American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 328 Not Like Wilderness Survival (A long chapter of 10,000 words, with many pictures, highly recommended reading)
"As for fishing line... we'll talk about it when we find more suitable materials on the way."

Lin Yu'an picked up the exquisite bone fishhook, carefully wrapped it in a leaf, and put it in the wicker basket to prevent it from being lost.

Then he added enough hardwood to all three campfires to last until midnight, and hung the half-processed snakeskin on the rock wall next to one of the secondary fires.

The temperature there isn't high, but the constant smoke and heat are giving it an ancient processing.

Having done all this, he could finally lie down on that simple but dry bed. The stone spear lay beside him, its cold touch keeping him on his last shred of vigilance.

The night was uneventful.

The unknown apex predator seemed to be merely passing by, or perhaps disturbed by the ceaseless firelight and human scent on the cliff, choosing not to risk coming to investigate.

As dawn broke and the first rays of pale light pierced the darkness, Lin Yu'an opened his eyes. He was a light sleeper, easily awakened by the slightest sound.

The cold mountain wind sent a chill down his spine. He immediately got up and walked to the cave entrance, cautiously observing the jungle below.

A thin mist hung over the forest, and everything was shrouded in the tranquility before dawn.

After confirming there was no immediate danger, he began to efficiently prepare for today's forced march.

He hadn't forgotten to set up the water collection device last night; several banana bowls outside the cave were already filled with glistening dew.

Carefully, I put every drop of dew into my mouth, replenishing the moisture I had lost overnight.

Then he removed the snakeskin that had been smoked overnight by the fire.

After a night of being smoked and burned, the snakeskin has undergone a qualitative change.

It was no longer that wet, slippery, and fishy raw hide, but had transformed into a darker, more supple leather with a dull, leaden gray hue. It felt dry and firm to the touch, full of resilience.

"This is my new outfit, a completely natural water storage bag." He showed the snakeskin to the camera.

“I did two things while I was dealing with it last night,” he explained, showing the details of the snakeskin.

"The first step is to thoroughly scrape off the flesh. Use a flint to scrape away all the remaining fat and connective tissue on the inside of the snake skin until the white skin underneath is exposed."

"This is the most crucial step in removing odors and preventing rotting, as any organic residue will pollute the water source."

"The second method is smoking. Hang it next to a fire and let the smoke bake it all night. The phenolic compounds in the smoke are natural preservatives and tannins."

"It makes leather stable and durable, and gives it a strong smoky flavor. It not only completely masks any residual fishy smell, but also serves as a warning signal to wild animals."

Lin Yu'an turned the snakeskin over, revealing the smooth, scaly inner side.

"A very important technique in making water bags is to always use the scale side as the inner lining for storing water."

"The scales are smooth and dense, almost impermeable to water, making them the most natural waterproof layer and the easiest to clean. If you use the scraped side of the leather to hold water, bacteria can easily grow."

The opening at the neck of the snakeskin naturally became the opening of the water bag, thus completing a perfect tubular water storage bag.

Lin Yu'an carefully poured the dew collected in the banana leaf bowl into the snakeskin water bag without spilling a single drop.

The water bag swelled up at a visible rate, eventually becoming a heavy, fleshy sac.

He tied the bag shut with a short piece of vine and weighed it in his hand with satisfaction. With this, Lin Yu'an felt confident enough to undertake long treks in areas far from water sources.

The sun began to rise, dispelling the thin mist in the forest.

Lin Yu'an extinguished the fire, carefully covered all the ashes with sand, and erased most of the traces of his life here.

He repacked all the equipment and carefully secured the life-saving water bag to the most convenient position on his back basket.

He took one last look at the cliff fortress that had given him a safe night, then turned and embarked on a new journey without any lingering attachment.

As he walked in the general direction of Shimenxia, ​​he explained his plans for the day to the Action 3 camera on his chest.

"On the third day of the challenge, our shelter was very successful last night, but we lost valuable time as a result."

"There are eight days left in the ten-day challenge, and we have only advanced two kilometers. So today's plan is to march quickly."

His footsteps trod on the slippery rocks and decaying leaves, steady and swift.

"My goal is to advance at least three kilometers before nightfall today, completely cross this ridge, and leave the core hunting ground of that unknown predator."

"This means that I have to maintain speed while also keeping the direction correct at all times."

"In the primeval forests of the Ailao Mountains, getting lost is a more deadly danger than encountering wild beasts."

He stopped and pointed to the sky above, which was fragmented by layers of tree canopies.

“You see, the canopy coverage here is over 90 percent, making it very difficult to locate yourself by the sun’s position.”

"Moreover, the fog in the mountains is unpredictable, and once it gets foggy, the visibility may be less than five meters. As for compasses? In such mountainous areas with complex magnetic fields, they cannot be relied upon entirely."

"Therefore, we must learn to utilize more primitive and reliable natural reference points."

He continued walking forward, like a mobile classroom, saying, "The simplest thing is to always remember that water flows downhill. As long as we always go upstream along the valley, we won't go wrong in the general direction."

“This is our primary frame of reference, but today I have to leave the stream in order to cross the ridge.”

“So I can also observe the phototropism of vegetation. Look closely,” he said, pointing to the trunk of a large tree.

"In the Northern Hemisphere, the south-facing side of a tree usually receives more sunlight, resulting in more lush foliage and drier bark."

"The north-facing side is more likely to grow moss and lichen. This is not absolute, but by observing multiple trees, you can determine the most likely correct direction."

"We can also take advantage of wind direction and mountain terrain. The Ailao Mountains are influenced by the southwest monsoon, and the wind mostly blows from a fixed direction."

"Use the tilt of the tree canopy to determine the prevailing wind direction, and remember which slope you came from, moving roughly parallel to the contour lines."

"Or climb and descend in a controlled manner. The worst thing you can do is wander aimlessly in the forest, or you will get completely lost within half an hour."

As he explained, he demonstrated his words through his actions. His eyes constantly shifted between the surrounding trees, rocks, and lichen, as if a three-dimensional topographical map was being constructed in his mind.

The forced march was tedious and extremely physically demanding. Apart from the heavy breathing and the rustling of footsteps on the dead leaves, the jungle was eerily quiet.

But this tranquility was only superficial; Lin Yu'an knew that countless eyes were secretly observing him, this uninvited guest.

Suddenly, the treetops in front of him shook violently, followed by a long, loud, and melodious cry, like a song.

He immediately stopped, crouched down, and hid behind a huge patch of ferns.

He quickly took the camera off his chest and, holding it by hand, slowly pushed the lens toward the source of the sound.

The camera pierced through the layers of branches and leaves, and the scene before him made his heart skip a beat.

That was a stunning scene that only exists in top-tier ecological documentaries.

On the canopy of a towering tree dozens of meters away, a black figure was performing a dazzling show in the air in a gravity-defying manner.

Its body is extremely slender, and its entire body is covered with a layer of glossy, smooth fur, like black velvet.

What is most striking is the tuft of black crest-like hair on its head, which floats in the air with its movements, exuding an untamed wildness.

Its arms are disproportionately long, stretching out far beyond its height.

At this moment, these two arms are its wings. It grabs a tree branch high up with one hand and swings its whole body forward like a pendulum.

At the very moment when it reached its highest point, when the old force was exhausted and the new force had not yet been generated, it let go!

His entire body traced a graceful parabola in the air, and just as he was about to fall, his other arm precisely grabbed a branch further ahead.

“OMG…” Lin Yu’an murmured in a breathy voice that only he could hear, his tone filled with uncontrollable shock.

"Black-crested gibbon! A Class I protected animal in China, a true tree spirit!"

He carefully adjusted the camera while providing on-site commentary in a barely audible voice, as if he were recording a top-tier nature program.

"Guys, we've hit the jackpot! The black-crested gibbon is one of the most endangered primates in the world."

"They live their entire lives in the tree canopy and have extremely demanding requirements for their habitat."

Two smaller figures then appeared in the shot.

A female gibbon, also black but slightly smaller, was tightly holding a baby gibbon with golden fur, its head peeking out curiously.

He took a deep breath, his voice tinged with even greater excitement: "We are now deep in the Ailao Mountains..."

"This means that what we are seeing is very likely the Jingdong subspecies of the black-crested gibbon!"

"A subspecies named after the county where this mountain range is located! We witnessed a living legend at its place of origin!"

"You see, this is a typical monogamous family unit. Gibbons are strictly arboreal animals and rarely come down to the ground throughout their lives."

"They have amazing arm swinging ability, which is what we see as aerial swinging, and a single swing can easily exceed ten meters."

"This is thanks to their extra-long arms, extremely flexible wrists and shoulders."

“Look closely at their sex differences,” he said, zooming in. “Adult males are entirely black, with a distinct black crest of hair on their heads.”

"Adult females, although also black, are smaller in size. The most interesting are the cubs, both male and female, which are golden yellow when they are born, just like that little guy."

"This is a form of camouflage for them; their fur color will only change as they grow up."

"At around 6-8 years old, the difference between sexes will become apparent through fur color, with males remaining black for life."

"The female's fur color will change dramatically again, from black back to light yellow or yellowish-gray, and usually retain a small black cap on her head."

The melodious chirping rang out again, this time a duet among family members. Their songs intertwined and echoed through the valley, filled with complex emotions.

"This singing voice is the most famous characteristic of gibbons, which is why they are known as forest singers."

"This is not just about declaring territory, but also a way to strengthen family ties and engage in complex emotional exchanges."

“Every gibbon couple’s love song is unique, just like a fingerprint.”

"They are typical fruit-eating animals, with 90 percent of their food coming from wild fruits, buds and flowers on trees."

"Therefore, their very existence is the highest testament to the integrity and health of this forest ecosystem."

"Only the most pristine forests, richest in fruit resources, can sustain such discerning gourmets."

Lin Yu watched quietly, even pressing the shutter button carefully, afraid that the slightest sound would disturb this sacred moment.

In today's world of ever-expanding human activity, to be able to witness a family of gibbons named after this land singing and moving freely in the forest is a miracle in itself!
Their voices pierced through the entire valley, ethereal yet full of primal life force, as if giving this ancient forest a soul.

Lin Yu'an felt that he was no longer a lonely intruder, but a witness who was fortunate enough to glimpse the most core secrets of this land.

He didn't linger; any unnecessary stop in the wild meant potential danger.

I simply memorized the coordinates and then quietly bypassed the territory belonging to the gibbon family.

However, just as he was about to leave, a thought struck him like lightning, making him stop in his tracks instantly.

“Wait…” He turned around, his gaze returning to the dense canopy where the gibbon family had disappeared, a hunter’s sharpness and excitement gleaming in his eyes. “I’m such an idiot…”

He looked at the camera and said in a tone of sudden realization, "Gibbons... as I just said, they are typical frugivores."

"A healthy family unit needs to consume a lot of wild fruit every day to obtain energy. They sing loudly here and live a carefree life. What does this mean?"

He didn't give the answer directly, but revealed it through his actions.

"This means there must be fruit trees nearby that can provide plenty of food! That's our real jackpot today!"

The fatigue seemed to vanish, replaced by a state of highly focused exploration.

Instead of focusing on climbing upwards, he began to conduct a small-scale radial search, using the direction in which the gibbon family disappeared as a reference.

His eyes were no longer looking into the distance, but fixed intently on the forest floor beneath his feet, searching for clues.

"One of the survival rules is to follow the animals' meals. What they can eat, if properly prepared, is likely also edible for us."

"And to find their table, you first need to find the napkins and bills they left behind."

He soon found the decisive evidence under a patch of ferns.

It was a strangely shaped fruit that had been half-eaten.

The fruit was about the size of a thumb, greenish-blue, with a small opening at the top. Lin Yu'an picked it up, and a faint, sweet fragrance wafted from it.

"This is it!" he exclaimed excitedly. "Found it!"

He followed the scattered breadcrumbs and looked up. Not far ahead, he saw a colossal tree he had never seen before, like a green giant holding a giant umbrella, reigning supreme over the forest!
It didn't look like a normal tree at all; its trunk was so thick that it would take several people to hug it.

But what's even more astonishing are its aerial roots, which are as intertwined as a giant python and hang down from mid-air, some of which have already taken deep root in the soil and formed new trunks.

This creates a spectacular sight of a single tree forming a forest.

This is a huge wild banyan tree, most likely a strangler fig!
Beneath its enormous, all-encompassing canopy, thousands upon thousands of green fruits, identical to the one in his hand, hung densely from the branches like countless precious emeralds.

“A natural aerial supermarket…” Lin Yu’an looked up at the giant tree and exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, “This is the canteen that the gibbon family relies on for survival.”

"A single mature banyan tree is enough to support most of the birds and primates in this forest."

But he didn't rush to pick them immediately; professional wilderness survival means always putting safety first.

"Never eat any plant you don't recognize in the wild. But the fruit of the banyan tree, also known as wild fig, is an exception; it is very easy to identify."

He broke open half of the fruit in his hand, showing its internal structure to the camera.

"Look at this unique internal structure. The inside of the fruit is filled with dense, flower-like filaments and tiny seeds."

"This is the most typical characteristic of the fig. It is not actually a fruit, but a syconium, with the flowers blooming inside. This structure is unique."

After confirming that it was safe, he picked a whole, slightly softened, ripe wild fruit, wiped it, and put it in his mouth.

A refreshing sweetness, a blend of honey and grass, explodes on the taste buds! Its sweetness is far less than that of artificially cultivated figs.

But it definitely contains sugar, which is no less than nectar for a body that urgently needs to replenish energy.

The countless tiny seeds in the pulp make a "crunching" sound when chewed, creating a wonderful and rich texture.

“Nice…” He let out a satisfied sigh.

Without further hesitation, he immediately began picking. He didn't try to pick too much; he only selected the ripest fruits and harvested nearly four kilograms.

"These wild fruits not only provide a lot of sugar and vitamins, but also replenish water to a certain extent. With them, I have fuel for high-intensity marches."

He carefully placed this unexpected harvest into his basket, ate a few to replenish his strength, and then recalibrated his course.

This chance encounter, though it only took him less than half an hour, was of great significance.

It not only provided him with a valuable food reserve, but more importantly, it proved once again that in a complex ecosystem, any crisis can be transformed into an opportunity for survival.

He glanced at the giant tree that still sheltered countless lives, filled with reverence, then turned and continued towards his destination with a faster pace. After walking for about half an hour, he stopped again in a slightly brighter open area under the trees.

This time, what attracted him was a dazzling color.

On a fallen, moss-covered, withered tree trunk, several orchids with unusual shapes are quietly blooming.

They don't have tall stems; instead, they grow almost clinging to the moss. The leaves, with their mottled dark green patterns, grow in two rows, like an open book.

In the center of the foliage, a slender flower stalk stands gracefully, its top supporting a uniquely shaped flower.

The petals have a dreamy pale purple hue, dotted with tiny chocolate-colored spots.

What is most amazing is its specialized lip, which has evolved into a deep, pouch-like structure, full and rounded, shimmering with a waxy luster.

Lin Yu'an slowly squatted down, his face showing the focused expression of someone admiring a work of art. He didn't get too close, but simply recorded this beauty from a distance.

“I have to be very careful, this is the slipper orchid, the most fascinating and threatened family of orchids.”

"Because of their iconic pocket, they are also known as slipper orchids."

He zoomed in, making the unique structure of the flower clearly visible in the frame.

“Look at this pocket; it’s not a simple decoration, but a highly specialized insect trap.”

"Its color and distinctive scent attract certain insects, such as certain species of hoverflies."

“When an insect is lured and tries to land on the smooth labia, it is easy for it to slip and fall into this pocket.”

"The internal structure of this pocket is even more ingenious, with very smooth inner walls that make it difficult for insects to crawl out. The only escape route is located at the upper back of the pocket."

"When insects struggle to squeeze out of this only passage, they must pass through the stigma and anthers of the flower, and their bodies will inevitably be covered with or left with pollen."

"It doesn't eat insects, but rather uses deception to force insects to pollinate it. This is one of the most advanced forms of wisdom in plant co-evolution."

He carefully examined the shape of the flower and the markings on the leaves, and continued, "Judging from its shape, it is very likely a Paphiopedilum hard-leaved or a variety that is very closely related to it."

"They are typical epiphytic orchids, which like to grow on fallen logs or rocks in a semi-shaded, well-ventilated environment with thick moss to retain moisture."

His tone became unusually serious at this moment, and his eyes sharpened.

“The Ailao Mountains are one of the last refuges for these rare orchids.”

"It is precisely because of their beauty and uniqueness that they face enormous pressure from illegal mining in the wild."

"I want to emphasize here that all wild Paphiopedilum species are listed in the 'National Key Protected Wild Plants List,' or at least are national second-class protected plants."

"At the same time, they are all listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)."

He paused, then said, word by word, "What is Appendix I? It means that species that are strictly prohibited from any commercial international trade have the same protection level as giant pandas."

“So don’t underestimate it just because it’s a small orchid,” he warned coldly.

According to Article 344 of my country's Criminal Law [Crime of Endangering State-Protected Plants], anyone who illegally fells or destroys state-protected plants shall be sentenced to imprisonment for not less than three years but not more than seven years.

"This means that if you dig up such an orchid in the wild out of greed or by accident, you will face several years in prison."

"To risk your freedom for a trophy that you can't keep at home and eventually can't survive is the most foolish thing in the world."

He slowly stood up and took a step back, as if afraid of accidentally touching the orchid.

"Remember, in the wild, the more beautiful something is, the more fragile it is, and the more you should keep your distance."

"These don't belong to anyone's flowerpots, they belong only to this ancient forest. All we can do is capture this beauty with our cameras, then quietly leave them here."

He took one last look at the purple slippers shimmering in the dappled sunlight through the trees, and continued on his journey.

Along the way, the primitiveness and wildness of the Ailao Mountains unfolded slowly before him in a more direct way.

He had once glimpsed a white-bellied pheasant with magnificent tail feathers and vibrant colors, flapping its wings and disappearing into the dense bushes, leaving only a sharp warning cry.

A series of clear hoof prints, as small as plum petals, have also been found on damp mud.

“A red muntjac,” he crouched down, compared the size of the hoof prints with his fingers, and said softly, “Judging by how fresh they are, it must have been here no more than half an hour ago.”

"This is a very timid and cautious deer, and an important food source for the top predators in the jungle."

The richness and integrity of this ecosystem both impressed him and made him increasingly wary.

Just as he was walking around a tangled patch of vines, he seemed to kick something hard.

Looking down, his eyes instantly sharpened.

That's not a stone.

Peeling back the thick layer of decaying leaves, a section half-buried in soil and moss, revealing a grayish-white, highly ossified object, was exposed in its entirety.

It was a piece of deer antler about twenty centimeters long, with a rough texture!
He carefully removed it intact from the damp soil.

The antlers were heavy and covered with a thin layer of green moss, but the overall structure was very intact, with no obvious signs of breakage.

Judging from the size and shape of the horns, this is very likely an adult male red muntjac.

He turned the antlers over and carefully examined the part where the base connected to the skull.

“Look here,” he said, bringing the base of the antlers close to the camera lens and pointing to the smooth, slightly concave circular cross-section.
"The cross-section of this horn plate is very regular, like a rough stone bowl, and there are no signs of it being violently torn."

He brushed away a bit of dirt with his finger, his tone filled with a hint of joy and wonder: "This is a naturally detached deer antler."

"Like most deer, male red muntjacs shed their antlers once a year, and then new ones grow back in the spring."

"This corner plate is proof that its life cycle ended last year, and then it was reclaimed by nature and lies here quietly."

He picked up the heavy antler in his hand, and instead of fear, his face showed an expression as if he had discovered a treasure.

"For survivors, this thing is far more valuable than a piece of fresh venison."

He carefully wiped away the dirt and moss from the antlers, and he loved the hard, rough texture.

He firmly secured the precious antler to the outside of the basket, and how to use it had already taken shape in his mind.

"This stuff... came just in time." He swayed the basket on his back, feeling the heavy weight of the antlers, and said to the camera.

"The stone spear in my hand is usable, but it has a fatal weakness: flint is too brittle. Every time it is thrown or hit violently, the tip of the spear risks breaking off."

“But antlers are completely different. They are not stones, but bones, full of resilience.”

"If time permits tonight, my primary task is to give my spear a complete overhaul."

"I will sharpen the sharpest tip of this antler into a more lethal antler spearhead, hard enough to pierce thick animal hide."

"And its toughness ensures that it will not easily shatter under violent impact, and it will completely replace that fragile flint spearhead."

"At that time, what I hold in my hand will no longer be a primitive tool that may fail at any time, but a truly reliable weapon."

This unexpected discovery acted as a reassurance, giving him even more confidence to face this cruel jungle.

This is a paradise of life, governed by cruel laws.

But for a wise person who knows how to utilize the laws, both the vibrant life on this land and the remains left by the dead are valuable resources that allow him to survive.

Around noon, as Lin Yu'an crossed a small ridge and was about to continue climbing, the sight before him made him suddenly stop in his tracks.

The typical subtropical mountain forest, with its mix of tall trees and low shrubs, comes to an abrupt end here.

Instead, he was greeted by a hopeful green ocean that made his heart race.

bamboo forest!

A vast bamboo forest, like a green waterfall, cascades down from the mountainside, covering the entire valley.

Tall, straight bamboo stalks reach into the sky, cutting the sky into patches of emerald green geometric shapes.

Sunlight filters through the dense bamboo leaves, casting dappled, ever-changing shadows on the ground.

The air was filled with a refreshing fragrance unique to the bamboo forest.

"Wow, a perfect supply point..." he muttered to himself, the seriousness on his face vanishing, replaced by the ecstatic joy of a hunter discovering treasure.

He strode into the bamboo forest, and the sensation under his feet immediately changed; it was no longer hard rock and slippery decaying leaves.

Instead, it is a thick, soft carpet made of bamboo leaves that have fallen over the years, and it makes almost no sound when you step on it.

As he walked, he faced the camera and began to analyze and explain the science in an extremely professional tone.

"Many people may have a misconception that primeval forests are all made up of towering trees."

"But in fact, in subtropical mountainous areas like the Ailao Mountains, large areas of bamboo forests are a very important and common component of the ecosystem."

"Especially in certain forest gaps, that is, places where sunlight can shine directly after old trees have fallen, bamboo, a plant that grows extremely fast, will quickly occupy the ecological niche and form a dominant community."

He carefully assessed the ecological environment here, saying, "You see, this is a sunny, gently sloping valley that receives plenty of sunlight."

"At the same time, the terrain at the edge of the bamboo forest is significantly lower, which indicates that the groundwater is very abundant, and there may even be a stream nearby."

"Warm, humid, sunny, and with abundant water—this is simply a paradise tailor-made for bamboo to grow in."

He walked to a clump of bamboo, touched the smooth and cool bamboo stalks with his hand, and carefully observed its nodes and sheaths.

"Based on the shape and height of the bamboo nodes and the white wax powder on the bamboo stalks, this is very likely a native bamboo species of Yunnan, namely sweet bamboo, or a large clump-forming bamboo that is closely related to it."

"This type of bamboo is tough and has thick walls, making it a top-quality material for making various containers and tools."

"Fortunately, this is a common economic bamboo species, not a protected plant, so we can use it reasonably and with peace of mind."

Lin Yu'an's eyes quickly searched the ground and soon found what he most wanted to see.

At the base of several clumps of old bamboo, a few tender shoots, covered with thick bamboo leaves, with pointed, pagoda-shaped tips and covered with brown, fuzzy outer shells, are stubbornly breaking through the soil.

He squatted down, gently brushed away the dirt with his fingers, and excitedly said to the camera, "Spring bamboo shoots! The bamboo shoot season for sweet bamboo is in early spring, in February and March."

"Its bamboo shoots are large, fleshy, and sweet with almost no bitterness, making them a local delicacy. They are a great source of carbohydrates and dietary fiber!"

"The presence of bamboo forests means the existence of a rich ecological chain," he continued, carefully digging out two of the plumpest bamboo shoots.

"Bamboo not only provides us with food and materials, but also sustains many of the inhabitants of this forest."

"For example, the red-cheeked long-snouted squirrel is a typical protected animal, and it likes to burrow and build nests in bamboo forests. There are also bamboo rats, which are experts at feeding on bamboo roots and bamboo shoots."

"I must emphasize here that many people may misunderstand bamboo rats and think that they are edible."

"However, since the state issued the strictest ban on wild animals in 2020, the protection level of all wild bamboo rats has been raised to an unprecedented level, and any form of hunting and consumption is strictly prohibited."

“They are an important part of maintaining the balance of the underground ecosystem of this bamboo forest, but they are not our food options.”

"Remember, a true survival expert in the wild knows not only what is edible and what is absolutely forbidden, but also that our bottom line must be updated in line with local laws and regulations."

"With these herbivores, their predators will inevitably be attracted, such as the golden cat we encountered yesterday. The bamboo forest is also an excellent ambush site for them."

"Therefore, even when you are in a treasure trove, you must never let your guard down."

This discovery once again completely changed his plans.

"The original plan was to advance three kilometers, but we have only gone one and a half kilometers so far."

He stood up and looked around at the vibrant bamboo forest. "However, in the wild, rigidly following a plan is a foolish thing to do."

"When nature provides you with a five-star supply station, all you have to do is stop and accept this generous gift with reverence."

Lin Yu'an immediately set to work. He needed a few things: a container, water, and more food.

"Bamboo is like a Swiss Army knife, a gift from nature to those who survive; it can meet almost all our needs."

His primary goal was to make several bamboo tubes, which would completely change his previous predicament of relying on snakeskin water bags and banana bowls.

Providing him with cooking utensils to boil water and make soup will allow him to have access to hot water and soup. This will significantly improve his quality of life and his ability to cope with hypothermia.

But how do you get complete bamboo tubes from a single, iron-hard sweet bamboo without an axe or saw?
"The answer is still fire. We will use fire to perform a precise, minimally invasive surgery on the bamboo."

Lin Yu'an walked back and forth in the bamboo forest for nearly ten minutes, like a picky engineer checking materials.

His sharp gaze swept over the huge bamboo poles, and he passed several bamboo kings with a diameter of 20 centimeters. Those giants stood silently in the forest like green totem poles.

He simply stepped forward and tapped one of them with his hand. The dull sound was like striking a stone wall. He shook his head and gave up.

“The big ones…are indeed tempting, but their bamboo walls are too thick. It would probably take half a day and an astronomical amount of fuel to burn them through with the tools I have.”

"The algorithm for survival requires that the benefits far outweigh the costs, so what we need to find is not the best, but the most suitable."

He then inspected a few more new bamboo shoots, which were bright green and still covered with fine downy hairs, but after just one glance, he immediately walked away.

"Too inexperienced, like a young man with a silver spearhead but no real skill."

Finally, he stopped in front of a bamboo stalk growing on the outer edge of a bamboo grove. It wasn't the thickest, but it stood tall and straight.

The bamboo is not a bright green, but a calm yellowish-green, and its surface is covered with a thin layer of white wax powder.

He stepped forward and walked around the piece of fine wood like an old carpenter examining a piece of good timber.

He tapped different parts of the bamboo pole with his knuckles, listening carefully to the echo. The sound was crisp and solid, just the sound he wanted.

I roughly circled the diameter of the bamboo pole; it was about twelve or thirteen centimeters—just the right size.

He nodded in satisfaction, then turned to face the camera, a smile of satisfaction on his face.

“This is it. In the jungle, selecting materials is like gambling; you have to be sure before you place your bet.”

He patted the bamboo next to him, his tone becoming more relaxed, "Those tender new bamboo shoots that are so tender you could squeeze water out of them have thin walls and can't withstand burning."

“Those withered old things are too brittle, they crack at the slightest touch, so they’re unusable. That’s exactly what we’re looking for.”

He stroked the layer of white wax powder, "The color is yellowish-green, which means it has stopped growing. The moisture and sugar content in its body are just right, and the material has reached its strongest toughness."

After selecting the target, he began drawing lines before the surgery.

Walking up to the selected bamboo, I used a stone knife to repeatedly and forcefully carve a circular groove at the base of the bamboo, about half a meter above the ground.

"Okay, the lines are drawn, but before we start the fire, I need to confirm one thing—the location of the water source."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

(Although I'm already ranked outside the top 240 in monthly votes, I still want to ask for more monthly votes!)

(End of this chapter)