Payment Received

"Whoa! Over twenty people died in a single day? It seems things really aren't peaceful out there."

As night fell, Lan Qingyou finished portioning out some potions, poured the reagents needed for the Medicine Bag and dagger into a Wooden Barrel, and then sat at her Desk. Together with Steel Wool, she began eating the food Gu Xiaobei had sent over while browsing the Regional Channel.

As soon as she sat down, she noticed the regional headcount had dropped by over twenty people.

That was what prompted her exclamation above.

Fortunately, her current setup was basically enough to be self-sufficient.

Aside from going out every night to act as the 'Green Ghost' and scavenge treasure chests, she didn't need to leave at all.

So, even if the outside world was killing each other in a frenzy, what did that have to do with a weak alchemist like her?

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Just then, Shang Chuan sent a message.

Shang Chuan: "Can you make bullets?"

Lan Qingyou: ?

Lan Qingyou was completely bewildered.

Wait, what does this kid take me for?

I'm an alchemist, someone who brews potions and elixirs. You actually want me to make... hmm? It seems... it's not necessarily impossible, is it?

Although she had never done it before, didn't alchemists have to deal with minerals?

This was actually a brand-new subject.

So, Lan Qingyou replied: "I need relevant knowledge, as well as sample dimensions and tools. Success isn't guaranteed."

Shang Chuan: "What exactly do you need?"

Lan Qingyou: "Basic Mineralogy, measuring tools, and minerals."

Upon seeing Lan Qingyou's reply, Shang Chuan frowned slightly.

It seemed his expectations for Lan Qingyou as an alchemist were still a bit too high.

But then again, it made sense.

Judging by her appearance, she wasn't the type who could have accessed firearms back on Blue Star. Even after becoming an alchemist, it would be somewhat difficult for her to manufacture bullets.

If he wanted her to make bullets, he would naturally have to provide her with all the necessary equipment.

Clearly, Lan Qingyou also had the intention of 'getting a freebie.'

Forget it. For the sake of his team and his own survival in this world, this was a necessary investment.

Just like when he had Ailuaier kill Mickey earlier.

While it was true that Maner wanted to break free from Mickey's control, the bigger reason was that Mickey had reached his hand into his team.

That was something Shang Chuan could not accept.

A merchant values his life, especially in an unknown world like this; protecting oneself had become the top priority.

Shang Chuan: "I'll go gather them for you. Assuming you get these items, how many days do you think it will take to make them?"

Lan Qingyou: "If the materials are sufficient and I succeed, it will take about three to five days. If I can't succeed, then I guess firearms just aren't suited for this world."

Lan Qingyou didn't speak too definitively, leaving a bit of leeway for everyone.

Shang Chuan: "Alright, wait for me."

After receiving a clear answer from Lan Qingyou, Shang Chuan mobilized his connections.

Meanwhile, Lan Qingyou sat happily at her Desk, waiting.

Getting a freebie—who doesn't love that?

"Cheep-cheep—"

As if sensing Lan Qingyou's good mood, Steel Wool became lively as well.

"Oh, little guy, you finished half a catty of meat already?"

Looking at Steel Wool, who was squinting its eyes like a living emoji, Lan Qingyou picked it up and rubbed it against her face.

I have to say, the fur on Steel Wool was soft and fluffy, and it felt very comfortable to rub against.

Steel Wool also seemed to enjoy it, pressing against Lan Qingyou's face and rubbing back.

For a moment, it was hard to tell whether Lan Qingyou was rubbing Steel Wool, or if Steel Wool was rubbing Lan Qingyou.

If you like this book, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The sound of a friend chat notification rang out again.

Thinking it was Shang Chuan, Lan Qingyou opened it, only to find it was Li Huai.

Li Huai: "The Obsidian I promised you last time, plus one hundred catties of Flame Bell. Also, I opened two books today."

After leaving this sentence, there was nothing else.

Lan Qingyou did not mind.

Since they were merely in a cooperative relationship, there was naturally no need for idle chatter.

However, she was quite curious about the books the other party had offered.

Thus, she accepted the trade request.

Is this the benefit of paying upfront?

Lan Qingyou was slightly surprised when she saw the two books.

Basic Herbalism Karim Continent Magic Beast Illustrated Guide.

Although she already possessed Basic Herbalism and had even memorized it, the Karim Continent Magic Beast Illustrated Guide was exactly what she needed right now.

She had been worrying about not finding the hatching method for the Elf Butterfly Pupa.

And here it was, delivered right to her.

Consequently, Lan Qingyou didn't even look at the Flame Bell she had been longing for; she impatiently flipped open the book and quickly found the page for the Elf Butterfly Pupa.

Uh...

Lan Qingyou was speechless after reading the description.

Setting aside the flowery descriptions about beauty, gentleness, and being a messenger of flowers, the mere requirement that "every Elf Butterfly Pupa requires a Mana Crystal to hatch" was enough to leave her at a loss.

She wanted one of those things herself.

Unfortunately, neither the well-connected profiteer nor the brute-force thug had ever seen one.

In such a situation, where was she supposed to find a Mana Crystal?

So.

Since she couldn't find it, she might as well put it aside for now.

Anyway, hatching this Fairy Butterfly Pupa wasn't something that had to be done right this second.

"Maybe it will just appear on its own when the time is right?"

Having gained a preliminary understanding of this other world and concluding that it was highly random and rather amateurish, Lan Qingyou took it all in stride.

She then turned her attention to the hundred catties of Flame Bell.

Although it was said to be a hundred catties, perhaps because Li Huai had been a bit rough during the harvesting process, it was mixed with quite a few weeds and water droplets.

Even though it looked like it had been rinsed once, there was still plenty of debris.

However, Lan Qingyou didn't say anything about it.

It was essentially a freebie from Li Huai anyway, so even if fifty out of the hundred catties were weeds, she wouldn't complain.

Free stuff is free stuff; just enjoy it.

Since it was still early, she might as well rinse it again herself; besides, she also had to wait for a reply from Shang Chuan.

Thus, Lan Qingyou drew some water from the Spring of Rest, sat on the ground, and began to pick through the herbs.

While sorting the herbs, she planned out her work for tomorrow.

That was to craft "Explosive Potion," "Flame Potion," and "Fire Resistance Potion," these types of offensive potions, to turn herself into a true bomber.

Thinking about being able to go out and fight monsters, Lan Qingyou's movements quickened by a third.

As for something like "Fire Resistance Potion"... that was specially made for Li Huai.

In her view, this guy's Shelter might be in an environment similar to a volcano; otherwise, how could he find so many Flame Bells?

But since it was a custom order, it would definitely be much more expensive.

She even decided on the price: two bottles in exchange for one catty of Flame Bell.

After all, she couldn't find this stuff in the forest, so now that there was a supply from Li Huai, she naturally had to stockpile more so she could craft more herself.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Just as Lan Qingyou was sitting back and enjoying the show, a message from Shang Chuan finally arrived.