Xu Nuo, pleased with their understanding, nodded and said, "The situation outside isn't much better than here. Although there are rumors that the government will soon establish a base, the population in those bases will surely be high.
"If we advance too quickly, there are two possibilities: either the government will force us to join them and become their enforcers, or various factions will target us, making our actions more difficult. Of course, our reputation would grow, but I don't want such burdens, so I prefer not to do that.
We've nearly cleared the zombies in this area. Recently, when I demanded supplies for the ransom from the 'four troublemakers,' they also went out hunting.
I also believe that the nearest zombie groups have been weakened. I've assessed the strength of those people, and they aren't a threat.
I'll enhance the formations around the yard. They got caught once, so they won't easily try again. Plus, with more of us, we can take turns cultivating and keeping an eye on the outside.
Therefore, I think it's best to cultivate here. If you don't want to, I won't force you. In that case, Park Su and I will take turns cultivating, and you can leave. But if you agree, as per our agreement, you two will also protect us during cultivation."
Ge Qing and Lu Shang found Xu Nuo's analysis reasonable and nodded, "Alright, let's do that. With so many zombie nuclei, it's better to use them to enhance our strength than carry them around and risk something happening. Shall we start cultivating first?"
Xu Nuo thought for a moment and said, "Since you agree, let's have Ge Qing and Park Su absorb the zombie nuclei first. Ge Qing needs to reach the third level before I feel secure with him protecting us outside.
It seems one of the 'four troublemakers' is also a third-level ability user. But today, Park Su and I are tired, so let's rest. You two can move in tomorrow. Park Su, starting tonight, you'll move upstairs with me. There's a guest room available. Being close, we can discuss the mistakes you made during today's activities."
Hearing Xu Nuo's suggestion, Park Su felt a hint of joy. If you like someone and they suggest moving closer, it's a happy development. As for staying in the guest room, it was expected since Xu Nuo didn't seem like the type to share a room with others, especially with so many empty rooms available.
What Park Su didn't know was that Xu Nuo observed his reaction closely and noticed his fleeting happiness. This good mood led Xu Nuo to help Park Su pack and move his things.
Park Su was pleasantly surprised by Xu Nuo's actions, suppressing a small, joyful smile.
Once settled in his new room, lying on the bed, Park Su remembered he wanted to ask the hallucinogenic dandelion about the illusions Xu Nuo had experienced.
As he was about to call the dandelion, there was a knock on the door. He let the dandelion stay aside and went to open it.
Seeing Xu Nuo at the door, he was surprised and asked, "Do you need something?"
Xu Nuo glanced briefly at the hallucinogenic dandelion in the room before turning to Park Su, "It's nothing important. Since we're not cooking tonight and you have no other plans, why don't you show me the energy stone before they finish moving in?"
Park Su, not suspecting anything, agreed and retrieved the energy stone from his dantian. Seeing this, Xu Nuo frowned and asked, "How can this thing stay in your dantian?"
Park Su, taken aback, realized he had always thought it was extraordinary that his dantian could house both Green Ivy and the hallucinogenic dandelion. He hadn't expected Green Ivy to bring other objects into his dantian.
Could it be that his dantian had become a small space of its own? Or perhaps only objects related to abilities or energy stones could be brought in by Green Ivy? Excited, Park Su wondered if his dantian could store supplies or other items.
Seeing his expression, Xu Nuo surmised that Park Su hadn't noticed this before and frowned. "Don't stuff your dantian with random things. It's not a spatial ring, and you're not a spatial ability user. It's part of your body. If something harmful is brought in by Green Ivy, it could affect you."
Park Su, scratching his nose, replied, "I just found out my dantian can house external objects. I'm not sure if it's only energy-related items or anything Green Ivy brings. You don't need to worry about me; I'll be careful."
He had expected Xu Nuo to give him a disdainful look, but instead, Xu Nuo remarked, "You're my person. I don't want you getting hurt over something foolish. Keep anything strange a secret, and don't take your body lightly. Understand?"
You're my person. Park Su interpreted this as "you're my disciple." He figured Xu Nuo was reminding him not to bring shame upon his master by being careless. Nodding, he said, "Don't worry, I'll be careful."
Xu Nuo nodded but didn't leave, standing at the door examining the energy stone with a deep, thoughtful expression.
Park Su, planning to ask the hallucinogenic dandelion about Xu Nuo's illusion, now hesitated. It felt inappropriate with Xu Nuo right there. Reluctant to drive him away, they stood awkwardly at the door until Park Su's attention was drawn to Xu Nuo's elegant hands.
The fist-sized energy stone glowed faintly white in Xu Nuo's hands. Noticing the light, Park Su realized the stone was a non-attribute energy stone, a rare and highly coveted item.
Attribute energy stones, like wood, fire, water, or lightning, only boost the corresponding ability user's power.
It can enhance their ability attributes and increase the chances of ability mutations. However, if ability users of different attributes forcibly absorb energy from the stone, there's a slim chance they might become dual-ability users. This probability is much lower than the chance of the same attribute ability user experiencing a mutation. More importantly, the energy absorbed from a different attribute stone is significantly less.
For instance, a wood attribute energy stone the size of an egg is equivalent to a thousand third-level zombie crystal nuclei. A wood ability user could absorb the energy of about nine hundred third-level zombie crystal nuclei from it. A different attribute user might only absorb the energy of four hundred third-level zombie crystal nuclei at most.
This is why Park Su was determined to take possession of the wood attribute energy stone from the museum. Finding another energy stone is difficult, and finding one with the same attribute is even harder.
A non-attribute energy stone, on the other hand, can be absorbed by ability users of all attributes. Such stones are rumored to contain purer and greater energy, increasing the likelihood of ability mutations. Hence, even a nail-sized non-attribute energy stone fetched an astronomical price in the sixth year of the apocalypse.
The egg-sized energy stone had already caused a mutation in Park Su's abilities, with some energy yet to be fully converted. Park Su believed his dantian could house Green Ivy and the dandelion because of the energy stone. Now, with this fist-sized, highly valuable non-attribute energy stone, it was no wonder so many zombies were breaking through.
Xu Nuo knew the energy in the stone had been partially absorbed by many zombies, but it still contained a significant amount. This might allow both Xu Nuo and Park Su to enhance their abilities further. Although Xu Nuo's ability had already mutated once, Park Su had never absorbed energy from a stone, and any further mutation would be unpredictable.
Xu Nuo thought the stone should be used by Park Su, and he could absorb some of the overflow energy.
Seeing Park Su's intense focus on the energy stone, Xu Nuo asked, "Aren't you the one absorbing the energy stone? Why are you staring at it so intently? Do you want it? Don't worry, it's yours!"
Park Su quickly shook his head. "I've absorbed an energy stone before, but that was wood attribute. This one is non-attribute, which is different. I think this stone is best for you."
Knowing Xu Nuo might not be aware of the benefits of a non-attribute energy stone, Park Su explained excitedly, "This stone would make your ability control even stronger. You should use it."
Xu Nuo, aware of Park Su's dedication to energy stones and enhancing his abilities, was moved by his willingness to give up the stone. His eyes softened as he remembered the illusions earlier. He pulled the still excited Park Su into an embrace, bringing a moment of calm.