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37 Global Evolution
After resting for an hour, the three of them prepared to set off again. Their destination was a large supermarket where they hoped to find bicycles, condiments, and some clean drinking water. Bottled water would be preferable, but it was likely that water had been cut off in Guiyang for a long time, and drinkable water was probably as scarce as food, already looted.
They quickly found a supermarket. Its outer walls were made of glass, lacking the concrete structure for plants to take root and grow on the inner walls. As a result, the supermarket was not covered by vegetation, allowing sunlight to shine through. Places with light always brought a sense of reassurance. They decided to go inside and search for what they needed.
The supermarket had been almost completely looted, with the floor littered with various food and liquid items whose colors were no longer discernible. Anything of even the slightest use had been taken.
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Liu Fengyu sighed, “These days, we’re living a life with real demands.”
Cong Xia smiled and said, “Liu Ge, we should be content. With this salt, we can use it sparingly and it can last for nearly half a year. But by that time, maybe we’ll already be in Beijing, and there might be something to eat there.”
Liu Fengyu shook his head, seemingly not holding much hope.
The three of them walked upstairs, intending to search for bicycles.
Suddenly, Liu Fengyu asked, “Xiao Xia, are your parents in Beijing?”
Cong Xia was taken aback and gave a bitter smile. “They passed away a long time ago, about ten years ago.”
Cheng Tianbi glanced at him. This was the first time they discussed family matters.
Liu Fengyu nodded and said, “Thinking about it now, maybe it’s a good thing.”
Cong Xia replied, “Not having to endure torment in this apocalyptic world, maybe it really is a good thing. What about you, Liu Ge? What about your parents?”
Pain filled Liu Fengyu’s eyes as he said, “I don’t know.”
These seemingly weightless words resonated deeply with many people.
No one knows the current situation of their distant relatives and friends. Are they alive or dead? Are they able to have a satisfying meal? Are they also worried sick about themselves? Since the moment the communication system collapsed, knowing the current status of loved ones became an unreachable dream. As they trek through mountains and cross waters towards distant destinations, they have no idea if, after enduring countless hardships, they will ever have the chance to see their loved ones again. Almost everyone has experienced this kind of pain.
Now, it is highly likely that they have bid farewell forever.
Cong Xia sighed lightly and looked at Cheng Tianbi. “Tianbi, what about you? Are your parents in Beijing?”
Cheng Tianbi replied expressionlessly, “He must be alive.”
Cong Xia was taken aback. The tone and expression of Cheng Tianbi clearly didn’t resemble those of a son who worries about his parents. Moreover, he referred to “he” instead of “they.”
Cong Xia didn’t dare to ask further. He thought that in this apocalyptic world, any secrets were insignificant, but after his inquiry about Cheng Tianbi was refused, he refrained from prying. If there comes a day when Cheng Tianbi trusts him enough to share, he will naturally do so, just as he trusts Cheng Tianbi completely.
Unfortunately, Cong Xia had self-awareness, but Liu Fengyu didn’t. In fact, Liu Fengyu had never shown understanding towards others in his words or actions; he had always been willful. He patted Cheng Tianbi on the shoulder and said, “Hey, aren’t you worried? Why are you so certain that he’s alive? Is it your father or mother?”
Cheng Tianbi glanced at him but didn’t respond.
Liu Fengyu curled his lips. “Such a mystery.”
Cong Xia changed the subject. “I saw a sign in the mall pointing that way. Let’s go and take a look.”
The bicycles and other fitness equipment were placed together in a specific area. When they approached, they found that besides some useless hula hoops and broken massage chairs that hadn’t been taken, everything else was gone.
They weren’t particularly disappointed. After all, they had already gotten used to it. Regardless, they had found half a bag of salt, so this trip wasn’t in vain.
Cheng Tianbi checked the time. “We still have two or three hours until sunset. Let’s search elsewhere.”
The three of them continued searching for a while and found a hardware store by the roadside. They managed to find two small bottles of diesel fuel. Their state resembled scavenging and treasure hunting, as they gleefully discovered useful items that others had overlooked.
As they passed by an abandoned hospital, Cong Xia suggested, “Should we go in and try our luck? Maybe we can find some alcohol and gauze or something. Although we haven’t had any external injuries recently, we can’t predict the future.”
Cheng Tianbi nodded. “Let’s get some.”
Just as the three of them were about to enter, they felt familiar energy fluctuations above their heads. A melodious voice rang out from the top floor of a four-story building beside them, “Hey, you don’t look hungry at all.”
They looked up and saw that giant, beautiful ragdoll cat standing next to them. The little boy who had deceived them into giving him a bag of sausages was lying on the cat’s head, looking down at them from above.
“F**k you, brat! Are you looking for trouble?” Liu Fengyu pointed at him and cursed.
The little boy sneered contemptuously, “You’re idiots and you’re going to die sooner or later.”
Liu Fengyu angrily retorted, “Who would have thought you brat would be such a bastard? If you have the guts, come down here.”
Cong Xia patted Liu Fengyu’s shoulder. “Liu Ge, let it go. Let’s go.”
Even if the boy did come down, there was nothing they could do. Not to mention, they might not be able to defeat the giant cat, and even if they could, would they really fight a child for a bag of sausages? They hadn’t reached that level of desperation yet.
Cheng Tianbi gave him a cold glance and turned to walk towards the hospital.
Liu Fengyu flipped him the middle finger and followed the other two towards the hospital.
“There’s nothing left in the hospital; going there would be pointless,” the little boy said, patting the cat’s head. The cat then leaped down and landed behind them.
The three of them turned back to face him cautiously.
The little boy smiled. “If you want good things, I can give them to you.”
Liu Fengyu waved his hand, and his slender arm instantly transformed into large petals, emitting a foul odor in the direction of the boy and the cat.
Previously, they were on the fourth floor, and Liu Fengyu couldn’t reach them. Now, he could finally vent his frustration a little.
The boy shouted, “Abu!”
The cat named “Abu” quickly jumped back, but its speed was evidently slower than the odor. The boy covered his nose abruptly, his face turning pale. Abu’s sense of smell was thousands of times more sensitive than that of humans, and it was suffering greatly. It vigorously shook its head, emitting an angry roar.
The cat’s cute meow didn’t match its enormous size.
Liu Fengyu pointed at them and laughed heartily. “Serves you right!”
Cong Xia couldn’t help but smile. “Liu Ge, let’s go.”
The little boy sneered, “Abu, attack!”
Suddenly, Abu leaped into the air and pounced towards them.
Cheng Tianbi swiftly turned around, his wind blade already materialized. Abu’s speed was too fast, and he didn’t even dare to blink.
Liu Fengyu spread out his arms with petal-like extensions, blocking them in front. Kinghua’s petals were not easy to deal with. The thick petals contained digestive fluid, and if anything dared to bite into them, it would be a sure death. But if they were slashed, they would have to endure the repulsive smell that could serve as a biological weapon. He wanted to see how this damn cat planned to deal with him.
However, Abu didn’t attack them. Instead, it swooped over their heads and landed in front of the hospital.
The little boy’s gaze was intense as he stared at Cheng Tianbi. “How interesting. Could you be a nature-controlled evolved human? Is it wind?”
Cong Xia furrowed his brows. “You seem to know quite a lot.” He became more and more convinced that this little boy was not ordinary. Who exactly was he?
The little boy smiled slightly. “Do you want to know how I shield energy? I can tell you now.”
None of the three said anything. This child was too mysterious, and they couldn’t figure out what he was up to.
The little boy chuckled. “Actually, I’m not a mutant at all. The energy fluctuation was simulated by a device I created. It’s a simple device.” He took out a black square box from his bag. “I studied Abu’s energy wavelength and used a modified small radar device to simulate a segment of it. Just flip the switch.” As the little boy flicked his finger, indeed, an energy fluctuation emanated from his direction, and it was the same wood energy as Abu’s. Initially, they thought the little boy was also a mutant with some form of wood energy, but it turned out to be the cat’s energy.
In theory, simulating or cloning energy waves was not difficult. Sound waves, radio waves, and other types of waves are commonly manipulated by humans. However, wood energy was a type of energy that only appeared in individuals on a large scale and in a concentrated manner after the apocalypse. The fact that this little boy was able to research and create such a device in such a short time was truly impressive.
The little boy tossed the black box over to them. “It’s for you.”
The three of them dared not catch it. Liu Fengyu gently caught it with his petals and confirmed that it was safe before taking it.
“Don’t worry, there’s no bomb,” the little boy smiled. “I’m Zhaung Yao. How about introducing yourselves?”
“No need,” Cheng Tianbi said. “Step aside, we want to enter the hospital.”
“I’ve already told you there’s nothing inside the hospital. I’ve been here before, and I’ve scavenged everything useful in this city.”
“Your credibility is too low,” Cheng Tianbi glanced at his watch. “We don’t have much time. Let me say it again, step aside.”
Zhaung Yao said, “What do you want? Alcohol? Medicines? I can give them to you. I have plenty.”
Cong Xia asked cautiously, “What are you planning?”
Giving them devices that simulate energy and offering medicines again, this little boy must be up to something.
“Of course, I’m asking for your help,” Zhaung Yao said.
“Let’s go,” Cheng Tianbi said.
The three turned around and started to walk away.
“Hey, I just want one thing. It’s in the movie theater over there, but there are dangerous things inside that I can’t handle alone. Please help me, and I’ll give you good things in return.”
Unfortunately, no one believed him. The three only wanted to find what they needed as quickly as possible and leave with the majority.
“Since you don’t believe me, I can exchange valuable information. Since I’m the one seeking help from you, there’s no such thing as a fair trade. I’ll reveal some information I know right now to show my sincerity in cooperation. How about that?”
Cong Xia paused in his steps. “What useful information do you know? Who exactly are you?”
Zhuang Yao flashed a beautiful smile. “I have a small satellite receiving station at home. It was there even before the apocalypse, and it has remained undamaged because of Abu. So, I can intercept distress signals sent by organizations like the Central Dispatch. Occasionally, I can also pick up the content of their information exchanges. How about it? Interested?”
The three of them were all shocked. If what Zhuang Yao said was true, he would undoubtedly have access to valuable information that even the highest commanders like the Chief of Staff didn’t know.
Cheng Tianbi said coldly, “How can we be sure that what you know is true?”
“Well, let me think. Let’s start with something simple. I know all the known ways in which mutants have mutated. I can tell you each one.”
Cong Xia’s eyes instantly lit up.
*****
Managing a Divine Beast Kindergarten in the Immortal Realm
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