Grown Quite a Bit More

The old city no longer looked like the place they once knew.

It was permeated with the atmosphere of refugees and the aftermath of a disaster.

Although some people still followed the rules, living miserable lives in this chaotic world, the emergence of more and more unruly factions and groups had completely shattered the existing order.

To make matters worse, the climate was still changing. Bitter, howling winds tore through the sky above the city, and from time to time, one could see large amounts of debris being swept into the air, only to come crashing down without warning!

"We can't stay outside," Wu Yingting said, bracing against the strong wind as he began to communicate with Wu Hen using sign language.

The wind was simply too strong; it was a struggle just to open one's mouth to speak.

Fortunately, the whole family knew sign language. Faced with a city shrouded in something like a sandstorm, the family, whose house had been burned to the ground, set off on the road to find a new shelter.

"Dad, do you have a plan?" Wu Hen asked.

"Remember the Tropical Pavilion I took you to?" Wu Yingting said.

All three nodded. That Tropical Pavilion was located on a small hill behind the school. It was in a secluded spot, and not many people knew about it.

"The Tropical Pavilion has an underground level that I built myself. Further down, there is a tunnel connected to the air-raid shelter in the school and commercial district area. It's a perfect place for our family," Wu Yingting said.

Hearing this, Wu Hen's eyes lit up.

So, Dad had a backup plan!

The situation was becoming increasingly chaotic, and with many people inexplicably falling into the Otherworld, it had sparked widespread panic. It was no exaggeration to say that they had entered an apocalyptic era where morality and law no longer constrained most people.

"But hiding like this isn't a long-term solution," Yu Yi said.

"Mom, I'm not far from the Nuwa Divine Terminal. The two people who came to our house before promised me that as long as I can reach it, they will provide shelter for our family," Wu Hen said.

At this moment, Wu Hen realized just how tempting the conditions Ming Yi had offered him were!

Although his journey through the Otherworld Desolate Dust had been rough, he was already very close to his goal. He just needed a little more time.

"Yes, we must do everything we can to buy time for Xiao Hen, to ensure that while he walks through the Desolate Dust, his physical body here remains safe..." Wu Yingting nodded.

Now, the hope of their entire family rested on Wu Hen.

Wu Yingting knew that the vast majority of people in this world were abandoned, but there were, after all, a small number of people who lived within the Silver Dome and resided in the Silver Plate buildings.

These people did not need to worry about harsh natural disasters, nor did they have to wander in chaotic, lawless areas. They were the Pioneers of the Otherworld, people who had contributed to the Nuwa Divine Terminal, and the group that had learned the truth about the world earlier than others.

All of Wu Yingting's previous investments were merely attempts to trade for these things.

Unfortunately, he had still failed.

The wind was biting, lashing against their bodies like a whip.

The family had wrapped their heads and faces in cloth, leaving only their eyes exposed.

Visibility in the city was extremely low, with a yellowish haze hanging everywhere. In such a terrifying climate, food could neither be grown nor produced, driving the people within the city to become increasingly frantic in their desperation.

Along the way, the family of Wu Hen encountered groups with ill intentions.

Ferocity was one of the rules of survival in this apocalypse, but Wu Hen, armed with a firearm, clearly held the advantage in terms of force.

Seeing someone armed, those vicious groups of three or five did not dare to act rashly.

The streets were filled with abandoned vehicles.

There were many people hiding from the windstorm inside the cars, but some were in a comatose state, lacking any sign of life, much like vegetables.

On the main road, there were also people lying flat, motionless. Whether they had fainted from hunger or had been dragged into the Otherworld while walking, it was clear that surviving was becoming difficult.

"Roughly how many people have fallen into the Otherworld in this wave?" Wu Hen asked his father.

"It's unclear, but in every complete family, there is at least one," Wu Yingting said.

"About a quarter?" Wu Hen said.

"Yes, and the number is likely still increasing. Of course, a small portion have woken up, but after waking, they seem to have become dull, forgetting things. They seem very abnormal..." Wu Yingting said.

"Husband, if we die while walking in the Otherworld, are we truly dead?" Yu Yi asked.

"I can't say for sure. It seems there are a few different scenarios," Wu Yingting said.

"Everyone is still in the exploration phase, and the rules of the Otherworld feel like they could change at any moment. We can only do our best to collect valuable information..." Wu Hen said.

"Then, if we suddenly fall in, will we stay together?" Yu Yi was still worried.

"If that really happens, you just need to firmly head in the direction of the Nuwa Divine Terminal, and we will be able to reunite. Never waver in that belief," Wu Hen said earnestly.

Yu Yi and Yu Yu nodded.

Upon arriving at the school, Wu Hen saw that there was still an official perimeter around it.

The number of order-keepers was limited; they could only be dispatched to more important areas. As for the rest, the unseen and the unsupported, they were left to fend for themselves.

"Entry is not permitted here for the time being." The order-keepers were all armed, their tones cold.

"I go to school here. What's the situation inside?" Wu Hen asked.

"Many students and teachers have fallen into the otherworld. We are giving them time to wake up," the security officer said.

Wu Hen looked toward the school and saw many people wearing windproof suits, carrying one unconscious person after another into the gymnasium.

The gymnasium doors were open, and Wu Hen caught a glimpse of the sea of students lying inside. They looked peaceful, yet each one was devoid of life; some even wore expressions of pain and struggle in their sleep...

Clearly, this was a disaster zone for those who had fallen into the otherworld!

Among these people, how many would truly be able to return?

"Captain, a female student has woken up. Her mind is very clear," a security officer ran over quickly and reported with excitement.

"Did she say how she woke up?" the captain asked.

"It seems she found a Soul-Resting Tree."

"Soul-Resting Tree? Is that another way to return besides finding Yuan You?" the captain asked, puzzled.

"We are reporting it now. This information is very important. If we can inform everyone in advance, perhaps more people will wake up," the team member said.

"Mm, very good. Put this girl under special protection. Her valuable experience will be a great help to us," the captain said.

A smile appeared on the captain's face.

Having someone return from the desolate dust in his protected area, and providing such important information, was equivalent to a major achievement.

He thought to himself that these students were sharp; there would always be a few clever ones with strong adaptability.

If he could collect more valuable information, or if one or two Awakened appeared, he might even be able to get a promotion!

The captain was immersed in his pleasant expectations when a sudden, intense wave of drowsiness washed over him, causing his body to sway.

"Captain??"

The team member beside him quickly noticed something was wrong and immediately stepped forward to support him.

But the captain's consciousness was rapidly stripping away, and his body collapsed straight to the ground...

The surrounding security officers were stunned. They never imagined that their captain, who had just been lamenting the plight of these students, would fall into the otherworld himself!

"Take your captain inside. He won't be waking up for a short while," Wu Hen, having witnessed the whole process, kindly reminded the bewildered security officers.

"Student, do you want to go inside to take shelter?" one of the female security officers asked.

"Can my family go in with me?" Wu Hen asked.

The female security officer shook her head.

They had regulations as well. If they let everyone in, their limited manpower wouldn't be able to maintain order for long.

"In that case, never mind. I'd rather stay with my family," Wu Hen said, waving his hand.

It wasn't that Wu Hen didn't want protection, but these peacekeepers could barely protect themselves.

Besides, this was only a temporary shelter.

Trusting them was less reliable than trusting his own father.

Bypassing the school, the family headed toward the hill behind it.

They found the hidden Tropical Pavilion.

As expected, it had already been occupied, and the people inside showed deep hostility toward the arrival of Wu Hen's family.

"Old Ling, it's me. I'm the one who donated the funds to build this pavilion," Wu Yingting said, standing at the entrance and speaking to the people inside.

"I don't care if you built it or bought it. It belongs to me now. Get lost, get lost!" A middle-aged man's impatient voice rang out from inside the pavilion.

"There are only four of us. We won't cause you any trouble, and we can even help each other out..." Wu Yingting continued.

"Get lost! Get out of here! Do you think you're still some big shot like before?" the middle-aged man said, clearly displeased.

"Old Ling, we won't stay for free," Wu Yingting added.

"If you don't leave now, don't blame me for being unpolite—"

"BANG!!"

Suddenly, a deafening gunshot rang out. The last word died in the old man's throat, and he shrank back in terror.

Wu Hen stood coldly at the door, the muzzle of his gun still smoking. "Dad, why waste breath on this old bastard?"

This pavilion was built with his father's money.

Old Ling was just a caretaker; he really thought this place was his home!

"Creak~~"

A moment later, the door opened.

Greeting the Wu family was Ling Shaomei, one of the former housekeepers who had worked at the Wu family estate.

Beside Ling Shaomei stood the cowering Old Man Ling. He was clearly terrified, acting even more obsequious than when he worked at the Wu Group.

"Old Ling, these chaotic times aren't just about fighting and killing; they're still about human decency and social graces..." Wu Yingting walked inside and patted the trembling Old Man Ling on the shoulder.

"Yes, yes, you're absolutely right." Old Man Ling was drenched in sweat, nodding frantically as if welcoming his master and young master back home.

Old Man Ling led Wu Yingting, Yu Yi, and Yu Yu into the pavilion.

Wu Hen followed behind and locked the door.

Wu Hen glanced at the proud woman beside him, who carried the air of a cold, sophisticated neighbor, and couldn't help but smile. He teased her in a familiar tone, "Sister Shaomei, it's been a while. You've grown quite a bit."