Rotting Land: Survive

Yes, it was his good brother, Tang Xiaoquan, who rescued Wang Qiang from the brink of danger just in time.

As the person closest to Wang Qiang, Tang Xiaoquan quickly prepared once he saw that Wang Qiang had a chance to evade.

He first grabbed the spear and shield that Wang Qiang had stuck in the ground, then recklessly charged toward him.

Undoubtedly, this action was extremely dangerous, akin to a suicide mission.

After all, the attacking power and speed of the Zombie Dog were evident, and anyone who thought of going head-to-head with it needed to assess their own strength.

Tang Xiaoquan understood all these principles; he knew he didn't have the capability. However, even so, he charged forward without hesitation.

What surprised him was how quick the Zombie Dog's reaction was; when he saw it leaping into the air, he could only hastily raise the Corpse-Blocking Shield in his hand and then forcefully collide with the incoming Wang Qiang.

The strong impact knocked Wang Qiang off his original course, thus saving him.

As for Tang Xiaoquan, the rescuer...

The Zombie Dog came shooting like a bullet from a gun, its speed and power terrifying, easily discernible from the "le-le" sound it made cutting through the air.

One second, or maybe shorter, as Tang Xiaoquan didn't even have time to dodge the black shadow rushing at him when his chest felt a blood-churning impact as if struck by a huge hammer.

In an instant, Tang Xiaoquan fell on his back, the terrifying inertia of the Zombie Dog's charge unsurprisingly knocking him to the ground.

"Bang!" A dull sound echoed. Luckily, a pile of freshly cut rice stalks cushioned his fall; otherwise, his backward fall would surely have cracked his skull.

Even so, he was left with almost half a life because just the pressure from the Zombie Dog's massive body had gone beyond what his frail frame could bear.

"Poof~" Crimson blood dribbled down his lips, and almost upon hitting the ground, Tang Xiaoquan felt a salty tide rising in his throat. He instinctively bit his lip to narrowly avoid spitting blood skywards.

The Zombie Dog gave Tang Xiaoquan no opportunity to escape as its gaping corpse mouth descended viciously toward his neck.

The expected scene of flesh ripping and blood splattering did not occur. When the Zombie Dog lifted its head, tearing away a large chunk of "meat skin" and chewing it, its blood-red pupils bulged instantly.

The "meat skin" tasted terrible, countless minute shreds of cardboard floating in the air as the "meat skin" departed.

Yes, what the Zombie Dog bit into was the "Corpse-Blocking Shield" Tang Xiaoquan had instinctively raised in front of his chest at the critical moment, an act of reflex that even he had not anticipated would save his life at that crucial juncture.

However, the Corpse-Blocking Shield was, in the end, just an "imitation product." The notion of relying on its corrugated, thin paper surface to fend off a Zombie Dog was a foolish dream.

Tang Xiaoquan understood this perfectly, so he endured the piercing pain throughout his body, attempting to wiggle free from the Zombie Dog's control through struggling.

But the creature's size and weight were too immense, making it difficult even to twist slightly, let alone break free and escape.

"Drip, drip!" Sticky liquid slid through the dog's yellowed fangs, falling onto the "shield surface," splattering everywhere, some even landing directly on Tang Xiaoquan's face, instilling an involuntary fear in him.

This was a terror beyond words; it's not that Tang Xiaoquan had never been pinned by these so-called 'messengers of Hell.'

But unlike his previous encounters with zombies, the gaping maw full of fangs on a Zombie Dog brought an oppressive fear that nearly suffocated Tang Xiaoquan.

Growls accompanying the scraping claws were akin to Hell's summoning harbinger, drowning one in despair.

Tang Xiaoquan wanted desperately to pierce the Zombie Dog's head before him with his long spear, but the presence of the Corpse-Blocking Shield equally hindered his attack.

Undoubtedly, Tang Xiaoquan went to save Wang Qiang purely out of brotherly loyalty; he charged without regard for life or death.

But now, as all came to a standstill, with the Zombie Dog standing right over him, the only emotion left in his heart was the fear of death!!

The dog's mouth lunged down again, aiming still for Tang Xiaoquan's neck, and the "Corpse-Blocking Shield" that already had lost most of its "paper skin" could offer him no more protection.

Death was imminent, plunging Tang Xiaoquan's heart into utter despair.

The Zombie Dog appeared exceptionally excited, its blood-red eyes radiating a bloodthirsty glow.

However…

Just when everyone thought the tragedy was set, a thunderous cry shattered the sky.

"You damn beast! Die for me!!"

Nobody knew where Wang Qiang found such strength; like a rocket, he shot up from the ground. As he neared the Zombie Dog, his ready-to-strike right fist smashed down with a fiery fury onto the dog's head.

"Bang!" There was no doubt about the punch's power; the dull thud followed by a scream showed Wang Qiang's furious punch had significantly damaged the Zombie Dog.

Yet before it could react, a powerful force landed on its spine again.

Wang Qiang clutched the Zombie Dog as they rolled down, the stones on the ground felt like needles piercing through him.

They rolled for about 2 or 3 meters before the momentum slowly dissipated.

Separated by half an arm's length, both Wang Qiang and the Zombie Dog lay in a mess due to the roll.

But Wang Qiang knew the Zombie Dog would feel no discomfort from this, so ignoring his pain, he flipped himself up and unbelievably mounted the dog's back.

This was an absurd scene, the former prey now sat atop the predator.

Wang Qiang's move undoubtedly triggered the Zombie Dog's nerves.

Yet, the Zombie Dog will never understand the concept of "companion."

So it didn't realize, at the very moment it almost killed Tang Xiaoquan, it unknowingly sparked the flame of wrath within Wang Qiang.

Indeed, the Zombie Dog must die! It must pay for its actions!

Wang Qiang picked up a stone from the ground, his eyes red with anger, and smashed it down on the dog's head!!