Chapter 3: Grilled Dried Fish

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On the ninth day, Chu Jiu tried to poke at the recipe and received a prompt: [Insufficient Development Points, Insufficient Spirit Beasts]. As expected, without spirit beasts, it was impossible to unlock farmland. As for bypassing the blueprint and actually taking a hoe to cultivate a piece of land himself—Chu Jiu was quite self-aware. Not to mention anything else, just clearing these trees that had grown for who knows how many years and leveling the land was not something an ordinary person could accomplish with just a hoe and a machete.

Chu Jiu checked the [Spirit Beast Status] again, only to see: [Spirit beast summoning conditions not met, option currently unavailable.] The system gave no hint as to what these "summoning conditions" were. Chu Jiu sighed and decided to set this matter aside for now, opting instead to go into the forest to gather eggs and catch fish.

Chu Jiu ventured even further than the day before. Only when the map openness reached 2.1% did he finally stop. Along the way, besides collecting [Screaming Mushrooms x2], [Dry Firewood x20], and [Sturdy Thatch x30], he also picked up [Exploding Pinecones x5].

These pinecones were covered in sharp spikes and would burst open upon impact when thrown with force—essentially the simplest kind of ranged weapon. Chu Jiu tested them out; two pinecones were enough to knock down one screaming mushroom. Although the damage was low, at least it was a ranged attack and might come in handy later.

He ventured deeper into the forest and, near a muddy tree that resembled a breadfruit tree and constantly oozed mud from its bark, Chu Jiu finally found what he needed: [Demon Eggs].

The name sounded terrifying, and their appearance was indeed frightening: a rough, pitted black shell that emitted a pungent sulfur smell. Anyone passing by, even on a main road, would avoid them—who would expect these to be edible?

However, to Chu Jiu, Demon Eggs were a material defined as follows:

[Demon Egg: Eggs abandoned by some unknown bird species. Due to being coated in the mud exuded by the muddy tree and the unique climate of the forest, a strange chemical reaction occurs inside the egg. After removing the hardened layer of mud and the patterned eggshell, one obtains a black, glossy, translucent egg with intricate patterns, suitable for consumption. Not everyone can appreciate the taste—indeed, most people cannot consider these black eggs as food. Collection site: Edge of the Forgotten Forest.]

Chu Jiu pocketed three demon eggs at once. Now, he had “bait.” He went to the creek, knocked off the mud and eggshells, and soaked a few eggs in the water to let their distinctive scent diffuse throughout. After cleaning them, he placed the eggs on a prominent stone by the water’s edge and waited quietly.

Three minutes passed.

Five minutes passed.

At last, the creek’s water gurgled as two blunt-headed fish, with rounded heads and slit-like eyes, surfaced. Using their pectoral fins to push against the soil and pebbles, they wriggled onto the shore.

These were blunt-headed fish—the main target of Chu Jiu’s day.

[Blunt-headed Fish: A species of edible fish with degenerated eyesight. The flesh is tender and delicious, with only one large bone running through the body, making it especially suitable for the elderly and children. They usually lurk on the riverbed and rarely swim upstream, making them difficult to catch. However, they have a fondness for demon eggs; the slightly pungent, peculiar scent compels them to venture onto the shore. Who would have thought a fish's favorite food would be a type of land egg? Collection site: Waters of the Forgotten Forest.]

Chu Jiu crouched silently in the bushes. When the blunt-headed fish had struggled close enough to the demon eggs, he swung his knife—

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[Blunt-headed Fish x2].

Phew, success.

After cleaning the fish and retrieving the demon eggs used as bait, Chu Jiu also cut down two [Thorny Cucumbers] by the creek and happily headed back.

Now, he had fish for Granny Zhu and two meals for himself—all secured.

Granny Zhu lived alone in the southwestern corner of the village. When Chu Jiu handed her the gutted, headless blunt-headed fish, still half a meter long and neatly prepared, she was both surprised and delighted:

“There are such big fish in the Forgotten Forest!”

“We used to fish in the village stream, but only caught tiny fish and shrimp no bigger than a finger. Even a fish the size of a palm was considered a good catch.”

Chu Jiu smiled and told Granny Zhu that the fish had few small bones and would be delicious simply boiled in water with a pinch of salt.

According to their earlier agreement, Granny Zhu was supposed to give Chu Jiu a packet of radish seeds. But she hadn’t expected Chu Jiu to bring her a fish large enough to feed her for several meals. Exchanging such a big fish for just some seeds made her feel like she was taking advantage of the boy.

So, besides the radish seeds, she also gave Chu Jiu a fresh, plump radish. Knowing his place was often empty and lacking, she even gave him an unused ceramic pot and a set of bowls and chopsticks.

After leaving Granny Zhu’s house, Chu Jiu’s backpack contained [Large Radish x1], [Radish Seeds x10], [Ceramic Pot x1], [Bowls and Chopsticks x1].

What thrilled Chu Jiu even more was the system prompt:

[Villagers are very satisfied with the goods you delivered. Affection increased, Development Points +30.]

With the ceramic pot and bowls, Chu Jiu could finally cook a pot of “Cucumber Egg Soup.”

He cut the demon eggs into pieces and peeled the thorny cucumbers. The outer skin of the thorny cucumber was covered with steel-like thorns and as hard as tree bark; it had to be split open with a machete to reveal the juicy, translucent cucumber flesh inside.

He added water and a pinch of salt to the pot. Once boiling, he added the demon eggs and cucumbers. Soon, the unique aroma of the demon eggs mingled with the fresh scent of cucumber, filling the empty kitchen.

Swallowing his saliva, Chu Jiu quickly chopped the screaming mushrooms and blunt-headed fish into bite-size chunks, skewered them together, and placed them over the fire.

Shortly after, lunch was ready: skewered grilled screaming mushrooms and fish meat, accompanied by refreshing cucumber and demon egg soup.

Chu Jiu ate until his stomach was full again.

Looking at the remaining fish meat, he decided to prepare some portable dried snacks—grilled fish jerky.

Gathering materials in the forest consumed physical strength, and cooking used spiritual energy. It was more convenient to carry some dried food.

He sliced the blunt-headed fish, salted it for marination, and slowly roasted it over the fire, flipping it occasionally until both sides turned a golden brown.

Though he had no other seasonings, the fish itself had no fishy smell; upon careful tasting, it even had a hint of sweetness. Simply grilled this way, it yielded tender, flavorful jerky with a pleasant chewiness—neither dry nor tough, nor painful to the teeth.

It was an excellent source of protein and a perfect snack.

If he could watch videos while nibbling on it, Chu Jiu thought he could chew all afternoon.

By the time only a large fish head remained and the rest was dried fish jerky, evening had fallen.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Chu Jiu looked at the [Grilled Blunt-headed Fish Jerky x50] in his backpack with a deep sense of accomplishment.

Two portions of jerky could fill him halfway, and with the vegetables and fruits he could gather in the forest, he could travel far.

That evening’s dinner was naturally grilled fish jerky with radish and fish head soup.

After finishing his meal, Chu Jiu breathed a long sigh and took out a towel and toothbrush from his backpack to wash up by the stream.

The wooden cabin lacked running water and storage barrels, which would be very inconvenient in the long term.

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Washing his face, Chu Jiu wondered if he should start making some basic furniture—like a bed, chairs, and perhaps buckets and basins.

The methods for these were all in the manual given by the old village chief; following it step by step, he should be able to make them.

Chu Jiu planned to try this during the next day.

Back at the cabin, by firelight, Chu Jiu took out his “Recording Mirror” again.

Just as he was about to record his daily log, the system prompted:

[It is recommended that the host display the day’s actual harvest during recording to receive higher ratings.]

So he had to showcase his finds! This video log had strict requirements.

Chu Jiu took out the remaining screaming mushrooms and grilled fish jerky and patiently narrated in front of the mirror.

* * *

On Arsa Star, Lu Qingyan’s light brain received a message from Deputy Officer He:

“Sir, a suspicious livestream has appeared again on the star network. We are still unable to trace its origin.”

“We have blocked the signal. Currently, only authorized personnel can monitor this livestream.”

Lu Qingyan replied briefly: “Send it over.”

Half a second later, a clear projection lit up before him—

A handsome young boy, seated by a dim fire, was intently speaking in cryptic terms.

The previous video was the same.

Yesterday, the boy’s expression and tone had been somewhat hesitant. He articulated, word by word, how he felled a screaming mushroom, removed its head and skin, and cut it into strips…

The deputy officer had been very nervous, speculating: “This might indicate that the Insectoid race has taken control of another world and is committing ruthless extermination against the natives.”

Later, the boy mentioned branches and firewood. The deputy officer said, “This is probably describing his gun and ammunition supplies.”

Lu Qingyan did not immediately respond yesterday, only telling the deputy officer he would keep an eye on the matter.

He understood the deputy officer’s concerns.

After all, the Insectoids possessed formidable camouflage abilities, could easily steal human appearances, and find chances to transmit messages.

However, countless battles had honed his intuition: the boy in the video was not deliberately conveying any secret or forbidden information.

Today, that intuition was even stronger.

So what exactly was the purpose of this video? And where did it come from?

Lu Qingyan studied the boy in the projection closely.

Unconsciously, a black quadruped, about half a meter tall and resembling a large cat, appeared beside him.

This was his spiritual body.

Three years ago, Lu Qingyan would never have released his spiritual body so easily, keeping it confined within the spiritual landscape.

But since suffering excessive spiritual energy depletion, his spiritual body bore irreparable wounds and often lost control, wandering out of the spiritual realm and emitting agonized whimpers and roars.

Correspondingly, Lu Qingyan himself endured excruciating pain.

Imperial physicians consulted repeatedly but to no avail, only advising: “Better to let it vent than block it—allowing the spiritual body occasional freedom of movement will aid your recovery.”