NOVEL NEXT CHAPTER 72
Chapter 72: The Awakening of Power
The devastating attack, aptly dubbed Thor’s Hammer by Zhang Chengcheng, showcased Lu Ming’s immense strength. It was a ranged assault of unparalleled destructive power, capable of unleashing the full extent of Lu Ming’s physical prowess.
The hammer’s impact was catastrophic. Not only had it obliterated Lian Jie, but even Xu Rufang, shielded within her son’s embrace, had lost limbs in the blast. Had she not been protected, the full force of Thor’s Hammer would have reduced her to ashes.
Bai Tianyu surveyed the aftermath, his eyes fixated on Lian Jie. Six of the zombie’s eight tentacles lay severed, leaving only two limp appendages clinging to Xu Rufang. Lian Jie’s body, pulverized by the direct hit, was already regenerating at an astonishing rate, thanks to his potent recovery ability.
Xu Rufang, though severely injured, was not dead. Her severed limbs were already showing signs of regrowth, her self-healing ability kicking into overdrive.
Before Lu Ming could unleash another devastating blow, Lian Jie, still reeling from the attack, let out a guttural cry and retreated with Xu Rufang into the labyrinth of buildings.
Lu Ming lost his line of sight. Even with Thor’s Hammer, the buildings obstructed his view, rendering further attacks ineffective. Bai Tianyu considered engaging Lian Jie to create an opening for Lu Ming, but then he heard Xu Rufang’s anguished cries echoing from within Lian Jie’s grasp.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry…” she sobbed. “Little Jie didn’t do it on purpose. He definitely didn’t intentionally eat people! He’s still a child. I beg you to spare him.”
Bai Tianyu watched in stunned silence as Lian Jie, propelled by his mother’s pleas, swiftly navigated the urban maze, putting distance between himself and the impending threat of Thor’s Hammer.
Lian Jie was not afraid for himself. As a Level 4 zombie with extraordinary regenerative capabilities, he could easily withstand the hammer’s onslaught. However, his mother, Xu Rufang, was far more vulnerable.
Whether Lian Jie was driven more by his zombie instincts or his remaining humanity was uncertain. But one thing was clear: he would not risk his mother’s life. His retreat was a testament to the enduring bond between mother and son, a bond that transcended even the monstrous transformation he had undergone.
The zombie, cunning and resourceful, exploited the urban landscape to evade Lu Ming’s line of sight. It weaved through the towering buildings, rendering Lu Ming’s aim futile. Several iron discuses were launched, but only the first found its mark. The rest detonated upon impact with the structures, reducing them to rubble.
Bai Tianyu’s attempts to intercept the fleeing creature proved unsuccessful. The zombie, carrying its "hostage," eventually escaped the safe zone and Lu Ming’s reach.
Lu Ming lowered the iron discus, his gaze filled with apprehension. “A new type of zombie,” he mused, “and even stronger than a Tyrant.” The Tyrant had been no match for Thor’s Hammer, but this eight-tentacled monstrosity had endured the blow, highlighting a significant difference in power.
The implications of this encounter weighed heavily on Lu Ming’s mind, fueling a renewed determination to train. He instructed Li Zitong to increase the height of the observation tower by 10 meters, aiming to expand his field of view and eliminate more threats before they could evolve into something as formidable as the eight-tentacled creature.
Meanwhile, the desire to survive outweighed any lingering hunger, and Lian Jie continued his frantic flight, abandoning his earlier desire for another meal. Within his mutated body, the genes of the recently consumed Lin Bai were rapidly assimilating, granting him new abilities.
By the time Lian Jie had escaped Lu Ming’s range, Lin Bai had been fully digested. A surge of sensory input flooded his heightened senses, painting the world in vivid colors and amplifying the scents around him.
It was at this moment that Lian Jie truly understood the extent of his powers. “Devour!” he realized, a grotesque epiphany dawning upon him. “I can devour Awakened ones and absorb their superpowers for my own use!”
In the past, he had relied solely on Xu Rufang for sustenance, mistakenly believing that his acquired self-healing ability was an innate trait. Now, the truth was revealed, and Lian Jie reveled in the horrifying possibilities it presented.
A newfound understanding blossomed within Lian Jie’s mutated mind. He could devour Awakened ones, absorbing their unique abilities into his own ever-evolving form.
Before he could dwell on this revelation, a distinct scent wafted into his heightened olfactory senses—the scent of his own kind. But it was more than just a familiar aroma; it carried a message, a pheromonal beacon beckoning him closer.
Fresh from his escape from Lu Ming, Lian Jie was still disoriented. Yet, the allure of the pheromone was undeniable, and he instinctively decided to investigate.
“Where are we going?” Xu Rufang’s voice, muffled within the tangle of tentacles, inquired softly.
“I don’t know,” Lian Jie replied. “Let’s take it one step at a time.”
As a Level 4 zombie, Lian Jie was a dominant force, even outside the safe zone. His mere presence was enough to deter other zombies, and he swiftly made his way towards the source of the scent, swinging his tentacles with newfound purpose.
He soon arrived at a park south of Nanxiang City. At the entrance, he paused, waiting. Moments later, the familiar sound of tentacles scraping against the ground reached his ears.
Another tentacle monster emerged from the park’s depths. Eight tentacles sprouted from its back, but its appearance was strikingly different from Lian Jie’s. It was a middle-aged man in a tailored suit, his hair meticulously styled. Were it not for the monstrous appendages, he could have passed for an insurance salesman.
The man smiled warmly as their eyes met. “Welcome, fellow creature,” he said. “Allow me to introduce myself. I am Sima Xiao.”
“Were you the one who attracted me here?” Lian Jie inquired.
Sima Xiao nodded gently. “Yes.”
“What do you want from me?”
Sima Xiao chuckled, a glint in his eyes. “I’m seeking your cooperation on a matter of great importance.”
Lian Jie pressed for details, but Sima Xiao remained evasive. “Let’s just say it concerns our common fate,” he replied cryptically. “If you’re interested, come with me. If not, I won’t stop you from leaving. The choice is yours.”
From within Lian Jie’s grasp, Xu Rufang’s voice piped up, “Son, this person doesn’t seem trustworthy. Let’s not get involved. We should leave quickly.”
But Lian Jie, emboldened by his newfound power and the prospect of greater understanding, disregarded his mother’s warning. After a moment’s consideration, he turned to Sima Xiao and declared, “Lead the way.”
End of Chapter 72