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Chapter 347: Chapter 347: Survivors

"Quack quack?" Wang Baihu looked incredulous, "It has that kind of ability?"

"I remember Miss Lin seemed to mention before that it possesses the Power of Domination..." Honglian suddenly recalled something, "Could it be referring to this?"

"That’s right." Chen Xuan nodded, the information Lin Qing revealed was all from his observations, so he remembered it more clearly. This ability even surpasses evolution in rating, belonging to gold quality. "This is why it can gather a group of dinosaurs on the prairie. In any case, let’s follow them first and discuss later."

Everyone followed the mice out of the mall, walked back two hundred meters, and suddenly turned left into an alley. Although it was called an alley, it was actually six or seven meters wide, enough for two large vehicles to pass side by side. The road was flanked by many underground tunnels, leading to unknown destinations, some of which were submerged by dark stagnant water, making people want to retreat.

"This place... should be accessible only to staff." Jiang Siqi recalled.

"Which staff?" Little Pigeon asked.

"From the shopping area." She explained, "Besides the World Gold Tower, there are several large specialty stores here, like Super Reach Electronics City and Red Star Furniture Mall... This road was specifically built to supply the various malls, with a security kiosk at its entrance and automatic barriers, preventing pedestrians from entering."

"You know all that... impressive!"

"Hehe, I just happened to glimpse this situation while wandering in the World Gold Tower." Jiang Siqi modestly said.

At this time, the mouse group drilled into a tunnel and disappeared in the blink of an eye.

"Uh... we’re not also going to dig into the hole, are we?" Wang Baihu showed a pained expression.

Jiang Siqi and Little Pigeon also found themselves in a dilemma. Although this tunnel wasn’t entirely submerged in sewage, its actual condition wasn’t much better, with large patches of stagnant water and thick silt visible on the ground. The mud was a "long-standing dirt" accumulated over many years, almost deep enough to bury the ankle.

If they just trudged ahead, their shoes would definitely get filled.

"I’ll go first." Honglian unhesitatingly walked toward the tunnel.

She seemed completely unconcerned about her pants and shoes being engulfed by the mud, taking a step and pulling her foot out quickly to enter the tunnel.

Seeing the team leader like this, the others could only bite the bullet and follow.

Liuli took charge of bringing up the rear.

Chen Xuan walked in the middle of the team, constantly using the Heart Method to search for nearby Spiritual Qi reactions, but came up with nothing. No matter which direction his consciousness extended, the resulting imagery was just pitch black, as if he was walking in a bottomless abyss, and this endless silence made him quite uncomfortable.

Fortunately, this muddy path was just disgusting to walk on, without any dangerous spots. Everyone soon passed through the tunnel and entered an underground warehouse.

Several flashlights turned on, and the group started looking around for the mice.

But soon, Chen Xuan heard a light quacking sound.

"It’s Quack Quack!" Little Pigeon immediately became excited, "The sound is not far from us!"

"The fact that it hasn’t run away shows it’s got some conscience," Wang Baihu snorted lightly, "It wasn’t a waste to feed it so much big fish and meat."

But Chen Xuan couldn’t relax.

Because even now, he still couldn’t sense any Spiritual Qi—whereas previously Quack Quack could reflect Spiritual Qi light points.

Is this a trap?

"Everyone, stay here and don’t move." He said sternly, causing the members of the Red Lotus Team to pause in surprise, "I haven’t sensed Quack Quack’s presence, the situation might have changed. Liuli, come with me to check it out."

Liuli nodded slightly and stepped forward.

Chen Xuan also readied himself for confrontation.

If the enemy can simulate Quack Quack with a nano-living body, then the lack of Spiritual Qi response would be its biggest shortcoming.

However, when they passed through the heavy isolation door and entered the second warehouse room, an unexpected situation emerged. Chen Xuan not only saw Quack Quack but also discovered two human figures lying at its feet.

"Quack!" The dinosaur excitingly called out to the two.

"Don’t come over!" Chen Xuan first shouted, then used his flashlight to illuminate the figures on the ground—they were indeed human, but wrapped in thick protective gear, making them appear somewhat swollen at first glance. Their faces weren’t covered, with one male and one female, both visibly around twenty years old, their eyes shut like they’d lost consciousness.

If they’re human, why couldn’t the Heart Method identify them even at this close range?

This definitely isn’t a problem with the Celestial Mist Cloud Birth True Skill.

At least the Spiritual Qi of Honglian and the others was clearly recognizable.

"How is it, did you find anything unusual?" Honglian asked through the walkie-talkie.

"Currently safe, you can come over." Chen Xuan replied.

It looks like they’ll have to spend the night here.

...

The alcohol stove brought the water in the kettle to a boil, everyone sat around the stove, waiting for the instant noodles to soften, and the air was filled with the enticing aroma of seasoning.

Dirty shoes and socks were tossed aside, several bare feet were stretched towards the stove, enjoying the warmth and comfort brought by the flames. Though not the most relaxed experience for them, it held a unique charm.

"Look what I found!" Wang Baihu came over in rubber clogs, eagerly showing everyone what he had in hand.

"Is this... salted duck eggs?" Little Pigeon examined.

"Yes! Even if they’re expired, they should be fine!" He tore open the dusty packaging and distributed the sealed bags containing salted eggs to everyone.

Under normal circumstances, such food wouldn’t attract any attention, but in this ruined and desolate world, it and the instant noodles brought a different kind of enjoyment.

More importantly, they proved that food could still be found in this city.

Chen Xuan, holding his steaming hot instant noodles, went to a corner of the warehouse—where several camping tents had been set up, and Honglian was looking after the two unconscious people there.

"Eat something first." He handed the noodles over, "These are future braised beef noodles, you won’t find them elsewhere."

Honglian smiled, "Do you think it shows progress?"

"Um... honestly, not much different from what I usually eat." He shrugged, "But the production date printed on the package is indeed 2106."

"It’s like humans have been standing still..." Honglian sighed lightly, "Is this really the change I can bring about?"

"Think positively, at least humanity hasn’t gone extinct." Chen Xuan shifted his gaze to the unfamiliar man and woman lying on the blanket, "How are they doing?"

"The major wounds have been sealed by Blood Orange, the man is more seriously injured, with an open fracture on his right leg, if not treated professionally, there’s a risk of infection later."

"Can you tell how they got injured?"

Honglian replied, "They seem to have been injured in a battle. Seeing this protective gear, I’ve just tried it, and a small knife couldn’t cut it. The ’opponent’ able to tear apart the outer protection and rip open his stomach is unlikely to be just some animal. I guess... they might’ve also encountered a nano-living body."

"Roar!" Quack Quack, lying by the tent, lifted its head, making a mouth-opening motion, "Ah woo quack!"

"You mean... you heard their voices, but we were rushing to the mall, so you didn’t have time to warn us and went to find them on your own?" Honglian said in one breath.

"Quack!" It nodded heavily.

Chen Xuan twitched the corner of his mouth, "And that works?"

"I was just guessing randomly. No matter what I say, it’ll nod." Honglian covered her mouth, "What, you really think I understand dinosaur language?"

Her gentle smile made Chen Xuan pause slightly.

This expression of ease was rare for her to display.

For a moment, she seemed to overlap with Lin Qing.

Chen Xuan coughed twice to disguise his distraction, "No problem, no matter how Quack Quack found these two, we now have a way to gain world information—"

He suddenly stopped halfway through.

Just now, two people were lying on the ground, but now one was missing.

Suddenly, a sharply suppressed shout echoed.

"Don’t move!"

He turned his head and found the female had somehow gotten up, kneeling on one knee, trembling hands holding a gun-like weapon aimed directly at him and Honglian, "Even if I die, I won’t join you! Release me and Zixuan immediately, or I’ll shoot!"