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The entity towered at a height of over a meter, its form draped in twigs and blossoms. Referring to it as human seemed far-fetched; it was more akin to a massive, gnarled tree. Its once hydrated skin now appeared desiccated, as if the life-giving moisture had been entirely drained, leaving a hollow husk behind.

Zombies in proximity were also tainted by the pollen, with dainty branches budding from their forms. The scene was eerily beautiful, a mesmerizing yet chilling fusion of nature and horror.

“It’s so surreal… and pink,” someone murmured as the group navigated their cart into this rose-tinted world, their vision veiled by a shower of peach blossoms.

“Stay put and find cover. I’ll check out our surroundings first,” Lin Feng directed, before effortlessly ascending a nearby tree. Trapped in his protective suit, which constrained even his tail and ears, his senses felt muffled, almost as if drowning.

With caution paramount, Lin Feng ensured minimal friction between his suit and the tree, knowing even the smallest tear could spell transformation.

Upon reaching the slanted roof of the two-story pool building, he observed the bisected food stall below. Decomposing foodstuffs, including sausages and pastries, littered the ground. The stall’s proprietor, tangled in aggressive foliage, let out muffled cries, his form festooned with blossoms.

Drawing closer, Lin Feng examined the figure. Beyond the obvious distinctions from ordinary zombies, such as the branches emerging from their backs, another change was evident: their skeletal structures seemed to have metamorphosed into timber.

It seemed their bones had been replaced with a robust wooden armor. Testing this theory, Lin Feng thrust his dagger into the stall owner’s cranium, the blade sinking halfway.

The transformation of bone to a woody substance made both penetration and extraction significantly more challenging. Lin Feng deduced from his actions that this wood was not only hard but also reminiscent of the dense peach wood.

Lin Feng’s resolve to annihilate the area solidified further. The thought of the peach tree manipulating zombies to spread its pollen was terrifying. He feared the unknown extent of their evolutionary capabilities.

Extracting his dagger, he was taken aback when no blood trailed its exit; the shopkeeper lay inert.

Below him stood a gargantuan warrior, its skull wholly encased in a wooden form. Anxiety bubbled within Lin Feng, as he questioned if Hao Jian’s arrows could evn pierce such stout wood. If not, he’d have to resort to the scant bullets in his pistol.

He then directed his attention towards the pond, where an expansive cavern beckoned. The cave’s walls were slick with a viscous ooze, dripping continuously. Despite his protective suit, an overpowering and fetid odor invaded his senses.

He choked slightly.

This, he deduced, must be the lair of the enigmatic Spider King. While he was apprehensive about the mysteries it hid, one thing was crystal clear: he’d rather confront the peach-tree mutants than step foot in a den teeming with spiders. The mere imagery sent shivers down his spine.

As Lin Feng pondered, an army of spiders, distinct in their crimson hue, streamed out from the cave. These were unlike the violet-backed ones he had seen earlier. Puzzled, he thought, “Do these spiders hail from different factions? Why the disparity from the ones I’ve met? Mr. Spider never mentioned this.”

Remaining inconspicuous, Lin Feng intently observed from his vantage point atop the roof.