As expected, there really were energy stones—two of them, in fact.

Today, he had truly pulled off a reversal against the odds.

Just a single small mutated turtledove had actually produced two energy stones. Any lingering regret that its meat was inedible instantly vanished.

When the two bloodstained white energy stones appeared before them, even the usually stern and unsmiling Huo Xiao couldn’t help but smile a little.

The brothers Yan Hu and Yan Ming squinted so hard from joy their eyes practically turned into slits, clearly fighting the urge to burst out laughing on the spot.

Only Zhuang Xiao was still staring curiously at the two energy stones in Yan Ming’s hands. So this is what an energy stone looks like… kind of like white crystal. It’s actually quite pretty.

Huo Xiao picked up one of the stones and placed it on his wrist device. With a beep, the watch displayed the reading: Energy Stone, Grade D, Energy Value: 632.

Yan Ming also tested the one in his hand. It was a Grade D stone as well, with an energy value of 650, just 18 points higher than Huo Xiao’s.

What amazing luck.

They had expected that, if anything came out of the mutated turtledove’s stomach at all—two stones at most—they’d likely be Grade F. After all, in the Wasteland, the odds of small mutated creatures producing energy stones were already low. Yet they had not only gotten two, but both were Grade D.

Anyone would be thrilled.

In the Wasteland, energy stones were ranked by tier:

• Below 300 energy value: Grade F
• 300–499: Grade E
• 500–999: Grade D
• 1000–1999: Grade C
• 2000–2999: Grade B
• 3000–4999: Grade A
• 5000 and above: Top-grade, classified as Grade S

An average person obtaining even a single Grade F stone would be secretly overjoyed for an entire year. Yet here they were, holding two Grade D stones.

According to Wasteland survival rules, energy stones obtained in a team setting were typically split equally among team members.

But technically, they hadn’t formed a proper team—more like they had just agreed to scavenge together.

While Huo Xiao was considering how to divide them, Yan Hu was thinking the same thing.

Zhuang Xiao, unaware of the silent calculations of the two men, casually took one of the energy stones from Huo Xiao and even wiped it on his clothes, making it shine a little more.

Yan Ming was still holding the other stone, unable to take his eyes off it.

This was the first time he had ever touched an energy stone!

And truthfully, even three generations of their family had never gotten to hold one.

Back when his older brother was a mercenary, he had touched a few—but they were always exchanged for points within the team. After deducting travel expenses and the mandatory cut for the base, what little was left wasn’t even worth mentioning.

Yan Hu suddenly snatched the stone from his brother and shoved it into Huo Xiao’s hands, then turned his head away painfully. “You were the one who found them. They’re yours. Even without us, you could’ve taken down that mutated turtledove. If… if it’s alright, just give us a little labor fee.”

His heart ached so much, he didn’t want to speak anymore.

It really hurt.

Yan Ming watched with wide eyes as his big brother stuffed the stone into Huo Xiao’s arms, reluctant but understanding. He knew his brother had made the right call.

Seeing this, Huo Xiao’s initial concern—whether the brothers might feel shortchanged if he divided the stones equally—instantly evaporated.

He hadn’t expected Yan Hu to simply ask for labor compensation.

Sure, he could’ve taken down that turtledove alone, but not without getting injured. Plus, the brothers had clearly rushed over when they heard Zhuang Xiao scream—they’d come to help.

No matter how you looked at it, the stones should be split with them.

So Huo Xiao threw one of the energy stones right back into Yan Hu’s arms. “You keep this one.”

Feeling the weight of the stone land on him, Yan Hu instinctively caught it with both hands, and a sweet satisfaction bloomed in his chest.

He always knew their boss was the most generous.

Even though Zhuang Xiao hadn’t done much, she was still getting a share—because she was the one who discovered the mutated turtledove.

As the stone landed back in his brother’s hands, Yan Ming quickly snatched it again. He hadn’t had enough time touching it yet!

And so, behind the shrubs, two idiots could be seen gleefully admiring the energy stone.

This, right here, was what it meant to strike it rich overnight.

Once they’d had their fill of admiration, Yan Ming handed the stone back to Yan Hu—he was, after all, the one in charge. Meanwhile, Zhuang Xiao quietly passed her stone to Huo Xiao—afraid she might lose it.

High-risk, high-value items like this were better kept with someone reliable.

Besides, she suddenly remembered—the mutated turtledove had been crouched behind the shrub. Could that be its nest?

Acting on the thought, Zhuang Xiao crouched by her dirt pit and looked back at the bush where she’d seen the bird’s big eyes. Sure enough, inside was a small nest made of withered grass and branches.

She parted the bushes and peered inside.

Just as she suspected—there lay a white bird egg, about the size of a chicken egg.

She reached in and picked it up. The others naturally noticed and turned to look.

When she stood up, she was holding the fat, white egg.

“Can we eat this?” Zhuang Xiao asked cautiously, careful not to drop it.

“Yes,” Huo Xiao replied.

He took the egg, tapped it quickly with his dagger, and knocked off a bit of shell. “Beep beep… Moderate radiation mutation. Edible.”

Zhuang Xiao’s eyes lit up.

Tomorrow morning, she was having boiled eggs.

She still didn’t know the exact value of energy stones, but judging by the looks on the others’ faces earlier, they were definitely not cheap. As long as she didn’t starve anytime soon, she’d be fine.

The diet in the Wasteland… she’d have to adapt gradually.

Her body—her stomach—still weren’t made for Wasteland living.

At that moment, Yan Ming looked at Zhuang Xiao with utter envy.

“Bro, why don’t we dig around the shrubs a bit more?” he suggested to his brother.

If they could find another mutated turtledove, they’d be set for life.

Each side had a Grade D energy stone, plus each of them had picked mulberries earlier. Today’s haul was truly spectacular.

And honestly, what Wastelander could resist the temptation of meat and energy stones?

Since there was still daylight left, the four got to work immediately.

Zhuang Xiao carefully bundled the thistle she’d dug up and put it back in her bag—for now. Once they returned, she’d move it to Huo Xiao’s pack.

For now, she was still counting on the trio to help her take down another mutated turtledove.

Carrying a big pile of thistles was just inconvenient.

Later in the afternoon, Zhuang Xiao downed another tube of nutrient solution from her bag.

Today’s physical activity had severely exceeded her limit. Without food, she’d be too weak to walk.

She needed to start working out—seriously.

Otherwise, in this food-scarce, water-scarce, hostile Wasteland… she might not live long enough to tell the tale.

In the end, however, even after the patrol team arrived to call them back, they still hadn’t found another mutated turtledove.