41: Chapter 41 Zhou Botao, the Daring One

"Although I handed over a portion to The Convoy and to Boss Shen later, the remaining supplies are enough for me to eat for several days. This haul was a massive profit!"

Shen Yun widened his eyes, looking at Zhou Botao in astonishment, and couldn't help but say:

"You have some serious guts, kid!

That aberration had just swallowed someone, and the supermarket entrance was in such chaos, yet you still dared to go up and pull a cart?

If it were us, we would have been scared off long ago. Who would dare to hang around there!"

Zhou Botao scratched his head, looking indifferent:

"In this apocalypse, the bold are fed, and the timid starve!

If I don't take a risk, I'll only be stuck chewing dry instant noodles and going hungry forever. I had no choice but to go all out, and I didn't expect to get so lucky."

As they were chatting, Liu Yan, who was sitting in the corner with exceptionally sharp ears, suddenly leaned over, lowered his voice mysteriously, and wore a gossipy expression.

"Hey, you two, stop talking about supplies for a second. I have huge news. Do you want to hear it? It's guaranteed to be explosive!"

Shen Yun immediately became interested and asked casually: "What huge news? Did you find another supply point ahead?"

Liu Yan shook his head, looking smug, and patted his chest to show off:

"That's nothing! My ears have been sharp since I was a kid; people call me 'Clairaudient'—nothing gets past me!"

"Just now, Mr. Zhou called a meeting of the Transcendents. I was standing not far away. Although I didn't dare get too close, I heard the gist of it in bits and pieces!"

Once these words were spoken, Shen Yun and Zhou Botao instantly perked up and hurriedly leaned in close to Liu Yan, holding their breath, afraid of missing a single word.

"Hurry up and tell us, don't keep us in suspense! What exactly is the news?"

Liu Yan scanned the others in the carriage, confirmed that no one was paying attention to them, and then lowered his voice, speaking word by word.

"Mr. Zhou has released two more Transcendent nomination spots!"

Boom!

Shen Yun and Zhou Botao instantly became agitated; their eyes turned bloodshot, their breathing became rapid, and their bodies couldn't stop trembling.

Two more Transcendent spots!

This was an opportunity to ascend to the heavens in a single step and completely change their destiny!

In this apocalypse, there was no need to say what becoming a Transcendent meant.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing extreme longing in the other's eyes, and then, with a hint of trepidation, they eagerly questioned Liu Yan.

The two hurriedly pressed Liu Yan for answers.

"Do you know who these two spots are for?"

Liu Yan gave a sheepish smile,

"Although my ears are quite sharp, they aren't that sharp."

"Really? Two spots? Then... then could these spots land on us?"

Liu Yan stroked his chin, his gaze darting between the two, finally landing on Zhou Botao, his tone certain.

"I think, Brother Zhou, you have a pretty good chance!"

"Think about it, you were so bold today, moving supplies right under the nose of that aberration. You were ruthless, clever, and had insanely good luck. You might just get picked!"

Zhou Botao's heart skipped a beat, and a surge of wild joy welled up, but he pretended to be modest, puffed out his chest, and feigned a wave of his hand.

"Stop kidding, I'm just an ordinary survivor. No background, no strength—how could it possibly be my turn?

These spots are definitely reserved for people with skills and connections; it won't be my turn."

After speaking, he turned his head to look at Shen Yun and asked casually: "Don't you think so, Shen Yun?"

It was just a casual question, but unexpectedly, Shen Yun suddenly straightened his back.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, a hint of unconcealable pride appeared on his face, and his voice suddenly rose, carrying a touch of smugness.

"I didn't expect you to see through that! My father... *cough cough*, wrong script."

Zhou Botao and Liu Yan were instantly stunned, turning their heads in unison to look at Shen Yun, their faces full of astonishment.

The two had been with Shen Yun for several days and had always thought Shen Yun was just an ordinary, unremarkable survivor. How did he suddenly have connections?

Zhou Botao was bewildered and couldn't help but ask:

"You hid this well, kid!

Why didn't I hear you mention it before?

I was wondering, you have no strength and no ability, how did you manage to squeeze into Brother Shen's team? So you had backing!"

Shen Yun coughed lightly, putting on an indifferent air, and said calmly:

"It wasn't the right time before. My brother was struggling back then too; he hadn't become a Transcendent yet and couldn't even feed himself. I couldn't just add to his troubles, right?"

"Besides, him pulling me into his team was already taking care of me; I couldn't just go around showing off."

Brother?

Shen Fei is your brother??

Zhou Botao and Liu Yan instantly reacted, their eyes widening, their faces full of shock.

"Holy crap! Boss Shen Fei is your brother? Your biological brother?"

"Brother Yun! You've been too low-key! You're actually the younger brother of a Transcendent!"

"Cousin, cousin."

The two instantly changed their expressions, immediately leaning in, flattering Shen Yun with a tone full of obsequiousness.

"Brother Yun, when you make it big and become a Transcendent in the future, please don't forget us two! The three of us squeezed into one carriage and slept on the same mat; that's a bond forged in life and death. If you get rich, don't forget us!"

"Exactly, Brother Yun. If you become a Transcendent in the future, you have to look out for us. If there's a bite to eat, just share a bite with us!"

There was no help for it; this is the apocalypse. Strength is respected, and connections are king.

With a Transcendent brother, Shen Yun was definitely someone with connections among the ordinary people, just one step away from becoming a Transcendent himself. Who wouldn't suck up to him?

In everyone's eyes, the nomination spot in Shen Fei's hands was definitely reserved for his own younger brother, Shen Yun. There was absolutely no suspense about it!

Shen Yun felt comfortable being flattered by the two; the smile on his lips couldn't be hidden, and his heart was full of anticipation.

He also felt that the Transcendent spot in his brother's hands was definitely his. He would soon become a Transcendent and would never have to worry or be afraid again!

Sure enough, not long after The Convoy started moving, Shen Fei found an opportunity to call Shen Yun to his own vehicle and sent everyone else away.

Only the two brothers were left in the carriage. Shen Yun looked at his brother, full of anticipation, his eyes shining brightly. He was so excited that his palms were sweating, just waiting for his brother to speak and let him awaken his Transcendent Sequence.

Shen Fei looked at his brother's expectant expression, feeling a bit reluctant, but still looked directly into Shen Yun's eyes, his tone serious and straightforward.

"Brother, do you want to become a Transcendent?"

Shen Yun didn't even think about it, nodding frantically, his tone full of longing:

"Brother, I want to! I want to so much! I dream about it! I want to follow you and protect The Convoy together!"

Shen Fei sighed, patted Shen Yun's shoulder, his tone carrying a bit of helplessness and concern.

"You are my brother, and I do want you to become a Transcendent."

"But have you thought about this? I manage a team of people, all of whom are brothers who risk their lives following me."

"If this spot were given directly to you, when you haven't performed any meritorious service or put in any effort, my subordinates would definitely be unconvinced."

"They would say I'm practicing nepotism and favoring my own kin. If I want to manage the team in the future, no one will listen, and the morale will fall apart."