[Yes.]
“Can they be used to purify radiation-contaminated plants?”
[Growing plants can be purified. Harvested fruits cannot.]
As if it understood exactly what Xiang Ge was thinking, the system gave a targeted response.
Perfect.
A flicker of joy rose in Xiang Ge’s heart.
If her Purification System could cultivate Purification Fruits, then that would be the perfect cover for her abilities.
At this moment, Xiang Ge had completely forgotten one crucial issue:
How was someone with the physical condition of an eighty-year-old grandmother supposed to hunt mutated beasts and earn Purification Points?
“Since there are zero-radiation plants in this world, are there also zero-radiation humans?”
She had intended to ask the system that question.
Instead, she accidentally said it out loud.
“There are. People whose bodies can resist radiation are called Purifiers.”
“At present, only one woman in Ark Base is known to be a Purifier.”
“She gained her radiation-resistant constitution after consuming a Purification Fruit. Later research discovered that consuming a Purification Fruit gives roughly a one-in-ten-thousand chance of becoming a Purifier.”
“Purifiers have the ability to reduce radiation levels in others.”
Lu Changting patiently answered her question.
“And what does that have to do with you?”
Ao Guang snorted.
“Whether it’s Purification Fruits or Purifiers, both are way beyond your reach.”
“Instead of wasting your energy asking questions, you’d be better off stuffing yourself while you still can.”
As he distributed the freshly grilled meat skewers, Ao Guang stuffed two extra skewers into Xiang Ge’s hands, despite looking thoroughly annoyed.
“How do you know I won’t become a Purifier someday?”
Xiang Ge said while happily eating.
“Maybe one day you’ll be begging me to purify you.”
The mutated beast meat was unbelievably delicious.
Even during ten years in the apocalypse, she had never eaten anything this good.
Who knew when she’d get another meal like this?
She definitely needed to eat more.
“Keep dreaming.”
Ao Guang rolled his eyes.
“Beg you to purify me?”
“I’d rather beg you not to go into genetic collapse and lose your mind tonight. After eating the meat I grilled, at least don’t repay kindness with hostility.”
Xiang Ge merely continued eating.
The meat was too delicious.
She had no time to argue with the cook.
As night fell, the campfire provided warmth and light.
Lu Changting’s team decided to spend the night there.
Aside from Lu Changting, the remaining four split into pairs and took turns standing watch.
Xiang Ge had nowhere else to go.
Having eaten her fill, she shamelessly decided to enjoy another night of safety under their protection.
After spending so many years in the apocalypse, she had never been picky about living conditions.
She found a clean spot, lay down, gathered several large leaves as a blanket, and quickly drifted off to sleep to the crackling rhythm of the fire.
That night, she dreamed of nothing.
Whether it was because this body hadn’t had a full meal in ages or hadn’t slept properly for a long time, Xiang Ge slept deeply.
When she finally woke, daylight was already bright.
The area around her was completely empty.
Pulling away the large leaves covering her body, she discovered two boxes by her feet—one large and one small.
She opened the larger box first.
It was filled with roasted meat.
Then she opened the smaller one.
Inside was a syringe filled with transparent blue liquid.
Beside it lay a small handwritten note.
After reading it carefully, Xiang Ge realized that the syringe was actually a purification agent left behind by Lu Changting.
The note contained detailed instructions for use, along with a final message from him.
“Don’t let the light in your eyes go out. Fight to stay alive.”
At that moment, Xiang Ge finally understood why Lu Changting had explained everything so thoroughly yesterday.
He had probably been moved by her determination to survive.
And he likely understood that, given her circumstances, only a miracle—finding a Purification Fruit—could save her life.
During yesterday’s conversation, Xiang Ge had already learned how valuable purification agents were.
Ark Base was currently the largest human settlement and the only one with a research institute.
All purification agents were produced by Ark Base and distributed to other bases.
The amount each base received depended on its contribution points.
And the most important way to earn contribution points was by finding Purification Fruits for Ark Base.
That was why Lu Changting, despite being a Legion Commander, personally led expeditions to search for them.
Purification Fruits were incredibly difficult to find.
Morningstar Base’s quota of purification agents was limited.
The fact that Lu Changting had freely given Xiang Ge one of those precious doses left her at a loss for words.
She didn’t quite understand it.
Yet she was touched.
In the world she came from, this kind of selfless kindness simply didn’t exist.
“As expected of the Legion Commander.”
“He spotted my potential long ago.”
Without hesitation, Xiang Ge removed the syringe and injected it into her arm.
The blue liquid slowly entered her body.
The sensation was like long-awaited rain falling on drought-stricken land.
Comfortable.
Refreshing.
Unfortunately, the rain was a little too sparse.
[Purification Agent activated.]
[Host’s radiation level reduced by 3 points.]
[Current radiation level: 94.]
The original Xiang Ge had apparently never used a purification agent before.
Therefore, despite her extremely high radiation level, the injection still managed to reduce it by three points.
“Use five Purification Points to purify me.”
The reason Xiang Ge hadn’t used them yesterday wasn’t because she’d forgotten.
She had simply been worried that a sudden drop in her radiation level would attract attention.
[Five Purification Points consumed.]
[Host’s radiation level reduced by 5 points.]
[Current radiation level: 89.]
Wonderful.
Absolutely wonderful.
As expected, ninety was a critical threshold.
The moment her radiation level dropped below ninety, Xiang Ge could clearly feel her body becoming lighter.
At the very least, her movements were no longer hindered.
She jumped around a few times, stretched her arms and legs, and carefully assessed the changes.
Compared to the peak condition of her former body, this was nowhere close.
But under her control, she should now be about as capable as an ordinary person.
That said, this body still needed proper nourishment.
Pinching the loose skin hanging from her arm, Xiang Ge frowned.
If she remained this malnourished, her combat ability would be severely compromised.
She wouldn’t even be able to use half of her former strength.
Thinking of that, she immediately sat down, opened the box of roasted meat, and began eating.
She knew food was scarce in this world.
But years of survival experience had taught her one thing:
Weak people couldn’t protect anything valuable.
Therefore, whether it was the purification agent or the food, she needed to convert them into strength as quickly as possible.
She estimated that the box of meat would last her another two days.
After filling her stomach, it was time to think about survival.
Searching for Purification Fruits wasn’t easy.
Xiang Ge hated placing her hopes on events with such tiny odds of success.
She began calculating whether her current strength would be enough to hunt mutated beasts.
Probably not.
But it wasn’t entirely impossible either.
The bigger problem was that she had no weapons, no tools, and insufficient food supplies.
Everything would require careful planning.
In the end, Xiang Ge decided that since her radiation level had already fallen below ninety, she should return to the base first.
Once she gathered more information and prepared adequate food and weapons, she could head back into the wilderness to hunt.
But before that—
There was one very important thing she needed to do.
She looked around carefully and confirmed that nobody was nearby.
Then she reached into the hidden lining of her pants pocket and pulled out a red stone.
Although the original owner had been tricked into entering the high-radiation zone, she had not returned empty-handed.
This red stone was her only reward.
And also her most important one.