"Brother Su, do you think any other camps have discovered mutated zombies?"

Wu Lue reached into his collar to tug at the bulletproof vest, the unique texture bringing him some comfort.

"Definitely!"

Zhang Su nodded without hesitation, exhaling smoke as he spoke, "The world is so big, and we’re just a small part of it. Even if the venom zombies are considered gold standard mutated zombies, there must be others of the same quality discovered by others. But discovery is one thing; the key is whether we can find their use."

Mutated zombies indeed possess greater destructive power than ordinary zombies. Yet, no matter how strong they are, they can still be killed. If mutated zombies are treated merely as special enemies to be killed without further consideration, it would be a huge loss.

Celestial Horse Island, precisely because of its stationed researchers, can continually study the intriguing uses of zombies. Not every camp has advanced researchers, and even if they do, not all are as fanatical as Fu Weijun. Ordinary research directions still focus on vaccines and cures.

"I must say, I’m quite looking forward to seeing other mutated zombies. This world is becoming more and more fascinating!"

Zhang Su couldn’t help but feel a bit sentimental. The old world has completely become the past, and now the surviving humans have to carve out a new world in this new environment, with zombie ecology becoming an unavoidable research direction.

New energy forms, new medical measures, new weaponry, many fields show traces of zombies... the future is bound to hold more discoveries.

"Hey, Brother Su, look! The zombie horde seems to be making a move."

While chatting, Lu Yubo pointed shakily towards the distance.

Zhang Su took the binoculars to look afar and indeed noticed something unusual with the horde, all turning towards the south. He couldn’t help but grin, "Haha, looks like it really worked!"

As he anticipated, both Celestial Horse Island and the Survivor Camp in Qin City were emitting magnetic fields to lure zombies, and the range of Celestial Horse Island’s influence was naturally limited. Once it exceeds a critical point, it would move toward the other camps.

However, before Zhang Su could continue his excitement, he realized things weren’t as they seemed...

"No, no, no..."

With three consecutive "no’s," Zhang Su raised the binoculars for a closer look, only to realize that the zombie horde had found a new target, causing them to turn their heads!

At that moment, on the other side of the horde, south of the North Second Ring Road, two cars had rear-ended each other, while another car behind them slammed on the brakes. Ignoring everything else, someone rolled down the window and frantically waved, directing the front two cars to turn around!

"Hurry up, damn it, turn around and go!"

"Where did all these zombies come from? Weren’t the zombies along the route already directed toward Tang City?"

"This isn’t the first time we’ve encountered this, so what’s the surprise? I told you I heard a car earlier, somebody must have led the zombies here. Stop researching and just get out of here!"

The three unfortunate cars were out searching for supplies as usual. Unexpectedly, just as they emerged from a village, they found the road blocked by zombies on the North Second Ring Road.

As long as the road was decent, it was easy for the cars to shake off the zombies. After a sprint through the village, the three cars successfully left the zombie horde far behind.

Squeak, ssss.

The vehicles stopped outside a farmhouse. Ten people got out of the three cars, and upon close observation, they each had a unique symbol embroidered on their sleeves, hidden but vividly colored.

"Who the hell keeps leading zombies to our area? Made me crash the car, and I’m going to get an earful when I get back!"

A man in a puffy Adidas down jacket was visibly enraged.

"Where does the road north from here lead? Anyone know?"

"Our search range ends at the North Second Ring Road. From the map, it looks like the road to Qing County. Damn, it must be those shameless barbarians from the north!"

"I remember this isn’t the first time. Should we head north and demand an explanation?"

"Are you crazy? I say let’s report back and stay out of this mess. Forget about justice, let’s just not get ourselves killed!"

This search team from the Survivor Alliance felt indignant. However, due to the alliance’s rules and their limited weapons, they did not dare to venture beyond the North Second Ring Road.

"Oh, I remember, the Vanguard Team went north a while back to pursue traitors and Fu Weijun. They must know what’s going on over there!"

"Yeah, that’s right, I remember Vice Leader Gong himself led a team north to investigate, but they returned empty-handed. Seems there is something noteworthy up north. Let’s report back; we might even get some recognition!"

"Alright, let’s do that. Let’s go."

"Let’s move!"

With the plan decided, the ten people returned to their cars and sped off toward Qin City.

"The zombie horde is lost again, and those cars reacted swiftly, escaping just in time."

As the Survivor Alliance search team began their return, Zhang Su and his group continued to observe the horde’s movements from the Chuhai River Bridge. The visibility was poor, and only Zhang Su could barely make things out.

"Well, that was a false alarm. Brother Su, perhaps we should guide the zombie horde along the road into the city to ensure there’s no chance of failure."

Lu Yubo flashed a sly smile.

"No need to go deep. We don’t know the current situation in the inner city, and we might fall into traps. Let’s leave it at that and set up a small mechanism on the bridge; we’ll come back to check tomorrow."

The urban area is much smaller than the Celestial Horse Island region, yet it hosts several times more survivors. Without clarity on the situation, barging in would be unwise.

Heeding the advice, Lu Yubo and the others set up a few lines on the Chuhai River Bridge, ensuring everything was secure before driving back.

Qin City’s Lego Mall had long lost its former glory. The outer glass was largely broken and patched over with cardboard and duct tape for warmth, looking quite shabby from afar. But this was the headquarters of the Survivor Alliance, the largest power in Qin City District.

"Brother Le, you drove fast enough today. Bet you hit the jackpot, huh? Wow, how come the car’s banged up..."

At a street corner just north of Lego Mall, Xiaoshen at the checkpoint saw the search team return at high speed. He quickly moved a barricade while exchanging pleasantries.

"Focus on your post and keep a sharp eye out. The zombie horde is on the move again. Report any developments immediately!"

Brother Le, driving the car, gave Xiaoshen a curt look. In the Survivor Alliance hierarchy, the search team might be the lowest rank, but they were still above checkpoint guards. Only those unqualified to join formal teams were assigned to various checkpoints and night patrols...

"Huh? Really? I better pay attention!"

Used to such attitudes towards him, Xiaoshen wasn’t fazed in the slightest.

"Moving a barricade that slowly—so clumsy!"

Vroom!

With the barricade moved, Brother Le floored the accelerator and took off.

The two cars behind didn’t even roll their windows down or give Xiaoshen a single glance.

"Damn it, to hell with them!"

Once the cars were halfway down the street, Xiaoshen pulled out the checkpoint’s small standard-issue pistol and gestured, "At least I’ve got a gun. You ten losers put together have only two guns between you, you trash!"

After jumping around cursing to vent his frustrations, Xiaoshen grabbed the radio to report the return of the search team. He could complain all he wanted, but he had to do his job, or there would be consequences!

"Hey, Xiaole! What happened to your car? Haha, the captain will be mad when he sees this!"

In the underground parking lot, Zhang Xin was preparing to lead his team out on a mission when he saw the returning search team and couldn’t help but make a jibe.

While boasting in front of checkpoint guard Xiaoshen, Zhou Le was docile when facing the Vanguard Corps’ captain. He hurriedly pulled out a cigarette, saying, "Ah, Brother Xin, don’t ask. We were really unlucky today. The zombie horde moved onto the North Second Ring Road. I... my brothers and I charged out of the village only to almost crash into them, scaring us out of our wits!"

"The zombie horde again?"

Hearing Zhou Le’s words, Zhang Xin couldn’t help but frown. They had focused on clearing the corridor along the North Second Ring Road, diverting most zombies from the villages and factories thirty kilometers west. There shouldn’t be another horde, yet it had popped up two or three times lately!