The evil female is weak and the males of the whole continent are out of control and fall.

Chapter 780 Cruel
Bai Wanwan asked directly, her gaze fixed on Wang Hong's face.

She had assumed that in this strange and bizarre apocalypse, there would be some rumors about energy stones, which might contain special energy.

Wang Hong was stunned for a moment, then shook her head blankly, "Energy stone? I...I don't know, I've never heard of such a thing."

Bai Wanwan felt disappointed.

Sure enough, even in a world where energy seems to have mutated, giving rise to zombies and superhumans, energy stones are not commonplace.

“However…” Wang Hong noticed her slightly somber expression and hesitated as she pondered for a moment before speaking, “If you really want to find something special… perhaps you could try asking around in those medium to large-sized bases. There are more people there, resources are relatively abundant, and information flows quickly. Some of the larger bases reportedly even have research institutes dedicated to studying post-apocalyptic changes. If you want to inquire about something, you’ll have a better chance of finding out there.”

"A medium to large-scale base?" Bai Wanwan pressed. "Have you been there? How far is it from here?"

"It's quite far... We've been trapped here and haven't been anywhere else. We've only heard about it from other survivors."

A complex expression, a mixture of bitterness and longing, appeared on Wang Hong's face. They did want to go.

Life here is tough. Once the food runs out, people like them, who have no special abilities and aren't particularly strong, will truly have no way to survive. But... the journey is too dangerous; they simply can't travel very far on their own.

Bai Wanwan listened to her words and observed her reaction.

It seems that to find clues about the energy stones, we'll have to try our luck at those large bases.

After a moment's thought, she made a decision: "Do you still want to leave here and go to the main base? If so, get ready, we'll leave in a bit."

Wang Hong suddenly raised her head, her eyes wide, staring at Bai Wanwan in disbelief, her voice trembling: "Really? We...we can go with you?"

"Okay, sure." Bai Wanwan nodded.

Firstly, it was a way of repaying them for taking him in last night and giving him those precious potatoes; secondly, bringing him along was just a convenient thing to do, and they knew more about the common sense of survival in the apocalypse.

As for the risks she might encounter on the road... her males are more than capable of handling them.

"Th-thank you! Thank you all!" Wang Hong was so excited she was almost incoherent, tears welling up in her eyes again. "I'll go pack up right away, it'll be done very soon!"

After saying that, she grabbed her still bewildered son and ran out quickly, almost staggering, eager to tell her parents and husband this wonderful news.

After the family left, Xin Feng, Hua Han, and Yan Lie, who had gone out to investigate, also returned one after another.

"The area is very desolate. Apart from this settlement, no other large-scale human settlements have been found," Hua Han reported first.

Xin Feng frowned as well. "The vegetation in the nearby mountains and forests is withered, and we can hardly sense the presence of wild animals. We've searched all around, but we haven't found even a small prey."

Several males showed a hint of seriousness on their faces.

This world is not only cruel to humans, but it also seems that the natural ecosystem has collapsed. Finding a stable food source will be a huge challenge for long-term survival here.

"It's alright if I can't find it, I still have reserves in my storage space."

Bai Wanwan reassured them, then informed them of her decision, "Now that you're all back, let's get ready and head to the large base immediately. The clues to the energy stone will likely be found there."

About an hour later, Bai Wanwan and her six beastmen, followed by Wang Hong's family of six or seven who had simply packed their bags, walked towards the dilapidated gate of the settlement.

Compared to Bai Wanwan and her family's light and simple travel, Wang Hong's family's luggage was far too conspicuous.

They hadn't gone far from the chaotic shantytown where they had gathered when they were stopped by some people. Several pale and thin neighbors looked at Wang Hong's family with suspicion and uncertainty in their eyes as they saw the large bags and bundles they carried.

"Wang Hong, where are you all going?" a thin, middle-aged man asked, his gaze lingering on Bai Wanwan and her group.

Not wanting to cause trouble for her benefactor, Wang Hong forced a smile and mumbled, "We...we'll go to the nearby city and see if there's anything to eat."

"Looking for food?" a woman nearby questioned shrilly. "Looking for food and you've brought your parents and such a small child along? And all your belongings? You're kidding me!"

Wang Hong choked, her face flushed, unsure how to defend herself.

Her attitude only reinforced the suspicions of the growing crowd around her.

"Are these new superhumans going to take you to some other nice place?"

"Yes, Wang Hong, you can't keep such a good thing to yourself!"

The crowd began to stir, their gazes toward Bai Wanwan filled with burning desire and a hint of coercion.

Some people even knelt down in the street with a "plop" and kowtowed to Bai Wanwan, saying, "You are such good people! Please, have mercy and take us with you! Staying here is just waiting to die!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Take us with you too!"

"Many hands make light work. If we go together, we can look out for each other!"

Pleading and echoing voices immediately filled the air.

Bringing along a family of seven is within their capabilities, but if they get entangled with dozens or hundreds of people, it's not helping, but dragging along a huge, unmanageable burden, purely creating trouble for themselves.

Bai Wanwan frowned, and without the slightest hesitation, her voice clearly pierced through the noise: "No. I can't take you away."

Her refusal was crisp and decisive, even bordering on indifference.

However, those whose eyes were blinded by the desire to survive would not listen.

Some people didn't even have time to go back and pack properly; they just grabbed what they thought was the most important food and makeshift weapons and followed closely behind the group, clearly intending to force their way in.

Bai Wanwan stopped, turned around, and glanced at the faces that insisted on following. Her tone became more serious, carrying a clear warning: "If you insist on coming, fine. But I must make it clear beforehand that the road is fraught with danger. If we are surrounded by a large number of zombies, we will need to do everything we can to protect ourselves, let alone so many of you. If anything happens, your fate is in the hands of fate, and don't expect us to save you."

This is the apocalypse, and she has other things to do; she can't be responsible for the safety of so many people.

She felt compassion for Wang Hong because her child was young, and since seven people wasn't a large family, she brought them along.

But no one else is allowed.

These words were like a bucket of cold water, waking up some of the hot-headed people.

They had originally planned to follow this group of seemingly powerful superhumans as free bodyguards and safely infiltrate the large base.

But Bai Wanwan's undisguised indifference and irresponsible attitude forced them to reconsider:
Is it really safer to follow a group of people who can't protect themselves in the dangerous wilderness than to stay in a familiar but challenging settlement?

Some people hesitated and showed fear on their faces, slowed their pace, and muttered curses under their breath: "cold-blooded," "heartless"...

(End of this chapter)