Chapter 121: Preparations Before Setting Sail

Chapter 121

Country A extended an invitation to the remaining major powers of the world, proposing a joint scientific effort to develop an antidote for the zombie virus. After more than half a year of research, progress remained limited. Following intense discussions, it was ultimately decided that Longsheng Base would take the lead by issuing a mission announcement to survivor bases worldwide, inviting psychics of Level Four and above to participate in this multinational escort operation.

Thanks to the Light Water provided earlier by Mei, Longsheng had successfully removed the deathly aura from the potency-enhancing and awakening elixirs. These potions were now being sold extensively. Instead of requiring contribution points, buyers needed to pay with crystalline stones harvested from within zombies.

This shift not only caused a surge of hopefuls vying to enter Longsheng Base—making it the largest base in the nation—but also, within just a few months, the crystalline stones replaced contribution points as the standard currency among the various bases.

For this mission, the higher authorities aimed to underscore their respect for the scientists involved by offering generous rewards of potions, thus attracting high-level psychics to join the endeavor.

Given the tight schedule, participants were instructed not to gather at Longsheng Base itself but at a nearby Dawnlight Base, located not far from the coast, where they would board the ship from the adjacent port.

When Mei and her companions arrived at Dawnlight Base, it was already the final day for assembly. Boarding the ship, they were stunned to find the deck packed with nearly a thousand people.

"Knowing full well this mission is nearly a death sentence, why are so many still willing to take part?" Mei tugged at the hood of her cloak, staring in disbelief at the throng.

"Some have no other choice; others are here to gamble everything. After all, Longsheng Base is making a major investment this time, and the rewards are being distributed upfront. Most likely, many believe they won't be the unlucky ones," Mo Chen replied casually, idly toying with the potion received upon boarding.

"Gamble? If the ship sinks, can these psychics, averaging below Level Five, really survive the depths of the sea by sheer will? Don't you all regret this? The ship hasn't even set sail yet—there's still time to back out!" Mei turned to the others, urging them once more.

Indeed, it was not just Mo Chen; the entire Reverse Squad had mobilized. On the journey to Dawnlight Base, Mei had repeatedly advised them to reconsider, but all had come nonetheless.

An Zi You explained that his family had perished before the apocalypse, and aside from this group of friends, he had no remaining relatives or acquaintances. Staying behind held no meaning, so he preferred to explore the universe with Mei.

Lin Shaojie’s story was similar: raised by his grandmother after his parents divorced, but she turned into a zombie at the outbreak’s onset. His parents had long been absent even before the apocalypse, and he never intended to search for them. With nothing to cling to, traveling with Mei to see the stars seemed a better choice.

As for Qu Wenyuan, she had no one else to rely on in this world but her companions. More importantly, she longed to return home, something she couldn’t manage alone; perhaps other planets held a way to send her back.

Since none of these individuals had strong ties to this planet, Mei had no objections to their coming. The only exception was Ye Jingxuan, who left her uncertain how to handle him.

He had a father, and their relationship was not bad. As the heir to the Ye family, could he truly abandon his responsibilities without remorse?

Mei couldn’t quite put into words how she felt when she learned he was no longer the Young Master of the Ye family. A strange mixture of happiness and guilt left her unsure how to persuade him to leave.

“Ah Ye, have you really made up your mind? If you regret this, there’s still time to turn back!” Mei asked one last time.

“My promise remains unchanged,” Ye Jingxuan said without hesitation.

Mei gazed at his sharply defined face, hearing him repeat what once sounded like a joke—the promise he made when he followed her into the chasm, protecting her with his own body, and the memory of him battered and bruised defending her in that small village—all resurfaced vividly.

She wrapped her arms around him, burying her face in his chest softly. “This is your last chance. Since you refuse to seize it, I won’t accept any regrets from you later.”

“I won’t regret it,” Ye Jingxuan returned her embrace firmly, his tone resolute.

“All personnel participating in the mission, please assemble in the dining hall! All personnel participating in the mission, please assemble in the dining hall! All personnel participating in the mission, please assemble in the dining hall!”

At that moment, the announcement blared through the speakers.

The crowd on deck began moving toward the ship’s dining hall.

“Let’s go too,” Mei said, but she did not release her hold on Ye Jingxuan.

For some reason, she especially wanted to be held by him now, like when it was just the two of them and he carried her through the journey.

Seeing her reluctant to move, Ye Jingxuan lifted her into his arms, seating her comfortably. With one hand, he adjusted her cloak to shield her ears from prying eyes. Mei rested her head on his shoulder, gazing absently at his profile.

Since the mission when they had briefly separated from the others, Mo Chen and the rest noticed Mei’s dependence on Ye Jingxuan had grown markedly. Such intimate gestures were no longer unusual. Except Mo Chen, who felt half his privilege had been shared away, the others had grown accustomed to it.

As for Shiriel, she seemed to ignore the scene entirely, cloaked identically to Mei, and was the first to head toward the dining hall.

When they arrived, the hall was already full. They found a corner seat and settled in.

Shortly after, a group entered. Among them were three or four in military uniforms; the rest were mostly elderly men with graying hair. Only a handful were younger, perhaps in their forties.

Nestled in Ye Jingxuan’s embrace, Mei’s hood shadowed her face, revealing a look of surprise as she recognized one of them.

“Didn’t expect to see him again! Isn’t there anyone else at Longsheng Base? How come every mission has him?” Mei whispered, eyeing the man in uniform—Ling Feng.

“Who knows? I heard at Longsheng he’s a major but wields enormous power, second only to the three generals there. Looks like he’s leading this team again. By the way, has his contract been terminated?” Mo Chen asked.

“Not yet. But the contract never had a set expiration, so he’s not in breach. Though he looks quite worn out,” Mei shook her head.

She wondered if his fatigued state was related to the contract. Although her own illness wasn’t cured by Longsheng, they had tried their best. She resolved to find a chance to help him free himself from it.

Lost in thought, Ling Feng stepped forward to speak.

“I believe everyone here knows the mission’s details. The experts beside me are the ones you are to protect: specialists in medical biology and related fields. To crack the zombie virus and end the apocalypse, we rely on them. Therefore, I urge you all to protect them with your utmost effort. Even if not for yourselves, consider your family and friends—you wouldn’t want them living forever under the shadow of zombies.”

Ling Feng scanned the assembled psychics, his gaze lingering momentarily on Mo Chen, Ye Jingxuan, and their group in the corner.

“Our destination is Country A. Based on pre-apocalypse routes, it will take about a week to arrive. However, with frequent earthquakes and tsunamis, the route may need adjustment, so arrival time is uncertain. Due to limited space, we carry minimal food—only one free meal per day is provided. The rest must be self-supplied or purchased.”

“Furthermore, we are all on this ship together. Should any problem arise, no one can escape. I trust none here expect to reap benefits without contributing.”

Ling Feng looked around, ensuring his words were understood, then continued:

“The ship is piloted by professionals. To avoid unnecessary risks, the bridge, engine room, and lower decks are strictly off-limits. Anyone attempting unauthorized entry will be deemed a threat and dealt with immediately. No excuses will be accepted.”

Having delivered these points, Ling Feng paused, waited for questions, and seeing none, added:

“The ship will depart in half an hour. Anyone wishing to withdraw may do so now by surrendering all potions and supplies received at boarding. Otherwise, please return to your rooms. We will recount all onboard. Room keys were distributed at boarding—please keep them safe. All future supplies will be allocated by room; without a key, no one in the room will receive anything.”

After completing the briefing, Ling Feng led the experts away.

Mei and her companions followed the crowd into the ship’s cabins. Their room was modest, furnished with four bunk beds and a single table. To attend to personal needs, they had to walk down the corridor to the far end of the deck.

As dusk settled, a knock came at the door. As expected, Ling Feng had come to visit.

(To be continued.)