The Absolute Favorite in the Apocalyptic Rebirth

In the distance, a swathe of burning red caught the eye.

It was a patch of desert poplars, unique to the desert landscape.

Lou Ling gazed at it for a moment, then quickly closed her eyes. Physiological tears welled up, stinging her eyes. She rubbed them gently until the discomfort subsided.

Lou Dian took her hand, examining it closely. Noticing the redness around her eyes, he wiped her tears with a clean, damp cloth. "These desert poplars have mutated," he explained. "With your current ability level, you can't handle them. Don't look at them for too long, or your eyes will suffer."

Lou Ling acknowledged his words and averted her gaze from the poplars, shifting her focus to the oasis beyond. The apocalyptic heat had dried up many desert oases. During their ten-day journey through the desert, they had passed numerous withered oases and scorched forests. Finding this relatively large oasis, complete with water and trees, was both surprising and unsettling.

After observing for a while, Lou Ling realized the desert poplars served as a protective barrier around the oasis. To enter, they would have to pass through this forest of mutated trees.

The siblings sat on the roof of their vehicle, observing the scene. Suddenly, Lou Dian spoke. "There's a powerful wood-elemental ability user here."

Lou Ling looked at him in surprise. "Are you sure? How powerful?" As a wood-elemental ability user herself, she couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity about this other individual.

"Peak Level Four."

Lou Ling gasped, a mixture of envy and awe washing over her. The comparison was stark. She had trained tirelessly, yet she was only at the beginning of Level Two. This person was already at the peak of Level Four – not just two levels higher, but with combat power hundreds of times greater.

"Don't be envious. You have me. I'm your trump card," Lou Dian said affectionately, stroking her head and touching his forehead to hers. "They were probably one of the first to awaken. You're not inferior to them."

The first wave of awakened individuals at the beginning of the apocalypse had a distinct advantage. Their cultivation speed was faster, their ability levels higher, and their talents greater than those who awakened later. Lou Ling belonged to the second wave, which explained her slower cultivation progress.

Lou Ling nodded in understanding. Gazing at the oasis again, she asked, "Should we go in?"

"Do you want to go in?" Lou Dian countered.

"Of course." Having come this far, she would regret not taking a closer look. She was also curious about who could establish such a paradise-like safe haven in the middle of the desert.

Lou Dian jumped down from the vehicle and extended his hand to help her down. He then drove the car to the edge of the desert poplar forest, siphoned the remaining gasoline, and abandoned the vehicle.

As they entered the forest, they noticed the fiery red branches of the desert poplars were covered in red flowers. From a distance, these flowers could easily be mistaken for leaves. Transformed by the apocalypse, the trees grew even more densely than before. Walking beneath them, looking up, created a sense of being enveloped by a dense canopy.

Within the forest, Lou Ling felt the strange, stimulating energy emanating from the desert poplars. Her low ability level made her vulnerable to this stimulation, and her eyes began to water again.

Lou Dian's gaze turned cold. Suppressing the urge to set the trees ablaze, he pulled Lou Ling close, shielding her face against his chest, and lifted her into his arms.

"Close your eyes. I'll carry you through," he murmured, his voice gentle, contrasting with the coldness in his eyes.

Lou Ling hesitated for a moment, then accepted his offer, burying her face in his chest and closing her eyes.

He began to move swiftly through the forest. Unable to see, Lou Ling relied on her hearing, which was amplified by the surrounding silence. She also became acutely aware of her spirit seemingly merging with the desert poplars, as if their energy was becoming intertwined. She could almost perceive their growth, their roots digging deep into the sand, tendrils reaching down hundreds of meters, drawing moisture from the damp earth below…

"Xiao Ling!"

A distant call pulled her back from her trance. Opening her eyes, she found they had emerged from the forest and were standing at the entrance to the oasis. Looking up, she met her brother's worried gaze, filled with concern and a hint of fear. He seemed startled by her previous state.

"I think I could feel their life force…" Lou Ling whispered in his ear.

Lou Dian looked surprised, then understanding dawned on him. "It's not surprising. You often interact with mutated plants; they're more likely to accept you. However, these desert poplars have an owner. The fact that you can sense their life force means my sister is quite formidable," he said with a hint of pride, placing a gentle kiss on her temple.

Lou Ling smiled, pleased by his praise.

As they shared this moment, a sharp whistling sound cut through the air. Lou Dian swiftly pulled her close, leaping back with incredible speed. In an instant, they were ten meters away. The spot where they had been standing exploded, revealing three embedded arrows.

"Are you humans?"

A childish voice inquired.

They turned to see a young girl, dressed in slightly dirty nomadic attire, standing nearby. Beside her stood a teenage boy with a bow and arrow. Both children eyed them warily, relaxing slightly when they confirmed they were human. However, the boy quickly resumed his guarded stance.

This wariness was familiar. In the apocalypse, one had to be wary not only of zombies but also of fellow humans. A moment of carelessness could lead to being betrayed or robbed. Lou Ling believed her actions over the past two years had been morally sound, so being treated with suspicion by these children was somewhat disheartening.

"Yes, we're human," Lou Ling said with her usual smile. "Zombies can't talk, and their eyes are red."

The little girl, who appeared to be six or seven years old, still retained a childlike innocence. Hearing Lou Ling's words, she smiled. "Sister, where did you come from? How did you find the Anqiya Oasis? You're so lucky to have found it. You don't have to worry about dying of thirst in the desert."

Lou Ling smiled, about to reply, when the boy interrupted, his voice cold. "Are you planning to stay here, or are you leaving? What's your purpose?" He was direct, leaving no room for pleasantries.

"…"

Lou Dian spoke, his voice gentle and refined. "We stumbled upon it by chance. We have no ulterior motives."

Lou Dian's handsome and gentle appearance gave him an air of harmlessness. Of course, this was merely a facade. However, it seemed to reassure the children somewhat. Even in the apocalypse, good looks still held a certain advantage.

The boy considered this, then said coldly, "Follow me. Don't wander around, or you'll get lost."

The comment was slightly condescending. It was just an oasis; how could one get lost? An ordinary person might have taken offense, but Lou Ling was easygoing, and Lou Dian rarely paid attention to anyone other than his sister. Neither of them reacted to the boy's sarcastic remark.

Despite his coldness, the boy didn't seem malicious. Unfazed by his attitude, Lou Ling maintained her cheerful demeanor and even offered the little girl some candy. The temptation proved irresistible. The girl licked her lips, clearly wanting the treat, but hesitated to accept it without permission. Only after the boy nodded did she happily take the two candies Lou Ling offered. She peeled one for herself and then peeled the other, offering it to her brother. "Brother, have some," she said softly.

The boy had intended for her to keep both, but seeing her insistence, he accepted the candy.

Candy was a rare and precious commodity in the apocalypse, a luxury few could afford. The boy didn't suspect Lou Ling would use such a valuable item to harm them and accepted it without hesitation. Lou Ling observed him discreetly, impressed by his maturity and composure. He was only ten or eleven years old, yet already so responsible and sensible, unlike a certain thirteen-year-old who had initially presented as a chuunibyou, solely focused on teasing his sister.

Thinking of this, she glanced at Lou Dian. He was calmly observing the oasis, his hand firmly clasped around hers. She couldn't help but smile.

The oasis was vast, with a flat expanse of rough ground leading to a clear lake. Lush forests bordered both sides of the lake. As they walked through the trees, Lou Ling and Lou Dian noticed the boy was leading them along a specific path. Despite the seemingly straightforward layout of the forest, it took them nearly half an hour to traverse it.

Lou Dian's pupils constricted slightly as he realized the forest held hidden complexities. Whoever was protecting this oasis and had transformed it into such a haven was undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with.

Emerging from the forest, their view opened up to reveal a cluster of buildings, primarily treehouses and tents. Many people, both adults and children, were busy with various tasks: processing mutated beast carcasses, weaving ropes, drying herbs… The scene was bustling yet peaceful, a true sanctuary in a desolate world.

"Bach and Funa are back! Wait, who are they?"

A loud voice shattered the peaceful atmosphere. All activity seemed to pause as everyone turned to stare at the newcomers, their gazes filled with curiosity, aversion, scrutiny, indifference, and suspicion…

The boy, Bach, subtly shielded his sister behind him. "They stumbled into Anqiya. I'm taking them to see the Sage."

Hearing Bach's explanation, the crowd exchanged glances, then resumed their activities, seemingly understanding. They urged Bach to continue, without acknowledging Lou Ling and Lou Dian.

Bach responded to them, then turned back to the siblings, his voice cold. "Follow me. Don't look around."

Lou Ling, still smiling, followed Bach and his sister without a care. Lou Dian, however, casually observed the busy crowd, noting their subtle actions. He sneered inwardly.

He was eager to see who this "Sage" was.

Author's Notes:

Today's goals:

Lou Ling's goal: Explore the oasis!

Lou Dian's goal: Pamper his sister!

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