Chapter 198 - 198: Crystal Stone Level

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Wang Dong proudly explained, “You guys probably don’t know about this! Crystal stones aren’t found inside zombie skulls. I once had the fortune to pick up a red crystal stone, like a glassy crystal. Blue is the lowest quality, followed by green, yellow, and finally red! With the red crystal stone, I managed to exchange it for quite a few things!”

Fu Shinan inquired, “Where can you find these crystal stones, and what do they use them for?”

Wang Dong sighed, “You search for them up on Shen Nong Mountain, but it’s extremely difficult. Even the wild animals up there have mutated and become hostile towards humans. Finding crystal stones is like trying to reach the heavens! But even so, people keep trying every day! Damn, it’s really tough to stay alive nowadays. If crystal stones were easy to come by, we wouldn’t need to resort to robbing others. As for what crystal stones are used for, I don’t know. But they want crystal stones, and we, ordinary people, need food and shelter, each according to our needs.”

MO Cheng, however, sensed something was amiss and said, “You mentioned that guarding the city is managed by the Black Snake organization. You can enter the city with food and supplies, but now they want crystal stones?”

Li Hu replied, “The city is indeed under the control of the Black Snake organization. However, the organization has many members with their own factions, do you understand?”

Ji Zan asked, “What if we try to force our way in?”

Wang Dong and Li Hu reacted as if they had heard a preposterous idea. “You must be kidding! Big brother, I know you’re strong, but you can’t surpass the Black Snake organization. They have sensing superhumans, and the residents are all marked. If any strangers break in, they’ll be detected immediately. I’m not exaggerating; the Black Snake organization’s superhumans possess various abilities, from controlling elements like wind, fire, thunder, and lightning to things you’ve never seen! Even if you’re powerful, can you handle hundreds of superhumans at once?”

Fu Shinan was also taken aback. If the Black Snake organization was that formidable, attempting to force their way in would likely be suicide. She looked at Ji Zan, uncertain about the extent of his ability to suppress superhumans. Moreover, as Wang Dong had mentioned, there might be superhuman abilities they weren’t aware of, such as counter-controlling or suppressing abilities. In the current post-apocalyptic world, nothing was impossible. It seemed that if they wanted to enter the city, they would have to offer something valuable.

However, Li Hu didn’t understand why they were so worried. He said straightforwardly, “What’s the concern? With so many women and children in your group, just use them as a bargaining chip.”

Ji Zan’s face instantly darkened, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

Wang Dong sensed the danger and immediately kicked him, saying, “If you can’t speak properly, then shut up!”

Li Hu fell silent at once.

Wang Dong then tried a more acceptable approach, saying, “With so many of you wanting to enter the city, you’d need at least three to five bags of rice to even have a chance. Otherwise, it’s impossible!”

Sun Han asked, “How did you manage to get in?”

Wang Dong’s expression turned mournful as he replied, “I only got in once, and that was when I found the crystal stone. After that, I couldn’t find any supplies, so I had to stay outside. Some of my buddies who came here as refugees joined me, and we’ve been struggling together. The zombies outside are evolving, becoming more dangerous each day. We all dream of getting into the city, but who knows when we’ll be eaten by zombies at night…”

Fu Shinan couldn’t help but glance at Ji Zan and remarked, “It seems like we won’t be able to get into the city today.” After all, finding this much food in such a short time was probably impossible.

But Professor Zhao couldn’t accept this. He exclaimed, “That’s not right… the radio broadcasts said something else! They claimed that anyone could seek refuge in the city, and they even mentioned the availability of research equipment.”

Li Hu chuckled sarcastically, “If it were that easy, who would do the legwork for the high-ranking folks in Sui City? If nobody comes, they’ll have to run errands themselves.”

Hearing this, Professor Zhao couldn’t bear it any longer. He trembled all over, almost falling to the ground. Sui City was his last hope. If it turned out like this, he…

Liang Xuanzhe quickly supported him and said, “Professor Zhao, hang in there!”

Professor Zhao muttered, “How could this happen… why… what’s the point of us coming to Sui City? So many people have died along the way… did they all die in vain?” As he spoke, his voice choked with emotion.

Fu Shinan could empathize with Professor Zhao’s current state of mind, but she didn’t know what to say. When she heard Wang Dong mention the organization, she realized that Sui City might not be what they had imagined.

Wang Dong hurriedly added, “But it’s true that Sui City has research equipment! I’ve heard that some members of the Black Snake organization are involved in research. However, we don’t know what they’re researching..”