Zombie Apocalypse: I Have Safe Zone Superpower-Chapter 538: Weakness

[Correct. Two fruits may appear identical, yet their internal energy differs. One may be grown with care, love, and devotion. Another may be cultivated in resentment, stress, or desperation. Some farmers grow crops out of curiosity. Others out of obligation. Some pour their entire heart into the soil.]

The faint hum deepened.

"Food carries energy. When grown in negativity, it can cause discomfort once consumed. Over time, accumulated negative energy contributes to illness."

Ivy’s laughter faded into stunned silence. She had never considered farming on such a spiritual level. The scent of the black soil suddenly felt heavier, almost sacred.

"And there is more," the Storage continued. "Consuming vegetables grown here will slightly raise your cultivation."

Her eyes lit up like stars in the night sky. "If that’s the case, I’m starting immediately."

Without hesitation, she retrieved vegetable seeds she had stored long ago. The small packets felt cool and rough in her palms. Kneeling down, she pressed her fingers into the dark soil. It was soft, warm, and strangely comforting against her skin.

She sowed the seeds one by one. The process took time and effort; sweat formed along her temples, and her back ached faintly. Yet she continued until the final seed was planted.

Straightening up, she exhaled deeply. "Now what? How do I handle the next steps?"

The Temporal Storage let out an amused sound.

"As long as you provide 10KB, the remaining processes will be automated. You may sit back and observe."

Her eyes widened instantly. "What about the sowing? You’re telling me I planted everything manually for nothing?"

The temporary storage’s voice echoed in the vast green expanse, calm and almost mellow.

[You could have finished this in ten KB or two,] it stated evenly. [However, you were the one who initiated the process without consulting me.]

Ivy: "..." Wow, bro, you said it so quickly. If you were a second earlier, an earthquake would have occurred!

Her brows knitted together, irritation rising like steam.

"So you just wanted to watch me do hard labor?" she snapped, her voice sharp and echoing faintly in the void.

A low, unkind laugh reverberated through the space.

[I have no desire to watch you struggle,] the temporal storage replied. [This is a rule. In order to automate a process, I must first learn it. For example, sowing a seed requires initial human input. That is why I instructed you to perform it first.]

Ivy folded her arms tightly across her chest, the faint roughness of soil still clinging to her fingertips.

"Then what about the rest of the steps?" she demanded. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

[As long as the initial stages are demonstrated,] the temporal storage responded smoothly, [I am intelligent enough to complete the remaining procedures independently.]

Hearing that, Ivy released a long breath and walked toward the nearby wooden bench that had materialized beside the field.

The bench was cool beneath her palms as she sat down, staring at the stretch of freshly tilled soil before her.

The earthy scent drifted upward, grounding yet frustrating. ’All this for a few seeds,’ she thought bitterly.

After a long silence, Ivy decided not to hold it against temporal storage.

"What about the speed?" she asked, her tone cautious. "How long will it take for the vegetables to grow?"

[For now, they will grow at a natural rate, identical to ordinary vegetables,] the temporal storage replied. [The duration remains unchanged. If you wish to accelerate the growth process, upgrades will be required.]

Ivy straightened slightly, curiosity flickering in her tired eyes. "How many upgrades would it take to make them grow instantly?"

There was a brief silence, long enough for the wind to whisper across the empty field.

[At least ten upgrades,] the temporal storage answered at last.

The number struck her like a dull blow. Her shoulders slumped, disappointment settling deep in her chest.

’Ten upgrades... that’s a mountain,’ she thought with a trace of despair.

The temporal storage’s tone softened unexpectedly.

[Until now, the number of upgrades you have achieved and the time in which you accomplished them is exceptionally low. Even I am astonished. No one has ever raised my levels as rapidly as you have.]

Ivy gave a wry smile, though it did not quite reach her eyes. "What is the use of that?" she murmured.

[It proves that you stand a chance against the superior beings,] the temporal storage replied. [Your growth rate is unprecedented.]

At those words, Ivy could only nod slowly, a quiet sigh escaping her lips. ’A chance... that is all I have,’ she thought.

After concluding the discussion, she exited the temporal storage space.

The familiar atmosphere of her room wrapped around her. Along with the knowledge about superior beings, she had gained another piece of insight.

Just as she resumed her work, a secure message arrived from her intelligence team.

Other than the spies embedded within her own base to monitor internal stability, Ivy had also planted agents in various factions beyond her territory. Now, new intelligence had surfaced, and it concerned Annie.

Annie’s mother was preparing to make a move against her.

The information was precise and chilling.

If Annie fell into the trap, it would deal a significant blow to the base too.

As Ivy absorbed the full context, she could not help but exhale deeply.

’Not a single day passes without drama,’ she thought, rubbing her temple. ’Why do these people have so much spare time? Why not focus on surviving?’

The report detailed that Annie’s mother had been approached by the Black Vultures, a ruthless faction known for manipulation and exploitation.

They planned to use her as leverage, extracting information about Ivy’s base through Annie. If they uncovered any weaknesses, they would likely attack, or worse, attempt to kidnap Ivy herself.

Ivy’s expression darkened. Without hesitation, she forwarded the information directly to Annie.

When Annie received the message and understood the full extent of the scheme, shock flashed across her face before hardening into burning hatred.

At first, she had believed that woman would finally understand her boundaries and stop provoking her.