43: Chapter 43 The Cold and Alluring Enchantress Liu Ruyan

The survivors slumped in the vehicles, their eyelids drooping heavily. If they didn't stop to rest soon, even the drivers wouldn't be able to hold on.

Captain Liu Ruyan sat in the passenger seat of the lead vehicle, staring at the blood moon outside the window. With a cold expression, she raised her hand to signal The Convoy to stop.

She activated her Pathfinder Sequence and scanned the surroundings. Only after confirming there were no anomalies nearby did she give the order.

"Everyone stop! We'll set up camp right here! We'll rest here tonight and resume our journey early tomorrow morning!"

As the order was passed down, a collective sigh of relief instantly echoed through The Convoy. Everyone efficiently parked the vehicles and started fires.

Zhou Che walked slowly off the vehicle. With a slight movement of his fingertips, he directly activated the strange object, heaven and earth.

A pale, hazy illusion instantly unfurled, firmly enveloping the entire campsite. It looked no different from the desolate surroundings, but it created a maze-like barrier that would trap anyone who entered.

Although this illusion couldn't block anomalies on the level of the Wraith Black Mist, it was more than enough to stop ordinary ones.

Any oblivious anomaly that approached would be trapped by the illusion.

They would just circle the campsite without any chance of getting near The Convoy, ensuring the camp remained safe for the night.

As soon as the camp was settled and the campfires were lit, Shen Fei walked straight toward the vehicle where Zhou Botao was located.

"Zhou Botao, come out."

As Shen Fei's voice fell, Zhou Botao jolted and immediately scrambled out of the vehicle.

Although Shen Yun had already secretly tipped him off earlier, now that the moment had truly arrived, Zhou Botao was still so nervous that his palms were sweating and his heart was pounding wildly.

That was Mr. Zhou! A big shot who could create a Transcendent with a mere wave of his hand!

As an ordinary survivor about to ascend to the heavens in a single step, how could he not be excited and nervous?

Shen Yun also poked his head out, gave Zhou Botao a firm pat on the shoulder, and lowered his voice to encourage him: "Don't panic, stay steady! You know what to do when you see Mr. Zhou, right?"

Zhou Botao nodded vigorously, clenched his fists, took a deep breath, and followed Shen Fei toward Zhou Che's recreational vehicle.

Just as the two reached the recreational vehicle, they ran into Captain Liu Ruyan leaning against the side of the car.

In just a few short days, Captain Liu Ruyan's aura had changed drastically, leaving the two stunned for a moment before they hurriedly lowered their heads, not daring to look again.

Previously, Captain Liu Ruyan had simply exuded a cold, distant, and unapproachable air.

But since awakening the Demon User Sequence, she possessed an alluring, bewitching aura—a blend of cold beauty and eerie charm.

She was the spitting image of a cold-hearted, ruthless succubus; her beauty was aggressive, yet it made people afraid to approach.

Furthermore, she was Zhou Che's woman. Even if Shen Fei and Zhou Botao were given a hundred times the courage, they wouldn't dare to stare at her casually. They could only keep their heads down, not daring to even breathe loudly.

Shen Fei composed himself, took a step forward, and spoke with an exceptionally humble and polite tone: "Miss Liu, we need to see Mr. Zhou. I have finalized the candidate for the selection quota he provided earlier."

Captain Liu Ruyan glanced at Shen Fei, then her gaze fell on the tense Zhou Botao, and she understood immediately.

She nodded faintly, her voice as cold as ice: "Wait outside. I will go inform him."

After saying this, Captain Liu Ruyan turned and walked into the recreational vehicle, not giving the two men another glance.

Zhou Botao stood to the side, his head bowed the entire time, even softening his breathing.

Even Big Brother Shen Fei was so humble in front of Miss Liu; how could he dare to act out of line? He could only stand there obediently, waiting for Zhou Che to speak.

Not long after, the door of the recreational vehicle was pushed open.

Zhou Che walked out slowly, naturally carrying an intimidating aura of authority. The light of the blood moon spilled onto him, adding a touch of coldness.

His eyes were indifferent as he scanned Shen Fei, finally settling on Zhou Botao.

Shen Fei and Zhou Botao immediately bowed, paying their respects to Zhou Che with great reverence and awe.

Zhou Che stared at Zhou Botao, his voice low and carrying an unquestionable aura: "Are you the person Shen Fei recommended?"

Zhou Botao shuddered, not daring to hesitate in the slightest.

With a "thud," he knelt on one knee, looked up at Zhou Che with eyes full of piety and respect, and shouted at the top of his lungs to pledge his loyalty.

"Mr. Zhou! I am Zhou Botao! I am the person Big Brother Shen Fei recommended! I am willing to pledge my life to serve Mr. Zhou, to go through fire and water for you, and I will never have a second heart!"

Zhou Che nodded slightly, wasting no more words. He stepped forward and gently patted Zhou Botao on the shoulder.

A surge of immense Sequence power flowed directly from his palm into Zhou Botao's body, instantly shattering his Transcendent shackles.

Zhou Botao felt a warm sensation throughout his body, his limbs and bones filled with comfort. His previously exhausted body was instantly filled with strength, and his mind became incredibly clear.

He had truly awakened! He had really become a Transcendent!

Extreme ecstasy surged into his heart. Zhou Botao was so excited that his whole body trembled, and he shouted at Zhou Che again: "Thank you, Mr. Zhou! Your subordinate pledges his life to serve Mr. Zhou! I will never dare to betray you!"

Just then, footsteps were heard from not far away.

Wang Laowu also walked over quickly, bringing the underling he had selected.

Seeing Zhou Che present, Wang Laowu immediately bowed with his companion, his tone respectful: "Mr. Zhou!"

Zhou Che nodded faintly, his gaze falling on the young man beside Wang Laowu.

The young man reacted extremely quickly. He immediately mimicked Zhou Botao, kneeling on one knee and spouting words of loyalty, fearing that being a step slow would displease Zhou Che.

Zhou Che again raised his hand and patted him, pouring Sequence power directly into the young man's body to help him successfully awaken his Transcendent Sequence.

After finishing, Zhou Che waved his hand, his tone flat: "Go back. The camp is protected by the illusion and is safe for the time being. Rest well and hurry to familiarize yourselves with your Sequence powers; I will have use for you in the future."

"Yes! Thank you, Mr. Zhou!"

The two hurriedly kowtowed to express their gratitude, then followed Shen Fei and Wang Laowu, retreating with hearts full of joy.

Only Zhou Che and Lin Wan remained at the scene.

Zhou Che looked up at the blood moon in the sky, his brows furrowed imperceptibly, his gaze somewhat distant.

Ever since he had seen the Mechanical City, he had been holding back a surge of energy. Every now and then, he would think of that massive steel city, feeling restless and anxious to become stronger.

He wanted so much to see the full picture of the Mechanical City with his own eyes, and even more, he wanted to study the structure of that giant city to prepare for his future establishment of the Dawn Sanctuary.

But at this stage, the disparity in strength between the two sides was vast, inevitably leading to a sense of gap.

Lin Wan had observed Zhou Che's expression over the past few days. She walked up slowly, gently took his arm, leaned her soft body against him, and comforted him in a soft voice.

She knew that Zhou Che was overwhelmed by the imposing aura of the Mechanical City. Anyone who saw such a behemoth would feel a gap in their hearts.

"Mr. Zhou, don't think too much."

"Those big factions in the Mechanical City all made thorough preparations before the apocalypse and have deep foundations."

"We are different. You brought The Convoy up step by step only after the apocalypse erupted."

"In the apocalypse, it is as difficult as ascending to heaven for ordinary people to awaken as a Transcendent, yet you can create a Transcendent with a mere wave of your hand."

"It hasn't even been a month since you took over The Convoy, and we already have so many Transcendents. The scale and strength of The Convoy have doubled, far surpassing other small convoys."