66. Love

The glimmer of dawn, like diluted pale golden blood, struggled to penetrate the thick dust of the abandoned warehouse, casting dappled spots of light across the shattered space. The air was thick with rust, stale dust, the lingering smell of blood, and Mu Lin's unique scent of a cold blend of herbs and blood, all forming a heavy and complex tone of survival.

Deep in the warehouse, Ling Ye half-knelt on the ground, his posture erect as a pine tree, yet possessed of a near-frozen concentration. Before him, Su Lin lay spread out on layers of old canvas and clean clothing, still unconscious. The boy's face was frighteningly pale, like fine oriental porcelain, fragile and brittle. His long, thick lashes cast a quiet, fan-shaped shadow beneath his eyelids. His once lively eyes were closed, and only the faint, almost imperceptible twitch of his nostrils gave evidence of the tenacious lingering of life. His chapped lips parted slightly as Ling Ye carefully and repeatedly moistened them with a clean cloth dipped in precious drinking water, his movements as gentle as if they were a rare treasure. His usually piercing, icy-blue eyes were now filled with Su Lin's pale reflection, a mixture of anxiety and deep pain threatening to overflow. His fingertips brushed against Su Lin's soft black hair soaked with cold sweat on his forehead, and feeling his body temperature which was lower than that of an ordinary person, Ling Ye's heart seemed to be tightly grasped by an invisible hand.

Not far away, Mu Lin lay flat on his back, his condition equally grim. His shirt had been undone, revealing a bruised, even slightly concave, chest beneath. This was the horrific backlash from forcibly using the "Ice Coffin" to counter the annihilating force of Silence. His face was pale, dark blood stains lingering around his lips, and his breathing was weak and labored. Lei Qing was squatting beside him, his stern, bronzed face furrowed in a frown as he used the medicine and bandages he had brought from the shelter to urgently fix him. Lei Qing's fingers were thick and powerful, yet his movements were remarkably steady and precise. He carefully avoided the wound and tightened the bandages layer by layer.

"Ahem...Captain Lei..." Mu Lin struggled to open his eyelids. His icy blue pupils seemed a little unfocused due to the severe pain. His voice was hoarse and weak, "Su Lin...he..."

"His vital signs are temporarily stable, but he hasn't woken up yet." Lei Qing answered in a deep voice, put the water bag to his lips and fed him a small sip of water. "Don't worry about others, take care of yourself first. Your internal organs are shaken and your ribs are fractured. It's a miracle that you're still alive." His voice was filled with unquestionable strength and imperceptible concern.

Mu Lin shook his head and looked stubbornly in Su Lin's direction, his eyes filled with guilt and helplessness. "It's me... I couldn't completely block it..."

"Without your ice wall, we would all die there." Lei Qing interrupted him, his tone firm, "The only thing you have to do now is to survive and recover. This is an order." He patted Mu Lin's uninjured shoulder, conveying calm strength.

Xingchen sat leaning against the broken wooden crate, his face pale as paper. The severe overdraw of his mental energy gave him a splitting headache, and the blood vessels in his solar plexus throbbed violently. He fought back the stabbing pain in his skull, closed his eyes, and concentrated, channeling the remaining wisp of mental energy like the finest spiderweb, slowly and tenaciously spreading from the warehouse's center to the surrounding areas. Sweat dripped down his forehead, soaking the ends of his soft chestnut hair, but he pursed his lips tightly, not daring to let his guard down even for a moment. He was the eyes of the team, and he couldn't afford to lose his sight at this moment.

A Yan stood guard by the warehouse's only intact window, peering through the cracks between the broken glass and the piled-up debris, warily observing the silent streets and twisted ruins outside. His bare upper body was swathed in bandages, several deep wounds still oozing blood. His bronze skin shone glossily in the morning light. He stood erect, like a silent and loyal guardian deity, his golden pupils gleaming with a cold, vigilant light in the dim light, as if ready to ignite a flame of incineration.

Time slowly flowed in the oppressive silence, broken only by the suppressed breathing of the crowd and the occasional shrill howls of unknown mutant creatures in the distance.

After an unknown amount of time, Xingchen suddenly opened his eyes, a gleam of light flashing in his pupils. He gasped and spoke, his voice filled with weak excitement: "Northeastward... about twenty kilometers away... I sensed a... 'clean' area! The energy field is very stable. There's no sense of filth from the Guichen Sect, nor are there any chaotic signals from a large number of mutant creatures... There's a small, organized signal source active! It's very weak, but it's there!"

This news was like a spark thrown into the darkness, instantly igniting hope in everyone's eyes.

"Are you sure what it is? A survivor base?" Lei Qing immediately asked, his body unconsciously leaning forward slightly.

Xingchen shook his head, a tired yet confident look on his face. "The distance is too great, and my perception is blurry. But I'm certain it's intelligent life. The nature of its energy leans towards order and... construction? It feels completely different from the chaotic madness of the Guichen Sect."

"Twenty kilometers northeast..." Lei Qing pondered, his mind quickly recalling the topography of the area. "It's on the edge of the ruins of a large ecological agricultural experimental zone in the old days... If there really are survivors who have established a base there, it makes sense geographically."

He stood up, his tall, burly figure casting a solid shadow across the warehouse. His gaze slowly swept over his team members. He saw Ling Ye's undisguised worry for Su Lin, the weariness and determination on Xingchen's face, the silent loyalty of A Yan, and the unextinguished sense of responsibility in Mu Lin's eyes, even after his severe injury. Finally, his gaze fell on the pale, fragile face of the unconscious Su Lin.

"We have no choice." Lei Qing's voice was firm, breaking the last bit of hesitation. "If we stay here, Su Lin and Mu Lin won't get effective treatment and can only wait for death. Let's go to the source of the signal. Although the road ahead is unknown, there is a glimmer of hope. Let's take a gamble!"

Orders were quickly issued: "Xingchen, recover your mental strength as quickly as possible. Provide guidance and warnings along the way. You are our eyes." "Mulin, cooperate with the movement and try to conserve your energy to reduce the burden." "Ayan, focus on armed surveillance and clearing the way." Finally, he looked at Ling Ye, "Lingye, Su Lin is in your care. We must protect his life."

Ling Ye raised his head, his icy eyes meeting Lei Qing's. There was no hesitation in them, only a heavy, unquestionable commitment. He nodded heavily, his hand subconsciously tightening around Su Lin's cold fingers, trying to hold onto that faint life force.

The rest period was tight but efficient. Lei Qing personally examined and rebandaged A Yan and Ling Ye's wounds, ensuring they wouldn't break during the march. He retrieved high-energy compressed food and functional drinks from Su Lin's space and distributed them to everyone, forcing them to consume them. Xingchen forced himself into deep meditation, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. Mu Lin, enduring the excruciating pain, attempted to gently move his joints with Lei Qing's help.

Ling Ye remained by Su Lin's side the entire time. Besides giving him water, he constantly wiped his forehead and neck with a damp cloth, attempting to physically cool him down. He looked at Su Lin's still furrowed brow even in his coma, and an indescribable emotion surged within his cold, hardened heart. He leaned over and, in a whisper so low only the two of them could hear, firmly whispered into Su Lin's ear, "Hold on, Su Lin. I will never let you die."

The midday sun shone through the holes in the warehouse ceiling, casting several scorching and dazzling beams of light. The dust in the air danced wildly, just like their confusing future.

"Let's go." Lei Qing gave an order, breaking the last bit of silence.

Ling Ye carefully lifted Su Lin onto his back, securing him securely to his broad back with the sturdy cloth straps he'd found. Su Lin lay limp, his head resting weakly against Ling Ye's neck. His gentle breaths brushed against Ling Ye's skin, bringing a tingling sensation. Ling Ye adjusted his position, ensuring Su Lin's maximum comfort, then stood firmly upright.

A Yan also carried Mu Lin, who was in better condition but still unable to walk independently. Mu Lin's arms draped weakly around A Yan's shoulders, and he whispered, "Thank you for your hard work, A Yan."

Ah Yan grinned nonchalantly, revealing his snow-white teeth: "No big deal, Brother Mu Lin, just hold on to me."

Xingchen took a deep breath, suppressing the mental fatigue and headache, and walked to the front of the team. His mental power, like invisible tentacles, cautiously extended forward. Lei Qing, holding a rugged energy rifle, walked to the flank of the team, his sharp eyes constantly scanning the angles where danger might lurk.

This scarred but steel-willed squad embarked on their journey once again. Carrying the lives of their companions and a faint but resolute hope, they braved the scorching sun of noon, shrouded in radioactive dust, and stepped resolutely into the endless and dangerous world of ruins ahead.

The road beneath my feet was uneven, strewn with rubble and twisted metal. The heat distorted the air, and everywhere I looked was the devastation of a crumbling civilization. Collapsed skyscrapers stood like the skeletons of giants, rusting cars blocked the streets, and mutated plants stubbornly emerged from the cracks in the concrete, casting an ominous dark hue.

The pace was slow and arduous. Ling Ye took every step with extreme caution, fearing to jolt Su Lin on his back. He could clearly feel Su Lin's surprisingly light weight and faint heartbeat, which kept his heart on edge. Sweat trickled down his jawline, dripping onto the dry ground and evaporating instantly.

A Yan was no less restless. Although Mu Lin wasn't seriously injured, he was severely injured and unable to adjust his posture. He relied entirely on A Yan's core strength to support him. A Yan's golden eyes scanned the surroundings, muscles tense, ready to respond to any emergency.

Xingchen's face grew paler, and the continued depletion of his mental energy left him with a somewhat unsteady gait. Several times, he'd sensed vague danger signals in the distance and signaled the team to change direction, avoiding wandering swarms of low-level mutants.

"At ten o'clock, three hundred meters away, there's an energy reaction... very weak. It might be an abandoned energy source. Go around it." Stardust's voice was obviously tired.

Lei Qing immediately made a gesture, and the team quietly changed its route and sneaked into the shadow of a half-collapsed building.

"Can you still hold on, Xingchen?" Lei Qing asked in a low voice, with concern in his eyes.

Xingchen wiped the sweat from his forehead and nodded: "No problem, Captain Lei. It's just... we are at least fifteen kilometers away from the source of the signal, and my perception range is shrinking." There was a hint of anxiety in his voice.

"Keep the pace, don't force it." Lei Qing said calmly, "There's no turning back."

At this moment, Mu Lin, carried by A Yan, seemed to regain some spirit. He looked ahead at Su Lin's quiet profile on Ling Ye's back, then glanced at his teammates, whose expressions were resolute. A complex light flashed in his icy blue eyes. He suddenly spoke in a low voice. Although his voice was still weak, it carried a clear meaning, as if he had made some kind of resolution:

"Captain Lei, A Yan, Ling Ye... and Xing Chen," he paused, his eyes sweeping over everyone, "If... if we can survive, if Su Lin can get better... I want to tell him something."

Everyone's eyes subconsciously focused on Mu Lin. Even Ling Ye, who had his back to him, paused slightly, almost imperceptibly.

A faint blush appeared on Mu Lin's pale face, but his eyes were remarkably firm. "I... I don't want to just protect him as a teammate anymore. This serious injury has made me see my heart more clearly. I... love him. Not as a companion, but as a love that makes me want to spend the rest of my life with him."

The air seemed to freeze for a moment, the only sound being the whimpering of the wind as it blew through the ruins.

Then, A Yan's loud and straightforward voice broke the silence: "Hey! What a coincidence! Brother Mu Lin, me too!" He made no secret of it, his golden eyes burning with fiery emotion, "I've had my eye on Su Lin for a long time! He's so handsome, so strong, and his spatial ability is so amazing! The one I, A Yan, have set my sights on, can't escape! When we get to a safe place, I'm going to tell him in person!"

Xingchen smiled weakly, a blush appearing on his pale face. He whispered, as if talking to himself, but also as if confessing to his teammates: "I... my mental power can vaguely sense some emotions. A long time ago, I knew... that my feelings for Su Lin were different. Seeing him injured, I... "Here, I feel..." He pointed to his heart, "It hurts more than if my mental power was overdrawn."

Everyone's eyes finally fell on Ling Ye, who remained silent the entire time.

Ling Ye's footsteps didn't stop, still steadily carrying Su Lin forward. His profile was cold and hard. After several seconds, just when everyone thought he wouldn't respond, his low but clear voice rang out, carrying an unquestionable possessiveness and a deep tenderness:

"He is mine." These three simple words were weighty, declaring his sovereignty and expressing all his unspoken emotions.

Lei Qing looked at the group of young and sincere team members around him. A complex expression crossed his sturdy face, a mixture of helplessness and emotion, which eventually morphed into a calmness tinged with indulgence. He said in a deep voice, "Relationships are your own business. When Su Lin wakes up, you can fight for them. But now, everyone, pull yourself together and make it to that stronghold alive! Don't die in these ruins before you even confess your feelings!"

His words pulled everyone back to reality from their emotional turmoil. Yes, survival was the most important thing.

The team continued on their journey. After the confession, the atmosphere seemed to shift subtly, a subtle sense of tacit understanding and competition permeating the air. Their care for Su Lin also became more attentive.

During a short break on the way, Ling Ye carefully held Su Lin in his arms, let him lean on his chest, warmed his cold body with his body temperature, and combed Su Lin's soft black hair over and over again with his fingers.

A Yan took out the water bag, but instead of drinking it himself, he put it close to Mu Lin's mouth and fed him. Although his movements were rough, they showed his concern.

Even though Xingchen was tired, he would gently brush his mental power over Su Lin from time to time to sense whether his condition was stable.

The sun began to set, tinting the sky and earth a tragic golden-red. Hours of continuous trekking had stretched everyone's strength to its limits. Xingchen's perception range had shrunk to less than a hundred meters, and his face was frighteningly pale. Ayan and Lingye's breathing had become heavy, their steps plodding.

Just when hope seemed to be sinking with the setting sun, Xingchen, who was walking in front, suddenly stopped, his body swayed, and he almost fell down, but was supported by Lei Qing beside him.

"Stardust!" "How is it?"

Stardust pointed to a blurry area ahead, built upon a ruined greenhouse complex. His voice trembled with incredible excitement and relief, "We're there... right there! I can sense... the presence of living people, lots of them! And... a protective force field!"

Following his lead, I saw layers of defensive fortifications constructed from the steel frames of old greenhouses at the edge of the ecological experimental zone. They even had barbed wire fences and simple watchtowers erected around the perimeter. Atop the towers, I could vaguely see patrol officers.

Hope, like a lighthouse in the darkness, finally appeared clearly before our eyes.

However, as they dragged their exhausted bodies closer with their last hope, a stern warning came from the watchtower, amplified by the loudspeaker and echoing among the ruins:

"Stop! Outsiders! Identify your identity and intentions! Disarm immediately and remain outside the quarantine line for inspection! I repeat, disarm immediately!"

Several black gun muzzles were pointed at them from behind the fortifications.

Lei Qing took a deep breath, slowly placed the energy rifle on the ground, and raised his hands, signaling the others to follow suit. He took a step forward, his loud and steady voice piercing the twilight:

"We are a small group of survivors from afar. We were attacked by the Return to Dust Cult, and we have some seriously injured soldiers who are in urgent need of medical treatment! We are seeking temporary shelter and a deal! We have no ill intentions!"

There was a commotion behind the fortifications, as if someone was discussing something. A moment later, a serious-looking middle-aged man in a simple but capable uniform appeared above the fortifications. His sharp gaze swept over the disorganized yet still disciplined squad below, lingering for a moment in particular on Su Lin, perched on Ling Ye's back, and Mu Lin, perched on A Yan's.

"Disarm all and place in the designated area. All of you, including the wounded, need to enter the outer isolation area for 24-hour observation and review. If you agree, come in. If you disagree, please leave." The middle-aged man's voice was devoid of any emotion.

It was a difficult decision. To disarm meant putting life and death in the hands of strangers.

Lei Qing turned to look at his teammates. Ling Ye pursed his lips, glanced at Su Lin on his back, and nodded. A Yan spat, but still carefully lowered the short blade at his waist and Mu Lin from his back. Xingchen leaned weakly against Lei Qing and agreed. Mu Lin raised his hand with difficulty.

"We agree!" Lei Qing responded loudly.

The heavy door slowly opened a crack with a harsh metallic sound. The team members glanced at each other, supported each other, carried each other on their backs, and with a final burst of hope and caution, they stepped into the survivors' stronghold called "Oasis."

Once they all entered, the gate slowly closed behind them, temporarily isolating the threat of the ruins. While the future was uncertain, at least they had survived and found a place that might offer hope. And deep within their hearts, their shared love for Su Lin grew clearer and more resolute during this journey of life and death.