Chapter 136: A Game of Life and Death
“This is wonderful!”
At last, a knowing smile appeared on Chen Yaxi’s face. She was not one to dwell on sorrow; after all, ever since being with Chen Yi, she had felt that having an older brother was enough, and no matter what happened, even if the sky fell, she could ignore it.
Yet, after so many unforeseen events, a certain sense of grievance and unwillingness lingered in her heart.
At that moment, the sky once again turned a vivid red.
“It’s coming,” Chu Yunxi said, her eyes filled with anticipation.
“The next wave of the disaster curse circle and stronger zombies are about to arrive. Everyone, prepare to absorb power and fight fiercely!”
“Sacrifice.”
Chen Yi furrowed his brow. “Where are we supposed to find so many sacrifices?”
“Isn’t it right there?”
Great Kunpeng smiled and pointed toward the horde of zombies relentlessly charging forward.
Chen Yi understood immediately.
“Alright, then push as many of these creatures as possible into the disaster curse circle. Under its influence, the more sacrifices, the greater our gain. However, this is already the eighth time it has appeared. The curse circle’s power may no longer be able to enhance our strength as it did the first time.”
“That doesn’t matter,” Chu Yunxi waved her hand. “As long as it temporarily grants us some power to bolster ourselves, we can improve on our own afterward. Isn’t that right? Chen Yi, no matter what, I stand by your side.”
Hearing Chu Yunxi’s words, Chen Yi smiled.
“Very well, since you say so, we shall proceed as you suggest.”
The group swiftly counterattacked the zombies.
Amid the battle, none noticed a warship silently approaching.
“Dad, trouble!”
Little Kunpeng, now in human form, noticed the warship steadily closing in. Great Kunpeng reacted swiftly, roaring fiercely, and unleashed his massive tail, which had not yet fully transformed into human form, swinging it toward the warship to shatter it.
However, the warship deployed flying wings and ascended into the sky.
“This is impossible!”
Great Kunpeng was stunned.
“How could such an absurd thing happen?”
Chen Yi was also shocked by the commotion. Turning around, he smirked upon sensing the power behind it.
“It seems the one behind the scenes can no longer contain themselves and wants to steal our power now.”
“Not if I have anything to say about it!”
Chen Yaxi flexed her arms, ready to act.
Cheng Yi waved his hand. “Now is not the time. Let’s see what they are truly capable of.”
Stomping his foot, Chen Yaxi pouted. “You’re just being too soft on him.”
Chen Yi chuckled again, shaking his head.
“I’m not one to show mercy, little girl. Rest assured, I will give this guy a lesson he’ll never forget. But first, I must understand why he suddenly appeared here. Is there some purpose that compels him to come?”
Inside the warship, the zombie king’s eyes glinted coldly.
“Leave immediately.”
“Boss!”
His subordinates gathered around him. “But it’s such a waste to retreat now. If this round of disaster power is soaked with Chen Yi’s blood, who knows how much stronger we would become?”
“Silence.”
The zombie king cut them off sharply, sneering at these foolish minions.
“Do you think you could defeat them with your strength alone? If I hadn’t been manipulating everything from behind the scenes, you’d all be dead already!”
The deputy generals fell silent, realizing that without their leader’s help, they could never transcend humanity and would long ago have become prey to the zombies.
Yet, why was their commander unwilling to face Chen Yi head-on?
Watching these puzzled men, the zombie general scoffed. “We are not zombies forever. When we were injected with the drug, I said that everything has two sides. Becoming strong means becoming an existence the world cannot tolerate. You must remember that. Now, why are you all so eager to become human again? Did the vows you made back then mean nothing?”
“We dare not.”
At their leader’s inquiry, they all knelt in fear, silent but terrified, knowing that if their boss grew angry, life would become unbearable.
The man snorted coldly as he turned, raising an eyebrow once more.
“Remember, everything has two sides. Chen Yi can grow stronger now, and our research gains more opportunity for deeper insight.”
Turning away, the zombie king chose to depart, casting a cold gaze at those below.
“Chen Yi, until we meet again!”
“Why are they leaving?”
Little Kunpeng moved his limbs. “I haven’t even fought yet!”
“Fight what?”
Great Kunpeng tapped his son’s head, frowning, then strode toward Chen Yi.
“Boss, look at this…”
“That guy’s clever,” Chen Yi sneered. “Seems I underestimated some of the zombies. His intelligence rivals humans. He probably knows I won’t fall here, so he chose to observe instead. Alright, let’s finish off the rest of the zombies. The disaster curse circle won’t last long. Everyone, remember to seize the opportunity!”
As tens of thousands of zombies entered the curse circle and the sacrifice was complete, the disaster curse circle enveloped everyone, including Great Kunpeng and Little Kunpeng, surrounding them in a brilliant light.
With the power rising, their bodies fully transformed into half-beast forms. But their strength was far beyond those who became half-beasts through artificial means. Even the small Kunpeng could unleash boundless potential, wielding the power of the great creature within a human form.
Chen Yi was surrounded not only by his original colored light but also by three additional patterns, with seven-colored radiance swiftly wrapping around him.
Within these lights shimmered extraordinary powers, especially his ant gene, which felt newly strengthened. The enhancement of his bloodline made Chen Yi marvel once again. Under the influence of the disaster curse circle, his abilities had evolved further.
Though this was simply a bloodline upgrade on his existing foundation, Chen Yi was content. The disaster curse circle’s power weakened with each zombie wave, and most people would have these abilities. His rare genetic gifts were truly few and far between.