Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies

All living beings possess instincts inherited from their ancestors.

These are imprinted in their very DNA.

The moment Zhang Yi saw that yellow stone, his genes seemed to leap with excitement, as if they had discovered something they desperately craved.

Could this be the Divine Source?

Zhang Yi glanced at Li Zongyu before calmly reaching out to take the stone.

He could sense traces of a peculiar energy within it, though only faint remnants remained.

"Where did you get this thing?"

Li Zongyu smiled. "I'm sorry, I can't tell you that yet. You'll have to guarantee the safe passage of me and my people first."

He held the stone up toward the pale white sun in the sky, but couldn't discern anything through it.

Zhang Yi thought to himself: Does this contain the secret to breaking genetic limitations?

"I'll be keeping this stone. Any objections?"

As he spoke, Zhang Yi pocketed the stone.

Li Zongyu nodded. "Of course."

Zhang Yi nodded back. "Good. You're dismissed. Go about your business."

Li Zongyu looked slightly surprised that Zhang Yi would let him go so easily.

From what he knew, Zhang Yi was a rather ruthless individual.

Li Zongyu had even prepared himself for interrogation, bribery attempts, or even physical violence.

Zhang Yi's casual attitude left him thoroughly confused.

What he didn't know was that his so-called secret held little appeal for Zhang Yi.

Zhang Yi was merely curious and asked casually.

As for whether this mysterious Divine Source truly existed or what it might be, Zhang Yi genuinely didn't care much.

He hated trouble.

Let the Jiangnan Region deal with troublesome matters.

"Maybe he's actually a decent person after all."

Li Zongyu shook his head. Though he still didn't fully understand Zhang Yi's character, Zhang Yi's actions had earned some goodwill from him.

The Golden Edge departed Rockflow Island's waters and headed into open sea, retracing its route back to Huaxu Kingdom.

The initial journey had taken over two months.

But with the route now familiar, the return trip would be significantly shorter, estimated at under fifty days.

By then, it would be around November.

Nearly a year had passed since the apocalypse began. Zhang Yi sometimes marveled at how time flew like a fleeting white horse - here one moment, gone the next.

Yet so much had happened during these months.

With increased passengers aboard the Golden Edge, daily management became necessary.

Old Tian oversaw these matters.

Living conditions on the ship were divided into four tiers.

Zhang Yi's meals weren't handled by the ship's kitchen - he had his own gourmet supplies.

The kitchen was responsible for feeding everyone from Zhu Yunque downward.

Zhu Yunque and the crew enjoyed abundant meals with no shortage of chicken, fish, meat or eggs.

The third tier consisted of Rockflow Group members, who still received some protein daily.

Though meat portions were small, they were available.

The fourth tier - later-screened Huaxu citizens and overseas compatriots - only got meat every three days.

Still, basic food needs were met for everyone.

Initially, no one complained about these living conditions.

Compared to Rockflow Island, their current provisions represented a massive improvement.

Though life in the cabins could be boring, at least they had food security.

But as the saying goes: some people shouldn't eat too well. Hunger brings one worry, but fullness brings countless troubles.

Soon enough, trouble arrived.

Zhu Yunque approached Zhang Yi, requesting private quarters for Su Nuanxi.

"She's my junior after all, and rather naive. I worry about her safety in those mixed-gender cabins."

"Besides, I could use help with the baby. Managing alone has been difficult."

Zhang Yi laughed at this.

"What, she could handle cave living but can't adjust to ship cabins now? Sounds like spoiled brat behavior to me!"

Zhu Yunque looked uncomfortable.

Truthfully, her request was self-motivated.

After just days with the infant, she was nearing her breaking point.

Yet per Zhang Yi's orders, no crew member would assist with childcare.

That's when her eager junior stepped forward to help.

After two lonely months at sea, Zhu Yunque desperately needed companionship.

She quickly came to regard Su Nuanxi as a confidante.

Seizing the opportunity, Su Nuanxi proposed moving to private quarters upstairs, which Zhu Yunque readily agreed to.

"It's just one room. It's not like we're short on space."

Pouting unhappily, Zhu Yunque complained to Zhang Yi: "No one will help me except her. Can't you make this one exception?"

Zhang Yi countered: "Plenty of women manage in shared cabins. Why does she need special treatment?"

"If she couldn't handle communal living, we should've left her on the island."

Stumped, Zhu Yunque could only look at Zhang Yi pleadingly.

"Zhang Yi... I'm begging you, okay? I really need the help."

Zhang Yi considered it. Their deck did have vacant rooms - giving one to Su Nuanxi wouldn't hurt.

At least it would stop Zhu Yunque's constant pestering.

Still, he disliked the woman's attitude.

"Our rooms are all occupied. But there is a storage room available."

Zhu Yunque gasped. "A storage room? Wouldn't that be filthy?"

Zhang Yi sneered. "She wants privacy over safety but complains about cleanliness? She can clean it herself if she's so particular. Take it or leave it!"

"Fine, fine! She'll take it!"

Zhu Yunque quickly agreed.

Without Su Nuanxi's help, she'd be lost with the baby.

With Zhang Yi's permission, Zhu Yunque went to fetch Su Nuanxi from the Rockflow Group area.

Hearing this, the other group members looked at Su Nuanxi with envy.

Some female members approached Zhu Yunque:

"Miss Zhu, could we apply for private rooms too? It's rather inconvenient for us girls sharing with so many people."

Once the precedent was set, demands multiplied.

Zhu Yunque looked helpless. "I'm afraid not. Su Nuanxi is helping me with Tommy."

"But we could help with childcare too!"

"Well... I don't need that many helpers."

Author's Note