Professor Lin brought over a small bench and sat in front of Chi Ying, a mirror in hand, staring at her intently.
Gu Chi remained beside her, holding her handcuffs as a precaution.
The rest of the group formed a tense circle around Chi Ying, their expressions a mix of anxiety and anticipation.
Chi Ying swallowed nervously.
Why does this feel like I’m being offered up as a sacrifice? A group of savages staring at me, about to start some ancient ritual…
After a long silence, Professor Lin finally took off his glasses. “So far, there are no signs of mutation.”
Lu Yunfei blinked. “Professor Lin, are you saying… she’s really…?”
The implication hung in the air—could she be the lucky exception?
Everyone had been thinking the same thing. Chi Ying appeared completely normal.
But the odds were too low, and even faced with the facts, no one dared believe it outright.
Professor Lin shook his head thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t jump to conclusions. Most previous cases where someone didn’t mutate were innate ability holders.”
“A small number of them later awakened acquired powers as well, becoming supernatural beings.”
He tapped his thigh, deep in thought. “Scientific reasoning still applies. If Miss Chi truly didn’t mutate, she should have awakened an ability…”
He turned to her. “Have you felt any changes in your body? For example, a sense of energy, like a controllable force in your mind?”
Chi Ying: “…”
Changes? Sure. Wind, water, fire, earth, wood, healing… which one do you want?
【Wait, you still have healing abilities?】
Not really… It only seems to work on myself. If I lose 100 HP, I can heal back 1000.
The stab wound she got the other day could’ve healed in minutes, but she’d been careful not to raise suspicion.
【…】
My HP bar is insane, Chi Ying said proudly.
【…Not bad at all.】
The system’s voice sounded oddly disappointed.
What’s wrong? Chi Ying asked.
After a pause, it replied: 【Healing powers are a top-tier tool for earning “Holy Mother” points! Imagine healing every injured survivor—your score would skyrocket!】
She fell into deep thought. That… does make some sense.
Seeing her silent, Gu Chi assumed she hadn’t understood Professor Lin.
He leaned down and explained gently, “Offensive ability users like Yunfei and I can sense elements and use them. But some abilities, like Mu Yu’s spatial manipulation, work only within the mind.”
Mu Yu nodded. “That’s right. I have dual abilities. My spatial powers only exist in consciousness.”
She looked at Chi Ying eagerly. “So? Do you feel anything?”
Chi Ying hesitated. If she denied it, there’d be no easy explanation for her survival. From their point of view, an awakened ability made the most sense.
“I… I think so.”
Mu Yu’s eyes lit up. She jumped in front of her. “What kind? Wind? Fire?”
Gu Chi’s expression eased, eyes reflecting faint relief. If she had awakened, it meant she was truly safe.
“No way, seriously?” Lu Yunfei leaned in. “What kind is it?”
【So what are you gonna say?】the system asked.
Can I pretend you’re my ability?
【Me? Huh?】
Chi Ying explained her plan: Her next goal was to collect “Holy Mother” points across various safety zones.
She wanted to stay with Gu Chi’s team—it would be safer and more efficient. Plus, Gu Chi was likely tied to the novel’s core plotline.
Eventually, the truth about her system and the store might slip out. Better to steer the narrative now.
【Okay… but do you think Gu Chi will let you join?】
No clue. But I have to try.
Back in reality, she saw everyone still staring at her, expectant. Chi Ying gathered her courage, spread her palms, closed her eyes for effect… and when she opened them, a warm red bean bun had appeared out of thin air.
“Whoa! Space ability!” Mu Yu shouted, stunned.
But after a beat, her joy turned to confusion. “Wait—how can a new ability already have items stored?”
Lu Yunfei narrowed his eyes. “Yeah, this bun looks freshly made…”
Chi Ying scratched her cheek. “It doesn’t seem like a space ability exactly. I can’t store things.”
Mu Yu frowned. “Then where did it come from?”
Chi Ying repeated the act. “There’s… like a shelf I can see. This bun was already on it.”
Everyone looked puzzled. Even Professor Lin pulled out his notebook, ready to record this unusual case.
Only Gu Chi remained calm, thoughtful. “Can that shelf replenish itself?”
“Not yet. But I think it will. Slowly.”
“Only food?”
“No, there are daily necessities, medicine… A few empty shelves too. I think they’ll be filled over time.”
Gu Chi nodded. “An excellent ability. If you can find a secure place, you’ll never need to worry again.”
Chi Ying opened her mouth, but hesitated. She still didn’t make the request to join.
Gu Chi didn’t press her. “Alright, if no one’s showing symptoms, we should rest. We’ll arrive at headquarters by tomorrow night. Get some sleep and prepare.”
His smile was rare, light. “We’ve been out a long time.”
“Roger that, Captain.” Lu Yunfei grinned at Chi Ying. “You really are a lucky charm. With you on the team, nothing can go wrong!”
Song Shi, who had stayed quiet, tucked her hair back and mumbled, “Yeah. First time I’ve seen someone this lucky.”
Even Lin Xun nodded thoughtfully.
They weren’t usually superstitious, but tonight? They were seriously considering finding a Feng Shui master to borrow her luck.
Everyone slept soundly for the first time in a while.
___
They reached headquarters earlier than expected.
By afternoon, Chi Ying could already see the distant horizon—there stood the alliance’s towering emblem.
As they drew closer, she realized how monumental the structure really was.
A massive wall of copper and iron rose over 100 meters high, the alliance logo gleaming above. From the outside, nothing beyond the wall could be seen. The buildings within were hidden deliberately, sunken low.
Chi Ying scanned the horizon. The wall stretched endlessly.
【As expected of the Human Alliance’s sanctuary. Even grander than in the novel.】
Chi Ying whispered, “It’s huge…” She’d imagined a larger skyscraper, not a fortress.
【There’s more to see. Just wait.】
Gu Chi stepped out and approached a scanner built into the wall. After recognizing him, the gates slowly opened.
Their vehicle rolled inside, revealing the headquarters’ true face.
It wasn’t futuristic at all. Aside from a central domed building, most of what Chi Ying saw were fields and sheds.
“…Why so many fields?” she asked, puzzled.
Gu Chi replied, “Transporting food from outside is unreliable. Safe zones can fall overnight. The headquarters must be self-sufficient.”
Chi Ying nodded, still confused.
“But most of these crops aren’t for eating.”
“What are they for?”
“Seeds. These are seed banks. We believe humans will reclaim the land one day. When that happens, these seeds will be vital.”
He glanced at her. “Remember what I said about A- and B-level safe zones?”
Chi Ying nodded. “Yes.”
“The headquarters is actually the core A-level zone. Other A-level zones surround it, and we regularly distribute high-quality seeds to them.”
“Then why didn’t that last safe zone have any?”
“That was a C-level zone,” Gu Chi said with a frown. “They’re scattered and under-resourced. The Alliance can’t support everyone yet.”
As he spoke, Chi Ying spotted something else outside.
“That truck!”
Gu Chi followed her gaze. A massive supply vehicle, armored in steel, rolled by.
“That’s the supply team’s truck. It delivers goods to low-level zones. Each one has at least one ability user.”
From the front, Lu Yunfei called back, “All A-level zones have supply teams. They send out goods to support C-level areas like the one we found you in.”
Chi Ying blinked. “The headquarters handles that too? I thought it only managed the top-level stuff.”
“It does. But the headquarters also has the most resources. If the surplus isn’t distributed, it’d be a waste.”
Chi Ying watched the truck roll away, thoughtful.
I feel like that truck could be useful for something else too…
Sam Williams On TYMIMA Chapter 152