NOVEL NEXT CHAPTER 85
Chapter 85: A New Approach
Day 73 of the Apocalypse Calendar dawned with a touch of melancholy for Lu Ming. The thought of another day without attribute gains weighed heavily on his mind, dampening his usual enthusiasm for training.
Just then, the doorbell chimed, interrupting his thoughts. The display screen revealed Zhang Chengcheng standing outside. "Brother Lu, Huo Sheng is here and wants to talk to you about something," she informed him.
Lu Ming nodded, "Tell him to wait a moment. I'll go and freshen up."
After a quick wash, he made his way to the door. As he unlocked and opened it, he was greeted by an unexpected sight: a row of neatly arranged large trucks, with Bai Tianyu standing at the forefront.
"Brother Lu," Bai Tianyu saluted respectfully.
"Colonel Bai!" Lu Ming returned the greeting, then gestured towards the convoy with curiosity. "What is all this...?"
"Condiments, rice flour, oil, frozen meat, dehydrated vegetables, and canned food that can last for a long time," Bai Tianyu explained. "Now, all of this belongs to Mr. Lu."
Lu Ming's eyes widened in surprise. "I can't accept this," he said, his voice firm. He had always adhered to a strict principle of not taking what wasn't his. Accepting gifts meant incurring debts, and debts meant obligations that would distract him from his primary goal of attribute farming.
Bai Tianyu sighed, a knowing look in his eyes. "It's exactly as Professor Huo said."
"What did you say?" Lu Ming asked, puzzled.
"It's nothing," Bai Tianyu replied, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. He had anticipated Lu Ming's reaction and had prepared a way to persuade him.
"Brother Lu," he began, "you might be mistaken about something. These supplies are not gifts; they are your well-deserved rewards."
"Rewards?" Lu Ming echoed, intrigued.
"Yes, rewards." Bai Tianyu turned and gestured towards Lu Ming's observation tower. "You clear the zombies near the safe zone every afternoon, and according to the shelter's regulations, you receive rewards for your work. With your strength and the heavy tasks you undertake, it's only natural that you receive more."
A blush crept onto Lu Ming's face. "What you said makes sense, but this salary is too high."
Bai Tianyu smiled. "The salary is just a small portion. The other resources are also your remuneration, not for guarding the tower, but for the zombie crystals and Tier 4 research materials."
"You cleaned up so many zombies yesterday. Logically, the zombie crystals should be yours, but we took a lot of them. This food is compensation."
Lu Ming, finally understanding, began to accept the explanation. As he walked around the convoy, his mood lifted. The supplies were plentiful, enough to last him and Chengcheng for at least half a year.
He stopped protesting and thanked Bai Tianyu with a smile.
"When I came this morning," Bai Tianyu added, "Li Zitong had already built a cellar for you. Coincidentally, the official shelter has transported a batch of ice blocks, and the supplies can be stored there for a short time without spoiling. What do you think?"
"Of course, that's great. I appreciate your help," Lu Ming readily agreed.
With Bai Tianyu's assistance, the supplies were moved into the new cellar, located about ten meters from Lu Ming's home and secured with a sturdy lock. Bai Tianyu handed Lu Ming the key, completing the handover.
The replenished supplies provided a much-needed sense of security, but Lu Ming's spirits dampened as he remembered the potential halt to his attribute farming.
Noticing his change in mood, Bai Tianyu cleared his throat. "Professor Huo would like to meet you. He's in your dining room. Are you available?"
"Yes, I am," Lu Ming replied, his curiosity piqued. With Zhang Chengcheng's superpower no longer effective, he found himself with unexpected free time.
In the outdoor dining room, he found Zhang Chengcheng had already prepared breakfast: 300 steaming hot buns filled with canned meat, a sight that momentarily lifted his spirits.
Taking his usual seat, he began to eat, his eyes glancing at Huo Sheng and a woman in military uniform sitting opposite him.
Huo Sheng, noticing his gaze, introduced the woman. "This is an Awakened from the official shelter, Wei Lan."
Wei Lan, a young woman with ordinary features but a striking figure, stood and saluted. "Hello, Mr. Lu. I've heard so much about you."
Lu Ming swallowed a bite of his bun and nodded with a smile. "Hello, Ms. Wei."
Lu Ming glanced at Huo Sheng, a puzzled expression on his face. It's fine if he came alone, he thought, but what does he mean by bringing a woman?
Huo Sheng, sensing Lu Ming's confusion, smiled and explained, "I heard that Mr. Lu encountered some trouble yesterday. I'm here today to resolve this matter."
Before Lu Ming could inquire further, Huo Sheng continued, "Ms. Wei Lan is a Level 2 Awakened. Her superpower is quite interesting. It's called the Weakening Curse."
"As for the effect," he paused, a hint of intrigue in his voice, "it can make people fall into a weak state."
Lu Ming's interest was piqued. He turned his attention to Wei Lan, his gaze now filled with curiosity. He wasn't stupid; he knew his current predicament and could easily guess how Wei Lan's ability might help him overcome it.
After quickly devouring a fist-sized bun, Lu Ming wiped his mouth and exclaimed, "Let's try it!"
The experiment took place in the dining room. Wei Lan raised her hands, aiming at Lu Ming as a dim black light emanated from them and enveloped him. Instantly, a feeling of heaviness settled upon him.
He opened his attribute panel, a wave of excitement washing over him as he saw the changes.
Name: Lu Ming
(Status: Weakened)
Level: 1 Mortal Realm
Age: 25
Strength: 450.8 → 225.4
Physique: 462.2 → 231.1
Agility: 445.7 → 222.8
His attributes had been halved! This superpower was truly terrifying.
However, as Lu Ming flexed his muscles, the weakness began to dissipate. Simultaneously, Wei Lan let out a sharp cry, her body trembling as she collapsed to the ground.
"Blargh." She vomited a mouthful of acidic bile, her face pale and clammy.
Lu Ming, embarrassed, scratched his head. "I didn't mean to hurt you."
Zhang Chengcheng rushed to help Wei Lan, while Huo Sheng examined her, a thoughtful look on his face. "It's not your fault," he explained. "You're too strong, and she's too weak. It's only natural that her superpower can't affect you."
Unlike Zhang Chengcheng's Gravity superpower, Wei Lan's Weakening Curse was dependent on the relative strength between the two parties. It seemed Zhang Chengcheng's ability was more versatile in that regard.
Lu Ming sighed in disappointment. "So, Ms. Wei is not the right answer."
Huo Sheng, however, shook his head. "Not necessarily. If your superpower isn't strong enough, you can advance it. If you can't advance to Level 2, it doesn't mean you can't advance to Level 4."
End of Chapter 85