Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Special Abilities

Gu Ning didn’t dwell on why Xiang Xu had gained such an ability but instead squeezed every possible useful piece of information out of her.

Including the fact that only colored crystal cores could allow people to evolve special abilities, while transparent crystal cores could only be used to replenish consumed special abilities.

To this, Gu Ning expressed doubt: “Do special abilities get consumed?”

“Yes,” Xiang Xu nodded seriously. “Like today at the gate, the woman who shot the most fireballs probably only managed around twenty. Generally, each fireball she creates consumes her internal special ability.”

“What about you?” Gu Ning asked.

“My spiritual power can cover this entire campus. That means anywhere I want to see, I can see,” Xiang Xu said confidently.

When Xiang Xu said “see,” it wasn’t with her physical eyes. Spiritual power isn’t exactly like eyes; it’s more like a sensation, as if countless tentacles are touching something. It’s like a blind person feeling an object with their hands, and then through the transmission of spiritual power, a relatively clear image is formed.

For example, Xiang Xu’s spiritual power can immediately sense from which direction a few people are approaching. With more focus, she can even determine their gender based on the shape of their clothing. If more detailed information is needed, more spiritual power is required for a more thorough analysis.

It’s not like seeing with physical eyes, where you can instantly tell how many people are coming, their gender, height, or build.

Gu Ning nodded and then said, “So, besides being a radar, you don’t have any other functions?”

Xiang Xu was momentarily stunned by Gu Ning’s description, then after some thought, she said somewhat dejectedly, “At least for now, that’s the case.” But she quickly added, “But I’m currently researching other uses for spiritual power. You know, I only ate that orb a few days ago. Given more time, I’ll become even more powerful. And just the radar function alone can help you avoid a lot of danger.”

Gu Ning didn’t dwell on the radar’s utility but instead asked with interest, “How old are you?”

Xiang Xu was slightly taken aback by the sudden change in topic but quickly understood the implication of Gu Ning’s question. With a hint of pride, she said, “I’m eight years old. In ninth grade.”

Gu Ning hadn’t asked about her grade level, but Xiang Xu volunteered the information, clearly trying to score points with Gu Ning, proving she was smart—far smarter than Gu Ning had imagined.

However, Gu Ning’s reaction disappointed Xiang Xu. She merely nodded indifferently, showing no surprise.

This left Xiang Xu feeling somewhat defeated. She had been extraordinary since birth, able to remember things from the moment she opened her eyes, speaking at six months, and holding fluent conversations by one year. As for the studies that most people found challenging, she breezed through them. At just eight years old, she had already skipped to ninth grade. This had landed her in the headlines multiple times, with numerous TV shows and interviews requesting her presence, but she had declined them all.

She couldn’t converse with her peers, and even some adults regarded her with a strange sense of awe.

She was adept at observing people and easily pinpointed their weaknesses.

As for Gu Ning, she had been cautiously probing, but apart from revealing her biggest secret—being able to see the future—Gu Ning had only shown appropriate surprise. The rest of the conversation had been eerily calm.

And Xiang Xu hadn’t felt fear in a long time.

Gu Ning, meanwhile, was too preoccupied to care about Xiang Xu’s feelings. She was carefully pondering Xiang Xu’s words and came to a conclusion: after consuming a crystal core, the evolution of a person’s special ability fundamentally depended on their inherent potential.

“You said the chance of evolving a special ability from a crystal core isn’t 100%,” Gu Ning said.

Xiang Xu quickly snapped out of her defeated mood and answered, “Yes. Many people become ability users, but more remain ordinary. Maybe a fraction of a percent, or even less.”

Gu Ning’s mood wasn’t great, even tinged with frustration: “So, I’m part of the majority now.”

This was a statement. After eating that orb, she hadn’t noticed any changes in herself. If it weren’t for the significant changes in her space, she might have been even more frustrated. But compared to the space’s current, almost negligible function of helping her relax, Gu Ning longed for an increase in her own strength. After all, she had already tested it—no one else could enter that space except her.

“It’s strange,” Xiang Xu said, her light eyebrows furrowing like an adult’s. “I can clearly sense a very powerful special ability fluctuation within you. And your eyes show the changes that come with evolving a special ability. But you can’t use any abilities. I don’t know why.”

Gu Ning pondered silently. Could it be that the special ability that should have been in her body was taken by the space, which then evolved? So, even though she had evolved a special ability, she couldn’t use it. This was… Gu Ning sighed deeply in frustration.

Gu Ning and Xiang Xu talked for a long time.

Finally, Gu Ning concluded: “You’re smart, but smart people often have too many of their own ideas. I can guarantee that as long as you follow me, you’ll never go hungry or cold, but I need your promise.” Gu Ning said sternly, “I won’t treat you like a child. I might fully exploit your abilities. And you must completely obey me, show your intelligence appropriately, and keep your brother in line. If you can do all that, then you two can move into our dorm.”

Xiang Xu wasn’t intimidated by Gu Ning’s words. Instead, she smiled easily, a faint dimple appearing on her right cheek, adding a touch of cuteness. She said, “Before this, my brother and I were worried about how to get through this winter. When we buried our parents, we vowed to survive. But we’re still too young, and the world is too dangerous. We might be killed before we can grow stronger.” She looked at Gu Ning, her eyes filled with genuine gratitude. “I am smart, so I know if I lose this chance, there won’t be another. And we’ll prove to you that your decision today was absolutely right.”

After leaving the dorm, Xiang Xu felt a wave of fear.

No matter how thrilling or touching her words were, Gu Ning had only watched her with those cold, light-colored eyes. It was as if this conversation was a matter of life and death for her, but for Gu Ning, it was just a trivial decision. Gu Ning’s attitude had forced her to reveal all her cards at once and make promises she hadn’t planned to make.

But for some reason, even though in her plan she should have had the upper hand, the situation had developed far beyond her expectations, and the final result was vastly different from what she had envisioned. Yet, she felt happy—unexpectedly happy…

Facing Xiang Yi’s slightly worried expression, Xiang Xu nodded at him and then flashed the brightest smile she had shown since the apocalypse.

And so, in the end, Xiang Yi and Xiang Xu moved into the dorm.

Cheng Ming, Jia Daozhang, and the others, who were completely unaware of Xiang Xu’s abilities, were visibly surprised.

After all, Gu Ning didn’t seem like someone with such compassion.

Gu Ning had Xiang Xu give a brief introduction to her abilities. Except for Xiang Yi, everyone’s faces showed astonishment. Clearly, Xiang Xu’s abilities had shocked them.

Jia Daozhang exclaimed, “A high-tech radar!”

They then introduced themselves briefly.

After that, Gu Ning got down to business.

“I plan to share the news about the crystal cores with Third Brother, then go out with them to kill zombies and collect cores. While not many people know about this yet, we need to seize the initiative. The time we gain now is the time we use to surpass others.”

Jia Daozhang nodded, “Gu Ning makes a good point. Once this news spreads, it will drive people crazy.”

The others agreed.

And they were all somewhat excited. Whether it was Jia Daozhang and Cheng Ming, who had seen Yan Yu use her abilities firsthand, or Huang Mengyao and Xie Yuhong, who had heard about it from them, they all longed for the ability to conjure fireballs out of thin air.

Gu Ning scanned the group and said, “So, who’s willing to come with me?”

They exchanged glances and nodded solemnly.

Clearly, no one wanted to miss this opportunity.

“Good,” Gu Ning said. “Xiang Xu, you’re in charge of monitoring the gathering place’s gate. If a military truck returns, that means Third Brother’s people are back. Notify me immediately.”

Xiang Xu nodded, her pupils slightly contracting as her invisible spiritual power spread out, heading straight for the gate.

While monitoring the gate, she still focused on Gu Ning, waiting for her next instructions.

Huang Mengyao asked, “If we all go, who will take care of the uncles and aunts?”

Gu Ning replied, “I’ll send them to Third Brother.”

Even if Yan Yu and Wang Jizhong’s groups tried to cause trouble in her absence, they’d have to contend with the soldiers’ guns.

Gu Ning continued, “Once we evolve our abilities, we can try heading to the more densely populated urban areas. Winter is coming, and we’ll need a lot of supplies and warm clothing.” Not just for themselves, but also for the soldiers and the children. Gu Ning couldn’t forget those curious, obedient eyes. H Province’s summers were scorching, and its winters were notoriously cold, with a history of severe snowstorms.

This was the first winter after the apocalypse. Most people had fled their homes in a hurry, without bringing warm clothing. Without enough supplies, nearly half of the hundred or so children might not survive the winter. As Third Brother had said, these children might be weak now, but one day, as their generation aged, these children would grow and become strong.

They were the future hope of this world.

So, while she could, Gu Ning wanted to help them survive the first harsh winter of the apocalypse.

The urban areas were zombie hotspots, disaster zones.

After the apocalypse, many had fled from there, and no one dared to venture back. They only sought refuge in remote areas.

But those areas also meant untouched supermarkets, malls, and various stores—places with the supplies they desperately needed.

Thinking about it, the evolved space could hold much more than the previous cramped room, enough for her to sweep through the province’s major stores and supermarkets.

This thought alleviated some of Gu Ning’s frustration about evolving but not being able to use her abilities.

Of course, Gu Ning hadn’t forgotten her plan to scavenge gold shops.

She was poor—very poor. While the apocalypse was dangerous, the potential rewards were high. At least she could pay off her family’s debts.

In any case, the top priority now was to evolve their abilities. If both Gu Dad and Gu Mom evolved abilities, she wouldn’t need them to fight zombies. As long as they could protect themselves, her burden would be lighter.

If they were lucky, and Jia Daozhang, Cheng Ming, Huang Mengyao, and Xie Yuhong all successfully evolved abilities, her pressure would decrease significantly.

But if, unfortunately, some didn’t evolve abilities, she would have to seriously consider whether to keep them as companions.

It might sound harsh, but they were strangers, having only known each other for two days. To put it bluntly, they were only sticking around because of the strength Gu Ning had shown. And if they didn’t prove they could pull their weight, it was only reasonable for Gu Ning to cut them loose. It was a mutual exchange.

Of course, Gu Ning hoped this wouldn’t happen. After all, during the previous crises, they had stood by her side without hesitation and rarely questioned her decisions. These four were somewhat trustworthy, and in the apocalypse, such people were hard to come by.

Gu Ning had a lot on her mind.

Jia Daozhang and the others, however, were still沉浸在即将获得“超能力”的兴奋之中。

They didn’t have a clear concept of special abilities yet.

Without Gu Ning’s permission, Xiang Xu didn’t say much, nor did she proactively explain the basics of crystal cores and special abilities.

But through her conversation with Xiang Xu, Gu Ning had gained a clear understanding.

Special abilities were divided into seven basic categories.

Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, and the slightly more common Speed and Strength types.

Yan Yu’s fireballs belonged to the Fire-type special ability.

“I can sense that her ability fluctuations are very weak. The amount of energy stored in her body is also very small, which is why it gets consumed so quickly,” Xiang Xu had described.

As for Xiang Xu’s own Psychic System special ability, it was a变异异能.

People wielding powerful abilities to fight was a scene beyond the imagination of most people today.

In Xiang Xu’s description, Gu Ning felt as if a grand, magnificent scroll was slowly unfurling before her, revealing a mysterious corner.

Though she couldn’t see the full picture, Gu Ning was already热血沸腾.