Chapter 28 – Will Die
Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi exchanged glances, both understanding why Granny Guo would say that.
After all, her ability to accelerate plant growth was limited, and now that she was planting rice, she naturally didn’t have the extra energy to produce more fruit.
She probably still had some stock at home, but she and Kang Kang also needed to eat, so she didn’t have surplus to trade with others.
“As for food… I’m afraid I don’t have any extra to trade with you either,” Old Li said.
Those who could survive long-term in the wasteland were all shrewd.
Old Li naturally realized that these two kids came to visit him almost every day, not solely because of his injury or to see when he could take them to the town.
They were so eager to visit him, seemingly to trade with him.
Although he couldn’t figure out why they didn’t just exchange everything they wanted at once instead of going through the trouble of daily visits, Old Li didn’t ask much.
He guessed that this might be part of their training—even though this training seemed odd, he hadn’t been in the fortress for many years, so it was normal not to understand current practices there.
Anyway, these two kids had saved him. Since they needed this, he would cooperate.
Besides, the things they traded were indeed what he needed.
“See if there’s anything else you need? I can trade with you,” Old Li said amiably.
Zhou Qi looked down at the wooden arrows and thought about the mutated boar they encountered yesterday. His dagger couldn’t penetrate its neck and even got bent.
“Can these arrows harm mutated creatures?” he asked.
Old Li had gone near the giant lizard’s nest to hunt it, and Lin Zhen was also monitoring the giant lizard’s situation… Were these arrows prepared for the giant lizard?
Old Li looked up at him, then lowered his head again. “It depends on the mutated creature and whether you can find its weak spot.”
“Grandpa, can you accurately find their weak spots?” Tang Yu’an asked curiously.
His big eyes were bright, full of childlike wonder.
“Sometimes I can; most of the time, I can’t.”
Old Li smiled slightly. Looking at Tang Yu’an, his tone unconsciously softened. “That’s why these arrows need arrowheads.”
He pulled over a basket nearby and lifted the cloth covering it, revealing a dozen or twenty metal arrowheads inside. He took one out to show them.
The arrowhead was sharp, and the blade part looked extremely sharp.
“These arrowheads can pierce the tough skin of mutated creatures, causing them harm. Even against the giant lizard, they can stab deep into its flesh.”
Old Li rotated the arrowhead, and the sharp tip seemed to flash with silver light.
He continued, “Of course, you also need to apply a herbal juice with paralyzing effects to cause substantial harm to mutated creatures.”
Due to the large size of mutated creatures, even if the small arrow penetrated completely, it was hard to affect their actions in a short time. Unless it was a weak point attack, it might even provoke the creature into a frenzy.
Tang Yu’an looked at the arrowhead and couldn’t help swallowing, while Zhou Qi, after a moment of silence, asked, “Why not use something lethal?”
Old Li put down the arrowhead and replied, “Because so-called lethal poisons might only paralyze mutated creatures a bit.”
To be truly lethal, the required dosage isn’t something a small arrow can carry.
“Perhaps there’s a poison that can kill a mutated creature with one drop, but such poisons are rare and not something an old man like me can afford.”
Old Li shrugged. “Besides, they’re troublesome to use.”
Zhou Qi nodded. So the anesthetics Old Li used were likely provided by Lin Zhen?
Then… what about these arrowheads?
“Did you make these arrowheads yourself?” Zhou Qi’s gaze fell again on the basket of arrowheads. So much metal that could pierce mutated creatures—where did it come from?
In such an apocalyptic world, who could produce these things? And how were they produced?
“I’m not that skilled.”
Old Li waved his hand. Just as he was about to continue, Tang Yu’an interrupted.
He spoke first, “We’ll help you change your bandages. Can you tell us where we can get metal arrowheads like these?”
Old Li paused, giving him a curious look. He was going to tell them anyway.
But he continued, “Sure.”
“There’s a guy nicknamed Tie (Iron) Jin. He has metal-based abilities and can produce these metal arrowheads.”
“Of course, to make them this sharp, you need to grind them yourself afterward.” Old Li carefully placed the metal arrowhead back. “If you need, I can teach you how to grind them.”
“Thank you, Grandpa!” Tang Yu’an immediately replied.
Old Li continued, “Tie Jin lives near Lin Zhen’s place. You can find Lin Zhen and have her take you there. Just say I sent you.”
[You have completed a loss-making transaction with a regular customer. Experience +1]
Non-physical exchanges are always considered loss-making by the system.
However, where there are people, there are social interactions. Using a little benefit to open doors is entirely worth it.
Recalling the principles his parents taught him, Tang Yu’an ignored the system prompt and continued to ask, “Can we just go directly to him?”
“Yes, trade food with him,” Old Li said. “If Lin Zhen takes you, he won’t cheat you.”
Then he roughly explained the trade prices. Generally, five fresh fruits could be exchanged for a piece of metal the size of an arrowhead. For more complex shapes, you’d have to pay extra processing fees.
“If you have fresh meat, you can get more,” Old Li added. “As for salt and sugar, you’ll have to negotiate with him yourself.”
“Okay, got it,” Tang Yu’an nodded, then asked, “So you need food?”
“Of course I need it,” Old Li nodded.
Tang Yu’an glanced at the arrows on the ground and said, “Can we trade food for some arrows?”
“Do you have a crossbow?” Old Li asked.
Tang Yu’an shook his head.
Old Li then said, “Without a crossbow, what do you need these arrows for?”
Not knowing how to explain, Tang Yu’an said, “We’ll trade for them first; we’ll definitely need them in the future.”
“Alright then,” Old Li agreed.
He just didn’t expect that what Zhou Qi took out was a bag of rice.
“You’re going to trade this rice with me?” Old Li’s eyes widened slightly.
This was fine rice. He had tasted it that day—the savory rice porridge with a light meat aroma still lingered in his memory.
Zhou Qi nodded.
Brown rice and wheat could be used as seeds. They had exchanged them at that price with Granny Guo for fruits, so it wouldn’t be right to lower the price now.
But using 20 grains of brown rice to exchange for an arrow?
Even Old Li, who had the ability to accelerate plant growth, would have to be crazy to agree to such a deal.
So they used polished rice instead. They still had plenty of rice and beans in the grocery store, and their portable warehouse didn’t have enough space. Over time, they might spoil.
Having initially gained Old Li’s trust, Zhou Qi felt they could start offering some good stuff.
Old Li licked his lips, his old eyes moving between the two boys, finally asking, “Are you sure you want to trade this?”
This bag of rice could make porridge for several days.
“Yes, we’ll trade with this rice.”
Seeing his firm attitude, Old Li couldn’t resist the temptation and finally agreed.
So, Zhou Qi divided 100 grams of rice into two transactions with Old Li, exchanging for a total of six arrows.
Old Li didn’t question why he split the transaction. He poured the rice into an empty biscuit tin he had found and returned the plastic bag to Zhou Qi.
His trembling hands gently stroked the white rice grains, still feeling a sense of unreality.
As for Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi, they didn’t suffer a real loss, but ultimately only made a profit of 4 credits, far less than the quick gains from trading fruits.
But there was no other way.
Fortunately, the trades were completed, earning 3 experience points. Combined with the daily task rewards, they gained a total of 12 credits.
After the trade, they didn’t leave immediately.
“Do you have anything else to ask?” Old Li closed the rice tin, his attitude towards them becoming even more cordial.
Zhou Qi considered and said, “Grandpa Li, the crystal you gave us the other day… where did you get it? Do you know where we can find more of these crystals?”
They came from the fortress, and according to their background, they should know the use of such crystals.
If they asked directly, it might arouse Old Li’s suspicion, so Zhou Qi needed to probe indirectly.
He guessed that these crystals were beneficial to the parasite, possibly even enhancing abilities. But since he knew about the parasite’s existence, he couldn’t use it casually for verification.
So it was better to find out more first.
Old Li looked at him carefully and said, “That crystal stone—you can’t use it, right?”
Crystal stone? So the blue one represents the water attribute? He couldn’t use it because only those with the corresponding attribute could?
“But it’s valuable,” Zhou Qi said ambiguously.
“Indeed,” Old Li pressed his lips. “People outside who want to enter the fortress need to hand over at least three crystals; that’s the old rule. Is it still like that now?”
Zhou Qi felt that such a rule, once established, was unlikely to be abolished, so he nodded.
Old Li sighed, “These things are rare. I can only say that lucky people might find them on the road.”
Hearing this, Zhou Qi glanced at Tang Yu’an.
Tang Yu’an smiled; he did seem lucky, finding a crystal inside a glass bottle he picked up—though it was a small one.
“Grandpa, can I use this crystal?” Tang Yu’an asked.
Upon hearing this, Old Li glared at him.
“You can’t…” He paused, then said, “Your family elders have their reasons; you should listen to them.”
So Grandpa Li could tell that he didn’t have a parasite… or rather, hadn’t awakened an ability?
Tang Yu’an thought for a moment and showed a sad expression.
Seeing this, Old Li quickly comforted him, “You’re still young; there’s still a chance to awaken. If you haven’t awakened, no matter how many crystals you have, they’re useless and might even be dangerous.”
“Then how are these crystals used? Do you swallow them?” Tang Yu’an pressed.
“No, you can’t eat them!” Old Li said sternly. “Even if you awaken an ability in the future, you can’t swallow crystals directly. You must resist that urge.”
“Why?”
“You’ll die.”
Tang Yu’an’s eyes widened, and Zhou Qi’s expression also turned serious.
Old Li looked at Zhou Qi and said gravely, “I don’t know your background or specific situation, but since you’ve awakened and are out training, you should have received relevant education in the fortress.”
“As an older brother, you should at least tell such important information to your younger brother, even if he’s still an ordinary person.”
Obviously, Old Li thought Zhou Qi had been keeping secrets from Tang Yu’an.
Tang Yu’an opened his mouth but was stopped by a hand. He turned to look at Zhou Qi, receiving a message from his gaze, and had to close his mouth.
“It’s my fault,” Zhou Qi admitted directly.
Only then did Old Li’s expression soften. He looked at Tang Yu’an again, still concerned, and said, “Those who have just awakened will have an overwhelming desire for crystals corresponding to their attribute, but you must not be controlled by this urge.”
“If you swallow a crystal, there’s a high probability you’ll die from your body exploding. Even if you survive, you’ll become something neither human nor ghost. So you absolutely must not do this!”
“Okay, Grandpa, I understand!” Tang Yu’an quickly assured that he would never do such a thing.
“Even after years of awakening, swallowing crystals directly is dangerous,” Old Li continued. “You can only carry the crystal with you. If it’s the corresponding attribute, your body will slowly absorb it, gradually enhancing your power.”
He thought for a moment and added, “When you first awaken, don’t rush to improve. Stabilize and adapt for a year. Even without crystals, your ability will slowly strengthen over time.”
At this point, Old Li didn’t say more.
Tang Yu’an quickly said, “Thank you, Grandpa, for telling me this.”
He knew that Old Li was telling him such important information out of care, and feeling this warmth, his heart felt cozy.
“This is for you; please get better soon.”
Tang Yu’an took out a small bag of rock candy and placed it in the basket beside Old Li before he could react.
[You have completed a loss-making transaction with a regular customer]
“Grandpa Li, we’ll go find Sister Lin now and come back to see you tomorrow.”
After speaking, Tang Yu’an pulled Zhou Qi and slipped away.
Seeing him leave the candy and run off, Old Li wanted to chase and return it but couldn’t, so he had to give up.
Just like yesterday, he stood by the window, watching their figures gradually disappear.
*
Once they were out of Old Li’s sight, Tang Yu’an secretly took out the Shadow Umbrella. They had only stayed at Old Li’s place for a short while, but upon stepping outside, they felt the sun had become even fiercer.
Only after feeling less scorched did Tang Yu’an say, “Brother Qi, just now Grandpa Li…”
“Mm, he’s concerned about you. I’m fine,” Zhou Qi shook his head. “It’s fortunate we got such important information, thanks to you.”
Old Li’s words carried a lot of information. They could deduce that perhaps everyone with abilities had a parasite inside them.
It was the parasite that modified their bodies and granted them abilities.
Recalling the conversation, Tang Yu’an said strangely, “According to Grandpa Li, those who awaken abilities seem to crave only crystals corresponding to their attribute, but…”
Whether it was the blue crystal or the gold one, Brother Qi reacted to both! Could it be that he awakened both water and metal attributes?
But didn’t Grandpa Li say that Brother Qi wasn’t water-based?
A new mystery was born.
Zhou Qi thought for a moment and speculated, “Perhaps the information Grandpa Li knows isn’t entirely accurate. After all, he left the fortress many years ago.”
“Mm-hmm.” Tang Yu’an then asked, “So do you want to carry a crystal with you?”
Zhou Qi considered and shook his head, “Not for now. Crystals enhance abilities, which might indirectly strengthen the parasite. I’d rather wait until I can completely resist its influence.”
“Okay!”
Tang Yu’an encouraged, “Don’t worry, Brother Qi. Look at Grandpa Li and Granny Guo; they have abilities but are living well. You’ll be fine too.”
“Mm.” Zhou Qi nodded. “Where are we going next?”
“Let’s go to Granny Guo’s place first.”
Since it wasn’t far to Granny Guo’s house, they arrived quickly.
Although Granny Guo wasn’t trading fruits with outsiders anymore, as they had previously said, their main goal was to complete daily tasks and gain experience points, even if they made a loss.
Soon, they reached the platform by Granny Guo’s window. After calling out, they didn’t get a response.
Looking at the map showing two small light spots here, Zhou Qi carried Tang Yu’an to another entrance. Sure enough, they found Granny Guo and Kang Kang in the shade near an entrance.
The elderly woman was struggling to drag a plastic box out of the sun and into the shade.
Under the sunlight, ten or so rice seedlings planted in the plastic box swayed in the wind. The green leaves spread out, looking full of life and hope.
Kang Kang also ran out from the house, helping to drag the box, his little face flushed from exertion.
“Granny Guo! Kang Kang!” Tang Yu’an called out first.
Hearing the familiar voice, Granny Guo stopped, looked up to see them, and her wrinkled face broke into a smile.
Kang Kang clapped his little hands happily, “Brother! Brother!”
Tang Yu’an jumped down from Zhou Qi’s back, ran over, and patted the child’s head. Kang Kang squinted happily, obedient like a kitten.
Zhou Qi took the initiative to help, moving Granny Guo’s rice box into the shade.
The box was filled with soil and water, very heavy, but he moved it effortlessly, even lifting it easily.
The parasite in his body seemed to be continuously modifying him.
“Thank you; sorry to trouble you,” Granny Guo said with a smile, then turned and took two fruits from the basket beside her, handing one to each of the boys.
“You must be thirsty. Eat some fruit to quench your thirst.”
[Employee “Zhou Qi” completed a profitable transaction with a regular customer. Credits +16, Experience +1]
Holding the fruits, Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi exchanged glances.
“What’s wrong? Why aren’t you eating?” Noticing their hesitation, Granny Guo asked curiously.
“We just came from Grandpa Li’s place. He said you won’t have fruits to trade for a while,” Tang Yu’an said honestly.
“That’s for others; you’re not the same,” Granny Guo resumed her smile. “Go ahead and eat; we have enough.”
Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi looked at each other, but both silently returned the fruits to Granny Guo’s basket.
Anyway, they had already received the credits and experience points, so giving back the fruits didn’t matter.
“We’ll just drink water,” Tang Yu’an said, then added, “I like these leaves; can I have them?”
He plucked a leaf from another fruit.
This way, it was equivalent to exchanging the two fruits for this leaf.
[You have completed a loss-making transaction with a regular customer. Experience +1]
Heh, another experience point gained!
Granny Guo gave him a strange look, then shook her head, “Alright, if you like them, take them all.”
“Hehe, Granny, you’re so nice.”
Granny Guo couldn’t help but laugh. She really couldn’t understand the purpose of these two boys. Clearly, they came from the fortress but chose to settle in the remote and dangerous desolate city, and after becoming familiar, they visited her daily.
She knew that the fruits she accelerated, no matter how good, couldn’t compare to those in the fortress.
It was impossible that these two boys simply liked eating fruits, but she couldn’t figure out any other motive, so she concluded they were kind-hearted.
They looked fair and clean, with pure and clear eyes. They had even saved Old Li, a stranger; indeed, they were good kids.
She was at ease letting Kang Kang play with them.
“Granny, these seedlings are growing so well!” Tang Yu’an looked down at the rice seedlings in the plastic box, feeling a refreshing breath that made him feel clear-headed.
Hearing this, Granny Guo’s face lit up again.
“Yes, they’re doing very well.”
Her ability could only accelerate one plant at a time, and seeds grown too quickly would lose vitality, becoming sterile after a few generations.
So she didn’t plan to use pure acceleration for these ten rice plants but instead combine natural growth with her ability, allowing the rice to fully absorb sunlight, rain, and soil nutrients during growth.
This could shorten the growth cycle, and the harvested seeds would retain sufficient vitality, with fuller grains and richer nutrients.
Handling ten rice plants at once consumed a lot of her ability and energy, so during the rice planting period, she didn’t plan to use her ability on other plants.
Looking at the ten rice plants, Granny Guo’s eyes were full of light.
“When can these rice plants be harvested?” Tang Yu’an asked curiously.
“Should be in about half a month.”
“Then why don’t you plant more, Granny?” Tang Yu’an asked.
He knew that Granny Guo had already accelerated a mature rice plant, obtaining many seeds. In his view, it would be more efficient to plant more at once.
This time, only ten plants were planted, so the final harvest might be only three or four jin (1.5-2kg) of brown rice.
Assuming they ate half a jin a day, the brown rice grown in half a month would only last about a week, and half a jin was already a conservative estimate.
Granny Guo shook her head helplessly, “You think I don’t want to? Planting depends on the timing. The weather will get hotter, and rice needs a lot of water, so I can only plant a little first.”
The ten rice plants, once mature, wouldn’t be eaten immediately. The seeds would be preserved for future planting.
Fortunately, this variety of rice, while requiring a lot of water, seemed more tolerant of high temperatures than ordinary plants. Even in such heat, they were still in good condition.
Next, she planned to screen these rice plants, keeping those most heat-tolerant and requiring less water.
By breeding and selecting each generation, keeping only those that met the criteria, she hoped to eventually cultivate drought-resistant and heat-tolerant rice.
Although this process would be long, and she didn’t know if she could achieve it in her lifetime, thinking of this goal filled Granny Guo with energy.
She now wanted not only to ensure Kang Kang had enough to eat but also to leave him the means to feed himself…
“Yes, I also feel like it’s getting hotter. So it wasn’t my imagination?” Tang Yu’an said.
Granny Guo returned to her senses and looked at the boy, saying, “That’s how the weather is around here. It’s already considered good now. You haven’t experienced those two years…”
She couldn’t remember when the great catastrophe started, only that the weather around the world suddenly became chaotic.
Earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, volcanic eruptions, snow disasters… all the catastrophes that life couldn’t withstand swept the globe in just a year or two.
Just recalling it made Granny Guo’s heart tremble.
Suddenly, she thought of something and stared at Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi, “Do you study in the fortress? Do they teach history in class?”
