Dusk.
"Mom, I'm starving to death! When will it be ready?"
Phi Phi sat at the table, waiting for dinner, looking expectantly toward the kitchen, urging her busy mother.
Compared to other children in the apocalypse, Phi Phi was truly very fortunate. Many children had lost their parents, but Phi Phi still had her loving mother.
"Soon! Don't rush me. All you know how to do all day is eat. If only you were this enthusiastic about your studies, that would be great."
"Mom, studying is studying, eating is eating. The two can't be lumped together. Besides, man is iron, food is steel; miss a meal and you'll be dizzy with hunger. If I'm dizzy, I definitely can't study."
"You little rascal, all you know is twisted logic."
"I do not! It says so in the books." Phi Phi sat there, swinging her legs, full of anticipation to eat the meal her mother had specially made for her.
Ly Mai came out carrying a bowl, the fragrant aroma instantly filling the room.
"Wow, fish and sour soup! And it's my favorite tomato flavor." Phi Phi's nose was incredibly sharp. As soon as she smelled it, her mouth began to water.
Ly Mai said, "I heard you and Dinh Dinh caused quite a stir at the matchmaking event this afternoon."
Phi Phi blinked, her face full of innocence. "Did we? We didn't."
Ly Mai looked at her daughter, so young yet so cunning. She had heard that Phi Phi and Dinh Dinh had actually prepared personal resumes and directly competed with the girls who liked Little Pham, disrupting the entire event.
"Whether you did or not, you know best. You need to seriously finish those test papers your Uncle Lam bought for you. Your Uncle Lam is very concerned about your studies," Ly Mai said.
"Mom, can we please not talk about things that stress me out during dinner? It really affects my appetite." Phi Phi drooped her head, feeling very wronged. Uncle Lam's way of repaying kindness made her tremble in fear. She had clearly suffered from it so many times, yet she never seemed to learn her lesson.
Why is it like this? Perhaps this was Phi Phi's deep love for Uncle Lam.
Even after being tricked so many times, she still charged forward without hesitation.
Knock, knock!
A crisp knock came from the door.
"Coming."
Ly Mai went to open the door.
"Ny Ny, what brings you here? Have you eaten? If not, have some here. The food is just ready."
It was a custom among her people to ask if one had eaten as soon as they met. It was a soulful inquiry ingrained in their blood, because the older generations knew the feeling of hunger.
"Sister Ly, I actually haven't eaten. I came to see Phi Phi," Nhan Ny Ny said.
Ly Mai called out to Phi Phi, who was sitting at the dining table, "Phi Phi, Sister Nhan is here to see you. Hurry up and invite her in."
"Oh, okay. Hello, Sister Nhan." Phi Phi jumped down from her chair, very happy, but she wondered in her heart, what is Sister Nhan here for at this time?
Suddenly.
Phi Phi's darting eyes landed on the black bag in Nhan Ny Ny's hand. An ominous premonition surged in her mind. She prayed, please don't be what I think it is.
Nhan Ny Ny took off her shoes, changed into slippers, and smiled at Phi Phi.
Phi Phi thought the smile was very beautiful, but for some reason, she always felt that this smile seemed to contain a slightly unusual emotion.
"Hello, Phi Phi," Nhan Ny Ny said.
"Hello, Sister Nhan."
Phi Phi obediently and politely replied.
Ly Mai went to the kitchen to get a bowl and chopsticks for Nhan Ny Ny, then came out and placed them in front of her.
"Thank you, Sister Ly."
"What's there to thank? We're all family. I didn't know you were coming, so the dishes are all very simple."
"No, this is already very good."
Nhan Ny Ny knew Sister Ly's cooking skills. The food was delicious. To be able to eat such food in the apocalypse was a very happy thing.
Ly Mai said, "How did the matchmaking event go today?"
Hearing her mother bring this up, Phi Phi lowered her head, stared at her bowl, and buried her head in her food. Everyone knew what had happened. She had a feeling that Sister Nhan's visit tonight was definitely for a reason.
So she didn't dare to join the conversation.
"It was alright, mainly just lively. Our Sunshine Shelter hasn't been as lively as it was this afternoon in a long time," Nhan Ny Ny said with a smile.
Ly Mai glanced at Phi Phi. "This child and Dinh Dinh were making a scene. Her Uncle Lam has been single until now. He finally had a chance to get off the market, and it was ruined by the two of them."
Phi Phi felt very wronged. How can you blame me? It was clearly because we saw that Uncle Lam didn't want to participate that we teamed up.
Nhan Ny Ny said, "We all know what Brother Lam is thinking. As long as the apocalypse isn't over, he definitely won't think about these things. So, Phi Phi and Dinh Dinh not only did nothing wrong, they actually did a very good thing."
Hearing what Sister Nhan said, Phi Phi's eyes lit up. She raised her little head. "Mom, did you hear that? I wasn't being mischievous. I did a good thing!"
Sister Nhan's approval gave her great courage, and she even spoke with more confidence.
But a child is still a child. How could she understand that for adults, the literal meaning is just one layer, and there is a deeper meaning that a child cannot yet comprehend?
Nhan Ny Ny said, "That's why my purpose in coming is to properly reward our sensible Phi Phi. After the matchmaking event ended, I went to the bookstore to look at some study materials and also asked some of the teachers. They said Phi Phi's foundation isn't too good, so I specially bought some foundational test papers."
"Phi Phi, although Sister Nhan is a dance teacher, Teacher Khuu has a little baby in her belly and needs to rest at home. From now on, I will be the substitute homeroom teacher. You need to do one test paper every day and bring it the next day for me to check."
"I believe that as long as Phi Phi works hard, she can definitely catch up on her foundation."
These words from Nhan Ny Ny completely knocked Phi Phi into the abyss of hell. The piece of fish she had just picked up with her chopsticks was forgotten, still halfway to her mouth. She stared, dumbfounded, at the Sister Nhan before her, who was full of good intentions for her.
Nhan Ny Ny opened the black bag. It was filled with test papers.
"Sister Nhan, I..."
Before she could finish, Nhan Ny Ny gently stroked Phi Phi's head. "Phi Phi, in my heart, you will always be the most outstanding and good child. Let's work hard together. We can definitely surpass everyone."
"Ah..."
"Don't be excited, and don't be moved. This is the only thing I can do for you."
Seeing Phi Phi's dumbfounded expression, Nhan Ny Ny was immediately very pleased. It was a perfectly good matchmaking event, why did Phi Phi and Dinh Dinh have to go and interfere? There could only be one reason: they didn't have enough homework.
Ly Mai chuckled inwardly. How could she not know the situation? But it was a good thing. Getting some test papers for Phi Phi would prevent this child from getting into trouble all day.
Phi Phi was on the verge of tears.
She really wanted to cry.
Why am I always the one who gets hurt?
"Sister Nhan, Dinh Dinh went with me. What about her?" Phi Phi asked expectantly.
When the big sister gets into trouble, as her sister, Dinh Dinh must share the joys and sorrows with her. They had already made a pact.
Sharing blessings and enduring hardships together is what makes true sisters.
Nhan Ny Ny said, "Dinh Dinh's foundation is better, so I didn't buy any for her."
"That's not right. If Dinh Dinh finds out, she'll be upset." Phi Phi felt that she shouldn't be the only one suffering. But then she thought of Dinh Dinh's usual behavior. Whoever gave her a test paper, she would say, "I love studying the most." Whenever she thought of this, Phi Phi's tears couldn't help but flow.
Is the world of a top student and the world of a slacker really that different?
Nhan Ny Ny smiled. "It's alright. If you don't tell her, she won't know. I like you the most."
Phi Phi blinked.
It seemed so familiar.
Her Uncle Lam used to say that often, and then her life would be plunged into darkness. Now Sister Nhan was saying the same thing. She knew her life was about to be dominated by test papers.
Knock, knock.
There was another knock at the door.
Hearing the knock, Phi Phi couldn't help but feel nervous. No way, is someone else looking for me?
Jade Emperor, Tathagata Buddha, please protect me. Please, no.
The door opened.
"Miss Duong..." Ly Mai opened the door and was surprised to see Duong Giai Vu standing at the entrance with a smile.
"Sister Ly, I hope I'm not disturbing you."
"Not at all, not at all. Ny Ny happens to be here too. Come in and have something to eat together."
"Alright, then I'll impose."
Phi Phi watched Sister Duong walk in, her eyes wide as saucers, because she saw that Sister Duong was also carrying a black bag in her hand. The shape it made was terrifying. Even without seeing what was inside, she could guess what it was.
Waaah...
This is so scary.
I really know I was wrong.
If time could be turned back, she would absolutely not have called Dinh Dinh to go and help Uncle Lam out of his predicament.
What predicament?
Who's going to help me out of mine?
. . .
Room 704.
Lam Pham was chatting with Quan Hao about the matchmaking event in the afternoon.
"Were there many successful matches?"
Lam Pham asked expectantly. If there really were many, that would be a joyous occasion. The development of the post-apocalyptic world needed new life. Only with the constant arrival of new life could civilization be better passed on.
"Yes, quite a few. Everyone who survived the apocalypse lost their important loved ones. They are all lonely and need another person for companionship. Since we organized this matchmaking event, as long as there are no major problems, they should all be able to find a suitable other half."
"No major problems? What kind of problems?"
"Like not being able to find someone."
"For example, who?"
"My Brother Khai. I really didn't expect that no girl would choose my Brother Khai."
Lam Pham was shocked for a hundred years.
"No way. His personal conditions are quite good."
"I thought so too. Brother Khai is young, just a little thin. I don't understand what happened."
"Love is a matter of freedom. If he didn't find anyone, then we can't rush it. Let's take it slow. I think one day he will meet the right person."
"I hope so."
"What about your situation?" Lam Pham noticed that Quan Hao had been smiling from beginning to end. It was clear he was in a good mood. The only thing that could make him this happy, besides a successful match, was probably nothing else.
Quan Hao chuckled, a little shyly. "Someone confessed to me. Her name is Luu Lan Lan. She's one year older than me. I have a good feeling about her. She's my type. She said I'm shy but with a bit of steadiness, steady but with a bit of ease, at ease but not dissolute."
Lam Pham was speechless.
A very strange compliment, but he was genuinely happy for Quan Hao.
"Treat her well. Settle the wedding banquet soon, and we'll get you registered."
"It's not that time yet. When it really comes, I'll definitely be the first to notify you, Brother Lam."
Lam Pham was happy from the bottom of his heart that they could find their suitable other halves. As for his own situation, he really hadn't thought about it for the time being. He just wanted to clear out the zombies in the apocalypse and let this country completely calm down again.
This required his efforts, because many zombies were truly terrifying and not something they could deal with. The only one who could deal with them was him.
. . .
In another room.
"Is our development a little too fast?"
Ha Khanh lay shirtless on the bed, a little dazed. As a big shot who had navigated both the light and dark worlds, he had no interest in women. A successful person had to maintain their rationality at all times and not let outsiders pry into his secrets.
But the apocalypse came, the Lucky Star was incorporated, and Ha Khanh's thinking changed. The demeanor of a big shot was gone, but his charisma remained.
The old sister looked at the slightly tired Ha Khanh. "What do you mean, fast? This is efficiency. We've cut out the unnecessary processes and went straight for the result. I told you your various aspects weren't up to par, and you didn't believe me. Look at your face, pale as what? Tomorrow I'll get you some nourishing tonics to properly supplement you."
Ha Khanh looked at the old sister beside him, feeling utterly distressed. When other people started dating, they went for walks. But this old sister, she took him drinking, saying that drinking could create an atmosphere, a mood. They drank and drank, and ended up rolling into bed.
"I don't need it." Ha Khanh's only explanation for himself was that his kidneys were not deficient, and he didn't need any tonics.
The old sister said, "Don't be stubborn. You don't know your own situation, but how could I not know now? The purpose of you actively participating in the matchmaking event is to have a descendant, right? If you don't properly nourish your body, how can you have a healthy and strong descendant?"
Ha Khanh was speechless.
"What's your name?"
That's right, Ha Khanh still didn't know the name of the old sister he had just rolled in the sheets with.
The old sister said, "Is the name important?"
"Well, I should at least know what to call you."
"Call me wife, or honey, or darling. I like being called that."
"You damn..." Ha Khanh was truly impressed by this old sister. She wouldn't even tell him her name. It seemed he would have to ask Vuong Khai properly. But if he asked, wouldn't it be too embarrassing? After all, they had already rolled in the sheets, and he still didn't know her name. If others found out, they would laugh their heads off.
The old sister placed a finger on Ha Khanh's lips. "Baby, don't use vulgar language. It's not that I'm lecturing you, but with your physical constitution, you can't handle it."
After all, a woman at thirty is like a wolf, at forty like a tiger, and a man at fifty is like a clod of earth...
Ha Khanh: ???
. . .
Two days later, early in the morning.
Lam Pham headed out of Hoang City. The cleanup work was about to officially begin.
His phone rang.
The call was from Chung Hong.
He answered the call.
Chung Hong said, "Kim Phu Thien has appeared. He killed Truong Van, one of the headquarters' perfect Mutants, and stole his ability."
Lam Pham frowned. Kim Phu Thien had finally crossed paths with the Mutant headquarters. He hadn't expected that Kim Phu Thien could not only steal the abilities of Awakeners, but Mutants as well.
This was not good news.
If he was allowed to develop, what he would become in the end, one didn't need to think to know. He would definitely become the most terrifying character.
Lam Pham said, "Do you know his location?"
Chung Hong said, "No, but we have sent people to search everywhere. The headquarters is very displeased with Truong Van's solo action and has seriously warned us that whoever finds him must notify the headquarters, or else it's a death sentence."
Lam Pham said, "His ability allows his evolution speed to reach the extreme. It's possible that in a very short time, he could surpass a Creator. His ability is similar to the fusion-type zombie I once killed, but his is even more perverted. So it's best to be careful with everything. If you know his location, tell me first."
Chung Hong said, "Understood. I know what to do. Recently, the headquarters has cultivated several perfect Mutants, probably using a new type of serum. The degree of gene unlocking is very high."
Thinking of this situation, Chung Hong felt very helpless. The research and development capabilities of the headquarters were too strong. They could always create terrifying serums. If she hadn't met Lam Pham and received the benefits of improvement, she probably would have been surpassed long ago. Fortunately, she had stabilized her own strength. Anyone thinking of surpassing her was dreaming.
Don't they know who's backing me?
This is the Protector of all humanity.
Lam Pham said, "Yes, take it slow. Under the condition of ensuring your safety, find the location of the headquarters and Kim Phu Thien. As long as we find them, then everything will become simple."
"Yes, I know."
After a brief exchange.
He hung up the phone.
Lam Pham leaped up and soared through the air, heading toward the distance at high speed. When going out to clear zombies, a camera and a map were essential.
The places on the map he had circled were all cleared. If the territory wasn't so vast, he would have already cleaned up all the zombies in the country.
On the highway far from Hoang City, several vehicles were driving.
Lau Chung and the others heard the booming sound in the sky, rolled down their car windows, and looked up.
"Lam Pham is out."
"Yeah, I wonder which region's zombies are about to receive a thunderous blow."
"Little Chuc, I heard you're dating."
"Brother Chung, weren't we discussing which region's zombies are about to get hit by Brother Lam? Why did you suddenly shift the topic to me? Not good, not good at all."
"Hahaha..."
Everyone laughed heartily.
They hadn't fought zombies in a long time. Now, their job was to escort the communication staff to repair various base stations and ensure their safety. This kind of work was still a bit boring.
Besides seeing the desolate scenery, there was really nothing else to see.
. . .
At this time, Lam Pham had already arrived at the northeasternmost region of the country. After clearing out the zombies here, the remaining areas would be the northwest and southwest regions.
The beautiful motherland had been ravaged by zombies in the apocalypse, and life had been devastated. To be able to encounter living survivors was already considered a stroke of luck.
Suddenly.
Lam Pham descended from the sky. The situation before him was a bit shocking. The ground before him was a stretch of crimson red. Looking closely, it wasn't that the color of the soil had changed, but that it was covered in flesh and blood.
Looking into the distance, the flesh and blood stretched on, seemingly endless, with no end in sight.
"There's still a place like this?"
Lam Pham was so shocked he couldn't believe his eyes. He had cleared so many places, but he had never seen such an environment. Even if the ground had turned black, it couldn't compare to the situation before him.
The flesh and blood covering the ground had been there for a long time, but upon closer inspection, he could see a red liquid flowing beneath the dark red surface.
Squish!
Frostmourne pierced the surface, and viscous blood gushed out. A pungent smell hit his face, making him feel a little uncomfortable.
"The situation here is not simple. There must be a problem."
Lam Pham could tell at a glance.
Walking forward, he could see some bones entangled in the flesh and blood. They looked like human bones, but some of the skeletons were not right, not quite the same as human skeletons.
Whatever.
What's the use of thinking about these things?
It had already become like this. He wasn't Di Renjie; how could he deduce what happened just by looking at the bones? So the best way was to continue to go deeper and find the existence that had turned this place into this.
A person with little courage, walking alone on this crimson ground, would probably have run away long ago. How would they dare to walk around here?
The unknown terror is the truest terror.
But Lam Pham just loved to challenge the unknown terror.
Ahead.
A figure looked around with great trepidation, couldn't help but quicken its pace to leave. Suddenly, it seemed to have discovered something. It looked up, blinked, and tried to widen its eyes.
"Holy crap!"
Gang Ban Linh Nhat saw the other person clearly and instantly remembered who he was. It was so scared its soul nearly flew out. What the hell, how did he get here? It almost scared its little heart to death.
Betting that the other person couldn't see it, it dropped to the ground and pretended to be a corpse, thinking to itself, you can't see me, you absolutely can't see me.
Lam Pham walked through the flesh and blood, came to Gang Ban Linh Nhat, and looked down. "Isn't the ground dirty? What are you lying on your stomach for?"
"I wasn't paying attention and tripped."
Gang Ban Linh Nhat stood up, trembling, speaking in a very low voice, not daring to be loud. It really couldn't figure out why it would run into Lam Pham here.
Lam Pham said, "Then you should be more careful. If you trip easily while walking, maybe there's something wrong with you."
"Yes, yes, maybe there really is something wrong with me."
"What are you doing here?" Lam Pham wanted to laugh. Am I really that scary?
But fear was fear. It was good to let the little guy be scared for a bit.
Gang Ban Linh Nhat said, "I was just taking a walk, not doing anything."
"You're looking for a powerful Creator, thinking of getting revenge on me, right?" The reason Lam Pham let Gang Ban Linh Nhat live was that he hoped it would continue to search for Creators. It seemed that it really was working hard at it.
It wasn't a waste of his trust.
"No, no." Gang Ban Linh Nhat quickly waved its hands. How could it dare to say the truth? Yes, I, Gang Ban, am looking for the strongest Creator. That guy from the universe nation was too useless. Even though I was blind, as long as I'm willing to search, I can definitely find the strongest one.
Lam Pham smiled. "It's alright. Your spirit earns my admiration, so I'm willing to give you a chance. But don't go to your hometown. Your home island was sunk by one of my punches."
Shock!
Gang Ban Linh Nhat's eyes widened. A ball of anger burned from its heart. It clenched its fists tightly. Damn it, so it was this guy who destroyed my hometown.
But as soon as this ball of anger rose, it was suppressed. "Thank you for reminding me. I was really afraid I would make a wasted trip."
Lam Pham saw the anger in Gang Ban Linh Nhat's eyes.
This was the effect he wanted.
Anger was good. Only with anger would there be motivation.
"It's alright, just a small matter, no need to thank me. You came here, why do you want to leave now? Tell me the truth, don't lie. I don't like hearing lies."
Lam Pham felt that there must be a reason why Gang Ban Linh Nhat came here. As for why it was leaving, it certainly wasn't simple either.
Gang Ban Linh Nhat swallowed and said, "I feel this place is too dangerous. At the far end, there is an existence that makes me tremble in fear, so I thought of leaving."
When it first arrived here, it was excited. Such a scene definitely meant there was an extremely powerful Creator. But as it went deeper, the surrounding situation became very strange.
More and more huge zombies had turned into mountains of corpses, their flesh rotting. An unknown thing was absorbing the blood. A Creator that even killed its own kind, it didn't have the guts to meet.
This Creator's temper was so violent, it might not listen to its persuasion.
So choosing to leave was what it believed to be the wisest choice.
"Oh, really? You're a zombie, and even you are scared." Lam Pham was certain there was a big guy in the distance. His camera was already itching to start filming.
Gang Ban Linh Nhat rolled its eyes. What nonsense. If I wasn't scared, would I be leaving?
"I'm scared."
"Alright, you can go."
"You're not going to kill me?"
Gang Ban Linh Nhat had forgotten how many times the other party had let it go. Could it be that he really wants to treat me as a toy to play with? Full of frustration, it could only bear it itself. It swore that it would definitely find the strongest Creator, and then viciously stomp Lam Pham under its foot, telling him that letting it go was his own undoing.
"Don't ask these questions. I've said that your spirit earns my respect. Go, head towards the northwest or southwest. There are large areas there that I haven't cleared."
Lam Pham pointed out a bright path for it, saving it the trouble of wasting energy and time. For such a low-stage being to have such intelligence, it had to be said that the evolutionary path of zombies had many miracles.
Gang Ban Linh Nhat was really angry. The casual words were filled with humiliation. Just because I, Gang Ban Linh Nhat, have no power, I have to let you humiliate me? Fine, you just wait for me. I, Gang Ban Linh Nhat, will definitely become the Bo Le of the apocalypse, find more thousand-mile horses, and make you regret it.
"Thank you, thank you very much. Farewell."
As soon as the words were out, Gang Ban Linh Nhat turned tail and ran, afraid the other party would change his mind.
Lam Pham watched Gang Ban Linh Nhat's pathetic fleeing figure and shook his head, wanting to laugh. I said I wouldn't kill you, why are you still so scared? The trust between humans and zombies is always so hard to establish.
He hoped it could work harder and really find more Creators.
Saving him the time of searching.
He looked into the distance, increasingly looking forward to what kind of existence it was that scared Gang Ban Linh Nhat. In the uncleared areas, the evolution of zombies was rampant. Without any natural enemies, they could develop with peace of mind. Naturally, terrifying things would appear.
"Let me see just what you are."
Lam Pham quickened his pace, unable to wait any longer. As he sped up, the surrounding scenery retreated at high speed. The further he went, the thicker the layer of flesh and blood on the ground became. At the same time, he found that there were zombies being entangled by tentacles extending from the ground, and then firmly held down.
Not to mention ordinary zombies, even evolved zombies could not resist.
"Luckily it didn't enter this area. Otherwise, with its meager strength, it wouldn't have been able to escape."
The ground cracked, and a tentacle targeted Lam Pham, wrapping around his ankle and continuously tightening. But could Lam Pham's physical strength be harmed by these tentacles?
He bent down and grabbed the tentacle, wanting to use it to pull out the unknown Creator. But the tentacle in his hand was directly pulled apart.
"The toughness is really low."
He had wanted to pull out its main body. It seemed this idea was very unrealistic.
Rumble!
Rumble!
The ground suddenly began to shake violently, like an earthquake. Cracks appeared on the ground, spreading out like a spiderweb.
"It knows I'm here, so it wants to appear directly?"
Excellent. He just loved this kind of proactive Creator.
Squelch!
Squelch!
The sound of the earth breaking came.
Lam Pham looked at the situation ahead, his expression one of great surprise. Countless dense flesh-and-blood tentacles burst forth from deep underground. The dozens-of-meters-long tentacles thrashed wildly.
At the same time, this sound had not stopped.
He himself was surrounded by the surrounding tentacles, completely sealed off, with no path of retreat.