71 Cambrian Consciousness
Zhuang Yao glanced at them and said, "If we were to face such a situation when we arrive in Beijing, we must make early preparations. Because every person here could potentially become someone else's source of energy. Simply keeping to ourselves won't guarantee our safety."
Tang Yanqiu's face turned pale as he sighed, "It's too dangerous."
"Next, I'm going to share my second major discovery," Zhuang Yao said. "It's about a major earthquake."
Everyone turned their gaze towards him.
Zhuang Yao continued, "The old professor told me that about a month before the earthquake occurred, a scientific research team composed of Beijing researchers and military personnel passed through Golmud after a brief stopover in Chongqing."
Cheng Tianbi's expression froze momentarily before returning to normal.
However, Zhuang Yao keenly caught this subtle, fleeting change in expression. He narrowed his eyes and added, "At that time, Chongqing had just acquired a stem cell research instrument from Japan and had invited several Beijing experts for a discussion. Among the invited individuals, two were part of that research team. So, they arrived in Chongqing first and stayed there for three days before heading to Golmud. Among the scientists accompanying them was a close friend of the old professor for many years, who secretly disclosed the purpose of their trip to Golmud, claiming they had discovered a tremendous new energy source, a 'great discovery capable of changing the entire world.' Although his words were vague, it was evident that the energy they discovered was the attributeless energy."
Cheng Tianbi said gravely, "This matter is definitely of the highest confidentiality. Even if the scientist privately disclosed it to the professor, what reason would he have to tell you?"
Zhuang Yao smiled faintly, "After the apocalypse, the research institute in Chongqing, which was at least aware of the cause of the earthquake, was no longer a secret. After all, many people knew about the research team's trip to Golmud. I believe they never anticipated such a serious incident would occur after their arrival in Golmud. They went with the intention of exploration, so they kept the purpose hidden but not their itinerary. They were there for a month, and then the major earthquake happened. It's hard not to make connections. However, for an outsider like me, it's still inconvenient to reveal this matter. That's why I implanted some suggestions in his mind, chatted with him for three hours, gradually lowering his guard, and managed to extract some information from him."
Cong Xia pondered, "Even if they went to Golmud to uncover non-attributable (attributeless) energy, it doesn't prove that it's related to the earthquake. Earthquakes cannot be artificially created."
"You're right, they cannot create earthquakes, but non-attributable energy can. Non-attributable energy can alter the genes of all species in a short period. What significance does a mere earthquake hold?"
Cong Xia contemplated, "If that's the case, could it be that they triggered the outbreak of non-attributable energy?" Suddenly, he recalled the ancient sigh he heard when he first entered the void of the Ancient Jade, the distant and ancient voice that said, "It awakened, it finally awakened."
What awakened? Could that voice be referring to the awakening of non-attributable energy?
Zhuang Yao replied, "Any form of energy can be detected, and the enormous energy detected by the research team should be the Puppet Jade. I speculate that the Puppet Jade is a container for storing non-attributable energy."
Tang Yanqiu had very limited information and found it somewhat confusing, but he still managed to grasp some important details.
Cong Xia murmured, "So, the outbreak of the earthquake is related to the discovery of the Puppet Jade."
"Yes, it must be related," Zhuang Yao affirmed.
Liu Fengyu suddenly asked, "Do we have any news about that research team?"
Zhuang Yao shook his head, "I don't know about that. If the members of the research team never left Golmud, they should have either died in the earthquake or been hunted down by mutated creatures. No one can imagine the current state of Qinghai Province, which was the epicenter of the disaster and has turned into a hellish place."
Tang Yanqiu smiled bitterly and said, "I don't quite understand what you're all talking about."
Cong Xia spoke gently, "Don't worry, later I'll explain it to you with the help of Liu ge."
Liu Fengyu exclaimed, "Why should I explain? Just a seven-word advertising slogan from me costs two million."
Zhuang Yao gave him a disdainful look and replied, "Right now, you couldn't even give away two million on the street."
Cong Xia laughed and said, "Liu-ge, look, I need to take care of Tianbi, and Zhuang Yao must be busy with something. Only you are free."
"I'm not free. I want to sleep."
Cong Xia looked at him earnestly and said, "Liu-ge..."
Liu Fengyu impatiently interrupted: "Alright, I got it. It's annoying."
Tang Yanqiu wore an expression of helplessness.
Zhuang Yao said, "Anyway, we should find a way to obtain a piece of Puppet Jade. I believe that thing can provide answers to many questions."
Cong Xia responded, "Regarding that, we should carefully consider it. Zhao Jin, who hasn't even been strengthened with Puppet Jade, is already formidable. It's hard to imagine the strength of those who have been enhanced. Unless necessary, we don't want to take unnecessary risks."
Zhuang Yao stated, "I can't force you, but think about the fact that the absorbed energy might be used against us. I'll say it again, you're too naive. The day will come when you realize that you need to actively become stronger and engage in battles. I don't need to tell you; you'll also be willing to take risks. And I firmly believe that day isn't too far off. At the latest, when we arrive in Beijing, you'll have to face it. I hope by then you won't be so overly cautious, or else it will give me a headache."
Cong Xia sighed, "Let's discuss that later on the way. Right now, we should consider the aftermath of this place."
Cheng Tianbi asked, "Does the Ice Natural Force Evolver want to meet me alone or all of us?"
"He wants to meet you alone," Cong Xia replied, "but I refused. Your injuries haven't healed yet, and if anything happens to you, what will we do? So we'll go together."
Zhuang Yao nodded and added, "You two focus on recovering for the next couple of days. We'll go out of the city to find some energy bodies for Cong Xia to absorb. Once I gather some things from the research institute, we'll leave as soon as possible."
Cong Xia added, "By the way, I haven't told you yet, but I sensed my own energy core. Now I can cultivate on my own, although it's slow, it's still my own progress."
Zhuang Yao's eyes brightened and said, "That's great." He looked at Tang Yanqiu and said to Liu Fengyu, "Let him handle his cultivation. Instead of lying around doing nothing all day, it's better to become stronger."
Tang Yanqiu's eyes sparkled, "Cultivation? Becoming stronger?"
Liu Fengyu stood with his hands behind his back and said, "Enough with the questions. I'll teach you later."
Cong Xia said to Tang Yanqiu, "Xiao Tang, you must swear to keep today's conversation and everything Liu ge tells you confidential."
Tang Yanqiu solemnly replied, "I swear not to reveal a single word."
Zhuang Yao looked at his watch and stood up: "I still need to go to the research institute. Cong Xia, it's your responsibility to contact Chen Shao and arrange the meeting with Wu Yu. Let Chen Shao make the arrangements. But let Cheng Tianbi recover for a few days first."
"I understand."
After Zhuang Yao left, Cheng Tianbi looked at Tang Yanqiu and said, "Don't treat him like a child anymore. We all need to be cautious."
Tang Yanqiu let out a soft sigh but didn't say anything.
Cong Xia didn't want them to feel too awkward, so she said, "You must be tired after sitting for so long. Go rest."
Cheng Tianbi stood up and walked to his room.
Cong Xia had the people from the industrial park bring some fruits that the Qingyan Gang had sent over and sat by Cheng Tianbi's bedside, peeling an apple for him.
Cheng Tianbi lay on the bed, breathing steadily. His wounds had reopened, and the bandage revealed a vivid red color, which seemed particularly glaring to Cong Xia.
Cheng Tianbi wanted to lighten the mood and find a topic to relax, so he said, "It's been a while since I had an apple, right? They not only sent apples but also grapes and cantaloupes. I had them brought over. Eat a bit more."
Cheng Tianbi nodded gently and looked at Cong Xia with deep and bright eyes.
Cong Xia skewered a piece of apple with a toothpick and held it out to Cheng Tianbi's mouth. "Here."
Cheng Tianbi took a bite and said lightly, "Not bad."
Cong Xia smiled and said, "At least you showed some expression. It's a rare treat."
Cheng Tianbi looked up at the ceiling, silent for a while, before he spoke, "I'm a bit worried."
"About what Zhuang Yao mentioned?" Cong Xia glanced at the camera, subconsciously lowering her voice.
"Yes, like he said, what he can think of, the cerebral domain evolvers in Beijing can also think of."
Cong Xia spoke with a solemn tone, "I'm worried too. Actually, I'm a bit scared." He chuckled bitterly, "But fear is the least valuable thing."
Cheng Tianbi whispered, "If we reach Beijing and can't live a peaceful life of hunting and farming..."
Cong Xia was taken aback. He had only fantasized about it yesterday and didn't dare to have too much hope. After all, in this ruthless disaster, hope was the thing that had been destroyed the most.
He didn't expect Cheng Tianbi to still remember.
A warmth filled Cong Xia's heart, and he softly said, "If it's possible, I truly wish we could live so peacefully. But I'm also mentally prepared for other possibilities, including what Zhuang Yao mentioned."
Cheng Tianbi nodded, "That's good."
Cong Xia sensed a hint of indescribable world-weariness in his tone, which didn't match Cheng Tianbi's youthful appearance.
They chatted for a while, but due to the presence of the camera, they couldn't say much. After eating some fruit, Cong Xia yawned.
Cheng Tianbi asked, "Tired?"
"Oh, not too much."
"Come and rest for a while." Cheng Tianbi gently shifted to make room.
Cong Xia hesitated for a moment, his face immediately turning slightly red. "Here... here?"
Cheng Tianbi calmly looked at him and said, "Yes."
Cong Xia suddenly remembered that throughout their journey, they had always shared the same bed, starting from the farmhouse where they encountered the monkey, to Zhuang Yao's villa. In order to save resources, they ate and slept together.
But now, why did he feel embarrassed?
Cong Xia felt somewhat remorseful due to his own wandering thoughts. He took off his shoes, climbed onto the bed, and lay down next to Cheng Tianbi.
There was a faint medicinal smell on Cheng Tianbi's body, but it didn't hinder Cong Xia's enjoyment of being close to him. The scent filled his nostrils, and whenever he was beside Cheng Tianbi, he always felt a strange sense of peace, even amidst the brutal battlefield.
What else could he do? What other way could he find to get closer to Cheng Tianbi? He didn't know what he should do. There was a longing deep inside him, both exhilarating and fearful. He wanted to touch Cheng Tianbi, really wanted to, as if it could alleviate some of the yearning in his heart.
But he didn't dare. He couldn't come up with a reasonable excuse to inexplicably touch another man. If Cheng Tianbi was repulsed, he would feel even more frustrated. So, he could only pretend to stretch his body unintentionally, pressing his thigh against Cheng Tianbi's leg, feeling Cheng Tianbi's warmth through their clothes.
That should be enough.
Cheng Tianbi closed his eyes, but his mind was in turmoil. He was a sniper, and he should remain calm in any dangerous and complex situation. How could he not calm down just because someone was lying next to him? There was a restless fire burning inside him, ignited by the contact between their bodies, making him feel agitated.
When did his mental fortitude become so easily shaken?
Cong Xia... What exactly was going on with him?
Neither of them moved, maintaining a nearly rigid posture, afraid to make even the slightest movement that could disturb the delicate balance. It wasn't until Cheng Tianbi became too tired from his injuries and gradually fell asleep.
After a long time, Cong Xia finally dared to move slightly. He turned to the side and gazed with fascination at Cheng Tianbi's chiseled profile. His handsome and rugged facial features were truly a masterpiece. With a mix of anticipation and unease, Cong Xia quietly reached out, like the nervousness he felt when he first sneakily watched an adult film as a child, and gently touched Cheng Tianbi's prominent nose bridge.
After touching, he withdrew his hand satisfied, holding the antique jade in his embrace, and quietly immersed himself in cultivation.
The next day, a middle-aged nurse came to change Cheng Tianbi and Tang Yanqiu's dressings. After supervising her work, Cong Xia and Liu Fengyu left the hotel and headed to the city center to meet Zhuang Yao.
Today, they were going out of the city to hunt. After waiting for a while, Zhuang Yao and Abu arrived.
Abu seemed to have taken a bath, with shiny and smooth fur. Its long and soft fur fluttered in the wind, making it look like a noble little prince—extremely beautiful.
Everyone in the city center was drawn to the gaze of this beautiful, over seven-meter-tall cat. With a mixture of fear and curiosity, they observed it.
Abu walked up to the two of them, lowered its head, and gently glanced at them. Its large violet eyes, almost as big as a human face, were like perfectly translucent amethysts.
Cong Xia touched Abu's face and smiled, "Abu, did you take a bath? You smell so good."
Among the group, besides Zhuang Yao, Abu was closest to Cong Xia because he had treated it several times. Abu rubbed against him, seeming more affectionate after not seeing him for a few days.
Cong Xia almost fell to the ground from its nudge.
Zhuang Yao called out, "Come up."
The two grabbed Abu's tail and jumped onto its back.
Zhuang Yao handed a map to Cong Xia. "This is a map I got from the research institute. It marks several hunting spots where mutant animals often appear. Actually, this map is meant to warn hunters not to enter these areas, but it can serve as our navigation."
"This one is relatively close, about two kilometers away. Let's go there," Cong Xia pointed to a red dot on the map.
"No, it's too close. There's a higher chance of interference. Abu is fast, so let's go to a more distant location."
Cong Xia thought for a moment and agreed. When they first left Kunming, they couldn't find any prey, so they forced the owner of the mutated Border Collie to take them hunting. If they hunted too close to populated areas and were spotted by hunters, they would surely be disturbed.
Zhuang Yao patted Abu and said, "Let's go!"
Abu jumped up and ran towards the outskirts of the city.
Carrying the three of them, it galloped along the way. People on the road were shocked and hurriedly dodged, but Abu's reactions were much faster than theirs. It never stepped on anyone and effortlessly leaped through the complex terrain of the city. They soon left the city behind.
They arrived at the designated location marked on the map. Abu sniffed the scent of the mutant animals along the way and quickly found a wild buffalo. It wasn't very large, only a little over two meters tall. Seeing this creature, which was only twice the size of pre-apocalyptic animals, Cong Xia already felt it was "too small."
The wild buffalo spotted Abu and turned to run.
Abu chased after the wild buffalo like a gust of wind. Every day, Abu needed to hunt for its own food. Its hunting skills had gradually strengthened through daily practice, reaching a level of perfection. Whenever Zhuang Yao had spare time, he would train Abu to hunt like a lion or tiger. After all, they were all members of the cat family. Abu was now much more formidable than most lions and tigers. It didn't take long for Abu to pounce on the buffalo, fiercely biting its neck.
The buffalo struggled on the ground for a while before finally succumbing.
The three of them slid down from Abu's back. After Cong Xia absorbed the energy, they sat aside and let Abu have its meal.
Zhuang Yao asked, "How was it? Was it too little?"
Cong Xia disappointingly nodded and answered, "Very little."
"Something is better than nothing. Let's keep looking."
After Abu finished eating, they continued to search for prey nearby. Throughout the day, they found four more mutant animals. On their way back, they even deliberately went to the hunting areas where the hunters usually went. They managed to salvage two carcasses, but due to the long time since their deaths, there was very little energy left. By the end of the day, Cong Xia had collected a decent amount of energy, enough to aid their healing to some extent.
Upon returning to the hotel, Cong Xia couldn't wait to transfer the energy into Cheng Tianbi and Tang Yanqiu's bodies. Tang Yanqiu's injuries were less severe, and with Cong Xia treating him continuously over the past few days, his recovery was relatively good. He could now get out of bed and move around with a cane.
Liu Fengyu continued to teach him about cultivation matters. Cong Xia and Zhuang Yao went to Cheng Tianbi's room. Cong Xia wanted Zhuang Yao to remove the surveillance camera. He said, "I'll be present whenever Tianbi needs a dressing change. I can keep an eye on him."
Zhuang Yao looked at the camera and said, "Just in case, let's leave it for now. People from the research institute and Qingyan Gang have come to see him a few times. They know there's a camera, so at least they will restrain themselves."
Cong Xia sighed. With a surveillance camera hanging overhead, it was not only uncomfortable for him but also made Cheng Tianbi feel uneasy. Although Cheng Tianbi didn't complain, both of them had to be vigilant and cautious during their conversations. It was troublesome.
At that moment, a knock on the door was heard from outside.
"Who is it?"
"Hello, Mr. Xia." A soft and beautiful voice came from outside the door.
It was the long-haired woman from the Qingyan Gang.
Cong Xia opened the door, and indeed, it was her. She smiled gently and said, "Chen Shao asked me to find you."
Cong Xia pondered for a moment and said, "Please come in."
She walked in and glanced at Cheng Tianbi, asking with concern, "How are you feeling? Are you getting better?"
Cheng Tianbi treated her as if she were invisible, showing no response.
She didn't seem to feel embarrassed at all, probably used to it by now. She smiled and asked Cong Xia, "Mr. Xia, I wonder what your response was to Chen Shao's proposal last time?"
"We'll do as he said, but if we meet this Wu Yu, we'll go together. There's no way we'll let him go alone."
"Don't worry, even if you agree, Chen Shao won't agree. Chen Shao asked me to inquire about your availability. We're concerned that Wu Yu might come uninvited, so it's better for us to take the initiative to help you arrange things."
"Let's wait until Tianbi's injury is better. He'll need at least a week to move freely."
"Okay, then one week later."
After she left, Zhuang Yao said, "I'm going to the research institute. I need to make some preparations."
"What preparations?"
"To investigate Wu Yu. I have a feeling that this person is not as simple as Chen Shao described."
After Zhuang Yao left, Cong Xia and Cheng Tianbi talked for a while before quietly focusing on their respective cultivation. They were now using almost all of their spare time to diligently cultivate energy cores. If they wanted to protect the people they cared about from harm, they had to become stronger, stronger, and even stronger!
During this week, they hunted around during the day, relying on absorbing a little energy to treat their injuries. At night, Zhuang Yao stayed at the research institute, while the other four practiced cultivation at the hotel. Zhuang Yao's theory of energy extraction had instilled a tremendous sense of crisis in each of them. They still held onto their humanity and had never considered killing their own kind to absorb energy and grow stronger. However, if they weren't strong enough, they would become food for others. Thus, becoming stronger was their only choice.
Seven days later, Tang Yanqiu's injuries had mostly healed. The doctor who treated him was surprised but didn't suspect anything. After all, in the apocalypse, all sorts of strange things happened, and quick healing of wounds was not uncommon. It was likely related to their medication and Tang Yanqiu's identity as an evolver. Cheng Tianbi's injuries had also improved significantly. Although his complexion wasn't great due to frequent overnight cultivation, he still appeared energetic.
On the other hand, Cong Xia and Zhuang Yao had relatively poor physical conditions. After long periods of staying up late, they felt a bit listless. Cheng Tianbi looked at Cong Xia's dark circles and felt uncomfortable, but he couldn't stop him. He could only recover quickly so they could leave this tense life as soon as possible.
The meeting with Wu Yu was arranged at a restaurant in the city center.
It was the only restaurant still operating in this large mountain city, under the jurisdiction of the Qingyan Gang. It wasn't big in size, but it provided fresh meat products, vegetables, and fruits every day. Only high-ranking mutants could afford to dine there.
The restaurant was located at a three-way intersection, boasting a highly advantageous geographic position. It used to be a renowned upscale establishment in Chongqing. At this moment, news of their meeting at the restaurant had spread throughout the entire mountain city. Many nearby residents gathered on both sides of the road, eagerly waiting to see who could come to Chongqing and kill Zhao Jin, the leader of the Hongwei Gang, and to witness the elusive figure of Wu Yu, who was rarely seen.
Among these onlookers, there were quite a few formidable mutants and scattered forces. Since the apocalypse, the group led by Cong Xia had never seen so many humans. Both sides of the three roads were filled with people, giving off an atmosphere of welcome. However, the inquisitive expressions on their faces made one feel uncomfortable.
Fortunately, Abu was so tall that many people couldn't see them and could only look up at this incredibly beautiful large cat.
Abu carried the five individuals and slowly walked from one end of the three-way intersection, while Chen Shao sat in a carriage with several subordinates and walked from the other end. The carriage included a tall and thin man and a woman with long hair. On the other road, a man walked alone.
He was a tall and imposing man, with a face that exuded a strong masculine charm. His features were not particularly delicate, but they were very captivating. He was dressed in plain clothes, even slightly worn-out compared to Chen Shao's group. His expression remained calm, unaffected by the countless pairs of eyes staring at him. He walked confidently with his hands behind his back.
When Abu approached, Wu Yu suddenly lifted his head, his sharp gaze fixed on Abu.
Behind Abu, Cheng Tianbi revealed his head and calmly looked at Wu Yu.
The gaze of the two met in the air, each sensing the powerful energy fluctuations from the other. It was a silent confrontation between two strong individuals, as if any moment could ignite a clash.
71 Cambrian Consciousness
Zhuang Yao glanced at them and said, "If we were to face such a situation when we arrive in Beijing, we must make early preparations. Because every person here could potentially become someone else's source of energy. Simply keeping to ourselves won't guarantee our safety."
Tang Yanqiu's face turned pale as he sighed, "It's too dangerous."
"Next, I'm going to share my second major discovery," Zhuang Yao said. "It's about a major earthquake."
Everyone turned their gaze towards him.
Zhuang Yao continued, "The old professor told me that about a month before the earthquake occurred, a scientific research team composed of Beijing researchers and military personnel passed through Golmud after a brief stopover in Chongqing."
Cheng Tianbi's expression froze momentarily before returning to normal.
However, Zhuang Yao keenly caught this subtle, fleeting change in expression. He narrowed his eyes and added, "At that time, Chongqing had just acquired a stem cell research instrument from Japan and had invited several Beijing experts for a discussion. Among the invited individuals, two were part of that research team. So, they arrived in Chongqing first and stayed there for three days before heading to Golmud. Among the scientists accompanying them was a close friend of the old professor for many years, who secretly disclosed the purpose of their trip to Golmud, claiming they had discovered a tremendous new energy source, a 'great discovery capable of changing the entire world.' Although his words were vague, it was evident that the energy they discovered was the attributeless energy."
Cheng Tianbi said gravely, "This matter is definitely of the highest confidentiality. Even if the scientist privately disclosed it to the professor, what reason would he have to tell you?"
Zhuang Yao smiled faintly, "After the apocalypse, the research institute in Chongqing, which was at least aware of the cause of the earthquake, was no longer a secret. After all, many people knew about the research team's trip to Golmud. I believe they never anticipated such a serious incident would occur after their arrival in Golmud. They went with the intention of exploration, so they kept the purpose hidden but not their itinerary. They were there for a month, and then the major earthquake happened. It's hard not to make connections. However, for an outsider like me, it's still inconvenient to reveal this matter. That's why I implanted some suggestions in his mind, chatted with him for three hours, gradually lowering his guard, and managed to extract some information from him."
Cong Xia pondered, "Even if they went to Golmud to uncover non-attributable (attributeless) energy, it doesn't prove that it's related to the earthquake. Earthquakes cannot be artificially created."
"You're right, they cannot create earthquakes, but non-attributable energy can. Non-attributable energy can alter the genes of all species in a short period. What significance does a mere earthquake hold?"
Cong Xia contemplated, "If that's the case, could it be that they triggered the outbreak of non-attributable energy?" Suddenly, he recalled the ancient sigh he heard when he first entered the void of the Ancient Jade, the distant and ancient voice that said, "It awakened, it finally awakened."
What awakened? Could that voice be referring to the awakening of non-attributable energy?
Zhuang Yao replied, "Any form of energy can be detected, and the enormous energy detected by the research team should be the Puppet Jade. I speculate that the Puppet Jade is a container for storing non-attributable energy."
Tang Yanqiu had very limited information and found it somewhat confusing, but he still managed to grasp some important details.
Cong Xia murmured, "So, the outbreak of the earthquake is related to the discovery of the Puppet Jade."
"Yes, it must be related," Zhuang Yao affirmed.
Liu Fengyu suddenly asked, "Do we have any news about that research team?"
Zhuang Yao shook his head, "I don't know about that. If the members of the research team never left Golmud, they should have either died in the earthquake or been hunted down by mutated creatures. No one can imagine the current state of Qinghai Province, which was the epicenter of the disaster and has turned into a hellish place."
Tang Yanqiu smiled bitterly and said, "I don't quite understand what you're all talking about."
Cong Xia spoke gently, "Don't worry, later I'll explain it to you with the help of Liu ge."
Liu Fengyu exclaimed, "Why should I explain? Just a seven-word advertising slogan from me costs two million."
Zhuang Yao gave him a disdainful look and replied, "Right now, you couldn't even give away two million on the street."
Cong Xia laughed and said, "Liu-ge, look, I need to take care of Tianbi, and Zhuang Yao must be busy with something. Only you are free."
"I'm not free. I want to sleep."
Cong Xia looked at him earnestly and said, "Liu-ge..."
Liu Fengyu impatiently interrupted: "Alright, I got it. It's annoying."
Tang Yanqiu wore an expression of helplessness.
Zhuang Yao said, "Anyway, we should find a way to obtain a piece of Puppet Jade. I believe that thing can provide answers to many questions."
Cong Xia responded, "Regarding that, we should carefully consider it. Zhao Jin, who hasn't even been strengthened with Puppet Jade, is already formidable. It's hard to imagine the strength of those who have been enhanced. Unless necessary, we don't want to take unnecessary risks."
Zhuang Yao stated, "I can't force you, but think about the fact that the absorbed energy might be used against us. I'll say it again, you're too naive. The day will come when you realize that you need to actively become stronger and engage in battles. I don't need to tell you; you'll also be willing to take risks. And I firmly believe that day isn't too far off. At the latest, when we arrive in Beijing, you'll have to face it. I hope by then you won't be so overly cautious, or else it will give me a headache."
Cong Xia sighed, "Let's discuss that later on the way. Right now, we should consider the aftermath of this place."
Cheng Tianbi asked, "Does the Ice Natural Force Evolver want to meet me alone or all of us?"
"He wants to meet you alone," Cong Xia replied, "but I refused. Your injuries haven't healed yet, and if anything happens to you, what will we do? So we'll go together."
Zhuang Yao nodded and added, "You two focus on recovering for the next couple of days. We'll go out of the city to find some energy bodies for Cong Xia to absorb. Once I gather some things from the research institute, we'll leave as soon as possible."
Cong Xia added, "By the way, I haven't told you yet, but I sensed my own energy core. Now I can cultivate on my own, although it's slow, it's still my own progress."
Zhuang Yao's eyes brightened and said, "That's great." He looked at Tang Yanqiu and said to Liu Fengyu, "Let him handle his cultivation. Instead of lying around doing nothing all day, it's better to become stronger."
Tang Yanqiu's eyes sparkled, "Cultivation? Becoming stronger?"
Liu Fengyu stood with his hands behind his back and said, "Enough with the questions. I'll teach you later."
Cong Xia said to Tang Yanqiu, "Xiao Tang, you must swear to keep today's conversation and everything Liu ge tells you confidential."
Tang Yanqiu solemnly replied, "I swear not to reveal a single word."
Zhuang Yao looked at his watch and stood up: "I still need to go to the research institute. Cong Xia, it's your responsibility to contact Chen Shao and arrange the meeting with Wu Yu. Let Chen Shao make the arrangements. But let Cheng Tianbi recover for a few days first."
"I understand."
After Zhuang Yao left, Cheng Tianbi looked at Tang Yanqiu and said, "Don't treat him like a child anymore. We all need to be cautious."
Tang Yanqiu let out a soft sigh but didn't say anything.
Cong Xia didn't want them to feel too awkward, so she said, "You must be tired after sitting for so long. Go rest."
Cheng Tianbi stood up and walked to his room.
Cong Xia had the people from the industrial park bring some fruits that the Qingyan Gang had sent over and sat by Cheng Tianbi's bedside, peeling an apple for him.
Cheng Tianbi lay on the bed, breathing steadily. His wounds had reopened, and the bandage revealed a vivid red color, which seemed particularly glaring to Cong Xia.
Cheng Tianbi wanted to lighten the mood and find a topic to relax, so he said, "It's been a while since I had an apple, right? They not only sent apples but also grapes and cantaloupes. I had them brought over. Eat a bit more."
Cheng Tianbi nodded gently and looked at Cong Xia with deep and bright eyes.
Cong Xia skewered a piece of apple with a toothpick and held it out to Cheng Tianbi's mouth. "Here."
Cheng Tianbi took a bite and said lightly, "Not bad."
Cong Xia smiled and said, "At least you showed some expression. It's a rare treat."
Cheng Tianbi looked up at the ceiling, silent for a while, before he spoke, "I'm a bit worried."
"About what Zhuang Yao mentioned?" Cong Xia glanced at the camera, subconsciously lowering her voice.
"Yes, like he said, what he can think of, the cerebral domain evolvers in Beijing can also think of."
Cong Xia spoke with a solemn tone, "I'm worried too. Actually, I'm a bit scared." He chuckled bitterly, "But fear is the least valuable thing."
Cheng Tianbi whispered, "If we reach Beijing and can't live a peaceful life of hunting and farming..."
Cong Xia was taken aback. He had only fantasized about it yesterday and didn't dare to have too much hope. After all, in this ruthless disaster, hope was the thing that had been destroyed the most.
He didn't expect Cheng Tianbi to still remember.
A warmth filled Cong Xia's heart, and he softly said, "If it's possible, I truly wish we could live so peacefully. But I'm also mentally prepared for other possibilities, including what Zhuang Yao mentioned."
Cheng Tianbi nodded, "That's good."
Cong Xia sensed a hint of indescribable world-weariness in his tone, which didn't match Cheng Tianbi's youthful appearance.
They chatted for a while, but due to the presence of the camera, they couldn't say much. After eating some fruit, Cong Xia yawned.
Cheng Tianbi asked, "Tired?"
"Oh, not too much."
"Come and rest for a while." Cheng Tianbi gently shifted to make room.
Cong Xia hesitated for a moment, his face immediately turning slightly red. "Here... here?"
Cheng Tianbi calmly looked at him and said, "Yes."
Cong Xia suddenly remembered that throughout their journey, they had always shared the same bed, starting from the farmhouse where they encountered the monkey, to Zhuang Yao's villa. In order to save resources, they ate and slept together.
But now, why did he feel embarrassed?
Cong Xia felt somewhat remorseful due to his own wandering thoughts. He took off his shoes, climbed onto the bed, and lay down next to Cheng Tianbi.
There was a faint medicinal smell on Cheng Tianbi's body, but it didn't hinder Cong Xia's enjoyment of being close to him. The scent filled his nostrils, and whenever he was beside Cheng Tianbi, he always felt a strange sense of peace, even amidst the brutal battlefield.
What else could he do? What other way could he find to get closer to Cheng Tianbi? He didn't know what he should do. There was a longing deep inside him, both exhilarating and fearful. He wanted to touch Cheng Tianbi, really wanted to, as if it could alleviate some of the yearning in his heart.
But he didn't dare. He couldn't come up with a reasonable excuse to inexplicably touch another man. If Cheng Tianbi was repulsed, he would feel even more frustrated. So, he could only pretend to stretch his body unintentionally, pressing his thigh against Cheng Tianbi's leg, feeling Cheng Tianbi's warmth through their clothes.
That should be enough.
Cheng Tianbi closed his eyes, but his mind was in turmoil. He was a sniper, and he should remain calm in any dangerous and complex situation. How could he not calm down just because someone was lying next to him? There was a restless fire burning inside him, ignited by the contact between their bodies, making him feel agitated.
When did his mental fortitude become so easily shaken?
Cong Xia... What exactly was going on with him?
Neither of them moved, maintaining a nearly rigid posture, afraid to make even the slightest movement that could disturb the delicate balance. It wasn't until Cheng Tianbi became too tired from his injuries and gradually fell asleep.
After a long time, Cong Xia finally dared to move slightly. He turned to the side and gazed with fascination at Cheng Tianbi's chiseled profile. His handsome and rugged facial features were truly a masterpiece. With a mix of anticipation and unease, Cong Xia quietly reached out, like the nervousness he felt when he first sneakily watched an adult film as a child, and gently touched Cheng Tianbi's prominent nose bridge.
After touching, he withdrew his hand satisfied, holding the antique jade in his embrace, and quietly immersed himself in cultivation.
The next day, a middle-aged nurse came to change Cheng Tianbi and Tang Yanqiu's dressings. After supervising her work, Cong Xia and Liu Fengyu left the hotel and headed to the city center to meet Zhuang Yao.
Today, they were going out of the city to hunt. After waiting for a while, Zhuang Yao and Abu arrived.
Abu seemed to have taken a bath, with shiny and smooth fur. Its long and soft fur fluttered in the wind, making it look like a noble little prince—extremely beautiful.
Everyone in the city center was drawn to the gaze of this beautiful, over seven-meter-tall cat. With a mixture of fear and curiosity, they observed it.
Abu walked up to the two of them, lowered its head, and gently glanced at them. Its large violet eyes, almost as big as a human face, were like perfectly translucent amethysts.
Cong Xia touched Abu's face and smiled, "Abu, did you take a bath? You smell so good."
Among the group, besides Zhuang Yao, Abu was closest to Cong Xia because he had treated it several times. Abu rubbed against him, seeming more affectionate after not seeing him for a few days.
Cong Xia almost fell to the ground from its nudge.
Zhuang Yao called out, "Come up."
The two grabbed Abu's tail and jumped onto its back.
Zhuang Yao handed a map to Cong Xia. "This is a map I got from the research institute. It marks several hunting spots where mutant animals often appear. Actually, this map is meant to warn hunters not to enter these areas, but it can serve as our navigation."
"This one is relatively close, about two kilometers away. Let's go there," Cong Xia pointed to a red dot on the map.
"No, it's too close. There's a higher chance of interference. Abu is fast, so let's go to a more distant location."
Cong Xia thought for a moment and agreed. When they first left Kunming, they couldn't find any prey, so they forced the owner of the mutated Border Collie to take them hunting. If they hunted too close to populated areas and were spotted by hunters, they would surely be disturbed.
Zhuang Yao patted Abu and said, "Let's go!"
Abu jumped up and ran towards the outskirts of the city.
Carrying the three of them, it galloped along the way. People on the road were shocked and hurriedly dodged, but Abu's reactions were much faster than theirs. It never stepped on anyone and effortlessly leaped through the complex terrain of the city. They soon left the city behind.
They arrived at the designated location marked on the map. Abu sniffed the scent of the mutant animals along the way and quickly found a wild buffalo. It wasn't very large, only a little over two meters tall. Seeing this creature, which was only twice the size of pre-apocalyptic animals, Cong Xia already felt it was "too small."
The wild buffalo spotted Abu and turned to run.
Abu chased after the wild buffalo like a gust of wind. Every day, Abu needed to hunt for its own food. Its hunting skills had gradually strengthened through daily practice, reaching a level of perfection. Whenever Zhuang Yao had spare time, he would train Abu to hunt like a lion or tiger. After all, they were all members of the cat family. Abu was now much more formidable than most lions and tigers. It didn't take long for Abu to pounce on the buffalo, fiercely biting its neck.
The buffalo struggled on the ground for a while before finally succumbing.
The three of them slid down from Abu's back. After Cong Xia absorbed the energy, they sat aside and let Abu have its meal.
Zhuang Yao asked, "How was it? Was it too little?"
Cong Xia disappointingly nodded and answered, "Very little."
"Something is better than nothing. Let's keep looking."
After Abu finished eating, they continued to search for prey nearby. Throughout the day, they found four more mutant animals. On their way back, they even deliberately went to the hunting areas where the hunters usually went. They managed to salvage two carcasses, but due to the long time since their deaths, there was very little energy left. By the end of the day, Cong Xia had collected a decent amount of energy, enough to aid their healing to some extent.
Upon returning to the hotel, Cong Xia couldn't wait to transfer the energy into Cheng Tianbi and Tang Yanqiu's bodies. Tang Yanqiu's injuries were less severe, and with Cong Xia treating him continuously over the past few days, his recovery was relatively good. He could now get out of bed and move around with a cane.
Liu Fengyu continued to teach him about cultivation matters. Cong Xia and Zhuang Yao went to Cheng Tianbi's room. Cong Xia wanted Zhuang Yao to remove the surveillance camera. He said, "I'll be present whenever Tianbi needs a dressing change. I can keep an eye on him."
Zhuang Yao looked at the camera and said, "Just in case, let's leave it for now. People from the research institute and Qingyan Gang have come to see him a few times. They know there's a camera, so at least they will restrain themselves."
Cong Xia sighed. With a surveillance camera hanging overhead, it was not only uncomfortable for him but also made Cheng Tianbi feel uneasy. Although Cheng Tianbi didn't complain, both of them had to be vigilant and cautious during their conversations. It was troublesome.
At that moment, a knock on the door was heard from outside.
"Who is it?"
"Hello, Mr. Xia." A soft and beautiful voice came from outside the door.
It was the long-haired woman from the Qingyan Gang.
Cong Xia opened the door, and indeed, it was her. She smiled gently and said, "Chen Shao asked me to find you."
Cong Xia pondered for a moment and said, "Please come in."
She walked in and glanced at Cheng Tianbi, asking with concern, "How are you feeling? Are you getting better?"
Cheng Tianbi treated her as if she were invisible, showing no response.
She didn't seem to feel embarrassed at all, probably used to it by now. She smiled and asked Cong Xia, "Mr. Xia, I wonder what your response was to Chen Shao's proposal last time?"
"We'll do as he said, but if we meet this Wu Yu, we'll go together. There's no way we'll let him go alone."
"Don't worry, even if you agree, Chen Shao won't agree. Chen Shao asked me to inquire about your availability. We're concerned that Wu Yu might come uninvited, so it's better for us to take the initiative to help you arrange things."
"Let's wait until Tianbi's injury is better. He'll need at least a week to move freely."
"Okay, then one week later."
After she left, Zhuang Yao said, "I'm going to the research institute. I need to make some preparations."
"What preparations?"
"To investigate Wu Yu. I have a feeling that this person is not as simple as Chen Shao described."
After Zhuang Yao left, Cong Xia and Cheng Tianbi talked for a while before quietly focusing on their respective cultivation. They were now using almost all of their spare time to diligently cultivate energy cores. If they wanted to protect the people they cared about from harm, they had to become stronger, stronger, and even stronger!
During this week, they hunted around during the day, relying on absorbing a little energy to treat their injuries. At night, Zhuang Yao stayed at the research institute, while the other four practiced cultivation at the hotel. Zhuang Yao's theory of energy extraction had instilled a tremendous sense of crisis in each of them. They still held onto their humanity and had never considered killing their own kind to absorb energy and grow stronger. However, if they weren't strong enough, they would become food for others. Thus, becoming stronger was their only choice.
Seven days later, Tang Yanqiu's injuries had mostly healed. The doctor who treated him was surprised but didn't suspect anything. After all, in the apocalypse, all sorts of strange things happened, and quick healing of wounds was not uncommon. It was likely related to their medication and Tang Yanqiu's identity as an evolver. Cheng Tianbi's injuries had also improved significantly. Although his complexion wasn't great due to frequent overnight cultivation, he still appeared energetic.
On the other hand, Cong Xia and Zhuang Yao had relatively poor physical conditions. After long periods of staying up late, they felt a bit listless. Cheng Tianbi looked at Cong Xia's dark circles and felt uncomfortable, but he couldn't stop him. He could only recover quickly so they could leave this tense life as soon as possible.
The meeting with Wu Yu was arranged at a restaurant in the city center.
It was the only restaurant still operating in this large mountain city, under the jurisdiction of the Qingyan Gang. It wasn't big in size, but it provided fresh meat products, vegetables, and fruits every day. Only high-ranking mutants could afford to dine there.
The restaurant was located at a three-way intersection, boasting a highly advantageous geographic position. It used to be a renowned upscale establishment in Chongqing. At this moment, news of their meeting at the restaurant had spread throughout the entire mountain city. Many nearby residents gathered on both sides of the road, eagerly waiting to see who could come to Chongqing and kill Zhao Jin, the leader of the Hongwei Gang, and to witness the elusive figure of Wu Yu, who was rarely seen.
Among these onlookers, there were quite a few formidable mutants and scattered forces. Since the apocalypse, the group led by Cong Xia had never seen so many humans. Both sides of the three roads were filled with people, giving off an atmosphere of welcome. However, the inquisitive expressions on their faces made one feel uncomfortable.
Fortunately, Abu was so tall that many people couldn't see them and could only look up at this incredibly beautiful large cat.
Abu carried the five individuals and slowly walked from one end of the three-way intersection, while Chen Shao sat in a carriage with several subordinates and walked from the other end. The carriage included a tall and thin man and a woman with long hair. On the other road, a man walked alone.
He was a tall and imposing man, with a face that exuded a strong masculine charm. His features were not particularly delicate, but they were very captivating. He was dressed in plain clothes, even slightly worn-out compared to Chen Shao's group. His expression remained calm, unaffected by the countless pairs of eyes staring at him. He walked confidently with his hands behind his back.
When Abu approached, Wu Yu suddenly lifted his head, his sharp gaze fixed on Abu.
Behind Abu, Cheng Tianbi revealed his head and calmly looked at Wu Yu.
The gaze of the two met in the air, each sensing the powerful energy fluctuations from the other. It was a silent confrontation between two strong individuals, as if any moment could ignite a clash.
