Nightfall.

On a narrow path in the Salt Highlands, Zhang Ping trudged forward behind Liu Sishan.

The sides of the path were overgrown with Hydrochloric Grass, a salt-tolerant plant. Its fruits were rich in hydrochloric acid, highly corrosive, and had a dangerous quirk: once matured, they would explosively eject into the air, scattering seeds across the surrounding area. During the ripening season, Hydrochloric Grass made the region hazardous, often resulting in sudden acid rainstorms.

Beyond the fruits, its leaves were equally treacherous—razor-sharp and capable of secreting a unique sap. If the leaves caused a cut and the sap entered the wound, it could amplify pain hundreds of times over, potentially inducing shock and death. Despite its danger, the sap was both a medicine and a poison in Mingzhu City.

Zhang Ping, fully aware of its risks after examining the plant, moved cautiously. In contrast, Liu Sishan, walking ahead, appeared utterly unbothered by the Hydrochloric Grass around them.

“That’s your target. Get ready,” Liu Sishan suddenly said, pointing to a white rabbit nibbling on the Hydrochloric Grass nearby.

Though it was a Mutated Beast, the rabbit retained its normal size, looking no different from a regular one.

Zhang Ping eyed the creature, immediately activating his identification ability.

[Identification Complete]

[Mutated Beast: Aqua-Eroding Bullet Rabbit]

[Species: Mutated Rabbit]

[Potential: ⭐⭐⭐]

[Lifespan: 30 years]

[Level: Beginner Level Mutated Beast]

[Grade: 9]

[Talents:]

Aqua-Eroding Bullet: Can fire highly corrosive liquid projectiles from hidden sweat glands in its ears.

Water-Storing Fur: The fur stores liquid, releasing it when necessary.

Rapid Reproduction: Reproduces at a rate far beyond normal animals.

Aqua-Eroding? Zhang Ping scrutinized the rabbit’s ears but found no discernible feature hinting at how it might attack.

The rabbit’s small size, combined with its choice of habitat surrounded by Hydrochloric Grass, made it difficult for Zhang Ping to approach. He lacked the range to attack from a distance, and close quarters were perilous due to the grass.

“How am I supposed to deal with it?” Zhang Ping muttered, troubled by his lack of ranged abilities. The Fire Eater talent gave him control over flames, but its reach was limited to two meters, leaving him at a disadvantage.

“If Liu Sishan picked this rabbit, she must think I have a way to counter it,” Zhang Ping reasoned, his gaze returning to the Hydrochloric Grass.

Squatting down, he examined the plant closely. Its serrated leaves were far sturdier than ordinary foliage. Curious, he channeled a small flame from his fingertips and let it touch one of the leaves. To his surprise, the leaf softened immediately upon contact with the fire, its texture changing completely.

“Ah, I see now!” Zhang Ping exclaimed in realization. Hydrochloric Grass was vulnerable to fire, and flames could render it harmless.

Standing up, Zhang Ping prepared for the challenge. He removed his shoes, cut his pants into shorts with a knife, and set aside his shirt. Once ready, he gripped his knife and charged toward the Aqua-Eroding Bullet Rabbit.

As he stepped into the Hydrochloric Grass, flames erupted from his feet, softening the grass with every step. His body flared with fire whenever a leaf came close, neutralizing their danger.

However, the bursts of flame soon alerted the rabbit. Its ears flicked sharply, and droplets of black liquid shot out with incredible speed, like pellets from a shotgun.

Zhang Ping had no chance to dodge. The liquid splashed onto his body but was instantly vaporized by the flames enveloping him. Yet, his knife wasn’t so lucky—holes riddled its surface where the corrosive droplets struck.

Ignoring the damage, Zhang Ping pushed forward, closing in on the rabbit. He stabbed downward with his knife, but the rabbit curled into a ball, its fur secreting a sudden flood of green liquid—the corrosive sap from the Hydrochloric Grass.

There was no time to retreat.

The knife struck true, but by the time Zhang Ping pulled it back, the blade had been completely corroded, leaving only the handle in his hand.

“Fuck!” Zhang Ping cursed, tossing the handle aside. Flames ignited in his fists as he prepared to pummel the rabbit with his bare hands.

The rabbit, however, was no fool. Before Zhang Ping’s flaming fists could connect, it leaped away with incredible speed, dodging his attack. Twisting mid-air, it aimed its ears at him again, releasing another barrage of black droplets.

With a sweep of his left arm, Zhang Ping created a wall of fire, incinerating the projectiles before they could reach him. When the flames dissipated, he scanned the area—only to realize the rabbit was gone.

“Did it... run away?” Zhang Ping stood there, stunned. The Aqua-Eroding Bullet Rabbit had escaped.

But he quickly realized the truth—when faced with a predator, a rabbit’s instinct is to flee.

The Aqua-Eroding Bullet Rabbit might have some defensive and offensive abilities, but at its core, it was still just a herbivore. Since it had no reason to eat Zhang Ping, why risk its life? Naturally, it would run at the first opportunity.

Zhang Ping glanced helplessly at Liu Sishan. "Sisi, now what? The rabbit ran off."

"If it ran, we chase," Liu Sishan replied indifferently.

She picked up Zhang Ping's coat and started walking toward him. Everywhere she stepped, the Hydrochloric Grass instantly froze, only to shatter beneath her feet.

"Chase it? And where exactly am I supposed to find it?" Zhang Ping asked with a wry smile.

Liu Sishan didn’t respond. She simply walked past Zhang Ping, leaving him no choice but to follow. After a while, they reached the edge of the Hydrochloric Grass field. Beyond lay a stretch of arid land, the ground covered in a thin layer of white frost—salt.

As they ventured further, Zhang Ping began to notice a faint stench of rotting flesh in the air.

Squeak-squeak!

Hiss-hiss!

Crunch, crunch!

Through his Wind Whisperer ability, Zhang Ping began to pick up a cacophony of strange sounds.

He frowned. "Sisi, something’s not right. I can hear a lot of creatures."

"In the depths of the Salt Highlands, there’s a mutated plant called the Saltfrost Tree," Liu Sishan explained calmly. "Every year, when it bears fruit, a large number of mutated creatures gather to fight over it. The victor earns the Saltfrost Berry.

"The Saltfrost Berry is incredibly salty and requires plenty of water to consume safely, but once ingested, it enhances the potential of both Awakeners and Mutated Beasts. That’s why every year, so many compete for it."

Zhang Ping’s eyes widened. "Wait… don’t tell me that’s happening tonight?"

"Based on the timing, it should be tonight," Liu Sishan replied coolly.

Zhang Ping stopped in his tracks, frowning deeply. "That’s way too dangerous. With my current strength, do you really think I can get involved in something like this?"

This time, his refusal was firm. He had the Contract Gem and wasn’t short on potential. What he lacked was time to convert that potential into actual strength. He had no interest in the Saltfrost Berry.

"If I’m not mistaken, your Wind Whisperer ability awakened after you came into contact with a Wind Gem, didn’t it?" Liu Sishan asked suddenly.

Zhang Ping’s eyes widened in shock as he stared at her. "Sisi, how do you know about my ability?"

"Did you really think you’re the only one in the world with an Identification Skill?" Liu Sishan said with a faint smile. "We’ve known about your abilities for a while. It’s just that you seemed determined to keep them secret, so I didn’t bring it up."

When Zhang Ping had first demonstrated his Fire Eater ability, Liu Sishan had already suspected there was more to him. She had even enlisted the organization’s appraiser to analyze his attributes.

Zhang Ping was left speechless.

He could identify others—why had he assumed no one could identify him? It was a perfectly normal thing. No wonder most Awakeners in Mingzhu City didn’t mind revealing their abilities.

"We’ve studied your abilities, especially your sudden acquisition of Wind Whisperer. One thing is clear: your powers likely contain some hidden activation mechanism. This could be triggered by rare resources or unique environments. The Saltfrost Berry might help you awaken another ability," Liu Sishan explained.

Zhang Ping wasn’t a naive teenager. Though Liu Sishan’s words embarrassed him, he quickly calmed down and frowned. "Sisi, if you know my abilities, then you should also understand—so long as I survive, I’ll eventually grow strong. Why take unnecessary risks now?"

"There have been many cases like yours," Liu Sishan said, meeting his gaze. "Take an Awakener with extraordinary adaptability. In different environments, he could awaken abilities to suit his surroundings. But as he aged, his ability’s strength rapidly declined. By the time he turned 70, he could no longer awaken new abilities. At 90, he chose to take one last gamble and ventured into a magma layer—where he died, his body incinerated."

Seeing Zhang Ping was taking her words seriously, Liu Sishan continued, "An Awakener isn’t a god; they’re still human. While some can live for centuries and remain in their prime, the majority experience a sharp decline after their peak.

"Not all potential can be converted into strength. You need to seize every opportunity to grow stronger, instead of assuming you’ll have endless chances in the future. Because someday, you’ll run out of ‘later.’ When do you plan to start?"

"..."

Zhang Ping fell silent. This was the first time he’d heard such an explanation.

He had always known that Awakeners grew weaker with age, but he hadn’t realized their abilities could also diminish.

In truth, he’d harbored many unrealistic fantasies—like awakening abilities for immortality or invincibility, living freely as a god-like figure. But Liu Sishan’s words were like a cold bucket of water, forcing him to face reality.

"Sisi, have you been here before?" he asked after a moment, looking at her.

Liu Sishan gazed into the distance for a while before answering, "I came here when I was still a member of the Investigation Unit. Back then, I only knew how to use my abilities defensively. It was a near-death experience."

"Then let’s go," Zhang Ping said with a nod.

Liu Sishan smiled faintly and immediately followed him.