NOVEL SIMPLE CHAPTER 87
Chapter 87: The Shrinking Mist and the Curse of Weakness
"The black mist's contraction speed isn't fast," Huo Sheng continued, his tone measured. "It has only shrunk by about a hundred meters since I last observed it a month and a half ago."
He couldn't be certain whether the rate of contraction would accelerate, but the uncertainty was troubling. The Holy Tower remained equally enigmatic.
"I'm just telling you this casually," Huo Sheng said, a hint of resignation in his voice. "All you need to do is keep getting stronger. Regarding the Holy Tower and the black mist, the only thing we can do is watch and wait."
Lu Ming nodded, his focus returning to the more immediate concern of attribute farming.
Speaking of which...
The dining room door opened, and Zhang Chengcheng entered with Wei Lan. "The advancement was successful. Let's try again," Chengcheng announced.
Wei Lan raised her hands, and the dim black light of the Weakening Curse washed over Lu Ming once more. He felt a familiar heaviness, but this time, it was less pronounced.
Name: Lu Ming
(Status: Weakening)
Level: 1 Mortal Realm
Age: 25
Strength: 450.8 -> 225.4
Physique: 462.2 -> 231.1
Agility: 445.7 -> 222.8
The effect of the curse remained the same, halving his attributes, but the intensity had increased significantly. If before it had felt like a flimsy piece of paper, now it was more like a light vest—easy to shrug off if he wanted to but manageable if he didn't.
Lu Ming tested his movements, nodding in satisfaction. "Pretty good!" he declared.
Wei Lan's upgraded superpower effectively counteracted the effects of his Awakening, allowing him to continue farming attributes at a more manageable level. Moreover, he could easily dispel the curse if he chose to, a fact that gave him a sense of control.
With renewed vigor, Lu Ming eagerly anticipated his training session.
Time to get back on track!
"It's not that I don't want to help," Lu Ming explained, wiping the sweat from his brow after a particularly intense set of push-ups, "but I'm simply too busy."
He had a point. His primary focus was on maximizing his attribute growth, and spending hours battling zombies would be counterproductive.
I need to find a more efficient way to train.
Zhang Chengcheng, ever observant, chimed in, "Brother Lu, my stamina isn't enough to sustain my superpower for long periods."
Huo Sheng nodded in agreement. "We don't have many Tier 3 zombie crystals on hand."
The scarcity of higher-tier crystals was a well-known issue. Even Colonel Bai, the leader of the official shelter's military force, was still at Level 3.
Just then, Wang Xiong arrived, a determined look on his face. "I have a new plan," he announced. "It should be able to meet Lu Ming's daily exercise needs within an hour."
Lu Ming, a gleam of hope returning to his eyes, smiled. "That's great!"
Things were finally looking up. With Wei Lan's Weakening Curse and Wang Xiong's new training plan, Lu Ming could resume his attribute farming without sacrificing his precious time.
As Lu Ming continued his workout, Huo Sheng reminded him, "Remember, you need to control the duration of your training. Zhang Chengcheng and Wei Lan both need Tier 3 zombie crystals to replenish their energy, and we don't have an unlimited supply."
Lu Ming nodded, understanding the importance of conserving resources.
Meanwhile, Wei Lan watched Lu Ming's training with a mix of curiosity and admiration. She was a 21-year-old woman from the city center, lucky enough to have found refuge in the official shelter when the apocalypse struck.
Life in the shelter was far from ideal, but Wei Lan was grateful for the safety it provided. She had always dreamed of becoming an Awakened, and her wish had come true within a month of the outbreak. However, her initial excitement soon turned to disappointment when she discovered her inability to cope with the violence and gore of field missions.
Limited to non-combat roles within the shelter, her prospects for advancement seemed bleak. If not for Lu Ming, her future would have been a slow descent into despair.
Lu Ming's presence had changed everything. Humans were no longer cowering in fear; they were actively hunting and clearing zombies. This shift had provided Wei Lan with enough zombie crystals to advance to Level 2 and awaken her Weakening Curse ability.
Though disappointed with her seemingly useless power, Wei Lan was still deeply grateful to Lu Ming for the opportunity he had given her. And now, she had a chance to contribute, to help him overcome his current challenge.
The Weakening Curse, in Wei Lan's eyes, was a rather ordinary ability. She hadn't expected it to earn her such special treatment. But today, she finally understood why Professor Huo Sheng had taken such an interest in her after her awakening.
"Help Lu Ming improve his attributes, that's your mission," Huo Sheng's words echoed in her mind, filling her with a newfound sense of purpose.
Once a burden, she now held a crucial role in assisting the Savior, a beacon of hope for all humanity.
At ten in the morning, Lu Ming completed his workout, leaving both Zhang Chengcheng and Wei Lan exhausted. He opened his attribute panel, eager to see the results of their combined efforts.
Name: Lu Ming
Level: 1 Mortal Realm
Strength: 453.2
Physique: 464.6
Agility: 448.1
Free Attribute Points: 0
Superpower: Awakening in Progress...
"What a pity," Lu Ming muttered. He had hoped that Wei Lan's curse would compress his attributes, allowing him to double his daily gains upon its removal. It seemed this particular exploit was not possible.
But he quickly brushed aside his disappointment. The key was not exploiting the system but ensuring his continued growth. And with Wei Lan's help, that was still possible.
As Zhang Chengcheng and Wei Lan approached, wiping the sweat from their brows, Chengcheng inquired, "Brother Lu, what do you want to eat for lunch?"
"Anything is fine," Lu Ming replied with a smile.
"Sure, Brother Lu," Chengcheng responded, then added, "By the way, Brother Lu, I'd like Lan Lan to help with the cooking. Do you mind?"
Lu Ming hesitated for a moment, but seeing Chengcheng's exhaustion, he nodded. "Sure, but you'll still be the main cook."
He had just met Wei Lan and felt it was prudent to be cautious.
Zhang Chengcheng reassured him with a smile. "Don't worry, Brother Lu. I understand."
End of Chapter 87