Chapter 100 The Big Tree

One minute and seventeen seconds later, the black SUV that was tracking them braked suddenly and blocked the alley entrance.

"Damn it! Where's the car?" The man in the driver's seat slammed his fist on the steering wheel.

The man in the passenger seat shoved open the car door: "I saw them turn in with my own eyes, how could it be a dead end!"

The man in the driver's seat squatted at the alley entrance to inspect the road: "There isn't a single tire mark on the road."

"We've lost them, what do we do? How are we going to explain this back home?" The passenger's voice was tense.

The man in the pilot's eye narrowed his triangular eyes: "Go and keep watch around the perimeter of the base. They'll have to go back eventually..."

He smiled sinisterly: "When the time comes, we can just go back together."

"Great idea!"

As the engine noise faded into the distance, Gangzi flapped its wings and mimicked in a strange, mocking tone, "Good~ idea~" drawing out the last syllable.

Lu Nange withdrew her mental energy: "There are some level one zombies wandering around on the third floor and above, as if they were driven in by someone..."

He Zhuo's eyes lit up like searchlights: "A portable wallet! Let's go!"

Wen Qing: "We're both at level one, Nan Nan, can I?"

Lu Nange pulled out a bunch of weapons, including machetes and sticks: "We won't use our superpowers today; let's treat this as physical training. If we encounter another superpowered individual of the same level in the future, we might be able to fight to the end and have a better chance."

Gu Wan picked up an iron rod: "Nan Nan is right. Compared to other skinny people, our thick skin and tough flesh give us an advantage!"

After everyone had chosen their weapons, Lu Nange remembered the powerful pills she took every month and turned to say, "Brother, Aye, let's keep an eye on things from the outside, just in case."

She hesitated for a moment. There was no doubt about Chi Yanzhou and Chi Yi's strength, but Chi Yi's level of special ability was questionable.

She quickly said, "Brother Yanzhou, come along too. The four of us can each take a corner, just in case we can't keep an eye on everyone."

"Flap flap flap—" The macaw jumped around anxiously on her shoulder, its beautiful tail feathers brushing against her cheek.

"My beauty, my beauty, I'm here for you!"

Lu Nange gently stroked the feathered crest on Gangzi's head with her fingertips: "Your mission is the most crucial. Gangzi, fly high, you absolutely cannot let our people get scratched or bitten by zombies, understand?"

The macaw circled twice above her head, head held high, and quacked, "Beautiful lady, quack quack quack!"

You can rest assured that I can take care of my beauty!

After reaching the third floor, Lu Nange realized that she had been worrying too much.

Even Wen Qing's skill in stabbing zombies had to be described as masterful.

The cleanup operation, which was expected to take half a day, was completed in just two hours, with even the zombies' brains being thoroughly removed.

The office building was well-preserved—perhaps thanks to the hordes of zombies and the rampant vines that inadvertently became the best security system.

As they searched down from the rooftop, the group began to rummage through the supplies, floor by floor.

They had enough supplies of their own, so Lu Nange suggested that, after discussion, everyone decided: "If the Jia City base is indeed a good place for the survivors, then we will leave all these supplies to them."

If it's not a good place for survivors, then they have no choice but to find a way to make it one.

Unopened express delivery boxes are neatly stacked at the office reception or at workstations, and intact stationery can still be found in desk drawers.

When they returned to the first floor, the entire building exuded a somewhat familiar atmosphere...

The place was ransacked, as if swarmed by locusts, with only the scattered corpses of zombies remaining as proof of what had happened.

Lu Nange stood on the open ground outside the building, her eyes slightly closed.

—A few survivors, but they were all far away.

She raised her hand and waved it, and two SUVs that had never appeared in Chiayi City appeared out of thin air.

The lead car carried—Chi Yi, Chi Yanzhou, He Zhuo, Gu Qi, and Ji Xian.

Lu Nange was in the second car.

Lu Xici was driving, Lu Nange was holding Lu Beiye, and Lu Beiye was holding a macaw in the passenger seat. Wen Qing, Gu Wan and Luo Xingyou were in the back seat.

Two SUVs drove towards the city center.

Half an hour later, the vegetation became even denser.

After finding a secluded spot to park, Lu Nange stored both cars in her spatial storage.

As the group walked further in, the air began to fill with the damp, humid smell of decay.

The deeper you go into the city center, the stronger the suffocating, musty smell becomes.

It smells like the scent of a mountain forest that has been covered by trees for many years and never sees the sun.

The building was almost completely swallowed up by vines, and sunlight could only barely seep in through the gaps in the branches and leaves.

Lu Nange suddenly raised her hand: "Stop!"

"Nan Nan, what's wrong?" Everyone instantly went into battle mode.

Lu Nange took out three binoculars and handed them out: "The plants in front... are moving."

The scene ahead came into view—towering trees stood in the center of the city, their countless branches spreading outwards like blood vessels.

Chi Yanzhou: "All the branches and vines we've encountered must be branches of this mutated tree?"

Lu Nange nodded: "It's like bacteria, and it's also like nerve endings."

It may not be able to attend to those that are far away, and it moves slowly during the day, which is why the outer branches and leaves become quiet.

But once inside the canopy, anything that gets close will likely be strangled...

He Zhuo gave a thumbs up: "As expected of my little sister, her knowledge is amazing!"

Lu Nange glanced at him: "Take the binoculars and look up."

The three men carrying binoculars raised them and looked at the tree trunk.

The thick tree trunks blocked out the sky, and countless branches blocked the view above the center of Chiayi City.

The branches and leaves were constantly entwined on the tree trunk, and upon closer inspection, various dried corpses could be seen in the gaps...

Lu Nange: "Let's take another look at the location on the ground."

As your gaze moves downwards, you see countless withered bones piled up at the tree roots.

"Wait here for me, I'll go inside and take a look." Lu Nange was about to take a step when she was stopped by everyone.

This was the first time she had so decisively rejected Lu Nange's words.

They said in unison, "I'll go with you!"

Lu Nange's temples throbbed: "...Why are you all looking like you're going to your deaths? I'm going to take a look, not to send myself to my death!"

"Gangzi and I will go. If things get complicated, Gangzi will grab me and we'll retreat."

Seeing the stalemate between the group, Ji Xian silently moved a few steps to the side.

Suddenly, my foot went soft, as if I had stepped on a piece of rotten flesh.

He subconsciously stomped his foot, but felt something wrap around him.

A thick vine suddenly wrapped around Ji Xian's waist and abdomen.

His face flushed instantly, and he futilely tore at the increasingly tight vines with both hands.

"Whoosh whoosh!!!"

Several wind blades grazed past Ji Xian's ears, while several golden throwing knives severed the vines.

Ji Xian fell heavily to the ground, panting heavily as Gu Qi and He Zhuo helped him up.

"Gangzi!"

The macaw instantly expanded, spread its wings, and icicles rained down on the tree trunk.

"Run!" Taking advantage of the opening, the group retreated rapidly until the surrounding vines returned to calm before they stopped.