The Dark Spirit Tree

Besides, she was only five percent short of fully exploring the island. She'd come this far, and she was even less willing to give up now.

Ten minutes later, Ji Xinghe examined the wooden box she'd carved and nodded with satisfaction.

She took the small wooden box out of her backpack, placed it inside the box she'd just carved from Dark Spirit Wood, then put it back in her backpack.

This time, the backpack slots actually recognized the wooden box as an item.

She'd tried nesting an ordinary treasure chest inside a Storage Box before, but it hadn't worked. Could it be that the wood hadn't been good enough?

She shook her head, pushing her tangled thoughts aside.

What Ji Xinghe didn't know was that, when she took out the small wooden box, the Dark Spirit Tree's branches behind her had stirred slightly.

It really was Dark Spirit Source Liquid. It had known it smelled something delicious.

It wanted so badly to sneak a lick. Dewdrops trickled down the leaves on its branches.

Just then, the system's excited voice rang out in her mind.

[ Ding! Player successfully sealed the Dark Spirit Source Liquid. Exploration progress +5%. Current exploration progress: 100% ]

[ Player has completed the exploration of Orchard Island and may return at any time, or wait for automatic return in three hours. ]

[ Congratulations to Player 001 for completing the first island exploration in the entire game to reach 100%! Rewards: Achievement Points +5, Lottery Tickets +5, Free Attribute Points +5 ]

[ Would you like to make a server-wide announcement? You can claim double rewards for making an announcement. ]

Ji Xinghe nodded. "Make the announcement."

[ Server-wide announcement: Congratulations to Player 001 for completing the first island exploration in the entire game to reach 100%! Rewards: Achievement Points +5, Lottery Tickets +5, Free Attribute Points +5 ] ×3

Chat Channel.

Pray for the God of Wealth's Love: "A server-wide announcement? No, no, no. This is just a personal showcase for an expert. How can the gap between people be this huge?"

Tyrannosaurus Warrior: "What the heck is island exploration? Why don't I have that on my panel?"

Player 7890: "Waaah~ I'm still starving on the first floor, while the expert's already exploring and adventuring in the stratosphere?"

Ou Ou Ou Ou Ou: "(Raises hand.jpg) I'd like to ask Player 001, how do you explore an island?"

Player 9047: "She's an expert. Why would she bother answering you?"

Ou Ou Ou Ou Ou: "Ooh, someone's jealous (pouts and rolls eyes.jpg)."

"..."

Ji Xinghe didn't have time to look at the Chat Channel, and had no idea the players there were in an uproar.

She was staring in amazement at the panel in front of her.

[ Server-wide announcement: A player has made more than ten announcements. The Reputation system has now been unlocked for all players. ]

[ Note: The higher your reputation, the easier it is to win the favor of NPCs and monsters. ]

Ji Xinghe opened her player panel, and saw a new Reputation entry.

[ Current Reputation: 19 (Reward available: Treasure Chest ×1) ]

[ Next milestone: Reputation 50. Reward: Diamond Chest ×1. Keep up the good work! ]

Ji Xinghe's eyes curved into a smile.

She'd only just unlocked the Reputation system, and already had more than ten points.

In her previous life, she'd learned that certain areas required players to meet a reputation threshold before they could enter.

But reputation was too difficult to earn. By the time she died in her previous life, she'd only had five points.

After all, whether it was a system announcement, an NPC affection rating above eighty, placing first on an activity leaderboard, or being the first to clear a dungeon or secret realm, none of it was easy.

Her backpack was full, so Ji Xinghe decided to claim the chest after returning.

She closed the panel and looked at the Dark Spirit Tree beside her, speaking sincerely. "Thanks for giving me that branch. I didn't bring any Nutrient Solution with me this time, but I'll bring you some when I come back."

Rustle, rustle...

Since she still had some time, she planned to take another look at the ruins. If the Deformed Monsters there were gone, she'd bring back just a little more stone.

If they were still there, she'd return to her island right away.

She waved. "I'm heading out. See you."

Just as she turned, the Dark Spirit Tree behind her suddenly stirred.

Its roots slowly emerged from the ashen soil.

Watching the figure ahead with a broom on her back, it shook its leaves forlornly, then ambled after her.

Why hadn't she invited it over to her home? If it followed her, she ought to share some of her source liquid, right?

Rustle, rustle... It smelled so good...

Ji Xinghe had noticed its roots moving. Seeing that it wasn't attacking and was only following behind her, she decided to leave it alone.

If it wanted to follow her, let it. She could teleport back at any time, anyway. At the thought, she straightened her back even more.

The Deformed Monsters' roars outside had stopped as soon as she sealed the small wooden box.

At the edge of the gray mist, she looked out. Most of the Deformed Monsters on the outskirts had already left, with only a small number remaining.

Ji Xinghe checked how much time was left on the Dark Mist Erosion Core. There were still more than ten minutes.

That was enough!

Ten minutes was all she needed to kill every last one of the Deformed Monsters that had been chasing her.

"Hmph!" Ji Xinghe ground her teeth and sneered. She held a grudge.

Before, she'd been a miserable mess. Now, she was thrilled.

Wood Arrows flew toward the Deformed Monsters outside the center of the gray mist.

With the gray mist blocking their view, the Deformed Monsters outside had no idea danger was quietly closing in.

[ Level-up kill: Level 3 Tier 1 Deformed Monster. Experience Points +2, Wow Coins +1 ]

[ Killed Level 6 Tier 1 Deformed Monster...]

[ Killed...]

Panels popped up in front of her from time to time as Ji Xinghe listened to the pleasant, mechanical system voice.

In less than ten minutes, a large number of monsters lay sprawled outside the gray mist ahead.

Ji Xinghe drained them one by one.

Total gains: Constitution +1.2, Strength +1.5, Spirit +0.6, Agility +2.3.

She packed all the corpses on the ground into the Trash Bin.

Then she tapped the map and hurried toward the ruins.