On the third day after Yun Lan arrived at the settlement, they were notified they needed to change residences. The torrential rain outside grew increasingly fierce, with water levels rising at a pace far exceeding before—increasing by more than ten times.

Within just a few dozen hours, the water level rose to ten meters.

Countless survivors were forced to relocate.

The change in the rainstorm left many uneasy. The water was rising too quickly. If this continued, the land would likely turn into ocean, and their city would sink beneath the sea alongside the legendary Atlantis.

But human will could not influence the apocalypse's progression.

At the bottom of Orchid Garden, a zombie wearing tattered security guard clothes roared underwater. Its skin membrane tore apart, growing snake-like scales that arranged themselves tightly and orderly, covering its entire body.

Nearby zombies seemed to be summoned, forming a massive circle around the scaled zombie. Not a single zombie approached, as if protecting the scaled zombie.

Roar!

The scaled zombie completed its evolution, roaring toward the sky. Its face covered in scales, it looked less like a zombie and more like some kind of mutated creature.

Bang!

A giant claw descended from above, slamming the imposing scaled zombie into the mud before digging it out again.

The process happened extremely fast. Before the surrounding zombies could react, their served king was dead.

The one who took the scaled zombie king's life was none other than Li Xuan transformed into the Prehistoric Colossus. In the water, the Prehistoric Colossus's movement wasn't hindered—instead, it moved even faster, like a fish in water.

Li Xuan shook off the zombie horde's pursuit and carefully tore open the scaled zombie king's chest, finding the Supernatural Characteristic within its heart.

It resembled semi-transparent jelly, weightless.

Li Xuan didn't hesitate, swallowing the Supernatural Characteristic in one gulp.

Knowledge about the Supernatural Characteristic surfaced in his mind—not from the Intelligence System's knowledge, but knowledge inherent to the Supernatural Characteristic itself.

'Scale Armor Evolution' Supernatural Characteristic, significantly enhances the hardness of one's own scale armor and possesses evolutionary properties. It slowly evolves over time, and when encountering extreme circumstances, has a probability of rapid evolution.

......

Yun Lan bit into a steamed bun in her new room. The settlement's food wasn't unlimited—each person received a fixed daily ration regardless of body size.

"Why is it so noisy outside?" Yun Lan's roommate asked.

After finishing her bun, Yun Lan sucked her fingers clean, consuming every last crumb. "I heard the authorities reduced treatment for land-based transformers and increased treatment for water-capable transformers. The land-based ones are causing trouble."

"Was their treatment different before?"

"Definitely different. R City is an inland city without heavy rain. Water-capable transformers weren't very useful, so their treatment was only slightly better than ours."

"Fortunes change quickly—one month east, one month west. Maybe next month the water-capable transformers will become outdated too."

Yun Lan's mind flashed with the image of the Prehistoric Colossus. That creature possessed characteristics of sea, land, and air creatures—it probably wouldn't become obsolete.

As she pondered this, the rescue team member who had helped her before arrived, informing her that Huo Lingling had been found at Jiaolin Road and would reach the settlement in a few hours.

Overjoyed, Yun Lan sent the message to Li Xuan.

The rescue team member quietly observed, confirming Li Xuan had received the message before leaving contentedly.

At Yanshan Road, twenty people wearing raincoats hid in the buildings on both sides.

Half of them aimed homemade firearms, concentrating intently as they waited for their prey to appear.

Another eight had guns loaded with anesthetic, while two hid on lower floors, each holding a new energy fishing rod.

Song Shandian hid in an apartment not far away. This location had some distance from Yanshan Road, ensuring that if the mission failed, the Prehistoric Colossus wouldn't discover him.

Safety always came first.

Song Shandian didn't have the habit of personally attending scenes or getting directly involved.

"Can this configuration really capture Li Xuan?" Song Shandian asked once more.

The man beside him slightly bowed his head. "Sir, please rest assured. According to official experimental results on transformers, we know that transformed animals lack supernatural attributes—they remain flesh and blood that can bleed, get injured, and be taken down with a single shot. A transformer who becomes a lion or tiger can be killed with one bullet."

"The Prehistoric Colossus has enormous size and astonishing strength, but it's still flesh and blood—not a mechanical lifeform like Optimus Prime. Firearms can injure it. Ten homemade firearms can effectively pressure the Prehistoric Colossus and wound it, while the other eight will shoot anesthetic into its wounds."

"The anesthetic dosage we're using this time is massive—even a whale couldn't withstand it. Once the Prehistoric Colossus reverts to human form, our hidden agents will strike. Two new energy fishing rods will make Li Xuan suffer greatly. At that point, Li Xuan will be completely in our grasp with no chance of escape."

Hearing this, Song Shandian nodded. "After capturing Li Xuan, I won't keep this treasure to myself. Everyone following me will share in the benefits!"

The man smiled. Why were people willing to risk their lives for Song Shandian? Simply because he paid well.

Before the apocalypse, Song Shandian offered high salaries with three days off per week. After the apocalypse began, he led everyone to promptly close the warehouse doors, preserving massive food supplies. He never mistreated his subordinates—when hungry, they ate heartily, and could take more if insufficient.

Just as he was about to offer some flattery, Song Shandian's phone rang.

Song Shandian glanced at the caller—it was his subordinate, the person responsible for picking up Huo Lingling. "Did you get the person?"

"Yes, we got her."

But instead of his subordinate's voice, an unfamiliar voice came through the phone.

Song Shandian sensed something wrong. "Who are you! What did you do to my men!"

"You're looking for me, but you don't recognize my voice?"

"You're Li Xuan! Impossible! How can you be at Jiaolin Road!" Song Shandian exclaimed in shock.

To reach Jiaolin Road, one must pass through Yanshan Road!

They had set the trap first before having someone notify Yun Lan!

Logically, Li Xuan shouldn't be able to appear at Jiaolin Road!

"Your men are ambushing me at Yanshan Road, but you're not at Yanshan Road, right?"

Li Xuan's voice sounded like eerie whispers from hell, making Song Shandian shudder.

Gulp~

"You! You knew my plan in advance! Who! Who told you!" Song Shandian's voice turned shrill.

"I will come find you."

The call ended...

Song Shandian felt cold all over. "We've messed up."

The man urgently spoke up: "We still have hope. We'll capture him eventually."