NOVEL WEB CHAPTER 138
There wasn't much to ponder, really. Lu Ming had been presented with a proficiency challenge, and he would conquer it. That was simply his way, his unwavering logic.
Even though the Explosive Fist, in its perfected state, seemed flawless, the system indicated there was further room for improvement. So, Lu Ming continued his training, eager to see what lay beyond mastery.
He practiced, unleashing a series of seemingly ordinary Explosive Fists, each one incrementally increasing his proficiency. As the night wore on, Lu Ming decided to call it a day and return home to rest.
Acquiring 100,000 proficiency points was bound to be a long and arduous journey.
Day 144 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Wednesday.
Nothing noteworthy occurred.
Day 145 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Thursday.
Another uneventful day passed.
Day 146 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Friday.
The monotony continued.
Day 147 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Saturday.
For Lu Ming, it was just another day in his routine.
That night, however, Huo Sheng arrived for a visit, accompanied by a little girl.
"This is Lolita," he announced, his voice warm and welcoming.
Huo Sheng gestured towards Lu Ming, introducing him to Lolita. "And this is Mr. Lu. Call him Uncle," he instructed.
Lolita flashed a sweet smile and greeted him politely, "Hello, Uncle Lu."
Lu Ming nodded in acknowledgment, "Hello there."
He then looked at Huo Sheng, perplexed as to why the researcher had brought a child along.
Huo Sheng explained, "You're familiar with Lolita's mother's ability, a bloodline connection. She can remotely sense Lolita's location."
He went on to elaborate on the valuable information Lolita's mother had provided to Nanxiang City.
"Just today, Lolita's mother advanced to Level 6 Awakened," Huo Sheng revealed. "As a result, her ability has evolved. She claims that as long as Lolita enters the Black Mist Zone, she can pinpoint her location through her superpower."
Lu Ming raised an eyebrow, studying Lolita thoughtfully. After a moment's contemplation, he nodded. "It's a very important ability," he agreed.
While not particularly powerful in a combat sense, the Bloodline Sensing ability was undeniably crucial.
The Black Mist Zone was vast, and neither Nanxiang nor New York had yet explored its boundaries. It was possible that the zone was limitless.
When the survivors of Nanxiang and New York entered the Black Mist, they would be scattered across its expanse.
Huo Sheng was equally interested in the prospect of New York and Nanxiang joining forces. There was indeed strength in numbers, and in the face of the apocalypse, national boundaries seemed inconsequential.
However, the lack of knowledge regarding each other's location made a collaboration impossible.
The unique connection between Lolita and her mother offered a glimmer of hope.
"That's why I'm asking her to stay with you," Huo Sheng explained, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. He was essentially asking Lu Ming to become Lolita's caretaker.
To his surprise, Lu Ming agreed readily. "Sure," he replied, his tone nonchalant.
For Lu Ming, it was a simple decision. He wouldn't be venturing into the Black Mist Zone alone. Zhang Chengcheng and Wei Lan were already part of his team, essential for his attribute farming.
Adding one more person to the mix wouldn't change much.
With the matter settled, Huo Sheng bid farewell and left, leaving Lolita in Lu Ming's care.
Lu Ming found himself unsure of how to interact with the delicate, porcelain-like girl. He neither liked nor disliked children, but he had no experience dealing with someone so young.
Fortunately, Zhang Chengcheng and Wei Lan stepped in to help bridge the gap. Soon, the two young women and the little girl were laughing and playing together, a heartwarming sight amidst the grim reality of their world.
Day 148 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Sunday.
Huo Sheng led a group of nearly 10,000 survivors to the vicinity of the Holy Tower. The official shelter had finally succumbed to the encroaching Black Mist.
Some exotic beasts and zombies, driven by their survival instincts, also flocked to the area, hoping to delay their inevitable demise. Their fate, however, was sealed.
This wasn't the first time such a scene had played out.
Lu Ming, focused on his training, dispatched the creatures with ease, adding to his ever-growing stockpile of food. He spent his days honing his skills, preparing for the day he would enter the Black Mist Zone at his peak strength.
Day 149 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Monday.
That night, under the cover of darkness, the Black Mist crept closer, reaching within three kilometers of Lu Ming's temporary residence.
Taking advantage of the night, Lu Ming, along with Zhang Chengcheng, Wei Lan, and Lolita, moved to the tallest building nearest to the Holy Tower. They spent the night there, monitoring the situation and preparing for the inevitable.
The next day.
Day 150 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Tuesday.
Lu Ming rose at his usual time of 6 a.m.
He then descended to the ground level and walked towards the base of the towering Holy Tower.
At that moment, the area around the Holy Tower was packed with people. Thousands were crammed together, their bodies pressed against one another like sardines in a can. At the edge of this sprawling mass, the encroaching Black Mist was clearly visible, its ominous presence a stark reminder of the imminent danger.
This was the final hour.
Lu Ming, with his towering height, stood out even amidst the throng of people. A moment later, Huo Sheng weaved his way through the crowd and reached Lu Ming.
"Follow me!" he instructed, his voice urgent.
They made their way to the other side of the Holy Tower, where an open space awaited them. Parked there was a modified off-road vehicle, reinforced and enlarged for their specific purpose.
"This is for you," Huo Sheng explained.
According to the rules of entering the Black Mist Zone, those in the same vehicle would be teleported together, making the vehicle a crucial asset. Lu Ming didn't want to be separated from Zhang Chengcheng and Wei Lan. The thought of having to search for new companions in the unknown depths of the Black Mist was simply too daunting.
Lu Ming, Zhang Chengcheng, Wei Lan, and Lolita boarded the vehicle. Wei Lan took the driver's seat, Lolita sat beside her, and Lu Ming and Zhang Chengcheng settled into the back.
Outside the car window, Huo Sheng leaned in, his expression grave. "Mr. Lu," he said, "once you enter the Black Mist Zone, prioritize everyone's safety. If you find yourself in a secure position, please extend a helping hand to those in need."
With a deep bow, Huo Sheng expressed his sincere gratitude and respect.
"Sure," Lu Ming replied, his voice firm.
"There's water, Origin Stones, and exotic beast meat stocked in the trunk," Huo Sheng continued. "It should be enough to sustain you for three days."
"We've discussed the rest," Lu Ming acknowledged, a subtle nod of understanding passing between them.
"I won't repeat myself," Huo Sheng chuckled lightly. "May your journey be safe and successful."
"You too," Lu Ming replied simply.
Huo Sheng turned to leave, but Lu Ming's voice stopped him.
"There's an extra seat in the car," Lu Ming offered. "Would you like to come with me?"
Huo Sheng, touched by the offer, simply smiled and offered a gentle wave of his hand in decline.
A somber mood descended upon the car as they parted ways. The initial excitement of the impending journey had given way to a creeping sense of dread. Through the windows, they watched the Black Mist advance, a monstrous entity slowly consuming everything in its path.
The area surrounding the Holy Tower shrunk as the black mist relentlessly encroached, each passing moment intensifying the psychological pressure. Fear, fueled by the uncertainty of what lay ahead, gnawed at their hearts.
By seven o'clock in the morning, the black mist had reached the car's bumper. It writhed and pulsed like a living organism, tendrils of darkness spreading and engulfing the vehicle's exterior.
Then, in a final, silent surge, it swallowed the entire car whole, plunging its occupants into utter darkness.