MTLNOVEL CHAPTER 115
Lolita's mother's idea held promise, yet the obstacles were numerous and daunting.
Navigating the Black Mist's disorienting depths posed a significant challenge. The inevitable casualties they would suffer weighed heavily on their minds. The treacherous terrain and the lack of a clear escape route presented further obstacles. The list of concerns seemed endless.
In short, the endeavor was fraught with peril.
"But no matter how difficult it may be," Huo Sheng declared, his voice unwavering, "we must attempt it. If we delay and wait for the Black Mist to consume us entirely, we'll be forced to venture in anyway..."
Time was their enemy. While reaching Level 5 offered the possibility of being guided away by the Holy Tower, the Black Mist's relentless advance was accelerating. The survivors had less than two months to prepare, an insufficient timeframe for everyone to reach Level 5, even with the aid of the Basic Breathing Technique.
Moreover, the fate of those who touched the Holy Tower remained shrouded in mystery. Huo Sheng couldn't gamble with the lives of his people, sending them into the unknown with no guarantee of their safety or return.
Thus, only one path remained: the Black Mist Zone.
They would either carve a path through its dangers or fight for survival within its oppressive embrace.
They would either fight their way out or carve a life within the Black Mist's suffocating grasp.
Huo Sheng glanced at Lu Ming, noting the impassiveness etched onto his features. A quiet sigh escaped the researcher's lips.
He had hoped to enlist Lu Ming's aid in exploring the Black Mist Zone. After all, as he had made clear, the area would be consumed by the encroaching darkness within two months.
However, Lu Ming seemed entirely indifferent to the prospect.
This wasn't unexpected, given Lu Ming's solitary nature and relentless pursuit of self-improvement.
Furthermore, Lu Ming was a unique case. Even with a single day remaining, he could still find a way to grow stronger. Delaying their venture into the Black Mist Zone was, in fact, advantageous for him.
Understanding this, Huo Sheng abandoned any further attempts to sway him. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, he bid Lu Ming farewell and departed.
Lu Ming finished his meal, then retired to his room for a well-deserved nap.
Day 110 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Thursday:
A day of rest and recovery. Bai Tianyu's injuries were healed with the help of an Awakened healer. He extended an invitation to Duan Mei to join the Black Mist Exploration Team, which she accepted. Huo Sheng completed the dissection of the Six-legged Wolf Bear, discovering no zombie crystals and confirming that its meat, while nutritious, couldn't substitute for the Basic Breathing Technique or zombie crystals. The Flesh Mountain, however, like other zombies, did possess a zombie crystal.
Day 111 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Friday:
Observations revealed a significant acceleration in the Black Mist's contraction. The ominous cloud was closing in on Nanxiang City at an alarming rate.
Day 112 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Saturday:
Unease gripped the authorities as they detected unusual movements among the zombie hordes outside Nanxiang City. Fearful of the unknown, they decided against investigating the disturbance.
Day 113 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Sunday:
Noon.
Outside Nanxiang City, on the outskirts of Linhai County, a massive gathering of zombies had formed. Among them were five imposing Tanks and two grotesque Devourers.
Was this the second Zombie King Gathering?
No. This gathering was different. It had a singular, chilling purpose.
The true ruler of this gruesome assembly stood at the forefront: Gris Klass.
Gris Klass resembled a human in form, with flowing golden hair framing a pale face. But its eyes were not the familiar green or blue of the infected. They burned with a deep, unsettling crimson, hinting at a malevolent power lurking beneath the surface.
Besides Gris Klass, Simba and Lian Jie stood with conflicted expressions, yet they remained silent, like obedient schoolchildren in the presence of a stern headmaster.
It all began three days ago...
Ambushed by the Six-Legged Wolf Bears, Simba and Lian Jie had once again become fugitives, desperately fleeing for their lives. The two pitiable Tier 4 Zombie Kings were like stray dogs, unable to find a moment's peace.
In their desperate flight, they stumbled upon Gris Klass.
Without hesitation, they knelt before the imposing figure.
High-tier zombies possessed a terrifying ability to suppress lower-tier zombies. In the face of Gris Klass, the two Tier 4 Devourers had no power to resist.
Gris Klass was a zombie that had emerged from the Black Mist Zone. Just as humans could enter the zone, so too could zombies.
However, the conditions for a zombie to leave the Black Mist Zone were far harsher than those for an Awakened. Yet, there existed a loophole: the opportunity to cross over when the Black Mist split open.
That was precisely how Gris Klass had made its way from New York to Nanxiang.
Gris Klass's legendary exploits were a tale for another time. The focus now was on its current objective.
Having finally escaped the Black Mist Zone, Gris Klass was ready to make a bold move. It intended to unite the zombie hordes of Nanxiang and, at the opportune moment, lead them all back into the Black Mist Zone.
To put it bluntly, Gris Klass had endured a miserable existence in the Black Mist Zone and was now seeking to return to the "Newbie Village" – Nanxiang City – for further development. This explained why it had spared Simba and Lian Jie, recruiting them as its subordinates instead.
Today, Gris Klass led its underlings to Linhai County. It had heard from Simba about a unique zombie residing there: the Blood Flesh Mother Tree.
"Zombies are the darlings of the Mystery Factor," Gris Klass spoke softly, its voice a chilling whisper. "Under its influence, we exhibit various evolutionary paths. From Tier 4 onwards, there are two main branches: Tank and Devourer."
"At Tier 5, even more evolutionary paths emerge," it continued. "For instance, the Tank's evolutionary forms are Flesh Mountain, Hunter, and Sadist."
"Or, for example," Gris Klass paused, a predatory grin spreading across its face, "the evolutionary form of the Devourer: me."
It spoke in English, but Simba understood instinctively. Gris Klass had likely been a highly intelligent individual before its transformation.
Upon hearing Gris Klass's words, Simba immediately began to fawn over its new master. "Your evolution must be truly impressive, Boss!"
Gris Klass's lips curled into a faint smile. "Vampire," it declared. "I shall name my form Vampire."
"In truth," it added, its voice laced with arrogance, "we Devourers are the favored children of the Mystery Factor."
"The Devourer can consume different superpower genes and acquire various abilities," Gris Klass continued, "However, as someone with experience, I'll offer you some advice. Don't consume too many or too diverse genes. Focus on absorbing superpower genes that are compatible with your own. After consuming enough, a Devourer can ascend to Tier 5!"
"And depending on the genes consumed," it added, "the Devourer's evolved form will differ."
"Take me, for example," Gris Klass boasted. "By absorbing abilities like blood control, bodily transformation, blood boiling, and ultrasonic waves, I successfully evolved into my current state, wielding the power of blood in all its forms."
"Therefore," it concluded, "every Level 5 creature evolved from a Devourer possesses a unique form and abilities."
Simba, eager to please, immediately began to flatter its new master. "Thank you, Boss, for your guidance! You are truly peerless and valiant. You will surely unite Nanxiang!"
Gris Klass smirked, pleased with the adulation. But then it raised a skeletal hand, pointing towards the massive monster in the heart of Linhai County.
"But I've never encountered this creature before," it admitted.
The Blood Flesh Mother Tree resembled a grotesque hybrid of willow and pine. No one could determine whether it was plant, animal, or zombie.
"However," Gris Klass continued, its voice tinged with disdain, "I believe it to be a zombie. Do you see? Its indiscriminate absorption of foreign genes has led to genetic collapse. This is the consequence."
In Gris Klass's assessment, the Blood Flesh Mother Tree was a failed evolutionary outcome of a Devourer's reckless consumption of foreign genes.
This type of creature was both troublesome and dangerous. However, if subdued, it could prove to be an incredibly powerful asset.
With this in mind, Gris Klass made a decision.
"Wait here," it commanded. "I'll investigate the true nature of this creature myself."