Chapter 38

With Xu Qiao’s current abilities as a B-level healer, she quickly healed the claw marks on Qin Chi’s arm.

Sun Fushan hurriedly packed away the damaged detector. Since it was an officially regulated instrument, he didn’t believe Qin Chi had any channels to repair it; it would be better to leave it to his father.

Xu Qiao then took out the crystal cores and hawk claws from the small space.

Sun Fushan typed: 【I’ll have my brother exchange them. The military clears out mutant beasts in batches, and what we have is minimal compared to what my brother can handle.】

Compared to wealthy individuals like them, Xu Qiao was just an inexperienced civilian ability user. When she estimated the total points that could be exchanged for this batch of spotted hawk cores while dissecting them yesterday, she was surprised that even after deducting two A-level cores, it still reached over a million points.

At that moment, Xu Qiao couldn’t help but dream big. With her and Meng Li’s dual B-level abilities, if they specialized in hunting C-level mutated creatures in C-level danger zones, wouldn’t they be able to collect over three hundred creatures a day? If so, wouldn’t they be making a million points every day? That would be thirty million points a month and three hundred million points a year!

Of course, ability users couldn’t complete tasks every day; there would always be times for rest. However, this harvest truly made Xu Qiao realize how easy it was for high-level ability users to earn points. It was no wonder that even B-level ability users rarely stayed in the Second Ring. With their strength, even if they couldn’t afford to buy a house in the more expensive central district in a short period, renting at high prices wouldn’t put any pressure on them.

Glancing at Qin Chi’s white shirt, Xu Qiao completely understood why he had a balance that would last him a lifetime. Not to mention that Qin Chi had hinted during their conversation that his family background might be wealthy, even if only relying on himself, as long as his claim of “ten years of relentless work” was related to killing mutant beasts, the rewards would be enough to support his current standard of living.
—-
They chatted a bit about Sun Fushan discovering the mutation of his spirit beast. Meng Li checked the time and said, “If there’s nothing else, I should get to work.”

Since Sun Fushan had specifically gone to the East District to pick her up, he immediately offered to take her to her workplace, saying he would come back another day to experience the “farm stay.”

Xu Qiao took out two tomatoes she had just picked that morning from her space. The tomatoes, nurtured by her ability, were each larger than an adult’s fist, naturally ripened, and emitted a fresh fruity aroma.

“Here, take this and eat it as a snack on the way,” she said, handing each of her teammates one.

As for the vegetables, Sun Fushan’s family would definitely have enough to eat at home. Since Meng Li was headed directly to the smelting plant and it would be inconvenient to bring them along, she didn’t give her any.

Sun Fushan was very touched. It was the first time he had received a gift from a girl who wasn’t a relative.

He cherished the tomatoes and decided to show off to his brother later.

Meng Li accepted the tomato and simply said, “See you on the weekend.”

After seeing the two out the door, Xu Qiao went back to 102 to get the two baskets of vegetables she had left there. Glancing toward the kitchen, she asked Qin Chi, “Is there any vegetable you’d like to eat? I can get some for you.”

Qin Chi smiled, “Your tomatoes look great.”

Xu Qiao: “…”

She took out two tomatoes and handed them to him: “Since we’re all close now, you can feel free to pick from the small courtyard or our living room whenever you want.”

Qin Chi: “Okay, I also want to experience the fun of picking vegetables myself.”

Sun Fushan was very efficient. Around 9 a.m., Xu Qiao received a private message from him: 【Do you want to share the points with Qin Ge this time?】

Xu Qiao replied: 【No need to be so polite. Like with other teams, teammates who didn’t participate in the mission don’t need to share. Don’t worry, he won’t mind. 】

Sun Fushan: 【Got it. 】
—-
The team leader then switched to the group chat and detailed the exchange situation for each level of crystal cores and hawk claws. In total, they had earned 1,080,000 points, and the small change was automatically deposited into the team’s public account.

Following that, Xu Qiao received her 360,000 points reward.

Xu Qiao: 【I also need to thank that S-level powerhouse from the Southwest Base for their generous gift.】

Sun Fushan: 【S-level experts have long reached a point where they consider points to be as plentiful as sand. They don’t even bother exchanging the mutant beasts they kill for points; the official military directly allocates large amounts of points and contribution points to them based on their military achievements.】

Aside from a few exceptional S-level individuals who refuse to cooperate with the authorities, most S-level ability users join the military to contribute to the protection of human bases. Some prefer to live independently, symbolically holding military positions while living according to their own preferences and only intervening in crises at the bases. Others take their military duties seriously.

Xu Qiao: 【I can’t imagine how huge those numbers must be.】

Sun Fushan: 【Speaking of income, have you ever considered quitting your jobs to become professional mercenaries? That way, you could train whenever you wanted, and if you got tired, you could take a break for a month or two. The rewards for killing mutant beasts would still far exceed any salary.】

Meng Li: “I need to take care of my family.”

Xu Qiao: “I want to improve my abilities so that I can protect myself when I encounter mutated beasts or beast tides, but I prefer the stable life of a healer.”

With a house, a small garden, and a decent salary, Xu Qiao didn’t have high material desires; there was no need to risk her life for points.

Qin Chi: “I came to the Southeast Base to cultivate myself.”

Sun Fushan: “That’s great! I think so too. How about we keep a schedule of going out of the base once a week for now?”

Meng Li: “Okay.”

Qin Chi: “Sounds good.”

Xu Qiao expressed her opinion first, then privately messaged Qin Chi: “All three of us need to become proficient in our abilities. Your mastery of your abilities is already top-notch. How about you continue to rest at home on weekends and accompany us on a mission once every six months?”

She thought this was the pace Qin Chi had originally set for himself.

Qin Chi: “Are you worried that going out will affect my self-cultivation?”

Xu Qiao: “Yes.”

She had just witnessed the volatility of his spiritual entity.
—-
The detection device would guide the ability user to release their spiritual entity, but once the entity appeared, it would destroy the device; as far as she knew, this was the only case.

Qin Chi: “Let me show you the results of my practice with students from the second school.”

Next, Qin Chi sent Xu Qiao seven or eight photos in a row—pictures of steep mountains, lush trees, mutated wildflowers blooming in the forest, and sweeping views of mountains and blue skies captured from elevated angles.

Perhaps the scenery was inherently beautiful, or perhaps Qin Chi was simply an excellent photographer, but Xu Qiao was left in awe.

So this is what the outside of the base looks like?

However, Xu Qiao’s memories from her previous outings were filled with constant vigilance and sudden appearances of fierce mutated beasts.

Qin Chi: “I haven’t enjoyed any fun for over twenty years. Since I came here, the comfortable life in the community, the disciplined teaching at the military academy, and the natural scenery outside have all contributed to my self-cultivation.”

Xu Qiao: “Don’t forget, last time we encountered an A-level female lizard, and this time you even ran into an S-level black snake. Not every time will we be so lucky to have strong support.”

Qin Chi: “If the probability of unexpected incidents is indeed that high, how could you three dare to go outside to train?”

Xu Qiao couldn’t refute that.

Qin Chi: “I know you won’t go to overly dangerous places. To help you become proficient in your abilities, I won’t take action easily; I’ll just enjoy the scenery.”

Xu Qiao: “Got it. I’ll tell the team leader to specifically choose dangerous areas with good scenery, so we won’t hold each other back.”

Qin Chi: “My greatest luck this year is meeting you through renting Xiao Yang’s house.”

Xu Qiao couldn’t help but laugh at this familiar phrase.
—-
Life in the base was certainly more comfortable than outside, such as being able to enjoy air conditioning in the clinic rather than wearing hot combat armor for long periods.

However, as soon as she left the clinic, the scorching heat of early July enveloped her, and it was still uncomfortably warm even at five in the afternoon.

As Xu Qiao rode her bike slowly, the thought of “buying a vehicle for transportation” flashed through her mind.

She could afford a car now.

But Xu Qiao quickly dismissed the idea. The clinic was so close to her home that buying a car just for a few minutes of comfort wasn’t worth it. It was better to save points to exchange for a set of B-level combat armor, which could really save her life.

Arriving in front of Building 5, Jiang Rui and his off-road vehicle were already parked on the side of the road. Jiang Rui stood facing the setting sun, his tanned face showing two faint blushes from the sun.

He was sweating from his forehead, and Xu Qiao could feel the sweat on her ears as well. There was nothing she could do; Jiang Rui was just simply foolish.

After getting off her bike, Xu Qiao asked him, “Why do you have to stand like this? Isn’t it the same to wait in the car?”

She had been able to see him as soon as she turned the corner, so she knew Jiang Rui didn’t rush to get out of the car just because he spotted her.

Jiang Rui looked at her rosy cheeks and said, “It’s clearer to see from outside.”

Without the glass barrier, he could clearly see her face, watch the breeze lift the stray hairs by her ears, and see her gradually approach.

Xu Qiao: “… Don’t you have wind abilities? Why not use them to cool yourself?”

If she had that ability, her life would be much more comfortable.

Jiang Rui didn’t think about this question at all. Instead, he suddenly unleashed a series of winds toward Xu Qiao, clearly showing he was also skilled in controlling the wind. He controlled the intensity just right, providing a refreshing breeze without blowing her hair in her eyes.

The unexpected comfortable service made Xu Qiao smile uncontrollably.

Jiang Rui, influenced by her smile, laughed as well: “If you like it, I can make it a point to come every day.”

His schedule wasn’t flexible, and if he had missions, he might be absent from the base for several days.

Xu Qiao hurriedly replied, “No need for that. It’s so hot; you should go back.”
—-
After saying that, she pushed her bike inside.

For the first time, Jiang Rui didn’t immediately get in his car to leave but continued to maintain the wind blowing around her.

Xu Qiao had already turned her back to him but still wore a smile on her face.

Behind the light gold curtains, Qin Chi quietly observed, and suddenly, the fire dragon in his mind extended a claw toward Xu Qiao, sending forth a gust of wind.

Just as Xu Qiao was enjoying her pleasant mood in the middle of the small courtyard, she was caught off guard by the sudden wind that blew her head down, forcing her to grip the handlebars tightly to steady herself.

The strong wind was gone in an instant, and Xu Qiao instinctively turned to look behind her.

The gust didn’t vanish but instead swept over to Jiang Rui, causing the tall and sturdy bodyguard to bump into the door of the off-road vehicle.

Before Jiang Rui could react, a massive and powerful wild buffalo spirit suddenly charged out, lowering its head and heading straight for the window of Room 102, where the curtains were drawn.

Xu Qiao barely had time to notice the buffalo’s dark brown fur and the two sharp horns on its head. Just before its front hooves were about to step onto the fence of the Lu family’s small courtyard, the buffalo vanished into thin air.

Jiang Rui, having regained his footing, glanced at the curtains of Room 102 and walked over, removing his hat to apologize to Xu Qiao: “I’m sorry. I didn’t control my spiritual entity well and nearly damaged your fence. I hope I didn’t scare you.”

Xu Qiao guessed that there had been an accident on Qin Chi’s side and smiled, “It’s okay. It was just trying to protect you.”

At that moment, Qin Chi came out, and after exchanging glances with Xu Qiao, he sincerely apologized to Jiang Rui: “I’m sorry. My spiritual entity had some issues just now and mistakenly interpreted your wind as a provocation.”

Jiang Rui didn’t get angry, but he had the right and obligation to verify Qin Chi’s situation: “Does this happen often?”

If Jiang Rui’s physical fitness were slightly worse, he could have been injured in the impact. If he hadn’t been able to retract his spiritual entity in time, Xu Qiao’s property would have also been at risk.

Qin Chi: “It happens often. I’ve already consulted a senior healer and am following his advice for intervention. I only let it out for ten minutes each day to regulate its condition. I didn’t expect it to be so unfortunate today.”

Xu Qiao testified, “He’s been here for over three months, and this situation really hasn’t occurred before.”

Jiang Rui nodded, “That’s good. I’ll be leaving now. Goodbye.”