I lay low and gave up, but my servants were caught in a cycle of life and death.

"belch!"

The kitchen knife transformed into the shape of a Tang Dynasty sword, let out a satisfied burp, and floated gently up from the box. "Delicious, so delicious!"

Then, excitedly, it circled around Lu Yan, proudly striking a few poses. "Master, don't I look handsome now?"

"So handsome!"

Lu Yan waved away the smelly kitchen knife, took a box of crystal cores and walked down the stairs, handing it to Pang Shi'an, "These are crystal cores for buying equipment. See if this is enough. If not, I'll add some more."

Having fought his way from the urban village to the car city, Lu Yan had no shortage of crystal cores.

Pang Shi'an opened the box and saw that it contained even more than he had given him yesterday. "This is more than enough."

Although he felt the weapons they brought weren't worth the price, the commander had said yesterday, "Our soldiers also need crystal cores to upgrade. Don't be shy about asking a rich dog like Lu Yan."

"By the way, have you had breakfast? If not, would you like to grab something at our cafeteria?"

Lu Yan glanced at the time. It was so early, and the siblings hadn't gotten up yet. He had stayed up all night and was indeed hungry.

"Okay, then I'll go to your cafeteria for a free meal."

"Walk."

Pang Shi'an smiled and handed the box full of crystal cores to two soldiers, asking them to take it back. He then led Lu Yan toward the canteen. Lu Yan grabbed a kitchen knife, which had been transformed into a nail clipper, and put it in his pocket.

Pang Shi'an looked on with envy.

Lu Yan's heart skipped a beat. So far, Cai Dao and Xiao Li had only killed first-level zombies and a few low-level ability users. The army was full of strong people. He wondered if there was anyone more powerful than Cai Dao.

How many superhumans are there in our base right now?

"Not many, only a few hundred, and most of them are still first-level ability users."

Lu Yan nodded. "Have you awakened?"

Pang Shi'an proudly puffed out his chest. "It's awakened. It's a special ability: contract. Unfortunately, I haven't found a powerful mutated beast to contract with yet."

Lu Yan's eyes lit up. This ability is great!

Having a contracted mutant beast fight for you is a great ability that allows you to lie down and relax!

However, it's still not as good as having your own guidance.

If I had awakened a contract-based superpower, I'd probably be trapped in an apartment in an urban village and die.

"Once you've contracted a powerful mutated beast, let it fight a kitchen knife and see who's stronger."

"Haha, okay!"

The kitchen knife swayed proudly in Lu Yan's pocket, "It has to be me! I'm the best!"

The two chatted all the way and soon arrived at the cafeteria.

At this time, a long queue had already formed outside the army canteen, as everyone needed to quickly finish their breakfast and get to work.

Pang Shi'an didn't lead Lu Yan to queue up. Instead, he walked through the queue and planned to eat in the small kitchen used by the leaders.

Someone in the group spotted Lu Yan and called out, "Lu Yan?"

Lu Yan turned around, and the original owner's memories flashed through his mind. He knew that the person was his senior from university, Xiao Xingci, and several others before and after him were also his seniors.

The original owner knew them because those people often paid the original owner to attend classes and do homework for them.

"It really is you!" Xiao Xingci was obviously very happy to see an acquaintance. "You've come to the base too? When did you arrive? Come on, come and line up with me. We're all students from Qingcheng University in this row."

After we finish eating, we'll go to work together in a little while.

Lu Yan smiled awkwardly. Go to work? Not even a little bit!

"No, you guys line up." Lu Yan waved his hand casually. "I'll go eat over there with Instructor Pang."

Xiao Xingci was stunned for a moment before his gaze fell on Pang Shi'an, who was standing in front of Lu Yan.

Pang Shi'an was dressed in a crisp training uniform, the epaulets gleaming coldly under the cafeteria lights.

Xiao Xingci's expression changed slightly, and his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end he just smiled awkwardly and said, "Oh, okay, then you go ahead with your work."

Lu Yan nodded, then turned and followed Pang Shi'an.

I heard hushed whispers behind me.

"Who's that? Why is he following the instructor?"

"Senior Xiao, do you know him? What's his background?"

Xiao Xingci shook his head, "I only asked him to cover my classes once, we're not very close."

……

Pang Shi'an led him through the cafeteria hall and into a smaller but equally clean room. There were a few round tables, a few chairs, a sterilizer and a water dispenser on the wall, and a potted green ivy on the windowsill.

"This is for receiving family members and superiors who come to inspect the team. We don't usually use it." Pang Shi'an gestured for him to sit down, and then went to the kitchen window.

A little while later, they brought back two plates: steamed buns, porridge, boiled eggs, a dish of pickled vegetables, and a small bowl of braised pork.

Compared to the dishes in the main hall where each person is limited to one spoonful, this place has an extra egg and a bowl of meat.

Lu Yan didn't stand on ceremony, taking a bite of steamed bun and a sip of porridge, eating with great relish.

"By the way, my superpower has been upgraded. Contact Commander Zhou next week, and after dinner, let's go see Shen Rang."

"Okay, I'll go arrange it now." After saying that, Pang Shi'an gulped down the porridge in a few mouthfuls, and ran off with a steamed bun in his mouth and another in his hand.

Lu Yan stared blankly at his departing figure, mouth agape. Ah, no, this is too much!

As expected, he was right not to accept Zhou Zhengqing's offer to join the organization.

Lu Yan swallowed the steamed bun in his mouth and continued to slowly drink his porridge and eat his vegetables.

Eating too quickly is bad for your stomach and intestines.

After Lu Yan finished eating and walked out of the cafeteria, he ran into Xiao Xingci and his group again.

Seeing that Lu Yan was alone, Xiao Xingci approached him with her entourage, "Lu Yan, who was that leader to you?"

"Yeah, Lu, now that you're successful, please look out for us too."

"Exactly, we've been assisting the professors in the lab these past few days, and we're exhausted. Do you have any connections to help us out and let us do some easier work?"

As the other person spoke, he seemed to know Lu Yan very well, hooking one arm around Lu Yan's shoulder and punching Lu Yan's chest with the other.

Lu Yan grew impatient and broke free, saying, "I have nothing to do with him."

"No way, buddy, that's not fair! We looked out for you when you were in trouble, and now that we need you, you're turning your back on us!"

Lu Yan sneered, "I help you with classes and writing papers, and you pay me. That's employment, not favors."

I have to attend to something, please excuse me.

After Lu Yan finished speaking, he turned around and strode away, ignoring the shouts and curses from the people behind him.

"Hmph! Master! Why won't you let me come out and chop them up!" The kitchen knife screamed angrily in Lu Yan's mind.

"What's there to be angry about? From now on, no one can order me around anymore, right?"

Those miserable days are gone forever.

From now on, he will take good care of himself.

Lu Yan's watch vibrated. He opened it and saw a message from Pang Shi'an: "Where are you? I'm coming to find you and will take you to see Shen Rang."

Lu Yan looked around. "On the way back to the parking lot, the same road you just led me down."

"Wait for me, I'll be right there."