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

Even now, the entire power grid and mobile network in Guangzhou have completely shut down.

However, the news that the official shelter in Guangzhou had changed owners, the Chang family's power had collapsed, the boss of Andu Company, Wang Gang, had died a violent death, and Chang Hao's whereabouts were unknown, still spread throughout Guangzhou like wildfire through word of mouth among the survivors.

Countless survivors sighed in their own corners.

In an abandoned underground shopping mall in the east of the city, the survivors gathered around a campfire in silence for a long time.

"I never expected this..." A middle-aged man wrapped in a tattered military overcoat added a stick to the fire, the firelight reflecting off his dark face. "The once-powerful Chang family is gone just like that."

"What about Lin Chen?" A young woman next to him looked up. "Why didn't he take the opportunity to consolidate the Chang family's power and let them choose their own leader? Did he just give up on those ten thousand-plus ability users?"

"I guess the other side resisted fiercely, and Lin Chen himself wasn't strong enough." Another voice came from the corner, sounding somewhat mature. "Haven't you heard? Chang Chengye was killed by his own people. His special ability—he could turn people into puppets. If he hadn't been so ruthless, turning on his own people, he wouldn't have suffered this backlash."

Someone shook their head: "What's the difference between good and evil in superpowers? If he used that thing to control zombies, it might be incredibly useful. He just had ulterior motives and used it on his own people, which angered everyone."

The campfire crackled and popped.

After a moment of silence, a thin man who hadn't spoken until now suddenly muttered in a low voice:

"I think... Chang Chengye used it correctly."

Everyone looked at him.

The man shrank back, lowering his voice even further, as if afraid of being overheard: "He just accidentally revealed it. And... he offended someone he shouldn't have. Otherwise, that ability would still allow him to be a local tyrant. In this world, strength is king; what do tricks matter?"

A young man, his face full of indignation and his eyes clear, asked, "Does the end of the world mean we can abandon morality and humanity?"

Looking at this seemingly foolish young man, the mature middle-aged man couldn't help but remind him, "Liangzai, you're lucky. You've awakened a powerful superpower and have never lacked food."

"But you must remember, this is the end times. When faced with food, power, and humanity, they cannot withstand the test."

"Believe it or not, it won't be long before cannibalism starts happening!"

No one dared to respond; they simply remained silent. The young man named Liangzai stared blankly at the mature middle-aged man.

The women in the group were even more terrified; if that day ever came, they would probably be the most vulnerable.

They couldn't help but glance at the exit of the underground shopping mall, looking towards the east of the city.

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Somewhere in the north of the city.

A group of people who were rummaging through the ruins for supplies stopped what they were doing.

"Have you heard? At the official shelters, Shanshui Garden is in charge now."

"That's right. I heard from the people who escaped that Lin Chen just stood there and said a few words, and Chang Chengye was finished. There were more than 10,000 people, and no one dared to touch him."

"From then on, this area in the east of the city..."

"No need to think about it? From now on, Shanshui Garden will be in charge in the east of the city."

Someone gestured with their lip towards the south.

"What about the military in the south of the city? They have nuclear peacekeepers. No matter how powerful Lin Chen is, can he withstand that?"

"Whether it can hold out or not, I don't know." A young man rummaging through a box didn't even turn his head. "But this land in the east of the city belongs to Lin Chen now. What business is it of the military in the south of the city?"

"Exactly," another voice chimed in. "No matter what, Shanshui Garden is the undisputed ruler of the eastern part of the city. No one can argue with that."

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South of the city.

Inside Commander Peng's underground office at the military base.

Staff Officer Chen raised his head, his face showing the kind of expression that indicated he didn't want to report bad news but had no choice but to.

"Commander, the Chang family... is finished."

Commander Peng sat behind his desk, his fingers tapping the surface unconsciously.

"Moreover," Staff Officer Chen paused, "the supplies we sent over before are also gone."

Commander Peng's finger stopped.

He never expected Chang Chengye's life to end in this way.

That cunning old fox, that local bully who had been operating in Guangzhou for over twenty years, was ultimately beaten to death by his own people.

What he didn't expect was that batch of supplies.

After the implementation of Project Fire, the military was already short of funds.

He had already secretly planned the shipment of supplies that he had given to Chang Chengye—once Chang Chengye had received them, he would find a way to "borrow" some of them back under the guise of "supporting the clearing of zombies."

But now, everything is gone.

"Chang Chengye brought this upon himself; he deserved to die." Commander Peng's voice was low, suppressing a certain emotion. "Right now, I only care about one thing—where have the supplies gone?"

This was one of the few times he had shown anger since the apocalypse began.

Before the troops move, the supplies must be ready.

Having led troops for over thirty years, he understands the weight of those four words better than anyone else.

Staff Officer Chen was prepared.

"The General Staff analyzed all possibilities. Although there is no conclusive evidence, Lin Chen is the only known spatial ability user in the entire city of Guangzhou. And the only one who could move so many supplies silently and in full view of everyone... is him."

Commander Peng remained silent.

He just squinted.

That gaze pierced through half-closed eyelids, like a blade peeking out half an inch from its sheath.

Are you going to talk to him about a collaboration tomorrow?

"Yes."

Commander Peng tapped his fingers on the table again.

a long time.

"Let's test his reaction," he said. "If he can empty the official shelter's supply depot in Guangzhou in such a short time—is it possible that supplies from other parts of Guangzhou, and from the deep-water port, are also in his hands?"

Staff Officer Chen was taken aback.

"In the past few days, several veterans from the deep-water port have said that they had seen him there."

Commander Peng looked at him.

"They have this ability, and it even appeared during the Blood Rain period. It's pretty much confirmed."

Staff Officer Chen remained silent for a while.

"Commander, if he really did it... what should we do?"

The office quieted down.

long time.

He slowly exhaled.

That tone was heavy, carrying the deep, unbearable sense of powerlessness that an old soldier feels when facing a world outside the rules.

"...Let's talk first."

He paused.

"It depends on his attitude."

He turned his gaze back to the map on the table. It was densely marked with the progress of the cleanup, the distribution of zombies, and the locations of supplies.

"Notify the teams that are out on the field, 'Pay close attention to collecting supplies. Bring back everything you can.'" he said.

Staff Officer Chen stood at attention: "Yes, sir!"

He turned and walked out of the room, closing the door behind him. His footsteps faded into the distance in the corridor.

Commander Peng felt more exhausted than ever before and murmured, "Hopefully, we can get some good news out of the talks tomorrow."