After three days of travel, Chen Chao and his group successfully arrived in Tianjin, which was only half a day's journey from the Capital Base.
"Are there many evolved humans in the base?" Fan Xiangyu stood on top of a car, gazing into the distance. Under the brim of her hat, her pale face showed a hint of worry.
Chen Chao sat on the hood of the car, eating a cup of instant noodles. Several decapitated zombie heads lay scattered on the ground around the vehicle. The thick, pungent smell of blood didn't affect his appetite in the slightest as he savored each bite of fried noodles. While eating, he casually replied, "There should be many. But don't worry, unless someone has top-tier perception abilities, they won't be able to detect your type."
"What if they do find out?" Fan Xiangyu asked, still uneasy.
"I'll handle it," Chen Chao said simply.
Just three words. Fan Xiangyu was stunned for a moment. After a few seconds, the corners of her pale lips curved into a faint smile. She raised her delicate hand and gestured. Behind her, ten special zombies, resembling a queen's personal guards, immediately spread out in an orderly manner. They moved a few miles away to intercept and eliminate the regular zombies drawn to the group's scent.
This journey had been immensely rewarding. Chen Chao's physical strength had increased from 22 times the normal level to 26 times. At this stage, such physical prowess was comparable to that of a humanoid monster—he could even flip a tank with ease!
Fan Xiangyu, on the other hand, had cultivated these ten special zombies using the corpses of small mutated creatures like plague rats and bloodclaw cats. These zombies now had an average physical strength of five times the norm. Once they reached ten times, they would evolve into E-class special zombies, greatly enhancing their unique abilities.
By then, the combat capabilities of these ten special zombies would be enough to easily annihilate a well-equipped military company!
During this time, Chen Shiyu had been experimenting with You Qian's cells inside the dimensional space. Although she had identified some characteristics, her findings were still incomplete. For instance, when she stimulated the cells with weak electric currents, they resisted the stimulation and gradually adapted to absorb the electricity after repeated exposure!
This was something only individuals with the ability [Electric Control] could achieve!
Based on current tests alone, You Qian's cells exhibited four distinct ability traits. Further analysis was ongoing. Regardless, even the known aspects placed this ability among the top-tier ones!
You Qian was still at a three-times physical strength level. Until Chen Chao could fully analyze his abilities, he had no plans to enhance him further.
Over three days of interaction, You Qian had gradually become familiar with the group's personalities. He realized they weren't truly malicious, which made him bolder. He often asked questions and occasionally joked with Fan Xiangyu, though she only responded with eye rolls and punches.
After finishing his meal, Chen Chao noticed it was getting late. Continuing the journey would be risky, so he chose a nearby bakery called "Floating Forest" as their shelter for the night.
Pushing open the bakery door, they saw three slender figures standing at the counter, hunched over and eating something. At the sound of the door opening, all three turned around. What greeted them were three grotesque, rotting faces. In their hands, they clutched a snow-white leg, stripped of most of its flesh.
"Roar!"
The three female zombies immediately lunged at them.
Before Chen Chao could give an order, Fan Xiangyu moved her mind. The zombies froze mid-charge and then broke their own necks with their hands.
Chen Chao stepped over their bodies, sat in a chair behind the counter, and closed his eyes to rest. He had been the main combatant during their journey, and his physical exertion was enormous.
Fan Xiangyu directed one of her special zombies to swiftly clear the bakery of corpses and human remains. The ten special zombies then dispersed to patrol the surrounding area.
Dusk fell, and the sun slowly disappeared below the horizon. The stench of decay wafted through the streets.
You Qian closed the bakery door, pulled down the shutters, and lit a candle. The tiny flame flickered in the darkness, as if it might extinguish at any moment.
Fan Xiangyu lay on the cake display counter, propping her cheek with one hand, resting on her side with her eyes closed.
Feeling bored, You Qian stared at the candle for a while before he, too, dozed off on the floor.
The night passed, and dawn finally arrived. When Chen Chao opened the shutters, he immediately saw a figure leaning against the outside wall, asleep. It was Ye Fei.
Hearing the sound of the door, Ye Fei rubbed her eyes groggily and woke up. When she saw Chen Chao, she flashed a bright smile and said, "Good morning."
Chen Chao nodded slightly, then turned back to call Fan Xiangyu and You Qian to get ready to leave.
With a piece of bread in his mouth, You Qian didn't mind the traces of the virus on it, being an evolved human. When he saw Ye Fei outside, he exclaimed in surprise, "Girl, did you sleep out here all night? Weren't you afraid the zombies would snatch you away?"
Ye Fei smiled faintly. "As long as he's here, I'm not afraid."
You Qian chuckled. "Three days, and you're still keeping up. Haven't had breakfast yet, right? Here you go." He pulled a pack of instant noodles and a bottle of water from his blue travel bag and handed them to her.
"Thank you," Ye Fei said gratefully.
You Qian laughed heartily. "Don't thank me. It's all thanks to him. I don't mind sharing."
Ye Fei smiled silently and nodded.
At that moment, a figure suddenly dashed out from an alley across the street—a small boy around seven or eight years old, covered in dirt and bloodstains. He looked at Chen Chao's group with fear and cautiously approached.
"A survivor?" The group immediately noticed him.
The boy stopped in front of them, his eyes drawn to the cake and water in Ye Fei's hands. He swallowed hard and timidly said, "Big brothers and sisters, could you spare me some food?"
Chen Chao stared at the boy's teeth, his brow furrowing slightly as a faint trace of coldness flashed in his eyes.
Feeling sorry for the boy, Ye Fei immediately handed him her cake and water. She gently patted his head and said, "Here, take these."
You Qian also pulled out another bottle of water and a pack of cake from his bag. "If that's not enough, there's more."
The boy grabbed the food and water from Ye Fei and devoured it hungrily. His gaze lingered on You Qian's bag, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes.
After finishing the food, he drank a few sips of water, then nervously said, "Thank you, big brother and sister. Could… could you help my mom? She's sick and about to die…"
Without hesitation, Ye Fei stood up. "Where is she? Take me to her."
"I'll go too," You Qian quickly added. But then he glanced at Chen Chao, seeking his opinion.
Fan Xiangyu snorted coldly, just about to speak when Chen Chao raised a hand to stop her. In a calm tone, he said, "Go ahead."
"Yes!" You Qian responded joyfully to his approval.
The boy hesitated, glancing at Chen Chao and Fan Xiangyu nervously. "Aren't you coming?"
Fan Xiangyu's sharp, icy glare made the boy shrink back instinctively and lower his head in fear.
Without thinking much, You Qian and Ye Fei followed the boy as he led them into the alley at a run.
Watching their retreating figures, Fan Xiangyu turned to Chen Chao and said, "Why let them go? That kid isn't normal. The scent of human blood and flesh is all over his teeth. He's eaten people before. They're likely walking into danger. Even though You Qian's evolved, his three-times strength is far too weak."
...