Chapter 394: Chapter 394

This was a matter of life and death. That night, everyone in the villa wore a trace of heaviness on their faces.

Since the apocalypse began, conditions had indeed been poor and anxiety constant, but fortunately the whole family was still together.

And their precious granddaughter was inventing ways every day to tinker with vegetables and fruits. The previously withered flowerpots were now full of tender green vegetables.

These days, the elderly couple had been carefully tending them.

Most importantly, there was the thought of the eldest brother’s family, from whom they still had no news…

No matter how reluctant, it was now time to leave.

If this had been earlier, Dad Lu might have hesitated. After all, with only his abilities, leading people away while protecting all the elders and children would inevitably be a struggle.

Besides, there were supplies — only six cubic meters of space in total — so very few things could be carried.

Just the water resources alone…

Old Shen’s marksmanship had also become quite impressive.

Of course, the biggest surprise belonged to their daughter, Ning Ning.

After her advancement, borrowing tactics from the cultivation world, the wood-type supernatural ability An Ning wielded really blossomed.

At the top end it could accelerate growth of vegetables and fruits to fill stomachs, at the bottom end it could transform into infinitely long razor-sharp whips, moving so fast that even Lu Ting sometimes couldn’t react in time.

While forming defensive shields it could also warn of danger, and from time to time could animate surrounding plants to join the fight. If there were no plants, it could simply throw seeds and speed them up.

You could say that aside from her small size making close combat a little risky, there were basically no flaws.

Right now, to block the scorching heat, An Ning had even added a layer of greenery on the vehicle roof. It provided protection and shaded from the sun.

Once the decision was made, the family quickly packed.

Before leaving, Lu Ting and Shen Qing each used one crystal core.

Perhaps their training had truly been effective; after one core, Shen Qing’s spatial capacity improved quickly.

From the previous two cubic meters it expanded to four cubic meters, which was about the same size as An Ning’s jade-space. Although not huge, it was a pleasant surprise. With An Ning around, at least with food the family didn’t need to worry too much.

As for An Ning herself, she naturally refused.

To some extent she didn’t really need those advancements. Cultivation methods, despite differences in energy, shared certain interconnections. Coupled with her meticulous research in her previous life and her understanding of the human body and natural energies, she wasn’t exactly a master but had considerable experience.

Combining cultivation-world wood techniques with her own knowledge, creating a method for practicing supernatural powers wasn’t difficult.

It would grow faster than pure natural training.

At a time , steel should go where the blade is sharpest.

They prioritized food, enough gasoline for the trip south, and various necessities.

Most importantly was water. Under extreme weather conditions, drought worsened everywhere. Water, especially clean water, had become an increasingly scarce resource.

After carefully packing and confirming everything, the family climbed into their reinforced off-road vehicle and headed toward Su City.

“Ning Ning, remember. When we get out there, say you’re wood-type supernatural ability. Keep the spatial ability as a trump card, don’t reveal it unless necessary…”

Before departure, Lu Ting pulled his daughter close and reminded her carefully.

An Ning nodded seriously.

She couldn’t help thinking again how much she preferred teaming up with smart people.

As predicted, the journey did not go well.

On the main road, zombie hordes wandered in groups almost everywhere.

To be honest, even reincarnated many times, this was the first time in this life An Ning had seen living zombies.

From her observations, most of these things had lost much of their eyesight, but their sense of smell — especially toward living humans or meat — was even keener than before.

Their hearing had also amplified significantly.

Frankly, ordinary zombies didn’t move very well. Even without awakened abilities, a grown man wielding a stick might still beat one.

Compared to that, second-tier zombies with crystal cores were more dangerous. Even an ability user like Dad Lu would need to put in effort.

While clearing obstacles using her vines, An Ning never forgot to rapidly analyze the zombies’ habits and relative weaknesses.

Wherever the vines struck, they almost never missed.

She watched as a razor-sharp vine pierced the brain of a second-tier zombie and precisely retrieved a glittering crystal core from it.

After barely dodging a lightning ball attack, that rather clever zombie still met its end by blade.

Her parents had worried the girl might be scared, but “………”

Heh… well… it was actually fine…

“This is the sixth one today, right?”

Under the scorching sun, in the off-road vehicle, Old Shen couldn’t help showing concern.

Lu Ting, seated behind the wheel with practiced ease, nodded quickly.

Their best-equipped off-road vehicle had been delayed to this pace from what should have been less than two days’ travel, indicating how tough the road had been.

Earlier they had encountered a convoy.

But after thinking it over, Lu Ting declined the offer to travel together.

First, there were too many people. Zombies were sensitive to scent; a group with families and children resting together would easily attract a horde.

Lu Ting had also noticed that although they claimed to be an ability squad, there were only five or six ability users among them.

Frankly, their combined combat power might not match them; accurately speaking, it was Lu Ting and Ning Ning who made the difference.

Yet they had about thirty relatives following them.

They even had two trucks just for water, fuel, and supplies, which suggested none of them had spatial abilities.

So many vehicles could cause congestion and panic if anything happened, making travel harder — better to go their own way.

Most importantly, Lu Ting frowned slightly; people’s hearts were difficult to read. Ning Ning’s wood-type ability and A-Qing’s spatial ability were rare and precious, and they were women and children — what if…

What Lu Ting didn’t know was that after his family left, someone in the convoy leaned forward, a young man with a rugged look:

“Big brother, that family just now definitely had spatial ability!”

Otherwise, how could one car carry so much?

In this heat, the supplies wouldn’t be enough for a day for one family, let alone sustain such energy. The meaning of that remark was clear. Thinking of the hard work they had done hauling supplies, he was tempted.

But after thinking, the leader shook his head:

“Don’t even think about it. At a time , a family that can travel alone with elders and kids and still be safe — flawless and unscathed — think about it logically, what kind of people would they be?”

“No matter how good the stuff is, you need a life to enjoy it!”

Once they were sure those people had no further designs, An Ning withdrew her surveillance.

That night in the vehicle, the family looked at the six crystal cores before them. An Ning eagerly took one and, smiling at the others, said:

“One of these is enough for me. If I’m not wrong, after this is used I can advance!”

“Give the rest to Dad and Mom!”

Lu Ting, who felt there was still a big barrier ahead: “…”

Shen Qing, who couldn’t even touch the edge: “…”

The couple exchanged a silent look, while the elderly couple in the back seat smiled with the most genuine delight.