Natural disasters showed no mercy
The lingering aroma of roasted leopard meat fat in the cave was mild and pleasant. A hearty, hot meal soothed my stomach and comforted my internal organs. The tension and fatigue from days of fighting, quarrying, and upgrading the Shelter were completely washed away by this comforting warmth.
Lu Heng lay quietly on the wooden bed, his whole body relaxed.
Looking up, the newly renovated Advanced Shelter neat and dry. Inside the cave, in a separate compartment, Constant-Temperature Refrigerated Ice Cellar operates silently, maintaining a stable temperature between 2°C and 6°C, with a faint coolness slowly spreading throughout the cave.
After a busy day, I finally have some peace and quiet.
He raised his hand and lit up the light blue Wristband on his wrist. With a light tap of his fingertip, he opened the World Public Channel, which he almost never actively looked at.
Messages from survivors around the world flooded social media, chaotic and depressing, filled with the unique survival struggles of their respective regions, one after another crashing into our view.
At the very front of the line was a speech from a survivor who was also in the permafrost region.
The relentless blizzard that lasted all night sealed off the entire land, a white curtain of snow swallowing all vision. Some ventured out to gather supplies, only to lose their way within a few dozen meters and never find their Shelter again; others ran out of food and could only huddle in their caves, freezing and starving; still others suffered frostbite and ulceration, with no cure, forced to endure the agony of waiting to die. Every word speaks of the helpless agony of living in such frigid conditions.
Scroll down to see the current situation in the Island Region.
This area is prone to storms and strong winds year-round, making it difficult for boats to go out to sea. The makeshift shelters built on the beach are often battered by the waves, and daily travel and gathering supplies from the nearshore area are subject to the tides and strong winds, making it difficult to go out at all times.
The main problem in Desert Region is the constant sandstorms.
Fine yellow sand is always blowing in the wind. If you stay outdoors for a long time, the sand will cover your face and fill your storage containers. Staying in a self-built Shelter can keep you safe from the sand and prevent your dwelling from being buried. However, you have to avoid the windy times when you go out to fetch water or collect materials.
In stark contrast, the Rainforest Region is perpetually damp and humid, with moisture trapped in the forest and shallow puddles of water constantly forming on the ground. This warm and humid environment breeds a large number of mosquitoes and small venomous insects, which often bite people while they rest at night. Although there are few fatal attacks, they are still a constant nuisance, requiring people to spend time and energy on protecting themselves from insect infestations.
Swamps are perpetually shrouded in a thin layer of toxic miasma, making prolonged outdoor activities prone to dizziness and fatigue; mountainous areas are often swept up by strong winds, scattering loose rocks and posing a risk of falls and injuries while working outdoors. Each region presents its own unique survival challenges, and no place offers an easy life.
Lu Heng slowly swiped the screen, his heart sinking deeper and deeper.
He wasn't numb; he just became more lucid the longer he observed.
There is no pure land in the world; everyone endures mundane and agonizing hardships in their own circumstances. Without pity or assistance, strangers separated by vast distances can only cling to their small corners of the earth and struggle to survive.
At that moment, he suddenly felt incredibly fortunate.
I'm grateful that I fought hard, endured, and proceeded cautiously, surviving from the beginning until now, protecting my life, safeguarding a safe Shelter, and even creating an ice cellar and escape tunnels to upgrade my dwelling.
After a moment, he suppressed the heavy feeling surging in his heart, swiped his finger, and completely shut down the World Channel.
Negative emotions are useless. In this world, only strength and caution can ensure long-term stability.
He got up and got out of bed, carefully tidied up the clutter in the cave, organized the tools and supplies on the processing table, and then walked to the ice cellar. He reached into the slightly cool compartment and carefully inspected the stored leopard meat and the remaining wild fruits.
After confirming that all supplies were stored securely and would not spoil in the short term, he lay back down on the wooden bed, completely calmed his mind, and closed his eyes to rest.
The wind and snow howled outside all night, but the thick stone walls kept out the bitter cold, and the cave was safe and secure.
As dawn broke the next day, the relentless snowstorm that had raged all night finally subsided, and the howling winds through the forest softened considerably, making it a rare and perfect day for scavenging.
Lu Heng opened his eyes, got up, and stretched his limbs.
Even after being tempered by the core, the Spotted Leopard's physique remained strong, with its muscles stretched and powerful, its energy full and abundant, without the slightest stiffness or fatigue.
Donning a thick, Black Iron iron-hide coat, the tough fur insulated against most of the freezing cold of the frozen ground. The biting wind swept across the body, only causing a slight stinging sensation on the exposed cheeks; the flesh and bones had long since adapted to the bitter cold, making the whole body as solid as a rock.
Before leaving, he turned on his Wristband again to check the upgrade requirements for the next stage.
[Current Grade: Advanced Shelter]
[Next Tier: Black Iron-tier Shelter]
Materials required for Black Iron-tier Shelter: 250 units of general building materials (stone and hardwood can be used as substitutes), 1 unit of Black Iron Tier special material
As his gaze fell upon those words, Lu Heng had a clear and definite goal in mind.
Today's outing is not for aimless luck. First, we will quarry and fell trees along the way to steadily accumulate common building materials and gradually build up the base for upgrading. Second, we will venture deep into the dense forest to seek opportunities and try to collect rare Black Iron Tier special materials to pave the way for the next step of transforming our residence.
Having made up his mind, he moved aside the thick log blocking the door, and a cold wind carrying fine snowflakes rushed towards him.
Lu Heng stepped out of the Shelter, quickly repositioned the logs to seal the entrance, preventing wild animals from entering, and then turned and stepped into the vast snowfield.
The entire forest was deathly silent, yet not monotonous.
Low shrubs were half-buried under the snow, their bare branches crisscrossing and sprawling with fluffy snow clinging to their tips, scattering in the wind. The snow varied in depth underfoot, ankle-deep in low-lying areas and only lightly covered with a thin layer on the raised slopes. Each step produced a dull, soft crunch. Occasionally, faint paw prints left by small rodents could be seen in the woods, quickly half-covered by the newly fallen snow. All was quiet except for the sound of the wind and one's own footsteps.
He moved steadily through the forest, his sharp eyes carefully scanning every inch of snow along the way.
After walking for more than half a mile, a few short trees suddenly came into view in a clearing in the woods.
The frozen ground is barren, and the bitter cold kills most life. But these few dwarf trees are covered with dark red berries, vibrant and eye-catching, standing out starkly against the deathly white woodland.
Lu Heng paused, a clear sense of surprise and doubt rising in his heart.
Ordinary plants cannot survive in this frozen soil, let alone bear fruit and mature.
He didn't pick it rashly; instead, he raised his Wristband, the pale blue beam of light sweeping across the entire shrub.
[Species: Cold-Resistant Special Frozen Plum]
[Characteristics: Exclusive frozen soil mutant plant, extremely cold-resistant]
[Effects: The fruit can be eaten raw and may slightly alleviate fatigue; storing it in a constant temperature refrigeration environment of 2℃-6℃ can delay spoilage, only extending the shelf life, but cannot completely prevent decay.]
After reading the appraisal entry, Lu Heng understood and felt a real sense of reassurance.
In the frozen soil where resources are scarce and food is hard to find, this is an extremely precious and stable source of food.
He went forward and picked all the Frozen Plum from the branches, storing them all in his Storage Space. The more he stored, the more confidence he had to survive.
Continuing along the road, a protruding wooden plank emerged from the snow in a depression ahead.
Lu Heng crouched down and brushed aside the snow; it was an ordinary Wooden Treasure Chest.
His long years of survival in dire circumstances had ingrained caution into his very bones. Opening a crate in the wild could easily reveal his presence and harbor unknown risks, so he didn't rush things. He immediately put the crate away, intending to take it back to his safe and secure Shelter before opening it.
Continuing deeper into the forest along the familiar path, a complex and heavy scent drifted slowly on the cold wind.
The pungent, fishy smell, the unique stench of wild beasts, mixed with the dried, stale blood left over from the battle, wafted over in layers, so familiar that it made Lu Heng's heart tighten.
He would never mistake that smell; a few days ago, when he was fighting with that Spotted Leopard, they were rolling around in the snow, tearing at each other and pinning each other down, and their mouths and noses were filled with this mixed smell.
Lu Heng slowed his pace, his back slightly tensed, and he gripped the Bone Dagger at his waist, taking light steps as he slowly approached the tree hollow ahead.
The cave entrance was piled with coarse, shed animal hair, and the rock walls bore old claw marks of varying depths. The ground was covered with darkened, congealed bloodstains, and the traces of the deadly battle were still clearly visible.
Even after killing the leopard, there was no guarantee that other wild animals wouldn't be lurking in the den. He bent down, picked up a fist-sized piece of frozen rock, and with a burst of strength, hurled it deep into the tree hollow.
The stone struck the inner wall of the tree hollow with a dull thud, the echo spreading outwards. Inside the hollow, there was no movement, no growls of animals, only deathly silence.
After confirming that there was no hidden threat, Lu Heng lowered his body and peered into the tree hole.
The narrow tree hollow was filled with foul air, making it particularly pungent. At the far end of the line of sight, a treasure chest was revealed, its metallic texture clearly indicating that it was of a higher grade than an ordinary wooden chest.
Lu Heng reached out and carefully put away the Black Iron Chest, separating it from the ordinary wooden box.
Having reaped a bountiful harvest, he did not venture further into the dense forest and immediately turned back towards the Shelter.
The journey was smooth, and just as we were about to leave the dense forest, the thick snow beside our feet suddenly lurched violently!
A dull thud of earth pounding and snow cracking suddenly rang out, followed by a rough, hoarse, wild breathing that pierced the silent forest.
Lu Heng stopped abruptly, his back straightened, his eyes suddenly darkened, and all the nerves in his body tensed instantly.
A large snowdrift exploded with a roar, and a thick, dark beast's body smashed through the snow and charged out!
The beast was sturdy and robust, covered in thick, coarse gray-black fur. Two sharp, gleaming, white fangs adorned its head. It lowered its head, locking onto itself, and the overwhelming aura of ferocity made it hard to breathe.
Lu Heng had never seen such a beast before and dared not approach it rashly. He immediately raised his Wristband quickly swept across the beast's entire body.
Wild animals detected
[Name: Tusked Wild Boar]
[Rank: Black Iron Tier]
[Description: A creature with a violent temper and a strong sense of territory, it attacks by charging with its head fangs and possesses immense close-range explosive power.]
The identification information had just lit up on the Wristband panel Tusked Wild Boar, its four hooves pounding the snow, lowered its head and charged straight at him with overwhelming force!
Lu Heng quickly stepped aside to avoid it, a clear sense of impatience and apprehension rising in his heart.
Today, he only wanted to peacefully collect resources and stockpile upgrade materials, and had no intention of engaging in pointless fighting. He had just successfully and peacefully obtained Frozen Plum and two treasure chests along the way, and he had no intention of wasting his energy and incurring unnecessary injuries at this moment.
Avoid it if possible, and prioritize returning to collect supplies.
He suppressed the fighting spirit rising in his heart, calmly locked his gaze on the wild boar's movements, and looked for an opening on the side, preparing to bypass the Tusked Wild Boar blocking his way and return to the Shelter as soon as possible.