"This water is disgusting, brothers. Let me stop it for a moment."

There was no response, the person speaking to themselves.

Then, Liu Zheng heard a tremendous explosion.

"BOOM!!!"

After a deafening roar like an 800mm cannon misfiring, everything returned to silence.

He no longer heard the wind, nor the sound of water.

"Brothers, that last move was pretty good, right? If you think so, give it a like."

"Don't bother with donations though, everyone should keep their money for food and drinks."

The person's voice gradually faded into the distance until it became inaudible.

Several minutes later, the tree cage automatically dissolved and retracted underground.

But the plane tree's arm did not emerge again.

Of course, Liu Zheng's attention wasn't focused on that.

When he clearly saw the scene before him, he couldn't help but let out the loudest shout of his life.

"Holy shit!"

The entire visible area of the sewer had become pitted and scarred, while the Sewage River was almost completely drained dry.

Corpses of various kinds were scattered everywhere—on the ceiling, the ground, the walls.

There were Skinless Monsters, Rat Swarms, enormous insects, and strange creatures that resembled both crabs and spiders with two giant pincers and three Compound Eyes.

But most of all, there were fish.

With just one glance, Liu Zheng counted no fewer than several dozen.

Containing his wild excitement, he carefully scanned the area with his eyes.

After a moment, he reluctantly withdrew his gaze with disappointment.

None of these fish were the Megamouth Whale.

However, Liu Zheng's mood quickly improved again.

Quantity could make up for quality—this many fish should at least equal half a Megamouth Whale, right?

Besides, there might even be fish among them of higher level than the Megamouth Whale.

Just as he was troubled, strange sounds suddenly came from above.

But immediately, his tense muscles relaxed again.

It was just the plane tree's roots breaking through the ceiling as they descended.

The roots hung before Liu Zheng, then grew a mouth.

"Stupid human, still waiting around to die?"

The plane tree delivered its elegant pronouncement.

"What's wrong?"

He frowned.

"The sewer is about to go berserk. If you don't leave now, you'll end up as shit."

The plane tree stated.

"Why is it going berserk?"

"Why? If someone stuffed a firecracker up your ass after you farted, wouldn't you go berserk?"

The plane tree sneered.

Although its analogy was rather unconventional, Liu Zheng truly understood.

Clearly, the Fire Mage's final move before leaving had ruptured the sewer's hemorrhoids.

Before the plane tree could finish, the ceiling suddenly closed, brutally severing the roots.

The severed roots fell at Liu Zheng's feet like dead worms.

"You can't leave now."

A voice said eerily.

Liu Zheng cautiously looked toward the direction of the voice.

A shadow floated out from the wall.

It had no facial features, and its form was extremely indistinct.

One could only vaguely make out that it wore a peaked cap and an overcoat.

"All upward passages have been sealed. You can only stay here now."

Rust said.

"Why are you specifically telling me this?"

Liu Zheng asked.

"Only when people truly understand their situation can they make the right choices."

Rust slowly approached.

Though it could float, it moved with an extremely heavy presence, as if carrying countless mountains on its being.

"What choices?"

Instead of retreating, he actively moved forward to meet it.

Rust stopped a few steps away from him, then spoke.

Liu Zheng frowned.

He smelled the strong scent of rust and gunpowder.

"Can you help me?"

He asked.

"Correct."

Rust nodded.

"What do I need to give in return?"

"Understanding that one must give before receiving is an excellent quality."

Rust's tone seemed somewhat appreciative.

"This has always been the truth of the world."

Not to mention that Liu Zheng was already a seasoned veteran who had weathered society's hardships—even a young person inexperienced in worldly affairs would deeply understand this principle if they managed to survive in this bizarre world.

"Unfortunately, truth has always been held in the hands of the few."

"And even when someone wants to spread the truth, they will be stopped by the majority among those few."

"Let's return to the main topic. What do you need from me to help me leave the sewer?"

He interrupted Rust's train of thought.

"Very simple—help us generate electricity."

Rust didn't get angry and went straight to the point.

"Huh?"

"Our usual electricity comes from hydroelectric power. Now that the water has stopped, the electricity has stopped too."

"So we need you to provide human-powered electricity."

Rust explained.

"I don't mind pedal-powered generation, but isn't the efficiency a bit low? I still need to deliver food later."

"Wait, did you just say human-powered electricity?"

Liu Zheng suddenly realized the problem.

"Of course. How much electricity can pedaling generate?"

Rust nodded.

"...Alright then, how much do you need?"

He asked helplessly.

"Not necessarily fixed—it depends on your condition. Come with me, the sewer needs to detoxify."

Rust pointed at the ceiling.

Liu Zheng looked up and saw white tumor-like growths rapidly proliferating.

In the blink of an eye, they grew to the size of fists, densely covering the entire ceiling.

Then, all the white tumors opened their eyes, turning their gaze toward Liu Zheng.

"Close your eyes."

Rust said.

He complied and closed his eyes.

The moment he shut his eyes, Liu Zheng saw Rust lunging toward him.

"Walk forward. Stop when I tell you to stop, then open your eyes."

Rust's voice sounded above his head.

Faced with this situation, Liu Zheng could only follow its guidance.

As he walked, he counted in his mind.

When he reached 653, Rust finally spoke.

"Stop."

Liu Zheng stopped walking, then opened his eyes.

Before him stood a security door resembling a bank vault.

"Turn the valve and enter."

Rust instructed.

Liu Zheng turned the valve as instructed, pushed hard, and entered through the door.

"Click."

With the sound of mechanisms engaging, the security door automatically closed. Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs novelꞁire.net

The interior was instantly plunged into complete darkness.

"Paul, turn on the emergency lights."

Rust called out.

"Yes, teacher."

A young boy's voice responded.

As soon as the words were spoken, several greenish lights flickered on.

Though not very bright, relying on his powerful physique, Liu Zheng could barely make out the situation here.

In the middle of the classroom stood more than ten desks and chairs, each seat occupied by a child wearing a school uniform.

The boys wore gray suits and trousers, military caps on their heads, and leather shoes on their feet.

The girls wore white lace dresses with colored gauze hair bows in their hair.

From their appearance, these children seemed to be human.

But Liu Zheng felt something was off.

When he moved closer, he finally understood why.

These children were all shattered.