C22 Zombie(2)

He had finally come to understand.

The rise of zombies might spell disaster for humanity, but for him, it was a golden opportunity—an unfettered chance to break through his current limits.

What was most crucial was that this chance was his alone, for only he could absorb Innate Qi. Even if others stumbled upon the red crystals within the zombies, they would find them worthless.

He pondered the possibility that if zombies existed on Earth, there must be a source of Innate Qi sustaining them. Should he find this source, he could potentially tap into an endless supply of Innate Qi.

"I need to get out of the city," Yang Huang concluded. His actions had already drawn the gaze of numerous Evolvers in the vicinity.

His method of dispatching the zombies was too efficient, and the use of a talisman was a novel concept. People began to recall legends that zombies were susceptible to such charms.

Yang Huang didn't linger. He needed to find a secluded spot to absorb the Dark Red Crystal, but someone was intent on stopping him.

"Give up the red object, and you're free to go," a chilling voice reached his ears as a man shrouded in lightning appeared.

Behind him stood five heavily armed soldiers, their weapons capable of significant destruction.

"Kid, I'm not sure how you managed to kill that creature, but whatever you took from it needs to be surrendered to our organization," the Thunder Lightning Man said casually, the arcs of electricity dancing around his fingers.

"Aren't you aware that the Dark Red Crystal has no Energy Fluctuation, can't be absorbed by the human body, and is useless for analysis?" Yang Huang, his identity concealed by a mask, retorted confidently.

The Thunder Lightning Man had only just arrived, informed by onlookers that the man before him had apparently used a talisman to slay the monster. He was well aware that each zombie harbored a crystal in its heart, which had been analyzed by the state to no avail.

The red crystal wasn't an Energy Body and couldn't be assimilated by an Evolver. Its sole value lay in its sparkling clarity, making it a collector's item more precious than diamonds or crystals.

He had stopped Yang Huang primarily because of the talisman the latter had used. He hadn't detected any energy fluctuations from him, which suggested that the monster-slaying talisman was no ordinary item; it might even be a magical treasure.

"The Dark Red Crystal is indeed worthless, but it's not something an average person like you should possess. Additionally, hand over the talisman you used earlier. Do you really think you deserve to wield such power?" Thunder Lightning Man spoke with disdain, clearly not considering the other man a threat.

"So, you stopped me just for the talisman," Yang Huang found the situation laughable. The talismans he crafted and inscribed were based on Innate Genuine Qi, meaning they couldn't be activated without it. To anyone else, they were as good as scrap paper.

Without a second thought, he tossed two Six-fire Bright King Talismans to the man, utterly indifferent.

"Hmm? It seems you know your place, handing over the treasure voluntarily and sparing me the effort," the Thunder Lightning Man remarked, reveling in his superiority.

"You should be thankful you made the right choice; otherwise, you wouldn't be leaving here alive today." He savored the feeling of dominance, a sentiment shared by all Evolvers since the Earth's transformation—a sense of accomplishment that towered over others.

"Tell me how to activate these two talismans!" Thunder Lightning Man demanded, arrogantly examining the talismans in his hand.

"Just like this..." Yang Huang demonstrated, as two threads of light flickered from his fingers, striking the talismans in the other's hand and merging with them.

"Don't use it right now. When you're ready, channel your energy into the talisman," Yang Huang advised, his demeanor seemingly respectful as he nodded and bowed.

"Hmph, you think I'll trust your word?" Thunder Lightning Man scoffed, glancing at the soldier behind him. With a sudden gesture, he channeled a burst of lightning energy into one of the Six-fire Bright King Talismans, then flicked it towards one of the soldiers.

The five soldiers were mere mortals, their reflexes no match for an Evolver. The targeted soldier barely had time to react before the talisman adhered to his chest. A blue flame erupted from the talisman, reducing it to ashes. Far from extinguishing, the flame grew, rapidly engulfing the soldier's entire body.

Everything transpired in the blink of an eye. The moment the soldier came into contact with the talisman, he was instantly incinerated by a burst of blue flame, his weapon and gear vanishing as though he had never existed.

The other soldiers' faces were etched with shock, which quickly gave way to profound grief. They held back their emotions, remaining silent.

Thunder Lightning Man's eyes bulged in disbelief. After witnessing the soldier reduced to ashes, he burst into uproarious laughter, doubling over with mirth.

"Haha! This really is something special. Yes, a treasure like this deserves to be wielded by a powerhouse such as myself!"

"Hey, you! In the future, if you come across anything like this, it must be turned over to me. If I ever discover you've kept it for yourself, consider yourself a dead man." Thunder Lightning Man flicked his finger, sending a sliver of lightning energy slicing through the air to penetrate Yang Huang's mind. This served as a means for Yang Huang to contact him but was also laden with destructive potential. With a mere thought from Thunder Lightning Man, the lightning could detonate within Yang Huang's brain, obliterating it.

Yet, the moment the lightning entered Yang Huang's mind, it was swiftly absorbed and refined by the Brain Sea Courtyard.

"Understood, I'll be sure to remember," Yang Huang replied, bowing respectfully.

"Remove that mask from your face; I want to see who you are," Thunder Lightning Man commanded after a pause.

"Very well." Yang Huang lowered his head, feigning an attempt to remove the mask.

He was about to touch the mask when the unexpected occurred. The talisman he had pocketed activated by itself, unleashing a frenzied blue flame that, in an instant, reduced his thigh to ashes.

"You dare to plot against me..." Thunder Lightning Man realized the ploy too late. His words were cut short as the blue flame consumed his entire body, leaving nothing behind.

"He was merely at the peak of his level, not even close to my sister's strength, and yet he had the audacity to be so brash," Yang Huang muttered, shaking his head before turning to walk away.

The four soldiers stood rooted to the spot, stunned, as the scene before them felt utterly surreal.