Shao Jie brought back the message two hours later.
While they were away from the base on a mission, there were still some messages circulating within the base.
Firstly, the research institute in the base has discovered some of the functions of the crystals in the zombies' brains, and the most important piece of news is that they can help people with superpowers level up.
Secondly, due to the prolonged rainy weather, many survivors in the base contracted diseases and died. The number was quite significant.
Thirdly, food is in short supply at the base, leading to numerous disturbances, fights, and even deaths.
There are also many teams and ordinary people going out from the base to do missions.
This has led to a daily increase in the death toll.
Many of them went out and never came back.
Because of this, people's hearts are somewhat unsettled and anxious.
"It seems that there have been quite a few follow-up events triggered by the crystal incident."
"That's right. Because of the effects of the crystals, more and more people are going out to risk their lives. Those teams are fine, but for ordinary people going out, there are more problems."
"Sigh, now that there are interests involved, there are more disputes." Meng Yang is the oldest among them, so he has seen and experienced far more than these young people.
Actually, he didn't even need to say it; everyone here understands. They're all intelligent people; they can figure it out with just a little thought.
"That's right. I've heard there are frequent fights, brawls and robberies are commonplace, and some people have even died. Tsk, the base is pretty chaotic right now." Shao Jie pursed his lips and shook his head.
"Is the base in chaos right now?" Cheng Shaolin asked.
Shao Jie nodded. "It's quite chaotic. Food is scarce right now, and people are a bit unsettled."
Cheng Shaolin's expression hardened, and he said, "Then be careful tomorrow. The base is not safe right now. Especially you women, it's best to go with men to ensure your safety."
“Yes,” Yu Yanbin’s expression was also not good. He said to Tian Tian and the others, “Be careful and don’t let your guard down. Nowhere is safe now, so be vigilant.”
"Okay, sure." Tian Tian agreed solemnly.
Upon hearing this, Shao Jie quickly asked Tian Tian, "Oh, you're going out? I'll go with you."
"Okay," Tian Tian agreed readily.
The next morning, after a good night's rest, they went out shopping in groups of two or three.
Li Xiao was with Cheng Shaolin, Tian Tian and her group of four, plus Xiao Peng. Meng Yang was with Zheng Yongnian and Yu Yanbin. And just like that, the team split into three smaller groups.
Three small teams headed toward the same place from different directions.
The place with the most information and the most complex details is definitely this "commercial street".
They just randomly chose a street entrance to enter. This street is the commercial street inside the base, where shops are used for buying and selling, and there are many people setting up stalls in front of the shops.
This is the busiest and most talked-about place in the entire base.
It has all sorts of people from all walks of life.
You can buy and sell things, exchange goods, and if you have the skills, you can find something useful here.
Li Xiao knew this place, but since she didn't need anything, she had never been here.
Li Xiao strolled around with great interest, accompanied by Cheng Shaolin.
It should be that Cheng Shaolin, who was interested in looking around, was looking at Li Xiao.
"Hey, are you exchanging clothes for food?"
"Take your time looking around, we can talk more if you find something suitable..."
"Here's a packet of instant noodles, take whatever you want..."
...
All sorts of things were available, and the shouts of vendors selling and exchanging goods filled the air.
However, after watching for a while, very few people actually traded for food.
After all, food is becoming increasingly scarce, and no one would take out their life-saving food to exchange for other things. Everyone is hiding it away, but they also openly and casually take it out.
Li Xiao glanced at Cheng Shaolin, "Brother, you've been looking at it for so long, what do you think?"
Cheng Shaolin held Li Xiao's hand and strolled slowly. When he heard Li Xiao's question, he just shook his head.
"Not good. I've barely seen any food being taken out. Also, there aren't many things that can be exchanged for value. Look."
He raised his chin, gesturing for Li Xiao to look at the street stalls not far ahead.
Li Xiao looked over and saw an old cloth spread out on the stall, on which were some things that used to be very valuable, such as watches.
The porcelain, which looks like it has great collectible value, is placed in an exquisite wooden box lined with red brocade, which makes the porcelain look very simple and elegant.
Li Xiao didn't know about this porcelain, but the vase looked very nice.
There were also several cups and a jar nearby. All of them were placed on a smooth red brocade.
Even the rarest and most collectible porcelain is not worth exchanging for when it comes to bathing.
This porcelain is neither edible nor drinkable, so no one would bother to exchange it.
That's the truth.
The old man sitting behind the stall—he was probably old, because his hair was completely white—looked listless, his face full of sorrow, and his complexion was terrible; he was thin and sallow.
He just sat there, and no one bothered to buy anything from his stall. He was like a statue, sitting still without moving or showing any change in expression.
Looking at the numb people, Li Xiao didn't know what to say.
With so many people in the same situation, what other options are there?
She is neither a saint nor a bodhisattva, and cannot save all sentient beings.
Seeing it is all that matters; nothing changes.
She is not a savior.
She was very clear about what she should and shouldn't do.
She didn't want to cause trouble for herself or her companions.
"Brother, there are many people like this, and there will be more and more in the future."
Li Xiao's gaze was calm; one could say she was numb.
The more you see and the longer you experience, the harder your heart becomes.
It seems like nothing can move me anymore; what others do is none of my concern.
"Yes, there are many, and people's spirits are becoming more and more depressed. If people lose their will, then living is just being a walking corpse."
“Yes.” Li Xiao agreed with this view. What was alive was merely a body that had not yet died; the soul that belonged to life had long been buried underground.
Cheng Shaolin seemed to sigh, but then again, he didn't.
The two of them wandered aimlessly down the street. They had no intention of buying anything or doing anything.
The streets were still quite lively, with some people in twos and threes, and others gathered in a circle talking about something.
Looking at the people on the street, none of them seemed to be in good spirits. They were dressed in tattered clothes, their faces pale and sickly, a far cry from when they first arrived.
"Brother, is there anything you want to buy? Do you want to see if there's anything you like?" Li Xiao looked around for a long time but didn't find anything she wanted, and she didn't know if Cheng Shaolin wanted anything.
"No." Cheng Shaolin shook his head.
What people need now is either momentum or food.
I have enough to eat and wear now, and there's nothing I need.
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