Chapter 307 - 157: Path of Blood

Chapter 307: Chapter 157: Path of Blood

This showed that the hidden enemy had been watching the battlefield the entire time. It knew their position, their movements, and their weaknesses, yet it never revealed itself.

Xu Mo thought for a moment, then asked a question that had been bothering him.

"Why is your control range limited, while it can control these zombies from so far away?"

Luo Li froze. She looked at Xu Mo, her lips moving, but no words came out.

"I don’t know." In the end, that was all she could say.

Xu Mo didn’t press the issue. The answer to that question could probably only be found by asking the thing itself—person or corpse.

He glanced again at Luo Li, who was leaning against the wall with her eyes half-closed after using her senses. Xu Mo frowned.

Tiantian was curled up at Luo Li’s feet, its small body rising and falling gently as if it were asleep. But occasionally, its blood-red eyes would crack open to peek at Xu Mo before closing again.

’This can’t go on.’

Xu Mo took a deep breath and said,

"Luo Li, let’s talk."

Luo Li opened her eyes and looked at him.

"This fighting retreat isn’t a long-term solution," Xu Mo said. "The number of zombies will only increase, and our stamina will only decrease. Even if we can hold this position, we’ll be worn down and killed sooner or later."

Luo Li didn’t speak, just watched him, waiting for him to continue.

"I have an idea," Xu Mo said. "Abandon the zombies you’re controlling."

Luo Li’s pupils contracted slightly.

"Travel light," Xu Mo continued. "Use your ability to conceal the three of us, then go on the offensive and find that hidden enemy. It might be our only chance of success."

Luo Li fell silent. She understood what Xu Mo meant.

Those zombies were her shield, her army, the very foundation of her survival in this city of the dead. Abandoning them meant losing the vast majority of her fighting power, and it meant putting herself in grave danger.

But it also meant freedom. She would no longer have to split her focus to control so many individuals, no longer have to bear such immense mental strain. She could concentrate all her energy on concealing their presence and finding the enemy.

’It’s a viable plan, but the price is too high. What if we fail?’

Luo Li was silent for a long time.

Xu Mo didn’t rush her. He just leaned against the wall, waiting for her decision.

The only sounds in the stairwell were the chewing noises from below and the occasional moan of the wind blowing through the shattered windows.

After about two minutes, Luo Li spoke.

"How are you holding up?"

Xu Mo opened his eyes and looked at her. He knew why she was asking. If he was going to be the main combatant, his condition was crucial.

Xu Mo closed his eyes, sensing the qi and blood within his body. The qi and blood inside him flowed more smoothly and powerfully than ever before. It surged through his meridians like a mighty river, nourishing his muscles, bones, and skin, leaving him in a strange state of overflowing fullness.

Xu Mo had felt it during the frantic slaughter just now—he had entered a profound state. It was as if a switch had been flipped inside his body. All his movements became smooth and effortless, and all his fatigue was swept away.

At the time, Xu Mo hadn’t given it much thought, assuming it was just an adrenaline rush.

But now, it was clear that it was more than that.

"I..." Xu Mo paused, carefully sensing the changes within his body. He could feel that the qi and blood in his body had grown at least seventy percent stronger. And that power was still growing; although the pace had slowed, it was definitely still increasing. This meant his defense, strength, speed, and recovery had all been comprehensively enhanced.

"Pretty good," Xu Mo said with a firm nod.

"Pretty good?" Luo Li repeated.

Luo Li’s eyes brightened. She had witnessed Xu Mo’s fighting just now. The fact that he was still in good condition after such an intense battle proved that his combat prowess was indeed very high.

"I wasn’t doing great before, but I’m fine now." Xu Mo looked at Luo Li and said earnestly, "Extremely good, in fact."

Luo Li watched Xu Mo silently for another three to five seconds. Then she gritted her teeth and nodded.

"Alright."

When she said that one word, Xu Mo saw a complex light flash in her eyes. There was reluctance, worry, and resolution, but also a hint of relief. He knew what this decision meant to her.

She had gathered, cultivated, and controlled those zombies one by one. They were her army, her companions, the foundation of her foothold in Luochuan City. Abandoning them was equivalent to giving up the vast majority of her fighting power.

But she still agreed, because she knew it was the only way.

Xu Mo didn’t say anything more, just nodded.

"Get ready. We’ll head out soon."

Luo Li nodded and closed her eyes again.

Tiantian lifted its head, looking at Xu Mo, then at Luo Li. The wariness in its blood-red eyes seemed to fade a little, replaced by its usual dazed expression.

Xu Mo leaned against the wall, continuing to feel the surging qi and blood within him. ’It’s time to begin the new plan.’