Chapter 244: The Phoenix Man Who Soared Before the Apocalypse – 49

Shen Xiuyan knew that the zombie was about to reach him. He had planned to wait until it got a little closer before unleashing a lightning strike for maximum impact.

But when he saw the zombie’s hand freeze in midair, unable to move forward even an inch, he was momentarily stunned.

What the hell?

The zombie looked downright ridiculous now.

Its face twisted in a ferocious snarl, it seemed desperate to lunge forward. But no matter how hard it tried, it couldn’t move at all, as if something invisible was holding it back.

Shen Xiuyan didn’t hesitate any longer. He swiftly delivered a fatal blow.

The zombie collapsed to the ground, completely lifeless.

Shen Xiuyan turned his head to scan the area, trying to figure out what had just happened.

Then he saw Su Mingyue slowly sliding to the ground.

Her forehead was drenched in sweat, as if she had drained every ounce of her strength.

“Wife, what’s wrong?” Shen Xiuyan rushed over in alarm.

Su Mingyue gave him a weak smile. “I’m fine, just a little tired.”

Shen Xiuyan narrowed his eyes, as if something had just occurred to him. In disbelief, he asked, “That zombie’s hand—was it you who stopped it from moving?”

Su Mingyue: “???”

Her eyes were filled with innocent confusion.

“Ah? Was that me? I just didn’t want it to touch you…” she cried out in disbelief. “Wait, does that mean I’ve awakened a supernatural ability?!”

“Really?!”

Shen Xiuyan nodded. “It’s possible. Under extreme stress, people can awaken abilities. Judging by what just happened, yours might be a mental-type ability.”

Su Mingyue grabbed his hands excitedly, her eyes sparkling with joy. The exhaustion from moments ago seemed to vanish in an instant.

Shen Xiuyan scooped her up in his arms. “Yeah, maybe. Rest for now. We’ll test it again later.”

“Okay.”

Su Mingyue nestled obediently in his arms as Shen Xiuyan carried her back to the vehicle.

Wang Qiang muttered, “My god, she awakened a supernatural ability just like that? Isn’t that way too easy…”

Brother Lei chimed in, “I had a fever for a whole week. My temperature hit forty-three degrees. I seriously thought I was going to burn to death.”

Wang Qiang gave him a bitter look. “Same here…”

Sigh. Comparing people really is a recipe for frustration.

No wonder she’s worthy of becoming their sister-in-law.

After locking the car door, Shen Xiuyan said, “Everyone, stay close. Stay alert and keep your guard up. Watch out for high-level zombies.”

“Got it, Young Master Shen.”

After that little episode, everyone snapped out of their brief moment of relaxation and became alert again.

Thankfully, nothing else unusual happened.

They quickly gathered all the supplies they needed, stuffing the vehicle to the brim. There wasn’t even room left for passengers.

Shen Xiuyan rubbed his forehead at the sight, wondering how anyone was supposed to get back in the car later.

On the way back to the city, Brother Lei looked at the overflowing vehicle and couldn’t help letting out a delighted pig-like squeal.

“Hehehe, following Young Master Shen really was the right choice. Who would’ve thought we’d find so many supplies?”

“Exactly. We never even dared to go near big supermarkets like this before.”

“Having Young Master Shen with us makes everything feel safer.”

“Without him, we’d all be dead by now. We couldn’t have handled those two zombies on our own…”

“Yeah, that reminds me—we all need to work on improving our supernatural abilities. Didn’t you see how even zombies are evolving? If we don’t level up, we’ll be left behind.”

“True. Looks like we’ll have to start organizing missions to collect Core Crystals. Even if the ones from normal zombies aren’t super effective, it’s still something. Every little bit counts.”

“Alright, I’ll talk to Young Master Shen about it later.” Brother Lei nodded in agreement.

Even though the realization that zombies could evolve was a bit of a downer, at least everyone had learned something valuable from this trip with Shen Xiuyan—they now knew how to strengthen their abilities.

Brother Lei clenched the Core Crystal he’d just received tightly in his hand.

Hope still burned bright in his heart.

*

“They’re back! They’re back!” someone in the room shouted.

Since the group had been gone for a while, the windows were already crowded with anxious family members waiting for their return.

When they saw everyone getting off the vehicle with victorious smiles, a collective sigh of relief swept through the crowd.

It looked like no one had been hurt.

Once inside, Shen Xiuyan announced, “Ten-minute break, then we move out.”

“Yes, sir!” everyone shouted in unison, full of energy.

Those who had stayed behind gathered around the returning group in twos and threes, eager to hear what had happened on the trip.

When they learned about the Core Crystals, curiosity spread quickly.

The crystals they’d brought back were passed around for everyone to examine.

Meanwhile, Father Su didn’t pay much attention to the Core Crystals. He was more concerned about his daughter’s pale face.

“What happened? Why do you look so pale after just one trip outside?”

Mother Su also rushed over, grabbing her daughter’s hands and inspecting her carefully, worried she might be hurt.

Su Mingyue’s complexion wasn’t great, but her smile was full of joy.

“I think I might’ve awakened a supernatural ability?”

“What?!” several voices cried out in shock.

The two elders sounded even more excited than the others. “Is that true?”

Su Mingyue didn’t dare confirm it outright. She had only said “might have”…

But Shen Xiuyan stepped in and said with certainty, “Yes, it’s true. I think it might be a mental-type ability, though it could be something else. She’s just awakened it, so she doesn’t know how to use it yet. We’ll know more in a few days.”

“Good, good, good!” Father Su beamed with joy.

Having a supernatural ability meant she could protect herself. No matter how powerful her son-in-law was, he couldn’t always be there to shield her. Now, she could survive on her own.

The two elders’ smiles were so bright they practically blinded everyone.

Father Huo teased, “Old Su, you’re happier than if you’d awakened an ability yourself.”

“Who wouldn’t be? This is the happiest day I’ve had in half a month.”

“Yeah, now that the kids can protect themselves, us old folks can finally relax.”

While the parents chatted enthusiastically, Su Mingyue tugged at Shen Xiuyan’s sleeve.

He looked over, puzzled. “What is it?”

She whispered, “Why did you say it so confidently? What if it turns out I don’t have an ability? Mom and Dad will be disappointed.”

Shen Xiuyan whispered back, “If I say you do, then you do. We’re just not sure what kind of ability it is yet.”

“Trust me. Don’t you believe what I say?”

Su Mingyue nodded firmly. “Yeah, I trust you.”

“Hey—” Young Master Huo leaned in. “What are you two whispering about?”

“None of your business—”

“Not something you need to know, right?” Young Master Huo cut in, having learned to anticipate their answers. But this time, it didn’t satisfy him.

He looked at Su Mingyue with a wounded expression. “How could you betray the organization?”

Su Mingyue: “???”