Chapter 49

Chapter 49: The Door to Rebirth in the Apocalypse – Full Novel Website

Chapter 49

If the function of the crystal core is to stimulate the body’s energy magnetic field, thereby attracting energy from the universe into the body and evolving special abilities.

The special ability magnetic fields of Cheng Ming and the others depend on their individual physiques, while Gu Ning’s mysterious space is like an incredibly massive magnetic field black hole. That’s why the first time she opened her special ability magnetic field, it created such a shocking effect.

The first time, since only Gu Ning activated her special ability, after the space absorbed enough energy, the magnetic field closed, and the attracted energy wasn’t absorbed by anyone else but instead fell into silence.

This time, it was a fortunate accident.

Gu Ning’s black hole magnetic field opened again, attracting an enormous amount of energy. After the space absorbed enough energy, the magnetic field closed again, and the energy not absorbed by Gu Ning was taken in by Cheng Ming and others who were activating their magnetic fields. This led to them absorbing enough special ability energy for the first time, expanding their internal special ability storage capacity.

With so many people activating their special abilities simultaneously, the energy attracted by each crystal core’s magnetic field was different, resulting in a variety of mutated special abilities.

They stumbled upon this and greatly benefited from Gu Ning’s magnetic field black hole.

Of course, even Xiang Xu’s spiritual power couldn’t detect these details. The only certainty was that activating the special ability magnetic field with Gu Ning brought them immense benefits.

After Xiang Xu shared this confirmed news, Third Brother Luo Long and a few others were filled with regret, watching Jia Daozhang and Cheng Ming curiously studying their new abilities, feeling a pang of bitterness.

They wished they could spit out the crystal cores and evolve again.

Zhang Xiaobai seriously asked, “So, does that mean Gu Ning absorbed several times more energy than us?”

“Yes, the special ability fluctuations I initially detected from her were very intense,” Xiang Xu paused, looking puzzled. “But Gu Ning’s body seems a bit strange. Normally, the special ability fluctuations would continue until she wakes up, but it seems she absorbed all the energy at once and still hasn’t woken up.”

Huang Mengyao suddenly said uneasily, “Last time she fainted, she must have eaten a crystal core, right? But after she woke up, she didn’t evolve any special abilities…”

Zhang Xiaobai instinctively asked, “What if Gu Ning still hasn’t evolved any special abilities this time?”

“What do you mean ‘what if’? Even without special abilities, she’s still Gu Ning,” Third Brother glared at him, then scanned the soldiers’ faces, speaking seriously. “I hope you understand that the reason you evolved special abilities today is largely thanks to Gu Ning. I’ve accepted Gu Ning as my niece, so she’s part of the Third Company. I can’t control others, but if you consider yourselves part of the Third Company, whether Gu Ning has special abilities or not, you should treat her as one of us.”

Although Third Brother’s words were directed at the soldiers, they also served as a warning to Cheng Ming and Jia Daozhang not to forget who they owed their great fortune to. He was also subtly worried that if Gu Ning didn’t evolve any special abilities, they might leave.

With the rise of special ability users, ordinary people without special abilities would become a disadvantaged group. Even if Gu Ning were incredibly capable, she would be no match against powerful special abilities. In fact, if Gu Ning truly didn’t evolve any special abilities, even if she didn’t need care, her parents, who also lacked special abilities, would be a heavy burden. According to post-apocalyptic rules, it would be natural for them to leave. But Third Brother, standing by Gu Ning’s side, naturally didn’t want them to go, hence his stern words to the soldiers.

Luo Long naturally said, “Third Brother, you don’t even need to say that! Gu Ning saved my life, so from now on, Gu Ning’s parents are my parents!”

Zhong Xu twisted his words, laughing, “Luo Long, you think you’re first in line? There are so many of us waiting to be Uncle and Auntie Gu’s sons, get in line!”

The soldiers burst into laughter. The tense atmosphere from Third Brother’s stern words immediately relaxed.

Huang Mengyao sat beside Gu’s parents and, amidst the laughter, solemnly said to them, “Gu Ning saved my life too. Even if she doesn’t have special abilities, I won’t leave.” She clearly stated her stance.

Gu’s mother said nothing, just patted Huang Mengyao’s hand, her eyes moist. Gu’s father smiled contentedly, genuinely happy for Gu Ning. Since the apocalypse began, Gu Ning had changed a lot, becoming increasingly silent. Her strength and bravery sometimes even surprised them. They had been worried that being heartlessly abandoned by Lu Jiazhi and the others would leave a deep shadow on Gu Ning’s heart, causing her personality to warp. They didn’t want Gu Ning to become cold-hearted; they just wanted her to be happy. As they feared, after this reunion, they sensitively noticed Gu Ning seemed to be growing even colder, her eyes always filled with vigilance.

But today, they suddenly felt much more at ease. With this group of people by Gu Ning’s side, she should get better and better.

It was past lunchtime, and Gu Ning still showed no signs of waking up.

Gu’s parents were worried, but Jia Daozhang reassured them, “Don’t worry, last time Gu Ning slept for a long time too.”

Only then did Gu’s parents relax a bit.

By 3 PM, Gu Ning finally woke up.

Seeing Gu Ning awake, everyone who had been chatting or sleeping immediately crowded around, asking eagerly, “Gu Ning, how do you feel? Any changes?”

“Gu Ning, did you evolve any special abilities?”

“Do you feel a strange power flowing inside you?”

Surrounded by concerned faces, Gu Ning felt both touched and helpless. She finally smiled and shook her head.

As Gu Ning shook her head, the air seemed to freeze.

Everyone suppressed their disappointment, forcing smiles, and said, “Gu Ning, your marksmanship is amazing. Not having special abilities is no big deal. Look at Yan Yu, her face turns pale at the sight of a gun.”

Shi Tou, with his slightly dark face, said, “Exactly! And even without special abilities, you have us. Third Brother said you’re part of the Third Company now. We’ll handle the zombies; you just take care of our parents!”

“How did they become your parents?” Zhang Xiaobai asked.

Shi Tou replied, “Didn’t we say Gu Ning’s parents are everyone’s parents? So they’re our parents too!”

Jia Daozhang squeezed to the front to comfort her, “Gu Ning, don’t worry. Look at Xiang Yi, if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. Persistence pays off. Right, Xiang Yi?!”

Xiang Yi’s face turned green then white, squeezing out through gritted teeth, “Spit out my crystal core.”

Jia Daozhang chuckled nervously.

“What are you all crowding around for? You’re sucking up all the air!” Third Brother shouted at them, then pushed his way to Gu Ning and said, “Gu Ning, don’t worry. You call me Third Uncle, so I consider you my niece. From now on, you and your parents are under the Third Company’s protection. Even if you never develop special abilities, as long as I live, I’ll make sure no one bullies you.”

Gu Ning didn’t doubt Third Brother’s promise. She knew making such a promise meant he would unhesitatingly shoulder the burden of her and her parents. Looking at the concerned, slightly nervous faces around her, she understood their babbling reassurances were for fear she’d be disappointed or sad about not evolving special abilities. For some reason, the disappointment in Gu Ning’s heart suddenly vanished, replaced by a pang of sadness, making her want to cry.

To avoid losing composure, Gu Ning smiled and said, “Aren’t you going to report your achievements to me?”

Then she learned that everyone except her and her parents had evolved special abilities, with Cheng Ming, Jia Daozhang, and Zhang Xiaobai even having what sounded like powerful mutated abilities.

Gu Ning said helplessly, “It seems I didn’t evolve any special abilities due to family genetics.”

Gu’s parents, seeing Gu Ning was fine, finally relaxed, smiling wryly.

Everyone laughed understandingly.

Gu Ning suggested with a smile, “Third Brother, today’s a good day. How about we celebrate with a nice dinner tonight!”

Everyone’s eyes lit up.

They had thought of it but held back out of consideration for Gu Ning. Seeing her genuine happiness, they relaxed and started clamoring about what to eat tonight.

Huang Mengyao smiled, “I can handle the fire.”

Zhong Xu added, “I’ll take care of the water.”

Third Brother interrupted their excited division of labor, “First, we need something to cook, right?”

Gu Ning’s eyes sparkled as she smiled, “Third Brother, have you forgotten about the chickens Wang Jizhong keeps in the backyard?”

Third Brother was stunned, then meeting Gu Ning’s bright eyes, he understood she was ready to settle scores.

Gu’s mother suddenly remembered something, looking around and asking, “Oh, Gu Ning, where’s Auntie Hongjuan?”

Gu Ning was puzzled, “Isn’t she with you?”

Gu’s mother said, “No, she saw your dad and me anxious this morning and said she’d go to the gate to see if you were back. Your dad and I were so happy when you returned, we thought she came back with you and didn’t pay attention. Now I suddenly realize we haven’t seen her for a while. Could something have happened?!”

Gu Ning had a bad premonition but first reassured her mother, “It’s nothing, what could happen? I’ll go look for her right now.” She gave her father a meaningful look.

Gu’s father understood, saying, “I just saw her playing with the kids in the corridor. Didn’t you see her? Ningning, go look for her.”

“Okay,” Gu Ning stood up.

“Bad news, bad news!” Suddenly, several boys rushed in, sweating and panting, shouting to the room full of people, “We just saw the red-haired granny being taken to the back playground! They said she stole something and are going to shoot her!”