Chapter 6: The First Light of the Adventuring Party

Chu Feng and Liu Yong walked side by side through the dim alleyway, the clamor of the mob behind them gradually fading into the distance. The air was thick with the scent of dampness and decay, and the moss clinging to the corners of the walls emitted a faint, fishy stench.

Chu Feng turned his head, catching a glimpse of Liu Yong’s pursed lips and vigilant gaze.

"Brother Liu Yong, actually..." Chu Feng paused, lowering his voice. "That group is being directed by someone behind the scenes. Their goal is to seize the resources in our possession."

Liu Yong stopped abruptly, turning to look directly at Chu Feng, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "What did you say? What do you know?"

Chu Feng laid out the intelligence he had gathered, including the name of the rival faction, their operational patterns, and their covetous interest in those who possessed special sigil abilities. As he spoke, he observed Liu Yong’s expression; the older man’s tense features gradually relaxed, replaced by a look of realization and simmering anger.

"So that’s it," Liu Yong said, his voice low and powerful. "I wondered why they were hounding us so relentlessly. They want to turn us into their tools!"

"Exactly!" Chu Feng replied firmly. "Only by uniting can we stand a chance against them."

Just then, hurried footsteps echoed from the mouth of the alley, accompanied by shouts: "They’re over there! Don’t let them get away!"

The mob had returned, armed with various makeshift weapons, their eyes gleaming with malice.

"It seems they don’t intend to let us go," Liu Yong sneered, pulling a homemade metal crossbow from his back, the arrowhead glinting coldly.

Chu Feng did not hesitate, unleashing his Shadow Sigil. Black mist churned around him, forming a protective barrier.

"Brother Liu Yong, cover me!" Chu Feng barked, his figure flashing forward as he charged into the crowd.

Liu Yong quickly drew the string, aiming for the enemies' vitals, and fired several bolts in rapid succession, striking his targets with precision. Chu Feng wove through the enemies like a phantom; his Shadow Sigil transformed into razor-sharp blades, each swing claiming a toll in blood and flesh.

The survivors nearby, who had intended to watch from the sidelines, were stunned. They had not expected these two seemingly ordinary young men to possess such formidable power. The enemy ranks gradually crumbled, and they began to flee in disarray.

Chu Feng and Liu Yong did not pursue, standing their ground and scanning their surroundings with caution. Suddenly, a figure lunged from the crowd, a dagger in hand, aiming straight for Chu Feng’s back.

"Watch out!" Liu Yong shouted, simultaneously firing a bolt. It struck the attacker’s wrist with pinpoint accuracy, causing the dagger to clatter to the ground. The man clutched his wrist, let out a pained cry, and turned to run.

Chu Feng turned back, looking at the fallen dagger with icy eyes. "It seems someone doesn't want us to leave here alive," he whispered, his tone laced with murderous intent.

Liu Yong walked over and patted him on the shoulder. "Don't worry, we’ve already found a safe hideout."

Chu Feng looked up at him, puzzled. "A safe hideout?"

Liu Yong offered a mysterious smile. "Follow me, and you’ll see." He turned and headed toward a concealed alley, with Chu Feng following closely behind, his heart filled with curiosity and anticipation.

They wound through several twisting alleys, eventually reaching the edge of the trading market. The area was bustling with noise, the air filled with the aromas of various foods and goods—a stark contrast to the dark alleyway they had just left. Chu Feng scanned the area; people of all types moved about, some hawking their wares, others haggling, and some keeping a wary eye on their surroundings.

"Too many people here," Liu Yong frowned, looking around as if he disliked the chaotic environment. "How are we supposed to find the others?"

Chu Feng smiled and patted his shoulder. "Don't rush; let's observe first." His gaze swept through the crowd, searching for a suitable target. Suddenly, his eyes fixed on a corner not far away.

A small, thin figure was weaving rapidly through the crowd with agile movements.

"Brother Liu Yong, look there," Chu Feng pointed.

The figure snatched a loaf of bread from a stall and dove back into the crowd with astonishing speed. The stall owner realized the bread was gone and began shouting in a rage, drawing the attention of those nearby.

"That kid is a thief." Liu Yong’s brow furrowed deeper, his voice tinged with displeasure. "Someone like that isn't fit to join us."

Chu Feng walked to Liu Yong’s side and said in a low voice, "Don't jump to conclusions, Brother Liu Yong. I see how agile he is and how well he observes his surroundings. People like him are precious in this apocalypse. Besides, we need talent; we can't be too picky."

Liu Yong hesitated, but ultimately said nothing. Chu Feng knew he was still concerned about the character of the boy, Sun Yue.

They pushed through the crowd toward the direction the thief had fled. They passed several stalls and finally found him in front of a grocery store. He was squatting on the ground, tearing into the stolen bread with frantic speed, as if afraid someone would snatch it away.

Chu Feng stepped forward and asked with a smile, "Brother, what’s your name? You’ve got some impressive moves."

The thief looked up abruptly, eyeing Chu Feng with suspicion. His eyes were dark and bright, like black gems, flickering with cunning.

"The name’s Sun Yue. Who are you? What do you want?" He didn't answer Chu Feng's question, instead voicing his own doubts.

"We want to invite you to join our squad and survive together in this apocalypse," Chu Feng said directly.

Sun Yue paused, then burst into a mocking laugh. "Join you? Do I look like I have the capability to survive with you people? Are you blind? Hahaha."

People nearby began to cast mocking glances. Someone whispered, "Desperate enough to recruit a thief into their squad."

Liu Yong frowned as well, clearly dissatisfied with Chu Feng’s decision.

Chu Feng took a deep breath, ignoring the whispers, and looked at Sun Yue with firm eyes. "What we value is your ability to survive. Are you content being a thief for the rest of your life? Don't you want to rely on your own abilities to change this world?"

Sun Yue froze. He stopped chewing, the smile vanished from his face, and he lowered his head in thought. As he looked up to respond, he saw Chu Feng gesture behind him and step back into a defensive stance.

Sun Yue followed Chu Feng’s gaze, his pupils constricting sharply.

A monster, exuding a foul, rotting stench with festering skin, was silently approaching from behind the crowd. Its twisted face featured only a single crimson eye, flickering with bloodthirsty intent. Its sharp claws reflected a chilling light in the sun.

"A Fiend!" Sun Yue let out a low growl, leaping to his feet and grabbing Chu Feng to run.

Before the bystanders could react, the two vanished into the crowd like a gust of wind. Almost simultaneously, the Fiend let out a piercing shriek and lunged at the people. The market instantly descended into chaos; people screamed in terror and fled in every direction. Stalls were overturned, goods were scattered, and the air was thick with the scent of fear and blood.

Sun Yue pulled Chu Feng along, maneuvering through the dense crowd with ease, as if he knew every alleyway by heart. As they ran, Sun Yue shouted to the others, "Run East! There’s a secret passage to the East!"

Liu Yong followed closely, surprised to find that this seemingly frail thief possessed such astonishing speed and reflexes. Chu Feng felt a sense of relief that he hadn't missed out on such a talent. Sun Yue’s scouting and evasion skills were exactly what their squad needed most.

Under Sun Yue’s guidance, they quickly found the secret passage. It was narrow, dim, and smelled of damp mold, but at this moment, it was the only hope for those escaping the Fiend.

Pan Yue watched Chu Feng navigate the crowd. She knew how much effort he had put into forming the squad, and today, his labor had finally paid off. She walked to his side and gently took his arm. Chu Feng felt her affection and squeezed her hand in return; they exchanged a smile, leaving everything unsaid.

When they emerged from the passage, they found themselves at the entrance of a hidden underground base. The entrance was sealed by heavy steel doors, with two heavily armed guards watching the surroundings vigilantly.

"This is..." Chu Feng looked at Liu Yong in surprise.

Liu Yong offered a mysterious smile. "I told you I knew of a safe hideout." He walked up to the guards, spoke a few words in a low voice, and the guards nodded, opening the doors.

Chu Feng followed Liu Yong into the base and found it was a world of its own.

"It seems we still have a lot of work to do..." Liu Yong said, casting a meaningful glance at Sun Yue.

Chu Feng had successfully convinced Liu Yong and the others, and Sun Yue finally decided to officially join the squad. The people around them looked on with mixed expressions—some mocking, some admiring—but Chu Feng paid them no mind. He held Pan Yue’s hand tightly, feeling the warmth and strength she provided. At this moment, he felt every effort had been worth it.

The interior of the base was spacious and bright, with advanced lighting fixtures on the walls and clean tiles on the floor. Neat shelves were filled with supplies, from food and water to weapons and medical necessities. In the center of the base sat a small medical station where several medics were working busily.

Liu Yong looked around with pride. "This was originally a private research base that was later abandoned. I discovered this place by chance. The supplies are abundant and the defensive facilities are perfect; it’s an ideal stronghold for us."

Chu Feng’s heart raced with unprecedented excitement. Finally, they had a stable foothold from which to plan their future actions. He looked at his teammates, each of them filled with anticipation and hope.

"There are more challenges waiting for us ahead. We need to integrate quickly and improve our strength to deal with the competition from other squads," Chu Feng said, his voice low and firm.

Pan Yue nodded with a smile, her eyes sparkling with determination. "With you here, we aren't afraid of anything."

Liu Yong and Sun Yue expressed their agreement, and the four of them clasped their hands together. Chu Feng took a deep breath; he felt both anticipation and a hint of worry, knowing this was only the beginning. Looking at their new base and his team, he walked toward the command center in the middle of the facility to begin planning their next steps.