Super Gene Hunting Ground

Chapter 115: Chapter 115 Substitution

Yang Xiao and his group first experienced a moment of darkness, with the sound of wind rushing past their ears. In the darkness, Yang Xiao felt a pair of warm hands hugging him from behind, and the person’s body seemed to tremble slightly.

Yang Xiao didn’t think much of it, assuming it was just one of the four girls feeling a bit nervous. After all, it was their first time using the teleportation station, and none of them had previous experience.

Moments later, their vision brightened, and they found themselves at the teleportation station of Xianan University.

Yang Xiao felt the girl behind him still holding him tightly as the teleportation station’s halo disappeared.

Gently, Yang Xiao pried open the pair of gentle hands hugging him,

”We’ve arrived!”

Turning around, he saw it was Qin Yu.

Qin Yu, full of shyness, glanced at Yang Xiao and awkwardly explained:

”I’m sorry, I, I...”

Huang Wen, standing nearby, gave Qin Yu a peculiar look and added with a smile:

”Boss, Qin Yu is afraid of the dark. She’s well-known for it in our dormitory. She’s never dared to sleep alone, always needing me and Deng Xiao to accompany her.”

Yang Xiao chuckled and opened his arms:

”Ah, it’s nothing. Deng Xiao, Chen Fei, if you’re also afraid of the dark, you can hug me on the way back too.”

This resulted in Huang Wen, Deng Xiao, and Chen Fei rolling their eyes at him disdainfully, while only Qin Yu covered her mouth, giggling.

Having gotten used to being around girls, Yang Xiao thickened his skin, shrugged, and acted indifferent.

Long Yongjun, standing nearby, said sincerely:

”Sister Chen Fei, if you’re afraid of the dark, you can hug me. I’m not afraid. I’ve never been afraid of the dark since I was a child, often walking the night road alone...” Before he could finish, Chen Fei gave him a disdainful look.

The six walked out of the teleportation array, outside which stood a dozen fully armed youths. One of them stepped forward and said:

”Are you from Kongming Academy? Are you here for something?”

Both Xianan University and the nearby Star City had opened teleportation stations but also restricted the number of people teleported each time. For security reasons, Xianan University had stationed over a dozen elite warriors by the teleportation station to guard against any incidents.

Puffing out his chest, Long Yongjun, gripping the Dog Blood Blade at his waist, took a step forward and said imposingly:

”This is our Kongming Academy leader, Yang Xiao, here to meet your leader, Xia Luo.”

The leading youth, upon hearing this, looked Yang Xiao over carefully, quickly greeted with enthusiasm:

”So, it’s Yang Xiao from Kongming Academy. My apologies, please follow me.”

The youth led Yang Xiao and the others toward a building near the sports ground, which was the base of Xianan University.

Unlike Kongming Academy, the protective aura of the Genetic Store here had expanded over a hundred meters, just enough to cover a nearby six-story teaching building, which Xia Luo and the others used as their base and nighttime dormitory, with the sports field serving as their daytime activity area.

One could say that Xianan University’s overall accommodation conditions were much better than those of Kongming Academy now.

Seeing Yang Xiao’s unexpected visit, Xia Luo was somewhat surprised. He then glanced at Qin Yu and Deng Xiao beside Yang Xiao, chuckled softly, and said:

”After all, you’re from the humanities college, going out with four beauties, some might think it’s a harem, making me envious.”

The comment had a hint of sourness.

Huang Wen and the others’ expressions changed.

Deng Xiao chuckled and said:

”Cousin, what are you getting so jealous about? I’m your cousin.”

After speaking, she deliberately glanced at Qin Yu beside her.

Qin Yu avoided Xia Luo’s gaze and looked elsewhere.

Xia Luo glared at Deng Xiao, saying:

”The last time I asked you to come back to Xianan University with Zhou Qiang, even with your cousin taking care of you, you refused? You insisted on staying at Kongming Academy?”

Deng Xiao and Qin Yu had grown up playing together and were very familiar with each other. Even though Xia Luo’s temperament had changed somewhat, they were still childhood sweetheart cousins, and the bond of past familial affection remained.

Deng Xiao paused and said:

”Cousin, I know you’re concerned for me, but look at me now, aren’t I doing well? I’m just worried about mom, dad, uncle, and aunt. I don’t know how the family is doing now.”

As Deng Xiao mentioned her parents and family, her eyes reddened with tears.

Deng Xiao’s inner world was actually the same as everyone else’s—Yang Xiao, Long Yongjun, Huang Wen, Chen Fei, and Qin Yu. Who among them isn’t worried about their parents and family?

But this is the end of the world, given what they’ve seen, no one dares imagine the possible misfortunes their families might have faced. Since the great catastrophe, none of them have seen any living middle-aged or elderly people, whether on campus or in the nearby streets.

As to why all those middle-aged and elderly people perished in the catastrophe, Yang Xiao and the others were unclear, and no one wanted to dwell on such a sorrowful matter.

Moments later, Xia Luo sighed and first cleared the emotion, saying:

”I once tried to return to the city, but our only passage, Kongming Bridge, is guarded by a Giant Snake, making it impassable. The Star River is now filled with ferocious giant fish, and various mutated giant birds hover daily, hoping to catch fish. So, returning is not an option for now... Oh, right, Yang Xiao, what did you come to see me for today?”

Talking about business, Deng Xiao and the others also snapped out of their emotions.

If the relatives have unfortunately met their demise, the survivors still need to strive to live on.

Yang Xiao glanced around Xia Luo’s room, only seeing Zhou Qiang and a few other youths, presumably Xia Luo’s close confidants. He then shared his suspicions about the potentially approaching winter.

Xia Luo and the others, hearing this, were taken aback internally.

The room was filled with a somewhat oppressive atmosphere.

”Xia Luo, this is just my guess, not necessarily accurate. I have two suggestions. First, let’s all reside in Biyun Mountain. Our two universities should unite, divide responsibilities, and strive to disperse the dense fog around Biyun Mountain for tens of kilometers before the snow arrives.

Second, we must all prepare for the possible arrival of winter, stockpile food, and build measures to ward off the cold. We plan to dig cave dwellings. As you know, we are a liberal arts class and lack specialized engineering and construction experts. So, we came partly to inform you and partly to request a few technical talents from you to assist us in building cave dwellings.”

Listening, Xia Luo sat in his chair, falling silent, seemingly pondering something.

Besides Zhou Qiang and a few other youths whispered among themselves. After a while, Zhou Qiang said:

”What if there’s no harsh winter? This idea of yours is quite imaginative, a bit terrifying!”

Yang Xiao smiled and said:

”I also hope there won’t be a winter, or at least a harsh one. Still, I’d like to borrow a few talents in engineering and construction from you to help us build cave dwellings.”

Xia Luo raised his head, glanced at Qin Yu beside Yang Xiao, and said:

”I can lend you a few people, but I have one condition: let Deng Xiao and Qin Yu come to Xianan University so I can look after them.”