?


    Vi paused, her gaze involuntarily shifting towards David''s figure. She didn''t know why, but upon hearing those words, her eyes instinctivelynded on David. Almost imperceptibly, her heart, which had rarely stirred, started to flutter.


    David had just asked a casual question, so naturally, he didn''t pay attention to Vi''s reaction. As he walked up to the corpse of "The Thunder-Speed Saint Hot Spider," the system''s voice chimed in his ear.


    [Ding! Congrattions to the host for killing The Thunder-Speed Saint Hot Spider and obtaining an advanced pronucleus! ]


    [Ding! Congrattions to the host for triggering a hundredfold critical strike and obtaining one hundred advanced pronuclei! ]


    Simr to the Golden-winged Tiger, the kill rewards were advanced pronuclei. David then ced his hand on the spider''s corpse and softly uttered the extractionmand.


    [Ding! Congrattions to the host for sessful extraction, obtaining the Absolute Zero attack-type ability! ]


    "Hmm? A new ability?" David showed a hint of surprise upon hearing the system''s announcement. Usually, the extractions yielded fragments or simr items. He hadn''t expected to acquire a brand-new ability this time.


    This realization made David understand that the extraction function indeed held surprises. With a thought, the exnation about Absolute Zero appeared in David''s mind.


    [The host can condense the air within a radius of ten li (roughly 5 kilometers) into frost, thereby restricting the opponent''s attacks.]


    [Under this effect, opponents struck by the Absolute Zero attack will be subjected to frostbite damage.]


    [The abilitysts for two minutes and can be extended as the host''s strength improves.]


    Listening to the system''s exnation, David nodded silently. He hadn''t anticipated that this ability not only constrained opponents but also allowed him tounch attacks using the frostbite effect. It was undoubtedly a versatile offensive ability. Following that, an unfamiliar memory rushed into David''s mind, detailing the method to wield Absolute Zero.


    In a matter of moments, Davidpletely grasped the ability in his mind. ncing around, he slightly manipted his consciousness, immediately activating Absolute Zero.


    In an instant, all the trees within ten meters of his front were covered in a thickyer of frost. Under the frigid temperature of thisyer of frost, the once vibrant and sturdy trunks turned into withered wood, copsing to the ground.


    The entire processsted less than ten seconds, leaving David slightly astonished as he observed the fallen, withered trees. He had only activated Absolute Zero on a small scale, yet the effect had been this remarkable.


    What if he used it to its full potential? A smile of intrigue formed on David''s face. Afterpleting this demonstration, he returned to Vi''s side.


    "Why is the queen blushing?" David teased as he looked at her.


    "I... I''m not!" Vi, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to reality upon hearing David''sment. She blushed and looked down, stuttering in response, seemingly afraid that David might notice her unusual behavior. David just chuckled in response.


    Initially considering venturing deeper into the beast forest, David thought it might be better to leave some opponents for practice. They might prove to be particrly helpful in the future. So, he left the forest with Vi and Mandy. On the way back, Vi''splexion was especially rosy, and she seemed lost in thought, keeping her head down.


    Vi couldn''t help but lift her head to steal nces at David''s towering figure, and her heart kept pounding fiercely with each stolen look. In a trance, she felt like she was experiencing the indescribable joy of being human. However, she hadn''t expected this feeling to surge so intensely.


    Upon returning to the base, Vi eventually regained herposure. Nheless, she would still asionally nce at David from the corner of her eye. Entering the cave, David made his way to the kitchen, where the newly hunted game from the Kui tribe was stored. cing his palm on it, David initiated the extraction process. In no time, he obtained several strands of beast souls.


    After leaving the kitchen, David headed to the front of the base. The base he had built for Vi was currently only at the level of "ck Iron." Although it appeared incredibly sturdy, David understood that it was still insufficient to face off against powerful zombie creatures and other anomalies.


    At this moment, Vi joined him. Her face was slightly flushed, and she kept her head down, a far cry from her usual demeanor as the queen of the Kui tribe.


    "Do you need something?" David asked, breaking the silence.


    This caught Vi off guard, and hesitantly, she replied, "I... I would like to ask you to reinforce the base a bit more." She refrained from voicing her true thoughts, instead opting for a different exnation.


    David smiled and nodded, even if Vi hadn''t mentioned it, reinforcing the base was already in his ns. He had assumed that this woman might leave due to fear when he entered the beast forest, but to his surprise, she had stuck with him till the end on both asions.


    This made David somewhat taken aback. Additionally, given his current cooperative rtionship with the Kui tribe, he naturally intended to upgrade the base for her. Moreover, he had plenty of defense-type crystals in his system inventory. Rather than letting them go to waste, upgrading Vi''s base seemed like a fitting use for them, as a gesture of goodwill.


    David retrieved a defense-type crystal from his system inventory, and with a thought, the crystal disappeared into thin air. In an instant, the base emitted a dazzling light that caused Vi to shield her eyes. When she opened her eyes, she was taken aback! The base in front of her seemed to have transformed significantly, radiating a faint shimmering light. It appeared even sturdier than before.


    This was the first time Vi had seen a Bronze-level base, but for David, itcked novelty.


    "Amazing!" Vi touched the Bronze-level base, her tone filled with astonishment. Her gaze towards David became even more admiring.


    Afterpleting this, David left with Mandy and headed towards his Golden-level base. Mandy''s injuries had already healedpletely, and she seemed to have be more agile. She exuded a growing human-like aura.


    David was somewhat surprised by this transformation, but he realized that Mandy had been observing human habits by following him. It was only natural that she would be more human-like over time.


    Mandy seemed to notice David''s astonished expression. She turned her head to look at him, and for the first time, she shed a smile.


    "Master..." Mandy struggled to utter this word, her expression also bing more respectful. It seemed she already understood the significance of these two words.


    "Can you speak now?" David was once again taken aback, but then a gentle smile appeared on his face. He hadn''t expected that this treasure he had taken from Duane would actually be so precious.


    If Duane found out, he would surely be heartbroken. David reached out and ruffled Mandy''s head, his expression tender. He realized that in the Wastnd World, there would always be someone apanying him.