162: Peanut with S-level potential

“You've trained this Black Bear well.”

“Thank you for the leader's praise,” the youth replied respectfully and earnestly.

Tang Ping felt helpless about this; he didn't know why Meng Ziyi, this little kid, was so serious, but his Black Bear's Talent was indeed very good. With many opportunities in the early days of the apocalypse, if nurtured well, it might even become the guardian beast of Taoshan in the future.

His gaze swept past Meng Ziyi and landed on Zhang Hong.

Zhang Hong clearly noticed the mysterious man looking over and immediately tensed up, lowering his head nervously. Even if he were dull, he knew the person before him held an extraordinary status.

Because the Chief Steward was standing right behind this man!

“You're Zhang Hong, right?”

“Yes,” Zhang Hong said nervously.

“You contributed greatly this time. If you hadn't found Shang Wan quickly, the Base might have lost a foundational-level expert.” Tang Ping's words were accurate, as Shang Wan could indeed have been taken elsewhere by Little Peanut.

After all, with Little Peanut's strength, it could clearly sense that Tianfu Base posed a significant threat to it.

“This is your reward.” A stone appeared in Tang Ping's hand. “I remember you have a D-rank Talent, right? Although it's much stronger than an E-rank Talent, it's still too weak. This is a C-rank talent upgrade stone. Consider it your reward.”

This C-rank Talent stone was opened from a treasure chest by someone in the Base, but since they couldn't use it, they wanted to exchange it for contribution points from the Base. Zhang Xile agreed immediately.

Thus, this C-rank Talent stone was stored in the Tianfu Base treasury. Zhang Hong was doing well now, and the Base needed such Talent. Tang Ping simply took it out as a reward, also wanting to cultivate Zhang Hong.

“talent upgrade stone!” Zhang Hong was also someone from the Shelter. In his spare time, he browsed the world channel and surfed the internet, so he knew the value of this item all too well!

“This, this item is too precious. I was just searching for Base residents attacked by Pollution Beasts, which was my duty. Moreover, in the end, I didn't do anything at all.” Zhang Hong shook his head. He knew very well that he hadn't done anything significant. If he were given a few immortal grasses to improve his attributes, he would gladly accept, but a talent upgrade stone was not something he should take.

Zhang Hong said this, but the Base was just starting. Tang Ping wanted to quickly train a group of people. The Base was short of manpower everywhere, but he couldn't just casually put anyone in a key position, or else, in the future, would Tianfu Base be his or someone else's?

At this particular juncture, Zhang Hong entered his sights. Even if he wasn't cultivated for management, cultivating him for the combat layer was still a good idea.

“Alright, if the leader tells you to take it, then take it. This shows the leader's high regard for you. Work hard in the future and don't let down the leader's cultivation of you.” Zhang Xile had learned these official words from somewhere; surprisingly, he sounded quite convincing. But when Tang Ping saw Zhang Xile's serious expression, his mouth twitched.

“Le-leader!” Zhang Hong was startled. So, their Base really had a leader! He had thought the Chief Steward was the leader but just didn't like being called 'leader,' which was why he was called 'Chief Steward.'

“Alright, take these. Also, later, go find Xi... Chief Steward Zhang and claim ten more immortal grasses. I heard you also have a daughter; children must be well cared for. And claim a set of housing. Don't mind if it's small,” Tang Ping said with a smile.

“No, no, I don't mind, I don't mind!” Zhang Hong was dizzy from the series of rewards. Any one of these three items would make others incredibly envious. Living in the residential building required a considerable amount of contribution points each month, but now he could directly claim a set for free! The money saved could buy many good things for Yaoyao to eat.

“Thank you, leader! Thank you, Chief Steward! I, Zhang Hong, swear to defend the Base to the death! I will absolutely not fail the expectations of the leader and Chief Steward!” Zhang Hong said loudly, excitedly clutching the talent upgrade stone in his hand.

“Alright, alright, stop talking about dying all the time. You, you must live well, so you don't let the leader's cultivation of you go to waste.” Zhang Xile patted Zhang Hong's shoulder.

Zhang Xile's entire body always emitted a faint glow, making his figure somewhat blurry and his face hard to see clearly, subtly inspiring awe. Of course, perhaps a larger component of it was showing off.

Meng Ziyi escorted Zhang Hong down the mountain.

Tang Ping and Zhang Xile's gazes both fell on Shang Wan.

Zhang Xile was still unaware of Shang Wan's potential, so beneath his feigned aloof expression was more curiosity. His gaze occasionally fell on “Little Peanut,” his heart feeling as if scratched by a cat—just two words: wanted to touch, so soft.

But Tang Ping, who knew Shang Wan's potential, had eyes shining brightly. That... well, “Little Peanut,” this Little Peanut's potential definitely reached S-rank!

After all, it was only a few days into the contamination, and Little Peanut had already mutated to this extent, a leap-like mutation in both mind and body!

“Shang Wan, what do you think of Tianfu Base?” Tang Ping's smile became much gentler when facing Shang Wan.

“Very good! At least I think it's excellent. Here, as long as you work hard, you can eat your fill, and you don't have to live in fear every day. Compared to other places, it's infinitely better,” Shang Wan replied sincerely.

“So, Shang Wan, are you willing to join us in defending this pure land and making it even better?” Tang Ping extended an invitation. This time, unlike when he faced Zhang Hong as a leader, he invited Shang Wan as an equal. An S-rank potential Pollution Beast, or rather, a more fitting term would be a mutated beast, and a pet with extremely high loyalty, was worth treating this way.

Because currently, apart from Zhang Xile, who had not yet obtained the purple light golden sun tree, there were only two people in the Base whose Talent reached S-rank in combat power.

But these words left Shang Wan bewildered. She looked around, found no one else, and pointed at herself uncertainly: “Me?”