Mr. Wang snapped back to his senses and quickly called out to the stunned students nearby, ushering them toward the kitchen in the back of the cafeteria.
Once the others left, Zhu Jiu checked his system interface. After the successive battles, his accumulated resources had reached an impressive haul: 241 points, six vials of evolution serum—one from the Beast-type lineage and five from the Human-type lineage.
"241 points," Zhu Jiu mused, his eyes lighting up. "Time to see what the store has to offer."
Previously, with limited points, browsing the store had felt more like torture—too many unattainable treasures. But now, with a hefty sum at his disposal, Zhu Jiu opened the store with a newfound sense of confidence.
The moment he accessed the store, his heart quickened at the sight of its vast array of items. Each treasure glimmered enticingly, calling to him.
Weapons Section:
[Item: Autumn Water Blade]
Description: One of the 21 Great Blades of the East, forged with unparalleled hardness. A national treasure.Price: 999 points.
[Item: Dragon Slayer Sword]
Description: Crafted by melting dark iron with Western mithril. This massive blade weighs 100 pounds, is nigh indestructible, and generates a magnetic field to repel projectiles.Price: 1,000 points.
[Item: Purple-Gold Gloves]
Description: Gloves crafted from purple gold alloy and ice silk. They offer immense protection while maintaining exceptional flexibility. Once worn, your hands become indestructible.Price: 199 points.
"Damn, these weapons are pricey!" Zhu Jiu winced. He had initially thought his 241 points would go a long way. Instead, he couldn't even afford a single premium blade—not the Autumn Water Blade, nor the Dragon Slayer Sword, both of which he desired deeply.
Yet, he wasn't disheartened. Among the options, the Purple-Gold Gloves caught his eye.
"Alright, I'll settle for these gloves first," Zhu Jiu decided. Their ability to ensure his hands were impervious to harm would be invaluable in close combat, especially against infectious creatures.
[Purchase Confirmed]
The host has spent 199 points to acquire "Purple-Gold Gloves." Remaining points: 42.
A moment later, the gloves materialized in his hands.
"They're so light," Zhu Jiu remarked, marveling at their delicate craftsmanship. The gloves were nearly weightless, thin as a whisper. Despite their fragile appearance, he couldn't tear or damage them even with his superhuman strength.
"System-crafted goods never disappoint," Zhu Jiu thought, putting the gloves on. They fit snugly, as though custom-made, and didn't hinder his dexterity in the slightest. From the outside, they were practically invisible.
"Now my iron fists are finally battle-ready."
Satisfied with his purchase, Zhu Jiu turned his attention to his remaining points. With 42 left, he decided to max out his Eight Trigrams Blade Technique.
[Upgrade Confirmed]
The host has spent 20 points. Eight Trigrams Blade Technique has reached maximum level. Progress beyond this level requires a breakthrough.
Instantly, Zhu Jiu's mind flooded with advanced blade techniques, and his body intuitively adjusted to this new knowledge. His mastery over the blade had reached its pinnacle—perfect synchronization of mind and blade.
With his martial arts arsenal now fully upgraded—Iron Cloth for defense, Wing Chun for close combat, and Eight Trigrams Blade Technique for weapon mastery—Zhu Jiu felt balanced and ready for any challenge.
He exhaled deeply. "Now to figure out how to advance these techniques further…"
Mr. Wang soon returned with the students, each carrying large bags filled with food. Despite their success, none of them looked happy. Instead, their expressions were a mix of anger and sorrow.
Trailing behind them were several female students dressed in tattered school uniforms. Their faces were streaked with tears, eyes hollow and lifeless—haunted by recent trauma.
Zhu Jiu's gaze darkened. He didn't need to ask to understand what these girls had endured.
In the apocalypse, without power, anyone could become prey.
Sighing softly, he gestured for the group to prepare to leave. "There's no use dwelling on it now. What matters is survival."
The return trip to the classroom was tense but relatively uneventful. Zhu Jiu and Mr. Wang dealt with any infected that crossed their path, keeping the group safe. For Zhu Jiu, it was another opportunity to rake in points, pushing his total even higher.
Back at the classroom, they regrouped with Fatty, Ruan Qingyan, and Zhang Xinyu.
Fatty exploded with anger upon hearing the girls' plight, his normally playful eyes blazing with murderous intent. Ruan Qingyan, on the other hand, wore a pained expression, her empathy shining through. Meanwhile, Zhang Xinyu's face was clouded with worry for his fellow students.
But Zhu Jiu didn't allow them to wallow for long.
"Tomorrow marks the next wave of catastrophe," Zhu Jiu said firmly. "If we're not ready, we'll lose more people."
After some thought, Zhu Jiu turned to Mr. Wang. "You and I need to talk to those other teachers and leaders you mentioned."
Ruan Qingyan nodded knowingly. Zhu Jiu was referring to the group that had sent Mr. Wang on his dangerous food run while they stayed hidden in safety.
The Meeting Hall
The two made their way to the top floor of the school, where the remaining staff had fortified themselves in the meeting hall.
Reaching the door, Mr. Wang knocked and called out, "Director Lu, it's me, Wang! I've returned—open the door!"
A woman's voice responded from inside, cautious but tinged with relief. "Mr. Wang! Wait a moment."
Peering through the peephole, the woman's tone immediately cooled upon noticing Zhu Jiu. "Who is that with you?"
"This is Zhu Jiu. He's the one who saved me and brought Zhang Xinyu back safely. He's on our side," Mr. Wang explained quickly.
The woman hesitated. "Give me a moment to consult the others."
Once her voice faded, Mr. Wang turned to Zhu Jiu apologetically. "I'm sorry about this, Zhu Jiu. Director Lu can be… overly cautious."
"It's fine," Zhu Jiu replied with a calm expression. But his eyes carried a faint chill.
Mr. Wang had risked his life to bring back food for these people, yet they didn't trust him enough to open the door immediately?
It said plenty about their character.
Zhu Jiu's resolve hardened. If their attitude didn't change, he wouldn't waste time cooperating. For now, he would wait. Out of respect for Mr. Wang.