So, after a simple breakfast, the three of them, following their pre-arranged plan, went to set traps to fish and collect supplies from the beach. Jiuxiao went to the water source to fetch water, taking their only two bottles and several plastic bags. Because of the distance, a round trip would probably take most of the day, which was unavoidable; there were still many things to take care of here, and it would probably be a few more days before they could move over.
And so, the days passed, and the survival supplies the three had collected grew larger and larger. To speed up the drying of the fish, Jiu Xiao directly slaughtered the fish he caught and smoked them. Compared to air-dried fish, smoked fish had a unique flavor.
Adding to the wild boar meat they had previously collected, the three of them had enough dried seafood to last for two months. They also had plenty of dried kelp and bird eggs, though they only collected a dozen or so kilograms of bird eggs to consider their shelf life. The kelp was drying all over the ground in front of the campsite; it's highly nutritious, can be prepared in many ways, and most importantly, has a long shelf life.
It's worth mentioning that one day while beachcombing, the three of them found a huge clam on the beach, more than forty centimeters in diameter. They were utterly shocked, having never seen such a large clam before; they wondered if it had become a spirit.
It took the three of them a great deal of effort to open the clam, inside which were several pearls. The clam shell became their new pot, and it must be said, it was much more useful than a pot made from a coconut shell.
On the fifteenth day of their journey across the deserted island, which was also the last day before the group decided to move away from the seaside cave, it was clear that while finding food was easier by the sea, the distance to water made development difficult.
That day, the three of them were in the house organizing supplies, preparing for their evacuation the next day. Of the items Jiu Xiao had brought from the modern world, only salt and chili peppers remained. The chili peppers were whole; Jiu Xiao had already removed the seeds, intending to plant them after moving.
There are still a few packs of toilet paper and half a bottle of shampoo left. Making my own paper and soap will be on the agenda after moving. Fortunately, all this knowledge is included in the 'Transmigrator's Handbook' that the system rewarded me with earlier.
Finally, there were a few potatoes that Jiu Xiao hadn't touched; these would be an important food source in the future. If planted properly, they could provide a stable food source after a few breeding cycles, much more reliable than hunting and fishing.
After being here for half a month, the three of them had recovered some of their magic power, to about 20% of their previous peak levels. However, after reaching this value, the upper limit of magic power in Fate and Sania stopped increasing, while only Jiuxiao's upper limit of magic power continued to increase slowly.
Excitingly, Fate's magical artifact, the 'Lightning Battle Axe,' could be activated. Sania was astonished by the artificial intelligence artifact; living in the 19s, she had never seen anything so advanced.
Even Jiuxiao, who had seen it many times in the anime, was amazed. By the way, Fate looks incredibly cool after transforming, both handsome and cute. Moreover, Fate knows many kinds of magic, including attack, reconnaissance, defense, flight, telepathy, and more.
After packing up their supplies in the morning, the three decided to go to the spot where Sania had fallen into the sea in the afternoon to see if they could retrieve her 'flying foot'. Upon arriving at the accident site, Fate performed a spectacular transformation and, together with Sania, used reconnaissance magic. They easily retrieved the 'flying foot' that was half-submerged in the sand.
Looking at the 'Flying Feet' that had been soaked in seawater for half a month, Jiu Xiao asked curiously, "It's been soaked in seawater for half a month, is it still usable?"
Fate was also attracted by its strange appearance.
"Is this the magical equipment developed in the world where Sister Sania lives? It feels like such an amazing design."
Sania stroked her long-lost 'old buddy,' a hint of tenderness and nostalgia in her eyes. This piece of equipment, which had fought alongside her, held too many memories, and it was inevitable that seeing it would bring back some painful thoughts.
"Don't worry, Jiuxiao. Although it looks a bit worn out now, the flying feet are made with the most advanced magical materials and protective technology in our world, so the seawater has limited effect on it. After cleaning and drying, it will be able to soar through the sky again."
Back at camp, it was already afternoon. Time slipped away quietly amidst the busy work, and as the last rays of the setting sun bathed the camp, the repair work on the flight foot was nearing completion. Sania tested it, and the flight foot functioned normally, but the lack of a runway discouraged her from soaring through the sky again.
Seeing this, Jiu Xiao and Fate both smiled excitedly. Having another means of transportation is always beneficial; their hope of survival on this deserted island had taken another big step forward.
As night fell, the three sat around the campfire, enjoying a rare moment of peace. In the firelight, three souls from different worlds were closely connected; these days had been more than just gathering supplies—their relationship had grown even closer.
Tonight is their last night in the seaside grotto.
Chapter Nineteen: Shall we take a bath together?
The next morning, after a simple breakfast, the three packed their belongings and began moving. Since they couldn't take the small motorcycle, they worked together to put it inside the cave, where Sanya's equipment was also temporarily stored. They sealed the entrance with a doorknob and then moved several large stones to prop it up, making it safe from wild animals.
Because there were too many food and other supplies, we only brought enough for half a month. We will bring them all over after things stabilize at the water source.
They followed the marks left by Jiuxiao through forests and woodlands. Because the three of them were carrying a lot of supplies, they walked and stopped frequently, finally arriving at their destination in the late afternoon as the sun was about to set.
Here lies a secluded spot at the foot of a mountain, hidden deep within a dense forest, overgrown with weeds. A small pool, formed by the convergence of streams, lies nearby, yet to be explored by the mountain's inhabitants. Looking up from the foot, the mountain isn't very high, but its summit is relatively large, a flat-topped peak. A crystal-clear stream meanders down from the summit, its gentle flow bringing a touch of coolness and providing a constant water source for their new campsite.
After putting down their luggage, the girls hurriedly ran to the pool. The clear water shimmered alluringly in the sunlight, like nature's purest gem. They eagerly took off their shoes and dipped their feet into the cool water, the refreshing sensation instantly dispelling the fatigue of their journey.
"Wow, this feels so good!" the girls exclaimed, splashing water gently with satisfied smiles on their faces.
Jiu Xiao also came to the edge of the pool and saw the girls soaking little JOJO in the water. Jiu Xiao fell into deep thought.
Suddenly I feel thirsty, cough cough... I don't mean anything by it, I'm just thirsty. As usual, I'll start with the Water Boy and Kuafu, brothers, I'll drink this. I know you guys don't like drinking, but I'll reluctantly accept it.
In an instant, the thought of the shrimp head filled Jiu Xiao's mind; it seemed he was truly hungry.
“It seems we’ve chosen a good new campsite. There’s water, trees, and such a nice environment.” Sania looked around and nodded in satisfaction. She squatted down, cupped her hands in her hands, and gently splashed water on her face. The cool sensation invigorated her.
Jiu Xiao was startled awake by the girl's words and quickly banished the colorful, nonsensical thoughts from his mind.
"Yes, the environment here is indeed nice, but the environment in the mountains might be even better. It's getting late, so let's make do for the night. Let's go up the mountain tomorrow. I reckon there might be a lake there."
Fate nodded noncommittally. Anyway, she didn't understand these things, so she could leave everything to Jiuxiao.
"Brother Jiuxiao, where shall we rest tonight? I wonder if there are any large carnivorous beasts nearby?"
“Indeed, there is a water source nearby, and it is very likely that there are large carnivores. Last time, I spent a night alone behind the rocks over there, deep in thought, and I was probably lucky that I didn’t encounter any.”
Sania gazed thoughtfully at the spot where Jiuxiao had spent the night, where the weeds still showed clear signs of being trampled. She couldn't believe that Jiuxiao had spent the night alone in such a dangerous environment; thankfully, nothing had happened, and Sania felt a pang of worry for him.
"How about we all take turns on duty tonight? It's always better to be careful."
Fate and Jiuxiao nodded, both agreeing with Sania's proposal.
So the three of them divided the work and got to work.
Jiuxiao resumed his weeding spree, determined to gather all the weeds before nightfall to make a simple shelter. Sania used her perception magic to check for any dangers nearby. Fate gathered some firewood nearby; she needed to get a fire going, as sleeping outdoors in the open at night would likely be very cold.
Time always flies when you're busy, and before they knew it, it was getting dark. As night fell, the three of them sat around the fire and ate a simple dinner.
After the meal, the two girls whispered to each other, and it was unclear what they were saying, but their eyes kept glancing in Jiuxiao's direction.
Jiu Xiao was puzzled. "Girls, are you starting to isolate me now?" (Just kidding)
"What are you talking about? You're being so secretive."
Sania quickly shook her head.
"No, Fate and I are talking about going over there to take a shower later. We just wiped ourselves down at the beach campsite before, and we've been wanting to take a shower for a while now."
Fate sniffed her own body, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Yes, Brother Jiuxiao, I can feel that I smell bad."
"Then be careful, don't go into the water, just scoop water from the shore to rinse yourselves off. Also, be quick and don't catch a cold, I'll keep watch for you."
Sania said playfully, "Won't Jiuxiao shower with us? I wouldn't mind if it's Jiuxiao."
Upon hearing this, Jiu Xiao narrowed his eyes, his face revealing a fierce glint.
"Alright, alright, you're teasing me, aren't you? If Fate weren't here, I'd show you why flowers are so red today."
"Oh! I...I don't mind either, if it's Brother Jiuxiao..."
Now it was Sania's turn to be embarrassed. She quickly got up, grabbed some shampoo, and fled with Fate as if they were escaping. As they passed Jiuxiao, she didn't forget to glare at him fiercely.
Jiu Xiao felt utterly innocent, helplessly shrugging his shoulders as he watched the girls head towards the pool to bathe. The old Sania certainly wouldn't have acted so boldly; as they became more familiar, the girls grew increasingly unrestrained towards Jiu Xiao. While feeling gratified, a faint sadness also lingered.
That timid and submissive Sania is gone forever.
Jiuxiao sat alone by the fire, listening to the girls playing by the water. Even when he looked over there, he couldn't see anything clearly; it was too dark, and he could only make out the general outlines.
His thoughts drifted away, recalling every moment he had shared with Sania and Fate since they first met. From initial unfamiliarity and wariness to their current close bond, they had been through so much together.
She sighed softly; in the end, her efforts had been in vain.
Waaaaah, please include me!
Just as Jiuxiao was lost in thought, a slight noise suddenly came from afar. He immediately became alert, gripped his weapon tightly, and scanned his surroundings with keen eyes. However, apart from the gentle sound of the night wind rustling through the grass, everything seemed so peaceful.
'Maybe I was just too nervous.'
Jiuxiao thought to himself, but he didn't let his guard down. He stood up and slowly walked towards the pool. Although he knew that Sania and Fate were there, he still wanted to check the situation himself.
As he approached the pool, the sight before him made him slow his pace. Sania and Fate stood with their backs to him on the bank, washing themselves by the faint moonlight. Their laughter was clear and melodious, echoing in the night sky like silver bells.
Jiuxiao stopped and quickly turned around so as not to disturb them.
After a while, Sania seemed to notice Jiuxiao's presence. She turned around and saw Jiuxiao standing there with his back to them, and a blush crept onto her face. She quickly pulled Fate aside, and the two hurriedly put on their clothes before walking towards Jiuxiao together.
"Jiuxiao, what are you doing here? Did you come to spy on us while we're taking a bath?"
Sania's shy voice carried a hint of teasing; she still believed in Jiuxiao's character.
Jiuxiao smiled slightly and replied, "It's nothing, I just came to see if you've finished washing. It's getting late, we should go back and rest."
Fate nodded, her face slightly flushed, and said, "Yes, Brother Jiuxiao is right. Let's hurry back so we don't catch a cold."
"Alright, you guys go back first. I'll just take a quick shower. Since we're already here, might as well shower."
After the girls left, Jiu Xiao quickly rinsed himself with water and returned to the camp.
Chapter Twenty: From Pretense to Reality
The moonlight, like water, gently spilled over the campsite, draping the quiet night in a soft silver veil. Back at the campsite, Jiuxiao sat by the campfire, adding a few more pieces of firewood. The flames leaped, reflecting in his deep eyes.
"Brother Jiuxiao, what are you thinking about?"
A gentle voice interrupted his thoughts; it was Fate, who had quietly come to his side without him noticing.
Jiuxiao looked up, met her bright eyes, and smiled slightly: "It's nothing, I was just thinking about some trivial things. Fate, be careful on night watch, there might be wild animals around here."
Fate nodded with a serious expression and made a gesture of flexing his muscles.
"Leave it to me with confidence. With me and 'Lightning Axe' here, no wild beasts can get close to the camp."
The triangular magic device also flickered, as if responding to its owner's trust.
Jiu Xiao patted Fate's head; the girl's freshly washed hair was still slightly damp.
"Hehe, as expected of Fate, so reliable. I'll rest now, goodnight Fate-chan."
"Okay, goodnight, get some rest, Brother Jiuxiao."
Jiu Xiao lay down next to Sania, who had been curled up silently since the beginning. Observing her closely, Jiu Xiao noticed her pale complexion and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Sania slightly opened her eyes, and after seeing Jiuxiao's worried look, she forced a smile.
"I'm fine, Jiuxiao doesn't need to worry about me."
"Don't push yourself. If you feel uncomfortable, be sure to tell me."
Sania leaned closer to Jiuxiao, pressing her entire body against him.
"This is much warmer."
Jiu Xiao thought that Sania was just a little cold and that's why she seemed listless, so he picked up the wild boar hide that had been simply tanned at the camp and draped it over the two of them.
"Isn't this warmer?" He gently pulled the girl into his arms, giving her more warmth.
Sania nestled obediently against Jiuxiao's chest, closed her eyes, and fell into a deep sleep.
In the middle of the night, during shift change, Fate saw the two sleeping intimately together and felt a little annoyed.
I was the one who started it... I didn't feel that way. It's just that jealousy is a woman's nature, and even though Fate was still young, the feeling of having her beloved toy taken away made her unconsciously frown. But she quickly adjusted her emotions, after all, she knew that Jiuxiao's gentleness wasn't exclusive to any one person, but rather a care and concern for everyone.
Fate approached the two of them quietly, trying not to make a sound, and gently shook Jiuxiao awake.
"It's time for Brother Jiuxiao to change shifts."
Jiuxiao slowly opened his eyes from his light sleep and saw Fate's eyes, which were full of reminders. He immediately realized his duty. He gently covered Sania with the wild boar skin draped over her to make sure she wouldn't catch a cold from the shift change, and then quietly got up from beside her.
"You've worked hard, Fate, go and rest."
He stood up, stretched his limbs which were stiff from holding the same position for so long, and then walked to the campfire to take over Fate's night watch.
Jiuxiao added some dry firewood to the fire, making it burn even brighter. Night deepened, and the temperature grew colder; he hoped the roaring flames would bring the girls more warmth.
The forest was even darker and more terrifying at night. Jiu Xiao was on high alert, watching for any movement around him. Time ticked by, and the feeling of sitting on pins and needles was unbearable. Finally, it was time for his shift to end, and Jiu Xiao prepared to wake Sania.
Turning his head, Jiu Xiao saw that Sania had already woken up. However, the girl's brows were deeply furrowed, as if she was enduring something.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
Upon lifting the wild boar's hide, Jiu Xiao discovered that Sania's hands were tightly covering her lower abdomen.
"Does your stomach hurt? Did you eat something bad?"
Sania shook her head. She didn't want Jiuxiao to worry about her, because Jiuxiao had already sacrificed too much for the team.
"It's not that I ate something bad. I guess it's because I didn't take care of myself during my period and took a cold shower last night. I probably caught a chill."
"It's good that you didn't eat something bad. If you're not feeling well, just say so earlier. There's no need to hide it. It's a normal physiological phenomenon for girls. Be more careful next time."
Jiuxiao's tone carried a hint of reproach, but even more so, heartache. He quickly helped Sania sit up, letting her lean against him. He channeled his magic into his hands, warming his palms, and gently massaged her lower abdomen, hoping to ease her discomfort.
Would this be better?
The overly intimate actions brought a blush to the girl's face, but did not stop Jiu Xiao's actions.
Sania nodded gently, forcing a smile: "Yes, much better, thank you, Jiuxiao."
"Silly girl, why are you being so polite with me?" Jiu Xiao's voice was gentle yet firm. "You rest here first, I'll go boil some hot water for you. Drinking some hot water will make you feel better at times like this."
After saying that, Jiuxiao stood up, and by the dim light of the campfire, he found a coconut shell, scooped out half a spoonful of water, and used his magic to boil it. Then he put the coconut shell into the cold water to cool it down to a drinkable temperature.
Jiuxiao carefully carried the coconut shell back to Sania's side, handed her the water, and said softly, "Here, drink slowly, be careful it's hot."
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