The only downside was that Wrist Strength Enhancement didn't double the contestant's existing strength.
Instead, it enhanced their strength to a certain degree based on that of an average adult.
In the eyes of the other contestants, Wrist Strength Enhancement might have been an incredibly enviable reward.
But for Xu Fan right now,
this reward...
wasn't much use.
With thirty percent of the Whitebeard Template, his arm strength was at least dozens of times that of an ordinary person...
However, if the other contestants knew what Xu Fan thought of this reward,
they would probably be pulling their hair out in frustration.
They'd think Xu Fan was just showing off.
But no matter what, Xu Fan's thoughts had undergone a subtle change.
As others gained, he lost.
Once contestants from other countries received physical enhancements, they'd be able to hunt high-level monsters.
That would earn them even better rewards, and the cycle would continue until they became superhuman.
If they were honest, decent people like him,
that would be fine.
But what if they were ruthless, evil people?
"For the sake of the other contestants' safety, I need to figure out how to collect every Treasure Chest."
"I can't let the Treasure Chests fall into the hands of bad people!"
"But first, I'd better deal with the camp."
Although he had made some preliminary plans for the future, the problem right in front of him was important too.
If he didn't get enough rest, his body would eventually give out.
A balance between work and rest was the way to go.
Besides, the supplies the Zhayu Kingdom contestant had brought didn't taste good, which only strengthened Xu Fan's resolve to make camp.
So he picked up his machete again and hacked through the forest, gathering enough dry grass and branches to last the night.
Watching Xu Fan work swiftly and efficiently, finishing the job in no time, the viewers in the Live Stream Room began to look forward to what came next.
"Thank goodness, our contestant knows how to make a fire. I lived in the Snow Forest for a while, and the temperature there varied drastically between day and night. Without a fire, clothes alone wouldn't keep you warm—you'd freeze to death."
One viewer shared their thoughts in the comments.
Although Xu Fan had gotten a mountaineering suit from the Zhayu Kingdom contestant, it was only thick enough to withstand temperatures around freezing.
The fact that Xu Fan hadn't shown any signs of freezing so far had already shocked a lot of people.
"Maybe Xu Fan loves winter swimming or something, so he's good at keeping warm?"
"I think it's because he's been keeping active, right? His blood's been circulating faster, so he doesn't feel as cold?"
All kinds of opinions started coming in.
But everyone agreed that without a source of fire, Xu Fan might freeze to death that night.
Now that they saw him getting ready to make a fire, they finally breathed a little easier.
However...
another problem soon arose.
Starting a fire in the wilderness without modern tools wasn't easy.
And every failed attempt would wear down a person's resolve.
Before long, they could become anxious and restless, or even suffer an emotional breakdown.
"How will Xu Fan start a fire?"
"Please, you have to succeed!"
As the sky grew darker, the viewers grew tense again.
They'd thought Xu Fan would have a lighter or something with him.
But from the way he was acting, it seemed he didn't have anything he could use to light a fire directly.
"Doesn't Xu Fan ever smoke?"
With hundreds of millions of people in the Yan Kingdom watching, Xu Fan got to work in the Forbidden Land.
He arranged the branches he'd collected into a pile and placed some easily ignited dry grass on top.
Then...
Xu Fan laid a thick stick on the ground, ground up some dead wood, and placed the powder on the stick.
Finally, he took a twig and positioned it against the dead leaves on the stick.
"Looks like our Xu Fan is planning to start a fire by rubbing sticks together," Xiao Ying explained.
"Right. Given the environment, finding flint wouldn't be easy, and it's getting darker by the minute, so visibility is dropping. But... starting a fire by rubbing sticks together isn't as simple as people think."
Brother Qiang chimed in with an explanation.
Even people who often took on wilderness survival challenges needed dozens of minutes to succeed.
And if they failed, they had to start over.
Xu Fan especially had to hold the same position while trying to start the fire.
"In an environment that harsh, even staying still for a short time lets the cold seep into your body."
"In other words, Xu Fan is putting himself at considerable risk by trying to start a fire this way."
Brother Qiang couldn't help looking worried.
"I-it's not that bad, is it?" Xiao Ying could only smile to ease the awkward atmosphere.
But she knew Brother Qiang was right.
All she could do now was hope Xu Fan wouldn't fail too many times.
However...
What happened next took everyone by surprise. Xu Fan secured the twig with both hands.
"Starting a fire by rubbing sticks together is just about generating heat through friction until an object reaches its ignition point."
"And combustion, simply put, requires three things: air, something flammable, and an ignition point."
Xu Fan began muttering to himself.
It was as if he weren't exploring the Forbidden Land, but hosting a science program.
Then...
Xu Fan's pupils contracted as he used the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit to make the twig vibrate at a high frequency.
In less than a few breaths, a wisp of white smoke rose from the tip of the twig.
Whoosh!
A spark quickly caught the twig, flaring into a bright flame.
Ever since he'd unlocked the Whitebeard Template, Xu Fan had spent his free time studying how to develop the Tremor-Tremor Fruit's power.
If he wanted...
he could even make his machete vibrate at a high frequency to achieve the effect of a Gauss blade.
After solving the problem of shelter, Xu Fan propped thicker branches on either side of the fire to use as a grill.
Then,
Xu Fan used his machete to cut a large chunk of meat from the Snow Wolf King's thigh and threaded it onto a sharpened branch...
Finally, under the gaze of hundreds of millions of people in the Yan Kingdom, he laid the meat over the fire and started roasting it.
The flames flickered, lighting up Xu Fan's face.
He even started humming the timeless barbecue theme from Monster Hunter.
As if...
Xu Fan hadn't come to explore the Forbidden Land.
He looked more like he'd come here on vacation!
"Good grief, I can't believe this! How did the whole mood suddenly change? Contestants from other countries are all thinking about how to get through their first night, while our Xu Fan has already started enjoying a delicious meal!"
"That Snow Wolf King leg looks amazing! I wonder what it tastes like. I want a bite too."
"Damn it, getting food torture in the middle of the night!"
"Hey, hey, you're all missing the point. Am I the only one wondering how Xu Fan started the fire?"
As a striking comment flashed past,
everyone began to notice the same thing.
That's right.
Xu Fan...
how had he started the fire?
For a moment, all the viewers watching Xu Fan, along with the guests in the Live Stream Room, were completely dumbfounded!
How had he managed to start a fire in an instant?
Before you continue