Apocalypse: Master of Soul Beasts

Wen Yu and Sun Ruixing, standing at a distance, naturally did not understand Sun Aotian's thoughts at this moment.

This was Sun Aotian's cunning. If Wen Yu had known what Sun Aotian was thinking, he would have eliminated this ungrateful wretch without a second thought!

Unfortunately, Wen Yu hadn't spared a thought for how Sun Aotian perceived him. Sun Ruixing, too, couldn't comprehend the petty machinations of such a person.

Thus, the seeds of future trouble were silently sown.

"This doesn't seem right," mused Sun Ruixing, finding Wen Yu's actions somewhat inappropriate.

Wen Yu shook his head.

"It's perfectly appropriate! My principle is simple: the more effort you put in, the more you get. This is what you deserve."

"Moreover, I've done quite a lot for him, but this guy is untamable. His strength is secondary; the main issue is his personality and mental fortitude—they're just terrible!"

"Mm."

Sun Ruixing nodded, tucking the magic crystals into his pocket.

Anyone whose first instinct in the face of difficulty is to flee will never achieve significant growth.

"Let's go. Split up. Hunt down everything visible and anything lurking in hidden corners. After being tainted twice by Demonic Qi, these things become a real nuisance."

"Understood."

Sun Ruixing nodded in agreement and turned towards the shantytown area.

Wen Yu also entered one of the nearby residential buildings.

Back at the camp, bustling construction work had already begun.

Until now, most people in the camp held great confidence in their settlement.

This was a typical aspect of the human condition. Once people gain immense power, their confidence often swells without reason, causing them to forget unknown dangers and lose their reverence for the unknown.

Upon receiving Sun Aotian's message, Zhang Wenhu promptly organized a team to handle the zombie cleanup.

The main point of contention between Zhang Wenhu and Wen Yu was whether or not to leave guards stationed at the camp.

Small tasks like clearing out zombies were no issue for Zhang Wenhu; he was willing and even happy to do them.

And when it came to clearing zombies, there was indeed strength in numbers.

After the major battle, not many zombies remained in Chaihe Town. Combined with the continuous cleanup operations by the camp's professionists, their numbers had dwindled significantly.

Wen Yu kicked open the security door before him, and his Touch of Greed sliced across the head of an approaching zombie.

"The thirty-second one."

Thirty-two. This was Wen Yu's haul over five days.

A pitiful figure.

From this, it was clear that before the Demon Realm's Gate opened, the pace of leveling up would only continue to slow.

Professionists had to face an awkward problem: too many wolves, not enough meat.

The helplessness of zombies against professionists, however, greatly boosted the confidence of those at the lower tiers.

This isn't the apocalypse; it's a new era!

This was what most professionists thought before the Demon Realm's Gate opened.

Once, Wen Yu himself had thought the same.

But unfortunately, this was the apocalypse—the true apocalypse, an incomparably brutal one.

"Wen Yu, there aren't any more to find."

Sun Ruixing's voice came through the walkie-talkie.

It was a product from the Exchange Stone Pillar, with signal coverage sufficient for the entirety of Chaihe Town.

Unfortunately, it had been classified under miscellaneous daily necessities! Wen Yu had only discovered it one night when he was bored.

"It's too difficult, Brother Wen Yu. I've swept seven apartment buildings from top to bottom and haven't found a single zombie."

"Forget it, don't search anymore!" Wen Yu said directly into the walkie-talkie, effectively ending the cleanup operation.

There might still be some residual zombies, but lacking their numerical advantage, they didn't pose much of a threat.

This held true even if they underwent a second demonic mutation.

"By the way, Old Sun, you haven't gathered enough points yet, have you?"

"Not even close! These past few days feel like wasted effort."

"Mm, let's head back to the Stronghold for now."

The 'Stronghold' was Wen Yu's name for the new defensive position the three of them had found.

After five days of construction, their small stronghold had begun to take shape.

Outside, all the abandoned vehicles they could find were scattered around. Meanwhile, a large amount of gasoline had been strategically placed on the vehicles at the periphery, ready to inflict damage on the first wave of Demon Fiends.

Inside the defensive line formed by these vehicles lay a complex network of alleys.

Since battle was inevitable, their first consideration was how to make the fight easier for themselves.

Ropes and ziplines, rigged by Sun Ruixing and Sun Aotian, were installed on every building within sight, linking the entire area into a vast network.

This not only ensured rapid movement if they were surrounded but also allowed for quick reinforcement between them.

These were minor tactics Wen Yu had shared with Sun Ruixing, which he had adapted and applied creatively to form a flexible and robust defensive line.

It was foreseeable that when the Demon Fiends swarmed in, they would be entering a spider's web, with Sun Ruixing and Sun Aotian as the spiders awaiting their prey.

The only caveat was that no overwhelmingly powerful Demon Fiends appeared.

Because, in the eyes of a powerful expert like Wen Yu, these makeshift arrangements were truly trivial.

A single blast of Flames of Tyranny from Cyclops would be enough to incinerate all these contraptions.

This was the fundamental reason Wen Yu hadn't paid much mind to these preparations.

It was just Sun Ruixing and Sun Aotian who were tirelessly engrossed in it.

Walking into the Stronghold, Wen Yu immediately saw Sun Ruixing and Sun Aotian holding a wrist-thick rope, gesturing towards a level in a nearby building.

Wen Yu shook his head but didn't interrupt their planning and discussion.

These things were useless to him, but they were very useful for Sun Ruixing and Sun Aotian.

And making every effort to survive was never futile; this was precisely what Wen Yu admired.

"You're back."

Hearing the footsteps behind him, Sun Ruixing smiled at Wen Yu.

"So, where are you planning to put this one?"

"There."

Sun Ruixing pointed to the fourth floor of a nearby residential building.

"Connect it to the fourth floor next door. Little Sky and I have made some arrangements there. It adds another layer of security."

Indeed, this was already more than the twentieth such safeguard they had added.

Looking at the serious expressions on Sun Ruixing and Sun Aotian's faces, Wen Yu nodded.

"Keep up the good work. When the Demon Fiends attack, I'll hold the front line for you and intercept the powerful ones. Whether you survive after that is entirely up to you."

This was also Wen Yu's own line of thought. With the Touch of Greed in hand, he wasn't concerned about using cannon fodder tactics.

"Thank you."

Sun Ruixing smiled and nodded at Wen Yu.

"By the way, there are two days left. I suggest you go into the mountains, kill a few mutant creatures, and level up quickly."

Sun Ruixing thought for a moment, then shook his head.

"There's no need. This time, aren't the mutant creatures our reinforcements? Besides, I'm confident I can complete my class advancement during the battle."

As soon as he finished speaking, Sun Ruixing showed his Second Skill to Wen Yu.

Great Earth Shield (A-Class, Passive Ability): Blessed with the power of the earth, it greatly enhances the host's defense capabilities. When holding a shield, Strength is doubled, but speed is halved.

Sun Ruixing trusted Wen Yu and Sun Aotian, so he didn't mind revealing his skills.

This ability made Wen Yu understand why Sun Ruixing, as a Level 2, had been able to pass the final stage of the trial.

At that time, Sun Ruixing's physical attributes of around 30 points could be boosted to 60. This was already Third-level power!

Combined with the Shield Warrior's defensive capabilities and Sun Ruixing's own superior combat awareness, he indeed had the ability to defeat ordinary Third-level creatures.

Wen Yu nodded.

"Decide for yourself. For now, rest well and prepare."

"By the way, Wen Yu."

Seeing Wen Yu turn to leave, Sun Ruixing quickly stopped him.

Seeing the hesitation on Sun Ruixing's face, Wen Yu looked at him quizzically.

"I told the people in the camp about our place here. I said if they can't hold their position, they can come to us."

"That's fine. As long as they can make it here, I don't mind."

Wen Yu nodded.

Sun Ruixing's actions were within his expectations.

And Wen Yu, as long as it was within his means, wouldn't mind taking in a few more people.

Hearing Wen Yu's response, Sun Ruixing visibly relaxed, breathing a sigh of relief.

Through their long association, Wen Yu understood Sun Ruixing, and Sun Ruixing, in turn, naturally understood Wen Yu.

As long as it didn't pose a threat or cause him trouble, Wen Yu wouldn't concern himself with such minor details.

This, I suppose, is the last way I can help them.