The bamboo grove lay in the middle of the canyon, while the fruit tree was surprisingly deeper within the canyon.

After walking for half an hour, Cen An finally spotted the enormous tree that dominated half the mountainside. He immediately recognized the fruit hanging from its branches.

【Wind-cold fruit:

Grade: Common

Effect: Consumption provides a 100% cure for windchill. 60% chance of inducing paralysis, causing muscle stiffness and immobilization lasting 24 hours.】

Hmm… It grows on a tree and is edible. Is that why it’s considered a fruit?

Cen An felt somewhat helpless. While curing wind chill was certainly beneficial—he knew without asking that the rainy season, especially this persistent gloomy period, was prime time for wind chill—

The problem was, he didn’t need it!

He had both internal and external rejuvenation paste and recovery potion. He also had the Rain Dew Essence still in production. Which of those wasn’t superior to a wind-cold fruit that only treated wind chill?

Moreover, using it left him in a weakened state… Others had family to care for them, but he was all alone. Who knew what could happen during 24 hours of paralysis?

He couldn’t even use it to satisfy a craving…

Cen An shook his head and turned to leave, but suddenly felt something was off. He twisted his head back, staring thoughtfully at the wind-cold fruit tree. Finally, he climbed up the mountain wall and stripped the entire tree bare.

【Congratulations! You have obtained wind-cold fruit x224】

【Congratulations! You have obtained mutated wind-cold fruit x3】

【Mutated wind-cold fruit:

Rarity: Rare

Category: Fruit

Effect: 0% chance to cure wind-cold after consumption, 100% chance to induce paralysis lasting 24 hours.】

Oh, this…

Cen An carefully stowed away these three mutated fruits, making sure not to mix them up.

Emerging from the gloomy depths of the canyon, Cen An glanced at the sky and headed straight down the mountain.

He’d left early today, so it was barely noon.

He returned home for lunch, gathered six animal hides, crafted a leather pouch, stuffed it full of wind-cold fruit, and headed for the small market.

Rain fell as most people remained gathering in the mountains, leaving the small market nearly deserted.

Cen An shouldered his wind-cold fruit and entered. At the entrance, someone at the Ability Squad stall glanced up.

He didn’t recognize the person, but they clearly recognized him, their expression shifting to surprise. Cen An paid it no mind.

He approached his own stall. Tian Yuan was absent, of course. Cen An gently set down the leather pouch and erected a sign in front.

Carved simply from wood, the sign bore the words written in charcoal: “Wind-Cold Fruit for Grain. Buy Now While Supplies Last.”

The few customers at the small market came and went hurriedly, and the modest stall drew little attention.

Cen An wasn’t in a hurry. Wind-cold fruit was insignificant to healthy people, but if someone in the household happened to be ill, it became a precious commodity.

Just as he was thinking this, someone approached the stall. Looking up, he recognized the member of the Ability Squad standing at the entrance.

Having been here for some time, Cen An had gained insight into the squad’s dynamics. Though only 25 members strong, they were divided into three factions.

One faction included Qu Yue, Zhao Wu, and Wang Lie. These were the highest-ranked and most powerful members, loyal only to Captain Liao Yongzhi. Even when Captain Liao had to recuperate for nearly a year due to an ability malfunction, they remained steadfast. Most of Cen An’s acquaintances belonged to this faction.

The second faction was led by Deputy Captain Shi Long. Most of its members possessed average abilities, which was fitting since Shi Long himself was only moderately skilled. These individuals were primarily responsible for maintaining order in the small market and handling the squad’s supply transactions. Though lacking in power, they compensated with sheer numbers.

The third group hardly qualifies as a faction—merely the weakest members of the squad, their abilities barely reaching Level 1, barely qualifying them as ability users. They neither wish to get involved in the captaincy succession nor dare to meddle in the squad’s finances. They simply clock in daily, take patrol assignments, and coast through their days.

The visitors were naturally Shi Long’s men. Cen An considered himself unfamiliar with this group and didn’t understand why they’d suddenly come looking for him. He merely smiled and asked, “What brings you here?”

“Cen…Brother Cen, right?” The visitor scratched his head. “I heard Wang Lie and the others call you that.”

Cen An smiled politely. “Just call me Cen An.” He repeated, “What brings you here?”

Though the man looked honest and his smile seemed genuine, Cen An harbored no fondness for Shi Long or Shi Jie. A slight wariness lingered in his mind.

The other man, however, seemed straightforward. “My name is Li Wei. Um, I was just wondering… what exactly is a wind-cold fruit? Is it also something you find in the mountains?”

“This is the wind-cold fruit.” Cen An pulled one out from his leather pouch. The small, green fruit was only about the size of an apricot and didn’t look particularly appetizing. “It can cure wind-cold, but there’s a sixty percent chance it will leave you in a weakened state for twenty-four hours after consumption.”

Li Wei stared at it for a moment, then snapped his fingers in realization. “So that’s the cold-curing fruit! This is a valuable item! Team Leader Liao even took us up the mountain to find it before! With this, the death toll during the Rainy Season should drop this year!”

Cen An froze. “People still die during the Rainy Season?”

“Huh?” Li Wei froze, too. “Of course. The rainy season brings endless gloomy rain. Homes become cold and damp, and nighttime temperatures plummet. Weak individuals inevitably catch wind-cold, develop high fevers, and easily succumb to death.”

This wasn’t his past life. There were no top-tier hospitals scattered across every city, nor angels in white standing guard even on New Year’s Eve… Here, even a common cold could be deadly.

Cen An’s heart sank. He had underestimated this rainy season…

Li Wei pressed on, “Can we exchange any staple food for cold-curing fruit? Any kind?”

“Any,” Cen An replied. “Perishable wet grains like ground fruit are five for one. Dry staples like rice or wheat are three for one.”

Li Wei slapped his thigh. “That’s cheap! Hold on, I’m heading home to grab some dry rations!”

Wind-Cold Fruit offered a 100% cure for wind-cold ailments. For the elderly and children at home, they were essentially an extra lifeline. At this price, they were certainly not expensive.

Watching his retreating figure, Cen An pondered briefly before pulling a piece of charcoal from his bag. Beneath the “Staple Grains” entry on the wooden tablet, he added two more characters: “Combustible Materials.”

He’d anticipated the rainy season’s damp chill, but hadn’t considered the nighttime temperature plummeting. He’d need to stock up on more wood and dry grass.

Li Wei returned swiftly. “Six portions of wheat for two Wind-Cold Fruits.” After listening to Cen An explain for a while, he decided the name was simple and easy to remember, so he adopted it too.

With him leading the charge, the other vendors at the small market finally noticed the commotion. Several customers gathered around. “Cold-curing Fruit? Are they really cold-curing fruit?”

“That’s exactly what they are. I’ve eaten them before, but haven’t seen them in years!”

“Wonderful! My son is sick right now. I rushed out to buy medicine for him! With cold-curing fruit, there’s nothing to fear! How do I trade for them?”

Within moments, a crowd of ten or so gathered around the stall. Other vendors, neglecting their own stalls, joined the throng.

Cen An’s tone remained consistently gentle. “Three portions of dry rations for one. Five portions of wet rations for one. Five pieces of wood or five bundles of hay are also exchanged for one. Other combustible materials are acceptable too, exchanged at equal value…”

The quiet little market suddenly came alive!

Soon, a pile of traded dry rations and wood accumulated beside the stall. Several vendors pooled some waterproof tarps to cover it, preventing the goods from getting rained on.

News of the fruit exchange spread like wildfire among the villagers. Soon, a large crowd rushed over. Many still clutched gathering tools—likely descending directly from the mountains upon hearing the news.

Cen An could no longer spare much attention. The villagers’ enthusiasm for the Wind-Cold Fruit exceeded his expectations. Earlier, he’d worried the fruit wouldn’t sell; now, others feared it would run out by their turn, naturally jostling forward desperately.

He also spotted Li Wei sneak back to the forest late at night, gathering several of Shi Long’s men to trade for the fruit. Whether they were keeping it from Shi Long or not, Cen An pretended not to notice, treating it as a normal transaction.

Over two hundred fruits had been traded away, and the goods acquired had already piled up on the small stall. Just as Cen An was fretting, a familiar voice rang out: “I heard wind-cold fruits appeared at the little market—I was wondering who it could be!”

Qu Yue’s voice carried from half a li away. She approached Cen An, glanced at the chaotic pile of goods, and smiled. “I—”

Before she could finish, Cen An thrust a fruit toward her. “Sister Qu Yue, this one’s for Huihui.”

The words felt wrong the moment they left his mouth. “I mean, Huihui’s still young—”

Qu Yue sighed helplessly, patting his shoulder. “Alright, I know exactly what you mean. You tend to the shop. I’ll handle this.”

Only then did Cen An relax. He really wasn’t good at this kind of intimate interaction… always afraid of saying the wrong thing, afraid of disappointing others.

Qu Yue waved her hand broadly and laughed, “Guys, help Brother Cen carry his stuff back.”

“Got it!”

“Ooh—!”

Cen An heard the cheers and noticed Wang Lie and the others had followed. “You guys…”

Wang Lie waved dismissively. “Brother Cen, Feng Yuxing saved some cold-curing fruit for us, right? We’ll help you move first.”

With that, he led his men away, carrying the supplies.

With this group helping, Cen An felt instantly relieved, needing only to focus on exchanging the goods.

By the end of the afternoon, every last one of the over two hundred wind-cold fruits had been traded away, leaving none behind except those he’d set aside in his backpack.

Later, several villagers who hadn’t managed to exchange any left disappointed. Cen An could only repeatedly assure them he’d set up a stall again once he found more Wind-Cold Fruits.

Wang Lie and his group helped him move all the supplies away before leaving. Cen An tried to thank them but couldn’t find them, so he trudged home through the rain.

Then, not far from home, he saw a mountain of supplies.

Piles of timber, hay, and grain were stacked neatly, covered with waterproof tarps that fit perfectly, weighted down with stones. Not a single drop of rain had touched them.

Such meticulous care…

Cen An watched for a moment before slowly approaching.

A dark shadow suddenly shifted, startling him. Looking closer, he recognized Ji Yong’an.

His legs had gone numb from crouching, and he stood up, hopping to stretch them before spotting Cen An. He waved excitedly: “Brother Cen, you finally came! They made me watch the supplies, and my legs went numb!”

Seeing the boy’s silly grin, Cen An wondered if he’d been picked on.

He smiled and asked gently if he was cold or wet.

“Nope, I’ve got my raincoat on.” Xiao Ji patted the tarpaulin raincoat covering him. “Now that you’re here, Brother Cen, I’m heading home!”

“Wait.” Cen An handed him ten wind-cold fruits. “These are for you. You’ve got your grandmother and sister at home, right? Take two for them, and one each for the others. If it’s not enough, come back for more. Just… consider it your wages.”

He chuckled at his own words. Hiring a group of ability users with just a few wind-cold fruits to help him move stuff… Hmm, that made perfect sense.

Xiao Ji didn’t seem to mind at all. “Awesome! Thanks, Brother Cen!”

He wasn’t even eighteen yet, skipping and hopping away.

Cen An watched him for a moment, then packed the mountain of supplies into his backpack and headed home.