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One month after the zombies evolved to level two, they began evolving to level three one after another. This was a nightmare for everyone.
Previously, some had half-believed, half-hoped that zombies couldn’t evolve indefinitely. Now, it was confirmed.
However, not all zombies could continuously evolve. Most could only reach levels four or five before halting, with a few evolving to higher levels. The probability of evolving to a king-level was as low as one in several million.
If all zombies could evolve to level ten or king-level, Chen Luo wouldn’t even bother struggling. He’d just choose a good burial spot and be done with it.
Chen Luo said, “The zombies have evolved again, but don’t worry. Their combat skills can’t compare to yours, only their attributes have improved.”
“They have a bit of intelligence, but they’re still big idiots.”
“The first three days, we only require one level three crystal per day, and any additional crystals obtained will reward two points. After three days, the daily requirement will increase to two level three crystals, and any additional crystals will reward three points.”
Requiring each person to gather five crystals per day would be too demanding, and Chen Luo wasn’t that strict.
Currently, there were 189 members. With Chen Luo’s assistance, Shu Yun had evolved to level four, and 142 members had reached level three since they had previously absorbed level two crystals.
The remaining members either learned the secret of crystals too late or genuinely lacked the talent.
The members felt burdened by the situation. In this world, survival was challenging. If they evolved to level four, they knew how formidable level four zombies were. They were unsure how to cope.
This was especially true for those who hadn’t reached level three yet. They were at level two while the zombies were at level three—life would be tough.
Chen Luo also planned to test his strength against level three zombies by compressing his power to level three, but not at the moment.
Since Jin Tao had started exploiting the bug, he had three days left to live.
Chen Luo observed to see how Jin Tao would die. It seemed like there was some force punishing those who exploited bugs.
Chen Luo cracked sunflower seeds while waiting for Jin Tao’s demise.
For bug exploiters like Jin Tao, they would either die within three days or when they summoned their sixth summoning creature. Therefore, Chen Luo only needed to wait for Jin Tao’s sixth summon.
This time, Jin Tao summoned what appeared to be a zombie, equivalent to a level four physical-type zombie. However, it had greater strength, higher defense, and slightly slower speed. It lacked a black robe and looked utterly disgusting, with a rotting body.
Right before his death, Jin Tao remained oblivious, even flashing a fawning smile at Chen Luo.
“Big brother, can I have some sunflower seeds?”
As soon as he finished speaking, the light in Jin Tao’s eyes disappeared completely, and he collapsed stiffly onto the bed.
Chen Luo paused his sunflower seed eating, his eyes filled with deep apprehension.
How did he die exactly?
In the previous life, there were two speculations regarding the deaths caused by exploiting such bugs.
One theory was quite imaginative, suggesting that the entire world had become a playground for gods, and such violations of game rules were naturally not allowed.
The second theory was that summoners had unknowingly signed a summoning contract, and the summoned creatures followed their every command. Deliberately killing them would be a breach of the contract.
Chen Luo leaned more towards the second theory.
If it were really a game by the gods, why not simply prevent summoned creatures from having crystals? Or why not just show up and say it’s a game?
Most importantly, even as Chen Luo reached the end, he never saw any god appear to declare him the last player to clear the game.
Chen Luo tossed the sunflower seed shells in his hand onto Jin Tao’s face. Damn, he still didn’t understand how he died. What a waste of time.
…
A white pickup truck led the way, with three other vehicles passing by Chen Luo’s base from the outside.
They were heading towards Chen Luo’s location not to pick a fight but to deliver a message.
This group of people wasn’t far from Chen Luo and had visited his area in the past to search for supplies.
A young man leading the group politely said, “Brother, I’ve got some news. Someone is organizing a trade fair right next to the toll booth on Route 999. We can gather there and discuss how to overcome these difficult times. It’s scheduled for the morning after tomorrow.”
“If you happen to know of any surviving bases, please pass the word along.”
Chen Luo nodded amiably and said, “Sure, I appreciate you bringing this message. Here, have a cigarette for your troubles, brother.”
Chen Luo specifically found a cigarette and handed it over without hesitation.
In the outskirts, there were hardly any zombies left, especially on the highways, where survivors had started contacting each other.
This trade fair seemed somewhat familiar to Chen Luo, although he hadn’t participated in it in his previous life.
But this time, he intended to attend.
What was Chen Luo’s goal in this second life?
It was to create an immensely powerful gathering place, gather all the elites he could, and work together to see if they could survive this nightmare-level apocalypse.
But why was he still holed up at home, rarely going out or seeking out those elites?
It felt like such a wasted opportunity.
Su Dazhu, Mi Ling, and Mi Li happened to be nearby, making it easier for Chen Luo to find them.
As for the others, Chen Luo had heard of their existence but had no clue where they were at the moment.
Except for Xia Haoran, who had basically walked right into his hands.
As for how long the newly established gathering place could last, it was uncertain. Many powerful gathering places hadn’t even been established yet.
How could Chen Luo possibly know where all these elites were now?
It was just wishful thinking.
Survivors from coastal cities and nearby towns hadn’t started migrating this way yet, and many elites were still in other cities.
Chen Luo traveling across cities to search for them?
Was he trying to get himself killed?
Now, the priority was to focus on personal growth and development. The elites from his previous life were bound to appear sooner or later.
When they did, the stockpile of resources Chen Luo had accumulated would come in handy, and there was nothing like good food to attract people.
For those team members who were reluctant to leave, Chen Luo was planning to bring the whole team over. Right now, they were only dealing with minor skirmishes, and the members they recruited were primarily to prevent others from using overwhelming numbers against them. Chen Luo himself wasn’t afraid, but Mi Ling and Mi Li were.
This trade fair might indeed provide an opportunity to encounter some elites.
Zhao Hai had received the same message, but his expression was not great because the zombies had evolved again.
Fortunately, they could still deal with the zombies through tactics and their larger numbers.
Zhao Hai expressed his desire to accompany Chen Luo to the trade fair, and Chen Luo didn’t refuse.
Since it was a trade fair, trade was inevitable. Chen Luo brought some unused level two crystals, a batch of rice, and some rare snacks with him.
The snacks were meant to be used for bartering in exchange for good items. If there were no good items, then the snacks wouldn’t be traded.
Two days later, Chen Luo and Zhao Hai set off together, with Chen Luo bringing a hundred people with him, creating a strong presence. There was no need for him to play the lone wolf and attract unnecessary trouble.
To avoid complications, Chen Luo didn’t bring Mi Ling and Mi Li. When there were a lot of people, trouble could arise even without trying.
The trading location was right on the highway, and those with some strength could safely make it there.
Chen Luo arrived relatively early, and there weren’t too many people there yet.
As soon as he stepped onto the highway, a voice called out, “Hey handsome, want to come and play?”