Chapter 104 - 104: Formation of the Exploration Team
After Huo Sheng left, Wang Xiong, Zhang Chengcheng, and the others returned.
Lu Ming finally had time to take a nap.
When he woke up, it was already past two 2 p.m.
Zhang Chengcheng had prepared lunch early and was waiting for Lu Ming to eat.
After a hearty meal, it was already 3:30 p.m.—Yes, it took more than an hour just for lunch.
Originally, the afternoon was meant for skill practice.
However, after being delayed by Chang Yi for a short while, Lu Ming’s schedule was a bit messed up.
After some consideration, he decided not to practice his skills and instead focus on practicing the newly obtained Basic Breathing Technique. He would give it a try and let the system record it.
Back in his room on the second floor, Lu Ming opened the window to attract more mystery factors (although it was useless), sat cross-legged on the ground, and began to adjust his breathing rhythm.
This technique was indeed profound.
As Lu Ming’s breathing rhythm was adjusted, he could clearly feel a clear and cool air flowing into his body through his mouth and nose, blending into his body.
About three minutes later, Lu Ming quickly stopped using the technique.
He stood up, moved his body, but there were no changes. Only then did Lu Ming nod in satisfaction.
When he opened the attribute panel again, the attributes came into view.
[Name: Lu Ming
Level: Level 1
Age: 25 years old
Strength: 606.7
Physique: 618.1
Agility: 638.
Free Attribute Points: 201
Superpower: Awakening in progress…
Skills:
Fitness Lv23 (1900/2300).
Slingshot Shooting LV31 (268/3100)
Crossbow Shooting Lv25 (135/2500)
Archery Lv25 (487/2500)
Firearms Shooting Lv25 (1330/2500)
Hand-to-hand Combat LV30 (658/3000).
Cold Weapon Combat LV30 (652/3000)
Basic Spearmanship Lv25 (210/2500)
Throw Lvi6 (60/1600)
Basic Saber Technique Lvi5 (400/1500).
Basic Sword Technique Lvi5 (314/1500).
Basic Staff Technique Lvi5 (100/1500).
Stance Techniques:
Tiger Steps Stance Lvi5 (635/1500).
Resistance Stance Lvi6 (500/1600).
Origin Skill:
Basic Breathing Technique (Novice) (1/100): The most basic Origin Energy Breathing Technique. This breathing technique only assists in absorbing Origin Energy to advance. It has no other special effects. This cultivation technique can only raise the user to the Realm of Mortals, Level 9!
“Origin Skill?”
“Beginner?”
“Realm of Mortals? Level 9?”
As Lu Ming entered the Basic Breathing Technique into the system, several terms that he did not understand suddenly appeared.
After some thought, Lu Ming had some guesses that he did not know were right or wrong.
“An ability related to Origin Energy, which is also known as the Mystery Factor, is named by the system as an Origin Energy Skill.”
“As for the level of Origin Energy Skills, they are not like Level 1 or Level 2, but more like Beginner.”
“As for the Realm of Mortals, it should be a level classification, Realm of Mortals… Realm of Mortals…”
Lu Ming mumbled for a while, and shook his head.
“That’s probably it.”
The information was limited, and Lu Ming could not make too many wild guesses. There was no way to verify the authenticity of all his guesses, so he might as well stop here.
However, according to the description of the Basic Breathing Technique, Lu Ming learned a very meaningful piece of information.
“This technique doesn’t increase attributes even if you cultivate it. It can only promote advancement, so 1 won’t cultivate it in the future.”
He left the house, climbed the tower, and farmed skill proficiency.
Life quickly returned to normal.
Huo Sheng, who had returned to the official shelter, immediately looked for Bai Tianyu.
After recounting what had happened earlier, Huo Sheng handed the Basic Breathing Technique to Bai Tianyu and said solemnly, “Although our current situation seems fine, it’s actually very perilous. Maybe I’m just a pessimistic person. In any case, I think even with Mr. Lu around, we must work hard to find a breakthrough point. Otherwise, there will be a great disaster in the future.”
Lu Ming’s presence had solved many problems for the official shelter.
But Huo Sheng knew well that entrusting everything to a single individual was very dangerous.
It was a last resort before.
But Chang Yi’s experience had given Huo Sheng a new possibility.
“The Black Mist Zone.”
“If there are high-level zombie crystals and the Basic Breathing Technique in the Black Mist Zone, there must be many other good things.”
“”At present, our only option is to open up the situation in the Black Mist Zone!”
Bai Tianyu accepted the Basic Breathing Technique, while nodding solemnly, “1 understand.”
The two of them had worked together for a long time and had a tacit understanding. Bai Tianyu clearly understood the unspoken meaning behind Huo Sheng’s words.
Lu Ming would definitely not explore the Black Mist Zone. Therefore, Bai Tianyu would lead the way and form a small but capable team to explore that unknown place.
Danger!
There had to be.
For the sake of all the remaining survivors in Nanxiang City, Bai Tianyu was willing to take on this risk.
Thinking of this, Bai Tianyu suddenly grinned, showing his determination, “Anyway, with Brother Lu around, everyone’s safety is guaranteed, making me look useless.”
“Now, it’s my time to shine.”
Huo Sheng smiled and shook his head.
“By the way, these are the zombie crystals left behind by Chang Yi. You can take care of them.”
That night, the exploration team was formed.
There were a total of ten members.
Bai Tianyu was the captain, with the strength of a Level 3.
The other team members were also Level 3 and possessed powerful combat abilities through their respective superpowers..
That night, Bai Tianyu came to the gathering place on Guangping Street and completed the advancement to Level 4.
He successfully became the third Level 4 Awakened in the safe zone.
The advancement process triggered a small wave of zombies, which Lu Ming easily dealt with.
The remaining people did not have any extra zombie crystals to complete their advancement—Chang Yi did not have too many Tier 4 zombie crystals in reserve. After all, he did not have any use for himself.
But it did not matter because they had the Basic Breathing Technique.
Though it was not as fast as consuming zombie crystals for advancement, the technique allowed for steady progress.
Bai Tianyu and the others were already prepared to cultivate in seclusion at the gathering place on Guangping Street. When all the members reached Level 4 or when Bai Tianyu reached Level 5, they would set off to explore the Black Mist Zone.
Day 102 of the Apocalypse Calendar, Wednesday.
Lu Ming’s fitness skill had been upgraded to Fitness Lv24 (0/2400).
Apart from that, nothing else happened. It was another ordinary and fulfilling day.
On the same day, in Wang Family Village on the outskirts of Nanxiang City.
The once peaceful and tranquil Wangjia Village was now overrun by countless zombies.
Looking into the village from the outside, one could see the village was crowded with people, zombies pressing against each other, heads against heads, and feet against feet.
The stench emanating from the zombies even shrouded the entire Wang Family Village in a faint mist—it looked like a fairyland from afar but a ghostly place up close.
In the center of the horde of zombies, the two Devourers stood side by side.
They were Simba and Lian Jie.
Speaking of which, Simba and Lian Jie’s days had been quite enjoyable.
After parting ways with Chang Yi, they hid for a while and found that Lu Ming did not come after them. Naturally, the two Devourers had their own plans.
Revenge was definitely not something they would think about.
They would absolutely not return to Nanxiang City’s urban area.
It could only be said that as long as Lu Ming was around, these two Devourers would never set foot in Nanxiang!
However, to the two Tier 4 Zombie Kings, hiding and sneaking around was not a solution.
Without their lackeys and cannon fodder, they could not support their status as two zombie kings and might even be mistaken for soft targets and hunted by zombies of the same level.
After searching the nearby villages, Simba and Lian Jie gathered a group of zombies.
They also claimed Wang Family Village as their territory.
There was no other reason than that this place was at the edge of the Black Mist, the farthest from Lu Ming’s house…
It was just like that saying: If you can’t afford to offend me, can’t you hide?
Looking at their lackeys below, Simba and Lian Jie exchanged smiles, feeling a sense of security.
Just as the two of them were about to discuss their plans, Xu Rufang’s voice suddenly came from behind Lian Jie.
“Son, look at that Black Mist, do you think it is getting closer and closer to us?”