The sun gradually climbed to its zenith, its rays becoming somewhat scorching as they filtered through the sparse shade and dappled the newly tilled land, causing a light sweat to break out on my forehead.
I straightened my back, stretching my somewhat sore shoulders, before finally realizing how much time had passed.
“It’s already noon,” I said, looking up at the sun’s position and feeling the familiar emptiness in my stomach.
“I’ve been busy all morning.
I’m getting hungry.”
Putting down the iron hoe in my hand (I had been using it to further loosen the soil), I went to the riverbank to wash my hands.
The cool river water temporarily relieved the heat from my labor.
Next was the question of lunch.
“What should I eat…” I looked around, my gaze habitually falling upon the clear river water and the bank.
“It seems…
I’ll have to eat fish again.” Although there were still Earth Yams, only a few were left from yesterday’s harvest; it would be better to save them as reserve rations or eat them as a side dish.
The Sourberries were fine as snacks, but not enough for a main meal.
It seemed that in the short term, fish would become the primary source of protein.
“My efficiency is still a bit low.”
I thought to myself as I concentrated once more, drawing upon that sense of affinity for the Water Essence.
With yesterday’s experience, I was more adept this time.
My will, like an invisible net, gently guided the water, unhurriedly “pushing” two Silverskin Fish (perhaps their reactions were slow due to the rising midday water temperature?) into another small pool I had previously enclosed with stones in the shallows.
Looking at the fish swimming in the pool, I didn’t immediately deal with them, but instead fell into thought.
“Catching them by myself like this every time is still a bit of a waste of time.”
Especially when I needed to focus my energy on clearing and planting.
Perhaps I should think of a more time-saving and labor-saving method.
I remembered from some wilderness survival knowledge, there seemed to be traps like fish baskets and weir nets?
As for materials…
the reeds and vines along the river could perhaps be utilized.
The tool kit seemed to have a bone needle and fiber cord, maybe I could try weaving a simple one.
“Hmm, I need to take note of this and research it later.”
But for now, I still had to solve the problem of the immediate lunch.
I didn’t immediately start a fire by the river, but decided to return to the Cave.
Firstly, it was to retrieve the ember I had saved yesterday (although theoretically I could use my ability to start a fire again, that would consume mental strength, and using an existing ember was more convenient); secondly, there was still some leftover firewood in the Cave from yesterday, and I could take some down with me to avoid having to search for it by the river every time.
Following the path back to the Cave, I took that piece of ember wood, which was still smoldering well, and also gathered a small bundle of dry firewood.
Back at the river, I skillfully started a small campfire once more.
Then I repeated yesterday’s process: using the Small Stone Knife to clean the fish (with yesterday’s experience, my technique was much faster, and I still threw the guts back into the river), sharpening wooden skewers, skewering the fish, and grilling them over the fire.
This time I paid special attention to the heat, turning them carefully so they wouldn’t burn.
Without any seasonings, the natural freshness of the fish meat was already enough.
I ate the two grilled fish quietly, then sighed with satisfaction.
After that, I cleaned the fish bones and scraps (burial by water again), then carefully extinguished the campfire with river water, ensuring not a single spark remained.
“A complete one-stop service, I’m getting more proficient.” I laughed self-deprecatingly and patted the dust off my hands.
Though monotonous, it at least guaranteed my basic survival needs.
The afternoon sun remained bright, but its heat had slightly diminished.
I rested for a moment, looking at the newly cultivated land before me and the Jade-Needle Rice Grains in my hand, and decided to strike while the iron was hot and complete the second daily quest, “Seed Collector.”
“The quest requires collecting mature seeds or reproducible parts of at least three different local plants…” I recalled the quest details.
I already had the Jade-Needle Rice Grains, which made this the first type.
So, the second type would naturally be the Earth Yam.
The Earth Yam tubers I dug up yesterday had many dormant buds on them, which were the best “seeds.” I walked to the edge of the downstream wetlands, found that cluster of Earth Yam vines, and carefully dug out two medium-sized tubers with prominent buds.
I cleaned the soil off their surfaces and wrapped them in leaves.
One more to go.
My gaze swept across the riverbank and the nearby gentle slope.
Among the plants I recorded yesterday, the Buckflower was medicinal, but could its seeds be collected?
I remembered some buckflower seeds could be used for reproduction.
What about the seeds of those “Sourberries”?
Or…
Are there any other plants that are easy to collect and have mature, usable seeds?
Preferably ones that are helpful for survival.” I tried to seek more precise guidance.
[ Scanning…
Target found: Borer-Expelling Grass (Seed Maturation Phase).
Located approximately 20 meters southwest of the ‘Earth Yam’ growth point in the downstream wetlands.
This plant’s seeds can be used for reproduction, and its scent has the effect of repelling small pests (such as Jade-Needle Rice Stem Borers).
It is recommended to be planted as a companion plant.
]
Borer-Expelling Grass!
The System had mentioned before that it could be used for ecological control of Jade-Needle Rice pests!
This was simply the perfect third choice, both completing the quest and adding a useful resource to my future planting plans.
I immediately walked in the direction indicated by the System.
Soon, at the edge of an even wetter muddy marsh, I discovered a cluster of plants with small, pale purple flowers, long slender leaves, and a scent similar to mugwort but much fresher.
Many of the flowers had already withered, producing tiny black seed pods.
I carefully collected several stalks of Borer-Expelling Grass with the plumpest seeds, and together with the Earth Yam tubers and Jade-Needle Rice Grains, packed them into another small Burlap Pouch.
[ Ding~ Daily Quest ‘Seed Collector’ (Collect mature seeds or reproducible parts of at least three different local plants) completed.
Rewards issued: 10 System Points, Novice Plant Growth Accelerator ×1.
]
The quest completion notification sounded, and another reward was credited.
Novice Plant Growth Accelerator…
The name alone suggested it was good stuff; maybe I could try it out when planting the Jade-Needle Rice.
After carefully storing the small bag containing the three types of “seeds,” I stood by the newly cleared land, gazing at the river shimmering in the afternoon sunlight and the verdant mountains in the distance.
Food was temporarily secured, basic tools were ready, the first batch of seeds was in hand, and the land was cleared.
Now, it was time to formally sow the seeds, taking the first step toward establishing my first “farm” in this valley.
With my ice-blue eyes reflecting vibrant life, I picked up the newly acquired iron hoe and prepared to start the afternoon’s work: tilling the soil and creating ridges in preparation for planting.
My busy and fulfilling survival journey in this other world continued forward.