As dusk settled, the fleeing caravan finally came to a halt in a desolate wilderness.

Jiang Chan looked up at the sky. A thick darkness had enveloped the surrounding area, and the remaining moonlight was also obscured by heavy clouds.

The road, which was clearly visible under the moonlight, is now completely invisible.

"Rest here tonight," the village chief said in a hoarse voice. "The few people we just called will take turns keeping watch, and the rest of you should get some sleep."

A few weary responses came from the crowd.

"Sister Jiang, where are we sleeping?" Xiao Tao tugged at Jiang Chan's sleeve, her voice filled with weariness.

Jiang Chan looked around and chose a slope a little away from the main group. There, she had a protruding rock behind her, which would not only block the wind but also allow her to react quickly in case of danger.

"Drink." She handed the water pouch to Xiao Tao.

The child took it, eagerly took a sip, and immediately exclaimed, "Sister Jiang, why is this water...so sweet!"

The water she used to drink always had a strange taste.

Jiang Chan remained calm and said, "All mountain spring water is like this."

Xiao Tao nodded as if she understood, and then took two more sips at Jiang Chan's urging.

Seeing her satisfied expression, Jiang Chan's heart stirred slightly.

Under the cover of night, Jiang Chan took out two compressed biscuits from her spatial storage. These military rations were small in size but high in calories, making them perfect for filling one's stomach. She tore open the packaging and handed them to Xiao Tao, saying, "Eat."

The child took the cookie, took a small bite, and his eyes suddenly lit up. Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Chan whispered a warning, "Shh—don't say anything!"

A few suppressed coughs came from afar. Jiang Chan subconsciously took out a pistol from her spatial storage and held it in her hand. The cold metallic touch made her feel a little more at ease.

Although the current situation is not as perilous as the apocalypse, the wickedness of human nature is no different.

Then, she took out an inconspicuous little device from her space. It was an infrared alarm commonly used in the apocalypse.

She skillfully placed it on the edge of the earthen slope where they slept, so that it would emit a vibration alarm that only she could hear whenever someone approached.

"Sister Jiang, what are you doing?" Xiao Tao asked curiously.

"To expel the parasites," Jiang Chan said casually. "Go to sleep, we have to travel tomorrow."

The child nodded obediently and curled up on the spread-out coarse cloth.

Jiang Chan leaned against the side, one hand always resting on the pistol at her waist.

The night wind howled across the wilderness, carrying the faint voices of other fleeing groups in the distance.

Xiao Tao's breathing gradually became steady, but Jiang Chan remained vigilant.

She looked up at the dark night sky, her thoughts drifting back to those apocalyptic nights—the same boundless darkness, the same need to guard against threats from her own kind, the only difference being that this world had no other superhumans…hmm, maybe not…

The system panel was then brought up again:

[System task not triggered, please wait patiently...]

This damn system...

The nights in the wilderness are exceptionally long, and the occasional howls of wild beasts in the distance keep the watchmen on edge.

As the first rays of gray appeared on the horizon, Jiang Chan quickly and silently put away the alarm.

Jiang Chan stood up and stretched her stiff neck, shoulders, and back. She had been curled up on the hard ground last night, and her bones ached from the effort to the pain. Her muscles were as stiff as a piece of wood.

The people around them gradually woke up, but no one spoke; there were only intermittent coughs and suppressed groans.

Nobody slept well.

I couldn't bear living like this for even a day!

The children stopped crying and just slumped against the adults, their eyes glazed over.

The adults quietly packed their meager belongings.

Jiang Chan stood up and dusted herself off.

Xiao Tao rubbed her eyes and got up. Seeing that Jiang Chan had already packed, she hurriedly rolled up her small bundle, afraid of being left behind.

"No rush," Jiang Chan said calmly. "They haven't made a move yet."

Xiao Tao nodded, but still quickened her pace.

"Clang—clang—clang—!" Village Chief Chen banged the gong with all his might, "Go! Get up! Go—"

In the morning light, the fleeing caravan set off again.

Jiang Chan was carrying a bulging, heavy bundle, but it was actually only stuffed with a few tattered clothes, purely to deceive people.

The real supplies—water, dry food, medicine…—are all in her space, readily available for her to use.

She had it much easier than the others.

Even so, the original owner's body was still too weak.

This time, after walking for less than half an hour, Jiang Chan's vision began to darken and her temples throbbed.

She stopped and closed her eyes to catch her breath, but the dizziness still lingered.

"Sister Jiang?" Xiao Tao noticed her unusual behavior and looked up at her. "What's wrong?"

Jiang Chan didn't answer, but clenched her fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, trying to use the pain to bring herself back to her senses.

Xiao Tao tiptoed and gently patted her back with her little hands. "Grandma said that patting your back will make you feel better when you're not feeling well."

Jiang Chan was taken aback.

She looked down at Xiao Tao; the child's face was dirty, but her eyes were incredibly clear, filled with pure worry.

"It's nothing," Jiang Chan replied briefly, but her tone was softer than usual.

Xiao Tao said worriedly, "Sister Jiang, your face is so dark, but your lips are so white."

Jiang Chan subconsciously touched her lips, then suddenly realized it might be a symptom of low blood sugar. She took out a piece of candy from her storage space and, using her sleeve as a cover, put it in her mouth.

The sweetness melted on the tip of my tongue, and the dizziness eased slightly.

"Let's go." She took Xiaotao's hand and continued forward.

The child's hands were small but warm, tightly gripping her fingers as if afraid she might suddenly collapse.

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