24: respectively

Just as they were filled with hope for the future, an unexpected change occurred.

Early the next morning, Xie Ji Chuan received a letter.

It was delivered by Director Zhang's people. It was only then that they learned Sea City was preparing to establish an Official Base, and Director Zhang was one of those in charge.

Precisely because it was delivered by his people, they had no doubts about the letter's authenticity.

The letter had been sent out half a month ago, and by the time he received it, a month had already passed.

"Your mother is seriously ill and thinks of you day and night. Only a month remains. Hope for your speedy return to see her one last time. Address: East City Official Base, Sector C."

"AChi, Lin Wan... I..."

"Go if you want to, A Chuan. Don't hesitate; don't leave yourself with any regrets."

Shen Mo Chi knew that he actually wanted to go.

Uncle Wang nodded. Having reached middle age, he had come to terms with many things.

"Mo Chi is right. She gave birth to you and gave you life, after all. Besides, she's a woman who has had a hard life. It's only right that you go see her one last time and fulfill her wish."

Xie Ji Chuan's voice was somewhat raspy.

"Mm, alright then. I'll make the trip."

Lin Wan understood his feelings. He was a man of loyalty and sentiment, and she was his mother, after all.

Even if there had been resentment before, in the Apocalypse, she had seen too many life-and-death partings. Everyone's feelings and experiences were different, and she respected everyone's choice.

"Go with a clear mind. You and Yue Yue stay safe. Don't think about anything else; we'll be here waiting for you."

Xie Ji Chuan thought of that blurred face in his memory, and the apologetic, reluctant look in her eyes every time she came to see him in secret. He couldn't quite describe the feeling in his heart.

"Okay. Once things are settled there, we'll come back as soon as possible."

"Mm, go do what you want to do. We'll wait until you're back to consider the matter of establishing a base."

Lin Wan also smiled to comfort him.

"Establishing a base isn't something that can be rushed anyway. Our decision yesterday was a bit hasty and impulsive; we were caught up in the moment. We'll plan further once you're back. However, our Qingyun Squad will never change."

"Mm!"

Xia Yue knew he was hurting, so she just silently stayed by his side.

Time was tight, so Lin Wan didn't say much. She took a helicopter out of her space and loaded it with some supplies, medicine, and daily necessities.

"Go quickly!"

After they left, people still occasionally tried to come and steal supplies from them.

But they were powerful. Even with only three of them, it was enough to deal with these people.

Gradually, everyone knew that powerful people lived in the unfinished building, and ordinary people didn't dare come to throw their lives away easily.

They had thought Ji Chuan and the other would be back in a month at most. To their surprise, two months later, even as temperatures rose, they still hadn't returned.

It was now March, and it had rained several times.

The weather was also extremely fickle, fluctuating between hot and cold.

Due to various influences from the environment and the virus, the survivors' genes were also changing. Thus, Ability Users gradually began to spring up like bamboo shoots after a rain.

At the same time, there were more and more mutated animals.

And just like mutated zombies, some had evolved crystal cores.

Humans who had been hungry for a long time seemed to have found a life-saving straw.

While they couldn't take down large mutated beasts, they cooperated to kill small ones to boil or roast for food.

Poisonous? You must be joking. They'd eat moldy bread with gusto, let alone the only meat available in this Apocalypse!

Even though it tasted sour and was as hard as a rock, it was a delicacy that many families couldn't even dream of eating.

Because of the Ability Users, the value of crystal cores also became well-known.

They became one of the most sought-after trade items.

Some ordinary people without abilities would go kill zombies to obtain crystal cores to trade with powerful Ability Users for mutated beast meat.

This was because higher-level mutated beast meat tasted a bit better, but ordinary people couldn't defeat them at all and had to rely on Ability Users.

"Mo Chi, it's been two months. Even the zombies have evolved crystal cores, yet they still haven't returned. Could something have happened?"

"Probably not. There aren't many ordinary people who could beat Ji Chuan. Besides, they have guns and abilities. If anything happened, he would send word."

"That's true. Maybe his mother gradually got better after using the medicine he brought."

"We should head out too. If Yue Yue knew I've also awakened a Wind Ability, she would definitely be happy for me."

"With more and more Ability Users lately, we need to kill more high-level zombies to level up as quickly as possible."

"Mm, let's work hard together."

Lin Wan never expected to gain a Wind Ability. She felt it probably had something to do with her space and rebirth.

However, she was truly happy. For the first few days after getting it, she wanted to cast a wind blade at any time or place... or use a small tornado to toss small mutated beasts around...

...

Every time they went out, they would take Uncle Wang with them. After all, with Ability Users around now, it would be very dangerous for a person without abilities, no matter how skilled, to stay home alone and be targeted by ill-intentioned people.

Uncle Wang enjoyed following them out. Every time, he would sit in the car with binoculars to observe, or drive around to find high-level zombies for them.

Once he found them, he would notify them via walkie-talkie.

He took great pleasure in all of this, feeling that he could at least do something to help them.

Lin Wan had yet to find a Lightning Ability User stronger than Shen Mo Chi. Most of the ones they encountered were newly awakened level one users; level two was already considered powerful.

Perhaps due to the spiritual spring water, their abilities were level two as soon as they awakened.

After these days of constant harvesting, Mo Chi and Lin Wan were already level four Ability Users, basically without rivals.

Another month passed. Just as they were becoming restless and wanting to go to East City to find Ji Chuan, he finally sent word. He said something had come up temporarily and he would return in a while, telling them not to worry. Only then did the three of them feel at ease.

In the blink of an eye, it was May.

It had been nearly a year since the Apocalypse began, and the state had been actively taking corresponding measures.

Official Bases in various provinces were rapidly being established. Because of the emergence of Water Ability Users, water was no longer an issue, and electricity was available too.

The Authorities also released relevant announcements.

"Ordinary people without abilities can use crystal cores to exchange for supplies or daily necessities at the base. Ability User squads can help complete various tasks to exchange for high-level crystal cores."

Slowly, a set of apocalyptic rules emerged. Although deaths were still unavoidable every day, things were much better than at the beginning.

The survivors quickly entered and adapted to the new state of the Apocalypse. Of course, those who couldn't adapt were no longer in this world.

The Sea City base was also successfully established and had taken shape.

On this day, they received an invitation from Director Zhang to visit the base.

The two of them naturally didn't refuse. They also intended to tell him in detail about the Japanese conspiracy they had discovered earlier.

"Sea City Official Base, not bad."

Lin Wan nodded as she looked at the magnificent stone carvings.

In her previous life, she had never been here.

Shen Mo Chi held her hand, and the two followed a squad leader who had come to receive them.

After entering the first gate, Lin Wan noticed a long queue at a small side door where people were holding various items for inspection.

Lin Wan and Mo Chi entered through another gate, drawing everyone's attention.

At the end of the crowd, a man in ragged clothes saw Lin Wan and shouted excitedly,

"Lin Wan! Wanwan!"

Lin Wan, who had just stepped through the gate, paused and said strangely,

"Mo Chi, did you hear someone calling me?"

Shen Mo Chi's tall frame shifted slightly, blocking her view.

"No, you misheard. Let's go quickly; Teacher Zhang is waiting."

"Okay."

Lin Wan didn't think much of it and followed the guide further inside.

Shen Mo Chi glanced back in that direction, his eyes deep and cold.

The base was very large, with high walls that appeared to be made of the best materials—hard and solid.

The interior was also vast, stretching as far as the eye could see, with people busy and orderly everywhere.

From time to time, Ability Users in uniform could be seen.

The squad leader, full of pride, introduced the place to them:

"Our base covers several thousand square meters and is divided into three major sectors: the public officials' sector, the high-level Ability Users' sector, and the civilian sector. Anyone can enter as long as they pass the inspection and meet the requirements."

...

By the time they reached Director Zhang's office area, Lin Wan and the others had a good understanding of the place.

The Authorities were indeed The Authorities; this base was built to be absolutely top-tier.

Once they entered the office, the squad leader left.

"Take a seat. So, you are Lin Wan?"

Lin Wan looked at him and nodded neither humbly nor arrogantly.

He had a square face, and even with a smile, he couldn't hide his commanding aura.

"It is me. Hello, Director Zhang."

"What 'Director' is there now? I'm just filling in wherever I'm needed. You can call me Teacher Zhang, just like Mo Chi does."

"Alright, Teacher Zhang."

Director Zhang nodded.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with her, he began discussing serious matters with Shen Mo Chi.

Lin Wan sat to the side and listened silently.

"Mo Chi, we've noticed what you mentioned. The information you provided is very important and will be of great help to us!..."

As Lin Wan was listening intently, she suddenly felt an uncomfortable sensation of being peered into!

Her gaze sharpened as she looked at the man with a very low presence standing next to Director Zhang.

The man hadn't expected Lin Wan to suddenly look over, and a flash of surprise crossed his sharp eyes.

Shen Mo Chi immediately sensed something was wrong with her.

"What's wrong, Wanwan?"

Lin Wan stared at the man without speaking.

The man leaned in and whispered something into Director Zhang's ear. Director Zhang's eyes flashed as he looked at Lin Wan in disbelief.

He then said in surprise:

"Lin Wan, you actually have a portable space! And it's not small?"

Lin Wan was startled and stood up abruptly.

Shen Mo Chi's face also darkened as he moved in front of Lin Wan and asked,

"Teacher, what is the meaning of this?"

Director Zhang smiled and said,

"Mo Chi, don't be nervous. I have no ill intentions. This is my fault; I asked Shi Li to do it."

"Lin Wan, I apologize. My man has offended you."

Lin Wan looked at him and said coldly,

"He is a Mental-type Ability User! And a very high-level one at that!"

Lin Wan couldn't help but break into a cold sweat. In the face of absolute power, everything else was just a fleeting cloud!