Lin Zhuoran's expression also changed at the sound.
"Let's go, we need to leave here quickly."
Xu An didn't understand why Lin Zhuoran was so flustered about just a few zombies.
Seeing the confusion on Xu An's face, Lin Zhuoran got up and packed the supplies in the room, explaining to Xu An as she did.
"This is a secret stronghold for us. Our team members patrol the entrance regularly. It's basically the last supply point apart from the bunker. But the appearance of zombies here means that all the defenses in front have failed."
Lin Zhuoran's expression grew more tense as she spoke, "To break through the obstacles ahead and get here, there absolutely cannot be only a few zombies. There must be a large force behind."
After hearing Lin Zhuoran's explanation, Xu An also stood up instantly and began to help Lin Zhuoran pack.
"Could it be those mutated zombies?" Lin Zhuoran said with lingering fear.
The reason humans could currently hold an advantage in the war against zombies was nothing more than humans possessing weapons and intelligence.
But if all of humanity's advantages were gone, what would humans have left to defeat the undead zombies?
As they left the cabin, Lin Zhuoran glanced back. As expected, just as they were leaving, more and more zombies surged from the southwest, heading straight for the cabin.
Unlike those low-level zombies that only wandered aimlessly, this group of zombies seemed organized and purposeful, charging directly in one direction.
The four people in the car all felt a heavy sinking feeling seeing this scene.
"The zombies have really begun their third evolution!"
After Lin Zhuoran said this, no one spoke. The only one confused at the scene was probably Zhou Haimei.
For her, since they were returning to the lighthouse sooner or later, whether the zombies on the ground evolved or not didn't seem to make much difference to her.
Xu An and Lin Zhuoran exchanged glances. Xu An had already told the former about the lighthouse's plan to collectively bomb the zombies on the ground when they were in the cabin.
When exchanging information with Lin Zhuoran, she learned that Lin Zhuoran's base was far from the bombing point. Only after confirming there would be no impact did Xu An feel relieved.
The vehicle slowly drove into the city. The apocalypse had been over for a year and a half.
The once prosperous commercial center had long since turned into ruins.
They had driven all the way without encountering a single living person.
Xu An: "Are there only survivors like you here?"
"No, we are not from H City either. We came from neighboring S City. We are out on patrol this time to see if there are any survivors."
After Lin Zhuoran finished speaking, Yu Qin, who was beside her, added, "There definitely won't be any. At this point, how could there still be living people?"
Although the words were harsh, they were also the reality.
Zhou Haimei silently watched everything before her. Xu An had told them not to reveal their identities, so she avoided speaking too much, understanding the principle that the more you speak, the more mistakes you make.
"However, Xu An, where did you come from? What are you doing here?" Yu Qin asked curiously.
Because Xu An and Lin Zhuoran were good friends, they started chatting as soon as they met. She herself was also chatting with Zhou Haimei.
But Zhou Haimei dominated the entire conversation, and Yu Qin never got a chance to ask.
Now she finally found an opportunity to ask.
Xu An did not hesitate at all. Before Lin Zhuoran could even react, she naturally said, "We came from A City, looking for our family."
Yu Qin didn't doubt it at all, "What about Zhou Haimei? From your accent, you don't sound like you're from A City either?"
She wasn't trying to relentlessly inquire about their origins, but rather, after more than a year of the apocalypse, there were hardly any living people left in the cities.
Everyone would find a base nearby, regardless of size, to survive, and very few people would travel long distances across mountains and rivers to other cities.
Zhou Haimei didn't panic either and quickly followed up.
"We met on the way. Xu An saved me from zombies. She was looking for people, and I happened to be alone, so we decided to keep each other company."
Yu Qin nodded, clearly believing their explanation.
Mainly, Lin Zhuoran hadn't said anything, so she had no reason to question it. After all, Xu An was Lin Zhuoran's friend, and if Xu An had any problems, it would be Lin Zhuoran's concern.
"However, we've been driving for so long, why hasn't there been any movement?" Xu An suddenly asked, interrupting everyone's thoughts.
As Xu An finished speaking, the others looked around and then felt that something was indeed strange.
They had already driven into the commercial street in the city center. This area would have been the most densely populated area before the apocalypse.
There were not a few people who had turned into zombies, let alone the largest supermarkets gathered here, which served as a most obvious supply point.
But now it was deathly silent. Their car was moving slowly, and even an old man in his seventies or eighties could catch up if he walked a bit faster.
Yet, they still hadn't seen a single zombie.
"Have you cleared this place?" Xu An looked at Lin Zhuoran.
The other party shook her head, "No, we just arrived too. When we entered the city, we were chased by a large number of zombies, and then we met you. You know the rest."
After hearing this, Xu An frowned. As if by telepathy, her gaze met Zhou Haimei's.
They both had the same thought.
"Could it be that Qin Chuan has already been here and led people to clear it?"
As soon as this thought crossed her mind, Xu An dismissed it.
No, if Qin Chuan had led people to clear it, then there should have been zombie corpses or signs of fierce fighting on the ground.
But as the vehicle passed by, the few severed limbs they saw looked old, clearly not from recent kills.
If it wasn't Qin Chuan...
Xu An's gaze shifted to the surrounding area shrouded in mist. It seemed there were still many things in this city!
"Everyone be careful. I'm afraid there's something more powerful in this mall," Xu An tightly gripped the long saber in her hand, her other hand also clutching the pistol, her eyes warily scanning the surroundings.
Upon reaching the north gate of the mall, Lin Zhuoran found a hidden spot to conceal the car. Then, the few of them got out.
She and Yu Qin were originally there to search for supplies. Seeing that the black packages on Xu An and the others' backs were bulging, they likely had quite a bit of supplies as well.
The mall, which was once bustling with people, was now filled with a dead, oppressive silence. The highly polished marble floor was covered with mottled bloodstains.
Xu An and the others cautiously bent their waists and moved directly towards the second floor.