NOVEL NEXT Chapter 740: Level 3 Ascension_2
Hearing about the impending breakout lifted everyone's spirits instantly. They all became extremely vigilant, knowing they must not fall in the darkness before dawn.
Finally, when Wang Tao used the Heat Energy Beam once again to clear the zombie rats in front of the convoy, there were no more zombie rats to replace them. They really broke through!
"Oh my! We broke out!"
"No more zombie rats, there really are no more zombie rats!"
"Keep your spirits up, we can't stop now, keep moving forward!"
"..."
As Bai Hao and others excitedly directed the convoy to move forward, Wang Tao had already entered a vehicle, closing his eyes wearily to rest. The others didn't dare disturb him, even the driver was careful not to press the accelerator too hard. Their expressions towards Wang Tao were full of gratitude; if not for Wang Tao, they might have already been eaten and digested by zombie rats...
Inside the car, although Wang Tao had his eyes closed to rest, he wasn't asleep, his senses remained alert, ready to respond to any emergencies outside.
Compared to the others' excitement, Wang Tao was much more composed. To them, it was a narrow escape, but to Wang Tao, as long as they persevered, escaping was inevitable.
The reason is simple: Lord Rank creatures each have their own territories, and they wouldn't stray far from their domains.
Though some Lords are mobile, like the zombie tides encountered in the previous life, their Lords don't have fixed territories and move randomly. However, such zombie tides can be tracked, and their signs noticed in advance.
These zombie rats suddenly emerged from underground, they didn't migrate from elsewhere. Hence, they most likely are local rats from around Red Stone County, and this region might be their domain. As long as they could leave the territory of these zombie rats, they could successfully break the siege.
Wang Tao wasn't sure of the position of the zombie rat lord, nor did he know how large its territory was. But he firmly believed that as long as they kept moving in one direction, they would leave the zombie rats' domain. Fact proved him right, they succeeded.
However, they couldn't afford to be careless now. If these zombie rats exhaust the food in Red Stone County, or if they only eat fresh blood food, they are bound to migrate to other places, becoming a mobile rat tide like those zombie tides. Wherever they go, nothing survives, that's their most terrifying state!
Wang Tao didn't know when these zombie rats would become a mobile rat tide, perhaps they will never become, and remain in Red Stone County, or maybe they would catch up, so precautions were mandatory.
Fortunately, until the convoy reached outside Shuize County, there was no trace of the zombie rats behind.
By afternoon, Wang Tao also regained some physical strength. Before the convoy entered Shuize County, he flew back once to ensure there were no zombie rats chasing after them, allowing Bai Hao and others to enter Shuize County.
Upon entering Shuize County, zombies became noticeably more numerous, but with the military's strong combat power, most Level Two zombies in Shuize County were cleared by Wang Tao, ensuring a smooth path to Shuize Base.
Wang Tao had preemptively contacted Wei Zhenguo, who hurriedly arranged for these survivors upon their arrival.
"We owe it all to Mr. Wang! Without you leading us out, we would have been fed to the zombie rats by now! And the route you led us through to Shuize County scarcely encountered any zombies, it was incredibly safe, minimizing our risks..."
Once confirmed they were utterly safe, Bai Hao and others immediately saluted and thanked Wang Tao.
"We're fellow countrymen, helping each other is natural!" Wang Tao shook his head, then smiled, "Later, during our transfer to Zijin Base, we'll have to trouble you to look after the survivors from Shuize Base.".
If he were to kill his way to Zijin Base alone, Wang Tao saw no problem, but protecting so many people all the way to Zijin Base wasn't feasible with his current strength. Hence, it had to depend on Bai Hao and others.
"Of course, it's our duty!"
Bai Hao promptly nodded earnestly.
Wang Tao had already shared the subsequent plan with him; Shuize Base was only a temporary stop, they must move to Zijin Base in the neighboring city. If luck runs thin, they might have to head to Wuyang Military Base in the provincial capital. But as long as there's a plan, there's hope, and they would unconditionally cooperate with Wang Tao.
"Alright, you go ahead and chat, I'm a bit tired, need a good rest."
Wang Tao waved his hand wearily.
"Okay! Get some rest, we'll take it from here!"
Bai Hao and Wei Zhenguo both nodded.
Wang Tao directly flew back to the villa, where Ding Yuqin and others had been waiting for him. Although Wang Tao had previously assured them he was safe via walkie-talkie, they were a little uneasy until they saw him. Now seeing Wang Tao unharmed, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
However, upon seeing Wang Tao's tired face, and even Taxue perched lifelessly on his shoulder, they all felt a pang of heartache for Wang Tao.
Especially Li Qiuyu, who felt quite guilty, thinking it was her fault for depleting Wang Tao's physical strength last night, at a rather inappropriate time, otherwise he might not be so exhausted today.
Wang Tao sensed the guilt in Li Qiuyu's eyes, he couldn't help but smile and shake his head.
"It's nothing to do with you; mainly it was the sheer number of zombie rats killed this time. Didn't you see even Taxue, who hardly fights and merely collects spoils of war, is worn out?"
As he spoke, Wang Tao petted Taxue's little head. Taxue meowed, indicating she indeed felt tired, but a small fish snack would make her less so.
Wang Tao immediately took out plenty of canned fish for Taxue, collected especially for her.
While Taxue contentedly munched on the fish canned goods, Wang Tao briefly explained the situation to Ding Yuqin and others.
Upon hearing of the seemingly endless zombie rats, all the women felt their scalps go numb. Rats, in general, are the most disgusting, especially zombie rats, with such numbers.
"That zombie rat leader is most likely a Mother Zombie, capable of producing zombie rats in bulk. It's unfortunate it didn't show up, otherwise, things would've been much easier..."
As he spoke, Wang Tao took out a large number of Crystal Cores.
Although the operation was exhausting, the rewards were substantial. Much more than the Mother Zombie hunted at the farmhouse yesterday!
If the Crystal Cores obtained yesterday could elevate Wang Tao's HP to Second-Stage Full Level, the ones gained today could enhance Wang Tao's Constitution, agility, and spirit to Second-Stage Full Level.
These Crystal Cores had already been synthetically refined to 100% purity by Wang Tao, so he now selected the ones he needed and began integrating them.
He had mentioned to Bai Hao he was going home to rest, not just to eat and sleep, but to prepare for Level 3 Ascension!
After ascension, all fatigue is obliterated, restoring all physical strength, and even internal minor injuries are healed, so claiming he was resting, rejuvenating his physical strength isn't incorrect.
"Brother, are you going to ascend to Level 3!"
Although Jiang Shixue didn't want to disturb Wang Tao, seeing him consuming Level 2 Crystal Core one after another, she couldn't resist her excitement and asked.
"Yes, today I should be able to ascend to Level 3."
Wang Tao nodded, remaining rather calm. He had seen many ups and downs in the previous life, Level 3 was nothing to be overly excited about.
"Yay!"
Upon receiving confirmation, Jiang Shixue seemed happier than if she were ascending herself. The others were equally enthused. They naturally hoped for Wang Tao's continual improvement, growing stronger and stronger.
"There are still plenty of Crystal Cores here, pick some that suit you."
Wang Tao indicated, pointing at the remaining Crystal Cores.
In the strategic transfer that lay ahead, all the women could venture out to fight, showcasing their strengths.
"Right!"
As the women chose their Crystal Cores, Wang Tao had already integrated all the cores he needed. Then he felt a sudden lightness in his body, filled with strength. His attribute panel shifted from Level Two to Level 3.
Wang Tao clenched his fists, he believed he could shatter a building with just one punch.
"This life's Level 3 is much stronger than Level 3 in the previous life!"
After a mental appreciation, Wang Tao closed his eyes, carefully feeling the changes in his body. Suddenly, he reopened his eyes.
"Eh? I sensed Level 4 conditions; the ascension to Level 4 this time is dissimilar to the last life, especially for me..."