Chapter 17: Second Level Spiritual Energy Plant

Lin An felt ecstatic, only sensing a surge of hot blood rising to the top of his head.

Although first-level and second-level spiritual energy plants differ by only one character, their effects are worlds apart.

In his past life, it lasted a full three years.

He had only seen such information once in the chat channel, a possible report of a second-level spiritual energy plant!

That piece of information triggered a frenzied scramble among dozens of second-level Awakened Ones in the Eastern War Zone.

Ultimately, a top-tier second-level Awakened One obtained it after sacrificing thousands of his subordinates.

He didn't have time to wonder why a second-level spiritual energy plant would appear here.

Lin An swallowed it without hesitation.

"Hum~"

A strong warm current surged through his body from the moment it entered.

"Hah-"

The violet that melted upon entry turned into a fiery line that shot into his body.

Lin An let out a muffled groan, feeling a sudden pain in his limbs.

That was the manifestation of spiritual energy remaking his body.

As a large amount of spiritual energy surged within him, a powerful force rose from his lower abdomen.

"Ding, consumed second-level spiritual energy plant. Gained Strength +2, Agility +1, Constitution +1, Will +1."

"Ding, gained second-level spirit plant exclusive boost: explosive power increased by 10%."

"Ding, gained second-level spirit plant exclusive enhancement: movement speed increased by 10%."

After the enhancement ended.

Lin An was drenched in sweat, his eyes blazing.

Watching the continuously scrolling light screen, he felt overjoyed.

It's... incredibly powerful!

As expected of a second-level spiritual energy plant.

Besides the substantial attribute bonuses, it also possesses rare additional effects.

A 10% increase in explosive power means he can unleash attacks that exceed his strength attribute limit.

And movement speed is extremely important.

In the Doomsday Game, the speed at which you move determines whether you can escape danger in the face of life and death!

These two formidable additional effects made him feel at that moment that his body held endless power.

Of course, Lin An knew this was merely an illusion caused by his sudden power increase.

Give it a try!

He raised his right fist and swung it through the air.

"Boom!"

With a crisp explosion, the fist's edge broke the air, creating a brief vacuum blast.

Inside the small flower shop, miscellaneous items were lifted by the airflow.

Lin An's target was the thick wall; with one punch, the steel-reinforced concrete wall was instantly pierced, revealing the street outside.

"Gloop."

He swallowed his saliva.

The flower shop owner's eyes widened to an oval, his mouth able to fit an egg.

She had crouched beneath the window while Lin An killed the zombies, carefully observing how he moved his hands.

She also saw the final moment when Lin An killed the zombie.

Seeing now that Lin An's punch could actually blast through a concrete wall, she couldn't help but be utterly shocked.

Is this still human?!

It's too terrifying.

She shrank her neck cautiously, fearing Lin An would notice her.

Wen Ya was also somewhat surprised.

She knew how formidable Lin An was, but now he seemed even stronger than before.

Clicking her tongue repeatedly, Wen Ya obediently stayed silent.

Lin An retracted his right fist; his pale knuckles bore no injury, only a slight red mark.

His reinforced constitution also boosted his resistance to blows.

Even if he stood still letting Wen Ya slash at him, she might not be able to kill him.

As his strength increased, Lin An gradually felt himself veering toward a non-human state.

"Roar!"

Suddenly, a multitude of footsteps came from outside the shop, accompanied by the zombies' howls.

Lin An lifted his head, looking out through the hole he had blasted.

Outside the shop lay a sea of darkness, pairs of scarlet, brutal eyes.

"Ah!"

"Monst...... monster!"

The flower shop owner's scream caused the zombies to become even more violently frenzied, crashing into the shelves piled at the doorway.

As if his courage had been shattered.

The flower shop owner burst forth with a speed unbefitting his obesity, darting up the stairs in a quick step.

Click—

The door was locked from the inside.

From inside the door came the sound of heavy objects moving; it seemed she was trying to block the door.

Wen Ya blinked slightly, somewhat speechless.

She instinctively grabbed Lin An's arm with her right hand.

She let out a soft sigh, her gaze pitying as she looked at the tightly closed door on the second floor.

As she thought,

The flower shop owner undoubtedly made the worst choice upon seeing the zombies.

He fled alone and then locked the door behind him.

Thinking this would let him survive?

No.

The true way to survive is to follow Lin An.

Go!

Lin An paid no heed to the flower shop owner's actions; he had seen this sort of thing many times in his past life.

A quick glance showed at least four hundred zombies on the street outside the shop.

Lin An didn't hesitate, scooping up Wen Ya and leaving.

Wen Ya, weighing less than a hundred jin, felt weightless in his current strength.

Lin An took a deep breath, his eyes turning sharp.

Power exploded!

A faint golden light flashed and vanished into his body.

His previously tensed muscles bulged out like an explosion.

After the enhancement, Lin An, activating his talent for the first time, felt as if time itself had slowed.

The zombies outside swarmed forward, crashing into the shelves at high speed, but to his eyes they moved in slow motion.

Boom!

Like a small artillery shell.

Lin An lashed out with a violent kick; the terrifying force sent the half‑ton shelving, along with dozens of packed‑together zombies, flying.

The metal warped and flew out ten meters.

In an instant, the zombies blocking the shop entrance were cleared away.

Hey!

Lin An gave a low shout, bending to scoop Wen Ya horizontally like an arrow released from a bow and shooting forward.

Ten meters per step!

In an instant he broke out of the encirclement; the other zombies couldn't even react in time, only howling after the retreating Lin An.

But, as the sounds in this area continued one after another,

Zombies at the edge of the urban area gathered ever more densely upon hearing the noise.

The small clearing Lin An had made was once again filled by zombies drawn to the noise.

Under the little flower shop, a thousand zombies soon gathered.

At the flower shop's second‑floor window, the owner poked his head out and saw the street almost filled with zombies, his gaze vacant.

The motorbike sped forward, Wen Ya tightly gripping Lin An's waist.

Lin An, where are we going now?

I don't know why, but even though we've only known each other for a few hours,

Wen Ya feels as if she's known him for a long time.

It's strange,

Lin An gives off a familiar feeling.

City center.

Lin An's gaze was calm, yet a hint of anticipation flickered in the depths of his eyes.

Now that his strength has increased considerably, he should be able to first take some equipment from his past life's memories.

The more strength, the more confidence.

In his impression, there is a top‑tier early‑stage item located on the outskirts of the city center.

Further ahead, the city center itself has gathered at least a million zombies and a large number of first‑level mutants.

He had originally planned to enter the city on the fifth day.

But now, changing the plan is not out of the question.

The increase in strength surpassed his best expectations, and he even unexpectedly gained poison resistance.

As long as he doesn't provoke a major zombie horde, with both enhancements he actually gains a few more points of confidence.

Hand of the Skullcrusher

The only blue equipment in Linjiang City in the Apocalypse!