Chapter 55: Preparation
“A Level Seven zombie?”
Hearing Xiong Mingyuan’s words, everyone around him revealed shocked expressions.
Even Mo Xiu’s expression became serious. After all, in his previous life, he had never encountered such a powerful existence as a Level Seven zombie—not even until the day he died.
Mo Qi, standing beside him, showed little reaction.
No matter how high someone’s ability level was, it meant very little to him. In Mo Qi’s eyes, no matter how strong these ability users were, they could never compare to even a slightly higher-level cultivator. At best, they were simply formidable within this small world.
What actually caught Mo Qi’s attention was Xiong Gangyong, who had been standing quietly not far away.
Earlier, he had heard some things about “Dayong” from Lu Pingwan and knew that Xiong Gangyong had been assigned by his brother to work at Professor Frank’s research institute.
But seeing him again now, the change was surprisingly large.
He looked far more haggard than before.
Everyone knew that although Xiong Gangyong looked older, he wasn’t actually that old. He had the physique of a strong, sturdy man who could endure a lot.
If you looked closely at his skin, you could still tell he was young.
But how long had it been? He looked as though he had lost a lot of weight, and his entire demeanor had grown much more worn and weary.
Just how much suffering had he gone through?
But his appearance wasn’t the main issue.
The real issue was that Mo Qi sensed a trace of sealed demonic energy inside his body.
Ordinary humans did not possess demonic energy—unless they were demonic cultivators.
In this world, aside from demonic cultivators, the only beings Mo Qi had seen carrying demonic energy were zombies and certain mutated animals.
The demonic energy currently stored inside Xiong Gangyong was slightly less than what he had sensed in that man named Meng Zhen before.
But once it lost control, it would still be enough to turn him into a zombie.
Something was wrong.
How could someone working normally inside a research institute suddenly have demonic energy in his body?
Mo Qi’s gaze subtly swept toward Professor Frank.
Something strange must be going on.
Ever since this professor had appeared, Mo Qi had felt that something about him was unusual.
And although Mo Xiu hadn’t said anything, Mo Qi had a feeling that he also sensed something was off.
“I know this mission is extremely dangerous,” Xiong Mingyuan said earnestly, “but you all know how important the research on the zombie virus serum is. Don’t you want the apocalypse to end as soon as possible?”
He spoke with both emotion and reason.
Although he had his own selfish motives, who wouldn’t want this terrifying apocalypse to end?
Mo Xiu understood.
In fact, he had already made up his mind from the beginning that he would definitely go on this mission.
After all, in the entire base, he was the only one with dual abilities, both of which had already reached Level Six.
This was something he had not yet told anyone except Mo Qi.
But he knew very clearly that only his strength might be able to stand against a Level Seven zombie.
If these people went alone and actually encountered one, they would only end up dying.
More importantly, Mo Xiu had stayed inside the base for quite some time now and rarely gone outside.
Although he had heard plenty of news about the outside world, hearing was never as reliable as seeing it himself.
He wanted to see for himself whether the evolution speed of zombies outside was truly as fast as the rumors claimed.
So after the base commander enthusiastically tried to rally everyone and after a round of rather meaningless discussion…
When Xiong Mingyuan finally looked at Mo Xiu and somewhat nervously asked whether he would join the mission—
Mo Xiu agreed without hesitation.
However, before Xiong Mingyuan could celebrate, Mo Qi suddenly spoke.
“We can go, but this time, just like last time, we want to bring Dayong along.”
Mo Xiu was momentarily surprised.
Last time, he had told Mo Qi the real reason for bringing Xiong Gangyong along.
But this time, he hadn’t really thought about it.
Although Xiong Gangyong had some strength, his ability level wasn’t very high.
Facing a Level Seven zombie would be extremely dangerous, and since the mission involved experimental equipment, Mo Xiu wasn’t worried about the base commander betraying them.
So he felt that whether Xiong Gangyong went or not didn’t really matter.
Why did Mo Qi still want to bring him?
Was it because he didn’t feel safe without keeping a “hostage”?
But knowing Mo Qi, that didn’t seem like his intention.
Still, Mo Xiu had always supported Mo Qi’s decisions without question.
So he immediately turned to the base commander and said,
“That’s right. Our team is a unit. Dayong should naturally go with us.”
Xiong Gangyong, who had been standing nearby absentmindedly, snapped out of his thoughts when he heard them.
When he saw Mo Xiu and Mo Qi, a look of surprise appeared on his face.
After a moment, he realized what they were talking about and quickly nodded toward his older brother.
“That’s right! Bro, I’m going too! I’m going with the team!
“And this mission is so important—I’ve already thought of a really cool name for it! We’ll call it Operation Blazing Flame! And the team going on this mission will be the Blazing Flame Squad!”
What a terrible name…
Mo Qi silently complained in his heart.
Why “Blazing Flame”? Why “Blazing Flame Squad”?
Among all these people, not a single one even had a fire-type ability.
If they had to name the squad, his dao companion’s lightning ability was so powerful that it should be called the Thunder Squad.
Or if they counted both of Mo Xiu’s abilities—lightning and wind—then maybe the Thunderwind Squad?
Mo Qi let his thoughts wander.
But seeing Mo Xiu completely indifferent to the name, he didn’t bother mentioning it.
After all, it was just a temporary team. Arguing over a name was meaningless.
Professor Frank, standing nearby, became extremely excited when he heard that they had all agreed to retrieve the important medical research equipment.
He waved his arms enthusiastically, thanking them profusely and saying they were acting for the sake of all humanity.
Some people were indeed fired up by his words—Xiong Gangyong, for example.
But Mo Xiu and Mo Qi were definitely not among them.
After discussing some of the mission details, Mo Xiu brought his team members back.
On the way home, the atmosphere among them was somewhat heavy.
Even Cheng Cheng—usually lively and talkative—looked like a wilted eggplant, unusually quiet.
Only after returning to the apartment did Lu Pingwan speak hesitantly.
“Brother Mo… Brother Qi… that Level Seven zombie… can we really deal with it?”
If the information was true, this mission would probably be a near-death experience.
Mo Xiu patted her shoulder and smiled.
“Don’t worry. Leave the difficult part to us. This time, you don’t need to go. Just Mo Qi and I will handle it.”
Cheng Cheng immediately protested.
“How can that work? Brother Mo, Boss, don’t underestimate us!
“If every time there’s danger only you two step forward, wouldn’t that make me look like a total coward? I’m going too!”
Mo Xiu looked helpless and was about to refuse.
But Mo Qi smiled reassuringly and said,
“If he wants to go, let him go.
“His plant-type ability is actually quite good. With more practice, it might improve a lot.
“And Xie Wu, Xiao Wan—you can decide for yourselves.
“You can come with us, but don’t think about contributing too much. Just make sure you stay safe.
“Of course, staying behind in the base to guard the place is also perfectly fine.”
Lu Pingwan and Xie Wu exchanged a glance.
“We’re going too.”
Their voices sounded at the same time.
They hadn’t spent very long in Shanhe Base, but they understood one thing clearly.
Without Mo Xiu and Mo Qi, they wouldn’t be living like they were now.
One of them had no abilities at all, and the other had a water ability that most people considered the weakest.
Especially Xie Wu.
Now that he had learned quite a few talisman techniques, he felt that if he went along, he might actually be able to help.
Most importantly…
His gaze unconsciously drifted toward Cheng Cheng beside him.
He didn’t want to be separated from Cheng Cheng again.
He had already lost everything before.
Only after joining the team did he finally find a place for himself.
Cheng Cheng’s companionship and encouragement had allowed him to feel warmth again in this apocalyptic world.
Rather than staying behind in the base and anxiously waiting for the unknown, he would rather go with them.
Seeing everyone so fired up, Mo Qi smiled.
With him around, he couldn’t guarantee that no one would get hurt.
But their lives—he would protect them.
“Trust me, Mo Xiu. It’ll be fine.”
His voice was soft.
His warm hand rested on Mo Xiu’s shoulder, yet it seemed to give him endless strength.
Thus, the five people who had agreed to go together quickly began preparing.
Naturally they needed plenty of supplies.
As for the fact that Mo Qi could draw talismans, he no longer intended to hide it.
After spending so much time together, he had developed a basic level of trust in them.
He and Mo Xiu already had expanded backpacks.
Mo Xiu’s personal protective talismans were handled directly by Mo Qi.
As for the special backpacks and protective charms needed by the other three, Mo Qi handed the work to Xie Wu.
Xie Wu worked with remarkable enthusiasm.
He even drew all the protective talismans using the blood from his fingertip.
He drew many in one sitting—even including extra ones for Mo Qi and Mo Xiu.
“I just thought… the more the better,” Xie Wu said awkwardly.
He nervously handed over the stack of talismans he had prepared, worried that he might be showing off his limited skills.
After all, Mo Qi had taught him such powerful techniques. He wanted to do something in return.
Mo Qi didn’t take them.
He simply leaned forward to look and nodded with approval.
“Very well done. Quite impressive.”
Although they weren’t as strong as his own, the talismans were drawn with fingertip blood, which made them quite effective.
He hadn’t misjudged—Xie Wu truly had talent.
Mo Qi rubbed his chin, glanced at the other talismans Xie Wu had prepared for Cheng Cheng and Lu Pingwan, then lightly waved his hand.
Instantly, the power of all the defensive talismans increased several times over.
“This—!”
Feeling the sudden difference in the talismans he held, Xie Wu froze for a moment.
Then gratitude filled his face.
For some reason, he felt that with Mo Qi around…
This mission might truly succeed.
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