Environment

Lu Heng circled the open space in Moonview Valley more than a dozen times, gradually figuring out how to control the motorcycle.

Clutch, accelerator, brake, weight transfer—after a series of maneuvers, the motorcycle finally stabilized. He twisted the throttle, and the motorcycle drew an arc across the forest clearing, its wheels crunching over the grass. The deep roar of the engine echoed through the valley, startling a few birds perched on the branches.

But he soon discovered that this open space was the smoothest surface he could find.

There were no proper roads here; the ground was covered with fallen logs, steep slopes, and mud, making it impossible for the motorcycle to maneuver properly. Every acceleration required careful avoidance of fallen logs, and every turn required advance deceleration. The ride was bumpy and strenuous, far less agile than walking. He tried riding a short distance towards the valley entrance, but the wheels rolled over gravel and Withered Branch, causing the motorcycle to bounce violently and nearly lose control and overturn.

Once the novelty wore off, he turned off the engine and folded the motorcycle into the Wristband Space.

It will be reserved for use in grasslands and open terrain later.

He turned and went back to the Astrology Room of the Shelter, opening the treasure chests he had obtained from clearing out the Insect Nest one by one.

The treasure chest opened, the light faded, and four items were neatly arranged on the stone platform.

The first one is the seed of the Mutated Cold Plum Tree.

Grade: Black Iron

It has ornamental value and produces fruit. Its root system has extremely strong grip on the ground, and its woody structure is dense and hard. Its unique abilities include soil stabilization and slope protection, as well as cold and wind protection.

Lu Heng picked up the seed and examined it, his thumb tracing the rough texture of the seed coat. Moonview Valley is a valley with dense surrounding trees, so landslides and mudslides shouldn't be a problem. However, the insect infestation had just ended, and with many Insect Nest removed, the vegetation, previously suppressed by the Insect Swarm, was regrowth. The soil wasn't fully stable, and the root network hadn't yet re-woven into a cohesive web. Once the rainy season arrived, continuous rainfall would soak the slopes, making the soft, newly formed soil highly susceptible to landslides. Planting Winter Plum trees at the valley entrance and slope edges allows their roots to quickly penetrate deep into the soil, acting like steel bars to lock in the soil and prevent landslides during the rainy season. As they mature, their dense branches form a windbreak, insulating the forest and protecting the planting area within the valley from frost.

Yes, you can plant it.

The second item is a packet of Mutated Secluded Valley Orchid seeds.

Grade: Black Iron

This plant is not an ornamental flower, but a functional medicinal plant. It emits a faint, ethereal fragrance year-round, with a gentle and subtle aroma. Prolonged exposure can calm agitated mind, accelerate mental recovery, and enhance meditation efficiency.

It perfectly complements Lu Heng's mental exhaustion after frequently using Mind Spike, neutralizing the resentment accumulated from battles and stabilizing his state of mind.

Lu Heng raised an eyebrow. "Good stuff!"

The fragrance of the Secluded Valley Orchid is passively nourishing; it doesn't require active consumption. Simply planting it in the valley will provide continuous benefits, making it worry-free.

The third item Canned Food Sealing Blueprint.

The long-term grain storage technology allows for the self-processing and sealing of meat and vegetables, completely solving the problem of food spoilage and enabling free grain reserves.

Lu Heng glanced at the blueprint but didn't look at it in detail. He could study it later when he had time; there was plenty of food now, so it wasn't necessary for the time being. But in the long run, the prey hunted couldn't be eaten all at once, so sealed storage was a necessity.

The fourth item, 5 units of High-Grade Insect Silk.

Grade: Bronze

The special fibers produced by the Insect Mother are lightweight, extremely tough, and have a low degree of fire resistance and heat insulation. They can be woven into lightweight protective gear and clothing linings, making them highly practical.

Lu Heng picked up a strand of silk and gently tugged at it with his fingertips. Its resilience was astonishing; it was almost unbreakable. He would keep it to make armor later, which would be much better than the cloth clothes he was wearing now.

Everything is essential; there are no decorative or useless props.

He picked up the seeds of the Winter Plum tree and the Secluded Valley Orchid, walked out of the Astrology Room, and directed the Puppet to transplant the two seeds to various places on the slope at the entrance of Moonview Valley and in the valley.

The Puppet moved swiftly, digging holes, planting seeds, covering them with soil, and watering them all in one smooth motion. Six Winter Plum blossom seeds were planted evenly on the edges of the slopes on both sides of the valley entrance. Their roots instantly gripped the soil, and the fine rootlets spread outwards, reinforcing the terrain at the valley entrance. Secluded Valley Orchid seeds were scattered throughout the valley, near the rest area, Planting Room, and around the Astrology Room. Their delicate fragrance drifted on the wind, permeating the Global Region Shelter and creating a soothing environment that maximized its functionality.

After settling the seeds, Lu Heng moved to the Planting Room to check on the growth of the Moonlight Tree.

The saplings have already broken through the soil and sprouted branches. Their roots are firm, their branches and leaves are tender, and they are growing vigorously and steadily. The tender green leaves gleam softly in the light Planting Room, and the stems are even thicker than yesterday.

Lu Heng remained calm, showing no need to rush. With his territory now stable and resources plentiful, he had ample time to patiently await the divine tree's maturity. The Moonlight Tree couldn't be rushed; there was no point in trying. He could only wait.

He stepped out of the Planting Room and remembered that he had never held a banquet to celebrate moving into Moonview Valley, so he paused all his work and prepared a sumptuous home-style housewarming feast.

The division of labor was efficient: the Puppet processed the ingredients and controlled the fire for grilling, while Lu Heng personally kneaded and rolled the dough to make chewy handmade white noodles.

He rolled up his sleeves, poured flour into a wooden basin, added water, and kneaded. He repeatedly pressed, folded, and pressed the dough in his palm until it was smooth and delicate. He rolled the rolling pin on the work surface, making the dough thinner and thinner. He skillfully cut it into even noodles, shook them out, and set them aside.

The Tusked Boar is cut into thick slices and slowly grilled over charcoal. The meat is firm and juicy, grilled until the skin is slightly charred and the inside is juicy, with a rich and mellow aroma. The fat drips onto the charcoal and makes a sizzling sound, and the smoke carries the aroma of the meat. The Giant-Horned Deer is cooked, shredded, and seasoned with common seasonings to make a cold dish, which is refreshing and helps to balance the heavy taste of the grilled meat.

A combination of hot and cold dishes, meat and vegetables, paired with chewy handmade noodles, makes for an extremely luxurious and satisfying meal.

Lu Heng ate heartily, and after eating and drinking his fill, all the fatigue from clearing out the Insect Nest over the past few days disappeared.

After resting, he returned to the Astrology Room to meditate.

In the dead of night, unnoticed by anyone, the entire Frost Forest quietly trembled and expanded, Global Region mountains, landforms, and forest territory silently increasing in size.

Lu Heng's Moonview Valley was also silently expanding and upgrading.

The next day at dawn.

Lu Heng woke up, got up, and walked to the Shelter's lookout balcony.

I looked up and was completely stunned.

The Moonview Valley before us is nearly twice the size of yesterday's. The valley entrance extends outwards, and the valley floor is more open. The outlines of the mountains that were originally shrouded in thick fog in the distance are clearly visible. Several naturally formed animal trails have appeared in the forest, stretching all the way to the horizon. The originally narrow valley entrance has been widened, and the roots of the newly planted Winter Plum trees on the slopes on both sides have taken firm hold on the soil.

The Frost Forest expanded silently.