James Lone opened the bedroom door and left the room. Winnie Morgan slightly opened her eyes, looking at James Lone's back with a complex expression.

In fact, she had woken up when James got out of bed, as she was a light sleeper. She just didn't know how to face this man, so she pretended to be asleep.

Winnie Morgan thought she should feel resentment. Yet, she didn't.

In the precarious times of the violet mist era, James's home was a paradise for women. Security, ample food, abundant resources, and even enough propane to cook. Except for the lack of electricity, it was almost like peacetime.

But besides her looks, what value did she bring here?

Winnie suddenly remembered Lulia Smith; she had known Professor Smith was a healer.

That's it!

Water Condensation!

James Lone must have saved them because of their abilities. This ability was her foundation!

Feeling more secure, Winnie heard James say, "Stop pretending to sleep. Get up for breakfast."

"Ah!" She jumped, blushing with shame, realizing that James knew all along she was awake.

Winnie hurriedly got up.

Entering the living room, she was stunned. The table was full of an incredible spread of food—milk, bread, fried dough sticks, eggs, soy milk...

She was dumbfounded.

"Why is there so much food?"

Such extravagance!

This feast would feed ten people for a week at the New York Film Academy. But here at James Lone's, it was just another breakfast.

While her Water Condensation ability prevented hunger, Winnie usually ate whatever was available—not picky eating. This abundance indicated James Lone had a vast reserve of supplies!

Remembering Shirley Inr Won's "pre-employment training" from the night before:

"The master knew about the violet mist rewards ahead of time, with a personal space, stocked massively in advance, enough for 100 years of feasting."

Seeing it firsthand, Winnie was finally convinced.

What other reason could there be for James to use food so lavishly?

She glanced at James Lone, pondering how he knew about the mist's arrival. Did he know its cause as well?

James was quickly cracking and eating boiled eggs, two pretty women on either side peeling them for him.

Breakfast was leisurely, and the women gathered to chat in groups.

Winnie Morgan felt out of place. Lily Green waved her over, "Winnie, come join us."

Lily sat with Lulia Smith, who also smiled warmly at Winnie.

Relieved, she sat beside them.

After eating, Monroe Anne brought in a large plate of grilled meat, "This is from the mutated frog from the other day. The master tested it and found it beneficial. Everyone must eat one skewer."

Seeing James Lone eat his share, the women felt reassured and joined in.

James was confident the mutated frog meat was safe, seemingly enhancing physical attributes.

The mobbing survivors yesterday showed improved glows compared to earlier days.

James, whose physical prowess increased, needed the women to have stronger bodies—gentle accidents could hurt them at night. Thus, boosting the women's strength became necessary.

James pondered giving each woman a 1-Star Physique Enhancement to cope with the increasingly dangerous violet mist era, as well as aid in nightly activities.

However, these fruits wouldn't be handed out freely. Their effort would determine their reward.

After all, incentives are key to improving service quality.

Tasting a piece, James remarked, delighted, "It's actually tasty, like lamb meat."

Moreover, the food made him feel warm inside.

Observing internally, he saw the frog meat like a kindling, releasing energy absorbed by his muscles, bones, and organs as it reached his stomach.

He consumed a total of 10 skewers, 10 eggs, 4 glasses of milk, 2 bowls of soy milk, and 5 fried dough sticks.

The women watched with amazement but were pleased; the stronger James became, the safer they were.

James didn't hide his large appetite now.

Since enhancing physically, his eating capacity greatly increased, yet his fortified digestive system allowed him to handle such amounts.

Shirley Inr Won, who had experienced physique enhancement, also ate more than the other women.

After breakfast, the women began to clear the table together.

James decided to dedicate one room as a kitchen, setting up five freezers, filled with ice and food, to last the women three days in case he couldn't return promptly.

Of course, if something did happen to him, escaping death would be unlikely for them.

James handed a Perception Fruit to Winnie Morgan.

Surprised, she asked, "You have Black Nephelium too?! Is this for me?"

In various survivor groups, Enlightenment Fruits had different names.

James nodded, "Here, we call them Ability Fruits. This is a Perception Fruit to help you sense any hostility towards you. Every woman joining receives one. I have plenty more fruits, but you'll need to earn the rest."

Winnie was stunned.

Never did she expect such treasures, so precious outside, to be given as rewards here.

In disbelief, she asked, "Are you saying all of them have abilities?"

James smiled, "Yes, and some have more than one."

The women looked at Winnie with amused smiles.

April Jones boasted, "I can teleport, Shirley can phase through walls, Monroe can call us with her mind."

Winnie was utterly bewildered.

With a gesture, James conjured a large water ball before her.

Her eyes widened, "You can condense water too? How is your speed so fast?"

James chuckled, taking out a handful of Water Condensation fruits, "I have plenty of these. Repeated consumption may upgrade the ability. Show good behavior, and I'll reward you more."

The other women weren't surprised.

A handful of ability fruits! Winnie felt no more pride.

She initially thought James saved her for her Water Condensation.

Assuming favoritism, she thought she outshone the others.

But clearly, she wasn't special at all.

Outside, such abilities were rare treasures, but here, everyone had at least one, if not more.

James phased through to the rooftop to practice Vital Burst and Phantom Maneuver, yet no progress was made.

Reaching Teresa Taylor's level of mastery would take who knows how long. He had to admit, "Teresa really is a martial genius..."

Taking a handful of fruits, he began consuming them.

If skill couldn't improve, then he would maximize stats!

On the rooftop, gazing at the boundless sea of violet mist, James dug into his reward fruits.

Wondering if Teresa had reached the TV station yet...

New York Trump Tower

On a building's rooftop, the portly Jashen Gonzales, dressed in pristine black executive attire, strutted with an official air, starkly contrasting the present chaos.

Behind him, survivors followed without question, deferentially matching his stride.

Jashen inspected a rooftop garden. Taking a sip from a thermos, he declared loudly, "I hereby announce the successful completion of New York Trump Tower's rooftop gardening project, thanks to objective summaries, scientific planning, and meticulous execution by our survivor leadership team!"

Clap clap clap!

The survivors beamed with excitement, clapping like praised schoolchildren.

Some turned visibly red, euphoric at Jashen's recognition.

The entire scene exuded an intense eeriness despite the lively atmosphere.

With a hand raise, Jashen hushed the crowd instantly.

Calmly, he continued, "However, a few minor issues remain. Let me speak on them!"

Hearing him, expressions became somber, attentively awaiting his insights.

"First off, let's improve understanding and correct our attitudes..."

Unseen waves of influence rippled from him, as Jashen's words eerily affected those present.