SWNOVELXO Ch. 19
Chapter 19: Binding the Annihilation Evil Lotus, Newcomers in the Shelter
Next, while the Evil Lotus’s main body was still active, he immediately performed the Soul Remnant Expulsion.
After he cleared all marks left by Shi Xuan and Han Qian, Gu Fan finally obtained a perfectly clean Evil Lotus.
Then Gu Fan worried there might still be old “silver coins” like Han Qian’s mark embedded in it.
Especially since the mark came from some unknown ruin.
In the cultivation world, there were plenty of ancient monsters who returned to life by possessing corpses—he didn’t want to unconsciously help some old monster take over the Lotus.
So he conducted a meticulous search, spending almost two full days to confirm there was truly nothing wrong.
“Split‑Soul Technique…”
Gu Fan looked at the manuscript in his hand, then took a deep breath and began to split the soul.
In an instant, agonizing pain pierced through Gu Fan’s consciousness.
Different from physical pain, this agony plunged straight into the depths of his spirit.
It couldn’t be blocked or soothed!
Gu Fan’s whole body was drenched in sweat from the pain, and his face went deathly pale.
Thankfully, the process didn’t last long—about the time it takes for one incense stick to burn.
Gu Fan manipulated the other half of the ear‑soul to merge into the Evil Lotus.
Then, following secret hand seals, he fed it his own essence and blood.
Slowly, a connection formed within the souls.
It felt strange—Gu Fan felt as if he’d grown another body.
This other half had no self‑awareness, only the instinct to feed.
“It’s done!”
Gu Fan’s heart lightened.
With this, he’d successfully used the second method to bind the Annihilation Evil Lotus!
He looked at the purple lotus before him and decided to leave Luoyang City at once.
He had to board the Immortal Boat back to his sect before he could feel at ease.
This place was too close to Shangqing Sect.
He’d already wasted too much time; it would be troublesome if people from Shangqing Sect blocked him.
Without delay, Gu Fan got up, placed the Annihilation Evil Lotus into a jade bottle half a person’s height, and hurried toward the nearest Immortal Boat boarding point.
Since he had reached Spirit Sea Realm, Gu Fan could already fly through the air.
His speed was noticeably faster.
In less than one hour, Gu Fan arrived at the Immortal Boat.
He took out his token and once again obtained an independent cabin.
Turning his figure, he carried the jade bottle and headed into the Zombie World!
….
At the city central hospital.
Gu Fan stood with Xia Yan and several of her trusted subordinates behind him.
“At present, the shelter has added six new people—four ordinary individuals, one Tier 1 Evolver, and one Tier 3 Evolver.”
“The shelter now houses thirty‑three people in total—seventeen men and sixteen women. Our main tasks are clearing nearby zombies and scavenging supplies from the surrounding area.”
Gu Fan glanced at the people behind Xia Yan. Xia Yan immediately explained:
“These are the people I currently trust. They’ve been given crystal cores and awakened as Tier 1 Evolvers.”
“Your current tier?” he asked.
“Tier 3 Evolver.”
Gu Fan nodded.
A Tier 3 Evolver’s strength was already considerable.
He guessed that in this post‑apocalyptic world, that tier placed her among the stronger survivors.
He observed the busy figures in the hospital courtyard; in the new ward block not far off, people were tending to the sprouts the seeds had produced.
Everything was progressing at a steady, normal pace.
“What’s the name of the newly added Tier 3 Evolver? Does he take orders well?” Gu Fan asked.
Xia Yan paused and lowered her gaze to the ground.
“He’s called Liu Xin. Most of the time he’s obedient, but…”
“But he’s dissatisfied with your share of the spoils?” Gu Fan raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
“Xia Yan, speaking plainly is one of the most effective ways to reduce incidents in the apocalypse. So please, speak quickly in front of me.”
Xia Yan’s face turned slightly pale.
She stopped hesitating and repeated the matter at once.
In short, this Tier 3 Evolver was unhappy that Gu Fan was taking the lion’s share.
After all the shelter’s crystal cores had been collected, Gu Fan occupied eighty percent of them himself!
The rest were for the shelter’s storage and use.
Naturally, the original residents of the shelter had no objection—they had seen Gu Fan’s capabilities.
At the same time, Gu Fan hadn’t short‑changed them: food, drink, and security were all assured.
But the newcomers didn’t see things the same way.
Someone who rarely appeared and didn’t help with hunting or collecting, yet still claimed over eighty percent of the resources—what right did he have?!
“Heh heh, is that so? Where is he now?” Gu Fan asked.
Xia Yan swallowed nervously. For some reason, she felt more pressured seeing Gu Fan this time.
“He should be back soon. I estimate no more than ten minutes.”
“Good. We’ll wait until he returns.”
….
Meanwhile, in a corner of the city, a convoy of two SUVs drove toward the central hospital.
“Boss, why are we staying in this shelter? Xia Yan is too arrogant, and there’s a boss who doesn’t even show himself, yet he took eighty percent of the crystal cores—why’s that?”
Liu Xin was smoking, his feet resting on the hood.
“You don’t know anything. Do you know how many survival supplies this shelter has?”
“No idea.”
“Did you notice the warehouses we passed in and out? The rice and flour inside are reportedly enough to feed them for two or three years, and they’re even planting crops. Where are you going to find another shelter this stable and self‑sustaining?”
Upon hearing this, Liu Xin’s men showed expressions of understanding.
“Boss, you’re wise—we won’t have to keep moving bases anymore!”
“Right. If I were a Tier 3 Evolver, why would I settle for less?”
They nodded in support.
“But Boss, we give up so many crystal cores—and that so‑called boss takes way too much. Is he really as terrifying as they say?”
At mentioning this, Liu Xin’s face turned slightly grave.
He had just arrived in this shelter and already thought of seizing power from Xia Yan.
He even fantasized about winning Xia Yan’s favor—but Xia Yan had told him there was an even more terrifying big boss above her.
She was only managing temporarily.
If he wanted to join, he’d have to start like ordinary people—everything would wait until the boss returned.
Later, Liu Xin paid a price and learned from the older survivors about the exploits of the so‑called big boss, Gu Fan.
After hearing, even someone who had survived in the apocalypse for over a year couldn’t help but feel fear.
If the others hadn’t exaggerated, this man was a monster in human form!
His strength was absurd: single‑handedly crossing and slaughtering thousands of zombies—a power at least fourth tier and above!
“So Xiao Long told me I’m curious too. Boss, we’ve been here ten days but haven’t seen the big boss—maybe he’s made up?”
“Exactly. He’s been gone this long. Maybe he’s dead out there.”
Liu Xin cut them off with a grim expression.
“Don’t say such things in the shelter. Unless it’s confirmed he’s dead, watch your words.”
“They say the new ward block was cleared by him personally—he’s killed over a thousand zombies. And that half‑collapsed building? They say he punched it down with one blow. Think about the kind of power that takes!”
At these words, all the men’s faces changed.
“Shit, what about us secretly hoarding crystal cores?”
“Why be afraid? If he’s so ruthless but isn’t here, how would he know how many zombies we killed?”
“Yeah, Boss is right…”
“Alright, enough talk. We’re arriving at the shelter—get ready to unload the supplies.”