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The mutants had undergone changes much like humans, and this was bad news for anyone in Cloud City who was qualified enough to know about this development.
The communications officer immediately established contact with higher-ups through satellites. After a grim expression, the response was clear: it wasn't just Cloud City; similar strange mutants had appeared to varying degrees all over the world.
Tang Xuhai believed firmly that there wouldn't be just one type of mutant in their area's garment factory. There might be more in Cloud City, busy hunting for enough food, possibly hiding in some corner.
The situation at the warehouse center was becoming increasingly perilous.
Despite the danger, acquiring various supplies was necessary. Those intermittently falling ill and running fevers required a substantial amount of antibiotics, necessitating a way to procure them. However, the Special Operations Team couldn't handle this mission alone. If it weren't for Tang Xuhai today, perhaps none would have returned.
The soldiers in the Special Operations Team were all transformed, their bodies becoming stronger and more powerful. But now, relying solely on these mutated soldiers seemed inadequate. They needed to incorporate those with special abilities.
The army didn't have its own individuals with unique abilities yet. There were a few patients with high fevers due to wound infections, but people couldn't ascertain if these soldiers, once awakened, could become those with special abilities.
Consequently, recruiting these existing individuals with extraordinary abilities into the Special Operations Team became an urgent matter.
The government assembled those awakened individuals, explaining the current situation. Officials skilled in stirring emotions described the Special Operations Team as exceptionally noble and admirable, stating that joining it was a highly honorable endeavor. Of course, it wasn't devoid of incentives. Joining the Special Operations Team promised various material rewards.
At present, people had very basic water, food, and minimal clothing.
The rewards included cigarettes, alcohol, clothes, various canned goods, and vacuum-sealed food, among others.
Upon hearing this, the people became stirred.
Even Fu Shiwu, who accompanied Wen Zhaoming, felt a pang of longing when candies and chocolates were mentioned.
Fu Shiwu felt a bit regretful; the Special Operations Team only sought those with abilities.
He wasn't one of them.
Although Tang Xuhai and Wen Zhaoming felt his marksmanship surpassed normal, he didn't have a fever. According to scientific research, he didn't classify as someone with special abilities.
Fu Shiwu thought maybe his ability was a mutation, just different from those whose bodies had transformed—a unique kind of mutation.
Wen Zhaoming quietly stayed with Fu Shiwu among the several hundred summoned individuals. His face remained calm, but his eyes held a hint of melancholy.
Given his condition, it seemed likely he'd be rejected.
Both disappointed individuals remained silent, merely gazing at the emotionally charged awakened individuals eagerly signing up.
As some had to stay behind to defend the warehouse center, the troops selected 30 individuals with significant attack capabilities, arranging them in groups of 15 to take turns accompanying the Special Operations Team in scavenging for supplies.
Watching the dispersing crowd, Wen Zhaoming turned to Fu Shiwu and said, "Shiwu, go back."
"Okay." Fu Shiwu nodded. As his gaze swept the crowd, something caught his attention, stopping him in his tracks.
"What's wrong?" Wen Zhaoming found Fu Shiwu's odd behavior and asked, following his line of sight.
The awakened individuals were crowding around the registration table, and in the distance were some ordinary people drawn to the commotion.
Wen Zhaoming spotted a few familiar faces, seemingly homeowners from Sky Garden.
"Recognize someone? Want to go say hi?" Wen Zhaoming asked considerately.
"No, no need," Fu Shiwu replied, frowning.
He saw Wang Ziping and Liao Ke, along with those who had initially accompanied Wang Ziping.
Upon returning to their space, Fu Shiwu informed Tang Xuhai about seeing these individuals.
"Oh?" Tang Xuhai, holding something in his mouth, raised an eyebrow. "Wang Ziping?"
He spat out what was in his mouth, revealing it was a broken toothpick. As Fu Shiwu glanced, he noticed the half-used toothpick.
Furrowing his brow, Fu Shiwu remained silent, understanding Tang Xuhai's implication.
Sure enough, Tang Xuhai sneered, disdainfully stating, "That scum! Not only did he divert someone else's car onto the safety island, forcing me to slow down and be chased by mutants!"
"So, that was his car!" Wen Zhaoming realized suddenly.
Back then, he had witnessed a car being diverted ahead, leading to a subsequent mutant attack. However, he wasn't aware of the car's owner.
"Not just that, this scumbag is quite cunning! Remember when we reached the parking lot? He called me aside to talk, actually trying to lure me into his car! He surely wanted to use me, probably to save himself when the critical moment arrived!" Tang Xuhai glanced at Fu Shiwu. "Do you recall that?"
"What? He did something like that?" Fu Shiwu looked at Tang Xuhai in astonishment, realizing he might have missed traveling with Tang Xuhai and Wen Zhaoming. If so, they might have perished.
Thinking about this, his disdain for Wang Ziping grew even stronger.
"He didn't just try to get me into his car for the first time; he’s done it before, trying to take advantage of my abilities. Remember those few maniacs? He got them injured, even wanted to harm them, and if I hadn't intervened, they'd be disabled. After that, that surname Wang ran to my doorstep, talking as if he cared, wanting me to manage the entire building with him. Isn't that absurd? I didn't agree," Tang Xuhai recounted.
Fu Shiwu's lips pressed into a thin line, displaying his discontent. He believed Wang Ziping was an opportunist!
He didn't know what Wang Ziping did before, as they didn't interact much, living on different floors. However, such people, adept at scheming, could always be found in companies, groups, or even school classes, always vying for leadership within competitive groups.
In essence, these individuals were ambitious and not content with a mundane life. Power, ultimately, drove people insane. To gain power, these individuals would resort to any means necessary.
Wang Ziping diverted another person's car to the safety island, ensuring his escape earlier to reach the warehouse center.
"It's been days since I saw Wang Ziping; I thought he didn't make it to the warehouse center," Fu Shiwu remarked, surprised.
"Hmph!" Tang Xuhai snorted, his expression suggestive. "The people in this warehouse had relationships that secured their spots. Wang Ziping might be scheming to secure a better position here!"
This assumption of Tang Xuhai's, however, was inaccurate.
By now, Wang Ziping had utilized his strongest skill, becoming the de facto authority in the warehouse he lived in, the esteemed "Warehouse Chief"—self-proclaimed, of course. He wouldn't have transferred to an unfamiliar warehouse.
Wang Ziping, along with Liao Ke and others, intentionally crashed into another car, attracting the mutants, then rushed towards the warehouse center.
They were
fortunate not to encounter more mutants on their way and reached the warehouse, receiving government accommodation.
However, because they arrived with a larger group, these individuals, prompted by Wang Ziping, refused to scatter, ending up in a warehouse with fewer occupants, which wasn't fully occupied at the time.
Wang Ziping was satisfied with this.
Wang Ziping usually worked in a corporate environment and was highly skilled in office politics, obsessing over authority.
When he hinted for those who came with him not to disperse to other warehouses, there was a desire to consolidate their position by relying on their numbers.
The subsequent residents were scattered families, most of whom were strangers. Naturally, they couldn't compete with this small group.
Wang Ziping took advantage of this, securing the representation of this warehouse.
When distributing water and food, he took the initiative, naturally becoming the go-to person for any notifications regarding the warehouse for officials.
Wang Ziping managed the distribution of water and food, benefiting those close to him, ensuring some perks for them.
He was careful not to overindulge or be overly obvious, well aware of who could be taken advantage of and who should be ignored. Soon, the strong and able were under his influence, while the vulnerable were disregarded.
Wang Ziping's actions were not an isolated case. In other warehouses, similar individuals were responsible for distributing supplies. The government gladly delegated these tasks as they had more pressing matters. Who had the time to distribute supplies to each person?
Consequently, these individuals in the warehouses voluntarily and involuntarily showcased their influence, establishing a certain level of authority.
Wang Ziping had aligned himself with these individuals, forming alliances. After managing several security incidents, they established a small authority.
When Fu Shiwu and Tang Xuhai arrived at the warehouse center, Wang Ziping was greatly surprised.
Tang Xuhai didn't accompany them in the car, which, in his understanding, meant death.
To his astonishment, these three individuals, who should have had no chance of survival, were alive and well, arriving at the warehouse center a week later.
This astonished Wang Ziping.
Furthermore, they were settled in by military personnel, a privilege reserved for those with connections to the intelligence department, the best-conditioned warehouse.
This made Wang Ziping uneasy.
He remembered blocking Tang Xuhai's car and wasn't certain if Tang Xuhai held a grudge and would come after him.
Wang Ziping had seen Tang Xuhai's skill; even though he learned stick fighting for a few years when young, he wouldn't be a match for Tang Xuhai.
Wang Ziping had been uneasy, considering Tang Xuhai a dangerous factor.
However, with more mutants appearing, Wang Ziping's confidence grew. He cleverly incited three thugs to sneak into the warehouse and try to steal from Tang Xuhai's group.
He wanted to test the current strength of Tang Xuhai's group, but before he could witness any retaliation from Tang Xuhai, he received news of Wen Zhaoming turning into a fire-based ability holder!
This news completely shook him, dissuading him from any further schemes. Even though he had a dozen or so mutants at his command, they would be no match for ability holders.
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