Chapter 24: Stocking Up at the Convenience Store, Another Chance Encounter!

Page 1 of 3

Gathering supplies in Linghai City.

Su Bai first chose a residential complex near the Mist Forest as her primary target.

The entire complex had long since been abandoned. The streets lay deserted, with only windblown trash and the occasional strange noise breaking the silence.

The whole area had been without power for some time. In the darkness, the only light came from the weak beam of the flashlight in Su Bai’s hand, illuminating the path ahead.

In fact, it was not merely this residential complex. The entire city of Linghai had lost both water and electricity several days earlier.

The only electronic devices Su Bai had left were two phones and a tablet—the sole means by which she could contact the outside world.

However, as their batteries gradually drained, Su Bai realized that she had to find a power bank or some other power source as soon as possible. Otherwise, these devices would soon become nothing more than useless scraps of metal.

“Pearl still needs to practice her singing during the livestreams. She can’t do that without power.”

Su Bai knew that Pearl’s talent, “Murmuring Melody,” and her Singing skill could only be improved through constant practice, and livestreaming was one of the most important ways for Pearl to train.

Su Bai was still somewhat afraid of moving around at night.

After all, the mist from the Mist Forest had already spread this far. No one knew what dangers might be lurking in the darkness.

For the sake of safety, Su Bai summoned Tianba and had it accompany her.

“Thank goodness I have Tianba and Pearl. Otherwise, I really would be scared,” Su Bai murmured, a trace of relief in her voice.

Hearing this, Tianba gave an arrogant little snort. A flash of disdain passed through its single eye, as though it were saying, “What’s there to fear about something so trivial?”

With elegant steps, it walked ahead of Su Bai, as if clearing the way and protecting her safety.

Watching Tianba’s retreating figure, Su Bai felt a warm sensation in her heart.

She knew that although Tianba appeared proud and aloof, it was actually extremely reliable.

Su Bai began by searching the shops around the outskirts of the complex.

Her first stop was a small convenience store.

The shop was not large, but its door was firmly secured with a heavy padlock.

Standing at the entrance, Su Bai shone her flashlight on the lock and frowned slightly.

“How am I supposed to get in?” she muttered, troubled.

Although she had a few tools, she had no experience with picking locks. Faced with the heavy padlock, she was at a loss.

Just then, Tianba walked over. It looked up at Su Bai, then at the lock, and let out a meow, as if saying, “Stand back. Let me handle it!”

Su Bai froze for a moment, then understood what Tianba meant.

Page 1 of 3

Page 2 of 3

She stepped back, making room for Tianba.

A flash of white light flickered across Tianba’s claws. Then, with a light sweep of its paw, the heavy padlock that had troubled Su Bai was sliced apart as easily as a block of tofu!

“Tianba, you’re incredible!” Su Bai cried out in surprise, her eyes filled with delight and admiration.

She had never imagined that Tianba’s “Razor Claws” would be so sharp. It could cut through metal as easily as mud!

Hearing Su Bai’s praise, a smug glint flashed through the golden pupil of Tianba’s single eye. Its tail swayed lightly, as if saying, “It’s only a minor matter. Nothing worth mentioning.”

Su Bai smiled and stroked Tianba’s head before pushing open the convenience store’s door.

The store was pitch-dark. The shelves had long since been emptied, clearly stripped of everything useful by the owner during the evacuation.

Naturally, no food had been left behind for Su Bai.

“As expected, food is the most important thing. Even when they leave, they won’t leave any behind for me!”

Su Bai was disappointed by the lack of food, but there were still some things in the store worth taking.

For instance, there were various bottles and jars left in the seasoning section.

A bottle of vinegar, cooking wine, and several packets of seasonings—all of them went straight into her storage space.

“I didn’t expect there to be hot-pot seasoning too!” Su Bai said excitedly, placing several packets that had fallen onto the floor into her storage space as well.

Su Bai searched the store as if opening one box after another, looking for anything that remained.

After finding some wet wipes, rolls of toilet paper, and various daily necessities, she found nothing else.

Although there was no food, Su Bai did discover quite a few useful supplies. Disposable gloves and disposable cups, for example, were exactly the things she urgently needed.

She put everything into her “Thief’s Space.”

“Having a storage space is what makes gathering supplies so satisfying,” Su Bai murmured, a trace of pleasure flashing in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Tianba stood nearby, vigilantly surveying the surroundings to ensure there was no danger.

Its ears twitched faintly, and its single eye gleamed sharply in the darkness, as though it were ready to respond to any sudden incident.

Seeing how serious Tianba looked, Su Bai felt a wave of reassurance.

With Tianba accompanying her, her nighttime expedition had become much safer and smoother.

“All right. Let’s take a look somewhere else,” Su Bai said softly.

She left the convenience store with Tianba and continued toward the next shop.

Page 2 of 3

Page 3 of 3

Just as Su Bai was about to have Tianba use “Razor Claws” to pick another lock, a sudden commotion erupted outside.

Footsteps, shouts, and hurried breathing mingled together, shattering the silence of the night.

Su Bai’s heart tightened. She immediately switched off her flashlight, quickly hid in the shadows nearby, and warily looked toward the source of the noise.

“Quick, quick! Hurry and get out of here! Who would have thought such terrifying moth monsters would appear on the outskirts of the Mist Forest?” a man shouted urgently, his voice filled with fear and panic.

Su Bai held her breath. Through the thin mist, she could vaguely make out several figures running blindly in desperation.

Although she could not see their faces clearly, judging from their voices and movements, Su Bai could tell that they must have encountered a high-level monster from the Mist Forest—the Mist White Moth.

“So the spread of the mist isn’t entirely without consequences. Even the Mist White Moths from the depths of the forest have started appearing on the outskirts.”

Su Bai knew that the appearance of the Mist White Moths meant the monsters’ range of activity within the forest was expanding. In the future, Linghai City would become increasingly dangerous.

“Hurry back! Xie Yu is injured. The scales from these Mist White Moths are corrosive!” a girl’s voice rang out, filled with anxiety and concern.

The voice sounded vaguely familiar to Su Bai.

The name Xie Yu in particular made her heart stir.

Su Bai took a closer look and finally recognized the group.

They were Li Weiwei and the others!

Su Bai was somewhat surprised. She had not expected to encounter them here.

She hesitated, unsure whether she should reveal herself.

Suddenly, because of his archer class, Mi Hanwen’s senses were heightened. He keenly detected that someone was watching them nearby.

He immediately became alert, raised the weapon in his hand, and called out toward Su Bai’s position:

“Who’s there? Come out!”

Hearing Mi Hanwen’s warning, Tianba’s gaze instantly turned fierce. Its body lowered slightly, ready to launch an attack.

Seeing this, Su Bai quickly stopped it in a low voice.

“Tianba, wait!”

She did not want the situation to become tense, so she switched on her flashlight, illuminating her figure.

“It’s me. Su Bai,” she said, her voice utterly calm.

When Li Weiwei and the others saw Su Bai, they froze completely.

Page 3 of 3