036 The Waterworks? A Paradise for the Undead!

Screech—

A piercing sound of brakes filled the air.

A towering black armored vehicle, its exterior stained with blood, came to an abrupt halt.

The massive wheels scraped the ground, leaving a black streak where the tires melted from the heat.

The door swung open.

A tall, handsome figure leapt from the driver’s seat.

Alongside him emerged a large dog, its glossy black fur bristling like steel needles.

“So this is the water treatment plant?”

Standing before the armored vehicle, Xue Feng raised his head, gazing at the crooked sign in the distance.

The sign was covered in the dried marks left by a crimson blood rain, yet he could barely discern the words “Tian’ai Water Purification Plant.”

After confirming the destination, Xue Feng opened his intelligence panel for a quick glance.

“The main clue from the first piece of intel points to the purification system of the water plant.”

“To verify the information, I’ll have to go inside and get the purification system.”

He wasn’t in a hurry.

Since the intelligence system hadn’t issued an early warning, it meant that, at least for now, no one else was targeting the purification system.

“So, the only thing I’ll have to face are the zombies inside the plant.”

“In that case, there’s no need to rush. I should first scout the surrounding environment.”

With these words, Xue Feng strode forward.

Starting from the armored car, he began to survey the perimeter of the water plant.

He moved swiftly.

In no time, he had circled the entire facility.

Soon, Xue Feng noticed something inexplicable.

“Huh? Why aren’t there any zombies around here?”

“And there are no signs of battle. It couldn’t have been a human purge…”

“Could it be that the zombies have gone elsewhere?”

He couldn’t make sense of it, but didn’t bother to dwell.

“Better just head straight into the water plant.”

With that thought, he walked directly toward the main entrance.

Just as he placed his hand on the lock, a sudden and overwhelming stench assaulted his senses!

Different from the smell of rotting food.

“This… must be the scent of zombies.”

Xue Feng raised an eyebrow.

With such a strong odor, how many zombies must be inside?

“But why is it so quiet?”

If they were really zombies, upon catching his scent, they should have instantly erupted in chaos.

Why was it so silent?

At this realization, Xue Feng withdrew his hand from the door.

He stepped back, putting some distance between himself and the entrance, then—

Divine Lightning!

Blue-violet arcs of electricity began to swirl in his palm.

Soon, they twisted into a thunderball the size of a human head.

Amidst the crackling roar, like a thousand birds singing in unison, Xue Feng lifted his hand and hurled the thunderball.

Zzzap!

The large thunderball smashed into the door, exploding with a deafening boom.

The battered door, barely holding together, finally collapsed, sending up a thick cloud of dust.

Through the haze, Xue Feng witnessed a sight unlike any he had seen before.

At the center of most water plants, numerous reservoirs are typically constructed.

But due to the contamination from the blood rain,

At this moment, these reservoirs were filled with sticky, crimson liquid.

What he hadn’t expected was—

The reservoirs were packed with zombies, dense as a swarm…

Bathing?

Yes, bathing.

Because the reservoirs weren’t very deep, most zombies were squatting, gathered together in the pools, the crimson viscous liquid engulfing their necks.

Only their heads protruded above the surface, observing their surroundings.

The overwhelming stench Xue Feng had detected outside was the result of so many zombies crowded together, combined with the sticky liquid in the pools.

“No wonder I couldn’t see any zombies outside.”

“They’re all gathered here…”

Staring at the horde before him, Xue Feng clicked his tongue.

This wasn’t a water treatment plant—it was a zombie paradise!

According to the intelligence,

There was also a level 2 mutant present in the plant.

By strength, the level 2 mutant would certainly be the king among these zombies.

The intel also mentioned that the emergence of the level 2 mutant was due to zombies soaking in the blood rain for prolonged periods, causing already mutated zombies to undergo further evolution.

“So…”

“This is the cultivation of a corpse king?”

Looking at the scene before him, Xue Feng felt his skin crawl.

Though he had never faced a level 2 mutant before, their power was undeniably a tier above ordinary mutants.

And now,

So many zombies were actively soaking in the blood rain, evolving into mutants, some even into level 2 mutants.

“Luckily I arrived early; otherwise, I’d be facing an endless tide of mutants…”

The thought sent a chill through Xue Feng’s heart.

To him now,

Mutants were no longer as tough as they once were.

By sheer physical strength alone, Xue Feng could easily crush a single mutant.

If he added his powers,

He could contend with four or five mutants simultaneously without losing ground.

But in the water plant, with so many mutants…

The best outcome he could imagine was escaping in his vehicle before being swarmed by hundreds.

But for now,

These zombies had not yet completed their mutation.

“But I can’t celebrate just yet.”

“There’s definitely more than one water plant in this city.”

“If the zombies here are gathering consciously, those elsewhere are likely doing the same.”

“So, apart from the survivor shelters, my city must be filled with zombie gathering sites like this one?”

As he pondered, Xue Feng’s brows furrowed.

If this was true…

“No matter. I have the intelligence system, so I’ll always get the latest information before anyone else.”

“Even if the zombies organize an all-out assault on the city, I’ll be the first to know and devise a counter-strategy.”

With this thought,

Xue Feng’s tension faded.

“My goal now is to acquire the purification system, and verify the intelligence.”

He whistled.

A shadow shot toward him like an arrow, stopping at his feet.

It was the Black Panther he had stationed outside to patrol.

Xue Feng stroked the panther’s large head, speaking softly:

“Black Panther, how about we compete to see who can kill more zombies?”

“Woof woof!”

The panther barked excitedly.

Clearly, it understood Xue Feng’s words, and was quite interested in the little game.

“Oh, right. When these zombies die, there’ll be a crystal in their heads, like the ones I’ve fed you before.”

“No sneaking snacks—bring them all back to me, understood?”

“Woof woof!”

With the panther responding to every command, Xue Feng nodded in satisfaction.

“Then, when I count to three, we begin… Three!”

While the panther was still confused, Xue Feng rushed forward.

“Woof woof woof! (I might not be human, but you’re the real dog!)”