C30 Ke'er Had Reached Rank 5!

The battle had been raging for quite some time, yet the trees outside hadn't made a move against him. "It seems the plants don't attack female zombies!" Jiang Loong was nearly certain of his speculation.

Next, Jiang Loong picked up a stone from the ground, inscribing Tongtong's name on one side and Ke'er's on the other. Closing his eyes, he tossed it into the air and caught it, revealing Tongtong's name on the exposed side.

"Alright, Ke'er, it's your turn to fight," Jiang Loong instructed.

Ke'er, upon receiving the command, silently made her way into the woods and headed for the Red Castle.

Jiang Loong kept his gaze fixed on Ke'er the whole time. Watching her safely navigate through the forest, he silently breathed a sigh of relief.

Ke'er then scaled the towering red wall and effortlessly made her way to the spacious square inside the Red Castle. The two mutated zombies were still there, waiting as if they anticipated someone's return.

In a swift motion, Ke'er flicked her wrist, and a staff materialized in her hand. The tip of the staff glowed, conjuring a sphere of red light. With a gentle wave, the light expanded into a thin red veil, isolating one of the mutated zombies.

Simultaneously, her right hand emitted a red glow that morphed into a curved, flame-encircled blade.

"Ke'er's combat abilities have grown significantly stronger! That blade can focus energy into a precise edge—far more effective than hurling fireballs," Jiang Loong mused as he observed the battle through the light screen.

The fiery blade proved vastly more potent than a mere fireball. While a fireball might only discomfort a Rank 2 zombie, such a creature could withstand the blow. But a fireball from a Rank 4 Ke'er, as she was now, would be far more formidable.

Ke'er had transcended the rudimentary forms of combat.

"Ke'er truly resembles a mage, launching fireballs at her foes from a distance. It's a sight to behold!" Jiang Loong chuckled with admiration.

When Ke'er was an Evolver, she manifested the extraordinary talent of fire. Even after turning into a zombie, she retained this unique ability.

Previously, she wielded a weapon resembling a magic wand, yet it differed from the wands Jiang Loong associated with Western wizards. Now, even as she holds a staff, her combat style diverges from that of Western spellcasters.

Ke'er's attacks were like a musician playing an instrument, her beautiful face stoic, exuding intense concentration and seriousness. Jiang Loong found himself increasingly drawn to her.

Given Ke'er's Rank 4 prowess, dispatching a Rank 3 mutated zombie and a Rank 2 mutated zombie should be a swift affair.

True to expectations, within three minutes, the Rank 2 zombie was battered and charred, lying still on the ground, while the Rank 3 zombie remained ensnared, unable to penetrate the red barrier.

Ke'er made quick work of the Rank 2 zombie. Then, she drew a long sword from behind her staff, its blade wreathed in flames. With a flick of her wrist, the red barrier vanished. The Rank 3 zombie, seizing its chance, lunged with a ghastly shriek, only to be impaled by Ke'er's swift sword thrust.

A long sword?

Why had Ke'er produced a long sword?

Was it concealed within the staff?

Despite being a mage, Ke'er opted for close-quarters combat at the last moment, swiftly vanquishing her foe.

Jiang Loong felt a mix of helplessness and pride in Ke'er's formidable display. Yet, the battle concluded too swiftly for his liking; he had hoped to watch a while longer.

"Ke'er, that's enough. Bring them out," Jiang Loong instructed.

The two battered mutated zombies, not quite dead, had been thoroughly beaten by Ke'er. At Jiang Loong's command, Ke'er elegantly waved her staff, sending two orbs of red light from its tip onto the zombies, catapulting them into the air. They were hurled over the red walls of the castle, crashing down to the ground with a thud.

Outside the city walls, several female zombies that had been lying in wait for quite some time sprang into action. Upon seeing their targets thrown out, they hoisted them onto their shoulders and dashed off. By the time they returned to Jiang Loong, the two mutated zombies were hanging on to life by a thread, nearly at their end.

Ke'er had been a bit too fierce.

Jiang Loong couldn't afford to waste time, so he promptly stored them in his space.

Consequently, he acquired a Rank 2 and a Rank 3 mutated female zombie.

With these additions, Jiang Loong was able to elevate Ke'er to Rank 5.

Before long, Ke'er came back.

Stroking Ke'er's hair, Jiang Loong said, "Ke'er, you did an excellent job!"

He lavished praise on Ke'er, clearly delighted.

He then turned his attention to allocating the loot.

He already had a Rank 3 female zombie, and now he had gained a new Rank 4 female zombie.

"Ke'er, since you brought these two back, I'm using them for your upgrade. Tongtong, I'll help you level up next time," Jiang Loong told Tongtong and Ke'er.

Previously, he would decide whether to send Tongtong or Ke'er into battle by tossing stones. The victor would claim the zombies.

Afterward, Jiang Loong moved the Rank 4 mutated female zombie into Ke'er's designated red square.

Instantly, Ke'er ascended to Level 52.

Ke'er wasn't at Level 51 because the newly acquired Rank 4 female zombie was at Level 43. Ke'er had been at Level 41, and their combination propelled Ke'er to Level 52.

The Level 43 Rank 4 female zombie had been synthesized from a former Level 35 one. It seemed poised for a quick ascent to Rank 4, but Ke'er's sword had just run it through.

Jiang Loong had learned from previous experiences with zombie mergers that when leveling up, the new level would be the average of the two zombies' levels.

The current Rank 4 male zombie was Level 43, and the other was Level 41.

At last, Ke'er achieved Rank 5.

"Ke'er! You've leveled up again! Are you excited?" Jiang Loong asked, his voice warm with amusement as he smiled at Ke'er.

Ke'er gazed at him and suddenly blinked.

Jiang Loong's heart leapt with joy. Her playful blink was charming and endearing, captivating him completely.

"Ke'er, do you remember me?" he asked, eager for her response, and pressed on with his question when she reacted.

This time, Ke'er appeared to comprehend, scrutinizing Jiang Loong from head to toe.

It was clear that Ke'er possessed considerable intelligence, though in zombies, such intelligence often manifested in combat, enhancing their effectiveness in battle.

Just then, Ke'er gave Jiang Loong a soft, gentle smile.