Chapter 15: Aokang Consumes the Surgical Fruit

Returning to the city, he transformed into the Azure Dragon once again, allowing Ao Chen to sit on his back as they swiftly made their way home.

His parents, exhausted, had already retired indoors to rest.

Liu Xiyao was attentively tending to them, her care making both of them somewhat uncomfortable.

Meanwhile, Meng Kui continued to fight alone downstairs. He knew that simply relying on Ao Xin was not enough. To earn true recognition in the future, he had to strengthen his own abilities.

Downstairs, many others were also attempting to slay zombies. After all, the items exchanged in the Divine Gift Space were incredibly enticing.

However, even the cheapest Three-Color Haki cultivation method required ten points, meaning one had to kill at least ten zombies.

They armed themselves with kitchen knives, iron shovels, wooden sticks—anything they could find at home—to battle the undead.

But the zombies’ strength, speed, and defense far surpassed theirs. People were often gutted or bitten and infected, becoming new zombies themselves.

Meng Kui immediately reported the situation to Ao Xin upon his return.

“Good job. If you’re tired, go rest,” Ao Xin said approvingly. Such grit and perseverance were crucial for survival in this apocalypse.

“No, I want to keep fighting!” Meng Kui insisted.

After Ao Xin gifted him points to purchase the Three-Color Haki cultivation method, although he hadn’t awakened Haki yet, Meng Kui clearly felt his physique improving slightly with every battle.

As a martial arts coach, his body was already honed to its peak, and he hadn’t experienced such progress in a long time.

He cherished this opportunity Ao Xin had given him deeply.

Without Ao Xin, killing ten zombies would have taken him at least five days.

“Alright, but don’t overexert yourself,” Ao Xin advised as he took Ao Chen upstairs.

Once inside, they saw Liu Xiyao massaging Zhang Hong’s legs.

Though the elders were in decent health for their age, the intense battles left them aching all over.

Liu Xiyao’s technique was unorthodox, but a massage was still a comfort.

“Master,” Liu Xiyao greeted Ao Xin obediently upon his arrival.

This girl was truly sensible. Ao Xin felt confident in his judgment; both Meng Kui and Liu Xiyao were worth nurturing.

Ao Chen immediately released his arm and jumped beside his father. “Dad! We brought you something great!”

Proudly, she pulled out a Surgery Devil Fruit from her chest and placed it before Ao Kang.

“A superhuman-type Surgery Devil Fruit! Dad, since you’re a doctor, you’ll love its ability!”

Seeing the fruit, Liu Xiyao’s heart trembled slightly but she quickly composed herself and continued massaging Zhang Hong’s legs, inwardly relieved about her own wise choice.

Another Devil Fruit—and a valuable Surgery Fruit at that! Perhaps if she performed well, she might receive one too someday.

Ao Kang, unfazed, took the fruit from his daughter, curious despite never having watched “One Piece.”

“Surgery Devil Fruit? So, can you perform surgeries after eating it?” he guessed from the name.

“But I already know how to operate. Does it make surgeries more precise?”

Ao Kang was puzzled. Ao Chen quickly explained:

“Dad, the Surgery Devil Fruit lets you create a spatial dome. Inside, you can cut through anything! Plus, you can teleport within it instantly.”

“When you operate normally, the patient’s body suffers damage. But inside the rOOm space, cutting doesn’t harm anything! You can remove harmful substances and seamlessly put everything back together—no scars, no pain! Isn’t that amazing?”

Her explanation was a bit chaotic, so she played a video demonstrating the fruit’s powers one by one.

Ao Kang grew increasingly amazed. Devil Fruits were truly miraculous.

“So, Dad, this suits you perfectly! I found it just for you!” the little girl beamed.

Ao Kang affectionately ruffled her hair. “You’re really impressive, Chenchen.”

“But, Dad, you’re getting older. This fruit is better left to you and Mom,” Ao Xin said.

“Dad, I also have a Thunderclap Devil Fruit. You should eat this one—it’s from me and Chenchen.”

“Besides, once you and Mom get stronger, I can focus on my own things without constantly worrying about you.”

Ao Xin’s words convinced Ao Kang, as expected.

Parents never wanted to be a burden to their children.

Indeed, as his son pointed out, in such a dangerous world, if they remained weak, their children would be tied down caring for them, unable to grow.

“Alright! I’ll eat it!” Ao Kang declared.

Taking a bite, the unpleasant taste spread through his mouth. Seeing his frown, Ao Chen hurried to explain, “Devil Fruits all taste terrible. Don’t spit it out! Don’t chew—just swallow a single bite.”

Following his daughter’s advice, Ao Kang swallowed the fruit’s flesh, then asked, “What about the rest?”

“Just throw it away. The rest is useless,” Ao Chen replied.

“Dad, feel the Devil Fruit’s power inside you. See if you can use it!”

Ao Kang obeyed. Following the energy inside him, he gently raised his hand and pressed down. A transparent dome appeared beside him.

Spotting a mop nearby, he focused and swapped positions with it.

“Dad! You did it!” Ao Xin and Ao Chen cheered.

“Try cutting anything now!”

Ao Kang grabbed a machete used for fighting zombies and swung it at the table.

The table instantly split in two as if made of paper.

“Dad! Cut me! Try cutting me!” Ao Chen excitedly jumped in front of him, daring him to slice her.

Ao Kang was speechless. Though he had heard about the Surgery Devil Fruit’s abilities, the request to be cut felt strange—like having a foolish daughter.

“It’s not a good idea. I’m still not skilled enough—you might get hurt,” he warned.

Ao Chen pleaded, but no matter how much she begged, Ao Kang refused to cut her.

Fatigue soon took hold. Using Devil Fruit powers drained massive energy.

The Surgery Devil Fruit required especially large consumption.

Having just fought zombies, Ao Kang’s stamina was still low. After a few trials, he couldn’t continue.

He deactivated the rOOm dome and sank onto the sofa to rest.

Ao Chen obediently approached from behind and began massaging his shoulders.

While doing so, she proposed to Ao Xin:

“Brother, I think we should try other places. My ability can locate Devil Fruits. Since each place only has a limited number, if we travel more, we’ll surely find more Devil Fruits!”

“Then we can give one to Mom, to Sister Xiyao, to Brother Meng Kui—then we’ll rule Bian City!”

The siblings’ eyes shone with determination and hope.