Xu Nuo thought for a moment, then said, "If we lead them into the traps first, we can certainly take out a portion of the zombies. However, the third-tier zombies won't keep directing the others to chase after us. Instead, they'll make the zombies swarm towards us, one after another. There are at least two hundred zombies here. I could try to escape from their encirclement, but you two would probably be exhausted. Since we already know where the energy stone is, let Green Ivy go and steal it. We'll draw the third-tier zombies on the third floor down and resolve this quickly."
Upon hearing this, Xu Nuo immediately made several leaps, bypassing a group of zombies and reaching the second floor. Before the other zombies had time to react, he quickly selected three second-tier zombies and used his control ability to send them to the third floor, hoping to draw the third-tier zombies away.
However, since his control ability was only at the peak of the second tier, although he could control second-tier zombies, he couldn't possibly make them face the pressure of third-tier zombies. His goal wasn't to make them engage in a battle but to distract the third-tier zombies and draw them away from the energy stone.
Seeing Xu Nuo use his control ability, Park Su immediately understood what he was doing. He gave a quick order to Green Ivy: "Don't engage in combat, shrink your form and follow the second-tier zombies up. Help Xu Nuo grab the energy stone."
Hearing this command, Green Ivy was practically shaking with excitement, its leaves quivering. It knew its master well—if the energy stone was obtained, Xu Nuo would never keep it all for himself. When Park Su's abilities grew stronger, Green Ivy would also benefit. Thinking about this, Green Ivy felt a surge of excitement.
It quickly retracted its intimidating leaf-blades, minimizing its form and using its vines to hide on the second-tier zombies that Xu Nuo was controlling, heading upstairs.
Seeing that Park Su only gave instructions to Green Ivy, Xu Nuo added, "Don't follow me; stick with the second-tier zombies. Find an opportunity to steal what you need. Green Ivy's intelligence is limited, so you need to be fast. Once you get the stone, come back to me."
Park Su had always known Xu Nuo's temperament. Since Xu Nuo had made his request, he didn't hesitate. He immediately followed the two second-tier zombies, not to fight his way through the zombies, but to find the best position for Green Ivy to escape with the energy stone once it was obtained.
Meanwhile, the two people who had been following Park Su—Ge Qing and Lu Shang—were stopped by Xu Nuo, who instructed them to prepare for a rear guard action.
Although Ge Qing and Lu Shang didn't know exactly what Xu Nuo and Park Su were after, seeing how many zombies were surrounding them, it was clear that whatever they were after was very valuable.
They knew that with their own strength, it would be impossible to secure such a precious item in the midst of so many second-tier and first-tier zombies, especially with a third-tier zombie nearby. So, they didn't dare to hope for the energy stone. The fact that Xu Nuo was willing to lead them and protect them was already a huge favor. So, they obediently followed Xu Nuo's instructions, fighting and retreating, quickly drawing some of the zombies away from the main area.
Meanwhile, Xu Nuo continued to control the two second-tier zombies, directing them straight toward the third-tier zombie. As expected, the third-tier zombie noticed them.
At first, it didn't seem to care much about the two second-tier zombies, slightly puzzled as to why they weren't under its control. However, once its focus shifted to the energy stone, it suddenly sprang into action, rushing toward them.
Xu Nuo had already prepared for this, but what he hadn't expected was that even though the two second-tier zombies hadn't gotten their hands on the energy stone, they were still affected by it. Their speed increased dramatically due to the stone's influence.
It managed to evade the pounce of the third-level zombie, and Xu Nuo was delighted. He immediately commanded them to turn around and flee. For a subordinate to covet its master's possession was the greatest provocation for lower-level beings.
Indeed, without much thought, it followed the second-level zombie in a pounce. As it exited, Green Ivy found a gap and slipped inside.
Seeing the energy stone it had been longing for, Green Ivy remembered meeting Park Su for the first time. It was because of such an item that it gained awareness and became different from other plants.
Now, with this new energy stone, it felt it could bond even more with Park Su. Excited, it carefully wrapped the energy stone with its leaf blades and immediately sent a message to Park Su, signaling success.
Park Su promptly directed it back to his dantian. As Green Ivy returned, he felt a warm current flow through his dantian, invigorating him.
But he had no time to relish the sensation, as the third-level zombie soon realized its treasure had been stolen.
Though it didn't know the term "diversionary tactic," it instinctively pursued what was more important.
Abandoning the second-level zombies, it turned in a rage and dashed toward the window. While it couldn't sense the energy stone's scent, it could sense the last fluctuation near the window.
Instinctively, it knew the thief must have escaped through the window.
Park Su hadn't expected the third-level zombie to act so quickly. Had Xu Nuo not instructed him to escape immediately after obtaining the energy stone, he might have been caught.
As a third-level ability user, being scratched had a 50% chance of infection, which was terrifying.
He sped up, running towards Xu Nuo. Although Xu Nuo was only a second-level ability user, his strength far exceeded that level. Xu Nuo had assured him that he could fend off the third-level zombie, and Park Su believed him implicitly.
At this point, he didn't realize his blind faith in Xu Nuo.
Although the third-level zombie saw no one with its treasure outside, it spotted a fleeing figure.
Its enemies were only these intruders. Since this one was closest to where the treasure disappeared, it must be involved.
Furious, it commanded other zombies to block Park Su and joined the chase itself!
Park Su felt like his movements were slowing. The angry roars of the third-level zombie behind him made his hair stand on end, and he broke out in a cold sweat.
With more zombies blocking his path, he couldn't speed up. Just as he was about to be caught, Xu Nuo suddenly appeared, grabbed his hand, and swiftly navigated through the zombies. Whenever he saw a zombie that Park Su couldn't dodge, he would throw a talisman, speeding them up.
As Park Su looked at Xu Nuo's back, his palms felt hot, and his heart raced even faster.
Seeing Park Su blushing, Xu Nuo assumed he was just nervous from running and reassured him, "Don't worry, I'm here. Follow me and lure them into the trap."
Park Su nodded, secretly sighing. Liking his partner, who he assumed was straight and incredibly strong, was a tough situation. What was he supposed to do? Online help needed, urgently!
Xu Nuo, unaware of Park Su's inner turmoil, called out to the two still fighting zombies on the periphery, "Alright, stop fighting. We got what we came for. Retreat and remember the positions."
Ge Qing and Lu Shang were already quite fatigued. Although they were fighting second-level and first-level zombies and Park Su had specifically instructed them not to engage in serious combat but only to attract the zombies' attention, it was still tiring.
Ge Qing, being a second-level peak ability user, risked infection if scratched by a second-level zombie. Lu Shang had to take extra care of him, making it harder to manage. If not for knowing that Park Su and Xu Nuo's mission wasn't complete, they might have considered retreating.
The operation seemed pointless if they only injured the zombies without killing them, offering no tangible benefits. However, they didn't want to leave a bad impression on Park Su and Xu Nuo, as such capable individuals could be their biggest allies in this chaotic world.
So, they persevered. Hearing Xu Nuo's order to retreat, they immediately used their ultimate moves and fell back.
They recalled the positions Park Su had pointed out earlier and chose the nearest one to retreat to. The surrounding second-level and first-level zombies chased after them, naturally following their fleeing targets.
The third-level zombie, focused solely on reclaiming its treasure, wouldn't easily give up the chase. More importantly, it believed that with its vast zombie army, four mere humans were no match.
So it pursued fiercely, leading the charge. As it stepped into the trap Xu Nuo had set, Xu Nuo didn't hesitate, pulling Park Su back and shouting, "Explode!"
The pre-set formation lit up with a circle of light, its explosive power far greater than previous formations. It expanded around the formation, culminating in a loud blast.