Chapter Five: Advancement to the Second Tier

Zhang Yu fell to the ground in terror, collapsing atop the body of a headless zombie, his eyes wide open in death. Gu Sha's expression remained indifferent as he swept his gaze over the remaining four people. Three boys, all in school uniforms, looked young and inexperienced—clearly students. The other was a woman in a tight skirt, likely a teacher. Her air of maturity set her apart from the students; she was attractive, with a striking figure.

Gu Sha recognized her as the renowned beauty of the school, an English teacher, a graduate student who was well-known among the faculty. But that was all he knew of her.

The four shrank back in fear when Gu Sha glanced at them.

“Don't follow me,” he said, then immediately headed upstairs.

He had barely taken a few steps when he sensed them trailing behind. He turned, eyes flashing with menace, and spoke coldly, “Do you think I won't kill you?”

They froze, too terrified to move.

At that moment, the female teacher spoke timidly, “Student… you… you’re looking for something, aren’t you? We can help you find it!”

Gu Sha paused, surprised, and studied her.

She hurried to explain, “You obviously weren’t originally in the cafeteria. With your strength, you could have escaped, but instead you came here. That means there’s something you care about here. But you killed, not to save anyone, so you must be searching for something. Even though you have a goal, your eyes have been scanning around, which means you’re not certain what you’re seeking is where you’re heading.”

“No wonder you’re a top student,” Gu Sha remarked, then said, “I’m looking for a bead with a golden glow. Have you seen it?”

To his surprise, all four faces lit up with recognition and nodded.

“Where is it?” Gu Sha asked.

Before the boys could reply, the teacher spoke first, “I know. Earlier today, when that blood-red sunlight shone down, we all saw a golden bead fall. We can tell you, but you have to take us with you. Consider it a trade.”

Gu Sha sized her up. Her looks and figure were outstanding, curves accentuated, and she carried a crisp, professional aura. Even now, amidst chaos, she had quickly calmed and analyzed their chances of survival. This woman was no ordinary person.

“What’s your name?” Gu Sha asked.

“My name is Han Yue,” she replied.

Gu Sha’s brow arched, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

So it was her!

In his previous life, a famous figure emerged from this high school during the apocalypse. When Gu Sha was reborn, she had already become a ninth-tier warrior, with potential to surpass even that and attain the rank of Battle King. She was a woman named Han Yue, who, by chance, absorbed the power of a source bead when the apocalypse began, becoming one of the earliest warriors to unlock her genetic potential.

If it was her, Gu Sha no longer found it surprising. The apocalypse was brutal—even among those lucky enough to become the first extraordinary warriors, only a few managed to rise above. Han Yue not only survived twenty years, she became a formidable leader, surely possessing a mind and skills far beyond the ordinary.

Now, as Gu Sha studied her, Han Yue’s heart leapt with hope. She understood her own advantages well—a mature woman’s charm was irresistibly alluring to boys Gu Sha’s age. She was confident in her appearance and figure, especially when she saw that glimmer in Gu Sha’s eyes. Her confidence soared.

A top student, Han Yue had chosen teaching not out of passion, but to build her credentials. Having a teacher’s background would play a key role in her plans for life. She was never someone content to simply teach. But now, with the apocalypse shattering her future, she had to reassess.

Seeing Gu Sha, she quickly and calmly analyzed her situation. This student was strong; most likely, the whole world was now like their school. In such a world, only ruthless and capable people could survive—and Gu Sha was one of them.

Most importantly, he was still just a boy, easily controlled. Han Yue was confident that, with her qualities, she could easily captivate this inexperienced young man, make him obedient, and, by aligning herself with him, secure her own survival and future. If that didn’t work, she could use him as a stepping stone for greater opportunities.

With these thoughts, Han Yue moved closer to Gu Sha, her demeanor soft and vulnerable. “I… I’m not threatening you. I just want to survive. I’ll do whatever you say, I’m yours in every way, as long as you take me with you. I can help you, whatever you need me to do…”

She looked so pitiable, she inspired a protective urge.

Gu Sha gave a faint smile. “Then tell me, where’s the bead?”

Han Yue asked timidly, “Then… will you promise to take me with you?”

“Promise? Promise your mother!”

Suddenly, Gu Sha raised his axe and brought it down, slashing Han Yue’s throat in one swift motion, blood streaming everywhere.

“Threaten me? Heh, I hate being threatened,” Gu Sha sneered.

Han Yue fell, bewildered.

Gu Sha glanced at her convulsing body, eyes cold as he looked at the three boys. “Don’t try to be clever and threaten me like she did. You have two choices: tell me where the bead is, or die by my hand. Speak up—whoever tells me first, I won’t kill.”

The three boys were so terrified they nearly lost their souls, each afraid they’d be too late and end up dead.

“It’s… on Teacher Han…”

“Yeah, in her pocket…”

“When the zombies hadn’t appeared yet, Teacher Han brought us here to sell cold drinks. Just as we entered, the blood sun shone down and the bead fell from the sky. Teacher Han picked it up, thought it was odd, and then the zombie outbreak happened. We all hid in the cold storage and forgot about it!”

Gu Sha’s brows rose. No wonder he’d searched outside for so long and found nothing.

No wonder this woman became so successful later—her opportunity literally landed in her hands.

He immediately knelt and searched Han Yue’s clothes, soon finding the bead. It was indeed a source bead, much larger than the one found on the rooftop of the teaching building—almost worth two beads—but it already showed signs of cracking.

Gu Sha thought, “That was close,” then quickly ran toward the cold storage nearby. He glanced back at the three boys and said, “There are three cold storages. Hide in whichever you like, don’t follow me. Just a reminder—if you want to live, hiding won’t help. Zombies will only multiply. Take advantage of night, find some weapons, escape toward the city center. There’s an official unit stationed there—maybe a slim chance to survive.”

With that, Gu Sha rushed into a cold storage room, locked the door, swallowed the source bead, and began channeling his Qi, fully absorbing the initial source energy.

After a long while, Gu Sha opened his eyes.

“Second tier already. Just like that, second tier. It took three years in my last life—this time, not even a day!”