PSW - Chapter 166

Chapter 166

"The infection that zombie gave you is very mild. It probably wanted to turn you into its own kind—beings who retain their consciousness," Zheng Yi explained with a smile. "However, I don't know much about the zombification process. Perhaps you can seek help from the Humanity's Light Shelter's research institute and the Dawn Research Institute. They've studied zombie blood and created awakening and enhancement serums, so they might be able to create an antidote based on data from your blood."

Research? The words "institute" and "research" made Xia Cheng inexplicably afraid, her mind immediately jumping to unpleasant human experiments. But as Zheng Yi had said, the zombification process was irreversible. Their only sliver of hope truly lay in research, and there was no telling if an antidote could be developed in time.

…Forget it, she thought. Hadn't they already resolved to die? If that was the case, there was nothing to be afraid of. If sacrificing themselves could help the institutes make some progress, it would be worth it, even if an antidote was only developed after their deaths. Xia Cheng clenched her fists, steadying her trembling hands. She sighed and said with a low laugh, "Yes, you're right. My brother and I will head to Humanity's Light later… I remember it's in Pujie? And where is the Dawn Research Institute?"

"The Dawn Research Institute is in Changping, but their Director has already set out for Pujie to exchange research findings with the Humanity's Light institute. If you hurry to Humanity's Light, you'll be able to meet the top minds from both sides," Yu Yinan explained thoughtfully.

"But before that, let's check in with Base Leader Feng," Zheng Yi said. Although killing the zombie hadn't taken much effort, Feng Shuxian didn't know that and was probably worried sick. Besides… with all the commotion and power she had just displayed, Feng Shuxian might have sensed something.

Moreover, since they were already here, and with the high-temperature period approaching, Zheng Yi planned to do something for Zhongshan—a reward for their devout monthly prayers.

Xia Cheng and Xia Sheng felt a mix of anxiety and a dazed feeling from the drastic ups and downs. But at this point, impatience was clearly the most useless emotion. Even if they teleported to Pujie instantly, a breakthrough wouldn't happen in just a few days. The Director from Changping was traveling to Pujie, and the journey alone would probably take a considerable amount of time…

It was better to start enjoying their final moments now. Once they were in Pujie, being studied, it was uncertain whether an antidote would even be found, and they definitely wouldn't have the freedom they had now.

Yu Yinan naturally had no objections. Seeing that Xia Cheng and Xia Sheng were also silent, she looked at Zheng Yi. She watched as Zheng Yi took out the modified car again, not using her miraculous teleportation ability this time, but instead inviting the Xia siblings to get in so they could all drive back to the Zhongshan base together.

So, is it limited by the number of people? Or perhaps the number of people is related to the energy consumption. Doesn't that mean the cost of teleporting with me is also very high? Yu Yinan mulled it over, then walked forward and opened the passenger door for Zheng Yi. She studied Zheng Yi's face carefully. Although Zheng Yi looked no different than before, a look of self-blame and heartache appeared on Yu Yinan's face. Lowering her voice so the siblings, who hadn't yet boarded, couldn't hear, she said seriously, "If you're not feeling well, you can take a nap in the passenger seat. I won't let them disturb you."

Zheng Yi chuckled lightly. "I took a Stamina Recovery Pill. It's no big deal, and I don't feel unwell." The consumption had been high, but even without the pill, she was far from being depleted. As for why she didn't teleport with more people… first, the Zhongshan base wasn't far from here at all; they could get there quickly by car. Second, teleporting with others not only doubled the energy cost but also required physical contact, which was too much trouble. She hadn't expected Yu Yinan to misunderstand.

But Yu Yinan just nodded, her expression still tinged with worry, though she didn't press the matter.

In that instant, Zheng Yi was suddenly struck with the impulse to kiss her. The unexpected thought brought a strange expression to Zheng Yi's face for a moment. She sat down in the passenger seat without another word, fastened her seatbelt, and closed her eyes to rest. She did a quick mental check on herself with her spiritual power and found no signs of Zero One pulling any tricks. Of course, with Zero One's abilities, it couldn't even hide its own thoughts from her, so how could it possibly manipulate her without her knowing?

…Perhaps she had been indulging herself too thoroughly lately, giving rise to such desires. Zheng Yi closed her eyes and sighed, but she felt no annoyance or regret. Her power had already reached a bottleneck. Her spiritual energy was still growing, but this body had a limit to the energy it could contain. She had to undergo a simple heavenly tribulation before she reached that limit. This was nothing to her. After all, she had started out as a cultivator in her day, and dealing with heavenly tribulations was second nature. However, a tribulation wasn't just a trial and a disaster; for a being like Her, it also served as a form of purification.

Zheng Yi slowly opened her eyes. She looked in the rearview mirror at the two siblings, their heads resting against each other, completely relaxed and fast asleep. Then her gaze shifted to Yu Yinan, who was focused on driving. It had not been her intention to get involved with such a sincere and earnest person. But she was truly accustomed to acting on a whim; with or without her memories, this had always been her way, both before she broke through the world's boundaries and after she ascended to the clouds.

Humanity? Divinity? Perhaps other gods would draw a clear line between the two, but for Zheng Yi herself, she was simply indifferent and uninterested in most things.

Her dark eyes were inscrutable. A smile suddenly flickered within them before quickly vanishing back into the depths.

---

"The mutated zombie has been dealt with?" That was fast. Feng Shuxian still felt a sense of unreality. But looking at Zheng Yi, she vaguely realized that the woman before her was worlds apart in strength from the Zheng Yi she knew during the last high-temperature period. "You've improved so quickly. Yes, I'm very glad to be working with you."

She extended her hand to shake Zheng Yi's and thanked her from the bottom of her heart. "Thank you for your help."

"There's no need to be so formal. Your monthly prayers have helped me a great deal," Zheng Yi said with a light laugh, not accepting the thanks. "I should be the one thanking you."

"Perhaps killing that mutated zombie was a simple matter for you now, but you saved the Zhongshan base and eliminated a major threat… Perhaps in some other timeline, you've already saved thousands upon thousands of people." Feng Shuxian smiled and shook her head. "As for the faith and prayers, that's our repayment for you saving Zhongshan during the heatwave."

"Come, I've arranged a dinner. Supplies are limited, so the dishes aren't extravagant, but I hope you'll be satisfied. By the way, do you drink?"

"I don't," Zheng Yi said, glancing at Yu Yinan with a smile. "But she can have a little."

"Alright. And you two?" Feng Shuxian turned naturally to the silent Xia siblings. "You were held captive by that mutated zombie for so long, you must have suffered a lot. If you don't drink, we can squeeze some fruit juice for you." In the apocalypse, this kind of hospitality was a sign of great sincerity.

"Ah, no, you don't have to worry about us! We didn't do anything," Xia Cheng said, waving her hands in embarrassment and panic.

"If you hadn't worked so hard to leave behind information, we wouldn't have taken that zombie seriously and might not have even discovered he was different," Feng Shuxian said in a gentle tone. After a brief pause, she didn't press them further. "Then I'll prepare some low-alcohol drinks and some juice. Come on, let's eat first. No need to be so formal."

It was indeed a dinner prepared especially for Zheng Yi's group. Though called a dinner, the dishes were mostly home-style cooking. After all, in the apocalypse, various ingredients were scarce, making complex dishes difficult. Nevertheless, every dish was delicious. Feng Shuxian didn't ask how Zheng Yi had killed the mutated zombie, only if she was injured and if there was anything the Zhongshan base could help her with. After that, the conversation turned to idle chat, with Yu Yinan, encouraged by Zheng Yi, softly sharing their journey after leaving the Zhongshan base.

"Are you heading to Pujie next?" Feng Shuxian asked.

"Yes, we leave tomorrow," Zheng Yi replied, gesturing toward the Xia siblings, who were stuffed but still wanted another glass of juice. "After all, they can't wait too long."

"I've prepared some gasoline for you. It should be enough to fill up your car." Feng Shuxian paused, then continued, "In a few days, or perhaps after the high-temperature period ends, once I've handled matters at the base, I'll probably pay a visit to Humanity's Light as well. They're developing very well, especially in terms of research… I'm thinking, maybe Zhongshan needs a laboratory too? But I don't understand any of that, and I don't have any equipment. And I don't know if we have any talent in that area here at the base." Perhaps a simple partnership would be more suitable—they could gather resources and materials for Pujie, and in return, Pujie could share their results, giving them the opportunity to purchase them or help produce serums. But that was clearly a matter for a face-to-face discussion later.

Zheng Yi watched her quietly, offering no suggestions.

But Feng Shuxian didn't seem to be looking for an answer. After she finished, she sighed. "The apocalypse… will it ever end? It's only been a year since the outbreak, but… this question often pops into my mind."

"Perhaps this apocalypse, when viewed from the future, is just the beginning of a new form of society," Zheng Yi said after a moment of thought. "It will eventually develop from chaos to order."

Even if an antidote for zombies was developed, ability users had already appeared, and mutated plants and animals still existed. If this was evolution… then evolution was an unstoppable trend.

Zheng Yi personally thought Changping's idea of striving to give every ordinary person a chance to awaken was quite good.

"…I hope the Zhongshan base can live to see that day." Feng Shuxian gave a helpless smile and didn't continue the topic. She stood up, ready to lead Zheng Yi and the others to the empty rooms she had prepared for them, but Zheng Yi called out to her.

"Take me to your reservoir first," she said with a bright smile. "It's been a long time. I should give you a little gift."

"…" Feng Shuxian opened her mouth, completely unable to refuse. The gratitude in her heart swelled, but before she could voice it, she heard Zheng Yi chuckle and mention another one of her abilities… or was it an ability?

An Apocalypse Shelter Barrier, lasting for one month, creating a protective circle with a hundred-meter radius around a designated target. It was impervious to high temperatures and blizzards, and could even repel attacks from mutated creatures… a protective circle where even an ordinary person could live comfortably.

The explanation for her ability back then—channeling a deity, embodying a saint… Back then, Zheng Yi and her companion had to demonstrate their powers, working hard to earn their trust, and then their recognition and faith. Feng Shuxian was overcome with a mix of emotions. She took a slow, deep breath, suppressing the turbulent feelings rising within her.

Perhaps it wasn't an ability at all. And Zheng Yi was a true saint, a deity worthy of trust and faith.

"Truly, thank you."

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