As the flames and shockwave reached Ning Yu, she immediately activated her recharged ability, [Blood Mirror].
The explosion's force was reflected by the [Blood Mirror], but since there was no enemy to target, Ning Yu didn't attempt a perfect counter timing, which would have amplified the explosion's power.
Even so, the explosion's power was formidable.
When the smoke cleared, Zhuang Wugou's head had been obliterated, and the reflected blast had blown a massive hole in the exhibition hall's wall.
If not for the [Blood Mirror], the group would have likely been severely injured or killed.
Ning Yu took out an extractor from her pocket and began extracting serum from the Sloth.
It was then that she realized a serious problem:
With Zhuang Wugou gone, the core of the base was missing, and she wondered how the Ark would continue to function.
This depended on how crucial Zhuang Wugou's role had been in the base's operations.
All the parts that relied on him would now need to be reassigned elsewhere or to other people, and she wondered if this would cause chaos within the base.
Despite Zhuang Wugou's actions, the current state of the Ark base was actually quite suitable for staying temporarily.
Ning Yu knew that the apparent prosperity of the Ark base was partly due to its well-established systems, but more so due to Zhuang Wugou's advanced technology, such as the zombie power generation in the underground second floor.
He had also established research groups and a system for cultivating awakened individuals.
Although all of this was ultimately to serve the purpose of sending awakened individuals to die and become nourishment for mutated zombies.
So, what would happen to the Ark base now?
Ning Yu had a big question mark in her mind.
She suddenly thought of someone who might be willing to take over this responsibility.
Shaking her head, she stopped thinking about these messy things. If the Ark fell apart, so be it.
All she cared about were Shen Yiyue and her sister.
Shen Yiyue was already packing up all the weapons, while Ji Mengyao helped Wu Di to his feet.
"Let's go back?" Ning Yu suggested.
"Today is also Mengyao's birthday."
When Ning Yu mentioned this, everyone remembered.
However, the events of the day were too heavy, and Ji Mengyao seemed to still be in shock, her eyes dull and her head lowered.
Wu Di was still in a daze, silently being supported by Ji Mengyao. He had also heard Zhuang Wugou's words.
But from the beginning, he hadn't come to the Ark for any ideals; he had only come to be with Ji Mengyao.
Now, seeing that Ji Mengyao seemed to be in a bad mood, he didn't say anything.
......
On the way back, Ning Yu drove silently, with Ji Mengyao and Wu Di in the backseat and Shen Yiyue in the passenger seat.
"Mengyao, happy birthday."
Wu Di took out the turntable he had wanted to give her and placed it in Ji Mengyao's hands.
He had cleaned off the dust during the journey, and it now gleamed like new.
He gave Ji Mengyao a gentle smile.
Ji Mengyao temporarily forgot about Zhuang Wugou's incident, as at least one happy thing had happened today.
As soon as she looked up, she pointed at Wu Di in surprise:
"You....?"
Wu Di, seeing Ji Mengyao's reaction, was momentarily confused:
"What's wrong with me? Do I have a flower on my face?"
Shen Yiyue, hearing this, turned around to look at Wu Di, but all she saw was his smile that hadn't yet faded.
But Shen Yiyue suddenly realized something and exclaimed, "Ah!"
"What's going on?"
Ning Yu, also puzzled by their reactions, wondered what was so special about giving a birthday gift.
The birthday gifts she and Shen Yiyue had prepared for Ji Mengyao were still at the apartment, not yet taken out.
"Wu Di.... he smiled!!!"
Shen Yiyue excitedly shook Ning Yu to emphasize her excitement.
Ning Yu quickly stopped her, worried about the dangerous driving:
"Alright, alright, I'm still driving...... What? What did you say?"
Now even Ning Yu couldn't help but glance back, completely forgetting her earlier warning about driving.
Wu Di's warm smile had already disappeared, replaced by a look of bewilderment. Hearing Shen Yiyue's words, he touched his face, as if he didn't recognize himself.
"Really? I feel like I'm completely different from before!"
His face lit up with excitement, his third expression after the smile and bewilderment.
"Your emotional disorder....."
Ji Mengyao covered her mouth, unable to believe it, but also thrilled, her eyes welling up with tears of joy.
"Mengyao? What's wrong? Why are you crying....."
Wu Di's excited expression turned to panic as he saw Ji Mengyao's reaction, unsure of what to do.
This was probably the day with the most expressions Wu Di had ever shown.
"You fool, do you know how long I've been waiting for you....?"
She began to sob, but it wasn't out of sadness, but pure joy.
"I was so afraid that one day you.... would never be able to accept this emotion...."
Now it was Ning Yu and Shen Yiyue's turn to be stunned: How had these two progressed so quickly in just one day?
Waiting for you for so long? This emotion?
What had they done when the two of them were alone?
Wu Di, however, seemed to have suddenly come to terms with it, as he could finally express and feel emotions like a normal person.
Without any hesitation, he pulled Ji Mengyao into his arms and whispered in her ear:
"Mengyao, I've kept you waiting."
His bold actions and words made Ji Mengyao blush, and she lightly poked him:
"What are you doing, Ning Yu and Shen Yiyue are still here!!"
But she didn't push him away, staying comfortably in his embrace.
"Wow!!!!!"
Shen Yiyue, the ultimate gossip, was the most excited.
"You two..... when did you progress to this point?"
Her curiosity was burning.
Ji Mengyao, now embarrassed, tried to escape Wu Di's embrace, but he held on tightly, his strength too much for her to break free.
"Ah.... it's so sweet, I'm full of dog food."
"Come on, Ning Yu, open your mouth, don't be shy, have some too!"
She tried to feed Ning Yu some imaginary dog food, earning a glare from Ning Yu, who reminded her she was still driving.
The two in the backseat were immersed in their sweet world, whispering secrets to each other.
Shen Yiyue lay down in the front seat:
"Woohoo, so sweet! You two should get married soon."
Her eyes, however, kept glancing at Ning Yu, who was driving seriously.
ine. During your journey, you save an abandoned baby girl and become her elder brother】 【You rely on each other, becoming each other's support】 【At the end of the simulation, you shield the now-grown girl with your life, sacrificing yourself to block numerous demonic cultivators. You die, and the light in the girl's eyes fades】 …… 【Second Simulation: You are transported to a world where steam and magic coexist】 【You immerse yourself in the study of magic, obsessed with its research. One day, while out, you encounter a half-blooded demon girl wandering the streets. You take her in as your student】 【You teach the demoness what it means to be human, show her the beauty of the world, and nurture her into a miracle that surpasses even the gods】 【At the end of the simulation, you die of old age in front of the nearly immortal demoness due to your mortal lifespan】 …… One simulation after another, one encounter after another. Xu Xi suddenly felt something was off: "Wait, you said you're coming to the real world to find me?"
grated, and just when he finally managed to get into an elite academy, he discovered that he actually had a system, and the way to earn rewards was extremely ridiculous. So for the sake of rewards, he had no choice but to start acting ridiculous as well. Su Cheng: "It's nothing but system quests after all." But later, what confused Su Cheng was that while he was already quite ridiculous, he never expected those serious characters to gradually become ridiculous too. And the way they looked at him became increasingly strange... (This synopsis doesn't do it justice, please read the full story)
iaobai: "Councilor Dad, front me some funds. I want to hire ten thousand professional miners for a project!" [Five-Star Mission Issued: Capture the leader of the Blood Heaven Pirate Gang, who is on the run in the Radiant Star Sector. It is said the gang has over a hundred members. Proceed with caution.] Lu Xiaobai: "Councilor Dad, lend me the family's hundred-thousand-strong Lu Army!" [Seven-Star Mission Issued: Subdue a juvenile Void Dragon Beast.] Lu Xiaobai: "Councilor Dad, I'm taking your tamed Void Dragon Beast King out for a family reunion!" I said, System, don't you have any slightly more challenging missions? You're just not up to par! [Nine-Star Mission Issued: Become the Human Councilor.] Lu Xiaobai: "Dad, there's a small matter I'd like to discuss with you..."
for mindless slaughter, this isn't for you.] My name is Ye Shu, and I'm a transmigrator. It seems I'm supposed to be the protagonist, but that feels pretty unlikely. This world has been invaded by a system. The antagonists on the other side have suddenly become pure, flawless saints. The female leads have been force-fed the so-called "original plot," making them think they've been reborn. Now, everyone thinks I'm scum. Including the old lady in my ring. And here I am, in the Monster Beast Mountain Range, braising pork. To put my situation in perspective— It's as if, the moment Xiao Yan stepped into the Monster Beast Mountain Range, the Soul Emperor already knew he would become the Flame Emperor, and Yao Lao had been turned to the enemy's side. I have nothing right now. Oh wait, that's not true. I do have a white-haired loli child-bride who's the Heavenly Dao, and her only skill is acting cute. So, tell me guys... what are my chances of making it to the end?
