As led by Zhao Yan and Zhou Wu, the group quickly found the survivor base they mentioned.
The base used to be part of a small city, and now it actually looked like a proper settlement. To block attacks from mutated animals and zombies, a tall stone wall had been built around it—most likely the work of earth-type ability users.
The group rode their bicycles to the entrance, where guards immediately stopped them.
“Stop. You’re not from this base, right? I won’t waste time—if you want to enter, each person must pay ten level-0 crystal cores. Also, you must hand over one-third of your supplies.”
The guard glanced at Xue Ling beside Mo Han and the little Xue Ying in his arms. Though surprised, he didn’t react much. Mutated animals were becoming more common, including pets that had changed after the apocalypse.
Mo Han and the others had plenty of crystal cores—they had killed many zombies and mutated creatures along the way. As for supplies, since the base didn’t know about their storage space ability, they only handed over one-third of what was visible on their bicycles.
As the group entered, one of the guards suddenly said to another:
“Watch the gate for me. I need to report something.”
“Got it. Go ahead.”
The guard who left had a lewd look in his eyes.
Those four women earlier… They were all beautiful. Definitely the boss’s type. If he reported this, he would surely get a reward. Maybe, after the boss was done, he might even get a chance himself.
The more he thought about it, the more twisted his smile became.
There were many survivors in the base, but not everyone could afford housing. Fortunately, the group quickly found a place to stay. It was only a simple double room like a cheap hotel, but they were already satisfied—after all, they had been sleeping in the forest.
When they heard it was two people per room, Mo Han subconsciously looked at Si Tu Yu. After all, Xue Ling and her cub didn’t count as people.
But… why did he look at Si Tu Yu first?
That thought made him feel conflicted.
Then he noticed Si Tu Yu was also looking at him.
…That must be it. He only looked over because Si Tu Yu was staring at him first.
Nearby, Zhao Yan said in surprise,
“I thought Xiao Yu would go to his big brother.”
Zhou Wu laughed,
“Looks like the boss is losing his place in Xiao Yu’s heart.”
Shen Yuan sighed softly. The kid who used to follow them around had finally grown up. As someone who secretly doted on him, Shen Yuan felt a bit sad—but thinking that Si Tu Yun would feel even worse made him feel slightly better.
After settling their things, Si Tu Yu said,
“Mo Han, let’s go out and take a look around the base.”
Mo Han shook his head.
“No interest.”
He really wasn’t interested. No matter how good the base was, it couldn’t compare to the world before the apocalypse. And places like this were full of danger—one wrong move could bring trouble.
“If you go out, be careful. Don’t act recklessly.”
Si Tu Yu raised an eyebrow and suddenly leaned in close, his face almost touching Mo Han’s.
“Mo Han… are you worried about me?”
Mo Han’s face instantly turned red like a tomato. He lifted his leg to kick him.
“Get lost!”
Si Tu Yu laughed and dodged easily before leaving.
Mo Han gritted his teeth, wishing he could knock him out with a stick.
Except for Mo Han—who already expected trouble—and Xue Ling with Xue Ying, everyone else went out.
Left alone, Mo Han felt bored and sat cross-legged on the bed to meditate. In this apocalypse, he couldn’t waste any time. If he wanted to survive, he needed strength.
Si Tu Yu wandered around the base until late. He found the place depressing.
Here, only the strong had the right to live. Ordinary people didn’t even have a place to stay.
Just as he was about to return, he saw two young women being pushed out of a house.
One of them cried,
“Mr. Tian, please save her! We’ll give you all our crystal cores!”
The man at the door sighed.
“It’s not that Mr. Tian won’t help. He just can’t. His ability can only heal external wounds, not internal ones.”
Then he shut the door.
Si Tu Yu stood there silently, his expression complicated. After a moment, he finally walked toward them.
Back at the room, Mo Han asked,
“Where did you go? Everyone’s been waiting to eat.”
But instead of answering, Si Tu Yu grabbed him.
“Mo Han, come with me. I need your help.”
“Huh? What—”
Before Mo Han could react, he was dragged out. Xue Ling quickly picked up Xue Ying and followed.
Shen Yuan called out,
“Si Tu Yu, where are you taking him? It’s time to eat!”
“Go ahead without us,” Si Tu Yu replied.
“Slow down!” Mo Han complained as he was dragged along.
“At least tell me what’s going on!”
“You have a healing ability, right?” Si Tu Yu said.
“I need you to save someone. You’re the only one who can help. Lin Yue Ru’s ability isn’t enough.”
Save someone?
Did Si Tu Yu know someone here?
Mo Han didn’t ask further. He would find out soon enough.
They ran for quite a while before entering a small, simple house.
Inside were two young women about their age.
One lay on the bed, pale and weak.
The other sat beside her, full of worry.
When they saw Si Tu Yu, her face lit up.
“Brother Yu, you’re here!”
Then she looked at Mo Han.
“Is this the friend you mentioned? The one with healing ability?”
Si Tu Yu nodded.
“Yes. His name is Mo Han.”
Then his expression darkened slightly.
“And the one on the bed… she’s my ex-girlfriend.”
“Her name is Sun Xue.”
“She’s the one I want you to save.”