17 Zombie Experience Cards 17

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A crystallized fragment of a high-level zombie was placed before Tian Yi.

Tian Yi did not touch it; he simply stared at it for a moment before shifting his gaze to the person sitting opposite him.

He said nothing and showed no other reaction, merely watching intently. Zhao Su instinctively tensed his body.

“This is the most valuable thing we have on us. Perhaps you will like it.”

For ordinary humans, the crystallized fragment of a high-level zombie was indeed much harder to obtain than those from common zombies.

Tian Yi recalled the “story” involving Zhao Su and Zhen Qian, where their ten-person convoy had ventured out with the intent of killing an evolved zombie to acquire its crystalline core.

Unfortunately, the zombie evolved again during the attack.

What followed was the one-sided “slaughter” by the newly evolved high-level zombie.

Had the plan to hunt the high-level zombie failed, none of the subsequent events would have occurred.

Tian Yi did not concern himself with how Zhao Su had managed to obtain a high-level zombie’s crystal.

Nor did he inquire about the new developments that transpired after being hunted by such a creature.

He also refrained from probing how Zhao Su and Zhen Qian had managed to hide the crystal all this time.

Furthermore, he cared little about their reasons or motives for hunting the high-level zombie.

After Zhao Su spoke, Tian Yi asked simply, “What do you want in return?”

Upon hearing this, Zhao Su relaxed slightly.

In the apocalypse, he was merely an “ordinary man.”

No one could fathom what a presence like Tian Yi was truly thinking.

But as long as Tian Yi was willing to speak “peacefully” with them, it meant things had not reached their worst.

Zhao Su was young, lacking the extensive survival experience of the elders.

Yet he possessed his own courage and determination.

Especially when things had already become dire for him.

“…I want to exchange it for clean water.”

Without beating around the bush, Zhao Su stated his purpose plainly.

He was not one for games or manipulation.

And he felt it better to speak directly with Tian Yi.

Naturally, Tian Yi appreciated Zhao Su’s straightforwardness, but…

“This has no value to me.”

If there was one thing Tian Yi had in abundance, it was zombie crystals.

Not to mention the ample “fertilizer” he frequently gave to the climber vines, which in turn often produced countless crystals beneath their roots to feed him.

Tian Yi accepted this arrangement with complete ease.

Among the mountain-like piles of crystals from various grades of high-level zombies the climber vines provided, there were no shortages.

Therefore, this “very valuable” high-level zombie crystal to Zhao Su and Zhen Qian held little significance to Tian Yi.

By contrast, he valued clean water much more.

Hearing this, Zhao Su, who had been holding himself rigid, visibly wilted.

At this point, he truly did not know what he possessed that could pique Tian Yi’s interest.

Tian Yi waited a moment, and seeing Zhao Su silent, prepared to rise and leave.

But the stubborn Zhao Su surprised him again.

Suddenly lunging toward Tian Yi from across the table—

Before he could reach him, the small orange cat lying nearby swiped a paw at Zhao Su.

“Meow—!”

Recently, due to the rabbits’ disciplinary issues, the orange cat had been sparring with the muscular rabbit for days and was a bit irritable, baring its sharp teeth at Zhao Su.

Zhao Su: “...”

He made no further attempt to touch Tian Yi. Instead, he stayed prone on the ground, looking up with restrained urgency in his eyes.

“Please tell me what I can do… We’re still alive, surely it’s because we’re useful to you.”

Though his wounds had not healed, Zhao Su no longer wished to stay cooped up inside.

He wanted to do something.

Anything that could change their current situation.

Zhen Qian, silent until now, shrank further into the background upon hearing this.

He did not stop Zhao Su from acting—this was his greatest support for him.

Tian Yi did not respond immediately, only watching Zhao Su.

The silence tightened the throats of both Zhao Su and Zhen Qian.

They stared at Tian Yi but could glean no further expression from his eyes.

Their previous speculations about Tian Yi surged again; unease and fear mounted, yet they were helpless.

Fortunately, the corners of Tian Yi’s lips curved slightly.

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“There are indeed some tasks I need you to do.”

Zhao Su and Zhen Qian exhaled simultaneously.

“What tasks?”

“Because of you, I lost quite a few cockleburs. First, help me replant them.”

Plant cockleburs?

Doubtful they had heard correctly—neither Zhao Su nor Zhen Qian had imagined Tian Yi would assign such work. They exchanged a glance.

Recalling the cockleburs’ offensive nature, they wondered if they had been too relaxed.

...

Zhao Su and Zhen Qian were sent to plant cockleburs.

The experienced rabbits naturally acted as supervisors.

They frequently inspected the cockleburs Zhao Su and Zhen Qian planted.

If any plant was poorly tended, the rabbits would deliver a flying kick toward the two.

Thanks to their “efforts,” Zhao Su and Zhen Qian, who originally had no clue how to cultivate cockleburs, gradually mastered how to grow them fast and well.

Their main planting area was on the west side of the climber vine territory—the very spot where they had fought the rabbits.

Also included was a small area around the outskirts of the climber vine domain where some cockleburs grew.

With the rabbits watching, there was no room for laziness.

Their physical exhaustion was evident.

But for humans whose bodies had improved amid the apocalypse, this kind of simple fatigue was nothing serious.

When in the safe zone, even on days without scavenging, they were assigned labor tasks by the higher-ups.

During planting, they found these cockleburs had “bad tempers” much like the combative rabbits.

The cockleburs, grown from seeds provided by the muscular rabbits, were hardly well-behaved around Zhao Su and Zhen Qian.

If hurt, the cockleburs would either throw their burrs or lash their burr-covered branches at them.

The sensation was unpleasant.

Zhao Su and Zhen Qian often wondered if the cockleburs picked favorites.

They appeared energetic and obedient in front of Tian Yi and others, showing no sign of such bad temper.

Aside from this, there was little else to report.

In fact, the two of them seemed somewhat healthier than during the days spent resting inside.

When Tian Yi came to the outskirts of the climber vine territory, he found the two resting in the shadows.

Having finished their tasks for the day, the rabbits would not trouble them further.

They sat close together, gazing beyond the climber vine territory.

A clear dividing line seemed to split the abandoned city into distinct regions.

On one side, lush green cockleburs flourished.

Despite the city’s ruin, the cockleburs grew well anywhere, as if imbued with an indescribable vitality.

The other side was the familiar scene.

A dilapidated city filled with seemingly endless wandering zombies, those lurking in shadows by day, and ever-present, subtle dangers.

Everywhere was silence soaked in death.

In former days, Zhao Su and Zhen Qian could never have had such leisurely moments, sitting quietly and feeling time’s slow passage.

Zombies would have detected any human presence and overwhelmed them.

Though zombies had ventured near, the moment they stepped into the cockleburs’ domain, they became nothing more than corpses.

Zhao Su and Zhen Qian had no need to worry beyond this.

It was an indescribably surreal feeling.

Originally, planting cockleburs was the easiest time to escape, yet neither Zhao Su nor Zhen Qian had attempted to flee.

When Tian Yi arrived, he still rode his bicycle.

Without a word, the two stood upon hearing the bicycle’s sound and followed Tian Yi to other parts of the city.

Along the way, Tian Yi would occasionally stop to inspect the cockleburs beside the road.

While observing, he’d comment on what was good and what was lacking.

After the inspection, he reminded them again which items he needed within the designated search areas.

If they found any, they could trade them with Tian Yi for food and water.

If not, at least they could find something edible for themselves.

After all, Tian Yi did not provide for their food and drink.

This was not the first time such a situation had occurred.

But every time they followed Tian Yi, Zhao Su and Zhen Qian felt a strange sensation—as if they had returned to a time before the apocalypse.

For a brief moment.

When Tian Yi inspected the cockleburs, Zhen Qian half imagined himself still a college student attending a lab class.

Thinking that zombies, the apocalypse, scheming, and death were all just an overly vivid nightmare.

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Zhen Qian had survived the apocalypse largely because he was sufficiently “timid.”

He knew his own weakness and inability to resist or become an aggressor.

He was alone, and death no longer frightened him much.

Yet compared to death, his survival instinct persisted.

He was aware of his own cowardice.

He knew he pleased no one.

He thought only young people like Zhao Su possessed the reckless courage.

He understood that his own mind was not fully lucid due to strange dissonance—but…

He had a peculiar feeling.

This feeling grew stronger after he was “captured.”

Although he had yet to visit Tian Yi’s living area.

He only moved around the outskirts of the climber vine territory.

Though the toughest rabbits still ignored them, treating them like weaklings.

Indeed, they were quite weak.

And they still had no clear understanding of what Tian Yi truly was.

Yet…

…

Tian Yi was suddenly blocked by Zhen Qian.

The man standing before him looked genuinely nervous.

Tian Yi could almost hear the rapid pounding of Zhen Qian’s heart.

Compared to Zhao Su, Zhen Qian’s presence was surprisingly faint.

Only in the early days, when Zhao Su recklessly barged in daily and Zhen Qian tried with a smile to wrangle supplies from Tian Yi, did he seem more noticeable.

He shared those supplies with Zhao Su.

That Zhen Qian would actively block Tian Yi’s path was a surprise.

Tian Yi said nothing, only looked at him, silently conveying his curiosity.

Zhen Qian took a deep breath and asked, “Are you interested in seeds? I have a bag.”

“Seeds?”

“Some rice seeds.”

Tian Yi: “…”

His first thought was how much water would be needed.

Zhen Qian hurried to add, “Maybe some drought-resistant rice seeds too. I’m not sure.”

Tian Yi smiled faintly.

“A bit interested.”

Zhen Qian relaxed a little, cautiously saying, “But I need to leave briefly and get them all from the safe zone. I promise I’ll come back!”

He said the last part quickly.

Tian Yi smiled and said, “It’s fine if you don’t.”

Zhen Qian nearly lost his breath, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.

Fortunately, his fears did not materialize—Tian Yi truly let him go.

He even reminded him to look for other useful items while in the safe zone.

As for what Tian Yi needed, there was no need to repeat; Zhen Qian knew well.

He left almost sleepwalking.

Tian Yi then turned and saw Zhao Su.

Tian Yi: “…”

So it seemed these two took turns blocking him, knowing he planned to give them more work.

Before Tian Yi could ask, Zhao Su was more straightforward than Zhen Qian.

With three quick snaps, Zhao Su produced three photos from his pocket.

Still puzzling over how they had remained hidden so long, Tian Yi did not press the matter and looked at the photos.

A cat, a dog, and a goose.

The three photos seemed casually taken but somewhat old.

If there was a common thread, it was…

They were all well cared for.

Each looked quite plump, resembling small gas tanks.

Before Tian Yi could ask, Zhao Su spoke first.

“My mom raised them.”