"To create a lush forest, a tree can’t stand alone, Zerra." Will shook his head with an earnest face.

She pursed her lips. After they arrived at the capital, they must have investigated her. Just the thought of it didn’t make her feel good. She hummed and didn’t answer him.

Her hand reached out for any type of wild grass, pulling them out of the ground. After the apocalypse, the many types of grass had undergone mutation. Now, it didn’t take them long before they grew again.

They had no choice but to get rid of them every week so that they wouldn’t compete with the edible plants. It was quite troublesome.

Will sent her a smile when she looked back. She decided to move to another spot, away from him. He didn’t seem to mind her lack of response.

Even if they wanted to ally themselves to her group, it wouldn’t be so simple. They had only known each other for a few days. She didn’t want to jump into the unknown.

"Miss, can you hand over the water scoop to us?" An honest-looking man came over. He looked to be a man in his thirties, still robust with his tan skin appearance.

"Of course." Zerra scooped the water and gave it to him. He sent her a grateful look.

She took the time to observe all the activities on the plantation field. Some people water the plants, others pull the grass, and the rest try to channel their wood power into the plants.

The plantation field was very wide, because it needed to feed so many mouths too. Some ability users with an offensive type of power patrolled back and forth, killing any mutated animals making trouble on the plantation field.

There were also dangerous mutated plants which would take some people to handle. All the people weren’t idle.

Zerra saw Will occasionally taking out his notebook as he talked with some wood ability users. So, that was his true goal. He was observing them while taking notes.

Not long after, Zerra excused herself. She went back to the tent alone. She put the barrier around the tent–which would alert her of any incoming people–then, she took the baby dragon out.

He had innocent eyes as he stared at her in confusion. Zerra held his little claw and began to channel the wood ability, occasionally mixing spiritual power.

She observed the development anxiously.

"Miss Zerra?"

Her focus broke down, and she hurriedly withdrew her power, pushing the confused baby dragon back into her inner space.

Jasmine poked her head inside. "I have spoken with the tribe leader. Do you want to meet him?"

"I will need to exchange the map for something of equal value, right?" She asked, knowing full well that the tribe wouldn’t do charity and treat her differently just because of Gideon. After all, she had done nothing for the tribe yet.

"About this... you can discuss it with the tribe leader himself." Jasmine looked a bit awkward.

Zerra didn’t make things difficult for her. She stood up and walked out of the tent. Once she was outside, they heard a commotion.

"Except for all the battle type ability users, everyone stays inside your house!"

There was a loud announcement. The fierce-looking man arrived at their side and sternly told them to go inside.

"It’s dangerous. A family of four is turning into zombies. Go back inside. Others will handle them." He urged them before walking away.

Jasmine grasped Zerra’s arms and could only express her regrets at the sudden commotion. Still, she pulled Zerra inside the tent, worrying whether the tent was safe enough.

Zerra had a thoughtful look on her face. The man had gone away before they could ask further, so she could only discuss the possibility with Jasmine. "Do you think it’s the man who was bitten last night?"

The other woman’s eyes revealed a shock. She paled slightly. Luckily, they didn’t allow the man to get closer. Otherwise, if they got infected...

The two stayed inside until someone delivered lunch to them. It was Will.

"Did you hear what happened?" Zerra asked straightforwardly. Jasmine’s gaze also shot toward him.

"A family of four turned into zombies," Will calmly explained.

"Is it the family from last night?" Jasmine opened her mouth.

Will shook his head. "It’s a different family. My teacher is taking care of his condition right now, so his condition should have stabilized. As for this family of four turning into zombies..." he knitted his eyebrows.

"They suddenly broke out of their home when others called for them. Luckily, other ability users were quick. Otherwise..." he shook his head. "People are suspecting them of hiding an injured person because of a mutated animal’s bite."

"The skin has rotted so much, so they must have become zombies for a while." He added.

It was understandable that they didn’t want to lose their loved ones because of the zombie virus. The fate of those who were bitten were usually a period of examination, and if they showed symptoms of turning into zombies, they would be killed.

Regardless of the reason, hiding an infected person was wrong. The family lived in a community, so they weren’t just endangering themselves, but the whole tribe.

"It’s a pity though. They actually have two wood ability users in their family." Will muttered regretfully.

He chatted with them for a while until he excused himself. Now, it was only Zerra and Jasmine in the tent.

"It’s safe now. Let’s go to the tribe leader, Miss." Jasmine called her.

Zerra nodded, noticing Jasmine’s expression was slightly down. Indeed, losing two wood ability users at once was a big loss to the tribe.

Jasmine was also part of this tribe even if she rarely visited because she was part of the outer members, however, looking at how closely knit they were, she must have been sorrowful.

"You can go." Zerra told her once they arrived at the tribe leader’s house. Jasmine hesitated for a bit before she ultimately nodded.

As she took some steps, climbing up, she felt like someone was watching her. Her eyes swept the surroundings, and she spread her senses. There was no one.

"Miss Zerra? Don’t just stand outside there, please go inside." The tribe leader suddenly emerged from inside.

She turned to him, a little surprised. Was it him?

"Thank you, Tribe leader!" She continued to climb up. Upon arriving, he invited her inside.

His wife brought some refreshment, smiled at her, and excused herself. She was a little flattered at how welcoming they were.

After she sat down, the tribe leader didn’t beat around the bush either. "I heard from Jasmine you want a map, Miss Zerra."

She instantly nodded. "Yes, I can exchange anything for the map."

The tribe leader stroked his chin, seemingly finding out about something amusing. "The map is currently not on me. Someone else is borrowing the map to copy it."

"Then, once the person returned the map, can you tell me, Tribe Leader?" She was a little puzzled.

"Of course... but the map is currently on someone you know. I am surprised Mr. Gideon hasn’t told you yet." He gave her a meaningful look.

She furrowed her brows. What was this old man trying to do?

"I can ask for a map back as long as you accept my request." His face turned solemn.

"As long as it’s within my capability, I will try to fulfill it." Zerra said earnestly, a little suspicious.

***

Once Zerra was back to the tent, she felt a little dazed. Her forehead marred with a deep frown.

She opened the tent. Jasmine wasn’t inside, so she immediately went in and took out the little dragon again. She channeled wood power, as much as she could.

The little dragon jolted, widening his eyes. Zerra’s heart palpitated. However, her hope turned into disappointment when she still found him acting like the baby dragon.

It wasn’t that she disliked the little dragon. She just wanted Cassias to recover. Once he did, she might have another person she could discuss with.

She couldn’t deny that she felt a bit lonely. Her mind kept going back to the tribe leader’s words–she failed to fathom his request. It was just too strange. Was there something she didn’t know?

"I will now treat my parents." She put the little dragon down and sighed, taking her parents out.

She channeled the wood ability into them. Now, their bodies have become healthy again. It was about time they woke up soon.

The baby dragon sat obediently beside her. This time, he didn’t make trouble like he used to. Sometimes, he would bite her sleeves or tapping her arms.

Her eyes trained on her parents. Their souls didn’t get knocked out, right? They even hide such a thing from her! Pretending to be ordinary humans.

She sighed in exhaustion. Unknowingly, with all the unconscious celestial beasts around her, she began to tell them what had recently happened to her.

Her chest felt a bit lighter once she did, even if no one responded to her.

"Zizi."

She abruptly turned to the baby dragon who was hugging her hand. Her voice was full of doubt. "Cassias?"

"It’s... me."