Without the strength to fight a Level 6 zombie, how could one possibly obtain a Level 6 crystal?

Currently, it's completely impossible for zombies to evolve to Level 6. Only mutants can.

The power increase of mutants is completely unreasonable. Chen Luo was even afraid he'd be unlucky enough to encounter a Level 7.

But mutants have a fatal flaw: their lifespan is very short. The greater the increase in strength, the faster they die.

Some only last a minute or two. You don't even have to kill them; they'll die on their own.

Chen Luo never figured out why mutants appeared in his previous life.

The mutant dies, but its crystal doesn't disappear.

So, if you're lucky enough to encounter a mutant that's died suddenly, you can obtain its crystal without lifting a finger.

In his previous life, during the mid-stages of the apocalypse, Chen Luo was a lone wolf. He stumbled upon the corpse of a King-level mutant and dug out its crystal, which allowed him to soar.

Otherwise, no matter how good your talent is, it's difficult for a lone wolf to quickly advance in strength, especially with Chen Luo's "cautious" personality. How could he risk his life to constantly kill zombies?

Without asking, Chen Luo knew that the Leng Chen before him was just such a lucky guy.

But now, the benefit falls to him.

Leng Chen stared blankly at his hand. Where's my treasure?

Chen Luo's expression became amiable. This was a wealth-bringing boy! What a pity, if the crystal's level were a little higher, it would be enough for him to advance directly to Level 5.

Chen Luo asked with a smile, "How did you obtain this thing?"

Leng Chen truthfully replied, "I got it from a dead monster. That monster was more than ten meters tall."

Chen Luo understood. Meat-type zombies will grow larger after reaching a certain level. Chen Luo had seen zombie monsters that were more than a hundred meters tall.

Leng Chen continued, "I know this is a crystal, but be careful. This thing is very strange. I only absorbed a little bit, and my body felt like it was going to explode. It was too terrifying."

"I only absorbed it once and didn't dare to absorb it again."

"I figured you, big brother, are knowledgeable and might know why."

Chen Luo smiled. Of course, he knew the reason.

Everyone has a limited amount of crystal power they can absorb each day. If you absorb even a little too much, your body can't handle it. Forcibly absorbing it will cause you to vomit blood or even die.

The power contained within a Level 6 crystal, compared to Leng Chen, is not only astonishingly large but also of very high quality. Leng Chen simply couldn't control the amount he absorbed.

Even a little too much would naturally make his body feel very uncomfortable. He thought it was the crystal's fault.

When Mi Ling was at the peak of Level 2, Chen Luo had to watch over her when she absorbed Level 5 crystals.

Leng Chen knew this was a treasure, but he had been hurt by this crystal and didn't dare to use it again.

If he thoroughly understood the reason, he probably wouldn't have given this crystal to Chen Luo.

Chen Luo wasn't the type to turn his back on people after benefiting from them. With this crystal as a certificate of allegiance, it wouldn't be impossible for Leng Chen to join.

Chen Luo asked, "What's your name?"

"Big brother, my name is Leng Chen."

Chen Luo nodded and said to Chen Guang, "Chen Guang, tell him our rules here. If he's willing to join, accept them."

As for a trial, forget it. If they don't have the strength or courage, they won't live long here anyway.

Chen Guang smiled and said, "Brother, you're lucky. Brother Chen is actually willing to take you in. I'll tell you the rules now."

"First, absolutely obey Big Brother's commands. Second, if you desert during battle, *kachak*."

Chen Guang made a throat-slitting gesture.

Leng Chen smiled bitterly. Is it that strict?

He's already given the treasure. Wouldn't it be too wrong not to join?

Chen Luo didn't care whether they joined or not. If they didn't join, would the crystal be returned to them?

Am I, Chen Luo, that kind of person? Dream on.

Chen Luo looked at the Level 6 crystal in his hand with a smile. The power inside was almost completely intact. The little bit Leng Chen absorbed wasn't worth mentioning. It was almost the same as a brand-new Level 6 crystal.

With this Level 6 crystal and the Level 5 fire-type crystal, he could advance to Level 5 in about three days.

That's more than half a month faster than originally planned.

The increase in strength from Level 3 to Level 4 is a qualitative change, and the increase from Level 4 to Level 5 will only be greater.

Upon reaching Level 5, overall strength will increase by at least double.

Now, at Level 4, he can only use short-distance void walking once. At Level 5, he can use short-distance void walking three times, greatly enhancing his ability to protect himself.

The entire villa district has a hundred villas. Chen Luo's people, plus supplies, haven't even occupied ten of them. There are plenty of extra rooms.

Chen Guang led them to arrange a room.

Chen Luo specially brought Mi Fan to observe them.

None of them showed malice, but he couldn't be careless. Wasn't that how Zhang Jingjing and her father were when they came?

People change. Mi Fan can't detect loyalty.

Fa Wang returned and nodded slightly to Chen Luo in a human-like manner, signaling that the mission was completed.

Chen Luo felt that after the apocalypse, Fa Wang not only awakened his lightning ability but also seemed to have mutated his brain. He was even more dog-like than other dogs.

Otherwise, without high intelligence, just having strength would have led to him being killed by a pile of people or lured into an ambush and killed.

But as the saying goes, "For every foot the Dao grows, the Devil grows ten." Heh.

Another group of people came in the afternoon, but they weren't as numerous as Sun Dawei's group. They also had some supplies. They encountered Chen Guang's group and left without thinking of conflict.

Chen Luo didn't care. For those with malicious intentions, I'll give you some time to develop and reach Level 2.

Chen Luo remembered something and instructed Chen Guang, "When more people come, ask if there are any light-type or other support abilities in their team. If there are any who are willing to join, accept them directly, or just tie them up and bring them over."

There are too few light-types. Currently, there are only Mi Li and Wang Ling. Relying solely on them, if there are more injured people, it won't be enough to heal them.

It would be different with a few more. Support abilities are very rare.

Chen Luo doesn't care about loyalty. If it really doesn't work out, I can just use you as a tool.

Dinner was served at night. They ate porridge and steamed buns, with scallion scrambled eggs as the dish.

There were still quite a few eggs among the collected supplies. Eggs have a slightly longer shelf life, but it's limited. There's no need to save them.

It wouldn't be noticeable before the apocalypse, but now, it's almost the best meal.

Leng Chen and his group devoured the food. It had been a long time since they had eaten a decent, hot meal.

Of course, there wasn't enough of the dish. Chen Luo had Wang Ling make another serving for them.

How should he put it? The Level 6 crystal that Leng Chen turned in was very valuable. It was like joining with merit. Chen Luo didn't mind treating them a little better.

But they still had to fight when the time came.

After dinner, Chen Luo gave them another batch of Level 1 crystals. Chen Luo had plenty of Level 1 crystals, especially with the Level 6 crystal. If he reached Level 5, Chen Luo, this gold-devouring monster, would no longer need Level 1 crystals.

Leng Chen thought to himself, the rules are really strict, but the treatment is also really good.