Stuck on the recommendation list, neither rising nor falling, constantly shadowed by the threat of being overtaken—Brothers, lend me another hundred votes to help me surge ahead! Soon, the first Hall Master will emerge.

For those brothers behind, please generously offer rewards; the main force, keep up the pace too! (∩_∩) …… The next day, Ye Chen woke everyone up very early and called a meeting.

“What?” “You’re going to Maoshan in Jiangsu?” “Why?” Bai Long, Yue Heng, and the others were all shocked, unable to comprehend why Ye Chen wanted to travel so far. Crossing from one city to another was fraught with perils; encountering countless monsters along the way meant one careless move could result in death.

Ye Chen paused, looking at them. “This journey will be extremely dangerous.

There’s a high chance we might die midway. I can’t guarantee a hundred percent safety for you either.

So—those who want to come can follow me. Those who don't can stay here.

Using the research institute as a base to hunt nearby zombies will be relatively safe.” Silence fell over the group. Ye Zhu sat beside him, quietly present.

Wherever Ye Chen went, she would always be by his side, never leaving. A moment later, Bai Long was the first to break the silence.

He grinned widely and laughed, “I’m definitely going with you. Didn't I follow you back at the hotel?

Turns out I didn’t pick the wrong person. Even if you’re a bit cold-blooded, I’m magnanimous enough to grudgingly forgive your past transgressions.” Ye Chen rolled his eyes in annoyance.

Nearby, Zhuge Fan glanced nervously at Ye Chen and murmured, “Can I come too? I want to go with you…” Everyone turned to look at the young man.

Bai Long said with surprise, “Little Pig, aren't you afraid of death?” Facing their gazes, Zhuge Fan appeared somewhat tense, his expression anxious. He lowered his head and whispered, “My parents are gone.

Living alone is meaningless. You’ve all been so kind to me; I… I don’t want to leave you…” Silence settled again.

Having spent so many days together, a genuine atmosphere of ‘home’ had formed among them. Rushing to grab the bath first upon returning… Roaring with laughter over dinner… Supporting each other during battles… People have feelings.

To part ways would inevitably bring reluctance. After all, facing the zombies in lonely solitude, hiding in a corner, one might go mad even if they didn't die!

What could be more terrifying than loneliness? “I’m going too!” Yue Heng shook his head, his eyes firm.

Bai Long glanced at him, a barely perceptible smile in his eyes, and boomed, “That’s more like it! Otherwise, if I didn't have my little brother following me on the road ahead, I’d be too lonely.” “Your sister, my foot!” Yue Heng rolled his eyes.

This kind of bickering had almost become a habit between them. “Yue Yue, don’t be so heartless!” “Go away!” …… Ye Chen glanced at the two, then turned his attention to the consistently silent Mo Feng.

“What about you?” Everyone quieted down, turning to look at Mo Feng. The usually taciturn man raised his head, looked at Ye Chen, and said apathetically, “Go.” Smiles bloomed on everyone’s lips.

“That’s the spirit! Little Feng Feng, I’ll cover you from now on!” “Get lost!” …… Once the decisions were made, everyone began packing their luggage and necessary supplies.

They didn't pack extra food, only some candy and chocolate. Then there was the equipment they wore.

Each person carried a fire axe, with a short knife strapped to their leg, and a small cloth bag on their waist containing gauze, painkillers, and other small items. They were all wearing soft leather armor crafted from the hide of the Purple Extreme Demon Ox, offering formidable defense; even creatures with the strength of 50 men would struggle to tear through it.

“Everyone packed everything?” Ye Chen asked Bai Long and the others. Everyone knew the journey ahead was long, so they prepared gear for various environmental challenges.

Mo Feng had the largest backpack. It contained a notebook.

Although the network was down, the laptop remained an excellent tool for data storage. As a researcher, his computer held numerous experimental records: analysis reports on various monsters, details on what substances caused what reactions, and so on.

“A pity you couldn't take the gene serum fabrication device you improved,” Bai Long sighed, standing next to Mo Feng. Mo Feng replied calmly, “It’s fine.

I already know the production process. I can fabricate another one at any research institute we find along the way.” “Let’s go!” Ye Chen glanced at everyone and turned to lead the way.

Beneath the solar corona, the group embarked on their new journey! Behind the six figures of Ye Chen’s party, numerous monsters emerged from the research institute’s underground garage—Purple Extreme Demon Oxen, Three-Tailed Silver Hounds, Bloodthirsty Ants, Demon Wind Dogs, and more—led by a Bloodtooth Tiger.

“Roar!” The Bloodtooth Tiger let out a low growl and strode forward, the other monsters following in its wake. Hei, remembering Ye Chen’s instructions, kept a significant distance, following only by scent.

If Ye Chen required assistance, Hei would be summoned by a signal. After all, having such a large group of monsters walk intimately close to a few humans would likely make onlookers’ eyes bulge out—it was too horrifying.

Ye Chen regarded Xiao Hei and the other Black Leech Bugs as his trump card, resolving never to let anyone know he controlled a team of monsters. Otherwise, once base cities were established, he would immediately become the focus of intense scrutiny.

Even the high command of various nations’ base cities might force him to surrender his method of controlling monsters for the future of humanity! If he surrendered it, he would lose out.

If he refused, he would become the public enemy of all humankind. Therefore, keeping it a secret was best.

…… They hadn't walked far when noon arrived. The scorching sun had moved from the east to the exact center of the sky, baking the earth.

However, given the constitution of Ye Chen and his group, they could easily withstand this heat. Not a single drop of sweat appeared.

The temperature of 45 degrees Celsius would have caused an ordinary person to collapse from sunstroke, but for them, it felt merely warm, nothing more. “With the apocalypse, the Earth’s temperature has been severely affected by viral infection…” Ye Chen frowned slightly, feeling the surrounding heat.

As time passed, the temperature difference on Earth would grow more extreme—periods of intense cold, possibly below negative one hundred degrees, and periods of heat potentially reaching above one hundred degrees. It would be like being roasted in a furnace.

This was the apocalypse! Not a game, but a moment when humanity faced the crisis of extinction!

“Caw—!” A flock of monstrous birds flew overhead, each enormous, with wings spanning about seven or eight meters wide. Their sharp talons could easily pierce a human chest, and their feathers were as hard as iron.

Ye Chen quickly moved to a nearby crushed stone cliff, crouching low to the ground, and remained there until the flock of birds had become mere specks on the distant horizon before slowly rising and leading his group onward. Along the way, besides guarding against the sky-dwelling birds, they also had to be wary of venomous snakes lurking in many dark places, as well as avoiding giant ants or giant mosquitoes.

Either of these giant insects, if encountered, was something Ye Chen’s current strength could not contend with. Only brainless zombies dared to excitedly charge towards the giant ants upon sight… “Roar!” A tall, dark figure suddenly burst from the rock face beside them.

Its fur was dense and deep black, its fangs menacing—it was a Demon Wind Dog. However, the current Level 1H2 Demon Wind Dog was far stronger than its Level 1H1 counterpart, possessing strength ranging from 80 to 100 humans.

“Kill!” Seeing this, Bai Long and the others raised their weapons and charged forward. Although this Demon Wind Dog was far stronger than them, their soft leather armor offered protection, and with Ye Chen nearby, it was a perfect opportunity for them to practice and hone their combat skills.

“Stop!” Ye Chen frowned. Bai Long and the others froze, turning back in surprise.

“What is it?” Ye Chen looked at his sister, Ye Zhu, beside him. “Enter your superhuman state and try to kill it.

Familiarize yourself with the superhuman mode so you can control it better later. This Demon Wind Dog’s strength is comparable to your physique, making it ideal training.” Ye Zhu was stunned, then overjoyed, nodding quickly.

She turned toward the Demon Wind Dog, her eyes shining. For many days, Ye Chen had protected her like a treasure, rarely allowing her a chance to fight.

She could only watch as Bai Long and the others sparred with monsters, and when she got the itch, she had to settle for killing zombies with only 6-human strength—it offered no challenge. This Demon Wind Dog before her was exactly what she wanted.

“No way?” Bai Long and the others looked astonished. Ye Chen had always treated his sister as a precious commodity; why would he suddenly expose her to such a dangerous monster today?

Ye Chen ignored their strange looks and gave his sister an encouraging glance as the charging Demon Wind Dog approached. “Superhuman State, Activate!” Ye Zhu cried out, her clothes fluttering, her soft hair flowing with the wind.

The fused superhuman gene within her body rapidly replaced her human genes, switching to a different mode. Two long, curved horns emerged from her forehead; there was no change on her back yet, as wings capable of free flight only manifested upon reaching the third stage of the superhuman transformation, when gene fusion reached 60%.

As the superhuman mode engaged, a trace of an alluring gleam passed through Ye Zhu’s eyes—a power capable of captivating the mind. On her delicate and beautiful cheeks, a few strange, intricate patterns slowly materialized, looking not jarring, but even more enchanting.

“Roar!” The Demon Wind Dog charged ferociously, leaping like a lion pouncing on a rabbit, carrying a powerful gust of wind. This was a common combat technique among canids; though it seemed a simple pounce, it added immense force, capable of overturning a monster with 100-human strength if struck.

Ye Zhu did not retreat. Instead, she darted forward, arriving at the spot where the Demon Wind Dog had been standing just moments before.

The human and the beast instantly swapped positions. At this moment, Ye Zhu raised her palm.

On her wrist pulsed a small aperture, from which a pale, dark mist shot out, enveloping the Demon Wind Dog. Ordinary butterflies possess the trait of spraying foul odors to repel enemies.

However, the evolved butterfly’s traits had changed significantly. The gas expelled carried no stench but possessed far greater potency, laced with a strong toxin.

Otherwise— In the later stages of the apocalypse, any strong odor would attract the attention of many powerful monsters, leading to a siege. By then, monsters would have developed intelligence, and simple smells wouldn't deter them.

Hiss hiss! The moment the pale, dark mist touched the Demon Wind Dog’s fur, it reacted as if encountering intense fire, rapidly withering.

Its pupils were instantly corroded, causing the beast to roll on the ground in agony. …… I frequently visit the comment section and have taken note of everyone’s opinions.

Please rest assured and continue reading; answers will be provided later. Some people mentioned never having seen butterflies spray foul odors; in reality, such species do exist.

It sounds somewhat unbelievable that such beautiful butterflies would release stench, but they do exist, and I can’t change that fact, which is why I wrote it that way initially, to avoid being called out by those who know better. (╮╯▽╰)╭ I sincerely appreciate all the feedback; it is the foundation of improvement.

I hope you all continue to offer pointers; point out any flaws you see.