A Post-Apocalyptic Journey to Another World

As Zhang Xi turned at a traffic light, two heavily armed soldiers blocked his way. One of the older soldiers saluted and said, "It's dangerous ahead, you can't go any further. Why are you still out so late? Shouldn't you go home?"

Zhang Xi's expression had turned fearful. He asked, "What's going on up ahead? I just got off my night shift and was on my way home. I saw a lot of soldiers and heard gunfire. What happened? Is there a war? Will I still be able to get home?" He looked into the distance, where a huge fissure, at least twenty meters high, stood, clearly visible despite its distance. The sounds of gunfire were also extremely intense.

The soldier stepped forward and said, "Go home quickly. As long as you don't wander around outside, you're safe. Trust the People's Army. Someone will explain what happened to you tomorrow. Now, take a detour and go home."

"Alright!" Zhang Xi said, pretending to be flustered as he led the fox away, glancing reluctantly at the huge rift as they walked, thinking that's where the good stuff would come from.

When Zhang Xi arrived at the urban village, most people had already received the warning from the military police's loudspeaker and had retreated back into their houses; there were very few people left outside. He changed his clothes, parked his car, and hurried home.

Unexpectedly, he ran into his parents on the street outside the residential area. It turned out that the two elderly people had been awakened by the gunshots and found their son missing. They went out to look for him, but after the military police broadcast a warning of danger, they didn't go home. Instead, they ran to a place even further away from home to search. Fortunately, they bumped into Zhang Xi.

Zhang Xi was severely reprimanded for going out to watch something so dangerous! He happily endured the scolding and returned home.

As for the raccoon dog, they said it was a baby they had found. Zhang Lei and Han Caiping took a great liking to it, immediately comforting it with treats and toys. This made Zhang Xi a little jealous; what could he do? Cute creatures were all the rage!

……

The next morning, the family got up early. Actually, none of them had slept much; there had been so much to do the night before. Han Caiping was busy making breakfast, while Zhang Lei turned on the TV and computer to find the latest information. Zhang Xize and Li chatted in their room.

Amber lay on the other side of the bed. After last night's struggle, Amber was much more alert. Its fur had also darkened a bit. Zhang Xi racked his brains trying to figure out what had caused this. Amber hadn't done anything except show off its arousal the whole time, even though it had been nestled in his arms.

It's good that the puppy has regained its spirits; let's leave it for now. Zhang Xi looked at a fiery red bead in his hand and asked, "What's this? An inner core?" He was asking the raccoon. This small bead was the "treasure" he had dug out of the raccoon's corpse.

The raccoon looked at Zhang Xi with its big, watery eyes, as if he were a country bumpkin. Without a word, it took the bead in its left hand and a small glass bottle in its right, and began to crush the bead into tiny pieces, the powder falling into the bottle. It then poured in some water, shook it, and handed it to Zhang Xi, saying, "All done!"

Zhang Xi sniffed the bottle opening, but there was no smell. Curious, he asked, "What's the use of this?"

The raccoon raised its little head and said, "I named it 'Illusory Reality'! It's a hallucinogenic drug! Drinking it will make your wishes come true!"

"So, I can become a superhuman if I want to?" Zhang Xi clearly didn't believe it.

Tanuki tilted her head and said, "It's a hallucinogenic drug. After drinking it, you'll think you're a superhuman, and others will think so too, but that doesn't mean you're actually a superhuman. The effect of the hallucinogenic drug is to create a permanent, deceptive illusion that fools everyone."

"It's really similar to your style." Zhang Xi was already starting to consider how to use this thing.

……

Huang Lin has been in a very bad mood these past few days. Since the monster siege incident two days ago, the actress hasn't contacted him again. Why would she contact him if she's not even filming anymore? At the same time, with the sudden surge in prices, Huang Lin's cash and stock assets have shrunk significantly.

"Ring ring ring," the phone rang again just as Huang Linzhong was worrying. It was the same ringtone that had always both excited and dreaded him. He quickly answered, saying, "Hello, is this the Immortal?"

"Yes, I'm listening!"

"Right in the landscaped woods near the entrance of the residential area?"

"Okay, I'll go right away!"

Huang Lin hung up the phone and rushed out of the room. Soon, panting, he arrived at the dense forest and, sure enough, saw the immortal in his robes and the celestial beast. It was the second time he'd seen the beast, but Huang Lin still couldn't help but exclaim from the bottom of his heart, "So beautiful! Majestic and elegant!"

He rushed over, knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly, saying, "Immortal, I was too slow to greet you, please forgive me!"

"How's the thing I asked you to find coming along?" Zhang Xi's voice became hoarse and shrill again.

Huang Lin lowered his head, his eyes darting around, and said, "Immortal, I've heard about what you mentioned. Some of the spoils of war from the army during the recent monster incidents included some, and Minister Gao could get his hands on some, but my relationship with Minister Gao isn't that close. If there aren't enough incentives, I'm afraid he won't help me!"

After saying this, Huang Lin carefully waited for the immortal's reaction. After waiting for a long time without any response, he continued, "Moreover, I haven't found anything similar to the ice grass you described."

“If you don’t have Ice Grass, Snow Lotus can be used as a substitute, but the amount will need to be increased tenfold,” Zhang Xi said. Actually, there are a few things and places on Earth that also contain primordial energy, but it’s extremely rare.

After saying that, Zhang Xi took out a small bottle from under his robe. The bottle contained a fiery red liquid. He handed the bottle to Huang Lin and said, "Try drinking some."

Huang Lin was overjoyed. He raised his hands above his head, caught the small bottle, and carefully drank a little. A strange scene unfolded: Huang Lin's appearance changed visibly. His eye bags gradually disappeared, his balding hair slowly grew back, and his skin gradually tightened. In less than ten seconds, Huang Lin transformed from a chubby old man in his fifties into a young man in his thirties.

Huang Lin first touched his face, then pulled out a small mirror from somewhere and looked at himself. He suddenly screamed, then quickly covered his mouth. Tears streamed down his face. He asked, "Immortal! Could this be..."

When Zhang Xi saw the small mirror, he couldn't help but feel a chill. This old man actually carried a small mirror with him! What a narcissist! And his greatest wish was to become younger! He suppressed a laugh and casually said, "This is holy water, capable of restoring twenty years of lifespan. It's not easy to make. It's only effective the first time you take it. Here, take the rest. You know how to use it, right?"

"Yes, yes, I know, I know. It's a good deal for that kid surnamed Gao!" Huang Lin was actually a little reluctant.

Zhang Xi comforted Huang Lin, saying, "As long as you do your job well, this holy water is nothing." After saying that, he sent Huang Lin off to take care of important business.

Huang Lin agreed repeatedly and left the scenic forest. As he walked, he held the small bottle in his hand and thought to himself, "That kid surnamed Gao still has half a bottle left after drinking it. I have to make good use of it."

After Huang Lin walked away, Amber flashed a red light and transformed back into a raccoon. The raccoon was clearly in a good mood; it was almost laughing. Zhang Xi looked at it and asked, "What are you laughing at? What's making you so happy?"

Tanuki said, "I love seeing other people get scammed. I can't help but feel happy when I see these things!"

“That’s quite a peculiar hobby.” Zhang Xi said, removing his robe and the prank voice-changing sticker. He then took out a small bag from behind a tree stump, stuffed the robe inside, and said, “Let’s go. It’s already dark, and Mom and Dad will worry if it’s too late.”

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