Zhang Ye’s fire ability had one major advantage.
He could roast sweet potatoes.
The first one was burned because he couldn’t control the flames properly.
The next few were either undercooked or charred black.
After several attempts, though, he finally got it right.
Soft, fluffy, sweet, and delicious.
Ever since they had started carrying out missions, they hadn’t had a single hot meal outdoors.
Everything they ate was instant food.
To Zhang Ye’s surprise, roasting sweet potatoes had actually improved his control over his fireballs.
Soon, the cargo truck was filled with the rich aroma of roasted sweet potatoes.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
“The captain’s calling!”
After the apocalypse broke out, most communications had gone down, but satellite communication was still functioning.
“Where are you now? We’ve located the agricultural equipment. We’ll need two cargo trucks.”
“Captain, we’re almost there! We only need one more truck, and we’ll figure something out.”
“Hurry.”
“Yes, sir!”
After hanging up, Zhang Ye continued roasting sweet potatoes with one hand.
He even casually flipped one over.
“Little sister, this one’s for you!”
He beamed.
If Wen Lan hadn’t suggested it, he never would have realized that practicing fire control by roasting sweet potatoes would actually help him improve.
“…”
Wen Lan had no intention of accepting him as some sort of godbrother.
She only had one brother.
Seeing her reaction, Zhang Ye wasn’t offended in the slightest.
He was far too happy at the moment.
“There are plenty of cargo trucks along the provincial highway. Let’s keep looking.”
No sooner had Wen Che finished speaking than they spotted another truck ahead.
It was a dump truck used for hauling construction debris.
It looked filthy, but after testing it, Zhang Ye confirmed it was in perfect working condition.
Opening the driver’s door, he found a mummified corpse inside.
Without changing expression, he grabbed it and tossed it out.
Zhang Ye drove the dump truck in front.
Wen Che followed behind with his sister.
Without Zhang Ye constantly watching her, Wen Lan felt much more at ease.
“Brother, if there’s anything you want to eat, I have it.”
“Your little space upgraded?”
Wen Che guessed.
“Mm! It got bigger after leveling up! It’s probably around twenty square meters now.”
Roughly the size of a master bedroom.
“When we get back to the safe zone, we’ll fill your space with supplies.”
“The safe zone is overcrowded right now. Even though it’s managed by the government, order is still being reestablished.”
“Supplies are extremely scarce.”
Wen Che frowned slightly.
He wasn’t sure whether his sister would be able to adapt to life there.
“The safe zone has heavy weapons and military protection, so it’s still the safest place.”
“It’s not just zombies anymore. Some animals have started mutating too.”
“Official reports even show signs that plants are beginning to mutate.”
“Little Sis, be careful whenever you’re outside.”
He reminded her seriously.
“Brother… you’ve never gotten yourself a girlfriend all these years.”
“Don’t you ever want children?”
Wen Lan asked cautiously, quietly waiting for his answer.
Hearing that, Wen Che patted her shoulder.
“As long as I can take care of you, that’s enough for this lifetime.”
“Too many children die every day in the safe zone.”
“Some were abandoned by their parents.”
“Others lost their parents after they turned into zombies.”
“But as long as I’m here, no one will ever bully you.”
His voice was unusually heavy.
For a moment, Wen Lan didn’t know what to say.
“Didn’t the broadcast say most people awakened abilities?”
she asked.
She remembered hearing that the majority of survivors would awaken supernatural powers.
“That’s true.”
“Those whose physical abilities simply become stronger are called Evolvers.”
“Like Wang Hui and Ji Feng.”
“But plenty of people never awaken any special abilities.”
“And when abilities first awaken, they’re extremely weak.”
“When my power first appeared, all I could do was create a tiny water ball.”
During the early stages…
Evolvers were much stronger than ability users.
Only after ability users figured out how to improve their powers did they gradually become stronger.
Just like Zhang Ye.
He had only just discovered his own training method.
Now that Wen Lan had also discovered that energy pearls could strengthen abilities, their progress would accelerate even further.
The apocalypse had only just begun.
Everything was still in complete chaos.
To survive during these early days, they had to face more than just zombies.
Having never been to the safe zone, Wen Lan couldn’t truly understand what he meant.
But after wandering alone outside for several days…
Loneliness.
Fear.
A constant sense of insecurity.
Left alone long enough, they slowly changed a person’s personality.
Fortunately, Zhang Ye had the exact location of the agricultural base on the outskirts.
Because it was so remote, there were very few zombies there.
Looking out the window, Wen Lan saw vast fields of crops that had already dried and cracked.
Without irrigation…
And with plants beginning to mutate…
If crops disappeared, humanity would lose its food supply.
After entering the agricultural research base, the two of them headed straight for the laboratories.
There, Wen Lan saw several people waiting.
They were all agricultural researchers.
There was still quite a bit of food left here.
Since the facility was located in the suburbs, they normally stocked up on at least a week’s worth of supplies.
After the food ran out…
They had survived by eating their experimental crops.
“Good.”
Su Han nodded approvingly after seeing the cargo trucks they had brought.
“Section Chief Zhang, please show us which equipment needs to be transported.”
“Certainly. Follow me.”
“The rest of you, come as well.”
Besides Section Chief Zhang, there was one female researcher and two support staff members.
Zhang Ye, Wen Che, and the others immediately began helping move the equipment.
“I’ll help too.”
It was Wen Lan’s first time visiting an agricultural research institute.
Curious, she quietly expanded her perception throughout the surrounding area.
Almost immediately…
She sensed a brilliant green point of energy glowing brightly.
Curiosity drew her toward it.
“Those are discarded experimental plants.”
“They’re already withered.”
“They have no research value anymore.”
The researcher kindly reminded her.
“The equipment in the plant physiology testing room is what needs to be moved.”
As she sensed the energy, the babies inside her became unusually lively.
Plant—based prenatal education…
Was also considered a form of natural prenatal stimulation.
Wen Lan found a cup, filled it with some experimental soil, and carefully transplanted the wilted plant into it.
She looked at its label.
He Shou Wu.
A vine.
It seemed to be a medicinal herb.
“That vine won’t survive. Taking it with you is pointless.”
The female researcher frowned.
“It’ll just take up space.”
“It’s okay. I like it.”
And so did the babies.
“Can I have it?”
“All the plants here are discarded and withered anyway. If you want it, take it.”
The female researcher, Wang Zhenzhen, looked puzzled.
Soon, all of the agricultural equipment had been loaded onto the trucks.
Wen Lan climbed back into the same truck as her brother.
Zhang Ye, Su Han, and the two remaining researchers rode in the other vehicle.
“Here, have some sweet potatoes!”
Zhang Ye proudly demonstrated roasting sweet potatoes with his left hand.
“So you’ve finally found a practical use for your fire ability.”
Zhou Wen couldn’t help giving him a thumbs—up.
A moment later, his eyes landed on the withered plant Wen Lan was carrying.
His eyes lit up.
At such close range, he could sense the faint life force still lingering inside it.
After all…
He possessed a wood—element ability.
“Miss Wen, where did you find that?”
“In the laboratory at the agricultural base.”
Without another word, Zhou Wen turned around and ran back into the research facility.
A short while later, he emerged carrying a nearly wilted little flower.
Wen Lan quietly sensed it.
There was only the faintest trace of energy inside.
Nothing compared to the powerful glow of hers.
Earlier, she had been so focused on the bright, shining energy that she hadn’t noticed the tiny flickers nearby, like little fireflies.
“They’re all failed experiments.”
“Why are you taking those things?”
Wang Zhenzhen asked with both confusion and curiosity.
Wen Lan and Zhou Wen exchanged a glance.
Unexpectedly…
The two of them answered in perfect unison.
“Because we like them.”
Even so, Zhou Wen couldn’t help giving Wen Lan another thoughtful look.
He was beginning to suspect…
That her sensing ability wasn’t quite what everyone believed it to be.
Wang Zhenzhen shook her head.
They couldn’t even be eaten.
Taking them along would only be troublesome.
Su Han seemed to notice something as well.
But he said nothing.
Instead…
His psychic power quietly swept across Wen Lan’s abdomen.
The magnetic field…
Had actually grown stronger.
A trace of surprise flashed across his usually calm eyes.
In just half a day…
It had strengthened this much.
The surprise vanished as quickly as it appeared.
“Let’s move.”
“We’re returning to the safe zone immediately.”
“Yes, sir!”
Zhang Ye looked delighted.
“Once this mission’s complete, we should be in the top three squads based on contribution points, right?”
“Mm.”
Su Han answered absentmindedly, his eyes lingering on the rearview mirror.
Meanwhile…
Wen Che drove the cargo truck while Wen Lan sat in the passenger seat.
Behind them was a truckload of scientific equipment.
“Brother, can I have some water?”
Wen Lan held up the cup containing the withered vine.
“Sure.”
Wen Che never refused his sister’s requests.
As long as she was happy.
Though lately…
He couldn’t shake the feeling that something about her was different.
A palm—sized sphere of water condensed in his hand before gently pouring over the little vine.
Wen Lan sensed the energy within it expanding noticeably.
She took out a small pouch from her space, made a few simple alterations, and tucked the cup inside so she could carry it with her.
Keeping the plant close could help relieve stress, improve her mood, and stabilize a pregnant woman’s emotions.
More importantly…
The energy emitted by the vine encouraged her body to produce more beneficial hormones.
Such as dopamine.
She slung the pouch across her waist so it rested against her abdomen.
The returning energy continued strengthening her body without pause.
It seemed…
The babies truly liked this plant.
He Shou Wu was a traditional medicinal herb known for nourishing vitality and improving blood circulation.
Perhaps she could try burying an energy pearl in the soil later?
Unfortunately, she didn’t have any green energy pearls at the moment.
The energy radiating from the He Shou Wu felt remarkably similar to that of a green energy pearl.
Suddenly…
She sensed it again.
Captain Su.
He was secretly scanning her once more.
Why did he keep doing that?
“Brother… what’s Captain Su really like?”