Chapter 29: Kowtow

[Natural Blessing]: Gathers dense Natural Energy and infuses it into a target creature's body to heal its injuries and bring Purification to its Spirit. There is a small probability of optimizing the target creature's genetics, causing it to evolve. However, the Level of the optimized target cannot be higher than the Druid themselves, and the simpler the creature's life structure, the higher the probability of optimization.

Note: The direction of optimization is uncontrollable.

[Fish Gills Technique]: The Druid mimics the form of aquatic creatures, controlling Natural Energy to grow fish-like gills and fins, temporarily gaining the ability to breathe underwater and swim.

"Hiss... these two Skills look pretty good."

Before Han Ning could fully examine the special effects of the two Skills, a loud roar suddenly interrupted his thoughts.

"ROAR!!!"

His attention was immediately drawn to Snow Cake.

SPLASH!

Snow Cake thrashed its body continuously, kicking up massive waves of water. It looked to be in extreme pain as popping sounds—like joints cracking—echoed from within its body. Its muscle fibers seemed to be repeatedly torn, stretched, and crushed by an invisible, massive force, only to be rapidly reorganized, woven, and strengthened by an even more powerful life force.

Under everyone's gaze, Snow Cake's body expanded at a visible rate! A dozen seconds later, the growth stopped. A grayish-white Crocodile Lizard, approximately 1.3 meters in length, appeared before Han Ning's eyes.

Its general appearance wasn't much different from a wild Crocodile Lizard, but the claws at the ends of its limbs were unique. A ring of pale green, woody patterns—like the growth rings of an ancient tree—quietly emerged on the claws covered in tough scales.

[Swamp Crocodile Lizard Growth Progress +20]

[Swamp Crocodile Lizard Level 1 → Level 2]

[New Skill Learned: Paralyzing Poison Claw]

[Paralyzing Poison Claw]: As the Druid's Animal Companion, the Swamp Crocodile Lizard receives the Druid's blessing. When its sharp claws tear through an enemy's flesh, the wood poison at the tips of its claws will automatically seep into the enemy's body, causing paralyzing and poisoning effects.

"Hiss..."

The stronger Snow Cake moved its body and flicked its thick, long tail, producing a crisp SNAP. Then, it docilely returned to Han Ning's feet and rubbed its head against its master's leg.

On the roof, the four people who had just narrowly escaped death stared in a daze. The bearded man gaped, his eyes bulging as he looked at the corpses of the Crocodile Lizards floating on the water. His gaze then fell on Han Ning and Snow Cake. He looked like he wanted to speak but didn't dare to, stammering silently.

"Where did you come from? What are you doing here?" Ultimately, Han Ning broke the eerie silence.

Swept by Han Ning's questioning gaze, the group couldn't help but shudder.

The bearded man hurriedly struggled to his feet, his tone filled with awe. "B-Benefactor, we're residents of the nearby Sunshine Garden neighborhood. We... we live right across from the park."

He pointed in a direction. "We... we really don't have any food left at home, and our water is almost out. I remembered there was a small convenience store here, so we thought we'd come try our luck and see if we could find something to eat."

Han Ning knew of Sunshine Garden. Compared to the mid-range residential complex he lived in, Sunshine Garden was considered a low-cost commercial housing area. Therefore, its location was rather remote, lacking nearby amenities. Though they said it was "across" from the park, it was actually separated by a large main road, with a straight-line distance of two to three hundred meters.

"I've been to Sunshine Garden. There are plenty of convenience stores and restaurants right at the entrance of your neighborhood. Is it really necessary to ignore what's right on your doorstep and travel all this way?" Han Ning frowned slightly.

"That's because our neighborhood... has people who can use Superpowers, just like you. They monopolized the nearby convenience stores. We had no choice but to come this far to find food," the bearded man said with a bitter expression.

At this point, a tall, skinny man beside him pointed to the muddy water beneath their feet and the various colorful wrappers floating on the surface. He added, "We had just pried open the back window of this store and climbed in. Before we even had time to salvage anything, those monsters surrounded us..."

He glanced at the water, where only murky bloodstains and a few floating scraps of clothing remained, and his voice gradually choked up.

Han Ning followed his gaze. Beneath the murky surface, the outlines of toppled shelves were faintly visible. Various bags of snacks, puffed food wrappers, bottled drinks, and instant noodle cups floated on the water, bobbing with the ripples. Some well-sealed foods hadn't fully ruptured yet, but most had been submerged for too long; their packaging was damaged, and the contents had long since spoiled.

"Are all the things from the store right here?" Han Ning's voice remained calm.

"Y-Yes," the bearded man nodded hastily, afraid of answering too slowly. "The first floor is completely flooded, and everything is floating in the water. The second floor seems to be a small warehouse, but the entrance is underwater, so we didn't dare to go down..."

As soon as the bearded man finished speaking, Han Ning bluntly announced, "I'm taking all these supplies."

He paused. Seeing their faces instantly turn deathly pale, he continued, "I will assess the condition of the supplies and distribute some food to you, ensuring your basic Energy consumption for a day or two."

Han Ning believed that since he had saved their lives, taking the food was perfectly justified.

The roof instantly plunged into dead silence, leaving only the sound of the torrential rain smashing down.

The muscles on the bearded man's face twitched uncontrollably, and the three people behind him revealed expressions of utter reluctance. They had risked their lives to come here just to find hope for survival. Now that the food was gone, how were they supposed to live? However, since Han Ning had saved their lives, none of them dared to voice their objections.

THUD!

At that moment, a heavy kneeling sound echoed across the roof of the convenience store.

Han Ning's eyelids twitched. Looking at the man kneeling on the ground before him, he said coldly, "What are you doing?"

"Benefactor, I beg you, please, can you give me a little more food? I can work for you. I'll do anything you ask, as long as you give me a larger share of the food..." As he spoke, he was about to smash his head against the roof to kowtow, but he was firmly stopped by a vine shot out by Han Ning.

"Benefactor, Old Xu is different from us. He has a little daughter to feed, and she hasn't eaten in days. Please, have mercy..."

Seeing this, the other few people also chimed in to beg.

"How did I end up looking like the villain?" Han Ning thought helplessly.

In this apocalypse, there were plenty of people in need of help. Even without this Old Xu, there would be an Old Ma or an Old Yang. Was he supposed to help every single one of them?

"You have your difficulties, and I have mine." He shook his head and turned to walk toward the first floor of the convenience store.

"Benefactor, I can cook, wash clothes, and mop the floor! I know how to fix things! If all else fails... I can be your cannon fodder! Just give me one full meal..." Old Xu was extremely unwilling to give up. Staring at Han Ning's back, he shouted at the top of his lungs.