Chapter 23: Has My Mental Power Reached the Maximum Level?

"Tang Miao!"

Zhang Xinrou came running from afar, breathless, accompanied by the dormitory managers. It was only when she saw the cedar cones sprouting that she realized what Tang Miao had intended to do. The perimeter of this farm was 6,000 meters long, and to place nearly 600 cedar cones and force them all to sprout into towering trees—the consumption of mental energy must have been immense!

"Tang Miao, are you alright?"

Zhang Xinrou pulled Tang Miao into her arms and sat down on the side. Zai Zai ran over as well, watching Tang Miao with wide, eager eyes.

Taking advantage of this time, Jiang Nanxing followed instructions and fired at the tree trunks. The bullets struck the wood with a dull thud before falling to the ground. There was only a slight indentation on the trunks—barely visible to the naked eye, felt only by tracing them with a finger.

Tang Miao retrieved basic daily necessities and food supplies from her space, directing everyone to move these items to their designated spots. Feeling that this test wasn't enough, she signaled for Jiang Nanxing to continue. He fired at other trunks. A second outcome emerged: one-third of the bullet heads became embedded in the wood, but they failed to penetrate the bark.

Tang Miao understood: trees grown from second-generation seeds produced by the store's saplings would have their characteristics compromised. However, the current strength was safe enough. She could finally allow herself to pass out with a clear conscience.

"Tang Miao!"

The last thing she saw before losing consciousness was the faces of Zai Zai and Jiang Nanxing looming large over her.

***

The campfire was blazing, the crackling firewood spitting tongues of flame that cast flickering, dancing shadows on the faces of those around it. Tang Miao slowly opened her eyes, taking a long moment to focus on the starry sky above.

"Tang Miao, you're awake! Have you reached the max level? This time, when your mental energy was exhausted, you didn't look as scary as before."

"Aba, aba!" Zai Zai chirped, reaching for a hug.

Tang Miao held Zai Zai and, with Jiang Nanxing’s assistance, rose to her feet.

"Why didn't you turn on the lights?"

Zhang Xinrou rolled her eyes. "You never took the lights out in the first place. By the time we finished arranging the furniture, it was already pitch black."

*My mistake, my mistake,* she thought, her mind having been foggy before she fainted.

"Tang Miao, it's so good you're okay. It’s truly an eye-opener! Brother Chen didn't actually want to abandon you earlier. Our original plan was to follow them to lower their guard, then find an opportunity to come back for you."

While Tang Miao had been unconscious, Lin Chaofeng had woken up and accepted the facts relayed by Zhang Xinrou. In his eyes, Tang Miao was now no different from a superhero.

Jiang Nanxing deliberately turned his body to block Lin Chaofeng’s intense stare.

Tang Miao smiled in response. "What's in the past is in the past; no need to bring it up again. Let’s go check on Song Mingchen."

At the mention of Song Mingchen, Zhang Xinrou's expression fell.

Tang Miao briefly treated Song Mingchen's leg before calling for help to set up a bedroom for him and Lin Chaofeng. It was too late to use the cement she had bought from the store for wall construction; that would have to wait until dawn.

Before going to sleep, Zhang Xinrou began her routine report.

"Today is Monday, August 4, 2025, 1:12 AM. It is the 21st day since the apocalypse began, and there are 21 days left on your countdown."

"While you were unconscious, people from the Red Fire Safe Zone kept calling, using both threats and inducements to get us to hand over the Silkie chick. I told them to wait a week before discussing any trade."

With that, Zhang Xinrou handed the phone to Tang Miao. Tang Miao merely glanced at the "99+" red notification bubble and rolled over nonchalantly.

"Let’s talk about it tomorrow. Get some rest now; we have a busy day ahead."

The Zai Zai in her arms wriggled, finding a comfortable spot. Once her mother was asleep, she would quietly crawl out of the covers; she was a professional bedtime-companion baby!

That night, Song Mingchen woke up, and Lin Chaofeng couldn't wait to tell him about the farm and Tang Miao. Song Mingchen felt smug; he had guessed correctly. Staying at this farm meant a limitless future.

Lin Chaofeng lowered his voice, afraid to disturb Tang Miao. "Brother Chen, look, Tang Miao and Xinrou are next door. Tang Miao used her mental energy to grow the trees protecting the farm. It will take a few days for her to recover, which is why your leg was only partially treated and will need time to heal."

Song Mingchen shifted his gaze and locked eyes with Jiang Nanxing. He shivered. Those eyes were icy, and Song Mingchen even detected a hint of hostility in them.

"Don't be nervous, Brother Chen. His name is Jiang Nanxing, and the little girl in his arms is Jiang Beiyue. They are siblings and are now Tang Miao's eldest son and youngest daughter."

Lin Chaofeng looked at the stoic Jiang Nanxing with interest. Tang Miao had effectively become a mother overnight, gaining both a son and a daughter without the pain of childbirth.

Zai Zai, curious, looked at Song Mingchen. Remembering the social etiquette Tang Miao had taught her, she waved at him. "Aba," she said, meaning *hello*.

Jiang Nanxing pressed Zai Zai's hand down and turned away, leaving only his back to them.

Lin Chaofeng blinked and joked, "Brother Chen, how come I feel like Nanxing doesn't like you?"

Song Mingchen chuckled. "Perhaps he will after we spend more time together."

According to Lin Chaofeng, Jiang Nanxing was just a brainless zombie. Without Tang Miao and this farm, he would have died long ago under someone’s club or bullet. He was nothing to fear.

***

At dawn, a dewdrop from the canopy landed on Tang Miao's face. She woke up groggily to find Jiang Nanxing and "Skinny Tall" holding up a mattress.

Both of them were soaked, their clothes clinging to their bodies. Skinny Tall adjusted the mattress again; the dewdrop was truly cunning—he had only slipped his hand for a second, and it had found the perfect opportunity to wake Tang Miao.

It had rained the night before, and the air was filled with a fresh, clean scent. Everyone had slept soundly after a tiring day; Zhang Xinrou was still snoring softly.

Tang Miao had Jiang Nanxing organize the zombies to take the mattress away to a nearby clearing. She didn't wake Zhang Xinrou, instead buying new Class A seeds from the store, piling them in the clearing, and placing new fish fry and young chicks, ducks, and geese into the farming area.

She still had plenty of points left, so she continued to browse the store and rummage through her space, silently rearranging things. After looting an entire commercial district, there would be no need to worry about food, clothing, or shelter in the future.

It was just a pity that after searching through so many places, she hadn't found a single clue regarding "Forging Steel from a Hundred Refinements." She didn't know when she would find this final auxiliary tool.

Jiang Nanxing followed behind Tang Miao; whenever she took something out, he would organize it, while Zai Zai followed behind, mimicking her brother.

"Tang Miao, why didn't you call me when you got up? It was my mistake; I woke up late." Zhang Xinrou said as she opened her notebook, busily recording the pile of supplies Tang Miao had placed in the clearing.

"Miaomiao." Song Mingchen approached, supported by Lin Chaofeng. "Miaomiao, it's so good that you and Xinrou are alright."

Zhang Xinrou stiffened. She had almost forgotten about these two.

The variety of items in the clearing dazzled Lin Chaofeng: mountains of stones, various crop seeds, large rolls of waterproof tarpaulin, stepladders... and live chickens, ducks, and geese!

"Damn, Tang Miao, you're incredible!"

Song Mingchen scanned the area. He was certain Tang Miao possessed some kind of space-storage item, though he didn't know if it had a physical carrier.

"Miaomiao, about our current relationship..."

Although Song Mingchen knew that the soul inhabiting Tang Miao's body had changed, he still wanted to test the waters.

Hearing Song Mingchen's words, Zhang Xinrou subconsciously gripped her notebook, scribbling nervously. She hoped Song Mingchen wouldn't tell Tang Miao about her confession while Tang Miao was away, or about the little schemes she and Song Mingchen had between them. If Tang Miao found out, she would surely never trust her again.