Wang Luo returned to the city walls.
The overall situation was stable, and the next step was a war of attrition.
"There are still too few awakened individuals in the base!" Yang Shu said tiredly.
Wang Luo took out a chair from his eternal space for her. "But it's already difficult to gather more awakened individuals now!"
This was also why he hadn't stopped Yang Shu and the others from developing their factions. Otherwise, relying on their initial small group to defend the base would have been a pipe dream.
"We're not sure about other provinces and cities, but within Longxi Province, there probably aren't any more urban bases. Even if there are other survivors, they're likely scattered in the mountains!"
"And it's as difficult as reaching heaven to search for people in the mountains. Besides, the mountains have probably become the zombies' backyard by now!" Wang Luo said in a deep voice.
In fact, the current number of people was basically enough to hold off the zombies; it was just a bit tiring. However, under pressure, it was easier to comprehend exotic techniques.
"But there are always casualties in every major battle. This can't go on forever!"
"The base population is limited. If this continues, the number of awakened individuals will only decrease!" Yang Shu was somewhat worried.
"Don't worry too much. This situation is only temporary. Once the awakened individuals' levels increase, casualties will become very rare."
"Moreover, if the zombies are to evolve universally, it won't happen until the end of the year. By then, I believe all awakened individuals should have reached higher levels!"
"However, what you said is indeed a problem. The base population grows very slowly. How about sending a team to search for those survivors after this battle is over?" Wang Luo asked.
"That's a good idea. We've gradually secured sources of supplies. Even if more people come, we won't have to worry."
After a short rest, Wang Luo returned to the battlefield.
Zombies from other cities had arrived, continuously, as if they were endless! There were also volcanoes near those cities, and just like here, zombies were continuously emerging. It was imaginable that in no time, the entire Earth would truly become a home for zombies. Humans would then become a rare species.
*Thump thump thump!!!*
The mountains seemed to be shaking as giant Titan zombies emerged from the peaks.
"Damn it, I wonder if destroying the volcanic craters would trigger any unpredictable changes!" Wang Luo had the thought, but he ultimately didn't act.
*Rumble rumble rumble!!!*
The battlefield vibrated violently as countless thick vines rose from the ground, surging into the zombie horde like prehistoric pythons, turning a vast battleground into a terrifying wooden domain and strangling zombies. This was Qi Lianyun's SSS-grade exotic technique – Tree Realm Descent!
"Hahaha, I finally comprehended an SSS-grade exotic technique!" Qi Lianyun jumped with excitement. Indeed, under immense pressure, it was easier to comprehend powerful exotic techniques.
"Holy cow, this guy is amazing!" Wang Luo exclaimed. This was another formidable individual, after Dian Meng, who had comprehended an SSS-grade exotic technique.
"This is truly strange. None of us SSS-rank individuals have comprehended SSS-grade exotic techniques, yet how did these guys learn them so quickly?" Zhou Yiming and Yang Chufeng were perplexed. This defied logic!
"Perhaps the pressure they felt was greater than ours!" Yang Chufeng speculated.
"Why? How could our command of the overall situation possibly involve less pressure than theirs?" Zhou Yiming couldn't understand.
"It's because we wield SSS-grade super-grade weapons, which unconsciously provide us with a layer of security, making us subconsciously less pressured!"
"Uh, you're right!" Wang Luo watched in surprise. This was an exotic technique derived from the same source as his True Thousand Hands. He hadn't comprehended it, yet this guy had figured it out first. "No matter, the system might appear in the future!"
Qi Lianyun was ecstatic, unleashing his SSS-grade exotic technique to his heart's content on the battlefield, crushing countless zombies with incredibly thick branches.
*Bang!*
A Starfall-tier Titan zombie charged forward, its colossal fists incessantly pounding the overwhelming vines. But after only a moment, it was entwined by the vines and finally crushed to death. Facing an SSS-grade exotic technique, a Starfall-tier zombie was simply no match.
At the volcanic crater, the Epic-tier Devourer looked grim. It had witnessed, with its own eyes, how that group of humans continuously leveled up by absorbing the energy source crystals of their zombie kin, comprehending powerful exotic techniques one after another. Now, even if that one human didn't make a move, the others could likely kill it. It let out a low, angry growl, "[Damn humans, how can your progress be so fast? You're climbing up on our lives!]"
"[This time, we must trap these humans here and exhaust them to death!]" It let out another cry, and more zombies rushed from other cities.
Outside the city walls, a large number of awakened individuals formed a circle, holding back the surging zombie horde. However, compared to the beginning, the number of awakened individuals was significantly fewer.
Zhao Qingxuan, understanding that this was a protracted war, had already begun arranging for the awakened individuals to rest in shifts, as it was impossible to sustain the war of attrition against these zombies otherwise. However, the SSS-rank captains had to remain on the battlefield at all times, just in case!
Wang Luo's Black Abyss swept through, felling vast swathes of zombies. His attacks were extremely powerful. He rarely used exotic techniques below S-rank, unleashing continent-spanning tornadoes and terrifying slashes hundreds of meters long. Zombies couldn't withstand it! Each of his attacks cleared a large area of zombies. He now roamed the city walls, heading to wherever there was pressure.
"Horse King, have you comprehended an SSS-grade exotic technique?" Wang Luo approached the Horse King, who was resting.
"Hee-haw!!!" The Horse King let out a proud neigh.
"You comprehended it? No way! Then why haven't I seen you use it?" Wang Luo was very curious. The release of an SSS-grade exotic technique was a terrifying spectacle. If the Horse King had comprehended such a powerful technique, others would surely know.
"Hee-haw!!!" [What kind of horse am I? A horse destined to be ridden by beautiful women? As long as a beauty commands it, let alone an SSS-grade exotic technique, even a divine-grade technique, I, Old Ma, will fight with my life to comprehend it!] However, its gaze drifted towards where Bai Long was resting. It felt that such a powerful move would only be meaningful if displayed in front of its most beloved little princess.
"I say, Horse King, if you could change your lewd habits, Bai Long would have already been yours!" Wang Luo patted the Horse King's neck.
"Hee-haw!!!" The Horse King shook its head. [There's nothing wrong with liking to lick. If I hone my skills, won't I be able to serve my little princess better?] If Wang Luo could understand what it was saying, he would surely give the Horse King a thumbs-up and praise its incredible audacity!