Volume One, Chapter 10: The Zombie Emperor

July 7, 2030, 6:25 p.m.

Glancing at the time on his phone, Qi Fengling dismissed the idea of continuing his exploration downstairs. Although it was just after the summer solstice, the apocalypse had altered the climate on Blue Star. For days now, since the end of the world began, Qi Fengling had not seen the sun; outside, darkness prevailed.

By rights, today marked the first day the Awakening Orbs appeared—a prime opportunity for fortune. Unfortunately, humans inherently lacked the sensitivity to spiritual energy that animals and plants possessed. When the Awakening Orbs first manifested before humans, they seemed like ordinary beads, but animals could sense the spiritual power within them to some extent.

In other words, even if Qi Fengling understood the orbs’ value, locating them would be difficult for him, whereas animals found them more easily. Moreover, night was never mankind’s domain. When darkness fell, zombies became more active; some even gained enhanced abilities after sunset.

Though Qi Fengling now commanded an almost invincible undead squad, it was still just a squad. Against hordes numbering in the hundreds or thousands, only the Skeleton Knight Captain might have a chance to break through.

Another crucial point was that in the first month of the apocalypse, the electrical and technological systems hadn’t completely collapsed. Humanity’s trump card remained the thermal weapons. Though initial outbreaks of zombification occurred within the military and upper echelons, the army soon stabilized the situation, regaining control roughly fifteen days after the end began.

However, after those fifteen days, without sufficient technicians to operate heavy weaponry, such arms became unusable. Slowly, the status of Awakened individuals rose.

For Qi Fengling, the priority was clear: grow stronger, avoid drawing military attention, and ideally establish his own faction somewhere. This would not only protect him during the frequent zombie surges but also grant an advantage in future struggles for control of the city.

So where could he go now? The answer was: nowhere. Qi Fengling was currently inside a skyscraper—the heart of Cloud City—where the highest quality Awakening Orbs appeared most frequently, ripe with opportunity.

With his purpose set, Qi Fengling led his skeleton squad back toward the rooftop, conveniently pocketing a few expensive blankets left behind by others.

The rooftop of the skyscraper was the birthplace of the SS-grade Awakening Orbs. Qi Fengling trusted that after one night, even more orbs would appear there.

Filled with anticipation and a hint of apprehension, Qi Fengling finally arrived once more at the top floor’s entrance.

Damn it! This is bad!

His heart sank upon seeing the scene. Seven or eight corpses lay sprawled at the entrance—some zombies, others humans gnawed to death.

This meant a powerful being currently occupied the skyscraper’s rooftop, one capable of effortlessly dispatching such creatures.

But Qi Fengling’s fear was not of this power itself—it was the possibility that this formidable entity knew the value of the Awakening Orbs and was already indulging in their power.

Without hesitation, Qi Fengling dashed onto the rooftop.

His heart dropped again.

Before him stood a ragged figure with pale, grayish skin devouring the Awakening Orbs from the ground. Around him lay five or six zombie bodies.

This was no mere human. Pale, gray skin—this was a zombie. Unbelievably, such a powerful zombie had appeared.

Qi Fengling realized the corpses nearby were slain by this creature, probably to prevent others from claiming the orbs.

Instantly, the zombie lifted its head and fixed its gaze on Qi Fengling.

“Aaargh! Hu-man...” it groaned, startling Qi Fengling twice over.

To his amazement, the zombie articulated human speech—a slow, labored utterance.

This signified the creature was a Level Two zombie, a sentient one.

Yet Qi Fengling’s greatest shock was the zombie’s face.

“Corpse Hawk!” he whispered, furrowing his brow and tensing.

The Corpse Hawk was the title Cloud City’s survivors gave to the Zombie Emperor—a fearsome warlord among the undead.

Damn! What the hell is this? The Awakening Day had just begun, and he already encountered the Zombie Emperor, and at Level Two no less.

This skyscraper was truly extraordinary. In his previous life, not only had Cloud City’s master Ye Tian emerged here, but also the indomitable Zombie Emperor.

Suddenly, Qi Fengling’s mind clicked.

Could it be that when Ye Tian awakened as the Six-Winged Fallen Angel, this Zombie Emperor was nearby—though weaker than Ye Tian after his awakening?

If so, the Zombie Emperor must have known the power of the Awakening Orb Ye Tian consumed, fueling his later desperate campaign to annihilate Cloud City.

Ultimately, the Zombie Emperor mobilized most of his powerful subordinates to relentlessly pursue and kill Ye Tian.

No wonder the zombie tide during Cloud City’s final battle was immense, and the undead were so formidable.

Qi Fengling had thought himself doomed back then, never expecting that after the zombies breached Cloud City, those strong zombies vanished.

It was precisely this that allowed modest Awakened like himself to slip away in the chaos.

If that was true, then Ye Tian was indeed his savior.

“Hawk... Corpse... ha... ha... ha...” Hearing Qi Fengling’s name for him, the Zombie Emperor pondered briefly before laughing, clearly pleased.

“Human, you are... strong. I will... devour you…” The Zombie Emperor fixed his hungry gaze on Qi Fengling, struggling to speak.

Damn!

“How do you know I’m strong? I’m just a low-level Rank One!” Qi Fengling thought wryly.

After all, he couldn’t even overwhelm the unawakened Ye Tian one-on-one—how could he claim strength?

Perhaps the Zombie Emperor sensed the high-quality Awakening Orb within him.

“Hmph, is that so? Corpse Hawk, I think you’re the one out of luck.”

“You could have achieved greatness, but meeting me means your ambitions end here.” Qi Fengling’s excitement grew as he faced the ravenous Zombie Emperor.

Though this foe was indeed Level Two, Qi Fengling still commanded his undead squad. The Skeleton Knight Captain’s power was also Level Two.

What thrilled Qi Fengling most was that, with superior numbers, he could slay this Zombie Emperor before he fully rose to power.