Chapter 55: Five Special Talents Acquired!

The giant zombie let out a furious roar and lunged wildly at the squad. The ground trembled beneath its footsteps, as if it would split open at any second. Its skin was ash-gray tinged with black, flashing with an eerie metallic sheen like a walking iron wall. Its human face bore not a shred of human expression, only a deranged, frenzied distortion.

"Run!" Jiang Qiyü shouted sharply, violently pulling back the bolt of her gun and firing several rounds. The bullets struck the zombie as though hitting solid rock, kicking up only a few sparks without even penetrating its outer skin!

"It... it's not even afraid of bullets!" Zhao Hu panicked instantly, turning on his heels to flee, but Jiang Qiyü grabbed him fiercely by the back of the collar. "Run my ass! It's faster than you!" She shoved her backpack hard into his arms. "Don't fight it head-on, intercept it from the flank! Quick, spread out!"

The group scattered in panic in all directions. Two young team members simply collapsed onto the ground, shivering uncontrollably and unable even to roll away. The zombie glanced down at the scrawny little fellow closest to it and abruptly raised its massive fist, making the entire air seem to vibrate from the shockwave.

In the flash of a second, Shi Chao suddenly materialized. His figure blurred for a moment as he darted straight to the zombie's flank. Twisting his wrist, he flicked out a military dagger and accurately thrust it toward the zombie's jaw.

Yet, with a crisp, sharp *clang*, the blade snapped in half, leaving behind only a faint scratch!

"Damn it, is this thing a rock monster?" Shi Chao's eyes widened as he let out a low curse and swiftly retreated to the side. Before his voice even faded, the zombie's fist crashed down with a booming impact, smashing a huge crater directly into the ground.

"Keep holding it off!" Jiang Qiyü yelled, casually picking up a steel pipe from the ground and smashing it hard against the zombie's head, only to find that the zombie didn't even blink, while the steel pipe rebounded from her grip and went flying.

The situation had reached the verge of utter desperation. The zombie showed no intention of stopping; its blood-red eyes locked onto the crowd, and its body suddenly surged with strength as it leaped over ten meters in a single bound, blocking the group's only escape route. Its massive arm swept horizontally through the air, as if in the next second the entire squad would be torn to shreds.

"Enough!" A clear, crisp shout exploded through the air, and Jiang Fengmian abruptly rushed forward. Her face still wore her signature smile, yet it only made her wild intensity all the more terrifying. With a sharp swish, she picked up an abandoned car by the roadside as if lifting a lightweight toy.

"Sister Fengmian, don't—!" Jiang Qiyü was about to shout, but her voice instantly choked in her throat. She saw Jiang Fengmian leap into the air and hurl the battered vehicle fiercely at the zombie!

Amid a deafening crash, the zombie was actually knocked back two steps by the impact, its massive body sluggish for a moment. Seizing this precious window of opportunity, Jiang Qiyü gave the order: "Move!" The group practically scrambled and crawled away from the ruins.

When the dust finally settled, Jiang Fengmian patted her hands, kicked the car wreckage aside with smug satisfaction, and walked back to the group. "Your physical stamina is terrible. You're scared out of your wits by just this level of trouble. You should've let me handle it from the start. So simple."

"Sis..." Jiang Qiyü was drenched in sweat, looking with complex emotions at her nonchalant older sister. Her eyes held a faint trace of admiration, alongside a hint of helplessness. Lu Yao stared blankly at Jiang Fengmian's back, a flash of obvious surprise crossing his face as his Adam's apple bobbed as if he wanted to say something.

"All right, let's move out quickly. If we linger, other zombies will catch up." Jiang Qiyü suppressed her complicated emotions and resumed her command.

After retreating all the way back to the base, Jiang Qiyü finally regulated her breathing and raised her eyes to look at Jiang Fengmian.

***

Jiang Qiyü led Jiang Fengmian through the gates of the base, nodding in acknowledgment as the guards on both sides saluted respectfully, and then continued guiding her further inside. Along the way, busy residents came into view: some pushed wooden carts loaded with grain, others mended nets by the wall to catch shrimp, and some pruned vegetable vines in the fields. A few children ran past, laughing and playing, while the air was filled with the faint aroma of cooked food and a hint of fishiness.

Yet Jiang Fengmian stopped dead in her tracks right at the entrance, her gaze captured by everything around her. This place looked nothing like the doomsday shelter she had imagined. There was no filth on the ground, no exhausted and numb faces, and even the atmosphere radiated a warm, hearth-and-home vitality. She couldn't help taking a deep breath and exclaimed, "Qiyü, is this really a base? It honestly feels like returning to the normal world."

Jiang Qiyü glanced back at her, the corners of her mouth curving up slightly. "This is Weimo Base, of course it's different from the rest. Let's go, I'll take you to your new quarters."

Jiang Fengmian looked around all the way with a mixture of astonishment and curiosity, until Jiang Qiyü stopped in front of a two-story small building.

This was a temporary dormitory assigned to core members—extremely well-ventilated, with bright, clean windows. Pushing open the door released the fresh scent of wood. The room was fully equipped, featuring even a brand-new electric fan and a comfortable, large bed.

"Your room is on the second floor. The kitchen and dining room are shared, and all supplies are ready. If you're missing anything, you can register at the supply department, and I'll have someone bring it over." Jiang Qiyü pointed to a corner of the room as she spoke. "There are changes of clothes over there, all new. Make yourself at home."

Jiang Fengmian paused for a moment before covering her mouth with a light chuckle. "Qiyü, are you afraid I'll bully people? Don't worry, how could I dare? Besides... your place is way too nice. How is it that I, the older sister, feel like I've climbed up in the world?"

Jiang Qiyü stared at her expressionlessly. "As long as you don't think that way later."

Amused by her serious expression, Jiang Fengmian turned to look at the scenery outside the window, her eyes welling up with a trace of moisture. "I truly never expected there could be such a place in an apocalypse like this. Qiyü, it's so warm here, much happier than I ever imagined. But... managing a place this wonderful must have been entirely on your shoulders, right?"

Jiang Qiyü casually pulled over a chair, sat down, and leaned against the edge of the table. "No one can sustain a place all by themselves. This place was protected by everyone working together. If you really feel happy, stop causing trouble, do more work, and be less dramatic."

Hearing Jiang Qiyü's words, Jiang Fengmian froze for a second before bursting into laughter, blinking feigned grievance. "Well, look at you. After all these years apart, you're still just as blunt. I'm your actual older sister, can't you speak a little more gently?"

Jiang Qiyü swept a chilling gaze over her. "If my older sister could have been reliable just a little bit earlier, perhaps I would be gentler."

The remark left Jiang Fengmian speechless, but before long she chuckled to herself again. "Fine, Qiyü, I won't be dramatic. I'll listen to you. I'll help protect this place too and won't cause you any trouble."

Upon learning about the situation on the highway from Jiang Fengmian, Jiang Qiyü knitted her brows slightly.

A multi-vehicle pileup on the highway meant vehicles couldn't pass, and the supplies in those trucks were undoubtedly crucial resources for survival in the apocalypse.

After a brief moment of thought, she made her decision.

***

"Jiang Fengmian," Jiang Qiyü stood up, her gaze calm and resolute, "take me to the scene."

Jiang Fengmian was startled, saying with some worry, "Qiyü, the situation there isn't looking good. There are probably monsters everywhere, and the danger is immense."

"I know the danger," Jiang Qiyü said, her voice flat yet carrying an unquestionable decisiveness, "but we can't just leave those supplies there to go to waste."

"I'll go with you. I'm familiar with the area and can help you avoid some trouble."

Jiang Qiyü nodded. "Then sign this first, and we'll officially live here from now on."

From her portable storage space, Jiang Qiyü retrieved a contract that looked like ordinary paper and handed it to Jiang Fengmian. The texture of the paper felt quite special, carrying a faint, soothing warmth, and the handwriting was concise and direct.

"What is this?" Jiang Fengmian asked, taking it in confusion.

"A resident contract," Jiang Qiyü said calmly. "Once you sign this, you officially become a member of Weimo Base. In return, you will enjoy the base's protection and resource rations, but you must also abide by the base rules. When necessary, your abilities must be utilized for the base."

Jiang Fengmian's eyes curved slightly, revealing a long-lost gentleness and a hint of coquettish playfulness at the corners of her eyes as she raised the edges of her lips. "Then of course I want to be with you."

As the words fell, she leaned her body to the side, naturally and affectionately hooking her arm through Jiang Qiyü's. The movement was so practiced, reminiscent of the reliance they shared in their childhood before weathering the storms of the world. Her arm was soft and light, carrying a nostalgic warmth.

Jiang Qiyü merely paused for a fraction of a second, then seamlessly adjusted her posture, allowing the other person to draw close.

Through the evening glow spilling in from the window, Jiang Qiyü's traditionally serious face lost a fraction of its chill.

Hearing the prompt chime ringing in her mind, Jiang Qiyü raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Ding! The current number of special talents in the base has exceeded 5, triggering the [Special Talent Reward Draw] privilege. Would you like to proceed with the draw?"