Volume 1, Chapter 29: The Perfect Physique, The Rules of Survival in the Apocalypse!

Zhang Xueqi obediently accepted the fruit, not worried that it might be poisonous. If Lin Feng truly wanted to kill her, there would be no need for such elaborate measures.

"An ability fruit. Eating it grants you special abilities."

Zhang Xueqi’s eyes lit up instantly, her heart racing with excitement. She never expected that Lin Feng possessed such items, nor did she imagine that abilities could be acquired through consumption. There was absolutely no information about this on the internet. She had always assumed that those who awakened abilities were simply lucky individuals favored by the heavens.

She became even more curious about Lin Feng. Could he have so many of these fruits that he could give one away so casually? The thought only fueled her excitement.

Li Bing, meanwhile, was consumed by jealousy, her anxiety growing. She realized she had to take action. As the white fog persisted, more and more people were going hungry. The number of "gold diggers" exchanging themselves for Lin Feng's food would surely increase. When that time came, what place would there be for someone like her, who possessed no special skills? Li Bing did not want to be cast out—not only would she have to face starvation, but she would also have to contend with dangerous men and mutated flora and fauna.

Furthermore, she noticed that the appearance of the ability fruit was very similar to the one she had picked near the elevator that day. Could it be that eating the fruit of mutated plants granted abilities? She felt as though she had missed out on a fortune.

Zhang Xueqi took a deep breath and, with a trembling heart, placed the fruit in her mouth. She took a bite—it was sweet and sour, unexpectedly delicious. Immediately afterward, she felt a surge of heat flowing through her body.

"I... I actually have abdominal muscles!"

Zhang Xueqi usually focused on weight management and diet, but she had never set foot in a gym. Yet, after consuming the fruit, she perceived a massive improvement in her physical condition. Her previously flat abdomen now displayed clearly defined lines. She hurriedly touched them with her hands; her waist had become even more slender. The slight flab caused by sitting in the office had completely vanished. Her gluteal muscles were firmer and more toned, and she felt as though she had been reborn, completely transformed. Zhang Xueqi was certain that even the physique of a female fitness coach could not compare to hers.

She clenched her fist tightly, feeling a surge of formidable power. However, possessing this newfound strength did not make her resentful of what Lin Feng had done to her. In fact, after gaining the ability, Zhang Xueqi realized something terrifying: in front of Lin Feng, she was like a lone boat in a vast ocean. She could now sense the immense pressure radiating from the man before her—it was the aura of absolute power. If she dared to make a move, she would be decapitated in the next second.

"Thank you, Brother Feng. I will continue to work hard."

Zhang Xueqi knelt on the floor without hesitation, bowing her head to express her loyalty. She did not feel that this was shameful or humiliating. In this apocalypse, abilities were the only hope for survival. If kneeling could secure an ability fruit, she believed 99.99% of the people in the world would kneel before Lin Feng without a moment's hesitation.

Lin Feng nodded slightly; Zhang Xueqi was sensible and had no intention of seeking revenge. He was certain that Zhang Xueqi had not gained the "Dominator" ability, as her skin had not secreted any impurities, nor was the increase in her strength as significant as his own. Lin Feng had his own reasons for giving her the fruit—not only to make the two women work harder, but also to conduct an experiment. He wanted to see if the infinite fruit supply in his super warehouse could grant others abilities other than "Dominator" or "Destiny." Unfortunately, it seemed that was not the case; it could only grant "Physical Enhancement."

That was fine, too. A meaningful smile appeared on Lin Feng's face. He could not help but look forward to how Zhang Xueqi would use her near-perfect physique to please him.

Lin Feng ignored the chaotic chatter in the group chat, focusing only on private messages and friend requests. Unfortunately, several applicants did not meet the system's standards. He suspected that all the truly beautiful women in the residential complex were already dead, as it had now reached the point where men were coming to flirt—truly disgusting.

After lunch, Lin Feng sat on the sofa with the two women, watching television. Suddenly, a woman’s scream echoed from the adjacent Building B. Lin Feng led Zhang Xueqi and Li Bing to the balcony to look across at the opposite building.

On the 25th floor of Building B, a couple in pajamas was being cornered onto their balcony by three burly men wielding kitchen knives. The man held a broom tightly, his arms trembling as he shielded the woman behind him.

"Get out! This is my home!"

The leader of the thugs, a man with short green hair, wore a savage grin. "Your home? It’s our home now! If you want to blame someone, blame yourselves for being careless enough to open the door."

The woman realized the situation was dire. She turned abruptly and shouted toward the opposite building, "Help! There’s a home invasion! Someone, please save us!"

The green-haired thug’s expression darkened. He lunged forward, grabbed the woman by her long hair, and slammed her against the wall. He raised his hand and struck her across the face. "You want to scream, huh? You’ll have plenty of time for that later!"

Seeing his wife being beaten, the man’s rage flared. He swung the broom with all his might at the thug, roaring, "Let her go!"

However, the two thugs standing by watched with mockery in their eyes. Accustomed to such scenes, they immediately raised their kitchen knives and rushed forward.

"Splat! Splat!"

Blade flashes flickered, and blood splattered, staining their faces as if they were demons crawling out of hell. The man could not even let out a scream before he collapsed into a pool of blood, his body twitching a few times before falling still.

The woman, witnessing this, trembled violently. Her tears stopped, and her voice quivered. "You killed him... you actually dared to kill someone..."

"Hahaha! What’s so special about killing? You’ll have a worse time later!" The green-haired thug laughed wildly and gestured for his lackeys to proceed. "Throw this eyesore down; don't let him get in the way!"

The two men didn't hesitate; they hoisted the corpse and threw it directly over the balcony. The body vanished into the white fog, causing only a slight ripple. The woman collapsed against the railing, sobbing heart-wrenchingly. "No!"

"Bitch, still screaming? Come inside and play with us!" The green-haired thug grabbed her hair and dragged her brutally back into the room. No matter how she struggled, she could not escape the man’s brute force.

"Help!" Her voice grew faint, quickly drowned out by the screams coming from the room and the arrogant, maniacal laughter of the thugs.

Many residents in the vicinity witnessed the scene, but no one dared to intervene. Below, the white fog was thick and filled with countless mutated creatures. Moreover, those men had knives and were covered in strange markings, making them look like people not to be trifled with.

At that moment, one of the thugs stepped out, holding a blood-stained kitchen knife. He pointed at the windows of the opposite building and shouted with a murderous glare, "What are you looking at? Keep staring, and I’ll chop you up too!"

The timid residents immediately pulled their curtains shut, terrified of being targeted by this gang of desperadoes and becoming the next man to be murdered. Even those who were bolder dared not speak up in protest. They knew deep down that in this apocalypse, anyone could become the next victim. Some might even secretly accept the possibility of becoming the perpetrator themselves.

With food becoming increasingly scarce and supplies running low, the laws of survival had become clear: it was either you die, or I live. Zhang Xueqi and Li Bing stood by the window, their faces pale as paper, clearly shaken by the sight. Compared to the three vicious thugs across the way, Lin Feng seemed almost gentle.