Ming's spirits were rather weighed down, as the realm beyond the boundary was filled with unknown, particularly the peculiar sensation of feeling something that seemed unfelt, which irked him considerably. However, the fog would soon clear, revealing what lay behind, and thus, in a word, patience.
From the recent events, Ming discovered the other use of the "Hawk Eye" ability, which allowed him to view not only people and zombies but also any visible object. He glanced at a rock on the ground, and it displayed "Rock"; he looked at the wild grass by the roadside, and it revealed: "Five-star fodder grass: excellent feed for herbivorous creatures, promoting growth, reducing illness, easy to digest, and the excrement it produces serves as superb organic fertilizer."
Ming's previously heavy heart lightened considerably due to the great grass. He crouched down, dug it up, and stored it away. Then, he dove into the thicket to embark on his marvelous journey.
"Three-star fodder grass" collected.
"Five-star cooling mat grass: weave this grass into a mat, and its refreshing coolness will provide a pleasant slumber" collected.
"Little Gray"...
It seemed that Ming caught a glimpse of a mouse hidden in the shrubbery—Little Gray. The rodent gazed at Ming, clasping its paws in a bowing gesture.
"Well, are you not Lost love yet, are you?"
"Remember to return home when heartbreak strikes."
After uttering those words, Ming handed over a loaf of bread and a few pastries and took a few steps before doubling back to toss in two packs of sauce.
Little Gray shed a tear and continued to bow. Ming squatted down and patted the mouse's head, "There's plenty of delicious food at home, you know what I mean?"
Little Gray stared with wide eyes, not quite comprehending. Ming threw a fish, and Little Gray finally retreated into the thicket.
It must be said that after the mutation, these once ordinary grasses had grown significantly taller, almost as high as a person.
"I'll pretend I didn't see anything..." Ming smiled at a couple before turning and leaving, heading in another direction. He had been so engrossed in searching for fodder grass that he failed to notice the passionate kiss of two lovers hidden among the sharp grass blades. Wouldn't it be crazy to kiss amidst such prickly foliage?
Sniff sniff~
Indeed, amidst the verdant greenery, quite a few people were studying the subject of love. Of course, this did not hinder Ming's continued collection of fodder grass.
"Your froglets are perched atop the roof, gazing at the distant foot of the mountain, eagerly awaiting your return. Da Vinci believes that if you don't return soon, Foodie might end up being tonight's stew..."
"Da Vinci also tells you that Foodie is drooling over a coconut-chewing crab. That rascal is even smacking its lips deliberately while feasting on the coconut flesh..."
"Da Vinci wants to let you know that if you return any later, tonight's stew might also feature a squirrel... It thinks it's necessary to start preparing the ingredients for you..."
"Da Vinci shoves Foodie and the squirrel into the pond..."
"I'm coming back now," Ming chuckled, feeling a genuine warmth in his heart.
He was heading home!
He swiftly navigated through the bushes, eager to return. On his way, he collided with numerous joyful couples that obstructed his path home... Strange~
Half an hour later, Ming arrived back at his mountaintop home. He rubbed the heads and bellies of the froglets and patted the crab squatting on his knee.
"Da Vinci glares angrily at the crab, questioning its squat on Ming's knee. As Ming gently grasps Da Vinci and places it on his shoulder, it feels joyed... and completely ignores the crab."
"Foodie, munching on the grilled fish you tossed to it, gazes up at Da Vinci on your shoulder and contemplates resting on your head. It is bewildering when you yank out the half-swallowed fish. Are you trying to starve it?"
"Damn it!" Ming grabbed the two froglets, spiraling them into the air before tossing them into the pond.
The little crab squatting on the ground watched Ming, then glanced at its friends in the pond before leaping in after them...
At night, Ming began cooking dinner. The froglets, accepting their punishment, squatted side by side. The little crab sat on Ming's knee, munching on coconut flesh with loud smacking sounds...
"Your froglets gaze at the little crab with friendly eyes. The little crab ceases smacking and softly clacks its pincers..."
"The froglets believe that you no longer love them at this moment. They stare at you with longing, swearing to bump into more exclamation marks on their next outing!!"
"Da Vinci watches as you slide a plate of plump white worms in front of it, feeling loved once again... With its mouth agape, Foodie swallows the sweet-and-sour fish you offer and hops into your embrace..."
After dinner, Ming fed the other household members and glanced at the western mountain peak with his telescope. Alan and Mike had yet to return, which meant they'd likely struck it rich again.
Ming promptly lay down in the rooftop chair, scrolling through the global chat channel. The messages he saw left him somewhat impressed by the courage of these people.
"Envious of you guys in resource-rich zones, building fortresses and matching weapons and gear."
"No need to envy them. I'm trying a path to increase my power quickly."
"What path? Robbing houses or begging on your knees?"
"Hmph! The path I'm taking is unimaginable to you all. I'm going to become the world's first Super Mutant!"
"Super Mutant? Are you out of your mind?"
"Heh~ Why would I be crazy? I already possess the mutant genes of three different creatures. Do you know how strong I am now? As a Barrier, I have the scales of a fish, a snake's venom, and a cat's agility. Next, I plan to get myself a pair of wings!"
"You're insane!"
"..."
Ming pondered over these messages, thinking of Bat-Man Russell. He was only bitten by a mutant bat and had already become that way. He couldn't imagine what the person who just spoke would look like, mainly because there would be no side effects?
He opened the trading post and bought a few more doses of virus-blocking agents.
...
Daniel stood in the darkness in a specific map area, staring at a green-eyed giant wolf in front of him. He took off his shirt and spread his arms.
The giant wolf roared at him and charged.
"Bring it on!" Daniel didn't dodge, allowing the giant wolf to bite his arm. Blood trickled down the wolf's fangs.
"Gotcha!" Daniel raised the poisonous tail stinger behind him and stabbed it into the wolf's neck. The huge wolf's body stiffened and fell to the ground. He pulled out his dual blades and cut off the wolf's head.
Sheathing his blades, he looked at the blood flowing from his arm and then at the giant wolf's corpse on the ground. He sneered, "I hope you don't disappoint me. I only need one of your physical or speed genes."
He turned around, gazing at the bright moon in the night sky, lifted his tail in front of his face, and licked the wolf's blood off the stinger. He laughed somewhat manically, "This is the best choice for getting stronger! Hahaha!"