Chapter 168

"What is it? What rumor?" kiki asked suspiciously upon hearing their conversation.

Shu Qin looked at kiki with a complex expression, then looked at Lin Xian.

"They are talking about that rumored group hunting effect. Haven't you heard of it?"

"Group hunting effect?" Lin Xian's gaze sharpened: "Does it have anything to do with the situation here?"

Shu Qin's expression darkened: "It's just some groundless rumors."

"How is it a rumor?" Hearing this, Zhou Yixuan walked over with a tense expression: "Didn't we encounter a corpse tide that night after we joined forces with Old Xu and the others in Quguan?"

"Didn't I tell you that was done by the Black Crow Four-Person Group?!" Shu Qin immediately replied.

"But what about the blood ghosts later? We lost four cars that night." Zhou Yixuan became more excited as he spoke: "And Yubei City, how could there be so many zombies and monsters? Many people feel it's too unusual. It must be because too many survivors gathered there, which triggered the group hunting effect. Now that we've walked all the way here, we haven't seen any other fleets, only the Fireline fleet had an accident here. They merged three fleets. Sister Qin, isn't this a fact?"

Lin Xian understood immediately. In fact, this conjecture wasn't just Zhou Yixuan's; he had also thought of this point.

"So the group hunting effect means that the more people there are, the more strange entities will come to hunt. Is that what it means?" Chen Sixuan also asked at this time.

Shu Qin nodded and said in a low voice:

"That's right. There have been rumors on some survivor radios that the larger the survivor team expands, the more strange entities and monsters they will encounter. But there is another explanation: what does it mean if two prey being chased meet?"

"It means there are two hunters following behind," Lin Xian replied.

"Yes, regardless of which one it is, it shows that the larger the group, the greater the danger. Now many survivors are constantly grouping together. I think this might be what those monsters want to see," Zhou Yixuan said.

"They want to wipe us all out!" another girl said with a fearful expression.

Lin Xian's expression cleared. This statement indeed sounded credible; he was even more inclined to the hunter's judgment.

From the pursuit of the red centipede to the pursuit of the white giant monster, including the pursuit of the Iron Guard Brigade by the atmospheric mica, whether it was a coincidence or groundless, it seemed to have this implication.

"I understand."

Lin Xian nodded: "You think that if we merge with you, there will be more danger, right?"

"Lin Dui..." Shu Qin wanted to speak, but saw Lin Xian wave his hand at her, signaling her to let him finish.

Zhou Yixuan was stunned by Lin Xian's words. He opened his mouth, and his eyes flickered.

When they were in the maintenance workshop earlier, he indeed didn't show much enthusiasm. In fact, Lin Xian also saw that not everyone in Shu Qin's team had this idea.

"No, Lin Dui, I didn't mean that..."

Zhou Yixuan looked terrified, his voice trembling: "Everyone thinks that if you can follow an ability user or a large vehicle group, the survival rate will be higher. It is indeed like that, like the Silver Star, Longshan No. 1, and so many people, including the Phoenix Society's organization. But for us ordinary people, the risk of rashly grouping together is not proportional to our strength. I'm just worried... worried that we will become a burden to your Infinite."

When he said this, the expressions of everyone in Shu Qin's fleet were complex, with different gazes.

Lin Xian looked at Zhou Yixuan and saw through his lie at a glance.

Worrying about becoming a burden was fake; worrying about becoming cannon fodder for ability users was real. His worry wasn't unreasonable. If, according to the group hunting effect, the troubles encountered by powerful ability users or large vehicle groups were combined, it would be a disaster for ordinary people in other fleets, or even an unprovoked calamity.

But under the cover of a collapsed nest, using such delicate avoidance thinking to look at problems was already going to the extreme.

Simply put, normal people wouldn't think like Zhou Yixuan. Even if they did, they wouldn't say it out loud; it shouldn't change anything. Grouping together, hugging thighs, and seeking advantages while avoiding disadvantages were human instincts. Zhou Yixuan's expression at this time was clearly overcome by fear. He attributed the troubles encountered along the way to Shu Qin joining other fleets and not listening to the group hunting effect. Because he, as an ordinary person, couldn't change anything, he believed that Shu Qin leading the team to join the Infinite would bring greater trouble, and this kind of trouble would definitely be suffered by ordinary people like them.

The death of Zhong Jiahao's family earlier also made Zhou Yixuan's avoidance thinking more concrete.

Lin Xian looked at Zhou Yixuan and then at the others. A thick, bloody smell drifted on the road. He said sternly:

"Regardless of whether this group hunting effect is true or false, unity is a way for humans to amplify individual influence, so I respect your choice."

"Shu Qin."

Lin Xian said to Shu Qin, who had a complex expression: "There are many usable cars here, as well as heavy trucks. It's still early, and we should be able to reach Hengshan Pass before dark. If anyone wants to join us, I still welcome them, but they must have the belief of certain death, because the monsters we encounter will definitely be more terrifying than before. If you have concerns or thoughts, you can choose a car and drive away."

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhou Yixuan felt his head clear up, but he was also hesitant.

In front of him were the well-equipped heavy trucks of the Fireline fleet. According to the theory he firmly believed in, this was indeed a good opportunity.

Zhou Yixuan looked at Shu Qin, and Shu Qin just looked at him with a calm expression: "I respect your choice."

"Thank you, Sister Qin."

Zhou Yixuan's expression was tense, and the whole feeling was somewhat oppressive. He didn't say anything more, went back to the car to pack his luggage. At this time, three other people in the team followed his actions. The four of them drove a heavy truck and an off-road vehicle, said goodbye to everyone, and drove toward the distance.

!

The atmosphere in Shu Qin's fleet was desolate. Lin Xian watched this scene with a sigh.

In fact, when he formed the team before, he was prepared for people in the team to go their separate ways at any time because of life and interests, including Chen Sixuan, kiki, and Da Lou.

Regardless of whether the other party's reason seemed silly, it was everyone's own choice.

In this ruined apocalypse, talking about human nature was too naive. Regardless of whether they were ordinary people, what they were thinking about was just a life.

"Shu Qin."

Lin Xian looked at her and said seriously: "What about you?"

"I'll follow you."

Shu Qin said solemnly: "If you don't welcome me, I'll take them away immediately."

Watching this scene, Sasha grabbed Chen Sixuan's clothes nervously. The Infinite team felt the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.

And the people from Shu Qin's team who stayed behind looked at Lin Xian in unison, the longing in their eyes self-evident.

Regardless of the considerations, these people who stayed behind were all filled with the desire to join the Infinite.

Lin Xian looked at Shu Qin and then at the others, saying with a cold gaze: "Whether it's the group hunting effect or groundless rumors, perhaps we will be wiped out tonight just like the Fireline fleet. If you want to get on my train, it's best to be prepared now. The union of survivors is a major trend. If unity cannot overcome it, then we have failed the sacrifices made for us by the Airport Guard Regiment and the Iron Guard Brigade."

"So, now you all see clearly!" Lin Xian suddenly pointed loudly at the black armored train behind him: "This is not a safe travel train, this is..."

"The! Doomsday! Train!"

(End of chapter)