Logging and Burning Charcoal

After lunch, Li Wei rested for a bit before, with occasional guidance from Penny, preparing to chop the oak tree into firewood. Without a saw, it was a nightmare.

But he had no other choice. For the family's tools to increase and be upgraded, there had to be a difficult period of primitive accumulation.

Especially now that he was temporarily the Head of the Family, he couldn't even slack off.

For the next two days, Li Wei wrestled with this single oak log. He was only barely able to chop it all into firewood, exhausted to the point of spitting blood, and threw it aside to dry. However, there was no system notification. Clearly, chopping firewood was related to the construction of the Blacksmith Shop, and the settlement might only occur once the construction reached a certain stage or was completed.

Apart from that, Li Wei also got 20 points of Logging Experience from this single log. Adding the previous 10 points, he had gained a total of 30 points of Logging Experience over three days. He had lost out big time.

At this stage, since Phila had donated all the food to the family, there was no need to pay for daily meals. This Logging Experience, along with other professional experience, could be kept.

"Maybe I can change my profession to a lumberjack and become like 'Baldy Qiang'?"

"But it seems difficult, or maybe impossible. Penny chopped trees for over ten days to build the fence, but she didn't seem to trigger anything."

After dinner, despite his aching body, Li Wei habitually went to the bonfire to whittle Wooden Arrows. Now he whittled ten each day and shot ten times. He wasn't just going through the motions; he was learning.

From his posture when shooting, the stance of his arms, legs, and feet, the power generated from his waist, down to the subtle techniques of drawing the bowstring and nocking the arrow.

All of this required building a series of muscle memory responses.

Most importantly, without a teacher, he had to figure it out himself, analyze it himself, and shoot based on his own feel.

This was a long-term endeavor that required perseverance.

Nothing happened overnight. The next morning, after breakfast, Li Wei set out on his own to find the second oak tree in the forest across the stream. His mindset had actually become less conflicted. He was just diligently working. Even if Phila took back the position of Head of the Family next month, so what? He wasn't a newcomer anymore.

Sufficient Family Contribution Points could prevent him from being Plot Killed. His Hunter profession could already guarantee basic sustenance. Overall, the small family formed by him, Penny, and Phila had temporarily entered a development track.

Li Wei, as a Hunter and Farmer, was indispensable.

Phila, as a Cook and Gatherer, was equally indispensable.

And Penny, as an Artisan, was the same.

The competitive conflicts between the three were not as intense at this stage.

Perhaps they would only become apparent in the next phase.

Over the next six full days, Li Wei chopped down two more oak trees and split them all into firewood. This completed the main quest of chopping three units of logs. He gained a total of 90 Logging Experience points, bringing his total experience to 105 points. However, for some reason, he had not triggered a one-star Logging Card.

During this time, Penny's injuries gradually healed, and she began doing some light physical labor, perfecting the stove that had been built earlier.

She also went out for strolls occasionally. Even Phila wasn't causing trouble anymore; things were quite harmonious.

"George, let's burn charcoal tomorrow. My injuries are mostly fine now," Penny said suddenly after dinner.

"Sure!"

Li Wei readily agreed. Building the Blacksmith Shop was also a main quest. Although ten days had already passed, Phila's main quest was nearing completion.

The next day, as soon as dawn broke, Li Wei got up and, under Penny's direction, worked himself to the bone like an ox or a horse. Burning charcoal was a technical skill and not an easy task.

Throughout the day, Li Wei was run ragged by Penny, looking disheveled and somewhat like a charcoal seller covered in dust and soot.

After dinner, he felt completely drained.

But even so, after resting for a while, he still got up, whittled ten Wooden Arrows, and diligently completed his daily ten shooting practice sessions in the dim light of the bonfire.

Sometimes, you couldn't place all your hopes on profession cards.

If only he had them, they could be considered a golden finger. But if all players had them, then it would come down to wisdom and perseverance.

Otherwise, why would he be able to surpass others?

In the following period, Li Wei was busy burning charcoal.

Once he basically mastered the process and gained a general understanding of burning charcoal, Penny stopped directing him. The next day, she went out to explore and returned empty-handed in the evening, seemingly searching for Iron Ore.

As for Phila, she successfully completed the main quest assigned by the Head of the Family at this time. This meant she would have seventeen days for free development activities.

From the current situation, it was no longer a suspense that Phila would become Head of the Family again next month.

Because by then, if Phila wanted to compete, her total Family Contribution Points could potentially exceed fifty points.

This was something Li Wei could not compete with, no matter what.

Meanwhile, Penny brought back a few pieces of Iron Ore each day, the quality of which was unknown. After a few days, a pile had accumulated. These could actually be counted towards Li Wei's main quest, possibly because he was cooperating with Penny to build the Blacksmith Shop, so they were considered temporarily teamed up.

In addition, Penny would take time in the evening to make some clay molds, which were then left to air dry in the room.

Another seven or eight days passed, and everything was ready. During dinner, Penny suddenly spoke.

"George, the charcoal you burned is excellent. You've worked hard during this time. With the charcoal and this Iron Ore, I'm confident I can smelt a batch of Molten Iron tomorrow. However, the amount of Iron Ore is a bit low, and I don't know its iron content. To be safe, I might need to smelt a few iron tools to make up the difference. Mother, George, what do you think?"

Li Wei became very wary upon hearing this. He didn't understand much about it, but he knew Penny wouldn't speak without reason.

"I disagree. These tools were left by your father and purchased from the Blacksmith Shop in the city. Both the materials and the forging quality are excellent. Penny, I understand you want to become a blacksmith, but you can't disregard the risks. In another month, the Wheat Fields will be harvested, and those damned birds and beasts will come day and night to steal our grain."

"We need to dedicate more time and energy to maintaining the farmland, not get too entangled in your plans. Look at how much your brother has tired himself out like a dog to help you during this time, my poor George. And we're running low on food, especially meat. Without enough meat, we can't support such strenuous labor."

"He should be hunting, not helping you burn charcoal!"

Phila decisively stated her attitude, disagreeing.