"Leopard, do you still want to fight?"
The Vajra Staff had been wiped clean, but the bloodstains and the scent of blood were still visible.
Leopard had personally witnessed Tao Ye Chen use the staff to flatten those monsters like dough. He certainly didn't want to become flattened dough himself.
"Fine, I'll give you face today. If we meet again, it won't be this easy!"
Leopard picked up the man that Xiao Long had beaten away and left.
The other two were unclaimed.
Either their status within their faction was too low, and their leader was too lazy to care about their lives.
Or, they were so badly injured that no one wanted to waste medicine on them.
Medicine was also extremely precious in the apocalypse, so it was understandable not to waste it on subordinates.
Tao Ye Chen didn't pay attention to these two men. He walked directly towards An Nuan and the others.
"As promised, I'm taking the toll fee first."
"Of course, I always keep my word."
Tao Ye Chen called two of his brothers to carry the water away and distribute it to the others in the team.
A total of forty-eight bottles of water were divided equally among forty-eight people. The remaining three people did not receive water, so the brothers in the team gave them their own portions.
Those few people had complete gear, so they were likely responsible for security.
An Nuan said, "It doesn't seem right to distribute the action team's resources to civilians."
"It is only natural for the strong to protect the weak! Since I possess this strength, I have the responsibility to protect the team's safety!"
An Nuan: ...
This heroic inclination was getting a bit carried away!
"However, they will also contribute to our team. Anyone who dares to desert in battle, I won't be lenient! And I have the highest authority!"
Not too chuunibyo after all.
And responsible, someone worth interacting with.
An Nuan extended her hand, "My name is An Nuan. These are my family. We are looking for someone at the zoo this time."
"Looking for someone at the zoo? Did your family get trapped inside while visiting?"
An Nuan didn't offer further explanation, only nodding.
Tao Ye Chen patted her shoulder reassuringly, "Don't be discouraged. As long as there's no corpse, there's hope!"
"Heh, yeah."
"Oh right, can this little brother generate electricity! Let me tell you first, I am the Invincible Vajra! Ordinary guns and ammunition can't hurt me, which is why those old guys dare not touch me!"
Tao Ye Chen demonstrated his Vajra strength to everyone.
Although everyone only saw a layer of golden light covering his body, they didn't notice anything special.
But they still gave him a round of applause and praise.
"Wow, you glow! That's amazing."
"We won't need lights at night. This ability is so convenient."
"Little brother, such a delicate Vajra, you've refreshed my understanding of Vajras!"
"Little brother, keep it up. I'm rooting for you."
Tao Ye Chen puffed out his chest with satisfaction.
"Don't worry, since you've paid the toll and called me big brother, big brother will protect you!"
Who called you big brother?
This guy was still a bit chuunibyo.
Tao Ye Chen called his two brothers over.
"These are my two good brothers, Nie Shen and Nie Yun."
Second Tier!
An Nuan hadn't expected that, besides her own team, other teams also had Second Tier ability users so quickly.
If it wasn't natural progression, then they must have also consumed crystals, just like them.
An Nuan leaned towards the latter.
After all, those who could upgrade to Second Tier purely on talent in such a short time would undoubtedly be very powerful ability users, their names renowned throughout the apocalypse.
An Nuan was not very familiar with these two.
"My two brothers, one can control electricity, and the other controls fire. Both are very powerful skills!"
"Hello, my name is Nie Shen. I can generate electricity. Are you in the electricity department like me?"
Chang Kai Tong shook their hands only after seeing they had no hostile intentions.
But he didn't reveal his ability, and Nie Shen assumed it was a silent agreement.
Tao Ye Chen excitedly shouted, "That's great! Ability users of the five elements are all very strong. Join my team! I promise you, you will never be treated unfairly."
"My family members have very peculiar temperaments, it's hard to live with others."
Hai Chang Feng offered them a few cigarettes.
Tao Ye Chen's eyes widened.
A ten-year smoker, he hadn't had a cigarette in over half a month.
He took a few deep puffs, his expression extremely satisfied, and didn't pay attention to their refusal.
Hai Chang Feng put the remaining half pack into his pocket.
"Boss Tao, tell us about the situation inside."
"Nothing much, just that the animals inside have mutated. A few days ago, some crocodiles crawled over and dragged people away while everyone was asleep. We're planning to form a battle team and hunt those beasts."
"Why not leave if it's so dangerous?"
"Leave? That's all meat! A bird that big could feed my team for three days!"
Tao Ye Chen gestured the size.
Luo Luo thought they were crazy.
That bird's size was almost that of a glider, its attack power must be immense.
They were truly willing to risk their lives for food!
"The timid starve, the bold feast. It's not necessarily safe in the city anyway, so we might as well take a gamble and forge our own path! And let me tell you..."
Tao Ye Chen hooked Hai Chang Feng's neck and whispered.
"There's something inside the monsters' brains. That thing is a good thing, it's good for the body to eat it!"
"Heh, Brother Tao is truly a magnanimous person, sharing such important information with us."
"The friendship forged over cigarettes is brotherhood! For brothers, I'm always magnanimous! We're setting out tonight, do you want to join us? One more person means more security!"
Hai Chang Feng looked at An Nuan.
She nodded, "Brother Tao is right. There are many beasts inside and the area is vast. Moving together will definitely be much safer. But I don't understand, why set off at night."
Night was prime hunting time for carnivorous animals.
Most dangerous animals came out at night.
Moreover, human eyesight was limited, and traveling at night was too dangerous.
Tao Ye Chen raised his chin with a smug look.
"You don't understand this! There's a strange thing at the entrance. It blocks the door tightly during the day, and anyone who gets close is swallowed. But it can't move, and it becomes useless at night. The giraffe that was causing destruction everywhere before was swallowed by that thing. We have to wait until sunset to pass safely."
"I see... but once we enter, we won't know the situation. We still need to be prepared."
An Nuan returned to the car and discussed the evening's plans with everyone.
Hai Chang Feng pulled Chen Wen Jing and chatted with the three of them cheerfully, trying to build rapport.
A few big men played with Xiao Long with candies, having a great time.
People from other teams were watching from the shadows with covetous eyes.
"Boss, should we just let them go? That Tao guy is too arrogant!"
"My gun couldn't do anything to him, what can we do? Did you see that kid who took out the cigarettes? He had a lot of things in his pocket. I bet they have a lot of stuff. Before we set out tonight, let's..."