Chapter 114: The Prophet as a Teacher
“During the process of cultivating in the immortal way, once a cultivator reaches a certain level, their dantian will form a golden pill. This is the source of the cultivator’s power. The same applies to ability users, but instead of the dantian, the energy orb is located in the forehead. Some people refer to this spot as the third eye chakra.”
“It is the energy source for zombies and ability users. Earlier, when Li Zhuang and Liu Rui mentioned their headaches from excessive energy use, what they were actually feeling was pain in this area. So, whether you’re a zombie or an ability user, as long as you remove this core, the person becomes useless. That’s why it’s important to protect the core in your body.”
“At your current level, you might not feel it yet, and of course, it’s difficult for regular ability users to notice it. However, those with mental abilities can feel it more acutely,” Lu Weiyi said while looking at Lu Xi through the rearview mirror. “Focus and gather all your energy at the spot between your eyebrows and try to feel it.”
Lu Xi stayed silent for a moment, and then his eyes widened in surprise. “Mm, I feel it! I can sense something there.”
“Yes, it seems like there’s also a connection to consciousness…” Lu Weiyi thought for a while, considering how to explain further. “If you had someone with space abilities, you’d be able to feel it. Their space sense is in the brain. When they store things, it’s often said they use their mental power to control it, which is another manifestation of their ability energy. More specifically, space is actually contained within the core.”
“As for my plant ability…” Lu Weiyi hesitated for a moment before continuing, “You know that after cultivators form a contract with animals, they develop a soul imprint, right? This plant ability feels similar to that. It feels like there’s something left behind in me by the plant, and as I get stronger, it becomes stronger too. Occasionally, I can even sense its emotions. This should be what people refer to as the spirit of all things. When your level increases, you should be able to sense the plant’s emotions as well.”
“If you want to fight, though, since your level is low right now, you can start by trying to project your abilities outward. This means you can channel your energy into a weapon. It’s especially useful when fighting zombies and saves a lot of energy. Then, try to enhance your physical fitness with your abilities. Once your abilities are a little stronger, you can start controlling vines or similar plants, like pothos or morning glories. These plants naturally have tendrils, so as long as your energy is continuous, it’s easy to control them from a distance,” Lu Weiyi recalled that in his past life, there was a very powerful plant ability user who used a vine that had transformed into something extraordinary.
“Also, plant ability users generally feel closer to plants. You can enhance their traits based on the plants’ characteristics and use them for your own benefit. For example, the scent of oleander is toxic, and prolonged exposure can cause dizziness. You could enhance this property so that just a little bit of the scent would be enough to make someone faint,” Lu Weiyi said, recalling the abilities of the top plant users from his past life.
Gu Qingji nodded at this point. “How do I enhance my abilities?”
“The process is all about constant consumption and recovery. It’s best to do this by fighting zombies, as that’s the most solid way to strengthen your abilities,” Lu Weiyi explained. In his past life, Zhuang Mingxu’s abilities were particularly solid. Even with the same abilities, he could make perfect use of every bit without wasting any.
“Try to get used to projecting your abilities first,” Lu Weiyi said, taking a few cherry seeds from his spatial storage and handing them to Gu Qingji. “A lettuce is definitely easier than a tree.”
“…You just want to eat cherries, don’t you?” Gu Qingji gave Lu Weiyi a look of exasperation.
“This is a reasonable use of abilities. After all, after this snowstorm, all the vegetables and fruits are gone,” Lu Weiyi didn’t try to hide his intentions.
Although Gu Qingji wasn’t happy with his ability, since it had appeared, he decided not to let it go to waste. He immediately began focusing on the cherry pit, slowly nurturing it to grow.
“Brother, what about me? What use does my ability have?” Lu Xi felt a little left out after hearing about all the different abilities. He thought his own seemed rather useless.
“…Considering your weak range,” Lu Weiyi paused, thinking for a moment. Then he said, “Mental abilities are actually very powerful. You can cover your whole body with your mental power, which can hide your presence and lower your visibility. If you stand in front of zombies, they won’t even notice you.”
“You can also create a mental barrier, which can block some attacks when you’re hit. You can also send your mental power into other people’s bodies to directly destroy their core, or even probe into the space of a space-type ability user to see what’s inside. If your level is higher than theirs, you can even take items from their space.”
“That’s so amazing!” Lu Xi’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Can I see your space?”
“Pretty bold of you,” Lu Weiyi smiled and shook his head. “My level is much higher than yours.”
“Cough… Well, I heard you mentioned that you were able to clearly recall some things you had forgotten before. You can try to deepen your focus on the brain area, maybe… research something? Something you didn’t study before?” Lu Weiyi looked at Lu Xi.
“I studied weapon design and manufacturing,” Lu Xi answered.
“Exactly! Given that the energy has changed now, you could look into how the energy in this crystal core could be used to develop new energy weapons or something like new energy generation. This is also a good direction for research,” Lu Weiyi said, thinking to himself that it would be great if Lu Xi could follow the same path as in his previous life, where he was a well-known genius.
“Mm, I understand,” Lu Xi responded, deciding to first focus on strengthening his ability for self-defense.
The two of them went off to contact other ability users, and Lu Weiyi finally had the chance to glance at Zhuang Mingxu in the passenger seat. He quietly asked, “Are you feeling uncomfortable with the bumps? Do you want to switch cars? Is it cold?”
Ability users were more resistant to heat and cold compared to ordinary people, so Lu Weiyi couldn’t fully understand how temperature might affect Zhuang Mingxu.
“No need. It’s not cold,” Zhuang Mingxu said, looking at Lu Weiyi who was speaking casually. He felt a mix of comfort and bitterness. “I was actually going to ask you this morning—what are your plans now that you’ve arrived at the base?”
“To find you a doctor.” Before meeting Zhuang Mingxu, Lu Weiyi’s goal was to find him and relax. But after meeting him, Lu Weiyi had only one focus: to treat his legs.
“That’s something that can’t be rushed; it has to be slow. But for now, what are your plans? Collect supplies or form a team or something?”
Lu Weiyi shook his head. He wasn’t someone who had big ideals or goals. “What do you think?”
“I…” Zhuang Mingxu wasn’t sure whether to express his thoughts. But if he didn’t speak up, without Lu Weiyi’s support, he feared no one would listen to him.
“I heard Ning Yuan talk about the situation at the Qingyuan base. I think we should form a small team first, at least to establish a presence at the Qingyuan base. We don’t want to be scattered and easily swallowed up. Then we can expand the team slowly, gain some influence… and then…”
“We won’t stay in Qingyuan. We’ll stay here for a while, and then we’ll leave,” Lu Weiyi interrupted before Zhuang Mingxu could finish.
“Hmm… what?” Zhuang Mingxu had always thought that once he went to Qingyuan, he would settle there. “Why? Are we going back to the Capital?”
“The Capital… do you want to go back to the Capital?” Lu Weiyi asked, since Zhuang Mingxu’s family was in the Capital.
“I…” Zhuang Mingxu looked at his own leg and spoke softly, “I won’t be going back. They’ll be fine on their own.”
“If you want to go back, I’ll go with you,” Lu Weiyi said.
“No need. We won’t be staying in Qingyuan long. Where are we going then?” Zhuang Mingxu asked.
“…We’ll see when we get there. Maybe we’ll stay in Qingyuan after all,” Lu Weiyi said, unsure if the disasters that occurred at Qingyuan in his previous life would happen again. If not, staying there wouldn’t be so bad.
Zhuang Mingxu looked at Lu Weiyi for a long moment but didn’t ask any more questions. He had already realized that if Lu Weiyi wanted to say something, he would have done so by now.
But he couldn’t help but think—whether it was his understanding of abilities or the known facts about the apocalypse, was this foresight or…?
*
Lu Weiyi spent the rest of the day controlling small green branches to gather snow. A very distinct path began to form wherever he went. While it was unlikely anyone would be out in such heavy snow, who could say for sure? After circling the highway a few times, he went through the outskirts of the town, taking a long detour, and didn’t return until after 9 PM.
Fortunately, the road wasn’t too dark during the snowy night, and with no zombies in sight due to the weather, they made it back safely.
After a day of practice, Gu Qingji had already mastered projecting his abilities onto a weapon and had managed to grow a cherry sapling that was about the height of his calf. Lu Weiyi happily stored it in his space.
Although Lu Xi had been practicing, his foundation was a bit weak, and the results weren’t as noticeable. It wasn’t until they were on the way back that Lu Xi hesitated and said to Lu Weiyi, “Brother, what do you think about me focusing on research?”
When he met Lu Weiyi’s gaze through the rearview mirror, he scratched his head awkwardly. “I’ve always liked weapon research, and I’m really interested in the new type of weapons you mentioned earlier. I want to try…?”
“Sure, that’s a good idea,” Lu Weiyi said, relieved that Lu Xi wasn’t stubbornly pursuing other directions. “When we get back to Qingyuan, just let me know what research equipment you need, and I’ll have someone bring it to you. You can focus on research at the base. Just think of it as being a resident researcher.”
“Mm, I will,” Lu Xi nodded happily, now that he had a clear direction. “I’ll make sure to put all my effort into research.”
“When you finish your research, we’ll rely on you to help us secure our position in the major bases,” Zhuang Mingxu teased him.
“Don’t worry, Brother Mingxu, I’ve participated in some top weapon research projects with the military. I’m sure I can do it,” Lu Xi’s eyes sparkled as he spoke about his field of expertise.
“We’ll be waiting for it,” Zhuang Mingxu smiled.
After some lighthearted chatter, they eventually made their way back. As the car approached the gate, someone ran out from inside.
“Lu Xiaoyi?” Xu Sa called from the gate.
“It’s me,” Lu Weiyi rolled down the window.
“Why are you so late? We were wondering whether we should go out looking for you,” Xu Sa complained as he opened the gate.
“Big Daddy, Little Daddy, Uncle Qingji, Little Uncle,” Zhuang Ai Yi stood by the door, greeting the people getting out of the car. His expectant expression made Lu Weiyi feel a pang of guilt, as he realized it wasn’t right to leave the child alone at home.
“Hey, I’ll take you out next time,” Lu Weiyi said as he helped Zhuang Mingxu out of the car.
“Mm, okay,” Zhuang Ai Yi cheered up immediately, hopping along behind Lu Weiyi as they entered the base.
