Xu Zhi couldn't help but stare at the core with a longing gaze. It was a new attribute in a light blue hue, and she desired it deeply.

Shen Jinwen was not some outdated relic unfamiliar with the internet. She had read and heard about classic post-apocalyptic novels, and the moment she discovered this object inside the killed mutated animal, she immediately drew a number of associations, such as the classic zombie crystal cores.

As soon as Xu Zhi mentioned the topic of attributes, Shen Jinwen immediately thought of the crystal.

The reason why Shen Jinwen dared to show Xu Zhi the crystal now was because Xu Zhi had first openly told her about the matter of attributes. Additionally, despite having the ability to coerce her, Xu Zhi chose to let her leave first and then sit down to peacefully exchange information with her. More importantly, Shen Jinwen herself also wanted to know more, which led to her current honesty.

Although Xu Zhi did not often socialize with people since childhood, especially after her illness, which effectively "isolated" her from the world, and her only family member who could communicate with her was not very willing to talk with her, she was still intelligent and emotionally aware. Occasionally, she would learn about the outside world through television. However, when it came to hiding her emotions and immediately devising a perfect set of words or excuses in front of something she desired greatly, Xu Zhi found it difficult to do so.

Then she decided to be straightforward and asked, "I want this. What can I trade with you for it?"

She didn't believe that Shen Jinwen would bring this out, and she hadn't even considered that Xu Zhi would want it.

As expected, Shen Jinwen's face did not show too much surprise as she tried, "Tell me all you know about the attributes."

In Shen Jinwen's eyes, information was actually more valuable than a single crystal, as she herself found it difficult to gather information. However, she could never have imagined that Xu Zhi's method of gathering information was so "unusual."

Originally, she was just testing the waters and had prepared for Xu Zhi to bargain with her. As expected, she heard the girl say, "I can tell you a part of what I know currently, and it's a rather important part for you."

From Xu Zhi's perspective, the information about attribute cores was not something that needed to be hidden, as everyone would inevitably discover it with time. However, even so, she didn't intend to reveal all the information just for one core. She wanted to leave something for future trades.

For instance, this time, she didn't plan to tell Shen Jinwen the specific details of each attribute.

From Xu Zhi's perspective, the city had already come to a standstill. It was impossible for every survivor to have a "cheat code" like her, reducing their need for food and water. They would inevitably have to risk going out to find survival supplies and would likely come across cores after defeating monsters.

The world was never lacking in intelligent people. Someone would eventually guess the connection between the different colors of the cores and the "attributes," as the correlation was too obvious.

Even more, there would definitely be people willing to experiment and test the effects of the cores to discover their true purpose.

Xu Zhi didn't plan to interact with more people in the short term. Her focus was on enhancing her strength. She boldly speculated that perhaps it wouldn't take long for a new order to emerge in this dying city, such as one where the strong reigned supreme.

At that time, money would inevitably become useless, and bartering would replace monetary transactions. What else would be more suitable to replace money?

Naturally, it would be supplies and cores.

She kept the most crucial information to herself, naturally intending to use it to exchange for greater benefits. At this moment, she was willing to disclose some information about attributes to Shen Jinwen at a slight loss, with the intention of "making a friend" as well.

For the next period of time, she didn't plan to leave her home. However, Shen Jinwen seemed to be someone who frequently ventured out, and she needed Shen Jinwen as a source of information.

Looking at Shen Jinwen, she continued, "You should know that trading just one core for my information is not an equal exchange. Even if the information I give you is not complete, its value far exceeds that of just one..."

"Therefore, I require continuous payment from you."

"Form a partnership with me in the days ahead and inform me of the information you acquire."

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"If I confirm that you are not deceiving me and our partnership is stable, I will reveal another related, very important piece of information that others may have difficulty obtaining specifically."

The information would naturally be the detailed specifics of the light blue core. Xu Zhi also needed to inspect the core and read the narration to know about it.

Upon hearing this, Shen Jinwen remained silent for a long time. Xu Zhi didn't know what she was thinking, only that her final decision was to nod and agree, "Alright."

After speaking, she took the initiative to hand the core to Xu Zhi, a gesture of goodwill.

Seeing this, Xu Zhi smiled, finding Shen Jinwen an interesting person. Although she didn't speak much and acted decisively with a sharp demeanor, Xu Zhi found her to be calmer and more reliable in person. It seemed that if they became partners, Shen Jinwen would be a quiet and dependable individual.

With that thought in mind, Xu Zhi took the core and examined it. "I mentioned attributes earlier, and this is the Attribute Core."

"There are a total of eight types of attributes, and different types of attribute cores have different colors. However, I cannot tell you specifically which eight types they are, what they are called, or what their functions or abilities are, as your payment is not yet sufficient."

"As proof..."

Xu Zhi took out the pale yellow blade attribute core that she had kept in her pocket and showed it to Shen Jinwen. "Here, this is one of the attribute cores I possess."

When Shen Jinwen saw the Blade attribute core, she became even more convinced of Xu Zhi's words. After showing it to her, Xu Zhi put both cores back into her pocket and continued:

"The most important piece of information I can give you is that creatures are attracted to the attribute that best suits them. Therefore, you are most likely to be compatible with this light blue attribute."

"Don't easily try to do something to yourself with the Attribute Core, there exists a restraint between the attributes, and if you want to know exactly how to use it, you'll have to show some sincerity in your cooperation afterward."

"That's all I can tell you at present."

Xu Zhi had planted a seed of hope in Shen Jinwen's mind, even though she herself didn't know how to use the cores yet. She dared to mislead Shen Jinwen in this manner.

Fortunately, the information Xu Zhi had disclosed so far was indeed "worth more than the payment." In Shen Jinwen's eyes, Xu Zhi had transformed from the "strange and dangerous girl" they first met to a "mysterious figure who knew a lot."

When Shen Jinwen first opened the door for Xu Zhi, her trust in her might have only been one or two tenths. This level hardly constituted true trust; it was more of a gamble.

However, at this moment, her trust in Xu Zhi had exceeded fifty percent. This was likely due to the fact that the "apocalypse" in Cloud City had only just begun, and trust between people had not yet been completely eroded.

Given Xu Zhi's "generosity," Shen Jinwen directly disclosed most of what she had discovered over the past few days. In truth, it wasn't much, and most of it centered around the immediate area. Although it was valuable, it paled in comparison to Xu Zhi's information.

Therefore, she didn't ask Xu Zhi for more information. Instead, after sharing what she knew, she agreed with Xu Zhi to meet whenever she had valuable information to share. Once Xu Zhi deemed the exchange sufficient, she would reveal more details.

After exchanging information, Xu Zhi didn't stay for long. She still had a lot to do.

Upon returning to her new home, Xu Zhi picked up the game console and pondered how she had previously put the black fruit back in the warehouse. She had achieved it with just a thought. Now, she replicated the process with the light blue core in her hand. With a single thought, the core disappeared from her grasp.

Xu Zhi opened the game's warehouse, and indeed, a light blue crystal had appeared there.

She selected the core, and next to it appeared a single character: 【Winter】.

【Congratulations, you have obtained another core with a different attribute. Now, do you wish to learn some of the knowledge about this core?】

Xu Zhi skillfully clicked 【Yes.】

【Winter: The principle of silence, ending, and things that have not fully passed away.】

【It encompasses fading, remembrance, stillness, decay, snow, finality, and weakness. Its defining characteristic is silence, sometimes accompanied by the awareness of one's own end.】

Xu Zhi frowned as she looked at the line of text. To be honest, she didn't perceive much of the "fade" or "deathly silence" aura from Shen Jinwen, nor did she sense any connection with "weakness" or "decay." Of course, such a superficial observation was not enough. Her understanding of attributes was not profound, and perhaps she could understand how attributes truly resonate with people by getting to know Shen Jinwen better.

Somehow, as Xu Zhi read the description of the attribute 【Winter,】 she felt that its characteristics were somewhat "neutral." It didn't resemble the attribute 【Moth,】 whose description alone revealed its chaotic nature, likely to attract many "seekers of amusement." Nor did it resemble "Blade," whose strength and conflict were evident, leading to unending struggles among those who possessed it. "Winter" seemed too quiet.

This made Xu Zhi increasingly curious about the traits of other attributes.

However, before that, she needed to conduct a small experiment to test if one of the core usages of the attribute aligned with her expectations.

Xu Zhi took out the 【Blade】 attribute core from her pocket and looked at Xiao Yi, saying, "Open your mouth."

Xiao Yi lay at her feet, obediently opening its gaping maw upon hearing her command. Xu Zhi tossed the attribute core into its mouth, instructing, "Swallow it."

Yes, the experiment Xu Zhi wanted to conduct was simple: to observe what changes would occur in a creature of her affinity after consuming a corresponding attribute core, and whether it could digest the energy contained within.

It was a straightforward and simple idea, and Xiao Yi, who was right there by her side, was the perfect experimental subject and material.

It was crucial for Xu Zhi to understand the usage of the attribute cores as soon as possible, especially since she possessed one that corresponded to her own affinity.

Perhaps, this could be the key to enhancing her own strength.

She watched as Xiao Yi, within five seconds of consuming the core, suddenly coiled its body together, closed its eyes, and lowered its head onto its body, seemingly entering a state resembling hibernation.

Upon seeing this, Xu Zhi picked up her game console and looked at the screen.