It Has Intelligence, Little Green Tea's Thoughts

Su Yun looked at their shocked expressions, feeling it was just like her own when she first heard the news. She couldn't help but sigh, "Some experts predict that at its current growth rate, this tree could cover half the city in just three months!"

"So, to protect Shancheng, most of the police force was mobilized to deal with that tree."

"As a result, the tree is alive, it fights back, and anyone who gets close is killed by it!"

"Even helicopters were shot down by its branches."

"Th-then why not use fire? Trees are supposed to be afraid of fire, right?" Zhou Wan'er asked curiously.

"Well, experts did suggest using fire."

Su Yun nodded, then continued, "However, the tree is rooted in a densely populated area in the city center. If we used fire, the collateral damage to innocent people would be immense."

"So, higher-ups delayed giving the order, only allowing fire attacks after the civilians were evacuated."

"But it was already too late."

"Its growth rate is too fast."

"In just one day, its size increased many times over."

"When we finally started using fire, no one expected that the tree would actually sever some of its own branches to extinguish the flames, and that it would prioritize attacking weapons that threatened it."

Su Yun spoke with a look of helplessness.

Only those who had witnessed that battle firsthand could comprehend the terror of that tree.

"It has intelligence!?"

Zhou Wan'er and the long-haired girl were astonished.

Severing branches to survive!

Identifying enemies!

Was this the intelligence a tree could possess?

Su Yun sighed and nodded, her eyes filled with sorrow. "By the time we thought of other methods, it was already too late, because most of the police force had already sacrificed themselves in that operation..."

Shen Yi's eyes showed unprecedented tension after hearing this.

If this giant tree was still growing wildly, it would cover the entire Shancheng in at most half a year.

By then, everything in the city would become its nourishment, including humans!

Shen Yi pondered with a grave expression for a moment, then continued, "Were there no military reinforcements? If they used weapons like missiles, they should have been able to deal with it, right?"

"I'm not sure. I only know that someone contacted the military, but the military seems to be dealing with some mutated creatures as well."

Su Yun shook her head slightly.

After all, she wasn't a high-ranking official and didn't know much.

But even this information made Shen Yi feel a huge sense of crisis!

Currently, the most dangerous thing in Shancheng was the constantly growing tree in the city center.

If it wasn't dealt with, no matter how well he hid, he would eventually be consumed and become its nourishment.

But dealing with it seemed almost impossible.

The police had used countless forces, even bringing out helicopters and armored vehicles, and still couldn't solve it. What could he do with just a small pistol?

It seemed he needed to make plans early and leave Shancheng as soon as possible to go to other cities.

Although this apocalypse had engulfed the entire world, he figured other cities probably didn't have such terrifying trees, right?

Otherwise, humanity would truly be facing extinction!

Moreover, since the military didn't come to Shancheng's aid, they must have gone to rescue closer or more important cities.

For example, Modu, Didu.

These economic and political capitals of Xia Country would definitely be prioritized for protection.

With the military's firepower, they should at least be able to secure a few cities and establish safe zones, right?

If even those weren't available, Shen Yi truly didn't know how he would protect himself.

Unless...

He could unlock more resources, and those resources included ability fruits, allowing him to gain some awesome abilities. Then, perhaps he could deal with the constantly growing tree.

Thinking of this, Shen Yi couldn't help but look at Su Yun.

It seemed he also needed to get her reward now.

Previously, Shen Yi just wanted to lie low, have enough to eat and drink, and be able to relax.

But now, the fire had truly reached him, and he felt a sense of urgency.

Even if he couldn't gain the power to deal with the tree, he at least needed to possess the ability to absolutely protect himself!

While Instant Movement was powerful, the 20-meter range was still too short.

"Are you all ready? I'll go open the door now. Once I lure that gecko away, you guys need to leave as quickly as possible! Don't waste any time!"

Su Yun took out her pistol, ready for a fight.

"Sister Su Yun, you have to be careful too…" Zhou Wan'er and the long-haired girl said with reluctance.

Although they had selfish little thoughts, they were also genuinely grateful for Su Yun's efforts.

Su Yun knew she would likely not survive, but she still nodded in response to the two young girls. Then, she looked at Shen Yi and said seriously, "Comrade Shen Yi, I hope you can look after them. In this world, only by helping each other can we humans continue to survive!"

"I know."

"Then get ready. When you hear the noise, leave quickly, don't waste any time!"

After Su Yun finished speaking, she walked towards the door and cautiously opened the convenience store's door.

Outside, there was only dense black fog and the sound of wind. No danger could be seen.

Su Yun took a deep breath and cautiously stepped out, observing her surroundings.

The gecko was nowhere to be found.

This color-changing monster was very difficult to spot with the naked eye once it hid in the black fog.

Su Yun glanced back at the convenience store, then walked into the black fog, deliberately making noise with her footsteps to try and lure out the gecko.

"Brother Shen Yi, should, should we go out now?" Zhou Wan'er quickly asked.

The long-haired girl also clutched her backpack, ready to flee at any moment.

Shen Yi glanced at her and said, "You two continue to hide in the inner room. Come out when I call you."

"Huh? Wh-why? Isn't it better for us to leave quickly after Sister Su Yun lures away that monster?"

Zhou Wan'er asked anxiously.

"Shut up! If you're not willing to listen, then you can leave now, but don't follow me!"

Shen Yi couldn't be bothered to waste words. He walked out of the convenience store after speaking.

If Zhou Wan'er was obedient, he wouldn't mind saving her life. If she was disobedient, she was courting death.

Zhou Wan'er was so reprimanded that she didn't dare to speak. Only after Shen Yi left did she stomp her foot angrily.

"Damn it! This dense straight man!!"

After cursing and venting her frustration, Zhou Wan'er exchanged a look with the long-haired girl. In the end, they closed the door and obediently hid in the storage room.

Without anyone to protect them, they stood no chance of surviving in such a dangerous world.

Although they didn't understand Shen Yi's intentions, they could only obey him now.

After all, Shen Yi had a gun. Their only hope of survival was by following him!

Although Zhou Wan'er could be manipulative, she wasn't stupid.

"Tap!"

"Tap!"

"Tap!"

In the black fog, Su Yun held her pistol with both hands, her long legs striding slowly. She deliberately made noise with her footsteps, watching her surroundings vigilantly, not even daring to breathe heavily.

She knew very well that the mutated gecko could ambush her at any moment!

She had to react immediately.

Even if she was attacked, she had to kill this monster!

Su Yun walked slowly, making loud noises.

This undoubtedly fueled the mutated gecko's desire to hunt her.

At this moment, In the black fog, a pair of cold, vertical pupils were quietly staring at Su Yun.

The owner of the vertical pupils had a body that had almost merged with the black fog.

It remained still, not moving at all.

It was waiting for its prey to come to it.

Su Yun, slowly walking closer, was its prey.

Silence.

Soundlessness.

Just as the prey was about two meters away from it, it moved.

The color that had blended with its surroundings was exposed the moment it moved!

It was a giant gecko!

Its speed was incredibly fast. Even though the prey had reacted at this distance, it was simply too late to mount any effective resistance.

Not to mention, Su Yun was facing it from the side, completely unable to sense it immediately!

By the time she did, it was already too late…

"Bang bang bang bang!"

Suddenly, several gunshots rang out in the black fog.

Su Yun was startled and spun around abruptly.

She saw a giant gecko lying just tens of centimeters away from her…

The gecko had several bullet holes on its body, bleeding profusely, its life force extremely weak.

Su Yun didn't hesitate and fired two more shots into the gecko's head, completely killing the mutated creature.

Afterward, she finally let out a huge sigh of relief, breathing deeply.

Her back was already covered in sweat!

The hand holding the pistol was trembling slightly!

So close, she had almost died just now!

It would be a lie to say she wasn't scared or terrified.

She was only human.

However, now that she wore this uniform, she had to live up to the responsibility it represented.

She couldn't back down, nor would she.

If she could avoid death, she didn't want to die, she truly didn't want to die!

"Thank you…"

Su Yun looked at the man with the pistol emerging from the black fog, her eyes shining with gratitude.