Lu Heng smiled, neither agreeing nor disagreeing with Elder Fei's assessment of the lack of supplies.
In essence, it was still because the zombies outside could not be cleared, preventing the normal recovery of production nationwide.
This was a vicious cycle. If a breakthrough point was not found, this problem would never be solved.
"I see Elder Fei seems a bit tired. How about we pause our discussion here? You can analyze what we've just talked about further."
Lu Heng, noticing Elder Fei's somewhat weary expression, stood up and addressed everyone present.
"I'm alright. Age does take its toll on one's energy compared to youth. How about we discuss this in more detail this afternoon?"
Lu Heng nodded, looking at Elder Fei's complexion, and finally said, "Elder Fei, I'd like to speak with you alone for a moment."
"Very well. You all go ahead and get busy. Organize what City Lord Lu has just said, and we'll research it further this afternoon."
The people in the conference room quickly departed, leaving only Lu Heng, Elder Fei, and a young woman accompanying Elder Fei in the vast room.
Lu Heng subtly observed the woman. She wore a well-fitting military uniform, though it lacked any insignia. She was a fifth-tier fire ability user.
Seeing Lu Heng look over, Elder Fei smiled. He shed the stern demeanor from the meeting and, with a 친근함 (chin-geun-ham - friendliness), walked closer to Lu Heng, supported by the young woman.
"This is my granddaughter. Alas, she is the only descendant I have left."
Elder Fei patted the woman's hand, signaling her to release her support.
"My body isn't that frail yet. Come, let's sit and talk."
After everyone was seated, Lu Heng took out a first-tier magic crystal and handed it to Elder Fei.
"Try this. After consuming it, your body will feel much better than it does now."
Taking the magic crystal, Elder Fei examined it carefully. "This seems similar to a crystal, but the transparency is a bit different. What is it?"
"Grandpa, let me see," the woman behind Elder Fei extended her slender, white hand.
"Here."
"My granddaughter is also an ability user, a fifth-tier fire ability user."
As a normal person, Elder Fei enthusiastically introduced his granddaughter's abilities to Lu Heng.
"I heard your ability level is over ten tiers?"
In fact, Elder Fei was quite curious about how Lu Heng's level had reached such heights.
From the information he had, only the place called Nameless City was peculiar. The ordinary ability users there were all around sixth-tier, and many had surpassed level ten.
It could be said that across the entire country, perhaps no other base could surpass Nameless City in terms of combat strength.
"Yes, it's alright."
Lu Heng did not offer much explanation. There was no need to tell others how they leveled up.
However, given the current zombie levels in the apocalypse, it was unlikely for any ability user to exceed seventh-tier under normal circumstances.
"Grandpa, this thing isn't a crystal."
Elder Fei's granddaughter returned the magic crystal to Elder Fei, signaling him with her eyes not to consume it.
"What's wrong with your eyes?" Elder Fei looked at his granddaughter, who was winking at him, thinking something had gotten into her eyes.
"No, nothing. This isn't a crystal."
The woman emphasized it again.
Lu Heng looked at Elder Fei's granddaughter, finding it somewhat amusing.
"Indeed, it is not a crystal. But you might as well try it. Consuming it will only benefit you."
The efficacy of magic crystals had already been verified on so many soldiers within Nameless City, and not a single case of rejection or discomfort had occurred.
Furthermore, the old scientists in the research center had also tried them, and they had not experienced any adverse reactions.
"Alright, I'll try it."
Elder Fei felt that Lu Heng had no reason to harm him.
Before his granddaughter could stop him, he swallowed the magic crystal in one gulp.
A warm current immediately spread throughout his body, a comfort he had never experienced before.
"I feel a warmth in my lower abdomen, and my body seems to have gained strength."
Not only that, but the fatigue from the entire morning had vanished instantly.
Upon consumption, this magic crystal did not cause the discomfort that crystals did to the human body, nor did it induce splitting headaches when leveling up.
Therefore, magic crystals were very gentle for the elderly.
After Elder Fei gradually adapted, Lu Heng asked again, "Any other sensations?"
"I just gained some new perceptions in my mind, as if something is reminding me, something called 'Enlightenment Level One.' What is that?"
"Congratulations, you are now an evolved being."
"Ah? At my age too?"
"Yes, my grandfather is over seventy, and he can do this too? Is it because of the magic crystal you just gave my grandfather?"
"Yes, this magic crystal is specifically designed to help those who are unable to become ability users due to age."
"Hahaha, good! I feel much better physically, as if I've become younger."
Elder Fei stood up, even jumping slightly in place, startling his granddaughter behind him, who quickly reached out to stop him.
"Grandpa, don't jump..."
"No need to worry. Elder Fei's current condition is likely better than when he was in his forties."
Lu Heng smiled, watching the elder opposite him excitedly performing various stretching exercises.
"Oh, this is wonderful! I won't feel tired even after working for a while now."
"Then can my grandfather use crystals to level up from now on?"
Anyone who became an ability user understood the physical changes.
Becoming an ability user not only granted special abilities but also significantly improved physical fitness compared to ordinary people, likely extending human lifespan.
Although the longevity gained from becoming an ability user still needed time to be verified, every ability user felt that with their enhanced physique, living an extra twenty to thirty years should not be a problem.
"Crystals are still ineffective for them at their age."
Those who were initially unable to evolve into ability users through crystals, even after forcibly breaking through with magic crystals, could not use crystals to increase their levels.
In summary, crystals were useless for humans who could not evolve using them.
"Alas, at least my spirit and energy have improved significantly. Don't worry too much. Even with improved levels, I can't go out and fight zombies."
Elder Fei was philosophical. He comforted his granddaughter, regaining his composure from his excitement, and sat down, looking at Lu Heng.
"Mr. Lu, do you have any more of these magic crystals?"
Elder Fei had several old comrades with him. Although they had survived the initial outbreak of zombies in the apocalypse, many of his comrades, for various reasons, were not as healthy as he was.
Therefore, he wanted to shamelessly ask Lu Heng for some to give to his old comrades.