The gas station was surrounded by several cars, and it seemed like people were arguing ahead. Upon seeing someone approach, the group parted, creating a space.
Zhuo Jin and Shen Zhongyan got out of the car and asked the attendant at the gas station, "Can we get gas?"
"Yes, bring clean water to trade!"
The R virus had already spread, and many underground water sources were now contaminated. Furthermore, aliens were most likely to appear near water sources, so people dared not fetch water. Existing water resources had become extremely important.
"How do we trade?"
"Two liters of water for one liter of gasoline."
They had brought a lot of water, and with Lin Wan's seemingly bottomless spatial storage, they were not short of water. However, they couldn't simply take it out, as it would arouse suspicion.
The cars behind them also arrived. After a brief discussion among the group, Jin Wen Ye instructed them to trade all the regular water in their cars for gasoline.
The Shen family thought he was crazy, but Jin Wen Ye claimed to have a solution, clearly indicating that Lin Wan had already confided in him about her spatial abilities.
In the end, the Shen family decided to follow his lead, trading all their bottled water for gasoline. They filled their car tanks and kept the rest in the car, planning to put it into the spatial storage once they were farther away. This was from Sudan Novels.
While they were trading for gasoline, people around them kept staring. Although it wasn't hot, people still needed water even in winter. Some of them had cracked lips, and their eyes on the water were like those of hungry jackals eyeing prey.
Lin Wan hesitated and asked Jin Wen Ye, "Should we give them some water?"
Jin Wen Ye shook his head. "A little won't be enough to share, and too much will attract unwanted attention and bring us trouble."
Lin Wan had a saintly disposition and couldn't bear to see suffering. Seeing two children in the crowd looking at them with intense longing, she couldn't help but give them two bottles of water just as they were about to finish loading the gasoline.
As soon as the two children received the water, it was snatched away by the adults. Several adults scrambled for the two bottles of water, fighting fiercely. During their struggle, they accidentally knocked over the gas station attendant's water, intensifying the scramble for everyone.
The two children not only didn't get to drink water but were also injured in the adults' fight.
Lin Wan stared blankly, seemingly unable to comprehend.
"Self-righteous," Zhuo Jin said speechlessly, climbing back into the car. Seeing everyone else was in, she prepared to leave.
Jin Wen Ye brought the still-stunned Lin Wan back to the car and also drove away.
The people there suddenly came to their senses and chased after them relentlessly.
Because they had a slow start, a rock "clang" hit the car roof, startling Lin Wan. She looked back and saw the pursuers throwing things at their car as they chased. Jin Wen Ye quickly accelerated. After chasing for a while and failing to catch up, they grudgingly turned back.
The scenery outside the window continuously receded. Lin Wan looked at the unfamiliar surroundings, thinking about the drastic changes the world had undergone in the past twenty-odd days and the horrific deaths reported on the news. Her heart felt heavy with sorrow.
She mourned not only for those who had died tragically on the streets and were left exposed in the wilderness but also for their own uncertain future and dim prospects.
Old Master Jin couldn't help but say, "Having a heart to save the world is never enough. A man's wealth brings him calamity if he cannot protect it. If you cannot protect yourself and what you possess, your abilities are like gold in a child's hands, only bringing disaster upon yourself. Do not do this again."
Lin Wan replied in a muffled voice, "I understand."
Jin Wen Ye didn't know how to comfort her. He had been interested in her precisely because of her kindness and innocence. However, in this world, the kinder one was, the earlier they were likely to die.
Fortunately, this time it hadn't led to any major disaster.
They drove for dozens of kilometers before stopping to put the extra gasoline into the spatial storage. Only then did Jin Wen Ye reveal Lin Wan's ability to possess a spiritual spring spatial storage. Everyone was simultaneously surprised and relieved.
Regardless of anything else, having an extra ability meant a greater chance of survival.
While this was being discussed, Lin Wan kept looking at Zhuo Jin. Seeing that she had no reaction, she breathed a sigh of relief.
In front of everyone, she took out several bottles of water from her spatial storage. Everyone then realized that the water they had drunk earlier, which made them feel instantly revitalized, was spiritual spring water. She then mentioned that the space could be used for planting, which sent everyone into a frenzy. They were still immersed in excitement when they set off again.
Following 007's guidance, they consistently avoided river routes. Although it meant a longer journey, it was relatively safer.
However, there were always obstacles that could not be bypassed.
By the afternoon of the second day, they encountered a river on a necessary route. The good news was that they were only about 200 kilometers from their destination, as determined by Zhuo Jin. The bad news was that for these 200-odd kilometers, they had to cross at least 30 bridges, big and small.
Shen Qian looked at the navigation system. "There's no way around it. What should we do? Go down and fight?"
"That's the only option. Let's go down and see how many people are ahead. If there are any ability users, we'll join forces. I don't believe we can't defeat those ugly monsters."
"That's the only way."
People had already gotten out of their cars and were observing from about a hundred meters away from the bridge. Creatures in the river occasionally jumped out, their heads as large as cauldrons, their mouths filled with sharp teeth, staring menacingly at the people on the shore, waiting to feast on them.
Seeing this scene, many people lost their courage to proceed.
Others were collecting weapons and stacking explosives on the road, analyzing their destructive power, the effect they could achieve, and the optimal blasting points...
Some among them wore military uniforms. Shen Qian went up and had a brief conversation, learning that they were retired soldiers.
In this day and age, it seemed like being retired or not made little difference.
Zhuo Jin constantly inquired about the global situation from the system. In the past two days, the death toll had increased almost geometrically. The R virus had swept across the globe, contaminating not only water but also much of the food. Large areas of green vegetation were rapidly decaying and withering.
The aliens and the virus were external factors, but food and water were essential for human survival. If the situation continued to deteriorate, within a few months, the world's human population would fall below one billion.
Within a year, below three hundred million.
Five years later, perhaps only a few thousand, or even a few hundred, would remain.
The longer time passed, the fewer people died, because eventually, there would be no one left to die.
"Let's throw two pounds of TNT first to see if it works. If it does, we'll throw more to blow them up. Old Jin and Little Jiu will provide cover, Old Mo will drive, and Ah Bai and I will escort from the side. We'll charge straight through."
They were the ones at the very front, wearing military uniforms, and everyone trusted them. Upon hearing their plan, some people hurried back to their cars, preparing to follow behind them across the bridge.
Shen Qian and Jin Wen Ye also returned, seeking opinions from the group.
Shen Zhongyan said, "If we're going, I'll go help them."
As he spoke, he glanced at Zhuo Jin, who nodded and said, "Go ahead."
Jin Wen Ye noticed the exchange of glances between them and felt a strange sensation.
"Should we follow?"
"Not yet," Zhuo Jin said, holding the steering wheel. "We won't be able to get across. Let them test the waters first."
Lin Wan, the saintly one, was in the car behind them. Everyone understood the gravity of the situation, and no one argued with Zhuo Jin.
The people in front made their preparations and threw explosives. The originally agitated water surface erupted with spray, and a strange fish flew up and fell back down. Blood stained the river's surface, and the once lively river instantly fell silent. Only the red bloodstains in the river proved that everything that had just happened was real.