Chapter 184: The Second Full-Star Pet |
Zou Jianghe looked at Du Yu as if he were a monster, his gaze filled with disbelief.
Luo Gang's expression was dazed; he instinctively looked towards Cao Biansheng in the team. Cao Biansheng gave a slight nod, confirming that what Qin Ziwen had just said was true.
"Guild Leader Qin, it's fortunate we're on the same side," Luo Gang said, letting out a long sigh of relief. "If our opponent were someone like Du Yu, we'd have to sleep with one eye open."
Qin Ziwen took over the conversation: "By the way, I happen to have some news to share with everyone. I've already obtained some information about the next map in advance. The environment of the next map is an island, and it's a competition mode. I speculate that this competition might not be among ourselves, but rather competition with other residential complexes."
"With Warrior Du here, it's our opponents in the next map who should be worried," Zou Jianghe laughed heartily, looking at Du Yu with a hint of envy. If only this were his own recruit.
Luo Gang analyzed, "If the next map also has a Hunting Ladder, then perhaps this competition mode will mostly revolve around prey competition."
Qin Ziwen looked at the two of them. "Right now, the animals around the residential complex are getting fewer and fewer; most are migrating towards the oasis to the east."
"We've already discovered traces of Red-Winged Pterosaurs at the eastern cliff," Zou Jianghe interjected. "But they can fly, making hunting them very difficult."
Luo Gang let out a hearty laugh. "Guild Leader Qin, don't worry about that. We've been keeping an eye on the movements of the beast herds for both hunting missions. As long as you are ready on your end, we can lead the way anytime to complete these two missions."
"Water carts? What do they look like?" Zou Jianghe asked curiously.
Luo Gang showed everyone their finished product: a type of two-wheeled cart made from multiple layers of wooden planks joined together, with the gaps in the corners filled with a mixture of clay and some grass stems.
"How's the watertightness?"
Luo Gang said, "The watertightness is quite good. Although the wood will still seep water, the seepage rate is very slow. Over two or three days, we can basically guarantee getting all the water back."
"Each cart can carry one ton of water, so eight carts mean eight tons. Based on the number of people in our student association, this batch of water, once brought back, will only last four or five days. The oasis is thirty or forty kilometers from here. A round trip in a single day is unrealistic; it will take at least two days, and that's assuming everything goes smoothly. So the convoy must depart tomorrow; the follow-up tasks are scheduled tightly."
After doing a quick mental calculation, Qin Ziwen pointed out, "You don't have enough carts. Based on your numbers and the scale of this expedition team, you'd need at least fifteen carts to be slightly more secure."
"This is already the result of working overtime to rush them out," Luo Gang said with a bitter smile. "New carts are still being made, but this batch must carry out the transport mission first."
Qin Ziwen thought for a moment, then made a suggestion. "How about this: I'll lend you three tons of water first, and you can repay me later. If you delay departure by two days, how many more carts can you make?"
Zou Jianghe was secretly shocked. Just how much water did Qin Ziwen have? Their numbers weren't large, yet they could be this extravagant.
Qin Ziwen didn't know exactly how much water he had either. He just knew his fish pond had dimensions of 20304. Calculating roughly one cubic meter as approximately one ton of water, he probably had over two thousand tons of water.
Hearing this, Luo Gang was pleasantly surprised. After a moment of hesitation, he gave an answer. "In two days, we can make five more carts. Any more than that, and we won't have enough materials."
Qin Ziwen said, "That's fine. I'll also make some two-wheeled carts on my end. We can transport water together then."
"My side can also contribute," Zou Jianghe chimed in.
After calculations and discussions, the three decided to delay the departure by two days. The convoy size would reach forty carts, with a single-trip transport capacity of forty tons.
For the entire residential complex, while the replenished water supply would still be tight, it could already form a basic supply cycle.
Of course, this meant water usage for personal hygiene, handicraft workshops, the blacksmith, the carpentry workshop, and other places would be significantly reduced, inevitably affecting work efficiency.
But at least, there was hope for a stable water supply. It was no longer just sitting and eating into reserves. This was a good trend.
Returning to his residence, Qin Ziwen summoned the Mongolian Horse and took out two Animal Enhancement Cards.
Seeing this, the Crowned Eagle instinctively flew over, nudging its head repeatedly.
Qin Ziwen said helplessly, "You don't need to nudge. You can't use them for now."
Hearing this, the Crowned Eagle's movements paused, its expression turning surprised.
"Neigh~" The Mongolian Horse squeezed over, its horse face revealing a lecherous smile.
Qin Ziwen first threw an Insight at it.
Ordinary Three Stars.
So these two Enhancement Cards would be just right to max it out.
Qin Ziwen used the two cards on it consecutively. The Mongolian Horse was instantly enveloped in light.
When the light dissipated, the Mongolian Horse's physique had changed dramatically: bulging muscles, powerful limbs, a shoulder height nearing 1.9 meters, and a body length of 2.3 meters.
It was completely on par with a Shire horse.
[Ordinary·Mongolian Horse: ☆☆☆☆☆]
Compared to before, the Mongolian Horse was now much larger and taller. But when it revealed its smile, that familiar sense of lecherousness returned.
"You'd better not smile," Qin Ziwen said, pressing down on its lips.
"Iron Mountain," Qin Ziwen waved to Li Tieshan.
Ever since returning from that ruin last time, Li Tieshan had often been lost in thought.
"Master," he walked over, cupping his hands in a respectful salute.
"We're preparing to build a batch of two-wheeled carts that can hold water. Just two requirements: waterproof and spacious."
"Understood, sir," Li Tieshan replied.
After Li Tieshan left, Jia Liangcai came to report on recent progress.
Qian Muzhen's clinic had already opened within the residential complex. Because it had just opened, there weren't many patients yet, mostly Qin Alliance internal members seeking treatment. But Doctor Qian's medical skills were solid and excellent, and he had already gained a small reputation in the complex.
The Leather Armor Workshop: the internal storehouse had added twelve sets of Sandworm Armor, with the remaining eighteen sets being urgently produced.
The Blacksmith: newly added weapons included two iron-cast pure iron long spears and two vehicle-mounted crossbows. Furthermore, two more vehicle-mounted crossbows were being made, expected to be completed tomorrow.
The Fields: one crop had been harvested, and vegetable planting had been greatly expanded. Pumpkins had already fruited. Gray Sweet Potato planting had doubled, and the second batch of mature Gray Sweet Potato fruits had been stored in the cellar.
The purple fruit from the mysterious fruit tree had developed. According to Wei Zhaohua's inference, it was expected to mature in another week.
Dewdrop Fruit: after testing, it was found that grinding the fruit shell into powder still retained detoxifying effects, and the storage time seemed to be enhanced. Meanwhile, the juice inside the Dewdrop Fruit had thirst-quenching and saliva-promoting effects.
After listening, he offered some words of encouragement to Jia Liangcai.
Then, he took Du Yu to the tavern.
He sat there for a while, thinking it would be like before with few customers. But he had just sat down when customers arrived.
It was a family of four carrying large and small bags of luggage. From their discussion, they were heading south to seek refuge with relatives.
After talking with them, he learned that over in Great Yong, chaos had erupted.
Uprisings had broken out in various regions. Simultaneously, six princes of Great Yong had raised troops to "protect the emperor," claiming to "purge the evil around the throne."
As for more detailed information, they didn't know.
Qin Ziwen asked if they wanted to stay, but the scholar refused. He said although this place was remote and quiet, seemingly safe, he still hoped his son could achieve scholarly honors in the future. If they stayed here, they could never achieve scholarly honors in their lifetime.
Qin Ziwen expressed understanding.
Because the Great Yong dynasty was descending into chaos, prices were rising. Qin Ziwen was considering whether to raise the prices of the alcohol in the tavern as well.
But after thinking about it, he decided against it.