Xu Qian shot him a look of disdain. "Cheng Liangqing, keep an eye on your brother. Don't let him cause any more trouble. If this continues, both of you will be kicked out of the Sunbright team."
Cheng Liangqing pursed his lips and nodded in agreement.
With a thought, her Basao knife materialized in her hand.
"Move out. Stay safe."
"Yes!"
They passed through shattered glass and entered the elevator lobby, then proceeded up the stairwell.
With Xu Qian leading the way, taking down zombies with a single slash, the others barely had to lift a finger.
There weren't many zombies in the stairwell. It seemed most of the employees on this floor had escaped via the elevators, leaving only those who had no other choice after the power failed to take the stairs.
Xu Qian glanced up at the sign for the 16th floor and stopped.
The group, breathless, followed her.
{How can she climb fifteen flights of stairs while fighting zombies and not even be out of breath?}
Cheng Liangze looked puzzled. He figured their enhanced physiques from their awakened abilities must be the reason for her prowess.
It was a shame neither he nor his brother had awakened their powers yet.
She stepped forward and touched the heavy iron door of the 16th-floor stairwell.
[Open Map]
Behind the door should be the office area. Many small green dots were milling about within.
Xu Qian lowered her voice. "Let's check the floors above first."
The 17th and 18th floors still had many green dots, and they could even hear the commotion from outside the doors.
The 19th and 20th floors had fewer people, but there were still individuals wandering about. Rushing in directly would create too much noise.
The rooftop was a helipad, with a white helicopter parked there, unguarded.
Her dark eyes flickered. "You all go ahead. I'll go check the helicopter."
With that, she sprinted towards the helicopter.
Mei Yuebai, who knew her well, instantly understood her intention.
He flashed a slight smile and, with practiced cooperation, said, "I'll lead the way."
Once the group was back in the stairwell, Xu Qian raised her hand and stored the helicopter in her spatial dimension.
The group regrouped at the heavy iron door of the 20th floor.
Xu Qian pondered for a moment. "There's no other way. We'll have to force our way in. Gu Qing, Cheng Liangze, stay here to provide support. The rest of you, follow me."
Cheng Liangze immediately became displeased. Why wasn't he allowed to fight? He had served in the army for two years, after all.
"I'm going too. Lily can stay here."
She shot him a calm glance. "You don't have powers. Lily does."
He opened his mouth to argue but was cut off.
"No need to say more. You two stay here and wait for us."
Gu Qing nodded his agreement readily. His combat ability wasn't high to begin with, and he was reluctant to kill living people.
She pried open the lock, carefully pulled the door open a crack, and slipped inside.
The rest followed.
As Li Lili passed Cheng Liangze, she whispered, "It's okay, Liangze Gege. You wait for us here."
His expression darkened, and he let out a huff, offering no response.
If they wouldn't let him in, he would force his way in.
Li Lili shook her head helplessly. Liangze Gege was too impulsive.
The moment Xu Qian stepped onto the 20th floor, her hairs stood on end, and a chill spread throughout her body.
The 20th floor of Yu Pharmaceutical turned out to be a laboratory.
With cold white walls, it housed neat rows of hospital beds, about twenty or so at a glance.
Each bed was occupied by a living person, covered by a glass enclosure.
They wore simple white shirts and white pants, their hands and feet bound by chains, rendering them immobile.
Most lay lifeless, while a few zombies roared and struggled.
"Tap, tap, tap."
Footsteps and voices drifted over.
"The experimental subjects this time are in too poor condition. Not as good as before. I'll get scolded by the boss again."
Another voice responded, "My experiment was even worse. They died shortly after. We need them to capture more living people for experiments."