Chapter 26

Ye Yin vaguely remembered that Qiao Xinran was an exceptionally rare four-star thunder-type ability user—already considered outstanding. As for a full-star ability user, it seemed only one had ever appeared, likely someone insignificant, otherwise Ye Yin wouldn’t have forgotten their profile. The Ability Users Association conducted comprehensive assessments based on each individual's absorption capacity for crystal cores, difficulty of advancement, mastery of abilities, and potential for future development, categorizing ability users into five levels from one star to full star. Most ability users were either one or two stars, which explained why, when Qiao Xinran’s evaluation was revealed, all the major factions scrambled to offer invitations, causing a sensation throughout the base.

Ye Yin wasn’t sure if her own appraisal function referred to this standard, but being identified as a full-star by countless modified bodies meant Hua Hua’s talent was certainly extraordinary.

“See, it’s all here,” Ye Yin said, opening a small leather suitcase and displaying the array of colorful crystal cores to Ye Hua. “I told you, it’s nothing important.”

Ye Hua was mesmerized by the sea of light. “Are these all gemstones?”

“No, they’re things found in zombies’ brains.” Ye Hua was at a loss.

Every time Ye Yin encountered a colored crystal core, she kept it. These cores, infused with corresponding energies, were far more valuable than ordinary ones of the same grade and more specialized. Since Ye Hua hadn’t awakened abilities yet, refining them indiscriminately would be wasteful, so ordinary ones sufficed.

“Listen to me, Hua Hua.” Ye Yin gazed at her sister, who had quietly grown taller. “If I’m right, you’re an ability user now too.”

“What?!” Ye Hua was startled.

“The crystal core you absorbed was a second-tier one, likely containing water elements, which triggered your water-type abilities. Honestly, I’m so glad it’s this kind… Water-type abilities can develop into healing powers, making you a rare talent. Everyone will value you greatly, protect you internally, and won’t let you risk your life in combat.”

The light in Ye Hua’s eyes gradually faded. “But… I don’t want to just hide behind you. I want to protect you, sister…”

“Silly girl.” Ye Yin ruffled her hair. “If I get hurt, you heal me—isn’t that the best way to protect? When healers grow strong enough, they can fight too. Our clever Hua Hua is sure to manage, right?”

Ye Hua brightened immediately.

Ye Yin had Ye Hua touch each crystal core, gradually discerning a pattern. Whenever Ye Hua touched a pale blue water-energy crystal, she absorbed it rapidly, while other colors provoked little reaction—at most, a warm current passing through her body. Ye Hua described the sensations in detail to Ye Yin, who quickly realized this was the legendary crystal core cultivation, and urged her to stop touching non-water cores, handing her a colorless one instead.

Ye Hua could also absorb ordinary crystal cores, faster than non-water types, but slightly slower than water ones.

Satisfied, Ye Yin stood up and crossed off the physical training section from Ye Hua’s schedule pinned to the wall, erasing most of the household chores as well. “From tomorrow, your main task is to cultivate your abilities, step by step. Don’t rush. If you get tired, play with water and see if you can resonate with it.”

Ye Hua nodded vigorously.

When Jiang Wen and Bai Qing learned of this, they were genuinely happy for Ye Hua. Ye Yin had them each touch the colored crystal cores, but nothing happened.

“It really comes down to luck,” Jiang Wen said, accepting it easily. “If we all had abilities, they’d hardly be special.”

“Don’t lose hope just yet,” Ye Yin replied. “I’ve only collected a limited number of cores. Maybe you just haven’t come across the one to awaken your powers.”

Bai Qing smiled gently.

A few days later, after the heavy snowfall had just ceased, the government’s reconnaissance team arrived at the farm. Ye Yin received the news at dawn, barely having slept, and struggled to get up to greet them.

The officer leading them was young and quite tall. His features were handsome, but his lines were too hard, and his habitually compressed lips showed he wasn’t easy to approach. He stood there in silence, seldom speaking—most interactions were handled by his adjutant, Feng Ying.

“No problem at all! On behalf of everyone here, I warmly welcome you to settle in until the base is established,” Ye Yin said with a cheerful smile. “Since ancient times, the military and civilians have been one family. Now, at this critical moment for our nation’s survival, we’re naturally willing to offer what little we can!”

Feng Ying was delighted. “Thank you for your cooperation! We’ll be sure to report this to our superiors.”

“Hello, I’m Zhuo,” said the snow camp commander, extending his hand. His fingertips seemed to radiate a deadly chill.

“Hello,” Ye Yin replied, nervously shaking his hand before quickly letting go.

Something must have happened on the road, as the entire camp was now fewer than a hundred people. Ye Yin considerately did not ask, instead instructing Old Guo to take people to tidy up the accommodations and send someone to wake Chef Deng to prepare a hearty breakfast.

Commander Zhuo seemed exhausted, resting without eating, leaving Feng Ying to chat with Ye Yin and the others.

“How are things outside now?” Everyone was concerned.

Feng Ying shook his head and sighed, saying nothing.

The atmosphere grew heavy.

Chef Deng and the mute carried in the food, Deng banging his ladle on the iron pot and calling out, “Comrades, steaming hot bone broth is here! Hurry up, or it’ll get cold!”

The hungry, cold soldiers perked up at the smell, but they didn’t rush forward—only after receiving orders did they line up neatly, collect their portions, and sit down in order. Soon the hall was filled with the sound of soup being slurped.

To warm and energize the troops, Chef Deng added extra ginger and seasoned the broth to perfection. Watching them devour their meal with gusto gave him great satisfaction. Like many civilians, he had little fondness for officials, but instinctively respected the soldiers, even though he hardly knew them.

After the soup, there was white rice porridge and steamed buns, homemade farm pickles, all piled high on the central long table—take as much as you like.

Ye Yin accompanied Feng Ying’s table, so theirs was a bit special: besides pickles, there was a small dish of fermented bean curd and steamed fish, simple yet hearty. Feng Ying was moved. “I thought I’d never have a meal like this again in my life.”

“Is the army short on food too?”

After a few bowls of white liquor, Feng Ying’s face reddened like a date and his tongue loosened. “Honestly, too many mouths and too little gruel. Why do you think we were sent out to find survivors? It’s because there’s not enough food—we need to quietly get rid of some people, but can’t do it too blatantly.”

Ye Yin knew how much soldiers could drink and understood Feng Ying hadn’t really gotten drunk, but she played along. “That… that…”

“We’re lucky, finding you. The other teams might have been wiped out already.” Feng Ying patted Ye Yin’s shoulder, his camaraderie making her feel oddly awkward. “Our commander’s upset because another team led by his brother hasn’t been contacted yet.”

Ye Yin feigned regret. “Whatever happens, survival’s what matters. We’re tight here, but we can feed the comrades. Try to reassure your commander.”

A glimmer of surprise flashed in Feng Ying’s narrow eyes. “That’s really too kind of you…”

“What’s there to be embarrassed about?” Ye Yin smiled innocently. “We have food, you have guns, and once the base is up, we should get a model worker’s certificate! With the cold like this, if we don’t stick together for warmth, we might freeze to death!”

“Haha, well said!” Feng Ying slapped Ye Yin’s back, nearly sending her food flying onto Jiang Wen’s face. “I like people like you—straightforward! From now on, we’re brothers!”

“Um, I’m a woman…”

“Oh, then we’re siblings!”

“…”

Zhuo Chenglan painfully covered his right eye; the skin around his socket showed streaks of blue-black veins, writhing and twisting beneath the surface like demonic worms.

At that moment, someone knocked.

After a long pause, he answered, “Come in.”

When Bai Qing entered, Zhuo had already regained his calm demeanor and upright posture.

“These are medicines sent by the manager. She noticed you looked unwell and is very concerned.”

“Thank you for your trouble.”

Bai Qing set the items on the table and left without a word. Zhuo Chenglan watched his departing figure, his face as steady as water.

There were eighty-seven soldiers stationed at the farm; the newly built standard housing was enough for them all. Ye Yin originally intended to offer her villa (albeit only for show), but Commander Zhuo and Feng Ying firmly refused, ultimately choosing to live with the troops, awaiting further orders while recuperating at the farm.

Even in the apocalypse, the disciplined soldiers remained vigilant—rising early to run, helping around the farm, and practicing combat in their spare time. The energizing scene inspired many young men at the farm, some even considering joining the army.

“That commander has some issues,” Bai Qing suddenly said to Jiang Wen one afternoon.

Jiang Wen glanced at him, flicked open her Statue of Liberty lighter, and lit a cigarette. “You should tell her that.”

Bai Qing neither agreed nor disagreed. “She’s not responsible for that, telling you is the same.”

“First time I’ve seen this side of you,” Jiang Wen said, tapping ash from her cigarette. “Have you talked to her about leaving?”

Author’s note: Just noticed another reward ticket—so happy! Thank you, Youyou! ~=3=
PS: Today’s progress is really stuck…