The large burlap sack in his hands was full of colorful crystal cores.
"Sister, here you go."
The youth smiled, his face streaked with bloodstains from the splatters.
A chilling sensation crawled up Xu Qian's spine.
She frowned slightly, then smiled gently, "Okay, go wash up first."
She immediately pushed him into the washroom and prepared a black shirt and black trousers for him.
He disliked wearing other clothes, usually opting for all black. He quite liked that black robe, wearing it day in and day out.
Xu Qian stood up and pulled open the curtains, observing that there were no more zombies moving within sight, only large expanses of headless corpses.
If it were anyone else, they would have been terrified out of their wits.
Xu Qian lowered her gaze, her mind racing.
Even killing zombies wouldn't be like this, would it?
After eating and drinking their fill, the human and the zombie began absorbing crystal cores again.
They absorbed all night until Xu Qian stopped when the crystal cores in her mind ached.
It seemed to be enough. The next step depended on luck.
She remembered that in her previous life, Level 4 ability users only began to appear four or five years into the apocalypse. It likely wouldn't be that fast.
Xu Lü, however, kept absorbing, his face growing pale, yet he continued. Xu Qian quickly pulled him back.
"Xiao Lü, that's enough."
Xu Lü abruptly opened his eyes, his green irises trembling slightly. He said in a hoarse voice,
"Sister, Sister, let me absorb a little more. I'm about to remember."
Xu Qian's brows furrowed slightly, and she coldly stopped him, "Xiao Lü, know your limits."
She reached up to feel his forehead; it was covered in sweat.
Xu Qian sighed and consoled him, "We'll try again tomorrow, okay?"
It felt like dozens of worms were crawling inside his head. The youth clutched his throbbing head, groaning softly.
Why were there more and more images in his mind, yet he couldn't see them clearly?
It was like the destination was right before his eyes, but he couldn't take the final step.
His trembling hand reached out for a crystal core to continue absorbing. Xu Qian moved her thoughts, and all the cores vanished into her spatial storage.
"Xiao Lü, that's enough."
It was abnormal for a zombie to absorb crystal cores. If he absorbed too much, she truly didn't know what would happen to him.
Suddenly, Xu Lü stood up, his eyes now a deep, dark green.
A guttural sound rumbled in his throat, and he looked as if he would pounce and snap her throat at any moment.
"Give me the crystal cores."
The youth's voice was low and completely different from his usual tone.
Xu Qian stood up and cautiously took a step back, a combat knife appearing in her hand.
"Xu Lü, calm down."
Xu Lü's eyes widened, his green irises nearly popping out of their sockets.
He roared, "Give them to me!"
Even standing still, Xu Qian could feel the killing intent radiating from him.
He had never spoken to her in such a tone before.
[System, what's happening?]
[Ding, Host, please pacify him as soon as possible. Xiao Ping's controllability is too poor. If you truly anger him, it will be uncontrollable.]
Xu Qian's brows knitted together. How was she supposed to pacify him in this state?
She could only try to coax him with the tone she'd use to comfort a child, "Xiao Lü, be good, shall we eat corn?"
Xu Lü grew more agitated, "Quickly give me the crystal cores!"
"Sister..."
Suddenly, he crouched down and clutched his head. His eyes flickered from dark green to light green, appearing to be in great pain.
Xu Qian's heart tightened. She cautiously stepped forward and took his hand.
"Xiao Lü, Xiao Lü."
A tremendous force flung her away.
Xu Qian stumbled but regained her balance. When she turned back, his eyes were now completely dark green. He extended his pale yet slender hands towards her.
"Xu Qian, give me the crystal cores."
Xu Qian narrowed her eyes slightly. She channeled her ability into an arrow and shot it directly towards his crystal core.
However, his crystal core was unusually robust. It didn't budge.
Xu Lü merely frowned, then a chilling smile spread across his lips.
"Xu Qian, who do you think you are?"
"Am I your cat or dog? Can you kill me whenever you want? Raise me whenever you want?"
The youth appeared before her in an instant. Before she could react, he grabbed her by the throat and slammed her hard into the carriage.