As Xu Ruina's words fell, Er Pang also suddenly shifted into its amplified form.
The amplified Er Pang's physique seemed slightly smaller than before, but through its fur, one could even see muscles bulging with coiled veins.
Each hair was slowly releasing energy into the surrounding air, occasionally sparking electric currents.
With every step it took, it seemed to contain immense explosive power, its eyes radiating a dangerous aura.
"Er Pang has grown!"
Zhang Chen nodded with satisfaction.
It was rather unbelievable that an adult Moon-Howling Wolf King's combat power was inferior to a mutated V-type mutated creature.
It turned out it had been waiting for the suppression to be lifted before gradually unleashing its true capabilities.
Hiss... hiss...
Suddenly, a sound like rapidly flowing water rushed from afar towards the manor.
The sound grew closer, and sharper...
These monsters were intelligent, hiding beneath the bushes and tall vegetation far from the manor.
Although they were getting closer to the manor, their true forms were difficult to discern.
"What is it?"
Zhang Chen asked Xue Li.
"In the last cycle, the beast tide was mutated rats, a large number of mutated rats. Their teeth are very sharp and strong, capable of easily destroying all armor!"
"Even city walls and defensive fortifications were as fragile as biscuits before them!"
"Furthermore, they carried a terrifying infectious disease. Those who fought the mutated rats would be weakened for a long time."
"We still haven't figured out how this infectious disease spreads. Even remote warriors who didn't directly contact the mutated rats fell into a weakened state..."
Xue Li replied with a solemn expression.
"Causes weakness? That's a troublesome ability..."
Zhang Chen frowned.
If a battle required two to three days of rest, they would be doomed.
The Berserker phase lasted only fifteen days. If they missed the golden period for leveling up, what chance would they have when the Giant phase arrived in the next stage?
"Come on, infected ones, mobilize!"
Xu Ruina shouted.
Following her command, the crawlers in the front row raised their sharp claws, ready to face the arrival of the mutated rats.
Whoosh!
A gray, over two-meter-long large rat darted out from the grass, directly tackling a crawler.
They seemed to know the crawlers' weaknesses perfectly.
With a crunch, it bit through the crawler's spine.
At the same time, with another bite, it severed the parasitic spinal column detached from the body!
The entire action was incredibly swift, killing a crawler in less than 2 seconds!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Countless mutated rats, taking advantage of the night's cover, charged madly towards the army of infected.
Their speed was astonishingly fast. In no time, thousands of mutated rats had torn through the crawlers' defense line and were rapidly approaching the manor.
These mutated rats were naturally gray-black, and coupled with the poor visibility at night and their speed, they were almost invisible to ordinary survivors.
However, in the eyes of Zhang Chen and the others, they were merely a group of fast-moving little mice.
As Zhang Chen focused his gaze on them.
A line of prompts slowly appeared:
Name: Mutated Rat
Level: Mutated IV Animal
Skills:
[Gnawing Attack]: Powerful teeth can crush all obstacles, including weapons and armor, even energy-based weapons and defenses.
[Energy Steal]: When in a state, mutated rats automatically steal biological energy from surrounding hostile targets. When a target's biological energy is reduced to below 90%, they will experience intense fatigue.
After the battle, the biological energy will gradually recover to its normal state.
[Hive Mind]: When the number of mutated rats exceeds 100, they will develop a hive mind, sharing experience and knowledge, and coordinating collectively with planned division of labor, as if led by a commander.
"Mutated IV type? It seems they aren't as strong as I imagined..."
Zhang Chen shook his head slightly.
It was understandable that they could easily defeat the crawlers, as crawlers were only Mutated II cannon fodder.
Resisting the mutated rat swarm was indeed a bit strenuous.
At this moment, the mutated rat army had rapidly eliminated the outer crawlers and was charging towards the defense line formed by howlers and behemoths.
The behemoths were massive, but their speed was far slower than the mutated rats.
They were easily dodged by the enemy with every attack.
And when three to four mutated rats leaped onto a behemoth, they could quickly gnaw away 30% of its tissue.
Then, these behemoths, like colossal creatures, would helplessly collapse one by one.
This battle was almost without suspense; it was a one-sided slaughter by the mutated rats!
"Mutated rats... mutated rats..."
Zhang Chen's heart suddenly stirred, and he asked Xu Ruina:
"Can mutated creatures be infected by the zombie virus?"
Xu Ruina pondered for a moment and replied hesitantly:
"Theoretically, yes. However, many mutated creatures, like strong survivors, have extremely powerful physiques!"
"Small doses of the virus applied through external wounds are unlikely to successfully infect and transform them..."
"However, I can capture a few mutated rats for experimentation. I believe I can find a way to infect mutated creatures!"
Zhang Chen nodded and said:
"Alright, it's settled then. If we can infect mutated animals, it will be very helpful for us in the future!"
The current level of the infected seemed generally weak, gradually becoming the bottom of the food chain in the apocalyptic world.
Mutated animals, insects, and yet-to-appear giant creatures were gradually gaining the upper hand.
If the zombie virus could infect mutated animals into zombie animals, they would be fearless of pain, fearless of death, and most of their vital points would become ineffective attack zones, naturally leading to a significant increase in strength!
Moreover, with Xu Ruina and the cleaner army, the intelligence deficit of zombie animals could be supplemented.
In this way, a powerful and obedient zombie animal army could be established.
"Um... Brother Chen... do you want to look outside the manor... these mutated rats are about to attack..."
Zuo Nan watched as the infected army rapidly collapsed and disintegrated, and the mutated army rapidly approached.
Yet, Zhang Chen was still chatting with Xu Ruina, making him break out in a cold sweat.
Snap!
Zhang Chen snapped his fingers lightly!
When Zhang Chen was only a Senior Metamorph, he could already instantly kill Mutated III monsters.
Now that his strength had crossed the threshold of Evolutionary, it had increased significantly again, and he was even a Divine Rank 2, Initial Evolution Stage 2.
Dealing with Mutated IV monsters was simply a piece of cake, wasn't it?
Swish...
A gust of breeze blew, and thick white mist rose outside the manor...
Instant kill!