However, the art of Park Su-do is still in its infancy; it is yet impractical for him to craft talismans and arrays. Given the current state of his spiritual energy, it is already commendable that he can sustain his own cultivation cycle.
Moreover, from Xu Nuo's perspective, he would prefer Park Su to channel his spiritual energy into mastering his wood-based supernatural abilities, potentially enhancing his already considerable talents in this domain.
Furthermore, Xu Nuo believes that since Park Su's wood-based powers can benefit his cultivation, it is likely that these two forms of energy are mutually reinforcing.
It is presumed that Park Su would find both self-cultivation and the conversion between these energies quite manageable. At that time, Park Su was unaware that Xu Nuo had already devoted considerable thought to his progress in such a short span; he only knew that Xu Nuo was exerting himself to teach him the ways of Daoism.
Moreover, the rigorous training Xu Nuo imposed was preparation for upcoming missions they would undertake together, which, in Park Su's view, were inherently his responsibilities, thus fueling his earnest approach to learning.
In his heart, he felt an immense gratitude for Xu Nuo's dedication.
During the days they practiced Daoism, Ge Qing and Lu Shang returned only once, leaving a message that they had taken on a new task. However, they assured that they would return on the day of the celebration for the couple's announcement.
Upon departure, Ge Qing discreetly pulled Park Su aside, winking and nudging, urging him not to miss this rare chance to be alone with Xu Nuo, suggesting he should seize the moment to win Xu Nuo over.
Park Su, faced with such antics, could only offer an awkward smile; such a conquest was always within his grasp, but he was the one to be conquered.
After Ge Qing's departure, Park Su forgot the matter, dedicating himself to cultivation to the point where he nearly lost track of the day, until Xu Nuo reminded him the day before their celebration.
However, all necessary supplies were stored in his spatial ring, negating any need for shopping. Xu Nuo advised that, given they were within Base S, they should keep a low profile.
After all, spatial rings have not yet gained widespread acceptance; the public remains unaware of such artifacts. Yet, news of these would soon spread. Initially, he had only crafted one such ring, but once word gets out, anyone lacking spatial abilities would desire one. In the apocalypse, the price for such items would naturally be high, out of reach for many, thus inviting theft.
Xu Nuo was reluctant to make himself and Park Su targets so soon, thus he took Park Su out to purchase some supplies. Blending these with his own resources and vegetables quickened by his wood-based powers, they could prepare a commendable feast. The task of cooking was no longer solely Park Su's responsibility; with their relationship evolving, Xu Nuo also actively participated.
In these days, Park Su's practice of Daoism had sharpened his perception of the flow of spiritual energy in the air, and what delighted him most was the discovery that his absorption of ambient energy to replenish his wood-based abilities seemed to have become simpler since practicing Daoism.
Moreover, Xu Nuo had previously taught him how to interchange the two energies, revealing that the wood abilities he crafted with his spiritual force now boasted greater attack power and were more effective in nurturing and controlling plants.
Though merely a third-tier wood-based ability user, his attack power and energy reserves rivaled those of any fourth-tier ability user.
He felt confident that he could overcome any same-tier ability user, excluding Xu Nuo. With his green vine and hallucinogenic dandelion, he might even handle some less aggressive fourth-tier ability users, which brought some satisfaction with his current strength.
Regardless, in this apocalyptic world, his skill level should place him among the top-tier experts, capable at least of safeguarding his own life.
In the kitchen, preparing the evening's meal, Park Su, while selecting vegetables, remarked, "As residents here, it's surprising they haven't returned yet. Surely they don't expect to just eat what's ready? It doesn't seem like Lu Shang's style, especially after he promised to return today. I thought they'd be back by this morning if not last night. Do you think something might have happened?" Xu Nuo, slicing vegetables, furrowed his brow, "Let's wait a bit longer. If they're not back by dinner time, we'll go out to gather some news. They seemed confident when they left; it shouldn't be anything too difficult. Let's not worry too much."
Park Su sighed, knowing that beyond worry, he could do little, especially since he didn't even know what task they had undertaken.
Even if he knew their mission, four days had passed; if something had gone wrong, it would have happened by now, and he could offer no tangible help, only praying silently for their safe return.
After all, Lu Shang and Ge Qing were the first same-s*x couple friends he had made, whose relationship had helped him and Xu Nuo define their own more swiftly.
Seeing Park Su agree but still distracted, mistakenly selecting wilted leaves several times while cooking, Xu Nuo, who had grown more attentive since their relationship solidified, set down his chopped vegetables and approached, "If you're truly concerned, we can delay dinner and check if there's any news about them."
Park Su hesitated, "But isn't Lu Xia supposed to arrive soon?"
Xu Nuo responded, "No worry, we can leave a note on the door. They'll understand and won't mind waiting a bit longer. If this isn't resolved, you won't focus on cooking, and I'd rather not see a dinner party turn into a poisoning event."
At this, Park Su blushed slightly but agreed to Xu Nuo's suggestion. They left a note on the door and headed to the mission hall to seek information.
As they approached the mission hall, a thick scent of blood met them, indicating that someone nearby was injured, and not just one person. Park Su, growing worried, suggested they go check it out.
Xu Nuo agreed, and upon reaching the scene, they found a team of ability users who had just returned from a mission. Many members of the team were wounded, but they had survived thanks to their vice-captain, who had shielded them at great personal cost, now lying in a coma from his severe injuries. Everyone was heading directly to the only ability user hospital in Base S.
Hearing the murmurs, Park Su's heart sank, and he hurriedly asked a nearby injured member, "What's the name of your vice-captain, and what's his ability attribute?"
The injured man, seeing Park Su's urgency, was initially cautious, but Xu Nuo quickly explained that Park Su was anxious because the vice-captain was their friend. Understanding, the man revealed that the vice-captain was named Lu Shang, a metal-based ability user.
Upon hearing this, Park Su was even more concerned about Ge Qing and rushed with Xu Nuo to the hospital. The hospital wasn't crowded since medical supplies were scarce in the apocalypse; minor injuries were usually treated with basic antiseptics and left to heal with the enhanced recovery abilities of ability users. Regular drugs had become outrageously expensive, beyond the reach of most people.
The base, still in its early stages of establishment, prioritized food and weapon reserves over medicine, which would only be developed after those were stabilized.
Thus, finding Lu Shang's room was straightforward. Park Su opened the door to see Ge Qing, who was usually so spirited, now sitting beside Lu Shang's bed, his eyes red and swollen, holding Lu Shang's hand and talking to him.
Despite their heightened sensitivity as ability users, Ge Qing only noticed them when they stood before him, his eyes filled with pain, worry, and confusion, tears brimming, "You're here, Lu Shang, he... he..."
Park Su quickly embraced him, "Don't worry, if Lu Shang made it back, it's because he cares about you. He won't leave you alone, and we'll find a way to save him together."
Xu Nuo checked Lu Shang's pulse and said, "Most are superficial injuries; though he lost a lot of blood, it's not life-threatening now. He looks worse than he is. Over the next few days, give him nourishment and some zombie crystals to replenish his lost energy. He should be fine."
Ge Qing, who trusted Xu Nuo implicitly, felt a wave of relief wash over him, leaning fully into Park Su's embrace, believing Lu Shang had passed the critical phase.
Xu Nuo, though not fond of others clinging to Park Su, understood Ge Qing's need for comfort and refrained from commenting, instead steering the conversation to the matter at hand, "You said the task wasn't supposed to be difficult. What went wrong to cause such severe injuries?"
Ge Qing sniffed, "I thought it was going to be simple too. The task's level didn't seem tough; it was just about collecting supplies from a villa in a nearby town. We never expected to encounter such high-level mutated plants."