Apocalypse: The Primordial Pearl Recognizes Its Master, Starting with Infinite Space

The ninth day of the apocalypse, the sixth day of extreme cold.

Early in the morning, the sky had cleared, but the September sun did nothing to dispel the biting chill.

Lin Chen pushed open the door and walked towards the cafeteria with Li Ya, Su Yun and others who came out one after another.

Yesterday's attack did not deter the girls who were trying to survive in the apocalypse. The fear from yesterday was no longer visible in their eyes; instead, their expressions were more resolute.

It also made them realize that the threat in the apocalypse comes not only from zombies and wild beasts, but also from their own kind!

The restaurant was already bustling with people, filled with the aroma of steam and food.

Good morning, Brother Lin. Good morning, Sister Ya.

"Ya-jie looks beautiful again today!"

Some of the girls even smiled and greeted Lin Chen and Li Ya.

Lin Chen and Li Ya responded with smiles.

Lin Chen handed over the Creation Spirit Crystals and Life Spirit Crystals he had gathered that day to Li Ya for distribution. As for the Life Spirit Crystals, he kept one for himself—that was for Hu Shanshan.

Yesterday's attack served as a wake-up call for him.

Modern communication networks are about to be completely paralyzed, and team members need a new, reliable, and rapid support and communication system.

An S-class spatial portal might be the most suitable solution at the moment, or at least an emergency measure.

Hu Shanshan's fingers trembled slightly as she accepted the crystal-clear life essence.

However, Lin Chen also explained to everyone why he gave it to her in advance.

She took a deep breath and swallowed it. After a moment of silence, an invisible ripple of space gently spread out from her center, then quickly receded.

She opened her eyes, and there seemed to be a silver light flowing in them.

"How are you feeling?" Lin Chen asked with concern.

"The distance... has increased to fifty kilometers. It can maintain up to eight stable teleportation portals simultaneously." She paused, her tone filled with surprise, "The spell preparation time has also been reduced to about five seconds."

Upon hearing this, everyone's spirits lifted.

This improvement is a remarkable leap forward and has immense strategic value.

Lin Chen nodded and said to Li Ya, "Today you'll take Shanshan with you. She needs to familiarize herself with the key routes and strongholds within our territory."

He looked at Hu Shanshan, his gaze steady, "You'll stay in the rear mobile position and won't participate in the battle. In case of any unforeseen circumstances ahead, whether it's an emergency rescue or the transmission of critical information, your abilities will be the fastest guarantee."

"Understood!" Hu Shanshan replied solemnly.

After making the arrangements, Lin Chen left the Mountain and Water Garden alone and went to the official shelter in Guangzhou again.

He would occasionally appear from a high place or a distance that the Chang family father and son could see, and he would also occasionally appear in Chang Chengye's office.

This kind of unpredictable and random "appearance" is itself a form of continuous psychological pressure, reminding the other party: I'm watching you all the time, don't even think about running away!

Meanwhile, Chang Chengye, inside the shelter, was consumed by anxiety and rage.

He was almost certain that someone had leaked the escape plan from the previous night.

Even if the end of the world is nigh, he will find this traitor before he dies and tear him to pieces!

Secret orders were issued silently, and trusted confidants began to investigate covertly, creating an atmosphere shrouded in suspicion and fear among everyone.

Meanwhile, news that the Chang family's attack on Lin Chen's team yesterday had backfired and spread like wildfire throughout the vast shelter.

The survivors gathered in twos and threes, whispering amongst themselves.

"Have you heard? Mayor Chang led a group to raid the people at Shanshui Garden yesterday, but they got a complete humiliation!"

"It wasn't just a matter of getting dusty; I heard the casualties were heavy, and they almost didn't make it back!"

"What are they trying to do? The Shanshui Garden is a good place, it has taken in so many ordinary people."

"Don't you understand? Two tigers can't share one mountain! Right now, Shanshui Garden is the most popular, so of course the Chang family wants to get rid of it as soon as possible and dominate Guangzhou."

"Sigh, what kind of time is this? Shouldn't humanity be uniting to fight zombies and the cold? Why are they still thinking about internal power struggles..."

"You're so naive! The old ways are long gone! Now, might makes right, and countless people dream of becoming local tyrants!"

"Exactly! Look at those small groups outside, they'd rather cower in dilapidated buildings in fear than fully integrate into the larger shelter. Isn't it because they want to be in charge themselves?"

"Hmph, if I had superpowers as amazing as Lin Chen's, I might also..."

Amid the discussions, there was incomprehension, sighs, cynical insight, and also a hidden envy and ambition for power.

The news naturally reached the military command stationed in the south of the city.

After hearing the report, Commander Peng slammed his hand on the table covered with maps, making the teacups rattle. "Damn it! The nation is in peril, and countless lives are being lost! Instead of working together to save the country, they're busy with these power struggles! Does Chang Chengye have no sense of the bigger picture?!"

After the commander's anger subsided somewhat, Staff Officer Chen asked in a low voice, "Commander, should we suspend the supply of materials to the official shelters in Guangzhou as a form of punishment?"

Commander Peng rested his hands on the edge of the table, remaining silent for a long time, his anger gradually replaced by a profound sense of powerlessness.

He slowly straightened up and shook his head: "Forget it... After all, the Chang family provoked us this time and suffered a great loss. Since the Shanshui Garden side hasn't taken any further action, we don't need to get too involved. As for the supplies... let's distribute them as usual."

"Should we issue a formal warning to the Chang family to restrain their behavior?"

Commander Peng gave a wry smile, his smile brimming with exhaustion: "A warning? If it were useful, there would be no wars in this world. If it's useless, a warning is nothing but a piece of waste paper."

He walked to the window, gazing at the frozen, lifeless outline of the city outside. His voice lowered, "Besides, this kind of friction and conflict over survival resources and the right to speak is not the first, and it certainly won't be the last. We... are powerless to stop it."

He turned to Staff Officer Chen, his tone regaining its military pragmatism: "Just consider what I said earlier as me venting. So, how's our own cleanup progressing?"

Staff Officer Chen immediately reported: "The zombies and obstacles on the main streets in the south of the city have been basically cleared. However, the clearing inside the buildings is progressing slowly. The urban warfare environment is complex, the risk of casualties is high, and the soldiers are also experiencing great physical exhaustion."

Commander Peng nodded, his expression grave: "Instruct commanders at all levels to be extremely cautious. It's better to proceed slowly than to compromise the safety of our soldiers. We...cannot afford any more losses."

"Yes, Commander!"

Staff Officer Chen did not immediately turn around to relay the order. Instead, he paused in place, a rare look of hesitation on his face.

"Speak your mind!" Commander Peng frowned, his voice carrying the straightforwardness of a soldier. "How can soldiers be so hesitant and indecisive?"

Staff Officer Chen took a deep breath, as if making up his mind, cleared his throat, and then reported to the commander in as calm a tone as possible:

"Commander, there is something I must report to you immediately. Yesterday, our advance clearing force... encountered what appears to be a level three zombie."