After a while, the sound of water stopped.
The door to the shower room creaked open, and Zhu Jiu stepped out, shirtless, carrying Ruan Qingyan in his arms.
Her delicate arms were looped around his neck, her head resting against his chest. Her clothes were slightly disheveled, and a faint blush lingered on her face.
"Alright, put me down now. We still have work to do," Ruan Qingyan said with mock annoyance as they exited the bathroom.
"More work?" Zhu Jiu chuckled as he gently placed her down. "Didn't we just finish some important work?"
Her face flushed crimson as she playfully smacked his arm and turned to head back to the lab.
Her steps were light, but her gait… slightly unusual.
"Go on back," Zhu Jiu said, his tone soft. "The school isn't safe, and the students still need someone to look after them. Oh, and don't forget to lock the door. I'll leave the lab to you."
Zhu Jiu watched her retreating figure with a smile before turning to leave the lab.
His job was done—delivering her safely and ensuring she could focus on finding a cure for the infection. Now it was her turn to take over.
As Zhu Jiu returned to the school building, he immediately noticed something amiss.
At the entrance, a pile of bodies lay scattered.
The corpses were grotesque, clearly belonging to infected creatures.
Upon closer inspection, Zhu Jiu realized that some of the bodies belonged to mutated infected—larger, stronger, and deadlier than their regular counterparts.
What caught his attention the most was the precision of the kills. Each creature had been decapitated cleanly, and the dark energy cores had been meticulously extracted from their foreheads.
"Impressive," Zhu Jiu muttered, his expression turning serious.
To decapitate a single mutant infected was no small feat, even for someone as strong as him. Yet, this mysterious swordsman had taken down several in one go.
This level of strength was astonishing.
Zhu Jiu estimated that even if he were to face such an opponent, it would not be an easy fight.
He wracked his brain, trying to think of anyone he knew who wielded a sword. The only person who came to mind was Wang Hua, but his "sword" was actually just a mop handle enhanced by his abilities.
Wang Hua's strength wasn't nearly enough to handle even one mutant infected, let alone a whole group.
No, it couldn't have been him.
Alarmed, Zhu Jiu quickened his pace toward the classroom.
With people like Wang Hua, Zhang Xinyu, and Fatty relying on him, along with dozens of students, there was no room for error. If this mysterious swordsman had ill intentions, none of them would survive.
"Please, let them be safe," Zhu Jiu thought as he sprinted up the stairs.
When he reached the classroom and opened the door, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Inside, everyone was safe.
The forty-two students, along with Wang Hua, Zhang Xinyu, and Fatty, were all intact and unharmed.
At the front of the room stood a cold, stern-looking man clad in a dark green combat suit. A long sword was strapped to his back, and he was addressing the group.
"As I've explained," the man said in a calm, authoritative voice, "the apocalypse was triggered by the release of a mysterious energy known as 'dark energy.'
"This energy is somewhat similar to the 'spiritual energy' described in novels, except far more dangerous."
He paused, allowing the room to absorb his words before continuing.
"Spiritual energy in novels only strengthens humans for cultivation. Dark energy, on the other hand, triggers evolution.
"But evolution comes at a great cost. The success rate is less than ten percent.
"Those who succeed gain extraordinary abilities and become evolvers.
"Those who fail…"
He paused again, letting the tension build.
"…turn into infected."
"Those monsters you call zombies, creatures, or devils are simply humans who failed to evolve."
The man's words sent a chill through the room.
"Infected creatures not only possess enhanced physical abilities from dark energy but are also carriers of the infection.
"Whether you're a normal human or an evolver, a scratch or contact with their blood can lead to infection. No one is immune."
As he spoke, the man's gaze briefly flicked toward Fatty, as if already aware of his condition.
He added, "There are ways to counteract the infection. However…"
His voice trailed off, leaving the room in suspense.
Everyone leaned in, desperate to hear the rest.
In this dangerous world, no one could afford to ignore a potential cure.
Even Zhu Jiu, despite his strength, wasn't immune to infection.
Sensing the audience's anticipation, the man smiled faintly.
"The solution to infection is simple: join the Demon-Slaying Society."
"Once you're a member, we'll provide you with the necessary serum to suppress the infection.
"The serum doesn't inhibit dark energy absorption, but it will halt the infection's spread.
"And that's just one of the many benefits of joining us.
"You'll also gain access to specialized breathing techniques to enhance your evolution, weapons, martial arts manuals, and more."
The man's sharp eyes scanned the room, finally landing on Zhu Jiu, who had been standing at the doorway, silently observing.
"With strength like yours," he said with a smirk, "you've been eavesdropping long enough.
"Why not come in and tell us—are you interested in joining the Demon-Slaying Society?"