Chapter Nine: Three Choices in a Row, Surrounded by Zombies!

These few words seemed to draw Chen Yi’s thoughts back to his previous life. Recalling all that he had experienced before, he remembered clearly that among these options, the ant gene, which appeared the most inconspicuous, was in fact extraordinarily powerful. This gene possessed immense potential and was only discovered much later, quite by accident. The human who chose the ant gene had, in the shortest possible time, risen to become one of the top warriors.

It was without a doubt a rare, super-level gene. Who could have imagined that the humble ant—so insignificant in modern society—would undergo such an earth-shattering transformation in the apocalyptic era? To gain strength a hundredfold greater than before was nothing short of miraculous. It was only natural that in the early days, this gene would go unnoticed. But now, Chen Yi knew better than to let such a powerful gene slip away. Once he was sure of his decision, he pressed his finger onto the “Ant Gene.”

Instantly, a surge of scorching energy poured into his body. He could feel his muscles trembling, each fiber within him seemingly being reorganized anew. Chu Yunxi watched Chen Yi, surprised by the strain he appeared to be under.

“How do you feel?” she finally dared to ask after a while.

At that moment, Chen Yi stood with eyes closed, quietly attuning himself to the changes within. He could sense his strength rapidly increasing, every cell brimming with newfound vitality.

“Excellent. I’ve never felt so powerful.”

“As expected of a super gene capable of amplifying strength a hundredfold!”

He opened his eyes and slowly stood up, seeming taller and more imposing than before, exuding an overwhelming aura of vitality. As he clenched his fists, his bones crackled audibly. Glancing at the ground near the pool, he suddenly slammed his fist downward.

With a thunderous crash, the floor beneath the pool caved in, leaving a deep dent. And this, even without full control over his newfound strength. The ant gene was still far from reaching its full potential. When the time came, he would truly wield strength a hundred times greater than before.

Chen Yi then turned his gaze to the Cataclysm Wheel still suspended before him. He realized that the generous rewards were likely due to his first sacrificial offering involving a considerable number of people. The quality and quantity of the Cataclysm Wheel’s rewards were directly tied to the number of sacrifices— the more offered, the greater and better the prizes.

This time, his eyes landed on a double-edged blade, and without hesitation, he chose it. The knife was entirely black, its edge gleaming with a chilling light, impossibly sharp. The moment he grasped the hilt, he could feel how perfectly it fit his hand, as though it had been forged for him alone.

“This is a fine blade,” he murmured, swinging it a few times. The blade whistled through the air, emitting an ominous hum.

But still, the Cataclysm Wheel did not disappear. Chen Yi smiled, marveling at how rewarding these sacrifices had been. Rarely did anyone receive three rewards on their first spin of the wheel. Not even in his previous life had he heard of such a thing.

“If I can choose one more thing…” His gaze fell upon the very center of the Cataclysm Wheel. There lay a special material marked with three question marks. The material glowed with a strange luster, as if some mysterious force flowed within it.

Something told him that it would prove invaluable in the future.

“What is that?” Chu Yunxi asked curiously, stepping closer. She, too, had been drawn to the peculiar material.

“I’m not sure, but I can sense it’s extraordinary,” Chen Yi replied, selecting the material and taking it into his hand. The moment he touched it, a warm energy coursed through his body, filling him with comfort. The material glowed with a pale blue light, its surface smooth as a mirror, yet within it faint lines could be seen—like ancient runes.

It was both beautiful and mysterious.

“Perhaps we’ll find out its use in time,” Chen Yi said, putting the material away as the Cataclysm Wheel slowly faded into the air.

“All these items can be stored in a special space with a mere thought,” he explained. “But the space is fixed; it follows the owner and can only store items acquired in this way.” Chen Yi explained to Chu Yunxi.

He then closed his eyes, and with a simple thought, the items he’d gained from the wheel vanished from sight, entering his personal, pocket dimension.

At that moment, a series of low growls rose from outside.

“The monsters are surrounding us!” Chu Yunxi ran to the window and peered out.

Hordes of zombies had encircled the swimming complex.

Packed tightly together, their decayed bodies reeked of rot, and their hollow stares were enough to chill the soul. They hammered relentlessly at the doors and windows, threatening to break in at any moment.

“What do we do? We’re surrounded!” Chu Yunxi turned to Chen Yi, worry etched across her face.

Chen Yi drew the double-edged blade, gripping it tightly in his right hand, and reached out his left toward Chu Yunxi. She instantly understood, grabbed his hand, and snatched up the fire axe lying nearby, ready to follow him.

“Stay close,” Chen Yi said simply. Chu Yunxi nodded, showing no sign of fear.

Together, they made their way from the storeroom where they’d entered out into the open air beyond the pool complex. The reek of corpses hit them immediately. The zombies, sensing prey, snarled and lurched toward them.

Chen Yi released Chu Yunxi’s hand and pointed to a corner behind them. “Take cover over there— I’ll clear a path.”

Obediently, Chu Yunxi dashed to the corner, finding shelter behind a battered cabinet. She gripped the fire axe tightly, steadying herself as best she could.

Chen Yi watched as the creatures drew closer—once ordinary students, now nothing more than shambling corpses. He could feel the gene’s power awakening inside him. As his nerves tensed, it was as though every bone in his body became more resilient.

A zombie at the front lunged, its eyes vacant, emitting a chilling screech. Without hesitation, Chen Yi swung his blade, severing the creature’s head in an instant, blood spraying through the air.

More zombies surged at him. Chen Yi darted from side to side, swift as lightning, weaving through the horde. His blade flashed ever faster, slicing the rotting bodies to pieces.

“He’s… he’s incredible…”

“The way he fights—he looks so heroic,” Chu Yunxi thought, watching from her hiding spot with admiration. Her fear faded away as she saw Chen Yi’s overwhelming strength.