The remaining four were stunned. Some tried to flee, while others instinctively swung their weapons in panic. James Lone showed no mercy. He couldn't discern the relationships among the survivors; they might be relatives or friends. The grass must be uprooted; leaving any threat behind was a gamble. In an era of superpowers, who knew if they might gain formidable abilities in the future?

With a swoosh, the mental sword swept across. Four heads flew into the air. Thud! Four lifeless bodies collapsed to the ground. James Lone had blood splattered on him, but his mental weapon remained pristine, untouched by a drop of blood. He approached the last female superhuman.

The two superhumans housed only a single power each. The male's ability appeared to be surveillance, indicated by the rubble on the outer wall, which belonged to this female superhuman. Based on the ability orbs he had seen in the light of the mind, James Lone could vaguely identify that she had an auxiliary-type power—a minimal threat to him.

Startled, the female superhuman continued repairing a machine, seemingly unperturbed. Click! Click! As James Lone approached, he caught sight of her. She had fair skin, a long ponytail, and was dressed in blue work attire. Her gloved hands were coated in grease as she focused intently on fixing a diesel generator.

Lancy George Age: 25 Quality: 9/10 (Rare Engineering Beauty) Virtue: 10/10 (Untouched) Overall Rating: 9/10

Ding! Meets system requirements!

He was shocked to find her a 9-point beauty. Unclear about her relationship with the others outside, he hesitated over whether to kill her.

"Manager Linkon, it should be almost done, no major issues, just a bit..." Lancy George casually remarked, turning around only to face a muscular stranger drenched in blood, wielding an excessively large, shimmering sword.

"Ah!" Lancy George screamed and tumbled backward, panicked, "Who—who are you? Don't come any closer!"

James Lone noticed her choice of words and coldly asked, "Who is Manager Linkon?"

Lancy George's mind raced, her fear overwhelming her coherence. "That's, uh, that's..."

James Lone stepped into the purple fog, returning moments later, hauling five heads and discarding them at her feet. "Who is Manager Linkon?"

Lancy George, terrified, squeezed her eyes shut, begging, "Please remove them! Quick, move them away!"

Without hesitation, James Lone slapped her hard. Smack! "Shut up!"

She instantly fell silent, tears brimming in her eyes as she stared at him in horror.

With a cold expression, James Lone said, "You answer my questions. Say one more useless word, and you're dead!"

Lancy George nodded hastily.

"Which one is Manager Linkon?"

"This one..." she indicated the male superhuman.

"How did you end up here?"

"I-I'm the owner of this club."

"What's your relationship with Manager Linkon?"

"He's just an employee I hired, managing daily operations. If you have a vendetta against him, just kill him; I have nothing to do with it! We're merely colleagues!" Lancy George pleaded desperately.

Seeing James Lone continue to inquire about Linkon, she presumed he was a former enemy, come seeking revenge. However, James Lone could never trust her word alone; he needed to assess her emotions, perceiving glimmers of red and a predominance of yellow within her—probably confirming they were not lovers.

"Where are the other survivors?"

"I don't know them! They were rescued by Linkon. He made them work and provided food."

"There are only six in total. You claim you don't know them?" James Lone raised his blade threateningly.

Lancy George, panicking, waved her hands. "I swear! I'm not lying! They're survivors from outside! I don't know them! Please, my dad is Jill George! Don't kill me! I can get you money! A million! Two million! Just say the number!"

Jill George?

James Lone recognized the name. He had worked at a hotel where the chairman was Jill George and even encountered him once. He heard that the big boss had a daughter—Lancy George must be the one.

Examining her closely, he noticed Lancy did resemble her father to some extent. Feeling reassured, he concluded she had no ties to the others outside.

"Money's worthless now," James Lone said nonchalantly.

Desperation settled over Lancy George; besides money, what else could she offer for her life? "I can repair machines!" she replied hurriedly. "I studied automation in college, Big Brother. I can fix cars and minor electrical issues. I'd be very useful if you keep me!"

Growing up under the tutelage of her businessman father, while she hadn't learned much else, she grasped the art of discernment completely. Jill George had ingrained it into her: "Lancy, don't be fooled by your father's outward grandeur; before those in power, he is nothing! So, at times, when you encounter significant figures, it's better to bow low. Remember: beneath the eaves, one must bow."

Having always idolized her father, she took his words to heart. Now, her survival depended on her willingness to comply.

"And I also possess a superpower that can help you reinforce buildings. I-I might still be considered... attractive." Lancy George, cheeks flushed, ventured, not hesitating to use her body to entice James Lone.

"You can do whatever you want. Just please, don't kill me!"

James Lone, noticing her desperation, casually asked, "You mentioned you had food. What do you eat here?"

Without pausing to think, Lancy George spilled, "There's a peach tree in the backyard. After the purple fog descended, it produces several peaches daily, and that's how we've survived."

Peaches? James Lone raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Let me see."

In no time, James Lone stood before a glowing peach tree. The tree emanated a faint light, clearly mutated. Each peach was considerably larger, about the size of a human fist.

James Lone frowned, questioning, "Can this thing be eaten?"

After the purple fog arrived, most plants mutated, often becoming toxic. Previously edible fruit trees were now risk-laden. Some bore poison, others fibers that were impossible to swallow. So far, James Lone only knew that shepherd's purse was still edible, albeit foul-smelling.

Could these peaches be safe?

With a gentle leap, James Lone plucked one and handed it to Lancy George. "Eat it."

This man was overly cautious, Lancy thought, yet obediently took a bite. Observing her blissful expression, it seemed edible. He scrutinized the colors surrounding her; there was no significant change, confirming it didn't possess harmful effects.

Still, James Lone wouldn't consume it immediately; he had to ensure Lancy George lacked any toxin resistance. If the peach was poisonous and she was immune, he could find himself in grave trouble.

Lancy George whispered softly, "I don't lie, I swear it's safe, Big Brother. Look here."

She scratched at the earth, adding, "We planted some peach seeds here, but it's been too short a time—they haven't sprouted yet."

The soil truly harbored several peach pits. James Lone nearly trusted her; if it were poisonous, they wouldn't be planting peaches.

Without hesitance, he pulled a plastic bag from his spatial storage and handed it to Lancy. "Leave one in the soil, and collect all the others."

Lancy George was stunned, feeling dazed. Where did this plastic bag come from?

She dared not ask, hurriedly gathering all the pits.

James Lone took the bag of pits and stored it again in his spatial storage. Lancy George's expression froze. How did the bag vanish again?

Oh, right! It must be an ability!

Panic surged within her heart as she began to hyperventilate.

I saw more than I should!

"I saw something I shouldn't have, Big Brother; please don't kill me!" she stumbled over her words.

James Lone cast a glance her way, clearly aware she was sharp. He crouched down by the leftover peach pits, channeling his plant growth ability. Waves of stamina rushed through him, and moments later, a young sprout emerged, swiftly growing into a small peach seedling.

He ceased as his energy waned, needing to conserve enough to foster a whole tree. However, proving the pits could germinate was enough.

Lancy George stood wide-eyed, stunned into silence.

Another ability?!!!

James Lone extracted the shining mental sword and plunged it deeply into the ground, tracing a circle around the peach tree's trunk.

Then hugging the tree, he summoned tremendous strength.

His vitality surged 500%!

Boom!

The several-meter-high peach tree was yanked from the ground!

Gulp! Lancy George struggled to swallow, overwhelmed by another displayed ability.

James Lone conjured the peach tree into his spatial storage, resolving to find a safer spot to replant it later.

Pointing at the hole left behind by the tree's removal, James Lone declared, "You have two choices: come with me or be buried in that hole."

Lancy George felt as if a weight had lifted—a second chance! "I'll go with you!"

James Lone chuckled, "I like smart women. Come, let's test you."

"Uh? Right now?" Lancy George stammered, utterly flustered.