From Chen Wei's personal backpack emerged a robot donned in a black steel helmet, which he promptly pulled out.
Before him stood a guard robot, 1.6 meters tall, clad entirely in black armor.
[Beginner Guard Robot]: "Operating system activated. Awaiting orders, Master."
Chen Wei commanded, "Your duty is to patrol this farm, ensuring the safety of my sister, the farm, and myself!"
[Beginner Guard Robot]: "Understood, Master!"
Once Chen Wei issued his command, the black-armored guard robot, standing 1.6 meters tall, headed towards the farm's perimeter to diligently execute the given orders.
"Phew... My exchange points are nearly depleted. Looks like I need to buckle down and earn more," Chen Wei mused as he glanced at his remaining balance of just a hundred points. With a sigh, he used his last hundred exchange points to acquire two packets of seeds.
[High-quality green vegetable seeds exchanged! 50 exchange points deducted.]
[High-quality sweet potato seeds exchanged! 50 exchange points deducted.]
Clutching the two packets of seeds, Chen Wei couldn't afford to rest. He hurriedly planted them on the farm. Without any acceleration potion, the high-quality seeds would need twelve hours to germinate, grow, and reach maturity.
Chen Wei was on his own and couldn't afford to lose time.
In this post-apocalyptic world overrun by mutated monsters, every second was precious. He needed to amass more exchange points to obtain more items such as Physique Potions, rare seeds, the farm's assistant robot, and more.
Above all, there was one crucial item: the medicine to cure cancer.
His sister, Chen Mei, had been diagnosed with lung cancer two months earlier. At just four and a half years old, any strenuous activity left her gasping for air, her face turning pale.
Thankfully, it was in the early stages. Through the farm system, Chen Wei had discovered a medicine that could potentially cure her cancer.
But the treatment was costly, priced at 1,000 exchange points.
After exchanging for the two packets of seeds, Chen Wei's exchange points were now at zero.
Two hours later, Chen Wei returned from the farm, having planted both packets of seeds, and he allowed himself a small sigh of relief.
Behind him, the Beginner Guard Robot steadfastly carried out Chen Wei's orders: to safeguard his and his sister's lives, as well as protect the farm.
Chen Wei moved cautiously as he entered his home, mindful of the early morning hour. He didn't want to wake his sister, who he imagined was still lost in sweet dreams.
After a quick face wash, Chen Wei lay back down to rest.
By eight o'clock, both Chen Wei and his little sister were up. He flicked on the TV, keeping an eye on the news while turning to the petite figure beside him. "MeiMei, what would you like for breakfast?"
The little girl, small in stature but overflowing with cuteness, was on her tiptoes, scrubbing a towel in the basin. At her brother's question, she looked up, her cheeks a rosy hue.
"Whatever you make, I'll eat," she replied with a smile.
Chen Wei chuckled, affectionately tousling her hair. "In that case, I'll treat you to your favorite Eight Treasures Porridge today."
Her eyes lit up. "Yay! MeiMei loves Eight Treasures Porridge—and loves her big brother even more!"
Chen Mei's excitement was palpable as she clapped her tiny hands in delight.
"And how will MeiMei thank her big brother?" Chen Wei teased, bending down to her level and playfully pointing to his cheek.
With a giggle and a stretch on her tiptoes, MeiMei planted a kiss on Chen Wei's cheek.
His smile widening, Chen Wei led his little sister to the kitchen. MeiMei was his world, his most cherished family, and nothing mattered more to him than her.
Watching his sister's sweet, understanding nature filled Chen Wei with contentment.
Breakfast was served. The Eight Treasures Porridge, though simple with red beans, rice, and mung beans, was sweetened to MeiMei's liking.
The siblings sat at the small table inside their home, enjoying their meal while the TV broadcasted the latest global news.
"Good morning to all our viewers. You're tuned in to a special report from Jinhai. For reasons unknown, our city has seen a series of human mutations. These individuals appear to be infected, exhibiting symptoms such as fever, skin lesions, and mental collapse, along with other bizarre physical transformations."
"Some have developed enormous sarcomas throughout their bodies, while others, despite extensive festering, have unlocked unique abilities as a result of their mutations."
"A few have undergone changes that seem almost evolutionary in nature, with previously sick individuals experiencing miraculous overnight recoveries."
"There are those whose physical strength has surged, gaining extraordinary power!"
"And there are even individuals who have sprouted white wings from their backs, enabling them to glide through the skies."
"Stay with us as we bring the camera in closer to give you a firsthand look at these mutated individuals."
Chen Wei watched the unfolding scene on TV with a slight furrow in his brow. It appeared that a global evolution was taking place. While mutations were widespread, only a select few had evolved while retaining their human form.
Glued to the screen, Chen Wei was eager to see the condition of these mutated individuals.
The camera zoomed in rapidly, and the female reporter soon encountered one such person, whose body was entirely ravaged by decay.
But the individual's mind seemed to have departed, his eyes a ghastly red as he engaged in a frenzied rampage, attacking other humans.
The scene was utter chaos, with blood and flesh scattered in all directions.
"Roar!"
The mutated figure let out a bestial roar before lunging at the female reporter.
"Ah!"
Her scream was the last thing heard before the feed cut out.
The television station staff, shaken by the incident, hastily switched back to the studio. The anchor, visibly shaken, addressed the viewers, "Please, everyone watching at home, do not venture outside. Stay indoors. Our country's death toll is climbing sharply. Statistics show that only five percent of those mutated have experienced positive changes, and less than one percent have seen improvements."
"The majority of these mutated individuals have become beast-like, losing all sense of reason..."
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