Chapter 697: Purification Talismans

"Spiritual energy can purify it."

"Not all of it," Ye Xuan said.

A few dark particles had remained inside the chamber. They were too small to see without spiritual sense, but they were still there.

Chu Miao released a trace of fire.

Her flame was not a superpower. It was formed entirely from spiritual energy.

The golden-red fire entered the chamber and burned through the remaining particles.

Within seconds, the air inside became clean again.

Professor Song checked the instruments several times.

"No trace remains."

Professor Tang immediately turned toward Chu Miao.

"Can we study that flame?"

"No."

"You refused too quickly."

"There was nothing to consider."

The flame was connected to her cultivation. She couldn’t hand it over for them to keep in a laboratory.

Professor Tang looked disappointed.

"You could produce a little more."

"It will disappear when I stop controlling it."

Professor Tang sighed.

Cultivators were convenient when they needed help, but their abilities were extremely difficult to study with modern equipment.

Professor Wu tapped the protective cover containing the original crystal core.

"The mist can be purified by spiritual energy, but ordinary ability users do not have spiritual energy."

"They could carry purification talismans," Chu Hao suggested.

Chu Miao considered it.

A purification talisman could remove negative energy from the body and nearby surroundings. It might help protect ability users against the mist.

However, producing enough talismans for every ability user would take time.

They also didn’t know how long each talisman would last under continuous exposure.

"We should test the talismans first," she said. "If they work, we can teach more disciples how to draw them."

Professor Tang nodded.

"We also need to determine how far the mist can spread after leaving the crystal core."

He glanced at the black line still moving inside the protective cover.

"It may become weaker when diluted in open air."

"Or it may attach itself to water and dust," Professor Song said.

The room became quiet again.

If the strange energy could travel through air or water, destroying a few black crystal cores wouldn’t be enough.

Professor Wu looked at the sealed jade box holding the death-energy stone.

"The amount inside this core is tiny, yet it affected several ability users in a large conference room. How much mist could that stone produce?"

No one was eager to find out.

Chu Miao strengthened the seals around the jade box once more.

"Move everything to the underground laboratory. Use the highest-level protection array around it."

Professor Tang nodded.

"We will begin testing immediately."

"You should not open the jade box until Ah Xuan or I am present."

Professor Tang’s hands stopped halfway toward the box.

"I know how to be cautious."

Everyone at the table looked at him.

Professor Tang frowned.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?"

Professor Wu quietly collected the unopened crystal cores.

"No reason."

They had all witnessed Professor Tang test unknown substances without resting, eating, or considering whether they might explode.

Trusting his idea of caution would be unwise.

After the researchers left with the samples, Commander Shen returned his attention to the map.

"The reconnaissance teams can leave before evening."

"How many?" Ye Xuan asked.

"Six teams. Each will observe two possible strongholds."

"Keep them small," Ye Xuan said. "No more than four people per team. Large groups will attract attention."

Commander Shen nodded.

The teams would carry high-altitude drones, communication devices, concealment talismans, and emergency teleportation tokens.

If they encountered high-level zombies, they were to retreat immediately.

Chu Miao also gave each team several wooden defensive tokens.

The tokens couldn’t defeat an entire zombie army, but they could block a few attacks long enough for the members to escape.

While they discussed the routes, one of the communication devices on the table rang.

Commander Shen answered it.

A soldier’s anxious voice came through.

"Commander, the observation team near Red Maple Base has reported unusual movement."

Everyone stopped talking.

"How unusual?" Commander Shen asked.

"They detected several small zombie groups moving from different directions. None has more than five hundred zombies, but they are all heading toward the same area."

"Red Maple Base?"

"Yes."

Commander Shen looked at the date on the map.

The planned attack was still six days away.

"Has the base leader been informed?"

"He received the second warning. He still refuses to prepare."

"What about the other two bases?"

"They have not reported any zombie movement yet."

Ye Xuan stood and walked to the map.

He examined the roads around Red Maple Base.

The small groups were coming from separate directions, which would make them look harmless to ordinary scouts. However, if they continued gathering beyond the base’s observation range, their number could reach tens of thousands before anyone noticed.

"The Zombie King changed the schedule," Chu Hao said.

"Or the dates were never exact," Grandpa Chu replied.

Chu Miao looked at City S.

The radio transmitter had sent a signal before Ye Xuan destroyed it.

The Zombie King might have learned that something had happened to one of its strongholds. Instead of abandoning its plan, it had decided to move earlier.

"Tell the observation team to follow the zombies from a distance," Ye Xuan said. "We need to find out where they are gathering."

Commander Shen gave the order.

He then contacted Red Maple Base personally.

The leader answered after a long delay.

"Commander Shen, if this is about your imaginary zombie army, I have already given my answer."

Commander Shen controlled his temper.

"Zombie groups are moving toward your territory. You need to call back your hunting teams and close the gates."

"Our own scouts haven’t seen anything."

"Because the zombies are gathering outside your patrol range."

The base leader gave a dry laugh.

"And only your people happened to notice?"

"Yes."

"How convenient."

Commander Shen’s expression darkened.

"Listen carefully. This is the final direct warning you will receive. If you choose to ignore it, that is your decision. But inform the survivors inside the base and allow anyone who wants to leave to do so."

"You don’t give orders in my base."

The call ended.

Lei Ying stared at the silent communication device.

"Can we let the zombies eat only him?"

"No," Chu Miao said. "They won’t stop after one person."

She picked up the map and marked the suspected gathering point.

"How far is Red Maple Base from City A?"

"By vehicle, nearly two days," Commander Shen replied. "With a teleportation array, we could reach a military outpost four hours away."

Chu Miao nodded.

"Prepare a rescue team."

"Bunny," Grandpa Chu called before she could continue.

She looked at him.

"We do not know how many zombies are gathering there."

"I know."

"And you just returned after advancing."

"My cultivation has stabilized enough."

Grandpa Chu studied her expression and understood that she had already made up her mind.

He didn’t try to stop her.

"Then don’t take too many people. If the horde is larger than expected, your first task will be to evacuate the survivors, not defend a base whose leader refuses to cooperate."

Chu Miao smiled.

"I understand, Grandpa."

Ye Xuan folded the map and handed it to Commander Shen.

"Lei Ying and Chu Hao will lead the reconnaissance teams."

The two men looked at him.

Chu Hao frowned.

"You and Bunny are going to Red Maple Base without us?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Ye Xuan’s answer was simple.

"Someone has to work."

Lei Ying looked toward the saber-toothed tiger.

"Why does that sound familiar?"

The tiger pretended not to hear him.

Chu Miao stood and stretched.

She had hoped to rest for at least one day after returning.

Unfortunately, the zombies seemed determined to keep her busy.

"Let’s go," she told Ye Xuan. "If we arrive early, we might still have time to convince the survivors to leave before their leader realizes his confidence cannot stop a zombie horde."