Transcending Worlds: I Have an Invincible Shelter

Outside the iron fence of the mining area, Zhao Xinyan and Lin Xuanzhi stood still, anxiously gazing in the direction of the ruined city of Tokyo.

Tian Xiao and two other mutants followed closely behind the two.

In the past few days, they have accompanied Zhao Xinyan and Lin Xuanzhi to inventory and sort out all kinds of materials in the mining area, register and summarize them, and hand them over properly.

The slaves were also ordered to temporarily stop working in the mine, leaving the entire mine empty except for the faint sound of tinkering coming from the bottom.

Zhao Xinyan and Lin Xuanzhi counted all the slaves in the mining area one by one, and the total number was 3,908.

Among them were more than 300 slaves who were seriously injured. Even though their injuries were severe, they had still been forced to work in the mines.

In the past few days, although the slaves were unaware that the mining area had changed hands, many of them couldn't help but feel uneasy since the work stopped.

They were afraid that if they could no longer work in the mines, they would run out of food and have no way to survive.

They were just ordinary survivors; if no one with talent ventured deep into the Black Forest to hunt mutated beasts, they would only starve to death.

On the first day of the work stoppage, the slaves were filled with unease.

Fortunately, the mutants in the mining area delivered food and water on time, which surprised them greatly, as they were trapped in the mine and could hardly believe what they were seeing.

In the days following the shutdown, no one was assigned to work in the mine, but food supplies were provided three times a day without interruption.

The slaves finally breathed a sigh of relief, and were convinced that the people in charge of the Tokyo mining area genuinely wanted them to stop working and rest.

Outside the iron fence, Zhao Xinyan and Lin Xuanzhi stared intently at the makeshift path carved out of the mountain ahead, their eyes gazing into the dark and deep forest at the end of the path. Their hearts were filled with worry and anxiety, and they refused to look away for a long time.

Ever since Jiang Xiaochen and Green Eyes' group went to the ruins of Tokyo, Zhao Xinyan and Lin Xuanzhi have been burdened with a heavy weight in their hearts, their minds heavy with unease, silently praying that their companions at the night watch camp would all return safely.

But both of them knew in their hearts that, judging from the miserable conditions of the slaves in the mines, their companions who had been kidnapped from the night watch camp were probably already in grave danger.

Lin Xuanzhi was even more worried about Song Ruhai, and was filled with anxiety, wondering if she could find him safely this time.

"Xinyan, is the master still in the warehouse?"

Lin Xuanzhi turned her head and looked at the towering Black Mountain behind her. Hidden inside the mountain was a secret warehouse where all the source crystals mined from the entire Tokyo mining area were stored.

After arranging everyone's affairs on the first day, Su Yuyang locked himself in the warehouse alone, refusing to come out and not allowing anyone to disturb him.

Lin Xuanzhi felt a deep sense of worry and couldn't help but be concerned about the safety of this mysterious person.

"Yes, I passed by the warehouse today and vaguely heard strange noises coming from inside."

Zhao Xinyan hesitated for a moment, subconsciously looked around, then leaned closer to Lin Xuanzhi and whispered in a low voice.

"It sounded like an adult's laughter, but the laughter was terrifying and extremely creepy."

"Are adults' laughter scary?"

Lin Xuanzhi was just an ordinary survivor who had not yet awakened her talent and was in the stage of about to awaken it. Even if she passed by the warehouse, she could not hear the strange sounds coming from inside the warehouse.

Zhao Xinyan was different; she was already a first-tier talent user, and ordinary iron gates could not block her keen hearing at all.

Not only her, but Tian Xiao and the other mutants beside her also nodded in agreement when they noticed Lin Xuanzhi's questioning gaze.

"We should listen to and watch less about adult matters."

Lin Xuanzhi couldn't help but recall the image of Su Yuyang's eerie laughter, a chill ran down her spine, and she instinctively shivered. She then turned to the others and spoke.

"Okay, I wouldn't have said anything if you hadn't asked first."

Zhao Xinyan playfully stuck out her tongue, looking both charming and lively.

"I wonder when Jiang Xiaochen and the others will be able to return."

The thought of soon reuniting with her old friends from the night watch camp filled Zhao Xinyan with warmth and anticipation.

She desperately hoped that everyone would be safe and sound and return alive.

"Yes, if only I could have met you sooner."

A sense of melancholy welled up in Lin Xuanzhi's heart.

When she and the others fled the Night Watch camp with Song Ruhai, they were able to escape only thanks to the protection of the talented individuals in the camp.

If it weren't for their former companions risking their lives to protect them, they would never have escaped the clutches of those gifted individuals at the Ash Earth Camp.

"It's not too late now, everything will be alright."

Zhao Xinyan turned to look at the mist mushroom leaning against the tree trunk and asked softly.

"Brother Fog Bacteria, how is that person doing now?"

While Wujun was lost in thought, still thinking about the beef rice she had eaten in the past few days, she was suddenly called out by someone.

He snapped out of his daze, opened his eyes, met Zhao Xinyan's curious gaze, coughed, and quickly answered.

"He's probably still mining. I just don't understand why the master only lets him mine alone. What's his intention?"

Lin Xuanzhi turned her head and glanced at Wujun, her eyes carrying a hint of warning.

Despite being just an ordinary survivor, she showed no fear when facing a fourth-tier mutant.

Instead, after being glared at by Lin Xuanzhi, Wujun immediately shrank back and quickly lowered her head to admit her mistake.

"I know I was wrong. I shouldn't have spoken ill of you, sir. I'm willing to accept the punishment, just please don't deduct my beef rice. I haven't had such authentic, pure, and untainted beef rice in a long time."

Even as a mutant with a transcendent status, after the Great Cataclysm, he could only eat the flesh of mutant beasts to satisfy his hunger on ordinary days.

Clean rice, clear water, and all kinds of pure meat were only available to the upper class of Grasse, and even then, they were rationed and hard-won.

"I'll let it slide this time, but you'll be punished later!"

This time it was Zhao Xinyan who spoke up. She was genuinely worried that Lin Xuanzhi would really punish the mutants who had submitted to her, such as Wujun.

Lin Xuanzhi shook her head gently. Since Zhao Xinyan had already pleaded for leniency, she couldn't insist on pursuing the matter any further.

Moreover, even if he insisted on punishing her, Zhao Xinyan would definitely take out beef rice from her hidden supplies and secretly replenish the supplies for Wu Jun and the others.

Just then, a figure came rushing from the end of the forest path. Upon recognizing Zhao Xinyan and Lin Xuanzhi, the person immediately shouted.

"They're back! They're back! They're back!"

Zhao Xinyan looked up, but before she could see where the figure at the end of the forest path had come from, Tian Xiao spoke first.

"It's Yellow Crane!"

Upon hearing the name Huang He, both Zhao Xinyan and Lin Xuanzhi were overjoyed.

This person was a second-tier talent they sent out to gather information. He was exceptionally fast and could ride mutated beasts, making him incredibly swift.

"Who's back?"

Zhao Xinyan and Lin Xuanzhi were both overjoyed; their companions at the night watch camp were finally coming back.

Lin Xuanzhi longed to see Song Ruhai even more.

"I don't know exactly who they are, but I saw a large number of survivors crossing the deep trench and being escorted back to the mining area by Lou Tengjing and his group."

Huang He, his breathing unsteady, replied slowly, panting.

Even for a second-tier talent, the source energy in the body will eventually be unable to keep up with the consumption after running for a long time.

Lin Xuanzhi stepped forward, handed over a bottle of mineral water, and said softly.

"Drink some water first, and catch your breath."

Huang He stared at the brand-new bottle of mineral water in his hand, momentarily stunned, a hint of emotion flashing in his eyes.

Meanwhile, Tian Xiao, Wu Jun, and the group of mutants behind Zhao Xinyan all had a hint of envy and jealousy in their eyes.

They secretly envied each other, only regretting that they didn't have speed-type superpowers, otherwise they too could have obtained such a precious bottle of mineral water.

This is clean mineral water; if it were in Grass City, it would be worth a considerable amount of merit.

Huang He carefully unscrewed the bottle cap, took only a small sip, and then carefully put it into his pocket before continuing to speak.

"Lord Jiang and Lord Green Eyes are behind us; they should arrive in less than an hour."

Upon hearing that Jiang Xiaochen had turned back first, the joyful expressions on Zhao Xinyan and Lin Xuanzhi's faces suddenly froze.

What exactly happened that made Jiang Xiaochen abandon his companions at the night watch camp and turn back alone?

Lin Xuanzhi stepped forward and instinctively tried to grab Huang He's wrist.

Seeing that the other person quietly took a half step back, she belatedly withdrew her hand and asked a question with a slightly embarrassed expression.

"Are you sure it's just Jiang Xiaochen and Green Eyes?"

Noticing the unusual tone in Lin Xuanzhi's voice, which even trembled slightly, Huang He hesitated, unsure of how to respond.

Zhao Xinyan stepped forward, gently pressed Lin Xuanzhi's wrist, then turned to look at Huang He and asked softly.

"Is it just the two of them? Just answer truthfully."

If Jiang Xiaochen returned first, there's only one possibility: he didn't see Song Ruhai.

If Song Ruhai were among the surviving watchmen, Jiang Xiaochen would never have gone ahead alone, abandoning the others.

The fact that Jiang Xiaochen rushed back so hastily suggests that it wasn't just because he couldn't find Song Ruhai; something else must have happened.

Noticing that Lin Xuanzhi was trembling slightly, Zhao Xinyan quickly held her arm tightly, pressed her down firmly, and gently comforted her.

"I can see clearly that it's only Lord Jiang and Lord Green Eyes."

As soon as Huang He finished speaking, Zhao Xinyan immediately stepped forward and reached out to firmly support Lin Xuanzhi, who was on the verge of losing her composure.

"Huang He, you should go and rest now."

Zhao Xinyan glanced back at Tian Xiao, Wu Jun, and the others, and spoke in a gentle tone.

"You can all step back now. Xuanzhi and I will be fine here."

Tian Xiao's Adam's apple bobbed slightly. Meeting Wu Jun's subtle shaking of his head, he had no choice but to lead everyone back to the mining area in silence.

"Don't overthink it. Just because we didn't find him this time doesn't mean something bad happened to Song Ruhai. We'll ask him more carefully when Jiang Xiaochen comes back."

Lin Xuanzhi responded softly with an "Mm".

The two stood quietly outside the iron fence, gazing intently at the forest path ahead, their eyes fixed on the deep, dark forest at the end of the path.

After standing there silently for an unknown amount of time, a series of rapid, thunderous hoofbeats suddenly echoed through the woods.

Upon hearing the sound of hooves, the talented individuals guarding the outside of the mine instantly tensed up, focusing their attention on guarding against any sudden attacks from mutated beasts emerging from the forest.

Once they could clearly see the figure rushing towards them, the gifted individuals on guard in the mining area all lowered their guard and quietly retreated.

As Jiang Xiaochen sat atop the mutated beast's back, he spotted Zhao Xinyan and Lin Xuanzhi standing outside the iron fence of the mining area.

"How long have you been waiting here?"

Jiang Xiaochen flipped off the mutated beast's back, nodded slightly to the green-eyed creature, and then quickly walked to Zhao Xinyan and Lin Xuanzhi, his expression full of concern.

Seeing the lingering anxiety in Jiang Xiaochen's eyes, Zhao Xinyan and Lin Xuanzhi both trembled slightly.

"Not finding Song Ruhai doesn't mean he's dead."

Jiang Xiaochen raised his hand and gently patted Lin Xuanzhi's back, speaking in a low, deep voice.

"Let's go back first. I have something important to discuss with you privately."

Zhao Xinyan frowned slightly, unable to fathom the deeper meaning behind Jiang Xiaochen's words, but she still helped Lin Xuanzhi and they turned to walk together towards the open-air square in the mining area.

More than ten container barracks are scattered in the open square of the mining area. Originally the residence of the mining area supervisors, three of them have been specially set aside for Jiang Xiaochen, Lin Xuanzhi and Zhao Xinyan to live in.

Stepping into Lin Xuanzhi's container room, Jiang Xiaochen gazed intently into the distance.

He saw the survivors in the mining area busy building makeshift shelters out of ebony. He took a deep breath, his tone grave, and slowly said, "I saw Luo Xianglan."

Upon hearing those three words, Zhao Xinyan's eyes instantly welled up with tears.

Lin Xuanzhi's body went limp, her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground, unable to hold back any longer, bursting into tears.

"I'm so sorry, Xianglan. I'm the one who caused the deaths of the two younger sisters from the Luo family..."