Volume One, Chapter 9: Gaining a Supernatural Ability—Help Me Scrub My Back!

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Lin Feng quickly cleared his mind and decided to act immediately. Even a minute’s delay could bring unpredictable changes.

“Pack up my stuff; we’re moving soon.”

Zhang Xueqi, who was washing the bedsheets, looked up, puzzled.

“Huh? What’s going on? Where are we moving to?”

“Just go when I tell you to, stop asking so many questions.”

Seeing Lin Feng’s darkened expression, Zhang Xueqi immediately lowered her head and obediently went into the room to start packing. She felt stifled and hadn’t fully adjusted to the shift in her status. In the past, if a delivery guy had spoken to her like that, she would have given him a harsh scolding and filed a complaint. She was a second-generation official’s daughter, had graduated from university, and enjoyed a smooth career with hardly any hardships. Unless something unexpected happened, she would likely get a promotion and raise this year. These were the sources of her pride and arrogance. But since the outbreak of the white fog disaster, everything had changed. Zhang Xueqi realized that to survive in this apocalyptic world, she had to curry favor with the man before her. She no longer wanted to sleep hungry or be tormented by stomach cramps in the middle of the night.

Lin Feng hadn’t taken all his belongings; he hung a few clothes on the balcony. If someone found this place, those items could serve as a distraction. After packing, he first checked the corridor carefully through the peephole. Confirming no one was outside and no unusual sounds were heard, he gently opened the door and stepped out with Zhang Xueqi.

He didn’t immediately look for a new place; instead, he went to the stairwell and retrieved a key that Zhang Xueqi had kicked away when frightened by a mutated husky before. The place Lin Feng was moving to was right next door to Zhang Xueqi’s apartment. Her home was closer to the emergency exit stairs, and with the elevator out of commission during power outages, stairs were the only way out. Moreover, it was much harder to pry open someone else’s security door, and he had Zhang Xueqi’s key in hand. His own apartment was to the left, a wall to the right, with no other neighbors, which made it safer.

Opening the door, Lin Feng’s eyes brightened. As expected of a second-generation official’s residence, the furniture was complete and the décor far surpassed the joint rental place he shared with two others. Even the peephole was equipped with a surveillance camera and a separate screen that showed the entire corridor.

At that moment, Lin Feng noticed something.

“Xueqi, go prepare a bedroom and organize my stuff.”

After sending Zhang Xueqi away, he quickly went to the balcony. Several potted plants were thriving there.

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The sunflower’s leaves were as large as his palm, and the flower itself was the size of a face. Several succulents had grown nearly a meter tall, looking quite intimidating. Lin Feng’s gaze finally settled on a longevity flower. The plant looked normal, but in this apocalyptic world, “normal” was unusual. What intrigued him wasn’t the size of the plant but a crimson fruit hidden in the dense flowers’ center. It was round, resembling a ripe plum.

At first sight, it reminded Lin Feng of that mysterious disappearance video. He took out his phone and snapped a photo for a reverse image search.

“No results again!”

There was no information about this fruit online, which was clearly abnormal. There were plenty of videos about mutated plants on major platforms, but none concerning this fruit. Lin Feng was now absolutely certain the authorities were deliberately hiding this information.

Although usually cautious and intent on quietly unlocking more supplies, the growing number of people with supernatural abilities gave him an unprecedented sense of urgency. Without sufficient power, he would only become a storage unit for others hoarding resources.

With plants and animals mutating wildly and human supernaturals emerging in droves, he needed great strength to protect himself.

If he had gained his ability today, Lin Feng wouldn’t have to cautiously deal with Zhang Xueqi or worry about defending himself against mutated huskies.

Lin Feng wrapped two napkins around his palm and carefully plucked the scarlet fruit. Its surface was smooth and delicate, just like a ripe plum, but its scent was completely different—rich and enticing. He knew for sure he couldn’t let Zhang Xueqi try it first. If she gained powers, he would likely be the first target.

Taking a deep breath, Lin Feng went all in. He put the entire fruit into his mouth and bit down.

“Hmm!”

The taste was surprisingly good—sweet and sour with a fresh fruity fragrance, without any bitterness or strangeness. Soon, he felt a warm sensation surge from inside his body, flowing swiftly through his limbs and bones. His body grew hot, as if every drop of blood was aflame. Yet, the feeling wasn’t unpleasant; instead, it brought unprecedented comfort, like every pore was breathing.

At that moment, Lin Feng noticed black stains seeping from his skin, emitting a foul, fishy stench.

“Could this… be the legendary ‘muscle-washing and marrow-purging’?”

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He hurriedly stripped off his clothes, letting the stains ooze freely. Though unsure if other supernaturals experienced the same, he clearly felt his body growing stronger and more powerful. The energy he had exhausted battling Zhang Xueqi moments before was almost instantly replenished.

Clenching his fist, Lin Feng felt an unending surge of power and almost shouted aloud, but he restrained himself, saving the release for another place.

Just then, a system notification popped up before his eyes.

【Congratulations, host has gained a new supernatural ability: Dominance (LV1).

Dominance: host’s physical qualities permanently enhanced; strength, agility, endurance, and vitality significantly increased!

System evaluation: Only by mastering power can one dominate their fate!】

Lin Feng clenched his fist, feeling the torrent of strength within. A single punch could now break through walls. He took out his folding knife, gripped the blade tightly, and gradually increased the force. The blade began to curl under his grip, yet his fingers remained unscathed and felt no pain.

At that moment, Zhang Xueqi came out of the room. Seeing Lin Feng covered in black stains and naked, she was stunned.

“Wh-why are you so black?”

Had she not known only the two of them were inside, she would have screamed for help. At the same time, she caught a whiff of the pungent stench. Instinctively, she covered her nose and waved her hand in disgust.

“I was only gone a moment, and he’s managed to get mud all over himself and even dirtied my floor. How annoying!”

She muttered to herself, observing the man who looked as if he had just been pulled out of a sewer, covered in black grime. However, her gaze was soon drawn to Lin Feng’s physique. He seemed taller, with defined muscles, appearing robust and powerful. Especially since she had seen Lin Feng without clothes before, the change was striking.

“Perfect timing. I’m going to take a shower; you can help scrub my back.”

“Okay…”

Faced with this request, Zhang Xueqi blushed deeply. Shyly, she grabbed a towel and followed Lin Feng into the bathroom. After all, what was meant to happen had already happened, and everything was already seen.