Facing the inquisitive gazes of Tian Shang and Ba Jiu, Ming Yue offered no explanation, for she was waiting for Ji Shiyou to wake up.
If her guess was correct, the pills should also be ineffective on Ji Shiyou.
"Brother Ji, you're awake too. Are the pills also ineffective on you?"
As Ming Yue had predicted, Ji Shiyou stood up less than a minute later.
He looked at Ming Yue and the others blankly. Hearing Tian Shang's question, he shook his head.
"Quick, come here. Sister Ming Yue knows the reason and can explain it to all of us."
Tian Shang was eager to know the reason and urged Ji Shiyou to come over. Ba Jiu was more direct, running over and pulling him along.
Seeing the three of them gathered around her, their faces full of curiosity, Ming Yue shared her speculation.
Everything in the world had its limits. While the Water of Life was miraculous, it couldn't be without restrictions.
Ba Jiu and Tian Shang had either directly consumed the Water of Life or absorbed the crystal core of the Green Vine, which was equivalent to indirect consumption.
They had developed an immunity within their bodies, rendering the potions made from the Water of Life ineffective. This was why they had woken up first.
Ming Yue deduced that the potions were unable to enhance Ji Shiyou's ability level based on the results of the drug trials.
At that time, Gao Chu had found a test subject whose ability level was Rank 1. After consuming the potion, their level had soared, eventually stopping at Rank 5.
This proved that the potion's efficacy in enhancing levels was limited to below Rank 6.
Once one surpassed Rank 6, their level would not increase regardless of how much potion they consumed.
Ji Shiyou was a Rank 6 Gold Element user, already at the potion's limit, hence its ineffectiveness.
The group suddenly understood after Ming Yue's explanation. Ba Jiu was a Rank 9 zombie, and Tian Shang was a Rank 6 Wood Element user. Even without immunity, their levels could not be further enhanced.
"It seems that the higher the ability level, the more difficult it is to advance. When will I be able to level up! Cultivation is too boring."
Tian Shang had initially fantasized about leveling up without cultivation by consuming the potions.
Now that her dream of a shortcut was shattered, she let out a mournful cry.
"Dr. You is currently improving the potion, hoping for a breakthrough that can enhance its level.
Perhaps you'll have a chance to level up through potions, but levels gained through personal cultivation are always the most solid.
If it weren't for the zombies becoming more formidable, and for your safety and ability to protect yourselves, I wouldn't recommend leveling up through potions."
Despite living in the apocalypse, Tian Shang had not suffered much under Ming Yue's care.
She had retained her innocence as a young girl. Seeing her naive expression, Ming Yue gently stroked her head and explained patiently.
"I understand, Sister Ming Yue. I'll go cultivate now."
Tian Shang agreed and ran off to cultivate. Ba Jiu followed her.
"You seem to have something on your mind?"
Seeing that Ji Shiyou had remained silent after hearing her deduction and had quietly sat by the river, Ming Yue asked.
She had known Ji Shiyou the longest. Initially, he was very talkative, to the point of being described as a chatterbox.
And before he knew how powerful Ming Yue was, he had always tried to protect her with his own strength.
But at some point, Ji Shiyou's conversations with her became fewer, reduced to mere business-like exchanges.
This puzzled Ming Yue, who had always wanted to have a heart-to-heart with him.
However, one incident after another had prevented her from doing so.
Now, seeing Ji Shiyou looking troubled, she walked over and sat beside him.
"Uh, no, no. I was just considering how to build the future base."
Ming Yue's question caught Ji Shiyou off guard. He, who was usually eloquent, stammered incoherently.
Moreover, his handsome, angular face suddenly flushed red, as if he had done something shameful and been caught by Ming Yue.
"Don't lie to me. Of all the members of the Ming Yue Squad, you and I have spent the most time together.
I know what kind of person you are. When did you start liking me? Why are you afraid to let me know?"
In the Great Desolation era, Ming Yue was a princess of the Witch tribe, a being of high status who had never experienced romantic love.
But don't forget, she possessed the memories and thoughts of the original host, who was a meticulous and sensitive woman.
Therefore, when Ji Shiyou deliberately kept his distance from her, Ming Yue had sensed it.
Ji Shiyou treated her differently from others. When he grilled meat, the most succulent and best-looking piece was always hers.
As soon as she felt a little thirsty, Ji Shiyou would offer her a cup of water. And with her cultivation, she could sense that Ji Shiyou was always watching her silently, but whenever she looked over, he would avert his gaze.
All these signs indicated that Ji Shiyou liked her, though she didn't know when it had started.
If he liked her, why did he deliberately distance himself?
After all, in the Great Desolation, if one liked someone, regardless of gender, they would boldly confess their feelings.
Why were the emotions in this world so unfathomable? Ming Yue didn't understand, so she seized the opportunity today to ask directly.
"Cough, cough, cough, cough!"
Startled by Ming Yue's directness and boldness, Ji Shiyou choked on his own saliva and coughed uncontrollably.
He would never have imagined that the unspoken understanding between him and Ming Yue would be broken so simply and crudely.
Ji Shiyou was truly shocked and didn't know how to respond. Even after swallowing his saliva, he continued to cough to mask his embarrassment.
Ming Yue was right. He did like Ming Yue. He didn't know when it started, but his heart was filled with her image.
Although he had written countless tales of romance and passion in his novels,
in reality, Ji Shiyou had been single his entire life and had never been in a relationship, nor did he know how to confess.
He could only express his feelings through his meticulous care. But as Ming Yue became increasingly powerful, Ji Shiyou began to feel inferior.
He felt that the gap between him and Ming Yue was widening.
He humbly believed that Ming Yue was the radiant sun in the sky, while he was but a speck of dust on the ground.
He was not worthy of Ming Yue and could only look up to her, not walk alongside her.
Thus, he chose to bury his feelings deep in his heart and deliberately maintain a distance.
Yet, whenever he was with Ming Yue, he couldn't help but pay attention to her every move and care about her well-being.
"You know? I'm sorry. I'm not worthy. I shouldn't have defiled you."
After coughing for a long time, he could no longer pretend. Ji Shiyou mumbled softly.
"Hahaha, why aren't you worthy?
Who was it that, before awakening their abilities when the apocalypse struck, killed zombies with a cleaver to protect me?
Who fought alongside me, gathered supplies, and together established the Ming Yue Squad?
Who managed the Ming Yue Squad so efficiently, just so I could have an easier time?
Ji Shiyou, these are all you. Don't underestimate yourself.
In this world, it was you who warmed me. You are different from others."
Ming Yue, who had never seen Ji Shiyou act so timidly, burst into laughter.
However, images flashed in her mind: when she first arrived in this world, lost and helpless, Ji Shiyou offering her a bowl of pork ribs.
And the scene of Ji Shiyou killing zombies in the hallway, vomiting uncontrollably, yet comforting her not to be afraid and saying he would protect her.
"You mean, I'm qualified to be your boyfriend?"
Hearing Ming Yue's constant praise, Ji Shiyou looked up in surprise, trying to grasp the meaning behind her words.
"I'm just saying you're different from others. At least I don't dislike you. As for being my boyfriend, I'll have to consider it.
This is the apocalypse, and survival is the priority, followed by romance.
My boyfriend needs to be exceptionally outstanding? And he must be helpful to me, not a spineless coward lacking confidence."
Ming Yue didn't give a direct answer, instead leaving him in suspense. In her heart, she thought that after being reborn, having a romance wouldn't be bad.
Ji Shiyou had the physique, the looks, and was capable and considerate – a good candidate.
"I will definitely become more outstanding, and I will become your strongest support. Believe me."
Upon hearing Ming Yue's words, Ji Shiyou's confidence soared. He stood up excitedly.
He ran off to cultivate, leaving Ming Yue alone by the river. He wanted to become stronger.
Ming Yue watched Ji Shiyou's retreating figure and suddenly felt that she needed to reconsider.
Just then, she heard a scream, from Jin Xi. Ming Yue immediately ran towards her.