Awakening Zhongli Template, Retiring on Terra

The stone wall was thick, and even digging at it with the shovel from the mine entrance couldn't loosen it.

"Back off!"

Shi Lei's tone left no room for argument, and he told Texas to get the little girl further away. Exusiai, a bit slow on the uptake, still ran to a safe distance.

Suddenly, the pitch-black night sky was illuminated by a beam of light.

Meteorite plummeted from high above, striking the center of the collapsed mine with missile-like precision. A deafening roar erupted, kicking up a cloud of dust.

"Vortex of Heavenly Revelation!"

The previously sealed mine entrance was directly impacted, creating a large crater from the immense force. The ground caved in, loosening the rocks that blocked the path and revealing an escape route.

"Holy crap!!!"

It was the first time Exusiai had witnessed Shi Lei unleash his elemental burst in person, and her shock was evident. Texas, on the other hand, was much calmer, her face expressionless.

A rustling sound accompanied a biting cold wind that blew into the mine through the gaps in the rocks.

The trapped Infected instantly snapped awake, as if finding a glimmer of hope amidst despair. They clawed desperately at the rocks, trying to escape the damned place.

Shi Lei stood near the cave entrance and warned, "You're too slow like this, back off!"

Seeing that the Infected inside completely ignored him and continued to dig at the rubble, he created Rock Spears and jabbed them into the gaps between the stones, forcing everyone back.

"This is your last warning, back off!"

Once no one was visible near the rocks, a second meteor descended from the sky. It pulverized the accumulated rocks and debris near the mine entrance into dust in a short amount of time.

Although rocks were also falling from overhead, the pile was less than a person's height. The remaining gap was enough for the Infected to climb out.

"We're saved! We're finally saved!"

The trapped Infected escaped the mine. It wasn't the middle-aged men who emerged first, but the young men, followed by women and children, and finally the elderly who had difficulty moving. Most of them had black horns, belonging to the Sarkaz race.

The Infected knew who had come to their aid, and such kindness was rare on Terra. As they passed Shi Lei, they repeatedly expressed their gratitude:

"Kind stranger, thank you so much..."

Shi Lei's motive for rescuing them was to save lives, not to hear their thanks. He urged them on, "Alright, alright, hurry and go. Now that you've escaped, don't get trapped or captured again."

The Infected thanked him again and quickly left the mine, attempting to catch up with the Rhodes Island group.

The little girl who had fainted outside the hot spring was also reunited with her family as she had wished. They couldn't believe they had the chance to see each other again in this lifetime and hugged each other tightly.

The scene was deeply moving.

The little girl was lifted by her family and waved goodbye to Shi Lei as they left, eventually disappearing into the night.

[Received 3 Play Points based on host's performance.]

Watching the Infected depart, Exusiai tightened her collar and, tucking her neck, said, "Zhongli, give me a shield, I'm freezing!"

Shi Lei chuckled and cast Jade Shield on her, then walked towards Texas's motorcycle, preparing to return to the hot spring inn to rest.

"Vroom, vroom!"

Exusiai twisted the throttle, and the motorcycle's engine roared like a beast in the quiet winter night. She turned on the high beams and led the way. Texas, with Shi Lei on the back, followed the path they had taken.

As they passed through a small town, the three of them saw lights blazing in the distance. Many Ursus with bear ears, dressed in thick clothing and armed with various weapons, stood at their doorsteps.

This setup felt... off.

Exusiai revved the engine ostentatiously, drawing the attention of every household in the town. She scoffed, "Hahaha, what's with these people? Not sleeping in the middle of the night?"

Someone in the crowd suddenly shouted, and the other villagers raised their weapons in response.

They charged towards them, brandishing farming tools and crossbows, their momentum terrifying.

"Ura!"

"Ura!"

Exusiai was startled by their overly aggressive reaction. She had intended to use rubber bullets as a warning, but there were too many villagers charging at them, so she had to retreat.

Texas followed behind, and they both sped towards the hot spring inn. Shi Lei carefully observed the terrain. As they passed a narrow passage, he used Rock Spears to break through the accumulated snow and falling rocks on both sides, temporarily blocking the road.

He felt that these villagers were acting strangely, almost like a cult. He considered returning to the inn early to inform the owner of the situation and perhaps evacuate back to Lungmen.

Shi Lei stared ahead and suddenly spoke, "It's over. What about those people?"

Texas looked confused and glanced at him through the rearview mirror, asking, "What?"

"The Infected, you know. They don't even have weapons, they can't put up any decent resistance. If the villagers catch them, won't they end up dead in the wilderness?"

In the world Shi Lei came from before his transmigration, there was a saying: "Help others to the very end, send the Buddha to the West."

To rescue them only to abandon them to their fate afterward felt rather unkind. Especially in a country so unfriendly to the Infected, it would be even more difficult.

Texas gripped the steering wheel, gradually slowing the car. There was no doubt in her eyes, her attitude firm:

"What do you want to do?"

"Hmm, driving the big car is too conspicuous. How about we stop by the roadside and go back on foot to find them?"

Exusiai, seeing the car slow down, retreated. Upon learning of Shi Lei's concerns, she patted her chest and promised:

"Don't worry, no need to go through so much trouble. Just ride my motorcycle. Don't worry about overloading; my driving skills in the wilderness are guaranteed. However, Zhongli, I have a question."

"Go ahead?"

"I don't mind escorting those Infected away, but how long do we have to escort them?"

How could there be a definite answer to such a thing?

At the very least, they had to help the Infected escape the range of the villagers' pursuit and gain some time to rest.

"I don't know. We'll save who we can. You can't force these things; we can only do our best. After escorting them a few kilometers, they should be safe, right?"

Honestly, Shi Lei had no confidence. He couldn't guarantee that those crazy villagers wouldn't stay up all night just to hunt down the Infected.

After confirming the plan, Texas parked the car on the side of the road. Together with Exusiai and Shi Lei, they formed a human sandwich on the motorcycle.

Shi Lei's hands weren't in a good position to hold Exusiai's waist, so he had to grip the iron rings on either side of the seat with effort. Texas, not being shy at all, hugged him from behind.

After riding for a few hundred meters, he felt uncomfortable being squeezed in the middle and suggested to the two of them:

"Stop, stop, stop. Why don't we get off and walk?"

"We don't care, why should you? I hear sounds ahead, hold on tight!"

The motorcycle bumped violently on the uneven road, almost making Shi Lei's backside go numb.

But Exusiai was right; there were indeed clear sounds of fighting ahead. They stopped the car in the distance, lights off.

As far as the eye could see was a vast snowfield, with many felled wooden stakes standing in the land.

A Ursus army of about a hundred soldiers was engaged in a skirmish with the Infected at a narrow pass.

On the Infected side, there was a heavily armored strongman wielding a large iron hammer. He stood like a god of war at the pass, not letting a single enemy through.

Shi Lei squinted, observing the situation under the moonlight. The guy with the hammer was quite fierce; he probably wouldn't need his intervention.

"Over there."

Texas seemed to have night vision and quickly spotted the traces of other Infected. Fearing Shi Lei couldn't see, she took his hand and pointed towards a location to the west.

These Sarkaz Infected were hiding in the shadows, using any available obstacles for cover. To reunite with their companions, they had to pass through the Ursus army.

The Infected guarding the pass likely didn't have the troop strength to break out and support them, leading to a stalemate.

Shi Lei frowned, seriously contemplating how to break the deadlock. Having the Infected cross through the Ursus army would be no different from sending them to their deaths. The Infected with the hammer likely hadn't discovered the whereabouts of their compatriots, so after holding the position for long enough, he would retreat rather than charge out to provide support.

In the end, it had to be him again?

These Ursus soldiers were in uniform and should be considered official personnel. He felt that showing his face would affect Penguin Logistics' company reputation, so it would be best to wear a mask.

Shi Lei pondered for a long time and came up with a plan. He roughly ran through it in his mind and lowered his voice:

"If I remember correctly, there were about forty to fifty Infected at the mine. You two find an opportunity to help them rendezvous with the other Infected. As for those Ursus soldiers, leave them to me."

With that said, Shi Lei covered half his face with one hand. He released his rock element out of thin air, creating a mask to cover his face.

Once prepared, he walked directly outside.

As Shi Lei's power manifested, the rocks beneath his feet began to rise, step by step. Layer by layer, like stairs, they gradually lifted him into the air.

"Sir, look over there quickly!"

Under the moonlight, a mysterious masked figure emerging from the rocks attracted the attention of everyone present.

This person seemed to defy the laws of physics, stepping on rocks and rising higher and higher.

The mysterious masked figure clasped his hands behind his back, his movements unhurried. At first glance, it looked like he was walking on the moon.

Finally, he stood thirty meters in the air, looking down at the Ursus soldiers who had spread out their defenses below.

A calm voice descended from the heavens, with the bright moon as a backdrop, giving the impression of breaking through the wind and snow, followed by the grandeur of a towering mountain peak:

"Retreat."

With just one word, the Ursus soldiers lost their will to fight and instinctively took a few steps back. The leading officer, suppressing the trembling in his body, slowly raised his head.

The mysterious masked figure still kept his head down, as if looking at ants. Just standing there, he exuded an indescribable and immense pressure.

The officer clenched his fist, knowing the outcome of persisting, and reluctantly gave the order.

"Withdraw! Quickly withdraw!"

The soldiers, as if granted amnesty, scattered like birds and beasts.

067 Mudrock's Choice

Seeing the Ursus soldiers who had been chasing them flee in disarray, the Infected hiding in the shadows could hardly believe their eyes.

It wasn't until Exusiai and Texas approached them proactively to greet them that they emerged from the forest's cover, faces full of shock.

Behind the pass, several Sarkaz mercenaries peered out. Upon seeing their kin, they immediately rushed out and embraced each other.

To meet and survive within Ursus was a cause for great joy.

Meanwhile, the burly man clad in armor and wielding a hammer kept his attention fixed on Shi Lei, who was gradually descending.

Although he wore a rock mask, he was still recognized by the Infected who had escaped the mine. They excitedly approached him and even knelt to kowtow.

"You are our great benefactor!"

Shi Lei couldn't accept such reverence and reached out to help them up.

"No, no, no, please don't be so formal. Meeting you twice feels like fate. I just did what needed to be done, so don't give it too much thought. Now that the Ursus army isn't pursuing you, you should leave soon and find a safer place."

His words were beautifully spoken, deepening their respect. The main reason was the stark contrast; without it, there would be no such profound impact.

The Sarkaz Infected present had suffered greatly since escaping Kazdel, facing unprecedented hardships, especially within Ursus.

Even the farmers were determined to kill them. The hatred for the Infected in this country was more intense than in any nation they had encountered before.

The Sarkaz lineage had lost contact with three groups today. The largest group had just reunited. Besides them, two other groups were still missing.

A Sarkaz mercenary looked intently at Shi Lei, seeking his assistance.

"Actually, we still have people missing, you..."

"Enough!"

Mudrock interrupted directly. Her voice, muffled by her protective shield, sounded heavy and gender-ambiguous.