The knocking interrupted Lu Sheng's thoughts.

It's Sun Tiantian.

“Wang Mengdie just called to ask if we’ve seen Wang Menglu.” Sun Tiantian said worriedly, leaning close to the window and looking down. “Wang Menglu went downstairs to pick mushrooms today and then disappeared.”

"Missing? At school?"

Sun Tiantian nodded, "She was gone in just ten minutes after going downstairs. When Wang Mengdie went downstairs to look for her, she only found one shoe."

"She was almost frantic; she had asked everyone in the building."

Lu Sheng frowned slightly. Although things were chaotic outside, the campus of Peking University remained relatively calm. Especially for introverted and shy girls like the Wang sisters, it was even less likely that they would offend anyone.

"Where did you find the shoes?" Lu Sheng asked after a moment's thought.

"It's right under that tree across from our window."

Lu Sheng looked up and glanced in the direction Sun Tiantian was pointing.

It's that ginkgo tree again!

First came the corpses of Lin Dong and Qin Shou, then the missing Wang Menglu. Three people have now disappeared under this ginkgo tree.

...

As night fell, the temperature dropped a few degrees.

Lu Sheng changed into a neat long-sleeved shirt and trousers, and quietly went downstairs with her cat carrier on her back.

Something unusual must be going on; she wanted to see what was wrong with this ginkgo tree.

As soon as Lu Sheng stepped out of the apartment building on the first floor, he paused.

In just a few hours, the ginkgo tree actually became more lush again.

Its trunk became thicker and stronger, and the bark on its surface had a deep silvery-gray sheen. The branches became more intertwined and crisscrossed, like a giant tentacle reaching towards the sky.

The leaves were a deep, almost blackish green, radiating a powerful vitality, with eerie glints shimmering between them. Whenever the night wind blew, the branches and leaves swayed in the wind, making a chilling rustling sound that sent shivers down one's spine.

At the base of the ginkgo tree, the roots that were originally buried deep underground have undergone tremendous changes. They intertwine and break through the soil, their surfaces covered with textures like snake scales. These roots are no longer just for drawing nutrients from the soil, but have become like tentacles, wriggling and searching for more sources of life.

"It...its index is 15..."

Zhuangzhuang's voice trembled, and he clung tightly to Lu Sheng's shoulders with both paws.

Lu Sheng smiled.

A mutated plant with a combat power index of 15 is perfect for testing the upgraded loot system.

She drew her long sword and slowly walked towards the ginkgo tree.

The knife tip sliced ​​across the stone pavement, scattering sparks.

Sensing an intruder within range, the mutated ginkgo tree's branches, like tentacles, frantically attacked Lu Sheng.

Lu Sheng leaped lightly, dodging the attack of the branches. Her long sword flashed with a cold light as she swiftly slashed at the branches that were trying to entangle her.

The ginkgo tree manipulated its underground roots, which rapidly emerged beneath her feet, attempting to trap her.

As the roots surged, some blood-stained clothes were shaken off and fell to the ground.

Some men's summer clothes, and a pair of oversized shoes for girls.

These three people were indeed eaten by the ginkgo tree...

The ginkgo tree's attack grew increasingly fierce, its swollen canopy like a giant umbrella, gradually enveloping Lu Sheng in darkness.

"Let's finish this quickly, bro! You're making me want to throw up..."

Zhuangzhuang gagged twice and patted Lu Sheng with his little paws.

Lu Sheng seized the opportunity, condensing an arc of electricity onto the blade. With a swift swing, bolts of lightning shot like arrows towards the trunk of the mutated ginkgo tree. A massive current spread through the trunk, causing the ginkgo tree to tremble in agony.

Taking advantage of the moment when the ginkgo tree's attack weakened, Lu Sheng rushed to the base of the tree and plunged his longsword deep into its roots, the brilliant lightning flowing along the blade and into the roots.

The power of thunder raged, and the ginkgo tree could not withstand such immense energy. It screamed in agony, its body began to disintegrate, and it eventually turned into ruins.

[Item Obtained: Multi-functional Pressure Cooker]

[Items obtained: 2000 points]

[Received an additional special reward: Intermediate Enhancement Serum x1]

As the ginkgo tree died, the cold system notification sounded again.

What is enhanced serum?

Lu Sheng curiously opened the system item panel.

"After drinking it, you will be reborn, with your physical strength, endurance and body resistance greatly enhanced, which can help you better adapt to the post-apocalyptic survival environment. Flavor: Strawberry. Side effects: There is a small chance that women will experience increased body hair."

I've finally waited for you~ I'm so glad I didn't give up~

Lu Sheng couldn't help but hum a song softly.

In the apocalypse, without superpowers, one can hardly move an inch; with low combat strength, one can only be a powerless, two-legged sheep when order collapses. After her rebirth, she once thought of training Sun Tiantian properly, but she couldn't bear to let Sun Tiantian suffer.

Ever since unlocking the loot system, Lu Sheng had been wondering when he could get something useful. He never expected to get something so easy right after leveling up.

No need for diligent study or rigorous training, just a glass of strawberry juice and you can become stronger in no time!

Why suffer when you can win effortlessly? Her girl is meant to be cherished!

Back in 403, Lu Sheng took a shower. While drying her hair, she suddenly felt a chill and couldn't help but sneeze.

Lu Sheng sensed something was wrong, so he plugged in the heated blanket, took out two more quilts and spread them on the bed, and finally snuggled up to the chubby Zhuangzhuang and crawled into bed.

The battle with the ginkgo tree had exhausted her. Lu Sheng sent a WeChat message to Sun Tiantian and Xu Yi reminding them to cool down before falling asleep, clutching her phone.

The next morning, Lu Sheng was woken up by a knock on the door.

As soon as the door opened, Sun Tiantian, her face flushed with sweat, came over, carrying two insulated bags. "Let's see what we caught!"

When Lu Sheng opened it, he found several plump wild rabbits.

"The bunny is so cute, add more spice later," said Lu Sheng, a loyal fan of spicy rabbit heads.

When they arrived at room 402, they discovered that Sun Tiantian had already prepared a pot of fragrant congee with preserved egg and lean pork, and had even specially served Lu Sheng a bowl with more meat.

After eating it with refreshing cold side dishes, my body felt much warmer immediately.

It turned out that Xu Yi had taken Sun Tiantian and Xiao Yu out in the early morning to look for supplies. They had run out of ammunition and food within a few kilometers of the city, so they went to the mountains near the city outskirts and found a few wild rabbits.

They also found some serow footprints, so for safety reasons, the three of them went back first to change their gear before going back.

"If we can hunt a few serows, we should be able to store up some meat to eat for a year or two. Or we can trade with Xiao Zhu for some other supplies."

After finishing their meal, Xiao Yu made a suggestion.

As temperatures drop to normal, more and more people will venture out to search for supplies. If they are slow to act, even the outskirts of the city may be emptied out.

Even if we can't find the serow, we can still catch some wild rabbits.

Rabbits, creatures with countless natural predators and no means of resistance, survive in the wild thanks to their extraordinary reproductive capacity. They don't seem to care if half of their litters die.