Chapter 36: Seeking Help, A Reluctant Attempt

Bian Changxi continued, “Captain Gu, I need to remind you—whether it’s abilities, zombies, or crystal cores, they all have different ranks. While it’s not impossible to challenge a higher rank or absorb a higher-level crystal core, for beginners, the foundation is unstable. If anything goes wrong, the consequences can be severe, even causing irreversible damage.”

She then shared some tips on distinguishing the ranks of crystal cores. Gu Xu expressed his gratitude, “Miss Bian, thank you so much. You’ve saved us a lot of detours.”

“No need to thank me, it’s just a transaction.” Bian Changxi asked, “By the way, how did you know my surname is Bian?”

“I asked your team leader.”

“My team leader?”

Bian Changxi thought for a moment. It must be Cheng Haijun. If Gu Xu had to ask for Cheng Haijun’s name, of course he’d want to know hers too. He’s the type who likes to have everything under control.

She hadn’t finished her thought when a commotion broke out on the other end—excited voices, shouting, even cursing. Then it sounded like Gu Xu covered the communicator and said something in a low, urgent tone. After a moment, his voice came through again, “Miss Bian, do crystal cores have any other uses? For example, healing?”

Bian Changxi raised an eyebrow. “Is someone on your side injured?”

“One of my teammates was scratched by a zombie. He’s had a persistent high fever, grinding his teeth and growling, and even lashes out at people while unconscious.”

Bian Changxi’s heart skipped a beat.

Gu Xu seemed to know what she was thinking and quickly explained, “The wound looks normal, no signs of festering. When I and two other teammates first awakened our abilities, we felt unwell for a while too, so we didn’t pay much attention at first. But he just hasn’t come around.”

Bian Changxi’s expression turned serious. “When was he scratched?”

“The wound is shallow, and he never mentioned it. He suddenly collapsed, so judging by the timing… it must have been around midnight last night.”

Midnight?

Bian Changxi took a deep breath. She finally understood why Gu Xu was so eager to figure out the secret of crystal cores—he was hoping to find a way to save his teammate.

“Your teammate…”

“What is it?” Gu Xu asked anxiously.

“Midnight last night is exactly when zombie infection peaks… I’m not sure how to explain it, but even if the wound looks normal, it’s possible he’s already infected.” Bian Changxi’s face was grave. “Has he started showing any zombie-like symptoms?”

There was a rush of footsteps, then dead silence—only heavy breathing and the occasional animalistic growl could be heard.

Bian Changxi had witnessed countless life-and-death moments, but right now she felt suffocated.

She racked her brain for memories from her previous life. Back then, her situation was dire—just surviving was a blessing, so she hadn’t paid much attention to those around her. It wasn’t until she got close to Qu Yi, that research maniac, that she learned a bit about the early days of the apocalypse. She really couldn’t remember if she’d ever seen a case like Gu Xu’s teammate.

But she did know that not everyone scratched or bitten by a toxic zombie died or turned. There were rare cases where people survived and even gained special abilities—but they were very, very rare.

At some point, Lin Rongrong came over and whispered, “Is there really no other way?”

Bian Changxi shook her head and told Gu Xu, “Don’t give up just yet. Usually, zombification happens quickly. The fact that your teammate is holding on like this means his healthy cells are fighting the virus. Maybe—just maybe—he’ll pull through.”

Suddenly, she remembered something and blurted out, “Wait, do you have anyone with a wood-type ability over there?”

Gu Xu perked up. “What do you need a wood-type for?” He turned and said to someone, “Qiu Yun, go ask.”

“There was once a powerful… Never mind. The struggle is ultimately up to your teammate, but the wood element is full of vitality and has natural healing properties. If a wood-type ability user could help repair his body, his chances might improve.”

Bian Changxi almost let something slip and silently scolded herself for getting too caught up.

But in the end, she did care a little.

Someone who had survived seven years of the apocalypse might become indifferent to the world, but also understood better than most how fragile and precious life was. That feeling of being snatched back from the brink of death—whether you experienced it yourself or witnessed it—was impossible to describe.

It felt like a gift from the heavens, a miracle of life.

Bian Changxi had once used her healing wood-type ability to save many critically injured people. That sense of accomplishment was both fulfilling and joyful, filling her heart with light—until her ability was damaged and stalled, and she went from a respected healer to just another office worker.

Lin Rongrong tugged at her. Apparently, Gu Xu had just said, heavily, that they didn’t have any wood-type ability users.

What rotten luck, Bian Changxi sighed.

But then Gu Xu said, “Miss Bian, aren’t you wood-type?”

Bian Changxi was caught off guard.

“You just asked for a green core.”

I also asked for a white core, Bian Changxi grumbled inwardly. Gu Xu’s mind always jumped around so fast, she had to watch every word she said.

“I’m injured and almost out of power, so I can’t guarantee much effect—of course, if you have no one else to turn to, I can try, but I can’t promise results. The problem is, how am I supposed to get to you?”

“There’s a locator in the communicator. I know your coordinates, and you’re not far. Can I come pick you up?”

Bian Changxi hung up and looked helplessly at the communicator in her hand.

Lin Rongrong asked carefully, “You don’t want to go?”

Bian Changxi sighed. “I’m just not confident.”

She had seen a powerful wood-type user help someone on the verge of turning recover, but that person was at least sixth-rank, just a bit weaker than Bian Changxi herself at her peak in her previous life. She was nowhere near that level now.

If she failed, wouldn’t she make an enemy of Gu Xu?

She didn’t want to cling to someone powerful, but she definitely didn’t want to be hated by him either.

Sigh, being a good person really is thankless.

Lin Rongrong looked conflicted too.

She said, “Let’s hurry and gather supplies. He’ll be here soon. Do you want me to go with you…?”

“Is that okay?” Lin Rongrong asked in surprise, then quickly added, “I’ll be quick. I’ll go check the department store across the street—there should be lots of good stuff.”

Watching Lin Rongrong’s eager figure, Bian Changxi suddenly found the girl rather endearing—at least she didn’t seem to have any bad intentions.

Bian Changxi touched the jade bracelet on her left wrist, wrapped it several times with a cloth, tied it securely to prevent it from falling off, and tucked it into her sleeve.

When dealing with others, her biggest fear was exposing the secret of the jade bracelet’s “farm.” If Gu Xu noticed anything, it would be a real headache.

She pressed her side and stepped outside, scanning the area. It was three thirty in the afternoon, the sun was bright, but her face looked pale in the light. Squinting, she spotted a large fruit shop at the end of the pedestrian street and headed over."