Natural Disaster: I Started By Hoarding Tens Of Billions Of Supplies

Chapter 294: Black Vines



Yao Ran frowned and added, "When my wood element energy connected with the mutant plants, they began devouring it. I think those plants are actually part of a single organism."

She paused for a second and added, her voice tinged with worry, "A Yu, I think there is a giant mutant plant surrounding Juncheng City, in addition to the mutant rat king. This mission... I'm afraid it's going to be hard for any of us to make it out alive."

Listening to what she said, Long Yu responded in a heavy tone, "Even if we don't make it out alive, we must complete this mission. Canceling it will only delay our deaths. It won't solve the problem."

Lowering his voice, he added, "When the mutant rat king appears, I will find a way to separate from the others. I plan to use my wind element ability to kill it from a distance."

Yao Ran pondered for a moment before replying, "Then I will handle the mutant plant. With my wood element ability, I can locate its core."

Long Yu hesitated but eventually agreed. He didn't want her to take the risk, but she was the only one who could deal with the mutant plant.

"Fine," he said. "But retreat immediately if the situation becomes dangerous."

"Alright."

After finalizing their plan, the two joined the others and rested in an abandoned building until sunset.

Before leaving, Wu Lian said, "We will split into three teams. Destroy the designated areas, then retreat immediately and regroup here. Is it clear?"

Yao Ran raised her hand and said, "I've noticed many mutant plants around the city. Please be careful, everyone. There might be a powerful mutant plant in Juncheng City."

Hearing this, everyone nodded in acknowledgment. Wu Lian gave them a solemn look and said, "I hope we all can make it back alive."

With that, everyone prepared their weapons, backpacks, and explosives. Since the sound of engines would attract mutant rats, they continued the rest of the journey to the city center on foot.

Once Wu Lian and the soldiers left, Long Yu looked at his friends and said, "A Xuan, A Qian, Jia Xiang-you guys will handle the business center. Ran Ran and I will take the shopping center."

"Yes, Captain," they replied in unison.

Long Yu held Yao Ran's hand and gave the order, "Let's move."

The five of them left the abandoned building and headed directly to the city center.

Unlike Wu Lian's squad, Long Yu's team specialized in infiltration, assassination, and reconnaissance. Sneaking into a city overrun by hundreds of thousands of mutant rats was challenging but manageable for them.

With Yao Ran using her wood element energy to scout ahead, their journey was smooth, dealing with only a few mutant rats and no mutant plants in sight. After three hours of non- stop movement, they reached the city center.

At the fork in the road, Shi Xuan and the others need to turn left toward the business center, while Long Yu and Yao Ran must head right to reach the shopping center.

"Be careful," Long Yu said as they parted ways.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

The three nodded and disappeared around the corner. After they left, Long Yu turned to Yao Ran, took her hand, and said, "Let's go."

As they ran, Yao Ran stored her heavy backpack in her space and replaced it with an empty one, allowing her to move more freely.

As they moved closer to the city center, the number of mutant rats increased. Seeing countless thick black vines entwined the abandoned buildings made Yao Ran feel uneasy.

Feeling her hand turn cold, Long Yu glanced at her and asked, "Ran Ran, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she replied, though her voice trembled slightly.

They continued running without stopping, and after two hours, they reached the shopping center. Hiding behind an overturned vehicle, Yao Ran took out two pairs of night-vision binoculars and handed one to Long Yu.

Surveying the area, Long Yu said, "In this area, only that mall has an underground parking lot. The other buildings have small storage areas in the back at best. If we want to force the mutant rat king out, the mall is our best bet."

As he spoke, Yao Ran's gaze fixed on the mall. Noticing something unusual, she zoomed in on the building's wall. Her eyes widened in alarm when he saw the things stuck on the wall.

"A Yu, look at the mall's wall," she whispered urgently.

Long Yu adjusted his binoculars and focused on the mall's wall. What he saw made his heart sink.

Countless black vines covered the walls, and grotesque faces and eyes covered the vines as thick as an adult's body. His grip on the binoculars tightened as his eyes flickered with murderous intent.

Lowering the binoculars, he looked at Yao Ran. He asked in disbelieve, "Ran Ran, is that really

"

Yao Ran nodded before he could finish his words.

"It's the mutant plant that almost ate me," she said, her voice trembling.

Sensing her fear, Long Yu pulled her into his arms, hugging her tightly. Gently patting her back, he whispered, "I killed it once, and I will kill it again. Don't be afraid, Ran Ran. I'm

here."

Yao Ran buried her face in his chest, her mind replaying the nightmare of being trapped and slowly eaten by the mutant plant. She closed her eyes tightly, trying to forget the memories. After a long time passed, she finally calmed down.

Looking up at Long Yu, she murmured, "A Yu, I'm fine now."

He looked at her for a moment and said, "This mutant plant is difficult to kill, but we will blow it up along with the shopping center. Maybe we can draw out the mutant rat king at the

same time."

Yao Ran nodded, "We still have the explosives we collected from the Crouching Tiger Gang. It should be enough to destroy this place completely."

"Good."

With their plan set, they sneaked toward the mall. Their destination was the underground

parking lot.