Chapter 53: The Heroic Death Flower (Part 1)

Volume 1 “Year of Calamity”

When immortals battle, mortals take cover.

If legendary immortals truly existed in this world, then Nie Chong clad in his Full-Coverage Exoskeleton Armor would undoubtedly qualify. Of course, the bat-winged Mutant facing him was the stuff of demonic legends.

Beyond the standard-issue energy weapons integrated into his armor, Nie Chong’s remaining armaments consisted solely of those two Electromagnetic Oscillation Battle Blades. Li Guoan excelled in saber techniques and close-quarters combat, hence his choice of melee-focused sharp weapons. This posed a dilemma for Nie Chong, whose expertise lay in long-range sniping. Though he had some training in close combat, he fell short compared to Li Guoan.

While the armor’s energy weapons were formidable, the Mutant’s defensive capabilities were equally terrifying. A volley from the Laser Rapid-Fire Cannon failed to inflict substantial damage to the Flying Zombie hovering mid-air, its body enveloped in a black, semi-transparent shield. Nie Chong recalled An Sheng mentioning that Advanced Mutants possessed at least one Talent Ability. An Sheng’s was cellular regeneration, Pighead Three’s was monstrous strength – thus the black radiance surrounding this Mutant must be its innate Talent Ability.

The Flying Zombie’s genetic makeup primarily combined human and bat chromosomes. The “Red Tide” Virus acted as a potent genetic amplifier, reinforcing and mutating combat-suitable genes within the Infected until they dominated the original chromosomal sequence. This fundamental process explained the physical transformations in Virus-mutated beings.

The moment his Laser Rapid-Fire Cannon struck the Advanced Mutant, Nie Chong knew his assault would prove ineffective. His judgment was confirmed when the Mutant Zombie not only defended against the laser barrage but counterattacked simultaneously, launching a Black Energy Ball that obliterated their Armored Assault Vehicle. Their adversary possessed not only formidable combat prowess but also keen intelligence and battlefield control – severing Nie Chong’s retreat at first contact, forcing them into direct confrontation with the Mutant Zombie!

The twin Particle Cannons reached full charge. Without hesitation, Nie Chong unleashed them upon the mutant. Bluish-white energy beams radiating intense heat instantly slammed into the airborne creature, propelling it backward nearly hundred meters until it collided with a distant building, triggering a massive explosion. The detonation hurled shattered concrete and dust skyward, mingled with yellowish-white flames to form a mushroom cloud towering dozens of meters high.

The DX Individual Full-Coverage Exoskeleton Armor mounted two Particle Cannons whose energy output surpassed standard models carried by Intelligent Mechanical Soldiers. Simultaneous firing produced more than simple additive effect – particle collisions triggered fission chain reactions that multiplied the weapons’ destructive power exponentially. The recent explosion equaled at least the force of an air-to-surface medium-range cruise missile!The high-tech warrior was locked in fierce combat with the biochemically mutated zombie when, unexpectedly, a beautiful and seductive woman descended silently into the town from mid-air. On the rooftop of the tallest building in town, Medusa controlled the loudspeaker equipment within the energy sphere as it slowly landed, then gazed seductively in the direction where she had just encountered An Sheng and let out a charming, delicate laugh. Next, she actually activated that enormous loudspeaker directly!

In the next moment, the piercing sound of the Air Raid Siren echoed through Longjiang Town, the alarm cutting through the streets and piercing the air to reach the ears of the zombies that had temporarily lost their targets and were wandering on the hillside. Instantly, the vast Corpse Tide covering the mountains and plains boiled over once again, turning en masse to charge down the slope toward the town below. If these zombies possessed any intelligence, they would surely be cursing! Damn it, playing with us day after day with that blasted loudspeaker!

The moment Nie Chong heard the massive Air Raid Siren blaring in his ears, he knew things had taken a turn for the worse. The hundreds of thousands of zombies on the distant hillside would soon follow the sound into the town—they had to escape immediately! But escaping was easier said than done; that flying Mutant Zombie would be the first to object!

The immense power of the Particle Cannon left the Mutant Zombie covered in dust and grime, but it also provoked the monster’s ferocity. A tiger-like roar once again shook heaven and earth, momentarily even drowning out the massive Air Raid Siren. Immediately after, over a dozen black energy spheres shot forth with lightning speed, like mortar shells, instantly blanketing the area where Nie Chong and the others were.

“Hit the ground!”

Liu Pengyu roared, throwing himself over Zhou Xiaoxiao and shielding the young woman tightly with his own body. The soldier’s noble spirit of self-sacrifice shone through unmistakably in this critical moment of life and death.

Xun Lili was luckier than Liu Pengyu and Zhou Xiaoxiao. After her mutation, her speed and strength had multiplied. Even while carrying two unconscious injured individuals, her speed remained incredibly fast. She had already entered the escape pod made of peculiar materials before the Mutant Zombie launched its attack. The escape pod’s sturdy armor completely blocked the destructive force of the explosion, so she and the two injured were temporarily unharmed.

Without waiting for the aftershocks of the explosion to dissipate, Xun Lili immediately rushed out of the escape pod and charged into the billowing dust. She still had to rescue Liu Pengyu and Zhou Xiaoxiao—those two were just ordinary people, and in such a high-intensity combat environment, a single misstep could cost them their lives.

“Xiaoxiao! Big guy!”

Xun Lili paid no heed to the surrounding dust, shouting at the top of her lungs for the two.

“We’re fine! I’ll get Doctor Zhou into the escape pod! Young Miss Xun, find a way to help our captain deal with that monster!”Amidst the dust and smoke, Liu Pengyu’s response came through, which eased Xun Lili’s worries considerably. She acknowledged him and drew the Electromagnetic Oscillation Battle Blade gifted by Nie Chong from her back. Flipping the switch on the hilt, the blade vibrated faintly before activating successfully. This was her first time wielding such an impressive weapon. With a martial artist’s heart-nature, she differed from ordinary people—the zombies before her weren’t objects of fear but thrilling opponents. Dragging the Oscillation Battle Blade, Xun Lili dashed toward the direction of the mutated monster, eager to engage the mutant zombie in an exhilarating three-hundred-round battle!

Since her mutation, Xun Lili’s physical abilities had improved by more than tenfold. Especially after two months of combat training against a powerful mutated creature like Pighead Three, she brimmed with overwhelming confidence in her strength. However, her experience was still limited. Had she seen the combat footage of Li Guoan’s squad against Medusa, she likely wouldn’t have so recklessly charged at a formidable mutated monster with just a saber.

“Nie Chong, let’s take on this mutant zombie together!” Xun Lili declared, standing beside Nie Chong with the Oscillation Battle Blade in hand, her heroic spirit overflowing. In her view, the mutant zombie was at most on par with Pighead Three, and having a rough understanding of the infected bodies’ rank system, she momentarily underestimated her foe. After all, she believed she could hold her own against Pighead Three, unaware that it was only possible because An Sheng had instructed Pighead Three not to harm her.

Although Nie Chong knew Xun Lili possessed formidable combat skills, he was even more aware of the terror of the mutated monster before them. His Particle Cannon had struck it directly moments ago, yet the creature remained unscathed—its freakish defense rivaled that of the banshee Medusa from the videos! Moreover, the current threat wasn’t limited to this mutant; more zombies were converging on the town. In just a few minutes, they would be surrounded by a corpse sea, and even if An Sheng returned, he probably couldn’t save them.

“I’ll try to hold off the mutant. You take the wounded and Dr. Zhou and escape immediately!” Nie Chong fixed his gaze on the mutant, secretly resolving to sacrifice himself to buy time for Xun Lili and the others to evacuate.

“What are you talking about? We’re family, and I’m a martial artist too! How could I abandon you and run away?” Xun Lili objected immediately. Over the past two months, she had gradually integrated into the Yushan Fortress community—it was her home, and everyone there was her family. Besides, as a martial artist from a prestigious family, fleeing would be a disgrace.

“Don’t act like a spoiled Young Miss! Didn’t you hear it? The air raid siren!” Nie Chong grew anxious—time was of the essence. If Xun Lili and the others didn’t escape soon, it might be too late!

Only then did Xun Lili realize what was happening. Why was the air raid siren sounding in the town? Hadn’t An Sheng installed that thing on the mountain? Could someone be scheming against them here!?

“Don’t hesitate, go quickly. You’re a powerful martial artist—you have the ability and the duty to lead the wounded and Dr. Zhou to safety. They need you more!”Nie Chong had barely finished speaking when the mutated zombie roared and flew toward them again. Nie Chong had no choice but to raise his Laser Rapid-Fire Cannon and fire at the airborne creature. However, Xun Lili couldn’t escape even if she wanted to—this time, the mutated zombie had set its sights on her!

Xun Lili had gained full control over the Deification Factor within her body and had already activated her abilities. As mentioned before, the Deification Factor and the “Red Tide” Virus originated from the same source, making them mutually perceptible. Most Purifiers had methods to conceal their presence, but unfortunately, Xun Lili was only a half-baked Purifier. Thus, when the mutated zombie sensed her Purifier aura, its innate revulsion drove it to abandon its attack on Nie Chong and instead charge toward Xun Lili.

“Bring it on! Let this lady cleave you alive, you monster!” Seeing the creature lunging at her, Xun Lili showed no fear. Instead of retreating, she advanced, gripping her saber and charging straight forward.

Nie Chong immediately shut off the Laser Rapid-Fire Cannon, not wanting to harm the girl. In close combat, energy weapons were useless, so he could only draw his Oscillation Battle Blade and leap into the fray!