Zachary had no doubt that the giant tree was similarly endowed with dynamic life, even though he had no evidence and didn’t dare to get close to it by venturing into the shadow of the tree canopy. He was thoroughly convinced of it.

If things went as they often did in most novels, Zachary, the protagonist, whether by choice or by circumstance, would inevitably end up in the shadows of the tree canopy, face some dangers, and ultimately acquire something vital for him.

However, Zachary was not as brave as the protagonists in other stories; instead, he was extremely cautious. Although his cultivation had reached the late Foundation Building stage, he still was not willing to take the risk.

In the end, he reluctantly glanced at the shadows not far away, then raised his head to look at the giant tree deep within the shadows, quietly resolving in his heart to wait until his Nascent Soul was formed.

No, once he had cultivated his external body, he would definitely venture into the shadow of the tree canopy, get close to the trunk within the shadows, and see what strangeness lay inside.

After making his vow internally, the helpless Zachary had no choice but to leave the area. This time he did not head towards the officials in the eastern district but instead went west to visit his grandfather’s camp.

Zachary did not actually enter the camp but used his Divine Sense to observe his grandfather’s current life. He saw that the old man, now of considerable age, was chatting with several other elderly men on wooden stools, and his body seemed to be in good shape.

Seeing that the old man was in good health reassured him that his uncle was caring for him well, so he decided not to visit just yet. He would wait until the road was repaired and then come to visit his grandfather with his parents.

Afterwards, Zachary directly changed his flying direction to check on the progress of the road construction.

Watching the people below working energetically, Zachary estimated the progress of the construction in his heart and then flew straight back to Saxon County Camp.

Once the camp in Saxon County heard that construction had started on Pengcheng’s side, the survivors also began logging and road clearing towards Pengcheng.

Perhaps it was because the entire group consisted of Martial Artists. Despite the need to brutishly carve out a road in the forest with the help of logging and despite some aid from construction machinery, the majority of the heavy lifting was still done by human strength.

Zachary never expected that it would take less than ten days for the survivors to forge a two-way, ten-lane road through sheer force.

Although the ground was uneven due to the uprooted tree stumps, the road was essentially carved out. Now, they only needed to level the ground to complete a dirt road that would lead straight to Pengcheng.

At the moment, Zachary and Madeline were at his home, hosting Yara, who had come from afar.

Yara had not moved with the construction team but had stayed in Pengcheng, waiting until the entire road was connected before taking a vehicle to their side.

Upon learning of Yara’s arrival, Zachary and Madeline prepared a sumptuous feast, which would have been considered grand even before the apocalypse.

Yara had thought that the welcome banquet prepared by Zachary would be just ordinary, given that he prided himself on having eaten everything there was to eat in Kyoto.

But upon seeing dozens of in-season vegetables on the serving cart, various appetizers, cakes on the table, the colorful fruits in the fruit plate, and several unopened bottles of genuine liquor, Yara’s face showed an expression of utter shock.

Yara said incredulously, "Have you guys spent a fortune on this? Could it be that you knew I was coming over for help, and instead of outright refusing, you’re treating me with all these lavish things?"

Hearing this, Zachary and Madeline exchanged glances before Zachary spoke, "We knew you wouldn’t travel such a long way without reason. Sure you’ve got something to discuss with us.

But don’t overthink it; we don’t know your purpose yet. Besides, we’re all straightforward people—let’s eat first and talk in detail later. If we can help, we surely will, and if not, we’ll figure something out.

Let’s avoid business talks before the meal; I fear we won’t be able to enjoy our food. It’s not like we’ve spent a fortune as you said, but it indeed took quite an effort to prepare this table of dishes."

The culinary skills of Zachary and Madeline were just average, so naturally, the banquet was the simplest—eating hotpot. Madeline provided the place, and Zachary, for the most part, took care of the ingredients.

Planting in the Cave was much more convenient than in the outside world. All one had to do was scatter the seeds and water them occasionally. There was no need for pesticides or weeding, and basically, every planting cycle would yield a bountiful harvest.

After the Canaries took over the planting and breeding, although Dong Tianyu all but ceased to involve himself in the trifles of the Cave, the amount of food in the storage space continued to increase.

Given the current grain production in the Cave, the ingredients harvested from each bountiful crop were enough for Dong Tianyu to invite all the survivors in the Saxon County Camp for a hearty meal.

Don’t think that’s a small feat. You should know that the Saxon County Camp now gathered all the survivors who once made their living in the Saxon County area. Not to mention, they have already started planning to build another city wall.

As plentiful as the food prepared by Dong Tianyu was, after becoming a Martial Artist, ordinary food was merely to fill one’s stomach temporarily. In the end, only large chunks of meat could satisfy their hunger, and these were personally prepared by Ye Liuyun.

After a meal ample in drink and food, leaving a mess of a table behind, they moved to the study. When Ye Liuyun brought out the tea Dong Tianyu had provided, a flash of surprise crossed Yara’s eyes.

He had never imagined that what he thought would be a trip to experience life in a smaller place would actually turn out to be an enjoyment of life.

"Madeline, how much tea do you still have? If there’s any spare, could you share some with me?" Yara asked, his face showing a slightly embarrassed expression.

"Look at you, it’s just a bit of tea. When you leave, let Zachary send you some," Ye Liuyun said.

Hearing Ye Liuyun’s words, Dong Tianyu was left speechless. Watching Yara’s gaze turn to him, it took him a while to respond, "You really know how to be generous with what’s not yours. I’m still here, yet you offer it so naturally, as if you’re gifting someone else’s flowers."

At Dong Tianyu’s complaint, Ye Liuyun said bluntly, "Just say if you’re going to give it or not."

"Of course, I’ll give it. Yara has come all this way; I’ve got everything ready. He can take it with him when he leaves," Dong Tianyu said.

Watching Ye Liuyun and Dong Tianyu’s back-and-forth, Yara chuckled and interrupted, "Alright, you two will have plenty of time to chat after I leave. Let’s talk about the important matter at hand. I’ve come this time to ask for your help in collecting some special items."

Upon hearing this, Ye Liuyun blurted out what came to mind instantly, "Rare items?"

Shaking his head at Ye Liuyun’s words, Yara replied, "Not rare items, although I’m short on those too. But that’s not why I’m here."

At Yara’s denial, Dong Tianyu asked directly, "If not rare items, then what are you looking for?"

Without beating around the bush, Yara revealed the purpose of his trip, "I need to get some purple river carts."

Hearing the mention of purple river carts, the expressions of Dong Tianyu and Ye Liuyun changed dramatically. Yara personally coming to seek their help meant he needed a significant quantity.

Although it’s a medicinal material, it’s unlike other materials. If one only wants a small amount, provided they’re willing to pay, securing one or two isn’t too difficult.

But to acquire a large amount of it in a short period of time, that’s not just a matter of money.

Dong Tianyu frowned and asked Yara in confusion, "What do you need that for? Does it have to be that particular item? Is there no substitute?"

If it were just one or two doses, Dong Tianyu might think it was for medical treatment, but the large quantity Yara needed suggested that its use most likely wasn’t for healing.

"I can’t say the specific use, but I don’t only want those from human bodies; those from animals would do as well. It doesn’t necessarily have to be fresh; those dried and preserved before the calamity would suffice. Human ones are preferable, but if not available, deer’s will do," Yara explained.

As Yara said, although only the ones from humans were called purple river carts, deer placentas were also a widely used medicinal material. Even though their medicinal properties weren’t as potent as the purple river carts, they were more abundant, and before the calamity, they could be bought with money.