SLS Chapter 10

Lou Yuan picked up an iron box from the side and opened it. It did not contain any condiments, but a blood-red mutant plant. This was one of the two mutant plants brought back by Xiong Kun and Lang Yanjing this evening. They set out early last night and brought back the mutant plants back before dark today.

Lou Yuan tore two leaves and threw them into the broth. This small part should be worth tens of thousands, enough for the average person to spend on food and drink for a year.

Lou Yuan saw the shock on Shi Lingxi’s face and tried to explain, “The mutant plants had been brought back. I decided to leave you two leaves, and the remaining reward will be changed into crystal points for you tomorrow.”

Lou Yuan naturally didn’t want to take advantage of Shi Lingxi. He will not only pay for the two maps Shi Lingxi provided but will also return the crystal nucleus obtained from Shi Lingxi’s hunting two days ago. Tomorrow, he will calculate it back together, and the reward distribution will be based on the way he treats his team members.

Shi Lingxi slightly nodded. He could understand Lou yuan’s meaning, but he wasn’t shocked because of this, but Lou yuan’s actions just now… What a loss! How can a mutant plant be used like this?

Mutant plants were also added to the meat sausages they had eaten before, but at that time, the effect was diluted tens of thousands of times that it was almost negligible. Now it was not. This was two whole leaves!

“Have you ever chewed them directly before…?” Shi Lingxi’s voice drifted off as he frowned disapprovingly, “Haven’t anyone made a potion for you? The strength of these plants should be diluted in some way, or the body will not be able to bear it.”

Shi Lingxi obviously had experience in this field. He had also seen the scene of strange plants being chewed by ability users. Their whole body would be red, itchy and uncomfortable. Some would also have a strong impulse for self-harm. Although eating it could sharpen the mental strength to some extent, the overall result is unsatisfactory. 

Usually, these plants are taken to break through the bottleneck in later stages. In front of the temptation for power, some people will try again and again despite the hardships. For strong powers like Lou Yuan, these plants are indispensable, but it is certainly uncomfortable. 

Lou Yuan added the mutant plant to the soup to dilute it, and at the same time, he wanted to lay a solid foundation for Shi Lingxi. However, it was obvious that his rude way of handling the plants bothered Shi Lingxi very much.

“There should be related research projects in the research center, but mutant plants are rare, and they will be used up soon, so there won’t be too many left for research.” The more important fact was that mutant plants were not similar to traditional Chinese medicine that could be mass-produced. Every time a different formula was required, it didn’t seem that necessary to spend so much time on research. In addition, the brain drain was very serious after the end of the world, even Beicheng base was no exception. There weren’t enough people for all projects, so there won’t be too many people who would be solely focused on it.

Shi Lingxi nodded and stared at the mutant plant Lou yuan had collected. He hesitated for a moment then said, “If you’re willing to believe me, don’t use it for the time being. After I officially join, I will make potions that can be used. How about it? “

He raised his eyes and tried to channel his sincerity as much as he could, but he was too young to make Lou Yuan believe in his capability. Unfortunately, the portion that belonged to him was used up for the soup so they couldn’t be used for experimenting. 

Lou Yuan’s mouth curved slightly as he heard those words. He nodded “Ok.”

Besides, he never asked Shi Lingxi for any guarantee. He scooped the meat and soup into Shi Lingxi’s bowl and said, “Eat more.”

“Alright.” Shi Lingxi answered. Because of being trusted without hesitation, a smile bloomed on his face and his tail swept happily behind him.

Lou yuan also had food, but he was more focused on taking care of Shi Lingxi. At the same time, he monitored Shi Lingxi’s body’s internal condition using his mental power. But even after Shi Lingxi ate all the meat and soup, the expected energy overload did not happen.

“You’re going to sleep here tonight…”

When Lou Yuan said this, he felt that his words contained an ambiguous undertone. He was worried that because Shi Lingxi had the mutant plants just now, his energy would be unstable, so he was allowed to stay. But at first hearing, it gave people the illusion that he wanted to engage in unspoken rules with Shi Lingxi.

However, Shi Lingxi’s brain was pretty straightforward and he didn’t think anything crooked, so he immediately replied, “OK!”

In his daily tasks, he has spent enough time with Lou Yuan, but his conversation task was not completed. He was worried that he would be kicked out after eating, hence he naturally felt good about staying.

Then Shi Lingxi went back to his room to freshen up. After taking a bath, he occupied the sofa in Lou Yuan’s room. It was a bit small, but it was enough for Shi Lingxi to sleep in.

Lou Yuan looked calm as usual, his words and deeds were all normal, but only he knew how rich his emotions were.

Shi Lingxi gently stroked the mutant plant. Occasionally, he bowed his head and sniffed it. The tail behind him unconsciously swept from side to side. Shi Lingxi who was engrossed in his studies was more eye-catching than usual. Lou yuan didn’t sleep either. He sat quietly and meditated to accelerate the recovery of his powers.

Thirty minutes later, when Lou yuan opened his eyes, Shi Lingxi was red all over due to taking the mutant plant. However, Shi Lingxi hadn’t made a single sound. He was still thinking about the mutant plant in front of him and took out a pen and paper to record something.

Lou Yuan’s eyes remained closed for another half an hour until Shi Lingxi released the mutant plant and wrapped himself in the quilt. He was still enduring patiently and didn’t make any sound or move around, but the strange itch had spread all over his body.

Lou Yuan went to the sofa and crouched down in front of Shi Lingxi. After pulling away the quilt wrapped around Shi Lingxi, he took a glance at the person, and whispered, “Use your mental power to control the chaotic energy that is running around your body and try to direct it towards the crystal nucleus at the back of your brain. Come on!”

“Okay…” Shi Lingxi whispered as he unconsciously rubbed against Lou Yuan, “I’m ok…This is just as well, ” Shi Lingxi said, referring to the potion he wanted to make. Since he could personally experience the effects, he would be able to make the potions more targeted.

Lou Yuan didn’t reply, but his hand slowly rose and fell on Shi Lingxi’s hair, gently rubbing it. This was another kind of comfort.

This was the first time Shi lingxi ate mutant plants, aided by mutant animal meat. This state continued for 3 hours before stopping.  During this period, Shi lingxi rose from E1 level ability user to E4 level ability user. He still had some energy left in his body, so it would not take long before he broke through to E5 level.

Shi Lingxi fell into a deep sleep. Lou Yuan continued to keep watch in front of the sofa. When it was dawn, he opened his eyes and his gaze fell on Shi Lingxi. He smiled gently and went to the bathroom to wash up and change his clothes.

After Shi Lingxi woke up almost 20 minutes later, he felt that yesterday’s fatigue had completely disappeared. He felt that his energy was so strong, he could go and beat up two mutant animals. He stood up on his toes and felt that his pants were shorter. He was somewhat unconvinced so he tried to compare his height against the door.  

“You’ve grown taller…” Lou Yuan who had come over, compared Shi Lingxi’s height to his own, “about three or four centimeters.” 

“Really! That’s great!” Shi Lingxi who has not grown taller for three years was feeling desperate about his height. He gained three to four centimeters in one night, this made him extremely happy.

“Thank you…” Shi Lingxi expressed his gratitude to Lou Yuan and couldn’t help but hug the person. He ran off to pack up his belongings and then went to wash up. Today they would return to Beicheng.

Shi Lingxi came out of the bathroom and saw that the system had refreshed his daily tasks and main task.

Daily task 1: Get Lou Yuan to take the initiative to touch the host, Task Rating: E (simple);

Daily task 2: Conversation with Lou Yuan accumulates to 100 sentences, Task Rating: E (simple);

Daily task 3: Spent more than 12 hours with Lou Yuan, Task Rating: E (simple);

Daily task 4: Get Lou Yuan to embrace the host, Task Rating: E (simple).

There was nothing accidental about the daily tasks, a hug with Lou Yuan was added to the task list, which was in accordance with Shi Lingxi’s expectation. But the main task made Shi Lingxi’s eyes bulge. 

“Show Love Main Task 2: Get Lou Yuan to touch the host’s tail three times in a row. Task Duration: 3 days; Task Rating: E (simple).”

“It’s not simple at all!” Shi Lingxi once again focused on the system’s rating standards, but shouldn’t his focus be on the task content which had no bottom line?

Shi Lingxi’s joy of growing taller was diluted by the new task. Lou Yuan who saw his pitiful appearance, rubbed his hair, “Let’s go, you don’t have to be nervous…” Lou Yuan thought that Shi Lingxi was nervous about seeing his parents, so he wanted to reassure him.

“Okay…” Shi Lingxi murmured, the joy in his voice could not be concealed as one of the most difficult daily tasks was completed. He still did not know how he managed to do it, but it did not hinder his happiness.

Living in the same camp, how could Xiong Kun and the others not hear about what had happened yesterday? Lou yuan returned to the camp with Shi Lingxi in his arms and let him spend the night in his room. This progress was no longer gratifying, but frightening beyond belief.

However, after Lou Yuan’s gaze swept over, no one dared to mention this to Lou Yuan. Who made Lou Yuan the most powerful ability user in Beicheng base?

Shi Lingxi asked Lou Yuan to take him to his truck, and they sat in front crowded together. Shi Lingxi continued to hold the mutant plant for research while Lou Yuan closed his eyes and recovered. Xiong Kun, who volunteered to drive, felt bored. He had come purely for the sake of gossip.

“Xiaoxi, are you and boss going to live in the same area?”

It was precisely because Lou Yuan lived in that area, many research professors were arranged around him. This was also an alternative means of protection for them. Hence, Lou Yuan and Shi Jing – Hu Yijun couple are not strangers. They say hello to each other occasionally on the way.

“Well, I’ll follow him,” Shi Lingxi replied as he nodded to Xiong Kun, and then he glanced sideways at Lou Yuan. His tail quietly peeked out of his cloak and accidentally touched Lou Yuan’s waist.

However, Lou Yuan didn’t even bat an eyelid, let alone respond to Shi Lingxi’s so-called ‘temptation’ or ‘lure’. In fact, Lou yuan had already touched the Shi Lingxi’s tail yesterday and that too more than three times in a row.

Shi Lingxi’s shoulders drooped. He lowered his head and continued to ponder over the mutant plant. An hour later, by the time he returned the mutant plant to Lou Yuan, he had a general plan of action in his mind.

Looking out of the window, one could see a steel wall that was still under construction. With the participation of both ordinary citizens and ability users, after three years of construction, the steel fortification still hadn’t been completely built. But it could give people a sense of thriving security. No wonder so many people climbed mountains and waded rivers¹ to reach the Beicheng base.

“There are many changes in the city. Later, you can take a look at your own time. Right now, I’ll send you and the Boss home.”

Xiong Kun showed his certificate at the gate of the city and continued to drive into the base. Without much delay, he drove into the area where Lou Yuan lived. All the way Shi Lingxi saw streets which were familiar but at the same time unfamiliar to him. The closer he got, the more obvious was his feeling of familiarity. 

“My old home was around here…” Shi lingxi was talking about the place he grew up in. After his grandfather died, the house was directly transferred to his name. It could be said that Shi Lingxi also owned a house in this area.

But that’s before the apocalypse, now it probably wouldn’t be counted.

They stopped once again, at an iron gate guarded by armed forces. Xiong Kun had to show his identification before he drove into the compound. Shi Lingxi’s eyes widened, Lou yuan seemed to live near his former home.

“My house here used to be my grandfather’s,” Lou Yuan explained, seeing the surprise in Shi Lingxi’s eyes. He raised his hand and patted Shi Lingxi’s head gently. “My grandpa and grandpa Shi were comrades in arms. I was here when you were young.”

But later Lou Yuan entered the Army. He went home occasionally once or twice and left in a hurry. Although Shi Lingxi’s grandfather had seen him once in a while, Shi Lingxi himself hadn’t, but he always knew Shi Lingxi.

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climb mountains and wade rivers – to make a long and difficult journey

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