Chapter 431: Infinite Evolution
After two battles with the mysterious zombie tide, Zhang Yi and his team had gleaned some critical information:
The zombies were fast, incredibly strong, and immune to death by headshot. Worse, they displayed a degree of intelligence.
However, the idea of a "Zombie King" orchestrating these hordes remained speculative. They had no concrete evidence to confirm it.
Zhang Yi rested his elbows on the table, his calm, calculating gaze fixed on the group.
“If these corpses have mutated and gained intelligence,” he began in a low voice, “then their attacks will continue. That gives us more opportunities to gather intel.”
“We need to pay close attention to every detail of their behavior to develop countermeasures.”
“But first, we must clear the surrounding areas of zombies. Leaving them unchecked is a major security risk.”
Uneliminated zombie hordes would inevitably return to harass them, and unforeseen accidents could arise at any time.
Clearing the local hordes became a priority.
“However, there’s another issue,” Liang Yue interjected. Her Tang Sword rested beside her as she lounged on the sofa with her arms crossed.
“If these intelligent zombies can control large groups, how are they causing disturbances across all regions of Tianhai City at once?”
Zhang Yi grinned wryly. “I have no idea.”
“Subway,” Yang Xinxin said flatly, breaking her usual silence.
The single word made everyone’s eyes light up.
Though none of them had ventured dozens of meters underground, they could deduce that the subway offered a warmer environment than the surface and provided extensive transit routes.
Yang Xinxin raised her head, her amber eyes gleaming with insight.
“The closest zombie activity zone to us is the Ci Qu subway station.”
“Tianhai City’s subway system is vast, connecting to every major area. It’s highly likely that the zombies are using these tunnels to move between regions.”
“Whether this is intentional or coincidental remains to be seen.”
Zhang Yi propped his chin in his hand, nodding thoughtfully.
“That would also explain why the hordes we face are the smallest. Cloud Manor is relatively remote, with only one subway line passing through.”
He turned to Yang Xinxin. “Keep monitoring the other factions. I need updates on the zombie activity in their territories.”
“We need to find a way to deal with this once and for all.”
Yang Xinxin smiled faintly and nodded. “Of course. But for now, their situation isn’t looking good.”
The three major bases had underground shelters, but they also relied heavily on above-ground infrastructure like steelworks, refineries, and port facilities—assets they couldn’t afford to lose.
These facilities were the lifeblood of their operations, so they’d fight tooth and nail to defend them, leading to prolonged clashes with the zombie hordes.
The Followers of the Snow God fared even worse. Their poor living conditions and lack of defensive fortifications made them especially vulnerable, resulting in heavy casualties.
Zhang Yi chuckled dismissively. “Not our problem. If they can’t make sacrifices when necessary, they’ll just have to keep fighting the zombies.”
“Especially the Followers of the Snow God—they’re growing too numerous for my liking. A few losses during this crisis might actually benefit us.”
The group speculated about how the other factions might handle the zombie onslaught, their tone indifferent. Zhang Yi’s team had no strong ties to the others, so their misfortunes were met with little sympathy.
That afternoon, Zhang Yi and Uncle You inspected the area in front of the Shelter.
They doused the ground with gasoline, prepared to use fire to neutralize the virus driving the zombies.
By midnight, the third wave of the zombie tide arrived—sooner than expected.
Thanks to their vigilance, the team was ready. Night sentries had been posted, and they quickly mobilized to meet the attack.
“Switching to nighttime assaults? Are they learning that we perform better in daylight, or is it just coincidence?” Zhang Yi muttered as he strapped on a flamethrower and descended the stairs cautiously.
This time, the zombies’ approach was markedly different.
Rather than clustering together, they spread out across the snowy plain, moving toward the Shelter like a swarm of locusts.
“They really are learning,” Uncle You remarked, a cigarette dangling from his lips.
The new tactic rendered their pre-arranged gasoline traps less effective.
“Bad news, but also confirmation of our theory,” Zhang Yi said coolly, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed the scattered horde.
He was now certain that a Zombie King was orchestrating these attacks, adapting strategies after each encounter.
Though clumsy at first, both the Zombie King and its minions were clearly evolving.
One day, when they’d fully learned Zhang Yi’s combat methods, even stepping outside the Shelter might become impossible.
“Even zombies are learning to gather intelligence,” Zhang Yi said, exhaling a puff of white breath before securing his helmet.
“Now, let’s test something new!”
He turned to Liang Yue and the others. “This time, we kill every last one. None escape!”
Mounting Hua Hua’s back, Zhang Yi added, “We’ll flank the horde and cut off their retreat!”
With a lever-action shotgun in hand, Zhang Yi targeted the zombies’ lower bodies, knowing dismemberment was the most effective tactic.
Uncle You, armed with a flamethrower, unleashed fiery torrents that incinerated rows of zombies like a pesticide against insects.
Liang Yue, wielding her Tang Sword, danced along the horde’s edges. The blade extended into a three-meter-long arc of blue energy, slicing zombies cleanly in two from head to hips.
Her speed, enhanced by her Superhuman abilities, ensured the zombies couldn’t surround her as they had in previous battles.
Meanwhile, Zhang Yi and Hua Hua flanked the horde.
Zhang Yi’s enhanced shotgun pulverized the zombies’ lower bodies, leaving them crawling helplessly on the ground.
With a playful meow, Hua Hua transformed its fur into razor-sharp steel quills. Curling into a spiked black ball, it launched itself into the zombie horde like a living wrecking ball, shredding everything in its path.
Amidst the chaos, Zhang Yi smirked.
“The more they evolve, the more satisfying it’ll be when we wipe them out.”