All Tease and No Feeding

Lou Yu's words jolted Tao Qiu awake. Yes, before the Shen Family, there were other people and organizations researching how to give humans superpowers so they could keep up with the changing times.

The one that took the materials from the White Fox fifteen years ago might be one of them.

Tao Qiu: "As far as you know, about fifteen years ago, which nearby base made a breakthrough in research on human superpowers?"

"Fifteen years ago..." Back then, Lou Yu was just an eleven-year-old kid. Although he was in the Lou Family, he generally didn't have access to this kind of important information. Later, as he grew up, he didn't seem to have heard any similar old news.

Etc?.

Lou Yu suddenly sat up straight, recalling something in his mind, and said to Tao Qiu, "About two days' journey east of the Yong'an Base, there used to be a small base, but it was abandoned due to the invasion of mutated monsters."

"Although that base was small, it was relatively safe at the time due to its advantageous location. A research team lived there. But later, mutated monsters breached the walls, and almost everyone in the base was wiped out, including the research team. That happened about fifteen years ago."

"Do you remember the first time you brought me prey? I received a mission that said there was some research equipment stored underground in that abandoned base. Back when the monsters invaded, the people from the Central Base didn't take the equipment with them when they went to rescue them. Last year, a passing mercenary team discovered that the underground of the abandoned base hadn't been damaged by the mutated monsters, and guessed that the equipment inside could probably be repaired and still be used."

"The Yong'an Base is also conducting reagent research, but they lack funds, experience, and equipment. Even equipment from fifteen years ago would be a godsend for them. I met you on my way back to the base after retrieving the equipment."

"When I led my team into the abandoned base to move equipment, we found a document in a safe. Its contents were related to the development of Awakening Reagent. I brought it back and gave it to the researchers at the Yong'an Base, and it certainly played a significant role in advancing their research."

"Researchers at the Yong'an Base said that the information in this document pertains to the initial stage of the Awakening Reagent development, but the basic model has already been quite complete. If the base hadn't been destroyed back then, that research team would definitely have successfully developed the Awakening Reagent much earlier than the Shen Family."

After speaking, Lou Yu looked at Tao Qiu: "This should be the base that best meets your criteria."

Tao Qiu pondered, "Two days' journey? No, that's not too far. It makes sense for the people from that base to come here to pick up materials."

After the great disaster, the plants mutated, causing the original roads to be destroyed and the terrain to change. It was said to be a two-day journey, but the distance was far less than before the great disaster.

After thinking it through, Tao Qiu said, "You said that it was people from the Central Base who went to the rescue back then. Were members of the Shen Family among those rescuers? Perhaps the research and development progress of the Awakening Reagent at that base was much faster than you guessed, but they were just unlucky and encountered a mutated monster invasion. The entire original research team was killed, which ultimately benefited the Shen Family."

Tao Qiu's point is that it's very likely the Shen Family obtained the research data from the scientific research team when they went to provide support, and then kept it for their own use, only to announce the existence of the reagents a few years later in the name of the Shen Family.

Lou Yu said, "Initially, when we got the information, we thought the same thing, but later I checked and found that the Shen Family sent the fewest people, and they were all scattered and mixed in with the other families' teams. If they had discovered something so important, it's impossible that the other families would have been completely unaware and let it keep it all to themselves. Of course, there are always exceptions, and perhaps the truth is as you said."

Tao Qiu tossed his long hair that hung down in front of his chest with his fingers, a habitual little gesture he made when he was thinking.

He thought, if the research team at that base really did develop a successful Awakening Reagent using materials from the fox, then the Red Fox was right; the White Fox's blood and fur were indeed very important to humans.

But as Lou Yu just said, if a reagent was made using a certain material last time, it's not certain that it can be replicated the same way next time.

So, before agreeing to an exchange deal with Red Fox, we should first test the materials to see if they're good and easy to use.

While Tao Qiu was deep in thought, Lou Yu, whose mind was racing, gradually came to his senses.

He rattled off a whole bunch of things to Tao Qiu, but still doesn't know why Tao Qiu is asking this?

"Isn't that what you mean by 'not'? It's an awkward question to ask, but Lou Yu asked it directly."

Tao Qiu answered bluntly, "You know, right? There are a lot of foxes living on that mountain across from my territory."

Lou Yu said, "I know, there are many foxes, and several high-level mutated foxes."

"You guys? For that Awakening Reagent research, you're probably looking for materials from monsters? The higher the level, the better, right?"

"Yes?" Lou Yu nodded.

"Do you want the materials from that high-level mutated fox? They're very cheap; you can trade them for some good food."

Lou Yu was stunned.

He knew Tao Qiu well enough to joke about something like this, but Tao Qiu's words still left him somewhat bewildered.

Tao Qiu proactively explained, "Remember the tomatoes I gave you last time? They tasted good, didn't they? That Red Fox on the mountain had its eye on my tomatoes. He wanted to trade them for prey, but I don't lack prey. He knew I was close to you, so he mentioned that fifteen years ago, humans went up the mountain and took materials from a high-level mutated White Fox. I don't know what those people did, but the mutated White Fox realized that the materials on its body were very important to humans."

"The White Fox is still alive. The Red Fox wants to trade its materials for tomatoes with me. I was thinking of giving you the materials first, and exchanging them for some good food doesn't seem bad, so I agreed."

In fact, the Red Fox only told him to ask the humans if they remembered the White Fox from fifteen years ago. It didn't even mention that humans had taken materials from the White Fox. These were all Tao Qiu's own guesses and deductions after asking Lou Yu.

Lou Yu's thoughts gradually became clearer, and he said with certainty, "The tomatoes you gave me last time, besides tasting good, actually had other uses, right?"

This is something Lou Yu experienced firsthand.

After eating the bamboo tube tomato, he had plenty of energy for a long time after returning to the base, and his use of his superpowers was smoother. After using up all his superpowers, the discomfort in his body also lessened.

Although it wasn't significantly reduced, Lou Yu himself could definitely feel the difference between before and after.

Although Lou Yu had some doubts before, he wasn't sure. But after hearing Tao Qiu say this, he knew he hadn't guessed wrong.

Mutated monsters, especially high-level mutated monsters, are very arrogant towards humans, treating them only as food.

If they could be so willing to offer humans their blood and hair in exchange for tomatoes, then tomatoes must have more than just being delicious.

Tao Qiu had foreseen this day when he fed Lou Yu tomatoes, so Lou Yu didn't hide anything and said directly, "Indeed, they have other special uses. The Red Fox traded tomatoes with me to treat some sick foxes. Those cubs that are naturally weak and prone to death can basically survive after eating my tomatoes."

After hearing Tao Qiu's words, Lou Yu was neither surprised nor surprised.

Tao Qiu has too many secrets, so this one doesn't seem like anything to be surprised about.

Seeing Lou Yu's calm expression, Tao Qiu was still a little annoyed. "Hey, shouldn't you be shocked and open your mouth wide at this moment, then stammer, 'Is that so? This tomato is amazing!'"

Lou Yu reached out and pinched Tao Qiu's puffed-up cheeks, chuckled, and said, "As you wish."

"Oh my god, is that really true? This tomato is amazing! Qiuqiu, you're even more amazing to have this kind of tomato. To be liked by you is a blessing I've accumulated over several lifetimes!"

Tao Qiu was amused by Lou Yu's exaggerated expressions and words, pouted, and said, "Isn't this enough?"

Chapter 49: All About Flirting, No Need to Feed Them

When Tao Qiu asked Lou Yu about the awakening of his supernatural abilities, Lou Yu truly answered all her questions without reservation, so Tao Qiu was willing to gradually reveal her secrets to him.

Tao Qiu said, "Actually, I grew the tomatoes myself. I grow other crops too, besides tomatoes. I'll go get my power bank later. Do you have any? I'll bring some over for you to try."

"Great! The food will definitely taste delicious." Lou Yu felt Tao Qiu's sincerity and was very happy.

Tao Qiu then asked, "Humans and mutated monsters have different constitutions. I wonder what effect tomatoes will have on you. Tell me, how did you feel when you ate tomatoes, and what changes did your body undergo afterwards?"

Lou Yu thought for a moment and said, "It's like someone who has been starving for a long time finally getting a bite of food; instantly, they feel alive again, warmth spreading through their limbs..."

Afterwards, Lou Yu also mentioned the effects of maintaining good energy and the benefits of supernatural abilities.

"It doesn't seem to directly affect your abilities, but rather it strengthens your physique, allowing you to use your abilities in a better state."

That's true.

Tao Qiu thought, if his blood is an emergency medicine, then the fruit grown from it would be a high-grade tonic that takes effect slowly but has a high efficacy.

Whether it's extending one's own lifespan, improving the three cubs' physique, saving the dying cubs, or the two roles played on Lou Yu, the essence is all about enhancing physical constitution.

"Then you'll have to eat more later, try to become stronger." Tao Qiu sighed, "The thing is, I can't let too many people and mutated monsters find out I can grow this special crop, otherwise I could give you more so you can take it back and eat it slowly."

Lou Yu comforted him, "It's okay, there's plenty of time. I'll come again later. Feed me a few more times, and I'll gradually become better."

Even if your secret is exposed, I will still fight alongside you.

"Hehe, you're right." Tao Qiu chuckled again.

He smiled, Lou Yu smiled along with him.