Chapter 9: The Charm of the Red Envelope's Location

All thirty-nine Dragon Blood Pills were consumed by Lu Fei, and it took him a full day and night to digest them. He ascended to the peak of the First Legendary Stage, possessing a hundred times the strength of an ordinary man. The dragon blood within him grew ever more concentrated, and after ingesting so many pills, his physical prowess soared—his body was now as tough as bronze and iron, advancing on the path to sanctifying his flesh.

Lu Fei searched for Qin Bailing, but she was nowhere to be found. He wondered about his family—whether they were safe or even still alive. Though he had reached the pinnacle of the First Legendary Stage, the world outside seemed fraught with danger; he would have to proceed cautiously, step by step, or risk death upon leaving the school.

It was the third day of the apocalypse.

Lu Fei was preparing to eradicate all the zombies and wild beasts within the school before venturing out.

The dawn was pale and gentle.

Three boys, furtively, crept toward Lu Fei’s room.

“He must have some secret. How else could he bring out so many valuable things?” one whispered.

“Exactly. If we tie him up and search him, maybe we’ll find some treasures,” the one in the middle sneered.

“Probably. That guy is too strange,” the one on the right agreed.

The trio arrived at Lu Fei’s door. One produced a wire, inserted it into the lock, and twisted it a few times.

With a click—

The door opened.

They slipped inside, surrounding Lu Fei.

He lay asleep, eyes closed, utterly unguarded.

The three exchanged glances, and with wicked smiles, readied the rope to bind him.

Just as they moved, they discovered the rope in their hands had vanished.

Lu Fei was now standing to the side, holding the rope and smiling coldly.

“You've got guts, daring to ambush me. But you’re far too naive—how could I possibly be caught by you?”

“Courting death,” one of the boys snarled, and the three opened fire with their guns.

Bang, bang, bang—

Bullets flew wildly.

They pictured Lu Fei riddled with holes.

But when they stopped—

They realized Lu Fei had disappeared.

They turned, bewildered, to see the youth standing behind them, expressionless, watching them like a demon.

A slap cracked through the air.

Smack, smack, smack—

The three spun and were sent flying, crashing hard against the wall, landing on the floor, unconscious.

“You dare ambush me? You're too inexperienced. Even a hundred more years of training wouldn't suffice,” Lu Fei remarked as he bound their feet with the rope and dragged them into the classroom.

“What happened, boss?” Zeng Hongsen had heard the gunshots and was about to rush out when Lu Fei walked in, dragging the three behind him.

“These three tried to ambush me, but I knocked them out. If anyone else wants to try, stand up now—I’ll let you hit me while I stand, and I won’t fight back. If you can’t kill me, you’ll end up just like them,” Lu Fei said, tossing the trio out the window.

From below, a chorus of howls arose. Many rushed out to see the three torn apart and devoured by zombies.

Everyone was shocked.

Of course, no one else harbored ambitions like those three—who would dare ambush Lu Fei? That was suicide. No matter how many guns or crossbows they had, it would be futile.

Only death awaited them.

“Well done—those fools! The boss gives them weapons and gear, and they repay him by plotting against him. Serves them right,” Zeng Hongsen shouted angrily.

“Indeed, good riddance. They were just wasting air,” Su Ningxue agreed.

“All right, once everyone’s finished breakfast, go burn the trees in the school. That way, we can roast the zombies and wild beasts—there will be a bountiful harvest,” Lu Fei said, exchanging all his remaining cores for gasoline.

“Got it. We’ll need to burn the school’s plants and light fires around the academic buildings; otherwise, the zombies might rush inside,” Su Yuxue said, responding to Lu Fei’s plan.

“So, those who’ve used the Body-Tempering Potion, come with me. The rest, prepare the fire,” Lu Fei instructed seriously.

“Understood,” Zeng Hongsen nodded.

The other students had no objections.

“But what about the other academic and dorm buildings?” Zeng Hongsen asked Lu Fei.

“We’ll clear the zombies later. First, burn these plants.”

Lu Fei had no desire to enter the world of plants—it was far too dangerous. Burning them was the best option, and to leave the school, the trees would have to be burned as well.

“All right, we’ll follow the boss’s orders. Let’s move,” Zeng Hongsen said.

Then, armed with gasoline, he and Lu Fei split up, dousing the perimeter of the school and the area around the academic buildings.

The fire was ignited.

Blazing flames rose all around, forming several rings of fire, spreading inward.

Some birds soared skyward, some slower ones caught fire, flapped desperately in midair, and fell, wreathed in flames.

Countless insects leapt in the sea of fire like ants on a hot pan, but there was no escape—the surroundings became an inferno.

The firelight illuminated the faces of Lu Fei and his companions.

It was scorching.

Lu Fei felt exhilarated—soon, the harvest of cores would be overwhelming, as the woods were teeming with insects and zombies in vast numbers.

All the students gazed at the flames, delighted—for once the fire died down, they could collect the cores and obtain more Body-Tempering Potions.

“Boss, you’re amazing. You’ve wiped out most of the school’s zombies in one move,” Zeng Hongsen said, watching the roaring fire, though his thoughts lingered on his parents. He wondered how they were, but the phones were dead, no signal at all.

“Your love letter was for Qin Bailing, wasn’t it?” Su Ningxue walked over and handed Lu Fei the letter.

“How did it end up with you?” Lu Fei asked, surprised.

“Chen Hu threw your letter in the trash before rushing out. I happened to pick it up,” Su Ningxue replied, still wearing her school uniform, a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on her nose, her ponytail neat and her youthful, delicate features striking.

“Ding! Today’s red packets have refreshed. Number: 3. Range: fifty meters. Please find them within an hour, after which they will disappear.”

“Red packets again,” Lu Fei murmured, a hint of a smile on his lips as he tucked the letter into his pocket. He glanced at Su Ningxue’s shapely figure—one of the red packets was right there, which was rather awkward. Why would it appear in such a place?

“System, are you doing this on purpose?” Lu Fei thought silently.

“Ding! Red packets are random. It has nothing to do with the system. The host may do as he pleases,” came the reply.

“This red packet system is unbelievable,” Lu Fei muttered, shaking his head. He then placed a hand gently on Su Ningxue’s shoulder.