Wasteland for All: I Can Infinitely Upgrade My Vault

Upon hearing Zhuque's voice, Zhongli immediately went over, and the others gathered around as well. They saw Zhuque squatting beside the massive body of the Crimson-Eater Bat, using a dagger to dissect an irregular lump of flesh on the monster's back.

The surface of the tumor was covered with disgusting granulation tissue, which seemed to be constantly wriggling. However, when the tumor was cut open with a dagger, a crystal the size of a fist was revealed.

The crystals are deep red, as if they contain thick blood, yet they emit a refreshing fragrance and a heart-pounding vibration.

"This is..." Zhong Li's pupils shrank, and he felt his chest was being suppressed by this fluctuation, and his heart was pounding violently.

"The Crimson Core." Zhuque's eyes narrowed slightly, flashing with a solemn light. "This is the energy source of the Crimson-Eroded Creatures, and the root cause of their mutation."

"What's the use of this thing?" Zhong Li asked, frowning. Facing this thing, he felt extremely uncomfortable from the inside out, as if he were facing a distorted and warped source of radiation.

Zhuque looked up at Zhongli, her long, bright phoenix eyes narrowing slightly: "It's still not fully understood. But I think if you want to save the Holy Maiden, you must figure out the secret of the Crimson Core. Perhaps then you can find a way to fight the Crimson Creatures, and maybe even reverse this apocalyptic fate."

Zhong Li was slightly surprised. Was there a loophole in her statement? "Your research hasn't made any progress, so how do you know that the secret of the Crimson Core is the key to fighting the Crimson?"

Zhuque reached out and retrieved a collapsed crystal key from the side of her plump, rounded buttocks. Her alluring eyes, slightly upturned, stared sharply at the scarlet crystal core, her expression more solemn than ever before: "Because every time we reach a crucial point in our research on this thing, it's as if an invisible hand interrupts everything. Terrifying claws covered in red hair reach out from the dark void and take away this scarlet core."

"How...how is this possible?" This is too bizarre! It completely defies the laws of materialism!

Zhuque didn't say much, but used the Collapsed Crystal Key to gather the Crimson Core and put it into Zhongli's hand.

Zhong Li wanted to ask her what she meant, but the next moment his eyes narrowed and his pupils trembled violently.

Suddenly, a grotesque claw covered in terrifying red fur appeared inside the collapsed key, which should have been completely sealed. It grabbed the Crimson Core and took it away. Before leaving, it used two claws to leave a white epiphyllum flower inside the collapsed key.

Zhong Li instantly felt a chill run down his spine, as if an eerie aura was assailing him from all directions, causing him to shiver involuntarily: "What is this?"

It could have taken it without anyone noticing, yet it chose this blatant method, as if telling everyone that it had taken it! It was both a declaration and a direct, overwhelming threat. Its terror and eeriness rivaled that of an ominous ghost, directly announcing its presence in a bloody and horrific way.

Suzaku calmly opened the Collapsed Crystal Key, took out the pure and white Epiphyllum flower from it, and said, "The Collapsed Epiphyllum flower, no one has ever known its origin or source. Its powerful vitality and unique adaptability are beyond our comprehension."

"What is its purpose?" The peculiar species of the epiphyllum was enough to attract Zhongli's attention. They were pure white and flawless, and only bloomed dreamlike under the bright moonlight at night. The story of the epiphyllum's fleeting appearance further enhanced its dreamlike quality. In the current wasteland, it was inevitable that people would associate it with the bright moon.

"After consuming, Special Protection +1."

Suzaku's calm voice immediately stirred up a violent wave in Zhongli's heart: Special Protection +1! This is the most precious attribute in the wasteland.

Even someone as powerful as Suzaku, despite being a champion-level being, did not receive special protection.

If any one of these Red Dragon Knights Tactical Squad members were granted special protection, even just 1 point, it would be an unparalleled boost to their performance in the upcoming battle!

The roars of monsters in the distance rang out again. The saintess's blood was fatally attractive to them, so they all rushed madly in that direction. However, the difference in distance caused them to arrive at slightly different times.

With battle imminent once again, Zhongli took a deep breath, walked up to Hongluan with the [Bloody Pineal Gland] and [Collapsed Ephemeral Flower], gazed at her beautiful face, and said, "Eat them all."

Hongluan asked in surprise, "For me? Why not for Captain Zhuque?"

"That's right, here you go. Eat it immediately." Zhong Li said calmly, "Only by giving it to you can we maximize our combat power."

Giving the collapsed epiphyllum to Hongluan was not because Zhongli had a special fondness for this aloof yet gentle girl, but rather because it was the best choice Zhongli made after careful consideration.

"We are now in dire straits. Only by making the most of every resource and seizing every opportunity can we possibly find that one and only path to survival amidst countless hopeless outcomes. Your completion of the [Champion of Glory] challenge and advancement to Champion level is crucial for both us and the Holy Maiden!"

If you give the medicine to Suzaku, the sanctuary will still only have one champion-level soldier and three elite-level soldiers, while if you give it to Hongluan, the territory will have two champion-level soldiers and two elite-level soldiers. The choice is obvious!

[At this point, I hope readers will remember our domain name 12199.99]

Upon hearing this, Hongluan immediately activated both the Bloodstained Pineal Gland and the Collapsed Ephemeral Flower without hesitation, her tone cold yet exceptionally firm: "I will definitely complete the Glory Challenge and protect everyone in the shelter."

[Ding! Your words have gained an encouragement effect, increasing the loyalty of your subjects by 5 (currently 85)]

Zhongli smiled. Hongluan's loyalty was exceptionally high, beyond imagination, almost higher than the combined loyalty of everyone else Zhongli knew!

So Zhongli smiled and said, "Very good, I firmly believe you will be able to complete it successfully. I'm waiting for you to come back and continue examining the legs."

Hongluan looked at him with her usual cold gaze, but this time she responded with a soft "hmm," as if they had reached an intimate agreement.

She then picked up her blade-blasting gun and walked toward the protective wall.

10 meters! She must ensure she fires at this distance so that the bullets can penetrate the shattered special force field shield and hit the monster's body. Then, before the monster rushes within five meters, she must switch to the Bloodstained Spear and launch a preemptive attack.

Only in this way can she have a sliver of a chance of winning. Therefore, a high vantage point that is difficult for monsters to climb is extremely important to her!

During the challenge, the others in the shelter will not offer her any assistance unless she is besieged by a large number of monsters.

Seeing Hongluan's thin and lonely figure in the crimson mist, Zhongli had no time for sorrow and immediately threw himself into the next task. In this apocalypse, everyone was fighting with all their might to survive; only by moving forward could they find a glimmer of hope.

He must immediately strengthen his combat capabilities in order to lead everyone to create miracles.