All along, high-rank zombies have been controlling low-level zombies through brainwave manipulation, and low-level zombies obey unconditionally.

High-rank zombies can also acquire intelligence from the minds of low-level zombies via brainwaves.

The strength of brainwaves indicates the rank of the zombie.

Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming, ever since the apocalypse began, hadn’t encountered a zombie with stronger brainwaves than his own, nor had he ever been controlled by high-rank zombies.

He was always the one controlling other zombies.

It was the first time he encountered such a situation.

For the first time, a zombie was indifferent to his brainwaves, even charging at him fiercely after sensing the presence of the Corpse Emperor.

Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming’s hands suddenly overflowed with black fire, the scorching flames rushing toward the few high-rank zombies charging at him.

The ferocious-looking zombies, without any sense of pain, plunged straight into the black sea of flame, their speed unrelenting as they pounced toward Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming.

Sharp nails thrust unhesitatingly toward Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming’s head.

Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming squinted his eyes slightly, deftly turning to avoid the attack, his long fingers closing together and aiming at the opponent’s decaying temple.

With a squelch.

The slender fingers swiftly and neatly extracted a shiny crystal core from the brain.

The decaying body instantly became stiff, collapsing straight to the ground.

Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming let out a soft chuckle, flames entwined around his long fingers as he burned through the temples of one zombie after another.

The sound of zombies collapsing to the ground was incessant.

Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming took out a tissue from his pocket, leisurely wiping his fingers stained with black blood.

"How did you do it?"

Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming glanced at the zombies lying on the ground, a trace of surprise in his eyes.

These zombies were immune to brainwaves, only following the commands of his past self, which was indeed peculiar.

"I merely removed the part of their brains that receives brainwaves," Zhang Yiming said calmly, "A zombie that cannot receive brainwaves would be the best weapon against other zombies."

The reason the zombies only obey his command is simple; it’s an instinctual response.

Because they were initially his subordinates, as long as he was present, those zombies would unwaveringly follow his orders.

He originally didn’t intend to reveal himself so soon, but he didn’t expect Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming to attempt to replace him this quickly.

"I didn’t expect your research on zombies to be this in-depth." Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming’s fingers paused slightly, "I recall that at this time, I shouldn’t have reached this level. When did you start?"

After becoming a zombie, at the beginning, he was only obsessed with finding a cure to revert to human form, uninterested in the brains of zombies.

Likewise, he wouldn’t study zombies’ brains for the sake of brainwaves.

Brainwaves were something he rarely used because they were a characteristic of zombies.

Unexpectedly, this version of himself had already investigated the secret of zombie brainwaves.

"From the day I met you." Zhang Yiming spoke calmly.

He understood himself best.

He clearly knew how hard he would work to remain in this world.

So much so that he wouldn’t hesitate to kill his current self.

After becoming a zombie, Zhang Yiming didn’t want to "live."

Yet he also didn’t want to "die" carelessly.

As long as she didn’t mind, it was worth living to see another day.

If Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming wanted to stay in this world, did he want to leave?

He didn’t want to leave; he just wanted to continue "living" well.

Thus, from the first day he met Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming, Zhang Yiming was contemplating how to deal with his future self.

He and he both wanted to stay in this world; when two tigers fight, one is bound to die.

Who would be the one to remain?

"Not bad, I must say," Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming curled his lips dangerously, his voice laced with icy coldness, "Did you really think zombies at this level could kill me? Are you being a bit naive?"

Zhang Yiming’s slender fingers unbuttoned the topmost button of his shirt, slightly loosening it.

"Didn’t you just say we should bet who is the luckiest?" Zhang Yiming smiled gently, instantly radiating red flames from his body, "I think, the luckiest one is me!"

Boom――

The red flames and black flames collided in the night, bursting into dazzling sparks.

Two identical faces emanated endless killing intent, the aura from their bodies making nearby zombies shiver motionlessly on the spot.

Even some low-rank zombies couldn’t withstand the intense brainwave fluctuations, fainting dead away.

Zombies could also faint, but it only happened when affected by high-rank zombies. When unable to withstand intense brainwave fluctuations, it was akin to human shock.

After a while, they would "wake up."

Perhaps, they would never "wake up."

Zhang Yiming’s face appeared gentle, yet his eyes revealed undisguised killing intent.

Likewise, Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming was the same.

Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming had been the Zombie Emperor for many years during the apocalypse, while Zhang Yiming had only been a zombie for a few months.

Clearly, Zhang Yiming’s superpower was slightly weaker.

However, Zhang Yiming wasn’t solely obsessed with competing in superpowers.

He clearly understood his own strength and also that of his future self.

He couldn’t afford to lose.

Since the first day he encountered Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming, he’d been pondering how to defeat his future self.

Zhang Yiming drew a dagger from somewhere, its sharp edge radiating a faint yellow glow.

This was a dagger strengthened many times by Bai Yifan, a gift from the Bai Family.

The dagger spun nimbly in Zhang Yiming’s hand, inching little by little toward Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming’s temple.

Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming, having lived in the apocalypse for so many years in relative ease, could obliterate a base with just a thought.

Problems solvable by brainwaves, Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming disdain to resolve personally.

Hence, Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming’s agility was evidently inferior to Zhang Yiming’s.

Zhang Yiming maneuvered calmly through the black flames, the dagger in his hand like an extension of his body—agile, sharp.

Each had their own advantages, and for a moment, neither could gain the upper hand.

The land surrounding them turned into scorched earth, and small creatures unable to escape were reduced to ashes.

The blackened earth absorbed a hint of hostility, appearing even more eerie under the moonlight.

Red flames and black flames split the sky in half, dimming the moon above.

For a long time.

The red flames and black flames vanished simultaneously.

Under the dim moonlight.

Zhang Yiming wore a gentle smile, his slender fingers gripping a dagger, the dagger’s tip resting against Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming’s temple.

The dagger’s tip pierced a few millimeters into the temple.

Droplets of black blood trickled slowly down the dagger’s tip.

Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming squinted slightly, "You’ve won."

Unwillingness.

He hadn’t yet seen enough of the figure he’d always longed to see, and just like that, he had to leave this world. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"No, not yet."

Zhang Yiming didn’t delve the dagger further into Zombie Emperor Zhang Yiming’s brain but instead withdrew it.