Han Ning pursed his lips as the small amount of residue dissolved into a slightly sweet juice, sliding down his throat with his saliva.
"Don't feel any changes?"
Suddenly, a faint warmth—almost imperceptible—emerged from deep within his body.
On the panel:
[Druid Growth Progress +0.6] (Current Lv5, 1071/2000)
The decimal point was automatically omitted by the panel.
"Oh?"
This potato actually contained the same energy as what flew out of monsters after death.
"If it works on ordinary people too, wouldn't it enhance their physical condition?" Han Ning's expression shifted.
The progress increase might seem negligible, but that was relative to him.
Moreover, based on experiments with the Awakened at Azure Cloud Resort, ordinary people couldn't harvest energy from killing monsters.
Only the Awakened could.
According to their theory, it was because ordinary people posed no threat to the monsters.
"How does it feel? Can I try some?" Professor Ye's curiosity about the unknown crop was insatiable.
Han Ning hesitated.
He had eaten the potato without issue, but it was a mutated supernatural crop containing far more energy than ordinary food.
Professor Ye was an ordinary person—could his body withstand the energy's impact?
What if there were severe side effects? "Professor Ye, this potato is a mutation. The risks of direct consumption by ordinary people are unknown. It's better to be cautious," Han Ning tried to dissuade him.
Professor Ye shook his head. "Risk is inevitable. As a researcher, how can I claim to truly understand it without experiencing its effects firsthand?"
Is that how it works? Shouldn't extensive testing come first?
But faced with Professor Ye's intense curiosity, Han Ning relented and cut off a tiny piece.
His Spiritual Power—or life energy—was quite sensitive, and he hadn't detected any toxic side effects.
If it were like the Crimson Mist Tomato, he wouldn't have let Professor Ye eat it no matter what.
"Only this much." Han Ning handed over the small piece.
Professor Ye took it, chewing carefully with his eyes closed as he focused on the sensations.
A few seconds later, his eyes snapped open, his face flushing.
"This—this feeling!"
His voice trembled slightly as he flexed his arms and shoulders, describing the experience.
"It's like a warm current surging through my body. Even the joint pain from years of overwork has eased. I feel years younger."
"Can I have a little more?"
Seeing Professor Ye not only unharmed but invigorated, Han Ning relaxed slightly and cut a piece about the size of his thumb, handing it over.
With this slightly larger portion, the effects became even more pronounced.
"Whew—"
Professor Ye exhaled deeply, swinging his arms vigorously, his face alight with satisfaction and awe.
"The stomach feels full—but not bloated. It's like every cell in my body has been infused with energy. I feel so strong, I could run laps outside right now."
Meanwhile, at the temporary dock area on the outskirts of Azure Cloud Resort.
The sky was just beginning to lighten, yet the water's surface was already a scene of bustling activity.
Dozens of Awakened and even more ordinary survivors worked like industrious ants.
Some rowed small boats or simply swam, continuously transporting various supplies—salvaged repair tools, spare parts, waterproof tarps, ropes—from sunken ships and the Azure Cloud Resort's warehouses to over a dozen vessels anchored in the deeper waters.
"Over here! Get the hydraulic jack to 'Cheetah 40' first—its keel joint needs reinforcement," Chairman Wu commanded loudly from the deck of a catamaran.
"Old Yu, take a few people to check the mast base on 'Blue Water 46'—we noticed some looseness yesterday!" Vice Chairman Zhao shouted from another boat.
"Got it!" "Understood!"
Responses echoed back and forth.
Meanwhile, Lin Qianqian led several Awakened with water or ice-based abilities, diligently clearing thick aquatic weeds and barnacle-like organisms clinging to the hulls of several ships.
Despite the harsh conditions, everyone worked with unwavering determination.
With these ships, they could escape this monster-infested place. They had hope.
"Keep pushing! Let's aim to complete preliminary repairs on the main vessels within five days!" Chairman Wu wiped rainwater from his face, rallying morale.
Just as the Azure Cloud Resort's people were hard at work—
Bzzzzzzzzzzz…
A low, dense roar of engines faintly emerged from the heavy rain curtain to the northwest.
It sounded like multiple small engines running at high speed.
"Hmm?"
Chairman Wu, Lin Qianqian, and other perceptive Awakened simultaneously halted their tasks, lifting their heads to warily scan the direction of the noise.
"What's that sound?" an Awakened carrying ropes asked in confusion. "Speedboats, maybe?" someone else guessed uncertainly.
"Alert! Everyone, watch the northwest!" Chairman Wu narrowed his eyes, his expression turning grave.
The previously noisy harbor fell silent as all work stopped, every pair of eyes fixed on the source of the sound.
Soon.
At the blurred horizon where turbid water met sky, several indistinct black dots broke through the rain, speeding toward them.
As the distance closed, the outlines grew clearer.
Five or six inflatable speedboats, each in varying colors and visibly battered, were approaching at high velocity.
Every inch of space on these boats was crammed—each carried at least seven or eight people, totaling thirty to forty individuals.
Most were ragged, their clothes stained with dark red blood, their faces weary.
Yet their eyes burned with a feral, battle-hardened vigilance, as if tempered through countless life-or-death struggles.
They clung to the boat edges, bodies swaying slightly with the violent rocking.
"Ships—there are ships! So many ships!"
A sharp-eyed young man on one speedboat suddenly pointed toward the Azure Cloud Resort's harbor, shouting ecstatically.
His cry drew everyone's attention.
"Hell yeah, actual ships! We're saved!"
"Are there people aboard?"
"Kill them. Take the ships. Evacuate northeast immediately."
In an instant, dozens of bloodshot eyes locked onto the fleet of vessels docked in the harbor.
Their gazes radiated the hunger of wolves spotting fresh prey.
"Full speed! Charge!"
At the lead of the boats, a burly man with a towering iron-like physique stared coldly at the figures on the distant ship and gave a sharp command.
The driver gritted his teeth and pushed the throttle to the limit.
"Vroom!"
The engines of several speedboats roared deafeningly as their bows lifted high, cutting through the murky waves as they charged recklessly toward the temporary port of Azure Cloud Resort.
On the dock, all the survivors of Azure Cloud Resort sensed the hostility of the approaching group.
Chairman Wu's expression darkened, his eyes glinting with cold intensity as he issued a stern order to the Awakened standing ready beside him:
"Everyone, prepare for battle!"
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