Chapter 203

Chapter 203

After Cheng Jing's superpower cleared the path, the large team moved in and finally witnessed the scene inside.

Guanshan Prison was a maximum-security facility that had held over a thousand inmates before the apocalypse, along with guards and staff adjusted according to actual conditions at different stages.

Its architectural structures and security measures had all met standard requirements.

Built in a quadrangle layout, the buildings within the walls were all four stories high, encircling a central exercise yard.

Once strictly partitioned and heavily guarded, it had become completely unrecognizable after being transformed into a shelter.

It was entirely different from the illusion captured by the drone and what they had seen outside the gate:

The "回"-shaped structure on the ground now existed only as the outer perimeter. Some buildings had been demolished and flattened, while others were partially destroyed to expand the open space in the center.

Now, covering the largest portion of the prison grounds aside from wreckage and debris, was an ocean of zombies.

Earlier, they had assumed there were merely more zombies than their team could handle, but now a conservative estimate placed the number at over ten thousand.

Just the sight alone was enough to send chills down one’s spine.

"Damn it, there are way too many!"

Even Zhao Lei, usually calm and composed, couldn’t help but curse.

Cheng Jing turned to Yang Kai and ordered:

"Contact the base, report the situation here, and have the intelligence unit check for any distress signals or survivor calls sent from this area. We definitely weren't the first to receive them—it's just that this location was 'disguised.'"

To gather such a massive "zombie horde," it couldn’t have happened randomly through passing strangers or simply the original prison population.

In this chaotic era, information accuracy was severely compromised, making thorough verification impossible. It was far too easy for someone to exploit the situation.

"Understood."

Yang Kai nodded and immediately took out his phone to contact the base. This place was too ideal for escaping zombies—a sturdy prison repurposed as a shelter would be irresistibly attractive to desperate civilians.

Step inside, and you'd fall into an illusion, potentially getting infected without even realizing it.

Meanwhile, seeing so many zombies, Jiang Nian suddenly thought of a "zombie horde." A wave of icy dread surged through him as he blurted out:

"We... might have stumbled straight into the Zombie King."

No ordinary superpowered human could control such a vast number of zombies while simultaneously creating illusions.

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a sinking sensation in their stomachs—but this explanation made the most sense.

Cheng Jing and Chu Yi raised their hands, signaling the team to hold position.

Their primary objective was securing control of the gate, and based on that premise, they launched a full-scale attack.

Just moments ago, they had claimed they wouldn’t need mortars or Gatling guns—now, they realized their mistake. The weapons were immediately deployed and unleashed with full force.

"..."

With Jiang Nian’s enhancement, his teammates’ offensive superpowers were dramatically amplified in both range and destructive power.

Smoke and shrapnel filled the air as waves of zombies surged forward, only to be shredded and incinerated under the combined onslaught of gunfire and supernatural abilities.

To ensure the best purification effect, Jiang Nian controlled the range of his Superpower to a relatively small area, focusing more on protecting and supporting his teammates.

With this boost, Cheng Jing felt a reaction within his Superpower Core—his body temperature rose, an irregular burning and stinging sensation spread from his dantian, and his mind became unusually alert, as if he couldn’t feel fatigue.

With so many zombies and excessive Superpower consumption, he was probably about to break through here, though the environment and circumstances were far from ideal.

'Roar!'

Suddenly, a deafening roar came from up ahead, making their ears ring. Immediately afterward, the zombies pulled back like a tide, as if obeying a command. Once clear of the Purify effect, they quickly fell silent.

"......"

As the smoke ahead cleared and the zombies vanished without a trace, the team regrouped and moved carefully through the wreckage, staying within the coverage of Jiang Nian's Superpower.

However, Jiang Nian quickly noticed something was off about Cheng Jing. He grabbed his arm and asked,

"Brother Jing, what's wrong? Did you push yourself too hard? You're sweating a lot..."

The others also looked over worriedly, realizing his condition was indeed unusual.

"I'm fine."

Cheng Jing wiped his sweat and took the opportunity to explain his situation to Jiang Nian and the others:

"My Superpower might be about to break through. From now on, I'll do my best to stay aware within Nian Nian's Superpower range. When I hit the breaking point, I'll warn you. At that point, everyone except Chu Yi should stay away from me."

"Alright, but tell us immediately if you feel anything wrong."

Jiang Nian patted him, feeling equal parts hopeful and nervous. Even if it was the Zombie King, if Brother Jing's Superpower advanced to a higher tier, they could handle it—especially with their teamwork. They still had things under control.

The teammates nodded in relief, then relayed the message to everyone before pressing forward.

The zombies they’d taken out were just bait in the illusion. Their real target was the mastermind behind all this.

Just as they reached the halfway point of the prison grounds, a thick fog rolled in up ahead.

Jiang Nian went to check if it was another illusion when he found his Superpower blocked by a strange energy wave, unable to expand further.

At the same time, Chu Yi and the others’ walkie-talkies emitted distorted static.