Ability: Purification

August 30.

The authorities finally announced that the mortality rate for people infected with the unknown virus after being caught in the rain was one hundred percent. They urged the public to stay home as much as possible and, if they absolutely had to go out, to take comprehensive protective measures.

The announcement threw the entire country into chaos. Residents began panic-buying all kinds of supplies, and amid the disorder, local authorities stepped in to maintain order. That afternoon, mandatory stay-at-home orders were issued across the country.

Cheng Jing and the others also received a new notice from headquarters: cooperate with Qingyun City's authorities to maintain order in the city when necessary.

On the morning of the thirty-first, Jiang Nian finally woke after spending three days unconscious with a high fever. Just as in his previous life, he had awakened the Purification Ability.

Purification was a healing and support ability, but it was not as powerful as a healing ability. It seemed rather useless and rarely attracted much attention.

But Jiang Nian himself knew that, of all the abilities, only purification was effective against the zombie virus, and it was also highly sensitive to energy fluctuations.

Moreover, in his previous life, just as his ability crystal core was about to be cut out of him, he had experienced a severe drug shock. Under that intense pressure, his ability had mutated and developed a new attribute.

But at the time, all he had wanted was to die, and he had not wanted to save Chen Yue either, so he had said nothing. He just did not know whether Chen Yue, who had inherited his ability crystal core, had discovered that attribute.

"Purification is great. At least we'll be safer eating than other people in the apocalypse. Didn't you say some people would awaken mental abilities? With you around, I won't be afraid."

As Cheng Jing spoke, he pulled Jiang Nian into his arms. His own ability was suited to powerful attacks, so he would inevitably be on the front lines and could run into anything. Purification seemed rather useless, but in his eyes, it was the ability most likely to catch someone off guard.

Jiang Nian smiled and nodded.

"Thanks, Brother Jing~"

See? His Brother Jing really knew how to comfort people. Just a few words had made him feel like he was incredible.

In his previous life, his only chance to use his ability had been to treat Chen Yue and alleviate the zombie virus. He had not had the chance to do anything else, but he surely could in this life.

Cheng Jing's expression turned serious.

"I'm serious. Leave the outside matters to me. All you need to do is support me from behind."

"Okay."

Jiang Nian nodded seriously too, then said:

"Brother Jing, I don't want to make my ability public. Unless I have no choice, I'd rather use it quietly. That would also help me avoid unnecessary trouble."

Cheng Jing respected his wishes.

"All right. Then we'll keep it secret and tell no one. We'll reveal it when we really need to."

"Mm."

"..."

After taking care of Jiang Nian and making sure he ate, Cheng Jing held an online meeting with Huang Qian and the others. He told them to be ready to deal with chaos at any time, to look after themselves before anyone else, and to act within their capabilities even if the authorities asked for their help.

After the authorities issued the stay-at-home order, everywhere except the hospitals was eerily quiet.

Toward evening, Cheng Jing received a call from the authorities, instructing him and his team to report to a designated location and register in case they were needed.

Cheng Jing put on his protective suit and, before leaving, asked Jiang Nian to give him the ring for the time being.

"The rain will stop tomorrow, on the first. Not long after that, the dead will come back to life. After I report in tonight, I'll fill the ring up completely while I'm out. I probably won't be back until the early hours, so don't wait for me. Eat and sleep on time and get your strength back."

"Mm, I know. Be careful."

Although Jiang Nian was worried, he said nothing more. Cheng Jing's job was a special one, and he certainly could not refuse when the authorities summoned him.

After going downstairs, Cheng Jing went with Huang Qian to report in. They each drove a car in case anything unusual happened.

Jiang Nian stayed home and gradually practiced using his ability to get accustomed to it.

Although he had spent three days unconscious with a high fever, after waking he felt no discomfort apart from being a little sleepy from hunger. His Purification Ability in particular had improved his overall physical condition, and even some symptoms of poor health had disappeared.

If he trained harder, he could surely improve his physique, which would also help his ability evolve.

After all, the strength of an ability was directly proportional to one's physique and mental strength. The stronger one's physique and mental strength, the faster one's ability would evolve.

Jiang Nian tested the maximum range at which he could currently use his ability.

Spread outward, it covered a roughly circular area three meters in diameter. When directed one way, its range was also about three meters.

In his previous life, he had not had much chance to practice. Under the impact of the drugs, the limit he had reached was five hundred meters, and it was then that he had discovered his ability had mutated.

Jiang Nian knew he was not as formidable as Cheng Jing and was determined to cling tightly to Cheng Jing's thigh, but he was still a grown man, 183 centimeters tall, with a tall frame, long legs, and youthful vigor. It was really unreasonable to let Cheng Jing protect him without doing anything in return.

In his previous life, he had been tied up in a basement like a dog and died full of regret. In this life, he would pull himself together.

Cheng Jing did not return until it was nearly dawn. The rain had already stopped, and Jiang Nian, who had slept restlessly all night, only fell into a deep sleep after he came back.

Cheng Jing silenced both their phones. By the time they woke after sleeping their fill, the world outside had changed.

No one had contacted them except Huang Qian and the others. There were no messages even in the head office and official liaison groups. The apocalypse had arrived, and everyone was too busy looking after themselves.

News on their phones was full of reports of the dead coming back to life, turning into zombies, and attacking people. Those who were attacked were also quickly infected and turned into zombies.

Terrified screams and a clamor rose from downstairs. Cheng Jing opened the window and looked out. He saw an elderly man who had previously used a cane chasing his own caregiver and biting at her after turning into a zombie. Several others nearby were already fighting.

Breakfast was a simple meal of toast and fried eggs with milk. After eating his fill, Jiang Nian leaned back on the sofa, scrolling through his phone and talking to himself.

"It's only the first day. It won't reach its peak until the end of the month, but the water and electricity will be cut off in half a month. The military and the authorities will give priority to rescuing schools, people with special statuses or occupations, and their families. Then they'll start organizing and building apocalypse rescue bases..."

"There'll be hail in mid-October. After that, temperatures will drop, snow will fall, and the extreme cold will begin. A lot of people will die... The extreme cold won't end until mid-March, and only then will military rescue teams set out from the various bases to look for survivors. In other words, from now until April next year, ordinary people without connections will have to rely on themselves and the meager aid offered by local governments..."

Cheng Jing turned his head to glance at him and asked, pretending to be casual:

"Will they build a rescue base or shelter here?"

"Not in Qingyun City. There are some in the suburbs of neighboring cities..."

Jiang Nian answered without hesitation. When he finished, he looked up instinctively and met Cheng Jing's profound gaze. Only then did he realize he had let something slip. He gave an awkward smile.

"Uh... Brother Jing..."

Cheng Jing walked over and sat beside him, pulling him into his arms. He rubbed the ring on Jiang Nian's left ring finger, sighed softly, and asked:

"Jiang Nian, can you tell me the truth? How exactly do you know all this? I'd sooner believe you could divine the future than believe it was a dream."

It was almost as though events were following the script Jiang Nian had described.

"..."

Jiang Nian lowered his eyes and said nothing. Lately, he had deliberately or inadvertently let down his guard and talked nonsense, intending all along to find a chance to come clean to Cheng Jing. But now that Cheng Jing had actually asked, he was afraid.