Just past midnight, the seventh day of the apocalypse had just begun.
While most survivors slept, a system notification suddenly sounded!
*Ding! Day 37 of the apocalypse. Survivor's bodily time flow has accelerated, lasting until the next partial suppression is lifted!*
The next morning, people woke up and saw the message. When they looked in the mirror, they were all stunned!
After one night, it felt like a month had passed.
Beards, hair, and nails grew at an astonishing rate.
They looked like primitive humans emerging from a cave.
However, this accelerated time flow only affected human bodily functions, as if their metabolism had sped up by dozens of times overnight.
Besides an increased sense of hunger, there were no other abnormalities.
The daily necessities Zhang Chen had collected were finally put to use.
Scissors, nail clippers, razors...
The accelerated time flow meant hair would grow extremely fast from now on.
So, Zhang Chen decided to shave his head completely, leaving only about an inch of hair.
After washing up, he walked out of the room.
Xiao Bai was sitting on a long chair on the second-floor terrace, her fair, tender feet resting on Er Pang's large face.
The latter was incredibly patient, not resisting no matter how Xiao Bai moved him.
Xiao Bai was almost stuffing her little foot into Er Pang's mouth, but the dog merely turned its head and wagged its tail.
"Time to eat!"
Zhang Chen said from the balcony doorway.
"Daddy's awake?"
Hearing Zhang Chen's voice, Xiao Bai excitedly jumped up from the long chair.
When she saw Zhang Chen's new look, she was taken aback.
"What? You don't recognize Daddy just because he got a haircut?" Zhang Chen asked with a smile.
"Of course not. Xiao Bai always remembers Daddy. Daddy looks handsome no matter his haircut!"
As Xiao Bai spoke, she rushed over and jumped onto Zhang Chen again.
This little one seemed to have gotten heavier, and her physique… seemed to have developed a bit too.
Zhang Chen felt a slight pressure.
"Come down, it's time to eat!"
"No, Daddy, carry me down, and then I'll eat! Otherwise, I won't come down, I'll just stick to you!"
Xiao Bai clung to Zhang Chen with her hands and feet, her small mouth whispering affectionately in his ear.
Her tender cheeks pressed against Zhang Chen's, and he could even feel the warmth of her skin.
This clingy little one! Zhang Chen sighed.
Given Xiao Bai's physical condition, if she refused to come down, it would be difficult for Zhang Chen to get her off.
If he used too much force, he was afraid of hurting her, and if he didn't use enough force, it would be useless.
"Alright, alright, I'll carry you down. I can't do anything about you!"
Zhang Chen shook his head helplessly, gently patting Xiao Bai's back as he carried her to the sofa downstairs.
She then smiled triumphantly at Zhang Chen.
Has Xiao Bai… really developed? Grown again?
Not only had her physique changed noticeably, but her gaze towards Zhang Chen also seemed to hold something new.
Zhang Chen hoped he was mistaken.
He shook his head, dispelling the unrealistic thoughts from his mind.
Logically, the accelerated time flow for survivors should not have affected Xiao Bai.
She wasn't a survivor, and her hair and nail length clearly indicated this.
Her metabolism hadn't sped up.
It was probably just normal growth…
After eating a few bites, Xiao Bai suddenly ran over and sat next to Zhang Chen.
She usually ate opposite him.
For some reason today, she ran over to eat right beside him.
Her little feet were rubbing against Zhang Chen's leg, which was quite uncomfortable…
Could this little one be… in heat?
But then again, do biological humans experience estrus like animals?
Furthermore, Xiao Bai had not received any moral or legal education since she was young, so she didn't understand what was acceptable and what was taboo or required discretion.
However… it shouldn't be like this…
In any case, her behavior today was a bit strange.
Zhang Chen focused his gaze on Xiao Bai's head.
He noticed that deep within her brain, there was still a trace of dark red energy that hadn't been devoured.
It was likely influencing Xiao Bai's behavior.
Once this energy dissipated and she recovered on her own, she should return to normal.
Fortunately, she could recover.
Otherwise… with Xiao Bai's physique, appearance, and her clingy nature…
In the wilderness, where they were alone, and without any moral or legal constraints, this would be a huge test!
*Hoo!*
Zhang Chen took a few deep breaths, shifting his attention away from Xiao Bai.
He thought of Xu Ruina…
It had been a long time since she left, and before she left, she had specifically entrusted him with some information.
Zhang Chen recalled it carefully.
She had pointed to a few words with her finger: A073 Laboratory, Bio-energy Technology, in the third walled city of Tengxiang Country.
And also, the third researcher or research institute.
The next area was a border city of Tengxiang Country. If they reached here, would the third city be far behind?
"Let's go!"
Zhang Chen, carrying the Spider Queen's egg and with Xiao Bai, rode on Er Pang, slowly advancing towards the walled city.
He hadn't woken up early. Washing up, cooking, and coaxing Xiao Bai had taken considerable time.
Therefore, by the time they set off, the sun was already high in the sky.
Many other camps had already risen at the first light of dawn.
They had no time to marvel at the drastic changes in their bodies overnight. They had quickly trimmed their nails and set off. Some hadn't even dealt with their hair; men had simply chopped off their long hair, while women had tied theirs into braids.
Some drove, while others ran.
When Zhang Chen departed, only the survivors with poorer stamina and more luggage were left on the road.
These survivors were weak and had limited inventory space. Out of necessity, they had to bundle their belongings and carry them on their backs.
Several tattooed men on motorcycles were circling the marching groups, seemingly searching for prey.
Although this area was under the jurisdiction of various camps, there were no strict disciplinary measures.
Except for killing, which was forbidden.
For many things, like rape and robbery… as long as it wasn't directed at people from their own camp, many camp leaders turned a blind eye.
They were all brothers who had faced life and death together, so why enforce strict rules?
Moreover, even if people from their own camp refrained from such illicit activities, could people from other camps guarantee they would too?
Since these resources and women would eventually be snatched away, why not let their own brothers benefit?!
This had almost become an unspoken rule for all camps.
Under this rule, weaker survivors became targets for plunder and violation by the major camps.
Soon, they spotted a group of girls aged eighteen or nineteen. Like famished wolves spotting prey, they let out strange cries and charged forward.