The doomsday ruins hailed from a doomsday world, where once stood a global conglomerate known as the Umbrella Corporation.
On the surface, Umbrella Corporation dealt in high-tech products such as pharmaceuticals, medical hardware, and industrial goods, but secretly engaged in clandestine operations like genetic engineering and bioweapons development.
The root of all disaster stemmed from Umbrella Corporation's discovery of an ancient virus within a chrysalid plant found in some ruins. They intended to weaponize this virus.
However, the bioweapons were successfully created, but they were unable to control them. An accident occurred, and the virus spread uncontrollably through infection, creating a horde of zombies and plunging the entire world into an apocalypse.
Within Umbrella Corporation's base, the virus that infected people into zombies coexisted with an antidote that prevented infection. By obtaining both the virus and the antidote, one could first inject the virus to drastically enhance physical strength, then inject the antidote to ensure they wouldn't turn into a zombie, thus becoming stronger.
Bai Ye was a man of action. Once he made up his mind, he immediately began to act.
Soon, Bai Ye arrived before a colossal abandoned skyscraper.
Before the apocalypse, this skyscraper was outwardly a biological technology company's office building, but in reality, it housed Umbrella Corporation's secret base.
Upon entering the building, the lobby elevator was still functional. However, Bai Ye didn't press the button immediately. Instead, he forcefully punched the keypad.
The next moment, a metal cover popped open, revealing a button labeled "B15."
That was Umbrella Corporation's secret base!
Frankly speaking, obtaining the virus and antidote was not an easy task, as even the entrance to the base was more concealed than one might imagine and not easily found.
However, none of this was difficult for Bai Ye, because he had been here in his previous life!
Concurrently...
As the elevator descended, the voice that had appeared earlier sounded again.
"As a participant has discovered and entered the forbidden zone, Umbrella Corporation's underground base, all participants currently within the doomsday ruins area will be transported to different locations within the Umbrella Corporation underground base in three minutes."
"Forbidden Zone Mission 1: Find Umbrella Corporation's research documents on the virus. Mission Reward: T-Virus x1."
"Forbidden Zone Mission 2: Obtain a virus sample of the original virus. Mission Reward: T-Virus Vaccine x1."
"Forbidden Zone Mission 3: Obtain a gene sample of 'Nemesis.' Mission Reward: G-Virus x1, Shard of the Godstone x5."
"Gentlemen, strive and slay for the Shards of the Godstone."
...
Within the doomsday ruins, countless participants revealed astonished expressions, while Bai Ye nodded with satisfaction, as the mission was identical to his past life's experience.
Concurrently...
...
World Battlefield, Central Tower!
At the center of the World Battlefield stood a towering white jade tower, reaching into the clouds.
This was the core of the World Battlefield, the hope of the chosen, known as the dwelling place of gods, for it housed the exit from the World Battlefield, the Gate of the Gods' Choice.
However, reaching this place was exceedingly difficult.
The condition of possessing ten Shards of the Godstone was not easily met, and the central region was considered the most dangerous area, with terrifying entities capable of causing death lurking in every inch of land.
And in his previous life, Bai Ye had stood before that gate!
Just a little bit more...
At this moment, on the top floor of the Central Tower.
It was a dim, octagonal hall, so dark that one could barely see.
But at this moment...
The sound of flickering flames suddenly appeared. Immediately, a candle on the wall ignited, illuminating the space.
In the dim light, a long bench could be seen, with a man sitting on it, though only a vague silhouette was visible, his face hidden.
"The first forbidden zone has opened," a deep voice suddenly said. "This is simply unbelievable. The World Battlefield has only been open for less than two hours; why has a forbidden zone opened so quickly?"
As the voice finished, another candle on the opposite wall lit up, revealing another human silhouette in the dimness on the other side of the octagonal hall.
"If no one could achieve it, would we still need to sit here?"
"Indeed. The truth is, someone has actually done it."
"I'm very curious, from which world do they come? Are they from the Cultivation World? Everyone knows people from that world are powerful. Even upon entering the World Battlefield, they possess formidable combat capabilities. They even frequently harbor ambitions to challenge deities."
"It could also be from the Superpower World. People from that world possess bizarre abilities; they are truly wondrous beings. Who created them?"
In another corner, another candle flickered to life, and as voices spoke, three human silhouettes, two male and one female, emerged in the dim candlelight.
"Alright, let go of your curiosity. It doesn't matter which world that young fellow comes from. What's important is that we need people like this to surprise us, don't we?"
"That seems about right. Perhaps we can look forward to it?"
"It seems things are starting to get interesting!"
As the voices faded, the candlelight in the octagonal hall extinguished one by one, plunging it back into darkness.
...
Abandoned Building, Elevator!
Bai Ye stood with his arms crossed, waiting.
As a second method of acquiring Shards of the Godstone besides combat, some once naively believed that by focusing solely on clearing forbidden zones, they could gather enough Shards of the Godstone.
In reality, the competition for forbidden zones was even more brutal, as every time a forbidden zone opened, those in its vicinity would be transported into it.
Combat was still unavoidable.
In fact, because the forbidden zone missions were limited, the competition would become even more intense for the sake of these missions.
A moment later, the three-minute countdown ended, and the elevator Bai Ye was in also stopped at the lowest floor.
The elevator door slowly opened...
But at this moment...
Bang!
A crashing sound suddenly echoed, followed by a nearly decayed arm reaching into the elevator, attempting to grab Bai Ye's clothes.
This sudden turn of events startled Bai Ye. Fortunately, having returned to ten years ago, Bai Ye's memories were intact. His past combat experience allowed him to react instinctively. The moment the arm appeared, Bai Ye sidestepped.
The next instant, Bai Ye raised the pistol in his hand and, as the elevator door fully opened, pulled the trigger.
With a bang, the gun fired, and a zombie toppled backward, crashing heavily onto the floor.
...