Chapter 80 Those Who Come Harbor Ill Intent

Chapter 80: Chapter 79: Those Who Come Harbor Ill Intent

Since the portion was so small, Han Ning simply pursed his lips, dissolving the tiny crumb into a mildly sweet juice that slid down his throat.

"I don’t feel any changes?" he murmured.

Suddenly, a faint, almost imperceptible warmth welled up from deep within his body.

On the interface:

[Druid Growth Progress +0.6] (Current Level 5, 1071/2000)

The decimal point was naturally omitted by the interface.

"Oh?"

These potatoes actually contained the same Energy that flew out of monsters after they died.

"If this works on ordinary people, wouldn’t it be able to strengthen their physiques?" Han Ning’s expression flickered with realization.

Although the progress it added seemed miniscule, that was only relative to him. Furthermore, based on the experiments conducted by the Awakened at Biyun Resort, ordinary people could not harvest Energy from killing monsters.

Only the Awakened could.

According to their theory, this was because ordinary people posed no threat to the monsters.

"How do you feel? Can I give it a try?" Professor Ye possessed a burning curiosity for unknown crops.

Han Ning hesitated. It was fine for him to eat this potato, but it was, after all, a mutated Extraordinary Crop. The Energy it contained far exceeded that of regular food.

Professor Ye was an ordinary person. Han Ning wondered if his body could withstand the impact of the Energy, and what if there were severe side effects...

"Professor Ye, this potato is a mutated product," Han Ning tried to dissuade him. "The risks of direct consumption by an ordinary person are unknown. It’s better to be cautious."

"Risks are inevitable," Professor Ye shook his head. "As a researcher, if I don’t personally experience its effects, how can I claim to truly understand it?"

Han Ning thought, "Is... is that how it works? Shouldn’t you conduct extensive experiments first?"

However, faced with Professor Ye’s intense curiosity, Han Ning nodded and sliced off a tiny sliver.

His Spiritual Power—that is, Life Energy—was quite sensitive, and it hadn’t detected any toxic side effects. If this were anything like the Red Mist Tomato, he wouldn’t let Professor Ye eat it no matter what.

"This is all you get," Han Ning said, handing over the tiny piece of potato.

Professor Ye took it and chewed carefully. He closed his eyes, thoroughly feeling the effects.

A few seconds later, his eyes snapped open, a flush of red rising on his cheeks.

"This... this feeling!"

His voice trembled slightly as he rolled his shoulders and flexed his arms, describing the sensation. "It feels like a warm current is surging through my body. Even the joint pain I’ve accumulated from overworking has eased significantly. I feel a few years younger.

"Could I have a little more?"

Seeing that Professor Ye not only felt no discomfort but seemed completely revitalized in Spirit, Han Ning breathed a small sigh of relief. He cut off another piece, about the size of his thumb, and handed it over.

As the slightly larger piece of potato reached his stomach, the effects were even more pronounced.

"Phew..."

Professor Ye let out a long sigh of relief. He swung his arms vigorously, his face brimming with satisfaction as he marveled, "I feel incredibly full... but not bloated. It’s as if every cell in my body has been infused with Energy and filled with strength. Right now, I have the urge to go outside and run a few laps."

Meanwhile, at the makeshift port area on the outskirts of Biyun Resort.

The sky was just beginning to brighten, but the water’s surface was already a bustling scene of intense activity.

Dozens of Awakened and even more ordinary survivors worked tirelessly, scuttling about like worker ants.

Some rowed dinghies, while others simply swam, continuously transporting a steady stream of supplies—maintenance tools, spare parts, waterproof canvas, and thick ropes salvaged from sunken ships and the resort’s warehouses—to the dozen or so vessels anchored in the deep water zone.

"Over here! Bring the hydraulic jacks to the ’Cheetah 40’ first; its keel connection needs reinforcement!" Chairman Wu directed with a booming voice, standing on the deck of a catamaran.

"Old Yu, take a few men to check the mast base of the ’Blue Water 46’! We noticed it was a bit loose yesterday!" Vice President Zhao shouted from another boat.

"Roger that!"

"Understood!"

Responses echoed one after another.

On the other side, Lin Qianqian led several Awakened with Water Element or Ice Element abilities, working hard to scrape the thick seaweed and barnacle-like creatures clinging to the hulls of several ships.

Even though the conditions were atrocious, everyone was brimming with drive.

Having ships meant having a way to leave this monster-infested area. It meant having hope.

"Keep pushing, everyone! Let’s aim to complete the preliminary overhauls on the main vessels within five days!" Chairman Wu shouted, wiping rainwater from his face to boost morale.

Just as everyone at Biyun Resort was deep in their work.

VROOM... RUMBLE...

A low, dense roar of motors echoed faintly through the heavy veil of rain from the northwest. This sound resembled multiple small engines running at high speed.

"Hmm?"

Chairman Wu, Lin Qianqian, and the other highly perceptive Awakened stopped what they were doing almost simultaneously. They raised their heads, staring warily in the direction of the noise.

"What’s that sound?" an Awakened hauling a rope asked in confusion.

"Sounds like... speedboats?" someone nearby answered uncertainly.

"On high alert! Everyone, keep your eyes on the northwest!" Chairman Wu’s eyes narrowed, his expression turning solemn.

The once-noisy port instantly fell silent. Everyone halted their work and stared at the area where the sound was originating.

Soon, at the murky horizon where the water met the sky, several blurry black dots pierced through the curtain of rain, hurtling forward at high speeds.

As the distance closed, the silhouettes of the dots gradually became clear.

They were five or six inflatable assault boats of various colors, all looking rather battered and worn.

Every inch of space on each boat was crammed to the brim. At a glance, there were at least seven or eight people per vessel, adding up to a total of thirty or forty individuals.

Most of these people were dressed in rags, their bodies stained with dark red blood, and their expressions exhausted.

Yet, etched into every single one of their brows was a fierce, beast-like vigilance.

It was an aura that could only be tempered through countless life-and-death struggles.

They gripped the edges of their boats tightly, their bodies swaying slightly with the violent bumps of the ride.

"Ships! Those are ships! So many of them!"

A sharp-eyed young man on one of the assault boats suddenly pointed toward the Biyun Resort port, screaming in ecstasy.

His shout drew everyone’s attention.

"Damn, they really are ships! We’re saved!"

"Are there people on board?"

"Kill them, take the ships, and immediately evacuate to the northeast!"

In an instant, pairs of bloodshot eyes locked onto the dozen or so vessels of various sizes anchored at the port.

Their gazes revealed the rabid hunger of starving wolves eyeing fresh meat.

"Accelerate! Ram straight through!"

On the leading boat, a towering, muscular man built like a tank ordered coldly, his eyes fixed on the distant figures aboard the ships.

The driver gritted his teeth and shoved the throttle to the max.

VROOM!

The engines of the assault boats erupted in deafening roars. Their bows pitched high into the air, tearing through the murky waves as they charged recklessly toward the makeshift port of Biyun Resort.

Back at the port, every survivor from Biyun Resort could sense the malicious intent of the incoming fleet.

Chairman Wu’s face grew heavy, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. Turning to the heavily guarded Awakened beside him, he issued a grim command:

"Everyone, prepare for battle!"