Apocalyptic Extraordinary Convoy, I'm really not weird!

The tent was quiet for a moment, except for the slurping sounds of Old Zhao eating and drinking.

"It's uncertain whether that convoy can shake off the strange entity."

Chen Shou raised his head and glanced at the three of them.

"If they manage to shake them off, or if they veer off course in a strange way, then it's fine."

But if they fail to shake it off, and even bring the strange creature to our vicinity...

Or, to put it another way, if they manage to shake them off, should we wait here and try to make contact?

Su Ye looked at the road leading to the riverbank on the map and asked:

"Captain Chen, can't your senses directly 'see' people or convoys?"

Chen Shou shook his head and spoke without the slightest embarrassment:

"With my current peak first-tier abilities, I can only clearly sense the unique energy fluctuations of the strange creatures and accurately determine their distance from us."

As for seeing people and convoys, I can't sense them now, and I can't even sense the environment.

"Perhaps my perception will become more refined after I advance to the second tier, but not now."

"I think it's worth contacting!"

Old Zhao placed the empty tin can on the table, rubbed his hands together, and a shrewd glint in his eyes.

"We got a lot of supplies this time. If the other side were a convoy, they might have something we need but can't get, and we could trade for it!"

Especially the "strange artifacts," those are extremely rare and hard to come by.

Lin Wei lightly tapped the table with her fingertips, and her clear, cool voice rang out:

"If the opponent is able to escape from two strange pursuers, it means that they are not bad in terms of strength and luck."

Making contact and exchanging intelligence and information would be more beneficial than harmful.

I agree.

Su Ye did not immediately express his opinion.

He was actually more interested in the two strange creatures that had been aroused, as they were the moving source of "strange power".

Although the battle against the bizarre beehive was painful, the gains were enormous, giving him a taste of success.

He craved battle, he craved to devour.

But reason also reminded him:

The eerie beehive was an exception, and it was precisely the ability of him and Old Zhao that countered it.

If the strange phenomenon that appears is the kind that attacks the target body, is speed-based, or even the most bizarre rule-based type,

None of them were a match for them; escaping might be the best outcome.

"Contact is permitted."

Su Ye's gaze fell on the two marks on the map.

"But we must be prepared."

In case they don't shake off the strange entity and instead attract it, we need a contingency plan, at least an escape route.

Chen Shou nodded, clearly having considered this point long ago:

"That's natural."

Old Liu has already gone to check the vehicle's fuel level and condition.

We'll stay here for another hour to see how things develop.

If the other convoy shakes off those two weirdos in an hour, we'll wait here for them to make contact.

If things don't go well...

He paused, then drew a line westward on the map with his finger:

"We'll head west immediately. This stretch of road is right in the middle of those eerie places, so we won't be detected by them."

Everyone, remain vigilant and be ready to depart at any time.

Once the plan was set, none of them had any further objections.

Chen Shou's final words:

"Go back and prepare everything. Load what needs to be loaded onto the vehicle and secure what needs to be secured. Don't be caught off guard later."

Su Ye followed Old Zhao and Lin Wei out of the tent.

The sun was even stronger than before, and most of the survivors in the camp were still going about their daily work or resting, unaware of the impending changes.

Chen Shou returned to the top of the armored personnel carrier and turned on the loudspeaker. The somewhat distorted sound instantly spread throughout the entire riverbank:

Attention everyone!

The noisy campsite seemed to have been silenced, and countless eyes turned to the roof of the vehicle.

"The situation has changed."

An unknown convoy is operating in the east, and it has already attracted strange attention.

For safety reasons, all personnel are to enter standby mode.

He paused, giving his subordinates some time to process the information.

"You have one hour to begin."

Pack up all personal belongings, check each vehicle, and load and secure necessary supplies.

Make sure you can leave at any time.

One hour later, act on my orders.

They might continue resting and recuperating, or they might be transferred immediately.

"To reiterate: Be ready to depart at any time in one hour!"

After the voice faded, the camp was silent for a second, then various voices of discussion arose.

"What? Wasn't it supposed to be a two-day rest?"

"It's only been one day! My clothes aren't even dry yet!"

"Has something strange been lured here from the east? Could it be heading our way?"

"Stop talking nonsense! Pack up! Do you want to stay and feed the monsters?"

Complaints, panic, and urging voices mingled together.

But after a brief period of panic, most people immediately took action.

The instinct for survival in the apocalypse overcame inertia.

Some people hurriedly gathered up the clothes and bedding that had just been hung out to dry;

Some people rushed to their makeshift tents or shelters, gathering their scattered belongings and stuffing them into their backpacks and bags;

Those with cars were busy moving supplies that had been placed outside their vehicles back into them.

Many others, as if suddenly realizing something, gathered all the water containers around them.

The plastic bottles, kettles, and other water containers that had been deliberately left behind were rushed to the riverbank, where people scrambled to fill them with water.

Water is a lifeline, and no one knows when they will be able to stay by a safe water source again.

The entire camp was like a hornet's nest that had been poked; it was busy, noisy, and filled with a tense anxiety.

Ignoring the chaos around him, Su Ye went straight back to his silver-gray van.

Open the car door, sit in the driver's seat, insert the key, and turn it.

The engine emitted a low, powerful roar, vibrated a few times, and then ran steadily.

Great, the battery and ignition system are currently working fine.

He shifted into first gear, gently released the clutch, and accelerated, causing the bread cart to move slowly forward.

The steering wheel is a bit heavy, the gear shifts are slightly stiff, and the brakes are a bit soft—typical characteristics of a cheap, old vehicle.

But the overall frame and transmission seem to be okay; at least it can move.

He drove the car slowly around the relatively open gravel ground at the edge of the campsite a couple of times to familiarize himself with the steering, accelerator, and brake pedals, as well as the approximate size of the car and his field of vision.

That's enough; it's much better than that electric scooter.

Park the car back in its original position and turn off the engine.

Instead of getting out of the car, he closed his eyes, focused his mind on his body, and communicated with the [alternative] sequence within his consciousness.

"Strengthen physical fitness."

Concentrate your mind.

[Consuming 100 points of Mystic Power, performing a second physical enhancement.]

That familiar chill washed over my entire body once again.

The muscle fibers seemed to groan silently, then became even denser;

A subtle tingling sensation spread deep within my bones, as if they were quietly thickening.

With the fascia stretched, the internal organs also seemed to receive a touch of warmth and nourishment.

[Consuming 100 points of Mystic Power, performing the third physical enhancement.]

[The fourth time...]

[The fifth time...]

He didn't pause, his mind continuously confirming the connection.

Each enhancement is like quenching a red-hot iron billet in ice water; the process is brief but brings a clear sense of increased power.

Unlike the first growth, the continuous and intensive reinforcement is like overlapping waves, each one higher than the last.

He could feel his power steadily increasing.

The body's flexibility and coordination are also improving in tandem. The lightness and sense of control that were already far beyond ordinary people after awakening are now even more effortless.

He could even faintly hear the sound of blood rushing through his enhanced blood vessels, more vibrant and stronger.

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