Afterlife Department

Gen District.

Colorful lights flashed as various abilities were casted by Qi Ming's group to kill the group of zombies that surrounded them.

"Tang Xiu. Mu Qi! Go to the warehouse with Huo Ling and get the supplies." Qi Ming spoke. "Qi Ning. Heal the survivors." He told his younger sister.

"Okay!" she didn't need to be told what to do as she already dashed towards the injured people after the ceiling fell earlier during the fight.

One of the reasons why they are using a bus is for the survivors they will find and will take with them. And the other reason is the supplies. But, now that there is Huo Ling and Yi Bing who are spatial ability users, there will be more space for the survivors in the bus.

But, they saw Huo Ling was just standing there. The atmosphere immediately became awkward and they turned to Yi Bing whom Huo Ling is looking at, obviously waiting for Yi Bing's order.

Yi Bing smiled. "Go." He told him.

Only then did Huo Ling moved to go with Tang Xiu and Mu Qi, which made Qi Ming feel more awkward. Obviously, Huo Ling will only take Yi Bing's order.

"He's my subordinate." Yi Bing spoke to ease the atmosphere.

"Oh. I guess." Qi Ming muttered and smiled as he rubbed his nose.

Yi Bing obviously saw Qi Ming suppressing the discomfort he feels. "I'll tell him to follow you later." He told him.

"Ah?" Qi Ming was surprised. "No. That's not what I mean for you to do…" he said.

"I'm not good in giving orders." Yi Bing lied with both his eyes open.

(Huo Ling, Jin Wu and Mo Shi, as well as Di San and the other grim reapers: does your conscience not hurt?)

"Really?" Qi Ming was surprised. His impression of Yi Bing is an elite, and is the emperor type.

(Huo Ling, Jin Wu and Mo Shi, as well as Di San and the other grim reapers: you're not imagining it. You're right on the spot.)

Unfortunately, Qi Ming doesn't have an in-depth understanding of Yi Bing so, seeing Yi Bing's serious expression as he spoke, he believed Yi Bing's lie.

"Yes." Yi Bing nodded. "I was only their leader because I am the oldest." This, obviously, isn't a lie.

"Oh. Then, thank you in advance." Qi Ming sincerely said as he sighed in relief. He was really uncomfortable earlier after Huo Ling ignored his order. But, he isn't a narrow-minded person and understood that he isn't Huo Ling's leader. Also, to Huo Ling, he is a stranger. Even though this is the apocalypse, but if he was in Huo Ling's shoes, being ordered around by a stranger even though you are stronger than him, he would also feel uncomfortable.

Thus, Qi Ming's discomfort eased.

"No problem." Yi Bing spoke. "I have something to ask leader Qi." He said.

"What is it?" Qi Ming asked. He isn't guarded against Yi Bing anymore since he can see that Yi Bing, nor Huo Ling, looked ambitious and is coveting his position, or the base.

They are just strong, and that's that. And are flexible people. Although they don't look like it, but they are kind-hearted people. Although, with their strength, they could already build their own base, they still let the Northern Military Base take advantage of their kindness and use them.

Qi Ming heaved a sigh.

Yi Bing doesn't know what Qi Ming is thinking and doesn't care about it. "About the nucleus crystal." He spoke.

"Oh. The nucleus crystal!" Qi Ming muttered. "It can only be found in high-level zombies, like level three zombies." He said. "The stronger the zombie, the more valuable the nucleus crystal is." He explained.

Yi Bing made a pause. "… there can be stronger zombies than the level three zombies?" he asked when he realized it.

Qi Ming nodded. "There is." He answered. His expression is solemn. And this is what they fear of. He is only almost in level three, but the zombies are already in level three.

Yi Bing frowned. "Where did these zombies come from?" he asked. Radiation? Biochemical weapons? Virus? He thought as he tried to guess.

"Good question. But, too bad, I also don't know." Qi Ming sighed in pity.

Yi Bing was surprised. "You don't know?" he looked at him.

Qi Ming nodded. "Even Hu Feng doesn't know." He spoke. "The zombies just suddenly appeared. We don't even know how did they become zombies." He said. Obviously, zombies were previously humans. But, they just don't know how they came about, or what happened to them for them to become like that.

Yi Bing's brows knitted. This is really puzzling. He has to find the cause and the solution to this problem, and not just pat his butt and leave this world like this.

"As for the nucleus crystal that you are asking for – " Qi Ming spoke as he took out a nucleus crystal. " – the nucleus crystal is found inside the zombies' brain and contains energy that can be used by both the ability users and ordinary people. The ordinary people can awaken their ability, and the ability users can advance, using the energy contained in the nucleus crystal." He explained.

Yi Bing stared at the nucleus crystal. "Oh." He muttered as he moved his gaze away. He felt like he should be getting on something, but felt that something is slipping away. This makes him uneasy.

"We've returned!" Tang Xiu spoke as he, Mu Qi and Huo Ling walked towards them.

Qi Ming turned. "Good." He spoke. "Help the survivors to the bus. There are people injured. Their blood would attract the nearby zombies. We have to leave now." He told them.

"Okay!" Tang Xiu and Mu Qi answered and went to help the survivors together with Qi Ning, leaving Qi Ming, Yi Bing and Huo Ling.

Yi Bing didn't ask Huo Ling anything since Qi Ming is still present. Qi Ming was right and the smell of blood attracted the zombies nearby. The survivors immediately panicked and pushed each other inside the bus.

"Don't scream! Keep quiet! You will attract them more!" Qi Ming shouted. "Settle them on the bus and go! We will catch up with you after!" he told Tang Xiu, Mu Qi and Qi Ning.

"Yes!" they answered. If they don't leave now, they will just be surrounded. Qi Ming, Yi Bing and Huo Ling can buy them time by attracting the zombies towards them and kill them, reducing their number.

BAM! BOOM! Countless loud noises were heard that almost shook the earth and made their ears ring after they heard them. The people on the bus didn't feel good as the bus also shook because of the impact and the glasses almost cracked. They all fearfully turned and saw countless lights amidst the smoke afar after the whole supermarket collapsed.

Tang Xiu and Mu Qi sighed in relief. Fortunately, they were wise to clean up the supermarket, and Huo Ling's space is big to store a large number of supplies, or else it is a pity since the supermarket is now burning.

"Oh." Huo Ling muttered. His expression is indifferent as he looked at his hand after he threw out a fireball towards the zombies.

Yi Bing and Qi Ming who saw the road was scorched and the supermarket was burned. "…" so destructive! They thought after they were given a fright by Huo Ling.

Qi Ming stared at Huo Ling with his eyes wide in shock and awe. Even his fire isn't this strong! "You…" he spoke, but found out that he can't bring up some words.

  Yi Bing also felt speechless, and helpless, towards Huo Ling. He didn't expect for Huo Ling to be this strong! "… hold some power back. Or else, you will also injure your allies." He told him as he froze the zombies that are approaching them.

"… I understand." Huo Ling spoke, fighting the urge to curse. He also doesn't know that his fire is this strong! It is already good that he didn't scare himself! Poker face… just make a poker face… he thought, appeasing himself.

Yi Bing stared at Huo Ling's face and a smile formed on his lips. "Let's go!" he said after Qi Ming struck the frozen zombies with his lightning.

Qi Ming who didn't dare use his fire ability again because of shame nodded. "Yes!" he answered and was about to run when he suddenly felt that the back of his collar was grabbed. Before he could react, he saw that they were already leaving the supermarket. He lowered his gaze and suddenly saw that the ice beneath Yi Bing's feet is moving like a skateboard. "…" can he be any more OP? He thought, feeling sour of Yi Bing's ice ability that can be used as a transportation.

Qi Ming turned to look at Huo Ling, thinking that Huo Ling might be also being carried by Yi Bing as a puppy. But, he only saw that there is also a plate of ice under Huo Ling's feet, moving like a skateboard as they followed after the bus.