n

n

n

nTranslator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

nSu Shanshan had already circled around to the back of the tree. The tree that was encircling its other prey did not notice her at all. It was not until she slit the spot that the tree had been carefully protecting with her Tang sword that the tree realized her presence, but it was too late.

nSu Shanshan grabbed its nucleus. Once it left its body, it would die instantly.

nA piercing sound was heard. The giant tree used the last of its strength to stab Su Shanshan’s heart with its tree root, wanting to die with her.

nJust as the root was about to touch Su Shanshan, a cold aura rose. The root was frozen in midair, and the ice spread along the root until the whole tree was frozen under the ice. When she took out the crystal core, all the roots instantly broke into pieces and fell to the ground.

n$u Shanshan walked back with the crystal core and saw Cao Yunjin and the rest lying on the ground. Their bodies were covered in wounds of various sizes, but from their expressions, they looked fine.

n‘When Cao Yunjin saw her, he quickly sat up and said, “Sister Su, thank goodness you were around just now. Otherwise, we would have died in the hands of these tree roots.”

nCao Yifan said with lingering fear, “That’s right. Just now, when we almost could not hold out any longer, the tree roots froze. We knew you had succeeded.”

nSu Shanshan nodded and said, “Thank you. Our mission is completed.” She took out the crystal core that she had just obtained.

nThese people smiled. This was the first mission their mercenary group had completed after it was established. A burly man who had been following Cao Yunjin took out a bag and packed many branches without waiting for his instructions. He carefully put them into his bag.

n$u Shanshan looked on curiously.

nCao Yunjin explained, “This is the base’s mission—collecting the roots of mutant plants for research. They probably didn’t expect us to kill this mutant tree. After all, killing a mutant plant is not a B-rank mission. It’s an A-rank mission. If we meet a powerful one, it can even be considered a S-rank

nmission.”

nSu Shanshan nodded understandingly and threw the crystal core in her hand to Cao Yunjin, saying, “You have a fire-type superpower, right? This crystal core is just right for you to use.” The attributes of the crystal core of a mutant plant were all random. This one happened to be a fire-type crystal core.

nA hint of surprise flashed across Cao Yunjin’s eyes. His superpower had been stuck at level-three. With this nucleus, he might be able to break into level-four. However, he hesitated and said, “Sister Su, our rule is that whoever gets the nucleus will have it. I can’t accept this nucleus.”

n$u Shanshan put away her Tang sword and started walking away. As she walked, she said, “Take what I’m giving you. I don’t lack crystal cores.”

nShe was telling the truth. She had been killing zombies underground for a year, and the nuclei in her space had piled up into a small hill.

n“Brother, Sister Su gave it to you. Just take it. If you have something good in the future, you can give it to Sister Su,” Cao Yifan said loudly.

nCao Yunjin thanked her again and put away the crystal core. He felt that he had to repay her with something good in the future.

nThe few of them walked out of the forest. The journey was very quiet. They were on the periphery. For some reason, the mutant plants here would not actively attack humans. This was good news to them. Only Su Shanshan knew that the plants were bolstering their abilities. When a good opportunity

npresented itself to attack humans, these mutant plants would pose a bigger menace than zombies.

nSu Shanshan took off her bloodstained jacket and threw it on the ground. Of course, the blood was not hers. It was from the mutant tree.

nCao Yunjin and his people came upon a clearing where they stopped to bandage their wounds. Otherwise, the smell of their blood would attract the zombies. Su Shanshan thought for a moment, then took some food, water, and gauze from her space and handed them to everyone.

n