Ji Xinghe nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad. I've got another control skill now."
A minute later, the vines around Xiao Xi retracted, twisting into a giant pretzel as she wriggled toward Ji Xinghe.
"Xiao Xi thanks you, Master. I can feel myself getting stronger!"
"Also, I want to try out my new ability." The vines pointed toward the beach on the island's outskirts.
Following the vines, Ji Xinghe looked toward the sea. The dark red Blood Moon had turned the water bloodred, and corpses floated belly-up on the shimmering surface.
Ji Xinghe crouched down and stroked the vines. "You just got back. Don't you want to rest?"
Xiao Xi shook her vine leaves. "No, I'm not tired."
"Okay. Just be careful."
"Same as before: if you run into something you can't beat, come back inside the Protective Shield and call me."
"Okay." The vines bobbed happily, then strode out through the Wooden Fence and headed toward the beach.
Ji Xinghe returned to the Shelter and sat on the sofa. She took the five Black Iron Treasure Chests she'd earned from the Dungeon out of her backpack.
She tapped "Open All."
[Opened Black Iron Treasure Chests ×5. Obtained: Wood ×29, Stone ×23, Plastic ×17, Iron ×16, Gold ×1, Glass ×1, Fishing Line ×5, Foundation Stone ×8, Soil ×2. Meat Buns ×2, Steamed Buns ×3, Bread (200g) ×5, Mineral Water (500ml) ×5, Tricycle (pedal-powered/energy-powered), Central Air Conditioner, Complete Cookbook...]
Ji Xinghe's eyelid twitched. "A tricycle? The system's so thoughtful, worried I'd get tired?"
She resignedly put the light blue tricycle with a small cargo box into her backpack.
"Fine, a tricycle it is. At least I can use it in the Multiplayer Dungeon and when exploring the island."
She placed the Central Air Conditioner in the living room. It