023 Lightning-Fast Mutant

[Successfully verified the accuracy of the intelligence, the following rewards are granted:]
[All host attributes +2]
[Host’s “Divine Firmament” and “Stone Skin” abilities upgraded by one level]
[Host has unlocked the new ability “Zero Time”]
[Current Host Attribute Panel:]

Strength: 26
Agility: 26
Spirit: 26
Endurance: 31
Luck: 26 (+100)
Abilities: Divine Firmament (Level 6), Stone Skin (Level 4), Zero Time (Level 1)

…

Gazing at the panel before him, Xue Feng nodded in satisfaction.

All basic attributes had climbed to 26, and Endurance had directly surpassed 31.

“With my body as it is now, even without Stone Skin, I could withstand quite a bit of damage from cold weapons…”

According to the panel’s calculation rules, the average person’s four core attributes would not exceed 10 at most.

Now, his Endurance had reached 31—more than triple the ordinary!

Still, Xue Feng wasn’t foolish enough to test himself with a knife.

If danger arose, why not just rely on Stone Skin?

Beyond that, the increase in his other attributes brought a host of new sensations.

His strength had grown, his speed had quickened.

With the rise in Spirit, Xue Feng could sense his perception sharpening considerably.

Every minor noise in the basement reached his ears with perfect clarity.

Were it him now, he likely wouldn’t need to lure out the hidden mutant to make a move; he could judge the opponent’s position roughly with hearing alone.

“If I encounter sudden danger again, my reaction speed will be vastly improved.”

At this thought, Xue Feng couldn’t help but let out a delighted chuckle.

But that was still secondary.

Most important was the newly acquired ability.

“Zero Time…”

He whispered the name softly, closing his eyes.

When he opened them again—

“Huh, nothing seems to have changed?”

He examined himself, finding no difference.

Could the skill’s level simply be too low?

With that in mind, he glanced around.

“Wait…”

Just then, Xue Feng suddenly realized that the movements of An Xiaowei and the other two seemed to have slowed slightly.

Aha!

So this was the true way to activate “Zero Time”!

“It slows the enemy’s speed—or rather, the flow of time—yet I remain unaffected…”

A glint of excitement flickered in Xue Feng’s gaze.

According to relativity, if the enemy slows, isn’t that the same as me speeding up?

“If this ability grows stronger, could I eventually stop time entirely?”

The idea sprang into his mind.

However, for now, he had no way to actively enhance his abilities’ levels—he could only verify intelligence bit by bit and await the system’s rewards.

The anticipation grew within him.

Just as well, the basement’s resources and equipment had been thoroughly looted.

“Alright, next we’ll search for building materials and start renovating the villa.”

Xue Feng clapped his hands, gathering the others’ attention.

“Building materials?”

“Starting renovations so soon?”

“The materials Dr. Jie mentioned are hard to come by—we’ll need a large building supply market.”

An Xiaowei and You Haoyun discussed between themselves.

Nie Xiaoyue, having overheard, kindly reminded him, “Those materials are difficult to gather. There’s no rush; let’s take our time.”

She truly meant well.

After all, venturing out hastily would be dangerous.

But Xue Feng was unconcerned.

In today’s updated intelligence, a major building material factory had been marked out—along with warnings of all the dangers lurking within.

If he dared to go, he had no fear.

So, he ignored the warning, turned, and climbed into the armored vehicle.

Seeing this, the three women didn’t insist further.

After all, Xue Feng was the backbone of their little group.

The armored vehicle soon rolled out of the villa district.

Along the way, Xue Feng noticed the number of mutants outside seemed to have increased again.

“I must get stronger quickly—otherwise, as the mutants multiply, survival will only become harder.”

With that thought, he floored the accelerator, picking up speed.

Ten kilometers vanished in a flash.

Soon, the armored vehicle came to a halt before a dilapidated grand gate.

On the gate were five bold characters: “Haohua Building Material City.”

Clusters of zombies were gathered around the entrance.

Xue Feng did not stop—instead, he stamped on the accelerator.

Bang!

The heavy armored vehicle surged forward, crushing the zombies in its path.

The battered gate was smashed open.

After disembarking and clearing out a few lingering zombies, Xue Feng waved to the others from the car.

“Alright, let’s look for suitable materials.”

“Wow.”

As soon as the group stepped out, they couldn’t help but exclaim.

Haohua Building Material City was the largest of its kind in the region, spanning over a thousand square meters and housing every kind of rare material imaginable.

Though there were traces of previous battles inside, with Xue Feng present, the tense nerves of the three women finally relaxed.

“There’s even a vanity here!” You Haoyun marveled at a well-preserved, finely crafted table.

An Xiaowei was equally captivated by the beds and couches.

Compared to them, Nie Xiaoyue remained much more composed.

While the two wandered as if shopping, she moved swiftly through the market, searching for materials useful for villa renovations.

Xue Feng caught all their reactions in his gaze.

But he didn’t scold An Xiaowei and You Haoyun for their apparent lack of seriousness.

After days of constant tension, a little relief was only natural.

“With these companions, life is certainly more interesting than being alone,” he mused.

Still, he did not lower his guard.

For the intelligence had clearly indicated several mutants were lurking here.

Bang!

Suddenly, a tremendous crashing sound rang out.

Accompanied by You Haoyun’s scream.

A thick steel plate was hurtling towards her at breakneck speed.

Just as it was about to cleave her in two, the plate’s corner struck another stack of materials, changing direction with a crash and grazing her cheek as it flew past.

“That was close…”

Staring at the steel plate embedded less than half a meter away, You Haoyun patted her chest, heart pounding.

She’d nearly died!

At the same time, the three women instantly tensed, facing the mutant slowly approaching them.

Xue Feng observed the scene as well.

“That must be the brute mutant mentioned in the intelligence…”

He murmured.

With a Strength of 26, he’d be hard-pressed to match its power.

Yet Xue Feng noticed the three mutants’ legs—thin and frail, a stark contrast to their massive bodies.

“So that’s it.”

He raised his hand.

Divine Firmament!

Now at Level 6, this ability’s power had grown once more.

Before the mutants could approach, a barrage of lightning struck them, charring their bodies to cinders.

But the sound of battle drew even more mutants’ attention.

Heavy footsteps thundered closer, accompanied by a shadow flickering in front of him.

A lurking mutant and a swift mutant!

Without hesitation, he activated Zero Time.

In an instant, the flow of time in his field of vision slowed.

The previously indiscernible black shadow now revealed a blurry outline.

“Divine Firmament!”

Two more orbs of lightning shot forth as Xue Feng strode forward.

His right arm was instantly encased in Stone Skin.

In a split second, he seized the neck of the swift mutant and slammed it downward with all his might.

A deafening crash resounded—the ground cracked open, and the mutant’s head was forcefully embedded in the earth.