The events that unfolded afterwards were naturally unknown to Xu Mumu and the others. Along the way, Yin Chuchu wasn’t in high spirits; the affairs of He Xianju’s family had quite an impact on her.
Though Xu Mumu felt somewhat sorry, she didn’t disturb her. These things need to be understood by her on her own.
The speed of their return was slowed down due to various issues on the highway. By the time they returned to Imperial City, it had taken them five days.
The sons and daughters came back safely, and not a single member of the Yin Family was missing. There was also an increase in mutant animals, which made Yin Peng very happy.
Mrs. Yin noticed something was off with her daughter and softly inquired about it.
Yin Chuchu didn’t hide anything from her mother, telling her bit by bit about the experiences she encountered.
Mrs. Yin smiled helplessly and started to counsel her daughter. She didn’t want her daughter to get caught in a bind.
During this time, electricity was reconnected in Imperial City, and clean water was supplied again. These water resources were provided by superpower users.
During Xu Mumu’s absence, Imperial City had taken in quite a few survivors, and many of them were superpower users.
It was precisely because of these superpower users that Imperial City recovered faster.
With electricity available and no lack of water, Xu Mumu felt relieved. It’s just that the water and electricity costs are quite pricey now and need to be paid with Crystal Cores.
The three dogs settled down with the Yin Family. Xu Mumu and the others didn’t take the family of three to the back mountain, as Mrs. Yin was quite fond of them.
The rebuilding speed of Imperial City was incredibly rapid; the city walls outside were gradually being constructed, and in a few days, they were expected to be completed.
Outside, a new world was gradually forming. The government plaza added a mission hall. Officials could post missions, and superpower users could spend Crystal Cores to publish tasks here and there. Many people came to take on missions, with a variety of tasks available. There was even a special section for tasks that ordinary people could take on.
Xu Mumu and Yin Yang came to have a look and then registered their team’s information here.
After being busy for so long, Xu Mumu planned to take a break before setting out again. The little elf kept talking about wanting Meteorite Fragments, so she was going to search for them.
Xu Mumu had already discussed this matter with Yin Yang, who naturally agreed. When the time came, Yin Yang planned to take his little wife along, traveling across the country and the world to collect meteorites, which were major tools for creating zombies and needed to be collected soon.
Together with Yin Yang, they spent several Crystal Cores to buy over a dozen phones. These phones were newly researched by the Institute after the apocalypse, unaffected by Earth’s magnetic fields now, allowing communication anytime and very conveniently.
Although the phones were pretty ugly and didn’t have any games, they turned out to be surprisingly practical.
After purchasing the phones, the two went for a walk around the market outside, where everything was for sale. As long as you could afford Crystal Cores, there was even food available.
Xu Mumu and the others simply took a glance. Quite a few people were quite well-off.
However, the fact that absorbing Zombie Crystal Cores could enhance superpowers was now known by everyone, drastically increasing their value and directly replacing currency.
The two wandered outside without buying anything since everything selling there was quite common.
Xu Mumu saw the tent area near the city wall, with a red lantern hanging outside. This was the legendary red-light district, where one could do as they pleased in exchange for a bit of food.
Low-grade perfume scents wafted out, causing Xu Mumu to immediately pull Yin Yang away from the place, visibly displeased.
But Xu Mumu didn’t say anything, as these were choices made by those people, merely to survive. What right did she have to judge others?
Back home, Yin Chuchu was much more lively now and was building small houses for the three dogs with Mrs. Yin.
Yin Yang and Xu Mumu simply smiled and didn’t disturb them.
During this period, the Yin Family became particularly prominent in Imperial City. Yin Yang and the others had been away for so long but returned safely, having not only increased their strength but also brought back quite a few Mutant Beasts.
The strength of Mutant Beasts was a fact known by everyone, and many people were envious of the Yin Family.
Every time Yin Peng was called out for a meeting, someone always grabbed him to ask how they tamed the Mutant Beasts.
Yin Peng simply said they subdued these Mutant Beasts by defeating them and didn’t elaborate further.
Though Yin Peng’s explanation was simple, people still went to experiment.
A few days later, news spread that someone had tamed a mutated flower bird, heating up the craze for taming Mutant Beasts.
The events happening outside did not affect the Yin Family. Yin Yang went and got a national map, watching it, and sent Yin Family members out to gather news about meteorites. They couldn’t search aimlessly.
Yin Yang wanted to search for meteorite news quietly, avoiding drawing attention from higher-ups, especially those mad scientists in labs who, if they found out, could cause God knows what trouble.
Yin Yang told Yin Peng about his plans, and Yin Peng remained silent for a long time but eventually agreed, even suggesting that the team go out so they could gain more experience, taking whatever Mutant Beasts they wanted along.
Xu Mumu called over Snake Lord and told him about their departure to search for meteorites. Snake Lord was the first to express willingness to go. Xu Mumu didn’t plan to take too many Mutant Beasts, not wanting to draw too much attention, taking only Snake Lord and Little Huo.
Little Huo had great combat skills, could collect Crystal Cores, and even lay eggs; Xu Mumu was absolutely fond of Little Huo.
Snake Lord didn’t mind, just instructed her to tell Yin Family to feed the Mutant Beasts Crystal Cores regularly. Once they grew strong, the Yin Family wouldn’t have any problems.
Xu Mumu agreed with Snake Lord wholeheartedly. She could now purify the energy in Crystal Cores; they could purify them again after they return from outside.
Yin Yang, meanwhile, went to look for the team members. This time they were going to a distant place, possibly not returning for a year or more. Whether to go or not was entirely voluntary.
Yin Chuchu hesitated for a moment but decided to go with her brother and sister-in-law, feeling she was too weak.
Yin Lin similarly had no objections, thinking they could become strong quickly by following Xu Mumu, as opportunities for such trials were rare, and just thinking about it was thrilling.
The others also didn’t refuse, all agreeing to join Xu Mumu for the adventure.
Xu Mumu was indeed delighted, unexpectedly, they all wanted to go along.
She remembered everyone’s friendship.