CHAPTER 232: CHAPTER 232: ZOMBIES’ PRESENCE

Her footsteps halted momentarily, only for a split second. Was it only her? There seemed to be something off about the question she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

Cassias was asking about the memories of this body’s owner and not something else, right? It must be her feelings. She had been too confused about what was real and not after she had obtained this body owner’s memories.

These memories were messing with her feelings.

"She is really your mother, right?" Cassias continued.

She pressed her lips together, subconsciously heaving a sigh of relief. So, he was asking about the body owner’s memories. She slowly nodded.

"She is really my mother. Although I am not her biological cub, she always takes care of me." She wanted to say how good the tiger was in these memories. However, remembering that hollow and gloomy look on Cassias’ face, she refrained herself.

She had basically confirmed there was something unusual about Cassias’ background. His family might have been involved in some internal strife, and they hid him here for his safety.

No, she inwardly shook her head.

There was no one here who attended to a child as young as him. So...

He might have lost so much more.

"So, you have remembered your memories," he said in confirmation.

The situation became awkward for the next few minutes as no one spoke. Zerra tried hard to keep up with Cassias’ steps, which had gotten increasingly fast.

His mind seemed elsewhere.

"Kaz!" Zerra called out helplessly. She got stuck!

Cassias stopped abruptly. His face was a bit pale as he searched around for Zerra. There was no sign of the snow-white fox anywhere. He threw the basket in his arms and turned back.

"Zizi, where are you?!" He shouted in panic.

He searched for a while until he found Zerra getting stuck in the above-ground tree roots.

She let out a sigh. "Help me!"

Cassias didn’t hesitate to jump and slashed the tree roots around her. After she was freed, he picked her up and blew her fur to get rid of any soil that dirtied her.

"I am sorry," he muttered in remorse as he nuzzled her back.

"It’s okay." She was too embarrassed to tell the truth. In her attempt to walk faster, she tried to use her wood ability. The tree didn’t help her. Instead, it trapped her with its roots.

It was so terrifying!

They stood there for a while. Zerra patted his shoulder as he hugged her, trying to console him.

He took a deep breath and asked, "Do you still want to go find other cubs?"

"Yes, let’s go!" Zerra nodded.

He rubbed the top of her head while they walked around the forest.

"What kind of memories do you remember, Zizi?" He suddenly asked again.

Zerra blinked and thought about it. Her little face all scrunched up. "My mother is so fierce, you know, so scary. She always forced me to drink bitter medicine!" She shuddered when she said this.

"She even threatened me! If I don’t drink the stinky medicine, she is going to hold my limbs while that turtle old man forces the bitter liquid down my throat!" She added with a scowl.

Every time she got injured, her mother always brought her to the old turtle alchemist. It didn’t matter how minor her wound was. So, she didn’t dare get injured again.

Of all the memories, these were a few of the most memorable.

Wait, eh? She scratched her head. Why did she begin to think of those memories as hers again? On top of that, she also complained like a kid.

It must have been this cub’s body influencing her. This fox should have started cultivating not too long ago, just a few years. She was still too young.

Like a cunning fox, Zerra clutched Cassias’ hand and whispered like a devil. "When my mother forces me to take medicine, you have to steal me away, Kaz!"

Cassias put on an amused smile.

The two chattered along the way as they headed to the place where the other cubs usually play around.

However, when they arrived, there was no one in sight.

"No one is here, huh?" Zerra narrowed her eyes. Usually, these cubs would be there. It was like a routine for them, playing around the grassy land near the small pond.

She wanted to jump out of his embrace, but Cassias held her tighter instead. He whispered, "Don’t move. Stay close to me."

Just as he finished saying that, they heard loud footsteps, and the ground shook slightly. As if a colossal being were approaching. They two instantly became alert.

A few seconds later, a huge spiritual beast appeared in front of them, followed by another one. One had two horns while the other a thick, brown fur.

The rhinoceros’ eyes swept over Cassias’ tiny figure. There was an imperceptible dislike in them. Its voice thundered in the forest. "What are you two cubs doing here?"

The big bear was much more friendly. "Cubs should stay at home. Lock all doors and windows, be safe!"

Zerra and Cassias exchanged glances. Even Zerra’s mother didn’t say anything if there was something wrong.

"What is happening?" she couldn’t resist asking.

"It’s dangerous to stay in this place. We have spotted unusual creatures who would attack anyone at slightest movement." The bear explained. "Why are you all still here? Didn’t your parents warn you two already?"

The rhinoceros nudged the bear, and they seemed to communicate silently. The two cubs witnessed a look of realization crossing the bear’s face. However, the friendly look still didn’t lessen.

"No one might inform you two already, right? That’s fine. Luckily, you are still alright. Now, go home before something happens." The bear told them.

Zerra narrowed her eyes. She subconsciously licked her paw, deep in thought.

"What kind of creature is that, Mr. Bear? They are only spotted here, and other places should be safe, right?" She had a frightened look on her face as she shrunk further into Cassias’ embrace. Her fur trembled slightly, giving off a harmless appearance.

Her question also seemed to be something she asked out of fear and vigilance.

"Why do you need to know those things? Just go back." The rhinoceros snorted.

Meanwhile, the bear hesitated briefly before he told them. "The creatures are mindless, with rotten bodies. Those who had gotten bitten are also turning into one of these."

"There are many places where these things have been spotted, so you all should go back quickly." The bear urged them. It was clear he didn’t want to tell them too much.

As such, they had no choice but to go back home. As soon as they were out of sight, Cassias spread his wings and headed to his home as fast as possible. The information the adult spiritual beasts shared must have alarmed him.

"They are there. Do you want to go to meet them?" Cassias suddenly pointed in a certain direction.

Zerra squinted her eyes, noticing a few familiar cubs in the distance. The fruits Cassias had painstakingly picked would go bad if they didn’t give them to other cubs. It would be such a pity.

The time in this world was strange. Zerra’s time remained stagnant for some items except for the plants, but items she took from here would experience the same time as this world.

Currently, Cassias was putting the rest of his fruits in his inner space, which had the same case of flowing time as hers.

"Let’s just give them the baskets and return quickly." Zerra decided.

The adults’ warning could have been a false alarm. However, Zerra vaguely recalled cases of zombies starting to appear more and more in the celestial realm, right before she was transmigrated into that novel world.

"Alright." Cassias landed on the ground, not far from where the cubs were playing around. Their laughter echoed from the distant, cheerful, just like normal kids.

He took the basket of fruit from his inner space. Zerra walked beside him as they approached the cubs.

"Little fox!" The monkey shouted as soon as it saw her.

Other cubs also turned their heads in her direction, making her feel very self-conscious.

"You are finally here to play with us?" They all shouted excitedly until they belatedly noticed Cassias behind her. A disappointed sigh escaped them.

Because the stinky cub always hogged the fluffy little fox all to himself! They never understood him at all.

Zerra cleared her throat and pointed to Cassias. "Kaz is here to share his fruit. He picked them all by himself. You all should try. Very sweet!"

They all looked at Cassias with brief hesitation.

"Try them. I picked them all from faraway places." He opened his mouth. That was also why he hadn’t received the news of the strange creatures appearing.

As for the tiger, she had been busy staying over at the turtle alchemist’s place and stuffed all kinds of medicine to heal Zerra.

The cubs, who had been hesitating before, instantly came over and tried the interesting and colorful fruits. There were some they had never seen before!

And that was how the two of them ended up being dragged to play with the other cubs. Cassias had gotten closer to them, thanks to the fruits’ crucial role.

However, the peace didn’t last long. Soon, they heard beast-like growls in the distance. It didn’t take long for a few zombie-like creatures to appear in front of them.