Chapter 210 – Fusion of Mental Energy

Chapter 210 - Fusion of Mental Energy

"Don't look at Chu Chuan like he owes you something; it's quite repulsive."

"Little Chuan..."

When Xie Shuyan saw Chu Chuan emerge, he, along with Xie Shuyao, approached with the intention of speaking to him, but they found themselves at a loss for words.

Chu Chuan glanced at them, his eyes devoid of any emotion, yet somehow conveying a sense of detachment and indifference, as if an insurmountable distance separated them.

Xie Shuyan noticed this and a hint of regret flickered in his eyes. Xie Shuyao, on the other hand, was no longer as clingy towards Chu Chuan. Instead, she looked up at him with a trace of fear in her eyes.

"Second Brother."

She called out timidly.

Chu Chuan withdrew his gaze, ignoring the pair as he pulled Muzhilin along and continued walking.

Seeing that Chu Chuan was about to leave without acknowledging them, Xie Shuyan was just about to call out to him when Fang Yi, seemingly unnoticed until now, had moved to lean against the door frame, letting out a scoff.

"Ah~ You've regained your senses, congratulations. But could you please refrain from looking as if Master Chu owes you something? It's rather unpleasant."

Xie Shuyan's expression shifted slightly. He asked Xie Shuyao to leave first while he stayed behind to inquire about the question that had been weighing on him for half a year.

"That child..."

"Oh, it's yours, but it's dead. Don't come looking for me; I owe you nothing."

Fang Yi's response was straightforward and cold-hearted. Though the child was indeed innocent, his life was of greater importance.

Xie Shuyan was taken aback by his straightforwardness. He knitted his brows, trying to discern some other emotions on Fang Yi's face, but ultimately found none.

Fang Yi was also appraising Xie Shuyan and eventually let out a sigh, his tone lethargic as he remarked, "We're clearly brothers, yet how could we differ so much? Just at the eighth level of paranormal abilities, truly unreliable."

"..." Xie Shuyan remained silent, having long grown accustomed to this man's acerbic tongue ever since their journey south together when he escorted Fang Yi.

Fang Yi stroked his chin thoughtfully.

"I'm genuinely curious. In these two years, as you despised the zombies yet benefited from their domestication, what kind of sentiment did you hold while residing here?"

Xie Shuyan fixated on Fang Yi, "Fang Yi, there's no need for you to say these words to provoke me. Little Chuan is Little Chuan, and I am me. You're asking how I feel? That's laughable. Shouldn't you be the one who knows best?"

The spirit zombie within Fang Yi was still the most troublesome existence for him.

"..."

Seeing that he dared to refute him, a blood-red glint flashed in Fang Yi's eyes. Helpless, Xie Shuyan fell to his knees with a thud.

"Foul creature!" Fang Yi sneered, violently pulling Xie Shuyan's hair to force him to look up and meet his gaze.

"Xie Shuyan, you've probably forgotten that my mental energy can delve into people's minds."

"!"

Xie Shuyan's pupils constricted.

"You actually think we're of the same kind? Puhaha!! We're not the same. Whoever displeases me, I'll kill them. Can you do the same?"

"What a pity, Xie Shuyan. In the past, your heart was truly pure. But now, it's filled with resentment and hatred. You believe that the apocalypse destroyed everything you had, your family, your dreams, leaving you with nothing, not even a spiritual anchor."

"I never thought that way..."

Fixing his gaze on Fang Yi's eyes, Xie Shuyan couldn't help but recall the early days of the apocalypse, especially what he witnessed after arriving at the "Northern Base."

Countless lives perished within the base, turning humans into monsters.

How loathsome the zombies and mutated beasts were.

But what chilled him even more was how, in such dire straits, the upper echelons of the base were still vying for power. Many people and soldiers didn't fall to zombies or mutated beasts; they perished needlessly in the power struggles of those in authority.

To those in power, the lives of the common folk seemed worthless, not worth considering.

Fang Yi's persuasive voice continued, "You despise zombies and humanity alike. Having seen the worst of human nature in the apocalypse, you believe everyone is the same. Zombies deserve death, and so do people. Thus, when you learned of Big Boss Chu's collaboration with zombies, you found an outlet for your pent-up anger."

Xie Shuyan's pupils quivered slightly.

"Stop! I never thought like that! The apocalypse did shatter my worldview, but I never believed anyone deserved to die! Nor have I ever blamed Little Chuan for everything!"

Indeed, there was a fleeting moment when Xie Shuyan wanted to question Chu Chuan: Why did he stand idly by? Why didn't he save them? Why had humanity come to this?

But he quickly regained his composure, realizing that none of it was within Chu Chuan's power to change.

He had no right to question Chu Chuan.

Everything he had achieved so far was thanks to Chu Chuan. He had no grounds to blame him, especially since Yao Yao and his parents were safe.

In the past two years, he had even seriously considered if zombies might be the right path.

So how could he blame Little Chuan? He could only blame himself for being inadequate.

"Little Chuan is different from the others. He never hides his feelings. Even when he collaborated with the zombies, it wasn't because he was keeping it from us – we just didn't think of it, and I didn't ask. My vision was too narrow, my character too weak. I thought black was black and white was white, that villains would always get their due. When I realized that wasn't the case, I cowered..."

In the post-apocalyptic world, taking a life went unpunished, and the lives of the lower classes were as disposable as blades of grass.

He was afraid.

Listening to Xie Shuyan, Fang Yi fell silent for two seconds before letting go of his hand and squatting down.

"Fang Yi, let me evolve you. Afterward, your confusion will fade. Heaven and earth are impartial, treating all creatures as straw dogs; sages are likewise impartial, regarding the people as straw dogs. All things in nature are equal. You see cruelty because you stand on the side of humanity. But if you evolve into a zombie, you'll witness a different, extraordinary world."

Xie Shuyan's expression froze.

He couldn't fathom why Fang Yi's thoughts had taken such a leap. However, an inexplicable intuition urged him to reject the offer.

"Fang Yi, zombies were once humans. Our true enemy lies in the sea," Fang Yi said, gazing out the window.

The crimson sun blanketed the heavens, casting a blood-red glow over everything.

He seemed to foresee an earth-shattering battle between land and sea.

Xie Shuyan's heart stirred. Looking up, he saw Fang Yi's captivating profile. He'd been so focused on their conversation that he hadn't noticed Fang Yi's attire until now. Dressed only in a sheer, thin shirt, he quickly averted his gaze.

Did this man always dress like this when discussing matters with Little Chuan? Were zombies really that liberal?

Fang Yi, overhearing Xie Shuyan's thoughts, paused. What was this guy thinking?

However...

A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of Fang Yi's lips as he lifted the pressure he had exerted on Xie Shuyan. Just as he was about to pull the man up, Xie Shuyan shot to his feet and pushed Fang Yi into the room, even considerately closing the door behind him.

Fang Yi placed his finger on the door frame, gazing at Xie Shuyan with a challenge in his eyes: Go ahead and shut the door if you dare, and see if I don't break my finger.

Xie Shuyan realized that he had overstepped and hung his head, saying, "Go rest. I'll take my leave first." He had already asked what he wanted to know. If he continued to be alone with Fang Yi, he would lose his composure.

"Stop. Why are you running? Aren't you just trying to sleep with me? It's not like we haven't done it before. What are you being so secretive for?"

"I...I'm not!"

"Oh."

Fang Yi raised his arm and let his fingers trail down Xie Shuyan's cheek. At the same time, a surge of mental energy enveloped Xie Shuyan.

Xie Shuyan was no longer the man who would lose control under Fang Yi's mental pressure. He tried to push Fang Yi away, but his hands grew weak and limp. His ears and neck flushed pink, still affected by Fang Yi's influence.

Seeing that Xie Shuyan didn't resist completely, Fang Yi wrapped his arms around his neck.

"It's not a big deal if someone finds me attractive and wants to sleep with me. How about I teach you something interesting?" Fang Yi suggested.

Compared to daily asexual reproduction with the telekinetic zombie's tentacles, he'd rather create another child. That way, he could avoid the disgusting act with the tentacles and also keep the telekinetic zombie stable until it was consumed.

Xie Shuyan lowered his gaze onto Fang Yi's rosy lips and clenched his teeth. "I don't want to play." What if they had another child?

"Says the one who doesn't mean what he says..."

Fang Yi was about to continue when the silver-haired zombie rushed over. Upon seeing him at the door, it immediately ran over in excitement.

"Mother! The zombies you assigned to me have all regained their senses!"

"Really?!"

The leader is coming back!

Fang Yi's emotions surged.

Aside from Chu Chuan, the people he cared about most were probably those from the Special Abilities Bureau. They had been friends since childhood, and he never imagined actually killing them.

Yet, the moment his voice faded, he felt an intense detachment from his soul. Fang Yi clutched his head and struggled with all his might, but his eyes still turned bloodshot – a sign that the mental zombie had taken over.

It stared at the silver-haired zombie.

The silver-haired zombie immediately wiped its natural smile away and bowed respectfully.

"Mother."

The mental zombie ordered directly, "Kill them and extract their crystals."

The silver-haired zombie froze. Before it could say anything, Fang Yi regained control of his body.

"How dare you!" Fang Yi roared.

He wasn't directing his anger at the silver-haired zombie before him but the mental zombie inside him.

That thing had already dug out the crystals of the Special Abilities Bureau members once. If not for that, how could it have waited so long to restore his leader and the others to their senses with his abilities?

Now, that bastard dared to think about digging out their crystals again! Unforgivable!! He wished Lord Chu would devour it right now! Immediately! Right away!

The mental zombie regained control of the body. "You care about them deeply, don't you? You were the one who ordered their infection. They're just a bunch of low-level zombies. What's there to be concerned about? It's your indecisiveness that caused many high-level zombies to slip from my control."

"F*ck off!" Fang Yi clutched his head and gritted his teeth. He then turned to the silver-haired zombie and waved his hand. "Go down first. Gather more crystal cores for them. Help them level up quickly."

"Yes!"

After receiving the order, the silver-haired zombie hastily left. Acquiring more crystal cores would mean another batch of high-level zombies descending into mediocrity.

Mothers were all equally ruthless and cold-hearted.

As the mental zombie took over, it observed the departing figure of the silver-haired zombie. It narrowed its eyes. "Little Yin listens to you quite obediently."

"Scram!"

Fang Yi released his mental energy tentacles, attempting to suppress the zombie with his mental power and regain control of his body. However, the zombie wasn't willing to give in. Although temporarily suppressed, it also unleashed its mental energy to counter Fang Yi's.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!!"

Hundreds of mental energy tentacles entangled, swiftly destroying the corridor.

Xie Shuyan attempted to lend assistance but only ended up being a burden. A momentary distraction cost Fang Yi dearly as he was viciously whipped by the tentacle of the Psyker Zombie.

"Bang!"

Fang Yi was flung back into the room, crashing harshly against the wall. Cracks resembling a spiderweb instantly spread across the solid surface.

"Fang Yi!"

Xie Shuyan wanted to rush in and check on Fang Yi's condition, but he was ensnared by the tentacles around his neck, the sensation of suffocation overwhelming him.

"Agh!"

"Huh…" A tentacle with a golden eye lifted Fang Yi's chin. "You have quite a following." The Psyker Zombie spoke as a few of its single-eyed tentacles turned towards Xie Shuyan, taunting, "Isn't Fang Yi's face pleasing to the eye?"

Xie Shuyan struggled fiercely to free himself from the tentacles around his neck. His face had turned red from the lack of oxygen, and he tried to retaliate with his own mental energy. However, the moment it materialized, it was ruthlessly severed by the zombie.

"Ugh!" His pupils constricted, and a muffled groan of immense pain escaped from deep within his throat. Mental energy was a manifestation of one's nerves; the pain of having it severed was a hundredfold worse than losing a limb.

Xie Shuyan soon lost consciousness.

Fang Yi endured the entanglement of the tentacles around him. At that moment, a bead flew out from the shattered bedside table. Fang Yi recognized it as the "Devouring Bead" at first sight. His eyes lit up as if he had seen a lifeline, and he quickly controlled his mental energy tentacles to retrieve it.

The instant he grasped the Devouring Bead, it activated. The zombie-like mental energy within him let out a shrill cry, and the tangible one-eyed tentacle dissipated into thin air.

...

Chu Chuan sensed the Devouring Bead operating, emitting a portion of the miasma. He paused in his steps.

Muzhilin turned his head to look.

"What's wrong?"

"The Devouring Bead I left with Fang Yi has started working and is transmitting some miasma."

"Oh."

"Brother Lin, are you upset?"

Chu Chuan felt Muzhilin's lack of enthusiasm. The grip of his tightly clenched fists tightened.

"No, I just got scared when I came back and found you gone. I thought you were angry about me binding you, so you left me behind."

Chu Chuan shook his head, hurriedly explaining.

"It's not like that. I went to find Fang Yi because I wasn't feeling well. I wanted him to take on the negative effects of me absorbing the miasma through the 'Devouring Pearl.' My physique is unique, so I can't absorb the miasma like a zombie does. The large amount of 'essence' I devour comes with undigested negativity. If no one helps me shoulder it, I might go insane."

"I know."

Muzhilin responded softly, showing no signs of anger despite his initial fright when he returned to the room and found Chu Chuan missing. He had eventually figured everything out, which was why he could locate Chu Chuan accurately at Fang Yi's place.

"Why aren't you happy? Is it because we can't cultivate together?" Chu Chuan nodded seriously as he continued, "That is indeed a tricky issue, but I've found a solution."

Hearing Chu Chuan's fantastical imagination, Muzhilin sighed helplessly. He hadn't considered that angle at all, but the earnest tone Chu Chuan used piqued his curiosity.

"What solution?"

Chu Chuan's eyes sparkled.

"Our spiritual energies can intertwine! I can even manifest my spiritual energy to satisfy you, just like Fang Yi did, I think. Brother Lin, do you want to give it a try? It must be very enjoyable."

Muzhilin's face darkened.

"You saw Fang Yi doing that?"

Muzhilin emphasized the word "saw," his voice laced with obvious anger and gritted teeth. He glared at Chu Chuan as a vine sprouted from his palm.

Chu Chuan hummed in response. Noticing Muzhilin's worsening expression, he hurriedly clarified, "No! I only caught a glimpse of his silhouette and the tentacles through the bed curtains."

Upon hearing this, Muzhilin's expression eased slightly, but he still glared at Chu Chuan unhappily.

"Did you climb in through the window? That's how you saw someone else's private moment?"

"...Yes."

"You... You're not allowed to do that again. It's fine for our own room, but when entering others' rooms, always knock, understand?"

"Oh."

Chu Chuan nodded in agreement.

"Brother Lin, let's give it a shot back home."

"Not now!" Muzhilin's refusal was interrupted as the hallway suddenly began to tremble.

In that instant, as the ground quaked, Chu Chuan swept Muzhilin up into his arms and they soared out of the building.

"What's going on?" Muzhilin looked at the dust-rising ground. They weren't alone – many others were rushing out of the structures as well.