Lian Qiguang’s mental state was getting worse and worse. Although every time he faced Xiahou Shaoxuan’s concern and questions, Lian Qiguang would remain silent, Xiahou Shaoxuan could still tell that something was troubling him. Yet whenever Xiahou Shaoxuan touched upon this matter, Lian Qiguang would either say nothing or stiffly change the subject.
Lian Qiguang deliberately concealed it. Although Xiahou Shaoxuan felt helpless, seeing Lian Qiguang’s increasingly thin little face caused his worry and unease to grow day by day. He could only find different ways to make delicious food for Lian Qiguang and amuse him.
“You didn’t sleep all night?” Lian Qiguang opened his eyes and looked at Xiahou Shaoxuan sitting beside him, his brows slightly furrowed.
“Awake?” Hearing Lian Qiguang’s voice, Xiahou Shaoxuan put down the computer in his hands and smiled. “Are you hungry? I’ll go get you something to eat?”
“You didn’t sleep again.” Lian Qiguang propped himself up and frowned as he looked at the fatigue beneath Xiahou Shaoxuan’s eyes.
“Couldn’t sleep.” Xiahou Shaoxuan rubbed the space between his brows with his fingers, his low voice carrying a trace of irritation.
Lian Qiguang saw Xiahou Shaoxuan’s exhaustion, but did not know what to say. What could he say? Tell him that all of this had only just begun, that it did not even count as an appetizer, and that there was no use worrying?
Suddenly, a faint commotion came from downstairs, seemingly mixed with some arguing. Xiahou Shaoxuan and Lian Qiguang exchanged a glance. Sensing that something had happened, they quickly got up.
Xiahou Shaoxuan swiftly put on his clothes and helped Lian Qiguang tidy himself up. The two held hands and left the room.
When they went downstairs, they saw two groups of people occupying opposite sides, locked in a stalemate. On one side were Lian Yucheng and the others, while on the other were Xiahou Luoyu and more than a dozen soldiers, along with a blue-eyed man dressed in black.
“What happened?” Xiahou Shaoxuan stepped forward and asked in a deep voice.
“Major General!” Seeing Xiahou Shaoxuan approach, Qingyi and the other two gave a military salute.
“Hmph! I’ll settle accounts with you later!” Xiahou Luoyu glared fiercely at Long Ying before turning and walking toward Xiahou Shaoxuan.
“Shaoxuan!” Xiahou Luoyu came over and glanced at Lian Qiguang, her brows tightly knitted. “How are you? Are you all right? Were you injured?”
“Everything is fine. Why did you come?”
“I came under the old man’s orders to bring Xiaoguang and all of you back to District One. I brought an entire company of brothers. Now, only these few are left.” Xiahou Luoyu gestured toward the people behind her, her expression heavy.
“How is the situation in District One now?”
“Not good. All the districts have already fallen. District Two and District Three are in the worst condition. The area surrounding the District One government headquarters and military base has already been cleared, and defensive protection has been built around it. The surviving humans have all been settled inside. As for the rescue efforts, they’re still continuing.”
“Are humans and ability users being managed separately?” Lian Qiguang, who had been silent beside them, suddenly spoke.
Xiahou Luoyu froze and shook her head. “The situation in District One’s safe zone right now is that there are many people, but not enough housing, medicine, or food. Food in particular. If we don’t find a way to solve it, I’m afraid we won’t be able to hold out for much longer.”
“Can we contact Marshal Xiahou?” Hearing what Xiahou Luoyu said, Lian Qiguang’s face darkened.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Seeing Lian Qiguang’s expression turn unpleasant, Xiahou Shaoxuan’s heart sank slightly, and a bad premonition slowly spread through him.
“These zombies all carry extremely powerful viruses. Once an ordinary person is injured by them, even if it’s only a tiny break in the skin, they will become infected very quickly. Ability users are different. Their bodies have already undergone mutation, giving them a certain resistance to the virus. Unless they are injured by a zombie of a higher level than themselves, zombies of the same level or lower will not cause them to become infected.”
“But…” Lian Qiguang’s voice was somewhat cold. “If this outbreak really is repeating what happened three thousand years ago, then if my guess is correct, water sources, plants, and animals will also evolve. Even the air, I’m afraid, has already become a carrier of the virus.”
“The air!!!” A chorus of shocked exclamations rang throughout the room.
“Carriers in the air will infect people with the virus. It won’t do much to ability users, but ordinary people…”
Lian Qiguang did not continue, but everyone’s faces in the room had already gone pale. If what Lian Qiguang said was true, with ordinary people and ability users living together, once one person became infected, then…
“We have to return to District One immediately.” Xiahou Luoyu understood how terrible the situation was and immediately made the decision in a low voice.
“Everyone, pack up your things.” Xiahou Shaoxuan looked toward Lian Yucheng and the others, his suppressed voice carrying an order.
Lian Yucheng knew how urgent the situation was and did not ask any further questions. He nodded and took Lian Xiaozhu back to the room, putting the things they needed one by one into the spatial device.
Lian Qiguang glanced at Qingyi and the other two nearby. He released Xiahou Shaoxuan’s hand and walked over, saying calmly, “District Three has already fallen. Are you sure you want to go home?”
“Yes!” Qingyi nodded with a pale face. Although her voice trembled slightly, it was firm. “I have to see it with my own eyes. Even if, even if… they’re already dead. Otherwise, even if I die, I won’t be able to rest in peace.”
After Qingyi spoke, Feng Qingyang and Lan Qi also expressed that they wanted to return home.
Seeing the determination of the three, Lian Qiguang nodded and turned toward Xiahou Luoyu. “How many spacecraft do you have left?”
“Only three. Why?”
“Squeeze together and free up one for me.”
Xiahou Luoyu glanced at Qingyi and the other two, understanding immediately. She took out a spatial device and handed it to Lian Qiguang, along with a metal card.
“This is proof of authorization. Now that all the districts have fallen, the protective screens have already been locked down. If they can survive, they can use the authorization to pass through the protective screens and come to District One.”
“Thank you.” Lian Qiguang nodded lightly and turned toward Qingyi and the other two. “Come with me.”
Lian Qiguang led the three to a corner and handed the spatial device and authorization card to Qingyi. “This is a spacecraft and an authorization card. If you can survive, come to District One and find me.”
“Deadwood, thank you!” The three sincerely expressed their thanks, their eyes filled with gratitude.
“Also.” Lian Qiguang took three guns from his own spatial device and handed one to each of them. “Take these for self-defense.”
“And…” Lian Qiguang glanced around. He took three bottles of blue lake water from his space and discreetly handed them to the three. “Keep these safe. Other than the three of you, don’t let anyone else see them.”
“What is this…?” Lan Qi took the lake water, his face filled with confusion.
“It can purify zombie virus.”
“What!!” The three cried out in shock, attracting the attention of several people outside. Feng Qingyang suppressed the shock in his heart, his hand holding the bottle trembling slightly.
“Deadwood, you said this can purify zombie virus?” Lan Qi’s voice was filled with suppressed astonishment.
“This is my greatest secret. Be careful with it.” Lian Qiguang looked deeply at the three before turning and leaving.
“Deadwood!” Qingyi called out, stopping Lian Qiguang. She solemnly gave a military salute. “Words cannot repay such a great favor. If I am fortunate enough to survive, then from now on, my life, Qingyi’s life, will belong to you. I will take this secret to my grave and will never reveal it to a second person.”
Seeing this, Feng Qingyang and Lan Qi also quickly straightened up and firmly made their promises.
Lian Qiguang responded softly and walked away.
“Xiahou Shaoxuan, so it really is you.” Gui Ling raised his head. A pair of deep-blue eyes looked at Xiahou Shaoxuan, cold and gloomy, carrying a savage desire for battle.
Xiahou Shaoxuan indifferently glanced at Gui Ling, his brows imperceptibly furrowing.
“Xiahou Shaoxuan, what level is your ability now?” Unable to discern what level Xiahou Shaoxuan’s ability was, Gui Ling raised the corner of his brow, the blue in his eyes becoming somewhat dark.
“After all these years, your ability hasn’t improved much.” With merely one glance, Xiahou Shaoxuan saw through Gui Ling’s strength. Origin Rank, level eight. He was secretly surprised by Gui Ling’s progress, but his expression remained as aloof and cold as ever.
Toward this one man who was the only person capable of seriously injuring him and fighting him to a draw, Xiahou Shaoxuan also carried an unwilling desire to battle. But Xiahou Shaoxuan also knew that, given the current situation, this was absolutely not the time for the two of them to fight. They might as well save their strength to kill zombies.
Gui Ling watched Xiahou Shaoxuan’s indifference, rapidly calculating in his heart. He was now already Origin Rank, level eight. Within ten years, he was confident he could break through to Illusion Rank. If Xiahou Shaoxuan were already an Illusion Rank expert, then he should certainly be able to sense some fluctuation of ability. Yet instead, just like now, he could see nothing. He could even feel a certain pressure—the kind of pressure he had not experienced in many years.
Suddenly, Gui Ling’s heart sank. If that was the case, then Xiahou Shaoxuan’s strength must be far above his own. He had even surpassed Illusion Rank and reached…
“Emperor Rank.” Gui Ling suddenly raised his head, his gaze cold as he looked at Xiahou Shaoxuan. “You’ve already reached Emperor Rank.”
Xiahou Shaoxuan’s movements paused slightly. After remaining silent for a moment, Xiahou Shaoxuan turned his head toward Gui Ling, his voice low and cold.
“Gui Ling, humanity is facing a great calamity right now. Regardless of whatever grudges we had in the past, what we should be doing now is figuring out how to survive, not killing each other. If you want to fight, once this disaster is over, I will definitely fight you to determine who is superior.”
“I won’t fight you anymore.” Gui Ling withdrew his gaze and leaned against the wall to the side with his arms crossed. “It hurts feelings.”
“…” Xiahou Shaoxuan.
“I should introduce myself to you properly again. Gui Ling, formerly Mist’s… no, I’m Xiahou Luoyu. I am Xiahou Luoyu’s partner.”
“!!!!” Xiahou Shaoxuan.
The situation was urgent, leaving no room for further delay. Lian Qiguang gave Qingyi and the other two a crash course in information about surviving in the apocalypse. He also told them about the dangers they were most likely to encounter in the apocalypse and how to deal with them to stay alive. Then he said goodbye to the three and sent them aboard the spacecraft. Afterward, he boarded the spacecraft returning to District One with Xiahou Shaoxuan.
“I hope we don’t encounter those strange monster birds again.” On the spacecraft, Xiahou Luoyu muttered softly.
“Those are zombie birds.” Lian Qiguang leaned against his seat, his hands moving deftly across the computer.
“Zombie birds? What’s that?”
“A type of bird that became infected with the virus and mutated as a result. They’re virus carriers. Once you’re injured by one, it’s no different from being injured by a zombie. You’ll become infected in no time.”
“These birds evolve slowly. Their levels aren’t high, and they have no intelligence, but they possess the instincts of animals. They live in groups, attack in groups, and never act alone.”
“That’s right.” Xiahou Luoyu nodded. “They come in sheets, like black fog. They’re disgusting.”
“When you encounter these things, don’t worry about how strong your ability is. Run. Even if you can’t get away, absolutely do not let them latch onto you. Once they swarm you, don’t even think about shaking them off. In the blink of an eye, you’ll be devoured until not even your bones remain.”
“Is there really no way to deal with them?” Xiahou Luoyu frowned.
Lian Qiguang’s fingers paused slightly over the keyboard. After thinking for a moment, he raised his head.
“Whether zombies are humans or animals, they have no vision. They hunt their prey solely by relying on smell and sound. Back then, during the zombie outbreak three thousand years ago… at that time, a type of device was invented. It could emit a very strange sound wave, thereby allowing people to avoid zombie birds. With this kind of sound wave, transportation vehicles were completely nonexistent to the zombie birds.”
“That amazing?” Not only Xiahou Luoyu, but the other soldiers inside the spacecraft also wore expressions of shock and disbelief.
“How is that possible? How could the technology three thousand years ago create such an advanced instrument?” one soldier exclaimed.
“If humans had such an amazing instrument, how did they end up heading toward destruction?” Xiahou Luoyu asked in confusion.
“This kind of instrument could only be used against zombie birds, and…”
“And what?”
“Second evolution.” Remembering that terrifying period, Lian Qiguang still felt his scalp tingle. “The virus mutated. A new virus formed in the air, and all zombies underwent a second mutation. Zombie birds not only gained abilities, but also intelligence. Their skin became as hard as stone, sharp teeth and claws grew out, and their bodies became several times larger than before. Sound waves were already useless against them.”
Abilities? Intelligence?
The group fell silent. Thinking about those terrifying mutated birds, merely their current state had already caused them to nearly be wiped out. If they truly mutated and gained abilities and intelligence, then…
Was there still any place in this world for humanity?
“The zombie birds now are only at the initial stage. They’re nothing to fear.” As if completely unaware that he had frightened everyone, Lian Qiguang kept his eyes fixed on the computer.
“Release your abilities and envelop the spacecraft within them. By animal instinct, they naturally fear creatures stronger than themselves. That way, they won’t dare attack you anymore. Oh, right, continuously releasing your abilities could very likely cause your abilities to become exhausted. You should take turns, alternating with each other. You can still hold out until you reach the safe zone.”
Looking at Lian Qiguang’s calm profile, Xiahou Luoyu remained silent for a long time before speaking softly.
“I think I understand why the old man was willing to sacrifice an entire company’s worth of soldiers just to make me bring you back.”
“He needs me now.” He needed the experience he had accumulated through decades of struggling for life and death in the apocalypse.
“However, I’m really curious. How exactly do you know all of this? Anyone who didn’t know better would think you experienced that terrifying history yourself.”
Lian Qiguang’s hand stopped. His eyes darkened slightly.
After a long silence, Lian Qiguang answered faintly.
“Perhaps.”
The despair and struggle, the killing and darkness, unfolding before his eyes every minute, every second, every single day, day after day and night after night—how could he not know them?
He could not forget.
He could not erase them.