Chapter 39 - 37: The Horror Begins

Chapter 39: Chapter 37: The Horror Begins

"It’s finally starting."

Xia Yu had already arrived before the farmhouse. Sensing the increasingly immense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power, the first thing she did was activate the Ancient Guidance Technique, greedily absorbing the energy.

She was doing everything she could to improve her physical condition.

By the time this Mist Event was over, her fitness would surely be comparable to a top-tier athlete, perhaps even reaching the level of an elite one.

But...

"Why are they still following me?"

She noticed Xie Chunlan and Xia Feng were still following her, a fact she found strange.

In her past life, they had left right before this Mist Event erupted, which was how they survived. Afterward, the mother and son told everyone they met that since they had survived a great disaster, they were destined for good fortune.

In this life...

’Are they still thinking about the homestead plot?’

’It doesn’t matter anymore.’

Xia Yu couldn’t be bothered to guess anymore and focused on her own affairs. ’Time to put my plan into action.’

In an instant, her calm and composed expression vanished, replaced by one of terror and fear as she pretended to rush frantically into the farmhouse.

Behind her.

Xie Chunlan and Xia Feng were utterly baffled.

"Did she not see the ’No Unauthorized Entry’ sign?"

Xia Feng grumbled, exasperated, "This is the boss’s private residence."

Xie Chunlan felt a deep sense of unease, but her mind was still clear. She quickly gave Xia Feng a push and said, "She probably went in by mistake. Hurry up and stop her."

"This way you can both please the boss and make Xia Yu less embarrassed. Maybe if the boss is happy he’ll give you a raise, and Xia Yu will be grateful and make a concession on the price of the homestead plot."

Xia Feng took a few quick steps forward and called out to her.

It was as if Xia Yu hadn’t heard a thing.

At this, Xia Feng frowned. His walk turned into a run, and just as he was about to reach Xia Yu...

"Help me!"

Xia Yu covered her ears with both hands, squatted down, and closed her eyes.

She looked exactly like a terrified girl.

Before Xia Feng could even process what was happening, a monster shot out from inside the house. He could vaguely make out the features of the boss.

"ROAR."

RIP.

"AAAHH!"

A roar, the sound of tearing flesh, and a pained scream all rang out at once.

"Mom, save me."

As expected of a young man accustomed to farm work, Xia Feng’s fight-or-flight response kicked in, unlocking immense potential. He managed to grab the boss’s neck with both hands, blocking a second bite.

Seeing this, Xie Chunlan was struck dumb, as if by a bolt of lightning. She froze on the spot.

But the next moment...

"Feng!"

She let out a piercing scream and rushed forward without hesitation.

Save her son!

This was the only thought in her mind.

The subconscious choices people make at their most perilous moments often reflect their truest desires. Without a doubt, Xie Chunlan was a woman who loved her son dearly.

No matter how caustic, petty, and greedy she was, this one fact was undeniable.

"Xia Yu, Xia Yu! Help me!"

Xie Chunlan desperately pounded on the Mutant, bloodying her fists to no avail. She had no choice but to turn and beg Xia Yu for help.

But she only saw Xia Yu’s back!

"You..."

Xie Chunlan was just about to start cursing.

"Aim for the head."

A figure charged forward.

A closer look revealed it was none other than Wang Quanzhi.

He had also noticed the Mist’s appearance, and was immediately on high alert.

As an informant, he didn’t know much about the Mist Event, but he had heard rumors. Besides, his high social standing gave him access to special information channels.

In short, he knew more than the average person.

When he saw the bizarre state of the people around him, especially the orchard owner’s inhuman, monstrous form, he was absolutely certain he was caught in a Mist Event.

’So this is a Mutant?’

’A weapon! I need a weapon!’

Wang Quanzhi had strong mental fortitude. Though he was panicking, his thoughts remained clear.

He instinctively checked his pockets, but found no weapon. Scanning his surroundings, he spotted a shovel nearby and gripped it tightly.

Fueled by a surge of adrenaline, he charged forward.

He viciously drove the shovel into the boss’s head.

Dead.

"Whew."

Wang Quanzhi gasped for breath, only then noticing his entire back was soaked with cold sweat.

’He had actually killed a Mutant!’

’Unbelievable.’

"Feng, how are you?"

Xie Chunlan’s sobbing voice broke the silence. Looking at her bloody, mangled son, she was scared witless, even forgetting to dial 911.

The carotid artery in Xia Feng’s neck had been severed by sharp teeth. Blood gushed out, and it was clear he wouldn’t make it. His face was a mask of terror as he clutched desperately at Xie Chunlan’s sleeve. "Mom... save... save me..."

"Quick, get inside!"

Just then, Xie Shaokun sprinted into view and roared at Wang Quanzhi without breaking stride.

When the Mist appeared, he had immediately pulled a pre-prepared pig-killing knife from his backpack. Aided by his enhanced superpower, he had struck decisively, already eliminating two Mutants at the farmhouse gate.

But the entire orchard was swarming with too many Mutants. He was hopelessly outnumbered and risked being surrounded.

So he planned to hole up in the house to fight.

Just as he entered the house.

"Get back out there! Use the others as a distraction and kill as many Mutants as you can."

"Now."

A hushed, yet stern, reprimand came from nearby.

’It was Yu!’

Xie Shaokun jolted, realizing his decision had been a poor one.

Once all the living people outside were dead, they wouldn’t stand a chance, even with the defensive cover of the farmhouse and its yard.

So, he turned around and rushed out again.

Outside.

Wang Quanzhi looked up just in time to get a clear look at Xie Shaokun’s face, and he froze.

’Xie Shaokun!’

’The wanted fugitive!’

’The hardcore bastard who supposedly got caught in a Mist Event and lived!’

’What is he doing here?’

’We’re saved!’

Wang Quanzhi’s shock quickly turned to joy. He proactively chose to team up with him. "I’ll help you."

Right now, surviving was the most important thing!

Nothing else mattered.

He tried to pull his shovel free, but found it was stuck fast. Giving up, he grabbed a rake from a corner and charged in to help.

’This one’s a smart one.’

’He’s capable in many ways, far more so than Xie Shaokun. No wonder he became Zhao Guohui’s informant.’

Inside, Xia Yu observed Wang Quanzhi’s performance and made a fair assessment. ’Unfortunately, his absorption rate for the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power is only average, and he isn’t a Spiritual Ability User.’

Her gaze shifted to Xie Shaokun.

’Although the kid is lacking in other abilities, his potential is immense. He’s a quick study, obedient, and a natural-born fighter. His talent for combat is off the charts. What’s more, his control over his superpower has reached a new level, which proves he’s been diligent.’

’All things considered, Xie Shaokun is more exceptional than Wang Quanzhi.’

Seeing Xie Shaokun moving like a god of slaughter amidst the chaos, Xia Yu was quite satisfied.

In the yard, Xie Chunlan was still wailing over her son, her voice deafeningly loud. "My boy! What am I going to do now that you’re dead? Won’t somebody please save my son!"

Xia Yu and Xie Shaokun did not stop her; in fact, they hoped she would scream even louder.

Her cries attracted the Mutants, but because they were drawn from a distance, they arrived one by one. This allowed Xie Shaokun to handle them with little pressure.

"Shut up!"

Wang Quanzhi, on the other hand, was frantic. He kept berating Xie Chunlan, even beginning to regret saving the mother and son.

"ROAR."

Just as he was about to berate her again, a Mutant rushed out from the darkness.

Caught completely off guard.

Wang Quanzhi subconsciously blocked with the rake.

CRACK.

The rake snapped in two.

The color drained from Wang Quanzhi’s face. His life hung by a thread...