The crowd was still recovering from their shock.
What they had just witnessed was beyond comprehension.
Although Li Song had not been a particularly friendly person, no one could remain indifferent after seeing a fellow human being die so tragically right before their eyes.
But the dead could not be revived, and the living had to press on.
Especially in the post-apocalyptic world where survival was already a struggle.
Luo Shu scratched his head and let out a long sigh.
The others in Mo Chen's team also turned away sadly.
"Awoo," the zombies outside the iron gate heard the commotion within and became even more agitated. Several handprints had already appeared on the gate!
"Let's... let's get out of here quickly! They look like they're going to break in!"
Someone suddenly reminded them.
Without further hesitation, everyone fled as if their lives depended on it, heading towards another passage that looked much brighter.
"Mo Chen, look at this!" someone ahead suddenly shouted.
"Is this the supermarket warehouse!"
Surprised voices echoed through the crowd.
Luo Xiaole squeezed to the front and saw that it was indeed!
This unusually heavy door, and the combination lock on it.
This was the supermarket warehouse!
"Good heavens, we were planning to sneak into the supermarket from a side entrance, thinking there wouldn't be many zombies there, and ended up stumbling into someone's warehouse?" Zhou Xiaojun said in disbelief.
"Don't even think about it, what's the use of a warehouse? Warehouse doors are specially made, we can't open them at all. What a wasted trip!" someone nearby said dejectedly.
He was right, and the group's elation was instantly doused with cold water.
They had sacrificed one person, were now trapped in a place they couldn't get out of, and hadn't even managed to get any supplies. What was it all for?
"How about... I give it a try?" a faint female voice came from the crowd.
Everyone turned to look at Luo Xiaole, their eyes full of doubt.
Was this girl some kind of locksmith?
But an iron lock was one thing, this combination lock was impossibly difficult. How could she possibly open it?
Soon, the "little sack" in the loose hoodie squeezed to the front of the crowd.
"I have new weapons from the 'Big Shot of Weapons' here, maybe they can open this kind of door. Everyone, make way." Luo Xiaole blurted out.
After all, what she said was true.
No one knew she was the "Big Shot of Weapons" in the group.
She could use her own reputation, right?
The crowd was half-believing, but they were willing to try anything, so they made some space for her.
She took out the small knife she had just strengthened with "Blade of the World" in front of the iron gate, stood on tiptoe, and slowly drew an arc along the edge of the large iron gate.
The iron gate showed no reaction.
"I knew it, how could this possibly be cut open," someone in the crowd began to backtrack.
But in the next second, the iron gate let out a "creak," and the place where it had been scratched instantly cracked open.
The iron gate, like paper blown over by the wind, crashed to the ground with a "bang" without any resistance.
???
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that everyone's mouths were wide open, even wider than eggs.
N... Not worthy of being called the Big Shot of Weapons!
The things they produced were too powerful.
Everyone else cast envious glances at Luo Xiaole.
To have accidentally bought the latest weapons produced by the Big Shot, they were truly fortunate!
"Alright, stop standing around, let's hurry and get supplies," Luo Xiaole really couldn't stand the obvious envious gazes anymore, so she urged everyone to get down to business.
Everyone snapped back to reality, and seeing the warehouse piled high with goods, especially so much food, they were overjoyed. They grabbed their bags and rushed in.
Luo Shu and Zhu Hui also rushed over, "Xiaole, you're amazing!"
The two of them, like hungry tigers pouncing, ran to the food section and began packing their bags.
Luo Xiaole chuckled, her two companions were truly... pragmatic.
Luo Xiaole, on the other hand, went straight to the tools section, intending to strengthen as many items as possible and take them with her. Anything she couldn't strengthen, she would try to pack as much as she could.
She looked up and saw everyone else frantically "restocking" in the food section. No one noticed her.
Then she wouldn't hold back!
[Strengthening Skill Activated: Blade of the World!]
One hour later.
[41 weapons have been strengthened]
Luo Xiaole took a deep breath. Strengthening 41 items in an hour was a speed she had never attempted before.
Indeed, without pressure, there is no motivation!
Her mental power had increased rapidly, and such a strengthening speed was a miracle for her now.
She also packed a few screwdrivers, hammers, and the like from the tool section.
She wasn't very strong, and unstrengthened tools were not light for her, so she could only take a small portion.
She then thought of Luo Shu and them, who braved the wind and rain daily to protect her when they were in critical situations.
She couldn't treat her teammates poorly; she would have to rely on them a lot in the future.
So, she wandered over to the clothing section and picked out two outfits suitable for Luo Shu and Zhu Hui.
[Strengthening Skill Activated: Blade of Sharpness!]
Luo Xiaole activated the Level 1 strengthening skill and quickly strengthened two sets of "battle suits" for them.
The effect was comparable to her strawberry bear plush toy.
This way, Zhu Hui would have some protection and wouldn't attract unnecessary trouble by screaming every time something happened.
The total cost of all the strengthening so far.
[Total Strengthening Cost: 9600, Remaining Balance: 15450 Mall Coins]
Luo Xiaole winced in pain for a moment.
But these were all necessary.
As long as she traded later, her money would double quickly.
Zhu Hui and Luo Shu, with their backpacks stuffed full, excitedly ran to Luo Xiaole.
"Xiaole, are these clothes you prepared for us?" Zhu Hui looked at Luo Xiaole in surprise.
Luo Xiaole, her mental power greatly depleted, leaned against the wall, breathing weakly, and said, "Yes, their effect is the same as my strawberry bear plush toy."
Luo Shu and Zhu Hui exchanged glances, both surprised.
They knew Luo Xiaole's strawberry bear was her life-saving artifact, but they also knew that strengthening such an outfit would surely not be cheap.
She actually strengthened two such outfits for them for free?
"Luo Xiaole, you! Are! My! God!" Even though the meme had passed, Luo Shu's current feelings were indescribable!
Zhu Hui was so touched that she almost shed tears of joy.
"Alright, alright, come here." Luo Xiaole couldn't stand their sentimentality.
She had them each give her a chocolate bar as a successful transaction and handed the clothes to them.
Then she told them to put them on immediately.
This way, their safety would also be more guaranteed.
"By the way, Xiaole, are we heading straight to Taiyang University now?" Zhu Hui asked excitedly again.
Luo Xiaole nodded, unable to resist asking, "Why are you always so excited about going to Taiyang University? Also, why did you go off on your own earlier? Looking for perfume?"
Zhu Hui was taken aback, not expecting her feelings to be so obvious.
But she still didn't hide it and nodded shyly.
Luo Xiaole had never been in love, but she had seen enough of the world, right?
How could she not see that Zhu Hui was infatuated with someone from afar?
And that person was at Taiyang University, which coincided with Luo Xiaole's destination!
So, picking up the perfume was also for that boy?
Luo Xiaole's expression suddenly turned serious. She spoke to Zhu Hui in a tone of gravity she had never used before.
"Zhu Hui, I understand you have someone you like, but don't forget, this is the apocalypse! Any action you take could lead everyone here to perish at the hands of zombies!
Moreover, zombies are extremely sensitive to smell. Dare you even spray perfume? This is pushing everyone into a fire pit!
We are a team. I hope that no matter how much you like that boy, you will consider everyone's lives and be responsible for your own life, okay?"
She asked Zhu Hui to change her clothes because of that damn perfume smell.
This was the first time Zhu Hui had seen Luo Xiaole so serious, and coupled with the harrowing escape, she realized the gravity of the situation.
She nodded repeatedly, "Xiaole, I'm sorry, I was just too excited because I really wanted to see him. I understand what you mean, don't worry, I will follow orders from now on and won't run off again!"
Only then did Luo Xiaole's expression soften. She nodded.
On matters of principle, there could be no compromise.
Luo Xiaole did not notice that not far away, by a shelf, a figure had overheard their entire conversation.
At this moment, the figure finally turned and left.