The Apocalypse Shelter System

As Di Ping took a shower, he familiarized himself with the several skills he had acquired, skills which he had not yet studied in depth since obtaining them.

Exploration Technique was a skill provided by the system, undeniably powerful. Though Di Ping had used it infrequently, he sensed its immense practicality. Not only could it reveal an opponent's strength, but it could also detect unknown elements, indicating its versatile function.

Flame Enhancement, now understood by Di Ping, was a skill that infused flames onto his palms or weapons to increase fire damage. He considered it quite useful, perhaps even an extraordinary ability.

Looking at the three skills gained from his warrior class, Di Ping noted how these skills maximized a warrior's combat potential. While basic, they greatly benefited him. With them, Di Ping no longer relied purely on strength. For example, the Slash Skill focused power into rapid weapon swings to deal damage—essentially a technique for applying strength. The Taunt Skill was a mental maneuver to provoke enemies and make them angry, although Di Ping didn't fully understand the underlying principle. Charge, another skill, allowed for a sudden burst of speed to quickly close the distance and strike an opponent, utilizing the force to knock them back and cause damage.

These three skills were not world-shattering in their power, but Di Ping found them practical. With them, he felt a huge increase in his combat ability, a far cry from the time before he advanced. He now felt that he could easily defeat ten opponents at once.

Having mastered these skills, Di Ping finished his shower and, after searching for a while, finally found a shirt to wear. Di Ping wasn't particular about clothing, and in summer, he usually had just a few sets. However, after the last few days, his clothes had worn out significantly, leaving him with little to wear. Fortunately, he had two old shirts that he could make do with.

Breakfast was simple. Although resources were abundant, everyone knew that the food would gradually dwindle, and no one could predict how long the post-apocalyptic world would last. Therefore, they all consciously conserved food. That morning, they had steamed buns with porridge and a few bags of pickled vegetables, yet everyone still ate heartily, especially those Di Ping had rescued, who felt particularly grateful.

After breakfast, Di Ping led the group down to the lower floors of the building. The group included the chubby man, Luo Quanyu, Cheng Chao, Yu Shujie, and Nan Nan, with Li Sheng staying behind due to an injury. The newly added Ye Lu and her two friends followed along, while the other two women were too afraid to leave the building, staying behind to tend to Li Sheng.

As they made their way to the back of the building, the area was overgrown with enormous trees, and waist-high wild grass stretched beneath them. Everyone cautiously scanned their surroundings, afraid that monsters might leap out from the grass.

"Di Ge! How much farther?" the chubby man asked nervously, glancing around like a frightened rabbit.

"Not far now!" Di Ping grinned as he looked back at him. "What, are you scared?"

"Who's scared?!" the chubby man straightened up immediately, his voice rising defensively.

"Shh! Keep your voice down! You'll attract the mutant dogs!" Cheng Chao whispered sternly from behind.

"Oh!" The chubby man quickly covered his mouth, his eyes darting around nervously to make sure nothing was coming, then muttered a sheepish "Oh" when he saw nothing.

The short walk to the villa area, about 300 meters away, was complicated by the dense, wild undergrowth. It took them over ten minutes to traverse the distance, with some parts being particularly difficult to navigate.

When they finally stood before the castle, Di Ping was struck by its grandeur, which looked far more imposing in the daylight compared to the darkened view he had the previous night. The castle, bathed in morning sunlight, reflected brilliantly off the windows, casting long shadows from its towering spires.

The castle spanned several acres and appeared like a small city, surrounded by massive, fortified walls that conveyed a strong sense of security.

Standing on the bridge, the group stared in awe. They were familiar with this neighborhood, and most had visited the largest villa before, but it was never this big. Many wondered when it had been renovated, confused by its current size. They never imagined that it was Di Ping who had manifested it using the system. In modern society, such surreal events were difficult for many to grasp, so they assumed it must have been remodeled by someone else.

The gates of the castle creaked open, and everyone jumped, nervous at the slow movement of the massive doors.

"Let's go," Di Ping called, stepping forward and leading the way into the castle.

"Di Ge!" the others called out behind him.

"It's fine, come on!" Di Ping waved without turning around.

The group hesitated for a moment before following him inside, visibly unsettled by the bizarre sight of both the castle and an elderly Western man standing at the door.

"You must be Baron?" one of them asked, trying to ease the tension.

"Yes, I am," Baron responded, bowing as he welcomed the group into the castle.

"Where's Buggy?" Di Ping inquired, remembering that he had assigned Buggy to oversee the castle's security.

"Buggy went out early this morning to inspect the territory's safety," Baron explained respectfully.

As the group walked through the grand entrance, some of them seemed a little unsure. They had never seen a castle like this before, and the sudden appearance of such a figure as Baron made it even more surreal. Di Ping, noticing their reactions, quickly spoke up to explain, "Don't worry, he's just the castle's butler."

Inside, the castle amazed everyone. From the bright lights and pristine environment to the luxurious rooms and state-of-the-art facilities, it was unlike anything they had ever experienced. They marveled at every detail, running around and exploring as if in a dream.

After an hour of excited exploration, the group finally gathered in the main hall. Their gazes toward Di Ping were full of admiration, realizing that their leader was not only strong but had also secured such an extraordinary place. They couldn't comprehend how it was all possible.

"Di Ge! Are we going to live here from now on?" the chubby man asked eagerly.

"Yes, we're moving in today," Di Ping responded with a smile.

Everyone cheered, their excitement palpable. Di Ping then offered, "You can choose rooms on the second floor."

"Di Ge, can I live on the third floor?" the chubby man asked with a hint of flattery.

Di Ping raised an eyebrow, replying, "What do you think?"

The chubby man quickly backpedaled, changing his tune to advocate for the second floor, which he now claimed was the best option.

Di Ping explained the system of room assignments: "The third floor is reserved for those who meet certain criteria. It's more exclusive, and you'll need to earn your place. For now, you all are staying on the second floor, which is already a privilege."

He elaborated further: "To live in the castle, you'll need to become part of the management team, contribute significantly, and unlock your potential. These are the basic requirements to move up."

"Di Ge, what kind of conditions are required?" Cheng Chao asked, eager to know more.

"First, you need to become part of the leadership. Second, you must contribute to the cause. Finally, you need to unlock your potential. This is how we'll manage the space here," Di Ping explained, confident that this plan would prevent overcrowding and ensure that only those who truly earned it could enjoy the best accommodations.

The group was already beginning to realize the significance of their new life, and their sense of awe and excitement only grew as Di Ping laid out the future structure.