CHAPTER 123: CHAPTER 123: PASSING TIME

Zerra sucked in a deep breath; her eyes widened. Fortunately, Isryn was there to stop her.

Her dad repeatedly told her not to show her ability casually. He didn’t want to let the Research Institute know about it.

"T-thank you, Sister Isryn..." she mumbled, squeezing Isryn’s thin hands.

Nyra’s words rang in her ears. If anyone found out, she might be captured for an experiment! It sounded very scary.

Humans were still relatively civilized now, but no one knew for sure what would happen in the future. It was best not to expose too much of one’s ability.

Isryn’s eyes flitted around. The place was very quiet, with a few workers here and there taking care of the plants. Most of them weren’t wood ability users because they are just too rare.

She dragged Zerra toward a small hut nearby. Her eyes held inexplicable emotions. Then, she let out a breath.

"Zee, wood ability users like us are too rare. It’s best if you don’t expose your ability too much unless you have some protection behind you," Isryn muttered.

"I have my teacher and the Research Institute..." She knew that with Zerra’s nature, who loved her freedom, she wouldn’t want to be chained to such a place. She did things however she liked or felt appropriate.

Their abilities were just too heaven-defying. They can grow fruits and vegetables and even heal physical injuries.

Zerra bit her lip. She didn’t want to join the Research Institute. If she got exposed for having a wood ability, it was fine, but they might find out she was also a zombie fox.

Although she was curious about botanical research, she didn’t want to get too close to those potentially lunatic scientists. At home, her parents would protect and hide her, but outside, it was unknown when she would suddenly turn into a fox.

"Is your teacher good to you, Sister Isryn?" she asked.

Isryn smiled, her eyes a bit soft. "Of course, he is very good to me. He teaches me all the things he knows. His goal is very admirable... he wants to find means for humans to get enough food daily."

Since Isryn said so, then it should be true. Some of them were good people and shouldn’t be overshadowed by the bad ones.

For the next few months, Zerra was still struggling to control her power. So, she always found a closed space to practice. Her parents, helpless, finally gave her one room prepared specifically to grow the plants.

Her partner in crime, Laziel, was always present to help her.

"Some people broke into third and fourth levels two months ago. But until today, no one has broken through again yet." Laziel seemed to be in a rare mood for discussion today.

Zerra tilted her head as she carefully put strawberries in the basket. Cassias told her he liked this fruit, so she specifically found it for him after searching for a while.

When she found the little plant, it was almost dead, and thus she had to treat it with extreme care. She used her wood ability little by little so that she wouldn’t accidentally kill it.

"I am stuck on level four too," Laziel groaned in dissatisfaction.

Her temples twitched. If her master were here, he would have thrown his calligraphy brush at Laziel. She could already imagine his face full of disapproval while stroking his beard.

Advancing in superpowers level was similar to cultivation, and that was why she could withdraw spiritual energy from the crystal cores when she was in fox form.

The previous fog was like a boost for all living beings, and now that the fog was gone, of course, the advancement would be slow. Besides, the higher the level, the more time and effort it would take them to advance.

"Others are mostly at level three and below. Yet here you are protesting." Zerra rolled her eyes.

She swatted his misbehaving claw away from the strawberry basket.

"Stingy!" Laziel grumbled.

"This is for Cassias." Zerra carefully put the strawberry away. "I think you don’t like sour things."

It wasn’t completely sour, and even a little sweeter than the usual strawberry, but the sour taste was still obvious.

"It doesn’t matter. You are even going to give one basket to Cassias! I want one too!" He grumbled like a spoiled kid.

Zerra assured him. "I will grow a few more for you later. Cassias is going to arrive soon."

Laziel simply liked eating all the sweet fruit. Whenever he went back from doing his missions, he would bring seeds. Some were unknown, but most were fruits.

Gradually, other family members developed similar habits, even Cassias. Her dad didn’t go out often, but he still occasionally did to train himself and improve his power.

It saved him a few times from some bandits who wanted to hurt him and his wife when they were outside.

"Oh, he is here now." Zerra stood up, picked her basket, and went to the front door. Laziel followed behind her, still grumbling some incoherent things.

"Mom, I am going out." She yelled to her mom, who was in the kitchen.

Nerith appeared in a flash, repeating the words she often said to her daughter. She told Zerra to be careful, not acting reckless, and lastly, stay away from the danger.

Although their family now was more united than before, giving the illusion of a warm household, they were still in dangerous times.

"Alright, Mom."

With that, she went out.

"Be careful on the way." Nerith turned to Laziel too, who passed by her.

His footsteps faltered. He nodded at her before chasing after Zerra. A faint smile crossed his face.

"Cassias." Zerra smiled brightly as she appeared by his car window. She opened the car door on the passenger seat and went inside.

After she was inside, she held up the strawberry basket with a proud little face. "Look what I have got for you!"

Laziel rolled his eyes as he climbed into the middle seat. The dog food stuffed him full. He secretly assured himself in his heart. It was fine. He would meet his girlfriend soon too, anyway.

These two weren’t the only ones who had a lover! He did too.

As soon as they arrived at the human base, Laziel went to find his beloved.

However, as soon as Zerra and Cassias stepped out of the car, they witnessed a drama. At this moment, Meira was hugging Darren’s arm tightly.