Chapter 483: Before the Battle Erupts

When Zhang Yi and his group attempted to approach the abandoned building next to the cathedral, several superhumans blocked their way.

Their attitude was resolute, refusing to let Zhang Yi’s team near the structure.

The more adamant they were, the more curious Zhang Yi became.

However, he wasn’t willing to cause a conflict over his curiosity. With a laugh, he said, “Alright, alright, I’ll respect your wishes. I’ll just pick another building!”

This was a commercial district, with plenty of tall buildings to choose from. Switching locations wouldn’t make much difference.

Still, the incident piqued Zhang Yi’s interest—he loved uncovering secrets because they often revealed weaknesses.

He chose the building next door and climbed to the top floor step by step. The height, over thirty stories, left him a bit breathless.

If not for his regular training, he might have collapsed from exhaustion, much like Fatty Xu, who refused to continue halfway up and stayed on the staircase, waiting for the others to come down.

Uncle You remarked, “Why don’t you just use Dimensional Gate to traverse the space? Climbing step by step is so tedious.”

With a smile, Zhang Yi replied, “I’ll use it when no one is watching. But I don’t want to expose my ability so easily.”

Uncle You sighed. “You’re so cautious!”

Even though the factions were working together, Zhang Yi remained as vigilant as ever.

From the rooftop, Zhang Yi observed his surroundings. His choice was spot-on—this vantage point allowed him to cover a 3.5-kilometer radius, with only a few blind spots nearby.

Within this range, Zhang Yi’s sniper rifle could reach almost any target. At the very least, he could provide cover for the western defensive line.

“Alright, I’ll hold my position here. As for the rest of you, stay inside this building. We’re not on the frontlines, so we can adapt as needed.”

After confirming the sniper point, Zhang Yi and his group descended from the rooftop and returned to their snow vehicle to rest.

They focused on conserving their energy in a comfortable environment to remain in peak condition.

Compared to others, their food supplies were abundant—one of the advantages of having a spatial superhuman in their team. While other factions had brought food, their rations were mostly military fare or canned goods, heated with melted snow and thermite.

The five thousand followers of the Snow God were even worse off, many surviving on small portions of rat meat.

Meanwhile, Li Jian, after encountering Zhang Yi, left in a hurry. On his way back, he wrestled with the decision of whether to share the secrets he knew with Zhang Yi in exchange for safety for his family.

Ultimately, he dismissed the idea. Zhang Yi wasn’t a selfless saint and wasn’t likely to take them in for no reason. In a chaotic world, fairness was something one could only create for oneself—trusting others was a luxury.

Back at home, Li Jian found that his son, Li Kaile, had recovered physically but was mentally broken. Having lost the essence of his manhood, the once-cheerful young man had become depressed, isolating himself in a tent and refusing visitors. Even meals went untouched.

The room reeked of urine, troubling Li Jian and his wife, Zhang Jianfang. Li Jian lowered his voice as he approached her. “Did he relieve himself in the tent?”

Zhang Jianfang pulled him aside and whispered helplessly, “He can’t even go to the toilet normally anymore after... that incident.”

Li Jian sighed. “At least he’s alive. That’s all we can hope for now. Forget about him carrying on the family name; I just hope he can move on.”

Zhang Jianfang frowned. “Easy for you to say.”

As the couple spoke, a familiar priest entered the room.

Li Jian quickly greeted him. “Old Liu, what brings you here?”

The priest, Liu Deming, was a superhuman and a member of the Snow God’s followers. Li Jian, skilled in navigating social dynamics, had made a few connections, and Liu Deming was one of his closer acquaintances.

Liu Deming, aware of Li Kaile’s recent ordeal, glanced at the tent but ignored the smell. After all, everyone here was accustomed to foul odors—be it bodily waste or the stench from unwashed clothes. Most of the followers hadn’t bathed in half a year.

Liu Deming addressed Li Jian, “The battle is about to start. You’ve seen the scale of the preparations outside. Things won’t be safe for a while.”

“Your abilities aren’t combat-oriented. The higher-ups sent me to tell you to take your family to the cathedral’s underground shelter.”

Li Jian frowned. “From the looks of it, this will be a brutal fight. Will we... survive?”

Liu Deming shook his head. “That, I can’t guarantee. We leave it to fate. In this world, surviving one day at a time is all we can hope for.”

After Liu Deming left, Li Jian stared at the tent where his son resided, torn with indecision.

Li Kaile became frenzied at the mere mention of the “Leader.” Taking him to the cathedral might trigger something disastrous.

Yet the looming danger meant staying behind wasn’t an option either.

After discussing it with Zhang Jianfang, they approached Li Kaile to persuade him.

“Son, the battle is about to start here, and it’s going to be intense. This place is too dangerous—you never know when the zombies will swarm. Come with us!”

Inside the tent, there was no response at first. But upon hearing they’d be heading to the cathedral, Li Kaile suddenly shouted like a wounded animal, “I’m not going! Just leave! All of you, go!”

Li Jian and Zhang Jianfang were heartbroken but helpless.

As they struggled to convince Li Kaile, a young woman appeared at the door—Li Kaile’s girlfriend, Xu Beibei.

Or rather, his close friend now.

“Uncle, Auntie, let me try,” Xu Beibei offered.

The couple exchanged a conflicted look. Xu Beibei’s presence wasn’t exactly welcome—after all, if not for her, Li Kaile wouldn’t have been mutilated by Yuan Kongye. But they also understood she wasn’t entirely to blame.

Inside the tent, Li Kaile fell silent upon hearing Xu Beibei’s voice.

Seizing the moment, the couple approached Xu Beibei, their tone earnest.

“Please, young lady, convince Lele to come to the cathedral. It’s too dangerous to stay here. We’ll go together. Do you understand?”