Chapter 70: Qi Current (2/2)
”W-what are you all talking about? What's this thing you speak of? Is it a war? From the way you're discussing it, it's a regular thing, right?” I asked, unsure what to expect.
”For now, you should calm Wu Yan first, and then once she's taken control of her senses, we will plan our next move.” Liu Zhi advised. ”Blade, can you inform shelter leader about this? We can't afford to leave him in the dark and precious minutes are ticking.”
After receiving the order from Liu Zhi, Blade disappeared in the blink of an eye. From my enhanced sensory perception though, I detected that he just stood up and ran faster than a blink of an eye. 'So he was hiding his true strength all this time I thought to myself.
As for me, I carefully approached Wu Yan and patted her on the shoulder. I've never had any relationship with women so I don't know how to calm her down. But back when I was a kid, my master would always pat me on the shoulder each time he encourages me to regain my composure. Was it the right approach to calm her down? I would have gone in for a hug if I had the confidence but sadly I don't.
Less than a minute later, Blade returned with Shen Rong in tow, his face flushed with worry. ”Liu Zhi, is it true?”
”Yes, we've also just received news from the other neighboring shelters as well.” Liu Zhi continued. ”Since the horde this time is bigger than last time, they managed to touch on farther shelters as well. So far, three shelters have already fallen down and countless others are struggling to hold their fort.”
”This is not good. Why did it happen so early? How many days before their ETA?” Shen Rong asked.
”About a week from now, shelter leader. Although, they might arrive quicker if the other shelters can't drive them out.”
”What's happening? What's going on?” I interrupted as I continued patting Wu Yan on the shoulder. By now, Wu Yan was already leaning on my chest as she clutched on my shirt. She was trying hard not to cry. She was probably traumatized by the subject, whatever it is Liu Zhi and the others were conversing about.
”It's the Rush Hour, it's happening much earlier this year.” Liu Zhi continued. ”This Rush Hour is connected to the Qi Energy that revolves around the earth. And since four years ago, the zombies evolved to the state that it could now track down where the Qi Energy is most abundant. This concentrated Qi Energy helps cultivators in their cultivation and it travels around the world.”
”Oh, I know about that. it's the Qi Current, right? Why do you call it the rush hour?” I continued. I've heard about this phenomenon before— even I managed to hasten my cultivation because of it!— this Qi Current flows on the earth's surface at such a pace that all cultivators around the world could partake of its benefits in boosting someone's cultivation level. Every person in the world has already probably seen it or took part in it since it's a worldwide phenomenon.
”The zombies have evolved to a state where they track this Qi Current down. Now they know that the more abundant Qi is in a place, time more people are likely to gather there. And thus, as more and more zombies evolve, the bigger the horde got. And now, close to ten thousand rabid humans are chasing this Qi Current.”
”It has a cycle of once a year and it always happens every fall season. But now, it's already happening in springtime. Somebody probably disrupted the flow of current or the current just got naturally faster.” Blade continued. ”Last year we were able to survive but the losses were so great. This year, I'm afraid that we might not make it through.”
”The Qi Current may be an aid to our cultivation and it might help us in our breakthrough. But now, times have changed Yong Rui. The Qi Current that everyone anticipated and admired is now a current of death, followed by a huge horde that tramples everything in its path.” Shen Rong continued.
”Shelter leader, I'm afraid that Yong Rui and I have to go.” Luo Zehn suddenly spoke up.