With Zhang Can leading, seven more people chose to leave among those who followed.

The vast Celestial Essence Mall, according to the data from the Happiness Supercomputer, is the most likely place for a large-scale infection outbreak.

Four thousand people, and only eight infected bodies leaked out to the outside world.

"Is every community like this?"

Cheng Ye withdrew his gaze and looked at Long.

He did not believe there was a problem with the Happiness Supercomputer; it was likely that the internal database of the supercomputer was outdated.

It was probably still using data from 13 years ago, the last time the Nightmare Leech attacked.

After the ideals of the Idealist Faction were instilled, the Buffer Zone has undergone radically different changes.

Whether it's good or bad, this time the Stand-In Starfish is the best test.

"Of course not, Lord Cheng. Since the bigwigs above allow us to speak of collective interests, naturally, they must also tolerate those who only speak of personal interests..."

Long chuckled, intending to boast a bit further.

Eight infected bodies leaking out to the outside world, in a way, is also considered an honor for the Celestial Essence Community.

But before he could finish, the three Elders who had been seated on the stage earlier stepped forward.

"Inspector Cheng, hello."

The Elder in the middle slightly bowed, his tone apologetic, "I'm sorry to have wasted your time watching a farce here."

"You're too polite, Elder."

Cheng Ye stood up and shook hands with him.

Even with two layers of rubber gloves between them, he could still feel the rough texture of the Elder's palm, worn down by years.

To survive from the old era to the New Era and pass the age of sixty in this chaotic wasteland era.

It was certainly not easy, surely carrying many stories on his back.

"Long's response was somewhat inappropriate earlier, please don't take it to heart."

"Oh, how so?"

"Since the Nightmare Leech incident, the Buffer Zone has entered an era of autonomy. These more than fifty thousand people have spawned thirty or fifty different ideologies: some like our Celestial Essence Community can attract thousands to join, while others have only dozens or less than a hundred. But ultimately, everyone is trying to survive, and there is no good or bad in the ideologies themselves, nor is it easy to judge the superiority of collective versus individual."

The Elder paused, his gaze growing somber, "Only with the infection wave upon us now, every community is being tested naturally, those who survive will prove their ideology correct. Before crossing this threshold, whether Celestial Essence Community's current distorted old-ideology model can work is still uncertain."

"Old-ideology model?"

Cheng Ye nodded slightly.

The current Celestial Essence Community does indeed resemble the clan model he knew from the Lingnan Region, but it is not entirely the same.

Everyone carries a mission, focusing on collective interests, taking pride in it, without regard for personal gain.

But just as the Elder said, whether it is right or wrong will need the infection wave for validation.

"Let's not talk about the future; for now, Elder should be happy. I think it was a successful verification."

Cheng Ye sincerely praised.

"If every community could be like the Celestial Essence Community, then..."

"Inspector, that wouldn't work."

The Elder shook his head quickly, "The collective can only play a role in times of crisis, in terms of normal development, our Celestial Essence Community doesn't even rank in the top ten."

With his words ended, the Elders on the left and right sides slightly changed their expressions but did not stop the Elder in the middle from continuing.

"This model has been maintained for nine years, and its drawbacks are gradually becoming apparent. The consequence of talking about the collective is that individual limits are continuously compressed, and everyone is afraid to take risks, unable to bear the consequences of being kicked out for failing the risks. Frankly, it's been a long time since any talent from the Celestial Essence Community has made it into the Inner City, and there are few merchant teams being formed, and even fewer scavengers going out."

"Look inside this mall; we haven't had funds for repairs for over four years. The beds everyone sleeps on were bought at their own expense; some people's beds have collapsed and are reluctant to replace them, patching them up with screws and patch stickers, and the water pipes and circuits in the rooms are broken and need personal funds for repairs. Many can't afford it, and the entire mall has to gather funds. This gap is widening more and more..."

After the gathering ended, people gradually returned to the rooms created from various shops.

Like recounting a family's assets, the Elder pointed out these rooms one by one, continuously talking about the stories that had happened inside.

These malls inherited from the old era may have infrastructure more complete than residential buildings.

But in terms of usage lifespan, they are clearly much shorter than the latter.

Such as pipe ruptures, circuit burnouts, incidents have been happening more and more frequently in recent years.

According to the Celestial Essence Community's ideology, such repairs should be collectively funded, but right now, it's hard for everyone to make ends meet, everyone has to work outside for food, where is there spare money to gather funds?

"Hearts, after all, need money to prop them up. Without money, they scatter quickly."

"Can was one of the few talents in our community who dared to venture outside, but unfortunately, heaven doesn't open its eyes, and of all the people to choose, it had to be him."

The Elder rambled on, and Cheng Ye listened quietly.

For some reason, he does quite enjoy listening to these "old folks" recounting the stories of these years in the wasteland.

After all, as Earth's memory rapidly fades with changes in the living environment, the sooner one integrates into this wasteland, the greater the chances of survival.

"The last time it rained heavily, I saw it was people from the Public Works Bureau helping with flood control?"

"Yes, if it were just up to us... the first floor would have surely been flooded that night."

The Elder paused, a wry smile spreading on his face, "Actually, the officials from the Public Works Bureau have been very considerate of us in the past two years. Because the incidence of malignant events in the Celestial Essence Community is very low, the laborers coming out from here work with dedication and never care about the level of rewards."

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