"Berserker? You said Berserker? Don't tell me there are also Mages, Sword Saints, and the like?"
Lin Zhibin found it extremely incredible. After all, Berserker was clearly a class that only existed in games. How could humans in the real world possibly become Berserkers, Mages, and such?
If it weren't for witnessing the advent of the apocalypse, Lin Zhibin would definitely think Li Jiayu's brain had short-circuited.
"Mm, Berserkers do indeed exist. Mages, Sword Saints, Healers, and the like will also emerge. You don't need to be surprised. In the apocalypse, anything is possible. Don't forget, I myself am a Summoner, doubling as a Prophet."
In the apocalypse, many things couldn't be viewed with common sense. Although human scientific civilization would suffer a devastating blow, a new path would also develop – unlocking the potential within the human body itself.
"You also saw me dig out a sparkling crystal from the Scythe Beetle King's head, right? That's an Insect Crystal, a very precious item. It's a catalyst for biological energy."
As they spoke, Li Jiayu and the others had already reached the eighth floor. Suddenly, a Venomous Spider screeched "Scree scree" and lunged over. Its spider legs and mandibles were stained with blood; clearly, it had already tasted blood, eaten humans. Perhaps having savored the deliciousness of human flesh, it regarded these humans who entered its sight as prey.
"Heh, delivering yourself to my doorstep?!"
Although carrying Hua Xiaolu on his back, Li Jiayu's terrifying combat intuition and exquisite swordsmanship were not just for show. With a flash of his blade, snowflakes fluttered, cold light flared, and immediately two ice sculptures fell to the ground with thuds!
A mere mid-Tier 1 Venomous Spider was nothing but fodder to be instantly killed before Li Jiayu; it couldn't possibly threaten him.
The Dark Octopus following behind cheered, waving its tentacles and happily sucking the Venomous Spider's brain matter – that was its favorite snack.
The girls looked with complicated gazes at the dismembered spider remains, whose brains had been sucked out, and sighed softly. The Venomous Spider seemed easily defeated, but they had personally experienced how terrifying it actually was. Perhaps it could be slaughtered by Li Jiayu, but against ordinary humans, it was usually the one doing the slaughtering! Who knew... in this vast academic building, how many students would be bitten to death, poisoned to death by Venomous Spiders!
Indeed, staying by Li Jiayu's side was the safest. The person they had chosen definitely wouldn't disappoint them.
"Hey, don't look at that disgusting spider. Keep listening to me. Insect Crystals are good stuff. A single lowest-grade Insect Crystal is far more valuable to humans than a thousand-year-old ginseng. For example, the crystal from a Red-Crested Beetle can enhance human muscle toughness and strengthen arm power;
—Or the evolved form of the Venomous Spider, the Corpse Toxin Spider, its crystal can enhance cellular immunity and increase poison resistance;
—Tentacle Eyeball, its crystal can enhance vision, cure myopia and astigmatism. Consuming a few more can even grant night vision;
—Or the evolved form of the Acid Bug, the Corrosion Bug, its crystal can accelerate human metabolism;
—The evolved form of the Blood-Sucking Insect, the Demonic Blood Butterfly, its crystal can significantly improve blood quality, doubling the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity...
In short, the powers of Insect Crystals are diverse and mysterious. If you're lucky enough to snatch low-level magic weapons from some Zombie Generals or Skeleton Mages, they can even serve as energy sources... Oh, most importantly, Insect Crystals can also speed up your training, whether you're training your body or soul, allowing you to achieve twice the result with half the effort. It's precisely because of biological energy sources like Insect Crystals and Magic Crystals that the human race managed to struggle and survive through the great apocalyptic tribulation..."
This time, even Sun Weiwei couldn't help herself. A strange light flashed in her eyes, and she spoke somewhat excitedly:
"You mean... as long as we kill some powerful insects, we can get Insect Crystals, thereby strengthening ourselves, breaking through the limits of ordinary humans, and becoming superhuman... Jiayu, you must help me! I also want to become as strong as you! I will work very, very hard to learn! I will prove it to you! I won't become that kind of woman! I will protect myself well and save the most precious thing for the person I love."
As she spoke, Sun Weiwei stared intently at Li Jiayu, her gaze holding a hint of pleading and the determination of an oath.
"Mm, I will naturally help you. However... Insect Crystals also have drawbacks. Many people have lost their minds due to consuming large quantities of Insect Crystals. Mild cases result in neurosis, turning into madmen. Severe cases lead to self-immolation of flesh and blood, turning into ashes. So, Insect Crystals must be used cautiously. Don't do foolish things pursuing temporary training speed."
"Ordinary people can initially only absorb high-Tier 1 Insect Crystals. Saturation is reached after absorbing about ten. Therefore, choosing which Insect Crystal to use and strengthening yourself selectively is very important, like scarce skill points, barely enough for you to develop in one direction... Ah, forget it, telling you now is useless; you don't have the concept yet. It won't be too late to explain in detail after we survive this crisis."
Hua Xiaolu, lying on Li Jiayu's back, looked dreamy and suddenly asked mysteriously:
"Jiayu, how do you know so much?... I know! Are you part of the Dragon Group? The kind with special skills, usually disguised as ordinary people, but secretly shouldering the glorious duty of protecting the country and the people? You, your mission at our school is to save us, right?"
"Dragon Group? Protecting the people?"
Li Jiayu sneered, rolled his eyes, and said, both amused and exasperated:
"Don't be silly, have you read too many novels? How could this country possibly have that kind of organization? Moreover, in the apocalypse... social order has completely collapsed. The country itself lacks protection, let alone the worthless lives of the people? Now it's neither home nor country; government agencies are completely paralyzed, and military districts are also in chaos... Soon, an era of warlords vying for supremacy will arrive. Maybe then a few organizations like the Dragon Group will be born..."
As he spoke, an indescribable light flashed in Li Jiayu's eyes. Regarding the "organizations" under various factions, Li Jiayu was extremely familiar, because most of the enemies who hunted him in his previous life were elite masters from major organizations!
Who knew... if he would have the chance to meet those elite masters again in this life. If possible, it would be best not to become enemies with them again. After all, human elites emerged endlessly, brilliant and talented; quite a few earned Li Jiayu's deep admiration. In this life, Li Jiayu hoped they wouldn't be enemies, but friends who could chat and laugh together.
Of course, certain elite masters with whom he had blood feuds... turning hostility into friendship was impossible!
What they owed him in the previous life... would be repaid double in this life!
Even if they died inexplicably!
Just then, Li Jiayu and the others reached the twelfth floor!
"Insects! Insects! Run!"
Suddenly, they heard an extremely terrified scream. Looking down the corridor, they saw a Red-Crested Beetle moving menacingly along it. And in front of it were two middle-aged men in suits!
One was Department Head Huang Guangtao.
The other was Vice Principal Fan Haiqiang.
Both were powerful leaders at Xijiang University, usually imposing and putting on airs, looking down on all students, presenting an image of authority and pedagogical example. But at this moment, they ran extremely wretchedly. With their hollowed-out bodies and round beer bellies, they couldn't run fast at all. The Red-Crested Beetle behind them was about to catch up!
And unfortunately, the doors to the classrooms on both sides were tightly locked!
Damn it, am I going to die in the mouth of an insect just like this?
Vice Principal Fan Haiqiang gritted his teeth unwillingly, reached out, grabbed the Department Head Huang Guangtao beside him, and, amidst the latter's astonished gaze, pushed him backward!
Right on target, Department Head Huang Guangtao was pushed onto the Red-Crested Beetle's sharp horn!
"Squelch!"
The pitiful middle-aged man was impaled in the abdomen by the meter-long, crescent-shaped horn. His intestines immediately ruptured, and he vomited blood wildly!
The Red-Crested Beetle also paused momentarily, shook its body, threw the human off its horn onto the ground, then bit down on Huang Guangtao's still breathing head. With a crack, the head broke off, and the Red-Crested Beetle began chewing it like eating beans.
"Guangtao, it wasn't in vain that I promoted you for so many years, solving so many troubles for you... This time, you used your body to block a disaster for me. Consider it repayment for my appreciation of you."
Vice Principal Fan Haiqiang thought silently. He felt no guilt whatsoever. He believed that, as a person of status, sacrificing a dog kept by his side for years was very normal, nothing shameful.