The island was quiet, not even a zombie in sight.
If it weren't for knowing it housed an experimental base, it truly looked like a deserted island.
[Open Map.]
Soon, a live map appeared before Xu Qian, showing many scattered red zombies on the island.
There were no green dots at all, meaning no living people?
Xu Qian's brow furrowed slightly. Had they evacuated?
The two passed through a dilapidated tourist reception area, which led into a small ancient town.
On both sides were many houses and shops built with gray bricks and tiles. The ground was paved with stones, forming an uneven surface.
Most of the shops sold dried seafood, with a few selling ethnic clothing and small accessories.
These shops had long been closed, but their faded signboards remained.
There weren't many zombies on the island, and no living people.
Xu Qian explored as if she were sightseeing.
Even though the shops were closed, the remaining ancient structures were still there.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. There was no smell of decay or blood in the air, only the faint salty scent of the sea breeze.
She smiled and said, "What a shame."
Xiang Jintian dared not relax his guard. He stayed close to Xu Qian, anticipating any sudden situations.
He paused at her words and asked, "A shame about what?"
Xu Qian sighed, "Xia Qin Island must have been beautiful before."
Xiang Jintian lowered his gaze slightly, recalled for a moment, and replied, "Yes, it was indeed beautiful."
The blue skies, white clouds, and beaches back then were indeed beautiful, but everything had changed now.
Xu Qian's eyes widened slightly, and she looked up at him, asking, "You've been here before?"
"I came here on vacation before, there were too many people then."
"That's great."
She could only see such scenery in the apocalypse.
Passing through the ancient town, they were greeted by yellowed, muddy lawns on either side. Judging by the fallen branches on the ground, this large lawn was probably once a sea of flowers.
On the mountain, there were many residential houses and hotels built with ordinary red bricks.
Around the houses were bare forests, yet they were exceptionally dense.
The trees vaguely concealed the houses, exuding a strange aura.
"Further ahead is the path up the mountain."
Xu Qian raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are there any other interesting places here?"
"Xia Qin Island's most distinctive features are the ancient town, the sea of flowers, the beaches, and the mountain scenery."
Xu Qian narrowed her eyes slightly and pondered for a moment, "If it were you, where would you build the laboratory?"
Xiang Jintian thought for a moment, "It couldn't be built underground. This is the sea, so it has to be built on the surface."
Xu Qian agreed, "The ancient town is so small, and the lawns are unlikely. So it's either the mountain or the seaside. They wouldn't be foolish enough to build the laboratory on the beach, would they?"
Xiang Jintian narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a deep voice, "Therefore, the laboratory is most likely built on the mountain."
After a brief discussion, the two decided to head up the mountain.
The path up the mountain was not easy. The originally beautiful flagstone ground, subjected to long-term wind and rain, was covered with a thick layer of mud and decaying leaves.
Stepping on it made it feel soft and rotten.
Xu Qian frowned in disgust but said nothing.
She just quickened her pace up the mountain, as if pursued by a flood or ferocious beasts.
The dense forests on both sides were now reduced to bare branches and a dim sky.
"Rustle, rustle."
Xu Qian stopped and squinted, looking around.
Suddenly, many... mutated porcupines emerged from the forest.
They were covered in many quills, their eyes were blood red, and they formed a circle around them.