14 Sudden

(Last chapter pushed, updating one chapter now; around six o'clock, two more chapters will be added. Please recommend and bookmark.)

"Zhou Bai."

Zhou Bai turned his head and saw that Elsa was rarely awake and staring at him with wide eyes.

"What's the matter?"

Elsa, looking guilty, said, "Zhou Bai, have I been eating too much? Have I eaten our base into poverty?"

"Huh?" Zhou Bai looked at Elsa's serious expression and suddenly realized that since class ended today, she had been distracted, even during dinner, she hadn't begged Dr. Zhuang for extra helpings.

Zhou Bai pondered for a moment and said, "Elsa, it's not your fault. The food in the entire base has decreased, so everyone has to eat less every day to give Dr. Zhuang more time to find new food sources."

Elsa asked, "Really?"

"Of course it's true," Zhou Bai comforted, "So Elsa must endure a bit longer. Soon you'll be able to eat more again."

"Mm!" Elsa nodded, "From now on, I'll eat a little less every day, Zhou Bai, I won't snatch your food anymore."

After comforting Elsa to sleep, Zhou Bai decided to experiment with his Primordial Spirit's power again.

An invisible force extended from Zhou Bai's mind as he raised his palm, feeling the pressure exerted on the air before him. He could even see tiny air ripples through the nearby nightlight.

"With 30 points of Primordial Spirit value, purely in terms of strength, it feels like I have the power of dozens of strong men."

Christina disdainfully said, "What's a little strength? Your Primordial Spirit power is the most basic of basics, without any subtle use. What's there to be proud of?"

"What's the rush? Look at my progress speed. Once I lie around a bit more..." With a satisfied smile, Zhou Bai gradually fell into sleep.

Boom!

Suddenly opening his eyes, Zhou Bai heard continuous explosions and rumblings.

"What's going on?"

Zhou Bai quickly got out of bed, feeling as if the base overhead was being bombed. Amidst the booming explosions, the ground, walls, and ceiling seemed to be shaking constantly.

He hurriedly opened the door and saw the previously pitch-dark corridor now illuminated by bright red emergency lights.

One by one, doors opened, revealing anxious children's faces.

Elsa, rubbing her eyes, also got up from bed and looked at Zhou Bai in confusion, asking, "What's going on, Zhou Bai?"

At this moment, Dr. Zhuang's voice rang through the corridor via the broadcast system.

"Zhou Bai…" Amidst violent impacts on the broadcast, "Take everyone to the lab… Without my orders, absolutely don't come out… Protect everyone…"

Boom!

Another violent explosion was heard, and Dr. Zhuang yelled on the broadcast, "Hurry!"

'Could it be… the so-called demons?' Zhou Bai was momentarily stunned but quickly grabbed the bewildered Elsa and rushed out. He shouted to the children still hiding in their rooms, "Everyone come out!"

"Hurry up! Follow me downstairs."

Zhou Bai knew there was no time for explanations. He even used his Primordial Spirit power to forcefully break down doors and pull out children who refused to come out.

Seeing the panic-stricken children wanting to run around, Zhou Bai used his Primordial Spirit power to block them and shouted, "Everyone, don't be afraid. We'll hide downstairs first. Once the doctor resolves the problem, he'll come find us."

Alice also stepped forward and shouted to everyone, "Don't worry, Zhou Bai is someone the teacher trusts. His power was taught by the teacher. He will protect us. Just wait below for the teacher to return."

Alice's reputation and authority among the children were evidently strong, and coupled with Zhou Bai being the oldest and showing his extraordinary Primordial Spirit power,

The children, though still fearful, followed Zhou Bai through the canteen's ventilation duct to the lab on the fifth underground floor. Zhou Bai used his Primordial Spirit power to twist the grates and seal the duct.

The others waited in the lab corridor, faces filled with fear and unease as the noises above continued.

At this moment, Alice ran to Zhou Bai, saying, "Zhou Bai, someone is missing. I've counted only 41 people. The teacher is above, the missing one is Ban Du."

Just then, a soft bang came from the ventilation duct.

Everyone looked up in terror, seeing a dark figure emerge. It was a cold-faced Ban Du.

Ban Du glanced around, landing his eyes on Alice, "Let's go, Alice. While the teacher is occupied, we must escape."

As he stepped forward to pull Alice away, Zhou Bai stepped in between them.

Alice hid behind Zhou Bai, shaking her head, "You're not Ban Du..."

Ban Du explained, "Alice, I've been pretending to avoid the teacher noticing anything unusual and suspecting me."

"The last time I escaped the base, I sent a signal to the rescue team. They're here to save us now."

"Come with me, Alice. It's too dangerous to stay here. The teacher could come for us any moment. We should quickly meet the rescue team..."

Alice shook her head, "No, it's the apocalypse outside. We'll die if we go out."

"Lies! All lies!" Ban Du said excitedly, "The teacher is lying! Humanity has already found a way to fight the apocalypse! He's keeping us here for his selfish reasons."

Ban Du's words caused the children to look at each other, but as the commotion above intensified, Ban Du frowned, "There's no time to explain. Come with me."

Saying so, Zhou Bai sensed Primordial Spirit power rising from Ban Du, attempting to push him away and grab Alice.

That was Ban Du's full power, 5 points of Primordial Spirit.

Zhou Bai reacted instantly, his own Primordial Spirit power surging to block Ban Du's attack.

Though Ban Du had 5 points of Primordial Spirit, Zhou Bai had diligently built up to 30 points.

Not only did he easily block Ban Du's attack, but the backlash even pushed Ban Du away.

"You also cultivated Primordial Spirit power?" Ban Du looked at Zhou Bai in surprise, realizing he wasn't a match for him. After a moment of thought, he said, "I understand it's hard to trust me due to the urgency. But I can show you proof…"

Zhou Bai narrowed his eyes slightly, "Alice, wait here for us. I'll go with him."

Alice, confused by Ban Du's words and unsure whether to trust him, subconsciously nodded at Zhou Bai's command.

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Survivors: 43