It's known that many ability users struggle to advance from the second to the third tier due to the increasingly large number of zombie crystals required, which are not easy to hunt.
However, regardless of his guesses, since they could ensure safety during a two-hour shopping spree in the mall without even seeing a zombie, perhaps this time would also be safe.
As for scavenging, they were all for it being done thoroughly and efficiently; in the apocalypse, one can never have too many resources.
They emptied their backpacks and suitcases from the mall, preparing for another round of scavenging. This time, they noticed a change in the approach. The farmers' market was divided into five zones, each under a large tent. Xu Nuo had them wait outside each zone while Park Su went in alone to clear out any zombies before the main group entered to gather supplies.
During the scavenging, Ge Qing, Lu Shang, Park Su, and Xu Nuo each took a position at a different entrance, keeping watch for zombies attracted by the smell of blood or the noise.
Each tent had a scavenging time limit of twenty minutes, with Lu Xia ensuring that vehicles were positioned at the market's entrance for quick unloading when they emerged from each tent.
The lower-tier ability users rushed into the tents, beginning another round of frenzied scavenging. This time, they witnessed the combat prowess of the team leader with the youthful, cute face, Park Su. In just five minutes of rough clearing, he had killed so many zombies that they found a corpse every four or five stalls. More astonishingly, all these zombies had their crystals removed, showcasing his speed and skill.
Thus, when they came out of the first tent, their gazes towards Park Su were filled with respect rather than the previous disdain.
Park Su, however, didn't pay much attention to their change in attitude; his focus was on protecting these lower-tier ability users, seeing them as reflections of his past self. Moreover, he felt he owed some of them favors. His efficiency wasn't solely due to his own strength but also thanks to his hallucinogenic dandelion and green vine, which allowed him to clear zombies quickly. He didn't consider his actions particularly remarkable, only regretting they hadn't come to scavenge these markets sooner.
Most vegetables had become inedible after over two months, which pained Park Su to see. However, as Xu Nuo had mentioned, the spiritual energy in the air had significantly increased post-apocalypse, so while most produce was rotten, some were still salvageable, and some seeds had even begun to sprout, yielding them a decent harvest.
Although there were five tents, only two or three were viable for scavenging; the seafood and meat areas were empty. Still, Park Su and Xu Nuo ensured they left no tent uncleared of zombies before moving on.
After today's two scavenging sessions, the lower-tier ability users in the team had come to trust in Park Su and Xu Nuo's abilities. They hadn't seen Xu Nuo fight much, but zombies near him seemed to fight each other, none able to harm him, leaving him time to help with the scavenging, looking remarkably at ease.
They deduced that Xu Nuo must have manipulation abilities and was undoubtedly powerful, which made them more cautious in their speech around him.
Having collected such a substantial amount of resources, the team felt the trip was already profitable, considering it was just the first day, in the first town, and after visiting only two locations, they had filled more than half a container. The yield was astonishing.
That evening, they settled in a suburban residential area on the town's outskirts, cleared the zombies, and started preparing dinner. After a day of fighting, everyone was hungry. They then witnessed Park Su use his wood abilities to turn semi-rotten plants into edible food, and even sprout seeds into vegetables, making everyone appreciate the utility of wood-based abilities.
Xu Nuo, after settling in the suburb, went out on his own and returned an hour later with a mutated chicken in hand. These chickens, post-mutation, were larger with enhanced attack capabilities, particularly with their sharp beaks and claws. They were also fast, able to escape if outmatched, though they generally didn't attack ability users. However, if provoked, they could inflict injury, potentially severely wounding a lone ability user with their guerrilla tactics.
Mutated chickens, with their increased size, more meat, and tender flavor, had become one of the highly sought-after, yet hard-to-catch foods for ability users. Usually, capturing one required setting traps and teamwork. Seeing Xu Nuo return with not one but two mutated chickens was a first for everyone, showcasing his manipulation abilities. The ability users looked at Xu Nuo with envy as he casually tossed one of the hefty chickens to them.
"Half of all the spoils go to you, so here's your share. You've all worked hard today, so eat well to replenish your strength. Tomorrow, we'll have more ground to cover and hunting to do; the tasks won't be easy. I expect us to collect even more resources tomorrow," Xu Nuo said with ease.
The ability users were astounded by his generosity, especially since they hadn't had meat in a long time, given the challenges of survival. His promise of collecting more resources the next day seemed suddenly within reach. They were hesitant to even touch the chicken until Lu Xia stepped forward, excitedly taking it and instructing everyone to prepare the food, reassuring them that Xu Nuo was approachable despite his aloof appearance.
After a day together, confidence in the team and respect for their capable leaders had grown. For the night watch, Park Su and Xu Nuo, having exerted themselves the most, were excused to rest, but they unapologetically chose to share a room when it came to dividing sleeping quarters.
After his bath, Park Su sat on the bed, counting how many zombie crystals they had collected. Initially, they intended for Xu Nuo to keep his share, but he had said, "Do we still need to differentiate between mine and yours? What's mine is yours, and yours is mine. Let the green vine collect all the crystals. Just remember, half of mine still goes to your benefactors."
Park Su wanted to argue but Xu Nuo, after saying this, went back to dealing with zombies, leaving no room for refusal. Park Su then had his green vine gather the crystals, though he didn't know the exact count, so he decided to tally them now, setting aside Xu Nuo's share.
He didn't want Xu Nuo's cultivation speed to slow down because of him, which would make him feel guilty.
When Xu Nuo came out of the bath to see Park Su diligently counting crystals, he smiled, pounced on him, and hugged him, "So diligent, counting our assets? Don't worry, use them freely; your man's combat strength is more than enough to keep you well-fed and happy."
Park Su, flushed from the sudden embrace and teasing, pushed at Xu Nuo, "What are you messing around for? I'm just setting aside your share to keep for you."
Xu Nuo frowned, "Didn't I say what's mine is yours? Why are you being so meticulous about this? Just use them for your cultivation."
Park Su immediately refused, "No, even if you think these can all go to me for my cultivation, I don't want you to slow down because you met me in this life. Like you said, the higher the zombie tiers get in the apocalypse, the stronger you need to be for my safety. In our past life, your combat abilities were famous nationwide; I don't want you to become weaker or get bullied because of me in this life."
Xu Nuo sighed, sitting beside him and playing with Park Su's fingers, "You said in your past life, you didn't actually know me, just knew of my reputation. So, I don't know what kind of life I led back then, but without you by my side, I certainly wouldn't be as motivated to cultivate and enhance my strength as I am now.
Don't say it's impossible; I understand myself well. Without someone to protect, there's no real drive to push me. I was already quite capable; why rush to cultivate? I'd probably be quite lackadaisical. Maybe in my past life, I hadn't even broken through to the ninth tier of Daoism yet. But now, knowing I need to protect you, I've become much more proactive, especially since that time you fainted in front of me, I felt truly helpless for the first time.
During this period, I've made good progress in cultivating Daoism; I'm not far from mid-tier ninth level now. Your existence is my driving force to move forward. Collecting these things for you to quickly enhance your abilities is also so I can be more at ease when not by your side. Only when you're stronger do I have no weaknesses, understand?"