Ling Mo was thinking exactly that.
The watery corpses all originated from ordinary zombies, and it was the infection source that had somehow gathered them here.
Capturing, luring, or bringing them in batches slowly⦠There could be any number of methods, and Ling Mo couldnât guess them right away. There was no need to rack his brain over it.
Once these zombies were brought here, they would become infected by the virus.
It might be through a bite, or some other meansâ¦
But most zombies couldnât withstand the virus, and these unlucky ones turned into watery corpses.
More specifically, they died during the mutation process, but their bodies didnât decay; instead, they became a sort of fertilizer, providing spiritual and odor masking protection for the area.
The humid, warm gases they emitted might even create a greenhouse effectâ¦
It was like an all-purpose fertilizer!
However, a very small portion could mutate due to this deadly virus and become mutated zombies.
These mutated zombies were quite different from the mutated type that Ling Mo had recently discovered.
The mutations in the mutated zombies were evident in their physical features, mainly in their limbs and facial features, with a few having mutations in internal organs that were usually noticeable at a glance.
The mutated type, on the other hand, were indistinguishable from ordinary zombies when they werenât actively displaying their abilities.
All in all, the mutated type was a product of a combination of ordinary zombies and mutated zombiesâ¦
But clearly, what they had here were purely mutated zombies, as Ling Mo and his group had already encountered several.
It wasnât clear whether these zombies were ready to come out on schedule, or if they had been disturbed by them and thus emerged prematurelyâ¦
But what was certain was that this place had been in existence for a long time, and the mutated zombies it had cultivated were definitely not limited to these few.
Like the head corpse they had encountered earlier, it seemed like it was produced right here.
That head corpse might have been drawn out because Ling Mo and his group had gotten too close to this underground factoryâ¦
âThinking about it, how many have been produced over the past half-year? Or has this factory only started recently? But no matter what, even the defective products here are not wasted but are recycled⦠It really is an impressive factory! I just wonder where the factory manager isâ¦â Ling Mo mused to himself.
But now was not the time for such thoughts. The zombie struggling within the mucus wall was about to break through the last layer of restraint! Once it was free, another new mutated zombie would be added to their problems. Wasnât this just causing more trouble?
Ling Mo crammed the flashlight into his sleeve, letting just a sliver of light escape, while his other hand groped on the ground for the tactical knife he had dropped earlier.
The process was disgusting for Ling Mo; this wasnât a floor at all, but all mucus!
After he grabbed the knife, he immediately shook off the mucus-covered hand with a grimace: âEw, what a messâ¦â
Fortunately, that was merely disgusting. With no cuts on his hand, the small amount of virus that might penetrate his pores wasnât enough to infect him.
If he could get infected that easily, then what would be the point of all the zombie virus and mutated zombie virus already in his body? Theyâd just be for show.
At worst, he could absorb a bit more of the mysterious virus and maybe even develop some antibodies from itâ¦
The main reason he wasnât worried was because of the humid, warm air here. If just being exposed to the pores could infect him, he would have mutated a long time ago.
Since he had been here for so long without getting infected, direct contact with a little mucus wouldnât be a problem either.
However, it was still very dangerous to let blood and mucus come into contact, so although Ling Mo was holding the tactical knife, he did not rush forward recklessly.
Having not been caught just now, getting injured by charging in would be too embarrassingâ¦
âOw, ow!â
The zombie started to growl again, its upper body almost parallel to the ground, but unfortunately, it was just short of reaching Ling Mo.
Ling Mo pursed his lips, observing with the knife in hand.
When the zombie stretched its body to the limit and was about to pull its legs out, Ling Mo suddenly rushed forward.
His mental power wasnât very effective now, but he hadnât completely given up on using his mental tentacles.
One tentacle wrapped around the zombieâs arm, and another around its neck.
As expected, when the tentacles made contact with the zombie, they encountered resistanceâ¦
Despite this, Ling Mo forcefully materialized the tentacles.
Although he didnât completely immobilize the zombie, he managed to cause a momentary delay in its movements.
âGood opportunity!â
Ling Mo didnât stop; he charged right past the zombieâs arm, using the momentum to thrust the knife into the zombieâs chest.
âGurgle, gurgleâ¦â
The zombieâs eyes widened suddenly, staring at Ling Mo with a cruel and cold gaze.
Ling Mo gritted his teeth and twisted his wrist forcefully.
âWahâ¦â
The zombieâs mouth opened involuntarily, and a big gush of black blood immediately surged out. Its body convulsed a couple of times, then completely went limp.
Before Ling Mo could relax, a tearing sound came from the mucus layer nearby, and a face suddenly appeared in the crack.
âOwâ¦â
ââ¦This success rate isnât bad, huh!â Ling Mo was momentarily speechless.
But this time he was prepared and didnât passively react as before.
As soon as the zombie howled, Ling Mo dealt with it with a direct knife strike.
âHey, it just cried out upon being born, and you stabbed it to deathâ¦â Shanaâs voice came from behind.
âAlthough itâs true, why does it sound so twisted when you describe it?â Ling Mo struggled to pull out the tactical knife and skillfully dodged to the side.
A stream of blood immediately sprayed out, landing just in front of a pair of leather shoes.
Shana was carrying a scythe, smiling at Ling Mo: âHehe, come over here and see what we found.â
âWhat?â Ling Mo asked curiously.
A few seconds later, the excitement on Ling Moâs face faded as if the tide was going out.
His brow was furrowed, his eyes slightly squinted, and the corner of his mouth held a strange smileâ¦
âWhy⦠are you here?â
Ling Mo suddenly let out a sigh and reached out to pat Xiao Baiâs head.
While rubbing Xiao Baiâs forehead, he asked, âQuick question and answer⦠Where did that dumb loli go?â
âMeh-ge!â
Xiao Bai shook its head and closed its eyes to enjoy Ling Moâs touch.
However, before it could enjoy the caress for long, it suddenly felt its head being pushed down: âI told you not to wander off! Do you have any intelligence at all? Can you understand what Iâm saying? Damn it, have I been too nice to you guys lately that youâve become so arrogant?â
âHey, Ling Mo, youâre just free-ranging itâ¦â Shana reminded him.
âHehe, Iâve been spoiling you too much!â Ling Mo continued to scold.
âIsnât it Yu Shiran who spoils it? Itâs hardly ever by your sideâ¦â Shana continued her gentle reminder.
âCan you understand? Do you see my anger?â Ling Mo vented.
âThis⦠it seems very confused.â This time even Li Ya Lin noticedâ¦
Ye Lian silently walked over and then bent down to hug Xiao Baiâs big head.
Ling Mo, intending to continue the head-patting, held his hand in mid-air, but could only helplessly shake it: âDonât be like this⦠Iâm not bullying itâ¦â
âMeh-ge~â Xiao Bai twisted its body in grievance, rubbing its head against Ye Lianâs chest.
Seeing this mutated panda actually acting coquettish⦠Ling Mo instantly got angry again.
âIf it werenât for the fact that youâre a female⦠Iâ¦â Ling Mo felt a wave of frustration.
Right now, he really wanted to shout: Let go of that female zombie, let me do it!
But⦠focusing on the matter at hand was more important.
The recent disturbance seemed to have been caused by Xiao Bai, but since Xiao Bai was here, where was Yu Shiran?
Moreover, judging from what Yu Shiran had said earlier, Xiao Bai should be in troubleâ¦
Ling Mo was about to suggest continuing the search when suddenly Ye Lian said, âWhat⦠whatâs wrong?â
âWhat do you mean whatâs wrong?â Ling Mo shone the flashlight again.
Xiao Bai, previously quite lively, had suddenly become wobbly.
Its massive body slumped to the ground, eyes looking lifelessâ¦
Although it usually had heavy dark circles under its eyes, they seemed especially pronounced now.