Chapter 73: The Ruby’s Premonition

After unearthing the heavenly treasure from the fields, the moment I lifted the ruby from its earthy bed, a familiar hallucination flashed across my mind.

The last time, fleeting glimpses of three women had flickered; this time, there was only one. Yet, the woman in this vision was unmistakably my sister, adorned in a white dress with her silver hair cascading around her.

Until now, I had dismissed these peculiar scenes as mere figments of my overactive imagination.

But seeing my silver-haired sister in a white dress twice in a row made me realize the situation was far from simple.

What truly astonished me was that, at the very end of this latest fragmented vision, my sister wore the Faceless Butcher’s mask.

This startling coincidence shattered my self-deception, preventing me from pretending that everything was still normal.

However, as the ruby melted in my hand, I had no choice but to push these unsettling thoughts aside for the moment.

My immediate priority was to fully absorb all the heavenly treasures. Only then could I properly ponder the strange images I had just witnessed!

Once the ruby had completely merged into my palm, I swiftly closed my eyes, concentrating intently to discern its true grade.

Indeed, this ruby did not disappoint me.

It was undeniably a heavenly treasure, and not merely a basic one, but of at least a mid-grade level.

At this very moment, it was actively developing the hidden abilities within my body.

However, as I closed my eyes and perceived the unfolding imagery—a seed sprouting and growing into a magnificent tree—I found myself utterly bewildered. What exactly was this newly activated ability?

Just as I pondered this mystery, the colossal tree, once again assailed by black specks, reverted to a seed and began to grow anew. It was then that a faint suspicion surfaced in my mind, a glimmer of understanding about my new ability!

If my suspicions proved correct, then the recurring visions of my silver-haired sister in a white dress were intimately linked to this newly awakened power!

With this burgeoning theory in mind, I abruptly opened my eyes.

“Brother, what’s wrong?”

“I’m fine. I just need to speak with Li Fenghua about something. Please wait for me here.”

Ever since the ruby had merged into my body, my sister had been watching me with worried eyes, her anxious expression clearly indicating her deep concern.

Seeing her worried face, I offered her a reassuring smile.

After a brief explanation, I wasted no time, moving past her and heading directly towards Li Fenghua.

Li Fenghua was currently searching the corpses of the zombies for any useful items, so he was still bent over, meticulously scanning the ground as I approached.

Reaching his side, I said nothing, simply extending my hand and placing it on his shoulder.

In that instant, I activated the energy within my body, unleashing my newly awakened hidden ability.

In the next second, my vision plunged into darkness.

****

“5,000 Level 2 crystal cores. Not one less.”

“Brother Li, our base can only offer 4,500 Level 2 crystal cores. Can we make up the rest with 1,000 Level 1 crystal cores?”

“Who are you calling Brother Li? My business operates on clear pricing. If you can’t afford it, scram early.”

In this vision, Li Fenghua was draped in a mink fur coat, a cigar clenched between his teeth, lounging expansively in a wooden rocking chair. Several individuals stood nearby, fawning over him.

Upon hearing their words, Li Fenghua, whose face was partly obscured by a black eye patch, scowled impatiently. He removed the cigar from his mouth and flicked it, sending it directly onto the face of one of the men.

The still-burning tip sizzled against the man’s skin, instantly eliciting a cry of pain.

“Lord Li, our base truly cannot afford such an exorbitant price. The monthly zombie tide is almost upon us. If we don’t get these guns, our base will be finished.”

“Is it my fault you don’t have enough crystal cores? I don’t care if you cheat, swindle, or whatever else. Just produce the required crystal cores, and I’ll give you the guns. Otherwise, the deal’s off.”

Listening to the man’s desperate plea, a cold sneer twisted Li Fenghua’s lips. He then abruptly sat up from the rocking chair.

He cast a frigid gaze upon the people around him, his expression one of arrogant defiance. Even his eyes seemed to declare, ‘I’m just that formidable.’

****

The scene shattered, and I instantly snapped back to reality.

Emerging from the hallucination, I felt disoriented. Apart from the arm still resting on Li Fenghua’s shoulder, my other hand quickly retrieved several crystal cores from my spatial storage, rapidly drawing energy from them.

It was only when I had absorbed most of the crystal cores’ energy that I began to recover from the after-effects of overusing my ability.

Indeed, my conjecture was correct!

After absorbing the mid-grade heavenly treasure, I had activated a new ability: Premonition.

For now, all I knew was that by physically touching someone, I could foresee what would happen to them in the future.

However, the timing of these events was uncertain, so even with a premonition, it wouldn’t offer significant immediate help.

But that was for others…

For me, the emergence of this premonition ability was an immense aid!

Setting everything else aside, merely knowing that my sister would one day transform into the Faceless Butcher left me utterly shaken.