Chapter 117
The flood arrived silently, without warning.
After sealing the last gap in the wall, the sound of rushing water mixed with the frantic noises of fleeing creatures could be heard.
Tang Yu’an was still in a daze.
“This water… How did it come so fast? There weren’t any signs at all, and we haven’t even had time to prepare…”
Standing behind him, Old Li, initially stunned by the sudden appearance of the towering wall, quickly composed himself upon hearing the boy’s words. His expression grew solemn.
“This is the wasteland,” Old Li said in a low voice. “Disasters and tomorrow —you never know which will come first.”
“So don’t waste energy trying to prepare for everything. Take things as they come, and focus on what you can do.”
Listening to Old Li, Tang Yu’an nodded, his initial panic subsiding.
“Understood,” he said, his voice steadying.
He added, “I’ll leave things here to you, Grandpa. I have some other tasks to handle, but I’ll come back to help as soon as I’m done.”
“Go ahead,” Old Li said, patting his shoulder.
Tang Yu’an cast a lightness spell on himself, then leapt onto the building’s outer wall, climbing quickly to higher floors.
Old Li, no stranger to such scenes, watched as the boy disappeared onto the ninth-floor balcony before turning his attention back to the task at hand.
He glanced at the three-meter-high wall, then at the stockpiles of goods they had traded for in recent days. Lastly, he looked at the items available in the marketplace interface.
Not prepared?
Perhaps.
But he had never fought such a well-stocked battle before.
*
Tang Yu’an hurried into the master bedroom of Room 901 and used the teleportation array to return to the attic of the Peace Grocery Store.
He opened a small window in the attic and looked outside.
What he saw was a vast expanse of water. While the water outside Store #1 had only reached ankle depth, here it was already knee-high.
Fortunately, the flood had not entered the store. The protective barrier had activated in time, safeguarding his home.
Tang Yu’an let out a sigh of relief and hurried downstairs.
The floorboards on the first floor were slightly damp, likely because the barrier’s “resist destructive natural disasters” function only activated after a certain amount of water had entered.
Thankfully, it was just a shallow layer and had caused no damage.
Tang Yu’an dried the floor, carefully checked the appliances and goods to ensure nothing had been waterlogged, and then stepped outside to face the murky, yellow floodwaters.
With the flood just starting, he needed to act quickly and head to the swimming center.
Although Green Gem had survived countless disasters before, it had never faced both the mother lizard’s rampage and its own excessive growth.
With the water rising so rapidly, the swimming center might not hold out.
Tang Yu’an couldn’t bear the thought of losing the natatorium center he’d worked so hard to clean, along with his fishpond and lotus plants.
Equipped with the Shadow Umbrella and the lightness spell, he was fully prepared for the task.
Once resolved, Tang Yu’an opened the map, unfurled the Shadow Umbrella, and leapt out of the protective barrier’s coverage.
Contrary to his expectations, moving through the flood wasn’t as difficult as he’d feared.
He felt lighter than ever before. With just the tip of his foot grazing the water, he could launch himself into the air and leap over obstacles.
The lightness spell could be used like this!
Delighted by the realization, Tang Yu’an felt as though the wind carried him, allowing him to glide effortlessly toward his destination.
The Shadow Umbrella stayed firmly in his grasp, concealing his presence and enabling him to move safely through the watery ruins.
Tang Yu’an quickly realized that the floodwaters seemed to be originating from the center of the Desolate City.
The swift current carried all manner of creatures, surging outward from the city’s heart.
The closer he got to the city center, the deeper the water became, and the more creatures he encountered.
Most of these were small in size. Some scrambled to higher ground, others floundered in the water, and still others engaged in deadly battles.
Even the mutated creatures that usually stayed concentrated in the city center were being swept outward by the flood.
As he neared the swimming center, the creatures grew larger.
For now, the water wasn’t deep enough to carry them away, but they were slowly migrating toward the city’s outskirts, forming sizeable groups.
Tang Yu’an’s map was now dotted with red markers indicating dangerous creatures.
He was filled with trepidation. Fortunately, the Shadow Umbrella ensured no creature detected him. Even the ripples created when his toes touched the water only made the mutants think a raindrop had fallen.
As long as he kept this up, he could safely reach the swimming center.
Tang Yu’an steeled himself, suppressing his fear.
He remembered Zhou Qi’s words: After overcoming fear, you grow stronger.
And he hadn’t forgotten his promise: He would work hard to grow stronger, so Zhou Qi would never have to face danger alone again.
This determination carried him through the perilous journey, one that was entirely his own adventure.
Finally, the harrowing trek came to an end. Tang Yu’an saw the natatorium center looming ahead.
The situation there was grim.
The water had risen to over a meter, reaching Tang Yu’an’s chest. From the map, he could see three dangerous creatures lurking nearby.
One of them was already engaged in combat with Green Gem.
The massive plant swung its vines, fighting fiercely against a scythe-wielding monster.
It was a giant mutated mantis, swift and capable of flight. Each swing of its scythe-like limbs severed parts of Green Gem’s vines.
Tang Yu’an’s expression grew tense.
The flood had come far too suddenly.
Green Gem had weathered countless natural disasters before, but that was back when the area was under the dominion of the giant lizards. Now, it was the sole guardian here, bearing immense pressure.
Fortunately, Tang Yu’an had arrived!
He didn’t immediately intervene in Green Gem’s battle with the giant mantis. Instead, he leapt onto the roof of the natatorium center and reached out from under the cover of the Shadow Umbrella to grab one of Green Gem’s vines.
A wave of surprise and grievance flowed through their connection.
Tang Yu’an patted the vine reassuringly. Green Gem soon created a small opening in a window, allowing him to slip inside.
Floodwaters had already invaded the swimming center, but thanks to Green Gem’s tight defense, no mutated creatures had followed the current inside—yet.
Tang Yu’an wasted no time and opened the shop interface.
[You are establishing a branch store.]
[Please designate the building… Ownership detected: eligible.]
[Would you like to spend 2,000 points to designate this building as a branch store?]
[Points successfully deducted. Please name the branch store.]
[Name successfully set. Branch store “Peace Grocery Store (Store #3)” established.]
Once the branch store was established, Tang Yu’an immediately spent another 2,000 points to activate the protective barrier. He then quickly set Store #3 to a closed status.
With his actions complete, a massive, invisible barrier rose around the swimming center.
In an instant, the entire building vanished from sight. The giant mantis, which had just severed one of Green Gem’s vines and was preparing to invade, was forcibly pushed away by the barrier.
Green Gem, still flailing its vines in fury, gradually calmed down and sent out waves of confusion.
Tang Yu’an let out a deep breath of relief.
The swimming center was safe!
He made his way to the pool area, where over a meter of floodwater had been drained out. The floor was now covered in mud, along with flopping fish and small animals that had slipped inside.
Checking on Green Gem, Tang Yu’an found it exhausted but otherwise unharmed. He directed it to herd the aquatic creatures back into the pool.
Surveying the chaotic scene, he sighed. The previous cleanup effort had been undone, but at least the situation wasn’t unbearable.
With his nerves finally relaxing, Tang Yu’an climbed onto the bleachers and found an intact seat to rest.
He was exhilarated.
He had really done it—crossed the flooded wasteland alone to save Green Gem and the swimming center!
Green Gem extended a thin vine that curled around him, brushing its leafy tendrils against his cheek.
Tang Yu’an chuckled, feeling ticklish. When he gently pushed the vine away, something hard fell into his hand.
It was another Wind Spirit Stone.
“Is this for me?” he asked.
Green Gem happily brushed against him again.
Tang Yu’an gratefully accepted the gift, tucking the Wind Spirit Stone into the inner pocket Zhou Qi had sewn for him, right beside the Lan Hu leaves.
The previous Wind Spirit Stone had almost completely dissipated, reduced to a grainy fragment so small it was hard to spot. Tang Yu’an suspected his enhanced lightness might be linked to the stone’s residual energy.
Could it be that the Wind Spirit Stone amplified the effectiveness of wind-element skills like the lightness spell?
Just then, a new message popped up on his communication interface.
[Message Board – Channel (Administrator)]
[Handsome Zhou: An’an, where are you?]
Tang Yu’an’s heart skipped a beat. Glancing at the map, he saw that Zhou Qi had already returned from Jufeng Town and was at the Peace Grocery Store.
He felt a pang of guilt.
Not wanting Zhou Qi to worry, he quickly replied.
[Administrator (Anonymous): I’m at the natatorium center. I just finished setting up Store #3.]
[Handsome Zhou: Stay put. I’ll come get you.]
Tang Yu’an was startled and immediately responded.
[Administrator (Anonymous): Don’t! It’s too dangerous here. A lot of mutated creatures have been flushed out of the Desolate City center.]
[Administrator (Anonymous): There’s even a mutated mantis outside. Not even Green Gem can handle it.]
At the Peace Grocery Store, Zhou Qi’s hands trembled as he read the reply, his face turning pale.
He closed his eyes, steadied himself, and continued gathering information.
[Handsome Zhou: The protective barrier is active, right?]
[Administrator (Anonymous): Yes, and the store is closed. The swimming center and Green Gem are safe.]
[Handsome Zhou: How many points do you have left?]
[Administrator (Anonymous): 3,950.]
[Handsome Zhou: Use those points to build a teleportation array. Once it’s ready, use it to come back.]
Building the teleportation array required 2,000 points, establishing a link with the main store cost another 2,000, and activating the array for travel needed 10 points—a total of 4,010 points.
Tang Yu’an hesitated.
If he spent the points to return, his balance would be wiped out. With the sudden onset of the flood, what would they do if an emergency arose at Store #1?
Investing 4,010 points in the swimming center for a teleportation array felt too extravagant right now.
[Handsome Zhou: An’an, listen to me.]
Another message from Zhou Qi appeared.
[Handsome Zhou: Don’t take unnecessary risks. Stay put in the swimming center and wait. I’ll go earn more points.]
[Handsome Zhou: I’ll try negotiating with Hong Li to complete the soybean trade early.]
Tang Yu’an wasn’t as optimistic.
Even though Hong Li had promised to deliver 500 kilograms of soybeans in a few days, the flood had changed everything. Who knew what complications might arise now?
[Administrator (Anonymous): Brother Qi, I have the Shadow Umbrella and the lightness spell. I can do it. Trust me—I just made it here safely.]
[Handsome Zhou: Stay put!]
Tang Yu’an could almost hear Zhou Qi’s stern tone through the message. He pressed his lips together, unable to resist glancing out the window.
The water level was rising again.
If he hesitated any longer, he might really end up stuck in the swimming center.
[Handsome Zhou: Tang Yu’an, I’m begging you.]
[Handsome Zhou: Don’t run around. I’ll make sure you return in the safest way possible.]
This was the apocalypse—was there truly any such thing as a completely safe place?
If even with the Shadow Umbrella and the lightness spell he couldn’t make it back, wouldn’t that make him utterly useless?
Tang Yu’an didn’t want to keep relying on Brother Qi, nor did he want to leave all the dangers for Zhou Qi to bear alone.
What’s more, he wasn’t afraid to take risks.
[Administrator (Anonymous): I’m sorry.]
[Administrator (Anonymous): Wait at home. I’ll prove it to you.]
[Administrator (Anonymous): You have to stay at home. Don’t come out. Don’t try to find me.]
Tang Yu’an was also worried Zhou Qi might recklessly come looking for him. Without the Shadow Umbrella, Zhou Qi could be torn apart by mutated creatures.
[Handsome Zhou: I’ll give you one hour.]
Zhou Qi relented.
Tang Yu’an smiled. With the lightness spell, he could easily return from the swimming center to the Peace Grocery Store within an hour.
[Administrator (Anonymous): Okay, okay! Don’t worry. You’ll see me soon.]
He turned to Green Gem, stroking its vine. “Green Gem, I’m leaving now.”
“Once the flood recedes, I’ll come back to see you.”
With that, he slipped out the window. As he exited the protective barrier, he opened the Shadow Umbrella, disappearing from the sight of every creature around.
What Tang Yu’an didn’t notice was a small vine coiled around his wrist, silently following him as he left the swimming center.
The creatures along the way had noticeably changed compared to earlier.
Frogs the size of millstones, dragonflies as large as single beds, and other mutated animals like lizards, rats, and disturbingly massive mosquitoes had all been displaced by the flood.
At the rate the water was rising, the Desolate City would soon become an endless expanse of water. These creatures would spread throughout its ruins and possibly even as far as Giant Peak Mountain.
The only consolation was that it wasn’t raining—yet.
But the situation wasn’t looking good.
The intense sunlight was causing water vapor to rise rapidly, forming clouds in the sky. While the clouds provided some cooling, their increasing moisture content would inevitably lead to rain. Coupled with temperature differences in various areas, this could escalate into a storm.
For now, though, this was a problem for later.
Tang Yu’an moved like a feather, gliding over the water with barely a ripple. He left no splashes, only faint concentric rings in his wake.
Weaving between terrifying creatures, he kept his presence as low as possible.
While still cautious, his movements were noticeably more confident than on his way to the swimming center.
Brother Qi was right: overcoming fear truly made one stronger.
The wind brushing past his face felt exhilarating, filling him with a sense of clarity and joy he had never experienced before.
Dodging all the dangers along the way, he finally saw the distinctive tall building above the Peace Grocery Store come into view.
The store, situated in a sunken area, was almost completely submerged, with only the roof visible.
Tang Yu’an leapt gracefully across the water. As he glanced downward, he caught a fleeting glimpse of a figure.
Adjusting the Shadow Umbrella, he controlled his descent, landing precisely through a gap into the protective barrier.
Stowing the umbrella back into his inventory, he spread his arms and hugged the figure tightly.
“Brother Qi, I’m back!”
Zhou Qi had been anxiously waiting, each second feeling like an eternity. Just as he was about to lose patience and rush out, the boy descended from the light, landing directly into his arms.
Steadying himself, Zhou Qi instinctively tightened his grip, holding Tang Yu’an as if clutching a lost treasure.
He’s finally back…
Feeling the boy’s warmth and the pounding of his heart, Zhou Qi’s icy dread melted away, and the world regained its color.
After a moment, he released Tang Yu’an and gripped his shoulders firmly, examining him from head to toe for injuries.
Tang Yu’an, who had been beaming with pride and excitement from his triumphant return, grew quieter upon seeing Zhou Qi’s expression.
His hair was disheveled, his face pale, and there was a faint bluish tinge to his complexion. His eyes were red and swollen, as though he’d been crying.
“B-Brother Qi…”
Once Zhou Qi confirmed there were no injuries, the heavy weight in his heart lifted—only to be replaced by anger and lingering fear.
“Why did you act on your own? Why did you run off to such a dangerous place without telling me? Do you know how worried I was? You almost scared me to death!”
As he’d waited, Zhou Qi’s mind had been filled with horrifying images of Tang Yu’an being attacked by mutated creatures or drowning in the flood.
He’d nearly gone mad with worry.
Tang Yu’an had never seen Zhou Qi this angry.
Aside from the first time they met, when he had run off to save him, Zhou Qi had never scolded him this harshly.
“The flood… it came too suddenly. We weren’t prepared at all…”
Tang Yu’an tried to suppress the lump in his throat, holding back his grievances as he explained, “Splitting up was the best option… And I… I did everything right. I didn’t get hurt…”
Tang Yu’an raised his voice, frustration bubbling to the surface.
“Why is it okay for you to lure away a giant bear, but I can’t go save Green Gem?”
Zhou Qi frowned. “It’s not the same.”
“How is it not the same?” Tang Yu’an’s grievances swelled, his lips quivering. “It’s exactly the same!”
“I did everything right, and you’re not even praising me—you’re just scolding me! When you took risks, I never scolded you—I only ever praised you…”
“Wahhh… I hate you!” He covered his eyes with his arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
Zhou Qi slowly calmed down under Tang Yu’an’s tearful accusations. Watching the boy cry his heart out, Zhou Qi sighed inwardly.
How could he let someone so childlike venture into danger alone?
“My fault, I’m sorry,” Zhou Qi said, gently pulling Tang Yu’an’s arm away. “Stop crying now, or you’ll hurt your eyes.”
Tang Yu’an sniffled, his eyes glistening with tears as he looked up at Zhou Qi, resembling a pitiful, scolded puppy.
Zhou Qi pulled him closer, seeing no resistance, and wrapped his arms around him. He patted the boy’s back soothingly.
“I was just too worried about you,” Zhou Qi murmured. “You know how much you mean to me. If anything happened to you, I wouldn’t be able to go on.”
“I’m willing to take on all the danger because I’m confident I can handle it. Every time I face danger, I have one thought in mind: I must survive for you.”
Tang Yu’an buried his face in Zhou Qi’s chest and hugged him back.
After a moment, he spoke in a muffled voice, “Deep down, you just don’t trust me.”
Zhou Qi was momentarily speechless.
He thought carefully before replying, “If Xinxin were here, would you let her go to the swimming center alone and then come back by herself?”
“If she ran off without telling anyone, would you be angry?”
Now it was Tang Yu’an’s turn to fall silent.
Reflecting on the dangers he’d faced, he realized he wouldn’t have allowed his younger sister to make such a journey, even though she was only a few years younger than him.
“Xinxin… Xinxin’s still a child. But I’m grown up now…”
His words trailed off.
Tang Yu’an bit his lip, then finally said, “Alright, I’ll forgive you for scolding me this time. But in the future, you have to trust me, because I’ve already proven I can do it.”
“I can run and jump across water. With the Shadow Umbrella, no one can detect me.”
“You’ve seen it—I have this ability.”
Zhou Qi opened his mouth to respond, but Tang Yu’an continued, “I know you think I’m still a kid, so you worry. But, Brother Qi, I have to grow up.”
“Grandpa said disasters and tomorrow—who knows which will come first.”
“So I need to grow up quickly. I need to become strong, strong enough to face any disaster and find a way to keep everyone alive.”
Hearing these words, Zhou Qi couldn’t help but feel moved.
The boy wasn’t finished. “Brother Qi, I know you’re also training and improving yourself.”
“Even though I worry about you constantly, I’ve never stopped you.”
“So, can you trust me, just like I trust you?”
Zhou Qi lowered his head, and Tang Yu’an tilted his face upward to meet his gaze.
The boy’s eyes were red, his nose was red, and his face was still full of childlike innocence. Yet, his eyes sparkled with a determined brilliance that was hard to ignore.
Zhou Qi stared at Tang Yu’an, as if seeing him for the first time.
For the first time, he felt a deep realization—his An’an was truly growing up.
“I’ll try,” Zhou Qi finally said.
Though he didn’t give a direct answer, his cautious nature was enough to bring a bright smile back to Tang Yu’an’s face.
Seeing the boy’s grin, Zhou Qi couldn’t help but pinch his nose lightly. “Let’s head back to Store #1. I have no idea what’s going on there right now.”
“Okay!” Tang Yu’an nodded enthusiastically. Then, as if remembering something, he clung to Zhou Qi’s arm. “Brother Qi, I didn’t really mean it when I said I hated you earlier.”
“You’d better not say that again,” Zhou Qi replied.
“Did that make you sad?”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry… qaq.”
awwh :’)