Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups Chapter 1277 - 620

~4 minute read · 996 words
Previously on Starting to Gain Experience from Push-Ups...
The group journeyed through a dark, decaying subway tunnel, discussing the world's history and the reasons for humanity's underground existence. Fang Cheng learned about the Old Era's prosperity and subsequent destruction, and the formation of underground camps. He also felt a strange pull, realizing his connection to this world was tied to his portal's energy. Deciding the risk of being trapped was too great, he changed their destination from Iron City to the northern exit. Before leaving, Ira gifted him a luminous blue gem necklace as thanks for saving her life.

Fang Cheng’s gaze swept over the dazzling blue gemstone, shaking his head slightly:

"I don’t need these ornaments."

"Please, you must accept it."

Ira’s eyes held a hint of stubbornness as she softly explained:

"This is a sensing stone that has been nurtured with telekinesis."

"The wasteland is vast, storms frequent, if you ever change your mind and want to come to Iron City to find us, just hold it and silently call my name in your heart, I will be able to sense your location and come to guide you promptly."

Fang Cheng heard this and was moved.

He would definitely return in the future, indeed needing a native guide in the wasteland who is familiar and contactable.

Moreover, after a brief interaction, Fang Cheng had a good impression of the members of this Hunter Squad.

They acted with measure, knew to repay kindness, worth trying to deepen the relationship.

Thinking of this, he no longer refused, reached out and took the gemstone that still carried body warmth, tucking it into his jacket pocket.

This stone was worn closely, evidently a greatly cherished item by this young lady.

Fang Cheng’s character had always been clear on matters of gratitude and grudges, disliking taking advantage of others.

He pondered briefly, then reached behind to the marching pouch, retrieving a blood core found from a corpse earlier, handing it to Ira.

"Take it."

Seeing Ira’s stunned expression, Fang Cheng’s tone was gentle:

"You are a telekinesis user, surely needing this to replenish mental consumption, cultivating yourself."

"Since we’ve made friends, let’s observe reciprocity, I’m not used to accepting others’ goodwill without reciprocation."

Ira slightly parted her lips, somewhat shocked at the blood core handed before her.

The value of a Third-stage Blood Core was astounding; she offered the sensing stone simply to repay a life-saving favor, never expecting such a valuable return gift.

Ira instinctively wanted to refuse, but upon meeting Fang Cheng’s calm and frank gaze, she finally swallowed back her refusal.

She carefully extended her hands to receive the precious blood core emitting a faint light.

Seeing her accept it properly, Fang Cheng smiled and waved at Kael and others:

"I’m off, see you."

With those words, he turned around, grabbed the heavy iron door handle, and his right arm muscles suddenly exploded.

Accompanied by a teeth-gritting metal screech, the half-ton explosion-proof iron door was forcibly pushed open a gap.

Fang Cheng squeezed out sideways.

Bang!

Losing the support of external force, the door slammed shut under gravity, raising a cloud of dust, completely isolating inside and outside the subway station.

The maintenance passage fell back into gloom, only the flashlight beam gently swaying in the dust.

The beast tide outside seemed to have gradually receded, leaving only the howl of the storm.

Roken leaned against the wall, releasing a long-held breath of foul air.

"Oh my God... today’s work will let me brag in the camp for half a lifetime."

His voice carried the relief of surviving a disaster, full of incredulous marvel:

"Who would’ve thought not only did we not die in the storm, we even encountered such an Immortal-level figure."

Pike stared at the tightly closed iron door, muttering softly:

"Uncle Kael... who exactly is he? Can even tear Crawling Beasts and Black Monsters apart with his bare hands..."

Kael’s gaze was profound, not answering immediately.

He quietly looked at the footprints remaining on the ground, his mind replaying the shocking scene of Fang Cheng surrounded by golden flames, easily slaying monsters.

After a long silence, he took a deep breath, spoke solemnly:

"Do you remember that passage from the apocalypse revelations?"

"When the land ignites with war, the sky bleeds black..."

In the dim light, Kael’s expression appeared particularly solemn as he slowly recited that ancient prophecy long circulating in the wasteland:

"The Savior shall descend from a distant Star, adorned with the fire of the blazing sun, stride upon the scorched earth with mortal flesh."

"He shall dispel the shadows of the Abyss, incinerate the demons of apocalypse, allowing true light to shine again upon this shattered world."

The burly man’s voice echoed deeply within the empty corridor, carrying a near-fanatical prayer-like tone.

Listening to him recite the ancient scripture, everyone fell into silence.

Ira lowered her gaze, clutching tightly the warm blood core gifted by the other.

Roken silently straightened his wounded back, holding a rifle firmly in his arms, unprecedentedly lacking his usual slickness and laxity.

Pike opened his mouth, his dirt-covered face showing a hint of confusion, seemingly enlightened, blinked.

In the faint glow, the four hunters struggling for survival in the wasteland remained silent for a long time.

Only the steady and powerful thumping of hearts against each other's chests could be heard.

A nascent hope quietly began to spark within this desolate, sunless, scorched land.

..................

A furious gale blew volcanic ash, howling fiercely beneath the dark red sky.

The entire world appeared as a colossal, lifeless body, a scene of utter barrenness.

The air was thick with swirling yellow sand and an overwhelming, acrid stench of sulfur.

Within the sandstorm, a towering figure advanced steadily against the turbulent wind.

He bore an olive-green military sack, grasping a heavy bundle with one hand.

The coarse fabric at the bottom was stained with dark red blood, dripping continuously.

Through the hazy, flying sand, his profound eyes radiated a subtle golden luminescence, akin to two eternal flames.

"Hoo—"

Fang Cheng expelled stale air mingled with dust, coming to a halt at the foot of a cliff soaring a hundred meters high.

Gazing upward, the dark red rock face resembled a vast broadsword thrust into the heavens, its surface eroded by time into numerous craters and hollows.

The cliff was almost perfectly vertical; even winged creatures would struggle to ascend it.