C11 In the New World

"Cut the crap! I've seen my fair share of goblins and visited plenty of their tribes. Even the elders aren't exactly geniuses. At best, they're on par with the intellectually challenged among humans."

"Nonsense! Without the constraints of the rules, goblin intelligence would certainly match that of humans!"

The commander of the three thousand was livid, swinging his mighty warrior's axe in a frenzy, forcing Lin Yuan to retreat repeatedly.

Blinded by rage, the commander failed to spot the glaring inconsistency in Lin Yuan's statement. The world had only recently merged; how could he possibly know so much about goblins?

"Clang!"

As they exchanged blows, drenched in sweat, a halberd suddenly thrust forward, trapping the axe in its grip.

"General?"

The commander of the three thousand was displeased. He was enjoying the battle; why would the general intervene?

"We're out of time. Get everyone organized and retreat, now!"

Caught off guard, the commander looked up at the sky. As the sweat streamed down his face, he realized the urgency and immediately turned to bellow at his troops:

"Drop everything and retreat to the jungle, on the double!"

Encountering another articulate speaker, this time with perfect enunciation, Lin Yuan didn't overthink it. He brandished his sword and lunged at the Goblin General.

The Goblin General was astonishingly quick. Before Lin Yuan's sword could strike, the general was upon him, delivering a swift and clean shoulder blow without giving Lin Yuan a chance to react.

"Thud!"

Lin Yuan's chest compressed, and he was sent flying.

With a "Crash!" he burst through a wall, landing in a dazed heap, his entire skeleton shivering. Despite his efforts, he couldn't muster the strength to stand.

The Goblin General, wielding his conqueror's halberd, stood before Lin Yuan, his diminutive frame brimming with boundless strength.

"How is this possible? You're exhibiting the prowess of at least a high-ranking Bronze. You shouldn't be here!"

Lin Yuan was in disbelief. It wasn't just the campus for newcomers that shouldn't see such power, but the entire city.

In this newly merged world, the movements of native high-level superpowered individuals were restricted. Those with abilities beyond Bronze couldn't stray from the zones designated by the rules.

The Goblin General, with a grave expression, removed an old cloth bag from his waist and tossed it at Lin Yuan's feet, saying:

"We're both seeds, bound by the same bloodline. We need to grow stronger, quickly—not just for ourselves, but for the world too!"

With those words, the Goblin General gave Lin Yuan a penetrating look, then turned and joined a thousand-strong troop as they marched into the thick jungle.

Lin Yuan struggled for what felt like an eternity before he managed to sit up. He laboriously opened the cloth bag and his pupils dilated in shock.

"Blood and Flesh Fruit, Demutation Nuts?"

His voice was tinged with disbelief. The Blood and Flesh Fruit was one thing—it was akin to Vitality Grapes, replenishing strength and sating hunger, but it worked much faster and its satiating effect lasted three times longer.

But the true treasure in the bag was the Demutation Nut, an extraordinary healer.

While it couldn't erase scars, it could mend injuries in a remarkably short span and provided a sustained healing effect after consumption.

This was no ordinary find; in critical moments, it was a lifesaver, a rare treasure that was once nearly impossible to come by in his past life!

Securing the bag close to his chest, Lin Yuan gazed into the forest, lost in thought.

A bloodline connection? Did he carry Goblin blood?

Impossible. He lacked the green skin and oversized ears.

And where would Goblins even come from in the old world?

Yet, what to make of this bag of fruits? And that Goblin General had indeed stirred a peculiar sense within him.

"Lin Yuan, are you okay?"

Li Youqiang's voice broke through Lin Yuan's reverie, laced with concern.

Lin Yuan shook his head and slowly got to his feet. The six-person team, including Hu Guangcheng, had gathered around, their expressions a mix of awe and fear.

Now towering at nearly 1.9 meters, Lin Yuan's broad shoulders and chest were like a fortress wall.

His bald head was a patchwork of burn scars, his body almost devoid of unmarred skin, and his armor, stained with green blood, gave him a ghastly appearance.

"Are you all planning to leave the campus too?"

Each of them was shouldering a backpack, seemingly ready to depart.

"We're going to scout the area first. We won't leave the campus just yet. Staying alive is our top priority."

"When we've gained enough knowledge and ability, I believe we'll leave this place. After all, our families and the unknown world await us outside," Young Master Soong said with a smile. Lin Yuan nodded in agreement. Their decision was sound; although their progress would be slower, it was considerably safer.

"It's incredible that the buildings outside the campus have vanished, replaced by this vast forest," Lee Xia remarked, gazing at the endless woods with a hint of wonder.

"The necessary buildings are still there; they're just farther away now. The commercial street that used to be less than a mile away now requires a ten-mile trek."

"You should head to the commercial street first. The school's supplies are limited. To survive here long-term, you need to ensure you have ample provisions."

Lin Yuan pulled out a pouch and extracted some seeds and fruits, handing them to Lee Xia. "The purple and red fruits will satiate hunger and restore your energy. The white seeds can heal injuries. Use them only as a last resort; they're lifesavers."

After finishing, Lin Yuan pointed southward. "The southern woodlands are much safer, and most of the city's buildings are located there. You can operate within that region."

"Lin Yuan, why not stay with us? There's strength in numbers, and it's good to have each other's backs," Zhang Shicheng implored, unable to contain himself. Lin Yuan's combat prowess was astonishing; his presence would make everyone feel secure.

"Our paths diverge," Lin Yuan said, shaking his head and gesturing towards the campus. "It's not just you; the campus shelters at least two to three hundred survivors. In a couple of days, more survivors from the new student districts will arrive. This place will become the largest hub in the area."

"With more people come more conflicts. Remember, no matter where you are, strength is paramount. Work hard and, with any luck, we'll cross paths again."

With a wave, Lin Yuan strode off toward the northern forest, heading in the direction of Redhedge City. The city, once a stone's throw away, was now at least a thousand kilometers distant. Reaching it within a month would be a tight squeeze.

"Lin Yuan has left. We should move on as well. He's right—wherever we are, strength is the key."

After finishing his words, Young Master Soong adjusted his backpack, took Yang Yang by the hand, and together they headed into the forest.

"Guangcheng, are you sure you want to come with us? You're not superpowered—it's dangerous. You might be better off staying on campus to coordinate our logistics," Lee Xia said, her eyes on Hu Guangcheng, who was gripping a machete, offering words of comfort.

Hu Guangcheng flashed a wide grin. "I've made up my mind. Life and death are in the hands of fate, and even before this new world emerged, weren't there many ordinary folks with off-the-charts combat abilities? I'm ready to throw myself into the fray and hone my skills. If death is my fate, so be it. But if I survive, I'm bound to grow stronger!"

Without a word, Liu Sanli, Zhang Shicheng, and Lee You Mang gave Hu Guangcheng a firm pat on the shoulder, forming a protective circle around him as they ventured into the jungle.

Lee Xia glanced back to see figures in the schoolyard watching them. She bit her lip and then, with determined strides, followed her companions into the thick of the forest.

The world had changed; everything was in flux. To survive, one had to become formidable.