Gu Ning raised an eyebrow at Lin Xi's offer. Asking for 10 extra white stones wasn't excessive, especially since 10 stones meant little to him. But he didn't agree immediately—otherwise, others might see him not as a generous trader, but a fool with deep pockets.
"108 white stones. I originally planned to offer 105, but since you're the first referral from Wang Mu, I'll add 3 more," Gu Ning said. "Besides, the troop nest isn't urgently needed. Take it if this price works for you."
He was sure Lin Xi would accept. The mall sold the nest for 100 stones, so the extra stones were pure profit. Even 1 or 2 extra might suffice, but offering too little would be insulting. Moreover, this wasn't a one-time deal—Lin Xi would likely recommend him to friends. If the price was too low, others might skip the hassle and sell directly to the mall.
As expected, Lin Xi felt a surge of delight upon reading the reply. The price was more than satisfying; earning extra stones through fishing would've taken time, especially as a Level 3 survivor.
After the deal, Gu Ning acquired the troop nest and resumed fishing. The first three days had been chaotic, but now, sitting quietly to the rhythm of rain, he found peace.
The rain reminded him of the morning's chat channel updates. Despite many building drainage tech, Level 1 systems couldn't handle the暴雨 (heavy rain), leaving survivors manually bailing water. Upgrading to Level 2 required 1,000 white stones, unaffordable for most.
Beyond complaints, discussions centered on the survival rankings. After yesterday's upgrades, Gu Ning's score had soared, while Kaz川西奈 (Kaz Kawashina) dropped a rank. Bai Xue surged to second place, shaking up the list:
1. Gu Ning (830)
2. Bai Xue (310)
3. Danton (290)
4. Likér (280)
5. Ye Baifeng (280)
6. Kaz Kawashina (270)
Gu Ning glanced at the rankings before closing them. A wooden box bit next—disappointing, yielding only three straws for cooking. Later catches of wood, copper, and iron were sold to the mall at buy prices, puzzling but convenient for space.
By noon, the group had found nothing valuable. Did my luck run out in the first three days? Gu Ning wondered. Then Windsor reeled in a weapon blueprint:
Crossbow Design (White): Unlocks crossbow crafting upon learning.
Requirement: Blacksmith class.
It was white-tier and limited to blacksmiths, but Gu Ning saw it as future potential. Once he claimed an island and built a territory, such resources would save immense effort. Troops, heroes, equipment, defenses—this could be epic!
Shaking off daydreams, he called Molly to the hut. He craved noodles and intended to teach her cooking so he wouldn't have to do it himself. Mixing flour and water, he kneaded dough, rolled it thin, and cut noodles—tools crafted from wood, a luxury few would waste resources on.
Next, he directed Molly to fetch eggs and vegetables for the sauce. Sautéing tomatoes, eggs, and peppers, the aroma made his mouth water. The finished sauce, vibrant with red, green, and golden hues, looked irresistible.
As noodles boiled, he called the others. Five bowls were soon topped with sauce. The first bite—chewy noodles, savory eggs, tangy tomatoes—was a flavor explosion. No wonder carbs are life, he thought, savoring the warmth.
Rain pattered outside as he ate, invoking memories of blue star rainy days. Finishing with a sip of creamy, sweet broth, he felt a gentle nudge—Huohuo, awake and nuzzling his neck.
Watching Windsor and the others devour their food, Gu Ning felt a warmth he'd never known as an orphan on Earth. Despite this world's harshness, a faint sense of belonging took root.
I'll build my territory, fight hard, and create my legacy, he vowed. As if sensing his resolve, Windsor smiled brightly, Xiao Lan chirped, and Huohuo hugged his head, sealing the moment with quiet certainty.