Dressed in a gray T-shirt and jeans, Yan Yun swiftly moved towards Lu Yu, squatting down next to the large black dog. This mutated canine had been assigned as her personal protector under Lu Yu's direction.
Its presence not only amplified Qiao Manli's envy but also significantly enhanced Yan Yun's security.
The four attributes of the mutant wolf dog were noteworthy.
Lu Yu had previously raised a black Chinese pastoral dog in the countryside, named Hei Shuai. To honor this memory, Lu Yu named the mutant wolf dog "Black Handsome".
In terms of strength, Xiao Jin, a mutated monkey king, surpasses the dog after reaching the Bronze Elementary Stage. However, the dog holds an advantage in mental strength.
If the two pets were to engage in a fight without any reservations, Xiao Jin, with its superior strength and agility, might have a slight edge, but this advantage wouldn't be substantial.
In terms of monster-killing efficiency, Xiao Jin outperforms due to its primate nature and diverse attack methods, including catching, biting, smashing, kicking, and throwing. Its primary role is to hold off the monster for a while, allowing Lu Yu to deliver the final blow.
Yan Yun, with a smile on her face, handed a transparent crystal nucleus with a bronze pattern to Lu Yu.
Seeing Yan Yun's joyous expression, Lu Yu also smiled. The next time he needed to recover his stamina, he wouldn't have to waste the black iron-level crystal core.
After storing the crystal nucleus in the ring, Lu Yu, along with Xue Li and Xiao Jin, began to clear the area of wandering monsters.
Once the area was cleared, he gestured to Wei Jianjun on the balcony of the previous dormitory, instructing him and Wu Qiang to clean up the monsters that had climbed into the corridor at night.
By around two in the afternoon,
Lu Yu had led everyone into the building where Chu Feng resided. Chu Feng, wanting to rely on the power of the masses to survive, didn't cause any trouble for Lu Yu.
After ensuring Qiao Manli was safe in the dormitory downstairs, Lu Yu embarked on his mission of rescue.
His efforts were not limited to saving lives; he also provided the survivors with food and water. His routine involved rescuing people, eating, and then continuing his journey upstairs.
By three in the afternoon,
Li Wanning's area was teeming with people. The top two floors were packed with survivors from three different dormitories, with an estimated total of at least 60 individuals.
Given that this was a girls' dormitory, the number of women exceeded that of men.
"Boss, Teacher Li wants to know if we have any food left here?"
Wu Qiang, who had become a messenger between the two sides due to the unavailability of phones and the need for silence, asked Lu Yu.
Lu Yu, who was busy fighting a lizardman, responded without turning around,
"Didn't I tell you to bring back the last backpack of food?"
Wu Qiang was taken aback by Lu Yu's words, "So, in our quest to save others, we've run out of food?"
Lu Yu clarified, "We do have food, but it's running low. Do you understand?"
Relieved, Wu Qiang patted his chest,
"You scared me, boss!
I thought we had given away all our food! But what do we do if Teacher Li doesn't have any food?"
Lu Yu casually suggested, "If they don't have food, they can come and find it themselves. Do you expect me to spoon-feed them?"
Acknowledging Lu Yu's point, Wu Qiang hurried off to convey the message to Teacher Li.
In less than ten minutes, Wu Qiang and Shen Bin led a large group of survivors to Chu Feng's dormitory building. While Lu Yu cleared the first floor of threats, they assisted in searching the same floor.
Although they managed to find some food, it was clearly insufficient for the number of survivors.
By late afternoon, the food situation remained dire. Lu Yu had reached Chu Feng's floor.
After eliminating the monsters, he instructed Qiao Manli to knock on Chu Feng's dormitory door.
"Chu Feng, please open the door quickly…" Qiao Manli asked.
Upon hearing this, Chu Feng, who was anxiously waiting behind the door with a fire axe in hand, furrowed his brows.
"Qiao Manli?"
Chu Feng was taken aback. In his perspective, Lu Yu was a rival, having not only taken his woman but also his sword. He even knew how to utilize Yan Yun's abilities to locate the crystal nucleus.
Their animosity from past lives carried over to this life, making them sworn enemies.
Hence, when he saw Lu Yu approaching, he was on high alert.
However, he didn't anticipate that it would be Qiao Manli, not Lu Yu, who would knock on his door first.
"Chu Feng, what are you doing?
Open the door quickly," Qiao Manli implored, growing impatient with Chu Feng's lack of response.
She had initially thought that Chu Feng had mustered the courage to fight the monsters and save her. But it seemed he was still the same unimpressive person she remembered.
At this point, Qiao Manli had tidied herself up. She had tied her hair back and was dressed in summer sportswear: a white short-sleeved T-shirt, black lounge pants, and sneakers. Standing at 170 cm tall, she was taller than both Yan Yun and Li Wanning.
Her perfect curves and long legs gave her the appearance of a model. The only downside was that She hadn't had a bath yet, and Yan Yun couldn't use her abilities to cleanse her at this time. As a result, she still had an unpleasant odor.
However, she didn't mind as long as Lu Yu was willing to get her out of there.
"Go away, You are not welcome here!"
Chu Feng bluntly shut the door in her face. His feelings towards Qiao Manli were complex. He had planned to save her, humiliate her with food as bait, and get his revenge. But Lu Yu's arrival had disrupted all his plans.
"Chu Feng… What do you mean?"
Qiao Manli was taken aback by Chu Feng's words. She hadn't expected him to speak to her in such a manner.
Where was the man who used to dote on her and remind her to drink more hot water?
"Literal meaning," Chu Feng replied indifferently, unfazed by the change in Qiao Manli's tone.
"You…Okay, very good!"
Qiao Manli retorted angrily, "It's okay if you don't open the door, I didn't want to come in anyway.
I originally thought that you have become so powerful now that you are here to save me?
Now it seems that you are a waste that cannot be supported by the mud!
I'll officially inform you now, let's break up, starting today, I'm Lu Shao's girlfriend…"
Hearing these words, Chu Feng felt a pang in his heart. Even though he had long lost interest in Qiao Manli, hearing her confess her feelings for Lu Yu still stirred up feelings of jealousy.
Chu Feng had long since lost any romantic feelings for Qiao Manli. However, hearing her express her affection for Lu Yu once again stirred up a storm of emotions within him. It seemed that she was no longer making any effort to hide her feelings.
"Take your time leaving, I won't see you out!"
Chu Feng managed to suppress his murderous intent.
"You… get lost!"
Qiao Manli retorted, stomping her foot in anger. Realizing that Chu Feng, despite being nearby, had no intention of coming to her rescue, she felt no regret as she turned around and walked towards Lu Yu.
Dai Lian and Wang Chao, who were standing next to Chu Feng and had overheard the conversation, were left puzzled. As Qiao Manli's boyfriend, Chu Feng was not only within reach but also refused to save her.
Wasn't it normal for her to break up with him after being rescued by someone else?
Why did it seem like she was the one who had done something wrong?
Wait a minute… Didn't Qiao Manli just say that she is now Lu Shao's girlfriend?
But isn't Yan Yun supposed to be Lu Shao's current girlfriend?
Why did Qiao Manli suddenly claim to be his girlfriend?
Just as everyone was taken aback, Lu Yu's voice echoed faintly, "Chu Feng, how many of you are there?"
Lu Yu, aware of the jade pendant's perception, knowingly asked about the number of people present. Chu Feng, however, was indifferent to Lu Yu's inquiry, responding dismissively,
"What does it have to do with you?"
Undeterred, Lu Yu continued, "It's dangerous outside,
Don't you plan to come out with everyone?"
Chu Feng, finding the situation humorous, retorted with a dismissive tone,
"With you?
Are you joking?"
Lu Yu, maintaining his calm, addressed Chu Feng, "I understand that you're concerned about the previous incidents in the secret realm.
However, as a man, I believe you should prioritize the bigger picture.
What's your opinion?"
Chu Feng, however, remained unmoved by Lu Yu's words and brushed him off.
Observing Lu Yu's composed demeanor, Chu Feng didn't hold back his thoughts, "Lu Yu, don't assume I'm oblivious to your intentions.
You can either break down the door and enter right now, or stop pretending to be there.
I'm tired of your act!"
Lu Yu, undeterred by Chu Feng's hostility, clarified,
"Break in?
What purpose would that serve?
Chu Feng, have you misunderstood something?
Never mind, if you're not willing to join everyone, I won't insist."
As Lu Yu prepared to depart, he suddenly seemed to remember something and asked, "Aren't some of our classmates coming out?"
"No!"
Chu Feng responded, his tone firm and decisive. He was aware that Lu Yu had initially gone to find Qiao Manli's room across the way. Therefore, it was only natural for Lu Yu to know that he had several companions.
"Very well then!"
Lu Yu shrugged, choosing not to say anything further. He neither attempted to break down the door nor displayed any signs of aggression. Instead, he simply escorted Qiao Manli downstairs.
Upon noticing Lu Yu's departure, Chu Feng let out a sigh of relief.
"It seems my guess was correct?
If I don't provoke him, he won't act out in front of so many survivors. How hypocritical…" Chu Feng muttered to himself.
Hearing Chu Feng's self-directed comments, his teammates' moods soured. While they acknowledged Chu Feng as their captain, they were displeased that he had made a decision without consulting them.
Wasn't that inappropriate?
From their perspective, Lu Yu didn't appear to harbor any ill intentions.
So why was Chu Feng so hostile towards him?
In reality, it wasn't that Chu Feng didn't want to seek their opinions. It was just that the situation didn't allow for it.
Chu Feng was acutely aware of the danger that Lu Yu posed. He also recognized that his teammates harbored a certain bias towards Lu Yu. Chu Feng understood that if he were to voice his concerns, Lu Yu could easily sway them, leaving him isolated.
As Chu Feng was lost in his thoughts, Wang Chao's words snapped him back to reality.
"Chu Feng!
It appears he has left with your girlfriend in his arms…Doesn't that make you angry?"
"Why should I be angry?"
Chu Feng retorted. In comparison to Qiao Manli, Yan Yun was the one who truly infuriated him. He had already experienced worse betrayals, so this seemed insignificant.
Wang Chao was taken aback by Chu Feng's indifference.
"She is the woman you've been pursuing for so long, isn't she?
How can you just let go?"
"I don't have the energy to deal with you!"
Chu Feng dismissed Wang Chao's incredulity. He found a corner bed, laid down, and closed his eyes to rest. His nonchalant attitude left his teammates feeling uneasy, and some even began to harbor doubts.
Meanwhile,
Lu Yu, who had gone downstairs, wore a smile on his face. "It seems he has no other tricks up his sleeve, but for safety's sake, it's better to let the cannon fodder go first."
"Lu Shao, what are you laughing at?"
Qiao Manli asked, noticing the smile on Lu Yu's face.
Lu Yu snapped back to reality "It's nothing, let's go!"
Chu Feng, the protagonist of the apocalyptic rebirth, was the son of destiny. Therefore, when Lu Yu dealt with him, he exercised extreme caution.
Even though Lu Yu felt that his current combat power was superior to Chu Feng's, he didn't dare to let his guard down, fearing that Chu Feng might have some hidden aces.
However, seeing Chu Feng remain in the dormitory and not daring to come out, Lu Yu felt a sense of relief. As Lu Yu escorted Qiao Manli downstairs, a female classmate in Chu Feng's dormitory turned to Li Wanning with a tearful voice,
"What should we do?
Teacher Li, Shanshan…she's dying!"
Over the past few days, Lu Yu had saved many people.
However, the survivors who were rescued this afternoon were in poor physical condition. Without sufficient food, even Yan Yun wouldn't be able to save them.
Li Wanning, upon seeing the two individuals on the bed in a critical condition, was also filled with anxiety. She had initially intended to accompany Lu Yu to the school to rescue people.
However, upon arriving here, she realized that an individual's power is indeed limited. Particularly when a wave of monsters stormed in and engulfed all the students in the first dormitory building, she was on the verge of tears.
Now, even though they managed to rescue these people with Lu Yu's help, the lack of food has put them in a precarious situation.
She wasn't sure how much food Lu Yu had managed to bring this time, but she was aware that they had rescued a large number of people. The three backpacks she had brought earlier were definitely insufficient.
Wu Qiang's silhouette appeared at the bedroom door.
Upon seeing Wu Qiang, Li Wanning hastily asked,
"What did Lu Yu say?"
"The boss will be down soon!"
In less than half a minute,
Lu Yu's figure appeared at the door of Li Wanning's bedroom.
"Teacher Li…"
"Student Lu Yu, do you truly have no food left?"
"I sincerely apologize, Miss Li, you should be aware of the number of people we've rescued, so
I'm currently helpless!"
"Then what should we do?"
Li Wanning asked urgently.
She wasn't sure about the capacity of Lu Yu's ring. However, she knew that the horde of monsters drawn by the black car had blocked everyone's escape route, and everyone would run out of supplies in a short time.
Hence, the current situation was dire.
Upon hearing the conversation between the two, the other students also nervously looked at Lu Yu.
Especially the seven or eight male students in the team. When the apocalypse arrived, they had passed by the girls' dormitory downstairs.
Then, in a state of panic, they ran upstairs. It wasn't long ago that they were rescued by Lu Yu. There was a food shortage at that time.
Not to mention feeling satiated, even filling their stomachs was a struggle.
After a moment of contemplation, Lu Yu reassured everyone, "Don't worry. I recall someone mentioning that when Chu Feng arrived at this building, he had backpacks.
I believe it should contain enough food."
There were murmurs of agreement,
"It seems so,"
"I saw it too,"
"Each of them carried a bag."
Someone added, "I just went upstairs to ask Chu Feng, but he doesn't seem to want to join us." Lu Yu nodded in understanding and proposed,
"In that case, I'll take a few people to scavenge for food.
Miss Li, could you take some people upstairs to find Chu Feng and see if he can assist us in this emergency?"
"Chu Feng?
Yes, no problem!"
Li Wanning readily agreed to Lu Yu's suggestion, recognizing it as a viable solution.
However, the other students picked up on a crucial piece of information from Lu Yu's words - Chu Feng had food, but he didn't want to share?
Was he really that selfish?
This revelation sparked a wave of indignation among the survivors. They were appalled at Chu Feng's selfishness.
The sentiment that Chu Feng is excessively self-centered has been echoed by many.
His actions have been deemed as not just excessive, but also reprehensible. These thoughts have surfaced in the minds of everyone around Lu Yu.
Indeed, the food that Lu Yu provides does not come without a cost. In exchange for sustenance, he manipulates these individuals to probe Chu Feng's secret weapon.
This clever strategy allows him to gauge Chu Feng's strength without directly confronting him.
The survivors, rescued by Lu Yu, believed that Lu Yu's food supplies had depleted. After all, Lu Yu had been generous with his food and water.
Moreover, Lu Yu had not only saved them but also volunteered to venture out to find more food.
How could they not be touched?
With renewed determination, everyone ascended the stairs. Little did they know, Chu Feng was the protagonist of the apocalypse rebirth.
The food of the protagonist of the last days wouldn't be easily obtained.
As a result, these people could only serve as Lu Yu's pawns… Even Li Wanning was merely a piece in Lu Yu's game.
A/n :- Dear readers, I welcome your suggestions and feedback in the comments section below. Your support through Power stones will be greatly appreciated.