C7 The Establishment of a Faction

The zombies that once roamed around the cafeteria had long been cleared out, leaving the area relatively safe. After feasting on the meat of mutated beasts, everyone, including Wang Hu and Dong Xuetine's followers, set off to practice their cultivation. They had all received some training techniques from their leader; and while not complete, these methods were undeniably effective.

Once their leader began his own cultivation, they followed suit, each determined to make further progress. Time has a way of slipping by unnoticed, and before long, evening had arrived. Dinner was a quiet affair, as they all knew Mu Chenyu needed to focus on healing. Wang Hu and Dong Xuetine refrained from intruding and, after consuming their fill of meat, promptly resumed their cultivation, having recognized the advantages of the mutated beast meat.

Mu Chenyu shared his meal with Hwa Xin and Lin Qingyu. Afterward, they all returned to their individual cultivation practices. Hwa Xin and Lin Qingyu, having received the full cultivation method from Mu Chenyu, were eager to strengthen their abilities, reveling in the thrill of their growing power and dedicating themselves to rigorous training.

With his own injuries still severe, Mu Chenyu had no time for idle chatter. He devoted himself to recovery, and as he did, the Heavenly Tome within his sea of consciousness shone with an unchanging light, seemingly capable of illuminating eternity. Bathed in this light of wisdom, his mind was clearer than ever, and his understanding of the Horse Stance and the Eight Trigrams Saber deepened, approaching the pinnacle of mastery.

He was also gaining insight into the next level of cultivation. His primary focus, the Horse Stance—an internal cultivation technique—had reached the peak of the initial stage in just a few days. He was on the cusp of advancing to the next level of mastery. With sufficient resources, he was confident he could cultivate his strength and achieve Bright Strength, ascending to the rank of a First Rank Martial Cultivator, on par with the zombies he had encountered.

This progress was in part due to the extraordinary power of the Heavenly Tome, which had greatly enhanced his intelligence and insight. Mu Chenyu's comprehension was now at least double that of an average person, if not more—a testament to his innate talent and high intellect.

Now, with the power of the Heavenly Tome added to his arsenal, Mu Chenyu's abilities were truly defying the natural order.

Take the entire Jinling Petroleum Institute, for example—out of thousands of students, only three had embarked on the path of cultivation. And even then, the cultivation methods Wang Hu and his two companions practiced were clearly in the nascent stages. If not, with the resources at their disposal, they wouldn't be outmatched by Mu Chenyu at this moment.

Such was the advantage of wielding power.

With these thoughts, Mu Chenyu delved into profound cultivation, his realm gradually ascending under the enveloping radiance of wisdom.

Simultaneously, the essence of the mutated beast's flesh and blood expedited the healing of his wounds.

Before he knew it, the night had passed.

On the fifth day of the apocalypse, the tranquil morning no longer echoed with the cheerful banter of young men and women. Instead, intermittent roars and screams pierced the air, bringing the stark reality of the apocalypse into sharper focus.

The days of peace were gone, never to return. Humanity faced a crossroads: to maintain their pinnacle status and gaze down upon all creatures or to plummet into obscurity, hunted by myriad races.

All was in flux, shrouded in uncertainty.

The Heavenly Dao reigned supreme, its mysteries elusive, its divine secrets now imperceptible.

For Mu Chenyu, newly initiated into the world of cultivation, such matters were still beyond his reach.

Upon waking in the morning, well past dawn, he could see through the cafeteria's glass windows the once-prized blue sky, now shining with a dazzling brilliance.

The polluted air had vanished, replaced by the piercing sunlight that bathed the earth.

The air carried a fresh scent, yet it did nothing to alleviate the looming crisis of the apocalypse.

Humans were no longer the masters of all creatures but were instead constantly under the threat of death. At any moment, they could become food for zombies or mutated beasts, merely fuel for their growth.

Some fought for survival, others to realize their deepest ambitions.

As dawn broke, Wang Hu and his group set out to slay zombies and enhance their strength.

During breakfast, Mu Chenyu caught sight of Lin Qingyu's restored beauty, radiant and striking, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

At the table, Lin Qingyu's gaze towards Mu Chenyu carried an almost imperceptible tenderness, inadvertently revealed.

Hwa Xin, dining nearby, couldn't help but feel somewhat superfluous.

After the meal, Mu Chenyu noticed Hwa Xin preparing to leave and quickly called out to him,

"Hwa Xin?"

"Uh, boss, you might as well stick with 'Fatty'!"

"It feels right."

Hwa Xin halted in his tracks, detecting the formality in Mu Chenyu's voice, and quickly responded.

To Hwa Xin, being called 'Fatty' by Mu Chenyu was a sign of respect and camaraderie.

Lin Qingyu, who had lingered nearby, let out a stifled giggle upon hearing Hwa Xin's reply, but realizing the moment was ill-suited for laughter, she quickly covered her mouth.

"Okay, then. Fatty, gather twenty people over there."

"Tell them it doesn't matter if they're male or female. Anyone brave enough to battle zombies and secure an evolution bead can keep half for themselves and submit the other half."

"Those interested, come this way. I'll provide an evolution bead, a low-grade Human Rank cultivation method, and enough mutated beast meat."

"Off you go!"

Acknowledging Fatty's allegiance, Mu Chenyu dispensed with formalities. After laying out his instructions, he gestured dismissively for him to get moving.

"Got it, boss."

Hwa Xin, buoyed by Mu Chenyu's words, walked off with a bounce in his step, his cheeks jiggling with each stride, his round face beaming with excitement.

He knew from their exchange that Mu Chenyu had welcomed him into the fold as his underling.

His excitement was palpable.

But excitement aside, he knew the importance of handling his tasks well to avoid disappointing his boss.

Meanwhile, Mu Chenyu watched Hwa Xin depart with an amused chuckle, wondering what was making him so cheerful.

"Are you planning to build a power base?"

Just then, Lin Qingyu's melodious voice chimed in, reminiscent of a warbling oriole.

Her question was laced with certainty, her insightful gaze fixed on Mu Chenyu, eager for his confirmation.

"Yes."

Turning to Lin Qingyu's voice, Mu Chenyu met her lively, mischievous eyes that sparkled with intelligence.

He nodded with certainty.

"Oh," Lin Qingyu fell silent, and Mu Chenyu had nothing to add. Both were quiet, lost in their own thoughts, yet they remained together, as if bound by an unspoken agreement.

Time passed like a stream—those tranquil moments always seemed so elusive.

In under ten minutes, Hwa Xin arrived with a crowd in tow, at least fifty strong, a mix of men and women, with men in the majority and a significant number of women.

Hwa Xin approached Mu Chenyu and whispered,

"Boss, after I mentioned your conditions, everyone clamored to join. It's quite a crowd. Should I send some back?"

Mu Chenyu was momentarily at a loss for words. He had casually mentioned needing about twenty people, fearing no one would show up.

But now, he realized he had underestimated the survivors' eagerness. Regardless of their motives, once they agreed to his terms, backing out wouldn't be easy.

Even if they considered siding with other factions, it remained to be seen if they could withstand the pressure.

After all, not just anyone could endure the wrath of a Half Step First Rank warrior.

Indeed, Half Step First Rank.

Last night, through intense cultivation, he had achieved the third level of the Horse Stance, the Furnace Pure Realm, and grasped the essence of Bright Strength, reaching the status of a First Rank warrior.

Yet, with his injuries not fully healed and his body still recovering, he hadn't begun to refine his strength and enter the Bright Strength phase.

But his mastery of basic strength techniques had vastly improved from the day before—they were incomparable.

Smiling, Mu Chenyu nodded at Hwa Xin.

"No worries, the more the merrier."

Turning to face the eager group of fifty-plus, their faces tinged with a sallow hue but eyes alight with anticipation, it was clear they were here for the potential gains. Whether they would adhere to Mu Chenyu's rules remained to be seen.

However, Mu Chenyu could easily discern their intentions. Rising slowly to his feet, his presence began to swell, gathering momentum and strength with each passing moment.

Once upright, Mu Chenyu, with the blade in hand, was the very image of a death deity incarnate. A thick scent of blood mingled with a skyward surge of killing intent, wave upon wave, bearing down on the fifty-odd hopefuls.

The weight of his invisible pressure bore down on their hearts, as if the gaze of the Grim Reaper left them gasping for air.

Time lost meaning—whether it was days or countless seasons that passed, it was hard to tell. But when Mu Chenyu finally withdrew his formidable aura, each person was left panting heavily, their clothes drenched as though they had been bathing.

It was then they heard Mu Chenyu's words:

"You are free to leave now. But remember, if you accept my generosity and fail to adhere to the rules, you had better consider whether you can endure my wrath."

With a disdainful "Humph," he pressed lightly on the hilt of his Tang Blade. A delicate crackling sound followed, and the floor beneath the blade splintered like shattered glass, fissures spreading outward.

The onlookers, still reeling from the ordeal, watched this display, and any lingering hope they harbored shattered.

It's human nature, after all. When the last vestiges of luck evaporate, one clings to any lifeline that promises salvation.

Thus, not a single soul chose to depart. They recognized this as a chance for transformation—access to the cultivation method and evolution beads could bolster their strength.

Moreover, Mu Chenyu's overwhelming power suggested that aligning with him could offer a measure of security for their lives. Despite the inherent risks, it represented a glimmer of hope.

For these reasons, they were compelled to stay.

"Alright then, Fatty, you're familiar with the cultivation method—teach them. Each will receive an evolution bead, and there will be ample mutant beast meat. Off you go!"

Seeing no one take their leave, Mu Chenyu spared no further questions and simply issued his command to Hwa Xin.

"Yes, boss," Hwa Xin responded robustly, leading the group of fifty-plus away.