What?! I Became the Zombie Beauty in the Villain’s Arms – CH199-201

Chapter 199| Chapter 200| Chapter 201

Chapter 199: Are You Serious? 

Zhang Tian continued, “Not long ago, several scouts managed to stumble upon high-tier crystal cores out in the wilderness. Liu Dongshu was one of them; he apparently picked up several. Because of that, the high command suddenly started treating him like a prized asset, and they even promoted a few other scavengers who found them. Isn’t that completely outrageous?”

Just by picking up a few glowing stones, you get to jump the ranks and become a captain. Meanwhile, ordinary survivors had to bleed and toil just to secure a low-ranking spot within the base’s infantry.

Pei Xiqing tilted her head. “Where exactly did they find them? Is there a specific location?”

“I’m not entirely sure about the coordinates,” Zhang Tian replied, leaning closer. “If you really want to know, wait until the crowd thins out later. I’ll go over, play nice with Liu Dongshu, and pry the exact location out of that brat.”

“Thank you, Sister Tian. I’d appreciate that.”

“It’s no trouble at all.” Zhang Tian crossed her arms, turning a cold gaze back toward Liu Dongshu, who was currently surrounded by a sycophantic crowd of villagers. She let out a sharp scoff. “Honestly, the main issue is that the origin of those crystals is completely unknown. They claim they just found them lying around, but there’s almost certainly something sinister hidden beneath the surface. There are too many anomalies happening in this world right now. Who’s to say whether finding those stones is a stroke of good luck or a curse waiting to detonate?”

Pei Xiqing hadn’t expected her to analyze the situation so clearly. She smiled softly. “You’re right.”

“We only planned to detour through this valley for two days to restock, but who could have guessed my team would fall apart like this the moment we arrived? Still, I never imagined that after nearly a year into the apocalypse, an untouched ecological sanctuary like this could exist.”

“I didn’t expect it either,” Pei Xiqing agreed, looking at the lush greenery. “Living here feels like being trapped in a recurring dream.”

“How long have you been here? Have you been hiding out in this valley ever since our old team split up?”

Pei Xiqing explained gently, “I’ve only been here for about a month. It’s a rather long story, but I’ll break it all down for you when we have more time to talk.”

“Alright,” Zhang Tian said, a trace of regret softening her expression. “What a shame. I still have a strict mission timeline to maintain, otherwise I’d love nothing more than to unpack my bags, stay here for a while, and properly catch up with you.”

“What exactly is your objective on this route, Sister Tian?”

“First is routine zombie suppression along the sector line, and second is escorting that spoiled brat to continue tracking down potential crystal deposits. The problem is, we haven’t seen a single high-tier crystal core the entire way. The raw energy contained within just one of those anomalies is completely incalculable. The directors back at the base are obsessed with this operation; they’ve deployed dozens of scouting units across the wasteland. So far, the intelligence reports show that only a fraction of them have actually found anything. Resources are dwindling, and the competition is becoming bloodthirsty.”

Pei Xiqing nodded thoughtfully, committing the information to memory.

“By the way,” Zhang Tian suddenly paused, her expression shifting as she stared intensely at her. “You keep asking about my assignment, but there’s a massive, critical issue that I haven’t cleared up yet.”

“What is it?”

Zhang Tian placed her hands firmly on Pei Xiqing’s shoulders, her gaze scanning her from head to toe to check her condition. Lowering her voice to a harsh whisper, she said, “Back when we were stuck in that mercenary crew, I was completely powerless and had no way to protect you. I remember vividly… your arm had been infected by the zombie virus.”

“I figured you were still losing sleep over that.” Pei Xiqing offered a reassuring smile. “Since I’m standing right here in front of you in one piece, it means I’m completely fine.”

“Are you certain?” Zhang Tian’s eyes filled with lingering anxiety. She would never forget that night in the wilderness camp when Pei Xiqing had quietly shown her her arm, which had been covered in sickly, necrotic zombie spots.

It was because Zhang Tian had tried to show her a shred of human kindness that their interaction had been caught, resulting in Pei Xiqing being violently driven out into the dark by the rest of the crew. If she hadn’t ultimately been retrieved by that terrifying man, Zhang Tian would have carried the guilt of her death to her grave.

“I’m perfectly healthy,” Pei Xiqing comforted her gently. “That incident was just an anomaly. If my body were truly that susceptible to the infection, I wouldn’t have survived this long.”

“Did an ability user manage to purge the virus for you?”

“No, but don’t worry—I promise you I won’t turn into a monster.”

“I’ve been brooding over that night for months, terrified that my helplessness had doomed you. Seeing you healthy and whole… it feels like a massive weight has been lifted from my chest.”

Suddenly changing the subject, Zhang Tian glanced over Pei Xiqing’s shoulder, a knowing glint entering her eyes. “Speaking of combat operatives… Hey, the last time I saw you out in the wild, you were traveling with that ridiculously elite squad. The commander was that striking, silver-haired guy. But specifically, what about that aloof, terrifying jerk in the wire-rimmed glasses who stood right next to you? I remember he was viciously ruthless, and he left an absolute chill in my spine. What ever happened between you two?”

Pei Xiqing nearly choked on her own saliva. She cleared her throat rapidly. “Are you talking about Brother Duan?”

“Yes! That’s the one, the man named Duan. Back then in the wilderness, he radiated an aura that practically screamed ‘do not approach me,’ yet he took meticulous care of you.” Zhang Tian let out a teased laugh, elbowing her lightly. “So, what happened next? Where did you end up going with him?”

At the time, the man surnamed Duan had seemed completely unbothered by the fact that their pathetic mercenary team was trailing behind his unit. But Zhang Tian had since realized that the man was a master of lethal calculation. He had carried a silent, overwhelming murderous intent, fully prepared to slaughter their entire crew the moment they crossed the line.

It was only after Zhao Shunyan was executed that she realized the truth: if their old captain hadn’t died when he did, and if their crew had continued to follow the precise route the bespectacled man had subtly mapped out for them, they would have marched straight into a meat grinder far worse than a dead end. Fortunately, Zhao Shunyan’s sudden demise had shattered the team, preventing them from advancing. Otherwise, not a single soul from that unit would be alive today.

The very first time she had laid eyes on that man, she knew he was dangerous—and certainly not the type of character capable of harboring genuine, soft emotions. On the contrary, he was a cold, decisive executioner who could end a life without blinking. He undoubtedly came from a terrifyingly powerful background.

“He’s actually here,” Pei Xiqing murmured, her tone casual. “He should be working out in our fields right now.”

The absolute nonchalance of her statement hit like a thunderclap.

Zhang Tian’s jaw dropped, her eyes wide with shock. “Xiqing… are you serious?”

Half an hour later, Pei Xiqing pushed open the wooden gate to their front yard. The moment Zhang Tian stepped into the enclosed space, the look of profound amazement and envy on her face didn’t falter for a single second.

The yard was a vibrant tapestry of blooming flowers and meticulously tended plants. Two mature trees had been transplanted cleanly to either side of the entrance, their branches bursting with lush, verdant leaves. The moment one crossed the threshold, the crisp, elegant fragrance of blossoms washed over them, instantly clearing the mind and easing the tension in their shoulders.

Zhang Tian took a deep, appreciative breath. “This smells incredible.”

“I just planted a few things to pass the time.”

“There is absolutely nothing casual about this layout,” Zhang Tian countered, shaking her head in awe. “I’ve stayed at both Base One and Base Two. Base One is still a chaotic construction zone, so I won’t judge it, but your homestead is a hundred times more comfortable than the interior sectors of Base Two. Even the high-ranking officers back at headquarters rarely have the luxury of maintaining a private flower garden or a fresh vegetable patch. If the elites on the circuit knew a sanctuary like this existed, they would die of jealousy.”

Her eyes tracked the perimeter, noticing that the back of the yard connected seamlessly to the pristine, clear stream winding through the village. The sight alone felt like a soothing balm to wash away the disgust she felt after spending hours dealing with Liu Dongshu.

There were two rustic wicker chairs set up in the shade. Zhang Tian immediately collapsed onto one of them, letting out a long, blissful sigh. “What I wouldn’t give to live like this…”

“I’m sure you will soon,” Pei Xiqing smiled, pouring a fresh cup of hot tea and handing it to her. “Think about it—the last time we parted, you were forced to trail behind a low-tier mercenary crew just to survive. Now, after only a few months, you’ve awakened a formal ability and secured the vice-captaincy of an elite squad. Your trajectory is only going to go up from here.”

“You’re just trying to make me feel better.” Zhang Tian took a slow sip of the fragrant tea, her expression souring slightly. “The main problem is the sheer amount of corruption and incompetence within my current unit. Especially that brat, Liu Dongshu—he is an absolute nightmare to manage.”

“If he fails to secure any more of those high-tier crystal cores,” Pei Xiqing noted casually, “won’t his leverage back at the base completely vanish?”

“Exactly. But his luck has been unnaturally absurd lately. Who knows if he’ll stumble upon another cache? If he manages to bring in another haul, I’m afraid his official rank will jump several levels past mine overnight.”

“Who currently holds the inventory of those crystals?”

“The base command retains the official stockpile,” Zhang Tian explained, leaning in slightly. “But it’s highly probable that the scouts who discover them are secretly hoarding a portion for themselves. After all, human nature is inherently selfish. No one in their right mind would hand over an entire cache of priceless treasures to the directors. Those crystals are literal miracles; absorbing the energy from just one can elevate an individual’s supernatural capacity by multiple tiers.”

Pei Xiqing lowered her eyes, gracefully pouring another stream of tea into her guest’s cup. A precise, calculated judgment was already forming clearly within her mind.

She let out a soft, meaningful chuckle. “Well… as long as he doesn’t find any more, it won’t be an issue. After all, with certain treasures, even if you manage to pick them up… you still have to stay alive to actually use them.”

Chapter 200: Snatch

In the end, Zhang Tian never did get to meet Duan Xiaolin.

The ability squad had started stirring up trouble again. They even instigated the villagers to begin a frenzied search covering every inch of the valley, from the very foot of the mountain all the way to its summit. They were even planning to expand their search radius, intending to venture into dangerous, zombie-infested territories outside the perimeter.

Word had spread that anyone who found a uniquely shaped stone would be rewarded with a private residence back at the base.

Within a remarkably short period, the rumor caused an absolute sensation. Driven by the desperate desire to secure a ticket to the base, a massive number of villagers began combing through the wilderness, refusing to halt even when night fell. Judging by the chaotic lights dancing across the ridges, it looked like they were prepared to search straight through until morning.

As for what exactly they were looking for, anyone with a brain could guess the truth.

The entire village was being systematically exploited.

Liu Dongshu had absolutely no intention of relocating a single soul; he was simply writing blank checks, using the naive locals as free labor to help him harvest crystal cores.

When Duan Xiaolin returned from the fields, Pei Xiqing was sitting in the yard, casually plucking green leaves from a stalk. She tossed one to Xiaobai, who immediately began to contentedly nibble on it. The moment the click of the front gate echoed through the yard, Xiaobai’s ears perked up, and he began to wag his tail in excitement.

Pei Xiqing raised her eyes, her lips curving into a warm smile. “Brother Duan, you’re back.”

The man closed the gate behind him and tossed his stained outer coat straight into the laundry room. He rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing the lean, corded muscles of his forearms. His posture remained perfectly straight, his refined demeanor completely unbothered by the heavy agricultural labor he had performed all day.

“Mhm.” He walked over, looking down at her. “Are you hungry?”

“A little. You were slow today; I’ve been waiting for you for ages. I was starting to worry you’d gotten completely addicted to farming.” She had wanted to join him in the fields, but every time she tried, Duan Xiaolin would merely set her up to relax nearby, stubbornly handling the backbreaking work entirely on his own.

Duan Xiaolin’s lips curled into a slight smile. “Did you miss me?”

“Don’t you miss me?” she countered playfully.

Hearing this, the man—who had been on his way to the kitchen—pivoted smoothly. He leaned over, his large hand cupping the back of her head to pull her in, and pressed a deep, hard kiss against her lips. Lowering his eyes, he murmured against her mouth, “If you want me to save some of my energy for tonight, I suggest you eat a heavy dinner.”

Pei Xiqing’s eyelids fluttered violently, and she rapidly averted her gaze from his blunt, smoldering stare. She lowered her head, letting her long hair fall forward across her cheeks to conceal the burning blush painting her skin.

“Let’s go cook,” she stammered, scrambling to her feet. “I’ll help you.”

The two of them worked in flawless harmony within the kitchen. Duan Xiaolin handled the heavy butchery and handled the stove, while she stood beside him washing vegetables and prepping plates. She also took on the self-appointed role of official taster, responsible for sampling the food before it was plated.

Pei Xiqing pinched a piece of freshly cooked, slightly steaming meat and popped it into her mouth, immediately wincing as it scalded the tip of her tongue.

“It’s hot… it’s hot! It’s ready to be served…” she mumbled breathlessly, struggling to swallow.

Seeing that the man was already plating the dish, she leaned back against the edge of the kitchen counter. “Brother Duan, do you still remember Zhang Tian?”

“I remember,” he replied smoothly. His memory had always been immaculate.

“She’s the vice-captain of that visiting squad.”

Duan Xiaolin untied his apron, placing his arms flat against the counter on either side of her, effectively trapping her. He leaned in until they were only a few inches apart, gazing at her leisurely. “So, she’s the commander. What about it?”

Pei Xiqing lightly punched his chest. “Stop pretending. You must have known the moment they arrived, yet you’re still trying to play dumb with me?”

He effortlessly caught her hand, his massive palm enveloping her entire fist. “Alright. And what exactly did the two of you discuss while reminiscing about the past?”

“We haven’t seen each other in ages, so we just caught up on our recent situations.” She proceeded to recount every detail of her conversation with Zhang Tian, before looking up at him curiously. “What do you think?”

“High-tier crystal cores do not manifest with such high frequency in the wasteland,” Duan Xiaolin noted, his eyes narrowing slightly. “They are statistical anomalies. If the phenomenon is unfolding exactly as she described, then there is a fundamental discrepancy in her intelligence.”

“Mhm, I think so too.”

“Don’t lose sleep over it. I’ll personally investigate.”

Pei Xiqing reached up, clutching his collar—accidentally wrinkling the fabric—and looked at him seriously. “You have to be careful. And whatever you find out, you have to tell me. Don’t hide anything from me.”

“Be careful?” The man’s sharp intuition instantly latched onto her underlying anxiety. He tilted her chin up. “What exactly do you know?”

“I don’t know anything,” she lied.

He let out a soft chuckle. “Little liar.”

“Really,” Pei Xiqing insisted, her voice sincere. “I honestly don’t know the exact mechanics of what’s happening.”

“Leave it to me.” Duan Xiaolin easily lifted her down from the counter. “Let’s eat first.”

After dinner, Duan Xiaolin stood by the door. “The perimeter of our plot hasn’t been completely cleared yet. I’ll be back shortly.”

Pei Xiqing watched his broad back, then reached down to pat Xiaobai, who was sitting expectantly at her feet. “Go on, boy. Go protect your dad.”

Xiaobai immediately bolted through the doorway, happily trotting after the man’s long strides.

Left alone, Pei Xiqing rubbed the space between her brows, a heavy sense of unease settling into her chest. This could not possibly be a mere coincidence.

Xiao Yue was dead, yet the miraculous opportunities destined for the protagonist were still manifesting in the world. She just hadn’t expected that a random scavenger from the wasteland would end up picking up the pieces.

What exactly does this mean? she thought, her mind racing. Can the protagonist’s death actually benefit other survivors in the apocalypse?

No, that didn’t make logical sense. The fundamental mechanics of this novel’s world were likely still functioning. The protagonist was dead, but the predetermined plot holes and high-tier resources still existed. Out of the countless scavengers roaming the wasteland, the system would simply elevate someone else to become the next Xiao Yue.

Pei Xiqing felt a dull ache pulsing behind her forehead. Xiao Yue’s swift demise had almost caused her to forget about those world-altering resources. If a core opportunity meant for a specific narrative arc was seized by a volatile wildcard, the long-term risk to their safety would be astronomical.

I’ll have to find a way to approach Liu Dongshu tomorrow, pry the details out of him, and formulate a countermeasure, she resolved.

What she didn’t know was that the exact target of her concerns was currently suffering immensely in a dark, muddy field just beyond the village lines.

Shadow ruthlessly gripped the back of the man’s neck, shoving his face straight into a pool of stagnant, muddy water. The exact moment Liu Dongshu reached the absolute brink of suffocation, Shadow violently yanked him upward by the collar.

The captain looked completely disoriented, coughing violently as mud dripped from his face. Shadow slapped his cheek hard, his voice flat. “If you don’t snap out of it immediately, your next stop will be the subterranean water cells.”

Liu Dongshu completely collapsed into a panicked heap, shrieking hysterically, “I was wrong! Who the hell are you?! I apologize! I won’t do it again! Ahhh! Do you even know who I am? If you offend the base high command, you’re all dead!”

He spat out a mouthful of muddy water, screaming, “I’m going to slaughter you all! Aaaah—gulp, gulp—ptui, ptui, ptui!”

Leaning casually against a nearby tree trunk, Qiu Chao watched the display with an expression of pure, unadulterated amusement. He wandered over toward the man smoking quietly in the shadows, leaning in to steal a light for his own cigarette. Taking a deep drag, he smirked through the smoke. “What’s the emergency, Chief Judge? Why did you suddenly recall me to active duty? Aren’t you supposed to be living the dream out here, playing house and enjoying the company of a beautiful woman? Have you finally remembered that Franlun still exists?”

Duan Xiaolin cast a glacial glance over the rim of his glasses.

Qiu Chao immediately raised his hands, his smile fading. “Just a joke.” He shifted his posture, his expression turning businesslike. Clad in his signature black trench coat and the stark, faceless tactical mask of his unit, he stood on the elevated ridge with his hands tucked into his pockets. “How exactly do you want me to break him?”

“I don’t need you to interrogate him,” Duan Xiaolin stated calmly. “I want you to surgically extract the crystal core from his chest.”

Qiu Chao pulled a pair of heavy medical gloves from his pocket, slipping them on. “That’s easy enough. But if I tear that specific core out, he won’t survive the extraction.”

Forcible crystal extraction was a heinous, lethal procedure that essentially shattered the host’s genetic framework, but executing such brutal directives happened to be Qiu Chao’s specialty. If a core was violently stripped from a living body, the trauma was absolute. The biological agony of the process was ten times more excruciating than having one’s heart carved out of their chest; victims died in sheer torment, and practically no one possessed the fortitude to survive until the final stitch.

“Proceed,” Duan Xiaolin commanded flatly.

“Alright, look here, kid,” Qiu Chao murmured, completely ignoring Liu Dongshu’s terrified shriek and his desperate, thrashing resistance as he screamed about the military base. Qiu Chao calmly pressed his hand flat against the center of the captain’s chest.

Accompanied by a violent surge of eerie, crimson light, Qiu Chao’s energy bypassed the flesh, locking onto the anomalous crystal core embedded deep within the bone structure. The moment his power made contact, Qiu Chao froze in absolute shock.

He snapped his head up, his masked gaze wide with disbelief. “Holy hell… what a monstrous piece of work.”

Duan Xiaolin’s expression remained entirely impassive, as though he had predicted the revelation from the very beginning. “Mhm.”

Qiu Chao’s voice shook slightly. “This high-tier crystal core… its structural frequency is practically identical to the anomaly that the kid named Xiao wielded.”

“I am aware.”

“So, what are your orders?”

The Chief Judge stood quietly in the dark, the thick wisp of smoke curling from his lips partially obscuring his sharp features. His thin lips parted slightly, uttering a single, devastating word.

“Rob it.”

Chapter 201: He Wants It All

Pei Xiqing was fighting to keep her eyes open when Duan Xiaolin finally returned.

Xiaobai had trotted in ahead of him, proudly carrying a flower he’d picked up from somewhere. He trotted over to her, tail wagging like crazy, and dropped it right at her feet. Feeling the commotion, Pei Xiqing opened her eyes, reached out to ruffle his thick fur, and praised, “Good boy.”

Xiaobai leaned into her hand, frantically nudging her palm and giving it a big, sloppy lick. Tickled by his rough tongue, she pulled her hand back with a laugh and looked up just as Duan Xiaolin stepped through the door.

The man walked over, bent down to pick the flower up off the floor, and set it on the table. “He just bites whatever he sees on the road.”

“It’s a potted flower, probably a villager’s pet project. I’ll take it back to the village tomorrow and apologize,” Pei Xiqing said, patting Xiaobai’s head before giving him a stern look. “I told you to go out and protect your dad, so why did you sneak off to steal flowers again?”

Xiaobai let out two low, dramatic howls in defense.

Pei Xiqing turned her attention back to the man. “Did you need my help with the work downstairs? I wanted to go with you.”

“It’s already taken care of.”

“What took you so long, then?”

Pei Xiqing caught a faint, unusual scent clinging to him. It was a subtle metallic tang—the unmistakable smell of dirt and fresh blood mixed together. It wasn’t overpowering, but in a peaceful place like this village, a scent like that stood out instantly. It was faint, but her senses were sharp enough to pick it up.

She lowered her gaze. The man crouched down in front of her, gently taking her hand in his. “Worn out?” he asked softly.

Pei Xiqing shook her head. “You’ve worked so hard, Brother Duan.”

“I prefer this to the endless bureaucracy back at the base,” he replied smoothly. “I do it willingly.”

Pei Xiqing nodded. “I know.”

“Qiu Chao is here,” he added, his tone unhurried.

“Brother Qiu Chao?” Pei Xiqing looked up, surprised. “What is he doing all the way out here?”

“He came to extract the crystal core.”

“We really did need to look into it,” she murmured thoughtfully. “We have to thoroughly investigate what’s going on with that Liu Dongshu.”

As they spoke, the man reached into his pocket and pulled something out.

Pei Xiqing gasped, quickly covering her mouth. “Huh?”

Duan Xiaolin pinched her cheek lightly, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Are you really that surprised?”

“Where did you get this…?” Pei Xiqing reached out and took the light blue crystal core, weighing it in her hand. It felt about as heavy as a standard bottle of water. The core was a striking shade of blue, radiating a brilliant light from the inside out. Its shape was irregular and distinctly bizarre, covered in sharp, spike-like protrusions that made it look a bit like a crystal hedgehog.

Before the man could even answer, her mind raced to a conclusion. “Did you just find it lying around?”

Did Duan Xiaolin just stumble upon a core too?

He gave a dry chuckle. “Not exactly.”

“Ah?”

“Well, suppose you could call it finding it.”

Pei Xiqing reached up, cupping his face with both hands to force him to look at her. “Hmm? Are you trying to lie to me again?”

He let out a helpless smile, yielding to her touch. “It belonged to Liu Dongshu.”

“So he really did have a high-tier core on him.” Pei Xiqing turned the crystal over in her palm, her mind spinning. Liu Dongshu found one, and according to reports, several other scavengers found them too. If anyone out in the wasteland can just stumble across them, then finding them is basically like printing money.

She flashed him a brilliant, mischievous smile, her eyes full of cunning. “If you manage to find a few more of these, won’t we make an absolute fortune?”

“That makes perfect sense,” Duan Xiaolin agreed, nodding solemnly.

Pei Xiqing beamed and planted a quick kiss on his cheek. “That’s amazing.”

His lips curved upward. “You’re that happy?”

“Of course!” She wasn’t about to tell him the real reason behind her excitement. She definitely wouldn’t let him know that these crystals were actually the major, world-altering plot opportunities meant for the novel’s protagonist. If he knew the true scale of it, he’d probably feel incredibly cheated.

Xiao Yue hadn’t had to lift a finger; his entire journey had been paved with effortless windfalls. Stumbling upon these high-tier cores was supposed to rapidly elevate his superpowers to god-like levels. Duan Xiaolin, on the other hand, had tragically lost his superpowers five years ago. She truly found it hard to fathom how a man stripped of his abilities had managed to survive and rule over a base teeming with bloodthirsty betrayals and ruthless schemes.

He was surrounded by wolves, tigers, and leopards at every turn.

“If it pleases you,” he murmured softly, “I’ll go gather some more.”

“Yes, please,” she said earnestly. “It would be incredible if these could help restore and enhance your original abilities.” She paused, looking at him curiously. “Brother Duan, how is your ability recovery actually coming along?”

Come to think of it, she hadn’t actually seen him wield his supernatural powers since they arrived in the valley.

“I’ve recovered about fifty percent.”

“Only fifty percent?”

“Fifty percent is more than enough to handle anything out there,” he replied smoothly.

Pei Xiqing threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. “No way. I’m going to make sure you fully recover to one hundred percent.”

“And why is that?” he asked, a trace of genuine curiosity in his voice.

“Because I refuse to let those arrogant elites back at the base look down on you or whisper trash behind your back.”

The man reached up, gently tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “They won’t.”

The individuals who had dared to speak out of turn back at Base Three had already been permanently silenced.

Pei Xiqing handed the blue crystal back to him.

Duan Xiaolin turned away, unbuttoning his cuffs with practiced ease as he walked slowly toward the bathroom.

Pei Xiqing called out after him, “Brother Duan, the crystal core…”

“You keep it.”

“But I want to use it to boost your strength!” She hurried after him, leaning her shoulder against the bathroom doorframe as she watched him shed his shirt. “Maybe it can push your recovery up by another ten or twenty percent.”

She desperately wanted to add enough power to see Brother Duan’s abilities return to their absolute zenith. She wanted to see just how terrifyingly powerful he truly was at his peak—the legendary figure who, in the original timeline, had single-handedly carved out a desperate glimmer of hope for humanity at the end of days.

“There’s no need,” the man said, tilting his head slightly. “It’s yours.”

“It’s completely useless to me.” She rolled up her sleeves, staring down at her bare arms. “I’m already immune to the zombie virus, and the host parasites don’t seem to affect me either. Forcing a superpower upgrade won’t change anything for me.”

“My own recovery doesn’t depend on absorbing raw crystals anyway.”

“Then what does it depend on?”

The man slowly curled his finger, beckoning her closer.

Pei Xiqing took a few cautious steps forward. Before she could even process his movement, his hand shot out, catching her by the arm and pulling her directly into his space. In one fluid motion, he lifted her off her feet, placing her directly onto the edge of the marble sink.

Duan Xiaolin lowered his gaze, his voice dropping into a raspy whisper. “You’ll figure it out if you bite me a few more times.”

Pei Xiqing’s heart jumped, and she nearly dropped the crystal core in her shock. She frantically caught it against her chest and glared at him, her face burning. “You are completely shameless.”

“I’m entirely serious,” he murmured. He leaned in, cupping her chin to capture her lips in a deep, lingering kiss. Breaking away just an inch, his fingertips lightly brushed against her lips. “When a human experiences intense, visceral pleasure, it triggers a surge in their latent genetic energy. I am no exception.”

“…” Pei Xiqing looked away, unable to withstand his piercing stare. “Are you crazy? Are you telling me it actually feels good when I bite you?”

“Incredibly so.” His gaze darkened as his hand slid down to trace her waist. “And it isn’t just the biting that feels remarkable.”

The sensation was intoxicating, leaving a wave of electric numbness in its wake. Beneath her clothes, the intricate Qiong Snake tattoo on her back began to heat up uncontrollably, reacting to his proximity.

She pressed both hands flat against his firm chest, which felt as solid as solid iron. “I just took a shower, alright? Don’t mess around. I spent forever drying my hair, and I have absolutely no intention of taking another shower with you tonight.”

Every single time she tried to take a bath with him, it devolved into pure chaos. By the end of it, she was always carried out completely exhausted and flushed.

“Do you still want the core or not?” he asked playfully.

“No.” Since it was useless to Duan Xiaolin, she suddenly lost all interest in it. Even though this artifact was a monumental plot opportunity, it was fundamentally coded for Xiao Yue’s progression. Whenever she remembered that the protagonist was destined to wield this power, it left her thoroughly annoyed.

“Then let’s throw it away.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, the man closed his hand around her wrist and casually tossed the rare crystal core out into the air.

“What are you—!” Pei Xiqing’s eyes went wide. She watched in sheer disbelief as the priceless, ultra-rare artifact flew from his hand, struck the tiled floor with a sharp clatter, rolled a few times, and was callously abandoned in a dark corner.

A high-tier crystal core wasn’t easily shattered by physical impact. However, the reckless force of the throw had distinctly cracked and marred its pristine surface.

“Didn’t you say you had no use for it?” He leaned in, planting a tender, lingering kiss at the corner of her eye while his large palm smoothed over the small of her back. “I’ll give you something far better.”

A sudden wave of goosebumps erupted along her skin, and she frantically shifted her head to dodge his scorching kisses. “Wait, wait! Just wait a second! Even if I don’t want it, you shouldn’t just waste it like that. Go pick it up!”

If the elite ability users back at the major bases knew that a legendary, high-tier core was being tossed into a bathroom corner like a piece of garbage, they would literally cry tears of blood over the sheer waste.

Duan Xiaolin merely looked down at her with a lazy, amused expression.

Pei Xiqing pushed against his chest, her voice full of guilty deflection. “Hurry up and grab it…”

“If a treasure is retrieved, it must be utilized,” he noted smoothly. “Having it around is always a benefit.”

“Yes, exactly! I’m glad you see it my way…”

Duan Xiaolin finally released his hold on her waist, bending down toward the floor to retrieve the fallen stone. The exact second he shifted his weight, the woman seized her golden opportunity, scrambling off the sink to push past him.

Duan Xiaolin raised an eyebrow, deliberately slowing his movements. By the time he straightened back up, her fleeting figure had already slipped through the doorway and vanished down the hall.

He lowered his head, a soft, low chuckle escaping his lips. He reached up to remove his wire-rimmed glasses, setting them calmly on the shelf. Without them, the domestic warmth vanished instantly, and the terrifying, icy calculation of Franlun’s Chief Judge reclaimed his features.

In the palm of his hand, his grip tightened. With a sickening, effortless crunch, the high-tier crystal core was instantly crushed into a fine, lifeless powder.

Whether an opportunity belonged to the destined path of this world or not, he didn’t care. If it existed, he would take it all.

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