Crossing the wilderness to survive, starting with a broken kitchen knife.

Zhang Shi and his group were not given any special attention by the earth beasts. They acted like gentlemen on the beams, climbing over the eaves and walls, and evacuated to a safe area without any danger. However, this trip to the City Lord's Mansion did not yield any results, but Zhang Shi was seriously injured.

Seeing the black-robed figure was proving difficult to deal with, and Zhang Shi already injured, Zhao Feng suggested returning to recover for a while, but Zhang Shi objected. While the ostensible target of this trip was the old woman, the real purpose was to resolve Wu Qing's situation, and Zhang Shi didn't want to delay any further. After all, no one wanted to have a fierce ghost constantly around.

"Let's wait until the beasts have subsided, then we can return to the City Lord's Mansion. I guess those black-robed men won't expect us to come back, so there shouldn't be any more trouble."

Although Zhang Shi's decision was a bit risky, everyone understood the urgency and agreed. They found a secluded abandoned house as a temporary base. Although the house was shabby, it could barely shelter them from the wind and rain, providing a safe environment for them to rest and recuperate.

Wu Qing took out some simple medical supplies from her backpack and carefully treated Zhang Shi's back wound. Her technique was both professional and gentle, but it couldn't relax Zhang Shi's tense nerves.

After treating the wound, Wu Qing took out a bottle of light green potion from her backpack.

"This is a recovery potion I specially made. Although it can't instantly heal serious injuries, it can speed up wound healing and reduce the risk of infection. Drink it and it will help you regain some strength."

Wu Qing's voice was soft yet firm, her eyes revealing concern and gratitude for Zhang Shi. Zhang Shi took the potion and drank it without hesitation. He felt a warm current flow down his throat, quickly spreading throughout his body, and his fatigue and pain seemed to ease slightly. Ge Dalong, standing nearby, occasionally glanced at the two of them, clearly concerned about Wu Qing.

Suddenly, a huge earthquake even stronger than before came from the direction of the City Lord's Mansion, followed by a terrifying long roar. An invisible shock wave spread from underground toward the outside of the city, knocking Zhang Shi and his companions to the ground without any preparation, and even upturned the foundation of the dilapidated house they were in.

Before they could react, a system prompt appeared in their minds simultaneously.

Ding, the second stage goal is achieved, and the reward is the free teleportation function within the Fog City.

Zhang Shi and the others looked at each other, clearly surprised by this sudden system notification. Phase 2 objective achieved? They hadn't done anything yet, so how could they have already achieved it?

Ge Dalong frowned and immediately thought of the key.

"We used the zombie virus to deal with those invisible monsters before. After the earth beast appeared, it devoured all the monsters infected with the virus. I guess it also turned into zombies."

Everyone sighed, they didn't expect that they had solved a difficult problem inadvertently.

However, after the shock wave from the City Lord's Mansion, the movements of the earth beasts seemed to have become much smaller, replaced by a strange calm.

"The beasts on the ground are infected with the zombie virus. I'm afraid something big has happened in this city."

Zhao Feng stood up, dusted himself off, and stared towards the City Lord's Mansion with a serious expression.

"Either way, this could be an opportunity for us."

Zhang Shi struggled to stand up. Although the wound on his back was aching slightly from the impact, his eyes were resolute. "While the earth beasts and the black-robed men are in chaos, we must act quickly."

Ge Dalong and Wu Qing quickly adjusted themselves and prepared to set off again. Before leaving, Wu Qing pulled out a few more explosives from her backpack and distributed them to everyone in case of emergency.

Utilizing the newly acquired free teleportation function within the City of Mist, Zhang Shi and his group teleported directly to a hidden alley near the City Lord's Mansion, avoiding the chaotic area directly ahead. They approached the Mansion cautiously, only to find that the once spectacular scenery was now a mess. The blood of many black-robed men spilled onto the ground, but no corpses remained, evidently devoured by the earth beasts.

"It turns out that this earth beast and the invisible monster are not the same kind of people."

Ge Dalong analyzed in a low voice while observing his surroundings vigilantly.

Zhang Shi nodded, secretly glad that this situation undoubtedly reduced their resistance. They continued along the ruins and finally arrived at the courtyard where they had encountered the black-robed man. At this moment, the courtyard was empty.

"Since my mother-in-law left clues, it means she should still be deep in the mansion. We have to speed up." Zhang Shi said, and took the lead to walk towards the depths of the mansion.

As they went deeper, the surrounding decorations became more and more luxurious. For some reason, many decorations were not affected by the previous impacts at all and remained intact and beautiful.

Zhang Shi, seeing the scene before him, guessed that they had clearly approached the core area of ​​the City Lord's Mansion. Suddenly, a faint cry came from not far away. Zhang Shi and the others immediately became alert and cautiously approached the source of the sound.

In an ornately decorated room, they found a monster with a human head and a centaur body. The monster's face was that of a young girl, huddled in a corner, her head in her hands, her face filled with fear and despair. Before her lay a shattered altar, littered with black crystals and runes, clearly used for some ritual.

"You...who are you?"

The centaur girl looked up and saw Zhang Shi and others, and asked in a trembling voice.

Zhang Shi did not answer, but looked directly at the other party and asked back.

"Tell me, what is the connection between you, the black-robed man, and the earth beast?"

The girl trembled, seeming to deny it, but under the resolute gaze of Zhang Shi and the others, she finally spoke the truth. It turned out that she was from a clan of centaurs from a mysterious realm. In pursuit of immortality and power, this lineage colluded with invisible entities and contrived to enter the City of Mist, attempting to use the power of the City of Mist and the Earth Beasts to perform forbidden rituals.

However, as time went on, they discovered that the preparations made by their tribe were completely ineffective. The life level of the earth beasts was very high, far beyond their ability to plan, and they, the outsiders, were trapped and died in the foggy city.

The top leaders of the invisible monsters discovered that the monsters they introduced were not capable of helping them achieve their goals, so they took the initiative and gradually controlled them, turning them into pawns in their hands.

"I...I just want to survive..."

The girl's voice was crying and full of fear.

Zhang Shi looked at the girl in front of him and did not easily believe her story. He just stared at him intently.

"Now, you have the opportunity to make a choice. Tell us more about the black-robed man and the earth beast, and we will have a way to help you escape."