The small forest sat in the most remote corner in the wide expanse of land that X City University encompassed.
With trees all around them, the forest afforded the group a limited line of sight. As they traced back Lin Luanqiuâs escape route, one would be hard-pressed not to have their heartbeat quicken and feel a sense of nervousness when they saw motes of blood dotting trail.
Shi Bin and Lin Luanqiuâs expressions turned somewhat unsightly upon seeing the bloodstains. Likely due to the fact that escaping had already exhausted whatever courage they had. Theyâd probably never think of going back to X City University again unless it was absolutely necessary.
Although this place looked safer than the outside, from the moment they jumped over the wall, Ling Mo could clearly tell that theyâd entered an enormous zombie nest.
Over 30,000 zombies were clustered in an enclosed environment. This was a truly terrifying figure.
Compared to that, the 3,000 over survivors within the campus were absolutely at a disadvantage as part of the minority.
Resist? What kind of effective resistance could a group of students and campus staff, each with their own respective thoughts, possibly put up?
An individualâs fighting strength was laughable once a sufficient number of zombies gathered together. Previously, when Ling Mo used handphones to attract the zombies with the help of his zombie puppets, the result left him feeling as if he was being torn apart by over a hundred zombies while he was still alive. Even now, the experience remained firmly engraved in his mind.
Therefore in reality, amongst this group of people, the one who was most prudent wasnât Lin Luanqiu or Shi Bin, but Ling Mo.
However, compared to everyone else who looked like they were treading on eggshells, Ye Lian and Shanaâs expressions remained the same as ever. They walked at the front of the group without the slightest care in the world.
As mutated zombies, the two of them werenât susceptible to the attacks of regular zombies. On top of that, they were also able to detect the presence of other mutated zombies in the area. Ling Mo allowed the two of them to take the lead so that the group would be on guard against the sudden appearances of any zombie. However, the calm and tranquil expressions of the two zombie girls had left Lin Luanqiu and Shi Bin, who werenât in the know, wide-eyed in astonishment.
Lin Luanqiu couldnât help but ask with some concern, âThere were zombies chasing us when we escaped. Some of them might have scattered into the forest. Itâd be better for them to be a little more cautious.â
But before Ling Mo even had the chance to speak, Shana turned her head and glanced at Lin Luanqiu before she coldly said, âNo need.â
Even after being harshly rebutted by Shana, Lin Luanqiu replied with a smile on her face, âIâm only giving you a word of advice. After all, itâs my responsibility to lead you guys to the school.â
Upon hearing what Lin Luanqiu said, Ling Mo wordlessly pulled Ye Lian and Shana further apart. With this, theyâd be able to detect their enemies in a more timely manner.
As for Shana taking the initiative to speak to others, Ling Mo wasnât all that surprised. Heâd already realized that after regaining her memories as a human, although she still treated humans as prey, she also had a sliver of interest in them.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Ling Mo wouldnât object since she was willing to do so. Instead, he felt rather encouraged by it. After all, the closer her thoughts were to that of a humanâs, the more profound her interactions would be with Ling Mo. Most importantly, sheâd have a positive impact on Ye Lian.
Ling Mo didnât mind them being zombies, but he didnât wish to see them filled with hostility when they encountered other people. Doing so wouldnât be beneficial for them.
Being able to interact with others would, at the very least, add another layer of complexity to their facade, which kept the suspicions of others at bay.
âHow much longer do we have to walk through this forest for?â
The route they traveled along within the forest wasnât a well-trodden lane. Instead, it wound through dense weeds and trees. Their vision being obstructed, and their inability to clearly discern how much further their destination was had lead to Ling Mo asking this question.
Lin Luanqiu lowered her head and thought for a moment before she said, âItâll probably take another seven to eight minutes. This forestâs land area is comparatively larger, but it wonât take all that long since weâre cutting a straight line across.â
Just after she spoke, a black shadow abruptly shot out from a brush. A thick stench of blood tunneled into everyoneâs noses before the shadow even appeared in front of them.
The black shadowâs target was, impressively, Lin Luanqiu. After overcoming his surprise, Shi Bin raised his sharpening steel stick in response, but he was a step too slow.
The zombie was a male, and based on how he looked, he appeared to be around the age of twenty. He had a pale face which lacked the ruddy complexion of a normal person. The expression on his face was distorted by the malevolence it bore and his blood red eyes bore an ominous glint. A brilliant strand of saliva could also be seen hanging from his slightly opened mouth.
Heâd received a major injury before he turned into a zombie. His left shoulder had completely collapsed inwards and one of his hands were badly mangled. Although it had already healed, it was still a ghastly sight.
Most importantly, this zombie was quick on its legs. His physique was probably pretty good before he turned into a zombie. After appearing in front of them for a second, he leaped onto Lin Luanqiu.
Although Lin Luanqiu possessed an ability, dodging such an attack in her current state wasnât so easy. However, she wasnât the type of person whoâd wait for her own death. The moment she felt that gust of wind buffet her, she tightly gripped onto her steel plate and abruptly twisted her body to face this zombie.
The zombie advanced in an imposing and ferocious manner as itâs uninjured hand swept towards her solar plexus. With its strength, even if her skin wasnât torn apart, sheâd definitely be restrained by it if its attack connected. Once that happened, she could only wait to be bitten. Most people wouldnât be able to struggle free once they were caught, unless the part in question was a limp like an arm, where one could make the decision to callously abandon their appendage.
Lin Luanqiuâs gaze turned extremely cold when she saw the zombieâs rapid movements as it tried to grab her. As usual, she brandished the steel plate in her hands in a casual manner, obstructing the zombieâs hand in this moment of life and death. Following that, she forcefully pushed the steel plate downwards.
However, due to her weaponâs inadequacies, she wasnât able to cut off the zombieâs arm. Instead, fresh blood immediately spurted out of its wound in an unceasing manner. With this, the strength that it exerted immediately lessened. From the looks of it, it probably wouldnât be able to raise its hand anymore.
However, this wasnât going to stop the zombie. Although his two hands no longer functioned, he still threw himself at Lin Luanqiu in an attempt to bite her.
Lin Luanqiu bent her body and abruptly rammed into the zombieâs bosom. With great effort, she managed to stagger the charging zombie.
This was the limit of what she could do. However, the zombie jumped at her once again while her strength was still spent. In that instant, a trace of gray flashed across her eyes.
Everything had happened in the blink of an eye. It was so fast, normal people wouldnât even be able to react in time. But Ling Mo was different. With his formidable spiritual strength, his reaction speed was a cut above a normal people. Seeing the zombie rush over once again, Ling Mo immediately sent out his spiritual tentacles, abruptly altering the course of the zombieâs charge and sending it hurtling past Lin Luanqiu. At this time, Ye Lian had dashed forth like a cheetah and her scimitar plunged into the zombieâs belly as it swept past Lin Luanqiu. Using the zombieâs forward momentum, Ye Lian dragged her scimitar across the length of the zombieâs belly.
Brightly coloured intestines and fresh blood immediately spilled out, and the zombie staggered from side to side before it crumpled onto the ground.
At this time, Lin Luanqiu came around. She had no doubt that she was going to die during that brief instant. Never did she expect to get a new lease of life instead. The zombie had moved in an odd manner during that critical moment. It was clear that the zombie had been influenced by Ling Mo. That much was plain for her to see.
In spite of her poor health, Lin Luanqiu still took a deep breath before she turning to Ye Lian and Ling Mo to say, âThank you.â
Ye Lianâs expression remained ice cold. Her speed was astounding, not even a trace of blood could be seen on her machete. Ling Mo on the other hand merely nodded his head and said, âWe need you to lead the way. Besides, doing this was as easy as lifting our hands, itâs nothing much.â
It was at this time that Shi Bin reacted. Heâd originally planned on rushing over to support Lin Luanqiu, but he suddenly pointed at the zombie and cried out in fear, âIsnât that Liu Chuan? Unexpectedly, he didnât get eaten and turned into a zombie instead!â
Shi Binâs exclamation had caused Ling Moâs anger to immediately flare up. He lowered his voice and cursed, âStop kicking up a fuss, whatâre we going to do if you attract even more zombies! Who knows how many of them are around here, do you have the means to escape if youâre surrounded? Idiot!â
âIâ¦â Shi Binâs expression immediately turned gloomy after being labeled as an idiot by Ling Mo. But after tightly gripping onto his sharpening steel stick, he bore Ling Moâs scolding without a word.
He could clearly remember Lin Luanqiuâs words. Most importantly, he clearly didnât have the strength to stand up for himself.
Ye Lian sudden attack completely surpassed his imagination. It was only then that he realised Ye Lian hadnât even been trying when she faced him.
However, Shi Bin secretly thought to himself, Ling Mo himself didnât take any action, from the looks of it, heâs probably nothing much. In the end, he only knows how to hide behind a womanâ¦
Ling Mo was somewhat astonished found that Shi Bin wasnât fuming in anger. He didnât look like the type of person who could suppress his rage⦠Could it be something that Lin Luanqiu said to him?
In his heart, Ling Mo secretly made up his mind to let this brat have a taste some hardship. Shi Bin hadnât learned his lesson even after being beaten up by Ling Mo the previous time. At the end of the world, strength was what dictated everything. Did this brat really think things were the same as before?
âLiu Chuan wasâ¦part of our volunteer rescue squad, and he was among the students who escaped with us.â Lin Luanqiu easily spat everything out in one breath. She walked over and glanced at the corpse before she immediately covered her mouth.
Ling Mo noticed that the zombieâs injured hand had only recently healed, but who wouldâve thought that this person was actually Lin Luanqiuâs companion.
They seemed to have been considerably startled by the realization that their companion had turned into a zombie, but Ling Mo was rather indifferent about it.
When a person was injured by a zombie, theyâd be infected by the zombieâs blood. This process would take place the instant they were injured. This was due to the various remnant flesh of unknown origins that were stuck to a zombieâs fingers. The zombieâs victim would be infected once these fingers came in contact with their wound. However, the reason why people didnât see many cases like Lin Chuanâs was likely due to the fact that not many survivors managed to stay alive till they reached such a state, or that there just werenât any people to witness their change.
However, Ling Mo himself had seen two such occurrences of this. The first was Lu Xin, whose body couldnât withstand the highly concentrated virus from a mutated zombie, which led to it rotting. The other was Shana.
âI never wouldâve thought thatâ¦â Lin Luanqiu quickly composed herself, but her expression that was originally a little lax became even more downcast. It was unknown whether it was due to her emotions being stirred or that sheâd used too much of her stamina, but she said, âShao Zhong1)I have no idea where this came from. Probably a nickname or something for the guy who turned into a zombie managed to live, and even turned into a zombie⦠At that time, everyone was in a panic and were only concerned with running for their lives. Even when we heard him being bitten by a zombie, not one person even turn around to glance at himâ¦â
Ling Mo gave her a profound look and said, âThatâs how things are at the end of the world.â
âThatâs right, but I really hope that things will go back to the way they were. I hope to live till I can see that day.â Lin Luanqiu turned to Ling Mo and revealed a pained smile filled with hope.
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