Ch 134: TGCIR

Fu Yanzhou and the other extremely human-like zombie facing him almost simultaneously began their confrontation.

“Space manipulation!” As soon as they exchanged their first moves, Shen Cheng immediately realized the nature of the ability possessed by the zombie facing Fu Yanzhou.

Fu Yanzhou’s ability was of the psychic type, with his primary tactics involving psychic restraint and psychic thrust. These skills would slow down his opponent’s movements, making them increasingly sluggish until he could ultimately control them directly with his psychic power.

In a matter of moments, the opposing zombie was layered with multiple debuffs, its speed diminishing, and its movements becoming as disjointed as if it were dancing in a trance.

But then, that zombie used a ‘teleportation’ ability, instantly closing a gap of several dozen meters. With the increased distance, the effects of Fu Yanzhou’s psychic power immediately lessened, rendering his debuffs ineffective.

After watching them exchange several rounds, Shen Cheng quickly noticed that Fu Yanzhou seemed somewhat restrained in his fighting, almost as if he was holding back against the other zombie. Every time he got close enough to cause serious damage, he would pile on debuffs, but when there was still some distance between them, he would only delay, without delivering a killing blow.

“What is Fu Yanzhou thinking? What’s going on with this space-manipulating zombie?” Shen Cheng murmured to herself, puzzled and unsure.

Li Weilan was the only space-manipulating ability user they knew of.

According to the information they had gathered, Li Weilan’s blood had the potential to become a key ingredient in the ‘Dawn light’ ability-enhancing serum, likely due to his close contact with a meteorite and his space manipulation ability.

But how could there be a space-manipulating zombie among the horde?

This definitely wasn’t normal!

Li Weilan kept his eyes locked on their fight, watching every move intently. After a long while, he sighed deeply.

The zombie used teleportation once again, this time appearing right next to Fu Yanzhou.

Perhaps sensing the growing killing intent or realizing that the probing had gone on long enough, Fu Yanzhou raised his hand to strike the zombie’s face. The moment his hand made contact, something unexpected happened: the space-manipulating zombie split perfectly down the middle, right in front of him, its body cracking open into two halves. Dark blood gushed out a moment later, splattering everywhere.

Fu Yanzhou wiped the blood off his face, his handsome features remaining expressionless as he coldly stared at the corpse on the ground. After a long pause, a roar suddenly erupted from deep within his chest.

All the surrounding zombies slowly knelt down in submission.

Fu Yanzhou extracted the crystal nucleus from the zombie—it was a pale blue, multi-faceted crystal, covered in blood and grime.

Spatial-type crystal nuclei are a unique shade of blue, but in Fu Yanzhou’s hands, the crystal’s color grew increasingly dim, and its size steadily shrank. Eventually, it was completely absorbed into his hand, crumbling into dust that was blown away by the wind.

“He can actually absorb a spatial-type crystal nucleus!” Shen Cheng observed this clearly, even from a distance, seeing the crystal being gradually absorbed by Fu Yanzhou.

It’s rare for zombies to kill one another, and it’s even more uncommon for them to freely absorb each other’s ability-related crystal nuclei. This is a well-known fact among all survivors. But now, watching Fu Yanzhou absorb the spatial-type crystal nucleus, both Shen Cheng and Li Weilan felt a deep unease: something unprecedented had changed within Fu Yanzhou.

Fu Yanzhou’s eyes remained cold and distant, filled with a chilling, almost pathological detachment.

He didn’t seem to care that the crystal nucleus came from a zombie filled with viruses and filth, as if the cleanliness and purity he once valued had completely vanished.

However, Li Weilan noticed something significant: when Fu Yanzhou absorbed the crystal nucleus, the blood and grime covering it were completely wiped away by his abilities, leaving the crystal looking pristine and brilliant.

This attention to ‘cleanliness’ showed that the old Fu Yanzhou, with his penchant for purity, hadn’t entirely disappeared.

Li Weilan quietly followed in Fu Yanzhou’s footsteps.

**

Fu Yanzhou suddenly turned around.

There’s a resonance between the auras of powerful beings, and he could sense this presence. If he wasn’t sure before, the gruesome scene of splitting the zombie and the ease with which it was done confirmed his suspicions about who was following him.

This time, both Shen Cheng and Li Weilan heard his voice: “You shouldn’t be here.”

“Fu Yanzhou,” Li Weilan spoke up, his voice steady, “How much of your consciousness is still intact?”

Fu Yanzhou slowly raised his gaze.

His eyes flickered between black and silver, his facial muscles stiff, yet he managed a faint, somewhat strained smile: “At least, I still remember you, Mr. Li.”

The sense of discord was growing stronger. Li Weilan moved slightly closer, but Fu Yanzhou instantly increased the distance between them. Despite this, Li Weilan noticed something clearly—Fu Yanzhou’s face had a slight tremor. “Your energy is leaking? You can’t control your abilities anymore? What’s happening?”

Recalling how Fu Yanzhou absorbed the crystal nucleus from the other zombie, Li Weilan’s thoughts raced: “What exactly are you and Xia Jinshi planning? Are you intentionally provoking other high-level zombies to engage in combat? That way, you can openly select the crystal nuclei you want?”

Fu Yanzhou’s voice was hoarse, cracked, “It has nothing to do with them.”

His tone showed resistance.

Shen Cheng deeply regretted not having taken Fu Yanzhou out of the research facility when she had the chance. Now, Fu Yanzhou’s energy seemed to be in a constant flux, his health bar fluctuating between yellow and red, indicating that he was struggling to control his chaotic thoughts.

“Fu Yanzhou,” Li Weilan called out again, but before he could finish speaking, Fu Yanzhou’s gaze turned completely cold.

He stared intently at Li Weilan, tilting his head slightly: “Do not interfere.”

His voice was stiff, as if speaking with human vocal cords was already unfamiliar to him: “We will disappear from here, forever. The world will return to peace—this is what you want too, isn’t it?”

Fu Yanzhou’s gaze remained fixed on Li Weilan, with a determination that bordered on obsession.

In those icy eyes, Li Weilan saw a burning resolve, as if it emanated from the very depths of his soul.

No matter what Fu Yanzhou’s exact thoughts were, the only thing that was certain was that what he was saying now represented his true feelings.

He believed that Xia Jinshi’s plan could end the zombie crisis in this world.

On the surface, it seemed like a good thing.

But was it really that simple?

If this plan was as flawless as it appeared, why did Fu Yanzhou carry such a heavy sense of self-destruction, constantly needing to reassure himself that what he desired, sacrificed, and endured was worth it?

Maybe he had been brainwashed by Xia Jinshi?

Li Weilan suddenly realized something: the recent tasks from the game app, the gradual increase in zombie vaccine research progress, his own abilities, and the energy surges during his conflicts with Fu Yanzhou—all these clues pointed to the same conclusion. Yes, this was the only explanation for why the game wanted them to stop Fu Yanzhou!

Spatial manipulation was the critical issue!

Feeling the intense pressure emanating from Fu Yanzhou, Li Weilan glanced around and suddenly asked a question: “The nuclear bomb… it’s meant to kill you, isn’t it?”

Fu Yanzhou didn’t respond, merely tightening his stance, readying himself for battle.

Li Weilan murmured to himself, “I should have realized this earlier.”

Shen Cheng, watching this unfold, still didn’t fully grasp what they were hinting at.

Had Li Weilan figured it out?

What should they have realized sooner?

Whatever Fu Yanzhou and Xia Jinshi were planning, if their goal was to thwart it, the best course of action would be to knock Fu Yanzhou out and take him away. The zombie horde was gathered because of Fu Yanzhou’s influence, and while handling them might be difficult, it was certainly easier than chasing down every zombie across the world.

On the flip side, they could simply subdue him, drag him back to the research institute, tie him up, and figure things out later. Shen Cheng was kicking herself for not doing this earlier when they had the chance at the research institute. Now, they were dealing with a zombie king who had an ability that was almost a game-breaking bug. Fu Yanzhou seemed increasingly out of control, rebellious like a child. Shen Cheng thought that with a brat like this, the best approach was to beat him, tie him up, and then teach him the right way.

Just as she was about to shout “Li Weilan,” intending to have him fight Fu Yanzhou, the game screen suddenly flickered and went black!

What was going on? Did the phone just die?

She shook the phone, but no matter what she tried, the screen remained black. Even after restarting the game several times, it stayed black.

Shen Cheng was furious!

She had been thinking about switching to co-op mode and fighting alongside Li Weilan, but now the game had just pulled the plug? What was the meaning of this?

In the game, feeling Shen Cheng’s presence suddenly vanish, Li Weilan’s eyes flickered.

He abruptly confronted Fu Yanzhou, demanding, “Are you trying to open the gate to another world?”

The nuclear bomb might kill, but the massive shockwave and the interaction with the existing powers could indeed open a gateway to another world.

This is the only logical explanation that fits the statement “we will disappear from this world.”

It’s the only way to make the zombies completely vanish from this world.

The nuclear bomb would kill many of the powered zombies, but if they were no longer in this world, they wouldn’t have any influence here anymore.

Xia Jinshi chose a seaport area, where time and the ocean would gradually wash away the nuclear radiation. As time passes, this place would become a thriving port again, while the zombies, under Fu Yanzhou’s leadership, would move on to another realm.

Fu Yanzhou’s cold gaze landed on Li Weilan’s face.

Li Weilan instantly teleported away, dodging the spot where Fu Yanzhou’s attack would have landed. He could feel the sticky, web-like energy trying to ensnare him, and he was certain—this time, Fu Yanzhou truly intended to kill him.

And he was ready to strike.

“Traitor, die!” Fu Yanzhou growled from deep within his throat.

At that moment, the light in his eyes was completely gone.

He would never allow a plan, for which so much had been sacrificed, to be ruined at the final moment.

To be destroyed by someone else.

Li Weilan teleported several times to evade Fu Yanzhou’s attacks, his mind swirling in confusion: for this world, it did seem like a good plan.

But which world would they be opening the door to?

Li Weilan vaguely began to grasp the truth.

Did their own world also go through such a struggle?

“Fu Yanzhou!” Li Weilan’s gaze shifted from confusion to resolve. He thought of those few days in Shen Cheng’s world, the immense damage that zombies had brought to their world, and the momentary doubt and chaos in his heart suddenly vanished.

A shortcut.

If the shortcut is down such a dark path, then there’s no need for it, nor for that kind of glory.

At that moment, Shen Cheng’s phone screen lit up.

Her eyes brightened, and she saw Li Weilan and Fu Yanzhou dodging and fighting each other. It seemed like Li Weilan was not much of a match for the multi-powered zombie king.

Fu Yanzhou’s energy was chaotic, but his fighting style didn’t need to consider energy consumption. Even as the energy became more turbulent, he didn’t care.

Shen Cheng’s task updated:

[Understand the truth about the nuclear bomb (Completed). Vaccine research progress 10%]

[Main Task 3: Stop Xia Jinshi and Fu Yanzhou’s plan (Countdown: 24:00:00). Task reward: Vaccine research progress 20%]

Shen Cheng still didn’t fully understand what the truth was!

At this moment, Shen Cheng opened the shop, and the items in the shop displayed the following:

[Main Task 1 & 2 Reward: You can freely obtain one weapon, one piece of equipment, and one…]

“???” In the past, the most expensive weapons and armor in the shop were marked with prices in the hundreds of thousands. Shen Cheng had always hoped to get some good items from weapon rewards, and even if she sold some assets, she could barely consider herself a small cash-rich player. But now, they’re directly offering free items?

A final mission, and the game is even giving out weapons and equipment? Are they really that worried about us failing the mission?

Shen Cheng couldn’t believe it. She faintly sensed something was off, as if, to this game system, the success of the final mission mattered more than it did to them.

Shen Cheng’s eyes twinkled with suspicion: When has there ever been such a thing as a free lunch? If it looks like a good deal, it’s probably a trap!

Instead of rushing to choose the most expensive equipment by sorting by price, she first told Li Weilan about this: “Lan Lan, this main mission is to stop Fu Yanzhou and Xia Jinshi, and the game is letting us choose one piece of equipment for free. What do you think?” She dragged out her words, with a hint of cunning in her tone.

The meaning was clear: Should we try to negotiate with the shop?

Since the game seems so eager for them to complete the mission, just getting weapons and equipment doesn’t seem like enough. Some revival potions or similar items wouldn’t be too much to ask!

Xia Jinshi had probably planned this ‘final plan’ for a long time, and since the game was asking them to stop Xia Jinshi, with the timing so critical, Shen Cheng naturally wanted Lan Lan to get the best possible supplies.

Li Weilan narrowed his eyes.

After thinking for a moment, he suddenly said, “I know you can hear us.”

“Listen.” He repeated, his voice slowing down, “I want to see.”

Shen Cheng didn’t know who Li Weilan was talking to, but after repeating it twice, a new notification suddenly popped up in the game interface:

[Do you want to materialize: Li Weilan? Remaining time: 10:00:00. Please note: Due to time constraints, materialization may lead to final mission failure. The host is advised to choose carefully.]

Choose carefully?

Shen Cheng’s eyes lingered on the warning message for a moment, but she didn’t hesitate for long.

Li Weilan had already chosen to ‘materialize,’ and Shen Cheng, hearing the conversation earlier, realized that the app really was accommodating their needs. Without further hesitation, she clicked confirm.

As soon as she clicked the ‘confirm’ button, a magical scene unfolded. Light dots slowly gathered on the screen, and a well-built, handsome man gradually took shape on the screen. Then, through the phone screen, the man winked playfully at her and smiled as he extended his hand, saying, “Cheng Cheng…”

Shen Cheng couldn’t believe her eyes as she looked at the man now on the screen.

But she hadn’t forgotten that this time, it wasn’t as simple as it seemed!

There were still choices to be made!

This time…

A small, faint dimple appeared at the corner of Li Weilan’s mouth.

He gently embraced her, holding her close as if she were something precious, and finally, in that moment of feeling her realness, he felt the warmth return to his heart. The reality returned, and his life no longer felt like a controlled joke.

For a brief moment, when he realized what he and his world truly were to this “game,” Li Weilan had a fleeting doubt—wondering if he was living in a virtual world of zeros and ones.

There was even a moment when he questioned whether all their efforts were just a joke.

But then, he saw her.

No matter what the game was, no matter what the app was, at least she was real. Holding her at that moment, he finally felt a long-lost sense of peace.

At least, to him, this wasn’t a joke.

He had found his anchor in this world.

His world might be in chaos, but where she was, that would always be the safest home.

“Cheng Cheng,” he called her name softly, almost like a whisper.

Shen Cheng felt him nuzzling close, filled with such fondness and attachment, and she couldn’t help but ask softly, “Lan Lan, your emotions seem a bit off.”

Before she could finish her question, Li Weilan leaned in and kissed her.

In that instant, countless stars seemed to dance before her eyes. Shen Cheng forgot what she had originally wanted to ask and closed her eyes: His kiss was unusually passionate, but amidst the warmth of the embrace, there was a sense of longing conveyed, as if he was drawing energy, like she was his entire world.

His breath was hot and warm, gradually growing heavier, and his reaction clearly showed that for him, this carried a deep meaning, making it almost impossible for him to control his breathing.

Shen Cheng didn’t push him away. This warmth and gentle obedience soothed his restless emotions. After a moment of exploration, Li Weilan sighed deeply, surrounded by the gentle fragrance that Shen Cheng carried, which seemed to warm his entire world now that he was in this world.

“Cheng Cheng, I miss you so much.” His voice was lower than usual, and it was only then that Shen Cheng realized her face had turned red. From her current angle, she could clearly see Li Weilan’s long, lowered eyelashes and the focused gaze in his eyes as he looked at her.

She felt a bit uneasy.

They were too close.

This proximity, this sense of invading her space, made her whole body feel like it was slowly burning, and she didn’t even realize how hot she was becoming.

But this was her boyfriend, after all.

He was her cub that she had raised step by step, and now, the only one in her life who belonged to her.

His significance to her was like air; once she realized her life was void without him, it was already impossible to separate.

In truth, she didn’t want to be apart.

“Lan Lan,” Shen Cheng leaned in and kissed the corner of his mouth—still feeling a bit shy, even such a simple gesture made her blush slightly. “I just feel like something’s off with your emotions.”

Sharp as always.

Li Weilan thought this to himself but didn’t dare share all his previous speculations with her. The app had arranged for a disconnect at that moment precisely because it knew her personality and didn’t want her to fall into a spiral of worry and anxiety.

🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋