191: Lao Tie swallows the crystal core

Xia Qi's words made Tian Ming fall into deep thought.

The number of zombies was tens of times that of human survivors, and their evolution probability was also much higher than that of humans.

What Xia Qi said was not alarmist.

In the post-Apocalypse era, humans were at a relative disadvantage.

The zombie outbreak disaster had directly brought the industrial system to a halt; even if people now possessed advanced weapons, they could not eliminate all the zombies, and it was even difficult to achieve mutual destruction.

A large number of atomic weapons had already been transported to bomb Gaia.

Now, even if they wanted to manufacture them, it was impossible, because large-scale uranium enrichment plants had also shut down.

"You two go back first; if you truly want us to join the Anti-Zombie Alliance, I will consider it," Tian Ming said.

Xia Qi nodded and bid farewell to Tian Ming.

Tian Ming watched their departing backs, deep in thought.

He understood that the reason Xia Qi took the initiative to show goodwill was because they belonged to different factions and were strangers before the great disaster.

But now it was different; the strength Tian Ming displayed was enough to attract their attention.

Shen Yuan looked at Tian Ming and asked, "Are they from the government?"

Tian Ming nodded slightly and said, "Hmm, but not anymore; they are just an Anti-Zombie Alliance now.

The zombie outbreak and the destruction of human social structure were catastrophic; they might also be willing but powerless.

Personnel reductions in all industries are eighty percent, or even ninety percent, leaving less than one in ten."

Shen Yuan frowned slightly and said, "Boss, perhaps we can unite.

After all, a single tree cannot stand alone, and from a broad perspective, the surviving humans should also be united."

Tian Ming smiled and said, "While that logic is sound, human hearts are not something we can control.

Our Shelter is still small; survival is the top priority, and other things are not considered for now."

Shen Yuan said nothing more; her boss was pragmatic.

No matter how the future changed, the Shelter would always be the foundation for their survival.

Joining the Anti-Zombie Alliance might provide more advanced technology, but it would also entail undertaking corresponding tasks.

Such matters should be considered purely from a perspective of self-interest, rather than willingly accepting obligations they could not bear just for a slogan or two.

In the eastern sky, the color of the sky changed, a faint purple glow spread across the horizon, and the sky slowly brightened.

This winter was coming to an end, and it seemed like a long time since they had seen the sun.

"Let's go back; the threat posed by the Corpse King around the Shelter has been completely eliminated starting today," Tian Ming said.

"These past few days, I kept hearing explosions from inside the city.

Did you clear out all the zombies in the city by yourself?" Shen Yuan asked, somewhat incredulously.

Tian Ming walked along, smiling and shaking his head, saying, "How could I be that powerful?

It's just that these Corpse Kings felt this place was too terrifying, so they moved their zombies overnight.

At least ninety percent of the zombies in the city fled."

"Ninety percent?!" Shen Yuan exclaimed, giving a thumbs up.

"Boss, you're still the best!

It's not that this city is terrifying, it's that you are too terrifying.

If I were a Corpse King, facing such a powerful human leader, I would also move.

The world is so big, why should one associate with death?"

Tian Ming smiled indifferently and said, "Their voluntary departure is also a good thing for us.

The resources of the entire city are enough for us to complete the construction of the Underground City.

Future collection work will also become much safer."

As Tian Ming spoke, he took out a Red Crystal Core storage container from his backpack; there was a Red Crystal Core inside.

He handed it to Shen Yuan and said, "Look, this thing is an energy Red Crystal Core produced after killing a Corpse King.

For me, it can be absorbed directly, but it seems other Ability Users cannot."

Shen Yuan took it with some confusion; as soon as she held it, even through the container, it gave Shen Yuan a very dangerous feeling.

"You dare to absorb such a dangerous thing directly?" Shen Yuan was somewhat surprised, then added, "Take it back; I'll research it.

I am also a Superpower User, so I should be able to find a way for Ability Users to absorb Red Crystal Cores."

Tian Ming nodded slightly: "Hmm, the Anti-Zombie Alliance has a way to use Red Crystal Cores to enhance the Ability Users' ability levels and intensity.

According to Xia Qi, using Red Crystal Cores is a hundred times safer than using Super Serum, and the failure rate is also very low, which is why they collect Red Crystal Cores everywhere."

The two chatted as they walked over ten kilometers, returning to the Shelter.

Tian Ming handed all the low-level Red Crystal Cores to Shen Yuan.

There were a total of six Red Crystal Cores, but at this moment, Iron Dude and Dr. Qiao scurried over eagerly.

"Master, I...!" Iron Dude and Dr. Qiao looked at Tian Ming expectantly.

The Corpse King's Red Crystal Core was very appealing to zombies, and Dr. Qiao and Iron Dude, as zombies on the human side, also coveted this thing.

Tian Ming could naturally see Iron Dude's desire.

The binding of the psychic contract made Iron Dude and Dr. Qiao dare not disobey any of Tian Ming's commands, even when asking for Red Crystal Cores, their attitude was timid and subservient.

Shen Yuan smiled and asked, "Can they absorb this directly?"

Tian Ming shook his head: "I don't know.

How about letting them try?"

Since there were six Red Crystal Cores anyway, Tian Ming directly opened his backpack and said, "Since you two recognize me as your master, I naturally cannot mistreat you.

Choose, one for each of you, no more."

"Thank you, thank you, Master," Iron Dude said hurriedly, while Dr. Qiao beside him immediately prostrated himself and kowtowed.

The two great zombies fumbled for a while and each chose a Red Crystal Core.

Tian Ming could clearly feel that the two they chose were the two with the highest energy levels among the six Red Crystal Cores.

These two guys really knew how to pick!

After Iron Dude got his Red Crystal Core, he impatiently opened the Red Crystal Core storage container and took out the light blue Red Crystal Core, swallowing it directly in one gulp.

Dr. Qiao also followed suit, taking out the Red Crystal Core and swallowing it whole.

Such a violent method of ingestion left Tian Ming and Shen Yuan dumbfounded.

They only heard Iron Dude groan, his metallic skin on his face rippling like a sand dune blown by the wind.

A moment later, the texture of his skin underwent a visible change; although it still had a metallic sheen, it possessed a texture similar to human skin.

"Master, thank you for your gift, Master," Iron Dude immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.

And Dr. Qiao, who couldn't speak before, after swallowing a Red Crystal Core, actually spoke human words: "Thank you, Master, for granting me new life."

The two zombies Tian Ming subdued had now evolved into Corpse King level.

They could both speak human words, and their appearance hadn't changed much, unlike other mutated Corpse Kings whose bodies were as massive as small mountains.