Chapter 76
The swimming hall, which had been relatively intact, now had a dark hole collapsed on its southeast side.
The dense vines entwined around the outer walls were shredded by the gusts, leaving only the upper portions hanging and swaying in midair.
Suddenly, the few remaining thin vines were pushed aside by an invisible force, as if blown by the wind, but soon they drooped down again.
The sun had already set over the horizon, and the seemingly endless high temperatures began to show signs of dropping.
Zhou Qi, carrying Tang Yu’an on his back, leaped out of the giant lizard’s lair.
The slanting, golden sunlight of dusk shone upon them, and fresh air rushed toward them, dispelling all the rotten and decaying odors. Both teenagers felt as if they had returned to the human world.
Looking at the open view and scenery before them—though still a wasteland of sunken ground and collapsed buildings—it inexplicably gave them a sense of delight and relaxation.
The dark, damp, stuffy interior of the swimming hall, filled with a strong stench, was simply a different world compared to the outside!
It was truly unimaginable that any creature could survive in such an environment.
“Ah… we’re alive again…” Tang Yu’an lay on Zhou Qi’s shoulder, unable to resist sighing softly. What giant lizard’s lair? It’s more like a stench lair!
Zhou Qi also nodded with lingering fear.
He was someone who particularly loved cleanliness, even a bit of a neat freak. After arriving in this wasteland, he had been making great efforts to curb this habit.
However, the giant lizard’s lair had really far exceeded his tolerance limit.
Thankfully, they had finally left.
At this moment, they stood atop a collapsed high-rise building next to the swimming hall. Looking up into the distance, they could vaguely make out the center of the Desolate city.
The very center of the city seemed to be shrouded in dark clouds, and as for the surroundings… Just as the grandma Gu had said, the closer to the central area, the more lush the vegetation became.
Under the dark clouds, it had apparently turned into a forest.
The swimming hall was still on the edge of the city’s center, yet it already housed powerful mutant creatures like the mother lizard. One could hardly imagine what the city center was like.
Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi couldn’t help but think of Chi Hao.
He had suffered such severe injuries, and the “Old Xie” who had accompanied him hadn’t appeared again. Who knows what they had encountered in the city’s center…
Zhou Qi withdrew his gaze. Before any new dangerous creatures appeared, he quickly carried Tang Yu’an and ran back.
Tang Yu’an did not insist on untying the rope to walk by himself. Although the recent battle didn’t involve much physical exertion, after the intense tension, he now felt a bit drained.
“I’ll come back and check tomorrow,” Zhou Qi said.
If new mutant creatures did invade the swimming hall and the mother lizard couldn’t return to her original form, he didn’t know whether she could guard the remaining lizard eggs.
But even if she couldn’t, it wouldn’t affect them completing their task.
“I definitely want to accompany you,” Tang Yu’an said. “We agreed to advance and retreat together!”
If no new dangerous creatures came, they could transfer all those lizard eggs.
Although the grocery store’s warehouse space wasn’t enough, they had the super storage cabinet—it could still hold them. As for that swimming hall full of stench… well, just endure it a little longer.
Maybe tomorrow they could find a few more mutant mushrooms? That mucus which could resist hallucinations was really good stuff.
Hearing him say this, Zhou Qi had no objections, but a trace of worry appeared in his expression.
He carried Tang Yu’an, running in the glow of the evening sun. The four-hour duration of the Lightness Technique had ended midway.
Fortunately, there was still one last use of the Lightness Technique.
After receiving another boost from Tang Yu’an, Zhou Qi continued on his way.
Finally, the grocery store came into view, making Tang Yu’an and Zhou Qi, who had just experienced a life-and-death battle, feel a bit dazed, and a strong sense of belonging rose in their hearts once again.
The feeling of returning home was really wonderful!
As soon as they pushed open the door of the grocery store, Yin Bi ran out from inside to greet them enthusiastically.
However, the excited puppy soon stopped in its tracks.
The nauseating stench emanating from the two teenagers rushed toward it. Yin Bi, whose sense of smell was already very keen, quickly stepped back a few paces, and then…
“Ugh—”
It couldn’t help but make a retching motion.
What happened to the masters? Did they fall into a cesspool?
Tang Yu’an approached it, and Yin Bi instinctively put on a smiling face, its big tail wagging quickly behind it, and then…
“Ugh—”
The poor puppy wagged its tail while it couldn’t help but retch again, though nothing came out.
“Are we that smelly?”
Seeing its reaction, Tang Yu’an couldn’t help but lower his head to sniff his own clothes, and then he also made an “Ugh” sound.
“I’m going to take a bath!” Tang Yu’an exclaimed.
It was really too smelly!
They hadn’t even gotten that much dirty water on them; how could they be so smelly!
He grabbed some clothes and hurriedly ran into the bathroom. Because his points balance had exceeded the eight-thousand mark, Tang Yu’an decided to splurge a bit.
Today, he chose to take a shower.
When the warm stream of water poured over his head, he couldn’t help but let out a comfortable sigh.
They used an electric water heater at home; as long as they had fuel to generate electricity, they didn’t have to worry about not having hot water.
Having been in the wasteland for so many days, finally taking a shower—it was just too comfortable!
Tang Yu’an exchanged 100 points for the grocery store’s water. Although it hurt a bit, looking at his ample points balance, he felt a burst of satisfaction.
Working hard to earn points was for a better life; it’s okay to splurge occasionally!
After he finished bathing and came out, he found that Yuan Bao, who had been out, had also returned. It and Yin Bi were squatting in the corner, keeping a certain distance from Zhou Qi.
Zhou Qi had taken off his shirt; perhaps he wasn’t as smelly now, and the two dogs did not retch again, but they were both observing him with peculiar expressions.
Yin Bi made ” Woo Woo” sounds from its throat, who knows what it was communicating with Yuan Bao.
In any case, Yuan Bao’s expression became even more peculiar as it looked at Zhou Qi.
Zhou Qi closed his eyes and endured. Seeing Tang Yu’an come out, he quickly got up and went to the bathroom.
Tang Yu’an interacted with Yuan Bao for a bit, then opened his personal warehouse and began to organize the day’s harvest.
In the afternoon, while they were busy clearing dangerous creatures, Xiao Cao had continuously brought him waves of points and experience income.
Even not counting the batch from the morning, she had made an additional 21 profitable transactions, bringing him 49 experience points and 146 points.
Adding the transactions he made with Brother Qi, his experience bar had reached LV8 (84/160), and his points balance had come to 8,182.
Just as he had said in the morning, Xiao Cao had smoothly leveled up by evening, and her employee experience bar had reached LV3 (8/40). It was really like riding a rocket!
After she leveled up, Tang Yu’an also unlocked new items for her to exchange—this time he gave her Hemostatic Powder.
He had realized the importance of Xiao Cao as an employee and naturally hoped she could get better protection—so she could earn more points and experience for him!
At least now he and Brother Xiao Qi didn’t need to worry every day about how to complete the new customer solicitation—
After his level reached LV8, the number of daily tasks had already reached a point that made his scalp tingle just by looking at it.
[Daily Task (4): Solicit New Customers (8/8)]
Yes, the task of soliciting new customers had reached a terrifying eight people!
But even so, with Xiao Cao’s addition, he easily completed his daily tasks after leaving Jufeng Town.
The population of Jufeng Town was about several thousand people; at this rate, they could still hold on for a while.
To motivate Xiao Cao, Tang Yu’an also gave her the 16 points obtained from soliciting new customers along with the level-up rewards, bringing the girl’s points balance to over 110 points.
As long as they maintained this momentum, the brother and sister would definitely not have to worry about going hungry in the future.
After reading the panel, Tang Yu’an turned his attention to reality.
The silt mixed with mutant mushroom mucus, the lizard eggs wrapped in mucus and silt emitting a nauseating stench, and…
Tang Yu’an remembered the corpse of the Dark Green Spider.
Before going to the giant lizard’s lair, they had first sent the spider’s corpse back to the grocery store’s warehouse.
At this time, he also noticed… Where was Wang Cai?
When they came back just now, it seemed only Yin Bi came out to greet them; he didn’t see any sign of the little orange cat.
Now that he had finished bathing and came out, he only saw Yuan Bao and Yin Bi.
Did Wang Cai, like Black Pearl, also run away and not plan to return to the grocery store?
Tang Yu’an opened the map to look and found that Wang Cai was right in the grocery store and hadn’t run out.
He lowered his head, looking at the Samoyed that had come over to cuddle after he had cleaned up. He asked it, “Yin Bi, where is Wang Cai?”
Hearing this, Yin Bi made two “Whimper whimper” sounds, then bit his clothes and pulled him toward the warehouse.
The warehouse door was not closed.
Tang Yu’an walked over and first saw the spider corpse in the big red plastic basin. It was soaked in silt stained with dark green liquid; the red, green, and black colors together made the scene somewhat horrifying.
Tang Yu’an shifted his gaze and saw the little orange cat lying in the corner.
It had its eyes tightly closed, motionless, and even when he turned on the warehouse light, there was no reaction.
Did something happen to Wang Cai?
Tang Yu’an was frightened and quickly walked over to pick it up.
The soft body of the little cat was warm, and its breathing and heartbeat were normal. Only then did Tang Yu’an breathe a sigh of relief.
He opened the pet panel, and then saw that Wang Cai’s information had an additional status description:
[Energy digestion in progress… 10%…]
Tang Yu’an blinked in confusion. Digesting what energy?
He looked carefully, and the identification bubble popped up.
[Dark Green Spider Blood]
The fur around Wang Cai’s paws and mouth was stained with some dark green marks.
So, Wang Cai had consumed the blood of the mutant spider?
Tang Yu’an looked at the descriptions in the pet status bar again. Energy digestion in progress… This should be a good thing for Wang Cai?
After digesting the energy, would Wang Cai become stronger?
He held Wang Cai and turned around, seeing the two little ones standing at the doorway and peering in. He asked, “Do you want to eat it too?”
Tang Yu’an pointed to the Dark Green Spider in the plastic basin.
However, Yin Bi immediately shook its head, jumping back a step, its expression of surprise and panic seeming to say: How can you let a little dog eat this stuff?
As for Yuan Bao, it looked for a moment, sniffed with its nose, and then showed a disdainful expression.
It’s not fresh anymore; it won’t eat it!
Tang Yu’an had to give up, holding Wang Cai and leaving the warehouse. He used a damp handkerchief to wipe its paws and mouth clean, then placed it on the cushion and continued with his own tasks.
Mucus of the Illusion-Running Mushroom—
Lizard eggs—
Dark Green Spider’s blood—
Separate them all!
In the end, Tang Yu’an obtained five drops, totaling about 2 ml of mutant mushroom mucus, 430 ml of Dark Green Spider’s blood, and four lizard eggs as clean as new.
He held the lizard eggs, curiously examining them.
The eggshells were yellow-brown, with shallow patterns, about twenty centimeters long, and felt particularly heavy in the hand.
When Zhou Qi came out after bathing, he saw this scene.
He also walked over, picked up one, weighed it in his hand, and then said, “Shall we try one for dinner?”
“Sure, sure,” Tang Yu’an nodded.
If they couldn’t finish it, they could save it for tomorrow. Anyway, with the personal warehouse, it could stay fresh.
As for the remaining three, he temporarily put them in the refrigerator—he needed to organize the space in his personal warehouse first.
Zhou Qi went to prepare dinner, and Tang Yu’an continued to busy himself.
In addition to the data and various material gains, there was the precious combat experience they had gained. As he recalled, he carefully wrote it down in his notebook.
First was the usage and power of the Super Mouse Trap, then the combination of Happy Marbles and the Cat-Dog-Mouse series of tools.
Finally, the usage limitations of the Shadow Umbrella.
Last night, he had thought that without a guide, he and Brother Xiao Qi could rely on the positioning of that father and daughter to go to Linhai Town—that was the confidence given by the Shadow Umbrella.
Now knowing the limitations of the Shadow Umbrella, he naturally couldn’t be so fanciful anymore.
“Fortunately, we figured it out before anything went wrong and didn’t cause any danger.”
Zhou Qi listened as Tang Yu’an chattered away, while he cracked open a lizard egg, pouring the egg liquid into a basin until it was full.
The lizard egg was like a magnified chicken egg, with a round yolk, wrapped in viscous transparent egg white.
He pondered for a moment and finally listed the menu.
Egg fried rice, scrambled eggs with sauce, egg drop soup, meat and egg pancakes, and finally blanched wild vegetables—their dinner would then be complete.
The egg aroma of the lizard eggs was very rich, filling the small space of the grocery store with a fragrant scent, diluting the unpleasant experience of their afternoon adventure in the swimming hall.
Having finally organized his personal warehouse using the item list function, Tang Yu’an was now starving.
Looking at a table full of high-protein dishes that looked, smelled, and tasted wonderful, he couldn’t help but swallow.
“Smells so good!”
After Zhou Qi sat down, he couldn’t wait to pick up his bowl and start devouring the egg fried rice.
The taste of the lizard egg, compared to ordinary chicken eggs, had a more unique egg flavor. It was fragrant and tender when eaten, and mixed with rice infused with the savory flavor of soy sauce, it was simply delicious.
Not to mention the scrambled eggs with sauce and egg drop soup—the meat and egg pancake became Tang Yu’an’s absolute favorite.
The combination of carbohydrates and two different textures of high-protein ingredients was excellent, simply perfect for a child in puberty still growing.
Moreover, after eating, he felt warm all over, and the energy consumed during the day seemed to have been replenished.
Yuan Bao and Yin Bi also got a share of the meat and egg pancake. The two little ones ate silently, focusing solely on their food.
In the end, the two people and two dogs wiped out the dinner, achieving clean plates.
“The lizard egg is really too delicious!”
Tang Yu’an touched his round belly. Maybe he had eaten too quickly just now; his cheeks were a bit flushed. At this moment, he was slumped on the sofa, looking lazy and satisfied, not wanting to move.
“What a pity we only stole four.”
Zhou Qi sat beside him, also taking a brief respite, enjoying the rare quiet and peaceful time after dinner.
“Did the task count change?” he asked.
Tang Yu’an shook his head.
“Maybe after we left, no other creatures invaded the giant lizard’s lair,” Zhou Qi said. “Or maybe the mother lizard returned to her original form and drove the intruders away.”
The test subject for the Super Mouse Trap was the Dark Green Spider, so they couldn’t draw a definitive conclusion. Perhaps because the spider’s mutation level was too low, it didn’t manage to return to its original form at the critical moment.
And the mother lizard, capable of unleashing such a powerful gust of wind—its mutation level was probably mid-tier, definitely not to be underestimated.
“Hope she hasn’t turned back…”
Tang Yu’an rubbed his eyes and yawned, then opened the Lucky Spin to start the lottery.
What would he get today?
He took a sip of purified water from the self-filling insulated cup, breathed into his palm, and then activated the Lucky Roulette.
The Lucky Spin spun and spun, and finally, the pointer stopped at…
[Congratulations! You have obtained the special skill “Purification Spell LV1”]
Tang Yu’an blinked. It had been a long time since he had drawn a new special skill; he was quite happy, but…
What is the Purification Spell?
He quickly opened the skill list to check.
[Purification Spell LV1]
[Attribute: Magic-type skill.]
[LV1 Effect: Removes filth, purifies evil spirits.]
[Limit: Can be used 10 times per day.]
[Today’s remaining uses: 10]
Tang Yu’an tilted his head in thought, his gaze falling on Yuan Bao and Yin Bi sleeping at his feet.
Yuan Bao immediately raised its head, looking at him somewhat puzzled, while Yin Bi rolled over, exposing its fluffy belly, and continued to sleep.
To save water, Yin Bi had not had a bath until now, so…
Tang Yu’an stared at Yin Bi, then cast a Purification Spell on it.
A gentle light lit up from his fingertips, then lightly fell onto Yin Bi, enveloping it completely.
Yuan Bao had already stood up vigilantly.
Yin Bi, which had been cast with the Purification Spell, was first stunned, then comfortably closed its eyes.
The light lasted for more than ten seconds.
When the soft warm light dissipated, the fur on Yin Bi, which had been somewhat gray, had become shiny and snow-white, as good as new!
Tang Yu’an was a bit surprised. “Yin Bi, you’re so white!”
“Woof woof!” Yin Bi barked happily, rubbing against Tang Yu’an and then went to show off to Yuan Bao.
Zhou Qi watched this scene, also a bit amazed.
“A new skill?” he asked.
“Yes!”
Tang Yu’an stroked the dog’s now snow-white and fluffy fur, his cheeks rosy. “It’s the Purification Spell, which can remove filth and purify evil spirits.”
“……”
Although he didn’t know what evil spirits were, being able to remove filth was definitely a very practical skill.
At least…
They wouldn’t have to worry about not having water to bathe when they’re out in the wild!
Zhou Qi nodded. He felt that no matter what An’an drew in the future, he wouldn’t be surprised anymore.
He looked at Tang Yu’an and suddenly reached out to touch his forehead.
“Brother Qi?” Tang Yu’an looked at him somewhat puzzled.
Zhou Qi didn’t speak, pulling him over to measure his temperature.
37.8 degrees Celsius.
Sure enough, An’an had a fever again!
Since they left the giant lizard’s lair in the afternoon, he had been worried. Just now he noticed his cheeks were a bit flushed, and upon measuring, it was indeed so.
Fortunately, the temperature wasn’t too high.
“Oh no, why am I having a fever again…” Tang Yu’an rubbed his eyes. No wonder he felt so sleepy after eating.
“I’ve boiled mutated lantern grass and cogongrass root; drink it and then go to sleep,” Zhou Qi went to pour him the herbal tea.
These two could treat colds and fevers; let’s see if they work first. As for the cold medicine… Although they had some spare, he didn’t know if there were any side effects, so it was better to use less.
Zhou Qi added rock sugar to the herbal tea; it tasted sweet and not bitter at all.
Tang Yu’an obediently drank a big bowl, rubbed alcohol on his forehead and behind his ears, and was then tucked into bed by Zhou Qi.
“I haven’t fished today’s message bottle…” he said, forcing his eyes open.
“I’ll do it,” Zhou Qi patted his head. “You go to sleep, and you’ll get better faster.”
“Mm…”
Tang Yu’an soon drifted off.
He felt groggy, as if there was a fire slowly burning inside his body, and he didn’t sleep soundly.
All night, he dreamt of being chased by ugly and terrifying big lizards, and even fell into a swimming pool full of foul mud in between—it was simply a nightmare.
Fortunately, someone was pulling him, persistently leading him forward…
Until dawn, Tang Yu’an slowly woke up.
He blinked his eyes, turned his head, and saw Zhou Qi lying beside him. His arm was placed at his side, with their hands touching.
Tang Yu’an thought of last night’s nightmare.
The person who had been with him, pulling him to escape, was indeed Brother Qi!
Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but curve his lips.
The teenager looked at Zhou Qi with bright eyes, full of affection and reliance.
Seemingly sensing something, Zhou Qi, who had been lying with his eyes closed, fluttered his eyelashes slightly and opened his eyes.
Their gazes met.
Zhou Qi was first stunned, then raised his hand to touch Tang Yu’an’s forehead.
“The fever has subsided,” he sighed in relief.
“Mm-hmm!”
Tang Yu’an held his hand, his smile soft and sweet. “Brother Qi, thank you for your hard work last night.”
Zhou Qi shook his head. Just as he was about to get up, he was pulled back by Tang Yu’an.
“Brother Qi, let’s lie down a bit longer…”
This was clearly wanting to laze in bed.
Zhou Qi didn’t insist either. The morning alarm hadn’t gone off yet; it was probably around five-thirty now.
He lay down again as per his request, their heads resting together, one with eyes closed, the other looking at the ceiling.
“How do you feel? Still uncomfortable?” Zhou Qi asked.
“Not uncomfortable anymore.”
Tang Yu’an shook his head, glimpsed the small window on the wall, and quickly asked, “Did you fish up a new message bottle last night?”
Zhou Qi made a sound of acknowledgment, reached out to grope around, and soon found a glass bottle to hand to him.
“It’s already the next day, and it hasn’t disappeared?”
Tang Yu’an looked at the light orb quietly floating inside the transparent glass bottle, and then checked the system message log.
“So, as long as the dreamer hasn’t woken up, and we haven’t fulfilled their wish, the dream message bottle won’t disappear?”
“Should be,” Zhou Qi nodded.
After fishing up the bottle last night, he heard An’an crying and talking in his sleep, so he didn’t have time to open it, just placed it beside him and went to take care of An’an.
Tang Yu’an carefully opened the bottle’s cork.
The light orb slowly floated into the air, and they heard a little boy’s voice:
“Candy… I want to eat candy…”
Tang Yu’an grinned.
Great, this time it’s finally not a wish that makes people feel sad when they hear it! Since he knows about candy, he should be a child whose life is not too bad, right?
“I can give you candy, but you must exchange something for it,” Tang Yu’an said to the light orb.
“Exchange…”
“Can exchange leaves…”
