Chapter 857

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

Gurgle gurgle

Three tubes of Evolution Potion were drunk down one after another, and within moments both had swallowed them into their bellies.

The taste of the Evolution Potion was somewhat unexpected, faint like plain boiled water, with hardly any flavor; although the liquid inside looked dazzling, it was unexpectedly easy to absorb.

Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning had no reaction after drinking, which was not surprising—when Shen Chengyi drank the Evolution Potion before, she had no discomfort either, just slept, and upon waking again possessed lightning abilities.

Shen Yao reached out and pushed Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning, "Go back to your rooms to wash up first, then eat some food, early to bed and early to rise, tomorrow you'll know what awakened ability you have."

It was impossible not to awaken; Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning were geniuses who had safely passed through several global evolutions. If not for considering that having three ability users emerge from one family at once was too high-profile, Shen Yao couldn't have held them back until today.

Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning hummed in acknowledgment, quickly took a battle shower, changed into comfortable long dresses, both raised their hands and yawned several times in succession, each ate a large bowl of noodles with egg, meat, and vegetables, ate their fill, then returned to their rooms to rest.

That sleep, Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning slept very soundly and peacefully.

When morning came on the first day, as Shen Chengyu subconsciously raised her hand, she discovered a small stream of water appearing at her fingertips.

Water?!

Was this her ability? How amazing!

Shen Chengyu was instantly no longer sleepy; she rubbed her eyes, then waved her fingers nonstop. As her fingers moved nimbly, the water column above changed in size unpredictably, until the warm current in her body receded and she had no strength left to move. Shen Chengyu fell back into the nest again, laughing hehehe.

How wonderful—she was also someone with an ability; she had finally become an Ability User.

Shen Chengyu's laughter woke Shen Chengning, who was still sleeping beside her. Looking with sleepy eyes at her giggling Second Sister, Shen Chengning casually raised a hand and pointed; a pale green light flashed, and a thin branch as fine as a little finger shot out from her fingertip, leapt half the room, and finally fell limply onto Shen Chengyu's bedding.

Shen Chengning:? ……!!!

"Third Brother, is this a wood-type ability? It can even grow vines—wow, much cooler than mine."

The two sisters got playful and simply tried all sorts of things. Although Shen Chengyu had previously worn herself out, abilities could be replenished with rest, and besides, the first awakening wasn't very strong, so even exhaustion wouldn't harm the body.

After playing around for a good while, Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning came out of the room.

Shen Yao had already prepared breakfast early. Seeing them come out, she raised a hand and waved, "Hurry and sit."

Shen Chengyu couldn't help but laugh out loud, holding her fingertip up to Shen Yao proudly, "Mom, my ability is water-type."

Though generally recognized as weak in attack power, having water-type meant that when going out in the future she'd never have to worry about lacking clean water. And once water-type became powerful, a single waterspout would be enough to make some people panic.

Shen Chengning waved her little vine; she was wood-type, possessing some catalytic ability compared to water-type, and wood-type binding and entangling was not to be underestimated. Whether fighting other Ability Users or carrying out missions outside, it was a very good ability.

Shen Yao knew the type of awakened ability earlier than the two of them, because the Evolution Potion merely triggered it rather than completely changing one's appearance.

"Eat; we still have to go register with the Official later," Shen Yao said, picking up her bowl and chopsticks to taste the food. Mm, not bad—her own craftsmanship was truly getting better and better.

Satisfied, she praised herself a few words, finished the food in her bowl, then asked Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning how their consideration had gone after a night's rest.

Official or Civilian—they had to choose one. Though each had pros and cons, considering long-term development, relying on the Official would still be more advantageous.

"Official."

Shen Chengyu gave the answer on Shen Chengning's behalf. This wasn't unexpected to Shen Yao; Shen Chengyi was an Official Ability User. Though busy and often away from home, the things she brought back were not insignificant.

Like this time going out on business—Shen Chengyi's rewards were certainly rich, but correspondingly she also bore more danger. One careless moment and she could perish in the Wilderness; only those with strong enough personal strength need not fear.

"As for the Official, recruitment is currently lenient. When the time comes, you'll likely be able to choose your own Team." Before leaving, Shen Chengyi had recommended several Captains with good reputations. If Shen Chengyu and the others became Ability Users while she wasn't at the Shelter, they could consider going under those few Captains, and then figure out a way to bring them to her side when she returned.

The Official clearly refused family members banding together, because that would be unfriendly to certain people. If internal unrest or anything happened, it would be the Official's own loss.

Ability Users were still very important resources under current circumstances, and cultivating Ability Users cost real gold and silver. If they hadn't crossed the bottom line, the Official wouldn't exterminate Ability Users who were still few in number.

"Let's just find Sister Xuanxuan. She's familiar with my sister and understands us well." Likewise, they understood her—she was soft-hearted and easy to talk to.

…………

Chen Xuanxuan, an Official Ability User, awakened through the Evolution Potion just like Shen Chengyi, and the ability she awakened was the rough fire-type.

But Chen Xuanxuan herself didn't match fire-type at all—she was a gentle and kind girl. She came to the Shelter from Outside with family protection, took the Evolution Potion normally, and no one else in her family had any movement. Only Chen Xuanxuan awakened an ability.

After gaining an ability, she chose to join the Official. Now the Chen Family lived on a floor only two levels away from the Shen Family, and they still smiled and greeted each other when they met in daily life.

But Chen Xuanxuan was protected too well; certain behavior styles were criticized by most. It was also because her ability was too dominant—she gave herself a Shield, so she wasn't afraid of trouble.

"Xuanxuan isn't on a mission, but as you heard from Auntie Chen, she just wants to do some low-danger work. The higher-ups aren't very satisfied."

There weren't many people who could fight to begin with. Chen Xuanxuan could hold the line but then retreat—it was also because there were too few Ability Users now; otherwise Chen Xuanxuan would definitely have been kicked out and optimized by the Official.

Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning scratched their heads. They had already finished the food in front of them. Shen Yao's question was something they had anticipated, but it was also because Chen Xuanxuan was soft-hearted that the Team was safe.

"Sister Xuanxuan's nature is too gentle; she's not suited for going out on missions."

Shen Chengyi and Chen Xuanxuan were clearly survivors who joined the Official at the same time, and their awakenings were only a few days apart. But their situations were worlds apart, and the Official's regard for them couldn't be compared.

Shen Yao's family enjoyed the benefits Shen Chengyi brought, while the Chen Family hadn't borrowed much glory from Chen Xuanxuan. This child could get by in a peaceful prosperous age, but living in the apocalypse—she really had it rough.

The three chatted and laughed as they finished breakfast, then got up and went out.

The Ability User Registration Center inside H Province Shelter was right next to the original Trading Center. It was a place quickly established after Ability Users appeared. There weren't many staff members inside, and originally not many Ability Users came over.

"One tube of Evolution Potion costs ten Evolution Crystals. Evolution Crystals only appear on Evolution Wood Puppets. Now there are more and more Evolution Wood Puppets, and their combat power keeps getting stronger. Wanting to get Evolution Crystals through hunting—" Shen Chengyu shook her head lightly, seemingly recalling her older sister Shen Chengyi's sorry state from a few days ago.

Walking into the Ability User Registration Center was a large hall with only two or three small cats and a few idle staff members.

Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning wanted to register as Ability Users. First they had to demonstrate their ability situation, then fill out their personal information, including the number of Evolution Potions used and purchase count.

There had previously been incidents of Evolution Potions being robbed and seized. Although the Official didn't manage much in secret, they wouldn't truly let the situation deteriorate.

Once a serious discrepancy was found between an Ability User's evolution and their Evolution Potion usage, whether or not they could explain it clearly, they would be locked up by the Official for interrogation. Serious cases would be exiled to the Wilderness to fend for themselves.

Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning were both Ability Users who successfully awakened through Evolution Potions. At the same time, their abilities were water-type and wood-type, leaning toward support skills in use—useful, but not that useful.

"Alright, this is your Identity Card." After showing the registered content to Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning and confirming their signatures, the staff member then gave each of them a small card about the size of a palm, very similar to a Household Card, but the points stored inside were fundamentally different from those on a Household Card.

The points stored in the Ability Card were special points, exchanged at a rate of one to one hundred with ordinary points. But generally no one chose to exchange them, because the special points in the Ability Card could be exchanged for more and better supplies, including Evolution Potions. Unlike the points on a Household Card, which everyone in the Shelter used but mostly spent on daily consumption.

After Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning became Ability Users, fifty points would be allocated to them for free in their Ability Card—enough for one Evolution Potion. Because Ability Users needed to drink Evolution Potions to improve again, this was no small expense. Even Shen Chengyi, who could fight, had to bear considerable pressure.

They then asked one after another about how to obtain Special Points, and Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning simply took the opportunity to join the Official Regiment, writing Chen Xuanxuan's name in the team field.

"Captain Chen is on the second floor; you go on ahead, and while she hasn't gotten off work yet, you can just hand the registration forms over."

The staff had clearly processed quite a few; in less than a moment they handed out the two completed registration forms.

Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning took them and went upstairs via the walking stairs on the side.

"Aunt Shen, Chengyu, Chengning."

Chen Xuanxuan raised her hand and waved left and right; she was bored staying on the second floor, and having finally run into familiar people, she could hardly wait to pour out everything she had to say.

Shen Yao wore a beaming smile, and Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning both called out cutely and obediently, "Sister Xuanxuan."

The registration forms in their hands were submitted to Chen Xuanxuan, who exclaimed with a face full of surprise, "Oh my, you've become Ability Users — this really calls for congratulations."

Having one Ability User in the family can lift them out of poverty into wealth; moreover, Shen Yao's family has produced three Ability Users, and although Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning's ability types cannot compare to Shen Chengyi's, how many Ability Users in the Official system dare claim to surpass Shen Chengyi? She is a genuinely ruthless figure.

Chen Xuanxuan admits she cannot reach Shen Chengyi's level, and she doesn't envy Shen Chengyi's gains in the slightest — after all, she could never achieve that herself.

Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning's registration process went very smoothly; Chen Xuanxuan then quietly briefed them on their squad's current situation: "... going out is impossible; nobody really wants to risk it all, they just go to some high-safety places, and whether they gain anything depends entirely on their own ability."

Chen Xuanxuan envies no one; even if squad members obtain excellent supplies, she can keep her heart entirely undisturbed.

It is also because of Chen Xuanxuan's Buddhist-style attitude that her squad's atmosphere is harmonious and friendly; even if occasional disputes arise they are quickly resolved, after all none of them are people who would go for the kill — at most they just argue for the sake of arguing, and those who would actually resort to violence are an extreme minority.

Chen Xuanxuan considers it not shameful but honorable; after all, the style of the squad she leads is just like her own person, otherwise how would Chen Xuanxuan be criticized by everyone for being soft-hearted? It all has a traceable origin.

Shen Chengyu had long known these things, and she can understand Chen Xuanxuan's Buddhist-style approach — not everyone can be like Shen Chengyi, forging ahead bravely; every person is a unique individual.

"Sister Xuanxuan, Chengning and I just want to train and improve; the Official system is more professional than the civilian side after all, and abilities also have professional guidance — however you put it, it's not a loss."

Shen Chengyu raised her hand and grasped Chen Xuanxuan's wrist, and after finishing her words she shook it hard.

Chen Xuanxuan:...

"If the two of you can think like this, joining my squad is very suitable."

Her squad is friendly to newcomers and humane to veterans; Chen Xuanxuan turned her head and assured Shen Yao again that as long as she is in this squad for a day, she will definitely protect Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning, and if they ever have to execute Official mandatory missions, she will also strictly fulfill this commitment.

"You child, our relationship is this close, why be so formal?

Fine, come eat at home for lunch today, no refusing — whether by sentiment or reason, you are their senior."

Shen Yao didn't wait for Chen Xuanxuan to open her mouth to refute before arranging the midday meal.

As the passive recipient, Chen Xuanxuan found it hard to refuse; she simply isn't a firm person.

And so it was: three people went, and when they returned it had become four people.

It wasn't yet time for the midday meal, but fortunately there was a refrigerator at home and the kitchen had fresh fruits and vegetables; Shen Yao waved her hand to let Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning take Chen Xuanxuan to the room to chat, while she herself took the opportunity to rummage out the meat she had hoarded from before the Apocalypse from her space, defrosting and processing it as she went.

Color Fragrance Taste complete dishes were brought to the table; in the room separated from the living room by a single wall, Chen Xuanxuan, who had talked until her mouth was dry and tongue parched, couldn't help swallowing her saliva — mm, the aroma drifting in from outside was truly enticing; Aunt Shen's cooking skill is truly formidable, no matter how many times she comes she gets dizzy from the food aroma.

Shen Chengyu and Shen Chengning laughed cheerfully as they pulled Chen Xuanxuan out to eat; they had already asked enough information, and their understanding of the Official system and even Ability Users had increased a few points, so even if they have to work for the Official system next, they are confident there will be no problem.