Chapter 501: Pressure Falls on Humanity

"I think we need to deal with these zombies!"

Zhong Xiaoshanyi watched as the sprinting zombie's tongue lolled out from its terrifying face, filling her with deep unease.

"Sister-in-law's idea is good—this thing is too horrifying. If it breaks free from its path, it'll slaughter everyone in the camp!"

Lu Lei's mind conjured the scene, sending a shiver down his spine; whether for the camp's safety or the generator's protection, they had to kill them.

"Everyone, move!"

Zhong Xiaoshanyi took the lead, stepping forward with a large wrench and smashing it straight into the zombie's skull—killing a zombie on a fixed path was no challenge, just required some strength…

Clang.

The impact was immense; Zhong Xiaoshanyi staggered back, her hands numbed, the wrench nearly flying from her grip, while the sprinting zombie's head was crushed into pulp, brain matter flung everywhere by centrifugal force—yet it kept spinning anyway…

The four zombies were connected as one unit; the other three still sprinted furiously, dragging the dead zombie's corpse along at full speed—a scene both absurd and brutal.

Yang Wenjie rushed forward to steady Zhong Xiaoshanyi; no need for her to strike again—Yang Liehuo and the others moved in to finish off the remaining three zombies.

"Damn it, they're all insane!"

Hummm…

As the zombies were killed one by one, the generator finally stopped. The four zombies hung suspended by ropes, frozen in their poses—the scene grew eerie.

"With this much effort, two zombies could power the generator—we don't need four!"

"Right, Brother Guo. If things go well, we can build two more generators…"

Guo Dachao shrugged. "As long as materials are enough, me and Master Jia have no problem—but… I'll take these corpses down first."

"We'll handle the corpses—you go attend to more important tasks!"

The lab trio appeared from behind; the sky was dark, snow falling gently—they could no longer stay inside the lab.

Qiu Hui, after treatment, had slipped back into sleep; what comes next must wait and unfold gradually. The three men returned from the Shopping Mall were locked in a small black room for reflection—not yet ready for interrogation.

Fu Wei sat in a wheelchair, unable to labor; he relied entirely on Duan Wu and Xie Yan.

"Thanks a lot, everyone!"

Zhong Xiaoshanyi nodded to Fu Wei and the others, then led the group toward the scenic area's main gate.

At the same time, several vehicles appeared on the mountain road; the Weishancun reserve team received word and immediately rushed over. The women's squad had limited strength but no fear of battle.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

The temple gate within the scenic area was relentlessly battered, chaotic noise echoing through the valley—spurring people to move faster.

The Tianmayu group's combat awareness was exceptional anywhere; they moved as one, quickly setting up a solid defense line at the scenic area's gate. Defensive gear was piled beside the Shanmen, ready to grab and use.

"The gate's sturdier than I thought, haha."

Five minutes passed; Lu Lei Yang smiled brightly—the expected gate collapse never came, leaving everyone increasingly anxious.

"They know stepping out means certain death. Come on, everyone, light up a cigarette to calm your nerves."

Wang Xingui pulled out an unopened pack of cigarettes and tore off the plastic wrap.

But the moment he handed out the first cigarette, a dry crack echoed from within the scenic area, followed by the thunderous crash of the gate collapsing. "Prepare for battle!"

Zhong Xiaoshanyi's voice was grave but not loud.

"Form ranks, prepare for combat. Kill the zombies the instant they're blocked by the barricades. Control your posture—don't lean forward too far!"

Yang Liehuo waved his hand, directing the reserve team members.

Beneath the scenic area's gate lay the ticket hall; passage space was tight—barely enough for five or six people to pass at once. Barricades were plentiful: three full rows lined the gate entrance. More could've been added, but a fourth row would shorten melee reach and reduce killing efficiency.

Forty-plus people stood at the gate, ready. The frontline didn't need so many; the strongest dozen stood in the front row, the remaining twenty-plus held weapons at the sides and rear, ready to rush in as needed.

"Zombies are coming out—stay alert!"

Some walkie-talkies crackled—they had no time to respond. In an instant, after the temple gate shattered, rapid footsteps and howls of "Aowu-aowu!" surged forward. Three zombies sprinted down the stairs, slipped, and crashed to the ground. Behind them, a flood of zombies poured out—all tripping and tumbling hard due to the stairs.

The zombies piled up like a human pyramid at the bottom of the stairs; those still rushing forward kept slamming into the pile, their stupidity absurd—but Zhong Xiaoshanyi and the others couldn't laugh.

Judging from the speed at which the zombies burst from the temple, they'd grown far stronger. In this freezing weather, their limbs should've been stiff—but their sprinting speed now exceeded their previous maximum. Exact speed couldn't be measured, but it felt faster than most people's hundred-meter sprint!

Under these conditions, if you encounter zombies in the wild, unless you have transport, you have no choice but to fight to the death!

"So fast!"

One of the reserve team's older women gasped; many around her sucked in sharp breaths, their grip on weapons trembling unconsciously.

"With this strength, they'll be hard to handle…"

"Yeah, clearly different from before—what's going on?"

"Shut up! Prepare for battle!"

Yang Liehuo barked angrily—now was no time to hype the enemy's strength and shake morale.

Aowu-aowu!

The zombies' speed had indeed increased, but their coordination hadn't improved much—they still struggled to rise after falling. When the first zombie finally stood, its neck creaked mechanically, locking onto the blood source dozens of meters away.

Aowww! It roared, lunged forward with a giant step—downhill and sprinting, its speed surged.

Where there was one, there were two. Nearly a hundred zombies had been slightly scattered by the stairs and turns, but the first wave charging forward still exceeded thirty.

That number used to mean nothing—especially since combatants also exceeded thirty. With defensive gear, handling an equal number of zombies was effortless.

This time was different!

The zombies' charging aura made Zhong Xiaoshanyi's scalp crawl—this wasn't the behavior of ordinary zombies. It was the blood-crazed frenzy only seen in burning zombies before.

In an instant, the first wave slammed into the barricades.

Pucka-kak!

The zombies' bodies were impaled by the barricade spikes; the sound of snapping bones was nauseating—but it didn't stop them. They lunged forward, clawing wildly, radiating fearless aggression. Their chest and abdomen wounds didn't hinder them—they pushed the barricades, groaning with strain.

Pup, pup, pum!

Immediately after, the first wave crashed fully into the barricades. The sturdy barricades held firm—but it wasn't over. The zombies thrashed their arms wildly, instinctively beginning to climb! (End of chapter)