The principle behind the "foundation" is actually quite simple: it amplifies the fear signals of certain mutated creatures, thereby driving them away.

This is why level 3 magic crystals are needed.

Level 3 magical beasts are considered advanced mutated creatures. Their magic crystals are condensed purple, and they naturally pose a threat to lower-level creatures.

This also ensures that their territory is not easily disturbed, which is in line with the animals' original nature.

The "foundation" enhances this deterrent signal, making creatures of level three and below dare not approach.

The crystal core of an ordinary zombie is colorless and transparent, belonging to the category of Level 1 mutated organisms.

How dare they linger outside the "foundation" for so long?

Ye Nianzhen had a terrifying thought: perhaps a zombie king had mutated within the zombie horde and was able to control their minds!

This means the zombies have gained a mind.

They have no fear, no pain, and are extremely numerous.

If they possessed intelligence, it would be an immeasurable blow to humanity.

Hopefully, this is just speculation...

Ye Nianzhen's face turned ugly. The red team thought she was actually scared and was about to say something sarcastic.

But his expression changed, because a mutated zombie attacked from the side at an extremely fast speed.

Ye Nianzhen was in a state of confusion and was unexpectedly attacked.

The zombie grabbed Ye Nianzhen by the waist and abdomen, its sharp teeth digging deep into her flesh, and just like that, it kidnapped her!

Mingyuan's expression faltered for a moment.

The mask of gentle elegance cracked, revealing a glimpse of the darkness and depravity within.

He quickly gave chase, but more zombies appeared out of nowhere, blocking his way from Ye Nianzhen.

His dagger had been destroyed, so now he could only wield a hastily picked-up iron rod, smashing the zombies' heads one by one.

Blood splattered on his face, and his expression turned fierce, showing no trace of his usual gentle and harmless demeanor.

But there were too many. No matter how many he killed, the distance between him and Ye Nianzhen grew further and further.

Why, why can't we catch up with that moon?

The red team fought their way through a scorched, bloody path on the other side, slowly approaching Ye Nianzhen.

Ye Nianzhen did not sit idly by and wait for death. She took turns inserting various weapons into the zombie's body, but due to the angle, she could not attack its brain.

Ming watched Ye Nianzhen's figure from afar, complex emotions swirling on his face, finally settling into resentment.

He's not strong enough.

Because they weren't strong enough, they were left behind by the one who used fire.

Because it's not strong enough, it can't provide protection.

He almost ground his teeth to powder; the metallic taste of blood filled his mouth.

*

The mutated zombies, in their panic, ran aimlessly up the mountain.

The mountains here are high and steep, with many cliffs, making them unsuitable for human travel.

The four-legged zombie was surprisingly agile.

With the zombie horde behind him, Mingyuan finally broke through the encirclement and rushed towards them from afar.

Ye Nianzhen could actually release the painting spirit; this level of mutated zombie posed no threat at all.

But that was her carefully hidden trump card, and she didn't want to expose it here.

The abdominal wound must be quite deep; I wonder if it has affected any internal organs.

Ye Nianzhen was actually starting to feel dizzy from blood loss, but the pain in her abdomen would wake her up from time to time.

The red team hurled a fireball at the zombie, which roared and aggravated Ye Nianzhen's wound.

Ye Nianzhen cursed and swore, now in so much pain she was about to faint.

The zombies climbed higher and higher, gradually approaching the mountaintop, with a bottomless cliff behind them, a dead end.

It finally put Ye Nianzhen down and let out a threatening growl at the Red Team.

The red team provocatively beckoned to it, and the zombie opened its mouth full of sharp teeth and charged at a speed imperceptible to the naked eye.

The red team didn't even flinch; they grabbed it by the neck with one hand.

Blue flames, representing extremely high temperatures, suddenly rose up, and the man's face wore a sinister grin, suppressing his anger.

"When did it become your place to covet my toys?"

"dross."

Almost instantly, the zombie was burned to a skeleton, emitting a sharp and unpleasant howl.

However, the crystal core protected by the skull was not destroyed, and it still had the strength to struggle.

The zombies slashed at the Red Team's eyes with their sharp nails, but managed to break free of their restraints as the Red Team was forced to dodge.

The blue flames relentlessly scorched it.

It rolled on the ground, trying to escape the terrifying flames.

The red team didn't think it could pose any threat and just watched coldly.

The zombie rolled all the way to the edge of the cliff, about to fall to its death.

But in the last second before falling, he reached out and grabbed Ye Nianzhen next to him.

Yeh Nien-jen: No way.

A feeling of rapid descent washed over me; the sky was a hazy, lifeless gray.

Driven by an intense will to survive, Ye Nianzhen's senses surged, and she even forgot about the wound on her abdomen, reaching out to grab a tree root on the cliff face.

Fortunately, that damned zombie only grabbed a corner of her clothes, and after the sound of tearing fabric, she fell straight down.

Ye Nianzhen gritted her teeth and persevered.

Her wound was on her right abdomen, and her right hand was the one that was slinging her up; she could feel the wound tearing open.

Because of the surge in adrenaline, she couldn't feel the pain for the time being, but she knew she couldn't hold on for long.

Dust fell from above as the Red Team quickly knelt down at the edge of the cliff, reaching out to try and grab Ye Nianzhen.

Ye Nianzhen squinted her hazy eyes and saw the anxious expression on the man's face.

Is he worried about a life that is about to end?

In previous reincarnations, someone who killed indiscriminately and despised everything would want to save something.

How ironic...

If I stay here and let him pull me up, and I owe him my life, does that mean I can't seek justice for the innocent and tragically killed Xiaochun?

If it is discovered afterward that this person is not beyond redemption, does that mean we cannot seek justice for the other victims in the base?

Ye Nianzhen thought she had been thinking about it for a long time.

It only lasted a short second.

From the Red Team's perspective, Ye Nianzhen looked up and once again revealed that look in his eyes that he couldn't understand.

Then she resolutely let go, allowing herself to fall into the bottomless abyss.

"Ye! Nian! Zhen!"

The red team members were visibly distraught, unsure whether they felt more disappointed or angry.

This woman! Does she hate him that much?

She hated him so much that she didn't want to be saved by him, and she hated him so much that she gave up on him despite all the ambition in his eyes!

On what grounds?

On what basis should we conclude that he is utterly wicked and draw a clear line between him and others?

The red team knelt on the ground, their proud heads slowly lowering.

His face showed a complex mix of emotions: sorrow, confusion, and finally, a lingering sense of defeat that he could hardly contain.

*

When Mingyuan arrived at the edge of the cliff, he saw Ye Nianzhen's frail body fall down like a withered leaf.

He grabbed the red team member by the collar and demanded, "Didn't you say you could catch up?"

His expression was ferocious; the fierce little beast had shed its disguise, leaving only naked rage.