Since the mutated vegetables he grew were excellent fertilizer for mutated plants, he decided to keep growing them. Later, he could use them to interact with mutated plants and gain benefits more easily.
He immediately got to work. The ground didn’t need to be tilled, so he simply scattered seeds. When watering, he used half clean water from his supplies and half polluted water from a nearby river.
He wanted to test whether polluted water could be used. Although he had stored a lot of clean water, using it daily for farming would be too wasteful.
The experiment didn’t take long. In just half a day, the plants grew to the same size as those he had seen before.
That was incredibly fast!
However, as he continued planting, the growth period gradually increased—from half a day to one day, then two days… until it stabilized at five days.
He guessed that when the apocalypse first began, mutation factors in the air were at their peak, causing rapid growth. Once things stabilized, so did the growth cycle.
A five-day cycle was acceptable. Otherwise, he would spend all his time farming.
His results showed that both clean and polluted water could grow mutated vegetables with the same effect. However, crops watered with clean water had a chance of remaining normal plants.
Since he already had plenty of normal vegetables stored, he decided to use only polluted water from now on.
Mutated vegetables could also produce seeds, and these seeds could grow new mutated plants. So he wouldn’t have to worry about running out of seeds.
After harvesting a batch, he took them outside.
Since the apocalypse began, he hadn’t explored much beyond asking the mutated plants around his yard not to cover it. Today, with something to “bribe” them, he felt more confident.
As soon as he opened the gate, the mutated plants noticed him. But when he released his affinity ability, they only waved their branches and did nothing.
Relieved, he smiled, though he wasn’t sure if they could sense his goodwill.
He placed one mutated vegetable under each plant outside his yard.
“Thanks for guarding my yard. This is a small token of appreciation. I hope you—”
Before he could finish, the plants quickly dug holes with their roots and buried the vegetables.
He saw them instantly become more energetic, as if they had taken a powerful supplement.
Some even extended branches to gently touch his ankles, as if thanking him.
Cheng Feng awkwardly touched the branches and said, “Y-you’re welcome.”
As he walked toward the stream, he continued offering vegetables along the way.
Soon, he had used them all and gained the friendliness of many mutated plants.
He collected some water from the stream. It looked clear and normal, but from his past life, he knew it was actually contaminated. Drinking it wouldn’t turn someone into a zombie, but it would quickly weaken the body and lead to death.
In the future, the government would develop purification machines, but they consumed a lot of energy, so clean water would always be scarce.
Purification abilities could also clean water, but they were extremely rare and valuable—capable of saving infected people. Using them just for water would be a waste.
Looking into the stream, he saw mutated fish and crabs—five times larger than before, with red eyes, sharp teeth, and deadly claws. They would attack anyone who got close.
Such creatures couldn’t be eaten. Eating them would cause severe pain—or even turn a person into a zombie.
This greatly reduced available food sources. Later, it was discovered that purified mutated creatures could be eaten, but they were extremely expensive.
Thanks to his affinity ability, the creatures ignored him, allowing him to safely collect water.
He looked into the dense forest beyond, hearing the roars of mutated beasts.
He didn’t dare go further yet. His affinity ability was only level 1.
He would wait until he had more mutated vegetables.
In unseen areas, mutated plants and beasts were expanding their territory and devouring each other. This was their instinct and a way to grow stronger.
Unmutated life had already been wiped out.
Ability users, mutated beasts, and plants could all level up. The desire for strength was universal, and the apocalypse was cruel to all life.
Cheng Feng also worried about improving his abilities. Based on his past life and knowledge from the original story, there were three main ways:
The first method wouldn’t work early on, as crystal cores hadn’t formed yet.
The second was rare and hard to obtain.
The third was the most difficult—but the only option available now.
It was painful and repetitive, requiring constant use until exhaustion for even slight improvement.
In the end, he decided to stay in the mountains and train his abilities every day.