The Pastoral Life of a Cultivation Master

Chapter 2935 Collecting Scattered Supplies
"Verifying the situation of the alien beast is actually quite simple," Ouyang Nan said.

"However, before we talk about verifying the situation of the alien beast, let's do something else first."

"What's the matter?" several people asked.

"Let's gather supplies first. Collect all the supplies we had yesterday, and see what we're missing. Also, scavenge any scattered supplies. After all, we need to cross the canyon to scout the situation on the other side, and we might not be able to complete the mission for a day or two, so sufficient supplies are essential," Ouyang Nan said.

“That’s right, let’s go collect them right away,” Chen Mo said.

Although his storage bag contained a large amount of supplies, it was best not to reveal such things to anyone other than himself. Perhaps in the future, he could give one to each of his beloved Shen Tingting and Ouyang Ruoxi, but for now, it was better to keep it a secret.

After all, not only were Ouyang Nan and others present, but also Qian Zhenghao, a martial artist from the Qian family.

Therefore, collecting supplies is a must, and it's something he plans to do next. Now that Ouyang Nan has brought it up, it suits his wishes perfectly.

“Hehe, Amo, wait a minute, there’s something else I need everyone to do while we’re at it.” Ouyang Nan pointed to the other side of the canyon and said, “According to Amo, to cross the canyon, we need ropes, and we need two kinds of ropes, one thick and one thin. So when we’re collecting supplies, find at least two sets of ropes that can be built to cross the canyon, one for use and one as a backup.”

"I plan to build another suspension bridge after we've gathered all the supplies. We'll see if the monsters can destroy it when they come at night. If they are destroyed, at least we'll have a backup, and we can build another suspension bridge during the day tomorrow."

"Also, after the suspension bridge is built, I plan to stay here and observe whether the strange beast will appear in the night as Amo predicted. If it does, it means that Amo's prediction is basically correct. Then tomorrow we will use the suspension bridge to cross the canyon directly and explore the situation on the other side. If the other side is dangerous or there is no place to hide, we can return to this side of the canyon before dark and then retreat to the hill nursery."

“In this way, we can cross the canyon to explore during the day and return before nightfall, which will ensure the safety of all of us.” Ouyang Nan stated his plan in one breath.

"No way!" Chen Mo said.

"Why not?" Ouyang Nan asked.

Ouyang Ruoxi glanced at Chen Mo and found him looking at her too. Unconsciously, she tightened her grip on Chen Mo's large hand. She understood why Chen Mo had said no.

Sure enough, upon hearing what Chen Mo said next, he realized that he had not been wrong.

“It’s too dangerous to observe the beasts here at night, so it’s better if I do it. After all…” Chen Mo turned to look at Qian Zhenghao and continued, “I’m faster. When I was left behind at the hill nursery, I escaped by speed. So I’ll do it tonight. If any beasts come out, I can get back safely by speed.”

“I’ll stay here with you!” Ouyang Ruoxi said, holding Chen Mo’s large hand tightly, unwilling to let go.

Given the dangerous situation, she didn't want Chen Mo to face it alone. Although Ouyang Ruoxi was usually quite calm, at this moment, she wanted to be impulsive. Earlier, at the hilltop nursery, when Chen Mo was left alone to face the strange beast, she hadn't been by his side.

So this time, she wanted to stay with him.

Chen Mo glanced at Ouyang Ruoxi, wanting to say something, but found himself stopped by her gaze. Even if he tried to persuade her, he probably wouldn't be able to.

“You two don’t need to fight to stay. I can handle it all by myself.” Ouyang Nan gestured for Chen Mo to be quiet and listen to her. “After all, this time we’re just watching to see if the strange beasts come out of the canyon. As soon as they do, I’ll run towards the canyon nursery immediately. Besides, I won’t just stand here in the canyon. I’ll be a little further away and set up some warning devices and lights along the canyon edge.”

Once the beast emerges from the canyon and approaches the warning device, I'll hear it, observe it, and then run back. That should put me out of danger.”

"If that's the case, then we might as well all stay. That way, if we're chased by the beasts and something goes wrong, we'll have someone to help us," Chen Mo advised.

After hearing this, Ouyang Ruoxi and Ouyang Nana also began to persuade them.

The four of them immediately got into a back-and-forth discussion about who wanted to stay.

In the end, Ouyang Nan had no choice but to agree to let them stay and help him observe the strange beast. However, they also came up with a way to observe the beast from a slightly farther distance from the canyon.

This was because Ouyang Ruoxi remembered that Qian Wantong of the Qian family had a portable telescope. This way, they could observe the canyon from a distance using the telescope, giving them more time to return if any strange beasts appeared.

As for warning devices, make more of them, so that even if you can't hear them from a distance, you can hear them when you get closer.

Actually, with lights, the warning devices aren't as important when observing the monsters. However, no one can guarantee when the monsters will appear, and it would be dangerous if the person on duty fell asleep. Therefore, warning devices are essential, and plenty of them should be installed. Of course, the warning devices mentioned here are still simple, noisy objects, such as those made from empty cans—simple yet very effective. The canyon is very quiet at night, and the sound of touching an empty can travels a long distance.

Qian Zhenghao watched the four people having a heated discussion, but he couldn't join in and stood awkwardly to the side.

It wasn't that he didn't want to join the conversation, but he was relatively unfamiliar with the other four people—familiar strangers, in a way. Besides, two of them were at the tenth level of the Acquired Realm, stronger than him, so it was best for him to remain a nobody.

After all, his orders were to keep an eye on these people, especially when they were in the canyon, and to make sure they didn't hide anything good they found.

Now, these people are all vying to observe the strange beasts, but he'll just stay and watch. As for observing the beasts, let those four do it. He doesn't want to stay here and observe the beasts. Last night's beast attack had given him quite a fright. Those beasts were far too ferocious; one wrong move and you could be dead.

Ouyang Nan and the other three naturally noticed Qian Zhenghao as well. However, they didn't pay him any attention. None of them were fools; they could guess what this guy's purpose was in joining the team. Therefore, there was no need to rely on him for observing the strange beasts.

After discussing it, they decided to observe the strange beasts at night. Ouyang Nan and the others then returned to the temporary camp to collect the supplies they needed.

Of course, Qian Zhenghao went to the Qian family to collect the supplies he needed. Ouyang Nan had just instructed him to find the telescope and collect it, as well as the rope.

"Aunt, aren't you going to have him go back and inform Elder Qian so they can come back and collect supplies?" Ouyang Ruoxi asked Ouyang Nan.

"Hehe, you little rascal, you know the answer already." Ouyang Nan patted Ouyang Ruoxi's shoulder affectionately and said with a smile.

Ouyang Ruoxi just smiled and then began to collect the scattered supplies.

Some items, including tents and food supplies, were trampled beyond recognition by the beasts and could no longer be used. Fortunately, most of the items, though scattered on the ground, were still usable, a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.

After everyone had gathered the supplies, they calculated their needs and collected some more food and drink. They didn't take more than enough for themselves to use for a few days.

Of course, aside from the lost supplies, the remaining supplies are generally enough for all the martial artists to use for a week. Therefore, as long as time is not wasted, these supplies will be sufficient.

The four people collected the supplies, including two sets of ropes, two thin ropes, two thick ropes, some locks, and two grappling hooks.

At this moment, Qian Zhenghao also returned and handed Ouyang Nan a somewhat damaged pair of binoculars.

"I took a look, and the outer casing is a bit damaged, but it doesn't affect normal use. Also, the focusing screws are a bit loose, but they can still be tightened," Qian Zhenghao said.

The binoculars are portable, made entirely of plastic, and have a protective outer shell. Therefore, they survived the trampling of the strange beast without major damage.

Ouyang Nan took out the binoculars, used them briefly, and then nodded to put them in his backpack.

"Qian Zhenghao, have you finished collecting your supplies?" Ouyang Nan asked.

"Captain, we've collected everything. What should we do next?" Qian Zhenghao asked.

“Next, I plan to divide it into two parts. On one hand, we plan to collect some empty cans and then make warning devices so that they can serve as a warning when we come at night. We also need to build a rope across the canyon. On the other hand, you need to go back and report the situation here to Elder Qian so that he can arrange for people to come and collect these supplies,” Ouyang Nan said.

"This..." Qian Zhenghao hesitated. After all, his task was to supervise these people, and if he left, he would have no way to keep an eye on them. Especially now that so many supplies were scattered here, and these people had even set up ropes to cross the canyon, who knew what would happen when he returned?

“Originally, I was going back to report that I wanted Ouyang Nana to go. But I still need people to build the rope bridge, and I need more people to help. This matter can't be delayed, so I'll have to trouble you to make the trip,” Ouyang Nan said.

I knew this guy would hesitate, so I laid things out in the open and saw what choice he wanted to make.

Setting up the rope bridge wouldn't matter much whether there was one more or one less person. However, Ouyang Nan clearly didn't trust Qian Zhenghao. Building a rope bridge required safety measures, and if this guy tampered with something, something might happen while crossing the canyon, and then it would be too late to regret it.

Therefore, Qian Zhenghao needs to go back.

After thinking for a while, Qian Zhenghao understood Ouyang Nan's meaning, so he nodded helplessly, agreed, and set off to return to report the situation to Elder Qian Ying.