Chapter 177: Gene-Plundering Talent
Su Ning originally planned to continue resting, but when she saw Zhang Li making gloves and boots out of the Snow-Furred Beast’s hide, she immediately thought of the sweater and pants she had once made using thread from Silk-Spider’s silk.
Since she had nothing better to do at the moment, she took out the silk from her storage space and began knitting.
When Jiang Nana saw Su Ning and Zhang Li leaning comfortably against Youyou under a blanket, she didn’t hesitate and squeezed in too.
Of course, the little Fire Meow also wanted to join, but the tiny creature was terrified of Youyou and leapt directly into Kou Dingshan’s arms.
Fire Meow: “So what if you’re bigger? Hmph! Jealous of me being cuddled, aren’t you?”
Youyou: “??”
Jiang Nana looked at Su Ning and Zhang Li—one was knitting a sweater, the other crafting gloves.
Though her hands were idle, her mouth certainly wasn’t.
“I just got some info out of Duan Heng earlier. Apparently, the person in charge of the Fifth Shelter is really young. It used to be his father managing the shelter, but after his father died unexpectedly, he stepped up to take over. That’s why he didn’t give up becoming a player himself.”
Su Ning kept her hands moving while listening to Jiang Nana’s lively chatter.
Zhang Li, on the other hand, became interested. “Oh? He’s that young? Can he really manage a shelter?”
“That’s exactly what I was about to say. Apparently, his father died due to internal conflict.” As she spoke, Jiang Nana made a throat-slashing gesture.
“For real? Guess you can’t escape power struggles no matter where you go. I just hope their internal feuds don’t endanger ordinary people like us,” Zhang Li sighed helplessly.
Wasn’t that the exact reason they fled from the Sixth Shelter? Endless internal strife. Of course, the natural disaster played a role too, but the real issue was the hopelessness they felt staying in the Sixth Shelter.
Just as Jiang Nana was about to say more, a sudden commotion instantly drew everyone’s attention.
“You demons! You’ll never end well! Go to hell—all of you!”
A sharp, anguished scream tore through the previously calm air like a blade, immediately alerting everyone nearby.
As always, the crowd’s instinct to watch drama kicked in. Everyone rushed over to see what was going on.
Su Ning stopped knitting. Zhang Li set down her unfinished gloves. Jiang Nana even stood up and peered outside.
Their ice house was still a distance from the Fifth Shelter itself. This area was filled with small houses made of ice.
“What happened?”
When Su Ning and the others rushed over, they were still confused.
In the vast snowy landscape, a middle-aged woman was kneeling in the snow beside a young boy.
The boy had no signs of life. His face was bluish-purple.
The woman’s face was gaunt, her expression near collapse. Clearly, the boy was her most precious treasure.
Several men stood around her.
One of them kicked her hard and cursed, “Who’s to blame? We were just teaching him a little lesson. Who knew he was this fragile? Dead is dead—at least he won’t waste food anymore.”
Already devastated by her son’s death, the mother lost all sense of reason hearing such heartless words. Like a mad lioness, she lunged and bit at the man with both hands and teeth.
The man looked annoyed and impatient. He simply raised his leg and kicked her away.
Gasps echoed from the onlookers at such a brutal sight.
When Su Ning and the others got a clear view of the situation, Kou Dingshan was just about to step forward to intervene when Duan Heng, who shared the same ice house as them, quickly stopped him.
“I advise you not to get involved. That man and his team aren’t people you want to mess with.”
Kou Dingshan frowned deeply. “What, we’re just going to stand by and watch them do whatever they want? And where are the Fifth Shelter’s guards?”
Duan Heng’s expression turned complicated.
“They intervene once or twice—but not forever. After enough incidents, no one wants to get involved anymore.”
“Besides, that guy is insanely powerful. Even the Fifth Shelter’s leader has tried to deal with him multiple times, but couldn’t drive him away. It’s not just a headache for you—it’s a massive problem for the entire leadership.”
Jiang Nana was dumbfounded. “How can this be? They’re just letting him do whatever he wants?”
Duan Heng said, “What choice do they have? Why do you think we’re stuck out here in ice houses being ‘evaluated’ for days before we’re allowed in? It’s partly to keep an eye on people like him.”
“Bastards like that deserve to die!” Zhao Fuqing said angrily, thinking of how his own parents were forced to their deaths.
Duan Heng went on, “But he did reach an agreement with the shelter’s management. He promised not to cause trouble—as long as he can get a bit of blood from the newcomers here. For days, he’s just been taking small samples without harming anyone. I don’t know what happened today… Maybe something went wrong during the extraction, and the boy died.”
“Blood? What does he need blood for? Is he a vampire or something?” Zhang Li was confused.
Su Ning narrowed her eyes at the man who had kicked the grieving mother.
[Player: Yang Wei]
Talent:
Gene Plunder – By obtaining a target’s blood, he can temporarily use all the abilities of the blood’s original owner. If he collects enough of the target’s blood and the target dies, he can permanently acquire their talent or skills.
Talents:
Burning Flame – Can control flame temperature.
Folded Space – Spatial ability; can manipulate folded space.
Fluid Manipulation – Can control substances like water.
Rock Skin – Skin becomes as tough as rock.
Skills:
Rock Fist, Iron Body, Fireball, Wind Blade, Waterball, Spatial Teleport, Slash, Telekinesis, Reconnaissance…
Su Ning read Yang Wei’s data and was secretly shocked.
“Gene Plunder? So that’s why he wants people’s blood—he’s selecting talents and abilities to absorb and grow stronger.”
That also explained the boy’s death—Yang Wei had likely stolen the child’s talent or skill.
The thought made Su Ning’s expression darken with disgust.
Soon, some guards rushed over after hearing the noise, but they were powerless to restrain Yang Wei.
“All right, all right, I’ll leave soon,” Yang Wei said casually. “But before I go, I need blood from the new arrivals here. This was part of my deal with your leader.”
Su Ning’s previously favorable impression of the Fifth Shelter’s leadership plummeted instantly.
This man was allowed to select players like picking cabbages—clearly with someone’s permission.
As soon as Yang Wei spoke, the crowd instinctively stepped back.
Then, Yang Wei’s gaze turned toward Su Ning’s group. When he saw Youyou beside her, his eyes lit up with excitement.
Yang Wei licked his lips, barely able to contain himself.
“There are lots of players here, but most of their talents are weak. Monster talents, on the other hand… are a different story!”
Su Ning clearly felt Yang Wei’s gaze. Jiang Nana and the others immediately realized it—Yang Wei had set his sights on Su Ning.
Zhang Li, sitting closest to Su Ning, could feel the faint killing intent emanating from her.
At that moment, she understood: someone was about to walk straight into a bloodbath.
