A wasteland-like, apocalyptic world stretched out before them.
Animals and plants had undergone upgrades, now collectively referred to as fierce beasts. Humans had also been upgraded, though their enhancements were not as pronounced as those of the flora and fauna.
There were three types of human upgrades: Awakened, Mutant, and Strengthened.
Awakened: Only one in ten thousand people, possessing a variety of unique abilities.
Mutant: One in a thousand, with strength determined by innate talent.
Strengthened: Enhancements through external forces, representing the mainstream path of power.
Mu Liang had learned this basic information from Mino.
"Huh? Mu Liang… you're Awakened??"
Mino's eyes went blank. She stayed silent for a long moment, struggling to process the shocking revelation.
"Yes. My awakening ability… is to domesticate animals," Mu Liang replied calmly.
He had the power to tame beasts, and sooner or later it would be discovered. Pretending to be an Awakened was a safer strategy for now.
"Mu Liang… you're… incredible."
Mino finally snapped out of her shock and grabbed his arm, stammering with excitement, unsure how to express her feelings.
The girls had heard from their Big Sis that no Awakened existed in their camp, only a few Strengthened and Mutants.
"Be quiet. Don't let anyone hear," Mu Liang reminded her with a chuckle.
"Yes, yes… I won't reveal your identity."
Mino covered her mouth cutely, nodding repeatedly.
Yet the girl faced a dilemma of her own: Mu Liang was Awakened—would he really stay in this small camp?
Mu Liang observed the sudden quiet that had fallen over her and chose not to press further. Instead, he asked in his mind, "System, does this mean I can inherit the ability to domesticate animals?"
"Ding! Whether to inherit Rock Turtle Talent: Earth Rock Thorn."
"Inherit."
"Ding! Earth Rock Thorn is being improved… adapted… inheritance complete."
Mu Liang listened to the mechanical sound in his mind, feeling a comforting warmth spread throughout his body, like a gentle current energizing every part of him.
"System, open my character attributes."
Trainer: Mu Liang
Physical Strength: 6
Speed: 4.3
Strength: 5
Spirit: 8.7
Lifespan: 24 years / 100 years
Taming Points: 0 (refreshes daily, can be accumulated)
Evolution Points: 0
Ability: Earth Rock Thorn (Level 1)
(Ordinary human body: 1)
Domesticated Beast: Rock Tortoise (Level 1)
Talent: Earth Rock Thorn (Level 1)
After reviewing the panel, Mu Liang was astonished. His human body's four-dimensional attributes had been enhanced, and even his lifespan had extended to a full century.
If the rock tortoise were allowed to evolve, could its lifespan reach a thousand years… or even ten thousand? It wasn't impossible to imagine. Taming points refreshed daily, and new animals could always be domesticated.
As long as he inherited new talents, Mu Liang's lifespan and abilities would grow stronger.
"What exactly is Earth Rock Thorn?"
The panel gave no explanation, so Mu Liang decided to test it himself. He concentrated, imagining a spike erupting from the ground. A few meters away, the earth bulged, and a long, pointed rock shot up under his palms.
The rock tortoise tilted its head, emerald eyes fixed on the jagged spike.
"The power is decent. You can target the enemy's feet to immobilize them." Mu Liang thought strategically. "If someone is already on the ground, a follow-up Earth Rock Thorn could be fatal."
Checking the human attribute panel, he noted that using this ability consumed both physical and spiritual energy.
"It can be activated six times in total, using all my energy. Conservatively, I should use it only three times, keeping enough strength for emergencies."
He understood the balance perfectly. What remained was figuring out how to obtain energy-rich items, crucial for strengthening the rock tortoise.
His goal was clear: evolve the rock tortoise to the level of the holy beast, Black Tortoise.
"Mu Liang… you're Awakened. How could you have fainted that day?" Mino asked suddenly.
"I was bitten by a venomous beast," Mu Liang offered the excuse he had prepared. He could never reveal he was a traveler.
"Then… will you leave once you're healed?" Mino's disappointment was evident.
Mu Liang nodded lightly. "Yes. Eventually, I'll have to leave the camp. Only outside can I tame new animals and find energy-rich items."
Mino bit her lip, asking with a hint of bitterness, "When will you leave?"
"In two days," Mu Liang decided. His body had fully recovered, even stronger than before. He intended to spend two more days in the camp, searching for energy items.
"So soon? Can't you stay a few more days?"
Mino tried to hold back her tears, pleading silently.
"You forgot—taxes are due in three days." Mu Liang brushed the charcoal from her cheek. The girl, pretending to be a boy, had smeared some on her face, covering it with a cloth and wearing a large, tattered gray dress.
"I'll catch the little lizard. You have to believe me," Mino said, gripping his hand tightly.
"Then I have a question," Mu Liang said softly. "If in two days, would you come with me?"
"I… wish…" Mino hesitated. She thought of the Big Sis she had left behind, and her promise: she must wait for her return.
"You don't have to answer now. Give me your answer in two days," Mu Liang said gently.
They had only known each other for five days. Asking her to leave everything behind and accompany him was difficult.
"Yeah," Mino finally nodded, her small face a tangle of emotions.
Should she go with Mu Liang… or stay and wait for Big Sis?
If she chose one, she might never see the other again.
A difficult choice indeed.