Zombie Apocalypse: Reborn With A Farming Space Chapter 881 881: Attacked From Both Sides ( 2 )

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Previously on Zombie Apocalypse: Reborn With A Farming Space...
The foreman forced commoners into a deep mine pit, demanding 500 grams of crystals daily or no food, under threat of armed guards who shot a fleeing worker in the leg. The new arrivals witnessed gaunt, sickly miners with purple bruises and black veins laboring monotonously on the impossibly hard crystals. At shift's end, meager rations were distributed based on output, followed by body searches before cramming into dilapidated apartments. That night, a dying worker traded a black crystal to a Level Four mutant for water, receiving extra pancake in return as the mutant vowed to escape.

"General Tolstoy, our team possesses ample strength to support you even from outside, especially when your squad faces peril," Chen Wenwu remarked with a chuckle.

Upon uttering those words, he snapped his fingers, causing the ice needles to morph into a delicate ice blossom that landed atop the man's head the very next instant.

"Comrade, it's merely a little present. No need for such an elaborate welcome," he quipped, grinning widely.

Though Richard's squad members felt irritated and slighted by Chen Wenwu's cocky display, they grudgingly acknowledged the Phantom Team's superior power. Teaming up would undoubtedly boost their odds of mission success.

Richard, as the General, arrived at the same realization as his team. Resolving firmly, he declared, "Vice Captain Zhang, I accept your proposal. Our team will join forces with yours."

Zhang Yuan grinned upon hearing this, striding forward a few paces. Extending his hand, he proclaimed, "To a fruitful partnership."

Richard eyed the outstretched hand briefly before grasping it solidly. With limited time outdoors, they swiftly exchanged intel on their findings inside the dwellings.

Once finished, Feng Yun retrieved a Sthanam crystal from his space and inquired, "Is this the devil seed you mentioned?"

Richard nodded instantly upon spotting the crystal, explaining, "This one holds far more energy than a zombie crystal core, yet its radiation levels are extreme. Keeping it near causes bodily harm."

The Phantom Team was stunned by this revelation. After brief hesitation, Chen Qianfeng questioned, "General, are we discussing the identical object?"

"Are you implying our General is dishonest?" a woman snapped fiercely.

Chen Qianfeng lifted his hand and responded, "I never claimed that."

Pausing briefly, he produced a Sthanam crystal for all to see, then drew in its energy until it crumbled into black powder within his grasp.

Noting their astonishment, he pressed on, "You claimed the devil seed is toxic with intense radiation. Yet this crystal emits none, and our team has substituted it for crystal cores."

"Absorbing its power leaves no ill effects—in fact, it enhances mental power," he supplemented.

His teammates nodded, affirming his statement.

Furrowing his brow, Richard requested, "May I examine the crystal?"

"Of course," Chen Qianfeng agreed, handing over a tiny fragment.

Though merely pinky-nail sized, it unmistakably was the devil seed.

Despite matching looks and traits, no radiation emanated as Richard clutched it. Rather, a chill energy stream seeped into him.

Today's devil seed exposure had left him unusually fatigued with draining vitality. Yet within seconds, the ache from energy loss eased, and recovery began.

"General, why not absorb the energy yourself to verify?" Xiao Qi proposed.

Beneath his squad's anxious stares, Richard consented and drew the black crystal's power. True to their word, its energy surpassed crystal cores in richness.

The cool energy soothed deeply, easing his strained thoughts. His mind sharpened, senses heightened beyond prior clarity.

Absorbing the crystal's full energy demanded 20 minutes from him—glacial next to Chen Qianfeng's mere minutes.

The Phantom Team exchanged knowing looks at this sight.

They were prodigies among ordinary folk. Doubting their own gifts earlier, Richard's sluggish absorption now proved they simply couldn't measure against their Captain.

Ordinary folks truly shouldn't rival such a monstrous, brazen fiend.

As team members silently mocked their Captain inwardly, Richard's group reeled in shock, needing ages to compose themselves.

"How is this feasible?"

"Could this truly be the devil seed?"

"Previous attempts to absorb its energy led to radiation death. Radiation can't be purged, barring mutants from its use."

Shouts of incredulity erupted one by one.

Confusion gripped not just them, but Zhang Yuan's crew too. Their descriptions painted the black crystal as lethal, yet Sister-in-law's version lacked any radiation—they puzzled over the discrepancy.

Shielding Jiao Lizhi's mystery, Zhang Yuan shifted focus. "With devil seed and black crystal confirmed identical, matters simplify greatly."

"Our mission targets the mine's site. Provide a basic location map, and we guarantee your team's protection."

Richard pondered briefly before replying, "The map comes in three days."

"Agreed."

Post-deal, Richard inquired, "Vice Captain Zhang, might my members have some black crystals?"

"We'll handle devil seeds over 12 hours daily here. Post-absorption, radiation harm vanishes," he clarified.

Recognizing the plea safeguarded his people's survival, Zhang Yuan assented. Nodding to his team, they produced crystals, allotting three per person—sufficient till the deadline.