206: People are always greedy.

"I'm not saying all this today to ask for your forgiveness, but to let you know that I'm not a bad person, and I don't want you to misunderstand me!" Cheng Siyu spoke from the heart.

"Xiheng, I don't ask for your forgiveness, but I truly hope you don't misunderstand me. I'm still that quiet, reserved girl who silently follows behind you, not good with words!" Cheng Siyu said, looking deeply at Gu Xiheng.

After hearing these words, Gu Xiheng felt somewhat moved. He hadn't expected Cheng Siyu's feelings for him to have existed since childhood, yet in their usual interactions, he hadn't noticed even a hint of it.

"As for Xitian, don't blame her either. She's always known about my feelings for you. She was just standing up for me, you know. She's the gentlest of girls, only acting a bit unruly to protect me.

Alright, I've said so much. Are you getting a bit impatient inside? Sigh, Xiheng, I won't disturb you anymore. Xitian and I will always be the closest people by your side. We... both love you!"

After speaking, Cheng Siyu tightly hugged Gu Xiheng from behind.

Then she let go, turned around, and slowly walked down the City Wall.

Gu Xiheng didn't call out to her. At this moment, his mind was a bit chaotic; he needed quiet to sort things out properly.

Looking up, he saw frequent flashes of Superpower activity far in the sky—that was the direction of Ai Yue and the others. Unfortunately, he feared he might never have the chance to fight alongside her again.

No matter what Cheng Siyu said, it couldn't erase the specific things they had done. No matter how you put it, wrong is wrong.

He had been shielding both of them all along; he had done wrong too, and he wouldn't make any excuses to shirk responsibility.

But thinking about it now, perhaps given another chance, he would still make the same choice. After all, they were his family. He could punish them if they were wrong, but others couldn't.

Shaking off the tangled emotions in his mind, he sighed and decided not to dwell on it. Now wasn't the time to consider this; the most important thing at the moment was to collect a large number of crystal cores.

As for other matters, he could think about them later.

Currently, the combat power within the Base wasn't low, but it was all average, lacking top-tier fighters like Ai Yue and the others.

It was impossible to imagine freely entering and exiting zombie tides without casualties like Ai Yue and the others.

So, if they wanted to obtain a large number of crystal cores, there was no other way but to rely on human wave tactics.

Having made up his mind, he immediately organized the Ability Warriors to go out and clear Zombies without delay.

After going out, they made gains thanks to their numerical advantage, but many warriors were also lost.

"Young General, this isn't sustainable. Every time we go out, we lose too many people." After hastily retreating to the Base and taking a headcount, Yan Li said with a grim expression.

Gu Xiheng showed no expression. After a long silence, he said in a low voice, "Any news from the Underground Laboratory?"

"Young General, are you referring to the new weapons specifically developed for Zombies by Elder Huo and the others?"

"Yes!"

"If it's about that, there's no news yet."

Gu Xiheng closed his eyes. They needed to hurry. Their abilities remained stagnant, while the Zombies outside were evolving constantly. Once the Zombies' abilities all rose to the next level, they would be left in a passive position.

No matter what, improving their abilities was still the most important.

He glanced at the bag beside him. Inside were the crystal cores they had obtained from fighting outside—only a dozen or so.

He took one out and held it under the sunlight. The crystal core refracted a rainbow of colors, quite beautiful.

"Call the members of the First Elite Squad." Gu Xiheng said in an even tone.

"Yes!"

Soon, Yan Li brought the people in.

"Young General, they're here."

"Hmm."

Gu Xiheng looked up, his expression serious. "I called you here for no other reason. There are nineteen crystal cores here, all obtained by the warriors at great risk."

Gu Xiheng paused, then continued, "I plan to first enhance the abilities of a group of people. This group will go out to fight and obtain more crystal cores, then let others upgrade.

Of course, individuals can keep one-third of all crystal cores they hand over.

And you are the first group I've selected. If you agree with what I've said, each take two back to absorb, and tomorrow morning, come with me to kill Zombies and collect crystal cores."

The First Elite Squad had no objections; their expressions all showed delight. Who wouldn't agree to improving their strength and getting crystal cores? Only a fool would refuse.

The five of them each took two and hurried back to absorb them.

Nine crystal cores remained in the bag. Gu Xiheng took out three and handed them to Yan Li. "Absorb them well and raise your Superpower level."

Yan Li pursed his lips and smiled. "Yes, Young General."

Gu Xiheng didn't speak, just patted his shoulder, picked up the bag, and returned to his room, preparing to absorb all the remaining crystal cores.

He needed sufficient strength to ensure the safety of others.

Ai Yue and the others were still fighting in the zombie tide. By now, a large number of Zombies had fallen around them, and they had obtained quite a few crystal cores.

People are always greedy—the more they get, the more they want.

Ai Yue and the others were currently in such a state.

They had killed until their eyes were red; even someone as steady-minded as Gong Qiuqiu had a ring of crimson in his eyes.

With Li Shilan, the cheat device, by their side, everyone could maintain full stamina and Superpower, constantly moving through the zombie tide.

Only when the sky grew darker and Li Shilan's own consumption became too great did they end this frenzied state.

They quickly fought their way out of the zombie tide. Once they reached a safe place, they finally relaxed.

"Sister Ai Yue, look, I've harvested so many!" Ye Rui put a backpack in front of Ai Yue, happily hopping and spinning in circles.

Mo Li watched the youthful Ye Rui, his old face beaming with an unstoppable smile, his eyes glued to her.

The backpack Ye Rui gave contained nearly eighty or ninety crystal cores—truly a lot.

The others had also obtained quite a few, totaling over six hundred when counted together.

"Haha, this is too much! We've hit the jackpot!" Gong Qiumu shouted in surprise.

"Yes, yes! Ah... I feel so happy!" Ye Rui exclaimed, her little face flushed with excitement.

"Calm down, calm down!"

Ai Yue waved at the excited group. "This is just the beginning! Happier days are ahead. Don't act like you've never seen the world—stay calm!"

Ye Rui nodded like a chick pecking at rice. "Yes, yes, calm down, calm down!"

Though she said it, she couldn't help but jump excitedly.

Seeing her adorable demeanor, everyone smiled.

Even Gong Qiuqiu, who usually wore a gentle smile that didn't reach his eyes, showed a sincere smile this time.

Ai Yue joined in the laughter.

Though today they were stranded on the streets with nowhere to stay, at this moment, none of them cared.