Please, this is wilderness survival, not camping. There aren't that many freshwater resources for you to waste, at least not now.
As the ingredients were cooked, the aroma wafted out, and both Sania and Jiuxiao swallowed hard! What they saw on TV was true after all; high-end ingredients often only require the simplest cooking methods (not really).
Well, hunger is actually the best seasoning. The first two meals were just quick and easy, and hot food was much better than those cookies.
After the soup was ready, Jiuxiao opened another coconut and gave the coconut juice to Sanya. He removed the coconut meat using a brand new flathead screwdriver from the toolbox, tore it into small pieces, then grabbed two yellow peas, chopped them into sections with an axe, and flattened them. The only seasonings were salt and chili. (As mentioned earlier, seasonings were included in the purchase.)
The chili peppers were whole dried chilies; I cut one and put it in. I asked Sania, and she said she can't handle spicy food very well, so she put in less.
After a few stirs, the coconut meat and cucumber salad was ready, a first in the culinary world. Of course, good things should be shared with friends first (definitely not to make them taste poison), so I picked up a piece of cucumber and fed it to Sanya next to me.
The chopsticks were made from wood that was readily available. It's worth mentioning that although Sanya is from Scandinavia, she is surprisingly good with chopsticks.
"Sanya, ah~"
Without the slightest hesitation or reservation, Sania took a bite of the cucumber that was offered to her, chewed it a few times, and swallowed it.
Jiuxiao asked expectantly, "How is it? Is it delicious?"
Sania gave a thumbs up.
"Nice, as expected of Jiuxiao."
Faced with the girl's praise, Jiu Xiao accepted it without a second thought. A dish that had pioneered a new era in the culinary world couldn't be too bad... probably.
Afterwards, their long-awaited hot lunch ended amidst laughter and cheerful conversation.
As the saying goes, "Warmth makes you think of...you know." After a good meal, sleepiness sets in. Those with impure thoughts, go stand in the corner and reflect on your actions.
Forcing himself to stay alert, Jiuxiao and Sania tidied up the campsite and prepared to build a large bonfire inside the cave. This would both dispel the dampness and get rid of all the snakes, insects, and rodents in the cave in one go.
Chapter Six: Shelter
After some maneuvering, the two men piled a layer of firewood into the cave. Once lit, the fire spread rapidly, and in no time, the cave was engulfed in flames.
By the time the fire was extinguished, a layer of ash had accumulated at the bottom of the cave, and there were also blackened marks on the walls. Judging from this, it seemed that it was almost done.
Sania used readily available materials, such as tree branches, to make a simple broom. As expected of a female creature, she has a natural talent for tidying up that her male counterparts do not possess.
Jiuxiao asked Sania to clean the camp and remove the ashes from the cave. He would go and collect some hay himself; it was easy to find, there was plenty near the camp. Jiuxiao declined the offer to sleep in the cold, hard cave.
Furthermore, clearing away the dry grass near the camp can improve the safety of the area. Without hiding places, it's easier to conceal any hostile targets or wild animals approaching.
Without hesitation, relying on his 'fire resistance' and body which made him impervious to high temperatures, Jiu Xiao immediately began weeding near the camp. Whether it was due to the magical enhancement he had received or not, Jiu Xiao felt a double boost in his physical strength and endurance, making his work efficiency exceptionally high.
Before long, a large open space was cleared, and the collected hay was piled up to use as bedding for the night. Sunlight filtered through the sparse clouds, casting its glow on the busy figures and adding a touch of life to the desolate scene.
Sania was busy inside the cave, her movements light and quick as she swept away the ashes little by little, revealing the original brown color of the ground that had been pitch black.
Sania occasionally glanced up at Jiuxiao, who was busy outside, her eyes flashing with unease and admiration. He didn't allow himself to work under such a high-temperature sun, disregarding his own safety. Sania tried to persuade him several times to no avail, so she had no choice but to let him be.
With such a partner by her side, Sania felt incredibly safe and secure. Without even realizing it, Sania had become more and more dependent on him.
After obtaining a large amount of hay, Jiuxiao originally planned to take it back to the cave to sleep on the ground. However, he then thought that if he took the hay back directly, wouldn't the fire in the cave have been burned for nothing?
Because there must be insects or ants in these weeds. After a little thought, Jiu Xiao came up with a way to get rid of the insects.
Jiu Xiao selected some of the better-looking hay, bundled them up, and went to the seaside. He then soaked the hay directly in the sea. To ensure that the seawater completely submerged the hay, Jiu Xiao thoughtfully weighed it down with stones.
About an hour later, Jiu Xiao figured that even if there were any insects, they should all be dead by now. Jiu Xiao took out some dry grass, shredded it, and put it in the sun to dry, as it was the hottest time of day.
Jiuxiao also went back to the camp to catch up on sleep. Sania was relieved to see that Jiuxiao had not suffered from heatstroke.
As the sun sets, the sky gradually takes on the colors of the evening glow.
Jiuxiao woke up by the wall and found a line of words at his feet: "I'm going to the beach to see if there are any suitable ingredients. Please don't worry about me." —Leaves by Sania
Seeing this, Jiuxiao smiled knowingly. This girl has finally grown up and knows what she should do. I am very pleased!
Jiuxiao stopped slacking off and went to the place where the grass was drying. He grabbed a handful and examined it carefully. All the moisture had evaporated, and there were still tiny white salt crystals on the surface of the dry grass.
This could be considered a different kind of anti-corrosion treatment, right?
Jiuxiao nodded in satisfaction and carried the processed hay back to the cave one by one. Inside the cave, thanks to Sania's meticulous cleaning, it looked brand new. The ashes had been swept away, and the blackened walls had been given a simple treatment, making it look much more comfortable.
Jiuxiao spread dry grass in one corner of the cave, used a few flat stones to form a simple bed frame, and then methodically laid out a similar bed frame in the other corner of the cave.
Although the bed frame is not very useful for hanging, life should have a sense of ritual, at least occasionally.
After completing all this, Jiuxiao began to check his equipment and supplies. He knew that in this perilous wilderness, any negligence could have fatal consequences. After finishing the inspection, he sat at the entrance of the cave, gazing at the gradually darkening horizon, feeling both anticipation for the future and apprehension about the unknown.
Soon, Sanya returned to the cave with a joyful expression, her bag bulging as if she had made a good haul.
Jiu Xiao greeted her with a smile, taking the prey from Sania's hands. He glanced at it; it was mostly shellfish and some small seaweed, all carefully searched for on the beach during low tide at dusk. Seeing the smile on Sania's face, Jiu Xiao knew she was no longer the little girl who only relied on him; she was gradually growing into a capable partner.
"You're back! You've had a good haul! We can enjoy a seafood feast tonight."
Upon hearing this, Sania's face lit up with joy. Clearly, the girl was very pleased with Jiuxiao's praise.
At dinner time, the two sat around the fire, enjoying the rare tranquility and warmth. The food, though simple, tasted especially delicious in this setting.
As they ate and chatted, Jiuxiao asked a mysterious question: "Do you know how I start a fire?"
Sania tilted her head slightly and replied, "To make fire by rubbing sticks together?"
Jiuxiao shook his head.
"Actually, I've also acquired a spell that can generate fire, do you believe me?"
Sania was shocked, her little face filled with disbelief.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible. Only a young girl can become a witch and acquire unique magic..."
Then Sania looked up at Jiuxiao with a look of horror.
"Masaka, is Jiuxiao a girl?"
Before he could finish speaking, Jiu Xiao gently flicked the girl's forehead.
"Ah, I'm stunned."
"What are you thinking about all day long with that little brain of yours?"
Chapter Seven: Night Talk
Naturally, Jiu Xiao couldn't tell Sania the truth, so he told a white lie.
"Do you think it's possible that my bond with Sania is what gave me this power?"
Seeing is believing. Jiu Xiao mobilized the magic power within his body, and an orange flame immediately ignited in his hand, which was several times stronger than when he had just obtained it that morning.
"So maybe Sania is really my lucky star."
A gentle smile curved Jiu Xiao's lips, the flames dancing lightly in his palm, like dancers of the night, whispering untold secrets in the silence. He looked at Sania, his eyes gleaming with an unprecedented determination.
"Although I don't know where this power comes from, it seems to become even more surging whenever I think of you."
Upon hearing this, a hint of shyness flashed in Sania's eyes, which was quickly replaced by warmth.
She slowly approached, reached out her hand, and gently touched the flame with her fingertips.
Jiuxiao wanted to stop her, fearing the flames would hurt the girl's delicate hands, but Sania was perfectly fine and even curiously touched them.
As expected of something from the system, it can even grant immunity to damage to friendly units. Anyway, when in doubt, the system will solve the problem...
"How amazing. Jiuxiao, do you really think our bond is so strong that it can grant you such power?"
Jiuxiao nodded gently, his gaze profound: "In this world, there are many things that science cannot explain. Like our meeting, it seems like fate's arrangement. Perhaps it is this special connection that has allowed our souls to resonate to some extent, thus granting us even greater power..."
At this point, Jiu Xiao was already sweating profusely and couldn't continue the story, everyone. He had only intended to joke around and find an excuse for gaining magic, but he hadn't expected this naive little girl to take it seriously.
Jiu Xiao smiled bitterly to himself, but on the surface he maintained his sincerity and determination, afraid that even the slightest wavering would alert Sania.
"If that's really the case, that's great, then I can help you too."
'Phew~ I finally managed to fool them.' Jiu Xiao secretly rejoiced.
Jiuxiao suddenly remembered his conversation with the system. Was Sania also slowly adapting to the laws of this world, thus regaining her former power? Sania's magic was reconnaissance-based, and if she could use it, her safety would undoubtedly be greatly improved.
"Sanya, try it. Can you use your innate magic now?"
Nodding, Sania began to concentrate and mobilize the magic power within her body. Then, ears and a tail emerged from Sania's body, and antenna-like devices sprouted from her head.
"Oh, so this is Sania's pose when she uses her witch powers? Her cat ears and tail are so cute, can I touch them?"
"It's not a cat, it's a wolf. You can't touch it, it'll make you shy..."
After trying out her innate magic, Sania said, "It has recovered a little. I can detect for a short time, but the detection range is less than one-tenth of its peak. Now I can detect a range of about one or two hundred meters around me."
"What's going on? Didn't I not know how to use magic yesterday? Why...? Could this be the power of bonds...?"
Seeing that the topic was about to return to the theory he had just made up, Jiu Xiao quickly changed the subject.
"That's great! With this magic, our safety is guaranteed."
Sania was delighted; the return of his magic had restored some of his confidence.
"With this magic, Jiuxiao can rest peacefully tonight. I'll keep watch tonight; I'm more energetic then."
Without even thinking, Jiuxiao refused.
"No, let's split it in half. I'll do the first half of the night, and you do the second half. You need to gradually adjust your sleep schedule."
Sania wanted to try to persuade him, but Jiuxiao's attitude was firm, so Sania had no choice but to agree.
"Remember to add firewood to the fire during the second half of the night watch, so it doesn't go out, as it gets a bit chilly at night."
As night deepened, stars dotted the sky, casting long shadows of the two figures in the firelight. Only the occasional roar of a beast in the distance broke the silence.
Jiuxiao yawned.
"I'm going to sleep now. Remember to wake me up in the middle of the night. Don't try to take it all on yourself, or I'll get very angry."
Nothing was said that night, and the handover of watch took place as scheduled.
The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Jiu Xiao woke up, and the sound of her getting up made the girl turn around.
Good morning, Asania.
Looking at the time, it was only a little past six. Jiu Xiao told Sania to rest, as the second half of the night watch was much more tiring than the first half. Sania didn't refuse and went to her bed, falling asleep immediately.
The surroundings were quiet, with only the occasional birdsong coming from the distant mountains and forests. I took a deep breath of the cool and fresh morning air and began to think about the rest of my trip.
Although the night watch was relatively peaceful, the roars of beasts in the middle of the night indicated that many unknown dangers lurked in this uncharted land.
First, there's the water source. Such a large island can't possibly be without fresh water. As for food, there's no need to worry for now, as the resources by the sea are abundant. At most, we can weave a fish basket to see if it can enrich the menu.
If only we could find bamboo, otherwise the fish basket would be useless. In his previous life in China, Jiu Xiao had craftsmen in his village who specialized in this craft, and through observation and experience, he roughly knew how to weave some simple items. His work after graduation also involved weaving.
Jiuxiao decided that the main task for today was to find a stable water source, since water is the foundation of survival, and then see if he could find a bamboo forest.
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PS2: A new character is about to appear, guess who it is? Hint: It's a magical girl.
Chapter 8 Exploration and Finding the Best Opportunities
For breakfast, Jiu Xiao decided to make it a bit more substantial, as she had a lot to do that day. Besides, although the steak was vacuum-packed, the weather was so hot that it would probably spoil if she didn't eat it soon. Taking out the steak and opening the vacuum packaging, Jiu Xiao smelled it and thankfully it wasn't spoiled yet.
Despite the rudimentary conditions, Jiu Xiao still tried his best to make breakfast look presentable. He found a few flat stones, washed them briefly at the beach, and used them to build a makeshift grill. As the flames danced, the temperature of the stone platform gradually rose.
Simply cut the steak into two slices and put it on the grill. Before long, the aroma gradually came out and filled the entire camp.
Sania was awakened by the enticing aroma. She rubbed her eyes and sat up, and saw Jiuxiao busily flipping the steak. She couldn't help but smile.
"Jiuxiao, you're amazing. It seems like nothing can stump you."
"No, I've only learned some basic cooking skills. I've pan-fried steaks a few times before, and I've gradually become proficient."
Sania also came to the fire, watching Jiuxiao's skillful movements, her eyes sparkling with admiration and curiosity.
Jiuxiao looked up and gave her a warm smile, a smile that seemed to dispel the chill of the morning and warm her heart.
Seeing that the steak was about 80% cooked, Jiu Xiao picked up some salt and sprinkled it on. Originally, Jiu Xiao wanted to sprinkle some chili powder on his portion for seasoning, but since he had bought whole chilies, he had to give up.
"Here, have a taste, how does it taste?"
As Jiuxiao spoke, he scooped the grilled steak into a bowl made of coconut shell and handed it to Sania.
Sania took the steak and carefully took a bite. Instantly, her eyes lit up, and a satisfied and happy smile spread across her face. Although it was just a very simple dish, seasoned only with salt, the high-quality ingredients made up for it! Plus, she hadn't had protein for several days, and her body was desperately craving it. (Referring to her protein needs)
"It's so delicious! Jiuxiao, you're a genius chef!" she praised without reservation.
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