NOVEL WEB CHAPTER 131
Lu Ming had never fancied himself a hero. Even if he had inadvertently become one in this new reality, it was never his intention. His desire was simple: a life of peaceful normalcy.
And a major tenet of such a life was risk aversion.
Thus, Lu Ming avoided taking unnecessary risks. He preferred the safety and predictability of his home, venturing out only when absolutely necessary.
Today, Bai Tianyu and the others embarked on their expedition into the Black Mist Zone. In Lu Ming's eyes, this was a perilous gamble.
But it was unavoidable. Sooner or later, everyone would be forced into the encroaching darkness. Someone had to take the first step, to scout the path for the rest.
While Lu Ming wouldn't volunteer for such a task, he couldn't help but admire those who willingly shouldered the burden.
Standing atop his observation tower, Lu Ming gazed down at the scene below. Three heavily modified military vehicles stood ready, their engines rumbling with anticipation. Fifteen Awakened individuals stood before them, their faces a mixture of determination and trepidation.
Bai Tianyu, the newly ascended Level 5 Awakened, led the team. Duan Mei, a Level 4, stood beside him, along with three other Level 4 Awakened. The remaining ten were Level 3 Awakened, each possessing a unique and powerful superpower.
These fifteen pioneers were bidding farewell to their loved ones at the entrance of Good Hope Village.
Perhaps sensing Lu Ming's gaze, Bai Tianyu raised his head towards the observation tower. Their eyes met across the distance, and a silent understanding passed between them. Bai Tianyu raised his arm in a firm salute, his voice carrying across the clearing.
"Brother Lu!" he called out. "We're off! I leave the shelter in your capable hands!"
The Black Mist Exploration Team represented the bulk of the official shelter's elite forces. Their departure left a void in the Awakened community, but it didn't matter. Lu Ming remained.
As long as he was there, the shelter would have a pillar of strength to rely on.
Hearing Bai Tianyu's farewell, Lu Ming paused for a moment, unsure how to respond. Finally, he raised his right hand and gave a thumbs-up, a silent gesture of encouragement.
"Safe travels," he mouthed, his voice lost in the wind.
The members of the Black Mist Exploration Team grinned, their spirits lifted by Lu Ming's simple gesture.
With a roar of engines, the three vehicles sped away, disappearing from Lu Ming's sight as they ventured into the unknown.
Lu Ming descended from the observation tower, his mind already turning to his afternoon nap. The commotion of the departure had subsided, and he was eager to return to his familiar routine.
By the time he awoke, the excitement had died down, and Lu Ming resumed his daily rhythm.
Morning: basic fitness training.
Afternoon: skill training.
Evening: stance training.
Simple, yet fulfilling.
Lu Ming had always been a simple man, finding contentment in his routine.
Moreover, the countless people he had protected were repaying his efforts in various ways. Their gratitude and admiration served as a constant source of fulfillment, reinforcing the value of his seemingly mundane life.
Meanwhile, at the official shelter, Huo Sheng had just concluded his conversation with Lolita when he received an urgent message from his subordinates.
The message contained three key points.
First, the whereabouts of the Blood Flesh Mother Tree remained unknown. Simba and the Mother Tree had vanished without a trace, their departure shrouded in secrecy. The officials, lacking sufficient manpower and resources, couldn't track their movements.
However, this wasn't a major concern. The confirmed fact was that no more humanoid monsters roamed Nanxiang City. This suggested that even if the Mother Tree had escaped, it had likely left the city for the relative safety of the Black Mist Zone.
The potential havoc it might wreak within the zone was no longer their problem.
Second, the Black Mist's contraction was progressing rapidly.
It was now confirmed that the Black Mist's contraction was accelerating, and the time remaining for the survivors was dwindling rapidly. Huo Sheng had already begun preparations for the inevitable relocation into the Black Mist Zone.
As for what awaited them inside the zone, and what Huo Sheng's plans were...
The answer, for now, was simply to take it one step at a time. His knowledge of the Black Mist Zone was limited to secondhand accounts. Once inside, they would have to adapt and respond to the challenges as they arose.
He could only hope that Bai Tianyu and his team would return with more valuable information.
Thirdly, the Black Mist had split open for the second time. Just that morning, officials had observed another tear in the veil, releasing more monsters into the world. Most were Tier 4, with a few Tier 5 among them. It was unclear if any Tier 6 creatures had emerged.
However, after the encounter with the Blood Flesh Mother Tree, Huo Sheng considered these monsters to be minor inconveniences.
As powerful as the creatures from the Black Mist Zone might be, could they truly surpass Lu Ming?
It seemed unlikely.
Day 121 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Monday
Nothing of note occurred.
Day 122 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Tuesday
The day passed uneventfully.
Day 123 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Wednesday
A flock of black birds attacked the Guangping Street gathering place, only to become a welcome addition to Lu Ming's food reserves.
There was still no news from the Black Mist Exploration Team.
Day 124 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Thursday
A Tier 5 zombie emerged from the Black Mist, following its primal instincts towards the Guangping Street gathering place.
The zombie stood nearly four meters tall, its frame thinner than a Tier 4 Tank's. Its body was encased in a hardened exoskeleton, its hands mutated into wicked sickles.
Its intelligence appeared limited, but its strength was undeniable, slightly surpassing that of a typical Tank.
Having gathered a meager following of underlings, the Tier 5 zombie, unaware of the true power dynamics in Nanxiang, charged towards the highest-level Awakened it could detect: Zhang Chengcheng and Wei Lan.
It was swiftly met with Lu Ming's iron discus, its body reduced to pulp in a single, devastating blow.
After facing countless trials and tribulations, a mere Tier 5 zombie posed no threat to Lu Ming.
Thus, as usual...
The day passed without incident.
Day 125 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Friday:
Lu Ming encountered and swiftly dispatched a Tier 5 Exotic Beast, its tender meat a welcome addition to his diet.
Day 126, 127, 128...
Uneventful days filled with training and preparation.
Day 130 of the Apocalypse Calendar:
Another uneventful day passed.
Day 133 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Saturday:
The morning exercise routine concluded, and in the afternoon, Zhang Chengcheng achieved a breakthrough, ascending to the ranks of a Level 5 Awakened.
From beginning to end, Zhang Chengcheng had only consumed three Tier 4 zombie crystals, using the Basic Breathing Technique to supplement the remaining seven.
Lu Ming's three-dimensional attributes now stood at:
- Strength: 871.2
- Physique: 882.5
- Agility: 900.9
Just as he was lamenting the dwindling assistance from Zhang Chengcheng's powers, fate seemed to smile upon him. Excitement filled his being, and his appetite increased exponentially that evening.
As the saying goes, good news often comes in pairs.
That evening, after completing his stance practice, three worn-out military vehicles arrived at the entrance of Good Hope Village.
The Black Mist Exploration Team had returned after half a month.
Their arrival should have been a joyous occasion.
However, the somber expressions of the nine figures emerging from the vehicles dampened the initial excitement.
Fifteen members had set off on the expedition, but only nine remained.
Bai Tianyu and Duan Mei, their faces etched with sorrow, stepped out of the vehicles and managed a faint smile upon seeing Lu Ming, Wang Xiong, and the others.
Wang Xiong greeted them, his voice heavy with empathy. "Thank you for your hard work," he said. "Let's get you some food. I've already notified Professor Huo Sheng."
Bai Tianyu nodded, his shoulders slumping slightly as he caught sight of Lu Ming in the distance. It was as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.