"Are you saying this Unknown Compound affects those Zombies?" Wang Zhi found it hard to believe.
"It's not just the Zombies; it has a huge impact on our entire ecosystem," Jie Xi said gravely.
Wang Zhi stood silently behind her. This matter was beyond their control; they could only adapt to the changes in the World.
"So, what should we do now?" Wang Zhi looked up and asked.
"Let's wait until the rain stops. During this time, it's best to stay indoors and await our news at any moment."
"This time? Will this rain last long?" Wang Zhi inquired.
"Conservatively, a full day and night."
"Alright, then I'll head back first. You should also take care to rest."
Wang Zhi noticed Jie Xi looked more haggard than usual, offered a word of concern, and then left the room.
"How was it?" As soon as Wang Zhi returned to the first floor, the others rushed forward to ask anxiously.
"The reason the rainwater stinks is that it contains about ten percent of the Unknown Compound. Jie Xi judges that this Unknown Compound will cause varying degrees of impact on the Infected Species. The crops we planted ourselves are also basically ruined... Furthermore, if nothing unexpected happens, the soil eroded by the rainwater will be unable to produce crops for a very long time," Wang Zhi explained.
"No way? Are we being punished by heaven?" Fatty sounded somewhat desperate.
"The critical point isn't just this area. If this vast region underneath becomes unusable for planting, we will eventually run out of food and supplies!" Duan Qingtian grasped the core of the issue.
"Aren't there still some greenhouses for cultivation here?" Old He remarked.
"Relying on just that little bit, it won't even be enough to feed their own people, let alone be reserved for us," You Luo scoffed.
"You Luo is right. Unless we abandon more than half the people here, those few greenhouses alone will never be enough," Wang Zhi stated.
"Then what should we do? Are we really going to have to do that when the time comes?" Fatty asked.
'Let's take it one step at a time. As long as we save up enough Survival Points, and as long as Dawn City doesn't collapse, we shouldn't have too big of a problem. Let's go, back to the residence to wait for news. This rain won't stop anytime soon," Wang Zhi said, picking up the umbrella from the ground.
When Wang Zhi and the others reached the doorway, the rain outside had intensified compared to when they arrived. Looking at the lightning and thunder flashing across the sky, the group quickened their pace, rushing back to their residence.
"Do you think we're done for? After such a long drought, we finally get rain, but this rain is poisonous. I'm starting to wonder if we'll be hit by giant hailstones in the winter that will smash us to death," Fatty lamented, leaning back lifelessly on the sofa.
"Heh heh, Fatty, do you know what humanity's greatest charm is?" Wang Zhi said, approaching the coffee table carrying freshly warmed water.
"The greatest charm? Being handsome?" Fatty touched his own face as he spoke.
"You're handsome as a pig's head. Don't ruin my appetite," You Luo shot Fatty a disdainful look.
"Hey! Does your conscience not hurt saying that? I'm much better looking than before, alright?" Fatty protested, unconvinced.
"The greatest charm of humanity is that no matter how great the difficulty, how many obstacles there are, or what the cost must be, there are always people who steadfastly gaze at the stars, solely to verify the reality of the World, expand the realm of knowledge, and search for the meaning and origin of life. Other living beings cannot achieve this," Su Muying stated.
Clap, clap! Wang Zhi clapped his hands and smiled, "Sister Ying is absolutely right. Humanity's greatest charm lies in having countless ways to keep living. Even if only we people are left in the entire world, we still have ways to survive amidst these hundreds of millions of Zombies and ferocious beasts."
"So everyone, don't be discouraged. Only by surviving until the end can the charm of us humans truly manifest!" Wang Zhi spoke passionately, trying to rally everyone.
"So, how many Survival Points do we have left?" You Luo asked weakly.
"Hmm... let me check." Wang Zhi had also forgotten exactly how much they possessed.
Wang Zhi opened the Ling Lingyao and checked the team's balance. As of now, they still had over 15,200 Survival Points remaining.
"If food prices don't increase, we can last another 15 days," Gray Wolf said.
"Wait a moment, aren't our crystal Cores still in auction?" Old He inquired.
"Oh, right, let's check. The three-day auction period must be almost up."
Wang Zhi said this, then opened the auction system again. The scene that followed momentarily stunned Wang Zhi. He saw that the current bid price was only 5,500 Survival Points, with less than 8 hours remaining.
"This... what's going on? Only 5,500 for the sale??" Fatty jumped up from the sofa and came forward to confirm.
"That's normal. after this incident, who would care about increasing their strength? Everyone is saving their Survival Points to stock up on food," Su Muying said.
"Forget it, 5,000 it is. At least someone is willing to buy it. If I tried to sell it now, I doubt even 1,000 Survival Points would attract a buyer," Duan Qingtian said, spreading his hands.
"Indeed. If this rain doesn't last long, those who bought at low-to-mid prices will profit. But if it truly comes to a point where we can't eat, these Crystal Cores would be better used to feed pigs," Wang Zhi said, looking at Ling Lingyao.
"Ah, Captain Wang, feeding pigs is going too far. They should be saved for future team members," Fatty remarked.
"Calculating it this way, we still have over 20,000 Survival Points. That's enough for twenty days. Once the rain stops, we can just go out and find some food ourselves," You Luo stated.
"Didn't you hear Captain Wang? This rainwater reacts with those Zombies. By then, every Zombie will have unique skills. Be careful they don't eat you."
"I've put up with you long enough!" Seeing Fatty mimicking a Zombie, baring his teeth and waving his claws at her, You Luo immediately got up and kicked Fatty onto the sofa, raining punches down on him.
"Captain Wang, save me! Control her quickly, You Luo has gone crazy!" Fatty wailed.
Wang Zhi watched you Luo deliberately avoid striking Fatty's vital areas, limiting her attacks to superficial blows, so he didn't intervene, allowing her to vent.
Boom! As the group was laughing and talking, another massive sound echoed from above, as if trying to punch a hole through the sky.
Jia Liuli, sitting nearby, flinched from the huge thunderclap, causing the water in the cup on the coffee table to tremble slightly.
"This rain is falling, seems like it's gotten even heavier than before..." Wang Zhi walked over to the window and commented while looking outside.
"If this amount keeps up for a day and a night, will we get flooded here?" Qin Sheng asked worriedly.
"No, Dawn City has drainage channels that can directly empty the water into the Moat. As long as the Moat doesn't overflow, there won't be any standing water inside," Wang Zhi replied. He had seen the blueprints for Dawn City before and understood some of its structures.
"But what if... I mean, what if this rain really overflows the Moat, what should we do then?" Qin Sheng asked in a low voice.
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