The Absolute Favorite in the Apocalyptic Rebirth

High in the towering mountains, before a cave entrance, three young people bundled in thick down jackets sat solemnly. One of the men silently gnawed on a roasted rabbit leg, while the two women seemed distracted, glancing towards the cave mouth from time to time. A large boulder blocked their view and any attempts to probe inside.

“His Highness will succeed, right?” Lin Bao Bao anxiously plucked at the grass on the ground.

Lou Ling remained silent, sharing the same unease.

However, Lin Bao Bao quickly regained her blind faith and smiled. “It’s alright. We have to trust His Highness. He never does anything he’s not sure of.” She poked the bonfire with a wooden stick. A metal pot, filled with steaming meat broth, hung over the flames. Ladling a bowlful, she offered it to Lou Ling. “Eat something so you don’t freeze.”

Spring had just passed, but the weather in the highlands remained cold, especially in these remote mountains, far colder than the plains. Hot soup was the perfect way to stay warm.

Lou Ling took the bowl, drank a little, then set it down, her eyes fixed on the cave entrance. She was torn between trusting Lou Dian’s abilities and her own persistent worry.

Only Tan Mo seemed completely unburdened, eating and drinking his fill, occasionally intervening to drive away any mutated beasts that strayed too close. It was because of Tan Mo's abilities that Lou Dian chose this wilderness location for his secluded advancement. There was no need to alert anyone, and it was relatively safe. After all, these cold mountains weren't zombie territory.

For the past year, they had frequently ventured into the mountains. With Tan Mo's abilities, as long as they didn't stumble into a beast horde, repelling a group of beasts wasn't a problem. Ironically, the territories of these mutated mountain beasts had become relatively safe havens. Of course, venturing deeper was out of the question, especially into the domains of powerful mutated plants. No one dared to trespass there. They had also observed that many powerful mutated beasts and plants had established their own territories and didn't interfere with each other, which made things easier for them.

During this year, Lin Bao Bao's abilities had advanced to fifth-level water element, her combat skills had become more refined, and her water-based healing abilities were increasingly remarkable. She could now heal not only external injuries but also internal ones. If someone was scratched by a zombie, she could use her abilities to temporarily suppress the zombie virus within a certain range. As long as the antidote was administered promptly, the victim wouldn't turn into a zombie.

As for Lou Ling, being a second-generation Awakened, her ability cultivation was slower. She had now reached the fourth level, steadily advancing one level per year without relying on any crystals or potions. Her progress was primarily through self-cultivation, making her combat power higher than others at the same level. She could even occasionally challenge those a level above her and was now capable of handling fifth-level zombies.

Perhaps the emergence of the Zombie King had instilled a deep sense of crisis in humanity. As many human bases fell to zombie attacks, humans actively began cultivating, hoping to gain a greater chance of survival against the increasingly powerful zombies. This past year had seen significant progress for many. Most of the first-generation Awakened, barring any unforeseen circumstances, had advanced to the fifth level. There were also a number of sixth-level Awakened, though fewer in number. Across the five major bases of China, it was rumored that there were twelve sixth-level Awakened.

Lou Ling recalled Lei Hong Ming mentioning that there were only two sixth-level Awakened initially. Now, a year later, there were eight more. It was a significant gain. She wondered what level the Zombie King had reached by now.

Lost in thought, she suddenly felt an immense pressure emanating from the cave. The world seemed to tremble under this oppressive force, and everyone was momentarily paralyzed.

Lou Ling and Lin Bao Bao struggled to resist, barely managing to stay on their feet. Tan Mo, however, bristled, displaying the threatening posture of a provoked beast, mixed with the fear of imminent danger, as he looked towards the cave.

Fortunately, this terrifying aura quickly receded.

Despite the cold weather, Lou Ling and Lin Bao Bao were drenched in a cold sweat. Exchanging glances, they both exclaimed, “He did it!” They smiled at each other, their faces filled with anticipation for the future.

So what if the zombies continued to evolve? Humanity was also constantly exploring, growing stronger, and seeking its own path.

A moment later, the boulder sealing the cave entrance was pushed aside, and a man dressed in black emerged, a gentle smile on his face.

Lou Ling immediately rushed forward and embraced him.

Lou Dian’s smile deepened. He nuzzled her smooth cheek and, taking advantage of the embrace, placed several kisses on her neck. This earned him an elbow to the ribs, which he easily deflected, followed by a kick to the shins, which he also dodged.

They had barely reunited and were already sparring.

Lin Bao Bao rolled her eyes, thinking they were completely ignoring their presence. Only Tan Mo observed Lou Dian's affectionate actions thoughtfully, noting how he took advantage of the playful fight to get closer. He then turned to Lin Bao Bao and asked, “Can I bite you?”

“Get lost!”

“Oh.”

Feeling exasperated, Lin Bao Bao covered Tan Mo's eyes with her hand, thinking that children shouldn't see such things; they might learn bad habits.

After Lou Ling was once again effortlessly subdued, she declared, “I give up! Let’s eat.” Knowing she was no match for him and that he was only indulging her to train her combat skills, she decided to concede.

Lou Dian, having just completed his advancement and not eaten for three days, was famished. He accepted the bowl of mutated beast broth Lou Ling offered and drank it down before starting his meal.

“Since His Highness has advanced, let’s go back to the base after this,” Lin Bao Bao said, swatting away Tan Mo, who was still trying to grab more meat. She placed the entire pot in front of Lou Dian. “Lou Yan has been blowing up our communicators, urging us to return. It's time.”

Everyone agreed. After Lou Dian finished eating and they cleaned up the area, they left the cave they had called home for half a month.

As they descended the mountain, they found the snow melting and the temperature rising. They shed their cumbersome down jackets and changed into lighter spring attire. The northwest highlands were still cool, but the plains had already entered summer, and with it, the zombies were becoming more active.

Upon returning to the base, the four were immediately summoned to the administration building and escorted to the conference room.

Inside, besides the base's senior officials, there were also several of the base's most prominent ability users. Lou Ling glanced around. These ability users were all around the fifth level, except for one man at the sixth level: Zhang Chu Feng. She smiled at him and offered her congratulations.

Zhang Chu Feng had been watching them since they entered. He smiled and nodded in greeting, his gaze lingering on Lou Ling for a moment. Seeing her smile, he returned it.

Their interaction was noticed by many, who then looked at Lou Dian, observing that he seemed colder than usual.

Lou Tang, seated at the head of the table, gestured for them to sit before speaking. “The Capital Base has sent a message, requesting all powerful ability users from the five major bases to gather there immediately. Our base has two sixth-level ability users, Lou Dian and Zhang Chu Feng. In addition to them, fifteen fifth-level ability users will accompany them…”

Lou Ling listened absently as Lou Tang announced the list of names. Everyone on the list was present, including herself, Lin Bao Bao, and Tan Mo. This mission concerned the survival of humanity; it was mandatory. No one could refuse. Refusal would make them an enemy of humanity, and no base would accept them. So even knowing the dangers, no one dared to object.

They had assessed Lou Dian's ability as sixth-level… Lou Ling looked around again. She knew the true extent of Lou Dian’s abilities. With this recent advancement, he was now an eighth-level space ability user. She wondered what level the Zombie King had reached. Besides his space ability, he also had powerful mental abilities. This thought reassured her. Lou Tang classifying Lou Dian as a sixth-level ability user was a form of protection.

The meeting quickly concluded. Departure was scheduled for three days later. The base would provide a private plane to fly them to the Capital Base, saving considerable time.

It was now five years into the apocalypse. Although the skies held dangers from zombie birds and mutated birds, with caution, they could fly safely.

After everyone else left, Lou Tang called Lou Dian and Lou Ling to his office, where Lou Zhan and the others were also present.

Once inside, Lou Tang asked with concern, “How did it go? Were you successful in your advancement?” He couldn't help but worry. After all, they were about to face the Zombie King. Lou Ran only had this one son. If anything happened to him, Lou Ran's lineage would end, and he couldn't bear that thought.

The idea of replacing Lou Dian with someone else never crossed Lou Tang's righteous mind.

Lou Dian smiled gently. “Uncle, don’t worry. I’m fine. We’ll come back safely. I’m still hoping that once things settle down, Xiao Ling and I can have a child for you to spoil.” Knowing the old man’s concerns, Lou Dian addressed them directly.

As expected, Lou Tang was reassured.

The Lou family men sat together and talked, while Qiu Rong pulled Lou Ling aside. Women understood women better and were more perceptive; they naturally had their own things to discuss. Despite Qiu Rong’s iron-lady demeanor in the military, at home, she was a wife and mother, capable of great tenderness.

Three days later, the day of departure finally arrived.

After the plane took off, Lou Ling sensed a dark, restrained energy emanating from Lou Dian. His usual smile was gone, replaced by an impassive expression as he stared out the window at the mutated birds flying past. Perhaps due to his foul mood, any mutated birds or zombie birds that attacked were swiftly struck down by spatial blades.

Seeing Lou Dian’s grim demeanor, Zhang Chu Feng, who had intended to greet Lou Ling, retreated to his seat, abandoning the idea. He noticed Lou Dian glance at him, a look of warning and disdain in his eyes, which made him shake his head in amusement.

Zhang Chu Feng was attracted to Lou Ling but wasn’t obsessed with her. He simply found this hardworking, positive, and pure girl a refreshing presence in this chaotic world. He liked her and wanted to get to know her, but not to the extent of confronting another sixth-level ability user for her. Poaching someone else's partner required absolute strength, which he didn't possess. He could sense that Lou Dian was far more dangerous than himself. Best not to provoke him.

The others on the plane also sensed Lou Dian's displeasure. However, they wisely chose to ignore it and not get involved. Many of these ability users had been on the receiving end of Lou Dian's discipline in the past. Seeing him in a bad mood actually made them secretly gleeful.

Lin Bao Bao also wisely pulled Tan Mo, who was oblivious to social cues, away, preventing him from provoking Lou Dian further.

Thus, Lou Ling was left alone to bear the brunt of Lou Dian's dark aura.

“What’s wrong? Are you in a bad mood?” Lou Ling decided to channel her inner maternal instincts and act as a supportive friend, almost adding, "Tell me all about it so I can be happy for you!"

Seeing her obliviousness, Lou Dian felt a surge of frustration he couldn't express. He rested his head on her shoulder and, unseen by anyone, bit her neck hard.

Lou Ling hissed in pain, which quickly gave way to a tingling sensation that shot down her spine, nearly making her cry out. She quickly lowered her head to hide her expression. Although she knew no one dared to look at them, she still felt a little self-conscious, and also a bit indignant. She concluded that he was having another one of his episodes.

Seemingly having found an outlet for his frustration, Lou Dian shielded them both with a mental barrier. After a passionate interlude, he held her close, stroking her sweat-dampened face like a child, tucking her hair behind her ear. “If any man tries to flirt with you in the future, you can do this to him and leave him incapacitated. Understand?”

“…”

Seeing the dangerous glint in his narrowed eyes, Lou Ling shivered and quickly nodded. She recalled the incident at the Capital Base years ago when he had gone out in the middle of the night because of her. The man involved had indeed suffered severe consequences; she wondered if he had been left incapacitated.

Although she found his behavior baffling, Lou Ling was easygoing and chose not to argue with a volatile, abnormal person. She quickly placated him.

By the time they arrived at the Capital Base, he had mostly calmed down.

However, as they disembarked and saw the Capital Base representative who had come to greet them, Lou Ling noticed the man's aura become unstable again, as if his volatile nature had been triggered, his abnormality index rising once more.

“Lou Dian, long time no see,” the handsome and charismatic man said with a charming smile, looking confident and successful.

Lou Dian stared at him coldly, his eyes filled with barely concealed hostility.

The man then shifted his gaze to Lou Ling, his expression softening as he gave her a gentle smile. Lou Ling could sense an unspoken emotion in his eyes, a friendly feeling, as if his relieved smile conveyed a sense of "I've finally waited for you."

Lou Ling glanced at the man beside her and decided to pretend she hadn't seen anything.

Author's Note:

Today's goals:

Lou Ling's goal: Pacify the volatile, abnormal man!

Lou Dian's goal: Kill the man coveting his girl!

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