely at the pile of food. Zhang Yi even noticed its throat move in anticipation, a good sign. However, Huahua remained cautious, backing away a few steps while watching Zhang Yi and the food.

    "Meow¡ª" Huahua¡¯s cry became a mix of challenge and skepticism, as if to say: Do you think you can tame me with just this?

    From her wheelchair, Yang Xinxin smiled. "Brother, Huahua is a stray cat, highly vignt. It took me over a month to build trust with it initially."

    Zhang Yi rubbed his face and smiled. "Over a month? I don¡¯t mind, but I¡¯m worried it might attack the vige across the river where Fatty Xu lives."

    While he didn¡¯t care about the vigers¡¯ lives, he valued Fatty Xu as a loyal subordinate. Any trouble caused by Huahua might strain their rtionship.

    Turning to Huahua, Zhang Yi said, "Hey, Huahua, I know you don¡¯t trust me yet, but I can provide food for you. However, you must promise not to attack the vigers across the river. Can you agree to that?"

    He pointed towards the southern vige. Believing in Huahua¡¯s intelligence, Zhang Yi was relieved to see Huahua look in the direction he pointed and then at the pile of food, nodding slowly.

    "Meow¡ª" It was a sign of agreement.

    "Alright, that¡¯s settled then!" Zhang Yi knew building trust with a stray cat required patience, especially one as intelligent as Huahua. He had plenty of pet snacks and could afford to feed Huahua gradually.

    However, he noted, "Such a big cat has a huge appetite. I¡¯ll need to find more food for it."

    As Zhang Yi wheeled Yang Xinxin back inside, they heard excited cries from the women inside. Turning back, Zhang Yi saw Huahua had disappeared.

    "Zhang Yi, look!" Zhou Ke¡¯er eximed, pointing to the pile of cat food.

    Zhang Yi looked closely and couldn¡¯t help but exim, "Whoa!"

    The enormous mutant cat had shrunk to the size of a normal tabby cat. The women, who hadn¡¯t seen a cat in a long time, were now gushing over the adorable sight through the window.

    "It can change its size?" Zhang Yi was surprised and delighted.

    This ability meant Huahua¡¯s feeding requirements would be significantly reduced. Lu Keranughed, "Of course, big brother, your biology knowledge seemscking!"

    "If it always stayed big, those at Tianqing Academy wouldn¡¯t have been able to feed it enough."

    Yang Xinxin added, "I suspected as much. Its sudden appearances and disappearances, without causing amotion, suggested this. Even Liang Yue, a martial arts master, couldn¡¯t detect it."

    "Given its food intake, its size-changing ability makes sense."

    Zhang Yi rxed, smiling, "That makes things easier! Feeding a tabby cat is much simpler."

    Yang Xinxin, frowning, pointed out, "Huahua is injured!"

    Zhang Yi noticed the fresh bloodstains on Huahua, likely from Liang Yue¡¯s sword, Loong Roar. Though the blood had frozen, indicating recent wounds, Huahua didn¡¯t seem bothered while eating.

    "I¡¯ll provide some medicine for its recovery tomorrow," Zhang Yi thought, knowing not to approach while it was eating. Stray cats might perceive it as a threat and attack.

    He preferred handling this himself to build trust with Huahua, rather than having Yang Xinxin intervene.

    That night, Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran shared a spacious room. Decorated in warm pink and yellow tones, the room had an 80-square-meter floor area, a huge double bed with cloud-like soft bedding, and warm velvet covers, as the room temperature was high enough to not need thick nkets.

    The room was neatly arranged with a wardrobe, dressing table, and desk, and even had some cute oversized plush toys in the corner, making it a princess-like bedroom.

    Yang Xinxin wore white silk pajamas, her long, silky hair falling like satin behind her. She sat on the bed with a happy smile. Lu Keran, in green pajamas, sat cross-legged on the bed, chatting happily.

    Having been through the apocalypse, they hadn¡¯t slept soundly in a long time. Lu Keran eximed, "Xinxin, pinch me! This feels like a dream!"

    "Just this morning, we were starving and freezing under the snow, and now we¡¯re in such afortable room!"

    Yang Xinxin smiled gently. "Isn¡¯t this wonderful? We owe it all to Brother Zhang Yi."

    Mentioning Zhang Yi, she hugged a pillow, her face showing an uncontroble smile. Zhang Yi¡¯s calm, rational, and strong image was deeply imprinted in her mind.

    Lu Keran also admired, "Yes, Brother Zhang Yi is incredible! To create such a haven in the apocalypse."

    She raised her fist with determination, "I¡¯ve decided to work hard and not disappoint Brother Zhang Yi¡¯s kindness!"

    Yang Xinxin curiously asked, "What did he ask you to do?"

    Lu Keran exined, "He asked me to familiarize myself with and modify some equipment. Besides repairing equipment, I¡¯ll likely make weapons too."

    Yang Xinxin smiled, "Weapons aren¡¯t easy to make, right?"

    Lu Keran nodded, "Yes. Simple firearms are manageable, butplex ones need specialized equipment and molds. Even then, the precision might be off."

    Yang Xinxin suggested, "Brother probably doesn¡¯tck simple firearms. Bullets and bombs might be more useful to him."

    Lu Keran realized, "You¡¯re right!"

    Making high-end firearms was challenging, but bullets and explosives were easier. Even basic demolition experts could create makeshift bombs. For a professional like Lu Keran, making more powerful, stable bombs was no problem.

    "I¡¯ll discuss it with Brother tomorrow!" Lu Keran said happily, determined to repay Zhang Yi¡¯s kindness.

    The next morning, Lu Keran eagerly approached Zhang Yi with her ideas. Zhang Yi was intrigued, considering his traps too simple to handle stronger enemies. Morendmines and explosives would be ideal.

    "Great! Make a batch of those. Be careful, and let me know what materials you need," Zhang Yi said.

    Lu Keran confidently patted her chest, "Leave it to me, big brother!"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes momentarily nced at her chest, slightly worried for her future children. "Work hard, I have high hopes for you!" he encouraged, patting her shoulder.

 Chapter 229: Arrival from West Hill Base

    Chapter 229: Arrival from West Hill Base

    As the story unfolds, after Zhang Yi, Yang Xinxin, and Lu Keran left Tianqing Academy, Liang Yue led the remaining students to climb up the snow-covered surface. Unbeknownst to them, the cat demon, Huahua, had also followed Zhang Yi and Yang Xinxin. They might have stayed obediently at Tianqing Academy if they had known, given that the supplies there were still enough to sustain them for some time. But fate is unpredictable, and they were unaware of the full situation.

    Upon reaching the snow-covered surface, the group was hit by a bitter cold wind that made them shiver uncontrobly, forcing them to retreat back into the snow cave for shelter. The ss monitor, Wu Chengyu, was thrilled as he pulled out his phone and called his father, Wu Jianguo, for help. When the call connected, Wu Chengyu indeed heard his father''s voice on the other end. After inquiring about the situation at Tianqing Academy, Wu Jianguo instructed them to stay put, assuring them he would send someone to rescue them.

    The group was ted by this news.

    ¡°Finally! We''re saved!¡±

    ¡°We won¡¯t have to stay in this hellhole any longer!¡±

    ¡°Monitor, you¡¯re amazing! Truly dependable.¡±

    Although others had tried contacting their families, they were all children from wealthy backgrounds with prominent family connections. Yet, none of them managed to reach their families, except for Wu Chengyu. This left a bad feeling in their hearts. Could it be that their families had already met with disaster? The students dared not dwell on such dreadful thoughts. The ongoing pain and despair over the past few days had already numbed them. The inability to get through on the phone perhaps still left them with a sliver of hope.

    However, as Teacher Liang Yue observed themanding presence of Wu Chengyu, a peculiar feeling stirred in her heart. Could Wu Chengyu''s father really have the capability to rescue them? If he did, wouldn¡¯t he have already sent someone to investigate, even if Wu Chengyu hadn¡¯t been able to make contact earlier? Why wait until now? But why would he agree toe if Wu Jianguo couldn''t save them? Liang Yue couldn¡¯t exin it, but she instinctively felt something was off.The group waited in the snow cave for several hours until they suddenly heard amotion outside.

    ¡°My dad''s here!¡± Wu Chengyu excitedly scrambled out of the snow cave. The other students quickly followed, afraid of being left behind if they were toote. Liang Yue, who had regained some strength, also stood up and climbed to the snow-covered surface with the help of two students.

    On the snow, they saw several dog sleds, each pulled byrge skan Mmutes, wrapped in custom-made winter gear. These were clearly well-trained, specialized dogs. Seven or eight people disembarked from the sleds, dressed in white clothing, helmets, and even weapons wrapped in white cloth, blending almost seamlessly with the snowyndscape. Yet, their presence exuded an aura of authority and danger. Being familiar with such individuals, Liang Yue recognized them at once as battle-hardened veterans, and not just any soldiers¡ªthese were elite troops!

    The soldiers nced at Liang Yue and the students, exchanged a few words among themselves, and then started inspecting them, nodding asionally. Their eyes seemed to be assessing a group of goods, though the excited students failed to notice this.

    Wu Chengyu stepped forward and asked, ¡°My dad is Wu Jianguo. Did he send you to rescue us?¡±

    At that moment, a man stepped out from behind the soldiers, lifting his mask to reveal a somewhat haggard face. He spoke excitedly to Wu Chengyu, ¡°Xiaoyu, Xiaoyu! It¡¯s me, your dad!¡±

    Wu Chengyu stared for a moment, taking a couple of seconds to recognize his father. It was no wonder he didn¡¯t recognize him immediately. In the past, his father, who held a high-ranking position in Tianhai City, was rather plump with a face full of wealth. But after just over a month, his once chubby face had slimmed down so much that he was almost unrecognizable!

    Although puzzled, Wu Chengyu was still overjoyed and rushed forward to hug his father.

    ¡°Dad, you finally came! You have no idea what I''ve been through during this time.¡±

    Wu Jianguo patted his son''s back, equally emotional, ¡°It¡¯s alright as long as you¡¯re safe, that¡¯s all that matters!¡±

    Wu Chengyu, however, was a bit dissatisfied, ¡°Dad, why didn¡¯t you send someone to rescue us earlier? I¡¯ve suffered so much here. I almost died!¡±

    Wu Jianguo''s expression became somewhat awkward, ¡°Let¡¯s not talk about that now. What matters is that you¡¯re safe! Come, let¡¯s go home.¡±

    Wu Chengyu pointed to his teacher and ssmates, ¡°What about my teacher and ssmates?¡±

    At this point, the soldiers in white armor approached. The team leader asked, ¡°We heard your school has stored a lot of supplies. Could you show us the way? We need to take all the supplies back to the base.¡±

    Liang Yue frowned, sensing something was off. Weren¡¯t they supposed to be here to rescue people? Why, after all this time, hadn¡¯t they mentioned rescuing anyone but instead started asking about supplies?

    Wu Chengyu eagerly responded, ¡°The supplies are beneath the snow! But there¡¯s a mutated creature down there. We didn¡¯t dare go near it!¡±

    The soldiers discussed this among themselves briefly before the team leader said, ¡°No need to worry. Any monster that shows up, we¡¯ll take care of it!¡±

    ¡°Young man, why don¡¯t you lead the way for us?¡±

    Wu Chengyu¡¯s face suddenly turned pale. ¡°I¡­¡± He certainly didn¡¯t want to go back to that dangerous ce.

    The team leader assured him, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, we have experience dealing with mutated creatures. There¡¯s no need to be afraid!¡±

    Despite the reassurances, Wu Chengyu was still extremely anxious. After thinking for a moment, he gritted his teeth and pointed at Liang Yue.

    ¡°It¡¯s always been our teacher, Ms. Liang, who handled the supply searches. She knows better than I do where the supplies are!¡±

    Without hesitation, Wu Chengyu threw Liang Yue, who had protected them for so long, under the bus to save his own skin. Many ssmates secretly looked at him with disdain.

    Liang Yue felt a heavy weight settle in her heart. But she only sighed, then stepped forward.

    ¡°I¡¯ll show you the way,¡± she said.

    The soldiers confirmed Liang Yue''s identity and then followed her down. The other students approached, asking the soldiers how they would be cared for.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, arrangements will be made for youter,¡± one soldier responded coldly.

    The students dared not press further, sensing that something was off and that the situation wasn¡¯t what they had imagined.

    After a while, two soldiers came out and instructed the students, ¡°Come help move some things!¡±

    The students obediently followed. Since Huahua had already left, there was no longer any danger. The soldiers directed the students to pack up all the supplies they could find and carry them to the surface.

 Chapter 230: Entering the Base

    Chapter 230: Entering the Base

    As the students were put to work,ints began to surface among them.

    ¡°Aren¡¯t they here to rescue us? Why are they making us do all this work?¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve suffered so much already, and we thought the rescuers would take good care of us. Who knew they¡¯d treat us likeborers?¡±

    One student approached Wu Chengyu and whispered, ¡°Monitor, this isn¡¯t what you told us would happen.¡±

    Wu Chengyu looked embarrassed. He had always boasted about his father, Wu Jianguo, being an important leader in the West Hill organization. But now, it seemed like the situation wasn¡¯t quite as he imagined. His father didn¡¯t seem to hold a very high position in the West Hill organization. However, with the soldiers around, it wasn¡¯t the time to discuss such matters.

    Wu Chengyu whispered back, ¡°This is a critical time. They won¡¯t keep idle people around! Just do your work. They¡¯re just short on manpower. Once we reach the base, we¡¯ll be able to rest.¡±

    With no other choice, the studentsplied.

    The soldiers outside loaded the supplies onto the sleds. Unexpectedly, there were still quite a few supplies left at Tianqing Academy, enough to fill the sledspletely. The soldiers nodded in satisfaction. After a brief arrangement, some of them set off first with the sleds, escorting the supplies back, and Wu Jianguo was also sent along to escort the supplies. Given his condition, he wouldn¡¯t make it back without a ride.Only two soldiers remained to escort Liang Yue and the students back to West Hill Base.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± one soldiermanded.

    Watching the sleds disappear into the distance, the students were stunned.

    ¡°You mean we have to walk there?¡±

    ¡°Where are the vehicles? Why didn¡¯t they bring any?¡±

    These students pampered their whole lives, and they had never walked such long distances before. The journey from Tianqing Academy to the West Hill organization¡¯s base was at least ten kilometers. After being hungry and cold for so long, they didn¡¯t have the strength to walk such a distance through the snow.

    Hearing the students¡¯ protests, the two soldiers exchanged a nce, their eyes full of mockery.

    ¡°Shut up, all of you!¡± one soldier shouted, his military authority and air of killing intent immediately silencing the students.

    ¡°If you want to live, follow me. If anyone doesn¡¯t like it, you can get lost right now!¡± the soldier added impatiently before turning and walking away without looking back.

    The other soldier coldly remarked, ¡°Let me remind you, whatever status you had before, it¡¯s gone now. The apocalypse hase, and your previous identities mean nothing. If you want to survive, you¡¯d better obey.¡±

    After saying this, he tossed them a bag of energy bars and then turned to leave.

    The students were left speechless, clearly unable to ept this new reality. Liang Yue spoke up, ¡°Let¡¯s follow them.¡±

    The students were clueless, but the teacher knew better. Even though Liang Yue said so, the panic-stricken students had no choice but to stick close to her. Once again, Liang Yue became their greatest source of support.

    A ten-kilometer journey felt like an eternity to them. Cold and hungry, the wind howled around them, and many students copsed along the way. The two soldiers didn¡¯t bother to help them, only pausing briefly if someonegged behind. If anyone couldn¡¯t get up, they had no intention of offering assistance.

    Liang Yue organized the students to help each other.

    ¡°Listen up, we have no other choice. We must reach West Hill Base if we want to survive,¡± she urged. ¡°Everyone, hang in there. We¡¯re almost there!¡±

    With Liang Yue as their anchor, hope slowly rekindled in their hearts. They trudged forward, encouraging each other step by step.

    It took them most of the day to cover the ten-kilometer distance. They''d eat an energy bar whenever they were on the verge of copse. These military-grade energy bars were remarkably effective, keeping them from copsing in the snow¡ªa scientific marvel indeed.

    After some time, they finally reached West Hill. The West Hill organization¡¯s base was located in the West Hill range near Tianhai City. Its entrance was at the foot of a mountain. Following the two soldiers, Liang Yue and the others struggled to reach it. A massive iron door slowly opened at the mountain''s base, revealing a deep staircase leading underground.

    The two soldiers didn¡¯t say a word. They just stood guard by the door and signaled them to enter. Despite their exhaustion, the group mustered the strength to head inside, seeing this ce as a safe haven¡ªtheir beacon of hope for a better life.

    Liang Yue and the others descended the stairs, not knowing how long they walked until they finally arrived in a spacious room resembling a bomb shelter. Several corridors branched off from the room, each sealed by thick green metal doors.

    ¡°What now? What are we supposed to do?¡± The students were filled with anticipation and fear, unsure of what awaited them.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, they wouldn¡¯t have gone to all this trouble to bring us here if they meant to harm us,¡± Liang Yue reassured the students.

    At that moment, the door to the right corridor suddenly opened with a loud rumble. People wearing protective suits and carrying equipment simr to pesticide sprayers emerged. As soon as they appeared, they raised their spray guns and began dousing Liang Yue and the others with heavy disinfectant mist, enveloping thempletely.

    The students coughed repeatedly but understood that this was necessary for entering a shelter, so they gritted their teeth and endured it.

    After the disinfection, a middle-aged woman approached them.

    ¡°Everyone, line up in two rows!¡± she instructed.

    ¡°I need to exin something to you. To ensure the safety of the shelter, we must conduct thorough disinfection and health checks. Please cooperate with our procedures.¡±

    Medical personnel brought over two tables and set them up in the room. Liang Yue and the others had no choice but to obediently line up as instructed. The medical staff took blood samples from each of them and then led them to an empty room to wait for the test results.

    By this point, Liang Yue and the others were so exhausted that they simply followed instructions without question,cking the strength or courage to speak up. They were locked in the room, where someone in a protective suit brought them food. The food was served on tes¡ªsome kind of thick, white liquid. No one knew what it was, but they were too hungry to care and devoured it quickly.

    The substance had a texture somewhat like yogurt, though it definitely wasn¡¯t yogurt. After eating, they regained some strength, and some of them began to sleep.

    After an unknown amount of time, a plump woman in her fifties appeared, wearing sses. Wu Jianguo apanied her.

    Wu Chengyu, upon seeing his father, was overjoyed. ¡°Dad!¡±

    Wu Jianguo shot him a re, signaling him to keep quiet. The woman with the sses nced at Wu Chengyu, a hint of amusement in her eyes.

    She asked Wu Jianguo, ¡°Is this your son?¡±

    Now somewhat hunched, Wu Jianguo replied obsequiously, ¡°Yes, Director Xu. This is my son, Wu Chengyu.¡±

    Director Xu nodded without furtherment. She addressed the group, ¡°The tests show that you don¡¯t carry any infectious diseases or suspicious pathogens. That¡¯s very good! Next, you¡¯lle with me for a thorough cleaning and then be sent to The Fourth Life Pod.¡±

 Chapter 231: No Paradise

    Chapter 231: No Paradise

    Following Director Xu''s orders, Liang Yue and the students were escorted for deep cleaning. Wu Chengyu, expecting to join them, was stopped by Director Xu.

    ¡°Come with me,¡± she instructed.

    Wu Chengyu¡¯s eyes lit up excitedly as he turned to his ssmates. ¡°See? I told you my dad isn¡¯t just any ordinary person here.¡±

    His ssmates looked at him with envy as he eagerly approached Director Xu and his father, Wu Jianguo.

    Wu Jianguo leaned in close to his son¡¯s ear and whispered, ¡°Xiaoyu, you must obey your superiors here. Whatever Director Xu tells you to do, you do it. Understand?¡±

    Wu Chengyu, still thrilled, nodded, thinking he was about to be assigned to an important position.

    Director Xu smiled warmly. ¡°Xiaoyu,e with me.¡±

    As Liang Yue and the others were led down the left corridor, Director Xu took Wu Chengyu away. His ssmates watched with envy as he left.¡°Lucky him!¡±

    ...

    Wu Chengyu followed Director Xu through the vast undergroundplex of West Hill Base. Though not high, the temperature was around six or seven degrees Celsius. He was curious about everything he saw. Soldiers in white military uniforms guarded the area with guns, giving the ce an air of strict discipline. Few people were around, and those moved purposefully, making the entire scene feel orderly.

    Director Xu brought Wu Chengyu to a private room, pointing to the bathroom. ¡°Take a shower first.¡±

    Wu Chengyu found the room peculiar. It had women¡¯s clothing and seemed like someone¡¯s personal space. But after so long without a proper shower, he didn¡¯t think much of it and eagerly rushed in to clean up.

    After half an hour, feeling refreshed, he stepped out of the bathroom¡ªonly to freeze in shock at what he saw.

    The room¡¯s lighting had changed to a suggestive pink from a rose-shaped bedsidemp. Now wearing nothing but a loose piece of lingerie, Director Xuy on the bed, propped up on one hand, looking at him seductively. Her massive legs resembled thick bs of pork piled together.

    ¡°What are you waiting for? Come here,¡± she cooed, patting the bed.

    ...

    Meanwhile, after Liang Yue and the students finished their showers, they were given new clothes¡ªstandard uniforms in a dull gray color, practical but far from attractive.

    ¡°Follow me,¡± a woman who seemed to be in charge said as she approached. Two armed soldiers followed her closely. A sense of dread began to settle in the hearts of the students. Life in this shelter was nothing like what they had imagined. The atmosphere felt more like a prison, deep underground with dim lighting and armed guards.

    They instinctively huddled closer together, looking to Liang Yue for guidance. She frowned slightly but remained silent. It wasn¡¯t the time to act rashly, not before understanding the rules here.

    Liang Yue quietly signaled the students to stay quiet, and they nodded in understanding. She led them as they obediently followed the woman deeper into the shelter.

    The ce was enormous, with countless corridors branching off in different directions. After hours of walking, they had no idea where or where they were going. The dim lighting overhead flickered asionally, adding to the students¡¯ pale, exhausted faces.

    Eventually, their long march ended as the woman led them to a massive workroom. When the doors opened, they found themselves in a three-meter-high, thousand-square-meter underground cavern.

    Inside, they heard a rhythmic ¡°creak, creak¡± sound. To their amazement, the cavern was filled with stationary bicycles bolted to the ground. Around a thousand people were inside, pedaling away relentlessly. The scene resembled a gigantic fitness center, but the expressions on the cyclists¡¯ faces were far from those of people exercising¡ªthey were nk, numb, and exhausted. Yet, no one dared to stop.

    ¡°What are they doing?¡± a wealthy youngdy gasped.

    The woman nced at them and then at Liang Yue. ¡°This is where you¡¯ll be working from now on. Your job is to generate electricity for the base. These bikes are actually generators, connected to the base¡¯s power system.¡±

    ¡°The base¡¯s code of conduct will be given to each of you shortly,¡± she added, her tone calm but chilling undertone as if she were addressing a group of tools rather than survivors.

    Finally, she emphasized, ¡°Remember, if you want to stay in this base, you must fully obey the rules. The consequences of disobedience are severe.¡±

    After briefly introducing the base¡¯s operations, the woman sternly ordered them to start working immediately. A girl suddenly broke down in tears, clutching Liang Yue¡¯s sleeve.

    ¡°Ms. Liang, Ms. Liang¡­¡± she sobbed, not even knowing what to say, just calling out in despair.

    The others shared her feelings. The brutal reality of their situation had crushed their spirits. Life in the shelter, with its oppressive environment, felt like something out of a sweatshop from two centuries ago. Even though their time at Tianqing Academy had been dangerous, at least they had freedom there. Liang Yue had protected them.

    The woman showed no sympathy for the girl¡¯s tears. ¡°You can cry, but you¡¯ll work first.¡±

    Liang Yue quicklyforted the girl. ¡°Let¡¯s just get to work.¡±

    With two armed soldiers standing nearby, Liang Yue dared not take any risks. She had assumed this was a government-run shelter where they would be properly cared for, but now she realized how naive she had been.

    The students, still tearful, followed Liang Yue to the bikes.

    ...

    The red light bathed the scene in Director Xu¡¯s room as she dressed herself with a satisfied expression. Clearly, the new boy had been to her liking. After getting dressed, she stepped out of the room. Wu Jianguo, who had been waiting outside, greeted her with a sycophantic smile.

    ¡°Director Xu, were you satisfied with my son¡¯s service?¡±

    Director Xu gave him a pleased smile. ¡°Not bad at all. The son of a bureau chief has quite the skill in bed. Did he inherit it from you?¡±

    Wu Jianguoughed obsequiously. ¡°Not at all! Please, don¡¯t call me that. That was in the past.¡±

    Director Xu¡¯s tone became businesslike. ¡°Make sure to clean up afterward. I¡¯ll ensure logistics takes good care of you two, allocating extra supplies.¡±

    Wu Jianguo was overjoyed, bowing and thanking her profusely. ¡°Thank you, Director Xu! Thank you! Let me know if you need anything, and I¡¯ll bring him right over!¡±

    Director Xu walked away, herrge figure swaying as she left. Wu Jianguo¡¯s expression darkened as he opened the door to the room.

    The red light illuminated the space, heavy with the scent of hormones and blood. Wu Chengyu sat on the bed, wrapped in a sheet, his eyes unfocused. His body was bruised, with blotches of purple and blue, and the sheet beneath him was stained with blood. It was hard to imagine what he had endured during that time.

    Wu Jianguo closed the door behind him and sighed.

    ¡°Son, are you alright?¡± he asked as he approached, saying, ¡°To survive here, you must learn to ept all of this. It¡¯s okay. You¡¯ll get used to it.¡±

    Wu Chengyu looked up at his father, tears streaming down his face.

    ¡°Dad, why didn¡¯t you ever tell me it would be like this? Weren¡¯t you the chief of a bureau? How could this happen?¡±

    He couldn¡¯t understand. He thought he would continue living as the privileged son of an official, even here.

    Wu Jianguo sat beside him, his voice low and heavy. ¡°This is how things are now. My title as bureau chief is worthless here.¡± He began to exin what had happened since the apocalypse began.

    At first, the people who arrived here were the elite of Tianhai City and their families. Wu Jianguo had some status in the city but wasn¡¯t at the top. His position¡¯s nature determined his ce in the hierarchy. Thanks to a tip from a friend, he had only managed to get here at thest minute.

    In the beginning, everyone treated each other respectfully, believing that the snowstorm wouldst a month or two, after which they could return to their roles. But soon, it became clear that the effects of the supernova were much more severe than anticipated, plunging the world into an ice age that couldst years or even decades.

    Wu Jianguo¡¯s voice was filled with sorrow. ¡°This meant that our former identities and statuses were gone.¡±

    ¡°Soon after, those who controlled the armed forces staged a coup, killing the base¡¯s leaders. The leader of the rebellion became the new head of the West Hill organization. He¡¯s ruthless, punishing anyone who defies him harshly. He¡¯s the one who introduced the ss system here.¡±

    Wu Jianguo looked at his son with a heavy heart. ¡°Of course, there will be a hierarchy in any society with human activity. Even without ordinary civilians, there will still be those who supply and those who control. What happened today is your first lesson on how to survive here.¡±

    ¡°For those at the bottom to survive, they must unconditionally obey those in power. You should be d¡ªthis might be your way out of the lower ss.¡±

    Wu Jianguo forced a smile as he patted his son¡¯s head. ¡°Even if it means using your body, selling yourself, it doesn¡¯t matter. In this circle, nothing is off-limits if it leads to sess.¡±

 Chapter 232: The Organization

    Chapter 232: The Organization

    After a grueling day, Liang Yue and her students finally had a chance to rest. By the end of the day, they better understood their current situation. They were required to wake up at six every morning, with just half an hour to wash up before participating in group activities, after which they could eat breakfast. Their main task was pedaling stationary bikes to generate electricity. Each bike had a meter to track the amount of power generated, and if they failed to meet the required quota, their food rations would be reduced.

    No one forced them to work, but their workload directly impacted the food they received. To meet the standard, an adult had to pedal continuously for eight hours¡ªthis didn¡¯t include breaks or meals. Most of their day was spent on the bikes outside of eating, sleeping, and group activities.

    They were given a nd, protein-based paste, supposedly a high-tech meal recement that provided the necessary energy in the smallest possible quantity. They had one day off every six days, but breaks were staggered even then, so it was a rotating shift schedule.

    The pampered students, unustomed to such intensebor and the oppressive environment, struggled on their first day. As a result, they received no more than half of a normal portion of food. At night, they slept in dormitories with bunk beds shared by more than a dozen people. Electricity was scarce, and the dim lighting barely illuminated the room. There were no entertainment facilities like TVs; even charging their phones was strictly regted to prevent waste.

    After their workday ended, everyone gathered in one of the dormitories surrounding Liang Yue, sobbing.

    ¡°Ms. Liang, why do we still have to work? Why is life in the shelter so hard?¡±

    ¡°This is nothing like what we imagined!¡±

    ¡°I pedaled all day, my butt is raw, and my thighs hurt so much!¡±¡°If we have to live like this every day, I¡¯d rather die!¡±

    Just one day, they felt like their lives had turned into hell. Liang Yue felt sympathy for her students, but what could she do?

    ¡°These are extraordinary times. Just being alive is already a blessing,¡± she said, trying to console them. ¡°Did you notice the people pedaling around you today? None of them were of lower status than you before all this. I even saw a few bureau chiefs from Tianhai City pedaling.¡±

    Liang Yue took a deep breath and sighed. ¡°A world where everyone is happy and carefree doesn¡¯t exist. But at least we¡¯re all alive and don¡¯t have to worry about survival, right?¡±

    As an adult, Liang Yue could ept the harsh reality of their current life. She even felt somewhat relieved. Back at Tianqing Academy, she had been solely responsible for protecting all the students, constantly on guard against attacks from the demon cat. Now, in the shelter, they could rely on their own efforts to obtain food. As a martial arts expert, thebor wasn¡¯t much of a burden for her. Most importantly, she no longer had to worry about the safety of her students.

    But her students didn¡¯t see it that way. In their world, it was natural to get something for nothing. They were used to being on top, born as winners in life. Words like ¡°work,¡± bor,¡± and ¡°hardship¡± had never been part of their lives.

    One student immediately cried out, ¡°But we¡¯re elites! The world will need us to rebuild it in the future.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re so young, just kids¡ªwhy do we have to suffer like this?¡±

    ¡°Ms. Liang, can¡¯t you do something?¡±

    Liang Yue felt a bit helpless. ¡°I¡¯m just a teacher. Here, my status is no different from anyone else¡¯s.¡± She was well aware that even the lowest-ranking person in the power generation department outranked her several times over in the old world. She had no say in the matter.

    The door suddenly opened at that moment, and everyone fell silent, cautiously looking outside. Wu Chengyu walked in, looking despondent. He was wrapped tightly in his clothes, his cor pulled up to hide his neck.

    When the others saw Wu Chengyu, their eyes lit up with hope, and they left Liang Yue to surround him.

    ¡°Wu Chengyu, you¡¯re finally back!¡±

    ¡°Is your dad a leader in the base? Can he help us so we don¡¯t have to work here?¡±

    ¡°Even if we could work in an office, I could be a clerk!¡±

    Wu Chengyu nced at his ssmates and said coldly, ¡°Stop dreaming. Here, everyone has a role. Based on your status, all you can do is pedal these generators.¡±

    Ignoring the others, Wu Chengyu walked over to Liang Yue.

    ¡°Ms. Liang,¡± he greeted.

    Liang Yue nodded. ¡°Wu Chengyu, where have you been?¡±

    A pained look shed in Wu Chengyu¡¯s eyes. ¡°I went on a tour of the base with my dad. I now have a general understanding of the situation at West Hill Base.¡±

    A ssmate hurriedly brought a chair over. ¡°ss monitor, please sit!¡±

    Wu Chengyu quickly waved it off. ¡°No, no, I¡¯ll stand.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t be polite! We¡¯re all counting on you now!¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Wu Chengyu gritted his teeth, instinctively clenching his buttocks. The memory of what the old woman had done to him still made his heart bleed.

    His ssmates were taken aback by his attitude.

    ¡°I¡­ I just wanted you to sit and rest.¡±

    Wu Chengyu kept his head down as he carefully sat on the edge of the bed.

    ¡°Ms. Liang, from now on, we can only rely on you,¡± he said, looking at her earnestly.

    Liang Yue pondered for a moment, understanding Wu Chengyu¡¯s implication. If their former statuses no longer mattered, then in the apocalypse, power would determine one¡¯s ce. As a martial arts expert who had awakened supernatural abilities, Liang Yue could eventually be an important figure in the base.

    She calmly asked Wu Chengyu, ¡°Do you know the current situation at West Hill Base?¡±

    Wu Chengyu nodded and shared the information he had gathered from his father.

    The West Hill organization was now led by Chen Xinian, who was once a high-ranking official in charge of Tianhai City¡¯s armed forces. The organization had no ordinary members; even Wu Jianguo, Wu Chengyu¡¯s father, was considered mid-to-low tier in terms of status. Besides the top leaders, the base was home to many skilled professionals, including doctors and scientists. Additionally, arge group of elite soldiers was tasked with defending the base.

    Chen Xinian divided the base into four sections, each known as a Life Pod to maintain order.

    The First Life Pod housed Chen Xinian and his family, who enjoyed the highest resources. Their living conditions were as luxurious as they had been outside. Supplies that the other three Life Pods couldn¡¯t even dream of were easily essible to them.

    The Second Life Pod was reserved for Chen Xinian¡¯s inner circle, including his trusted aides and top-tier scientists and doctors. Although their living conditions weren¡¯t asvish as those in the First Life Pod, they still enjoyed afortable environment and delicious food.

    The Third Life Pod housed the elite soldiers who protected the base. West Hill Base had over a thousand soldiers, all top-tier warriors with the bestbat skills and equipment in Tianhai City. Their living conditions were second only to those in the Second Life Pod, with no worries about daily necessities.

    Finally, the Fourth Life Pod was where Liang Yue and her group currently resided. The people here had little value to the base, so they were relegated to manualbor, generating electricity for the base or performing other menial tasks. The living conditions in the Fourth Life Pod were abysmal, barely sufficient to sustain life. Resources, energy, and entertainment were scarce.

    ¡°Most of the West Hill organization¡¯s poption resides in the Fourth Life Pod,¡± Wu Chengyu exined. ¡°But don¡¯t even think about rebelling. The Third Pod¡¯s soldiers stand between us and the higher pods. We¡¯d never be able to fight against those well-equipped warriors!¡±

    Given their privileged backgrounds, Wu Chengyu deliberately warned his ssmates, knowing they might be tempted to rebel. He had considered fighting back when the fat woman was on top of him, but the sheer power difference had forced him to submit.

    When the others learned that over a thousand elite soldiers were stationed just outside their area, their hopes were crushed.

    ¡°So, does that mean we¡¯re stuck here for the rest of our lives?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t take it. I¡¯d rather die!¡±

    Several girls broke down, crying. They had never lifted a finger for manualbor, and now, after just one day, their thighs were raw, and their delicate skin was chafed. They had to look forward to this every day from now on.

    The others were also on the verge of tears, faces filled with sadness and despair.

    Wu Chengyu closed his eyes, his voice cold as he spoke. ¡°Do you think they let use to West Hill Base out of the goodness of their hearts? They needed to replenish theirbor force.¡±

    ¡°A lot of people couldn¡¯t ept this reality and chose to end their lives. The base doesn¡¯t care about us. If they need more workers, they can just capture other survivors to rece us.¡±

    Suddenly, one of the boys grabbed Wu Chengyu by the cor, his face twisted with rage. ¡°This is all your fault! If you hadn¡¯t exposed our location, we wouldn¡¯t have ended up in this hellhole!¡±

    Wu Chengyu simply looked at him coldly. ¡°If we had stayed at Tianqing Academy, would you have survived?¡±

    The boy was momentarily speechless. Freedom or life¡ªa choice between two evils.

    Wu Chengyu pushed the boy away and then turned to Liang Yue, who had remained silent.

    ¡°Ms. Liang, if we want to change our situation, we can only rely on you!¡± he pleaded. ¡°You¡¯re a Superhuman, and in West Hill Base, Superhumans are granted special privileges.¡±

    ¡°Teacher, please help us!¡±

 Chapter 233: Morning Meeting

    Chapter 233: Morning Meeting

    Wu Chengyu¡¯s words struck a chord with the students, and they all turned to Liang Yue with pleading eyes, crowding around her and tugging at her clothes, hoping for her protection.

    ¡°Ms. Liang, you have to help us!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re our teacher. It¡¯s your responsibility to care for us!¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t handle hardbor. Please talk to the base and see if we can get work done more easily.¡±

    After a day of rest, Liang Yue¡¯s strength had almost fully recovered. She was now formidable inbat, capable of quickly taking down armed soldiers. However, she was rational and wouldn¡¯t act impulsively out of emotion.

    After listening to Wu Chengyu, Liang Yue didn¡¯t find any severe issues with the West Hill Base; it was simply a case of social stratification¡ªamon urrence throughout human history. She didn¡¯t agree with her students¡¯ desire to avoidbor either.

    ¡°I will protect your safety, but I need more time to observe the situation before making any decisions about work,¡± she replied.

    The students were clearly dissatisfied with her answer, but since Liang Yue was now theirst hope, they didn¡¯t dare to express their displeasure as openly as before. Instead, they continued to plead with her, whispering in her ear.Feeling overwhelmed, Liang Yue finally said, ¡°It¡¯s gettingte. Everyone should go back and rest. We have work tomorrow, and you¡¯ll need your energy.¡±

    Reluctantly, the students left, but not before reminding Liang Yue to help them negotiate lighter duties.

    Liang Yue did intend to talk to the base leaders the next day. The current living conditions were oppressive, and if she could do something to improve the situation, she was willing to make the effort.

    ...

    The next morning at six, the dormitory loudspeakers red, waking everyone up. The newly arrived students followed the others to wash up,pleting their morning routine in the allotted half-hour.

    Liang Yue and the rest then joined therger group in the cafeteria. The female leader of the power nt, apanied by several soldiers, greeted them. She looked out over the hundreds of workers and forced a smile.

    ¡°Good morning, everyone! Today marks the 48th day of our survival. Thank our great leader, Comrade Chen Xinian, for guiding us to this day of safety and happiness!¡±

    Immediately, someone raised their hand and shouted, ¡°Long live our great leader, Comrade Chen Xinian!¡±

    The rest quickly raised their fists and echoed, ¡°Long live our great leader, Comrade Chen Xinian!¡±

    They chanted this three times before stopping. The woman continued, ¡°Yesterday, our team rescued another group of survivors from the outside. From now on, they are part of our family!¡± She looked toward Liang Yue and her group, smiling as she added, ¡°Come on, family members, please introduce yourselves to everyone!¡±

    Apuse erupted as everyone turned to look at Liang Yue and the others. Liang Yue felt a chill run down her spine. She recognized this scenario all too well¡ªit was brainwashing.

    The scary part was that Liang Yue knew how effective this kind of brainwashing could be. It wasn¡¯t just about being smart or staying vignt to avoid being assimted. The herd mentality could make you gradually identify with the group and environment to the point where, even if you kept telling yourself it was just brainwashing, your mind and body would adapt, trapping you in that environment.

    This was why so many intelligent people, including college students and professionals, had fallen into the traps of organizations like pyramid schemes.

    ¡°They¡¯re using this to manage the lower sses?¡± Liang Yue thought, taking a deep breath. She understood but felt powerless to change it. The herd mentality was a natural, pervasive force.

    Reluctantly, she led the students to the front and, as instructed, introduced themselves one by one.

    ¡°Now, let¡¯s proceed with our daily morning meeting. Who¡¯s leading today?¡± the woman asked.

    A middle-aged woman raised her hand. ¡°It¡¯s my turn today!¡±

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get started!¡± The woman didn¡¯t leave but joined the others in the front row.

    Brimming with enthusiasm, the middle-aged woman took the stage, smiling with satisfaction as she looked out at the crowd. She seemed to relish the opportunity to feel like a leader again.

    ¡°The first item of our morning meeting: Praise the Organization!¡± she announced, leading everyone in a song.

    ¡°With the light of the rising sun, we illuminate the dreams of West Hill. Hand in hand, shoulder to shoulder, we face the snow and frost together.

    ¡°With our passionate aspirations, we ignite the strength of West Hill!

    ¡°You and I, together we create new glory!

    ¡°We fulfill our dreams, our passion soaring, embracing the next moment¡¯s brilliance!

    ¡°We fulfill our dreams, our blood boiling, together we sail through the storm, together we set sail!¡±

    Liang Yue and her group mumbled along to the song, trying to keep up. The host reminded the neers that they had three days to learn the song, as someone would check.

    But that wasn¡¯t the end of it. Next came a series of games. They yed three games: ¡°Carrot Squat,¡± ¡°Draw and Guess,¡± and a group exercise routine.

    After all this, the workers were returned to their posts to generate electricity for the base. Liang Yue noticed a subtle change in her students¡¯ expressions after the morning meeting. Though they still looked unhappy, they seemed to slowly integrate into the group, chatting with coworkers they had met during the games.

    ¡°This might be for the best. If we can¡¯t resist, we might as well ept this life. At least we¡¯ll survive,¡± Liang Yue thought. If life continued like this, it was better than waiting to die outside.

    But in life, you never know whether a surprise or an unexpected event wille first.

    Around ten in the morning, a group of heavily armed soldiers arrived at the power nt, immediately drawing everyone¡¯s attention. The factory leader hurried over to greet them.

    The soldiers stood at the entrance, and then a young woman in a suit, wearing burgundy sses, slowly walked in.

    ¡°Secretary Ge, why did youe here in person? If you need something, just tell me, and I¡¯ll take care of it,¡± the factory leader said, her tone ingratiating.

    Secretary Ge didn¡¯t even nce at her, instead asking, ¡°There was a group of survivors rescued yesterday. Is Ms. Liang Yue here?¡±

 Chapter 234: Adopting a Cat

    Chapter 234: Adopting a Cat

    Hearing Liang Yue¡¯s name, the surrounding students turned to look at her. Wu Chengyu quickly whispered, ¡°Ms. Liang, don¡¯t forget about us!¡±

    Liang Yue dismounted from the stationary bike and said, ¡°I am Liang Yue.¡±

    Secretary Ge¡¯s gaze met Liang Yue¡¯s, and after a brief pause, she smiled and walked over. Everyone¡¯s eyes were on them, curious as to why such an important figure would personallye to the Fourth Life Pod.

    Secretary Ge extended her hand and shook Liang Yue¡¯s. ¡°Hello, Ms. Liang. I¡¯m Ge Rou, the secretary to our leader. The leader would like to meet you.¡±

    The workshop instantly buzzed with excitement. The leader of the West Hill organization wanted to meet this neer? This surely meant she was about to rise to a position of power.

    The students were even more excited, calling out to Liang Yue.

    ¡°Ms. Liang¡­¡±

    ¡°Ms. Liang¡­¡±Secretary Ge heard the murmuring and nced around, silencing everyone with a look. She smiled at Liang Yue and gestured, ¡°Please,e with me.¡±

    Liang Yue was curious about what kind of person Chen Xinian, the leader, might be. Besides, any opportunity to escape the grueling work in the power nt was wee. She nodded and followed Secretary Ge out.

    After they left, a soldier called out two more students'' names, ¡°Luo Nianchen, Dongfang Qingming. You two,e here!¡±

    The two students, filled with excitement, quickly scrambled off their bikes and ran over, leaving the others watching enviously as they were led away from the power nt.

    Liang Yue followed Secretary Ge through the undergroundplex of West Hill Base, eventually arriving at the office of Chen Xinian, the organization''s leader. He was a middle-aged man in his fifties with neatlybed graying hair, giving him a sharp and capable appearance.

    When he saw Liang Yue, he approached with a warm smile and shook her hand. The kindness in Chen Xinian¡¯s expression brought a long-lost sense of warmth to Liang Yue. Caring for the students from Tianqing Academy had left her exhausted, and she had almost forgotten that she, too, needed someone to offer her a safe harbor for her weary soul.

    After a brief conversation, Liang Yue was captivated by Chen Xinian¡¯s vision for West Hill Base, particrly the structured hierarchy of the Life Pods. She agreed with the necessity of such a system to preserve the seeds of Chinese civilization and ensure the base''s survival.

    ¡°To preserve the legacy of our civilization and keep this base operational, I hope you¡¯ll lend us your strength, Ms. Liang,¡± Chen Xinian said sincerely.

    After a moment¡¯s thought, Liang Yue nodded. ¡°If there¡¯s anything I can do to help, please don¡¯t hesitate to ask.¡±

    Chen Xinian¡¯s smile grew broader, and he immediately called Secretary Ge back to arrange a new living space for Liang Yue. She was promptly promoted from the Fourth Life Pod to the Second Life Pod, where she was given a private room with all theforts of a high-end office building. The bright lighting made it easy to forget that they were deep underground, and there were delicious meals to enjoy, along with unlimited hot water.

    ¡°This ce isn¡¯t so bad after all,¡± Liang Yue thought, feeling a sense of warmth fill her heart. She believed she had made the right decision toe here. Meanwhile, the students still toiling in the power nt anxiously awaited her return.

    ...

    Over at Cloud Manor, Zhang Yi¡¯s main task had been feeding the cat. The demon cat, Huahua, was the first mutated animal he had encountered. Its formidable size, needle-sharp fur, and natural feline hunting skills had deeply fascinated Zhang Yi. He had made up his mind to tame this demon cat and make it his pet, believing that animals were often more reliable than humans. With a good rtionship, it could be a trusted and formidable ally.

    Perhaps because Zhang Yi had previously had Fatty Xu intervene to stop its fight with Liang Yue, Huahua had started to warm up to him. By now, its attitude towards Zhang Yi had noticeably improved.

    One afternoon, Zhang Yi crouched by the door, arge cat bowl in front of him. It was filled with cat treats, premium cat food, and even a few fresh fish. Not far from him, Huahua had returned to its normal size and was eating heartily.

    No cat could resist the allure of delicious cat treats, often dubbed ¡°stray cat bait.¡± Zhang Yi smiled and said, ¡°Huahua, I¡¯ve been feeding you for a week. Look at all the food you¡¯ve eaten. From now on, you¡¯re my cat. How abouting home with me?¡±

    ¡°Meow¡ª¡± Huahua nced at Zhang Yi, squinted slightly, and then resumed eating.

    ¡°If youe with me, I promise you¡¯ll have plenty of this food every day! The house is nice and warm, and there¡¯s a firece where you can bask in the heat. Look at how cozy it is inside. Why stay out here in the cold?¡±

    Zhang Yi coaxed gently. After finishing therge food bowl, Huahua cleaned its paws and fur. When Zhang Yi mentioned the warm room, Huahua looked through the ss at the firece inside, and for the first time, hesitation flickered in its eyes.

    At first, Huahua had followed the group because of the girl who had once fed it. But with intelligence far surpassing that of an ordinary animal, it also realized that this man¡¯s home was veryfortable. After Zhang Yi had spent so much time feeding it and treating its injuries, Huahua began to think that following this man might not be such a bad idea.

    Zhang Yi noticed the longing in Huahua¡¯s eyes as it gazed at the warm room. Cats were not naturally cold-resistant animals; they had an innate desire for warmth, possibly because their ancestors once roamed the deserts of Egypt. Sensing that the time was right, Zhang Yi slowly walked towards the house and opened the door.

    ¡°Huahua, why note in and take a look? It¡¯s nice inside,¡± he said gently, fatherly.

    In recent days, even Zhou Ke¡¯er and Yang Siya had felt a twinge of jealousy. Zhang Yi treated the cat better than he treated them! However, for Zhang Yi, animals were more trustworthy and easier to care for without any emotional burden.

    Huahua tilted its head, licked its fur a couple of times, and finally raised its tail and cautiously approached the open door after a moment of consideration. Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes lit up¡ªit was working!

    ¡°There¡¯s even more good food inside. Why note in and try it?¡± he continued to coax the cat step by step.

    And Huahua followed him into the house!

    Sess! Zhang Yi was overjoyed. Once inside, Huahua curiously explored the room, quickly leaping onto the expensive sofa and starting to scratch at it with its ws. The floor and sofa were soon marked with dirty paw prints.

    Instead of being upset, Zhang Yi smiled and encouraged, ¡°It¡¯s okay! Feel free to explore. This is your home now!¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er, watching from nearby, remarked jealously, ¡°Good thing this cat can¡¯t turn into a woman, or I¡¯d have no standing in this house at all!¡±

 Chapter 235: The Network Intruder

    Chapter 235: The Network Intruder

    On the first day that Huahua arrived at the shelter, it began causing havoc everywhere. The shelter was enormous, and Huahua¡¯s curiosity led it to explore every corner, leaving paw prints and even breaking an antique vase. However, Zhang Yi was incredibly patient, allowing the cat to roam freely and make a mess without concern. He knew the key to building a rtionship with a cat was establishing trust from the start. If that initial trust was broken, it would be nearly impossible to rebuild itter.

    After hours of rampaging through the house, Huahua finally seemed to tire out. It leaped over to the firece, stretched outzily, andy on the floor. Zhang Yi took a long breath, recognizing that Huahua was finally content with its new environment. He carefully approached, hoping to pet its head from behind.

    ¡°Meow¡ª¡± Huahua turned its head to look at him, causing Zhang Yi to pause his movements. For a few seconds, they locked eyes, and then the cat rested its head back on the floor. Zhang Yi exhaled in relief, thinking, "Dealing with women isn¡¯t even this tricky!"

    Despite the tension, Zhang Yi was delighted when Huahua started purring contentedly, epting him as its new caretaker. "Sess!" Zhang Yi thought, a genuine smile spreading across his face. The joy of sessfully adopting a cat was indescribable.

    Huahua¡¯s presence brought a new sense of happiness to the shelter. The girls in the housepeted to feed and pet it, but for some reason, Huahua still preferred to stay by Zhang Yi¡¯s side. It even started sleeping at the foot of Zhang Yi¡¯s bed at night, a ce it chose over anyone else¡¯s. Even Yang Xinxin, who had previously fed the cat, couldpete with Zhang Yi for Huahua¡¯s affection. It seemed that cats often preferred thepany of men.

    During this time, the two new arrivals, Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran, also kept themselves busy. Yang Xinxin was responsible for the shelter¡¯swork security. With her presence and the shelter¡¯s supeputer, it was nearly impossible for anyone to breach their defenses. However, as a top hacker, Yang Xinxin wasn¡¯t content with ying defense. She used her advanced hacking skills to track down the source of any iingwork intrusions,unching counterattacks.

    It took her only a few minutes to pinpoint the origin of a recent intrusion. When Zhang Yi received the news, he immediately rushed to the control center.

    ¡°Xinxin, what¡¯s the emergency? Did you discover something new?¡± Zhang Yi asked.Yang Xinxin shed a sly smile. ¡°I found the person trying to hack into the shelter¡¯swork!¡± She showed Zhang Yi theptop on her knees, disying a map of Tianhai City.

    Zhang Yi noticed a pentagram marking the location of Cloud Manor, with a blinking red dot indicating the intruder''s location. After examining it closely, he realized that the red dot was located where the southwest of Xishan District and the northwest of Lijiang District met, just about thirty kilometers away from the shelter.

    ¡°They¡¯re that close?¡± Zhang Yi¡¯s expression grew serious. He hadn¡¯t expected a powerful organization to be hidden so near.

    Yang Xinxin, however, seemed unimpressed. ¡°Their hacking methods were quite rudimentary. It¡¯s likely the work of an amateur engineer. Their equipment wasn¡¯t sophisticated, and I had no trouble hacking into their system. The data on theirputer is encrypted, so it¡¯ll take some time to crack, but based on what I¡¯ve seen so far, there does seem to be arge organization in the Xishan District.¡±

    Yang Xinxin looked up, her light blue eyes calm. ¡°We might be running into them soon.¡±

    Zhang Yi crossed his arms and said calmly, ¡°If it¡¯s inevitable, we won¡¯t shy away. I¡¯m not one to seek trouble, but if anyone tries to disrupt my peace, I¡¯ll make sure they pay for it.¡±

    Zhang Yi was no longer the person he used to be. He now had a fortress-like shelter and a team of elite fighters. Among them were three Superhumans, including himself. Even if they encountered a formidable armed group, he was confident they could handle it.

    ¡°Xinxin, keep tracking their signal and crack the data. I want to know more about that organization,¡± Zhang Yi instructed, patting Yang Xinxin on the shoulder before leaving the control center to find Lu Keran.

    Thanks to Zhang Yi¡¯s support, Lu Keran had set up her mechanical workshop. As a genius specially recruited by Tianqing Academy, Lu Keran was highly skilled in mechanical engineering. Although she couldn¡¯t handle extremely sophisticated machinery alone, manufacturing weapons and ammunition wasn¡¯t particrly challenging. In 2050, industrial technology had advanced to the point where, with the right equipment, even something asplex as a firearm could be produced with a 3D printer. Making bullets and explosives was rtively straightforward.

    Lu Keran was now busy fulfilling Zhang Yi¡¯s request to produce arge quantity of bullets, focusing primarily on sniper and pistol rounds, as these were the types of ammunition he was currently most in need of and the ones he used most frequently inbat.

    When Zhang Yi reached the workshop, he knocked on the door. ¡°Keran, it¡¯s me.¡±

    The door opened, and the nging of metal filled the air. As Zhang Yi stepped inside, he immediately noticed the sweltering heat in the room, making him sweat even though he was only wearing a light shirt.

    Lu Keran was working at the bench, dressed in shorts and a green tank top, with a ck apron tied around her chest. Her entire body was drenched in sweat, with her hair sticking to her skin. When she saw Zhang Yi, she greeted him with a bright smile, ¡°Big Brother, what brings you here?¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°Just wanted to see how your work ising along.¡±

    At eighteen years old, Lu Keran had a naturally bubbly personality, almost like a big kid. Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but think of her as a little sister.

    Lu Keran grinned, revealing her pearly white teeth. She eagerly reached for something on a nearby shelf. ¡°Big Brother, check this out¡ªI¡¯ve got something cool for you!¡±

    Zhang Yi took the item from her and saw that it was a silencer for a sniper rifle. His eyes lit up. ¡°This is great!¡±

    For him, this was incredibly valuable. Zhang Yi¡¯s Superhuman ability, Precision Shooting, allowed him to double the power of any firearm. He could take targets up to 3,000 meters away with a sniper rifle. The only downside was that the sound of the gunfire could give away his position. With this silencer, that problem could be solved, allowing him to eliminate enemies from the shadows without fear of being detected.

 Chapter 236: Good Brother

    Chapter 236: Good Brother

    "Good job!" Zhang Yi praised with a smile.

    Lu Keran, with her hands sped behind her back and her fingers fidgeting shyly, smiled and said, "Try it out first and see if it fits! I made it to match the dimensions of your sniper rifle, but if it doesn¡¯t feel right, I can still make adjustments."

    Zhang Yi nodded, "It¡¯s well done!"

    Hearing Zhang Yi''s praise, Lu Keran''s cheeks turned rosy with excitement. "Big Brother, if you need anything else, just let me know. I¡¯ll do my best to make it for you!"

    Zhang Yi smiled, "That¡¯s exactly why I¡¯m here."

    He put his arm around Lu Keran¡¯s shoulder and guided her to a nearby chair. Feeling Zhang Yi¡¯s warm hand on her shoulder, Lu Keran¡¯s heart began to race. Despite often presenting herself as a tomboy, she felt something new and unfamiliar stirring within her.

    "Keran, can you make grenades,ndmines, and explosives?" Zhang Yi asked.

    Lu Keran turned to him, her eyes wide with surprise as if she had just heard something unbelievable. Zhang Yi blinked and asked with a grin, "Is it too difficult?""Not at all!" Lu Keran suddenly stood up, seemingly a bit displeased. "Big Brother, you¡¯re underestimating me! I thought you were going to ask for somethingplicated."

    "Hmph, the things you mentioned aren¡¯t even as challenging as making a new energy battery!" She pouted slightly, clearly unhappy that Zhang Yi had doubted her abilities. "You don¡¯t appreciate my skills enough, asking me to make such basic stuff."

    Zhang Yi was momentarily speechless. For a genius like her, were those things really that simple?

    Seeing Zhang Yi¡¯s surprised expression, Lu Keran understood what he was thinking. She exined, "Those items aren¡¯t particrly useful in modern warfare. Maybe they were effective in single-soldier operations a hundred years ago, but making gunpowder is something even a high school student could do with the right materials. It''s just sulfur, saltpeter, and charcoal."

    Zhang Yiughed, "Things aren¡¯t like they used to be. With the arrival of the extreme cold era, aircraft carriers and nes have be nearly obsolete. Now, wars are fought on a much smaller scale between individuals. In this environment,ndmines and explosives have their ce again."

    Zhang Yi then told her about the discoveries Yang Xinxin had made. "Our shelter has been targeted. We don¡¯t know who¡¯s behind it, but it¡¯s likely a well-armed organization. I must upgrade our defenses and set up more traps around the area to ensure our safety. Do you understand?"

    After hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s exnation, Lu Keran¡¯s expression turned serious. "I see. I¡¯m sorry, Big Brother. I didn¡¯t realize the situation was so serious."

    Given herck of experience with human conflict, her ignorance was understandable.

    Zhang Yi smiled reassuringly, "It¡¯s okay. Just focus on your work. You don¡¯t need to worry about anything else¡ªI¡¯ll take care of it."

    "I¡¯ll protect you," Zhang Yi said gently, his hands resting on her shoulders, his eyes full of sincerity. Lu Keran, who had little experience with the world, couldn¡¯t help but be moved to tears.

    "Big Brother¡­ You¡¯re so good to me. I¡­ I don¡¯t know how to repay you!" Tears began to fall from her eyes.

    Zhang Yi gently wiped her tears away and said softly, "The first time I met you, I felt an instant connection. You look so much like the little sister I once had. The moment I saw you, I just wanted to protect you."

    Lu Keran sniffled, her wide, innocent eyes blinking at him. "Really?"

    "Of course. Why would I lie to you?" Zhang Yi replied with a warm smile.

    Lu Keran beamed with joy. In the chaos of the apocalypse, having such a kind man treat her like a little sister was a blessing. Yet, for some reason, her heart had a slight sense of dissatisfaction.

    A sister? Is that all I can be?

    Before she could dwell on the thought, Zhang Yi¡¯s hand had gently touched her flushed cheek, making her face even hotter. Her head started to spin.

    "Listen to your brother, okay? Don¡¯t worry about anything else¡ªI¡¯m here to care for you."

    "As long as I¡¯m around, no harm wille to you."

    Lu Keran¡¯s mind waspletely muddled, her eyes dazed. Never before had she been treated so affectionately by a man.

    "Mm, mm, mm." She could only nod repeatedly, unable to speak, agreeing with everything Zhang Yi said.

    Zhang Yi smiled and said, "Alright, then. You get back to work, but take care of yourself. Don¡¯t overwork, okay?"

    With that, he left the workshop, leaving Lu Keran with a dreamy, faraway look in her eyes.

    After stepping outside, Zhang Yi took a deep breath, reflecting on how he had once again captured the heart of an innocent young girl. But when it came to Lu Keran, a true treasure, he knew he had to keep her close. She needed to bepletely loyal to him.

    Using a bit of charm was a small price to pay if necessary. After all, weapons were too dangerous to be entrusted to anyone but those he could fully trust.

    Zhang Yi thought momentarily and then took out his phone to send a message to Uncle You and Fatty Xu, informing them about the potential threat and urging them to stay vignt.

    "Recently, I¡¯ve noticed an unknown presence nearby. It¡¯s close, so be careful. Don¡¯t trust anyone too easily in these times."

    "Due to the snow disaster, official organizations are no longer able to effectively manage different regions. Be especially cautious of anyone iming to represent the government."

    "And remember, under no circumstances should you reveal our abilities. This is extremely important, so please keep it in mind!"

    After reading Zhang Yi¡¯s message, Uncle You and Fatty Xu were startled into action. They quickly agreed to stay alert and follow Zhang Yi¡¯s advice.

    For Zhang Yi, this was all he could do. After all, he had no intention of leaving the safety of the shelter. With this fortress-like stronghold, he was confident that he could handle any enemy, no matter how powerful.

    "However, the most dangerous situation right now might be with Fatty Xu¡¯s group," Zhang Yi thought, recalling the location on the map. The signal source spying on them was positioned right along the path between the Cloud Manor and Xu¡¯s Town.

    Zhang Yi frowned and sent another message to Fatty Xu: "If you run into trouble and can¡¯t handle it, head straight for my ce."

    As an ice-element Superhuman, Fatty Xu was too valuable to lose. Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t afford to let anything happen to him.

 Chapter 237: The Scouts

    Chapter 237: The Scouts

    A smile spread across Fatty Xu¡¯s chubby face after reading Zhang Yi''s warning. It felt good to be cared about, but he didn¡¯t take the message too seriously. After all, Xu¡¯s Town had always been a quiet, insignificant vige on the outskirts of Tianhai City. The property prices were low, and the people of Xu¡¯s Town held little status in the eyes of city folk. ¡°If anyone¡¯s nning something, it would be to target Zhang¡¯s vi, not our humble town,¡± Fatty Xu thought as he tossed his phone aside and returned to flipping through his manga.

    Meanwhile, 27 kilometers west of Xu¡¯s Town, two figures emerged from the snow-covered buildings in what was once a newly developed area of Tianhai City. It was an unusual pair: a towering man, over two meters tall, with the build of a bear, and a slender, nimble woman dressed in minimal clothing. They were d in white, making them nearly invisible against the snow unless closely observed.

    The woman¡¯s scant attire¡ªa form-fitting white leather outfit¡ªhighlighted her curvaceous figure. Despite the severe cold, where temperatures dipped below minus sixty degrees, she wore no hat or scarf yet seemed entirely unfazed by the freezing weather. Beside her, the giant man carried a rifle wrapped in white cloth. His every step left deep imprints in the snow, and he found the trek exhausting.

    ¡°This snow... I wonder how long it¡¯ll keep falling! If it goes on for a few more months, the whole world might get buried,¡± Liu Ziyang grumbled, looking up at the snowy sky, his square-jawed face etched with frustration.

    The woman, Xishan Base Second Lieutenant Xie Huanhuan, smiled softly and said, ¡°The snow won¡¯t fall forever. The water molecules in the air have nearly all condensed. Without more evaporation from other regions, how could there be more snow?¡± She caught a snowke in her pale hand, adding, ¡°I¡¯ve heard that even the equator is now down to minus twenty degrees. So, the cold will persist, but the snowfall will gradually lessen. This might be thest bit of mercy the world receives.¡±

    Liu Ziyang scratched his head, clearly not understanding Xie Huanhuan¡¯s poetguage. She, however, paid him no mind and walked over to a sled tied to the side of the road. She mounted the sled with effortless grace, her light frame barely pressing into the snow.

    She pulled out a small palm-sized device from a pouch at her waist. This was theirmunication link with Xishan Base. Their mission was to survey the surrounding areas of the base.

    ¡°Original Hai Xiang Road, Dong Yixin City inspectionplete,¡± Xie Huanhuan reported into the device, which now had several marked locations disyed on it.¡°Where to next?¡± Liu Ziyang asked.

    ¡°Our survey was originally limited to Xishan District, but we¡¯ve been given orders to conduct a special search in one more area,¡± Xie Huanhuan replied.

    ¡°Special search?¡± Liu Ziyang¡¯s curiosity was piqued. Xie Huanhuan¡¯s role was superior to his, as she determined their route.

    ¡°It¡¯s a special task from the higher-ups, but no specific details were given. It doesn¡¯t seem to be anything too important, though. As usual, we¡¯ll just check it out and report back.¡±

    Xie Huanhuan suddenly stood on the sled, shading her eyes as she looked into the distance. There, arge river gleamed under the cold light.

    ¡°The ce we¡¯re heading to is by the river. We just need to follow it, and we¡¯ll find it!¡± she said.

    The extreme cold had damaged manymunication towers worldwide, making most positioning devices unreliable. Even if they could see a location on a map, the maps were outdated, from before the apocalypse, and still needed to be verified manually.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go! Onest stop, and then we can head back,¡± Xie Huanhuan said, sitting back down on the sled.

    Liu Ziyang whistled to the skan Mmutes leading the sled, then pushed it until it gained speed before hopping onto the back. Given his massive size, only theserge sled dogs could pull him.

    ...

    Over an hourter, Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang arrived at Xu¡¯s Town. The sight before them left them both astonished as they approached the snowy expanse. Their original destination had been Cloud Manor by the river. Still, as they followed the river, they came upon a vige entirely made of ice and snow, with a massive snow fortress dominating the center.

    Compelled by curiosity, they decided to investigate.

    As the sled neared Xu¡¯s Town, the vige¡¯s sled dogs quickly sounded the rm.

    ¡°Woof, woof!¡± The barking started with one dog and quickly spread throughout the vige, alerting everyone.

    The entire vige was immediately on high alert. Ever since their failed assault on Cloud Manor, where Zhang Yi single-handedly wiped out a hundred of their men, the vigers had lived in constant fear. Even though Zhang Yi had promised not to harm Xu¡¯s Town in the future, the vigers were still terrified of him. Any unusual sound now made them worry that Zhang Yi might being to attack them again.

    As a result, the vigers grabbed their weapons and gathered their dogs, ready to defend themselves. Upon seeing so many people, Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang couldn¡¯t help but be surprised.

    ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought there were so many survivors here?¡±

    ¡°Not only have they survived the cold and hunger, but they¡¯ve also maintained the vige¡ªit¡¯s incredible!¡±

    Their curiosity about the vige grew.

    The vigers, however, were wary and blocked their path. A group leader holding a hunting rifle coldly asked, ¡°Who are you? What do you want in Xu¡¯s Town?¡±

    Liu Ziyang frowned his right hand already on the safety of his rifle. But Xie Huanhuan stepped forward with a gentle smile, saying, ¡°I¡¯m Second Lieutenant Xie Huanhuan of the Tianhai Military Subdistrict. I¡¯m here on behalf of the government to search for and assist survivors of the snow disaster. There¡¯s no need to be rmed!¡± She pulled out her identification and showed it to the vigers, fully aware that these people likely still held out hope for the government. Showing her credentials could avoid a lot of unnecessary trouble.

 Chapter 238: Guiding Inspection

    Chapter 238: Guiding Inspection

    As expected, once Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang introduced themselves, the vigers of Xu¡¯s Town immediately became much more weing. Even in the post-apocalyptic world, the ingrained respect for authority was still deeply rooted in their bones.

    The newly appointed vige head, Xu Dongtang, stepped forward to closely examine Xie Huanhuan¡¯s credentials. Seeing their official uniforms and bearing, he was convinced they were who they imed to be. His demeanor changed instantly from stern to obsequious, with a broad smile spreading across his face.

    "So, it¡¯s the leadership visiting us! Wee, wee!" Xu Dongtang said enthusiastically, and the vigers quickly lowered their weapons. They curiously eyed Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang, brimming with questions. Communicationworks were no longer as reliable as before the apocalypse, so they had little information about the outside world. They were unsure about the state of the world, whether the government was still functioning, and how it nned to handle the snow disaster. However, none of this dulled Xu Dongtang¡¯s eagerness to curry favor with the two officials.

    He invited them into the vige, ordering the vigers to prepare food for their guests. "Prepare a feast! Today, we have higher-ups visiting for an inspection. We must treat them well!" Xu Dongtangmanded, instructing the vigers to bring out some stored food.

    Someone questioned, "Sixth Uncle, we don¡¯t know what they¡¯re here for. Why are we treating them so warmly?"

    Xu Dongtang responded with a knowing smile, "As long as they represent the government, that¡¯s all that matters. In these troubled times, when the world is in chaos, it¡¯s our chance as farmers to rise. If we can establish a connection with the government, who knows? The Xu family might just ascend to great heights! And besides, it¡¯s just some food¡ªwe can afford it."

    The vigers, convinced by Xu Dongtang¡¯s reasoning, returned to their homes to gather their best provisions to offer Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang.

    For their part, Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang were surprised to find such a lively and well-organized vige. It seemed almost untouched by the snow disaster, which they found remarkable. As they strolled through the vige, apanied by Xu Dongtang and several elder members of the Xu family, they observed everything with keen interest.Xie Huanhuan asked, "Old sir, despite this heavy snow, it seems your vige hasn¡¯t been affected much. How have you managed that?"

    Xu Dongtang puffed out his chest, eager to impress the officials. "First and foremost, we in Xu¡¯s Town are resilient and self-reliant. We didn¡¯t let the snow disaster defeat us! Secondly, as vige head, I yed a role in guiding the people. You see, I¡¯ve always advised them to stockpile food in emergencies. So when the snow disaster hit, our vigers didn¡¯t have to worry about food. Not to brag, but not everyone in Xu¡¯s Town has starved!"

    Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang exchanged a meaningful nce. Meanwhile, the older vigers were internally rolling their eyes at Xu Dongtang¡¯s self-congrattory speech. He¡¯d only been vige head for a few days, and the previous head, Xu Dongsheng, had led the real efforts. Moreover, Xu¡¯s Town had always been an agricultural and fishingmunity with a longstanding tradition of stockpiling food. But now, Xu Dongtang was taking all the credit.

    Casually, Xie Huanhuan asked, "So, your vige has plenty of food stored up, then?"

    Proudly, Xu Dongtang replied, "Leader, it seems you¡¯re unfamiliar with Tianhai City¡¯s agricultural market. To put it bluntly, Xu¡¯s Town supplies a third of Tianhai City¡¯s vegetables!"

    Realizing he might have said too much, Xu Dongtang quickly tried to backtrack. "But, of course, the heavy snowfall over the past month has ruined much of our food. Right now, we¡¯re just managing to get by."

    Xie Huanhuan smiled gently. "Even so, for a vige with over a thousand households, being able to get by is quite impressive."

    Xu Dongtang chuckled, "In all of Xu¡¯s Town, our vige is in the best shape. Just look at these ice houses we¡¯ve built¡ªthey solve our housing problem perfectly! Other viges weren¡¯t so clever; many homes were buried under the snow, and a lot of people died."

    He pointed to the ice houses with a smug expression, iming all the credit for the idea, while the other vigers, though exasperated, refrained from contradicting him due to his position.

    Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang were genuinely impressed. They thought, "This old man has some serious talent!"

    Liu Ziyang gazed at the massive snow fortress in the vige and remarked, "These ice houses were all built by hand? That¡¯s incredible¡ªyour vige has some skilled craftsmen!"

    Xu Dongtang shamelessly imed, "We¡¯re farmers. We need skills to make some extra money and support our families!"

    Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang nodded, not questioning his exnation. Xu Dongtang¡¯s self-aggrandizing had the unintended effect of keeping the existence of Xu Chunlei, the real skilled craftsman behind the ice houses, a secret.

    After touring the vige, Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang didn¡¯t find anything particrly noteworthy. The vigers had prepared lunch, and Xu Dongtang enthusiastically invited them to join.

    Having been on the road eating onlypressed food, Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang were eager for a hot meal, so they dly epted.

    They were taken to Xu Dongtang¡¯s home, where several senior members of the Xu family joined them. The ice houses, surprisingly good at retaining heat, were also wind-resistant. Once a fire was lit, and with many people inside, the cold became more bearable. The meal was cooked over a makeshift stove, with everyone gathering to enjoy a hotpot¡ªa rare luxury in these times.

    To host their esteemed guests, the vigers brought out the best of what they had: preserved meats, dried chicken, and the locally popr frozen fish, all tossed into the pot to create a hearty dish.

    "Please, help yourselves! Don¡¯t be shy¡ªeat as much as you like!" Xu Dongtang and the Xu family elders warmly urged Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang to dig in.

    Looking at the steaming pot filled with delicacies, Xie Huanhuan couldn¡¯t help but think, "This vige is certainly prosperous."

 Chapter 239: The Leak

    Chapter 239: The Leak

    Xu Dongtang and the others subtly probed for information about the official organization as they ate.

    "Leader, when will the government start addressing the snow disaster?" Xu Dongtang asked, pouring a ss of his prized aged liquor for Liu Ziyang.

    Liu Ziyang downed the drink, feeling a warm sensation spread through his chest, bringing a flush to his face. He remained silent, continuing to eat. Meanwhile, Xie Huanhuan responded, "Rest assured, the government has already formted a n to tackle the snow disaster, and it will be implemented soon."

    Hearing this, Xu Dongtang and the vigers showed visible signs of relief and hope.

    "That¡¯s great news! This dreadful weather has been unbearable!"

    "Wemon folk can¡¯t do much¡ªwe need the government to step in and fix the situation so we can return to our lives."

    One viger couldn¡¯t help but ask, "Do the experts have any idea when the snow will stop?"

    Xie Huanhuan smiled gently, "Soon. The snowfall won¡¯tst much longer. You¡¯ve probably noticed that it¡¯s already less intense. In a few months, it should stop altogether."Liu Ziyang nced at her, but Xie Huanhuan maintained a calm, confident demeanor, as if everything she said was true. Not one for words, Liu Ziyang focused on the food before him.

    Xie Huanhuan took a sip of the liquor, her cheeks flushing slightly. She didn¡¯t dare drink too much, knowing she was on duty, but the cold weather and the warmth of the alcohol were too tempting to resist. Although she wasn¡¯t bothered by the cold due to her special physique, the pleasant sensation from the alcohol was something she couldn¡¯t refuse.

    After a drink, Xie Huanhuan began questioning the vigers. "Has anyone in your vige experienced any strange changes recently?"

    Xu Dongtang frowned slightly at the question, as did the other vigers, who immediately thought of Xu Chunlei. However, Xu Dongtang feigned ignorance. "What do you mean by strange changes? Everyone in our vige is perfectly normal."

    One of Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang¡¯s primary tasks was investigating poption centers and resource points around the base. They also had a special mission to identify and bring back any Superhumans. However, the number of Superhumans was so rare that their base had only discovered a few. Xie Huanhuan asked more questions than expected out of routine.

    Nevertheless, as a soldier, Xie Huanhuan was highly observant and quickly noticed the subtle changes in the vigers¡¯ expressions.

    She set down her cup and said calmly, "I¡¯m talking about people whose bodies have mutated, granting them abilities beyond those of ordinary humans. If someone in your vige had undergone such changes, you would have noticed."

    "If you can provide useful information, the organization will reward you generously!"

    The vigers avoided her gaze, their eyes betraying their thoughts as they considered the implications of her words. But no one spoke up. With Xu Dongtang, the vige chief, present, it wasn¡¯t their ce to talk.

    Behind his gold-rimmed sses, Xu Dongtang¡¯s eyes flickered with uncertainty. The person she was referring to was undoubtedly Xu Chunlei. Should he reveal Xu Chunlei¡¯s existence?

    Xu Dongtang didn¡¯t rush to answer. Instead, he asked, "If I may ask, what does the organization want with these people?"

    Xie Huanhuan¡¯s suspicions deepened¡ªshe was certain the vigers knew something about a Superhuman. With a friendly smile, she replied, "These individuals are valuable assets to the nation. We need to harness their abilities to help rebuild our homnd."

    "Vige Chief, if you know of anyone like that, you must report it immediately! The organization will greatly reward you."

    Xu Dongtang nodded. "Oh, I see!" He poured more liquor, but his eyes held a glint of cunning. Her words sounded promising, but where was the tangible benefit? Xu Chunlei was the vige¡¯s most valuable asset. Without him, who knew what would be of the vige? He wasn¡¯t about to hand him over.

    "I¡¯ll keep an eye out. If I find anyone like that, I¡¯ll report it right away," Xu Dongtang said, pulling out his phone and smiling as he offered it to Xie Huanhuan. "Leader, let¡¯s exchange contact information."

    But Xie Huanhuan¡¯s expression suddenly changed. She looked up at Xu Dongtang with a knowing smile. "Vige Chief, are you hiding something from me?"

    "Being dishonest with the organization is a serious offense."

    The atmosphere in the room instantly grew tense. The vigers were paralyzed with fear, unsure of what to say, while Liu Ziyang continued to eat heartily.

    Xu Dongtang¡¯s hand froze in midair, his face showing confusion as he frowned and said, "No, of course not! Leader, what do you mean? I¡¯mpletely loyal to the organization¡ªI¡¯d never tell a lie!"

    Xie Huanhuan asked coldly, "So there¡¯s no Superhuman here?"

    "Think carefully before you answer. This is a matter of great importance to the organization, and withholding information could have serious consequences!"

    Xie Huanhuan was indeed concerned. Discovering a Superhuman would earn her significant recognition from the organization. She could tell that Xu Dongtang and the others were hiding something important¡ªtheir expressions gave them away.

    Caught in his lie, Xu Dongtang¡¯s smile wavered momentarily. But then, inspiration struck.

    "Ah, Leader, if you put it that way, there is someone I¡¯m suspicious of. But he¡¯s not from our vige, so we don¡¯t know much about him. That¡¯s why I hesitated to mention it," Xu Dongtang said, suddenly eager to shift the focus.

    "Who is this person?" Xie Huanhuan asked.

    Biting his lip, Xu Dongtang replied, "His name is Zhang Yi. He lives across the river at Cloud Manor."

    The mention of Zhang Yi made the vigers grit their teeth in anger. Many had lost family members in the failed attack on Cloud Manor that night¡ªhow could they not hate Zhang Yi?

    Xie Huanhuan¡¯s eyes lit up at the name. It matched the one mentioned in the special mission she had received. If there were no mistakes, Xu Dongtang¡¯s Zhang Yi was the person she was supposed to investigate.

    "What a coincidence!" Xie Huanhuan murmured to herself. This was a perfect opportunity to gather intelligence on Zhang Yi from the vigers of Xu¡¯s Town.

 Chapter 240: Target, Cloud Manor

    Chapter 240: Target, Cloud Manor

    To cover up his earlier slip of the tongue, Xu Dongtang quickly threw Zhang Yi under the bus, hoping to divert attention away from Xu Chunlei. After all, Zhang Yi was a Superhuman, so mentioning him could effectively fill the gap and keep Xu Chunlei''s existence hidden.

    "That Zhang Yi is a terrifying figure! He single-handedly killed over a hundred people from Xu¡¯s Town! We can¡¯t do anything but swallow our anger and keep quiet about it," Xu Dongtangmented. "Leader, now that you¡¯re here, please, you have to stand up for us!"

    Following Xu Dongtang¡¯s lead, the vigers eagerly shifted all their problems onto Zhang Yi, desperate to keep their guardian, Xu Chunlei, a secret.

    As it happened, Zhang Yi was the exact person Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang were sent to find. Their mission aligned perfectly with the information they had just received, filling them with satisfaction. Now, they only needed toplete this final task to return to the base and report their findings. Moreover, discovering Xu¡¯s Town was an unexpected bonus.

    Eager for more details, Xie Huanhuan pressed the vigers for information about Zhang Yi. However, Xu Dongtang realized they knew little about Zhang Yi¡¯s age, height, or appearance. After all, the vigers had fought him in the dead of night, being hunted like dogs by Zhang Yi, who wielded a powerful sniper rifle.

    "We only know that traps surround his home, he¡¯s armed, and he has a vehicle that can traverse the snow," Xu Dongtang reported.

    Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang noted these details, especially the information about the weapons and traps, which would be crucial for their investigation.

    "And what about his Superhuman ability? Do any of you know what it is?" Xie Huanhuan asked, focusing on the most important detail.Superhuman abilities varied greatly. Some mutations were detrimental, while others offered only minor advantages. However, a powerful ability could be incredibly valuable to West Hill Base.

    The question left Xu Dongtang and the others stumped. During their encounter with Zhang Yi, they were too busy dealing with traps and sniper fire to witness any use of supernatural powers. Their knowledge was limited to what they had heard from Xu Chunlei.

    Awkwardly, Xu Dongtangughed. "We wouldn¡¯t know about that! We¡¯re not familiar with Superhuman abilities. All we know is that he¡¯s not normal¡ªsomething about him is off."

    "Leader, this is something only you can investigate!" he added, deflecting the responsibility back onto Xie Huanhuan.

    Disappointment flickered in Xie Huanhuan¡¯s eyes. Understanding a Superhuman¡¯s ability was crucial for knowing how to counter them, but she could not obtain this critical information. Despite her repeated questioning, the vigers genuinely knew nothing.

    Even Xu Chunlei wasn¡¯t entirely sure about Zhang Yi¡¯s abilities, only that they were rted to space maniption. Zhang Yi had done an excellent job keeping his powers and arsenal a secret, leaving even those close to him, let alone these vigers, in the dark.

    After finishing their meal, Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang prepared to leave Xu¡¯s Town, having gathered all the information they could. Before departing, Xu Dongtang, still hoping for a favor, hinted at wanting an official position. To him, a second lieutenant¡¯s rank was as good as a high military honor.

    Xie Huanhuan smiled and nodded, "From now on, you¡¯ll be responsible for this area. If youe across any valuable information, report it to me immediately."

    Xu Dongtang¡¯s heart swelled with joy. "Of course, I¡¯ll do everything I can for the organization! You can count on me!"

    Before they left, Xu Dongtang sent them off with gifts, and while Xie Huanhuan didn¡¯t take much, she did keep a few bottles of good liquor.

    Once outside the vige, Xie Huanhuan reported back to West Hill Base using her device: "Discovered arge vige, Xu¡¯s Town, with approximately 2,000 survivors and significant food reserves. No Superhumans detected."

    Afterpleting her report, Xie Huanhuan put away her device. Standing guard nearby, Liu Ziyang asked, "Back in the vige, why did you lie to them?"

    Liu Ziyang couldn¡¯t understand why Xie Huanhuan had told Xu Dongtang and the vigers things that were almost entirely untrue like the snow disaster ending soon or helping them rebuild after the disaster.

    Xie Huanhuan nced at the simple-minded soldier and smiled dismissively. "If we told them the truth, do you think they¡¯d still treat us as honored guests, feeding us and providing us with information?"

    Liu Ziyang scratched his head. "I get that, but it still doesn¡¯t feel right. Those vigers were nice to us."

    Xie Huanhuan chuckled softly, her voiceced with irony. "That¡¯s why you¡¯re just my subordinate."

    Liu Ziyang could only smile wryly and shake his head. While an elite warrior, he wasn¡¯t as savvy in dealing with people as Xie Huanhuan.

    "They heard what they wanted to hear. Far from resenting me, they¡¯ll be grateful that I gave them hope," Xie Huanhuan exined.

    "But won¡¯t they eventually realize you were lying? What will you do then?" Liu Ziyang asked, puzzled.

    "I¡¯ll have new exnations ready by then," Xie Huanhuan replied confidently as if everything was under control. "As long as we represent the government in their eyes, whatever we say will be considered the truth."

    Liu Ziyang was left feeling uncertain. Could they im to represent the government? After all, West Hill Base had undergone a power shift, with control taken from the former government officials and ced in the hands of Chen Xinian, who nowmanded the military. Strictly speaking, they were rebels. But in these chaotic times, the lines between right and wrong had blurred. Liu Ziyang knew only one thing for sure: as a soldier, his duty was to follow orders.

    He shook his head, deciding not to dwell on suchplicated matters. Xie Huanhuan, for her part, didn¡¯t care what Liu Ziyang thought. She was in charge of this mission, and Liu Ziyang was merely her subordinate.

    "Next stop, let¡¯s go see Zhang Yi!" she said, brushing her hair back with a curious gleam in her eye. "From what the vigers of Xu¡¯s Town said, this guy is something else. He might even be a Superhuman!"

    Liu Ziyang smiled eagerly. "If we can bring him back, that¡¯ll be a major achievement!"

    A knowing smile spread across Xie Huanhuan¡¯s lips. "There¡¯s more to it than just him."

    Whether Zhang Yi was a Superhuman was uncertain, but her briefing had instructed her to investigate his connection to the Walmart warehouse theft. Initially, the leaders at West Hill Base hadn¡¯t paid much attention to Zhang Yi, but after hearing the vigers¡¯ ounts, Xie Huanhuan suspected there was more to the story.

    Perhaps, through Zhang Yi, she could uncover the whereabouts of the stolen goods from what was once thergest warehouse in South China.

    Excitement sparkled in Xie Huanhuan¡¯s eyes. "If I can find those supplies, the credit I¡¯d earn could make me the second-most powerful person at the base¡ªor maybe even more..."

 Chapter 241 Infiltrators

    Chapter 241 Infiltrators

    Because the earth has already been covered with snow, and the surrounding area of Yunque Manor is rtively open, Xie Liu and his wife think that it is easy to be discovered by Zhang Yi rashly.

    Therefore, Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang did not rush forward, but first explored the environment of Yunque Manor with binocrs.

    Through the words of Xu Dongtang and others, Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang were somewhat wary of Zhang Yi, knowing that this person was not so easy to deal with and might be a powerful alien.

    Untilte at night, two people went to explore.

    From Xu Dong Vige, they have learned that this vi No.101 is where Zhang Yi lives, and there are many traps around it.

    So when they came over in the evening, they were fully prepared.

    Liu Ziyang took out a military tactical eyepiece.

    Looking at the snow in front of us, the traps buried under the snowdrift are presented at a nce.

    "Fortunately, I got the news in advance, otherwise, I might get hurt if I rushed past."

    Liu Ziyang said in a heavy voice.

    Xie Huanhuan looked up at the luxurious vi in front of him, but he couldn''t help but sigh with emotion: "I can live in such a luxurious vi in thest days and enjoy afortable life. Even I can''t help but be jealous!"

    Liu Ziyang said: "There is nothing to envy! It is freezing outside, and such a big house consumes a lot of energy just for heating."

    "Where did he get so much fuel to keep warm? Not to mention daily food and clothing."

    Xie Huanhuan nced at him without exining much.

    Liu Ziyang didn''t know about the warehouse in South China.

    After all, he is just a soldier, and he doesn''t need to know the content of the task, just needs to obey Xie Huanhuan''s orders.

    "Send me there!"

    Xie Huanhuan said to Liu Ziyang.

    Liu Ziyang crouched down his burly body, and Xie Huanhuan dexterously jumped on his shoulder.

    Liu Ziyang carried Xie Huanhuan, stepped on a rockery exposed on the snow surface, and quickly jumped on the right wall, jumping up more than five meters high!

    He clung to the eaves with his right hand, and then swung like a swing towards the corner of the shelter.

    A rabbit rises and falls, and a man has fallen on the snow.

    The weight of two people fell into the snow, and half of their bodies sank in.

    But didn''t let a piece of snow meet Xie Huanhuan.

    It is very easy for them to dismantle those simple traps in the snow.

    Only two people don''t want to startle, decided to sneak in quietly.

    Xie Huanhuan stepped down from Liu Ziyang''s shoulder and observed the ck vi in front of him.

    A heavy and strong feeling suddenly impregnated her heart.

    "It is worthy of being the residence of the richest man. Although it is fancy, its defense isparable to a bunker!"

    Xie Huanhuan''s mouth showed a smile. "Unfortunately, for me, there is no unbreakable fortress in this world."

    Liu Ziyang sank behind him and said, "Do you really not consider negotiating with each other? Your ability is notbat, and it may be dangerous to sneak in rashly."

    Xie Huanhuan frowned and said coldly: "Liu Ziyang, don''t forget, even if there is no power, I Xie Huanhuan is also a member of the special team!"

    Liu Ziyang suddenly did not dare to continue arguing about this matter.

    "Then I''ll wait for you outside. If there is a situation, shoot immediately, and I will find a way to break in!"

    Xie Huanhuan smiled disapprovingly.

    "Don''t worry, that Zhang Yi can''t imagine that there is such an invasion method in the world!"

    After she finished speaking, she stepped to the corner.

    The thick wall made of special alloy, which can withstand direct fire, suddenly turned into air.

    Or it can be said that Xie Huanhuan himself turned into air and went in lightly.

    The next moment, she came to Zhang Yi''s shelter.

    This position is the living room.

    Xie Huanhuan didn''t know the structure inside the shelter, but it was alreadyte at night, and she didn''t enter it until she confirmed that the room lights went out early.

    As soon as she entered the shelter, she waspletely wrapped in the warm feeling.

    Xie Huanhuan was very surprised: It was warmer than Xishan Base!

    The luxurious interioryout and furniture around her make her envy and hate.

    Although these things are worthless in thest days, they are everywhere outside.

    But it is almost impossible to bring them back to Xishan base.

    After all, the underground base has such arge space, and even her special warfare team members only have a small room of more than ten square meters.

    "I can now be sure that he must have a lot of materials in his hand."

    "He will notck food or energy. Otherwise, it is impossible to enjoy such afortable life!"

    Xie Huanhuan raised a smile at the corners of his mouth.

    Just as she was about to continue probing the room, she suddenly heard a cat barking.

    Xie Huanhuan suddenly surprised his heart.

    Thinking that she didn''t know the details of Zhang Yi''s side, she didn''t dare to continue taking risks.

    The importance of this shelter is much higher than that thought by the high-level officials of Xishan Base!

    However, Xie Huanhuan is not willing to leave like this.

    She decided to leave something for Zhang Yi to shock his heart.

    Then, maybe you can win this ce without bloodshed!

    Xie Huanhuan pulled out a saber from his thigh and put it on the living room table.

    After doing this, she turned and entered the shadow of the room, and disappeared as ghostly as before.

    Xie Huanhuan came out of the wall, and Liu Ziyang was still waiting outside to meet her.

    Seeing hering out so quickly, she hurriedly asked, "Have you found anything?"

    Xie Huanhuan''s eyes are full of excitement. "Great harvest! Let''s go back first, and I will talk to you slowly on the way!"

    Liu Ziyang was surprised.

    "Go back first?"

    He and Xie Huanhuan have joined hands, and they have not encountered any unsolvable problems for so long.

    Even if they met some gang forces in Tianhai City, they could easily get it done.

    But this time, Xie Huanhuan chose to go back. Is this going to ask the base for assistance?

    "Have you met a very powerful opponent?"

    Xie Huanhuan said quickly: "Although it is not clear, ording to the current situation, the man named Zhang Yi is definitely not simple."

    "I''m not good at fighting and there''s no need to stay here and take risks."

    "It is safest to go back and report the intelligence here to the top and sendrge troops!"

    Xie Huanhuan''s ability is very suitable for external search.

    Because she can be perfectly integrated into the environment, so the cold of ice and snow can''t hurt her, and no matter how strong the fortress is, she can break through.

    But her ability is not suitable for directbat.

    This is why she needs to follow Liu Ziyang.

    Liu Ziyang obeyed, let Xie Huanhuan sit on his shoulder, and then quickly left Yunque Manor.

    But at this time, Zhang Yi was awakened in his sleep.

 Chapter 242 Chasing

    Chapter 242 Chasing

    Huahua''s cry woke Zhang Yi up.

    Since Huahua came home, she likes to climb to Zhang Yi''s room to sleep every night, and nest on his bedside.

    Zhang Yi also likes to dpress the cat, so he didn''t drive it away.

    This voice almost took Zhang Yi away directly, because it was too ugly.

    Zhang Yi opened his eyes and saw Huahua staring at the door with a cautious appearance, and his hair stood up.

    As a stray cat, Huahua is particrly alert and doesn''t show this appearance at ordinary times.

    Zhang Yi suddenly realized that something had happened at home!

    He instinctively rolled over and got out of bed, taking out the gun in his right hand.

    "Huahua, what''s going on?"

    Zhang Yi asked.

    Huahua''s IQ is very high, not much worse than that of human beings.

    It can understand everything Zhang Yi said to it.

    But the problem is-it can''t talk!

    Huahua just stared outside and shouted.

    But after barking a few times, it suddenly stopped barking, but its eyes showed iprehension and looked around curiously.

    "What happened?"

    Zhang Yi felt puzzled.

    Maybe it had nightmares at night?

    I''ve never heard of cats having nightmares.

    Zhang Yi didn''t feel at ease, so he picked up his mobile phone to check the monitoring of the whole shelter.

    As a result, no abnormal pictures were found in the shelter.

    Instead, Huahua went to the door and put his paws on the door to signal that he wanted to go out.

    "Please wait for me!"

    Zhang Yi quickly put on his clothes, and then opened the door with a gun.

    Huahua quickly jumped to the stairs.

    Zhang Yi carefully looked around, and then light footsteps, quickly followed the past.

    Huahua came to the first floor, sniffed here and there, and kept making that strange song in her mouth.

    Then, it jumped onto the table in the living room.

    Zhang Yi followed it step by step.

    Soon he found the ck saber lying on the table.

    Zhang Yi''s pupils shrink fiercely, and there is ayer of white sweat on his back!

    This saber is definitely not his, and it is even more impossible for several other people in the shelter to have such a thing.

    Then who put it here?

    What is even more terrible is who can bypass the invincible defense of the shelter and quietlye to the living room and put it here!

    The other party can sneak into his house quietly, does it mean that one day he can sneak in and take his life?

    Zhang Yi swallowed a mouthful of spittle, but soon came to his senses.

    There is monitoring everywhere in the home, so just check to know who hase in.

    He immediately came to the TV and said to the intelligent system at home: "y back the surveince video in the living room, tune it to 10 minutes ago, and then fast forward to someone showing up!"

    Soon, the monitoring ten minutes ago appeared on the big screen.

    With the fast forward of the video, Zhang Yi finally saw the strange figure.

    He slowed down the video, afraid to blink, for fear of missing some details.

    Then he saw clearly that from the shadow in the corner of the room, a woman in white tights came out slowly.

    "Zoom in!"

    Zhang Yi magnified the influence and observed it carefully, only to see the clue.

    The woman didn''t appear out of thin air, but walked slowly through the wall.

    The solid wall, like air, did not stop her.

    However, Zhang Yi understood what was going on.

    "There is such a power!"

    Since the emergence of variants in this world, more and more incredible things have be less bizarre.

    Zhang Yi continued to view the video. After observing in the room for a while, the woman was about to walk to the stairs.

    At that time, the cry of Huahua began to scare off the woman in white tights.

    She put down a dagger on the table and went out in the direction of the wall again.

    After watching this video, Zhang Yi felt a haze above his head.

    The existence of such a different person is a great threat to him!

    No matter how strong the shelter is, it will not work.

    What is even more terrible is that when she left, she put a saber on the table!

    Zhang Yi is also a man who ys with knives, so he understands that this kind of knife is not something ordinary people can own, even the standard weapons in the army.

    How much threat will such a person pose to him in the future if he lets her go?

    In the eyes of Zhang Yi, a strong murderous crazy emerged.

    That woman, must die, must not let her live!

    "Huahua,e out with me and kill the intruder!"

    Zhang Yi said to the flowers squatting on the table.

    "Meow--"

    Huahua let out a cry with her big mouth open, and her eyes shone like bulbs with deep blue light.

    Zhang Yi didn''t go out in a hurry, but first armed himself all over the living room.

    I didn''t hear the sound of the engine nearby, so the other party couldn''t have driven over. So she can''t run far!

    While wearing clothes, he called up the surveince outside the shelter to check the other party''s departure.

    Through the infrared camera, he captured two departing figures.

    "Two people? It doesn''t matter, first kill the woman who can sneak into the shelter!"

    Is the other side first ran to dere war, Zhang Yi will not have the slightest mercy.

    He added Huahua, so that it is enough to deal with any opponent.

    If it weren''t for the urgency of time, he would like to shake Uncle You and Fatty Xu.

    But time waits for no man. If you chase themte, you will be afraid that they will run away.

    Zhang Yi put on his equipment, carried a big sniper in his hand, and then went out with flowers.

    "Huahua, can you smell them?"

    Zhang Yi looked at the flowers.

    "Meow--"

    Huahua howled confidently, which is not of course?

    At the next moment, its body expanded rapidly and became a monster with a length of more than ten meters.

    Huahuay prone in front of Zhang Yi and motioned for him to sit up.

    In the snow, its speed is faster than snowmobiles!

    Zhang Yi looked at the hair on his back that was sharper than steel nails, and said with some worries: "I am afraid of pricking my ass."

    Huahua reacted, and the hair on her back soon became soft.

    Zhang Yi just sat up with confidence.

    "Don''t be too excited and suddenly prick my ass!"

    Zhang Yi reminded Huahuadao.

    Flowers rolled a supercilious look, some unhappy "meow-" a voice, expressed dissatisfaction with Zhang Yi''s distrust.

    After he sat firmly, Huahua''s soft big feet pushed hard on the snow and jumped out more than ten meters away!

    Zhang Yi holding the big sniper, through the tactical eyepiece staring at the front.

    Tonight, no matter what, he can''t let that woman leave alive!

    One person and one cat went fast and quickly disappeared in Yunque Manor, chasing the past in the northwest direction.

    At this time, Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang rode a sled and prepared to go back with joy.

    This search, their results can only be described as a bumper harvest!

    In addition to finding a vige with a strong poption and abundant materials, I also discovered the secret of Zhang Yi.

    As long as you go back and report to the top, it is definitely a great achievement!

 Chapter 243 Close to the Truth

    Chapter 243 Close to the Truth

    After leaving Yunque Manor, Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang kept trying to get back to Xishan Base.

    Xie Huanhuan''s face is an unstoppable smile, even the cold snow and ice at midnight can''t weaken a few minutes.

    Liu Ziyang''s heart was greatly surprised.

    Xie Huanhuan is his superior. He performs the tasks assigned by the senior management and directly connects with Xie Huanhuan.

    So along the way, Liu Ziyang didn''t know the specific content of many things.

    But today, Xie Huanhuan''s appearance is obviously a little excited.

    This inevitably aroused Liu Ziyang''s interest.

    Two people are also old partners, and their rtionship is quite good.

    Liu Ziyang asked: "Huanhuan, what did you see in Zhang Yi''s vi that made you so happy?"

    At this time, they have left Yunque Manor far away.

    Xie Huanhuan is in a good mood, just waiting to go back and report the news, and then he can reward his merits.

    So she told Liu Ziyang about it.

    "Lao Liu, in principle, you are just an ordinary soldier of our A team. There are some things that you don''t know enough."

    "But today my sister is in a good mood, so it doesn''t hurt to tell you about it!"

    Zhang Yi itself is a trivial matter for the leaders of Xishan Base, so it is not required to keep it strictly confidential.

    Coupled with today''s special circumstances, some rules have gradually be less binding.

    Xie Huanhuan told him the secret.

    "That Zhang Yi, there have been rumors before, he was rted to the theft of Wal-Mart South China warehouse. Have you heard of that case?"

    Liu Ziyang frowned slightly. "It seems to be a little impressed."

    At that time, he was still in the army, and he was not very clear about the outside news.

    "You''ve heard of Wal-Mart, haven''t you?"

    "Oh, I do know that. That supermarket seems to be quiterge. It is famous all over the world!"

    "Yes, not only is it famous all over the world, but it is also thergest supermarket chain in the world."

    "They have more than 800rge chain stores in China."

    "The South China warehouse in Tianhai City stores more than one third of their materials in China. The value of its goods is said to have reached tens of billions!"

    Liu Ziyang was also startled: "Tens of billions of materials! Is it so horrible?"

    After so many years of preparation and mobilization before the snowstorm, all the stored materials can''t reach this level.

    "You mean that Zhang Yi knows where those materials are going?"

    Liu Ziyang reacted keenly.

    Xie Huanhuan smiled. "At the beginning, the top leaders of the base thought so. They just regard Zhang Wei as an insider of the matter, let''se and investigate."

    "However, after going to Xujia Town and personally entering their home for investigation, I found that things are definitely not that simple!"

    Xie Huanhuan''s tone became serious, with the joy of discovering great secrets.

    Liu Ziyang frowned. "I... don''t quite understand."

    Xie Huanhuan gave him a white look. This silly man, his brain is turning a little slowly.

    "If Zhang Wei is just an ordinary warehouse keeper, then the lost tens of billions of materials have absolutely little to do with him."

    "Even if you find him to ask, the information you get has no effect. After all, now that we have found the ck hand behind the scenes, we may not be able to recover the materials."

    "But what if he is a man who is hidden and actually has great energy?"

    Xie Huanhuan thought of what the vigers in Xu Dong Vige said to her and gently spit out a mouthful of white smoke.

    "Can an ordinary person survive for so long in thest days and still have powerful firepower?"

    "Can an ordinary person beat back the siege of hundreds of vigers and kill more than 100 people by himself?"

    "It can be judged from this that Zhang Wei is by no means ordinary!"

    When they talked, the dog who pulled the sled began to get restless, but his mouth was trapped by the chewing son and he couldn''t make a sound. He could only whine and hum, and then run forward desperately.

    Neither of the two people who were chatting vigorously noticed this problem.

    After all, the weather is too cold, and it ismon for dogs to get upset.

    Xie Huanhuan said: "I only doubted this before. But after entering their home to find out, I was even more convinced of this."

    "The living conditions of their family are so good that they are even more extravagant than the life of our Xishan base leader."

    "Without enough materials, who dares to enjoy such a luxurious life at such a time?"

    When Liu Ziyang heard this, he slowly recovered.

    "I see! You mean that Zhang Wei must have a veryrge amount of materials in his hands!"

    "It is very likely that it is part of the lost materials in Wal-Mart South China warehouse?"

    Xie Huanhuan blinked and said in a heavy voice, "Maybe it''s not just a part! It is also possible that it is all!"

    "What???"

    Liu Ziyang almost shook off his chin.

    "Huanhuan, you can make a big joke. With so many materials, where can he store them?"

    Xie Huanhuan said: "The case itself is confusing. At the beginning, no one could exin why the South China warehouse, known as the world''srgest big warehouse, was carried out in just a few hours."

    "But now, the emergence of mutants has made many impossible things possible."

    Liu Ziyang frowned slightly. "You mean he has some ability to hide materials?"

    Xie Huanhuan said: "I am only guessing, but I am not sure. However, even if there is only such a possibility, it is worth letting us shoot!"

    Xie Huanhuan''s eyes are full of excitement.

    "After going back, we will report the news immediately, and then let the leader send arge army!"

    "As long as the whole A team sends a quarter of its strength, it is enough to destroy any recalcitrant enemy."

    "Even if his house is very strong, it will be vulnerable with me."

    Although Xie Huanhuan''s ability is biased towards auxiliary functions, it ys a great role when ites to fighting a tough battle.

    She couldn''t bring anything veryrge in, but dropping some bombs and poisonous gas into it was fine.

    No matter how strong the fortress is, it is easy to break through from the inside.

    Liu Ziyang looked at the confident Xie Huanhuan, and his eyes shed with envy.

    "How nice! You are born aliens, and you have the ability to create infinite possibilities."

    Xie Huanhuan saw a lonely look in Liu Ziyang''s eyes.

    As an elite soldier, it is a great pity that he can''t have that kind of talent like Xie Huanhuan.

    Xie Huanhuan suddenly patted his old partner on the shoulder.

    "Old Liu, don''t be too depressed! When this mission goes back, you will also get a big reward."

    "My sister will be the top of the base in the future and will not mistreat you, hahaha!"

    Liu Ziyang looked at the high-spirited Xie Huanhuan and couldn''t help but smile.

    "That''s it, I will rely on you to help me in the future!"

    Both of them returned to Xishan Base talking andughing, and they were both happy for the great harvest of this trip.

    Just then, in Liu Ziyang''s sight, Xie Huanhuan''s head suddenly tilted to the side.

    A string of blood spattered from her temples, and her smile remained on her face, but her eyes quickly lost their luster.

    "Bang!"

    Xie Huanhuan''s body fell from the sled without warning.

 Chapter 244: No Possibility Left Behind

    Chapter 244: No Possibility Left Behind

    Xie Huanhuan''s body fell onto the snow, the scene so abrupt that it seemed unreal. Just moments earlier, she and Liu Ziyang had been joyfully discussing their bright futures. Now, she was a cold corpse. In this dangerous world, there was never a moment of absolute safety. A Superhuman¡¯s head wasn¡¯t necessarily tougher than an ordinary person''s and was certainly no match for a 5.8mm sniper rifle, especially one enhanced by supernatural abilities.

    Liu Ziyang watched in stunned horror as his longtime partner died before his eyes. Though it took less than a second, it felt like an eternity for him. His instincts took over as he quickly drew his gun and aimed it behind him. In the distance, under the dark sky, he saw a massive shadow¡ªa giant ck cat, Huahua. On its back sat Zhang Yi, holding a sniper rifle. From 2,000 meters away, Zhang Yi had shot the wall-passing woman dead with precise uracy.

    In Liu Ziyang¡¯s line of sight, Zhang Yi and Huahua were mere specks far beyond the range of his weapon. Yet before he could react further, Zhang Yi had already reloaded and fired another shot. With the silencer attached, the sound was minimal, and from such a distance, the only way to determine Zhang Yi¡¯s position was by tracking the bullet''s path.

    Zhang Yi had hoped this shot would take out therge man, but to his surprise, the man¡¯s body suddenly blurred, leaving behind afterimages as he narrowly dodged the bullet. "Damn it, just how many Superhumans are there?" Zhang Yi felt a chill run down his spine. He had anticipated such an encounter, but facing two Superhumans simultaneously was still shocking. Regardless of who they were, he had to kill them both to prevent any information about him from reaching their superiors.

    But when Zhang Yi hesitated, Liu Ziyang grabbed Xie Huanhuan¡¯s body and took cover in a snow pit. As he stared at Xie Huanhuan¡¯s lifeless form, Liu Ziyang¡¯s heart twisted with pain. Despite their long working rtionship and the feelings, he had never dared to express due to their professional roles, seeing her die right in front of him was a devastating blow.

    "I swear, I¡¯ll kill you!" Liu Ziyang¡¯s eyes were filled with fury, but as a disciplined soldier, he didn¡¯t lose hisposure. The opponent was an extremely skilled sniper, capable of killing Xie Huanhuan with a headshot from such a distance¡ªsomething Liu Ziyang couldn¡¯t have managed even during his time in the military. He suspected the sniper¡¯s uracy was enhanced by supernatural ability.

    Knowing he had no advantage in a long-range fight and would only be a target if he attempted to flee, Liu Ziyang calcted his best move. "Wait, I can¡¯t rush. The one who should be anxious is him! If I¡¯m right, he¡¯s the owner of that vi, Zhang Yi. After spotting us, he¡¯s desperate to kill us to keep us silent."

    "So, my best move is to stay put and call for backup!"It would take about two and a half hours for reinforcements from West Hill Base to arrive by snowmobile or five hours by sled. Liu Ziyang quickly retrieved his equipment and sent a distress signal to the base. As Liu Ziyang had predicted, Zhang Yi was eager to eliminate him. But after missing his shot, Liu Ziyang had gone into hiding, leaving Zhang Yi without a clear target for a second shot.

    Judging by Liu Ziyang¡¯s quick reflexes, Zhang Yi could tell he was up against a highly skilled close-quartersbatant. In a hand-to-hand fight, Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t confident he could win. "If this drags on, he might send out my intel or even call for backup," Zhang Yi thought, weighing his options. "Should I call Fatty Xu over? But he doesn¡¯t have transportation, and it''ll be daylight by the time he gets here."

    Looking at Huahua beneath him, Zhang Yi suddenly got an idea. "Huahua, go flush him out, and I¡¯ll cover you with sniper fire!" he ordered.

    Jumping off Huahua¡¯s back, Zhang Yi took cover in the snow and gave his instructions. Huahua understood what he wanted but responded with a dissatisfied "Meow," as if protesting the danger.

    Zhang Yi reassured the cat, "Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯re tough, and he won¡¯t be able to hurt you. Make him show himself, and I promise I¡¯ll take him down with one shot!"

    He added a tempting offer, "If you do this, I¡¯ll give you a hundred fish treats when we get back!"

    Huahua licked its big paw, then nodded in agreement. Huahua had a strong sense of territoriality as a cat, and it already despised the two intruders. With the added promise of a reward, it was fully motivated to act.

    At first, Huahua charged across the snow, but soon, it curled into a massive ck spiked ball, rolling towards Liu Ziyang¡¯s position with a rumble. Liu Ziyang nned to dig in and wait for reinforcements, but the roaring sound rmed him. He cautiously used his phone as a mirror to peek out, and what he saw made his pupils contract in shock.

    "What the hell is that!" he thought, seeing the enormous ck ball barreling towards him, something beyond his wildest imagination.

    Reacting quickly, Liu Ziyang rolled to the side just in time. "Boom!" Huahua¡¯s spiked form tore through the spot where he had just been, leaving a deep trench in the snow. Liu Ziyang barely had time to catch his breath before the massive ck ball suddenly stopped and transformed into a giant ck beast not far from him.

    "Meow!" Huahua roared, its fur standing on end like steel needles as it charged at Liu Ziyang in a zigzag pattern. Liu Ziyang hastily raised his gun and fired, but the ordinary bullets barely affected Huahua, sparking off its steel-like fur. Though Huahua felt the sting, it wasn¡¯t seriously hurt, and it screeched even more ferociously as it lunged at him.

    Liu Ziyang dodged with his ghostly agility, moving through the snow with a speed that matched the cat¡¯s, an eerie disy of skill. However, while he could evade Huahua¡¯s attacks, he couldn¡¯t conceal his movements from Zhang Yi, who was waiting in the distance, sniper rifle at the ready.

    The moment Liu Ziyang showed himself, Zhang Yi pulled the trigger.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 245: Devour

    Chapter 245: Devour

    Zhang Yi¡¯s bullet didn¡¯t immediately kill Liu Ziyang. Liu Ziyang¡¯s supernatural ability, which enhanced his speed and agility, allowed him to narrowly evade the shot. Despite the close call, he was not out of danger yet. Zhang Yi quickly reloaded, determined to see how long Liu Ziyang could keep dodging. Facing Zhang Yi¡¯s sniper fire and Huahua¡¯s relentless attacks, Liu Ziyang struggled under thebined pressure.

    This time, Zhang Yi fired another shot with even greater precision and power. The bullet, charged with his supernatural ability, was strong enough to pierce through body armor. Liu Ziyang dodged again, but not without cost¡ªblood trickled from his mouth as he pushed his ability to its limits. In midair, his figure blurred, leaving behind ghostly afterimages as he narrowly escaped death once more.

    But just as Liu Ziyang felt a fleeting sense of relief, a massive shadow loomed over him. "Roar!" Huahua pounced, its jaws mping down on half of Liu Ziyang¡¯s body with a sickening crunch. The sound of breaking bones echoed through the air, apanied by Liu Ziyang¡¯s blood-curdling scream. In a desperate attempt to take Huahua down with him, Liu Ziyang raised his gun to shoot the cat in the eye. However, Zhang Yi was quicker, finishing him off with a precise shot to the head.

    With Liu Ziyang and Xie Huanhuan dead, Zhang Yi finally allowed himself a moment of relief. He drove his snowmobile to the site where Huahua had defeated Liu Ziyang. When Zhang Yi arrived, Huahua had already returned to its normal size and was sitting beside Xie Huanhuan¡¯s body, looking expectantly at Zhang Yi.

    "Meow!" Huahua uttered a loud cry, clearly tired from the energy it had expended during the battle.

    Zhang Yi smiled and rewarded Huahua with several cans of tuna, which the cat eagerly tore open with its ws and began to eat.

    Zhang Yi then examined the bodies of the two intruders. The tall man, fully armed in thick white armor, had a crescent-shaped wound on his body from Huahua¡¯s bite. The armor made of an unusual material likely used by special forces, was only partially damaged. Zhang Yi decided to take the armor back for further study.

    As he turned to Xie Huanhuan¡¯s body, Huahua meowed insistently, drawing Zhang Yi¡¯s attention. He recognized the woman as the one who had infiltrated his shelter earlier, a feat that had driven him to kill her without hesitation. The shelter was his haven¡ªany threat had to be eliminated.Xie Huanhuan¡¯s body was frozen stiff, but her thin, white bodysuit was made of a material designed to protect against the elements. Zhang Yi reached out to search her body, but as soon as he touched her, an indescribable sensation surged through him as if a primal instinct had been awakened in his brain.

    Huahua blinked slowly, meowing softly as if encouraging him. Zhang Yi swallowed hard, realizing what Huahua was trying to tell him: he could absorb this woman¡¯s power.

    He ced his hand on her forehead, and a powerful energy began flowing into his body through his arm. The sensation was exhrating, nearly overwhelming, as he absorbed Xie Huanhuan¡¯s supernatural ability. It was the first time Zhang Yi had ever absorbed another Superhuman¡¯s power, and he could feel himself growing stronger with each passing second as if a starving man had just eaten his fill.

    "So, Superhumans can devour each other¡¯s powers?" Zhang Yi mused, staring in disbelief at his hand. By the time he had finished absorbing her ability, Xie Huanhuan¡¯s body had be nothing more than an empty shell.

    Huahua, sensing the change, meowed again. Animals often have keener instincts than humans, and Huahua sensed the potential to devour Xie Huanhuan¡¯s power. But instead of doing so itself, the cat had left the opportunity for Zhang Yi, an act that touched him deeply.

    Moved, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t resist picking up Huahua and giving the cat a couple of affectionate kisses. "Thank you, Huahua! You¡¯re such a good cat!" Huahua nuzzled against him briefly before jumping down to continue eating its tuna, clearly satisfied with its reward.

    Still puzzled, Zhang Yi turned his attention back to Liu Ziyang¡¯s body. "He was a Superhuman, too, so why didn¡¯t I feel the same urge when I touched him?" he wondered. "This world and its mutated beings are filled with mysteries that defy understanding."

    Zhang Yi decided to store both bodies in his dimensional space and carefully cleaned up the scene, though the footprints leading to the area were too long to erase. "I can¡¯t do anything about that," he sighed. "They already know where my shelter is, so if theye looking for trouble, I¡¯ll be ready."

    "But now that the woman who could walk through walls is dead let¡¯s see who else dares to invade my shelter!"

    Zhang Yi steeled himself for the challenges ahead, knowing that these two were not lone operatives¡ªthey were part of arger, powerful organization. Their uniforms and equipment made that clear. It was likely that more warriors, perhaps even entire squads, would be sent after him.

    Returning to the shelter, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but feel a growing sense of urgency. He needed to bolster his defenses even further, for he knew that life in this apocalyptic world left no room forcency.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 246: West Hill Shelter

    Chapter 246: West Hill Shelter

    When Zhang Yi and Huahua returned home, the living room lights were still on. Themotion caused by Huahua¡¯s earlier cries had woken up Zhou Ke¡¯er and the others. When they realized Zhang Yi was not in his room, they waited for him in the living room, as Zhang Yi was the backbone of their shelter.

    Upon seeing everyone awake, Zhang Yi said, "It''s good you¡¯re up. I have some tasks I need you all to take care of."

    Curious, the women asked, "What do you need us to do?"

    Zhang Yi briefly recounted the night''s events, exining how he had dealt with the two intruders. The mention of someone being able to pass through the shelter''s solid walls made them all anxious. But they were relieved when Zhang Yi assured them that the intruders had been taken care of.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er, hugging herself, frowned in thought, "But the fact that two Superhumans appeared together suggests they must be part of an organized group. Taking them out might lead to retaliation."

    Zhang Yi responded confidently, "You don¡¯t need to worry about that. This shelter is incredibly sturdy¡ªit could withstand artillery fire during wartime. Besides, with all the snow outside,rge weapons are unusable. I made sure to eliminate that woman who could pass through walls to prevent any chance of our shelter beingpromised."

    Hearing this, the women sighed in relief. None of them could fight, and their peaceful, happy life depended entirely on Zhang Yi¡¯s protection. They were all deeply reliant on him, especially in times of crisis.

    "Now, I¡¯m going to assign you some tasks," Zhang Yi continued. "We might be facing a powerful and unknown force, and we don¡¯t know how strong they are. So, we need to be as prepared as possible."He turned first to Lu Keran, the mechanical genius. "Keran, I need you to create arge number of explosive devices and set them up around the house. Let me know what materials you need, and I¡¯ll go out and find them."

    Being a native of Tianhai City, Zhang Yi knew the locations of the city¡¯s major chemical factories andboratories, so sourcing the necessary materials wouldn¡¯t be a problem.

    Lu Keran nodded firmly, "Don¡¯t worry, big brother. Leave the weapons to me!"

    Zhang Yi then took out the bodies of Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang, removing all their electronic devices, including phones and othermunication tools, and handed them to Yang Xinxin. "Xinxin, I need you to gather as much information as possible about these two and their organization."

    Yang Xinxin responded calmly, "Understood."

    Next, Zhang Yi turned to Zhou Ke¡¯er. "Ke¡¯er, I want you to do a full autopsy on these bodies. It¡¯s rare to get our hands on Superhuman corpses, so let¡¯s see if we can uncover any secrets."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er nodded, "Alright, Zhang Yi."

    After assigning tasks to everyone, only Yang Siya remained without a job. Feeling left out, she approached Zhang Yi and asked, "What about me? I want to help, too."

    Everyone else in the group was a talented genius in their field, but Yang Siya, with her rtively ordinary skills, felt she needed to prove her worth. Zhang Yi thought momentarily and said, "You can assist Ke¡¯er and take care of the household chores."

    Though the idea of dissecting bodies made Yang Siya ufortable, she steeled herself and agreed, determined to contribute.

    After delegating the tasks, Zhang Yi, feeling exhausted, went to his room and slept deeply. The next morning, around nine o''clock, he instinctively checked the shelter¡¯s surveince system, ensuring everything was normal. Only then did he feel at ease.

    Though he had killed Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang, he knew their deaths would alert their organization. However, he also understood that if this organization was well-structured, they wouldn¡¯t act rashly. This would give him time to prepare.

    Zhang Yi dressed and went downstairs, finding Zhou Ke¡¯er and Yang Xinxin waiting for him in the living room. Both women looked tired, but there was a gleam of excitement in their eyes.

    "Brother, Xinxin discovered some important information!" Zhou Ke¡¯er eximed.

    "And the autopsy results are quite unusual," Yang Xinxin added.

    Zhang Yi approached them, curious about their findings. Yang Xinxin, holding aptop, was the first to share her discoveries.

    "From analyzing the devices found on those two, I traced their origin to an organization called the West Hill Shelter," she began. "It¡¯s a massive facility with thousands of survivors."

    "The West Hill organization is highly structured, with a few hundred armed personnel, including a powerful unit known as the ACE Special Forces, made up of elite soldiers and Superhumans."

    As Zhang Yi reviewed the information, he was struck by the scale of the operation. The West Hill Shelter was likely one of severalrge government shelters established in Tianhai City. Such shelters were designed to protect key government figures during emergencies and had evolved into powerful entities.

    What reassured Zhang Yi was that the shelter¡¯s armed forces numbered only about 500, which made sense given that Tianhai Citycked a major military presence, with only one regiment stationed there. Even ounting for police and security personnel, their numbers would only reach a few thousand, and not all were concentrated in the West Hill organization.

    Although the West Hill Shelter was formidable, Zhang Yi felt less intimidated now that he understood its strength. "Ordinary soldiers, even well-trained ones with standard weapons, won¡¯t pose much of a threat to the shelter," he reasoned. "As for the ACE Special Forces, unless they have another wall-passing Superhuman, they won¡¯t be able to breach our defenses."

    Superhumans, after all, had their limitations. Unlike Zhang Yi, who had the bug-like ability of the Dimensional Gate that didn¡¯t consume energy, others couldn¡¯t use their powers indefinitely. For example, despite hisbat prowess, Fatty Xu could be silently killed by a well-trained special forces operative.

    "Looks like we can handle this," Zhang Yi thought, finally allowing himself a relieved smile. For too long, he had imagined the unknown threats out there to be more powerful than they were. "Intelligence is critical¡ªknowing your enemy is key to victory."

    Zhang Yi now fully appreciated the importance of Yang Xinxin, the genius hacker, to his team?.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 247: Researching the Superhuman Bodies

    Chapter 247: Researching the Superhuman Bodies

    After receiving intelligence about the West Hill organization from Yang Xinxin, Zhang Yi felt more at ease. The greatest feares from the unknown, and now that he had a clearer understanding of his opponent''s strength, he could better n his response. He praised Yang Xinxin, who responded with confidence, saying, "This was just a small matter for me, brother! Just wait¡ªI¡¯ll hack into the entire West Hill Basework soon!"

    Zhang Yiughed and nodded, "I¡¯m looking forward to it!"

    After their conversation, Zhang Yi turned to Zhou Ke¡¯er, who was eager to share the results of her all-night research.

    "Ke¡¯er, what did you find?" Zhang Yi asked with a smile.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er excitedly grabbed his hand and led him to herb. Yang Xinxin, uninterested in the dissected bodies, chose not to follow. Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke¡¯er entered theb, which Zhang Yi had specifically set up for her. Although it was called ab, it was essentially a surgical room equipped with all the medical tools Zhang Yi had gathered, though he kept the most important medicines to himself.

    Theb was well-stocked with equipment, making it capable of performing surgeries. Even if they were missing something, Lu Keran could easily craft it. As soon as Zhang Yi entered theb, he saw the two dissected bodies lying on the table. Their bodies had been thoroughly examined, with many parts sliced for analysis.

    Zhang Yi used to seeing corpses, didn¡¯t find the scene disturbing. Zhou Ke¡¯er enthusiastically led him to the workstation, pointing at the slides under the microscope.

    "Through researching these two bodies, I discovered that their cells have undergone mutations. Their cellr activity is dozens of times that of an ordinary person!" Zhou Ke¡¯er exined. "Moreover, the energy produced from glycogen metabolism is released unusually."She picked up two brain tissue slides and continued, "The most significant changes are in their brain cells. This could indicate that the source of their abilities is primarily the brain!"

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but recall that it was through her brain when he absorbed Xie Huanhuan¡¯s ability. He nodded, finding the discovery interesting, but it didn¡¯t concern him the most. He wasn¡¯t particrly interested in scientific research; he focused on what he could gain from it.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er noticed hisck of enthusiasm and pouted, "You don¡¯t understand how important this discovery is!"

    "How important?" Zhang Yi asked, humoring her.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er seriously exined, "So far, human mutations have all been influenced by gamma rays, resulting in natural mutations. However, this group is limited, and the mutations are not always beneficial. Even if someone gains abilities, they might not be useful."

    "However, if someone could fully understand the principles behind these mutations or apply cell transntation techniques, they might be able to artificially create Superhumans!"

    This piqued Zhang Yi¡¯s interest. "ording to you, could the entire world be filled with Superhumans in the future?"

    Zhou Ke¡¯er yfully stuck out her tongue, "There¡¯s indeed such a possibility. But the likelihood is only about 0.0000001%."

    She added seriously, "With current medical and biological technology, it¡¯s far from possible to perfectly replicate natural Superhumans. After all, humanity hasn¡¯t even perfected cloning!"

    Zhang Yi shrugged, "So, it¡¯s not quite there yet."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er continued, "But if more aggressive methods are used, some... strange results could ur."

    She looked at Liu Ziyang¡¯s body on the operating table and said, "For example, this man¡¯s cellr mutation is very strange."

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, "How so?"

    Zhou Ke¡¯er exined, "The woman¡¯s cells underwent a natural andplete mutation, but the man¡¯s mutation is only partial, with many cells showing malignant mutations leading to necrosis, which could even harm his body."

    "Moreover, the damage worsens each time he uses his ability."

    "I suspect he might have been an artificially created Superhuman, but currently, he¡¯s just a wed prototype."

    This intrigued Zhang Yi even more. "An artificial Superhuman? That¡¯s possible?"

    Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s findings answered several questions Zhang Yi had been pondering, such as why he couldn¡¯t absorb the man¡¯s abilities. If Liu Ziyang was indeed an artificial Superhuman, it made sense that his abilities wouldn¡¯t be as easily transferable as those of a natural Superhuman. It also exined why his abilities were so underwhelming¡ªhis speed and agility enhancements were nothingpared to the natural abilities of other Superhumans Zhang Yi had encountered, like Uncle You or Liang Yue.

    "So he¡¯s an artificial creation, just slightly stronger than a normal person, but with a capped potential," Zhang Yi concluded, feeling a sense of relief.

    "This means that the so-called ACE Special Forces of the West Hill organization, which is said to have many Superhumans, are likelyposed mostly of these creations," he spected. "Their powerse at the cost of their health, which makes them far weaker than natural Superhumans. The only advantage is that they can be mass-produced, but at the end of the day, they¡¯re just expendable resources in the eyes of West Hill¡¯s leaders."

    With this new understanding of West Hill Base¡¯s strength, Zhang Yi felt even more confident about defending against their attacks?.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 248: Warning Fatty Xu

    Chapter 248: Warning Fatty Xu

    Zhang Yi called Fatty Xu, who quickly came over and treated Zhang Yi like an elder brother. Fatty Xu was always eager to help because Zhang Yi rewarded him generously each time, whether with plush toys, collectibles, or snacks. All Fatty Xu had to do was help clear snow, which was an easy task for him, especially since Zhang Yi¡¯s cautious nature ensured that Fatty Xu never had to worry about safety.

    Zhang Yi drove to the riverbank, and soon, huffing and puffing, Fatty Xu climbed into the passenger seat.

    "Whew, it''s warm in here!" Fatty Xu unzipped his coat, enjoying the st of warm air from the car¡¯s heater. "Boss, where are we headed this time?"

    Zhang Yi nced at him and replied, "We¡¯re going to a chemical nt to pick up some supplies."

    "Sure thing, just tell me what to do!" Fatty Xu lost interest after hearing "chemical nt," but he was still willing to help. As they drove through the snowyndscape, Zhang Yi began discussing the West Hill organization members he had encountered nearby.

    "That area¡¯s been targeted by a big organization. You¡¯d better be careful with Xu¡¯s Town¡ªit¡¯s an obvious target and could easily be wiped out," Zhang Yi warned.

    Fatty Xu scratched his head, confused. "Big organization? I haven¡¯t noticed anything unusual around Xu¡¯s Town."

    When Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang visited Xu¡¯s Town, Fatty Xu had been napping, and the vigers had kept his presence hidden, so he waspletely unaware of what had happened."Hopefully, it stays that way," Zhang Yi said, shaking his head at Fatty Xu¡¯s carelessness.

    "Boss, you¡¯re too cautious! Xu¡¯s Town is just a bunch of farmers and fishermen. Who would bother with us?" Fatty Xu said with a goofy smile.

    Zhang Yi looked at him seriously. "But you do have a stockpile of food, don¡¯t you? Are you that naive, or do you not understand how valuable food is in the apocalypse?"

    Fatty Xu¡¯s smile faded a bit. "Yeah, we do have a tradition of stockpiling food. But there are over a thousand people in Xu¡¯s Town¡ªanyone who tries to take our food would have to face all of us."

    Zhang Yi continued driving, calmly exining, "I¡¯ve already said that ordinary civilians are not a threat to us Superhumans. But what if it¡¯s a well-armed organization?"

    Fatty Xu hesitated. "Weapons are tightly controlled in our country. Only a few people have ess to them. And any well-armed force would likely be part of the government¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t target ordinary people like us."

    Zhang Yi¡¯s expression darkened as he tried to exin the situation more clearly. "But with the copse ofw and order, every group is fighting for survival. There¡¯s no one to represent the government anymore. Think of them as private armies, doing whatever it takes to survive."

    "When they run out of food, Xu¡¯s Town is like a giant pantry they can raid¡ª¡®requisitioning¡¯ would be the polite term."

    After hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s exnation, Fatty Xu began to grasp the seriousness of the situation. His hands fidgeted nervously as he asked, "Boss, what should I do if that happens?"

    Zhang Yi looked at him and suggested, "If you¡¯re terrified, you could move to Cloud Manor. There¡¯s an empty house beside mine, and I can arrange a ce for you. I¡¯ll also ensure you have enough food and heating, so you won¡¯t have to worry about anything."

    Fatty Xu was valuable, and Zhang Yi didn¡¯t want to lose him. However, Fatty Xu hesitated. "But what about the people in my vige? What will happen to them if I leave?"

    Despite the potential danger, Fatty Xu couldn¡¯t abandon his vige, where everyone was family or close friends. Hecked the courage to leave the safety of the group.

    Zhang Yi smiled slightly. "It¡¯s up to you. I¡¯m just giving you an option. Things might not get that bad."

    Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t force him to move. While having Fatty Xu on his side would be helpful, Zhang Yi was confident he could handle any threats independently if necessary.

    After collecting the materials from the chemical nt, Zhang Yi dropped Fatty Xu back at Xu¡¯s Town, giving him some food and his favorite collectible figures as a parting gift.

    "Stay alert, Fatty. I might not contact you for a while, but if you need anything, call me. And be careful," Zhang Yi said, offering a final caution before they parted.

    Fatty Xu, grinning as he carried his haul, cheerfully agreed. But just as he was about to leave, Zhang Yi added, "One more thing, Fatty. If the West Hill organization or any other groupes to attack me, you and the vigers can choose to stay neutral. But if I find out you¡¯ve helped them against me... Well, you can guess what I¡¯ll do."

    Zhang Yi¡¯s smile remained, but Fatty Xu shivered with fear. "Boss, I would never betray you!"

    Zhang Yi patted his shoulder,ughing. "I¡¯m just joking¡ªdon¡¯t take it so seriously. I know you wouldn¡¯t betray me."

    With that, Zhang Yi got into his car and drove away?.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 249: The Foolish Ones

    Chapter 249: The Foolish Ones

    On his way back to Xu¡¯s Town, Fatty Xu couldn¡¯t stop thinking about the warnings Zhang Yi had given him. The more he thought about it, the heavier his heart grew. Zhang Yi was his only confidant¡ªno one else was willing to listen to him ramble on, though he didn¡¯t realize that Zhang Yi often used AI to chat with him. Zhang Yi had always treated him well, and Fatty Xu didn¡¯t want to do anything that would betray him. However, the vigers of Xu¡¯s Town harbored a deep hatred for Zhang Yi.

    ¡°If another organization showed up, the vigers would probably wish for nothing more than to see Zhang Yi wiped out,¡± Fatty Xu thought, scratching his head in frustration. The situation was tooplicated, even for someone like him, a so-called "chosen one," who usually didn¡¯t worry about such things.

    Upon returning to the vige, Fatty Xu found his friend, Xu Ping, who he trusted.

    ¡°Xu Ping, have any outsiderse to the vige recently?¡± Fatty Xu asked, trying to sound casual.

    Xu Pingughed. ¡°You really should get out more, Spring Thunder! How could you not know about such a big event?¡±

    Fatty Xu felt a chill run down his spine. ¡°What big event?¡±

    Xu Ping exined, ¡°Yesterday, two high-ranking officials visited our vige. They were big shots, supposedly from the military. We don¡¯t know much about them, but Sixth Uncle was incredibly hospitable, ensuring every household brought out their best to entertain them.¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s eyes widened, and a cold sweat broke out on his back. These two must be the people Zhang Yi warned him about¡ªenemies scouting for information.¡°What did Sixth Uncle tell them?¡± Fatty Xu asked nervously.

    Xu Ping shrugged. ¡°How would I know? I¡¯m not important enough to ask. But I did hear that Sixth Uncle has been in a great mood since then, even saying he¡¯s now the mayor of Xu¡¯s Town.¡±

    Fatty Xu felt panic rising as Zhang Yi¡¯s words echoed in his mind. ¡°If they run out of food, Xu¡¯s Town is just a giant grain warehouse, ripe for the taking¡ªthough they¡¯ll call it ¡®requisitioning.¡¯ When that timees, what can you do?¡±

    ¡°I need to talk to Sixth Uncle!¡± Fatty Xu decided, ignoring Xu Ping¡¯s calls as he ran to Xu Dongtang¡¯s house.

    At that moment, Xu Dongtang was basking in the glory of his new title. He had just announced to the other vige leaders of Xu¡¯s Town that the higher-ups had appointed him as the town¡¯s mayor. Although it was just a verbal promise from Xie Huanhuan, Xu Dongtang took it as a serious promotion. The other vige leaders, wary of Xu¡¯s Town¡¯s strength¡ªespecially Fatty Xu¡¯s Superhuman abilities¡ªdidn¡¯t dare to object. Xu¡¯s Town was already the dominant force in Xu¡¯s Town, so it made sense for Xu Dongtang to assume the title of mayor.

    As the leaders began addressing Xu Dongtang as ¡°Mayor,¡± he felt immense pride, believing he had brought honor to his family and would be remembered in the family records. Just then, Fatty Xu barged in, looking panicked.

    ¡°Sixth Uncle, did you meet with two outsiders? What did you tell them?¡± Fatty Xu asked, his voice filled with urgency.

    Xu Dongtang¡¯s face darkened at Fatty Xu¡¯sck of respect. ¡°Xu Chunlei, is that any way to speak to your elders? Where are your manners?¡±

    Fatty Xu, still somewhat intimidated by his elders, quickly apologized. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Sixth Uncle, but this is important. Please, just tell me what happened.¡±

    Xu Dongtang, who held little regard for Fatty Xu despite his abilities, looked at him with disdain. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s true. Two high-ranking leaders visited us to inspect Xu¡¯s Town. They were very pleased with our situation.¡±

    Puffing his chest with pride, he added, ¡°And they appointed me as the mayor of Xu¡¯s Town!¡±

    Fatty Xu, however, was not concerned with titles. ¡°Did you tell them about our food supplies?¡± he asked anxiously.

    Thanks to Zhang Yi¡¯s warning, Fatty Xu realized how crucial it was to keep their food stores a secret.

    But Xu Dongtang justughed. ¡°Why would we hide our achievements from our superiors? Our food reserves are a testament to our vige¡¯s sess!¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s heart sank¡ªZhang Yi had been right. Clenching his teeth, he asked, ¡°Did you mention anything about Zhang Yi?¡±

    At the mention of Zhang Yi¡¯s name, Xu Dongtang¡¯s expression twisted with anger. ¡°That demon! He killed 128 people from our vige¡ªhe deserves to die a thousand times over! We can¡¯t take him down, but some people can. I¡¯ve already reported everything about him to the higher-ups. They promised to deal with him severely!¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s legs suddenly gave out, and he copsed onto the ground. ¡°It¡¯s over. We¡¯re doomed!¡± he muttered, his face ashen.

    He knew Zhang Yi did not tolerate betrayal, and Xu Dongtang¡¯s actions would surely provoke his wrath. Zhang Yi had already massacred over a hundred people in Xu¡¯s Town; he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to do it again.

    Seeing Fatty Xu¡¯s pitiful state, Xu Dongtang snorted in disgust. ¡°What are you so afraid of? Zhang Yi is nothing against a trained army! Once the troops arrive, he¡¯ll be wiped out in no time. Then, the deaths of those 128 people will be avenged!¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s face grew even paler. He realized there was no point in arguing¡ªXu Dongtang¡¯s arrogance might lead the entire vige to disaster. Xu Dongtang didn¡¯t understand how powerful Zhang Yi was nor understood what a Superhuman truly meant to ordinary people. Xu¡¯s Town still existed only because Zhang Yi found Fatty Xu useful and the vigers posed no threat to him. However, if Zhang Yi decided to kill them, none would survive.

    ¡°Stop with the nonsense and go home. Forget everything you¡¯ve said to me today,¡± Xu Dongtang ordered coldly, ring at Fatty Xu. ¡°Just do as you¡¯re told and follow my orders. You don¡¯t need to have your own opinions!¡±

    Fatty Xu could only nod weakly, knowing he was trapped between his loyalty to Zhang Yi and his ties to Xu¡¯s Town?.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 250: Power Boost

    Chapter 250: Power Boost

    After returning to the shelter, Zhang Yi¡¯s first stop was Lu Keran¡¯s workshop. He had previously given her the armor from Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang to study, hoping she could either replicate it or repair Liu Ziyang''s damaged armor, as it was much more advanced than his bulletproof vest?.

    When Zhang Yi arrived, Lu Keran was deeply engrossed in examining the white armor. He entered and ced the chemical materials he had collected from arge factory warehouse in Tianhai City into her workspace. The sheer volume of materials he had brought left Lu Keran stunned.

    ¡°Big Brother, where did you find all this?¡± she asked, eyes wide with amazement.

    Zhang Yi simply smiled and patted his hands. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that. I told you before I¡¯ll handle the materials. You just need to turn them into bombs for me!¡±

    Lu Keran, filled with confidence, pounded her chest. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Big Brother! Making advanced weapons might be challenging, but explosives? That¡¯s child¡¯s y!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze shifted to the two sets of armor. ¡°What about these? Can you replicate them?¡±

    Lu Keran grinned. ¡°Of course! But remember, mass-produced items are made with cost in mind, not peak performance. If I were to create armor specifically for you, it would be far superior to these!¡±

    Her words excited Zhang Yi. ¡°Then go ahead, make the best armor possible. Don¡¯t worry about the cost¡ªuse whatever materials you need. I¡¯m not concerned with value for money; I want the highest performance.¡±Lu Keran was thrilled by Zhang Yi¡¯s request. As a mechanical genius, she longed for a patron who would support her wild ideas without constraint. ¡°I¡¯ll make you the best armor in the world!¡± she promised, her face flushing with excitement.

    Zhang Yi encouraged her before leaving the workshop, making sure not to take up any more of her work time. Afterward, he took a quick shower, changed into workout clothes, and headed to the third-floor gym. The shelter¡¯s residents often used this space for exercise, but when Zhang Yi practiced his abilities, the area was off-limits to everyone else. As a result, none of the others knew the specifics of his powers.

    Zhang Yi closed the gym door and removed apound bow from his dimensional space. Since absorbing Xie Huanhuan¡¯s powers, he had felt a noticeable increase in his physical energy and cellr activity, as if a vibrant new force was bubbling up from within him. He was eager to see just how much his abilities had improved.

    He nocked an arrow and drew the bow, his right eye shing with a white light. An invisible, colorless energy wrapped around the arrow, a force Zhang Yi could somehow perceive. Everything felt faster, sharper, stronger.

    He aimed at a target 500 meters away¡ªa distance he had never attempted. The bowstring pulled taut, and with a soft "whoosh," the arrow shot out. In the blink of an eye, the target exploded into splinters. Zhang Yi heard the target shattering only after it had already been destroyed. His arrow had traveled faster than the speed of sound.

    Even Zhang Yi was startled by the power of his enhanced abilities. He looked at his hands, amazed at how much stronger he had be from absorbing the stolen power. His arrows now packed more punch than a typical firearm.

    Curious about his newfound limits, Zhang Yi shifted his focus. He retrieved the Loong Roar Sword, a treasure he had taken from Liang Yue, and decided to test his speed. "Double speed!" hemanded, feeling his movements quicken immediately. But he sensed there was more power waiting to be tapped into.

    "Triple speed!"

    "Quadruple speed!"

    As he pushed his abilities further, Zhang Yi finally felt a strain at quadruple speed, but his movements were so fast they left afterimages in the air. He continued to practice, cutting through wooden training dummies with the Loong Roar Sword, the de slicing cleanly through the thick wood with a mirror-smooth finish.

    After twenty minutes of intense practice, Zhang Yi began to feel fatigued and quickly stopped, replenishing his energy with some power bars. Reflecting on his enhancedbat prowess, he realized he was much stronger. Even against highly skilled warriors, he felt confident in his chances.

    However, Zhang Yi also recognized his greatest advantage was his long-range sniping abilities. If he could avoid closebat, he would. But if forced into a fight, he would surely surprise any opponent with his true strength.

    Zhang Yi sighed, wishing he could learn a few advancedbat techniques to be a more well-rounded fighter. Despite his newfound power, he remained cautious, never underestimating any opponent. He knew that even a lion uses all its strength to hunt a rabbit.

    What Zhang Yi didn¡¯t realize was how much fear he had already instilled in the leaders of West Hill Base?.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 251: Following Protocol

    Chapter 251: Following Protocol

    A day earlier, at midnight, the West Hill Base.

    The information department received an urgent distress signal from Liu Ziyang, a member of the ACE Special Forces, sending the department into a state of emergency. This was the first time a special forces member had sent a distress signal during a mission, and the staff on duty were unsure how to handle the situation.

    The West Hill Base had only recently established its internal organizational structure, and themunication and responsibilities between departments were still somewhat loose. The staff didn¡¯t know what to do with this unprecedented situation. The staff member who received the distress signal immediately reported it to Information Minister Geng Yilin, seeking his instructions.

    Geng Yilin frowned deeply when he saw the report. "A distress signal?"

    The information department didn¡¯t have the authority tomand troops, so Geng Yilin could only report the situation to the leader, Chen Xinian, and wait for his decision. However, there was a problem¡ªChen Xinian was very strict about his schedule and had already gone to bed. Waking him up at this hour could be risky; if Chen Xinian was displeased, Geng Yilin could lose his position.

    Seeing Geng Yilin¡¯s hesitation, a subordinate said, "But if we don¡¯t report it and something goes wrong, won¡¯t we be held responsible?"

    Geng Yilin¡¯s frown deepened. Having spent decades navigating theplexities of bureaucratic life, he knew the importance of avoiding me. His priority was always to protect himself from potential fallout. But this situation left him in a difficult position.

    After a moment of thought, Geng Yilin made a decision. He didn¡¯t want to personally take the risk, so he decided to report the situation to Ling Feng, the captain of the ACE Special Forces. Since the two personnel in question were from the special forces, Ling Feng would be more invested in their well-being than anyone else.Geng Yilin hurried to the special forces area and woke Ling Feng through the duty soldiers. Soon, a group of fierce-looking special forces members gathered before Geng Yilin. The ACE Special Forces were the most elite warriors at West Hill Base, consisting primarily of specially trained soldiers and Superhumans, although most of the Superhumans were artificial creations.

    Ling Feng, a short but powerfully built officer with dark muscles bulging under his green short-sleeved shirt, led the group. Despite hisck of height, the other, taller special forces members around him looked up to him respectfully.

    The group¡¯s fierce demeanor intensified when they saw Geng Yilin, their eyes radiating hostility. "What happened to Liu Ziyang and Xie Huanhuan?" Ling Feng asked, arms crossed.

    Geng Yilin quickly exined the situation, "We received their distress signal five minutes ago. We¡¯ve confirmed their location but can¡¯t act without the leader¡¯s permission."

    Ling Feng saw through Geng Yilin¡¯s hesitation immediately. But for the sake of his team members, he decided to go directly to Chen Xinian and request permission tounch a rescue operation. After all, in the post-apocalyptic world, many of theirrades had died in blizzards or during experiments to create artificial Superhumans. Those who survived were few, making each one invaluable.

    Ling Feng and a few of his subordinates quickly went to the First Life Pod, where Chen Xinian resided¡ªthe most heavily guarded ce in West Hill Base. Without Chen Xinian¡¯s permission, no one could enter. In terms of defense, this ce surpassed even Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter.

    Upon arrival, Secretary Ge Rou stopped Ling Feng. "Captain Ling, it¡¯ste. Please don¡¯t disturb the leader¡¯s rest. Report whatever it is tomorrow."

    Ling Feng replied urgently, "Two of our special forces members, Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang, are in danger and have sent a distress signal to the base. I must report this immediately!"

    Ge Rou responded with a faint smile, "I understand your concern, Captain Ling, but you need to realize that no matter how hard your team members work, it can¡¯tpare to our leader''s daily effort for the base''s survival. He¡¯s just gone to bed, and waking him now would be irresponsible to the entire base."

    The special forces members behind Ling Feng grew furious. "Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang are likely facing life-threatening danger, or they wouldn¡¯t have sent a distress signal. If we dy, they could die!"

    Ge Rou maintained her calm demeanor, "Trust in yourrades. Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang are excellent special forces members with strongbat skills. They can take care of themselves."

    The special forces members¡¯ anger was evident, with veins bulging on their foreheads as they red at Ge Rou, barely restraining themselves from attacking her. Ling Feng remained stern as he spoke to Ge Rou, "Lives are at stake here. Please ry the message to the leader."

    Ge Rou¡¯s polite smile didn¡¯t waver, but her tone turned firm, "Captain Ling, do you think the safety of two special forces members is more important than our leader¡¯s rest? The entire West Hill Base could be at risk if the leader doesn''t sleep enough. We¡¯re talking about the lives of thousands of survivors here!"

    The special forces members erupted angrily, "What kind of talk is that? Are the lives of special forces members not important?"

    Ge Rou replied gently, "I¡¯m not saying that. I¡¯m just stating that in West Hill Base, the leader¡¯s well-being is paramount."

    Ling Feng raised his arm, stopping his enraged team members fromshing out. He asked Ge Rou onest time, "Is there no way to make an exception? Every special forces member is a valuable asset to the base."

    Ge Rou bowed slightly, "I¡¯m sorry, but I can¡¯t do anything."

    After a moment of silence, Ling Feng turned away. "Let¡¯s go, back to the base!"

    His voice was hoarse as he gave the order. The special forces members were distraught, unwilling to abandon theirrades who might be facing a life-or-death situation. But soldiers were bound by their duty to follow orders, no matter how reluctant they were.

    Ge Rou watched them leave, her smile fading as she resumed her standard, emotionless posture in front of Chen Xinian¡¯s door?.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 252: Managing Thousands of Affairs

    Chapter 252: Managing Thousands of Affairs

    Meanwhile, in a room just beyond a wall, Chen Xinian, the leader of West Hill Base, was enjoying his luxurious amodations. Despite being underground, his living conditions were top-notch, rivaling thefort of Zhang Yi¡¯s home. Chen Xinian was lying on a sofa, dressed in a white cotton pajama set, with two beautiful girls by his side. These girls, Shen Moling and Meng Zixuan were survivors of Tianqing Academy, both from noble families. They had maintained their youthful looks through years of expensive self-care.

    Chen Xinian enjoyed thepany of these young women, as it made him feel youthful again. After spending time with them, he began discussing his thoughts and ambitions, particrly the current challenges faced by West Hill Base. Adopting a concerned expression, he spoke of the severe issues guing the base.

    "There are still many serious problems at West Hill Base," Chen Xinianmented. "Our energy supplies won¡¯tst long, and food is bing scarce. As the leader, I¡¯m under constant pressure, worried that any misstep might cause the people to lose faith in me."

    He took a slow sip of a ss of R¨¦my Martin, worth tens of thousands, and continued to speak. Deeply moved by his words, Shen Moling and Meng Zixuan gazed at him with admiration.

    "Leader, it must be so difficult for you! Managing the entire West Hill Base on your own is an enormous burden," they eximed.

    Chen Xinian, enjoying their adoration, replied modestly, "Someone has to take responsibility. If I don¡¯t do it, no one else will. For the survival and development of West Hill Base, I must shoulder this burden, no matter how exhausting it is."

    As he looked down at the two young, beautiful women, their eyes filled with admiration, Chen Xinian felt deeply satisfied. However, feeling tired from his activities, he decided to call it a night.

    He picked up his phone and used the smart system to open the door, summoning Ge Rou inside. Several hours had passed since Liu Ziyang¡¯s distress signal had been sent. When Ge Rou entered, she asked the two girls to get dressed, which they promptly did, knowing they were not needed for the time being.Ignoring their presence, Ge Rou asked Chen Xinian, "Should these two stay or be sent back?"

    Chen Xinian thought momentarily before deciding, "Let them stay for now." This meant he might need theirpany again in the future. Ge Rou understood and instructed the attendants to take the girls to the Second Life Pod, where they were assigned rooms to stay in temporarily. The girls were overjoyed, knowing they wouldn¡¯t have to return to the grueling task of generating power by pedaling.

    After they left, Chen Xinian casually asked, "Someone came to see me earlier. Who was it?"

    Ge Rou replied, "It was Captain Ling Feng of the special forces."

    "Oh? What did he want sote at night?" Chen Xinian asked with mild interest.

    Ge Rou smiled slightly. "Two special forces members encountered trouble while on a mission and sent a distress signal to the base. Ling Feng came to request permission to send a rescue team, but I stopped him."

    Chen Xinian nodded indifferently. "Two special forces members? No matter their importance, they¡¯re not worth disturbing my rest."

    He mused aloud, "I named the ACE Special Forces because they are supposed to be my most powerful trump card. If two ace members are out on a mission and need to call for help, could it be that they encountered an opponent they couldn¡¯t escape from?"

    Sensing his doubt, Ge Rou cautiously suggested, "Should we send someone to investigate, if only to give Ling Feng an answer?"

    Chen Xinianughed at the idea. "Give Ling Feng an answer? I¡¯m the leader of West Hill Base. Even before all this, Ling Feng was just a soldier under mymand. Soldiers are supposed to follow orders, not demand exnations from their superiors."

    Realizing her mistake, Ge Rou quickly apologized, "I¡¯m sorry, Leader. I misspoke."

    Chen Xinian dismissed it with a wave. "Send a few people to check it out, but don¡¯t send any high-ranking officers. We can¡¯t waste valuable resources on a situation we don¡¯t fully understand."

    Ge Rou nodded, "Understood, Leader!"

    She immediately went to the special forces area to ry Chen Xinian¡¯s decision. Meanwhile, in the Second Life Pod, where the core members of the ACE Special Forces were gathered, the atmosphere was tense. Captain Ling Feng had called all the team leaders to discuss the situation with Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang. Although Ling Feng would not act without orders from above, he was prepared to move as soon as he received themand.

    In the dimly lit meeting room, the seven people present, including Ling Feng, waited silently, their expressions heavy with worry. Among them was Liang Yue, who had recently joined the group. She sat quietly in a corner, holding a newly acquired Tang sword, ready to act as soon as Chen Xinian¡¯s orders arrived.

    Everyone in the room was deeply concerned, especially Ling Feng, closest to Liu Ziyang. He appeared calm, but those who knew him well could sense his anxiety. They waited, lost in their thoughts until the sound of high heels clicking on the floor echoed down the hallway¡ªa sound everyone recognized. The group immediately turned their attention to the door, knowing that Ge Rou was approaching?.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 253: The Disappearing Students

    Chapter 253: The Disappearing Students

    As expected, Ge Rou entered the meeting room. Ling Feng stared at her and slowly stood up. "Secretary Ge, do you have good news for us?"

    Ge Rou maintained her usual friendly smile. "I made an exception for you and reported the situation to the leader. He has permitted you to send people to investigate, but there¡¯s a condition¡ªno captain-level personnel are allowed to participate!"

    The captains in the room exchanged dissatisfied nces. One of them voiced his concern, "If someone could pose a threat to Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang, how can we send anyone less experienced?"

    Ge Rou¡¯s smile remained unfazed. "Liu Ziyang is just a soldier, and while Xie Huanhuan is a captain, her abilities are more suited for reconnaissance, notbat. All of you are West Hill Base¡¯s most valuablebat power, and we can¡¯t risk you needlessly. Sending regr soldiers to scout the situation is the most appropriate action."

    Ling Feng, clearly impatient, responded, "Understood! I¡¯ll send someone else."

    Ge Rou nodded, adjusted her ck-framed sses, and left with an air of confidence.

    The other captains began voicing their frustrations as soon as she was gone. Fang Zun, a wiry man, expressed his dissatisfaction. "Captain, it seems Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang ran into serious trouble. Can we just send regr soldiers?"

    Ling Feng nced at him and then frowned. "Fang Zun, you may have been born with natural abilities, but your currentbat power isn¡¯t necessarily much greater than our other brothers¡¯. Even if they don¡¯t have abilities, they¡¯re still well-trained soldiers. Don¡¯t underestimate them!"He added, "Since it¡¯s the leader¡¯s order, we¡¯ll follow it strictly. No moreints."

    Despite the captains¡¯ dissatisfaction, Ling Feng contacted other team members to organize a mission. As the captains were no longer needed, Liang Yue, one of the newer members, felt relieved and slightly disappointed. Having been in the underground base for so long, she asionally longed to go outside. More importantly, she hadn¡¯t yet participated in a mission since joining the so-called ACE Special Forces.

    Ling Feng left to arrange for regr team members to take on the mission while Liang Yue, carrying her Tang sword, prepared to head back to her quarters for some rest. Suddenly, she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned to find Ye Ronghua, one of the other two women in the squad.

    Ye Ronghua, unlike the others, was somewhat frail-looking and didn¡¯t seem to have a military background. However, what struck Liang Yue the most was Ye Ronghua¡¯s incredibly bright eyes, which always seemed to carry an intense, soul-piercing power.

    With a smile, Ye Ronghua greeted Liang Yue, "Feeling a bit disappointed that you didn¡¯t get a chance to go on a mission?"

    Liang Yue smiled back. "Just a little."

    Ye Ronghua shook her head. "There¡¯s no need to rush or expect too much. When captains-level members are called into action, it usually means we¡¯re dealing with a very serious problem."

    Liang Yue shrugged. "But I¡¯ve been here for so long and haven¡¯t done anything. I can¡¯t help but wonder what I can contribute to the base."

    Ye Ronghua humorously exined, "We¡¯re like H-weapons¡ªnever to be used, but must always be present. The world is moreplicated than you might think. You¡¯re still new here and don¡¯t understand many things yet. You¡¯lle to realize it in time!"

    She added, "For now, it¡¯s more important to improve your abilities. Powers are gifts from the heavens; no one knows how much they can be developed."

    Ye Ronghua¡¯s words seemed to carry a deeper meaning, and Liang Yue felt she understood something, though Ye Ronghua didn¡¯t borate further. With that, Ye Ronghua left, leaving behind an air of mystery. Her piercing gaze left Liang Yue feeling as though her soul had been momentarily ensnared.

    Liang Yue shook her head, choosing not to dwell on these troublesome thoughts. She wasn¡¯t particrly concerned about Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang since she had no deep connection with them, having only recently joined the team. She left the meeting room, heading back to the living quarters.

    As Liang Yue unlocked her door, she caught sight of a familiar figure out of the corner of her eye. Startled, she turned to see a girl emerging from a room nearby, fresh from the shower.

    "Meng Zixuan!" Liang Yue instinctively called out.

    The girl turned, and upon seeing Liang Yue, she smiled brightly. "Teacher Liang! What a surprise to see you here!"

    She ran over, her eyes shining with excitement. Liang Yue was just as surprised. Wasn¡¯t Meng Zixuan supposed to be living and working in the Fourth Life Pod?

    "What are you doing here?" Liang Yue asked, confused.

    The Second Life Pod was a high-level area of West Hill Base, reserved only for Chen Xinian¡¯s trusted aides and special talents like Liang Yue.

    Meng Zixuan brushed back her hair and smiled mysteriously. "I have my special abilities."

    "You¡¯ve awakened powers too?" Liang Yue asked, her curiosity piqued.

    Meng Zixuan¡¯s smile turned even more enigmatic. She ced her hand on her chest, emphasizing her well-endowed figure. "In a way, you could say it¡¯s a natural talent!"

    Just then, Shen Moling, another former student of Liang Yue¡¯s, heard themotion and exited her room. Upon seeing Liang Yue, Shen Moling¡¯s expression grew cold. "Teacher Liang."

    Liang Yue was even more surprised. "Both of you are in the Second Life Pod? What about the other students?"

    At this question, Shen Moling and Meng Zixuan¡¯s expressions shifted subtly. They both averted their gaze, clearly unwilling to discuss the matter.

    "Teacher Liang, we¡¯re now part of the Second Life Pod. There¡¯s no need to concern ourselves with those in the Fourth Life Pod," Meng Zixuan said with a trace of disdain in her voice. "People aren¡¯t equal. Once we¡¯re no longer on the same level, it¡¯s impossible to interact as we did before."

    Liang Yue stared at the two girls in shock, anger welling inside her. "How can you say that? They¡¯re your ssmates, your friends for so many years! How can you just forget them like that?"

    Shen Moling looked up and sneered. "And you have the right to say that, Teacher Liang? Weren¡¯t you the first to abandon us students?"?.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 254: Secrets

    Chapter 254: Secrets

    Shen Moling¡¯s words left Liang Yue stunned.

    "I... I never abandoned any of you!" Liang Yue protested, feeling a pang of hurt. She had done everything she could to protect her students; how many of them would have survived without her efforts?

    "Never abandoned us? Then why did you choose to leave us behind in that horrible ce?" Shen Moling shot back, her gaze piercing.

    "If we hadn¡¯t used our bodies to secure a chance to escape, we might have ended up ¡®disappeared¡¯ like the others!" she added, her tone full of bitterness.

    "Disappeared? What are you talking about?" Liang Yue asked, feeling a chill run down her spine. She had left the students behind when she moved to the Second Life Pod, but she believed there was nothing wrong with that decision. Society¡¯s roles should be divided ording to one¡¯s abilities. Her students weren¡¯t Superhumans nor had any particrly outstanding skills, so staying in the Fourth Life Pod, where they could generate power, was the best choice for them. What had she done wrong?

    Shen Moling let out a coldugh as if she wanted to say more, but Meng Zixuan quickly covered her mouth.

    "Enough! Stop talking, or you¡¯ll get us into trouble," Meng Zixuan warned, pulling Shen Moling¡¯s hand away from her mouth.

    Shen Moling shot Liang Yue a resentful re before turning on her heel and retreating to her room. Meng Zixuan, left behind, looked apologetically at her former teacher."Bing¡¯er, don¡¯t be mad at her. She¡¯s just been through some bad experiences," Meng Zixuan said, bowing to Liang Yue in apology.

    Liang Yue took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. Could things be happening in the Fourth Life Pod that she was unaware of?

    "Zixuan, what happened in the Fourth Life Pod?" Liang Yue asked, her voice filled with concern.

    Meng Zixuan hesitated, biting her lip. Finally, she spoke, "After you left, many of our ssmates disappeared."

    "Disappeared? How could that happen?"

    "We don¡¯t know why. They were taken away, and we never saw them again," Meng Zixuan exined, her tone filled with sorrow. "I¡¯m sorry, Teacher Liang, but that¡¯s all I know. If you want to discover what happened, you should investigate yourself."

    "Or maybe just pretend none of it ever happened¡ªdon¡¯t ask any more questions," she added before quickly turning and fleeing down the hallway as if afraid of being implicated in something dangerous.

    Liang Yue stood there, her mind racing. The students she had worked so hard to protect had disappeared in West Hill Base inexplicably?

    "Could it be a misunderstanding? Maybe they were reassigned to other tasks, and no one else knows?" Liang Yue thought, but she knew this was a flimsy excuse.

    The Third Life Pod was guarded by regr soldiers stationed at West Hill Base. The Second Life Pod, where she now lived, housed only top-tier talent, including Superhumans like herself. Those missing students couldn¡¯t have gone to the Third Life Pod, and she would have seen them if they had been brought to the Second Life Pod.

    Something major was behind their disappearance.

    Liang Yue felt a growing unease. She couldn¡¯t rest until she found out the truth. After all, she was a teacher¡ªa protector of her students. She led them out of Tianqing Academy and felt responsible for their safety.

    Taking a deep breath, Liang Yue decided to investigate the Fourth Life Pod herself, despite thete hour.

    West Hill Base had strict security, with ess between the different Life Pods tightly controlled. It was easy for someone from a higher-ranked pod to visit a lower one, but the reverse was strictly forbidden. However, Liang Yue¡¯s status as a captain in the ACE Special Forces granted her the authority to move freely.

    She went to the Fourth Life Pod, where the power generators ran 24/7 to supply the entire base with electricity. She went directly to the student dormitories and woke several students.

    Seeing Liang Yue, the students immediately burst into tears and hugged her, desperate for help.

    "Teacher Liang, you¡¯re finally here! Are you here to take us away?"

    "It¡¯s so hard here¡ªI¡¯m so tired!"

    "Teacher Liang, several of our ssmates were taken away and never came back. Are they dead? What kind of ce is this?"

    Their cries woke the other students, who crowded around Liang Yue, seeing her as a beacon of hope. Everyone begged her to take them away.

    Liang Yueforted them as best she could before asking about the missing students.

    The remaining students exchanged uneasy nces. Some were terrified, others indifferent, and a few even seemed envious.

    Some spected that the missing students had been taken away as food, while others thought their families had rescued them to live infort. Theories ranged from optimistic to pessimistic, leaving Liang Yue¡¯s head spinning. These students knew little about the actual situation.

    However, one thing was certain: every so often, someone woulde to select one or two students, and those taken never returned.

    "Teacher Liang, I¡¯m so scared! What if I¡¯m next?" one girl cried, clutching Liang Yue¡¯s sleeve with tearful eyes.

    Beside her, a boy shrugged it off. "What are you so scared of? We have nothing; why would they harm us? Those people probably just went to work somewhere else. Don¡¯t overthink it."

    Liang Yue was equally confused. She seemed to need to inquire with someone from a higher Life Pod to learn the truth.

    "I¡¯ll see Ge Rou tomorrow and demand to know where my students are!" Liang Yue resolved, determined not to let anything happen to her students.

    After calming the students, she left the dormitory. The hallway was pitch ck, as the lights were turned off at night to conserve energy. A low, familiar voice spoke from the shadows as she reached a corner.

    "Teacher Liang, do you want to know where those students went?"

    Liang Yue turned sharply towards the voice.

    "Wu Chengyu?"

    The voice belonged to Wu Chengyu, the ss monitor. As a student leader, he interacted more with the teachers, so Liang Yue immediately recognized his voice.

    Wu Chengyu stepped out of the shadows, cautiously ncing around before whispering, "Teacher Liang,e with me?."

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 255: Test Subjects

    Chapter 255: Test Subjects

    Wu Chengyu, tightly bundled in his clothes despite the underground shelter being less cold, had his jacket zipper pulled up. The dim lighting made it hard for Liang Yue to see clearly, but she could still make out his face''s bruises and nail marks.

    "Wu Chengyu!" Liang Yue eximed, realizing why she hadn''t seen him around before.

    Wu Chengyu led her to a secluded room with faint lighting, making the darkness feel somewhatforting. His voice, trembling with emotion, carried a plea for help. "Teacher Liang, this base is so strange! You have to find a way to get us out of here!"

    His words were mixed with sobs, and he seemed on the verge of breaking downpletely. Shocked and concerned, Liang Yue tried to console him while probing for more information.

    "Wu Chengyu, tell me, what exactly have you discovered?" she asked gently.

    Wiping his tears, Wu Chengyu began, "Because of some special duties, I asionally get taken to the Second Life Pod. One day, I saw a few people in white protective suits carrying two long bags. They looked like sleeping bags, but inside, they appeared to be... people."

    Driven by curiosity, he had quietly followed them. "You won¡¯t believe what I saw," Wu Chengyu¡¯s voice quivered as if the memory itself was too horrifying to recount.

    "What did you see?" Liang Yue prompted, her heart pounding."I saw them pull two bodies out of the bags and throw them into a huge machine," Wu Chengyu said, covering his head with his hands, his expression twisted with fear. "On one of the bodies, I saw Hu Xiaoyu¡¯s tattoo!"

    Liang Yue staggered back three steps, her mind reeling from the shock. Though she had feared the worst, hearing the confirmation was unbearable.

    "Are you sure it was Hu Xiaoyu?" she asked, hoping against hope that he was mistaken.

    "There¡¯s no doubt! I went swimming with Hu Xiaoyu many times, and a famous foreign artist did his tattoo. I would recognize it anywhere!" Wu Chengyu insisted.

    With that, thest sliver of hope Liang Yue clung to vanished. West Hill Base had killed her students. But why? What reason could they possibly have for murdering a group of harmless students? Liang Yue couldn¡¯t wrap her mind around it. She was furious, confused, and desperate for answers.

    Still trembling with fear, Wu Chengyu begged her, "Teacher Liang, we¡¯re counting on you now! Please find a way to protect us. Our ssmates are disappearing one by one¡ªif this keeps up, we¡¯ll all be dead soon!"

    Liang Yue, the only person the remaining students could rely on, took a deep breath to calm herself. She couldn¡¯t afford to panic; she had to do something. She was their teacher and their only hope.

    "Wu Chengyu, have you told anyone else about this?" she asked.

    Wu Chengyu shook his head. "No, I didn¡¯t dare. Even if they knew, there¡¯s nothing they could do."

    "Good. For now, don¡¯t tell anyone, not even your ssmates," Liang Yue instructed. "Now, tell me where you saw them handling the bodies, and I¡¯ll investigate it myself."

    After Wu Chengyu shared the location, Liang Yuemitted it to memory and sent him back. Before leaving, Wu Chengyu pleaded with her, "Please hurry, Teacher Liang. If you don¡¯t, I might be next."

    Liang Yue nodded resolutely. "I will."

    She decided to investigate that very night. Although underground, people in the First and Second Life Pods maintained regr sleep schedules. Most of the base¡¯s residents wouldn¡¯t be active at night, except for some guards.

    More importantly, the ACE Special Forces, West Hill Base¡¯s main armed force, were distracted by the mission to rescue Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang. This provided the perfect opportunity for Liang Yue to act. After leaving the power nt, she headed to the location Wu Chengyu had mentioned, a secluded corner where the Second and Third Life Pods intersected¡ªa ce rarely frequented by anyone.

    When Liang Yue arrived at the Second Life Pod, she was in a familiar area. She activated her supernatural ability, entering a meditative state that made her movements silent and her presence nearly undetectable. This allowed her to approach the site without drawing attention.

    However, as she reached the location, she saw two armed guards at the door. Frowning, Liang Yue realized that dealing with these guards would be easy for her, but she wasn¡¯t ready to provoke West Hill Base. Doing so would be tantamount to suicide. But if she missed this opportunity, more students might disappear, and she would lose the perfect chance to uncover the truth.

    As she pondered her options, Liang Yue suddenly heard footsteps approaching. She quickly hid in a corner and watched as two people in white protective suits walked by, carrying body bags. When they reached a restroom, the rear two stopped. After gesturing to the others, they dropped the body bags on the ground and entered the restroom.

    Seeing her chance, Liang Yue swiftly entered the women¡¯s restroom, where she knocked out a female worker from behind. Working quickly, she changed into the woman¡¯s protective suit and walked out as if nothing had happened. Outside, the male worker who had been waiting nodded at her, and the two of them picked up the body bags and carried them to the secure room.

    The guards at the door nced at them but didn¡¯t intervene, allowing them to enter. The male worker knocked on the door, and the heavy, silver-gray metal door swung open. Inside, another worker in a white protective suit looked at the body bags and remarked with a grin, "Failed again! This is the eighth one recently!"

    The male worker shrugged. "Nothing we can do¡ªtheir bodies just can¡¯t adapt."

    Liang Yue, listening silently, was filled with questions. "Adapt to what?" she wondered, but she held her tongue and followed the male worker into the room.

    Inside, other workers quickly took over, pulling out a body from one of the bags. The sight shocked Liang Yue to her core. The body was a grotesque blend of human and something else as if infected by a deadly virus. One side was still human, but the other was a terrifying crimson mass of swollen muscle with visible blood vessels and bones.

    "What on earth is this base researching?" Liang Yue¡¯s eyes widened in shock, her heart pounding with curiosity and fear?.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 256: High-Quality Protein

    Chapter 256: High-Quality Protein

    Liang Yue observed theboratory calmly, taking in everything inside. The first thing she noticed was a massive machine that took up nearly a third of theb, consisting of a long pipeline and numerous other parts. Because it was nighttime, there weren''t many people on duty. The staff who had brought in the bodies were lounging around, some even ying games on handheld consoles. The atmosphere was unusually rxed, with no sense of seriousness. Everyone was busy with their own tasks, and no one seemed to notice Liang Yue''s presence.

    Two workers brought out a strange corpse, opened a machine resembling a crematorium, and threw the body inside. A loud "rumble" followed, and soon a thick, milky white, viscous liquid flowed from arge pipe into a big metal barrel below. When Liang Yue saw it, her stomach churned violently. The milky white substance was identical to the white paste she had eaten on her first day here.

    Did that mean what she ate was actually...

    Liang Yue covered her mouth, struggling not to vomit. It took all her strength to suppress the urge. Her worldview felt utterly shattered. She had thought West Hill Base was a sanctuary in a ruined world, but it was a horrifying hell instead. Were they actually turning dead bodies into food? And not just for anyone¡ªonly for those in the Fourth Life Pod. The First to Third Life Pods were eating regr food.

    The staff went about their business as usual, dividing the milky substance into several portions and adding other ingredients.

    "Is there any banana-vored seasoning left?"

    "Some, but not much. We''ll have to ask theb for moreter."

    "This stuff is high in protein and rich in nutrients. If you don''t know what it''s made of, it''s actually quite good for energy.""Heh, you say that now. Who knows, maybe one day you''ll end up in someone else''s stomach too."

    "Well, at least it saves on burial costs. It''s still a contribution to the base, right?"

    The workersughed casually, treating the corpses as if they were nothing more than livestock. Liang Yue''s expression twisted in horror. She now realized her missing students had likely been dealt with in the same silent way. Her hatred for the West Hill organization surged.

    "But why would they kill my students? Has West Hill Base''s food shortage reached such an extreme? Wouldn''t youngbor be more valuable to them?"

    Liang Yue still couldn''t understand it all. At that moment, a door in the adjacent room suddenly opened. A tall man struggled to carry a wooden crate out and brought it to the machine, opening the lid. The crate was filled with countless ck, wriggling creatures¡ªcockroaches!

    Liang Yue nearly screamed. The man casually poured the cockroaches into the machine. Just like with the human body, the machine epted everything without hesitation. A few cockroaches escaped, crawling towards Liang Yue''s feet, causing her to jump back in fright. Soon, another batch of white protein was produced.

    Liang Yue''s stomach churned to its limit. Though she knew cockroaches were a high-protein food source, seeing them turned into food was still nauseating. Fighting her revulsion, she snuck over to the next room to take a look inside. What she saw next would haunt her forever¡ªa giant, warm room filled with countless wooden boxes, each crawling with enormous cockroaches!

    "Gulp¡ª"

    Liang Yue''s throat kept making sounds as her stomach contents threatened to rise. She quickly left theb and rushed to the bathroom. The other staff membersughed as they watched her flee.

    "She still hasn''t gotten used to it after all this time!"

    "Can''t me her. Women have a natural fear of cockroaches."

    "From now on, we should keep women out of that room. They can just manage the machines."

    Liang Yue ran into the bathroom, stripped off her protective suit, and vomited violently into the sink. It wasn''t until she had emptied her stomach that she felt somewhat better.

    "If I had known it would be like this, I would''ve stayed at Tianqing Academy! At least the monster there just ate people¡ªit was still manageable."

    "But this ce... this is a nightmare."

    Liang Yue was utterly deste. Even if she wanted to escape with her students, it was impossible.

    "I can''t stay here any longer! I need to find a way out."

    "But if I leave, where can I take the children?"

    Liang Yue felt lost. She had no choice but to pretend she hadn''t seen anything and continue to bide her time, waiting for an opportunity.

    After a while, she emerged from the bathroom, and the female staff member she had knocked out earlier had already been ced back into her protective suit. Liang Yue had acted so quickly that the woman hadn''t even noticed. When she woke up, she would probably think she''d fainted from exhaustion, as it wasmon for those living and working underground in such an environment to experience health issues. Even if she had suspicions, she wouldn''t be able to trace anything back to Liang Yue.

    ¡­

    Back at West Hill Base, after some arrangements by Ling Feng, a thirty-person special operations team set out. Although the two leaders were not born Superhumans, they were highly trained and formidable warriors. One was named Shen Hong, and the other was Yu Lang; both soldiers were trained by Ling Feng.

    The team, led by the two, took sleds to the location where Liu Ziyang had sent his distress signal. After several hours of travel, they finally arrived at the scene, but it was already past 10 a.m., more than ten hours since Liu Ziyang''s call for help. By then, Zhang Yi had cleaned up everything. There wasn''t a single drop of blood left, let alone the bodies of Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang. Before leaving, Zhang Yi had even let Huahua roll around to erase most of the traces.

    Combined with dys caused by internal issues at the base and the snowfall, it was extremely difficult to find any signs of battle at the scene. The team couldn''t use professional equipment, but the sled dogs, with their keen noses, caught the scent of blood and barked frantically at one spot.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 257: Attack on the Shelter

    Chapter 257: Attack on the Shelter

    After searching the scene, Shen Hong and Yu Lang both felt a deep sense of unease. The absence of any bloodstains was unnervingly clean. There were only two possibilities: either Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang had been captured alive, or both had been killed, and the enemy had leisurely cleaned up the battlefield before leaving. Neither oue was good news.

    At that moment, a soldier discovered snowmobile tracks and reported to the two men, "Boss, I found snowmobile tracks!"

    Shen Hong and Yu Lang exchanged a nce. "Let''s go check it out!"

    They followed the tracks and indeed found snowmobile treads that hadn''t been fully covered by the snow. They were instantly relieved.

    "As long as we follow these, we can find where the person responsible is hiding!"

    "We have no time to waste. Let''s go before the snowpletely covers the tracks!"

    They immediately gathered all the soldiers and followed the tracks on sleds. In the vast snowfield, human traces were rare, so the trail was as clear as a signpost.

    Before long, they arrived outside Cloud Manor."Stop!" Shen Hong ordered everyone to halt outside the manor and secure the sled dogs.

    "The person must be inside the manor. Everyone, form teams of three and move forward, following the footprints on the ground."

    The team, familiar with each other from years of working together, quickly formed abat formation, advancing cautiously with their weapons drawn.

    The path they had taken led to the west gate of the manor, not the southern one, so the traps on this side were mostly intact.

    As Zhang Yi returned, his footsteps had left varying depths of prints on the ground, leading directly to Vi 101.

    The soldiers from West Hill Base cautiously followed the footprints. Suddenly, a soldier''s foot stepped on something. He quickly lifted his foot and saw what was underneath. He couldn''t help but chuckle.

    "Heh!"

    The others looked over and saw him pull out a spiked board from the sole of his thick military boot.

    "In this day and age, there are still such traps?"

    Holding the spiked board, the soldier smiled yfully. Hisrades couldn''t help but smirk, too.

    "Looks like the enemy we''re facing doesn''t have muchbat skill," the soldierughed.

    Shen Hong''s expression softened slightly when he saw the crude trap, but still warned, "Stay alert; they did manage to defeat two of our warriors."

    However, Shen Hong knew well that Xie Huanhuan wasn''t abat-type Superhuman. If the manor was hiding arge number of people, they could have overpowered them with sheer numbers and weaponry.

    But this time, they had brought thirty fully armed soldiers and two modified Superhuman leaders. Failure was not an option!

    The soldiers continued to advance, and another soldier stepped on a spike, but the spikes had been buried for so long that the snow had hardened, greatly reducing their lethality. Moreover, they were wearing special military boots with excellent puncture resistance, so the spikes did no harm.

    The soldiers joked about it, treating the traps like a joke, which made them let their guard down. Just then, a soldier felt a slight resistance on his leg as he advanced. He looked down and saw a tripwire buried in the snow, triggering the pull ring of a grenade.

    "Boom!!"

    A grenade exploded right under the soldier''s feet, sending him flying. The rescue team was shocked! Shen Hong and Yu Lang rushed over to find the soldier''s face red like a pig''s liver, blood already trickling from his mouth.

    "Xu Wei!!" Shen Hong shouted in pain.

    Although Xu Wei was fully armored, the grenade exploded right in front of him, inflicting severe internal injuries. Some rushed to help, but internal wounds were the hardest to treat. Without a medic, even bringing him back wouldn''t help.

    Someone took out adrenaline to try to keep him alive, but it was futile. Within moments, Xu Wei coughed up blood and died on the spot. Everyone''s eyes turned red.

    In the apocalypse, the bonds between oldrades were stronger than ever; they were brothers who had faced death together. Seeing a brother die before their eyes filled them with hatred.

    "D*** bastards!" someone cursed, gritting his teeth, ring at Vi 101 ahead. The footprints stopped there, and the killer was undoubtedly inside. A soldier immediately raised his gun and began firing at the shelter.

    But the bullets, hitting walls and windows, were like toy bullets, leaving no marks whatsoever. Not even a scratch on the ss.

    However, the series of noises had already alerted those inside the house. Zhang Yi had juste up from the basement when he heard the grenade explosion and gunfire. He immediately realized the people from the West Hill Base had arrived!

    In the living room, Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya nervously looked out the window, seeing a group of white-uniformed soldiers firing at them from a distance.

    Zhang Yi called to the shelter''s AI, "Activate the optical protection system!"

    "Confirmed. Activating now."

    As soon as themand finished, the shelter''s windows turned into one-way ss, allowing them to see outside while appearing pitch ck from the outside. Zhang Yi had never used this function before because it slightly affected room lighting. But now, faced with a real armed team, there was no room for carelessness.

    Zhang Yi walked to the window, looked at the group of dozens outside, and muttered to himself, "Finally, a worthy opponent has shown up."

    "This is perfect. If it weren''t for professional soldiers like these, wouldn''t having such a high-level shelter be a waste?"

    He nced back at the nervous Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya, smiling as he said, "If you''re scared, you can stay in the basement."

    Hearing this, Zhou Ke''er''s frown immediately softened. She walked up to Zhang Yi with a smile and said, "We''ve faced storms together; what''s there to be scared of now?" With Zhang Yi around, she feared nothing, knowing he never fought unprepared.

    Yang Siya also mustered her courage, stepping up beside Zhang Yi and gazing at the intense gunfire outside. "We''re in this together, no matter the danger!"

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly. "Danger? Aren''t you exaggerating a bit?"

    He squinted, looking out the window confidently, crossing his arms. "These people alone? They''re not qualified."

    He had already noticed they were not carrying any heavy firepower, only rifles and grenades. He didn''t even need to intervene personally. The shelter''s defenses alone could withstand their attacks for years without breaking!

    "Bring me a chair," Zhang Yi calmly instructed Yang Siya while bullets whizzed outside. She quickly fetched a chair, and he sat in front of the window, legs crossed, watching the assault leisurely. His calmness left Yang Siya and Zhou Ke''er in awe.

    Even though they knew the windows were specially made and could withstandrge explosions, the intense fire outside still made them nervous.

    Meanwhile, the rescue team outside realized something was wrong.

    "What kind of building is this? It feels like a fortress!"

    "We''ve been shooting for so long, and we haven''t even scratched the windows!"

    The soldiers were on high alert, knowing they were dealing with a tough opponent. Shen Hong and Yu Lang exchanged nces.

    Shen Hong said, "This opponent is no ordinary person! I''m convinced now that whoever''s inside has the skills to capture or even kill Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang."

    Yu Lang smirked coldly, ring at the one-way ss. "Perfect. Isn''t it our mission to rescue them? And besides, whoever killed ourrades must pay with their lives!"

    If Zhang Yi had heard this, he would surely have protested his innocence.

    Your people died triggeringndmines; what does that have to do with me?!

    Shen Hong ordered everyone to stop the futile shooting. "Be cautious of more traps around us! Clear the traps first!" He didn''t want to see more of his men hurt the same way.

    The soldiers immediately put on tactical goggles and began demining. Had they not been careless initially, no one would''ve been killed by the grenade.

    Modern armies have advanced bomb disposal methods, and soon, they found every hidden grenade in the snow. Not just grenades, they even discovered the deeply buried anti-tank mine Zhang Yi had set.

    However, finding them didn''t guarantee defusing them.

    As soon as they found the mine, Zhang Yi pressed the remote detonator in his hand. The mine''s power was far greater than that of a grenade. The nearest two soldiers were blown to pieces, their advancedbat suits unable to protect them from the st.

    Three others nearby were also thrown by the shockwave, suffering severe internal injuries likely shattering their organs.

    Shen Hong''s eyes filled with fury. "Who the hell is he? How does he have ess to equipment that only our military has?!"

    His anger boiled over. These soldiers were the elite of the elite. With proper intel, none of them would have died so senselessly. But in this ice age, many high-tech weapons couldn''t be used, forcing them to revert tobat tactics from a century ago.

    The frustration of it all made Shen Hong want to spit blood!

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 258: Terrifying

    Chapter 258: Terrifying

    Five morerades had fallen. Yet, until now, they hadn''t even caught a glimpse of the person inside the vi. This immense sense of failure cast a heavy shadow over the remaining twenty or so members of the rescue team.

    The vice-captain of the rescue team, Yu Lang, stepped forward to suggest, "We don''t know anything about this enemy, and weck advanced weapons and bomb disposal equipment. Why not report back to the base and request support?"

    Yu Lang was pragmatic and had already sensed that they might not be able toplete the mission on their own. But Shen Hong immediately rejected his suggestion without a second thought.

    "Absolutely not! We''re supposed to be the rescue team. If we have to request backup from the base, that would be utterly humiliating!"

    "But¡­"

    "No buts! Keep attacking. I refuse to believe this vi has no weaknesses at all!"

    Yu Lang hurriedly tried to reason with him, "Shen Hong, don''t act recklessly!"

    Shen Hong, with a grim expression, gritted his teeth and said, "I''m not being reckless! We have no intelligence on this ce. If we don''t fight now, others will have to fight next! Let''s act as the vanguard this time and gather information on this vi."Hearing Shen Hong''s reasoning, Yu Lang fell silent. He realized Shen Hong had already perceived this as a war, acknowledging the enemy''s strength. Even though they had already lost six soldiers, they had managed to clear all explosive traps around the vi.

    Shen Hong immediately ordered everyone to spread out and search therge vi from all angles, aiming to gatherprehensive intelligence on the structure. Finding a weak point would be even better.

    "It''s just a fing turtle shell. Once we break through, we''ll ughter every b**d inside!" Shen Hong growled, determined to avenge his fallenrades.

    The remaining team members dispersed, investigating the shelter from all directions. Seeing this, Yang Siya grew worried and asked, "Will they really find a weakness if they keep searching like this?"

    Zhang Yi, with his cheek resting on his hand and a bag of chips in the other, casually replied, "I thoroughly checked this shelter when I first got here, and I do routine inspections every three days. There are no external vulnerabilities."

    Yang Siya watched the soldiers outside with a sigh. "But seeing them search so recklessly still makes me anxious. You never know, right?"

    Zhang Yi noticed her concern and smiled, asking, "You''re thinking that it would be better if we could take the offensive, right?"

    Yang Siya smiled shyly, "That''s kind of what I meant."

    Zhang Yi chuckled lightly. "Attacking them is simple, but I prefer a defensive counterattack strategy. No rush¡ªlet''s see what they''re capable of."

    Zhang Yi wasn''t in a hurry to strike back because he knew this was just an advanced team, and their firepower wasn''t that formidable. He was also unfamiliar with modern military weapons andbat tactics, so this was a good opportunity to gather some intel.

    He turned on therge screen in the living room and had the AI system disy the surveince footage from outside. The cameras, hidden behind bulletproof ss, couldn''t be destroyed from the outside and offered a full view of the shelter''s exterior. Zhang Yi observed every move the soldiers made.

    The rescue team cautiously examined the shelter but found no points of entry. After some discussion, they concluded that the vi was like a heavily fortified fortress made of materialsparable to those used in modern war bunkers.

    "The only advantage is that it doesn''t seem to have any offensive capabilities. That''s a relief!"

    "Yeah, it seems to be purely built for defense, designed as an apocalypse survival shelter."

    After conducting their investigation, Yu Lang made this assessment.

    "In this kind of affluent area, it''s not unusual to see such buildings. Rich people either have too much money or too many enemies, so they build houses like this."

    Shen Hong listened, frowning in thought. "That''s why they set up so many traps on the way. Now that the traps are cleared, they can only sit there and take the hits!"

    "Alright, let''s blow a hole in the wall and storm in!" Shen Hong suggested with a sneer.

    Yu Lang added, "But how much explosive will we need?"

    Shen Hong snorted. "Even fortresses on the battlefield can be blown apart with enough explosives. How can a privately built shelter be tougher than a military bunker? Focus the firepower on one spot, and we''ll break through!"

    They gathered all the explosives from the thirty soldiers. It was a considerable amount, as West Hill Base was well-equipped with weapons despite other shortages. When Zhang Yi had raided the military camp earlier, he found most of the equipment had been taken by these soldiers, and now they were using it against his shelter.

    The bombs and grenades were piled at the corner of the wall by a soldier. Seeing this, Zhang Yi immediately activated the sound istion system; the st could damage their eardrums. He then got up from his chair.

    "You two stay here and enjoy the show. I''m going to teach them a little lesson."

    Zhang Yi, tired of their constant assaults, felt the urge to strike back. He went up to the second floor, grabbing arge sniper rifle.

    The soldiers quickly retreated after setting up the timed explosives. With thebined power of explosives from thirty soldiers, they expected at least a sizable breach in the wall, even if it didn''t punch all the way through. Knowing the wall''s strength would allow them to n for a stronger st next time.

    "Three, two, one, boom!" Shen Hong counted down from behind a wall, and everyone covered their ears, bracing for the st.

    A deafening explosion erupted, not just once but in a series of sts. The shockwaves even sent the snow, piled several meters thick, flying into the air, creating a snowstorm that scattered far and wide. Shen Hong and Yu Lang couldn''t wait to see the results; at minimum, they hoped to blow off ayer of the wall.

    But when the soldiers looked, they were all dumbfounded. The explosion had carved a massive crater at the wall''s base, scattering snow and soil everywhere, yet the dark wall remained smooth and intact. The mysterious ck material, resembling both marble and metal, was still wlessly smooth and unscathed.

    "How is this possible?! Not even a scratch?" One soldier eximed, unable to believe his eyes.

    "This shelter is unbelievably strong!" Yu Lang gasped, noticing that the same tough, ck material continued several meters below the surface.

    "In other words, frontal assault won''t work. We can''t even tunnel our way in?"

    Shen Hong and Yu Lang exchanged nces. What could they use to attack such a fortress-like shelter?

    Zhang Yi didn''t even bother watching the explosions. He knew the exact strength of the shelter''s defenses. A shelter advertised as H-proof wasn''t just talk.

    Gritting his teeth, Shen Hong said, "Our weapons alone won''t cut it. We need to request backup and have the main squad bring in the demolition team!"

    With enough firepower, even the toughest bunkers could be destroyed. The rescue team was ill-prepared to breach this shelter, but Shen Hong believed that West Hill Base had the resources to do so.

    "If the explosives don''t work, let me try!" Yu Lang suggested gravely. They were nearly abandoning the idea of a direct assault but still needed to gather enough intelligence to pave the way for future teams.

    He signaled to a soldier, who brought over a ck metal case. Yu Lang opened it, revealing a heavy ck sniper rifle.

    "You''re going to use that?" Shen Hong asked in disbelief.

    Yu Lang nodded. "Yes! This heavy sniper can take out an armored vehicle with a single shot!"

    He skillfully assembled the sniper rifle, wielding the hefty weapon with ease. He mounted the sniper, loaded a specially made armor-piercing bullet, and aimed at the shelter''s window.

    "Even if it''s bulletproof ss, let''s see if it can withstand this shot!"

    The others watched with anticipation. Their improvised explosives weren''t specifically designed to destroy fortifications, but the heavy sniper with armor-piercing rounds could pose a real threat, even to tanks.

    Yu Lang pulled the trigger, and a thunderous shot rang out.

    Zhang Yi, preparing to counterattack from the second floor, heard a piercing noise. Looking closely at the bulletproof ss, he saw a white scratch on its otherwise perfect surface.

    "A heavy sniper?" Zhang Yi immediately guessed the type of weapon used. Only an anti-armor sniper could leave such a mark on his shelter''s ss.

    "Terrifying!" Zhang Yi took a deep breath.

    "The bulletproof ss is only 80 centimeters thick, and it managed to leave a scratch. What if they fired hundreds of thousands of rounds and shattered the ss?"

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 259: Surround and Rescue

    Chapter 259: Surround and Rescue

    After firing his shot, Yu Lang stared at the unscathed bulletproof ss in silence. After a few seconds, he angrily punched the wall beside him.

    "Damn it! I used this gun to blow chunks out of bunkers made of reinforced concrete, and now this damn shelter has no weak points at all!"

    He knew the shot wouldn''t break the bulletproof ss, but the harsh reality was too much to bear, and Yu Lang couldn''t help but curse.

    Shen Hong took a deep breath and said, "This shelter''s defenses are probably even scarier than West Hill Base! Our weapons are useless; we need to report this to our superiors."

    The rescue team''s soldiers were utterly disheartened. They swore that this was the most frustrating fortification they had ever encountered, rendering their years of tactical training and marksmanship utterly useless.

    "Retreat!" Shen Hong ordered, and the team began an orderly withdrawal from their cover. Yu Lang handed his heavy sniper rifle back to the soldier carrying it and prepared to retreat. They didn''t know that Zhang Yi was waiting for them to reveal themselves.

    "Dimensional Gate, activate!"

    "Xiao Ai, open the window."Following Zhang Yi''smand, the intelligent system slowly opened the window in front of him, creating an opening. The Dimensional Gate appeared just outside, forming a seemingly vulnerable yet impregnable barrier. The Dimensional Gate was one-way, meaning any iing attacks would be absorbed, but outgoing shots were unaffected.

    The retreating rescue team noticed the window opening.

    "Captain, the second-floor window just opened!" Two soldiers immediately raised their rifles and fired without hesitation. As elite soldiers, their marksmanship was precise, and they fired three-round bursts aimed directly at Zhang Yi''s face.

    But the bullets vanished before reaching Zhang Yi, as if swallowed by the air.

    Zhang Yi, meanwhile, pulled his own trigger. He aimed at the soldier carrying the heavy sniper rifle. Zhang Yi liked that rifle; even within the military, such a weapon wasn''t easily essible. It was far more powerful than his current sniper rifle, and in his hands, it would be even deadlier. So, Zhang Yi decided to keep it.

    "Bang!"

    A bloody hole appeared in the soldier''s head; even his helmet couldn''t stop the sniper shot. Shen Hong saw Zhang Yi at the window, catching a glimpse of his handsome face, and couldn''t help but smile grimly.

    "Perfect timing! You''re digging your own grave!" he shouted. "Fire at will!"

    Ignoring the fallen soldier, Shen Hong aimed his rifle at Zhang Yi. Over twenty soldiers simultaneously raised their guns, unleashing a barrage of bullets at Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi, unhurried, fired back.

    "Bang!"

    "Bang!"

    "Bang!"

    His pace was steady, taking one shot after another. But each shot was a perfect headshot! The soldiers were well-equipped with bulletproof helmets, but Zhang Yi''s sniper rifle,bined with his precision ability, could pierce through even their finest gear.

    Within moments, six soldiersy dead under Zhang Yi''s sniper fire.

    "No way, why can''t we kill him?" one of the soldiers finally realized something was wrong. Zhang Yi was fully exposed to their fire, without any defensive cover or even decent gear. Yet no matter how they fired, he remained unscathed, not even a scratch on his clothes!

    Shen Hong''s pupils contracted as he finally understood.

    "He''s a Superhuman!"

    Yu Lang stared in disbelief. "Are you saying he canpletely negate our attacks?"

    Superhumans were already beyond the understanding of ordinary people, and each had unique mutations that defiedparison. Zhang Yi''s unknown ability instilled immense fear in the rescue team.

    "Retreat, retreat immediately! This guy is not someone we can handle!" Shen Hong shouted, ordering the soldiers to retreat quickly. This enemy was too formidable; only a squad leader from the Special Forces might stand a chance against him. But even then, with his fortress-like shelter, a single squad leader might not be enough. How could they fight when they could only be on the receiving end?

    Shen Hong and the others were furious to the point of cursing.

    "This is just bullying!"

    For such an elite unit to fight, such a humiliating battle was infuriating. Some soldiers tried to carry the bodies of their fallenrades, but lingering for even a second longer spelled death.

    "Forget the dead for now! Hide, quickly!" Shen Hong yelled anxiously.

    Zhang Yi noticed Shen Hong and Yu Lang, who seemed to be the leaders. He aimed his rifle at them.

    "Bang!"

    A shot aimed straight for Shen Hong''s head. But just as Zhang Yi fired, something eerily familiar happened. Shen Hong''s body blurred, leaving afterimages in the air, narrowly dodging the bullet.

    "Huh? Another artificially made Superhuman? And their abilities are so simr!" Zhang Yi then aimed at Yu Lang and found his reaction to be identical to that of Shen Hong.

    "They have the same abilities. Can Superhumans be created with drugs, or are their powers copied from someone else?"

    Zhang Yi marveled at the wonders of biology, but his mission remained. Not all of the soldiers had such powers, and they were still targets.

    However, this time, Zhang Yi changed his mind. He noticed the soldiers abandoning the bodies of their fallenrades and hiding behind the walls of the surrounding luxury vis. From Zhang Yi''s vantage point, his attack range couldn''t cover the entire battlefield, but he didn''t want them to escape easily.

    He wanted to kill more intruders.

    Zhang Yi''s lips curled into a cold smile. He aimed at a soldier who hadn''t managed to hide in time, targeting his right leg instead of his head.

    "Bang!"

    The soldier''s right leg exploded into a mist of blood as the sniper bullet tore it apart, leaving it mangled and broken.

    "Ahhhh!!!"

    The soldier screamed in agony, copsing onto the snow. Zhang Yi repeated the process with another soldier who hadn''t managed to hide, leaving two men writhing in pain on the ground. Even hardened warriors couldn''t withstand the agony of shattered limbs.

    "Liu Hongtao! Cao Jiayu!!"

    Seeing theirrades'' miserable state, the other soldiers'' eyes reddened with fury. They wanted to rush out and save them immediately! They could abandon fallenrades, but they couldn''t leave those they fought alongside to die without trying to help.

    "No one moves! This is a trap to lure you out. No one steps forward!" Shen Hong shouted angrily, stopping any soldier who tried to rush out.

    His heart bled as well, but he knew staying calm was the only way. Falling into the enemy''s trap would lead to more deaths.

    "Smoke grenades and incendiary bombs, deploy them!"

    At Shen Hong''smand, the soldiers quickly realized the n. Since Zhang Yi was using sniping tactics to bait them into rescuing, they would disrupt his vision. Smoke and mes quickly engulfed the area around the wounded soldiers, obscuring visibility even through tactical goggles.

    Taking the opportunity, Shen Hong dispatched several soldiers to rescue the injured.

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow. "They''re professional soldiers, after all. Impressivebat skills."

    Now, he couldn''t strike with precision. Zhang Yi''s lips curled into a cold smile as he adjusted the direction of the Dimensional Gate. In an instant, all the ammunition it had absorbed was unleashed like a torrential storm upon the area!

    In a blink, the two wounded soldiers and the group sent to rescue them were bombarded by a hail of bullets. Even wearing the bestbat suits, they couldn''t withstand such an overwhelming assault. Secondster, they were all riddled with holes.

    Shen Hong and the others were filled with grief, shouting the names of their fallenrades. They were furious but also deeply fearful of the man hiding in the shadows. Zhang Yi''s tactics were beyond their understanding.

    "He''s not human! We can''t beat him!" cried a young soldier, clutching his rifle with terror on his face. These soldiers had excellentbat skills, but China had been at peace for so long. Facing such a terrifying opponent for the first time and watching theirrades die before them caused some to break.

    "Captain, should we request backup? Should we ask the base to send reinforcements?" a soldier asked Shen Hong.

    Shen Hong''s face twitched with anger, flushed red as he kicked the soldier. "Shut up! We came here to provide backup, and now you want to turn around and ask the base for help? How can we face anyone with that kind of shame?"

    "But... that man is too terrifying! No, he''s not even human¡ªhe''s a devil! How can he be invincible?"

    The soldiers were utterly demoralized. No matter how strong they were, they couldn''t kill someone immune to their bullets. Retreating only made them sniper targets, while attacking was impossible with that impregnable fortress.

    "Stay calm!" Yu Lang barked.

    "He hasn''te out; he must still fear us to some extent. Don''t be too scared!"

    The soldiers were terrified by Zhang Yi''s strange powers, but Shen Hong and Yu Lang, being modified Superhumans themselves, knew it wasn''t supernatural but an unknown ability. Understanding a little about the enemy eased their fears somewhat.

    Shen Hong asked seriously, "What do we do? His marksmanship rivals ours. If we show ourselves, we risk getting sniped!"

    The vi area was wide open, with only a few houses providing cover. Trying to escape would inevitably expose them.

    Yu Lang drew some lines in the snow and pointed to a route. "st through these houses and follow this path. As long as we stay out of sight, his marksmanship won''t matter."

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 260: Repelling the Attack

    Chapter 260: Repelling the Attack

    Yu Lang''s suggestion was unanimously agreed upon. There was no point in continuing the fight¡ªthey were outmatched. The gap in strength between them and the enemy was insurmountable. Any furtherbat would be a senseless sacrifice. The only option was to retreat and wait for reinforcements.

    Shen Hong immediately decided to st open the walls of nearby houses and escape through the gaps. Zhang Yi, lying by the window, could roughly guess their escape n but had no intention of leaving the shelter to chase them down. This batch of enemies included only two artificial Superhumans simr to Liu Ziyang, whose abilities were mediocre and far inferior to real Superhumans. As long as Zhang Yi stayed inside, they posed no threat to him. However, if he ventured out, these highly skilled soldiers might have a chance to kill him. His Dimensional Gate could only cover one side, which was a notable weakness.

    "Go and call in stronger people! I''ll keep fighting until you''re all too scared to act¡ªmaybe then you''ll finally back off!" Zhang Yi muttered calmly. To end the conflict, he knew he had to fight fire with fire; he had no illusions about the enemy.

    Explosions rang out continuously, and before long, Shen Hong and Yu Lang led their remaining troops in a difficult escape from Cloud Manor. Only after confirming that they had left did Zhang Yi step out of the shelter. Now, it was time to clean up the battlefield.

    Since this group of soldiers was a hastily assembled rescue team, they were only equipped with portable light weapons and no heavy firepower. Still, Zhang Yi was not picky; he stripped them of their weapons and gear. One weapon, in particr, caught his interest¡ªthe heavy sniper rifle he had his eyes on. This anti-materiel rifle, relying solely on the gun''s power, could tear through the armor of light tanks. Paired with Zhang Yi''s abilities, it could even pierce through heavy armor!

    After cleaning up the battlefield, Zhang Yi did not bother to bury the bodies. In the past, he might have done so out of respect, but now, these corpses could serve as bait. Zhang Yi knew that the people from West Hill Base would not give up so easily. After two failed operations that resulted in the death of a natural Superhuman and numerous ordinary soldiers, they were sure to seek revenge. Leaving the bodies on the road served two purposes: as a psychological deterrent to affect the enemy soldiers'' morale and as potential targets if they tried to recover the corpses.

    After tidying up, Zhang Yi returned to the shelter. Inside, the women were anxiously waiting for him, their eyes fixed on him like he was their guardian angel. They all knew that without Zhang Yi''s protection, survival in this post-apocalyptic world would be nearly impossible, especially after experiencing such a crisis.

    "Zhang Yi, it''s so good to have you here!" Yang Siya eximed, rushing forward to hug him tightly, her voluptuous figure pressing against his chest. She had been terrified during the gunfight; after all, they were facing professional soldiers, not the farmers from Xidong Vige. Hiding in the basement, she had been genuinely scared that the shelter would be breached.Zhang Yi gently patted her on the rear. "Look at you, scared silly! I told you, everything would be fine."

    Zhou Ke''er, feeling a bit jealous, pulled her away. "Alright, alright, look at you being so timid!"

    The wheelchair-bound genius Yang Xinxin chimed in, "But judging by the strength of the troops that came, they didn''t seem prepared tounch a full-scale assault here. Their weapons were all light¡ªmostly sniper rifles, grenades, and small explosives."

    "If their firepower is limited to this, we might be okay. But I''m worried that this group was just a scouting party," she said with a frown, clearly concerned. "No matter how strong this shelter is, if we face a fully equipped professional military force, it might still be difficult to defend against."

    Yang Xinxin''s sharp mind quickly pinpointed the key issue.

    Zhang Yi nodded. "You''re right. This team''s firepower wasn''t much to look at. I suspect they were just here to scout. After all, I killed two of their people. And they likely didn''t expect such a formidable shelter in an ordinary residential area."

    "When theye back, their firepower level will surely increase by several notches," he added.

    Zhou Ke''er voiced her worries. "If that''s the case, can we hold them off? The military has professional demolition equipment, and we can only passively defend without many offensive options."

    Having been with Zhang Yi for a while, they had all learned to be vignt even in peace. Zhang Yi was pleased with this mindset.

    "If the enemy continues to throwrge numbers of troops and firepower at us, breaking through this shelter is only a matter of time," Zhang Yi admitted. "But this process will be long and costly for them."

    Zhang Yi''s face remained calm, as if he wasn''t concerned at all. The shelter was indeed incredibly robust; even if the city were subjected to an H attack, it wouldn''t bepletely destroyed unless it was at ground zero. A critical advantage was its multiyered structure. Zhang Yi nced at the shelter¡ªit had two above-ground floors and three underground levels. In reality, the undergroundyers were the shelter''s true form.

    The two above-ground floors prioritizedfort over defense. But if the upper levels were breached, Zhang Yi could immediately move underground, where the defense level was at least twice as high. Beyond the special alloy, it was reinforced with a significant amount of concrete and steel. Even high-yield explosives would struggle against it, and ording to the manual, even direct hits from airunched missiles wouldn''t prate!

    "No fortress is indestructible. But for them to break through the two above-ground levels, they''ll have to pay a heavy price in time and lives," Zhang Yi exined. "Once the surface is breached, we''ll abandon itpletely and move underground."

    Zhang Yi shrugged and smiled. "Sure, we won''t see the sunlight anymore, but the underground facilities are fully equipped. There''s no need to worry about the quality of life."

    Zhang Yi''s exnation helped to ease everyone''s anxieties.

    "So that''s how it is! I knew it¡ªbuilding a shelter that costs a billion dors, supposedly the most expensive in the world, couldn''t be so simple," Lu Keranughed heartily, showing off her sixteen pearly white teeth.

    Zhang Yi walked over and gently knocked on her head. "You, don''t celebrate too soon."

    He squinted and said, "Abandoning the two above-ground floors is just a contingency n, one I won''t use unless absolutely necessary."

    "They want to attack my house? I''ll make them pay dearly!" Zhang Yi dered. "Get those explosives ready. I''m going to make sure they regret it."

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 261: Secret Discovered

    Chapter 261: Secret Discovered

    While Zhang Yi was strategically preparing for a prolonged battle, Shen Hong and Yu Lang were retreating in disgrace with the remaining soldiers. They had started with thirty men, but now nearly half were dead, leaving only eighteen! The worst part was that they hadn''t even managed to touch a hair on the enemy''s head. Despite concentrating all their firepower, they couldn''t even scratch the shelter''s walls.

    The team was dejected, and Shen Hong, their leader, was deeply frustrated, unsure of how to report this to West Hill Base. Yu Lang walked over, patting his shoulder. "We need to report this to the base immediately. This is an enemy beyond our capabilities."

    Shen Hong felt bitter, unable to find words; his heart was filled with sorrow and guilt. Yu Lang, seeing his struggle, offered, "If you don''t know what to say, I can report it for you. The mission is the priority."

    Shen Hong nodded. Yu Lang immediately pulled out themunication device to report the mission''s oue to West Hill Base. Since the base was underground, directmunication between individuals was impossible; only the base''s Information Department could receive the messages.

    The moment the report came in, the Information Minister, Geng Yilin, quickly forwarded it to the leader, Chen Xinian. The report first passed through the hands of Chen''s secretary, Ge Rou, who took a quick look and immediately turned pale.

    "Twelve soldiers dead!" she eximed. West Hill Base had only about five hundred soldiers, mostly elite troops and special police officers from before the apocalypse. Each death was an irreceable loss. Losing twelve soldiers in one mission was sure to enrage Chen Xinian.

    But what was even more rming was Yu Lang''s report, which mentioned a terrifying enemy: an imprable fortress immune to gunfire and a powerful Superhuman. This had be a thorn within West Hill Base''s territory, severely undermining their control over the surrounding area.

    Ge Rou dared not dy and immediately reported the news to Chen Xinian. After reading the report, Chen''s face remained expressionless. However, he read the document three times before slowly putting it down in front of him.Ge Rou was startled. Having been Chen Xinian''s secretary for five years, she knew his temperament and habits well. She sensed that Chen''s calm exterior was masking deep turmoil.

    Ge Rou stepped forward and said, "Leaders Shen Hong and Yu Lang failed in their mission, disappointing both you and the organization. I suggest punishing them severely as a warning to others!"

    Shen Hong and Yu Lang''s performance was abysmal. They were sent to rescue Liu Ziyang and Xie Huanhuan. Even if they failed, they were expected to bring back useful intelligence. But now, all they had managed was to find the ce where the attack on Liu Ziyang and Xie Huanhuan had urred. Worse, they had lost a significant number of soldiers with little to show for it.

    Had West Hill Base not been short on manpower, Chen Xinian would have considered executing both of them.

    Chen Xinian nced at Ge Rou, and that single look made her feel as if she had fallen into an ice pit. He retracted his gaze and said calmly, "Encountering a formidable enemy can''t be entirely med on them. We need every capable person we have right now. We''ll address thister."

    "However, I am quite intrigued by that mysterious shelter and its owner. Do we have any intelligence on that?"

    Intelligence was key. Knowing the enemy was crucial to making any strategic decision. Chen Xinian rarely left West Hill Base, and without sufficient information, he couldn''t make a move.

    Ge Rou,petent beyond her appearance, hade prepared. As soon as Chen Xinian asked, she pulled out a tablet and handed it over. On the screen was a map of Tianhai City, zoomed in on the area around West Hill Base.

    "ording to Shen Hong and Yu Lang''s report, the shelter is located in Cloud Manor by the Lu River. Based on previous intelligence, I suspect the person behind it is likely a man named Zhang Yi."

    "As for the shelter itself, I''ve traced its origins¡ªit was built ten years ago by Wang Siming. At the time, it wasrgely ignored, but our engineers now estimate that its defensive capabilities could rival our own West Hill Base."

    Chen Xinian furrowed his brow. "Zhang Yi? Who is that?"

    Given his many responsibilities, Chen Xinian couldn''t recall such an ordinary name.

    Ge Rou reminded him, "He''s the man suspected of having ess to the missing goods from the Walmart warehouse."

    Worried Chen Xinian might not remember, she added, "The lowly warehouse supervisor."

    At this, Chen Xinian''s memory stirred.

    "Him? Well, that does make sense." He frowned, slightly surprised. "An inconspicuous nobody with no education or background, now a big problem just because of some mutant abilities. Hah, what luck this guy has."

    Chen Xinian now remembered Zhang Yi but still didn''t see him as a significant threat. In his eyes, Zhang Yi was just a small-time figure who had gotten lucky.

    To Chen Xinian, a small person gaining power wouldn''t know how to wield it properly and would ultimately be undone by it. This was in stark contrast to someone like him, born of a prominent family and rooted deeply in power.

    Chen Xinian stood up and picked up the report again, studying it closely. Several clues were connecting in his mind, a revtion on the verge ofing together.

    "Walmart warehouse supervisor¡ª"

    "Superhuman¡ª"

    "An ability that ignores bullets¡ª"

    "Powers¡­ Superhuman¡­"

    Chen Xinian pondered for a good ten minutes before suddenly realizing where the problemy.

    "If he were just a regr awakened individual, upon encountering Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang, he should have chosen to tter them, avoid confrontation, or even plead to join West Hill Base."

    "After all, in an environment where resources are scarce, it''s nearly impossible for a person to survive alone."

    "But instead, he not only refused to submit but took the risk of offending West Hill Base to kill Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang."

    "This can only mean one thing: he has a secret that absolutely cannot be discovered¡ªsomething that Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang might have stumbled upon."

    A gleam shed in Chen Xinian''s eyes. He mmed the table, eximing, "In the apocalypse, what''s the biggest secret anyone could have? It''s resources!"

    "In other words, the massive amount of missing goods from Walmart¡ªthey must be in his possession, hidden by his special ability!"

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 262: ACE Special Forces

    Chapter 262: ACE Special Forces

    After analyzing the recent intelligence, Chen Xinian concluded that Zhang Yi was in possession of billions worth of goods from Walmart. He was so excited by this revtion that he couldn''t sit still, pacing back and forth in his room.

    "It must be like this; it''s the only exnation for all his actions," he mused. "If that''s the case, we must capture Zhang Yi!"

    Ge Rou, standing nearby, was equally shocked and delighted upon hearing the news. "Congrattions, Leader! We''ve found another massive cache of resources for West Hill Base!"

    Chen Xinian nodded, pleased. This aplishment would certainly add to his legacy.

    "Our base''s supplies are dwindling, especially food and energy, which are in a state of depletion with no effective replenishment. But if we can secure the goods from the world''srgest warehouse, we can ensure at least ten years of abundant resources!"

    Chen Xinian tossed the documents onto his desk and decisively ordered, "Bring Ling Feng to me!"

    Soon, Ling Feng, the captain of the ACE Special Forces, arrived at Chen Xinian''s office. Chen Xinian gave him a direct order: breach Zhang Yi''s shelter at any cost and capture Zhang Yi alive.

    "If you can take that shelter, you''re authorized to request any resources you need from the base!" Chen Xinian dered generously.Ling Feng, adhering to his military discipline, didn''t question the reasoning behind the order. For him, obeyingmands was his duty, and orders from the leader were absolute.

    "Yes, sir. I guarantee the mission will bepleted!" Ling Feng''s expression was as steely as iron, showing no doubt that he could fulfill any task given to him.

    Ge Rou, trying to be helpful, added, "It''s said that shelter was built for ten billion dors¡ªextremely robust. If you need assistance breaching it, I can arrange for our engineers and demolition experts to help."

    "Our base is never short on weapons!" she assured.

    Ling Feng nodded, a hint of battle hunger glinting in his eyes. It had been too long since he had faced a worthy opponent, and now, finally, someone was interesting enough for him to stretch his skills.

    After leaving Chen Xinian''s office, Ling Feng immediately began preparing for the uing assault. Chen Xinian leaned back in his chair, rubbing his forehead.

    "This battle is one we must win! Our base''s resources will onlyst for another six months. If we can''t secure victory, we''ll have to ''optimize'' our internal personnel or wage war on other shelters to alleviate internal pressure."

    Ge Rou bowed slightly, offeringfort. "Don''t worry, Leader. Zhang Yi is just a small fry. He''s not some superhuman."

    "We will win," she assured. "By the way, what would you like for lunch? You''ve been working so hardtely, and you seem a bit tired. Should I ask the kitchen to make you a ginseng chicken soup?"

    Chen Xinian nodded. "Sure, just something simple."

    Ge Rou smiled, pulling out hermunicator to inform the kitchen that the leader wanted chicken for lunch. Suddenly, Chen Xinian''s eyes lit up with inspiration. "Ge, I just had another idea regarding the food shortage problem. Let''s see if it''s feasible."

    Ge Rou''s heart sank a little. Every time Chen Xinian had a bright idea, it meant a lot of work for the team, regardless of whether the n would work. For instance, the idea to process corpses into high-protein food was one of Chen Xinian''s spur-of-the-moment decisions.

    However, Ge Rou still put on a cheerful and admiring face. "Leader, what brilliant idea have you thought of this time? Please, do tell."

    Chen Xinian smiled confidently. "The base is short on food, right? Well, I think there''s room for improvement."

    "Look, we''ve already addressed the issue of food by breeding American cockroaches and reusing human remains. We''ve managed to feed many people that way."

    "We need to keep pushing forward and think about other potential resources that are being wasted."

    "For example, can feces be reused? Digestion isn''t a perfect process, after all."

    Ge Rou felt a wave of nausea but managed to swallow it back. She maintained her admiring smile, pping her hands in approval. "Leader, that''s an absolutely fantastic suggestion! I can''t believe we didn''t think of it sooner."

    "I''ll contact the experts in the biologicalb immediately toe up with a n on how to turn waste into high-quality food."

    Chen Xinianughed heartily. "Yes, it''s just an idea. Check its feasibility."

    Ge Rou continued to tter him. "Your insight is truly unparalleled, Leader. This idea could greatly ease our food supply issues. It''s sure to work!"

    ...

    Meanwhile, Ling Feng, having received his orders, immediately mobilized thebat department to prepare for the uing assault. He ordered Shen Hong, Yu Lang, and their troops to set up a temporary base near the shelter and conduct a detailed reconnaissance of the area, paving the way for the main force''s arrival.

    Unsurprisingly, they chose Xu Family Town as their staging ground. The location had ample food, suitable housing, and was close to Cloud Manor.

    Ling Feng then summoned the team leaders among the Superhumans, instructing them to stay alert and ready forbat at any moment.

    "Our opponent this time is also a Superhuman, and based on the intel, he''s incredibly powerful. He defeated both Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang, and Shen Hong''s team lost over a dozen men. We cannot afford to underestimate him!"

    In the corner, Liang Yue listened to Ling Feng''s battle ns, her mind suddenly stirring.

    Zhang Yi?

    Wasn''t that the man who had barged into Tianqing Academy and taken Yang Xinxin?

    Liang Yue remembered that Zhang Yi was apanied by two other Superhumans, but Ling Feng hadn''t mentioned this detail. The difference inbat effectiveness between facing one Superhuman versus three was significant.

    Liang Yue''s brow furrowed slightly, her eyes shing with a peculiar light. She had no intention of sharing this crucial information with Ling Feng. She had no desire to stay in West Hill Base any longer. However, leaving was easier said than done; finding a suitable ce to live afterward was another challenge altogether.

    A bold idea suddenly crossed Liang Yue''s mind. Perhaps she could contact Zhang Yi and seek his help. After all, Yang Xinxin was her student, and Liang Yue believed their connection might provide a way to negotiate with Zhang Yi.

    Taking a deep breath, she approached Ling Feng and said, "Captain, I request to join the team on this mission!"

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 263: Internal Affairs

    Chapter 263: Internal Affairs

    Ling Feng was still organizing the deployment of personnel. After all, they couldn''t bring all their forces out; a significant portion had to stay behind to protect the base. Staying behind meant no risk, but going out meant facing possible death. Zhang Yi had killed Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang, and he could just as easily kill them too.

    Liang Yue''s unexpected request to join the mission drew many eyes toward her, including Ling Feng, who was somewhat surprised. Liang Yue was new, had a rather distant rtionship with others, and rarely interacted with her peers.

    Ling Feng cautioned, "Going out isn''t child''s y¡ªit''s a life-and-death situation. The outside environment is nowhere near asfortable as the base. Are you really prepared for that?"

    Liang Yue nodded slowly but firmly. "I''ve only just arrived at the base and haven''t earned any merit, yet I enjoy high treatment here. I want a chance to prove myself!"

    Ling Feng nodded approvingly. "Alright, you''lle with us on this mission!"

    He then pointed at two other soldiers. "Zheng Xuerong, Shi Dayong, you two will also join us!"

    Both stood up and saluted. "Yes, Captain!"

    "Captain, when do we depart?" they asked eagerly, their eyes zing with anticipation. They were determined to destroy Zhang Yi''s fortress and avenge Xie Huanhuan and Liu Ziyang, knowing that the two likely hadn''t survived.But Ling Feng calmed their excitement. "Not yet! That ce is an incredibly sturdy fortress. Shen Hong and Yu Lang have already tried using regr explosives and heavy snipers, and they barely left a mark."

    "I''ve ordered Shen Hong''s team to gather intelligence and have our engineers and demolition experts assess the situation. We must be fully prepared before we proceed!"

    Even though everyone present was a Superhuman, Ling Feng didn''t dare to underestimate the task ahead. Superhumans were not invincible and with the exception of someone like Zhang Yi, who possessed spatial abilities, even other Superhumans had to be cautious around modern weaponry.

    Ling Feng''s team soon received new orders from Shen Hong and Yu Lang''s squad. They were instructed not to return yet but to move to Xu Family Town on the opposite side of the river, where they would continue to gather intelligence and await the main force.

    When Shen Hong received the orders, he immediately led his team to Xu Family Town. The arrival of more than a dozen heavily armed soldiers immediately caught the entire town''s attention. The town''s mayor, Xu Dongtang, calmly stepped forward to greet them in his official capacity.

    "Gentlemen, are you from West Hill Base?" Xu Dongtang asked.

    Shen Hong nodded. "Yes, we''re here on a mission and will be staying in your town temporarily."

    Xu Dongtang nodded eagerly. "We''re honored to have you here. It''s a privilege for Xudong Vige!"

    Other vige residents had also wanted to curry favor with the soldiers but didn''t dare challenge Xu Dongtang''s authority, as he wielded the most power. Instead, they returned to their homes and brought out whatever they could to wee the soldiers.

    The soldiers were baffled by the vigers'' hospitality. They couldn''t understand why these people were so enthusiastic, but it spared them the trouble of using force, which was a relief.

    Their arrival caused quite a stir, enough to catch Fatty Xu''s attention. Ever since Zhang Yi''s warning, he had been on edge, worried that West Hill Base would eventually involve him and the whole vige. And now, his worst fears hade true.

    Seeing the armed soldiers mingling with his vigers and rtives, Fatty Xu''s heart twisted painfully as if stretched taut and tied in a tight knot. He slumped to the floor,menting, "Oh heavens! You''re asking for trouble¡ªwhy bring this disaster upon us?"

    Fatty Xu couldn''t understand Xu Dongtang''s eagerness to align with West Hill Base. All he knew was that these soldiers'' presence would bring great cmity to Xudong Vige. If Zhang Yi found out they were hosting West Hill soldiers, his ruthless nature would not spare them!

    After much hesitation, Fatty Xu made the smartest decision he could think of¡ªcontact Zhang Yi. Even if Zhang Yi sought retributionter, this might at least save his own skin.

    Soon, the call connected. Zhang Yi''s steady voice came through, "Hello."

    Fatty Xu, sitting on the floor and clutching his phone, whispered nervously, "Boss, we... we''ve got a problem!"

    In the shelter, Zhang Yi frowned slightly. As he suspected, it was rted to West Hill Base. Since they could locate his shelter, there was no reason for them to overlook Xu Family Town, such an obvious target.

    "Did West Hill Base people show up at your ce?"

    "Boss, you''re spot on! A squad of soldiers just arrived in our vige."

    Zhang Yi wasn''t surprised. Given the timing, it was likely the group he had driven away. His tone grew serious.

    "Fatty Xu, you''d better be extra careful!"

    "I''ve warned you before; these people aren''t part of any official organization. Tianhai City is already divided among various factions, so they aren''t bound by morals orws!"

    "Watch out for them raiding your vige''s food, and keep an even closer eye on your own safety!"

    Fatty Xu swallowed hard, his fear evident. "Don''t worry, Boss. If I need to run, they won''t catch me easily." His abilities made him quite adept at self-preservation.

    "They''re now being treated as honored guests. Every household wees them warmly. No one listens to anything I say."

    Zhang Yi chuckled softly. "Then don''t bother with them. It''s pointless to advise those who are determined to meet their fate. Just protect yourself and the people who matter to you."

    "But remember this, Fatty," Zhang Yi''s voice turned cold. "I''ve always treated you as a brother and valued you greatly. But if you ever betray me, you know what will happen."

    Fatty Xu, ever the coward, wasn''t even aware of his own potential strength. His power to manipte ice and snow, if fully developed, could be terrifying. Zhang Yi didn''t want to lose such a capable subordinate, but if Fatty Xu were to betray him, he wouldn''t hesitate to end him.

    Fatty Xu quickly reassured him, "Boss, you can count on me! I''m loyal to you!"

    Zhang Yi nodded. "Good."

    He was about to suggest that Fatty Xue to the shelter to avoid danger, but an idea suddenly struck him, and he changed his mind.

    "Stay in the vige for now, Fatty. I need someone there to keep an eye on things and keep me updated on their movements."

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 264: Hidden Line

    Chapter 264: Hidden Line

    West Hill Base was more than fifty kilometers from Cloud Manor. In the icy and snowy conditions, it wasn''t feasible to make such long journeys repeatedly. If they wanted to sustain a long-term assault on Zhang Yi, they needed a nearby base of operations, and Xu Family Town was the obvious choice. It had freebor, and the vigers'' stored supplies were readily avable for their use.

    However, just as West Hill Base nned to exploit the town, Zhang Yi had simr ideas. Instead of bringing Fatty Xu to the shelter, Zhang Yi decided to let him stay and act as his undercover agent to gather information on the enemy''s intentions.

    Initially, Fatty Xu was reluctant. "Boss, I''m not cut out for undercover work. Those soldiers are scary as hell. Just seeing them freaks me out."

    Zhang Yi was speechless at Fatty Xu''s reaction. Despite his powerfulbat abilities, which made ughtering ordinary soldiersughably easy, Fatty Xu was just too timid.

    "Don''t worry. I don''t need you to confront them directly. All I need is for you to quietly gather intelligence."

    Fatty Xu''s timid nature made him vulnerable in direct confrontations, and Zhang Yi didn''t want to get him killed. Zhang Yi had grown fond of this chubby guy, who was at least adorably na?ve.

    "Complete this task, and I won''t skimp on your reward," Zhang Yi promised.

    Hearing he wouldn''t have to fight, Fatty Xu rxed significantly. "That''s a relief! As long as I don''t have to fight, I''m on board."As Zhang Yi spoke on the phone, he walked into a game collection room on the second floor¡ªone of the many left behind by Wang Siming. The 80-square-meter room was filled with rare figurines, many of which were limited to less than ten sets worldwide, some even out of production. Zhang Yi picked up a golden Saint Seiya figurine and snapped a picture, sending it to Fatty Xu.

    "If we can resolve this situation, I''ll give you theplete set of Golden Zodiac figurines made of pure gold!"

    Fatty Xu''s eyes nearly popped out when he saw the picture Zhang Yi sent.

    "This... This is the Golden Zodiac figurine set from 2035! Made of pure gold, with only five sets released globally."

    "Boss, I''ll make sure this job is done perfectly!" Fatty Xu''s chubby face beamed with excitement. In the past, just one of these could fetch over three million yuan, let alone the whole set. It was beyond his wildest dreams!

    For a die-hard otaku like Fatty Xu, happiness was that simple.

    Zhang Yi hung up the phone, feeling slightly disappointed that he couldn''t convince Fatty Xu toe to the shelter. With Fatty Xu''s abilities, dealing with West Hill Base would have been much easier. However, Fatty Xu had his family, and Zhang Yi didn''t want to force him, fearing that coercion might backfire. Zhang Yi did not want anyone with divided loyalties in his shelter.

    "No worries. Leaving you there might be the better option," Zhang Yi thought. "But if you think you can coexist peacefully with those West Hill Base soldiers, you''re in for a rude awakening."

    Zhang Yi shook his head,menting the naivety of the people in Xu Family Town. They were treating West Hill Base as if it were a legitimate government organization. Zhang Yi understood, though; not everyone had ess to the kind of high-level information he did. The ordinary people of China were used to being governed.

    ...

    On the other side, after finishing his conversation with Zhang Yi, Fatty Xu knew he couldn''t just sit back any longer. Following Zhang Yi''s instructions and providing sufficient intelligence was the only way to ensure he and the vigers wouldn''t face retributionter.

    After much thought, Fatty Xu decided to talk to Xu Dongtang. He put on his knitted hat and stepped outside. Just as he was about to head toward Xu Dongtang''s house, he spotted a familiar figure running toward him from a distance.

    "Xu Lili!" Fatty Xu''s heart skipped a beat, and his face lit up with joy. She was the first young woman in five years to greet him on her own. From that moment, she had captured his heartpletely.

    "Brother Chunlei!" Xu Lili cheerfully ran up to him, catching her breath before shing a bright smile.

    "Lili, what are you doing out here? It''s freezing. Shouldn''t you stay warm at home?" Fatty Xu asked with concern.

    Xu Lili nced toward Xu Dongtang''s house and said, "Grandpa said every household should contribute food for the soldiers. My parents took some cured meat over, and I came by to bring you something."

    She pulled a pair of cotton gloves from her pocket and handed them to Fatty Xu.

    "I made these myself!" Xu Lili said shyly.

    Fatty Xu was touched. The gloves were rather ugly and clearly handmade, but the thought of this girl doing something so thoughtful for him filled his heart with warmth.

    "She really does love me!" Fatty Xu thought happily.

    "Thank you, Lili! You''re so good to me," he said with a silly grin.

    Xu Lili smiled sweetly. "As long as you like them! Try them on."

    Fatty Xu put on the gloves. Though they were a bit tight, they made his heart feel warm.

    "Brother Chunlei, do you think these soldiersing to our vige is a good thing or a bad thing?" Xu Lili asked, her brow suddenly furrowing.

    Fatty Xu''s heart skipped a beat. "Lili, why are you asking that?"

    Xu Lili sighed. "These days, life is hard for everyone. But before the soldiers came, we could at least rely on our stored food and weren''t starving."

    "But now that they''re here, we have to feed all of them. A meal or two is fine, but I''m afraid they''ll..."

    Xu Lili trailed off, ncing around cautiously. The vigers feared the soldiers would stay for good¡ªand worse, that they would start seizing food by force. After all, the soldiers had guns.

    Seeing Xu Lili''s worried expression, Fatty Xu''s protective instincts red. He looked at her, his eyes firm. "Lili, don''t worry! No matter what happens, I will protect you!"

    Xu Lili beamed. "Thank you, Brother Chunlei! I knew you were a good man. And you''ll protect my parents, too, right?"

    "Of course! I won''t let anyone hurt you or your parents," Fatty Xu promised, thinking to himself: Your parents will be mine too one day, so of course, I''ll protect them.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 265: Formidable Enemy

    Chapter 265: Formidable Enemy

    After receiving Fatty Xu''s promise, Xu Lili was overjoyed and thanked him before heading back home. Watching her leave, Fatty Xu clenched his fists and vowed, "I must protect this home!"

    Gathering his courage, he went to find Xu Dongtang, who was busy arranging for the vigers to serve the soldiers from West Hill Base. Not only did he provide amodations, but he also made every household bring out their food supplies to prepare meals for the soldiers. Xu Dongtang''s smug expression made him look like ackey from a century ago, eagerly currying favor with the invaders.

    But Xu Dongtang''s gains weren''t limited to his own vige; he had exploited the entire Xu Family Town, including five or six nearby viges. Other vige chiefs, trying to show loyalty to West Hill Base, even increased their contributions to food and supplies.

    When Fatty Xu arrived, he found Xu Dongtang''s home bustling with activity. Xu Dongtang stood proudly outside his house, his demeanor like that of a father whose son had just been crowned top schr.

    Fatty Xu took several deep breaths to muster his courage. He walked up to Xu Dongtang and called out, "Grandpa!"

    Seeing Fatty Xu, Xu Dongtang''s expression changed slightly. "What are you doing here?" he scolded, frowning. Fatty Xu was Xudong Vige''s secret weapon, and Xu Dongtang had no intention of revealing his existence to West Hill Base just yet. He was worried that if West Hill Base discovered Fatty Xu''s talents, they would take him away, leaving the vige without its top asset.

    "Come with me!" Xu Dongtang pulled Fatty Xu aside to a secluded spot and said sternly, "Your identity as a Superhuman is Xudong Vige''s secret. No one else can know! Stay home and wait for my orders."

    Fatty Xu, however, chuckled. "Grandpa, do you really think you can keep this a secret? You''ve already dragged the whole of Xu Family Town into this mess. Even if you don''t tell, other vigers might.""The fact that I''m a Superhuman will be exposed sooner orter. Why not just admit it openly?"

    Xu Dongtang''s face hardened, and after a moment of silence, he stared at Fatty Xu. "Chunlei, you''ve grown wings and have your own ideas now, huh?"

    Fatty Xu said nothing but stared back. Xu Dongtang sighed and continued, "It''s fine if you want to climb higher, but don''t forget you''re part of the Xu family!"

    Fatty Xu replied, "Grandpa, I don''t want much. I just want to share some of the burdens. At the very least, let me into the inner circle of the family. For example, when hosting higher-ups, you didn''t even inform me. It''s like I''m an outsider. That hurts, you know!"

    Initially, Fatty Xu felt nervous bargaining with Xu Dongtang; years of subservience to his elders had drained him of the courage to speak up. But once he started talking, he realized it wasn''t as difficult as he had feared. More importantly, he noticed that Xu Dongtang seemed afraid¡ªhe was backing down!

    This realization boosted Fatty Xu''s confidence. These family elders who bowed and scraped before West Hill soldiers¡ªhow could he, a Superhuman, be any less?

    Seeing Xu Dongtang''s hesitant expression, Fatty Xu stepped forward. "Even if you want to keep me hidden, West Hill Base will eventually find out about me. If they think you''re hiding things, it won''t end well. Let me meet them. It''ll show your sincerity."

    To gather intelligence on West Hill Base, Fatty Xu knew he had to get close to the soldiers.

    Xu Dongtang hesitated for a long time, finally saying, "Once they know what you can do, they might take you back with them! Chunlei, my good grandson, the Xu family needs you!"

    Fatty Xu''s vanity was greatly satisfied. For Xu Dongtang, the vige chief, to speak to him so respectfully was something he never would have imagined in the past.

    "Don''t worry, Grandpa. I won''t leave the Xu family," Fatty Xu reassured him. His beloved Lili was here; he couldn''t bear to leave.

    Xu Dongtang realized that Fatty Xu''s mindset had changed; he was no longer as easy to control. Reluctantly, he said, "Alright, I''ll introduce you to the officers. But remember your promise: you can''t leave with them."

    Fatty Xu readily agreed.

    Xu Dongtang grudgingly led Fatty Xu to meet Shen Hong and Yu Lang''s group. At that moment, they were resting inside a snow hut. A fire burned in the center, and the soldiers were warming themselves while eating.

    When they saw Xu Dongtang enter with a chubby man, the soldiers all turned to look.

    Xu Dongtang greeted them with a fawning smile. "Officers, I hope you find the food we prepared to your satisfaction?"

    Shen Hong nodded. "Not bad."

    Yu Lang chuckled, "Thanks a lot, old man!" He pointed to Fatty Xu. "Who''s this?"

    From the moment Fatty Xu entered, he remembered his mission to gather intelligence for Zhang Yi, so he discreetly observed everyone present. His peculiar gaze naturally caught Yu Lang''s attention.

    Xu Dongtang introduced him with a proud smile. "This is my grandson, Xu Chunlei. He''s a Superhuman. I wanted to introduce him to you all."

    Hearing that Fatty Xu was a Superhuman, the soldiers immediately stopped what they were doing and stared at him in surprise. Superhumans were incredibly rare, as most mutations led to death, with only a few resulting in powerful abilities. Even West Hill Base didn''t have many natural Superhumans.

    Although all the soldiers present were highly trained, not a single one of them was a natural Superhuman. Both Shen Hong and Yu Lang had be modified Superhumans, but only after paying a heavy price.

    When they heard Fatty Xu was a Superhuman, their eyes filled with curiosity, envy, and even jealousy.

    Shen Hong immediately stood up and approached Fatty Xu. "You''re a Superhuman? What''s your ability?"

    Hoping to earn the soldiers'' trust, Fatty Xu replied, "I can control ice and snow. You see, all these snow huts in Xudong Vige were built by me!"

    As he spoke, he lightly waved his right hand, causing the snow on the ground to float up and form a snowball in his palm.

    Shen Hong and the others widened their eyes,pletely convinced. Shen Hong, especially, was so excited that he grabbed Fatty Xu''s shoulder and shook it vigorously.

    "Good, good, good! Who would''ve thought such talent would be hiding in this little vige!"

    Finding a Superhuman was a huge achievement! With this discovery, the failure of their previous mission could be offset. Shen Hong couldn''t be happier.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 266: Intelligence

    Chapter 266: Intelligence

    Not only Shen Hong but all the soldiers warmly invited Fatty Xu to join them for dinner, drinking, and chatting. Natural-born Superhumans were treated as team captains in the ACE Special Forces as soon as they joined West Hill Base. Everyone wanted to be on good terms with Fatty Xu, their potential future leader.

    "Old Xu, go get more food and drinks; today, we''re going to have a great time with this brother!" Shen Hong waved at Xu Dongtang, ordering him to prepare more provisions.

    Xu Dongtang''s face turned awkward. Seeing the soldiers, who treated him, the town chief, with indifference, show such enthusiasm for his nerdy grandson was a bitter pill to swallow. But he didn''t dare protest and could only smile and nod in agreement.

    Fatty Xu never expected the soldiers to be so weing. It wasn''t until he started chatting with them that he understood why. People like him were given special treatment at West Hill Base.

    Shen Hong exined, "Natural Superhumans have limitless potential. Take our captain, for example. He wasn''t all that much stronger than us initially, but after awakening his powers, he''s grown leaps and bounds. Now, he can single-handedly take on an entirepany."

    Shen Hong''s tone was full of envy as he patted Fatty Xu on the shoulder. "Brother, when you make it big, don''t forget about us!"

    Fatty Xuughed. "Of course, of course!"

    As they drank and talked, Fatty Xu carefully probed for information about West Hill Base. Shen Hong and the others, unaware of Fatty Xu''s secret dealings with Zhang Yi, only knew of the animosity between Xudong Vige and Zhang Yi. They assumed that the entire vige held a deep-seated grudge against Zhang Yi, and thus, they had no suspicion of Fatty Xu. They openly shared some light yet valuable information."That Zhang Yi is really tough to deal with! Our advance team wasn''t adequately prepared and paid a heavy price," Shen Hong admitted. "But don''t worry, Brother. West Hill Base has plenty of soldiers and talent. Taking down his little shelter will be a piece of cake!"

    Fatty Xu nodded, praising them. "That''s right! You guys are professional soldiers; how could an ordinary man like himpare?"

    Shen Hong agreed. "An individual''s strength can''tpete with a powerful base. It''s impossible."

    "The problem is the harsh winter. A lot of our heavy weapons are unusable in this weather. Otherwise, we''d have leveled his shelter in minutes!"

    Fatty Xu poured more wine for Shen Hong and casually asked, "So when is your main force arriving? I can''t wait to see you take down Zhang Yi!"

    "That Zhang Yi deserves to be skinned alive! He''s caused over a hundred deaths in our vige. I can''t wait to eat his flesh!" Fatty Xu dered dramatically.

    Shen Hong swirled his wine ss,ughing confidently. "Brother Xu, don''t rush. His fortress is sturdy, and even blowing it up takes time to prepare."

    "Oh? Isn''t it just a matter of using more explosives?" Fatty Xu asked curiously.

    Yu Lang, sitting nearby, exined, "It''s not that simple! Executing a pinpoint demolition requires a detailed survey of the terrain. We then upload the data to our engineers and demolition experts. They analyze it to find the optimal st points and the amount of explosives needed to achieve the best effect."

    "If we use too much or too little, it could ruin the operation."

    Fatty Xu nodded thoughtfully. "Oh, so that''s how it works! That''s some serious expertise."

    He remembered everything they said. After finishing the meal, he immediately ryed all this intelligence to Zhang Yi.

    Upon hearing the information, Zhang Yi couldn''t help but look at Fatty Xu with newfound respect. The chubby guy was learning to be cunning, perhaps due to the influence of love. Something like the power of love, as ridiculous as it sounded.

    "I see. Thanks for the intel."

    "But Fatty, are you sure you don''t want to join West Hill Base? Following me might not be the best choice," Zhang Yi said teasingly.

    Fatty Xu smiled confidently. "Boss, I trust my instincts."

    Though he hadn''t known Zhang Yi long, Fatty Xu could tell that Zhang Yi was honest with him. In contrast, the soldiers from West Hill Base always made him uneasy, especially the way they looked at the vigers¡ªas if they were livestock. It made him ufortable.

    Fatty Xu felt that while Zhang Yi might not be a noble person, he was at least genuine, which made him more trustworthy than the mysterious West Hill Base.

    "You won''t regret your choice today, Fatty!" Zhang Yi chuckled.

    If Fatty Xu ever betrayed him, Zhang Yi wouldn''t be surprised. However, if Fatty Xu chose to stay loyal, Zhang Yi would ensure that he was well-rewarded.

    "Keep observing them. Your intel is crucial right now. Report any changes immediately."

    "Yes, Boss!"

    After hanging up, Zhang Yi began strategizing based on the new information. "Demolition really is their best option against me."

    "I''m sure West Hill Base has enough explosives to tten ten shelters. But to carry out the demolition, they need to get close and nt the charges. And that''s where I have the upper hand. This is my turf!"

    Zhang Yi wasn''t overly concerned. Given the shelter''s strength, it would take a massive amount of explosives to breach it. Plus, he could always retreat underground and abandon the above-ground structure. The three underground levels were even more robust, impervious to bombs and even missile strikes.

    After considering it, Zhang Yi made a decision. He called all the women in the shelter together and briefed them on the situation.

    "West Hill Base will attack soon. For safety, we''re temporarily abandoning the top two floors and moving everyone underground."

    The women looked tense at the news.

    "But don''t worry, I''m here!" Zhang Yi reassured them with a smile. "I''m well aware of West Hill Base''s capabilities. They can''t threaten our safety!"

    With the vast amount of information he had gathered, Zhang Yi had already formed a rough assessment of West Hill Base. Tianhai City had no major military garrisons, and the number of soldiers was limited, so West Hill Base''s armed forces couldn''t be overly powerful. This was evident from the performance of their rescue team.

    Additionally, the extreme cold and heavy snowfall had neutralized their greatest advantage¡ªheavy firepower¡ªsignificantly weakening theirbat effectiveness. Now, they had only numbers and a surplus of weapons and equipment.

    But Zhang Yi already had ns to counter them.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 267: Combat Suit

    Chapter 267: Combat Suit

    Seeing Zhang Yi''s confident demeanor, the women in the shelter felt much more at ease. Together, they began packing up the items from the top two floors. With Zhang Yi''s spatial storage ability, the process was swift. They quickly cleaned up new rooms in the underground levels and moved everything down.

    Zhou Ke''er and Yang Siya handled the cleaning and organizing, while Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran continued with their respective tasks as instructed by Zhang Yi. Zhang Yi called Yang Xinxin over to check on the progress of hacking into West Hill Base''swork.

    Yang Xinxin candidly admitted, "Theirwork security is excellent. I''ve tried many times to infiltrate, but they blocked every attempt."

    Zhang Yi wasn''t surprised by this. "After all, they''re well-prepared, with advancedwork equipment and plenty of experts."

    West Hill Base housed the top figures from Tianhai City. Zhang Yi didn''tment on their morals, but their brains and foresight were far superior to those of ordinary people. The base had experts in every field, making it difficult even for a top hacker like Yang Xinxin to break through their defenses.

    However, Yang Xinxin felt slightly underestimated and bit her lip in frustration. "Zhang Yi, it''s not that I''m any worse than their people; it''s just that Ick the resources. They''re using an internal LAN. Unless I can connect to their intr or nt a Trojan virus on their devices, it''s nearly impossible to hack them!"

    Seeing her aggrieved expression, Zhang Yi quickly reassured her with a smile. "I wasn''t ming you. Just focus on keeping ourwork secure. If you can counter-hack them, great; if not, it''s no big deal."

    Zhang Yi had no immediate ns tounch a counterattack. His priority was to protect the shelter''s safety. As for infiltrating West Hill Base''swork or nting viruses, those were mere fantasies for now¡ªhe had no feasible way to aplish them.Yang Xinxin puffed out her small chest. "Don''t worry! With me here, no one can breach the shelter''swork."

    Yang Xinxin had installed a firewall for the shelter''swork, filtering all iing and outgoing data. Additionally, she personally monitored thework, ensuring it remained impervious to outside intrusions.

    Leaving thework control room, Zhang Yi headed over to Lu Keran''s workshop. "Keran, I have a question for you."

    Lu Keran set aside her work and quickly pulled up a chair for Zhang Yi. She wiped the sweat from her forehead, and although she wore a sweatband, her face was still covered in tiny beads of sweat from working in such conditions.

    "Big Brother, what do you want to ask?"

    Zhang Yi crossed his hands and asked seriously, "I''m wondering if West Hill Base ns to demolish our shelter, what methods would they typically use?"

    Without hesitation, Lu Keran replied, "To demolish a building, they''d usually use TNT explosives paired with detonators. This is the standard method used domestically for tearing down old structures."

    "Our shelter is built extremely tough, so they''d have to resort to that method to breach it."

    Zhang Yi nodded. "Can you estimate how much explosive they''d need to blow a hole in our shelter?"

    For a genius like Lu Keran, this wasn''t a difficult question. "Based on the building materials and wall thickness, it would take about 300 to 800 kilograms of explosives to breach our shelter."

    Lu Keran scratched her head with a smile. "I haven''t measured it precisely, so that''s just an approximate range."

    Zhang Yi stroked his chin thoughtfully. "So roughly 500 kilograms would be needed. If they transport that much, it''ll be hard to conceal."

    "What if I try sniping to detonate it halfway¡ªwould that work?"

    Zhang Yi hoped to cut off the demolition threat at its source. However, Lu Keran immediately shook her head at his idea. "Big Brother, I strongly advise against that."

    "Oh? Why not?"

    "TNT is a very stable explosive. You can''t detonate it with bullets or by setting it on fire. It requires a detonator."

    Zhang Yi immediately dropped the idea of sniping to trigger an explosion. "I see. I guess I''ll have to stick to defense."

    Zhang Yi chuckled to himself, thinking, "Time to go with n B."

    He looked at Lu Keran. "How''s the equipment I asked you to prepare toe along?"

    Lu Keran quickly turned around and presented herpleted work to Zhang Yi. "Big Brother, take a look at these. Are you satisfied?"

    Lu Keran had been busy crafting weapons and gear for Zhang Yi. The most straightforward were the explosive bombs, of which she had made many. However, two other items piqued Zhang Yi''s interest.

    One was the heavy sniper rifle Zhang Yi had recently acquired. This rifle had an effective range of up to 1,850 meters, capable of piercing through armored vehicles. With Zhang Yi''s precision shooting ability, its range could extend to a terrifying 5,000 meters!

    In other words, Zhang Yi could kill targets from over ten miles away! However, this also presented a problem: Zhang Yi''s ability allowed him to shoot at such distances, but his eyesight couldn''t keep up. To solve this, he asked Lu Keran to modify an optical scope. With this new scope, Zhang Yi could be an unmatched sniper, taking down enemies from extreme ranges.

    Aside from exceptionally agile opponents like Liu Ziyang or heavily armored creatures, most Superhumans who crossed his sights would be as good as dead¡ªeven those like Xie Huanhuan, who could pass through walls.

    "The scope was easy to make. It only took me half a day," Lu Keran exined. "But thebat suit took me much longer!"

    With that, Lu Keran pulled a ck metal case from under the workbench. She struggled a bit to lift it onto the table and opened it in front of Zhang Yi. Inside was a pure whitebat suit identical to those worn by Liu Ziyang, Shen Hong, and the other West Hill soldiers!

    Zhang Yi''s eyes lit up when he saw thebat suit. It was beautifully made¡ªafter all, it was modeled after the gear used by special forces, designed not only for functionality but also for a sleek appearance. In the snowy environment, it offered excellent camouge.

    Lu Keran proudly exined, "The materials are made from special alloys. Ordinary sniper bullets would have a hard time prating it."

    "Its material costs are at least twenty times higher than those used by West Hill Base soldiers! But Big Brother, with all your resources, you''re not short on materials."

    "What I don''t understand is why you wanted it to look exactly like the West Hill soldiers'' suits."

    Zhang Yi picked up thebat suit, a mysterious smile shing in his eyes. "It''s important. You''ll understand when the timees."

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 268: The Grand Lineup

    Chapter 268: The Grand Lineup

    Zhang Yi, armed with the explosives crafted by Lu Keran, fully equipped himself and stepped out of the shelter. Before West Hill Base''s main force arrived, he needed to set up all possible defenses around the area. His first task was to nt arge number of bombs around the shelter. Even if the enemy knew there were traps, they would still have to pass through the bomb-covered area to get close, making this strategy an open secret.

    Although Zhang Yi wasn''t sure how much damage these bombs would do to the Superhumans, he was willing to try anything that could potentially harm the enemy. In no time, he buried over fifty bombs in the snow around the shelter, which he could detonate at any moment using a remote trigger.

    Next, Zhang Yi focused on setting up a surveince system. Cloud Manor had no shortage of cameras. As a luxury vi district, its security facilities were top-notch. However, due to long-term neglect and ack of stable power supply, the surveince system had been abandoned. Zhang Yi reconnected the circuits and linked the cameras'' power supply to the shelter. He then asked Yang Xinxin to hack into the security system, allowing him to monitor the entire neighborhood''s movements.

    With these preparations in ce, Zhang Yi''s initial defensive setup wasplete. The uing confrontation with West Hill Base would be a matter of adapting to whatever the enemy threw at him, an unpredictable battle where anything could happen. Zhang Yi hadn''t informed Uncle You of his ns; against a high-firepower military attack, Uncle You''s presence wouldn''t change much. It was better for him to stay away, possibly serving as an unexpected asset if needed.

    ...

    Two dayster, Ling Feng led his team out of West Hill Base toward Xu Family Town. This time, he brought fifty members of Team A, including twelve modified soldiers. Counting himself, they had one of the strongest Superhuman captains in the Western Division.

    Team A consisted of the elite, chosen from the best of the best. Whether they were top special forces from the military or experts in other fields, they were unmatched. Their mission was clear: to storm the shelter at Cloud Manor and eliminate Zhang Yi.

    Ling Feng and his team were full of confidence. With their current lineup, they were certain they could take on not just one rogue Superhuman but even an army of a thousand soldiers. Among the group, only Liang Yue harbored hidden intentions that no one else knew about. Her goal was not to defeat Zhang Yi but to prepare for her and her students'' escape from West Hill Base. Finding a suitable ce to live after leaving was critical, and Zhang Yi was one of her potential allies. If Zhang Yi could withstand West Hill Base''s attack, she would consider coborating with him. If not, she would look for another path.Fifty of West Hill Base''s finest warriors set out in a mighty procession. Most rode sleds, and the only snowmobile at the base was authorized by Chen Xinian to carry their explosives. Gasoline was extremely scarce, making this snowmobile invaluable to West Hill Base. However, they needed it to transport the massive amount of explosives required for their mission. The snowmobile carried two heavy crates, so heavy that the vehicle sank into the snow. Even with its snow-ready design, it struggled along the way.

    This proved how serious West Hill Base was about dealing with Zhang Yi; the amount of explosives they had brought was substantial.

    The journey was slow, and it wasn''t until midday that they finally reached Xu Family Town''s Xudong Vige. Shen Hong and his team had been waiting outside the vige for their arrival. Fatty Xu, who was seen as a promising member by Shen Hong, was also called to join them. Recently, Shen Hong had been treating Fatty Xu exceptionally well. To make up for his failures on the previous mission, Shen Hong needed to leverage Fatty Xu''s potential as his ticket to redemption within the organization.

    As they waited, Fatty Xu grew increasingly impatient. Finally, he saw shes of light on the horizon. In the ice and snow, fifty-plus soldiers slowly emerged, all wearing pure whitebat suits with their weapons wrapped in white cloth. The sight of the team filled Fatty Xu with an overwhelming sense of pressure. He realized these fifty men were about to unleash a violent storm upon Cloud Manor.

    Fatty Xu swallowed hard, silently praying that this storm wouldn''t engulf the entire Xu Family Town.

    The special forces arrived in Xudong Vige, and Shen Hong and Yu Lang quickly stepped forward to salute.

    "Captain!"

    "You''re finally here!"

    Xu Dongtang and the other vige leaders also stood by, awaiting the arrival of Captain Ling Feng. Fatty Xu scanned the crowd, aware that many of these individuals were formidable, especially the Superhumans. Among the fifty elite members, even the regr soldiers were seasoned veterans with extensivebat experience. Not a single one of them was easy to deal with.

    Fatty Xu couldn''t even tell which ones were the Superhumans. Then, the snowmobile at the back slowly came to a stop, and the soldiers made their way. A short soldier in a whitebat suit stepped down, followed by three others: one exceptionally tall, nearly two meters high; another slender and agile, clearly a woman; and thest, wearing a fur-lined cor, brown leather gloves, and holding a ck Tang sword.

    The short soldier approached Shen Hong and Yu Lang, removed his helmet, and revealed an unremarkable square face.

    "You''ve all worked hard!" Ling Feng said, smiling faintly at the rescue team soldiers. Shen Hong and the others looked embarrassed. As part of the rescue team, they had failed to save anyone and had lost soldiers, hardly deserving praise for their efforts.

    Ling Feng''s smile faded as he spoke in a calm tone, "That man is not easy to deal with. We underestimated him before, not knowing his true strength. You don''t need to me yourselves too much."

    Shen Hong and his team were touched by Ling Feng''s understanding.

    "Captain!"

    Ling Feng''s gaze suddenly sharpened, his eyes like two sharp des. "But I won''t let the man who killed myrades have a good ending. Now that we''re here, his fate is sealed."

    Shen Hong straightened his back, ncing at the powerful figures behind Ling Feng. He was convinced that Zhang Yi''s fate had only one oue: total defeat.

    "This is his retribution!"

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 269: Battle Plan

    Chapter 269: Battle n

    As Ling Feng chatted with Shen Hong, he noticed the chubby man standing beside him. Ling Feng looked curious and pointed at Fatty Xu. "Who''s this?"

    Shen Hong quickly introduced him. "Captain, this is a Superhuman I found! His name is Xu Chunlei, and he has the power to control ice and snow. His potential is limitless!"

    Upon hearing that Fatty Xu was a Superhuman, Ling Feng and the others couldn''t help but take a closer look at him. Liang Yue immediately recognized him; they had crossed paths before at Tianqing Academy. However, she didn''t expose his identity because she wasn''t fully on West Hill Base''s side either.

    Fatty Xu swallowed nervously, wearing a ttering smile but with fear and anxiety in his eyes. As Zhang Yi''s undercover agent, his legs were trembling, a sight that did not escape Ling Feng and his team. As seasoned soldiers, they held nothing but disdain for cowards, and Fatty Xu''s appearance as a weak, useless otaku only deepened their scorn.

    Ling Feng crossed his arms, asking, "So your power is controlling ice and snow?"

    "Yes, I built all these houses!" Fatty Xu pointed to the ice-and-snow structures in Xudong Vige.

    Ling Feng had noticed the unusual architecture of the vige, but now he finally understood why. Despite the disy of power, Ling Feng didn''t think much of Fatty Xu. To him, a man who was weak or cowardly was uneptable, let alone someone to join his elite team.

    Ling Feng thought, "I''ll take him back to see if he''s of any use to the leader. But we don''t need him for this mission."Ling Feng walked over and patted Fatty Xu on the shoulder. However, the simple gesture, infused with Ling Feng''s immense strength, knocked the already frail Fatty Xu to the ground, drawingughter from the crowd. Ling Feng''s eyes widened. "How could any man be this weak?"

    Out of courtesy, he reached down and pulled Fatty Xu back up. "Sorry about that, buddy. So... you''re a Superhuman, huh? Not bad. When we finish this mission, I''ll report your situation to the base."

    "You might even get the chance to join us officially!" Ling Feng didn''t pay much more attention to Fatty Xu. His primary focus was on taking down Zhang Yi. After a brief exchange, he led his team to the strategy meeting, leaving the vige leaders, including Xu Dongtang, standing on the sidelines without a word.

    A soldier approached the vige leaders, instructing them to prepare amodations and food. Xu Dongtang, not daring to show any discontent, could only smile andply.

    With over fifty special forces members and a dozen more from the rescue team, the room was packed and bustling as the strategy meeting began. A professional engineer pulled out aptop and projected a 3D model of Vi 101 at Cloud Manor.

    Ling Feng addressed the group, "Our next goal is to breach this fortified shelter!"

    Pointing to a rear corner of the building, Ling Feng continued, "ording to our engineers'' calctions, this is the optimal spot for a breach."

    "To blow open this wall, we need 500 kilograms of TNT. We''ve brought 1,000 kilograms this time, giving us two attempts."

    Ling Feng spread his hands and smiled confidently. "Even if we fail both attempts, our base has plenty of explosives in reserve. Failure isn''t an option; it''s just a matter of how many times we need to try."

    The soldiersughed, feeling rxed and confident. West Hill Base was strong, well-armed, and ready to take down what they saw as a mere shelter.

    Liang Yue, holding her Tang sword, frowned slightly at these words. She was worried about the safety of Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran, her students who were currently inside Zhang Yi''s shelter.

    "Zhang Yi, can you really survive this crisis?" she wondered.

    ording to Ling Feng, Chen Xinian''s orders were to capture Zhang Yi alive. Therefore, they wouldn''t use destructive explosives on the shelter. This was her chance to intervene and save her students.

    Ling Feng continued, "There''s still one unpredictable variable: this Superhuman, Zhang Yi!"

    He nced at Shen Hong and Yu Lang. "Superhumans have all sorts of abilities. To defeat him, we must understand his powers and identify his weaknesses."

    "From your reports, he''s primarily a sharpshooter. But our investigation shows Zhang Yi has no military training¡ªhe was just an ordinary warehouse supervisor."

    "So this must be one of his abilities," Ling Feng spected.

    "Good marksmanship isn''t terrifying, but if his ability allows him to lock onto targets, that''s a different story."

    Shen Hong interjected, "Luckily, his attacks are affected by his line of sight. We can interfere with his vision to neutralize his ability."

    Ling Feng nodded. "Exactly. During our attack, we''ll deploy arge number of smoke and incendiary bombs to disrupt his vision."

    "However, his second ability is even more troublesome. He can ignore bullet attacks and even reflect them back."

    Ling Feng chuckled. "This means long-range attacks might be useless against him."

    "So this time, we won''t engage him head-on. Instead, we''ll stealthily block his view and sneak in to nt the explosives."

    Ling Feng exuded confidence. "I refuse to believe his abilities cover every possible scenario. If he excels at long-rangebat, there must be a weakness in close-quarters fighting."

    "Once we breach the shelter, we''ll storm in and take him down in no time!"

    The rest of the team nodded in agreement, approving of the n. In closebat, with Ling Feng leading, any opponent would be swiftly dealt with. As West Hill Base''s topbatant, Ling Feng''s strength was terrifying, something everyone in the room¡ªexcept for Liang Yue¡ªwas well aware of.

    Shen Hong added, "Zhang Yi is cunning. He''s set up many traps around his shelter. We lost several men tondmines because we were careless."

    Ling Feng simply smiled, his hands sped behind his back. "You allck real battlefield experience."

    "If he''s set up mines and bombs, we''ll just disarm them, simple as that."

    A demolition expert from the special forces team looked at Shen Hong and Yu Lang. "Leave that to me! Any traps set by an amateur are child''s y for a professional like me."

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 270: Preparing for Battle

    Chapter 270: Preparing for Battle

    Shen Hong and Yu Lang felt both ashamed and relieved. They were embarrassed by their failed mission but d that West Hill Base had strong soldiers, ample firepower, and an abundance of talent. With such a formidable force, Zhang Yi would be no match this time!

    After the strategy meeting ended, Ling Feng announced, "Alright, let''s set off now. Let''s aim to end this battle within three hours¡ªbetter yet, just one!"

    Ling Feng''s face was rxed and smiling. He didn''t see this mission as a big deal. With absolute strength on their side, all defenses would be meaningless. After all, they were a group of well-equipped, highly-trained elite warriors. How could they possibly fail to handle one ordinary man with some Superhuman abilities? That would be a joke.

    Ling Feng began organizing his fifty soldiers, assigning them tasks such as carrying explosives and securing various positions around Cloud Manor. Shen Hong and the rest of the rescue team were left behind in Xu Family Town because theirbat skills weren''t on par with the special forces.

    "We''ll be back soon! Shen Hong and Yu Lang will guide us, and the rest of you stay here and watch our supplies," Ling Feng instructed.

    "Yes, sir!" Shen Hong and Yu Lang replied immediately. Yu Lang then whispered to Ling Feng, "Have the higher-ups given any orders on how to deal with the townspeople?"

    Ling Feng nced at Xu Family Town and casually said, "There''s no rush. There are so many of them, and they can''t run away. We''ll handle Zhang Yi first, then ask the leader for further instructions."

    Shen Hong and Yu Lang nodded and had no further questions. Ling Feng led the soldiers, weapons in hand, explosives and gear strapped to their backs, marching toward Cloud Manor. Dressed in white uniforms and armor, with their weapons wrapped in white cloth, they moved like ghosts in the snowyndscape. If not for careful observation, they would have been nearly invisible.As they approached the outskirts of the manor, they saw the towering entrance gate still standing, with the golden character "Cloud Manor" shining in bold strokes. Shen Hong pointed to the center of the vi area. "The shelter is right in the middle, very conspicuous! But they have a sniper, so we can''t just rush in."

    Last time, Zhang Yi''s precise marksmanship had wreaked havoc on their thirty-man team, picking them off one by one from hundreds of meters away. Without the cover of the surrounding houses, they might have all died there that day.

    Ling Feng nodded, then turned his attention to a few soldiers. "Find good positions and lock down that building for me!"

    Three soldiers carrying heavy sniper rifles immediately stepped forward, dispersing to predetermined locations. The sniper points had been mapped out before they even set off.

    Shen Hong whispered, "But guns don''t seem to work on him."

    Ling Feng looked at Shen Hong thoughtfully and said, "Shen Hong, you''re not a natural Superhuman, so you don''t fully understand the characteristics and ws of Superhuman abilities."

    "Don''t just look at the surface. I refuse to believe someone can truly be immune to bullets. Perhaps it''s a power we don''t understand. If it''s an ability rather than him turning into a transparent monster, we just need the right moment to put a bullet through his head. Simple."

    Ling Feng''s words enlightened Shen Hong, though he couldn''t help feeling a pang of envy. He wished he could be a natural Superhuman like Ling Feng.

    Ling Feng stood on the outskirts of Cloud Manor, methodically organizing his team for the assault. They had ample time, manpower, and ammunition, so there was no need to rush.

    Inside the shelter, Zhang Yi and the others had already moved almost everything from the top two floors to the underground levels. The shelter was fully powered, and bright lights illuminated every corner, maintaining a warm and inviting atmosphere. Zhang Yi sat in the first-floor underground living room, reading a paperback book, with multiple surveince screens showing the interior and exterior of the shelter.

    Since the apocalypse had freed him from the need to work, Zhang Yi had embraced a slower pace of life and developed a love for reading. Some books were from the library, while others came from Wang Siming''s private collection. The book in Zhang Yi''s hands was "Ordinary World" by Lu Yao. Reading it now, he couldn''t help but feel nostalgic. The days of ordinary life were gone forever, reced by a world buried in ice and snow. Yet, the resilience of humanity remained constant; people always found ways to survive even in the harshest environments.

    Zhou Ke''er, barefoot and with her legs curled up, leaned quietly against Zhang Yi, enjoying the peaceful moment together. But suddenly, Zhang Yi''s peripheral vision caught something unusual. He looked up at the wall-mounted screen. Among the hundreds of surveince feeds, thick white smoke was seen rolling in from all directions toward the shelter.

    "Snap!"

    Zhang Yi calmly closed the book in his hand and said lightly, "They''re here!"

    Zhou Ke''er quickly fetched Zhang Yi''s sneakers and helped him put them on, crouching in front of him. Zhang Yi remained unnervingly calm. He equipped himself and retrieved his heavy sniper rifle from the dimensional space, slinging it over his shoulder as he headed upstairs.

    "Stay down here, and don''te up!" Zhang Yi instructed Zhou Ke''er. The uing fight was a man''s battle, and he didn''t need the women getting involved.

    Zhou Ke''er nodded firmly, knowing she couldn''t help Zhang Yi at this moment. Her own powers were best left unused, especially on Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi climbed to the first floor, where thick smoke had already obscured all visibility outside, save for about a meter around the outer walls. Beyond that, everything was shrouded in white.

    "Looks like they''ve learned to fear my sniping. It''s a smart move," Zhang Yi mused, knowing his opponents were highly trained military professionals capable of adapting quickly.

    "So the next step is likely to breach the shelter with explosives," Zhang Yi muttered with a sly smile. That was indeed the only real threat to him, but Zhang Yi had already devised a way to counter it.

    Clearly, the enemy had no idea of the extent of his powers. Since absorbing Xie Huanhuan''s abilities, Zhang Yi''s dimensional powers had grown significantly stronger. The Dimensional Gate''s capacity had expanded, and he had tested it in the basement using grenades. Even the shockwave from a st could be absorbed.

    This newfound confidence allowed Zhang Yi to stand his ground against a fully armed, military-style assault.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 271: Wheres My Explosives?

    Chapter 271: Where''s My Explosives?

    Ling Feng''s team deployed arge number of smoke and incendiary bombs around Cloud Manor to prevent Zhang Yi from sniping the demolition crew. The next step was to send in the bomb disposal team to disarm the traps set around the vi. Their method was simple and crude¡ªnot disarming them manually but using detonating cords to set off the surrounding bombs in a chain reaction. This was amon military technique where a chain of explosives would detonate to cover a wide area, setting off any hidden traps.

    Zhang Yi turned on his highest level of active noise cancetion, blocking out the external noise. To protect his ears from the impending explosion, he also put on a professional-grade noise-canceling headset. Although this made him almost as deaf as a post, he knew it was necessary with the possibility of 500 kilograms of TNT being used against his shelter.

    Outside, the explosions lit up the surroundings. The enemy had triggered all the bombs Zhang Yi had painstakingly nted.

    Zhang Yi sighed, "Professional soldiers are truly professional."

    There was a bit of regret, but not much. When fighting professionals, you had to be prepared for this kind of oue. Thest time he managed to blow up Shen Hong and his men, it was partly due to luck and surprise. This time, the enemy was prepared, so naturally, they wouldn''t be foolish enough to walk right into his traps.

    Once the perimeter traps were cleared, Ling Feng gave the order, "Demolition team, move in! Everyone else, get ready to cover them."

    Behind him, the three captain-level Superhumans, including Liang Yue, were ready. If Zhang Yi showed any signs of emerging, they would strike immediately. However, with the shelter in ce, their abilities had no opportunity to be put to use. Liang Yue secretly hoped that Zhang Yi would surprise her.

    Zhang Yi, meanwhile, remained calm. No matter what the enemy did, he allowed them to proceed. After all, the shelter''s primary function was defense, not offense. To attack his shelter, the enemy had no choice but to resort to demolition.Watching the surveince feeds in his hand, Zhang Yi observed the fog that covered the entire neighborhood. It didn''tpletely obstruct his view because if the smoke were too thick, even the enemy''s demolition soldiers wouldn''t be able to see the shelter. The smoke''s purpose was simply to prevent him from sniping.

    But with the surveince system that was linked throughout the neighborhood, Zhang Yi could see hazy figures moving closer to the shelter.

    "They''re here!"

    Zhang Yi''s gaze sharpened. This was the critical moment. To protect the shelter, the key was to withstand the demolition attempt. He nned to absorb the st wave using his dimensional space. So Zhang Yi made no move to attack but instead tracked the enemy''s demolition point and followed it closely.

    A few minutester, through the remaining external surveince cameras, he found the demolition team''s location. Each demolition soldier carried heavy explosives on their backs. When they reached the wall, they ced the explosives against it and set up detonators.

    Zhang Yi watched them intently. The team, highly trained, quickly set up 500 kilograms of explosives and promptly retreated.

    Zhang Yi''s eyes widened as he stared at the pile of TNT outside the wall.

    "Just leaving like that?"

    Well, of course, they wouldn''t stay and risk being blown up. They needed to get to a safe distance before remotely detonating the explosives.

    However, for Zhang Yi, this was a rather baffling situation. He rubbed his chin and muttered, "Maybe I''ve been overthinking things from the start."

    On the other side, after setting up the explosives, the demolition team followed the n and left Cloud Manor immediately. After all, 500 kilograms of TNT could demolish a skyscraper! They needed to be at a safe distance to detonate it.

    Ling Feng and his team moved to a nearby hill, watching the shelter shrouded in smoke. Over the radio, the demolition team reported, "Commander, the explosives have been set, and we''ve retreated. Ready to detonate at any time!"

    Ling Feng smirked. "Received."

    He took out the detonator and told his teammates, "This mission is easier than we thought! I figured since Zhang Yi killed so many of our brothers, he''d put up more of a fight!"

    He pressed the detonator lightly with his right hand. Everyone covered their ears, bracing for the earth-shaking explosion.

    But several seconds passed, and nothing happened.

    "Huh? Why didn''t it explode?"

    Liang Yue frowned, puzzled. Ling Feng, also bewildered, repeatedly pressed the remote detonator, aiming it at the shelter. But nothing happened.

    "What''s going on?"

    Ling Feng, frowning, used the radio to contact the demolition team.

    "Why didn''t the explosives go off when I pressed the button?"

    The demolition team was equally baffled.

    "That''s impossible! We checked everything thoroughly, and there were no issues with the setup."

    Ling Feng was annoyed. It was embarrassing for his team,prised of elite soldiers, to make such a rookie mistake!

    "Well, I''m pressing the button, and nothing''s happening. Go check it out and fix it immediately!"

    "Yes, sir!"

    The demolition team was perplexed, knowing they wouldn''t make such a simple error. But since the explosives hadn''t detonated, something had clearly gone wrong. The team ran back to inspect the setup, but when they reached the site, they were all dumbfounded!

    The explosives they had ced against the wall had mysteriously vanished!

    "Huh? Where are the explosives?"

    The demolition team was stunned, even wondering if they had gone to the wrong location.

    On the other side of the wall, Zhang Yi stared at the 500 kilograms of TNT now sitting in his dimensional space and fell into deep thought.

    "Was it... too easy?"

    He hadn''t expected it to be this simple. The enemy had just piled up a bunch of explosives against his wall and left.

    "Good people, indeed!" Zhang Yi chuckled.

    Back on the hill, Ling Feng was dumbstruck by the radio report.

    "What? Are the explosives gone? How can they be gone? Didn''t you set them up yourselves?"

    "Did they vanish into thin air, or did you eat them?"

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 272: Everyone Was Shocked

    Chapter 272: Everyone Was Shocked

    Upon hearing that the explosives had disappeared, Ling Feng was furious, almost cursing out loud.

    Everything had been going smoothly, and they were just one step away from detonating the explosives against Zhang Yi''s shelter. But then someone suddenly told him that the explosives had vanished into thin air!

    "What kind of joke is this?" Ling Feng snapped.

    "How could the explosives just disappear? Did Zhang Yi steal them?" he asked through gritted teeth. A single failure was infuriating, but it wasn''t the most terrifying part¡ªWest Hill Base had no shortage of weapons and ammunition. They had brought enough explosives for another attempt. The key was understanding the cause of the failure.

    The demolition team replied, "Impossible! That was 500 kilograms of explosives; he couldn''t have moved them that quickly. And even if he had, the explosives were rigged with detonators. As long as you press the button, they should explode!"

    "But now, there''s no response at all. I¡­ I don''t know what''s going on."

    "This is bizarre¡ªtruly bizarre!" The demolition soldiers, who had worked on numerous high-risk demolition projects over the years, had never encountered such a mind-boggling situation.

    Ling Feng asked, "Could you have set them in the wrong location? Go and search the entire perimeter of the shelter again!""We''ve searched everywhere. Such a conspicuous target couldn''t have just disappeared."

    Ling Feng was at his wit''s end, his brow furrowed in frustration.

    "This is beyond strange, right? It seems Zhang Yi is using some kind of power that makes the explosives undetonable."

    "Based on preliminary analysis, his ability appears to be a spatial power. That would exin everything¡ªhe moved the explosives into another space, so when I press the switch, the detonator signal can''t reach them, and they don''t explode."

    Ling Feng quickly deduced Zhang Yi''s power. However, knowing was one thing; solving the problem was an entirely different challenge.

    They needed to bring the explosives close to the shelter and detonate them remotely. But once they had transported the explosives, Zhang Yi could just take them away.

    "What if we tried long-range attacks, like missiles?"

    Forget it¡ªTianhai City didn''t have the authority tounch missiles against Zhang Yi''s shelter. Plus, Ling Feng had no idea if Zhang Yi''s spatial ability could absorb missiles as well.

    "If his ability really works like that, this is going to be a tough battle!" Ling Feng thought, a shadow of doubt creeping into his heart. He realized this was far moreplicated than he had initially imagined.

    Although they hadn''t encountered much direct resistance from Zhang Yi, even managing to easily detonate the bombs he had set outside the shelter, his greatest strength wasn''t his offensive capabilities¡ªit was his defensive prowess.

    A nearly indestructible shelter and a monstrous spatial ability that could absorb almost any form of attack.

    How were they supposed to deal with that?

    This was a century-old dilemma that nowy before Ling Feng.

    Behind him, Shi Dayong, built like a bear, approached and said, "Captain, I have an idea. Since our explosives keep getting taken, why not just use artillery?"

    Ling Feng looked at Shi Dayong''s rough face and tilted his head in response. "Let me ask you, do we have anyrge-caliber artillery at hand? Can you carry one over here?"

    Shi Dayong replied, "Rocketunchers could work too. Even if it''s slow, as long as we keep attacking one spot, we''ll eventually break through!"

    "We have plenty of time to wear him down. The leader already said that taking down Zhang Yi''s shelter is worth any amount of time and ammunition!"

    Ling Feng took a deep breath, exasperated by the stubbornness of the man before him, and turned away without responding.

    Zheng Xuerong, standing nearby, scoffed and approached Shi Dayong. "First of all, how long do you think it would take to breach walls this thick with a rocketuncher?"

    "Didn''t Shen Hong say before? Regr weapons are ineffective against him. I suspect everything just gets moved into another space."

    She couldn''t help but frown. "What a terrifying ability! His defensive capabilities are nearly invincible."

    Shi Dayong argued, "Then we''ll just attack from all sides! He''s only one person; he can''t defend every angle, right?"

    Zheng Xuerong rolled her eyes.

    "You think this ce is just a regr concrete structure? If it were that easy to break through, would we need to bring in all this equipment and a ton of explosives?"

    Fragmented attacks wouldn''t work against the shelter, and even with West Hill Base''s ample ammunition, they couldn''t afford to waste so much firepower.

    Only Liang Yue, standing quietly at the back with her Tang sword, looked on with a flicker of admiration in her eyes.

    "Zhang Yi, I never thought you''d have such strength!" she mused, her expectations of him growing. However, thinking about how her beloved Loong Roar Sword had been taken by Zhang Yi made her grit her teeth.

    Ling Feng, now fully aware of the difficulties Zhang Yi posed, knew he couldn''t afford to underestimate him any further. He called over the demolition team to discuss new ways to breach the shelter.

    "We still have 500 kilograms of explosives left. That means we have only one more chance!"

    "We must think carefully about how to break this iron fortress!"

    The demolition team, already frustrated by Zhang Yi''s ability to absorb their explosives, reluctantly considered their options.

    "To breach the shelter, remote detonation is the best method. But there''s one exception... manual detonation."

    One of the soldiers suggested this approach, which caused the entire group to fall silent.

    Manual detonation of 500 kilograms of explosives? The person doing it wouldn''t just die¡ªthey''d be vaporized on the spot, reduced to nothing but ashes.

    Ling Feng looked at the soldier coldly. "I won''t send my men to their deaths."

    The group remained silent. Sacrificing one person might be enough to breach the shelter, but who would volunteer for such a grim task?

    West Hill was just a militant organization. Everyone there was only united by the goal of survival. Dying to defend one''s country was one thing, but dying to attack a private residence? No one wanted that.

    Ling Feng continued, "And even if we sent someone, Zhang Yi could still absorb the explosives. Sending too many would lead to massive losses. Sending too few wouldn''t stand a chance. We''re dealing with a powerful enemy!"

    "This n is off the table. We need to think of something else!"

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 273: Throwing

    Chapter 273: Throwing

    At this moment, an engineer from the demolition team stepped forward. He adjusted his sses and said, "I think there''s another method we can try."

    Everyone turned to look at the engineer. He was a former academician at the Tianhai City Institute of Physics, an elite talent specially recruited by West Hill Base.

    "Academician Wu, what''s your idea?" Ling Feng asked.

    Academician Wu exined, "Zhang Yi''s spatial ability might actually support the theory of parallel universes. But as we all know, energy is conserved; the energy from an explosion doesn''t just disappear. It can only be transferred."

    "So his ability merely absorbs the existing materials or energy and relocates them. But what happens when the absorbed energy bes too much?"

    His exnation was straightforward, and Ling Feng immediately answered, "It would copse!"

    Academician Wu nodded. "He just stole our explosives, but he might not dare absorb explosives that are already in the process of detonation¡ªespecially when it''s 500 kilograms of TNT!"

    Shi Dayong, however, asked, "But what if he manages to swallow the explosive power of 500 kilograms of TNT?"Academician Wu took a deep breath and replied, "If that''s the case, then even if we used the entire power of West Hill Base, we wouldn''t be able to do anything to him!"

    He was stating the truth. If Zhang Yi could indeed absorb such a massive explosion, then all thermal weapons would be ineffective against him. Attacking his imprable fortress with just manpower? That would be a fool''s dream.

    Even if Zhang Yi let them attack freely, they wouldn''t have the manpower or time to destroy the shelter in such extreme cold.

    Ling Feng resolutely said, "We have to try to find out! Besides, I refuse to believe someone this powerful could exist in Tianhai City!"

    He immediately formted a new n: bundling the remaining 500 kilograms of TNT and setting it to a 30-second timer. Then, they would throw the bundle towards the shelter.

    Since no better solution was avable, this was their best option. The demolition team quickly got to work, bundling the explosives and setting the detonation mode.

    Ling Feng didn''t rush to act. He ordered his soldiers to fire intensely at the shelter from all directions to distract Zhang Yi.

    Soon, soldiers at various positions received the order and began shooting fiercely at the shelter. Inside, Zhang Yi was waiting for West Hill Base''s next move, knowing they wouldn''t let his theft of their explosives go unchallenged.

    When Zhang Yi noticed intense gunfire from multiple directions targeting the shelter, he carefully observed the situation.

    "Guns? Don''t they know that this is just scratching an itch for my shelter?" Zhang Yiughed when he saw the gunfire from all directions.

    "So, this is just a cover. The real attack is stilling, huh?"

    "Alright, let''s see what else you''ve got," Zhang Yi murmured, smiling but remaining vignt.

    Meanwhile, two kilometers away on a small hill, the 500-kilogram bundle of explosives was finally prepared. A normal human would find it impossible to throw such a heavy object over this distance without tools.

    Ling Feng walked over to the explosives and ced his hand on them. He exchanged a look with Shi Dayong.

    Shi Dayong grinned and quickly stripped off hisbat suit, leaving only his underwear in the freezing weather, much to Liang Yue''s shock. She didn''t understand what thisrge man was nning.

    But she soon found out. Shi Dayong''s muscles began writhing as if worms were crawling under his skin, his body expanding as ayer of silver fur sprouted from his pores. Sharp fangs emerged from his mouth, and his fingers turned into ws.

    Shi Dayong had transformed into a towering silver-backed gori, almost two meters tall! Liang Yue realized that he could transform into a giant ape.

    Shi Dayong and Ling Feng grabbed the bundle of explosives together. After setting the timer, Academician Wu signaled them, and the two of them hurled the explosives toward the shelter with all their might.

    Although Ling Feng''s stature was only a third of Shi Dayong''s transformed size, he showed no sign of strain while throwing the explosives.

    The bundle flew like a cannonball towards the shelter, perfectly timed to explode 50 meters away. Even if it couldn''t blow a hole in the shelter, the damage would be significant.

    If sessful, they nned to continue this strategy since they had plenty of explosives at the base.

    Through the surveince, Zhang Yi noticed the explosives flying toward the shelter.

    "So that''s your game n!"

    He immediately understood the enemy''s intention. Zhang Yi moved to the location where the explosives were headed, his right eye shing white. A massive Dimensional Gate, several dozen square meters wide, opened above the shelter. Zhang Yi divided his dimensional space, separating the area where his supplies were stored from the space where the explosives wouldnd to avoid damaging his stored belongings.

    The bundle of explosives fell precisely into the Dimensional Gate. Zhang Yi observed the internal changes, only to be shocked by what he saw¡ªthe explosives were already expanding, showing intense energy reactions.

    Even though the flow of time in his dimensional space was much slower, time still passed. In the outside world, everything proceeded as it should.

    In the next instant, Zhang Yi''s Dimensional Gate shattered. The raging energy burst open above the shelter, and the deafening explosion echoed through the area. Even Liang Yue and the others, two kilometers away, had to cover their ears.

    Ling Feng and his men were ecstatic.

    "It worked! This strategy is effective!"

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 274: Unable to Absorb

    Chapter 274: Unable to Absorb

    The explosion outside the shelter was like a volcanic eruption, with mes shooting up into the sky. Even from a distance, the terrifying st was enough to make anyone tremble in fear! The entire shelter shook violently, and Zhang Yi nearly fell to the ground as he struggled to maintain his bnce.

    The sudden turn of events waspletely unexpected, even for Zhang Yi. His Dimensional Space had been unable to fully contain the rapidly expanding energy. It was forced to release some of the pressure, resulting in the external explosion. This oue also meant that Zhang Yi couldn''t open the Dimensional Gate again for a while.

    He could feel his powers slowly being drained to repair the gate of the Dimensional Space. Most of the explosive force had been sealed inside as pure energy, which mighte in handy in the future.

    The explosion caused thick smoke to billow outside. Zhang Yi took a deep breath, steadied himself, and quickly assessed the damage to the shelter. The ss panes had developed fine cracks, only a few centimeters deep but noticeable nheless.

    He pulled out his phone. "Xiao Ai, report the damage to the house."

    "Understood. I''vepleted a full analysis of the structure. The southwest corner has sustained damage, with an overall loss of 22.6%."

    Since the explosion had been airborne and much of the force was absorbed, the damage was still within eptable limits. From the outside, one could see that arge portion of the outer wall''s surface had peeled off. To break through the fortress, they would need to repeat the same kind of explosion at the same spot at least three more times.

    However, they had already used 1,000 kilograms of explosives, and their remaining supply would not be enough tounch another round of attacks."I see. So that''s the kind of attack you''re capable of? Impressive!" Zhang Yi muttered, staring out at the direction from which the explosives had been thrown.

    "But you won''t get a second chance to use the same tactic!" Zhang Yi had confirmed the enemy''s location, and he wasn''t about to let them think he would remain on the defensive forever.

    The small hill they were using was the optimal spot to throw explosives urately from a distance. However, with the Dimensional Space currently unusable, Zhang Yi couldn''t counterattack just yet. He knew the enemy would likely try the same approach again after tasting sess.

    "The Dimensional Space has a limit to the amount of energy it can absorb. This incident has served as a warning for me," Zhang Yi reflected. However, the issue wasn''t critical. The gate being damaged didn''t affect the main body of the Dimensional Space itself. It would slowly recover as he continued to channel his powers.

    Zhang Yi nced at the distant hill before slowly retreating back underground. Even if the West Hill Base soldiers leveled everything above ground, Zhang Yi wouldn''te out. He needed to wait for the Dimensional Gate to be restored, his most powerful defense and counterattack mechanism.

    ...

    On the small hill, Ling Feng watched through binocrs and saw visible scars on one side of the shelter''s wall. A significant portion of the wall had peeled off, but overall, the structure remained sturdy with no signs of copse or major cracks.

    Ling Feng gasped. "That was 500 kilograms of explosives! Even a thirty-story building would have been destroyed instantly."

    Academician Wu walked over, observed the damage, and remarked, "This doesn''t make sense. ording to our calctions, the result shouldn''t be this mild."

    He then added, "But¡ªthrowing explosives manually is a primitive method that prevents them from reaching optimal effectiveness."

    "There''s also the possibility that Zhang Yi absorbed arge portion of the explosive force using his abilities."

    Hearing Academician Wu''s theory, everyone around him looked shocked.

    "Absorb? You''re saying he can absorb the force of such a massive explosion?" Shi Dayong, Zheng Xuerong, and Liang Yue were all stunned. They were Superhumans, powerful ones at that, but they knew that being at the center of such a terrifying explosion would mean certain death. The idea of absorbing any of that explosive force was unthinkable.

    "Zhang Yi truly is extraordinary!" Liang Yue thought to herself, marveling at his strength.

    Zheng Xuerong, however, looked anxiously at Ling Feng. "If this is true, doesn''t that mean it''ll be nearly impossible for us to breach this shelter?"

    "Not necessarily," Ling Feng responded, handing her the binocrs. "We still caused significant damage. We just need to repeat this several more times to break through!"

    "And besides, there''s no need to be overly afraid. His defense is incredibly strong, but he''s been hiding inside the entire time, only using a sniper rifle for offense."

    "This indicates that he''s good at defense but not so skilled at attacking."

    Everyone nodded, agreeing with Ling Feng''s analysis. If someone were invincible at both defense and offense, they simply shouldn''t exist in this world.

    "So, what do we do next? We''ve used up all the explosives we brought," Shi Dayong asked.

    Their only transportation consisted of a snowmobile and several dog sleds, making it extremely difficult to transport another 1,000 kilograms of TNT.

    Ling Feng replied, "No rush. We''ll head back and send someone to the base to get more explosives."

    "We''ll leave a few people to take turns monitoring the shelter''s movements around the clock. We can''t let anyone inside escape."

    "We''ll take our time wearing him down!"

    Understanding that without more explosives, there was no way to breach the shelter, Ling Feng was prepared for a prolonged siege. He began organizing his team, setting up a 24-hour rotation with groups of three to watch the shelter''s every move. Due to the extreme cold, even with thermal clothing, they couldn''t stay out for long, so personnel rotation was essential.

    Meanwhile, Ling Feng personally returned to transport the explosives while the rest of the team went back to Xudong Vige to rest and recover.

    Everyone split up to carry out their tasks.

    Back in the shelter, Zhang Yi decided to abandon the above-ground levels temporarily to avoid any unnecessary risks. Even if the enemy managed to breach the surface, they wouldn''t be able to prate the much stronger underground defenses.

    Upon retreating underground, the women immediately surrounded Zhang Yi with worried expressions.

    "Big Brother Zhang Yi, what''s going on outside? That noise just now sounded like the sky was falling!" Zhou Ke''er asked anxiously.

    The other women also looked unsettled. For all of them, it was their first time experiencing such a terrifying explosion. Even in the underground shelter, with noise reduction features in ce, the shockwave from the st had been impossible to ignore.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 275: Uncle You Wants to Help

    Chapter 275: Uncle You Wants to Help

    Zhang Yi reassured the women, "Don''t worry. The underground defense is even stronger than the top two floors. They won''t be able to threaten us anytime soon."

    "I suspect they''re running low on explosives, so their attacks should stop soon."

    "And as for the next time theye to attack, I already know how to deal with them." Zhang Yi''s calm smile put the women at ease. However, he didn''t exin anything about his Dimensional Space. His abilities were a secret; unless absolutely necessary, he wouldn''t reveal them to anyone.

    Zhang Yi waited in the basement for a long time without sensing any further attacks from the enemy. Not even regr gunfire was heard, let alone more explosive attacks.

    Zhang Yi could finally confirm that the enemy had exhausted their explosives. The distance from Cloud Manor to West Hill Base was over fifty kilometers, and even if they were to go back now to get more, carrying over a thousand kilograms of supplies would take them at least half a day.

    Zhang Yi sat on the sofa in the living room, monitoring the situation outside through the surveince feeds while Yang Siya prepared food to replenish his energy. Food was primarily the source of his supernatural abilities, and with the Dimensional Gate damaged, he needed to consume a lot to recover.

    Therge explosion had turned the surrounding vis into ruins, and most of the external surveince equipment was destroyed. Fortunately, the cameras embedded in the shelter''s walls remained operational, allowing Zhang Yi to maintain a watchful eye.

    He nced coldly at the surveince screen showing the direction of the small hill. "Next time youe, it won''t be as easy as this!" Now that Zhang Yi had grasped the enemy''s tactics, he was ready to strike back.Yang Siya brought over arge amount of food while Zhou Ke''er stood behind Zhang Yi, massaging his shoulders to relieve his stress. The safety of the entire shelter rested on this man''s shoulders, and the women were more devoted to him than ever.

    Zhang Yi pulled out his phone and messaged Fatty Xu, asking about the movements of the troops in Xu Family Town. Not long after, Fatty Xu replied.

    "Boss, themotion at your ce scared everyone to death! The explosion sounded like it leveled Cloud Manor!"

    "Phew, thank goodness you''re okay. What a relief!"

    "A lot of the soldiers came back. I saw some leaving the vige, heading west."

    Zhang Yi immediately understood the situation matched his expectations¡ªthey were heading back to get more explosives.

    "What about the rest of them?"

    "What else? They came back to rest, of course! Damn, it looks like they''re nning to stay here long-term. As soon as they returned, they demanded food and drinks."

    Fatty Xu''sints brought a deep smile to Zhang Yi''s face. If his shelter couldn''t be breached for a long time, the people of Xu Family Town would suffer the most since West Hill Base had turned the town into their supply base. The soldiers would demand the vigers provide food and drink for all sixty-plus members of their team.

    Zhang Yi had no sympathy for them; in fact, he was curious to see if the vigers would eventually rebel.

    "Good, keep gathering information for me," Zhang Yi told Fatty Xu.

    Fatty Xu hesitated, expressing his concern. "Boss, those soldiers are elite, and they have several Superhumans among them. Can you handle it?"

    "Of course," Zhang Yi replied calmly, his voice full of confidence. "I''vepletely figured out their attack strategies."

    Zhang Yi was grateful he had decisively taken out the wall-phasing Superhuman that night. Without that, his supposedly imprable shelter would have been a joke. As for the other Superhumans, no matter how strong they were, they couldn''tpare to 500 kilograms of TNT.

    Let them be as strong as they want; he would just keep to his shelter, undeterred.

    He reminded Fatty Xu once again, "Fatty, Xu Family Town isn''t safe. You need to stay vignt around those people."

    "If you ever sense danger, you cane to my ce anytime. Your big brother will protect you!" Zhang Yi valued Fatty Xu, who was obedient and useful. Having another Superhuman around would be an extra asset in any direct conflict. If a battle ever broke out, Fatty Xu''s chaotic powers would surely cause the enemy to stumble.

    Fatty Xu, deeply moved, nodded. "Thank you, Boss! If that day everes, I''ll definitelye to you."

    But there was an unspoken understanding: that day hadn''te yet. Fatty Xu still had lingering attachments¡ªXu Lili, the girl he saw only a few times but considered his one true love.

    "You do what you think is best!" Zhang Yi said, not pressuring him. This was a decision Fatty Xu had to make for himself.

    After ending the call, Zhang Yi continued to eat while enjoying thepany of the two women attending to him. A littleter, his phone rang again¡ªthis time, it was Uncle You.

    Uncle You, hearing the explosion from far away, called to check on Zhang Yi''s situation. Zhang Yi smiled faintly. Uncle You was one of the few people Zhang Yipletely trusted; their bond was forged through life-and-death experiences.

    Without hiding anything, Zhang Yi told Uncle You that West Hill Base was attacking his shelter.

    "What? How dare they attack you?" Uncle You eximed, outraged. "Aren''t they supposed to be protecting us?"

    As a retired soldier, Uncle You couldn''t contain his anger upon hearing that military forces were attacking Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi replied calmly, "Uncle You, they''re not the same as they were in your time."

    "The apocalypse changes everything. The ones who survived are just a militarized organization, loyal only to themselves. Do you understand?"

    "They might have strict discipline and a background in official institutions from before the apocalypse, but at the core, they''re no different from the gangs we wiped out, like the Tianhe Gang and the Wild Wolf Gang."

    "Everyone''s fighting for resources to survive. I''m used to it."

    Though Zhang Yi spoke casually, Uncle You fell silent, deeply affected. For him, this was a hard truth to swallow.

    After a moment, Uncle You spoke with determination. "Zhang Yi, wait for me. I have toe to help you with this!"

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 276: The Burden on Xu Family Town

    Chapter 276: The Burden on Xu Family Town

    Even though he knew it was dangerous, Uncle You still insisted on helping Zhang Yi, which warmed Zhang Yi''s heart.

    "Uncle You, thank you! But for now, it''s better if you don''te over. There are many soldiers around, guarding the area," Zhang Yi advised. "If youe, you''re bound to sh with them. No matter how strong you are, you can''t fend off a pack of wolves alone. They have the numbers, advanced weapons, and several Superhumans. I don''t want you to be in danger."

    However, Uncle You replied firmly, "You saved my life back then, and the peace I have now is all thanks to you. I can''t just watch while you''re in danger!"

    "Don''t worry. I''ve fought in the military for many years. I''m not afraid of these soldiers."

    "Haha, I''m not boasting, but I''ve been on the battlefield before! These kids don''t scare me one bit."

    Seeing Uncle You''s insistence, Zhang Yi thought it over and finally said, "Alright, Uncle You. I''m safe for now, and they haven''t broken in. But I mayunch a counterattackter, and when that happens, I''ll let you know. I want you to be a hidden asset. How about that?"

    Uncle You nodded. "Alright, I''ll wait for your signal! But Zhang Yi, promise me that if you''re in trouble, you''ll let me know. Don''t treat me as an outsider!"

    Zhang Yi felt a surge of warmth in his heart. Uncle You was indeed a loyal friend."I wouldn''t dream of it!"

    Uncle You was a physically enhanced Superhuman, and Zhang Yi had seen his power firsthand¡ªhe could catch a high-speed, full-force charge from his transformed cat, Huahua, with his bare hands. Ordinary firearms couldn''t hurt him. Such a powerful closebat fighter had to be used wisely to maximize his potential.

    "I don''t need your help yet. Defensees first," Zhang Yi said, leaning back on Zhou Ke''er''s soft chest, eyes half-closed, deep in thought. His pet cat Huahua jumped onto hisp, yfully pawing at his pants leg before curling upfortably with a purr.

    Zhang Yi stroked the cat''s soft fur. Between him, Uncle You, and the demonic cat Huahua, they had a formidable fighting force. The enemy had no idea that Huahua and Uncle You were part of his hidden arsenal. If he could get Fatty Xu to join the fight, their chances would be even better.

    "No rush, it''s only a matter of time," Zhang Yi thought with a smile, petting Huahua''s head. He was confident that the soldiers from West Hill Base wouldn''t get along peacefully with the vigers of Xu Family Town.

    ...

    Ling Feng had gone back to fetch more explosives, leaving most of the soldiers stationed in Xudong Vige. Following Ling Feng''s orders to prepare for a long-term battle, Shi Dayong called over Fatty Xu and Xu Dongtang.

    Shi Dayong instructed them, "We''re going to stay here for a while. Make sure to clear out some houses for us to live in. And remember, you need to prepare meals for sixty-five people every day!"

    Fatty Xu''s heart sank. Sixty-five people? He had seen these soldiers eat before, and each one consumed enough for five vigers. In the post-apocalyptic world, the residents of Xu Family Town were barely scraping by, doing everything they could to stretch their food supplies. They couldn''t afford to waste a single grain. But with sixty-five soldiers eating so much, their food wouldn''tst long.

    Xu Dongtang''s expression also changed. After a moment of hesitation, he forced a smile and said, "Of course! It''s an honor for Xu Family Town to have your guidance."

    "But when do you think you''ll be able to deal with that murderer Zhang Yi?"

    Xu Dongtang had initially thought that the soldiers from West Hill Base were there to take down Zhang Yi. Once they did, they would leave. He never expected Zhang Yi to hold off their attacks. Now, he just hoped West Hill Base would speed up their assault.

    Shi Dayong responded coldly, "The timing and actions are military secrets! Just focus on providing us with what we need."

    "Remember, we''re here to avenge you, after all."

    Shi Dayong''s towering presence and authoritative tone left Xu Dongtang speechless, nodding in agreement. After Shi Dayong left, Xu Dongtang straightened up and ordered Fatty Xu, "Chunlei, build more snow houses for our West Hill guests. Make sure you do a good job!"

    He then summoned the other vige chiefs and instructed them to prepare food for the soldiers. The vigers, eager to please, offered up their best supplies, hoping to leave a good impression on the soldiers.

    Fatty Xu watched all of this with growing concern. But he had learned to keep his thoughts to himself; no one would listen to him anyway.

    "To them, no matter how strong I am, I''m still just a useless fat otaku!" Fatty Xu thought bitterly, deciding to focus on protecting himself and Xu Lili''s family.

    ...

    Back in his shelter, Zhang Yi set up a rotation of guards to monitor the surveince equipment, ensuring that West Hill Base wouldn''tunch a surprise attack while he slept. He was certain their next move woulde from the same direction as before, so he kept his cameras focused on the small hill.

    While the high-definition cameras couldn''t capture clear images from two kilometers away in the blizzard, any significant movement of heavy explosives would cause enough noise to be detected. To ensure nothing was missed, Zhang Yi assigned Lu Keran, the most reliable person in his group, to keep watch, apanied by Huahua. The cat''s keen senses made it a perfect observer.

    Huahua, ever so perceptive, agreed to the task in exchange for several boxes of dried fish. When Zhang Yi wasn''t keeping watch himself, Lu Keran and Huahua took over. However, that night, West Hill Base didn''t make any moves against the shelter. Although a night raid would have been effective, the above-ground floors of the shelter werepletely empty, and the soldiers, no matter how fit, couldn''t throw explosives with precision in the dark.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 277: Killing My Own Team

    Chapter 277: Killing My Own Team

    At dawn, Zhang Yi was awakened by Huahua''s cries. He quickly got up from the sofa where he had been sleeping in his clothes, ready to respond to any sudden changes. Rushing to the surveince monitors, he noticed some activity near the small hill.

    "Trying to attack me while I''m asleep? How sneaky!" Zhang Yi muttered. Ling Feng nned to take advantage of Zhang Yi''s deep sleep at dawn tounch an assault. Though unsure if it would work, it was worth a shot.

    Zhang Yi noticed the movement and ran upstairs. Preparing a bundle of 500 kilograms of explosives took time and precision¡ªone misstep could turn the dozen people on-site into ashes. The demolition team members were extremely careful, each carrying 50 kilograms of TNT to the target location, setting up the detonators, and configuring the timed explosions.

    "Let''s make sure our aim is precise!" Ling Feng joked to Shi Dayong, who was beside him. "If we miss, I''ll have to go back to get more explosives!"

    Shi Dayongughed. "Rx, boss. I got first ce in grenade throwing back in the militarypetitions!" The two seemed rxed. They had found a way to deal with the shelter, holding Zhang Yi''s life in their hands. To them, once the fortress was breached, Zhang Yi would be easy prey.

    From his second-floor position, Zhang Yi used binocrs to observe the small hill. Hidden behind one-way ss, Ling Feng and his team could see nothing but darkness and had no way of detecting Zhang Yi''s presence. However, Zhang Yi could clearly see their positions, about 2,400 meters away.

    They knew Zhang Yi was a deadly sniper, so they kept a safe distance, unaware that his sniping was far more than just precise¡ªit was enhanced by his Superhuman powers, boosting both range and power.

    With the Dimensional Gate fully restored, Zhang Yi was ready to strike back. But he didn''t act hastily; opening a window now would expose the shelter to further damage from an explosion. He waited for the enemy to make the first move.Zhang Yi continued to watch the small hill, and Ling Feng, sensing something, nced in Zhang Yi''s direction as if their gazes met through the ss. "What an incredible intuition!" Zhang Yi thought, squinting slightly.

    Ling Feng smirked, folding his arms. "He''s watching us!" Shi Dayong and Zheng Xuerong followed his gaze. Ling Feng''s instincts were frighteningly urate, even sensing a watchful presence from such a distance.

    "What''s he doing? Waiting to die? Or making ast desperate struggle?" Zheng Xuerong asked. Her icy blue eyes made her look like a mixed-race individual despite her Asian appearance.

    "Who cares? He''s probably scared, but what good does that do him?" Shi Dayong chuckled, hands in his pockets. "His Superhuman powers can''t withstand TNT''s st. All he can do is watch us destroy his house."

    Ling Feng added, "If possible, I''d actually like to recruit him into our team! His abilities show great potential." Though their encounter had been brief, Ling Feng was intrigued by Zhang Yi''s capabilities.

    Shi Dayong frowned. "What about our fallenrades?"

    Ling Feng responded coldly, "Dying in battle is a soldier''s fate. Besides, our leader specifically wants him alive. The leader knows how valuable a powerful Superhuman is to our organization."

    Hearing the leader''s name, Shi Dayong immediately fell silent, unwilling to argue further. He watched as the demolition team assembled another massive bundle of explosives, hoping to damage the shelter as they did yesterday.

    Shi Dayong transformed into a snow gori, and he and Ling Feng together hurled the explosives toward the shelter. Zhang Yi watched the giant bundle fly through the air, took a deep breath, and extended his right hand. The explosives hadn''t even traveled halfway before Zhang Yi made his move. Waiting any longer would be too risky; he didn''t want them getting too close.

    "Dimensional Gate!" Zhang Yi called out dramatically, d no one was around to witness his corny battle cry. A massive, invisible gate opened above the shelter, and though intangible, Zhang Yi could clearly sense its presence.

    This time, he wasn''t absorbing the explosives. He had learned that his Dimensional Space couldn''t handle such arge-scale st. Instead, he released the previously stored explosive energy from his space. The force erupted from the Dimensional Gate, creating a powerful shockwave that sent the iing explosives flying back in the direction they came from.

    Ling Feng and his team''s smiles vanished instantly.

    "Take cover!" Ling Feng shouted, diving to the ground. The 500-kilogram TNT bundle, propelled by the st wave, flew back toward the small hill, rolling on the ground.

    Thanks to TNT''s stability, the impact didn''t trigger an immediate explosion, but the timed detonator ensured it would go off within seconds. Momentster, an enormous fireball engulfed the area, melting all the snow within a kilometer radius. The heatwave reached the hilltop in an instant, flinging several soldiers who hadn''t taken cover.

    They were the lucky ones. Further down the hill, more soldiers had been lying in wait, ready to storm the shelter. They were just a few hundred meters from the st site. The explosion''s fire and shockwave swept outwards, incinerating everything in its path. Protective suits, body armor, weapons¡ªall were reduced to ash in the intense heat. Flesh and blood charred in an instant.

    The zing fire swept across thendscape, wiping out nearly all the ambushed special forces team members. Zhang Yi watched from a distance, smiling at the unexpectedly effective oue. He had only intended to deflect the explosives away from his shelter, but the resulting counterattack had decimated many of the enemy soldiers.

    "Hot weapons are indeed powerful!" Zhang Yi marveled,ughing. "But I use them better than they do!"

    Zhang Yi had only released a portion of the stored energy; the primary damage was caused by the TNT itself. The sess of this experiment confirmed that he could continue using this method to counter their attacks. Unless the enemy was willing to lose more soldiers, this tactic would be off the table.

    The explosion''s heat raised the temperature on the small hill to unimaginable levels. At the base of the hill, a massive ice sheet suddenly cracked, and Zheng Xuerong staggered to her feet, visibly weakened. She had managed to create an ice shield in time, absorbing much of the heat and saving herrades from death. However, maintaining the ice shield had drained her considerably.

    Ling Feng broke through the ice, climbed the hill, and was stunned by the scene below. The others emerged to survey the aftermath of the explosion, all dumbfounded by the devastation before them.

    What they had nned to do¡ªdetonate the explosives near the shelter¡ªhad failed spectacrly. Instead, the TNT had been blown back towards them, unleashing its destructive power upon their own forces.

    This operation wasn''t just a failure; it was a catastrophic loss. Many special forces soldiers died by their own explosives. What had seemed like a foolproof strategy had turned into their downfall.

    Ling Feng stared at the charred remains of hisrades, trembling. These were his brothers, people who had survived the apocalypse together, only to die in the blink of an eye due to their own n.

    "No!" Ling Feng roared in anguish, his eyes filled with rage and grief. Shi Dayong dropped to his knees, smashing the ground in fury.

    They had only themselves to me; Zhang Yi had merely turned their own strategy against them in the most devastating way possible.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 278: Strength of Captain-Level Superhumans

    Chapter 278: Strength of Captain-Level Superhumans

    In the recent battle, the ACE Special Forces, including three modified Superhumans, suffered 23 casualties. It wasughably tragic. These were elite warriors, unmatched in individual and coordinatedbat skills, destined to achieve great things in the apocalypse. Yet, they died most ridiculously¡ªblown up by their own explosives.

    From beginning to end, they never even saw what Zhang Yi looked like.

    Life is fragile. It doesn''t matter if you''re a prodigy or someone with high status; in death, you''re just another worthless corpse.

    Zhang Yi watched from afar. The area was aze, making it impossible to determine the full extent of the damage inflicted on West Hill Base. He could only wait and see their next move to make a rough assessment.

    On Ling Feng''s side, the atmosphere was unbearably tense. Ling Feng''s expression was fierce, like a wild beast ready to devour anyone in sight.

    "What the hell was that power just now?" Ling Feng asked, ring at Academician Wu. His face remained calm, but his barely contained fury was palpable.

    The esteemed captain of the ACE Special Forces had led a mission, expecting to end the fight in just three hours and capture Zhang Yi alive. Yet, after days, they still hadn''t breached the shelter. Instead, they lost many elite soldiers. Each fallen warrior was a precious asset to West Hill Base, nearly irreceable. Ling Feng''s pride was in tatters.

    They had exhausted theirtest strategy, only to see it backfire. What now? Would they resort to a suicide mission to manually detonate the explosives? Even that would be a foolish move, as Zhang Yi''s counterattacks were formidable. Plus, no one was willing to be a sacrificial pawn.Academician Wu adjusted his sses and analyzed, "Based on our previous assumptions, his space ability can absorb attacks and then redirect them. Shen Hong and his team were defeated this way. The energy from thest explosion was partially absorbed, and Zhang Yi used it to repel the iing explosives."

    Ling Feng took a deep breath. "So, what can we do to avoid being affected by his power?"

    Facing Ling Feng''s intense gaze, Academician Wu coughed awkwardly. "Based on my calctions, most of the explosive energy was indeed absorbed. If all 500 kilograms of TNT had been detonated normally, it would havepletely destroyed a wall. Zhang Yi likely stored some of the st''s energy and used only a fraction of it to deflect our explosives."

    "This approach won''t work anymore."

    Ling Feng, though expecting this answer, couldn''t help but grimace when hearing it confirmed by a professional. Everyone else looked equally troubled. Nothing seemed to work. Was Zhang Yi really that difficult to deal with?

    Ling Feng forced himself to stay calm. He was furious that he didn''t have a missile on hand¡ªotherwise, he would have obliterated Zhang Yi''s shelter and ended this nightmare. But even standard missiles would only destroy the structures above ground; they wouldn''t touch the more fortified underground levels.

    Contemting their next move, Ling Feng pondered aloud, "What if we dug our way underground and attacked from below? We could nt enough explosives to send the whole ce sky-high!"

    Academician Wu shook his head. "Typically, apocalypse shelters are built underground, with their subterranean parts much stronger than the above-ground structures. Below, there''s no need for aesthetics or lighting; only durability matters. If we can''t breach the top, attacking from below is even harder."

    Ling Feng''s resolve didn''t waver. "We''re not afraid of challenges; we''re afraid of failing the mission!"

    Academician Wu hesitated before replying, "But with our current resources, this isn''t feasible. Weck the heavy machinery used centuries ago. Even breaking through the frozen ground by hand is an impossible task. And if we''re not careful, Zhang Yi will detect our tunneling efforts, making it all for nothing."

    Shi Dayong suddenly suggested sinisterly, "Isn''t Xu Family Town home to over a thousand people? We could force them to dig!"

    Academician Wu objected, "Even if they have the numbers, asking them to dig in this extreme cold with primitive tools would be a death sentence! If not properly managed, the noise alone would alert Zhang Yi."

    Shi Dayong fell silent, clenching his fists and ring hatefully in the direction of the shelter. Ling Feng, however, still hadn''tpletely abandoned the idea. His only goal was toplete the mission, even if it required sacrifices.

    As the smoke cleared, Zhang Yi looked outside. The snow had meltedpletely, and many houses and dead trees were burning. The surrounding air was unusually warm, with the intense heat vaporizing any water from the melting snow.

    Cloud Manor, once Tianhai City''s most luxurious vi district, was now half-destroyed by multiple explosions, with only a few solitary vis still standing.

    "Now that your turn is over, it''s my turn!" Zhang Yi muttered, confirming the enemy''s failed attack. He was not one to let others attack without retaliation.

    "Dimensional Gate, open!"

    Zhang Yi positioned the Dimensional Gate in front of the window and ordered Xiao Ai to open it quickly. He then set up his newly modified heavy sniper rifle and aimed at the group two kilometers away on the small hill.

    Ling Feng and his team, still reeling from their losses, were strategizing on how to breach the shelter. Suddenly, an urgent voice came through the radio.

    "Captain, he''s aiming at you with a sniper rifle!"

    Ling Feng''s eyes narrowed just as he felt a rush of wind. Time seemed to slow as he spotted a bullet, enhanced by Superhuman powers, speeding toward his forehead.

    "Whoosh!" Ling Feng tilted his head, and the bullet grazed his ear. He turned his gaze towards the shelter and caught sight of Zhang Yi behind the window.

    Ling Feng''s eyes were bloodshot with hatred. "Zhang Yi!!"

    Zhang Yi, seeing Ling Feng''s reaction, was impressed. "He truly deserves to be their leader!" Though disappointed that his shot missed, Zhang Yi wasn''t surprised. Many fighters at West Hill Base had Superhuman abilities that enhanced their physical strength, speed, or durability.

    Still, Ling Feng''s strength far exceeded that of Liu Ziyang, Shen Hong, and others Zhang Yi had faced. "He''s a tough one!"

    Wasting no time, Zhang Yi shifted his aim towards the next most obvious target¡ªthe giant snow gori, Shi Dayong. Ling Feng warned his team, "Watch out, sniper!" No one expected Zhang Yi to be able to snipe from such a distance.

    Despite Ling Feng''s warning, Shi Dayong,cking agility, couldn''t dodge in time. Blood sttered as the bullet pierced his forehead, but instead of copsing, Shi Dayong yelled in pain and pulled out the bullet embedded in his skull.

    "Damn, that hurt!" Shi Dayong growled, his monstrous defenses proving as tough as a tank. These core members of West Hill Base''s special forces were far from easy prey. Ordinary weapons were almost useless against them.

    Before Zhang Yi could fire a third shot, Ling Feng and his team had already taken cover, disappearing from his line of sight. A sharp whistle pierced the air as two sniper bullets came at Zhang Yi from different directions.

    Both shots were swallowed by Zhang Yi''s Dimensional Space. Without a moment''s hesitation, Zhang Yi redirected the bullets back to their original shooters. The enemy snipers, elite marksmen, were hit by their own bullets, each shot returning with deadly precision, striking their chests.

    Both snipers died without ever realizing that the bullets that killed them were fired from their own guns.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 279: Extraordinary Physique

    Chapter 279: Extraordinary Physique

    Zhang Yi continued using his sniper rifle to search for targets. However, the remaining soldiers were elite fighters; as soon as they realized Zhang Yi was targeting them, they immediately hid. Ling Feng had warned them about Zhang Yi''s deadly uracy, but they never expected his sniper rifle to have such a lethal range, even from over two kilometers away.

    After scanning the area, Zhang Yi found no more targets, feeling a twinge of disappointment¡ªnot because he didn''t kill more soldiers, but because ordinary grunts posed no real threat to him. His true target was the Superhuman leaders, especially those leading the team. Unfortunately, one of his bullets had been dodged by the short captain, and the other had been withstood by the beast-like snow gori!

    "Even with a heavy sniper, the bullet''s power is greatly diminished over such a long distance," Zhang Yi thought. "But I wouldn''t want to fight them up close."

    In a one-on-one battle, Zhang Yi wouldn''t fear anyone. With the Dimensional Gate at his disposal, anyone attempting to strike him at close range would be dragged into his alternate space. Even Superhumans, trapped inside the near-stagnant time of his dimensional space, would either suffocate or suffer a mental breakdown. However, given the sheer number of enemies, Zhang Yi chose to y it safe.

    As Zhang Yi contemted how to eliminate the opposing Superhumans, his eyes caught sight of something peculiar on the ground in the distance. A sudden plume of dust shot up, as if something was speeding toward him. Zhang Yi couldn''t see exactly what it was, but he could feel its presence. The object moved too fast for the naked eye to track.

    "What the heck is that?" Zhang Yi muttered just as the object mmed into the shelter''s wall at full speed.

    "Boom!" The impact was loud, and Zhang Yi, lying by the window, felt a slight vibration. The shelter''s walls were incredibly sturdy, so anything that could cause even a minor tremor had to be immensely powerful. Looking down, Zhang Yi saw that the attacker wasn''t an object¡ªit was a man.

    Wearing a whitebat suit, with a buzz cut and dark skin, this man was none other than the short captain Zhang Yi had aimed for earlier."This guy''s a total freak!" Zhang Yi remarked, watching the man below. Ling Feng, the captain of the West Hill Base assault team, looked up and locked eyes with Zhang Yi. In Ling Feng''s eyes, there was fury and arrogance; in Zhang Yi''s eyes, there was only cold indifference, as if everything unfolding was just a game within his control.

    Zhang Yi adjusted his rifle, aiming directly at Ling Feng''s head. At this range, even if his skull were made of steel, it wouldn''t withstand a sniper bullet. But before Zhang Yi could pull the trigger, Ling Feng vanished like a ghost. His speed was unlike anything Zhang Yi had ever seen,parable only to the rapid movements of insects.

    The shelter''s AI, Xiao Ai, chimed in, "The shelter wall has sustained damage: 0.028%."

    Zhang Yi peered at Ling Feng standing outside the shelter. "This guy''s a real monster. Not only does he have incredible speed, but his strength is also insane¡ªno wonder he''s the captain of the West Hill Base assault team."

    Ling Feng pointed at Zhang Yi from afar, shouting, "I''ll shatter your turtle shell sooner orter!"

    Zhang Yi smirked, taunting him, "Come on, then!" He fired another shot at Ling Feng, but Ling Feng''s movements were too fast, like a phantom. Even Zhang Yi couldn''t keep track of him. Ling Feng''s incredible speed made him both a formidable foe and a tricky target.

    Fortunately for Zhang Yi, he was safe inside the shelter. Meeting Ling Feng outside would be extremely dangerous. It wasn''t that Zhang Yi couldn''t defeat Ling Feng; his extraordinary speed was both an asset and a vulnerability. If Zhang Yi could predict Ling Feng''s attack trajectory, he could open a Dimensional Gate in his path, trapping Ling Feng in the alternate space where he would be at Zhang Yi''s mercy. However, if Ling Feng avoided the gate, the tables could turn.

    Zhang Yi considered a head-to-head fight between them to be a fifty-fifty chance. But why leave the shelter when he could stay invincible inside?

    Zhang Yi continued shooting, not expecting to kill Ling Feng but wanting to test the limits of his abilities. After dodging several shots, Ling Feng seemed to realize Zhang Yi''s intent. Ling Feng red fiercely at Zhang Yi before vanishing from sight in a sh.

    Zhang Yi scanned the battlefield for more enemies to eliminate, but the ACE Special Forces were already well-informed and wouldn''t easily expose themselves. With no good targets, Zhang Yi wondered, "Did they retreat, or are they waiting for another chance to strike?"

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow. After such a resounding failure, it was unlikely the enemy would try the same strategy again. This was a battle of wits and stamina, and Zhang Yi knew he had the upper hand. His shelter could protect him indefinitely, but how long could West Hill Base keep pouring resources and manpower into attacking it?

    Ultimately, this was a battle of endurance¡ªwho would break first?

    Settling backfortably at the window, Zhang Yi adjusted his sniper scope and aimed at the charred corpses at the base of the hill. If the special forces attempted to retrieve their fallenrades, they''d have to be ready to face death.

    Ling Feng and his team eventually decided to retreat to Xu Family Town to rest and reassess their strategy. The day''s failure had dealt a severe blow to their morale, but Ling Feng wasn''t the type to act rashly. Seeing that the battle wasn''t going in their favor, he knew it was time to rethink their approach.

    "Let''s fall back to Xu Family Town and regroup. We need to devise a new n!" Ling Feng ordered, determined to find a way to breach Zhang Yi''s defenses.

    Zheng Xuerong let out a sigh of relief. "You scared me! When I saw you charge in earlier, I thought you''d lost your mind."

    Ling Feng shook his head. "You really think I rushed in recklessly? I was testing the shelter''s wall strength."

    Raising his fist, Ling Feng continued, "I''ve discovered a new method that might damage the walls."

    Zheng Xuerong stared at him in disbelief. "Captain, you''re not seriously suggesting using your fists, are you?"

    Everyone at West Hill Base knew Ling Feng''s strength was terrifying, but breaking through the shelter''s thick walls with just his fists would take an eternity. Ling Feng, however, was resolute.

    "If that''s the only viable option, we have to try it!" Ling Feng dered. "Our guns and explosives have lost their effectiveness. The simplest methods might just be the most effective."

    He added, "Think about it¡ªwhy didn''t Zhang Yi absorb the explosives and our demolition team when we set them up?"

    The others pondered Ling Feng''s words.

    Academician Wu analyzed, "It''s true. If his ability could swallow anything, he could''ve taken out our entire demolition team along with the explosives. But he didn''t¡ªhe waited until we left."

    Ling Feng nodded. "Exactly. His ability seems to have limitations, especially when dealing with living beings."

    "I charged in to confirm the wall''s durability and test his spatial abilities. It turns out that his space maniption doesn''t seem to have any offensive capabilities. It''s all defense."

    Ling Feng continued, "So, using manpower to destroy the shelter is entirely feasible."

    The team quickly pieced together Zhang Yi''s capabilities. As experts in Superhuman research, they analyzed his powers with precision.

    Shi Dayong, excited, said, "This is doable! We''ve got plenty of Superhumans with enhanced strength. We''ll take turns smashing that wall until it falls!"

    He turned to Liang Yue. "Teacher Liang, your swordsmanship is incredible. We''ll strike together when the timees!"

    Liang Yue raised her eyebrows slightly and said softly, "Do whatever you think is best. I have no objections." She had her own thoughts, but for now, she yed along with Ling Feng and the others.

    Academician Wu warned, "Are you all serious? Even as Superhumans with immense strength, breaking down that wall with just fists and swords would take ages."

    Ling Feng stared at the ck fortress, unmoved. "If that''s the only way, then we''ll do it, no matter how long it takes. Whether for the future of West Hill Base or to avenge our fallen brothers, we won''t stop."

    Ling Feng knew that Zhang Yi''s resources were critical for alleviating West Hill Base''s supply crisis. Even a slim chance was worth pursuing.

    "Let''s go back!" Ling Feng said, feeling the pangs of hunger. He nced at the burning bodies of his fallenrades.

    "What about our brothers'' remains?" Shi Dayong asked, his voice heavy with grief.

    Ling Feng, cautious, replied, "Going back now would only lead to another ambush. Be patient. We''ll collect their remains once we''ve taken the shelter."

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 280: New Information

    Chapter 280: New Information

    Ling Feng led his special forces team back to Xu Family Town. They had departed with high spirits, but returned utterly defeated. As the group arrived, Xu Dongtang and the other vige leaders rushed to greet them.

    Xu Dongtang smiled obsequiously and asked, "Captain Ling, did you manage to kill that scoundrel Zhang Yi?"

    The other vige representatives chimed in, "Yeah, I heard that huge explosion. Did it blow his whole house away?"

    "Did you st Zhang Yi to ashes?"

    "As expected of Captain Ling, you achieve great victories the moment you take action. Impressive!"

    "Captain Ling is mighty, and so is West Hill Base!"

    ...

    The vigers'' ttery poured out, but the more the special forces heard, the darker their expressions grew. They had just suffered a major defeat, losing nearly half theirrades, and were already in a foul mood. The vigers'' fawning remarks felt more like mockery.Shi Dayong snapped, "Shut up!" His voice was so loud and forceful that everyone fell silent, staring at him in stunned silence. Realizing their mistake, the vigers quickly quieted down.

    Ling Feng stepped forward and addressed Xu Dongtang and the others, "We''re hungry. Prepare more food than usual!" After giving his order, Ling Feng walked toward their temporary amodations.

    Shi Dayong red at Xu Dongtang and warned, "We fought a hard battle today, so make sure the food is good. Got it?"

    "Y-yes, of course!" Xu Dongtang and the other vigers didn''t dare to defy their orders; after all, every soldier was armed. But as soon as the special forces were out of earshot, the vigers couldn''t help but murmur among themselves.

    "Looks like they lost."

    "What? They couldn''t even handle Zhang Yi?"

    "Who knows? Zhang Yi is a ruthless man with wicked methods!"

    "But they''re the regr army! Look at all their gear; they''re armed to the teeth. How can so many of them lose to one person? It''s embarrassing!"

    ...

    The vigers'' whispers were quiet, but the soldiers, with their enhanced hearing, heard every word. Their faces burned with shame, but they could only pretend not to hear. They had already lost the battle; arguing with the vigers would only make them look worse.

    Shi Dayong grumbled to Ling Feng, "These vigers are getting too bold. Let me teach them a lesson!"

    Ling Feng nced at him coldly. "No need! We still need them to supply us with food andbor. If we deal with them, we''ll do it after we''ve dealt with Zhang Yi."

    As he walked into the snow hut, Ling Feng added, "West Hill Base also needs additionalbor. When the timees, we''ll have them contribute to the organization!"

    Shi Dayong nodded. "Lucky for them! Back in the day, I''d have killed a few by now."

    West Hill Base''s soldiers were all battle-hardened. Although none of them had been in actual war before the apocalypse, they had killed countless people. In the early days, many had tried to force their way into West Hill Base''s shelter, and the soldiers, following Chen Xinian''s orders, had eliminated every intruder. Later, when The Fourth Life Pod had riots due to resource distribution, it was these same soldiers who suppressed the uprisings.

    Xu Dongtang, surrounded by anxious vigers, tried to calm them down. The vigers were growing increasingly worried.

    "Mayor, didn''t you say they''d be gone in a couple of days? It''s been much longer now!"

    "I don''t think they''re leaving anytime soon. They lost the battle, so it looks like it''s going to drag on!"

    "And these soldiers eat so much. One soldier eats more in a day than my entire family does!"

    "At this rate, Xu Family Town can''t keep up!"

    Xu Dongtang frowned, feeling uneasy. To maintain order, he reassured the vigers to stay calm. Among the crowd, Fatty Xu could only sigh helplessly. Everything Zhang Yi had warned him about wasing true. Xu Dongtang had weed these soldiers, but now it was clear that getting rid of them would be far more difficult.

    Fatty Xu went home and immediately called Zhang Yi. "Boss, those West Hill Base soldiers came back in bad shape. There''s only half of them left. Did you take them out?"

    Through Fatty Xu''s report, Zhang Yi learned that the West Hill soldiers had retreated. He put away his sniper rifle and closed the window.

    "Yes, I sent them packing. How do they look? Are their spirits still intact?"

    Judging by their expressions, Zhang Yi wanted to gauge their next move. Understanding the opponent''s mindset was crucial.

    "They look like beaten dogs, all gloomy and miserable," Fatty Xu said. "And as soon as they got back, they demanded food. Shameless!"

    Fatty Xu also felt sorry for the vigers'' food supplies. Although Xu Family Town was known for agriculture and fishing, each household only had enough tost a year or so. Feeding a group of ravenous soldiers who demanded the best was bing unsustainable.

    Zhang Yi chuckled, "This is just the beginning. For now, they''re still being somewhat polite to you. But over time, they might stop seeing you as people at all."

    "Fatty, how''s your history knowledge?"

    "Not great. Why are you asking, Boss?" Fatty Xu scratched his head.

    Zhang Yi said, "I just want to remind you that these West Hill soldiers are ruthless, with no regard for life. Throughout history, whenever there''s been extreme food scarcity, soldiers have often resorted to using people as food."

    "Xu Family Town is full of people, isn''t it? I''d call it arge meat processing nt."

    Zhang Yi''s words sent chills down Fatty Xu''s spine. "Boss, stop! That''s terrifying!"

    "They wouldn''t actually go that far, would they?" Fatty Xu nced at his own chubby body, feeling like he was just a fat pig in a meat factory.

    Zhang Yi replied with a smirk, "Who knows? If I were in your shoes, I''d have fled by now!"

    Fatty Xu hesitated, unsure of his next move. Zhang Yi encouraged him, "Don''t worry. As a Superhuman, they''ll think twice before messing with you. But if you ever feel things are getting dangerous,e to me. I''ve got your back!"

    Zhang Yi wanted Fatty Xu to stay put as his informant, so he reassured him to keep his spirits up.

    Fatty Xu, feeling reassured, agreed. "Alright, Boss. I''ll stick it out. But if things get really bad, you''ve got to help me!"

    "Of course. Keep an eye on their movements and report any changes to me. Understood?"

    "Absolutely!"

    After hanging up, Zhang Yi asked Xiao Ai to disy the 3D structure of the shelter. "What''s the external damage today?"

    Xiao Ai highlighted the damaged area. "Damage from gunfire: 0.00001%. Damage from an unidentified impact: 0.028%."

    Zhang Yi zoomed in on the unidentified impact, revealing a shallow fist mark. "Ling Feng, huh? What a monster!"

    Zhang Yi couldn''t help but be impressed. Ling Feng, the captain of the ACE Special Forces, was the strongest Superhuman Zhang Yi had encountered so far, with monstrous speed and strength.

    "Could West Hill Base have a way to enhance Superhuman abilities?" Zhang Yi wondered, recalling Liu Ziyang, who had undergone forced mutation at the cost of his health and lifespan. He spected that Ling Feng''s immense power might also be the result of some modification.

    For a brief moment, Zhang Yi was tempted by the idea of enhancing his own powers. But he quickly dismissed the thought. It wasn''t worth risking his health and safety.

    Zhang Yi returned to the basement, where Zhou Ke''er immediately rushed to check on him. "Zhang Yi, are you hurt?"

    "I''m fine. They''re the ones who got hurt," Zhang Yi replied with a smile, his spirits lifting as he looked at the women around him.

    When Yang Siya brought him beer and snacks, Zhang Yi asked Lu Keran, "Our shelter''s outer walls took some damage. Can we repair them?"

    Lu Keran thought for a moment. "I can fix the high-strength alloy, but I''ll need some special materials. And even if we get the materials, repairing the wall means going outside, which isn''t possible right now."

    Zhang Yi reassured her, "As long as it''s fixable, that''s good enough. We''re not in a rush."

    Everyone rxed, enjoying a brief moment of calm in the aftermath of the battle. As they shared lunch, Yang Xinxin''s phone suddenly beeped, catching everyone''s attention.

    She checked the message calmly and handed the phone to Zhang Yi. "It''s from Liang Yue. She says she and her students need our help and wants to talk."

    Seeing the name "Liang Yue," Zhang Yi immediately thought of the Superhuman with the Tang sword he had encountered. It seemed Liang Yue had joined forces with West Hill Base.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 281: Liang Yueâ€™s Request for Cooperation

    Chapter 281: Liang Yue¡¯s Request for Cooperation

    Zhang Yi looked at the message from Liang Yue and fell into deep thought.

    He still remembered that female martial artist with fierce de techniques!

    Back then, she had been in a state of hunger and exhaustion for a long time but still fought with everything she had against Hua Hua. If she had been at full strength, herbat ability would have been even more formidable!

    Having joined West Hill Base not long ago, she was already able to go out on missions with the special forces, which suggested that her status at West Hill Base was quite high.

    But why was she looking for Yang Xinxin?

    Did she need help?

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t know much about the situation at West Hill Base, nor did he understand what kind of person Liang Yue was. It wasn¡¯t out of the question that this could be a trap. Maybe Ling Feng, realizing that a direct attack on the shelter wouldn''t work, had switched tactics and was trying to trick Yang Xinxin into opening the door for Liang Yue.

    Crossing his arms, a posture that usually indicated his wariness, Zhang Yi turned to Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran, asking seriously, ¡°Can you two tell me more about this Liang Yue?¡±Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin immediately shared what they knew about Liang Yue.

    Liang Yue, 27 years old. A national-level martial arts expert, skilled in more than 300 forms of martial arts and over a dozen kinds of internationalbat techniques. She excelled in knife fighting and grappling and had once been a bodyguard for a certain powerful figure, even serving as the personal bodyguard of a female leader. Later, she was recruited by the Tianqing Academy board with an annual sry of three million to teach martial arts at the school.

    "She¡¯s cold on the outside but warm on the inside¡­¡±

    ¡°Wait a minute!¡± Zhang Yi interrupted, curious. ¡°Are you talking about her physical traits or her personality?¡±

    Lu Keran scratched his head in confusion, not quite understanding.

    Yang Xinxin grinned and said, ¡°It¡¯s hard to say for sure without a personal test in that department. But I think Keran was referring to her personality!¡±

    Zhang Yi felt a little disappointed. ¡°Oh, alright. Continue.¡±

    Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin went on.

    Liang Yue had practiced martial arts from a young age, making her a top-tier martial artist with a pure and straightforward personality. She was known to be stubborn but was clearly a good person. Otherwise, when the apocalypse hit, she could have easily survived on her own instead of dragging her ss of "deadweight" students along with her.

    Yang Xinxin tilted her head. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for Teacher Liang, our ssmates would¡¯ve be Hua Hua¡¯s dinner!¡±

    As if on cue, Hua Hua, who had been napping during the day, yawned wide, her mouth full of a fishy stench.

    Zhang Yi crossed his arms, slowly contemting.

    Both Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran had known Liang Yue for a long time. As a teacher, she had no reason to fake her personality for so long. The trials of the apocalypse were enough proof of her character. And just talking to her wouldn¡¯t cost him anything.

    He¡¯d see what she was up to. Who knows? It might even benefit him.

    After thinking it through, Zhang Yi asked Yang Xinxin, ¡°If I use your phone to talk to her, is there a risk she could nt a virus and mess with the shelter¡¯swork?¡±

    Yang Xinxin was confident. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, brother. My phone¡¯s defenses are just as strong as the control room¡¯sputer!¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded. ¡°Good, then I¡¯ll use your phone to chat with her.¡±

    Yang Xinxin had no objections.

    Zhang Yi took Yang Xinxin¡¯s phone and sent a message to Liang Yue.

    ¡°I¡¯m Zhang Yi. What do you want to talk about?¡±

    At that moment, Liang Yue was in her room in Xu Dong Vige. As a squad leader and a female Superhuman, she had her own private room, specially built by Fatty Xu. After witnessing Zhang Yi¡¯s strength, Liang Yue had made up her mind to cooperate with him. Time wasn¡¯t on her side, and dying any further could mean losing students every day.

    Seeing Zhang Yi¡¯s reply, Liang Yue was overjoyed and quickly responded, ¡°Zhang Yi, I hope we can work together! My students are at West Hill Base, and their lives are in danger. I¡¯m asking for your help!¡±

    Zhang Yi remained cautious. ¡°You want my help? Aren¡¯t you all doing fine at West Hill Base? Aren¡¯t Tianqing Academy students supposed to be privileged elites?¡±

    His tone wasced with sarcasm. After all, those who got into Tianqing Academy, aside from geniuses like Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran, were either rich or from high society.

    Liang Yue replied, ¡°You should know, in times like these, past status and wealth mean nothing. I¡¯m genuinely seeking your cooperation.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m now a squad leader in West Hill Base¡¯s special forces. I think you could use my help.¡±

    ¡°In exchange, I¡¯m asking for your help in getting my students out of there. What do you think?¡±

    Zhang Yi stroked his chin, carefully analyzing the implications behind her words. Something about Liang Yue¡¯s plea felt off, very off.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t West Hill Base arge underground refuge? Why would there be life-threatening danger there? And Liang Yue, a powerful Superhuman, can¡¯t even protect a group of students?¡±

    Zhang Yi knew nothing about the internal workings of West Hill Base, which made it even harder to understand why Liang Yue was asking for his help. But one thing was clear: he wasn¡¯t about tounch an attack on West Hill Base. He had enough strength to protect himself, but assaulting a refuge with a formidable armed force and full industrial capabilities was far too risky.

    So, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t rush to respond to Liang Yue¡¯s request. Instead, he asked, ¡°I know nothing about West Hill Base. If you want my help, at least tell me something about its internal situation.¡±

    Even if they didn¡¯t make a deal, getting some free intel wouldn¡¯t hurt.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 282: Choosing Negotiations

    Chapter 282: Choosing Negotiations

    Zhang Yi immediately discussed with Liang Yue and agreed to coborate with her.

    However, the condition was that Liang Yue had to assist him in secretly dealing with West Hill Base.

    For Liang Yue, this was no problem. She had long hated that evil ce and couldn¡¯t wait to see it destroyed.

    Thus, the two quickly reached an agreement.

    As for how Liang Yue would get the students out, that was her own problem.

    The most Zhang Yi could do was provide some assistance; he wasn¡¯t going to personally help her rescue them.

    Still, Zhang Yi was curious¡ªwhat was Liang Yue nning to do?

    He repeatedly confirmed with Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran: "How''s your Teacher Liang''s brain functioning these days?"

    The two of themughed, "Oh, she''s still sharp! She won¡¯t do anything foolish!"

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, a yful smile on his face, "Really? Then I¡¯m curious to see how she ns to get all those students out."

    ...

    At Xu Family Town, Liang Yue felt a slight relief after receiving Zhang Yi''s promise.

    At least she had secured a backup n for the students.

    Now, she had to think about how to get them out of West Hill Base.

    If it were just one or two people, given her current position as the captain of the Special Forces, it wouldn¡¯t be difficult.

    After all, the people from the Fourth Life Pod were justborers and test subjects now.

    But taking out more than thirty students in one go? That was a whole different challenge.

    "I need to find the right opportunity!"

    Liang Yue thought to herself.

    The best time would be during a significant upheaval at West Hill Base.

    She couldn¡¯t act recklessly. If anything leaked, it would be a disaster.

    She tucked her phone into her white boots.

    She had two phones, a secret she kept hidden.

    When she first entered West Hill Base, her phone was confiscated and inspected. Liang Yue suspected they had installed monitoring software.

    Fortunately, she had a backup phone.

    She turned in one, but secretly kept the other, which she used to contact Zhang Yi.

    Meanwhile, Ling Feng, Shi Dayong, and a few other trusted followers were in another snow house, eating while discussing their next offensive n.

    Ling Feng and Shi Dayong were among the strongest Superhumans at West Hill Base.

    As top-tier fighters, their physical prowess andbat skills were far superior to ordinary people.

    After their awakening, they became even more powerful!

    Coupled with the advanced technology and enhancements at West Hill Base, Ling Feng was practically a perfect super soldier.

    The only drawback was the enormous consumption of resources.

    Despite his short stature, Ling Feng could eat enough for five soldiers on a regr day!

    Today, he was eating even more, having overused his powers.

    Ling Feng grabbed a roasted fish and bit off half of it in one go.

    Munching on it, he spoke indistinctly to the others around him, "From what we can see, regr attacks won¡¯t work against that shelter."

    "So, put your weapons aside for now and focus on perimeter surveince. As for Zhang Yi, leave him to us!"

    The soldiers, intrigued, asked, "If we don¡¯t need to fight Zhang Yi, who else should we prepare for?"

    Ling Feng smiled slyly, "Tianhai City isn¡¯t the only ce with shelters. Themotion we''ve caused recently might attract other forces."

    "Also, I¡¯ve noticed the vigers in Xu Family Town starting to resent us. Keep an eye on them!"

    The soldiers burst intoughter.

    "You mean those vigers? Captain,e on. Do they even have the guts?"

    Ling Feng replied calmly, "People like them are prone to foolish, impulsive actions. Better to be cautious. If they rebel, just shoot a few, and the rest will fall in line."

    The soldiers nodded. They¡¯d done this kind of thing before, and they were good at it.

    At that moment, a female soldier approached.

    "Captain, the Leader wants to speak with you."

    The mention of "Leader" made the atmosphere tense.

    They had been out for two days, and although they had gathered a lot of explosives from West Hill Base, the shelter remained intact. Worse, they had lost nearly half of their troops.

    Reporting this oue was bound to infuriate their leader.

    Everyone was nervous for Ling Feng.

    Ling Feng, however, remained calm, putting down his fishbone and standing up casually.

    It wasn¡¯t that he wasn¡¯t anxious; as the person in charge, he knew he had to take responsibility.

    Ling Feng approached themunication device next door.

    It was a specialputer with far more functions than an ordinary one, allowingmunication with West Hill Base, located hundreds of meters underground.

    Through the screen, Ling Feng saw the dignified yet stern face of Chen Xinian.

    Ling Feng saluted, "Leader!"

    Chen Xinian nodded, "Ling Feng, how¡¯s the mission going? It¡¯s been two days¡ªany progress?"

    Chen Xinian didn¡¯t ask if the mission waspleted.

    He knew Ling Feng''s style well enough to understand that if the mission had been sessful, Ling Feng would¡¯ve reported it immediately.

    So, Chen Xinian was aware that Ling Feng had encountered difficulties.

    Ling Feng, with his square, iron-like face, meticulously reported the situation to Chen Xinian, hiding nothing.

    He included details of Zhang Yi¡¯s abilities and the loss of over twenty elite soldiers.

    Hearing this, Chen Xinian¡¯s smile gradually faded, and a cold glint shed in his narrowed eyes.

    Those were over twenty Special Forces soldiers!

    Not ordinary fighters, but the cream of the crop, including some of their hard-to-create synthetic Superhumans!

    And they had all been wiped out?

    This was a severe blow to West Hill Base¡¯sbat strength.

    Ling Feng knew Chen Xinian was deeply disappointed and angry.

    He quickly added, "Although we suffered heavy losses, we¡¯ve managed to figure out Zhang Yi¡¯s abilities over the past two days."

    "Moving forward, we will definitely be able to take down his shelter! Please rest assured."

    Chen Xinian was silent for a moment, trying to calm himself down. Otherwise, he would¡¯ve unleashed a tirade at Ling Feng.

    But as the leader of West Hill Base¡¯s top fighting force, he couldn¡¯t afford to berate him too harshly¡ªLing Feng was still needed.

    Any scolding could wait until the mission wasplete.

    Chen Xinian asked, "What¡¯s your n?"

    Ling Feng replied, "Conventional weapons are ineffective against him. We could request support from the upper military district tounch a missile strike on his shelter."

    Chen Xinian took a deep breath and red at him, "That n is too difficult to execute, and I¡¯ve already made it clear that I want Zhang Yi alive. What good is a corpse to me?"

    What Chen Xinian really wanted were the vast supplies within Zhang Yi¡¯s alternate dimension.

    If Zhang Yi were killed, there was no guarantee he¡¯d ever get those supplies.

    Ling Feng expected this response, so he calmly presented his second suggestion.

    "My second n is for a few of us, the squad leader-level Superhumans, to continuously attack Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter."

    "The downside is that it might take longer."

    Chen Xinian asked, "How long?"

    Ling Feng thought for a moment before cautiously replying, "Six months!"

    Chen Xinian was stunned.

    "Six months? Are you saying it will take half a year, with constant attacks from our top Superhumans, to break through his shelter?"

    "That would leave West Hill Base vulnerable. What if other forces attack during that time? What if there¡¯s internal unrest? Could you respond in time?"

    Ling Feng said, "Leader, we are stationed at Xu Family Town, and don¡¯t need supplies from the base."

    "Moreover, we¡¯ve confirmed that Zhang Yi is a spatial ability user. He must be the one who stole billions in supplies from the Walmart warehouse!"

    "If we capture him, we can keep West Hill Base running for five years!"

    Chen Xinian leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping slowly on the table.

    After a long pause, he said, "But have you considered what happens after those five years?"

    Ling Feng was taken aback.

    "After five years?"

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 283: Not Playing by the Rules

    Chapter 283: Not ying by the Rules

    This was Zhang Yi''s first encounter with Chen Xinian.

    However, Zhang Yi''s personal information had already been delivered to Chen Xinian''s desk.

    So, Chen Xinian knew quite a bit about Zhang Yi¡ªat least all the intel from before the apocalypse.

    After reading Zhang Yi¡¯s profile, Chen Xinian was confident he could recruit him.

    From Chen Xinian¡¯s perspective, Zhang Yi was nothing more than an ordinary, somewhat daring young man from the city.

    He had no political experience, had never held a senior position in anypany, and wasn¡¯t even considered a white-cor worker.

    Such a person wouldn¡¯t have even qualified to meet Chen Xinian in the old world.

    Chen Xinian¡¯s confidence was evident in the calm, assured smile on his face. As soon as he saw Zhang Yi, he greeted him with a warm smile.

    "Hello, you must be Zhang Yi?"

    Zhang Yi, however, didn¡¯t have a favorable impression of Chen Xinian.

    Even though the middle-aged man appeared kind and approachable, after hearing Liang Yue¡¯s revtions about the inner workings of West Hill Base, Zhang Yi knew just how ruthless the man before him could be.

    "So, you¡¯re the leader of West Hill Base? How should I address you?"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s tone was calm, his smile just as cold.

    "My name is Chen Xinian."

    "Mr. Chen Xinian, nice to meet you. What brings you here today?" Zhang Yi asked with a smiling but sharp tone.

    Chen Xinian¡¯s smile widened.

    Suddenly, his previously gentle face showed a sh of sternness. With just one look, Zhang Yi felt a chill.

    "Not long ago, two of our West Hill Base soldiers went out on a mission. Theyter disappeared near your shelter.

    ording to the information they sent before vanishing, thest person they interacted with was you."

    "Zhang Yi, did you kill our men from the base?"

    Chen Xinian¡¯s opening question was an attempt to assert dominance.

    But Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t one to be intimidated.

    Chen Xinian might be a master of political maneuvering, but Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t about to y by his rules.

    Without saying a word, Zhang Yi pulled a military knife out of his spatial dimension and mmed it onto the table!

    The sudden action made Chen Xinian frown.

    Such a crude move wasn¡¯t part of the negotiation tactics he was familiar with.

    Zhang Yi pointed to the knife, "Do you recognize this? Your men left it in my house!"

    "Even in peaceful times, trespassing and leaving a weapon behind would be considered illegal invasion, justifying lethal self-defense!"

    "Now, in this apocalyptic world, everyone¡¯s on edge. If your people dare threaten me, so what if I killed them?"

    Zhang Yi''s tactic was simple¡ªrefuse to y by the rules!

    He was young and had no patience for the word games and backstabbing that older, politically savvy men like Chen Xinian thrived on.

    If he tried to y it cool and deep, Chen Xinian would likely outmaneuver him.

    So Zhang Yi simply went for broke.

    "Yeah, I killed them. What are you going to do about it?"

    Everyone already knew what had happened, so why not justy all the cards on the table?

    Chen Xinian looked at Zhang Yi¡¯s reckless behavior with disdain.

    He thought to himself: *This is no different from dealing with an uneducated thug. How crude!*

    Chen Xinian tried to reason with Zhang Yi.

    "They didn¡¯t harm you. They were simply greeting you, letting you know that other survivors were nearby.

    In fact, West Hill Base often helps survivors we encounter. Leaving a mark was our way of ensuring you felt safe.

    We intended to help youter. How could you repay kindness with murder? Sigh!"

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but smirk inwardly at Chen Xinian''s act.

    Liang Yue and the students'' experiences had already shown how vile West Hill Base truly was.

    *What a great actor you are, Chen Xinian!*

    Zhang Yi waved his hand dismissively, "I don¡¯t care what you think. I know what I think! I say they were intruders, so they were intruders. What¡¯s the problem with me killing them?"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s tant disregard for decorum left Chen Xinian momentarily speechless.

    Chen Xinian had intended to reason with Zhang Yi, skillfully leading him into a trap using his political savvy.

    But Zhang Yi?

    He outright admitted to the killings and acted like it was no big deal.

    He wasn¡¯t interested in moral debates or verbal tricks.

    Seeing this, Chen Xinian''s face darkened. "So, you refuse to admit you were wrong?"

    Zhang Yi scoffed, "Wrong about what?"

    "You¡¯ve had your troops camping at my doorstep, bombing my house day and night. Now you say I¡¯m the one at fault?

    Honestly, how shameless can you be?"

    Zhang Yi had no intention of making peace with West Hill Base.

    He knew that Chen Xinian held all the cards in any peace talks.

    Zhang Yi was on the defensive.

    If West Hill Base called off their attacks, then peace would follow.

    And from what Liang Yue had told him, Zhang Yi knew Chen Xinian was a smiling tiger, a ruthless man in disguise.

    There was no way he¡¯d let himself be swayed by sweet words.

    The only reason Zhang Yi had epted the call was to probe Chen Xinian and see what cards he had left to y.

    Chen Xinian¡¯s false smile faded as he leaned back in his chair, crossing his hands and staring coldly at Zhang Yi.

    It was a look that Zhang Yi found deeply repulsive.

    It reminded him of the condescending gaze of the high-ranking executives from his previous job, back when they used to look down on him.

    *What¡¯s with the arrogance? It¡¯s the apocalypse, and you¡¯re still acting like a big shot?*

    Without a word, Zhang Yi propped his feet up on the table, his ck socks practically in Chen Xinian¡¯s face.

    "You¡ª"

    Chen Xinian was livid!

    When had he ever been insulted like this?

    Zhang Yi casually remarked, "You¡¯d better take your people and get out of here. Otherwise, none of the people from West Hill Base will leave here alive!"

    "Also, I¡¯ll contact the other forces in Tianhai City and let them know West Hill Base is defenseless."

    "What do you think they¡¯ll do with that information?"

    Zhang Yi was bluffing. He didn¡¯t actually know anyone from other forces in Tianhai City.

    But he was certain that a city with over two million people still had some surviving factions.

    And Chen Xinian knew this too, which made him uneasy.

    Still, Chen Xinian maintained a calm facade.

    "Sigh, Zhang Yi, you¡¯re too young."

    Chen Xinian pointed at Zhang Yi and sighed. "You¡¯re too quick to resort to violence. I was hoping we could negotiate."

    "I know the supplies from the Walmart warehouse are in your hands.

    There¡¯s more there than you could use in ten lifetimes. Why hoard it all?"

    Zhang Yi instantly denied it, "I didn¡¯t do it. Don¡¯t go making baseless usations!"

    Even if the evidence was irrefutable, Zhang Yi would never admit it.

    Enjoying his spoils in secret was much better than unting them.

    Chen Xinian chuckled, "I already know. There¡¯s no point in hiding it."

    "I just hope you¡¯ll consider the bigger picture. We have thousands of survivors at West Hill Base.

    If you were to share those supplies, it could keep them alive for years!"

    Zhang Yi inwardly sneered. *So, you think I¡¯m an idiot?*

    Liang Yue had already told him that West Hill Base¡¯s hierarchy was split into different tiers.

    The higher up you were, the better your life.

    In the lowest level, The Fourth Life Pod, people were surviving on protein liquid made from cockroaches and corpses.

    It wasn¡¯t that West Hill Basecked resources¡ªit was that they were distributed unequally.

    If everyone drank that protein liquid, the base could easily support double its current poption!

    And yet, the leadership lived in luxury, while preaching sacrifice?

    How ridiculous!

    But Zhang Yi didn¡¯t say this out loud.

    If he did, Chen Xinian would realize someone from the base was feeding him information.

    Zhang Yi simply replied, "What does that have to do with me? I¡¯m not a saint, and I don¡¯t care about anyone else¡¯s survival."

    "In this apocalypse, countless people have already died. This is survival of the fittest."

    Chen Xinian frowned, "Sigh, such a selfish and shallow mindset! All those years of education¡ªdid it all go to waste?"

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 284: Wooing and Threatening

    Chapter 284: Wooing and Threatening

    Although Zhang Yi disliked Chen Xinian as a person, he couldn¡¯t help but agree with what Chen Xinian was saying.

    Zhang Yi recalled his experiences managing a warehouse, especially what he went through during that time. When he was just a junior employee, he had to be careful to please both his superiors and the senior staff. Even when dealing with a supervisor who was only one level above him, he had to think hard about their preferences and act ordingly.

    After a few years, he finally became a supervisor himself, managing seven or eight people. That was the first time he truly felt how wonderful power could be. A simple task assigned with just a word had others working hard toplete it. During meals, everyone always made sure to order dishes to his liking, with the fish head always facing him. When singing, the women always sat next to him. And this, was just the privilege of being a warehouse supervisor.

    The higher one climbed, the more intoxicating the allure of power became, even to the point of reaching the fabled "your word isw." With just a hint or a few words, someone would arrange everything for you.

    Listening to Chen Xinian¡¯s rosy description of the future, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t deny that part of him did miss those days. However, without hesitation, he tly refused Chen Xinian¡¯s offer.

    ¡°What you¡¯re talking about doesn¡¯t hold any appeal for me anymore,¡± Zhang Yi said coldly. ¡°If it were before the apocalypse, I would¡¯ve happily taken a position of power, because in a stable society, the rewards of leadership far outweigh the risks. But now? Now, risk and reward go hand in hand. I¡¯m not interested in meddling in the mess you¡¯ve got at West Hill Base, and I¡¯m even less interested in being anyone¡¯s second-inmand.¡±

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t someone with grand ambitions. Perhaps his biggest dream in life was to date a few girls with baby faces and slim waists and then live a carefree life until the end. Thisid-back attitude meant he was never cut out to lead arge group of people.

    He wasn¡¯t like Chen Xinian, who could be heartless, feasting on the finest delicacies while forcing the people below to survive on protein made from cockroaches and corpses.Moreover, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t trust Chen Xinian. Go to West Hill Base? On their turf? By then, he would be at their mercy, not as easy as this negotiation was now.

    ¡°I refuse,¡± Zhang Yi said icily. ¡°I enjoy my current life and have no intention of joining any faction or being under anyone¡¯s control. If you withdraw your forces now, I¡¯ll let bygones be bygones, and we can stay out of each other¡¯s way in the future. How about it?¡±

    Even though West Hill Base had attacked him several times, Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t suffered any real losses, while the enemy had lost a lot of men. He wasn¡¯t bent on revenge, so if things could end like this, he¡¯d be happy to let it go.

    But Chen Xinian wasn¡¯t happy. Seeing that Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t budge, his expression finally darkened. Since diplomacy wasn¡¯t working, it was time for force.

    ¡°Hmph! Do you think you can just walk away after killing so many of our people at West Hill Base?¡± Chen Xinian sneered. ¡°Zhang Yi, I¡¯m offering you a chance because I recognize your talent! But if you don¡¯t appreciate it, I won¡¯t hold back!¡±

    ¡°With the strength of West Hill Base, it¡¯s only a matter of time before we take down your little shelter!¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s just a matter of time, huh? You¡¯ve sent so many men, guns, and explosives, but tell me, have any of them even managed to harm a single hair on my head?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re the ones who suffered heavy losses!¡± he added coldly. ¡°You¡¯re not offering me an opportunity; I¡¯m giving you one!¡±

    ¡°Chen, stop now! You¡¯ve got no chance of beating me!¡±

    Calling him ¡°Chen¡± was a clear sign of Zhang Yi¡¯s contempt, and it made Chen Xinian boil with rage.

    He red at Zhang Yi with a menacing look and hissed, ¡°Do you really think hiding in that turtle shell of yours means I can¡¯t touch you? I could wipe you out with just one missile!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s heart skipped a beat. A missile?

    Now that was a serious threat. If his shelter were hit by a missile, no matter how much space he had in his pocket dimension, he wouldn¡¯t be able to absorb such massive destructive force. Even the shelter itself would suffer devastating damage, with the surfacepletely destroyed and the underground sections severely shaken.

    But Zhang Yi¡¯s face remained calm, even breaking into a rxed smile.

    ¡°Oh, really? This is the first time I¡¯ve heard that Tianhai City has missileunching authority. Impressive, very impressive!¡± Zhang Yi pped his hands, his expression full of mockery.

    Tianhai City didn¡¯t have arge military district. Even if there were missile defenses in ce, the authority to use them wouldn¡¯t be in the hands of local forces. Especially now, in the apocalyptic world, such high-level weapons would be firmly controlled by the higher-ups. Who did Chen Xinian think he was? A mere regional warlord, thinking he could deploy missiles?

    Zhang Yi was convinced that Chen Xinian was bluffing. He didn¡¯t buy it for a second.

    Chen Xinian, his face dark, replied, ¡°What does a small-time warehouse manager like you know? I¡¯m only giving you a chance because I don¡¯t want to see you and your supplies go up in mes!¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi, don¡¯t make a mistake you¡¯ll regret! When the missiles hit, there won¡¯t be anywhere for you to cry!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 285: Deadly Order

    Chapter 285: Deadly Order

    The vigers of Xu Family Town heaved a sigh of relief when they heard it was only theirmunication devices being confiscated. Smiles appeared on their faces. Although losing their phones meant no more entertainment, they didn¡¯t think the actions of the Special Forces were unreasonable.

    The people here had one key trait: obedience. As long as they weren¡¯t being asked to die, they could tolerate most intrusions on their lives. So, the situation remained orderly as everyone handed over their devices without protest.

    In the crowd, however, Fatty Xu was anxious, his heart racing in fear. Others weren¡¯t worried because they had no contact with Zhang Yi, but Fatty Xu was Zhang Yi¡¯s mole in Xu Family Town! Fortunately, he had been prepared for this day ever since he started working undercover. He deleted his chats with Zhang Yi daily and even had a shortcut set up to delete his contacts.

    When Xu Dongtang came around to collect phones, Fatty Xu swiftly deleted Zhang Yi as a friend. Now, there was no trace of Zhang Yi left on his phone. Unless they performed a data recovery¡ªwhich was highly unlikely, given the number of vigers and theck of advanced equipment¡ªthey wouldn¡¯t find anything.

    Xu Dongtang approached him. ¡°Chunlei, where¡¯s your phone?¡±

    Fatty Xu quickly handed over his phone and said, ¡°Myputer¡¯s at home. I¡¯ll bring itter.¡±

    Xu Dongtang, aware that Fatty Xu might eventually go to West Hill Base, treated him fairly well. ¡°Alright, wait until Captain Ling finishes speaking before you go get it.¡±

    After Xu Dongtang left, Fatty Xu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. Although he had dodged this crisis, how would he contact Zhang Yi in the future? Could it be that West Hill Base had already discovered there was a traitor among them?Once all the devices were confiscated, Ling Feng began assigning the next task. He dered that everyone in Xu Family Town was to enter a state of war, assisting the Special Forces in attacking Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter.

    ¡°I hope you¡¯ll all cooperate with us. This is for your own safety,¡± he said. ¡°As long as we eliminate the murderer Zhang Yi, your future will be much brighter!¡±

    The vigers were stunned, fear creeping into their hearts.

    ¡°Are they really going to make us attack Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to go! So many people died thest time.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re just farmers and fishermen. What can we do against him?¡±

    ¡°Exactly! You¡¯re trained soldiers. Why make us fight?¡±

    The vigers, clearly upset, voiced their concerns. Ling Feng reassured them, ¡°You won¡¯t have to charge into battle. We just need you to help with some engineering work. Rest assured, we¡¯ll be the ones directly confronting Zhang Yi.¡±

    He pounded his chest confidently. ¡°Trust us. It¡¯s a soldier¡¯s duty to protect the people!¡±

    Leaders like Xu Dongtang also spoke up to support Ling Feng¡¯s n. Though some vigers grumbled, no one wanted to be the first to oppose the order, and so the matter was settled. But in reality, their opinions didn¡¯t matter. Ling Feng was merely informing them; they had no choice but to obey.

    Fatty Xu¡¯s anxiety grew. He was not only worried about his cover being blown but also realized that Zhang Yi¡¯s warnings wereing true. At first, West Hill Base¡¯s forces only demanded food from the vigers. Then, they stationed troops and requested information on Zhang Yi, putting the town at risk. Now, they were asking the vigers to help in the assault on Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter.

    Knowing Zhang Yi¡¯s personality, if he survived this ordeal, he would undoubtedly seek revenge on everyone in Xu Family Town. As for West Hill Base, Fatty Xu wasn¡¯t sure if they¡¯d spare the town either.

    Behind Ling Feng, Liang Yue stood next to Zheng Xuerong and Shi Dayong, feeling relieved that she had prepared two phones. If she were asked to hand one over, she could easily avoid detection. However, Ling Feng hadn¡¯t suspected her yet.

    First, Liang Yue¡¯s strength had earned the Special Forces¡¯ respect. Second, Ling Feng couldn¡¯t fathom why Liang Yue would betray West Hill Base, where she enjoyed the privileges of the Fourth Life Pod. In his mind, it was unthinkable that someone would give up such afortable life to save people unrted to her.

    Still, Liang Yue felt a sense of wariness towards Ling Feng. His sudden actions were not only unexpected but also excluded her from the nning process. Was this because he suspected her, or was there something even more secretive going on?

    After thinking it over, Liang Yue decided to ask. As a member of the Special Forces, it wasn¡¯t unreasonable for her to inquire about the mission.

    ¡°Captain Ling, with such arge-scale operation, do we have a big action nned?¡±

    Ling Feng nced at her and smiled faintly. ¡°We¡¯ve received a death order from above. Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter must be taken down, no matter what.¡±

    ¡°So now, we have to mobilize every possible resource!¡± he added. Not wanting Liang Yue to feel left out, Ling Feng exined, ¡°I only came up with this nst night. Since it was urgent, I didn¡¯t have time to inform you.¡±

    Liang Yue remained calm. ¡°No problem. You¡¯re the captain, so you make the decisions.¡±

    Ling Feng nodded and began assigning tasks to his soldiers. Then he called Liang Yue, Zheng Xuerong, and a few others into a room to discuss his n. The intelligence officers in the Special Forces were already in the loop.

    ¡°We¡¯ve made several attempts to attack the shelter, and though we¡¯ve suffered losses, we¡¯ve figured out Zhang Yi¡¯s abilities,¡± Ling Feng exined, pointing to a 3D model of the shelter.

    ¡°Ballistic weapons like guns and rocketunchers are useless; he can absorb and reflect them. However, his offensive capabilities are limited. He only dares to attack with a sniper rifle and never ventures out of the shelter.¡±

    ¡°So, my n is for us to attack continuously from his shelter¡¯s blind spots using our superpowers!¡± He pointed to the model again, highlighting the areas with no windows.

    Liang Yue raised an eyebrow. ¡°Is that all? This could take forever. Even if we rotate, it might take over a year to break through.¡±

    She continued, ¡°I don¡¯t think the base will give us that much time, and why involve the vigers if it¡¯s just us fighting?¡±

    Ling Feng chuckled. ¡°As expected of a teacher, Liang! You¡¯re sharp.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a P.E. teacher,¡± she replied coldly.

    ¡°Well, teacher or not, you¡¯re right. The real attack isn¡¯t from the surface¡ªit¡¯s underground,¡± Ling Feng said, his eyes hardening as he pointed to the soil beneath the shelter on the model.

    ¡°We¡¯re going to blow it up from below. TNT is still the most effective way to deal with a fortified structure.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s heart froze as she grasped the n. ¡°You¡¯re sending the vigers to their deaths?¡±

    Ling Feng¡¯s expression turned icy. ¡°I¡¯m doing this for their own good. Zhang Yi has already ughtered hundreds of them. If we leave now, they¡¯ll have no chance against him.¡±

    ¡°Sacrifices are necessary for victory,¡± he said coldly. ¡°As soldiers, our first duty is to follow orders. And we¡¯ve been ordered to take Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter at any cost.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s fists clenched in fury. ¡®At any cost¡ªbut it¡¯s the vigers who will pay the price!¡¯

    Though she had known West Hill Base was ruthless, she hadn¡¯t expected the soldiers to be this heartless.

    ¡°I¡¯m not a soldier! I can¡¯t do this!¡± she spat.

    Ling Feng¡¯s gaze turned sharp. ¡°Since joining the Special Forces, you¡¯ve been one of us. Unless you have a better n, you¡¯ll follow the order.¡±

    Liang Yue fell silent. What could she do? She had secretly allied with Zhang Yi and wanted him to survive. But how could she watch the vigers march to their deaths?

    Zheng Xuerong intervened, cing a hand on Liang Yue¡¯s arm. ¡°We have no choice, Liang. Zhang Yi controls supplies for thousands. He¡¯s vital to West Hill Base.¡±

    ¡°In the apocalypse, only a few can survive. Protect yourself and those close to you¡ªlike your students.¡±

    Hearing this, Liang Yue calmed down. Confronting Ling Feng now wouldn¡¯t end well for her or her students.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 286: Just You Wait!

    Chapter 286: Just You Wait!

    Ling Feng had prepared against everyone in Xu Family Town, including Fatty Xu, but he never anticipated that there was a traitor within the Special Forces Team.

    After all, when Liang Yue entered West Hill Base, her personal background had been thoroughly investigated. She had no contact with Zhang Yi, and there were no records of her on Tianluo.

    But it was precisely this oversight that led to the operational n he had agonized over being leaked in less than a day.

    After returning to her room, Liang Yue immediately passed the information to Zhang Yi.

    ¡°The Special Forces n to dig a tunnel and blow it up from underneath your shelter.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ve gathered the entire town of Xu Family Town, and the construction site is far from the shelter, so it¡¯ll be hard for you to notice.¡±

    ¡°But if you pay close attention, you should be able to spot some clues.¡±

    After receiving Liang Yue¡¯s message, Zhang Yi was slightly startled.¡°Blowing it up from underground?¡±

    To be honest, he had thought of this method before. However, the construction would take a very long time, and with the reinforced underground structures, an enormous amount of explosives would be needed.

    So, while he needed to be cautious, it wasn¡¯t something to worry about immediately.

    After all, this kind of n was easy to counter¡ªjust blow up the tunnel to resolve it.

    If they were using traditional construction methods, a simple detector would be enough to monitor the underground movements, provided they were on alert ahead of time.

    Zhang Yi responded to Liang Yue, ¡°Got it, thanks for the heads-up. I¡¯ll keep an eye on it!¡±

    Ling Feng¡¯s n relied heavily on the element of surprise. But once the intel was leaked, the n¡¯s damage potential would drop significantly¡ªand it would be more of an insult to themselves.

    Liang Yue suddenly asked, ¡°So, what¡¯s your next move?¡±

    Zhang Yi shrugged and grinned. ¡°If they¡¯re so keen on wasting their time, then let them go for it!¡±

    It was freezing outside¡ªit was already mid-winter, the coldest time of the year. If they started digging now, many of them would die.

    Forget about the vigers from Xu Family Town¡ªeven the well-trained soldiers from West Hill Base wouldn¡¯tst long in this weather.

    ¡°If they want to work, let them work. I¡¯d be thrilled if they dropped dead from exhaustion!¡± Zhang Yi thought, an idea full of dark humor forming in his mind.

    He nned to let them dig most of the way, wait until they were within 300 meters of the shelter, and then blow up the tunnel!

    At that moment, the expressions on the faces of the Special Forces and Xu Family Town¡¯s vigers would surely be priceless!

    Zhang Yi was thoroughly enjoying his devious n.

    But Liang Yue, hearing this, grew anxious. ¡°No, you can¡¯t! It¡¯s the vigers from Xu Family Town digging the tunnel, not the soldiers.¡±

    ¡°If you let it continue, the ones who die will be those innocent vigers.¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi, you should act quickly to prevent unnecessary deaths.¡±

    Zhang Yi scoffed at her words. He acknowledged that Liang Yue was kind-hearted, but she didn¡¯t understand his deep grudge with Xu Family Town.

    Their previous attack on the shelter aside, the fact that theyter chose to aid the soldiers from West Hill Base meant they were already his enemies.

    Zhang Yi would love nothing more than to see those people get what they deserved.

    Watching them be forced tobor and then die tragically in the tunnel was exactly the oue he was hoping for.

    Zhang Yizily said to Liang Yue, ¡°Ms. Liang, you¡¯re right. But if I destroy the tunnel too soon, won¡¯t that expose you?¡±

    ¡°You already mentioned that everyone in Xu Family Town has had theirmunication devices confiscated. Only you and the Special Forces Team have the ability to make contact with the outside.¡±

    ¡°So, once the n fails, they¡¯ll definitely suspect you first.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t risk your life just to save a few vigers.¡±

    Zhang Yi crossed his arms, a mocking smile on his face.

    ¡°How about this¡ªI¡¯ve got a suggestion! Go find Captain Ling Feng and have a nice chat. Try to convince him to drop the n. Or, challenge him to a fight and force him to agree with you.¡±

    ¡°At least if you fail, he won¡¯t kill you. It¡¯s better than being caught as a traitor, right? What do you think?¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s words left Liang Yue speechless. She had only thought about saving the innocent vigers, but she hadn¡¯t considered that once the truth came out, her own life would be in danger.

    If it were just her, she could easily leave and survive in the apocalypse with her abilities.

    But if she fled, the students she left behind at West Hill Base would be doomed.

    It was obvious how West Hill Base would treat a traitor.

    ¡°So¡­ do I really have no choice but to watch them die?¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s voice was filled with guilt.

    Zhang Yi calmly replied, ¡°It¡¯s West Hill Base sending them to their deaths, not you. You don¡¯t need to feel responsible.¡±

    His words eased her guilt somewhat. After all, there was no way she would sacrifice herself and her students for the vigers of Xu Family Town.

    ¡°Sigh, let¡¯s just hope the casualties won¡¯t be too severe,¡± Liang Yue sighed helplessly.

    Zhang Yi had been about to ask her about Fatty Xu¡¯s situation but decided against it for now.

    With Liang Yue as a mole inside the base, he could still keep an eye on the movements of the soldiers at West Hill Base.

    ¡°Oh, by the way, let me ask you something. Which house are you staying in at Xu Family Town?¡±

    Liang Yue was puzzled by the question and instinctively nced into the distance.

    From this direction, she couldn¡¯t see the vi at Cloud Manor 101, which was several kilometers away.

    ¡°Why do you ask? Are you nning toe find me?¡±

    ¡°Who knows! But if the opportunity arises, I might need your help with something.¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled mysteriously. ¡°It¡¯s a matter of whether you and your students can escape.¡±

    Using Fatty Xu¡¯s extravagant anime-inspired castle as a reference, Liang Yue told him her room¡¯s location.

    ¡°Got it.¡±

    Liang Yue couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°What exactly do you n to do?¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s voice was full of mystery. ¡°You¡¯ll find out when the timees. Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t risk my life sneaking over there just to take advantage of your beauty.¡±

    Liang Yue rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Even at a time like this, you still have the energy to make such lewd jokes?¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re bold enough toe over, I might as well entertain you,¡± she said provocatively.

    ¡°Fine, just wait for me then!¡± Zhang Yi answered without hesitation.

    He was never one to turn down such invitations.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 287: Digging a Tunnel

    Chapter 287: Digging a Tunnel

    Under Ling Feng¡¯smand, the entire ACE Special Forces team and the people from Xu Family Town were mobilized.

    Ling Feng, Liang Yue, and Shi Dayong were responsible forunching the attack on the shelter. They noticed that the alternate space didn¡¯t actively affect the human body, so they aimed to forcibly create an opening. Of course, their furious assault was mostly a ruse to confuse Zhang Yi. To make the act more convincing, they even called in arge number of special forces members, who attacked from a distance with various types of firepower. The only thing they didn¡¯t use was high-yield explosives. Otherwise, the assault was fairly intense. If Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t received an inside tip, he might have believed they¡¯d gone mad.

    Meanwhile, about 1,500 meters away at the river embankment, special forces members stood by with guns, overseeing the people of Xu Family Town as they started digging. Each of the vigers carried tools, but none of them knew exactly what they were doing. This was part of Ling Feng¡¯s n¡ªto ensure they didn¡¯t realize they were digging a 1,500-meter tunnel from the start. Otherwise, there would have been unrest. Ling Feng didn¡¯t want to kill people just to make an example. He valued each worker, knowing that most of them would eventually be sent to West Hill Base to work in the Fourth Life Pod.

    Since the vigers had no idea what they were doing and saw that the entire town was divided into teams for work, they didn¡¯t feel too miserable about the situation. Professional engineers from the special forces stood by to guide them, teaching them how to dig properly.

    In the underground shelter¡¯s third level, Zhang Yi sat on a leather sofa, wearing loose-fitting sportswear. Beside him were women dressed even more casually, in nothing but pajamas. Zhang Yi had already informed them of the enemy¡¯s ns, so upon learning there would be norge-scale attack for now, the women rxed.

    Using the cameras embedded in the wall, Zhang Yi could clearly see Ling Feng and the others furiously attacking the back wall. It was a shooting blind spot, making it impossible for Zhang Yi to counterattack with a sniper rifle. Even so, when Ling Feng punched the wall, all he managed to leave was a shallow mark on the thick, reinforced surface. Shi Dayong¡¯s blows left even fainter marks; although his transformed state was terrifying, his strength was far below Ling Feng¡¯s. As for Liang Yue, she swung her newly acquired Tang sword, leaving a slightly deeper but still very thin scratch. After one sh, she quickly retreated, feigning exhaustion.

    Among the team¡¯s captains, Zheng Xuerong wasn¡¯t a strength-type Superhuman, so she simply kept watch and didn¡¯t join the attack. At their current pace, even if they worked nonstop for 24 hours a day, it would take them years to break through.

    Zhang Yi, sitting cross-legged on the sofa, watched the screen intently as if enjoying a show. Beside him were Zhou Ke¡¯er and Yang Siyah, both dressed in alluring sleepwear, one on each side of him. They peeled nuts and fed them to him.¡°Water,¡± Zhang Yi saidzily, spitting out a word. Yang Siyah quickly handed him a cup of warm water, while Zhou Ke¡¯er, a step slower, shot her a disgruntled look.

    The two women¡¯spetition for his favor made Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran, sitting nearby, feel a bit awkward. Lu Keran scratched her head and broke the silence.

    ¡°These Superhumans are really strong! Their power has already surpassed many modern weapons. Are all Superhumans this tough?¡±

    Crunching on some nuts, Zhang Yi replied, ¡°These people are the elite of the elite from West Hill Base. It¡¯s not surprising they¡¯re this powerful.¡± Then, turning to the women around him, he added, ¡°So you see, the world outside is full of danger, with monsters like them lurking around. We¡¯d better stay here where we have food and drink. Isn¡¯t that a better life?¡±

    The women nodded in agreement. After hearing gunfire and explosions from outside for days, they had been on edge.

    Yang Siyah asked curiously, ¡°Zhang Yi, even though we know their n, we can¡¯t go out. How will we know how far they¡¯ve dug?¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled and nced at Yang Xinxin, who was sitting elegantly. ¡°Xinxin, care to exin?¡±

    Yang Xinxin shot her cousin a proud look, lifting her chin slightly. ¡°Sound travels faster through solids than air. Since they¡¯re digging underground, we can detect the vibrations more clearly.¡±

    ¡°As long as we have a receiver, I can analyze their progress with myputer,¡± she said, taking a sip of coffee. ¡°It¡¯s a simple trick.¡±

    Yang Siyah nodded in understanding. ¡°So basically, we don¡¯t need to do anything? We just wait?¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded. ¡°Yes, essentially, there¡¯s nothing for us to do. What they¡¯re doing is aplete waste of time.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll just conserve our strength and watch them waste time¡ªand lives.¡±

    It wasn¡¯t that Zhang Yi didn¡¯t want to act; it was just that being on defense meant waiting for the enemy to make the first mistake before responding. This was the wisest strategy. All he needed to do was stay vignt and not miss any suspicious movement. After all, he couldn¡¯tpletely rule out the possibility that Liang Yue was a double agent.

    The first day passed peacefully. To keep up appearances, Zhang Yi showed his face, fired a few sniper shots, and quickly retreated back to the basement, where he passed the time ying cards with the women.

    After a few days of practice, the women¡¯s card skills had improved enough to make a decent game, especially Yang Xinxin, whose sharp mind and near-photographic memory made her the best card yer in the shelter. They made their games more interesting by adding forfeits instead of betting money¡ªlosers had to perform tricks or share embarrassing stories.

    While Zhang Yi¡¯s group enjoyed their quiet life, the people outside had it much harder. Even the soldiers from West Hill Base couldn¡¯t endure the conditions forever. Despite their specialized suits with excellent cold resistance, the extreme cold couldn¡¯t be ignored. Regr soldiers had to rotate out after two-hour shifts to warm up indoors, while Superhumans like Ling Feng found a corner and built an igloo.

    The igloo was built by Zheng Xuerong, whose ability differed from Fatty Xu¡¯s. She could condense water molecules from the air to create ice structures, even without snow or ice in the environment. Though their powers were simr, they had key differences. Fatty Xu¡¯s ability was more terrain-dependent, only usable in icy areas, but his range was muchrger. Since he used local materials, his energy consumption was lower. In contrast, Zheng Xuerong could create ice anywhere but at a higher energy cost. Her igloo, however, was sturdier and could even withstand small artillery fire if needed.

    Inside the igloo, the group gathered around a fire, warming up before resuming their harassment of Zhang Yi. After a full day, they had only left shallow marks on the outer wall, with no real progress. Yet, Ling Feng remained patient. While roasting preserved pork from Xu Family Town over the fire, he started telling stories from his days as a soldier in Xichuan.

    When not fighting, Ling Feng seemed like a modest, approachable man. He wasn¡¯t tall and didn¡¯t appear to be a ruthless special forces captain, but beneath his unassuming appearance was the heart of a pure soldier.

    ¡°When I first joined the army, thepanymander taught us an important lesson. He said, ¡®A good soldier doesn¡¯t need his own thoughts.¡¯¡±

    ¡°Of course, he didn¡¯t meanbat strategies, but strategic-level thinking. In war, the worst thing is letting personal will override collective purpose. Even if you know something is wrong, everyone has to move in the same direction to win. If everyone follows their own ideas, it¡¯s over.¡±

    As Ling Feng said this, he nced at Liang Yue with a smile. ¡°Internal division is always the most lethal for any organization.¡±

    Liang Yue tossed a piece of wood into the fire. ¡°But if we keep doing the wrong thing, isn¡¯t that worse? You know the saying about pulling in the wrong direction, right?¡± she said, alluding to Ling Feng¡¯s disregard for the vigers¡¯ lives as he forced them to dig the tunnel.

    Ling Feng traced a circle with his hand and joked, ¡°Don¡¯t forget, the world is round. Even if we head in the wrong direction, we¡¯ll eventuallye back around.¡±

    After his sly remark, he grew serious. ¡°But if the group loses its unity, even if we find the right direction, we won¡¯t seed.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve tried too many things already. We can¡¯t afford another failure.¡±

    Ling Feng didn¡¯t need to exin himself to Liang Yue, just as he didn¡¯t owe any exnation to Zheng Xuerong or Shi Dayong. Yet, he showed Liang Yue extra patience because she wasn¡¯t a career soldier, and her abilities were exceptional. He wanted her to respect and trust him, making future management easier.

    Liang Yue remained silent for a long time before looking at Ling Feng with a yful smile. ¡°So, do you think we¡¯ll seed this time? If we fail, and many people die from exhaustion and frostbite, who will take responsibility?¡±

    The atmosphere inside the igloo turned heavy. Ling Feng lowered his head in thought for a moment before saying quietly, ¡°I will.¡±

    Then he lifted his head and smiled brightly. ¡°I¡¯ll remember those who died and live well enough for all of them.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 288: Management Measures

    Chapter 288: Management Measures

    Ling Feng''s exnation left Liang Yuepletely speechless about this man.

    She didn¡¯t even know how to describe him, as Ling Feng had his own unique logic for everything he did. It was a form of pure emotion, so much so that no matter what he did, he never felt he was wrong. He even had a way to justify sacrificing others for his own goals. The key point was, Ling Feng wasn¡¯t trying to argue¡ªhe truly believed from the bottom of his heart that he wasn¡¯t wrong.

    Such pure goodness or evil could make people feel fear.

    Liang Yue kept silent and stopped engaging with him any further.

    As night fell, the temperature dropped sharply. Ling Feng said to Liang Yue and the others, ¡°Let¡¯s go back and rest for the night. It¡¯s hard to see anything now, so we don¡¯t need to worry about Zhang Yi noticing anything.¡±

    He led the special forces team back, passing by the tunnel excavation site on their way to inspect the work. The remaining poption in Xu Family Town was over a thousand, and they could mobilize nearly a thousand people to work. But, of course, not that many people could dig the tunnel at the same time¡ªit had to be done in batches of twenty people per shift, with a shift change every half hour.

    The initial digging was the hardest. The ground beneath the surface had frozen into permafrost, making it extremely difficult to excavate using manualbor alone.

    Ling Feng approached, apanied by the team leaders, and asked Wu, the engineer in charge of the project, ¡°How is it going? Is the first day¡¯s work progressing smoothly?¡±Engineer Wu replied, ¡°Everything is going ording to n. If all goes well, with nonstop digging, we¡¯ll break through this 1,500-meter tunnel in about a month.¡±

    ¡°And then¡ªboom!¡± Engineer Wu made an exploding gesture and smiled. ¡°We¡¯ll send Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter flying with 2,000 kilograms of explosives!¡±

    Ling Feng nodded in satisfaction as he looked at the busy scene. Several armed soldiers were standing guard nearby, while a group of workers waited, shovels and bamboo baskets in hand, ready for their shift.

    Suddenly, Ling Feng¡¯s brow furrowed. He quickly approached one of the vigers and stopped him. ¡°Hey, you! Lift your head and let me take a look.¡±

    The viger had a scarf wrapped around his face and was quite small in build. Hearing Ling Feng¡¯smand, he pulled down the scarf, revealing a youthful face.

    Ling Feng¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°How old are you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m thirteen,¡± the boy replied honestly.

    Ling Feng¡¯s sudden burst of anger startled everyone as he shouted at Xu Dongtang and Engineer Wu, ¡°Didn''t I say no children under sixteen are allowed to work? Don¡¯t you know that children are the future of the nation?¡±

    Xu Dongtang hurriedly exined, ¡°Captain Ling, we¡¯re all farmers. Don¡¯t let his age fool you¡ªhe¡¯s just as strong as any adult from the city.¡±

    Ling Feng, still furious, responded, ¡°I said no, and I mean it! Even if the project is urgent, we must have some boundaries!¡±

    He pointed at the boy, ¡°Take him back immediately! This is a battlefield, and we cannot let children get involved!¡±

    Xu Dongtang quickly pulled the boy aside. ¡°Yes, yes, I¡¯ll take him back right away.¡±

    The boy looked at Ling Feng with eyes full of gratitude and admiration.

    Not far away, Liang Yue observed the scene and was at a loss for words. She just didn¡¯t know what to think of Ling Feng anymore. Was he a fool?

    Xu Dongtang had the boy taken away, while Ling Feng continued, ¡°To speed up the project, the tunnel must operate 24 hours non-stop. Mayor Xu, I hope you¡¯ll lead by example and help everyone push through this.¡±

    Xu Dongtang was dumbfounded. Ling Feng had never mentioned this to him before. No, Ling Feng had never considered the opinions of the Xu Family Town residents at all. Including this excavation, none of these people knew what they were really working for.

    Upon hearing that the work would continue around the clock, Xu Dongtang was terrified. ¡°Captain Ling, isn¡¯t that too much? Even if they only work for half an hour at a time, it¡¯s still too much for ordinary people in this weather.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s more¡­ we don¡¯t even know how long this project will take.¡±

    Xu Dongtang mustered the courage to ask, ¡°Captain Ling, what exactly are you trying to do?¡±

    Ling Feng didn¡¯t bother exining to him. Instead, he lightly patted Xu Dongtang¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Old Xu, you just need to cooperate with our work. Understand?¡±

    ¡°Everything we¡¯re doing is for the good of Xu Family Town. If we don¡¯t eliminate Zhang Yi, that demon, all of you will die!¡±

    ¡°Be smart. Don¡¯t think I¡¯m harming your people!¡±

    After saying this, Ling Feng turned and left, not giving Xu Dongtang any chance to negotiate. Or rather, in Ling Feng¡¯s eyes, Xu Dongtang wasn¡¯t qualified to negotiate.

    ¡°Let¡¯s head back and rest. We¡¯ll return tomorrow,¡± Ling Feng smiled as he spoke to Liang Yue and the others. As the main force for the diversionary attack, their superhuman abilities were drained from the constant use.

    Liang Yue had seen through Ling Feng by now, so she said nothing and followed him back to Xu Family Town.

    Once back, the town¡¯s women were immediately instructed to prepare food for them. Before long, a table full of food was brought out, mainly consisting of steamed buns and grilled fish¡ªtwo of the most abundant food supplies left.

    Ling Feng tore into the food, biting down on the buns like he hadn¡¯t eaten in days.

    In the following days, life became monotonous. Ling Feng continued leading a few superhumans in their diversionary attacks on Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter, while the vigers of Xu Family Town toiled asborers, digging the tunnel.

    Fatty Xu, as a superhuman destined to be taken to West Hill Base, wasn¡¯t required to work. But after losing contact with Zhang Yi, he waspletely cut off from him.

    On the third day, the tunnel had reached over 100 meters deep, and the challenges became more apparent. The deeper they went, the more oxygen-deprived it became. Without oxygen supply equipment, they had to resort to the most basic method¡ªpumping air in through rubber hoses, much like an old-fashioned diving setup, using manpower to push air into the tunnel.

    But this method was far less effective than modern equipment. Coupled with the cold and the intensebor, the first worker finally copsed. Amidst shouts and panic, the others carried the man out of the tunnel.

    A military doctor from the special forces team checked him over and shook his head. ¡°Acute myocardial infarction. He¡¯s gone.¡±

    The man was Xu Youzhi, 52 years old, a construction worker. Older people were more prone to heart attacks and strokes in such extreme cold conditions. While these conditions could be treated with a timely bypass operation at West Hill Base, it wasn¡¯t worth the trouble for an ordinary viger.

    Xu Youzhi was thus dered dead on the spot.

    Seeing Xu Youzhi¡¯s still-warm body, the vigers of Xu Family Town felt a deep sense of grief and anger.

    A young man shouted at the special operations soldiers nearby, ¡°This is inhumane! You¡¯re treating us like ves! I¡¯m done with this!¡±

    He angrily threw down his shovel. Seeing this, the other vigers followed suit, throwing down their tools and demanding answers.

    Supervisor Shen Hong frowned and said coldly, ¡°Orders from the organization must not be disobeyed! Everything we¡¯re doing is for your revenge.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re this far along now¡ªanyone who tries to back out will be treated as a deserter!¡±

    Shen Hong emphasized the word ¡°deserter,¡± gripping his assault rifle and subtly pointing it toward the crowd of vigers.

    That simple gesture was like a bucket of cold water, instantly cooling the vigers¡¯ tempers.

    Xu Dongtang sighed. ¡°Take the body away. We need to rece him.¡±

    With sorrow in their eyes, the vigers carried Xu Youzhi¡¯s body back to town for burial.

    However, as the deaths mounted, things spiraled out of control. The deeper the tunnel, the harsher the conditions. The second person, the third, and eventually the fourth viger copsed¡­

    One by one, the vigers died, either copsing during the day or passing away quietly at home, never to wake up again.

    Human bodies are fragile. Already, they were struggling just to survive the extreme cold, but now, forced to work in such harsh conditions, it was the final straw that broke them.

    By this point, a few bodies were being carried out of the tunnel every day.

    The growing death toll stirred anger among the vigers. Though they didn¡¯t dare confront the armed special forces team directly, verbal disputes and secret acts of resistance increased.

    When Ling Feng heard about this, he remained calm. It was all within their expectations.

    ¡°Pick a few ringleaders and execute them. Some people won¡¯t understand fear until they see blood.¡±

    ¡°We only care about the progress of the project. Let their mayor and vige chief manage them. Their own people manage each other better than we ever could.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 289: Negotiation Requires Strength

    Chapter 289: Negotiation Requires Strength

    The conflict came quickly but disappeared just as fast.

    A group of hot-headed vigers attempted to attack the special forces team, hoping to seize their weapons and resist. But what could they use to fight against well-trained soldiers?

    They were quickly captured, and three of the ringleaders were publicly executed on the spot. Seeing the heads of those three burst open, with blood and brain matter spilling onto the snow, steaming from the heat, brought the vigers of Xu Family Town back to their senses.

    They realized they were no match for West Hill Base. The idealized image they had of the organization was shattered. Many regretted the warm wee they had given these people, with some even cursing Xu Dongtang and the other leaders. But they also knew that refusing to wee the special forces would not have led to a different oue.

    No, it wouldn¡¯t have.

    Ling Feng didn¡¯t mind firing a few extra shots. Teaching them the rules with bloodshed would only make things clearer.

    Life returned to its routine, but every viger in Xu Family Town lived under a cloud of fear. They continued digging tunnels, knowing they might suffocate deep underground at any moment. If they refused to work, the overseers from the special forces would beat them to death on the spot.

    After executing the prisoners, Ling Feng had made their rtionship clear. There was no longer any pretense; they openly used force to dominate the town.Ten days passed in a sh. Thirty-two people from Xu Family Town had died, and the number continued to rise. The tunnel had reached a depth of about 500 meters. The shifts grew shorter¡ªjust digging for a few minutes requireding up for air.

    ¡°At this rate, will we be able to dig 1,500 meters?¡± Liang Yue asked Ling Feng.

    ¡°With the vigers'' remaining strength, crawling 1,500 meters will leave them exhausted, let alone continuing to dig,¡± Ling Feng replied coldly. ¡°But we have no choice. Without modern tools, this is the only way.¡±

    ¡°Since we¡¯ve chosen to sacrifice, we have to see it through.¡±

    ¡°When the timees, I¡¯ll deal with Zhang Yi for them. That should count as revenge.¡±

    Liang Yue felt speechless at Ling Feng¡¯s twisted logic. Right now, the vigers likely hated Ling Feng far more than they hated Zhang Yi. People really have no self-awareness, Liang Yue thought.

    Each meter of progress would now be paid for in lives.

    ---

    In the shelter, Zhang Yi was keeping up with the outside situation through his conversations with Liang Yue. Liang Yue¡¯s mental state had also be moreposed, having witnessed death daily and listened to Ling Feng¡¯s twisted rationalizations. Nothing could shake her anymore.

    ¡°At the current pace, it¡¯ll take at least half a month to reach the designated spot,¡± she said. ¡°But by then, hundreds more vigers will have died.¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi, aren¡¯t you going to act? Be careful you don¡¯t let things get out of control. It¡¯ll be hard to clean up the messter.¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly. ¡°I have a n, don¡¯t worry.¡±

    ¡°No matter what I do, I¡¯ll keep my promise to you. As for the rest, you don¡¯t need to concern yourself.¡±

    In other words, you¡¯re meddling too much, Zhang Yi thought. We¡¯re just partners, not anything more. You have no right to tell me what to do.

    Liang Yue frowned slightly. ¡°I was just trying to help.¡±

    ¡°Yes, and I appreciate that,¡± Zhang Yi replied indifferently. ¡°By the way, I¡¯ve noticed fewer attacks on the sheltertely. Apart from a few Superhumans like you, where did the others go? Are they on some other mission?¡±

    ¡°No, most of them are on standby in Xu Family Town,¡± Liang Yue answered. ¡°They can¡¯t really do much to help. The only thing they¡¯re doing is ¡®maintaining order¡¯ in the town.¡± She couldn¡¯t help butugh at her own words. ¡°Maintaining order? More like keeping the vigers in check, ready to suppress any riots.¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded slowly. ¡°Oh~~ I see.¡±

    After ending the conversation, Zhang Yi had a n forming in his mind. It was time to act after all this waiting. Surely by now, Ling Feng and the others had let their guard down a bit, thinking Zhang Yi would stay holed up in the shelter without doing anything.

    ¡°It¡¯s time to give them a little surprise,¡± Zhang Yi said with a sly smile.

    ---

    In Xu Family Town, Ling Feng was inside a house, eating heartily while discussing their next steps with Shi Dayong and a few others. Therge table in front of them was piled high with food, enough to form a small mountain. And this was just for the five of them.

    Ling Feng, Shi Dayong, Zheng Xuerong, Shen Hong, and Yu Lang were all Superhumans, and their appetites far exceeded those of ordinary people. Since much of their power came from the energy in food, they consumed more than ten times what a regr viger would eat.

    This left the vigers in Xu Family Town bitter. Watching their hard-earned food being wasted like this was like a knife to their hearts. At this rate, their stores of food would be gone in a few months.

    Xu Dongtang arrived at Ling Feng¡¯s residence, hoping to talk about the issue. After the guards announced him, Xu Dongtang walked into the room, his eyes immediately drawn to the piles of food on the table. The amount these five Superhumans ate could easily feed seventy or eighty people.

    Ling Feng nced at Xu Dongtang and greeted him warmly. ¡°Old Xu! Come on over, have a bite with us.¡±

    Xu Dongtang quickly waved his hand. ¡°No, no, I¡¯ve already eaten.¡±

    ¡°Ah, don¡¯t be shy. Come, sit with us!¡± Ling Feng insisted, forgetting that he was a guest in this town and Xu Dongtang was the host.

    Reluctantly, Xu Dongtang sat down next to Ling Feng.

    ¡°Old Xu, you¡¯ve been working hardtely,¡± Ling Feng said sincerely. ¡°I know you¡¯re under a lot of pressure. But hey, that¡¯s what being the town leader is about. With great poweres great responsibility. So keep up the good work, alright?¡±

    Xu Dongtang smiled awkwardly and nodded.

    After exchanging pleasantries, Xu Dongtang got to the point. ¡°Captain Ling, how much longer until you can take down Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter?¡±

    At his question, everyone turned to look at him.

    Shi Dayong grumbled, ¡°What, you don¡¯t want us here anymore?¡±

    Ling Feng immediately shot him a re. ¡°Shi, what are you talking about? Old Xu isn¡¯t like that.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re here to help, after all. Isn¡¯t that right, Old Xu?¡± Ling Feng said with a smile.

    ¡°Yes, of course, I didn¡¯t mean that,¡± Xu Dongtang quickly responded. ¡°It¡¯s just that, recently, we¡¯ve lost a lot of people, and the food situation...¡±

    He was about to say that they were eating their food, living in their houses, and sending their people to die, hoping Ling Feng and his group would leave soon. But before he could finish, Ling Feng interrupted him.

    ¡°Oh, speaking of food, let me tell you something!¡± Ling Feng picked up a grilled fish. ¡°We¡¯ve been eating fish for almost a week now. It¡¯s well-cooked, but eating the same thing every day gets boring.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re soldiers. We need proper food! You should bring us more red meat.¡±

    Xu Dongtang was dumbfounded. He hade to ask them to cut back on food, but now Ling Feng was demanding better quality?

    ¡°Captain Ling, I... I wanted to ask if you could simplify your meals,¡± Xu Dongtang said. ¡°The vigers rely on the fish from Lu River to survive. With your arrival, most of the fish have gone to feed your soldiers.¡±

    Ling Feng raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh? So you¡¯re saying you¡¯re running low on food now?¡±

    Xu Dongtang nodded reluctantly. ¡°It¡¯s getting difficult for us.¡±

    Ling Feng put down his fish, paused for a moment, then said, ¡°I understand your situation. Times are tough for everyone.¡±

    Xu Dongtang let out a sigh of relief. ¡°It¡¯s great that you understand, Captain Ling.¡±

    Ling Feng pped his thigh and said, ¡°Well then, since you¡¯re having such a hard time, we won¡¯t trouble you any longer.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll take my team and leave tomorrow. We¡¯ll head back to West Hill Base.¡±

    Xu Dongtang¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°What, you¡¯re leaving?¡±

    His heart raced with excitement. Sending these people away meant Xu Family Town could finally breathe. Living under the barrel of a gun was a torment.

    Ling Feng continued, ¡°But once we leave, you¡¯ll need to be more vignt.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve spent a lot of time here in Xu Family Town, and Zhang Yi knows that. We¡¯ve been attacking his shelter for days, bombing everything around it.¡±

    ¡°With his personality, he won¡¯t just let this slide. While we¡¯re here, we keep him in check. But once we¡¯re gone, who do you think he¡¯lle after?¡±

    Ling Feng turned to look at Xu Dongtang with a mocking smile. ¡°Old Xu, what do you think?¡±

    A chill ran down Xu Dongtang¡¯s spine. He understood perfectly¡ªif Zhang Yi learned they had helped West Hill Base, Xu Family Town would be the next target for revenge. They had already seen what Zhang Yi was capable of.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 290: Give Them a Little Shock

    Chapter 290: Give Them a Little Shock

    Xu Dongtang¡¯s body was rigid and tense, not knowing how to respond to Ling Feng¡¯s words.

    Ling Feng smiled and said, ¡°So you see, we can¡¯t leave. We have to stay here and protect you.¡±

    ¡°Starting tomorrow, double the food rations! We need to maintain our strength to fight the enemy, after all!¡±

    Xu Dongtang was stunned. ¡°What? Double the rations? If we do that, our vigers won¡¯t have enough to eat, they¡¯ll starve to death!¡±

    Ling Feng stared into his eyes, his ck-gray pupils cold and indifferent like stainless steel.

    ¡°If the vigers die, you Xu Family members can still survive here. But if we soldiers die, there won¡¯t be a single de of grass left in Xu Family Town!¡±

    ¡°So, my request is not unreasonable, right?¡±

    Xu Dongtang opened his mouth but didn¡¯t say a word. Although he was the mayor of Xu Family Town, he was, in reality, nothing more than a puppet propped up by the West Hill Base. He had no power to negotiate with them.That night, Xu Dongtang reluctantly conveyed the message to the viges as tactfully as possible.

    Curses echoed through the night; everyone wished they could chop the special forces team into pieces!

    But after all the cursing, no one took any action. The next day, they obediently handed over the food as Ling Feng demanded.

    Even though the food was seized, it didn¡¯t matter, as they could still eat a little and wouldn¡¯t starve to death. Even if forced to work in the freezing cold, facing the threat of death, it wasn¡¯t a certainty they¡¯d die. As long as they weren¡¯tpletely cornered, they would curse in their hearts but rarely dared to resist.

    Those who did dare to resist had already been executed in public, leaving the survivors broken, keeping their heads down like ostriches, enduring all the injustice.

    Time passed slowly, and the situation around the shelter remained the same every day.

    Ling Feng, to avoid arousing Zhang Yi''s suspicion, continued to attack the shelter at the same time each day. As for Zhang Yi, he asionally came out, pretending to be enraged, cursing loudly, and firing shots randomly, but he never actually left the shelter.

    Most of the time, Zhang Yi, Yang Siyah, Zhou Ke''er, and the others lived leisurely in the shelter. Food was plentiful, and they had no shortage of entertainment. With enough people around, boredom wasn¡¯t an issue. They yed cards, moved on to other games, and sometimes even yed badminton in the gym on the third underground floor.

    The underground space wasrge enough to amodate bigger group activities if they wanted.

    Just like that, half a month passed.

    Monitoring showed that the tunnel digging had progressed to within 700 meters of the shelter. Over a hundred people from Xu Family Town had already perished for this effort. The vigers had be numb, even forgetting why they had started digging the tunnel in the first ce. Every day, they were herded by the special forces, working non-stop in 24-hour shifts.

    As for Zhang Yi, Ling Feng and the others were almost certain he was too afraid to leave the shelter. The overlyfortable environment had made himcent, and the only oue awaiting him was destruction.

    Another morning came.

    Zhang Yi woke up early, pulled back the covers, and Hua Huazily stretched out, ncing at him before yawning.

    ¡°Wake up! How about I take you for a walk?¡± Zhang Yi patted Hua Hua¡¯s head.

    Hua Hua was reluctant but eventually got up, stretching its body like a long noodle.

    Sitting by the bed, Zhang Yi calmly started changing clothes. Instead of his usual casual wear, he retrieved a full set of pure white attire from a dimensional space.

    It was a two-piece set. The inneryer was the same kind of close-fitting garment worn by Xie Huanhuan, entirely white, with gold zippers and decorative buttons, and a golden sword emblem on the chest¡ªsimple yet elegant.

    After putting on the inneryer, he then wore the matchingbat suit. The suit was identical in color and style, but its primary function was defense, whereas the inneryer focused on instion.

    The suit was equipped with a heating system and batteries, with heating modules distributed across the body, ensuring Zhang Yi''s warmth. This suit was modeled after thebat suits used by the special forces from West Hill Base, but its craftsmanship and materials far exceeded the original.

    Despite the sophisticated design, the suit was easy to wear, as it was designed forbat situations where ease of movement and quick dressing were crucial.

    After putting on his whitebat boots and equipping a matching helmet¡ªbulletproof and equipped with amunicator and tactical goggles¡ªZhang Yi meticulously checked his weapons and ammunition.

    This process took more than half an hour.

    Afterward, Zhang Yi ced some premium cat food by the bed, and Hua Hua, with a swipe of its sharp ws, opened the can and began eating.

    Zhang Yi checked his equipment onest time, grabbed a beef and cheese burger from the dimensional space, and heated up a cup of soy milk in the kitchen. After a leisurely breakfast, he hoisted Hua Hua onto his shoulder and headed down to the third underground floor.

    Most emergency shelters had secret exits designed for situations like enemy invasions. This shelter was no exception, and Zhang Yi was the only one who knew of its location, hidden beneath the floor in the front left corner of the gym on the third floor.

    The tunnel stretched 2.5 kilometers, emerging behind the northern hills of Cloud Manor. The exit was concealed within a dense forest.

    After studying the special forces team¡¯s patrol patterns, Zhang Yi decided to take the initiative for once, nning to give them a little shock.

    The special forces team, including the superhumans, woulde every day for mock assaults, as it was part of their ruse to prevent Zhang Yi from suspecting anything. However, only ordinary soldiers remained at Xu Family Town, with a few modified humans at most.

    These people posed no threat to the current Zhang Yi.

    Not to mention, he had Hua Hua with him. In closebat, Hua Hua was at least ten times more efficient at clearing out grunts than Zhang Yi himself.

    Zhang Yi reached the gym corner, lifted the third tile from the left in the fourth row, and unlocked the old-fashioned mechanical lock. He pulled out a yellow key, inserted it into the lock, and opened the door. Behind the first door was a second, and then a third, each offering progressively higher levels of security.

    Finally, the three doors opened, revealing a white staircase. Sensors automatically lit up the stairwell.

    Zhang Yi descended the stairs, reaching another heavy silver-gray metal door at the bottom. Its material was the same as the main entrance¡ªdesigned to withstand even heavy artillery fire.

    Next to the door was a ck motorcycle. Given the length of the tunnel, having a vehicle was essential for a quick escape. The shelter designers had nned it all carefully.

    Zhang Yi approached, scanned his iris and palm, and the door slowly opened with a rumble. Lights flickered on along the length of the tunnel.

    He mounted the bike and realized it was electric. Electric bikes were quieter, and with advancements in new energy technology, their range and speed wereparable to fuel-powered vehicles.

    The bike didn¡¯t require a key; it started with an iris scan. Zhang Yi elerated down the tunnel, which inclined upwards, leading to the surface.

    Not long after, he reached the end of the tunnel. In front of him was a thick alloy door, identical to the ones before, and using the same method, he opened it.

    With a loud rumble, the door opened inward, and a rush of snow poured in.

    Zhang Yi was prepared, dodging aside quickly. Even with thebat suit, he could still feel a slight chill.

    Hua Hua, perched on his shoulder, gave a disgruntled meow.

    Zhang Yi patted its head, stepped out into the snow, and shut the door behind him.

    The exit was located on a snow-covered hillside, where the snow was over five meters deep. The trees were bare, with only a few branches sticking out above the snow.

    Zhang Yi trudged through the snow, climbing up and reaching back to close the tunnel door. Upon seeing it clearly, he couldn¡¯t help but pause.

    It was disguised as a tall gravestone!

    ¡°Well, that¡¯s certainly hidden,¡± Zhang Yi muttered, shaking his head. It wouldn¡¯t be surprising if he were standing in the middle of a cemetery.

    He scanned the surroundings¡ªit was deathly silent, with no signs of life.

    Zhang Yi crouched down, whispered a few words to Hua Hua, who responded with a meow. Reluctantly, Hua Hua transformed, growingrger and using its big paws to shovel snow over the gravestone, concealing the door once again.

    Once finished, Hua Hua shrank back to its normal size.

    Zhang Yi nodded to the cat, and they set off, one man and one cat, trekking slowly through the snow.

    An hourter, around 8:30 in the morning.

    Ling Feng and his team finished breakfast and, as usual, headed to the shelter for their daily harassment.

    On the riverbank, a production line was in motion. People inside the shelter continuously passed out baskets of dirt, while those outside cleared it away and manually cranked machines to pump air into the tunnel.

    The only people left in Xu Family Town were the elderly and children who were too weak to work, along with a few women who were responsible for cooking. Aside from them, the rest were the special forces members from West Hill Base.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 291: Stealth Attack on the Base

    Chapter 291: Stealth Attack on the Base

    The atmosphere in Xu Family Town was distinctly prized.

    The vigers were on edge, their faces nk with fear. Although they didn''t need to work outside, they still had tasks assigned by the Special Forces Team, such as preparing food or fulfilling personal requests for some team members. In the past, these soldiers had been well-trained and strictly disciplined, but after the apocalypse, human nature gradually eroded with each twisted event. When one gains control over another''s life and death, moral boundaries blur.

    The bitter cold kept most people indoors, leaving only a few soldiers on guard. Yet, after a long period of peace, they didn¡¯t believe any enemy would attack.

    After all, they were the elite Special Forces Team from West Hill Base! Even in all of Tianhai City, their strength was unmatched. Their mission this time was to deal with a coward hiding in a shelter, too afraid toe out. No one would ever expect that a Superhuman from that shelter would dareunch an attack, especially against their main base.

    A soldier patrolling the edge of the vige held his gun, pacing slowly. Suddenly, he noticed a white figure in the distance. Upon closer inspection, he saw a captain¡¯s insignia on the person''s shoulder.

    (Thebat suit Zhang Yi wore was modeled after Liu Ziyang and Xie Huanhuan''s,plete with a captain''s insignia.)

    The soldier thought it was his captain returning from the front lines and immediately saluted.

    ¡°Captain!¡±The person in thebat suit approached, nodding slowly. Just as the guard let his guard down, a sh of a de sliced across his throat.

    ¡°Urgh¡­¡±

    Clutching his neck in disbelief, the guard copsed onto the snow, eyes filled with terror. Zhang Yi stepped forward and finished him off with a precise strike through the skull, ensuring his death.

    ¡°That¡¯s the fourth. Now, all the guards around Xu Family Town are dead,¡± Zhang Yi remarked calmly.

    Although he and Hua Hua could easily kill all the Special Forces members in the vige, a chaotic battle wouldplicate things and introduce unnecessary risks, possibly alerting the captains across the river. Zhang Yi was here to kill, not y the hero.

    After storing the body in his spatial dimension, Zhang Yi cleaned the blood from his clothes with the snow and casually walked further into the vige.

    At the southwest corner of Xu Family Town, a Special Forces soldier suddenly burst into a snow hut. The man of the house had been drafted to dig tunnels, leaving only his young wife at home. The soldier entered, quickly covering the woman¡¯s mouth to stifle any screams.

    ¡°Sister, I¡¯ve been having a rough timetely. Help me out!¡± The soldier¡¯s gaze swept over her body with a hint of lust. Though she was bundled up in thick clothes, her pale, frozen face wasn¡¯t exactly beautiful, but to a soldier deprived for days, she was more than enough to satisfy.

    The woman trembled in fear, her body shaking. ¡°You... you can¡¯t do this.¡±

    The soldier impatiently shoved her onto the bed, roughly tearing at her clothes.

    ¡°You better cooperate, or the consequences will be beyond what you can handle!¡± He didn¡¯t want to make a scene. Even if the upper officers in the Special Forces Team found out, at most he¡¯d get a p on the wrist, but being called out for such behavior would bring him shame in front of his peers.

    The woman sobbed quietly, knowing she was powerless to resist. She tightly closed her eyes, resigned to whatever was about to happen. As the soldier struggled to remove her manyyers, his breath grew heavier.

    ¡°So cold... it¡¯s freezing. Couldn¡¯t we at least cover ourselves with a nket first?¡± The woman, nearly numb from the cold, could barely feel anything.

    ¡°Damn! Even in this hellhole, I have to grit my teeth to do this. Way worse than back at the base!¡± the soldier grumbled. Still, it was an urgent situation¡ªhe needed a quick release, not a full experience.

    Soon, muffled sobs and suppressed whispers filled the room, catching the attention of a passerby. The snow huts were partially buried underground and had no doors, with ice bricks used to block them at night. But since it was daytime, the soldier hadn¡¯t bothered to close off the entrance.

    The passerby peered in and smirked, then quietly stepped inside.

    The soldier, in the middle of his assault, paused at the sound, turning his head to see another Special Forces Team member standing there, fully geared up. The only odd thing was that the neer was wearing a helmet, even though there was no active mission.

    ¡°Hey, man, don¡¯t interrupt my fun! If you want a woman, go find one yourself¡ªI¡¯m not into threesomes,¡± the soldier joked, turning back to his task,pletely unfazed.

    But in the next moment, a bright de pierced through his left chest, skewering both him and the woman beneath him, pinning them to the bed.

    The long sword had impaled them both, and steaming blood dripped down its de. Zhang Yi casually pulled the sword out, flicking the blood onto the floor. The soldier, with his heart pierced, died instantly. The woman, her lungs punctured, coughed up blood and quickly died from blood loss and the cold.

    Zhang Yi had to kill her¡ªotherwise, in her panic, she would have screamed, blowing his cover. She was part of Xu Family Town, so there was no such thing as innocence. The enemy¡¯s allies were enemies themselves.

    To avoid alerting others, Zhang Yi stored the two bodies in his spatial dimension. He then walked out of the snow hut as if nothing had happened, heading towards the area where the West Hill Base soldiers were stationed.

    Xu Family Town had been peaceful for too long. The soldiers left here had no sense of danger. In their free time, they gathered to y cards or mess around with handheld gaming consoles. Zhang Yi had already gotten all the information he needed from Liang Yue, so there was no need to search blindly.

    Zhang Yi strolled through the vige. Despite his helmet, no one found it suspicious because of the cold and his whitebat suit. The only odd thing was therge, muscr tabby cat walking beside him¡ªcats were rarely seen these days, as they weren¡¯t as useful as dogs and often ended up as food. Such a robust tabby cat was even rarer.

    Walking up to a snow hut where soldiers were stationed, Zhang Yi could hear lively chatter inside.

    ¡°Are you ying or not? If not, I¡¯m taking the win!¡±

    ¡°Win? I¡¯ll bomb you! Let¡¯s see how smug you are!¡±

    ¡°What the hell? You actually have a bomb!¡±

    It was clear they were engrossed in their card game. Zhang Yi casually walked in.

    Inside, five or six soldiers were gathered around a table ying cards, while two others watched and asionally chimed in. Someone nced at Zhang Yi as he entered, casually remarking, ¡°Isn¡¯t it stuffy wearing a helmet?¡±

    But since it was cold outside, wearing a helmet didn¡¯t seem too strange.

    Zhang Yi said nothing, walking quietly over to them. Everyone was too absorbed in their game to pay him any attention. The stakes were high¡ªcigarettes, a rare luxury even at West Hill Base, had them all ying with fiery intensity.

    In a sh, Zhang Yi activated his ability and drew out the Loong Roar Sword from his spatial dimension. The sword gleamed as it sliced through the air, instantly beheading two soldiers.

    Their heads tumbled onto the table, disrupting the game. The six remaining soldiers, despite their shock, instinctively reached for their guns. But even the most well-trained soldiers couldn¡¯t match Zhang Yi¡¯s speed. Like a ghost, he darted forward, killing two more with swift strikes.

    Thest two survivors hadn¡¯t even pulled the trigger when a ck shadow streaked past, tearing their throats open!

    Hua Hua leapt gracefully onto the table, its eyes glowing with bloodlust. In a matter of moments, Zhang Yi and Hua Hua had ughtered all six soldiers without giving them a chance to make a sound.

    Zhang Yi stored the bodies and quickly cleaned up the blood. His waterproofbat suit made wiping off the blood easy. After finishing, he strolled out and headed to the next building.

    The freezing cold kept most soldiers inside, making Xu Family Town eerily quiet¡ªperfect for Zhang Yi¡¯s mission.

    His next target was themunications unit¡¯s residence. These soldiers weren¡¯tbat experts but skilled inputer systems, responsible for maintaining contact with West Hill Base and managing variouswork issues for the Special Forces. Inside the room were two female soldiers and one man with gold-rimmed sses.

    As Zhang Yi entered, they saluted him without hesitation. He returned their gesture with a swift, painless death.

    The process was simple: pretend to be an ally, activate his ability, kill, and clean up. Then move on to the next building.

    One by one, Zhang Yi silently killed the West Hill Base Special Forces members. But after he had in more than ten soldiers, the thick smell of blood began to stir the military dogs housed nearby. Their frenzied barking echoed through the vige, alerting the remaining soldiers to the danger.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 292: The Gap in Power

    Chapter 292: The Gap in Power

    The barking of the military dogs alerted the Special Forces Team soldiers. These highly trained dogs had an exceptional sense of awareness and would never bark without reason. If they were rmed, there was surely danger.

    Due to the severe cold, most animals had perished, and only cold-resistant sled dogs remained. They had be invaluable, serving multiple purposes. However, the sled dogs raised in Xu Family Town had been taken to help with tunnel digging, and the soldiers¡¯ military dogs were kept indoors to protect them.

    Though all were dogs, there was a clear difference between those with official duties and those without.

    ¡°There¡¯s something wrong. Go check it out!¡±

    The remaining soldiers quickly geared up, grabbing their guns and leading the dogs out of the snow huts.

    ¡°Woof! Woof! Woof!¡±

    The barking echoed throughout the small town. Hearing themotion, the vigers cowered in fear inside their homes, too terrified to step outside.

    The soldiers soon discovered that several of the snow huts were missing theirrades, and there were bloodstains hastily covered on the ground.¡°Enemy attack! We¡¯re under attack!¡±

    ¡°Alert positions now!¡±

    A squad leader reported the situation via radio. The well-trained soldiers immediately took defensive positions, guns at the ready, prepared for any threat.

    But none of them noticed that the enemy they were preparing for was dressed just like them and standing right behind them.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t waste time on words. With a swift stroke of his sword, he killed two Special Forces soldiers in an instant. The Loong Roar Sword, forged from Adamantium, effortlessly sliced through their necks.

    The others reacted quickly, spinning around and firing their guns. But Zhang Yi had already disappeared behind an ice hut.

    He realized that the only distinguishing feature of the uniforms was the golden star on the shoulder, so he casually removed it. Then, with his ghostly movements, Zhang Yi vanished from their sight.

    Before long, he infiltrated another squad from a different direction. With everyone tense and focused on the mysterious intruder, they all put on their tactical helmets. This made Zhang Yi even harder to spot¡ªhe blended in seamlessly, like a drop of water in the ocean.

    ¡°He¡¯s wearing our uniform!¡±

    A squad leader shouted through the radio, ¡°Everyone, be wary of anyone near you!¡±

    Thus, a bizarre scene unfolded on the snowy roads of Xu Family Town: soldiers pointing guns at each other, unsure if the person beside them was arade or an enemy.

    ¡°Follow mymand and use the covert hand signal!¡± The squad leader was sharp, knowing that while the uniforms were the same, outsiders wouldn¡¯t know the Special Forces¡¯ signals. Sure enough, as everyone followed the signal in unison, Zhang Yi, who did nothing, was instantly exposed.

    All the soldiers aimed their guns at him. Without any orders, they instinctively pulled the triggers!

    Gunfire erupted like a torrential downpour. But to their horror, the bullets seemed to disappear into thin air as they neared Zhang Yi, vanishing without a trace!

    ¡°He¡¯s Zhang Yi! That¡¯s Zhang Yi!¡± The name sent chills down the soldiers'' spines. This was the man who had caused them repeated losses and cost them over twentyrades in a single battle!

    Wasn¡¯t he supposed to be hiding in the shelter? How did he get out, and why was he here?

    Questions filled the soldiers¡¯ minds, but there was no time to dwell on them. Their bullets had no effect on Zhang Yi. When they realized something was wrong and ceased fire, Zhang Yi sent the bullets flying back at them with a flick of his hand.

    Though bullets didn¡¯t work on Zhang Yi, they were still lethal to the soldiers. Even with bulletproofbat suits, the unrelenting hail of gunfire riddled the soldiers with holes, killing them in an instant!

    The gunfire stirred Fatty Xu, who had been hiding at home, avoiding the harsh reality. He opened the window and looked out at the snow-covered streets, only to witness a scene all too familiar to him.

    ¡°Boss!¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. He rubbed his eyes, thinking he was seeing things.

    ¡°There¡¯s no mistake, that power¡ªBoss is here!¡±

    Fatty Xu felt a surge of emotion. ¡°Is he here to take me away?¡±

    Sometimes, a bit of confidence could make life much more pleasant.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi continued his battle with the Special Forces soldiers. With their own bullets, he had already eliminated seven or eight soldiers.

    The remaining soldiers hid behind the bodies of their fallenrades, quickly taking cover in the snow huts. Among the crowd, Zhang Yi noticed two shadowy figures moving like ghosts. The sensation was all too familiar to him¡ªit was the same ability as Liu Ziyang and the others. Cyborgs.

    A squad leader named Liu Tao shouted to his team, ¡°Stop shooting! His ability nullifies bullets! Use melee weapons!¡±

    Hearing this, Zhang Yi¡¯s lips curled into a mocking smile.

    Nullifies human bodies? Are you sure about that?

    It¡¯s true that his spatial dimension couldn¡¯t actively absorb living beings, but that didn¡¯t mean closebat could hurt him.

    In a split second, several Special Forces soldiers wielding military daggers charged at Zhang Yi from all directions! The two from the left front and right rear were clearly enhanced cyborgs, moving at lightning speed!

    A glint of determination shed in Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes. His spatial gate could only open in one direction, making it tricky to face attacks from multiple angles. But he wasn¡¯t alone.

    Ignoring the rear attack, Zhang Yi opened a dimensional gate in front of him. Meanwhile, behind him, the two soldiers with daggers suddenly found themselves under a massive shadow!

    With two massive paws, Hua Hua mmed them to the ground! When it came to speed, cats were second to none!

    As for the two soldiers in front of Zhang Yi, they were quickly sucked into the spatial dimension. Zhang Yi shut the gate, and after a bit more time inside, they would be dead.

    Behind him, Hua Hua, now in its giant form, picked up the two soldiers and casually crunched them in its jaws. Even enhanced cyborgs were too weak to face a true mutated beast.

    The remaining soldiers were already terrified. Faced with such overwhelming power, they lost the will to fight and scattered in all directions.

    Pursuit wasn¡¯t Zhang Yi¡¯s specialty. ¡°Hua Hua,¡± he called.

    Without needing further instructions, Hua Hua eagerly chased after the fleeing soldiers. Cats loved to toy with their prey.

    Before long, anguished screams echoed from all directions of Xu Family Town. Blood and bodies littered the streets.

    Zhang Yi had wiped out every single Special Forces soldier stationed in the town!

    Wasting no time, Zhang Yi quickly found Liang Yue¡¯s house, cing a chip and a phone card beneath her bed. Afterpleting this task, he knew he couldn¡¯t stay there much longer. He quickly left the room.

    ¡°Hua Hua, we¡¯re leaving!¡±

    The gunfire had likely alerted those across the river. In five minutes at most, Ling Feng and the others would be back. Zhang Yi had no intention of facing off against several powerful Superhuman captains.

    Zhang Yi always yed it safe, striking only when he had the upper hand!

    Hua Hua returned to its smaller form, and the two quickly left Xu Family Town. They had taken a long detour to avoid detection when arriving, and they nned to do the same when leaving.

    Just as they were about to retrieve their snow vehicle and depart, a familiar voice called from behind.

    ¡°Boss, wait up!¡±

    Hearing this voice, Zhang Yi paused, frowning as he turned to see Fatty Xu panting as he ran over.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong with you? Chasing me down now could expose our connection!¡± Zhang Yi scolded.

    Fatty Xu, gasping for breath, finally reached Zhang Yi and blurted, ¡°Boss, you came here to get me, right?¡±

    Zhang Yi shot him a look, letting him figure it out on his own.

    Fatty Xu felt a twinge of disappointment but quickly smiled. ¡°Haha, I knew you wanted to see me! Right?¡±

    ¡°Get back home. I don¡¯t have time to chat. If theye back, we¡¯ll both be in trouble,¡± Zhang Yi said indifferently.

    Fatty Xu hurriedly added, ¡°But Boss, you killed so many soldiers. When they return, they¡¯ll be furious! I think it¡¯s dangerous to stay here.¡±

    Zhang Yi stared at him. ¡°So, you¡¯ve decided to leave with me?¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s ability was useful, and Zhang Yi considered keeping him as a subordinate.

    Fatty Xu hesitated briefly. ¡°I still want to take a few people with me.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s expression grew impatient. ¡°I don¡¯t have time to waste here. Eithere with me now, or figure out your own way to find meter.¡±

    He tossed Fatty Xu a new phone. Through Liang Yue, Zhang Yi had learned why Fatty Xu hadn¡¯t been able to contact himtely.

    With that, Zhang Yi pulled out the snow vehicle, and with Hua Hua, he sped away from Xu Family Town.

    Fatty Xu stood there, torn, watching the snow vehicle disappear into the distance. His cowardly nature told him that the death of so many soldiers would bring a massive storm. He knew he couldn¡¯t stay here any longer. He had to leave!

    Resolutely, Fatty Xu headed toward Xu Lili¡¯s house. He needed to convince her to leave with him so they could find a safe ce and live out their lives in happiness.

    ¡°Lili will definitely want to leave with me!¡± Fatty Xu thought confidently.

    Soon, he arrived outside Xu Lili¡¯s snow hut. But just as he was about to knock, he heard voices from inside.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 293: The Furious Ling Feng

    Chapter 293: The Furious Ling Feng

    Fatty Xu stopped outside Xu Lili¡¯s house.

    He was eager to tell Xu Lili how dangerous Xu Family Town had be, with no one knowing what the enraged special forces might do. He wanted to take Xu Lili away from here. However, he realized that he hadn¡¯t gotten Zhang Yi¡¯s permission to bring anyone along. Even if he could take someone, how many could he take? If he only took Xu Lili, what would happen to her family?

    As Fatty Xu was mulling over these thoughts, the voices of Xu Lili and her family floated out from inside the snow house.

    ¡°Mom, so many people have died outside. Will we be okay?¡±

    ¡°Silly girl, why would anything happen to us? Didn¡¯t you see? They¡¯re killing each other.¡±

    ¡°This has nothing to do with us. They have to be reasonable. We¡¯ve treated them well with good food and drink; we¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right. Maybe I should go find that fatty. If I say a few nice words, he¡¯ll definitely protect us.¡±

    ¡°True, that fatty may be a bit dumb, but he¡¯s capable and can keep our family safe.¡±¡°Lili, why don¡¯t you marry him?¡±

    ¡°What???¡±

    Xu Lili¡¯s voice suddenly turned sharp.

    ¡°Mom, what nonsense are you talking about? He¡¯s fat and ugly! If you all hadn¡¯t pressured me to cozy up to him, I wouldn¡¯t have bothered speaking to him.¡±

    Outside the snow house, Fatty Xu¡¯s heart felt like it was being stabbed with a knife. Is this how Xu Lili really saw him? He wasn¡¯t the hero she thought he was after all!

    The conversation inside continued.

    ¡°You don¡¯t get it. Marriage is about living life. Sure, he¡¯s not great, but he can keep all of us alive.¡±

    ¡°Forget it. If I had to sleep in the same bed as him, I¡¯d have nightmares every night.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d puke just looking at that greasy, fat face!¡±

    ¡°But if you don¡¯t sweet-talk him, how will he protect us?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mom. That idiot is dumb as a rock. If I show him just a little kindness, he¡¯ll be over the moon.¡±

    ¡°Fat shut-ins are the easiest to deal with. Their heads are full of fantasies. As long as a woman shows them the slightest affection, they¡¯ll practically hand you their hearts.¡±

    Outside, Fatty Xu¡¯s heart turned cold. All the wonderful fantasies he once had shattered in that moment.

    At that point, they noticed him standing outside.

    Xu Lili¡¯s mother looked a bit awkward. ¡°Oh... Chunlei, you¡¯re here! Come in and sit for a while.¡±

    Xu Lili¡¯s face changed slightly when she saw Fatty Xu, but since their conversation had been exposed, she didn¡¯t bother pretending anymore. Instead, her expression turned haughty.

    Fatty Xu forced a smile. ¡°No, Auntie. I just need to have a word with Lili. Could you ask her toe out?¡±

    Xu Lili¡¯s mother nudged her, and only then did Xu Lili step out of the snow house. She fixed her hair and, trying to ensure that Fatty Xu would continue to protect her family, put on her sweetest smile.

    ¡°Chunlei, when did you get here?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I just arrived.¡±

    Fatty Xu stared at the sweet-smiling girl before him, feeling dazed. He couldn¡¯t believe that the vile words he had just heard hade from her cherry-red lips.

    ¡°Chunlei, is there something you wanted to talk about?¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s lips felt bitter, but he didn¡¯t angrily storm off. After all, once you¡¯ve fallen in love, it¡¯s hard to give up on the dream.

    ¡°Lili, you shoulde with me. It¡¯s not safe in the vige anymore. So many people have died. There could be even more danger.¡±

    Fatty Xu urged.

    Xu Lili smiled lightly, ¡°Chunlei, where could we go even if we left the vige?¡±

    Fatty Xu didn¡¯t mention that he was nning to find Zhang Yi.

    ¡°If you trust me, I¡¯ll take you out of here. Don¡¯t worry, as long as I¡¯m around, I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re safe!¡±

    Given his abilities, they could probably find shelter in a snow-covered supermarket. Even if they didn¡¯t meet up with Zhang Yi, he could still survive. The snow-covered world was his domain.

    Xu Lili was silent for a few seconds before smiling apologetically. ¡°Sorry, Chunlei! Isn¡¯t this a bit too reckless? This isn¡¯t some romance drama. Why act like we¡¯re eloping?¡±

    Her warm smile and the pity in her eyes deeply wounded Fatty Xu. It was like a grown womanforting a naive boy.

    It was a gaze from someone looking down from a high ce.

    Even at that moment, Fatty Xu couldn¡¯t let go of his fantasy. He tried to exin, ¡°But so many soldiers have died. What do you think will happen when those peoplee back?¡±

    Xu Lili thought for a moment and nonchntly said, ¡°That has nothing to do with us, does it? It shouldn¡¯t affect us.¡±

    Then she stepped closer, smiling as she took Fatty Xu¡¯s hand. Gazing up at him pitifully, she said, ¡°Even if we do face danger, Chunlei, you¡¯ll protect us, won¡¯t you?¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s body stiffened. He didn¡¯t know what he said or did afterward. He probably just nodded numbly and watched Xu Lili return to the house.

    But when he snapped out of it, he immediately turned and ran out of the vige. He had to get out of there, to find Zhang Yi, or maybe just hide like an ostrich.

    He feared death, so he had a keen sense for danger.

    After all, he was Zhang Yi¡¯s undercover agent. It was only a matter of time before he was discovered.

    Run!

    Running away may be cowardly, but it works.

    As for Xu Lili¡­ to hell with her!

    Fatty Xu ran as he called Zhang Yi.

    ¡°Boss, I¡¯ve made up my mind. I¡¯m going back with you!¡±

    ---

    Across the river, Ling Feng was leading a group of team leader-level Superhumans and some special forces soldiers to carry out routine harassment of the shelter, while also overseeing the Xu Family Town vigers as they worked.

    Suddenly, a barrage of gunfire erupted from Xu Family Town, attracting attention across the river. Both the special forces soldiers and the working vigers instinctively turned to look.

    ¡°Gunshots... from the vige?¡±

    ¡°Could someone be setting off firecrackers?¡±

    ¡°Impossible! Who¡¯d be dumb enough to set off firecrackers in times like these?¡±

    Ling Feng¡¯s expression immediately grew serious when he heard the gunshots. Gunfire meant trouble in Xu Family Town. But Zhang Yi had been trapped in the shelter and couldn¡¯t possibly have caused it. So where did ite from? Could there be other forces nearby that West Hill Base hadn¡¯t discovered?

    Ling Feng immediately ordered someone to contact the people in Xu Family Town to find out what had happened. A team member used themunicator to make contact, but all the soldiers in the vige had already been killed, so no one answered.

    The team member reported back to Ling Feng, and his expression darkened.

    The special forces operated under strict discipline, and failing to respond to amunication was unheard of unless they were overwhelmed by force.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go back and see what happened!¡±

    Ling Feng left Shi Dayong and others behind to continue harassing the shelter, to prevent Zhang Yi from noticing anything unusual. Then he took five soldiers and sped back to Xu Family Town on sleds.

    As they crossed the river, they encountered a bloody corpse at the vige entrance. The body was mangled, as if crushed by something massive. Blood had dyed the ground red, freezing into chunks of crimson ice. The corpse¡¯s right hand was stretched toward the riverbank, as if there was some terrifying monster in the vige.

    Ling Feng¡¯s eyes sharpened immediately.

    ¡°Stay alert!¡±

    He ordered his men to raise their guns, all of them warily watching the surroundings. But Ling Feng himself strode boldly into the vige.

    By now, Zhang Yi had already fled far away.

    Corpses of soldiers were scattered along the vige roads, blood sttered everywhere in a gruesome disy. The sight was too horrific to bear.

    Vigers stood at the side of the road, chattering among themselves as they pointed at the bodies. When they saw Ling Feng and his men return, they quickly stepped aside.

    As Ling Feng walked through the vige, his expression grew darker and darker, bloodshot veins forming in his eyes.

    Dead. More dead!

    These longtimerades, these brothers, had once again died in front of him!

    Ling Feng had brought a total of fifty men with him, along with the dozen or so from the rescue team, making over sixty people. The failed explosion outside the shelter had already killed twenty-two of them. Now, all the soldiers left behind in Xu Family Town were dead. Aside from the captains, there were only thirteen soldiers left by his side!

    Such heavy losses! And these weren¡¯t just any soldiers; they were the elite of West Hill Base. How would he ever exin this to Chen Xinian?

    Ling Feng walked to the bloodiest part of the battlefield, his eyes filled with killing intent as he looked down at the familiar faces of his fallenrades.

    ¡°Ahhhh!!!¡±

    Unable to contain his rage, Ling Feng let out a roar that surged outward in a wave, stirring up the falling snow. Nearby vigers were knocked to the ground by the force of his voice.

    ¡°Who did this? Who killed my brothers?!¡±

    Ling Feng¡¯s bloodshot eyes swept across the vige as

    he shot forward, grabbing an old man by the neck.

    ¡°Tell me! Who did this?!¡±

    The old man was terrified, stammering incoherently, unable to form aplete sentence.

    ¡°Crack!¡±

    With a squeeze, Ling Feng snapped the man¡¯s neck like he was crushing a rubber doll, tearing his head clean off.

    The vigers stared in disbelief before breaking into terrified screams and fleeing for their lives.

    ¡°Don¡¯t run! If anyone runs, I¡¯ll kill them!¡±

    Ling Feng¡¯s fury had almost obliterated his reason after watching his soldiers die twice in a row. The sight of the panicked vigers only filled him with disgust.

    In a few quick shes, Ling Feng turned seven or eight vigers into piles of gore, crushing them like y figures.

    Desperate to vent his emotions, Ling Feng held nothing back. These ordinary people were as fragile as mud in his hands.

    The vigers of Xu Family Town died without ever understanding why. They had done nothing wrong, yet they were ughtered by the very soldiers they had treated so kindly.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 294: Suspicion

    Chapter 294: Suspicion

    Ling Feng ughtered the vigers of Xu Family Town without restraint.

    By now, he hadpletely lost his sanity, and only through killing and bloodshed could he vent his inner frenzy.

    When he finally felt a slight relief in his emotions, the ground was already littered with broken corpses.

    In his hand, he held two halves of a body, drenched in blood, resembling a demon that had just emerged from hell.

    Meanwhile, the vigers were being forced by other special forces soldiers, not allowed to flee.

    Ling Feng nced at the trembling vigers and suddenly felt like he might have gone too far.

    He quickly exined, "Look at you all. I just wanted to ask if you saw the culprit. Why didn¡¯t you tell me earlier?"

    "You know I''ve lost so many brothers, and I¡¯m in a terrible mood!""It''s all right now, no need to be afraid."

    Although Ling Feng felt a bit guilty for killing so many vigers, he justified it by reminding himself that his actions were driven by the deaths of hisrades.

    With a stern face, he asked the vigers again, "Now, tell me honestly! You must have seen the battle in the vige. Who''s the culprit?"

    The vigers, staring at the suddenly furious Ling Feng, saw only a monster before them, too scared to respond.

    Ling Feng, furious, shouted, "If you don''t speak, it means you''re guilty! If so, then the entire town will die with you!"

    At that, one viger finally blurted out, "I saw them killing each other!"

    Ling Feng''s eyebrows shot up, "You''re lying!"

    He strode over, grabbed the man by the neck, and lifted him off the ground.

    "Our men would never turn on each other! Are you hiding something? Do you want me to kill you?!"

    The elderly man''s legs iled as his face turned red from theck of air. He was on the brink of death.

    His daughter couldn''t take it anymore and cried out, "My father is telling the truth! The killer was wearing clothes just like yours."

    "But he killed everyone else by himself. Oh, and he had a strange cat that could grow as big as a house!"

    Ling Feng''s eyes widened, "A Superhuman?"

    He tossed the old man aside and pulled the woman over, pointing at her, "Listen, I¡¯m a fair man. As long as you tell the truth, I won¡¯t kill you."

    The irony of his words was palpable.

    As if the murders he justmitted were somehow justified.

    The woman, trembling, recounted what she had seen. However, the vigers had been too scared to watch closely, and she hadn¡¯t seen much of the fight.

    Fortunately, other vigers chipped in to fill the gaps in her story.

    After hearing their ount, Ling Feng stood in shock, taking two steps back in disbelief.

    "A spatial ability... it must be Zhang Yi! But isn¡¯t he supposed to be in the shelter? How did he get out?"

    Shen Hong, standing nearby, approached and said, "Captain, could there be another exit?"

    Ling Feng¡¯s eyes lit up, "Yes, that must be it! A proper shelter can''t have just one way in."

    "Our shelter, for example, has at least two escape routes, not to mention the private ones for Chen Xinian."

    "If we find that path, we can storm the shelter!"

    "D*mn Zhang Yi! You killed so many of my brothers and all those vigers from Xu Family Town. I will kill you!"

    After his outburst, Ling Feng addressed the vigers again, "Remember this, it wasn¡¯t me, Ling Feng, who killed your loved ones today. It was Zhang Yi! He¡¯s to me for all of this."

    "I will avenge you!"

    The vigers, heads bowed, dared not speak, but in their hearts, they saw Ling Feng as an even more terrifying monster than Zhang Yi.

    At least Zhang Yi had only retaliated after being provoked.

    But Ling Feng and his special forces team from West Hill Base?

    They had done everything they could to amodate these people, only to be treated like animals by Ling Feng¡¯s group.

    Now they were filled with regret, but it was far toote.

    They had no strength to fight back against the special forces.

    Ling Feng immediately ordered his soldiers to search for traces of Zhang Yi¡¯s escape.

    The heavy snow outside would surely leave marks wherever someone had passed through.

    By following them, they could find Zhang Yi¡¯s route, and therefore, the secret passage.

    At that moment, Zhang Yi had already left Xu Family Town, taking Fatty Xu with him.

    Before heading back, Zhang Yi wanted to confirm if Fatty Xu had truly let go of all ties to the town and its people.

    "Fatty, think carefully. Once you enter the shelter, you must obey my orders unconditionally."

    "Are you really willing to abandon Xu Lili?"

    Hearing Xu Lili¡¯s name, Fatty Xu clenched his fists tightly, tears suddenly spilling from his eyes. He shouted, "Of course, I can! Women in the real world can¡¯t be trusted. I will never believe in love again!"

    "That¡¯s the spirit."

    Zhang Yi started up the snowmobile and took a detour back to the entrance of the mountain passage.

    Opening the door, he led Fatty Xu and Hua Hua inside.

    Fatty Xu, looking cautiously over his shoulder, asked, "Boss, the tire tracks are pretty obvious. Won¡¯t this passage be discovered?"

    Zhang Yi gave him a sideways nce, "If they¡¯re notplete idiots, they¡¯ll definitely find it."

    Fatty Xu grew nervous, "That¡¯s not good! If they attack through here, we¡¯re done for!"

    A sly smile crept onto Zhang Yi¡¯s face.

    "I¡¯m counting on them toe."

    Fatty Xu blinked, then quickly understood, "Ah, Boss, you¡¯ve set a trap for them here!"

    "I never fight a battle I¡¯m not prepared for."

    Zhang Yi led Fatty Xu to the alloy door. After aplex unlocking procedure, they entered the shelter.

    ¡­

    Meanwhile, Ling Feng¡¯s group quickly found the snowmobile tracks.

    Shen Hong, eager for revenge, gritted his teeth and said, "Captain, let¡¯s go! Let¡¯s kill that b*stard Zhang Yi!"

    But Ling Feng remained calm, "We¡¯ve fought him enough times¡ªhave you ever seen him make a mistake?"

    "He¡¯s an extremely dangerous opponent. He wouldn¡¯t leave such obvious tracks unless he had something else nned."

    Shen Hong nodded in agreement.

    "But we can¡¯t miss this chance. In half a day, the snow will cover the tracks, and we¡¯ll never find that passage again!"

    Ling Feng paused for a moment, his voice cold and heavy with sorrow.

    "We can¡¯t afford more losses."

    Out of their 60-strong elite team, more than 50 had already been killed.

    The remaining ten or so were either Superhumans, cyborgs, or engineers responsible for overseeing the project.

    The loss of any one of them was more significant than losing thirty regr soldiers.

    Ling Feng stood up and said, "Call everyone back."

    Shen Hong was taken aback, "But our tunnel project is still underway. Are we just going to stop?"

    Ling Feng shot him a deep look, "Think about it. Why did Zhang Yi dare to leave his shelter and attack our base?"

    Shen Hong frowned and started thinking.

    Momentster, his eyes widened in shock.

    "Captain, you mean there¡¯s a traitor among us?"

    "Someone leaked our information to Zhang Yi, allowing him to attack us while our defenses were down!"

    Ling Feng¡¯s eyes were dark and sharp. "Exactly. Otherwise, given his cautious nature, he¡¯d never have left the shelter."

    "And if our ns have been leaked, do you think digging that tunnel is still worth it?"

    Shen Hong¡¯s breathing grew rapid.

    Did that mean all their work over the past two weeks had been in vain?

    The only silver lining was that they hadn¡¯t wasted their own time¡ªXu Family Town¡¯s vigers had done all the digging.

    Wait, hold on!

    Shen Hong suddenly realized something and blurted out, "But who could the traitor be?"

    They had searched all the vigers in Xu Family Town, confiscating anymunication devices they found.

    Even if someone had tried to hide something, the special forces had scanned them with detection devices.

    And the vigers had no reason or means tomunicate with Zhang Yi, given their deep grudge against him.

    Could the traitor be one of the special forces?

    But most of the special forces were already dead. Could it be someone among the ten survivors?

    A name instantly came to Shen Hong¡¯s mind.

    The most suspicious person, without a doubt, was Liang Yue, who had joined the special forces not too long ago.

    After all, she had publicly opposed Ling Feng¡¯s n and wasn¡¯t particrly close to anyone in the squad.

    The more he thought about it, the more suspicious she seemed.

    Shen Hong whispered to Ling Feng, "Could it be Liang Yue?"

    Ling Feng narrowed his eyes, "We¡¯ll know once we call them back!"

    As long as they got hold of Liang Yue¡¯s phone and had the tech team inspect it, the truth woulde out.

    Even if she had deleted themunication records, they could recover everything.

    It would be impossible for her to hide.

    Ling Feng issued an order for everyone across the river to return to Xu Family Town immediately.

    The group across the river had already heard the gunfire and knew something was up, so they rushed back.

    Liang Yue was puzzled, but she had no knowledge of Zhang Yi¡¯s n. She only sensed that something wasn¡¯t right.

    On the way back, she quietly hid the phone she had used to contact Zhang Yi in the hollow of a dead tree.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 295: The Constant-Temperature Grill

    Chapter 295: The Constant-Temperature Grill

    The people on the other side of the river returned to Xu Family Town.

    Seeing the bloody and cruel scene before them, everyone was stunned.

    The vigers of Xu Family Town cried to the heavens in despair; many of their rtives had died at Ling Feng''s hands.

    On the side of the Special Forces Team, the atmosphere was equally tense.

    Shi Dayong''s veins bulged with rage, and he almost lost control of his fury, nearly transforming into an ice-giant ape to wreak havoc.

    Most of theirrades had been wiped out, yet they hadn''t even managed to touch Zhang Yi. It was an utter humiliation!

    Meanwhile, Ling Feng and his group walked up to Liang Yue, their eyes filled with a bone-chilling coldness.

    "Teacher Liang, could you hand over your phone for me to check?" Ling Feng asked.As soon as he said this, the atmosphere grew tense.

    Everyone understood why Ling Feng asked this¡ªit was clear he suspected Liang Yue had tipped off Zhang Yi.

    Liang Yue frowned. "Captain Ling, are you using me?"

    Her heart was already a bit anxious, but her excellent warrior training allowed her to maintain outward calm.

    Fortunately, when she had contacted Zhang Yi, she hadn¡¯t used her usual phone.

    Ling Feng said, "We''ve lost so many people, and yet Zhang Yi had the nerve toe out and attack our rear. There must be a mole informing him!"

    Liang Yue sneered and took her phone out of her pocket, handing it over without hesitation.

    "If you want to check, go ahead!"

    After handing over her phone, she stood aside with a Tang Sword in her arms, her face still cold and silent.

    Her brazen attitude made Ling Feng and the others suspicious.

    Could they have been wrong?

    At that moment, Shi Dayong looked around in surprise. "Hey, where''s that Fatty Xu?"

    Fatty Xu had superpowers and had been a quasi-member of their Special Forces Team. He was supposed to be taken back to West Hill Base once this mission was over.

    Shi Dayong asked because they hadn¡¯t seen Fatty Xu since they returned.

    Hearing this, Ling Feng immediately sensed something was wrong.

    "Where''s Xu Chunlei? Where is he?"

    They quickly called for Xu Dongtang.

    "Old Xu, where''s your grandson?"

    Ling Feng stared into his eyes as he asked.

    At this moment, Xu Dongtang felt a deep sorrow.

    Upon returning, they had found many vigers dead in gruesome ways, their bodies mangled beyond recognition.

    At first, they thought it was an external invasion, but upon asking around, they learned it had been Ling Feng who caused this!

    Xu Dongtang didn¡¯t answer Ling Feng¡¯s question. Instead, he summoned the courage to meet his gaze.

    "Captain Ling, our Xu Family Town has treated you well, so why did you kill our kin?"

    Ling Feng was taken aback. "I didn¡¯t kill them! It was Zhang Yi who caused their deaths. Old Xu, you¡¯re usually pretty smart, so why are you being so muddle-headed now?"

    He continued, "It¡¯s simple logic! If Zhang Yi hadn¡¯te and killed my brothers, and if you Xu Family people hadn¡¯t known and kept quiet, I wouldn¡¯t have been so angry!"

    "So, you should me Zhang Yi."

    "If you cooperate with me, I¡¯ll deal with Zhang Yi and avenge your people!"

    Ling Feng spoke with such righteous conviction, even appearing to exude a sense of justice.

    It wasn¡¯t just a defense; he truly believed he was in the right.

    Xu Dongtang¡¯s lips trembled with anger. How could anyone reason with such a person?

    He suddenly recalled Fatty Xu¡¯s earlier warning.

    Trusting the people from West Hill Base too much could bring disaster to Xu Family Town.

    And now, he began to doubt¡ªwas this organization really just?

    Xu Dongtang was already regretting his earlier choices, but it was toote to turn back.

    The wolves had entered the sheepfold, and they wouldn¡¯t leave until everyst sheep was devoured.

    "Hey, stop standing there like a fool! Where¡¯s Xu Chunlei?" Ling Feng pressed him.

    Xu Dongtang, now frightened, stammered, "I¡ªI don¡¯t know! Wasn¡¯t Chunlei one of yours? He¡¯s been with you all the time. How would I know where he went?"

    Ling Feng took a deep breath. "Everyone, find him for me!"

    If someone had disappeared right after Zhang Yi''s attack, then that person was likely the mole.

    And if that person happened to be a superhuman, the possibility was even greater.

    Soon, they found a lead.

    It was Xu Lili who reported Fatty Xu.

    She admitted that she knew Fatty Xu was nning to leave Xu Family Town, but she didn¡¯t know where he had gone.

    At this point, the truth was clear.

    The mole who had tipped off Zhang Yi was Fatty Xu!

    Ling Feng, enraged, smashed a snow hut with his fist.

    "That traitor! I¡¯m going to kill him!"

    Liang Yue secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

    Fatty Xu had certainly left with Zhang Yi, which made him her scapegoat.

    Her own suspicions were now washed away.

    Yet, she still stood coldly, arms folded, not saying a word.

    Ling Feng grabbed Xu Dongtang, his face filled with confusion as he asked, "Didn¡¯t you say your vige has a blood feud with Zhang Yi? Why would there be a traitor coborating with him?"

    Xu Dongtang knew some of the inside story.

    The peace agreement with Zhang Yi had actually been Fatty Xu¡¯s doing.

    But in order to take the credit, he had told everyone that he had negotiated the deal.

    Thus, no one else knew about Fatty Xu¡¯s connection with Zhang Yi.

    Now, there was no way he could reveal the truth.

    Otherwise, Ling Feng would surely kill him!

    He could only say, "That Xu Chunlei is a coward, always fearful for his life. There¡¯s nothing strange about him doing something like this. Captain Ling, this has nothing to do with the rest of us!"

    "We hate Zhang Yi to the core. We¡¯d never help him."

    Ling Feng was almost certain now that Fatty Xu was the mole.

    But capturing him would be difficult with their current manpower.

    Besides, they had other pressing matters.

    Ling Feng told Xu Dongtang, "If you really aren¡¯t working with Zhang Yi, then prove it to me with action!"

    Xu Dongtang didn¡¯t understand what Ling Feng wanted.

    Ling Feng ordered everyone in Xu Family Town to gather in the square.

    About a thousand people were herded there by a dozen Special Forces members like sheep. None dared resist.

    Ling Feng randomly selected one hundred of them.

    "You peoplee with me for something important. If it goes well, I¡¯ll credit you with a great achievement!"

    "The rest of you stay here and carry on as usual."

    Because of their limited manpower and fear that more people might be picked off by Zhang Yi, Ling Feng decided to take all the Special Forces Team members with him.

    As for the hundred vigers, he had special ns for them.

    As for the rest, he wasn¡¯t worried about them escaping.

    In this frozen world, without adequate preparation, running away was as good as suicide.

    Right now, Xu Family Town was a natural prison for its vigers.

    After a moment of thought, Ling Feng walked over to Liang Yue, who still wore an unhappy expression.

    He exined, "I know you¡¯re upset, but we¡¯ve lost too many brothers. I have to investigate everyone with even a hint of suspicion. It¡¯s not just you¡ªeveryone will be checked."

    The Special Forces Team had lost too many people. The few who remained were precious, especially top fighters like Liang Yue. Ling Feng needed to win her over.

    Liang Yue, her face cold, replied, "I understand."

    Ling Feng nodded. "Good. Let¡¯s head out together. If we¡¯re lucky, we¡¯ll find a weak spot in that shelter!"

    The group left Xu Family Town, following the tracks left by a snow vehicle.

    Zhang Yi had taken a long detour, about five kilometers west.

    He had a snow vehicle, but Ling Feng¡¯s team didn¡¯t have enough for everyone.

    The Special Forces Team members used sleds, while the vigers had to walk.

    After two and a half hours, they reached the back mountain and stopped before arge tombstone.

    "So, this is it!"

    Ling Feng calcted the position of the tombstone rtive to the shelter and confirmed it was the right ce.

    Immediately, he ordered the vigers to open the tombstone.

    The vigers were haggard, exhausted, and starving, but they didn¡¯t darein and went to work

    .

    Soon, they uncovered the hidden door disguised as a tombstone, revealing a deep, narrow passage below.

    Ling Feng said to the vigers, "You go ahead and scout it out for me."

    He¡¯d been tricked by Zhang Yi too many times and was wary of another trap.

    The vigers silently cursed him in their hearts but didn¡¯t dare resist. They obediently entered the passage.

    A Special Forces member handed them amunication device to take inside so they could monitor everything from outside.

    One by one, a hundred vigers entered the underground passage.

    Inside, the ce was impressively constructed. Lights automatically came on as they walked, and the walls were made of special silver-gray metal, looking incredibly sturdy.

    The only downside was that it was too narrow, giving the feeling of a tomb.

    The vigers cautiously moved forward like sheep being driven into a pen.

    Outside, Ling Feng and his team monitored everything with their instruments.

    At first, everything was calm. The vigers slowly advanced, and nothing happened.

    But when they reached the middle of the passage, a loud rumble sounded.

    Two metal walls mmed down from above, cutting off their front and back.

    The vigers panicked and screamed.

    Momentster, Ling Feng and his team watched in horror as a fiery inferno erupted from the walls, surging forward like a dragon.

    "Ahhh!!!"

    Screams filled the air, and then the video feed cut off.

    "Zhang Yi, you vicious bastard! He really did leave a trap behind!"

    Ling Feng clenched his teeth.

    If he hadn¡¯t been smart enough to send the Xu Family vigers to scout, he would¡¯ve lost even more of his men.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 296: Does Love Disappear?

    Chapter 296 : Does Love Disappear?

    The agonizing screams echoed through the passage. Though the video feed had cut off, the sound traveled clearly to the entrance.

    Liang Yue felt a twinge of pity for the vigers who died so miserably. But after everything she had seen since leaving Tianqing Academy, her heart had grown numb and cold.

    Human minds have a remarkable ability to adapt.

    What was once unbearable bes routine over time.

    Shi Dayong asked Ling Feng, ¡°Boss, what do we do now? This path is obviously a dead end.¡±

    Ling Feng replied coldly, ¡°If we can¡¯t use it, then blow it up! If we can¡¯t get in, he won¡¯t be able to get out either!¡±

    They hade prepared, bringing the remaining explosives.

    At this moment, Liang Yue suddenly spoke, ¡°Are you sure explosives will work? What if, instead of sealing it off, you end up delivering the explosives to him and he uses them against us?¡±Her words made Ling Feng and Shi Dayong furrow their brows.

    Yes, they couldn¡¯t dismiss that possibility.

    At that moment, Zheng Xuerong walked over, casually suggesting, ¡°That¡¯s easy to solve! Just block the passage so he can¡¯te out.¡±

    She stepped to the passage entrance, a slight smile on her face, and crouched down, cing her right hand on the ground.

    ¡°Ice Freeze!¡±

    A deep blue light enveloped her hand. The swirling snowkes in the air froze for a moment, then surged toward the passage as if guided by an unseen force.

    A thickyer of frost quickly spread across the silver-gray metal walls.

    As the ice crept deeper into the tunnel, the intense heat inside melted it into water.

    Before long, those standing outside, including Ling Feng, heard the sound of water rushing.

    ¡°Brilliant, simply brilliant! Now Zhang Yi has no way to leave the base through here!¡± Engineer Wu couldn¡¯t help but apud.

    ¡°This passage descends downward. As the water floods it and cools down, it will freeze solid, sealing it shut. Zhang Yi won¡¯t be able to open this door again.¡±

    ¡°And even if he tries to melt the ice with heat, it won¡¯t help.¡±

    ¡°Marvelous!¡±

    Engineer Wu was full of praise.

    Zheng Xuerong smiled proudly, ¡°It¡¯s just a little trick.¡±

    But Ling Feng showed no sign of joy.

    While they had sealed Zhang Yi¡¯s secret escape route, they still had no way to breach the shelter.

    Without capturing Zhang Yi, they couldn¡¯tplete the mission for West Hill Base, nor could they avenge the deaths of over fifty Special Forces Team members.

    As captain, Ling Feng remained furious and anxious.

    ¡°We don¡¯t just want to block him in. We need to break through his shell and destroy himpletely!¡±

    Liang Yue remained silent, observing coldly to see if they coulde up with another n.

    Meanwhile, Fatty Xu had already left Xu Family Town with Zhang Yi. She knew she had to be even more cautious in her actions, ensuring she wasn¡¯t exposed.

    The others were silent as well, deep in thought. Every method they had considered had failed, and the Special Forces Team had suffered heavy losses. With only a handful of men left, how could they hope to fight Zhang Yi?

    Unable toe up with a solution, the group decided to return to Xu Family Town to rest and reconsider their strategy.

    When they arrived back at the town, the vigers noticed that the hundred men who had left with them hadn¡¯t returned and asked Ling Feng where they had gone.

    Ling Feng coldly replied, ¡°Zhang Yi killed them all.¡±

    Once again, Xu Family Town was filled with the wails of grieving families. In a single day, countless households had lost loved ones.

    Ling Feng then ordered, ¡°We¡¯re hungry. Prepare food and bring it to us. Don¡¯t waste any time!¡±

    At this point, he had no interest in pretending anymore.

    These vigers had no power to resist, so there was no need to put on a fa?ade.

    As expected, though the vigers cried and hated them, they still obediently served them.

    That night, the vigers tore white cloth from their homes, hastily burned the bodies of their rtives, and held a simple mourning ceremony.

    Meanwhile, on the other side of the river, within the shelter, a lively wee banquet was taking ce.

    Perhaps because it had been so long since they had seen outsiders, everyone warmly weed Fatty Xu¡¯s arrival¡ªat least outwardly.

    Yang Siyah and Zhou Ke¡¯er had prepared avish dinner, and Zhang Yi had brought out several bottles of fine wine he had been saving.

    Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran, having already met him before, weren¡¯t strangers to him either.

    When Fatty Xu arrived at the shelter, he was inplete shock, just like everyone else.

    In the harsh, apocalyptic world outside, they lived in ptial homes and enjoyed delicious food, an almost obscene disy of luxury.

    Especially Zhang Yi, who was surrounded by beautiful women¡ªtruly a winner in life!

    Fatty Xu¡¯s admiration for Zhang Yi grew even deeper.

    If someone wasn¡¯t extraordinary, how could they live such a carefree life in the apocalypse?

    However, in the presence of these beauties, Fatty Xu was extremely nervous, barely able to speak properly.

    It wasn¡¯t surprising. Even in front of a rtively in woman like Xu Lili, he would get so excited he could hardly control himself.

    Let alone now, when Zhang Yi¡¯s women were all stunning, exceptionally talented beauties.

    But despite their beauty, Fatty Xu felt a certain fear when he saw them.

    Having just suffered the blow of heartbreak, he had lost all faith in real-life rtionships.

    ¡°The more beautiful a woman is, the more she likes to deceive people!¡±

    Fatty Xu firmly believed this.

    Instead of wasting energy trying to connect with real women, he figured it was better to spend more time watching anime.

    At least the girls in anime would never lie to him.

    Zhang Yi handed him a wine ss, clinking it with his.

    ¡°Fatty, since you¡¯re here now, we¡¯re partners from now on. Whatever enemies we face, you need to fight them with all you¡¯ve got.¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled as he spoke to Fatty Xu.

    This guy had great abilities, but he was timid and had no idea how to harness them.

    But now that Fatty Xu had be Zhang Yi¡¯s follower, Zhang Yi would help him develop his powers, turning him into a valuable asset.

    Fatty Xu chuckled awkwardly, ¡°I know, I know! There¡¯s no such thing as a free lunch in this world!¡±

    He may be a nerd, but he wasn¡¯t stupid.

    However, as they ate, Fatty Xu voiced a question that had been on his mind.

    ¡°Boss, besides me, do you have any other spies in Xu Family Town?¡±

    ¡°Oh? Why do you ask?¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled as he looked at him.

    Fatty Xuughed nervously.

    ¡°Boss, I know your personality too well. You wouldn¡¯t leave the shelter and take such a risk unless you were absolutely certain.¡±

    ¡°Unless you had a clear picture of what was happening in Xu Family Town.¡±

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t hide it from him.

    ¡°Do you remember Teacher Liang from Tianqing Academy?¡±

    The moment Zhang Yi mentioned this, Fatty Xu pped his thigh in excitement.

    ¡°I knew it! I guessed it was her, and I was right!¡±

    Not just Zhang Yi, but the other women at the table also looked at him curiously.

    ¡°How did you guess?¡±

    Fatty Xu grinned, ¡°It was simple. When we went to Tianqing Academy to rescue people, we met her.¡±

    ¡°Later, she followed the people from West Hill Base to Xu Family Town. When I saw her, I was scared to death because she knew about my rtionship with the boss.¡±

    ¡°But she acted like she didn¡¯t know me at all and didn¡¯t tell anyone about me.¡±

    ¡°So I figured she wasn¡¯t truly loyal to West Hill Base. If anyone was your mole, it had to be her!¡±

    Zhang Yi gave Fatty Xu a look of appreciation. ¡°You¡¯re smarter than you look! Cheers to that!¡±

    ¡°Haha, thanks, boss!¡±

    Overjoyed by the praise, Fatty Xu downed his ss of wine.

    Everyone was in high spirits, though not because they were particrly happy about Fatty Xu¡¯s arrival.

    It was more that his arrival gave them an excuse to drink.

    Fatty Xu drank with gusto. The wine wasn¡¯t very strong, and at first, he felt fine.

    But after a while, the alcohol kicked in.

    He became tipsy, swaying in his seat, his face flushed,ughing one moment, then suddenly bursting into tears.

    ¡°I thought she liked me, but she made a fool of me. I was wrong, love really does disappear, doesn¡¯t it?¡±

    ¡°Howme!¡±

    Yang Xinxin sipped her wine and offered a disdainfulment.

    Zhang Yi merely smiled and instructed Yang Siyah to prepare a room for Fatty Xu on the first underground floor.

    As for himself and the other women, they lived on the second underground floor.

    Letting Fatty Xu stay in the shelter was only temporary.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t like having other men in his home, so this arrangement was only a stopgap.

    Once they dealt with the situation at West Hill Base, Zhang Yi nned to move Fatty Xu to one of the nearby vis that hadn¡¯t been destroyed.

    ¡°What¡¯s your next move against me?¡±

    Zhang Yi swirled the wine in his ss as he thought to himself.

    He was ready for whatever came next. He had struck a major blow against the Special Forces Team from West Hill Base.

    Their grand n to dig a tunnel would have to be put on hold.

    Zhang Yi was curious about their next steps, feeling both a bit anxious and eager.

    People are always both fascinated and

    fearful of the unknown.

    ¡°If only Liang Yue could get that chip back sooner.¡±

    Zhang Yi nced at Yang Xinxin with a smile.

    She was sitting on the couch, wearing a ck Lolita dress.

    Apart from being unable to walk, she looked no different from a normal girl.

    Her elegance, especially when sipping red wine, was timeless.

    Yang Xinxin expressed her confidence in Liang Yue.

    ¡°This task won¡¯t be difficult for Teacher Liang. Brother, don¡¯t forget what she used to do.¡±

    ¡°If she was only skilled, she wouldn¡¯t have been hired to guard that ce.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 297: Madness

    Chapter 297: Madness

    Ling Feng and his men returned empty-handed, the atmosphere unusually heavy. No one wanted to speak.

    Since they joined the army, they had never suffered such a humiliating defeat.

    It wasn¡¯t because theycked ability¡ªcircumstances had been too limiting.

    Facing a fortress-like shelter, their outdated, half-century-oldbat weapons were simply no match.

    Even in military theory sses, tackling such a fortified stronghold required precision bombing, not solo infantry assaults.

    But the conditions they faced left them with no choice. The mission had to bepleted, so they pressed on, despite the odds.

    Now, Ling Feng and his Special Forces Team had the skills but no way to use them.

    That cold night, a giant full moon hung in the sky.Since the apocalypse, it had been a long time since they''d seen such a bright moon.

    Yet, the cold moonlight felt like salt rubbed into the wounds of Ling Feng and his men.

    After returning to Xu Family Town, they quickly ate dinner. Ling Feng told everyone to rest but reminded them to stay alert and not sleep too soundly.

    Everyone nodded, knowing they were not just guarding against Zhang Yi, but also the vigers of Xu Family Town, who could turn on them at any moment.

    Liang Yue returned to her snow hut.

    As soon as she reached the door, she frowned.

    Someone had been in her room!

    Since contacting Zhang Yi, she had always been on high alert, afraid her secret would be discovered.

    So, she had set a few subtle traps in her room¡ªanyone entering would leave traces.

    Without showing any emotion, Liang Yue walked calmly inside.

    After carefully checking her belongings, she realized someone had tampered with her bed.

    She reached under the mattress and retrieved a dark gold chip and a silver SIM card.

    ¡°This is¡­¡±

    Liang Yue suddenly recalled Zhang Yi asking her for the location of her room.

    It dawned on her that this must have been left for her by Zhang Yi!

    The chip was a storage device that would need to be plugged into aputer to ess. The SIM card, likely for encrypted calls, would prevent West Hill Base from monitoring their conversations.

    With Yang Xinxin¡¯sputer skills, this level of encryption wouldn¡¯t be difficult to achieve.

    Her phone, however, was hidden in a crack of a dead tree on the other side of the river, so for now, she couldn¡¯t contact Zhang Yi to ask about the chip.

    She pocketed both the chip and the SIM card, nning to reach out to Zhang Yi as soon as she could retrieve her phone.

    After that, she sat on her bed and fell asleep without undressing.

    ¡­

    The next morning, Liang Yue got up and joined Ling Feng and the others for breakfast, as usual, to discuss their next steps.

    However, the Special Forces Team''s camp seemed eerily quiet today. She saw almost no one around.

    It suddenly hit her¡ªmost of them had been killed by Zhang Yi, and only a dozen or so remained.

    When Liang Yue reached the dining area, Ling Feng was talking to Xu Dongtang.

    "Gather all your people. I need a favor from you," Ling Feng said.

    Xu Dongtang''s face turned pale, his lips dry, clearly reluctant.

    "Captain Ling, what... what do you need us to do?"

    Whenever Ling Feng sought him out, it was never good news.

    Ling Feng coldly replied, "Just follow my instructions, and I¡¯ll tell you when the timees. Now go!"

    He waved Xu Dongtang away, signaling him not to disturb their breakfast.

    Ling Feng wasn¡¯t worried about the vigers running off.

    They could flee, but they couldn¡¯t escape their fate. Xu Family Town was the only ce they could survive.

    Leaving here would be suicide.

    The town was already firmly in West Hill Base¡¯s grasp, with no room for escape.

    Xu Dongtang, pale and trembling, left the room.

    Liang Yue, her eyes flickering with helplessness, pushed aside her sympathy for the vigers and sat down to eat.

    Breakfast was the same as usual¡ªwhite steamed buns, pickles, and stewed fish, with hot rice porridge simmering in another pot.

    They couldn¡¯t eat regr rice¡ªit cooled too quickly.

    Sitting beside the others, Liang Yue ate in silence, saying nothing.

    Yesterday, Ling Feng and the others had already begun to suspect her, but Fatty Xu¡¯s betrayal had shifted their focus away.

    However, with so many of the Special Forces members dead, Ling Feng was more paranoid than ever. He trusted no one but a few close confidants.

    Naturally, that meant he didn¡¯t trust Liang Yue either.

    After breakfast, Xu Dongtang gathered all the vigers in the town square, as instructed by Ling Feng.

    When Ling Feng arrived, he quickly noticed some people were missing.

    Most of the absent ones were women and children.

    Clearly, the vigers, unsure of Ling Feng''s intentions, had hidden them away.

    Ling Feng didn¡¯t care. He simply addressed the crowd, "Yesterday, Xu Family Town suffered heavy losses due to an attack by the viin Zhang Yi!"

    "As soldiers, we cannot let this go unchecked. But we are short on manpower and need your help."

    "I¡¯m asking for 100 volunteers toe with us across the river!"

    As soon as he finished speaking, the vigers panicked.

    Every time the Special Forces Team sought them out, it ended badly.

    Their once peaceful and happy lives had been shattered over the past month. They were now constantly on the verge of starvation, living under the threat of death.

    If it weren¡¯t for their fear of the Special Forces'' weapons, they would have revolted long ago.

    But after the first wave of rebels was killed, the rest had their spirits crushed. Unless the de was at their throats, they didn¡¯t have the courage to fight back.

    The crowd murmured, voicing theirints quietly.

    But Ling Feng ignored them. He simply instructed Xu Dongtang, "I¡¯ll leave it to you to gather 100 people. And make sure a few specific individualse along."

    He whispered a few names into Xu Dongtang¡¯s ear, and after some thought, Xu Dongtang reluctantly nodded.

    From the back, Liang Yue silently observed, puzzled as to what Ling Feng was plotting now.

    But she knew that whatever it was, he was keeping her in the dark.

    Still, she didn¡¯t ask. She figured she''d find out soon enough.

    After all, what could these 100 ordinary people possibly do?

    ¡­

    At the shelter, Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu spent the morning ying video games after breakfast.

    The women in the house yed a bit too, but their skills were so bad that Zhang Yi quickly grew tired of carrying them.

    But now that Fatty Xu, a fellow gaming nerd, had joined, at least he had a decent teammate.

    Fatty Xu was deeply moved. "Boss, it¡¯s great working for you! I even get time to y video games!"

    He had expected Zhang Yi, surrounded by enemies, to be constantly on edge, always ready to fight.

    He hadn¡¯t imagined Zhang Yi''s life would be so rxed!

    Zhang Yi smiled. "Work when it¡¯s time to work, y when it¡¯s time to y. As long as no serious threat shows up, I spend most of my time chilling and enjoying life."

    But despite his casual tone, Zhang Yi wasn¡¯tcent.

    The surveince footage outside was being monitored at all times, and Zhou Ke¡¯er and the others weren¡¯t just here to have fun.

    Fatty Xu admired him deeply.

    He even regretted, for a moment, not seizing the chance to join Zhang Yi earlier, instead of wasting time chasing after Xu Lili.

    Women were one thing, but how could theypare to thetest PS15 and thousands of AAA games?

    Fatty Xu stared at the stack of game cartridges beneath the TV, eyes gleaming with greed. He wished he could y them all in one go!

    "Boss, can I¡­ hehe..."

    Fatty Xu scratched his head, pointing at the games.

    Zhang Yi understood his intent. "Go ahead, pick whatever you like!"

    Fatty Xu eagerly rushed over to sift through the cartridges.

    But at that moment, Zhou Ke¡¯er, who had been watching the monitors, suddenly spoke up, "Zhang Yi, someone¡¯sing! And they look¡­ strange."

    Her eyes showed a mix of fear and confusion as she stared at the surveince footage.

    Zhang Yi''s eyes narrowed. "What¡¯s wrong?"

    He stood up and walked over to take a look.

    "It¡¯s like a group of walking corpses heading this way."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er pointed at the screen, her voice shaky.

    Zhang Yi peered closer and saw a slow-moving crowd about several hundred meters south of the shelter.

    Their sluggish pace and stiff movements made them look like zombies from a movie.

    If they were actual zombies, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t be worried¡ªhe could easily deal with them with hot weapons.

    "Zoom in," Zhang Yi ordered.

    Xiao Ai zoomed in on the camera, revealing that these weren¡¯t zombies at all, but rather a group of pale, stiff-looking humans.

    Zhang Yi waved at Fatty Xu, who was still sorting through games. "Hey, Fatty Xu,e here and check this out. Are those people from Xu Family Town?"

    Fatty Xu paused for a moment, then quickly rushed over.

    After seeing their faces, he immediately confirmed, "Yeah, that¡¯s them! But¡­ why are they here?"

    His face turned pale, cold sweat breaking out on his back.

    Though he didn¡¯t know what was going on, his instincts told him it wasn¡¯t good.

    Zhang Yi studied the footage carefully. He didn¡¯t see Ling Feng or the others, which meant they were likely hiding.

    And since Liang Yue hadn¡¯t warned him, he had no idea what this was all about.

    "Why are they here? They¡¯re not here to trigger traps¡ªthendmines around here were cleared long ago."

    Zhang Yi felt something was off. Judging by the vigers¡¯ pale faces and trembling bodies, there was definitely more going on.

    "Let¡¯s go check it out!"

    He patted Fatty Xu on the shoulder, motioning for him toe along.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 298: Human Bomb

    Chapter 298 : Human Bomb

    No matter what schemes they might be plotting, they''re just regr people. Taking them out should be easy.

    Zhang Yi felt no fear as he calmly swapped into a set of gear¡ªan enhanced imitation of the Special Forces Teambat suit.

    Watching him, Fatty Xu asked enviously, "Boss, what about me? I don''t want to die either¡ªdon''t you have some protective gear for me?"

    When it came to fear of death, Fatty Xu and Zhang Yi were definitely on par.

    Zhang Yi tossed him a bulletproof vest he wasn¡¯t using and handed him a helmet.

    ¡°Hurry up and put it on; let¡¯s get down there and see what¡¯s going on.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what their n is, but we definitely can¡¯t let them near the Shelter.¡±

    The two headed to the first floor, where they could see Xu Family Town vigers approaching slowly through a one-way ss window.Fatty Xu leaned against the window, scanning them one by one, recognizing many familiar neighbors.

    Suddenly, Fatty Xu¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Lili!¡±

    Among the crowd, he spotted Xu Lili¡¯s figure. Her face was drawn and pale, her body trembling as if she might copse at any moment. But she kept moving forward, as though something behind her was forcing her on.

    Noticing Fatty Xu''s expression, Zhang Yi nced at him indifferently.

    "We have to kill all of them."

    Fatty Xu shivered.

    ¡°Huh? Kill¡­ kill them? All of them?¡±

    Fatty Xu looked like he was about to cry. Even though he had chosen to leave Xu Family Town to escape, the thought of shooting his fellow vigers was too much for him to bear. After all, most of Xu Family Town shared his surname; they were all rtives of one sort or another.

    Watching the cowardly Fatty Xu, Zhang Yi sighed deeply.

    "If the Shelter falls, do you think we¡¯d survive?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the apocalypse.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s tone was emphatic, and he said nothing more. He didn¡¯t want blood on his hands either, if he could avoid it. But survival sometimes demanded sacrifices.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t force Fatty Xu to kill his own kin. Instead, he activated the Dimensional Gate in front of the window as a defense, then opened the window and raised a pistol, calmly firing selective shots.

    One by one, five or six vigers fell as if they¡¯d been reaped.

    The crowd slowed, some crying out in terror, others spotting Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu through the window.

    ¡°Xu Chunlei! It¡¯s Xu Chunlei!¡±

    ¡°Xu Chunlei, we¡¯re your own kin¡ªhow can you open fire on us?¡±

    ¡°Chunlei, it¡¯s me, your aunt! Don¡¯t shoot! Save us!¡±

    Pleading and curses filled Fatty Xu¡¯s ears, making him break into a cold sweat as he instinctively stepped back. Seeing Xu Lili staring at him with tearful eyes, she pleaded, ¡°Chunlei, save me, please! I¡¯ll marry you, just save me!¡±

    The sweat on Xu Chunlei¡¯s forehead kept dripping.

    But Zhang Yi¡¯s shooting continued unimpeded, systematically taking out the vigers of Xu Family Town. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something wasn¡¯t right; it was as if these people hade here to die. Could Ling Feng and the West Hill Base be behind this, forcing them?

    ¡°Bang!¡± An elderly man¡¯s head exploded, blood spraying everywhere, intensifying the screaming.

    ¡°Xu Chunlei, what are you doing? I know you¡¯re in there. Are you really going to watch us all die?¡±

    ¡°Chunlei, it¡¯s me, Gangzi! Don¡¯t kill me!¡±

    ¡°Xu Chunlei, you traitor to the Xu family! Look at what you¡¯ve done! Xu Family Town turned into this because of you! If it weren¡¯t for your dealings with Zhang Yi, none of this would have happened!¡±

    An old woman cursed Fatty Xu from outside.

    Zhang Yi frowned, ncing at him.

    He could sense it¡ªthese people were deliberately being sent to die. Could it be that Ling Feng nned to use their blood to open the Shelter¡¯s doors?

    A futile hope.

    Zhang Yi resumed firing. This time, as a body fell, something slipped from under its clothing, and he froze, understanding instantly why these people were here.

    They were strapped with explosives!

    Ling Feng intended to use the vigers of Xu Family Town as human shields to blow open the Shelter.

    Zhang Yi stopped shooting, his mind clearer now.

    ¡°Fatty, do you see what¡¯s on them?¡± he asked.

    Fatty Xu looked closely and saw the explosives strapped to the vigers, his eyes widening in disbelief. ¡°Those scum!!¡±

    Fatty Xu had no love for the West Hill Base, but he¡¯d thought they¡¯d have some moral bottom line¡ªnot to harm innocent people. Now, they¡¯d turned his fellow vigers into human bombs!

    "This is inhumane, worse than animals!"

    ¡°As I said, they¡¯re faithless desperados. To deal with them, we have to be even more ruthless,¡± Zhang Yi said coolly.

    Fatty Xu¡¯s heart nearly broke. These people were doomed either way, and he had to watch, helpless.

    Zhang Yi held the pistol toward him. ¡°The situation¡¯s obvious now. You know what has to be done.¡±

    Fatty Xu hesitated a long moment before clenching his teeth and taking the pistol.

    ¡°If they¡¯re going to die, it¡¯s not my fault for sending them off.¡±

    ¡°me it on those scumbags at West Hill Base!¡±

    Steeling himself, he raised the gun and fired at the crowd. With his guilt dispelled, Fatty Xu grew bolder with each shot.

    The first death saddened him a bit, but afterward, he felt a thrill he¡¯d never experienced before.

    Bang!

    His second aunt fell, a woman who often belittled him. Fatty Xu felt an unexpected satisfaction¡ªafter all, he hadn¡¯t had much love for some of these rtives.

    ¡°Heh¡­ haha!¡± Fatty Xu¡¯sughter grew as his body trembled with exhration. His firing rate increased.

    In Xu Family Town, he had no friends and no respect, despite the help he¡¯d given his vige after awakening his powers during the apocalypse. But even then, he¡¯d been met with disdain and envy. How many nights had he told himself that he was imagining it?

    But he knew¡ªit wasn¡¯t in his head.

    They had truly looked down on him.

    And now, he had their lives in his hands, free of guilt.

    ¡°Ahaha!¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s face twisted with a sinister smile as he emptied his magazine. Zhang Yi handed him another clip, gesturing for him to continue.

    Fatty Xu¡¯s aim was lousy, but at a hundred meters with a dense crowd, he couldn¡¯t miss. Zhang Yi had encouraged him, understanding the pent-up frustration within him. As a powerful Superhuman who had endured years of scorn, Fatty Xu needed this release.

    With their previous tormentor fallen, the vigers ran in terror, some cursing, others pleading. But behind them, Ling Feng¡¯s forces drove them closer to the Shelter, determined to make them die on their explosive mission.

    Ling Feng¡¯s n to exploit Fatty Xu¡¯s connection to his fellow vigers was failing as his forces fell to Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu¡¯s bullets.

    ¡°Those animals killed their own!¡± Ling Feng cursed, shooting an escaping viger.

    Watching from the side, Liang Yue shook his head. Really, Ling Feng? You force them forward and then call them animals?

    Ling Feng had his own logic: killing the vigers himself was justified, but Xu¡¯s actions were pure betrayal. Yet he hadn¡¯t expected Fatty Xu to be so eager, his shots hinting at personal vendettas.

    Zhang Yi handed him an assault rifle, saying, ¡°Try this¡ªit¡¯s more satisfying.¡±

    Fatty Xu took it, and Zhang Yi instructed, ¡°Hold it steady; the recoil¡¯s powerful.¡±

    With the gun steadied on the windowsill, Fatty Xu unleashed a hail of bullets upon the vigers he¡¯d once known.

    Author''s Note

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 299: Give Everything You Have

    Chapter 299: Give Everything You Have

    One hundred vigers, each strapped with explosives, were all mowed down by Fatty Xu.

    Among them was Xu Lili, whom he had once been infatuated with.

    But as he gazed at Xu Lili¡¯s lifeless body on the ground, his heart felt oddly calm. He even started to question himself.

    "Why was I ever so obsessed with this woman?"

    Looking at Xu Lili now, she wasn¡¯t even that pretty.

    Some of the vigers weren¡¯t quite dead yet. Fatty Xu¡¯s aim was terrible, and they were still struggling in agony.

    ¡°Well, no turning back now!¡±

    Gritting his teeth, Fatty Xu went around delivering the finishing blow to each of them. He awkwardly apologized to Zhang Yi, ¡°Sorry, Boss. My aim¡¯s pretty bad¡ªI wasted your bullets.¡±Zhang Yi generously waved it off. ¡°No problem, consider it target practice.¡±

    Bullets weren¡¯t a scarce resource for him. With plenty of materials stored in his alternate dimension, Lu Keran could forge them continuously.

    Many people had an irrational reverence for firearms and bullets, thinking they must be extremely valuable. In reality, they were cheap to produce¡ªotherwise, many households abroad wouldn¡¯t own them.

    With all the vigers dead, and none of them reaching the Shelter, Ling Feng clenched his teeth in frustration.

    ¡°Damn it! Damn it all!¡±

    This had been hisst card. If it didn¡¯t work, he¡¯d have no choice but to admit the mission was a failure.

    Half of the Special Forces Team from West Hill Base had been killed, leaving only a few survivors.

    There was no way Chen Xinian would send him the remaining forces.

    As for regr soldiers, sending them would be like throwing cannon fodder at Zhang Yi¡ªthey didn¡¯t even have the skill to engage in a proper shootout with him.

    Ling Feng fumed, venting his frustration, while the others stood silently around him, equally furious but powerless to do anything.

    They wanted nothing more than to drag Zhang Yi out of the Shelter and tear him apart¡ªbut theycked the strength to do so.

    ¡°Captain Ling, let¡¯s go back.¡±

    Engineer Wu suddenly spoke.

    Unlike the others, Engineer Wu wasn¡¯t one of Ling Feng¡¯s subordinates. He had been assigned to assist Ling Feng on this mission by the higher-ups, so it was appropriate for him to speak up.

    ¡°We¡¯re out of weapons and ammunition, and our soldiers are almost all gone. Staying here serves no purpose.¡±

    Shi Dayong, Zheng Xuerong, Shen Hong, and Yu Lang were taken aback, quickly ncing at Ling Feng.

    They were terrified that their proud captain might lose it.

    But Ling Feng didn¡¯t act out.

    Instead, he gazed at the fortress-like Shelter, standing unscathed amidst the scorched earth. He stayed silent for a long time.

    With Ling Feng not speaking, no one else dared say a word, waiting for their captain to make the final decision.

    After a few tense minutes, Ling Feng finally spoke, his voice tinged with fatigue.

    ¡°Do you think we can go back?¡±

    For the first time, exhaustion crept into his tone.

    He was tired¡ªtruly tired.

    In all his years as a soldier, he had never encountered such a helpless situation.

    It was a total defeat.

    The mission had failed, and so many of his soldiers had died. He felt ashamed to even think about facing Chen Xinian.

    ¡°Maybe I should just die here.¡±

    As he spoke, Ling Feng suddenly drew his pistol and pointed it at his own temple.

    No one expected this. Liang Yue¡¯s eyes flickered, secretly hoping he would pull the trigger.

    She knew how dangerous Ling Feng was. If he lived, he would be a significant threat to her future escape ns.

    Besides, this butcher had too much innocent blood on his hands. He deserved to die!

    But Shi Dayong and the others weren¡¯t about to let their captain end his life.

    They quickly wrestled the gun out of his hand.

    ¡°Captain, don¡¯t do something foolish!¡±

    ¡°This wasn¡¯t your fault! In the face of the apocalypse, we don¡¯t have the modern equipment needed to breach that fortress, and Zhang Yi¡¯s superpowers are too strange! Failure was inevitable.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re one of West Hill Base¡¯s most important protectors. If something happens to you, the base would suffer a tremendous loss!¡±

    Everyone was trying to talk Ling Feng out of it.

    But to Liang Yue, it wasughable how easily Ling Feng had let them take the gun away. She couldn¡¯t help but look down on him.

    Ling Feng hadn¡¯t intended to kill himself. It was all an act, just like when Cao Cao had cut off his hair to take responsibility for trampling a farmer''s field.

    ¡°See? It¡¯s not that I¡¯m afraid to die¡ªI just couldn¡¯t turn down your earnest pleas, so I guess I¡¯ll live.¡±

    Ling Feng struggled a little. ¡°Let go! Just let me go! I¡¯ve failed the mission assigned by our leader. How can I face him?¡±

    Engineer Wu coughed and said, ¡°In fact, we didn¡¯te backpletely empty-handed.¡±

    ¡°If we take the people of Xu Family Town back, that should be enough to appease the leader.¡±

    In the post-apocalypse, viges like Xu Family Town, with arge number of living people that could be easily controlled, were extremely rare.

    West Hill Base was always in need of people¡ªwhether for experiments on superhumans or asbor for the Fourth Life Pod.

    Engineer Wu continued, ¡°Besides, we¡¯ve already lost so many Special Forces members. If you can¡¯t pull through, the base will suffer even more.¡±

    The Special Forces chimed in, agreeing with Engineer Wu¡¯s reasoning.

    Ling Feng hesitated for a while before letting out a resigned sigh.

    ¡°In that case, I¡¯ll have to live with this shame and return to the leader.¡±

    Though Ling Feng was deeply resentful, he knew the mission had failed. Continuing to fight would be pointless.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go back to Xu Family Town.¡±

    His cold demeanor returned as he led the way back.

    Before leaving, Ling Feng detonated all the explosives strapped to the vigers from Xu Family Town.

    A blinding sh of light shot up into the sky. If not for the Shelter¡¯s ss shielding, it would have blinded them.

    Zhang Yi closed his eyes, ignoring the explosion.

    Though the house shook, the distance was far enough that the Shelter remained undamaged.

    Fatty Xu, caught off guard, had his eyes stung by the st, turning them red and teary.

    ¡°It¡¯s over.¡±

    Zhang Yi knew that this time, Ling Feng and his people wouldn¡¯t be returning anytime soon. If they did, they would need better weapons and more resources to challenge him again.

    Back in Xu Family Town, the vigers were on edge after hearing the explosion from across the river.

    They desperately wanted to escape.

    But in the icy wilderness, without shelter or sufficient food, they wouldn¡¯t survive three days.

    Faced with such harsh conditions, people instinctively huddled together for warmth, even if it meant facing death together.

    As the town¡¯s nominal leader, Xu Dongtang was deeply troubled.

    Never in his worst nightmares had he imagined that the people from West Hill Base would do this to them.

    If he had known, he would have listened to Xu Chunlei.

    But¡­ did he ever have a choice?

    Xu Dongtang furrowed his brows. After much reflection, he realized a terrible truth.

    No matter what decisions he made early on, today¡¯s oue was inevitable.

    Xu Family Town had plenty of people and food butcked the military power needed to protect themselves in the post-apocalypse.

    Whether they faced a powerful superhuman like Zhang Yi or an organized force like West Hill Base, they were always going to be the victims.

    This wasn¡¯t a civilized world anymore. Strength ruled everything.

    When Ling Feng and his men returned to Xu Family Town, the vigers saw that the hundred people who had been taken were noting back.

    They already knew what had happened.

    But this time, no one spoke. They just stared at Ling Feng¡¯s group with lifeless eyes, like corpses watching grave robbers.

    Ling Feng stood before them and said, ¡°We¡¯re leaving now.¡±

    At those words, a flicker of hope appeared in the vigers¡¯ eyes.

    Were these devils finally going to leave? Were their days of suffering finally over?

    Only they knew the hell they had lived through for the past month.

    Though the Special Forces Team was just over sixty men, they consumed enough food for five or six hundred.

    They had also killed, worked to death, or otherwise caused the deaths of over five hundred vigers!

    Despite the freezing weather, Xu Family Town hadn¡¯t lost many people to the cold. Instead, they had lost nearly a third of their poption to these outsiders.

    The vigers¡¯ eyes filled with excitement, thinking they had finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel.

    Even Xu Dongtang¡¯s eyes welled with tears of joy.

    ¡°Thank goodness! This time must have been hard on all of you. Should we help you pack up?¡±

    ¡°Of course.¡±

    Ling Feng added, ¡°Have everyone pack what they need for daily use. Prepare toe with us back to West Hill Base.¡±

    ¡°Oh, and by everyone, I mean all those between the ages of 16 and 35.¡±

    Xu Dongtang¡¯s smile froze.

    ¡°Captain Ling, what do you mean by that?¡±

    Without even looking at him, Ling Feng said in amanding tone, ¡°Not just anyone can go to West Hill Base. This is a tremendous opportunity¡ªa gift to you all. You should take advantage of it.¡±

    Xu Dongtang was stunned, realizing Ling Feng wasn¡¯t joking.

    In a panic, he shouted, ¡°Captain Ling! These young people are the backbone of Xu Family Town! If they leave, only the old, weak, women, and children will remain. How will we survive?¡±

    Ling Feng finally looked at him, but his gaze was one of disdain, as if he were scolding a child who didn¡¯t understand.

    ¡°In the apocalypse, expecting everyone to survive is unrealistic. You need to be willing to make sacrifices. Let the strongest live to carry on your family¡¯s legacy!

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 300: Round Up the Able-Bodied

    Chapter 300: Round Up the Able-Bodied

    Ling Feng was very deliberate in his selection.

    Whether for human experimentation orbor in the Fourth Life Pod, only healthy people were of use. Those too old or too young were of no value¡ªthey would only waste resources.

    Even using them as protein substitutes wasn¡¯t cost-effective.

    In his heart, Ling Feng firmly believed that he was a good person.

    ¡°Alright, everyone between the ages of 16 and 35, without disabilities, start packing your things! We¡¯re taking you to West Hill Base!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a ce with ample food andfortable living conditions. Once you¡¯re there, you won¡¯t have to worry about hunger or freezing!¡±

    He shouted through a loudspeaker.

    Upon hearing his words, the vigers reacted like startled birds, nervously chattering amongst themselves.Some thought it was a great opportunity. They had heard about West Hill Base from the soldiers¡ªa haven with excellent living conditions. If they went there, they might survive infort.

    But others expressed their concerns.

    After all, Ling Feng and his men had used brutal tactics against them over the past few months, killing many of their loved ones. Could they really trust the Special Forces Team?

    However, their opinions didn¡¯t matter.

    Ling Feng wasn¡¯t asking for their approval¡ªhe was giving them orders.

    ncing at his watch, he said, ¡°You have half an hour to gather your things. After that, everyone must be here!¡±

    His gaze swept over the confused crowd as he added, ¡°Anyone caught disobeying or attempting to escape will be dealt with by militaryw!¡±

    The atmosphere grew tense.

    A young man, braving his fear, shouted from the crowd, ¡°What about our families? Are we supposed to leave them behind?¡±

    His words struck a chord with many.

    Most people had elderly family members or children at home.

    If all able-bodied individuals aged 16 to 35 were taken, it meant leaving behind the elderly, women, and children. Without strong men to fish or protect the town, those left behind would likely die from the cold or be killed by others.

    So, even though they feared the Special Forces, the vigers of Xu Family Town raised their voices in protest.

    ¡°We can¡¯t leave our families behind! If you¡¯re taking us, take everyone!¡±

    ¡°Would you abandon your own family? If so, I¡¯d rather stay here and die with mine!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, we won¡¯t agree to this!¡±

    Their cries grew louder, drowning out the howling wind and snow.

    But Ling Feng¡¯s brow furrowed.

    Suddenly, a gunshot rang out, silencing the crowd.

    Shi Dayong stood holding a gun, a wisp of smoke rising from its barrel. In the crowd, the young man who had first spokeny dead, blood pooling on the ground.

    ¡°This is an order, not a request for your opinion!¡±

    ¡°At a time like this, if you resist West Hill Base¡¯s orders, there¡¯s only one oue!¡±

    Ling Feng¡¯s voice was cold and unyielding.

    Despair was the only expression left on the vigers¡¯ faces.

    In the face of overwhelming power, their resistance was meaningless. Ling Feng had already given up on maintaining even a fa?ade of decency.

    The failure of the mission had made him ruthless. Anyone who challenged his authority now would be eliminated without hesitation.

    Ling Feng gave Shi Dayong a nce.

    Shi Dayong stepped forward, shouting, ¡°All of you between the ages of 16 and 35¡ªyes, that includes you if you¡¯re 16 or 35¡ªwho are healthy and able-bodied, go pack your things! The rest of you stay put!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t try to be clever or use this chance to escape! If I catch anyone trying to run, they¡¯ll be executed on the spot as deserters!¡±

    The crowd fell silent. Even those who had nned to resist lost their courage, hanging their heads and obediently returning to pack.

    Going to West Hill Base offered a slim chance of survival.

    But bing a scapegoat now was a sure way to die.

    So, the scene unfolded in Xu Family Town¡¯s square: a dozen Special Forces members, armed with guns, ordering over a thousand vigers to obey.

    It was like a small group of sheepdogs herding a massive flock of sheep.

    Some people, unwilling to leave their families but unable to defy the Special Forces, resorted to self-harm, smashing their own legs with stones.

    But they weren¡¯t met with mercy¡ªjust a cold bullet.

    Half an hourter, the vigers were divided into two groups.

    Over 300 able-bodied men and women stood, each one the backbone of their family. In the freezing apocalypse, only the strong had survived this long¡ªthe weak had already perished.

    As the time to separate from their loved ones neared, the square was filled with the sound of weeping. Many bid their families a final farewell, though none dared cross the line to embrace their wives and children.

    After the headcount waspleted, Shi Dayong reported to Ling Feng, ¡°Captain, everyone¡¯s here. Should we take the food with us too?¡±

    Xu Family Town had a decent stockpile of food left, despite how much the Special Forces had already consumed.

    If they could bring back arge amount of food, it would help reduce the me for their mission¡¯s failure.

    Ling Feng considered it but ultimately shook his head.

    ¡°Leave it here. The main priority is getting the people back. It¡¯s a long journey, and it would be inconvenient to carry too much.¡±

    ¡°If we need itter, we cane back and take some.¡±

    Shi Dayong sighed. ¡°You¡¯re too merciful, Captain.¡±

    And so, the Special Forces Team, escorting the 300-odd able-bodied vigers, left Xu Family Town for West Hill Base.

    The elderly and weak watched them go, their cries rising only after the group had vanished into the distance.

    ¡­

    Several hourster, Ling Feng and his group arrived at West Hill Base.

    The soldiers guarding the base were shocked and delighted to see the captain return with so many survivors.

    ¡°Captain, you found so many survivors! This is a huge aplishment!¡±

    The soldiers gazed at the crowd of over 300 people, overjoyed.

    With these new arrivals, they would have more recruits and enoughbor for the Fourth Life Pod.

    At West Hill Base, the consumption rate in the Fourth Life Pod was high.

    Not only were people needed for experiments on superhumans, but many died from the immense psychological strain, choosing suicide.

    This created a ripple effect, disturbing others. Without these lower-level workers, the upper ss wouldn¡¯t be able to enjoy their services.

    Ling Feng¡¯s face remained cold as he ignored the soldier¡¯s ttery, merely nodding slightly.

    The soldier found it odd but said nothing more.

    Due to Zhang Yi¡¯s earlier massacre, all theirmunications soldiers had been killed, so West Hill Base had no idea that almost the entire Special Forces Team had been wiped out.

    Ling Feng led the group into the base, Liang Yue silently following behind.

    Although Ling Feng suspected her, she was a powerful Superhuman. Without solid evidence, they couldn¡¯t detain her outright.

    It wasn¡¯t that West Hill Base was particrly just, but that strong Superhumans like her were valuable assets. They wouldn¡¯t turn on her unless absolutely necessary.

    Liang Yue wasn¡¯t worried. The phone she had handed over contained nothing suspicious.

    As soon as they entered the base, the quarantine team arrived to test the Xu Family Town vigers, just as they had when Liang Yue and the others had first arrived.

    In the underground facility, Chief Secretary Ge Rou was already waiting for them.

    She smiled professionally as her gaze fell on Ling Feng.

    ¡°Captain Ling, the leader has requested your presence in his office.¡±

    Ling Feng nodded, his expression stern.

    The inevitable wasing¡ªthere was no avoiding it.

    Besides, if he wanted revenge, he would need Chen Xinian¡¯s support.

    Shi Dayong and Zheng Xuerong exchanged worried nces.

    Shi Dayong whispered, ¡°You think the captain will be okay?¡±

    They all knew that with such heavy losses, Ling Feng would be held responsible.

    Chen Xinian was strict with both rewards and punishments. In the military, he would have severely punished Ling Feng for such a failure.

    Zheng Xuerong shook her head.

    ¡°He¡¯ll definitely get chewed out, but the leader still needs him.¡±

    Shi Dayong agreed with her reasoning and stopped worrying.

    As expected, Ling Feng went to Chen Xinian¡¯s office and reported everything that had happened.

    When Chen Xinian heard that over 50 of his best Special Forces members had been killed, he mmed his fist on the table, shattering his water cup.

    ¡°Ling Feng, I entrusted half of my finest troops to you, and this is what you bring me?!¡±

    ¡°Do you even understand how difficult it was to train those 50 men? They¡¯re worth a thousand ordinary soldiers!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve be a disgrace to West Hill Base!¡±

    The thought of Ling Feng¡¯s confident assurances before the mission only made Chen Xinian angrier.

    Ling Feng stood stiffly at attention, allowing Chen Xinian to vent his fury.

    When Chen Xinian finished, Ling Feng slowly knelt on the ground, lowering his head, and spoke each word clearly: ¡°Leader, I am guilty! If you think I deserve to die, you can execute me right now.¡±

    ¡°But I ask that you give me a chance to redeem myself. I will not rest in peace unless I kill Zhang Yi with my own hands!¡±

    Chen Xinian¡¯s chest heaved with anger as he stared coldly at his once-trusted subordinate. He truly wanted to have Ling Feng executed on the spot!

    However, considering the current situation, he couldn¡¯t afford to lose such a valuable asset.

    Taking a deep breath, Chen Xinian finally calmed down and spoke in a more measured tone, ¡°Fine, I won¡¯t me you entirely for this. Your failures will be noted, and your future performance will determine whether you¡¯re forgiven. If you fail again, you¡¯ll be punished for both offenses!¡±

    Ling Feng lowered his head, acknowledging the reprimand. ¡°Thank you for your grace, Leader. I will not fail again.¡±

    Chen Xinian nodded slightly, his face still tense with suppressed frustration. ¡°This mission has been a disaster, but at least you brought back over 300 survivors from Xu Family Town. They can replenish our resources, and they will serve asbor for the Fourth Life Pod. You¡¯ve managed to salvage something from this mess.¡±

    Ling Feng remained silent, knowing better than to speak when he was already skating on thin ice.

    Chen Xinian continued, ¡°I¡¯m cing you under supervision for now. You¡¯ll be closely monitored until I¡¯m convinced you can be trusted with another mission.¡±

    Ling Feng epted this punishment without protest. He knew he was lucky to even be alive, considering the circumstances. ¡°Understood, Leader.¡±

    Chen Xinian sat back in his chair, the sharp edge of his anger beginning to soften. ¡°You¡¯re dismissed. Get some rest and make sure the new arrivals are processed properly. We¡¯ll need them ready forbor as soon as possible.¡±

    Ling Feng saluted and left the room, his body tense with the weight of failure still hanging over him.

    As he exited the office, he found Shi Dayong, Zheng Xuerong, and the others waiting anxiously.

    ¡°How did it go?¡± Shi Dayong asked cautiously.

    Ling Feng¡¯s expression was unreadable as he replied, ¡°I¡¯ve been reprimanded and ced under supervision. But the leader isn¡¯t done with me yet. We¡¯ll be monitored closely for now.¡±

    Shi Dayong sighed in relief. ¡°At least it¡¯s not as bad as we feared. You¡¯re still in charge.¡±

    Ling Feng nodded, though his mind was already racing with thoughts of how to redeem himself. He had sworn to kill Zhang Yi with his own hands, and he would not rest until that oath was fulfilled.

    But for now, all he could do was wait¡ªand n.

    Back at the base, the newly arrived survivors from Xu Family Town were processed through the standard procedures. They were scanned, inspected, and given basic health checks before being assigned tobor tasks in the Fourth Life Pod.

    Liang Yue, watching the process unfold from a distance, remained as calm as ever. Though suspicion had been cast on her, there was still no concrete evidence against her. She knew that as long as she yed her cards right, she would remain under the radar.

    However, she also knew that her position was fragile. Any misstep could lead to her downfall, and West Hill Base was not known for showing mercy to those who crossed it.

    As the new arrivals were led into the underground facility, Chief Secretary Ge Rou coordinated the entire operation with military precision, ensuring that the base would make full use of the freshbor.

    In the background, the faint hum of machinery echoed through the halls, a constant reminder of the cold efficiency that governed West Hill Base.

    Ling Feng¡¯s failure had left scars, but the base continued to function, relentless in its pursuit of survival, no matter the cost.

    For now, the base was calm¡ªbut everyone knew that storm clouds were brewing on the horizon. Zhang Yi was still out there, and the tension between West Hill Base and him had only just begun.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 301: The Greatest Threat

    Chapter 301 : The Greatest Threat

    Chen Xinian had no choice but to suppress his anger and temporarily forgive Ling Feng.

    Not wanting to see Ling Feng any longer, he waved him away, ordering him to be confined for a week as punishment.

    However, just thinking about Zhang Yi made Chen Xinian¡¯s head ache again.

    ¡°I underestimated him!¡±

    Chen Xinian sighed.

    Originally, he had thought Zhang Yi was just a small-time character who had awakened his abilities by luck. He figured he could easily take him down by sending a few elite soldiers.

    But reality had pped him in the face. The man he had dismissed as insignificant had caused him tremendous losses!

    ¡°The heavy losses have severely weakened West Hill Base¡¯s power! I must replenish the ranks quickly, or if a conflict with other forces arises, this will be a major threat.¡±With this thought, Chen Xinian called for Ge Rou.

    He asked, ¡°How are the people Ling Feng brought back from Xu Family Town?¡±

    Ge Rou replied, ¡°We just ran some tests, but the results aren¡¯t in yet. However, they all appear to be in excellent physical condition. There¡¯s a high chance of producing mutants!¡±

    Chen Xinian, however, snorted. ¡°If Superhumans were so easily born, I wouldn¡¯t be so reliant on that fool Ling Feng!¡±

    ¡°No more waiting. We need manpower now. Begin the experiments immediately. If the catalysis fails, imnt Ling Feng¡¯s cells into them.¡±

    Ge Rou¡¯s eyes shed with a trace of fear at his words.

    ¡°If we rush like this, the sess rate will drop even further. Less than one in thirty will survive!¡±

    Chen Xinian dismissed her concerns. ¡°That doesn¡¯t matter. What I need now isbat power, notbor. There are still plenty of survivors in this city. We can always replenish the poption.¡±

    ¡°Only with formidable force can we have a voice in this city!¡±

    A ruthless gleam appeared in his eyes.

    ¡°I want the whole of Tianhai City! We can¡¯t just be confined to West Hill!¡±

    Ge Rou bit her lip and nodded. ¡°Understood, I¡¯ll make the arrangements right away.¡±

    After Ge Rou left, Chen Xinian sat at his desk, contemting how to handle Zhang Yi.

    Yes, "handle" was the word.

    To him, Zhang Yi was like a rusty nail, firmly lodged in his territory.

    The known factions of Tianhai City each controlled different parts of the city. Zhang Yi¡¯s location, unfortunately, was within West Hill Base¡¯s territory.

    A wild card like him was a destabilizing factor, a potential threat to the base¡¯s control and, more importantly, Chen Xinian¡¯s personal authority.

    He had to remove this thorn in his side.

    ¡°But even when Ling Feng led the team himself, they couldn¡¯t deal with him. What should I do?¡±

    ¡°Am I really going to have to ask that guy surnamed Zhu for help and get him to fire a missile?¡±

    Chen Xinian¡¯s face showed a flicker of hesitation.

    At their level, owing someone a favor was the hardest debt to repay.

    Themander of Jiangnan District owed him a huge favor and had once promised to help him out. As one of the six major military districts in China, Jiangnan District had the authority tounch missiles.

    This was Chen Xinian¡¯s trump card, a deterrent to use against other forces. He was reluctant to use it unless absolutely necessary.

    Was he really going to waste it on Zhang Yi?

    Chen Xinian¡¯s thoughts were conflicted.

    If he didn¡¯t use the missile, he couldn¡¯t get rid of this problem. And if a conflict with another faction broke out one day, this thorn could very well end up killing him.

    After much deliberation, Chen Xinian made a decision.

    He would make onest attempt to negotiate with Zhang Yi, offering him the chance to submit to West Hill Base.

    If Zhang Yi refused, then Chen Xinian would use his trump card and erase the shelter from the map.

    Chen Xinian immediately summoned his Minister of Information, Geng Yilin, and ordered him to contact Zhang Yi.

    Soon, Zhang Yi, inside his shelter, received amunication request from Chen Xinian.

    This time, Zhang Yi felt no anxiety at the request.

    He had sessfully repelled Ling Feng¡¯s month-long assault and knew that West Hill Base didn¡¯t have the strength to breach his shelter.

    In this negotiation, he was the victor and could now speak to Chen Xinian from a position of superiority.

    Zhang Yi instructed Yang Xinxin to ensure thework¡¯s security defenses were in ce, then epted the video call.

    A projection of the video appeared in the air, and Zhang Yi saw Chen Xinian¡¯s gloomy face.

    Zhang Yi smiled. ¡°Chen Xinian, long time no see!¡±

    Being addressed so casually by his full name made Chen Xinian¡¯s gaze grow even colder. He forced a stiff smile and said, ¡°Zhang Yi, it has been a while. I¡¯m honestly surprised you¡¯vested this long.¡±

    Zhang Yi sighed in mock sympathy. ¡°Old Chen, stop fighting. You¡¯ve lost so many elites from West Hill Base¡ªthings must be rough for you.¡±

    ¡°Why are you still fighting with me? Even if you win, so what?¡±

    ¡°To be honest, if you ever manage to breach my shelter, I¡¯ll destroy all the supplies. You won¡¯t get a thing.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no way you¡¯lle out the victor. Let¡¯s just call it quits. I¡¯m willing to live in peace with you.¡±

    Zhang Yi spoke condescendingly, as if offering a handout.

    But he had every right to. In this war, he had achievedplete victory.

    Chen Xinian sneered.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, don¡¯t be so full of yourself. Do you really think I can¡¯t deal with you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been lenient because I value your talent. I¡¯m offering you a chance to serve me.¡±

    He raised a finger and pointed at Zhang Yi. ¡°This is yourst chance. Surrender to me, and I¡¯ll guarantee you afortable life in West Hill Base. I might even make you my second-inmand.¡±

    ¡°But you must prove your loyalty by handing over all your supplies!¡±

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow.

    Chen Xinian was still dreaming big.

    How could he have the audacity to make such demands after losing?

    Regardless, Zhang Yi had no interest in putting his life in someone else¡¯s hands.

    After this battle, he had realized that West Hill Base wasn¡¯t as strong as he once thought.

    If he ever encountered a truly overwhelming force, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t mind surrendering. But who did Chen Xinian think he was?

    Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°Old Chen, did you take the wrong medicine? You lost, and I won!¡±

    ¡°You have no way to deal with me, and yet you want me to be yourckey? Are you out of your mind?¡±

    ¡°Here¡¯s a better idea¡ªI¡¯ll make you my little brother. You stay put at West Hill Base, and if you run into any trouble, just mention my name. I¡¯ll look out for you!¡±

    Zhang Yi deliberately taunted Chen Xinian.

    As expected, Chen Xinian mmed the table in a fit of rage. ¡°Arrogant! You¡¯re asking for death!¡±

    ¡°Oh, really? But it seems you don¡¯t have the power to kill me,¡± Zhang Yi retorted, locking eyes with Chen Xinian, not backing down.

    ¡°Hmph, you think I have no way to handle you?¡±

    Chen Xinian stared at Zhang Yi, gritting his teeth. ¡°Let me tell you¡ªI can deploy a missile to blow up your shelter!¡±

    ¡°No matter how sturdy your shelter is, can it withstand a missile strike?¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s heart skipped a beat.

    But he quickly smiled. ¡°Don¡¯t try to scare me. There¡¯s no missile base in Tianhai City, and no one has the authority tounch one. You¡¯re not a military districtmander!¡±

    Chen Xinianughed.

    ¡°I may not be amander, but that doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t get my hands on one! You¡¯re just an ordinary person¡ªyou don¡¯t understand theplex rtionships at our level.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t doubt it. If I want to, I can tten your shelter in an instant!¡±

    Zhang Yi narrowed his eyes and coldly smirked. ¡°If you could do it, why didn¡¯t you use it earlier? Why wait until now?¡±

    Chen Xinian replied, ¡°I¡¯ve already told you¡ªI value your talent and want to give you a chance. Zhang Yi, don¡¯t make a mistake you¡¯ll regret.¡±

    ¡°My patience is wearing thin.¡±

    ¡°Either submit to me or die. Choose.¡±

    Zhang Yi cursed inwardly: Do you think I¡¯m easily scared?

    What, you think you¡¯re from Naruto now? Mastering the art of talk-no-jutsu?

    But he remained cautious and said, ¡°Oh, if you really canunch a missile, go ahead. Prove it to me.¡±

    ¡°If you can, I¡¯ll follow you. I won¡¯t mind.¡±

    Chen Xinian¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°Do you know how valuable missiles are now? There¡¯s no way I¡¯d waste one just to prove something to you.¡±

    ¡°Stop stalling. I¡¯ve run out of patience.¡±

    Chen Xinian¡¯s eyes were bloodshot, and the murderous intent in his gaze was unmistakable.

    Zhang Yi suddenly felt that the old man might not be bluffing after all.

    But who knew? A man like this was good at deception and lies.

    After a moment of hesitation, Zhang Yi said, ¡°Give me a few days to think it over.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s softened tone made Chen Xinian feel triumphant.

    He thought he had finally scared Zhang Yi into submission, and his sense of dignity began to return.

    ¡°Don¡¯t try to y any tricks. Stalling for time won¡¯t work.¡±

    Zhang Yi replied, ¡°You¡¯ve waited this long, what¡¯s another couple of days?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll give you one day. If you don¡¯t surrender by then, I¡¯ll tten your shelter!¡±

    With that, Chen Xinian abruptly cut the call.

    Sitting back on the sofa, Chen Xinian let out a long breath.

    He closed his eyes, bringing his hands together in prayer.

    ¡°Let¡¯s hope that guy is smart enough to surrender. I really don¡¯t want to waste this precious opportunity on him.¡±

    Meanwhile, in the shelter, Zhang Yi casually rose from the sofa.

    ¡°One day, huh? Well, if I can¡¯t beat him, I can always run, right?¡±

    Even though Zhang Yi loved this perfect shelter, he valued his life more.

    If it came down to it, he would abandon it to survive.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 302: Strategic Relocation

    Chapter 302 : Strategic Relocation

    Zhang Yi gathered everyone in the house and exined the situation to them.

    Upon hearing that they might face a missile strike, everyone grew tense.

    While an ordinary missile might not be more powerful than 500 kilograms of TNT, the enemy clearly knew the shelter¡¯s strength. They would likely use a more potent missile capable of prating the shelter¡¯s outer defenses.

    If that happened, the threat would be beyond estimation.

    Of course, there were even more powerful missiles, but those were unlikely to be deployed domestically.

    ¡°Does he really have ess to something like that?¡± Yang Xinxin was the first to ask.

    ¡°If he did, he should have used it already, right? Why wait until now, after suffering so many losses?¡±

    Zhang Yi shrugged and exined, ¡°While he doesn¡¯t have it directly, Jiangnan District, stationed near Tianhai City, does. They definitely have missile control authority.¡±¡°Chen Xinian holds a significant position in Tianhai City, so it¡¯s not impossible for him to pull some strings and get one.¡±

    ¡°The key point is, whether he¡¯s bluffing or not, I¡¯m not willing to risk our lives.¡±

    Zhang Yi spread his hands. ¡°So, everyone, pack up¡ªwe¡¯re getting out of here!¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Are we going back to the Yuelu Residential Area?¡±

    Right now, the only ce they could go was Yuelu Residential Area, where they could stay in Zhang Yi¡¯s old safe house.

    Although they had more people now, the three-bedroom apartment should be able to fit them all.

    Zhang Yi smiled and nodded, ¡°Exactly! We¡¯ll move there for now.¡±

    Everyone agreed with his decision. They couldn¡¯t afford to take any risks with their safety.

    Still, as they looked around at the perfect shelter, they felt a bit reluctant to leave. This five-story shelter was practically a pce. Who wouldn¡¯t want to live in such a ce?

    Fatty Xu sighed, ¡°What a shame, I¡¯ve only lived here for a few days.¡±

    Zhang Yiughed and patted his shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t be too quick toin. We still don¡¯t know for sure if he has missiles.¡±

    Yang Xinxin, pushing her wheelchair closer to Zhang Yi, gave him a meaningful look.

    ¡°If our nted agent can do their job, we¡¯ll have all the intel on West Hill Base.¡±

    Zhang Yi blinked and, after a moment of thought, smiled. ¡°If it works out, that¡¯d be fantastic!¡±

    Everyone went off to pack their things.

    There were so many valuable items in the shelter. Everything Young Master Wang had left behind was top-quality luxury goods.

    Even the items Zhang Yi had given to the others were from the well-stocked storage.

    The house was filled with high-end furniture, fine wine, collectibles, and gaming consoles, all brand-name products.

    So, knowing the shelter might get hit by missiles made everyone reluctant to leave. They wished they could take everything with them.

    Zhang Yi quickly stopped them from trying to take too much.

    Though he had his dimensional space to quickly store things, the women¡¯s endless list of items was just too much.

    To prevent Chen Xinian fromunching an airstrike earlier than expected, Zhang Yi urged everyone to pack only the essentials and leave with him.

    In the end, they could only take the most necessary supplies and pack them into Zhang Yi¡¯s dimensional space.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to feel so attached! We can always go to the mall and grab whatever we needter.¡±

    ¡°Even the most expensive jewelry is worthless now. What¡¯s there to be sad about?¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled as he tried to cheer up the women, finding their behavior amusing.

    ¡°Well, you¡¯re not wrong, but those things are still nice to have,¡± Zhou Ke¡¯er said wistfully, resting her chin in her hand.

    ¡°They hold a lot of our fond memories.¡±

    ¡°Huh? What fond memories?¡± Zhang Yi asked.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er blushed a little and whispered into his ear, ¡°The sofa, the dining table, the toilet, the bathtub... all of them carry precious memories.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°Oh, I see what you mean. But don¡¯t worry, we can always make more of those memories in the future.¡±

    Only then did a smile return to Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s face.

    After packing their important items, Zhang Yi led the group out of the shelter.

    Aside from Zhang Yi, Fatty Xu, and Hua Hua, the other women hadn¡¯t been outside in a long time.

    At first, they wanted to take a deep breath of fresh air, but the cold nearly froze their mouths.

    ¡°Oh my god, it¡¯s freezing!¡± Yang Siyah cried, clutching her mouth in pain.

    ¡°The air is so cold and terrible¡ªI don¡¯t want to be outside!¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled, ¡°Of course! You didn¡¯t actually think the air out here was fresh, did you?¡±

    Most of the nts in the outside world had frozen to death, and the air was bing thinner, devoid of that fresh, earthy scent.

    ¡°Really?¡± Yang Siyah¡¯s eyes widened with curiosity.

    ¡°If that¡¯s true, won¡¯t all of Blue Star run out of oxygen?¡±

    Yang Xinxin chuckled at her sister¡¯s naivety. ¡°Even if all the nts die, there are still other ways to produce oxygen. Otherwise, how do you think the had oxygen for the first life forms, before nts existed?¡± ?¨¢??????

    Yang Siyah didn¡¯t dare argue with Yang Xinxin when it came to science.

    Zhang Yi chimed in, ¡°We should also thank Mi Mi. If she hadn¡¯t been so meticulous in cultivating so many nts in the shelter, we wouldn¡¯t have had such fresh air.¡±

    The garden in the shelter had been beautifully tended by Yang Siyah, and they often went there to rx and enjoy the greenery, finding peace in the sight of the vibrant nts.

    Hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s praise made Yang Siyah feel touched, her gaze softening.

    But when she thought about the nts she had to leave behind in the shelter, she couldn¡¯t help but feel sad.

    Those flowers and nts had all been carefully grown by her, one by one.

    If they died, she would be heartbroken.

    Seeing her mood, Zhang Yiforted her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry too much. I still have plenty of seeds. You can nt them again in your own little garden.¡±

    Yang Siyah¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement, and she quickly replied, ¡°I¡¯ll make sure to take good care of your seeds!¡±

    For some reason, the people around them felt there was something off about the conversation.

    Before anyone could think too much about it, Zhang Yi took out two snowmobiles and called everyone to get on.

    He drove one, and the other was handed over to the mechanical girl, Lu Keran.

    Her driving skills were impressive, even shier than Zhang Yi¡¯s.

    Both snowmobiles had been modified earlier, with steel tes and bulletproof ss added to the exterior, giving them some degree of protection.

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go!¡± Zhang Yi revved up the engine and led the way toward the long-lost Yuelu Residential Area.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 303: Trojan Horse Strategy

    Chapter 303: Trojan Horse Strategy

    West Hill Base.

    After returning to the base, Liang Yue found some time to visit the Fourth Life Pod. She had been away for a month and was anxious to see how her students were doing.

    But this time, she was shocked to discover that nearly half of her students were gone!

    ¡°How can this be? Why?¡±

    Liang Yue was both horrified and furious, her body trembling uncontrobly.

    Many familiar faces had disappeared. If her guess was correct, most of her students had died.

    Her resentment toward West Hill Base deepened.

    As for the remaining students, their expressions had be utterly numb.They no longer showed the fear they once had. Some stared at her nkly, while others had strange smiles on their faces.

    ¡°Teacher Liang, you¡¯re back!¡± Wu Chengyu walked up to her, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

    The other students merely greeted her quietly, no longer the sobbing mess they once were.

    Liang Yue took a deep breath. ¡°Wu Chengyu,e with me for a moment.¡±

    She pulled him aside and asked seriously, ¡°What happened to you all while I was gone this past month?¡±

    Wu Chengyu tugged at his clothes. Since arriving at West Hill Base, he always wrapped himself inyers of thick clothing, covering as much of his skin as possible. If he could, he¡¯d probably hide his entire body.

    ¡°Teacher Liang, why were you gone for so long? More of our ssmates were taken away. They never came back.¡±

    Liang Yue was devastated by his words and grabbed his shoulders. ¡°There are so many people in the Fourth Life Pod¡ªwhy did they take you?¡±

    Wu Chengyu looked up, his hollow eyes reflecting a hopelessness that had consumed his will to live.

    ¡°Because when ites to human experiments, young and healthy individuals have the highest sess rates.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s fury and despair were beyond words.

    This was something she hadn¡¯t anticipated.

    But even if she had known beforehand, what could she have done?

    She was powerless against the entirety of West Hill Base. Even now, with her agreement with Zhang Yi, she still had to wait for the right opportunity to try and save her students.

    Liang Yue clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging into her palms, trying to suppress the pain in her heart.

    Wu Chengyu suddenly asked, ¡°Teacher Liang, have you forgotten about us?¡±

    ¡°Did bing a Special Forces Team captain make your life sofortable that you abandoned us?¡±

    His eyes were filled with suspicion, and it was clear that he had almost lost the will to live. Compared to the other students, he had endured even more suffering.

    Because of this, Wu Chengyu and his ssmates had begun to doubt whether Liang Yue had forsaken them.

    Seeing the hollow look in his eyes sent a chill down Liang Yue¡¯s spine.

    Her students were like a group of soulless, walking corpses, having lost all hope.

    ¡°I haven¡¯t! I¡¯ve been trying to find a way to get you all out of here!¡± Liang Yue said firmly, her eyebrows furrowed with determination. ¡°It won¡¯t be much longer¡ªI promise I¡¯ll take every one of you out of here!¡±

    ¡°It won¡¯t be much longer!¡± she emphasized once again, with great conviction.

    At that moment, Liang Yue felt as though her students were like dry kindling, slowly being consumed by West Hill Base¡¯s fire.

    If she dyed any longer, none of them might survive.

    This was something Liang Yue couldn¡¯t ept under any circumstances.

    After giving her students some of her saved food andforting them, she left the Fourth Life Pod.

    Even though the students had almost given up hope of escaping West Hill Base, Liang Yue was determined to keep trying.

    After leaving, she found a secluded, dimly lit corner. Once she was sure no one was around, she pulled out a phone hidden in the lining of her boot.

    This was the phone she used tomunicate with Zhang Yi.

    During her mission with Ling Feng and the others, she had managed to retrieve it.

    She had stolen this phone while in Xu Family Town. It wasn¡¯t connected to West Hill Base¡¯swork, so it couldn¡¯t be detected. However, it couldn¡¯t be used tomunicate with the outside world either.

    But Zhang Yi had already nned for this.

    The SIM card he had given her was an advanced signal receiver, encrypted through multiple servers to avoid detection by West Hill Base¡¯swork.

    Zhang Yi had sent her instructions on how to use the SIM card and asked her to contact him once she was back at the base.

    Liang Yue inserted the special SIM card into the phone and sent a message to Zhang Yi.

    ¡°I¡¯ve returned to West Hill Base. I need to get my students out as soon as possible, and I need your help.¡±

    While Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t promised to personally rescue her and her students, he had said that his level of assistance would depend on the importance of the information she provided.

    Now, Zhang Yi was Liang Yue¡¯s greatest hope. She had no choice but to plead for his help.

    Before long, a reply came from Zhang Yi.

    ¡°Find a way to plug the chip I gave you into anyputer in the base¡¯swork center.¡±

    ¡°Once we control West Hill Base¡¯swork, we can help you escape.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s heart skipped a beat. This task wouldn¡¯t be easy.

    West Hill Base was heavily surveilled.

    Getting into the heavily guarded Information Department and inserting a chip into one of itsputers would be a monumental challenge.

    But she also understood that if she could hack into West Hill Base¡¯swork, it would throw the base into chaos for a period of time.

    That would give her the window she needed to escape with her students.

    Though dangerous, it was her only chance. Liang Yue¡¯s eyes gleamed with determination.

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll get it done. When the timees, I expect you to keep your promise.¡±

    Zhang Yi had promised to at least provide Liang Yue and her students with food and temporary shelter.

    Any additional help would depend on her contribution.

    Without hesitation, Zhang Yi replied, ¡°Of course.¡±

    Liang Yue turned off the phone, removed the SIM card, and carefully hid them back in the lining of her boot and her jacket¡¯s inner pocket.

    The Information Department was also in the Second Life Pod, about 500 meters from where she lived.

    She was very familiar with theyout of the Second Life Pod. Now, she just needed to find the right moment to sneak in.

    ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought I¡¯d be going back to my old line of work after all these years?¡±

    Liang Yue took a deep breath, her eyes filled with resolve.

    Back when she had been a bodyguard, she had received professional training for situations like this.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 304: A Long-Awaited Reunion

    Chapter 304: A Long-Awaited Reunion

    On the other side, Zhang Yi, Fatty Xu, and the others were on their way to Yuelu Residential Area.

    After contacting Liang Yue, a look of anticipation appeared on Zhang Yi¡¯s face.

    "If Liang Yue can seed, we''ll gain a huge advantage in our fight against West Hill Base!"

    Yang Xinxin, sitting in the back seat, smiled and said, "The most important thing is that we can steal all their intelligence and figure out their trump cards."

    "I¡¯m also curious to see if they really have the ability to deploy missiles. In the current situation, the difference between an organization with such strategic weapons and one without is enormous!"

    "The threat to us is on apletely different level, right, big brother?"

    Zhang Yi nodded in agreement. "Exactly. The unknown is always the scariest. But once we know their trump cards, we¡¯ll at least know how to respond."

    Lu Keran, thinking of Liang Yue, couldn''t help but feel concerned. Liang Yue had been a very caring teacher to them back in school."Sigh¡ª" Lu Keran let out a long sigh.

    Zhang Yi asked curiously, "What¡¯s wrong, Keran? What are you worrying about now?"

    Lu Keran replied, "I¡¯m worried about Teacher Liang. She¡¯s in such a dangerous ce, carrying out such a risky mission. What if something happens to her?"

    "If she gets discovered, won¡¯t she be killed?"

    Her face was full of worry.

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow and thought to himself: Sorry, but I don¡¯t really care about her life or death. We¡¯re just in a mutually beneficial rtionship; there¡¯s no emotional attachment here.

    Of course, Zhang Yi would be happy if Liang Yue seeded. But if she failed, it wouldn¡¯t be much of a loss for him.

    From the start, it was Liang Yue who had approached him for cooperation. Even if she died, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t be med.

    "Fate favors the good. Teacher Liang is such a kind person; heaven will protect her!" Zhang Yi smiled, offering somefort.

    Lu Keran, hearing this, nodded firmly. "Yes, Teacher Liang is so nice. Nothing bad will happen to her!"

    Zhang Yi could barely contain hisughter inside.

    Still, he didn¡¯t say anything to shatter Lu Keran¡¯s innocent belief. In fact, it worked in his favor to let her keep that purity. Sometimes, Zhang Yi found itforting to be around such pure-hearted girls, reminding him of the simpler, more innocent version of himself from the past.

    Before long, they arrived at Yuelu Residential Area.

    After more than a month away, the snow on the ground had thickened again. However, with the reduced snowfall, it wasn¡¯t spreading any further.

    The entire city seemed frozen in time, nketed in snow and silence, with only the howling wind piercing through the eerie stillness.

    Before arriving, Zhang Yi had already informed Uncle You, so when the car pulled up in front of Building 25, he saw Uncle You and Zhou Haimei bundled up in thick coats, waiting for them.

    Zhang Yi nced around at the nearby apartment buildings.

    Nothing stirred. No sign of life.

    Most of the people in the neighborhood were probably dead by now.

    As everyone got out of the car, Uncle You and Zhou Haimei walked over with big smiles on their faces.

    Uncle You gave Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu each a warm hug.

    ¡°Hahaha, it¡¯s been a while! It¡¯s great to see you all safe and sound!¡±

    Uncle You patted Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu¡¯s backs enthusiastically, his eyes brimming with excitement.

    He had noticed the explosion at Cloud Manor back then and had nned to rush over to help Zhang Yi, but Zhang Yi had refused his offer.

    During this time, he had stayed in touch with Zhang Yi, ready to assist him at a moment¡¯s notice. In his heart, he felt that he owed his life to Zhang Yi¡¯s help. He believed he wouldn¡¯t have survived this long without it.

    Zhou Haimei was equally happy to see Yang Siyah, Zhou Ke¡¯er, and the other women. Living in the shelter, her life had been secure, but with no one to talk to, loneliness had been eating away at her.

    Now that she had somepany, she couldn¡¯t be happier. It felt like a holiday gathering rather than a survival reunion.

    The group bustled with joy, and they all entered the shelter together.

    Back in the familiar shelter, Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s faces filled with nostalgia. They couldn¡¯t help but recall the early days of the apocalypse when they had witnessed too many bizarre things.

    Even seeing the white walls of the shelter now felt chillingly cold.

    Zhou Haimeiughed. ¡°Knowing you wereing, I made sure to prepare all the rooms. It¡¯s a bit crowded, but the house is big enough, so we can squeeze in.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s great! The more people, the merrier! We can even set up two mahjong tables!¡± someone joked, and the groupughed, the women in particr enjoying themselves as if on vacation rather than fleeing disaster.

    Once inside, Zhang Yi removed his winter coat and went to chat with Uncle You.

    Zhang Yi pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and handed one to Uncle You. They lit up, puffing smoke as they caught up on each other¡¯s recent experiences.

    Neither of them were heavy smokers, but the asional cigarette helped ease the tension.

    ¡°How¡¯ve things been around the neighborhoodtely? Has everyone else died? No one¡¯s tried toe over and rob you, have they?¡± Zhang Yi asked with a smile, leaning against the windowsill.

    Uncle You chuckled. ¡°You sure don¡¯t miss a thing! After you left, a few people thought it was safe and came looking for me.¡±

    ¡°At first, they tried to appeal to my sympathy, but after that first month of the apocalypse, none of us can afford to be saints anymore, so I turned them down t.¡±

    ¡°When they got desperate and tried to force their way in, I sent them all away.¡±

    Uncle You spoke lightly about it.

    Having helped Zhang Yi clear out all the troublemakers in the neighborhood, he had be ustomed to killing. It no longer bothered him.

    ¡°We¡¯re all just trying to survive. You weren¡¯t wrong foring after me, but don¡¯t me me for taking you out.¡±

    ¡°But there is still one group of people alive.¡±

    This caught Zhang Yi by surprise. ¡°Impossible!¡± he eximed instinctively.

    In an environment like this, without external supplies, no one should be able to survive in the other buildings. They didn¡¯t have powers like Uncle You, nor did they have a snowmobile like the one Zhang Yi had given him.

    Uncle You took another drag of his cigarette andughed. ¡°It¡¯s true, and you know them well. It¡¯s Li Jian¡¯s group from Building 18!¡±

    ¡°Li Jian?¡± Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

    That building had left an impression on him back in the day.

    Li Jian¡¯s group had managed to maintain civility in the apocalypse. There was no fighting over resources, no internal killings, and no descent into cannibalism.

    Remarkably, they had survived longer than anyone else in the neighborhood.

    But Zhang Yi had never thought they wouldst this long.

    He had given them some seeds, but he hadn¡¯t expected them to actually grow crops.

    ¡°Do you know how they¡¯re managing?¡± Zhang Yi asked, intrigued.

    Uncle You shook his head. ¡°I don¡¯t know the details. You told me not to get too close to them, so I haven¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re scared of you, so they don¡¯t daree over, and I don¡¯t want to take any risks. But I¡¯ve seen shadows moving in their building, so I know they¡¯re still alive.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s curiosity grew even more.

    Snuffing out his cigarette, he said, ¡°I¡¯ll pay that old friend a visitter.¡±

    Uncle You looked at Zhang Yi, his dark eyes full of concern.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on with you? Have you run into some danger?¡±

    Knowing Zhang Yi, Uncle You was aware that he wouldn¡¯t have left his shelter unless something serious was happening.

    Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t had time to exin everything to him earlier, so now he filled him in on the whole story.

    ¡°What? Missiles?¡± Uncle You¡¯s eyes widened in shock.

    Before the apocalypse, such weapons were only under the control of the highest militarymand. To use them, they would need direct orders from the capital.

    And now, they were nning to use that kind of weapon against Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter?

    Zhang Yi rubbed his nose and said, ¡°We¡¯re not sure if it¡¯s a bluff or real, but to be safe, I decided toy low for a while.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s probably fake. We¡¯ll go back once we¡¯ve confirmed it¡¯s safe.¡±

    But Uncle You wasn¡¯t convinced.

    ¡°I think you should stay here longer, just to be sure. You can¡¯t afford to take chances with something like this.¡±

    ¡°Tell you what, you can have this shelter back, and Haimei and I will move to the next building.¡±

    Uncle You knew his ce well. This shelter had been lent to him by Zhang Yi, and he wasn¡¯t about to act like the owner.

    Zhang Yi gave him an appreciative look and smiled. ¡°Why say that? You can stay here. Do you really think I¡¯m short on shelters now?¡±

    Zhang Yi was no longer the person he used to be. He was much stronger now, with plenty of capable allies.

    Building a new shelter to his liking was a simple task.

    With no shortage of heating resources or food, he wasn¡¯t picky about where he stayed.

    Uncle Youughed. ¡°You¡¯re the boss here. As long as you¡¯re happy, we¡¯re happy to have you!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 305: The Miracle of Building 18

    Chapter 305: The Miracle of Building 18

    Chapter 305 : The Miracle of Building 18

    Zhang Yi discussed with Uncle You, deciding to stay at Yuelu Residential Area for a while and observe the situation.

    They wanted to see if the missile Chen Xinian mentioned was real or not.

    Based on Zhang Yi¡¯s understanding of the West Hill Base, they currently didn¡¯t have precise satellite positioning capabilities.

    So, the so-called missile strike might not even be real.

    Even if they had that kind of ability, it would be impossible to locate Zhang Yi in real time and know that they had escaped to Yuelu Residential Area.

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t worried about his safety.

    But this feeling of being under an unknown threat was unsettling.

    ¡°The enmity between me and West Hill Base is irreconcble,¡± Zhang Yi sighed.

    ¡°Unless I leave this ce far behind, Chen Xinian will always find a way to kill me and take everything I have.¡±

    He sighed deeply, ¡°Fate¡¯s out of my hands! I just wanted to live a peaceful life, never wanted to offend anyone. But why does trouble always find its way to me?¡±

    Uncle You nced at the frustrated Zhang Yi and smiled slightly.

    ¡°It¡¯s because you have too many good things in your hands!¡± He spread his hands and said, ¡°Look at me, I don¡¯t have these troubles, but my quality of life is way worse than yours.¡±

    ¡°This is just how the world works. If you live well, people envy you; if you live poorly, they look down on you. Even if you do nothing, you can¡¯t stop others from being jealous!¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled wryly and leaned against the window.

    ¡°If only I had enough strength, I¡¯d wipe out that damned West Hill Base!¡±

    Both of themughed, not taking the statement seriously.

    After all, the base was a massive entity, with terrifying numbers of armed personnel and advanced weaponry.

    Even though Zhang Yi was a Superhuman, charging in would be suicidal.

    While they were chatting, the women in the house had already made the beds and set up the daily necessities.

    At this moment, Uncle You casually mentioned something.

    ¡°Oh, by the way, some strange people have been spotted around here recently. Not sure if it¡¯s useful information for you.¡±

    Zhang Yi blinked, ¡°Strange people? At this point, what kind of people aren¡¯t strange?¡±

    When even creatures could mutate, what else could be considered unusual?

    But the people who have survived till now must have some skills.

    ¡°What kind of people are they?¡± he asked.

    Uncle You replied, ¡°A group of people, like ascetics. There were quite a few of them, at least a few hundred!¡±

    Zhang Yi frowned, ¡°That many?¡±

    Therger the group, the bigger the potential threat.

    Uncle You said, ¡°Yeah, at first, I was worried they came to loot. But they didn¡¯t seem malicious.¡±

    ¡°I interacted with them briefly. Turns out they¡¯re followers of a religion called the Snow Worship Cult.¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled, ¡°Snow Worship Cult? Sounds like something from ancient times, when people worshipped natural disasters, creating gods out of thunder, rain, water, gue. Now there¡¯s even a Snow God!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s just psychologicalfort, a reliance on some supernatural force. Not surprising, really. There will always be flocks of sheep gathering.¡±

    Religions thrive in times of chaos because people need something to believe in to endure the suffering.

    Uncle You¡¯s tone grew more somber, ¡°But, those people were indeed unusual. Their leader, called the Grand Decree, found me and immediately figured out that I was a Superhuman.¡±

    Uncle You nced at Zhang Yi, ¡°And he said he could help me develop my abilities and make me stronger!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s expression became serious.

    In this era of mutations, no strange power could surprise him.

    But the idea of enhancing Superhuman abilities was certainly tempting.

    Still, he knew, nothing in this world came for free. No one would help without a reason.

    ¡°This guy¡¯s probably a con artist. As for discovering you¡¯re a Superhuman, that¡¯s not surprising. Maybe he saw you use your powers somewhere.¡±

    ¡°Even if he¡¯s telling the truth, why would he help you for no reason?¡±

    Uncle You nodded.

    ¡°That¡¯s what I thought too. After all, you¡¯ve said it before¡ªwe can¡¯t trust the kindness of strangers. So, I turned him down!¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled, ¡°That was the right move.¡±

    ¡°But, it seems he¡¯s been going around the area looking for others. I don¡¯t know what happened after that.¡±

    The residential area wasrge, and that group had wandered deeper inside. Uncle You had no idea where they went or where they disappeared to.

    Zhang Yi thought for a moment before saying, ¡°Are you suggesting that those so-called Snow Worship Cult members went to look for Li Jian and his people?¡±

    After all, only the residents of Building 18 and Uncle You¡¯s family were alive in the area now.

    ¡°I think that¡¯s likely!¡±

    Zhang Yi looked out the window. Through the frost-covered ss, he could faintly see the dark, lifeless city with its towering, silent buildings.

    After thinking for a long while, he said, ¡°I¡¯m going out for a bit.¡±

    ¡°Are you going to Building 18?¡±

    Uncle You asked, ¡°Want me toe with you?¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled slightly, ¡°No need. They¡¯re just ordinary people, nothing to worry about.¡±

    Despite his words, Zhang Yi naturally suited up in hisbat gear and ced Hua Hua on his shoulder.

    In closebat, Hua Hua was even more dangerous than Uncle You.

    After all, the explosive power and speed of a feline far outmatched that of humans.

    ¡°Brother Zhang, where are you going?¡±

    Seeing Zhang Yi all geared up, Yang Xinxin curiously asked.

    ¡°I¡¯m just going to visit some old friends,¡± Zhang Yi replied nonchntly.

    Without further exnation, he pushed the door open and left.

    Yang Xinxin and the others didn¡¯t know Li Jian, so there wasn¡¯t much to say.

    Zhang Yi just wanted to check on how Li Jian and his group had survived this long.

    As for the Snow Worship Cult, he wasn¡¯t particrly interested, but gathering some intelligence wouldn¡¯t hurt.

    Leaving Building 25, Zhang Yi and Hua Hua walked toward Building 18.

    The area was eerily silent, no signs of life.

    But along the roadsides, Zhang Yi noticed something¡ªmounds of snow shaped like graves.

    It wasn¡¯t clear whether they were used to bury trash or people.

    Most likely thetter, because who would care enough in these times to bury trash?

    The snow naturally covered everything humans left behind.

    Zhang Yi arrived at Building 18, where the snow had reached the sixth floor. As usual, they had opened a window on the sixth floor as an exit route.

    Zhang Yi pulled out his handgun, chambered a round, and fired two shots into the air.

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    ¡­

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    The sound of the gunshots brought back memories of the fear Zhang Yi had once instilled in the residents of Building 18.

    ¡°It¡¯s Zhang Yi, he¡¯s back!¡±

    Inside one of the rooms, Li Jian peered through the window and immediately recognized him!

    Even though Zhang Yi was wearing a helmet and whitebat gear, this way of announcing his arrival was unmistakable.

    ¡°This is bad!¡±

    Li Jian¡¯s heart sank. He felt like his life was over.

    Beside him, Li Jian¡¯s wife and son came over, ¡°If ites down to it, we¡¯ll fight him! We finally saw a glimmer of hope to survive, why does he have toe back?¡±

    ¡°If he finds out about that, the entire building will be doomed!¡±

    Faced with his panicked family, Li Jian sighed softly.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go talk to him. Don¡¯t act rashly. Even if everyone in the building attacked him together, we wouldn¡¯t stand a chance.¡±

    They had watched Zhang Yi ughter half the residential area by himself before.

    The man had guns¡ªwhat could they possibly fight him with?

    Li Jian told his family, ¡°If anything happens to me, don¡¯t think about revenge. Stay here and protect ourst hope.¡±

    Tears welled up in their eyes, but even though they didn¡¯t want Li Jian to walk to his death, they knew there was no other choice.

    Li Jian pulled out his phone and left onest message for his neighbors before heading out the door.

    It wasn¡¯t long before Zhang Yi saw Li Jian climbing out of the sixth-floor window.

    This time, however, Zhang Yi was shocked by Li Jian¡¯s appearance.

    He was so thin, almost just skin and bones.

    If Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t looked closely, he might have mistaken him for a corpse.

    The only way he could recognize him was by the expensive Bolona sses Li Jian wore, which cost at least five thousand.

    ¡°Li Jian, long time no see. I didn¡¯t expect you to still be alive.¡±

    Zhang Yi greeted him calmly.

    Hua Hua sat cross-legged on Zhang Yi¡¯s shoulder, her ck gemstone-like eyes staring at Li Jian. She looked incredibly docile, but she could tear him apart in an instant.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, is that really you?¡± Li Jian asked.

    Zhang Yi nodded, ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s me.¡±

    He nced up and saw shadows moving behind the windows. He couldn¡¯t help but be surprised, ¡°It¡¯s been over a month, and there are still so many people alive in your building. I must say, that¡¯s a miracle!¡±

    ¡°How did you manage it?¡±

    Zhang Yi looked at Li Jian, waiting for his answer.

    Li Jian swallowed hard and replied, ¡°It was mainly thanks to the grain seeds you left behind.¡±

    ¡°What? You actually managed to grow the crops?¡± Zhang Yi was stunned.

    ¡°In this freezing weather, after just

    a month, what kind of crop could be harvested and feed all of you?¡±

    Suddenly, a bold idea shed in Zhang Yi¡¯s mind.

    He gave Li Jian a deep look, ¡°It seems there are mutants in your building as well, huh?¡±

    Any inexplicable phenomenon could only have one exnation¡ªmutants!

    As Zhang Yi said this, he was already prepared to strike.

    If he detected any movement, he would not hesitate to eliminate the person in front of him!

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 306: Superpowers, Sacrifice

    Chapter 306: Superpowers, Sacrifice

    Li Jian didn¡¯t deny it. Instead, he slowly knelt in front of Zhang Yi.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry! We couldn¡¯t protect the child you left with us.¡±

    ¡°I know you¡¯re furious, and we¡¯ve done everything we could under these conditions. If you must kill someone, kill me! But please, don¡¯t harm the others. They¡¯re innocent.¡±

    After saying this, Li Jian calmly prepared for death.

    He hadn¡¯t intended to die, but as the leader of Building 18, he knew that unless he sacrificed himself, it would be hard to quell Zhang Yi¡¯s anger.

    At that moment, an elderly voice suddenly came from inside the building.

    ¡°Li Jian, you can¡¯t die! If you die, none of us will have any hope of surviving!¡±

    Zhang Yi looked up toward the room on the sixth floor.A group of people stood there, led by a familiar-looking old man. He was the same elder who had taken seeds from Zhang Yi alongside Li Jian back then.

    The old man¡¯s name was Ge Chenghua, a highly respected agricultural professor.

    He led the group of neighbors forward, their faces resolute.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, it¡¯s our fault that we couldn¡¯t keep the child alive. But Li Jian is our hope. Please, spare him. Let me die in his ce!¡±

    Ge Chenghua looked at Zhang Yi fearlessly, his voice firm.

    ¡°If you want revenge, take my life! I¡¯ve lived long enough anyway.¡±

    An elderly woman with gray hair spoke up. ¡°Take me! Kill me instead!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a lone man. I¡¯m not afraid of death!¡±

    ¡­

    The neighbors rushed forward, volunteering to die in Li Jian¡¯s ce.

    Tears filled Li Jian¡¯s eyes. ¡°You all¡­¡±

    The scene of everyone scrambling to die for him touched Zhang Yi slightly, though it also left him speechless.

    With a coldugh, Zhang Yi asked, ¡°Who said I want any of you dead?¡±

    Li Jian stared at Zhang Yi in shock, guilt overwhelming him. ¡°We failed to keep the child you entrusted to us alive. How could you possibly forgive us?¡±

    Zhang Yi took a deep breath, looking at Li Jian and his group as if they were fools.

    So it was Xie Limei¡¯s child who had died.

    There were indeed no miracles in this world.

    A child still in its infancy was too fragile. Even in peaceful times, they easily got sick, let alone in the extreme cold of this new Ice Age.

    Li Jian and the others were terrified because they believed the child was important to Zhang Yi.

    But what they didn¡¯t know was that Zhang Yi had given them the child because he saw it as a burden.

    If not for his fear of creating a mental block for himself, he would have killed the child with his own hands back then.

    Now that the child was dead, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t care at all.

    ¡°I understand there wasn¡¯t much you could do in this situation. Li Jian, get up,¡± Zhang Yi said, signaling for him to stand.

    Li Jian was stunned by Zhang Yi¡¯s words, but soon, joy filled his heart.

    He wasn¡¯t going to die?

    Li Jian was deeply moved, thinking that Zhang Yi was a trulypassionate person.

    The neighbors of Building 18 also sighed in relief.

    ¡°I want to know how you¡¯ve managed to survive until now. What have you been relying on? Tell me in detail, I¡¯m curious.¡±

    Zhang Yi finally revealed his reason foring.

    Li Jian, of course, didn¡¯t dare hide anything. He gestured for Zhang Yi to follow him into the building.

    ¡°Come see for yourself. I¡¯ll exin everything as we go.¡±

    Zhang Yi nced at the dark hallway, patted Hua Hua on the head, and smiled.

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s take a look.¡±

    With this powerful bodyguard by his side, he wasn¡¯t afraid of any danger.

    Li Jian led the way, and Zhang Yi followed him upstairs.

    As they walked, Li Jian began to recount what had happened during the past months.

    ¡°After you gave us those seeds, we tried all sorts of methods to make them grow and take root.¡±

    ¡°But despite our efforts, the results weren¡¯t great. Many of the seeds died, and even the ones that survived were incredibly weak.¡±

    ¡°At one point, we were desperate and even considered sending a suicide squad out to search for food.¡±

    ¡°Then, a group of people calling themselves the followers of the Snow God arrived.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°The Snow God¡¯s followers? Are you saying you¡¯ve survived because of their help?¡±

    Li Jian didn¡¯t dare lie.

    ¡°They came to me and said they could help us survive, and that they could even give me extraordinary powers.¡±

    ¡°At that time, we had no other options, so I agreed to their terms.¡±

    ¡°We were on the verge of death anyway. At that point, we would¡¯ve epted any conditions.¡±

    Zhang Yi was curious about what kind of conditions they had set in exchange for their help.

    Li Jian, however, said, ¡°They only asked that we believe in the Snow God. That¡¯s all they wanted. Nothing else.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile.

    He never believed in free lunches.

    A certain tech giant had taught an entire generation that the most expensive things are the ones that are free.

    ¡°And what powers did you gain?¡±

    Zhang Yi stared at Li Jian, waiting for his answer.

    Li Jian replied honestly, ¡°They nted a white seed right here in my forehead.¡±

    Li Jian pointed to the spot between his eyebrows.

    ¡°It felt like my whole body was plunged into an ice-cold chamber, followed by a burning heat.¡±

    ¡°Then, I felt a strange power within me. Look!¡±

    Li Jian rolled up the sleeve of his right arm in front of Zhang Yi.

    What Zhang Yi saw was disturbing. Anyone with trypophobia would have their skin crawling at the sight.

    Beneath Li Jian¡¯s withered skin, dozens of small lumps protruded, with web-like roots spreading deep into his flesh.

    His arm no longer resembled a human arm but looked more like some kind of biological experiment, where every visible part was covered in these strange bumps.

    ¡°What the hell is this?¡±

    Zhang Yi swallowed, feeling repelled by the eerie sight but still curious enough to ask.

    Li Jian said, ¡°These are seeds. My ability is to grow nts using my own body. The seeds I cultivate within myself have stronger life forces and grow faster.¡±

    Zhang Yi fell silent.

    He looked deeply at the now skeletal Li Jian and finally understood why the man had be this shadow of his former self.

    ¡°Just using your flesh to grow food isn¡¯t enough to provide the necessary nutrients for the nts, is it?¡±

    Zhang Yi said calmly.

    ¡°Ah! That¡¯s where Professor Gees in. He¡¯s an expert in agriculture!¡±

    Li Jian led Zhang Yi to a room and reached for the door handle, giving Zhang Yi an apologetic look.

    ¡°What you¡¯re about to see might be unsettling. Please bear with us.¡±

    Zhang Yiughed. ¡°Do you think there¡¯s anything I haven¡¯t seen by now?¡±

    ¡°Ah, that¡¯s true.¡±

    Li Jian opened the door.

    A rush of green met Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes.

    He felt warm, moist air, and the room was filled with lush, vibrant nts. But the scene was undoubtedly strange.

    It was a growing chamber, brimming with crops, all thriving.

    But they weren¡¯t rooted in soil¡ªthey were rooted in corpses.

    The nts had grown by drawing nutrients from the bodies of the dead, flourishing as they fed.

    Li Jian said to Zhang Yi, ¡°Since wecked nutrients, we had no choice but to use the bodies of the dead residents.¡±

    Zhang Yi smirked. ¡°Well, that¡¯s smart. At least you¡¯re putting the dead to good use. This way, you avoid the guilt of cannibalism and don¡¯t waste any resources.¡±

    Suddenly, a thought struck him. He turned to Li Jian and asked, ¡°So those graves outside¡ªare they for storing bodies for this purpose?¡±

    Li Jian nodded sheepishly. ¡°Yes, that¡¯s right.¡±

    Zhang Yi nced around the room. The nts were thriving.

    The corpses had long since been drained of nutrients, reduced to mere skeletons.

    Even the soil theyy in had absorbed whatever nutrients remained, leaving nothing to waste.

    ¡°How many of these growing chambers do you have in your building?¡± Zhang Yi asked casually as he fingered a leaf of wheat.

    ¡°We have three,¡± Li Jian replied.

    ¡°Hmm, not bad. It¡¯s good that you¡¯re self-sufficient.¡±

    Zhang Yi gave Li Jian a long look. ¡°But if you keep this up, you¡¯ll die.¡±

    Three growing chambers, and each seed had absorbed Li Jian¡¯s flesh and blood to grow.

    He was using his life force to nurture the crops, effectively trading his own life for their survival.

    Li Jian scratched his head andughed. ¡°Well, if we do nothing, we¡¯re going to die anyway, right?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d rather try to do something, so my wife and child can survive.¡±

    When Li Jian spoke of his wife and son, his eyes softened with affection.

    It was love.

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but feel a trace of admiration for him.

    Maybe one day, he¡¯d feel the same way if he had children.

    But that day would have to wait until after the apocalypse.

    ¡°Li Jian, show me your power!¡±

    Zhang Yi shook off his sympathy, his gaze sharpening as he focused on Li Jian.

    So far, he had encountered many man-made Superhumans¡ªlet¡¯s call them modified humans.

    And their abilities were far weaker than those of naturally awakened Superhumans.

    Li Jian¡¯s power was useful, but it hadn¡¯t shown any particrly strong side yet.

    Zhang Yi wanted to see just how far the so-called teachings of the Snow God cult could push someone¡¯s potential.

    Li Jian hesitated for a moment, then nodded resolutely.

    Although using his power took a great toll on his body, he couldn¡¯t refuse Zhang Yi¡¯s request. He wasn¡¯t in a position to negotiate.

    ¡°I understand. I¡¯ll show you my power right now!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 307: Flesh Cultivation

    Chapter 307 : Flesh Cultivation

    Under Zhang Yi''s gaze, Li Jian revealed his arm, which was covered in seeds beneath the skin.

    Suddenly, Li Jian clenched his fist, and Zhang Yi noticed a faint white light appear between his eyebrows.

    The next moment, Li Jian''s arm began to writhe, as if hundreds of insects were frantically struggling underneath, trying to burst through the skin!

    ¡°Pop!¡±

    The skin suddenly split open, and a single stalk of wheat, stained with blood, sprouted out, vibrant green but disturbingly covered in blood.

    Then came a second stalk, a third, and a fourth...

    As more seeds sprouted, Li Jian¡¯s face became paler and paler.

    ¡°That¡¯s enough. I understand what¡¯s going on.¡±Zhang Yi stopped him, not allowing him to continue disying his ability.

    This power was lethal. Simply put, it was a form of sacrifice, using one''s own flesh and blood to nourish nts.

    If Zhang Yi were to rate this power, it would rank very low among Superhuman abilities, as the price to pay was too high, and the effect was mediocre at best.

    Li Jian gasped for breath and then called in Professor Ge to help extract the crops and transnt them into cultivation dishes.

    "Snow Worship Cult..."

    Zhang Yi muttered the name, feeling both curious and wary.

    Clearly, Li Jian''s power was not obtained in the usual way. It was something artificially inducedter.

    That white light between his eyebrows undoubtedly had some side effects.

    Although Zhang Yi didn¡¯t yet know what those side effects were, he didn¡¯t believe there was anyone in the world who would give without expecting something in return.

    If Li Jian had shown abat-rted ability instead of this nting power, Zhang Yi would have killed him already.

    "That¡¯s enough. I¡¯m leaving."

    Zhang Yi had lost interest in the cultivation room and turned to leave.

    Li Jian copsed weakly to the ground, realizing only then that his back was soaked with sweat.

    For Zhang Yi, this had been nothing more than a curious visit.

    But for Li Jian and the entire Building 18, they had just walked along the edge of hell.

    Had Zhang Yi changed his mind even slightly, they all would have died right there!

    Zhang Yi returned to his safe house, preparing to wait for what would happen next so he could decide his next move.

    If the shelter were really hit by a missile, he would need to quickly find a new ce to stay.

    Staying at Yuelu Residential Area wasn¡¯t absolutely safe.

    He might move to another secure area in Tianhai City, or perhaps relocate to a more remote area in the countryside.

    ¡°I wonder if Liang Yue will seed. If she manages to insert the chip into the West Hill Base¡¯s centralworkputer, I¡¯ll be able to go from reactive to proactive!¡± ??N?¦Â??

    Zhang Yi thought silently.

    But for now, there was nothing he could do except wait for Liang Yue¡¯s next move.

    ---

    At West Hill Base.

    After returning from the Fourth Life Pod, Liang Yue was more determined than ever to help her students escape.

    If they didn¡¯t leave soon, very few of them would survive.

    After their failed attempt to hunt down Zhang Yi, West Hill Base had lost many of its best warriors, including half of their cyborg soldiers.

    As a result, the base would likely elerate its human experimentation to make up for the loss inbat power.

    Time was not on her side.

    Liang Yue made her way toward the Second Life Pod.

    She lived in this area, which also housed the base¡¯s Information Department and several other critical sectors.

    When she arrived at the Second Life Pod, she noticed the hallways were crowded with people.

    These were vigers from Xu Family Town, all dressed in gray and wearing electronic handcuffs, lined up against the walls.

    Armed soldiers patrolled the area, their sharp eyes scanning the vigers, intimidating them into submission.

    When the soldiers saw Liang Yue, they immediately saluted.

    "Captain Liang!"

    Liang Yue¡¯sbat uniform bore the captain¡¯s gold star, a symbol of her rank within West Hill Base.

    She nodded and casually asked, "What¡¯s going on here?"

    One of the soldiers nced at the despondent vigers before approaching Liang Yue and whispering, "ording to orders from the higher-ups, they are to undergo mass mutation experiments!"

    Liang Yue¡¯s pupils contracted sharply.

    Mutation experiments?

    On so many people?

    She couldn¡¯t help but recall the grotesque bodies she had once seen being fed into the food processing chamber.

    Human mutation experiments weren¡¯t a secret at West Hill Base¡ªthey were conducted openly.

    At least, they weren¡¯t a secret to those in the higher levels of the Life Pods.

    However, they were kept hidden from the test subjects in the Fourth Life Pod.

    "Why so many?" Liang Yue asked, her voice low.

    "The sess rate of these experiments isn¡¯t that high, is it?"

    The soldier was slightly taken aback, casting a few more nces at Liang Yue.

    "Don¡¯t you know, Captain?"

    As a naturally born Superhuman and a captain at West Hill Base, Liang Yue had certain privileges, so the soldier had assumed she knew the details.

    "I¡¯ve only been at the base for a short time," Liang Yue replied. "I¡¯m still unfamiliar with some things."

    The soldier nodded in understanding. "Ah, right, of course."

    "Actually, the reason is simple. Nearly all the Special Forces team members were either killed or injured during the mission, resulting in a significant loss ofbat power."

    "The higher-ups likely want to make up for this loss."

    Liang Yue clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles cracked, her eyes filled with hatred for Chen Xinian, the leader of the base.

    She had thought the vigers were taken asborers, but Chen Xinian was even more cruel than she had imagined!

    These people weren¡¯tborers¡ªthey were test subjects!

    From the fate of her missing students, she knew just how low the sess rate of these experiments was.

    Liang Yue looked at the long line of vigers, as if she were watchingmbs waiting for the reaper¡¯s scythe.

    Most of them would die, and their bodies would be processed into protein meals.

    Her throat convulsed, and she almost vomited on the spot.

    She turned and continued walking deeper into the base.

    But then, she realized something.

    The Second Life Pod housed all of West Hill Base¡¯s core departments: the Experimentation Department, Information Department, Engineering Department, Food Safety Department, and Storage Center, among others.

    However, the base¡¯s underground space was limited, so all these departments were closely connected, and none were far from Liang Yue¡¯s quarters.

    Moreover, Chen Xinian seemed to believe that any unrest would onlye from the Fourth Life Pod, where the test subjects resided, as those in the higher-level pods had no reason to rebel¡ªthey were the beneficiaries.

    Therefore, the security around the Second Life Pod wasn¡¯t particrly tight.

    On a normal day, there would be patrolling guards.

    But this time, due to the failure of the mission, many of the guards had been reduced.

    And since arge number of soldiers were needed to escort over 400 vigers from Xu Family Town for experiments, even more soldiers had been diverted to maintain order.

    So many people crowded into the corridors of the Second Life Pod had caused some degree of chaos.

    For Liang Yue, this was the perfect opportunity to infiltrate the Information Department!

    As she walked, she carefully observed her surroundings.

    This mission couldn¡¯t fail. She had to be extremely cautious.

    As she passed by the entrance of the Information Department, she slowed down slightly, taking in the situation.

    At that moment, a soldier assigned to guard the vigers noticed her.

    Liang Yue rounded a corner, and then heard a voice behind her.

    "Ms. Liang, please wait!"

    Her back immediately stiffened, but she forced herself to stay calm as she turned around.

    A soldier inbat gear, holding a gun, was approaching her.

    "Is something the matter?" Liang Yue asked, keeping her voice steady.

    The soldier hesitated for a moment, then unexpectedly removed his helmet, revealing a youthful face.

    "Ms. Liang, it¡¯s me!"

    Seeing the person in front of her, Liang Yue couldn¡¯t help but exim, "Ye Xiaotian!"

    The soldier standing before her was one of her former students who had been taken away.

    Ye Xiaotian nced around cautiously before leaning in and whispering, "Ms. Liang, I didn¡¯t expect you to be a captain in the Special Forces. I¡¯m so envious!"

    "How did this happen? Why did you join the Special Forces?" Liang Yue asked, staring at him.

    Ye Xiaotian gave a bitter smile.

    "Don¡¯t you know? I¡¯m the only one of the students they took who survived the experiments."

    He unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a terrifying dark red scar on his chest, like something grafted from a nt.

    Liang Yue¡¯s heart raced, and she couldn¡¯t help but hug the student tightly. "Thank goodness, you¡¯re still alive!"

    "What about the others? Are they all dead?"

    Ye Xiaotian¡¯s eyes dimmed as he nodded, "Yes, they¡¯re all dead."

    Although Liang Yue had expected this oue, she still felt a pang of sorrow.

    Other soldiers passed by but said nothing when they saw Liang Yue talking to Ye Xiaotian, since she was a Special Forces captain and had the authority to speak with him.

    Looking at her student, an idea suddenly came to Liang Yue.

    If she acted alone, the risks would be high.

    But if she had someone to assist her, especially a Special Forces member, the chances of sessfully infiltrating the Information Department would increase significantly!

    Liang Yue nced around and said to Ye Xiaotian, "Come with me. I need to talk to you."

    Ye Xiaotian didn¡¯t hesitate at all. Since the apocalypse began, he had been through too much hell.

    There was only one person in the world he could still trust¡ªLiang Yue.

    Without Liang Yue, he and the other students would have died long ago at Tianqing Academy.

    Now, in his half-human, half-monster state, he desperately hoped to findfort and redemption through Liang Yue.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 308: An Interesting Game

    Chapter 308: An Interesting Game

    Liang Yue called Ye Xiaotian to a corner where they could avoid surveince.

    Using her conversational skills, she first tested Ye Xiaotian¡¯s attitude toward West Hill Base.

    After listening, Ye Xiaotian¡¯s eyes filled with hatred as he gritted his teeth. ¡°Teacher Liang, they don¡¯t treat us like humans at all! They use us likeb rats!¡±

    ¡°You can¡¯t imagine what we went through in thatb!¡±

    As he recalled the events of that day, Ye Xiaotian¡¯s body started trembling uncontrobly.

    He poured out the story to Liang Yue as if venting his pain.

    It turned out that West Hill Base had long discovered that people might awaken Superhuman abilities under extreme conditions.

    So the first step in their experiments was to torture these individuals in various ways, pushing them to the brink of death repeatedly.This included suffocation for two minutes, electric shocks, spinning, and dozens of other methods.

    If none of these triggered any abilities, it proved the person had notent talent.

    Yet, even then, they didn¡¯t let the test subjects go.

    ¡°The final method was to imnt mutated cells into our bodies.¡±

    Ye Xiaotian said this as he instinctively touched his chest.

    ¡°If we could survive the rejection reaction and not be devoured by the mutated cells, we could live and gain powers simr to those of the mutants.¡±

    ¡°But the price is permanent damage to the body, and even our lifespan gets reduced.¡±

    Tears welled up in Ye Xiaotian¡¯s eyes, and his hatred for West Hill Base was unmistakable.

    Liang Yue, feeling heartbroken, gave him aforting hug. She then looked into his eyes and asked seriously, ¡°If you had the chance to leave this ce, would you take it?¡±

    Ye Xiaotian hesitated for a moment before his eyes lit up with hope. He nodded decisively.

    ¡°I¡¯d love that! I dream about it!¡±

    ¡°Destroying this hellhole would be even better!¡±

    Liang Yue was relieved. ¡°Alright, if that¡¯s the case, I need your help.¡±

    Due to a shortage of manpower, Ye Xiaotian had been reassigned to patrol near the Second Life Pod.

    Each day, there was a period when he would patrol near the Information Department.

    With his cooperation, it would be much easier for Liang Yue to enter the Information Department.

    Once she crossed that door, for someone like her¡ªformerly a special agent¡ªnting a small chip in theputer would be a breeze.

    ---

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi and his group had been staying in the shelter for a day when they received a call from Chen Xinian.

    Chen Xinian asked, ¡°Zhang Yi, a day has passed. What¡¯s your answer?¡±

    Zhang Yi smirked disdainfully. ¡°My answer hasn¡¯t changed. It¡¯s impossible for me to submit!¡±

    Chen Xinian¡¯s expression darkened.

    ¡°Fine, you brought this on yourself! Just wait to be destroyed along with your Shelter!¡±

    With that, Chen Xinian didn¡¯t bother saying anything more and ended the call.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s face remained calm, but he knew that Chen Xinian¡¯s refusal to negotiate meant that the threat of missiles was likely real.

    ¡°Well, let it be.¡±

    Zhang Yi lounged back on the sofa, feeling rather indifferent.

    If the Shelter was lost, so be it. As long as he stayed alive, that was what mattered.

    He had people, resources, and the world was vast¡ªthere were plenty of ces to go.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s strength was in his ability to let go. As long as he could survive, many things in life could bepromised.

    However, just as he was preparing to give up on the Shelter, he received a message from Liang Yue.

    ¡°I¡¯ve done what you asked. Now I hope you¡¯ll keep your promise and help us escape from here.¡±

    Zhang Yi nced at his phone and immediately sat up straight from the sofa.

    ¡°She seeded?¡±

    He had only given Liang Yue a Trojan chip as a test, without holding much hope for her sess.

    But she had really pulled it off. As expected of a former special department bodyguard!

    Without hesitation, Zhang Yi headed to Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin¡¯s room and pushed the door open.

    ¡°Xinxin, great news! Our n worked!¡±

    The two girls were surprised by Zhang Yi¡¯s sudden entrance, but after hearing his words, they understood why he was so excited.

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement.

    As a top-tier hacker, being able to hack into the highly secure system of a Shelter was an immense achievement for her!

    ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll get to work right away!¡±

    She moved her wheelchair over to her workstation, where Zhang Yi had already set up theputer.

    Her fingers danced across the keyboard like she was ying a piano.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t bother trying to make sense of theplex characters on the screen. He simply stood behind Yang Xinxin, waiting for her to finish.

    Not long after, her hands stopped moving.

    She raised her head proudly and said to Zhang Yi, ¡°Brother, I¡¯vepletely taken control of West Hill Base¡¯swork!¡±

    Zhang Yi was a bit shocked. ¡°That fast?¡±

    It had only taken ten minutes for Yang Xinxin topletely dominate West Hill Base¡¯swork?

    He felt like it was too good to be true¡ªthis sess hade so suddenly.

    Yang Xinxin snorted. ¡°If they¡¯d been connected to the publicwork instead of using a closed system, I would¡¯ve hacked them even faster.¡±

    ¡°All I needed was the key to open the door.¡±

    ¡°Technically speaking, those technicians can¡¯tpare to me.¡±

    After all, she was the kind of hacker capable of leaving her mark on Grey Pce¡¯s official website!

    Zhang Yi raised his eyebrows and smiled. ¡°True. People working in the government aren¡¯t always the best at what they do.¡±

    Top-tierputer experts are more often found in privatepanies, where the pay and career prospects are better than in government jobs.

    And without strong connections, it didn¡¯t matter how skilled a technician was¡ªthey¡¯d have little room to advance.

    So most government agencies outsourced their software projects.

    Naturally, the tech staff at West Hill Base couldn¡¯t match up to a world-ss hacker like Yang Xinxin.

    Zhang Yi leaned on her wheelchair, peering at theputer screen.

    ¡°Will they detect our intrusion? And can we see everything on theirwork?¡±

    Instinctively, Zhang Yi¡¯s head moved closer to Yang Xinxin¡¯s, making her blush. She lowered her head and said softly, ¡°I have the highest level of control over West Hill Base¡¯swork now. It¡¯s like we¡¯re watching them from a god¡¯s-eye view.¡± ??????¦¥?

    ¡°We can see everything they do, but they won¡¯t notice us.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s smile deepened.

    ¡°Great! Now we can uncover all their secrets.¡±

    He pointed to the screen. ¡°Quick, pull up all the missileunch data. I want to know if they were bluffing.¡±

    That was the issue weighing most on Zhang Yi¡¯s mind.

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s fingers danced swiftly across the keyboard again, and soon she pulled up the information Zhang Yi wanted.

    ¡°ording to our investigation, West Hill Base doesn¡¯t have the authority tounch missiles.¡±

    Yang Xinxin said.

    Zhang Yi let out a small sigh of relief.

    But he quickly asked, ¡°Is there any chance they could request external support? Like asking a major military district tounch them?¡±

    Yang Xinxin immediately began searching through West Hill Base¡¯smunications records.

    After sifting throughyer afteryer of data, she finally found something crucial.

    Themunication was between West Hill Base¡¯s leader, Chen Xinian, and someone in Jinling, hundreds of kilometers away from Tianhai City.

    ¡°Old Zhu, I need a favor. Help meunch a missile strike on a target in Tianhai City.¡±

    ¡°Old Chen, are you sure? I can only do this once.¡±

    ¡°I know. I¡¯ve thought it through. I¡¯ll have the coordinates sent to youter. Let¡¯s set the time for tomorrow night at 12.¡±

    ¡°Hahaha, no problem.¡±

    ---

    Hearing this conversation, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but take a sharp breath.

    Jinling was home to the Jiangnan District, one of the six major military districts in China.

    They wielded immense military power, far beyond what Tianhai City could muster.

    Zhang Yi quickly urged Yang Xinxin, ¡°Check if they¡¯ve already sent the coordinates for the Shelter!¡±

    Yang Xinxin didn¡¯t say a word. Her expression was serious as her hands flew over the keyboard.

    Soon, a smile spread across her face.

    ¡°Brother, we¡¯re in luck. They haven¡¯t sent the coordinates yet!¡±

    After the apocalypse, mostmunications infrastructure had been destroyed, making it impossible for regr people or organizations to use precise coordinate systems.

    However, critical state institutions were an exception.

    For example, the major military districts had ess to the Neb System, allowing them to use military satellites for precise targeting.

    West Hill Base didn¡¯t have this authority. This was a safeguard that higher-ups put in ce to limit the power of local forces.

    So, for West Hill Base to get the exact coordinates of Zhang Yi¡¯s Shelter, they would need to go through multiple verification processes.

    And since West Hill Base still operated like a government agency, their procedures were slow and inefficient.

    As a result, the process was still stuck with Chen Xinian¡¯s secretary, Ge Rou.

    Zhang Yi sighed with relief.

    At that moment, Yang Xinxin turned to him, her face lighting up with a mischievous smile.

    ¡°Brother, shall we y an interesting game?¡±

    ¡°Hmm? An interesting game?¡±

    Zhang Yi blinked.

    Seeing Yang Xinxin smile like that, he knew someone was about to suffer.

    Don¡¯t be fooled by her paralysis¡ªher mind was sharper than ten ordinary people put together.

    In the Shelter, aside from Zhang Yi, everyone else had been yed around by her.

    Squinting yfully, Yang Xinxin suggested with a warm smile, ¡°Why don¡¯t we change the missile target to West Hill Base? Let them blow themselves up. Wouldn¡¯t that be fun?¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 309: West Hill Bases Intelligence

    Chapter 309 : West Hill Base''s Intelligence

    Hearing Yang Xinxin¡¯s proposal, Zhang Yi¡¯s heart skipped a beat.

    ¡°Is it possible? If we alter the coordinates ourselves, won¡¯t they notice?¡±

    Zhang Yi thought the people in the Information Department couldn¡¯t be so clueless as to not recognize their own base¡¯s coordinates.

    Yang Xinxin responded, ¡°What matters is not the coordinates they send, but the coordinates the recipient receives.¡±

    ¡°I can block their outgoing signals, then send West Hill Base¡¯s coordinates using their ownputers.¡±

    Zhang Yi straightened up and exhaled deeply. ¡°That¡¯s incredible!¡±

    Returning an attack in such a way¡ªwhat could feel better than that?

    ¡°But, West Hill Base won¡¯t be that easy to destroy, right?¡± Zhang Yi murmured, rubbing his chin.At this thought, he called over Lu Keran.

    Although Lu Keran specialized in mechanical engineering, she was also well-versed in physics.

    ¡°Keran, help me analyze something. Based on the structure of West Hill Base, could it withstand a high-yield missile strike?¡±

    Hearing this, Lu Keran immediately came over.

    Yang Xinxin pulled up the structural map of the entire base.

    After looking at it, Lu Keran couldn¡¯t help but frown.

    ¡°Big Brother, honestly speaking, this shelter is extremely sturdy. It¡¯s buried more than 100 meters underground.¡±

    ¡°Forget missiles¡ªeven with an H-strike, as long as it¡¯s not at the epicenter, it could resist.¡±

    ¡°Oh, but if it¡¯s a bunker-buster missile designed to prate underground, that might cause significant damage.¡±

    ¡°But destroying it with just one strike? That¡¯s unrealistic.¡±

    Lu Keran spread her hands. ¡°This kind of defensive structure is specifically designed for wartime. It won¡¯t be easily taken down!¡±

    Zhang Yi frowned, pondering a crucial issue.

    But for the moment, he couldn¡¯t make up his mind.

    He told Yang Xinxin, ¡°Xinxin, go ahead and change their coordinates as you said. No matter what, we¡¯ll make sure that missile meant for the shelter hits West Hill Base instead¡ªthat¡¯s a given.¡±

    ¡°And also, help me gather West Hill Base¡¯s data. I¡¯ll need to review it carefullyter.¡±

    Yang Xinxin nodded. ¡°Okay, Brother.¡±

    Zhang Yi shoved his hands in his pockets, his expression serious as he left their room.

    Lu Keran blinked curiously and asked Yang Xinxin, ¡°What¡¯s Big Brother thinking? Hasn¡¯t the problem already been solved?¡±

    Yang Xinxin furrowed her brow, thinking for a moment before slowly shaking her head.

    ¡°I can¡¯t guess.¡±

    ¡°Huh? You¡¯re so smart, and you still can¡¯t figure it out?¡±

    Lu Keran blinked.

    As Yang Xinxin searched through West Hill Base¡¯s information, which had now be an open treasure trove for her, she said, ¡°I think Brother is considering attacking West Hill Base.¡±

    ¡°But given how cautious he is, would he really take that kind of risk?¡±

    Lu Keran thought about Zhang Yi¡¯s usual steady demeanor and nodded. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right. Big Brother tends to prioritize protecting himself over taking risks.¡±

    These two young women were incredibly intelligent.

    But high IQ alone doesn¡¯t guarantee understanding everything¡ªanalyzing human nature requires emotional intelligence too.

    Zhang Yi pushed open the door and stepped out of the safe house.

    What was on his mind was whether to take this opportunity topletely destroy West Hill Base!

    It was a wildly audacious n, seemingly out of character for Zhang Yi.

    But it was something Zhang Yi had seriously considered and concluded was both possible and necessary.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t want to start conflicts with anyone unless absolutely necessary.

    He just wanted to live peacefully with a few beautiful, lovely women in the shelter.

    However, the enmity between him and West Hill Base had reached a point of no return.

    Even if he narrowly avoided West Hill Base¡¯s missile this time, who could guarantee there wouldn¡¯t be a next time?

    Chen Xinian, once a high-ranking official in Tianhai City, had extensive connections across the country.

    If he could mobilize a missile from Jiangnan District to attack the shelter this time, what could he do next?

    There¡¯s an old saying: you can be a thief for a thousand days, but you can¡¯t guard against one for a thousand days.

    Zhang Yi either had to abandon the shelter and leave this trouble behind, or he had to destroy West Hill Base once and for all to securesting peace.

    But both options carried enormous risks.

    The first option was nearly impossible. A shelter like Cloud Manor was one of a kind across the entire country.

    In the past few decades, there hadn¡¯t been a major push in China to build high-end shelters on arge scale.

    A ce like Cloud Manor 101, with its perfect defense system andfortable living conditions, was unheard of. Zhang Yi had never heard of a second one.

    If there were another, it would have long been upied by some other major power.

    So Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t willing to give up his shelter.

    But the second option meant confronting West Hill Base head-on.

    And offense wasn¡¯t Zhang Yi¡¯s strong suit.

    Zhang Yi arrived at a room on the 20th floor.

    This was where he had practiced his Superhuman abilities in the past. The ground still bore the remnants of charred wood.

    He pulled up a chair, sat by the window, and watched the falling snow as he contemted whether to go through with his n.

    There was only one chance.

    That would be during the missile strike.

    Even if he couldn¡¯t destroy West Hill Base outright, it would cause massive panic.

    And he had the weapons to annihte West Hill Base¡ª500 kilograms of TNT he had previously collected, plus several hundred kilograms more made by Lu Keran, nearly a ton in total!

    If he could take advantage of the chaos and get the explosives into the base, the results would be spectacr.

    ¡°Maybe I can¡¯t destroy West Hill Base, but if I can kill the people inside, wouldn¡¯t that be just as good?¡±

    Zhang Yi rested his chin in his hand, gazing at the swirling snow as he muttered to himself.

    The ideal scenario always looks wonderful, but reality is often bitterly cold.

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t certain he could pull it off.

    He wasn¡¯t naturally inclined to take risks.

    But being attacked and humiliated multiple times without fighting back didn¡¯t suit his style either.

    ¡°I don¡¯t go looking for trouble, but I¡¯m not afraid of it either!¡±

    After much thought, Zhang Yi finally made up his mind¡ªhe would go back and study the n further.

    However, time wasn¡¯t on his side.

    When the missile struck, West Hill Base would be thrown into temporary chaos¡ªthat would be the best moment to attack.

    But if he missed that chance and they regained their footing, it would be much harder tounch an assaultter.

    Zhang Yi returned to the safe house. In the living room, Zhou Ke¡¯er, Yang Siyah, and Zhou Haimei were sitting around, chatting and munching on sunflower seeds.

    Zhou Haimei¡¯splexion was now rosy, and she looked years younger than before. Clearly, she had been well taken care of by Uncle You recently.

    When they heard the door open, Zhou Ke¡¯er and Yang Siyah nced at Zhang Yi with a hint of resentment in their eyes.

    Lately, Zhang Yi had been so busy dealing with West Hill Base¡¯s attacks that he hadn¡¯t spent much time with them.

    Zhang Yi coughed awkwardly, ignoring their looks, and walked into Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran¡¯s room.

    ¡°Xinxin,¡± Zhang Yi said, walking behind Yang Xinxin and resting his hands on her wheelchair. ¡°I need to see West Hill Base¡¯s current military configuration.¡±

    ¡°I need details on their troops and weapons. And most importantly, I need intelligence on their Superhumans.¡±

    Hearing this, Yang Xinxin¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Brother, are you nning to attack West Hill Base?¡±

    Zhang Yi nced at her and said calmly, ¡°If I have a good enough chance of sess, why not try?¡±

    ¡°We need to change roles. We can¡¯t keep being the hunted¡ªwe need to be the hunters.¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled. ¡°Of course, I need to first assess their strength. If it turns out the gap between us is too wide, you can just treat this as a joke.¡±

    Yang Xinxin suddenly giggled, covering her mouth. ¡°Now that¡¯s the Zhang Yi I know!¡±

    ¡°But honestly, you¡¯ve given me a bit of a shock.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve alreadypiled the data. You can check it anytime. Want to take a look now?¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded. ¡°Yes, let¡¯s see it now!¡±

    Yang Xinxin moved aside, and Zhang Yi pulled up a chair to sit next to her.

    Soon, Yang Xinxin brought up a chart disying West Hill Base¡¯s current military and weaponry configuration.

    At present, West Hill Base had 512 regr soldiers.

    These soldiers were on standard military duty, with service lengths ranging from 3 to 10 years. They had decentbat training, were skilled in various weapons, and possessed some hand-to-handbat skills.

    These soldiers were mainly effective against regr humans, but posed little threat to powerfulbat-oriented Superhumans.

    The core fighting force, the ACE Special Forces Teammonly known as ¡°Old A¡±¡ªhad 64 members left.

    This list already excluded the 50-plus members Zhang Yi had eliminated.

    The Special Forces members were the real elite.

    They were either special forces soldiers or experts from other specialized military units, each possessing top-tier skills in their respective fields.

    Beyond that, the true peak ofbat power consisted of the Superhuman Captains and a few sessfully mutated cyborgs.

    Zhang Yi quickly looked at the distinctions between these two groups

    ording to the data, West Hill Base still had six Superhumans, not counting Liang Yue.

    Some of these Superhumans had awakened their abilities naturally.

    Others had their abilities artificially stimtedter.

    As for those who failed to awaken Superhuman abilities, they gained extraordinary strength through another method¡ªmutated cell imnts.

    The data showed that these warriors had cells imnted from Ling Feng, the leader of the Special Forces.

    A small number of warriors had sessfully integrated these cells and survived, resulting in their abilities having a high degree of simrity to Ling Feng¡¯s.

    However, since their mutations were induced by imnted cells, their growth potential was virtually zero, and their bodies would suffer irreversible damage.

    It was simr to an organ transnt¡ªthough anti-rejection drugs could ease the symptoms, the negative effects couldn¡¯t be entirely eliminated.

    Cyborg soldiers had significantly shorter lifespans than both normal humans and Superhumans.

    Currently, West Hill Base had 13 cyborgs. While theirbat power was inferior to that of battle-oriented Superhumans, it far exceeded that of elite regr soldiers.

    This group would be somewhat troublesome, but not a major problem.

    After reviewing their data, Zhang Yi turned to the section that concerned him most¡ªthe data on West Hill Base¡¯s Superhuman Captains.

    ---

    Ling Feng: Enhancement Type

    Ability Code Name: Superman

    Capable of significantly enhancing all physical functions, possessingbat abilities dozens of times stronger than a normal human.

    - Spee

    - Strengt

    - Superpower: None

    - Overall Abilit

    - Rating: S

    After reading Ling Feng¡¯s data, Zhang Yi took a deep breath.

    No wonder he was the leader of West Hill Base¡¯s Special Forces Team¡ªhis strength was formidable.

    Although they had never fought directly, Zhang Yi had sensed Ling Feng¡¯s terrifying presence when he saw him from a distance.

    This was the guy who could leave fist imprints on the shelter¡¯s walls with his bare hands.

    Even those who had only received partial imnts of his cells were able to dodge sniper bullets.

    So what about the man himself?

    ¡°If I¡¯m going to attack West Hill Base, this is the person I need to watch out for the most,¡± Zhang Yi murmured to himself.

    Fortunately, the data didn¡¯t indicate that Ling Feng had any long-range attack abilities.

    As long as Zhang Yi could keep his distance, it shouldn¡¯t be too much of a problem.

    Even with a powerful body, the icy environment would still slow him down.

    That was a weakness.

    Zhang Yi continued reviewing the other Superhumans¡¯ abilities.

    ---

    Fang Zun: Emission Type

    Ability Code Name: me Man

    Able to release high-temperature mes from his body.

    - Speed: ¡ï¡ï

    - Strength: ¡ï

    - Superpower: ¡ï¡ï¡ï

    - Overall Ability:

    - Rating: B

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at this one.

    In an Ice Age, awakening a me ability was pretty unfortunate.

    His power could probably only be useful in specific environments.

    He continued reading.

    ---

    Zheng Xuerong: Control Type

    Ability Code Name: Ice Seal

    Able to create solid ice blocks forbat.

    - Speed: ¡ï¡ï

    - Strength: ¡ï

    - Superpow

    - Overall Ability: ¡ï¡ï¡ï

    - Rating: A

    ---

    Xu Mingjie: Beast Type

    Ability Code Name: Poison Beast

    Can transform into a giant monster, with greatly enhanced strength and highly corrosive bodily fluids.

    - Speed: ¡ï¡ï¡ï

    - Streng

    - Superpower: ¡ï¡ï

    - Overall Ability: ¡ï¡ï¡ï

    - Rating: A-

    ---

    Shi Dayong: Beast Type

    Ability Code Name: Frost Giant Ape

    Can transform into a giant frost ape, with greatly enhanced physical strength and cold resistance.

    - Speed: ¡ï¡ï¡ï

    - Streng

    - Superpower: None

    - Overall Abili

    - Rating: A

    ---

    Ye Ronghua: Mental Type

    Ability Code Name: Witch (Deceptive code name)

    True Ability: Deep Hypnosis. Can induce hypnosis through brainwaves, simting death, and even causing brain death. Eye contact enhances the ability¡¯s effects.

    - Speed: ¡ï

    - Strength: ¡ï

    - Superpower

    - Overall Ability

    - Rating: A-

    ---

    This was Zhang Yi¡¯s first time encountering the ssification system for Superhuman abilities.

    ording to the data from West Hill Base, higher-ups had already started categorizing Superhumans into six types based on their abilities:

    1. Enhancement Type: Superpowers that enhance the body¡¯s functions while maintaining a human form.

    2. Beast Type: Superhumans who mutate to gain abilities from animals, insects, or other creatures, resulting in physical transformation.

    3. Control Type: Those who develop telekinesis or the ability to control objects.

    4. Emission Type: Simr to Control Types, but focused on releasing magical attacks from the body.

    5.Mental Type: Superhumans who disrupt others¡¯ brains using brainwaves.

    6. Special Type: Any Superhuman whose ability doesn¡¯t fit into the first five categories.

    It was clear that this ssification system was still rtively broad, based only on basic manifestations of Superhuman powers.

    Perhaps in the future, as more Superhuman data was collected, there would be more detailed ssifications.

    Zhang Yi thought for a moment. His space-rted power didn¡¯t fit into any of the first five categories, so he would likely be considered a Special Type Superhuman.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 310: Deciding to Counterattack!

    Chapter 310 : Deciding to Counterattack!

    After reviewing the intelligence on the Superhumans at West Hill Base, Zhang Yi crossed his arms and fell deep into thought.

    On his side, thebat power included himself, Fatty Xu, Uncle You, and Hua Hua.

    The enemy had six Superhumans, and judging by the intelligence, each one possessed considerable strength.

    Even the seemingly weakest of them, Fang Zun the "me Man," would be terrifying in the confined spaces of West Hill Base.

    Still, it wasn¡¯tpletely hopeless.

    If Zhang Yi could convince Liang Yue to join them, then they would have a chance.

    After all, he had personally witnessed the strength of that martial arts grandmaster.

    ¡°No matter what, there are two essential conditions for carrying out this n.¡±¡°The first is ensuring that the missile Chen Xinian requested can hit West Hill Base urately, throwing the base into chaos or even temporarily disabling it.¡±

    ¡°The second is securing Liang Yue¡¯s help, so we won¡¯t be at a numbers disadvantage.¡±

    ¡°Besides these two requirements, I need a foolproof n to ensure that even if the mission fails, I won¡¯t die¡ªthat¡¯s the most critical part!¡±

    Zhang Yi went over the data several times, memorizing the abilities of each Superhuman in case they encountered each other one day, so he would know how to handle them.

    Aside from the enemy forces, West Hill Base¡¯s weaponry was also formidable.

    However, that wasn¡¯t much of a concern.

    If Zhang Yi attacked during the chaos, the Special Forces wouldn¡¯t be able to userge-scale weapons in the underground spaces.

    His Dimensional Gate ability could counter regr soldiers¡¯ weapons effectively.

    ¡°So, the key is how to sneak in, nt the explosives safely, and get out alive?¡±

    Zhang Yi sat in the chair, frowning, his mind conflicted.

    Lu Keran noticed Zhang Yi¡¯s worried expression and yfully suggested, ¡°Big Brother, if you can¡¯t make up your mind, why don¡¯t you discuss it with everyone?¡±

    Yang Xinxin scoffed, ¡°If we¡¯re discussing it, we should talk among ourselves. What¡¯s the point of talking to them?¡±

    Sometimes, high intelligence and low emotional intelligence can go hand in hand.

    Lu Keran smiled. ¡°There¡¯s an old saying: ¡®Three ordinary folks together can outwit a strategist.¡¯ Who knows? They might give you some inspiration!¡±

    Zhang Yi thought for a moment, then smiled.

    ¡°You¡¯re right. In fact, I was already nning to do just that.¡±

    Although Zhang Yi had already made up his mind about attacking West Hill Base, he wanted to make sure his n was as safe as possible to increase his chances of sess.

    To carry out the n, he needed the support of Fatty Xu and Uncle You. While he believed they would back him, it was best to ask them directly.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go. We¡¯re going to have a meeting!¡±

    Zhang Yi stepped out of the room and gathered everyone in the safe house into the living room.

    In front of everyone, he exined his n.

    ¡°We have a rare opportunitying up to take down West Hill Base.¡±

    ¡°I think we all understand that our rtionship with West Hill Base is beyond reconciliation. Only one of us can remain in this area.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not someone who seeks conflict, but I won¡¯t let others push me around either. This time, I¡¯m determined to fight them!¡±

    ¡°But I can¡¯t do it alone, so I need your help. What do you all think?¡±

    Hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s deration of war against West Hill Base, everyone in the room had different reactions.

    Some were excited, some were deep in thought, and some were worried...

    Zhang Yi observed everyone¡¯s expressions carefully.

    However, only the opinions of Fatty Xu and Uncle You mattered to him¡ªthey were the key to hisbat strategy.

    ¡°Uncle You, you¡¯re the oldest here. Why don¡¯t you share your thoughts first?¡±

    Uncle You nodded at Zhang Yi¡¯s invitation.

    Sitting on the sofa, hands sped together, he spoke seriously: ¡°West Hill Base suffered heavy losses at Cloud Manor. There¡¯s no chance of reconciliation now.¡±

    ¡°Instead of waiting to be killed, we should take the initiative! We¡¯ve found a good opportunity to use their strength against them, and we should seize it!¡±

    Uncle You looked up at Zhang Yi, his eyes firm. ¡°Zhang Yi, I owe you so much. If you want to attack West Hill Base, I¡¯ll be with you all the way!¡±

    Zhang Yi and Uncle You exchanged smiles. Zhang Yi trusted Uncle You deeply, knowing he would always have his back.

    After all, Uncle You was a man of honor, always repaying his debts.

    Zhang Yi turned to Fatty Xu. ¡°What about you, Fatty?¡±

    Unlike Uncle You, Fatty Xu hesitated.

    He was always cautious and timid, thinking over every action.

    Hearing they were going to war with West Hill Base made him anxious.

    ¡°Can we really win? They¡¯ve got a lot of Superhumans, an army, and way more weapons than we do.¡±

    Zhang Yi replied calmly, ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about that. In terms of Superhumans, we¡¯re evenly matched.¡±

    ¡°As for the regr soldiers, I¡¯ll handle them. You¡¯ve seen what I can do, right?¡±

    Zhang Yi looked down at Fatty Xu on the sofa, resisting the urge to punch him.

    Zhang Yi considered himself cautious, but he hadn¡¯t expected Fatty Xu to be even more so.

    ¡°Also, don¡¯t forget how many people from Xu Family Town died because of them. Don¡¯t you want to avenge them?¡±

    Fatty Xu scratched his head. ¡°Well... I didn¡¯t really know most of the people from the vige, so it¡¯s not that big of a deal.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s face twitched, and he fought the urge to tug on Fatty Xu¡¯s chubby cheeks.

    Before Zhang Yi could say anything more, Fatty Xu looked up and said, ¡°But Boss, if you¡¯re going to fight, I¡¯ll fight with you!¡±

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, surprised. ¡°Oh? You changed your mind that fast?¡±

    Fatty Xu sighed.

    ¡°I¡¯ve got food, shelter, and everything I need following you. If something happens to you, what¡¯s the point of me living alone in this apocalypse?¡±

    ¡°Sometimes, you¡¯ve just got to take a gamble!¡±

    For the first time, Fatty Xu¡¯s eyes were clear and determined as he raised his fist.

    He might be cowardly, but he wasn¡¯t stupid.

    He knew that if he wanted to stay with Zhang Yi, he had to pull his weight. Why would Zhang Yi keep him around otherwise?

    Zhang Yi smiled and nodded.

    ¡°Alright then, it¡¯s decided!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re going to take down West Hill Base!¡±

    Uncle You and Fatty Xu both nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s do it!¡±

    The other women didn¡¯t voice their opinions throughout the discussion.

    Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran, being young, naturally supported Zhang Yi¡¯s n for revenge against West Hill Base.

    As for Zhou Haimei, Zhou Ke¡¯er, and Yang Siyah, they were slightly worried, but since Zhang Yi, Uncle You, and Fatty Xu had already made up their minds, they chose to support them.

    Fatty Xu nervously reminded Zhang Yi, ¡°Boss, you¡¯ve got to make sure this n is solid!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I have no intention of dying any time soon.¡±

    Zhang Yi smirked. ¡°Next, we¡¯re going to have a strategy meeting. I¡¯ll introduce you to the enemies we¡¯ll be facing and go over my n.¡±

    Uncle You said, ¡°I can help with this. I¡¯ve had professional military training from my time in the army.¡±

    ¡°Great, let¡¯s do that!¡±

    Zhang Yi then turned to Yang Xinxin and said, ¡°Xinxin, give Uncle You and Fatty Xu an overview of West Hill Base. Let them see what I just looked at, so they know what we¡¯re up against.¡±

    They needed to understand theyout of West Hill Base and the abilities of their enemies.

    Yang Xinxin nodded. ¡°Got it. You two,e with me.¡±

    She led them off to review West Hill Base¡¯s intelligence.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi moved aside and pulled out his phone to contact Liang Yue.

    To attack West Hill Base, they needed timing, geography, and unity.

    Timing referred to the missile strike on West Hill Base, which would throw the base into chaos.

    Geography was the thorough understanding of the base¡¯syout, allowing them to nt explosives and destroy vital structures while killing everyone inside.

    And unity depended on Liang Yue working with them, creating internal chaos while they attacked from the outside.

    Of course, Liang Yue herself was also a powerful fighter.

    Whether or not Liang Yue would cooperate was no mystery.

    Right now, she needed Zhang Yi¡¯s help, so there was no reason for her to refuse.

    Zhang Yi pulled out his phone and sent Liang Yue a message.

    ¡°Thank you for helping us deal with a problem. I will fulfill my promise to help you escape. Be in a safe ce by midnight tomorrow. That¡¯s when your chance to escape wille.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll be outside to assist. Make sure you¡¯re ready to leave quickly.¡±

    After a long wait, Zhang Yi finally received Liang Yue¡¯s reply.

    She had to be cautious withmunication, so she couldn¡¯t use the special phone card too freely.

    ¡°You¡¯reing to help us? That¡¯s great! I¡¯ll be there on time. But what¡¯s your n? Tell me so we can coordinate.¡±

    Zhang Yi could feel her excitement.

    He replied, ¡°We¡¯ve already taken control of West Hill Base¡¯swork, so don¡¯t worry aboutmunication security.¡±

    ¡°By midnight tomorrow, something will happen at West Hill

    Base. You¡¯ll know what to do when the timees. We¡¯ll notify you of anything specific you need to do.¡±

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t share the full details of the n with Liang Yue.

    She was indecisive, and if she knew Zhang Yi intended to blow up West Hill Base, she might not agree.

    After all, that would mean killing thousands of people inside the base.

    So, for safety¡¯s sake, Zhang Yi kept the n to himself.

    Liang Yue replied, ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll find a safe ce to hide before midnight and wait for you.¡±

    ¡°Good. It¡¯s settled then.¡±

    Zhang Yi put his phone away and headed to Yang Xinxin¡¯s room to join Fatty Xu and Uncle You in nning the attack.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 311: The Bait

    Chapter 311: The Bait

    There were 31 hours left until the missile strike scheduled for tomorrow night at 12.

    Yang Xinxin had already altered the coordinates sent from West Hill Base, recing the Shelter¡¯s coordinates with those of West Hill Base.

    If all went ording to n, the missile wouldnd on West Hill Base instead.

    To destroy a heavily fortified shelter, the Jiangnan District was using a high-yield bunker buster.

    ording to Lu Keran¡¯s calctions, it was impossible for the missile topletely destroy West Hill Base, which was buried hundreds of meters underground. However, it would cause severe tremors, equivalent to an 8.0 magnitude earthquake.

    Zhang Yi said to Yang Xinxin, ¡°When the timees, Xinxin, you¡¯ll take control of West Hill Base¡¯swork and cut off their power!¡±

    ¡°West Hill Base relies heavily on electricity. Once we cut the power, the entire base will be temporarily paralyzed, causing widespread panic.¡±

    At this point, Yang Xinxin reminded Zhang Yi, ¡°Although I can control the power shutdown through thework, there are manual systems inside West Hill Base that can restore power.¡±Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s fine. We only need to create temporary chaos.¡±

    ¡°By then, Liang Yue will lead her students out of the Fourth Life Pod.¡±

    As Zhang Yi spoke, a sly grin appeared in his eyes.

    ¡°With Liang Yue leading the way, the rest of the people in the Fourth Life Pod will follow.¡±

    ¡°Those who have been oppressed for so long will undoubtedly seize the opportunity to overthrow West Hill Base¡¯s control. The thousands of people inside will create even more chaos.¡±

    ¡°And that¡¯s when we make our move!¡±

    On their own, Zhang Yi¡¯s group would have a hard time destroying a massive base like West Hill Base.

    However, the internal conflicts within the base were already severe.

    All Zhang Yi needed was to light the fuse, and the base would implode on its own.

    There was another key point.

    The residents of the Fourth Life Pod were not ordinary civilians.

    In fact, the people who had sought refuge in West Hill Base during the early days of the apocalypse were influential figures from Tianhai City.

    These people were ambitious and ruthless; there was no way they would be content generating power by pedaling bicycles.

    Zhang Yi was certain that they would rise up at the first opportunity.

    Lu Keran crossed her arms, concerned. ¡°But in that case, won¡¯t Teacher Liang and the others be in great danger?¡±

    ¡°The ones who start the rebellion are usually the first to face the soldiers'' crackdown.¡±

    Zhang Yi dismissed her concern. ¡°Freedomes with sacrifices. They should be well aware of that.¡±

    ¡°And with Liang Yue protecting them, not too many should die.¡±

    In truth, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t care at all about the students'' lives.

    As long as Liang Yue could help him destabilize West Hill Base, he didn¡¯t care how many others perished.

    ¡°So, what¡¯s the n after we sneak in amidst the chaos?¡± Fatty Xu scratched his head, a bit confused about the mission¡¯s goal.

    ¡°We¡¯ve said we want to destroy West Hill Base, but how do we ensure it¡¯spletely destroyed?¡±

    ¡°Do we kill their leader, Chen Xinian? But killing one leader seems pointless; another would just take his ce.¡±

    ¡°Are we going to kill everyone in West Hill Base?¡±

    Fatty Xuughed as if he had made a joke, but Zhang Yi¡¯s serious expression made him stop abruptly.

    ¡°Boss, you¡¯re not really nning to kill them all, are you?¡±

    Fatty Xu wasn¡¯t the only one surprised. The others also stared at Zhang Yi, thinking the n sounded insane and impossible.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t hold back and revealed his full n. ¡°At the very least, we need to eliminate 80% of their leadership. Ideally, we¡¯ll kill everyone.¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t as impossible as it sounds. I have plenty of explosives¡ªsome I confiscated when they tried to destroy our Shelter, and some are my own stockpile.¡± ??

    ¡°If we detonate such arge amount of explosives in an underground space, do you know what will happen?¡±

    No one in the group had expertise in this area, so they all turned to Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin for an exnation.

    After a moment of thought, Lu Keran exined, ¡°Big Brother has about 1,000 kilograms of explosives. If they¡¯re detonated, they¡¯ll cause massive destruction, damaging part of West Hill Base and killing nearby people.¡±

    ¡°But that¡¯s not the worst of it.¡±

    ¡°First, the explosion would destroy West Hill Base¡¯s vital systems¡ªelectricity, water cirction, air venttion, and even escape routes.¡±

    ¡°If any of these systems arepromised, it would be impossible to survive underground.¡±

    ¡°And since explosions consume a lot of oxygen, it¡¯s likely that people far from the st zone will suffocate due tock of air.¡±

    Lu Keran¡¯s exnation made everyone realize just how devastating Zhang Yi¡¯s n truly was.

    Even if one part of the n failed to kill, there were several other deadly oues waiting for West Hill Base¡¯s residents.

    Fatty Xu chimed in, ¡°Boss, this n is great. But how do we sneak into West Hill Base? Walking in openly would get us lost or easily recognized.¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled. ¡°I¡¯ve considered that. First, you all need to memorize theyout of West Hill Base. There¡¯s a 3D model on theputer¡ªstudy it carefully. This is life or death; no cking off.¡±

    ¡°As for how we get inside with the explosives, we just need a disguise.¡±

    With that, Zhang Yi reached into his dimensional space and pulled out two whitebat uniforms.

    Previously, he had absorbed a few Special Forces Team members into his space.

    These uniforms had been stripped from those soldiers.

    ¡°We¡¯ll wear these uniforms. When the internal chaos breaks out, we can easily slip inside.¡±

    Zhang Yi pointed at theputer screen. ¡°We¡¯ll nt the explosives in the Second Life Pod. All of West Hill Base¡¯s critical systems are located there. We don¡¯t need to be picky; just find a hidden spot.¡±

    ¡°With 1,000 kilograms of explosives, the effect will be the same wherever we ce them.¡±

    As for encountering Superhumans or getting into direct confrontations, Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t worried at all.

    His Dimensional Gate was most powerful in confined spaces.

    It would create an imprable barrier, and unless the enemy had overwhelming strength¡ªsomething not yet seen in any human¡ªit couldn¡¯t be breached.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s n was meticulous. Even Fatty Xu, who was normally a coward, felt relieved and thought it was highly feasible.

    Afterward, Zhang Yi went over the n again and handed out weapons to everyone.

    Although conventional firearms had little effect on Superhumans, they might still be useful.

    Especially for Fatty Xu, who would have to rely on guns inside the base, where his powers wouldn¡¯t be as effective.

    In one room, everyone checked their guns and equipment, discussing how they would cooperate and handle unexpected situations.

    Fatty Xu was visibly nervous, sweat beading on his forehead.

    Uncle You, however, remained calm andposed.

    Having served in the military for many years and fought alongside Zhang Yi through multiple life-and-death battles in Yuelu Residential Area, he wasn¡¯t as anxious.

    Still, there was a glimmer of excitement in his eyes, showing that he wasn¡¯tpletely at ease either.

    As for Zhang Yi?

    He felt the same as Uncle You.

    Facing such a formidable opponent for the first time, he couldn¡¯t deny feeling some nerves.

    But once he made a decision, he wouldn¡¯t hesitate.

    He had also nned an escape route.

    If anything went wrong, he would lead his team out immediately.

    Hua Hua, being a beast, could move far faster than a Superhuman.

    It could transform into a vehicle and help Zhang Yi escape the underground facility.

    And once outside, Zhang Yi¡¯s snowmobile could easily outrun any pursuers.

    After all, West Hill Base only had one snowmobile and a few sleds, which were hardly a threat.

    ¡°Remember,pleting the mission is secondary. Staying alive is the top priority!¡±

    Zhang Yi seriously reminded Uncle You and Fatty Xu.

    Uncle You smiled and nodded. Fatty Xu nodded vigorously.

    ---

    At West Hill Base.

    After her conversation with Zhang Yi, Liang Yue immediately removed her SIM card and turned off her phone.

    To avoid detection, she only powered on her phone asionally to check for messages from Zhang Yi.

    Knowing that Zhang Yi woulde to rescue her tomorrow night, Liang Yue couldn¡¯t help but feel excited.

    Finally, she would be able to take her students and escape from this nightmare!

    That night, Liang Yue went to the Fourth Life Pod and found her students.

    She didn¡¯t tell them about the escape n for the next day.

    After everything that had happened, she had learned to be cautious. Such a critical operation had to be kept secret.

    If word got out, it could cost everyone their lives.

    She only told them not to sleep at midnight tomorrow, as she had something important to share with them then.

    Everyone agreed without question, nodding in agreement.

    Lately, more and more people had been disappearing.

    In fact, the frequency of these disappearances had increased recently, making everyone more afraid.

    Liang Yue had be their only pir of support, so they naturally followed her instructions.

    After notifying the students in the Fourth Life Pod, Liang Yue returned to the Second Life Pod to find Ye Xiaotian, along with Shen Moling and Meng Zixuan, both of whom had be Chen Xinian¡¯s mistresses.

    She wanted to save as many of her students as possible¡ªanyone still alive.

    ¡°No one will be left behind,¡± she thought.

    ¡°Come to the Fourth Life Pod at midnight tomorrow. I have something important to tell you,¡± Liang Yue said to the three of them

    .

    Ye Xiaotian immediately agreed. ¡°Yes, Teacher Liang!¡±

    But Shen Moling and Meng Zixuan exchanged a nce, their eyes filled with doubt.

    ¡°Teacher Liang, are you nning to escape?¡± Shen Moling asked coldly, leaning against the wall.

    ¡°In West Hill Base, escaping is considered treason. That¡¯s a death sentence, you know.¡±

    Meng Zixuan, sitting at her vanity table, carefully applied lipstick.

    ¡°Teacher Liang wouldn¡¯t be that foolish, right? She¡¯s now the captain of the Special Forces Team. She has status, wealth, and security. There¡¯s no need for her to do something so reckless.¡±

    Seeing what her students had be pained Liang Yue¡¯s heart.

    In just a few months, their youthful innocence had vanished, reced by the demeanor of jaded women.

    Though they were still under twenty, their clothes and makeup were overly mature, as if they were desperately trying to showcase their femininity.

    Liang Yue took a deep breath and said to them, ¡°West Hill Base is not the paradise you think it is. There¡¯s a lot of filth here that you don¡¯t know about.¡±

    ¡°Take my advice¡ªthis ce isn¡¯t right for you.¡±

    But after hearing this, Shen Moling and Meng Zixuan burst outughing.

    ¡°Haha! Did you hear that? Teacher Liang thinks we don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on!¡±

    ¡°How ridiculous. Teacher Liang, do you still think we¡¯re little kids?¡±

    Theyughed until their stomachs hurt.

    Liang Yue was dumbfounded. ¡°You¡­¡±

    Shen Moling suddenly looked up, her cold eyes locking onto Liang Yue¡¯s. ¡°Don¡¯t be naive, Teacher Liang. We know exactly what¡¯s going on here.¡±

    Stepping closer, she stared into Liang Yue¡¯s eyes. ¡°So what? This ce is hell, but do you think the outside world is any better?¡±

    ¡°At least here, we can livefortably. Why should we care about anyone else¡¯s life or death?¡±

    Meng Zixuan finished applying her lipstick and admired herself in the mirror before turning to Liang Yue.

    ¡°Teacher Liang, you need to stop clinging to those childish ideals.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re grateful you helped us survive, but the world is cruel. Being overly kind will only lead to disaster.¡±

    Liang Yue felt like she didn¡¯t recognize her own students anymore.

    Just a few months ago, they had been innocent, sweet girls, acting like princesses around her.

    How could she describe them now?

    Although Liang Yue didn¡¯t want to use such harsh words, the term ¡°prostitutes¡± came to mind.

    She had lost hope in them.

    With a sigh, Liang Yue said, ¡°I only wanted everyone to gather for onest reunion.¡±

    She turned and left the room.

    Shen Moling and Meng Zixuan exchanged confused nces.

    ¡°Do you believe her?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t. Do you?¡±

    ¡°Neither do I.¡±

    A sinister glint shed in Shen Moling¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°It seems she really is nning to betray the organization. I¡¯m going to report this to the Leader!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 312: Position

    Chapter 312 : Position

    Shen Moling and Meng Zixuan were thrilled, sensing they had captured some critical information.

    If Liang Yue was truly nning to defect from the organization, they could seize this chance to win Chen Xinian''s favor.

    After all, since Chen Xinian hadst shown them attention, it had been half a month since he''de near them again.

    The West Hill Base didn¡¯tck pretty girls.

    Most people here were either wealthy or influential, and these girls were pampered daughters from rich families, with the limits of beauty right there for all to see.

    Though Shen and Meng were quite attractive, they weren¡¯t overwhelmingly stunning.

    Besides, Chen Xinian''s age was catching up with him, and his needs weren¡¯t as pressing as before.

    Especially after his recent conflict with Zhang Yi, his interest had dwindled noticeably.This left Shen Moling and Meng Zixuan uneasy, fearing that one day they might be thrown back into the Fourth Life Pod.

    Once they had tasted the luxury of the Second Life Pod, going back was unimaginable.

    So, as soon as Liang Yue left the room, the two rushed out, intending to report her.

    But as they opened the door, they saw Liang Yue standing there, looking at them with disappointment.

    ¡°You two really let me down.¡±

    Liang Yue raised her hand and, with lightning speed, struck each of their necks twice.

    Their vision went ck, and they copsed.

    Liang Yue had lost all hope in them. To ensure the safety of the other students, she firmly tied the two girls up and stuffed them into the closet.

    Just as she was about to leave, she noticed a bottle of sleeping pills on the table and fed each of them two tablets.

    Living together in the Second Life Pod, Liang Yue knew that Meng Zixuan and Shen Moling rarely interacted with others.

    After all, the other residents were all elite talents and clearly looked down on the two panions.¡±

    No one woulde looking for them.

    As long as they slept until tomorrow night, she and the other students would be safe.

    After ensuring that the closet was ventted, Liang Yue took their keys, locked the door from the outside, and stepped out.

    Just as she breathed a sigh of relief, preparing to rest a bit, she heard a familiar voice.

    ¡°Miss Liang, what are you doing here sote?¡±

    Liang Yue''s body stiffened, a flicker of tension rising within her.

    The voice belonged to Chen Xinian¡¯s personal secretary, Ge Rou.

    Forcing herself to remain calm, she turned and smiled at her.

    Ge Rou, dressed in a ck suit with wide, wine-red sses, wore her usual professional smile.

    ¡°I was just heading back. Secretary Ge, where are you headed?¡±

    Ge Rou¡¯s smile deepened.

    She walked towards Liang Yue, high heels clicking with each step, her eyes narrowing slightly.

    Liang Yue felt a surge of unease.

    ¡°Miss Liang, you¡¯ve been visiting the Fourth Life Pod often these past few days, haven¡¯t you?¡±

    Ge Rou¡¯s words made Liang Yue¡¯s nerves tighten.

    Could it be... her n had been discovered?

    Or was there a traitor among the students who leaked the information?

    Her mind raced, but outwardly she stayedposed.

    ¡°I was just checking on the students.¡±

    Thinking back over her n, Liang Yue was sure she had made no mistakes.

    She had only told the students to gather at midnight tomorrow, without specifying any details.

    Even if someone had leaked the information, she could easilye up with an excuse.

    She frowned and coldly asked Ge Rou, ¡°Secretary Ge, there¡¯s something I wanted to ask you too!¡±

    ¡°Why have so many of my students mysteriously disappeared since we arrived here over a month ago?¡±

    Ge Rou hadn¡¯t expected Liang Yue to question her.

    She frowned briefly before responding, ¡°I thought I told you, the West Hill Base has various divisions. Everyone has to follow orders and obeymands.¡± ??

    ¡°The power station isn¡¯t the only department. They¡¯ve been reassigned to other areas as needed.¡±

    Relieved, Liang Yue realized Ge Rou had only heard about her visits to the Fourth Life Pod.

    Her n was still intact.

    She let out a coldugh. ¡°Is that really the case? Even so, half of my students disappearing is a bit much!¡±

    She stared fiercely at Ge Rou and demanded, ¡°Secretary Ge, have you been using my students for human experiments?¡±

    A sh of surprise appeared in Ge Rou¡¯s eyes, but she quicklyughed it off.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re aware of that matter.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine. Since it¡¯s within the base and you¡¯re the Special Forces Team captain, it¡¯s something you would have found out eventually. Saves me the trouble of exining.¡±

    Ge Rou admitted openly.

    ¡°Yes, some of your students were indeed sent for human experiments. The goal was to unlock their potential and turn them into Superhumans.¡±

    She spread her hands. ¡°But you know how rare Superhumans are, and the sess rate of these experiments is extremely low.¡±

    In reality, the sess rate for these experiments at West Hill Base was dismal, with few sessful cases.

    Even the current Superhuman captains had achieved their abilities through other special means.

    Ge Rou made no effort to hide the experiments from Liang Yue.

    As a highly regarded Superhuman at West Hill Base, she would inevitably find out about it.

    In fact, in the First to Third Life Pods, these experiments weren¡¯t even a secret.

    The experiments required numerous subjects, making it impossible topletely hide.

    Liang Yue showed the appropriate anger.

    ¡°You¡¯re using my students for experiments?¡±

    Ge Rou simply smiled, patting her on the shoulder.

    ¡°Miss Liang, calm down. I doubt you¡¯re na?ve enough to believe the base would support so many people for nothing.¡±

    ¡°Everything in lifees with a price. If the base hadn¡¯t taken you in, you and your students would likely be dead by now.¡±

    ¡°So, sacrificing for the base is your duty.¡±

    Liang Yue found herself momentarily speechless.

    True, without the West Hill Base, they might all have perished long ago.

    Even if they¡¯d managed to hide out in Tianqing Academy, they would have eventually run out of resources.

    But this didn¡¯t mean she could ept Ge Rou¡¯s reasoning.

    ¡°They could find other ways to survive, not by sacrificing their lives!¡±

    Liang Yue retorted coldly.

    Ge Rou shook her head, sighing at Liang Yue as if teaching an ignorant child.

    ¡°You¡¯re too idealistic.¡±

    ¡°Miss Liang, you¡¯re now one of the elite here at West Hill Base. The quality of life you enjoy nowes from the sacrifices of those beneath you.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re benefiting from your students¡¯ sacrifices, so don¡¯t put on a show of righteousness here.¡±

    ¡°Sometimes, you have to live selfishly. Do you not find your current life satisfactory?¡±

    Ge Rou¡¯s eyes glinted as she tried to persuade Liang Yue to ept the survival rules of the base.

    Liang Yue was silent for a moment, lowering her head with a sigh.

    ¡°I understand.¡±

    Ge Rou¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Now that¡¯s the spirit! You¡¯ll have to realize this sooner orter in a world like this. Goodnight!¡±

    With that, she sauntered away from Liang Yue.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 313: Final Battle at West Hill

    Chapter 313 : Final Battle at West Hill

    After Ge Rou left, Liang Yue quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

    "Thank goodness¡­ thank goodness I wasn¡¯t exposed!"

    If she had been, everything would have been for nothing.

    Liang Yue didn''t agree with Ge Rou¡¯s philosophy. She believed that even in the apocalypse, society shouldn''t devolve into social Darwinism. If it did, humanity would be doomed. At the very least, she could never abandon her students.

    "It looks like she already suspects me, but without evidence, she won¡¯t take any action for now."

    "No matter. By tomorrow, I¡¯ll be out of this hellhole!"

    With a determined glint in her eyes, Liang Yue tried to act as though nothing had happened and returned to her room.

    ¡­This was destined to be an extraordinary day.

    Though everything appeared calm on the surface, without any visible ripples, Zhang Yi and the others understood that something critical, something that would determine their future, was about to happen.

    That night, Zhang Yi and hispanions took mtonin to get a good night¡¯s sleep and set rms to wake up on time.

    The night passed uneventfully.

    The next morning arrived quickly.

    Zhang Yi and his group slept in until around ten due to theirte-night strategy session the evening before. When they got up, Zhou Haimei, Yang Mi, and Zhou Ke¡¯er had already prepared a feast for lunch.

    While they ate, Zhang Yi and the others went over their battle n once more, ensuring that each phase would go off without a hitch.

    Zhang Yi ced a fish dish by his te, and Hua Hua jumped onto the table, joining in on the meal. Everyone was used to Zhang Yi doting on Hua Hua.

    "ording to the n, the missile strike is set for midnight tonight," Zhang Yi said.

    "We¡¯ll get into position early, lying in wait nearby. Once the missile strike hits, Liang Yue and her team will try to escape in the chaos."

    He tapped the table forcefully. "We wait for Liang Yue and her team to make their move. If they don¡¯t, that means something¡¯s wrong on their end. If that happens, we¡¯ll abandon the n without hesitation!"

    "Even though we¡¯re well-versed in theyout of West Hill Base, once inside, we could still get lost. We need someone to guide us."

    Uncle You and Fatty Xu nodded emphatically, fully endorsing Zhang Yi¡¯s approach.

    "Then, as nned, we¡¯ll blend into the crowd, nt the explosives, and escape."

    "If anything unexpectedes up, don¡¯t hesitate. Just run!"

    "Remember, safety first. There¡¯s no need to take unnecessary risks."

    Zhang Yi was most concerned about preserving his own life.

    Fatty Xu nodded vigorously, showing hisplete agreement.

    Uncle You said seriously, "So, for this mission to seed, we have to ensure we rescue Liang Yue and her students, right?"

    Zhang Yi scoffed.

    "Honestly?"

    Liang Yue¡¯s students didn¡¯t matter much to him. But without Liang Yue, the rest of the n would be hard to execute.

    "Think of it that way if you like, but Liang Yue¡¯s the priority, not her students."

    The group went over the n repeatedly, analyzing every possible scenario to ensure they stayed safe at all times.

    "Finally, there¡¯s one more crucial point!"

    Zhang Yi looked earnestly at Uncle You, Fatty Xu, and Hua Hua. Hua Hua, sensing his gaze, lifted her head from her fish and looked back at Zhang Yi.

    "We¡¯ll be fighting amidst the confusion in their base, so they won¡¯t be able to use their heavy weaponry. As for the regr soldiers with firearms, I can handle them."

    "But the biggest issue is their six Superhumans."

    He looked at them with anticipation. "I¡¯m nning to use a strategy like Tian Ji¡¯s Horse Racing to counter them."

    "Of course, if we can outrun them, we should. If not, we¡¯ll engage as ast resort."

    ¡­

    The wait was agonizing.

    That day felt endlessly longer than usual.

    Zhang Yi, Uncle You, and the others checked their equipment repeatedly.

    Yang Xinxin stayed in front of herputer, monitoring West Hill Base¡¯swork to make sure there were no surprises.

    As darkness fell, Zhang Yi nced at his watch¡ªit was 8:00 p.m.

    Driving in the dark required caution to avoid drawing attention. From here, it would take roughly three hours to cover the 50 kilometers to West Hill Base.

    "It¡¯s time. Let¡¯s move out!"

    Zhang Yi abruptly stood up from the sofa.

    A look of resolve shed in Uncle You and Fatty Xu¡¯s eyes as they bit their lips and got to their feet.

    The women walked over.

    Yang Mi and the others embraced Zhang Yi gently. "Zhang Yi, we¡¯ll be here waiting for you toe back safe and sound!"

    Zhang Yi smiled, kissing each of them goodbye.

    "Don¡¯t worry; if I¡¯m known for one thing, it¡¯s self-preservation. I¡¯ll be fine!"

    Zhou Haimei exchanged a few words with Uncle You, adjusting his clothes with a reluctant gaze.

    For these women, deep bonds had formed with the men in their lives¡ªwhether from dependence or something else. They knew that without them, surviving in this apocalyptic world would be even harder.

    Only Fatty Xu was on his own. Pulling out his phone, he opened an app, and a virtual anime girl popped up, encouraging him with a cheerful, "Anata, ganbatte!"

    Fatty Xu grinned. "Eri, I¡¯llplete the mission ande back safe!"

    Just as they were about to leave, Zhou Ke¡¯er held Zhang Yi¡¯s hand, her expression worried. "How about Ie with you? If any of you get injured, I can help with the treatment."

    But Zhang Yi shook his head. "If we run into trouble, it¡¯ll likely be against Superhumans. You wouldn¡¯t be able to help much in that case."

    "We¡¯ve got emergency medical supplies on hand, so we¡¯ll manage."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er understood, though he didn¡¯t spell it out. If she went along as a regr person, she could be a liability.

    She looked at him with concern. "Alright, but don¡¯t forget to use the medicine I prepared for you."

    Zhang Yi nodded. "Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t."

    The three left the safehouse, descending the stairs into the dark night.

    Zhang Yi pulled out their snow vehicle, climbed into the driver¡¯s seat, and started the engine.

    Dressed in all-whitebat gear, they could easily be mistaken for members of West Hill Base¡¯s Special Forces Team.

    As the snow vehicle roared to life, they headed off into the snowy night, straight toward West Hill Base.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 314: The Eve

    Chapter 314: The Eve

    Chapter 314: The Eve

    Zhang Yi and his twopanions were heading toward the West Hill Base.

    Their headsets connected to both radio and satellite phones, allowing them tomunicate with Yang Xinxin in real-time.

    Although Yang Xinxin was sitting at home, she was on a battlefield of her own.

    In this operation, her role was crucial.

    "Brother, West Hill Base just confirmed the missileunch time and coordinates with Jiangnan District."

    "The time is set for midnight exactly, but as for the coordinates, I¡¯ve made a slight adjustment in secret, so there¡¯s no need to worry."

    Zhang Yi nodded, ¡°Got it! Keep monitoring theirwork and report any issues immediately.¡±

    ¡°Understood!¡±The night was pitch ck, so Zhang Yi kept his speed moderate. Even though the snow nketed the ground, making it t, he didn¡¯t want the sound of the snow vehicle¡¯s engine to give them away.

    With Yang Xinxin¡¯s guidance, they reached the vicinity of the West Hill Base without a hitch.

    Zhang Yi knew the exact coordinates of the base and stopped the car about three kilometers away.

    The three of them checked the time¡ªit was already 11:25 PM.

    The car¡¯s heater was on, keeping them warm so they¡¯d be in optimal condition for the uing operation.

    Zhang Yi took a silver box from his spatial storage and opened it to reveal ten vials of stimnt.

    He handed two vials to Uncle You and Fatty Xu.

    After giving them a brief rundown, Zhang Yi took a vial and injected it into his own wrist.

    Uncle You followed suit without hesitation.

    As Fatty Xu injected himself, he asked, ¡°Stimnts usually have side effects, right?¡±

    Zhang Yi rolled his eyes, ¡°Even if there are side effects, they won¡¯t show up right away.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s focus on staying alive. After the mission, you can rest and recover as much as you want.¡±

    Fatty Xu nodded, ¡°True, a bit of a side effect is nothingpared to staying alive.¡±

    Once they had taken the stimnts, a warm sensation flowed through their bodies.

    Though it waste, they felt no trace of fatigue; their eyes shone with newfound energy.

    ---

    Inside West Hill Base.

    Liang Yue arrived at the Fourth Life Pod at the scheduled time.

    Even though it was nighttime, people were still working overtime to generate power in the Life Pod.

    But Liang Yue used her special privileges to call over her students; even the power nt supervisor didn¡¯t dare raise any objections.

    She gathered her students.

    ¡°Everyone, put on the thick clothes you brought along!¡±

    They were about to leave the West Hill Base, and with the temperature outside at fifty to sixty degrees below zero, they¡¯d freeze in these thin clothes.

    Hearing this, some students realized they were about to leave.

    ¡°Teacher Liang, are we escaping?¡± a male student whispered, excitement in his voice.

    ¡°Shh!¡± Wu Chengyu shot him a stern look. ¡°Don¡¯t talk too much¡ªjust do as Teacher Liang instructed.¡±

    The boy quickly covered his mouth.

    The group shared a quiet understanding, with a glimmer of hope appearing in their eyes.

    When they arrived, they had worn the winter gear issued by Tianqing Academy.

    But inside, since the underground temperature was milder, they¡¯d put their warm clothes aside.

    No longer minding the temperature, everyone hurried to put on their thick winter clothes.

    Liang Yue recalled Zhang Yi¡¯s words, knowing something significant was about to happen in the Shelter.

    So, she led her students to a corner, hiding them there.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re nning, but please don¡¯t let me down!¡± Liang Yue prayed silently in her heart.

    Believing in Zhang Yi was her only option; even if she wasn¡¯t entirely confident, she had to follow his instructions.

    Meanwhile, on the outside, Chen Xinian remained oblivious.

    That night, instead of going to bed as usual, he sat in front of hisputer, waiting to receive news of the Shelter¡¯s destruction.

    Though it came at a cost, sacrificing one of his valuable opportunities to request aid, if it meant eliminating a serious threat, he considered it worth it.

    After all, Zhang Yi¡¯s existence not only jeopardized the West Hill Base¡¯s control over nearby areas but also posed a severe challenge to Chen Xinian¡¯s authority.

    In Chen Xinian¡¯s eyes, Zhang Yi was more dangerous than any other faction in Tianhai City.

    He constantly reminded Chen Xinian of his past humiliations¡ªa prominent Tianhai City official, put in his ce by a mere nobody!

    Chen Xinian sat at his desk, staring at hisputer screen, waiting for Jiangnan District¡¯s report: "Target Destroyed."

    The thought that the man who had humiliated him would soon be dead filled Chen Xinian with satisfaction.

    But he didn¡¯t want to savor this moment alone.

    After a brief pause, he picked up the phone and called his squad captain, Ling Feng.

    He wanted Ling Feng to witness what he¡¯d aplished¡ªthat the man Ling Feng couldn¡¯t handle was eliminated by him.

    So, Ling Feng shouldn¡¯t think he was irreceable; Chen Xinian didn¡¯t need him.

    Ling Feng quickly arrived at Chen Xinian¡¯s office after receiving the call.

    He saw Chen Xinian, dressed in light yellow pajamas, sitting by theputer with a broad smile on his face.

    Curious, Ling Feng wondered what had made Chen Xinian so happy.

    ¡°Leader!¡±

    Ling Feng saluted.

    Chen Xinian beamed at him, gesturing for him toe over. ¡°Ling Feng,e on over. I¡¯ve got something good to show you.¡±

    Ling Feng stepped closer.

    With a confident look, Chen Xinian crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to worry about Zhang Yi anymore. I¡¯ve already taken care of it!¡±

    Ling Feng¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.

    ¡°You¡¯ve found a way to deal with him?¡±

    Although Chen Xinian had a military background, his position of power was more due to family connections than battlefield achievements.

    In terms of basic soldier skills, Chen Xinian was no better than amon foot soldier.

    Ling Feng couldn¡¯t imagine how Chen Xinian had pulled this off.

    Chen Xinian¡¯s face lit up with a smug grin.

    ¡°You have to understand, even in the apocalypse, the military still holds immense power. Not even the superhumans are invincible!¡±

    He looked at Ling Feng, subtly warning him not to let his strength go to his head.

    Ling Feng nodded, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll always follow the Leader¡¯s orders.¡±

    Chen Xinian nodded back and turned hisputer screen towards Ling Feng.

    ¡°I contacted Jiangnan District, where Director Zhu owed me a major favor. This time, I got him to help byunching a bunker buster missile at Zhang Yi¡¯s Shelter.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 315: Arrival, Chaos

    Chapter 315 : Arrival, Chaos

    When Ling Feng heard that Chen Xinian had deployed a bunker buster missile to deal with Zhang Yi, his face lit up with excitement.

    "Fantastic! With this, Zhang Yi is as good as dead!"

    Although Zhang Yi''s superhuman abilities allowed him to absorb energy and physical attacks, it had already been tested that he couldn''t absorb the energy from an explosion of 500 kilograms of TNT in one go.

    The bunker busters currently equipped by Huaguo carry explosives of over a ton, with evenrger, more destructive versions avable.

    West Hill Base had already submitted all data on Zhang Yi¡¯s Shelter to Jiangnan District.

    To ensure theplete destruction of the Shelter, Jiangnan District deployed a heavier model of bunker buster with enhanced pration capabilities and a higher payload.

    Chen Xinian leaned back in his chair, smiling faintly. "I warned him¡ªyoung people shouldn''t let a little special ability go to their heads. This world isn¡¯t as simple as they think."

    He motioned for Ling Feng to join him. ¡°Come, Ling Feng. Let¡¯s watch together as his Shelter is destroyed.¡±Ling Feng stood behind Chen Xinian, both staring at theputer screen.

    Disyed on it was a 3D model of the Shelter, programmed to update in real-time as soon as the missile struck.

    Ling Feng was thrilled but couldn¡¯t help but joke, ¡°Deploying such a powerful weapon just to handle one Zhang Yi¡ªit¡¯s overkill, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    Chen Xinian sighed quietly.

    ¡°If only this weapon was under mymand. In the past, I was on the same level as Zhu Zheng, but now he¡¯s be like a local warlord.¡±

    Chen Xinian shot Ling Feng a nce and chuckled, shaking his head.

    "You''re still too young. You don¡¯t understand politics.¡±

    Although he and Zhu Zheng shared some camaraderie, it wasn¡¯t deep. After using up this favor, Chen Xinian would have to pay a much higher price to request Zhu Zheng¡¯s help again.

    Besides, for the Jiangnan District, the entire region was now their territory.

    Whoever imed power locally posed no real threat to them.

    What reason would Zhu Zheng have to support Chen Xinian?

    And Chen Xinian was a man who would rather be a "chicken''s head than a bull¡¯s tail."

    Even if it was just a small dominion in Tianhai City, he was still a sovereign in his own right.

    There was no need for him to scramble to be anyone''s underling.

    Time ticked by slowly.

    Zhang Yi, Liang Yue, and Chen Xinian were all waiting for the missile,unched from the silos in Jinling, to descend upon them.

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s gaze never left the screen, watching closely to avoid missing any critical information.

    As midnight approached, a thinyer of sweat coated Zhang Yi¡¯s palm.

    The three quietly wiped their palms and put on their tactical gloves.

    At Jiangnan District headquarters in Jinling, a middle-aged officer in military uniform pressed theunch button in the operationsmand room.

    A massive bunker buster soared out of the missile silo, zing a trail across the night sky as it streaked southeast.

    The fiery tail illuminated the dark night, standing out distinctly over Tianhai City.

    At that moment, many people in secret corners across Tianhai City lifted their heads, their expressions grim as they observed the sight.

    Zhang Yi and his group were ready.

    The three gripped their guns, and Hua Hua, the demon cat, fluffed up her ck fur in rm.

    Liang Yue tightened her hold on her Tang Sword.

    Chen Xinian¡¯s eyes were glued to the screen, brimming with excitement.

    Right then, at West Hill Base, the Information Department¡¯s radar detected an unidentified object speeding towards them!

    ¡°What is that?!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a missile...ing from Jinling!¡±

    ¡°What are they thinking?!¡±

    ¡°Report this immediately!¡±

    ---

    By the time they detected it, it was already toote.

    West Hill Base¡¯s anti-air radar only covered a range of 200 kilometers, and the missile''s speed left no time to react.

    From within the snow vehicle, Zhang Yi watched as a bright streak descended on the horizon, crashing down like a meteor towards West Hill.

    The hearts of Zhang Yi, Fatty Xu, and Uncle You leaped into their throats as they leaned forward instinctively, clutching onto anything within reach.

    ¡°Boom¡ª¡±

    A deep rumble echoed from the depths of the earth.

    The sound wasn¡¯t deafening as expected, since bunker busters explode hundreds of meters underground.

    Yet the tremors were still intense, causing the vehicle to shake as if it were a small boat in a storm, creating an unsettling illusion of overturning. R

    ¡°D***, it worked!¡± Zhang Yi shouted in excitement.

    If the ground was shaking so intensely from several kilometers away, the impact on the underground Shelter at West Hill Base would be unimaginable!

    Zhang Yi instructed Yang Xinxin, ¡°Xinxin, execute the n!¡±

    From the Safe House, Yang Xinxin calmly replied, ¡°Understood!¡±

    She brought her hovering finger down firmly on the Enter key.

    Inside West Hill Base, it was as if an earthquake had struck, throwing the entire facility into chaos!

    Caughtpletely off-guard by the missile attack, the entire base shuddered violently, waking people from their sleep.

    Those unaware of the situation thought it was an earthquake, screaming in terror.

    Meanwhile, Yang Xinxin hacked into the base''swork and shut off the power.

    The whole West Hill Base plunged into pitch darkness, and without power, no systems could operate.

    Panicked screams filled the base.

    Chen Xinian, thrown off his chair, had to be helped up by Ling Feng.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? What happened? Why is this happening?¡±

    Chen Xinian looked around in confusion, his anger exploding in a shout.

    Just then, a call from the Information Department came through. ¡°Leader, we¡¯ve been hit by a missile strike!¡±

    ¡°What? A missile strike? From where?!¡±

    Chen Xinian was about to curse when a thought struck him.

    ¡°Could it be¡­ that b*****d Zhu Zheng double-crossed me?!¡±

    Unaware that his base¡¯swork had been infiltrated, Chen Xinian assumed Zhu Zheng had sabotaged him.

    But cursing would have to wait¡ªhis priority was restoring order at West Hill Base.

    He immediately rounded up the heads of various departments, assigning tasks.

    ¡°Ling Feng, rally the Special Forces Team to secure our safety!¡±

    ¡°Make sure no one from the Fourth Life Pod causes trouble. Station soldiers there and defend it at all costs¡ªif anyone tries to create chaos, kill them on the spot!¡±

    ¡°Also, get the engineers to repair the power systems!¡±

    Despite the turmoil, Chen Xinian quickly grasped the situation.

    Their base was heavily fortified; a few missiles alone wouldn¡¯t bring it down.

    They just had to survive this brief period of disorder.

    It wouldn¡¯t take long.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 316: Escape

    Chapter 316: Escape

    The missile struck West Hill Base, causing a violent tremor.

    The soldiers standing guard outside the base panicked, frantically reaching for theirmunication devices to contact themand center. But Yang Xinxin had already cut the power, leaving the entire base in chaos; none of them could get through.

    At that moment, a snow vehicle approached from the distance, stopping at the base¡¯s entrance as three figures charged out.

    ¡°Attack!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes were filled with killing intent as he raised his gun and started shooting.

    In just thirty seconds, all the soldiers guarding the entrance were taken down. Even elite soldiers were no match for Superhumans.

    Ahead of themy the main gate of West Hill Base.

    ¡°Now, it¡¯s up to Liang Yue!¡± Zhang Yi said, his gaze steady and focused.¡­

    Inside the Fourth Life Pod.

    After the missile strike, the entire pod shook violently.

    Students huddled in a corner screamed and clung to each other in terror. Only now did Liang Yue understand what Zhang Yi meant by a ¡°disturbance.¡±

    Luckily, the underground shelter had been constructed to withstand such impacts, and although the tremors were severe, there was no sign of copse.

    Liang Yue and her students were prepared, so they weren¡¯t injured in the chaos. However, others in the Fourth Life Pod weren¡¯t as fortunate.

    Some had already gone to bed and were thrown off, their beds copsing on top of them, causing severe injuries. Others workingte pedaling on exercise bikes for power fell off, yelling in fright without anywhere to hide.

    There were cries everywhere.

    Desperate screams filled the air.

    Suddenly, the entire shelter went dark.

    Without hesitation, Liang Yue grabbed a female student. ¡°Go! Follow me out of here! Move, quickly!¡±

    There was no time to exin¡ªevery second counted!

    If the West Hill Base restored power and regained control, they¡¯d lose any chance of escape.

    Using her phone as a shlight, Liang Yue led the students, running at the front. Behind her, they held hands, following the light through the chaotic crowd, eyes fixed on the small beacon of hope.

    At the doorway, Liang Yue used all her strength to open the heavy, dark green metal door.

    Inside was chaos, and outside wasn¡¯t much better.

    The Third Life Pod housed many soldiers, though not all of them were highly trained.

    Caught off guard, the soldiers didn¡¯t dare to act hastily since no orders had reached them yet.

    Liang Yue and her students rushed out, prompting others to surge forward, thinking they could escape death only by getting out.

    The sudden chaos left the soldiers stunned.

    They shouted, aiming their guns at the crowd: ¡°Get back! No one¡¯s allowed to leave, or we¡¯ll open fire!¡±

    ¡°Return, all of you! Stoping out!¡±

    About a dozen soldiers held rifles, shouting orders. But no matter how loud they yelled, they couldn¡¯t drown out the terrified screams filling the base.

    The Third Life Pod was in turmoil itself, and the soldiers hesitated to shoot in the dark, fearing stray bullets might hit their own.

    Even more concerning, if the Fourth Life Pod¡¯s thousands of inhabitants charged en masse, they¡¯d be overwhelmed.

    Seeing the chaos, Liang Yue thought, *This is our chance!*

    She had memorized the escape route, so she led her students forward, each holding hands and firmly following her direction, unlike the panicked crowd scattering aimlessly.

    Soon, they exited the Fourth Life Pod, moving through the underground passage.

    Not long after, the sound of rapid gunfire and bloodcurdling screams echoed, sending a chill down everyone¡¯s spine. They realized the soldiers had started shooting!

    Many might be killed in such disarray, but they couldn¡¯t let that stop them. Escaping West Hill Base was their only priority.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look back, keep moving forward!¡± Liang Yue whispered, urging them on.

    She held her phone ahead, lighting the way, her other hand gripping her sword hilt tightly, embodying a fierce resolve like Liberty Leading the People.

    About a dozen students followed closely behind, not daring to stray.

    However, they still had several corridors to cross before reaching the escape tunnel. Speed was crucial.

    Liang Yue knew that with its military might, West Hill Base could easily suppress this level of unrest. She stayed on guard, ready to fight at any moment.

    Rounding a corner, two armed soldiers appeared ahead. Although the lighting was chaotic, yellow glow sticks provided visibility on the walls.

    When the soldiers saw Liang Yue leading a group of students, they immediately raised their guns.

    ¡°No one¡¯s allowed through without orders. Go back!¡±

    Without a word, Liang Yue summoned her blue Superhuman energy, which began swirling like smoke around her right hand.

    *ng!*

    In a sh of blue light, the soldiers felt a sudden chill around their necks. Their guns fell in two, along with their throats.

    Blood sprayed like a gust of wind as the soldiers clutched their necks, copsing in despair.

    ¡°Move!¡± Liang Yue urged the students forward.

    The soldiers¡¯ presence confirmed that West Hill Base¡¯s leaders were trying to restore order. If they dyed any longer, more soldiers would arrive.

    If she encountered the Special Forces, Liang Yue couldn¡¯t guarantee she could get all her students out safely.

    The group ran forward, panting heavily.

    To reach the ground, they¡¯d have to climb a staircase over a hundred meters high¡ªa daunting task even for the fit, but they had no other choice.

    Though there was an elevator for the Special Forces and high-ranking officials, ess was restricted to Chen Xinian.

    Liang Yue led her students toward the escape route.

    Suddenly, a bright light appeared ahead.

    Excited smiles broke out on the students¡¯ faces.

    ¡°We¡¯ve reached the exit!¡±

    But Liang Yue abruptly halted, blocking the students.

    ¡°Stop!¡±

    The light above flickered and then settled on Liang Yue¡¯s face.

    Liang Yue shielded her eyes, and then she heard the familiar sound of high heels.

    ¡°Miss Liang, I guess my warnings meant nothing to you,¡± Ge Rou said icily.

    Only then did the group realize it wasn¡¯t the exit ahead but a line of over thirty heavily armed, stern-faced Special Forces Team members.

    ¡°The Leader is wise; he knew someone would attempt to escape in the chaos.¡±

    ¡°You aren¡¯t the first group to try, and you won¡¯t be thest. But your fate will be the same.¡±

    Ge Rou adjusted her sses, a mocking smile on her face.

    ¡°You¡¯ll be rations!¡±

    At the mention of ¡°rations,¡± the students turned pale.

    *Does that mean the food we ate¡­ contained¡­*

    Some started retching, but nausea was the least of their worries now. Survival was paramount, yet escape seemed impossible with such a force in their path.

    So close to freedom, their hopes were brutally shattered.

    Ge Rou stood with arms crossed, looking down at them coldly.

    Behind her, thirty soldiers aimed their loaded guns at the students,pletely blocking their escape.

    Liang Yue felt a chill in her heart, nearly sinking into despair.

    Alone, she could easily break through, but with her students, it was impossible.

    If they engaged, the students would be torn apart by the concentrated gunfire.

    Ge Rou sneered, ¡°Why sacrifice yourself for these worthless test subjects?¡±

    ¡°West Hill Base doesn¡¯t tolerate betrayal!¡±

    Liang Yue raised her hand. ¡°Wait! Maybe we can talk this over.¡±

    Ge Rou¡¯s tone turned frigid. ¡°There¡¯s nothing to discuss! Even with your potential as a Superhuman, a traitor is a traitor, and traitors must die.¡±

    Ge Rou slowly raised her right hand, preparing to signal.

    But just then, a soldier beside her copsed.

    Ge Rou¡¯s eyes widened as she noticed a small hole in his helmet, one that standard bulletproof helmets couldn¡¯t stop against a sniper shot.

    Behind them, the main gate of West Hill Base swung open.

    Zhang Yi and his team appeared, sniper rifles in hand, taking out soldiers one by one!

    Terrified, Ge Rou screamed, diving for cover as she ordered the soldiers to return fire.

    In seconds, gunfire filled the narrow passageway, bullets creating a deadly crossfire.

    Liang Yue urged her students to take cover against the wall.

    Drawing her Tang Sword, she charged at the soldiers for closebat.

    She knew Zhang Yi¡¯s team had arrived for backup.

    With this support, Liang Yue felt a surge of confidence as the three forces shed in the confined corridor.

    West Hill Base¡¯s soldiers, trapped between Zhang Yi¡¯s team and Liang Yue¡¯s sword, couldn¡¯t match their strength.

    In both close and long-rangebat, the soldiers werepletely outmatched.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s Dimensional Gate allowed them to strike unimpeded, and Liang Yue¡¯s sword cut through anyone in close quarters.

    The brief yet brutal battle left the corridor littered with body parts and blood flowing down the staircase like a river.

    Liang Yue looked up and met Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze.

    For the first time, she looked at him with genuine gratitude.

    ¡°Thank you for the support,¡± Liang Yue said sincerely.

    ¡°No problem. It¡¯s what you deserve,¡± Zhang Yi replied.

    If Liang Yue hadn¡¯t served as an informant inside West Hill Base, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t have had the chance to attack the base.

    ¡°Get them out quickly; every second counts,¡± Zhang Yi urged.

    Liang Yue nodded, gathering her shaken students.

    As they moved forward, she spotted Ge Rou cowering in a corner.

    The once-high-and-mighty secretary now looked as if she wished she could curl up and disappear.

    But physics didn¡¯t grant her such a mercy.

    Liang Yue red at her. ¡°Ge Rou, you¡¯re the one who sent my students to their deaths, weren¡¯t you?¡±

    Terror was etched on Ge Rou¡¯s face, this once-proud woman so

    frightened she had wet herself.

    ¡°No! I¡¯m just a secretary! It was the Leader¡¯s orders,¡± she pleaded.

    Ye Xiaotian stepped forward, hatred in his eyes. His experience in human experiments had scarred him deeply, making him wish for death countless times.

    Without a word, he pulled out a knife, stabbing it into Ge Rou¡¯s throat and slicing it open.

    Blood gushed out as Ge Rou clutched her neck, copsing to the ground and lying still after a few desperate twitches.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 317: Infiltration

    Chapter 317 : Infiltration

    Liang Yue walked over to Zhang Yi, expressing her gratitude sincerely, ¡°Thank you foring to get us, as promised.¡±

    Although the three of them wore Special Forces Team uniforms, Liang Yue wasn¡¯t particrly curious. She had known since Zhang Yi¡¯s assault on Xu Family Town that he had simrbat gear.

    Liang Yue took a long look at Hua Hua, perched on Zhang Yi¡¯s shoulder. She sensed that familiar aura immediately.

    Hua Hua looked back at Liang Yue with her amber eyes, which held a distinctly human-like amusement.

    Liang Yue took a few deep breaths, choosing not to dwell on this for now. She didn¡¯t know the whole story, but now wasn¡¯t the time to pursue it.

    Zhang Yi nodded and said, ¡°We¡¯ve cleared the guards at the entrance. Your students can leave first.¡±

    He pulled two backpacks from a spatial storage space and tossed them on the ground.

    ¡°These are packed with high-energy food and fuel for warmth. Have them take these supplies and head to the residential area five kilometers southeast to hide.¡±¡°Lead the way for us; we have other things to do.¡±

    Both Liang Yue and the students looked surprised.

    The students were visibly anxious. ¡°Aren¡¯t¡­ youing with us?¡±

    If they encountered pursuers, they wouldn¡¯t stand a chance.

    ¡°Rx,¡± Zhang Yi replied. ¡°Right now, they don¡¯t have time toe after you.¡±

    He continued, ¡°However, if we just escape without taking action, I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll track us down after they¡¯ve calmed things here.¡±

    Zhang Yi looked Liang Yue squarely in the eyes. ¡°Teacher Liang, you, of all people, should understand. Simply escaping from West Hill Base is not realistic!¡±

    ¡°Especially since you¡¯ve already killed so many of them.¡±

    Liang Yue bit her lip, knowing Zhang Yi was right.

    Once she decided to break ties with West Hill Base, there was no going back.

    ¡°What do you n to do?¡± she asked.

    Zhang Yi gave a slight smile. ¡°It¡¯s simple¡ªlet¡¯s end this once and for all! Let¡¯s blow up West Hill Base so they¡¯ll never be a threat to us again!¡±

    ¡°Destroy the entire West Hill Base?¡±

    Liang Yue hesitated. After all, there were thousands of people in the base.

    If they destroyed it, wouldn¡¯t they all die?

    But Zhang Yi¡¯s point was clear: as long as West Hill Base remained, she and her students would face retribution sooner orter.

    They weren¡¯t like Zhang Yi, who had the strength to stand against the base.

    After a moment¡¯s thought, Liang Yue made up her mind. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll help you!¡±

    There was no time to hesitate.

    Destroying West Hill Base with Zhang Yi was the only viable option left to her.

    Liang Yue called Ye Xiaotian over, entrusting him with leading the students out.

    Ye Xiaotian cast a deep look at Zhang Yi and his twopanions, then said to Liang Yue, ¡°Teacher Liang, you have toe back safely!¡±

    Though Ye Xiaotian was enhanced, he didn¡¯t have the courage to face the full force of the Special Forces Team.

    Besides, even if he stayed, Zhang Yi likely wouldn¡¯t keep him, as a modified human was still too weakpared to true Superhumans.

    Ye Xiaotian slung a backpack over his shoulder and handed the other to Wu Chengyu.

    The group, with the students in tow, quickly made their way up through the passage.

    Only after watching them disappear through the door did Liang Yue breathe a sigh of relief.

    Zhang Yi nced at her, lowering the visor on his helmet as he said, ¡°Let¡¯s go. We don¡¯t have much time.¡±

    This chaos wouldn¡¯tst long.

    Yang Xinxin had taken control of West Hill Base¡¯s internalwork, shutting down several systems.

    But soon, someone would restore them manually.

    And the Fourth Life Pod¡¯s revolt would eventually be crushed by gunfire.

    They had toplete their mission as quickly as possible.

    ¡°Take us to this spot!¡±

    Zhang Yi pulled out his phone, showing Liang Yue the location of the Second Life Pod on the map.

    Liang Yue nodded, ¡°Follow me!¡±

    This was her residence, so she knew it well.

    Liang Yue led the way with her Tang Sword in hand.

    Behind her, Zhang Yi and his twopanions were already feeling the effects of the stimnts they had taken. For the next few hours, they wouldn¡¯t feel fatigue, their pain sensitivity would be reduced, and they could perform at peak physical andbat capacity.

    The four of them moved quickly through the underground passages, where the sounds of gunfire and shouting echoed throughout West Hill Base.

    People from the Fourth Life Pod had broken into the Third and Second Life Pods.

    They hadn¡¯t chosen to escape from West Hill Base, knowing the freezing conditions outside meant certain death.

    Many of them, especially the clever ones, aimed to seize control of West Hill Base by force.

    The passageways were filled with skirmishes, with bloodstains on the walls and floors.

    But when Zhang Yi¡¯s group appeared, people instinctively moved aside.

    After all, they were wearing the iconic uniforms of the Special Forces Team.

    Liang Yue even wore a captain¡¯s uniform.

    Since the power system was down, they had to rely on glow sticks and temporary lighting, which obscured visibility.

    People nced at them but didn¡¯t have time to scrutinize if they were allies.

    No one here knew of Liang Yue¡¯s defection, so the soldiers stepped aside for her as she passed.

    As for the civilians from the Fourth Life Pod, they fled as though they¡¯d seen ghosts.

    Everyone knew the Special Forces Team was the base¡¯s most powerful armed force.

    Zhang Yi took out a handgun and fired two shots at civilians nearby, deterring anyone from approaching and clearing a path for his team.

    If they were going to act, they had tomit fully. Disguised as Special Forces Team members, killing a few civilians made them look the part.

    Fatty Xu and Uncle You followed suit, showing no hesitation in dealing with those around them.

    Few here were genuinely innocent civilians. Most of them were once the elites and authorities of Tianhai City.

    The four moved quickly through the passage, reaching the Second Life Pod before long.

    Once there, the atmosphere grew quieter.

    The Second Life Pod was heavily guarded, primarily by Special Forces Team members, who quickly subdued any minor disturbances.

    Seeing Liang Yue and the others in uniform, they assumed they were allies and let them pass.

    ¡°Let¡¯s do it!¡± Zhang Yi said to Uncle You and Fatty Xu.

    They nodded and swiftly pulled out time bombs from their backpacks, cing them in hidden corners throughout the Second Life Pod.

    Watching them, Liang Yue grew anxious. ¡°The structures here are extremely sturdy. Normal explosives won¡¯t work!¡±

    Zhang Yi replied calmly, ¡°I know. These aren¡¯t ordinary explosives.¡±

    As he spoke, he headed to the location they had nned beforehand.

    The spot was a corner of the Second Life Pod, tucked away in a secluded area rarely frequented by anyone.

    Liang Yue, feeling uneasy, followed him closely.

    When Zhang Yi reached the spot, he pulled out tworge bundles of explosives from his spatial storage space, cing them in the corner.

    At first nce, Liang Yue thought they looked familiar. Then it hit her: they were the same explosives Ling Feng had used to attack the shelter!

    ¡°You actually kept those!¡±

    Zhang Yi smirked. ¡°Of course. I never waste anything. Now, let¡¯s let them taste their own explosives!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 318: Killing Intent Boiling Over!

    Chapter 318: Killing Intent Boiling Over!

    After setting up the explosives, Zhang Yi turned immediately. "Let¡¯s go. We need to get out of here now!"

    As he walked, he pulled out several smaller explosives, attaching them to the doors of each room they passed.

    Following closely, Liang Yue nced at the end of the hallway leading to the Second Life Pod, where Chen Xinian lived.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t we kill Chen Xinian? Capture the leader, and the whole West Hill Base would fall apart!¡±

    Just thinking about how Chen Xinian¡¯s orders had turned West Hill Base into its current nightmare filled her with hatred, especially since he had exploited her students, making her feel repulsed as a woman.

    Without looking back, Zhang Yi replied, ¡°Killing Chen Xinian would only lead to another taking his ce.¡±

    ¡°Have you considered that the problem isn¡¯t just one person, but the entire system at West Hill Base?¡±

    Liang Yue opened her mouth to respond, but no words came. She couldn¡¯t argue because Zhang Yi was right.¡°This den of corruption needs to be destroyed,¡± Zhang Yi said coldly. ¡°Otherwise, it¡¯ll keep breeding evil.¡±

    He moved onward, with Uncle You and Fatty Xu following.

    The four hurried toward the Third Life Pod. Their behavior finally caught the attention of a few Special Forces Team members.

    ¡°Stop! Where are you going?¡±

    One soldier pointed his gun at them.

    As a Special Forces soldier, his sharp instincts told him something was off with these people, especially with a tabby cat following them. No one at West Hill Base kept pets¡ªthey had once, but pets eventually became protein sources.

    If it weren¡¯t for the power outage dimming the lights, they¡¯d have noticed something wrong sooner.

    But Zhang Yi never intended to hide his presence for long.

    ¡°Quadruple speed!¡± hemanded, instantly elerating and firing a quick shot in return.

    *Bang!*

    The soldier¡¯s helmet shattered, and he fell dead on the spot.

    No need to hide anymore; Zhang Yi¡¯s setup wasplete. Even if the base had skilled bomb-disposal experts, they wouldn¡¯t have enough time to disarm all the explosives.

    Indeed, some explosives were decoys meant to divert attention.

    ¡°They¡¯re not from the base!¡±

    The fallen soldier¡¯s death alerted the others.

    Immediately, the soldiers raised their guns and aimed at Zhang Yi and his team.

    ¡°Dimensional Gate!¡±

    Zhang Yi extended his right hand forward, opening the Dimensional Gate.

    In the narrow corridor, the gate blocked all angles of attack.

    Gunfire erupted, bullets raining down, yet none could breach the Dimensional Gate. Each round vanished into the other dimension.

    Liang Yue couldn¡¯t help casting a deep look at Zhang Yi. Observing his power from a Special Forces perspective, she had always found it formidable and hard to counter. Now, as an ally, his overwhelming defensive ability made her feel secure.

    Then someone in the crowd recognized Zhang Yi¡¯s ability.

    ¡°Spatial power¡ªit¡¯s Zhang Yi!¡±

    The speaker, Shen Hong, had once followed Ling Feng in an attack on Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter.

    Recalling the ability¡¯s nature, he shouted in panic, ¡°Stop shooting! Scatter now!¡±

    But it was toote.

    Zhang Yi smiled slightly. ¡°Full counter!¡±

    The bullets absorbed by the Dimensional Gate sted back out in an instant.

    *Thud-thud-thud!*

    The bullets tore through armor and flesh.

    The seven or eight soldiers in front were shredded in seconds.

    The soldiers behind had no room to escape, confined by the narrow corridor. Their only defense was hiding behind their fallenrades¡¯ bodies.

    Amid the thunderous gunfire, Zhang Yi quickly began retreating.

    As he backed up, he tossed dozens of grenades from the Dimensional Space, their pins removed.

    Seeing the grenades, the soldiers¡¯ faces went pale.

    ¡°Take cover!¡±

    The grenades rolled along the corridor, hitting walls and the ground before a rapid series of explosions erupted.

    Screams and shouts of agony filled the air as limbs flew, and blood sttered across the walls, painting them red.

    ¡°Retreat!¡± Zhang Yi ordered.

    This ce was no longer safe. If they got surrounded, even his Dimensional Gate would lose its effectiveness, as it only protected in one direction and couldn¡¯t cover multiple angles.

    Just then, the lights above flickered.

    ¡°The power system is almost restored.¡±

    Zhang Yi frowned.

    If West Hill Base¡¯s systems came back online, it would make creating chaos much harder.

    ¡°Move, move, move! Get out of here!¡±

    The group retreated swiftly.

    But Special Forces members were already closing in.

    News of Zhang Yi¡¯s infiltration reached Ling Feng and Chen Xinian.

    Chen Xinian immediately issued a death order: Zhang Yi must not leave¡ªdead or alive, he wanted him found.

    ¡°Damn Zhang Yi, this time you came right to me! Let¡¯s see how you fight me without that turtle shell protecting you!¡±

    In his room, Chen Xinian powered up a backup generator.

    Dressed in protective gear, he was nked by bodyguards, each armed and ready to defend him.

    Meanwhile, in the Second Life Pod, Ling Feng gathered his men, burning with rage, ready to settle scores with Zhang Yi.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see you escape this time!¡±

    Ling Feng¡¯s eyes zed with killing intent. Old grudges and fresh anger simmered within him, and he was determined to end things with Zhang Yi here and now.

    But as they advanced, chaos erupted in the Second Life Pod.

    People there noticed yellow explosive charges stered everywhere. These bombs weren¡¯t meant to destroy walls, but they would kill and deplete oxygen, causing asphyxiation.

    ¡°Deploy bomb disposal experts, now!¡± Ling Feng ordered before storming off to pursue Zhang Yi.

    Nothing mattered to him now except killing Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s group fought their way back as they retreated.

    Following Ling Feng¡¯s orders, Special Forces and regr soldiers focused their efforts on stopping them.

    Every exit was swarming with soldiers.

    Zhang Yi opened the Dimensional Gate, absorbing their gunfire and firing it back, taking down many soldiers.

    But the soldiers had been warned and tried to dy Zhang Yi and his team instead of attacking head-on.

    They aimed to buy time for Ling Feng and the other top officers to arrive.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about them¡ªbreak through! We can¡¯t waste time fighting here!¡±

    Zhang Yi wanted to avoid a confrontation with the troublesome Superhumans.

    ¡°I¡¯ll handle this!¡± Uncle You dered.

    Activating his Superhuman ability, he grew in size, his protective suit tearing as he transformed into a towering muscr giant over two meters tall.

    His massive frame nearly blocked the entire corridor.

    Uncle You charged forward like a human tank, crashing into the soldiers blocking their way.

    Bullets ricocheted off his body with a metallic ng, unable to cause any serious harm.

    ¡°Roar!¡±

    With a mighty charge, Uncle You sent a dozen soldiers flying.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 319: Ice and Fire

    Chapter 319 : Ice and Fire

    Everything was unfolding exactly as Zhang Yi had nned.

    In the short span of chaos, he sessfully nted the explosives in the Second Life Pod.

    This was where the core figures of West Hill Base resided. If they all died, the base would fall apart.

    Even if the remaining soldiers survived, they would be little more than a leaderless, scattered force.

    So, even the worst oue was one Zhang Yi could live with.

    Still, seeing the wave of soldiers flooding in from all directions down the passageways made Zhang Yi feel a sense of awe.

    Luckily, he had injected himself with a stimnt.

    Instead of fear, he felt exhrated, his blood boiling with excitement.He opened the Dimensional Gate, pulled out his rifle, and fired. The bullets he used were specially crafted armor-piercing rounds¡ªdesigned specifically for dealing with the Special Forces Team¡¯s armor.

    In just five minutes, over thirty soldiers had fallen to his rifle.

    But more soldiers kepting.

    They had orders to hold Zhang Yi and his team at all costs.

    With so many people willing to sacrifice themselves, Zhang Yi and his team found their pace dyed.

    Uncle You transformed into a titan-like giant, clearing blockades with his immense, rock-like skin, so tough that bullets barely left a mark on it.

    Zhang Yi called out, ¡°Uncle You, be careful!¡±

    Taking bullets head-on was fine with Uncle You¡¯s thick skin, but it made Zhang Yi nervous just watching.

    Uncle Youughed, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me!¡±

    Not only was he physically strong, but he also had regenerative abilities, allowing him to heal quickly from non-lethal injuries.

    At that moment, five Special Forces Team members in white armor appeared before him.

    Some were familiar faces to Zhang Yi, including Shen Hong and Yu Lang.

    These five were modified humans, all enhanced with cells from Ling Feng!

    Shen Hong and Yu Lang¡¯s eyes turned red upon seeing Zhang Yi.

    So many of theirrades had died at Zhang Yi¡¯s hands during theirst mission, leaving only the two of them alive. Their hatred for Zhang Yi ran deep. ??

    ¡°Zhang Yi!!!¡± Shen Hong roared. ¡°You¡¯re not leaving now. Today, you die here!¡±

    The five men, knowing Zhang Yi¡¯s abilities, didn¡¯t bother with firearms.

    Instead, they came at him with bays, w knives, and batons,unching a flurry of attacks.

    Uncle You snorted, ¡°If you want Zhang Yi, you¡¯ll have to get through me first!¡±

    As Zhang Yi¡¯s shield, he wouldn¡¯t let anyoney a hand on him.

    The five modified humans charged at Uncle You, expecting an intense battle.

    But to their shock, Uncle You swung his massive arm and sent them all flying with a single strike!

    Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

    The five crashed into the walls, coughing up blood from internal injuries.

    ¡°Half-baked modified humans really think they canpete with a true Superhuman?¡±

    Zhang Yi said coolly.

    Uncle You was stronger than ever.

    His mutation kept progressing, making his abilities grow with time.

    Modified humans, on the other hand, were wed; the mutated cells slowly ate away at their healthy cells.

    They only grew weaker over time.

    ¡°They¡¯re nothing,¡± Uncle You said, disappointment flickering in his eyes.

    ¡°I wish I could face a real Superhuman in a true battle.¡±

    His fists itched with anticipation.

    Though he now possessed immense strength, he hadn¡¯t yet faced a real fight to test it, making him restless.

    ¡°I¡¯d rather never have to fight at all,¡± Zhang Yi muttered.

    The group moved past the incapacitated modified humans and continued their retreat.

    ¡°You think you can escape that easily?¡±

    A coldugh echoed from around the corner as a tall, thin figure emerged.

    The gold star insignia on hisbat uniform marked his status as a team captain.

    Zhang Yi recognized him immediately¡ªthe Superhuman known as Fang Zun, codename ¡°Fire Man.¡±

    ¡°Dimensional Gate!¡± Zhang Yi instantly opened the portal.

    Fang Zun sneered and extended his hands towards Zhang Yi and his team. With a boom, a massive fire dragon roared down the corridor toward them!

    The Dimensional Gate swallowed the fire dragon, but Fang Zun continued his assault, and no one knew how long he could sustain it.

    ¡°He¡¯s stalling us!¡± Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes narrowed as he quickly grasped Fang Zun¡¯s intent.

    Once Zhang Yi opened the Dimensional Gate, he couldn¡¯t move it. Unless Fang Zun stopped, Zhang Yi would be unable to escape.

    And that fire control ability, which Zhang Yi once deemed practically useless, was proving devastating in these close quarters.

    The intense heat was spreading along the walls, even making the reinforced concrete glow red.

    Fang Zun¡¯s mes must have reached over a thousand degrees Celsius!

    If Zhang Yi didn¡¯t stop Fang Zun, more Special Forces Team members would arrive soon.

    Seeing that they were close to their exit, Zhang Yi called out, ¡°Fatty, it¡¯s up to you now!¡±

    With those words, a torrent of snow burst from the Dimensional Gate, instantly smothering Fang Zun¡¯s fire dragon.

    Fang Zun stepped back but continued to block the passage, sneering, ¡°You think this little trick will stop me? Too naive!¡±

    He pulled out arge metal canister from behind him, unscrewed the cap, and poured out a stream of ck, oily liquid.

    It was a special fuel he¡¯d formted, burning ten times hotter than gasoline!

    The ck oil spread beneath his feet.

    With a snap of his fingers, a me sparked from Fang Zun¡¯s fingertip, transforming into a snake that slithered onto the ground.

    Whoosh!

    mes shot up from the ground, reaching five or six meters high.

    Yet, Fang Zun stood in the middle of the inferno unharmed, with not a single me touching his clothes.

    He twirled his fingers,manding an evenrger fire dragon to strike Zhang Yi and his group.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see how long youst! The captains will be here any moment now, and then you¡¯re dead!¡± Fang Zunughed.

    He was intentionally trying to rattle Zhang Yi¡¯s team, hoping they¡¯d slip up.

    But, having taken stimnts, the three felt more exhration than fear.

    As Fang Zun¡¯s fire dragon surged forward, Fatty Xu leapt into action, summoning a pale blue glow from his hands. The snow that Zhang Yi had brought swirled and transformed into a roaring snowstorm!

    Fatty Xu¡¯s power only worked in icy conditions.

    So, Zhang Yi had specifically collected arge amount of snow in his Dimensional Space for this moment.

    The snowstorm shed with the fire dragon, filling the passage with thick steam.

    Fang Zun hesitated, taken aback. His intel on Fatty Xu was limited.

    None of them had ever seen Fatty Xu in action before.

    But Fatty Xu¡¯s snowstorm created just enough time and space for Zhang Yi and the others to make their escape.

    ¡°Go!¡±

    As Fatty Xu held off Fang Zun, Zhang Yi and Uncle You dashed forward.

    But then, a terrifying st of wind struck from behind.

    ¡°You wanted a real fight, didn¡¯t you? I¡¯ll y with you.¡±

    A familiar voice echoed in Zhang Yi¡¯s ears.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes widened in recognition.

    Though Fang Zun had only held them back for seconds, it was enough for the others to catch up.

    ¡°Look out!¡± Zhang Yi warned his team.

    In the next instant, a blurry figure surged from the end of the passage, charging straight at Uncle You.

    Uncle You instinctively swung a punch forward.

    The figure didn¡¯t dodge; instead, he threw a punch of his own.

    The next moment, Zhang Yi and the others watched in shock as Uncle You staggered back seven or eight steps and copsed.

    His right arm twisted at a grotesque angle, his fist a bloody mess, with bone visible through his shredded skin.

    Uncle You, whose physical strength was his hallmark, had been defeated in a single blow!

    Zhang Yi¡¯s heart sank as he stared at the man.

    Only one person at West Hill Base had the monstrous strength to bring down Uncle You with a single hit¡ªLing Feng.

    Ling Feng stood just ten meters from Zhang Yi, making no move to advance.

    Not because of any sense of honor, but because as soon as Uncle You was struck down, Zhang Yi had opened the Dimensional Gate to block his path.

    If Ling Feng came any closer, he would be drawn into the portal, where Zhang Yi would have the advantage.

    But somehow, Ling Feng sensed this and stopped instinctively.

    Fatty Xu, seeing the scene unfold, broke into a cold sweat. ¡°Uncle You, are you okay?¡±

    Sweating heavily, Uncle You grimaced. Thanks to the stimnt, he barely felt any pain.

    ¡°Fine, just¡­ feels like I got hit by a train.¡±

    Without a word, Zhang Yi threw him another dose of stimnt.

    It could only be used up to three times due to the severe side effects, which would leave the user debilitated for two weeks.

    But there was no time to worry about that now.

    Zhang Yi needed Uncle You¡¯s fighting ability against such a formidable foe.

    Ahead, Fatty Xu continued to hold off Fang Zun with his snowstorm. The element advantage kept them at a stalemate.

    For Zhang Yi, that was enough.

    It gave him the chance to focus on the approaching threat from Ling Feng¡¯s direction.

    Hua Hua¡¯s fur stood on end, and she let out a low growl.

    Liang Yue rested her hand on the hilt of her Tang Sword, ready for a fight.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry; he¡¯s not getting through,¡± Zhang Yi said calmly.

    He was confident

    that with the Dimensional Gate in a confined space like this, he was unbeatable.

    If it weren¡¯t for this advantage, he wouldn¡¯t have riskeding so far into West Hill Base.

    Ling Feng stood before the Dimensional Gate, able to sense its unique spatial energy.

    He had also learned from their previous battles that the Dimensional Gate couldn¡¯tunch attacks on its own.

    As long as he didn¡¯t enter, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t reach him.

    Crossing his arms, Ling Feng sneered, ¡°You think you¡¯ll escape aftering here?¡±

    One by one, more captain-level Superhumans appeared behind him.

    Each of them red at Zhang Yi with a look of pure hatred.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 320: Pursuit and Escape

    Chapter 320: Pursuit and Escape

    Uncle You had injected a second dose of the stimnt, and with his unique regenerative abilities, he was quickly recovering.

    The soldiers behind them had been cleared out, Fatty Xu was blocking Fang Zun, and Zhang Yi¡¯s Dimensional Gate prevented Ling Feng from advancing.

    But Zhang Yi knew Ling Feng¡¯s intent.

    With Ling Feng¡¯s skills, if he truly wanted to pursue, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t have any chance of escaping.

    ¡°So, it¡¯se to this,¡± Zhang Yi murmured. ¡°I¡¯d hoped to end this war a bit easier, but it seems that¡¯s not possible.¡±

    But that was fine. A head-on sh with Superhumans like Ling Feng had always been one of the scenarios he¡¯d considered.

    ¡°Zhang Yi.¡±

    At that moment, a woman emerged from behind Ling Feng, calling Zhang Yi¡¯s name softly.He instinctively looked at her.

    Their gazes met mid-air.

    Zhang Yi felt as if her eyes were deep, dark abysses drawing him in.

    Her name was Ye Ronghua, a powerful illusionist with hypnotic abilities. Looking directly into her eyes intensified her influence.

    ¡°Ah!¡±

    Suddenly, Ye Ronghua clutched her eyes, letting out a scream.

    Zhang Yi stood unharmed, while she copsed to her knees, her body convulsing as if severely injured.

    Not only her¡ªLing Feng and his team also appeared dazed and disoriented.

    ¡°Apologies, but my Dimensional Gate reflects even brainwaves back,¡± Zhang Yi sneered.

    Though brainwaves are invisible, they still transmit physically and cannot bypass Zhang Yi¡¯s Dimensional Gate. Trying to use that move on him was a death sentence. ?

    Zhang Yi had thoroughly studied his enemies¡¯ abilities and was fully prepared for Ye Ronghua¡¯s mental attacks.

    Rather than affecting him, her illusion rebounded, entrapping her and her team.

    Taking advantage of their confusion, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t attack, as close-quartersbat wasn¡¯t his strength.

    Escaping was the best choice right now!

    ¡°Hua Hua!¡±

    At his call, the tabby cat at his feet let out a loud ¡°Meow!¡± before its body began expanding!

    Ling Feng was the first to regain consciousness, his strong will quickly shaking off the illusion¡¯s effects.

    Though he had heard about Hua Hua, seeing a mutated cat in person was still surprising.

    There was almost no intel on Hua Hua.

    Due to the limited space, Hua Hua could only grow to about two meters tall and four to five meters in length.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡±

    Zhang Yi leapt onto Hua Hua¡¯s back and helped the others climb up.

    Liang Yue grasped Zhang Yi¡¯s hand, flipping gracefully onto the seat in front of him.

    ¡°Fatty, let¡¯s go!¡±

    Zhang Yi first helped Uncle You, then called for Fatty Xu to stop his standoff.

    Quickly, Fatty Xu withdrew, as the corridor was filled with white steam, obscuring visibility. Fang Zun, fearing friendly fire, hesitated to release his mes.

    This gave them an opening to escape.

    Hua Hua turned and sprinted out of the corridor.

    Zhang Yi retracted his Dimensional Gate, but not before tossing a load of grenades and explosives from within it.

    As Hua Hua rounded the corner, Zhang Yi pressed the detonator in his hand!

    The explosives on the ground, along with the smoke bombs left in the Second Life Pod, detonated simultaneously.

    mes surged unpredictably, and deafening explosions echoed throughout the underground.

    Fatty Xu anxiously asked, ¡°Boss, won¡¯t that big one be dismantled?¡±

    Zhang Yi replied gravely, ¡°No! We left plenty of small explosives as smoke bombs, and with the poor lighting, they won¡¯t find the hidden explosives that fast.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll detonate it when we get outside!¡±

    Hua Hua dashed towards the exit of West Hill Base.

    Meanwhile, back at the explosion site, a thickyer of ice had shielded Ling Feng and his team, insting them from the st.

    Bang!

    Ling Feng punched through the thick ice wall in front of him, his eyes burning with a deadly re.

    ¡°Pursue them!¡±

    He surged forward like a raging tornado.

    Shi Dayong roared, transforming into a giant ice ape, and hoisted Zheng Xuerong over his shoulder as he charged ahead.

    Behind him, the beastly Xu Mingjie¡¯s body twisted as his muscles expanded, tearing through his clothing.

    He became a grotesque creature, his elongated arms dragging along the ground, his face contorted, and green liquid dripping from his mouth, barely recognizable as human.

    With a roar, he grabbed Ye Ronghua and Fang Zun, joining the chase.

    Zhang Yi and his group rode Hua Hua away, the sounds of pursuit piercing the air.

    Fatty Xu grew nervous. ¡°Boss, throw down some bombs to stop them!¡±

    Zhang Yi shook his head. ¡°No, I¡¯m not one to use underhanded tactics. If they want to chase, let them chase.¡±

    The others nced at Zhang Yi in disbelief.

    Coming from Zhang Yi, that statement was hardly convincing.

    Zhang Yi was known for being ruthless in achieving his goals.

    But the team understood that if he made this choice, he had a deeper n, so they held their silence.

    The multiple applications of the Dimensional Gate were one of Zhang Yi¡¯s biggest aces, one he wouldn¡¯t waste lightly.

    Once used, the enemy would be ready for it in the future.

    Now wasn¡¯t the right time.

    Fatty Xu raised his submachine gun, shouting as he fired down at the pursuers.

    Although such firearms couldn¡¯t harm Ling Feng, they did slow his advance slightly.

    Within seconds, Hua Hua leapt out of the tunnel entrance, reaching the surface outside West Hill Base.

    Not long after, Ling Feng emerged from the tunnel as well. He didn¡¯t rush to attack but fixed his gaze on Zhang Yi¡¯s group from a short distance.

    At this range, Ling Feng was confident Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t escape.

    The Dimensional Gate was one-directional, and with Ling Feng¡¯s speed, he could easily evade it and attack from various angles.

    Even if Zhang Yi tried to drive away, Ling Feng would shoot out the vehicle¡¯s tires.

    Without the defenses of a shelter, Ling Feng¡¯s power was overwhelmingly strong.

    Fatty Xu swallowed nervously. ¡°Boss, what do we do?¡±

    Zhang Yi slid off Hua Hua¡¯s back. Although carrying four people wasn¡¯t too much for her, it still slowed her down.

    An escape directly back to the shelter was impossible now.

    And trying to escape by vehicle in front of elite soldiers would only insult their skill.

    They could shoot out the car tires with their eyes closed.

    Momentster, the other Superhumans caught up.

    They stood behind Ling Feng, ring coldly at Zhang Yi, their expressions murderous.

    All the team leaders of West Hill Base were assembled.

    The sheer pressure was overwhelming, filling the air with a murderous aura.

    ¡°Now, let¡¯s see where you can run! There¡¯s no shelter here for you to hide in!¡±

    Ling Feng¡¯s lips curved into a cold smile, his eyes glinting with deadly intent and a hint of excitement for revenge.

    Zhang Yi sighed softly. ¡°An eye for an eye¡­ when does it ever end?"

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 321: One-on-One Duel

    Chapter 321 : One-on-One Duel

    As Zhang Yi spoke, he took out a detonator with his right hand and pressed it several times.

    Ling Feng immediately felt a surge of unease, as if something terrible was about to happen.

    ¡°What¡¯s that in your hand?!¡±

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t answer and kept pressing.

    Secondster, a low, muffled explosion sounded behind Ling Feng, shaking the ground violently and splitting the snow-covered earth with deep cracks.

    Everyone struggled to steady themselves to avoid falling into the jagged crevices.

    Ling Feng and his team, with their backs to the tunnel entrance, suddenly felt a warm draft on their backs. Despite the sub-zero temperatures outside, the heat quickly intensified, soon turning into a scorching pain.

    Boom!!A zing fire dragon erupted from the tunnel entrance.

    Ling Feng and his team had been focused entirely on Zhang Yi and hispanions,pletely unprepared for this fiery assault from behind.

    They were all thrown back by the scorching wave.

    Ling Feng, Shi Dayong, and Xu Mingjie were mostly unharmed, their enhanced bodies withstanding the impact. But Zheng Xuerong, Ye Ronghua, and the others fared worse, with Ye Ronghua, the weakest among them, coughing up a mouthful of blood.

    Zhang Yi, Fatty Xu, and Uncle You exchanged nces and sighed with relief.

    The massive bomb had detonated sessfully!

    With a yield of 1,000 kilograms, it would obliterate the entire Second Life Pod!

    Even if the fortifications weren¡¯t entirely destroyed, the explosion would cripple all essential systems inside.

    The intense heat and oxygen depletion would ensure a swift death for everyone within.

    West Hill Base would be erased from Tianhai City after today!

    Liang Yue took a deep breath, feeling as if a huge weight had lifted from her shoulders with the destruction of West Hill Base.

    Yet, she found it hard to feel joy at the thought of the thousands who would die in the st.

    Among them were students she had hidden herself.

    But again, she had no other choice.

    The world rarely allowed her to achieve ideal oues, and achieving the best possible result was already fortunate.

    With that, she turned her gaze to Ling Feng and hispanions, her eyes sharp.

    With West Hill Base destroyed and her students safe, the only thing left was to eliminate these dangerous enemies to secure her survival.

    With herst ties severed, the killing intent in her eyes grew pure and focused.

    Ling Feng and hispanions, feeling the tremors beneath their feet, finally realized the extent of the destruction.

    Ling Feng red at Zhang Yi, pointing an using finger. ¡°Zhang Yi, what did you do?!¡±

    Zhang Yi smirked slightly. ¡°Remember when you attacked my shelter and left a bundle of explosives behind?¡±

    ¡°I added a bit more to it and gave it back to you. It turns out your explosives were top-notch quality!¡±

    He praised sincerely.

    Without Ling Feng¡¯s ¡°gift,¡± finding enough materials on his own to make such powerful explosives would have been a huge challenge.

    Ling Feng nced back at the charred tunnel, feeling a chill in his heart.

    Their base had been destroyed¡ªby their own explosives!

    He had the urge to rush back to help but knew logically that it would be suicide. Poisonous gases filled the area below, and the oxygen was almost gone.

    Turning back to Zhang Yi, Ling Feng¡¯s bloodshot eyes red fiercely. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll kill you first, then go back to save them!¡±

    ¡°Hold on!¡±

    Zhang Yi suddenly raised his hand, stopping Ling Feng and his team, who were ready to charge.

    The atmosphere grew tense as everyone prepared for battle.

    With Liang Yue on their side, Zhang Yi¡¯s team now had a fighting chance against Ling Feng¡¯s.

    Especially with Ye Ronghua weakened by a hallucination bacsh and Fang Zun, the "Fire Man," struggling to use his abilities in the cold environment.

    Meanwhile, everyone Zhang Yi had brought along was a seasoned fighter.

    ¡°Ling Feng, if we fight here, no one¡¯s survival is guaranteed. Are you willing to see everyone die?¡±

    ¡°And don¡¯t try to act like this is all for revenge. You invaded my territory first. Don¡¯t give me that revenge speech.¡±

    Ling Feng scoffed. ¡°Does saying this even matter? Today, only one of us will leave here alive. Either you kill me, or I kill you!¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled.

    ¡°So, all you really want is to kill me, right?¡±

    Ling Feng didn¡¯t understand Zhang Yi¡¯s sudden change in tone but didn¡¯t want to give him time to stall.

    ¡°Exactly. Today, you¡¯re going to die here. Enough talking!¡±

    He was about to charge forward.

    ¡°If your only goal is my life, then there¡¯s no need for us to gamble everyone else¡¯s lives!¡± Zhang Yi shouted. ¡°Ling Feng, let¡¯s settle our grudge one-on-one. Do you dare?¡±

    A collective wave of surprise swept over the crowd.

    Liang Yue stared at Zhang Yi in disbelief and whispered, ¡°Are you crazy? Do you know how strong he is?¡±

    Ignoring her, Zhang Yi kept his eyes on Ling Feng. ¡°If we all fight, you¡¯ll suffer heavy losses even if you win.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s settle this between us. After all, I¡¯m the only one you want dead!¡±

    ¡°If I win, you let us go, and from now on, we leave the past behind.¡±

    ¡°If I lose, you can do whatever you want with me!¡±

    Zhang Yi shrugged. ¡°Though I know you won¡¯t let me live anyway.¡±

    Fatty Xu and Uncle You looked at Zhang Yi, saying nothing, but remembered his earlier words.

    ¡°These guys are professional soldiers with Superhuman powers and strongbat skills. In a coordinated fight, we¡¯re no match for them.¡±

    ¡°So, if we¡¯re cornered, I¡¯ll challenge their leader to a one-on-one duel.¡±

    ¡°They don¡¯t know the extent of my abilities and think I¡¯m just a coward who uses spatial tricks. So Ling Feng will probably ept.¡±

    ¡°In a one-on-one fight, I have a shot at winning.¡±

    Back then, Fatty Xu and Uncle You thought Zhang Yi was insane.

    ording to their intel, Ling Feng was practically a perfect soldier, someone who could go toe-to-toe with fighter jets or even battle an aircraft carrier if he had an oxygen tank.

    But Zhang Yi had simply said, ¡°I have my reasons. Just hold off the others if ites down to it.¡±

    With Fatty Xu¡¯s ice-control abilities for crowd control, that wouldn¡¯t be a problem.

    Zhang Yi fixed his gaze on Ling Feng. ¡°Ling Feng, do you dare take me on one-on-one?¡±

    Author''s Note

    Hello, readers! We¡¯re thrilled to share this chapter with you! If you¡¯re enjoying our work, please show us some love by rating BOTI Trantor Team 5 stars on NovelUpdates. Your support helps make it all possib

 Chapter 322: One-on-One

    Chapter 322: One-on-One

    When Ling Feng and his team heard Zhang Yi¡¯s suggestion, they thought he must have gone mad.

    They knew Zhang Yi¡¯s background¡ªjust a former warehouse manager, nothing exceptional.

    But Ling Feng was a top-tier Superhuman and a former ace in the special forces. To put it mildly, he could take on every other Superhuman in the Special Forces Team single-handedly without losing until he exhausted his strength.

    Zheng Xuerong warned Ling Feng, ¡°Captain Ling, this guy definitely has a trick up his sleeve. Don¡¯t agree! Let¡¯s just take them down!¡±

    They knew Zhang Yi¡¯s one-on-one proposal had toe with some hidden plot.

    After all, they¡¯d suffered enough at Zhang Yi¡¯s hands already.

    But Ling Feng had his reasons.

    While he wasn¡¯t sure how powerful Zhang Yi¡¯s group was, he knew Liang Yue was a terrifying martial arts master whosebat ability only he could match in the Special Forces Team.The middle-aged man who could grow giant was likely weaker than Shi Dayong, but not by much.

    Then there was the seemingly harmless Fatty Xu, who could manipte ice and snow¡ªthough he hadn¡¯t shown his full strength yet, especially since the underground wasn¡¯t his natural domain. The real test would be out here in the snow.

    To top it off, there was the strange, mutated tabby cat. He couldn¡¯t gauge its power at all.

    In terms of intelligence, Ling Feng knew far less about Zhang Yi¡¯s side.

    In a free-for-all, Ling Feng was confident he could win, but he worried it might be a hollow victory. If hisrades died, he¡¯d never forgive himself.

    ¡°One-on-one, fine! I¡¯ll face you one-on-one!¡± Ling Feng decided after careful thought, epting Zhang Yi¡¯s offer.

    Zheng Xuerong urged him, ¡°Captain Ling, be careful¡ªit could be a trap!¡±

    Ling Feng smirked. ¡°In the face of absolute strength, tricks are meaningless. If he¡¯s unprepared, this will be a one-sided ughter.¡±

    Ling Feng believed he knew 80% of Zhang Yi¡¯s abilities, primarily the ability to absorb and reflect physical attacks. With that in mind, all he had to do was attack from a direction not covered by Zhang Yi¡¯s Dimensional Gate, and victory was assured.

    After weighing the situation, Ling Feng agreed to Zhang Yi¡¯s proposal.

    The two agreed to a duel in a nearby valley, forbidding any interference from their teammates until one of themy dead.

    Zhang Yi and Ling Feng approached the valley from opposite directions.

    Outside the valley, their teams stood watch.

    Each side eyed the other coldly, neither willing to make a move that could disrupt the fight.

    However, Zheng Xuerong and her teammates appeared noticeably more confident.

    They knew Ling Feng¡¯s strength better than anyone and believed that in a one-on-one match, he was unbeatable.

    In contrast, Fatty Xu and the others looked slightly nervous.

    Zhang Yi had always said he would only consider a one-on-one fight as ast resort.

    They had no idea if Zhang Yi could beat Ling Feng. Even they didn¡¯t fully understand Zhang Yi¡¯s powers.

    Zheng Xuerong sneered at their unease and suddenly spoke up. ¡°Well, since our leaders are busy dueling, how about I let you in on a little secret?¡±

    ¡°Did you know that some Superhumans have the power to absorb others¡¯ abilities?¡±

    Fatty Xu and the others were taken aback; they had never heard of such a thing. Their experience with Superhuman battles was limited.

    But Hua Hua, crouched on Uncle You¡¯s shoulder, stared intently at Zheng Xuerong.

    Zheng Xuerong smoothed her wind-tousled hair and continued, ¡°Seems you didn¡¯t know! Here¡¯s some free intelligence for you.¡±

    ¡°Some rare Superhumans can absorb the powers of weaker opponents, making themselves even stronger.¡±

    ¡°Our Captain has personally killed three enemy Superhumans and taken their abilities.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why his powers are unrivaled!¡±

    Zheng Xuerong smiled cruelly. ¡°That Zhang Yi guy is dead for sure! He doesn¡¯t know his ce!¡±

    The faces of Uncle You and his teammates grew tense.

    Even Liang Yue felt a pang of worry, but at this point, there was no turning back.

    ¡°No way. Boss won¡¯t lose!¡± Fatty Xu suddenly spoke up, clenching his teeth.

    Zheng Xuerong looked at him, surprised. ¡°And why do you say that?¡±

    Fatty Xu summoned his courage. ¡°Because our boss is terrified of dying! He¡¯d never risk his life so easily!¡±

    Zheng Xuerong¡¯s t

    ¡°Please, is that supposed to be reassuring? Just you wait; Captain Ling will soon be carrying his head back!¡±

    Zheng Xuerong scoffed.

    No one else spoke; they all waited for the fight to end.

    Though they hadn¡¯t begun, everyone was prepared to fight at a moment¡¯s notice.

    Despite the agreement for a one-on-one battle, Ling Feng and Zhang Yi were the keybatants for each side.

    Once one of them emerged victorious, it would shift the bnce of power, potentially leading to a full confrontation.

    If Zhang Yi could somehow take down Ling Feng with strength to spare, he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to break the agreement and attack Zheng Xuerong, Shi Dayong, and the others. ?

    But right now, he had to deal with the crisis directly in front of him.

    Inside the valley, Zhang Yi and Ling Feng trudged through the hardened snow, sinking to their knees with each step.

    The deep snow made movement difficult for both of them, equalizing the disadvantage.

    They stood about ten meters apart.

    Everyone knew Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t suited for closebat.

    Staring at Ling Feng¡¯s murderous gaze, Zhang Yi sighed.

    ¡°Do we really have to fight? I¡¯m not exactly abat type. My powers lean more towards support.¡±

    Ling Feng replied coldly, ¡°There¡¯s no choice. Today, you die here.¡±

    Zhang Yi said helplessly, ¡°I never wanted this, but you forced my hand. You know, I once had a dream of¡­¡±

    Ling Feng¡¯s patience snapped, and he cut him off. ¡°Quit stalling! It won¡¯t change your fate!¡±

    Seeing his ruse exposed, Zhang Yi clenched his fists, disappointed.

    ¡°If I die, keep your promise and spare my friends. They¡¯re innocent.¡±

    Ling Feng took a deep breath and nodded. ¡°I promise I won¡¯t harm them.¡±

    Zhang Yi continued, ¡°And my cat. Don¡¯t eat her; just let her go. Maybe my friends will take care of her.¡±

    Ling Feng¡¯s veins bulged in irritation. ¡°Are you a woman or something? Enough chitchat. Let¡¯s fight!¡±

    Refusing to listen further, Ling Feng stomped down, shattering the ground beneath him as heunched himself at Zhang Yi like a released arrow.

    ¡°Quadruple speed!¡±

    Without hesitation, Zhang Yi boosted his speed to the maximum!

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 323: Iâ€™m Not Skilled in Combat.

    Chapter 323 : I¡¯m Not Skilled in Combat.

    Ling Feng didn''t want to waste time; he aimed to take down Zhang Yi as quickly as possible to prevent any unexpected events.

    Even though Zhang Yi activated fourfold speed, it still couldn¡¯t match Ling Feng¡¯s enhanced physical abilities.

    However, before entering the valley, he injected himself with the remaining two doses of stimnts.

    At this moment, his state surpassed his peak!

    Zhang Yi quickly retreated, extending his right hand forward as the Dimensional Gate instantly opened in front of him.

    The massive gate blocked Ling Feng¡¯s path.

    However, after several encounters, Ling Feng had be familiar with this strange dimensional doorway and could sense its presence thanks to his powerful instincts.

    Seeing Zhang Yi use this trick again, Ling Feng smirked coldly.As long as his speed surpassed Zhang Yi¡¯s rate of redirecting the gate, he could plunge his military dagger right into Zhang Yi¡¯s heart!

    Suddenly, an enormous object materialized in front of Ling Feng, crashing toward his head.

    It was a massive heavy-duty truck.

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    Startled, Ling Feng quickly dodged to the side.

    ¡°Does his superhuman ability include throwing objects now?¡±

    Ling Feng had seen the Dimensional Gate¡¯s power to repel attacks, but this was the first time he¡¯d seen it hurling objects.

    But Ling Feng shrugged it off, considering such attacks mere child¡¯s y¡ªnothing that could truly threaten him.

    However, that was only the beginning.

    After the truck, more items started to pour out.

    Pickup trucks, Bentleys, Rolls-Royces, excavators, industrialthes...

    These were random things Zhang Yi had collected during his spare time, initially nning to use them for other purposes, but now they became weapons to crush his opponent.

    Ling Feng¡¯s speed was remarkable, yet Zhang Yi¡¯s Dimensional Gate continued throwing objects at such a rate that Ling Feng found it challenging to evade.

    ¡°ng!¡±

    Ling Feng drew abat knife from his back and, facing an oing car, he let out a shout and sliced it in half with one blow.

    The one-ton car split in two, crashing into the snow on either side.

    ¡°Nice de! Let¡¯s keep going!¡±

    Excitement gleamed in Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes as he kept the Dimensional Gate wide open, dumping objects from it like a garbage truck.

    In preparation for today¡¯s fight, he had gone out of his way to several supermarkets and malls to stockpile various items.

    Ling Feng¡¯s closebat skills were formidable, yet hecked any long-range or area-clearing abilities, so these random objects were an annoying distraction.

    ¡°Ridiculous. Do you think these things can actually hurt me?¡±

    Ling Feng sneered, casually shing through the barrage of objects.

    Zhang Yi kept retreating, chuckling, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then why are you dodging?¡±

    Despite his dismissive words, Ling Feng remained wary of Zhang Yi¡¯s possible tricks, so he diligently avoided the iing junk, taking a roundabout path toward Zhang Yi.

    However, with Zhang Yi throwing everything he had and keeping the pressure up, Ling Feng couldn¡¯t close the gap.

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you can keep throwing things forever!¡±

    Ling Feng¡¯s eyes turned cold. With the Dimensional Gate in y, firearms were useless¡ªhe had to bypass it and engage Zhang Yi in closebat.

    Once he got within three meters of Zhang Yi, he could end him in a heartbeat!

    Without a word, Zhang Yi continued hurling random objects to block Ling Feng¡¯s path.

    Cars, toys, wooden nks... and a mishmash of colorful lingerie.

    Most of the earlier items were easy enough for Ling Feng to slice apart.

    But the flying undergarments¡ªbrightly colored bras and panties¡ªmade him pause.

    The strong winds in the valley carried these light objects everywhere, disrupting Ling Feng¡¯s vision.

    It was the epitome of absurdity. Although he could punch through a multi-ton truck, these flimsyce items had him stymied.

    Clownish behavior!

    Ling Feng cursed silently.

    He saw this as a low-effort, time-wasting tactic on Zhang Yi¡¯s part, more insulting than damaging.

    ¡°I refuse to believe you won¡¯t run out of things to throw!¡±

    Ling Feng had no idea of the exact capacity of Zhang Yi¡¯s Dimensional Space.

    Nor did he know Zhang Yi had barely explored its full capacity, which was vast enough to hold an endless number of objects.

    Gritting his teeth, Ling Feng grabbed a pair of ckce lingerie that hadnded on his arm, trying to shake it off.

    But the damn thing clung to his arm, refusing to budge.

    Ling Feng grew increasingly frustrated, and before he could clear himself of the junk, even more lingeriended on him, further hindering his movements.

    ¡°Rip!¡±

    With a fierce tug, Ling Feng shredded the garments.

    While these items posed a minor inconvenience, they weren¡¯t enough to immobilize someone of Ling Feng¡¯s strength.

    ¡°Boom!¡±

    Another heap of wooden debris, metal barrels, and iron sheets rained down on Ling Feng.

    Noticing the metal barrels, Ling Feng felt a twinge of foreboding.

    If those barrels contained gasoline, they could obscure his vision and give Zhang Yi a chance to ignite them.

    Hurriedly, he shifted to dodge.

    As expected, the barrels Zhang Yi threw out were filled with gasoline¡ªopen-lid barrels, no less.

    Dozens of barrels dropped from above, and despite Ling Feng¡¯s efforts, some gasoline sshed onto him.

    It wasn¡¯t just on him; the surrounding snow was also soaked with gasoline.

    ¡°You sneaky brat!¡±

    Ling Feng muttered through clenched teeth.

    Zhang Yi pulled out a pistol, firing a tracer round at the ground near Ling Feng.

    ¡°Whoosh¡ª¡±

    The tracer round ignited the gasoline, and mes instantly roared to life, engulfing arge area around Ling Feng.

    But Zhang Yi didn¡¯t let up; he knew Ling Feng wouldn¡¯t perish in mere mes.

    Moreover, the Special Forcesbat gear Ling Feng wore was heat-resistant, but with the ze raging, his vision was certainly obstructed.

    Especially the infrared night vision, which would now be useless.

    Ling Feng nced at the mes licking his body, unimpressed. He didn¡¯t even bother to pat them out.

    This fire couldn¡¯t harm him.

    The only nuisance was the sheer brightness of the mes, which made it hard to track Zhang Yi.

    ¡°How long do you think you can keep up this stalling tactic?¡±

    Ling Feng sneered, finding Zhang Yi¡¯s approach foolish.

    To him, any tactic that didn¡¯t inflict actual harm was worthless.

    ¡°You might be a genius in defensive maneuvers, but when ites to offense, you¡¯re nothing but a clown.¡±

    Ling Feng sneered at Zhang Yi¡¯s unconventional methods.

    But just as he prepared to step out of the fire¡¯s perimeter, Zhang Yiunched another attack.

    This time, dozens of barrels appeared overhead, though they contained not gasoline but a strange milky-white liquid.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 324: Intelligence is King?

    Chapter 324: Intelligence is King?

    Ling Feng watched as another dozen metal barrels were hurled his way, and his frustration ignited. He swiftly dodged, trying to avoid being sttered by gasoline again.

    But when the barrels hit the ground, they exploded with a loud bang!

    What sttered out wasn¡¯t gasoline, but a thick, milky-white liquid!

    ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡±

    The barrels continued to rain down around Ling Feng, bursting open.

    Even with his agility, it was impossible to dodge the ever-present sshes of white liquid. Soon, he found himself covered in the stuff, with even his tactical helmet visor smeared.

    His vision was severely impaired.

    ¡°What is this stuff?¡±Ling Feng was beginning to feel uneasy. Just as he prepared to exit the ring of fire, he noticed his clothing was starting to stick together.

    He tried to wipe off the white liquid from his helmet visor, but the more he wiped, the messier it became. Eventually, even his gloves began sticking.

    ¡°This is... super adhesivetex paint!¡±

    Finally, Ling Feng realized what it was.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s tricks seemed endless, rendering Ling Feng¡¯s formidable power utterly useless.

    ¡°Despicable!¡±

    Ling Feng roared in anger. Relying on his raw strength, he tore through the adhesive paint sticking to him.

    But Zhang Yi¡¯s assault didn¡¯t let up.

    He had over a hundred barrels of this adhesive ready! To be honest, this was one of his secret weapons against Ling Feng.

    Before the operation, Zhang Yi had set a rule for himself¡ªhe wasn¡¯t the brawling type, and closebat wasn¡¯t his forte, so he had to avoid direct confrontation with Ling Feng at all costs!

    Since he couldn¡¯t win head-on, he would exhaust and frustrate Ling Feng, preventing him from unleashing his power. That was his path to victory!

    In this fight, Zhang Yi¡¯s only advantage over Ling Feng was intelligence!

    While Ling Feng knew little about Zhang Yi¡¯s abilities, Zhang Yi had thoroughly studied Ling Feng¡¯s strengths through a hackerwork.

    Super adhesive paint¡ªdesigned to frustrate those who prided themselves on their closebat abilities.

    The paint covering Ling Feng¡¯s visor rendered him temporarily blind.

    Zhang Yi kept throwing barrels of adhesive paint, this time pouring it directly onto Ling Feng¡¯s body.

    Although Ling Feng tried to dodge using his hearing, it wasn¡¯t as effective as being able to see clearly.

    Frustrated to the limit, Ling Feng roared furiously and tore off hisbat suit with sheer brute force.

    He then took off his helmet and tossed it into the mes.

    ¡°What a pathetic trick! Did you really think you could challenge me? Now die!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s antics had finally ignited Ling Feng¡¯s fury.

    Anyone facing such an opponent would feel the same rage.

    At the start of the fight, Zhang Yi had put on a weak front. But as soon as the battle began, he revealed himself to be utterly ruthless!

    But now, Ling Feng¡¯s path to Zhang Yi was even more obstructed.

    There was no snow left underfoot.

    The mes from the barrels of gasoline had melted the snowy ground, turning it into a slushy, icy mess. His legs sank into the muddy snow water, and the scattered ice chunks made his movements more cumbersome.

    But Ling Feng didn¡¯t care about any of this.

    He believed that as long as he held out until Zhang Yi ran out of items to throw, he could close the distance and crush Zhang Yi¡¯s head with a single punch!

    Before Ling Feng could break through the ring of fire, he caught a glimpse of Zhang Yi¡¯s faint smile in the distance.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Zhang Yi raised his right hand, and the Dimensional Gate opened mid-air, releasing a hundred barrels that tumbled out with a crash.

    The barrels were lidless, and their contents scattered into the cold mountain air, carried by the wind throughout the valley.

    The scent of the sea spread quickly, overpowering even the strong smell of gasoline.

    The barrels were filled with a fine, powdery substance¡ªnot gunpowder, nor poison.

    However, upon smelling this scent, Ling Feng¡¯s eyes filled with terror.

    He quickly covered his nose and mouth, holding his breath.

    Zhang Yi looked at Ling Feng calmly and said, ¡°Everyone has a weakness. No one is truly invincible.¡±

    ¡°Just like the so-called invincible Captain Ling Feng¡ªimmune to knives and bullets¡ªbut allergic to seafood.¡±

    The West Hill Base had detailed information on every individual.

    Ling Feng¡¯s weakness was his severe seafood allergy.

    An allergic reaction like his could be fatal without prompt medical attention.

    But even if seafood hadn¡¯t been his weakness, Zhang Yi had plenty of other ¡°dirty¡± tricks ready to deal with Ling Feng.

    Poison, aphrodisiacs, lime powder, feces¡­

    Everyone has weaknesses. Everyone can be killed!

    Armed with sufficient intelligence and time to prepare, even a minor vulnerability could be a death sentence!

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t feel a shred of shame for his tactics. Instead, he took pride in them.

    Whatever could kill his opponent was the best strategy.

    Spreading his arms wide, Zhang Yi surveyed the valley filled with swirling seafood powder.

    ¡°This is a blend of over thirty types of seafood. I guarantee at least one of them will trigger the best allergic reaction for you.¡±

    He had scoured numerous supermarkets to gather all that seafood powder.

    Ling Feng held his breath, refusing to inhale the allergenden air.

    But no one can hold their breath forever.

    His mind raced, struggling to understand how Zhang Yi had uncovered his allergy.

    He couldn¡¯t ept losing to Zhang Yi¡ªthis despicable bastard!

    Holding in ast gulp of air, Ling Feng charged forward from the icy water, desperate to go all-out against Zhang Yi!

    Zhang Yi, always cautious, kept a safe distance from Ling Feng.

    Seeing him rushing over, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t waste a second, turning and running again!

    In any case, all he had to do was drag this out, and Ling Feng would copse sooner orter. There was no need for Zhang Yi to hurry.

    Ling Feng was fast¡ªfaster than Zhang Yi at this point.

    But from the Dimensional Gate, an endless stream of lingerie and children¡¯s stuffed toys flew out, relentlessly blocking his view.

    After over a minute of chasing, Ling Feng¡¯s face turned beet-red, swelling like dough in an oven.

    Clutching his neck, he finally crumpled to the ground, utterly spent.

    Zhang Yi stood thirty meters away, watching Ling Feng copse. He calmly stepped back another thirty meters.

    Then, lighting a campfire nearby, he pulled out a few chocte bars from his Dimensional Space and began munching on them.

    The valley fell into silence.

    After about ten minutes, the ¡°lifeless¡± Ling Feng suddenly sprang up.

    ¡°Zhang Yi!!!¡±

    He shouted furiously, his face horribly swollen like a beaten pig.

    So he had been faking his death!

    While he did suffer from a seafood allergy, as a super soldier, he always carried anti-allergy medication.

    His n had been to y dead, lure Zhang Yi closer, then strike.

    But he didn¡¯t expect Zhang Yi to be so cautious¡ªto actually sit by the fire, eating and recovering his strength instead.

    Zhang Yi could wait; he couldn¡¯t!

    The medicine only alleviated his symptoms, not cure himpletely. And with seafood powder still swirling in the valley, he had no choice but to spring up and resume his chase.

    Without another word, Zhang Yi finished hisst bite of chocte and bolted.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 325: Divine Power

    Chapter 325: Divine Power

    Ling Feng frantically chased after Zhang Yi, but his physical condition was deteriorating rapidly due to his allergy.

    Even though he forced himself to keep fighting, he was far from his peak.

    Zhang Yi, however, had no qualms about simply running away. After all, he wasn¡¯t the one stuck in the toxic circle.

    As long as he could hold out, he would win. So why step forward to fight head-on?

    The key was to endure until the very end and im victory.

    Ling Feng¡¯s consciousness began to blur.

    Allergies are a severe and often fatal weakness for anyone, a natural w like Achilles'' heel.

    Even the strongest can¡¯t ovee it.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//omLing Feng never imagined that with his seemingly unbeatable closebat skills, he¡¯d end up defeated by Zhang Yi¡¯s underhanded tactics!

    ¡°Boom!¡±

    Ling Feng¡¯s sturdy body copsed to the ground and didn¡¯t rise again.

    Zhang Yi maintained a safe distance, lighting a fire to keep himself warm while eating to replenish his strength.

    Half an hour passed slowly.

    By then, Zhang Yi was well-rested and had eaten his fill, keeping his body in peak condition.

    Looking at Ling Feng¡¯s motionless form in the distance, Zhang Yi muttered, ¡°Is he really dead, or just faking?¡±

    He pulled out his Desert Eagle, loaded with armor-piercing rounds, and aimed a shot directly at Ling Feng¡¯s head.

    ¡°Pop!¡±

    A gaping bullet hole appeared in Ling Feng¡¯s head, clean through, but no blood flowed.

    In the freezing temperatures, even his blood had solidified.

    ¡°Is he really dead?¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s heart surged with excitement, though he struggled to keep it in check.

    Had he truly killed the invincible captain of West Hill Base¡¯s Special Forces?

    The evidence suggested it, yet such a tremendous achievement felt surreal.

    Just to be sure, he pulled out a massive truck from his Spatial Storage and dropped it heavily onto Ling Feng¡¯s body.

    ¡°Pop!¡±

    The frozen corpse was severed in half at the waist.

    Only then did Zhang Yi exhale in relief. ¡°It seems he¡¯s truly dead. No one would go to such extremes to fake it.¡±

    He approached Ling Feng¡¯s body, Loong Roar Sword shing into his hand.

    Upon reaching the body, Zhang Yi immediately chopped off Ling Feng¡¯s head.

    ¡°Finally, I¡¯m sure¡ªhe¡¯s really dead!¡±

    Zhang Yi let out a breath,pletely reassured.

    Staring at Ling Feng¡¯s severed head, he felt a strong impulse rise within him.

    Squatting down, he ced his right hand on Ling Feng¡¯s head.

    Soon, a familiar sensation coursed through him¡ªa tremendous power flowed through his palm and into his body. The feeling was exhrating, even more satisfying than any other experience he could think of. ??

    If absorbing Xie Huanhuan¡¯s power had been like a gentle stream, then Ling Feng¡¯s was a mighty river!

    ¡°This... is incredible!¡±

    Soon, Zhang Yi had fully absorbed Ling Feng¡¯s power.

    What he didn¡¯t yet realize was that Ling Feng had previously devoured the abilities of three other superhumans, all of which now became Zhang Yi¡¯s.

    He noticed his vision growing hazy.

    It felt like something was stirring, ready to emerge, though he couldn¡¯t quite tell what.

    Lifting his visor, he rubbed his eyes.

    He didn¡¯t see the blinding white light intensifying in his pupils, only feeling a strange, growing rity¡ªa sense of sharpened perception.

    Blinking hard, Zhang Yi felt his head spin from the sudden surge of power.

    He nced ahead, where a wrecked cary.

    Almost instinctively, he let this indescribable sensation flow outward.

    In the next moment, the space before him twisted into a spiral.

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    The car gave a loud crack as it twisted in half from the center!

    ¡°A new ability?¡±

    Only now did Zhang Yi realize that absorbing Ling Feng¡¯s power had granted him a new ability.

    ¡°This... is Divine Power? Twisting space to break objects!¡±

    Zhang Yi instantly named his new ability.

    He felt a surge of excitement. This new power filled the gap in his attack capabilities.

    Most firearms were ineffective againstbat-oriented superhumans.

    But superpowers were a different story.

    If he could twist and break a steel car in half, human bodies would be even easier.

    ¡°The only drawback is that Divine Power consumes a lot of energy. Just one use, and I feel like half my energy is gone. I can probably use it three times in a row.¡±

    ¡°As for its range, it seems to be about 300 meters. Not ideal for long-distance attacks, but within 300 meters, it¡¯s more effective than a sniper rifle!¡±

    Divine Power had significant energy consumption, but the sheer destructive power made it worthwhile.

    One hit was enough to slice a car in half, a feat even a rocketuncher would struggle to achieve.

    And it was hard for opponents to defend against¡ªa deadly surprise attack!

    Zhang Yi looked beyond the valley, a sinister smile on his lips.

    ¡°Now, who¡¯s in the shadows?¡±

    He didn¡¯t rush out immediately. Instead, he continued eating to replenish his energy.

    ording to what he¡¯d learned, superpowers drew energy from within the body, which could be replenished by eating.

    He nned to strike at full strength.

    ---

    Outside the valley.

    The group had been waiting for over an hour, and a subtle shift in mood began.

    In the freezing cold of midnight, standing guard wasn¡¯t pleasant.

    Although they worebat gear with active heating, standing still for so long made their feet numb from the cold.

    However, no one dared leave, or perhaps, none of them could leave.

    Until the battle inside was settled, any departure would disrupt the bnce of the situation.

    At first, Zheng Xuerong and her team were fully confident in Ling Feng, convinced that this would be a straightforward fight.

    After all, based on what they had seen, Zhang Yi seemed to have no chance of defeating Ling Feng.

    A warehouse clerk without formal training, up against a Special Forces king with incredible superpowers¡ªwasn¡¯t the oue obvious?

    Yet they were unaware of a critical difference between the two: an intelligence gap that had long been present.

    None of them knew that West Hill Base¡¯s information had already leaked.

    With the advantage of superior intelligence, Zhang Yi had ample time to prepare against Ling Feng.

    Meanwhile, Ling Feng was forced into an impromptu fight.

    As time dragged on, Zheng Xuerong and herpanions grew increasingly uneasy.

    ¡°Why isn¡¯t it over yet? Shouldn¡¯t Captain Ling have killed Zhang Yi by now?¡± Zheng Xuerong murmured.

    Shi Dayong reassured her, ¡°Maybe the captain is just taking his time torturing him. Don¡¯t worry. We have to trust the captain¡¯s strength!¡±

    Zheng Xuerong frowned. ¡°But Captain Ling isn¡¯t one to be careless.¡±

    A well-trained soldier would aim to finish his opponent quickly, without toying around.

    On the other hand, Fatty Xu and Uncle You were beginning to smile.

    The longer it took, the more it yed into Zhang Yi¡¯s strategy.

    Zhang Yi was known for his extreme caution.

    The longer the fight continued, the greater the likelihood of his victory.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 326: Total Annihilation!

    Chapter 326: Total Annihtion!

    Zhang Yi had fully regained his strength.

    Feeling that the time was right, he grabbed Ling Feng''s head and headed toward the edge of the valley.

    Instead ofing out through the main entrance, Zhang Yi climbed slowly along the side to reach the cliff.

    Both groups were stationed outside the cliff, anxiously waiting for the oue of the battle inside.

    Zhang Yi used the inte to contact Fatty Xu and Uncle You.

    ¡°Don¡¯t look surprised or act strange. Wait for my signal, then attack!¡±

    Upon hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s voice, a sh of joy appeared in their eyes.

    It was Zhang Yi¡¯s voice¡ªhe was still alive!This meant Zhang Yi had won, and Ling Feng was dead!

    The two quickly suppressed their excitement and discreetly prepared for an attack.

    Zhang Yi carefullyy on the cliff, scanning the crowd, including Shi Dayong and the others.

    After a moment¡¯s thought, he locked his gaze on Zheng Xuerong.

    Like Fatty Xu, she was also an Ice-element superhuman with powerful control abilities butcked physical strength.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s right eye started to emit a supernatural power.

    The space around Zheng Xuerong¡¯s neck began to distort. Sensing the difort, she shrieked and tried to run.

    But the next moment, a massive gush of blood erupted from her neck!

    The flesh on one side of her neck was torn to shreds by an unseen force, severing her main artery, and blood spurted out like a fountain.

    Zhang Yi stood up on the cliff and raised Ling Feng¡¯s head high.

    ¡°Ling Feng is dead by my hand!¡±

    Fatty Xu summoned an immense amount of ice and snow,unching an attack at the opposing side.

    Snow waves swept across like a tsunami, blinding Shi Dayong and his team!

    Uncle You shouted to Hua Hua and Liang Yue, ¡°Go! Kill them all!¡±n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    Although taken aback, Hua Hua and Liang Yue quickly reacted.

    The three charged toward the other side.

    Meanwhile, the Special Forces Team members were in shock, stunned by the sight before them.

    Their strongest captain, Ling Feng, had been killed by Zhang Yi!

    Though they didn¡¯t want to believe it, the lifeless head proved it all.

    With Zheng Xuerong also eliminated, the Special Forces Team descended into chaos.

    Before they could react, Liang Yue had already rushed forward, wielding her Tang Sword!

    The Special Forces¡¯bat strength had plummeted.

    With Ling Feng and Zheng Xuerong dead, Ye Ronghua seriously injured, and Fang Zun¡¯s powers hindered by the environment, only Shi Dayong and Xu Mingjie were capable of fighting.

    However, Ling Feng''s death shattered their morale. Meanwhile, Liang Yue and Uncle You disyed formidable strength, with Zhang Yi supporting from a distance using his abilities.

    This turned the battle into a one-sided massacre!

    ¡°Leave no one alive!¡± Zhang Yi growled.

    He was sick of these people who repeatedly attacked his shelter and disrupted his peaceful life.

    Fueled by residual stimnts, he was ruthless.

    Once Liang Yue and the others subdued the enemies, Zhang Yi rushed down the hillside, wielding the Loong Roar Sword to kill them all, one by one!

    He then began absorbing their superhuman powers in front of Liang Yue and the others.

    However, this time, the effect felt noticeably weaker, barely enhancing him.

    ¡°Hm? Why isn¡¯t there much effect?¡± Zhang Yi frowned.

    After some thought, he realized the reason.

    The powers of these people were far below Ling Feng¡¯s, and even further below his own level.

    It was like ying a game¡ªdefeating low-level enemies didn¡¯t yield much experience.

    Zhang Yi turned to Uncle You, Fatty Xu, and Hua Hua. ¡°Come here and give it a try!¡±

    As for Liang Yue, he still held back, not wanting her to grow stronger just yet.

    In fact, Liang Yue and the others had already learned from Zheng Xuerong that certain superhumans could absorb others'' powers.

    Yet, she didn¡¯tpete with Zhang Yi for it; after all, she owed him a significant favor this time.

    Uncle You and Fatty Xu tried but soon shook their heads.

    ¡°No luck, boss! I can¡¯t feel a thing,¡± Fatty Xu said, dejected.

    Uncle You agreed, ¡°Me neither. They mentioned that not everyone has this ability. Maybe we just don¡¯t have the talent like you!¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Zhang Yi folded his arms, a question mark forming in his mind.

    There was still so much he didn¡¯t understand about superhumans and their abilities.

    It seemed he¡¯d have to study further; the West Hill Base''s intelligence database might hold relevant records.

    After all, they¡¯d done plenty of research in this area.

    ¡°Meow!¡±

    Just then, Hua Hua suddenly bit off Fang Zun¡¯s head and swallowed it down in one gulp.

    Zhang Yi asked, ¡°Hua Hua, can you absorb their powers?¡±

    Hua Hua gave him a look, narrowing herrge eyes slightly¡ªa sign of agreement.

    ¡°In that case, you can have them all as a midnight snack!¡± Zhang Yi said generously.

    Hua Hua showed no restraint, devouring all the superhumans.

    After finishing, she reverted to her kitten form, perched on Zhang Yi¡¯s shoulder, and began licking her paw.

    ¡°Ugh, what a strong smell!¡±

    Zhang Yi turned her head away so her mouth wouldn¡¯t face him.

    But it was clear from his gaze that he looked forward to seeing her new strength.

    With so many superhumans consumed, Hua Hua was bound to be much stronger, making her his toppanion.

    This matter was now settled.

    The West Hill Base had been destroyed. Even if anyone survived down below, they wouldn¡¯tst long.

    Liang Yue said, ¡°Can we leave now? I need to pick up my students. By the way, where will we be staying?¡±

    Zhang Yi replied coolly, ¡°Xu Family Town.¡±

    He had no intention of letting them stay at Cloud Manor.

    These troublesome folks could settle in Xu Family Town and make a living by ice-fishing on Lu River.

    Liang Yue nodded. ¡°Fair enough.¡±

    Just as she was about to leave, Zhang Yi calmly added, ¡°Don¡¯t rush. Always remember to wrap things up properly.¡±

    Liang Yue looked at him curiously, wondering what he nned to do next.

    Zhang Yi went to the West Hill Base entrance, opened his Spatial Storage, and dumped in a pile of destroyed trucks and equipment that Ling Feng had smashed.

    Then, he set up explosives.

    Once everyone was a safe distance away from the entrance, Zhang Yi pressed the detonator, blowing the passageway shut with wreckage.

    Even if someone survived, there was no way they could dig through the heavy debris to escape.

    Author''s Note

    Dear readers, we¡¯re grateful to have you with us for each update! If you¡¯ve been enjoying our work, a 5-star rating on NovelUpdates would mean so much. Thank you for your incredible suppo

 Chapter 327: Scattered Your Ashes

    Chapter 327: Scattered Your Ashes

    Seeing Zhang Yi¡¯s actions, Liang Yue couldn¡¯t help but remark, ¡°You really don¡¯t leave anyone behind, do you? At this rate, there¡¯s barely anyone left alive down there.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll consider it an insurance policy,¡± Zhang Yi replied coolly.

    ¡°But I¡¯m not done yet. Come on, I¡¯ll take you somewhere else.¡±

    He pulled out a snow vehicle and invited Liang Yue to ride in the passenger seat.

    Curious, Liang Yue had no idea what Zhang Yi was nning next. But with a ride avable, she didn¡¯t mind tagging along to see what was up.

    The group boarded the snow vehicle, and Zhang Yi checked his phone, which disyed a 3D map of West Hill Base sent by Yang Xinxin.

    Before long, they arrived at a remote mountain area.

    In the distance, the headlights revealed three figures running across the snow.Liang Yue stared at Zhang Yi in shock. ¡°You even thought of this?¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°ording to the 3D map, I found an escape route connecting to the First Life Pod. It¡¯s not hard to guess who might be using it.¡±

    He stepped on the gas and drove toward them.

    Seeing the figures, a surge of murderous intent rose in Liang Yue¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Chen Xinian!¡±

    Chen Xinian¡ªthe very person responsible for the conflict between West Hill Base and Zhang Yi!

    He had relentlessly backed Zhang Yi into a corner, giving him no room to breathe.

    He¡¯d built a brutal system within West Hill, harming countless innocent people, including Liang Yue¡¯s students.

    If Zhang Yi let anyone go, it wouldn¡¯t be him. He had to die here!

    The three people fleeing in the snow were indeed Chen Xinian and his guards.

    After West Hill Base was destroyed, the First Life Pod, located outside the st zone and built with strong defenses, survived the explosions.

    But with several vital underground systems damaged and his Special Forces Team out of contact, Chen Xinian knew he was in deep trouble and had fled through the escape route.

    To save himself, he¡¯d even left his wife and child behind.

    But because of the rush, they had no real transportation and could only leave on foot.

    As a result, Zhang Yi and his team easily caught up.

    Seeing two snow vehicles driving toward them, Chen Xinian¡¯s face turned ashen, his hopes dashed.

    His two loyal guards quickly raised their guns and readied grenades, preparing for ast stand.

    One car stopped in front, the other behind, blocking their escape route.

    Zhang Yi stepped out and sneered at Chen Xinian, his mocking gaze as cold as if he were looking at a captured prey.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this the leader of West Hill Base? What¡¯s the rush, running off without a word?¡±

    Chen Xinian¡¯s legs went weak with fear.

    For the first time, he could taste the raw terror of death.

    Even in this post-apocalyptic world, he¡¯d managed to enjoy life in West Hill Base thanks to his power and authority.

    But in one night, everything he had was destroyed.

    To Chen Xinian, Zhang Yi was a living nightmare.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, don¡¯t act rashly! I think we can still talk this out,¡± Chen Xinian pleaded quickly, trying to persuade Zhang Yi to spare him.

    ¡°You can¡¯t kill me. I, Chen Xinian, am a man of status. If you kill me, it¡¯ll upset the bnce among Tianhai City¡¯s districts!¡±

    ¡°If that happens, who knows how many monsters will flood in here? You¡¯ll be facing even greater dangers!¡±

    Zhang Yi felt a twinge of interest¡ªhe hadn¡¯t considered that.

    But his face remained unmoved. ¡°Oh? You say so, huh?¡±

    ¡°Look at you. You¡¯ve lost everything, and you have no leverage to bargain with me.¡±

    As Zhang Yi spoke, his team had already surrounded the three of them.

    Liang Yue, gripping her Tang Sword tightly, stared murderously at Chen Xinian.

    Between her and Chen Xinian, there was a blood debt. Dozens of her students had been used as his test subjects; some were even processed into protein fluid!

    She loathed this man from the depths of her heart.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s power locked onto the three, and with the surrounding superhumans, they had no chance to resist.

    Chen Xinian quickly tried to exin, ¡°It¡¯s a chaotic world, and in chaos, harsh measures are necessary. If I hadn¡¯t done those things, everyone would¡¯ve died!¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi, you¡¯re a man of talent; you shouldn¡¯t let it go to waste. How about we work together?¡±

    ¡°If you cooperate with me, with your power and my connections and strategies, we can make West Hill Base bigger and stronger!¡±

    ¡°We could even be rulers of Tianhai City!¡±

    Zhang Yi gave him a dismissive smirk. ¡°I don¡¯t need that!¡±

    Chen Xinian opened his mouth to continue persuading Zhang Yi.

    But in the next instant, his head twisted violently and exploded like a watermelon!

    The two guards were petrified, shouting, ¡°Leader!¡± They pulled the pins on their grenades and charged at Zhang Yi, ready to die with him.

    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡±

    Three gunshots rang out, shattering their knees and forcing them to copse to the ground.

    But still, they threw the grenades at Zhang Yi.

    Unfazed, Zhang Yi opened his hands, summoning a Dimensional Gate to catch the grenades.

    Then he pped his hands together,pletely dissipating the explosive force.

    The two guards were dumbfounded, unable toprehend what they were seeing.

    Zhang Yi calmly walked up to them and ced his right hand on one guard¡¯s chest.

    A surge of energy shot out from the Dimensional Gate, enveloping the guard!

    In mere seconds, his body was reduced to a ming skeleton.

    Satisfied, Zhang Yi examined his right hand. ¡°My control over spatial power is getting stronger!¡±

    Watching Zhang Yi¡¯s disy of power, Liang Yue felt a strange mix of emotions.

    Since they¡¯d first met, Zhang Yi had be terrifyingly strong. She could hardly imagine how powerful he would be if he continued evolving at this rate.

    After killing Chen Xinian and his guards, Zhang Yi ignited their bodies, burning them down to ashes.

    Once the corpses were reduced to ashes, he scattered them into the wind with a pleased look on his face.

    The rest of the group watched his actions in stunned silence.

    ¡°Was that really necessary?¡± Liang Yue asked, unable to hold back. ¡°You¡¯re being overly cautious. You¡¯ve already destroyed all of West Hill Base. What more could you be worried about?¡±

    Zhang Yi replied seriously, ¡°Chen Xinian was a big name in Tianhai City. Who knows what kind of connections he had? What if someonees seeking revenge after he¡¯s dead?¡±

    Liang Yue rolled her eyes. ¡°At this point, you really think that¡¯s possible?¡±

    Zhang Yi said, ¡°I want to eliminate even the slightest chance of danger!¡±

    Then he grinned at Liang Yue. ¡°If you¡¯d all thought about the consequences a bit more before heading to West Hill Base, maybe things wouldn¡¯t have ended up like this.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s heart jolted.

    Thinking about her students who had died so horribly, grief swept over her.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    She looked at Zhang Yi with aplex expression, beginning to understand his way of doing things.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 328: Gathering Allies

    Chapter 328: Gathering Allies

    Zhang Yi called everyone back.

    He, Uncle You, and Fatty Xu had all injected stimnts, which gave them a boost of energy andbat strength for a short period.

    However, twelve hourster, they would be weakened.

    So he had to return to a safe ce to rest up for a while.

    As for the West Hill Base, he¡¯de back again sometimeter.

    After all, there was arge stockpile of weapons and ammunition there, along with plenty of supplies for extreme situations.

    Zhang Yi was a frugal person; nothing would go to waste.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    The group got in the car, and Liang Yue reminded him, ¡°Let¡¯s go pick up my students first!¡±Following Zhang Yi''s instructions, her students had taken shelter in the nearest residential area.

    With the food and fuel Zhang Yi gave them, they could survive the cold night for a while.

    But if they arrived toote and ran out of fuel, they¡¯d be done for!

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t say much, steering the car toward that direction.

    Although he didn¡¯t particrly like those students, he did admire Liang Yue.

    And he had his eye on herbat skills.

    "One day, I¡¯ll make her my own!"

    Zhang Yi thought to himself, amused.

    As to what ¡°my own¡± meant, he¡¯d see how things yed out.

    After driving for over ten minutes, they arrived at the apartment building.

    From a distance, they saw a faint light from one of the windows.

    The students were gathered inside, using chairs and furniture to fuel a fire with the fuel Zhang Yi had given them.

    Zhang Yi let Liang Yue out of the car and said, ¡°We¡¯ll head back now. As we agreed, I¡¯ll provide you with a ce to stay and some food.¡±

    ¡°You all can head to Xu Family Town. There are plenty of empty houses there now.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s n was quite calcted.

    At this point, he could easily cut ties with Liang Yue and her students, leaving them to fend for themselves.

    But if Liang Yue actually followed his advice and went to Xu Family Town, she¡¯d be one step into his.

    Making her his was just a matter of time.

    Right now, Zhang Yi¡¯s car couldn¡¯t fit so many people, so they¡¯d have to arrange their own transportation.

    As for the remaining miles, how they got there wasn¡¯t his concern.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t have the slightest fondness for those students who had bullied Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran.

    Ideally, they¡¯d all die along the way, leaving only Liang Yue to reach the destination¡ªthat would be the best oue.

    Liang Yue couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Can¡¯t youe backter to get us?¡±

    Zhang Yi looked at her and said calmly, ¡°Teacher Liang, I¡¯ve already fulfilled our agreement. I got you all out!¡±

    ¡°And to show my gratitude, I even agreed to give you and your students food and a ce to stay.¡±

    ¡°If you want to ask for anything else, then¡­¡±

    He rubbed his fingers together. ¡°You¡¯ll need to offer something valuable in return.¡±

    Liang Yue was taken aback. ¡°I¡­ I thought we were friends.¡±

    ¡°Precisely because we¡¯re friends, we need to be transparent! That way, it won¡¯t hurt our rtionship.¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled.

    Liang Yue was at a loss for words. ¡°Fine, we¡¯ll make our way there ourselves!¡±

    She replied a bit angrily.

    Initially, she had wanted to ask if she could get back her beloved Loong Roar Sword.

    But seeing Zhang Yi like this, she knew it was impossible.

    Trying to take advantage of this shrewd man was harder than reaching the heavens.

    ¡°All right, see you at Xu Family Town!¡± Zhang Yi waved to her before getting back in the car, and the group drove away.

    Liang Yue returned to the room where her students were sheltered, only to see them staring out at the departing snow vehicle, full of worry.

    ¡°Are you all okay?¡± she asked with concern.

    The students sat around the fire, looking somewhat okay and warm in the room.

    There was some risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, but they couldn¡¯t care about that right now.

    One of the students looked up and asked, ¡°Teacher Liang, why did they leave? Weren¡¯t they supposed to arrange a ce for us?¡±

    Liang Yue noticed the disappointment in their eyes.

    Although they¡¯d escaped the nightmare of West Hill Base, survival was still uncertain without a steady supply of food and shelter.

    Liang Yue quickly reassured them, ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve spoken with Zhang Yi, and I¡¯ll take you all to Xu Family Town, where the living conditions are good.¡±

    ¡°There are vigers in Xu Family Town, and it¡¯s close to the Lu River, where we can catch fish for food.¡±

    The students exchanged nces, falling silent.

    Clearly, this reality was a far cry from their ideal, leaving them disappointed.

    Wu Chengyu stood up from the group, furrowing his brows in confusion, and asked:

    ¡°Teacher Liang, from what I know, after Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran were taken away, they were living in Zhang Yi¡¯s vi.¡±

    ¡°That shelter was built by Wang Siming with a billion dors. I even toured it once.¡±

    ¡°That ce is big enough for all of us to stay.¡±

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you ask Zhang Yi if we could move in there? The living conditions would be much better.¡±

    The others¡¯ eyes lit up, and they chimed in, ¡°Yeah, yeah! Since Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran can stay there, why can¡¯t we?¡±

    ¡°Teacher Liang, please go talk to Zhang Yi!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s so cold out here; catching fish would freeze our hands!¡±

    Their eyes held a spark of greed.

    It was clear they¡¯d already discussed this and had imagined afortable life in the shelter.

    But seeing their hopeful expressions, Liang Yue had no choice but to shatter their dreams.

    ¡°Let¡¯s drop this idea. Zhang Yi already helped us escape West Hill Base, and that alone was no small favor.¡±

    ¡°Now we¡¯re square. No one owes anything.¡±

    ¡°What right do we have to stay in his shelter?¡±

    Recalling Zhang Yi¡¯s cold demeanor, she added, ¡°He¡¯s not some altruistic saint. Better give up on that thought!¡±

    ¡°At least now we¡¯re free, and that¡¯s better than being in constant danger at West Hill Base.¡±

    Hearing their dreams crumble, the students grew restless.

    Liang Yue frowned and said firmly:

    ¡°All right, enough! Tonight, we¡¯ll take turns on watch. Rest well, and at dawn, we¡¯ll head to Xu Family Town!¡±

    Traveling at night was too dangerous, with poor visibility and bitter cold.

    Although disappointed and reluctant, the students knew better than to go against Liang Yue¡¯s words now.

    After a month at West Hill Base, they¡¯de to understand that things weren¡¯t the same anymore, and Teacher Liang¡¯s strength was their biggest hope for survival.

    ---

    Elsewhere, Zhang Yi led the group to Yuelu Residential Area to pick up Zhou Ke¡¯er, Yang Xinxin, and the others.

    Hearing about Zhang Yi¡¯s sess, the women at the safe house were overjoyed.

    With West Hill Base destroyed, their lives would be safe again.

    In the apocalypse, who didn¡¯t want a stable and happy life?

    With the women cheering in his ear, Zhang Yi and hispanions exchanged smiles.

    Zhang Yi said to Uncle You, ¡°Why don¡¯t you and Aunt Zhou move in with us at Cloud Manor? It¡¯s full of luxury vis, so feel free to choose one.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s much better than Yuelu Residential Area. And being close to each other, we can support each other.¡±

    Uncle You thought about it and readily agreed.

    ¡°Yes, I think that¡¯s a good idea. After this battle, I¡¯ve reallye to appreciate the strength of unity.¡±

    Heughed, ¡°Honestly, living there alone with Aunt Zhou, sometimes I did feel a bit scared.¡±

    Fatty Xu chimed in, ¡°Uncle You, what do you have to be scared of? With your strength, unless it¡¯s an organized group like West Hill Base, fifty ordinary people wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against you.¡±

    Uncle You sighed, ¡°It¡¯s those organized groups I worry about!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, ¡°Uncle You¡¯s concerns are valid. There¡¯s no way West Hill Base was the only group in Tianhai City.¡±

    ¡°This much is clear from what Chen Xinian said before he died.¡±

    ¡°The Ice Age may have killed most people, but those who survived aren¡¯t easy to deal with.¡±

    ¡°Remember, Tianhai City had twenty million people! Imagine how many superhumans and armed forces might be here.¡±

    Still, Zhang Yi chuckled to lighten the mood, ¡°But we don¡¯t need to worry too much. West Hill Base was powerful, but we still destroyed it.¡±

    ¡°If we stick together, we have nothing to fear!¡±

    The three exchanged looks of mutual confidence.

    Besides them, Hua Hua, Yang Xinxin, Lu Keran, and Zhou Ke¡¯er were all either strong fighters or skilled support members.

    Even Liang Yue, a martial arts master, could be an ally.

    Such a powerful team would make any rival reconsider.

    Uncle You nodded firmly, ¡°Then it¡¯s settled¡ªwe¡¯re moving!¡±

    With Zhang Yi¡¯s help, relocating was nothing more than a small task.

    The group drove their snow vehicle back to the safe house.

    Upon arriving, the women ran to them in excitement.

    Zhou Haimei anxiously asked Uncle You if he was hurt.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er and Yang Siyah carefully checked Zhang Yi over.

    Lu Keran watched with a shy smile, hesitating to approach, but Zhang Yi noticed and gave her a big bear hug.

    ¡°Thank you all. This victory wouldn¡¯t have been possible without your support.¡±

    Lu Keran bl

    ushed, ¡°I just did a little; it was you guys who did most of the work.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate yourself; you¡¯re very important to me!¡±

    Zhang Yi yfully pinched her cheek, making her blush even more as she lowered her head, avoiding his gaze.

    Then, he noticed two jealous looks from nearby.

    He nced down to see Yang Xinxin in her wheelchair, pouting at him.

    Zhang Yi leaned down, giving her a hug, and said, ¡°If you ask me, our biggest hero this time is Xinxin! Without your powerful hacking skills, our whole n wouldn¡¯t have had a foundation.¡±

    Though he was clearly trying to tter her, everyone agreed it was true.

    Without Yang Xinxin, they wouldn¡¯t have had a chance against West Hill Base.

    In truth, it was less Zhang Yi destroying the base and more the missile from Jiangnan District that created the opportunity.

    And all of this was thanks to Yang Xinxin¡¯s work.

    In the apocalypse, sometimes a genius in a particr field could be more valuable than a superhuman.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 329: Aftereffects of the Stimulant

    Chapter 329: Aftereffects of the Stimnt

    Zhang Yi discussed moving back, which made Yang Siyah, Zhou Ke¡¯er, and the others very happy.

    The Safe House was far too cramped for so many people, definitely not as spacious as the Shelter. They had gotten used to luxury, so going back to simple living was hard.

    The Shelter, with its five stories and all the facilities, was practically a pce.

    Uncle You asked Zhou Haimei for her opinion.

    She readily agreed and even asked Zhang Yi, ¡°Is my old vi still there? I spent 180 million on it when I bought it!¡±

    After all, it was a vi she paid for herself. Even though real estate had be worthless in the apocalypse, she still couldn¡¯t let it go.

    Zhang Yi shook his head, smiling, ¡°It was destroyed long ago! But there are still many other intact vis; picking a new one to live in will be the same.¡±

    Zhou Haimei sighed, feeling a sense of loss.¡°That was my life¡¯s savings!¡±

    Even for a celebrity, buying a house required great effort, so she couldn¡¯t help feeling emotional.

    Still, she had noints about moving back.

    It was just too dull here. Going back to Cloud Manor, she could even stop by Zhang Yi¡¯s ce to visit Zhou Ke¡¯er and Yang Siyah for a game of mahjong¡ªwhat a treat!

    So, everyone started packing.

    But Zhang Yi stopped them from bringing everything.

    ¡°Just take the essentials. Keep the ce as it is and leave some supplies behind.¡±

    ¡°In case anything happens, this ce can serve as a temporary refuge.¡±

    Everyone agreed; it made a lot of sense.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s Dimensional Space was stocked with supplies, so they packed only the important items, leaving lightly.

    Zhang Yi was thest to leave, locking the heavy alloy door.

    No one else could enter this ce without him, and he certainly wasn¡¯t leaving it for others to use.

    The group went downstairs, and Zhang Yi brought out the Snow Vehicle for everyone to board.

    At that moment, Zhang Yi sensed someone watching from nearby.

    He turned and spotted a figure in a ck down jacket in the distance.

    It was Li Jian.

    Frowning slightly, Zhang Yi walked over to him.

    Li Jian didn¡¯t flee, waiting calmly for Zhang Yi to approach.N?v(el)B\\jnn

    ¡°Out wandering instead of sleeping? What are you up to?¡±

    Li Jian quickly answered, ¡°There was a big explosion from the west tonight; it woke us up, so I haven¡¯t slept.¡±

    The explosion he mentioned was, of course, the missile.

    Zhang Yi looked him over, considering his peculiar powers, and asked, ¡°How¡¯s your healthtely? Any strange feelings?¡±

    Li Jian¡¯s powers were oddly bestowed by people who called themselves followers of the Snow God. Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t dealt with them directly, but he sensed that someday they¡¯d cross paths. ?

    Knowing more about them could only be helpful.

    Li Jian shook his head. ¡°No, I barely dare to use my power. Professor Ge warned me that if I use it too much, I might end up as fertilizer.¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded, ending the conversation.

    Li Jian¡¯s ability wasn¡¯t of much use to him now.

    So he didn¡¯t n to kill Li Jian or recruit him. After all, Li Jian had the people of Building 18 depending on him.

    Those people had no grudges with Zhang Yi and posed no threat.

    For people like that, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t mind letting them live their lives.

    Li Jian could stay here, in case he proved useful someday.

    That night, the group returned to the Shelter.

    Though only a day and a half had passed, returning felt like ages.

    This ce had almost been destroyed by a missile, reduced to rubble.

    But now, their enemy was gone, and nothing could disrupt their peaceful life.

    It waste, and everyone was exhausted, so Zhang Yi had them settle down to rest.

    They could pick their vis after regaining their strength.

    There were over ten untouched vis nearby, so Fatty Xu and Uncle You could choose freely.

    Throughout, Zhang Yi made it clear that the Shelter wouldn¡¯t be shared with others.

    It wasn¡¯t that he didn¡¯t trust Uncle You and Fatty Xu.

    Zhang Yi had great faith in Uncle You, but he still had reservations about Fatty Xu.

    As for Zhou Haimei, Zhang Yi kept up polite appearances mainly out of respect for Uncle You.

    He didn¡¯t trust the two of them entirely; they were more like allies united by mutual benefit.

    Keeping them out of the Shelter was better.

    Besides, it would be inconvenient if they all lived together.

    For instance, Zhang Yi had his own needs and lifestyle.

    With others around, it would be harder to rx and go about freely.

    Uncle You shared this sentiment, happy to live on his own.

    As for Fatty Xu, after being used by Xu Lili, he had be a bit afraid of women.

    At home, he only feltfortable speaking with Zhang Yi.

    He was more than happy to move out and spend time with his figurines and pillows.

    After all these days of worry and over a month of tension, they could finally sleep soundly!

    Zhang Yi embraced Hua Hua and returned to his cozy room.

    He locked the door from inside, as he would soon enter a weakened state.

    The stimnt had drained his energy, and the post-use aches and fatigue would be severe.

    Especially since he¡¯d taken three doses at once!

    In the days that followed, life returned to normal.

    Both Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu entered a weakened state.

    They could only describe it as a limp body and a dull mind.

    Zhang Yi just wanted to lie in bed and do nothing.

    Thankfully, he had plenty of women around.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er, Yang Siyah, and Lu Keran took turns taking care of him, which felt quite nice.

    Fatty Xu, however, was less fortunate, lying in bed alone and relying on manga to pass the time.

    Each day, Yang Siyah would bring food to his bed, but there was no ¡°feeding service.¡±

    Zhang Yi, on the other hand, could enjoy this high-ss treatment.

    Meanwhile, Liang Yue led her students on a difficult journey to Xu Family Town.

    The town was left with only elderly, women, and children, and many houses were vacant.

    Liang Yue and her dozen students took up two empty houses.

    The vigers avoided contact with them.

    Especially when they saw Liang Yue in her Special Forces uniform from West Hill Base, they instinctively kept their distance.

    The shadow left by West Hill Base¡¯s Special Forces would likely haunt them until death.

    With housing settled, the issue of food remained challenging.

    The students weren¡¯t fishermen; they didn¡¯t have the skills to cut through ice for fishing.

    Soft-hearted, Liang Yue couldn¡¯t bear to rob the weak.

    So she had no choice but to go to the Shelter and ask Zhang Yi for food as he had promised.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 332: The Database

    Chapter 332: The Database

    Zhang Yi and Liang Yue came to an agreement: she would visit the Shelter every day to teach him martial arts for at least two hours. In return, he¡¯d provide food rations for ten people.

    It wasn¡¯t aplete ploy. While Zhang Yi indeed wanted to win Liang Yue over to his side, he was genuinely interested in improving his closebat abilities. His greatest weakness was still hisck of melee strength, and learning from a former high-profile bodyguard was sure to be valuable¡ªpossibly even lifesaving in the future.

    ¡°Ten people¡¯s worth of food, huh?¡± Liang Yue hesitated.

    Including herself and her students, there were sixteen people, so ten rations wouldn¡¯t be enough to feed everyone.

    ¡°Could you give us a little extra? We have sixteen people in total,¡± Liang Yue requested.

    Zhang Yi gave a slight smile. ¡°Ms. Liang, I hope you understand my position. This isn¡¯t a one-time supply; it¡¯s ten portions of food every day.¡±

    ¡°Besides, you wouldn¡¯t want your students to bezy, relying solely on my support to get by, right?¡±

    There was a strategy behind Zhang Yi¡¯s approach. First¡ªhe couldn¡¯t allow the students to be toofortable. If people are too well-fed, they start thinking more, and those thoughts can often lead to trouble.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//omSecond, by giving them just a bit of hope but never full satisfaction, Zhang Yi could keep Liang Yue and the others firmly under his control.

    Liang Yue¡¯s face showed a moment of embarrassment at Zhang Yi¡¯s words. She¡¯d once proudly dered she¡¯d help her students solve their survival problems, but here she was, needing Zhang Yi¡¯s help to feed them. It felt like a p in the face.

    ¡°Fine, ten portions it is,¡± she decided.

    She nned to take some food from Zhang Yi and have her students work to gather the rest, ensuring they wouldn¡¯t struggle too much to survive.

    Satisfied, Liang Yue epted Zhang Yi¡¯s terms. After collecting the food, she returned quickly to Xu Family Town. Her students had already gone hungry for a day, huddled together in a snow hut, and any further dy could mean someone starving to death.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi pulled a nket from behind the couch, draped it over himself, andy back, idly watching TV.

    Just then, he heard the sound of a wheelchair rolling.

    He looked over to see Lu Keran pushing Yang Xinxin toward him.

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly, ¡°You¡¯re a bitte; your teacher just left.¡±

    Yang Xinxin gave a slight smile. ¡°I came because she left.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Don¡¯t you want to chat with your teacher?¡± Zhang Yi asked.

    Yang Xinxin shook her head. ¡°If we¡¯d been here, our presence would¡¯ve affected your negotiations with her.¡±

    Zhang Yi smirked.

    If it were a significant decision, he wouldn¡¯t let anyone¡¯s presence influence his thinking.

    As she drew closer, Yang Xinxin suddenly asked, ¡°Brother, are you trying to court Ms. Liang?¡±

    Zhang Yi nearly choked on his coffee, almost spilling it out his nose.

    ¡°Cough, cough¡­¡±

    ¡°Why would you ask that out of the blue?¡± Zhang Yi tried to keep his expression steady.

    But his reaction had already given him away.

    Honestly, Liang Yue was quite attractive, with her mix of endearing awkwardness and strength. Having her around could be very useful. Shaping her into one of his people was actually a solid option. ?

    Zhang Yi did have such thoughts, but he wouldn¡¯t force them.

    Yang Xinxin pouted slightly, while Lu Keran¡¯s eyes shed with a strange emotion, though she quickly hid it with augh.

    ¡°Wow, Brother, aren¡¯t you a bit greedy? You already have two sisters, and now you¡¯re eyeing our teacher!¡± Lu Keran teased.

    Yang Xinxin, however, analyzed it seriously: ¡°Considering human history, it¡¯s certainly one of the most effective ways to forge alliances.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Liang is strong, and from a female perspective, she definitely has the ability to attract men.¡±

    ¡°And with her limited intelligence¡­¡± She looked at Zhang Yi with a knowing smile. ¡°It¡¯s not surprising you¡¯d be interested, Brother.¡±

    For someone with high intelligence, Yang Xinxin could view things withplete objectivity. To her, it made perfect sense that Zhang Yi would want to bring Liang Yue over to his side.

    Zhang Yi felt like he¡¯d found a kindred spirit!

    He wasn¡¯t interested in ying romantic games¡ªsuch things could add vor to life but weren¡¯t necessary.

    If Liang Yue were just an attractive teacher with a strong sense of justice, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t have even looked at her twice.

    But he was intrigued by her strength, wasn¡¯t he?

    Zhang Yi spoke inly to Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran, ¡°You two are sharp, so I¡¯ll skip the roundabout talk.¡±

    ¡°Liang Yue¡¯sbat abilities are strong and useful to me. I want to recruit her as part of our team.¡±

    ¡°As for any romantic feelings¡ªthose don¡¯t exist.¡±

    In his mind, everything was about practical value and desire.

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t opposed to something happening with Liang Yue if it could help him secure her loyalty. But that wasn¡¯t essential to his n.

    Hearing this, Yang Xinxin was reassured that Zhang Yi remained the level-headed, almost cold-hearted man she knew. She smiled with relief.

    ¡°Got it! In that case, go for it, Brother. Xinxin will support you.¡±

    She shed him a bright smile.

    ¡°Support me?¡± Zhang Yi asked with a chuckle.

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s smile turned mysterious. ¡°We know Ms. Liang better than you do. I know exactly how to convince her to join us.¡±

    Zhang Yi coughed. ¡°Actually, there¡¯s no need toplicate things. Given what we¡¯re offering, it won¡¯t be hard to win her over.¡±

    Yang Xinxin nodded in agreement but then added, ¡°The hard part is how to deal with those troublesome students of hers!¡±

    On this point, everyone agreed.

    Those surviving students had previously mistreated Yang Xinxin, leaving her with no good feelings toward them. To her, they were all burdens.

    Zhang Yi shrugged. ¡°For now, let¡¯s leave them alone. I don¡¯t want to make things too tense with Liang Yue. If she found out I eliminated her students, she¡¯d probablye after me without a second thought.¡±

    ¡°There will be a chance,¡± Yang Xinxin said softly.

    Her dark eyes gleamed with a sharp, icy edge.

    Zhang Yi grinned, ¡°If you have a n, feel free to act on it¡ªjust make sure Liang Yue doesn¡¯t find out.¡±

    ¡°Understood,¡± Yang Xinxin replied with a nod.

    ¡°Oh, by the way, Brother Zhang Yi, there¡¯s something else I need to tell you.¡±

    She was about to leave but turned back to him.

    ¡°Oh? What is it?¡± Zhang Yi asked, curious.

    Yang Xinxin exined, ¡°These past few days, I¡¯ve beenbing through the West Hill Base¡¯s information database.¡±

    ¡°Since West Hill was originally an official establishment, its equipment isprehensive, and it holds a massive amount of data. I wanted to see if there was any useful information.¡±

    ¡°And it turns out I¡¯ve found some interesting things. I think you¡¯ll be very interested!¡±

    At her words, Zhang Yi immediately sat up. ¡°What kind of information?¡±

    Chen Xinian had once been a high-ranking figure in Tianhai City, so he was bound to know more than Zhang Yi did.

    With his limited sources, Zhang Yi urgently wanted to learn more about the apocalypse, as well as the current situation in Tianhai City and surrounding areas.

    The battle at West Hill Base had already demonstrated how crucial intelligence was.

    Yang Xinxin gave a mysterious smile. ¡°There¡¯s too much information; I haven¡¯t finished organizing it yet. I just wanted to give you a heads-up.¡±

    ¡°But based on what I¡¯ve gathered so far, I can confirm that West Hill Base isn¡¯t the only heavily armed organization in Tianhai City!¡±

    Her gaze turned contemtive. ¡°Brother Zhang Yi, with all the noise we¡¯ve been making, do you think it might draw attention from other forces?¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 333: Defense Line Plan

    Chapter 333: Defense Line n

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s words made Zhang Yi frown slightly, ¡°I know about this already.¡±

    He spread his hands, speaking calmly, ¡°In such a huge ce as Tianhai City, there can¡¯t be only one powerful armed force like the West Hill Base.¡±

    ¡°After all, this is a massive city with a poption of 20 million. Even if only 5% survived, that¡¯s still a million people.¡±

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s smile grew more profound.

    ¡°Not all forces are alike. What if there are several forces as strong as the West Hill Base?¡±

    Zhang Yi looked up at the ceiling, where an extravagant chandelier worth tens of millions hung above.

    ¡°Surely we¡¯re not unlucky enough to sh with more factions?¡±

    ¡°However,¡± Zhang Yi suddenly changed his tone, ¡°we don¡¯t look for trouble, but we¡¯re not afraid of it either. If we do encounter other factions, with our current strength, we really don¡¯t have to worry!¡±Counting Liang Yue, they had five *Superhumans* in total.

    Any force that wanted to be their enemy would have to think carefully.

    ¡°I understand.¡±

    Yang Xinxin nodded, ¡°I¡¯ll organize all the information quickly and then hand it over to you, Brother!¡±

    ¡°Mm, thanks for the hard work.¡±

    After Zhang Yi finished speaking, he turned to look at Lu Keran, ¡°Keran,e here for a second.¡±

    Lu Keran pointed to her nose, looking a bit surprised.

    ¡°Big Bro, if you need anything from me, just say the word!¡±

    She still felt a bit guilty, feeling that she hadn¡¯t been much help in the recent West Hill battle.

    Zhang Yi said to her, ¡°It¡¯s like this. Right now, it¡¯s not just us living at Cloud Manor. Fatty Xu and Uncle You¡¯s family have also moved in, setting up around us.¡±

    ¡°If we encounter another enemy invasion someday, I don¡¯t want to be caught in a situation where we can only defend passively.¡±

    ¡°So I¡¯d like to ask you to help design blueprints for a defensive fortification. Then, we can establish a defensive line around the three families¡¯ homes to fend off enemies.¡±

    Lu Keran looked a little puzzled and said, ¡°Drawing up the ns is easy, but building arge-scale fortification with just us isn¡¯t enough, right? Not to mention theck of heavy machinery; transporting materials would be very difficult.¡±n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Zhang Yiughed, ¡°What do you think we¡¯recking?¡±

    He counted off on his fingers, ¡°I can handle material transportation. If we need manpower, we¡¯ve got Uncle You. Fatty Xu can control ice and snow, which you could also use.¡±

    ¡°If we need materials cut, we¡¯ll call in Liang Yue. Hua Hua can also help with heavy lifting. Do you still see any issues?¡±

    After thinking it over, Lu Keran couldn¡¯t help but praise, ¡°You¡¯re right! Though we¡¯re few, each of us has a unique skill, so creating an imprable defensive line now doesn¡¯t seem impossible!¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded, ¡°You handle the design first. Then, let me know the materials and steps needed, and I¡¯ll take care of the rest.¡±

    ¡°Understood!¡±

    With their new tasks, Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin went back to their workspaces and got to work.

    For the next few days, Zhang Yi continued to recuperate.

    With Dr. Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s attentive care and nutritious meals, Zhang Yi¡¯s recovery was swift.

    Within a few days, his difort vanished.

    So, he started getting busy in a new area.

    In the past month, dealing with the West Hill Base threat, he had neglected Yang Siyah and Zhou Ke¡¯er a bit.

    Now, with ample time and energy, he naturally wanted to make it up to the two of them.

    ¡­

    The next morning during breakfast, Yang Siyah and Zhou Ke¡¯er were all smiles, looking radiant and more refreshed than before.

    Zhang Yi sat on the sofa watching TV while the two women, after working in the kitchen for a while, brought breakfast over to him.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, have some food to recharge!¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er looked at him with a soft gaze, her face still showing a satisfied look fromst night¡¯s events.

    She handed him a bowl of soup. Zhang Yi took it, opened it, and found it filled with nourishing ingredients.

    ¡°Are you kidding? Do I, Zhang Yi, need stuff like this?¡±

    Zhang Yiughed, then downed half the bowl in one go.

    Can¡¯t deny it,st night was indeed exhausting.

    Lu Keran nudged Yang Xinxin over to have breakfast.

    As they passed by the kitchen, Yang Siyah saw their expressions and gasped, covering her mouth.

    ¡°Oh my! What happened to you twost night? You look terrible!¡±

    Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin turned their heads away, unsure of how to exin.

    But inwardly, they thought, *How could you not know?*

    Their rooms weren¡¯t far apart; even with decent soundproofing, any loud noise was still audible.

    Another pleasant day began, with the five of them enjoying breakfast together in the living room.

    Now the *Shelter* had returned to its former state. The luxurious vi was serene, and life was very peaceful.

    As for Uncle You and Fatty Xu, Zhang Yi had provided them with ample food, a generator, fuel, and coal for their ce.

    Zhang Yi had them handle their house independently, needing only to solve food and heating issues; after all, the vi¡¯s other amenities were high-end.

    Being the top luxury vi area in Tianhai City, the house had everything needed for afortable life.

    Still, Zhang Yi had shown extra care for Fatty Xu.

    That guy was still hurting from his heartbreak, now a bit wary of women, so Zhang Yi got him a high-end, limited-editiontex girlfriend from Japan.

    It was the kind with a warming feature and intelligent voice capabilities.

    Best used with VR goggles for an optimal experience.

    As a friend, that was all Zhang Yi could do.

    After breakfast, it wasn¡¯t long before Uncle You, his wife, and Fatty Xu came over for a visit.

    Humans are social creatures; without interaction, it¡¯s easy to develop psychological issues over time.

    Now neighbors andrades who had survived life-or-death battles, their bond was stronger than ever.

    Taking this opportunity, Zhang Yi called over Uncle You and Fatty Xu to discuss his idea for creating a defense line.

    ¡°With the three of our homes as a center, let¡¯s build a solid defensive line around us!¡±

    ¡°That way, if there¡¯s a surprise attack, we¡¯ll have more time to respond.¡±

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t need to be as secure as my *Shelter*, but at least it should give you time to retreat here.¡±

    ¡°That way, if we meet a powerful enemy, we won¡¯t be so passive. Even if the first line of defense falls, we can retreat into the Shelter to continue holding our ground.¡±

    Zhang Yi shared his n.

    Uncle You and Fatty Xu nodded in agreement after hearing it.

    They would benefit the most from this n.

    Fatty Xu was delighted and said on the spot, ¡°Bro, you and I were thinking the same thing! Honestly, I worry about someone barging in and holding a gun to my head one night.¡±

    As a veteran, Uncle You shared his perspective.

    ¡°If we¡¯re setting up a defense line, it shouldn¡¯t just focus on defense. We need some offensive capability too! I suggest cing heavy firepower around the line.¡±

    Fatty Xu asked, ¡°Where will we get weapons and ammo?¡±

    Zhang Yi replied, ¡°That¡¯s easy. Keran can make bullets, and I have plenty of guns.¡±

    ¡°But given the strong forces that might attack us, we¡¯ll need heavy firepower.¡±

    Zhang Yi rubbed his chin, making a decisive statement, ¡°Once we¡¯re all fully recovered, let¡¯s go check out the ruins of West Hill Base. There¡¯s plenty of good stuff there!¡±

    Even though he¡¯d destroyed West Hill Base with a scheme, ording to the base¡¯s engineering data, an explosion of that magnitude couldn¡¯tpletely destroy all its structures.

    His goal had been to trigger a massive shock underground, making it easier for him to move.

    But in such a vast base with extensive underground spaces, much of it should still be intact.

    And within it, there would be a massive stockpile of weapons, including heavy firepower.

    Uncle You and Fatty Xu, naturally, had no objections and readily agreed.

    ¡°As for building materials, we can probably get what we need from West Hill Base too.¡±

    Uncle You suggested, ¡°Given West Hill Base¡¯s defensive capabilities, it can¡¯t be much weaker than your Shelter. We could dismantle some materials to reinforce our defenses.¡±

    Zhang Yi frowned, questioning, ¡°Their construction is mostly integrated casting. It won¡¯t be easy to dismantle!¡±

    Uncle You thought for a moment, then reluctantly added, ¡°But where else can we get so much building material?¡±

    ¡°To build fortifications, we need reinforced concrete. Without it, are we supposed to make a snow wall?¡±

    He joked.

    Yet his words sparked an idea in Zhang Yi.

    He looked at Fatty Xu with a meaningful smile, ¡°Using ice blocks for a defense line might not be a bad idea.¡±

    Zhang Yi shared his thought with the two of them.

    ¡°The Lu River is right there; we could use a massive amount of ice blocks from it to build walls for our defense line.¡±

    ¡°With this temperature, we wouldn¡¯t need to worry about melting, and repairs would be easy. It¡¯s actually a pretty solid material choice!¡±

    ¡°We can insert steel bars inside for support, and voil¨¤, an ice wall for defense!¡±

    Author''s Note

    Dear readers, thank you for reading! If you enjoyed today¡¯s update, we¡¯d be thrilled if you could give BOTI Trantor Team a 5-star rating on NovelUpdates. Your support makes all the difference! ??

 Chapter 334: Private Lessons with the Tutor

    Chapter 334 : Private Lessons with the Tutor

    Zhang Yi and the others discussed their ns for building a defensive line.

    Meanwhile, the women gathered together, led by Zhou Haimei, to y mahjong.

    As Zhou Ke¡¯er came over to refill her water, she overheard the three men talking and couldn¡¯t help butugh, ¡°Now that West Hill Base is gone, you¡¯re all even more cautious than before.¡±

    She felt that there would likely be a prolonged period of peace now.

    After all, with an organization as powerful as West Hill Base destroyed, any remaining factions would be too intimidated to approach this ce lightly.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Zhang Yi responded, ¡°Better safe than sorry! We can¡¯t count on what others might do, but we can make sure our own security is top-notch!¡±

    In the apocalypse, proper safety measures are absolutely essential.

    The three of them thoroughly enjoyed the discussion.After all, men are forever passionate about things like construction, cars, and women.

    Even if they didn¡¯t need it, they¡¯d still love to build a wall just for fun.

    That¡¯s what you call a perfect blend of hobbies and reality.

    But Fatty Xu asked, ¡°Boss, do you really think there¡¯ll be any foolishly bold armed forces that woulde here?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no way Tianhai City has any faction stronger than West Hill Base, right?¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s question wasn¡¯t without reason.

    West Hill Base had controlled the only stationed army in Tianhai City, making it the most formidable armed organization there.

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly.

    ¡°Fatty, you¡¯re forgetting one possibility.¡±

    He tapped his fingers on the table, saying with a yful look, ¡°It¡¯s true that we destroyed West Hill Base, but not everyone knows that.¡±

    ¡°To outsiders, we¡¯re just a group of regr people, hardly even a faction.¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s eyes lit up with realization, ¡°You¡¯re right; that makes sense.¡±

    ¡°Then we better get this defensive line set up fast! Honestly, I am a bit worried.¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded in agreement, ready to get moving on the project.

    The sooner the defensive line wasplete, the safer they¡¯d feel.

    He asked, ¡°Fatty, Uncle You, are you both at peak physical condition right now?¡±

    Uncle You patted his chest, ¡°My body¡¯s fine. Those meds didn¡¯t have much of a side effect on me.¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled, ¡°So the stimnts didn¡¯t have much effect on you either?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s still some effect,¡± Uncle You replied.

    Just then, Fatty Xu quickly spoke up, ¡°I still need to recover a bit; I¡¯ve been feeling more and more exhaustedtely.¡±

    Zhang Yi looked at him knowingly, ¡°Maybe you¡¯ve overused that life-like girlfriend I got you?¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s face turned bright red, as if his secret had just been exposed.

    ¡°¡®Overused¡¯ is a bit much! A single guy like me has to ease the loneliness somehow. That¡¯s not overindulging!¡±

    The living room filled withughter.

    Fatty Xu¡¯s visits always seemed to lighten everyone¡¯s mood.

    But even when he wasn¡¯t around, they still enjoyed this kind of camaraderie.

    ¡°My strength has recovered pretty well, too. How about this¡ªthree days from now, let¡¯s head to West Hill Base and gather whatever useful stuff we can find.¡± ?

    ¡°Sounds good!¡±

    ¡°Boss, think you can spare me some herbal supplements to help with my energy?¡±

    Zhang Yi replied sympathetically, ¡°I¡¯ll throw in some goji berries too. Have them with every meal!¡±

    ¡°Thanks, Boss! You¡¯re the best.¡±

    The three of them continued chatting, brainstorming ways to make the defense line even more effective at resisting enemy attacks.

    But after experiencing the assault from West Hill Base¡¯s Special Forces Team, Zhang Yi¡¯s mindset had undergone a significant transformation.

    Even if he faced anotherrge-scale battle in the future, he wouldn¡¯t feel any panic.

    Especially since his own strength had increased immensely after absorbing the powers of Ling Feng and several other Special Forces members.

    Confidencees from true strength.

    After a while, Liang Yue arrived and rang the doorbell.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that Teacher Liang? What¡¯s she doing here?¡±

    Fatty Xu rubbed his chin, giving Zhang Yi a suggestive look, ¡°Boss, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve added her to your list?¡±

    Zhang Yi grinned, ¡°Get your mind out of the gutter. Liang Yue and I have a purely professional rtionship. She¡¯s my private tutor. Got it?¡±

    Uncle You chuckled, ¡°A ¡®pure¡¯ rtionship between a man and a woman? You sure have an interesting definition of pure.¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s mind was already wandering, imagining various ¡°tutors¡± as he said admiringly, ¡°Boss, you sure know how to enjoy life!¡±

    Ignoring their mischievous looks, Zhang Yi opened the door for Liang Yue.

    Upon entering, she noticed how lively the house was, with everyone gathered.

    The men sat together, drinking tea and chatting, while the women yed mahjong, gossiping in between.

    The warm, weing atmosphere made her feel as if she¡¯d entered another world.

    After all, back in Xu Family Town, she was busy looking after her students, struggling in subzero temperatures, ying the role of both father and mother to them.

    She couldn¡¯t help but feel a touch of envy for Zhou Ke¡¯er and the others.

    Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin warmly greeted her.

    They genuinely respected this teacher of theirs.

    In the apocalypse, someone who maintained kindness was rarer than a national treasure.

    She was a true saint, not a ¡°fake saint.¡±

    The difference between the two is significant.

    A real saint thinks, *They need help, so I¡¯ll help them.*

    A fake saint thinks, *They need help, so you should help them.*

    Though Liang Yue might be overly protective of her students, she relied on her own strength to support them rather than imposing moral obligations on others.

    Seeing her students doing well, Liang Yue¡¯s face softened into a warm smile.

    ¡°Seeing you two so happy makes me feel at ease!¡±

    Yang Xinxin smiled sweetly, ¡°Mm-hmm! Brother Zhang Yi treats us so well, and we¡¯re very happy here.¡±

    She sighed regretfully, holding Liang Yue¡¯s hand with a sincere expression, ¡°Teacher Liang, it must be so hard for you out there. If you¡¯d like, I could ask my brother to let you stay with us.¡±

    ¡°I really miss you.¡±

    Liang Yue had always doted on Yang Xinxin, partly because of her disability.

    Hearing Yang Xinxin¡¯s words, she felt a bit swayed.

    But thinking of her students in Xu Family Town, she shook her head and sighed.

    ¡°I can¡¯t leave them. If I go, it¡¯ll be tough for them to survive in such harsh conditions.¡±

    ¡°As a teacher, the least I can do is teach them to adapt and survive.¡±

    Yang Xinxin nodded, ¡°Teacher Liang, you¡¯re as gentle as ever!¡±

    ¡°But, actually, these two things don¡¯t conflict.¡±

    She exined with a smile, ¡°If you moved into the Shelter, you could still help them.¡±

    ¡°After all, they¡¯re old enough; they won¡¯t need you by their side constantly, right?¡±

    ¡°If anything, letting them fend for themselves could teach them the survival skills they¡¯ll need in the apocalypse.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think I have a point?¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s gaze flickered, clearly moved by Yang Xinxin¡¯s suggestion.

    ¡°But¡­ Zhang Yi probably wouldn¡¯t agree to let me stay here, would he?¡±

    She scratched her cheek, a little embarrassed, ¡°It¡¯s not like we¡¯re that close.¡±

    ¡°Besides, if I stay in the Shelter, it wouldn¡¯t be fair to leave Wu Chengyu and the others out there, would it?¡±

    Yang Xinxin smiled innocently, sensing that her teacher was already leaning toward the idea.

    ¡°I¡¯ll talk to Brother Zhang Yi about it!¡±

    ¡°As for the other students, no matter where you live, their conditions won¡¯t change.¡±

    ¡°If they were to stop you from staying here, wouldn¡¯t that be selfish?¡±

    The little devil knew exactly how to manipte.

    Once Liang Yue moved in, there would be no going back.

    She wasn¡¯t foolish; used to thefort here, she¡¯d never want to return to the icy wilderness.

    With Liang Yue¡¯s protection gone, the other students would be vulnerable.

    One day, if the chance arose, they could be ¡°dealt with¡± easily.

    With a n forming in her mind, Yang Xinxin¡¯s smile became all the more innocent and harmless.

    ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ll think about it.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s words were cautious, but her heart was already tempted.

    Knowing she¡¯d seeded, Yang Xinxin held back, not wanting to push too hard and cause resistance. She nodded with a sweet smile, ¡°Alright, Teacher Liang. If you decide, just let me know!¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    Liang Yue smiled back.

    Not far away, Zhang Yi rose from the sofa and walked toward Liang Yue.

    Although he didn¡¯t know what they had talked about, he was sure Yang Xinxin was trying to win Liang Yue over.

    ¡°Liang Yue, let¡¯s head downstairs! Too many people here; it¡¯s not convenient.¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled as he spoke.

    The women ying cards nearby couldn¡¯t help but look over.

    Liang Yue¡¯s face flushed; Zhang Yi¡¯s words sounded a bit misleading.

    But thinking about it, there was nothing really wrong with what he¡¯d said, so she nodded and followed him to the basement.

    They went down to the third underground level¡ªthe gym.

    Zhang Yi nced at Liang Yue¡¯s worn clothes and took out a fresh set for her from his *Spatial Storage*.

    Down jacket, wool sweater, thermal wear, and sneakers.

    He even included undergarments and socks.

    Of course, he didn¡¯t forget an indoor athletic outfit.

    ¡°There¡¯s a shower over there. You should wash up first.¡±

    He pointed to a nearby bathroom.

    Liang Yue¡¯s face turned a deep shade of red.

    Though she was a martial arts master, she was still a woman.

    Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t mentioned anything about her being unclean, but she couldn¡¯t help but feel a bit self-conscious.

    She lowered her head and muttered, ¡°It¡¯s not like I have the luxury of new clothes or hot showers outside.¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled, ¡°I didn¡¯t say a word! You¡¯re overthinking.¡±

    Flushed, Liang Yue grabbed the clothes and went off to shower.

    After a good while, she returned, freshly showered and dressed in the new athletic gear Zhang Yi had prepared.

    Her upper body was d in a gray sports tank, revealing her healthy, tan skin and clearly defined abs.

    She wore fitted ck athletic pants below, her toned muscles and perfect curves a testament to her years of training.

    With a ck sweatband across her forehead, her already resolute expression gained an addedyer of charisma.

    Zhang Yi took in her appearance with satisfaction.

    ¡°All right, Teacher Liang. Let¡¯s get started!¡±

    Liang Yue gave Zhang Yi a faint, mischievous smile.

    ¡°Learning martial arts is tough. You¡¯d better be ready!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 335: Not Fearing Scarcity but Inequality

    Chapter 335: Not Fearing Scarcity but Inequality

    Liang Yue¡¯s teaching was genuine.

    Because Zhang Yi had been quite good to her, she wanted to return the favor in this way.

    However, mastering real martial arts wasn''t easy.

    At the very least, you had to start by getting used to being hit to build up your body''s resilience.

    Luckily, Zhang Yi was already physically fit from regr exercise, allowing him to keep up with Liang Yue¡¯s pace.

    After two and a half hours of practice, he was drenched in sweat, and his whole body ached.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got a solid foundation, but mastering martial arts isn¡¯t something that happens overnight. You¡¯ll need to be mentally prepared for a long journey,¡± Liang Yue said, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

    ¡°I don¡¯t expect to be some martial arts master; I just want another way to keep myself safe,¡± Zhang Yi replied, panting as he sat on the foam mat.Liang Yue couldn¡¯t help butment, ¡°You even managed to kill Ling Feng; there aren''t many people who can threaten your life.¡±

    Zhang Yi smirked and said calmly, ¡°The world is full of surprises. Nobody should gamble with their life.¡±

    He knew why he was able to defeat Ling Feng.

    It was purely due to the advantage of hidden information and thorough preparation.

    If the two had fought in an unknown setting without knowing each other¡¯s capabilities, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t have been confident about winning against Ling Feng.

    If his Dimensional Gate couldn¡¯t catch Ling Feng off guard, then Zhang Yi would surely have died.

    ¡°Let¡¯s continue tomorrow! I¡¯m done for today,¡± Zhang Yi said, getting up.

    He pulled out a bag of food from his Spatial Storage, enough to barely feed about ten people.

    He was always true to his word.

    Zhang Yi left the downstairs bathroom for Liang Yue and went upstairs to take a shower himself.

    Watching Zhang Yi head upstairs, Liang Yue thought about Yang Xinxin¡¯s suggestion.

    If those words hade from Zhang Yi, she would have suspected some hidden agenda.

    But she couldn¡¯t bring herself to doubt the intentions of that innocent, wheelchair-bound girl.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    ¡°Could I live in that ce?¡± Liang Yue felt unsure. She wasn¡¯t a fan of living under someone else¡¯s roof.

    But it was sofortable there!

    Caught in this inner conflict, she was already leaning towards the idea.

    After Liang Yue left, Fatty Xu came over and asked Zhang Yi, ¡°Boss, should we bring Liang Yue along when we head to West Hill Base the day after tomorrow? Having an extra person would mean more security.¡±

    ¡°To be honest, while we¡¯ve assumed that West Hill Base is devoid of survivors, no one¡¯s actually gone down there to confirm it,¡± he added cautiously.

    Uncle You couldn¡¯t help butugh, teasing him, ¡°Xu, you¡¯re as timid as a mouse!¡±

    Fatty Xu chuckled, ¡°Better safe than sorry! That¡¯s what the boss taught me.¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled, ¡°Fatty Xu does have a point. But right now, it¡¯s not appropriate to invite Liang Yue.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not one of us yet; we¡¯re only working together. If we ask for her help, we¡¯ll owe her a favor. There¡¯s no need for that.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯ll just be us. We¡¯re only searching through ruins, so it¡¯s not risky.¡±

    All high-level Superhumans like Ling Feng had been eliminated, and Leader Chen Xinian was burned to ashes by Zhang Yi. It was unlikely that there would be any remaining threats at the base.

    Meanwhile, Liang Yue left the Shelter with mixed emotions.

    On her way back, she mulled over what Yang Xinxin had said.

    Would it be possible to move into the Shelter?

    The thought of its superior living conditions was very tempting.

    But she¡¯d need to discuss it with her students.

    As their teacher, Liang Yue felt responsible for considering their feelings.

    Yang Xinxin made a valid point: whether or not she moved into the Shelter wouldn¡¯t really affect her students¡¯ environment.

    Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t let them all stay in the Shelter, anyway.

    ¡°In that case, moving into Zhang Yi¡¯s ce might be doable.¡±

    ¡°Sigh, I¡¯ll still need to discuss it with them, hear their thoughts.¡±

    ¡°Thinking about it carefully, we really do need to get closer to Zhang Yi so he can help us more!¡±

    The more Liang Yue thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed.

    She also wanted to enjoy a better life, as Zhang Yi had once pointed out. She just needed a reason to convince herself.

    Liang Yue returned to Xu Family Town.

    When she ced the food she¡¯d gotten from Zhang Yi in front of her students, the hungry students cheered with joy.

    ¡°Awesome! We¡¯ve got food!¡±

    They all rushed forward, grabbing eagerly.

    Watching them, Liang Yue sighed slightly.

    She looked toward Ye Xiaotian and Wu Chengyu, the two students now in charge of managing everyone.

    Ye Xiaotian had been modified by West Hill Base and was the group¡¯s main fighter.

    Wu Chengyu, who was sharp and had previously served as ss monitor, was their intellectual leader.

    ¡°Ye Xiaotian, Wu Chengyu, did you manage to organize the others to cut through the ice and catch fish in Lu River this morning?¡±

    Wu Chengyu¡¯s gaze drifted evasively as he replied, ¡°Teacher Liang, you know that everyone was exhausted from pedaling bikes at West Hill Base every day. Now that we finally have some rest, asking them to brave the cold and work again¡­ it¡¯s tough.¡±

    Ye Xiaotian frowned slightly, pointing to the table in the snow house. ¡°I managed to catch a few. But with just pickaxes and hoes, the tools are too crude, so it¡¯s not very efficient.¡±

    Seeing the pitiful two fish on the table, Liang Yue felt a pang of disappointment.

    She wasn¡¯t familiar with ice fishing, and back in Xu Family Town, vigers had relied on proper tools and sled dogs to seed.

    These students had no experience, and the tools weren¡¯t ideal. Trying to rely on this method for food was a fantasy.

    Liang Yue sighed, ¡°You both need to figure out how to improve our fishing efficiency.¡±

    ¡°These supplies were given to us by Zhang Yi as part of our deal. But we can¡¯t expect him to keep feeding us.¡±

    ¡°When we run out, what will we do? We have to rely on ourselves to survive in this frozen apocalypse!¡±

    Though Zhang Yi promised to provide some food in exchange for her martial arts lessons, she knew he wouldn¡¯t provide enough to sustain ten people.

    As the students divided the food, theyined about the meager portions.

    ¡°There¡¯s so little! We¡¯re still hungry,¡± they grumbled.

    ¡°If we don¡¯t get enough, we¡¯ll easily fall sick in this cold.¡±

    Ye Xiaotian quickly interjected, ¡°Let¡¯s be thankful. Teacher Liang worked hard to get this from Zhang Yi.¡±

    ¡°We can¡¯t rely on others forever; we have to get our own food.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s eat and brainstorm ideas on how to improve our food situation.¡±

    Reluctantly, the students nodded, not looking thrilled.

    Braving the freezing winds, breaking through ice to fish was a challenging task.

    Wu Chengyu looked at Liang Yue and suddenly suggested, ¡°Teacher Liang, since you¡¯re training with Zhang Yi daily, could you ask him if we could stay in his Shelter?¡±

    ¡°Look, Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin are staying there. Since we¡¯re from the same ss, it shouldn¡¯t be too much to ask.¡±

    Other students¡¯ eyes lit up.

    ¡°Yeah! His Shelter is huge; a dozen of us should fit.¡±

    ¡°We could even eat less, help out¡­¡±

    ¡°Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran live there; why can¡¯t we?¡±

    These students, from influential families in Tianhai City, felt they deserved better treatment.

    Liang Yue sighed inwardly, exining, ¡°You¡¯re different from them.¡±

    ¡°Yang Xinxin is Zhang Yi¡¯s girlfriend¡¯s sister, and Lu Keran is her best friend. You don¡¯t have that connection.¡±

    ¡°Plus, both of them have professional skills. That¡¯s why Zhang Yi allowed them in.¡±

    ¡°Do any of you meet either of those criteria?¡±

    The students fell silent, discontented.

    They understood but couldn¡¯t help feeling resentful.

    The luxurious Shelter was just across the river, yet they were stuck in a snow hut, eating charity.

    ¡°Teacher Liang, please try a bit harder!¡± someone pleaded.

    ¡°You¡¯re our teacher; you¡¯ll find a way!¡±

    Their hopeful stares created immense pressure for Liang Yue.

    She¡¯d intended to discuss Yang Xinxin¡¯s offer with them, but now, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to mention it.

    ¡­

    Three days flew by.

    Zhang Yi, Fatty Xu, and Uncle You had regained peak physical condition.

    They prepared their gear and nned a trip to West Hill Base to see how much they could salvage.

    Meanwhile, Lu Keran had revised her defense ns several times.

    With Zhang Yi¡¯s approval, they finalized the design.

    Once Zhang Yi and the others brought back building materials, they could start construction.

    ¡°By the way, can we repair the outer wall?¡± Zhang Yi asked, recalling the damage caused by the Special Forces Team.

    Lu Keran replied, ¡°It was constructed as a single unit, so repairs are challenging but doable. The materials needed, though, are moreplex.¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded; the outer wall¡¯s 20% damage wasn¡¯t urgent.

    ¡°Make a list of the materials, and we¡¯ll look for them in the city¡¯s construction warehouses.¡±

    ¡°Yes, big brother!¡±

    Lu Keran gave him a yful salute, and Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but pinch her nose.

    ¡°Let¡¯s do this!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 336: The Four Major Organizations

    Chapter 336: The Four Major Organizations

    Zhang Yi, along with Uncle You, Fatty Xu, and his loyal battle pet Hua Hua, headed out to West Hill Base.

    The group boarded a snow vehicle, with Hua Hua sitting on Zhang Yi¡¯sp as he activated the autopilot mode.

    This wasn¡¯t their first trip to West Hill Base, so they were fairly rxed.

    Looking at Hua Hua, Fatty Xu blinked and asked Zhang Yi, ¡°Boss, why do I feel like Hua Hua¡¯s a bit different?¡±

    Zhang Yi nced down at the obedient cat on hisp, stroking its soft fur.

    ¡°Oh? How so?¡±

    Fatty Xu thought for a moment, then shook his head. ¡°I can¡¯t say exactly. It¡¯s just a feeling, like something has subtly changed.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s natural,¡± Zhang Yi replied with a knowing smile.Though he didn¡¯t fully understand the mechanism, he knew that some mutated creatures possessed a shared absorption ability. For instance, he, Ling Feng, and Hua Hua all had the power to absorb other Superhumans'' abilities to evolve.

    Last time, Hua Hua devoured several Superhumans, and its abilities had be stronger. But exactly how much stronger, they¡¯d only know after somebat testing.

    After Zhang Yi, his team, and Hua Hua left, Yang Xinxin suddenly wheeled herself out of her workshop into the living room, where she spotted Zhou Ke¡¯er watching TV.

    She asked, ¡°Where¡¯s my brother?¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er blinked and replied, ¡°They went to West Hill Base to gather supplies. Do you need something from him?¡±

    Yang Xinxin furrowed her brow slightly. ¡°I just organized some data I wanted him to see. I guess it¡¯ll have to wait until he¡¯s back.¡±

    Curious, Zhou Ke¡¯er leaned over with a grin. ¡°What interesting data? Let me take a look!¡±

    Yang Xinxin rolled her eyes and smirked. ¡°Cousin, you¡¯re not abatant, so there¡¯s no use in you knowing!¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er puffed out her cheeks in annoyance. ¡°Hmph, I¡¯m an important support team member! Don¡¯t underestimate me!¡±

    ¡°Ha!¡± Yang Xinxin stuck her tongue out and then wheeled away.

    She had no intention of sharing critical intelligence with anyone but Zhang Yi. Secretly, she also liked that the data she provided was valuable to him; her worth to Zhang Yiy in information andwork security.

    What if Zhou Ke¡¯er took credit with her intel?

    Returning to her workshop, Yang Xinxin used the supeputer at her console to contact Zhang Yi en route.

    ¡°Hey, brother, have you reached West Hill Base yet?¡±

    Receiving her message, Zhang Yi nced out at the snowyndscape and replied, ¡°Not yet! We¡¯re about halfway there.¡±

    ¡°Okay, there¡¯s something I just discovered that I need to report.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Sounds important.¡±

    ¡°Yep! I¡¯ve uncovered intel about other major armed groups in Tianhai City. Since you¡¯re out, I thought I¡¯d brief you, just in case you encounter them.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s expression grew serious. ¡°Alright, go ahead.¡±

    Yang Xinxin exined, ¡°ording to intel from West Hill Base, there are a total of fourrge-scale military shelters in Tianhai City. They¡¯re located in the West Hill, Qingpu, Yangsheng, and Chaoyu areas.¡±

    ¡°These shelters were established by the government years ago and have been maintained for sudden wars or natural disasters.¡±

    ¡°Each of them has underground shelters, massive arsenals, and extensive wartime supplies.¡±n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Zhang Yi nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve heard about these.¡±

    The information wasn¡¯t surprising. Having lived in Tianhai City for years, he¡¯d heard rumors, and he even recalled news reports showing glimpses of these underground shelters years ago.

    ¡°So, besides West Hill Base, there are three other major military powers: Yangsheng, Chaoyu, and Qingpu. Each of these areas is quite far from our Shelter,¡± he mused.

    ¡°But given what happened at West Hill Base, it¡¯s likely these forces will take notice.¡±

    Themotion at West Hill Base that night had been significant enough to attract attention.

    If they learned that the West Hill Base in the Xishan and Lu River areas had been destroyed, there was a chance they¡¯d expand their reach here.

    ¡°No, there¡¯s one more unique faction,¡± Yang Xinxin added. ¡°Based on the data from West Hill Base, there¡¯s a heavily popted region around Tianfeng and Chann. It¡¯s be a force to be reckoned with, though the records on them are limited.¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded. ¡°That¡¯s not surprising. With so many people in Tianhai City, it¡¯s natural for dozens of factions to form.¡±

    ¡°It seems like these powers don¡¯t know much about each other yet.¡±

    ¡°Probably because the apocalypse hasn¡¯t been around long enough. They¡¯re all too busy ensuring their own survival and development.¡±

    For example, West Hill Base was destroyed before it even gathered full information on its neighboring districts.

    In fact, the attempt to take him down likely stemmed from their internal desire to secure their territory.

    The other factions were probably in simr situations.

    ¡°Excellent work, Xinxin. This information is very useful.¡±

    Yang Xinxin blushed happily at his praise. ¡°Brother, I¡¯ll keeppiling information on them. When you¡¯re back, I¡¯ll give you a full report, alright?¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled and nodded. ¡°Of course!¡±

    After the call, Zhang Yi noticed Fatty Xu and Uncle You looking at him curiously.

    Without hiding anything, Zhang Yi ryed what Yang Xinxin had told him.

    ¡°So, the other armed forces in Tianhai City are asrge as West Hill Base? That¡¯s a bit worrisome. Let¡¯s hope they keep their distance,¡± Fatty Xu said with concern.

    Zhang Yi, however, was calm. ¡°It¡¯s to be expected. But Tianhai City is vast; as long as we don¡¯t actively provoke them, there shouldn¡¯t be any conflict.¡±

    ¡°With at least 90% of the city¡¯s poption gone, the remaining resources are more than enough for the surviving factions. No one¡¯s eager to risk their lives fighting.¡±

    Uncle You, who had been silent, suddenly sighed. ¡°Let¡¯s just hope things go that smoothly. I¡¯ve got a feeling we¡¯ll be running into them soon enough!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 337: Returning to West Hill Again

    Chapter 337: Returning to West Hill Again

    In truth, it wasn¡¯t just Uncle You who felt this way; both Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu also sensed that they were on the verge of encountering other major powers.

    Nothing in this world happens by coincidence. There¡¯s only the inevitable and the willful actions of people.

    Themotion caused by the battle at the West Hill Base was simply too great.

    It was bound to attract the attention of other factions in Tianhai City.

    And when they notice the power vacuum in this area, they will start expanding their influence here.

    Can Zhang Yi guarantee peaceful coexistence with them when the timees?

    ¡°No one knows how things will unfold from here, but there¡¯s one thing I know: as long as we be strong enough, no one will dare to mess with us!¡±

    Zhang Yi nced at the two of them. ¡°Let¡¯s go. We¡¯re heading to the West Hill Base to collect all the weapons there!¡±¡°Mm, let¡¯s do it.¡±

    Both of them nodded seriously.

    The car raced through the snowyndscape, heading toward the long-missed West Hill Base.

    ---

    West Hill.

    Located in the southwestern area of Tianhai City, it¡¯s a range of low mountains, with an elevation of less than 200 meters.

    It was once near the military district of Tianhai City, so when the apocalypse came, it was one of the first ces designated as a refuge under the control of the Tianhai military district.

    In fact, the Tianhai West Refuge was established close torge government facilities.

    This was to ensure that important personnel could quickly reach safety in case of war or disaster.

    In theory, the West Hill Base had the strongest armed forces among all the West Refuges.

    This was due to a full-structured armed unit and the fact that most weapons from Tianhai¡¯s military camp were collected here.

    Outside the entrance to the West Hill Base, two groups of people stood in the snow.

    Both groups worepletely white clothing, dyed specifically to blend in with the snowy environment.

    One group worebat uniforms nearly identical to those of the West Hill Base.

    The only difference was their emblem, which featured a blue wave, while the West Hill Base¡¯s symbol was a golden sword.

    Not far away, the other group wore simpler clothing.

    Most of them were dressed in thick white down jackets that didn¡¯t match, looking as if they had been scavenged from a mall.

    The two sides watched each other warily, gripping their weapons tightly, their gazes fixed on each other.

    ¡°This entrance has beenpletely sealed. Looks like we won¡¯t be able to retrieve anything from below,¡± said a tall man with a piercing gaze, who led the group inbat uniforms. §²

    The leader of the mismatched group was a lean, short man who chuckled as he crossed his arms and replied, ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought a missile destroyed this ce? I don¡¯t know what Chen Xinian did to offend the Jiangnan District, but he got what he deserved!¡±

    The tall man, Wang Ruixuan, sneered, ¡°That guy was always arrogant. It¡¯s no surprise he ended up like this.¡±

    The short man, Han Chang, didn¡¯t pick up on the topic; his group had little association with Chen Xinian.

    In fact, his faction didn¡¯t have close ties with the West Refuge¡¯s forces either.

    He was here simply to assess the condition of the West Hill Base.

    Looking at the scene before him, especially the gaping hole on the mountainside left by a bunker-buster missile, he could pretty much conclude that there was no one alive down there.

    Han Chang sighed, ¡°What a wasted trip!¡±

    Wang Ruixuan also frowned deeply.

    The entrance waspletely blocked, covered in rubble and wrecked cars.

    Clearing it would require too much effort.

    Their base was far from here, so mobilizing more people was not an option right now.

    Yet, the West Hill Base was still a valuable prize.

    If they could open this passage and enter, they would gain ess to vast reserves of supplies left behind.

    Han Chang noticed the glint in Wang Ruixuan¡¯s eyes and smirked.

    Amused, he taunted, ¡°Even if you could use your Superhumans to clear this entrance, how would you transport all those supplies back to Chaoyu Harbor Base?¡±

    He gestured broadly from the east to the southwest.

    ¡°Your base is nearly 200 kilometers from here, crossing the entirety of Tianhai City!¡±

    Wang Ruixuan snorted, ¡°You think you could do any better?¡±

    Han Chang shrugged, ¡°We never had high expectations. I only came to confirm the West Hill Base¡¯s status.¡±

    He chuckled, ¡°Now that we know everyone there is dead, that¡¯s already the best news for us.¡±

    ¡°Look at the other two bases. They were smart and didn¡¯t waste much time here.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re the closest ones; they probably checked this ce out ages ago.¡±

    Wang Ruixuan frowned, admitting to himself that Han Chang had a point.

    Their Chaoyu Base was indeed far from the West Hill Base. Even if they nned to scavenge, bases like Yangsheng and Qingfu, which were closer, would have a geographical advantage.

    With thend now covered in snow, every additional kilometer of distance would pose a challenge for transportation.

    Han Chang suddenly sighed, ¡°What a pity! West Hill Base is gone, but your Chaoyu Base won¡¯t get a chance to seize it.¡±

    He gave Wang Ruixuan a yful look. ¡°Yangsheng and Qingfu will end up benefiting. They¡¯ll slowly strip the West Hill Base of its assets and emerge much stronger!¡±

    Among all the West Refuges, the West Hill Base had the most abundant armory.

    This was a fact that attracted the envy of other bases.

    Of course, each base within the West Refuge held unique advantages.

    ¡°Are you trying to sow discord?¡± Wang Ruixuan asked coldly.

    Han Chang sneered, ¡°The internal conflicts among your West forces don¡¯t need me to stir anything up.¡±

    Wang Ruixuan scoffed, ¡°I don¡¯t believe for a second that your Followers of the Snow God would let Yangsheng and Qingfu take this without a fight. Or are you scheming something else?¡±

    Wang Ruixuan¡¯s gaze turned sharp as he stared intently at Han Chang, hoping to spot some telltale reaction.

    With the fall of the West Hill Base, the bnce of power in Tianhai City had been disrupted.

    Besides the massive inventory of supplies in the West Hill Base, there were also various factories, supermarkets, and even live captives within its control.

    These resources were highly coveted by all factions.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    ¡°Everyone knows the rules. Let¡¯s see who has the skill to im them! No need to y the noble hero here.¡±

    Han Chang grinned, shing his teeth like a ferret ready to pounce.

    Just then, the sound of a car engine broke through the distance, capturing everyone¡¯s attention.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 338: The Most Arrogant Person Iâ€™ve Ever Seen

    Chapter 338: The Most Arrogant Person I¡¯ve Ever Seen

    Zhang Yi drove up to the entrance of the West Hill Base.

    When he was about a hundred meters away, he vaguely noticed a few people up ahead.

    After all, with the icy snow all around and them dressed in white, they were practically invisible.

    But those people noticed Zhang Yi¡¯s vehicle first.

    ¡°A snow vehicle,¡± Wang Ruixuan instantly recognized it, a fiery gleam in his eyes.

    In the south, this type of vehicle was extremely rare.

    After the arrival of the Ice Age, it had be the most convenient mode of transport.

    Chaoyu Base had their own vehicles¡ªsnow vehicles they had modified themselves¡ªbut these modifications couldn¡¯tpare to the real thing.Their vehicles weren¡¯t as fast, consumed more fuel, and even then, the number of usable vehicles was limited.

    Han Chang whistled, ¡°Looks like people from another base are here!¡±

    At this point, Zhang Yi noticed them, his gaze hardening slightly.

    ¡°Someone¡¯s already here!¡±

    Fatty Xu and Uncle You also tensed up, readying themselves forbat.

    Uncle You said in a low voice, ¡°Could this be one of the factions Yang Xinxin mentioned?¡±

    Fatty Xu swallowed, ¡°Hard to say. It could also be some surviving locals.¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled coldly, ¡°Now¡¯s not the time for wishful thinking. How could there be any living people around the West Hill Base?¡±

    If there were, they¡¯d have been captured long ago, first used as test subjects andter turned into high-quality protein.

    ¡°So¡­ they might be enemies?¡±

    Fatty Xu asked nervously.

    ¡°Probably. But so what? The West Hill Base is ours.¡±

    Zhang Yi pulled out his Golden Desert Eagle and calmly loaded it with armor-piercing rounds.

    ¡°Even if ites to a fight, we¡¯ve got nothing to fear.¡±n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    While these unknown adversaries presented a possible threat, it was unlikely they were the main forces of any major faction.

    With their currentbat power, Zhang Yi¡¯s team had nothing to fear in a confrontation within Tianhai City.

    The car came to a stop near the groups from Chaoyu Base and the Followers of the Snow God.

    The three doors opened simultaneously, and Zhang Yi¡¯s group stepped out.

    Dressed inbat uniforms, Zhang Yi¡¯s team also had an unusual-looking ck cat perched on his shoulder, which made the people from Chaoyu Base and the Followers of the Snow God tense up.

    They noticed the golden sword emblem on Zhang Yi¡¯s team¡¯s uniforms and assumed they were Special Forces Team members from the West Hill Base.

    Among the soldiers and Superhumans, the West Hill Base was known as one of the most formidable forces within the West Refuges.

    ¡°I thought everyone at the West Hill Base was dead. Didn¡¯t expect there¡¯d be survivors,¡± Wang Ruixuan said icily, looking at Zhang Yi¡¯s group.

    Everyone was on high alert, prepared for battle. The rtionships among these factions wereplex. Rather than direct enemies, they were wary of each other, all vying for territory in Tianhai City.

    It was no surprise if alliances suddenly formed or if anyone initiated an attack on another.

    Zhang Yi nced at the clothing of the two groups.

    One side worebat gear, while the other was dressed in ordinary clothes.

    He deduced that one group was from another shelter, while the other was likely an unaffiliated faction, as Yang Xinxin had described.

    Having both groups appear at the entrance to the West Hill Base was a minorplication.

    Zhang Yi wanted to avoid any conflict, as he currently had sufficient resources and no need topete with others.

    However, since he had imed the West Hill Base, giving it up was out of the question.

    Hearing Wang Ruixuan¡¯s words, Zhang Yi had a sh of inspiration. ¡°Why are you here? Don¡¯t tell me you want to start a war with the West Hill Base?¡±

    At his words, Han Chang chuckled, raised his hands, and began to back away.

    ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand. We¡¯re just here for the spectacle. The Followers of the Snow God value peace and aren¡¯t looking for conflict with anyone.¡±

    With that, Han Chang led his men away, smiling as they went.

    He never fought battles without benefit.

    Fighting with Chaoyu Base over a snow vehicle was not worth the risk.

    Since the entrance to the West Hill Base was already sealed off, there was nothing to gain by staying.

    But Wang Ruixuan didn¡¯t see it that way.

    He observed the obviously war-torn West Hill Base and sneered, ¡°It looks like the West Hill Base is already destroyed. You few West Hill stragglers still dare to talk big?¡±

    They had been in the West Hill area for a long time.

    If the West Hill Base were still as powerful as before, they wouldn¡¯t have taken so long to arrive.

    So Wang Ruixuan concluded that these were merely the remnants of the West Hill Base.

    Zhang Yi narrowed his eyes.

    He had blocked the entrance to the West Hill Base himself.

    Without someone like him or Uncle You, clearing out the rubble and moving the supplies inside would be impossible.

    He looked at Wang Ruixuan and said, ¡°If you¡¯re so sure the West Hill Base is destroyed, there¡¯s no need for all this talk.¡±

    ¡°Alright, do whatever you want.¡±

    With that, Zhang Yi began to back away, quietly instructing Uncle You and Fatty Xu, ¡°We¡¯re leaving.¡±

    Since the two groups couldn¡¯t ess the base, he decided to feign retreat, nning to return once they left.

    He wanted to avoid unnecessary conflict if possible.

    But his intentions didn¡¯t mean the others would agree.

    Wang Ruixuan had set his sights on Zhang Yi¡¯s snow vehicle from the moment they arrived.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s vehicle was top-tier, an extremely rare asset in this ice age that anyone would covet.

    Assuming Zhang Yi¡¯s group were mere stragglers, and with more men on his side, Wang Ruixuan wasn¡¯t about to miss the chance to take advantage.

    ¡°Hold it! Did I say you could leave?¡±

    Wang Ruixuan sneered, calling out.

    The three of them had been about to leave, but upon hearing Wang Ruixuan¡¯s arrogant tone, they narrowed their eyes.

    Even Hua Hua¡¯s eyes shed with irritation.

    Was he talking to them?

    Zhang Yi looked at Wang Ruixuan with an expression that suggested he was dealing with an idiot.

    Did this guy even realize he was up against three Superhumans and a powerful mutated creature?

    ¡°We don¡¯t want trouble. Do whatever you want, just don¡¯t try to mess with us,¡± Zhang Yi warned.

    He didn¡¯t want to fight, considering Wang Ruixuan had the backing of an organization no weaker than the West Hill Base.

    Killing him might stir up trouble, disturbing his peaceful life.

    Wang Ruixuan burst outughing.

    ¡°Do you even realize what situation you¡¯re in?¡±

    ¡°Leave the car; you can go.¡±

    He raised his arm as he spoke.

    ¡°Remember one thing¡ªin this chaotic world, power is the only truth!¡±

    ¡°I could easily kill you all. So whatever I say, you¡¯d better obey!¡±

    With that, he took off his gloves, revealing two slender hands.

    The next moment, his hands glowed a deep blue, and the air around him seemed colder, though it was likely the effect of the cold glow. Zhang Yi and his team, dressed in temperature-controlledbat uniforms, felt no change in the surrounding temperature.

    ¡°A Superhuman?¡± Fatty Xu frowned.

    Wang Ruixuan sneered, ¡°That¡¯s right. I am a Superhuman! I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard of us. Killing you small fries would be as easy as squashing ants.¡±

    ¡°Leave the car, and I¡¯ll spare your lives! Otherwise, I don¡¯t mind staining this white snow with a bit of red.¡±

    Even the usually mild-tempered Uncle You was getting angry.

    ¡°All these years, and I¡¯ve never met anyone so arrogant!¡±

    Wang Ruixuan sneered, ¡°Well, you¡¯re meeting one now!¡±

    ¡°Enough talk. Leave the car and get out of here!¡±

    The people with him chuckled, though they didn¡¯t move, clearly thinking Wang Ruixuan could handle Zhang Yi¡¯s group easily.

    Zhang Yi shook his head in exasperation.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t want trouble. But if you¡¯re looking to die, I can¡¯t help you.¡±

    Before he even finished speaking, the previously smug Wang Ruixuan suddenly felt the scene shift before his eyes.

    Without even looking up, he saw the sky filled with dark clouds.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Before he could react, his mind went nk.

    To the others from Chaoyu Base, it looked like Wang Ruixuan¡¯s head suddenly separated from his neck and fell heavily to the ground.

    It hit the ground with a dull thud, spilling blood everywhere.

    Everyone was terrified, unsure of what had just happened.

    Before they could react, a massive maw came down, devouring half of them in one bite.

    ¡°Ahwooh!¡±

    Hua Hua chomped down, chewing a few times, then spat them out, apparently displeased with the taste.

    ¡°Only one Superhuman among them?¡±

    Hua Hua only spit out the regr humans.

    Zhang Yi walked over, picked up Wang Ruixuan¡¯s head, and absorbed his Superhuman Energy.

    It turned out he had barely any energy left, adding almost nothing to Zhang Yi¡¯s reserves.

    ¡°So, he was just a newly awakened Superhuman. I have no idea what he was so arrogant about.¡±

    Fatty Xu jeered, ¡°Exactly! Arrogant kids, acting invincible because they gained powers. He got what he deserved!¡±

    Zhang Yi said tly, ¡°People like that who¡¯ve never tasted real hardship often end up this way. Chaoyu Base clearly hasn¡¯t fought anyrge-scale battles if they let Superhumans at his level think they¡¯re unstoppable.¡±

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t sure what Wang Ruixuan¡¯s ability was exactly.

    But unting himself within Zhang Yi¡¯s Divine Power sniping range? That was a death sentence.

    Author''s Note

    Hi, everyone! A fresh chapter is ready for you! If you¡¯re enjoying the story, please consider rating BOTI Trantor Team 5 stars on NovelUpdates. Your support keeps us going! ??

 Chapter 339: West Hill Armory

    Chapter 339: West Hill Armory

    Zhang Yi stored Wang Ruixuan and his team¡¯s corpses into his Dimensional Space.

    They might have items that could be usefulter, so he figured he¡¯d collect them now and sort through themter.

    As for potentially inciting a grudge with Chaoyu Base over this, Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t worried.

    He preferred avoiding trouble, but he wouldn¡¯t shy away from it either.

    Had Wang Ruixuan not crossed the line, Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t nned to kill him.

    But it was done, and that was that.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go. Let¡¯s get into the West Hill Base, clear out what¡¯s left, and avoid hanging around here.¡±

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t sure how many more people mighte from Chaoyu Base, so the sooner they wrapped up, the better.No one knew who he was anyway, and even the Followers of the Snow God, who had left earlier, had mistaken them for remnants of the West Hill Base.

    The group quickly moved to the entrance of the West Hill Base.

    Zhang Yi had previously blocked it off with a pile of junked cars and rubble to prevent anyone from scavenging.

    Now, he, Uncle You, and Hua Hua worked together to clear the blockage, storing the debris into his Dimensional Space.

    It took them less than half an hour to clear a path.

    ¡°Hua Hua, you take the lead!¡±

    Zhang Yi patted Hua Hua¡¯s head with a smile.

    Animals often had a keener sense than humans. If there was any danger below, Hua Hua would sense it first.

    Zhang Yi was primarily concerned about the low air quality down there, not wanting the team to descend only to find themselves unable to return.

    With a flick of its tail, Hua Hua strode confidently down the passageway.

    Seeing this, Zhang Yi grinned. ¡°Looks like there¡¯s no danger down here.¡±

    The three of them followed Hua Hua into the base.

    The West Hill Base had sustained missile attacks and further explosive sts, leaving visible cracks along the thick concrete walls, exposing thick rebar underneath. ?

    The dark passage forced them to use heamps for light.

    Zhang Yi navigated ording to the base¡¯syout, heading toward the Third Life Pod.

    The Fourth Life Pod held no real value; it was merely housing for the West Hill Base¡¯sbor force.

    This sector, housing 80% of the base¡¯s poption, held less than 0.1% of its total value¡ªamon story across societies.

    The air below was heavy, with the venttion system destroyed and the entrance sealed, causing a stale, putrid smell.

    The source of this stenchy behind a massive dark green iron door not far to their left.

    During the West Hill battle, the Fourth Life Pod¡¯s inhabitants had been forcibly detained inside.

    The thousands left in there¡­ just imagining what they must have gone through made Zhang Yi¡¯s skin crawl.

    Even with the blood of many on his hands, the horror of this death was disturbing.

    Sealed underground, with no light, no water, no power, and finally no air¡­ all left to suffocate together.

    ¡°Your deaths aren¡¯t my fault,¡± Zhang Yi murmured without guilt. Even if they hadn¡¯t died now, a miserable end would¡¯ve found them sooner orter.

    Fatty Xu cowered behind the other two. ¡°Boss, that area feels¡­ icy. Like something creepy¡¯s in there. Could there be ghosts?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of the living; why would I be scared of some ghost?¡± Zhang Yi scoffed.

    Fatty Xu¡¯s fear was almostughable.

    ¡°Come on, let¡¯s not waste time here. Let¡¯s head over to find the storage room, the armory.¡±

    The three of them turned toward the Third Life Pod.

    But shortly after they moved away, the massive green door shuddered violently, as though something was trying to break free.

    They, however, didn¡¯t see it.

    The corridors were littered with corpses in various states of decay¡ªmostly West Hill soldiers, many of whom had died horrifically.

    Some were killed by Zhang Yi¡¯s team in the initial battle, but most had suffocated.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Theyy slumped against walls, clutching at their throats, some with broken vocal cords from wing at their own necks.

    In the warm subterranean air, the bodies had begun to dpose, creating a chilling atmosphere 100 meters underground.

    Zhang Yi, however, felt no fear.

    After witnessing countless horrors since the Apocalypse, he had grown numb.

    The Third Life Pod served as the soldiers¡¯ quarters, and the armory was located here as well.

    Following the West Hill Base blueprint, Zhang Yi quickly located the armory.

    Its door was ajar, apparently left open in ast-ditch effort by the soldiers to retrieve weapons and break free.

    Clearly, they had failed.

    Peeking through the door, Zhang Yi caught sight of the room¡¯s contents and felt his mind explode as if a hundred bombs had gone off at once.

    ¡°My god!¡±

    Uncle You and Fatty Xu squeezed in beside him, staring in shock, frozen like statues.

    They had expected the West Hill Base¡¯s armory to be well-stocked, but this was beyond their wildest dreams!

    In the center of the room sat a fully armed helicopter.

    The massive storage area spanned thousands of square meters, containing dozens of tanks, armored vehicles, and cannons.

    And that wasn¡¯t even counting the crates of munitions and state-of-the-artbat equipment, leaving Zhang Yi¡¯s head spinning.

    ¡°With all this equipment, you could arm a full modern battalion!¡± Uncle You eximed.

    As a retired soldier, he knew the value of what he was seeing.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t just the West Hill Base¡¯s stockpile; it includes weaponry from the Tianhai Garrison, all moved here together.¡±

    Regaining hisposure, Zhang Yi¡¯s face lit up with joy.

    Like any man, he couldn¡¯t help but admire these tools of warfare.

    He opened the armory doors and strode in.

    Fatty Xu, trailing behind, muttered, ¡°These weapons are great, but with the world covered in snow, where would we even use them?¡±

    Zhang Yi approached the helicopter, his hand trailing along its cold surface.

    ¡°Of course I know that! If they were usable, Ling Feng would¡¯ve deployed them long ago to attack the Shelter.¡±

    Despite the challenges posed by sub-zero temperatures, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but admire the sight of this war machine.

    ¡°What they couldn¡¯t use doesn¡¯t mean we won¡¯t find a purpose for it!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze swept across the arsenal, a pleased smile forming.

    ¡°The biggest hurdle in deploying them is transportation, but that¡¯s no problem for me.¡±

    ¡°We could set up these cannons and tanks around the perimeter as a defensive line. They¡¯d be perfect!¡±

    Already, Zhang Yi had ns for how he¡¯d use this enormous arsenal.

    He was a man who believed in never wasting a thing, a lesson he¡¯d learned from a general who cherished his troops.

    In any case, he nned to take everything with him!

    At that moment, Uncle You approached him, ¡°Zhang Yi, this one looks like a great fit for me! Mind if I take a couple?¡±

    Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu turned to see Uncle You happily examining a massive Gatling gun.

    This thing wasn¡¯t even meant for individual use but for mounting on vehicles or helicopters.

    Only someone like Uncle You, with his physically enhanced Superhuman strength, could handle it.

    While normal firearms wouldn¡¯t be effective against Superhumans, weapons of this caliber were a different story.

    Only someone with near-invulnerability like Zhang Yi could withstand it.

    Even Ling Feng, known for his resilience, could only dodge it by moving at high speeds.

    Zhang Yi nodded. ¡°No problem, Uncle You. I¡¯ll store two for you in my Dimensional Space. You can use them whenever you need.¡±

    This made sense¡ªcarrying something that bulky everywhere wasn¡¯t practical, so Uncle You agreed.

    Zhang Yi gestured to the enormous selection of weaponry, telling Uncle You, ¡°Browse around. If anything else catches your eye, I¡¯ll set it aside for you to use in battle.¡±

    Uncle You nodded enthusiastically; there were other things he could use as well.

    A rocketuncher, for instance, was like a shotgun in his hands.

    Fatty Xu wasn¡¯t too interested in the weapons themselves but was practically starstruck by the tanks and armored vehicles.

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow. ¡°Why are you so excited over those? At most, we¡¯ll set them up as fixed cannons. There¡¯s no way they¡¯d move in this snowy terrain.¡±

    With their massive weight, even on treads, there was no chance of them driving through the snow.

    Fatty Xu hugged a tank, chuckling. ¡°Boss, you don¡¯t get it. This tank model¡ªit¡¯s my wife!¡±

    Zhang Yi stared, dumbfounded. Then, realization dawned, and he looked at Fatty Xu in disgust.

    me the game developers¡ªeverything had been anthropomorphized into girls, from jets to ships, and even trains.

    Fatty Xu had clearly been influenced by a war-themed anime game, now fully lost in his delusion.

    Zhang Yi shook his head. ¡°Fine, if that¡¯s your wife, I suggest you have your honeymoon right here.¡±

    He nced at the tank, teasing, ¡°But which part will you start with? There¡¯s plenty of ess points.¡±

    Fatty Xu blushed. ¡°How can you say something like that? Pervert!¡±

    Zhang Yi: ¡°I¡¯ll be d*mned! How can a pervert call me a pervert?¡±

    It was utterly maddening for Zhang Yi.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 340: The Strange Object

    Chapter 340: The Strange Object

    Zhang Yi and hispanions found arge stockpile of weapons, a massive gain for him.

    "Feares from ack of firepower. With so many weapons, I¡¯ll have more confidence even when facing stronger enemies in the future," he thought.

    "Take it all!"

    Zhang Yi opened his Dimensional Gate and swept the entire weapons cache inside.

    ¡°Let¡¯s keep looking to see if there¡¯s anything else worth taking!¡± Zhang Yi said with a grin to his twopanions.

    The harvest was so abundant that, despite the eerie atmosphere of the underground tunnels lined with corpses, they didn¡¯t feel down.

    Aside from the armory, there was nothing else of value in the Third Life Pod.

    Following the map, the three of them made their way to the Second Life Pod. But as soon as they reached the entrance, they were met with a scene of ruins.The Second Life Pod had been the epicenter of an explosion.

    Although the buildings were built with reinforced concrete and were incredibly sturdy, they still couldn¡¯t withstand an explosion of this scale. Cracks ran through the walls, and many pirs had copsed, though the pod itself hadn¡¯t caved in.

    ording to the map, a protective domeyer reinforced the entire underground shelter from above. At over ten meters high, the dome had only absorbed limited impact and remained intact.

    Right away, Uncle You transformed into a burly figure and went over to lift a massive pir, nearly two meters thick, with one hand!

    He slowly cleared the path as Zhang Yi walked cautiously, keeping his Dimensional Gate ready above his head to deflect any falling debris.

    Once they entered the Second Life Pod, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but sigh at the sight.

    The explosion had destroyed most of the rooms, including all theb equipment.

    Without those precise instruments, there wasn¡¯t much left intact.

    Not that Zhang Yi nned to run human experiments or create an army of Modified Humans, so he didn¡¯t particrly need the equipment. However, bringing it back could be useful for Lu Keran and Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s research. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of such technology might help if they ever encountered more Modified Humans in the future.

    The West Hill Base had only produced a handful of Modified Humans, but what if a stronger force existed elsewhere, capable of creating a more formidable army?n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    ¡°What should we do, Boss? These machines are all busted,¡± Fatty Xu said to Zhang Yi, looking regretful.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter,¡± Zhang Yi shrugged. ¡°Let¡¯s take the leftover pieces back. We might find some valuable information, especially in theputers¡ªthere could be critical intel that Xinxin hasn¡¯t discovered.¡±

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t care if the parts were useful or not. He¡¯d take everything anyway since he had plenty of space.

    They went through eachb, storing anything they didn¡¯t recognize in Spatial Storage.

    Even if it was junk, at least they¡¯d have something to throw at peopleter!

    Suddenly, Fatty Xu shrieked and stumbled backward,nding hard on the ground.

    Zhang Yi and Uncle You instantly tensed up, prepared forbat as they turned to look.

    ¡°What happened?¡±

    Face pale, Fatty Xu pointed ahead. ¡°T-There¡¯s something nasty over there!¡±

    Zhang Yi aimed his helmet¡¯s shlight in that direction, revealing only a pile of broken stones and rubble¡ªnothing strange in sight.

    ¡°What exactly did you see?¡± Zhang Yi asked, frowning. His right hand gripped his gun, ready to unleash his Divine Power.

    Fatty Xu swallowed, then picked up a rock and hurled it into the rubble.

    ¡°Thud!¡±

    The stone hit the pile, and a momentter, a swarm of dark, wriggling creatures emerged from the cracks, scurrying into the darkness.

    Zhang Yi grimaced.

    He wasn¡¯t exactly afraid but found the sight rather revolting¡ªoversized cockroaches!

    ¡°This must be that proteinb Liang Yue mentioned earlier,¡± Zhang Yi muttered, stifling his nausea.

    ¡°Experiments to make food out of cockroaches and earthworms were conducted years ago. Disgusting as it sounds, these creatures are high in protein. If Bear Grylls saw them, he¡¯d be thrilled!¡± he joked to Fatty Xu.

    Uncle Youughed at Fatty Xu¡¯s reaction. ¡°Come on, Little Xu! How can you be so scared? You¡¯re acting like a girl!¡±

    Fatty Xu huffed, getting back on his feet. ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of cockroaches! They just startled me, that¡¯s all.¡±

    Zhang Yi figured the equipment nearby was likely a protein processing machine, though it seemed badly damaged.

    Rubbing his chin, he wondered if Lu Keran might be able to repair it.

    Then again, even if fixed, what would he use it for?

    Soon, Zhang Yi decided he might as well take it¡ªcoulde in handy someday.

    ¡°Let¡¯s do this!¡±

    Zhang Yi and Uncle You began clearing the rubble until a huge, broken protein processory before them. It was smashed into three sections, with some areaspletely crushed.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t mind and stored it anyway.

    Since Fatty Xu had no special abilities without an icy environment, he could only make small talk on the side to ease the awkwardness.

    ¡°These cockroaches are freaks! They can survive in such harsh conditions,¡± he muttered. ¡°Imagine how tough they¡¯d be if they mutated!¡±

    Hearing that, Zhang Yi felt a chill.

    If cats could mutate, why not cockroaches?

    So far, Flower was the only known case of a mutated animal. But since most animals in Tianhai City were domesticated pets, their limited adaptation to natural disasters meant they¡¯d freeze to death easily, even if they did mutate.

    But cockroaches? Their resilience was practically unstoppable.

    If they developed Superhuman Energy, they¡¯d be a nightmare.

    ¡°Ugh, the more I think about it, the more it creeps me out. Thank goodness there are no cockroaches at home!¡±

    After clearing up the equipment, Zhang Yi and his group left the area.

    ¡°Meow¡ª¡±

    Suddenly, Flower turned, hissing into the darkness with an intense, amber-eyed re.

    Frowning, Zhang Yi stared in the same direction.

    In the dark, it felt like something huge was watching them.

    But when he looked closer, the feeling vanished.

    A subtle tension crept into Zhang Yi¡¯s mind.

    It seemed like something strange and powerful might indeed be lurking here, hidden among the endless dead.

    ¡°This ce doesn¡¯t feel right. Let¡¯s strip it clean and get out of here as soon as possible,¡± Zhang Yi said to Fatty Xu and Uncle You.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 341: Take It All!

    Chapter 341: Take It All!

    The West Hill Base had turned ominous.

    Beneath ity thousands of corpses, thick with a stench of death, eerie and terrifying. If it weren¡¯t for hisbat suit and the sharp-nosed Hua Hua by his side, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t have dared to venture down here.

    Without dy, the group continued onward.

    The West Hill Base housed a massive warehouse filled with food and other essential survival supplies. Following the map¡¯s directions, Zhang Yi quickly found the warehouse at the end of the Second Life Pod.

    The pathway was strewn with rubble, but Uncle You activated his Superhuman Energy, easily clearing the debris.

    The warehouse door was firmly locked with aplex password system.

    ¡°Let me try!¡± Uncle You stepped forward without hesitation, mming his iron fist down hard.

    Boom!!A deafening crash reverberated through the underground space, yet the thick metal door let out only a grating creak instead of breaking. Uncle You withdrew his fist, revealing a dent three centimeters deep.

    ¡°Of course it wouldn¡¯t be that easy to break into the warehouse,¡± Zhang Yimented with a smile.

    ¡°What now? We don¡¯t have a key, and even Uncle You can¡¯t break through. We¡¯re out of options,¡± Fatty Xu said, looking to Zhang Yi for a solution.

    ¡°No rush¡ªthis is actually good news. It means the contents inside are still well-preserved!¡±

    He unhurriedly opened his Spatial Storage and pulled out a pile of tools, starting with arge metal canister, rubber tubing, and a nozzle-like device.

    ¡°A blowtorch!¡± Uncle You immediately recognized it. This torch could reach thousands of degrees, perfect for cutting through thick metal.

    Zhang Yi grinned. ¡°I¡¯ve got loads of tools stashed in here!¡±

    This torch was something he¡¯d picked up from the warehouse earlier, though he hadn¡¯t known when it mighte in handy. Now he did!

    Zhang Yi assembled the blowtorch, then handed it to Uncle You with a thumbs-up.

    ¡°It¡¯s up to you now, Uncle You!¡±

    Fatty Xu muttered, ¡°Boss, I thought you¡¯d do it yourself!¡±

    Zhang Yiughed, ¡°I¡¯ve never done this kind of work before¡ªdon¡¯t have the experience!¡±

    Uncle You, who¡¯d worked as a security guard for years, was a pro at handling tools. Any time a resident needed help, they always turned to Uncle You first. ??

    Grinning, he took the torch. ¡°This I can handle! Did some welding back in the day.¡±

    As he ignited the torch, Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu stepped back five or six paces.

    A slender, blue me shot from the nozzle, heating the metal door until the surrounding air grew stiflingly hot. It took a while, but Uncle You eventually managed to cut an openingrge enough for an adult to crawl through.

    The three entered the warehouse, their heamps illuminating a jumble of items stacked in rows. It looked like the storage room of a massive supermarket, stocked with all kinds of goods.

    Compared to the Wal-Mart warehouse Zhang Yi had emptied earlier, this ce was a bit sparse. Most of the items here had been stored for emergencies or military needs and had been there for years.

    Uncle You scanned the room, his eyes lighting up as he pointed to one corner. ¡°Zhang Yi, look over there! Something good!¡±

    Following Uncle You¡¯s gaze, Zhang Yi saw arge blue tarp covering something, with a steel edge poking out from underneath.

    ¡°Building materials? Ah, these must be for repairing the West Hill Base!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes brightened. If they wanted to build a sturdy defense around Cloud Manor, these durable materials would be essential. He¡¯d been wondering where to get supplies, and now he had a stash right here at West Hill Base!

    The base, after all, had a vast undergroundwork, and maintenance was a constant priority, so it made sense that repair materials were well-stocked.

    The three of them pulled back the tarp, revealing an enormous stack of steel and concrete piled like a small mountain.N?v(el)B\\jnn

    ¡°These are military-grade materials, perfect for constructing fortifications! We¡¯ve got our defense materials sorted!¡± Uncle You cheered.

    ¡°Take it all! Everything!¡± Without a second thought, Zhang Yi stored the entire stockpile in his Spatial Storage.

    As for the other items in the warehouse, there were too many to list, so he simply swept them all into Spatial Storage.

    In a separate section, they found rooms dedicated to food storage, mostly cans and some high-quality provisions. These weren¡¯t appealing to Zhang Yi, but since he was here, he might as well take them.

    He turned to Uncle You and Fatty Xu with a grin. ¡°I¡¯ve got more than enough food at home. You two can split the rest!¡±

    The food didn¡¯t hold much value for him, but it was a nice favor to offer them.

    For Uncle You and Fatty Xu, though, these provisions were priceless.

    Hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s generosity, they exchanged uneasy nces.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, you should keep most of it. You did the heavy lifting to capture the West Hill Base, and without you, we couldn¡¯t have imagined victory here,¡± Uncle You said earnestly.

    Fatty Xu nodded. ¡°Besides, there¡¯s so much here, we couldn¡¯t eat it all in twenty years! Boss, you keep it, and we¡¯lle to you if we need some.¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°I consider you both family; no need to stand on ceremony. If I have good things, I¡¯ll always share them with you.¡±

    ¡°But you¡¯re right that it¡¯s too much for you to carry around. I¡¯ll hold onto it, and you cane find me anytime you need supplies.¡±

    The two were visibly touched.

    With the food stored away, the entire West Hill Base¡¯s years of supplies vanished in minutes.

    It was ironic. Chen Xinian had gone to such lengths to get Zhang Yi¡¯s warehouse supplies, only to lose everything, including his own warehouse, to Zhang Yi. Karma indeed.

    With the warehouse emptied, there was nothing left in West Hill Base of interest to Zhang Yi¡ªexcept the First Life Pod.

    However, that area was as secure as the Shelter, and Zhang Yi didn¡¯t have a way to break in for now.

    From what he knew, it was mainly Chen Xinian¡¯s private quarters, unlikely to contain valuable supplies. Even if it held a few secrets, it wasn¡¯t worth Zhang Yi¡¯s time.

    So the three quickly left West Hill Base.

    Before leaving, Zhang Yi pulled out rubble to block the entrance.

    ¡°Fatty, give it a final touch!¡±

    With a nod, Fatty Xu activated his Snow Burst ability. Pale blue light gathered in his hands, and the sound of wind and snow surged around them.

    Rumble!

    Snow from the mountainside cascaded down like an avnche, sealing the tunnel up to a hundred meters deep.

    Apart from Zhang Yi, it would be nearly impossible for anyone else to dig their way inside. Even though he¡¯d emptied the ce, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t want others scavenging behind him.

    ¡°Alright, time to go home!¡±

    He wasn¡¯t nning to linger anyway. Not long ago, he¡¯d killed a Superhuman and some soldiers from the Chaoyu Base, and if reinforcements arrived, it could mean trouble.

    Better to get out while he could and y it off if anyone asked questions.

    The three piled into the Snow Vehicle, heading for Cloud Manor through the storm.

    ---

    Meanwhile, outside the Shelter¡­

    Liang Yue hade as usual to train Zhang Yi in martial arts and collect her daily rations. Despite the two weeks¡¯ worth of food Zhang Yi had previously given her, it hadn¡¯tsted long once her ravenous students got hold of it.

    During their time in West Hill Base, they had subsisted on protein solution, barely enough to survive, let alone feel full. The sudden abundance of food meant they could only think about eating their fill.

    So now, Liang Yue was back to the daily responsibility of providing for their meals.

    Apart from the ten-person ration she earned by teaching Zhang Yi, she also had to take the students to Lu River to fish through the ice.

    Fishing wasn¡¯t easy, as the fish had swum deep into the water to escape the cold, making every catch a taxing effort.

    Today, however, Zhang Yi was away, so Zhou Ke¡¯er met her instead.

    ¡°Zhang Yi¡¯s out on an errand with some others, and they¡¯ll probably be backte. Maybe we should cancel today¡¯s lesson, Liang Yue?¡± Zhou Ke¡¯er suggested with a gentle smile.

    But this warm expression made Liang Yue hesitate. Skipping Zhang Yi¡¯s training wasn¡¯t a big deal, but if she didn¡¯t take back food, her students would go hungry.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 342: The Meal That Triggered a Breakdown

    Chapter 342: The Meal That Triggered a Breakdown

    Liang Yue¡¯s face was full of struggle.

    A single meal might mean nothing to Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke¡¯er, but for her and her students, it was essential to survival. Food was already scarce, and today¡¯s circumstances only made it worse, leaving her feeling understandably downcast.

    Sensing this, Zhou Ke¡¯er quickly smiled and said, ¡°Oh! I can¡¯t believe I almost forgot!¡±

    ¡°Ms. Liang, you must not have eaten yet. Why don¡¯t you join us for a meal?¡± Zhou Ke¡¯er extended her hand, warmly inviting Liang Yue inside.

    Liang Yue¡¯s throat tightened as she thought of the warm, delicious food in Zhang Yi¡¯s house, and her stomach growled at the thought. But after hesitating a moment, she shook her head, declining Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s kind offer.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    ¡°No, thank you! I¡¯lle back tomorrow instead.¡±

    With her students all starving, the thought of eating alone would make her feel too guilty.

    ¡°My apologies for making youe all this way for nothing!¡± Zhou Ke¡¯er smiled apologetically.¡°Oh, it¡¯s fine,¡± Liang Yue replied. ¡°He has his own matters to handle. Besides, a tutor should adapt to the student¡¯s schedule, not the other way around.¡±

    Turning to leave, Liang Yue walked away, her stubborn determination making Zhou Ke¡¯er chuckle.

    ¡°Ms. Liang is such an endearing person!¡± she remarked.

    From the living room, Yang Xinxin rolled up in her wheelchair. ¡°That¡¯s the warrior spirit¡ªunyielding,¡± she said with a hint of admiration.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er sighed softly, ¡°If she¡¯d just asked, I could¡¯ve packed some food for her to take back.¡±

    She knew that Zhang Yi held Liang Yue in high regard, not only for her abilities but for her unmatched strength as a warrior. As such, Zhou Ke¡¯er treated her with respect as well. If Liang Yue were ever to join them permanently, Zhou Ke¡¯er would make sure to stay on good terms with her.

    Yang Xinxin chuckled, ¡°Sending her back with just one meal might actually make things worse.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± Zhou Ke¡¯er tilted her head, puzzled. ¡°Why would it be worse? Isn¡¯t one meal better than nothing?¡±

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s hands rested on herp, and her expression turned slightly mysterious.

    ¡°Those ssmates of mine aren¡¯t exactly a charitable crowd.¡±

    ¡°If Ms. Liang only brought back one meal, she wouldn¡¯t eat it herself. But if she tried to share it, how would she divide it?¡±

    ¡°With a dozen people trying to eat a single meal, a polite sharing would be impossible. They¡¯d end up fighting over every bite, with yelling, insults, and maybe even brawling.¡±

    ¡°Ms. Liang is already exhausted from looking after them. She wouldn¡¯t want to add more trouble for herself.¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er nodded thoughtfully, agreeing. She could understand why Liang Yue would act that way. Liang Yue had been these students¡¯ teacher for many years and saw them as her own children, making it hard for her to watch them struggle alone in the apocalypse.

    In the past, Zhou Ke¡¯er would have pitied these students too. But that was before. Now, she held on to a sliver of kindness, tempered by reason.

    ¡°Even knowing he¡¯d be gone, Zhang Yi should¡¯ve anticipated that Ms. Liang woulde by. Do you think he did this on purpose?¡± Zhou Ke¡¯er asked, looking out at Liang Yue¡¯s solitary figure in the snow.

    Yang Xinxin blushed a little, a dreamy look crossing her face. ¡°Oh, I¡¯d bet it¡¯s part of Brother Zhang Yi¡¯s n!¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s eyes sparkled as she turned back. ¡°Are you saying Zhang Yi intentionally did this to deepen the conflict among your ssmates? Or to make Liang Yue face reality faster?¡±

    Yang Xinxin nodded. ¡°Of course, Brother Zhang Yi would have thought it all through.¡±

    She added, ¡°Pretending to be busy and ¡®forgetting¡¯ his appointment with Ms. Liang¡ªit¡¯s his way of creating trouble for those people and stirring up Ms. Liang¡¯s doubts.¡±

    ¡°Brother Zhang Yi is so brilliant!¡±

    ¡°Definitely, it¡¯s just like him,¡± Zhou Ke¡¯er said admiringly, her respect for Zhang Yi growing. ¡°Everything he does hasyers of meaning.¡±

    ---

    On the way back, Zhang Yi drove while letting the autopilot assist, which made driving effortless. Suddenly, he pped his forehead. ¡°Ah! I forgot to tell Liang Yue she didn¡¯t need toe by today!¡±

    ---

    Liang Yue returned to Xu Family Town.

    Passing by Lu River, she saw women and children breaking through the ice to fish. Most of the town¡¯s adult men had died at West Hill Base, leaving only women, the elderly, and children.

    Yet they still had to survive, so they took on the jobs men would normally do.

    As she walked past, Liang Yue noticed their numb faces. They looked almost lifeless, going through the motions merely to survive, without any real purpose.

    Liang Yue thought of her students.

    They were young and strong, yet far less willing to fight for survival than these women, children, and elderly vigers.

    ¡°Zhang Yi was right,¡± she sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve been sheltering them too much.¡±

    Feeling her own hunger pangs, she silently resolved to confront her students. It was time to push them out of theirfort zone.

    When she reached the house where the students lived, she found them all crammed together in one room. Despite the many empty rooms in Xu Family Town, they stayed huddled together for warmth.

    Even at night, the girls would snuggle into the boys¡¯ beds, drawn to the higher body heat. As this habit continued, rtionships between them grew increasinglyplicated.

    Seeing her return empty-handed, the students looked puzzled. Usually, it took her hours to fetch food.

    But when they saw her hands were empty, they immediately grew anxious.

    ¡°Ms. Liang, you came back empty-handed?¡±

    ¡°Where¡¯s the food?¡±

    To them, food was the most important thing in the world.

    Liang Yue walked into the room, found a chair, and sat down, exining today¡¯s situation.

    ¡°Zhang Yi had business today, so there¡¯s no food. You¡¯ll have to catch fish for yourselves.¡±

    Hearing this, the students erupted in disbelief.

    ¡°He couldn¡¯t even tell us in advance?¡±

    ¡°Just because he¡¯s not home, why can¡¯t the others give us some food? They¡¯ve got plenty!¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi has no sense of responsibility.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s heart sank at theirints.

    ¡°No matter what, Zhang Yi has helped us immensely. Without him, many of us would have died at West Hill Base.¡±

    ¡°And remember, he¡¯s only providing me with food as part of a deal. He doesn¡¯t owe us anything.¡±

    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t be ming others; you should be working to get food yourselves.¡±

    She tried to reason with them, but the students were unmoved.

    As soon as she suggested they work for their food, some of the girls started whining.

    ¡°Ms. Liang,st time I went ice fishing, my hands got all cut up! They still haven¡¯t healed, and they hurt so much.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re not cut out for this; we¡¯re not fishermen.¡±

    One girl muttered under her breath, ¡°If you ask me, it¡¯s Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran who are the problem.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ve been our ssmates for years, yet they only care about themselves, never sparing a thought for us!¡±

    ¡°If they¡¯d only talk to Zhang Yi, we could all be living in that cozy Shelter.¡±

    With that oneint, tension immediately red, directed at Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran.

    Jealousy.

    Bitterness.

    Resentment.

    These emotions had taken root in their hearts, growing into a monstrous tree under the harsh conditions they lived in.

    Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran owed them nothing and had even endured bullying from them in the past. But as the saying goes, people don¡¯t mind poverty as much as they mind inequality.

    If everyone suffered together, they might have endured it. But why should those two live in a warm,fortable vi, enjoying heat, hot food, and a soft bed, while the rest of them starved and froze?

    The girl¡¯sint was just a release valve for all the frustration that had been building up inside. Once she started, others joined in, venting their anger at Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin.

    ¡°They¡¯re so selfish!¡±

    ¡°I even treated Lu Keran to bubble tea two years ago! Now she won¡¯t even think of helping me. How shameless!¡±

    ¡°You think that¡¯s bad? My family¡¯s distantly rted to the Yang family! And Yang Xinxin hasn¡¯t lifted a finger for me? Selfish to the core!¡±

    ¡°I always thought those two were no good. Guess I was right!¡±

    As the students vented their grievances, they grew excited, like sharks smelling blood in the water. They mercilessly attacked Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin, as though those two had wronged them.

    Liang Yue listened in shock, unable to believe her students could be so petty and ruthless toward their own ssmates.

    What noble academy? What elite Jiangnan socialites?

    Witnessing this, she felt they were no different frommon thugs.

    Her heart sankpletely. She finally resolved not to coddle these spoiled and immature students any longer.

    ¡°Quiet down! I have an announcement to make!¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s sharp tone cut through the noise, and the room quickly fell silent.

    She looked around, her voice steady as she said, ¡°From now on, I will be moving to the Shelter¡ªwith Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin.¡±

    Author''s Note

    Greetings, readers! We hope you¡¯re loving the story as much as we love tranting it. If so, please consider giving BOTI Trantor Team a 5-star rating on NovelUpdates. Your feedback inspires us! ??

 Chapter 343: The Struggle of Human Nature

    Chapter 343: The Struggle of Human Nature

    Liang Yue knew she couldn¡¯t keep indulging these students any longer.

    She had to teach them to be independent.

    Only by experiencing the hardships of life and relying on their own efforts would they be decent, self-reliant individuals.

    Maybe then, they wouldn¡¯t justin whenever something went wrong.

    So, she decided to leave and go to Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter. Apart from delivering food daily, she would stop catering to their excessive demands.

    With a sigh, Liang Yue felt a weight lift from her heart.

    Admittedly, she also longed forfort; she had dreamed of joining Zhang Yi and the others in their luxurious vi. But she had held back for the students¡¯ sake. If protecting them only made them weaker and unable to fend for themselves, it was time for her to let go.

    After she spoke, silence filled the room.Suddenly, a girl¡¯s face lit up with excitement. ¡°Ms. Liang, are you taking us to live at Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter? That¡¯s amazing!¡±

    Her logic was rather naive.

    To her, Liang Yue was someone who should sacrifice everything for them without personal desires.

    But before the others could join in, Liang Yue cut them off loudly, ¡°That¡¯s not what¡¯s happening!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m the only one going. You¡¯ll stay here and learn to live by your own efforts!¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi promised me ten servings of food daily, and I¡¯ll bring them to you. But if things go like they did today, there¡¯s nothing I can do.¡±

    ¡°The remaining food will be up to you to handle. I won¡¯t spoil you anymore!¡±

    The students looked at Liang Yue, shocked.

    How could the kind, caring Ms. Liang suddenly turn like this?

    ¡°Ms. Liang, you can¡¯t abandon us! You weren¡¯t like this before!¡± a girl choked up.

    ¡°Yeah, Ms. Liang, this is so selfish of you!¡±

    ¡°How could you think only about your ownfort while leaving us to suffer?¡±

    Listening to theirints, Liang Yue gave up hope on them.

    Sheltered flowers don¡¯t appreciate the gardener who nurtures them¡ªthey just take it all for granted.

    It was time they faced the harsh winds on their own.

    ¡°My decision is final! Stop trying to change my mind.¡±

    Liang Yue gripped her Tang Sword, clenched her teeth, and walked out of the snow house.

    Panic-stricken, the students chased after her, calling out desperately.

    If she really left for the shelter, who would take care of them?

    It¡¯s only when people face loss that they truly learn to appreciate. They were doing everything to hold her back.

    ¡°Ms. Liang, please don¡¯t leave us! We¡¯ll stop cking when we fish!¡±

    One of the boys gritted his teeth and shouted, ¡°You were the one who brought us to West Hill Base and led us out! Now you¡¯re abandoning us¡ªhow is that what a teacher should do?¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s body shook.

    Her pupils contracted, her gaze filled with disbelief and heartbreak.

    The students she cared about the most had hurt her the worst.

    Everything she did in silence¡ªthey saw it as her ruining them?

    Taking a deep breath, Liang Yue quickened her pace, ignoring the desperate pleas behind her.

    Finally, she arrived at the shelter.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er warmly invited her in, though she looked a bit curious about her sudden return.

    Liang Yue didn¡¯t feelfortable sharing this with Zhou Ke¡¯er.

    After all, Zhang Yi would have the final say on her staying. It was better to speak to him directly.

    Liang Yue felt confident.

    First, she knew her own worth. As a powerful Superhuman, she was valuable anywhere.

    Second, she had good rtionships with Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin, and could ask them to vouch for her.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er noticed Liang Yue¡¯s hesitation, smiled, and called over Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin.

    ¡°Keep Ms. Liangpany; she doesn¡¯t seem to be in the best mood.¡±

    Lu Keran nodded. ¡°Got it, leave it to us!¡±

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s dark eyes sparkled with an unusual look.

    ¡°It seems Ms. Liang has made up her mind!¡±

    Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin cheerfully greeted Liang Yue.

    This was the first time they had all sat down to chat since leaving Tianqing Academy.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    As they sat on the couch, Liang Yue asked them about their livestely.

    Lu Keranughed happily. ¡°We¡¯ve been doing great! Brother Zhang Yi is so kind; he doesn¡¯t even make us do chores.¡±

    ¡°And he even set up a private studio for me to pursue my interests. Honestly, I feel happier now than I ever did at school!¡±

    Liang Yue thought: He just values your talent with mechanics, silly girl!

    Yang Xinxin chuckled softly. ¡°Our lives have indeed been veryfortable since we got here. Ms. Liang, you want to live here too, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Yang Xinxin saw through Liang Yue¡¯s thoughts at a nce.

    After all, the martial arts teacher¡¯s thoughts were always written on her face.

    Especially in front of her students, she didn¡¯t bother to hide her feelings.

    Liang Yue blushed slightly, feeling a bit awkward.

    ¡°Xinxin, I do think it¡¯s time for me to leave. Zhang Yi was right; protecting those kids would only make them more dependent.¡±

    Yang Xinxin smirked. ¡°But Ms. Liang, deep down, don¡¯t you want to move in here?¡±

    Liang Yue opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words.

    Her heart was conflicted.

    As a teacher, she should have been more selfless.

    But she couldn¡¯t deny her own desires¡ªshe wanted to enjoy life too.

    ¡°Well¡­¡±

    Liang Yue was at a loss. Yang Xinxin¡¯s gaze was so prating, she felt exposed.

    At that moment, Yang Xinxin gently held her hand and smiled. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Ms. Liang. Everyone has the right to pursue happiness. You¡¯re doing the right thing!¡±

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s gentle yet affirming look lifted Liang Yue¡¯s guilt.

    Yes, there was nothing wrong with her decision.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 344: Skillful Persuasion

    Chapter 344: Skillful Persuasion

    Lu Keran poured a hot cup of coffee for Liang Yue, who thanked her and held it in her hands, feeling a warmth that reached both her stomach and her heart.

    Liang Yue sincerely asked Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran, ¡°When Zhang Yi returns, could you please talk to him about this for me?¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡± Lu Keran said cheerfully. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ms. Liang. With your impressive skills, Zhang Yi won¡¯t turn down your joining us!¡±

    Having spent time around Zhang Yi, Lu Keran understood his approach well. He always treated capable people generously¡ªshe and Yang Xinxin were perfect examples. She had once been just an add-on, but since working for Zhang Yi, he treated her as if she were his own sister.

    Yang Xinxin, listening to Lu Keran¡¯s blunt response, couldn¡¯t help but sigh.

    While Lu Keran¡¯s thoughts were straightforward, hers were not.

    Yang Xinxin felt a deeper connection with Zhang Yi and respected his survival principles in the apocalypse.

    She smiled at Lu Keran. ¡°Don¡¯t jump to conclusions! If you make promises now, and Zhang Yi ends up thinking differently, you might just disappoint Ms. Liang.¡±Lu Keran¡¯s smile froze awkwardly, and she scratched her cheek, looking a bit embarrassed. ¡°You might have a point¡­¡±

    Turning to Liang Yue, Yang Xinxin said earnestly, ¡°Ms. Liang, while Zhang Yi is indeed a good person, he¡¯s also principled. Anyone joining the shelter has to meet strict requirements.¡±

    ¡°If you want to join us, you need to be prepared. At the very least, you must be willing to follow hismands!¡±N?v(el)B\\jnn

    Unlike Lu Keran, who tried to reassure Liang Yue, Yang Xinxin chose to prepare her for Zhang Yi¡¯s demands. By lowering her expectations, it would be easier for Zhang Yi to negotiate directly with her.

    Sure enough, Liang Yue¡¯s smile faded, and she tightened her grip on her coffee.

    ¡°What¡­ sort of requirements does he usually have?¡±

    Liang Yue instinctively squeezed her legs together, biting her lip, her face flushing with a hint of embarrassment.

    Although she didn¡¯t know Zhang Yi well, she wasn¡¯t blind to his rtionships with Zhou Ke¡¯er and Yang Siyah. Apart from him, everyone in the shelter was female.

    So, if she moved in¡­ wouldn¡¯t that mean¡­

    Ah, she couldn¡¯t bring herself to finish the thought!

    Yang Xinxin rolled her eyes subtly, then reassured her, ¡°That¡¯s not an issue at all. Sinceing here, Zhang Yi has never crossed any lines with us. He¡¯s truly a respectable man!¡±

    ¡°Respectable¡­¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s mouth twitched slightly. Hearing others describe Zhang Yi that way left her speechless.

    Yang Xinxin winked at her. ¡°So, don¡¯t worry about that sort of thing. Zhang Yi isn¡¯t the type to act on such impulses. Otherwise, how would he have survived this long in the apocalypse?¡±

    ¡°What he values is your strength. So, if I had to guess, the condition for joining would likely be that you obey his orders in battle!¡±

    Yang Xinxin had made an urate prediction.

    Indeed, Zhang Yi¡¯s expectations for those around him always revolved around ¡°value.¡±

    In terms of everyday life, he actually ced very few restrictions on them.

    Liang Yue nodded, feeling both nervous and excited as she waited for Zhang Yi¡¯s return.

    ¡­

    Several hourster, the sound of an engine echoed from outside.

    Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin looked out the window and smiled, ¡°Zhang Yi¡¯s back!¡±

    Liang Yue unconsciously clenched her fists, her heart beginning to race.

    Yang Xinxin wheeled herself toward the door.

    Zhang Yi and his group got out of the vehicle and headed toward the shelter, nning to discuss setting up a defensive line.

    When Zhang Yi opened the door, he saw Yang Xinxin waiting with a smile.

    ¡°Xinxin?¡±

    This was the first time she¡¯de to greet him at the door; she usually preferred to stay indoors, researching the materials they¡¯d recovered from West Hill Base. ?

    Seeing her there now, he immediately sensed that something was up.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Do you have something to tell me?¡± he asked with a smile.

    Yang Xinxin nodded, ncing toward the living room and quietly told him, ¡°Ms. Liang came over. She¡¯s hoping to join us.¡±

    A spark flickered in Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes.

    Liang Yue was a powerful Superhuman whose abilities he had long desired. Previously, he hadn¡¯t invited her to join because she was burdened with those hangers-on.

    Now she¡¯de to him. Could it be she had finally made up her mind?

    ¡°What¡¯s the situation?¡±

    Yang Xinxin grinned, looking like a mischievous little devil, and said, ¡°Your intermittent fasting strategy and my advice worked wonders. Ms. Liang¡¯s rtionship with her students deteriorated, and in a fit of frustration, she came here.¡±

    The ¡°intermittent fasting¡± strategy referred to Zhang Yi¡¯s tactic of supplying only ten portions of food for Liang Yue.

    He had used this method before in Yuelu District, and it was effective once again with Liang Yue¡¯s students.

    By rationing out part of the food, he could ensure Liang Yue didn¡¯t hold any grudge against him, while also keeping her students hungry.

    One or two days was manageable, but over time, conflicts would inevitably arise over limited food.

    Liang Yue was a dedicated teacher but not a saint; she couldn¡¯t endlessly tolerate the students¡¯ immaturity.

    Today¡¯s visit had always been part of Zhang Yi¡¯s calctions¡ªsooner orter, she would end up here.

    With an even bigger smile, he nodded. ¡°Got it.¡±

    ¡°Brother, I¡¯ve already prepared everything for you. When you talk with her, feel free to raise some difficult conditions!¡±

    Yang Xinxin winked at Zhang Yi. ¡°I¡¯ll help you convince her!¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled, pinching her cold, adorable cheek.

    ¡°You really are my little helper!¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s weakness was her students.

    The softer the heart, the easier it was to persuade.

    With both Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran working on her, winning her over would be a piece of cake.

    Standing up, Zhang Yi turned to Fatty Xu and Uncle You, saying, ¡°Liang Yue¡¯s here. I¡¯m going to talk to her. Wait for me next door.¡±

    Fatty Xu gave Zhang Yi a thumbs up, his grin mischievous, as if hinting at something unsaid.

    Uncle You also shot him a knowing smile, then went to the next room with Fatty Xu.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yiposed his expression, feigning nonchnce as he pushed Yang Xinxin into the living room.

    His eyes met Liang Yue¡¯s, and he noticed a flicker of nervousness there.

    Zhang Yi smiled calmly. ¡°Ms. Liang, you¡¯re here!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 345: Welcome to Zhang Yiâ€™s Team

    Chapter 345: Wee to Zhang Yi¡¯s Team

    Zhang Yi pushed Yang Xinxin into the living room, where they found a slightly nervous Liang Yue.

    Yang Xinxin winked at Liang Yue as if to say, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Ms. Liang. I¡¯ll speak up for you!¡±

    Liang Yue felt a bit more at ease.

    Lu Keran chimed in, ¡°Boss, wee home! Want something to drink? Beer, milk, or maybe a nice warm milk tea?¡±

    ¡°Milk tea, less sugar,¡± Zhang Yi replied.

    Lu Keran cheerfully went off to make the tea but kept sneaking nces at Zhang Yi and Liang Yue. As Liang Yue¡¯s student, she truly admired her teacher and hoped someone as kind as Liang Yue could join them in the shelter and thrive together in the apocalypse.

    Zhang Yi changed into his regr clothes and then took his time, settling onto the sofa without rushing the conversation. In situations like this, staying patient gave him the upper hand¡ªwhoever spoke first would be at a disadvantage.

    Liang Yue sat on the sofa, nervous and hesitant, unsure how to start.Eventually, Yang Xinxin broke the silence. ¡°Zhang Yi, I have a request for you.¡±

    Zhang Yi turned to her, smiling. ¡°Oh? What is it, Xinxin? You know you don¡¯t need to hesitate with me.¡±

    She nced at Liang Yue and said, ¡°Can Ms. Liang move in with us?¡±

    Relieved, Liang Yue was grateful her student had voiced her hopes and looked anxiously at Zhang Yi, afraid he¡¯d refuse.

    ¡°Oh? Ms. Liang wants to move in?¡± Zhang Yi chuckled, looking intrigued.

    He pointed at Liang Yue. ¡°You¡¯ve got to be kidding! Wasn¡¯t it you who insisted on staying with your students?¡±

    Then, he changed his tone. ¡°Of course, I never said you weren¡¯t wee. Ms. Liang, beautiful and skilled with the sword, strong in battle¡ªadding you to the shelter would definitely be valuable.¡±

    ¡°But, I don¡¯t like forcing anyone.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s expression grew a bit embarrassed.

    It was true that Zhang Yi had once hinted at his interest in her joining, but after seeing hermitment to her students, he had never brought it up again.

    Yet, hearing his recognition of her skills made her feel reassured.

    Lu Keran returned with the steaming milk tea and handed it to Zhang Yi. ¡°Big Bro, you don¡¯t know how things have been for Ms. Liangtely!¡±

    ¡°Those students of hers don¡¯t appreciate her at all. They refuse to do even a little work, just draining her energy!¡±

    ¡°Hmph! Only Ms. Liang¡¯s patience keeps her with them; anyone else would have left them ages ago! And yet, they still have the nerve toin!¡±

    Her words struck a chord with Liang Yue.

    She had sacrificed so much for her students. While she didn¡¯t expect anything in return, a little gratitude didn¡¯t seem too much to ask, did it?

    Instead, they¡¯d taken her for granted.

    Even someone as mild-tempered as Liang Yue had finally reached her limit.

    She turned to Zhang Yi and said, ¡°Zhang Yi, I want to move here to give them a space to grow on their own.¡±

    ¡°Children need to be weaned off dependency, especially since most of them are already adults. Staying with them wouldn¡¯t be helping them; it would only harm them.¡±

    ¡°Rest assured, I¡¯ll follow your rules here at the shelter. If you need anything from me, just say the word!¡±

    Seeing her so forthright, Zhang Yi decided not to y hard-to-get any further.

    Taking it too far could harm their rtionship, and valuable Superhumans were essential in the apocalypse. He couldn¡¯t afford to let her slip away.

    So, holding his warm milk tea, he smiled. ¡°If Ms. Liang wants to join, I wee you. But I still have some concerns.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s brow furrowed slightly. ¡°You don¡¯t trust me?¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly. ¡°Not exactly. I¡¯m just not sure you¡¯d truly follow my orders.¡±

    Under his intense gaze, Liang Yue felt her heart race and instinctively crossed her legs.

    ¡°If your demands are too excessive, I might not agree. After all, I do have my principles!¡±

    Zhang Yi, unaware of her thoughts, replied calmly, ¡°Your kindness and openness are strengths, Ms. Liang. But they¡¯re also weaknesses.¡±

    ¡°If I bring you in, it¡¯s for yourbat ability!¡±

    ¡°Teaching me martial arts is one thing, but the main point is your strength in battle.¡±

    He smiled, his gaze deepening as he looked at her.

    ¡°But what if one day, to protect our people, you¡¯re asked to kill someone you think is innocent. Could you do it?¡±

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t need a kind-hearted martial artist; he needed someone willing to execute orders without hesitation.

    Ideally, someone like Ling Feng, willing to go to any lengths to achieve a goal and fiercely loyal.

    If their roles were reversed, Zhang Yi would have eliminated Chen Xinian and taken the top spot himself.

    Liang Yue¡¯s power was undeniable, but without the necessary ruthlessness, he couldn¡¯t ept her.

    But, as if she anticipated this, Liang Yue took a deep breath and replied with unwavering resolve, ¡°If it¡¯s for our safety, I could do it. But I won¡¯t ept orders that serve only selfish desires.¡±

    Suddenly, her gaze softened, and she offered Zhang Yi a bright smile.

    ¡°And from what I¡¯ve observed, Mr. Zhang, although you appear cold and unfeeling, you¡¯re a peace-loving person. You wouldn¡¯t kill indiscriminately without provocation.¡±

    Yang Xinxin gave her a subtle wink, signaling her approval¡ªshe¡¯d nailed it!

    It was clear the two of them had discussed Zhang Yi¡¯s potential demands beforehand.

    Zhang Yi noticed their small exchange but didn¡¯t mind. What he needed was Liang Yue¡¯smitment.

    As long as she could wield her sword for him when necessary, he was satisfied.

    To put it inly, he was just looking for a useful ¡°tool.¡± So long as that tool performed well, he was content.

    Confirming with Liang Yue, he asked, ¡°So, as long as it¡¯s for our safety, you¡¯d kill anyone I asked, correct?¡±

    After a moment¡¯s thought, Liang Yue carefully replied, ¡°I won¡¯t harm my own people.¡±

    She feared he might ask her to kill her students.

    ¡°Of course!¡± Zhang Yi assured her. ¡°I¡¯m not some monster who¡¯d target his own.¡±

    If it ever came to that, he¡¯d handle it personally.

    Zhang Yi sipped his coffee, feeling her tension from across the room.

    Truthfully, he didn¡¯t like her self-sacrificing personality, nor her habit of bringing along those ¡°hangers-on.¡±

    Letting her move in also meant he¡¯d be expected to support her students.

    Ridiculous. What did he owe them?

    If anyone else had asked, he¡¯d have kicked them out already.

    But since it was Liang Yue, he weighed the pros and cons.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Ten servings of food a day would secure a powerful, martial arts expert and Superhuman who could even teach him. All in all, a good trade.

    In the apocalypse, powerful fighters were essential. And Liang Yue, although somewhat naive, was far easier to manage than someone overly shrewd.

    After a long pause, Zhang Yi thought, ¡°I¡¯d love to bring Liang Yue here and take care of those students once and for all.¡±

    ¡°After all, they bullied Xinxin and Keran before. Taking them out would gain me their support.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s worth it. Bring Liang Yue in, and her students¡¯ fate will be mine to decide.¡±

    ¡°Dying by ¡®ident¡¯ in this dangerous world isn¡¯t unusual. Handling them would only cost me a little food.¡±

    After considering his options, Zhang Yi realized he¡¯d be making a profitable move, so he made up his mind.

    Lowering his coffee cup, he extended his right hand to Liang Yue with a smile.

    ¡°In that case, wee to the team! I¡¯m happy to have you join our family!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 346: Various Powers in Tianhai City

    Chapter 346: Various Powers in Tianhai City

    Zhang Yi and Liang Yue agreed on the terms: Liang Yue would move into the shelter.

    She would be allowed to eat and ess the basic services here, like everyone else.

    But she wasn¡¯t permitted to bring anyone else in unless she had Zhang Yi¡¯s approval.

    Of course, enforcing this rule would be challenging.

    Zhang Yi only allowed people he deemed useful to enter his shelter.

    The main goal was to create the best possible life for himself in the apocalypse.

    And as usual, he would provide Liang Yue with enough food for ten people each day so she could deliver it to her students to keep them alive.

    Hearing that Zhang Yi would continue supplying food, Liang Yue rxed, patting her chest in relief. Now, she could ease her conscience.But she was unaware that this very agreement triggered Zhang Yi¡¯s resentment toward her students¡ªhonestly, he was already considering getting rid of them.

    Knowing Zhang Yi well, Yang Xinxin understood the barely noticeable smile at the corner of his mouth¡ªit was a clear sign those students wouldn¡¯t live much longer.

    Because Zhang Yi never supported people who contributed nothing.

    And Yang Xinxin didn¡¯t like those students either.

    So rather than revealing Zhang Yi¡¯s intentions, she chose to support him.

    Zhang Yi then called Yang Siyah and Zhou Ke¡¯er over, asking them to bring Zhou Haimei along.

    They would host a weing event at noon to celebrate Liang Yue joining their group.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er smiled and said, ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll get the rooms ready!¡±

    Yang Siyah grinned, ¡°Then Haimei and I can handle lunch preparations! Miss Liang, is there anything you¡¯d especially like?¡±

    Overwhelmed by their warm wee, Liang Yue quickly replied, ¡°I¡¯m not picky; whatever you make will be fine.¡±

    Yang Siyah nodded, smiling, ¡°Alright then!¡±

    Both women wore bright smiles, but something about their expressions felt off to Liang Yue.

    There was a subtle tension, an almost hidden hint of hostility, that left her puzzled.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on? Is it just my imagination?¡±

    She couldn¡¯t think of anything she¡¯d done to offend them, so she brushed it off as overthinking.

    After leaving the living room, Zhou Ke¡¯er and Yang Siyah exchanged a nce, sighing in unison.

    ¡°One more person in the house!¡±

    ¡°And it¡¯s a really strong woman, too.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s not just strong¡ªshe¡¯s beautiful as well.¡±

    With a troubled look, Yang Siyah propped her chin on her hand. ¡°That makes me the least useful one here.¡±

    For once, Zhou Ke¡¯er tried to console her, ¡°Hey, don¡¯t be so hard on yourself. At least you¡¯re a great cook!¡±

    ¡°And we still have the advantage in terms of figure!¡±

    She struck a confident S-shaped pose, proudly puffing out her chest.

    Yang Siyah looked down and couldn¡¯t even see her shoes.

    Not bad¡ªdefinitely something to be proud of.

    At least in terms of appearance, they felt they had the upper hand, which gave them a bit of confidence.

    But with this new sense of rivalry, they both resolved to prove their worth even more in the future.

    No way were they letting anyone steal Zhang Yi!

    ¡­

    The house was bustling. After arriving at the shelter, Zhou Haimei greeted Zhang Yi and the neer, Liang Yue, before heading off to help Zhou Ke¡¯er and Yang Siyah.

    Zhang Yi pped his leg, turning to Liang Yue. ¡°Perfect timing; we¡¯re about to hold a meeting. Why don¡¯t you join us?¡±

    ¡°A meeting?¡± Liang Yue asked, curious. ¡°What kind of meeting?¡±

    Zhang Yi gave a mysterious smile. ¡°A strategy meeting.¡±

    Liang Yue covered her mouth in surprise. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me there¡¯s going to be another fight? West Hill Base is gone; are there still enemies nearby?¡±

    Zhang Yi gave a light chuckle. ¡°When one river dries up, the water from other streams will naturally flow in to fill the gap.¡±

    Liang Yue understood.

    ¡°You¡¯re saying that with West Hill Base gone, the surrounding area is now up for grabs, so others will want to take its territory?¡±

    ¡°Something like that. At the very least, other factions have been sighted nearby, but how things will develop is anyone¡¯s guess.¡±

    Zhang Yi shrugged. ¡°But we have to prepare for the worst! Life isn¡¯t a game, and as long as we¡¯re prepared, there¡¯s no danger we can¡¯t handle.¡±

    Liang Yue nodded, fully agreeing with his cautious attitude, her expression growing serious. ¡°If there¡¯s anything you need me to do, just let me know!¡±

    ¡°Of course. I won¡¯t hesitate.¡±

    At that moment, Yang Xinxin tugged at Zhang Yi¡¯s sleeve, smiling brightly.

    ¡°Big Bro Zhang Yi, I found some fascinating data from West Hill Base¡¯s database. It¡¯s about the other factions in Tianhai City. Want to hear it?¡±

    ¡°Definitely! Let me get Fatty Xu and Uncle You over here so we can all listen.¡±N?v(el)B\\jnn

    Yang Xinxin nodded.

    The decision of whether or not to share these details publicly was up to Zhang Yi.

    He called the other two to the living room.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er and the others were still preparing for the weing party, but they were in the open kitchen nearby, so they could hear the conversation.

    However, since their roles leaned more toward logistics, they only needed to be aware of the information; they didn¡¯t need to participate in the discussion.

    Once everyone was present, Zhang Yi gave a quick recap of the events they¡¯d encountered at West Hill Base.

    ¡°At the base entrance, we ran into two different groups and had some confrontations. This might provoke retaliation, or other factions coulde in to im territory, which could lead to conflict with us.¡±

    ¡°So, everyone! We can¡¯t get toofortable just yet; we need to stay vignt and prepared for anything!¡±

    Everyone nodded. Although they were surprised to hear about other factions, it wasn¡¯t too shocking. In the apocalypse, anything was possible.

    Looking at Yang Xinxin, Zhang Yi said, ¡°Why don¡¯t you start by briefing us on the other factions? It¡¯ll help us identify potential enemies.¡±

    All eyes turned to Yang Xinxin, waiting for her report.

    She ced herptop on herp, disying the intel she¡¯d prepared.

    She began speaking at a calm, steady pace.

    ¡°ording to intel from West Hill Base, there are four factions in Tianhai City that could pose a threat to us!¡±

    ¡°Among them, three are factions based within shelters, just like West Hill Base. I¡¯ll start with those.¡±

    ¡°The first is the Yangsheng Base. They control thergest oil refinery in Tianhai City, making energy their biggest asset.¡±

    ¡°The current leader of Yangsheng Base is Xiao Honglian, a superhuman. Her powers are unknown but are rumored to involve fire.¡±

    ¡°She has a deputy named Zhuge Qingting, whose power is rted to wind, but details are unclear.¡±

    ¡°The second is the Chaoyu Base, near the East Sea, controlling all the shippingpanies in Tianhai City. ording to West Hill Base¡¯s data, they even have ess torge vessels for sea travel.¡±

    At this, Zhang Yi raised a hand, pausing her.

    ¡°Hold on, Xinxin. Can they even sail out to sea in these conditions?¡±

    It was February, the coldest time of year, with the Lu River entirely frozen over.

    Would it really be possible tounch ships in this weather?

    Everyone shared his question, looking at Yang Xinxin with confusion.

    A hint of pride appeared on Yang Xinxin¡¯s face; her academic knowledge had finallye in handy.

    ¡°That¡¯s right, parts of the coastal areas may freeze, but the open ocean remains too deep to freeze, especially closer to the equator where temperatures are warmer.¡±

    ¡°Warm currents flow from the equator, and there are underwater volcanoes, so it¡¯s impossible to freeze the entire ocean.¡±

    ¡°Even if temperatures drop by another hundred degrees, there will still be liquid water beneath the ice-covered surface.¡±

    Lu Keran added, ¡°With high salt content, seawater doesn¡¯t freeze easily. Plus, with icebreakers, they can keep ships anchored in deeper waters to avoid getting trapped in the ice.¡±

    With this exnation, everyone finally understood.

    Zhang Yi rubbed his chin thoughtfully, an idea forming.

    ¡°So, does that mean they could fish out there or even relocate to warmer areas near the equator?¡±

    Yang Xinxin nodded.

    ¡°Based on the current temperatures, areas near the equator are probably only around -20 or -30¡ãC. While disastrous for locals, it¡¯s no worse than winter in Northeast China, where people can survive.¡±

    She looked over her notes. ¡°And, ording to West Hill Base¡¯s intel, they¡¯re well-supplied with food because of their proximity to the sea.¡±

    ¡°But since ships require substantial fuel, they maintain trade with Yangsheng Base. These two factions are the closest allies among Tianhai City¡¯s powers.¡±

    Peering over herptop, Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes narrowed as he saw a familiar symbol in the data on Chaoyu Base.

    It was a blue wave icon.

    ¡°Is this the logo for their base?¡±

    He confirmed with Yang Xinxin.

    She nodded. ¡°Yes, each of the four shelters has its own symbol, all originally established by the government.¡±

    That exined it!

    Zhang Yi recalled the uniforms of Wang Ruixuan¡¯s group, which looked identical to those of West Hill Base, except for the blue wave on the chest instead of the golden sword.

    That meant he had killed people from Chaoyu Base.

    ¡°Let¡¯s continue,¡± he said.

    Yang Xinxin nodded and went on with her briefing.

    ¡°The current leader of Chaoyu Base is Wei Dinghai. Unfortunately, there¡¯s no detailed information about him; we can¡¯t even confirm if he¡¯s a superhuman.¡±

    ¡°His second-in

    mand, Chen Jingguan, is simrly undocumented.¡±

    ¡°It seems their main operations are offshore, so they have little contact with other bases.¡±

    ¡°Since they can harvest resources from the sea, and their ships are well-equipped against the cold, they rarely sh with other factions.¡±

    Zhang Yi thought to himself, Well, now they¡¯re shing with me!

    ¡°Thest of the three shelter factions is in Qingpu District.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s located near Tianhai Qingpu Iron & Steel Group¡¯s nt, currently run by an organized group of factory workers.¡±

    ¡°Their leader is named Xingtian. His name sounds fierce, but we¡¯re not sure if it¡¯s real or just a codename.¡±

    ¡°If someone¡¯s online alias were ¡®Xingtian,¡¯ it¡¯d be cool. But if that¡¯s his real name, it¡¯s intense,¡± Yang Xinxin said with a hint of humor.

    ¡°Oh, and there is some info on his powers. He can apparently enhance the strength of people around him, but specifics are unclear.¡±

    Yang Xinxin shrugged helplessly.

    ¡°With so little time since the apocalypse, none of the major factions are eager to sh.¡±

    ¡°And per the w of the jungle,¡¯ they¡¯re cautious about revealing their abilities. Thus, intel is limited.¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded, understanding thispletely.

    Superhuman abilities wereplex and diverse.

    If a superhuman¡¯s power were a hidden weapon, it was like a gun you didn¡¯t know the location, strength, or trigger of.

    Without knowing your opponent¡¯s powers, you had to remain constantly on guard.

    Otherwise, that hidden weapon might go off in your face.

    Yang Xinxin continued, ¡°And another thing¡ªall of the leaders of these three bases rose to power by seizing control through force, just like at West Hill Base.¡±

    ¡°However, they don¡¯t have formal armies, only armed groups, so theirbat training is weaker than West Hill Base.¡±

    This made sense.

    With the breakdown of order, only the strongest survived.

    At West Hill Base, Chen Xinian was the exception,cking any superhuman powers. His authority came solely from his loyal subordinate, Ling Feng.

    ¡°The three main bases, along with West Hill Base, each hold critical resources.¡±

    Zhang Yi analyzed, ¡°West Hill Base had military power, Yangsheng Base has energy, Chaoyu Base controls shipping, and Qingpu Base holds the steel industry.¡±

    Realizing this, Zhang Yi felt a bit relieved.

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, West Hill Base actually had the strongestbat abilities among the four bases!¡±

    After all, West Hill Base had the most weapons and a well-trained military.

    Everyone nodded in agreement.

    Fatty Xu patted his chest. ¡°I feel so much better. No matter how strong the others are, they¡¯re no match for a base with a full military. And we even took down West Hill Base ourselves¡ªwhat¡¯s there to fear?¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled, ¡°They may have some armed forces, but they won¡¯t match the quality of trained soldiers.¡±

    ¡°The biggest unknown now is their superhumans. Since intel is scarce, we likely won¡¯t know their numbers or strength until we face them head-on.¡±

    ¡°In short, if we can avoid conflict, it¡¯s best to do so!¡±

    Zhang Yi could only hope they wouldn¡¯te; that would be ideal.

    ¡°Of course, if a fight does break out, we won¡¯t back down!¡±

    If they could conquer West Hill Base, with its formidable military, the other factions were no real threat.

    Feeling a bit more cheerful, Liang Yue asked, ¡°Xinxin, you mentioned there were four major factions. What¡¯s thest one?¡±

    At this point, everyone remembered Yang Xinxin hadn¡¯t mentioned the final group.

    Fatty Xu¡¯s expression turned nervous.

    ¡°Thest one... could it be the strongest? Miss Yang, are you hiding a big one?¡±

    Everyone tensed up, turning their attention back to Yang Xinxin.

    Author''s Note

    Another chapter done! If you¡¯re loving our trantions, a 5-star rating on NovelUpdates would mean the world to BOTI Trantor Team.

 Chapter 347: Followers of the Snow God

    Chapter 347: Followers of the Snow God

    Chapter 347 : Followers of the Snow God

    Yang Xinxin looked around at everyone, then said calmly, ¡°It¡¯s not that this group is particrly powerful; it''s just unique, that¡¯s all.¡±

    She tapped the enter key and moved on to information about the next faction.

    ¡°Followers of the Snow God, a religious organization formed after the apocalypse.¡±

    ¡°The group evolved from a small sect known as Shenli Church in Tianhai City.¡±

    ¡°Its leader, Yuan Kongye, is a mixed-blood of Hua and Japan, who awakened superhuman abilities after the apocalypse. It¡¯s preliminarily believed her ability is called Blessing, which can help other Superhumans awaken abilities without any cost.¡±

    A sudden ¡°boom¡± echoed in Zhang Yi¡¯s mind!

    Memories from the past suddenly surfaced.

    Back then, Uncle You had mentioned the existence of the Followers of the Snow God to him.Uncle You¡¯s face also grew serious; he had personally encountered members of this group.

    Moreover, they had even witnessed a live example of an awakened blessing¡ªLi Jian!

    ¡°Is there really an ability this powerful in the world?¡±

    Liang Yue''s face showed clear surprise.

    She remembered her own near-death experience when she first grasped her superhuman ability.

    Everyone else in the room had also awakened their abilities only on the verge of death.

    But this person named Yuan Kongye could actually awaken others¡¯ abilities at will.

    Just with that, she could amass countless powerful Superhumans as followers.

    Zhang Yi''s expression became serious.

    If that¡¯s the case, then the strength of the Followers of the Snow God is terrifying.

    Moreover, as a religious group offering the chance to awaken abilities, it¡¯s bound to attract many Superhumans to its side.

    In other words, the Followers of the Snow God have infinite potential for growth!

    Everyone recognized the gravity of the situation, their expressions turning somber.N?v(el)B\\jnn

    Yang Xinxin continued reading aloud:

    ¡°After the apocalypse, Shenli Church was renamed the Followers of the Snow God, honoring Yuan Kongye as their leader. She ims to be the earthly form of the Snow God and deres that this snowstorm is a cleansing from the Snow God, and only devout followers of the group will be spared.¡±

    ¡°Their influence is concentrated in the Tianfeng and Chann Districts, with arge, though unspecified, number of Superhumans under theirmand.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re marked as particrly troublesome enemies in West Hill Base¡¯s intelligence reports.¡±

    Zhang Yi crossed his hands, supporting his chin, and said seriously, ¡°Tianfeng and Chann are the most densely popted areas in Tianhai City.¡±

    ¡°Preaching there could quickly expand their reach, especially in the apocalypse when religion spreads fast¡ªpeople are desperate for spiritual support.¡±

    ¡°But aside from the poption, those areasck core resources. Judging by that, it¡¯s also where the most deaths happen.¡±

    Puzzled, Zhang Yi asked, ¡°How are they even surviving?¡±

    Food and heating are essential for staying alive.

    The Shelter has years of stored supplies, and Zhang Yi had nned for this long ago.

    What¡¯s their n?

    Yang Xinxin shook her head. ¡°This is all the information we have. Every faction has its secrets.¡±

    ¡°Maybe they¡¯re eating meat!¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded, chuckling, ¡°Oh, right. How could I forget such a crucial food source?¡±

    Having lived a ratherfortable life, he asionally lost touch with the harsh realities others face.

    ¡°These foreign cults always have ways to brainwash their followers, like iming the meat is some holy sacrament or something!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s joke sent chills through everyone.

    ¡°Wow, that joke was so dark!¡±

    ¡°What a morbid sense of humor!¡±

    The tense atmosphere in the room rxed a little.

    Zhang Yi thought back to the two groups they encountered outside West Hill Base.

    One was from Chaoyu Base, and the other, the ones without uniforms, were probably the Followers of the Snow God.

    But at the time, they hadn¡¯t shown any hostility toward Zhang Yi.

    So, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t harbor any negative feelings towards them either.

    Live and let live.

    As long as they didn¡¯t disturb his peaceful life, he had no issues with what they did.

    With that, Yang Xinxin wrapped up the briefing on the major factions in Tianhai City.

    Although information was sparse and piecemeal, it gave everyone a basic understanding of Tianhai City¡¯s situation.

    Zhang Yi, seated on the couch, nced at everyone lost in thought and said, ¡°That¡¯s the gist of it. Anyone have thoughts to share?¡±

    The group exchanged nces, each with their own opinions to express.

    Zhang Yi turned to Uncle You, saying, ¡°Uncle You, you¡¯re the oldest here. Why don¡¯t you go first?¡±

    Uncle You didn¡¯t hold back, crossing his arms thoughtfully as he replied, ¡°No matter how many factions there are in Tianhai City, it¡¯s definitely wise to be prepared for conflict!¡±

    ¡°The most urgent task now is building our defenses!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve brought a lot of weapons from West Hill Base; not using them would be a waste, right?¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded. They needed to speed up fortifying the base¡ªthere was no telling when these factions might sh with them.

    After all, Zhang Yi had already taken down some people from Chaoyu Base, and even a Superhuman!

    If they discovered the truth, a conflict would be inevitable.

    After Uncle You spoke, Fatty Xu, sitting beside him, chimed in with a worried tone, ¡°I think the situation looks grim!¡±

    The chubby pessimist immediately injected some negative energy into the discussion.

    ¡°We encountered two factions outside West Hill Base. If they find out the base was destroyed, they mighte to take over the territory.¡±

    ¡°That could turn the surrounding area into a battlefield. If we get caught in the crossfire, we¡¯ll be in serious trouble.¡±

    Zhang Yi looked at him and asked, ¡°Do you have any good suggestions?¡±

    Fatty Xu furrowed his brows, deep in thought, though his pudgy face looked a bit forced with such a serious expression.

    ¡°I think we should just barricade ourselves in! Avoid going out as much as possible.¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded; if nothing else, Fatty Xu had an unmatched sense for survival, aligning perfectly with his own thoughts.

    Lu Keran chimed in, ¡°The problem is, even if we keep to ourselves, they might stille after us!¡±

    Zhang Yi rested his chin on his hand. ¡°Then we still need to build up our defenses and be thoroughly prepared. We can¡¯t control what others do, can we?¡±

    ¡°True enough.¡±

    Lu Keran hesitated, her expression a bit troubled as if unsure how to proceed.

    Noticing this, Zhang Yi smiled and said, ¡°Just say what¡¯s on your mind. We¡¯re here to brainstorm¡ªsharing your ideas might spark something for all of us.¡±

    Encouraged, Lu Keran finally spoke, ¡°Actually, I was wondering if we should make another trip out to gather more materials to repair the Shelter?¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 348: Sweet Words

    Chapter 348 : Sweet Words

    Lu Keran¡¯s words reminded Zhang Yi.

    This time, while they gathered some construction materials at West Hill Base, it was only enough to set up the outer defenses.

    The shelter¡¯s wall had been half-destroyed by Ling Feng''s earlier explosion, greatly reducing its defense.

    To repair this kind of seamless wall, they needed special building materials.

    ¡°If we want to get those materials, we¡¯ll have to go out,¡± Zhang Yi mused, rubbing his chin. ¡°Though it¡¯d be best not to leave right now. But these Western powers we¡¯ve mentioned... so far, they haven¡¯t openly confronted us.¡±

    ¡°They wouldn¡¯t dare act rashly unless they¡¯re sure there¡¯s no danger in the area.¡±

    ¡°So, if we go out within the next couple of days, grab the materials, ande back right away, it shouldn¡¯t be a problem!¡±

    Lu Keran nodded. ¡°Got it, Big Bro!¡±After Lu Keran shared his thoughts, Liang Yue looked like she wanted to say something. But Yang Xinxin jumped in first.

    ¡°Let me share my thoughts!¡±

    Liang Yue, keeping her own thoughts in, waited for Yang Xinxin to finish.

    Everyone paid close attention to what Yang Xinxin had to say. This girl was exceptionally intelligent and often had constructive ideas. If she had a downside, it would be her tendency to be overly logical, which sometimes came across as cold.

    With a calm smile, Yang Xinxin addressed everyone, ¡°I think you¡¯re all getting a bit too tense!¡±

    Pointing to her head, she said, ¡°Don¡¯t lose your judgment out of fear. Actually, our current situation isn¡¯t as bad as you think.¡±

    ¡°First, let¡¯s look at these Western powers. Their reach hasn¡¯t extended to the areas around West Hill Base.¡±n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    ¡°For instance, West Hill Base controls the standing army in Tianhai City; their military might is unmatched, yet even they haven¡¯t fully taken over West Hill and Lu River Districts.¡±

    ¡°You can tell by the fact that they¡¯re still sending patrols.¡±

    ¡°So, we can conclude that even the Western powers haven¡¯t fully secured their territories.¡±

    ¡°Plus, they¡¯re keeping each other in check, wary of expanding recklessly and leaving their home bases vulnerable.¡±

    ¡°This means we¡¯ve got a decent window to prepare for what¡¯s toe.¡±

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s reasoning put everyone at ease. Indeed, though they were aware of other powerful forces in Tianhai City, they were letting their imaginations run wild.

    Realistically speaking, it was highly unlikely the enemy woulde looking for their shelter.

    With the Ice Age, transportation, andmunication are severely hindered.

    Besides, they had no irreconcble differences with Zhang Yi, nor any reason to waste resources searching for the shelter.

    The fall of West Hill Base had only heightened their sense of caution, making it even less likely for them to act without caution.

    Fatty Xu said cautiously, ¡°Still, it¡¯s a good idea to reinforce the defense lines as a precaution.¡±

    Yang Xinxin nodded. ¡°Yes, build up defenses, but don¡¯t stress yourselves out over it. Instead, we should use this time to gather as many useful supplies as possible.¡±

    At this, Yang Xinxin looked at Zhang Yi. ¡°Zhang Yi, aren¡¯t you nning to gather materials to fix up the shelter?¡±

    Zhang Yi met her gaze and sensed something strange in her eyes.

    She seemed to be hinting at something.

    With a slight nod, Zhang Yi replied, ¡°Yes. ording to Keran, we¡¯ll need a lot of rare construction materials to repair the shelter¡¯s outer wall. It¡¯ll take some time.¡±

    Yang Xinxin then turned to the thoughtful Liang Yue.

    ¡°Liang Yue, I imagine Xu Family Town could use some extra food supplies, just in case?¡±

    Liang Yue blurted, ¡°Exactly! If there¡¯s an enemy attack, won¡¯t they be in danger at Xu Family Town?¡±

    Yang Xinxin tilted her head, looking at Liang Yue. ¡°You can¡¯t protect them forever, right? I suggest informing them in advance so they can stock up on food and hide.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Liang Yue. Like I said, no enemies are likely to show up around here anytime soon.¡±

    Zhang Yi caught on to Yang Xinxin¡¯s intent.

    He gave her a deep, meaningful look before casually sipping his milk tea.

    From the start, Yang Xinxin¡¯s words struck him as odd.

    Even if they didn¡¯t know when the enemy woulde, why was she so insistent on easing everyone¡¯s guard?

    When she mentioned Xu Family Town, Zhang Yi realized her n.

    First, she and Zhang Yi both wanted those students gone¡ªthey were just a headache.

    Second, with Liang Yue around, they couldn¡¯t just kick them out openly.

    So, Yang Xinxin subtly guided the conversation, making it seem as if the situation wasn¡¯t that urgent.

    This way, Liang Yue wouldn¡¯t ask Zhang Yi to bring those students to Cloud Manor for protection.

    In fact, it was a ¡°kill with a borrowed knife¡± approach.

    If there were an enemy attack, they¡¯d likely take out the vigers of Xu Family Town near Cloud Manor first.

    By standard logic, Xu Family Town would be seen as an outpost of Cloud Manor.

    To attack Cloud Manor, they¡¯d need to deal with Xu Family Town first.

    Liang Yue was visibly conflicted by Yang Xinxin¡¯s words.

    She hesitated, then asked Zhang Yi, ¡°Can we have theme help us with the defense work, in exchange for our protection?¡±

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t immediately answer Liang Yue¡¯s question.

    Instead, he chuckled, ¡°Have your students learned to fish yet? Because if they can¡¯t, in this freezing weather, they¡¯re in real trouble.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s face turned awkward.

    Zhang Yi was implying that this bunch, who couldn¡¯t even fish through frozen ice, would be no help at all.

    They¡¯d just be dead weight, and he didn¡¯t need that!

    Yang Xinxin consoled Liang Yue, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Liang Yue. This is just our guess. The enemy may nevere. Who knows?¡±

    Liang Yue sighed, ¡°If that¡¯s true, it¡¯d be a relief!¡±

    Finished speaking, Yang Xinxin left Liang Yue hesitant to ask Zhang Yi for help.

    At that moment, however, a voice broke the tension.

    ¡°If you¡¯re so worried, Liang Yue, then let me think of a solution for you!¡±

    It was Zhang Yi.

    Smiling, he looked at Liang Yue. ¡°If danger does evere to the area, I¡¯ll allow your students to temporarily stay near the shelter.¡±

    There were a few empty vis around the shelter¡ªenough for them.

    Liang Yue looked at Zhang Yi, astonished, as if hearing these words from him was unbelievable.

    To her, Zhang Yi had never been this kind.

    Even Fatty Xu, Uncle You, and Lu Keran looked shocked, as though meeting Zhang Yi for the first time.

    Only Yang Xinxin stared at him calmly, a slight smile on her lips and admiration in her gaze.

    Noticing Liang Yue¡¯s surprise, Zhang Yi spread his hands andughed, ¡°Why the look? You really thought I was heartless?¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s expression grew awkward, though her face confirmed her thoughts.

    Zhang Yi shook his head.

    ¡°Maybe that was true before¡­because back then, we weren¡¯t allies.¡±

    ¡°But now, Liang Yue, you¡¯re one of us!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re a friend and part of our family! So the people you want to protect¡ªI¡¯ll help you protect them!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes held sincere warmth, as earnest as a devoted follower.

    Liang Yue was deeply moved; in her time of conflict, Zhang Yi had been there for her.

    This 27-year-old single teacher felt ripples in her heart, even forgetting her resentment over him taking her prized sword.

    ¡°Zhang Yi¡­I¡­ I don¡¯t even know how to thank you.¡±

    Her face flushed with excitement.

    From the kitchen, Zhou Ke¡¯er, watching this scene, muttered a few words to herself, ones that looked inappropriate for younger ears if you followed her lips.

    Zhang Yi simply smiled and shook his head.

    ¡°No need for thanks. We¡¯re all in this together now. Just focus on keeping everyone safe.¡±

    (Just as long as you stay obedient, and follow orders when needed.)

    Liang Yue nodded firmly. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s image had grown noble in her eyes.

    She realized she¡¯d misjudged him, thinking him selfish and arrogant.

    With Liang Yue¡¯s problem resolved, Zhang Yi addressed everyone else¡¯s concerns, bringing the matter to a close.

    ¡°In short, we have two immediate priorities: first, fortify defenses centered around Cloud Manor to guard against possible enemies.¡±

    ¡°Second, Keran and I will head out to find materials to repair the shelter.¡±

    ¡°Apart from that, no one is allowed to act on their own or leave the shelter area, to avoid unwanted shes with other factions¡¯ scouts.¡±

    Everyone agreed. This was the best course of action for now.

    One thing, however, went unsaid.

    Zhang Yi had already killed some superhumans and regr soldiers from the Chaoyu Base at the West Hill Base entrance.

    So the current peace wouldn¡¯tst as long as he hoped.

    He chose not to mention it, and both Fatty Xu and Uncle You kept silent as well.

    They assumed Zhang Yi was keeping morale steady in the shelter.

    But in reality, Zhang Yi was setting up his own n.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 349: Waiting on Fate

    Chapter 349 : Waiting on Fate

    The meeting concluded sessfully, with everyone in agreement on Zhang Yi¡¯s ns.

    Around noon, they gathered to officially wee Liang Yue to their team.

    The dining table was filled with steaming, sumptuous dishes: fragrant roast chicken, tangy garlic-braised fish, tender pork knuckles, savorymb soup, and soft, stewed pig trotters with soybeans.

    Even though these meals were a regr urrence at Zhang Yi¡¯s table, for Liang Yue, it was a feast beyond her imagination. Her mouth watered at the sight, and her hands trembled slightly as she picked up her chopsticks.

    Even back at West Hill Base¡¯s Second Life Pod, she¡¯d never enjoyed a meal like this.

    If the people struggling out in the icy wastnds saw this spread, they''d go insane with envy!

    In a world where people were ready to risk their lives for a stale bun, Zhang Yi¡¯s group was living in utter luxury. The contrast was almost painful.

    Liang Yue couldn¡¯t deny she felt secretly d she''d made the right choice in joining them.She ate happily, perhaps too much, as she eventually found herself clutching her stomach, feeling sick from the indulgence.

    ¡°Ouch¡­¡±

    Holding her stomach, Liang Yue turned a bit pale.

    Everyone froze momentarily, then rushed to check on her.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er suddenly had a realization and pped her forehead. ¡°Oh, it must be from the rich food. Her stomach isn¡¯t used to it after what she¡¯s been eating!¡±

    Since they were ustomed to such fare, they¡¯d overlooked Liang Yue¡¯s situation.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er quickly helped her to her room, gave her some medicine, and made her lie down.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    ¡°Just rest for a bit; you¡¯ll be fine!¡± Zhou Ke¡¯er said gently, tucking her in.

    The kindness touched Liang Yue deeply, almost bringing her to tears.

    In the aftermath, this was the first time she had felt genuinely cared for, and it stirred a growing attachment to the Shelter. In just one day, her outlook had shifted drastically.

    ¡°Actually¡­this life really isn¡¯t so bad.¡±

    ¡­

    After lunch, Yang Siyah, Zhou Ke¡¯er, and Zhou Haimei took care of the cleaning.

    Zhang Yi noticed a strange, slightly troubled look on Lu Keran¡¯s face and beckoned her over with a smile.

    ¡°Keran, what¡¯s going on? I noticed you seemed off during lunch.¡±

    At his words, Lu Keran quickly waved her hands. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, Big Brother! I¡¯m perfectly fine.¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled and flicked her forehead lightly.

    ¡°No need to act all mysterious with me. Just say whatever¡¯s on your mind.¡±

    ¡°Remember, we¡¯re family. There shouldn¡¯t be any secrets between family, alright?¡±

    Reassured, Lu Keran nced around to make sure no one else was nearby, then looked up at Zhang Yi.

    ¡°Big Brother, why did you agree to protect those students? They¡¯re awful!¡±

    So that¡¯s what was bothering her.

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but smile.

    Lu Keran''s face grew serious as she continued.

    ¡°You probably remember how things were back then. Those people were far from decent, and after the apocalypse, Xinxin and I went through hell because of them.¡± ??

    ¡°So I really don¡¯t want to see their ugly faces again.¡±

    Though generally easygoing, Lu Keran was still an eighteen-year-old who loved and hated with intensity.

    She couldn¡¯t forget everything she had endured because of her ssmates.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s smile grew.

    Just then, Yang Xinxin, passing by, noticed their conversation. She and Zhang Yi exchanged a knowing look before she walked away.

    Often, Zhang Yi and Yang Xinxin shared an unspoken understanding.

    Being highly intelligent, Yang Xinxin could restrain her emotions with logic, much like Zhang Yi. Both of them prioritized whatever benefitted themselves and the Shelter.

    Zhang Yi put aforting arm around Lu Keran¡¯s shoulders and led her to a quiet corner of the room.

    He lowered his voice and said, ¡°Keran, if Ipletely ignored your ssmates, what do you think your teacher, Liang Yue, would do?¡±

    Lu Keran frowned slightly. ¡°Hmm¡­ Knowing her, she¡¯d probably leave the Shelter. She¡¯d go off to protect them or take them somewhere safer.¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded, smiling. ¡°Exactly. Even though I don¡¯t care about your ssmates, Liang Yue is valuable to us. We need her to stay.¡±

    Understanding dawned on Lu Keran. ¡°Ah, I see! So you¡¯re doing this to keep Ms. Liang around!¡±

    ¡°But, does that mean you¡¯ll support them forever?¡±

    Lu Keran pouted slightly, sounding irritated.

    ¡°Why should those jerks get to live off you? They don¡¯t deserve it!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, it won¡¯t be for long. In these harsh conditions, weaklings like them will either freeze or starve soon enough.¡±

    ¡°And besides, I¡¯ve got some ns.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s smile held a hint of cunning.

    He thought of the Superhuman he¡¯d killed from Chaoyu Base.

    Losing even one Superhuman was a big deal for any faction, which would only increase contact between the Shelter and outside forces.

    He¡¯d assured Liang Yue he¡¯d protect those students if anything went wrong.

    But if a conflict broke out, he would have plenty of reasons to exin why he couldn¡¯t intervene in time.

    After all, Cloud Manor was quite a distance from Xu Family Town, so even a brief dy would be enough for the outside factions to wipe them out.

    Lu Keran¡¯s eyes lit up¡ªBig Brother never let her down!

    She was about to ask something else when Zhang Yi held up a ¡°shush¡± gesture.

    ¡°Let¡¯s keep this out of the house. Tomorrow, we¡¯ll head out to search for materials to repair the Shelter, and I¡¯ll fill you in on the details then.¡±

    Although Liang Yue was resting in her room, it was best to keep their ns discreet.

    With her worries gone, Lu Keran smiled brightly.

    She nodded enthusiastically. ¡°Alright, Big Brother! So, where are we going to find the materials?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a materials factory not far from here. It¡¯s still within West Hill Base¡¯s control, so it should be rtively safe for now.¡±

    ¡°Got it! I¡¯ll go start a materials checklist.¡±

    With that, Lu Keran hurried to her workshop to prepare.

    Watching her go, Zhang Yi began to strategize.

    His n was simple: leverage external enemies to eliminate Liang Yue¡¯s students. He had no intention of feeding freeloaders.

    Especially those students, who he saw as ungrateful troublemakers.

    If they weren¡¯t going to help, they¡¯d only bring trouble.

    The best solution was to remove any potential threats.

    Additionally, this would serve as a small payback for what Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran had endured.

    ¡°But of course, other factions aren¡¯t my subordinates; they won¡¯t just do what I want.¡±

    ¡°For now, I can only wait and see if fate takes its course.¡±

    While Zhang Yi hoped the other factions would unwittingly take care of Xu Family Town¡¯s students, he wouldn¡¯t deliberately provoke them.

    His own safety remained his top priority.

    When those students died wasn¡¯t a concern.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 350: Surprise or Not?

    Chapter 350 : Surprise or Not?

    That afternoon, after everyone had rested, Zhang Yi began assigning tasks.

    The top priority now was building a solid defense line.

    He gathered everyone together; after all, nobody could ck off when it came to this kind of work.

    Lu Keran had already drawn up the ns. The defense line would encircle the shelter and surrounding vis, forming a circr wall with a radius of 500 meters, standing 20 meters high, and 10 meters thick!

    The main construction materials would be steel beams andrge ice blocks¡ªresources they could easily acquire with strong defensive qualities.

    The ice blocks had the added benefit of self-repair, thickening further in the cold weather.

    With ten-meter-thick solid ice, they could withstand substantial firepower.

    Zhang Yi assigned everyone their roles.Lu Keran, a genius in mechanical engineering, hadn¡¯t specifically studied architecture, but her knowledge of mechanics far exceeded everyone else¡¯s, making her the natural leader for the construction.

    Fatty Xu was in charge of gathering materials.

    The mostmonly used material for the wall was massive ice blocks, which they could easily collect from the Lu River.

    Then, Zhang Yi would use his spatial abilities to transport them back.

    Liang Yue would process the ice, shaping them into suitable building blocks.

    Uncle You took charge of the heavy lifting, assembling the steel beams and massive ice blocks.

    Over time, the ice blocks would naturally fuse, and the steel framework would meld into the structure, forming a virtually indestructible ice-and-steel barrier!

    This would be the first line of defense around the shelter.

    While not as fortified as the shelter itself, its primary purpose was to prevent surprise attacks and buy everyone time to retreat into the shelter.

    Having acquired a significant stockpile of weapons and ammunition from West Hill Base, including heavy artillery andbat vehicles, Zhang Yi made somest-minute upgrades to the wall¡¯s design.

    Several openings were carved along the wall¡¯s kilometers-long stretch, where they mounted artillery barrels, connecting these weapons to the shelter¡¯s control system.

    Thirty heavy machine guns, fiverge-caliber autocannons, six additional artillery guns, plus two tanks and four armored vehicles were also stationed on the wall.

    Zhang Yi held back part of the heavy weaponry in his dimensional space for emergencies.

    This n thrilled everyone on-site. Oncepleted, this firepower-packed defense line would give them the confidence to withstand even a massive assault.

    ¡°All right, let¡¯s get started! This wall is our safety line, so no cking!¡± Zhang Yi pped his hands, grinning as he encouraged everyone to get to work.

    As for Zhou Ke¡¯er, Yang Siyah, and Zhou Haimei, since they didn¡¯t have powers to help directly, they would prepare hot drinks and assist Lu Keran.

    With assignments given, everyone headed to Lu River and got to work.

    Despite the scale of the project, everyone here had some kind of superhuman ability¡ªno one was short on skills.

    What usually required a full construction team could be divided among just a few.

    Fatty Xu pressed his hands to the river¡¯s ice, and with a loud cracking sound, the surface split intorge fissures.

    Soon, an enormous, rectangr ice block rose from the ground, slowly levitating.

    Zhang Yi quickly opened the Dimensional Gate and stored it in his spatial storage.

    Fatty Xu, going all out, extracted ten huge ice blocks in one go.N?v(el)B\\jnn

    The intense work soon left him out of breath.

    ¡°Grab a snack and rest up! We¡¯ve got time,¡± Zhang Yi reassured him before taking the ice blocks back to the shelter.

    Therge, irregr ice blocks, each the size of a small house,y on the ground.

    With her blueprint in hand, Lu Keran directed the work, guiding Liang Yue as she shaped the ice into perfect blocks.

    Without a word, Liang Yue pulled out her Tang Sword. The bright de shed, cutting through the air, leaving arge ice block perfectly squared.

    Then it was Uncle You¡¯s turn.

    He lifted one of therge ice blocks and mmed it firmly into the ground!

    The giant, rectangr block, nearly thirty meters long, sunk deep into the earth like a wooden stake.

    Due to frequent explosions, the ground around Cloud Manor was soft, so the foundation work went smoothly.

    Uncle You¡¯s first task was setting the foundation, then he reinforced it with steel bars along the inner wall.

    After the frame was ready, they would add a secondyer of ice blocks inside, creating a doubleyer defense.

    This setup could withstand heavy artillery without shattering the structure.

    They packed soil around it for stability.

    The whole team worked tirelessly, even enjoying thebor.

    In the sub-zero temperatures, with everyone bundled in thermal suits, the activity kept them warm¡ªa rare luxury in the apocalypse.

    These professional-grade suits, once reserved for specialized workers, were nearly impossible for ordinary people to afford.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s efficient team coordination sped up the work, and within hours, they had a hundred meters of the wall structure in ce.

    But as they worked, Zhang Yi noticed something out of the corner of his eye across the river.

    Squinting, he recognized a vaguely familiar figure sneaking around.

    It seemed like one of the students he had seen before¡ªnot familiar by name, but the face rang a bell.

    Perhaps therge-scale ice extraction caught the attention of some in Xu Family Town.

    Zhang Yi crossed his arms and smirked, barely caring what those people thought.

    Those little weaklings? He could wipe them all out singlehandedly if he wanted.

    Yet, something about the student¡¯s sneaky behavior piqued his curiosity.

    Nearby, Fatty Xu, still panting, continued chipping away at the ice.

    Since Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t do much to help at the moment, he pulled out a high-power telescope and observed the other side of the river from the embankment.

    From this vantage point, he could see Xu Family Town clearly.

    In the freezing temperatures, the town was dead silent. With so many able-bodied people lost at West Hill Base, few vigers remained¡ªmostly women, the elderly, and children.

    But as he looked closer, Zhang Yi noticed something interesting.

    The sneaky student wasn¡¯t alone; a young woman followed behind him.

    The two of them slipped into a snow house, one after the other.

    A faint, amused grin crossed Zhang Yi¡¯s face.

    These rich kids, still unable to resist their baser urges even now.

    After working tirelessly to extract another ice block, Fatty Xu squatted on the ice, watching Zhang Yi curiously.

    ¡°Boss, what are you looking at?¡±

    Zhang Yi lowered his telescope. ¡°Nothing. Take a break.¡±

    He took the ice blocks back, and after Liang Yue finished processing them, Zhang Yi retrieved some food from his dimensional storage.

    ¡°Gettingte. Take this food to your students,¡± he said, handing a bag to Liang Yue.

    As she took it, Zhang Yi suddenly added, ¡°By the way, I wanted to apologize to you about something.¡±

    Liang Yue looked puzzled. ¡°Apologize for what?¡±

    Zhang Yi met her gaze sincerely. ¡°I used to think your students were all selfish. But just now, I saw one of them helping a poor girl, and I feel I owe you an apology.¡±

    Liang Yue found his words odd, as if there was some hidden meaning she couldn¡¯t quite grasp.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s mouth curved into a mysterious smile as he gestured toward Xu Family Town. ¡°Over there, in the house on the east side of the vige, your student is helping someone in need!¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s expression changed instantly, realizing her student might be exploiting Xu Family Town¡¯s vulnerable women and elderly!

    As a teacher, she couldn¡¯t stand by and let her students do something so immoral!

    ¡°I¡¯ll go check it out!¡± she said, tossing her ponytail over her shoulder as she ran toward the river.

    Meanwhile, inside the snow house, Wu Chengyu dragged a wooden nk, blocking the door.

    These semi-underground snow houses were great for keeping out the cold, though the temperature still made it difficult for his body to react as he¡¯d like.

    Sighing as he looked at the pale, haggard woman before him, Wu Chengyu couldn¡¯t help feeling disappointed.

    Back in Tianhai City, he was used to dating only the best women.

    If he had any other options, he wouldn¡¯t have chosen someone like her.

    But he had gone too long without, so he¡¯d make do.

    He pulled out half a meal box from his coat and threw it on the table.

    When she saw it, her eyes brightened.

    ¡°Hurry up. I don¡¯t have time to waste here.¡±

    The woman gulped, reluctantly shifting her gaze from the food and crawling toward him.

    By the time Liang Yue arrived, Wu Chengyu was already engaged in his sordid business.

    Outside the snow house, she could hear the soundsing from within¡ªsounds that made her cheeks flush.

    She was in shock, unwilling to believe that the person inside was one of her students.

    In the apocalypse, Xu Family Town¡¯s women had lost their protectors and were barely surviving.

    It was clear that the woman inside wasn¡¯t with Wu Chengyu out of love.

    Either she¡¯d been coerced or forced to trade her body for something.

    Regardless of the reason, Wu Chengyu¡¯s actions enraged Liang Yue, her body shaking with fury.

    As a woman, she could not tolerate the thought of her students, whom she worked so hard to protect, exploiting other women like this!

    Author''s Note

    Hey "Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies" fans! The BOTI Trantor Team hopes you¡¯re enjoying the chapters. Please rate us 5 stars on NovelUpdates to keep the trantionsing! ??

 Chapter 351: The Collapse of Liang Yue

    Chapter 351: The Copse of Liang Yue

    In her fury, Liang Yue kicked down the wooden nk blocking the door!

    The two people inside were startled; Wu Chengyu, who was involved in sordid behavior on the bed, whipped around, his face paling at the sight of Liang Yue.

    "Ms. Liang! What are you doing here?"

    Liang Yue¡¯s eyes fell on the nk-faced woman next to him and the half-eaten meal on the table. Instantly, everything became clear.

    Her mind went nk with rage and shock, leaving her unsure of what to even think.

    Her student¡ªthe one she had fought to protect in this apocalyptic world¡ªhad used the precious food she brought them for something like this?

    Wu Chengyu froze, not expecting Liang Yue¡¯s sudden arrival.

    After a moment, he gritted his teeth. Since things were already at this point, he decided he might as welly it all out. Liang Yue had a soft heart, and maybe she''d forgive him.¡°Ms. Liang, I¡¯m a young man, and I have needs. I hope you understand.¡±

    ¡°Besides, I didn¡¯t force her¡ªit was her own choice. Right? Say something!¡±

    He patted the woman¡¯s face.

    The woman stared nkly at Liang Yue, then nodded numbly.

    Even after getting caught, she showed no trace of shame. Survival was her only concern now; morality and dignity had long been cast aside.

    Liang Yue¡¯s face was expressionless, her mind overwhelmed by shock and anger, making her feel almost paralyzed.

    She asked coldly, ¡°Didn¡¯t you all say there wasn¡¯t enough food?¡±

    ¡°Then how could you waste it like this?¡±

    Wu Chengyu¡¯s expression changed slightly.

    He couldn¡¯t let Liang Yue know where the extra food came from.

    Since she left, order among the students had be simple: the strongest ruled. Wu Chengyu, with his height and strength, had gathered a group of tough students to control everyone else.

    This allowed him not only to eat well but also to barter extra food for services from the women of Xu Family Town.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Bracing himself, Wu Chengyu shouted at Liang Yue, ¡°Ms. Liang, why don¡¯t you just keep giving us food and mind your own business?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re not providing us with enough anyway; we still have to figure out how to survive ourselves. So it doesn¡¯t matter how we use the food, does it?¡±

    Liang Yue staggered backward, as if struck by lightning. She pointed at Wu Chengyu, chest heaving, but words failed her.

    ¡°Ms. Liang, could you step out? You¡¯re kind of getting in the way here!¡±

    Annoyed by the interruption, Wu Chengyu was defiant. He knew Liang Yue too well; her kind-hearted nature wouldn¡¯t allow her to let him die, no matter how poorly he acted¡ªafter all, he was her student!

    Kind Ms. Liang would never abandon her students in an apocalypse, right?

    Liang Yue closed her eyes, turned, and rushed outside.

    Removing her hat, she let the cold snow blow against her face. But the freezing snow was no match for the chill she felt in her heart.

    As Liang Yue left Xu Family Town, Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu were enjoying a meal together on Lu River.

    Noticing Liang Yue¡¯s devastated expression as she approached, Zhang Yi smirked, his tone slightly mocking. ¡°So, reality¡¯s pretty brutal, huh, Ms. Liang?¡± ?

    Liang Yue looked up at Zhang Yi, then gave a bleak smile.

    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m an absolute fool?¡±

    Then, answering her own question, she said, ¡°Yes. I really am foolish.¡±

    Hands in his pockets, Zhang Yi replied calmly, ¡°Don¡¯t me me for exposing the harsh truth. I just thought you deserved to know. What you do now is up to you; I¡¯ll respect your choice.¡±

    Liang Yue shook her head, her emotions in turmoil, her eyes unfocused.

    She brushed past Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu, unsteady on her feet, heading back to the Shelter, longing only for a quiet ce to process everything.

    Fatty Xu watched her leave, then leaned in, curious. ¡°Boss, what happened with Ms. Liang? What did she see?¡±

    Zhang Yi nced at him and said tly, ¡°Her student was exploiting women in Xu Family Town. If he wasn¡¯t forcing them, he was trading with food she provided.¡±

    Fatty Xu¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Holy sh*t! That¡¯s juicy! Boss, you¡¯re no fun. You didn¡¯t even let me catch a glimpse of the action.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what you¡¯re focused on?¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled, patting his shoulder. ¡°That woman could¡¯ve been one of your distant cousins or an aunt, you know.¡±

    Fatty Xu scoffed. ¡°My family¡¯s mostly dead! Those left are distant rtions. I don¡¯t care what happens to them.¡±

    Zhang Yi gave him an approving thumbs-up. ¡°Way to keep things simple!¡±

    Back in the Shelter, Liang Yue locked herself in her room, utterly lost. She began to wonder if everything she¡¯d done had any meaning.

    She had no idea how much time had passed before she heard a knock at her door.

    ¡°Liang Yue, are you okay?¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s concerned voice came from outside.

    Quicklyposing herself, she sat up, slipped on her slippers, and opened the door.

    Zhang Yi noticed her slightly red eyes, as if she had been crying. Not surprising; no teacher would be unaffected by the downfall of a student they had once cherished.

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Liang Yue said, ¡°I¡¯m not feeling well today. I¡¯ll catch up on work; it won¡¯t affect the schedule.¡±

    Shaking his head, Zhang Yi reassured her, ¡°No rush. It¡¯ll only take a few days to finish the project anyway.¡±

    Looking down at her, he added in a gentle tone, ¡°I was just worried about you and came to check in.¡±

    This unexpected kindness from Zhang Yi caught Liang Yue off guard.

    What was the line from that song?

    *Nothing¡¯s scarier than sudden concern from a friend.*

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. Just need some rest,¡± Liang Yue replied.

    Zhang Yi nced into the room and smiled. ¡°Are we going to talk here?¡±

    Realizing, she quickly stepped aside. ¡°Come in and sit down.¡±

    Zhang Yi pulled up a chair inside. ¡°I know today was a big blow, but I hope you can look forward. The road ahead is still long.¡±

    ¡°If you ever need to talk about your troubles, I¡¯ll at least be a good listener.¡±

    When a woman¡¯s heart is vulnerable, both her emotions and body are open.

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t necessarily interested in love, but he didn¡¯t mind if women fell for him.

    After all, when a woman bes emotionally attached, she¡¯s oftenpletely devoted.

    Though Zhang Yi didn¡¯t n to take advantage of Liang Yue, he did see the opportunity to strengthen their bond, ensuring she would be even more cooperative in the future.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 352: Liang Yueâ€™s Obsession

    Chapter 352 : Liang Yue¡¯s Obsession

    At this moment, Liang Yue was feeling vulnerable, cravingfort from someone.

    Initially, Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin were the ones supposed to console her, as they were closest to Liang Yue in the shelter. But Yang Xinxin stopped Lu Keran, choosing to leave this opportunity for Zhang Yi.

    Only by fully bonding Liang Yue to Zhang Yi could they ensure she would stay in the shelter.

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s actions considered Zhang Yi¡¯s needs, but they were also for Liang Yue¡¯s own good.

    As expected, Zhang Yi¡¯sfort lifted Liang Yue¡¯s spirits a little.

    Despite being a martial arts master, she was still a 27-year-old single woman, and deep down, she yearned for a man¡¯sfort.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, do you think I¡¯m a hopeless fool?¡± Liang Yue, sitting on the edge of the bed, gave Zhang Yi a wry smile.

    He looked at her for a few seconds, thenughed. ¡°Maybe a little. But,¡± he added, ¡°I believe you have your reasons.¡±Though he thought she was just in foolish, he kept that part to himself¡ªno need to be blunt.

    Liang Yue lifted her head, gazing at the ceiling, her eyes taking on a distant look.

    ¡°I started martial arts when I was three. Even though I¡¯m a woman, I trained as hard as any man!¡±

    ¡°For people like me, the future usually holds two paths: either bing a star in film or opening a martial arts school to take on students.¡±

    ¡°But I didn¡¯t want to be a pretty face in showbiz, and I didn¡¯t have the resources for that path. And as a woman, opening a school posed a lot of challenges.¡±

    ¡°So, I chose a road that only a few martial artists take¡ªI became a bodyguard.¡±

    Liang Yue began talking about her life.

    When a woman shares her past with you, it usually means she trusts you, and you might just have a chance to get closer.

    Zhang Yi responded at just the right time, ¡°Then you joined that ce and became the best bodyguard in Huaguo?¡±

    At the mention of that time, a slight smile yed at the corners of Liang Yue¡¯s mouth.

    ¡°Yeah, it was the peak of my life, though also the most grueling.¡±

    ¡°After a few years, Tianqing Academy recruited me as a PE teacher to teach self-defense to the academy¡¯s elite kids.¡±

    ¡°They offered me a sry of 3 million a year! Can you even imagine 3 million?¡±

    She looked at Zhang Yi with a hint of pride. Clearly, she was proud of having earned such a high sry.

    Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°Oh, I can imagine! That¡¯s over twenty years of my sry.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s smile deepened.N?v(el)B\\jnn

    ¡°Sadly, that¡¯s all in the past.¡±

    When the memory ended, her eyes grew even more vacant.

    She fell silent for a while, then spoke slowly, ¡°Then the apocalypse came, and we lost everything.¡±

    ¡°Family, friends, identity, reputation, money.¡±

    ¡°I have almost nothing left.¡±

    ¡°The only thing I still have is my responsibility to protect my students.¡±

    ¡°What keeps me going is that small sense of duty.¡±

    ¡°I know, with the way you operate, you must think I¡¯m incredibly naive. I¡¯ve thought about whether I should live a little more selfishly.¡±

    ¡°But if I were to abandon myst belief, I wouldn¡¯t know why I even exist in this world.¡±

    As she spoke, tears began to fall down her cheeks, dripping onto the spotless floor.

    Hearing this, Zhang Yi began to understand her a bit better.

    Since the apocalypse began, he had seen many people unable to cope with the harsh reality, choosing to end their lives.

    For those people, the world had already be hell, and staying alive was nothing but suffering.

    Spiritual anguish can be far more painful than physical hardship.

    So, in a way, it wasn¡¯t so much that Liang Yue was protecting her students; it was more that she was preserving thest bit of faith keeping her going. ??

    Of course, that didn¡¯t change Zhang Yi¡¯s view of her as foolish. Ideals were one thing, but overthinking life¡¯s meaning was another.

    Living itself is the purpose.

    People live just for the sake of living.

    ¡°Maybe you¡¯re putting too much pressure on yourself?¡± Zhang Yi asked, his face filled with concern.

    ¡°You were on your own before, but it¡¯s different now. We¡¯re teammates. We¡¯re family.¡±

    ¡°Look, everyone in the shelter is an adult who can understand and support you, unlike those ungrateful brats.¡±

    As he spoke, Zhang Yi moved closer to Liang Yue and suddenly took her hand.

    Liang Yue flinched, unsure how to react.

    ¡°If you need something to believe in, let us be that belief from now on.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s face flushed instantly.

    Though she was already 27, due to her career, she¡¯d never been in a rtionship or even held hands with a man.

    And Zhang Yi was reasonably good-looking, too.

    Now, with him looking at her so earnestly and holding her hand, her brain seemed to be on the verge of overheating.

    ¡°You¡­ you want to be my belief?¡±

    Inwardly, Zhang Yi thought, *I mean, specifically me¡ªbut let¡¯s add ¡®us¡¯ to keep you from getting suspicious.*

    Basically, he was asking her to be one of his loyal followers.

    ¡°If you¡¯ve lost your beliefs, then make new ones.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯ve lost your connections, then we can be your bonds.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t wear yourself out. It pains me to see you like this.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s blood was rushing to her head.

    It was the first time a man had said something so boldly sentimental to her, without a hint of shame.

    And, though she wouldn¡¯t admit it, his words actually worked!

    Her face was so red she looked like she might start bleeding.

    Though she didn¡¯t feel that way toward Zhang Yi, this conversation, which felt suspiciously like a confession, greatly improved her impression of him.

    ¡°Thank you¡­ I feel a lot better.¡±

    Embarrassed, Liang Yue pulled her hand back, her eyes darting around, unable to meet Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze.

    Seeing that the moment had run its course, Zhang Yi stopped there, knowing that pushing too far could backfire.

    Going too far in flirting could easily turn him into ¡°Shrimp-head Guy¡±¡ªthat annoying type who makes girls roll their eyes.

    He could just picture Liang Yueining to the other women: ¡°Oh, girls, you won¡¯t believe what this shrimp-head guy just said¡­¡±

    That would be thest thing he wanted.

    ¡°Feeling better now?¡± he asked.

    After a brief silence, Liang Yue nodded gently.

    ¡°Yeah, having someone to talk to really helps. But I¡¯m still disappointed in them.¡±

    Her thoughts returned to Wu Chengyu¡¯s behavior, and she frowned again.

    ¡°Maybe they just need to grow up a little more.¡±

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯tment further on her students.

    He knew it wasn¡¯t realistic to expect her to let go of them right away.

    But his goal was to slowly weaken their importance in her heart.

    This way, if they died one day, she wouldn¡¯t be as emotionally devastated.

    After a few more words, Zhang Yi left her room.

    As he walked down the corridor, he noticed Yang Xinxin in her wheelchair, watching him with a smile.

    ¡°Did you win over Teacher Liang, Big Bro?¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 353: Going Out to Find Building Materials

    Chapter 353: Going Out to Find Building Materials

    Zhang Yi shrugged after hearing Yang Xinxin¡¯s words, smiling as he walked over and said, ¡°That¡¯s enough; I¡¯m not really interested in your teacher, Liang.¡±

    Yang Xinxin tilted her head, confused, and asked, ¡°Teacher Liang is quite beautiful; you have no interest? Your standards are so high!¡±

    Zhang Yi stretchedzily and replied, ¡°She is beautiful, but shees with some troubles. The thing I hate the most is trouble!¡±

    However, after dealing with her troublesome students, Zhang Yi could consider taking their rtionship further.

    Still, as he often said, he had a nonchnt attitude towards so-called love; it could serve as a spice in life, but life would go on just fine without it.

    Zhang Yi approached Yang Xinxin, smiling as he told her about what happened today.

    Upon hearing this, Yang Xinxin''s face filled with disgust.

    ¡°Those guys really are capable of doing such disgusting things!¡±Zhang Yi said calmly, ¡°I¡¯ve yed the bad cop; now it¡¯s your turn to be the good cop!¡±

    ¡°Make sure Liang Yue gives uppletely on those guys, then I can clean them up without worrying about any repercussions.¡±

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t afraid of Yang Xinxin betraying him because back at Tianqing Academy, she had killed more students using Hua Hua.

    Yang Xinxin smiled slyly, ¡°Alright! I have to help my brother, right?¡±

    She maneuvered her wheelchair towards Liang Yue¡¯s room.

    Zhang Yi had no idea what they were discussing, but Liang Yue¡¯s attitude towards those students would definitely change from now on.

    No matter how deep the trust or protective instincts were, they would slowly disappear with the umtion of disappointment.

    The next day, Zhang Yi nned to take Lu Keran out to search for building materials to repair the Shelter.

    Uncle You asked, ¡°Do you want us to go with you? It wouldn¡¯t be good if we encounter enemies again.¡±

    Zhang Yi shook his head, ¡°No need; bringing Hua Hua is enough. You all stay here to continue building the defense line; someone has to watch over the house.¡±N?v(el)B\\jnn

    He went out with Hua Hua; the abilities of the two¡ªone person and one cat¡ªcould perfectlyplement each other.

    As long as he didn¡¯t encounter opponents of Ling Feng¡¯s caliber, even ordinary small factions or Superhumans wouldn¡¯t pose a threat.

    Even if they encountered a strong opponent, escaping would be manageable.

    Uncle You didn¡¯t insist anymore, agreeing to stay behind and work on the defense line.

    Although Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t present, Uncle You could still handle the moving work with his brute strength.

    Completing half of the defense line today was certain.

    It was Lu Keran¡¯s first time going out to do something with Zhang Yi, and she was very happy, her excited little face flushed.

    Zhang Yi took out a set of West Hill Basebat gear he had confiscated for Lu Keran to change into; it was excellent for both bullet resistance and cold protection.

    Originally, Zhang Yi nned to create upgradedbat gear for everyone in the Shelter.

    However, thebat gear he wore not only consumed a lot of materials but also took a considerable amount of time to produce.

    Lu Keran wouldn¡¯t be able to make so many in a short time.

    Therefore, Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t in a hurry; he let her take her time crafting, prioritizing frontlinebat personnel first.

    Uncle You¡¯s defensive power exceeded that ofbat gear, so he didn¡¯t need a set of gear.

    He wore a confiscated ordinarybat suit, which provided basic defense when not transformed.

    Lu Keran donned the whitebat gear and even polished the golden sword logo on her chest, shing an eight-toothed smile at Zhang Yi.

    Suddenly, her expression became serious, and she saluted Zhang Yi.

    ¡°Private Lu Keran is ready for battle; please give instructions, leader!¡±

    Seeing her yful and cute appearance, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but pinch her nose.

    ¡°Little troublemaker!¡±

    Lu Keran stuck out her tongue, ¡°How do I look? After putting on this outfit, I feel so cool!¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded, ¡°Clothes can easily give people the wrong impression, especially for women.¡±

    Lu Keran froze for a moment, then immediately realized Zhang Yi was teasing her and angrily punched his shoulder.

    ¡°Alright, alright, let¡¯s set off! The outside environment can¡¯t be trusted; the sooner we go and return, the better!¡±

    Zhang Yi thought for a moment and pulled out a handgun, handing it to Lu Keran.

    ¡°You should know how to use this, right?¡±

    Since Lu Keran could craft firearms, she should know how to use them.

    Sure enough, Lu Keran¡¯s eyes lit up as she epted it and tucked it into her side holster.

    The two left the Shelter, and Zhang Yi took out a snow vehicle, driving her towards the famous Hongyuan Group factory in the Lu River district.

    The West Mountain area and Lu River district were located in the southwest of Tianhai City, slightly farther from the city center, so many industrial enterprises gathered there.

    Hongyuan Group was Tianhai City¡¯srgest and most famous building materialspany.

    Not only in Tianhai City but even nationwide, it had a great reputation.

    The reason Zhang Yi chose this building materialspany was that it was rtively close to West Hill Base.

    Moreover, and this was crucial, it was the designated supplier for Dragon Security Company.

    Thus, Zhang Yi believed they would surely have the building materials needed for the Shelter.

    The vehicle drove away from the Shelter.

    Lu Keran turned back to nce at the departing building, hesitating as she bit her lip. After a while, she finally asked her long-standing curiosity.

    ¡°Big brother, can you talk to me about yesterday¡¯s question now?¡±

    Lu Keran¡¯s thoughts were quite straightforward; she had been remembering that matter.

    So now that she had the chance, she quickly asked Zhang Yi for his thoughts.

    Zhang Yi nced at her and smiled, asking, ¡°You really dislike the other students, don¡¯t you?¡±

    Lu Keran didn¡¯t deny it, seriously nodding her head.

    ¡°Those guys were way too much with what they did to Xinxin!¡±

    She paused, then continued, ¡°They treated me pretty badly too. To be honest, I don¡¯t want to see them and certainly don¡¯t want to live with them.¡±

    Lu Keran was a top student, having gained admission through her academic performance and professional skills.

    Thus, she had a considerable gap in statuspared to other students.

    When she was in school, she had endured quite a bit of bullying from her ssmates.

    So naturally, she didn¡¯t wish to see those guys living well.

    She was straightforward, not foolish.

    As Zhang Yi listened to Lu Keran¡¯sints, a faint smile lingered on his lips.

    For a moment, he almost wanted to tell Lu Keran his n.

    That was to leave those people in Xu Family Town and, when conflicts urred with other factions, intentionally lead others to sacrifice them.

    However, considering Lu Keran¡¯s blunt personality, she might identally let the cat out of the bag.

    If Liang Yue found out, it could affect the rtionship between the two of them.

    He didn¡¯t want to drive a wedge between himself and those close to him.

    Thus, Zhang Yi decided to change his approach.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 354: Invasion

    Chapter 354: Invasion

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I also really hate those guys. I absolutely won¡¯t let them disturb ourfortable lives!¡±

    ¡°Let those bastards live across the river. With their self-sufficiency skills, it¡¯s only a matter of time before they starve or freeze to death.¡±

    ¡°And who knows, maybe one day when we sh with other forces, they might have an ident!¡±

    Zhang Yi shrugged, ¡°Of course, I promised Liang Yue that I wouldn¡¯t touch them, so it all depends on their luck.¡±

    Lu Keran felt pleased to know Zhang Yi¡¯s attitude.

    However, she leaned closer with some concern, ¡°Big brother, Teacher Liang is a very soft-hearted woman! What if they run into danger and Teacher Liang brings them to the Shelter?¡±

    Zhang Yiughed dismissively.

    ¡°It¡¯s the apocalypse now; lives are as worthless as grass. It¡¯s perfectly normal for anyone to die.¡±¡°While I promised Liang Yue to do my best to protect those students¡­¡±

    ¡°However, if I can¡¯t do it, she should be able to understand.¡±

    Saying this, Zhang Yi suddenly pinched Lu Keran''s nose.

    ¡°Then it will depend on how you and Yang Xinxin perform!¡±

    ¡°Your Teacher Liang loves her students very much! If I can¡¯t convince her, you two just need to work a bit harder!¡±

    Lu Keran had a small face, and her nose was tiny, making it nice to pinch.

    Her face turned slightly red, ¡°I understand what you mean, big brother! You want me and Xinxin to brainwash Teacher Liang, right?¡±

    A glimmer of amusement shed in Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes.

    A stubborn woman like Liang Yue sought a spiritual refuge in the apocalypse; she needed to protect others to prove her own worth.

    And this spiritual refuge was ced on her students.

    Perhaps she didn¡¯t love her students as much as she wanted to prove that her existence was meaningful and that she was needed.

    ¡°Compared to those unfortunate kids in Xu Family Town, you and Xinxin are undoubtedly favored by Liang Yue.¡±

    ¡°So how to please the teacher and make her love you more doesn¡¯t need me to say much, right?¡±

    Lu Keran certainly understood Zhang Yi¡¯s meaning.

    Girls were always adept at acting cute and charming, regardless of their age.

    Outside, the snowstorm continued. As February approached, the temperature gradually rose a little but was still cold enough to be deadly.

    Lu Keran looked at the deste whitend outside and couldn¡¯t help but sigh.

    ¡°The Shelter is like paradise, while the outside is hell!¡±

    ¡°It would be better if no one came to disturb us.¡±

    She muttered softly.

    Zhang Yi blinked, and couldn¡¯t help but think about thatrge force, feeling slightly worried.

    ¡°I hope we won¡¯t have any conflicts with them before we finish the defensive construction at the Shelter!¡±

    He had already killed people from Chaoyu Base.

    This matter was likely hard to conceal since the Followers of the Snow God had witnessed it.

    He could only hope that the timing of any conflicts would be dyed.

    ¡°As long as I¡¯m well-prepared, I wouldn¡¯t fear even if two Chaoyu Bases attacked me together!¡±

    Zhang Yi thought confidently.

    After defeating West Hill Base and obtaining all their stockpiled weapons, Zhang Yi¡¯s strength was no longer what it used to be.

    However, as the saying goes, what you fear wille.

    Zhang Yi was currently trying to avoid contact with other forces.

    But when he drove to Hongyuan Group¡¯s factory, he saw three vehicles parked in the snow from a distance.

    ¡°Vehicles?¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s first reaction was to park the car far away.

    Then he took out binocrs and looked in that direction.

    What he saw confirmed his suspicions: three oddly shaped vehicles.

    Those three vehicles should not be considered snow vehicles but rather modified off-road vehicles turned into battle cars.

    In addition to the steel tes and machine guns installed on the body, they also had tracks and skis added below.

    However, the steel tes appeared to be thin, seemingly to reduce weight.

    ¡°These things don¡¯t seem right. Can they even run?¡± Zhang Yi wondered.

    Lu Keran curiously leaned over, ¡°Big brother, what do you see?¡±

    Zhang Yi handed her the binocrs so she could take a look for herself.

    After Lu Keran nced through, she couldn¡¯t help but start to rant.

    ¡°What the heck is this? It looks so messed up; it almost makes me want to gouge my eyes out!¡±

    Zhang Yi leaned back in his seat, the Dimensional Gate opening directly ahead to prevent any surprise gunfire.

    He sighed, ¡°I still underestimated their efficiency. These guys have already invaded from the border towards West Hill Base¡¯s territory.¡±

    The destruction of West Hill Base had already been discovered by other forces.

    They would definitely want toe and take a slice of this big pie.

    Within the Lu River district, the most valuable assets were the material factories and machinery equipment nts.

    Zhang Yi hesitated.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    He didn¡¯t want to engage with any forces at the moment.

    However, he urgently needed to repair the Shelter.

    Thus, he had to go over and find the materials he needed.

    ¡°Should I kill them?¡±

    Zhang Yi was conflicted.

    At present, he didn¡¯t know who hade or what their strength was.

    Striking without understanding wouldn¡¯t align with his usual style.

    Meanwhile, Lu Keran excitedly said, ¡°Big brother, the cost-performance ratio of these modified junk is too low! Although they barely run on snow, their top speed can¡¯t exceed 20 kilometers per hour.¡± ?

    ¡°Plus, the modifications are too crude, so their fuel consumption is several times that of a snow vehicle.¡±

    ¡°Wow! This means they really are wasteful. They sent out three vehicles at once, which are practically three fuel guzzlers!¡±

    An idea suddenly shed in Zhang Yi''s mind.

    ¡°Wait! You said these vehicles consume a lot of fuel, right?¡±

    Lu Keran put down the binocrs, looking disdainful. ¡°Yeah, these off-road vehicles weigh much more than snow vehicles. After being modified, they increased their weight. With such rough modifications, their fuel consumption is at least five times that of our vehicle!¡±

    A gleam of brilliance flickered in Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°Initially, West Hill Base wouldn¡¯t even use snow vehicles because gasoline was very hard to obtain. But these guys are so extravagant, meaning only one force can afford this!¡±

    Among the Western forces, the one controlling the Tianhai City Baofeng Oil Refinery was Yangsheng Base!

    ¡°Is it them? Yangsheng Base is more than 200 kilometers away, almost across the entire Tianhai City.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t expect them toe; they really are eager!¡±

    ¡°However, since they control the oil refinery, with ample energy, it indeed makes sense for them to waste like this.¡±

    Zhang Yi confirmed the identity of these people and thought about what to do next.

    Since they were already here, it wouldn¡¯t make sense to go back empty-handed.

    He nned to talk to these people. If he could peacefully take away the materials he needed, that would be the best oue.

    If he couldn¡¯t persuade them, he would have to resort to force!

    ¡°Keran, a conflict might happen soon. Get yourself mentally prepared!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze turned cold as he looked ahead, then drove the snow vehicle forward.

    Lu Keran swallowed, her eyes filled with excitement.

    To be honest, she was very happy!

    Because this might be her first time seeing Zhang Yi in action!

    Author''s Note

    Hey, lovely readers! A fresh chapter just dropped! Don¡¯t forget to cheer us on with a 5-star rating for BOTI Trantor Team on NovelUpdates. Your love keeps us goi

 Chapter 355: Yangsheng Base

    Chapter 355: Yangsheng Base

    Outside the Hongyuan Group''s materials factory, Zhang Yi drove his vehicle near several modified snow vehicles.

    Their arrival had already attracted the attention of the personnel at Yangsheng Base.

    As they got closer, five or six people were leaning against their vehicles, aiming their guns at them.

    ¡°Stop! This area has already been taken by our Yangsheng Base. Which faction are you from? Go somewhere else!¡± a man with a long beard shouted.

    Zhang Yi remained vignt, activating his Western Speed ability.

    As long as the other party made a move to pull the trigger, he would immediately kill them all!

    ¡°Stay in the car and don¡¯t move!¡±

    Zhang Yi could see that the weapons in their hands were all basic firearms, which couldn¡¯t harm his vehicle equipped with Shelter-ss bulletproof ss, so he felt safe getting out.A ck tabby cat with its tail held high elegantly followed in Zhang Yi''s footsteps.

    Zhang Yi raised his hands gently and said to the people in front of him, ¡°Don¡¯t misunderstand, I mean no harm. I have no objections to you taking this factory first.¡±

    ¡°I just need some materials, and I hope you can make it convenient for me.¡±

    However, when the Yangsheng Base personnel saw his Western Mountain Base-stylebat uniform, their expressions grew much more serious.

    ¡°Wasn¡¯t it said that the Western Mountain Base had been destroyed?¡±

    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a remnant; there were so many people at the Western Mountain Base, they couldn¡¯t have all died, right?¡±

    ¡°Thank goodness it¡¯s not from one of the other bases; otherwise, we¡¯d have a bit of a headache.¡±

    ¡°What powerful characters could possibly survive from a destroyed Western Mountain Base?¡±

    ¡°However¡­ that vehicle of his is quite impressive.¡±

    Some had already set their sights on Zhang Yi¡¯s snow vehicle.

    The ones they were driving were all knockoffs, with poor performance, slow speed, and high fuel consumption.

    If Zhang Yi¡¯s vehicle was a Rolls Royce, their vehicles could only be considered a blend of Mercedes and Santana.

    A cautious person whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t act recklessly! Do you really think a person who can drive such a good car at a time like this is just an ordinary character?¡± ?

    His eyes were filled with apprehension. ¡°Especially when facing so many of us, he shows no fear at all. This person is definitely not easy to deal with! Notify the captain toe over!¡±

    Immediately, someone contacted the captain inside the factory via themunicator.

    At the same time, someone shouted at Zhang Yi, ¡°Let¡¯s discuss this when our captain arrives!¡±

    Zhang Yi wore a rxed smile, but he was very cautious inside.

    He looked toward the factory; someone was entering through the skylight using the same method he had before.

    ¡°Alright, I can wait,¡± Zhang Yi said, smiling as he took two steps back, keeping his hands in the line of sight of the others.

    Of course, if he really wanted to kill, he didn¡¯t necessarily need a gun.

    It was best if he could negotiate with these people; Zhang Yi also didn¡¯t want to make enemies of both Chaoyu and Yangsheng.

    After a while, a few people crawled out from the factory.

    Leading them was a man with a scruffy ck beard.

    Hisbat uniform was also white, but there was a red me emblem on his shoulder.

    This indicated that he was a captain-level figure at Yangsheng Base.

    ¡°Even if he¡¯s not a superhuman, he¡¯s definitely a formidable character!¡± Zhang Yi made a judgment immediately.

    The captain of Yangsheng Base, Gao Yuan, saw Zhang Yi, his gaze sharp like that of a hawk.

    In the apocalypse, any unfamiliar person you encounter could be an enemy; no one dared to be careless.

    However, Gao Yuan saw only one vehicle, two people, and a cat, and he felt somewhat relieved as he was apanied by a dozen or so subordinates.

    ¡°What is your position in the Western Mountain Base?¡± Gao Yuan asked coldly, while sizing up Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s lips curled slightly, ¡°Captain of the Special Forces Team at the Western Mountain Base, Zhang Beihai!¡±

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t take off his mask, and the other party didn¡¯t know his appearance.

    Currently, using the name of the Western Mountain Base was much better than exposing his true identity.

    Moreover, the other side only knew that the Western Mountain Base¡¯s stronghold had been destroyed but couldn¡¯t judge whether any remnants of the forces remained.

    As the strongest armed force among the Western Mountain Bases, other bases wouldn¡¯t be able to act carelessly towards it.

    Sure enough, when Gao Yuan heard Zhang Yi''s self-introduction, his expression became more serious.

    ¡°So it¡¯s really the captain of the Western Mountain Base! No wonder you dare toe here with only one person.¡±

    ¡°What, are you here to drive us away?¡±

    Gao Yuan thought Zhang Yi hade to expel him, and his demeanor became somewhat unfriendly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you, the headquarters of the Western Mountain Base has been shattered. Your remaining forces are not enough topete with our Yangsheng Base!¡±

    ¡°So, don¡¯t have any dangerous ideas!¡±

    Gao Yuan had already believed what Zhang Yi said.

    After all, thatbat uniform was standardized by the government at the time, and only they from the Western Mountain Base had it.

    It would be too difficult for outsiders to replicate it; no one could imagine who would have such conditions in the apocalypse.

    Seeing that the other party believed his fabricated lie, Zhang Yi calmly said, ¡°It¡¯s just a materials factory; if the friends from Yangsheng Base like it, you can take as much as you can!¡±

    ¡°However, we also need to take away some materials now. I hope you won¡¯t obstruct us!¡±

    After hearing Zhang Yi''s words, Gao Yuan''s expression was uncertain.

    They were ordered to upy some important resource locations in the Lujiang District, but they hadn¡¯t expected to encounter remnants of the Western Mountain Base.

    However, Zhang Yi was right; with such arge factory, it would be too difficult to monopolize it.

    They didn¡¯t even need so many building materials.

    After pondering for a moment, Gao Yuan said to Zhang Yi, ¡°Alright. But I¡¯ll only give you half an hour!¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled.

    It was best if they coulde to an agreement; he didn¡¯t want to have a conflict with the people on the other side.

    After all, he wasn¡¯t fond of ughtering.

    Zhang Yi waved to the vehicle behind him, signaling Lu Keran to get down ande with him.

    Finding materials required Lu Keran¡¯s identification, and Zhang Yi had to keep her by his side to ensure safety.

    Gao Yuan made a few gestures to his subordinates, who understood and cleared a path for Zhang Yi.

    Lu Keran was both nervous and excited as she hurried to Zhang Yi¡¯s side.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    For safety reasons, Zhang Yi first pulled her into his arms. This sudden warmth made Lu Keran¡¯s heart race, and even in the freezing minus sixty degrees, her cheeks flushed.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    Zhang Yi calmly said to Lu Keran.

    ¡°But, what about our car? Aren¡¯t we going to put it away?¡±

    Lu Keran was somewhat worried about that snow vehicle, fearing it would be taken by the people of Yangsheng Base.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine, they can¡¯t take it.¡±

    Zhang Yi whispered, providing no further exnation.

    He would never easily use his abilities in front of others.

    A superhuman¡¯s ability was his strong suit, but it also contained his vulnerabilities¡ªever since he killed Ling Feng, this had be a rule in his heart.

    Lu Keran bit her lip and obediently followed Zhang Yi toward the factory.

    Hua Hua trotted behind the two, elegantly following in Zhang Yi''s footsteps.

    Even while walking in extreme cold, it seemed unaffected.

    Just as Zhang Yi and Lu Keran slowly walked toward the factory.

    Behind them, Gao Yuan¡¯s narrowed eyes suddenly widened.

    His right hand moved with invisible speed into his pocket and then pulled the trigger at Zhang Yi¡¯s back!

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 356: The Unstoppable War Vehicle

    Chapter 356: The Unstoppable War Vehicle

    At the moment Gao Yuan made his move, both Zhang Yi and Hua Hua''s eyes lit up.

    ¡°Watch your back!¡±

    Zhang Yi never trusted his back to strangers.

    Although he was facing away from Gao Yuan and the others, his spatial abilities made him highly sensitive to fluctuations in space.

    Ever since he absorbed the abilities of Ling Feng and other special forces members, his first sense had also strengthened.

    So, while remaining vignt, the instant the killing intent from those people appeared, Zhang Yi immediately opened a Dimensional Gate behind him.

    At the same time, Hua Hua¡¯s body puffed up like a balloon, firmly blocking behind Zhang Yi and Lu Keran!

    ¡°Da-da-da-da-da!!!¡±Bullets from over a dozen people rained down like a storm, all hitting Hua Hua¡¯s ck fur, which was as hard as steel needles.

    After thest battle, Hua Hua had absorbed several superhumans, significantly enhancing itsbat strength.

    Now, facing these firearms at close range, the attack felt like mere tickles to it.

    ¡°What¡­ what is this thing?¡±

    ¡°A monster!¡±

    The personnel from Yangsheng Base were stunned; it was their first encounter with a mutated creature.

    Gao Yuan was momentarily taken aback but quickly reacted, drawing his gun and aiming at Hua Hua''s eyes!

    ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡±

    Gao Yuan¡¯s draw was very professional, and all three shots were aimed directly at Hua Hua¡¯s eyeballs.N?v(el)B\\jnn

    He was clearly someone with professional training and highbat proficiency!

    ¡°Meow¡ª¡±

    Hua Hua became a bit angry, shaking its head and easily deflecting the bullets!

    Zhang Yi did not make a move; instead, he protected Lu Keran in front of him.

    He needed to shield Lu Keran while allowing Hua Hua to take the initiative, giving himself a chance to observe these people''sbat capabilities, especially whether there were any superhumans among them.

    Hua Hua transformed into a five-meter-tall ck beast, standing like a living fortress between Zhang Yi and Lu Keran.

    All bullets hitting it were harmless.

    Even though the weapons used by those people were powerful models, some even loaded with armor-piercing rounds.

    They were not facing the early-stage mutated Hua Hua, but the evolved Hua Hua.

    ¡°Meow¡ª¡±

    Hua Hua felt little pain but grew irritated, lunging forward and biting off half of a person¡¯s body.

    The others snapped back to reality and hurriedly scattered.

    Next, they all performed the same action, pulling out a disposable metal syringe and stabbing it fiercely into their bodies!

    ¡°Hm?¡±

    Zhang Yi''s gaze sharpened. Their actions reminded him of the stimnts he injected while attacking the Western Mountain Base.

    It seemed to be some kind of drug that enhancedbat power.

    Sure enough, after injecting the drug, strange red patterns quickly appeared on their bodies.

    With a roar, Hua Hua charged, its sharp ws extended like shining steel des.

    The individuals swiftly dodged, and it was evident that their speed had increased several times!

    Unfortunately for them, they were not facing humans but a feline known for its speed and agility!

    In terms of equal size, few could rival feline creatures; perhaps only weasels could contend.

    Regr humans, even on drugs, couldn¡¯t hope to outrun it.

    With a few swipes of its ws, Hua Hua took down three people!

    However, Zhang Yi soon discerned the opponents¡¯ tactics.

    A few were distracting Hua Hua, while Captain Gao Yuan led five people tounch an assault on Zhang Yi!

    The five of them opened fire simultaneously at Zhang Yi.

    However, Gao Yuan¡¯s silver pistol suddenly ignited, and a zing bullet shot toward Zhang Yi¡¯s head!

    Is this his ability?

    In an instant, that thought shed through Zhang Yi¡¯s mind. Even though it was far away, he sensed the power contained in that bullet the moment it was fired.

    For him, unless the attack exceeded the energy capacity he could contain in space, all projectile weapons were meaningless.

    ¡°Whoosh!¡± ¡°Whoosh!¡± ¡°Whoosh!¡± ¡°Whoosh!¡± ¡°Whoosh!¡±

    All five bullets disappeared three meters in front of Zhang Yi, as if they had never been fired.

    ¡°What? You¡¯re also a superhuman!¡±

    Gao Yuan immediately realized the situation.

    However, he had no time to regret; there was no time to escape.

    ¡°Let you see my gun too!¡±

    Zhang Yi raised both hands, and two golden Desert Eagles appeared in the air.

    He gently told Lu Keran, ¡°Cover your ears.¡±

    Lu Keran obediently covered her ears and looked up at the calm Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi raised his pistols and fired continuously at the heads of the five men!

    ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡± ¡°Bang!¡±

    As soon as Gao Yuan and the others saw Zhang Yi draw his guns, they instinctively dodged and shot back.

    However, even with theirbat experience allowing them to avoid the shots, the bullets seemed to lock onto them, tracing a bizarre arc through the air and urately hitting their foreheads!

    All five men, including Captain Gao Yuan, copsed to the ground.

    In the moment of death, their eyes reflected confusion and disbelief.

    They were seasoned gunmen, and yet they were shot in the head even while prepared; was this reasonable?

    In a sense, precise shooting was a causal skill.

    Once Zhang Yi locked onto you, unless your speed could exceed that of a bullet, evasion was futile!

    Lu Keran gazed at Zhang Yi¡¯s swift elimination of the five gunmen, her eyes brimming with admiration.

    Not far away, Hua Hua swiftly finished off its battle, chewing a few of the remaining people and then impatiently spitting them out.

    ¡°You forced me to take action!¡±

    Zhang Yi looked at the pile of corpses, letting out a helpless sigh.

    ¡°The tree wishes for tranquility, but the wind won¡¯t stop. I¡¯m clearly a pacifist, so why do they always force me to kill?¡±

    He wasn¡¯t afraid of Yangsheng Base.

    But having provoked both Yangsheng Base and Chaoyu Base, if they teamed up to attack, Zhang Yi would have a bit of a headache.

    Not because he was afraid, but because it would be troublesome.

    However, if killing was necessary, then so be it; if they pushed their luck, he wouldn¡¯t be lenient.

    Zhang Yi walked over to Gao Yuan, cing his right hand over the bullet hole in his head and began absorbing his abilities.

    To his surprise, Gao Yuan¡¯s ability was not very strong, even weaker than the captain of the Western Mountain Special Forces.

    In Zhang Yi¡¯s current state, absorbing his abilities would not be satisfying; it was more like a light snack.

    For Zhang Yi, superhumans of this tier seemed little different from ordinary people¡ªhe could eliminate them with a wave of his hand.

    Lu Keran followed behind Zhang Yi, excitedly eximing, ¡°Big Brother, you¡¯re amazing! You took down so many without even getting your clothes dirty!¡±

    Zhang Yi squatted down to search Gao Yuan¡¯s body.

    While searching, he said to Lu Keran, ¡°Although I¡¯m not a martial artist, having absorbed so many superhuman powers, I can honestly say I¡¯m quite strong now.¡±

    Even Zhang Yi¡¯s self-proimed weak offensive capability far surpassed that of a low-tier superhuman like Gao Yuan.

    Lu Keran watched Zhang Yi carefully searching Gao Yuan, curiously asking, ¡°Big Brother, what are you doing?¡±

    ¡°Looking for something.¡±

    After a long search, Zhang Yi finally found what he was looking for in Gao Yuan¡¯s coat pocket.

    A disposable metal syringe, through which a dark red potion could be seen.

    ¡°Is this the stimnt used by Yangsheng Base? It seems stronger than what Ke¡¯er gave me!¡±

    Judging purely by its effects, this drug was indeed powerful.

    It could grant ordinary people incredible strength, almost reaching the level of modified humans from the Western Mountain Base.

    Moreover, based on how the people from Yangsheng Base used it, it seemed there were no physical requirements¡ªnormal people could use it.

    Zhang Yi put the drug away, nning to take it back for Zhou Ke¡¯er to analyze.

    This kind of thing could be a lifesaver at a critical moment.

    Next, Zhang Yi searched each corpse thoroughly.

    Unfortunately, besides the two vials on Gao Yuan, the others only had one each, which had been used up.

    Fortunately, two individuals who hadn¡¯t had time to use the drug were bitten to death by Hua Hua, giving Zhang Yi two extra vials.

    He found nothing particrly valuable on the others.

    However, he collected all theirmunication devices.

    Unlike Zhang Yi¡¯s phone, they carried satellite phones when going out.

    These devices were much heavier than regr phones, resembling bricks, but they had all the functions of a phone and provided bettermunication quality.

    Zhang Yi nned to copy the data from them after returning, using it to analyze intelligence on Yangsheng Base.

    Afterward, he stored the body parts in his dimensional space.

    Although the conflict had erupted, Yangsheng Base could not ignore the death of a superhuman and over a dozen henchmen, but dying their discovery of the truth was also helpful.

    At the very least, Zhang Yi needed to buy time to fortify the outer walls of the Shelter and the perimeter defenses of Cloud Manor.

    After cleaning up the body parts and tidying up the battlefield.

    Including the makeshift snow vehicles from Yangsheng Base, he also collected those.

    Not that he needed them, but taking them could confuse others.

    He cleaned up the bloodstains on the ground, ensuring no one would find evidence of the deadly struggle that urred here.

    Throughout the process, Zhang Yi¡¯s actions were calm and unhurried.

    Lu Keran began to feel anxious.

    ¡°Big Brother, won¡¯t anyonee to reinforce them?¡±

    Zhang Yi brushed the snow off his hands and replied calmly, ¡°Yangsheng Base is over two

    hundred kilometers away. Even if they have the advantage in numbers and ample fuel resources, crossing such a long distance forbat would require leaving arge force to defend at home.¡±

    ¡°This is just a materials factory; they won¡¯t concentrate too many troops here. There are plenty of useful resources around.¡±

    Of course, Zhang Yi referred to resources valuable to others.

    He currentlycked nothing.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go find the materials you mentioned. After fixing up the Shelter, we need to prepare for the possible war that may erupt next!¡±

    Zhang Yi spoke lightly.

    Before colliding with Yangsheng Base, he had always been cautious, trying to avoid conflict.

    But now that both sides had shed, Zhang Yi felt indifferent.

    Life and death should not be taken lightly, but one must act against defiance!

    I¡¯ve tolerated enough; if they don¡¯t leave themselves a way out and insist on bringing trouble upon themselves, they can¡¯t me me.

    Lu Keran followed closely behind Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t even bother climbing over walls, letting Hua Hua charge through and smash arge hole in the wall.

    Then the two entered the materials factory through the opening.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t know anything about the materials needed to repair the Shelter; after all, he hadn¡¯t studied materials or chemical engineering in college.

    So, he followed Lu Keran, who picked out whatever materials she needed, which Zhang Yi then stored in his dimensional space.

    He took everything that might be useful, leaving nothing for others.

    If the factory hadn¡¯t been sorge, Zhang Yi would have emptied it entirely without a second thought.

    Half an hourter, the two left the factory with their arms full.

    Zhang Yi drove the vehicle, and the three of them sped off towards Cloud Manor without looking back.

    ¡°The war games are about to begin!¡±

    Zhang Yi blinked and suddenly thought that since they hade this far, he might as well use the imminent enemy to solve the troubles in Xu Family Town.

    He nced at Lu Keran beside him, not revealing his ns.

    However, he had an idea in mind about how to attract the enemy¡¯s attention to Xu Family Town.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 357: Firepower Defense Line

    Chapter 357: Firepower Defense Line

    Zhang Yi and Lu Keran set out on their way back to Cloud Manor.

    At this point, Zhang Yi had already realized that several other factions had begun invading the original territory of the West Hill Base.

    It was no surprise for him to see Gao Yuan at the material factory.

    If all went as expected, he would also discover that other key supply points in the Xishan District and Lu River District were upied by several major factions.

    Zhang Yi''s consecutive kills of the people from Chaoyu and Yangsheng Base indicated that war was about to begin!

    The only question was when they would realize that the one taking action was Zhang Yi ande to attack.

    ¡°In a limited timeframe, we must be fully prepared.¡±

    On the way back, Zhang Yi said to Lu Keran, ¡°Let¡¯s keep today¡¯s encounter with the people from Yangsheng Base a secret for now.¡±Lu Keran was taken aback for a moment, then asked curiously, ¡°Why? If everyone doesn¡¯t know danger is approaching, how will they prepare?¡±

    ¡°This is something I only need to keep in mind.¡±

    Zhang Yi said sternly, ¡°I will urge everyone to speed up the construction of the defenses and prevent them from leaving the vicinity of the shelter.¡±

    ¡°But this matter cannot be disclosed for now. I don¡¯t want to cause panic among them, do you understand, Keran?¡±

    ¡°I will tell them when I think it¡¯s appropriate.¡±

    Zhang Yi fixed his gaze on Lu Keran¡¯s eyes, his tone calm but his eyes held an undeniable power.

    Lu Keran was silent for less than a second before nodding vigorously.

    Although she didn¡¯t know Zhang Yi¡¯s purpose, her heart was with him, and she fully supported whatever he decided to do.

    ¡°I understand. After all, you¡¯re doing this for everyone¡¯s sake, right?¡±

    Lu Keran said with a sweet smile.

    Zhang Yi smiled back and ruffled her short hair. ¡°It¡¯s good that you understand. Big brother is doing this for you and everyone!¡±

    This statement made Lu Keran¡¯s heart race a little faster.

    Indeed, Zhang Yi had never harmed her.

    As long as she followed Zhang Yi¡¯s orders, everything would be fine.

    Meanwhile, a strange glint shed in Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes as he drove.

    The reason for not telling everyone about this news was to keep it from Liang Yue.

    Zhang Yi nned to use the hands of the two major factions to deal with those students from Xu Family Town.

    Therefore, he needed Liang Yue to believe that danger would note in the short term.

    For safety''s sake, the best method was to keep everyone in the dark about the conflict that had already urred.

    When Zhang Yi and Lu Keran returned to the shelter, they saw that the towering ice and snow fortress had already been built up to more than half.

    The 10-meter thickness was constructed from twoyers of giant ice blocks,

    and with the steel frame inside, it was hard to imagine anything could quickly destroy it.

    This was merely a defensive measure.

    During the construction of the ice and snow walls, Liang Yue and Uncle You had also opened holes in the ice blocks to create shooting ports with steel tes.

    Afterward, they could ce therge number of captured artillery, heavy machine guns, armored vehicles, cannons, and tanks on top, forming a dense firepowerwork.

    Zhang Yi and Lu Keran got out of the car, and Zhang Yi¡¯s face returned to his usual warm smile as he walked over.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Seeing this, Uncle You and Liang Yue inquired, ¡°How was it? Did the material collection go smoothly? Did you encounter any suspicious individuals?¡±

    Zhang Yi replied with a faint smile, ¡°It went very smoothly; there were no obstacles along the way.¡±

    ¡°I told you, other factions need time to stabilize their territories. Who has the time toe and seize resources here!¡±

    Lu Keran remained silent, obediently following behind Zhang Yi like a good child.

    Zhang Yi noticed Liang Yue¡¯s face visibly rxed.

    ¡°That¡¯s great! Otherwise, I wouldn¡¯t know what to do.¡±

    What she referred to was undoubtedly the cement issue of those students.

    However, this time, Zhang Yi unusually stated, ¡°Your concerns are not unfounded. Although I think there won''t be any danger for now, it¡¯s still wise to be prepared.¡±

    As he spoke, he nced at Lu Keran beside him, suddenly leaning in close to Liang Yue, and whispered, ¡°However, Liang Yue, I wouldn¡¯t mind letting your students move in here if they encounter danger, but for Xinxin and Keran¡­ I really have no way.¡±

    ¡°After all, the conflicts that urred between them in the past can¡¯t be resolved in just a day or two.¡±

    ¡°Letting them live under the same roof would be unfair to Xinxin and Keran.¡±

    Zhang Yi had to change his tone.

    Because he knew in his heart that the crisis in Xu Family Town was approaching fast.

    If he continued to promote safety theories, iming there would be no danger, then in the future, Liang Yue might me him for it.

    So, it was better to shift the focus of the conflict onto the students from Xu Family Town versus Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran.

    After all, they were all Liang Yue¡¯s students; a hand is no more than a palm. How could she favor one side over the other?

    Sure enough, when Liang Yue heard Zhang Yi¡¯s analysis, she couldn¡¯t help but hesitate.

    Deep down, she was definitely closer to Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran.

    After all, they were good students, and the three had been getting along very harmoniously these days.

    Unlike those guys from Xu Family Town, who only brought her trouble.

    ¡°While that¡¯s true, your reasoning makes sense, it¡¯s just¡­¡±

    Liang Yue had a conflicted look on her face.

    At that moment, standing behind Zhang Yi, Lu Keran saw the discreet hand gesture Zhang Yi gave her.

    This sweet and simple engineering girl suddenly recalled the n Zhang Yi had mentioned to her.

    Now it was her turn to step up!

    Lu Keran stepped forward, looking at Liang Yue with big eyes full of grievance.

    ¡°Teacher Liang, why must they move nearby? Whenever Xinxin and I see them, it reminds us of our time at Tianqing Academy.¡±

    ¡°Do you know how cruel they were to us back then?¡±

    Seeing Lu Keran¡¯s aggrieved expression, Liang Yue felt a twinge of guilt.

    She had actually been aware of the grouping and exclusion issues among the students back then.

    But at that time, she was limited in energy, worn out by the threats from Hua Hua, and really couldn¡¯t focus on those matters.

    Looking back now, she hadn¡¯t cared for Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran enough.

    Now that she could enter the shelter, it was also thanks to Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran advocating for her.

    Given their daily interactions, their bond was certainly much stronger than with other students.

    So when she heard Lu Keran¡¯s intive plea, Liang Yue felt herself getting torn.

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to do this either. If they could be self-reliant and survive in this apocalypse, that would be best.¡±

    ¡°But there are obviously external factors influencing this! If they were harmed right under my nose, I wouldn¡¯t be able to forgive myself.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 358: Satellite Phone

    Chapter 358: Satellite Phone

    Zhang Yi listened to Liang Yue''s words nearby and thought to himself: what Liang Yue needed was a spiritual refuge, a reasonable exnation to let go of those students.

    This was Liang Yue; if it were anyone else, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t have bothered wasting time on her.

    However, he couldn¡¯t bear to lose this powerful martial arts expert who could also be his teacher in national martial arts!

    So Zhang Yi stepped forward to mediate, ¡°Let¡¯s not discuss this matter for now. Keran, we need to quickly repair the outer wall of the shelter. You go prepare the materials!¡±

    Zhang Yi changed the subject, not giving Liang Yue the chance to continue her discussion.

    If they talked further, the situation might develop in a direction he didn¡¯t want to see.

    So, he took Lu Keran away while giving Liang Yue a reassuring look.

    A warm feeling surged in Liang Yue''s heart.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//omShe was incredibly grateful that Zhang Yi understood her predicament.

    Zhang Yi and Lu Keran went to the workshop and took out the materials.

    ¡°How long will it take to process these materials and repair the shelter?¡±

    Lu Keran replied, ¡°The damaged area of the outer wall is only about a dozen square meters. If we don¡¯t consider aesthetics and just focus on reinforcement, it can actually be done in two or three days.¡±

    The most troublesome part of repairing the outer wall was making it seamless, ensuring that others wouldn''t see any signs of damage.

    Zhang Yi waved his hand; he didn¡¯t care about the wall¡¯s appearance at all.

    ¡°I only require it to be sturdy; the rest is irrelevant.¡±

    ¡°Got it!¡±

    Lu Keran nodded and went to change into work clothes, preparing to start.

    ¡°Can you manage alone?¡± Zhang Yi asked.

    With so many materials, even an adult male would find it somewhat troublesome to operate alone.

    Lu Keran blinked and smiled, ¡°Big brother, you all have things to do! Don¡¯t worry, I might be a bit slow by myself, but I¡¯ll definitely ensure the quality.¡±

    Zhang Yi and the other superhumans needed to build the outer defense line, so they wouldn¡¯t have time to help her; Lu Keran understood this very well.

    Zhang Yi put his hands in his pockets, and several figures shed through his mind.

    He smiled, ¡°I¡¯ll call over Yang Siyah and the others to help you.¡±

    The other women in the house weren¡¯t able to contribute outside, so they might as well lend a hand now.

    Lu Keran couldn¡¯t help butugh, ¡°But they¡¯re too weak! I¡¯m not sure they can handle this kind of work.¡±

    Zhang Yi sighed lightly and pinched her plump little cheek.

    ¡°Sometimes don¡¯t forget, you¡¯re also a girl. If you can do it, why can¡¯t they?¡±

    Lu Keran¡¯s face turned slightly red as she nodded, ¡°Then... let them help me with moving the materials!¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded, turned, and went to find Yang Siyah and the others.

    They had nothing to do at home, so when they heard Zhang Yi¡¯s request, Zhou Haimei and Yang Siyah went over to help Lu Keran.

    Everyone inside and outside was busy working vigorously.

    Zhang Yi estimated that ideally, the outer wall would be repaired in three days, and a solid firepower defense line would be established.

    By then, even with arge arsenal at his disposal, he wouldn¡¯t be at a disadvantage even if he faced the forces of two bases simultaneously.

    Moreover, with Yangsheng and Chaoyu bases at least a hundred kilometers away, theirbat effectiveness would be diminished from the long trek.

    ¡°Even if it¡¯s one against two, the advantage is still in my hands.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s mood rxed a bit; at least he wouldn¡¯t feel anxious about the impending war.

    He walked to Yang Xinxin¡¯s room and knocked on the door: ¡°Xinxin, it¡¯s me.¡±

    ¡°Brother, wait a moment!¡±

    Yang Xinxin''s sweet voice came from inside the room.

    Only when facing Zhang Yi did she show her obedient and cute side.

    The door opened from the inside, and Yang Xinxin, wearing a light beige pure cotton nightgown, looked up at Zhang Yi with innocent eyes.

    ¡°Brother, wee back!¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled and pushed her wheelchair into the room, then turned around to close the door.

    ¡°Xinxin, we encountered some interesting things again on this trip.¡±

    Zhang Yi told Yang Xinxin about their encounter with the people from Yangsheng Base and how he killed them all.

    Yang Xinxin was more intelligent than Lu Keran and had deeper thoughts, so there was no need to worry about her identally leaking anything.

    Moreover, Zhang Yi needed Yang Xinxin¡¯s help to deal with the students from Xu Family Town.

    As expected, after hearing what Zhang Yi said, Yang Xinxin immediately understood why he hade to find her.

    ¡°Brother, you¡¯ve killed people from both Yangsheng and Chaoyu bases in just a few days!¡±

    ¡°Oh dear, they¡¯ve lost some very important superhumans. In this tense situation, they can¡¯t possibly ignore it, right?¡±

    ¡°So they¡¯ll being to kill us soon!¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly: ¡°I¡¯m not afraid of them; those people aren¡¯t my biggest trouble.¡±

    At most, it would be like facing the West Hill Base, unable to go out freely for a long time.

    However, with the forces of the two major bases, it was impossible for them to break through the defenses and the shelter Zhang Yi had set up.

    Yang Xinxin nodded, ¡°Indeed, they don¡¯t have the military background like Chen Xinian; they are all insurgents and can¡¯t bring in heavy bunker-busting missiles as weapons. So they don¡¯t pose much of a threat to the shelter.¡±

    ¡°Then can we take this opportunity to get rid of the students from Xu Family Town?¡±

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s tone was very calm.

    She didn¡¯t have any hatred towards those students; after all, she hadn¡¯t suffered much at Tianqing Academy.

    On the surface, she seemed weak, but in reality, those who had ever attacked her had already been taken care of by Hua Hua.

    She just disliked those selfish fools, believing their existence was meaningless.

    Now that they had be a problem for Zhang Yi, Yang Xinxin naturally wanted them dead.

    Zhang Yiughed: ¡°We need to use a knife to kill someone; it wouldn¡¯t be good for any of us to take action. After all, Liang Yue is still very useful to me.¡±

    ¡°Though it¡¯s a bit troublesome, it¡¯s worth it for her.¡±

    After saying this, Zhang Yi took out a signal jammer from the spatial storage and ced it in the corner to connect the power supply.

    Then he retrieved the satellite phone from the members of Yangsheng Base he had confiscated and handed it to Yang Xinxin.

    ¡°These are the satellite phones of the Yangsheng Base members. Help me analyze whether there is any important information in them.¡±

    ¡°After transferring the data, give it back to me; I have a use for it.¡±

    Yang Xinxin smiled: ¡°This is easy!¡±

    For a top hacker like her, this kind of work was extremely simple.

    She transferred all the data from the satellite phone to herputer and said to Zhang Yi, ¡°Brother, I¡¯ll analyze the data carefully and get it sorted out for you afterwards.¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded, packed up the satellite phones again, and left Yang Xinxin¡¯s room.

    Author''s Note

    Hi, readers! Thetest chapter is out! Love what we do? Show your support with a 5-star review on NovelUpdates for BOTI Trantor Team. It means the world to us! ???

 Chapter 359: Baofeng Oil Refinery

    Chapter 359: Baofeng Oil Refinery

    In the living room, Zhou Ke¡¯er sat at the bar counter, resting her chin on one hand, staring nkly into space, feeling bored.

    Just now, Zhang Yi had called Yang Siyah and Zhou Haimei over to help Lu Keran, leaving her behind temporarily.

    She knew she must have some special task to fulfill.

    ¡°Could it be that Zhang Yi wants to¡­¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s face gradually turned a shade of red.

    At that moment, Zhang Yi approached, calling out, ¡°Ke¡¯er!¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er''s daydream was interrupted, and feeling a bit embarrassed, she coughed lightly and quickly stood up.

    ¡°Zhang Yi.¡±Zhang Yi came over and handed her a dark red syringe.

    ¡°Do you know what this is?¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er took it and held it up to the light, chuckling helplessly, ¡°How could I possibly recognize it at a nce! Where did you get this?¡±

    Zhang Yi rubbed his nose, ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that for now. This seems to be a stimnt that can enhance human potential. Help me analyze itsponents and see what effects it has, as well as any side effects.¡±

    This stimnt was much better than the ones Zhang Yi and the others had used before.

    Zhang Yi felt a bit envious.

    If he confirmed that the side effects were minimal, he could use it himself during crucial moments.

    It would be even better if it could be mass-produced!

    Of course, the likelihood of that happening was slim; Zhou Ke¡¯er was a doctor and could identify drugs but found it difficult to manufacture them.

    Curious about the substance in her hand, Zhou Ke¡¯er nodded and asked Zhang Yi to give her some time, then took it to herb for research.

    Zhang Yi left the safe house and went outside to help Uncle You and others fortify their defenses.

    ---

    In the northern part of Tianhai City, Yangsheng District.

    Amidst the vast snowyndscape, a massive oil refinery belched thick smoke skyward from dozens ofrge pipes.

    If the surrounding area was over sixty degrees below zero, the temperature near the refinery was significantly higher.

    This dark steel monster stood in the snowfield like a beast capable of spitting fire.

    And here was one of the western shelters in Tianhai City, the Yangsheng base.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    As thergest oil refinery in Tianhai City, the Baofeng Oil Refinery had a storage capacity of over a million barrels!

    After all, before the apocalypse, Tianhai City was an important trading port, making it easier to obtain crude oil.

    Their storage also served as a temporary holding facility for crude oil imported from overseas to other regions.

    However, after the apocalypse, there was no reason for these resources to be returned.

    The oil refinery needed to work.

    Crude oil could not be directly applied to machines; it required refining to be transformed into gasoline, diesel, asphalt, lubricants, and other petroleum products.

    And these were the greatest assets of the Yangsheng base.

    With plenty of energy, they were not worried about consumption issues. They could even trade these refined products with other factions.

    At this moment, in a workshop at the Yangsheng base.

    Two ragged men were tied up and kneeling on the cold ground.

    Both had dark red brands on their faces, shaped like a me emblem.

    They trembled not from the cold but because of the two people looming over them.

    One was a man in whitebat gear with gold-rimmed sses and a cold gaze.

    The other was a long-haired woman in striking redbat gear, standing out among the others.

    The leader of the Yangsheng base, Xiao Honglian, and her deputy, Zhuge Qingtian.

    The soldier who brought the prisoners reported, ¡°Leader, of the five who escaped, three were killed, and two were captured. Please give your orders!¡±

    The two men kneeling on the ground immediately bowed their heads in fear.

    ¡°I was wrong; please give me another chance!¡±

    ¡°I promise I won¡¯t escape again; please don¡¯t kill me!¡±

    Xiao Honglian looked down at them with cold indifference.

    She was a stunningly beautiful woman, but herrge eyes were devoid of humanity.

    Looking at the two men kneeling before her was like looking at two pigs.

    Oh no, even two pigs would be better than them.

    Because if there were still two live pigs, they would certainly be more valuable than these two live men.

    Xiao Honglian walked slowly up to them in her red leather boots.

    She coldly asked, ¡°Why did you want to escape? Although you have to work here, at least I provide you with food and shelter.¡±

    ¡°Do you want to go outside and die?¡±

    The men on the ground trembled even more as Xiao Honglian approached, constantly bowing and begging for mercy.

    Her voice became even colder, ¡°Now tell me, where did you n to escape to?¡±

    The two men instinctively nced at each other, not daring to speak.

    Xiao Honglian''s eyes were somewhat mocking.

    ¡°Are you trying to go to the territory of the Followers of the Snow God, to support that hypocritical bitch?¡±

    The two men dared not answer anything, only bowing repeatedly, pleading for Xiao Honglian to spare their lives.

    This was tantamount to admitting that Xiao Honglian spoke the truth.

    Xiao Honglian scoffed, losing interest in continuing the interrogation.

    She turned to her deputy Zhuge Qingtian and said, ¡°Haven¡¯t you recently developed a new gadget?¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian nodded, ¡°The technical department has developed a cor that can hold a micro-bomb. As long as this is put on the ves'' necks, anyone who tries to escape can be executed immediately!¡±

    Xiao Honglianzily replied, ¡°Then let me see how it works!¡±

    As her words fell, someone immediately approached with a tray holding two silver cors.

    The ves on the ground were terrified and struggled desperately to escape.

    But they were quickly subdued by the surrounding soldiers, who forced the cors onto their necks.

    Xiao Honglian took the remote control and mockingly said to the two ves, ¡°Now I¡¯m giving you a chance. You can escape. If this cor doesn¡¯t kill you, you will survive.¡±

    ¡°Feel free to pray! After all, it¡¯s a new product, and its effectiveness may not be guaranteed.¡±

    With that, the soldiers beside them cut the ropes binding the two ves¡¯ hands.

    The ves looked in horror at the remote control in Xiao Honglian''s hand; the explosive cors on their necks felt like two demons, tightly locking their lifelines.

    Not daring to dy, they quickly turned and ran toward the workshop exit.

    ¡°As long as we run far enough, the signal won¡¯t work!¡±

    With this belief in mind, the two men ran for their lives.

    Xiao Honglian watched their retreating figures without hurry, casually asking Zhuge Qingtian beside her.

    ¡°What¡¯s the effective range?¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian respectfully replied, ¡°Five kilometers. As long as we notice that the ves have disappeared, we can detonate it. No ve will be able to escape!¡±

    Xiao Honglian slowly nodded, ¡°Good, let¡¯s wait and see. Let¡¯s see if this new gadget really works!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 360: The Chain Reaction of the Superhumans Disappearance

    Chapter 360: The Chain Reaction of the Superhuman''s Disappearance

    After waiting for more than ten minutes, Xiao Honglian lost her patience and pressed the detonation button in her hand.

    Then, Zhuge Qingtian took out hismunicator to inquire about the results from the soldiers tracking them.

    ¡°One detonated sessfully; the other misfired,¡± the soldier reported truthfully.

    He looked at the escaping ve and raised his gun.

    ¡°Deputy Commander, should we execute him?¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian turned to Xiao Honglian, ¡°Leader?¡±

    Xiao Honglian narrowed her eyes, ¡°How can the technology developed by the technical department be so poor! When will their technology reach even half of what West Hill Base has? That would be enough for me!¡±

    She waved her hand and said, ¡°I, Xiao Honglian, keep my word; let that ve go! I hope he has good luck and sessfully escapes to the territory of the Followers of the Snow God.¡±¡°However, everyone involved in this project at the technical department will be locked in a small ck room for three days!¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian nodded, ¡°Understood!¡±

    He issued orders to the tracking soldiers, ultimately allowing the surviving ve to escape.

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s beautifully arched eyebrows were raised, clearly in a bad mood.

    Zhuge Qingtianforted her, ¡°Leader, our technicians may not be as good as those at West Hill Base, but that¡¯s unavoidable. The professionals in weapon development are all in the military.¡±

    ¡°When the apocalypse first hit, talents were snatched away by them. We can only select people from nearby universities and research institutes.¡±

    Xiao Honglian shot him a nce, her expression still icy.

    ¡°For these damned ves, we¡¯ve worked ourselves to death!¡±

    ¡°If they weren¡¯t always thinking about escaping, how could I waste so much effort on them?¡±

    ¡°That hypocritical woman from the Followers of the Snow God only uses them as bait. Do they really think there are saints in the apocalypse?¡±

    The Followers of the Snow God were the only organization among the major forces in the West that was not based on an official shelter.

    Yet, it was the organization with thergest number of followers.

    Unlike other forces that rule through military might, their method was to inspire belief through religion.

    Rumor had it that the leader of the Followers possessed miraculous powers.

    They could heal all human suffering, both physical and mental.

    The most critical part was that everyone was equal there, and everyone could receive food and shelter.

    There was no discrimination or oppression.

    Such rumors had circted among the major forces in Tianhai City for an unknown period.

    This caused civilians in the Yangsheng base to begin to drift away.

    But in the apocalypse, people were also an essential resource.

    Without arge poption, how couldbor be conducted?

    How could an army be formed to seize territory and resources from other forces?

    So Xiao Honglian could not simply sit back and watch this situation unfold.

    Her method was to suppress fiercely!

    Every civilian at the Yangsheng base had a mark branded on their faces.

    This way, even if they escaped, they could be recognized, making it easier to bring them back.

    If the Followers of the Snow God dared to harbor any ves with a me mark, they would have to risk going to war with the Yangsheng base!

    Even so, openly and secretly, the Followers of the Snow God were still absorbing those runaway ves.

    This led to a very tense rtionship between the Yangsheng base and the Followers of the Snow God.

    And they were unlike the West Hill Base.

    The West Hill Base was entirely underground, with no worries about civilians escaping.

    The ves at the Yangsheng base had to produce in the above-ground oil refinery.

    No matter how tightly they sealed it off, there would always be those yearning for freedom who were willing to risk their lives to try.

    Xiao Honglian turned and walked toward the factory''s exit.

    Zhuge Qingtian hurriedly followed her, saying, ¡°As long as we can carve out a chunk of meat from West Hill Base¡¯s territory, we can relieve the current pressure.¡± ???

    ¡°After all, the root of all problems in the apocalypse is the scarcity of resources.¡±

    Xiao Honglian waved her hand, ¡°But to upy Lu River District and Xishan District, we must stabilize our rear. Tell the technical department to speed up their research; we must stabilize the functions of these explosive cors.¡±

    ¡°Safety can be set aside for now, but we must ensure they can definitely explode!¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian nodded, mentally noting Xiao Honglian¡¯s instructions.

    Suddenly, Xiao Honglian stopped and asked, ¡°In the past few days, how many of the forward units we sent out have returned?¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian replied, ¡°Almost all have returned, and even those who haven¡¯t have sent reports.¡±

    He paused before saying, ¡°Except for the team led by Gaoyuan. They haven¡¯te back, and there hasn¡¯t been any news.¡±

    Upon hearing Gaoyuan¡¯s name, Xiao Honglian couldn¡¯t help but frown.

    Gaoyuan was her cousin and had once been the captain of the Tianhai City armed police.

    However, this cousin had a rebellious nature; he wouldn¡¯t listen to anyone in the Yangsheng base except Xiao Honglian.

    ¡°That guy is well into adulthood and still going through a rebellious phase!¡±

    At first, Xiao Honglian didn¡¯t take Gaoyuan¡¯s disappearance seriously. Given his personality, it wasn¡¯t surprising for him to act recklessly.

    In the apocalypse, countless people had be entric; she herself wasn¡¯t doing much better.

    But suddenly, a strange feeling shed through her mind.

    She felt that things were not so simple.

    Xiao Honglian looked at Zhuge Qingtian, ¡°He shouldn¡¯t be in any danger, right?¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian adjusted his gold-rimmed sses.

    ¡°Currently, among the five major forces in Tianhai City, if we also consider the unclear remnants of the West Hill Base, the rtionships between each are quite delicate.¡±

    ¡°Everyone is afraid to start a conflict; even when facing those bastards from the Followers of the Snow God who are recruiting people everywhere, we don¡¯t want a major sh.¡±

    ¡°So even if Gaoyuan encountered people from other forces, they should give him some face. Unless¡­¡±

    A cold glint shed beneath Zhuge Qingtian¡¯s sses:

    ¡°They arepeting for some particrly precious resource! That¡¯s when they might break the tacit agreement and attack!¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s gaze sharpened, ¡°All major resource points in Tianhai City have been upied by our forces. While the remaining resources are undoubtedly important, they aren¡¯t worth starting a full-scale conflict over.¡±n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    ¡°I¡¯m rtively at ease with the other forces; Chaoyu Base wouldn¡¯t take action against us, and Qingpu Base operates under a ¡®live and let live¡¯ principle.¡±

    ¡°Then, the only unstable ones are those from the Followers of the Snow God.¡±

    After pondering for a moment, Xiao Honglian cautiously told Zhuge Qingtian, ¡°Continue trying to contact Gaoyuan! We must get in touch with him.¡±

    ¡°If we can¡¯t reach him, it¡¯s highly likely that something has happened.¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian¡¯s expression also turned serious.

    No force could bear the cost of losing a superhuman.

    Thus, if Gaoyuan encountered trouble, it would mean that a force was willing to go to war with them!

    This would have a tremendous impact on the entire Yangsheng base and even the overall bnce in Tianhai City!

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 361: Taking the Blame

    Chapter 361: Taking the me

    At the Yangsheng base, Gaoyuan''s disappearance rmed Xiao Honglian and Zhuge Qingtian.

    They immediately dispatched personnel to contact Gaoyuan and sent people to search near the Hongyuan Materials Factory in Lu River District.

    After a day of investigation, they reported back to Xiao Honglian and Zhuge Qingtian with their findings.

    ¡°We found significant destruction at the Hongyuan Materials Factory, and nearly all the supplies inside have been moved away.¡±

    ¡°Additionally, we have not found any trace of Captain Gaoyuan or the others. They havepletely vanished along with their vehicle.¡±

    This intelligence was somewhat terrifying for Xiao Honglian and Zhuge Qingtian.

    ¡°Completely disappeared?¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s eyes filled with a chilling killing intent.¡°No matter how reckless Gaoyuan is, he wouldn¡¯t dare to defy my orders and cut offmunication with the base to go elsewhere.¡±

    ¡°Therefore, it¡¯s certain that something has happened to him!¡±

    Xiao Honglian was furious.

    Gaoyuan was her cousin; although their rtionship was average, Gaoyuan¡¯s predicament was equivalent to a p in her face!

    In this brutal era of the weak being preyed upon by the strong, any disy of weakness or hesitation would be exploited by other wolves!

    So she had to resolve this issue with an iron fist!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Xiao Honglian turned to Zhuge Qingtian, ¡°Is there any way to locate them? They should have satellite phones in their vehicle with tracking devices.¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian replied, ¡°This is precisely the most puzzling part. We can¡¯t find any signal; it¡¯s as if they vanished into thin air.¡±

    ¡°What?¡±

    A hint of hesitation appeared in Xiao Honglian''s gaze.

    ¡°So you¡¯re saying that the other side came prepared. They certainly didn¡¯t decide to act on a whim; they¡¯ve been nning to attack our Yangsheng base for some time!¡± ???

    ¡°Is Gaoyuan''s disappearance merely a signal for war?¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s mind raced, imagining all possible adversaries.

    Of course, she was still unaware of Zhang Yi''s existence, so she could never suspect such a powerful force.

    ¡°Chaoyu Base, Qingpu Base, or the Followers of the Snow God? Which of them did this! All three have that capability.¡±

    ¡°Or perhaps West Hill Base wasn¡¯tpletely wiped out but has instead relocated?¡±

    Due to theck of intelligence, Xiao Honglian found it difficult to make an urate judgment.

    However, the more one spected, the moreplicated things could be, because there were too many possibilities.

    Zhuge Qingtian said to her, ¡°Given the current situation, with Gaoyuan missing, we have no good way to trace his whereabouts, making it impossible to determine who the enemy is!¡±

    Xiao Honglian sat in her chair, crossing her long legs, and fell into deep thought.

    ¡°Qingpu Base is to the northwest; even if they want to upy the territory of West Hill Base, they could only approach from the northwest. It¡¯s unlikely they would make a long trek to seek out Gaoyuan in the southeast.¡±

    ¡°Chaoyu Base is closest to Gaoyuan; could it be them?¡±

    ¡°The Followers of the Snow God have always acted subserviently, afraid to sh with our bases. But that cult leader is clearly no good; she must harbor ill intentions. There¡¯s a high chance it could be her!¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian walked over and said, ¡°I think the incident¡¯s location is closest to Chaoyu Base. Why don¡¯t we contact them first and see what they have to say?¡±

    Chaoyu Base and Yangsheng Base had a rtively good rtionship.

    After all, for Chaoyu Base¡¯s ships to go to sea, they needed Yangsheng Base to provide fuel.

    Conversely, Chaoyu Base supplied Yangsheng Base with various seafood as food.

    However, it was mainly Chaoyu Base that relied more on Yangsheng Base.

    Xiao Honglian pondered for a moment and replied lightly, ¡°Don¡¯t think that our rtionship with Chaoyu Base is very good; we¡¯re merely using each other!¡±

    ¡°Those guys are also quite envious of our oil refinery.¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian chuckled, ¡°But for now, they still dare not sh with us.¡±

    Xiao Honglian nodded, ¡°Then let¡¯s contact them!¡±

    Xiao Honglian took out her satellite phone and directly called Wei Dinghai, the leader of Chaoyu Base.

    The call connected.

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s personality was straightforward; after a brief exchange of pleasantries, she got straight to the point.

    ¡°Wei Dinghai, my cousin Gaoyuan has disappeared at the Hongyuan Group Factory in Lu River District. Do you know anything about this?¡±

    Upon hearing this, Wei Dinghai immediately realized that Xiao Honglian was suspicious of him.

    His tone grew somber, ¡°You guys are quick to react! But I can tell you that this matter has nothing to do with us at Chaoyu Base!¡±

    ¡°And, we have people missing too!¡±

    His subordinate Wang Ruixuan, who was sent to scout West Hill Base, had been killed by Zhang Yi.

    This incident left Wei Dinghai feeling uncertain, not knowing who was behind it.

    Xiao Honglian was somewhat surprised.

    ¡°Your people are also missing? Where?¡±

    ¡°At West Hill Base, the people I sent to scout have vanished! Among them was a superhuman with considerable strength.¡±

    Wei Dinghai said coldly, ¡°Superhumans are so scarce in Tianhai City; even if there are superhumans wandering outside, they can hardlypete with my trained soldiers!¡±

    ¡°So I also want to ask you guys if it was your doing!¡±

    There are also differences among superhumans.

    Those fromrge organizations have ess to abundant resources and weaponry.

    Conversely, ordinary people who mutate find it challenging to be stronger, and even surviving can be tough.

    For example, Li Jian¡¯s abilities are limited by his living conditions, leaving him little room to demonstrate his strength.

    Xiao Honglian understood Wei Dinghai¡¯s implication; he too was suspecting that a force was secretly making a move, which naturally included their Yangsheng Base.

    ¡°So, it seems we¡¯ve both suffered losses!¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s gaze cleared up considerably.

    ¡°In the entire Tianhai City, there aren¡¯t many forces that could simultaneously strike against both our factions. The cksmiths of Qingpu Base dislike conflict; they have no reason to go to war with us.¡±

    ¡°So the only possibility is that it was the Followers of the Snow God who did it!¡±

    Wei Dinghaiughed, ¡°Yes, you¡¯re absolutely right! It must be the Followers of the Snow God!¡±

    Using the process of elimination is easy to follow.

    At present, the Followers of the Snow God were indeed the prime suspects.

    However, why was Wei Dinghai smiling?

    Because he and Xiao Honglian were both thinking of the same thing.

    They had long viewed the Followers of the Snow God unfavorably; this religious organization has always absorbed survivors from across Tianhai City.

    The number of survivors in Tianhai City was around one million, although the exact figure is unclear.

    As the Followers of the Snow God absorbed more people, it would affect their ability to obtainbor and even allow their ves to escape.

    The umted dissatisfaction had been brewing for a long time, and now that they had a legitimate reason, they would certainly not miss this opportunity!

    Since the Followers of the Snow God were the biggest suspects, attacking them would be seen as a justified action.

    Even if they weren¡¯t the culprits, it would allow them to vent their frustrations¡ªwasn¡¯t that a win-win situation?

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 362: Borrowing a Knife

    Chapter 362 : Borrowing a Knife

    Xiao Honglian said to Wei Dinghai, ¡°What¡¯s the matter? You can¡¯t swallow this anger, can you?¡±

    Wei Dinghai smiled coldly, ¡°Wang Ruixuan is my trusted subordinate. If those guys from the Followers of the Snow God dare to kill him, I¡¯ll make them pay tenfold!¡±

    Xiao Honglian slightly raised the corner of her mouth, ¡°Then let¡¯s take this opportunity to teach them a lesson!¡±

    After discussing, the two sides decided tounch an attack on the headquarters of the Followers of the Snow God located in the Tianfeng District!

    As for whether the person who killed their subordinate was actually from the Followers of the Snow God, that was not the most critical issue at the moment.

    They would deal with it after they struck first.

    This was indeed a good approach.

    Thus, for various reasons, the two major bases decided to gather forces to attack the Followers of the Snow God.If the Followers of the Snow God found out about this, they would definitely be very frustrated.

    Clearly, they had done nothing, yet they were suffering an undeserved disaster.

    Meanwhile, the real culprit, Zhang Yi, was at home constructing defenses and the Shelter.

    Everyone worked together, and no one was cking off.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Soon, the outer defenses were basicallypleted.

    The main structure was made from huge ice blocks intercepted from the Lu River and rebar confiscated from the Western Mountain Base warehouse.

    The construction conditions were quite rudimentary, entirely relying on their manualbor.

    However, in the freezing cold, these materials were nearly as strong as concrete.

    The key was that the materials were inexpensive and could be found everywhere.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t expect the first line of defense to be invincible; it merely needed to serve as a buffer.

    If a powerful enemy were to breach the first line, there was no need to feel distressed or worried, as it would buy everyone time to retreat to the Shelter.

    After establishing the initial outline of the defenses, Zhang Yi began adding various tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery.

    Modern weapons could be controlled viaputer.

    Once installed, they were connected to Zhang Yi¡¯s phone through a wirelesswork.

    This way, when enemies attacked, Zhang Yi only needed to press the firing button on his phone to create a spectacr scene of thousands of cannon fire!

    ¡°Thousands of cannons¡± might be a bit of an exaggeration.

    However, with 70% of the firepower from the Western Mountain Base deployed, the impact was indeed terrifying.

    In addition to the weapons, many cameras were installed high on the walls to monitor the outside situation at all times.

    However, these devices could only be used for reconnaissance before a battle; once a fight broke out, they could be destroyed in an instant.

    Afterying out the defenses, it was time to repair the Shelter.

    The materials were prepared by Lu Keran, and the renovation work was handed over to Uncle You, who had maxed out his living skills.

    He climbed the scaffolding, picked up tools, and worked quickly on the masonry.

    Although he wasn¡¯t as skilled as professional builders and the walls weren¡¯t particrly aesthetic, Zhang Yi only required them to be sturdy and durable.

    After three busy days, the entire Shelter and defenses were finallypleted.

    Zhang Yi had originally been on guard against an attack from the two major bases, but with everything sessfully finished, he felt considerably more rxed.

    However, this oue wasn¡¯t necessarily a good thing.

    In a sense, if they discovered their superhumans had been killed, they would urgently bring people to search and attack the Shelter, indicating that the leader of that force was a reckless person.

    Foolish individuals were easy to deal with.

    What he feared was encountering a calm, rational opponent who would think things through and prepare countermeasures.

    ¡°So far, they haven¡¯t taken any action, and I haven¡¯t even detected any scouts.¡±

    ¡°It seems the leaders of Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases are quite formidable!¡±

    Zhang Yi muttered to himself, his expression serious.

    What he didn¡¯t know was that the two bases had already integrated their forces and were now far away in the Tianfeng District, seeking a fight with the Followers of the Snow God.

    They weren¡¯t overly cautious; they simply had no idea that a force like Zhang Yi existed.

    While Zhang Yi was contemting, others were celebrating thepletion of the project.

    Everyone felt a great sense of aplishment working together to finish something.

    In fact, many people didn¡¯t have close rtionships with each other; they had only gathered because of Zhang Yi.

    However, through this activity, they became much more familiar with one another.

    At that moment, Liang Yue approached Zhang Yi and said, ¡°Zhang Yi, I¡¯m going to deliver some food to the students.¡±

    Zhang Yi came back to his senses, ¡°Oh, okay.¡±

    He took out food for ten people from his dimensional space, which he had found in the Western Mountain Base warehouse¡ªfood that he himself wouldn¡¯t eat but had set aside to give to others.

    Liang Yue took a bag of food, smiled, and said ¡°Thank you,¡± then set off towards Xu Family Town by herself.

    Zhang Yi watched her back, his eyes filled with a yful glint.

    To be honest, he had been somewhat worried that if Liang Yue discovered his n to deal with those students, she might turn against him.

    So, Zhang Yi had long been prepared, letting Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran take on the role of the viins.

    Recently, he had been acting like a good guy in front of Liang Yue.

    Behind the scenes, he had also let Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran brainwash Liang Yue.

    This way, if that day ever came, Liang Yue would have no reason to me Zhang Yi, who had helped her.

    ¡°I really am a genius!¡±

    Zhang Yi took a deep breath.

    Using someone else¡¯s knife to kill without getting his hands dirty was the perfect way tomit a crime.

    After a while, Liang Yue returned.

    From her expression, it was clear that she wasn¡¯t in a good mood.

    It was evident that those students had said something to her again.

    But since Liang Yue didn¡¯t bring it up, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t ask either¡ªafter all, someone would naturally take care of that for him.

    Sure enough, Yang Xinxin, being considerate, stepped forward and asked, ¡°Teacher Liang, why does your face look so bad? Did they speak harshly to you again?¡±

    Liang Yue, already feeling uneasy, found her emotions surging when Yang Xinxin pointed it out.

    Many people were like this; they could quickly forget about unpleasant matters.

    However, if someone brought it up, their emotions would be increasingly agitated.

    Liang Yue recounted what had happened.

    It turned out that in recent days, since Liang Yue had only delivered food and provided no further assistance, the students had begun toin, yet they had to fish for food to survive.

    As time passed, they were forced to be self-reliant.

    The students managed to survive, but they didn¡¯t thank Liang Yue; instead, they continuously begged her to let everyone stay in the Shelter.

    At first, they pleaded, using moral coercion, but as they became desperate, some even resorted to cursing.

    Even though Liang Yue had helped them so much, after the apocalypse, these once pampered students all began to show signs of psychological issues, forgetting even the kindness they had received in the past.

    How could Liang Yue not feel sad upon seeing this?

    ¡°They¡¯re going too far. I even think that Teacher Liang shouldn¡¯t care about them anymore! Just let them die.¡±

    Yang Xinxin held Liang Yue¡¯s hand, speaking softly in a low voice, ¡°Teacher Liang did nothing wrong; it¡¯s all their fault. Even if you abandon them, you have no responsibility.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s mood lightened a bit, ¡°Is¡­ is that so?¡±

    ¡°No! Regardless, I¡¯m still their teacher!¡±

    She sighed softly.

    After experiencing so much since the apocalypse,bined with the persistent brainwashing from Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin, her thoughts had quietly changed.

    In her heart, she had already lost much hope for those students.

    Only thest remnant of her obsession kept her from watching them die before her eyes.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 363: Life in the Jianghu, Bound by Circumstance

    Chapter 363: Life in the Jianghu, Bound by Circumstance

    The Shelter''s defenses were now fully prepared.

    From the outermost ice wall to the repairs within the Shelter, everything had reached a level that satisfied Zhang Yi. He issued a directive: no one was to step beyond the defensive perimeter.

    No one objected.

    After all, with the stockpile of supplies they had amassed, they could livefortably in Cloud Manor for a lifetime without any shortages.

    Only Liang Yue had to leave every day, maintaining her routine of delivering food to her students.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t stop her. In fact, over the past few days, he had even been showing concern for her and her students.

    "If you think it''s too dangerous, we could discuss moving them closer to the Shelter."

    "Of course, since we¡¯re not very familiar with them, this would need to be decided in a group meeting," Zhang Yi added sincerely.Those who knew him, however, were well aware that these so-called meetings were mere formalities. Once Zhang Yi made a decision, no one would oppose it.

    Uncle You, indebted to Zhang Yi, consistently supported him. Fatty Xu was even more loyal, sticking to Zhang Yi like glue.

    In essence, if Liang Yue truly wanted to bring her students over, the only person in the entire Shelter who would support her proposal would be Zhang Yi himself. The rest, under Zhang Yi¡¯s implicit guidance, would firmly oppose it.

    Liang Yue prided herself on her righteousness and kindness. When her proposal inevitably failed, she would feel disappointed but wouldn¡¯t me Zhang Yi.

    Sure enough, Liang Yue was moved by his suggestion. But after some hesitation, she slowly shook her head.

    ¡°Not for now,¡± she said.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been talking a lot with Xinxin and Keran these past few days. The trauma from our time at Tianqing Academy still affects them deeply. Back then, they were ostracized by their ssmates, and as their teacher, I bear some responsibility.¡±

    ¡°For now, it¡¯s better to let the others toughen up in Xu Family Town.¡±

    Her eyes lit up with hope.

    ¡°Besides, life is peaceful now. There¡¯s no sign of danger. There¡¯s no need to be overly cautious.¡±

    She smiled brightly, radiating positivity.

    ¡°Actually, when you think about it, if those still alive can live peacefully, there¡¯s no reason for them to invade others.¡±

    Liang Yue had no idea that Zhang Yi had already encountered and killed people from the Yangsheng Base at a factory 25 kilometers away from the Shelter. ?a

    Otherwise, her tone wouldn¡¯t have been so carefree.

    Zhang Yi nodded approvingly. ¡°It¡¯s good to have that mindset. Even in the apocalypse, maintaining a positive outlook is crucial.¡±

    Stretchingzily, he added, ¡°I should learn from you¡ªstop being so on edge all the time. The world is still beautiful, and tomorrow is full of hope, right?¡±

    Liang Yue chuckled at his rxed demeanor, herughter refreshing.

    ¡°It¡¯s rare to hear thating from you!¡± she teased, tossing her ponytail and winking at him.

    ¡°Well then, shall we start today¡¯s martial arts lesson?¡±

    Zhang Yi grinned as he followed her. ¡°What are we practicing today?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re learning martial arts to handle close-quartersbat, so grappling techniques like Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are essential. Let¡¯s start with that!¡±

    Together, they descended to the third underground level to begin their rigorous training.

    Jiu-Jitsu was intricate. As they practiced, their bodies naturally became entangled.

    Liang Yue, skilled as she was, often used techniques like the scissor hold, wrapping her legs tightly around Zhang Yi¡¯s neck, or locking his head under her arm to force him to submit.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t seem to mind; in fact, he seemed to enjoy it.

    He noticed how her mindset had been shifting since joining the Shelter.

    Previously, she had been despairing about the apocalypse. Unable to see a future or find meaning in life, she had poured all her hopes into protecting her students.

    But now, thefortable life in the Shelter was far better than her days as a teacher at Tianqing Academy.

    Adversity strengthens resolve, whilefort dulls it.

    The Shelter''s peaceful environment melted the icy barriers in her heart, allowing her to appreciate the beauty of life.

    Though she still delivered food to her students daily, her interactions with others in the Shelter increased, and her smile became more frequent.

    Zhang Yi considered this a positive development.

    A person with desires and a will to live could be manipted, turned into a pawn in his grander schemes.

    Later that night, Zhang Yiy on his bed, deep in thought.

    ¡°Should I go through with it?¡±

    Opening the Dimensional Gate, he scanned the satellite phones he had confiscated and pondered.

    Liang Yue was getting closer to them, and their rtionship was in its honeymoon phase.

    It was time to deal with those troublesome students in Xu Family Town.

    The n was simple; he had thought of it after eliminating the Yangsheng Base soldiers.

    cing these satellite phones in their homes would lead the Yangsheng Base directly to them.

    In the apocalypse, life was cheap. The enraged Yangsheng Base wouldn¡¯t spare them.

    This strategy of borrowing another¡¯s de for revenge could close the loop perfectly.

    However, the risk was drawing the attention of both Yangsheng and Chaoyu Bases prematurely.N?v(el)B\\jnn

    Yet Cloud Manor 101 was such an obvious target. Even without his intervention, it was only a matter of time before it was discovered.

    ¡°What¡¯s the right choice?¡±

    ¡°Could there be a chance that neither base realizes their men were killed by me?¡±

    ¡°In that case, we could live peacefully, and they could continue ying emperors in Tianhai City.¡±

    It was an ideal scenario.

    But Zhang Yi quickly dismissed the thought with a chuckle.

    ¡°Wishful thinking! How could it be that simple?¡±

    Conflict with the other factions was inevitable.

    He had killed their Superhumans¡ªcore members of the Yangsheng and Chaoyu Bases. They wouldn¡¯t let it go.

    Even if he wasn¡¯t discovered now, once West Hill Base fell, the others would inevitably move in to carve up West Hill and Yuelu.

    Could they tolerate a powerful force like his right under their noses?

    And Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t tolerate strong enemies so close to home.

    ¡°At the end of the day, life in the Jianghu leaves no room for retreat,¡± Zhang Yi muttered, narrowing his eyes.

    ¡°If tolerance andpromise don¡¯t bring peace, then I¡¯ll carve out a clear sky with my de.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ll back off once they¡¯ve had enough.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 364: The Gift

    Chapter 364: The Gift

    Zhang Yi was a born pessimist, always preparing for the worst-case scenario.

    Despite possessing formidable strength, he remained vignt.

    In terms of pure firepower, Zhang Yi¡¯s current force could rival Tianhai City¡¯s former strongest faction¡ªWest Hill Base.

    While hecked ordinary soldiers, his advantagey in the superior application of weapons.

    West Hill Base, devoid of spatial Superhumans, could only leave their heavy weapons gathering dust underground.

    Zhang Yi, however, could transport them to the surface for actualbat.

    Combined with his powerful team of Superhumans, he could now face off against West Hill Base¡¯s army head-on.

    ¡°If we focus solely on defense, without taking the offensive, my odds of victory should be around 95%,¡± Zhang Yi murmured, furrowing his brow. ¡°But 95% rounded down is basically a coin toss. If I step out and fight, it¡¯s as good as suicide.¡±His gaze hardened, and he clenched his fist. ¡°It¡¯s settled. Over my dead body will I step beyond the defensive line!¡±

    With that, he retrieved Gao Yuan¡¯s satellite phone from his Spatial Storage and called Hua Hua over. He whispered a few instructions to it softly.

    ---

    That night, silence enveloped the Shelter.

    Suddenly, the door to Zhang Yi¡¯s room creaked open.

    Hua Hua slipped out, a satellite phone mped in its mouth, and silently descended the stairs.

    The Shelter¡¯s main gate opened, and Hua Hua darted out, racing swiftly across the river toward Xu Family Town.

    ---

    In Tianhai City¡¯s Tianfeng District, thick snow nketed towering buildings. Once the city¡¯s most bustling area, it was now a frozen graveyard.

    Gray concrete structures stood lifeless, mirroring the bleakness of this post-apocalyptic world.

    Yet, in one grand cathedral within Tianfeng District, the scene was different. Candlelight filled the space, illuminating a gathering of thousands of devout followers.

    They knelt in solemn prayer, their eyes fixed on the enormous cross ahead. Beneath it stood a young woman dressed in white robes and a matching headscarf.

    Her hands sped, eyes closed, her expression radiatedpassion.

    As she began to chant, her voice carried a deep, resonant prayer throughout the cathedral:

    ¡°Snow in the heavens, life on the earth,

    Our bodies are born from the ground,

    Our souls descend from the skies.

    The sun and moon illuminate our forms,

    Pure snow cleanses our spirits.

    We surrender ourselves to the cold winds sweeping thend,

    Grateful for the miracle bestowed upon Snow God¡¯s people.

    May our hearts remain ever tranquil,

    May we share joy with our brethren,

    And bear their sorrows as our own.

    Praise be to the followers of Snow God,

    May we testify with our soul and body.¡±

    As Yuan Kongye, the leader of the Followers of the Snow God, recited the prayer, an extraordinary power swept through the cathedral.

    Her voice seemed to carry an enchanting quality, soothing hearts, dispelling hunger, cold, and pain.

    To the followers, it was a divine miracle, deepening their devotion.

    They bowed, offering their loyalty to Jesus, Buddha, the great Snow God, and Yuan Kongye¡ªthe Snow God¡¯s earthly vessel.

    Upon concluding the prayer, Yuan Kongye turned to face the congregation.

    Her youthful face, radiant with vitality, betrayed her age¡ªshe couldn¡¯t have been more than twenty. Yet, her authority was unquestioned.

    Even the powerful priests in her service bowed respectfully before her.

    Everything they possessed, they owed to her.

    Yuan Kongye was one of the most extraordinary beings in thisnd, gifted with a unique ability known as ¡¾Blessing¡¿, enabling others to awaken their Superhuman powers.

    Through this ability, she had built a vast religious following, even in a world teetering on the brink of despair.

    The prayer session ended, transitioning into the ¡°Gift¡± ceremony.

    The crowd stirred momentarily but quickly fell silent, their eyes reverent as they gazed at Yuan Kongye.

    A frail woman carrying a child made her way forward, staggering through the crowd before copsing at Yuan Kongye¡¯s feet.

    Trembling, she raised her child high.

    Yuan Kongye nced down, her eyes filled withpassion. The child¡¯s pale, almost lifelessplexion suggested he was on the brink of death.

    With a serene expression, she ced her hand on the child¡¯s forehead.

    A gentle warmth, a soft breeze, and a faint white glow swept through the cathedral.

    Momentster, the infant¡¯s eyes fluttered open, followed by a strong, healthy cry.

    ¡°Waaah!¡±

    The congregation¡¯s eyes sparkled with awe and excitement.

    ¡°A miracle! A miracle!¡±

    ¡°Praise the great Snow God, and praise Her Holiness, the Snow God¡¯s earthly vessel!¡±

    This was Yuan Kongye¡¯s other power, ¡¾Gift¡¿, which could heal physical ailments.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    This ability yed a crucial role in drawing so many followers.

    The ceremony continued, with Yuan Kongye bestowing her blessings multiple times.

    Eventually, fatigue crept onto her face.

    A long-haired man in white, standing nearby, stepped forward.

    ¡°Your Holiness, please rest. The ceremony can resume tomorrow.¡±

    His words caused a ripple of anxiety among those still awaiting their blessings.

    In such dire conditions, even a minor ailment left untreated for a day could mean death in their sleep.

    Yuan Kongye gently shook her head. ¡°Continue.¡±

    Her deputy, Grand Priest Zheng Yixian, reluctantly stepped back.

    Within the Followers of the Snow God, Yuan Kongye¡¯s will was absolute, her thoughts unchallengeable.

    The ceremony pressed on until a sudden explosion echoed from outside, followed by a cacophony of gunfire.

    Panic spread through the cathedral. Women clutched their children, shutting their eyes in fear.

    Yuan Kongye gazed calmly toward themotion and sighed softly.

    Beside her, Zheng Yixian¡¯s eyes gleamed coldly.

    ¡°Tong Zhan, Dai Mei¡ªprotect Her Holiness!¡±

    ¡°Han Chang, Li Qian, Wu Huan¡ªfollow me to confront the enemy!¡±

    Priests nking the altar, second only to Yuan Kongye and Zheng Yixian in the hierarchy, immediately obeyed.

    As the Snow God¡¯s avatar, Yuan Kongye seldom managed day-to-day affairs. That role fell to Zheng Yixian, who also led the defense against external threats.

    Under hismand, two priests took protective positions near Yuan Kongye, while Zheng Yixian led the others out.

    Yuan Kongye sped her hands in silent prayer.

    ¡°May the Snow God shield His followers, keeping us from war and suffering.¡±

    Moved by her solemnity, the cathedral¡¯s adult men stepped forward, their eyes burning with fervent devotion.

    They followed the priests out, leaving the cathedral¡¯s doors firmly closed behind them.

    Yuan Kongye¡¯s voice remained calm: ¡°The Gift ceremony shall continue.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 365: The Great Battle

    Chapter 365: The Great Battle

    Tianfeng District.

    Outside the headquarters of the Followers of the Snow God, a fierce battle raged.

    Thebined forces of the Yangsheng and Chaoyu Bases hadunched their attack.

    Furious over the disappearance of their Superhumans, they pointed their me squarely at the Followers of the Snow God.

    In the post-apocalypse, where might made right, investigations and evidence were unnecessary. They believed the cult was responsible, and that alone justified their assault.

    This was also a convenient opportunity to eliminate a rising power they had long despised.

    Leading the charge were Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai.

    Dozens of modified snow vehicles, packed with hundreds of heavily armed soldiers, stormed toward the cult¡¯s defensive line.The disparity in weaponry and training was ring.

    Both Yangsheng and Chaoyu Bases were equipped with advanced weaponry and ample ammunition, as they had been military outposts prepared for wartime.

    The Followers of the Snow God, on the other hand, were a mixed bag. Even their firearms were often second-hand ck-market goods, wielded by individuals with little to no marksmanship skills.

    Their defenders fell swiftly, staining the snowy streets red with blood.

    ¡°Hold the line! We must protect our home!¡±

    ¡°For the Snow God!¡±

    The war machines pushed relentlessly toward the towering cathedral at the street¡¯s end.

    Cult defenders, wielding makeshift weapons, retaliated from alleys, windows, and rooftops.

    Some hurled stones; others charged recklessly, Molotov cocktails and explosives strapped to their bodies.

    Their crude tactics and suicidal fervor managed to momentarily stall the coalition forces.

    Xiao Honglian watched grimly, her expression dark.

    "This cursed cult has brainwashed its followers into fearless fanatics. They must be eradicated!"

    The sheer number of cultists was overwhelming.

    Wave after wave emerged from buildings, sewers, and alleyways, throwing themselves at the invaders with reckless abandon.

    Despite being prepared for such zealotry¡ªthe coalition had shed with the cult before¡ªtheir soldiers still felt an unsettling chill.

    ¡°Push forward!¡± Xiao Honglian barked, pointing to the cathedral.

    ¡°Bring me Yuan Kongye, that lying bh! I¡¯ll y her alive!¡±

    ¡°To whoever captures her, fifty pounds of beef as a reward!¡±

    The promise of such a prize reinvigorated the soldiers. Adrenaline surged as they unleashed a hail of gunfire.

    If the cultists didn¡¯t fear death, neither did they. In this deste world, they had grown numb to life and death.

    The fight raged on. The cult''s tactics of attrition could only slow the coalition¡¯s advance but couldn¡¯t halt it.

    The gap in firepower and discipline was too vast.

    At that moment, figures emerged at the street¡¯s far end.

    The cult soldiers¡¯ eyes lit up.

    ¡°The priests are here!¡±

    Zheng Yixian, leading three other priests, stood resolutely, cold eyes fixed on the advancing enemy.

    ¡°Kill them!¡±

    The coalition soldiers immediately shifted their aim, unleashing a storm of bullets.

    Zheng Yixian remained unfazed, calmly raising his right hand in front of him.

    This simple gesture seemed to conjure an invisible wall.

    Bullets halted midair, as if embedded in a soft rubber barrier, before ttering harmlessly to the ground.

    His icy gaze swept across the enemy.

    ¡°Are you dering the peace treaty void?¡± he asked coldly.

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s eyes narrowed as she spat out his name:

    ¡°Zheng¡ªYixian!¡±

    ¡°You broke the treaty first,¡± she retorted, wasting no time as she uncorked a massive sk and took a swig.

    With a fierce exhale, she unleashed a torrent of me.

    A colossal fire dragon roared down the street, illuminating the night as its searing heat melted the snow.

    The inferno incinerated a dozen cultists instantly and surged toward Zheng Yixian and the priests.

    Even with their powers, the priests showed visible tension.

    Zheng Yixian spread his arms wide, using telekinesis to yank two derelict trucks from the snow, positioning them as barriers.

    Whoosh!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    The mes collided with the makeshift shields, their heat still intense enough to scorch their faces.

    Forced to retreat a few steps, Zheng Yixian called out, ¡°Is there some misunderstanding? The Followers of the Snow God have always remained neutral!¡±

    But Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai weren¡¯t listening.

    They hade to crush the cult. Truth could wait until after the carnage.

    ¡°Kill them all!¡±

    At Xiao Honglian¡¯s signal, coalition soldiers poured from their vehicles, guns zing.

    The priests may have been formidable, but ordinary cultists were no match for the coalition¡¯s elite troops.

    Wei Dinghai waved his forces forward, Chaoyu¡¯s soldiers joining the fray.

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s expression darkened as the reality set in.

    The coalition intended to annihte them.

    ¡°To arms!¡± he bellowed. ¡°Defend the cathedral at all costs!¡±

    The coalition soldiers were relentless, their advanced gear making them near-invincible against the poorly equipped cultists.

    Decked in superior thermal armor, they fought with confidence, assured of their dominance in this frozen battlefield.

    Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai personally led their Superhumans against the priests.

    Swigging from her sk, Xiao Honglian unleashed another fire dragon, the mes consuming everything in their path.

    Her fiery powers, remarkably potent even in this ice age, were bolstered by abundant energy reserves.

    Beside her, Wei Dinghai wasted no time. In battle, hesitation was fatal.

    Exhaling a frosty breath, the air around him chilled further.

    ¡°Ice Lord!¡±

    A thickyer of ice enveloped Wei Dinghai, forming an imposing armor.

    cing his hand on the ground, the surrounding snow erupted violently,unching toward the cultists in a destructive wave.

    Amid the chaos, his figure became an indistinct blur within the blizzard.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 366: The Zealots

    Chapter 366: The Zealots

    Both Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai had seized control of their respective shelters through sheer power, making them the strongestbatants in their factions.

    Theirbined strength posed an enormous threat to the Followers of the Snow God.

    Yet, despite this formidable opposition, the cult had one overwhelming advantage: sheer numbers.

    Whether among ordinary followers or Superhumans, they outnumbered any base by a wide margin.

    Realizing that a decisive battle was unavoidable, a ruthless glint shed in Zheng Yixian¡¯s eyes as he shouted, ¡°In the name of the Snow God, deliver them divine punishment!¡±

    The priests ceased their hesitation, unleashing their abilities in a ferocious sh with the Superhumans of the coalition forces.

    ---

    Chaos UnleashedFrom every corner, the cultists swarmed like ants.

    Ragged and emaciated, their eyes burned with a fanatical light, utterly devoid of fear.

    ¡°Eliminate all enemies of the Snow God! Kill them all!¡±

    Armed with nothing but kitchen knives and iron rods, dozens of cultists charged headlong into the coalition¡¯s ranks.

    The soldiers sneered as they raised their rifles.

    ¡°Ratatatatata!¡±

    The cultists were shredded by gunfire.

    ¡°Are these people insane? They think their bodies can stop bullets?¡± a soldier mocked.

    But just as theughter spread, a sudden rush of wind came from above.

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Looking up, the soldiers barely had time to react as a shadow plummeted down¡ªa crazed cultist, his body strapped with explosives, had leapt from a high building.

    ¡°Boom!¡±

    The explosion tore through the ranks, taking the cultist and six soldiers with it.

    The grisly scene left the remaining troops visibly shaken.

    A squad leader barked, ¡°These cultists are lunatics! They¡¯ll stop at nothing to kill us. Stay alert!¡±

    ---

    The coalition had deployed only a few hundred soldiers, leaving some to guard their bases.

    But from the surrounding ruins, thousands of cultists poured forth, their sheer numbers causing even the most battle-hardened soldiers to draw a sharp breath.

    Xiao Honglian scowled. ¡°Damn cult! How many idiots have they brainwashed into dying for them?¡±

    Her disdain for the cultists was palpable. She saw them as fools, sacrificing their lives for a worthless cause.

    Her gaze shifted to the cult¡¯s Superhumans, finally settling on Zheng Yixian.

    ¡°Take out the leader, and the rest will crumble.¡±

    She exchanged a nce with Wei Dinghai, who nodded with a smirk.

    ¡°Good n.¡±

    Xiao Honglian took a deep swig from her sk, activating her ability, Infernal Furnace.

    Fiery red patterns spread across her face and hands, resembling moltenva flowing under her skin. The heat around her intensified, causing steam to rise from the snow.

    With her power fully unleashed, she bolted toward Zheng Yixian like a zinget.

    ---

    An Ambush Unfolds

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s eyes narrowed, sensing imminent danger.

    Suddenly, icy hands shot up from beneath the snow, locking onto his legs.N?v(el)B\\jnn

    Wei Dinghai¡¯s face emerged, a sinister smile on his lips as freezing energy began creeping up Zheng Yixian¡¯s body.

    From the front, Xiao Honglianunched a fiery punch, her me-covered fist aimed directly at Zheng Yixian¡¯s head.

    ¡°Boom!¡±

    The explosion sent a shockwave through the battlefield, scattering snow and bodies alike.

    When the dust settled, Zheng Yixian stood behind Wu Huan and Han Chang, panting heavily. His right arm was charred, blood clotted, and poison from the mes coursed through his veins.

    Without immediate treatment, his condition would worsen in the harsh post-apocalyptic environment.

    Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai looked on with frustration.

    Despite theirbined attack, they had failed to take Zheng Yixian down. His subordinates had intervened at the critical moment, pulling him to safety.

    ---

    A Battle of Attrition

    The ordinary soldiers and cultists fought with equal ferocity.

    The cultists, with no fear of death, charged armed with mere cooking utensils. Their fiery determination sent chills down their enemies'' spines.

    It wasn¡¯t just a disregard for death; they seemed to seek it out.

    Even the most seasoned soldiers began to tremble.

    Wave after wave of cultists fell, only to be reced by more, chanting their doctrine as they marched to their deaths.

    The coalition soldiers grew weary, their nerves fraying under the relentless assault.

    They were killing cultists by the hundreds, but the cultists¡¯ suicidal tactics had already cost them over thirty soldiers in just thirty minutes.

    Worse still, more cultists kept emerging from the ruins.

    ---

    Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai exchanged uneasy nces.

    The sheer fanaticism of the cult was beyond anything they had expected.

    Normally, a few gunshots would scatter any opposing force, leaving survivors to surrender or flee. But these cultists were different.

    They fought like madmen, unyielding and undeterred.

    The coalition still had the upper hand, but the mounting casualties were bing unsustainable.

    With other factions lurking in Tianhai City and the powerful Qingfu Base dominating the northwest, they couldn¡¯t afford such losses.

    Xiao Honglian finally made a decision.

    Taking a deep breath, she red at Zheng Yixian.

    ¡°My cousin and his team are dead. The Followers of the Snow God are the prime suspects. Now, I want an exnation!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 367: The Veil of Truth

    Chapter 367: The Veil of Truth

    If eliminating the Followers of the Snow God outright were feasible, Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai would have done so without hesitation. However, the risks were mounting. Negotiation offered a safer route to extract benefits while preserving their advantage.

    Though the coalition had the upper hand, pressing the attack further could lead to significant losses.

    Wei Dinghai nodded approvingly at Xiao Honglian''s decision. "My trusted lieutenant, Wang Ruixuan, also died in West Hill Base''s territory. The most likely suspects with the capability and motive are you, the Followers of the Snow God!"

    "Zheng Yixian," he said coldly, "today you will give us an exnation. If not, we will level your entire cult!"

    At the leaders''mand, both sides pulled back their forces.

    As the cultists retreated, their sheer numbers became evident, numbering in the thousands. While most were unarmed civilians, the sheer scale was enough to unnerve both Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai.

    Their disdain for the cult wasn¡¯t baseless. If left unchecked, such a group could grow strong enough to challenge their dominance.

    ---The priests of the Followers of the Snow God red daggers at the coalition leaders.

    They were no fools. They knew the coalition''s shift to negotiation came only after realizing a drawn-out battle would cost too much.

    Han Chang, visibly seething, tossed the severed head of a Chaoyu Base soldier onto the ground. His beast-like ws gleamed menacingly.

    "Your dead men have nothing to do with us! Where¡¯s your proof that we killed them?"

    Xiao Honglian sneered. "Proof? What a joke. Why don¡¯t you go call the police?"

    Her mocking tone made Han Chang¡¯s face turn red with fury.

    In the post-apocalypse,w and order were relics of the past. Power determined everything, not evidence.

    Zheng Yixian raised a hand to calm Han Chang.

    ¡°I see why you¡¯re here now,¡± Zheng Yixian said. "But the Followers of the Snow God have always honored our agreements. We¡¯ve never killed any of your people." ??

    Wei Dinghai chuckled, his cold breath swirling. "Yet, besides you, who else in Tianhai City has the strength and ambition to strike at both our factions simultaneously?"

    "Whoever did it made no mistakes¡ªeliminating two Superhuman-led squads without leaving a trace."N?v(el)B\\jnn

    The Qingfu Base members, known for their fiery tempers, were dismissed as suspects. Theycked the ambition for territorial expansion and were too distant to act in both locations simultaneously.

    The Followers of the Snow God remained the most usible culprits.

    Zheng Yixian took a deep breath. "Have you considered that another hidden force might be at y here?"

    Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai frowned, dismissing the suggestion.

    "Impossible!"

    Tianhai City¡¯s five regions had long been divided among the major factions. Only the cult had managed to grow in the chaotic early days of the apocalypse, seizing their foothold before the others could react.

    Any emerging force would have been swiftly crushed or absorbed.

    Zheng Yixian, however, insisted. "You¡¯re overlooking something. What about the disturbances in Lu River District over the past month?"

    Both leaders paused, recalling reports of skirmishes in the former West Hill Base¡¯s territory.

    West Hill Base, once the most formidable, controlled the city¡¯s military, its soldiers, and its weaponry.

    Yet, over the past month, scouts had reported gunfire and massive explosions in Lu River District¡ªfar beyond what a minor skirmish would produce.

    No one believed West Hill Base had been bested by another faction until a missile strike from Jiangnan District destroyed the base.

    The earlier conflicts had beenrgely ignored in the rush to seize West Hill¡¯s territories.

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s words now brought those events back into focus.

    "Could there really be a powerful force capable of standing up to West Hill Base?"

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s expression grew heavy. If true, it wouldplicate their ns to expand into West Hill¡¯s former territory.

    Wei Dinghai shared her concern.

    Neither wanted another rival to emerge in Tianhai City.

    "Zheng Yixian, you¡¯re trying to shift our focus," Xiao Honglian said sharply. "You think we¡¯ll believe you just because you said so?"

    Her gaze hardened. "Prove your cult¡¯s innocence, or we¡¯ll take matters into our own hands!"

    Han Chang clenched his fists, fuming, but Zheng Yixian restrained him.

    "Stay calm. We can¡¯t win this fight outright."

    The cult¡¯s power was still too weak. Even facing a single base was a challenge, let alone two.

    Their survival hinged on the fanatical devotion of their followers, who believed in the Snow God¡¯s promise of a bountiful afterlife.

    Turning to Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai, Zheng Yixian offered, "We were at West Hill Base that day. We encountered your man, Wang Ruixuan."

    "Alongside him were individuals from another faction¡ªperhaps the ones you seek."

    Wei Dinghai¡¯s eyes narrowed. "Who? Who dares challenge Chaoyu Base?"

    Wang Ruixuan wasn¡¯t just a valued subordinate; he was a long-timerade and a Superhuman, invaluable to their faction.

    Han Chang¡¯s eyes gleamed with defiance. ring at the coalition leaders, he growled, "That day, I saw people wearing West Hill Basebat gear."

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 368: The Rising Undercurrent

    Chapter 368: The Rising Undercurrent

    Han Chang recounted everything he had witnessed that day to Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai.

    He had already shared these details with Zheng Yixian before, but at the time, both had dismissed the activity as the remnants of West Hill Base''s scattered forces.

    Han Chang had no interest in getting involved in the conflicts of other bases and left shortly after, unaware of subsequent developments.

    It wasn¡¯t until the coalition attacked and revealed the deaths of Wang Ruixuan and Gao Yuan in separate incidents that Zheng Yixian realized something was amiss.

    Wei Dinghai¡¯s expression darkened as he processed the story. ¡°Are you suggesting that West Hill Base wasn¡¯t entirely wiped out? That they¡¯ve been regrouping in secret?¡±

    ¡°Impossible,¡± Xiao Honglian interjected.

    ¡°Their shelter was obliterated by missiles. Any survivors wouldn¡¯t have enough resources to rebuild, let alone target both of our factions at the same time.¡±

    She crossed her arms with a cold smirk. ¡°Even in their prime, Chen Xinian wouldn¡¯t have dared.¡±Zheng Yixian¡¯s tone deepened. ¡°Perhaps it¡¯s not West Hill Base¡¯s remnants, but another faction that seized their territory after the battle.¡±

    ¡°They might not even be aware of the major shelters outside Lu River and West Hill Districts. If they knew, I doubt they¡¯d have made such a bold move against you.¡±

    ---

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s theory gave Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai pause.

    Though the idea seemed far-fetched, it was the most usible exnation given the circumstances.

    When all other possibilities are eliminated, no matter how improbable the remaining scenario, it must be closest to the truth.

    For years, the major factions had maintained a delicate bnce, avoiding direct conflict.

    Who else but an outsider would dare to provoke two major bases by killing their Superhumans?

    ---

    ¡°Lu River District¡­¡± Xiao Honglian murmured, her voice barely audible.

    Her mind raced back to the reports from their scouts about heavy fighting near the border of Lu River and West Hill Districts.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    If they investigated that area, they might uncover the clues they sought.

    Wei Dinghai, meanwhile, frowned as he tried to recall a piece of intelligence that seemed relevant but remained frustratingly elusive¡ªsomething that once seemed trivial but now appeared significant.

    ---

    Recognizing the stalemate, neither side was eager to incur further losses.

    Both leaders agreed to retreat and investigate Zheng Yixian¡¯s ims about Lu River District.

    Xiao Honglian pointed sternly at Zheng Yixian. ¡°This isn¡¯t over. We¡¯ll investigate, but if I find out your people were involved, I¡¯ll return and burn your base to the ground.¡±

    Han Chang couldn¡¯t hold back. ¡°Bring it on! Next time, you¡¯ll leave here in body bags!¡±

    Xiao Honglian shot him a contemptuous smile before turning away, leading her forces out without another word.

    Wei Dinghai followed suit, his cold smirk lingering as he directed his troops to withdraw.

    Though both factions had temporarily disengaged, they would undoubtedly return if provoked.

    For now, their mission had been a partial sess¡ªsignificantly depleting the cult¡¯s forces while keeping their own losses manageable.

    ---

    On the Road Back

    Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai discussed their next moves.

    ¡°The cult¡¯s growth is too rapid. That so-called prophet is brainwashing survivors left and right,¡± Wei Dinghai remarked.

    Xiao Honglian snorted. ¡°That zealot should¡¯ve been dealt with long ago. Not only is she recruiting survivors, but even my ves are trying to escape to her sanctuary.¡±

    ¡°Fools,¡± she added disdainfully. ¡°They think there¡¯s a ¡®heaven¡¯ in the apocalypse? Without strength, they¡¯re just cannon fodder wherever they go.¡±

    Wei Dinghai chuckled. ¡°And often, those who preach ¡®for your own good¡¯ are the ones to exploit you most mercilessly.¡±

    The convoy soon reached a fork in the road where the two factions would part ways.

    Before leaving, Wei Dinghai asked, ¡°What¡¯s your n from here?¡±

    Xiao Honglian gave a cryptic smile. ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? None of us can ignore this.¡±

    Wei Dinghai shrugged. ¡°I was suggesting we work together. If there¡¯s truly a strong force in Lu River District, going solo could be risky.¡±

    Though Chaoyu Base dominated the seas, theirnd-based strength was limited, often relying on Yangsheng Base for support.

    Xiao Honglian neither agreed nor declined. ¡°We¡¯ll investigate further and decide then.¡±

    She trusted her own judgment over the cult¡¯s ims.

    ¡°Let me know if you change your mind,¡± Wei Dinghai said. ¡°With Chen Xinian gone, together we could take control of Tianhai City in no time.¡±

    Xiao Honglian dismissed the notion with a wave, ordering her troops to return to Yangsheng Base.

    ---

    As her convoy disappeared into the distance, Wei Dinghai exhaled a frosty breath. ¡°What a fierce woman. If I could bring her to heel, Tianhai City would be mine.¡±

    A pale, soft-featured man stepped forward¡ªChen Jingguan, Wei Dinghai¡¯s deputy.

    ¡°Leader, she¡¯s hiding something from us.¡±

    Wei Dinghai¡¯s eyes gleamed briefly, then heughed. ¡°Of course she is. Trust is a luxury none of us can afford.¡±

    His smile grew sly. ¡°Besides, I think I¡¯ve remembered something.¡±

    ¡°Whoever shed with West Hill Base near Lu River... it¡¯s likely that once insignificant yer we overlooked.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 369: Sacrifice

    Chapter 369: Sacrifice

    Upon returning to Chaoyu Base, Wei Dinghai wasted no time initiating a thorough investigation into the mysterious force in Lu River District.

    His search led back to a series of events that began months ago with a peculiar mass text from Lu Fengda, circting through Tianhai City.

    The name Zhang Yi resurfaced.

    Connections were drawn: Yuelu Residential Area, Zhang Yi, the theft at Walmart South China Warehouse¡­

    Piece by piece, the puzzle began to form, drawing closer to the truth.

    Meanwhile, Yangsheng Base¡¯s intelligencework, equally diligent, had made its own discoveries. But Xiao Honglian¡¯s focus wasn¡¯t solely on these clues¡ªit was the unexpected signal from Gao Yuan¡¯s satellite phone that piqued her interest.

    ---

    Yangsheng Base, Intelligence DivisionAfter returning, Xiao Honglian skipped rest and went straight to the Intelligence Division.

    Her team had tracked Gao Yuan¡¯s satellite phone signal to the border between West Hill and Lu River Districts, near the Lu River.

    Though pinpointing the exact location was impossible due to signal interference, they managed to narrow it down to a five-kilometer radius.

    ¡°Xu Family Town, Cloud Manor,¡± Zhuge Qingtian noted, adjusting his gold-rimmed sses. ¡°These are the only inhabited areas nearby. If there¡¯s a force capable of challenging West Hill Base, it¡¯s likely located there.¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s eyes flickered with a calcting light as she weighed her options.

    Who were these people? Why had they killed her men?

    And why had the signal disappeared, only to reappear now? It all felt orchestrated, as if someone was manipting events behind the scenes.

    ¡°We¡¯ll have to send scouts,¡± Xiao Honglian murmured.

    Zhuge Qingtian suggested, ¡°Should we involve Wei Dinghai? Sending a joint team would increase our chances of sess.¡±

    Xiao Honglian waved the idea away.

    ¡°Unnecessary,¡± she said with a confident smirk.

    ¡°This mysterious faction, though powerful enough to contend with West Hill Base, must be weakened by now. Their peak strength likely only matched West Hill¡¯s.¡±

    ¡°West Hill Base is gone, and if they¡¯re as battered as I suspect, this could be our chance to swoop in and im their assets.¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian nodded but remained cautious. ¡°It¡¯s still risky. They¡¯ve already taken down two Superhuman squads from our bases.¡±

    Xiao Honglian thought of herte cousin and shook her head.

    ¡°He was weak. This time, I¡¯m sending Dong Hu. He¡¯s reliable.¡±

    ¡°As for Chaoyu Base, let them fend for themselves. Wei Dinghai ys nice now because he needs us. Otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t be so polite.¡±

    With Xiao Honglian¡¯s decision made, Zhuge Qingtian refrained from further argument and sent for Dong Hu.

    ---

    Tianfeng District

    The aftermath of the battle had left the Followers of the Snow God¡¯s headquarters in ruins. The ground was soaked in ckened blood, littered with the shattered remains of fallen fighters.

    Inside the cathedral, women and children huddled together under the protection of the cult¡¯s guards.

    Only the adult male cultists had fought¡ªand died¡ªoutside.

    Zheng Yixian inspected his severely burned arm, where Xiao Honglian¡¯s fiery punch had left his flesh charred, exposing raw muscle and cracked bone beneath.

    The bitter cold numbed his pain, but exhaustion weighed heavily on him.

    ¡°Grand Priest!¡±

    Han Chang and others surrounded him, their faces etched with worry. They couldn¡¯t forget how close Zheng Yixian hade to death in his duel with Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai.

    Thebined might of the two base leaders was terrifying, a testament to the brutal path they had walked to the top.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ll seek the Holy Maiden for healing,¡± Zheng Yixian said, pulling a white fox fur cloak over his wound as he turned toward the cathedral.

    ¡°Clean this ce up.¡±

    His eyes briefly closed, his usualposed rity giving way to a flicker of weariness.

    ---

    As Zheng Yixian retreated, the cultists who had fought so valiantly began to falter. The adrenaline and divine fervor that had driven them started to fade.

    Seeing the carnage around them, the pain from their wounds finally struck.

    ¡°Aaaagh!¡±

    Cries of agony rose as the reality of their injuries set in.

    From the crowd, women in white religious robes stepped forward, raising their hands.

    ¡°Brave warriors! You have received the Snow God¡¯s blessing. Your souls shall ascend to the divine kingdom, where peace and joy await!¡±

    While these words offered spiritual sce, physical relief was scarce.

    A group of nun-like followers rushed among the wounded with medical kits, offering basic first aid. Supplies were too scarce for more than rudimentary care¡ªbandages for bleeding, no proper disinfectants.

    ---

    A severely injured man with a severed arm reached out to one of the nuns.

    ¡°Help me¡­ I can still be saved,¡± he pleaded weakly.

    The nun knelt, tears ofpassion welling in her eyes.

    ¡°May the Snow God¡¯s mercy embrace all suffering souls,¡± she whispered. ¡°Your devotion will lead you to paradise.¡±

    With gentle reverence, she drew a sharp de and, before he could react, plunged it into his carotid artery.

    His eyes widened in disbelief as his life faded.

    The nun closed his eyes, murmuring, ¡°How fortunate you are to meet the Snow God so soon.¡±

    ---

    Such scenes weremonce on the battlefield.

    The cultcked resources to care for the gravely injured, so they were ¡°released¡± to join the Snow God in the afterlife.

    In time, this grim practice had instilled a belief among the cultists: dying for the Snow God guaranteed entry to a divine paradise.

    ---

    Meanwhile, deep within a forbidden building behind the cathedral, gruesome rituals unfolded.

    Blood-red vines slithered from the shadows, dragging corpses into the building¡¯s depths.

    Inside, a massive, pulsating crimson nt anchored itself, its vines spreading throughout the structure.

    Cocoon-like pods hung from the ceiling, containing vaguely human forms. The nt absorbed the corpses, exhaling a red mist that filled the space with an eerie glow.

    From the vines sprouted crimson, apple-like fruits, growing plump with grotesque vitality.

    Watching from a distance, Han Chang folded his arms, his face grim.

    ¡°May the fallen sustain the living. Their sacrifice feeds our hope.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 370: The Purification Ritual

    Chapter 370: The Purification Ritual

    Zheng Yixian entered the cathedral.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Despite the chaos outside, Yuan Kongye remained focused, conducting the final stages of the Gift Ceremony with sereneposure.

    This particr group consisted of newly recruited followers, most of whom had joined after witnessing Yuan Kongye¡¯s so-called miracles. Their faith had deepened quickly, and they now viewed the Snow God as their ultimate salvation.

    As the ceremony neared its end, only a few young boys remained. Guided by their parents, they approached the altar.

    These boys had been with the cult for only a week but were already among its most devout, ready to sacrifice their lives for the Snow God.

    Yuan Kongye gazed at them with a gentle expression, though a fleeting struggle of inner turmoil crossed her face.

    She quickly masked it, burying the conflict deep within her dark pupils.

    ¡°Come, my children,¡± Yuan Kongye called softly, beckoning them forward.The boys, confused, looked back at their parents, seeking reassurance.

    ¡°Trust the Holy Maiden,¡± one father said gently. ¡°Everything she does is for your own good.¡±

    ¡°You need this purification to be true followers of the Snow God,¡± another added.

    Trusting their parents, the boys hesitantly stepped toward the altar.

    Yuan Kongye instructed one of them to lie down on the stone b. She ced her right hand gently on his forehead.

    The boy instantly felt his strength drain away; his limbs became unresponsive, as though they no longer belonged to him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid, child. An evil spirit resides within you. I will cleanse it,¡± Yuan Kongye said with a serene smile.

    Her hand moved deftly, producing a sharp dagger.

    The boy¡¯s eyes widened in terror, his pupils contracting as his body froze in fear. He couldn¡¯t even scream.

    The other boys stood frozen in horror, unable toprehend the true nature of this exorcism.

    ¡°It will be over soon,¡± Yuan Kongye reassured him. ¡°I shall purify your impurity myself.¡±

    Without hesitation, she brought the de down swiftly.

    Blood sttered. The boy lost consciousness immediately, his eyes dull and unfocused.

    Yuan Kongye ced her glowing hand over his wound, and a soft, holy light emanated from her palm, sealing the injury.

    ¡°From now on, you will never be a corrupted demon.¡±

    ¡°The purification isplete.¡±

    The boy¡¯s parents approached, bowing deeply to Yuan Kongye.

    ¡°Thank you, Holy Maiden, for cleansing him. He will no longer be tempted by evil.¡±

    ¡°Now he will be a more obedient and good child, won¡¯t he?¡± the boy¡¯s mother asked hopefully, recalling years of frustration over her son¡¯s unruly behavior.

    Yuan Kongye nodded reassuringly. ¡°From now on, he will be a kind and well-behaved child.¡±

    Tears of relief filled the parents¡¯ eyes. They expressed their heartfelt gratitude and carried their unconscious son away.

    ---

    Meanwhile, the remaining boys were paralyzed with fear, some copsing to the floor.

    ¡°Purification¡­ means cutting that off? No! I don¡¯t want it!¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to be a eunuch!¡± another wailed.

    They tried to flee, but towering figures blocked their path. Their parents stood firm, expressions stern yet strangelyforting.

    ¡°You must understand, child. We¡¯re doing this for your own good.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ve been so disobedient because a demon resides in your heart. Once the Holy Maiden purifies you, you¡¯ll be a good boy.¡±

    ¡°Stop resisting and ept this gift!¡±

    Despite their parents¡¯ encouragement, the boys saw only terrifying faces, like demons themselves.

    Behind them, Yuan Kongye¡¯s soft, chilling voice called out:

    ¡°Who¡¯s next?¡±

    One by one, the boys underwent the ritual. Their parents, grateful and reverent, thanked Yuan Kongye before taking them home.

    Zheng Yixian observed everything from a distance, his expression unreadable.

    When the ceremony concluded, the congregation sang praises before gradually dispersing, leaving the cathedral nearly empty.

    Only Yuan Kongye and Zheng Yixian remained.

    ---

    Yuan Kongye approached Zheng Yixian, her gaze falling on his concealed arm. She gently pulled back his cloak, revealing the charred and wounded limb.

    ¡°How did it get this bad?¡± she asked softly, cing her hand over the injury. A warm glow radiated from her palm as she began to heal him.

    Zheng Yixian allowed her to stabilize his condition but stopped her midway.

    ¡°You¡¯ve already used your powers too many times today. Treat me tomorrow,¡± he said.

    Yuan Kongye smiled faintly, her expression as cold and serene as snow.

    ¡°Who attacked?¡±

    ¡°Yangsheng Base¡¯s Xiao Honglian and Chaoyu Base¡¯s Wei Dinghai,¡± Zheng Yixian replied. ¡°They teamed up against us.¡±

    A flicker of surprise crossed Yuan Kongye¡¯s eyes. ¡°Both bases attacked together?¡±

    Zheng Yixian exined the events leading to the battle, including the mysterious faction they suspected.

    ---

    After listening, Yuan Kongye¡¯s expression turned thoughtful.

    ¡°So, aside from the Followers of the Snow God and West Hill Base, there¡¯s another powerful force in Tianhai City?¡±

    ¡°Could their rise have yed a role in West Hill Base¡¯s downfall?¡±

    Zheng Yixian nodded. ¡°This mysterious faction is connected to a man named Zhang Yi. We once received intelligence mentioning him.¡±

    ¡°Considering his ability to contend with West Hill Base for so long, it¡¯s clear he¡¯s no ordinary Superhuman.¡±

    ¡°If not for him, what else could have led to West Hill Base¡¯s destruction?¡±

    Yuan Kongye murmured thoughtfully, ¡°Yet, all evidence points to the missile from Jiangnan District.¡±

    ¡°True,¡± Zheng Yixian agreed, ¡°but Zhang Yi remains a key figure. His strength and resources shouldn¡¯t be underestimated.¡±

    He added, ¡°The rumors of his vast stockpile of supplies might actually be true.¡±

    A spark of intrigue lit Yuan Kongye¡¯s dark eyes.

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, we should keep a closer watch on him.¡±

    Zheng Yixian stepped forward. ¡°Should we send an envoy to probe him?¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 371: Medicine

    Chapter 371: Medicine

    Yuan Kongye regarded Zheng Yixian with a faint smile. ¡°Oh? Test him? You mean to gauge his true potential?¡±

    Zheng Yixian chuckled. ¡°If he¡¯s strong enough, we might consider recruiting him. Together, we could stand against the major bases.¡±

    Yuan Kongye¡¯s furrowed brow rxed, her interest clearly piqued.

    Zheng Yixian continued, ¡°The major bases control all the critical resources in Tianhai City. Although our numbers are great, the Followers of the Snow God are severely resource-deprived.¡±

    ¡°The Blood Vine helps us obtain food through conversion, but it¡¯s not a sustainable solution.¡±

    ¡°Take today, for example. We barely withstood thebined assault of Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases. If they hadn¡¯t held back, unwilling to risk mutual destruction, we might not have survived.¡±

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s eyes gleamed. ¡°We need allies¡ªsomeone like us.¡±

    After a moment of contemtion, Yuan Kongye nodded slowly. She saw the wisdom in his words.The current strength of the Followers of the Snow God wouldn¡¯t hold in an all-out war. Any one of the three major bases could annihte them.

    She needed time. Time to grow stronger.

    ¡°Very well. Send the Grand Writ to test his strength.¡±

    ¡°If he proves capable of resisting the bases, Tianhai City¡¯s bnce of power may shift drastically.¡±

    ---

    Inside the Shelter¡¯s Medical Room

    Zhou Ke¡¯er, d in a whiteb coat, leaned over a microscope, meticulously examining a slide.

    Zhang Yi loungedzily against the counter behind her, his tone casual. ¡°Well? Recognize this stuff?¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er was studying a stimnt Zhang Yi had acquired from Gao Yuan and his team.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    The drug, capable of temporarily granting ordinary people Superhuman-like abilities, had left a deep impression on Zhang Yi.

    Curious about its potential, he wanted to understand its properties¡ªperhaps to use in emergencies or to counter it if encountered again.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er turned around, her expression thoughtful. ¡°This is a military-grade stimnt, typically issued to soldiers in activebat zones. Its effects are powerful, drastically enhancing physical performance and keeping users awake for up to three days.¡± ?§Ñ

    She sighed. ¡°I¡¯ve seen simrpounds in my mentor¡¯sb, but this is the first time I¡¯ve encountered it in use.¡±

    ¡°Compared to the stimnts I¡¯ve used on you, this one is at least ten times stronger.¡±

    ¡°Of course, the side effects are equally severe.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s curiosity deepened. ¡°How severe?¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er smirked. ¡°The drug works by elerating metabolism and maximizing energy use. Essentially, it forces the body into overdrive.¡±

    ¡°After one use, losing ten pounds ismon. Users experience intense muscle soreness, and recovery takes weeks for those in good health. As for the less fortunate¡­¡± She shrugged. ¡°They might not survive the first dose.¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°Figures. No such thing as a free lunch. A drug that makes you stronger without drawbacks doesn¡¯t exist, huh?¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er hesitated, then said thoughtfully, ¡°Maybe not entirely.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± Zhang Yi¡¯s interest sharpened. ¡°There¡¯s something like that?¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er nodded, then shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ve heard that the military once worked on a drug to enhancebat performance with minimal side effects.¡±

    ¡°While it couldn¡¯t eliminate side effects entirely, it supposedly reduced them to negligible levels.¡±

    ¡°Naturally, such a drug would be outrageously expensive, which is why it never became standard issue.¡±

    Zhang Yi considered this. ¡°So, there¡¯s a chance we might encounter it, though it¡¯s unlikely. Good to know.¡±

    He crossed his arms, muttering, ¡°Technology is a dangerous game. Even ordinary people can¡¯t be underestimated.¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er removed her gloves and prepared to clean her equipment. Zhang Yi struck up a new conversation.

    ¡°Ke¡¯er, remember the rat poison I used back at Yuelu?¡±

    ¡°Hmm? Rat poison?¡± She nced at him, puzzled. ¡°You mean the one you used in Yuelu Residential Area? You still have that stuff?¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s smile turned sly. ¡°Never know when it mighte in handy. Better safe than sorry.¡±

    He scratched his nose. ¡°You said its lethal dose was 0.1 grams. What happens with smaller amounts?¡±

    Though unsure of his intentions, Zhou Ke¡¯er answered. ¡°In tiny doses, the body¡¯s detoxification processes can handle it without issue.¡±

    ¡°But if the dose is carefully controlled¡ªaround 5% of the lethal amount¡ªit can umte and cause harm.¡±

    ¡°Would it kill someone?¡± Zhang Yi asked.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er shook her head. ¡°Not immediately. That¡¯s why it¡¯s called a lethal dose, after all.¡±

    She added, ¡°However, repeated exposure would cause organ failure over time. Without treatment, it would eventually be fatal.¡±

    She chuckled. ¡°In today¡¯s harsh conditions, where even minor ailments can be deadly, it¡¯s practically a death sentence.¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded. ¡°Interesting. Makes sense.¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er eyed him yfully. ¡°Got a rat problem?¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s grin grew more enigmatic. ¡°Not in the shelter. But outside? Maybe.¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er shook her head. ¡°Rats in this frozen wastnd? You must be imagining things.¡±

    She paused. ¡°Then again, who knows? Maybe some survived in the sewers.¡±

    Rats, resilient in filthy environments, often outlived humans during disasters.

    Zhang Yi shrugged. ¡°Could be. If cats can mutate, why not rats? Maybe someday, rats will rule the. Who¡¯s to say?¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 372: Malice

    Chapter 372: Malice

    Chapter 372: Malice

    After finishing his chat with Zhou Ke¡¯er, Zhang Yi left the infirmary.

    From the living room, the lively sounds of a card game carried over clearly. Zhou Haimei came by almost every day to y mahjong with the women in Zhang Yi¡¯s household.

    It proved, once again, that no matter the time or ce, ying cards was always a simple and reliable source of joy.

    The Shelter remained as bright and opulent as ever, radiating a sense of security andfort¡ªa veritable post-apocalyptic haven. It seemed as though this peaceful state couldst forever.

    No, not just seemed.

    Zhang Yi quietly assured himself, I¡¯ll make sure thisfortable environmentsts until the apocalypse ends.

    Just then, a pleasant and steady voice called out behind him.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, there you are! I¡¯ve been looking for you in the west section.¡±Zhang Yi turned to see Liang Yue approaching.

    He smiled lightly. ¡°Look at me, almost forgot about your task.¡±

    Without waiting for her to say more, he retrieved food for ten people from his spatial storage and packed it neatly.

    Liang Yue¡¯s face flushed slightly. ¡°Thank you!¡± she said, taking the food. Her fingers brushed against his, causing her to tremble ever so slightly.

    Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°Why so polite? Like I said, as long as you¡¯re here, we¡¯re family. In the apocalypse, the only real family are those who stick together. Your problems are my problems.¡±

    Since Liang Yue joined the Shelter, Zhang Yi and the others had been reinforcing this idea: they were family, united against the apocalypse. This belief clearly set them apart from those students who simply awaited rescue.

    Living in such an environment, people¡¯s mindsets were bound to shift. Liang Yue¡¯s changing demeanor showed she was gradually embracing this philosophy.

    ¡°I understand. Thank you, Zhang Yi, for indulging my little whims.¡± Liang Yue looked up at him, her eyes carrying a hint of unspoken emotion.

    ¡°Once they can fend for themselves like the vigers of Xu Family Town, I won¡¯t bother you anymore. That¡¯s a promise.¡±

    They won¡¯t trouble me for long, Zhang Yi thought, ncing at the food in her hands.

    ¡°Yeah, self-reliance is good. Take your time; there¡¯s no need to rush or pressure yourself.¡±

    Liang Yue bit her lip, but realizing such a gesture didn¡¯t suit her image, she quickly straightened her expression. ¡°I¡¯ll head over now.¡±

    ¡°Alright, the sooner you go, the sooner you¡¯ll be back!¡± Zhang Yi waved, watching her leave.

    At this moment, Yang Xinxin wheeled herself beside him. She followed his gaze, looking at Liang Yue¡¯s retreating figure, then spoke thoughtfully.

    ¡°Brother, I think Teacher Liang has fallen for you.¡±

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow but responded with a faint smile.N?v(el)B\\jnn

    Recently, he had spent a lot of time with Liang Yue, particrly during their martial arts training. Such close contact was inevitable, and over time, her gaze toward him had indeed changed.

    How did Zhou Botong and Ying Gu get together? Through martial arts training.

    ¡°Love? Attraction? It¡¯s just hormones messing with people,¡± Zhang Yi remarked casually. ¡°Humans have instincts, and in a high-stress, apocalyptic environment, the urge to reproduce only intensifies.¡±

    He touched his face. ¡°Besides, there are only three men in the Shelter. Compared to Uncle You and Fatty Xu, I¡¯m clearly the best catch. It¡¯d be strange if she didn¡¯t feel something for me.¡±

    Yang Xinxin tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eyes. ¡°Why not make Teacher Liang your girlfriend? With her rigid personality, once she decides you¡¯re her man, she¡¯ll be loyal for life.¡±

    She leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially, ¡°I¡¯ll let you in on a secret¡ªTeacher Liang has never had a boyfriend. Women like her, who¡¯ve been single for years, are actually easy to sway. To put it bluntly, they¡¯re easy to fool.¡±

    Zhang Yi gave her a sideways nce. ¡°Wow, you really know your stuff. Even willing to trick your own teacher?¡±

    Yang Xinxin smiled faintly, intecing her slender fingers on herp.

    ¡°I just don¡¯t want to see her waste her life. With her personality, if she didn¡¯t have you looking out for her, she wouldn¡¯t survive long in this apocalypse.¡±

    Zhang Yi looked out the window, his gaze falling on Liang Yue¡¯s determined silhouette.

    ¡°Let¡¯s deal with that matter first,¡± he muttered. ¡°Getting involved with such a stubborn woman would only give me more headaches.¡±

    Though Zhang Yi enjoyed thepany of beautiful women, he despised trouble. If he had to choose, he¡¯d rather keep his freedom.

    ---

    Meanwhile, in Xu Family Town.

    After some time living independently, the group had gradually learned to fish. It was a difficult process¡ªonce ustomed toziness, even small efforts felt like a monumental task. But hunger eventually forced them into action.

    Among the students, a few physically strong boys stood out, with Ye Xiaotian, a modified superhuman, taking the lead. As a result, he held the most authority.

    However, Ye Xiaotian¡¯s character was aloof, and he had no interest in power struggles. He focused solely on gathering food as Liang Yue instructed, never abusing his influence.

    This left room for Wu Chengyu, a schemer, to step in.

    In their academy days, Wu Chengyu had a degree of influence among his ssmates. Now, he made a point of ingratiating himself with Ye Xiaotian, calling him ¡°brother¡± at every opportunity.

    Ye Xiaotian, though aware of Wu Chengyu¡¯s intentions, was still a neen-year-old prone to enjoying ttery. Over time, he tolerated Wu Chengyu¡¯s antics, allowing him to exploit his authority.

    One day, the group gathered around a small fire in their snow house. Fuel was scarce; most of the deadwood and furniture in the area had been burned. They had even resorted to burning the clothes of the deceased, albeit sparingly.

    ¡°Damn it! Why do we have to live like this?¡± Wu Chengyu gritted his teeth, cocooned in a thick nket. Despite the instion, the cold gnawed at them, leaving their limbs numb.

    However, was the cold truly his greatest torment? Perhaps not.

    Back at Tianqing Academy, they had endured icy conditions for extended periods without such resentment. Wu Chengyu¡¯s suffering stemmed from knowing that, across the river, Zhang Yi, their teacher, and two ssmates livedfortably in a luxurious, heated mansion.

    It was not scarcity but inequality that fueled his malice.

    ¡°If only Teacher Liang cared about us!¡± ss leader Shen Miaoke muttered bitterly. ¡°She could¡¯ve fought for our entry into the Shelter. But no, she only looks out for herself.¡±

    ¡°Forget it,¡± Wu Chengyu sneered. ¡°Teacher Liang wouldn¡¯t dare! She already belongs to Zhang Yi. Hehe, maybe she got into the Shelter by trading her body for it!¡±

    ¡°Wow! Seriously?¡±

    ¡°Hmph, it¡¯s very likely. Don¡¯t be fooled by her serious demeanor during the day. I bet deep down, she¡¯s the shy, flirtatious type¡ªwild at heart!¡±

    ¡°Hahaha, let¡¯s dive deeper into this topic!¡±

    ...

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 373: Investigating Xu Family Town

    Chapter 373: Investigating Xu Family Town

    The students vented their frustrations about Liang Yue through their words,ining without restraint.

    But soon, they all fell silent, almost in unison.

    Based on the usual schedule, it was about time for Liang Yue to deliver their food.

    Sure enough, not long after, Liang Yue arrived at their snow house, carrying provisions.

    ¡°Teacher Liang!¡±

    ¡°Teacher Liang, you¡¯re here!¡±

    ¡°We missed you so much!¡±

    The students put on pitiful faces, tears welling up in their eyes.Liang Yue, however, simply ced the food on the ground and said, ¡°Be careful these days. The area hasn¡¯t been peaceful. Unless you¡¯re out searching for food, stay inside the snow house as much as possible.¡±

    ¡°Oh, and there are plenty of underground cers in Xu Family Town where food is stored. You should hide in the cers whenever possible. Got it?¡±

    Hearing this, the students grew uneasy.

    Wu Chengyu quickly stood up, his face full of fear. ¡°Teacher Liang, if it¡¯s so dangerous, why not take us back with you?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t the Shelter the safest ce?¡±

    The other students, realizing the opportunity, rushed to join in, pleading with Liang Yue to bring them back.

    As Liang Yue looked at their pale faces, her thoughts turned to Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran.

    Most of these students had once subjected those two to cold, silent ostracism.

    Over time, Liang Yue¡¯s bond with Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran had grown significantly stronger.

    This was partly due to the environment of the apocalypse, which drove people to seek warmth and solidarity, and partly because Liang Yue had found in them what she had lost in students like Wu Chengyu.

    Withoutparison, there would be no disappointment.

    As a teacher, she naturally gravitated toward the more obedient and sensible students.

    She couldn¡¯t bear the thought of upsetting Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran by suggesting these students be brought into the Shelter.

    And she wasn¡¯t na?ve.

    While Zhang Yi was kind and supportive of her, the others in the Shelter had no obligation to these students.

    Bringing back such a burden would surely displease people like Zhou Ke¡¯er.

    Given that there hadn¡¯t been any signs of external threats recently, Liang Yue was unwilling to stir up trouble.

    ¡°You can¡¯t rely on your teacher for everything. You¡¯re all grown up now and need to learn how to solve problems on your own.¡±

    ¡°Hide in the cers. Even if dangeres, you won¡¯t be the primary targets. As long as you stay hidden, you¡¯ll be safe.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s n seemed sound.

    After Zhang Yi¡¯s intense battle with the West Hill Base, any smaller factions in the area wouldn¡¯t dare to cause trouble.

    And if a major force from beyond Xichuan or Lu River District did show up, their target would be Zhang Yi¡¯s Shelter, not a group of resource-poor students. ???

    But Wu Chengyu and the others were unwilling to give up.

    ¡°Teacher, if danger really strikes, it¡¯ll be toote to do anything!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s safer if you take us to the Shelter. Zhang Yi and the others are so strong, and you¡¯re a great fighter too. Protecting us would be easy, wouldn¡¯t it?¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s eyes filled with even more disappointment.

    She no longer offered any exnations, only letting out a soft sigh. ¡°Take care of yourselves. Just listen to me and hide well.¡±

    With that, she turned and left the snow house, ignoring the students¡¯ cries behind her.

    ¡°Teacher Liang! Teacher Liang! Teacher¡ªDmn it! That heartless woman!¡±

    Wu Chengyu punched the wall in frustration, his eyes burning with hatred.

    ¡°Why give us hope only to shove us into despair?¡±

    Ye Xiaotian walked over and casually grabbed a portion of the food.

    Wu Chengyu noticed and quickly pretended to distribute the rest to everyone.

    The food from Zhang Yi¡¯s Shelter was undeniably superior, carefully preserved and full of vor.

    They devoured it ravenously, leaving not a single grain behind.

    ---

    Meanwhile, in the Yangsheng and Chaoyu Bases, the two factions had begun operations against the so-called mysterious force ever since their return from the Followers of the Snow God.

    After extensive investigation, they had narrowed down the enemy¡¯s location to somewhere near Cloud Manor and Xu Family Town.

    Yangsheng Base acted faster, thanks to Zhang Yi¡¯s deliberate cement of Gao Yuan¡¯s satellite phone among Liang Yue¡¯s students, allowing them to track the signal using radar.

    The Yangsheng Base dispatched Dong Hu, nicknamed ¡°zing Fist,¡± for the mission.

    In his early forties, Dong Hu had been a professional bodyguard before the apocalypse, skilled in martial arts and marksmanship. After awakening his superhuman abilities, he became one of Xiao Honglian¡¯s trusted generals.

    This mission was a reconnaissance operation, not an assault. Xiao Honglian was unsure of Zhang Yi¡¯s strength and chose Dong Hu for his level-headed approach.

    Dong Hu led his team to the outskirts of Lu River District, where he ordered their snow vehicles hidden before proceeding on foot.

    Their modified snow vehicles were loud and fuel-intensive, unsuitable for stealth operations.

    Well-equipped and well-provisioned, the group cautiously trekked through the snow, guided by their instruments toward Xu Family Town.

    From a distance, they spotted the cluster of snow houses and, across the river, the imposing ice fortress.

    Dong Hu exhaled in amazement. ¡°Did they really build this by hand?¡±

    The thick ice wall resembled a miniature snow fortress, towering 20 meters high and 10 meters thick.

    Though made primarily of ice, its steel-reinforced core gave it remarkable durability.

    ¡°Unless you hit this thing with heavy artillery, standard infantry weapons won¡¯t even scratch it.¡±

    ¡°No wonder they held off West Hill Base for so long.¡±

    Dong Hu¡¯s expression grew serious as he issued orders. ¡°Stay sharp! This isn¡¯t an opponent to take lightly. One misstep, and we¡¯re dead.¡±

    His men, seasoned and cautious, nodded solemnly.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Dong Hu used his equipment to confirm that Gao Yuan¡¯s satellite phone signal wasing from one of the snow houses.

    He called over a sharp-eyed subordinate.

    ¡°Scout the area and report back.¡±

    The scout, cloaked in white, moved stealthily toward Xu Family Town, blending into the snowyndscape.

    As night fell, he reached the vige outskirts, finding no signs of guards.

    Rxing slightly, he continued, using the snow houses as cover.

    But the vige was eerily lifeless.

    The dome-shaped snow houses stood like tombs, silent and foreboding.

    Most were empty, with only a few sealed by curtains or wooden boards.

    The cold left the streets deserted, as if the residents had all perished.

    No guards, no signs of life. This can¡¯t be a functioning faction, the scout concluded.

    A proper force would maintain vignce, posting guards to ward off intruders. Their absence suggested ack of resources and strength.

    Relieved, the scout carefully approached the snow house marked as the signal¡¯s source but chose not to enter, instead retreating to avoid unnecessary risks.

    After all, this could be their of the individuals who had wiped out both Gao Yuan and Wang Ruixuan¡¯s teams.

    Returning to Dong Hu, the scout reported, ¡°It¡¯s an abandoned vige. No guards, no activity. I located the signal source without alerting anyone.¡±

    Dong Hu was puzzled. ¡°What? That doesn¡¯t add up.¡±

    Even the most formidable foe wouldn¡¯t leave their defenses sox.

    ncing at the ice fortress across the river, Dong Hu¡¯s eyes narrowed.

    ¡°Could it be that their true power lies beyond that stronghold?¡±

    ¡°But why would the signal source be here? Is it a trap?¡±

    Conflicted but determined, Dong Hu resolved to gather more intel before leaving.

    Leading his team cautiously into Xu Family Town, he soon stumbled upon a group of young people sleeping soundly in one of the snow houses.

    Their defenseless state was almostughable.

    Confirming the signal source was in this very house, Dong Hu stood in silent confusion, unsure of what to make of the scene.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 374: Captives

    Chapter 374: Captives

    Although Dong Hu suspected something fishy was going on here, since he hade this far, the first priority was to locate Gao Yuan¡¯s satellite phone and capture everyone here for interrogation.

    "Move!"

    With his order, the investigation team sprang into action, quickly moving to subdue the sleeping students.

    Ye Xiaotian, who had the sharpest senses, was the first to notice the intruders. He abruptly opened his eyes and found himself facing a group of strangers in the snow house. Instantly on alert, he shouted, ¡°Who are you? Get out of here!¡±

    One of the investigators didn¡¯t bother with words. His massive hand mped down on Ye Xiaotian¡¯s neck like a steel vise and mmed him against the wall.

    ¡°If you dare say another word, I¡¯ll snap your neck!¡± he growled coldly.

    Ye Xiaotian was stunned.

    Although he was a cyborg and far stronger than ordinary people, it was clear that these intruders were seasoned fighters.Clenching his teeth, Ye Xiaotian let out an angry roar and suddenly mustered all his strength, prying the man¡¯s hand off and kicking him three meters away.

    ¡°Hm? A Superhuman!¡± Dong Hu¡¯s eyes glinted coldly.

    Realizing he couldn¡¯t take on so many people at once, Ye Xiaotian decided to make a break for it. However, Dong Hu¡¯s towering figure blocked his path.

    ¡°Move!¡± Ye Xiaotian gathered all his strength and swung a punch at Dong Hu¡¯s face.

    The next moment, a scorching red light shed before his eyes, his vision blurred, and an unbearable pain exploded in his abdomen.

    Dong Hu¡¯s fist, engulfed in mes, struck Ye Xiaotian¡¯s stomach. His clothes caught fire instantly, burning fiercely.

    ¡°Cough...¡± Ye Xiaotian spat out a mouthful of blood and copsed unconscious in the snow.

    The mes burned through his cotton jacket, revealing thebat uniform of West Hill Base underneath.

    Dong Hu¡¯s expression grew serious. ¡°Could these people be the remnants of West Hill Base?¡±

    ¡°Move quickly! Don¡¯t dy! If they wake up, it¡¯ll be trouble!¡±

    Wu Chengyu and the others were still sound asleep when Dong Hu¡¯s men restrained them.

    ¡°Don¡¯t move! Try anything, and I¡¯ll kill you!¡±

    ¡°Make a sound, and you¡¯re dead!¡±

    The investigation team acted cautiously. Having detected Gao Yuan¡¯s satellite phone signal here, they assumed these young people were no ordinary group. As a result, they didn¡¯t hold back, pinning them to the ground and pressing their heads deep into their bedding.

    The students, abruptly woken by the pain of their arms being twisted behind them, let out muffled cries and struggled desperately. However, after the investigators¡¯ brutal threats, they froze in fear, trembling like leaves.

    Dong Hu and his team quickly realized that most of the group were mere mortals. Only Ye Xiaotian exhibited some unusual strength, though it wasn¡¯t particrly impressive.

    The students were terrified, tied up tightly, and forced to kneel on the freezing snow. Their trembling bodies resembled sieves, their faces pale with fear of these strangers. R?

    The investigators dug out the satellite phone from beneath a bed board and handed it to Dong Hu.

    Dong Hu inspected it and confirmed it was indeed Gao Yuan¡¯s satellite phone. Holding it aloft, his icy gaze swept over the captured students.

    ¡°Where did you get this?¡±

    The students, having never seen such a device before, could only stare dumbfounded, unable to give a coherent answer.

    Dong Hu¡¯s face darkened. ¡°This was found in your house, and you¡¯re saying you don¡¯t know about it?¡±

    He approached one of the students, grabbed his neck, and hoisted him into the air.

    The student¡¯s face turned red as he stammered, ¡°Don¡¯t kill me! Please, I swear I don¡¯t know anything!¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re really not afraid to die, huh?¡±n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    ncing at the others, Dong Hu tightened his grip.

    A sickening ¡°crack¡± echoed as the student¡¯s neck was snapped.

    The other students turned even paler, and several girls fainted from sheer terror.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t talk, you¡¯ll end up like him!¡±

    Dong Hu¡¯s cold gaze scanned the group, searching for clues. His sharp eyesnded on Wu Chengyu, who seemed shrewder than the rest.

    Unlike the others, who were frozen in despair, Wu Chengyu¡¯s eyes darted nervously, clearly scheming to find a way to survive.

    A veteran like Dong Hu wouldn¡¯t miss such behavior.

    He strode over, grabbed Wu Chengyu, and lifted him effortlessly.

    ¡°Your turn! Speak, or don¡¯t?¡±

    Faced with Dong Hu¡¯s lethal threat, Wu Chengyu¡¯s mind raced before finallynding on a survival strategy.

    ¡°I know who brought it! It was Zhang Yi! It must have been Zhang Yi!¡± he blurted.

    Hearing the name ¡°Zhang Yi,¡± Dong Hu¡¯s expression turned grave.

    Before setting out, Xiao Honglian and Zhuge Qingtian had warned him to avoid a man named Zhang Yi at all costs. It was highly likely that West Hill Base had fallen because of him.

    ¡°What¡¯s your connection to Zhang Yi?¡± Dong Hu asked in a low voice.

    Knowing his only chance at survival was to prove his worth, Wu Chengyu replied, ¡°There¡¯s a woman with Zhang Yi named Liang Yue. We¡¯re her students. She takes special care of us. Please, don¡¯t kill me. I¡¯m useful to you!¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re enemies of Zhang Yi, you can use us as leverage. Liang Yue loves us and wouldn¡¯t just watch us die!¡±

    Dong Hu frowned. Wu Chengyu¡¯s words were dubious.

    ¡°If your teacher cares about you so much, why would she leave you here instead of taking you to Zhang Yi¡¯s residence?¡±

    Wu Chengyu stammered nervously, ¡°We didn¡¯t want to burden Teacher Liang!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯re adults and need to survive on our own. But Teacher Liang still brings us food every day. Look at the lunchboxes over there if you don¡¯t believe me!¡±

    He pointed to some lunchboxes on a table.

    Dong Hu nced at them and found himself slightly convinced by Wu Chengyu¡¯s exnation.

    After a moment of hesitation, he made a decision.

    The mission was to retrieve Gao Yuan¡¯s satellite phone and gather intel on Zhang Yi. Capturing people connected to Zhang Yi meant they could interrogate themter.

    Dong Hu ordered his men to bind all the students and take them back to their leader, Xiao Honglian, for further questioning.

    As for the towering ice wall behind them, Dong Hu dared not investigate. Perhaps his cautious instincts had already sensed the lurking danger.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 375: Then Letâ€™s Fight!

    Chapter 375: Then Let¡¯s Fight!

    Inside the shelter, in Zhang Yi¡¯s room, a notification sounded on his phone.

    The satellite phone that Hua Hua had left in Xu Family Town was designed to send an alert whenever it moved out of range. Zhang Yi opened his phone, watching the signal slowly drift farther away, and his eyes narrowed slightly.

    ¡°As expected, what¡¯s meant to happen will happen.¡±

    He had intentionally instructed Hua Hua to leave the satellite phone in the students¡¯ quarters. It was a strategy that killed two birds with one stone.

    First, it allowed external forces to deal with those troublesome students for him.

    Second, with Yang Xinxin¡¯s help, he had tampered with the satellite phone to monitor its location in real time.

    This way, as soon as someone took the phone, Zhang Yi could pinpoint the location of their base of operations.

    Standing by the window, Zhang Yi gazed toward Xu Family Town through the wind and snow, a sharp glint shing in his eyes.¡°How will things unfold from here?¡±

    ¡°I must admit, I¡¯m starting to look forward to it.¡±

    He had already killed Superhumans from both the Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases¡ªthere was no way they would let it slide.

    A confrontation with the two bases was inevitable.

    It would either end in negotiation or war!

    Everything hinged on strength.

    Zhang Yi was fully confident in the shelter¡¯s defensive capabilities and didn¡¯t fear abined assault from the two bases. Still, achieving peace through strength would be preferable to him.

    With that in mind, Zhang Yi left his room and headed for the control center to find Yang Xinxin.

    Yang Xinxin spent most of her time in the control center, safeguarding the shelter¡¯swork against external intrusions that could steal vital data.

    In this post-apocalyptic world, everyone was a hunter armed with weapons, preying on one another in the darkness. The rtionship between predator and prey was fluid, but intelligence was the ultimate factor that determined the power gap between two sides¡ªfar more so than armed forces.

    More than once, Zhang Yi had turned the tables with information, as demonstrated by his victory over West Hill Base.

    When he arrived at the control center, he found Yang Xinxin dressed in ck Lolita attire, seated in her wheelchair. She was munching on potato chips while watching a ssic film disyed on the screen.

    At the sound of the door opening, Yang Xinxin quickly shut the video. She knew it must be Zhang Yi since the control center could only be essed by the two of them¡ªand Zhang Yi¡¯s clearance level was higher than hers.

    ¡°Brother Zhang Yi, you¡¯re here!¡± Yang Xinxin greeted him sweetly.

    Zhang Yi smiled, walked over, and gently ruffled her soft hair.

    ¡°Watching movies all alone¡ªdoesn¡¯t it get boring?¡±

    ¡°Not really! I¡¯m just passing the time, not cking off,¡± Yang Xinxin replied, her expression the picture of innocence.

    If Zhang Yi didn¡¯t know her better, he might have thought she was just a na?ve and sweet young girl.

    Sitting down next to her, Zhang Yi asked with a grin, ¡°How¡¯s the analysising along on the satellite phone data I gave you a few days ago? Any important intel?¡± ?

    Data analysis was a time-consuming process, as AI wasn¡¯t yet capable of discerning what information was relevant to Zhang Yi.

    For instance, a simple photo of a meal could reveal insights about Yangsheng Base¡¯s living standards and overall conditions¡ªsomething only humans could infer.

    As a result, Yang Xinxin manually sifted through the data, even though the vast troves of information from West Hill Base were still far from fully processed.

    ¡°These people are very cautious,¡± Yang Xinxin exined. ¡°And since the satellite phone wasn¡¯t used for long, there isn¡¯t much data.¡±

    ¡°However, based on the chat records, we¡¯ve identified the identity of the person you killed.¡±

    ¡°His name was Gao Yuan. He was the cousin of Xiao Honglian, the leader of Yangsheng Base, and a squad captain under hermand.¡±

    Hearing this, Zhang Yi facepalmed. ¡°What are the odds? I managed to identally kill the cousin of Yangsheng Base¡¯s leader. Looks like there¡¯s no way to resolve this peacefully now.¡±

    Yang Xinxin chuckled lightly. ¡°Just a cousin, not a brother. Who knows how close they were?¡±

    For her part, she had little affection for her own cousins, so she wasn¡¯t convinced this would escte tensions significantly.

    Zhang Yi shrugged. ¡°We can¡¯t really specte on their family dynamics. Let¡¯s just be prepared for the worst.¡±

    Yang Xinxin continued, ¡°Also, from his chat logs, it¡¯s clear that Yangsheng Base and Chaoyu Base are closely connected. The specifics are unclear, but the chats hint at a cooperative rtionship.¡±

    Looking concerned, she warned, ¡°Brother, if that¡¯s the case, we might have to face a joint attack from both bases.¡±

    Zhang Yi took a deep breath and reclined in his chair. His expression was calm as he said, ¡°I¡¯ve considered that. It¡¯s simply the worst-case scenario.¡±

    ¡°But after the drawn-out battle with West Hill Base, I¡¯ve lost my fear of theserge organizations.¡±

    ¡°They all rose to power as rebel groups. Without ess to high-yield weapons like massive missiles, they can¡¯t pose a significant threat to us.¡±N?v(el)B\\jnn

    He narrowed his eyes as he spoke, a sharp glint in his gaze.

    ¡°Honestly, from the bottom of my heart, I¡¯d wee a fight with them!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the only way to make them understand that the territory of West Hill Base is now mine. They have no right to cross the line or disrupt my life!¡±

    ¡°A battle would demonstrate our strength. After that, we¡¯d all be able to live peacefully.¡±

    Zhang Yi today was not the same person as before.

    His team was strong,posed of top-tier talent. With West Hill Base¡¯s arsenal in his hands, he had also constructed an integrated offensive and defensive perimeter.

    Unless he activelyunched an offensive against one of the factions, no one in Tianhai City could threaten him in a defensive battle.

    Yang Xinxin looked at Zhang Yi, who exuded both confidence and caution, her admiration evident in her smile.

    ¡°Oh, right,¡± she said suddenly, ¡°there¡¯s something else in the chat records. It mentions Bai Xue Jiao. It doesn¡¯t have much to do with us, but I thought I¡¯d tell you anyway.¡±

    ¡°Bai Xue Jiao?¡± Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, his distaste for the organization evident.

    Strictly speaking, Zhang Yi respected Daoist traditions of aiding people in chaotic times. To him, most other religions were simply escapist tools for avoiding reality.

    As for Bai Xue Jiao, an odd religious group that originated abroad and had morphed into a new sect exploiting human despair and ignorance, he held no goodwill toward them.

    ¡°Tell me, what about them?¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 376: Interrogation

    Chapter 376: Interrogation

    Yang Xinxin said to Zhang Yi, ¡°Based on Gao Yuan¡¯s conversations with others, it¡¯s clear that their attitude toward Bai Xue Jiao is very negative. I believe the conflict between them is quite sharp.¡±

    Zhang Yi pondered for a moment before asking, ¡°And so? Are you suggesting that if Yangsheng Base attacks us, we should consider recruiting Bai Xue Jiao as an ally?¡±

    Yang Xinxin blinked yfully and smiled. ¡°Who knows? But wouldn¡¯t having one more ally be better than having one more enemy?¡±

    Zhang Yi shook his head.

    ¡°Sometimes, an unclear ally is even more dangerous than an enemy.¡±

    Then, his tone shifted, ¡°That said, if they¡¯re useful, I wouldn¡¯t mind squeezing some value out of them.¡±

    In the apocalypse, friends were rare. Rtionships were often transactional¡ªthose with value could be allies, but when interests shed, alliances could turn to enmity in an instant.

    What Zhang Yi didn¡¯t know yet was that a team from Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s headquarters was already en route to Cloud Manor.Dong Hu, with Wu Chengyu and the other captives, departed Xu Family Town, traveling through the night to return to Yangsheng Base.

    With these captives in hand, Dong Hu was ready to report back to Xiao Honglian.

    Meanwhile, Wu Chengyu and the others were on edge. Facing these strangers of unknown origin, they were deeply afraid for their lives.

    ¡°If only we¡¯d listened to Teacher Liang¡¯s advice and stayed hidden, this wouldn¡¯t have happened.¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi may be selfish and cold, but at least he wouldn¡¯t kill us. He even gave us food for Teacher Liang¡¯s sake.¡±

    ¡°No, no! This is all Teacher Liang¡¯s fault. If she hadn¡¯t left us in Xu Family Town, we wouldn¡¯t have ended up like this!¡±

    ¡°If she¡¯d stayed to protect us, we might have had time to escape!¡±

    Despair, resentment, and regret swirled in the students¡¯ minds.

    The Yangsheng Base soldiers guarding them, however, were utterly indifferent to their thoughts. The captives were now in their hands, and they had countless ways to extract the information they needed.

    When Dong Hu¡¯s convoy returned to Yangsheng Base, it waste at night. Still, Dong Hu went straight to see Xiao Honglian.

    He knew her sleeping schedule was short¡ªbarely five hours a day.

    Sure enough, when he reached her office, Xiao Honglian was still reviewing reports submitted by her subordinates.

    After Dong Hu knocked and entered, she didn¡¯t even look up. ¡°What¡¯s the result of the investigation?¡±

    Dong Hu immediately recounted everything he had observed.

    ¡°We found Gao Yuan¡¯s missing phone in Xu Family Town and captured a group of students. They im to be from Tianqing Academy, and their teacher is said to be close to Zhang Yi.¡± ?

    ¡°As for Zhang Yi himself, I didn¡¯t see him. However, across the river in Cloud Manor, I spotted a heavily fortified ice wall. If I¡¯m not mistaken, Zhang Yi and his people live behind that wall, which is likely how they withstood West Hill Base¡¯s attack.¡±

    Dong Hu shared his deductions.

    Xiao Honglian frowned slightly, setting down the report in her hands. Her deep, thoughtful eyes fixed on Dong Hu.

    ¡°Where are the students?¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re outside. Do you want to interrogate them yourself?¡±

    Xiao Honglian stood up from her chair. ¡°Let¡¯s go. I want to see them.¡±

    This was a critical matter. The oue of the interrogation would determine whether Xiao Honglian decided tounch an attack on Zhang Yi. She needed to hear the students¡¯ testimonies firsthand.

    Wu Chengyu and the other students had been thrown into a workshop at the refinery.

    The machines around them roared noisily, and the temperature was noticeably higher than outside, alleviating some of their physical difort. However, the warmth did nothing to soothe their fear.

    Armed soldiers surrounded them, their expressions cold and unyielding.

    The oppressive atmosphere was no better than their days pedaling bikes at West Hill Base. No one dared to speak, kneeling on the cold floor until their legs felt numb.

    After a long time, the sound of measured footsteps echoed from outside the workshop.

    The door opened, and Wu Chengyu and the others were greeted by the sight of a cold, domineering woman.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    She wore a red, specially designedbat uniform that stood out distinctly from the others. On her shoulders were three ming emblems, marking her as someone of extraordinary rank.

    On either side of her stood Zhuge Qingtian and Dong Hu.

    When Wu Chengyu saw Dong Hu standing deferentially behind this woman, he immediately understood her identity.

    Xiao Honglian entered the workshop and nced at the captives. The girls were pale with fright, their souls seemingly scared out of their bodies. The boys, with their fair skin and timid demeanor, looked equally incapable of putting up any fight.

    It was clear at a nce that they were pampered students from an ivory tower, the type who should have been among the first to die in the apocalypse without protection.

    Dong Hu said to Xiao Honglian, ¡°One of them is unconscious. He seems to have ties to West Hill Base, as I found signs of their human modification technology on him.¡±

    This piqued Xiao Honglian¡¯s interest.

    West Hill Base¡¯s human modification technology was something even she envied. While the fatality rate was high, it could create semi-Superhuman squads that significantly enhancedbat strength. This was far superior to their reliance on drugs for temporary power boosts.

    ¡°Keep that one alive for further study,¡± Xiao Honglian said nonchntly.

    A soldier brought over a chair and respectfully ced it behind her.

    Xiao Honglian sat down confidently, crossed her legs, and looked down at the kneeling students. Her amber eyes glinted with a cold red hue, exuding amanding aura.

    Her fiery red lips parted to deliver an icy statement.

    ¡°Tell me everything you know. Otherwise, you won¡¯t want to experience the interrogation methods of Yangsheng Base.¡±

    Wu Chengyu, ever quick-witted, immediately knelt and bowed his head to the ground.

    ¡°Rest assured, I¡¯ll tell you everything I know! Just spare my life!¡±

    The other students quickly followed suit, realizing that they needed to demonstrate their value to survive.

    ¡°I¡¯ll tell you everything! Please don¡¯t kill me!¡±

    ¡°Who do you want to know about? Zhang Yi? Teacher Liang Yue? I can give you all the information!¡±

    Overwhelmed by fear, the students didn¡¯t even wait for Xiao Honglian to ask questions. They began spilling everything they knew, speaking over one another in their desperation.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 377: Would Someone Really Be a Saint?

    Chapter 377: Would Someone Really Be a Saint?

    Xiao Honglian looked at the captives¡¯ pitiful expressions, her heart filling with disdain.

    She understood that such useless, cowardly individuals could never have ess to Zhang Yi¡¯s core intelligence. However, given how little she already knew about Zhang Yi, any scraps of information they could provide were still worth extracting.

    ¡°First, tell me: where did you get this satellite phone?¡±

    She held up Gao Yuan¡¯s satellite phone as a signal for them to exin.

    But the students had no idea where it hade from. If Dong Hu hadn¡¯t dug it out from under their beds, they wouldn¡¯t have even known it existed.

    ¡°We don¡¯t know anything about it!¡±N?v(el)B\\jnn

    ¡°We¡¯ve never seen it before!¡±

    A trace of irritation shed in Xiao Honglian¡¯s eyes.Sensing danger, Wu Chengyu¡¯s mind raced before he quickly came up with an idea.

    ¡°This... this was left behind by Zhang Yi!¡±

    When in doubt, me Zhang Yi and Liang Yue¡ªthat was his n. As powerless students, they figured it was only natural for stronger people to bear the responsibility. Zhang Yi and Liang Yue had brought them to Xu Family Town; they should be responsible for their safety.

    ¡°Zhang Yi? So it really is him,¡± Xiao Honglian muttered, her gaze turning cold and murderous.

    Killing Gao Yuan was tantamount to dering war on her and Yangsheng Base.

    As the leader of Yangsheng Base, she could not let Zhang Yi go unpunished. Failing to take action would undermine her authority in the base.

    ¡°Tell me, how many people does Zhang Yi have, and what are their abilities? How much weaponry and resources do they possess?¡±

    Her piercing gaze locked onto Wu Chengyu as she demanded answers to the critical questions.

    This line of questioning left Wu Chengyu and the others frozen.

    Although they had lived in Xu Family Town for a while, they had never set foot across the river where Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter was located. The two groups lived entirely separate lives.

    They knew nothing about Zhang Yi¡¯s strength, abilities, or the capabilities of his followers.

    Even though they had interacted with Liang Yue, they had focused solely on gaining her sympathy to secure more food¡ªor, better yet, gain entry to the shelter. They had never bothered to ask about Zhang Yi or his team.

    And even if they had, it wasn¡¯t certain Liang Yue would have told them anything.

    Now, stumbling over their words, the students ryed what little they knew, piecing together fragments of information.

    ¡°I think I¡¯ve heard that Zhang Yi¡¯s ability is spatial¡­¡±

    ¡°His followers are really strong. One of them, Yang Xinxin, is a top-tier hacker!¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s also someone named Lu Keran, who¡¯s great with machinery.¡±

    ¡°Oh! And there¡¯s Yang Siyah, the celebrity. She¡¯s with him too!¡±

    ¡°Our teacher, Liang Yue, is also by his side. She¡¯s incredible¡ªshe¡¯s a national-level martial artist who once served as a high-level bodyguard!¡±

    Their fragmented statements painted a scattered picture.

    Xiao Honglian instructed Zhuge Qingtian to record all the information.

    Despite the volume of details, most of it was useless. For instance, while they mentioned Zhang Yi was a spatial Superhuman, they couldn¡¯t borate on what that entailed.

    As for Liang Yue, her ability was of themon enhancement type¡ªusing Superhuman energy to strengthen her already impressive physique and martial arts skills. This information was somewhat useful for nning futurebat strategies against her.

    However, regarding the shelter¡¯s defenses and the abilities of Zhang Yi¡¯s other followers, the students werepletely clueless.

    ¡°With just this information, it¡¯s difficult to gauge the true strength of Zhang Yi¡¯s team,¡± Zhuge Qingtian remarked, shaking his head.

    Xiao Honglian drummed her long, pale fingers on the edge of her chair.

    She understood this as well. The limited intelligence she had wasn¡¯t enough to justifyunching a war.

    Yet this was a battle she could not avoid.

    ¡°Do you have any other information? Think carefully. If this is all you can provide, it won¡¯t be enough to save your lives,¡± she said calmly.

    The students felt a dizzying wave of despair. Were they really going to die here?

    ¡°No! We have other uses! Don¡¯t kill us!¡±

    ¡°Keep us alive! Teacher Liang has a soft heart. You can use us to negotiate with her! No matter what demands you make, she¡¯ll agree!¡±

    ¡°Yeah, Teacher Liang cares about us deeply. She won¡¯t just watch us die!¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re nning to attack Zhang Yi, we can guide you to his location!¡±

    Hearing this, Xiao Honglian¡¯s lips curled into a mocking smile.

    She stood up, clearly uninterested, and waved her hand.

    ¡°Lock them up. Give them some time to think about what value they have. If they can¡¯te up with anything, we¡¯ll use them as sacrificial pawns when we go to war.¡±

    Her refinery needed capable workers, not these frail, pitiful students who would only waste resources.

    Zhuge Qingtian approached her and said, ¡°Perhaps we could try something.¡±

    ¡°Try what?¡± Xiao Honglian asked indifferently.

    ¡°These students are Liang Yue¡¯s pupils, and Liang Yue is currently working for Zhang Yi. Their bond might still be strong!¡± Zhuge Qingtian exined.

    ¡°We don¡¯t know Zhang Yi¡¯s true strength. Using these students as leverage, we could feign a negotiation with him. That way, we might uncover some of his hidden cards.¡±

    Xiao Honglian raised an eyebrow at him in surprise.

    ¡°You think threatening Zhang Yi or Liang Yue with these useless students would work?¡± she asked with a derisive smile.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be foolish. This is the apocalypse. Everyone is fighting tooth and nail for their own survival. Only those with value deserve to be ransomed. These kids are worthless¡ªwhy would anyone pay for them?¡±

    ¡°Even their teacher, Liang Yue, wouldn¡¯t be so foolish.¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian chuckled softly.

    ¡°My great leader, not every woman in this world is as rational as you.¡±

    ¡°Perhaps their teacher Liang Yue is a soft-hearted woman. And judging by the fact that they¡¯ve been allowed to live near Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter, it seems she still cares for them.¡±

    After hearing Zhuge Qingtian¡¯s reasoning, Xiao Honglian found herself somewhat persuaded.

    She couldn¡¯t measure others by her own standards; after all, strong, rational women like her were rare.

    ¡°You¡¯re suggesting their teacher Liang Yue might be some kind of saint?¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian smiled. ¡°Let¡¯s hope she is. If she is, then we¡¯ll have an opportunity.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 378: I, Zhang Yi, Will Never Abandon Them!

    Chapter 378: I, Zhang Yi, Will Never Abandon Them!

    Xiao Honglian, after hearing Zhuge Qingtian''s suggestion, decided to reach out to Zhang Yi to test the waters.

    Still, she doubted that Zhang Yi or Liang Yue would act like saints. People like that wouldn¡¯t have survived this long in the apocalypse.

    However, the prospect of probing Zhang Yi¡¯s strength intrigued her.

    ¡°If they truly care about these people, all the better. That will put the advantage squarely in our hands during negotiations,¡± she remarked.

    She instructed Zhuge Qingtian to find a way to contact Zhang Yi.

    By this time, Zhang Yi and his people no longer used their old phone numbers. Each of their phones had been converted into encryptedmunication devices, making internalmunication easy and secure from eavesdropping.

    As a bonus, they no longer had to pay phone bills¡ªa darkly humorous benefit in these dire times.

    With no direct means to contact the shelter, Zhuge Qingtian suggested sending someone to deliver a message to Zhang Yi and leave amunication frequency for him to respond. Xiao Honglian agreed, showing no urgency for revenge.She already knew Zhang Yi¡¯s location and had captured Liang Yue¡¯s students. It was vital to gather sufficient intelligence on her enemy¡¯s strength before acting; otherwise, it could backfire.

    Zhuge Qingtian dispatched members of Dong Hu¡¯s investigation team to deliver the message, while Wu Chengyu and the other students were locked in the underground prison.

    Each of them wore a modified explosive cor. Whether they tried to escape or were rescued, Yangsheng Base could detonate the cors remotely, blowing their heads off.

    After warning the prisoners, the grim-faced guards left the cell.

    The group of students huddled together, staring at the deathtrap cors around their necks, their faces full of despair.

    Even crying was impossible¡ªtheir tears frozen in the relentless cold.

    ¡°Teacher Liang, you have toe save us!¡±

    The next day, under a sky shrouded in heavy clouds, the sunlight was little more than a cold, circr shadow. Even on rare clear days, its light was unable to bring warmth to the.

    Zhang Yi and his group gathered at the long table and finished breakfast.

    Standing up, Liang Yue said, ¡°Zhang Yi, I¡¯m heading across the river.¡±

    Zhang Yi nced up at her. ¡°Oh, sure. Be quick. It¡¯s cold out; don¡¯t let yourself freeze.¡±

    His gentle concern made Liang Yue bite her lip, her face tinged with a faint blush.

    She avoided looking at Yang Siyah and Zhou Ke¡¯er, knowing full well their gazes were likely tinged with jealousy.

    Recently, her rtionship with Zhang Yi had grown noticeably closer. Though Zhang Yi had never said anything affectionate, his asional acts of care spoke volumes. Their training sessions involved increasing physical contact, and over time, she found herself unsure of her feelings for him¡ªor how Zhang Yi viewed her. ?

    epting the food Zhang Yi handed her, Liang Yue put on her winter gear and left the shelter.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t watch her leave, calmly spearing a takoyaki ball with his fork and chewing it slowly.

    ¡°What will Liang Yue do when she finds her students missing?¡± he wondered.

    On one hand, he hoped she would simply abandon them and focus on being his obedient ally.

    But knowing her, Zhang Yi doubted she would stay indifferent to their disappearance. She might even act impulsively.

    ¡°I just hope she doesn¡¯t cause too much trouble. Otherwise, I¡¯ll have no choice but to ask her to leave the shelter,¡± he thought.

    This was a test¡ªa test for Liang Yue.

    Liang Yue, carrying food, arrived at Xu Family Town as usual.

    She entered the students¡¯ snow house, but the moment she lifted the curtain, she found itpletely empty.

    Her heart skipped a beat, a sense of foreboding gripping her instantly.

    She knew her students well. Lazy as they were, they barely ventured outside except to fish. They even handled restroom needs behind the curtain, paying no mind to propriety in such bitter cold.

    But now, not a single person was there. Something was definitely wrong.

    ¡°Where did they all go?¡±

    Swallowing nervously, Liang Yue felt an intense wave of anxiety. She hadn¡¯t seen them crossing the river on her way over, so they couldn¡¯t be out fishing.

    Setting the food on the table, she immediately began searching for them.

    Xu Family Town was eerily silent, its few remaining vigers rarely leaving their homes except to scavenge for food.

    Undeterred, Liang Yue went door to door, asking if anyone had seen her students.

    But her efforts yielded nothing.

    As her dread deepened, an ominous feeling enveloped her. Her students had vanished¡ªdisappeared into thin air!

    In the current environment, leaving Xu Family Town was a death sentence.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    ¡°Were they kidnapped?¡±

    Recalling Zhang Yi¡¯s mentions of nearby factions, Liang Yue¡¯s mind raced to the worst-case scenario.

    ¡°Could a major faction have taken them?¡±

    ¡°But why? Xu Family Town is too impoverished to attract attention.¡±

    ¡°Could it be the people themselves? Yet no other vigers were taken...¡±

    Her head throbbed with confusion, worry growing more suffocating by the second.

    Despite her disappointment in the students, they had been herpanions throughout the apocalypse. Even if they didn¡¯t appreciate her, she couldn¡¯t ignore her bond with them.

    People often hold onto certain obsessions¡ªand for Liang Yue, it was the duty to protect the students she had taught for years. She couldn¡¯t stand by and watch them perish.

    Staring at the frozen, lifeless expanse around her, with icy winds howling through the air, Liang Yue felt utterly lost. She had no clues, no way to track her students.

    ¡°There¡¯s no choice. I have to ask Zhang Yi for help.¡±

    A conflicted look crossed her face.

    She didn¡¯t want to trouble Zhang Yi. After all, his decision to shelter her was already an act of immense generosity, and he had always treated her kindly.

    Perhaps, deep down, she harbored feelings for him.

    But now, she had no other way to find her missing students.

    ¡°Their disappearance isn¡¯t random. If someone targeted them, the true goal is likely me.¡±

    Exhaling deeply, her breath condensed into a sharp, arrow-like plume that lingered in the air.

    ¡°I won¡¯t let them die because of me!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 379: A Burst of Acting

    Chapter 379: A Burst of Acting

    Liang Yue rushed back to the shelter, her anxious demeanor catching everyone¡¯s attention.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Zhang Yi asked, looking at her with curiosity.

    Breathing heavily, Liang Yue eximed, ¡°Zhang Yi, something terrible has happened! My students¡­ they¡¯ve all disappeared!¡±

    Her words startled everyone present.

    ¡°What? They disappeared?¡±

    ¡°All of them? How could that happen?¡±

    ¡°Maybe they went out to gather firewood or food?¡±

    Though their faces showed concern, their eyes betrayed indifference. In the entire shelter, only Liang Yue truly cared about the students. The rest of the group had no fondness for them.Liang Yue shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ve searched everywhere I could. There¡¯s not a trace of them! Zhang Yi, I suspect one of the surrounding factions might have extended their reach here.¡±

    Zhang Yi crossed his hands and frowned deeply.

    ¡°That¡¯s certainly possible. But I don¡¯t understand¡ªwhy would they kidnap your students?¡±

    ¡°Do you have any enemies from your past?¡±

    Liang Yue looked confused and helpless.

    ¡°I¡­ I don¡¯t know. I taught at Tianqing Academy for three years and never had any conflicts with anyone.¡±

    Zhang Yi reassured her, ¡°Don¡¯t panic. Getting worked up won¡¯t help. We need to think this through calmly.¡±

    He gave a subtle signal to Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran. The two girls walked over to Liang Yue, gently guiding her to the sofa and offering her words offort.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Looking into her eyes seriously, Zhang Yi said, ¡°Liang Yue, I need to make something clear. I had nothing to do with their disappearance! If you don¡¯t believe me, I can show you the shelter¡¯s surveince footage.¡±

    ¡°I was here in the shelter all day yesterday¡ªI never left.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s eyes widened in rm as she quickly responded, ¡°No, no! Zhang Yi, I would never suspect you of doing such a thing!¡±

    To her, Zhang Yi had be a kind and gentle man. The idea of him harming her students never crossed her mind.

    Zhang Yi shook his head. ¡°It¡¯s better to be clear about these things, so there are no doubts among us. Since your students disappeared, everyone in the shelter is a suspect.¡±

    Yang Xinxin chimed in, ¡°Exactly. None of us would ever do such a thing, but it¡¯s good to put everyone¡¯s mind at ease.¡±

    Liang Yue felt embarrassed. ¡°This¡­ this feels unnecessary. I know Zhang Yi isn¡¯t that kind of person.¡±

    Though her words expressed confidence, a tiny seed of doubt lingered in her heart. After all, not everyone possessed the ability to make people vanish without a trace. ?

    ¡°No harm in checking,¡± Zhang Yi said calmly. ¡°We¡¯ll also review the surrounding footage to ensure no strangers appeared nearby.¡±

    Summoning the shelter¡¯s AI, Xiao Ai, Zhang Yi instructed it to pull up surveince footage from the past day.

    Soon, the 100-inch wall screen in the living room disyed recordings from over a hundred cameras, fast-forwarded at high speed.

    It didn¡¯t take long for the group to review all the footage.

    The shelter¡¯s surroundings had remained as quiet as usual, with no signs of anyone entering or leaving.

    This eliminated everyone in the shelter as suspects¡ªthe students¡¯ disappearance wasn¡¯t an inside job.

    Liang Yue exhaled in relief. The oue she had feared most had note to pass.

    Zhang Yi leaned forward, resting his hands under his chin. His expression grew serious.

    ¡°Thisplicates things. We don¡¯t know who took them or why.¡±

    ¡°This puts us in apletely passive position. While the known factions in Tianhai City are possibilities, we can¡¯t rule out other unknown groups.¡±

    ¡°The only option we have is to wait. If the captors took Liang Yue¡¯s students, they¡¯re bound to make a move eventually.¡±

    Liang Yue clenched her fists tightly.

    ¡°But why me? What would anyone want from me? I can¡¯t think of anyone I¡¯ve wronged!¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled softly. ¡°It¡¯s aplex question, but since they took your students, it¡¯s likely about you.¡±

    ¡°Of course, this is just a theory.¡±

    Liang Yue furrowed her brows deeply. She desperately wanted to take action but found herself paralyzed by uncertainty. She didn¡¯t know who the enemy was or what they wanted, leaving her powerless.

    At that moment, Zhang Yi¡¯s warm hand grasped her cold one.

    Startled, Liang Yue looked up to meet his gentle gaze.

    ¡°Liang Yue, don¡¯t worry. Your problems are my problems,¡± Zhang Yi said sincerely.

    ¡°I promised to help you take care of those students, and I won¡¯t go back on my word.¡±

    ¡°If there¡¯s any news, I¡¯ll act immediately!¡±

    A warmth spread through Liang Yue¡¯s heart. Feeling lost and overwhelmed, she could only rely on Zhang Yi¡¯s guidance.

    Zhang Yi, meanwhile, smiled to himself. Internally, he was ecstatic¡ªfinally rid of those troublesome students.

    It wouldn¡¯t be long before they were dead. Whether the people from Yangsheng Base killed them or the poison Zhang Yi had been slipping into their food did the job, their fate was sealed.

    Most importantly, Liang Yue would remain unaware of his involvement, ensuring their rtionship stayed intact.

    The groupforted Liang Yue, lifting her spirits slightly, though she still struggled to fully rx. Zhang Yi instructed Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin to escort her back to her room to rest.

    Once they were gone, Zhou Ke¡¯er approached Zhang Yi, leaning against him with a worried expression.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, could it be one of the nearby factions nning to attack us?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Mm, that¡¯s likely,¡± Zhang Yi replied without hesitation.

    He hadn¡¯t told anyone about killing Gao Yuan and his group, but he knew a conflict with the major factions was inevitable.

    They would need to fight to prove their strength and deter anyone coveting the West Hill Base¡¯s territory. It was unavoidable.

    Yang Siyah sighed. ¡°We¡¯ve barely had a few days of peace, and now it¡¯s back to fighting again?¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled lightly.

    ¡°You¡¯ve got it wrong,¡± he said.

    ¡°War isn¡¯t disrupting our peace. It¡¯s what gives us temporary tranquility.¡±

    ¡°In the apocalypse, war and violence are the norm¡ªpeace is the exception.¡±

    Leaning back on the sofa, Zhang Yi began strategizing how to handle the impending conflict.

    ¡°If it¡¯s just two factions attacking simultaneously, we should be able to hold them off,¡± he mused.

    ¡°But if they team up with others, things might get a bit tricky.¡±

    His brow furrowed slightly. ¡°If that happens, it could be a real problem.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 380: The Messenger

    Chapter 380: The Messenger

    Zhang Yi was already preparing for war.

    This battle would be his chance to establish his name in Tianhai City, deterring any faction from daring to provoke him again. Only through this show of strength could he achievesting peace.

    Liang Yue, though consumed by anxiety, was, after all, an emotional woman. Zhang Yi believed that with enoughforting words, she¡¯d calm down soon enough¡ªespecially since her students wouldn¡¯tst much longer.

    Once they were gone, Liang Yue¡¯s obsession would vanish, and the matter would be resolved once and for all.

    Throughout the day, Liang Yue couldn¡¯t bring herself to eat anything.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er expressed concern: ¡°If she keeps this up, won¡¯t she ruin her health?¡±

    ¡°She¡¯ll be fine,¡± Zhang Yi replied indifferently. ¡°She¡¯s strong enough to go three days without food. If she wants to use self-inflicted suffering as a way to seek sce, let her be.¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er couldn¡¯t help but smirk. ¡°Don¡¯t you feel sorry for her?¡±¡°Sorry? What¡¯s there to feel sorry about?¡± Zhang Yi countered with a smile.

    ¡°Do you have any feelings for Liang Yue? Or have you ever been tempted by her?¡± Zhou Ke¡¯er teased, blinking yfully.

    Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°I admire her. If she can prove herself to be a reliable ally, that would be ideal. But first, she has to get through this ordeal.¡±

    For Zhang Yi, emotions were merely a seasoning in life. While they could add vor, they weren¡¯t essential¡ªhe could live just fine on the basics alone.

    Since his rebirth and his extended time in the apocalypse, Zhang Yi had grown increasingly indifferent to love and rtionships.

    In this world, thinking of oneself first was the key to happiness.

    While Zhang Yi was willing to support Liang Yue in practical ways, he refused to let emotions dictate his actions. Once entangled by emotions, a person became soft and hesitant¡ªsomething he couldn¡¯t afford.

    Liang Yue could be a friend, but never a lover.

    That afternoon, Zhang Yi summoned Uncle You and Fatty Xu to prepare them for potentialbat.

    ¡°Yangsheng Base¡¯s forces have already encroached near the shelter¡¯s perimeter,¡± Zhang Yi exined. ¡°They¡¯ve located Xu Family Town, and they¡¯re bound to find the shelter soon.¡±

    ¡°The only reason they haven¡¯t attacked yet is because they¡¯re not ready.¡±

    Uncle You remainedposed. ¡°Ever since we killed those Superhumans from Chaoyu Base, I knew this fight was inevitable.¡±

    Fatty Xu, on the other hand, sighed heavily. ¡°What a pain! Can¡¯t these people just live peacefully in the apocalypse? Why fight over territory?¡±

    Zhang Yi replied calmly, ¡°Ambition exists in every era. Once survival is no longer an issue, some people¡¯s desires inevitably grow. Not everyone is as content as we are.¡±

    ¡°From their perspective, eliminating nearby threats ensures absolute safety. I¡¯d do the same if I found a nearby armed faction¡ªwipe them out.¡±

    He smiled, attempting to reassure Fatty Xu. ¡°But don¡¯t worry. Everything is under control. Once they see our strength and realize we¡¯re not easy prey, they¡¯ll back off.¡±

    Zhang Yi harbored no deep grudges against the factions in Tianhai City. While he had killed a Superhuman and some soldiers, such incidents could be resolved if his power was respected.

    Althoughunching an offensive on their base would be difficult, Zhang Yi was confident in his ability to defend the shelter.

    Uncle Youughed heartily. ¡°Then let¡¯s fight! Every good day we¡¯ve had here was won with our fists. If they want to mess with us, we¡¯ll teach them a lesson!¡±

    Fatty Xu sighed again, resting his chubby face in his hand. ¡°Well, if it¡¯se to this, we might as well fight.¡±

    Though they grumbled, neither was new tobat. With the shelter¡¯s robust defenses, they weren¡¯t overly concerned.

    Suddenly, the faint sound of an engine reached their ears.

    The three men immediately sharpened their focus.

    ¡°Someone¡¯sing!¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s a vehicle!¡±

    Zhang Yi sprang up from the sofa and dashed to the second-floor window.

    Peering through the one-way ss, he spotted a modified snow vehicle a few hundred meters from Cloud Manor. Its design looked strikingly simr to those used by Yangsheng Base.

    ¡°Yangsheng Base? Why only one vehicle? Could it be a scout¡ªor a messenger?¡± Zhang Yi wondered aloud.

    Grabbing a sniper rifle from his spatial storage, he aimed it at the approaching vehicle.

    The snow vehicle sped toward the manor without hesitation. As it passed the front, someone leaned out of a window and fired a ck arrow into the ice wall. Then, the vehicle elerated away.

    ¡°You¡¯re not leaving so easily,¡± Zhang Yi muttered, a cold smile curling his lips.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    He opened the window, set up his sniper rifle, and aimed at the vehicle¡¯s tracks.

    <em>Bang!</em>

    With a single shot, the snow vehicle¡¯s tracks shattered, sending it skidding uncontrobly before toppling over and sliding toward the frozen river.

    Zhang Yi leapt from the window, the snowpacted beneath him barely shifting as his spatial energy cushioned thending. His mastery of his powers had grown significantly over time.

    Behind him, Uncle You and Hua Hua followed closely.

    Riding on Hua Hua¡¯s back, Zhang Yi and Uncle You reached the immobilized vehicle in a few swift bounds.

    They found two soldiers in me-emzonedbat uniforms crawling out of the wreckage.

    One soldier¡¯s leg was crushed, and the other, trying to help him, hesitated when he saw Zhang Yi approaching. Dropping hisrade, the uninjured soldier turned to flee.

    Zhang Yi calmly raised his rifle and shot him in the leg.

    <em>Thud!</em>

    The soldier screamed and copsed into the snow.

    The other soldier tried to draw his weapon, but Uncle You quickly restrained him, pinning him by the neck.

    ¡°Doesn¡¯t look like they¡¯re Superhumans,¡± Zhang Yi observed, noting that both were regr soldiers.

    He tied them up, intending to interrogate them. Capturing a few tongues was always a chance to glean valuable intel.

    However, the soldiers gritted their teeth and, before Zhang Yi could act, their faces turned purple. ck blood seeped from their lips as they slumped lifelessly to the ground.

    ¡°Suicide?¡± Zhang Yi frowned.

    Uncle You knelt to inspect their jaws. ¡°Poison capsules hidden in their teeth. It¡¯s standard for scouts to carry these to prevent capture and interrogation.¡±

    ¡°Smart,¡± Zhang Yi muttered, exhaling in frustration. ¡°Even if I¡¯d promised to spare them, they wouldn¡¯t have believed me.¡±

    While Zhang Yi had hoped to gather intel before executing them, these soldiers clearly hadn¡¯t entertained any illusions about survival.

    ¡°Still, now I have no idea what they were here for,¡± he said, disappointed.

    Just then, Fatty Xu came running over, panting heavily.

    ¡°Boss! They left something!¡± he called, holding up a ck arrow with a piece of white cloth tied to it.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes narrowed as he barked, ¡°Stop! Don¡¯t move!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 381: Negotiation

    Chapter 381: Negotiation

    Fatty Xu froze at Zhang Yi¡¯s sharp warning, standing stiffly in ce as fear overtook him.

    Looking at the crossbow bolt in his hand, he suddenly realized what Zhang Yi was implying. His face turned pale.

    In his eagerness to show off and earn praise, he had forgotten that the bolt might be coated with poison¡ªor even rigged with a micro-bomb.

    In this ruthless era, enemies didn¡¯t adhere to any moral code. If they wanted you dead, they¡¯d use any means necessary.

    ¡°Slowly, put the bolt down,¡± Zhang Yi cautioned.

    With trembling hands, Fatty Xu crouched and carefully ced the bolt on the icy ground.

    ¡°Step back!¡±

    Zhang Yi gestured, and Fatty Xu obediently retreated. Zhang Yi then used his spatial ability to iste and store the crossbow bolt in his pocket dimension.Inside the spatial storage, Zhang Yi separated the bolt into its own securepartment. Even if it contained a bomb, it could safely detonate there without harm.

    Examining the bolt within his spatial space, Zhang Yi found no explosives but did discover a handwritten note.

    ¡°A deration of war? Or a negotiation?¡± Zhang Yi wondered aloud, remaining cautious.

    He nced at Fatty Xu. ¡°Toss those gloves and get a new pair. Just in case.¡±

    Fatty Xu understood immediately, hurriedly removing his gloves and flinging them away like they were venomous.

    Back inside the shelter, Zhang Yi called Zhou Ke¡¯er to the medical room and handed her the crossbow bolt and the attached note.

    ¡°Check if there¡¯s any poison on these,¡± he instructed gravely.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er looked at him with a hint of skepticism. ¡°If they came to deliver a message, they wouldn¡¯t poison it, would they?¡±

    ¡°Better safe than sorry. The moment you rx is the moment the enemy strikes,¡± Zhang Yi replied evenly.

    Uncle You nodded in agreement. ¡°On the battlefield, a single careless mistake can cost your life. We¡¯ve learned that the hard way.¡±

    Though Zhou Ke¡¯er understood their reasoning, she couldn¡¯t help but think they were being overly cautious. Nheless, she donned gloves and professionally inspected the bolt and cloth. ?

    When she applied a test reagent, the cloth and bolt changed color almost immediately.

    Her face darkened. ¡°There¡¯s poison on this!¡±

    Fatty Xu turned ghostly pale, his knees nearly giving out as he recalled how carelessly he¡¯d handled the bolt. If not for the gloves, he might already be dead.

    Zhang Yi, however, remainedposed.

    ¡°Never underestimate the enemy. They¡¯re always looking for ways to kill us,¡± he exined. ¡°I guessed as much because, if I were in their ce, I¡¯d do the same. Every enemy eliminated is one less to worry about.¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er ced the poisoned items under a ss cover. ¡°There¡¯s writing on the cloth. Do you want to take a look?¡±

    Zhang Yi approached cautiously and examined the cloth. To his surprise, it wasn¡¯t a war deration but a string of coded characters.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± he muttered, puzzled.

    Unfamiliar with the code, Zhang Yi summoned Yang Xinxin, the group¡¯s tech expert. He also called Liang Yue, deciding there was no point in hiding the development from her. Her students¡¯ fate was already sealed, and feigning secrecy would only arouse suspicion.

    Hearing that something from Yangsheng Base had been delivered, Liang Yue rushed over with Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran.

    The moment Yang Xinxin saw the string of characters, her eyes lit up. ¡°It¡¯s an address! If I¡¯m correct, it can be used to contact Yangsheng Base.¡±

    Zhang Yi remained cautious. ¡°Is it safe?¡±

    Yang Xinxin smiled confidently. ¡°Brother, do you think I¡¯d let anything dangerous happen while I¡¯m here?¡±

    Relieved, Zhang Yi nodded approvingly. ¡°That¡¯s my Xinxin¡ªalways the best!¡±

    Yang Xinxin blushed at thepliment, her smile widening.

    Meanwhile, Liang Yue took a deep breath, her nerves evident as she asked, ¡°So, it¡¯s confirmed? Yangsheng Base is behind my students¡¯ abduction?¡±

    ¡°Most likely,¡± Zhang Yi replied. ¡°There are no such things as coincidences in this world.¡±

    Liang Yue clenched her fists. ¡°Then let¡¯s contact them! I want to know what they want.¡±

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t respond immediately. Folding his arms, he lowered his head in thought.

    The fact that Yangsheng Base had initiated contact suggested two possibilities:<ol> <li aria-level="1">They intended to negotiate, leveraging their hostages to extract maximum benefit while holding Zhang Yi ountable for Gao Yuan¡¯s death.</li> <li aria-level="1">They wanted to gauge Zhang Yi¡¯s strength and determine how much of a threat he posed before taking action.</li> </ol>

    Yangsheng Base likely knew Zhang Yi had killed Gao Yuan, but their hesitation to attack suggested uncertainty about his capabilities.

    After careful consideration, Zhang Yi concluded thatmunication was the best option. If they wanted to test him, he could also use the opportunity to assess their stance.

    And for Liang Yue¡¯s sake, he could put on a convincing show of effort to rescue her students.

    Raising his head, Zhang Yi dered, ¡°Alright, let¡¯s talk to them.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s face lit up with hope.

    However, Zhang Yi¡¯s expression turned stern as he warned, ¡°Liang Yue, I need you to understand something. I know you¡¯re desperate to save your students, but this negotiation is no joke¡ªit¡¯s incredibly dangerous.¡±

    ¡°If we show any weakness, they won¡¯t hesitate to attack us. So, you can observe, but don¡¯t let your emotions show. If they sense how much you care about those students, they¡¯ll exploit it to make outrageous demands. Do you understand?¡±

    Liang Yue hesitated for a moment before nodding firmly. ¡°I understand. I promise to control myself.¡±

    ¡°Good.¡± Zhang Yi turned to Yang Xinxin. ¡°Xinxin, set up the connection.¡±

    The negotiation was set to take ce in the living room. Zhang Yi sat at the head of the table, with the others seated nearby, waiting anxiously for the call to connect.

    Using herptop, Yang Xinxin sent themunication request through the encoded address and ced theptop on the coffee table, its camera facing Zhang Yi.

    After several tense minutes, the connection was finally epted.

    ¡°Hello,¡± a deep male voice greeted from the other end.

    Zhang Yi smirked. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Zhang Yi.¡±

    A pause followed. ¡°One moment.¡±

    The line stayed active. Momentster, a cold, clear female voice reced the man¡¯s.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re Zhang Yi? Leader of the groups in Xu Family Town and Cloud Manor?¡±

    Zhang Yi responded coolly, ¡°And who are you?¡±

    The voice chuckled. ¡°I am Xiao Honglian, leader of Yangsheng Base.¡±

    ¡°The people I sent to the Hongyuan Materials nt¡ªdid you kill them?¡±

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t deny it. The discovery of the satellite phone made any denial pointless. Moreover, territorial disputes ensured Yangsheng Base would attack sooner orter, regardless of his answer.

    Instead, he countered, ¡°And the ones who kidnapped those students in Xu Family Town¡ªwas that you?¡±

    ¡°So, you admit it?¡± Xiao Honglian replied icily.

    ¡°Then you admit it as well,¡± Zhang Yi retorted.

    Neither directly answered the other¡¯s question, but their words confirmed the truth.

    On the other end, Xiao Honglian¡¯s eyes glinted with murderous intent. ¡°You¡¯ve got guts, Zhang Yi. No one in Tianhai City dares to provoke Yangsheng Base.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re courting death!¡±

    Zhang Yi smirked disdainfully. ¡°Funny, thest person who said that to me is now ashes.¡±

    ¡°Oh, you might¡¯ve heard of him¡ªChen Xinian.¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s expression darkened. As she suspected, Zhang Yi had been involved in West Hill Base¡¯s downfall.

    ¡°Do you think I¡¯m a fool? West Hill Base was destroyed by a missile. iming it was your doing isughably arrogant.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°And why do you think that missile hit West Hill Base in the first ce?¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s smug demeanor faltered. Zhang Yi¡¯s words struck a nerve¡ªnone of Tianhai City¡¯s factions had ess to higher-level organizations or understood the missile¡¯s origins. Could Zhang Yi have had a hand in it?

    ¡°Just a warehouse manager, huh?¡± Xiao Honglian sneered.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s tone turned icy. ¡°Save your breath. Do you think I¡¯d tell you anything?¡±

    ¡°I suggest you recognize reality and stay far away from me. If I can kill your men once, I can do it again.¡±

    ¡°And those students you took¡ªreturn them immediately. If you don¡¯t, you¡¯ll regret it.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 382: Donâ€™t You Dare Hurt My Beloved Students!

    Chapter 382: Don¡¯t You Dare Hurt My Beloved Students!

    Zhang Yi¡¯s deration infuriated Xiao Honglian.

    As the leader of one of Tianhai City¡¯srgest factions, she had not risen to her position by being timid or weak. Zhang Yi¡¯s threats made her m her hand on the table.

    ¡°Arrogant!¡±

    ¡°Wipe us out? Do you even have that kind of strength?¡±

    ¡°I refuse to believe you have the power tomand missiles. If you did, Tianhai City would already be yours!¡±

    ¡°Do you want me to kill those students and send their corpses back to you?¡±

    Hearing this, Liang Yue¡¯s heart shot to her throat. Her eyes frantically darted toward Zhang Yi, signaling her distress.

    Zhang Yi adopted a grave expression, his voice stern. ¡°Don¡¯t do anything so foolish!¡±n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om¡°Those <em>poor guys</em> mean nothing to us strategically. Killing them won¡¯t weaken us.¡±

    Xiao Honglian sneered. ¡°Your tone suggests otherwise. You seem awfully nervous about their safety. It sounds like I¡¯vended myself a good bargaining chip.¡±

    Zhang Yi frowned deeply, looking troubled¡ªa performance that filled Liang Yue with guilt.

    She knew Zhang Yi was only conflicted because he wanted to help her. He didn¡¯t have to care about the fate of her students at all.

    ¡°Thank you, Zhang Yi. You¡¯re such a good person,¡± she thought to herself.

    ¡°They¡¯re important to my friend,¡± Zhang Yi said. ¡°But they¡¯re useless to you. Let¡¯s talk¡ªwhat will it take for you to release them?¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s smirk grew wider. She was now certain she had Zhang Yi¡¯s weakness in her grasp.

    ¡°Oh, I haven¡¯t decided yet. Let me think.¡±

    She propped her long legs on her mahogany desk, deliberating on her demands.

    Demanding Zhang Yi¡¯s life was out of the question¡ªthat would mean full-scale war, and she wasn¡¯t ready for that. Testing Zhang Yi¡¯s limits, however, was a tantalizing option.

    After a moment, she offered her terms.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, you killed my cousin and his soldiers. Now your people are in my hands. If you want them back, trade me half the supplies you looted from the South China Warehouse.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s all I¡¯m asking¡ªjust half. In return, I¡¯ll release the students, and we¡¯ll consider the matter of my cousin¡¯s death settled. From then on, we¡¯ll stay out of each other¡¯s way. Deal?¡±

    Her eyes gleamed with amusement.

    If Zhang Yi epted, it would reveal his desperation and weakness, signaling that his forces were depleted after the battle with West Hill Base. It would also show hecked the confidence to stand against Yangsheng Base.

    Unsurprisingly, Zhang Yi immediately refused.

    ¡°Not a chance. Don¡¯t even think about it.¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s voice turned icy. ¡°If you won¡¯t agree, then it¡¯s war! Do you think this is some kind of game?¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°And do you think Yangsheng Base is stronger than West Hill Base?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps not,¡± Xiao Honglian retorted. ¡°But you must be in tatters after your fight with them. And let¡¯s not forget¡ªyou¡¯ve also provoked Chaoyu Base. I could ally with them to attack you.¡±

    ¡°Tell me, do you think you stand a chance against two major factionsbined?¡±

    Her tone was arrogant, dripping with disdain. ¡°Half of your supplies is a very fair price. If you wait until things spiral out of control, it¡¯ll be toote for regrets.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s response was calm but cutting.

    ¡°So that¡¯s what you believe? Let me tell you¡ªyou know nothing about our strength.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re eager to die, thene. I¡¯ll crush your forces and shatter your arrogance.¡±

    He softened his tone. ¡°But there¡¯s no need to harm the students. They¡¯re of no value to you. Just return them to me.¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s suspicion only deepened. If the students were truly insignificant, why did Zhang Yi keep bringing them up?

    ¡°Just give them back? That would make me look foolish,¡± she sneered. ¡°Unless you meet my terms, this discussion is over.¡±

    Zhang Yi scowled. ¡°Xiao Honglian! Don¡¯t go too far. Those students are innocent. If you have a problem, take it out on me!¡±

    <em>Kill them already!</em> Zhang Yi silently pleaded. <em>Do you know how exhausting this act is? Stop giving me face and just do it!</em>

    ¡°Oh, so they¡¯re important to you? The more you plead, the less inclined I am to release them,¡± Xiao Honglian taunted.

    ¡°In fact, I¡¯ll make sure they suffer¡ªneither able to live nor die. And it¡¯ll all be because of you, Zhang Yi!¡±

    Certain she had Zhang Yi¡¯s weakness, Xiao Honglian was reveling in her perceived dominance.

    ¡°Sink into your despair and regret!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s voice hardened. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare! Those students are precious to someone I care about. If you torture them, I swear you¡¯ll pay a heavy price!¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s gaze turned frosty. ¡°Are you threatening me? Fine. Wait and see what I¡¯ll do!¡±

    With that, she ended the call.

    Based on her final words, Zhang Yi was confident that Xiao Honglian intended to torment the students.

    Feigning rage, he mmed his hand on the table.

    ¡°This is outrageous! If she has a problem, she shoulde after me¡ªnot those innocent students!¡±

    Standing abruptly, he dered, ¡°We can¡¯t stay on the defensive any longer. We¡¯re going to Yangsheng Base to rescue them!¡±

    Turning to Fatty Xu and Uncle You, he added, ¡°This trip won¡¯t be like the battle at West Hill Base. We don¡¯t have the same advantages of timing, geography, or unity.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t want you involved. This isn¡¯t your fight, and I don¡¯t want you caught in the crossfire.¡±

    His sudden deration of a one-man rescue mission startled the group. Those who knew Zhang Yi well suspected something was off, but they couldn¡¯t let him rush into danger.

    The others hurried to stop him.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, don¡¯t be reckless! Charging in won¡¯t save anyone¡ªit¡¯ll only cost your life!¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s Yangsheng Base! They¡¯re nearly as strong as West Hill Base, and they¡¯re prepared. You¡¯d be walking into a deathtrap!¡±

    Fatty Xu leaned in and whispered, ¡°Boss, this act is a bit much now.¡±

    Zhang Yi pretended to struggle against them for a moment before sighing dramatically.

    ¡°They¡¯ve gone too far! Kidnapping Liang Yue¡¯s students right under our noses¡ªit¡¯s an insult!¡±

    mming his fist on the couch, he growled, ¡°I promised Liang Yue I¡¯d protect those students!¡±

    Liang Yue, deeply moved by his resolve, approached him and gently ced her hand on his shoulder.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, don¡¯t be impulsive. This isn¡¯t your fault¡ªit¡¯s mine. I failed to protect them.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 383: Persuading Liang Yue

    Chapter 383: Persuading Liang Yue

    Chapter 383: Persuading Liang Yue

    Liang Yue¡¯s eyes reflected a deep sense of gratitude. She had seen Zhang Yi try his best, but the enemy they faced was far too formidable. This wasn¡¯t a problem that could be solved by charging in with a few Superhumans.

    Confronting Yangsheng Base directly would mean plunging into a disadvantage. While their defensive position at Cloud Manor was nearly imprable, an offensive operation would leave them vulnerable. Zhang Yi had poured nearly all their resources into fortifying the manor.

    ¡°You¡¯ve already done everything you could. Thank you for being willing to help,¡± Liang Yue said with a soft smile. ¡°But this isn¡¯t your battle, and I don¡¯t want to drag everyone down because of me.¡±

    Her smile carried an odd undertone, a quiet determination that immediately put Zhang Yi on edge.

    ¡°Liang Yue,¡± he said cautiously, ¡°what are you nning to do?¡±

    ¡°Just finding peace for my soul,¡± she replied with a serene expression.

    Before anyone could respond, she turned and walked toward her room.

    The living room fell into silence. Everyone could sense that something was off about Liang Yue¡¯s mood.After she left, Zhou Ke¡¯er broke the stillness, her worry evident. ¡°She¡¯s not thinking about going after her students alone, is she?¡±

    Zhang Yi frowned, muttering to himself, ¡°Was my performance not convincing enough?¡±

    Fatty Xu sidled up to Zhang Yi with a snicker. ¡°Boss, your acting was top-notch¡ªjust a little too fake.¡±

    A dark line seemed to slide down Zhang Yi¡¯s forehead.

    ¡°Fake? I once won third prize in the Spring Blossom Kindergarten Drama Contest!¡±

    Fatty Xu sighed exaggeratedly. ¡°Yeah, but hearing such righteous words from you¡­ who would buy it?¡±

    Zhang Yi nced around at the others, who all nodded silently in agreement.

    Throwing up his hands, he sighed. ¡°Fine. At least I tried to show her that I supported her.¡±

    Uncle You chimed in, his tone pragmatic. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault. None of us, except Liang Yue, have any connection to those students.¡±

    ¡°And let¡¯s face it¡ªthey¡¯re azy bunch. Keeping them around would only be a burden.¡±

    Even Uncle You, one of the kindest members of the group, had little sympathy for the students. Much of this sentiment stemmed from their interactions with Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin, who had endured far more hardship.

    Zhang Yi leaned back on the couch, resting his chin on his hands. ¡°In any case, everyone should be prepared. A conflict with Yangsheng Base is likely.¡±

    ¡°Our defenses are solid, and there¡¯s no need for unnecessary worry. Xiao Honglian¡¯s arrogance earlier showed she has no clear understanding of our strength.¡±

    The group nodded, their tension easing slightly. After sessfully repelling West Hill Base and fortifying their defenses, they felt more confident in their ability to hold their ground.

    But Lu Keran, ncing in the direction Liang Yue had gone, voiced her concern. ¡°What about Ms. Liang? What if she does something reckless?¡±

    Zhang Yi looked at her and Yang Xinxin. ¡°You two should go talk to her. Try to dissuade her from doing anything rash.¡±

    Lu Keran sighed. ¡°We¡¯ll try, but Ms. Liang can be incredibly stubborn. Once she sets her mind on something, even nine oxen couldn¡¯t pull her back.¡±

    ¡°Just do your best,¡± Zhang Yi replied.

    With a resigned nod, Lu Keran pushed Yang Xinxin in her wheelchair toward Liang Yue¡¯s room.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    Liang Yue returned to her room and picked up a <strong>Tang Sword</strong> from the weapon rack. Since Zhang Yi had confiscated her <strong>Loong Roar Sword</strong>, she had stopped asking for its return. This Tang Sword, acquired at West Hill Base, was a fine recement.

    Standing by the window, she unsheathed the de and began to methodically wipe it with a white cloth.

    <em>Knock, knock.</em>

    The sound of knocking interrupted her thoughts.

    The door was ajar, and when she turned, she saw Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin at the threshold, their faces filled with concern.

    ¡°Ms. Liang, are you alright?¡± Yang Xinxin asked.

    ¡°Yes, you seem¡­ off. We¡¯re really worried,¡± Lu Keran added.

    Liang Yue sighed deeply. ¡°I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ve just realized what I need to do.¡±

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°You¡¯re nning to rescue them on your own, aren¡¯t you?¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s calm demeanor only heightened Yang Xinxin¡¯s anxiety.

    ¡°Ms. Liang, Yangsheng Base is massive! You can¡¯t possibly save them alone¡ªyou¡¯ll only get yourself killed!¡± Lu Keran eximed.

    Liang Yue smiled bitterly, gazing at the ceiling. ¡°I know. But this is something only I can do.¡±

    ¡°But Zhang Yi promised to help! Why not wait for his n?¡± Lu Keran pleaded.

    Hearing this, Liang Yue chuckled softly and walked over to the two girls, gently touching their faces.

    ¡°Don¡¯t think your teacher is a fool,¡± she said kindly. ¡°I¡¯m grateful for everything Zhang Yi has done, but I know him. A man as cautious as him would never truly risk everything for me.¡±

    Lu Keran¡¯s expression grew awkward. Clearly, Liang Yue had seen through Zhang Yi¡¯s act.

    Still, Liang Yue continued, her tone light. ¡°Even so, I¡¯m touched that he pretended to care. At least it shows I matter to him, even just a little.¡±

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s eyes glimmered with a strange light. ¡°But even if that¡¯s true, you¡¯re still going to throw your life away?¡±

    Liang Yue closed her eyes, exhaling slowly. ¡°You might think I¡¯m foolish, but I can¡¯t just stand by and let them die. If I do nothing, I¡¯ll spend the rest of my life drowning in guilt. That kind of torment is worse than death.¡±

    ¡°So, I¡¯d rather seek redemption, even if it costs me my life, than live as a coward.¡±

    Her heartfelt words left Lu Keran speechless. She understood Liang Yue¡¯s character all too well.

    Liang Yue¡¯s gaze softened as she gently stroked their faces. ¡°I¡¯m just d you two are safe. At least my efforts haven¡¯t been in vain.¡±

    ¡°Stay with Zhang Yi. He might seem cold, but he genuinely cares for you. With him, you¡¯ll survive this harsh world.¡±

    Liang Yue turned to pick up the Tang Sword, her expression resolute.

    Just as she prepared to leave, Yang Xinxin suddenly lowered her head, her voice trembling.

    ¡°No¡­ it¡¯s not like that.¡±

    Liang Yue froze mid-step.

    ¡°Xinxin, what do you mean?¡± she asked, puzzled.

    Yang Xinxin raised her tear-streaked face, looking pitifully at Liang Yue.

    ¡°If you leave, Ms. Liang, Keran and I might not survive either.¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Liang Yue¡¯s protective instincts kicked in. ¡°What¡¯s going on? Tell me!¡±

    Tears streaming, Yang Xinxin whimpered, ¡°Zhang Yi gave us a task: to make sure you stay. He values you deeply, Ms. Liang. If we fail, even if he doesn¡¯t punish us, we¡¯ll lose our ce here.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re leaving, take us with you. At least we can die together.¡±

    Yang Xinxin¡¯s pitiful words and tears made Liang Yue¡¯s heart ache.

    ¡°You mean¡­ Zhang Yi¡­?¡± Liang Yue stammered, overwhelmed.

    Her face turned a deep shade of red at the revtion of Zhang Yi¡¯s feelings.

    She tried to suppress her emotions in front of her students, but her thoughts were in disarray.

    Although she didn¡¯t want to admit it outright, Liang Yue couldn¡¯t deny the joy blooming in her chest.

    For a woman who had kept her heart locked away for 27 years, this realization was like the first stirrings of spring after a long winter.

    Her once-quiet heart had started to tremble, and now it couldn¡¯t stop.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 384: Preparing for Battle

    Chapter 384: Preparing for Battle

    Liang Yue¡¯s emotions were a whirlwind of mixed feelings.

    On one hand, she was secretly delighted upon realizing Zhang Yi harbored special feelings for her.

    On the other hand, Yang Xinxin¡¯s concerns left her troubled.

    She could sacrifice her own life but couldn¡¯t abandon her students.

    Especially not those two excellent students she cherished so deeply.

    ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t selfishly live for myself!¡± Liang Yue sighed deeply, her resolve wavering.

    She had just dered she would fight for her convictions, and now, taking back those words felt impossible.

    Yang Xinxin understood Liang Yue well and quickly chimed in, ¡°You¡¯re willing to die for them, so why can¡¯t you live for Ke Ran and me instead?¡±¡°Teacher Liang, we need you!¡±

    Yang Xinxin clutched Liang Yue¡¯s hand tightly, her eyes pleading.

    Lu Keran added hurriedly, ¡°Teacher Liang, we can¡¯t do without you! Think about it¡ªXinxin and I are just ordinary people without superhuman energy. If we ever face danger, we¡¯ll need your protection.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s resolve faltered even more.

    ¡°But¡­ I can¡¯t just stand by and watch others die!¡±

    Yang Xinxin reasoned, ¡°But they¡¯re still alive right now, aren¡¯t they? Their survival depends entirely on you.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why you can¡¯t die! Besides, we still have room to negotiate with the Yangsheng Base. Please, just wait a little longer!¡±

    After her two students¡¯ persistent persuasion, Liang Yue temporarily abandoned the idea of going to fight the Yangsheng Base alone.

    She sighed softly. ¡°Alright, I suppose that¡¯s all I can do for now.¡±

    Yang Xinxin nodded obediently, finally breaking into a smile through her tears.

    After calming Liang Yue down, Lu Keran escorted Yang Xinxin out of the room.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Once outside, Yang Xinxin¡¯s expression shifted instantly, her face bing unnervingly calm andposed.

    ¡°Xinxin, does Big Brother Zhang really have feelings for Teacher Liang?¡± Lu Keran whispered curiously into Yang Xinxin¡¯s ear.

    ¡°Of course not. I lied to her.¡±

    A yful smirk curled at the corners of Yang Xinxin¡¯s lips.

    ¡°Someone like Teacher Liang, a single woman, is most easily flustered by matters of the heart. As long as she believes someone has feelings for her, her mind will be thrown into chaos.¡±

    ¡°If I didn¡¯t do this, how else could I convince her to stay?¡±

    Lu Keran¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Wow, so you were ying mind games with Teacher Liang!¡±

    Unfazed, Yang Xinxin responded, ¡°It¡¯s all for her own good. That foolish woman¡ªrushing headlong to her death over a moment of impulse.¡±

    After a brief pause, Yang Xinxin¡¯s tone grew more serious.

    ¡°Besides, keeping her in the Shelter is absolutely a good thing for us. Big Brother Zhang has no use for freeloaders.¡±

    Lu Keran shuddered at the thought.

    In her mind, Zhang Yi had always been the kind and gentle big brother figure. But suddenly, she recalled their first meeting.

    It had been in the icy ruins of Tianqing Academy¡¯s underground chamber. At that time, Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze had held not a trace of warmth.

    ¡°I need to make myself more useful!¡± Lu Keran resolved silently.

    ¡°And anyway, I think Big Brother Zhang does have some feelings for me,¡± she added, a small smile ying on her lips.

    After all, what young girl doesn¡¯t dream of love?

    It¡¯s in their nature to see hope and romance, especially when it involves someone they admire.

    Soon, Zhang Yi received the news that Liang Yue had been persuaded to stay.

    Relief washed over him.

    Losing Liang Yue was not an option.

    A war between the Shelter and the Yangsheng Base¡ªpossibly even the Chaoyu Base¡ªwas on the horizon. Liang Yue, with her formidable superhuman powers, would be a critical ally.

    ¡°I understand. Thank you for your efforts!¡± Zhang Yi smiled at the two girls.

    He looked out the window. Snowkes danced in the air, nketing the courtyard in white. Outside Cloud Manor, the towering Ice Fortress stood as an unyielding barrier, like an imprable wall of a fortress.

    ¡°The medicine should be taking effect about now¡­¡±

    <strong>Yangsheng Base</strong>

    After ending her call with Zhang Yi, Xiao Honglian¡¯s smile grew wider.

    The forceful front Zhang Yi tried to project had revealed a subtle undercurrent of helplessness.

    Especially when the topic of Liang Yue¡¯s students came up¡ªhis tone softened immediately.

    What did this mean?

    First, it confirmed that Zhang Yi¡¯s Shelter had suffered severe losses after the battle with the West Hill Base, leaving him reluctant to provoke conflicts with Yangsheng or Chaoyu Bases.

    Second, it indicated those students were extremely important to Zhang Yi.

    This gave Xiao Honglian leverage¡ªan opportunity to exploit Zhang Yi to her advantage.

    Ideally, she¡¯d get rid of that obstacle entirely, seizing most of the former West Hill Base¡¯s territory for Yangsheng Base.

    Doing so would make Yangsheng the most powerful faction in Tianhai City!

    ¡°ording to what those students said, Zhang Yi¡¯s group includes several superhumans. Recruiting them under mymand would greatly strengthen Yangsheng Base¡¯s power!¡±

    The more Xiao Honglian thought about it, the more excited she became.

    Zhuge Qingtian, standing nearby, congratted her. ¡°Judging from the current situation, it¡¯s only a matter of time before they surrender. We should act quickly to secure Zhang Yi¡¯s forces. If we wait too long, other factions might intervene.¡±

    Xiao Honglian waved him off. ¡°No need to rush!¡±

    Her tone was cautious.

    ¡°We¡¯ll thoroughly investigate before deciding when to act. Keep in mind, our enemies are not limited to Zhang Yi. If we divert forces to attack his Shelter, the other three factions might seize the opportunity to strike at our main base.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯ve all got their eyes on our oil refinery!¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian argued, ¡°But opportunities slip away quickly. If we hesitate, someone else might snatch this prize away.¡±

    Xiao Honglian shot him a sharp look. ¡°I¡¯d rather do nothing than make a mistake. Yangsheng Base is under constant scrutiny, and any error could be fatal!¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t focus on small gains and lose sight of the bigger picture.¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian bowed his head. ¡°Understood, Leader. What are your orders?¡±

    Xiao Honglian crossed her arms, exuding confidence.

    ¡°Since Zhang Yi values those students so much, let¡¯s stir the pot a bit. Send someone to teach them a lesson and record it on video to send to Zhang Yi.¡±

    ¡°Also, prioritize gathering detailed information on Zhang Yi¡¯s defenses.¡±

    ¡°We must understand their exact strength before making any move. Never underestimate them¡ªwe can¡¯t afford to lose.¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian nodded. ¡°Yes, Leader!¡±

    He bowed deeply before retreating three steps and heading toward the dungeon to carry out her orders.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 385: Poison Outbreak

    Chapter 385: Poison Outbreak

    After Zhuge Qingtian entered the dungeon, he located the students with explosive cors strapped to their necks, their faces filled with despair.

    A cruel smile crept onto his lips as he gestured to a guard nearby for a whip.

    ¡°It¡¯s time to give our guests a proper wee!¡±

    Under the hopeless gazes of Wu Chengyu and the others, the guards dragged them out.

    Zhuge Qingtian personally carried out the tortures.

    Inflicting punishment was a skillful task. A single misstep could strike a vital area, resulting in death.

    Zhuge Qingtian, however, was an expert in the art of torture. He knew exactly how to inflict excruciating pain without causing fatal harm.

    This time, the primary objective was to provoke Zhang Yi, break his spirit, and make future negotiations easier. Thus, the torment took on a theatrical ir, requiring a variety of methods.For instance, students were thrown into iron barrels filled with writhing earthworms or shoved into damp, cockroach-infested holes.

    Below the dungeon, agonized screams echoed continuously¡ªnot just physical torment but mental anguish as well.

    Zhuge Qingtian gleefully held a recording device, capturing the most "exciting" moments on film.

    However, as he filmed, he noticed something was amiss.

    One of the students suddenly copsed to the ground, their body convulsing violently as white foam poured from their mouth.

    ¡°Hm? What¡¯s going on?¡±

    These students were critical pieces in their ns; they couldn¡¯t just die like this.

    Zhuge Qingtian prided himself on his precise methods; there was no way his tortures could have resulted in death.

    He stopped what he was doing and went over to examine the student.

    After the student expelled the foam, they suddenly retched violently, spewing out a massive amount of vomit. A putrid stench filled the air around them.

    ¡°What is this¡­?¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian was too close and took the brunt of the stench. His head spun from the smell, forcing him to retreat a few steps.

    The studenty twitching on the ground, their condition worsening. Arge wet patch formed around them as bodily fluids seeped out.

    ¡°Poison!¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian instantly understood. This was a ssic case of poisoning, and the toxin had already taken effect.

    Given the current state of medical resources, saving them was impossible.

    As the student continued convulsing, another bound student started retching from nearby.N?v(el)B\\jnn

    She struggled to hold back, her face contorted in pain, unwilling to give in. But after inhaling the nauseating stench, she couldn¡¯t stop herself from vomiting a thick pile of sludge.

    ¡°How could they be poisoned?¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian was baffled.

    This wasn¡¯t food poisoning; food poisoning wouldn¡¯t cause such violent symptoms. Clearly, someone had drugged them.

    As he pondered, several more students disyed simr symptoms.

    A cold sweat formed on Zhuge Qingtian¡¯s forehead.

    If all these people died in his custody, there would be no exining this to Xiao Honglian.

    He hurriedly grabbed amunicator and reported the situation to Xiao Honglian.

    ¡°What? Poisoned?¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s brows knitted slightly. These students were still useful to her and couldn¡¯t just die like that.

    ¡°Can they be saved?¡±

    ¡°They seem beyond saving. The poison is severe, and two have already died.¡±

    ¡°Flush their stomachs! Save as many as you can!¡± Xiao Honglianmanded.

    Zhuge Qingtian had no choice but to order the preparation of stomach-flushing materials.

    ¡°Fetch some buckets of sewage water from thetrines!¡±

    Soon, severalrge buckets of foul-smelling sewage water were brought to the dungeon.

    The students who had yet to show symptoms turned pale as sheets.

    ¡°No! I won¡¯t do it!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not poisoned! I won¡¯t drink that stuff!¡±

    They¡¯d rather die than drink the filth.

    But this wasn¡¯t up to them.

    The guards restrained them tightly against the walls, forcing funnels into their mouths. Buckets of sewage were poured in without mercy.

    Wu Chengyu and the others rolled their eyes back in despair, their expressions showing they¡¯d lost all will to live. At that moment, their spirits were utterly broken.

    After several buckets of sewage were forced down, the surviving students looked no better than the dead.

    Zhuge Qingtian dared not continue the tortures, fearing he might identally kill them all.

    He summoned a base doctor to examine the students.

    When the doctor arrived, he pinched his nose and eximed, ¡°What the h***!¡±

    ¡°So foul!¡±

    Despite his years of experience, he had never encountered such a scene.

    Proper stomach-flushing procedures used specialized solutions¡ªwho in their right mind would use sewage that had been fermenting for who knows how long?

    ¡°Ahem, limited resources and time constraints forced our hand,¡± Zhuge Qingtian coughed awkwardly. ¡°Dr. Li, bear with it and take a look.¡±

    Dr. Li nced at Zhuge Qingtian, who stood at a safe distance, his expression full of disbelief.

    ¡°Bear with it? You¡¯re the one standing so far away!¡±

    However, as Zhuge Qingtian was the base¡¯s second-inmand, Dr. Li had toply.

    He donned severalyers of masks before examining the students.

    When he opened Wu Chengyu¡¯s eyelid, he shook his head helplessly.

    ¡°The poison runs too deep. Flushing won¡¯t help.¡±

    Out of professional duty, he inspected each student.

    He then turned to Zhuge Qingtian and concluded, ¡°The toxins have umted in their bodies for a long time. Someone deliberately administered chronic poison.¡±

    ¡°With proper medical conditions, their lives might have been saved. But now, there¡¯s nothing I can do.¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian¡¯s heart sank.

    They had painstakingly captured these people, only to discover they were all doomed.

    What was the point of their efforts?

    Meanwhile, a nagging question grew in his mind.

    Why had Gao Yuan¡¯s satellite phone been found in their quarters?

    Clearly, theycked the strength to kill Gao Yuan¡¯s team.

    Could it be that someone else had wanted these students dead but couldn¡¯t act directly, using them as pawns instead?

    Zhuge Qingtian¡¯s pupils contracted sharply.

    ¡°D*** it, we¡¯ve been set up!¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve be someone else¡¯s de.¡±

    He rushed to Xiao Honglian to ry his suspicions.

    ¡°These people were poisoned over time and deliberately ced in Xu Family Town. Gao Yuan¡¯s satellite phone was used as bait to lure us there.¡±

    ¡°While I don¡¯t know their endgame, it¡¯s clear this was all part of someone¡¯s n.¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s gaze turned sharp.

    ¡°But why? Using a group of poisoned rejects to trap us? That doesn¡¯t harm us much.¡±

    ¡°Unless Zhang Yi¡¯s own people wanted these students dead but couldn¡¯t do it themselves?¡±

    Adjusting his sses, Zhuge Qingtian replied, ¡°In any case, these people won¡¯t survive past tomorrow. We thought we could use them to threaten Zhang Yi and extract some value. That idea is now unrealistic.¡±

    What neither Xiao Honglian nor Zhuge Qingtian realized was that the n was never aimed at them. They were merely tools in someone else¡¯s scheme.

    Still, adhering to a ¡°waste not¡± principle, Xiao Honglian decided, ¡°While they¡¯re still alive, record a video and send it to Zhang Yi!¡±

    ¡°If he didn¡¯t poison them, we¡¯ll use this chance to squeeze some benefits out of him.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 386: No Hostages, No Deal

    Chapter 386: No Hostages, No Deal

    At the shelter, after thebined efforts of Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran, Liang Yue¡¯s emotional state gradually calmed.

    She resisted the impulse to grab her Tang Sword and confront the Yangsheng Base in a desperate bid to save her students. Instead, she chose to discuss with Zhang Yi how they could negotiate their release.

    Zhang Yi generously assured her that he was willing to exchange resources for the students'' safe return.

    ¡°Your students are of no use to Yangsheng Base. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll ept my offer,¡± Zhang Yi said to Liang Yue.

    Liang Yue sat on the sofa, averting her gaze the moment Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes met hers, as if afraid to hold his stare.

    Ever since Yang Xinxin had spoken to her earlier, a strange emotion had been stirring within Liang Yue. Even when Zhang Yi said something simple to her, her mind would wander to all sorts of thoughts.

    ¡°That would be for the best! I¡¯m just worried they might lose their minds and torture my students,¡± Liang Yue sighed softly, her tone stillden with worry.

    Zhang Yi quietly pursed his lips, knowing full well that those students wouldn¡¯t survive to see Liang Yue again.Still, he wondered how Liang Yue would react when the news of their deaths inevitably reached her.

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t understand Liang Yue¡¯s inner thoughts, but judging by his own perspective, he believed it would be a kind of relief for her. At the very least, she could let go of the burden without any moral weight holding her back.

    After finishing his conversation with Liang Yue, Zhang Yi patiently waited for Yangsheng Base to contact him.

    Sure enough, not long after, he received a video call request from Yangsheng Base.

    When Yang Xinxin called Zhang Yi to the control room, he closed the door behind them, ensuring that only the two of them participated in the conversation.

    Upon answering, Zhang Yi saw the face of his adversary for the first time.

    It wasn¡¯t Xiao Honglian, the leader of Yangsheng Base, but a tall,nky man with a cold, sharp gaze and long hair.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, a day has passed. Have you thought things through?¡±

    ¡°This time, we¡¯re sending you a gift to help you make your decision,¡± Zhuge Qingtian sneered as he spoke, inserting a video into the call.

    The footage depicted Zhuge Qingtian torturing Wu Chengyu and the other students.

    Zhang Yi sat calmly on the sofa, watching the video with a cid expression. Not a flicker of emotion crossed his face.

    When the video ended, he asked tly, ¡°Are they still alive?¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s cold demeanor caught Zhuge Qingtian off guard.

    During their previous interaction, Zhang Yi had shown deep concern for the students'' lives. Today, however, his tone and expression radiated pure indifference.

    ¡°They¡¯re alive for now,¡± Zhuge Qingtian said darkly, ¡°but I can¡¯t guarantee how much longer they¡¯llst!¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi, our leader has changed their mind. Keeping these useless people alive wastes resources, so we¡¯re giving them back to you. But you¡¯ll have to trade supplies for them¡ªone ton of food per person!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s expression remained amused despite the outrageous demand.

    ¡°That¡¯s not impossible,¡± he replied. ¡°But I need to confirm they¡¯re alive first. It wouldn¡¯t make sense to hand over supplies only to get back a bunch of corpses, would it?¡±

    The amount of toxin he¡¯d ced in their food, ording to Zhou Ke¡¯er, would take a week to take full effect. However, to be sure, Zhang Yi wanted to confirm their deaths personally before proceeding.

    Zhuge Qingtian¡¯s gaze darkened.

    Most of the students were already dead, and the few who still clung to life were on the verge of death. If Zhang Yi saw them, he¡¯d undoubtedly refuse the deal.

    ¡°You¡¯ve already seen them alive in the video,¡± Zhuge Qingtian insisted.

    ¡°That was just a recording. I need to see them in real-time. Bring me to them right now,¡± Zhang Yi demanded, his tone resolute.

    ¡°If you let me confirm their condition, I¡¯ll immediately arrange to provide your supplies.¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian stared at Zhang Yi on the screen and said coldly, ¡°Yangsheng Base doesn¡¯t y petty games. These people¡¯s lives mean nothing to us. Why would we kill them? Your concerns are unnecessary.¡±

    Zhang Yi spread his hands. ¡°Then what¡¯s the harm in letting me see them? Just one look, that¡¯s all I need.¡±

    But Zhuge Qingtian couldn¡¯t allow that. One look would expose everything.

    ¡°Mr. Zhang, I don¡¯t see any sincerity from you¡­¡± Zhuge Qingtian tried to continue, but Zhang Yi had already reached out and ended the call.

    Leaning back in his chair, Zhang Yi turned to Yang Xinxin. ¡°They¡¯re dead.¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian¡¯s behavior had confirmed it.

    Curious, Yang Xinxin asked, ¡°Brother, how did you manage that?¡±

    Zhang Yi replied casually, ¡°I added a little ¡®tech and spice¡¯ to their food.¡±

    Yang Xinxin sighed in relief, a bright smile spreading across her face. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful! Now, we don¡¯t have to be burdened by them anymore.¡±

    Zhang Yi patted her head. ¡°Spend the next couple of days working on Liang Yue¡¯s mindset. Don¡¯t let that foolish woman do something reckless.¡±

    ¡°Women need reassurance,¡± Zhang Yi added lightly.

    Yang Xinxin tilted her head yfully, looking at him with a smirk. ¡°Actually, Brother, if you step in personally, it might work even better.¡±

    Raising an eyebrow, Zhang Yi teased, ¡°You¡¯re suggesting I enlighten her myself?¡±

    Yang Xinxin giggled. ¡°It¡¯s always effective! You need to use the de of emotion when ites to persuasion.¡±

    Zhang Yi responded with humor, ¡°But I¡¯m worried the next generation might turn out dumb.¡±

    ¡°Oh, and remember, keep this conversation confidential. Don¡¯t tell anyone.¡±

    Yang Xinxin nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I know what to do.¡±

    In the following days, the shelter remained calm and peaceful as always.

    The women passed the time ying mahjong and chatting, deliberately including Liang Yue in their conversations to soothe her troubled mind.

    The men, on the other hand, maintained an air of casual preparedness, waiting for war to break out.

    As defenders, they had already made ample preparations and had little room for improvement. If a battle did erupt, they would adapt their strategies based on their opponent¡¯s moves.

    For now, a conservative approach was the best tactic in the absence of additional intelligence.

    Meanwhile, at Yangsheng Base, the students'' toxins had fully taken effect, each one sumbing to a painful death.

    Zhuge Qingtian reluctantly reported the situation to Xiao Honglian.

    ¡°They¡¯re all dead now. We¡¯ve lost our leverage against Zhang Yi.¡±n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Xiao Honglian frowned. Though she had anticipated this oue, she couldn¡¯t hide her frustration.

    Raising her head, her strikingly beautiful yetmanding eyes bore into Zhuge Qingtian.

    ¡°In that case, there¡¯s no other choice but war!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 387: Facing the Harsh Reality

    Chapter 387: Facing the Harsh Reality

    Two dayster, Zhang Yi received another message from Yangsheng Base. This time, it wasn¡¯t a call request but a video.

    He and Yang Xinxin were the first to view it.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    As the video yed, a grim and oppressive scene unfolded.

    The backdrop was arge factory¡¯s iron framework amidst swirling snow and wind. Hanging from the structure were a dozen cold, severed heads suspended by ropes.

    Standing at the execution tform, Xiao Honglian stared directly into the camera with an icy gaze, her tone equally chilling:

    ¡°An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Zhang Yi, this is only the beginning. Soon, your head and those of your friends will hang here on the execution tform of Yangsheng Base!¡±

    The video ended abruptly.

    Though itsted only a minute, the message was unmistakably clear¡ª<strong>deration of war.</strong>Xiao Honglian had beheaded all the students as a ceremonial gesture, announcing the start of the conflict.

    After watching the video, Zhang Yi remained silent for a moment before casually picking up his cup of hot coffee and taking a sip.

    ¡°They¡¯re finally dead. It¡¯s clean and done,¡± he remarked nonchntly.

    Yang Xinxin, however, sighed softly. ¡°So, it came to this in the end.¡±

    Zhang Yi nced at her and asked with a smile, ¡°Didn¡¯t you hate those people the most? Now that they¡¯re gone, shouldn¡¯t you be happy?¡±

    Yang Xinxin shook her head.

    ¡°It¡¯s not about happiness or sadness. I really did hate them and wished they¡¯d disappear from the world sooner.¡±

    ¡°But¡­ seeing them all dead now, I can¡¯t help feeling a little sorrowful.¡±

    Lowering her head, her pale hands clenched tightly together in anxiety.

    ¡°I¡¯m afraid that one day my own head might be hung up like that.¡±

    A flicker of surprise crossed Zhang Yi¡¯s face, but he quickly understood.

    No matter how cunning or sharp Yang Xinxin was, she was still an 18-year-old girl. Witnessing the brutal deaths of peers she¡¯d known for years would naturally evoke fear.

    Zhang Yi leaned closer and wrapped her in his strong arms.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. As long as I¡¯m here, nothing will happen to you. I won¡¯t let you die.¡±

    ¡°And because I won¡¯t die, you¡¯ll definitely live a good life too.¡±

    Yang Xinxin was a crucial part of his logistics and support team. Zhang Yi had every intention of protecting her and ensuring her safety.

    Feeling the warmth of his embrace, Yang Xinxin¡¯s body began to regain some of its lost warmth.

    cing her hands on his back, her eyes gradually welled up with tears.

    ¡°It¡¯s so good to have you, Brother!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure I never drag you down. I¡¯ll be someone you can rely on! So, no matter what, please don¡¯t abandon me, okay? If I ever be a burden, I¡¯ll take care of myself.¡±

    Afterforting Yang Xinxin, Zhang Yi decided to make the video public. He wanted everyone¡ªespecially Liang Yue¡ªto see it firsthand.

    He knew that Liang Yue needed to confront the truth and let go of her obsessionpletely.

    ¡°Seeing this might break her,¡± Yang Xinxin warned. ¡°You should be prepared for that.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve already prepared both mentally and practically,¡± Zhang Yi assured her.

    If Liang Yue truly lost control and tried to charge off to Yangsheng Base, Zhang Yi would restrain her immediately and sedate her so she could rest at home for a while.

    ¡°All acts of sacrificee from impulse,¡± he exined.

    ¡°No matter how noble or grand the ideals, they can be changed.¡±

    ¡°In the end, she needs to understand one thing: living is everything. The purpose of life is simply to live¡ªit doesn¡¯t need any additional justification.¡±

    Yang Xinxin nodded. ¡°We¡¯ll do our best to help persuade her.¡±

    Zhang Yi pulled a small bag of medication from his pocket and handed it to Yang Xinxin.

    ¡°Put this in her coffee and make sure she drinks it.¡±

    Yang Xinxin took the bag, her expression curious. ¡°What is it?¡±

    ¡°A sedative,¡± Zhang Yi replied.

    Following his instructions, Yang Xinxin prepared coffee for Liang Yue, who drank it without any suspicion.

    Once Zhang Yi confirmed the medication had taken effect, he gathered everyone to watch the video.

    Before starting, he reminded the group, ¡°The contents of this video are graphic. I hope everyone is mentally prepared and avoids overreacting.¡±

    Liang Yue felt a slight unease in her heart at Zhang Yi¡¯s warning.

    The video came from Yangsheng Base, so¡­ could it involve her students?

    Zhang Yi cast a deep look at Liang Yue before ying the video.

    The screen immediately disyed the sight of a dozen severed heads hanging high in the snowstorm.

    At first nce, Liang Yue felt as though something had exploded in her mind. Her brain went nk as her entire world spun out of control.

    Her students¡­ they were all dead?

    In an instant, Liang Yue felt the world turn upside down. Her legs wobbled, and faint voices echoed in her ears.

    ¡°Liang Yue, are you okay?¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?!¡±

    Before she could process anything, her vision darkened, and she copsed to the floor.

    Lu Keran rushed to her side, panicked. ¡°Liang Yue, are you all right?¡±

    Zhang Yi walked over calmly and said, ¡°She¡¯s fine. I gave her a sedative. She just needs rest.¡±

    Uncle You shook his head and sighed.

    ¡°Liang Yue is such a dedicated and responsible teacher. This must be a heavy blow for her. Let¡¯s hope she can move past it and not get stuck in despair.¡±

    ¡°Time and care will heal the pain,¡± Zhang Yi remarked as he carried Liang Yue to her room andid her on the bed.

    Turning to Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran, he instructed, ¡°Take good care of her for the next couple of days and help her process her emotions.¡±

    He also addressed Zhou Ke¡¯er, saying, ¡°Administer tranquilizers if necessary. If she bes uncontroble, increase the dosage. I¡¯d rather have her bedbound for a few days than let her act recklessly.¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er nodded. ¡°Understood.¡±

    With Liang Yue settled, everyone returned to the living room, and Zhang Yi began discussing their preparations for the impending battle.

    ¡°A conflict with Yangsheng Base is unavoidable. Chaoyu Base might join them, too.¡±

    ¡°Facing two major bases simultaneously will put considerable pressure on our defenses.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll stick to the original n: rely on the first line of defense and retreat to the shelter if it¡¯s breached.¡±

    ¡°However, unlike Xishan Base, I haven¡¯t killed many of their people. They have no reason to fight us to the death. Once they suffer significant casualties, they¡¯ll likely retreat.¡±

    ¡°This battle won¡¯t be too difficult. Plus, our armaments have improved significantly since then.¡±

    This was why Zhang Yi remained unfazed.

    He had no deep enmity with Yangsheng or Chaoyu Base.

    Even though he had killed Xiao Honglian¡¯s cousin and Wei Dinghai¡¯s confidant, these deaths weren¡¯t enough to escte the situation to a life-or-death grudge.

    This war was ultimately about territorial disputes.

    If you¡¯re strong, they¡¯ll respect and fear you.

    If you¡¯re weak, they¡¯ll destroy and kill you.

    What Zhang Yi needed to do was prove his strength and ensure that no other organization in Tianhai City dared to challenge him.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 388: Godâ€™s Right Hand

    Chapter 388: God¡¯s Right Hand

    After receiving Xiao Honglian¡¯s video, the shelter shifted into full alert.

    One noticeable change was that Zhang Yi and his team began sleeping in theirbat gear. This way, if the enemy attacked, they could immediately spring into action.

    However, in the short term, Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai had no immediate ns tounch an assault.

    Organizing arge-scale war wasn¡¯t simple.n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Especially since both Yangsheng Base and Chaoyu Base were far from the shelter, logistics, intelligence, and supply chains had to be secured. Additionally, they needed to defend their own bases from opportunistic factions during the campaign.

    Meanwhile, in the shelter, Liang Yue was so devastated by her students'' deaths that she couldn¡¯t eat for days.

    Zhang Yi ordered Zhou Ke¡¯er to administer nutrient injections to her. With a war on the horizon and her being one of the shelter¡¯s key fighters, she couldn¡¯t afford to stay bedridden.

    Still, judging by her mental state, it was clear it would take her a long time to move past the tragedy.Zhang Yi didn¡¯t press her with words offort, either.

    Instead, he allowed her to hold onto her grief and hatred for Yangsheng Base. When the battle started, he nned to let her unleash her emotions on the battlefield, giving her a chance to vent her pent-up negativity.

    Sometimes, purging such emotions through catharsis was the best remedy.

    In the snowy expanse far from the shelter, a white-cloaked elderly man slowly approached.

    His steps were steady, though unhurried, and his footprints sank deeply into the snow, leaving two prominent trails.

    This man was Zhao Jianhua, a high priest of the Followers of the Snow God.

    Braving the wind and snow, he eventually arrived near the shelter¡¯s towering, icy barricades.

    Standing at the edge of the boundary, he squinted against the blinding snow, staring up at the dark structure looming amidst the storm.

    Though the wind and snow stung his eyes, Zhao Jianhua¡¯s weathered, gray gaze suddenly shed with a golden light.

    In his altered vision, the world transformed into a vast canvas, vivid and swirling with colors, like a watercolor paintinge to life.

    Suddenly, his body trembled slightly.

    In his vision, an iparably immense aura hovered over the shelter. It was so vast and overwhelming that it seemed to blot out the sky above the entire structure.

    ¡°Such a powerful superhuman¡­ apart from ¡®that one,¡¯ who could possibly possess such strength?¡±

    ¡°Could it be¡­ the right hand of God?¡±

    Zhao Jianhua¡¯s <strong>superhuman ability</strong>, <em>Aura Sight</em>, allowed him to see the life force emanating from all living beings.

    The more vibrant and expansive the aura, the stronger the individual. For superhumans, their auras manifested as brilliant, extraordinary hues.

    The brighter and more resplendent the colors, the greater the individual¡¯s power and potential.

    It was this ability that had allowed Zhao Jianhua to recruit countless followers for the Snow God¡¯s teachings under the direction of the cult¡¯s leader, Yuan Kongye.

    He could identify bothtent superhumans and those who had yet to awaken their powers, which was a major factor behind the rapid expansion of the Followers of the Snow God.

    Zhao Jianhua¡¯s vision faded as his ability subsided. Taking a deep breath, he turned and began his trek back, leaning on his cane.

    This discovery was monumental and needed to be reported to the cult¡¯s leader and high priest without dy.

    At <strong>Yangsheng Base</strong>, Xiao Honglian had made her decision¡ªto wage war against Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter.

    Officially, it was to avenge her cousin and subordinates.

    In reality, it was a pretext for advancing into Xishan District and Lu River District to im their abundant resources.

    However, she knew better than to act rashly.

    Surrounded by strong factions, splitting her forces carried significant risks. Moreover, Xiao Honglian was uncertain about the true extent of Zhang Yi¡¯s strength and resources.

    She needed time to prepare, ensuring that the assault would be decisive and victorious.

    Not long after, her deputy, Zhuge Qingtian, brought her a guest.

    The visitor was a robust, fierce-looking middle-aged man.

    ¡°Greetings, Leader. My name is Wu Huairen, former manager of Zhanlong Security Company. I was involved in the construction of Cloud Manor¡¯s shelter project, and I also personally managed a safe house for Zhang Yi.¡±

    If Zhang Yi were to see him again, he would immediately recognize Wu Huairen.

    As the manager of Zhanlong Security, Wu Huairen had served as a soldier, a professional mercenary, and a full-time bodyguard.

    After the apocalypse struck, hisbat skills and ruthless methods enabled him to survive and thrive. Now, he had joined Yangsheng Base, climbing the ranks among its soldiers.

    Zhuge Qingtian, while investigating Zhang Yi, had discovered Wu Huairen and brought him to Xiao Honglian.

    Curious, Xiao Honglian asked, ¡°So, you¡¯re familiar with Zhang Yi?¡±

    Wu Huairen replied, ¡°Not particrly. It was purely a professional rtionship between a client and thepany. However, I¡¯m very familiar with his current residence.¡±

    Xiao Honglian was unfamiliar with the specifics of <strong>Cloud Manor 101</strong>.

    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s so unique about it?¡±

    Wu Huairen detailed the shelter¡¯s design and features to her.

    After hearing his exnation, Xiao Honglian had an epiphany.

    ¡°No wonder they managed to hold off Xishan Base for over a month and remain unscathed!¡±

    ¡°So it¡¯s thanks to the shelter yourpany built. That exins everything!¡±

    Wu Huairen added confidently, ¡°Xishan Base may have been unable to breach that shelter, but Yangsheng Base certainly can. Leader, leave this to me!¡±

    For Wu Huairen, this was an unmissable opportunity to prove himself.

    Yangsheng Base operated under a strict hierarchy: the higher one¡¯s rank, the better the food, housing, and resources avable.

    Xiao Honglian eyed him closely. ¡°So, you know the shelter¡¯s weaknesses?¡±

    Wu Huairen responded, ¡°Zhanlong Security is a top domestic brand. We¡¯d neverpromise our clients¡¯ homes. However, since we constructed the shelter, we understand its structure and materials well.

    ¡°With ess to the property and arge operations vehicle, we can cut through its walls!¡±

    Transporting such a vehicle from Yangsheng Base to Lu River District would be challenging, but with their ample fuel reserves, it was feasible.

    With Wu Huairen¡¯s knowledge of the shelter¡¯syout, breaching its defenses was entirely possible.

    Xiao Honglian nodded. ¡°Very well. You¡¯ll apany us on this mission. If you seed, I¡¯ll promote you tomand your own unit!¡±

    Wu Huairen¡¯s face lit up with excitement.

    ¡°Thank you for your trust and support, Leader!¡±

    However, Xiao Honglian couldn¡¯t help but frown in puzzlement.

    ¡°No matter how strong or uniquely built that shelter is, professional tools should be able to breach it.¡±

    ¡°In that case, why didn¡¯t Xishan Base manage to destroy it? Even explosives would have done the job¡­¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 389: Xingtian

    Chapter 389: Xingtian

    The arrival of Wu Huairen delighted Xiao Honglian, as his information provided her with greater insight into Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter.

    However, it also deepened her doubts.

    While Xishan Basecked ess to heavy equipment like operations vehicles, they still possessed an arsenal of weapons. It made no sense that they couldn¡¯t breach a shelter.

    In this world, there was no such thing as an impregnable fortress.

    So why was Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter still standing strong?

    ¡°Could it be that Zhang Yi and hispanions are so powerful that Xishan Base couldn¡¯t even approach them?¡±

    Xiao Honglian knew she had to proceed with caution. Acting carelessly without understanding her opponent¡¯s strength could lead to disaster.

    She waved Wu Huairen away to prepare and spent a long time deliberating alone.Eventually, she made a firm decision.

    ¡°If there¡¯s truly a risk, Yangsheng Base won¡¯t shoulder it alone.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure the other factions get involved, too. That way, not only can we share the risk, but we can also prevent them from attacking my base while I¡¯m away.¡±

    While acting independently might allow her to im all the spoils, a wise strategist knows to bnce profit with caution.

    High-risk, high-reward tactics were for gamblers, and gamblers often met terrible ends.

    Her first move was to contact her old ally, Wei Dinghai, leader of Chaoyu Base.

    Yangsheng Base and Chaoyu Base shared a strategic partnership and were the closest of Tianhai City¡¯s factions.

    Moreover, Wei Dinghai had a personal vendetta against Zhang Yi, as one of Chaoyu Base¡¯s superhumans, Wang Ruixuan, had been killed by him.

    When the call connected, the two exchanged pleasantries before Xiao Honglian cut to the point.

    ¡°That guy, Zhang Yi, isn¡¯t simple. He was able to hold off Xishan Base for so long, and I suspect he might have been involved in their destruction.¡±

    ¡°Neither of us can handle him alone. What do you think about joining forces?¡±

    Wei Dinghai had already sent scouts to investigate Zhang Yi and the shelter but came up empty-handed. He, too, hadn¡¯t dared attack.

    Hearing Xiao Honglian¡¯s suggestion, he chuckled.

    ¡°If we¡¯re going to strike, just the two of us won¡¯t be enough. Let¡¯s drag everyone else into this fight as well!¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s smile grew wider.

    ¡°Great minds think alike.¡±

    ---

    The two leaders turned their attention to the other factions: Followers of the Snow God and Qingpu Base.

    The Followers of the Snow God appeared to be a disorganized cult, while Qingpu Base, made up of steelworkers, was a conservative force.

    Both factions were significant yers, and if they attacked Zhang Yi while Yangsheng and Chaoyu focused elsewhere, it would be disastrous.

    In particr, the Followers of the Snow God, long excluded and resented by Tianhai City¡¯s other factions, were notoriously untrustworthy.

    The best strategy was to tie everyone to the same war effort.

    Xiao Honglian suggested, ¡°If we join forces, persuading them to attack Zhang Yi should be easy. I¡¯ll handle Qingpu Base, and you take care of the Snow God cult. Deal?¡±

    Wei Dinghai hesitated briefly. ¡°If we all move together, dividing the spoils afterward will be tricky.¡±

    Xiao Honglian snorted andughed. ¡°Xishan Base¡¯s territory is enormous. No single faction could swallow it all, and we¡¯re already struggling to stabilize our current areas.¡±n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    ¡°All I care about are the material and machinery nts in Lu River District. Those are non-negotiable for me.¡±

    Wei Dinghai chuckled. ¡°Fair enough! We don¡¯t need those. But we¡¯ll take more of the food stockpiles and expect extra fuel from youter.¡±

    After a round of negotiations, the two leaders reached an agreement.

    They each set off to convince their respective targets to join the campaign against Zhang Yi.

    ---

    Qingpu Districty in the northwest of Tianhai City.

    Once home to vast forests and the renowned Qingpu Steel nt, its underground shelter, Qingpu Shelter, had been built beneath the factory.

    The poption here consisted mainly of loggers and steelworkers.

    Though they weren¡¯t professional soldiers or bodyguards, their raw physical strength and battle readiness made them a force to be reckoned with.

    Inside a workshop at the steel nt, a man in his thirties sat on athe.

    As wasmon among steelworkers, he looked older than his years, making his exact age difficult to determine.

    d in a gray work uniform, his unkempt hair only emphasized his high hairline.

    His dark face was marked with sparse stubble and e scars, a testament to irregr sleep patterns.

    This man wouldn¡¯t stand out in a crowd of factory workers¡ªhe seemed entirely ordinary.

    One leg propped on thethe, he tore pieces off a steamed bun and threw them on the ground.

    Two figures crawled on the floor: a scrawny, balding man and a long-haired, doe-eyed individual.

    Both wore heavy iron cors around their necks, panting like dogs as they wagged their heads in a humiliating disy.

    Each time the man tossed a piece of bun, the two figures scrambled and fought for it, saliva dripping from their mouths as they bit and wed at each other.

    The sight brought a delighted grin to the man¡¯s face.

    Outside the workshop, a group of people in whitebat uniforms approached.

    The green leaf emblem on their chests marked them as members of Qingpu Base.

    Upon entering, they nced at the ridiculous scene on the floor and couldn¡¯t help but smirk.

    ¡°Boss, someone from Yangsheng Base is here to see you.¡±

    The man feeding the ¡°dogs¡± looked up. ¡°Oh? That Xiao Honglian? What does she want?¡±

    ¡°She says it¡¯s something important. We don¡¯t know the details¡ªit¡¯s above our pay grade.¡±

    The leader of Qingpu Base, Xingtian, jumped down from thethe.

    ¡°Fine, let¡¯s see what she has to say!¡±

    As he turned to leave, the two ¡°dog-men¡± grew frantic, straining against their chains.

    ¡°Woof! Woof! Woof!¡±

    Panting with their tongues out, they gazed up at Xingtian with fawning eyes, desperate for more food.

    Xingtian nced back, amused by their pathetic disy.

    ¡°Director Liu, Supervisor Sun, you¡¯re excellent at ying the part of dogs. I can¡¯t believe I wasted time letting you live as humans before!¡±

    He tossed the remaining bun to a subordinate. ¡°They haven¡¯t eaten in three days. Feed them for me. Make sure they stay alive¡ªgood dogs are hard toe by!¡±

    The subordinates grinned. ¡°Got it, Boss. Don¡¯t worry!¡±

    As Xingtian walked out of the workshop, the sounds of barking gave way to chilling screams.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 390: The Alliance

    Chapter 390: The Alliance

    Xingtian strolled leisurely out of the workshop, his hands stuffed into his pockets.

    Despite the bone-chilling cold and the thick, overwhelming snow, he seemed entirely unaffected.

    Workers inbat uniforms stood guard in the area, and when they spotted Xingtian, they saluted him in greeting.

    With a grin, Xingtian waved back, continuing his rxed pace until he reached the factory¡¯s office.

    Inside, the temperature was warm andfortable. The steel factory, with its abundant coal supply, no longer produced steel but used the resource to heat water for central heating, ensuring the ce stayed cozy.

    At the office door squatted a young girl in a smallbat uniform, doodling in the snow with a stick.

    In front of hery a massive white wolfhound, easily ten times the size of a normal dog,parable to Hua Hua when in its giant form. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    The enormous dog, however,y meekly in the snow, watching the girl intently. Its submissive demeanor was devoid of ferocity, its eyes instead radiating a kind of goofy innocence. Noticing Xingtian¡¯s approach, the dog tilted its head back and let out a loud howl.

    The little girl looked up as well, her round, white face breaking into a sweet smile when she saw him.

    ¡°Dad!¡±

    Xingtianughed and strode forward, scooping the girl into his arms and adjusting the fur scarf around her neck to shield her face from the cold.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you not toe outside? It¡¯s too cold out here. If you muste out, at least wear your hat and scarf!¡±

    The girl, Zhou Lingling, was Xingtian¡¯s adopted daughter.

    Her father had been one of Xingtian¡¯s coworkers, who had died in a tragic ident years ago. Xingtian had taken her in afterward.

    ¡°It¡¯s not that cold!¡± Zhou Lingling said with a sweetugh. ¡°The factory is warm!¡±

    Xingtian pinched her chubby cheek. ¡°If you catch a cold, you¡¯ll regret it!¡±

    cing her back in front of the big dog, he said, ¡°y with Lele for a bit. Dad has some things to take care of. I¡¯lle back and join you soon.¡±

    Zhou Lingling nodded obediently and squatted down again, resuming her doodling in the snow. Her soft, childlike voice rang out, ¡°Lele, this is ¡®one,¡¯ and this is ¡®two.¡¯¡±

    Lele, the giant dog, gazed at her with a conflicted expression. It genuinely couldn¡¯t understand what she was teaching.

    ---

    Xingtian entered the office, which had once belonged to the factory director. The room¡¯s decor exuded understated luxury¡ªno dazzling gold, but the redwood desk, rosewood coffee table, andplete Qinghua porcin tea set spoke volumes about its high-ss taste.

    Taking his seat on the sofa, Xingtian turned to themunications officer waiting for him.

    ¡°Boss, the person¡¯s been waiting for quite a while.¡±

    Xingtian shrugged nonchntly. ¡°If she needs something from me, she can wait. What¡¯s the rush?¡±

    Despite his words, he reached over and pressed the connect button on themunicator.

    The screen immediately disyed Xiao Honglian¡¯s exquisite face.

    Propping her chin with her hand, she looked visibly annoyed.

    ¡°Xingtian, you¡¯re certainly hard to get a hold of. Making me wait this long!¡±

    ¡°Why, thank you!¡± Xingtian chuckled mischievously, his demeanorced with an air of roguishness. ¡°Nobody¡¯s glued to theirmunicator all day, you know. Now, what do you need from me? Get to the point.¡±

    Xiao Honglian rolled her eyes, but she knew this was just Xingtian¡¯s nature. Before the apocalypse, he¡¯d been nothing more than a small team leader at Qingpu Steelworks¡ªdirect, coarse, and unapologetically straightforward.

    She got straight to the matter.

    ¡°Xishan Base has been wiped out. What¡¯s Qingpu Base¡¯s position on that?¡±

    Xingtian scratched his chin and said casually, ¡°The northeastern part of Xishan District borders us. I assume that area doesn¡¯t interest you much.¡±

    ¡°Xishan¡¯s territory is huge; no one can take it all at once. Why don¡¯t we all sit down and figure out how to split it up?¡±

    Xiao Honglian smiled.

    ¡°That can be arranged. But there¡¯s one issue we need to deal with first.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a powerful faction entrenched in Xishan¡¯s former territory. Until we eliminate them, moving in will be too risky.¡±

    ¡°My people and Wei Dinghai¡¯s both suffered losses at their hands.¡±

    Hearing this, Xingtian¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly.

    ¡°There¡¯s someone that strong in Tianhai City?¡±

    ¡°Someone who not only took a bite out of Xishan Base but also dared to take on both your bases at the same time?¡±

    Xiao Honglian nodded gravely.

    ¡°Indeed, there is.¡±

    ¡°Our investigations show they¡¯re not arge faction like us. Instead, they¡¯re a small, elite team with several powerful superhumans.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re fortified in a shelter as strong as a military bunker. Even Xishan Base couldn¡¯t break through.¡±

    Xingtian stroked his chin, processing the information.

    Qingpu Base had always kept a low profile and had never encountered Zhang Yi before, so this was his first time hearing about him.

    He replied cautiously, ¡°If they¡¯re as strong as you say, we can¡¯t just rush in blindly.¡±

    ¡°You know as well as I do¡ªmarching into unfamiliar territory for a battle means losing a third of our strength before we even start.¡±

    Xiao Honglian countered, ¡°Which is why we¡¯re inviting you to join us in attacking them!¡±

    ¡°Yangsheng Base and Chaoyu Base have already agreed. If you nod your head, we¡¯llunch abined assault.¡±

    ¡°Once we three are united, we¡¯ll force the Followers of the Snow God to join in too. Together, we¡¯ll crush this faction and divide Xishan and Lu River Districts among us. What do you say?¡±

    Hearing that the three major factions were teaming up, Xingtian felt a bit more reassured.

    ¡°So, it¡¯s the faction that had that big conflict with Xishan Base?¡±

    ¡°If Xishan Base, with all its firepower, couldn¡¯t break through their defenses, what makes us think we can?¡±

    Anticipating the question, Xiao Honglian replied confidently, ¡°The person who built that shelter is now with Yangsheng Base. I have a way to break their defenses and storm inside.¡±

    Raising an eyebrow, Xingtian saw potential in the n.

    If the western factions of Tianhai City united, there was nowhere they couldn¡¯t conquer.

    He also realized that Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai were reaching out to him not just for strength but also to neutralize Qingpu Base as a potential threat to their nks.

    This was a deal he couldn¡¯t lose.

    ¡°I¡¯ll think about it,¡± Xingtian said, rubbing his stubbled chin. ¡°But I¡¯ll need more information about that shelter.¡±

    Xiao Honglian nodded. ¡°That¡¯s fair. Take your time to consider. I assure you, this will be immensely profitable for Qingpu Base. You won¡¯t regret it.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 391: The Followers of the Snow Godâ€™s Scheme

    Chapter 391: The Followers of the Snow God¡¯s Scheme

    Xingtian did not provide an immediate response. As the leader of Qingpu Base, every decision he made affected the lives of thousands of his workers.

    He was not a cunning strategist but had the virtue of self-awareness, always thinking carefully before acting.

    Shortly after his conversation with Xiao Honglian ended, she sent him the promised intelligence on the shelter.

    Xingtian opened the file, and with just one nce, his expression stiffened. Sitting upright, he focused intently on the screen.

    The first section contained detailed information about Zhang Yi.

    ¡°This can¡¯t be a coincidence¡­¡± he muttered.

    ---

    Meanwhile, in Tianfeng District, Wei Dinghai contacted Zheng Yixian, the High Priest of the Followers of the Snow God, to demand their participation in the attack on Zhang Yi.Unlike his approach to Qingpu Base, Wei Dinghai showed no courtesy to the Followers of the Snow God.

    Among the western factions of Tianhai City, the cult had the weakest foundation and the least power.

    Apart from theirrge numbers, theygged in every other respectpared to the other factions.

    Their continued existence owed much to their practice of proselytizing, drawing people from other factions, which had made them unpopr and led to conflicts.

    If not for the steep price they had paid to cate therger factions, they would have been eradicated long ago.

    Wei Dinghai¡¯s tone wasmanding, more akin to issuing orders than seeking cooperation.

    ¡°We three major bases will be sending troops. You¡¯d better send some of your people to assist as well. We don¡¯t want anyone scheming behind our backs while we¡¯re fighting on the front lines.¡±

    Zheng Yixian frowned, knowing that the current strength of the Followers of the Snow God left them no choice but toply.

    Refusal would likely result in the three factions eliminating them first.

    ¡°Understood. We¡¯ll dispatch a contingent to support you,¡± Zheng Yixian replied reluctantly.

    Wei Dinghai grinned. ¡°Smart choice.¡±

    When the call ended, Zheng Yixian¡¯s icy gaze brimmed with murderous intent.

    His right fist clenched tightly, producing a loud crack as he punched a nearby wall, shattering it with his psychic energy.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    ¡°Wei Dinghai, Xiao Honglian, Xingtian¡­ Enjoy your arrogance while you can! When the Followers of the Snow God rise to power, I¡¯ll make sure you all perish!¡± ?¨¤???£Â???

    ---

    The Followers of the Snow God were led spiritually by Yuan Kongye, their leader, while High Priest Zheng Yixian handled most of the cult¡¯s day-to-day affairs.

    Despite the gravity of the situation, Zheng Yixian feltpelled to inform Yuan Kongye of the developments.

    When Zheng Yixian exined the proposed alliance, Yuan Kongye¡¯s serene expression remained unchanged.

    ¡°Another war? How many lives will be lost this time?¡±

    Her hands folded in prayer as she gazed up at the statue of the Snow God in the chapel.

    ¡°May the merciful Snow God guide them swiftly to paradise and deliver them from this world¡¯s suffering.¡±

    Zheng Yixian sighed and said, ¡°The alliance of the three factions leaves us no choice but to participate. My concern is that they¡¯ll use us as cannon fodder, sending our people to die first.¡±

    ¡°Death holds no terror,¡± Yuan Kongye replied. ¡°All will ultimately return to the Snow God¡¯s embrace.¡±

    ¡°But what if we gain nothing from this battle?¡± Zheng Yixian countered. ¡°Strengthening the three factions only makes them more likely to turn on uster!¡±

    For the first time, a glimmer of dark resolve appeared in Yuan Kongye¡¯s eyes.

    She turned to Zheng Yixian. ¡°Perhaps this can be an opportunity. We¡¯ll send troops, but only on the condition that we receive our share of the spoils.¡±

    Zheng Yixian frowned. ¡°Territory holds little value for us.¡±

    ¡°Then we¡¯ll take people,¡± Yuan Kongye dered. ¡°After the shelter falls, we¡¯ll forgond in exchange for the right to proselytize in their territories.¡±

    ¡°And they must pledge not to hunt down those who have already defected to our faith. They are now children of the Snow God.¡±

    Zheng Yixian mulled over the proposal. ¡°Negotiating the proselytizing rights will be challenging but not impossible.¡±

    At that moment, a knock sounded on the chapel doors.

    Zheng Yixian scowled. Who dared interrupt during a discussion with Yuan Kongye?

    ¡°Who is it?¡±

    A familiar, weathered voice replied from outside.

    ¡°High Priest, it¡¯s me, Zhao Jianhua. I have urgent news to report to you and the Leader.¡±

    Recognizing the speaker as the high-ranking Great Decree Zhao Jianhua, Zheng Yixian¡¯s irritation subsided.

    Within the cult, Zhao Jianhua held a unique position. Though he had no formal office, his importance was second only to Zheng Yixian, thanks to his extraordinary Aura Sight.

    Without him, the Followers of the Snow God would not have been able to recruit so many powerful superhumans.

    ¡°Come in, Great Decree,¡± Zheng Yixian said.

    The chapel doors opened, and Zhao Jianhua entered, leaning on his cane. He bowed respectfully to Yuan Kongye before turning to Zheng Yixian.

    ¡°Well, what did you discover about Zhang Yi?¡± Zheng Yixian asked.

    The cultcked a robust intelligencework, relying heavily on Zhao Jianhua¡¯s unique ability to gauge Zhang Yi and his team¡¯s strength.

    Zhao Jianhua approached, bowing again.

    ¡°I¡¯ve uncovered something extraordinary¡ªso much so that I had to interrupt your discussion. But I promise, you will not be disappointed.¡±

    Yuan Kongye and Zheng Yixian exchanged nces, their expressions growing serious.

    ¡°What have you discovered?¡± Yuan Kongye asked.

    Zhao Jianhua¡¯s clouded eyes gleamed with an inner light.

    ¡°I sensed an aura of immense magnitude in that shelter,¡± he said, his voice trembling.

    ¡°This overwhelming power¡­ it may rival only yours, Leader!¡±

    The statement stunned Yuan Kongye and Zheng Yixian alike.

    ¡°What did you just say?¡± Yuan Kongye¡¯s voice turned sharp.

    Zhao Jianhua raised his hands reverently.

    ¡°Leader, I am loyal to you and the Snow God! Please believe every word I say. There is a superhuman within that shelter whose power rivals yours!¡±

    ¡°Perhaps¡­ they are the Snow God¡¯s right hand, destined to aid you in your divine mission!¡±

    For the first time, a flicker of emotion appeared on Yuan Kongye¡¯s perpetually calm face. Zheng Yixian¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief.

    Zhao Jianhua¡¯s Aura Sight had never produced such high praise¡ªnot even for figures like Ling Feng, Xiao Honglian, or Wei Dinghai.

    Could Zhang Yi, or someone in his team, truly possess abilitiesparable to Yuan Kongye¡¯s miraculous gift of awakening superhuman powers?

    This revtion cast serious doubt on Wei Dinghai¡¯s im that attacking the shelter would be an easy victory.

    Perhaps Wei Dinghai and Xiao Honglian had gravely underestimated Zhang Yi¡¯s team.

    After a moment, Yuan Kongye¡¯sposure returned.

    ¡°I understand. Thank you, Great Decree. You may rest now.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve prepared new attendants for you. You¡¯ll like them,¡± she added, pping her hands.

    The doors opened again, and a nun entered, leading two pale, sickly boys.

    The boys, newly "purified" through the cult¡¯s rituals, exuded a fragile yet eerie beauty.

    Zhao Jianhua¡¯s eyes lit up with fervent joy.

    ¡°Thank you, Leader, for your generosity!¡±

    He left the chapel with the boys, leaving Yuan Kongye and Zheng Yixian alone again.

    Yuan Kongye turned to Zheng Yixian. ¡°Circumstances have changed.¡±

    Zheng Yixian nodded grimly.

    ¡°It seems everyone has underestimated Zhang Yi¡¯s strength. Even if we unite the western factions, attacking that shelter from afar may not be as easy as Wei Dinghai imed.¡±

    After a pause, his eyes sharpened.

    ¡°But if we change the terms of engagement and ally with Zhang Yi against the others¡­ the oue could be very different.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 392: Old Classmate

    Chapter 392: Old ssmate

    Zheng Yixian proposed a daring n, his eyes zing with the fury of vengeance umted over the years.

    Since the apocalypse began, the Followers of the Snow God had struggled to survive, constantly suppressed by therger, better-armed bases. Despite growing into a congregation of thousands, they remained under the thumb of these factions.

    Zheng Yixian had long waited for an opportunity to strike back.

    The emergence of Zhang Yi and his formidable team presented such an opportunity.

    Yuan Kongye approached Zheng Yixian, her gaze steady but inquisitive.

    ¡°You¡¯re suggesting an alliance with Zhang Yi to stand against the other three bases?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t that too risky? We don¡¯t truly know how strong Zhang Yi¡¯s team is. If we¡¯ve miscalcted, we¡¯ll be dragged into a premature war with the three factions¡ªa scenario we can¡¯t afford,¡± she said, her voice tinged with caution.

    Taking a deep breath, she added, ¡°We still need time. A lot of time.¡±Zheng Yixian, however, was undeterred.

    ¡°This can be a trial run,¡± he argued. ¡°If we miss this chance, we may never again encounter a force like Zhang Yi¡¯s: powerful yet isted, targeted by other bases.¡±

    ¡°If Xishan is divided among them, our situation will only grow more precarious.¡±

    Zheng Yixian thought back to recent attacks by Yangsheng and Chaoyu Bases against the Followers. His brows furrowed deeply.

    Time was what they needed¡ªtime to build their strength and expand their congregation.

    ¡°A trial, you say?¡± Yuan Kongye¡¯s piercing gaze locked onto him.

    ¡°And if it fails?¡±

    Zheng Yixian leaned closer and whispered something into her ear.

    A glimmer of understanding and intrigue appeared in Yuan Kongye¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°If we proceed this way, we minimize the risks. It¡¯s worth attempting,¡± she said with a nod.

    The next day, Yuan Kongye summoned Zhao Jianhua, the Great Decree, to the chapel.

    She retrieved a small wooden box from her robes and handed it to him.

    ¡°Great Decree, this mission concerns the future of the Followers of the Snow God. I entrust it to you. Do not fail the Snow God¡¯s will,¡± Yuan Kongye said calmly.

    Zhao Jianhua epted the box. Without opening it, he already knew its contents.

    However, the weight in his hands was heavier than expected.

    His eyes widened in surprise¡ªit wasn¡¯t just one.

    The production of such items ced a tremendous burden on Yuan Kongye, even as the human vessel of the Snow God.

    Yet she had provided two.

    What kind of task required this level of preparation?

    Zhao Jianhua bowed deeply. ¡°I will not fail you or the Snow God. What must I do?¡±

    Yuan Kongye gazed down at the gray-cloaked elder.

    ¡°Take these to Cloud Manor and deliver them to Zhang Yi. Let him see our sincerity.¡±

    The tension at Cloud Manor was palpable.

    Zhang Yi and his team knew that attacks from Yangsheng and Chaoyu Bases were inevitable, but the timing and method of the assault remained unclear.

    In preparation, they had assigned everyone specificbat roles. If war broke out suddenly, they would not be caught off guard.

    Still, the waiting was unsettling, fostering a sense of restlessness among the group.

    To keep himself focused, Zhang Yi spent his days training in the underground sports facility on the third level.

    Having learned martial arts from Liang Yue for a while, Zhang Yi had picked up some valuablebat techniques.

    Combined with his superhuman eleration, he had be a formidable close-quarters fighter. Only melee specialists among superhumans posed a real threat to him now.

    After all, speed was the ultimate advantage in battle.

    Meanwhile, Liang Yue was slowly recovering from the devastating loss of her students.

    Her mental state remained poor, and she still seemed deeply mncholic. However, the impulsive desire to storm Yangsheng Base for revenge had subsided.

    Instead, she spent her days meticulously polishing her Tang Sword, preparing herself for the inevitable battle.

    Everyone could see that she needed to unleash her rage through a violent sh to finally find peace.

    Zhang Yi regarded her readiness as an asset. To him, Liang Yue was a finely honed de, now tempered and awaiting its first strike.

    One night, an unexpected message shattered the tense calm.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s phone, which he had modified into a secure satellite device, disyed a notification from QQ Messenger.

    This surprised him greatly.

    Though QQ had been a staple app on his phone, he hadn¡¯t used it in ages. Since the apocalypse began, no one had bothered with such tforms anymore.

    The app¡¯s servers, protected as part of a national initiative to preserve criticalmunication tools, had remained operational.

    Out of curiosity, Zhang Yi opened the app. Rather than checking the message directly, he first navigated to the sender¡¯s profile.

    To his astonishment, the message came from a long-lost acquaintance: Xing Weinan.

    Seeing the name, Zhang Yi frowned, memories surfacing.

    Xing Weinan had been his ssmate in elementary and middle school. The two had lived in the same old neighborhood and asionally hung out.

    However, Xing Weinan¡¯s poor academic performance had led him to a low-tier high school, while Zhang Yi moved to a better neighborhood with his family. They had lost touch after that.

    Zhang Yi had heard rumors that Xing Weinan followed in his father¡¯s footsteps, working at a steel factory.

    ¡°So, he¡¯s still alive,¡± Zhang Yi muttered. ¡°I suppose he¡¯s got some skills.¡±n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    The message read: ¡°Old ssmate, long time no see!¡±

    Zhang Yi paced in the living room, phone in hand.

    Given the tense times, the sudden reappearance of a former ssmate felt far from coincidental.

    After some thought, Zhang Yi replied: ¡°I¡¯m managing. How about you?¡±

    Xing Weinan responded quickly, his excitement palpable:

    ¡°Haha! It really is you! You¡¯re still alive!¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t believe it¡ªyou¡¯ve be so amazing!¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m doing well too. I¡¯m now the director of Tianhai City¡¯srgest steel nt! How¡¯s that, old buddy? Not bad, huh?¡±

    The boastful tone gave Zhang Yi pause.

    ¡°Thergest steel nt in Tianhai City?¡± Zhang Yi murmured. ¡°That would be Qingpu Steelworks¡­¡±

    Realization struck.

    ¡°You¡¯re the leader of Qingpu Base?¡±

    After a moment, Xing Weinan replied: ¡°Typing¡¯s a hassle. Let¡¯s talk over voice instead.¡±

    The call request came through almost immediately.

    Zhang Yi hesitated briefly before answering.

    ¡°Xing Weinan, it¡¯s been a long time.¡±

    A heartyugh echoed through the line.

    ¡°Hahaha! Zhang Yi, it really has been ages! I never thought you¡¯d end up this incredible¡ªtaking down Xishan Base and all!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not doing too bad myself. Qingpu Steelworks is mine now! Who would¡¯ve thought our old neighborhood produced two rising stars, huh?¡±

    Xing Weinan¡¯s words, though excited, carried an undercurrent of pride.

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but recall the Xing Weinan of the past¡ªa in-looking boy with e and average height, perpetually seated at the back of the ssroom due to poor grades.

    Their rtionship had been decent, bonding over basketball games during breaks.

    But if someone had told Zhang Yi back then that the humble Xing Weinan would rise to be a regional power, he wouldn¡¯t have believed it.

    Smirking, Zhang Yi asked, ¡°Isn¡¯t Qingpu Base led by someone named Xingtian? Did you change your name?¡±

    Xing Weinanughed again.

    ¡°Exactly! Xing Weinan didn¡¯t sound imposing enough. Xingtian, though¡ªnow that¡¯s a name with power!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s smile grew. Changing one¡¯s name to boost confidence often revealed underlying insecurity.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Zhang Yi said calmly. ¡°Tell me¡ªwhy reach out now? What¡¯s on your mind?¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 393: Times Have Changed

    Chapter 393: Times Have Changed

    Chapter 393: Times Have Changed

    Zhang Yi¡¯s calm response caused a brief pause on the other end of the line.

    Oh, correction¡ªit was <strong>Xingtian</strong> now. After all, he was no longer Xing Weinan, the unremarkable ssmate, but a bigshot leader of Qingpu Base. Bigshots didn¡¯t like being reminded of their humble beginnings, not even their names.

    Xingtian chuckled. ¡°I thought we¡¯d reminisce a bit first, catch up on old times.¡±

    ¡°Back in school, I wasn¡¯t much, was I? Not like you¡ªyou were the handsome guy, popr with girls, and good at your studies.¡±

    With a long sigh, his tone turned wistful.

    ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought someone like me would make it big someday? Life sure is full of surprises, huh, old ssmate?¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled but didn¡¯t take Xingtian¡¯s boasting to heart.

    It wasn¡¯t umon for someone who¡¯d suddenly risen from nothing to seek validation in their past connections.Without knowing Xingtian¡¯s real intentions, Zhang Yi chose not to expose his insecurities.

    ¡°Catching up is fine,¡± Zhang Yi said evenly. ¡°But I don¡¯t think you reached out just for nostalgia, did you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m a curious person, you see. Why don¡¯t you skip to the part where you tell me what you really want?¡±

    Xingtian raised his eyebrows on the other end of the line.

    This wasn¡¯t the reaction he¡¯d been hoping for.

    What he wanted was for Zhang Yi to express shock, to say things like:

    ¡°Whoa, you¡¯re running Qingpu Steelworks now?!¡±

    Or

    ¡°I never expected someone like you to rise so high!¡±

    But Zhang Yi neither fulfilled his expectations nor said anything that might offend him.

    Still, the chance to show off to an old ssmate left Xingtian in good spirits.

    ¡°Alright then, let¡¯s get down to business!¡±

    He cleared his throat, his tone turning serious.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, you¡¯ve killed people from Yangsheng and Chaoyu Bases. Now they¡¯reing after you.¡±

    ¡°But they¡¯re noting alone. To be safe, they¡¯ve roped in Qingpu Base and the Followers of the Snow God.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s just say, if all the western factions gang up on you, your situation is going to be pretty grim.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes narrowed, a sharp glint shing within them.

    ¡°Western factions?¡±

    He had no prior grudges with Qingpu Base or the Followers of the Snow God.

    It wasn¡¯t surprising that Yangsheng and Chaoyu Bases had allied against him, but involving all of Tianhai City¡¯s major factions?

    That raised the stakes significantly.

    If the western alliance attacked as a unified front, the pressure on his shelter would double.

    Zhang Yi had considered such a worst-case scenario but hoped it wouldn¡¯te to pass. If it did, the probability of his shelter¡¯s surface structures being breached would rise to <strong>20%</strong>.

    In that event, they would have no choice but to abandon the vis and the ground-level buildings, retreating into the undergroundyers.

    Drastic? Yes.

    But not impossible. Even the western alliance¡¯sbined forces wouldn¡¯t necessarily bring more firepower than Xishan Base had.

    And Xishan Base, for all its might, had failed to destroy the ground-level buildings of Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter.

    Still, Xingtian¡¯s words indicated this was no ordinary threat.

    Zhang Yi asked tly, ¡°So, are you calling to dere war?¡±

    Xingtian chuckled.

    ¡°Old ssmate, this isn¡¯t some medieval drama. Who deres war anymore? If I wereing after you, I wouldn¡¯t bother calling. I¡¯d hit you with a surprise attack.¡±

    ¡°No, this call is partly to catch up, partly to talk things over.¡±

    On the other end, Xingtian¡¯s expression softened as he reminisced.

    He recalled his school days, when he was a poor student with no charisma, often overlooked in ss.

    Zhang Yi, on the other hand, had never belittled him. He¡¯d even taken the time to help him with math problems.

    Now that he was sessful, Xingtian wanted to return the favor, to showcase his sess and lend a helping hand to his old friend.

    ¡°How do you propose we talk?¡± Zhang Yi asked, breaking his train of thought.

    Xingtian said, ¡°Qingpu Base has no quarrel with you. I can stay out of this war, but you¡¯ll have to make it worth my while.¡±

    Unlike the more aggressive factions, Qingpu Base¡¯s workers valued stability. Their current lives were rtivelyfortable, and they disliked the idea of senseless bloodshed.

    While they were unafraid of fighting, they didn¡¯t want to die for no reason.

    Thus, Xingtian had reached out to Zhang Yi. If he could secure benefits without shedding blood, all the better.

    Perhaps there was a hint of genuine care for his old ssmate, but it was minimal at best.

    Zhang Yi fell silent, unsure whether to believe Xingtian.

    He couldn¡¯t even be certain that the man on the other end of the line was truly Xingtian.

    But recalling that Xing Weinan had worked at Qingpu Steelworks before the apocalypse, and considering his survival, it was usible.

    Xingtian, sensing Zhang Yi¡¯s hesitation,ughed.

    ¡°You¡¯d better decide quickly¡ªtime isn¡¯t on your side. The alliance will attack your shelter soon!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes sharpened.

    ¡°When?¡±

    ¡°Ah, now that¡¯s something I can¡¯t tell you. Unless, of course, you¡¯re willing to make a deal.¡±

    Zhang Yi considered this and asked, ¡°What¡¯s your price?¡±

    Xingtian replied, ¡°10,000 kilograms of food.¡±

    Zhang Yi frowned.

    ¡°10 tons of food?¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s right,¡± Xingtian confirmed. ¡°If you want Qingpu Base to sit this one out, that¡¯s the price.¡±

    Zhang Yi paused to think.

    He recalled that Xing Weinan¡¯s math skills had been poor¡ªscoring above 60 on a 150-point test was a rarity for him.

    Did Xingtian believe that <strong>10 tons</strong> was an astronomical amount?

    It wasn¡¯t. Not for Zhang Yi.

    His warehouses contained food reserves far exceeding that amount, and 10 tons was merely a drop in the bucket.

    Zhang Yi responded, ¡°I¡¯ll need time to consider. Ten tons is a lot of food, and I can¡¯t decide immediately.¡±

    Xingtianughed. ¡°Fair enough. I¡¯ll give you one day. By tomorrow noon, I¡¯ll need your answer.¡±

    He added, ¡°I hope you say yes, old ssmate. I really don¡¯t want to face you on the battlefield.¡±

    After the call ended, Zhang Yi leaned back on his sofa, the warm light of the crystal chandelier casting a gentle glow over him.

    ¡°Ten tons of food isn¡¯t much. I can use the canned goods from Xishan Base¡¯s stores. Those are heavy and will add up quickly.¡±

    ¡°Or maybe the leftovers from Wang Siming¡¯s warehouse. The canned foods there are full of water and weigh a lot.¡±

    ¡°Getting to ten tons will be easy.¡±

    His concern, however, wasn¡¯t the food¡ªit was whether Xingtian could be trusted.

    Resources weren¡¯t an issue.

    If it weren¡¯t for the dangers outside, Zhang Yi could easily raid buried supermarkets with Xu Pangzi to replenish his supplies.

    But he didn¡¯t want to hand over food only to be betrayed.

    ¡°Here¡¯s what I¡¯ll do,¡± Zhang Yi decided.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    ¡°I¡¯ll agree to his terms but only pay a portion upfront. If Qingpu Base¡¯s behavior during the battle satisfies me, I¡¯ll pay the rest after it¡¯s over.¡±

    With a n forming in his mind, Zhang Yi smiled faintly.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 398: The Candidate

    Chapter 398: The Candidate

    Zhang Yi turned and settled himself back onto the sofa. The others followed suit, waiting expectantly to hear his decision.

    There were two pressing matters at hand: how to handle the Ice Soul and the uing battle ns. After all, ording to the Great Decree, the allied forces would attack in three days.

    Seeing the eager expressions on the faces of the ordinary members, Zhang Yi decided to address the Ice Soul situation first.

    He spoke evenly:

    ¡°This Ice Soul, as you¡¯ve heard, can help someone awaken as an Ability User. The West Bases have used it in the past, and so far, no side effects have been reported.¡±

    ¡°But I¡¯m not convinced. I¡¯ve never believed in things that are too good to be true.¡±

    As he spoke, Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze swept over everyone present.

    The existing Ability Users in the group appeared indifferent. They already possessed powers, and living safely in the shelter meant they didn¡¯t feel a pressing need to grow stronger. As such, they had little interest in a potentially dangerous Ice Soul.However, aside from Yang Xinxin, all the ordinary members disyed strong desires.

    For them, the possibility of gaining superhuman powers was irresistible. In the apocalypse, strength directly corrted to survival.

    Zhang Yi looked at the hopeful faces and said:

    ¡°Understand this: I only intend to use one of the Ice Souls for now. Whoever uses it first will essentially act as a test subject.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re willing to take that risk, raise your hand.¡±

    The atmosphere grew tense as hesitation clouded the expressions of those present.

    While they longed for powers, the thought of being the first to try an unknown and possibly dangerous artifact gave them pause.

    Then, Yang Siyah raised her hand decisively.

    ¡°I¡¯ll do it.¡±

    Her eyes shone with determination. As a strong-willed woman, she refused to resign herself to being a useless ornament in the shelter.

    Seeing Yang Siyah step forward, Zhou Ke¡¯er quickly followed, raising her hand as well.

    Even Zhou Haimei, despite her reservations, tentatively lifted her hand, her movements subdued.

    Zhang Yi nodded with a faint smile and addressed Yang Siyah:

    ¡°Your resolve is the strongest. I¡¯ve decided to let you use one of the Ice Souls.¡±

    Yang Siyah¡¯s face lit up with joy. Ovee with emotion, she threw her arms around Zhang Yi¡¯s neck in an ecstatic hug.

    ¡°Thank you, Zhang Yi! Thank you so much!¡±

    Zhou Haimei smiled faintly. Though disappointed, she quickly epted the oue. She didn¡¯t have a particrly close rtionship with Zhang Yi, so she hadn¡¯t expected to be chosen.

    On the other hand, Zhou Ke¡¯er looked visibly annoyed. She clenched her fists and muttered something under her breath, clearly ming herself for not acting quickly enough.

    What they didn¡¯t realize was that Zhang Yi¡¯s decision had been made long before he¡¯d asked for volunteers.

    Allowing them to raise their hands was merely a formality.

    Yang Siyah had always been his first choice.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om<ul> <li aria-level="1"><strong>First</strong>, as the test subject, the candidate needed to be someone whose role in the group was minimal. If something went wrong, the shelter wouldn¡¯t suffer a significant loss. This criterion ruled out anyone with crucial responsibilities.</li> <li aria-level="1"><strong>Second</strong>, the person needed to be easily controlled. Zhang Yi didn¡¯t know what effects the Ice Soul might have, and if the user became hostile or unstable, they needed to be manageable.</li> </ul>

    Combining these criteria, Yang Siyah was the most suitable choice.

    She contributed the least among the group, and her loyalty to Zhang Yi made her a safer option than others.

    Yang Siyah was still clinging to Zhang Yi, her emotions overwhelming her as tears of joy streamed down her face.

    ¡°Thank you, Zhang Yi! This means everything to me!¡±

    Zhang Yi gently patted her on the back, his tone calm:

    ¡°You¡¯re important to me, Siyah. Of course, I¡¯ll take care of you.¡±

    After she calmed down, Zhang Yi turned back to the group to discuss the uing battle.

    ¡°Here¡¯s my take: let¡¯s put the potential alliances with Qingfu Base and the Baixue Sect aside for now.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t trust anyone. For all we know, they¡¯re testing us, and there¡¯s a high chance they¡¯ll betray us at thest minute.¡±

    ¡°Our priority remains the same¡ªprepare to face the Western Alliance.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze darkened as he leaned forward, his voice growing colder:

    ¡°But if something changes on the battlefield... if their betrayal or cooperation tips the scales...¡±

    His lips curved into a devilish smile.

    ¡°Then let this shelter be their tomb.¡±

    The strategic nrgely stayed the same, though they now ounted for the uncertainty of Qingfu and Baixue¡¯s involvement.

    Once the discussion ended, it was time for the moment everyone had been waiting for¡ªusing the Ice Soul on Yang Siyah.

    Human curiosity was a powerful thing, and even those who had expressed no interest in using the artifact were eager to witness its effects.

    The process, ording to the Great Decree, was straightforward: ce the Ice Soul against the user¡¯s forehead, and it would merge automatically.

    For safety, Zhang Yi chose a secure, reinforced room to carry out the experiment.

    Yang Siyahy on a sturdy bed, her arms and legs restrained by straps to prevent any unforeseen incidents.

    Her face was a mix of excitement and anxiety, her body trembling slightly as she awaited her transformation.

    She didn¡¯t know that, in Zhang Yi¡¯s mind, there was a contingency for every possible oue.

    If she gained powers without incident, all would be well.

    But if the Ice Soul caused unexpected changes¡ªsuch as her being controlled or turning violent¡ªZhang Yi was prepared to do whatever was necessary.

    He refused to dwell on the thought, knowing the decision would be brutal if it came to that.

    As everyone gathered to observe, Zhang Yi opened the small wooden box, releasing a faint mist of white frost into the air.

    The onlookers leaned forward, wide-eyed as two luminous white orbs came into view. They were irregrly shaped, faintly pulsing as though alive.

    With steady hands, Zhang Yi donned gloves and used a pair of tongs to pick up one of the Ice Souls. Slowly, he lowered it onto Yang Siyah¡¯s forehead.

    The room fell into an expectant silence.

    As soon as the Ice Soul touched her skin, thin, fment-like strands extended outward,tching onto her head like tendrils.

    To everyone¡¯s amazement, the crystalline orb began to melt and sink into her flesh.

    The process was swift. Within seconds, the Ice Soul hadpletely fused with Yang Siyah, leaving behind a faint white mark on her forehead that shimmered briefly before fading.

    Yang Siyah¡¯s eyes lost focus, and her expression ckened. Momentster, her head fell to one side, and she drifted into a deep sleep.

    ¡°It¡¯s done,¡± Zhang Yi announced. ¡°We¡¯ll monitor her condition closely over the next few hours.¡±

    The group dispersed, leaving the reinforced room secured. Surveince cameras were in ce, and the walls were made of reinforced alloy, ensuring any emergency could be swiftly contained.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 399: A Long-Awaited Farewell

    Chapter 399: A Long-Awaited Farewell

    The effectiveness of this so-called Ice Soul would soon reveal itself to Zhang Yi.

    After dismissing everyone, Zhang Yi instructed them to remain vignt in theing days. The three-day warning of an attack as mentioned by the Great Decree could very well be a ruse. In this current era, no one could be trusted. For all he knew, the attack could happen tonight.

    Everyone understood the gravity of this war and dispersed to prepare. However, "preparation" in this case was little more than mentally rehearsing their assigned roles.

    Once the others left, Zhang Yi called Zhou Ke''er to his side.

    "Ke''er, you''re in charge of keeping an eye on Yang Siyah. To prevent any incidents, administer a moderate dose of muscle rxants and sedatives to her in advance."

    Zhou Ke''er nodded. "Understood. I''ll get the medication right away."

    Her lips were pursed, as if she could hang a soy sauce bottle from them, revealing a mix of jealousy and discontent.

    Zhang Yi couldn''t help but chuckle. He knew exactly why Zhou Ke''er was upset¡ªbecause he chose to give the Ice Soul to Yang Siyah instead of her. Grasping her hand gently, he reached out to rub her soft, fair cheek.

    "Silly girl, do you really think I didn¡¯t let you use the Ice Soul because I care more about her than you?"

    "On the contrary, it''s precisely because you mean more to me! My feelings for you are as enduring as the Great Wall itself."

    "I¡¯m worried about the potential side effects of the Ice Soul, which is why I didn¡¯t let you use it. Can¡¯t you see my concern?"

    Zhou Ke''er looked at Zhang Yi, surprised. "So... that''s what you were thinking?"

    "But Xinxin said the Ice Soul has been tested by multiple bases and has no adverse effects, didn''t she?"

    Zhang Yi responded coolly, "Theoretically, drinking urine can sustain life too, but if there''s clean water avable, would anyone choose urine?"

    Zhou Ke''er''s mouth twitched. "What kind of analogy is that?"

    Zhang Yiughed and said, "Never trust things from strangers. In the apocalypse, even a small oversight can cost your life!"

    "Ke''er, you''re a vital member of our team, and your medical expertise makes you more important than even the superhumans. But Yang Siyah is different. She needs to prove her worth."

    "That¡¯s why I chose to give the Ice Soul to her. Do you understand now?"

    Hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s exnation, Zhou Ke''er finally understood his intentions. Warmth filled her heart as she realized Zhang Yi¡¯s decision stemmed from his respect for her abilities and his desire to protect her.

    Pressing her lips together, Zhou Ke''er epted his reasoning and obediently went to the infirmary to prepare the medicine.

    After she left, Zhang Yi¡¯s smile faded. He returned to his room in silence.

    The current situation was increasinglyplicated.

    In Tianhai City, the Western Alliance forces were mired in infighting and disunity. Two factions had grudges against Zhang Yi and coveted his territory, intent on destroying the Shelter. The other two factions were opportunists, waiting to see which side would gain the upper hand. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    No one was trustworthy. Everyone was a potential betrayer¡ªor ally.

    Zhang Yi even considered leaking the Baixue Sect¡¯s ns to Yangsheng Base and Chaoyu Base, triggering a skirmish between them.

    But would that benefit him?

    The Qingfu Base and the Baixue Sect bore no personal grudge against him. His primary adversaries remained Yangsheng Base and Chaoyu Base.

    Thus, his main objective was still to counter these two factions.

    Lying on his bed, Zhang Yi pondered for a long time before reaching a decision. Since war was inevitable, he would face it in a way most advantageous to him.

    He picked up his phone and called Xing Tian.

    "Hello, Zhang Yi, have you made up your mind?"

    Zhang Yi nodded. "I have. We can cooperate, but I want to change the terms of our coboration."

    Curiosity flickered in Xing Tian¡¯s eyes. "Oh? What terms do you propose?"

    Zhang Yi said, "I¡¯ll double the food supply you asked for, but you¡¯ll have to participate in this battle!"

    Xing Tian chuckled coldly. "You want me to help you? That¡¯s impossible! Qingfu Base avoids unnecessary conflicts. We won¡¯t fight you, but we also won¡¯t provoke the other three factions."

    Zhang Yi shook his head. "No, I don¡¯t need you to fight anyone. I just need you to show up and pretend to attack."

    Xing Tian¡¯s face was filled with doubt. "You want me to bring my forces and act? Zhang Yi, what¡¯s your game here?"

    Zhang Yi smiled. "You don¡¯t need to understand my motives. We have no conflicting interests or grudges. If you¡¯re willing to y along, I¡¯ll give you double the food. Are you in or out?"

    Xing Tian¡¯s eyes gleamed. The proposal seemed too good to refuse, though Zhang Yi¡¯s intent puzzled him.

    After some thought, Xing Tianughed heartily. "Fine! Why would I turn down such an offer? But you¡¯ll need to deliver the food in advance as a gesture of good faith!"

    Zhang Yi said, "I¡¯ll send you a third as a deposit. The rest will be delivered once the job is done."

    Xing Tian pondered briefly and agreed. "Alright, 2:30 PM tomorrow at the old site of the West Hill Base. We¡¯ll make the exchange!"

    "Deal."

    Ending the call, Zhang Yi felt his n taking shape.

    He could have opted to keep Qingfu Base out of the fray, but he chose to pay a higher price to ensure they yed their role convincingly.

    This decision served two purposes:

    First, Qingfu Base¡¯s involvement would lull Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases into a false sense of security, minimizing their defenses against the Baixue Sect¡¯s impending betrayal.

    Second, Zhang Yi was confident the Shelter could withstand a coordinated attack from multiple factions. If their assault failed, the Baixue Sect¡¯s backstabbined with his counteroffensive would devastate both Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases.

    At that point, Qingfu Base wouldn¡¯t resist the temptation to join the fray and capitalize on the situation.

    Though Xing Tiancked ambition, he wasn¡¯t foolish. Who would pass up the chance to im the spoils of war?

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 400: The Unknown

    Chapter 400: The Unknown

    Everything was an unknown.

    Zhang Yi was clever but never blindly confident. In the apocalypse, only pure interests mattered¡ªfaith and loyalty were nonexistent.

    Rtionships between individuals and alliances between forces were built on mutual exploitation. One moment might see close cooperation, and the next, a knife in the back.

    Because Zhang Yi trusted no one, he had to meticulously ount for everyone¡¯s intentions.

    The ideal oue of this war would be as he envisioned. Yet even in the worst-case scenario, where both Qingfu Base and the Baixue Sect betrayed him and joined forces with Yangsheng Base and Chaoyu Base to attack the Shelter, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t be surprised.

    ¡°At worst, I¡¯ll abandon the top two floors and retreat to the heavily fortified underground defenses. That¡¯s the absolute worst oue,¡± Zhang Yi muttered coldly.

    ¡°But that woulde at a heavy cost for them!¡±

    His gaze turned icy. On reflection, Zhang Yi realized he was undoubtedly one of the top superhumans in Tianhai City. Perhaps not the strongest, but those who could rival him were few, if any.

    When he chose to defend and counterattack cautiously, the devastation he could unleash was unimaginable.

    ---

    In the dead of night, frantic knocking suddenly echoed through Zhang Yi¡¯s door.

    "Zhang Yi! Zhang Yi! Something¡¯s happening with Yang Siyah!"

    Outside was Zhou Ke''er''s anxious voice.

    Zhang Yi leapt out of bed, startling Hua Hua, who had been sleeping soundly. The feline¡¯s eyes snapped open, glowing like copper bells.

    Zhang Yi hurried to open the door, simultaneously checking the surveince footage of Yang Siyah¡¯s room on his phone.

    As expected, Yang Siyah was strapped to the bed with restraints, her face flushed red and her body drenched in sweat.

    At the center of her forehead, a white glow flickered, as if something within her was about to erupt.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go check!¡± Zhang Yi said with a grave tone.

    If he found any sign that Yang Siyah was being controlled, he wouldn¡¯t hesitate to incapacitate her¡ªor worse, if necessary.

    After all, superhumans were inherently unpredictable.

    Sensing Zhang Yi¡¯s tense aura, Zhou Ke''er trailed behind him without a word.

    With Hua Hua by his side, Zhang Yi quickly reached Yang Siyah¡¯s room.

    By the time they arrived, however, the abnormal sweating and redness had subsided. Yang Siyahy gasping for breath on the bed, her movements inhibited by the drugs.

    ¡°Yang Siyah? Yang Siyah?¡± Zhang Yi called softly, maintaining his distance.

    Yang Siyah¡¯s eyes fluttered open. Upon seeing Zhang Yi, she forced a small, joyful smile.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, I did it!¡±

    At that moment, Hua Hua jumped onto the bed, swishing its tail as it prowled over Yang Siyah. Finally, it turned its calm gaze toward Zhang Yi.

    This was all the assurance Zhang Yi needed.

    The demon cat¡¯s senses were hundreds of times more acute than a human¡¯s. Any anomaly, no matter how faint, would not escape its notice. Hua Hua¡¯s reaction told Zhang Yi that Yang Siyah was unchanged¡ªthe same woman he knew inside and out.

    ¡°Could I have been overthinking this? Could the Ice Soul, verified by even the Western Bases, truly be harmless?¡± Zhang Yi wondered.

    But he quickly discarded the thought. Better to doubt and verify than to trust blindly. A little extra caution never hurt.

    Without untying her restraints, Zhang Yi asked, ¡°How do you feel now? What kind of ability did you awaken?¡±

    When superhumans awakened their powers, they instinctively understood their nature, as if an extra limb had grown, clear and intuitive.

    Closing her eyes to sense her ability, Yang Siyah suddenly chuckled. ¡°Turns out I¡¯m only destined to be a homemaker!¡±

    Despite her self-deprecating words, her face showed no disappointment; instead, she seemed quite pleased with her newfound power.

    Yang Siyah exined, ¡°My ability is Feast. The food I make can restore a person¡¯s depleted superhuman energy.¡±

    She smiled again. ¡°It¡¯s a support-type ability, just as I thought! Honestly, that¡¯s fine. I was never good at fighting anyway.¡±

    Rxing at her exnation, Zhang Yi leaned against the doorframe and smiled.

    ¡°That¡¯s actually a very useful ability. It means we won¡¯t have to worry about energy depletion during battles.¡±

    He turned to Zhou Ke¡¯er. ¡°Ke¡¯er, help her out of the restraints.¡±

    Though her eyes shone with envy, Zhou Ke¡¯er moved to untie Yang Siyah. However, the lingering effects of the drugs still left Yang Siyah immobilized.

    ¡°When you¡¯ve recovered by tomorrow, show everyone what you can do,¡± Zhang Yi said warmly.

    ¡°Alright!¡± Yang Siyah agreed, her face still glistening with sweat but her eyes sparkling with determination. Finally, she could contribute to the team and prove her worth.

    Leaving Zhou Ke¡¯er to tend to Yang Siyah, Zhang Yi returned to his quarters.

    Infusing food with restorative properties was not an overwhelmingly powerful ability, but it was undeniably practical¡ªespecially with a major battle on the horizon.

    "The Great Decree was right¡ªthe effects of the Ice Soul depend entirely on the individual¡¯s potential. Yang Siyah¡¯s abilities may only reach a support level, even with her awakening."

    ¡°She reminds me a bit of Li Jian,¡± Zhang Yi mused, recalling the second Ice Soul he possessed.

    After pondering for a while, he decided to hold off on using it for now. Creating another superhuman wasn¡¯t urgent. He would continue observing Yang Siyah to ensure there were no unforeseen issues. Only then would he consider letting Zhou Ke¡¯er or Lu Keran use the Ice Soul.

    ---

    The next day arrived.

    By mid-morning, Zhang Yi called Xing Tian.

    ¡°Come over now. The meeting ce has changed¡ªit¡¯s Xu Family Town in the Lu River District.¡±

    ¡°Your territory?¡± Xing Tian asked, frowning.

    Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m the one being surrounded and attacked, not you. It¡¯s only prudent for me to be cautious. Surely you don¡¯t suspect me of plotting against you?¡±

    Their agreed-upon time was 2:30 PM, but Zhang Yi had no intention of adhering to it.

    Setting a fixed time and location would only create opportunities for ambushes. Zhang Yi preferred to eliminate all variables.

    Xing Tian snorted. ¡°Fine, have it your way¡ªXu Family Town it is!¡±

    Although Xing Tian had gathered some information on Zhang Yi¡¯s group, he was unsure about their individual capabilities. He only knew that Zhang Yi had a small team and, without the Shelter¡¯s defenses, couldn¡¯t contend directly with base-level forces.

    Qingfu Steelworks was about 100 kilometers from Cloud Manor. Since they rarely left their territory, Xing Tian¡¯s group wasn¡¯t certain about travel times, so the n was to contact Zhang Yi upon reaching Xu Family Town.

    Author''s Noten/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

 Chapter 401: Xing Tianâ€™s Legion

    Chapter 401: Xing Tian¡¯s Legion

    Around midday, Xing Tian finally arrived at Xu Family Town with a group of his men.

    Their slow pace made Zhang Yi suspect they were also struggling with inadequate transportation. But operating on his own turf, Zhang Yi had little reason to fear.

    He called for Uncle You and Fatty Xu, along with Hua Hua, before setting out. Liang Yue, meanwhile, remained secluded in her own world. She had be oddly withdrawn¡ªno longerining to others, but instead spending her days alone in her room, quietly contemting with her Tang Sword in hand.

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t sure if this change was good or bad. For now, he decided not to disturb her and left her out of this mission. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    The group set off cautiously in a snow vehicle, heading across the river toward the meeting point.

    Meanwhile, Xing Tian and his entourage, as Zhang Yi had predicted, arrived at Xu Family Town with rudimentary transportation: dog sleds.

    It was no surprise¡ªone couldn¡¯t expect a team of steelworkers to master vehicle modification, nor did they have the abundant fuel resources of Yangsheng Base or Chaoyu Base.

    However, the dogs they bred were massive, hardy, and well-suited for survival in the apocalypse. Unlike pampered pets of the past, these dogs were fierce and versatile, equally adept at fighting and hauling sleds. Being omnivorous, they were also rtively easy to feed.

    At the forefront of the pack was a gigantic silver-gray dog, towering like a small house. On its back sat a cute little girl, humming a familiar nursery rhyme as the icy wind whipped around her.

    Xing Tian wore nobat gear, d instead in his signature gray-blue worker¡¯s uniform. Not even a thick coat adorned his frame. Yet despite the biting cold, he stood tall and unbothered, as if hispact, muscr body were forged from steel.

    The other workers around him were equally robust, their years in the steel mill evident in their hardened physiques.

    Nobody in their right mind would want to fight a team like this¡ªstrong, unyielding, and as solid as the steel they once forged.

    Standing in the biting wind, Xing Tian rolled up his sleeve to nce at the Patek Philippe watch on his wrist. The luxury timepiece, said to cost over ten million yuan, was looted from Director Gou. Despite its price tag, Xing Tian valued it not for its mary worth¡ªmoney was meaningless now¡ªbut for the sense of fulfillment it gave him, a symbol of the luxuries he could never have afforded before the apocalypse.

    ¡°Zhang Yi is slow,¡± he muttered, wiping frost from the watch face before carefully tucking it back under his sleeve.

    At that moment, a few workers approached him.

    ¡°Boss, we found some survivors in the area!¡±

    Xing Tian raised an eyebrow. ¡°What¡¯s their rtionship with Zhang Yi?¡±

    ¡°They don¡¯t seem to have one, but they¡¯re terrified of him,¡± one worker reported.

    Xing Tian nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Makes sense. If they were under Zhang Yi¡¯s protection, he wouldn¡¯t have brought us here. Leave them be.¡±

    A mischievous grin spread across the workers¡¯ faces.

    ¡°Boss, there are a lot of women in this town. And they¡¯re young,¡± one said, rubbing his hands together suggestively.

    The Qingfu Steelworks still had several thousand workers alive, 99.9% of whom were men. The few women who remained had long been imed by the supervisors. The rest of the men had little chance to find femalepanionship, especially in the deste surroundings of their base.

    It was no wonder they struggled to suppress their desires.

    Xing Tian smirked but said, ¡°Let me discuss it with Zhang Yi first. This is his territory, after all, so we should give him some respect.¡±

    Then, with a sly grin, he added, ¡°Of course, if I make the request personally, he¡¯ll have to return the courtesy.¡±

    The workers eagerly nodded, excitement lighting up their faces.

    ¡°Absolutely!¡±

    ¡°Boss, you¡¯re the man!¡±

    ---

    Before long, the roar of an engine echoed from the distance.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s snow vehicle appeared, approaching cautiously.

    Xing Tian¡¯s eyes sharpened as he watched Zhang Yi¡¯s arrival. Standing in the middle of the road with his arms crossed, he exuded an air of challenge. The icy wind whipped at his cor, but it did nothing to shake his imposing stance.

    Zhang Yi stopped the vehicle and carefully stepped out. The atmosphere between the two groups was tense. Though they had agreed to cooperate, neither side fully trusted the other. Any slight misstep could spark an immediate confrontation.

    It had been nearly ten years since the two hadst seen each other. Both had changed significantly.

    Zhang Yi had grown steadier, his once youthful brightness reced by an aura of cold detachment. His mere presence was enough to put Xing Tian and his men on edge.

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t doing anything intentionally threatening, but the sheer number of lives he had taken had etched a deadly aura into his very being. Whenever he focused, that aura seemed to seep from his every movement and gaze.

    ¡°This guy is not someone to mess with,¡± thought everyone from Qingfu Base, even Xing Tian himself.

    But as the leader, Xing Tian had to maintain hisposure.

    They scrutinized each other. Xing Tian had also changed¡ªa more muscr physique and the ability to endure subzero temperatures in nothing but his worker¡¯s uniform suggested a significant enhancement of his physical capabilities.

    Zhang Yi recalled the West Hill Base¡¯s report on Xing Tian. His power was said to be unique: a group-wide buff that significantly boosted his and hisrades¡¯ strength.

    And then there was the enormous mutated dog. Its presence alone was impossible to ignore.

    Hua Hua and the beast immediately locked eyes, their throats rumbling with low, dangerous growls.

    The girl on the dog¡¯s back, Zhou Lingling, patted its head gently. ¡°Lele, be good. Don¡¯t growl at others.¡±

    The dog calmed down, squinting its eyes as if pacified. Hua Hua, meanwhile, seemed disinterested, standing quietly by Zhang Yi¡¯s side but keeping its sharp gaze fixed on the other animal.

    ¡°Hahaha! Long time no see, old ssmate!¡± Xing Tian suddenly broke into heartyughter.

    ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought, after ten years, we¡¯d meet again under these circumstances?¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled warmly. ¡°Indeed. I thought the next time we¡¯d meet would be at a ss reunion over a drink!¡±

    ¡°But look at you now, Xing Tian¡ªone of the big shots of Tianhai City!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s ttery visibly pleased Xing Tian, whose smirk lifted slightly.

    ¡°Not bad, not bad. And you¡¯re doing well yourself. Even if you don¡¯t have a vast territory like mine, you¡¯re still a significant figure in Tianhai City.¡±

    Xing Tian sighed theatrically. ¡°Who would¡¯ve thought that someone as inconspicuous as I was back in school would end up here?¡±

    It was a humblebrag, meant to highlight his achievements.

    Zhang Yi chuckled inwardly, choosing not to expose him. He knew exactly what Xing Tian sought: admiration and validation, a remedy for his years of insignificance and inferiority.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 402: Yang Siyahâ€™s Superpower

    Chapter 402: Yang Siyah¡¯s Superpower

    As agreed, Zhang Yi handed over a third of the food as a deposit to Xing Tian. With plenty of people and sleds at his disposal, Xing Tian¡¯s team easily loaded up the supplies for transport back to their base.

    Watching himself gain these resources without shedding a drop of blood, Xing Tian was thrilled.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi made a show of looking slightly pained by the exchange, further boosting Xing Tian¡¯s satisfaction.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, don¡¯t feel bad about this. Working with us at Qingfu Base will definitely be worth it!¡± Xing Tian said with a grin.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s lips curled into a faint smirk. Squinting slightly, he replied, ¡°Do you remember back in middle school when I fought some kids from the ss next door?¡±

    Xing Tian paused, then nodded as memories resurfaced. ¡°Yeah, I remember. Those punks were after Fan Xingcan, but she secretly had a crush on you. That¡¯s why they ganged up on you.¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded. ¡°There were five of them against me. I knew I couldn¡¯t win, so I went after the loudest one and knocked out three of his teeth.¡±

    Pointing a finger at Xing Tian, Zhang Yi¡¯s expression grew colder and sharper. ¡°This time, I¡¯m giving you food, and I expect you to honor our agreement. But if you betray me, even if your entire teames at me, I¡¯ll make sure to drag you all down with me.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll go down together, and then we¡¯ll see if Qingfu Base can still survive in Tianhai City!¡±

    Xing Tian felt a chill run down his spine and instinctively swallowed.

    ¡°Haha, Zhang Yi, you underestimate me! Let me tell you, I, Xing Tian, built my reputation on loyalty. Just wait and see!¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled. ¡°Good. I¡¯d prefer to avoid bloodshed between old ssmates.¡±

    Xing Tian gathered his men and food supplies before leaving Xu Family Town. He nced back cautiously at Zhang Yi several times, even forgetting to bring up the request to take women from the town back with them.

    Once Xing Tian was gone, Zhang Yi called for Uncle You and the others to return to the Shelter.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go. It¡¯s time to prepare for battle,¡± Zhang Yi said.

    Uncle You added, ¡°Let¡¯s hope the food doesn¡¯t go to waste! Otherwise, we¡¯ll have lost both resources and allies.¡±

    Zhang Yi dismissed the concern. ¡°The supplies we gave them were canned goods confiscated from West Hill Base¡ªhardly anything special. Once things settle down, with my and Fatty Xu¡¯s capabilities, we can replenish those easily. No need to feel sorry for it.¡±

    Uncle You chuckled but warned, ¡°I just hope we didn¡¯t feed a pack of ingrates. If they turn on us, it¡¯ll be a big loss.¡±

    ¡°Unlikely,¡± Zhang Yi said calmly but with confidence. ¡°Even after all these years, Xing Tian¡¯s personality hasn¡¯t changed much. A person¡¯s nature is hard to alter. He¡¯s gone from an unremarkable nobody to a leader with powers and influence, but that doesn¡¯t make him a brilliant strategist ormander.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s cautious and afraid of losing what he has. He excels at maintaining his position butcks the boldness to take risks. Having already tasted some benefits, he¡¯ll prefer to stay passive and profit without conflict.¡±

    Of course, Zhang Yi admitted internally that no one was immune to such temptations. If he were in Xing Tian¡¯s shoes, he too might opt for the safer option of taking the food and walking away.

    Still, Zhang Yi added, ¡°We¡¯ll prepare for any possibility, just in case.¡±

    ---

    Returning to the Shelter, the group was greeted by the aroma of freshly cooked food wafting through the air.

    The scent was especially rich today, invigorating everyone who caught a whiff. Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes shed with a guess and he headed to the kitchen.

    Sure enough, Yang Siyah, fully recovered, was busy cooking in the open kitchen. Several other women stood nearby, captivated by the tantalizing smells.

    When Yang Siyah saw Zhang Yi, her eyes lit up with excitement. ¡°Zhang Yi, I¡¯ve mastered my ability! Come and try my cooking!¡±

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, smiling as he approached. ¡°Oh? That quickly? Impressive.¡±

    After changing into morefortable clothes, he walked toward the kitchen ind.

    ¡°I take it you¡¯ve all sampled Chef Yang¡¯s cooking?¡± he asked the others.

    Lu Keran nodded enthusiastically. ¡°Yes, boss! Yang Siyah¡¯s cooking is amazing! It even feels magical¡ªafter eating, I¡¯m full of energy and ready to take on anything!¡±

    Zhang Yi pondered this revtion. It seemed her ability worked not just on superhumans but also on ordinary people. That was incredibly convenient¡ªfood that could restore not only physical strength but also energy was exceedingly rare.

    At the kitchen table, Zhang Yi noticed Liang Yue. Herplexion looked much better, and she seemed more spirited than before.

    Curious, Zhang Yi turned to Yang Siyah. ¡°Even Teacher Liang isn¡¯t gloomy anymore after eating your cooking?¡±

    Waving her spat proudly, Yang Siyah replied, ¡°Of course! My cooking boosts energy, clears the mind, and even removes negative conditions!¡±

    Zhang Yi was startled. This was practically a built-in cleanse potion!

    Yang Siyah offered him a bowl of chestnut porridge with a look of eager anticipation. ¡°Zhang Yi, try this!¡±

    Not wanting to dampen her spirits, Zhang Yi smiled and epted the bowl. He set Hua Hua aside, scooping a small portion to let the cat sample it first.

    Hua Hua sniffed, its sharp eyes narrowing in apparent thought before eagerly eating the offering.

    Only then did Zhang Yi take a sip. n/?/vel/b//in dot c//om

    As the porridge slid down his throat, a surge of energy flooded his body, erasing all fatigue. He felt rejuvenated, ready to drop and do a hundred push-ups right then and there.

    ¡°Good stuff!¡± Zhang Yi eximed.

    Hua Hua, noticing the empty bowl, pounced to paw at it, prompting Yang Siyah to serve the cat its own portion.

    Yang Siyah¡¯s support-type ability had proven invaluable. While it wasn¡¯t shy or offensive, its effectiveness brought joy to the group, especially with the looming battle.

    Both Zhou Ke¡¯er and Lu Keran couldn¡¯t hide their envy, wishing Zhang Yi would soon use the remaining Ice Soul on one of them.

    Zhang Yi, however, brushed them off, preferring to observe Yang Siyah¡¯s progress further.

    Yang Xinxin, on the other hand, scoffed at the Ice Soul, dering her brain to be her ultimate weapon. To her, gaining a mundane ability like cooking would only be a burden.

    Everyone who tasted Yang Siyah¡¯s cooking praised her power. Zhang Yi, initially cautious, rxed as he found no adverse effects.

    He then inquired about the specifics of her ability.

    Yang Siyah exined, ¡°Since I just awakened, I can only enchant food in limited quantities¡ªabout five servings at a time. The benefit is that it quickly restores both physical and superhuman energy.¡±

    Zhang Yi asked, ¡°Can the enchanted food be stored, or does its effectiveness diminish over time?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not sure,¡± Yang Siyah admitted. ¡°But I¡¯ve noticed the fresher the food, the stronger the effect.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± Zhang Yi replied. ¡°From now on, focus on makingrge batches of convenient foods, like energy bars. I¡¯ll handle the storage issue.¡±

    By storing her creations in his spatial storage, Zhang Yi could ensure their efficacy wouldn¡¯t fade, effectively creating a stockpile of potent rations.

    In the future, with superhumans dominating the battlefield, such rations would undoubtedly be a strategic resource.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 403: The Battle Begins

    Chapter 403: The Battle Begins

    ording to the intelligence provided by the Baixue Sect and Xing Tian, the major factions would unite to attack Zhang Yi¡¯s Shelter in three days.

    This war was ostensibly about avenging the two bases Zhang Yi had annihted, but everyone knew it was really about carving up territory and consolidating power. Each faction had its own ulterior motives, striving to maximize its gains, yet they were allmitted to this inevitable sh.

    Three dayster, the Western factions would leave a portion of their forces behind to defend their bases while the rest, led by their leaders, advanced toward Cloud Manor by the Lu River.

    The agreed-upon time for the attack was 2:00 PM.

    Due to the uncertain conditions within the Ice Fortress surrounding the Shelter, a night raid was deemed too risky¡ªit would ce them at a disadvantage in unfamiliar terrain and make them susceptible to ambushes. With their overwhelming numerical superiority, a direct frontal assault was considered the safest approach.

    Yangsheng Base¡¯s forces were the most imposing, deploying fifteen vehicles, including specialized engineering vehicles and heavily modified armored cars. No other base in Tianhai City could boast such a formidable convoy.

    In the third armored car, Yangsheng Base¡¯s leader, Xiao Honglian, sat in a fiery redbat suit, her sharp gaze resembling that of an eagle.

    Her ability, Inferno Forge, was unique. Using mes, she could not only enhance her physical strength but also unleash intense heat to melt through any material. ssified as both an enhancement and emission-type ability, herbat prowess was exceptional. Given the conspicuous nature of her mes, herbat suit was appropriately red. Subtlety was unnecessary for someone like her¡ªshe was always the center of attention.

    As the convoy advanced steadily toward Cloud Manor, Xiao Honglian picked up hermunicator to confirm with the other three faction leaders that they would arrive on time.

    Satisfied with their responses, she rxed.

    However, her deputy, Zhuge Qingtian, wore a troubled expression.

    ¡°This morning, the gpole outside our base copsed,¡± he remarked.

    Xiao Honglian nced at him and scoffed. ¡°Superstitious, are we?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s not superstition,¡± Zhuge Qingtian replied, shaking his head. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ I have a bad feeling, and it¡¯s getting stronger.¡±

    ¡°This is thergest war since the apocalypse began. We¡¯ve never mobilized such a massive force for a battle that could determine Yangsheng Base¡¯s fate.¡±

    In his heart, he added, If we lose, the consequences will be unthinkable. But he dared not voice this fear in front of Xiao Honglian.

    Without hesitation, Xiao Honglian dismissed his concerns with a resolute tone.

    ¡°We will win. The key factor in West Hill Base¡¯s destruction was the Jiangnan District missile, not Zhang Yi.¡±

    ¡°That tiny Shelter has fewer than ten people. Even if they¡¯re all superhumans, so what? With the Western factions united, crushing them will be effortless.¡±

    Pausing, she added, ¡°If I weren¡¯t concerned about unnecessary risks, I wouldn¡¯t have bothered calling on the other three factions.¡±

    ¡°Rest assured, nothing will go wrong this time. There¡¯s no force in Tianhai City that can withstand an assault from all of usbined.¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian remained silent for a moment before voicing another concern.

    ¡°I just hope the other factions don¡¯t mess this up.¡±

    Xiao Honglianughed loudly.

    ¡°Of course, they¡¯re unreliable! Those bloodthirsty scoundrels are like sharks¡ªdrawn to the scent of blood. They¡¯ll swarm in eagerly for the spoils.¡±

    Her gaze turned sharp as a de.

    ¡°That¡¯s why they¡¯re dependable. At least for this battle, their greed makes them trustworthy. Zhang Yi is a plump target, and they won¡¯t hesitate to fight over the juiciest piece.¡±

    ¡°We all enjoy bullying the weak, especially fat, helpless prey. Who could resist such temptation?¡±

    Xiao Honglian felt no doubt about their operation. Even Zhang Yi¡¯s vaunted Shelter defenses wouldn¡¯t be an issue¡ªshe had brought Wu Huairen, an expert in dismantling fortifications, to ensure their sess.

    The Western factions all believed that Zhang Yi¡¯s team had merely gotten lucky with West Hill Base, riding the coattails of Jiangnan District¡¯s missile strike. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    To Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai, Zhang Yi was just an overinted sheep ready for ughter.

    Zhuge Qingtian finally smiled. ¡°You¡¯re right. From a purely strategic standpoint, there¡¯s no reason we could fail.¡±

    Xiao Honglian patted him on the shoulder.

    ¡°You¡¯re just too tense! Once we win, we¡¯ll celebrate properly, and you¡¯ll see how sweet victory tastes.¡±

    Relieved, Zhuge Qingtian nodded. ¡°You¡¯re right. I¡¯m probably overthinking this.¡±

    The convoy continued its journey through the snow toward Cloud Manor.

    ---

    On the other side, Zhang Yi had long learned of their nned 2:00 PM attack. Still, to ensure readiness, his team began preparing at dawn.

    Cloud Manor¡¯s advantageous location, nestled between two small mountains and overlooking the Lu River, made the rear difficult to ess, forcing any attackers to approach through the open terrain at the front.

    Zhang Yi arranged his team at the first defensive line. Liang Yue, Uncle You, Fatty Xu, and Hua Hua were stationed there, while he remained inside the Shelter.

    ¡°I¡¯m not a close-quarters fighter,¡± Zhang Yi exined. ¡°But supporting from the rear with my Dimensional Gate and sniping abilities will maximize my contributions.¡±

    Though Zhang Yi never explicitly imed leadership, his orders carried the weight of authority. Even Fatty Xu, despite his fear of death,plied without protest.

    The impending battle seemed to awaken something in Liang Yue. Her demeanor shifted dramatically¡ªsilent, focused, and radiating a simmering killing intent.

    She med Yangsheng Base for her students¡¯ deaths and was determined to exact revenge.

    As she prepared to head to the front line, Zhang Yi stopped her.

    ¡°Liang Yue, borrow this for now,¡± he said, tossing her a weapon.

    Catching it, her eyes lit up with excitement¡ªit was her treasured Tang Sword, the Loong Roar!

    ¡°Return it after the battle,¡± Zhang Yi said calmly.

    Since he wouldn¡¯t be fighting on the front lines, the sword would be better used by Liang Yue.

    Her expression froze momentarily before she stomped a foot in mock frustration.

    ¡°Got it!¡± she huffed.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 404: The Perfect Sniping Spot

    Chapter 404: The Perfect Sniping Spot

    After assigning tasks to the frontline personnel, Zhang Yi turned to the support team, reiterating instructions he had already emphasized many times.

    "Ke''er, be prepared to treat the wounded."

    "Yang Siyah, focus on resting and producing as much energy-restoring food as possible."

    Both Yang Siyah and Zhou Ke''er nodded seriously, acknowledging their roles.

    Next, Zhang Yi addressed Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran.

    "Xinxin, all the frontline firepower instations are under your control. Our firepower output points are numerous, and most people can''t handle them simultaneously."

    "Some of the enemy forces might even include our allies¡ªor at least neutral parties. Follow my orders before targeting anyone."

    Yang Xinxin''s excitement was unmistakable, her face flushed with anticipation. She sped her reddened cheeks with both hands and eximed, "Ah~ I finally get to kill enemies myself! What a wonderful battle this will be! Zhang Yi, I¡¯ll be your best helper!" As for Lu Keran, there was no immediate task for her. Her main role had been pre-battle preparation¡ªcalibrating weapons and ensuring the firepower systems were in working order. Zhang Yi instructed her to stay with Yang Xinxin and wait for further assignments.

    With the tasks delegated, Zhang Yi dismissed them.

    "Alright, return to your stations. The enemy could arrive at any moment. Don¡¯t stress too much; this battle might be over quickly, or it could drag on. Tension will only lead to mistakes."

    He then turned and ascended to the second floor of the Shelter.

    Much like before, Zhang Yi had already secured important items from the first and second floors. He was prepared for the possibility, however slim, of the Shelter¡¯s surface being breached.

    The women watched as Zhang Yi climbed the stairs alone, each secretly wishing they could follow him and fight by his side. However, they knew he disliked anyone deviating from his ns, so they returned to their posts to await the enemy¡¯s arrival.

    ---

    On the second floor, Zhang Yi made his way up to the attic¡ªa rarely visited space in the Shelter.

    The attic was modest, just over fifty square meters in size, equivalent to a bathroom in the Shelter. Its purpose might have been as a study, a music room, or simply a vantage point for enjoying the scenery.

    Zhang Yi chose it for its height and panoramic views. With skylights surrounding the attic, it offered an unobstructed view of the battlefield¡ªa perfect sniper''s nest.

    Standing at a window, Zhang Yi gazed out at the expanse before him.

    The battle with West Hill Base had leveled much of the terrain in front of Cloud Manor, leaving it wide open.

    Not far aheady the Lu River, with Xu Family Town and its snow huts visible on the opposite bank. East and west stretched vast snow-covered ins¡ªonce filled with buildings or forests, now erased by the apocalypse¡¯s snowstorms and buried underyers of frost.

    This open expanse was ideal for an advancing charge but equally advantageous for sniping.

    From his spatial storage, Zhang Yi retrieved a metal case, pulling out a heavy sniper rifle.

    Methodically, he set up the rifle at the window, unpacking several boxes of ammunition and cing them nearby. He even brought a chair, ensuring he could remain steady and avoid fatigue during prolonged sniping.

    Once ready, Zhang Yimanded, "Xiao Ai, open the window in front of me."

    The Dimensional Gate had been positioned to seal the area, preventing any shots from prating the attic. With it now adjusted, Zhang Yi prepared to scan for the enemy¡¯s approach.

    Though he had once taken down Ling Feng in a one-on-one fight, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t consider himself a close-quartersbatant. Despite his speed-enhancing abilities and the martial arts training he¡¯d received from Liang Yue, he instinctively avoided hand-to-handbat¡ªit wasn¡¯t his strength.

    Victory, he believed,y in two principles: <ol> <li> Exploit the weak and avoid the strong¡ªchoose the right opponent. </li> <li> y to your strengths¡ªnever expose your weaknesses. </li> </ol>

    This philosophy dictated his decision to stay behind as a sniper rather than engage in directbat.

    The abilities he had absorbed from Ling Feng had significantly enhanced his skills. Not only had he gained Divine Power, but his precision shooting had improved dramatically.

    With the heavy sniper rifle, Zhang Yi¡¯s effective range was now 3.5 kilometers, with a maximum range of 5 kilometers. At that distance, he could eliminate unprotected targets or even soldiers in standard body armor. For elitebat gear, his uracy dropped but remained lethal within 1.5 kilometers.

    However, soldiers in specializedbat suits or higher-ranking leaders were another matter. Such targets would either be heavily guarded or resistant to gunfire. Those would be left to Liang Yue and the others, who had the appropriate weapons and skills for the task. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    That was why he had entrusted Liang Yue with her cherished Loong Roar Sword.

    The other major upgrade to Zhang Yi¡¯s abilities was his Dimensional Gate. It now spanned arger area and could withstand greater energy loads¡ªan enormous leap in power.

    Still, Zhang Yi recognized his limits. If he faced Ling Feng again in an unprepared skirmish, he estimated a 50% chance of being killed.

    ¡°Even so, as long as I y to my strengths and maximize my abilities, I¡¯ll be the enemy¡¯s worst nightmare,¡± Zhang Yi murmured, narrowing his eyes.

    Today, his objectives were clear: <ol> <li> Eliminate as many ordinary soldiers as possible before the battle escted. Superhumans were harder to kill and not worth prioritizing. Ordinary soldiers, however, were easy prey¡ªeach bullet a guaranteed kill with his lock-on precision. Their deaths would demoralize the enemy, and with enough losses, the attackers might abandon their assault altogether. For Zhang Yi, winning without a fight was the ideal oue. </li> </ol> <ol start="2"> <li> Use the Dimensional Gate to support Liang Yue, Uncle You, and the others in their defense. </li> </ol>

    Once these goals were achieved, Zhang Yi nned to retreat from the first defensive line and regroup at the Shelter, ensuring no enemy would get close enough to endanger him.

    ¡°No matter what, I won¡¯t let anyone reach me,¡± he resolved, steadying his focus on the battlefield ahead.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 405: Precision Kill

    Chapter 405: Precision Kill

    At the Shelter, everyone had been on high alert since morning, awaiting the enemy''s arrival without a moment¡¯s rest. They ate energy bars to stave off hunger and conserved Yang Siyah¡¯s ability-enhanced food as a critical resource for the battle itself.

    Finally, around 1:00 PM, Zhang Yi¡¯s tactical monocle captured subtle movement across the snowfield.

    ¡°Attention, everyone! The enemy has appeared,¡± Zhang Yi announced over thems.

    The team¡¯s eyes sharpened with vignce as they quickly readied themselves forbat. Liang Yue, in particr, struggled to contain her fierce battle spirit.

    But Zhang Yi¡¯s next words tempered their excitement: ¡°They¡¯re still 5 kilometers away.¡±

    A collective groan followed, though no one dared rx. Instead, they waited for the enemy to approach.

    For now, the battle belonged solely to Zhang Yi.

    The forces of Chaoyu Base were the first to arrive. Unlike the other factions, they faced fewer concerns about risking their resources. Their primary assets¡ªports and ships¡ªwere too specialized for anyone else to use effectively. Seeking to secure the best position for an assault, their convoy moved steadily across the snowfield.

    The fleet consisted of over a dozen modified vehicles, each packed with armed soldiers. Dressed in whitebat suits adorned with wave insignias, the soldiers and vehicles blended seamlessly into the snowyndscape.

    Upon nearing Cloud Manor, they spotted the imposing 20-meter-high Ice Fortress.

    Wei Dinghai, the Chaoyu leader, assessed the scene. ¡°The others haven¡¯t arrived yet. Stop here for now. Let¡¯s secure advantageous terrain so our artillery can target the Shelter¡¯s front.¡±

    His deputy, Chen Jingguan, peered through binocrs and scoffed.

    ¡°An ice fortress? Clever, but ultimately pointless! This structure will never withstand our artillery. If anything, it gives us an environmental advantage. They¡¯ll never see iting.¡±

    Wei Dinghai remainedposed. ¡°Remember this: despite their small numbers, building such a massive fortification suggests they have a powerful superhuman among them.¡±

    Chen Jingguan chuckled dismissively. ¡°No superhuman can withstand thebined assault of the Western factions.¡±

    Wei Dinghai smirked, casually flexing his wrist. ¡°This isn¡¯t a battle¡ªit¡¯s an execution. Still, I¡¯m curious about the people inside. If they survive, I might consider recruiting them.¡±

    ¡°That would be their greatest honor,¡± Chen Jingguan said sycophantically.

    The convoy slowed as they neared Cloud Manor, halting a few kilometers from the fortress. Their n was to unleash a barrage of artillery fire from a safe distance and demolish the icy defenses.

    But before they could set up, chaos erupted.

    The windshield of the lead vehicle shattered, followed by a deafening crack! Blood sprayed as the driver¡¯s head exploded like a watermelon.

    ¡°Enemy attack!¡± shouted the soldier in the passenger seat. He ducked instinctively and broadcast the alert over hisms.

    But just secondster, a bullet pierced the engine block, then ripped through his chest, leaving a massive, gaping hole.

    The convoy froze in confusion, the soldiers scrambling for cover amidst the sudden chaos.

    Inside one of the middle vehicles, Wei Dinghai and Chen Jingguan were startled by the unexpected attack.

    ¡°Where is thising from?¡± Wei Dinghai demanded. ¡°This is an open snowfield¡ªwhere could the enemy possibly be hiding?¡±

    The intelligence suggested fewer than ten people were defending the Shelter, yet now they were being ambushed like this.

    Unable to process the situation, Wei Dinghai barked out amand: ¡°Everyone, stay alert! Find the enemy and take them out!¡±

    The Chaoyu soldiers¡ªmany of whom were mercenaries, bodyguards, or hired thugs¡ªimmediately chambered their rounds. Using their vehicles as cover, they cautiously scanned the snowy expanse for the unseen sniper.

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    Another soldier dropped, his head obliterated in a bloody explosion. Zhang Yi¡¯s anti-materiel sniper rifle turned each kill into a grotesque spectacle, sending waves of fear through the ranks.

    The soldiers who were preparing the artillery were now panicked, making them easy targets.

    ¡°Bang! Bang! Bang!¡±

    Three more soldiers fell, their upper bodies reduced to crimson mist by the sheer force of Zhang Yi¡¯s rifle.

    The rifle¡¯s massive caliber left no room for survival. Chaoyu¡¯s soldiers, many of whom were inexperienced, froze in terror at the sight of theirrades¡¯ grisly deaths.

    The few who tried to hide behind vehicles fared no better. Zhang Yi¡¯s bullets pierced through the cars and struck those behind them, adding to the carnage.

    As long as those soldiers exposed any part of their bodies, Zhang Yi would pull the trigger without hesitation.

    If it was a head, he¡¯d aim for the head. If it was a foot, he¡¯d aim for the foot.

    At these subzero temperatures, even a ncing blow would mean death.

    The gunfire never stopped, each deafening shot echoing across the frozen expanse. One soldier after another fell, their deaths gruesome and horrifying. Blood sprayed across the pristine snow, staining the field in grotesque sshes of crimson. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

    Some tried to hide behind vehicles, but Zhang Yi¡¯s anti-materiel rifle showed no mercy. Both the cars and the soldiers using them as cover were pierced through in a single, devastating shot.

    Not once did the Chaoyu forces locate their assant. Every attempt to pinpoint Zhang Yi¡¯s position ended in failure¡ªand death.

    The relentless assault shattered their morale, leaving them panicked and confused.

    Faced with such a humiliating massacre, Wei Dinghai finally lost hisposure.

    ¡°Using my men as targets for practice?! How arrogant can he be!¡± he bellowed, his voice trembling with rage.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 406: The Invisible Enemy

    Chapter 406: The Invisible Enemy

    After Zhang Yi eliminated 15 soldiers, a dense, swirling white mist suddenly rose around the convoy, and a blizzard enveloped itpletely. The entire convoy disappeared from Zhang Yi¡¯s sight.

    He paused, lowering his rifle momentarily.

    "An ice element superhuman? Their ability seems somewhat simr to Fatty Xu¡¯s," Zhang Yi mused with a faint smirk, his eyes remaining fixed on the tactical monocle.

    ¡°How long can this abilityst, I wonder? You¡¯re here to attack me, and I don¡¯t believe you¡¯ll stay still for long.¡±

    All Zhang Yi needed was for his enemies to show the smallest w¡ªjust a brief moment of vulnerability.

    At the center of the convoy, Wei Dinghai activated his Ice and Snow Lord ability, summoning a fierce blizzard to shield the vehicles temporarily.

    But this was only a stopgap measure. They were still a considerable distance from Cloud Manor, with no nearby terrain to provide adequate cover. Prolonged use of his ability would deplete his energy, leaving him weaker for the uing fight.

    "The priority is to find that sniper!" Wei Dinghai ordered sharply. ¡°Why can¡¯t we locate him?¡± he demanded, his voice filled with frustration.

    None of his subordinates could provide a satisfactory answer.

    The snowfield offered no suitable vantage points for a sniper. From the trajectory of the shots, it was clear they came from an elevated position, but there wasn¡¯t even a tree nearby¡ªjust the vast, empty sky.

    Chen Jingguan spected, ¡°I believe Zhang Yi¡¯s team has a highly skilled superhuman sniper.¡±

    He pointed in the direction of the Shelter.

    ¡°The sniper¡¯s position must be over there. That¡¯s where the shots areing from.¡±

    Wei Dinghai¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°But that¡¯s over 3 kilometers away! This sniper fired over a dozen shots without showing signs of fatigue, and yet he hasn¡¯t targeted our key personnel.¡±

    This led both Wei Dinghai and Chen Jingguan to a chilling conclusion: the sniper wasn¡¯t just skilled¡ªhe was terrifyingly powerful.

    Not only did his superhuman ability provide overwhelming firepower, but his energy reserves were vast enough to allow him to ¡°waste¡± shots on ordinary soldiers.

    Without hesitation, Wei Dinghai made his decision.

    ¡°Order the convoy to retreat! The other factions haven¡¯t arrived yet, and there¡¯s no reason for us to suffer unnecessary losses. Just move out of his firing range!¡±

    The order spread quickly among the soldiers. They rushed back into their vehicles, and the convoy began to reverse course, attempting to escape the sniper¡¯s reach. Wei Dinghai maintained the blizzard to obscure Zhang Yi¡¯s line of sight.

    Turning vehicles in the snow was a clumsy process, inevitably exposing some of them to Zhang Yi¡¯s scope.

    He anticipated their retreat and waited for the convoy to reach 3 kilometers from the first defensive line. At that range, his heavy sniper rifle could still pierce their armored vehicles with ease.

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    A shotnded squarely on the front wheel of a vehicle, puncturing the tire and damaging the tracks. The vehicle tilted sharply to one side.

    Unperturbed, Zhang Yi calmly reloaded and fired again, this time taking out both the front and rear wheels of another vehicle, rendering it immobile.

    Inside the damaged vehicle, panic erupted.

    ¡°The car¡¯s down! What do we do?¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t leave us behind¡ªhelp us!¡±

    ¡°If we leave the blizzard, we¡¯ll be sitting ducks!¡±

    They were gripped by fear, knowing their attacker was a long-range superhuman they had no way of countering. This was far more terrifying than facing a conventional sniper, who at least operated within human limitations.

    A single mistake in this confrontation meant death.

    Wei Dinghai knew abandoning nearly 20 soldiers in a single vehicle would be disastrous.

    ¡°Slow down! Let the soldiers in the disabled vehicle transfer to another one!¡± he ordered.

    Chaoyu Base¡¯s forcescked anyparable long-range superhuman attackers. Even though they had powerful superhumans of their own, Wei Dinghai wasn¡¯t about to send one to recklessly engage Zhang Yi before the other factions arrived.

    This war was about profit, not pride.

    As the vehicles slowed, Wei Dinghai expanded the blizzard to make targeting more difficult for Zhang Yi.

    The swirling snow obscured Zhang Yi¡¯s line of sight, but he wasn¡¯t deterred. Even without precise targeting, his heavy sniper rifle¡¯s power ensured that any hit would be devastating.

    Each shot was aimed at the general area of the retreating convoy, exploiting the density of their formation to maximize damage.

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    A bullet punched through the rear door of a vehicle, shattering the thin steel ting. A soldier inside screamed as his leg was grazed, leaving a bloody mess where flesh once was.

    ¡°Damn it! Our armor¡¯s too thin to withstand a weapon like this!¡± one veteran shouted angrily.

    He had fought in countless battles, but never had he felt so helpless.

    The bullets kepting, their terrifying sound echoing through the blizzard. Soldiers, unable to trust the vehicles¡¯ armor for protection, cowered on the floors of theirpartments.

    But even that wasn¡¯t always enough.

    Those lucky enough to die instantly were spared the agony of the wounded, whose screams filled the air like haunting wails. The convoy¡¯s morale plummeted as fear gripped every heart.

    This sniper was no ordinary threat¡ªhe was a nightmare in the flesh.

    Chaoyu Base¡¯s soldiers had no idea they were up against the most formidable sniper in Tianhai City.

    Listening to the screams outside, Wei Dinghai¡¯s expression darkened.

    ¡°Get us out of here! Move faster! If there are injured soldiers, leave them behind¡ªthey¡¯re unlikely to survive anyway!¡± n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    From his vantage point in the attic, Zhang Yi emptied two magazines before switching to a fresh sniper rifle to avoid overheating.

    Each shot rang out like a death knell, precise and unrelenting. Zhang Yi was wholly focused, saying nothing to his teammates over the sharedms.

    Meanwhile, Fatty Xu, Uncle You, and Liang Yue listened to the gunfire through their shared channel.

    To them, it didn¡¯t feel like a battlefield.

    Instead, it sounded like a shooting range¡ªa series of calm, rhythmic gunshots.

    With every pull of the trigger, another life was snuffed out.

    Sometimes, killing was as simple as ying a game.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 407: One Man, One Gun

    Chapter 407: One Man, One Gun

    Chapter 407: One Man, One Gun

    Zhang Yi, alone with his sniper rifle, forced the entire Chaoyu Base to retreat.

    Gunfire echoed across the snowfield, each shot sending a chill of terror through the Chaoyu soldiers. Even their modified vehicles couldn¡¯t withstand the destructive power of Zhang Yi¡¯s rifle.

    Chen Jingguan couldn¡¯t take it any longer. ¡°If this keeps up, who knows how many more he¡¯ll kill? I¡¯m going out there!¡±

    He opened the car door, leaping into the icy storm. Agile as a monkey, he climbed onto a vehicle before vaulting into position at the rear of the convoy.

    In the blink of an eye, his body expanded and stretched, transforming into a massive, leathery shield covering thest two vehicles.

    ¡°Bang!¡±

    A bullet from Zhang Yi¡¯s rifle mmed into Chen Jingguan¡¯s barrier-like body. Though it didn¡¯t prate, the sheer force left a deep dent in the steel ting behind him, the bullet falling harmlessly to the snow.

    Pain twisted Chen Jingguan¡¯s expression. The bullet¡¯s power was immense. Even with his ability to resist most physical attacks, the impact caused significant difort. ¡°This sniper¡­ his power is terrifying,¡± Chen Jingguan muttered grimly.

    Unaware that a superhuman was now shielding the convoy, Zhang Yi continued firing methodically. If one rifle overheated, he calmly switched to another. Having raided West Hill Base¡¯s arsenal, he had five heavy sniper rifles at his disposal.

    After five or six minutes, the Chaoyu convoy finally vanished from Zhang Yi¡¯s sight, disappearing over the horizon.

    ¡°They¡¯ve fled?¡± Zhang Yi smirked. ¡°Looks like they¡¯re waiting for reinforcements before making another attempt. No matter whoes, though, they¡¯d better be ready for my sniper fire.¡±

    Through thems, Zhang Yi¡¯s teammates, hearing the sudden silence, quickly inquired about the situation.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, what happened? Did they retreat?¡±

    ¡°Yeah,¡± he replied nonchntly. ¡°I killed a few dozen of them, and they pulled back. I think they¡¯re waiting for the other factions to arrive beforeunching a coordinated attack.¡±

    His words left everyone stunned.

    ¡°You killed dozens of them already? Damn, boss, you¡¯re insane!¡± Fatty Xu eximed, his voice filled with awe.

    From the first gunshot to now, less than ten minutes had passed.

    With just a sniper rifle and his unmatched skill, Zhang Yi had routed the entire Chaoyu convoy, inflicting heavy casualties without suffering any losses.

    It dawned on everyone that Zhang Yi himself was the true first line of defense for the Shelter. His sniper range alone had rendered the initial defensive line almost unnecessary.

    ¡°This is just basic,¡± Zhang Yi replied calmly.

    To him, it wasn¡¯t anything extraordinary. If he couldn¡¯t achieve this level of efficiency, then all the superhuman power he had absorbed would have been wasted.

    In terms of sheer capability, Zhang Yi might already be the most formidable superhuman in Tianhai City. After all, one of his victims, Ling Feng, had been a top-tier superhuman before Zhang Yi devoured his abilities.

    ¡°Long-range sniping and defense are my strengths,¡± Zhang Yi exined. ¡°If they manage to breach my range and reach the defensive line, it¡¯ll be up to you to hold them off.¡± n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    ¡°And if necessary, I can use Divine Power to take down a few key superhumans.¡±

    Thebination of Divine Power and precision shooting was devastating. Within 300 meters, it was even deadlier than his sniper rifle, offering unparalleled lethality against all but the most heavily fortified superhumans.

    Fatty Xu chuckled nervously. ¡°Let¡¯s see if they even have the guts to survive your sniper fire first!¡±

    Zhang Yi remainedposed. This was routine for him. True mastery would be when he could snipe someone like Ling Feng from five kilometers away¡ªthat would be a true testament to his power.

    ---

    Back at a safe distance, Wei Dinghai ordered his men to assess the damage.

    The report was grim:

    ¡°One vehicle ispletely totaled, three more are severely damaged and may not make it back. We¡¯ve got two squad leaders lightly injured, and 35 soldiers are confirmed dead.¡±

    Wei Dinghai¡¯s expression darkened.

    They had brought 300 elite soldiers¡ªChaoyu¡¯s finest. And now, before even reaching Zhang Yi¡¯s Shelter, they had already lost a tenth of their forces.

    ¡°This¡­ this is a disaster. Zhang Yi¡¯s team has a superhuman this powerful? It doesn¡¯t make sense!¡±

    As a top-tier superhuman himself, Wei Dinghai had a deep understanding of what superhumans were capable of. But he couldn¡¯t fathom anyone being able to snipe from 3.5 kilometers away, prate 3mm steel ting, and decimate soldiers so effortlessly.

    ¡°Could Tianhai City have produced an Epsilon-level superhuman?¡± he wondered aloud.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s not that extreme,¡± he reasoned after a moment. ¡°This sniper is just incredibly specialized in long-rangebat. That means his close-range abilities must be weak.¡±

    Wei Dinghai quickly formted a n.

    ¡°To achieve such excellence in one area, there must be a ring weakness elsewhere. If we can close the distance, we can exploit his blind spots.¡±

    He tapped his chin thoughtfully.

    ¡°Once we breach the Shelter, that so-called ¡®death sniper¡¯ will no longer pose a threat.¡±

    At that moment, Chen Jingguan climbed back into the vehicle, his face pale from the strain of blocking Zhang Yi¡¯s bullets.

    ¡°Boss, that sniper is too dangerous. We can¡¯t keep advancing head-on. I suggest we take a detour, even if it¡¯s longer, to avoid him.¡±

    Wei Dinghai stroked his beard, contemting. ¡°A detour?¡±

    Based on Zhang Yi¡¯s effective range of 3.5 kilometers, a detour would require a significant reroute.

    Chen Jingguan pulled out a satellite phone, opening a map.

    ¡°Here,¡± he said, pointing to Xu Family Town. ¡°We canunch our attack from this direction. The terrain has plenty of cover, which will make it harder for him to target us.¡±

    Wei Dinghai nodded. ¡°Not a bad idea, but let¡¯s hold off on any action for now. Find a ce to hide.¡±

    ¡°Hide?¡± Chen Jingguan asked, puzzled. ¡°But he already knows we¡¯re here. What¡¯s the point?¡±

    Wei Dinghai¡¯s lips curled into a cold smile, his eyes shing with cruelty.

    ¡°That sniper¡¯s wrath shouldn¡¯t just be our burden. Let the others feel what it¡¯s like to be hunted like animals.¡±

    Chen Jingguan¡¯s eyes widened in realization.

    The Western factions were only temporarily united. Once this battle was over, they would inevitably turn on each other in their scramble for territory.

    If Wei Dinghai could maneuver the other factions into suffering simr losses to that sniper, it would make them easier to deal withter¡ªand Chaoyu would benefit from their weakened state.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 408: Full Counterattack

    Chapter 408: Full Counterattack

    The loss of dozens of subordinates left Wei Dinghai in a foul mood. Yet, the confrontation yielded a crucial piece of intelligence¡ªthe sniper was far less lethal against superhumans.

    At least against Chen Jingguan¡¯s formidable defense, the sniper¡¯s bullets failed to prate.

    ¡°The role of ordinary soldiers on the battlefield is bing increasingly limited,¡± Wei Dinghai muttered to himself. ¡°It seems the future will truly belong to superhumans.¡±

    This revtion deepened his conviction. He decided to stay put, deliberately withholding the information about the sniper¡¯s power from the other factions.

    Before long, Yangsheng Base¡¯s convoy arrived from a different direction.

    As they entered Zhang Yi¡¯s effective range, the hunt began anew.

    This time, Zhang Yi refined his approach. He targeted the vehicles¡¯ tires first, leaving several immobilized before picking off the drivers.

    As more vehicles were disabled, chaos spread through Yangsheng Base¡¯s convoy. The initial response mirrored Chaoyu Base¡¯s¡ªrely on the vehicles for cover while searching for the hidden sniper. Lacking prior warning, their tactics were predictable.

    Confident in their superior numbers and firepower, they believed they could flush out and eliminate the sniper.

    But that miscalction allowed Zhang Yi to systematically eliminate his targets.

    Heads exploded into bloody mists, and limbs protruding from vehicle gaps were shattered in an instant.

    ¡°Ahhhh!¡±

    ¡°My hand! My hand!¡±

    For the dead, their suffering was over. But for the wounded, the agony was unbearable. They writhed on the ground, their screams piercing the cold air like knives.

    Zhang Yi ignored them. The wounded were as good as dead, and their cries served to demoralize the rest of the enemy.

    ---

    Xiao Honglian quickly seized control of the situation, issuing firm orders.

    ¡°Find that damn sniper and take him out! No one ambushes us like this and lives to tell about it!¡±

    But despite their efforts, her soldiers failed to locate Zhang Yi.

    No one could have imagined a sniper capable of hitting targets urately from 3.5 kilometers away.

    Even if they identified his position, not a single superhuman or soldier in Tianhai City could retaliate effectively from that distance.

    Sometimes, even Zhang Yi underestimated his own strength. But in battle, his adversaries were always reminded of his devastating prowess.

    ---

    Suddenly, a blur of white streaked across the battlefield.

    As one of Zhang Yi¡¯s bullets streaked toward the convoy, the white figure leapt into its path. Sparks erupted as the bullet was deflected mid-air, forcing the figure to stagger back from the impact.

    ¡°Oh? Finally, someone interesting?¡± Zhang Yi muttered, his lips curling into a faint smirk.

    Adjusting his scope, he focused on the figure¡ªa tall, wiry humanoid with a wolf-like head and silvery-gray fur.

    It was a beast-type superhuman, his agility and strength exining how he could deflect a bullet with his bare hands.

    As Zhang Yi observed him, the beastman¡¯s sharp eyes located the sniper¡¯s position.

    ¡°That far?¡± Liu Xian, nicknamed ¡°Mad Dog,¡± narrowed his eyes. Even with his speed and reflexes, it was an incredibly difficult distance to cover.

    If it were a one-on-one fight, he could have closed the distance in seconds. But Zhang Yi¡¯s fortified position inside the Shelter made such a move reckless.

    Before Liu Xian could act, another bullet whistled toward him.

    Growling, Liu Xian bared his fangs and charged, his body a blur as he intercepted the projectile.

    Zhang Yi remainedposed, firing repeatedly.

    Each shot cost him only a bullet and a small amount of energy, while a single mistake could cost Liu Xian his life.

    One shot.

    Two shots.

    Three shots.

    By the third, Liu Xian¡¯s ws were trembling, his stamina waning. Even as a beast-type superhuman with a robust physique, the relentless barrage was taking its toll. n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    Despite his fatigue, Liu Xian¡¯s lips curled into a sly grin.

    ¡°It¡¯s ready!¡± he snarled.

    ---

    From one of the convoy¡¯s armored vehicles, a dark green cannon barrel emerged.

    The artillery operator quickly took aim at Zhang Yi¡¯s position and fired.

    The shell roared through the air, hurtling toward the attic of the Shelter.

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow. ¡°They brought heavy artillery? Interesting.¡±

    But as the shell approached, it vanished as if it had plunged into water. It had disappeared into Zhang Yi¡¯s Dimensional Gate, never reaching its target.

    Inside the armored vehicle, the artillery crew waited for the expected explosion.

    ¡°Was it a dud?¡± one gunner asked, confused.

    Momentster, a bullet pierced through the gunner¡¯s torso, slicing him in half. His bisected body crumpled to the floor, eliciting horrified screams from hisrades.

    The surviving artillery operators, pale and shaking, scrambled to reload.

    Fear gripped them, but desperation drove them to continue firing.

    Several more shells wereunched toward Zhang Yi¡¯s position.

    ---

    Momentster, the artillery shells reappeared¡ªthis time, hurtling back toward the convoy.

    ¡°Get down!¡± someone screamed in terror.

    The first shell detonated near the vehicles, a thunderous explosion sending snow and debris soaring into the air.

    More explosions followed in quick session. The powerful sts caused vehicles to tilt precariously, their upants thrown violently about.

    Liu Xian roared as he leapt into action, his body expanding as he tried to intercept one of the shells.

    But the power of the shells was notparable to that of sniper bullets. Liu Xian gave it his all, his muscles bulging as he leapt to meet the iing projectiles, his ws shing desperately to deflect their paths.

    ¡°Boom!¡±

    The first shell shifted slightly off course, exploding to the side of the convoy. The st sent snow and debris surging into the sky like a tidal wave.

    ¡°Boom! Boom!¡±

    More shells followed, each veering slightly from their original trajectories, but their proximity still sent shockwaves through the area. Vehicles tilted precariously, their upants thrown violently against the interiors.

    Liu Xian roared in defiance, but the immense force of the final explosion hurled him across the snowfield. He skidded to a stop, blood dripping from his mouth as his body trembled under the strain.

    The convoy itself was in disarray. Though the cars had avoided catastrophic damage, the panic and confusion left them vulnerable.

    Xiao Honglian, her sharp gaze taking in the chaos, made a swift decision.

    ¡°Retreat!¡± shemanded, her voice cutting through the cacophony of cries and explosions.

    Her forces wasted no time, scrambling to pull back as the snowstorm of destruction began to settle, leaving behind shattered confidence and wounded pride.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 409: Hidden Agendas

    Chapter 409: Hidden Agendas

    In the convoy from Yangsheng Base, many soldiers threw out smoke bombs, quickly creating a thick fog that obscured the surrounding view.

    Zhang Yi casually hummed a tune as he fired his rifle indiscriminately. Yangsheng Base suffered even heavier losses than Chaoyu Base. Zhang Yi had damaged several vehicle tires and tracks right from the start, rendering them immobile.

    Additionally, their attempts to counterattack wasted valuable time. During this window, Zhang Yi injured Liu Xian and killed over a dozen soldiers.

    Despite the significant losses, Xiao Honglian still refused tounch a direct assault on the Shelter. Much like Chaoyu Base, they couldn¡¯t afford to throw all their resources into a single attack. Since this was a joint offensive by the Western Alliance, everyone had to contribute and share the brunt of the Shelter''s firepower.

    After abandoning several vehicles and losing over a dozen lives, Yangsheng Base retreated to a safer area.

    ¡°A sniper with incredible abilities, who can even counter artillery strikes. We can''t be certain if this is one person or two with separate abilities,¡± Xiao Honglian said, her expression grim. ¡°Either way, both powers are terrifying in their own right.¡±

    Vehicles andmon soldiers weren¡¯t the biggest concern. What truly mattered was understanding the opponent''s strength. Zhang Yi''s disy had delivered a massive shock to everyone. Yangsheng Base¡¯s elite forces were renderedpletely helpless, forced to retreat in disarray.

    ¡°I finally understand now,¡± Xiao Honglian muttered to herself, ¡°why a handful of them were able to hold off West Hill Base for an entire month.¡±Some thoughts she couldn¡¯t voice in front of her subordinates. But based on her assessment, the sniper in the Shelter could rival her own abilities.

    Zhuge Qingtian ordered everyone to hold their positions and had Liu Xian begin treating his injuries. Fortunately, although many had died, the corebat units remained intact, and morale wasn¡¯t entirely broken.

    He approached Xiao Honglian¡¯s vehicle and asked for instructions. ¡°Leader, what should we do next? A frontal assault could work, but we¡¯re still seven kilometers from Cloud Manor. Along the way, weck effective means to counter their sniper. If their ability can reflect attacks, it would render firearms and artillery almost useless.¡±

    Xiao Honglian nced at him with a calm, unbothered look. ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? They only have a handful of Superhumans. There¡¯s no way they can maintain prolongedbat. Ourbined forces from the Western Alliance total in the thousands. Even a war of attrition would crush them eventually.

    ¡°However, we shouldn¡¯t press forward for now. Let the others take the lead instead. Let that sniper waste his energy and powers on them.¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian nodded and ryed the order for everyone to rest. Meanwhile, Xiao Honglian picked up her satellite phone to call Wei Dinghai of Chaoyu Base.

    ¡°Hello, Wei Dinghai. Where are you now?¡±

    On the other end, Wei Dinghai responded, ¡°Oh, we¡¯ll be there shortly. Have you arrived yet?¡±

    Xiao Honglian smirked. ¡°Not yet. Our route is longer, so we¡¯ll probably be thest to arrive. But don¡¯t worry; we¡¯ll make it in time as nned.¡±

    Wei Dinghai chuckled. ¡°Ah, I thought you were already there. I wanted to ask about the situation on your end.¡±

    Xiao Honglianughed. ¡°What a coincidence! We both had the same thought!¡±

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s talk when we meet then.¡±

    After they hung up, both of them thought the same thing: Go ahead and taste that sniper¡¯s bullets first.

    From Zhang Yi¡¯s perspective, the two convoys came and left quickly after suffering a few casualties.

    ¡°Only a few dead, and you¡¯re retreating already? Are you nning something sneaky again?¡±

    The open snowfield gave Zhang Yi a massive advantage. Still, he knew his opponents weren¡¯t fools. Having suffered once, they would undoubtedly choose alternative routes to avoid his sniping range.

    But that didn¡¯t matter. As long as theyunched their attack from the Shelter''s front, they¡¯d still fall within his line of fire.

    ¡°I¡¯ll make sure everyone knows this: today, I¡¯m iming all the grunts on this battlefield as my own!¡± Zhang Yi grinned wickedly.

    The others could only look at him with exasperation.

    Liang Yue shook her head. If she hadn¡¯t seen it with her own eyes, she would never believe this man had taken down the nearly invincible meleemander Ling Feng.

    ¡°You¡¯re already this strong, yet you insist on being so... evasive!¡±

    Fatty Xu hurriedly shouted, ¡°Boss, if you have a chance, take out the Superhumans first! That¡¯ll ease the pressure on us at the front line.¡±

    Superhumans were the real problem in prolongedbat.

    Zhang Yi replied indifferently, ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll try. But don¡¯t get your hopes up.¡±

    ¡°For Superhumans who¡¯ve survived this long, especially Enhancement and Beast Types, firearms are barely effective anymore.¡±

    He shrugged. ¡°You know, my strength only doubles against enemies I¡¯ve marked as amateurs. If I think an opponent is strong, I¡¯ll instinctively go into stealth mode.¡±

    Fatty Xu twitched at the mouth. ¡°I hereby dere you the ultimate golden left hand!¡±

    Zhang Yi smirked. ¡°But I usually prefer my right hand¡ªor both.¡±

    Though Zhang Yi spoke nonchntly, everyone knew he was deliberately downying his capabilities. He never exaggerated his strength, ensuring enemies underestimated him and teammates didn¡¯t overly depend on him.

    But when Zhang Yi truly wanted someone dead, his methods could push the boundaries of cruelty and cunning.

    Scanning the distance through his tactical scope, Zhang Yi observed a deathly stillndscape, brimming with tension, like the calm before a storm.

    ¡°I¡¯ve intentionally revealed my ability to reflect attacks. This should deter them from using heavy weapons, which buys our first line of defense more time. Without heavy artillery, breaking through the 10-meter-thick ice wall will be extremely difficult.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s Dimensional Gate had limited coverage¡ªit couldn¡¯t shield the entire front line spanning kilometers. However, by showcasing it as a threat, he maximized its strategic value.

    ¡°I wonder who¡¯sing next?¡± he murmured, cradling his rifle.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    It didn¡¯t take long for his question to be answered. From the distant snowfield, a massive group of Bai Xue Jiao devotees approached on foot, numbering in the thousands.

    ¡°Well... I won¡¯t waste my bullets on them,¡± Zhang Yi said, shaking his head.

    He should have expected it. Bai Xue Jiao would undoubtedly send their zealous followers to march toward their deaths.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 410: The Five-Army Battle

    Chapter 410: The Five-Army Battle

    Following Chaoyu Base and Yangsheng Base, the members of Bai Xue Jiao arrived near the battlefield. Unlike the others, their strengthy in sheer numbers.

    Although the cultists were not particrly skilled inbat, they were fearless and fanatical, thanks to Bai Xue Jiao''s brainwashing. Many firmly believed that dying in the holy war would send their souls to a paradise filled with flowers and feasts.

    This time, Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s High Priest, Zheng Yixian, led over a thousand followers. Despite being closest to Yuelu Manor, theirck of vehicles dyed their arrival.

    Zhang Yi refrained from attacking them immediately. For one, killing ordinary cultists was pointless. For another, there was a tenuous agreement that they might assist him if necessary.

    Through thems channel, Zhang Yi notified everyone:

    ¡°Bai Xue Jiao has arrived. Now, all three factions are here except for Qingfu Base.¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s eyes burned with eagerness, her killing intent almost palpable. Ever since learning that Yangsheng Base was nearby, she had been itching to avenge her fallen students. Only their blood could assuage her guilt and sorrow.

    Uncle You, however, remained rational and asked, ¡°Weren¡¯t Bai Xue Jiao and Qingfu Base supposed to be our allies? What if they charge the lines? Do we kill them?¡±Zhang Yi¡¯s reply was decisive: ¡°Anyone approaching the defensive line dies. No exceptions!¡±

    Allies or not, they were wolves in sheep''s clothing. The moment Zhang Yi¡¯s side showed weakness, they¡¯d undoubtedly join the assault on the Shelter.

    ¡°Understood. That simplifies things,¡± Uncle You said, visibly relieved.

    He lifted a tarp to reveal a stash of ammunition and two Gatling guns. These heavy-caliber cannons could tear through armored vehicles, let alone human targets.

    After arriving at the battlefield, Bai Xue Jiao found no sign of the other factions, which struck them as odd. They immediately tried to contact the other groups.

    Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai, eager to see more of Bai Xue Jiao''s forces expended, pretended they hadn¡¯t arrived yet and advised Zheng Yixian to wait near Cloud Manor.

    Although Zheng Yixian sensed something amiss, he didn¡¯t press further. After all, they were only here to exploit opportunities, not to risk their lives against Zhang Yi.

    ¡°If Zhang Yi can fend off a few waves and deplete the other factions¡¯ forces, we¡¯ll strike them from behind,¡± Zheng Yixian said with a smile. ¡°If Zhang Yi fails, we¡¯ll just break our agreement and join the looting.¡±

    ¡°There are no eternal friends or enemies, only eternal interests,¡± he added.

    Not long after Bai Xue Jiao settled near the Shelter, Qingfu Base also arrived. Their transportation was primitive, relying on a pack of sturdy sled dogs.

    Their leader, Xing Tian, and his adopted daughter, Zhou Lingling, rode massive mutant hounds, followed by over 500 men in whitebat gear, their presence intimidating.

    The sleds carried not only firearms and ammunition but also specialized melee weapons¡ªgiant axes, war hammers, cleavers, and steel-forged shields¡ªevoking a sense of returning to an era of cold weapons.

    From a distance, Xing Tian used binocrs to observe the Shelter. He instructed his men, ¡°No one is to attack Zhang Yi¡¯s Shelter without my order. We¡¯re here to enjoy the show.¡±

    ...

    The factions of the Western Alliance finally assembled, marking the time for their coordinated attack. As the instigator of this operation, Xiao Honglian initiated a group call with the other leaders.

    ¡°Everyone¡¯s in position, right? As per our n, we¡¯ll attack the Shelter from multiple directions,¡± she said.

    Xing Tian replied, ¡°We¡¯ll approach from behind for a surprise assault!¡±

    Wei Dinghai sounded puzzled. ¡°The Shelter is backed by low hills. Are you nning to climb over them?¡±

    The hills, though only about a hundred meters high, were difficult to scale in the snowstorm, let alone serve as a vantage point for an attack.

    Xing Tian smirked inwardly. He had no intention of fighting and chose the rear to avoid being noticed cking off. ¡°Precisely. It¡¯s the element of surprise! You handle the front; we¡¯ll deal with the back.¡±

    The others had no objections, even if they had doubts. Each faction in the Western Alliance operated independently, and no one couldmand another.

    Unbeknownst to Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai, Xing Tian had already made a secret deal with Zhang Yi. From their perspective, this was a surefire operation destined for victory.

    ¡°Fine, then. The frontal assault is up to the three of us,¡± Wei Dinghai agreed.

    Xiao Honglian added, ¡°By the way, there¡¯s a very strong sniper among them. Be cautious.¡±n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    ¡°Additionally, one of them has the ability to reflect artillery attacks. So think twice before using heavy weaponry; it might backfire and harm us instead.¡±

    Wei Dinghai chimed in, ¡°Yes, I wanted to mention that. We¡¯ve already suffered some losses because of it.¡±

    Both assumed Bai Xue Jiao and Qingfu Base had also encountered Zhang Yi¡¯s attacks and shared this information to avoid friendly fire.

    ¡°Got it,¡± Xing Tian and Zheng Yixian replied indifferently.

    Neither had any real intention of fighting, preferring to watch from the sidelines. However, learning about Zhang Yi¡¯s rare spatial abilities and his capability to counter heavy weapons still surprised them. After all, this rendered their heavy firepower useless.

    Using artillery in such circumstances was akin to signing their own death warrants.

    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s synchronize. At 2:30, we¡¯llunch the attack from all directions,¡± Xiao Honglian concluded.

    Yangsheng Base and Chaoyu Base opted to approach Cloud Manor via Xu Family Town, one of the few areas offering some cover.

    To counter Zhang Yi¡¯s sniping, they fortified their formation. Heavily armored vehicles with thick steel ting led the charge, while lighter ones followed behind. They also used snow or smoke bombs to obscure Zhang Yi¡¯s vision.

    Concerned about Zhang Yi¡¯s spatial reflection ability, they abandoned long-range artillery tactics, opting for close-range breakthroughs instead.

    Zhang Yi observed these developments calmly. This was all within his expectations. His enemies weren¡¯t fools who would charge recklessly into his crosshairs. But if they wanted to break through, they¡¯d eventually have to disembark from their vehicles, exposing themselves.

    There was no rush. A good hunter always has patience.

    Just then, Yang Xinxin¡¯s voice came through his earpiece.

    ¡°Brother Zhang Yi, enemies spotted at the rear hills!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes sharpened.

    Yang Xinxin, stationed in the control room, ryed information quickly via surveince. Moving deftly in a mechanized wheelchair crafted by Lu Keran, she transmitted the visuals to Zhang Yi.

    Upon seeing the figures in the rear hills, Zhang Yi¡¯s expression rxed.

    ¡°So, it¡¯s them! No need to worry; they¡¯re just here to ck off,¡± Zhang Yi said.

    The terrain in the rear hills was too poor for any effective assault. The slopes were steep, between 70 and 80 degrees, making a charge down them practically suicidal. Without Zhang Yi even firing a shot, they¡¯d injure themselves.

    Xing Tian¡¯s motives were crystal clear. He was here to spectate, nothing more.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 411: Unexpected Firepower

    Chapter 411: Unexpected Firepower

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t particrly concerned about Xing Tian and his group¡¯s appearance at the rear mountain. He had anticipated this scenario while fortifying the defensive lines. That area was a natural chokepoint, and he had nted numerous triggeredndmines on the slopes. Anyone attempting to descend there would have no means of clearing the mines and would inevitably be blown to pieces.

    ¡°Enemies sighted! Prepare for battle!¡± Zhang Yi¡¯s voice rang out sharply over thems.

    Everyone in the Shelter immediately entered a state of heightened focus. This battle would decide their survival.

    With a rumble, the armored convoys from Yangsheng and Chaoyu Bases advanced toward the Shelter¡¯s outer perimeter. Soldiers d inbat gear and armed to the teeth marched in formation, supported by powerful Superhumans ready to strike from the shadows.

    To these forces, victory seemed assured.

    Meanwhile, the followers of Bai Xue Jiao approached from another direction, armed with an eclectic mix of modern firearms and primitive weapons like spears and broadswords. As they drew closer, Zhang Yi waited until the leading vehicles were within 300 meters of the defensive line before shouting, ¡°Fire!¡±

    In the control room, Yang Xinxin decisively pressed a button.

    Suddenly, cracks appeared along the icy walls facing the advancing forces of Yangsheng and Chaoyu Bases. Massive cannon barrels and gun turrets emerged from within.The front line erupted with deafening explosions as heavy artillery, tank cannons, and machine guns roared to life. Even heavily armored vehicles were obliterated, sent flying into those behind them.

    ¡°Boom!¡±

    ¡°Boom!¡±

    ¡°Boom!¡±

    The earth-shaking detonations stunned all factions.

    ¡°Artillery? Tanks? Machine guns? Where the hell did they get all this firepower?¡± Zheng Yixian was dumbfounded.

    Fortunately, his followers had been slow to advance; otherwise, they¡¯d have been mowed down.

    Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai were equally shocked. They couldn¡¯t believe their eyes.

    These heavy weapons were supposedly exclusive to West Hill Base, the most powerful faction in Tianhai City.

    ¡°Did they loot West Hill Base¡¯s arsenal?¡± Xiao Honglian muttered. ¡°How is this even possible?¡±

    West Hill Base¡¯s firepower was unparalleled, but transporting heavy weapons was always a logistical nightmare, limiting their use in battle. Yet today, Zhang Yi had somehow deployed them against his enemies, making them his test subjects.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    ¡°Scatter and retaliate immediately!¡± Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai barked orders to their troops, who hurriedly spread out to avoid being annihted.

    Caught off guard, however, they had already suffered heavy casualties. Many soldiers were obliterated, and armored vehicles were destroyed in the opening salvo.

    ¡°It¡¯s just an ice wall. Break through it, and victory is ours,¡± Xiao Honglian said coldly.

    Although taken by surprise, she remained calm. Wu Huairen had assured her that the Shelter had no automated weapon systems, only a sturdy outer shell. If they could breach the perimeter defenses, the battle would turn in their favor.

    Fearingplete annihtion, soldiers disembarked from their vehicles with their weapons. But stepping away from their armored cover only made them easy targets for Zhang Yi.

    Standing in a tower with his rifle protected by the Dimensional Gate, Zhang Yi began sniping.

    The process was monotonous: aim, pull the trigger, reload.

    But with each pull of the trigger, another life was snuffed out.

    Since the apocalypse began, Zhang Yi had honed his sniping skills to instinctual perfection. On average, he killed one soldier every three seconds.

    The unanticipated presence of heavy artillery caught Yangsheng and Chaoyu Bases off guard, resulting in catastrophic losses. Their modified vehicles, despite their reinforcements, couldn¡¯t withstand the onught, and even their siege cannons were destroyed before they could be deployed.

    Meanwhile, Xing Tian, who had nned to spectate from the rear mountain, couldn¡¯t help but swallow nervously.

    ¡°So that¡¯s why Zhang Yi dares to face so many factions at once. He had this up his sleeve,¡± Xing Tian murmured, silently thanking his foresight in choosing to ck off at the back.

    Turning to his men, he ordered, ¡°Fire your guns and make some noise. Just don¡¯t aim at anyone!¡±

    A bald subordinate scratched his head in confusion. ¡°Boss, there¡¯s no one here to shoot at.¡±

    Xing Tian smacked the man on the head. ¡°I said fire! Don¡¯t ask questions. And make sure you don¡¯t hit anyone!¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m an honest man. If I take someone¡¯s stuff, I see it through to the end. Unless Zhang Yi loses, we¡¯re not stabbing him in the back!¡±

    Gunfire erupted from the rear mountain, creating the illusion of an intense battle.

    Meanwhile, on the front lines, the fight was anything but fake. Thebined forces of two major bases were being decimated, their casualties mounting rapidly.

    Fearing suspicion if he remained idle, Zheng Yixian ordered a wave of cultists to charge the defensive line.

    Over a hundred followers, armed with crude weapons and makeshift guns, screamed as they rushed toward the Shelter. But the t terrain offered no cover, and they were shredded by machine-gun fire beforeing within 100 meters.

    Frowning, Zheng Yixian realized Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t holding back at all. Reluctantly, he kept up the charade, sending more cultists to their deaths.

    ¡°This isn¡¯t working. We underestimated the Shelter¡¯s firepower,¡± Xiao Honglian muttered through gritted teeth. Looking at the carnage around her, she began to regret her decisions.

    Who would have thought that a team cobbled together by a warehouse clerk during the apocalypse could wield firepower rivaling a military base?

    Wei Dinghai¡¯s voice came over thems. ¡°We need to breach their outer defenses together! Most of their firepower is concentrated here. If we break through, they¡¯ll be at a severe disadvantage.¡±

    Xiao Honglian responded, ¡°Understood!¡±

    Wei Dinghai¡¯s Ice Fortress ability would be crucial now.

    ¡°Suppress their fire and support Chaoyu Base¡¯s advance!¡± Xiao Honglian ordered.

    Meanwhile, Zheng Yixian reluctantly continued to send cultists to their deaths, while Xing Tianughed and directed his men to fire harmlessly into the sky.

    Back on the battlefield, Wei Dinghai stepped forward, encased in crystalline ice armor. His entire body shimmered as he melted seamlessly into the icy terrain.

    Suddenly, amidst the chaos, a section of the ice wall exploded violently.

    ¡°What?¡± Zhang Yi and the others turned toward the unexpected breach.

    Amidst the flying snow and debris, they spotted Wei Dinghai, his figure wrapped in thick ice armor, a mocking smirk on his face.

    ¡°In a world of ice and snow, I am king,¡± Wei Dinghai dered.

    Machine guns and artillery were useless against a powerful Ice Element Superhuman like him.

    From the far distance, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t unleash his Divine Power in time. With the breach opened, the allied forces surged forward, roaring as they crossed the gap.

    Within moments, hundreds of soldiers poured into the area before the Shelter.

    Wei Dinghai pressed his hand against the wall, activating his ability. The remaining sections of the ice barrier shattered like paper, leaving the steel framework beneath crumbling in its wake.

    Even Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but tense up, his pupils narrowing. Wei Dinghai¡¯s power far surpassed anything they had faced so far, eclipsing even Fatty Xu¡¯s abilities.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 412: Battle!

    Chapter 412: Battle!

    ¡°Let¡¯s begin!¡± Zhang Yi said calmly.

    He wasn¡¯t surprised that the defensive line was breached. After all, it was merely an ice wall, incapable of withstanding every attack. What did catch him off guard was the sheer strength of the Ice Element Superhuman, who had ripped through the wall like tearing paper.

    But Zhang Yi had contingencies. Behind the breached line was the secondyer of defense: Uncle You, Liang Yue, and the others.

    Wei Dinghaiughed as he effortlessly shattered the ice wall, tearing a massive gap into it. Yet, in that moment, a chilling killing intent locked onto him.

    Wei Dinghai¡¯s pupils narrowed as a sharp, icy gleam shed past his neck.

    ¡°Crack!¡±

    The thick ice armor protecting his neck shattered, scattering blue ice crystals. Wei Dinghai awkwardly rolled on the ground to dodge the fatal blow. When he looked up, he saw a woman wielding a long, narrow de, her eyes brimming with murderous intent.

    ¡°She broke through my ice armor?¡± Wei Dinghai muttered, now on high alert. His armor, forged of solid ice crystals, had a defensive strengthparable to high-grade synthetic metals. Yet this woman had nearly severed his neck in a single strike!¡°Not bad!¡±

    Wei Dinghai had no intention of continuing the duel. He immediately melded into the snow beneath him, where his power was at its peak.

    Liang Yue frowned and shouted, ¡°Fatty Xu!¡±

    Fatty Xu arrived just in time to see another Ice Element Superhuman, clearly stronger than him. He sighed in relief¡ªthis was a fight he didn¡¯t need to take on himself.

    Without hesitation, Fatty Xu ripped up arge patch of the snowy ground. The thin snowyer surrounding the Shelter, a result of both terrain and prior battles, made it easy to expose the earth beneath.

    Realizing the danger, Wei Dinghai had no choice but to surface from the snow. Liang Yue, prepared for this moment, struck with a de full of killing intent.

    ¡°Crack!¡±

    Her de, over a meter long, released an arc of energy three meters wide, slicing through the pale blue ice armor on Wei Dinghai¡¯s chest.

    He gasped in pain as a thin red line of blood appeared, seeping through the broken armor.

    Gritting his teeth, Wei Dinghai used his powers to quickly regenerate the iceyer over his wound, staunching the bleeding. He hadn¡¯t expected the Shelter to harbor someone so skilled in closebat.

    Despite being injured, Wei Dinghai had achieved his objective: breaching the defensive line. He retreated through the gap, avoiding further confrontation with Liang Yue.

    As Liang Yue prepared to pursue him, a wave of enemy soldiers, armed and charging, surged through the gap. Bullets rained down like a storm.

    Taking a deep breath, Liang Yue drew her de and charged straight into the mass of enemies.

    Fatty Xu shouted in rm, ¡°Teacher Liang, don¡¯t be reckless!¡±

    But Zhang Yi¡¯s calm voice cut through. ¡°Just hold the gap. Let her go.¡±

    Liang Yue needed to vent her rage. Allowing her to ughter the enemy would help release her inner turmoil. It was her choice, and Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t stop her.

    ¡°Stay alert! The big yers are about to join the fight!¡± he warned.

    At this stage of the battle, ordinary soldiers were bing less relevant. Superhumans would now determine the oue.

    As expected, with the breach in the defensive line, the firepower faltered, relieving much of the pressure on the allied forces.

    Xiao Honglian leaped onto the hood of an armored vehicle, took a swig from her sk of high-proof alcohol, and spat out a long stream of fire that coiled into a zing dragon.

    The remaining ice walls melted instantly, and the weapons concealed within were rendered ineffective.

    The allied forces cheered and surged forward, exhrated by the open path ahead. The expanse before them was clear, with the Shelter standing alone in the distance.

    ¡°Victory is ours! Charge!¡±

    Mad Dog Liu Xian howled in excitement, dropping to all fours and racing toward the breach at breakneck speed.

    But just as the soldiers approached, a sudden blizzard swept through. Fatty Xu summoned the snow, creating obstacles at the breach.

    Standing guard was the now-erged Hua Hua, who roared so thunderously that it caused hundreds of soldiers to clutch their ears in pain, some bleeding, and others copsing in disorientation.

    ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡± ¡°Boom!¡±

    Heavy footsteps approached as Uncle You transformed into a two-meter-tall giant. Bare-chested and draped in ammunition belts, he carried two Gatling guns, positioning himself at the breach.

    ¡°RAAARGH!¡±

    Uncle You roared, pulling the triggers. zing streams of bullets tore through the snowstorm, striking and dismembering soldiers caught in their path.

    ¡°Thud!¡± ¡°Thud!¡± ¡°Thud!¡±

    Blood mist filled the air as high-powered bullets shattered bodies. Soldiers, despite their bulletproof gear, fell like wheat under a scythe.

    Meanwhile, Liang Yue was in a frenzy on another battlefield. Her Strength Enhancement ability amplified her speed, power, reflexes, and even her senses. Coupled with her expertise as a Martial Arts Master, she was unstoppable.

    Each swing of her de imed another life.

    Her eyes locked on Xiao Honglian, standing ame atop an armored vehicle.

    Rage surged as Liang Yue charged, de aimed at her foe. But a sharp glint of steel suddenly streaked toward her neck.

    ¡°ng!¡±

    Liang Yue¡¯s de deflected the strike, revealing Mad Dog Liu Xian ring at her with predatory intent.

    ¡°You can¡¯t just cut my men down like they¡¯re nothing,¡± he growled.

    Xiao Honglian spared Liang Yue a fleeting nce before dismissing her. As amander, she had bigger concerns than an enemy soldier.

    But Liang Yue¡¯s eyes glowed a sinister red, her aura exuding an eerie malevolence unfamiliar even to her allies.

    Liu Xian smirked, sensing her growing ferocity. ¡°Interesting,¡± he hissed, his tongue flicking out as he crouched. His body began to erge, ws and fangs extending like des.

    Liang Yue calmly sheathed her de and lowered her stance. Her mastery of martial arts included techniques from around the world, and her Iaido strike was among her deadliest.

    Liu Xian, beast-like and bloodthirsty, lunged at her with inhuman speed, leaving afterimages in his wake. His gray wolf mutation granted him unparalleled agility and power, able to block even sniper bullets.

    But as he closed in, Liang Yue closed her eyes.

    The battlefield stilled.

    In a sh, Liu Xian¡¯s ws shed toward her neck. But her de struck first, severing both his arms and shing through his throat in a fluid motion.

    Liu Xian¡¯s body continued to rush forward, his head and limbs finally tumbling to the ground some distance away.n/?/vel/b//jn dot c//om

    ...

    Back at the breach, Uncle You, Hua Hua, and Fatty Xu held the line, ughtering countless soldiers.

    But the arrival of allied Superhumans turned the tide. Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases had plenty of skilled fighters, and with the defensive line breached, their abilities came to the forefront.

    Although injured, Wei Dinghai retreated. But five more Superhumans joined the fray.

    Uncle You was still firing his Gatling guns when a white blur zipped past his side.

    A momentter, Chen Jingguan, Wei Dinghai¡¯s lieutenant, wrapped himself around Uncle You like a boneless serpent, constricting him tightly.

    ¡°My body can¡¯t even be pierced by sniper bullets. You think you can break free?¡± Chen Jingguan sneered, his Rubber Man abilities making him the perfect counter to Uncle You¡¯s brute strength.

    Just then, Hua Hua roared, stunning Chen Jingguan long enough for Uncle You to pry him off and toss him aside.

    But more Superhumans were closing in.

    Realizing the futility of holding the line, Zhang Yi issued amand.

    ¡°Everyone, fall back to the Shelter!¡±

    ¡°Liang Yue, that includes you. Vengeance won¡¯t help now. Be rational!¡±

    Hearing the order, the team began a tactical retreat.

    Liang Yue nced at the wolf¡¯s head in her hand, a strange light flickering in her eyes. With blood sttered across her face, she wiped it clean and silently obeyed, retreating to the Shelter.

    Her abilities were nearly drained, and without Yang Siyah¡¯s prepared provisions, she wouldn¡¯t havested this long.

    Despite the bitter fight, Liang Yue¡¯s gains were significant. But continuing the battle was pointless; she couldn¡¯t reach Xiao Honglian, her ultimate target.

    Author''s Note

    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and

    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

 Chapter 413: The Backstab

    Chapter 413: The BackstabLiang Yue returned behind the defensive line, and Zhang Yi finally exhaled in relief. Thankfully, she hadn¡¯t foolishly thrown her life away.

    The team retreated toward the Shelter¡¯s entrance under the cover of Zhang Yi¡¯s sniper fire and the protection of the Dimensional Gate. As they regrouped, Zhang Yi glanced toward the Bai Xue Jiao cultists, who were still idly spectating.

    ¡°Still watching? Heh.¡±

    Deciding it was time to teach them a lesson, Zhang Yi resolved to make them understand that standing by idly wouldn¡¯t come without consequences.

    ¡°Xinxin, aim all remaining firepower at Bai Xue Jiao and fire a volley!¡±

    The defenses on Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s side were largely intact. Zhang Yi hadn¡¯t pressed them hard earlier, and their half-hearted attacks hadn¡¯t caused much damage.

    Now that they continued to sit on the sidelines, Zhang Yi had no intention of being polite. He wasn¡¯t about to let anyone swoop in and steal the fruits of his labor.

    Yang Xinxin responded crisply, ¡°Understood!¡±

    Her fingers danced across the keyboard, activating the firepower net aimed at Bai Xue Jiao.

    Zheng Yixian, who had been biding his time, planning to support the winning side, was caught off guard by the sudden barrage. The poorly equipped cultists suffered heavy casualties almost instantly.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, you...¡± Zheng Yixian retreated to the rear of his forces, seething. He understood that Zhang Yi was enraged at their reluctance to commit to the fight.

    Meanwhile, soldiers from Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases were roaring as they pushed forward, converging in the open space before the Shelter. Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s hesitation could no longer continue.

    Taking a deep breath, Zheng Yixian murmured, ¡°It¡¯s time to move.¡±

    He realized that Zhang Yi falling here would benefit no one. The other factions were the true enemies of Bai Xue Jiao.

    He ordered a group of cultists to advance toward the Shelter.

    The Shelter was now completely surrounded. Smoke bombs were thrown all around its perimeter, significantly disrupting Zhang Yi¡¯s sniping capabilities.

    To avoid injuring his eyes, Zhang Yi refrained from using infrared vision, wary of potential flashbangs or grenades.

    Inside the Shelter, Liang Yue and the others watched the waves of soldiers surrounding them, their nerves tense. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, what¡¯s the plan? Do we abandon the upper two floors and retreat underground?¡± Uncle You asked.

    ¡°No need to panic. The Shelter¡¯s defenses won¡¯t fall so easily,¡± Zhang Yi reassured him.

    As he spoke, a loud rumble echoed outside. Through the dissipating smoke, Zhang Yi caught sight of a massive engineering vehicle slowly advancing, forcing the crowd to part around it.

    Frowning, he sensed trouble.

    Opening his Spatial Storage, Zhang Yi retrieved crates of grenades and explosives. Protected by the Dimensional Gate, he began tossing them out of the windows.

    Explosions erupted in rapid succession, sending bodies and debris flying as screams of terror filled the air.

    Crate after crate, Zhang Yi continued to hurl explosives relentlessly. Having emptied West Hill Base¡¯s arsenal, he was never short of munitions.

    ¡°You think breaching the first line of defense means victory? How naive!¡± Zhang Yi sneered, tossing out another bundle of explosives. ¡°The Shelter is my true stronghold!¡±

    Within moments, over a hundred soldiers lay dead, and the rest scattered in panic, unable to retaliate against Zhang Yi¡¯s deadly tactics.

    Some tried firing back, but their bullets passed through the Dimensional Gate and fell upon their own comrades.

    The repeated blasts eventually cleared the smoke, revealing the engineering vehicle again. Zhang Yi recognized the man driving it: Wu Huairen from the War Dragon Security Company.

    An old acquaintance.

    ¡°So, they brought him in. No wonder they¡¯re so confident about attacking my Shelter!¡± Zhang Yi muttered with a hint of malice.

    He immediately lobbed grenades at the vehicle. But the engineering vehicle was heavily protected, and Chen Jingguan, Chaoyu Base¡¯s Rubber Man, intercepted the grenades mid-air, deflecting them harmlessly.

    Wu Huairen seized the opportunity to maneuver the vehicle to the Shelter¡¯s side. A long mechanical arm extended from the vehicle, releasing a thin blue flame that began cutting into the wall.

    Xiao Honglian, observing the operation, issued calm orders: ¡°Spread out and attack from the flanks. Obscure his line of sight!¡±

    Thick mist enveloped the Shelter¡¯s surroundings, further hindering Zhang Yi¡¯s sniping efficiency.

    At that moment, Xiao Ai¡¯s alarm sounded in Zhang Yi¡¯s earpiece:

    ¡°Warning! Warning! High-temperature cutting detected on the Shelter wall. Damage at 0.001%.¡±

    ¡°Continuous cutting?¡± Zhang Yi asked, immediately grasping the situation.

    ¡°Based on the current rate, full penetration will take 1 hour and 29 minutes,¡± Xiao Ai reported.

    Zhang Yi relaxed slightly. If simply breaking through the wall required so much time, creating an entry point large enough for soldiers would take an entire day.

    Plenty of time to inflict massive casualties.

    ¡°So they want to go all in, huh? Then let¡¯s see who breaks first!¡± Zhang Yi growled, redoubling his efforts with grenades and sniper fire.

    While the smoke and mist reduced his accuracy, each hit still meant a confirmed kill.

    On the first floor, Uncle You and the others, unable to see the action outside, listened anxiously to the faint hissing sound of cutting.

    ¡°Boss, should we fall back?¡± Fatty Xu asked nervously.

    ¡°Not yet. Hold your ground,¡± Zhang Yi replied with calm authority.

    In less than 20 minutes, they were surrounded. While it appeared they were on the defensive, Zhang Yi¡¯s team had managed to kill hundreds without losing a single member¡ªa testament to their resilience.

    Still, Wu Huairen¡¯s involvement changed the stakes.

    Zhang Yi bided his time. He knew Bai Xue Jiao had been lurking, waiting to exploit an opportunity. With the other factions suffering heavy losses, would Bai Xue Jiao let such a chance slip by?

    Of course not.

    Meanwhile, Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai, stationed at the rear, regarded the near-captured Shelter with relief. The battle had been far more grueling than expected.

    But with so many soldiers lost, Xiao Honglian thought grimly, ¡°At least we¡¯ll gain access to Zhang Yi¡¯s supplies.¡±

    Just then, Bai Xue Jiao cultists began mingling among the allied forces.

    At first, no one found this unusual; Bai Xue Jiao was ostensibly an ally.

    However, as over a hundred cultists spread out, smiles lit their faces.

    One cultist casually draped an arm around a soldier from Yangsheng Base, chatting amicably. Without warning, he reached for a trigger on his body.

    The bombs strapped to him detonated, engulfing soldiers from both factions in a massive explosion.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 414: A Decisive Battle

    Chapter 414: A Decisive BattleBoth Chaoyu Base and Yangsheng Base believed victory was within their grasp.

    But no one expected the sudden, devastating explosions among their ranks.

    The soldiers were densely packed around the Shelter, and the Bai Xue Jiao cultists, strapped with crude explosives, sacrificed themselves to deadly effect.

    Though the explosives were basic, the sheer quantity was enough to inflict catastrophic damage. Fire erupted across the battlefield, and massive explosions engulfed the area surrounding the Shelter.

    Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai¡¯s eyes widened in shock.

    ¡°What¡¯s happening? Where did those explosions come from?¡±

    They had taken precautions against landmines while advancing. How could there still be bombs?

    A panicked soldier reported, ¡°It¡¯s the Bai Xue Jiao cultists! They¡¯re carrying bombs and blowing themselves up to take us with them!¡±

    ¡°What?!¡±

    Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai were horrified.

    ¡°Those damned lunatics dare to attack us now?¡±

    Before they could react, the cultists¡ªled by Zheng Yixian¡ªlaunched a full-scale assault on the two bases.

    By now, the allied forces had suffered over 70% casualties, with fewer than 200 soldiers remaining between the two bases. In contrast, Bai Xue Jiao still had significant numbers.

    Despite their rudimentary weapons and lack of armor, the cultists charged forward, screaming fanatically with bloodshot eyes, ready to die for their cause.

    There is nothing more terrifying than an enemy unafraid of death.

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s cold gaze gleamed with madness as he raised both hands, telekinetically lifting two massive armored vehicles and hurling them toward Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai¡¯s positions.

    ¡°You slimy rat! You set us up!¡±

    Wei Dinghai and Xiao Honglian¡¯s furious glares locked onto Zheng Yixian, their murderous intent palpable.

    If looks could kill, Zheng Yixian would have died a thousand deaths.

    Wei Dinghai conjured a barrier of ice to block the incoming vehicles, while Xiao Honglian smashed through the roof of her transport and leapt out, punching one of the vehicles aside with a single blow.

    From his vantage point, Zheng Yixian laughed maniacally.

    ¡°Ha ha ha ha ha!¡±

    ¡°Xiao Honglian, Wei Dinghai, your time is up!¡±

    Bai Xue Jiao had endured humiliation for far too long. Every conflict forced them to pay a heavy price and bow to the major bases for mere survival. This moment of triumph was a cathartic release for Zheng Yixian, who relished the chance to vent his years of frustration.

    ¡°You¡¯re all going to die! From now on, Tianhai City won¡¯t be your playground anymore!¡±

    Zheng Yixian and his followers launched a frenzied assault.

    Caught between Bai Xue Jiao at their rear and the Shelter''s defenders at the front, the allied forces found themselves trapped with no escape route.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s lips curled into a sly smile.

    ¡°Time to shut the doors and deal with the rats.¡±

    With Bai Xue Jiao pressing from behind, and Zhang Yi¡¯s team attacking from the Shelter, the allied forces were cornered.

    As the Shelter doors opened, Liang Yue and the others emerged, revitalized by Yang Siyah¡¯s specially prepared energy meals. They charged into the fray, slaughtering soldiers and Superhumans alike from behind.

    The tide of the battle turned rapidly, shocking everyone.

    Even Xing Tian, who had been posturing in the rear mountain, was dumbfounded.

    ¡°Why did Bai Xue Jiao suddenly betray them?¡±

    After a moment of thought, a chill ran down his spine. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    He realized that Bai Xue Jiao and Zhang Yi must have had a prior arrangement.

    Had Qingfu Base been part of the assault, they too would now be in the same dire situation as Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases.

    ¡°Lucky, lucky me!¡± Xing Tian muttered, patting his chest in relief.

    His decision to sit out had not only spared his forces but also left them as one of the strongest remaining factions in Tianhai City.

    ...

    The battlefield devolved into utter chaos.

    Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s surprise attack was too much for the already battered allied forces. With Zhang Yi¡¯s team suffering no casualties, they unleashed a savage counterattack.

    Uncle You roared as he wielded twin Gatling guns, spraying bullets into the enemy ranks.

    Liang Yue moved through the crowd like a tiger among sheep, each swing of her blade claiming another life.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi sniped Superhumans with terrifying precision, averaging one kill every two seconds.

    At a range of 300 meters, his Divine Power-enabled sniper rifle was unstoppable. With its auto-targeting capabilities, it locked onto heads with lethal accuracy.

    In the chaotic melee, many Superhumans became his unsuspecting victims.

    One, deliberating whether to fight or retreat, suddenly felt an immense force tugging at his neck. Before he could react, his head was torn clean from his shoulders. He died without ever knowing what hit him.

    Panic overtook Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai.

    Desperately, they attempted to contact Xing Tian, hoping he would bring his forces to their aid.

    But no matter how many times they tried, there was no response.

    ¡°That bastard has betrayed us too!¡± Wei Dinghai cursed, his spine tingling with fear.

    Earlier, he had assumed the commotion from the rear was Qingfu Base launching an attack. But now, surrounded and with no Qingfu troops in sight, the truth was painfully clear.

    ¡°Retreat! They¡¯ve all colluded against us! If we don¡¯t leave now, it¡¯ll be too late!¡±

    Wei Dinghai didn¡¯t hesitate to rally his remaining forces for a retreat.

    Xiao Honglian, overcome with fury and disbelief, hesitated for a moment. Why had Bai Xue Jiao and Qingfu Base turned on them?

    But anger was futile now. Continuing the fight would only lead to annihilation. As a leader, she couldn¡¯t afford such a gamble.

    ¡°Full retreat!¡± she shouted.

    Gulping down another mouthful of pure alcohol, she unleashed a blazing dragon of fire at the Bai Xue Jiao cultists behind her, incinerating dozens of them.

    Her body radiated smoke and heat, her magma-like markings glowing as she tore a fiery path through the enemy. Even Zheng Yixian didn¡¯t dare confront her directly.

    While Bai Xue Jiao swarmed the allied forces, their fanatical cultists were no match for Chaoyu and Yangsheng Base¡¯s Superhumans.

    With combined efforts, the allied forces carved a bloody escape route.

    Wu Huairen abandoned his attempts to cut through the Shelter wall and tried to flee in his engineering vehicle.

    But Zhang Yi had been watching him. A single bullet pierced Wu Huairen¡¯s skull, eliminating the threat for good.

    By the end, fewer than 100 soldiers escaped, leaving behind a sea of corpses, wrecked vehicles, and abandoned weapons.

    Neither Zhang Yi nor Bai Xue Jiao pursued.

    For Bai Xue Jiao, they lacked the means to chase after vehicles.

    For Zhang Yi, he didn¡¯t want to provoke desperate retaliation that might endanger his team.

    Zheng Yixian raised his fist high, shouting, ¡°Victory!¡±

    The cultists erupted into cheers, hugging one another in joy.

    This was Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s first triumph against the powerful base factions¡ªa monumental turning point.

    Although they had lost over 500 members, most of the fallen were ordinary cultists, easily replaced.

    Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases, on the other hand, had lost their elite troops¡ªlosses that would take years to recover from.

    With their strength diminished, neither base would be able to challenge West Hill or Lu River anytime soon, nor could they harass Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s territory again.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 415: Empty Shells

    Chapter 415: Empty ShellsChaoyu Base and Yangsheng Base fled in a disastrous retreat, leaving Zhang Yi and Bai Xue Jiao victorious.

    As Zhang Yi lowered his sniper rifle, he watched the battered remnants of the two bases retreat and glanced at the jubilant Bai Xue Jiao cultists celebrating their victory. For a fleeting moment, he felt tempted to turn his gun on them.

    The battle had dealt a devastating blow to all three factions, while Zhang Yi¡¯s team emerged nearly unscathed. This success was largely due to Zhang Yi¡¯s meticulous preparation, but it had come at a cost.

    The buildings surrounding the Shelter, including the villa where Uncle You and Fatty Xu resided, were almost entirely destroyed. The ice wall, which had taken days to construct, was 70% ruined.

    This grueling battle gave Zhang Yi a profound understanding of the horrors of large-scale warfare. Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s fanatical, fearless tactics left a lasting impression.

    Despite this, Zhang Yi dismissed the idea of attacking them. Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s members were too many, and their deaths too easily replaced. Sacrificing his team to take them down wasn¡¯t worth it.

    He descended the Shelter and cast a glance toward the rear mountain. As expected, Xing Tian had kept his promise, merely observing the fight from afar.

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but regard Xing Tian with a newfound respect. The man, it seemed, was as trustworthy as his word. Of course, this reliability was likely due to the strength Zhang Yi had displayed¡ªtrust was often built on power.

    Zhang Yi pulled out his phone and messaged Xing Tian:

    ¡°You can come to collect the remaining food now.¡±

    Xing Tian replied quickly:

    ¡°Give me a moment; there¡¯s something else I need to handle first.¡± sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Raising an eyebrow, Zhang Yi could guess what that ¡°something else¡± might be. But it wasn¡¯t his concern, so he shrugged it off and turned his attention back to his team.

    Outside the Shelter, Liang Yue, Uncle You, Fatty Xu, and Hua Hua were all bloodied and exhausted. The energy-boosting food prepared by Yang Siyah had kept them going through the intense combat, but they were visibly drained.

    ¡°Alright, everyone. We won!¡± Zhang Yi declared, patting each of them on the shoulder.

    When he reached Liang Yue, he noticed how rigid her shoulders felt, like steel.

    ¡°It¡¯s over. The fight¡¯s done. You¡¯ve avenged your students,¡± he said gently.

    Liang Yue¡¯s icy, murderous gaze melted, and she leaned weakly against him. Only then did Zhang Yi notice the deep gash across her neck. Though the bleeding had stopped, the sight of the wound was chilling.

    His eyes narrowed as he quickly carried her back into the Shelter, heading for the medical room.

    The reckless charge she had made into the enemy ranks had drawn an immense amount of fire. That she survived at all was nothing short of miraculous.

    Once inside, he handed her over to Zhou Ke¡¯er, whose gasp of horror at the sight of Liang Yue¡¯s wound spurred her into immediate action. Grabbing her medical tools, Zhou Ke¡¯er set to work cleaning and stitching the wound.

    ...

    As the aftermath unfolded, Zhang Yi prepared to finalize matters with Bai Xue Jiao and Qingfu Base.

    Bai Xue Jiao had suffered heavy losses, including some of their Superhumans. Yet for them, the outcome was worth the cost. They had secured a rare opportunity to develop without interference, something they were eager to seize.

    Still wary of their fanatical nature, Zhang Yi approached Zheng Yixian. From a distance, he called out:

    ¡°This fight is over. You can leave now. From this day forward, the West Hill Base territory is mine. None of your people are allowed to approach without my permission!¡±

    Zheng Yixian, fully aware of Zhang Yi¡¯s overwhelming strength, bowed respectfully.

    ¡°Thank you for helping us win this war. As agreed, no one from Bai Xue Jiao will come near your land, except for our missionaries.¡±

    Zheng Yixian understood that without Zhang Yi¡¯s team tying down the bulk of the allied forces, Bai Xue Jiao could never have stood up to the two major bases.

    He also recognized that Zhang Yi had likely coordinated with Qingfu Base beforehand. Had Bai Xue Jiao chosen not to side with Zhang Yi, their gains would have been minimal at best.

    ¡°I hope that we can coexist peacefully and respectfully moving forward,¡± Zheng Yixian said with a warm smile.

    Zhang Yi narrowed his eyes. ¡°Of course. I¡¯m a pacifist, after all.¡±

    With mutual wariness lingering in the air, no further conflict erupted between the two sides. Zheng Yixian led his followers away, their holy chants echoing across the snowy plain:

    "Snow above and earth below,

    From the ground our bodies are born,

    From the heavens our souls descend.

    Sunlight and moonlight illuminate us,

    Pure white snow cleanses our souls.

    We surrender ourselves to the cold winds of the earth,

    Thanking the heavens for the miracle of this land.

    May our hearts remain pure,

    Sharing joy and sorrow with all,

    Praising the children of Bai Xue Jiao,

    With our souls and bodies as testament."

    Watching them disappear into the distance, Zhang Yi¡¯s narrowed gaze betrayed his lingering unease.

    While Zhang Yi¡¯s team had solidified their position, Bai Xue Jiao had emerged as the biggest beneficiaries of the battle.

    Freed from the constraints of the major bases, their ability to rapidly recruit followers would allow them to grow stronger quickly. With their leader Yuan Kongye¡¯s Blessing ability, they could also increase the number of their Superhumans at an alarming rate.

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but muse, ¡°Perhaps I¡¯ve unleashed a monster. But right now, I have no choice.¡±

    For now, he would cooperate with factions aligned with his interests. The future was uncertain, and any potential problems would have to be dealt with as they arose.

    ...

    Returning to the battlefield, Zhang Yi collected useful supplies from the wreckage. The allied forces had brought elite troops, and their weapons and equipment were valuable¡ªperfect for offsetting his team¡¯s losses.

    Surveying the aftermath, he discovered that seven Superhumans had died during the battle. But to his surprise, three of them had become empty shells, their powers seemingly drained.

    ¡°What¡¯s this about? Did someone absorb their abilities?¡± Zhang Yi wondered, puzzled.

    In the chaos of combat, it seemed impossible for anyone to perform such a feat, leaving him without a clear explanation.

    After cleaning up the battlefield, Zhang Yi turned to his companions and smiled.

    ¡°Let¡¯s head back. It¡¯s time for a good rest!¡±

    ¡°Meow!¡± Hua Hua leapt onto Zhang Yi¡¯s shoulders, nuzzling his neck and leaving a bloody smear. During the battle, it had transformed into a war machine, crushing countless enemies.

    Zhang Yi stroked its head gently, then slung an arm around Uncle You and Fatty Xu. Laughing, the three trudged back toward the Shelter together.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 416: Playing Both Sides

    Chapter 416: Playing Both SidesOn the distant snowy plain, Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai led their battered remnants in a slow and desperate retreat.

    What had started as a grand and imposing campaign now ended in utter humiliation. The combined forces of both bases had dwindled to fewer than 100 soldiers, with five of their most powerful Superhuman captains among the dead.

    This battle had nearly halved the armed strength of both bases.

    Wei Dinghai himself bore a deep slash from Liang Yue, his injury compounded by rage and frustration. His worsening condition added to the growing sense of despair.

    ¡°Bai Xue Jiao and Xing Tian! Those traitorous scum!¡± Wei Dinghai slammed his fist against the vehicle, the loud clang expressing the depth of his fury.

    But anger did nothing to change reality.

    A loss was a loss.

    Their defeat stemmed from their arrogance. They had underestimated Zhang Yi, dismissing him as a minor threat with a small team and an insignificant Shelter.

    But the fight had shown them how wrong they were.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s team, with its heavy firepower and formidable Superhumans, rivaled even the former West Hill Base. Combined with their defensive advantage, they had held their ground with remarkable effectiveness, even against two opposing forces.

    Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases had paid dearly for their underestimation, their defeat a costly lesson in hubris.

    If they had known the truth beforehand, they might have brought their entire armies or sought a negotiated settlement with Zhang Yi to share West Hill¡¯s spoils more amicably.

    But regret was futile. The price of their arrogance was already paid.

    Sitting together in the same vehicle, Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai simmered in frustration. Their losses extended even to their vehicles; only four were left operational.

    As Wei Dinghai ranted, Xiao Honglian clenched her teeth in rage.

    She wasn¡¯t surprised that Bai Xue Jiao had turned on them. What baffled her was why Qingfu Base had sided with Zhang Yi.

    Had Xing Tian¡¯s army joined the fray, the battle¡¯s outcome could have been entirely different. Qingfu Base¡¯s expertise in large-scale warfare was unmatched.

    ¡°Xing Tian! How much did Zhang Yi offer you to betray us?¡± Xiao Honglian growled, her fury intensifying. She pulled out a satellite phone, intending to confront Xing Tian directly.

    But Wei Dinghai grabbed her arm. ¡°Don¡¯t do anything rash!¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Xiao Honglian snapped, glaring at him.

    Wei Dinghai sighed. ¡°Xing Tian didn¡¯t attack us. He stayed neutral and just watched. My guess? Zhang Yi offered him something valuable to stay out of the fight and help no one.¡±

    Grinding his teeth, he added, ¡°Those guys always play it safe. If they can profit without fighting, they¡¯ll jump at the chance.¡±

    Having dealt with Qingfu Base for years, Wei Dinghai understood Xing Tian¡¯s cautious, opportunistic nature all too well.

    Xiao Honglian seethed. ¡°And what about our agreement? He broke his promise and left us to bear the losses! How do we settle this?¡±

    Wei Dinghai shook his head with resignation. ¡°Both our forces are crippled. Do you really think we can afford to confront Xing Tian about this?¡±

    ¡°All we can hope for is that he doesn¡¯t strike us now while we¡¯re weak.¡±

    But just as the words left his mouth, a thunderous rumble echoed across the plain.

    It sounded like an avalanche¡ªor an approaching army.

    Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai¡¯s faces turned pale. They had heard this sound before.

    ¡°Xing Tian¡¯s army!¡±

    Through the swirling snow, they saw five vehicles crawling along, carrying exhausted survivors. Meanwhile, Xing Tian and his 500-strong force surged across the plain, intercepting their path.

    Sitting atop a massive mutant hound, Xing Tian bellowed with laughter.

    ¡°Xiao Honglian! Wei Dinghai! Why are you in such a hurry to leave?¡±

    With no choice, Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai stepped out to face Xing Tian¡¯s fully intact and enthusiastic army.

    Xing Tian¡¯s troops, having stayed out of the earlier battle, were raring for a fight, their morale sky-high.

    To the retreating leaders, they looked like a pack of hungry wolves ready to pounce.

    A heavy sense of dread filled Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai.

    If another conflict broke out now, they wouldn¡¯t stand a chance.

    ¡°Xing Tian!¡± Xiao Honglian snapped, her sharp eyes narrowing. ¡°You didn¡¯t honor our agreement to attack Zhang Yi¡¯s Shelter. What are you doing here now?¡±

    Xing Tian smirked, his expression full of mockery.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious? You¡¯re both wealthy lords with plenty of resources. I¡¯m here to collect a toll!¡±

    His blatant extortion sent waves of rage through the battered remnants of the two bases, but their anger was powerless. Their weakened state made them entirely vulnerable.

    Wei Dinghai, trying to maintain composure, asked, ¡°Xing Tian, why? If you had joined us in taking Zhang Yi¡¯s Shelter, we could¡¯ve shared West Hill and Lu River. Instead, you stayed out of the fight. Did you already know Zhang Yi¡¯s true strength?¡±

    This question gnawed at Wei Dinghai, and he needed answers¡ªeven in defeat. Xiao Honglian¡¯s eyes also bore into Xing Tian, waiting for his response.

    Xing Tian shrugged casually.

    ¡°It¡¯s simple. Qingfu Base doesn¡¯t have the vehicles or energy resources you do. We can¡¯t extend our control like you can. Even if we¡¯d won, I wouldn¡¯t be able to compete with your bases when dividing the spoils.¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi offered me 10 tons of food to stay out of the fight, so I happily agreed.¡±

    Spreading his hands, Xing Tian added, ¡°10 tons of food for doing nothing versus risking my men for an uncertain payoff? Which do you think I should choose?¡±

    Xing Tian¡¯s frank admission left Wei Dinghai and Xiao Honglian speechless.

    They had indeed planned to monopolize the best territories and resources if they won. Bai Xue Jiao and Qingfu Base wouldn¡¯t have stood a chance against their mobility and firepower.

    But they hadn¡¯t anticipated Xing Tian cutting a deal with Zhang Yi.

    Satisfied with their silence, Xing Tian crossed his arms. ¡°Now, let¡¯s talk tolls. How much are you willing to pay to pass through here?¡±

    Faced with no alternatives, Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai begrudgingly handed over a significant portion of their remaining supplies in exchange for safe passage.

    Xing Tian¡¯s grin widened as he watched his men collect the loot.

    From start to finish, Qingfu Base had avoided direct involvement, yet they reaped immense rewards. With Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases now crippled, Qingfu Base was poised to rise as one of Tianhai City¡¯s top factions.

    ¡°Everyone thought I was a fool. Now, let¡¯s see who the real fools are!¡± Xing Tian said, laughing gleefully. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 417: The Devourer

    Chapter 417: The DevourerAfter the battle, Zhang Yi instructed Zhou Ke¡¯er to focus on treating Liang Yue while the rest of the group rested in the living room to recover.

    The warm, cozy atmosphere of the Shelter was a stark contrast to the horrors they had just endured. Following such a grueling conflict, the soft sofas and freshly brewed coffee in the luxurious villa felt like paradise to the exhausted team.

    Before long, a commotion stirred outside. Xing Tian had returned to claim the food Zhang Yi had promised.

    Despite Zhang Yi¡¯s team being drained of energy and abilities, Xing Tian¡¯s Qingfu Base lacked the firepower to breach the Shelter. Confidently, Zhang Yi led his group outside and handed over the agreed supplies.

    Xing Tian¡¯s expression was one of barely contained glee, and Zhang Yi could tell he had made a significant profit from the day¡¯s events.

    ¡°Tianhai City is yours now, Xing Tian. Congratulations on becoming the most powerful force around!¡± Zhang Yi said with a smile.

    Xing Tian laughed heartily. ¡°Not at all! You¡¯ve made your mark today. No one will dare mess with you now!¡±

    ¡°I never thought you had such strength, Zhang Yi. Truly impressive.¡±

    Xing Tian¡¯s praise wasn¡¯t just empty politeness. Repelling two major bases and depleting half their forces with just a small team was an incredible feat, one that left even Xing Tian in awe.

    ¡°The West Hill Base territory is yours now,¡± Xing Tian continued. ¡°With Yangsheng Base and Chaoyu Base severely weakened, they¡¯ll never regain their former glory.¡±

    He grinned and added, ¡°Of course, we¡¯re old classmates. I don¡¯t want any conflicts between us!¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°Peaceful coexistence would indeed be the best outcome.¡±

    As Xing Tian prepared to leave, he suddenly paused and turned back to Zhang Yi.

    ¡°One more thing,¡± Xing Tian said, his tone more serious.

    ¡°Oh?¡± Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, curious.

    Xing Tian¡¯s expression grew cautious. ¡°You¡¯ve been clever, working with Bai Xue Jiao. But I must warn you¡ªkeep an eye on those people. In times like these, cults with their persuasive rhetoric can grow alarmingly fast.¡±

    ¡°Now that they¡¯re unrestrained, who knows how far they¡¯ll expand?¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded, his thoughts drifting to the fervent, fearless Bai Xue Jiao cultists who had charged into battle. The sheer number of people unafraid of death was unsettling, even with the Shelter¡¯s defenses.

    ¡°Thanks for the advice,¡± Zhang Yi replied.

    With that, Xing Tian mounted his mutant hound and led his Qingfu Base troops away, leaving the blood-soaked battlefield behind.

    Zhang Yi gazed at the carnage outside the Shelter, deep in thought. Corpses were strewn everywhere, and the once-pristine snow was stained red with blood. The ice wall they had painstakingly built and armed with heavy weapons was now mostly destroyed.

    The brutal reality of war was undeniable.

    ¡°We¡¯ll clean it up later,¡± Zhang Yi sighed, shaking his head at the overwhelming sight. For now, there were more pressing matters to address. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Returning to the Shelter, Zhang Yi made an announcement to the team. ¡°The war is over!¡±

    Hearing him say it aloud brought a collective sigh of relief.

    Lu Keran exchanged a jubilant glance with Yang Xinxin, while Yang Siyah, exhausted from crafting energy food for the team, leaned back with a tired smile. Zhang Yi didn¡¯t let her cook further. Instead, he pulled fresh food and high-quality wines from his Spatial Storage, filling an entire table with a feast.

    The combination of victory and survival ignited everyone¡¯s appetite. Even those who rarely drank were now gulping down wine with abandon.

    Zhang Yi grabbed two beef burgers and a hot coffee and headed to the medical room.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er had just finished Liang Yue¡¯s surgery. The deep gash on Liang Yue¡¯s neck had been shocking, even for Zhou Ke¡¯er. She couldn¡¯t believe Liang Yue had fought so fiercely and for so long in such a condition.

    Zhang Yi, however, understood. Liang Yue had fought on sheer willpower, driven by her need for vengeance. Once the battle ended, her strength had given out entirely.

    Handing food to Zhou Ke¡¯er, Zhang Yi asked, ¡°How is she?¡±

    Taking a sip of coffee, Zhou Ke¡¯er replied, ¡°The wound was deep, but I¡¯ve stitched it up. She¡¯s a Strength Enhancement Superhuman, so her recovery will be much faster than normal. She¡¯ll be fine.¡±

    She glanced at Zhang Yi, a hint of playful jealousy in her tone. ¡°Superhumans really have it easy, don¡¯t they?¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled, recognizing her unspoken wish for the Ice Soul artifact in his possession. But his lingering wariness of Bai Xue Jiao kept him cautious.

    ¡°Your medical skills are far more valuable,¡± he said, pulling her into a hug. ¡°We could do without a Superhuman, but not without a doctor. Don¡¯t underestimate your importance!¡±

    Her smile brightened at his praise. ¡°Do you think we¡¯ll finally have peace after this?¡± she asked.

    ¡°For a while, yes,¡± Zhang Yi replied thoughtfully. ¡°But how long that lasts, who can say?¡±

    Chaoyu Base and Yangsheng Base would need time to recover. For now, their focus would shift to rebuilding rather than seeking revenge.

    But Tianhai City¡¯s other powers were more concerning. Qingfu Base had emerged unscathed, profiting handsomely from playing both sides. Bai Xue Jiao had suffered heavy casualties, but their ability to recruit and convert followers could allow them to rebuild rapidly.

    For now, Zhang Yi¡¯s smaller team wouldn¡¯t be seen as a major threat. Their minimal resource needs made them less of a target.

    As Zhou Ke¡¯er rested her head on Zhang Yi¡¯s shoulder, she suddenly stood and began massaging him. ¡°You fought a battle while I just performed a small surgery. Let me take care of you,¡± she said.

    Zhang Yi leaned back and let her work, drifting into a drowsy haze until Liang Yue stirred in the nearby bed. Strength Enhancement Superhumans truly recovered at remarkable speeds.

    Seeing Zhou Ke¡¯er massaging Zhang Yi, Liang Yue sighed. ¡°You two could at least pick a better time. I¡¯m still injured here, you know.¡±

    Embarrassed, Zhou Ke¡¯er stopped and tapped Zhang Yi¡¯s back. ¡°She¡¯s awake!¡±

    Zhang Yi sat up and approached Liang Yue.

    ¡°I need to tell you something,¡± Liang Yue said, her expression serious.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er excused herself, leaving the two alone.

    ¡°I killed a Superhuman during the fight,¡± Liang Yue began. ¡°And I absorbed his power.¡±

    ¡°I thought you should know, since we¡¯re teammates. This might be important.¡±

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°So, you have the ability to absorb powers,¡± he mused.

    Not every Superhuman had this ability, as Zhang Yi had confirmed through his own team. While he, Hua Hua, and Ling Feng possessed the ability, Uncle You and Fatty Xu did not.

    It seemed linked to potential. Zhang Yi¡¯s team members who had this power¡ªhimself, Hua Hua, Ling Feng¡ªwere notably stronger. Liang Yue having it, too, was a promising sign of her future growth.

    ¡°Congratulations,¡± Zhang Yi said with a smile. ¡°This is good news. We¡¯ve fought together; we¡¯re like family now. The stronger you are, the better it is for all of us.¡±

    Clapping his thigh, Zhang Yi added, ¡°You avenged your students. Has it helped you find peace?¡±

    Liang Yue stared at the ceiling, her eyes closing slowly. She didn¡¯t answer.

    Zhang Yi smiled knowingly.

    Silence was the best response. Though she might never fully move past her grief, time would eventually dull its edge.

    Life, after all, was about moving forward.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 418: Vanishing Corpses

    Chapter 418: Vanishing CorpsesAt Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s headquarters, Yuan Kongye stood amidst the swirling snow, waiting for the triumphant return of her followers.

    Draped in a pristine white ceremonial robe, her youthful and delicate face exuded an air of fragility. Yet her eyes burned with unwavering determination.

    This battle had been a gamble for Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s future. Only by joining forces with Zhang Yi to strike a decisive blow against the other major factions could they secure the breathing room they desperately needed to grow.

    If Zhang Yi had failed to repel the allied forces, Bai Xue Jiao would have merely taken whatever scraps they could. But instead, they had emerged victorious, a triumph that promised either modest gains or a monumental shift in power.

    From afar, dark silhouettes began to emerge through the storm.

    Zheng Yixian led the survivors back, though their numbers had been halved. The sight of their reduced ranks caused unease among the gathered followers. This did not look like the procession of a victorious army.

    But as Zheng Yixian approached, his face and the faces of his warriors bore expressions of pride.

    Bowing before Yuan Kongye, Zheng Yixian announced, ¡°Leader, we have succeeded. By the grace of the Snow God, we have achieved a great victory!¡±

    ¡°Chaoyu Base and Yangsheng Base have been dealt crippling blows, and they will no longer pose a threat to Bai Xue Jiao!¡±

    His words sent waves of exhilaration through the assembled followers. Tears of joy filled many eyes as they embraced one another in celebration.

    For far too long, Bai Xue Jiao had been oppressed by the larger factions. This victory marked a historic turning point.

    A spark of light appeared in Yuan Kongye¡¯s eyes as she stepped forward to lift Zheng Yixian from his bow.

    ¡°You¡¯ve done well, Grand Priest. The gods will not forget your deeds,¡± she said, her tone warm yet resolute.

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s voice was solemn. ¡°But many of our faithful have perished, including Fathers Lin Fei and Meng Ziyuan.¡±

    The mention of the fallen Superhuman priests cast a somber shadow.

    Yet Yuan Kongye¡¯s smile remained gentle. She clasped her hands over her chest as if embracing unseen children.

    ¡°They have not left us. They have returned here. I can feel their presence,¡± she murmured.

    ¡°May every departed soul rest with the Snow God,¡± Zheng Yixian intoned reverently.

    A flicker of something dark and powerful crossed Yuan Kongye¡¯s eyes. ¡°Now, nothing can hinder our expansion. The light of the Snow God will shine over every corner of Tianhai City!¡±

    ¡°And then across the nation, and eventually the world!¡±

    ¡°Snow God will reign as the one true deity, and Bai Xue Jiao will endure forever!¡±

    The followers placed their right hands over their hearts and gazed skyward.

    ¡°Bai Xue Jiao will endure forever!¡±

    Their fervent devotion shone like sunlight, seemingly capable of dispelling the coldest winter. With this conviction, they sought to spread their faith across the earth.

    ...

    The Five-Army Battle had reshaped the power dynamics of Tianhai City.

    Chaoyu Base and Yangsheng Base had been devastated, betrayed by Bai Xue Jiao and Qingfu Base. Their strength was shattered. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Though their central bases retained half their forces and resources, the loss of their elite warriors¡ªespecially Superhumans¡ªwas a wound that would take years to heal.

    Their ability to expand was crippled, forcing them to consolidate and protect what little territory they still controlled.

    Meanwhile, Bai Xue Jiao seized the moment. Their religious propaganda appealed to those struggling to survive in the apocalypse, offering hope and purpose. Many defected from other factions to join their ranks.

    Zheng Yixian was careful not to overreach. He avoided Qingfu Base and Zhang Yi¡¯s territory, targeting only the weakened areas of Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases.

    For now, Tianhai City¡¯s balance of power was precarious. Zhang Yi¡¯s resounding victory had earned him a reprieve, and no one dared challenge the Shelter.

    The team inside the Shelter recovered quickly. Though the front-line fighters had sustained injuries, they were now healed enough to resume normal activities. Even Liang Yue, still wrapped in bandages, could move about freely.

    There was a noticeable change in Liang Yue after the battle. Her hesitation and vulnerability had vanished, replaced by a calm indifference. She spoke little but carried an air of quiet acceptance.

    Zhang Yi recognized the transformation immediately. He had felt the same way after his own rebirth. Great joys and sorrows often brought rapid growth.

    The destruction of the surrounding villas left Zhang Yi with no choice but to invite Uncle You, Fatty Xu, and their families to live in the Shelter permanently.

    Having shared numerous battles and forged deep trust, their fates were now intertwined. The Shelter offered them safety in an unpredictable world.

    No one was happier about this arrangement than Zhou Haimei. As a woman in her forties, she adored the lively company and now spent her days cooking with Yang Siyah or playing cards with the younger women.

    The Shelter was filled with warmth and laughter.

    The men passed the time playing cards or video games, surrounded by bright lights and plentiful energy. In the apocalypse, the Shelter felt more like a luxury resort than a survival refuge.

    ...

    A few days later, as Zhang Yi sipped his morning coffee and gazed out the window, something felt off.

    The snow-covered landscape stretched as far as the eye could see, pristine and untouched. Snowflakes continued to fall, varying in size and intensity.

    ¡°Something¡¯s missing...¡± Zhang Yi muttered.

    It was too clean.

    His eyes widened as the realization hit him.

    ¡°The corpses. Where are all the corpses?¡±

    The aftermath of the Five-Army Battle had left over a thousand bodies scattered across the battlefield. Now, not a single one remained.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 419: They Walked Away

    Chapter 419: They Walked AwayZhang Yi felt a chill crawl up his spine.

    Over a thousand corpses, vanished without a trace.

    Just yesterday afternoon, they had still been there.

    ¡°Could someone have cleaned them up?¡± Zhang Yi murmured to himself, trying to stay calm as he picked up binoculars and carefully scanned the area.

    After thoroughly searching, he confirmed the truth: the bodies weren¡¯t buried under snow or hidden¡ªthey were gone.

    A sense of dread gripped his heart.

    The post-apocalypse world was filled with mysteries. With living creatures capable of mutating, was it possible for corpses to undergo changes as well?

    Taking a deep breath, Zhang Yi steadied his nerves.

    He put on his combat suit, armed himself, and stepped outside.

    In the kitchen, Yang Siyah and Zhou Haimei were chatting happily as they prepared breakfast. The laughter and normalcy inside the Shelter stood in stark contrast to the eerie mystery outside.

    From the food being prepared, Zhang Yi guessed they were making soy milk, steamed buns, and some delicate side dishes¡ªa classic Chinese breakfast.

    ¡°Morning,¡± he greeted them.

    Yang Siyah looked surprised. ¡°You¡¯re up early today.¡±

    Zhou Haimei added, noticing his formal attire, ¡°Are you heading out? What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°Nothing major. There¡¯s something outside I need to check on,¡± Zhang Yi replied before walking out the door.

    The two women exchanged puzzled glances but didn¡¯t press further.

    ...

    Zhang Yi strode cautiously toward the battlefield, gripping his weapon tightly.

    The area that had once been littered with corpses was now eerily empty.

    Although the overnight snowfall had covered many things, it couldn¡¯t completely erase all traces. A mass disappearance like this would surely leave clues.

    As Zhang Yi reached the site, he spotted something unusual¡ªfootprints.

    Countless footprints, of varying sizes, crisscrossed the area. There was only one direction: away from the battlefield. No signs of entry, only departure.

    Zhang Yi shivered, feeling an unshakable sensation of being watched. It was as if something cold and sinister was lurking behind him, its gaze crawling up his back.

    He whipped around suddenly, but there was nothing there.

    His heart raced as he clutched his chest, trying to calm himself.

    Zhang Yi, a man who had faced countless life-and-death battles, found himself unsettled by the sheer strangeness of the situation.

    Taking another deep breath, he muttered, ¡°What¡¯s there to fear? If I can kill the living, why should the dead scare me?¡±

    Resolving to uncover the truth, Zhang Yi began following the trail of footprints leading eastward. They stretched into the distance, disappearing over the horizon.

    Feeling uneasy about going alone, he turned back toward the Shelter.

    Removing his helmet once inside, Zhang Yi took a few deep breaths to steady himself.

    Yang Siyah and Zhou Haimei noticed his pale complexion and immediately asked what he had seen.

    Instead of answering directly, Zhang Yi instructed them to gather everyone in the living room.

    Soon, the entire group was seated on the sofas, dressed in casual clothing, their faces puzzled by Zhang Yi¡¯s combat-ready appearance.

    ¡°Take a deep breath and stay calm,¡± Zhang Yi began. ¡°What I¡¯m about to tell you might sound unbelievable, but I need you to remain composed.¡±

    The group, already growing uneasy, followed his instructions and took a few deep breaths.

    Zhang Yi continued, speaking in an even tone, ¡°Last night, over a thousand corpses outside the Shelter disappeared.¡±

    ¡°And from the footprints I found, it looks like they walked away on their own.¡±

    The temperature in the room seemed to drop as everyone stared at him in stunned silence.

    The women instinctively huddled together, their wide eyes reflecting their growing fear.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, don¡¯t joke about things like this,¡± Zhou Ke¡¯er said, clutching his arm. Despite her scientific background, her face was pale.

    ¡°I wish I was joking,¡± Zhang Yi said, shaking his head. ¡°But you can see for yourselves.¡±

    The group rushed to the windows. Sure enough, the battlefield was pristine¡ªno bodies, no blood, nothing.

    ¡°This... this is impossible,¡± Zhou Ke¡¯er stammered, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing.

    Fatty Xu swallowed hard and asked, ¡°Boss, are you sure you didn¡¯t clear the bodies yourself and are just messing with us?¡±

    The others glanced hopefully at Zhang Yi, wishing this was just an elaborate prank.

    Rolling his eyes, Zhang Yi replied, ¡°Do I look like I have time for games?¡±

    His denial only deepened their unease.

    ¡°How could this happen? Even if it were some group taking the bodies, it¡¯s not like they could¡¯ve done it so quietly,¡± Liang Yue said.

    The destruction of the perimeter cameras during the battle meant they couldn¡¯t review footage for answers.

    The sheer scale of the disappearance¡ªover a thousand bodies¡ªruled out a simple explanation.

    As panic began to set in, Zhang Yi¡¯s calm demeanor stood out.

    Clearing his mind, he reasoned that in a world of mutations and chaos, even the bizarre had its logic.

    ¡°It¡¯s probably the work of Superhumans or some mutated creature,¡± Zhang Yi said confidently.

    ¡°We¡¯ll investigate. If there¡¯s a threat, we¡¯ll deal with it.¡±

    His resolve reassured the group, though tension still lingered. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°Finish your breakfast. Those capable of fighting, gear up and follow me. We¡¯ll trace the footprints and figure this out.¡±

    Though nervous, everyone was eager for answers and quickly agreed.

    After eating, Zhang Yi led the group to arm themselves. Together, they set out to follow the footprints into the unknown.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 420: Underground

    chapter 420: undergroundthe sudden and strange events had everyone on edge.

    though they were unafraid of human factions, the unknown commanded a natural sense of caution and reverence.

    since the apocalypse began, the world had become increasingly incomprehensible. zhang yi couldn¡¯t help but recall an old saying in history books:

    the group moved cautiously, following the dense trail of footprints through the snow. they avoided using vehicles at first, wary of making themselves too conspicuous in case they stumbled upon something unexpected.

    the howling wind only added to their unease. each step forward came with the silent worry that they might encounter the missing corpses walking upright in the distance. s~ea??h the n??elfir§×.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    despite their trepidation, the footprints continued steadily, with no sign of stopping or veering off. it only reinforced the horrifying idea that the bodies had risen and walked away on their own.

    zhang yi finally broke the tense silence. ¡°let¡¯s take the car from here. looks like they¡¯ve covered a lot of ground overnight.¡±

    the biting cold was beginning to wear on everyone, even through their combat suits. once inside the vehicle, they followed the footprints for another half an hour before arriving at their destination.

    what lay before them was a large, dark, gaping hole in the snow.

    it was a massive pit, black and seemingly bottomless, exuding a menacing air that made the group hesitate to approach.

    ¡°where... where does it lead?¡± fatty xu muttered nervously.

    zhang yi stepped cautiously toward the edge, his rifle at the ready. peering into the darkness, he felt a primal fear creeping up his spine.

    ¡°what is this place? and why would the bodies all come here?¡± he murmured. ¡°could there be a superhuman capable of controlling corpses?¡±

    ¡°that would be terrifying,¡± liang yue said, her expression grim. ¡°controlling over a thousand bodies over such a long distance... the power required would be unimaginable.¡±

    the group fell into a heavy silence.

    after the apocalyptic freeze, tianhai city had lost over ten million lives. if someone could manipulate even a fraction of that number, they could easily annihilate any faction.

    fatty xu¡¯s voice trembled. ¡°could... could this be the start of a zombie outbreak?¡±

    zhang yi shook his head with a dry chuckle. ¡°i almost wish it were something that simple.¡±

    ¡°zombies, really? you think a slow, brainless mob would pose any threat to us?¡±

    fatty xu nodded, trying to comfort himself with the logic. ¡°yeah, i guess... if there¡¯s a group of hopping zombies in this weather, it¡¯d be more hilarious than scary!¡±

    as they stood debating, uncle you¡¯s gaze drifted to the surroundings. suddenly, his expression shifted.

    ¡°this area feels familiar,¡± he said. ¡°i think... this is near a station.¡±

    ¡°a station?¡± everyone asked, turning to him.

    uncle you scanned the nearby structures, sparse as they were, and pointed to some faint markers in the distance. ¡°i¡¯m sure of it. this is the ciqu residential area, and the pit aligns with the ciqu metro station.¡±

    realization dawned on zhang yi.

    ¡°so, the bodies... entered the metro tunnels,¡± he said.

    the subway, buried deep underground and now blanketed in snow, gave the appearance of a natural cavern.

    ¡°that means something¡ªor someone¡ªin the metro system is controlling them,¡± liang yue added, her brows furrowed.

    zhang yi rubbed his chin in thought. after the apocalypse, survival had driven people to desperate measures. the metro system, a vast network stretching beneath tianhai city, could very well house survivors¡ªor something far worse.

    ¡°it¡¯s possible,¡± zhang yi said. ¡°plenty of people could¡¯ve taken shelter in the tunnels during the initial snowfall and never made it out. if anyone is still alive down there, they could¡¯ve found a way to survive... and thrive.¡±

    the others exchanged uneasy looks.

    fatty xu asked, ¡°so, what do we do? if someone can control all those bodies, they¡¯d be a nightmare to deal with.¡±

    ¡°do we destroy the entrance? keep them from getting out?¡±

    uncle you scoffed. ¡°you think blowing up one tunnel will stop them? the metro system covers the entire city. there are dozens of exits nearby. you¡¯d be chasing shadows.¡±

    fatty xu fidgeted nervously. ¡°still, just knowing there¡¯s something like that down there... it¡¯s enough to make my skin crawl.¡±

    zhang yi raised a hand to silence the group. ¡°we¡¯re not going to do anything rash. for now, there¡¯s been no conflict. let¡¯s keep it that way.¡±

    ¡°we stay away from this place. nobody comes near it.¡±

    backing away from the pit, zhang yi motioned for the group to retreat.

    the metro¡¯s depths likely hid immense danger, but without a clear threat, there was no need to provoke it.

    ¡°what if it becomes a problem later?¡± liang yue asked.

    zhang yi smirked, his expression carrying a hint of mischief.

    ¡°then let it simmer. if something goes wrong, it¡¯ll be someone else¡¯s headache before it¡¯s ours.¡±

    cloud manor, being on the city¡¯s outskirts, was only lightly connected to the metro network. if trouble arose, zhang yi could deal with it locally. but for factions located deeper within the city, with a denser metro network beneath their feet, the fallout would hit them first.

    ¡°let¡¯s head back,¡± zhang yi said, leading the group to their vehicles.

    ...

    back at the shelter, zhang yi gathered everyone and explained what they¡¯d discovered. though the news unnerved them, he reassured them with calm confidence.

    ¡°there¡¯s no need to worry. we¡¯re staying in the shelter, well-defended and safe. even if zombies or whatever else comes out, we¡¯ll handle it with ease. we¡¯ve faced far worse.¡±

    with the team¡¯s incredible firepower and superhuman abilities, even a zombie apocalypse wouldn¡¯t be much of a threat.

    still, zhang yi took precautions.

    the team began rebuilding the perimeter defenses, using what remained of their weaponry from the last battle. though the shelter was safe for now, having a buffer zone in case of future conflicts was a necessary step.

    author''s note

 Chapter 421: Bai Xue Jiaos Expansion

    chapter 421: bai xue jiao''s expansionwhile life at the shelter settled into a peaceful routine, the same couldn¡¯t be said for other factions.

    bai xue jiao was rapidly expanding, using the weakened territories of chaoyu base and yangsheng base to spread their doctrine and recruit survivors.

    ¡°join bai xue jiao, and enjoy safety, abundant food, and equality for all!¡±

    ¡°join bai xue jiao, escape the cycle of reincarnation, and find eternal bliss in the divine kingdom!¡±

    ¡°join bai xue jiao, cleanse your sins, and be reborn anew!¡±

    in the harsh reality of the apocalypse, people sought two things above all: material sustenance and spiritual solace. bai xue jiao¡¯s promises offered both, making their message irresistibly appealing.

    the movement grew at an alarming rate, swelling its ranks with disillusioned survivors eager for hope.

    one day, the desolate yuelu residential area received an unexpected visit.

    a group of gray-robed ascetics led by grand decree zhao jianhua arrived, cutting a solemn figure against the snowy backdrop. zhao jianhua leaned on his staff as he surveyed the ruins.

    the only building in yuelu still inhabited was building 18, where the residents had barely scraped by using the bodies of the dead and li jian¡¯s sacrifice ability to grow food.

    but there was a price for li jian¡¯s newfound powers: complete allegiance to bai xue jiao.

    when zhao jianhua approached, li jian immediately gathered the surviving residents to greet him.

    ¡°greetings, esteemed grand decree!¡± li jian exclaimed, his eyes brimming with reverence.

    behind him, his wife and sixteen-year-old son peeked curiously at the ascetics. on their previous visit, these figures had only interacted with li jian briefly, granting him the ice soul and departing hastily. at the time, the area was under west hill base¡¯s control, forcing them to remain discreet.

    now, with the major factions crippled or destroyed, bai xue jiao operated openly, their missionary efforts unhindered.

    zhao jianhua regarded li jian warmly. ¡°li jian, i see the snow god¡¯s gift has served you well.¡±

    ¡°praise the snow god! praise the benevolent leader!¡± li jian bowed deeply. ¡°thanks to your blessing, we¡¯ve managed to survive!¡±

    the grand decree¡¯s gaze drifted past li jian, lingering momentarily on his son, li kaile, before returning to him with a smile.

    ¡°i bring good news,¡± zhao jianhua said. ¡°by the leader¡¯s decree, you and your people are invited to join us in tianfeng district. there, you will live with the leader and our devoted congregation.¡±

    li jian and the others exchanged puzzled looks.

    ¡°tianfeng district?¡± li jian repeated. though it wasn¡¯t far, they had grown accustomed to yuelu and were wary of the unknown. in the apocalypse, change was often more frightening than death.

    ¡°don¡¯t be afraid!¡± zhao jianhua reassured them. ¡°tianfeng is a paradise in this desolate world, a haven where we help one another and rebuild together. it will soon become a utopia, untouched by the apocalypse.¡±

    ¡°you¡¯ve been chosen. it¡¯s a privilege few are granted,¡± zhao jianhua said, his gaze resting firmly on li jian.

    ¡°the leader herself has spoken of you, li jian. she admires your abilities and believes you are indispensable to bai xue jiao¡¯s future. if you come with us, you and your family will receive special care.¡±

    li jian¡¯s mouth fell open in astonishment. he couldn¡¯t believe the leader herself had mentioned him. it was the highest honor imaginable.

    among the residents of building 18, bai xue jiao had already achieved an almost divine reputation. after all, they owed their survival to the leader¡¯s blessing, which had enabled li jian to awaken his abilities.

    overwhelmed with gratitude, li jian dropped to his knees.

    ¡°praise the great snow god! praise the leader! i, li jian, will dedicate my life to bai xue jiao!¡±

    zhao jianhua nodded approvingly. ¡°rise, my child. gather your family and belongings and join us in building a new home.¡±

    excitement rippled through the group as they hurriedly packed their clothes and food supplies. more than fifty residents of building 18 prepared to leave yuelu, their hearts filled with hope for a better future.

    the journey to bai xue jiao¡¯s base in tianfeng district was grueling, but the thought of a utopia kept them moving through the relentless snow.

    upon arrival, they were greeted by a bustling settlement. priests and ascetics maintained order while distributing food and clothing to newcomers. others taught the doctrine of bai xue jiao, their words inspiring awe and devotion.

    li jian noticed several people holding strange red fruits, their glistening crimson surfaces resembling polished gemstones. he had never seen such a fruit before.

    though curious, he brushed it aside, too focused on the joy of reaching their destination.

    after settling the group, zhao jianhua turned to li jian.

    ¡°the leader wishes to see you personally,¡± zhao jianhua said.

    li jian hesitated, glancing at his wife and son. ¡°what about my family?¡±

    ¡°they will be well taken care of,¡± zhao jianhua assured him.

    his wife, zhang jianfang, encouraged him. ¡°this is an honor! go meet the leader. we¡¯ll wait for you here.¡±

    reassured, li jian followed zhao jianhua toward a grand cathedral. the other residents were guided elsewhere by smiling nuns.

    pushing open the massive cathedral doors, li jian felt a sense of reverence.

    though the sky outside was overcast, the interior seemed bathed in a divine glow. the room was dim, save for the altar, which was illuminated as if by some unseen light source.

    a woman in a white robe stood before the altar, her back to him, her posture radiating devotion.

    to li jian¡¯s surprise, the object of her worship was a crucifix bearing the image of jesus christ.

    zhao jianhua coughed lightly, sensing li jian¡¯s confusion. ¡°the snow god manifests in many forms. the divine image reflects the faith of its followers. do not dwell on such details.¡±

    li jian quickly nodded. ¡°of course. i understand.¡± s§×arch* the novelfire.net* website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    he knew the truth. this was st. john¡¯s cathedral, once the heart of tianhai city¡¯s christian community. bai xue jiao had seized it and adapted its religious imagery to suit their needs.

    li jian was no fool, but he wasn¡¯t about to question the doctrine openly.

    bai xue jiao¡¯s blessings had saved his life, and that was all that mattered. the rest was just theatrics.

    author''s note

 Chapter 422: The Symbol of Harvest

    chapter 422: the symbol of harvestyuan kongye knelt before the cross, her posture radiating devout reverence.

    as the leader of bai xue jiao, her faith in the existence of a divine being was unshakable.

    to her, figures like jesus christ, shakyamuni, zeus, yuanshi tianzun, and odin were merely humanity¡¯s attempts to comprehend the creator.

    how else could she explain the miracles that had unfolded in her life?

    she prayed fervently, a dedicated apostle of the divine:

    ¡°snow above and earth below,

    our bodies born from the earth,

    our souls descend from the heavens.

    sun and moonlight illuminate us,

    pure snow cleanses our spirits.

    we offer our bodies to the cold winds of the land,

    thanking the heavens for granting the snow god¡¯s children a place to survive.

    may our hearts remain pure,

    sharing joy with our brethren,

    sharing their sorrow,

    forever praising the children of bai xue jiao.

    we pledge our souls and bodies as proof.¡±

    her serene chant filled the sacred space, carrying a sense of timeless devotion.

    in the distance, grand decree zhao jianhua and li jian waited patiently for her ritual to conclude.

    after what felt like an eternity, yuan kongye finally rose from her prayers. her cold gaze swept toward li jian.

    seeing her for the first time, li jian was taken aback.

    the architect of the apocalypse¡¯s most powerful religious faction was a mere girl, barely twenty years old in appearance.

    quickly lowering his head, li jian stammered, ¡°greetings, leader. i am li jian, saved by your blessing and alive today because of your grace.¡±

    yuan kongye stepped closer, her measured footsteps echoing in the silent cathedral.

    ¡°i know who you are,¡± she said calmly.

    ¡°the grand decree tells me you are a beacon of hope, blessed by the snow god with the power of harvest.¡±

    her voice carried an almost hypnotic quality, filling li jian with an overwhelming urge to kneel before her in worship.

    ¡°raise your head, li jian,¡± yuan kongye commanded.

    as if under a spell, li jian obeyed. his surroundings blurred, and the only thing that remained in focus was yuan kongye¡¯s piercing gaze.

    her words etched themselves into his mind, unshakable and absolute.

    ¡°from this day forward, you are a father of bai xue jiao. your arrival heralds a bountiful harvest. the snow god guided you here, and you have a mission to fulfill.¡±

    li jian¡¯s blood surged with emotion.

    he wasn¡¯t just another survivor¡ªhe had been chosen by the divine!

    ¡°i am willing to give my all to bai xue jiao!¡± li jian declared passionately. sear?h the n??el fire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    yuan kongye smiled faintly. ¡°good. come with me.¡±

    turning, she led him out of the cathedral toward a nearby derelict building.

    ...

    when li jian regained some semblance of clarity, he found himself standing in a blood-red environment.

    inside the building was an enormous tree, its trunk five or six meters thick and cloaked in dark bark that pulsed with veins of crimson light.

    the tree seemed to breathe, its surface expanding and contracting like the chest of a living creature.

    its branches sprawled across the space, their curled leaves resembling cocoons. inside those cocoons, faint outlines hinted at something¡ªor someone¡ªtrapped within.

    li jian stared, slack-jawed, at the grotesque yet awe-inspiring sight.

    ¡°this is the sacred tree of bai xue jiao,¡± yuan kongye said, gesturing toward the giant plant.

    ¡°it burrows hundreds of meters into the earth, drawing nutrients to produce its miraculous fruit. this fruit sustains us and is the key to our survival.¡±

    raising her hand, yuan kongye called down a vine from the tree. at its end hung a single crimson fruit, which detached and landed gently in her palm.

    the tree¡¯s intelligence and responsiveness were undeniable.

    li jian finally understood the origin of the red fruit he had seen earlier.

    walking up to him, yuan kongye extended the fruit. her soft smile contrasted sharply with the eerie surroundings.

    ¡°this is our hope for survival,¡± she said. ¡°would you like to taste it?¡±

    without hesitation, li jian accepted the fruit.

    the moment he bit into it, a sweet yet unfamiliar fragrance overwhelmed his senses. it was unlike anything he had ever experienced.

    the fruit¡¯s flesh oozed a thick, blood-like liquid, yet it filled him with warmth and strength, banishing all hunger and cold.

    ¡°you are now father li,¡± yuan kongye said, her tone firm.

    ¡°your mission is to nurture the sacred tree with your ability. help it grow stronger, so it can provide for even more of our followers.¡±

    li jian nodded fervently. ¡°i will dedicate my life to this task!¡±

    approaching the tree, li jian drew a small knife and made a shallow cut on his hand.

    blood streamed freely from the wound, more than seemed natural, yet the tree absorbed every drop with ravenous greed. its red glow intensified, pulsing like a beating heart.

    yuan kongye stepped forward, placing a hand on his wound to stop the bleeding.

    ¡°from now on, you will feed the sacred tree daily. it is an honor and a responsibility,¡± she said gently.

    li jian¡¯s eyes shone with reverence, as if this duty had become his life¡¯s purpose.

    ...

    two weeks passed in the blink of an eye.

    at zhang yi¡¯s shelter, the team had rebuilt their snow-and-ice defenses, and no new enemies had appeared. life settled into a comfortable rhythm.

    with ample food, warmth, and entertainment, the group enjoyed a rare sense of peace.

    but zhang yi, ever cautious, refused to grow complacent.

    he spent several hours each day training with liang yue, honing his combat skills. liang yue, now more mature and reserved, treated the sessions seriously, often chastising zhang yi when he faltered.

    though professional during training, liang yue¡¯s cheeks still flushed whenever their sparring led to accidental contact.

    meanwhile, the outside world was far from tranquil.

    chaoyu and yangsheng bases, weakened by their recent defeats, struggled to maintain control over their territories.

    not only were they powerless to stop bai xue jiao¡¯s missionary activities, but small armed factions within their lands began rising up, taking advantage of the chaos.

    though tianhai city¡¯s five major factions ostensibly controlled the region, the truth was far messier. many underground organizations thrived in the shadows, waiting for their chance to claim resources.

    in response, chaoyu and yangsheng redirected their attention inward, attempting to quell local unrest.

    a fragile truce emerged among the five factions, each acknowledging the others¡¯ territorial claims to avoid further conflict.

    for now, none of them were willing to spark another large-scale war.

    author''s note

 Chapter 423: The Corpses

    chapter 423: the corpseszhang yi¡¯s cautious approach to survival influenced everyone in the shelter, ensuring none of them grew complacent.

    uncle you trained daily in close combat and shooting.

    yang siyah tirelessly produced energy-boosting food, which zhang yi stored in his spatial dimension.

    even fatty xu, usually the laziest of the group, was dragged out by zhang yi to hone his abilities.

    each superhuman¡¯s powers were unique. while their initial abilities might seem simple, they all had significant potential for growth. zhang yi, for example, had expanded his spatial powers into numerous versatile skills, and he continued pushing the boundaries of what he could achieve.

    fatty xu, however, felt a growing sense of inadequacy.

    during the five-army battle, he had witnessed wei dinghai¡¯s powerful ice and snow lord ability¡ªa stark reminder of how far behind he was. determined not to become a burden, he threw himself into training.

    one particular realization shook him further: liang yue also possessed the rare devourer ability, allowing her to absorb the abilities of other superhumans. previously, only zhang yi and hua hua had this power, and fatty xu hadn¡¯t thought much of it.

    now, it was clear that there were tiers of talent even among superhumans¡ªand he and uncle you were at the lower end.

    ¡°damn it! i can¡¯t keep relying on last-minute miracles!¡± fatty xu muttered, frustrated by his lack of progress.

    despite his efforts, his abilities¡ªice spikes, ice walls, and snow bursts¡ªremained useful primarily for controlling the battlefield. against other superhumans, they lacked the raw power needed for decisive combat.

    zhang yi noticed his struggles and approached him with advice.

    ¡°your abilities grow stronger the more you use them, but strategy is just as important,¡± zhang yi explained, tapping his temple. ¡°think of your ability as a weapon. strengthening the weapon is important, but mastering its use matters even more.¡±

    he smirked. ¡°a skilled fighter¡¯s pebble can be deadlier than an amateur¡¯s blade.¡±

    fatty xu mulled over zhang yi¡¯s words and had an epiphany.

    ¡°i¡¯ve been too hung up on raw power,¡± he realized. ¡°when you killed ling feng, it wasn¡¯t because your ability was stronger¡ªit was your intelligence and preparation!¡±

    his perspective shifted. though he lacked the ability to absorb others¡¯ powers, maximizing his own potential could still make him formidable.

    march arrived, bringing a slight increase in temperature as blue planet edged closer to its perihelion. despite this, the world remained bitterly cold.

    within the shelter, life carried on peacefully. zhang yi and fatty xu had beaten countless aaa-tier games on the console, and the communal mahjong table had needed repairs several times¡ªthanks to lu keran, their resident mechanical expert.

    it was a tranquil existence, almost idyllic.

    but life had a way of delivering surprises when least expected.

    at the ruins of west hill base.

    the long-abandoned site lay eerily still. its resources had been looted by zhang yi, and the aftermath of the five-army battle had deterred other factions from approaching.

    yet, something stirred.

    the thick, green iron door of the fourth life pod trembled violently, as if struck by an immense force.

    with each thunderous impact, the heavy door¡¯s bolts weakened until they finally snapped.

    from the darkness within, an eerie green light began to pulse, accompanied by the nauseating stench of decay.

    one by one, a horde of decrepit, blank-eyed corpses shuffled out.

    it was as if someone had opened a long-forgotten can of rotten fish.

    the zombies poured into the passageway, their numbers quickly filling the confined space.

    guided by some unseen force, they cleared debris from the base¡¯s entrance and emerged into the open air.

    the wind howled as thousands of zombies streamed out, their movements sluggish but unyielding, heading southeast.

    back at the shelter, zhang yi lounged on the sofa, sipping coffee as yang xinxin briefed him on the latest updates from other factions.

    over the past month, yang xinxin had managed to infiltrate the networks of the remaining factions, observing their activities in secret.

    unlike west hill base, their network security was rudimentary¡ªno more sophisticated than that of pre-apocalypse small businesses. sea??h th§× n?velfire(.)net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°qingfu base continues to play it safe, enjoying their current territory without attempting expansion,¡± yang xinxin reported. ¡°chaoyu base is in full retreat, focusing on recovering from the five-army battle. their leader, wei dinghai, is still injured, and unrest has flared in their territory.¡±

    ¡°yangsheng base remains stable, though they¡¯ve had to suppress several internal uprisings. and as for bai xue jiao...¡±

    yang xinxin paused, her expression serious.

    ¡°they¡¯ve been the biggest beneficiaries of the war. their membership has grown exponentially¡ªpossibly exceeding ten thousand followers.¡±

    zhang yi leaned back, casually absorbing the information.

    most of it aligned with his expectations, but bai xue jiao¡¯s explosive growth intrigued him.

    ¡°how are they feeding so many people?¡± he mused aloud. ¡°most of their recruits are likely non-combatants, not all of them useful. a large population can become a burden.¡±

    yang xinxin offered a theory. ¡°perhaps they¡¯re using faith as leverage. desperate times drive people to cling to whatever promises security.¡±

    she added, ¡°do you remember the taiping heavenly kingdom? their movement was built on the chaos of the time, using a pseudo-religious banner to establish a regime that lasted over a decade.¡±

    zhang yi nodded. ¡°so you¡¯re saying bai xue jiao could do the same in tianhai city?¡±

    ¡°exactly,¡± yang xinxin said. ¡°their leader, yuan kongye, might not just want survival¡ªshe might want divinity.¡±

    zhang yi raised an eyebrow. ¡°turning herself into a god? that sounds ridiculous.¡±

    yang xinxin¡¯s tone grew more serious. ¡°it might seem absurd, but in desperate times, people will believe anything that gives them hope. even the educated will bow when faced with starvation and death.¡±

    zhang yi acknowledged her point but remained skeptical.

    ¡°even with ten thousand followers, numbers alone can¡¯t defeat modern weapons. the other factions are still far stronger.¡±

    yang xinxin countered, ¡°but what if yuan kongye uses her blessing ability to awaken an army of superhumans?¡±

    zhang yi¡¯s expression hardened.

    now, that was a problem worth considering.

    as zhang yi pondered, his gaze drifted toward the snow-covered horizon.

    suddenly, his eyes narrowed.

    in the distance, silhouetted against the white landscape, a mass of figures emerged, moving steadily toward the shelter.

    ¡°visitors,¡± zhang yi murmured, setting down his coffee.

    author''s note

 Chapter 424: Corrosion

    chapter 424: corrosionzhang yi froze for a moment, staring out at the surreal sight. for an instant, he thought his eyes were deceiving him.

    how could so many people be moving about in this unforgiving cold?

    the sheer number of figures on the horizon surpassed even those seen during the five-army battle.

    but as he squinted for a clearer view, zhang yi realized this was no illusion. it was real¡ªa vast horde, slowly advancing toward the shelter.

    springing to his feet, zhang yi barked orders:

    ¡°xiao ai, alert everyone in the shelter. get them geared up and assembled in the living room!¡±

    as he spoke, he stripped off his cozy loungewear and began suiting up in combat gear with practiced efficiency.

    within moments, the shelter¡¯s alarm blared. everyone, though accustomed to their comfortable routine, responded with urgency.

    dressing quickly, they hurried to the living room.

    yang xinxin, wheeling herself closer to zhang yi, asked nervously, ¡°what¡¯s going on, gege?¡±

    zhang yi, now fully equipped and gripping his golden desert eagle, pointed toward the window.

    ¡°see for yourself. something¡¯s coming.¡±

    wheeling over to the window, yang xinxin squinted at the distant horizon. her face turned pale as she made out the countless silhouettes advancing in the distance.

    ¡°why... why are there so many of them? could this be an alliance of factions coming to attack us?¡±

    as the others arrived, uncle you approached zhang yi.

    ¡°what¡¯s the situation? are we under attack?¡±

    raising his binoculars, zhang yi took a closer look.

    what he saw made his skin crawl.

    the figures weren¡¯t people.

    they were corpses¡ªa massive horde of zombies, slowly but inexorably shambling toward the shelter.

    their bodies were grotesque, clad in tattered, frostbitten clothing. blue-black patches of decay marred their skin, while some bore horrific open wounds that revealed frozen flesh underneath. the extreme cold had preserved them from complete decomposition, leaving them trapped in a grotesque limbo.

    ¡°zombies...¡± zhang yi muttered, his voice heavy with disbelief.

    the others crowded around, peering through binoculars or the window.

    sure enough, the horde was unmistakably made up of the walking dead.

    liang yue¡¯s sharp eyes caught a chilling detail.

    ¡°wait a second,¡± she said, pointing. ¡°some of them are wearing west hill base uniforms.¡±

    zhang yi followed her direction and confirmed it: many of the zombies wore the familiar green fatigues of west hill soldiers.

    ¡°they must¡¯ve come from the fourth life pod,¡± liang yue deduced, her tone grim.

    zhang yi set down the binoculars, a mix of shock and grim acceptance settling in.

    ¡°it¡¯s bizarre. in this kind of weather, they should be frozen solid, not moving.¡±

    dr. zhou ke¡¯er, who had remained calm despite the chaos, ventured an explanation.

    ¡°it could be some kind of virus that¡¯s keeping their bodies animated,¡± she suggested.

    zhang yi nodded. ¡°that makes sense. in the end, they¡¯re just infected corpses¡ªcreepy, sure, but manageable.¡±

    he grabbed his rifle from his spatial inventory.

    ¡°let¡¯s go. it¡¯s time to take care of these restless dead. remember, aim for the head!¡±

    the group snapped out of their initial fear, reminded that these were just zombies. s§×ar?h the ¦Çovelfire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    their confidence surged as they recalled their well-maintained arsenal and combat prowess. zombies? they¡¯d be nothing more than target practice.

    even lu keran, usually behind the scenes repairing equipment, was excited to join in.

    ¡°boss, give me a gun! i wanna shoot some zombies too!¡± she pleaded.

    zhang yi handed her a rifle with a sigh. ¡°stick close to me. and watch your aim¡ªno friendly fire.¡±

    ¡°woohoo! this is gonna be awesome!¡± lu keran cheered, gearing up enthusiastically.

    the group stepped outside, leaving zhou ke¡¯er and the other non-combatants inside.

    inside the shelter, chairs and snacks were brought out as the remaining residents prepared to watch the battle unfold from the safety of their fortress.

    out in the snow, the mood among zhang yi¡¯s team was lighthearted.

    uncle you transformed into his towering giant form, hefting a massive entrenching tool like a war hammer.

    zhang yi called out, ¡°stick to guns for now, uncle you!¡±

    but uncle you laughed. ¡°no need to waste ammo on these guys!¡±

    liang yue¡¯s blade gleamed as she drew it, her eyes burning with battle lust.

    the more cautious members¡ªzhang yi, fatty xu, and lu keran¡ªtook up positions to begin shooting.

    zhang yi fired the first shot.

    with practiced precision, his bullet struck a zombie squarely in the head, dropping it instantly.

    inspired, lu keran turned to fatty xu. ¡°let¡¯s see who can kill more!¡±

    fatty xu smirked. ¡°you¡¯re on. but don¡¯t cry when i win¡ªi¡¯ve had way more practice!¡±

    suddenly, something unexpected happened.

    the zombie zhang yi had shot stood back up.

    a gaping hole in its skull revealed the damage from the shot, yet no blood flowed, and it continued moving toward the shelter.

    ¡°what the hell?¡± zhang yi muttered. ¡°i hit it dead center. why isn¡¯t it down?¡±

    before he could process what was happening, the entire horde¡¯s demeanor shifted.

    the previously slow and aimless zombies began to howl¡ªa guttural, inhuman sound that echoed across the frozen plains.

    ¡°awoo£¡£¡£¡¡±

    the sound was chilling, like a pack of wild dogs feasting in a graveyard.

    then, as one, the horde broke into a sprint.

    the thousands of zombies surged forward with terrifying speed, their eyes glowing a sinister crimson.

    ¡°what the¡ª?!¡± zhang yi cursed, his grip tightening on his rifle.

    liang yue and uncle you, who had charged ahead to engage, were suddenly faced with a wave of frenzied undead barreling toward them like hunting hounds.

    ¡°fall back!¡± zhang yi shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.

    but it was too late¡ªthe horde was upon them.

    author''s note

 Chapter 425: Eerie Encounter

    chapter 425: eerie encounterno one could have anticipated that the seemingly sluggish and apathetic zombies would suddenly become so unpredictable.

    in an instant, they unleashed astonishing speed, completely surrounding uncle you and liang yue!

    before zhang yi could even react, the zombies had already engulfed the two, layers upon layers, their guttural roars chilling to the bone. sea??h th§× novel(f~)ire.net website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°w**t the h*ll!¡±

    uncle you¡¯s furious shout rang out as he swung his entrenching tool, sending a dozen zombies flying and cleaving three of them cleanly in half.

    these zombies were rigid and remarkably tough, nothing like the decayed corpses often seen on tv that could be easily destroyed.

    fortunately, both uncle you and liang yue were enhancement-type superhumans, with formidable close-combat skills. even surrounded by thousands of zombies, they still managed to hold their ground and fight back effectively.

    liang yue wielded a tang sword, the blade¡¯s gleam slicing through the air like cold moonlight.

    the iron-like bodies of the zombies were severed cleanly!

    however, the efficiency of their attacks was too low, and the horde of zombies was overwhelming.

    if this continued, they would surely exhaust themselves and be devoured alive!

    this outcome was beyond anyone¡¯s expectations.

    mere moments ago, zhang yi and the others still thought of zombies as the slow-moving, fragile creatures often portrayed in tv dramas¡ªso weak that even a child could kill one with a stick.

    but the zombies they faced now were vastly different¡ªstronger, fiercer, faster, and harder to kill!

    even a headshot wouldn¡¯t stop them. how were they supposed to kill such creatures?

    looking at the dismembered zombie corpses on the ground, still struggling toward uncle you and liang yue, zhang yi felt a shiver run down his spine.

    ¡°what on earth are these things? why won¡¯t they die?¡±

    fatty xu and lu keran were pale with fear. they quickly opened fire, trying to kill as many zombies as possible to rescue uncle you and liang yue.

    but instead of eliminating the zombies, the gunfire attracted their attention.

    a portion of the massive horde broke off, roaring as they charged toward zhang yi and his group!

    zhang yi remained calm. since even a headshot couldn¡¯t kill these zombies, firearms were useless.

    holstering his pistol, he made a gesture in the air, tracing a dimensional shape.

    a massive dimensional gate appeared, blocking the zombies¡¯ path toward the three of them.

    the horde moved with terrifying speed, comparable to sprint champions. but before reaching zhang yi, they disappeared one by one into the dimensional gate.

    fatty xu and lu keran finally breathed a sigh of relief.

    ¡°thank goodness for the boss¡¯s dimensional gate! we can use this to handle the entire horde of brainless zombies!¡±

    however, just as fatty xu finished speaking, the zombies suddenly stopped in front of the dimensional gate.

    ¡°huh?¡±

    zhang yi frowned, sensing something was amiss.

    zombies were supposed to be mindless and incapable of intelligence.

    yet these creatures had stopped, as if aware of the danger. this was entirely illogical!

    two possibilities came to mind:

    they weren¡¯t truly dead and were instead some kind of intelligent creatures. someone was secretly controlling them!

    the second possibility seemed more likely.

    ¡°could it be a superhuman capable of controlling zombies? like the time when soldiers¡¯ corpses mysteriously disappeared?¡±

    ¡°if that¡¯s the case, then everything makes sense!¡±

    if they could locate and eliminate the controller among the horde, the crisis would be resolved.

    however, zhang yi felt a headache coming on at the thought of finding the controller among thousands of zombies¡ªit was like searching for a needle in a haystack!

    he decided on a more straightforward approach.

    with a wave of his hand, a heavy tank appeared on the snow, its weight compressing the snowy surface.

    ¡°uncle you, liang yue, follow my command. when i count to three, jump as high as you can!¡±

    as zhang yi spoke, he climbed into the tank and began loading the cannon.

    although he wasn¡¯t great at driving a tank, uncle you had taught him how to fire its cannon.

    understanding his plan, uncle you and liang yue nodded.

    ¡°got it!¡±

    zhang yi finished loading the shell and started the countdown.

    ¡°three, two, one!¡±

    as soon as he said ¡°one,¡± uncle you and liang yue fought back the zombies surrounding them with all their might and leaped into the air.

    both being enhancement-type superhumans, their physical strength was extraordinary¡ªthey jumped over ten meters high!

    the tank¡¯s cannon roared with a deafening boom.

    ¡°boom!!!¡±

    a shell detonated in the center of the horde, scattering hundreds of zombies in a spectacular explosion of limbs and debris.

    the horde was momentarily dispersed, giving uncle you and liang yue a chance to retreat toward the shelter.

    but the relentless zombies pursued them, their terrifying speed allowing them to quickly close the distance.

    driven by their instinct to hunt the living, the zombies gathered together, conveniently lining up directly in front of the tank¡¯s cannon.

    zhang yi loaded another shell and fired!

    another explosion scattered hundreds of zombies, but many remained, charging from the sides.

    lu keran was so frightened that his legs gave out.

    thankfully, uncle you and liang yue intercepted the stragglers, eliminating the remaining zombies.

    realizing that decapitating them wasn¡¯t enough, they figured out that destroying the bodies or severing the legs was more effective.

    zhang yi stepped out of the tank and retrieved a peculiar-looking piece of equipment from his spatial storage¡ªa device with two large metal canisters connected to a long nozzle by pipes.

    it resembled a pesticide sprayer but was actually a flamethrower, which zhang yi had taken from west hill base but never used. its short range and cumbersome design made it inconvenient.

    however, it was perfect for dealing with these unkillable zombies.

    lying prone, zhang yi aimed the flamethrower. a fiery dragon over ten meters long erupted from the nozzle!

    even in the freezing temperatures, the flamethrower¡¯s intense heat set the zombies ablaze.

    their clothes caught fire, and their bodies burned fiercely.

    the zombies¡¯ proximity to each other amplified the flames¡¯ effectiveness.

    at first, zhang yi worried the burning zombies might charge toward them. but instead, they became erratic, their limbs twisting wildly as they let out eerie screeches.

    as the team prepared to fight with all their might, the zombies suddenly turned tail and fled!

    author''s note

 Chapter 426: Uncertainty

    chapter 426: uncertaintythe sight of thousands of zombies turning and running in the opposite direction of the shelter left zhang yi and his group utterly stunned.

    it was unheard of¡ªzombies showing fear and executing a strategic retreat!

    zhang yi stood up cautiously, watching the retreating horde with wariness in his eyes.

    ¡°this confirms one thing: these zombies are definitely being controlled by someone!¡± sea??h th§× n?vel_fire.¦Çet website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°when the controller realized it was difficult to kill us, they decided to retreat to preserve their forces.¡±

    liang yue frowned deeply, pondering for a moment before shaking her head.

    ¡°i can¡¯t imagine how a person could control thousands of zombies simultaneously!¡±

    ¡°not to mention, these corpses were frozen solid, and decapitation couldn¡¯t even kill them. if someone had such immense power, they could easily dominate tianhai city, given the sheer number of corpses outside.¡±

    zhang yi glanced at the pile of shattered and charred corpses on the ground, some of which were still twitching.

    despite being reduced to fragments, these zombies exhibited an eerie vitality, like worms cut into multiple pieces that continued to squirm.

    the thought of facing more of these creatures in the future made zhang yi¡¯s head ache.

    ¡°we need to figure out what these things are and how someone is controlling them.¡±

    ¡°if not, tianhai city will never know peace!¡±

    walking over, zhang yi attempted to store parts of the zombie fragments into his spatial storage.

    the process went smoothly, confirming they were indeed lifeless corpses rather than living organisms.

    yet the fact that they were still moving defied explanation.

    ¡°could it be some technique like the corpse-driving rituals from xiangxi? have i been too narrow-minded, refusing to believe in the supernatural?¡±

    zhang yi¡¯s thoughts grew increasingly conflicted.

    he tossed the flamethrower to fatty xu. ¡°burn these things completely! at least we now know they can be destroyed by fire.¡±

    the group couldn¡¯t make sense of the day¡¯s events.

    ever since that day when thousands of corpses vanished from the battlefield, a shroud of mystery had enveloped them.

    today¡¯s zombie crisis only deepened the enigma, making it impossible to ignore.

    though they had successfully repelled the horde, the confusion on everyone¡¯s faces was unmistakable.

    back at the shelter, zhou ke¡¯er, yang siyah, and the others were still shaken. their pale faces betrayed how terrified they had been.

    after all, who had ever seen zombies fiercer than wild dogs, let alone an entire horde of them?

    if it hadn¡¯t been for zhang yi¡¯s group, even heavily armed soldiers would have been torn apart today.

    ¡°do you think ghosts really exist?¡± yang siyah asked nervously, clutching her chest as fear lingered in her eyes.

    the older zhou haimei frowned slightly. ¡°hard to say. such things are better believed in than dismissed. it¡¯s best to stay respectful!¡±

    as a veteran actress who had weathered the entertainment industry for years, zhou haimei was deeply superstitious about metaphysics.

    it was said that her career only took off after a famous fortune-teller advised her to change her name.

    some phenomena defied scientific explanation yet undeniably existed.

    zhang yi remained silent, sitting on the sofa as he reflected on the series of strange events.

    the horde of thousands had come from west hill base.

    when he, fatty xu, and uncle you had previously scavenged there, they had sensed something unusual in the surroundings.

    at the time, zhang yi dismissed it as paranoia and didn¡¯t give it much thought.

    before leaving, he had sealed the entrance to west hill base for peace of mind.

    adding to that were the recent incidents¡ªdisappearing soldier corpses and their appearance at the ci qu subway station.

    these clues hinted at a hidden truth of monumental significance.

    ¡°someone must be controlling those corpses.¡±

    while the women speculated about supernatural events, zhang yi concluded decisively.

    ¡°these zombies avoided my dimensional gate and retreated intelligently. that¡¯s behavior characteristic of sentient beings.¡±

    ¡°so, there must be a superhuman capable of controlling corpses, targeting us from the shadows.¡±

    his reasoning was sound, and the group nodded in agreement.

    however, zhou ke¡¯er raised a question.

    ¡°but why attack us?¡±

    ¡°we haven¡¯t provoked anyone. the only recent conflicts were with chaoyu base and yangsheng base.¡±

    ¡°but if they had such power, why didn¡¯t they use it during the battle? why wait until now?¡±

    zhang yi shook his head.

    ¡°the situation is too sudden to unravel immediately. for now, let¡¯s stay within the shelter. it¡¯s very secure, and those zombies can¡¯t breach it.¡±

    ¡°let¡¯s wait and see how things develop.¡±

    as he spoke, zhang yi turned to yang xinxin.

    ¡°xinxin, keep an eye on other factions in the coming days. see if this phenomenon is unique to us or widespread in tianhai city.¡±

    yang xinxin nodded. ¡°got it. leave it to me!¡±

    zhang yi then addressed uncle you and liang yue.

    ¡°uncle you, liang yue, check your bodies thoroughly to ensure no scratches or bites. if a zombie virus exists, we must be cautious.¡±

    the group instinctively distanced themselves from uncle you and liang yue, though silently.

    after all, in zombie movies, those injured by zombies often became infected.

    uncle you and liang yue were speechless but understood zhang yi¡¯s caution.

    ¡°alright, we¡¯ll cooperate with the checks.¡±

    zhang yi chuckled and reassured them. ¡°relax, it¡¯s just a precaution, not suspicion.¡±

    considering their bulletproof combat gear, it was unlikely the zombies had bitten them. zhang yi was simply being thorough.

    after examining them with zhou ke¡¯er, zhang yi confirmed they had no injuries.

    ¡°all clear. you¡¯re both good to go!¡±

    smiling, zhang yi dismissed them.

    with the two gone, only zhang yi and zhou ke¡¯er remained in the medical room.

    zhang yi¡¯s tone turned serious as he addressed her.

    ¡°ke¡¯er, there¡¯s something i need you to do.¡±

    zhou ke¡¯er immediately understood.

    ¡°you want me to study the zombies?¡±

    zhang yi nodded. ¡°i need to determine if they carry a virus or are being controlled by superhuman powers.¡±

    ¡°if it¡¯s the former, this could escalate into a citywide catastrophe¡ªor worse, a global pandemic.¡±

    ¡°but if it¡¯s the latter¡­¡±

    his expression grew graver as he continued.

    ¡°then it means tianhai city harbors an unknown and terrifying entity.¡±

    zhou ke¡¯er¡¯s face clouded with concern as she gently hugged zhang yi from behind.

    ¡°either outcome is frightening.¡±

    zhang yi held her hand and smiled faintly. ¡°don¡¯t overthink it. let¡¯s focus on protecting ourselves. as long as the shelter remains secure, we can live peacefully.¡±

    zhou ke¡¯er nodded, finding comfort in his words.

    overthinking would only lead to despair.

    zhang yi retrieved a piece of zombie flesh from his spatial storage and placed it on the workstation.

    the fragment twitched like a severed worm, even as frost clung to its surface, radiating a strange vitality.

    even zhou ke¡¯er, a seasoned doctor, was astounded.

    ¡°this is incredible!¡±

    ¡°be careful,¡± zhang yi warned. ¡°we don¡¯t know if it¡¯s viral or how contagious it might be.¡±

    zhou ke¡¯er smiled confidently. ¡°don¡¯t worry. i know what i¡¯m doing.¡±

    she expertly placed the fragment into a tray and sealed it under a glass cover.

    ¡°i¡¯ll need some time to study this.¡±

    ¡°no rush. if this remains the extent of the crisis, we can handle it with ease.¡±

    zhou ke¡¯er nodded. ¡°yes, given our resources, we¡¯re the most well-equipped faction in tianhai city!¡±

    ¡°but if a zombie crisis erupts among other factions, especially groups like the followers of the snow god, it would be terrifying.¡±

    author''s note

 Chapter 427: Catastrophe in Tianhai City

    chapter 427: catastrophe in tianhai cityjust as zhang yi suspected, the zombie crisis was not an isolated incident targeting them alone. it had erupted across all of tianhai city on a massive scale! s~ea??h the novel?ire(.)ne*t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    yangsheng base, chaoyu base, and qingfu base all came under attack by swarms of zombies that seemed to materialize out of nowhere.

    the soldiers, untrained for such a phenomenon, initially assumed they could neutralize the zombies by destroying their heads.

    but to their horror, even headshots failed. the zombies continued their onslaught, tearing off heads with their razor-sharp claws.

    these zombies were far from the sluggish creatures seen in tv shows. their speed and strength far exceeded those of ordinary humans.

    the horde surged relentlessly, overwhelming the first line of human defense with sheer numbers. the soldiers struggled to mount any resistance, and the line was soon breached!

    their numbers were overwhelming, and their resilience was terrifying.

    the three bases suffered heavy losses, with numerous lives claimed by these horrifying creatures.

    however, the bases were equipped with powerful weaponry. after the initial chaos, the leaders and superhuman captains of each base organized a fierce counterattack.

    at yangsheng base, xiao honglian quickly identified the zombies¡¯ weakness¡ªfire.

    she climbed a tall distillation tower, wielding a high-purity alcohol sprayer to unleash streams of flame upon the horde.

    like an inferno engulfing insects, the fire swiftly turned the zombies to ash.

    yet, the scale of the horde was daunting.

    compared to the few thousand zombies that zhang yi¡¯s shelter faced, the bases located in core areas faced far greater hordes.

    with her sword-like brows furrowed, xiao honglian pushed her [purgatory furnace] ability to its limits.

    a man carrying a heavy metal box approached her.

    the box contained high-purity alcohol. xiao honglian consumed it, unleashing fiery blasts like a dragon, scorching trenches into the ground and decimating the zombies.

    after an arduous battle, and with countless zombies slain, the wave of attackers was finally repelled.

    ¡°what the hell are these things? they¡¯re far beyond ordinary zombies. investigate their origins immediately! is someone controlling them?¡±

    xiao honglian was furious as she surveyed the carnage. her painstakingly built refinery lay in ruins, strewn with corpses.

    meanwhile, at qingfu base, xing tian unleashed his abilities and led 500 elite warriors in a direct charge against the zombie horde.

    with xing tian¡¯s empowerment, his warriors became formidable, combining offense and defense seamlessly.

    abandoning firearms, they relied on massive battle axes, war hammers, and iron rods to engage in brutal close combat with the zombies.

    this method proved far more effective than firearms, as even the frozen corpses were shattered by the brute force of their attacks.

    at chaoyu base, the situation escalated to the point where the main naval guns of ships stationed in the deep sea district were deployed against the horde.

    while the zombie attacks were ferocious, they alone couldn¡¯t inflict catastrophic damage on the major factions.

    the bases¡¯ superior firepower and abundance of powerful superhumans helped contain the threat.

    ¡°where did these things come from? could they be a product of another faction in tianhai city? or is there an underground force we¡¯ve overlooked?¡± wei dinghai speculated with a furrowed brow.

    zhang yi and the three bases managed to resolve the crisis relatively effectively, suffering losses that, while significant, were within tolerable limits.

    the followers of the snow god, however, were not so fortunate.

    having rapidly expanded their ranks over the past month, their population swelled to over 10,000 in the core area of tianfeng district.

    more than 70% of them lacked combat capabilities, and many were even unarmed.

    this massive, vulnerable crowd attracted an underground horde of zombies.

    that night, the followers finished their prayers and retired to their tents.

    to keep warm, they huddled in a few enclosed buildings, lit fires, and shared canned food and red sacred fruits plucked from the holy tree.

    among them were residents from yuelu residential area, who had joined the cult alongside li jian.

    li jian¡¯s son, li kaile, was particularly happy at the camp.

    he quickly befriended xu beibei, a girl of the same age from a nearby tent.

    even in the apocalypse, human emotions remained powerful.

    the two teenagers, drawn to each other at first sight, quickly grew close.

    living nearby and having little to do beyond prayers, they spent their days together.

    li kaile shared his treasured books, while xu beibei showed him an oil painting she had found.

    in the innocence of youth, their feelings were pure and untainted.

    li kaile secretly vowed to marry xu beibei once the apocalypse was over and to stay by her side for life.

    but in the darkness, pairs of eerie green eyes had already fixed on their camp.

    the night watch spotted shadows moving on the outskirts.

    with visibility too poor to discern details, the watch mistook the zombies for survivors seeking refuge.

    ¡°where are you coming from? do you need help?¡± one watchman called out.

    as they approached, the truth became horrifyingly clear.

    the creatures had purplish-blue skin, vacant eyes, and ghastly wounds that marked them unmistakably as undead.

    ¡°a-a-a¡­ monsters!¡± the watchman screamed in terror.

    that was the moment the zombies attacked.

    drawn to the firelight, they swarmed like moths to flames.

    but this time, they weren¡¯t self-destructing¡ªthey were bringing death to the unsuspecting survivors.

    gunfire erupted as the watchmen tried to fight back.

    however, the zombies were undeterred, pressing on even as bullets riddled their bodies.

    screams of despair echoed through the camp as the undead began their slaughter.

    the followers of the snow god¡¯s camp turned into a nightmare, with hundreds of members falling victim to the horde.

    the guards, realizing the nature of their attackers, aimed for the zombies¡¯ heads.

    yet their efforts were futile, and the noise only attracted more of the undead, who tore them apart.

    desperate cries for help spread through the camp.

    the guards were swiftly overwhelmed, leaving the unarmed followers defenseless.

    the ravenous zombies charged in like starving bandits descending on a buffet.

    in that moment, it was as if the dinner bell had rung.

    author''s note

 Chapter 428: A New Storm

    chapter 428: a new stormthe rapid expansion of the followers of the snow god had swelled their numbers to over 10,000. most resided in the buildings around st. john¡¯s cathedral.

    to conserve warmth, dozens of people often shared a single room, creating an extremely high population density.

    when the zombie attack began, the crowded conditions left little room to escape.

    on the floor where li kaile and xu beibei lived, zombies surged upward.

    even in the dark, the creatures could sense the presence of living humans, moving through the dim hallways with eerie precision.

    ¡°bang! bang!¡±

    doors were smashed open, and zombies poured into the rooms, slaughtering indiscriminately.

    terrified screams echoed as some fainted, meeting their gruesome fate regardless.

    others leapt from the building in a desperate bid to escape, only to find more zombies waiting below with jaws agape.

    it was as if "meat pies" were dropping from the sky.

    li kaile turned pale with fear, but seeing xu beibei trembling and unable to stand, he mustered his courage. grabbing her hand, he led her upstairs.

    zombies acted purely on instinct, attacking anything alive. heading to the upper floors was their best chance.

    ¡°let¡¯s find my parents first!¡±

    li kaile pulled xu beibei out of their room, just as his frantic parents appeared searching for him.

    li jian and zhang jianfang breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing their son unharmed.

    they noticed li kaile clutching xu beibei¡¯s hand but said nothing. even in the apocalypse, they respected his pursuit of love¡ªa symbol of humanity¡¯s resilience and hope for the future.

    ¡°upstairs, quickly!¡±

    the parents shielded the young couple as they ascended.

    behind them, the horde¡¯s eerie growls grew louder, drawing closer.

    suddenly, two figures stepped into the hallway, blocking the zombies¡¯ path.

    these were superhumans, tasked by zheng yixian to protect li jian¡¯s family.

    one of them faced the approaching zombies and, without a word, smashed his fist into the wall. he then ripped the entire section free, creating a barrier of debris that temporarily stopped the zombies.

    with their path blocked, the zombies turned their attention to other victims, unleashing carnage throughout the building.

    the air was filled with screams, blood sprayed in every direction, and the sound of zombies tearing into flesh and crunching bones was everywhere.

    the followers¡¯ camp had become a living nightmare, a vision of hell on earth.

    at st. john¡¯s cathedral, the situation grew dire as the zombie horde surrounded the sacred grounds.

    inside, the core members of the cult and countless followers huddled together.

    the zombies, drawn by the scent of living humans like sharks to blood, attacked with red eyes and relentless hunger.

    then, the cathedral doors suddenly swung open.

    an invisible force blasted out, sending dozens of zombies flying.

    the high priest zheng yixian emerged, flanked by over a dozen superhumans.

    the grisly scene outside made even these seasoned warriors¡¯ pupils contract in shock.

    zombies, once confined to fiction, were now a terrifying reality at their doorstep.

    though briefly shaken, zheng yixian quickly regained his composure and began issuing orders.

    ¡°tong zhan, geng lei, stay inside the cathedral and protect the chief priest and the followers. do not step out under any circumstances!¡±

    ¡°the rest of you, follow me. let¡¯s kill these zombies!¡±

    under zheng yixian¡¯s leadership, the followers began to organize and counterattack.

    the addition of powerful superhumans turned the tide, allowing the group to mount an effective defense.

    even the once-panicked followers found their resolve, grabbing whatever weapons they could to fight back.

    ¡°swish, swish, swish!¡±

    in an instant, a dozen flashes of cold steel lit the air, and the heads of over a dozen zombies hit the ground.

    han chang, having activated his beast transformation, took on the form of a honey badger¡ªa small yet ferocious creature with sharp claws and fangs.

    using what he knew from television, he decapitated more than a dozen zombies, assuming this would end them.

    but to his shock, the headless zombies merely staggered briefly before resuming their attack.

    ¡°what? they¡¯re not dead?¡±

    though startled, han chang, true to his honey badger nature, was unafraid.

    ¡°fine, i¡¯ll take you apart completely!¡±

    moments later, another flurry of blows left the zombies in seven or eight dismembered pieces. the fragments wriggled grotesquely on the ground.

    ¡°disgusting! what the hell are these things?¡±

    han chang¡¯s face twisted in revulsion.

    while their strength surpassed that of ordinary humans, they were no match for a superhuman like him in one-on-one combat.

    but their sheer numbers, combined with their resilience, posed a dire threat¡ªeven to superhumans, should they become surrounded.

    the battle to defend the camp was grueling.

    with so many zombies and over 10,000 followers, the dozen or so superhumans couldn¡¯t possibly protect everyone.

    for most of the fight, they focused on thinning out the densest clusters of zombies, while ordinary followers had to fend for themselves and their families.

    after more than half an hour of brutal combat, the ground was littered with blood and corpses.

    no one could tell how many were zombies or followers.

    when the horde finally receded into the darkness, a collective sigh of relief swept through the survivors.

    but the lingering fear gripped their hearts, refusing to fade.

    ¡°what were those things?¡±

    han chang, his hands in his pockets, surveyed the carnage with a gloomy expression.

    the cries of mourning followers filled the air¡ªa haunting lament for the countless lives lost.

    when they had joined the cult, they believed it to be a sanctuary, a utopia amidst the apocalypse.

    han chang¡¯s chest tightened with a dull ache as he approached zheng yixian, his frustration plain on his face.

    by now, the exhausted superhumans had gathered, awaiting further orders. s§×arch* the n?vel(f)ire.n§×t website on google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    zheng yixian, ever composed, methodically directed the survivors to clean up the aftermath.

    ¡°move all the bodies to that abandoned building.¡±

    ¡°check for injuries. these zombies are highly unusual and could be carriers of a biochemical virus. isolate anyone wounded and monitor them closely.¡±

    ¡°increase patrols tonight. organize the strongest men to guard the camp perimeter. the horde may return.¡±

    though fatigued, the survivors understood the urgency and quickly got to work.

    han chang approached zheng yixian, frowning deeply.

    ¡°these things are absurd! they can¡¯t be killed, and they even know when to retreat. this isn¡¯t the mindless behavior of tv zombies.¡±

    zheng yixian gave him a long, measured look, his brow furrowing slightly.

    ¡°this matter must be thoroughly investigated. with our high population density, we¡¯re at constant risk of another attack.¡±

    ¡°and we still don¡¯t know if this involves the other factions.¡±

    han chang clenched his teeth in frustration. ¡°if those scumbags are behind this, i¡¯ll make them pay!¡±

    the cult¡¯s strength had grown exponentially, with a surge in both followers and superhumans.

    han chang itched for a chance to crush the factions that had oppressed them.

    but zheng yixian placed a hand on his shoulder.

    ¡°calm yourself. it¡¯s just a theory for now. our priority is protecting those who remain.¡±

    after a moment of contemplation, han chang nodded. ¡°you¡¯re right.¡±

    he turned to help manage the post-battle cleanup.

    standing amidst the chaos, zheng yixian gazed into the distance.

    somewhere in the shadows, a powerful enemy might still be lurking.

    ¡°a new storm is brewing,¡± he muttered.

    in one of the residential buildings, li jian cautiously peered downstairs.

    after confirming the zombies had left, he exhaled deeply. ¡°it¡¯s finally over.¡±

    zhang jianfang approached, and the couple embraced tightly.

    nearby, li kaile held xu beibei¡¯s hand firmly, their eyes meeting with shared affection.

    watching this, zhang jianfang smiled softly. ¡°our son is growing up¡ªhe¡¯s pursuing happiness.¡±

    the couple approved of xu beibei. in these desperate times, survival skills mattered far more than family background.

    having lost her entire family, xu beibei¡¯s ability to endure spoke volumes.

    but deep within li jian¡¯s eyes was a flicker of concern.

    ¡°i just hope this doesn¡¯t bring trouble,¡± he murmured, careful not to be overheard.

    curious, zhang jianfang asked, ¡°why do you say that?¡±

    li jian hesitated before answering.

    ¡°you know how the cult treats underage boys¡ªthey¡¯re taken for¡­ that.¡±

    zhang jianfang shuddered, remembering how terrified she¡¯d been that li kaile might suffer the same fate.

    thankfully, li jian¡¯s superhuman abilities and his favor with cult leaders like yuan kongye had spared their son from that grim ritual.

    still, the couple couldn¡¯t shake the shadow of worry over what the future might hold.

    zhang jianfang hugged her husband tightly, resting her head on his chest.

    ¡°we¡¯ll be okay. as long as we¡¯re together, we¡¯ll survive.¡±

    author''s note

 Chapter 429: Theyre Back

    Chapter 429: They''re BackIn just a single day, all of Tianhai City¡¯s major factions had faced zombie attacks.

    Of these, Zhang Yi¡¯s group experienced the least impact¡ªno casualties at all.

    Their smaller numbers meant they didn¡¯t have to protect large groups of ordinary members, and with their superior firepower, eliminating the zombies posed no problem.

    Other factions weren¡¯t as fortunate. Each suffered varying degrees of loss.

    The Followers of the Snow God bore the brunt, losing over 1,000 members in this wave alone.

    Additionally, more than 800 individuals were bitten or scratched. These people were immediately quarantined, locked away in a secure area under the guard of two powerful Superhumans, to prevent potential mutations.

    The following day, the uneasy factions began to contact one another.

    Zhang Yi called his old classmate, Xing Tian, to inquire about the situation.

    ¡°What? You got hit by zombies too? Damn it, we had over a hundred people killed here yesterday!¡± Xing Tian vented his frustration over the phone.

    ¡°Where the hell did these monsters come from? Is this some kind of biochemical crisis?¡±

    Learning that Qingfu Base had also been attacked reassured Zhang Yi slightly¡ªit wasn¡¯t a targeted assault against his group.

    ¡°This is troubling,¡± Zhang Yi muttered. ¡°These zombies are bizarre. Beheading doesn¡¯t work, and it feels like someone¡¯s controlling them.¡±

    He added with a frown, ¡°What¡¯s worrying is that despite the 100-kilometer distance between our bases, we both experienced attacks. If there really is someone orchestrating this, it¡¯s not just one person.¡±

    Xing Tian pinched the bridge of his nose, his own concerns deepening.

    ¡°You¡¯re saying there¡¯s a force in Tianhai City powerful enough to control these hordes of zombies?¡±

    ¡°But if that¡¯s true, they¡¯d be unbeatable! There are over 10 million corpses in Tianhai City¡ªjust sending wave after wave would wear us down to nothing!¡±

    ¡°Even your Shelter, sturdy as it is, wouldn¡¯t hold out forever if they kept attacking!¡±

    Xing Tian¡¯s fears echoed Zhang Yi¡¯s own.

    The unknown enemy was the most terrifying kind. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    And Zhang Yi still had no answers about the zombies or the entity possibly controlling them.

    ¡°All we can do is take it one step at a time. Let¡¯s contact the other factions and see if they¡¯ve faced similar situations.¡±

    They weren¡¯t alone in their initiative.

    The other factions shared the same concerns and suspicions, suspecting that one among them might be behind the zombie tide.

    After exchanging intelligence, they discovered that all had encountered identical attacks.

    This revelation led to a consensus:

    The zombie tide wasn¡¯t the doing of any of the five major factions. It had to be the work of an underground sixth force, something far more sinister than a mere biochemical crisis.

    The acknowledgment that no faction was behind the attacks provided some clarity, but cooperation remained out of reach.

    Distrust and old grudges between the factions prevented meaningful alliances.

    Each faction now focused solely on defending itself. Secretly, many hoped the other groups would be wiped out by the zombie hordes.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s group faced the least pressure.

    Their sturdy Shelter and efficient combat strategy gave them confidence.

    But unease lingered among the Shelter¡¯s inhabitants.

    This time, the attack involved several thousand zombies.

    What if next time, it was tens of thousands?

    With Tianhai City¡¯s death toll nearing 20 million, a full-scale outbreak would be catastrophic, even for the well-prepared Shelter.

    ¡°All we can do is take it one step at a time,¡± Zhang Yi thought grimly.

    On the second day, the zombie tide reappeared outside the Shelter.

    Sighing, Zhang Yi muttered, ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡±

    He donned his combat gear and led Uncle You, Fatty Xu, and others out to confront the horde.

    Even Hua Hua, the loyal beast, was brought along this time. Zhang Yi sternly warned it not to bite the zombies, to avoid potential poisoning or infection.

    Hua Hua, understanding its master, nodded obediently.

    Together, the group set out to clear the wave.

    This time, Uncle You and Liang Yue avoided recklessly diving into the horde. Liang Yue and Hua Hua focused on eliminating nearby zombies, while Fatty Xu used his ice abilities to restrict their movements.

    Zhang Yi and Uncle You wielded flamethrowers, taking on the main force.

    ¡°Blizzard!¡±

    Fatty Xu raised his hands, unleashing a massive ice and snowstorm that enveloped thousands of zombies.

    Though it didn¡¯t inflict much damage, its range was immense.

    After his discussions with Zhang Yi, Fatty Xu had realized the proper use of his abilities. Lacking offensive power, his role as a support was crucial.

    Sure enough, under the storm¡¯s icy cover, the zombies¡¯ movements slowed, and they seemed to lose their sense of direction.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes narrowed.

    ¡°Just as I thought. These zombies are being controlled. Obscure the controller¡¯s vision, and they lose coordination.¡±

    Meanwhile, Uncle You wielded the flamethrower, turning zombies into charred remains with its searing blasts.

    Zhang Yi joined him, attacking from the side to create a crisscrossing fire pattern.

    The combined firepower was devastating, engulfing the horde in a raging inferno.

    The zombies¡¯ ghastly wails echoed as they succumbed to the flames, losing their ability to move.

    Inside the Shelter, Zhou Ke¡¯er observed through a window, diligently recording notes on her laptop.

    ¡°It¡¯s just as I suspected,¡± she murmured. ¡°The zombies carry a cold-adapted virus that fears heat. High temperatures deactivate it, rendering them inert.¡±

    By the end of the battle, half of the zombie tide had been destroyed, prompting the remainder to retreat.

    Zhang Yi and his team pursued the fleeing zombies briefly but found the horde scattering in all directions.

    Despite killing several hundred more, many escaped due to their speed.

    Once again, the outcome mirrored the previous day: part of the horde was wiped out, while another portion escaped.

    ¡°I have a bad feeling about this,¡± Zhang Yi muttered, frowning deeply.

    Although they had managed to repel the tide without much difficulty, the repeated escapes troubled him.

    There was something elusive about the situation¡ªan element he couldn¡¯t quite piece together yet.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 430: Intelligence

    Chapter 430: IntelligenceAfter returning to the Shelter, Zhang Yi and his team rested in the living room.

    The women brought out hot drinks and food to help them regain their strength. Zhou Ke¡¯er stood behind Zhang Yi, gently massaging his shoulders to ease his tension.

    Despite successfully repelling another zombie tide, Zhang Yi¡¯s face showed no signs of relief. A heavy cloud of unease loomed over him.

    This unusual expression caught the attention of Fatty Xu, who had been bragging with Uncle You moments before.

    ¡°Boss, why do you look so grim?¡±

    Others also noticed Zhang Yi¡¯s serious demeanor and turned their concerned gazes toward him.

    ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s on your mind? You look so tense.¡±

    ¡°If there¡¯s a problem, let¡¯s discuss it together!¡±

    Zhang Yi exhaled deeply and addressed the group:

    ¡°We managed to take out most of yesterday¡¯s horde. But today¡¯s tide was even larger in number.¡±

    ¡°This suggests the zombie virus is spreading quickly. It¡¯s possible that those who recently died are being turned into zombies.¡±

    ¡°If that¡¯s true, it¡¯s only a matter of time before all of Tianhai City is overrun by the undead. I can¡¯t imagine how we¡¯ll survive when that happens.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s words drained the smiles from everyone¡¯s faces.

    The group fell silent, each person lost in thought as worry etched itself onto their expressions.

    Seated in her wheelchair, Yang Xinxin took a sip of her cappuccino and spoke calmly:

    ¡°However, this trend doesn¡¯t seem obvious yet. Otherwise, they wouldn¡¯t be sending only a few thousand zombies at us each time.¡±

    She paused, her usual light-hearted demeanor giving way to a rare solemnity.

    ¡°But if we don¡¯t uncover the truth behind these zombies, they¡¯ll undoubtedly become an enormous problem for us in the future.¡±

    Lu Keran sighed deeply.

    ¡°If only it were summer¡ªthen these zombies would just rot away into skeletons.¡±

    Zhang Yi shook his head. ¡°What¡¯s most concerning isn¡¯t their numbers but the fact that they appear to have a controller. They aren¡¯t just mindless monsters.¡±

    ¡°On top of that, they¡¯re incredibly hard to kill. Burning or dismembering them is the only solution, which makes dealing with them all the more difficult.¡±

    Yang Xinxin added, ¡°So the real issue lies in dealing with whoever¡ªor whatever¡ªis controlling them?¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled bitterly. ¡°Easier said than done. How do we find them? Every time we engage, the zombies retreat before we can finish them off.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t even confirm if there¡¯s a controller among the horde. After all, Superhuman abilities are so unpredictable.¡±

    He shrugged. ¡°There¡¯s no logical way to deduce it.¡±

    Investigating the subway depths, where these zombies seemed to originate, was an option. But Zhang Yi was reluctant to leave the Shelter¡¯s protective range unless absolutely necessary.

    As the group debated, Zhou Ke¡¯er, standing quietly behind Zhang Yi, spoke up.

    ¡°I think I might have a theory.¡±

    Curious, Zhang Yi craned his neck to look back, only for his view to be blocked by two rather prominent obstacles.

    ¡°Oh?¡± he prompted, motioning for her to continue.

    Typically, Zhou Ke¡¯er, as the group¡¯s doctor, didn¡¯t involve herself in combat strategies. But her expertise in virology made her insights especially valuable in this scenario.

    Encouraged, Zhou Ke¡¯er explained:

    ¡°I¡¯ve been studying the zombies¡¯ bodies these past two days and found something peculiar¡ªa virus-like entity.¡±

    ¡°It can survive extreme cold, even temperatures as low as minus 100 degrees Celsius, and it invades the nervous system to control the host¡¯s body.¡±

    ¡°However¡­¡± She frowned.

    ¡°It doesn¡¯t match the modern biological definition of a virus. Its structure seems to fall somewhere between a virus and a cell. It¡¯s more akin to a cell but can behave like a virus, hijacking the host¡¯s body for control and reproduction.¡±

    Zhang Yi, having abandoned his academic knowledge long ago, was thoroughly baffled.

    ¡°Ke¡¯er, can you simplify that?¡±

    The trio of men present clearly didn¡¯t grasp her explanation, judging by their bewildered expressions.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er chuckled awkwardly.

    ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s just call it the zombie virus for now. The apocalypse has rewritten many biological concepts, likely due to gamma-ray exposure.¡±

    ¡°Simply put, this virus exhibits behaviors similar to colony organisms or even eusocial animals.¡±

    ¡°When the zombies are in a horde, their actions display coordination and even rudimentary intelligence. But in isolated lab samples, the virus shows diminished reproductive instincts and lower responsiveness.¡±

    ¡°This leads me to suspect the virus operates like a biological collective, with a mother organism possibly controlling the horde remotely.¡±

    ¡°Remotely?¡± Zhang Yi straightened up, intrigued.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er quickly clarified, ¡°Not over vast distances. Animals communicate through pheromones, for instance. This mutated virus might have its own method of transmitting signals.¡±

    ¡°So,¡± Zhang Yi mused, ¡°if we kill the mother organism, the infected zombies might die as well?¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er shook her head.

    ¡°That¡¯s uncertain. At the very least, they¡¯d lose their current level of coordination and intelligence.¡±

    Intelligence. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The word hit Zhang Yi like a thunderclap.

    His eyes lit up as he finally identified the nagging sense of unease that had been plaguing him.

    ¡°I think I get it now!¡±

    He crossed his arms and addressed the group:

    ¡°Have you noticed that while the zombie tides appear aggressive, their tactics show a faint hint of intelligence?¡±

    ¡°Yet their strategy feels juvenile¡ªalmost as if they¡¯re learning, step by step.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s like watching a toddler trying to form sentences, learning one word at a time.¡±

    The group pondered his observation, nodding as it began to make sense.

    The zombies behaved clumsily, charging directly into flamethrower attacks without adjusting their approach. Yet they avoided Zhang Yi¡¯s Dimensional Gate and retreated when the situation turned unfavorable.

    They had some intelligence¡ªbut not much.

    ¡°Wait a moment, Zhang Yi,¡± Liang Yue interjected, her arms crossed and eyes sharp with caution.

    ¡°Are you suggesting our enemy might be an intelligent zombie?¡±

    ¡°Perhaps a mutated virus has taken over a human body and evolved into a mother organism?¡±

    ¡°Essentially, it¡¯s recently gained intelligence and is learning how to fight like humans do.¡±

    Zhang Yi found her theory plausible.

    The zombies¡¯ tactics didn¡¯t resemble those of rational humans, but they also weren¡¯t entirely mindless.

    ¡°If such a being exists, it could very well be a Zombie King,¡± Zhang Yi speculated.

    ¡°After all, we¡¯ve confirmed two ways to gain Superhuman abilities¡ªfacing near-death experiences or through external stimuli like the Ice Soul.¡±

    ¡°So it¡¯s not impossible for someone to gain powers after death.¡±

    A fleeting image crossed Zhang Yi¡¯s mind, but he kept this thought to himself.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 431: Infinite Evolution

    Chapter 431: Infinite EvolutionAfter two battles with the mysterious zombie tide, Zhang Yi and his team had gleaned some critical information:

    The zombies were fast, incredibly strong, and immune to death by headshot. Worse, they displayed a degree of intelligence.

    However, the idea of a "Zombie King" orchestrating these hordes remained speculative. They had no concrete evidence to confirm it.

    Zhang Yi rested his elbows on the table, his calm, calculating gaze fixed on the group.

    ¡°If these corpses have mutated and gained intelligence,¡± he began in a low voice, ¡°then their attacks will continue. That gives us more opportunities to gather intel.¡±

    ¡°We need to pay close attention to every detail of their behavior to develop countermeasures.¡±

    ¡°But first, we must clear the surrounding areas of zombies. Leaving them unchecked is a major security risk.¡±

    Uneliminated zombie hordes would inevitably return to harass them, and unforeseen accidents could arise at any time.

    Unlike human adversaries, who feared Zhang Yi¡¯s strength and wouldn¡¯t dare provoke him unnecessarily, zombies had no fear. Even if they couldn¡¯t kill him, they¡¯d still be a relentless nuisance.

    Clearing the local hordes became a priority.

    ¡°However, there¡¯s another issue,¡± Liang Yue interjected. Her Tang Sword rested beside her as she lounged on the sofa with her arms crossed.

    ¡°If these intelligent zombies can control large groups, how are they causing disturbances across all regions of Tianhai City at once?¡±

    Zhang Yi grinned wryly. ¡°I have no idea.¡±

    ¡°Subway,¡± Yang Xinxin said flatly, breaking her usual silence.

    The single word made everyone¡¯s eyes light up.

    Though none of them had ventured dozens of meters underground, they could deduce that the subway offered a warmer environment than the surface and provided extensive transit routes.

    Yang Xinxin raised her head, her amber eyes gleaming with insight.

    ¡°The closest zombie activity zone to us is the Ci Qu subway station.¡± S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°Tianhai City¡¯s subway system is vast, connecting to every major area. It¡¯s highly likely that the zombies are using these tunnels to move between regions.¡±

    ¡°Whether this is intentional or coincidental remains to be seen.¡±

    Zhang Yi propped his chin in his hand, nodding thoughtfully.

    ¡°That would also explain why the hordes we face are the smallest. Cloud Manor is relatively remote, with only one subway line passing through.¡±

    He turned to Yang Xinxin. ¡°Keep monitoring the other factions. I need updates on the zombie activity in their territories.¡±

    ¡°We need to find a way to deal with this once and for all.¡±

    Yang Xinxin smiled faintly and nodded. ¡°Of course. But for now, their situation isn¡¯t looking good.¡±

    The three major bases had underground shelters, but they also relied heavily on above-ground infrastructure like steelworks, refineries, and port facilities¡ªassets they couldn¡¯t afford to lose.

    These facilities were the lifeblood of their operations, so they¡¯d fight tooth and nail to defend them, leading to prolonged clashes with the zombie hordes.

    The Followers of the Snow God fared even worse. Their poor living conditions and lack of defensive fortifications made them especially vulnerable, resulting in heavy casualties.

    Zhang Yi chuckled dismissively. ¡°Not our problem. If they can¡¯t make sacrifices when necessary, they¡¯ll just have to keep fighting the zombies.¡±

    ¡°Especially the Followers of the Snow God¡ªthey¡¯re growing too numerous for my liking. A few losses during this crisis might actually benefit us.¡±

    The group speculated about how the other factions might handle the zombie onslaught, their tone indifferent. Zhang Yi¡¯s team had no strong ties to the others, so their misfortunes were met with little sympathy.

    That afternoon, Zhang Yi and Uncle You inspected the area in front of the Shelter.

    They doused the ground with gasoline, prepared to use fire to neutralize the virus driving the zombies.

    By midnight, the third wave of the zombie tide arrived¡ªsooner than expected.

    Thanks to their vigilance, the team was ready. Night sentries had been posted, and they quickly mobilized to meet the attack.

    ¡°Switching to nighttime assaults? Are they learning that we perform better in daylight, or is it just coincidence?¡± Zhang Yi muttered as he strapped on a flamethrower and descended the stairs cautiously.

    This time, the zombies¡¯ approach was markedly different.

    Rather than clustering together, they spread out across the snowy plain, moving toward the Shelter like a swarm of locusts.

    ¡°They really are learning,¡± Uncle You remarked, a cigarette dangling from his lips.

    The new tactic rendered their pre-arranged gasoline traps less effective.

    ¡°Bad news, but also confirmation of our theory,¡± Zhang Yi said coolly, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the scattered horde.

    He was now certain that a Zombie King was orchestrating these attacks, adapting strategies after each encounter.

    Though clumsy at first, both the Zombie King and its minions were clearly evolving.

    One day, when they¡¯d fully learned Zhang Yi¡¯s combat methods, even stepping outside the Shelter might become impossible.

    ¡°Even zombies are learning to gather intelligence,¡± Zhang Yi said, exhaling a puff of white breath before securing his helmet.

    ¡°Now, let¡¯s test something new!¡±

    He turned to Liang Yue and the others. ¡°This time, we kill every last one. None escape!¡±

    Mounting Hua Hua¡¯s back, Zhang Yi added, ¡°We¡¯ll flank the horde and cut off their retreat!¡±

    With a lever-action shotgun in hand, Zhang Yi targeted the zombies¡¯ lower bodies, knowing dismemberment was the most effective tactic.

    Uncle You, armed with a flamethrower, unleashed fiery torrents that incinerated rows of zombies like a pesticide against insects.

    Liang Yue, wielding her Tang Sword, danced along the horde¡¯s edges. The blade extended into a three-meter-long arc of blue energy, slicing zombies cleanly in two from head to hips.

    Her speed, enhanced by her Superhuman abilities, ensured the zombies couldn¡¯t surround her as they had in previous battles.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi and Hua Hua flanked the horde.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s enhanced shotgun pulverized the zombies¡¯ lower bodies, leaving them crawling helplessly on the ground.

    With a playful meow, Hua Hua transformed its fur into razor-sharp steel quills. Curling into a spiked black ball, it launched itself into the zombie horde like a living wrecking ball, shredding everything in its path.

    Amidst the chaos, Zhang Yi smirked.

    ¡°The more they evolve, the more satisfying it¡¯ll be when we wipe them out.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 432: Counterstrike

    Chapter 432: CounterstrikeHaving fought off the zombie tide multiple times, Zhang Yi and his team no longer felt the same fear they once did.

    These creatures were faster and stronger than ordinary humans but still no match for Superhumans.

    Zhang Yi''s team was among the most elite in Tianhai City. Against a few thousand zombies, victory was well within their grasp.

    Using guerrilla tactics, the group skillfully corralled the horde like shepherd dogs herding sheep, picking them off systematically.

    Oblivious to the strategy, the zombies acted purely on instinct, blindly charging toward their attackers¡ªonly to be systematically slaughtered.

    Zhang Yi wielded his shotgun with precision, blasting apart five or six zombies with each shot. His eightfold speed boost ensured he remained untouchable.

    On the perimeter, Hua Hua and Liang Yue carved through the horde with relentless efficiency.

    Uncle You and Fatty Xu formed a formidable duo at the frontline, combining fire and ice to control the battlefield and deliver devastating area attacks.

    As he fought, Zhang Yi observed the horde closely, searching for signs of the Zombie King¡ªif it was among them or perhaps controlling the horde from a distance.

    A creature with advanced intelligence, like the supposed Zombie King, would likely flee if it sensed danger.

    True to his suspicions, the horde began to panic once their numbers were halved.

    Abruptly, the zombies turned tail, retreating en masse toward the Ci Qu subway station.

    ¡°Leaving already? What¡¯s the rush?¡± Zhang Yi sneered.

    He and Hua Hua had already cut off their retreat. The fleeing zombies were met with a massacre.

    Hua Hua transformed into a black-bladed war machine, slicing the zombies into chunks of meat. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s shotgun, enhanced with his abilities, reduced them to shattered fragments.

    Meanwhile, Fatty Xu¡¯s snowstorm slowed their movements, rendering escape nearly impossible.

    After 30 minutes of battle, the horde was almost entirely wiped out.

    Zhang Yi deliberately spared one zombie, severing its arms and removing its jaw, rendering it harmless.

    ¡°What¡¯s the plan, Boss?¡± Fatty Xu asked as the group gathered around.

    Zhang Yi produced a small infrared camera and pressed it into the zombie¡¯s remaining eye socket.

    ¡°This horde was a test,¡± he explained. ¡°I can confirm the Zombie King wasn¡¯t among them, yet it still controlled their actions.¡±

    ¡°These zombies weren¡¯t here to kill us. Their real mission was to gather intel and relay it back to the Zombie King.¡±

    ¡°Every time we kill some, the survivors retreat with information about our tactics. If this continues, they¡¯ll eventually understand our combat methods. When that happens, the true army will descend.¡±

    His voice turned icy as he continued, ¡°We can¡¯t let them dictate the tempo. It¡¯s time to act.¡±

    Pointing to the zombie, he added, ¡°This guy will scout the subway depths for us.¡±

    Understanding his intent, Liang Yue asked, ¡°So, once we know what¡¯s down there, we¡¯ll destroy their nest?¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Zhang Yi replied without hesitation. ¡°The zombies are evolving. I can¡¯t guarantee they won¡¯t adapt to our tactics. That would put us in extreme danger.¡±

    ¡°The best defense is a good offense. We must strike first.¡±

    With that, he kicked the zombie, sending it sprawling across the snow. It scrambled to its feet and bolted toward the subway entrance.

    ¡°Let¡¯s see what kind of news our little friend brings back,¡± Zhang Yi said with a smirk as he watched it disappear.

    Back inside the Shelter, Zhang Yi and his team gathered around the monitor as the infrared camera transmitted its feed.

    The zombie sprinted for several minutes before reaching the Ci Qu subway station.

    Plunging into the dark tunnels, the camera feed stabilized after a few seconds.

    The screen initially showed only darkness. The infrared lens picked up no heat signatures, indicating no living beings nearby.

    For a long time, the monitor displayed nothing but the void.

    Then, faint red blips appeared¡ªhumanoid shapes glowing faintly against the black backdrop.

    One figure became two, then three, then a dense throng.

    Soon, the screen was filled with dark red, the individual shapes blurring into a sea of glowing bodies.

    Unlike the bright red of human heat signatures, these were dim and eerie, belonging to lifeless corpses infected by the strange virus.

    The camera feed moved, revealing more and more of the tunnel¡¯s interior.

    The glow intensified, spreading deeper into the frame.

    ¡°How many are down there?¡± Fatty Xu asked, his voice tinged with alarm.

    ¡°Think about how many people died in Tianhai City,¡± Uncle You replied grimly.

    ¡°Are you saying every corpse has turned into a zombie? What about us?¡± Fatty Xu hugged himself nervously, his large frame trembling like a scared child.

    Yang Xinxin explained, ¡°Not all corpses become zombies. The virus needs to infect them first.¡±

    ¡°But given enough time, I believe this could happen on a large scale.¡±

    Zhang Yi sighed. ¡°Exactly. Tianhai City has far too many dead. Even if we tried to collect the corpses, there¡¯s no way we could manage millions.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s why we must go after the source. Killing the Zombie King would alleviate much of this trouble.¡±

    As he spoke, the screen revealed a larger, more distinctive figure among the sea of zombies.

    Standing roughly three meters tall, its slender, insect-like body towered over the surrounding horde.

    ¡°Is that¡­?¡± Liang Yue asked, her voice tense.

    The creature¡¯s skeletal frame resembled a massive stick insect, and it moved with unsettling grace.

    As they stared, its pale, ghastly face suddenly loomed into the camera.

    It smiled¡ªa grotesque, twisted expression that sent chills down their spines.

    ¡°Is this the Zombie King?¡± Zhang Yi whispered, his voice heavy with unease.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 433: Taking the Initiative

    Chapter 433: Taking the InitiativeThe sudden appearance of the grotesque, pale face on the screen startled everyone.

    The more timid among them screamed instinctively, while Zhou Ke¡¯er and Yang Siyah clung to Zhang Yi, pressing against him as if seeking shelter from their fear.

    This wasn¡¯t a horror movie¡ªit was a living nightmare.

    The video abruptly cut out, leaving the screen filled with static.

    Even Zhang Yi flinched momentarily. Not out of fear, but because the face had appeared so unexpectedly.

    ¡°We¡¯ve been discovered,¡± he said calmly.

    Then, to everyone¡¯s surprise, a smile spread across his face. ¡°But this also proves we were right. There is an intelligent entity down there!¡±

    ¡°That face¡­ it has to be the Zombie King.¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°If we don¡¯t kill it, the threat to the Shelter will never end.¡±

    ¡°How do we kill the Zombie King?¡± Fatty Xu asked nervously.

    ¡°The subway is swarming with zombies. Even if we go in fully armed, it¡¯ll take forever to clear them out!¡±

    Yang Xinxin added, ¡°And with the subway tunnels connecting to all parts of Tianhai City, the Zombie King could escape the moment it senses danger.¡±

    Zhang Yi folded his arms, his expression turning serious. ¡°If we act, we need to ensure it¡¯s decisive and thorough. The zombies may be numerous, but their combat strength is limited. If we commit, we can take them down.¡±

    ¡°But we must prevent the Zombie King from escaping. That¡¯s the priority.¡±

    Liang Yue suggested, ¡°We could start by targeting Songzhuang¡¯s subway tunnel. If we blow it up, it would block their retreat.¡±

    ¡°Our goal is to kill the Zombie King. As long as it can¡¯t flee, the other zombies are manageable.¡±

    Uncle You chuckled, arms crossed. ¡°Zhang Yi, you decide the plan. This fight is unavoidable anyway.¡±

    Everyone nodded in agreement. Avoiding this battle wasn¡¯t an option.

    If they didn¡¯t act now, the zombies would only grow smarter, learning their weaknesses and mounting relentless attacks.

    No matter how sturdy their Shelter was, it couldn¡¯t withstand endless assaults.

    Zhang Yi took a deep breath and leaned back on the sofa, contemplating the feasibility of their options.

    After a while, he made his decision. ¡°Get ready. We move tomorrow.¡±

    Delaying even one day could allow the Zombie King to evolve further. It was better to strike while it was still growing.

    This mission would involve the usual core team of five.

    They prepared their gear¡ªammo, gas masks, and the energy-enhanced food Yang Siyah had been diligently crafting.

    These resources would sustain them through prolonged combat in the tunnels, potentially lasting up to a week.

    Everyone agreed without hesitation. None wanted to spend every day defending against zombie waves.

    Still, Fatty Xu voiced his concern. ¡°Boss, isn¡¯t this a bit rushed? It doesn¡¯t seem like your usual style.¡±

    Zhang Yi was known for his meticulous planning, and this sudden urgency felt uncharacteristic.

    ¡°Are we really ready for what¡¯s down there? What if we¡¯ve underestimated the zombies¡¯ strength?¡±

    Fatty Xu, cautious to a fault, often worried more than Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi smiled reassuringly, patting Fatty Xu on the shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I wouldn¡¯t gamble with everyone¡¯s lives.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve prepared thoroughly. You¡¯ll see soon enough.¡±

    Seeing the confidence in Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes¡ªcalm and unwavering¡ªFatty Xu relaxed a little. ¡°Alright, Boss, but don¡¯t keep us in suspense. What¡¯s the big plan?¡±

    ¡°You just need to trust me,¡± Zhang Yi replied, still smiling. ¡°Even if things go south, I¡¯ll get us out safely.¡±

    His cryptic assurance puzzled the group, but Liang Yue seemed to catch on.

    She tilted her head and studied Zhang Yi before nodding. ¡°Got it. If that¡¯s the case, we¡¯ve got nothing to worry about.¡±

    Yang Siyah stood up from the sofa. ¡°I¡¯ll go make more food for the trip.¡±

    ¡°Perfect,¡± Zhang Yi said. ¡°The more, the better.¡±

    Thanks to Yang Siyah¡¯s ability to imbue food with energy-restoring properties, they had an ample supply. Stored in Zhang Yi¡¯s Spatial Storage, the food retained its potency indefinitely.

    This was one of the reasons Zhang Yi felt confident leading a team deep into the subway tunnels.

    While Zhang Yi¡¯s group prepared for their offensive, the situation for other factions worsened.

    The Zombie King¡¯s influence allowed the hordes to learn and evolve at an alarming rate.

    Each successive attack became more precise and strategic, tailored to exploit the weaknesses of their targets.

    Unlike Zhang Yi¡¯s elite, small-scale team, the Western Alliance had vast numbers to defend¡ªsoldiers, workers, and slaves¡ªand sprawling above-ground infrastructure to protect.

    Their reliance on factories, refineries, and port facilities made retreating to underground shelters impractical.

    Abandoning those resources would mean losing their standing in Tianhai City¡¯s power struggle.

    Thus, they fought desperately, refusing to yield.

    But as the zombies adapted, their defenses became increasingly ineffective.

    Barriers that initially held the hordes back now failed as the zombies learned to climb walls and circumvent obstacles.

    Frost-hardened bodies rendered wire fences and bullets ineffective, forcing them to rely on blunt weapons and heavy artillery to fend off the attacks.

    Yet even heavy weaponry and Superhumans could only do so much against the seemingly endless tide.

    After barely repelling another wave, Xiao Honglian, Xing Tian, and Wei Dinghai convened, their exhaustion evident.

    They couldn¡¯t afford to lose their vital facilities, yet they were clearly losing ground.

    ¡°These zombies aren¡¯t just mindless corpses,¡± Xiao Honglian said, her fiery temperament flaring. ¡°They¡¯re coordinated¡ªlike an army or a swarm.¡±

    Xing Tian nodded grimly. ¡°We need a new strategy. If this keeps up, we¡¯ll be bled dry.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re learning and adapting. It¡¯s not normal.¡±

    ¡°They¡¯re evolving,¡± Wei Dinghai said, his expression dark. ¡°We may not have much time before they completely overwhelm us.¡±

    Their situation had grown dire, and they all realized one chilling truth:

    The zombies weren¡¯t just a mindless plague. They were becoming something far more dangerous.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 434: Journey to the Depths

    Chapter 434: Journey to the DepthsThe leaders of the major factions weren¡¯t fools. They recognized that the zombies they were dealing with were no mindless horde.

    But despite understanding the threat, they were stretched too thin.

    Every day, fending off the relentless waves of zombies consumed vast amounts of manpower. Dispatching an elite squad to investigate the zombies¡¯ origin was a risky proposition.

    What if their stronghold was attacked in their absence?

    Even Xing Tian and Wei Dinghai, aware of the unsustainability of the situation, dared not risk dividing their forces.

    Xiao Honglian, however, wasn¡¯t one to sit idly by.

    Sitting on a steel beam, her body covered in blood, Xiao Honglian radiated her usual fiery determination.

    ¡°We can¡¯t just keep defending. If this continues, we¡¯ll be forced to abandon the refinery and retreat underground within a month,¡± she declared.

    Their energy reserves and her formidable [Purgatory Furnace] ability had allowed Yangsheng Base to fend off zombie attacks faster than other factions.

    But the smarter and more coordinated the hordes became, the deeper her unease grew.

    She feared that even retreating underground might not ensure their survival if the zombies continued to evolve.

    Zhuge Qingtian approached her, his blood-stained white combat uniform bearing testament to the battle they¡¯d just endured. He stood at attention and saluted.

    ¡°Commander, all zombies have been neutralized. Burning their remains is the only way to ensure they¡¯re truly dead. However, we¡¯ve lost 67 warriors and slaves in the process.¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s fiery eyes glowed with residual energy from her abilities as she met his gaze.

    ¡°We need to change tactics. Defense alone won¡¯t cut it anymore.¡±

    Zhuge Qingtian¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You mean¡­ an offensive into the zombies¡¯ lair?¡±

    Xiao Honglian nodded. ¡°Their actions are clearly orchestrated. Whether it¡¯s a Superhuman or some other intelligent being, we need information to end this crisis once and for all.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s too dangerous!¡± Zhuge Qingtian protested. ¡°We don¡¯t even know how large the horde is. A blind assault could result in total annihilation!¡±

    ¡°Besides, the other factions are struggling too. Maybe we should wait and see if they come up with a solution.¡±

    Xiao Honglian scoffed.

    ¡°Look at the scale of this horde. Do you really think they¡¯re faring any better? Especially the Followers of the Snow God¡ªthey¡¯ve gathered over 10,000 people in one place, practically serving themselves up as a buffet!¡±

    ¡°No one¡¯s coming to help us. If anything, they¡¯d rather see us wiped out. If we want to survive, we have to rely on ourselves.¡±

    Unable to refute her logic, Zhuge Qingtian remained silent.

    Xiao Honglian stood up decisively. ¡°It¡¯s settled. Send Dong Hu with two Superhumans and 30 elite soldiers to investigate the zombies¡¯ lair.¡±

    Meanwhile, at the Followers of the Snow God¡¯s base, chaos reigned.

    With over 10,000 members, most of whom were ordinary people, their defenses were woefully inadequate.

    While these survivors had enough skill to endure the apocalypse, their combat capabilities were no match for the relentless zombies.

    Though unafraid of death, they certainly didn¡¯t want to die.

    Under such circumstances, defeating the undead was a near-impossible task.

    Despite Zheng Yixian¡¯s efforts to organize a rigorous defense, each wave of zombies claimed hundreds of lives.

    As casualties mounted, discontent began to fester among the followers.

    Priest Wu Huan approached Zheng Yixian to relay the growing unrest.

    ¡°Over 1,000 followers have already died, and those infected may turn into zombies themselves. This is causing serious doubt among the newcomers. If this continues, we could face a crisis!¡±

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s expression remained impassive.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. They may grumble, but they won¡¯t act on it.¡±

    He clasped his hands behind his back, speaking calmly. ¡°Spread the word among the followers: tell them that the outside world has been almost entirely overrun by zombies. Without the protection of the Followers of the Snow God, they wouldn¡¯t stand a chance.¡±

    ¡°Mention that the other factions are suffering even worse losses. Tell them half their populations are already dead.¡±

    Wu Huan¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Brilliant! A little comparison will remind them how lucky they are.¡±

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s lips curved into a faint smile. ¡°Their complaints stem from a lack of faith. We need to intensify their indoctrination. Once they¡¯re devout believers, they¡¯ll understand how fortunate they are to be with us.¡±

    Wu Huan nodded eagerly. ¡°Understood, High Priest. I¡¯ll see to it immediately.¡±

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi¡¯s team had fully prepared to enter the subway tunnels and confront the Zombie King.

    The five members of his core group, along with Hua Hua, were equipped with upgraded gear.

    Their combat suits, modified by Lu Keran, offered exceptional protection¡ªstrong enough to deflect bullets from small-caliber sniper rifles. Zombie bites wouldn¡¯t even leave a scratch.

    They carried a week¡¯s worth of energy-enhanced food, all stored in Zhang Yi¡¯s Spatial Storage for convenience.

    The group arrived at the entrance to the Ci Qu subway station.

    As they stood before the dark, yawning tunnel, Zhang Yi reiterated their plan.

    ¡°Our primary objective is to kill the Zombie King. Once we find it, I¡¯m 100% certain I can take it down.¡±

    ¡°In these confined spaces, my Divine Power can obliterate anything within 300 meters.¡±

    ¡°But remember, our safety is the top priority. Don¡¯t waste time fighting the horde unnecessarily. Killing more zombies won¡¯t solve anything.¡±

    The team nodded in agreement, understanding the stakes.

    Zhang Yi pulled a glow stick from his belt, cracked it, and tossed it into the tunnel.

    The faint blue light illuminated a grim scene: bloodstains and viscera streaked across the ground.

    ¡°Uncle You, you go first,¡± Zhang Yi instructed.

    As the team¡¯s tank, Uncle You was the safest choice to scout ahead.

    Without hesitation, Uncle You slid down into the tunnel.

    After a cautious inspection with his tactical visor, he reported back through the comms. ¡°All clear. You can come down!¡±

    The rest of the group followed, descending into the dark subway entrance.

    Through their night-vision goggles, the grim underground landscape came into focus.

    Blackened blood streaked the walls, while rotting organs clung to surfaces. The ground beneath their feet squelched with a mixture of viscera, dried blood, and soil, emitting a nauseating stench.

    Thankfully, their helmets filtered out the smell.

    ¡°Let¡¯s move,¡± Zhang Yi said, his voice steady.

    The Ci Qu station was a terminus. Following the main tunnel forward would inevitably lead them to the horde¡ªand the Zombie King.

    As they advanced, the tunnel was littered with skeletal remains, stripped of flesh and gnawed clean.

    Fatty Xu muttered, ¡°Why don¡¯t they turn these corpses into more zombies instead of eating them?¡±

    Zhang Yi, scanning the surroundings with his lever-action shotgun at the ready, replied, ¡°Zombies are driven by hunger. Infection is just a passive side effect. If they¡¯re starving, they¡¯ll eat more than they infect. You can¡¯t expect bones to mutate.¡±

    ¡°Well, they¡¯ve got big appetites,¡± Fatty Xu mused. ¡°But what happens when they run out of food? With more zombies than living people in Tianhai City, isn¡¯t that inevitable?¡±

    Zhang Yi paused mid-step. Liang Yue and Uncle You exchanged uneasy glances. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    None of them had considered this before. Focused on their immediate survival, they hadn¡¯t thought about the broader implications.

    If the zombies exhausted their food supply, what then?

    Would they spread beyond Tianhai City, into other cities?

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 435: Vermin

    Chapter 435: VerminZhang Yi resumed walking, his footsteps steady and composed.

    ¡°What does it matter to us? As long as we keep the area around the Shelter clear of zombies, that¡¯s all that matters.¡±

    In the apocalypse, who had the time to worry about others?

    Fatty Xu nodded in agreement. ¡°Makes sense.¡±

    The group advanced at a measured pace.

    Starting from the terminal station, they didn¡¯t need to worry about being ambushed from behind. It was just a matter of following the tunnel until they found the source of the zombie horde.

    The route was littered with bones, stripped clean of flesh.

    ¡°Man, they¡¯re thorough eaters! Even the marrow¡¯s gone,¡± Fatty Xu remarked, his chatter breaking the tense silence. ¡°Look at these bones¡ªnot even a sliver of meat left. Talk about leaving nothing to waste.¡±

    Uncle You responded casually, ¡°Maybe it rotted away?¡±

    Fatty Xu countered, ¡°In this cold? Meat doesn¡¯t rot in this kind of weather. Haven¡¯t you heard of frozen zombie meat? People pull it out of storage after years, and it¡¯s still good to sell!¡±

    ¡°Ugh, gross,¡± someone muttered.

    Despite the grim subject, Fatty Xu¡¯s humor lightened the atmosphere.

    At the front of the group, Hua Hua¡¯s ears twitched, and it let out a low growl, its eyes widening in alarm.

    ¡°Stay alert!¡± Zhang Yi commanded, raising his gun.

    A shadow darted across their path.

    Before Zhang Yi could take a shot, Liang Yue drew a short knife from her waist and hurled it with precision.

    The blade struck the shadow mid-leap, pinning it to the ground.

    Lowering his weapon, Zhang Yi approached cautiously. In this environment, avoiding gunfire was best to prevent attracting more threats.

    The group crowded around the creature, inhaling sharply at the sight.

    The thing pinned to the ground was a massive rodent, its gray fur matted and filthy.

    At first glance, it resembled a small dog, but its elongated tail and snout confirmed its identity: a rat.

    ¡°That¡¯s a rat? It¡¯s bigger than a cat!¡± Fatty Xu exclaimed, visibly unnerved.

    No¡ªit was twice the size of Hua Hua.

    ¡°A mutated rat,¡± Zhang Yi observed, his voice steady.

    Rats, when provided with enough food, could grow to the size of a cat. But this one was unnaturally large, undoubtedly a product of mutation.

    Looking back at the stripped skeletons they had passed, Zhang Yi realized the truth.

    ¡°All those bones we saw earlier¡­ they were gnawed clean by these rats.¡±

    Fatty Xu shuddered. ¡°If there are this many corpses, there¡¯s probably a whole swarm of them.¡±

    A heavy silence fell over the group. Even Liang Yue, a seasoned Martial Arts Master, looked uneasy.

    Despite her bravery, the thought of encountering a rat swarm stirred a primal disgust. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Just then, Hua Hua stretched its neck and let out a sharp, warning cry.

    ¡°Meowwww!¡±

    The ominous sound reverberated, signaling the presence of a significant threat.

    In the dimly lit tunnel, the air filled with a cacophony of squeaks and scurrying.

    ¡°They¡¯ve got us surrounded,¡± Zhang Yi muttered.

    From the shadows emerged an endless tide of rats, pouring out like water from unseen cracks.

    The swarm varied in size¡ªsome as small as typical rodents, others the size of cats and dogs. Among them loomed a monstrous white rat, as large as a pig.

    ¡°Disgusting!¡± Liang Yue exclaimed, her voice quivering. Her normally unshakable demeanor faltered as her body tensed.

    Zhang Yi noticed the eerie red glow in the rats¡¯ eyes¡ªa telltale sign of predators that had tasted human flesh.

    It was clear how these creatures had survived in the dark, consuming the dead without hesitation.

    Hua Hua bristled, growling menacingly, its fur standing on end. But outnumbered as it was, even the natural enmity between cats and rats offered little deterrent.

    ¡°Let¡¯s clear them out,¡± Zhang Yi ordered.

    Uncle You and Fatty Xu raised their flamethrowers, unleashing fiery torrents down the tunnel.

    Though not as resilient as zombies, the mutated rats were still numerous. Thousands perished in the flames before the remaining rats hesitated, squealing and retreating just beyond the fire¡¯s reach.

    The swarm didn¡¯t disperse entirely. Their glowing eyes glared from the shadows, waiting for the flames to die down.

    ¡°Persistent little bastards,¡± Uncle You muttered.

    Zhang Yi frowned. ¡°Put the flamethrowers away.¡±

    The two hesitated but complied, extinguishing the fire.

    No sooner had the flames died than the rats surged forward, a tidal wave of gray fur and gnashing teeth.

    ¡°Dimensional Gate!¡±

    With a fluid motion, Zhang Yi summoned not one but two massive portals.

    The translucent barriers spanned the width of the tunnel, trapping the advancing rats.

    Unable to stop their momentum, the creatures hurtled into the portals, vanishing into the otherworldly void.

    The sound of squealing rats was deafening, but not a single one reached the group.

    As the rats continued pouring in, Liang Yue finally exhaled, her tension easing.

    ¡°Your Dimensional Gate¡­ it¡¯s upgraded?¡± she asked, watching the spectacle.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been refining its use,¡± Zhang Yi explained. ¡°Since the last major battle, I¡¯ve learned to summon two gates simultaneously.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s handy,¡± Liang Yue remarked.

    Two gates provided defensive coverage from multiple angles, turning situations like this into manageable skirmishes.

    In the narrow tunnel, the gates were impenetrable.

    The rats soon realized the danger. Those at the front tried to stop, but the pressure of the swarm behind them forced them forward, sending wave after wave into the void.

    Eventually, desperate squeals echoed as the rats warned their kin of the danger.

    At a great cost, the swarm retreated, the remaining rodents disappearing into the shadows.

    The enormous white rat let out a series of sharp cries before leading the swarm away.

    Within moments, the tunnel was silent once more.

    ¡°They know when they¡¯re outmatched,¡± Zhang Yi said, lowering his arms. ¡°Smart little pests.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 436: Under Surveillance

    Chapter 436: Under SurveillanceAfter driving off the rat swarm, Zhang Yi and his team pressed on.

    For ordinary people, those oversized rodents would have posed a grave threat. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    But for this group of elite Superhumans, they were little more than a nuisance.

    Even so, Zhang Yi voiced a concern: ¡°I just hope that rat commotion didn¡¯t alert the zombies.¡±

    Liang Yue furrowed her brow. ¡°What¡¯s the connection between these rats and the zombies? They¡¯re both underground. Could there be some kind of relationship?¡±

    ¡°Who knows? Let¡¯s keep moving,¡± Zhang Yi replied.

    He had no desire to linger in the unsettling underground space any longer than necessary.

    As they continued deeper into the tunnels, they couldn¡¯t shake the feeling of being watched.

    Countless unseen eyes seemed to track their every move from the darkness.

    These shadowy underground creatures hadn¡¯t given up yet, seemingly waiting for another opportunity to strike.

    Zhang Yi, however, ignored them.

    It wasn¡¯t until he stumbled upon a shredded piece of combat gear, torn and stained with blood, that he felt a twinge of unease.

    ¡°Those teeth are no joke. They tore right through this gear,¡± he noted grimly. ¡°Let¡¯s keep our distance from them.¡±

    Fatty Xu added nervously, ¡°Do you think these rats hold grudges? What if they follow us back to the Shelter?¡±

    ¡°They won¡¯t,¡± Zhang Yi reassured him. ¡°It¡¯s damp and warm down here, while the surface is freezing cold. These rats aren¡¯t Arctic lemmings. Even if they can survive the cold, they wouldn¡¯t travel miles just to bother us.¡±

    Meanwhile, in the subway tunnels near Yangsheng Base, Dong Hu led his team of elite soldiers on a reconnaissance mission.

    They hadn¡¯t gone far before they were ambushed by a massive rat swarm.

    The rodents attacked from all sides, their sharp teeth easily piercing through protective gear.

    ¡°Ahhh!¡±

    ¡°These rats¡ªthey¡¯re monsters!¡±

    ¡°Careful! Don¡¯t let them bite you! They can tear through our suits!¡±

    Screams filled the air as soldiers desperately fought off the swarm, using flamethrowers and rifles to burn and blast their way through the horde.

    Dong Hu and two other Superhumans unleashed their abilities with full force.

    Dong Hu¡¯s [Blazing Fist] engulfed his hands in searing flames, incinerating entire clusters of rats with each strike.

    After a grueling fifteen minutes, they finally drove the swarm back.

    But by then, they had lost eight soldiers to the rats¡¯ vicious bites, and several others were seriously injured.

    Surveying the carnage, Dong Hu¡¯s face darkened.

    They hadn¡¯t even located the zombie horde yet, and they were already in such a sorry state.

    A soldier pried open a rat¡¯s jaws, revealing teeth like icy daggers, and shuddered. ¡°If these things ever reach the base, they could be even worse than the zombies!¡±

    Dong Hu remained silent for a moment before declaring, ¡°We press on. Our mission is to locate the zombies and gather intel. No matter what obstacles we face, we must overcome them.¡±

    To retreat now would be to return empty-handed¡ªa prospect Dong Hu couldn¡¯t bear to face.

    Back in the tunnels, Zhang Yi and his team continued their journey, eventually passing two more subway stations.

    At the third station, they finally found the zombies.

    The horde wasn¡¯t hiding, nor did it attack. Instead, they lay scattered throughout the tunnel as if in a deep sleep.

    From wall to wall, the narrow passage was packed with dormant zombies.

    ¡°They¡¯re sleeping,¡± Uncle You whispered.

    ¡°That makes sense,¡± Zhang Yi murmured. ¡°Even as virus hosts, their movements consume energy. Without orders, they conserve it by lying dormant.¡±

    Uncle You raised his flamethrower. ¡°Should we torch them all?¡±

    Zhang Yi hesitated, recalling Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s observations. These zombies retained some biological traits, functioning more like a hive than traditional undead.

    If they were truly asleep, there was no need to disturb them unnecessarily.

    ¡°That¡¯d be ideal,¡± he said. But reality rarely conformed to ideal scenarios.

    A single zombie suddenly opened its eyes.

    One by one, more began to stir, their twisted bodies rising in grotesque, unnatural motions.

    Spotting the living intruders, they let out guttural snarls and surged forward in a frenzied mass.

    ¡°So much for that plan,¡± Zhang Yi muttered, his brow furrowing.

    Rather than unleashing the flamethrowers, he activated his Dimensional Gate, blocking the zombies¡¯ advance.

    The glowing portals swallowed the rushing horde, preventing them from reaching the group.

    While effective, this tactic carried a risk¡ªit could alert the Zombie King deeper within the tunnels, making it harder to catch off guard.

    As the tide of zombies poured into the portals, Liang Yue and the others watched in awe.

    ¡°Your Dimensional Gate really is a perfect defense,¡± Liang Yue remarked, her eyes gleaming with admiration.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t respond immediately, his focus on maintaining the gates. The ability was nearly invulnerable unless overwhelmed by massive energy attacks, making it the ultimate shield in situations like this.

    Suddenly, the horde stopped as if on command.

    The abrupt stillness was eerie, like someone had pressed a pause button.

    Then, in perfect unison, the zombies began emitting guttural, mournful wails.

    ¡°The Zombie King knows we¡¯re here,¡± Zhang Yi said grimly.

    With their presence exposed, he decided there was no point in holding back.

    ¡°Burn them,¡± he ordered.

    Uncle You and Fatty Xu stepped forward, unleashing twin jets of flame down the narrow corridor.

    The fire swept through the front ranks of the horde, setting dozens of zombies ablaze. The tunnel was soon filled with the crackle of flames and the stench of burning flesh.

    Despite their numbers, the zombies began retreating, shuffling back out of the fire¡¯s reach.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes narrowed as he watched their movements.

    ¡°The Zombie King is close. Pursue them!¡±

    He dismissed the Dimensional Gate and led the team deeper into the tunnel.

    The path ahead was choked with zombies, their sheer numbers forming a living blockade.

    But instead of charging, the horde retreated further into the darkness, their eerie howls reverberating through the tunnel.

    With the flamethrowers clearing the way, Zhang Yi¡¯s group advanced steadily.

    Their relentless use of fire turned the fight into a grotesque spectacle, as if they were grilling the undead en masse.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s Spatial Storage provided an endless supply of fuel and ammo, giving them a decisive edge.

    The zombies¡¯ inability to counter his spatial abilities made them seem almost feeble.

    But Zhang Yi knew better. He had seen the devastation these same zombies wrought on the Western Alliance.

    Their current dominance was no reason for complacency. The true threat was still ahead, waiting in the shadows.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 438: The Bronze Armored Zombies

    Chapter 438: The Bronze Armored Zombies"Thud!" "Thud!" "Thud!"

    A series of heavy thuds echoed from deep within the subway, their oppressive rhythm growing louder.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s group grew tense, their expressions grave.

    It sounded like a terrifying creature had broken free from its cage.

    "Stay sharp! Something big is coming," Zhang Yi warned the others.

    Fatty Xu nervously swallowed and gripped his flamethrower tightly, scanning their surroundings.

    The zombie horde, which had been forced into retreat just moments ago, seemed to be regrouping.

    "It¡¯s fine!" Uncle You reassured them. "Even if more come, we can kill them all."

    The group had already witnessed the combat abilities of the zombies. While far stronger than ordinary humans, they were no match for the team of top-tier superhumans, especially given their ample weapons, ammunition, and superhuman energy food.

    But then, Hua Hua suddenly let out a sharp cry.

    "Meow¡ª"

    Its tone was filled with caution, a stark warning of a deadly threat.

    Hua Hua¡¯s combat prowess, especially in its enlarged form, surpassed even Uncle You. If Hua Hua was this alarmed, it meant the enemy ahead was extremely dangerous.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze hardened, and he murmured, "Could it be the Zombie King?"

    The words "Zombie King" cast a heavy shadow over the group.

    Though none of them had seen it before, the entity capable of commanding thousands¡ªperhaps tens of thousands¡ªof zombies was undoubtedly a fearsome foe.

    No one knew its true strength, abilities, or even if it was a mutated human or an immensely powerful zombie.

    From the distant corridor, the deep, resonant thuds grew louder.

    A shadow emerged at the edge of their vision.

    As it stepped closer, it drew everyone''s attention.

    From the darkness, a tall, skeletal figure resembling a giant stick insect emerged.

    When Zhang Yi saw its form, his pupils constricted.

    It wasn¡¯t human.

    Instead, it was a humanoid monster with a body entirely covered in bronze-colored, hardened skin.

    Standing over three meters tall, its elongated arms nearly touched the ground.

    Its grotesque, reddish muscles were exposed in places, wrapped tightly by its bronze-like carapace.

    A triangular head adorned with enormous ears framed its face, filled with glowing fangs and cruel, predatory eyes¡ªbrown, vertical pupils glaring with malice.

    The horror didn¡¯t end there. The creature had eight eyes.

    Two were on its head, while six more were spread across its arms and chest, constantly swiveling and scanning the area.

    Despite having faced countless horrors in this post-apocalyptic world, none of them had encountered anything so nightmarish. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    For a moment, they couldn¡¯t determine if this monstrosity was a mutated corpse or some other bioengineered aberration.

    Uncle You muttered uneasily, "Could this thing be the Zombie King?"

    Before anyone could respond, three more identical creatures appeared from other directions.

    "These things... are they being mass-produced? There¡¯s no way they¡¯re naturally occurring!"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s heart pounded. It was clear that something far more sinister was at play.

    The creation of the zombie horde couldn¡¯t have been a random occurrence¡ªthere had to be a deliberate, orchestrated cause behind it.

    And behind the bronze creatures, the zombie horde began to resurface, their glowing eyes fixed intently on the group.

    The team was completely surrounded, the passageways now teeming with an unending sea of zombies.

    Even the most battle-hardened among them felt a sliver of unease under the suffocating pressure.

    Fatty Xu¡¯s face turned pale. "These things don¡¯t look like regular zombies at all!"

    Zhang Yi¡¯s brows furrowed deeply. "I get it now! These bastards lured us here on purpose. Their goal was to trap and eliminate us!"

    Though Zhang Yi had known the Zombie King was intelligent, he hadn¡¯t expected it to employ tactics so cunning.

    His assessment of the Zombie King rose even higher.

    A creature capable of controlling massive hordes while exhibiting such high intelligence posed an unparalleled threat¡ªnot just to Tianhai City but to humanity itself.

    "Zhang Yi, what do we do now?" Uncle You asked.

    Zhang Yi sneered. "What else can we do? We fight."

    The open space robbed Zhang Yi¡¯s Dimensional Gate of its maximum effectiveness.

    But even without it, every member of the team was a seasoned fighter.

    Uncle You and Fatty Xu raised their flamethrowers and unleashed torrents of fire upon the encroaching zombies.

    Liang Yue drew her Tang Sword¡ªfinally, it was her time to shine.

    "Liang Yue, Hua Hua, stay close to me," Zhang Yi instructed cautiously. "We¡¯re outnumbered, so we need to stick together."

    Liang Yue nodded, understanding that Zhang Yi¡¯s melee capabilities weren¡¯t his strength. He needed protection.

    Hua Hua, as always, remained loyally by Zhang Yi¡¯s side. It would never let anything harm him.

    Meanwhile, the massive bronze creatures began advancing steadily. Their hardened, armor-like skin gleamed faintly under the dim light, exuding a menacing aura.

    The sight reminded Zhang Yi of a theory from a movie he had once seen¡ªof zombies evolving into powerful forms called "Bronze Armored Zombies," their bodies impervious to ordinary weapons.

    These creatures, whether mutated corpses or bioengineered creations, were formidable. Their ability to command the zombie horde was a testament to their power.

    "Take down the leader first!" Zhang Yi barked.

    "If we can deal with the Bronze Armored Zombies, the rest will be easier to handle."

    "Understood!" the others replied.

    At that moment, one of the Bronze Armored Zombies let out a bone-chilling roar, shaking the entire underground passage.

    "Roar!!!"

    The surrounding zombies echoed the cry in a deafening chorus before surging forward in a reckless charge.

    Even the red-eyed giant rats, which had been lurking in the shadows, joined the fray, their bloodlust directed at Zhang Yi¡¯s group.

    The horde surged like an unstoppable wave, their only goal to overwhelm and destroy.

    The Zombie King, commanding from the shadows, had ordered them to create chaos and weaken the group¡¯s defenses, giving the Bronze Armored Zombies the opportunity to strike.

    But Zhang Yi¡¯s team wouldn¡¯t go down without a fight.

    In the darkness, Liang Yue¡¯s sword flashed like moonlight. Enhanced by the abilities she had absorbed, her strikes now carried a chilling blue aura, with each slash extending over three meters.

    Her blade tore through the zombie ranks, leaving mutilated bodies in its wake.

    Uncle You and Fatty Xu¡¯s flamethrowers created a blazing barrier, keeping the horde at bay.

    Meanwhile, Hua Hua stayed close to Zhang Yi, guarding him vigilantly. Zhang Yi, focused on precision, fired his enhanced rifle, shattering the legs of approaching zombies to slow their advance.

    Even the giant rats stood no chance, reduced to bloody pulp.

    Though the horde was vast, they posed no immediate threat to the elite superhumans.

    But then, one of the Bronze Armored Zombies entered the fray.

    Grabbing two nearby zombies, it hurled them like projectiles toward Zhang Yi¡¯s group with terrifying force.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 439: The Power of Divine Might

    Chapter 439: The Power of Divine MightA Bronze Armored Zombie extended its massive hand, grabbing a nearby zombie and hurling it at Zhang Yi¡¯s group like a thrown brick.

    The other Bronze Armored Zombies followed suit, flinging zombies into the air toward their targets.

    This aerial assault made the situation more precarious for the team, but Zhang Yi remained calm. He instantly deployed the Dimensional Gate overhead, catching the incoming zombies and sending them into spatial oblivion.

    The Bronze Armored Zombies froze briefly in confusion but quickly resumed their charge, barreling through the horde with their enormous strides toward Zhang Yi and his companions.

    Fatty Xu¡¯s face turned pale. With his abilities rendered ineffective underground, he could only rely on his flamethrower to maintain his combat strength.

    From his direction, a three-meter-tall Bronze Armored Zombie charged straight at him.

    Fatty Xu trembled at the sight of the creature¡¯s colossal and impenetrable body. He felt as though a single swipe of its claws could tear him to pieces.

    "Ahhh!" Fatty Xu roared, turning the flamethrower to full power and unleashing a torrent of flames at the Bronze Armored Zombie.

    But to everyone¡¯s shock, the high-temperature flames failed to ignite the creature. Its bronze-colored skin remained unmarred, barely slowing its movements.

    Impatient, the Bronze Armored Zombie grabbed a handful of zombies and hurled them at Fatty Xu.

    With the creature now dangerously close, Fatty Xu froze in terror, his movements faltering.

    Just as disaster seemed inevitable, Zhang Yi stepped forward and activated his defensive technique¡ªTwin Gates.

    Two enormous dimensional portals materialized, blocking the tunnel in both directions. This effectively stopped the zombies coming from those directions but left the group vulnerable to attacks from the remaining sides.

    As the zombies paused their assault in the blocked directions, the horde from the open flanks intensified their charge, accompanied by two more Bronze Armored Zombies.

    ¡°Damn it! The Zombie King must be orchestrating this! But how can we kill the Zombie King if we can¡¯t even deal with these hordes?¡± Uncle You shouted angrily.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s calm voice cut through the chaos. "Don¡¯t panic. The more dangerous the situation, the more we need to stay composed and observant."

    "I¡¯m certain the Zombie King is nearby¡ªI can feel it."

    While their predicament looked dire, Zhang Yi knew that killing the Zombie King would solve everything.

    With one half of the horde blocked by the Twin Gates, the remaining enemies could still be handled.

    Sure enough, the two advancing Bronze Armored Zombies arrived with a wave of zombies and giant rats.

    Uncle You and Fatty Xu had to put down their flamethrowers. Using them in such close quarters risked injuring themselves and their allies.

    "Let¡¯s do this!"

    Uncle You activated his skill, transforming into a towering two-meter-tall warrior, and charged straight into one of the Bronze Armored Zombies.

    The collision of their immense bodies was like two sumo wrestlers locked in a ferocious struggle.

    Despite the Bronze Armored Zombie¡¯s superior size and strength, its clumsy fighting techniques left it vulnerable to Uncle You¡¯s martial expertise honed through years of training.

    Meanwhile, Liang Yue confronted the other Bronze Armored Zombie with her glowing Tang Sword.

    In a flash, she delivered a full-strength slash.

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    The sword tore through the creature¡¯s chest, leaving a deep gash in its bronze armor. Blue viscous fluid began oozing from the wound.

    The Bronze Armored Zombie stumbled back two steps, while Liang Yue retreated five. Both looked at each other in shock.

    Liang Yue hadn¡¯t expected that her full-power strike, capable of slicing through an armored vehicle, could only pierce its outer shell.

    The wounded Bronze Armored Zombie roared in fury. Despite its hesitation, it charged forward again, its massive claws gleaming like ten deadly blades.

    "This thing is ridiculously tough!" Liang Yue muttered as she prepared for another clash.

    But it wasn¡¯t just the Bronze Armored Zombies they had to contend with. Zombies and giant rats were pouring in from all directions.

    Even though Uncle You and Liang Yue were holding their ground against the Bronze Armored Zombies, the sheer number of lesser enemies made it impossible for them to manage everything.

    At this critical moment, Zhang Yi gave a command to Hua Hua.

    "Hua Hua, help Uncle You!"

    Following Zhang Yi¡¯s order, Hua Hua leapt into action, joining the fray on Uncle You¡¯s side.

    In its battle form, Hua Hua became a juggernaut of destruction. Rolling through the narrow tunnel, it crushed zombies and rats alike into paste.

    With Hua Hua¡¯s aid, Uncle You¡¯s side was quickly cleared of enemies.

    Hua Hua, following Zhang Yi¡¯s earlier instructions, avoided biting the zombies to prevent poisoning. Instead, it relied on its sheer bulk to pulverize anything in its path.

    Now, only the zombies on Liang Yue¡¯s side remained.

    Zhang Yi turned his attention there, his right eye beginning to glow with a white light that grew more intense by the second.

    "Liang Yue, move!" Zhang Yi shouted.

    Sensing the urgency, Liang Yue immediately leapt backward, clearing the area in front of Zhang Yi.

    "Divine Might!" Zhang Yi growled.

    The space before him distorted suddenly, like a mirage.

    In an instant, a massive column of energy erupted, disintegrating everything within 300 meters.

    The area was left as a cylindrical corridor, its walls coated with the pulverized remains of zombies, rats, and even the once-indestructible Bronze Armored Zombie.

    The creature¡¯s upper body was completely obliterated, leaving only its legs standing in place.

    This was Zhang Yi¡¯s most powerful attack¡ªDivine Might.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 440: Leap

    Chapter 440: LeapWitnessing this horrifying scene, even Liang Yue couldn''t help but gasp in shock.

    This was her first time seeing the power of Divine Power so closely.

    Previously, Zhang Yi had used it once on the battlefield, but that time it was specifically to instantly kill a single Superhuman opponent.

    This time, however, it wiped out at least 500 zombies, including the Bronze Armored Zombie, in one strike!

    After the Bronze Armored Zombie was killed, only a few regular zombies and giant rats remained in Liang Yue''s direction.

    Fatty Xu froze for a moment before bursting into arrogant laughter.

    "Ha! You useless things, watch me roast you all alive!"

    Holding his flamethrower, he swaggered forward and began systematically torching the enemies.

    On the other side, Uncle You gained the upper hand with Hua Hua''s help.

    Although the massive Bronze Armored Zombie wasn''t immediately taken down, its supporting giant rats and zombies were mostly eliminated.

    After finishing off the regular zombies and rats, Hua Hua turned to assist Uncle You in taking down the Bronze Armored Zombie.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi sealed the other two passages with Dimensional Gates, leaving the zombie horde trapped behind them.

    The zombies behind the gates could only watch helplessly as Zhang Yi slaughtered their kind, unable to come to their aid.

    The situation on the battlefield took a dramatic turn, with Zhang Yi''s group securing a major victory.

    Even Liang Yue, usually so reserved, couldn''t help but say to Zhang Yi, "Your strength is truly terrifying."

    "I dare say that right now, across all of Tianhai City, no Superhuman could survive a strike from your Divine Power without preparation!"

    Zhang Yi, however, merely smiled faintly.

    "What''s the big deal? For me, this is just basic stuff."

    He then turned cautiously toward the west.

    "It''s too soon to relax. I think our real opponent is nearby. I''m still waiting for him to show up."

    Though the Bronze Armored Zombies seemed to possess some intelligence and were far stronger than regular zombies, they certainly weren''t the Zombie King.

    If they failed to locate the Zombie King today, this mission could not be considered a total success.

    No matter how many zombies or even powerful Bronze Armored Zombies they killed, it wouldn¡¯t stop the Zombie King from creating more underlings.

    As if in response to Zhang Yi''s words, the zombies began gathering in the two passages that weren¡¯t sealed.

    From the depths of the tunnel, familiar heavy footsteps echoed.

    In both directions, three more Bronze Armored Zombies emerged.

    They stood there, coldly staring at Zhang Yi and his group with icy eyes.

    Their elongated, insect-like bodies twisted grotesquely, a sight that was both disgusting and terrifying. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The despair they exuded caused everyone''s morale to plummet.

    "How could this be? Just how many of these monsters are there?"

    Zhang Yi''s Divine Power was a fearsome ability, but it consumed enormous energy.

    At his current level, he could use it five times consecutively, but each usage required a cooldown period.

    If the six Bronze Armored Zombies charged again, their current strength would be insufficient to hold them off!

    Fatty Xu nearly collapsed in terror.

    "We¡¯re doomed. What now?"

    The zombies didn¡¯t give them time to think.

    The next moment, six Bronze Armored Zombies, accompanied by hordes of regular zombies and giant rats, charged toward them.

    "Are we going to die here?" Fatty Xu shrieked in panic.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s expression grew even grimmer.

    He sighed softly.

    "It seems this zombie crisis is far worse than we imagined, and the mastermind behind it is even more terrifying."

    "Even for me, this won¡¯t be an easy battle."

    As the group prepared to face the terrifying horde, Zhang Yi suddenly shouted to Uncle You and Hua Hua, "Come back quickly!"

    The Bronze Armored Zombie they had been fighting was now in pieces. Unlike other zombies, its dismembered body didn¡¯t writhe, hinting it might be a true organism rather than a virus-controlled host.

    Hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s call, Uncle You and Hua Hua quickly retreated to his side.

    Zhang Yi then dismissed his Dimensional Gates, leaving all directions open for the zombie horde to surge toward them with furious roars.

    But Zhang Yi calmly opened a new gate in front of him and said, "Follow me!"

    With that, he stepped through the gate.

    The others hesitated briefly before following Zhang Yi into the Dimensional Gate.

    When the zombie horde reached the spot, their targets had vanished without a trace.

    The confused zombies let out enraged, haunting roars as their prey disappeared into thin air.

    Moments later, about dozens of meters above the subway tunnel, Zhang Yi and his group reappeared on the snowy surface.

    "Whew, that was terrifying!" Zhang Yi patted his chest in relief, taking a deep breath of the cold air.

    Even though he had known the situation wasn¡¯t life-threatening, the experience was like watching a 3D horror movie¡ªit still sent chills down his spine.

    For anyone else in his place, the outcome would undoubtedly have been fatal.

    Uncle You and Liang Yue emerged from the gate, momentarily stunned by the snowy scene before them. Realizing what had happened, they exclaimed, "Zhang Yi, is this a new ability of yours?"

    Zhang Yi replied calmly, "Not exactly new. I¡¯ve just developed a deeper understanding of Dimensional Gates."

    Previously, Zhang Yi could only open a single gate. But as his abilities grew stronger, he learned to open a second gate.

    Both gates connected to the same spatial dimension, allowing him to create a tunnel between them.

    He now had the ability to traverse spaces within 300 meters, which was why he dared to venture into the treacherous subway tunnels.

    Fatty Xu, who had nearly wet himself earlier, collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily.

    "Boss, why didn¡¯t you tell us about this ability earlier? Do you know how close I was to dying of fright?"

    Zhang Yi chuckled, "I just wanted to surprise you."

    He rarely revealed his abilities, even to his teammates¡ªnot out of distrust but out of caution.

    Avoiding unnecessary exposure was his survival philosophy.

    His expression then turned somber.

    "To be honest, I hadn¡¯t anticipated needing to use this ability today."

    "This zombie crisis is far more complex and dangerous than we expected. Even now, I can¡¯t predict how it will end."

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 441: A Solution for the Zombie Horde

    Chapter 441: A Solution for the Zombie HordeThe weight of Zhang Yi''s words left everyone in silence.

    If not for his new ability, the scene they had just escaped from would have been their grave¡ªregardless of whether their numbers were threefold, fivefold, or even tenfold.

    The sheer scale of the zombie horde was unimaginable. Tens of thousands? Hundreds of thousands? No one could say for sure.

    "What should we do next?" Uncle You asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

    If they couldn¡¯t find a way to eliminate these zombies once and for all, they would face endless assaults from the horde.

    The subway tunnels, as they had seen, were teeming with zombies, including the terrifying Bronze Armored Zombies that even struck fear into them.

    If these zombies were to swarm out and attack their shelter, how long could they hold out?

    Worse still, the zombies displayed an alarming capacity to learn and grow stronger. Even if they survived the first wave, what about the next?

    And then there was the most feared enemy¡ªthe Zombie King, lurking in the shadows, yet to reveal itself.

    What kind of creature was it? What powers did it have? No one knew. The unknown only deepened their dread.

    Zhang Yi, too, fell into silence, gazing at the distant sky.

    Though the surface world wasn¡¯t particularly bright, it was far more radiant compared to the oppressive darkness of the tunnels.

    The landscape was blanketed in snow¡ªcold but lacking the suffocating sense of despair found underground.

    Taking out a pack of cigarettes from his spatial storage, Zhang Yi lit one and took a deep drag.

    The others didn¡¯t disturb him, sensing his heavy thoughts.

    After a long pause, Zhang Yi seemed to snap out of it. He handed Uncle You a cigarette.

    Fatty Xu didn¡¯t smoke, nor did Liang Yue, so the two men quietly smoked together.

    Meanwhile, Fatty Xu¡¯s expression grew increasingly awkward.

    In truth, when the zombie horde had gotten too close earlier, he had wet himself a little. Now, with his underwear damp and Liang Yue present, he couldn¡¯t bring himself to mention it.

    He crossed his legs tightly, pretending nothing was wrong.

    After a while, Zhang Yi finally broke the silence.

    "No matter what, we must solve this problem¡ªand quickly!"

    "We can¡¯t allow these zombies any more time to grow stronger. They¡¯re starting to scare me."

    "And do you have a solution?" Liang Yue asked, skepticism in her voice.

    Zhang Yi narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixed southeast, where a vast ocean once stretched.

    Now, the coastal waters were likely frozen, and seeing the ocean again would require venturing much farther.

    "If our goal is to deal with the zombies, it¡¯s not as difficult as it seems."

    Everyone turned to him in confusion, and Zhang Yi smiled.

    "I¡¯m beginning to realize how useful my ability really is. While it¡¯s not the best for direct combat, it shines in other areas."

    Without waiting for questions, Zhang Yi shared his plan.

    "The subway line here isn¡¯t complex¡ªonly the Ci Qu Line runs through it."

    "From what we¡¯ve observed, the zombies hibernate in the tunnels. The virus may be resistant to the cold, but even they avoid the extreme temperatures outside."

    "This means that during their dormant state, they¡¯re all inside the tunnels."

    "Now, while we lack enough explosives to destroy the entire subway line, there is something else far more effective than explosives."

    The group stared at Zhang Yi eagerly.

    "What is it?" they asked.

    Zhang Yi took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering toward the southeast.

    "Seawater."

    Freshwater rivers were completely frozen and inaccessible, but seawater, rich in salt, remained unfrozen in the deep ocean.

    Zhang Yi planned to use his spatial abilities to extract vast amounts of seawater and flood the entire subway tunnel system.

    Upon hearing this, everyone¡¯s eyes lit up.

    Liang Yue clapped her hands in excitement.

    "Brilliant! This is absolutely brilliant!"

    "The Ci Qu Line is a single-track line. If we seal off the terminal station, it¡¯ll be like a dead-end alley."

    "With your spatial storage, you can bring enough seawater to flood the tunnel entirely. The depth of the tunnels will ensure the rats and zombies drown. At the very least, we can eliminate the majority of them!"

    "If the Zombie King is a living creature, it¡¯ll likely be half-dead too. And even in the worst-case scenario, it won¡¯t be able to stay in the tunnels any longer."

    Liang Yue¡¯s explanation sparked hope in Uncle You and Fatty Xu.

    It felt like a lifeline in the midst of despair, offering a way to resolve their crisis.

    Fatty Xu got up from the ground, beaming.

    "Boss, your ability is seriously overpowered. It¡¯s like the ultimate weapon against zombies!"

    Uncle You laughed.

    "I think what¡¯s most impressive is Zhang Yi¡¯s mind. Sure, we all have abilities, but Zhang Yi knows how to use his to their fullest potential."

    "Miaow!" Hua Hua chimed in, seemingly in agreement.

    Zhang Yi, however, simply smiled faintly.

    "This plan came to me on a whim, but it¡¯ll take a lot of preparation to execute."

    "There¡¯s also a critical issue I need to consult with some technical experts back at home."

    Pulling a snow vehicle from his spatial storage, Zhang Yi announced, S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "Let¡¯s head back. The sooner we implement this plan, the better."

    "We must act quickly and not give these zombies any more time to grow stronger!"

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 442: Feasibility Study

    Chapter 442: Feasibility StudyYangsheng Base.

    Xiao Honglian sat at her desk, her hands clasped beneath her chin, her expression grim.

    Beside her, Zhuge Qingtian remained silent, his face equally somber. Moments ago, the reconnaissance team they sent to investigate the zombie horde had been completely wiped out.

    Before her lay a communication device, displaying a video sent by Dong Hu in his final moments. Through it, Xiao Honglian saw the terrifying zombie horde deep within the subway tunnels, along with rats the size of small dogs.

    But what unnerved her most were the colossal, grotesque Bronze Armored Zombies, their appearance resembling giant stick insects. Their combat abilities rivaled those of Superhumans.

    "I never expected such monsters to exist underground," she said.

    "If they all swarm out, even with our base fully armed, we won¡¯t be able to hold them back," Zhuge Qingtian replied.

    "Should we consider moving underground?"

    This suggestion implied abandoning everything on the surface, including the massive refinery.

    Xiao Honglian frowned deeply.

    "Absolutely not. If we lose the refinery, we lose the foundation of our survival."

    "No matter the cost, we must protect it," she said firmly.

    "But if they do attack in full force, can we really defend it?" Zhuge Qingtian asked cautiously.

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s eyes flashed with cold resolve. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "Then we¡¯ll pour our stockpiled oil around the refinery. If the zombies come, we¡¯ll ignite the oil and burn them all!"

    This plan would come at a tremendous cost, akin to cutting off their arm to save their body. Yet preserving the refinery¡¯s remaining crude oil would sustain their survival for a long time.

    The drastic proposal left Zhuge Qingtian speechless. But given their lack of better options, it seemed unavoidable.

    "If we proceed, we should at least move the soldiers¡¯ families underground first. That way, even if something happens to us, there will be people below to carry on," Zhuge Qingtian suggested.

    Leaning back in her chair, Xiao Honglian let out a long sigh.

    "Do it," she said.

    Back at the Shelter.

    When Zhang Yi and his team returned, they were greeted by Zhou Ke¡¯er and the others. However, the group¡¯s subdued expressions immediately caught their attention.

    The women in the household quickly realized that this mission had not gone smoothly.

    "Did something happen? Was there trouble?" Zhou Ke¡¯er asked gently.

    Fatty Xu and Uncle You exchanged wry smiles, while Zhang Yi maintained his usual warm demeanor.

    "We did encounter a little problem, but nothing too serious," he said reassuringly.

    Zhang Yi believed that the burden of fighting should rest on the combatants, not the women at home, who were responsible for logistics. At the very least, he didn¡¯t want to bring negativity into their sanctuary.

    The group changed into casual clothing after returning indoors. Yang Siyah brought over hot drinks, which helped warm them up.

    Afterward, Zhang Yi turned to Yang Siyah.

    "Could you bring Xinxin and Keran over? I have something to discuss with them."

    "Sure, just a moment," Yang Siyah replied, heading to the back to call them.

    A short while later, Yang Xinxin arrived, pushing her wheelchair. She immediately noticed the heavy atmosphere.

    Though Zhang Yi¡¯s expression was calm, there was a certain depth in his eyes, betraying the weight on his mind. Uncle You and Fatty Xu¡¯s expressions clearly conveyed that their mission hadn¡¯t gone well, while Liang Yue remained her usual icy self.

    "Brother, how did the mission go?" Yang Xinxin asked with a smile. She knew something was wrong but wanted to hear the details to see how she could help.

    Zhang Yi gestured for Yang Xinxin and Lu Keran to come closer.

    "I have a very important question to ask you," he said.

    The two exchanged a surprised glance. It was rare for Zhang Yi to seek their advice, which made his request all the more intriguing.

    "Ask away, Brother," Yang Xinxin replied with a smile.

    Zhang Yi explained, his tone serious.

    "I have an idea I need your help to implement. I need a way to freeze seawater quickly¡ªa very large amount of seawater. Do you have any solutions?"

    The task wasn¡¯t just about flooding the subway tunnels with seawater. If left unfrozen, many zombies and giant rats might survive and escape, creating an even bigger problem.

    The ideal plan was to collect seawater in his spatial storage, then rapidly freeze it after flooding the tunnels, turning the subway system into a massive block of ice. At such depths, this would effectively trap most zombies and rats, sparing only the strongest creatures like the Bronze Armored Zombies or the Zombie King.

    Zhang Yi laid out the plan, but its feasibility depended on technical expertise.

    Lu Keran, who specialized in chemical materials, pondered for a moment.

    "There are definitely ways to do it. We¡¯d just need to prepare the right chemicals. But how much seawater are we talking about?"

    Zhang Yi chuckled.

    "A very, very large amount."

    "To put it simply, I need to freeze an entire subway line¡ªover 20 kilometers of tunnels!"

    The women in the room were stunned. The sheer scale of the task was mind-boggling.

    Meanwhile, Uncle You, Fatty Xu, and Liang Yue showed no surprise, their faces filled with anticipation as they looked to Lu Keran and Yang Xinxin for answers.

    After a moment of contemplation, Lu Keran replied,

    "It¡¯s not impossible. With enough time to prepare, it could be done."

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 443: The Long-Awaited Ocean

    Chapter 443: The Long-Awaited OceanHearing Lu Keran¡¯s affirmative reply, Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes lit up.

    "If this is possible, that¡¯s fantastic."

    "Time isn¡¯t really that urgent for us, actually."

    Although the terrifying nature of the zombie horde was clear, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t aim to eliminate them all immediately. As long as this issue could be addressed before the horde fully developed into a threat to the shelter, it would suffice.

    Lu Keran chuckled.

    "In that case, it¡¯s much simpler. To freeze seawater quickly, there¡¯s an easy way¡ªprecipitate and remove the salt from the water."

    "It only requires some basic chemical materials."

    "But to accelerate the process, I¡¯ll prepare a large amount of coagulant specifically for this."

    "After all, we found plenty of unused materials from the chemical plant before. This is the perfect opportunity to make use of them."

    To Lu Keran, this was a trivial task. After all, freezing water wasn¡¯t even a complex chemical phenomenon¡ªit was just a simple physical process.

    Zhang Yi slapped his thigh in delight.

    "Great! If that¡¯s the case, start preparing now. No need to wait; we¡¯ll take action this afternoon and head out to collect seawater!"

    Time waits for no one, and the sooner the issue was resolved, the more at ease Zhang Yi and his team would feel.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er interjected, "You¡¯ve just returned. Why not take a good rest first? You all look pretty exhausted."

    Zhang Yi shook his head.

    "It¡¯s fine. Just a few of Yang Siyah¡¯s superhuman energy dishes, and we¡¯ll recover our strength and abilities."

    "Time won¡¯t wait! I won¡¯t even enjoy my meal if this matter remains unresolved."

    That was Zhang Yi¡¯s nature¡ªhe couldn¡¯t let go of anything weighing on his mind. A deep sense of foreboding always lingered in his heart, pushing him to overprepare for any situation to achieve complete peace of mind. R?§¡??????¨§?

    Understanding his temperament, Zhou Ke¡¯er didn¡¯t press further. She simply said, "Alright, then. Be quick and return safely."

    Zhang Yi stood up and addressed the group, who hadn¡¯t had much time to rest.

    "Let¡¯s go. We¡¯re heading to the coast!"

    The journey to the seaside wasn¡¯t expected to be particularly dangerous, so no one objected. They promptly re-armed themselves and, without much delay, boarded their snow vehicle, setting course for the eastern coastline.

    The beaches of the East Sea had once been a famous tourist attraction. But now, with the global ice age, the area was undoubtedly blanketed in frost.

    It had been a long time since Zhang Yi last visited. He¡¯d heard rumors of the Chaoyu Base conducting deep-sea expeditions, fishing, and even venturing to other places. Curiosity, and a hint of anticipation, filled his heart as he imagined what the coast might look like now.

    As they departed, Fatty Xu voiced his concerns. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    "We won¡¯t run into people from Chaoyu Base, will we? We fought them pretty hard last time. If they spot us, it might spark another fight."

    Zhang Yi laughed.

    "Chaoyu Base is probably swamped dealing with zombies. They¡¯d have their hands full already."

    "They don¡¯t have the luxury of time to bother with us. Honestly, if they do see us, it¡¯s more likely they¡¯ll be the ones worried."

    Fatty Xu nodded, finding Zhang Yi¡¯s reasoning sound. During territorial disputes, human animosity ran high. But now, with threats from non-human entities, tensions between people tended to ease. Cooperation might even become possible in the future.

    Filling up the snow vehicle¡¯s tank, Zhang Yi started the engine and headed for the long-lost eastern coast. Excitement bubbled in everyone¡¯s hearts¡ªthey hadn¡¯t seen the sea in so long.

    What would the vast ocean look like now? Would the depths harbor mutated creatures, transforming into terrifying monsters like Godzilla? The mystery and vastness of the ocean invoked both awe and fear.

    Thankfully, their destination was only the icy nearshore, far from any potential deep-sea monstrosities. Given the lack of food sources in the shallow waters, even mutated creatures were unlikely to be found there.

    After a long drive, they finally reached the edge of the coast. The vehicle came to a halt at what used to be the beach. The group stepped out and gazed at the endless expanse of white ice stretching before them, lost in thought.

    The grandeur of the scene deeply moved them. If not for the apocalyptic circumstances, they might have taken photos and marveled at the wonders of nature.

    The vast sea was now entirely frozen, its surface a pristine, mirror-like sheet of ice.

    "How beautiful... Is this nature¡¯s craftsmanship?" Liang Yue couldn¡¯t help but exclaim.

    Uncle You added, "Compared to this, the winter ice of Mohe seems insignificant."

    Zhang Yi broke the reverie. "There¡¯s no time for admiration. We need to find a spot to collect water."

    The group returned to their vehicle and continued toward the edge of the shoreline. On the endless icy expanse, their small vehicle looked like an insignificant ant. Faced with nature¡¯s majesty, they couldn¡¯t help but feel humbled, reminded of their own insignificance.

    After driving for two more hours, covering over 200 kilometers, they finally spotted waves at the horizon.

    "Boss, water! I see water!" Fatty Xu exclaimed, pointing excitedly.

    By this point, they were far from Tianhai City. The further they drove, the more apprehensive they felt. Seeing open water brought a collective sigh of relief.

    "Quick! Let¡¯s collect the water and leave!" Zhang Yi urged.

    The immense scale of the environment inspired awe but also heightened the fear of sudden changes. Even for someone as powerful as Zhang Yi, trouble at sea was a daunting prospect.

    Carefully maneuvering closer to the ice¡¯s edge, Zhang Yi activated his Spatial Storage. Two enormous dimensional gates materialized above the seawater, functioning like massive pumps to siphon water into his storage.

    The process was tedious and monotonous, so Zhang Yi sat by the water¡¯s edge with the others, marveling at the sight of flowing water after such a long time.

    Uncle You, rubbing his hands, lamented, "If only I¡¯d brought a fishing rod. Fishing here would be such a joy!"

    The sentiment was shared by everyone, including Zhang Yi, who even entertained the idea of creating a fish pond back home to stock with sea fish for leisure fishing.

    After an extended period, they finally collected enough water. Zhang Yi ensured his spatial storage was filled to capacity¡ª25 kilometers long, 10 meters wide, and 10 meters high¡ªbefore stopping.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 444: The Swarm of Rats

    Chapter 444: The Swarm of RatsOnce the seawater collection was complete, Zhang Yi stopped and addressed the group.

    "Alright, the preliminary preparations are done. Once we return, we¡¯ll figure out how to precipitate the seawater to reduce its salinity."

    "What? Leaving already?"

    Fatty Xu and Uncle You stood reluctantly, their gazes lingering on the vast frozen sea. Even Liang Yue¡¯s eyes held a trace of hesitation.

    They had gone so long without experiencing nature¡¯s grandeur. In a world where temperatures might grow colder and climates harsher, perhaps only the oceans would remain a sanctuary for life on the planet.

    Fatty Xu suggested, "Boss, why don¡¯t we think about building a seaside villa here someday?"

    Zhang Yi pondered the idea. It was appealing, but such a plan would have to wait until he could guarantee their safety.

    "Who knows? If Chaoyu Base gets wiped out by the zombie horde, we might take over their base, seize their ships, and sail the seas ourselves," Zhang Yi joked with a laugh.

    His hearty laughter echoed across the icy expanse. The thought of sailing the vast ocean ignited a fire of excitement in everyone¡¯s eyes. Drifting on the open sea sounded far more liberating than being cooped up in a shelter.

    Seeing their enthusiasm, Zhang Yi spread his hands and smiled.

    "Let¡¯s focus on solving our immediate problems first. But I have to admit, I do have my eyes on Chaoyu Base¡¯s ships."

    Zhang Yi¡¯s long-term vision was clear. If temperatures eventually warmed and glaciers melted, coastal cities would be submerged. Owning a sturdy, seaworthy ship would be essential for future survival.

    After some lighthearted conversation, the group departed the coastline, driving away in their vehicle.

    Unbeknownst to them, a massive shadow passed slowly beneath the ice where they had just been. It was so large that no one noticed it. In the vastness of the ocean, who knew how many terrifying creatures lurked? In this era of global mutation, the potential for monsters to evolve into unimaginable horrors was a sobering thought.

    Humanity, small and fragile, should always maintain a healthy respect for nature.

    By the time Zhang Yi and his team returned to the shelter, night had fallen. Zhang Yi wasted no time; he skipped dinner and headed straight to find Lu Keran.

    "I¡¯ve collected the seawater. Now we need to precipitate it. Are your materials ready?"

    Lu Keran nodded. "It wasn¡¯t hard to prepare. Let me show you."

    She led him to a corner of her workshop, where hundreds of plastic barrels were stacked neatly.

    "These are the precipitating agents. Add them to the seawater, and they¡¯ll help separate out the salt."

    "To freeze the seawater quickly, the key is to remove a significant portion of the salt. Once the salinity is low enough, it¡¯ll freeze much faster in low temperatures."

    "When the time comes, I¡¯ll also provide you with coagulants to speed up the freezing process."

    Zhang Yi nodded. "How long will it take to precipitate the seawater?"

    "At least two days," Lu Keran replied after a moment¡¯s thought.

    "Two days? That¡¯s manageable," Zhang Yi said. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Over the next two days, the zombie attacks grew increasingly ferocious, likely a response to Zhang Yi¡¯s prior offensive, which had enraged the Zombie King. ?£Á??B§§????

    However, the Copper Armored Zombies didn¡¯t appear. Instead, hordes of ordinary zombies swarmed the shelter. Zhang Yi deduced that the Copper Armored Zombies were rare and too valuable for the Zombie King to waste as expendable troops.

    But it wasn¡¯t the zombie horde that posed the real threat¡ªit was the sudden emergence of a massive rat swarm from the subway depths.

    One morning, Zhang Yi was abruptly woken by the shelter¡¯s AI system, Xiao Ai.

    "Alert! Alert!"

    "The shelter is under attack! The shelter is under attack!"

    "Current damage level: 0.00001%!"

    "The attack is ongoing. Please address the issue immediately!"

    What? An ongoing attack? Could it be the zombies again?

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t too concerned initially. With their rudimentary tactics, the zombies couldn¡¯t seriously harm the shelter. He got out of bed and walked to the window.

    To his shock, the floor-to-ceiling window was entirely obscured by clawing forms. Upon closer inspection, he realized what they were¡ªgiant rats from the subway depths!

    These rats had never appeared before, but it seemed their anger had been provoked by the deaths of so many of their kind. Now they had joined the zombie horde in attacking the shelter.

    The air was filled with incessant squeaking, a grating sound that made Zhang Yi¡¯s ears ache.

    The rats weren¡¯t particularly strong, but their teeth were razor-sharp, capable of tearing through even combat gear. Surrounding the shelter in massive numbers, they began gnawing at its defenses.

    Though the shelter wouldn¡¯t be breached quickly, Zhang Yi knew that over time, the rats could weaken the walls significantly, leaving them riddled with holes.

    "Damn pests! Even the rats are coming after us now?"

    Through the external cameras, Zhang Yi saw the shelter completely encircled by countless rats. Opening the doors to go outside seemed nearly impossible.

    He wasn¡¯t the only one stressed. A sudden knock on his door was followed by the panicked voices of Zhou Ke¡¯er and the other women. The sight of so many oversized rats had them screaming in terror. Few women could remain calm in the face of such a horrific swarm.

    At that moment, Hua Hua, freshly woken from her nap, stretched lazily. Then, with a loud "boom," she transformed into her massive battle form. Narrowing her eyes at the sea of rats outside, she opened her mouth and let out an ear-splitting roar.

    "ROAR!!!!"

    This wasn¡¯t the cute meowing of a cat but the thunderous bellow of a king of beasts. The sound shattered the silence, shaking the glass and causing the rats clinging to the walls to fall like rain.

    In an instant, swathes of rats tumbled to the ground, clearing large sections of the shelter¡¯s outer walls.

    Zhang Yi smiled with relief at Hua Hua.

    "Your ability is perfect for cleaning up these grunts!"

    Hua Hua¡¯s eyes glinted with pride, her tail held high in triumph.

    Though the rats were troublesome, they weren¡¯t insurmountable. Zhang Yi quickly summoned Fatty Xu, Uncle Liu, and Liang Yue to join him in dealing with the swarm.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 445: Infusion

    Chapter 445: InfusionThe scale of the attacking zombie and rat hordes this time was several times larger than before.

    The Zombie King was furious¡ªthis was clearly both a warning and a deeper test of Zhang Yi¡¯s team. As long as the hordes were large enough, they couldn¡¯t be wiped out entirely in a single encounter.

    This allowed some zombies to survive and relay Zhang Yi¡¯s combat strategies back to the Zombie King. Over time, the Zombie King would grow more intelligent, and its hordes would become stronger.

    Zhang Yi had no time to dwell on the implications.

    "If they want to learn, let them. I¡¯ll be launching an offensive soon anyway." S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    With a small team of humans and one large cat, Zhang Yi began clearing the hordes on a massive scale.

    Since they were on their home turf and dealing only with ordinary zombies and giant rats, the team faced little pressure.

    In just half an hour, the rat swarm was nearly wiped out, and more than half of the zombie horde was eliminated. The survivors scattered and fled in all directions, retreating toward the Ci Qu subway station.

    "Two more days," Zhang Yi muttered coldly.

    This time, he noticed that the horde was adapting to their combat tactics.

    The zombies no longer clustered together, avoiding being incinerated en masse by flamethrowers. They actively evaded Zhang Yi¡¯s Dimensional Gate traps. Moreover, their attacks began to vary based on the abilities of each team member.

    Against Zhang Yi and Fatty Xu, who weren¡¯t close-combat specialists, they deployed overwhelming numbers to charge them. When facing Liang Yue, Uncle You, and Hua Hua, they drove large numbers of rats to attack from the ground, limiting the pair¡¯s martial arts prowess.

    This was a clear sign of intelligence.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s expression darkened. Such massive, intelligent hordes with evolving leaders were not unique to Tianhai City. How many more of these horrors existed across the land?

    How were these Zombie Kings born, and how many of them were there? These questions loomed unanswered.

    For now, Zhang Yi could only tackle the problems in front of him. As for other forces, they would have to deal with their crises on their own.

    In an ideal scenario, all the other bases would collapse while also destroying their respective zombie hordes. A double-loss situation would be perfect for Zhang Yi.

    After clearing the hordes, Zhang Yi walked to the edge of the shelter. He placed his hand on the black metal walls, feeling the surface¡¯s deep scratches. §²¨¤?????B??

    Some of the marks were as deep as 0.1 millimeters.

    "If these rats keep attacking the shelter, it¡¯ll be breached in two years at most," Zhang Yi remarked grimly.

    Fortunately, Zhang Yi had been proactive, leading his team deep into the subway to investigate the growing hordes before they became a dire threat. That dangerous reconnaissance allowed them to develop a strategy rather than being slowly worn down like frogs in boiling water.

    "Let¡¯s go. Time to prepare. This should be the end of it all," Zhang Yi declared to the group.

    Compared to other factions, Zhang Yi¡¯s situation was relatively fortunate.

    No personnel were lost, and the shelter remained largely undamaged.

    Other forces, however, suffered heavy casualties.

    Initially, no one took the sudden zombie appearances seriously. But as their tactics grew more disciplined and military-like, the danger became clear. The zombies targeted weak points with ferocious assaults while cleverly avoiding well-defended areas.

    Several factions suffered devastating losses.

    The Chaoyu Base was forced to abandon its port facility and retreat to their ocean liners, using them as a refuge from the zombie horde. The port, though crucial for resupply, became expendable to preserve the long-term survival offered by the ships.

    In contrast, Yangsheng Base and Qingfu Base lacked such advantages.

    Both relied on steel and oil refineries as their lifelines and could only fortify their defenses and fight head-on against the horde.

    The most tragic fate, however, befell the Followers of the Snow God.

    Lacking solid defenses, they crowded into buildings, erecting rudimentary barricades with stones, cars, and makeshift barriers of wood and barbed wire. While these gave a semblance of safety, they were ultimately no match for the overwhelming zombie waves.

    Daily, scores of followers perished. While their large population base sustained their numbers for now, it was only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed.

    Ironically, the rat swarms provided an unexpected boon. The massive rodents, large as small dogs, became a food source. In their dire situation, the Followers of the Snow God couldn¡¯t afford to worry about potential diseases from the rats¡ªthey were simply grateful for something to eat.

    Two days passed quickly.

    The seawater in Zhang Yi¡¯s Dimensional Space had completed its sedimentation process, precipitating a large amount of impure salt. While still saline, the water¡¯s reduced salt content made it much easier to freeze.

    Zhang Yi extracted the salt and prepared for the next phase of his plan.

    Lu Keran handed him dozens of barrels of coagulant and a significant quantity of explosives.

    Accompanied by his combat team, Zhang Yi set off in the snow vehicle, departing the shelter.

    Instead of heading straight for the Ci Qu station, they first went to the Songzhuang terminus.

    To trap the zombies and rats in the subway, all escape routes had to be sealed. The first step was to destroy Songzhuang Station entirely.

    It didn¡¯t require much explosive to collapse the station. After planting the charges, the team retreated to a safe distance and triggered the detonation.

    "Boom!"

    The ground caved in, burying the station under ice, snow, and soil.

    Fatty Xu asked nervously, "Boss, what if the Zombie King senses danger and escapes?"

    Zhang Yi shrugged nonchalantly.

    "If it runs, even better. From the start, my goal wasn¡¯t to kill the Zombie King."

    "I just want to ensure there¡¯s no threat near the shelter. Whether it lives or dies doesn¡¯t matter to me."

    Liang Yue frowned with concern. "But if the other human factions are wiped out, won¡¯t the entire Tianhai City fall to the zombies and rat swarms? Can we really survive alone?"

    Zhang Yi laughed lightly.

    "You¡¯re overthinking it. Our priority is to protect ourselves."

    "The more you dwell on grand scenarios, the worse your fears will grow."

    "If the entire planet gets overrun by the virus someday, what can we do then?"

    "Focus on securing our environment. Leave the rest to fate. We don¡¯t have the strength to consider the bigger picture."

    With his arms crossed, Zhang Yi concluded calmly:

    "Help the world when you¡¯re powerful; survive when you¡¯re not. For now, I care only about the latter."

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 446: Beating Down the Fallen Corpses

    Chapter 446: Beating Down the Fallen CorpsesLiang Yue stopped arguing.

    She knew Zhang Yi made a valid point.

    After all, given their abilities, just protecting their group was already a significant challenge. Considering the plight of others was not Zhang Yi¡¯s style.

    The group finished sealing off all the exits of the subway tunnel. Then Zhang Yi approached the entrance of the Ci Qu Station. He opened the Dimensional Gate, releasing a massive volume of seawater that poured down the subway entrance.

    "Whoosh!"

    A torrent of water rushed forth, flooding the narrow tunnel and surging forward like a furious tide.

    At this rate, it would take only three hours to release enough water to submerge the entire tunnel. The rats inside might sense the danger and flee early, but most would drown or freeze to death in the icy water.

    As for the dormant zombies inside, they wouldn¡¯t awaken unless they encountered living humans or received direct orders from the Zombie King. Zhang Yi¡¯s goal was simply to eliminate most of the zombies and rats. Even if a few managed to escape, as long as their numbers were small, they wouldn¡¯t pose a threat.

    "Whoosh!"

    "Rumble!"

    The floodwaters surged violently through the subway tunnel, growing stronger by the second, like a swollen river in flood season. The torrent drowned rats hiding in the crevices and flooded the muddy depths where zombies lay dormant.

    "Squeak! Squeak!"

    Terrified squeals erupted as the giant rats scrambled to escape the rising waters. But no matter how fast they ran, they couldn¡¯t outrun the flood. Soon, most were submerged.

    A handful of rats that escaped in time climbed out through the tunnel entrance. However, without their habitat, these rats wouldn¡¯t survive in the sub-zero temperatures of minus fifty or sixty degrees. They would have to find a new environment, but in this apocalyptic world, such a place was nearly impossible to find.

    The rats and zombies shared a symbiotic relationship. The rats provided additional combat power to the zombie hordes, with the Zombie King deliberately raising them. Their food source, however, was the corpses of other zombies. Without these corpses, the rats couldn¡¯t grow to their enormous size.

    Once forced out of the subway tunnels, they would quickly lose their means of survival and perish. Even if a few survived, their numbers would dwindle, making it impossible to reproduce on a large scale. In the short term, they wouldn¡¯t be a threat to Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter anymore.

    Meanwhile, deeper inside the subway, some zombies began to stir, seemingly guided by an unseen force. However, even with their superior physical abilities, they couldn¡¯t maintain their footing in the rushing waters. They toppled like broken logs and were swept away.

    The floodwaters rose steadily, submerging the entire tunnel. Zhang Yi then opened several large white barrels filled with a transparent liquid¡ªfreezing agents crafted by Lu Keran.

    When the agents were poured into the purified seawater, the liquid began freezing at a visible rate. Ice spread rapidly through the depths of the water, quickly encasing the struggling zombies and rats.

    Half a day passed in the blink of an eye. The entire Ci Qu Line was now frozen solid. Zhang Yi dusted off his hands.

    "That settles our problem."

    Whether some zombies or rats had escaped or even if the Zombie King was still alive, it didn¡¯t matter. Even the survival of the armored zombies wasn¡¯t a concern. ????????§§?

    The zombies and rats only posed a threat because of their overwhelming numbers. Individually, even the armored zombies weren¡¯t enough to intimidate Zhang Yi.

    By eliminating most of the zombies and rats, even if the survivors were elite, Zhang Yi and his team could easily handle them.

    "We should be able to enjoy some peace for a while. Let other factions worry about the zombie hordes and rat swarms!" Zhang Yi said with a smile.

    Uncle You, Liang Yue, and Fatty Xu exchanged glances, a light smile spreading across their faces.

    Once again, Zhang Yi had resolved a massive problem with startling simplicity, leaving them amazed.

    "Spatial energy really is terrifyingly powerful!" Fatty Xu commented. "The internet wasn¡¯t lying. Among superhuman abilities, time reigns supreme, space dominates, destiny never emerges, and causality rules as king!"

    "Our boss wields spatial energy. There¡¯s no one in Tianhai City who can rival him!"

    Hearing this, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but ask, "Where did you even learn all this stuff?"

    Fatty Xu chuckled and scratched his head. "Internet wisdom, of course!"

    Zhang Yi lowered his eyes. This wasn¡¯t the first time he¡¯d heard such remarks from Fatty Xu.

    In truth, Zhang Yi himself had similar thoughts. While his spatial abilities often played a supporting role in battle, their versatility and power were extraordinary. As he developed more skills, this ability became even more monstrous. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Shaking his head, Zhang Yi reminded himself that he wasn¡¯t someone who sought to outshine others. He only cared about protecting himself and, if possible, looking after those close to him.

    Liang Yue asked, "So, what¡¯s next?"

    "What¡¯s next?" Zhang Yi sneered.

    "Isn¡¯t it obvious? Beat them while they¡¯re down!"

    Cautious by nature, Zhang Yi never left his enemies a chance. Though the subway tunnels were frozen, some survivors had undoubtedly escaped¡ªstronger individuals with incredible vitality.

    "Whether they¡¯re zombies or rats, they pose a serious threat to us!" Zhang Yi declared.

    "Since we¡¯re already here, we might as well kill as many as we can!"

    He pulled out a shotgun, loading it with a crisp "click." Raising the weapon, he gestured to the group.

    "Let¡¯s go! We¡¯ll wipe out whatever we can find. One last cleanup, and then we¡¯re done!"

    No one objected. Most of the work had been done by Zhang Yi, leaving the others with plenty of energy. Watching him mow down zombies and rats had left them eager to join the action.

    The group boarded their snow vehicle and retraced their path along the Ci Qu Line. Around the subway entrances, they found plenty of half-dead rats and motionless zombies.

    Unsurprisingly, they obliterated them all.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 447: Shaking Jiangnan

    Chapter 447: Shaking JiangnanOutside the subway lines, seven or eight massive armored zombies emerged from the tunnels, tightly surrounding a short humanoid figure covered in white fur.

    No one could have imagined that this unremarkable creature, with seemingly no combat abilities, was the Zombie King commanding the entire subway horde.

    The white Zombie King stared at the now-flooded subway tunnels, a flicker of confusion in its gaze. It had been tasked with building a massive zombie horde here, which would eventually march southwest to annihilate the humans in the nearby shelter.

    But now, the subway had been completely destroyed. The zombie army it painstakingly cultivated was nearly wiped out, and the remaining few were insufficient to form a horde capable of attacking the shelter. The Zombie King seemed lost, uncertain of its next move.

    The eight armored zombies surrounding it stood silently, heads bowed, awaiting its orders. Without its command, they wouldn¡¯t act unless triggered by the presence of living humans.

    After what seemed like an eternity, the Zombie King¡¯s mind appeared to reboot. It made a decision, turning northward and taking slow steps in that direction. The eight armored zombies followed closely behind, braving the ice and snow as they moved north.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s method of flooding the tunnels had successfully eradicated all zombies within the Ci Qu Line. From that day on, no zombies appeared near the shelter, a testament to the effectiveness of Zhang Yi¡¯s strategy. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Deprived of their habitat, neither the Zombie King nor the other zombies could remain in the subway tunnels. Elsewhere, no underground space large enough to support the zombies and rats existed.

    Moreover, the mutated virus within the zombies couldn¡¯t survive in temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees. Just as humans can function briefly in extreme conditions but cannot survive indefinitely, the zombies were similarly constrained.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s next steps were straightforward:

    Enjoy the peace and quiet for now. Monitor how other factions were faring against the zombies to stay vigilant.

    Yang Xinxin maintained real-time surveillance of networks across various regions. Through their communications, Zhang Yi could track the progress of battles against the zombies.

    Among the major factions, the Followers of the Snow God suffered the heaviest losses, with over 3,000 deaths so far. Most were bitten to death during combat, while others showed signs of mutation after being bitten. Before fully transforming, they were executed by their own people, a process they referred to as "returning to the Snow God¡¯s divine kingdom."

    At Yangsheng Base and Chaoyu Base, the situation wasn¡¯t much better. Both had suffered significant losses, with 500¨C600 soldiers killed in action. Chaoyu Base even abandoned its harbor and fled to the sea to escape the zombie disaster.

    Although Wei Dinghai was pained by the loss, he saw an opportunity. He hoped the zombie tide would wipe out everyone in Tianhai City. Once the city was devoid of life, his faction could return to claim dominance. Zombies couldn¡¯t survive forever; they relied on humans for sustenance. When all humans in Tianhai City were gone, the zombies would also disappear.

    At Yangsheng Base, Xiao Honglian adopted a ruthless approach. She ordered trenches dug around the base and filled them with crude oil. Whenever zombies or rats approached, the oil was ignited, creating a five-meter-high wall of fire around the refinery. The inferno incinerated countless zombies and rats. ???????????¦¥S

    Fire proved highly effective against the zombie and rat hordes, but fuel was a scarce resource. Xiao Honglian¡¯s method was extravagant, though her faction¡¯s substantial oil reserves could sustain it.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi¡¯s old friend, Xing Tian, faced equally dire circumstances. Under Xing Tian¡¯s guidance, the lumberjacks from the steel mill transformed into formidable warriors capable of fighting ten zombies at once. Armed with axes, sledgehammers, and iron rods, they launched fierce battles against the zombies.

    However, the disparity in numbers was glaring. While they could endure one or two battles, fighting swarms of zombies daily drained their strength. Eventually, Xing Tian led his remaining men into the depths of their underground shelter, temporarily abandoning the steel mill to the zombies.

    The zombies posed no threat to the steel mill¡¯s equipment, as they had no use for it and only cared about human flesh. Xing Tian¡¯s plan was to wait for the zombies to vanish before reclaiming the facility.

    The underground shelter was highly secure. Zhang Yi had tested its defenses before; only a high-yield bunker-buster missile could pose a threat. Even a horde of tens of thousands of zombies would take an enormous amount of time to breach the shelter.

    In the short term, Qingpu Base¡¯s strategy of retreating seemed sound. However, the outcome of the zombie crisis remained uncertain in the long run.

    Zhang Yi appreciated Xing Tian¡¯s approach. Though not particularly intelligent, Xing Tian knew his limits and withdrew at the right moment, preserving Qingpu Base¡¯s strength.

    A week passed.

    Zhang Yi and his team enjoyed a tranquil routine, drinking tea and reading books at home as if the zombie and rat hordes had never been an issue.

    In contrast, the other factions were on the brink of collapse, tormented by relentless zombie and rat attacks.

    The Zombie King, which Zhang Yi had driven off, led its eight armored zombies northward, where they established a new nest. Tianhai City¡¯s sprawling, interconnected subway network provided ample hiding spots.

    However, the zombies still needed food. With Tianhai City¡¯s human population dwindling to less than one million, the remaining survivors became prime targets. The zombies could detect living humans from vast distances and slowly advanced toward them.

    As the number of zombies in Tianhai City surged, the availability of food dwindled. Smaller factions were nearly wiped out, and the zombies began to spread to nearby cities, driven by their instinct to find food.

    The apocalyptic zombie tide, which began in Tianhai City, was now expanding on a much larger scale. This alarming development finally drew the attention of neighboring cities and even alerted Jiangnan District, the region¡¯s most powerful faction.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 448: The Seven-Person Squad

    Chapter 448: The Seven-Person SquadIn the northern district of Tianhai City, near the boundary with Xingyun City, the snowy ground was littered with the corpses of hundreds of zombies. Referring to them as "corpses" might be inaccurate¡ªthey were dead to begin with, driven only by their instinct to gather where food could be found.

    Amidst the zombie horde, several figures moved, collecting blood, flesh, and other biological samples from the bodies.

    On a nearby hill, a man dressed in black stood silently, his gaze fixed on the distant subway station exit. His attire was peculiar: in such conditions, he wore pure black clothing, complete with oversized black sunglasses. His cold, pale face looked almost sickly, as though meticulously sculpted with a knife.

    Despite his gaunt frame and unhealthy appearance, the middle-aged man exuded an aura that warned others to keep their distance.

    The six people with him, also dressed in black, shared his enigmatic presence. In a snowy landscape, white would be the ideal camouflage, so anyone wearing black could only be one of two types:

    Those supremely confident in their abilities.

    Those secure in their identity, knowing no one would dare attack them.

    Or perhaps they embodied both.

    These individuals were not native to Tianhai City; they hailed from Jiangnan District¡¯s Blizzard City, a fortress that had stood strong since the apocalypse began and housed hundreds of thousands of survivors.

    The seven-person squad was dispatched by Blizzard City¡¯s supreme commander, Zhu Zheng, to handle the zombie crisis in Tianhai City.

    The zombies had rampaged across Tianhai City for some time, growing in numbers and spreading to nearby cities. This caused widespread panic and drew the attention of Jiangnan District.

    These weren¡¯t the sluggish, easy-to-kill zombies of the past. They were swift, immensely strong, and exceptionally hard to kill. Such creatures posed a threat not just to civilians but also to fully armed elite soldiers.

    Given this, Jiangnan District had no choice but to take the matter seriously. With Tianhai City¡¯s population of 20 million, the potential for disaster was unimaginable if most of them turned into zombies and began spreading nationwide.

    The squad, led by the sunglasses-wearing Bian Junwu, was dispatched to investigate and address the crisis.

    After finishing their collection of biological samples, the team regrouped with Bian Junwu.

    "Captain, we¡¯ve gathered all the data we need from these zombies," said Meng Siyu, a long-haired, spirited expert in medicine and biology.

    Bian Junwu shifted his gaze from the distance, his sunglasses obscuring his expression.

    "No thermal signatures detected," he remarked coldly. "Just a small group of zombies here, with no signs of superhuman control."

    He paused, then added, "We¡¯ll analyze the samples to determine if this is the work of someone controlling them or just the virus itself. Headquarters is very concerned about this."

    Suddenly, Bian Junwu doubled over in a violent coughing fit, sounding as though he might cough up his lungs.

    "Captain, are you okay?" asked the vice-captain, Baili Changqing, a stocky, broad-shouldered man with a gentle smile that belied his imposing appearance. ????£Á?§à????§¦?

    Bian Junwu waved dismissively. "I¡¯m fine. Just an old condition."

    The rest of the team exchanged worried glances. Their captain¡¯s health was notoriously poor, but underestimating him would be a grave mistake. Even within Jiangnan District, Bian Junwu was a renowned powerhouse.

    "Judging by their behavior, it seems like the virus is driving their actions," Meng Siyu noted hesitantly. "But something feels... off."

    Bian Junwu¡¯s sharp, pale features remained emotionless. "Researching this on our own will take too long. We¡¯ll need the local factions to assist in our investigation."

    Baili Changqing scratched his head. "Since the apocalypse, there¡¯s been little contact between Jinling and Tianhai City. From what I¡¯ve heard, the shelters here are a mess, with leadership changing hands repeatedly."

    Bian Junwu¡¯s tone turned icy. "It doesn¡¯t matter who¡¯s in charge. Faced with this crisis, they must cooperate with us fully."

    He continued, his voice resolute:

    "This land belongs to Jiangnan District. All within it are subject to our authority. In the past, we let them govern themselves, but now that such a major issue has arisen, they must take responsibility for this zombie crisis."

    At that moment, a sharp-looking young man approached, tucking a laptop into his backpack.

    "As you instructed, I¡¯ve contacted the leaders of Tianhai City¡¯s factions under Jiangnan District¡¯s name, requesting a meeting this afternoon," the young man reported. "That includes Zhang Yi, whom you specifically mentioned."

    The man hesitated before asking, "According to our intel, Zhang Yi only commands a team of fewer than ten people. Shouldn¡¯t we focus on larger factions for assistance? They¡¯re too small to make a difference."

    Bian Junwu replied calmly, "The data suggests that Zhang Yi¡¯s territory has the fewest zombie issues. Despite their small numbers, every member of his team is an elite. To resolve the crisis in Tianhai City, we¡¯ll need every bit of strength we can muster."

    The young man shrugged. "You¡¯re the boss. Whatever you say."

    Bian Junwu was accustomed to his casual demeanor. Those with ability often came with quirks, and every member of this special squad was among Blizzard City¡¯s top superhumans.

    "Let¡¯s head to the central building," Bian Junwu said.

    The "central building" was the former administrative hub of Tianhai City, located in the city¡¯s heart. It symbolized the city¡¯s past authority and served as a neutral meeting point for the factions.

    Vice-captain Baili Changqing chuckled. "We¡¯re here representing Jiangnan District, but do you think the local factions will accept us?" sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Qi Guangming, the squad¡¯s sniper, smirked. "If they don¡¯t, we¡¯ll just beat them into submission. None of them could stand up to Jiangnan District anyway."

    The team¡¯s banter reflected their confidence; to them, even large factions like West Hill Base or the Followers of the Snow God were insignificant compared to the might of Jiangnan District.

    The seven boarded a large snow vehicle. Wu Di, the flamboyant long-haired driver, set the vehicle¡¯s navigation system. Unlike most in Tianhai City, they had no trouble using satellite-based navigation, a testament to their advanced resources.

    The vehicle roared to life and headed toward the central building.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 449: An Email

    Chapter 449: An EmailOn this day, Zhang Yi and his group continued their plain and monotonous lives as usual.

    After dealing with the zombies and giant rats in the subway, there was no longer anything that could pose a threat to them.

    Yet, that very morning, a piece of news quietly disrupted their peace.

    Zhang Yi sat leisurely in the living room, enjoying his breakfast. He wore blue cotton pajamas and sat barefoot on the sofa.

    The villa maintained a constant temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, ensuring no one felt overly hot or cold.

    For breakfast, Zhang Yi was eating steamed buns made by Yang Siyah and drinking freshly ground soy milk. The buns were stuffed with beef and vermicelli or tofu and green onion¡ªhis favorites. They were savory and appetizing.

    The women in the household sat at the dining table, chatting and laughing over their meal. Meanwhile, Zhang Yi, Uncle You, and Fatty Xu gathered together with nothing better to do. They alternated between bragging and discussing the miserable state of other bases.

    In all of Tianhai City, they were among the very few enjoying such tranquility.

    The other factions were likely being driven to dire straits by hordes of zombies and swarms of rats.

    What those forces didn''t realize was that their networks were already being tightly monitored by Yang Xinxin.

    Every day, Zhang Yi received detailed reports about them¡ªhow many people died in battle, how much resources were lost¡ªhe knew it all like the back of his hand.

    To Zhang Yi, these updates served as a bit of spice to his otherwise dull life. People needed some gossip to live freely and happily.

    At the same time, he collected intelligence on the zombie hordes to prepare for any that might approach their shelter in the future. Intelligence was one of the most crucial strategic resources in the apocalypse.

    Suddenly, Yang Xinxin entered the living room, driving her wheelchair from the control room. Her expression was unusually serious.

    Approaching Zhang Yi, she said, ¡°Brother Zhang Yi, there¡¯s a very important email you need to see.¡±

    Seeing her solemn face, Zhang Yi knew something significant had happened. For someone as brilliant as her to show such seriousness, it clearly wasn¡¯t an ordinary situation.

    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s the matter? Let me see.¡±

    Yang Xinxin moved closer and handed her laptop to Zhang Yi.

    Looking at the screen, Zhang Yi saw an email that read:

    To all recipients,

    Personnel from the Jiangnan District have arrived in Tianhai City.

    You are required to be at the Central Building of Tianhai City at 2:30 PM today.

    Invited individuals include:

    Xing Weinan from Qingfu Shelter,

    Xiao Honglian from Yangsheng Shelter,

    Wei Dinghai from Chaoyu Shelter,

    Yuan Kongye, leader of the Followers of the Snow God,

    And Zhang Yi, with no particular title.

    Signed:

    Jiangnan Military District

    Upon reading this, Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes widened in shock.

    ¡°Jiangnan Military District! Is this the same as the headquarters based in Jinling, one of the Five Major Military Districts of Huaguo?¡±

    For every citizen of Huaguo, this was common knowledge.

    The Five Major Military Districts represented the pinnacle of Huaguo¡¯s military power.

    During peacetime, they were the nation¡¯s backbone.

    In the apocalypse, they remained the cornerstone of stability in Huaguo.

    There was no doubting the power of the Jiangnan District. The last time Zhang Yi managed to defeat West Hill Base, one critical factor was that the Jiangnan District had launched a missile. ???????B?????

    If they so wished, the Jiangnan District could erase all of Tianhai City from the map in an instant.

    How could Zhang Yi not hold such power in reverence?

    Yang Xinxin nodded. ¡°Yes, I believe it must be them.¡±

    Zhang Yi frowned slightly. ¡°How can we be sure this email is genuine and not some plot or prank?¡± Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Yang Xinxin shook her head.

    ¡°Brother Zhang Yi, I can assure you that this is indeed a message from the Jiangnan District.

    "Our network system has robust firewalls. Anyone wishing to contact us must submit a request. Without my approval, their message cannot reach us.

    ¡°But this email bypassed my primary defenses and directly arrived in our inbox.

    ¡°Only two kinds of people could achieve this: a hacker more skilled than me, or an official entity with higher-level internet permissions.

    ¡°And in Huaguo, no one could breach our network without my notice in such a short time.

    ¡°This leaves only one possibility: the sender must be from the Jiangnan District.

    ¡°Their sudden arrival in Tianhai City is likely related to the zombie problem.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes sharpened. ¡°If they can do this, doesn¡¯t it mean our network is unsafe?¡±

    Yang Xinxin smiled nonchalantly. ¡°The shelter¡¯s true core lies in our intranet, which uses an isolated server with no external connections. That can¡¯t be breached.¡±

    Hearing this, Zhang Yi breathed a sigh of relief.

    Still, the situation had grown more complex. With such a dominant external force joining the scene¡ªone that could crush the five major factions of Tianhai City¡ªit introduced an unpredictable variable.

    ¡°I think their visit is indeed tied to the zombie hordes.

    ¡°The scale of the hordes is enormous, and their origin is far too mysterious.

    ¡°If left unchecked, the 20 million corpses in Tianhai City could form an unstoppable zombie tide.

    "Not to mention, the rats in the mix make it even worse.

    ¡°If the hordes and rat swarms spread to other cities, it could lead to an uncontrollable disaster.¡±

    Zhang Yi shrugged with a wry smile. ¡°Isn¡¯t this exactly how a zombie apocalypse starts in those movies?¡±

    Yang Xinxin nodded. ¡°From the email, it¡¯s clear they have a complete understanding of Tianhai City.

    ¡°They precisely identified the leaders of each faction when sending out their invitations.

    ¡°I think we should go. It¡¯s not wise to offend a major military district at a time like this.¡±

    Zhang Yi leaned back on the sofa, clasping his hands behind his head as he thought it over.

    ¡°Considering the computer skills of the other factions in Tianhai City, it¡¯s unlikely they could have set this trap.

    ¡°Still, to be safe, I¡¯ll bring as much firepower as possible. Better to be overprepared.¡±

    In terms of security, Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t overly concerned.

    Apart from their group, the other factions in Tianhai City had been significantly weakened.

    As long as Zhang Yi brought his elite team, there would be little to fear.

    If the enemy was too strong, retreating would still be an option.

    Zhang Yi gathered everyone in the living room and explained the situation.

    Hearing that personnel from the Jiangnan District had arrived, everyone had mixed reactions. Some were pleased, while others were apprehensive.

    Fatty Xu, in particular, was worried. With a troubled expression, he said,

    ¡°Our lives are relatively stable now. If other forces enter Tianhai City, I¡¯m afraid it might disrupt our current environment.¡±

    Zhang Yi dismissed his concerns with a shake of his head.

    ¡°Tianhai City may be a port city with decent resources, but compared to the Jiangnan District, what I have is insignificant.

    ¡°Even if I emptied out the Walmart warehouse, those supplies mean nothing to the Jiangnan District.¡±

    Indeed, even with the substantial goods he had amassed, they were trivial to the Jiangnan District.

    As one of Huaguo¡¯s most prosperous areas, the Jiangnan District had access to abundant resources.

    For ordinary people, extreme cold might cause logistical issues or material shortages.

    But for a power as vast as the Jiangnan District, such problems could be resolved with ease.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 450: The Gathering

    Chapter 450: The GatheringAfter Zhang Yi¡¯s explanation, Fatty Xu finally felt a bit more at ease.

    ¡°Well, that would be ideal. I¡¯m just worried that any change might disrupt our current peaceful life.¡±

    Those who live comfortably tend to resist change, and Zhang Yi understood this sentiment.

    Still, he didn¡¯t see the arrival of the Jiangnan District personnel as a bad thing.

    The massive zombie and rat infestation in Tianhai City was something Zhang Yi could not resolve on his own.

    Yet he also knew that the other factions were too weak to tackle the problem independently.

    Over time, the situation would inevitably worsen.

    If the Jiangnan District could step in and help, the survival conditions in Tianhai City would greatly improve.

    At the very least, Zhang Yi wouldn¡¯t have to worry about the zombies wiping out other factions and turning their attention to his shelter.

    From this perspective, Zhang Yi was optimistic about their arrival.

    Aside from Fatty Xu, who was a pessimist, most people in the group shared this positive outlook.

    Uncle You, who had a military background, crossed his arms and declared confidently:

    ¡°I think we should trust them!

    ¡°As the regional leader, the Jiangnan District would never want a massive city like Tianhai to fall into chaos with such a large zombie outbreak.¡±

    Liang Yue nodded in agreement. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°That¡¯s what I think too.¡±

    Under the threat of a zombie siege, everyone hoped for a higher-level force to help solve the pressing crisis.

    Although their shelter wasn¡¯t currently affected, no one could guarantee how things would evolve in the future.

    If the zombie problem could be resolved completely, it would be the best outcome.

    Zhang Yi nodded and said, ¡°Alright then, since the message has reached us, we must go check it out no matter what.¡±

    Turning to Yang Xinxin, he added:

    ¡°Xinxin, keep a close watch on the network.

    ¡°Even though we¡¯re almost certain this email came from the Jiangnan District, we must still be cautious in case someone used an unknown method to set a trap.¡± ?????¦­??¦¥?

    The likelihood of this was low but not impossible, and Zhang Yi¡¯s cautious nature led him to remind Yang Xinxin.

    Yang Xinxin pouted slightly.

    As a world-class hacker, she felt there was no one who could deceive her!

    But she still responded obediently, ¡°Alright, Brother Zhang Yi. I¡¯ll make sure the shelter¡¯s network security is impeccable!¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled indulgently at her playful attitude and reached out to ruffle her hair.

    ¡°Good. Everyone, eat well at lunch, and we¡¯ll head to the Central Building in the afternoon.

    ¡°Remember, stay vigilant and be ready for anything. In this environment, you never know what unexpected events might occur.¡±

    Everyone nodded in agreement.

    Over time, they had come to respect Zhang Yi¡¯s leadership.

    He might not have the highest IQ among them, but his calm and steady approach made him the most rational and reliable.

    Following his plans usually ensured minimal mistakes.

    This cautious and methodical personality was an essential survival trait in the apocalypse.

    Naturally, Zhang Yi¡¯s group wasn¡¯t the only one to receive the email.

    At the same time, every major faction in Tianhai City received the Jiangnan District investigation team¡¯s message.

    To them, the email was like a lifeline.

    These factions had already been battered by zombies and rat swarms.

    The Qingfu Base was forced to retreat underground, avoiding direct conflict with the hordes.

    Yangsheng Base had suffered heavy casualties, burning through vast amounts of crude oil just to maintain their current situation.

    Chaoyu Base had even fled to the sea, abandoning their port.

    This decision was painful for Wei Dinghai, as the port stored a significant amount of valuable supplies.

    Meanwhile, the Followers of the Snow God had endured such devastation that their plight was beyond words.

    Their camp, except for St. John¡¯s Cathedral, had turned into a living hell.

    Zombies and rats slaughtered the living, while the survivors killed rats in desperation to use as a source of protein.

    After a week of constant fighting, the Followers of the Snow God had been reduced to half their former numbers.

    Thus, when they received the Jiangnan District¡¯s email, the leaders of these factions were overjoyed.

    Some suspected it might be a trap.

    But in their current desperate state, they had no choice but to step into the trap if it meant even a sliver of hope.

    So, all factions prepared their teams and made their way to the Central Building to meet the legendary envoys from the Jiangnan District.

    Tianhai City, Tianfeng District, Central Building.

    The Jiangnan District investigation team¡¯s vehicles arrived at the site.

    The once-majestic Central Building was now mostly buried in snow and ice.

    The exposed portion was covered with thick layers of snow.

    Without precise coordinates, locating the building would have been nearly impossible.

    Bian Junwu and his team stepped out of their customized snow vehicle, which was specially designed for their mission.

    Looking at the heavily snowed-in Central Building, Deputy Captain Baili Changqing scratched his neck.

    ¡°Wow, I didn¡¯t expect this place to end up like this!

    ¡°It¡¯s such a mess. Won¡¯t it be troublesome with so many people coming here?¡±

    Wu Di, standing nearby, replied with a relaxed smile.

    ¡°No worries, I¡¯ll handle it.¡±

    He extended his right hand toward the Central Building. A white orb of light formed in his palm and then shot forward with a loud !

    Wherever the light passed, snowdrifts were blasted away.

    In moments, a circular passage leading to the building had been cleared.

    Wu Di turned back, smiled, and gestured to Bian Junwu.

    ¡°Captain, after you!¡±

    Without a word, Bian Junwu stuffed his hands into the pockets of his black coat and led the way into the Central Building.

    Baili Changqing followed closely behind, with the others trailing in order.

    From their walking formation, one could infer their hierarchy:

    Captain Bian Junwu led the group.

    Deputy Captain Baili Changqing came next.

    Wu Di ranked third.

    Following them were virus experts Meng Siyu and Qi Guangming.

    Lastly, top-tier special forces operatives and sharpshooter Qi Guangming, alongside combat expert Kong Sheng, brought up the rear.

    Any member of this investigation team was among the best of the best.

    The captains and Wu Di, in particular, were on par with or superior to the leaders of major factions.

    After entering the Central Building, they cleared the interior snow and found a relatively intact conference hall.

    Bian Junwu sat on a soft black sofa, calmly waiting for the representatives of the factions to arrive.

    Meanwhile, the rest of the team, though seemingly relaxed, instinctively spread out to survey their surroundings.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 451: Outsiders and Locals

    Chapter 451: Outsiders and LocalsThree major bases, one religious sect, and one rogue faction¡ªthis is the current power structure in Tianhai City.

    After receiving the email from the Jiangnan District Investigation Team, each faction dispatched representatives for a meeting.

    Zhang Yi brought along his regular combat squad, composed of their main force from the West Base and Hua Hua. The shelter¡¯s surroundings were currently devoid of major threats, and even in the case of an emergency, the shelter¡¯s defenses were strong enough to hold until reinforcements arrived. Therefore, leaving no combat personnel for defense wasn¡¯t a concern.

    The other factions, however, didn¡¯t have the same luxury. They constantly had to guard against attacks from zombie hordes and giant rats, leaving large numbers of troops stationed at their bases. Each faction leader led a select few troops to the Central Building to meet the investigation team.

    The first to arrive were the people from Yangsheng Base.

    Xiao Honglian arrived with a group of her subordinates in a combat vehicle, accompanied by a captain from the Western Superhuman Forces and ten elite warriors. Meanwhile, the main camp was left under Zhuge Qingtian¡¯s command.

    Upon reaching the Central Building, Xiao Honglian immediately noticed the distinctive snow vehicle.

    ¡°Just one vehicle? It seems like the District sent only a small group.¡± Xiao Honglian¡¯s mood turned somber.

    She knew all too well the gravity of the zombie horde threat. Without deploying a significant military force, it would be nearly impossible to eliminate the threat.

    However, despite her disappointment, Xiao Honglian decided to meet the investigation team, hoping this was merely an advance team with reinforcements to follow.

    She and her team approached the Central Building, stopping to examine a snow channel over a hundred meters long and ten meters deep.

    ¡°This...!¡±

    Crouching down, Xiao Honglian ran her hand over the perfectly smooth surface of the channel. It was clearly not machine-made but rather shaped by a superhuman ability, likely a single, precise strike.

    As one of Tianhai City¡¯s top superhumans, Xiao Honglian immediately grasped the skill it took to create this. She quickly dismissed her earlier underestimation.

    ¡°There¡¯s a master among them,¡± she muttered, her tone serious.

    Xiao Honglian continued toward the building, but as they neared the entrance, a man in a black uniform stepped out. His face bore a smug, mocking expression as he looked at them.

    ¡°Which faction are you from?¡±

    The man, Wu Di, had an arrogant demeanor that instantly irritated the Yangsheng Base team, making them want to punch him.

    Xiao Honglian frowned. ¡°We¡¯re from Yangsheng Base. I am Xiao Honglian, the base leader.¡± S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Wu Di¡¯s gaze lingered on her before he said, ¡°Xiao Honglian, former captain of Tianhai City¡¯s Criminal Investigation Unit. Welcome.¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s brows furrowed slightly¡ªhis words carried an implicit warning: "I know everything about you."

    So, this is a power play? she thought to herself.

    Wu Di stepped aside and gestured. ¡°Please enter, but only you. Your men will have to wait outside.¡±

    Xiao Honglian didn¡¯t object and turned to her subordinates. ¡°Wait for me here.¡±

    One of her captains whispered, ¡°Leader, could this be a trap?¡±

    Xiao Honglian smirked. ¡°Even if it is, no one here can stop me if I want to leave.¡±

    Her confidence drew admiration from her subordinates.

    Indeed, Xiao Honglian¡¯s power was unparalleled. Countless challengers had fallen in less than 30 seconds against her.

    ¡°Yes, ma¡¯am. We¡¯ll wait here for your orders!¡±

    As Xiao Honglian entered the building, Wu Di¡¯s lips curled into a faint sneer.

    Soon after, the second group arrived¡ªrepresentatives from Chaoyu Base.

    Wei Dinghai, cautious as ever, even brought his strongest subordinate, Chen Jingguan. Recent setbacks, including battles and zombie horde attacks, had left Wei on edge. ?£Á??????¦¥?

    Like before, Wu Di stood at the entrance, barring everyone except Wei Dinghai from entering.

    Chen Jingguan was immediately annoyed. ¡°What¡¯s with all the secrecy? Afraid we¡¯ll overpower you?¡±

    Wu Di¡¯s smug expression only deepened. ¡°We only discuss matters with faction leaders. Unless you¡¯re the leader of Chaoyu Base?¡±

    Chen Jingguan¡¯s face darkened, but Wei Dinghai stepped in with a hearty laugh, diffusing the tension.

    ¡°Haha, let¡¯s not fall for such petty provocations,¡± Wei said. ¡°We¡¯re here sincerely. If they only want to talk to me, that¡¯s fine.¡±

    With his Ice and Snow Lord abilities, Wei Dinghai was confident in his safety, especially in this icy terrain where his powers excelled.

    More importantly, he couldn¡¯t let Xiao Honglian outshine him.

    Wei patted Chen Jingguan¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Stay here and wait for me. Don¡¯t engage with anyone,¡± he warned with a stern look.

    Chen Jingguan froze for a moment before nodding. ¡°Understood.¡±

    Wei Dinghai calmly entered the building but remained vigilant, secretly observing everything around him.

    Meanwhile, Wu Di, clearly bored, turned his attention back to Chen Jingguan.

    ¡°Too bad your boss is here. Otherwise, I would¡¯ve liked to spar with you. Care to try now?¡± he taunted with a sneer.

    Chen Jingguan¡¯s expression darkened, but recalling Wei Dinghai¡¯s warning, he restrained himself and stood aside, pretending not to hear.

    This restraint earned ridicule from the nearby Yangsheng Base soldiers.

    Not long after, Zhang Yi¡¯s group arrived.

    From a distance, they saw the vehicles and soldiers, immediately recognizing the presence of Yangsheng and Chaoyu Base representatives.

    ¡°Enemies meet again. Let¡¯s hope they behave,¡± Zhang Yi muttered, unlocking his Desert Eagle.

    After the previous Five-Armies Battle, the other bases had suffered heavy losses, likely harboring deep resentment toward Zhang Yi.

    Given the delicate dynamics among the five factions, Zhang Yi prepared himself for potential conflict.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 452: A First Encounter

    Chapter 452: A First EncounterAs soon as Zhang Yi and his team stepped out of their vehicle, the tension on the scene became palpable.

    The soldiers from Chaoyu Base and Yangsheng Base glared at them, their eyes burning with resentment but also tinged with fear. After the Five-Armies Battle, it had become widely acknowledged that Zhang Yi¡¯s team was formidable¡ªprovoking them was not something to be done lightly.

    Zhang Yi kept his hand in his pocket, gripping his Desert Eagle, remaining on high alert. His arrival even caught Wu Di¡¯s attention, who couldn¡¯t help but take a closer look.

    Having researched Zhang Yi¡¯s background only recently after being assigned to Tianhai City, Wu Di had learned of his impressive rise: starting as a mere warehouse manager, leading an elite squad to challenge large-scale factions, and eventually becoming a key player among the city¡¯s five major powers. Such a figure was impossible to ignore.

    As Zhang Yi approached the Central Building, he noticed the distinctive ice channel that had been cleared by Wu Di. He immediately understood its purpose¡ªa warning to all attendees of the Jiangnan District envoy¡¯s power.

    Wu Di¡¯s voice rang out, ¡°You must be Zhang Yi. Come in alone. The rest must stay outside.¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled harmlessly. ¡°As you wish.¡±

    Seeing the soldiers from the other two bases already assembled outside, Zhang Yi had anticipated this arrangement. This was, after all, a meeting for faction leaders¡ªnot a gathering of their entourages.

    He instructed Uncle You and the others to wait outside. If they felt cold, they could stay in the vehicle. Zhang Yi himself casually made his way into the Central Building.

    Wu Di¡¯s eyes followed him intently, almost never looking away, which made Zhang Yi feel slightly uncomfortable.

    No man enjoys being stared at by another man, and Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Wu Di¡¯s interests were... unconventional.

    ¡°Is there something on me?¡± Zhang Yi asked with a cheerful smile.

    Wu Di crossed his arms and smirked. ¡°I heard you¡¯re quite strong.¡±

    Zhang Yi resisted the urge to ask, If this was about the kind of ¡°strength¡± between men, Zhang Yi wanted no part of it.

    ¡°Just average,¡± Zhang Yi replied modestly.

    ¡°Let¡¯s spar sometime,¡± Wu Di said, his gaze heating up slightly.

    A shiver ran down Zhang Yi¡¯s spine.

    ¡°No, no, I¡¯m not into that,¡± Zhang Yi quickly declined. ¡°By the way, which room is it?¡±

    Wu Di looked a bit disappointed. ¡°Fifth floor, third room on the left.¡±

    ¡°Thanks!¡± Zhang Yi replied, smiling as he walked away, looking every bit the friendly, harmless neighbor.

    Following Wu Di¡¯s directions, Zhang Yi headed upstairs. Along the way, he noticed other members of the investigation team stationed in strategic positions, keeping a close eye on the surroundings. ????????§¦?

    Their sharp gazes and subtle movements radiated an air of professionalism that set them apart from ordinary people. Years of specialized training were evident in their demeanor, confirming to Zhang Yi that these were elite operatives sent by the Jiangnan District.

    Still, Zhang Yi wondered how much help such a small team could offer.

    Lost in thought, he reached the designated meeting room. The door was open, and he walked in.

    The room was spacious, with a large red table dominating the center. As Zhang Yi entered, all eyes turned toward him.

    Two familiar faces¡ªXiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai¡ªwere already there. Both frowned upon seeing him, their gazes a mixture of wariness and irritation.

    However, Zhang Yi¡¯s attention was drawn to the man sitting at the head of the table¡ªa middle-aged figure wrapped in a black coat and wearing oversized sunglasses.

    Zhang Yi thought, amused. The sunglasses gave the man an air of pretentiousness, but Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t rule out the possibility of some eccentric preference.

    Smiling, Zhang Yi introduced himself. ¡°I¡¯m Zhang Yi. And you are?¡±

    As the saying goes, one doesn¡¯t hit a smiling face. Zhang Yi¡¯s polite and unassuming demeanor left Bian Junwu no choice but to respond in kind.

    Lowering his arms, Bian Junwu replied in a cold tone, ¡°I¡¯m Bian Junwu, head of the Jiangnan District investigation team for the zombie outbreak.¡±

    ¡°Ah, so it¡¯s Mr. Bian. A pleasure to meet you!¡± Zhang Yi said courteously, finding a seat and refraining from further interaction. It was his first meeting with Bian, and he preferred to remain cautious, avoiding even a handshake.

    The spacious room maintained a significant distance between each attendee. Clearly, Zhang Yi, Xiao Honglian, and Wei Dinghai were all on guard.

    Bian Junwu, however, appeared completely at ease. While waiting for the remaining representatives, he nonchalantly pulled a pack of Heilian cigarettes from his pocket and lit one.

    No one spoke. Each had their own agenda, waiting for the others to arrive.

    Finally, Xing Tian from Qingfu Base entered the room. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    With a cheerful demeanor, he greeted Bian Junwu before sitting near Zhang Yi.

    Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai shot him murderous glares. In the Five-Armies Battle, Qingfu Base¡¯s betrayal had directly led to their defeat. Adding insult to injury, Xing Tian had looted a significant amount of their supplies after the battle.

    Despite their hatred, Xing Tian remained indifferent to their hostility and started chatting with Zhang Yi.

    ¡°Old Zhang, how¡¯s it going on your side? Those damn zombies and rats have been giving us hell.¡±

    Zhang Yi frowned, his voice turning somber. ¡°Don¡¯t even bring it up. We¡¯re constantly clearing them out¡ªI¡¯m so fed up I could scream!¡±

    Leaning back in his chair, Zhang Yi sighed heavily. ¡°At this rate, my shelter might not hold out much longer.¡±

    Hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s complaints, the three other faction leaders felt a twinge of satisfaction. Misery loves company, after all.

    Was it a trick of the light, or did Bian Junwu¡¯s gaze briefly flicker toward Zhang Yi after that statement?

    With those sunglasses obscuring his eyes, it was impossible to tell. Perhaps it was just an illusion.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 453: Seizing Command Authority

    Chapter 453: Seizing Command Authority Sear?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.Among the five major factions, the Followers of the Snow God were the last to arrive. However, it wasn¡¯t their leader, Yuan Kongye, who came but rather the High Priest, Zheng Yixian.

    No one found this unusual. After all, Yuan Kongye typically didn¡¯t manage the sect¡¯s affairs, especially as a young woman in her twenties, whose administrative skills were not as seasoned as Zheng Yixian¡¯s. Thus, it was natural for Zheng Yixian to represent the sect at this meeting.

    Zheng Yixian politely greeted Bian Junwu before finding a seat.

    Once all five factions had gathered, Bian Junwu silently rolled up his sleeves and glanced at his watch.

    ¡°Good. No one¡¯s late,¡± he said, his voice as cold as ice, sending a chill through the room.

    He placed both arms heavily on the table, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.

    ¡°The zombie outbreak in Tianhai City is a crisis for which all of you bear undeniable responsibility!¡±

    His words instantly made the room tense, faces growing serious.

    Zhang Yi frowned, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, while Xiao Honglian folded her arms and said mockingly, ¡°Oh? So the envoy from Jiangnan District has come just to push blame onto us?¡±

    Bian Junwu responded with a cold chuckle.

    ¡°Push blame? Do you even understand the purpose of these shelters?¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t dwell on the Followers of the Snow God since they¡¯re a private organization,¡± he continued.

    ¡°But as for the Xi family, you either took over official shelters or inherited a large portion of their resources!¡±

    ¡°The purpose of these shelters is to maintain stability during citywide crises!¡±

    His mocking tone intensified.

    ¡°You¡¯ve seized these prime resources but refuse to shoulder the responsibility of protecting the city. If that¡¯s not incompetence, then what is?¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s face turned red with embarrassment and anger, leaving her momentarily speechless.

    She understood the true purpose of the shelters: to preserve as many lives as possible. However, over time, they had long forgotten this mission, focusing instead on securing more benefits for themselves.

    The veteran Wei Dinghai interjected smoothly, ¡°Mr. Bian, that¡¯s easy for you to say. Do you think we don¡¯t want to maintain stability in Tianhai City?¡±

    ¡°But this zombie wave is enormous, sudden, and already beyond our control! Zombies are wreaking havoc everywhere.¡±

    ¡°With the limited forces we have, it¡¯s impossible to handle this crisis. Unlike Jiangnan District, we don¡¯t have advanced weaponry or the nation¡¯s elite military corps at our disposal.¡±

    Bian Junwu¡¯s smirk grew wider at these words. He even crossed his arms and let out a loud, unrestrained laugh.

    ¡°Hahaha!¡±

    ¡°Then,¡± he said, his tone growing icier, ¡°if you lack the ability to handle this crisis, from now on, you¡¯ll have to obey my orders!¡±

    ¡°I will take command of this zombie crisis, and all factions must follow my instructions unconditionally!¡±

    The leaders¡¯ expressions shifted repeatedly, with a sharp glint flashing through Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes.

    Unconditionally follow someone else¡¯s commands?

    Impossible!

    Even if it was Jiangnan District, he couldn¡¯t accept that. Allowing others to control their actions opened the door to potential sacrifices.

    ¡°That¡¯s something we can¡¯t agree to,¡± Zhang Yi said.

    ¡°Even if Jiangnan District is the superior authority, expecting your small squad to command all of us is an insult. Unless you deploy a full force, it won¡¯t happen.¡± ?????£Î??????????

    The faction leaders echoed his sentiment. They couldn¡¯t stomach handing over power to a small, unfamiliar team. If it were a full deployment, they might have begrudgingly complied.

    Bian Junwu sneered.

    ¡°Oh? So you¡¯re saying I¡¯m not qualified, is that it?¡±

    Xiao Honglian scoffed, and though the others remained silent, their expressions spoke volumes.

    Even if Jiangnan District¡¯s squad was formidable, commanding the five major factions was beyond their reach.

    Bian Junwu replied, ¡°Fine, but with your strength alone, can you resolve this crisis?¡±

    Silence.

    The constant zombie waves and rat swarm attacks had left them overwhelmed. None dared to guarantee success, as the full scale of the crisis remained unknown.

    Bian Junwu mocked, ¡°You can¡¯t protect Tianhai City, and now zombies are spreading to nearby cities, threatening other civilians.¡±

    ¡°Yet, you cling to your paltry power, unwilling to let go.¡±

    ¡°Let me remind you!¡±

    Bian Junwu slammed the table, making everyone jump.

    ¡°Tianhai City isn¡¯t your private property! With the nation still standing, Jiangnan District remains the highest authority here!¡±

    Standing up, Bian Junwu towered over them. Though lean, he radiated an intimidating military aura, the likes of which Zhang Yi had only felt from Ling Feng before.

    ¡°I represent Jiangnan District. My words are the will of Jiangnan District!¡± he declared.

    ¡°If you refuse to follow my orders, you¡¯ll face consequences you can¡¯t bear!¡±

    Zhang Yi frowned but stayed silent.

    With only a handful of people under his command, ceding control posed minimal loss to him. However, surrendering authority entirely would endanger him and his group.

    Xiao Honglian laughed coldly.

    ¡°And if we refuse, will you send troops to eliminate us?¡±

    Though scared, she knew this negotiation was about leverage. She had to push back to secure their interests.

    Power, once surrendered, would be nearly impossible to reclaim.

    Her concern wasn¡¯t unfounded¡ªceding power risked becoming a vassal of Jiangnan District, losing all autonomy.

    Bian Junwu turned his sunglasses toward Xiao Honglian, staring silently for a long moment.

    Xiao Honglian glared back.

    ¡°Trying to scare me?¡±

    Bian Junwu finally broke his silence.

    ¡°Do you think the situation isn¡¯t severe enough?¡±

    ¡°Do you believe this crisis only concerns Tianhai City?¡±

    ¡°Let me make this clear: our orders from the higher-ups are twofold.¡±

    ¡°First, cooperate with local forces to resolve the zombie crisis and prevent its spread to other cities.¡±

    ¡°Second, if containment proves impossible and the zombie threat can¡¯t be resolved¡­¡±

    He paused deliberately, sitting back down.

    ¡°¡­then Tianhai City can be abandoned.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 454: Tianhai City is Full of Trashâ€”Except Me

    Chapter 454: Tianhai City is Full of Trash¡ªExcept MeBian Junwu¡¯s voice was calm yet icy, sending chills through the hearts of the five faction leaders.

    ¡°So, it¡¯s come to this, has it?¡±

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but swallow hard, his expression grave. This outcome wasn¡¯t entirely unexpected.

    If Tianhai City¡¯s zombie crisis became too severe, threatening nearby cities, Jiangnan District¡¯s best course of action would undoubtedly be to cut their losses.

    It was like treating a festering wound¡ªwhen medicine fails, surgery becomes the only option.

    In this scenario, Bian Junwu¡¯s investigation team was the ¡°medicine.¡± But if the medicine failed, the ¡°surgery¡± would be...

    Zhang Yi¡¯s thoughts trembled at the implications.

    It meant Tianhai City would be abandoned entirely!

    That was an outcome he absolutely couldn¡¯t accept.

    As the gravity of Bian Junwu¡¯s words sank in, the others realized the same thing. Silence fell over the room. S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Even Xiao Honglian, known for her fiery temper, couldn¡¯t find a rebuttal.

    After all, Jiangnan District had the power to wipe them out with the press of a button.

    Bian Junwu, satisfied with their reactions, said coldly, ¡°From this moment on, all armed forces within Tianhai City must unconditionally follow our command!¡±

    Xiao Honglian, Wei Dinghai, and Xing Tian exchanged complex looks, fully aware they lacked the leverage to challenge Jiangnan District.

    But then Zhang Yi spoke up, his voice calm yet firm.

    ¡°I¡¯m willing to support your operation,¡± he said, drawing everyone¡¯s attention.

    ¡°However, as you¡¯ve stated, the investigation team came here because local forces couldn¡¯t handle the zombie and rat swarm crises. That¡¯s why you had to intervene and take command.¡±

    ¡°But what if we can handle the problems in our respective territories ourselves?¡±

    A sly smile played on Zhang Yi¡¯s lips.

    His words stunned the entire room, all eyes now fixed on him.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, what¡¯s that supposed to mean? Don¡¯t tell me you think your little shelter can handle such a massive zombie and rat swarm threat!¡± Xiao Honglian sneered, disbelief written all over her face.

    Wei Dinghai leaned back in his chair and added mockingly, ¡°Ah, the arrogance of youth! Zhang Yi, don¡¯t let your ambition drag us all down.¡±

    Even Xing Tian chimed in, ¡°Didn¡¯t you say your situation was dire? Stop bluffing and just listen to them.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s grin widened as he replied lazily, ¡°You think I¡¯m joking?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯m afraid not. In fact, the zombie and mutated rat crises in the area surrounding our shelter have already been resolved.¡±

    His confident statement left everyone dumbfounded.

    This wasn¡¯t child¡¯s play. Zhang Yi¡¯s tone and demeanor made it clear he wasn¡¯t bluffing.

    If he was telling the truth, it meant that while the rest of them were desperately battling zombies and rats, Zhang Yi had been calmly watching from the sidelines. ??£Î?§£¨§?

    The faction leaders¡¯ expressions turned as sour as if they¡¯d just swallowed something vile.

    ¡°I don¡¯t believe you! How could your tiny group manage that?¡± Xiao Honglian slammed her fist on the table, glaring at Zhang Yi.

    She desperately wanted him to admit he was joking or that his shelter had also suffered heavy losses. After all, her own base had been devastated.

    Why should he get off easy?

    Even Bian Junwu looked at Zhang Yi with curiosity.

    Zhang Yi maintained his composed smile and said, ¡°I¡¯m being truthful. If you don¡¯t believe me, you¡¯re welcome to investigate for yourselves.¡±

    Bian Junwu asked, ¡°How did you accomplish it? I¡¯m genuinely curious.¡±

    Everyone was watching Zhang Yi now. Despite their frustration, they were eager to learn how he had dealt with the zombies and rats.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s smile faded as he intertwined his fingers and leaned forward.

    ¡°Here¡¯s how it happened,¡± he began seriously.

    ¡°Zombies are drawn to humans as food, so they naturally gather where people are concentrated. In Tianhai City, where do you think the most people are? Obviously, in the areas you all control.¡±

    ¡°My shelter, on the other hand, is sparsely populated, with fewer than ten people in total. It¡¯s located on the outskirts, far from the city, which naturally attracts fewer zombies.¡±

    He frowned slightly before continuing, ¡°That said, our battles with the zombies were still brutal.¡±

    ¡°After extensive observation, I discovered that the zombie horde was being directed by a Zombie King. The Zombie King is intelligent and capable of creating new zombies.¡±

    ¡°Only by killing the Zombie King can you destroy an entire zombie nest.¡±

    ¡°As for the mutated rats, they share a symbiotic relationship with the zombies. Once the zombies are eliminated, the rats lose their purpose and stop attacking humans.¡±

    ¡°So, we took a gamble and entered the subway tunnels, using every weapon we¡¯d obtained from West Hill Base.¡±

    ¡°After several days of fierce fighting, we finally killed the Zombie King, resolving the zombie crisis in our area.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s explanation was a mix of truth and omission. While most of what he said was accurate, he deliberately left out how he had used his spatial abilities to flood the subway tunnels with seawater from the East Sea, freezing the zombies in place.

    Revealing this secret would only invite pressure from the other factions and Jiangnan District to use his abilities to help them.

    But Zhang Yi didn¡¯t believe that flooding the subway would completely eradicate the zombie threat. Powerful creatures like the Bronze Armored Zombies were unlikely to drown, let alone the more cunning Zombie Kings.

    Rather than risk his shelter¡¯s safety and resources, Zhang Yi chose to let the other factions exhaust themselves fighting the zombies.

    After hearing his account, the others were filled with both envy and frustration.

    It was true that Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter had a geographical advantage, being in a remote, rural area with few subway lines passing through.

    Still, they couldn¡¯t replicate his success.

    Bian Junwu studied Zhang Yi with an intrigued expression.

    He thought to himself,

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 455: Testing Strength

    Chapter 455: Testing StrengthZhang Yi smiled as he said to Bian Junwu, ¡°Currently, West Hill District and Lu River District are under my control and stable.¡±

    ¡°So, according to your proposal, if local forces can maintain their own stability, does that mean they¡¯ll be granted a certain degree of autonomy?¡±

    He added with a diplomatic tone, ¡°Of course, we¡¯re more than happy to cooperate with the Investigation Team. If there¡¯s anything we can help with, feel free to ask. As long as it¡¯s within our capacity, we won¡¯t hold back.¡±

    ¡°However, at this stage, we still hope to focus our energy on our own territories. After all, you all know that our numbers are limited, and we simply can¡¯t spare forces for operations elsewhere.¡±

    His words were measured and respectful. He maintained Bian Junwu¡¯s dignity while making his stance clear:

    If the Jiangnan District Investigation Team needs assistance, we¡¯re willing to help¡ªbut only because we choose to. This is about giving Jiangnan District face, not because we can¡¯t handle our own problems.

    Bian Junwu stared at Zhang Yi for a long moment before replying in a deep voice, ¡°You¡¯ve done well. This proves that your team has remarkable wisdom and strength.¡±

    ¡°In the upcoming operations, we¡¯ll need to rely on your power.¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled faintly, took two seconds to think, and replied, ¡°If needed, feel free to give the orders.¡±

    He was willing to offer Jiangnan District respect. Besides, Zhang Yi didn¡¯t want Tianhai City to be completely destroyed. As long as his own interests weren¡¯t compromised, he could assist Bian Junwu in dealing with the zombie horde and the mutant rat swarm.

    Bian Junwu nodded. ¡°Then I¡¯ll thank you in advance.¡±

    From that moment, everyone understood that Zhang Yi had become a unique presence in Tianhai City.

    Other forces sought the Jiangnan District¡¯s help because they couldn¡¯t resolve their problems. But Zhang Yi, acting as an ally, offered assistance. The difference in status was significant.

    ¡°Now,¡± Bian Junwu said, placing both hands on the table, ¡°from this moment on, I need your unconditional cooperation with our operations!¡±

    ¡°Start by sharing all the information you have!¡±

    ¡°And for now, regardless of any past grudges, put them aside!¡±

    ¡°Even if you want to fight, wait until after we¡¯ve resolved the current crisis!¡±

    Zhang Yi maintained a relaxed smile. With his own strength intact and the problems in his territory already resolved, he feared no one.

    The other factions, however, weren¡¯t so fortunate. Struggling with their own crises, they had no time or energy to challenge others.

    As a result, everyone tacitly agreed to this arrangement. For now, they would cooperate until the zombie threat was eliminated.

    ¡°Next, let¡¯s discuss how to handle the crisis of the zombies and mutant giant rats,¡± Zheng Yixian said, frowning deeply.

    The Followers of the Snow God had suffered the most significant losses in this crisis.

    To date, at least five thousand of their members had died¡ªeither devoured or infected, forcing them to be sent back to the Snow God¡¯s kingdom.

    If this continued, the foundation of their faith would be obliterated.

    At that moment, commotion erupted outside.

    Everyone instinctively turned to look.

    Wei Dinghai frowned deeply as he heard Chen Jingguan¡¯s voice.

    He walked to the window, flicked a finger, and the frost on the glass instantly melted, revealing the scene outside. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Something was clearly wrong¡ªChen Jingguan was in a standoff with members of the Investigation Team, and the atmosphere was tense.

    ¡°What¡¯s that guy up to now?¡± Wei Dinghai muttered, his expression darkening as he glanced at Bian Junwu.

    Noticing Wei Dinghai¡¯s gaze, Bian Junwu asked indifferently, ¡°What¡¯s the problem?¡±

    ¡°Nothing, just some minor disagreement among my men,¡± Wei Dinghai replied.

    Xing Tian chuckled. ¡°Oh, a minor disagreement?¡±

    Bian Junwu dismissed the issue with a wave. ¡°Let them deal with it themselves. We have more important matters to discuss.¡±

    Clearly, he had great confidence in his subordinates.

    Everyone returned to the table to resume their discussion.

    Meanwhile, outside the Central Building, Chen Jingguan stood with a grim expression, glaring at Wu Di and Kong Sheng.

    ¡°So what if they¡¯re from Jiangnan District? What¡¯s so special about them? Back in the day, I served in the Navy myself,¡± Chen Jingguan sneered.

    ¡°If you¡¯ve got the guts, come fight me one-on-one! But don¡¯t go crying to your superiors if you lose!¡±

    Chen Jingguan had been simmering with frustration. Once a prominent figure in Tianhai City¡¯s upper class, he¡¯d risen rapidly in the military and, after awakening his superpowers, became the second-in-command of Chaoyu Base. ?¨¢????§°?§§s

    Yet the Jiangnan District Investigation Team treated him like an insignificant nobody, and he couldn¡¯t stand their disdain.

    Standing on the steps, Wu Di and Kong Sheng looked down at him, smirking as though he weren¡¯t worth their time.

    Wu Di, hands in his pockets, remarked to Kong Sheng, ¡°Look at that¡ªhe¡¯s actually throwing a tantrum!¡±

    Kong Sheng sneered, ¡°Useless people only know how to rage.¡±

    Wu Di laughed. ¡°But he¡¯s issued a challenge. If we don¡¯t accept, won¡¯t it seem like we¡¯re scared?¡±

    Kong Sheng nodded. ¡°I won¡¯t let these small-town nobodies think Jiangnan District is on their level.¡±

    Their mocking banter belittled the local powers of Tianhai City, with Chen Jingguan treated as the lowest of the low.

    ¡°You¡¯re too arrogant! We¡¯re all superhumans¡ªyou¡¯re not necessarily stronger than us!¡± Chen Jingguan retorted, pointing at them.

    Kong Sheng squinted and stepped down the stairs. ¡°Fine. Let me show you the difference between a Jiangnan District superhuman and someone like you!¡±

    As the fight loomed, onlookers from various factions gathered, eager to see just how strong these outsiders were.

    Chen Jingguan smirked inwardly. He had chosen Kong Sheng deliberately, knowing the latter was an Enhancement-Type superhuman.

    Enhancement-Type abilities, though common, were purely physical in nature. Kong Sheng might excel at close combat, but Chen Jingguan¡¯s ability was a Special-Type power: Rubber.

    Unless Kong Sheng¡¯s attacks exceeded his defensive threshold, they would have no effect. And reaching that threshold would require firepower akin to artillery.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 456: A Battle of One Move

    Chapter 456: A Battle of One MoveThe duel between Kong Sheng and Chen Jingguan was inevitable. Both intended to deliver a sharp warning to the other.

    The onlookers had no intention of intervening, either.

    Although Kong Sheng¡¯s tone was full of disdain, his eyes were focused and serious, showing no sign of underestimating his opponent. This battle wasn¡¯t just personal¡ªit was about defending the prestige of the Jiangnan District. Victory was non-negotiable.

    Both men, however, knew the unwritten rule: they couldn¡¯t go so far as to take each other¡¯s life. Doing so would only strain relations between their factions and undermine future cooperation.

    Kong Sheng raised his hands in a professional combat stance. At the same time, his body began to glow with a silvery-gray sheen, and his skin appeared to transform into steel.

    Kong Sheng, an Enhancement-Type superhuman, wielded the ability Steel Tempering, allowing him to harden his body like steel. Both his defensive and offensive capabilities were exceptional.

    When Chen Jingguan saw Kong Sheng¡¯s ability confirmed his suspicion, a smirk spread across his face.

    From a distance, Uncle You observed and muttered, ¡°That kid from Jiangnan District is in trouble. Chen¡¯s ability is strange¡ªit completely counters close combat.¡±

    He spoke from experience, having once suffered a defeat at Chen Jingguan¡¯s hands. Without outside help, he might¡¯ve been strangled to death by Chen.

    Liang Yue glanced at Kong Sheng¡¯s stance and remarked, ¡°The other guy¡¯s no amateur, either. You can tell by his breathing and movements.¡±

    The outcome was uncertain. Battles between superhumans depended not only on their raw strength but also on their adaptability during the fight.

    Chen Jingguan gestured for Kong Sheng to attack first, a taunt laced with confidence.

    Kong Sheng scoffed. Though he knew the risk of exposing vulnerabilities by attacking first, he wasn¡¯t the least bit intimidated.

    In the next instant, he charged at Chen Jingguan like a whirlwind.

    In a blur, Kong Sheng vanished from his original position and reappeared behind Chen Jingguan. His speed was so astounding that many onlookers didn¡¯t even see how he moved.

    With a thunderous kick, he aimed directly at Chen Jingguan¡¯s back.

    Despite the speed and force, Kong Sheng showed restraint, avoiding Chen¡¯s head¡ªif the blow had landed there, it could¡¯ve been fatal.

    But when Kong Sheng¡¯s leg struck Chen¡¯s back, he felt no resistance. Instead, Chen¡¯s body bent unnaturally, as if boneless.

    ¡°What?¡±

    Kong Sheng frowned, surprised.

    In the next moment, Chen Jingguan¡¯s body twisted like a snake, wrapping around Kong Sheng¡¯s leg.

    Before Kong Sheng could pull away, Chen¡¯s rubbery form coiled up his thigh and around his body, binding him tightly.

    In mere seconds, Kong Sheng was wrapped like a fly in a spider¡¯s web. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Chen Jingguan¡¯s distorted body looped around him five or six times. It was almost impossible to believe that a human could twist like that.

    Kong Sheng struggled to break free, pouring his strength into escaping, but every move was quickly neutralized by Chen.

    The more Kong Sheng resisted, the tighter Chen Jingguan¡¯s grip became.

    The sound of steel-like bones creaking under immense pressure made everyone wince.

    ¡°Stop struggling. If you keep this up, I might accidentally crush your bones,¡± Chen Jingguan teased with a grin, his head twisting unnaturally to look Kong Sheng in the eye. ?a???¨¨?

    ¡°No matter how strong you are, once I¡¯ve got you wrapped up, there¡¯s no escape. Admit defeat!¡±

    Kong Sheng responded with a cold smile.

    His right hand suddenly straightened, transforming into a blade-like edge, and he slashed at Chen Jingguan¡¯s torso.

    Yet even his steel-strengthened hand was ineffective. The attack merely tore Chen¡¯s clothes, exposing his slick, rubber-like skin underneath.

    ¡°I told you! Enhancement-Types can only surrender to me!¡± Chen Jingguan laughed triumphantly.

    ¡°No matter how arrogant you are, don¡¯t underestimate us!¡± Kong Sheng sneered.

    Completely bound and immobilized, Kong Sheng seemed helpless, and many of the onlookers believed the fight was over.

    Even Uncle You swallowed nervously, shaking his head. ¡°It¡¯s decided.¡±

    But just then, Kong Sheng turned his head toward Chen Jingguan, opened his mouth, and spat out a blade-like object straight at Chen¡¯s left eye.

    Blood splattered everywhere.

    ¡°Aaaaagh!¡±

    Chen Jingguan screamed in pain. The sharp stab to his eye broke his concentration, and his grip on Kong Sheng loosened.

    Seizing the moment, Kong Sheng exerted all his strength and flung Chen Jingguan away.

    Chen staggered to his feet, clutching his bleeding eye, glaring at Kong Sheng with venomous hatred.

    Kong Sheng laughed heartily. ¡°I thought your eyes could turn to rubber too! Guess not.¡±

    As he spoke, he licked the blood on his lips and swallowed it.

    The blade that struck Chen¡¯s eye had been Kong Sheng¡¯s own tongue, hardened and sharpened like a knife.

    Uncle You gasped. ¡°He can even enhance his tongue into a weapon! That¡¯s how he pierced Chen¡¯s eye!¡±

    The shocking turn of events left everyone stunned.

    They had believed Chen Jingguan had the fight in the bag, only for Kong Sheng to snatch victory in the most unexpected way.

    Chen, still clutching his wounded eye, gritted his teeth. ¡°How did you know my weak point?¡±

    Kong Sheng smirked. ¡°Your body can turn to rubber, but if your eyes followed suit, you¡¯d be blind, wouldn¡¯t you?¡±

    Eyes rely on capturing and processing light. If they were to deform like rubber, light would distort, rendering the person effectively blind.

    Kong Sheng had taken a gamble¡ªand it paid off.

    ¡°Go patch yourself up before you bleed out,¡± Kong Sheng said with a laugh. ¡°In this cold, injuries are no joke.¡±

    Though unwilling to admit defeat, Chen Jingguan knew the truth: he had lost.

    Next time, he thought bitterly, he would take more care not to expose his weakness.

    For now, he limped back to his vehicle to treat his injuries.

    The battle had ended quickly, with the Investigation Team securing a clean and decisive victory.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 457: At the Negotiating Table

    Chapter 457: At the Negotiating TableKong Sheng defeated Chen Jingguan in less than a minute. His overwhelming strength left everyone present with grim expressions.

    Chen Jingguan was the second-in-command of Chaoyu Base, and his combat abilities were well-known. For many, like Uncle You¡ªa fellow Enhancement-Type superhuman¡ªthe question of whether they could defeat Chen left them uneasy. Liang Yue believed he might stand a chance, but not without difficulty.

    This gap wasn¡¯t just about personal strength; it was about strategy. Fighters from the Jiangnan District were battle-hardened veterans who had crawled out of mountains of corpses. Their combat experience was leagues beyond the locals.

    After defeating Chen Jingguan, Kong Sheng, still itching for a fight, turned to the onlookers and said, ¡°If anyone else thinks they¡¯re strong enough, feel free to come challenge me!¡±

    It was clear to everyone: Kong Sheng and his team were here to establish dominance.

    But after witnessing Chen¡¯s swift defeat, no one wanted to be the next sacrificial lamb. One misstep could cost their lives. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    When no one stepped forward, Kong Sheng shrugged with boredom and lazily turned back toward his team.

    In the second-floor conference room, Wei Dinghai frowned at the sound of Chen Jingguan¡¯s scream outside. Still, he refrained from leaving to check, as Bian Junwu and the leaders of the major factions were deep in discussion about their next steps.

    Each faction shared their intelligence on the zombie and rat hordes, exchanging crucial information.

    Only Zhang Yi kept the methods he used to eradicate the hordes in his territory to himself. Nevertheless, the rest of the factions shared freely, knowing that their common goal was to eliminate the zombies.

    If they couldn¡¯t deal with the hordes, Tianhai City would face annihilation. A single button press from Jinling would release the Lover¡¯s Death weapon, erasing Tianhai City from the map.

    No one could afford that price.

    After the exchange, Bian Junwu placed both hands on the table and began issuing directives.

    ¡°Good. I¡¯ve reviewed the intelligence you¡¯ve provided, combined it with what we already know, and I have a plan.¡±

    The room grew silent with anticipation.

    The Jiangnan District¡¯s intelligence network was leagues ahead of theirs. Everyone was curious to know just how much information the district¡¯s headquarters in Jinling had on Tianhai City.

    Adjusting his thick glasses, Bian Junwu addressed the room in a measured tone:

    ¡°Our investigation confirms that zombies are drawn to densely populated areas. The larger the crowd, the more zombies converge.¡±

    ¡°The rat hordes, being symbiotic with the zombies, follow their movements. So, if we eliminate the zombies, the rats will naturally scatter.¡±

    ¡°Furthermore, the zombies display a consistent pattern of behavior. This strongly suggests they¡¯re being directed by a Zombie King.¡±

    ¡°Of course, ¡®Zombie King¡¯ is just a designation¡ªit could be a powerful zombie or a superhuman.¡±

    ¡°The zombie horde¡¯s numbers are staggering, allowing them to sustain simultaneous attacks across multiple locations in Tianhai City.¡±

    Raising his voice, Bian Junwu continued, ¡°Based on this, we can conclude that simply eliminating the surface hordes will achieve nothing.¡±

    ¡°To resolve the crisis at its root, we must destroy the so-called Zombie King.¡±

    ¡°So, starting now, I need each of your factions to relocate the majority of your populations underground to avoid being overrun.¡±

    ¡°Then, concentrate your elite forces and focus on taking down the Zombie King.¡±

    Bian Junwu¡¯s plan called for drastic sacrifices. He expected Qingfu Base to abandon its steel refinery, Yangsheng Base to relinquish its oil refinery, and Chaoyu Base to give up its port. ?¦¡???????s

    The leaders of the three factions exchanged hesitant glances but eventually nodded in agreement.

    Previously, they had been reluctant to abandon surface resources, fearing it would compromise their future survival. Additionally, even if they retreated, the zombie horde¡¯s threat would remain unresolved.

    Now, with the Jiangnan District stepping in to unify command, they felt more confident.

    After all, everyone was struggling to protect themselves; no one could exploit the situation to attack others.

    As long as the horde was destroyed, the resources and territories would remain theirs. After all, zombies had no interest in resources¡ªonly human flesh.

    With a unified front, many obstacles became easier to resolve.

    At this point, the High Priest of the Followers of the Snow God broke the silence.

    ¡°What about us?¡±

    Zheng Yixian frowned, clearly displeased. ¡°The other factions have underground shelters and high-level bunkers, but the Followers of the Snow God have nothing!¡±

    ¡°Mr. Bian, you can¡¯t play favorites here!¡±

    Bian Junwu turned to Zheng Yixian, his expression cold.

    ¡°You have thousands of followers in your sect. Protecting them is your responsibility, not ours.¡±

    ¡°Do you expect us to protect your disciples for you?¡±

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s face darkened, but before he could retort, Bian Junwu continued, ¡°We can only formulate strategies based on your current resources. If you lack the awareness to prepare, then you¡¯ll simply be swallowed by the zombie horde.¡±

    It was clear Bian Junwu didn¡¯t care about the sect¡¯s survival¡ªhis priority was stopping the zombie crisis and preventing the virus from spreading to surrounding regions.

    Zheng Yixian gritted his teeth, gripping the armrest of his chair. ¡°So, you¡¯re just going to watch as our people are sacrificed?¡±

    ¡°If the other factions retreat underground, the Followers of the Snow God will undoubtedly become the zombies¡¯ primary target!¡±

    ¡°How will our followers survive?¡±

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.

    Xiao Honglian, Wei Dinghai, and Xing Tian were visibly indifferent.

    The sect¡¯s survival wasn¡¯t their concern.

    Xiao Honglian even sneered, ¡°You¡¯ve taken in so many followers, most of whom can¡¯t fight. If you couldn¡¯t handle it, you shouldn¡¯t have recruited them in the first place!¡±

    ¡°Now that there¡¯s a problem, you expect others to clean up after you?¡±

    She had long been irritated by the sect and seized the opportunity to mock them.

    Zheng Yixian glared at Xiao Honglian, murderous intent flickering in his eyes.

    Just then, Bian Junwu broke the tension.

    ¡°The Followers of the Snow God still have their uses. If you can¡¯t hide effectively, you can serve another purpose.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 458: Visiting Your Home

    Chapter 458: Visiting Your HomeBian Junwu''s words gave Zheng Yixian a sliver of hope.

    ¡°Oh? What¡¯s your plan?¡±

    Bian Junwu cast a cold glance at him.

    ¡°I can¡¯t tell you right now; it¡¯s classified. But in no more than three days, I¡¯ll give you an answer!¡±

    ¡°For now, return to your respective posts and ensure your people are ready according to my orders. I¡¯ll notify you of any actions going forward.¡±

    Bian Junwu''s mysterious attitude left everyone wanting to ask more, but he waved them off, signaling the end of the conversation. Helpless, the others had no choice but to comply.

    After all, he was a special envoy from the Jiangnan District, and they couldn¡¯t afford to offend the region¡¯s overwhelming power.

    The group rose and exited the conference room.

    Zhang Yi, with his hands in his pockets, was about to leave when Bian Junwu called out to him.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, stay back.¡±

    The others exchanged curious glances, unsure what Bian Junwu wanted to discuss privately. However, considering Zhang Yi was the only one who had resolved the zombie crisis in his domain, it was understandable why Bian Junwu wanted a word with him.

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow and smiled. ¡°Mr. Bian, what can I do for you?¡±

    Bian Junwu approached him, his pale and gaunt face showing a rare smile.

    ¡°May I visit your place?¡±

    The unexpected request caught Zhang Yi off guard.

    Frowning instinctively, Zhang Yi¡¯s first thought was to refuse.

    Even knowing Bian Junwu came from the Jiangnan District, Zhang Yi¡¯s habitual caution made him wary of letting strangers into his shelter.

    He smiled and replied, ¡°There¡¯s nothing special about my place. The other major bases are much better. My shelter¡¯s conditions are pretty average.¡±

    Bian Junwu gave him a meaningful look and slowly said, ¡°What? Are you saying I¡¯m not welcome?¡±

    Zhang Yi quickly raised his hands, a cheerful smile spreading across his face. ¡°Of course not! Not at all!¡±

    Bian Junwu said, ¡°You don¡¯t need to be so tense. I mean no harm to you. There¡¯s no grudge between us, so why the suspicion?¡±

    Zhang Yi merely chuckled without answering.

    Better safe than sorry.

    He had long learned to assume the worst in others and remained cautious around anyone unfamiliar. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Bian Junwu chuckled as well.

    ¡°I just want to have a proper conversation with you about how you eliminated those zombie hordes.¡±

    He leaned in and whispered, ¡°Besides, I have intelligence you¡¯re unaware of.¡±

    This piqued Zhang Yi¡¯s interest.

    The Jiangnan District¡¯s intelligence was undoubtedly far more comprehensive than his own.

    Since the apocalypse began, Zhang Yi understood the critical importance of information for survival and warfare, and he¡¯d gone to great lengths to gather whatever intelligence he could. ????????§¦????

    After glancing at Bian Junwu, Zhang Yi thought for a moment before smiling and nodding.

    ¡°Alright, since you¡¯re so eager to visit, I can¡¯t very well refuse a guest!¡±

    Given Bian Junwu¡¯s high-ranking position, Zhang Yi figured it best not to strain relations unnecessarily.

    Bian Junwu followed Zhang Yi as they walked side by side, his attitude toward Zhang Yi noticeably different from how he treated others.

    This disparity didn¡¯t provoke any dissatisfaction from the likes of Xiao Honglian and the rest.

    Despite their animosity toward Zhang Yi, they couldn¡¯t deny their grudging respect for him.

    Rising from obscurity with just a small shelter and a handful of teammates, Zhang Yi had carved out a piece of Tianhai City in the post-apocalyptic chaos, standing toe-to-toe with them as a powerful contender.

    The recent zombie crisis had devastated everyone else, leaving Zhang Yi¡¯s domain untouched. If that wasn¡¯t proof of strength, what was?

    Outside, the tension remained palpable.

    Chen Jingguan, one eye bandaged, looked almost comically disheveled. The scene drew some amusement from the group as they exited.

    Wei Dinghai¡¯s face darkened slightly. Though he had expected this outcome, seeing his deputy injured stirred a flicker of anger.

    ¡°Chen Jingguan, what happened to your eye?¡± Wei Dinghai asked in a low voice.

    Chen Jingguan glanced at Wu Di and Kong Sheng, who were grinning smugly.

    Lowering his head, Chen Jingguan muttered, ¡°Leader, it¡¯s nothing. I just sparred with the investigation team and took a minor hit.¡±

    Losing was bad enough; complaining to his leader in front of so many powerful figures would only add to the humiliation.

    Besides, Chen Jingguan knew now wasn¡¯t the time to provoke the Jiangnan District¡¯s team.

    Wei Dinghai glanced at Wu Di and Kong Sheng but said nothing. Instead, he patted Chen Jingguan on the shoulder, preparing to take him back and focus on matters at Chaoyu Base.

    Bian Junwu shot Wu Di and Kong Sheng a sharp look.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t I tell you not to clash with them?¡± His tone was cold as always but lacked anger.

    Wu Di grinned and replied, ¡°They were clearly not convinced of our strength. We had to show them what we¡¯re capable of. That way, they won¡¯t drag us down during future operations.¡±

    Pushing up his sunglasses, Bian Junwu said flatly, ¡°Don¡¯t do it again.¡±

    Wu Di and Kong Sheng laughed, ¡°Understood!¡±

    They knew their captain well. Though he reprimanded them verbally, such power plays were essential for establishing dominance.

    Without strength, why would anyone respect them?

    Zhang Yi remained silent throughout, unbothered by the situation. None of it significantly affected him, and he had no need to prove himself.

    As for Xiao Honglian, Wei Dinghai, and Xing Tian, they quietly reevaluated their strategies.

    Chen Jingguan¡¯s defeat was a stark reminder of the investigation team¡¯s formidable prowess. Moving forward, they resolved to tread carefully in their interactions.

    Just as the various factions were about to disperse, a voice suddenly called out from a second-floor window.

    ¡°There¡¯s a zombie horde approaching!¡±

    Zhang Yi looked up to see a tall, muscular man in his thirties, clad in black combat gear, holding an unusual black sniper rifle.

    It was Qi Guangming, the sharpshooter of the investigation team.

    As soon as Qi Guangming spoke, everyone noticed the change in the atmosphere.

    From the distance, an overwhelming swarm of zombies began emerging in droves.

    At a glance, there were at least several thousand.

    Xing Tian¡¯s expression darkened as he growled, ¡°Our gathering must¡¯ve attracted these damn creatures!¡±

    The zombies crawled over the ruins, their eyes glowing with bloodlust as they spotted the crowd of survivors.

    ¡°Roar!!¡±

    Their guttural howls filled the air as they broke into a frenzied charge toward the group.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 459: Oblivion

    Chapter 459: OblivionAs the zombie horde approached, the crowd¡¯s expressions revealed disgust but not fear.

    After all, this group comprised Tianhai City¡¯s top fighters. Such a small number of zombies posed no real threat to them.

    However, everyone was preoccupied with their own base matters and didn¡¯t want to waste time here.

    ¡°What rotten luck! Zombies are everywhere! Has Tianhai City become their lair?¡± Xiao Honglian cursed, her brows furrowed in anger.

    The group prepared for battle, ready to spend some time wiping out the zombies completely.

    Wei Dinghai reminded Bian Junwu and his team, ¡°We must kill every single one of them. Otherwise, they¡¯ll carry intelligence about us back, and the next wave will be even harder to handle!¡±

    ¡°Oh? Is that so?¡± Bian Junwu said nonchalantly.

    He suddenly descended the steps, reaching up to remove his sunglasses as he walked.

    When he finally removed them, the crowd noticed that his eyes weren¡¯t the usual black or sky-blue hues of foreigners but an eerie grayish-white.

    Yet, within that grayish-white hue glimmered a peculiar, sickly light. It wasn¡¯t the dullness of cataracts, but its unsettling glow struck a deep chord, leaving those who looked into them profoundly shaken.

    Bian Junwu stepped to the forefront.

    Everyone immediately understood¡ªthis captain of the Jiangnan District investigation team was about to make his move.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes gleamed with curiosity. He was eager to see just how strong this captain was.

    The zombie horde roared as it closed in, now less than 500 meters away.

    Their blood-red eyes and frostbitten, rotting flesh became clearly visible.

    Bian Junwu stared ahead and murmured softly, ¡°Oblivion.¡±

    The next moment, an intense white light engulfed the space before them.

    The light was so dazzling that it erased all other scenery, leaving only Bian Junwu¡¯s tall, imposing silhouette.

    Instinctively, Zhang Yi raised his hand to shield his eyes, glancing around at his surroundings.

    The only things visible were a few people standing close to him and their faint shadows. Everything else had vanished.

    Meanwhile, the massive zombie horde before them¡ªthousands strong¡ªdisintegrated into dust in an instant, scattered cleanly into nothingness.

    After what felt like an eternity, the light gradually faded, and the surrounding scenery reappeared.

    Zhang Yi, Xiao Honglian, Wei Dinghai, and the others looked around, dazed and at a loss for words.

    Moments ago, everyone had been blinded.

    Suddenly, Wei Dinghai raised his right hand and pointed forward, his voice trembling in disbelief.

    ¡°Look¡­ Look over there!¡±

    The crowd followed his gaze.

    Not a trace of the zombie horde remained¡ªonly shattered dust particles, swept away by the wind.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s pupils contracted sharply as he struggled to comprehend what he was seeing.

    ¡°Those thousands of zombies¡­ were they all wiped out?¡±

    Eliminating thousands of zombies in a single blow¡ªsuch a feat was nothing short of extraordinary.

    Zhang Yi had encountered many powerful superhumans before, such as Ling Feng and Xiao Honglian.

    While they were undeniably strong, their abilities still operated within the realm of understanding.

    But Bian Junwu?

    His power defied logic entirely.

    One glance was enough to obliterate thousands of zombies into dust.

    What kind of terrifying ability was this?

    There was a time when Zhang Yi believed that after absorbing the powers of multiple superhumans, he might not be the strongest, but he was among the elite. ??????£Ï?¨¨S?

    Yet today, Bian Junwu had taught him a humbling lesson.

    If he were to face Bian Junwu in battle, could even his Dimensional Gate withstand such devastating power? Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The silence at the scene was deafening. No one dared to speak or even breathe too heavily.

    After a long pause, Wu Di remarked to Kong Sheng, ¡°The captain told us to hold back, yet he just went all out!¡±

    Kong Sheng nodded, adding, ¡°Maybe he realized you were right. Only by showcasing overwhelming strength can he ensure everyone will obey his commands willingly.¡±

    They weren¡¯t wrong.

    Before, Wei Dinghai, Xiao Honglian, and Xing Tian obeyed Bian Junwu mainly out of fear of the Jiangnan District¡¯s power.

    Now, having witnessed his might firsthand, any trace of defiance had been completely extinguished.

    Bian Junwu slowly put his sunglasses back on.

    But before long, he suddenly clutched his mouth and broke into a violent coughing fit.

    Vice-Captain Baili Changqing approached him, concerned.

    ¡°Captain, you should¡¯ve let us handle these pests. There was no need for you to act personally!¡±

    Bian Junwu straightened up, his voice icy.

    ¡°Everyone¡¯s busy. There¡¯s no time to waste here.¡±

    Zhang Yi noticed how Bian Junwu clenched his right fist and tucked it into the pocket of his black coat.

    ¡°It seems like he¡¯s not in good health,¡± Zhang Yi thought, quickly deducing that Bian Junwu¡¯s condition wasn¡¯t normal.

    With the Jiangnan District¡¯s resources, any ordinary illness should¡¯ve been curable.

    Could it be an incurable disease? Or perhaps an injury linked to his superhuman ability?

    Zhang Yi¡¯s mind raced with speculation.

    Bian Junwu turned to the stunned crowd and said, ¡°Alright, everyone. You can go back now. Stay in touch and be ready to act immediately when I contact you.¡±

    Wei Dinghai and the others hastily nodded, their tones now reverent and deferential.

    As the crowd departed the central building, Zhang Yi could sense they were still grappling with the shock of Bian Junwu¡¯s power.

    His ability was leagues above anything seen in Tianhai City.

    With a cheerful smile, Zhang Yi approached Bian Junwu.

    ¡°Mr. Bian, are you feeling unwell? I have doctors at my shelter who could take a look.¡±

    Bian Junwu chuckled faintly. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, just an old ailment. Rest will suffice.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s heart skipped a beat.

    ¡°No need for a doctor?¡±

    It seemed his suspicions were correct¡ªthis was likely an incurable condition or a permanent internal injury caused by Bian Junwu¡¯s ability.

    Deciding not to press the matter, Zhang Yi changed the subject.

    ¡°It¡¯s quite cold here. Why don¡¯t we all head to my place for a bit?¡±

    Bian Junwu smiled and nodded. ¡°That sounds good. I have plenty I want to discuss with you.¡±

    Bian Junwu¡¯s rare smile, reserved for Zhang Yi, startled not only Fatty Xu, Liang Yue, and Uncle You but also the members of the investigation team.

    Even so, everyone boarded their vehicles, with Zhang Yi¡¯s group leading the way toward the shelter.

    In the investigation team¡¯s vehicle, Wu Di couldn¡¯t hold back his curiosity.

    ¡°Captain, why are you so nice to Zhang Yi? Is he your long-lost illegitimate son?¡±

    The vehicle erupted in laughter.

    Bian Junwu¡¯s lips twitched slightly, though his amusement was subtle.

    He was used to Wu Di¡¯s playful antics and didn¡¯t take it to heart.

    ¡°He¡¯s no ordinary man,¡± Bian Junwu said, his tone thoughtful. ¡°I can sense that his strength is exceptional, far beyond the other faction leaders.¡±

    ¡°This might just be a promising talent.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 460: Laying Cards on the Table

    Chapter 460: Laying Cards on the TableHearing Bian Junwu¡¯s high praise for Zhang Yi, the other members of the investigation team couldn¡¯t hide their surprise.

    When Bian Junwu referred to someone as a ¡°promising candidate,¡± it implied potential eligibility to join their elite ranks of superhumans.

    Figures like Xiao Honglian, Wei Dinghai, Xing Tian, and Zheng Yixian were merely under observation. The Jiangnan District¡¯s recruitment standards were notoriously stringent, prioritizing not just raw power but also loyalty and intellect. Strength alone wouldn¡¯t suffice.

    Of course, this didn¡¯t mean that every member of the investigation team was stronger than Xiao Honglian and the others. Instead, as long-standing members of the Jiangnan District, their loyalty and reliability were assured. Recruiting from outside required far stricter criteria.

    ¡°Is he really that strong?¡±

    ¡°How can you tell if we¡¯ve never even seen him fight?¡± asked Ye Jikang, the team¡¯s demolition expert, leaning forward with curiosity.

    ¡°First, my instinct,¡± replied Bian Junwu.

    ¡°Second, experience and judgment. Despite their small team, they¡¯ve risen to become one of the top five factions in Tianhai City. That alone suggests their superhumans are exceptional.¡±

    ¡°As the leader of his group, Zhang Yi must have the strongest overall capabilities. And, they were the only faction to completely resolve the zombie threat near their base¡ªa clear indicator of their strength.¡±

    A sly smile played across Bian Junwu¡¯s lips.

    Discovering Zhang Yi had unexpectedly added a layer of intrigue to this mission. For someone like Bian Junwu, whose own growth had plateaued at a high level, uncovering new talent had become one of his few remaining joys.

    Baili Changqing laughed heartily.

    ¡°Ah, I see! As expected, you¡¯re always thinking ahead, Captain.¡±

    The cabin fell silent for a moment as everyone seemed lost in their thoughts, some of which were less than pleasant.

    A few seconds later, Wu Di broke the tension with a grin.

    ¡°Interesting, interesting! Now I really want to spar with him!¡±

    Bian Junwu raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°Wu Di, don¡¯t underestimate him. As I understand, his ability counters yours.¡±

    ¡°Oh?¡± Wu Di replied, his expression showing mild defiance.

    ¡°Counters me? That makes it even more interesting! Captain, what¡¯s his ability?¡±

    ¡°Something extremely rare, even among specialized abilities¡ªspatial manipulation,¡± said Bian Junwu.

    Gasps filled the vehicle.

    ¡°Spatial manipulation!¡± Baili Changqing¡¯s eyes widened as he murmured,

    ¡°Even in the Jiangnan District, spatial abilities are incredibly rare. Their strategic value is off the charts!¡±

    Spatial powers might not offer the most direct combat potential, but their utility in areas like storage and logistics made them invaluable to any team. ?¨¢¦­?¦Â??

    ¡°No wonder you¡¯re considering recruiting him!¡± Baili Changqing laughed.

    Bian Junwu responded, ¡°It¡¯s just an idea. We¡¯ll see how capable he truly is. Whether he¡¯s willing to leave Tianhai City for the Jiangnan District is ultimately up to him.¡±

    Zhang Yi was an unexpected find, but Bian Junwu¡¯s primary objective remained the resolution of the zombie crisis.

    Meanwhile, in the lead vehicle, Zhang Yi had enabled autopilot, allowing it to head toward the shelter while he discussed the Jiangnan District visitors with Liang Yue and the others. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°These people are leagues above any other faction we¡¯ve encountered,¡± Liang Yue said.

    ¡°We should be cautious and respectful in our dealings with them. The military district''s people demand a certain level of reverence.¡±

    Bian Junwu¡¯s obliteration technique had left Zhang Yi utterly awestruck, offering him a clear sense of how formidable the Jiangnan District truly was.

    Superhumans of Bian Junwu¡¯s caliber weren¡¯t likely in short supply within their ranks.

    For now, Zhang Yi saw no harm in maintaining good relations with such a powerful force.

    Sometimes, the smartest approach in life is knowing when to bow and when to stand tall.

    Besides, Zhang Yi had noticed that Bian Junwu seemed to regard him with a trace of goodwill. While the source of this sentiment was unclear, it was undoubtedly a positive development.

    Hours later, Zhang Yi arrived at his shelter with Bian Junwu and his team in tow.

    The sight of the massive, luxurious villa left the Jiangnan District visitors momentarily stunned.

    ¡°I thought his shelter would be some underground bunker. Who knew it¡¯d be a mansion?¡± said Kong Sheng, shaking his head in disbelief.

    ¡°This place is ridiculously extravagant! Even in the Jiangnan District, we don¡¯t have shelters like this,¡± he added.

    Meng Siyu reminded them, ¡°Don¡¯t forget, this used to be the residence of the richest man in China. It¡¯s no surprise it¡¯s of this caliber.¡±

    They disembarked from their vehicles, taking a moment to admire the grandeur of the shelter¡¯s exterior before Zhang Yi welcomed them inside with a warm smile.

    Inside, Zhou Ke¡¯er and the others were already waiting to greet the visitors. Having been informed earlier, their curiosity had them quietly appraising the Jiangnan District representatives.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, are these the people sent by the Jiangnan District? They really look like regular army troops!¡± Zhou Ke¡¯er whispered.

    Zhang Yi rarely allowed anyone into his shelter, and even then, only those with substantial authority or credentials.

    ¡°They¡¯re envoys from the Jiangnan District, here to help resolve the zombie crisis in Tianhai City,¡± Zhang Yi replied.

    ¡°Prepare some food and drinks for our guests.¡±

    Turning to his guests, Zhang Yi asked, ¡°What would you all like to drink? We don¡¯t have much, just some alcohol, coffee, and soda. I hope that¡¯s alright.¡±

    Even Bian Junwu¡¯s eye twitched at this point, while the others struggled not to burst out laughing. The extravagance of the villa and Zhang Yi¡¯s feigned modesty were almost unbearable.

    Still, as seasoned professionals, they maintained their composure.

    ¡°Just plain water is fine,¡± Bian Junwu replied calmly.

    The group settled into the plush couches in the living room, trying not to gawk at the luxurious surroundings.

    Zhang Yi and Liang Yue sat with them, but Bian Junwu soon turned to Zhang Yi and said, ¡°Could we have a private conversation?¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded with a smile. ¡°Of course. Please, follow me.¡±

    He directed his team to entertain the other visitors while he led Bian Junwu to a small reception room.

    Situated in the southeast corner of the shelter, the room featured bulletproof glass walls, offering a panoramic view of the snowy landscape outside. Its serene atmosphere made it perfect for a quiet chat.

    Zhang Yi set down two glasses of plain water, one in front of Bian Junwu and one for himself.

    Bian Junwu glanced at the scenery outside before sitting down across from Zhang Yi.

    ¡°Now that it¡¯s just us, let¡¯s hear it¡ªhow exactly did you deal with those zombies?¡±

    Zhang Yi opened his mouth, intending to embellish his previous explanation, but Bian Junwu¡¯s sharp gaze stopped him.

    ¡°What you told the others was a half-truth at best. That might fool them, but don¡¯t try to play games with me. The Jiangnan District¡¯s intelligence is far more extensive than you realize.¡±

    Zhang Yi paused, then chuckled in resignation.

    Of course, people from the top would be hard to deceive. Any more vague answers could leave a bad impression on Bian Junwu, and that was something Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t afford.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 461: Power Levels of Superhumans

    Chapter 461: Power Levels of SuperhumansZhang Yi, no longer hiding the truth, explained to Bian Junwu how he had dealt with the zombie horde.

    ¡°In reality, I used flooding to handle the zombies.¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t claim to have cleared every zombie in the West Hill and Lu River Districts, but within a 50-kilometer radius, there hasn¡¯t been any large-scale activity from zombies or mutated rats.¡±

    After listening, Bian Junwu sipped his hot water before speaking.

    ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell the truth earlier? Was it to let them suffer greater losses because they attacked you before? Or are you hoping to become the king of Tianhai City?¡±

    Zhang Yi responded calmly, neither humble nor overbearing.

    ¡°At first, I did think about getting back at them a little,¡± he admitted.

    ¡°Let¡¯s be honest, you can tell the relationships between the five factions aren¡¯t exactly friendly. If they weaken, I get stronger.¡±

    ¡°But that wasn¡¯t the main reason. The truth is, I couldn¡¯t help them even if I wanted to.¡±

    Placing his teacup down, Zhang Yi folded his hands on his knees.

    ¡°You know how massive Tianhai City¡¯s subway network is. I¡¯m not capable of helping every faction.

    ¡°Besides, I don¡¯t think my method solves the root problem. As long as the Zombie King exists, the zombies will keep coming.¡±

    Bian Junwu didn¡¯t refute this but instead asked, ¡°Have you ever seen the Zombie King?¡±

    Zhang Yi shook his head.

    ¡°No, but I¡¯m sure it exists.

    ¡°Think about it¡ªzombies attack places with large human populations. Yet, our shelter only has nine people, and we rarely go out. Why would a horde target us?¡±

    A subtle, meaningful smile appeared on Zhang Yi¡¯s face.

    He fixed his gaze on Bian Junwu and said slowly, ¡°Zombies choose their targets. Someone is deliberately targeting the five factions.¡±

    Bian Junwu regarded him for a moment before breaking into a smile.

    ¡°You¡¯re as clever as I thought.¡±

    Zhang Yi shook his head.

    ¡°It¡¯s not wisdom, just a bit of cunning¡ªenough to keep me alive in this apocalypse.¡±

    Bian Junwu had already formed some conclusions of his own.

    While Zhang Yi¡¯s method wasn¡¯t a permanent solution, it could maintain stability in certain areas if used judiciously.

    However, overuse could provoke the zombies into overwhelming the city, which would require extensive preparation to manage.

    The key lay in uncovering the Zombie King¡¯s location and nature to execute a decisive strike.

    ¡°You have great potential. I¡¯d guess you¡¯re at the Delta level. Have you considered leaving this small corner of the world and making a name for yourself in the Jiangnan District?¡± ????¨¤¦­????????¨º?

    Bian Junwu extended an olive branch to Zhang Yi. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Intrigued, Zhang Yi asked, ¡°Wait a second. What¡¯s this Delta level you mentioned?¡±

    Bian Junwu realized Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t familiar with professional classifications of superhumans and chuckled.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a secret. Let me explain.¡±

    He asked Zhang Yi, ¡°When do you think superhumans first appeared?¡±

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°After gamma rays swept across Blue Star, during the Ice Age.¡±

    ¡°Wrong!¡± Bian Junwu immediately corrected him.

    ¡°Human mutation has existed throughout history.

    ¡°From an evolutionary perspective, all life is constantly mutating. Beneficial mutations improve survival, leading to greater reproductive success and passing those traits to the next generation.

    ¡°Even humans today are almost an entirely different species compared to our ancestors millions of years ago.

    ¡°Throughout this process, a small fraction of the population has always exhibited special abilities¡ªbe it extraordinary strength, unusual talents, or freakish deformities. They were the original superhumans.¡±

    Taking another sip of water, Bian Junwu¡¯s expression turned serious.

    ¡°Superhumans have always existed. What¡¯s different now is the sheer scale of these mutations.¡±

    ¡°External factors have stimulated genetic changes across entire populations, resulting in countless superhumans.¡±

    ¡°And yet, global research into human mutation began long before this, including the classification of superhumans into levels.¡±

    Zhang Yi crossed his arms, nodding. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of the six major categories of superhumans. But how are their levels determined?¡±

    Bian Junwu explained:

    ¡°Currently, there¡¯s an internationally recognized standard for categorizing superhumans.

    ¡°First is Alpha level, or LV1. Their mutations are weak and lack potential for growth, showing only a fraction of extraordinary strength. These superhumans are merely stronger than ordinary people.

    ¡°Next is Beta level, LV2. Stronger than Alpha, they possess the peak capabilities of elite human warriors but still lack significant growth potential.

    ¡°Then comes Gamma level, LV3. This level marks the emergence of truly formidable powers.

    ¡°Whether it¡¯s the ability to fight hundreds or a highly specialized auxiliary skill, Gamma-level superhumans are forces to be reckoned with.¡±

    Hearing this, Zhang Yi thought of Uncle You and Fatty Xu. They likely belonged to the Gamma level, as their abilities could rival entire battalions.

    ¡°What¡¯s next?¡± Zhang Yi asked curiously.

    Bian Junwu continued, ¡°The next tier is where things get extraordinary.

    ¡°Delta level, LV4! The hallmark of this level is the ability to absorb the energy of other superhumans to enhance oneself.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes widened in realization.

    An answer to one of his long-standing questions had finally been revealed.

    No wonder he, Hua Hua, and Liang Yue could absorb other abilities, while Uncle You and Fatty Xu could not.

    ¡°Delta-level superhumans may not initially display strength exceeding the previous tiers, but their potential for growth is unparalleled. They evolve continuously, reaching unimaginable heights before plateauing.

    ¡°For now, I estimate that you¡ªand the leaders of the other factions¡ªare at this level.¡±

    Zhang Yi silently repeated the term ¡°Delta¡± in his mind.

    Receiving such a high evaluation from Bian Junwu, placing him at LV4 among superhumans, was certainly no small praise.

    ¡°And beyond that?¡± Zhang Yi pressed.

    Bian Junwu¡¯s tone grew somber.

    ¡°Above Delta is the pinnacle¡ªEpsilon level, LV5.¡±

    ¡°Epsilon-level superhumans represent the world¡¯s strongest. They are national treasures, capable of both absorbing other superhuman energies and wielding devastatingly powerful abilities.

    ¡°Each one is a strategic asset on a global scale.¡±

    Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but ask, ¡°Are you an Epsilon-level superhuman?¡±

    The memory of Bian Junwu¡¯s single strike obliterating thousands of zombies still left him in awe.

    Bian Junwu smiled faintly but shook his head.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m only at the Delta level.¡±

    Zhang Yi took a deep breath.

    ¡°If even you¡¯re only at the Delta level, I can¡¯t imagine how terrifying an Epsilon-level superhuman must be!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 462: LV4

    Chapter 462: LV4Hearing Zhang Yi¡¯s words, Bian Junwu suddenly chuckled.

    ¡°Oh? Do you think my understanding is incorrect?¡± Zhang Yi asked.

    Bian Junwu shook his head. ¡°There are indeed some nuances. The so-called classification of superhuman abilities doesn¡¯t directly correlate with combat strength.

    ¡°What it represents more is the potential ceiling of one¡¯s ability.

    ¡°Superpowers vary greatly¡ªnot all are combat-oriented. Some are auxiliary or fall under entirely different categories. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°If an ability is countered or the environment isn¡¯t favorable, it¡¯s not unusual for a higher-level superhuman to be defeated by one ranked lower.¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded in agreement.

    If superpowers were akin to weapons, then their effectiveness depended on the wielder''s skill and the circumstances.

    ¡°So,¡± Zhang Yi said with a smirk, ¡°you¡¯re saying I¡¯m a Delta-level superhuman, or LV4? That means we¡¯re the same rank. You sure have a high opinion of me!¡±

    Taking a sip of tea, Zhang Yi began calculating in his mind.

    Bian Junwu had no reason to deliberately mislead him, so there were two possibilities for his claim that they were on the same level.

    First, despite Bian Junwu¡¯s immense strength, his abilities might have significant drawbacks. Otherwise, his destructive power would far exceed anything Zhang Yi could currently match. Of course, in terms of defense, that might be a different story.

    Second, Bian Junwu recognized the potential of Zhang Yi¡¯s spatial abilities.

    Spatial powers weren¡¯t purely combat-oriented, but their versatility was undeniably formidable. Combining offense, defense, and logistical utility, such abilities could justify a Delta-level rating.

    Bian Junwu elaborated, ¡°My assessment of you is based on what I¡¯ve observed. Official evaluations are conducted by professionals in the major districts.

    ¡°These rankings aren¡¯t absolute and depend on demonstrated abilities.

    ¡°From my experience, I¡¯d categorize you as Delta-level.

    ¡°Keep in mind, advancing to the next level is always possible for superhumans, but Delta represents a critical threshold. Without the ability to ¡®Assimilate¡¯ other energies, a superhuman can¡¯t progress beyond LV3.¡±

    As Bian Junwu explained, Zhang Yi gained a clearer understanding of superhuman classifications.

    For now, Bian Junwu¡¯s judgment placed his potential at Delta, or LV4¡ªa level brimming with possibilities but not necessarily indicative of sheer combat power.

    Despite this, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but grow curious about the enigmatic LV5, the Epsilon-level superhumans.

    How strong were they?

    Had such individuals already emerged in this world?

    Unable to resist his curiosity, Zhang Yi asked, ¡°Mr. Bian, have you ever seen an Epsilon-level superhuman?¡±

    Bian Junwu slowly shook his head. ¡°I haven¡¯t.¡±

    Zhang Yi was about to comment on the disappointment when Bian Junwu added, ¡°But I know for a fact that there¡¯s an Epsilon-level superhuman in the Shengjing District.¡± ????¦¡?¨°§£??

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes lit up.

    ¡°There¡¯s really someone like that?¡±

    As a superhuman, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but feel intrigued by such an existence.

    Bian Junwu chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s not exactly a secret.

    ¡°The major districts, tasked with managing vast territories in the apocalypse, rely on absolute power to suppress mutant creatures and lawless groups.

    ¡°Such overwhelming force is necessary.¡±

    When mentioning the Epsilon-level superhuman, Bian Junwu¡¯s eyes gleamed with admiration and envy.

    ¡°That individual¡¯s power has reached a level that defies logic.

    ¡°They say anyone targeted by them, no matter the distance, can be killed with a single thought. That¡¯s true divinity.¡±

    Zhang Yi nearly dropped his teacup. His eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at Bian Junwu.

    ¡°You¡­ You¡¯re joking, right? Killing someone from a thousand miles away? What are they, a satellite-guided missile?¡±

    Bian Junwu smirked and gazed out at the snowy landscape.

    ¡°It¡¯s far more convenient than that. From what I¡¯ve heard, there¡¯s no escape for anyone marked by them, no matter where they hide.¡±

    Zhang Yi rubbed his temples, feeling overwhelmed.

    ¡°This sounds more like metaphysics than science!¡±

    Bian Junwu said calmly, ¡°The universe is filled with mysteries. Even the divine rolls dice. The world¡¯s unpredictability is no surprise.

    ¡°In theory, there¡¯s one more level beyond Epsilon: the legendary LV6, Omega-level superhumans.

    ¡°This classification exists only in theory, as no such superhuman has ever appeared. It refers to individuals with infinite growth potential and no upper limit to their strength.

    ¡°At that level, they would truly be gods¡­¡±

    Bian Junwu¡¯s words trailed off as he suddenly leaned on the table with one hand, covering his mouth with the other, and began coughing violently.

    The force of his coughs made the table shake, spilling water from their glasses.

    Instinctively, Zhang Yi slid his chair back half a step and asked, ¡°Captain Bian, are you okay? Should I call a doctor?¡±

    Bian Junwu finally stopped coughing after some time. Wiping a trace of blood from the corner of his mouth, he spoke nonchalantly.

    ¡°No need. It¡¯s just an old condition.¡±

    Noticing Zhang Yi¡¯s curious expression, Bian Junwu remarked flatly, ¡°I have a terminal illness and only a short time left to live.¡±

    He spoke so matter-of-factly that it sounded like he was describing someone else¡¯s situation.

    ¡°If not for this, I wouldn¡¯t have volunteered to lead this team and deal with such troublesome matters.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s suspicions were confirmed.

    As he suspected, Bian Junwu¡¯s body had significant issues.

    Was it a natural illness, a side effect of his abilities, or the result of being artificially modified, like the cyborgs at West Hill Base?

    Speculation churned in Zhang Yi¡¯s mind, but he refrained from prying further, as such details likely involved Jiangnan District¡¯s classified information.

    Instead, he offered comfort.

    ¡°With today¡¯s advanced medicine, even cancer can be cured. Surely there¡¯s nothing that can¡¯t be treated.¡±

    ¡°My family doctor was a lead physician at Tianhai City¡¯s First People¡¯s Hospital. Perhaps she could examine you?¡±

    Bian Junwu¡¯s face remained impassive as he let Zhang Yi finish before responding.

    ¡°There¡¯s no need to probe. I¡¯m a dying man. I took on this mission to ensure that, after my death, my wife and children could live better lives.¡±

    As he spoke, he removed his signature sunglasses, revealing a face even paler than before.

    His eyes were eerily gray, devoid of pupils, filled with a lifeless hue.

    ¡°My ability comes at the cost of my vision and health. That¡¯s why it¡¯s limited to Delta-level.

    ¡°Otherwise, with more time, I might have reached Epsilon-level myself.

    ¡°Unfortunately, its fatal flaws make me a superweapon with limited uses. Do you understand now?¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s suspicions were confirmed. Bian Junwu¡¯s ability not only consumed his vitality but also drastically shortened his lifespan.

    After a moment of silence, Zhang Yi sighed softly.

    ¡°I see. But I didn¡¯t expect you to share the details of your ability so openly with me.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 464: The Worst Outcome

    Chapter 464: The Worst OutcomeZhang Yi understood that solving the zombie horde crisis in Tianhai City was crucial for their future peace. However, as he mulled over Bian Junwu¡¯s parting invitation to join the Jiangnan District, he suddenly realized the unspoken message in Bian¡¯s words.

    It was a backup plan for him.

    If the zombie horde in Tianhai City proved impossible to manage, the ultimate measure might be to obliterate the entire city. In such a scenario, Zhang Yi would have no choice but to leave.

    He thought to himself: Although the shelter was said to be capable of withstanding an H-class attack, if the Jiangnan District¡¯s goal was to flatten Tianhai City, the firepower they¡¯d use would be on a completely different scale.

    I can¡¯t take that risk.

    Resolving the zombie crisis would be ideal, but the question remained: how?

    Zhang Yi had no clear plan in mind, and everyone¡¯s anxious expressions only added to the tension, fearing the worst.

    Seated on the sofa, Zhang Yi folded his arms, racking his brain for a solution. The group began brainstorming, openly sharing their thoughts.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er furrowed her brow and voiced her concerns:

    ¡°We know the zombies and the rat swarms are concentrated underground. Their numbers are staggering¡ªlikely occupying the entire subway system of Tianhai City.¡±

    ¡°With our current manpower, it¡¯s unrealistic to face such a tidal wave head-on. Unless we find the Zombie King and execute a decapitation strike.¡±

    As she spoke, Zhou Ke¡¯er gently placed her hand on Zhang Yi¡¯s shoulder and leaned against him, seeking comfort amidst the tension.

    ¡°There¡¯s not much we can do. We can only hope the Jiangnan District provides assistance. So, Zhang Yi, don¡¯t overthink it. Our abilities are limited.¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er wasn¡¯t wrong.

    The five major factions couldn¡¯t afford to send large-scale forces out into the extreme cold for reconnaissance.

    Whether it was Zhang Yi¡¯s team or the other factions, they were all makeshift groups formed to survive the apocalypse. None had experience handling a situation this dire.

    Zhang Yi looked up and murmured, ¡°Fear stems from the unknown. Our biggest problem is that we know too little about the zombies.¡±

    ¡°What exactly is the Zombie King? Is it an intelligent mutation or a superhuman?¡±

    Without even knowing what the Zombie King was, planning a decapitation strike was futile.

    Fatty Xu interjected, ¡°At least we can rule out the other factions as the source of the zombie crisis. They¡¯ve suffered heavy losses themselves.¡±

    Yang Xinxin immediately countered, ¡°You can¡¯t say that for sure. Even if they¡¯ve suffered significant losses, it doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re not involved.¡±

    ¡°Take West Hill Base, for example. They conducted extensive human experimentation. Who¡¯s to say the other factions didn¡¯t engage in similar activities, leading to this outbreak?¡±

    Since the apocalypse began, Tianhai City¡¯s factions had done everything possible to bolster their strength. West Hill Base¡¯s cyborg program and Yangsheng Base¡¯s military stimulants were prime examples.

    Everyone shared their theories, but they were largely speculative and lacked evidence.

    Their intelligence was limited, and the sudden zombie horde felt like an unforeseen force catching them off guard.

    Zhang Yi propped his chin on his hands, unable to make sense of the outbreak or the Zombie King¡¯s motives.

    If the Zombie King were a superhuman seeking to use the horde to eliminate the other factions and become Tianhai City¡¯s ruler, human intelligence should have already overcome the factions¡¯ defenses. ??¦­??§¦?

    Yet the zombies they had encountered showed limited intelligence, akin to that of a five-year-old child, learning as they went.

    But if the Zombie King were a mutated corpse with newfound intelligence, why had it targeted all five factions across Tianhai City?

    The contradictory logic painted a peculiar picture in Zhang Yi¡¯s mind.

    It seemed both like a tool under human control and unlike something a rational person would orchestrate.

    Hmm... Could it be a mentally impaired superhuman?

    Zhang Yi chuckled at his own absurd thought.

    ¡°We should wait and see for now. At the very least, let¡¯s see what the Jiangnan District team is capable of.¡±

    ¡°They have more experience in team operations, stronger superhumans, and advanced technology. They should achieve some results.¡± Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°If they can¡¯t handle the situation, then we¡¯ll step in.¡±

    Zhang Yi decided on a temporary plan.

    Thanks to his Dimensional Gate abilities, he could guarantee an escape if needed during underground operations.

    For now, he was content to let Bian Junwu take the lead.

    ...

    At the headquarters of the Followers of the Snow God, St. John¡¯s Cathedral, Zheng Yixian returned and pushed open the heavy doors.

    Yuan Kongye was, as always, praying devoutly in front of the crucifix.

    Zheng Yixian stood three meters behind her. Yuan Kongye slowly opened her eyes and turned to face him.

    Her delicate, pale hands folded in front of her as a rare softness appeared in her gaze.

    ¡°What did you see on this trip?¡±

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s expression was grave.

    ¡°The Jiangnan District sent a terrifying team,¡± he replied, recounting what he had witnessed.

    When Yuan Kongye heard about the team¡¯s power, especially Bian Junwu¡¯s ability to annihilate thousands of zombies in one strike, her perpetually frosty demeanor faltered.

    ¡°Jiangnan District...¡± she murmured.

    ¡°Will they interfere with us?¡± she asked.

    Zheng Yixian wasn¡¯t certain. ¡°The situation in Tianhai City is already affecting the surrounding areas. If the Jiangnan District intervenes militarily, it could stifle the development of our Followers of the Snow God.¡±

    ¡°Moreover, Bian Junwu warned us. If the zombie crisis remains unresolved, the Jiangnan District might resort to a final solution.¡±

    Yuan Kongye¡¯s eyes wavered.

    ¡°The final solution...¡±

    Zheng Yixian declared firmly, ¡°We can¡¯t let that happen!¡±

    Yuan Kongye nodded.

    ¡°It¡¯s likely that Zhang Yi, Xiao Honglian, Wei Dinghai, and Xing Tian share the same concern,¡± she said.

    As Yuan Kongye predicted, Bian Junwu¡¯s warning had left everyone deeply worried.

    For that reason, they all resolved to assist Bian Junwu to the best of their abilities in resolving the zombie crisis.

    Helping him, after all, was helping themselves.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 465: Investigation Team Sets Out

    Chapter 465: Investigation Team Sets OutThe investigation team left Zhang Yi¡¯s shelter and immediately set out to gather intelligence on the zombie horde. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    They traveled in a large black RV, which was specially designed by engineers from the Jiangnan District for extended missions. The vehicle offered ample space for seven people to live, eat, and even handle personal needs comfortably.

    Beyond its spacious interior, the RV was built to be as sturdy as a military vehicle, crafted from aerospace-grade materials.

    Before arriving in Tianhai City, the team had already gathered extensive data through the Jiangnan District¡¯s intelligence network¡ªa capability far beyond what Zhang Yi and his group could imagine.

    For instance, the Jiangnan District still had access to satellite navigation systems. While Zhang Yi¡¯s group had long since lost this function, the military satellites used by the Jiangnan District allowed them to monitor the entire landscape from space.

    In other words, everything Zhang Yi¡¯s team did was likely visible to the Jiangnan District¡¯s Xingyun System. Armed with such intelligence, the investigation team now needed to conduct on-site inspections.

    Their first stop was the Ci Qu subway line, where Zhang Yi had sealed the area with ice.

    At the subway entrance, they spotted a long, raised mound running along the ground, resembling a giant snake¡¯s trail.

    Meng Siyu observed, ¡°Looks like the ground cracked and bulged because seawater flooded the area and froze, causing expansion.¡±

    Bian Junwu approached the subway line and crouched near the cracked ground, peering through the fissure to see the ice below.

    Placing his hand above the frozen surface, he seemed to be feeling the power that had sealed the entire subway line.

    With his eyes closed, he visualized Zhang Yi pouring an immense volume of seawater from a dimensional space to freeze the line. The scene in his mind left him taking a deep breath.

    ¡°Incredible. That guy is a genius.¡±

    Wu Di, standing nearby with arms crossed, dismissed the praise. ¡°Boss, is that really worth admiring? It¡¯s a pretty basic method if you ask me.¡±

    ¡°If I had spatial powers, I¡¯d know to block the subway with something too. But honestly, all he did was temporarily solve his local problem without addressing the root cause of the zombie outbreak. What¡¯s the point?¡±

    Vice-captain Baili Changqing chuckled and said, ¡°Wu Di, you¡¯re as cocky as your name suggests. If the captain praises someone, he must have a reason. Learn to see the strengths in others instead of looking down on them.¡±

    Wu Di raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. ¡°I¡¯m not looking down on him. I¡¯m just saying, in an underground space like this, I could single-handedly wipe out all the zombies!¡±

    Bian Junwu stood and replied calmly to Wu Di¡¯s boast, ¡°Oh? You¡¯re that confident?¡±

    ¡°Of course!¡± Wu Di said, his tone full of certainty.

    His abilities were particularly suited for situations like this, where group combat was his forte.

    Bian Junwu asked, ¡°But do you know how strong the Zombie King is?¡±

    Wu Di paused before replying, ¡°I¡¯ve never seen it, so how would I know?¡±

    Even the team¡¯s intelligence only mentioned powerful armored zombies, but no one had encountered the Zombie King itself¡ªnot even Zhang Yi¡¯s group, who had ventured deep into the subway tunnels. ?¨¢????¨®?§¦?

    Bian Junwu said flatly, ¡°Zhang Yi¡¯s team cleared the entire subway line without any casualties.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t become overly reliant on your abilities. What matters most is how effectively you use them.¡±

    ¡°Zhang Yi¡¯s talent isn¡¯t purely combat-related. What¡¯s truly remarkable is his ability to strategize.¡±

    He glanced toward the horizon, where a long, frozen ridge marked the subway line, leading toward the Songzhuang transfer station and further north to Tianfeng District¡ªthe domain of the Followers of the Snow God.

    Wu Di¡¯s expression still showed traces of defiance as he muttered, ¡°Even if he¡¯s clever, what¡¯s the use? If we need a new teammate, it should be someone skilled in combat. We don¡¯t need someone to carry our bags.¡±

    Despite Wu Di¡¯s childish attitude, Bian Junwu merely smiled and said nothing.

    Wu Di¡¯s behavior was well-known among the team, and they were all accustomed to it. Especially now, with Bian Junwu¡¯s declining health, Wu Di¡¯s outbursts had only grown more frequent.

    The team understood his reasons but chose not to address them openly.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go. Time to see what a zombie siege looks like in person,¡± Bian Junwu said as he climbed back into the RV.

    The vehicle was driven by Baili Changqing, a man in his late forties. Despite his age, his muscular physique resembled that of a grizzly bear.

    ¡°Where to, Captain?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s head to Yangsheng Base first,¡± Bian Junwu replied.

    ¡°Got it!¡±

    Baili Changqing set the coordinates, turned the steering wheel, and drove toward Yangsheng Base.

    ...

    Meanwhile, the three major bases were also busy following Bian Junwu¡¯s orders to evacuate all non-combat personnel into underground shelters.

    The goal was to minimize casualties and, potentially, to disrupt the zombies¡¯ targeting by reducing human presence on the surface.

    Though reluctant to abandon vital surface facilities like warehouses, workshops, and dormitories, the leaders of each base complied, unwilling to defy the will of Jiangnan District.

    However, the logistics were daunting. Each faction had thousands of people and vast supplies to relocate, making the task anything but easy.

    At Yangsheng Base, Xiao Honglian worked tirelessly, coordinating defensive measures while ensuring the orderly evacuation of non-combat personnel.

    Not far from Yangsheng Base, the investigation team parked their RV on a high vantage point about five kilometers away, providing a panoramic view of the base and its surroundings.

    Bian Junwu sat by the window and activated the binocular mode on his tactical glasses, carefully observing the area.

    They were waiting for the zombies to arrive.

    Although the reports detailed zombie and rat swarm attacks on human bases, Bian Junwu needed to witness the phenomenon firsthand to gather the precise intelligence he sought.

    This was why he hadn¡¯t involved members of the major factions in their operations.

    As time passed, darkness fell in an instant, making it impossible to see anything without light.

    Yangsheng Base lit up with floodlights, vital for the humans who relied on illumination to fight the zombies that hunted by sensing life.

    In the RV, biologist and medical expert Meng Siyu was heating food in the microwave.

    The vehicle was stocked with plenty of space rations, which required minimal preparation.

    As they ate, the team used night-vision binoculars to watch the unfolding zombie siege like spectators at a grim theater.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 466: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada

    Chapter 466: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada

    From the darkness, zombies surged forth in waves, densely packed like an army of ants, spreading across the land surrounding Yangsheng Base. The massive open space around the base was almost entirely sealed off by the horde.

    Looking out over the scene, it was clear that the number of zombies exceeded ten thousand.

    For the investigation team, it was their first time witnessing such a spectacle in person.

    Meng Siyu¡¯s eyes widened in astonishment, and her heart raced despite knowing the zombies couldn¡¯t directly threaten their lives. She couldn¡¯t suppress her anxiety.

    ¡°Seeing it in footage is nothing like experiencing it firsthand,¡± she muttered.

    Wu Di, standing nearby, dismissed her unease. ¡°They¡¯re just bigger targets, nothing more.¡±

    ¡°Quiet! You¡¯ll draw them to us,¡± Baili Changqing whispered, glaring at the pair.

    They immediately fell silent, focusing on observing the horde. Meng Siyu diligently recorded the movement patterns of the zombies and rat swarms.

    Among the countless zombies were large numbers of screeching giant rats. The smallest were cat-sized, while larger ones were as big as stray dogs, and some massive ones rivaled small pigs. Their overwhelming numbers turned the ground a murky gray.

    In response, Yangsheng Base launched its counterattack.

    Suddenly, a fiery dragon surged from a distance, igniting the entire perimeter of the base in an instant.

    Yangsheng Base¡¯s defenses consisted of three deep trenches filled with black crude oil. Once lit, they became towering walls of fire over ten meters high.

    As the zombies and rats approached, the flames roared to life. The air was filled with the crackling of burning flesh and the agonized screeches of giant rats. Hundreds of zombies and rats perished in the inferno.

    But the zombies quickly regrouped into several narrow columns.

    The leading zombies began leaping into the fiery trenches.

    One or two zombies were instantly incinerated, but with their vast numbers, the sacrificial tactic began to work.

    As more zombies hurled themselves into the flames, they suppressed the fire, their charred bodies forming makeshift bridges. The remaining zombies and rat swarms crossed over the piled corpses and continued their advance.

    Even Bian Junwu frowned at the sight.

    ¡°As expected, they¡¯re a coordinated, intelligent group. If we let this chaos continue unchecked, they¡¯ll become a major threat.¡±

    Mindless zombies weren¡¯t frightening. But if controlled by an intelligent being, they were a nightmare.

    In a world where the dead vastly outnumbered the living, such a scenario was catastrophic.

    ¡°They lack individual intelligence,¡± Baili Changqing observed quietly. ¡°We need to find the one orchestrating them.¡±

    ¡°Not yet. Let¡¯s wait and see,¡± Bian Junwu replied, his voice unnervingly calm, even cold.

    The zombies and rats breached the first two defense lines, and the third was on the verge of collapse.

    Yangsheng Base¡¯s soldiers, armed with flamethrowers, grenades, and explosives, rushed to hold the final line.

    But against a horde numbering in the tens of thousands, their defenses seemed pitifully weak.

    Fortunately, Xiao Honglian arrived with her team of superhumans, significantly bolstering their combat power.

    In battles against such relentless monsters, the strength of superhumans was indispensable.

    Xiao Honglian was particularly anxious.

    With non-combat personnel still evacuating, the base was in disarray and at its most vulnerable. Desperation fueled her as she unleashed her powers, controlling flames to incinerate zombies and rats alike. £Ò§¡?????B??

    ¡°Infernal Furnace!¡±

    Standing atop a tall tower, Xiao Honglian extended her arms as flames coiled around her, forming over a dozen massive fire dragons.

    The fiery tendrils wrapped around her body, transforming her into a blazing inferno, her figure obscured by white-hot flames.

    In a flash, she leapt from the tower, detonating upon impact like a blazing sun.

    Within a radius of several hundred meters, every zombie and rat was incinerated into ash.

    Fire strengthened Xiao Honglian¡¯s abilities, and in the heart of the zombie horde, she singlehandedly slowed their advance.

    However, Yangsheng Base was too vast for her to protect every corner.

    In some areas, zombies and rats infiltrated the population, leaving a trail of slaughter and carnage. Screams echoed across the battlefield.

    Such grisly scenes were nothing new. The base¡¯s blackened walls bore testament to the daily sacrifices of soldiers to maintain a semblance of peace.

    From their distant vantage point, Bian Junwu and his team observed in silence, making no move to assist.

    They weren¡¯t here to solve Yangsheng Base¡¯s immediate crisis but to study the behavior of the zombie horde. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The battle intensified as darkness enveloped the battlefield. The zombies encircled Yangsheng Base entirely, and both sides were locked in a fierce struggle.

    Territory was constantly won and lost, with the base¡¯s superhuman captains and soldiers fighting tooth and nail to reclaim breached areas.

    ¡°Have all the zombies emerged?¡± Bian Junwu asked while watching the battle through his binoculars.

    Beside him, demolitions expert and engineer Ye Jikang was hunched over a bulky black computer that resembled a thick brick.

    Even in the frigid environment, the advanced device operated flawlessly.

    On its screen, a map of Tianhai City displayed the area around Yangsheng Base.

    Zooming in, Ye Jikang could see a top-down view of the battlefield, tracking the movements of every combatant, zombie, and even their own positions with precision.

    This was the power of China¡¯s most advanced satellite system¡ªXingyun.

    Ye Jikang analyzed the feed and confirmed, ¡°The zombies in the subway have all emerged.¡±

    ¡°However, some larger ones have appeared. They¡¯re likely the armored zombies Zhang Yi mentioned.¡±

    Bian Junwu¡¯s expression shifted slightly. ¡°Oh? Interesting.¡±

    According to Zhang Yi¡¯s earlier intelligence, previous zombie attacks centered on ordinary zombies and rat swarms.

    Now, the appearance of elite armored zombies suggested an escalation in their tactics.

    ¡°Could this be related to our presence here?¡± Bian Junwu wondered.

    Still, he addressed his team. ¡°Let¡¯s move. With the horde now drawn out, it¡¯s time for us to act.¡±

    Amid the chaos, a massive armored zombie appeared at the front lines, sending shockwaves through Yangsheng Base.

    These monsters, impervious to fire and tougher than steel, were beyond the capabilities of ordinary soldiers.

    Xiao Honglian remembered vividly how Dong Hu had been torn apart by two such creatures.

    But Bian Junwu and his team didn¡¯t spare the scene a second glance.

    They boarded their RV, taking a detour toward the nearest subway entrance.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 468: Pursuit

    Chapter 468: Pursuit

    Wu Di smirked and said, ¡°Vice-captain, you¡¯re way too slow. Step aside and watch me work!¡±

    As he spoke, he stretched out his arms, and in the darkness, a bright orb of light materialized, hovering near his right shoulder.

    A second orb appeared near his left shoulder, followed by a third above his head.

    In seconds, dozens of glowing orbs surrounded him, forming a radiant halo like something out of myth.

    Wu Di spread his arms, and the orbs surged forward, merging into a long, blazing beam of light.

    The intense white light illuminated everything ahead, and as the beam pierced through the zombie horde, their bodies were torn apart as if made of paper.

    One after another, bright rays streaked through the zombies, reducing them to shredded remains.

    ¡°Ha ha ha! I¡¯m the king of the battlefield!¡± Wu Di laughed maniacally.

    His ability, Floating Cannons, a trait-based power, converted mental energy into highly penetrating energy blasts. It was devastating in group combat.

    Under his assault, the horde crumbled like fragile fabric, leaving a trail of carnage in his wake.

    Baili Changqing chuckled helplessly as he scratched his head.

    ¡°When it comes to mowing down zombies, I guess I can¡¯t compare to you, Wu Di,¡± he said with a wry smile.

    The zombie horde posed no real resistance as the team advanced steadily.

    Finally, their overwhelming firepower caught the attention of the Zombie King.

    From the far end of the tunnel emerged several enormous armored zombies.

    These copper-armored creatures stood over three meters tall, resembling grotesque stick insects with long, spindly limbs and unnervingly slender waists. Their appearance was unsettling in a way that defied natural symmetry.

    Wu Di squinted at them. ¡°So, these are the famous armored zombies? Let¡¯s see how tough they really are!¡±

    He retracted the orbs around him, concentrating a single white light in his right hand.

    But before he could act, Bian Junwu placed a firm hand on his shoulder.

    ¡°Stand down and rest,¡± Bian Junwu ordered.

    Though Floating Cannons were powerful, they consumed a significant amount of mental energy, and overuse could lead to irreparable damage to the user.

    Reluctantly, Wu Di withdrew his power. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll leave this one to you guys.¡±

    The team knew well that the armored zombies were a far cry from ordinary ones in terms of combat strength. They approached the fight with caution.

    ¡°One for each of us,¡± Bian Junwu declared as he picked his target and raised his oversized black pistol.

    The gunshot echoed loudly, and a bullet struck the chest of one armored zombie, forcing it to stagger backward.

    Clearly, this wasn¡¯t an ordinary handgun but a specialized weapon.

    Bian Junwu advanced steadily, each shot landing on the creature¡¯s long, sinewy body, driving it further back.

    Meanwhile, Baili Changqing, Kong Sheng, and Qi Guangming engaged their own opponents.

    Baili Changqing, wielding his knight¡¯s lance, charged headlong into melee combat with an armored zombie.

    Kong Sheng smashed his fists together, and his body turned an ominous metallic shade of dark silver.

    Using his Steel Forge ability, he transformed his body into a weapon¡ªimpossibly durable and lethally sharp. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    In a flash, Kong Sheng appeared mid-air, his right leg descending like a blade to strike the shoulder of an armored zombie.

    The force of the blow drove the creature to its knees, splitting its shoulder open to reveal blood-red bone beneath.

    Kong Sheng frowned in disbelief. ¡°Damn, that¡¯s tough!¡±

    His kick could shear through a car, yet the zombie¡¯s bone remained intact.

    At that moment, a beam of light streaked past him, piercing the zombie¡¯s chest and tearing a gruesome hole.

    Turning, Kong Sheng saw Qi Guangming holding a peculiar black sniper rifle, grinning.

    ¡°This calls for teamwork!¡± Qi said with a laugh.

    Elsewhere, Bian Junwu had pinned his target against the wall, shoving his gun into its mouth and firing upward. The shot obliterated the zombie¡¯s head, leaving its body to collapse into a pool of fetid blood. ????????§¦S?

    The armored zombies, formidable as they were, stood no chance against the investigation team.

    Suddenly, Meng Siyu clutched her head and said, ¡°The horde is stirring! The white-furred monkey and six armored zombies are trying to escape, and a massive number of zombies are converging to cover their retreat.¡±

    Adjusting his tactical glasses, Bian Junwu¡¯s voice turned icy.

    ¡°That settles it. The white-furred monkey is the Zombie King, and the horde is stalling for time. We can¡¯t let it get away.¡±

    The Zombie King¡¯s intelligence and capacity for evolution made it an increasingly dangerous foe. If it escaped, it would learn from this encounter, making any future capture nearly impossible.

    ¡°Move out! We must capture it today!¡±

    The team dashed toward the fleeing Zombie King, but the horde and rat swarm surged like a tidal wave, attempting to block their path.

    Bian Junwu, unwilling to waste more time, removed his glasses and activated his Annihilation ability.

    A searing white light filled the tunnel, and in an instant, the space ahead was wiped clean.

    Thousands of zombies were obliterated in the blink of an eye.

    The strain of the attack caused sharp pain in Bian Junwu¡¯s chest, and he doubled over, coughing violently.

    Despite his condition, he pressed forward without hesitation. ¡°Go!¡±

    The team pursued relentlessly, clearing out stray rats and zombies as they closed in on the Zombie King.

    Meanwhile, outside Yangsheng Base, the attacking zombies abruptly halted as if receiving an unseen signal.

    They turned en masse, retreating toward the tunnels.

    The rat swarm followed suit, leaving Xiao Honglian and her soldiers baffled.

    Her body, wreathed in flames like a fiery goddess, trembled with exhaustion. Gasping for breath, she stared at the retreating enemy in shock.

    ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± she muttered.

    Unbeknownst to her, the Zombie King was fighting for its life underground, pursued by Bian Junwu and his team.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 469: The Death of the Zombie King

    Chapter 469: The Death of the Zombie King

    The investigation team carved through the zombie horde like a blade through cloth, rapidly closing in on the Zombie King.

    For the first time, they got a close look at the white-furred monkey.

    It was protected by six massive armored zombies, one of which carried the creature on its back as they fled deeper into the subway.

    ¡°Capture it alive!¡± Bian Junwu commanded.

    Qi Guangming raised his peculiar black sniper rifle, aiming for the leg joint of the armored zombie carrying the Zombie King.

    A sharp crack echoed as a bright beam struck its target, shattering the zombie¡¯s joint with a sickening .

    The towering creature roared in pain and collapsed, sending the white-furred monkey tumbling to the ground with a shrill scream.

    Before it could recover, Baili Changqing surged forward with his knight¡¯s lance, pressing its tip against the monkey¡¯s head.

    The creature¡¯s eyes flashed with terror as it cowered on the ground, frozen in place.

    The surrounding armored zombies growled and paced, unwilling to attack but clearly desperate to protect their leader.

    Bian Junwu¡¯s cold gaze locked onto the monkey. ¡°If I¡¯m watching, there¡¯s no chance for escape,¡± he said, his tone like ice.

    The team surrounded the creature, paying no attention to the armored zombies. They knew the zombies wouldn¡¯t act without the Zombie King¡¯s orders.

    ¡°So this is the Zombie King, the one commanding the entire horde?¡± Bian Junwu muttered, raising an eyebrow as he studied the trembling creature.

    Wu Di let out a loud laugh. ¡°I thought it¡¯d be some kind of unstoppable beast if it could control a horde this big. Turns out it¡¯s a weak little thing!¡±

    Baili Changqing, however, remained composed. ¡°This actually makes sense,¡± he said.

    ¡°If it¡¯s the brain of the horde or some kind of control-type superhuman, it doesn¡¯t need to be physically strong. It just needs to command from the back.¡±

    Meng Siyu stroked her chin thoughtfully. ¡°No wonder it doesn¡¯t dare launch a full-scale attack on human settlements. Its body is too weak, so it has to keep a large portion of the horde and armored zombies nearby for protection.¡±

    ¡°With combat abilities this poor, even an ordinary adult could kill it,¡± she concluded.

    The surrounding armored zombies growled again, clearly agitated, but without direction from their leader, they hesitated to act.

    The white-furred monkey shrieked oddly, its eyes filled with a mixture of fear and resentment.

    Bian Junwu pressed his gun to the creature¡¯s head. ¡°Order them to kill each other,¡± he demanded coldly.

    A flicker of hatred flashed in the monkey¡¯s eyes, and its cries grew louder.

    Suddenly, the six armored zombies roared in unison and charged at the team, the creature having chosen to go down fighting.

    Baili Changqing spat on the ground, gripped his lance tightly, and grinned. ¡°Looks like it wants a fight!¡±

    His body radiated black energy, enveloping him like a shroud. With the strength of a titan, he charged into the fray, his lance sweeping out in a deadly arc. ????¦¡??????§§?

    In one devastating strike, all six armored zombies were cleaved in half. Green blood sprayed through the air, mingled with the shattered remains of crimson bones.

    ¡°Ha! Who¡¯s next?¡± Baili Changqing roared, his voice echoing through the tunnel.

    Despite their terrifying strength, the armored zombies were no match for the deputy captain of the investigation team, Iron Grip Baili Changqing.

    However, the tunnel reverberated with distant roars as the horde surged forward, summoned by the Zombie King.

    Bian Junwu narrowed his eyes at the creature beneath his gun. ¡°You¡¯re not playing fair,¡± he muttered coldly.

    Realizing that the horde would soon surround them, Bian Junwu made a swift decision.

    He pulled the trigger.

    The gunshot rang out, and the monkey¡¯s head exploded. Its body collapsed lifelessly, its skull punctured by a massive hole.

    Without a word, Meng Siyu pulled a body bag from her pack and carefully stored the corpse.

    The team retreated from the subway, emerging through the nearest exit back to the surface.

    What awaited them was a shocking sight.

    Under the pale expanse of the snowy plains, tens of thousands of zombies had gathered, standing motionless and gazing toward the subway entrance.

    Without the Zombie King to guide them, they appeared disoriented, their movements slow and aimless.

    ¡°They¡¯ve lost their coordination,¡± Bian Junwu remarked, watching the scene with a calm expression.

    Meng Siyu nodded. ¡°Without a leader, even a massive horde like this can¡¯t pose a serious threat to large human settlements.¡±

    Intelligent zombies were an entirely different challenge compared to mindless ones. Without direction, even the largest horde could be managed with time and resources.

    A few zombies spotted the team and charged, their eyes glowing red with aggression. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°Let¡¯s move,¡± Bian Junwu ordered. ¡°No need to waste time here. They¡¯ll decay soon enough without a leader to sustain them.¡±

    The zombies, being mere carriers of the virus, would rapidly deteriorate without sustenance.

    The team swiftly returned to their vehicle.

    Nearby, clusters of zombies wandered aimlessly, paying no mind to the armored vehicle. After clearing a small group blocking their path, the team loaded the monkey¡¯s body into the car and drove off.

    Their next task was to analyze the corpse, uncovering its biological secrets and searching for clues about the zombie virus.

    Inside the vehicle, Meng Siyu donned a white protective suit and began dissecting the body on a portable surgical table.

    The others rested in shifts, their rest brief and uneasy.

    As dawn broke, the pale light of day spilling across the frozen wasteland, Meng Siyu removed her gloves and looked up at Bian Junwu.

    Her face was solemn as she delivered her findings.

    ¡°It¡¯s not a monkey or any type of primate,¡± she said.

    ¡°What we¡¯re dealing with... was once human.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 470: Deeper Mysteries

    Chapter 470: Deeper Mysteries

    Meng Siyu¡¯s revelation left the team surprised, though it wasn¡¯t entirely unexpected. In a world overrun by mutated creatures, humans, and corpses, little seemed impossible anymore.

    She continued, ¡°The creature¡¯s body contains a significant amount of the zombie virus. This virus exhibits distinct colony-like behavior.

    ¡°The Zombie King can infect other corpses with the virus, turning them into zombies.

    ¡°It also maintains a link with its ¡®offspring¡¯ through some mechanism, enabling it to control the horde.

    ¡°However, this link is relatively simple and conveys limited information. That¡¯s why the zombies initially exhibit such basic, rigid behaviors in combat.¡±

    She paused before adding, ¡°The Zombie King itself, however, possesses intelligence. Its brain remains intact, unlike ordinary zombies. Therefore, it can be killed just like a regular human¡ªby destroying its brain.¡±

    Baili Changqing leaned back in his seat, remarking, ¡°So, in some ways, it¡¯s not much different from us.¡±

    Qi Guangming¡¯s tone grew serious. ¡°Does this mean that if we eliminate all the Zombie Kings in Tianhai City, we can resolve the zombie crisis?¡±

    Meng Siyu nodded affirmatively.

    ¡°In theory, yes. Without a Zombie King to coordinate them, even the largest horde would be reduced to little more than a scattered nuisance.¡±

    In a world where superhumans existed, an uncoordinated zombie horde, no matter how large, could eventually be exterminated with enough time and effort.

    Bian Junwu adjusted his tinted tactical glasses, his face an impenetrable mask as he processed Meng Siyu¡¯s findings.

    ¡°But one question remains unanswered,¡± he said after a pause.

    ¡°If there are multiple Zombie Kings in Tianhai City, where did the first one come from?

    ¡°If Zombie Kings are mutated from human corpses, how was the original infected with the zombie virus?¡±

    All eyes turned back to Meng Siyu, who shook her head.

    ¡°That¡¯s difficult to determine. The scale of the zombie horde, coupled with our limited resources, makes tracing the origin nearly impossible.

    ¡°It¡¯s possible that the Zombie King is simply a variant within the horde, similar to how armored zombies are created by the original King.

    ¡°Its sole purpose may be to command the other zombies.¡±

    Bian Junwu¡¯s expression remained cold as steel.

    Baili Changqing, attempting to lift the mood, chuckled. ¡°Well, at least we know one thing: killing the Zombie Kings makes the horde manageable. That¡¯s good news, right? ???§°?¨¨£Ó

    ¡°This mission might not be as tough as we thought. They¡¯re just large in number!¡±

    Wu Di groaned, rubbing his temples. ¡°Ugh, but there are so many zombies! How long is it going to take to kill them all? If only we could gather them in one spot so I could just wipe them all out with my Floating Cannons!¡±

    The team burst into laughter. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°If only it were that easy!¡± someone said. ¡°If it were, HQ wouldn¡¯t have sent us in the first place.¡±

    Amid the banter, Bian Junwu, who had been silent in thought, suddenly spoke up.

    ¡°Gathering them all in one place and eliminating them in one strike... that¡¯s actually not a bad idea.¡±

    His words caught everyone off guard.

    Wu Di¡¯s eyes lit up, and he grinned. ¡°See? I knew you¡¯d get it, Boss! Great idea, huh?¡±

    Baili Changqing frowned slightly. ¡°But how would we do that? The zombies in Tianhai City are scattered everywhere.¡±

    Kong Sheng added, ¡°And if we do gather them all, the sheer number would be overwhelming. How would we deal with that?¡±

    Bian Junwu crossed his arms, his expression as icy as ever.

    ¡°Zombies are drawn to humans. That much is certain.

    ¡°So, if we bring all the humans in Tianhai City together, we can lure the zombies to one location.¡±

    ¡°Once they¡¯re all in one place, we can annihilate them¡ªalong with their Zombie Kings.¡±

    ¡°And doing so might also confirm a suspicion of mine.¡±

    The word piqued everyone¡¯s curiosity.

    ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, Boss?¡± Wu Di asked.

    Bian Junwu¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile.

    ¡°So far, the zombie horde in Tianhai City has shown only minor tendencies to spread to nearby cities. Most of the zombies remain concentrated in Tianhai City.

    ¡°That¡¯s highly unusual. If the virus is driving them, they should naturally spread outward, seeking more prey as their local food supply dwindles.¡±

    ¡°But instead, they remain here, persistently attacking the five major factions.

    ¡°Even Zhang Yi¡¯s small shelter has faced sustained attacks from a zombie horde.

    ¡°Why?¡±

    His eyes glinted with a hint of amusement.

    ¡°I want to find out if someone is pulling the strings behind the scenes.

    ¡°Maybe the Zombie Kings aren¡¯t natural at all.

    ¡°Maybe they were created deliberately.¡±

    ¡°And if that¡¯s true,¡± he concluded, his voice dropping to a menacing growl, ¡°then we¡¯ll dismantle this hidden force entirely.¡±

    ...

    Another night passed.

    The investigation team¡¯s success in eliminating the Zombie King near Yangsheng Base marked a turning point.

    For the first time, humans had managed to kill a Zombie King, and the surrounding horde, now leaderless, descended into disarray.

    Without coordination, the zombies behaved like wild beasts driven solely by instinct.

    Some zombies even wandered into Yangsheng Base during daylight hours, initially causing panic among the exhausted defenders.

    However, after a brief skirmish, they discovered that the zombies were far less threatening without leadership.

    The creatures no longer avoided traps or barbed wire, and even ran directly into flamethrowers, incinerating themselves en masse.

    The defenders erupted in cheers.

    Zhuge Qingtian rushed to report the news to Xiao Honglian, whose tense expression finally eased.

    ¡°Is it true?¡± she asked.

    At the front lines, she observed the disorganized horde with her own eyes. Though their numbers were significant, their movements were chaotic and uncoordinated.

    For the first time in days, she exhaled deeply in relief.

    ¡°Whatever happened, it¡¯s a good sign,¡± she said.

    Zhuge Qingtian speculated, ¡°Could it have something to do with the investigation team from Jiangnan District?¡±

    Thinking of the investigation team and their formidable capabilities, Xiao Honglian¡¯s expression turned serious.

    ¡°It¡¯s possible,¡± she said.

    Both Xiao Honglian and Zhuge Qingtian couldn¡¯t hide their astonishment.

    ¡°Is this the strength of Jiangnan District?¡±

    ¡°A team of just seven people, and on their first day here, they¡¯ve already resolved a major crisis!¡±

    Their respect and awe for the Jiangnan District deepened further.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 471: Baseless Accusations

    Chapter 471: Baseless Accusations

    Morning light illuminated the Snow God Sect¡¯s headquarters, casting a stark contrast against the destruction from the previous night¡¯s brutal battle.

    Though the sect had many superhumans and had gained experience fighting the undead, lives were still lost. However, the casualty numbers had begun to decline.

    After his meeting with Bian Junwu, Zheng Yixian returned to the Snow God Sect¡¯s base and began overseeing the relocation of non-combat personnel.

    Their new shelter was the underground parking structures, with all entrances securely sealed, leaving only combat-capable members above ground to defend them.

    In the past, the sect had tried moving people to higher floors of buildings and cutting off access to the lower levels. Yet the zombies, unbound by physical limitations, climbed dozens of meters to reach their prey. That mistake had cost them dearly, but they¡¯d learned their lesson. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The area around St. John¡¯s Cathedral was a desolate wasteland. The dawn brought no sense of renewal, only stark visibility to the carnage¡ªa grisly mix of human corpses, zombies, and giant rats littered the surroundings.

    Exhausted sect members worked tirelessly to clear the battlefield.

    The corpses had to be moved to a nearby abandoned building, where they would be consumed by the bloodvine. Leaving them exposed risked the recently dead transforming into new zombies.

    Others collected the bodies of the giant rats, a rare source of fresh meat in these desperate times. Though many worried about potential diseases or unknown infections, hunger overruled such concerns. Survival hinged on eating what was available.

    Amid this chaos, Father Li Jian, a priest of some standing within the sect, searched frantically alongside his wife, Zhang Jianfang.

    The previous night¡¯s battle had separated them from their son, Li Kaile. Now, they scoured the battlefield, their desperation mounting.

    ¡°Where could Kaile have gone?!¡± Zhang Jianfang¡¯s voice was tinged with panic.

    Their son had gone missing after recklessly rushing off to find his girlfriend, Xu Beibei, despite the danger and his parents¡¯ protests.

    Now, amid the sea of corpses, Zhang Jianfang feared the worst.

    ¡°Kaile!¡± she called, her voice trembling.

    Li Jian, his expression grim, asked every sect member he passed if they had seen his son, but no one had time for their plight.

    Then, as Li Jian rounded a corner near the ruins of a building, he froze, his blood running cold.

    In the shadow of the rubble lay Li Kaile, drenched in blood. His lower body was soaked in dark red, and he lay motionless on the ground.

    Standing over him was Sect Leader Yuan Kongye, her hand gripping a bloodstained dagger. Her face was calm, but her gaze betrayed a twisted struggle.

    For a moment, Li Jian¡¯s mind went blank.

    Then his instincts as a father took over.

    ¡°Kaile!¡± he roared, charging toward them.

    Without turning her head, Yuan Kongye raised her left hand.

    A powerful force sent Li Jian flying backward, landing heavily five meters away.

    Zhang Jianfang, arriving moments later, saw her husband crumpled on the ground and her son bleeding beneath the sect leader. Her face turned ghostly pale. ?????¦­?£Â§¦S?

    ¡°This filth...¡± Yuan Kongye muttered, staring at Li Kaile with a look of cold disdain. ¡°You must be purified.¡±

    Her words plunged Li Jian and Zhang Jianfang into despair.

    Why? Why would the revered sect leader harm their son?

    As if answering their silent pleas, High Priest Zheng Yixian appeared.

    Surveying the scene, he frowned slightly before striding toward Yuan Kongye.

    Towering over her, Zheng Yixian opened his cloak and enveloped her in a protective embrace.

    Yuan Kongye¡¯s tense body remained rigid, but the madness in her eyes began to subside.

    ¡°Original sin is unforgivable,¡± she murmured. ¡°I am helping him.¡±

    ¡°I know. You¡¯ve done nothing wrong,¡± Zheng Yixian reassured her gently, allowing her to keep the dagger as he led her away.

    Li Jian and Zhang Jianfang could only watch helplessly as the two figures disappeared into the distance.

    Swallowing their fury and confusion, they scrambled to their son¡¯s side.

    Li Kaile was unconscious, his face pale as paper. His lower body was drenched in blood, though his upper body bore no fatal wounds.

    Li Jian¡¯s expression darkened as he pieced the situation together.

    The purification ritual.

    He¡¯d heard whispers about the Snow God Sect¡¯s initiation practices, particularly the ¡°cleansing¡± of young boys.

    As a superhuman serving the sect, he had hoped his son would be spared this fate. But now, it seemed inevitable.

    Though devastated, they found solace in the fact that Li Kaile was alive. Yuan Kongye had stopped the bleeding after the ritual, but the emotional scars would remain.

    How would their son face the world when he awoke?

    Tears streamed down their faces as a storm of emotions¡ªgrief, anger, and helplessness¡ªoverwhelmed them.

    From a distance, Zhang Jianfang spotted a figure huddled in a shadowy corner.

    It was Xu Beibei, trembling and curled into herself, clutching her knees.

    Zhang Jianfang clenched her fists and shouted, ¡°Xu Beibei! What happened here? Why did the sect leader harm my son? Was it because of you?¡±

    Xu Beibei, already in tears, shook her head frantically.

    ¡°I... I didn¡¯t do anything!¡± she stammered, her voice choked with sobs.

    ¡°After we escaped, he kissed me. That¡¯s when the sect leader saw us, and... and then she...¡±

    Her voice broke as the memory flooded back, her sobs intensifying.

    Zhang Jianfang¡¯s anger flared, but seeing the girl¡¯s misery, she was left with more questions than answers.

    What had driven Yuan Kongye to such extremes?

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 472: A Mans Pain

    Chapter 472: A Man''s Pain

    Li Jian and Zhang Jianfang stared at their son¡¯s condition, their hearts filled with despair and incomprehension. Beyond their anger, a sense of helplessness consumed them.

    The reality was bitter: Yuan Kongye, the leader of the Snow God Sect, had done this. Yet they were reliant on the sect for survival. There was no way to seek vengeance or even demand justice.

    But why? Why would the sect leader act so irrationally over a budding romance between children?

    From the moment they joined the sect and learned about the "purification ritual," Li Jian had felt something was off with Yuan Kongye.

    Why were young boys mutilated, while adult men were left untouched? What drove such a decision?

    ...

    Meanwhile, in her chambers at the back of the cathedral, Yuan Kongye sat on her bed, slowly regaining her composure.

    For a fleeting moment, her icy demeanor softened, replaced by a rare fragility and confusion. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    She looked up at Zheng Yixian, standing before her.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t do anything wrong, did I?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Those actions¡ªthose desires¡ªare inherently sinful. All I did was guide him toward the right path.¡±

    Zheng Yixian nodded in agreement.

    Kneeling before her, he raised his head, his gaze unwavering.

    ¡°You¡¯ve done nothing wrong. It was the boy¡¯s fault.

    ¡°In this apocalyptic world, there is no room for love or lust. Impure relationships between men and women must be forbidden.¡±

    Yuan Kongye sighed, her face lighting up with a radiant smile as she gently placed her pale hand on Zheng Yixian¡¯s cheek.

    ¡°If only all men were like you,¡± she murmured. ¡°Then the world wouldn¡¯t be so tainted.¡±

    Her cold touch made Zheng Yixian¡¯s submissive expression deepen.

    ¡°This world will be as you desire, my Lady,¡± he said reverently.

    Yuan Kongye withdrew her hand, her expression returning to the calm, authoritative gaze befitting the leader of the Snow God Sect.

    ¡°That boy is Li Jian¡¯s son. Will he hold any grievances against us?¡±

    ¡°I will speak with him and help him understand your intentions,¡± Zheng Yixian assured her. ¡°I believe he will come to see your wisdom.¡±

    Yuan Kongye nodded, saying nothing further.

    Li Jian¡¯s abilities were valuable to the sect, and he posed no threat to them. Such individuals were ideal for cultivation and loyalty.

    This incident had only occurred because Yuan Kongye had been triggered by the sight of Li Kaile and Xu Beibei.

    And Xu Beibei had lied.

    What she described as ¡°just a kiss¡± wasn¡¯t the full truth.

    Faced with life-and-death situations, humans often succumbed to primal instincts, driven by an unconscious desire to ensure their genetic survival. In the lawless world of the apocalypse, these young lovers had pushed boundaries they barely understood. ?¨¤¦­????

    But they had chosen the worst possible time and place¡ªand encountered the worst possible person.

    ...

    Li Jian and Zhang Jianfang¡¯s hearts were heavy with grief, though they consoled themselves with the knowledge that their son was still alive.

    In the harsh world of the apocalypse, the loss of that ability might not matter much. Survival took precedence over all else.

    But for Li Kaile, the loss was unbearable.

    When he regained consciousness and realized what had been done to him, his mind spiraled into chaos.

    ¡°Why bother living anymore?!¡± he screamed, thrashing and clawing at himself.

    Zhang Jianfang wept, trying desperately to calm him. ¡°We¡¯re still a family of three. Let¡¯s live together, survive together¡ªplease, my son.¡±

    From the shadows, Xu Beibei watched quietly, tears streaming down her face. She didn¡¯t dare approach.

    It wasn¡¯t that she didn¡¯t care. She knew that her presence would only deepen Li Kaile¡¯s wounds.

    ...

    That afternoon, Li Jian was visited by High Priest Zheng Yixian.

    Though Li Jian¡¯s heart burned with anger, he forced himself to remain composed, greeting his guest respectfully.

    ¡°Zheng¡ª¡± he began.

    ¡°Not Zheng,¡± the high priest interrupted with a wave of his hand. ¡°Address me by my title.¡±

    Li Jian quickly corrected himself. ¡°Yes, High Priest.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s understandable,¡± Zheng Yixian said, his tone almost indulgent. ¡°You¡¯re new to the sect. Adapting takes time.¡±

    His sharp eyes studied Li Jian¡¯s face, noting the restrained displeasure there.

    Li Jian, to his credit, didn¡¯t lash out or demand answers. He didn¡¯t storm off to confront Yuan Kongye or Zheng Yixian in a fit of rage. His restraint showed he understood the reality of his situation.

    But Zheng Yixian also knew he needed to provide a reasonable explanation to ensure Li Jian¡¯s continued loyalty.

    ¡°How is your son?¡± Zheng Yixian asked, breaking the silence.

    Li Jian¡¯s face darkened. ¡°His physical wounds will heal, but the damage to his spirit may never mend.¡±

    ¡°A man who loses the essence of his manhood... how can he ever hold his head high?¡±

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s face twitched slightly, an uncharacteristic crack in his composure.

    He responded in a softer, almost apologetic tone. ¡°Your son¡¯s purification was a great mercy. However, he should not have behaved inappropriately before the sect leader.¡±

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s voice briefly wavered, unsettling Li Jian, but it quickly returned to its usual calm, authoritative tone.

    ¡°The Snow God Sect is a vast organization. At its peak, it had over ten thousand members! Without strict governance, chaos would be inevitable.

    ¡°Romantic entanglements are the seed of disorder. While adults may exercise self-control, reckless young people act on impulse.

    ¡°In this post-apocalyptic world, where all rules have crumbled, what would happen if such impulses led to conflicts, fights, or unplanned pregnancies? It would jeopardize the entire group.¡±

    He fixed his gaze on Li Jian.

    ¡°This is about preserving order and ensuring survival. You are an intelligent man¡ªyou must understand this.¡±

    He added, ¡°Your son was not singled out. The same applies to everyone.¡±

    Li Jian remained silent for a long time before finally nodding. ¡°The High Priest speaks with wisdom.¡±

    Zheng Yixian studied him for a moment before continuing.

    ¡°From now on, your son will receive an additional share of rations,¡± he said. ¡°And I trust this matter won¡¯t affect your dedication to the sect.¡±

    Li Jian nodded again. ¡°I understand.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 473: The Bait Plan

    Chapter 473: The Bait Plan

    Zheng Yixian comforted Li Jian briefly. Seeing that his emotions were stable, he left.

    He knew Li Jian couldn¡¯t let go of his son¡¯s situation so quickly. However, as long as Li Jian and his family lived under the Bai Xue Jiao, they had no choice but to move past it.

    As the Grand Priest, Zheng Yixian personally lowering himself to console them was already a great honor.

    To Li Jian, though, Zheng Yixian''s nonsensical explanations were unbearable.

    "What kind of absurd logic is this? For the stability of the cult, they castrate people? What¡¯s the point of the cult if humanity can¡¯t reproduce? Won¡¯t we all be wiped out anyway?"

    Li Jian muttered under his breath, cursing Zheng Yixian¡¯s ridiculousness.

    But circumstances were beyond his control. He had to care for his family and the companions he brought from Yuelu District.

    Even though anger boiled within, he had to learn to endure it.

    By now, he realized the Bai Xue Jiao was far from the utopia he imagined.

    As a former senior manager of a publicly listed corporation, his intellect was sharp enough to notice something fishy about the cult.

    This became even clearer as he uncovered more of the cult¡¯s secrets.

    His mood grew heavier. For the first time, he questioned whether bringing his neighbors from Yuelu Residential Area to the Bai Xue Jiao had been the right decision.

    But there¡¯s no medicine for regret.

    Had they stayed in Yuelu, another zombie wave would have turned them into zombie food.

    As he approached his home with heavy steps, the sounds of his wife crying and Li Kaile''s pained screams reached his ears.

    Li Jian¡¯s eyes filled with sorrow.

    The inability to continue his bloodline now seemed minor.

    But as a father, he couldn¡¯t bear to see his son endure such pain in the future.

    Swallowing countless unspoken words, he let out a long sigh of helplessness.

    What happened in Li Jian¡¯s home was just a trivial matter for the Bai Xue Jiao.

    It was a microcosm of the cult: a facade of harmony masking deep dissatisfaction.

    Yet the followers, desperate for protection, chose to bury their heads in the sand, even when faced with unbearable hardships.

    Meanwhile, the investigation team, after killing a Zombie King, finalized their strategy.

    The plan was to lure the zombie horde to one spot and eliminate the Zombie King!

    Even if they couldn¡¯t completely eradicate the horde, they could replicate their previous success by taking out many of the intelligent white-furred monkeys. ???????????¨ºs?

    Bian Junwu believed the horde¡¯s behavior resembled that of a Zerg swarm.

    Zombie Kings could create new zombies, with infection speeds far exceeding ordinary zombies.

    Moreover, the Zombie King had intelligence and could evolve through battles.

    However, as the brain, it lacked significant combat strength.

    Thus, a solution emerged.

    First, use a large crowd to draw the zombie main force forward.

    Then send an elite team underground to decapitate the Zombie King.

    This was Bian Junwu¡¯s plan.

    With the strategy clear, the next step was execution.

    The first task was selecting an ideal bait location.

    Holding a communicator showing the positions of Tianhai City¡¯s five factions and the zombie horde''s movements, Bian Junwu tapped the Bai Xue Jiao territory.

    ¡°This spot it is!¡± S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    There were two reasons for choosing the cult¡¯s territory.

    First, the Bai Xue Jiao had the most followers, making it the best bait for attracting zombies.

    Second, the cult¡¯s location was in Tianfeng District, previously Tianhai City¡¯s busiest area.

    This meant the highest death toll and the densest zombie population were here.

    The city¡¯s underground zombie waves naturally converged in this area.

    Bian Junwu immediately sent messages to the five factions.

    The instructions were simple:

    Evacuate non-combatants and bring all combat forces to the Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s St. John¡¯s Cathedral!

    Reactions varied.

    Xiao Honglian, now the biggest beneficiary, responded quickly.

    The investigation team had cleared numerous zombies around Yangsheng Base, especially the Zombie King. This made the surrounding rogue zombies easy to handle.

    Xiao Honglian had deduced that the team likely killed the Zombie King controlling the horde.

    Acknowledging their strength, she replied without hesitation, ¡°Understood. We¡¯ll head there immediately.¡±

    While she didn¡¯t understand the significance of gathering at St. John¡¯s Cathedral, trust in the investigation team¡¯s strength and their superior background prompted her to comply.

    The Qingfu and Chaoyu Bases reacted similarly.

    They secured non-combatants in underground shelters built over 100 meters deep, reinforced with steel and concrete, resistant even to missile strikes.

    As long as the doors remained shut, neither zombies nor giant rats could breach the shelters.

    Xing Tian and Wei Dinghai mobilized most of their forces per Bian Junwu¡¯s orders and headed toward the Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s base.

    However, not everyone welcomed this plan.

    The Bai Xue Jiao, in particular, had reservations.

    When Zheng Yixian received the message, his expression turned grim.

    He rushed to Yuan Kongye to report.

    ¡°The investigation team wants everyone to gather here. It looks like they plan to fight a major battle against the horde. This is bad news for us.¡±

    If their base became the battlefield, countless cult followers would die.

    Bian Junwu prioritized the big picture, focusing solely on mission completion, indifferent to casualties.

    While logical, this approach spelled disaster for the Bai Xue Jiao, who would bear the sacrifice.

    After hearing this, Yuan Kongye frowned.

    ¡°Many more people will die,¡± she murmured.

    ¡°And their gathering here is a threat to us.¡±

    Relations between the five factions were tense, especially with Yangsheng and Chaoyu Bases, who bore grudges against the Bai Xue Jiao for past betrayals.

    They might even sabotage the cult in secret.

    Zheng Yixian suggested, ¡°Let¡¯s evacuate quickly! If they discover anything, it¡¯ll be disastrous.¡±

    Yuan Kongye hesitated before nodding slowly.

    ¡°Let¡¯s do as you say.

    ¡°Still, there¡¯s no need to worry too much.

    ¡°The gods above will protect the faithful of the Bai Xue Jiao.¡±

    She clasped her hands in prayer.

    It seemed prayer was all they could rely on, as Bian Junwu never consulted them about his decisions.

    They could only comply.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 474: The Gathering

    Chapter 474: The Gathering

    Zhang Yi received the message and immediately began pondering its deeper implications.

    ¡°Gather at the Bai Xue Jiao? Why not choose another place? Why that rundown spot?¡±

    ¡°Wait¡­ they want us to bring all our combat forces. Is this a plan for a major battle with the zombies?¡±

    ¡°If they¡¯re confident enough to initiate a fight, did they uncover some critical intelligence?¡±

    As Zhang Yi paced back and forth by the living room window, deep in thought, Yang Xinxin rolled by in her wheelchair.

    Noticing his contemplative expression, she tilted her head and asked, ¡°Brother, what¡¯s troubling you this time?¡±

    Zhang Yi smiled and waved her over.

    ¡°You came at the perfect time. Come take a look!¡±

    After Yang Xinxin approached, Zhang Yi handed her the investigation team¡¯s message.

    She lowered her gaze, pondering briefly before breaking into a smile.

    ¡°Brother, this is great news!¡±

    Zhang Yi chuckled. ¡°Explain in detail¡ªwhat¡¯s so great about it?¡±

    Yang Xinxin locked eyes with him, her smile unwavering. ¡°What¡¯s the defining trait of the Bai Xue Jiao?¡±

    ¡°Hmm¡­ well, they¡¯re dirt poor. Aside from their large population, they don¡¯t have much else. Are you saying it¡¯s because of their numbers?¡±

    Yang Xinxin nodded.

    ¡°Exactly. Their sheer population is their most significant feature.¡±

    She teased, ¡°It¡¯s also their only noteworthy advantage.¡±

    Zhang Yi recalled the Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s combat methods.

    Their weaponry was outdated, and their combatants were weak.

    In battles with other factions, they often resorted to suicide tactics, trading lives to gain an edge.

    Such brutal and savage strategies had earned them a foothold in Tianhai City.

    Yang Xinxin continued, ¡°If zombies truly prey on humans selectively, then the massive Bai Xue Jiao population would undoubtedly attract the most zombies.¡± ????£Á?????B??

    ¡°The investigation team wants us to gather at the Bai Xue Jiao and bring all our combat forces. Their intent is clear.¡±

    ¡°They plan to wage a massive battle against the zombies there. With the Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s people and the combined forces of other factions, it will undoubtedly become the most conspicuous target in all of Tianhai City!¡±

    Hearing her analysis, a realization dawned on Zhang Yi.

    His eyes lit up as he looked at Yang Xinxin in surprise.

    ¡°If that¡¯s the case, doesn¡¯t it mean they¡¯ve figured out how to deal with the zombie horde?¡±

    Their five-person squad had witnessed the terrifying might of the zombie horde.

    Under the command of the intelligent Zombie King, the zombie army, bolstered by Bronze Armored Zombies with combat power rivaling superhumans, had been unstoppable.

    Yang Xinxin tilted her head with a smile.

    ¡°Since this investigation team was sent by Jiangnan District, their strength is undoubtedly exceptional.

    ¡°But the key lies in intelligence! Intelligence!¡±

    She wagged her delicate finger, emphasizing her point to Zhang Yi.

    ¡°They have more sources of information than we do. Plus, with the combined data from all factions, they understand the zombie horde far better than we ever could.¡±

    ¡°So naturally, they¡¯d find a way to deal with it quickly.¡±

    Zhang Yi found her reasoning sound.

    ¡°Now that I think about it, the main reason we failed the last mission was our lack of understanding of the underground environment.¡±

    ¡°We never even encountered the Zombie King. We had to piece together fragmented information, which led to a fear of the unknown.¡±

    On the other hand, Zhang Yi had to admit that the seven-person squad¡¯s combat prowess far exceeded that of his team.

    Bian Junwu¡¯s strength aside, even his subordinates were top-tier by Tianhai City standards¡ªcomparable to the leaders of various bases.

    Just imagining a team comprising individuals of Zhang Yi¡¯s, Xiao Honglian¡¯s, or Wei Dinghai¡¯s caliber sent shivers down his spine.

    Leaning back on the sofa, Zhang Yi said casually, ¡°In that case, let¡¯s head over and see what they¡¯ve got planned.¡±

    ¡°Such large-scale mobilization doesn¡¯t affect us much anyway.¡±

    Their small numbers afforded them flexibility.

    Whether advancing or retreating, they could act swiftly.

    Without ordinary people holding them back, Zhang Yi¡¯s group could maintain composure on any battlefield.

    ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll make the trip. Let¡¯s see what tricks they have up their sleeves!¡±

    With that, Zhang Yi summoned everyone to the living room for a meeting.

    Once the group assembled, he shared the message.

    Uncle You, with his keen sense for war, immediately remarked,

    ¡°This is it, isn¡¯t it? The human alliance against the zombie army!¡±

    Zhang Yi reclined on the sofa, his expression relaxed.

    As part of an alliance, there¡¯d be plenty of cannon fodder to bear the brunt of the pressure, leaving them less to worry about.

    And with the elite seven-person squad leading the charge, things seemed promising.

    He said, ¡°This fight was inevitable! As long as the zombie problem persists, survival here will remain precarious.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m just surprised at how quickly they moved. They¡¯ve only been here a day and already have a plan.¡±

    ¡°All I can say is, a professional team is indeed professional!¡±

    After his musings, Zhang Yi turned a serious gaze to the group.

    ¡°But as always, the most important thing is to prioritize your safety. Life comes first¡ªeverything else is secondary. Got it?¡±

    The group nodded in agreement. They¡¯d heard this so often it had become a mantra.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er, however, frowned worriedly, her gaze downcast.

    ¡°So, you¡¯re all going to the Bai Xue Jiao and leaving us behind at home?¡±

    Zhang Yi nodded without hesitation.

    ¡°Non-combatants shouldn¡¯t come. If a battle breaks out, the zombie army¡¯s numbers will be unimaginable. We won¡¯t have the capacity to protect you.¡±

    Thinking about the millions who¡¯d died in Tianhai City, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but feel uneasy.

    He had no idea how many of those corpses had turned into zombies.

    The unification of the five factions meant facing all the zombies in Tianhai City.

    To fight with no distractions, he needed assurance that his loved ones were safe.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er, however, argued, ¡°But you¡¯ll need a doctor! If someone gets hurt, I can help treat them.¡±

    Every time they went into battle, Zhang Yi left her at the shelter.

    She understood it was to protect her.

    But every time, she was left anxiously awaiting his safe return.

    Zhang Yi looked up, meeting Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s determined gaze.

    She genuinely wanted to help.

    After all, in the extremely cold environment outside, any injury left untreated on the battlefield could quickly become fatal. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 475: Zhou Keâ€™er Requests to Join

    Chapter 475: Zhou Ke¡¯er Requests to Join

    Zhang Yi chuckled dismissively.

    ¡°You don¡¯t have the ability to protect yourself. If you¡¯re on the battlefield, I¡¯ll just end up worrying about you. Don¡¯t be silly, kiddo.¡±

    While battlefield medics are important, they shouldn¡¯t become a liability.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er replied, ¡°That might¡¯ve been true before, but this time it¡¯s a large-scale battle. Adequate logistical support will be essential.¡±

    ¡°I imagine other factions will bring their own support personnel as well.¡±

    Uncle You chimed in, ¡°Miss Zhou has a point. With nearly all the combat power of Tianhai City¡¯s top five factions gathered, this fight won¡¯t end quickly.

    ¡°If it turns into a prolonged battle, logistics will be critical¡ªespecially medical personnel!¡±

    His sincere gaze fixed on Zhang Yi.

    ¡°In the past, your caution has kept us from any casualties. But such a streak might not last forever.

    ¡°You must understand, deaths on the battlefield are common, and having a doctor is crucial.¡±

    Their words gave Zhang Yi pause.

    Although his strength was formidable, in a chaotic battle of this magnitude, even he couldn¡¯t guarantee he¡¯d avoid injury.

    In the sub-zero temperatures of minus 60 degrees, even a minor wound could lead to tissue necrosis.

    Best case: permanent disability. Worst case: death.

    If he kept up his stubbornness and ended up injured, regret would be pointless.

    Moreover, he knew that his companions needed to adapt to harsh environments¡ªincluding battlefields¡ªfor the future.

    After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Yi nodded.

    ¡°Alright, you can come with us this time. I¡¯ll arrange for you to stay at the rear. Just hide and focus on treating us if we¡¯re hurt.¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er, overjoyed, threw her arms around Zhang Yi¡¯s neck, her bright eyes shimmering with happiness.

    ¡°I understand! I¡¯ll fulfill my duties as a doctor!¡±

    Seeing Zhou Ke¡¯er take the initiative, Lu Keran couldn¡¯t help but step forward as well.

    Patting her modest chest, she declared, ¡°Big Brother, take me along too! My marksmanship has improved a lot lately.¡±

    Zhang Yi glanced at the short-haired girl and said plainly, ¡°Did you forget that guns don¡¯t work well on zombies?¡±

    Lu Keran froze. ¡°Uh¡­¡±

    Zhang Yi cut her off before she could say more.

    ¡°Except for Ke¡¯er, no one else is coming. Everyone stays in the shelter.¡±

    Frustrated, Lu Keran sank back into her seat, while Yang Xinxin remained calm and indifferent.

    At the same time, Zhou Haimei and Yang Siyah exchanged subtle glances of relief.

    Unlike Zhou Ke¡¯er, they lacked the courage to join Zhang Yi on the battlefield.

    With no combat abilities, they¡¯d only end up dead if they went. Staying safely in the shelter was undoubtedly the better option.

    Lu Keran, despite being left behind, busied herself inspecting the snow vehicle for Zhang Yi, ensuring it was free of any issues and fully fueled.

    Meanwhile, Zhang Yi and the others prepared their weapons and equipment. Once everything was ready, they prepared to set off.

    Before departure, Zhang Yi handed Zhou Ke¡¯er a small silver handgun.

    ¡°Guns are pretty ineffective against zombies, and you can¡¯t handle high-caliber ones. Keep this for self-defense¡ªit works well enough against humans.¡±

    The immediate threat might be the zombie horde, but Zhang Yi never fully trusted the other factions.

    They were allies of convenience, united by shared interests, but betrayal could come at any moment.

    Although Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s marksmanship wasn¡¯t great, it was adequate for self-defense.

    She took the gun and tucked it into the inner layer of her combat uniform.

    The group locked down the shelter and boarded two snow vehicles, heading toward the Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s headquarters in Tianfeng District.

    At the Bai Xue Jiao, preparations were underway as they learned of the investigation team and other factions heading their way.

    Bian Junwu and his team arrived promptly, met by Zheng Yixian and a group of priests and clergymen.

    The so-called ¡°welcoming¡± was perfunctory at best, with no time for elaborate preparations.

    Bian Junwu and the others didn¡¯t care for ceremonies, arriving unannounced and unbothered by the lack of formality.

    As they entered the area, they noticed bloodstains splattered everywhere, with severed limbs yet to be cleaned.

    In a corner, someone gnawed on a blood-soaked piece of giant rat meat.

    Taking in the scene, the seasoned veterans showed no shock¡ªthey had seen worse.

    Zheng Yixian approached Bian Junwu and his team, nodding slightly as he spoke.

    ¡°Welcome to the Bai Xue Jiao. May I ask the purpose of summoning all the factions here so suddenly?¡±

    ¡°If we¡¯d been informed in advance, we could have prepared better.¡±

    Wu Di smirked, folding his arms.

    ¡°Look at the state of this place. What¡¯s there to prepare? We¡¯re here to clean up your mess. Just follow our lead.¡±

    The priests behind Zheng Yixian bristled with anger at Wu Di¡¯s words.

    Noticing their displeasure, Wu Di raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°What? You look like you¡¯re not convinced. Want to spar? I can take you all on!¡±

    Unable to hold back, Han Chang bared his teeth.

    ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky! Even if you¡¯re strong, we¡¯re not pushovers!¡±

    ¡°Han Chang, be quiet!¡±

    Zheng Yixian cut him off sharply, then turned to Wu Di.

    ¡°I apologize on his behalf. The recent heavy casualties have left our people emotionally strained.¡±

    Wu Di opened his mouth to retort but fell silent at a slight glance from Bian Junwu.

    Bian Junwu addressed Zheng Yixian directly.

    ¡°We¡¯ll discuss the plan once everyone is here.¡±

    He saw no need to explain matters to Zheng Yixian alone.

    Zheng Yixian smiled politely. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°Very well. Would you like to rest in the church area while you wait?¡±

    He gestured for the investigation team to proceed.

    Bian Junwu led the group forward, the others close behind.

    As they walked, Bian Junwu asked, ¡°How many of your people have died in recent days?¡±

    Zheng Yixian hesitated briefly before replying in a somber tone.

    ¡°Thousands of followers have fallen to the zombies during these battles. Some infected couldn¡¯t be saved, so we had to humanely dispose of them to prevent further mutations.¡± ???????

    Bian Junwu raised an eyebrow. ¡°Can you give me an exact number?¡±

    He cared deeply about the figures, as they revealed the extent of the zombie horde¡¯s impact on the Bai Xue Jiao.

    Zheng Yixian froze, hesitating before answering.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but we haven¡¯t kept precise statistics. The estimated death toll¡­ three or four thousand, perhaps?¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 476: The Source of Food

    Chapter 476: The Source of Food

    ¡°Three or four thousand?¡±

    Bian Junwu¡¯s tone carried a hint of surprise upon hearing the number.

    He glanced at the surrounding environment.

    The defensive infrastructure was rudimentary at best, far inferior to that of the major bases.

    In the freezing cold, despite having many followers, the Bai Xue Jiao lacked the resources to build strong fortifications. They relied on the existing terrain to fight against the zombies.

    A group that once boasted over ten thousand members had lost only three or four thousand after prolonged battles with zombie hordes. It was unexpected, to say the least.

    ¡°So, how are you addressing the food supply issue?¡±

    ¡°In an apocalypse, feeding thousands of people requires a massive amount of food. I¡¯m curious how you manage it.¡±

    Bian Junwu¡¯s question immediately heightened the tension among the Bai Xue Jiao members.

    Food supply was the core issue for any faction.

    Had Bian Junwu not been from Jiangnan District, asking this question would have been seen as provocation.

    Zheng Yixian hesitated briefly before answering, ¡°We search nearby areas for buried supermarkets and malls to obtain food and survival supplies.¡±

    ¡°Oh? Is that all?¡±

    Bian Junwu stared at Zheng Yixian, his eyes obscured by reflective sunglasses, yet his disbelief was palpable.

    Under such harsh conditions, even searching for food consumed significant energy.

    How could the Bai Xue Jiao sustain thousands¡ªat one point, tens of thousands¡ªby digging food from beneath meters of snow?

    Zheng Yixian and the priests behind him wore uneasy expressions.

    It was evident they were hiding a major secret about their food source.

    The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

    The investigation team, including Baili Changqing, looked on with amused expressions. A theory was beginning to take shape in their minds, one not uncommon in the apocalypse. ?????¦­¨®?¨§?

    Wu Di broke the silence.

    ¡°Nearly half of your people died. That¡¯s probably how you managed to feed the rest, isn¡¯t it?¡±

    The Bai Xue Jiao erupted in outrage.

    Han Chang shouted, ¡°How dare you say that! We¡¯d never do such a thing!¡±

    Dai Mei scowled, ¡°Don¡¯t compare us to animals!¡±

    Wu Di shrugged mockingly. ¡°What then? Are you surviving on air?¡±

    ¡°You¡ª¡±

    ¡°Enough! Both of you, stop talking.¡±

    Before the argument escalated, Zheng Yixian and Bian Junwu simultaneously intervened to restore order.

    Taking a deep breath, Zheng Yixian bowed slightly to Bian Junwu.

    ¡°There is indeed a secret, but it concerns the survival of the Bai Xue Jiao and cannot be disclosed to outsiders.¡±

    ¡°Oh, is that so?¡±

    Bian Junwu¡¯s cold tone implied he wasn¡¯t satisfied with this response.

    Even we can¡¯t know?

    In such times, any hidden secret could potentially be connected to the zombie hordes.

    Bian Junwu had even considered the possibility that the zombie outbreaks in Tianhai City were deliberately caused by local factions.

    After a long pause, Zheng Yixian met Bian Junwu¡¯s gaze and said, ¡°If you insist on knowing, I can share the details.¡±

    Bian Junwu nodded. ¡°Alright.¡±

    Zheng Yixian straightened up. ¡°Please follow me.¡±

    The priests and clergy behind him panicked.

    ¡°Grand Priest, can we really reveal this to outsiders?¡±

    Zheng Yixian gestured for calm. ¡°It¡¯s fine. The investigation team from Jiangnan District wouldn¡¯t be interested in what little we have.¡±

    Despite his reassurance, the Bai Xue Jiao members were visibly uneasy.

    They understood that if this secret were exposed, it would become a major vulnerability for their faction.

    Even these outsiders from Jiangnan District might covet the treasure they guarded¡ªa treasure that formed the foundation of the Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s survival.

    Zheng Yixian, however, had made his decision. As the Grand Priest, his authority was second only to Yuan Kongye¡¯s, and no one could overrule him.

    He led Bian Junwu and his team toward an abandoned building adjacent to St. John¡¯s Cathedral.

    As they approached, Bian Junwu suddenly stopped.

    His brows furrowed deeply.

    The building ahead exuded an unsettling aura.

    The gray concrete structure jutted out of the snow like a funeral tomb, evoking an ominous feeling.

    Bian Junwu¡¯s sharp instincts warned him to stay away.

    Baili Changqing whispered, ¡°Captain, the stench of blood is overwhelming here.¡±

    Ahead, Zheng Yixian turned back to them, a faintly eerie smile on his lips.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s secret. Do you still wish to proceed?¡±

    Wu Di crossed his arms and scoffed. ¡°Enough theatrics.¡±

    Adjusting his glasses, Bian Junwu followed without a word.

    He hadn¡¯t told his team one crucial detail:

    After losing his sight, his perception had grown sharper.

    Just moments earlier, his senses had revealed something bizarre.

    What appeared to be an abandoned building was, to him, a massive, grotesque creature.

    The structure seemed alive¡ªover a hundred meters tall, with countless limbs flailing madly and roots burrowing deep underground.

    Inside, the stench of blood grew stronger.

    But it wasn¡¯t the decayed odor of corpses; it was the fresh, sweet scent of blood still warm from the living.

    As they ventured deeper, the true nature of the ¡°creature¡± was revealed.

    The building¡¯s interior was overrun by a massive, mutated plant.

    Its vines and branches stretched throughout the structure, glowing faintly with an eerie red light.

    Red fruit hung from the branches, each one glistening unnaturally.

    Seeing this, Bian Junwu and his team began to understand.

    ¡°This¡­ is the source of your food?¡±

    Zheng Yixian plucked a red fruit from the vine and offered it to Bian Junwu.

    ¡°Correct. This is a mutated plant we discovered, which we call the Blood Vine.

    ¡°It has extraordinary vitality, absorbing all surrounding nutrients to sustain itself and produce these fruits.

    ¡°These red fruits are our primary food source.¡±

    Bian Junwu took the fruit, examining it carefully rather than eating it.

    Zheng Yixian smiled faintly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡ªit¡¯s not poisonous. We¡¯ve consumed it for months without any adverse effects.¡±

    Bian Junwu replied flatly, ¡°That explains a lot. But does it yield enough fruit to feed thousands of people?¡±

    Zheng Yixian continued forward.

    ¡°Ordinarily, no. But there are ways to accelerate its fruit production. For instance, this.¡±

    He pointed toward the ceiling.

    Bian Junwu and the others looked up to see an oval-shaped object entwined in the vines.

    The red leaves encasing it emitted a faint glow, and its silhouette resembled a human figure.

    ¡°Is that¡­ a human?¡±

    Meng Siyu¡¯s eyes widened in shock.

    ¡°You¡¯re using humans as nutrients for this plant?¡±

    Zheng Yixian remained expressionless.

    ¡°To be precise, human remains.¡± S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 477: A Sinister Presence

    Chapter 477: A Sinister Presence

    Moments later, the investigation team followed Zheng Yixian to the depths of the Blood Vine¡¯s lair, where they were greeted by a shocking sight.

    The massive central space of the building had been hollowed out, creating an expansive void that extended from the ground floor to the ceiling of the top level.

    The Blood Vine¡¯s thick, pulsating trunk occupied the center, its movements eerily reminiscent of a living creature breathing.

    Around them, the walls and floors were adorned with countless hanging oval-shaped objects¡ªthousands of them at a glance.

    Zheng Yixian placed his right hand over his chest, closed his eyes, and muttered a prayer:

    ¡°May the departed become the hope of the survivors. Their flesh and blood, our sustenance.¡±

    At that moment, the truth behind the Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s food source became crystal clear.

    The cult was using the bodies of the dead as nutrients for the Blood Vine.

    The plant absorbed the corpses¡¯ nutrients, producing fruit that was then consumed by the survivors.

    Wu Di frowned, crossing his arms. ¡°How is this any different from cannibalism?¡±

    Meng Siyu countered, ¡°There¡¯s a difference. At least this method avoids prion diseases and is psychologically easier to accept.¡±

    Despite the macabre scene, none of the investigation team felt physically repulsed. They had witnessed far more grotesque and bizarre things in the apocalypse.

    Using a mutated plant to process corpses was a relatively humane solution.

    Zheng Yixian turned to the group with a sincere expression.

    ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, this is the greatest secret of the Bai Xue Jiao. It determines the life or death of thousands of our followers. Please, I implore you to keep this secret.¡±

    Zheng Yixian wasn¡¯t concerned about Jiangnan District coveting the Blood Vine.

    After all, who would willingly eat food grown from corpses unless they were desperate?

    Moreover, the plant¡¯s enormous size made it nearly impossible to transport.

    Bian Junwu nodded. ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Your secret is safe with us.¡±

    With that, he casually tossed the red fruit in his hand to Wu Di before heading toward the exit.

    Wu Di looked at the fruit in disgust and passed it to Kong Sheng, who then handed it to Qi Guangming.

    The group treated it like a game of catch, none of them willing to eat it.

    Zheng Yixian watched with a faint, enigmatic smile before following them out.

    As he glanced back at the Blood Vine and the thousands of suspended corpses around it, he noticed they were swaying slightly, as if moved by an invisible breeze. ?§Ñ????¨®?¨º?

    Once outside the abandoned building, Bian Junwu noticed the other factions had yet to arrive.

    He suggested meeting the leader of the Bai Xue Jiao, Yuan Kongye.

    Zheng Yixian replied, ¡°The leader doesn¡¯t typically handle day-to-day affairs. All external matters are my responsibility.¡±

    Bian Junwu was undeterred.

    ¡°Since we¡¯re here, we should at least meet her. I¡¯ve heard rumors about your leader¡ªeven some of the higher-ups in Jiangnan District are intrigued by her abilities.¡±

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s pupils briefly contracted.

    The higher-ups in Jiangnan District were interested in Yuan Kongye¡¯s abilities?

    This was a significant development.

    Yuan Kongye¡¯s abilities were indeed extraordinary. She could help others awaken their superhuman powers.

    Essentially, whoever controlled her had the potential to create an endless army of superhumans.

    For the Bai Xue Jiao, this was both a blessing and an opportunity.

    If they could gain the support of a faction as powerful as Jiangnan District, their cult¡¯s growth would become unstoppable.

    Zheng Yixian finally nodded. ¡°Please wait here for a moment. I¡¯ll inform the leader.¡±

    Bian Junwu gestured for him to proceed.

    As Zheng Yixian walked away toward St. John¡¯s Cathedral, the team exchanged glances.

    Perhaps it was the lingering shock from the Blood Vine, but Wu Di frowned and muttered, ¡°This Bai Xue Jiao gives off an unsettling vibe.¡±

    Kong Sheng responded gravely, ¡°That¡¯s to be expected. Organizations with a religious structure tend to be a bit odd.¡±

    Meng Siyu added, ¡°Still, the Bai Xue Jiao has managed to survive and keep so many people alive. That¡¯s impressive in its own way.¡±

    Baili Changqing sidled up to Bian Junwu.

    ¡°Captain, are the higher-ups really interested in Yuan Kongye?¡±

    Bian Junwu raised an eyebrow and replied coolly, ¡°When we were sent, someone did mention looking into her abilities.

    ¡°If the rumors are true and she can awaken superhuman powers without any cost, the leaders will undoubtedly want her.¡±

    Baili Changqing whistled, running a hand through his short hair.

    ¡°That kind of power is seriously tempting!¡±

    Bian Junwu smirked knowingly.

    ¡°Do you really think it¡¯s that simple?¡±

    ¡°Oh? What do you mean?¡± S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Baili Changqing blinked curiously.

    Bian Junwu explained, ¡°Power always comes with a price.

    ¡°When we awakened our superhuman abilities, it was after facing life-and-death situations. We earned our powers by gambling with our lives.

    ¡°Yuan Kongye¡¯s ability supposedly lets people awaken without paying any price. Does that sound plausible to you?¡±

    Baili Changqing¡¯s expression grew serious.

    ¡°I have my doubts about that too.¡±

    Bian Junwu adjusted his glasses.

    ¡°The leadership has considered this as well. The military has been studying superhumans for years, and they find her abilities too incredible to be true.

    ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯ve been tasked with investigating her.

    ¡°We need to determine if her powers are as miraculous as claimed.¡±

    Baili Changqing asked, ¡°And if the rumors are true, what then?¡±

    Bian Junwu shoved his hands into his pockets, his tone laced with implication.

    ¡°If the rumors are true, then her ability would be strategically comparable to LV5 Epsilon.¡±

    The mention of ¡°Epsilon¡± left the entire team visibly stunned.

    For superhumans, the name ¡°Epsilon¡± carried an almost mythical weight¡ªheavier than Mount Tai.

    Throughout all of Huaguo, there was only one known Epsilon-level superhuman: the enigmatic figure from the Shengjing District.

    Their abilities defied logic, making them virtually unstoppable.

    It was said that anyone targeted by Epsilon couldn¡¯t escape, no matter how far they fled.

    Not even Jiangnan District had an Epsilon-level superhuman.

    Bian Junwu himself had once been a candidate for Epsilon-level training, but inherent flaws had barred him from achieving that rank.

    In Jiangnan District, ¡°Epsilon¡± was the epitome of power¡ªa dream unattainable for most.

    Now, the thought that Tianhai City might harbor someone with Epsilon-level potential left the team shaken.

    Noticing their reactions, Bian Junwu chuckled lightly.

    ¡°I¡¯m just saying it¡¯s a possibility. But until we meet Yuan Kongye and assess her abilities, it¡¯s too soon to draw any conclusions.¡±

    Baili Changqing nodded in understanding.

    ¡°So, that¡¯s why you¡¯re so eager to meet her¡ªto evaluate her for yourself?¡±

    ¡°Exactly,¡± Bian Junwu affirmed.

    His words piqued the entire team¡¯s curiosity about Yuan Kongye.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 478: Multi-Party Talks

    Chapter 478: Multi-Party Talks

    Shortly after, Zheng Yixian emerged from the cathedral and invited Bian Junwu to meet Yuan Kongye.

    Bian Junwu entered alone.

    Inside, he saw a young woman dressed in a white holy robe, appearing no older than twenty.

    The two spoke privately in the cathedral for over ten minutes.

    When Bian Junwu finally exited, his usual icy demeanor gave away nothing about the conversation.

    Unable to hold back, Baili Changqing and the others bombarded him with questions:

    ¡°Captain, how was it? Is Yuan Kongye really an Epsilon?¡±

    Bian Junwu replied indifferently, ¡°Judging a superhuman¡¯s rank isn¡¯t something I can do with just my eyes.¡±

    ¡°But¡ª¡± he continued, his tone sharpening, ¡°there¡¯s definitely something unusual about that girl.¡±

    Everyone was taken aback.

    Meng Siyu, ever curious, asked, ¡°What¡¯s unusual about her?¡±

    Bian Junwu tapped his temple.

    ¡°Here.¡±

    ¡°Her brain isn¡¯t normal?¡±

    The team stared at him, stunned.

    The leader of a major faction like the Bai Xue Jiao had mental issues?

    ¡°Well, it makes sense,¡± Baili Changqing chuckled.

    ¡°People in religious organizations are either con artists or devout fanatics!¡±

    Bian Junwu nodded slightly in agreement.

    During his conversation with Yuan Kongye, he had sensed her overwhelming zeal for religion.

    She genuinely believed in the existence of gods, which deeply intrigued him.

    It was no wonder she delegated the cult¡¯s operations to Zheng Yixian. A leader overly committed to divine ideals would either act too idealistically or too recklessly¡ªhardly conducive to managing a large faction. ??????????§£??

    ¡°Let¡¯s assess her abilities gradually,¡± Bian Junwu concluded.

    ¡°After we deal with the zombie problem, we¡¯ll have plenty of time to investigate further.¡±

    For now, Yuan Kongye wasn¡¯t going anywhere, and confirming whether she was an Epsilon would require time and evidence.

    Soon after, the other factions began to arrive.

    Following Bian Junwu¡¯s orders, they brought their strongest combat units, including heavily armed soldiers, armored vehicles, artillery, and even terrifying warhounds.

    The combined might of the three major bases, numbering in the thousands, filled the Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s territory, creating an intimidating presence that unnerved the cult¡¯s followers.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s group also arrived at the scene.

    After stepping out of the vehicle, Zhang Yi helped Zhou Ke¡¯er down.

    ¡°Stay by my side and don¡¯t wander off. I¡¯ll find you a safe spot to wait later,¡± he said gently.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er nodded happily, comforted by his care.

    As they walked toward the towering landmark of St. John¡¯s Cathedral, Zhang Yi spotted an old acquaintance¡ªXing Tian.

    Xing Tian waved and greeted him.

    ¡°What took you so long?¡±

    Zhang Yi replied, ¡°From the map, Qingfu Base is closer than us. How are we here before you?¡±

    Xing Tian grinned. ¡°There was a ton to handle at the factory. Not all of us can live as carefree as you.¡±

    ¡°Having fewer people does come with its perks,¡± Zhang Yi quipped, raising an eyebrow.

    Their exchange was brief, as neither knew why Bian Junwu had summoned them, leaving little room for deeper conversation.

    Upon arriving, Bai Xue Jiao members guided Zhang Yi and Xing Tian toward the cathedral. Zhang Yi left Zhou Ke¡¯er and the others outside, entering the building with Xing Tian.

    St. John¡¯s Cathedral, once a famous Tianhai City landmark, was a familiar sight to Zhang Yi. He had visited before to admire its medieval European architecture, though he wasn¡¯t religious.

    Inside, he noticed that everyone else had already gathered.

    Bian Junwu, Zheng Yixian, Xiao Honglian, and Wei Dinghai had all found seats.

    There was also someone Zhang Yi didn¡¯t recognize¡ªa woman in a pristine white holy robe, her face youthful yet solemn, an intense juxtaposition of purity and maturity.

    He quickly deduced her identity.

    At a gathering like this, the only unfamiliar person could be Yuan Kongye, the cult leader rumored to possess the ability to awaken superhuman powers.

    Xing Tian, seeing her for the first time, leaned toward Zhang Yi.

    ¡°She¡¯s so young! She looks like she¡¯s barely out of her teens.¡±

    Zhang Yi glanced at him.

    ¡°Easy there, my neon-loving friend. Watch your words and curb your urges.¡±

    Xing Tian¡¯s face twitched. ¡°What nonsense are you spouting? You know I¡¯ve only ever liked older women!¡±

    Zhang Yi smirked. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve heard. Like that eight-year relationship you had with the massage parlor owner twelve years your senior.¡±

    Xing Tian¡¯s dark complexion flushed red, like hot iron in a furnace.

    ¡°You¡­ you don¡¯t understand! I was young, and she was¡­ mature and charming. It was mutual!¡±

    ¡°Relax,¡± Zhang Yi replied. ¡°Nothing wrong with missing motherly love.¡±

    ¡°You son of a¡ª¡±

    Xing Tian was about to retort when he caught himself, mindful of the situation.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, you¡¯re heartless! No wonder you¡¯re cold and unfeeling!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes briefly darkened with a flash of memory, followed by a cynical laugh.

    ¡°Love? Hah. Love is the cruelest thing in this world.¡±

    By then, they had reached the group, and the others¡¯ watchful gazes silenced their banter.

    The two found seats, putting an end to their playful argument.

    Bian Junwu wasted no time.

    ¡°Last night, we killed a Zombie King,¡± he began.

    ¡°It¡¯s now confirmed that eliminating a Zombie King causes the entire zombie horde to lose cohesion. Even the accompanying rat swarms become disorganized.¡±

    ¡°Therefore, the key to resolving Tianhai City¡¯s zombie crisis lies in killing every Zombie King.¡±

    The announcement left everyone stunned.

    Zhang Yi thought to himself,

    Though he had anticipated this, the investigation team¡¯s efficiency still caught him off guard.

    They had ventured underground before, attempting to kill a Zombie King, only to fail. The team¡¯s swift success highlighted the disparity in capability.

    Xiao Honglian, however, remained composed.

    She knew that the Zombie King killed last night had been operating near Yangsheng Base.

    Xing Tian asked curiously, ¡°What exactly is a Zombie King? Can you explain in detail?¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Bian Junwu replied.

    Needing their help to deal with the zombies, he saw no reason to withhold information. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 479: The Plan to Annihilate the Zombie Horde

    Chapter 479: The Plan to Annihilate the Zombie Horde

    After finishing his explanation, Bian Junwu lifted a black body bag from the ground and placed it in the center of the cathedral.

    Unzipping it, he revealed the corpse of a humanoid creature covered in white fur.

    ¡°This is it,¡± Bian Junwu announced, pointing at the corpse.

    Everyone stood up and crowded around the so-called Zombie King.

    Upon seeing its appearance, most of them were underwhelmed.

    They had expected the Zombie King to be a more terrifying or mysterious entity. Instead, it looked like nothing more than an ordinary corpse with fur¡ªreminiscent of an old tale about corpses in tombs transforming into furry monsters.

    Zhang Yi asked, ¡°Is this thing really that dangerous?¡±

    Bian Junwu replied, ¡°The Zombie King can control hordes of zombies. Its intelligence is comparable to a human¡¯s, but its combat strength is relatively weak.¡±

    Hearing this, Zhang Yi nodded in relief. As long as it wasn¡¯t overwhelmingly powerful, it would be manageable.

    He had previously assumed that the Zombie King¡¯s combat strength far surpassed that of the Bronze Armored Zombies. If that had been the case, eliminating it would have been a monumental challenge.

    ¡°It sounds a bit like a hive mind,¡± Zhang Yi remarked. ¡°An intelligent queen that births more zombies but lacks significant combat ability.¡±

    Xing Tian shot him a glance. ¡°What, you wish it were stronger? If it were any tougher, we¡¯d all be dead already!¡±

    It was a fair point. The Zombie King¡¯s glaring weakness was a saving grace.

    Had it been a formidable fighter on top of commanding hordes of zombies, rats, and Bronze Armored Zombies, the factions in Tianhai City wouldn¡¯t have stood a chance.

    Knowing the Zombie King¡¯s vulnerabilities eased some of the fear.

    However, Zhang Yi remained cautious. If this was just one Zombie King, there were likely others in Tianhai City.

    Moreover, the origin of the Zombie Kings was a mystery. Without clarity on this, the crisis couldn¡¯t truly be resolved.

    Bian Junwu explained their method for killing the Zombie King:

    ¡°The zombie hordes attack daily, but the Zombie King itself is fragile and remains hidden deep in the subway tunnels.

    ¡°To eliminate it, we need to use bait to lure the zombie army to the surface while an elite team infiltrates the tunnels to kill the Zombie King.¡±

    ¡°Without the Zombie King¡¯s control, the hordes lose cohesion and become far easier to deal with, no matter their numbers.¡±

    Hearing this, Zheng Yixian suddenly realized the plan.

    ¡°So you¡¯re saying you want to use the entire Bai Xue Jiao congregation as bait? Draw the zombies here and then go underground to kill the Zombie King?¡± ???????????¨ºs

    His eyes flashed with anger, and even Yuan Kongye¡¯s gaze flickered with subtle emotion.

    Wei Dinghai chuckled.

    ¡°Don¡¯t get so worked up. Out of all the factions in Tianhai City, your Bai Xue Jiao has the largest population. It¡¯s only logical to choose your territory as the battlefield.¡±

    Bian Junwu remained expressionless as he answered Zheng Yixian¡¯s accusation.

    ¡°While it may sound cold, we did factor that into our decision. Additionally, your faction lacks the advanced defenses that others have.¡±

    ¡°But don¡¯t worry too much. All the factions have brought their armed forces here, maximizing your congregation¡¯s safety.¡±

    Zheng Yixian gritted his teeth. ¡°But you¡¯re gathering all the zombies in Tianhai City here. What will happen to our people then?¡±

    Bian Junwu adjusted his sunglasses and replied coolly, ¡°If that happens, it¡¯ll be ideal. We all hope to end Tianhai City¡¯s zombie problem in one decisive battle.¡±

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s voice rose with indignation. ¡°And what about the lives of the Bai Xue Jiao followers? Are they just fodder to you?¡±

    Xiao Honglian interjected with a smirk. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°Zheng Yixian, be realistic. If Jiangnan District¡¯s team doesn¡¯t take this approach, your Bai Xue Jiao will vanish from the map eventually anyway.¡±

    Spreading her hands, she added, ¡°Unlike you, we have the option of retreating into our shelters.

    ¡°With our military-grade equipment, no number of zombies could breach our defenses. But your people? How long can you last with those flimsy fortifications?¡±

    Her tone was laced with mockery, but her words were undeniable.

    Everyone understood the brutal truth: if any faction were to fall first, it would be the Bai Xue Jiao.

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s face turned ashen.

    ¡°This still doesn¡¯t justify using our people as bait!¡±

    Bian Junwu finally spoke again, his voice cold and resolute.

    ¡°Why shouldn¡¯t the Bai Xue Jiao serve as bait?¡±

    The question stunned Zheng Yixian and Yuan Kongye.

    They couldn¡¯t believe such a statement was made so directly.

    Bian Junwu stared at them with icy determination.

    ¡°We came all the way from Jinling to help you face this crisis.

    ¡°Right now, all seven of us are here. The full armed forces of other factions are also here!¡±

    ¡°If you claim your people are bait, what does that make us? Are we not also bait in this battle?¡±

    ¡°Have I ever suggested that you face this crisis alone?¡±

    His powerful declaration left Zheng Yixian speechless.

    Bian Junwu was right. The Jiangnan District team bore no grudge against the Bai Xue Jiao.

    Their journey here wasn¡¯t to stir trouble but to help Tianhai City¡¯s factions resolve the zombie crisis.

    Despite understanding this logic, Zheng Yixian¡¯s face still reflected frustration.

    Zhang Yi then spoke calmly.

    ¡°You need to understand that we combatants will be on the front lines.

    ¡°If anyone dies first, it¡¯ll be us.¡±

    Pointing to the faction leaders, he added, ¡°All these factions have brought their armed forces here to protect your congregation. What more could you ask for?¡±

    Of course, Zhang Yi was merely being diplomatic. In reality, if things went south, his smaller group could retreat without hesitation, while larger forces might hesitate to abandon their positions.

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s expression wavered with struggle. He seemed to realize they had no grounds to refuse.

    The fact that Bian Junwu was even explaining the plan to him was a courtesy.

    Finally, he let out a reluctant sigh.

    ¡°Fine. I understand. But Mr. Bian, you must provide us with a detailed and convincing battle plan!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 480: A Call to Fight to the Death

    Chapter 480: A Call to Fight to the Death

    Seeing Zheng Yixian relent, Bian Junwu adjusted his sunglasses with a composed expression.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve already devised a plan.¡±

    Since their enemy this time was a group of low-intelligence creatures, formulating the strategy had been relatively straightforward.

    With a thorough understanding of the zombie horde¡¯s structure and behavior, Bian Junwu had crafted a clear plan.

    He began explaining his approach to the group.

    First, once everyone was gathered at the Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s location, the goal would be to attract all the zombies in Tianhai City to converge there.

    Due to spatial differences, the zombie hordes would arrive at varying speeds.

    The five factions would take defensive positions around the Bai Xue Jiao, luring the hordes into attacking. Meanwhile, Bian Junwu¡¯s seven-person decapitation team would infiltrate the subway tunnels to eliminate the Zombie King.

    This plan had already succeeded once, proving its feasibility.

    ¡°The basic idea is simple,¡± Bian Junwu said.

    ¡°Our strategy is similar to encircling reinforcements to destroy the horde, but in this case, it¡¯s more like baiting them into a trap.¡±

    He allowed himself a rare smile, though it was a cold one.

    Xing Tian rolled his eyes.

    ¡°So, in short, we¡¯re the bait to lure the zombies, huh?¡±

    ¡°Exactly. It¡¯s a massive trap, and we¡¯re waiting for the zombie hordes to walk right in,¡± Bian Junwu replied calmly, exuding confidence.

    ¡°Since they¡¯re low-intelligence creatures, as long as we use the right approach, dealing with them won¡¯t be as difficult as it seems.¡±

    While his tone was reassuring, everyone present felt the immense pressure of the situation.

    Zhang Yi voiced his concerns.

    ¡°Sure, it sounds simple. But if we attract all the zombies in Tianhai City, how many are we talking about here?

    ¡°Tens of thousands? Hundreds of thousands?¡±

    He gestured around.

    ¡°With just us and these makeshift defenses, the pressure will be enormous.¡±

    Though Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t afraid of zombies, the sheer numbers could be overwhelming. Fighting in the Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s urban setting, devoid of the sturdy defenses of a shelter, was far from ideal. ?????¦­????

    Bian Junwu met his concerns with unwavering resolve.

    ¡°That¡¯s why I call on all of you to fight to the death. This is for your home. Fight with everything you have!¡±

    Zhang Yi shrugged.

    ¡°Fair enough. It¡¯s our territory. Solving the zombie crisis benefits the five factions the most.¡±

    Zheng Yixian cast a skeptical glance around the room.

    ¡°What if someone intentionally holds back during the fight, letting the Bai Xue Jiao bear the brunt of the losses?¡±

    Xiao Honglian scoffed.

    ¡°Zheng Yixian, stop with your paranoia!

    ¡°When the zombie hordes come, who would dare hold back? That¡¯d be suicide!¡±

    After considering her words, Zheng Yixian had to admit the logic was sound. No one would risk sabotaging their own survival.

    Bian Junwu addressed the group. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°Does anyone else have objections?¡±

    Zhang Yi and the others shook their heads. After all, the battle wasn¡¯t taking place on their turf.

    Finally, Yuan Kongye, who had remained silent until now, spoke up.

    ¡°While luring the zombies, I want the non-combatants¡ªespecially the children¡ªto be protected.¡±

    Her voice was calm but resolute.

    The Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s followers were unafraid of death. Many were willing to sacrifice themselves for their faith. However, the cult also included many women and children who couldn¡¯t fight. It was unthinkable to let them be torn apart by the zombies.

    Bian Junwu¡¯s expression briefly softened before returning to its usual coldness.

    ¡°Fine. Where¡¯s the safest place in your area? Clear it out for the children¡ªanyone ten and under, not including those aged ten, can stay there.¡±

    ¡°As for everyone else, they must assist in defending against the zombie horde.¡±

    This meant only the youngest children would be sheltered. Everyone else would serve as bait.

    Zhang Yi considered Zhou Ke¡¯er and decided to have her stay close to him. He didn¡¯t mention it now, but as a faction leader, he had the authority to make such arrangements.

    Yuan Kongye responded, ¡°We¡¯ll use the cathedral as the safe zone.¡±

    She clasped her hands in prayer, gazing devoutly at the cross hanging above the altar.

    ¡°The gods will protect their faithful.¡±

    St. John¡¯s Cathedral, situated at the heart of the Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s territory, was its safest location.

    If the enemy breached this area, it would mean the situation was dire.

    The cathedral also had a basement that could serve as a last resort hiding place.

    Since the Bai Xue Jiao knew the area best, everyone accepted Yuan Kongye¡¯s proposal without objection.

    The consensus was reached: the five factions would draw the zombie hordes while the investigation team focused on eliminating the Zombie King.

    The most dangerous task¡ªfacing the Zombie King and its Bronze Armored Zombie guards¡ªwas left to the investigation team. No one objected, as no other faction had the capability to handle it.

    Even Zhang Yi, confident as he was, wouldn¡¯t claim to be up to the task.

    With the agreement finalized, Bian Junwu began assigning defensive positions.

    Each faction was tasked with guarding one direction¡ªeast, south, west, or north.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s small, elite team was designated as a special operations unit, free to move and provide support wherever needed.

    The factions hashed out minor disputes over defensive responsibilities before settling on a cohesive plan.

    Bian Junwu distributed advanced communication devices to each group. These high-tech gadgets connected to the Xingyun Satellite System, ensuring reliable communication even in adverse conditions.

    ¡°Communication is critical on the battlefield. This equipment will keep the factions coordinated and responsive,¡± Bian Junwu explained.

    He also issued a final reminder:

    ¡°This battle could last a long time¡ªcertainly more than a day or two. Prepare for a prolonged conflict.¡±

    Everyone nodded. The gravity of the situation was clear. They were baiting the entire city¡¯s zombie population into one area, and the outcome depended on timing and numbers they couldn¡¯t predict.

    For the foreseeable future, this was where they would live and fight.

    Zhang Yi, however, remained unfazed. Though the conditions here were far worse than those of the shelter, he had plenty of supplies and a snow vehicle with heat, ensuring he wouldn¡¯t suffer too much.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 481: Reuniting with Li Jian

    Chapter 481: Reuniting with Li Jian

    After hours of discussion, the factions finally reached an agreement. The groups dispersed to organize and reinforce their respective defensive positions.

    As part of the flexible action team, Zhang Yi had a lighter task¡ªproviding support wherever needed. After the meeting, he approached Yuan Kongye with a grin.

    ¡°Miss Leader, I need a small favor from you.¡±

    Yuan Kongye raised her head, her deep and luminous eyes meeting his. They resembled the night sky¡ªprofound, infinite, and captivating.

    Though her face remained expressionless and she had spoken little during the meeting, it was hard for Zhang Yi to ignore the Bai Xue Jiao¡¯s symbolic leader.

    Especially considering her unique ability.

    Zhang Yi was particularly curious because one of his companions, Yang Siyah, had awakened her powers through her connection with Yuan Kongye¡¯s Ice Soul.

    Before Yuan Kongye could respond, Zheng Yixian stepped between them, his calm gaze fixed on Zhang Yi with a programmed smile.

    ¡°Mr. Zhang, if you have a request, you can tell me directly. I¡¯ll assist you. Our Leader dedicates herself wholeheartedly to serving the gods and doesn¡¯t involve herself in mundane matters.¡±

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow. He couldn¡¯t help but wonder about their relationship.

    Shrugging off the thought, Zhang Yi replied, ¡°Here¡¯s the deal: one of my people is an excellent doctor.¡±

    Pausing for emphasis, he added, ¡°She¡¯s my girlfriend. She¡¯s not a superhuman and has no combat abilities. I¡¯d like her to stay here with your Miss Leader. What do you say?¡±

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s expression tightened at the phrase ¡°Miss Leader,¡± his brows knitting slightly.

    ¡°Mr. Zhang, please mind how you address our Leader.¡±

    ¡°Ah, sorry, sorry,¡± Zhang Yi said with mock sincerity, his tone carrying a hint of sarcasm.

    ¡°I thought someone who serves the gods wouldn¡¯t care about worldly formalities.¡±

    Zheng Yixian chose not to escalate the tension. Of all the factions in Tianhai City, Zhang Yi¡¯s was the one he feared the most. Zhang Yi¡¯s rise had been nothing short of extraordinary, and he had repeatedly outmaneuvered and overpowered his rivals.

    Before Zheng Yixian could respond, Yuan Kongye stepped forward and spoke calmly.

    ¡°Of course, that¡¯s fine. If Mr. Zhang is willing to bring his girlfriend to the battlefield, it shows his commitment to this mission, even at the risk of her safety.¡± S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ¡°And doctors are indeed crucial to our logistics. She can stay at the cathedral with us.¡±

    Zhang Yi flashed a wide smile. ¡°See? The Leader gets it! Done deal. Plus, with her here, I¡¯ll make sure the cathedral stays safe. Win-win for everyone!¡±

    Turning on his heel, Zhang Yi left the cathedral.

    Yuan Kongye and Zheng Yixian watched him go, their expressions unreadable. Zheng Yixian¡¯s eyes held a trace of unease.

    ¡°He really is the most unpredictable factor in Tianhai City.¡±

    It was no wonder Zheng Yixian paid so much attention to Zhang Yi. His rise had been both astonishing and unsettling.

    Starting as a warehouse manager, Zhang Yi had been an insignificant figure in Tianhai City. But then, he had taken down Wang Siming¡¯s shelter, clashed with the West Hill Base, and destroyed it entirely. ???????????¦¥????

    During the Five Faction War, Zhang Yi had almost single-handedly crippled the Chaoyu and Yangsheng Bases, all while remaining elusive.

    When the zombie wave hit, Zhang Yi was the first to secure his territory and avoid the chaos. His achievements were nothing short of legendary.

    ¡°I just hope he doesn¡¯t become our enemy,¡± Zheng Yixian murmured to himself.

    Zhang Yi headed toward the snow vehicles where his team was waiting, intending to update them on the meeting¡¯s outcome.

    As he walked, a familiar figure caught his eye¡ªa gaunt middle-aged man wearing glasses and an exhausted expression.

    Zhang Yi paused, narrowing his eyes. The man noticed him too, and their gazes met.

    It was his old neighbor, the former Walmart Tianhai City CFO, Li Jian.

    Zhang Yi had assumed the man had been killed in Yuelu Residential Area during the zombie outbreak. To see him here, alive and part of the Bai Xue Jiao, was unexpected.

    For a moment, Li Jian¡¯s eyes flashed with surprise, but he quickly averted his gaze and walked away as if he didn¡¯t recognize Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi immediately understood.

    With the delicate balance between the five factions, showing familiarity with Zhang Yi could invite suspicion toward Li Jian within the Bai Xue Jiao.

    Zhang Yi decided not to approach him. They weren¡¯t close enough for him to risk upsetting the current situation.

    When Zhang Yi reached the vehicles, his team was relaxing nearby. Liang Yue cradled her Loong Roar Sword while chatting idly with the others.

    Seeing the dire conditions of the Bai Xue Jiao followers, they couldn¡¯t help but feel grateful for their own circumstances.

    The Bai Xue Jiao lived in what was essentially a massive slum. Most followers were emaciated, surviving on scant rations. For warmth, they huddled together, often lacking even firewood.

    In contrast, Zhang Yi¡¯s team enjoyed the comfort of their luxurious, heated shelter. Their combat uniforms provided superior insulation, powered by internal batteries, allowing for mobility and warmth without bulk.

    All of this was thanks to Zhang Yi¡¯s efforts in creating an enviable standard of living for his team.

    After Zhang Yi briefed them on the meeting¡¯s details, no one was particularly surprised¡ªthey had anticipated this outcome.

    The only downside was the prospect of staying in such an environment for an extended period. The team lamented the inconveniences, particularly one glaring issue: going to the bathroom.

    In these freezing conditions, exposing one¡¯s lower body was almost a death sentence. For minor needs, it was manageable, but for anything else, even a small mistake could lead to frostbite¡ªor worse.

    While the Bai Xue Jiao had makeshift underground latrines, the enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces were unbearable for Zhang Yi¡¯s team. Lacking resources, the cult even used the waste for fuel or biogas production.

    Zhang Yi quickly came up with a solution.

    ¡°We¡¯ll make do for now. I¡¯ll modify two vehicles into mobile toilets¡ªone for men and one for women. We have the resources, so there¡¯s no need to make ourselves suffer unnecessarily.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 486: The Mummy

    Chapter 486: The Mummy

    Bian Junwu¡¯s face was calm and expressionless as he addressed the group.

    ¡°This is just the beginning. The horde might still be observing us. What we need to do is wait patiently.¡±

    ¡°This is like fishing¡ªit¡¯s a contest of patience between the angler and the fish.¡±

    No plan was ever perfect. Their current strategy was based on available intelligence. If it failed, they could try another approach.

    As long as the zombies remained inactive, they wouldn¡¯t lose anything but time.

    The others had no better ideas. Splitting up to investigate was too dangerous, so they decided to continue waiting and observing.

    During the meeting, Zhang Yi discreetly watched Zheng Yixian and Yuan Kongye¡¯s expressions. Neither showed any sign of suspicion, which reassured him that his actions had gone unnoticed.

    Still, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t help but wonder¡ªcould the so-called restricted area be less important than he had assumed? If it were truly vital, the Followers of the Snow God would likely guard it even more heavily.

    That night, Zhang Yi called his team together and took out the items he had retrieved from the building to show them.

    The group, while nervous about Zhang Yi¡¯s infiltration of the restricted area, couldn¡¯t suppress their excitement. After all, uncovering someone else¡¯s secrets was thrilling.

    Zhang Yi displayed the red fruits, branches, and the cocoon-like pod. When he brought out the pod, their expressions grew strange¡ªit was eerily human-sized, as though it held a person.

    ¡°Ke¡¯er,¡± Zhang Yi said to Zhou Ke¡¯er, ¡°you¡¯re the one who¡¯s good with knives. Why don¡¯t you open this up?¡± S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    With surgical tools stored in his spatial inventory, they could conduct a proper examination here.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er looked at the items and said, ¡°The fruit and branches should be analyzed in a lab; this environment isn¡¯t ideal. But this pod¡­ it looks strange. Like a mummy!¡±

    Her words resonated with the others, who nodded in agreement.

    Zhang Yi hoped it really was a mummy and not a giant insect.

    Under the group¡¯s eager gaze, Zhou Ke¡¯er pulled out her surgical equipment. Instead of immediately cutting into the pod, she shone a small flashlight on it to examine its contents.

    Through the light, they could make out a humanoid figure inside¡ªemaciated, as if reduced to little more than bones.

    ¡°It really is a mummy!¡± Zhang Yi exhaled in relief. A corpse was easier to deal with than a massive bug.

    ¡°I think I understand its purpose now,¡± Zhang Yi said, his mind racing with speculation.

    ¡°Tell us!¡± Liang Yue urged, curious.

    ¡°Let¡¯s open it up first. Maybe it¡¯s not as mysterious as it seems,¡± Zhang Yi replied with a smile.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er nodded and began her work. With steady hands, she used a scalpel to slice open the dark red leaf-like shell, starting from the top.

    As expected, inside was a corpse¡ªskin tightly clinging to bone, completely drained of any flesh or blood.

    Recalling the thousands of similar pods hanging inside the abandoned building, Zhang Yi finally understood the plant¡¯s purpose.

    ¡°So that¡¯s what it is!¡±

    As the others looked at him quizzically, Zhang Yi explained:

    ¡°The abandoned building houses a giant mutated plant. It likely absorbs nutrients from these corpses to produce the red fruits.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ve seen the Followers of the Snow God eating these fruits¡ªthey¡¯re probably their main food source.¡±

    ¡°The so-called restricted area is essentially a living granary. No wonder they guard it so fiercely.¡±

    While the truth was intriguing, it left the group somewhat unimpressed. They didn¡¯t lack food, so a plant that could sustain thousands of people wasn¡¯t particularly useful to them. ???????¦Â§¦?

    However, Zhou Ke¡¯er, prodding the corpse with her scalpel, confirmed that it had been entirely drained of nutrients¡ªthere wasn¡¯t a shred of flesh left.

    Zhang Yi turned to her. ¡°Analyze the fruit and branches when we¡¯re back. See if there¡¯s anything unusual about them.¡±

    Though he¡¯d lost interest in the plant, Zhang Yi¡¯s cautious nature prompted him to ensure it held no hidden dangers.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er nodded. ¡°Give me some time. This plant is fascinating¡ªonce I slice it for analysis, I¡¯ll examine it under a microscope with biological reagents.¡±

    Elsewhere, Meng Siyu of the investigation team removed her white gloves and studied the dissected corpse before her. Turning to Bian Junwu, who stood nearby, she said,

    ¡°It¡¯s just a corpse drained of nutrients. Nothing abnormal.¡±

    ¡°As for the fruits, they have some hallucinogenic effects, likely helping the Snow God¡¯s leadership control their followers.¡±

    ¡°No pathogens were detected, and the fruits are high in sugar, making them a nutrient-rich food source.¡±

    Bian Junwu adjusted his thick glasses. ¡°Understood. When we return, bring back some roots and stems. Let¡¯s see if the lab can cultivate this plant¡ªit could be very useful.¡±

    Deep within the abandoned building, Zheng Yixian stood before the massive blood-red vine, gazing at the suspended pods.

    ¡°3968, 3969, 3970¡­ Ah, another one¡¯s missing.¡±

    ¡°Their curiosity is really something,¡± he murmured.

    The next day, the absence of zombies continued, deepening the group¡¯s unease.

    The longer the horde stayed out of sight, the more likely it seemed they were preparing a devastating attack.

    Bian Junwu had already mobilized resources from the Jiangnan District, utilizing satellites to monitor Tianhai City for signs of zombie movement.

    Finally, with the aid of advanced technology, they uncovered a clue.

    Bian Junwu called everyone together and shared the latest findings.

    ¡°The zombie horde is gathering¡ªand it¡¯s heading this way.¡±

    ¡°Preliminary estimates put their numbers at no less than 100,000. Get ready for a tough fight.¡±

    ¡°100,000?¡±

    The figure made everyone frown. Their combined forces numbered just over 2,000. Facing such overwhelming odds, especially against resilient creatures like the armored zombies, the battle promised to be perilous.

    But Zhang Yi secretly thought: It¡¯s definitely more than 100,000.

    Bian Junwu¡¯s estimate was meant to reassure the group while rallying them to act as bait for the horde. Zhang Yi suspected the actual number could be double, triple, or even more.

    After all, he had seen tens of thousands of zombies in the remote Ci Qu Line. With the entire city¡¯s undead converging here, a million-strong horde wouldn¡¯t be surprising.

    Still, Zhang Yi kept this thought to himself.

    Their small team could always retreat if necessary. If the situation became too dangerous, Zhang Yi resolved to take his group and escape Tianhai City. Survival was the ultimate priority.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 487: The Zombie Horde Arrives!

    Chapter 487: The Zombie Horde Arrives!

    Bian Junwu addressed the group calmly.

    ¡°You don¡¯t need to eliminate the entire horde. Just hold them off long enough to give our investigation team a chance.¡±

    ¡°Once we head underground and eliminate the Zombie King, the horde will lose its coordination and become much easier to handle.¡±

    Xing Tian shook his head in disbelief.

    ¡°Ten thousand zombies? Even more? Even without coordination, that¡¯s still overwhelming! Heck, we couldn¡¯t catch ten thousand pigs in three days, let alone zombies.¡±

    ¡°Stay focused!¡± Bian Junwu snapped.

    ¡°Their numbers work to our advantage. It¡¯s a rare opportunity to wipe them out in one strike.¡±

    ¡°Endure now, and we¡¯ll reap the rewards later.¡±

    Xiao Honglian folded her arms, her expression grim.

    ¡°I just hope we can hold out long enough. Otherwise, the horde will drown us, and we¡¯ll all die here.¡±

    No one in the group was naive. Bian Junwu¡¯s estimate of 100,000 zombies was clearly an understatement. The reality was bound to be far worse.

    In the past, their underground bases had provided an escape route. But here, at the Followers of the Snow God¡¯s camp, they had no fallback positions¡ªonly a vulnerable group of ordinary followers to protect.

    While no one cared much about the followers, letting the zombies breach their defenses would shatter the coalition¡¯s battle line, leaving everyone to perish. Reluctantly, they resolved to defend against the horde with everything they had.

    Bian Junwu adjusted his dark glasses.

    ¡°If you think your defensive position is too demanding, you can swap with others. Or,¡± he added, glancing at Xiao Honglian, ¡°take our mission instead.¡±

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s expression turned uneasy.

    Defending against the horde was difficult, but it was nothing compared to the investigation team¡¯s task¡ªventuring underground to confront hordes of armored zombies and who knew what else.

    The seven-member investigation team was made up of elite fighters, each at least second-in-command level within their respective factions. At least three of them, Zhang Yi suspected, were on par with the most powerful faction leaders like Xiao Honglian.

    As for Bian Junwu himself, his combat prowess was widely acknowledged as unrivaled among Tianhai City¡¯s superhumans¡ªat least outwardly. Alongside him was Baili Changqing, his seemingly harmless yet enigmatic second-in-command.

    Xiao Honglian sighed. ¡°I understand. At this point, we have no choice but to fight. Captain Bian, we¡¯re counting on your team for this.¡±

    ¡°Of course,¡± Bian Junwu replied evenly.

    As defenses were bolstered, the atmosphere grew heavier. Everyone knew the outcome of the battle would determine the survival of Tianhai City.

    Failure meant the city would become a wasteland, likely prompting the Jiangnan District to use the ¡ªa weapon capable of erasing the city from the map.

    Even Zhang Yi, who had initially taken a lighter approach, began to feel the tension. What would he do if they failed? His only option might be to use Dimensional Gate to escape with his close allies and later return for Yang Xinxin and the others.

    With these concerns in mind, Zhang Yi sought out Bian Junwu.

    ¡°Captain Bian, I have a question. May I ask for your insight?¡± S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Bian Junwu, who valued Zhang Yi¡¯s potential, nodded.

    ¡°Go ahead.¡±

    ¡°If we know that taking out the Zombie King will end the crisis, why hasn¡¯t Jiangnan District sent reinforcements? Wouldn¡¯t a squad of their elite forces be able to handle this easily, sparing us from such a burden?¡± ?§¡???¨º?

    Zhang Yi clarified, ¡°I don¡¯t mean to sound entitled. But with the district¡¯s strength, this situation shouldn¡¯t be so hard to resolve. Why put us under so much pressure?¡±

    Jiangnan District governed all cities in its region and had a vested interest in preserving lives¡ªhuman resources were invaluable in the apocalypse.

    Zhang Yi believed they wouldn¡¯t want excessive casualties in Tianhai City, which was why they had dispatched the investigation team in the first place.

    Bian Junwu chuckled at the question and looked at Zhang Yi.

    ¡°Do you think the situation in Tianhai City is dire?¡±

    Zhang Yi hesitated. ¡°Isn¡¯t it? A zombie outbreak of this scale could turn the city into a dead zone and threaten nearby regions.¡±

    ¡°Not really,¡± Bian Junwu replied with a stern expression.

    ¡°Tianhai City is just an ordinary place in the grand scheme of Jiangnan District. It¡¯s not particularly significant.¡±

    ¡°New problems arise across the district every day¡ªsuperhumans, mutated creatures, and inexplicable phenomena. This era of mutations has made the world chaotic.¡±

    ¡°The district has limited investigation teams and resources. Unless a situation becomes utterly unmanageable, they won¡¯t mobilize a large force to intervene.¡±

    He patted Zhang Yi¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°This world is vast, far bigger than Tianhai City. If you ever travel beyond here, you¡¯ll realize this place is relatively stable.¡±

    ¡°In the heartlands, along rivers and mountains, true horrors roam.¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s curiosity was piqued, but he felt reluctant to leave Tianhai City. He shook his head.

    ¡°I¡¯m a homebody. I¡¯m fine staying here.¡±

    Bian Junwu smirked. ¡°If you ever change your mind, you can¡­¡± He paused, reconsidering his words. Given his condition, he wasn¡¯t sure how much longer he had left.

    ¡°Well, let¡¯s deal with the zombies first. We can talk afterward.¡±

    As days passed, the area around the Followers of the Snow God¡¯s camp remained eerily quiet. The barren landscape seemed devoid of zombies, giving the illusion they had vanished from Tianhai City entirely.

    But Zhang Yi and the others knew better. The horde wasn¡¯t gone¡ªit was consolidating its forces for a decisive strike.

    Finally, on the fifth night, the horde arrived.

    The first to detect them were Bian Junwu¡¯s sentries, who had access to the advanced Xingyun satellite system, capable of real-time monitoring across Tianhai City.

    When hordes of zombies began pouring from three subway entrances around the camp, Bian Junwu immediately sounded the alarm.

    ¡°The horde is here! Prepare for battle!¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 488: The Flames of War Ignite

    Chapter 488: The Flames of War Ignite

    The zombie horde had arrived.

    They poured out from three subway entrances, a black tide surging forth as if an anthill had been disturbed, sending countless ants scurrying out in waves.

    Within moments, the entire land was overrun by zombies, with more still emerging from the depths of the subway tunnels.

    In just a few minutes, the Followers of the Snow God were surrounded by seventy to eighty thousand zombies!

    Among them were Bronze Armored Zombies, towering two to three times the height of regular zombies, and swarms of mutated rats surging through the horde.

    Even though everyone had mentally prepared for this, seeing it in person still made them want to curse out loud.

    Bian Junwu and his team had already driven away from the Followers of the Snow God''s stronghold.

    They were responsible for the decapitation operation and would not participate in the front-line battle.

    That meant the pressure of holding the line fell entirely on the five major factions.

    Zhang Yi wasted no time. He led Zhou Ke¡¯er straight to St. John¡¯s Cathedral, handing her over to Yuan Kongye.

    "Please, protect her at all costs!"

    Zhang Yi fixed Yuan Kongye with a serious gaze.

    Yuan Kongye didn''t respond, but stationed outside the cathedral doors were two Superhumans assigned specifically to defend the church¡¯s interior.

    With them present, even if the zombies broke through the outer defenses, they would still be able to hold out for a while.

    Once Zhang Yi completed his task, he rushed back to his position.

    Meanwhile, outside the Followers of the Snow God¡¯s territory, the sound of artillery fire erupted!

    To prepare for this battle, every major faction had thrown in everything they had.

    The three main base organizations had brought out their stockpiled artillery and rocket launchers, setting them up at the rear of the battlefield.

    Regular firearms had little effect on zombies, but these were a different story.

    As long as it was a carbon-based lifeform, getting blown to pieces meant there was no coming back.

    The roar of cannons shook the air as flares shot skyward, illuminating the entire area around the Followers of the Snow God as bright as daylight!

    Under the harsh light, the densely packed zombies and surging rat swarms covering the ground created an overwhelming sense of dread.

    "Boom!"

    "Boom!"

    "Boom!"

    Each cannon blast wiped out dozens of zombies, blasting gaping holes in the horde.

    But the gaps were quickly filled as more zombies swarmed forward.

    Before long, the zombie tide had reached just over a kilometer from the defense line.

    The second defensive measure was activated!

    Three firewalls had been set up around the Followers of the Snow God.

    Underneath them lay vast amounts of flammable materials.

    As soon as the zombie horde got close¡ªignite!

    Given the sheer density of the zombie tide, once the firewalls were ablaze, a chain reaction would incinerate wave after wave of the undead.

    From atop a high vantage point, Zhang Yi activated the Dimensional Gate and methodically began sniping zombies.

    At his feet lay ten full duffel bags, packed with tens of thousands of bullets.

    From his elevated position, he had a clear view of the battlefield and the crushing pressure each faction was under.

    "How many can I even kill, shooting one by one like this?"

    Zhang Yi let out a sigh and raised his sniper rifle.

    "Pfft!"

    A single shot rang out, and a zombie thousands of meters away had its head blasted into a mist of blood.

    Even headless, the zombie hadn¡¯t completely lost its ability to move, but without sight, it staggered around aimlessly before being trampled by the zombies behind it. ?????£Î??§¦?

    Zhang Yi swiftly adjusted his aim, his firing rhythm smooth and uninterrupted.

    "Pfft!"

    "Pfft!"

    "Pfft!"

    With his precise shooting ability, he was taking down a zombie every two seconds.

    Zhang Yi prioritized the closest zombie clusters, adjusting his targets based on the battlefield conditions.

    It almost felt like he was playing a tower defense game.

    But the tension on this battlefield couldn''t be described with just the word "game".

    Despite his skills, Zhang Yi knew his impact on the battlefield was limited.

    Even if he could kill hundreds of times more zombies than a regular soldier, it wasn¡¯t enough to shift the tide of battle alone.

    Unlike Bian Junwu, Zhang Yi lacked abilities that could deal large-scale, high-impact destruction.

    The zombie horde roared as they pushed past the firewalls, storming toward the defensive lines.

    And waiting for them behind those lines¡ªwere heavy machine guns and cannons!

    Handguns and rifles were useless against these creatures.

    But these weapons? They could shred through armored vehicles¡ªagainst zombies, they''d tear them apart entirely!

    "Aim for their legs!"

    Xiao Honglian barked commands from the front line.

    In these five days of preparation, humanity had developed new battle strategies.

    If the zombies had learned from past encounters, why couldn''t they refine their tactics too?

    If killing zombies was too hard¡ªthen just cripple them!

    The heavy machine guns spat blue flames as they fired.

    "Ratatatatata!!"

    The bullets tore through the zombies'' legs, severing their lower halves in an instant.

    The downed zombies continued to crawl forward, roaring.

    But they were quickly trampled by their own horde, as the zombies behind them used their bodies as stepping stones.

    The horde was accelerating, charging like a pack of wild beasts.

    But the warriors of humanity¡¯s front line were already waiting for them.

    Each fighter had injected a military-grade red stimulant, allowing them to fight for extended periods without fatigue.

    With their nerves heightened, they no longer felt pain, and even fear of death was suppressed.

    These were the elites of each faction, clad in highly durable combat gear.

    Their suits were tough enough to withstand regular bullets, and even in close combat, zombie claws and teeth wouldn¡¯t be able to break through.

    The only real threat¡ªwere the mutated giant rats, whose steel-crushing teeth were a problem.

    Their weapons weren¡¯t guns¡ªbut steel battle axes and heavy cleavers!

    These weapons, provided by Qingfu Base, were razor-sharp.

    In the hands of a trained warrior, they could decapitate a zombie in one clean strike!

    Once the zombies pushed past the earlier defenses, it would be these warriors¡¯ turn to take the field!

    And behind them¡ªstood the five factions¡¯ strongest Superhumans.

    Zhang Yi remained stationed on the rooftop, sniper rifle in hand, delivering precise and deadly shots.

    Each time he emptied a clip, he swapped to another rifle to prevent overheating.

    In just a few minutes since the battle began, he had already killed over two hundred zombies. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    On any human battlefield, that would be an insane kill count.

    But against an army of over a hundred thousand zombies, it was nothing more than a drop in the ocean.

    Still, Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t worried.

    Regular zombies were just warm-ups.

    What truly interested him¡ªwere the Bronze Armored Zombies lurking in the horde.

    From the previous battle, Zhang Yi had studied their defenses.

    Their skin, muscles, and bones were as tough as steel¡ªeven heavy machine gun rounds struggled to harm them.

    That was why Zhang Yi had Lu Keran prepare high-caliber armor-piercing rounds specifically for them.

    Now, combined with his anti-materiel sniper rifle and his Superhuman Energy¡ªwould he be able to turn the tide of battle?

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 489: The Human Frontline

    Chapter 489: The Human Frontline

    The zombie horde rapidly closed in on the human defensive line.

    Fully armed warriors roared as they charged forward, wielding battle axes and cleavers!

    Meanwhile, the Bronze Armored Zombies remained in the back, unmoving.

    There weren¡¯t many of them¡ªcompared to the hundreds of thousands of regular zombies, there were only a few hundred Bronze Armored Zombies.

    But each one of them possessed combat strength equal to a Superhuman!

    Upon seeing them, Xiao Honglian felt a chill run down her spine.

    She vividly remembered how one of these monsters had torn Dong Hu apart in their last battle.

    "How the hell are we supposed to fight that many Bronze Armored Zombies?"

    Zhuge Qingtian was in shock.

    He had assumed these creatures were extremely rare, yet now hundreds of them had appeared!

    Xiao Honglian''s sword-like eyebrows furrowed as she bellowed, "What¡¯s there to fear? However many come, we kill that many!"

    At this point, there was no turning back¡ªthe only option was to fight to the death!

    No matter how overwhelming the numbers seemed, battle was the only answer!

    The zombie horde was strategic¡ªthey sent in the mutant rats and regular zombies first, forcing the humans to expend their energy.

    Then, when the frontline was weakened, the Bronze Armored Zombies would move in as the elite force to finish the job.

    What they didn¡¯t realize, however, was that Zhang Yi had already marked them as his prey.

    Lying prone on the balcony of a high-rise, Zhang Yi switched to a massive anti-materiel sniper rifle, chambering a special armor-piercing round.

    His crosshairs locked onto a Bronze Armored Zombie¡¯s triangular skull¡ªmore specifically, its eye socket.

    "Let¡¯s see if you can surprise me."

    BOOM!!

    The thunderous shot echoed across the battlefield.

    The armor-piercing bullet¡ªenhanced with Tianhai City¡¯s strongest Spatial Superhuman Energy and crafted from specialized materials¡ªpunched into the zombie¡¯s skull! ????§¡??¦¢?S?

    The sheer impact slammed the zombie to the ground.

    But its skull was absurdly durable¡ªthe bullet hadn¡¯t pierced all the way through!

    However, the moment the high-energy round entered its cranial cavity, it ignited the zombie¡¯s brain matter!

    Unlike regular zombies, Bronze Armored Zombies possessed intelligence.

    Or rather, they were a completely different existence¡ªthey had a form of life beyond simple reanimation.

    The injured zombie let out a furious, agonized roar, wildly flinging nearby zombies aside before finally collapsing.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s lips curled into a wide grin.

    "It worked."

    After his last encounter with Bronze Armored Zombies, Zhang Yi had spent countless hours preparing at the Shelter.

    With intelligence gathered from Liang Yue and Uncle You, he had a solid understanding of their defenses.

    Using that data, he had modified his sniper rounds to maximize their destructive power.

    That last shot? It could¡¯ve pierced the armor of a tank!

    And now, all that effort had paid off.

    "Alright then¡ªlet¡¯s keep going."

    Zhang Yi knew that Bronze Armored Zombies posed the biggest threat to the human factions.

    So, he began systematically hunting them down.

    Their massive frames made them impossible to miss.

    Adjusting his scope, Zhang Yi focused entirely on their eyes.

    BOOM!

    BOOM!

    BOOM!

    The anti-materiel sniper rifle roared, and bullets streaked through the night sky, striking one Bronze Armored Zombie after another before they even had a chance to react.

    One by one, the towering monsters collapsed into the zombie horde.

    The sight sent shockwaves through the human ranks.

    A moment ago, they had been terrified of these elite zombies.

    Now, they were watching them get taken out like weeds being cut down!

    "Someone¡¯s actually sniping Bronze Armored Zombies?! Who the hell is doing this?"

    Following the trajectory of the bullets, they turned their gaze toward the high-rise.

    And there, standing tall with a sniper rifle in hand, was Zhang Yi.

    Xiao Honglian, Wei Dinghai, and the others stared in stunned silence.

    So this was Zhang Yi¡¯s power?

    They couldn¡¯t help but recall the Five Armies Battle from before.

    Back then, Zhang Yi had single-handedly turned the tide against them, forcing their forces into a state of absolute caution.

    But this time¡ªhis strength had evolved even further!

    "Zhang Yi... what a terrifying man," Xiao Honglian murmured.

    Wei Dinghai sighed. "We¡¯d better avoid making an enemy of him in the future. Otherwise, we might not even realize how we got played to death."

    But right now, Zhang Yi was on their side.

    His sniper kills on the Bronze Armored Zombies sent a surge of morale through the allied troops!

    Zhang Yi had proven that these seemingly unstoppable monsters could be slain.

    With their fear diminishing, the soldiers roared in fury and charged forward to clash with the zombie horde!

    At the same time, Superhumans from all factions entered the battle!

    Across the defensive lines, thousands of warriors stood like a frail wall of straw, barely holding back a wave of over a hundred thousand zombies!

    And yet, this seemingly fragile line of defense was forcing the horde to a standstill!

    On the battlefield, Xing Tian sat astride his massive Demon Wolf, his expression unyielding¡ªlike indestructible metal.

    A radiant white light surged from his body, enveloping him entirely before spreading to the warriors behind him.

    ¡¾Xing Tian Legion¡¿!

    This ability empowered the entire force, granting them a massive boost in morale and combat strength!

    Their bodies visibly transformed, becoming bulkier, tougher, and brimming with energy.

    "Kill!!!"

    With massive battle axes in hand, they let out earth-shaking roars, their voices drowning out even the zombie horde¡¯s cries!

    Xing Tian raised a colossal battle axe, taller than himself and as wide as a wooden door, before leaping off his Demon Wolf¡ªslamming straight into the zombie horde!

    The whirlwind force of his axe swept through the battlefield, cleaving dozens of zombies in half in a single swing!

    With their commander leading the charge, his warriors were not about to lag behind.

    They roared and crashed into the horde, engaging in brutal melee combat!

    Meanwhile, the massive Demon Wolf lunged into the fray, unleashing a freezing breath, turning a vast number of zombies into ice sculptures.

    With a mighty shake of its body, the frozen zombies shattered into pieces.

    Among the five major factions, only Qingfu Base¡¯s warriors were willing to fight the zombie horde head-on like this!

    Surprisingly, the faction facing the least pressure was Chaoyu Base.

    By combat strength alone, they weren¡¯t the strongest of the five factions.

    After the Five Armies Battle, their fighting force had been cut in half!

    But on this blizzard-covered battlefield, Wei Dinghai¡¯s¡¾Ice and Snow Lord¡¿ability was too overwhelming.

    "One-on-one combat isn''t my strong suit," Wei Dinghai declared.

    "But in the realm of ice and snow¡ªI am king!"

    Clad in frost-forged armor, he raised both hands high.

    Within seconds, across a thousand-meter radius, the thick layers of ice beneath the battlefield shattered violently!

    Thousands of zombies, caught off guard, plummeted into gaping snow pits, instantly buried beneath an avalanche of ice! sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    For Wei Dinghai, clearing out lesser zombies was effortless.

    Sure, these creatures couldn¡¯t truly be killed, but killing them wasn¡¯t the goal tonight.

    Their mission was to stall the horde, buying time for the Investigation Team!

    As Wei Dinghai swept his hands across the battlefield, massive fields of snow erupted, turning the battlefield into a chaotic mess.

    His movements were graceful, like a maestro conducting an orchestra, with the frozen battlefield dancing at his command.

    The once solid, trampled ground was now a death trap, where zombies struggled desperately to escape.

    With their insanely high numbers, many zombies ended up tripping and piling over each other, leaving them stuck in the icy trenches.

    For now¡ªthe human frontline held strong!

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 490: Temptation

    Chapter 490: Temptation

    On the battlefield, what should have been the zombie horde¡¯s ultimate weapon¡ªthe Bronze Armored Zombies¡ªwere being methodically sniped down by Zhang Yi, who had come fully prepared.

    This drastically eased the burden on the allied forces!

    Had they been forced to engage the Bronze Armored Zombies in direct combat, the coalition would have had to sacrifice countless soldiers just to hold the line.

    The battle was still brutal and deadly, but at least they could maintain their position.

    Even as Zhang Yi fought, a lingering doubt nagged at him.

    The Followers of the Snow God''s defenses were shockingly weak¡ªvirtually nonexistent.

    No high walls, no barbed wire, just a group of fearless zealots and some Superhumans¡ªhow had they survived this long without being wiped out by the zombie horde?

    "This doesn¡¯t make any sense¡­"

    Muttering to himself, Zhang Yi adjusted his aim and took down another Bronze Armored Zombie.

    The zombie army was endless.

    He had already eliminated more than a dozen Bronze Armored Zombies, but since the horde lacked communication, they weren¡¯t even trying to defend against him.

    There were simply too many¡ªtheir only directive seemed to be:

    Kill everyone here.

    While the five major factions held the frontline against the zombie horde, Bian Junwu¡¯s team had taken a different route, just as they had before.

    They had circled behind the horde, positioning themselves far from the main battlefield.

    From their vantage point, satellite imaging revealed the sheer scale of the undead army. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Zombies kept pouring out of the subway tunnels, their numbers surging past a hundred thousand¡ªand still increasing!

    The sight was horrifying enough to make anyone suck in a cold breath.

    "How many of these damn things are there? Could we actually be dealing with over a million zombies?"

    Kong Sheng spoke with clear concern.

    "How long do you think they can hold the line against the horde?"

    Wu Di crossed his arms and sneered.

    "They''ll fight to the death if they have to. Survival instinct will keep them going. As long as they buy us enough time to eliminate the Zombie King, it doesn¡¯t matter if they all die."

    He didn¡¯t care about the fate of Tianhai City¡¯s fighters.

    The only thing that mattered to him was completing the mission.

    If they failed, the horde would continue to expand, spreading its infection into new regions.

    That was the real concern for the Jiangnan District leadership.

    A few sacrifices were a small price to pay.

    Bian Junwu remained silent, simply adjusting his aviator sunglasses while watching the battlefield with a cold expression.

    After what felt like an eternity, the flow of zombies from the subway tunnels stopped.

    He glanced at the battlefield, watching the ocean of zombies swarm toward the Followers of the Snow God''s stronghold.

    Then, Bian Junwu spoke.

    "Let''s move. It¡¯s our turn to act."

    The zombie horde above ground was terrifying, but they knew the underground tunnels held just as many threats.

    That intelligent, white-furred mutant monkey was cowardly, and it had definitely kept a large force behind for protection.

    As ruthless as Wu Di¡¯s words were, their mission was far more dangerous.

    Upon arriving at the subway tunnels, they let Meng Siyu scout ahead using her detection abilities.

    Moments later, she reported back with grim news.

    "There¡¯s an insane number of zombies below¡ªincluding a large force of Bronze Armored Zombies."

    Bian Junwu''s expression remained icy cold.

    "It¡¯s a trap."

    "They¡¯ve learned from their past mistakes. They know we use this strategy to execute decapitation strikes."

    "These bastards are trying to outplay us."

    The Zombie King¡¯s learning speed was frightening.

    Perhaps their brains weren¡¯t so different from humans after all.

    "What do we do now?"

    Baili Changqing asked.

    If the zombie numbers underground were too high, it would be suicidal for just seven people to charge in.

    The real problem was¡ªif they couldn¡¯t kill the Zombie King, then everything tonight would be for nothing.

    "We wait," Bian Junwu said calmly.

    "They can hold out for a while longer. Let¡¯s wait for more zombies to be drawn out."

    Meanwhile, the battle raged on.

    Even with Zhang Yi¡¯s sniper support, the overwhelming numbers of the undead couldn¡¯t be ignored.

    A rough estimate put the zombie count at over 200,000¡ªand that didn¡¯t even include the mutant rats.

    The battlefield grew bloodier with every passing second.

    The zombies fell like wheat, cut down by the thousands¡ªbut the humans, too, were suffering heavy casualties.

    The sheer difference in numbers was too overwhelming.

    To make things worse, the mutant rats had armor-piercing fangs, capable of tearing through the soldiers¡¯ combat suits and inflicting serious injuries.

    Had it not been for the many Superhumans holding the line, the human defense would have crumbled in minutes!

    Realizing the dangerous weak points in the defense, Zhang Yi dispatched reinforcements.

    He sent Liang Yue, Uncle You, and Fatty Xu to reinforce the most vulnerable sections of the front.

    As for Hua Hua, it remained by Zhang Yi¡¯s side¡ªas always.

    In many ways, Hua Hua was Zhang Yi¡¯s most trusted blade.

    Its close-combat skills were unmatched, its mobility superb, and its defensive power on par with an armored vehicle.

    With Hua Hua around, Zhang Yi never had to worry about ambushes.

    And if things went south¡ªescaping would be easy.

    Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t na?ve enough to throw everything he had into this battle.

    His top priority was ensuring his own people survived.

    Inside St. John¡¯s Cathedral, the atmosphere was eerily calm.

    Yuan Kongye stood before the statue of the crucified Jesus, hands clasped in prayer, reciting silent hymns.

    The sounds of gunfire and battle cries echoed clearly through the church walls.

    The Followers of the Snow God hiding within the cathedral wore anxious expressions.

    Yet, despite the raging chaos outside, Yuan Kongye¡¯s face remained serene¡ªas if the battle had nothing to do with her at all.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er sat on a wooden pew inside the church, her medical kit resting beside her.

    Though she wasn¡¯t a believer, she still prayed silently in her heart.

    She intertwined her fingers and whispered softly.

    Just then, a cold and serene voice sounded above her.

    "Only the most devout believers receive the blessings of the divine."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er looked up, meeting the clear, captivating gaze of Yuan Kongye.

    There was something hypnotic about those eyes¡ªan almost soul-piercing intensity that made it difficult to look away.

    "You¡­ hello," Zhou Ke¡¯er smiled awkwardly, quickly shifting her gaze away.

    Yuan Kongye studied her carefully before speaking again.

    "You''re troubled, aren¡¯t you? You feel helpless, unable to aid your man in battle."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er''s heart skipped a beat.

    She wasn¡¯t used to having her inner thoughts exposed so bluntly.

    With a small, self-conscious laugh, she touched her neck and replied, "Maybe¡­ a little. I¡¯m a doctor¡ªI belong in the rear lines. There¡¯s no way I could be on the battlefield with him." ???????????§§S?

    Yuan Kongye¡¯s voice became even more alluring.

    "Perhaps¡­ you have the potential to become a Superhuman."

    Those words struck deep.

    Superhumans¡ªan existence Zhou Ke¡¯er had always envied.

    She never felt the desire strongly before, but ever since Yang Siyah awakened her powers, the longing had only grown stronger.

    Once upon a time, she had been independent¡ªa woman of high status and strong ambition.

    Born into a wealthy family, highly educated, and with a successful medical career, she had earned a reputation as one of the youngest attending physicians at Tianhai City¡¯s First People''s Hospital.

    But now?

    Standing beside Zhang Yi, she felt herself fading into the background.

    A reality she refused to accept.

    Even though Zhang Yi still treated her well, she knew one thing for certain¡ªZhang Yi wasn¡¯t someone who put emotions first.

    If, one day, someone more capable replaced her role, wouldn¡¯t she fall further and further behind?

    She had to think ahead.

    Zhang Yi was constantly evolving.

    But what about her?

    The moment Yuan Kongye spoke, her words stirred the deepest insecurities within Zhou Ke¡¯er.

    But¡­

    Zhang Yi had warned her¡ªnot to trust the people of the Followers of the Snow God.

    So Zhou Ke¡¯er remained distant in her response.

    "Is that so?" she smiled politely. "No one¡¯s ever told me that before."

    Yuan Kongye¡¯s icy fingers suddenly reached out, gently caressing her cheek.

    "Don¡¯t underestimate yourself. Many times¡­ all you lack is an opportunity."

    "Believe in yourself. You have the potential to become a Superhuman."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er''s heart pounded.

    She wasn¡¯t so sure anymore.

    Could she really awaken Superhuman abilities?

    She always thought becoming a Superhuman required extreme risks, a gamble with life itself.

    One failure, and death was the only outcome.

    She never had the courage to take that chance.

    But then, Ice Soul appeared¡­ offering her a new possibility.

    Yuan Kongye¡¯s gaze remained locked onto hers.

    Her eyes were crystal clear, yet held an unexplainable power¡ªa force that commanded obedience.

    Simply staring into them made one feel overwhelmed, as if surrendering was the natural choice.

    "We need strength," Yuan Kongye murmured.

    "Your man needs your help."

    "Zhou Ke¡¯er, I can help you awaken."

    "Will you accept?"

    Zhou Ke''er''s heart raced.

    She knew this woman held the power to awaken others.

    But she also knew¡­ this woman was dangerous.

    Too dangerous.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er hesitated for only a few seconds, before finally steadying herself.

    With a calm smile, she replied, "Thank you¡­ but I don¡¯t need it."

    Her eyes narrowed slightly, her tone cool and unwavering.

    Yuan Kongye''s expression faltered briefly¡ªjust for a moment, a flicker of disappointment flashing through her gaze.

    "It¡¯s alright," she said softly.

    "You can take your time. When you change your mind, come find me."

    "Divine blessings are a rare gift¡ªnot everyone is offered the chance."

    With that, Yuan Kongye turned away, returning to her silent prayers before the altar.

    At the back of the church, a family of three¡ªLi Jian, his wife, and his child¡ªsat together with Xu Beibei.

    As non-combatants and high-ranking members of the Followers of the Snow God, they were granted special privileges to take shelter here.

    Yet, Li Kaile refused to even glance at Yuan Kongye¡ªthe woman who had destroyed his happiness.

    Hatred.

    And fear.

    He wrapped himself tightly in a blanket, avoiding her gaze at all costs.

    Beside him, Xu Beibei squeezed his hand, silently offering comfort and reassurance.

    Outside, the sounds of war intensified.

    The roars of the zombie horde, the screeches of the mutant rats, the thunder of gunfire and explosions¡ª

    Even covering their ears, they could still hear it reverberating in their skulls.

    And yet, all they could do was pray¡ª

    Pray that the warriors outside would win this battle.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 491: Holding the Line

    Chapter 491: Holding the Line sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    The battle on the outskirts of the Followers of the Snow God camp had reached its climax.

    There was no need for elaborate tactics¡ªthe zombie horde had only one strategy: overwhelming with sheer numbers!

    Over 200,000 zombies had completely encircled the camp, launching relentless assaults from all directions.

    The human forces used every means at their disposal to fight back¡ªartillery, traps, superhuman abilities, and melee combat!

    Every possible method was being deployed.

    They knew they couldn¡¯t retreat. Their formation was hollow in the center, completely surrounded, with no way out.

    Their only option was to fight to the death and hold the line until Bian Junwu and his team completed the decapitation mission!

    Blood and flesh flew across the battlefield.

    Zombies were blasted to pieces, but even with only half a body left, they continued crawling forward, roaring.

    Human soldiers, armed with advanced weaponry, could take down hundreds of zombies each.

    But a single misstep meant being overwhelmed by the endless horde.

    Even if a zombie couldn¡¯t bite through their protective gear, sheer numbers could crush them under the weight.

    Not to mention the giant mutated rats, which could break through their defenses.

    From his vantage point atop a high-rise, Zhang Yi systematically sniped nearly all the Bronze Armored Zombies.

    His terrifying precision as a sniper became even more apparent on the battlefield.

    It could be said that Zhang Yi alone had relieved at least 20% of the pressure on the allied forces!

    If those heavily armored Bronze Armored Zombies had reached the frontlines, the human defenses would have collapsed in no time!

    Time flew by¡ªtwenty minutes had already passed.

    The allied forces fought while retreating.

    Each withdrawal left behind an array of traps, filled with incendiary materials and explosives, wiping out waves of zombies.

    The defensive perimeter kept shrinking, and casualties had already reached 30%!

    Xiao Honglian gritted her teeth and contacted Bian Junwu.

    ¡°We can¡¯t hold out much longer! How¡¯s it going on your end?¡±

    Bian Junwu¡¯s response was cold. ¡°We¡¯re close to finding the Zombie King. Hold on a little longer, and we¡¯ll have results soon!¡±

    Hearing this, the allied forces clung to the last shred of hope and continued their desperate defense.

    But after ending the call, Bian Junwu remained outside¡ªhe hadn¡¯t ventured underground yet.

    He was still waiting for more zombies to emerge from below.

    With an attack of this scale, Bian Junwu was certain that the Zombie King wouldn¡¯t want to lose.

    If Zhang Yi and the others held out long enough, the Zombie King would be forced to send reinforcements.

    This was a battle of endurance.

    And the Zombie King couldn¡¯t be sure whether this was a trap.

    As long as the opportunity presented itself, Bian Junwu¡¯s seven-man assassination team would strike.

    ...

    The battlefield ahead was turning into a bloodbath!

    Liang Yue, Uncle You, and Fatty Xu formed a special task force, reinforcing the western flank.

    Liang Yue¡¯s Loong Roar Sword was made from Adamantium¡ªotherwise, it would have dulled from hacking zombies!

    She moved like a human tornado, slashing through the horde with relentless fury, her blade tearing dozens of zombies apart with each swing!

    Uncle You had incredible defense, but when faced with the massive zombie horde, he relied primarily on his two enormous Gatling guns to mow them down.

    The only good news was that Zhang Yi and his team had an ample supply of ammunition.

    At this moment, Fatty Xu¡¯s abilities proved invaluable.

    His Snowstorm ability was incredibly versatile, especially in battlefield control.

    While not as deadly as Wei Dinghai¡¯s Ice and Snow Lord, which excelled in stealth attacks, Fatty Xu¡¯s ability to control the battlefield was even stronger. ??????????¦Â¨º¡ì

    Different strengths for different situations.

    With his power alone, Fatty Xu covered an area of several kilometers in ice and snow, drastically slowing the zombies down.

    This gave the others an opportunity to cut them down more efficiently.

    Though Zhang Yi¡¯s team was small, they were among the most active on the battlefield, contributing more than many larger factions!

    Time crawled by, another thirty minutes passing in an agonizing struggle.

    Every second felt like an eternity, filling everyone with despair.

    But they had no choice¡ªthey were cornered, forced to fight like madmen against the undead tide!

    The relentless fighting gradually slowed the zombie advance.

    Although the horde kept pushing forward, the allied forces¡¯ shrinking formation made it harder for them to break through.

    However, casualties among the ordinary followers of the Snow God began to mount.

    No matter how tight the defensive line was, some zombies would inevitably slip through.

    And at this point, no one had the capacity to care about the fate of the common followers.

    Although the Followers of the Snow God had evacuated them to high-rise buildings and deep underground tunnels in advance,

    Zombies and giant rats had an uncanny ability to sense living prey.

    Some zombies managed to breach the defenses and infiltrate the hiding places of the followers.

    And there were no elite fighters stationed there.

    Just a few zombies could slaughter an entire floor of defenseless believers!

    Screams filled the air as they rushed to the windows, crying out for the armed forces to save them.

    Xiao Honglian and the others ignored their pleas.

    They had no manpower to spare¡ªbarely managing to protect themselves.

    Even Zheng Yixian and his people could only sigh and mutter, ¡°Return to the Divine Kingdom.¡±

    Then, they turned away, indifferent.

    At this moment, just holding back the zombie horde was pushing them to their limits.

    If they split their forces to deal with scattered zombies in the rear, their entire defensive line would collapse.

    Zhang Yi spotted a dozen zombies slipping through.

    He hesitated for a moment before adjusting his aim and picking them off one by one.

    He didn¡¯t particularly care about the fate of the Followers of the Snow God.

    But he absolutely couldn¡¯t allow chaos to break out behind them.

    If the common believers panicked and ran everywhere, they could disrupt the frontline forces.

    However, more and more zombies were breaching the defenses.

    The battle had devolved into brutal hand-to-hand combat.

    ¡°It¡¯s already been forty minutes! What the hell is going on over there?¡±

    Xiao Honglian and Xing Tian were getting anxious.

    They were supposed to hold the line for thirty minutes¡ªwhy were the zombies still attacking with full force?

    ¡°There are still a lot of zombies underground. Hold on for ten more minutes, and we¡¯ll finish them off!¡±

    Bian Junwu¡¯s cold reply irritated Xiao Honglian and the others.

    But at this point, they had no choice but to believe him.

    As the defensive perimeter shrank further, the hiding places of the ordinary followers had to be abandoned.

    But this also had an unexpected advantage.

    Zombies were drawn to living humans, highly sensitive to their presence.

    The large concentration of believers became an irresistible lure, drawing a significant portion of the horde away.

    This significantly reduced the pressure on the combat forces.

    In fact, from the very beginning, these believers had been part of Bian Junwu¡¯s plan¡ªas bait.

    To annihilate the zombie horde, anything was expendable.

    Desperate screams echoed throughout the camp.

    Without the protection of the armed forces, the ordinary believers stood no chance against the zombie and rat swarms.

    They quickly became nothing more than food for the undead.

    Just as Zhang Yi breathed a sigh of relief, thinking they could hold on a little longer,

    Beside him, Hua Hua suddenly pricked up its ears, growling as it bared its sharp fangs!

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 492: Collapse

    Chapter 492: Collapse

    Zhang Yi held his sniper rifle, maintaining a commanding view of the battlefield, picking off enemies from every direction.

    To him, no enemy could approach without being noticed.

    But he had overlooked one direction.

    ¡°Meow¡ª!!¡±

    Beside him, Hua Hua suddenly let out a loud roar before rapidly enlarging its body and shielding Zhang Yi.

    Zhang Yi was startled, unsure why Hua Hua had reacted this way.

    But in less than half a second, he realized¡ªsomeone was approaching!

    Whoosh¡ª

    A gust of wind swept over him as Hua Hua leaped into the air toward the unseen threat.

    Zhang Yi looked up, and his pupils shrank at what he saw!

    Above the dark night sky, a dozen humanoid creatures with massive bat-like wings were descending.

    They were slender yet unnervingly agile.

    Flying Bronze Armored Zombies?!

    ¡°A new variant? These things were hiding deep!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s sharp gaze locked onto the airborne creatures.

    Hua Hua had already lunged at one of them, forcing it down onto the rooftop.

    The other flying zombies rushed straight toward Zhang Yi!

    Unfazed, Zhang Yi swiftly activated the Dimensional Gate, opening a massive portal before him and immediately pulling the trigger.

    Two of the airborne zombies charged straight into the portal without warning.

    One was instantly shot down.

    The remaining flying zombies quickly changed tactics, hovering high above as they searched for an opportunity to take him down.

    Since Zhang Yi had already eliminated most of the ground-based Bronze Armored Zombies, these creatures had set their sights on him, determined to kill him.

    Fortunately, Zhang Yi had Hua Hua as a bodyguard, preventing any surprise attacks.

    On the rooftop, the growls and roars of the flying zombies were soon drowned out by Hua Hua¡¯s frenzied cries.

    ¡°Meow! Meow!!¡±

    Hua Hua¡¯s razor-sharp claws tore through its opponent, shredding the zombie¡¯s steel-like body into bloody chunks.

    The creature was utterly destroyed.

    The remaining dozen flying zombies hesitated, a flicker of caution appearing in their eerie eyes.

    Their speed made them difficult to snipe, and at this range, Zhang Yi¡¯s Divine Might could still take them down. The Dimensional Gate also offered excellent defensive coverage. §²?N?????§§S

    If worst came to worst, he could always retreat.

    So he wasn¡¯t afraid.

    But the flying zombies, wary of his abilities, suddenly veered away¡ªheading straight for the allied forces!

    ¡°Damn it!¡±

    Zhang Yi immediately shouted over the comms, ¡°Flying Bronze Armored Zombies! Above you! Stay alert!¡±

    The flying zombies were incredibly fast, and now that they had adapted to Zhang Yi¡¯s sniping, they were harder to take down quickly.

    Their aerial assaults became a massive threat to the allied forces.

    Despite Zhang Yi¡¯s warning, they still managed to slaughter a large number of soldiers.

    Even worse, Zhang Yi spotted something terrifying in the distance¡ª

    Another massive wave of zombies, numbering at least hundreds of thousands, was surging toward them!

    ¡°This is getting out of control! Bian Junwu, it¡¯s all on you now!¡±

    Zhang Yi sucked in a sharp breath.

    The first zombie horde had nearly broken their defenses.

    Now, with the addition of the flying zombies and a second wave, the allied forces stood no chance of holding the line.

    Unless Bian Junwu and his team successfully completed their decapitation mission,

    Zhang Yi would be left with no choice but to retreat with his squad.

    He immediately activated the squad¡¯s private comms.

    ¡°Stop fighting at the front. Fall back and be ready to withdraw with me at any moment!¡±

    With the Dimensional Gate, his squad still had a chance to escape.

    But if Bian Junwu failed, no one here would survive.

    After issuing the order, Zhang Yi¡¯s first thought was Zhou Ke¡¯er in the church.

    He immediately turned his gaze toward the church¡ªonly to see two flying zombies diving straight for it!

    ¡°F**k!!¡±

    Zhang Yi swore, his blood turning ice-cold.

    The church had defenders, but no one had prepared for an aerial assault.

    If those two flying zombies got inside, they would massacre everyone within seconds.

    And Zhou Ke¡¯er would be in grave danger.

    Without hesitation, Zhang Yi activated the Dimensional Gate and teleported toward the church.

    The distance required him to use the gate three times to get there. S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    But before he could arrive¡ª

    A blinding white light erupted from inside the church!

    The two flying zombies that had dived in were suddenly blasted out through the ceiling, encased in thick layers of ice, looking like frozen statues.

    ¡°What the hell? There¡¯s a powerhouse inside?¡±

    Zhang Yi exhaled in relief.

    But on second thought, it made sense.

    The Followers of the Snow God wouldn¡¯t leave Yuan Kongye, their leader, unguarded in the church.

    The two frozen zombies crashed to the ground.

    Their icy shells shattered, and they slowly got back up, growling in fear toward the church.

    At the entrance, the superhumans of the Followers of the Snow God immediately took defensive positions, engaging the frozen zombies in combat.

    But Zhang Yi had no time to worry about that.

    He stepped through the Dimensional Gate and entered the church.

    Inside, chaos reigned.

    Terrified believers huddled together on the floor, their faces pale with fear.

    At the center of the church, Yuan Kongye stood tall, bathed in the light streaming through the shattered ceiling.

    There was an aura of divine serenity surrounding her.

    Zhang Yi glanced at her, his mind racing.

    Was the mysterious powerhouse of the Followers of the Snow God actually her?

    It was surprising, but also perfectly logical.

    As their leader, it wasn¡¯t strange for her to possess formidable strength.

    However, Zhang Yi had no time to dwell on that thought.

    His eyes quickly landed on Zhou Ke¡¯er¡ª

    She was clutching a medical kit, trembling in fear behind a white pillar.

    Without a second thought, Zhang Yi strode forward and pulled her into his arms.

    ¡°It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m here.¡±

    That single sentence made Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s tense body relax instantly.

    With Zhang Yi by her side, she felt an overwhelming sense of security.

    Yuan Kongye looked at Zhang Yi with slight surprise.

    She didn¡¯t understand how he had suddenly appeared out of thin air.

    But after a brief moment of thought, realization dawned upon her¡ªZhang Yi must have used some sort of spatial teleportation ability.

    Such a rare power piqued her curiosity, and she couldn¡¯t help but glance at him a few more times.

    Outside, the sounds of battle and agonized screams grew louder.

    The church¡¯s massive doors thumped violently¡ªa group of terrified believers had fled here, desperately seeking Yuan Kongye¡¯s protection.

    ¡°Zhang Yi¡­ are we losing?¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er asked nervously.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s expression remained cold and unwavering. He simply said, ¡°Don¡¯t be afraid. Come with me.¡±

    At this point, Zhang Yi had no interest in hiding his abilities. He immediately activated the Dimensional Gate and took Zhou Ke¡¯er with him, vanishing from the church.

    As for the fate of the others¡­

    He didn¡¯t have the luxury to care.

    Or rather, to put it more bluntly¡ªhe didn¡¯t have the ability to save everyone.

    Holding Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s hand, Zhang Yi emerged into the chaotic battlefield outside.

    The situation was completely out of control.

    More and more zombies and giant rats were breaking through the defensive lines.

    At the front, Xiao Honglian and the others were still holding on desperately, refusing to let the undead completely overrun them.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s face remained cold as he teleported both himself and Zhou Ke¡¯er to the rooftop of a nearby high-rise.

    Hua Hua was still there, standing over the shattered remains of a Bronze Armored Flying Zombie.

    Strangely, Hua Hua hadn¡¯t eaten its brain.

    That likely meant this creature was fundamentally different from superhumans or other mutated beings.

    It wasn¡¯t a naturally evolved organism¡ªit was something else entirely.

    Zhang Yi scanned the battlefield from above, his sharp eyes analyzing the worsening situation.

    The superhuman army was still holding their ground, preventing total annihilation.

    But regular soldiers were dying en masse.

    And when the superhumans¡¯ energy eventually ran out, they too would be overwhelmed.

    Zhang Yi and his team had the advantage of Superhuman Energy Dishes to replenish their strength, allowing them to fight longer.

    But this wasn¡¯t a sustainable strategy.

    ¡°Bian Junwu¡­¡±

    Zhang Yi muttered the name, knowing full well that their assassination mission wasn¡¯t going smoothly.

    And it was no surprise.

    After all, their enemy wasn¡¯t just a single target¡ªit was the entire zombie horde of Tianhai City.

    ¡°Zhang Yi¡­ what do we do?¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s voice trembled as she looked at the battlefield below.

    The undead surged from all directions, like an unstoppable tidal wave.

    There was nowhere left to run.

    Believers hiding in skyscrapers were being dragged out and slaughtered.

    Those in underground parking lots and malls were trapped, unable to escape.

    The Followers of the Snow God¡¯s sanctuary had become a living nightmare.

    At this rate, in ten minutes, the entire defense would collapse.

    Aside from Zhang Yi¡¯s small team, no one would survive.

    Zhang Yi could see the sheer desperation in the eyes of the fighters below.

    They were battling like madmen.

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s white flames engulfed the battlefield, incinerating wave after wave of zombies.

    Wei Dinghai¡¯s Ice and Snow Lord ability slowed down the undead advance, but as soon as one wave was frozen, another surged forward.

    Even Xing Tian¡¯s elite warriors, known for their boundless battle spirit, were beginning to tire.

    Their white combat aura was fading from exhaustion.

    ¡°Prepare to retreat. If the frontlines fall, I¡¯ll get you all out immediately.¡±

    Zhang Yi spoke into the comms, addressing Fatty Xu, Uncle You, and Liang Yue.

    Fatty Xu¡¯s breathless voice came through, panicked and desperate.

    ¡°Boss! I can¡¯t hold out any longer! Come save me!!¡±

    Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes scanned the battlefield, quickly locating Fatty Xu.

    As a Control-type superhuman, he was naturally surrounded by a small squad of bodyguards.

    But the undead were about to overrun them.

    Fatty Xu, cowardly as ever, was already pale with terror.

    Without hesitation, Zhang Yi commanded Hua Hua:

    ¡°Get him out of there!¡±

    WHOOSH!

    Hua Hua leaped from the rooftop, descending dozens of floors in a blur, kicking up a storm of ice and snow upon landing.

    Charging through the zombie horde like an unstoppable force, Hua Hua snatched Fatty Xu by his collar and dragged him out of the swarm.

    Within moments, they were back on the rooftop.

    Fatty Xu collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily, his face still etched with the horror of near-death.

    But Zhang Yi wasn¡¯t standing idly by.

    From his storage, he pulled out dozens of grenades and explosives, hurling them into the densest clusters of zombies.

    At this point, all he could do was lessen the burden on the others as much as possible.

    His Divine Might ability, though powerful, had a limited range.

    Even if he killed hundreds of zombies in a single shot, it wouldn¡¯t change the tide of battle.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 493: The Battle Ends

    Chapter 493: The Battle Ends

    Just as Zhang Yi was about to give up and prepare to retreat with his team, the battlefield underwent a sudden and eerie change.

    All the zombies stopped moving in an instant.

    It was as if someone had removed their batteries¡ªthey completely ignored the humans standing before them, not even making a move to attack.

    And then, a second later, they all turned around in unison and sprinted back the way they came.

    Bronze Armored Flying Zombies, Bronze Armored Zombies, and even the ordinary undead¡ª

    Every single one of them abandoned the battle, despite the fact that just a few more waves of attacks could have completely overrun Tianhai City¡¯s largest human stronghold.

    Yet, they didn¡¯t hesitate at all¡ªthey turned and fled at full speed.

    When they arrived, they surged in like a tidal wave.

    Now, they retreated like a collapsing mountain, fleeing in absolute chaos¡ªevery zombie racing desperately, their guttural cries filled with urgency, as if something more important than life and death itself was pulling them away.

    Xiao Honglian¡¯s face lit up with joy at the sight.

    Because she had seen this exact same scenario just days ago.

    ¡°Bian Junwu¡¯s team must have found the Zombie King! They¡¯re rushing back to save it!¡±

    The Zombie King, as the commander of the horde, had absolute control over all zombies.

    Whenever it was in mortal danger, it would instinctively recall every single zombie to protect it.

    The fact that this was happening now could only mean Bian Junwu¡¯s team had successfully located the Zombie King and posed an immediate threat to it.

    It was so desperate that it had no choice but to recall its entire army.

    The battlefield was eerily silent for a moment.

    Everyone was utterly exhausted¡ªexcept for Zhang Yi, who was still relatively composed.

    They had just brushed shoulders with death¡ªone step away from becoming food for the undead.

    As the zombie tide receded, the mutant rat swarms were slightly slower to react.

    But as creatures that thrived in symbiosis with the zombies, they too were cunning¡ªquickly turning around and following the undead in retreat.

    No one dared to pursue them.

    At this point, everyone was stretched to their limit¡ªone wrong move, and the horde might turn back to attack.

    Only when the zombies disappeared beyond the horizon, their dark forms shrinking into a narrow, endless black line in the distance, did the soldiers finally dare to breathe again. ?????¨º?

    ¡°Haha¡­ Hahahaha! Waaaaahh!!¡±

    ¡°Am¡­ Am I still alive? I¡¯m alive?! Or am I dead?¡±

    Throughout the camp of the Followers of the Snow God, a mix of laughter, sobs, and heavy breathing echoed through the night.

    The surge of relief was so overwhelming that even the most battle-hardened warriors broke down emotionally.

    Many had faced death countless times before, but never like this¡ªnever against something so utterly hopeless.

    They could accept dying in battle¡ªbut the thought of being eaten alive by zombies and giant rats was a nightmare beyond comprehension.

    Xiao Honglian, despite her exhaustion, forced herself to stay alert.

    ¡°We can¡¯t relax yet!¡± she called out.

    ¡°You can sit down and rest, but stay ready to fight! There might still be stragglers among the zombies and rats.¡±

    Hearing her warning, the other faction leaders followed suit.

    No one wanted to let their guard down too soon.

    Even while resting, they kept their weapons close, ready to fight at a moment¡¯s notice.

    Zhang Yi swept his gaze over the battlefield, noticing that many soldiers looked completely dazed.

    This battle had scarred them deeply.

    For many, this night would haunt their dreams forever¡ªPTSD was inevitable.

    He could only hope they wouldn¡¯t wake up screaming from nightmares of the horde.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er clung tightly to Zhang Yi, her body trembling as she finally allowed herself to breathe freely.

    Her rapidly rising and falling chest made her distress painfully evident.

    Zhang Yi felt it all too clearly.

    Before long, Liang Yue, Uncle You, Fatty Xu, and Hua Hua gathered around Zhang Yi.

    The three had strictly followed Zhang Yi¡¯s orders¡ªfighting when necessary but reserving enough energy to escape at a moment¡¯s notice.

    As a result, none of them had sustained injuries.

    Even Uncle You, who had clashed with several Bronze Armored Zombies, remained completely unscathed.

    His thick skin, raw strength, and terrifying regeneration ability had made him nearly invincible on the battlefield.

    Time felt distorted¡ªno one knew how long had passed.

    Had it been hours? Or just a few short minutes?

    Each second had felt endless.

    Zhang Yi¡¯s gaze swept over the entire battlefield.

    The first wave of defenders, those who had held the front line from the start, had suffered an 80% casualty rate.

    Tianhai City was in ruins.

    This battle had completely shattered its remaining military strength.

    Especially in terms of high-level combat power, the losses were beyond catastrophic.

    It wasn¡¯t just "devastating"¡ªit was a complete disaster.

    But for Zhang Yi, this wasn¡¯t necessarily bad news.

    At the very least¡ª

    His team had survived.

    No one from his group had perished.

    That alone made this battle worth it.

    And honestly¡ª

    If anyone truly deserved to be called "tragic", it wasn¡¯t Zhang Yi, nor the other base factions.

    The real tragedy was yet to come.

    The true victims of this battle¡ªwere the Followers of the Snow God.

    Because the war had ravaged their territory.

    Now, even the cries of grief had grown faint and scattered.

    Of the 5,000 believers in the cult, barely 1,000 remained¡ª

    No, maybe not even 500.

    That stark reality weighed heavily on the faces of Zheng Yixian and the other high-ranking members of the cult.

    Everyone still stood at their defensive positions, their bodies unmoving.

    But no one spoke.

    Not a single word.

    Because after a battle of such unimaginable loss, after witnessing so many lives perish, even the most basic human emotions seemed momentarily paralyzed.

    Zhang Yi surveyed the surroundings, his expression neutral, unreadable.

    Then, a soft voice broke the silence.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, are you hurt? Do you need me to check?¡±

    It was Zhou Ke¡¯er.

    Her concern was evident in her gentle voice.

    Zhang Yi turned to look at the kind-hearted doctor, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to smile.

    He simply shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m fine.¡±

    Zhou Ke¡¯er then checked on the others, but everyone in their squad was unharmed.

    Tightening the strap on her medical kit, she looked at Zhang Yi and asked, ¡°Can I go help the others?¡±

    She was referring to the injured survivors on the battlefield.

    Although they had made it out alive, many bore grievous wounds.

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t refuse.

    At the very least, for now, they were all on the same side.

    And after this battle, the major factions of Tianhai City had suffered such heavy losses that they were no longer capable of forming large-scale forces¡ªlet alone posing a threat to Zhang Yi¡¯s group.

    In fact, they might even form an alliance to face the greater dangers ahead.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er hurried onto the battlefield, seeking out the wounded soldiers, carefully bandaging their injuries and administering medicine.

    Her serious expression, her gentle hands, and her skilled medical care caused many of the hardened warriors to suddenly break down in tears.

    For the first time since the battle ended, they felt warmth¡ª

    A warmth that reminded them they were still human, that they had survived, and that they hadn¡¯t fallen into the depths of hell.

    One by one, the various factions retrieved their supplies.

    Food, medicine, bandages, blankets, military coats¡ª

    Though no one dared to sleep just yet, they were fairly certain the zombie horde wouldn¡¯t return.

    The priority now was helping the wounded recover.

    From the church, Yuan Kongye emerged, leading the remaining survivors outside.

    Throughout the battle, they had been well-protected.

    Though there had been a few scares, not a single one of them had died.

    Yuan Kongye¡¯s eyes were filled with grief and compassion as she gazed at the devastated battlefield.

    Then, she turned to her followers and said solemnly:

    ¡°Go and help care for them. They are the ones who fought for us.¡±

    The surviving believers understood¡ª

    They were alive only because the front-line warriors had fought to the death to protect them.

    So those who could still move rushed to help the wounded, tending to them with what little strength they had left.

    Among them were Li Jian, his wife, and Xu Beibei.

    As for Li Kaile, his health had been poor since his last incident, and he had yet to fully recover.

    So he was ordered to stay inside the church. sea??h th§× Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Li Jian gazed at the hellish scene before him, his heart heavy with pain.

    The neighbors he had once brought to the Followers of the Snow God for safety¡ª

    Most of them were now dead, slaughtered in wave after wave of zombie attacks.

    A deep sense of guilt settled on his face.

    Zhang Jianfang, seeing his sorrow, gently consoled him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t blame yourself too much. You did everything you could. In times like these, all we can do is survive one day at a time. This wasn¡¯t your fault.¡±

    Li Jian let out a long, weary sigh, then walked forward to help carry the wounded onto stretchers.

    Meanwhile, the young girl Xu Beibei moved through the battlefield, carefully wrapping bandages around the injured and offering them warm water to help them recover.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 494: A Painful Victory

    Chapter 494: A Painful Victory

    After what felt like an eternity, Bian Junwu and his team finally returned.

    The seven of them looked battered and exhausted, a stark contrast to their usual composed demeanor.

    Baili Changqing was supporting Wu Di, who had always been an arrogant loudmouth¡ªbut now, his face was ashen like gold leaf, his steps unsteady as if his body had lost all strength.

    Kong Sheng, the Enhancement-type superhuman, had his shoulder wrapped in bandages, but his other arm was twisted unnaturally, clearly broken during battle.

    All seven of them were covered in blood, their injuries varying in severity.

    And yet¡ª

    They were smiling. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    It was clear that the assassination mission had been just as brutal as the battlefield fight.

    But they had succeeded.

    As the investigation team entered the camp of the Followers of the Snow God, Bian Junwu scanned the survivors.

    His expression remained impassive.

    They had won¡ªbut only barely.

    Everyone had pushed themselves to their absolute limits.

    And there was no need for pointless words of comfort.

    Zhang Yi stepped forward and asked directly, "Did you eliminate all the Zombie Kings?"

    Bian Junwu¡¯s reply was as cold as ever. "There were five in total. We killed them all. The bodies are in the vehicle."

    ¡°Good.¡±

    With confirmation that the Zombie Kings were truly dead, everyone breathed a collective sigh of relief.

    Without the Zombie Kings¡¯ command, the remaining zombies in Tianhai City were just mindless wanderers.

    There was no longer a risk of them organizing into massive hordes.

    From here on out, they could deal with the stragglers at their own pace.

    After a moment of thought, Zhang Yi reached into his Spatial Storage and retrieved several Superhuman Energy Dishes, handing them to Bian Junwu.

    Bian Junwu glanced at the food with curiosity. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡±

    ¡°Food made for superhumans. Helps restore energy, stamina, and mental focus. It¡¯s extremely useful.¡±

    Zhang Yi replied with a smile.

    Bian Junwu¡¯s eyes flickered with brief amusement before he let out a barely noticeable smirk¡ªthough even that small smile looked forced on his stoic face. ?¦Á?¦Ï?¨º?

    ¡°Seems like you have a pretty impressive Support-type superhuman in your team.¡±

    Without hesitation, he took the food and returned to his snow vehicle with his team.

    Meanwhile, the rest of the survivors¡ªnow assured of their victory¡ªcould finally rest.

    Everyone was too exhausted to talk much.

    The fighters withdrew to their own resting areas, while those who hadn¡¯t fought tended to the wounded and distributed food.

    That night, no one spoke much.

    ...

    After an entire day of rest, everyone¡¯s mental and physical state had improved significantly.

    However, the number of injured survivors was far too great.

    Given the circumstances, it was impossible to leave just yet.

    So, the group decided to remain at the Followers of the Snow God¡¯s camp and recover before heading back.

    But there was still one lingering issue¡ª

    Tianhai City was still crawling with zombies.

    Even without the Zombie Kings, they still had their predatory instincts.

    For now, staying together in one place was the safest choice.

    Zhang Yi and his team could have left immediately.

    But at Bian Junwu¡¯s request, they chose to stay.

    Right now, Zhang Yi¡¯s team was by far the strongest combat force among the survivors.

    Bian Junwu hoped they would remain and protect the others until everyone had fully recovered.

    Zhang Yi, despite longing to return to his shelter, to collapse into his soft bed with Zhou Ke¡¯er in his arms,

    He ultimately agreed¡ª

    Out of respect for Jiangnan District¡¯s authority.

    Thus, Zhang Yi¡¯s team stayed behind, primarily tasked with clearing out the scattered zombies in the surrounding areas.

    For them, this was an easy job.

    The remaining zombie hordes were small, only numbering a few thousand at most.

    Without the Zombie Kings, they were mindless, weak, and disorganized¡ª

    A few superhumans working together could wipe them out effortlessly.

    Over the course of several days, the survivors noticed a significant drop in zombie activity.

    The threat wasn¡¯t entirely gone, but it was no longer an immediate crisis.

    Bian Junwu and his team continued monitoring the situation.

    Only after confirming that there were no more large-scale zombie movements would they return to Jiangnan District to report their success.

    Meanwhile, after fighting side by side for so long, the relationships between the five major factions had undergone a dramatic shift.

    Ironically¡ª

    The so-called "Five Major Factions" could hardly be called "major" anymore.

    After this war, over 80% of their core combat forces had been wiped out.

    They were shadows of their former selves.

    Fortunately, the zombie horde had attacked indiscriminately¡ª

    Not only did it devastate them, but it had also annihilated the smaller factions of Tianhai City.

    Had those smaller groups survived, the "Five Factions" might not have been able to hold onto their own territories.

    But now?

    Tianhai City was practically a dead city¡ªso what was the point of having a large territory when there were hardly any living people left to occupy it?

    Thus, the past tensions between the factions faded away.

    They no longer saw each other as rivals, but rather as fellow survivors of the apocalypse.

    And Zhang Yi felt it the most.

    Because over the past few days, the other factions had constantly been trying to befriend his team.

    Of all the groups, Zhang Yi¡¯s suffered the least losses.

    In fact¡ª

    Aside from using up a significant amount of ammunition, Zhang Yi¡¯s team had taken no real damage.

    And ammunition was cheap.

    Zhang Yi had his own private armory, and with Lu Keran, his mechanical genius, constantly manufacturing more weapons,

    His team would remain the strongest force in Tianhai City for the foreseeable future.

    The first to extend an olive branch was Xiao Honglian.

    She walked up to Zhang Yi with confidence, offering a friendly smile.

    ¡°Zhang Yi, we may have had some¡­ disagreements in the past. But look at Tianhai City now¡ªit¡¯s in ruins. There might not even be 10,000 living people left.¡±

    ¡°From now on, let¡¯s be friends. None of us can afford more conflict. If you ever need my help, just say the word.¡±

    Xiao Honglian extended her hand with a bold, straightforward demeanor.

    Zhang Yi had been deeply impressed by her leadership on the battlefield, her ability to rally troops and fight fiercely.

    Unlike the women around him, she was a true warrior¡ªstrong, commanding, and fearless.

    Zhang Yi had no love for unnecessary conflict.

    Since she was offering peace, he saw no reason to refuse.

    Past battles had been about resources¡ªnot personal grudges.

    So he shook her hand, smiling. ¡°I¡¯ve always admired a woman who can lead a faction.¡±

    Curious, he asked, ¡°You¡¯re skilled. Were you in the military or police before all this?¡±

    Xiao Honglian chuckled softly. ¡°I was a police superintendent in Tianhai City¡¯s Criminal Investigation Unit.¡±

    Zhang Yi smirked. ¡°I knew it! A true badass.¡±

    Then, a thought crossed his mind. His eyes gleamed mischievously.

    ¡°So¡­ does that mean you have records on all of us?¡±

    Xiao Honglian grinned. ¡°Of course. I know all your basic information. Well¡­ at least everything from before the apocalypse.¡±

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 495: The Cloud of Doubt in His Heart

    Chapter 495: The Cloud of Doubt in His Heart

    After Xiao Honglian left, Wei Dinghai quickly arrived.

    He was a man in his forties, shrewd and worldly.

    As soon as he saw Zhang Yi, he warmly flattered him.

    Things like ¡°so young and promising¡± and ¡°born to be a great leader.¡±

    "Zhang Yi, do you have any interest in going out to sea? If you have time, I can take you overseas to take a look. There''s a vast world out there!" S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Wei Dinghai extended his invitation enthusiastically.

    Thinking about the vast ocean, Zhang Yi couldn''t help but feel a bit intrigued.

    But then he recalled that beneath the boundless sea, there could be creatures even more dangerous than those on land. He quickly shook his head.

    "Rather than that, you''d be better off sending me some ribbonfish."

    Wei Dinghai laughed heartily. "No problem, no problem! Next time we return from the sea, I''ll bring you the freshest frozen ribbonfish!"

    Fresh fish were out of the question¡ªonly deep-sea fish could still survive in the ocean depths. Once they were caught and brought up, they would die instantly.

    Zhang Yi asked, "So many people died this time. Is it still safe to go out to sea?"

    Wei Dinghai''s smile faded slightly.

    He sighed softly and lowered his head. "Most of our combat personnel are dead, but I still have some staff on the ship. As long as they''re there, I can still sail!"

    He then expressed the same sentiment as Xiao Honglian.

    Tianhai City was already scarred beyond recognition from this battle. No one even knew how many survivors were left.

    This city, once home to over twenty million people, was now eerily silent.

    Everyone was exhausted. No one wanted to fight anymore.

    Besides, with so few people left, there were more than enough resources. There was no need for competition.

    Shortly after, Zheng Yixian and Xing Tian arrived as well.

    Zheng Yixian¡¯s face was clouded with deep sorrow.

    Of all the factions, the Followers of the Snow God had suffered the heaviest losses.

    Not only did they lose their warriors, but also a vast number of their followers.

    Out of over five thousand people, more than four thousand had died. The remaining survivors, including both high-ranking members and ordinary believers, were less than eight hundred.

    The other factions couldn¡¯t help but feel sympathy for them.

    Xing Tian, on the other hand, casually slung an arm around Zhang Yi''s shoulder, acting all buddy-buddy.

    "Old Zhang, from now on, your team is the strongest in Tianhai City! You gotta watch my back."

    He grinned as he spoke.

    In truth, his faction had suffered the second-highest casualties, right after Zhang Yi¡¯s team.

    His ability was unique¡ªit allowed him to empower many people, turning ordinary soldiers into superhuman warriors.

    Because of this, only about half of his Xing Tian Army had fallen.

    The survivors were still strong and full of vigor.

    Zhang Yi shot him an annoyed look. "Don''t be so optimistic just yet. The zombie crisis in Tianhai City isn''t over."

    "Haha, the Zombie Kings are already wiped out. The remaining zombies won¡¯t amount to much."

    Xing Tian chuckled, unfazed.

    Zhang Yi sneered. "I wouldn¡¯t be so sure. We don¡¯t even know if all the Zombie Kings were drawn out in this battle."

    Xing Tian was momentarily stunned.

    Then he retorted, "If there were still Zombie Kings alive, why wouldn¡¯t they attack us now? This would be the perfect time, while we¡¯re at our weakest. Old Zhang, I think you''re overthinking it." ??????????????§¦S

    Zhang Yi frowned slightly.

    Even he wasn¡¯t entirely sure if his concerns were valid.

    But he always preferred to consider the worst-case scenario.

    Pessimists might struggle to be happy, but at least they rarely made fatal mistakes.

    "Who knows? Better safe than sorry. Just stay alert."

    "Got it." Xing Tian nodded.

    Though whether he took it to heart or not was another matter.

    After this battle, the atmosphere between the factions in Tianhai City became much more harmonious.

    It was almost as if the zombie attack had been a blessing in disguise.

    It reminded Zhang Yi of what a certain president had once said¡ªwhen humanity faces an attack from non-human entities, all their internal conflicts might suddenly seem insignificant.

    Yet, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t shake an ominous feeling in his heart.

    He glanced at the surviving members of the Followers of the Snow God.

    Their corpses were strewn across the battlefield in a gruesome display, evoking deep sympathy from everyone.

    Silently, Zhang Yi called Zhou Ke¡¯er over and asked her to get in the car with him. There was something important he needed to do.

    Seeing the serious expression on Zhang Yi¡¯s face, Zhou Ke¡¯er blushed slightly.

    They had been too preoccupied with defending against the zombie horde lately, and some things had been left unattended.

    Now that things had settled down, handling those matters seemed only natural.

    "Mm."

    She nodded gently, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before getting into the car first.

    Zhang Yi then instructed Fatty Xu and a few others to stand guard for him.

    "If anyone comes looking for me, don''t let them get close. Got it?"

    A flicker of emotion passed across Liang Yue¡¯s usually cold face. She turned her head away with a huff.

    Fatty Xu, on the other hand, grinned and eagerly assured, "Yes, yes, yes! I¡¯ll make sure no one disturbs you, Boss! Whoever comes, they¡¯ll have to wait!"

    Zhang Yi nodded and got into the car, quickly shutting the door and drawing the curtains.

    The car had built-in soundproofing, so no one outside could hear what was happening inside.

    Nearby, Liang Yue, Uncle You, and Fatty Xu rested.

    Liang Yue seemed a little uncomfortable.

    She never thought she¡¯d be standing guard for someone in this kind of situation.

    Uncle You, however, took it in stride.

    He chuckled. "Zhang Yi is still young, after all. His energy is boundless."

    He sighed almost imperceptibly.

    If only Zhou Haimei were still here¡­

    ¡­

    Inside the car, Zhang Yi saw Zhou Ke¡¯er had already taken off her coat and was sitting on the bed with her legs elegantly crossed.

    She gazed at him with an enchanting expression.

    But Zhang Yi simply plopped down beside her.

    "Ke¡¯er, I need to ask you something important."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er was startled for a moment. Seeing how serious Zhang Yi looked, she realized she had misunderstood.

    A trace of embarrassment crossed her face. "What is it?"

    Zhang Yi said solemnly, "Remember when I asked you to observe Yuan Kongye closely?"

    He narrowed his eyes, recalling the events of the zombie horde attack.

    That night, everyone had been too tense, their nerves stretched to the limit. No one had time to think about anything else.

    But now, looking back, there were many things that didn¡¯t add up.

    For example, Yuan Kongye¡¯s display of ice abilities.

    From what Zhang Yi knew, Yuan Kongye, as the leader of the Followers of the Snow God, relied on two abilities.

    ¡¾Blessing¡¿¡ªwhich allowed her to condense Ice Soul from her body, helping others awaken or strengthen their superhuman energy.

    ¡¾Gift¡¿¡ªwhich healed physical injuries.

    People with two abilities weren¡¯t unheard of, and both of hers were enhancement or support-based. That much made sense.

    But what about that night?

    How did she suddenly exhibit offensive ice-based powers?

    Those abilities were completely different from ¡¾Blessing¡¿ and ¡¾Gift¡¿.

    Author''s Note

 Chapter 496: A Terrifying Theory

    Chapter 496: A Terrifying Theory

    Zhang Yi had seen Yuan Kongye in action¡ªshe had sent two powerful Bronze Armored Flying Corpses flying with a single strike. Her strength was undoubtedly formidable.

    From just that one move, Zhang Yi had already determined that her combat power was at least on par with Xiao Honglian and Wei Dinghai.

    But that was exactly what puzzled him the most.

    "Think carefully. When you were with Yuan Kongye, did you notice anything unusual about her?"

    "Especially on the night of the attack¡ªhow did she fight?"

    Zhou Ke¡¯er wasn¡¯t sure why Zhang Yi was suddenly asking about Yuan Kongye.

    To her, the Followers of the Snow God were the biggest victims of this battle.

    Everyone was sympathizing with them¡ªwhy would anyone suspect them?

    But since Zhang Yi asked, she did her best to recall.

    "Um¡­ these past few days, she spent most of her time praying and comforting other believers."

    "But if I had to point out something unusual, there was one moment¡­ She said she could help me awaken my superhuman energy."

    A sharp gleam flashed in Zhang Yi¡¯s eyes.

    "She said she could help you awaken your ability? Did you agree?"

    Zhou Ke¡¯er quickly shook her head with a smile.

    "No! Of course, I want to become a Superhuman, but I always remember what you told me¡ªto stay wary of others. So I refused her!"

    Zhang Yi nodded in relief.

    "When someone offers kindness for no reason, there¡¯s always a hidden agenda. Yuan Kongye wouldn¡¯t just hand over something as valuable as Ice Soul without a reason."

    "Unless¡­ she had a special purpose."

    Zhang Yi intertwined his fingers, resting his chin on his hands. The fog clouding his mind started to clear.

    He had a feeling he was grasping a critical truth.

    A bold theory was slowly forming in his mind.

    "Ke¡¯er, keep going. Tell me everything about her in detail¡ªdon¡¯t leave anything out!"

    Zhou Ke¡¯er nodded and continued.

    "After I refused her, she just said that if I ever changed my mind, I could go find her anytime."

    "She didn¡¯t force me, which made me feel more comfortable around her."

    "Later, that was when the two creatures broke through the ceiling and stormed into the church."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er recalled the moment vividly.

    "I was sitting in the front row, very close to Yuan Kongye. So when she made her move, I saw everything clearly."

    "The two monsters dove down, targeting her first."

    "She was fast¡ªshe just raised her hand slightly, and both creatures froze in midair."

    "Then, like she was swatting flies, she effortlessly waved her hand, sending them flying out of the church. The doors were even smashed apart!"

    Zhou Ke¡¯er described the scene animatedly. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    But as Zhang Yi listened, his scalp tingled, and a bone-chilling cold crept up his spine.

    "An ice-based ability strong enough to instantly freeze two powerful Bronze Armored Flying Corpses..."

    "Incredible reaction speed and monstrous physical strength¡­ that¡¯s the mark of an Enhancement-type Superhuman."

    "That means she possesses at least three different abilities!"

    Zhang Yi finally understood.

    Everything made sense now!

    He finally knew why the Followers of the Snow God had so generously handed out Ice Soul.

    Not only to him but to all the major factions in Tianhai City.

    And why they kept using the Great Decree to spread their faith, seeking out talented individuals and gifting them Ice Soul.

    It didn¡¯t matter whether these individuals joined the Followers of the Snow God or even became their enemies.

    Because Yuan Kongye¡¯s real ability was never ¡¾Blessing¡¿.

    It was ¡¾Death Return¡¿!

    In other words, when someone who awakened through Ice Soul died, their ability would return to Yuan Kongye.

    That meant she could acquire an endless number of abilities. And judging by her power, these weren¡¯t just minor boosts¡ªher superhuman energy was terrifyingly strong. ????¨¤????????????¦¥?

    During the Five Armies War, Zhang Yi had come across many dead Superhumans whose essence was completely gone.

    Back then, he couldn¡¯t understand where their abilities had vanished to.

    Now he realized¡ªthey had awakened their powers through Ice Soul. And when they died, their abilities returned to Yuan Kongye.

    This process didn¡¯t just give her new abilities¡ªit also strengthened her existing ones.

    And in the months since the apocalypse began, how many Superhuman abilities had she secretly absorbed?

    Not to mention, after this battle in Tianhai City, countless Superhumans had died.

    Suddenly, an even more terrifying thought surfaced in Zhang Yi¡¯s mind.

    Could Yuan Kongye be the mastermind behind the zombie outbreak in Tianhai City?

    The more he thought about it, the more horrifying the possibility seemed.

    If that were true, then the seemingly harmless, devout priestess was actually the most ruthless, inhuman monster in the entire city!

    And now, Zhang Yi couldn¡¯t even begin to imagine how powerful she had become.

    His face turned grim, and his legs began to tremble involuntarily.

    It was a sign of unease.

    Though all of this was just a theory for now¡­

    If it turned out to be true, then in the near future, he would be facing an unimaginably powerful enemy.

    For now, at least, this was just speculation.

    There were still things he couldn¡¯t explain.

    First, the zombie horde.

    If the Followers of the Snow God could control the zombies, why had they been oppressed by the major bases all this time?

    With the power of a zombie horde, they could have easily wiped out Tianhai City.

    Second, what was Yuan Kongye¡¯s goal?

    As the leader of a religious sect, she prided herself on being the most devoted follower of her god.

    So why would she destroy the foundation of her own faith?

    The casualties among the Followers of the Snow God had been catastrophic. There were barely any of them left.

    Without believers, could it even be called a religion anymore?

    "I can¡¯t figure it out¡­ I just can¡¯t!"

    Zhang Yi murmured to himself, his mind in turmoil.

    He wanted to believe he was overthinking.

    But the pieces fit together too well. He couldn''t ignore it.

    Zhou Ke¡¯er quickly moved closer, concerned. "Zhang Yi, what¡¯s wrong?"

    Zhang Yi didn¡¯t respond. He was lost in deep thought.

    Yes, this was just his own theory for now.

    Aside from knowing that Yuan Kongye had multiple abilities, he had no concrete proof.

    Even if he told people, they wouldn¡¯t believe him.

    More importantly, he didn¡¯t want to alert her just yet.

    "Hopefully, I¡¯m just imagining things."

    Zhang Yi muttered to himself.

    Looking up, he saw Zhou Ke¡¯er¡¯s worried expression and forced a smile.

    "It¡¯s nothing. You did great. But remember¡ªnever go near Yuan Kongye. She¡¯s bad news."

    Zhou Ke¡¯er nodded. "Okay, I got it. But¡­ you seem really troubled."

    Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow but ultimately decided against telling her.

    For now, this was just his theory.

    If he was right and Yuan Kongye found out he suspected her, the consequences were not something he was ready to face.

    Author''s Note