After Apocalypse, I Got Rich With Superpower
Chapter 167 - 165

Chapter 167: Chapter 165

Xue Dong stood outside the treehouse, "Star Tree, I’ve obtained the Crystal Core."

The Star Tree extended a vine and carefully inspected the Crystal Core in his hand before curling it and withdrawing it into the treehouse. Simultaneously, countless vines began to surround the treehouse and drove him away, forbidding anyone to approach.

The Base Commander paced back and forth on the second floor, waiting.

Seeing Xue Dong return, he quickly followed and asked, "How did it go?"

"I gave the Crystal Core to the Star Tree and was chased back. No one is allowed near the treehouse now; the Star Tree is very aggressive."

"It was the same when Pei Yuan advanced. Companion Plants are wary of all people and animals."

"What can we do then?"

"Wait."

Pei Yuan also stood on the second floor; he couldn’t enter, but he was ready to save Pan’er at a moment’s notice.

Everyone had no choice but to wait. Zhang Qi and others went about their daily work on the farm, finding that keeping busy eased their anxiety. After all, there was much work to do on the farm, and it couldn’t be neglected.

Xie Ling and Lin Tianyi almost never left the side of the Spirit Plants, grooming and purifying them, caring for the plants that were Sister Pan’er’s lifeblood.

Everyone appeared calm, but inside they were extremely anxious, to the point where their meals didn’t even taste good anymore, and they ate less than usual.

Half a month later, a massive burst of energy suddenly erupted from the farm’s treehouse, but it was quickly devoured by the Star Tree.

What followed was wave upon wave of pure Wood Element energy that irrigated the entire farm, with an expanding tendency that kept extending.

This energy continued to expand for three days, until it had irrigated all four farms before it finally subsided.

Five days later, the energy finally stabilized.

Li Pan’s treehouse slowly opened, and she finally came out from inside.

"Pan’er, you succeeded."

Pei Yuan could tell at a glance that Li Pan had succeeded, entered Zhenhua advancement, and her strength far surpassed his own by too much.

"Uncle, I succeeded."

Li Pan smiled at him.

"That’s great, Sister, you’re amazing."

Xie Ling and Zhang Qi and others screamed, jumping up and bouncing around with joy on the spot.

"Pan’er, you’re incredible."

Xue Dong also let out a sigh of relief, his face showing a relaxed and surprised smile.

"Thank you everyone, for worrying about me."

"Uncle, I succeeded, now you won’t have to bow your head to anyone anymore."

The Base Commander kept nodding, smiling until his eyes began to tear up.

"Uncle, I want to know, how many people were lost for this Eighth-level Crystal Core? Tell me the truth, the Wood Plants of the Eighth-level Crystal Core are at the level of Heavenly Silkworm Wood, almost unbeatable by anyone."

Li Pan was very smart, just not adept at pondering people’s hearts.

"We lost four high-level superpower users, and eight were seriously injured. The seriously injured were saved by Yan Jiajia, but those who died on the spot couldn’t be helped. It was resolved by a Fire Element from the imperial capital with Zhenhua Level capabilities."

"What about the Wang Family?"

"The Wang Family lost one, the rest were saved; mainly because their strength was too inferior, they couldn’t get close enough."

Li Pan tilted her head back, taking a deep breath as her chest felt tight, not expecting that her advancement had come with lives and bloodshed.

"Are there still any relatives of the martyrs? I want to contribute."

"Only the son from the Wang Family has relatives, the others no longer have relatives. The government has made arrangements, you don’t need to worry about that. If you want to compensate, just make more Medicine bottles for more ordinary soldiers and residents."

The Base Commander told her honestly that this operation was conducted by those without close family ties, so that they could go forward without hesitation.

Li Pan’s tears fell, drop by drop; without any relatives, she didn’t even have the chance to compensate.

"Yan Jiajia said that those chosen had no worries behind them, it was their willing choice. The government compensated their units and bases with some Medicine and Crystal Cores, helping to train more ordinary people. Try not to dwell on it too much. The Medicine you gave her last time was used for the ordinary soldiers’ advancement, and the director is particularly grateful to you, that’s why they were willing to help this time."

Li Pan waved her hand, saying nothing and turned back to her house.

Xue Dong wanted to say something but was stopped by Pei Yuan.

"Let her process it a bit, it’s hard on her heart, she needs time to accept it, and success comes at a price. Back when I advanced to high-level, it cost the lives of three brothers to obtain the Crystal Core. I can understand how she feels now."

Everyone fell silent for a moment, sighing softly.

Li Pan returned to her room and sat in silence for a long time, until the Star Tree extended its vines to envelop her, as though embracing her.

"Kong Kong, I feel very upset, empty inside, and I don’t know what to say."

She spoke, holding the vines.

"I used to dream of advancing to high-level, reaching the Zhenhua Level, so I would no longer be afraid of others bullying me. I would have the strength to protect those kind to me, protect the farm and everyone, and bring a better life to all, as I too have received others’ kindness in the past."

"But I never thought that advancing would mean paving my way with the lives of others, I never imagined it would be like this."

The vines simply held her gently, caressing her.

"It hurts a lot."

She cried quietly by herself for a while.

Reality could not be changed. After crying, Li Pan gathered her spirits, stood up, and went to wash and change her clothes.

Coming downstairs, seeing everyone there, she smiled and said, "I’m tired, I took a bath and slept a bit, sorry to keep you waiting."

"It’s okay, I figured you were tired."

The Base Commander, seeing her reddened eyes, smiled and covered for her.

"Uncle, I want to compensate them, but they don’t have relatives anymore, I want to do something..."

Li Pan still wanted to compensate the soldiers who had fought and bled for her.

"Sure, let’s not talk about other things, but the medicine must be supplied, and giving a sum of money is also a gesture. I’ll help you inquire about other specifics."

"Does that member of the Wang Family have any relatives?"

"Yes, he has a son, who is also of the Wood Element."

"May I bring him to the farm, I’ll train him."

Li Pan sought the Base Commander’s opinion.

"Fine."

When the Base Commander considered it, keeping the son of a noble family separately was a good idea, clan resources were limited and had to be fought for, and now was a good opportunity for Pan’er to compensate. The child would benefit, not having to worry about resource issues, and this was also his way of securing benefits for the child.

"Agreed."

"If those martyrs have families or relatives they wanted to be cared for, they can be sent here or to the base. I’m willing to provide for them. I’ll cover all the associated costs."

"I’ll ask around."

The Base Commander readily agreed.

"Let’s celebrate a bit. After all, your entry into the Zhenhua Level is a big deal."

Xue Dong pulled her to sit down, asking for her opinion."

"Do you mean make it public?"

"Yes, it can also have a deterrent effect, which is beneficial for the base and surrounding bases."

"Then let’s make it public. I’ll cooperate with you."

"Good."

"Sister, I’ve been waiting until I’m hungry, let’s eat something good, I’ve been waiting just for this meal."

Xie Ling came over to tease her with a pout.

Li Pan touched her little face and revealed a gentle smile, "You’ve worked hard these days, let’s eat something nice."

"Let’s go, the canteen is all ready, everyone is waiting for you to announce the good news."

"Let’s go celebrate."

She would later inquire in detail about the compensation, striving to discuss a better long-term and effective method. She could not let the martyrs’ hearts grow cold, and if there were no relatives, compensation could be given to close comrades, troops, base orphans, and ordinary residents.

Kindness must be passed on, carried forward, and she too must learn to be like her aunts and uncles, relaying kindness onward.