However, for Xu Nuo, there wasn't much difference between higher and lower levels of ability, as the energy from his ability and the spiritual energy in his body were interchangeable.
Besides, he preferred using talismans and formations over manipulating abilities.
Still, having abilities meant he could disguise himself as a low-level ability user, which could be quite useful. He might even be able to play the role of an underdog to catch others off guard.
He knew his Taoist techniques weren't strong enough yet. Although they seemed impressive now, who knew how many hidden experts existed in this apocalypse?
Moreover, he disliked being too conspicuous, as it would attract trouble.
If he were alone, he wouldn't mind. But with Park Su by his side, he worried about others using Park Su to threaten him, and he wasn't sure if he could resist.
He had to admit that Park Su was more important to him than he had initially thought, and this importance seemed to be growing.
The people outside the yard grew increasingly agitated. They hadn't had a proper dinner the previous night, and some hadn't even managed to eat breakfast.
The aroma of food wafted from the house again. In the apocalypse, finding food was already difficult, let alone cooking such delicious meals. They could hardly stop drooling at the smell, wondering when the people inside would finally come out and release their leaders.
They assumed the occupants were awake since they were cooking, so they started pleading again.
Standing at the door, Xu Nuo listened to their endless pleas and couldn't help but curl his lip in boredom. "Their begging is so unoriginal."
Park Su placed the food on the table, ignoring his comment. After all, whatever he said would just get rebutted, so it was better to say nothing.
After finishing breakfast and tidying up, they finally opened the door.
The ability users waiting outside perked up at the sound of the door opening, looking towards it to see two handsome young men standing there, exuding an air of superiority despite their youth. Naturally, they didn't underestimate them, especially since their leaders were trapped in the yard.
The fact that they could use the villa's appliances and cook such fragrant meals suggested their abilities matched their appearance.
One of them immediately called out, "We know our leaders were too aggressive yesterday, but look at their state now. Please, be magnanimous and release them.If you keep dragging this out, they might not make it. They may have been rude, but do they really deserve to lose their lives for it?"
Xu Nuo glanced at him coldly, "Coming to disturb my family while I'm breaking through is a serious offense. Just trapping them for one night is too lenient.
So I won't release them. If you pity them, you can go in and keep them company. I'm sure they'd appreciate it."
This silenced the pleading ability user; no one wanted to be trapped in that strange yard along with their leaders.
However, they couldn't just watch their leaders die, so one of them reluctantly asked, "I apologize on behalf of our leaders. What will it take for you to release them?
Even though they are merely imprisoned, they're not in good condition—injured, exhausted, and out of abilities after about eighteen hours. I think this punishment is enough, regardless of the conflict. Prolonging this will end their lives. Why escalate things between us when there's no long-standing enmity?"
Xu Nuo sneered, "Easy for you to say. Apologize on their behalf? How exactly? With what?
Without this formation, if they weren't trapped, my family or I might have been hurt when they recklessly tried to teach us a lesson. They should have considered the consequences of failure.
You should be grateful it's your leaders who are trapped and not my family hurt; otherwise, they wouldn't get off so lightly, and you wouldn't have the chance to negotiate."
The speaker felt a chill as Xu Nuo's gaze turned to him. Despite Xu Nuo's smile, there was an undeniable menace. His last words felt particularly ominous, and the speaker couldn't utter another word.
Seeing his intimidation was effective, Xu Nuo continued, "You can take them away, but not before 5 p.m. tomorrow, and each regular member will cost ten pounds of food.
As for your leaders, you can only exchange them the morning after tomorrow, at fifty pounds of food each. It's your choice whether to trade or let them stay. They can likely endure five more days until they find a way out."
The team members were shocked at the demand for so much food. One of them protested, "Isn't this extortion? Where can we get so much food in the apocalypse?"
Xu Nuo sneered at him, "Extortion? You're not wrong, but you should know better who is really extorting whom.
If I hadn't set up this trap today, it wouldn't be you being extorted but me, and I would be paying with my life, not just food.
So you have no right to accuse me. If you don't want to save them, that's fine; no one is forcing you. Now, either leave or I'll throw you in there with them. Your choice, but stop making a fuss at my door."
The man regretted his words immediately, realizing Xu Nuo wasn't someone to be trifled with.
Intimidated by Xu Nuo's response, he quickly backed down and left with his group.
Before leaving, the first man to inquire asked Xu Nuo again, "They won't be in mortal danger if they stay here, right?"
Xu Nuo nodded, "Don't worry. In theory, they won't be in danger for a short time. But if they let their thoughts run wild, I can't guarantee their survival.
So, don't take too long to gather the food. Otherwise, I can't promise their safety."
The man had nothing more to say and left with his team. With them gone, the yard was left with those still in the formation, either wandering or resting.
Xu Nuo found their presence an eyesore but thought that exchanging them for food might make Park Su happy, so he tolerated it.
Turning to Park Su, Xu Nuo said, "Now that we've eaten, it's time for an assessment. Show me how your footwork training has progressed, and don't slack off."
Park Su was still astonished at Xu Nuo's audacity to extort and justify it so well, once again reshaping his perception of Xu Nuo.
However, he wasn't sympathetic to those in the yard since they had targeted them first.Thinking about the food the ability users might bring, he felt cheerful. Xu Nuo really was impressive.
He eagerly followed Xu Nuo to the back mountain, ready to demonstrate his footwork and have Xu Nuo correct any mistakes.
They spent a long time training, and by the end, Park Su was drenched in sweat while Xu Nuo looked as composed as ever, offering no words of comfort.
Exhausted, Park Su asked to go back, and as they walked, Xu Nuo inquired, "I remember you mentioned your dantian felt different after breaking through to the third level, like you could place a mutated plant similar to Green Ivy in it?"
Park Su had mentioned this in passing a few days ago and was surprised Xu Nuo remembered.
He paused, then replied, "Yes, but it's just a guess. I don't know if it's possible, and I haven't encountered any mutated plants yet."
Xu Nuo frowned slightly upon hearing this. "Since you have this hypothesis, you should definitely try it out. Now that I've completed my breakthrough, our first task in this villa area is also done.
Next, we'll drive around to see if we can find any mutated plants nearby. If we find one with good properties, you can try to tame it. Having an additional mutated plant by your side will give me peace of mind during my next breakthrough."
Hearing this, Park Su felt a slight sweetness in his heart and replied, "Why wouldn't you be at ease? I've been diligently guarding you the whole time."