61 – Strange

Feeling the terrifying aura Wang Ping had leaked, everyone reacted differently: some were frightened, some were shocked, and some were dumbfounded.

“Wang Ping, your cultivation level…” Cai Yonglong looked at Wang Ping in disbelief, his body slightly trembling.

Because he and Wang Ping were the only ones from the same world, his perception was the deepest, and he could roughly guess Wang Ping’s cultivation level.

That was the Spirit Origin Realm, and it wasn’t just any Spirit Origin Realm; it was at least above the seventh level of the Spirit Origin Realm.

He had once seen a sect elder in action, and the aura displayed wasn’t as solid and powerful as Wang Ping’s.

And that elder was at the sixth level of the Spirit Origin Realm.

Compared to Cai Yonglong’s shock, the others only felt that Wang Ping was extremely strong, so strong that it made them tremble, but they didn’t know what level Wang Ping’s cultivation was.

“Spirit Origin Realm Perfection.” Wang Ping calmly uttered these six words.

For a moment, Cai Yonglong’s pupils contracted, and he gasped.

The others also looked at each other, unable to remain calm.

After all, through the conversation in the chat group, they had learned about the cultivation levels in the fantasy world of Cai Yonglong and Wang Ping.

Body Tempering, Postnatal, Innate, Spirit Origin, Great Transcendence.

Spirit Origin Realm Perfection… Wouldn’t that mean he was just a step away from entering the Great Transcendence? It was simply terrifying.

“Wang Ping, you’ve hidden it really well.” Cai Yonglong looked deeply at Wang Ping and slowly spoke.

“So have you, Brother Cai. You’ve hidden many things too.” Wang Ping looked at Cai Yonglong and smiled.

Seeing Wang Ping still willing to call him Brother Cai, Cai Yonglong felt especially complicated, and looked at Wang Ping with a complex expression.

The other party was clearly not someone who, having gained great power, would look down on others.

“Haha, who’d have thought, Brother Wang, you’re so strong.” Zhang Hu’s eyes showed surprise as he approached, took out a bottle of beverage, handed it to Wang Ping, and said with a smile: “This is a special potion from our world; it can restore mental power. You must have exhausted a lot just now… maybe you could use it.”

“Hmm.” Wang Ping glanced at the grin that Zhang Hu forced out, nodded, took the potion, and said nothing more.

Although he didn’t have a good impression of Zhang Hu, the potion, a product of a world of swords and magic, was worth accepting for research.

“Brother Wang, this time it’s all up to you.” Zhang Jun also came over, with a respectful expression, treating Wang Ping like a superior.

Fang Yun looked at Wang Ping, then at Cai Yonglong’s complex expression, sighed, patted Cai Yonglong on the shoulder, and said nothing.

Wu Jun still kept his head down, silent, as if he were shutting himself off.

Liu Mei opened her mouth, not knowing what to say, and finally could only smile bitterly.

Everyone refrained from asking about Wang Ping’s Golden Finger.

They could guess that Wang Ping’s Golden Finger was definitely not as simple as foreseeing the future; otherwise, it wouldn’t have made him so strong in such a short time.

However, Wang Ping was currently the strongest and the hope of completing the mission, so they wouldn’t be tactless and offend him.

Chen Yao’s eyes flashed as she gazed at Wang Ping and asked: “Wang Ping, you said it was annihilation, meaning… you died too?”

“Hmm.” Wang Ping admired Chen Yao with a glance and nodded.

Among everyone present, this girl’s character remained consistent. Although shocked by his strength, her attitude towards him hadn’t changed, just like before.

“After you all died, I left the city and hid in a rural area. However, on the one hundred and sixtieth day, a terrifying tide of corpses suddenly surrounded me. The zombies in the tide were extremely terrifying. Postnatal combat power was as insignificant as dogs; Innate combat power was everywhere, and even Spirit Origin Realm zombies were not few. Then, I was overwhelmed by the tide, exhausted to death.”

Pausing briefly, Wang Ping’s face grew solemn as he spoke again.

“Before I died, I saw a strange tentacle emerge from the ground and pierce through my body. I suspect that is our mission target.”

Upon hearing this, everyone perked up. Even Wu Jun couldn’t help but lift his head, looking at Wang Ping.

The foretold future, though annihilative, at least provided a clue, which counted as a good thing.

What they feared was dying in vain with no clue at all; that would be true despair.

“Wang Ping, based on your description, the entity behind that tentacle might indeed be our target, but it could also be some kind of intelligent zombie controlling the tide.” Cai Yonglong also calmed down and spoke solemnly.

“Regardless of whether it is, we must eliminate it, right?” Fang Yun shook his head and interjected.

“However, this thing appeared on the one hundred and sixtieth day, and by then it could control such a terrifying tide of corpses. How are we supposed to deal with it?” Zhang Hu frowned, his face looking bad. “And its power definitely isn’t weak.”

“More importantly, I think we should consider how to solve the strange infection problem. After all, I wouldn’t want Sister Liu and Wu Jun to turn into zombies.”
Wang Ping glanced at Wu Jun and Liu Mei, speaking slowly.

As soon as he said this, everyone was stunned.

Wang Ping specifically mentioned Liu Mei and Wu Jun without saying ‘everyone,’ obviously reminding them that he didn’t want to abandon Wu Jun and Liu Mei. He didn’t want anyone to get the wrong idea.

This behavior made Zhang Hu feel a bit regretful.

He knew his previous outburst had caused trouble, and Wang Ping was reprimanding him.

Meanwhile, Liu Mei and Wu Jun looked at Wang Ping with gratitude.

“I never thought of abandoning my comrades,” Cai Yonglong said slowly after a moment of silence. “Rather than that, we should indeed consider how to solve the problem of the eerie infection. Only in this way can Wang Ping continue to use his abilities. Otherwise, it would waste precious opportunities…”

As soon as he said this, everyone furrowed their brows and fell into contemplation.

Wang Ping was also deep in thought, analyzing the content of his simulations, not wanting to miss any detail.

“I have a question.”

At this moment, Chen Yao scanned the crowd and spoke slowly, her voice cool.

“What question?” Everyone looked over.

“Why did none of you get infected after hunting outside all day, but within two hours of returning, you got infected? Is it really a problem with the house?”

Chen Yao’s gaze was profound as she spoke slowly.

“If it really was a problem, this being Zhang Jun’s temporary stronghold, he should have been infected long ago.”

As soon as she said this, everyone felt a chill in their hearts.

Right, they had previously worried that it was a problem with the house and thought of finding a new stronghold.

Now, it seemed that wasn’t necessarily the case.

“I have a hypothesis.”

Wang Ping looked at Chen Yao and smiled slightly.

“How coincidental, I also have a hypothesis.” Chen Yao and Wang Ping exchanged glances, Chen Yao blinked and, uncharacteristically, revealed a playful smile, losing her previous coolness, making hearts race.

“Would you like to go first?” Wang Ping made an inviting gesture.

“Alright.” Chen Yao nodded her head.

Their conversation made everyone look forward with anticipation, hoping to find a breakthrough point.

“According to my analysis, the eerie zombie’s controlling ability should be triggered when an even number of humans gather together for an extended period, causing them to become infected.”

Wisdom flashed in Chen Yao’s eyes as she spoke slowly.

“When Zhang Jun moved alone, he was never infected. When you acted in groups of three, you were not infected. But Liu Jie and Wu Jun got infected because they were in a group of two, an even number. After you returned, resting in this room, the number became even again, so you got infected within two hours.”

!!!

As soon as she said this, except for Wang Ping, who smiled and looked at Chen Yao with admiration, everyone else showed expressions of shock or sudden realization.

“Indeed, if we analyze it this way, it can explain the eerie infection.”

“Additionally, it can explain why everyone in this world has disappeared. No one could withstand this kind of rule-based ability. Even if they survived the initial infection, they would get infected later if they didn’t figure out this ability or would be bitten to death by those infected.”

“Rule-based abilities are truly disgusting.”

Everyone was both excited and fearful, filled with lingering fear.

The zombie virus was already terrifying, and now it was mixed with eerie rule-based abilities. How could ordinary people possibly survive?

“There’s another point.” Wang Ping pondered slightly and spoke, “His eerie ability doesn’t directly turn people into zombies; it infects them stealthily when an even number of humans gather. Otherwise, even with my immunity to all poisons, I couldn’t withstand a rule-based ability.”

“I thought the same.” Chen Yao blinked at Wang Ping.

“Since we’ve figured out his ability, it becomes easier to handle.” Fang Yun said excitedly, “We just need to act in odd-numbered groups.”

“But there are eight of us, an even number, which makes it difficult to split people evenly.”

Zhang Hu glanced at Liu Mei and Wu Jun and shrugged.

“I’ll stay here alone, then. I won’t be a burden to everyone.” Wu Jun spoke, sounding somewhat depressed.
“No need.” Wang Ping slightly frowned and spoke.

“There’s no need for that. I’m a burden and can’t provide any help. It’s better if I stay here. Otherwise, it would be too troublesome.”

Wu Jun gratefully glanced at Wang Ping and spoke again.

“Since Xiao Jun has already said so, let him be.” Zhang Hu quickly added. “It’s better to have a group of seven.”

“A group of three or five is also manageable.” Wang Ping coldly glanced at him and spoke calmly.

Hearing this, Zhang Hu was rendered speechless and awkwardly chuckled.

“I agree with Wang Ping’s idea.” Cai Yonglong expressed his stance.

Seeing this, the others also voiced their agreement.

“I just think that it’s safer to leave someone without combat skills here. Otherwise, if we encounter a zombie horde during a fight, we might not be able to protect Xiao Jun. If he gets bitten, it will be a big problem. I really have no other intentions.” Zhang Hu explained with a bitter smile. “However, since everyone has said so, we’ll definitely stay together.”

“It’s too early to discuss this.” Wang Ping ignored Zhang Hu’s words and spoke: “Next, we still need to continue avoiding dangers and find a safe route to pass through. Otherwise, life and death will be unpredictable.”

“Hmm.” Chen Yao nodded with a serious expression and said, “And the even number we mentioned earlier is just our speculation; it might not be correct. Even if it’s correct, we might have missed something.”

Wang Ping nodded and then closed his eyes, clearly indicating he intended to use his powers again.

“Zhang Hu, Fang Yun, Zhang Jun. Currently, the situation is uncertain. To prevent any unexpected incidents, the three of you should rest in other rooms as far away as possible. That way, it’ll count as two odd numbers.”

Seeing this, Cai Yonglong said seriously.

Although he wanted Zhang Hu to go alone, it would seem like he was driving him out, so he called the other two along.

“No problem.” The three nodded, said no more, and left the room.

At this moment, Wang Ping spoke in his mind: “System, I want to conduct a new free simulation.”

“Ding, free simulation activated. The host has two free simulation attempts remaining.”

As the System’s voice rang out, familiar images and text appeared before Wang Ping’s eyes once again.

【Day 1: You conducted group actions and experiments, and after two hours, no incidents occurred, and no one was infected. This news excited everyone, and you believed your previous speculation was correct.】

【Day 2: Still no incidents. You all were relieved and continued analyzing possible locations for the mysterious zombies. Chen Yao believed they might be hiding underground. In the previously predicted future, you were attacked on the 160th day after flying away, possibly because the mastermind saw you leave and followed you underground.】

【In other words, the mastermind felt your strength back then and didn’t act rashly. Later, he gathered enough power to move against you, aiming to devour a powerful cultivator like you.】

【Therefore, you must not expose yourself to him. Use others to lure him out.】

【Chen Yao’s analysis made sense, and you decided it was necessary to experiment. Continuous searching would be like searching for a needle in a haystack. Thus, you acted. Chen Yao, Cai Yonglong, Fang Yun, Zhang Hu, and Zhang Jun went hunting to see if they could lure him out.】

【Day 3: No success, but you all remained calm.】

【Day 18: Still no results, and you all grew anxious, knowing the zombies mutate quickly. If this continued, you might not be able to defeat them. At this point, postnatal realm combat strength zombies were becoming more prevalent, posing a major threat to everyone except Cai Yonglong and Chen Yao.】

【Day 20: Still no results, and the tension grew. Everyone, including you, became increasingly anxious.】

【Day 21: Cai Yonglong couldn’t stand it anymore and hoped you would join him to unleash your full power and destroy the city. You remained calm and chose to wait longer.】

【Seeing you refuse, Cai Yonglong left alone and began using his powerful martial arts to bombard the city. With his strength, he could turn the city into rubble, given enough time. The issue of consumption could be resolved with spirit stones.】

【Cai Yonglong’s displayed power shocked everyone except you, making the city seem like it was experiencing an earthquake.】

【However, because of Cai Yonglong’s actions, the zombies in the city were attracted, forming a terrifying zombie horde. Cai Yonglong had no choice but to escape and couldn’t stay in place.】

【During this process, he was attacked, with countless tentacles emerging from the ground, engulfing Cai Yonglong. Despite his struggle, it was futile. In his desperation, Cai Yonglong used a sound transmission talisman to contact you, informing you that the mastermind had appeared and requesting your help to kill it.】

【Receiving the message, you flew over with sword control and witnessed the scene from above. You saved Cai Yonglong and used the Sword Control Technique to attack the creature, tearing open the ground and forming a terrifying chasm, injuring it.】

【The tentacle monster angrily counterattacked, but you easily severed its tentacles and continued to injure it. The monster, enraged, used its ability, turning Cai Yonglong into a zombie, who then attacked you. Startled, you killed Cai Yonglong and realized this was your target.】

【The mysterious zombie, seeing your strength, immediately escaped underground. Anxious, you used Sword Intent and launched your most powerful attack but failed to kill it, only severely injuring it.】

【In the end, you couldn’t kill it and returned to the temporary base with a heavy heart. When everyone learned of Cai Yonglong’s death and your failure to kill the mysterious zombie, they were both terrified and relieved. Terrified of the zombie’s ability to shorten the even-number infection time, turning Cai Yonglong into a zombie, and relieved that they had some clues. It was a complex feeling.】

【Afterwards, you all began discussing strategies again, feeling heavy-hearted. You knew the mysterious zombie had astonishing intelligence. After being injured, it would not easily reappear, instead growing stronger in hiding before launching another fierce attack. Currently, you had no good way to find it.】

【This left you particularly troubled. If you had the Blood Demon Tracking Technique from the Li family, you could track it through its blood. Although the mysterious zombie wasn’t a spiritual being, it was stronger than ordinary creatures and had a massive body with plenty of blood.】

【Unfortunately, there were no ‘ifs.’ You could only discuss strategies. Ultimately, you were still without results. Chen Yao suggested that hiding away would only lead to a repeat disaster and that you should actively hunt zombies to grow stronger.】

【You agreed with Chen Yao and began actively hunting, aiming to increase everyone’s strength before the mysterious zombie reappeared.】

【Day 31: Through crystal stones, your physical strength improved greatly. However, you noticed a problem: although the crystal stones could enhance physical strength, they made the purified body impure again, requiring secluded cultivation to expel impurities. But under current circumstances, you had no choice but to use them.】
The 32nd day, a little after 4 AM, in your sleep, everyone except you was suddenly infected and turned into zombies, lunging at you. Horrified, you killed them all.

After dealing with everyone, you were overwhelmed with a heavy heart, unable to understand why this happened. There were seven people, an odd number, yet everyone got infected.

In the end, you couldn’t find the answer and continued hunting zombies, trying to increase your strength even a little.

On the 200th day, strange zombies appeared again, leading a terrifying horde to besiege you. You fought fiercely to break through. Because your body strength had reached an astonishing level, the horde couldn’t stop you, and you nearly escaped the encirclement…

However, the strange zombie attacked, unleashing terrifying power, killing you mid-air.

Because of your death, this simulation ends.

…

Wang Ping looked at the simulation content, frowning deeply, speechless for a long time.

In this simulation, although it was confirmed that the strange zombie does exist in the city, it still ended in complete annihilation.

“How did it go?”

Seeing Wang Ping’s heavy expression, Cai Yonglong and the others felt uneasy.

“It’s not as bad as you think. Call Fang Yun and them back.” Wang Ping exhaled lightly and spoke slowly.

Upon hearing Wang Ping’s words, Cai Yonglong and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Soon, Fang Yun and the other three were called back.

Wang Ping then detailed the contents of the simulation.

“Another complete annihilation… But, we did gather a lot of intel this time, which can be considered good news.”

Fang Yun said with a complex expression.

These missions are utterly ridiculous.

If it weren’t for Wang Ping, not even countless lives would be enough.

“Based on the intel, we have a chance to kill the strange zombie. We just need Brother Cai to create a commotion in the city and lure it out. To avoid infection, Wang Ping can take me or someone else along, forming an odd number. This way, we can avoid the infection issue.”

Chen Yao’s expression was serious, her voice icy.

“Although it’s dangerous, I can do it.” Cai Yonglong said after a moment of silence.

In the future that Wang Ping saw, he died.

But there’s no choice; if they don’t lure the snake out of its hole, they can’t complete the mission.

“But in the end, the odd number was suddenly infected too.”

Zhang Jun’s face looked grim.

Although there was hope for completing the mission, Zhang Jun was still not happy.

Even if they completed the group mission, he couldn’t leave this world.

According to Wang Ping’s description, the zombies’ evolution speed was hair-raising. Without any survivors, his upcoming situation remained very dangerous.

And without any survivors, he could only vent through the chat group; otherwise, he would undoubtedly go insane.

Zhang Jun’s words left everyone in silence, their faces looking somber.

The infection of the odd number was indeed strange.

“There must be some mistake.” Chen Yao muttered to herself. “Could it be that its abilities change? For example, odd numbers in January, even numbers in February.”

“Impossible.” Wang Ping shook his head, “If that were the case, Zhang Jun would have died long ago. After all, he has been in this world for over a month.”

“True.” Chen Yao frowned, sinking into deep thought.

Everyone’s expressions were twisted, unable to comprehend, their hearts full of anxiety.

Without solving this issue, even if they had hope of killing the strange zombie, they had no confidence.

“I have a hypothesis.” At this moment, Wu Jun, who had remained silent, finally spoke, his voice timid.

This immediately drew everyone’s attention to him.

“No need to be nervous. You can directly express any ideas; everyone is allowed to share their opinions.” Seeing Wu Jun so tense and timid, Wang Ping comforted him.