Chapter 264

The Hua brothers, Aunt Long, and her dozens of subordinates were either highly skilled or possessed supernatural abilities. If they could truly recruit these individuals, the combat strength of the base would increase significantly. Although the base currently had a considerable number of people, there were not many with supernatural abilities. From a long-term development perspective, gathering more capable individuals was imperative.0

“With you?”0

Hua Ye’s eyes carried a trace of doubt. He recognized the two words individually, but when put together, he found them somewhat incomprehensible.0

“That’s right.”0

Yun Xiaoxiao pursed her lips and took out a phone from her bag. Inside was footage she had recorded of Yun City.0

“Look, this is our base. If you’re willing, we’d be delighted to have you join us.”0

The frames played one by one... There was Grandma Niu and others smiling as they wiped sweat amidst the flowers, Feng Jin and his team laboring in the fields, workers diligently doing their jobs, the bustling scenes of people shopping, and everyone chatting and laughing while eating in the cafeteria. There were even members of the guard team training under the sunset, sweat pouring down their faces...0

Yun Xiaoxiao had even used drone footage to capture the entirety of Yun City.0

It was practically a promotional video.0

The effect, of course, was astonishing.0

Hua Ye, Aunt Long, and the others were left dumbfounded, their emotions unable to settle for a long time.0

“Is this all real?”0

One of them murmured in disbelief.0

“They’re not only eating meat heartily but even drinking beverages and leisurely shopping. This can’t be computer-generated, can it?”0

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to believe it; it was just impossible to imagine such a “paradise on earth” existing after the apocalypse.0

These scenes might have been ordinary before the apocalypse.0

But in the post-apocalyptic world, they were anything but ordinary.0

“Rest assured, what you’re seeing is all real,” Ling Jing lazily curled his lips.0

He knew Yun Xiaoxiao wanted to recruit people, so naturally, he wanted to help.0

It would be good to have more people assisting this little one, as his own health was deteriorating.0

Perhaps, soon, it would be time for him to take his leave.0

His gaze darkened slightly.0

But Yun Xiaoxiao had heard all his thoughts.0

She slowly looked up, frowning subtly.0

However, her thoughts were interrupted by Aunt Long in the next moment.0

“Little girl, thank you for saving us earlier.0

The place in your video is indeed very appealing.0

But I have two concerns.”0

“Please, go ahead.”0

“Do you only want a portion of us, or everyone?” Aunt Long asked with some worry.0

Yun Xiaoxiao had saved them, and they owed her a debt of gratitude.0

But if they were to abandon the others and leave just like that, her conscience would be uneasy.0

She wasn’t sure if Yun Xiaoxiao only wanted capable individuals like Hua Ye or if she would also accept ordinary people without any combat abilities.0

After all, Yun Xiaoxiao and her group were not only powerful but also seemed to be actively hunting zombies.0

She feared Yun Xiaoxiao might prioritize ability above all else.0

Understanding her concerns, Yun Xiaoxiao couldn’t help but smile. “I can’t guarantee that, as our base has a ‘three no-support’ rule.”0

“Three no-support?”0

“Yes, we don’t support the useless, the wicked, or the idle.”0

“So, if I’m to take them in, they’ll have to pass an interview. Only those who qualify can come along.”0

Aunt Long nodded in understanding.0

She even felt a bit of admiration for Yun Xiaoxiao.0

At such a young age, her mind was already so meticulous—truly remarkable.0

She also knew that Yun Xiaoxiao’s reasoning was sound.0

After all, the three types of people she mentioned would indeed eat away at the base like parasites.0

But she was curious about how Yun Xiaoxiao would conduct the interviews.0

“And your second concern?” Yun Xiaoxiao asked.0

Aunt Long spoke frankly, “I don’t know how far your base is from here. We don’t have vehicles, so getting there would be quite difficult.”0

“Don’t worry about that,” Yun Xiaoxiao said with a calm smile. “Someone will come to pick you up.”0

“Pick us up?” Aunt Long was surprised.0

“Yes, in a few days.”0

With that, Aunt Long had no more concerns.0

At that moment, Hua Ye exclaimed excitedly.0

“Hua Bai, you’re awake!”0

Gone was his previous composure; now he exuded a more youthful energy.0

“Cough, cough, cough...”0

Hua Bai coughed a few times and slowly opened his eyes.0

His gaze was dazed, as if he didn’t know what year it was.0

But soon, he regained his senses.0

“What about the man-eating flower?!” he asked with worry in his eyes.0

Hua Ye helped him sit up. “The flower has...”0

He glanced at Yun Xiaoxiao. “...been dealt with. Don’t worry. How are you? Are you okay?”0

“I’m fine, cough, cough, cough...”0

Hua Ye: ......0

“Idiot! If you’re hurt, just say it! Stop pretending to be strong!”0

“I seem to remember someone calling me ‘brother’ before I passed out,” Hua Bai raised an eyebrow.0

Hua Ye immediately became uncomfortable and retorted, “No, you must’ve misheard.”0

“Really?”0

“Yes!” Hua Ye gritted his teeth.0

Hua Bai shrugged indifferently. “Alright, if you say so.”0

“It’s not just me saying it—it’s the truth!”0

“Oh~”0

Hua Ye: !!!0

Watching the two bicker, Aunt Long couldn’t help but chuckle.0

Soon after, the group made their way out of the cave.0

Since two others were still unconscious, Hua Ye and another man carried them on their backs.0

Zheng Yuner and Zheng Xin'er, who had been waiting outside, finally breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Yun Xiaoxiao and Ling Jing unharmed.0

The sounds of the intense battle inside had been alarming, and if they hadn’t faintly heard Yun Xiaoxiao’s voice, they might have rushed in.0

After exchanging a few words, everyone headed toward the cave entrance.0

On the way, Aunt Long briefly explained their situation.0

She was the leader of the special operations unit at the Danhong County Police Station. At the beginning of the apocalypse, she had sensed something was wrong.0

However, the higher-ups at the time hadn’t realized the severity of the situation, treating those who had turned into zombies as rioters.0

But as things spiraled out of control, Aunt Long, defying orders, began evacuating people with her team.0

Yet, she had underestimated the speed of the virus’s spread.0

Just as they had finished relocating the first group and were about to return for their families and friends, the virus erupted across the entire county.0

Zombies ran rampant, biting anyone in sight.0

The county quickly turned into a living hell.0

They did their best to save as many residents as possible, moving them to the mountains.0

But their efforts were limited, and in the end, only about two thousand people were rescued.0

Later, near the cave, a new outbreak occurred when someone who had gone out for supplies was bitten by a zombie but didn’t inform the others.0

What was left of the original two thousand dwindled to just two or three hundred survivors.0

Aunt Long only mentioned their families once at the beginning and never brought it up again.0

Without needing to ask, Yun Xiaoxiao could guess.0

They had likely wanted to find their families but, due to the urgency of the situation, never got the chance.0

Their families were probably... no longer alive.0