As the dawn of a new day began, the convoy slowly resumed its movement after a quick and quiet meal. People packed their belongings without wasting time, their actions mechanical and practiced.
Their faces looked tired, but there was still determination in their eyes.
No one spoke much. Words had become unnecessary in this world. Survival was the only thing that mattered.
Among the many survivors, two individuals walked with calm expressions while their thoughts moved restlessly beneath the surface.
Li Xuan kept his pace steady, blending naturally with the crowd. His face showed nothing unusual, but his mind was far from calm.
Did he notice me last night?
The thought lingered like a shadow that refused to fade.
He replayed everything in his mind again—the distance he kept, the angle he observed from, the exact timing of his departure. Every small detail was examined repeatedly.
Nothing could be overlooked. Not in this world.
Abilities were too strange. Too unpredictable.
Some were obvious. Others were hidden, subtle, and far more dangerous.
What if he has some kind of detection ability?
Li Xuan's brows tightened slightly as he walked.
What if I left something behind… something I didn't even notice?
That possibility alone was enough to put him on guard.
He had already learned one thing clearly—never underestimate anyone who survived this long.
Especially not someone with a spatial ability.
Storage… detection… or something even worse?
He couldn't determine its limits, and that uncertainty made it far more dangerous than a known threat.
If he noticed me, he won't act immediately.
Li Xuan's gaze flickered faintly.
He'll wait. Observe. Just like me.
That thought alone made his heart sink slightly.
Stay normal. Don't attract attention.
He adjusted his pace slightly, making sure nothing about him stood out.
Not far away, Long Aotian walked with the convoy as well.
His face was calm, almost indifferent, but his thoughts were sharp and focused.
Someone was there last night.
He was certain of it.
Even though his spatial perception only caught a vague outline, it was enough to confirm his suspicion.
Someone had been watching him.
And more importantly—
They had seen his ability.
Long Aotian's gaze moved subtly across the crowd.
Faces passed one after another. Nothing unusual. Nothing suspicious.
Which only made things worse.
If they're smart, they'll hide it well.
A faint coldness appeared in his eyes.
Should I find him… and eliminate him?
The thought came naturally, almost instinctively.
But he suppressed it just as quickly.
Not yet.
Not without knowing who I'm dealing with.
Acting blindly in this world was the fastest way to die.
The convoy continued moving forward. Broken roads stretched endlessly ahead, filled with debris and abandoned vehicles.
The silence of the world felt heavy.
After nearly three hours of moving, a town finally appeared in the distance.
It looked worn down and lifeless.
Half of the buildings were damaged, and the rest stood like empty shells.
The convoy gradually slowed.
Then a steady voice rang out clearly across the group.
It was Captain Xu Ming.
"There are only two Level 1 ghosts inside the town," he said calmly.
"They are located far inside, around three kilometers from here."
A brief pause followed.
Those words alone eased some tension among the survivors.
"If you need supplies, you may enter," he continued.
"But stay within the outer area."
His tone turned noticeably colder.
"You have two hours."
"After that, the convoy will leave—whether you return or not."
The words struck heavily.
A ripple of unease spread through the crowd.
Some frowned. Others looked tempted.
"We will move two kilometers away and set up camp," Xu Ming added.
"We will rest there for two days."
"Prepare yourselves."
Silence followed once again.
Then, murmurs began to spread.
People started weighing their choices.
Risk entering… or stay safe and miss the chance?
Li Xuan stood quietly, listening.
Then his eyes shifted slightly.
He saw him.
Long Aotian.
Without hesitation, Long Aotian moved toward the group preparing to enter the town.
Li Xuan watched him for a moment.
Then he made his decision.
I'll go too.
He stepped forward and joined the group.
Not because of Long Aotian—at least, that's what he told himself.
He had his own goal.
He needed a vehicle.
Previously, he had searched but found nothing usable.
Most cars were heavily damaged or locked without keys.
He didn't know how to hotwire them.
And even if he did, the road conditions made ordinary vehicles unreliable.
I need something durable.
An SUV… or anything strong enough.
Even for resting, a vehicle was far safer than sleeping in a tent.
That alone made it worth the effort.
Around forty people chose to enter the town.
Among them, Li Xuan noticed familiar figures—the giant man and the fire girl.
Their presence made things slightly safer.
But it also meant more competition for resources.
As they approached the town, the atmosphere changed.
The air felt heavier.
Quieter.
The buildings stood silently, their broken windows staring like hollow eyes.
The group instinctively slowed down.
No one spoke loudly.
Everyone remained alert.
After entering, Li Xuan quickly separated from the group.
Moving alone meant less attention and more freedom.
His steps were steady as his eyes scanned everything around him.
Every street. Every vehicle. Every possible opportunity.
Meanwhile, Long Aotian stayed within a smaller group.
Not too close, not too far.
He observed quietly while moving.
Always calculating. Always cautious.
Time passed slowly.
Nearly forty minutes went by.
Li Xuan had checked many vehicles, but most were useless.
Some were crushed beyond repair. Others were locked.
A few seemed fine, but the engines refused to start.
He clicked his tongue softly.
"Damn it…" he muttered.
Time was running out.
Then, as he turned a corner, he slowed slightly.
Ahead, near a small wholesale shop, a group of eight men had gathered.
Among them—Long Aotian.
"Let's check inside," one of them said.
"It's a wholesale store. There might still be supplies."
"Be quick," another replied. "We don't have time."
For a brief moment, Li Xuan's gaze met Long Aotian's.
Both paused slightly.
No recognition.
No reaction.
Then they both looked away.
Like complete strangers.
Li Xuan didn't linger.
He moved on.
Another ten minutes passed.
Then—
He found it.
An SUV.
It stood near the roadside, covered in dust but mostly intact.
Li Xuan approached quickly.
He checked the exterior. No major damage.
He opened the door—it was unlocked.
Inside, it looked worn but functional.
Then he saw it.
The key.
Already in place.
Without hesitation, he turned it.
The engine sputtered—then started.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
"Good…"
He checked the fuel gauge.
Half tank.
Not enough.
He stepped out immediately and began collecting fuel from nearby vehicles using empty bottles.
He worked quickly and efficiently.
Time passed.
Thirty-five minutes later,
In the end, he managed to collect around 140 liters of diesel and 100 liters of petrol.
He nodded slightly, satisfied.
This should last for a while.
He leaned against the SUV, thinking about his next move.
Then suddenly—
A deafening roar echoed from the distance.
Li Xuan froze for a split second.
Then turned toward the sound.
His expression changed instantly.
A group of people were running toward the exit.
Fast. Desperate.
At the front—Long Aotian.
Behind him, several others followed in panic.
And at the very back—
A ghostly figure.
A girl dressed in white, floating slightly above the ground, holding an umbrella.
Wherever she passed, frost spread.
The temperature dropped rapidly.
Ice formed along the road and nearby surfaces.
One man at the back slowed—
Then froze completely.
His body turned into an ice sculpture mid-run.
No sound. No movement.
Li Xuan's face darkened.
"Idiots…" he muttered.
"They went too deep."
Without hesitation, he got into the SUV and started the engine.
He drove toward the exit immediately.
The distance was less than one kilometer.
But the broken roads forced him to take several turns.
Behind him, Long Aotian noticed the vehicle.
Hope appeared instantly.
"A car!" he shouted.
"Wait! Stop!"
"Take us with you!" others yelled desperately.
Li Xuan didn't slow down.
His expression remained cold.
"I'm not your savior…" he muttered.
Behind him, chaos unfolded.
Screams. Panic. Death.
Ahead—
Only survival.
He pressed the accelerator harder.
The engine roared as the SUV sped through the ruined town—
Leaving everything behind.