Zhao Hu's head fell to the ground.
The lackeys who had followed Zhao Hu were all stunned, staring at the scene before them in disbelief.
The boss they relied on had been cut down with a single strike!
However, they were only students after all, and they didn't have any real loyalty to Zhao Hu.
In this cannibalistic apocalypse, following anyone was still just following.
Thus, the group of five or six people immediately knelt down before Chen Jie.
"Boss Chen, we were misled by Zhao Hu before. Now that this guy is finally dead, we'll follow you from now on. Please take us in!"
"Yeah, Boss Chen, the way you wielded that axe was unbelievably fierce—it got us all fired up! From now on, we'll follow your lead!"
"You only just noticed Boss Chen's might? I saw it long ago! Boss Chen, I sincerely want to follow you—please give me a chance!"
…
These students, in order to survive, used every bit of cunning they had learned.
Chen Jie didn't say much.
He simply nodded.
He didn't care whether these people followed him or not.
As long as they were willing, they could follow.
Better yet if they could attract more monsters for him.
If things stabilized later on, it wouldn't be impossible to use them to build his own force.
"Good! Thank you, Boss Chen!"
One quick-witted student saw Chen Jie's reaction, thanked him repeatedly, and hurriedly slipped behind the original Class Three students.
The others followed suit.
Just like that, Chen Jie gained five or six more underlings.
After killing Zhao Hu, Chen Jie stepped forward and prodded his corpse.
Sure enough…
An awakened like him had a spirit crystal inside his body, though its quality was low-tier.
Even a mosquito's meat is still meat.
Chen Jie picked up the spirit crystal, willed it, and absorbed it into his body.
Unfortunately, the energy it provided was negligible.
It could only slightly stir his Second-Order peak realm.
Looks like he still had to keep working hard.
"You newcomers—three minutes to gather supplies from the convenience store! Next, we're heading to the city hospital!"
Chen Jie pointed at the convenience store behind him and said coldly.
City hospital.
If he remembered correctly, there would be an early-stage boss there.
To quickly increase his strength, he still needed to continuously challenge stronger monsters.
As for this group—keeping them around would help attract monsters along the way.
Fight while moving, and head toward the boss.
Early-stage bosses required at least around Third-Order strength to deal with, no matter how strong one's talent was.
Otherwise, they'd be hard to kill!
"Thank you, Boss Chen!"
The newcomers thanked him and rushed into the convenience store.
Like starving wolves, they began their "zero-dollar shopping spree."
Three minutes later, Chen Jie led the small group and set off toward the city hospital.
At this time, only a blood-red moon hung in the sky.
However, the light was still sufficient for humans to see the surroundings.
The roads were already in chaos, with wrecked vehicles clogging the streets.
Occasionally, they could see monsters chasing humans.
But at a glance, they were all ordinary monsters, so Chen Jie didn't intervene.
In the apocalypse, meddling had never been a good habit.
On both sides of the road, tall buildings flickered with broadcasts:
[Emergency News! Due to an unknown magnetic storm, many humans and animals have undergone grotesque mutations. These mutated humans and animals possess little rationality. Experts advise that at this stage, everyone should stay indoors and avoid moving around freely!]
The appearance of mutated monsters had quickly alarmed the higher authorities.
They immediately responded, researching the mutations and issuing warnings to the public.
Unfortunately…
Chen Jie knew that by the time a method to suppress the mutations was found, most of humanity would already be dead.
But that wasn't something he needed to worry about.
As the apocalypse progressed, survival would only become more difficult.
Only those who continuously grew stronger would have the right to live.
Some might even use this mutation to achieve the legendary immortality.
Chen Jie led the group along the streets toward the city hospital.
"Help me! Help me!"
After walking for a while, Chen Jie heard a cry for help.
Turning to look, he saw a car emitting thick smoke pinning down a young man wearing glasses.
The man's face was twisted in pain and terror. Upon seeing Chen Jie and the others, he desperately cried for help.
The group exchanged glances, but no one dared to move.
In the past, someone among them would have already rushed to help.
But now, this was the apocalypse.
Kindness couldn't save them.
Only by listening to Chen Jie did they have a chance to survive.
Meanwhile, Chen Jie merely watched the man coldly, as if he were putting on a show.
"Huh? Aren't you students? How can you be so cold-hearted?"
The man, who had been struggling in pain, suddenly changed expression and roared at Chen Jie and the others.
Immediately after, his body began to mutate.
His once gentle eyes turned vicious, then blood-red.
His normal hands began to grow ghastly green scales, and sharp claws slowly extended from his fingers.
Finally, his head transformed into a terrifying lizard head.
This was a lizard monster, mutated in the direction of a reptile.
Judging from its aura alone, Chen Jie felt it was far stronger than Zhao Xiaolu.
"So many students, hahaha—finally, I can have a full feast!"
The lizard monster looked greedily at Chen Jie's group, letting out a chilling laugh.
As if in the next moment, he could devour everyone present.
"Brother Chen, why did he only mutate now? Shouldn't he have mutated earlier? Why was he still normal just now?"
Lin Shiyu, carrying the luggage, asked curiously.
Having followed Chen Jie, he was much calmer than the others in situations like this.
"This should be the lizard monster's innate ability."
Chen Jie replied casually.
He guessed that this lizard monster could mimic humans and transform into whatever appearance it wanted.
This ability might be useful for ambushes.
But in a direct fight, it had no advantage.
Seeing Chen Jie and the others calmly discussing his ability, the lizard monster seemed provoked.
These people weren't afraid of him at all!
He felt that, as a Second-Order peak monster, he was being humiliated!
"Become my meal obediently!"
The lizard monster's expression turned vicious. With a swipe of his right hand, he sent a nearby vehicle flying.
Then, digging his claws into the ground, he sped toward Chen Jie and the others at incredible speed.
His first target was Xia Wanrou, with her delicate skin and tender flesh.
A beauty like her would taste the best!
"Monster, get lost!"
Sensing the lizard monster charging at her, Xia Wanrou shouted angrily.
At once, a pair of dragon horns reappeared on her head, crackling with silver arcs of electricity.
Beside her, a small azure dragon shrouded in mist surged out, coiling and weaving, with bluish-white lightning flashing continuously.
Xia Wanrou summoned her mimetic battle spirit!