Chapter 123

Chapter 123

On their way down, they had briefly checked each floor. Same as the second floor, every level was divided into ten small storage rooms.

The third and fourth floors stored surgical ward supplies, with two rooms specifically storing IV fluids, medications in vials, syringes, and similar items.

The fifth floor contained lab supplies, while the sixth and seventh floors stored larger medical equipment—ranging from beds and monitoring devices to backup generators, down to rubbing alcohol, iodine, face masks, and bandages. Essentially, everything a hospital might need for daily operations was here.

Judging by how the items were categorized and stacked, it was clear the place was in the midst of reorganization—a bit disorganized and haphazard.

However, the upper floors did not have as many zombies, and the supplies were relatively well-preserved. Still, they only took what they could use immediately or adapt for their own purposes: outdoor emergency power supplies, ready-made med kits and first-aid supplies, and other emergency supplies.

They stocked up on items like glucose solutions, masks, bandages, disinfectants, and band-aids.

As for the larger equipment, Cheng Jing planned to give an honest report to Zhou Li once they returned to the surface.

After finishing here, they would move on to the next location, grabbing what they needed before anyone else. Even if the base sent people later, it wouldn’t cause issues.

These supplies would be useful for the base’s medical facilities. If a full team came to clear the place out, there’d be enough resources to establish a small hospital.

Of course, even if South City Base didn’t come, other groups or organizations like S Base could still use them—after all, these supplies were left for people to use.

On that note, Cheng Jing didn’t get it—and hated just as much—those who would rather destroy what they couldn’t take, even resorting to arson. What good did that do? Were they afraid of more humans surviving?

"..."

The team conducted fast but careful sweeps on each floor, taking what they could and locking up what they left behind. It was no trouble at all.

And so, they worked their way back up, floor by floor.

*Rat-tat-tat—*

*Bang!*

*Bang!*

"..."

Just as they were about to reach the fifth floor, gunfire suddenly rang out from the surface.

Now that they were nearer to the surface, their radios regained signal. Cheng Jing immediately contacted Tang Yi:

"Tang Yi, what’s happening up there?"

After a burst of static, Tang Yi’s calm voice replied:

"Cheng, it’s zombies—a whole horde just appeared out of nowhere. But we’ve got it under control. Stay safe down there."

The line cut out, followed by another intense volley of gunfire.

No one needed to say it, everyone instinctively sped up their climb.

A few minutes later, the gunfire ceased.

However, it started up again in a heavy barrage not long after, and even underground, they could feel faint tremors.

Clearly, another wave had come after the previous one.

After listening carefully for a while, Jiang Nian spoke up:

"Something's not right. Let's send some people up first."

He then looked at Cheng Jing, who pondered briefly before immediately saying:

"I'll stay back with Jiang Nian. Everyone else go up first—now!"

At this, Zhao Lei and the other three didn’t hesitate and quickly made their way up.

"Be careful. Report immediately if anything’s wrong."

Cheng Jing added one more instruction before continuing to search the floor with Jiang Nian.

The higher they went, the larger the items became, leaving them with fewer things they could take. They mostly focused on checking if things were intact to report back to the base for evaluation.

After clearing the fifth floor and preparing to move up, Cheng Jing walked alongside Jiang Nian and asked uncertainly:

"Nian Nian, was that crystal core really the converter?"

Though they had some knowledge from their previous lives, he felt they were too lucky—almost unbelievable.

According to Jiang Nian’s understanding, this medium was unique.

Even if experts would eventually find other methods later, obtaining such a turning point less than a year into the apocalypse was unbelievable luck.

Jiang Nian replied with complete certainty:

"Yes. The hardest part of utilizing crystal core energy is extraction. This one can both extract and release—it’s definitely a conversion medium. No doubt about it."

"Seems like the important thing the S Base exploration and rescue team found here in our past lives was this."

Hearing this, Cheng Jing’s spirits lifted completely.

Jiang Nian nodded enthusiastically:

"Right. Being able to harness crystal core energy and having mind-evolved Supers were S Base’s biggest advantages in becoming the top base. Now, they belong to Nancheng Base."

Originally, they had only planned to offer some research suggestions to the base and wait for brain-evolution Superpowered experts to figure things out.

But now, with the medium in hand, they only needed to describe what they’d seen and share their ideas—the experts would know exactly how to use it.

Given Nancheng Base’s current crystal core reserves, they could easily build a power plant. With electricity, everything would become much more convenient.

Even if the cores weren’t enough, large trades between bases were possible.

After all, other bases couldn’t utilize the energy within the cores, so exchanging them for research data and other supplies would be much more worthwhile.

"The stronger Nancheng Base becomes, the better it is for us. With these two assets, however cunning S Base or Xia Weiwei are, no matter how skilled their schemes, they won’t be able to cause any trouble."

Cheng Jing’s tone grew low and serious toward the end, a brief flash of murderous intent flashing in his eyes.

In their past lives, S Base had secretly controlled smaller bases to extort resources, and Xia Weiwei had personally oversaw brutal experiments on Jiang Nian. This time, he would take care of them before they could even begin their schemes.

His goal was simple—to ensure that everyone who had bullied Jiang Nian in their previous life were dead—preferably suffering painfully.

The more atrocities he had endured, the more obsessed he became with avenging Jiang Nian, even developing some twisted ideas.

His Nian Nian was kind, gentle, and fiercely loyal. Despite all the suffering in their past life, his character never twisted, nor did he wallow in resentment after being reborn.

But the stronger his lover's ability to heal, the more it pained him.

"..."

"Brother Jing, let's go. Next floor."

A familiar voice interrupted Cheng Jing's tangled thoughts. Jiang Nian was dragging a straight steel pipe along the ground, channeling his superpower outward as he took the lead up the stairs.

It had the same vibe as his old alleyway brawls.

"Alright, be careful."

Cheng Jing pushed aside those dark thoughts and couldn’t help but smile silently at the figure ahead.

It didn’t matter. He would handle those dirty deeds quietly—making sure none of them died easy.

...

By the time Jiang Nian and Cheng Jing returned to the surface, it was already 5:40 PM.

The sunset was gorgeous, but the air was thick with flying debris. Everywhere they looked, ravenous zombies snarled, superpowers flaring, gunfire relentless—like the apocalypse come to life.

Tang Yi, Jian Cheng, and Zhou Rongbin handled the guns, while Lu Ningzhou provided cover. The others fought with their superpowers, coordinating seamlessly.

But the zombies just kept coming, surging in wave after wave, moving as fast as regular people—unlike the ones they had encountered underground.

Superpower Zombies were everywhere, too. Fortunately, their team was formidable, mixing superpowers and firepower to hold the horde back.