[Qin Lang: Both [Frost Arrow] and [Raise Shield] show that the class doesn't match. We speculate that after reaching a certain level, class change will be unlocked.]
[Su Luo: Okay.]
Su Luo eagerly immersed his consciousness into the text and images of the [Basic Body Strengthening Technique], becoming engrossed...
...
As time passed, the survivors discovered that one unit of lamp oil, as identified by the system, could burn for exactly one hour under normal conditions.
With the initial six hours of lighting exhausted, the survivors were divided into two groups: those clutching newly scavenged or traded lamp oil, and those anxiously seeking trades in the dark.
The price of one unit of lamp oil rapidly escalated from half a loaf of bread or one unit of wood to a terrifying price.
At this moment, a trade quietly appeared in the Survivor Plaza.
[Seller: Ye Xu]
[For Sale: Lamp Oil (Large Quantity)]
[Seeking: Wood, Stone, Water, Skill Books... Highest bidder wins.]
The volume was enormous, and once posted, the transaction volume exploded.
The Regional Channel was instantly filled with curses and pleas.
[Fuck! Ye Xu, you're fucking robbing us! Three units of wood for one unit of oil?]
[Fuck you...]
[Motherfucker, Ye Xu, why is your lamp oil so expensive!]
[Ye Xu: If you can't afford it, don't buy it. It's always been this price for years. PM me if you have skill books, prices are negotiable.]
Qin Lang stared at the rapidly updating transaction records in the Survivor Plaza, his brow furrowed.
"Where did this hoarder pop up from again? The organization just warned against price gouging."
Personal Channel.
[Qin Lang: Hello Mr. Ye, I represent the Region 76 Mutual Aid Association to greet you.]
After a while, Ye Xu's reply appeared.
[Ye Xu: Hmm. Mutual Aid Association? Interesting. What's up?]
[Qin Lang: Mr. Ye, we noticed you're selling a large amount of lamp oil, which is undoubtedly a lifesaver at this time. We wanted to ask if you've found a stable source of lamp oil? Or perhaps you have a related talent or manufacturing method?]
[Ye Xu: Source? Sort of. As for the specifics, I don't think I have an obligation to report to your association. I'm just conducting normal trade, aren't I?]
[Qin Lang: You're right, we have no intention of prying into your secrets, we just hope to establish a stable supply channel. Your current pricing... has already caused some panic. Our association's goal is to unite survivors and overcome difficulties together. We are willing to purchase part of your output at a fairer price that won't wrong you.]
[Ye Xu: Panic? (smiley face), scarcity increases value, Mr. Qin. They need my lamp oil now, not the other way around. As for long-term cooperation...]
[Ye Xu: Monster intelligence, terrain exploration, rare materials, skill books, special information...]
[Qin Lang: Agreed, but...]
...
Su Luo withdrew his gaze from the chat box.
[Basic Body Strengthening Technique Level 1 (0/100)]
[You seem to have... become stronger]
[Constitution +0.1]
The book was still divided into 20 chapters, mainly introducing exercise methods and constitution enhancement.
Su Luo had just learned the exercise method of the first chapter and hadn't even tried it. The skill leveled up, and the system increased his constitution.
"?"
A faint but clear warm current emerged out of nowhere, merging into his limbs and bones. However, the next second, a strong sense of emptiness and hunger from deep within his cells surged up, causing his vision to darken slightly.
"So, this skill upgrade can skip the exercise process and directly yield results?"
The skills Su Luo learned on his own were no different from those learned by others using skill books, except he gained the inherent knowledge of the skill.
"No, I can still use the methods in the skill book to continue exercising and continuously enhance my constitution."
"But can other survivors increase their constitution while grinding experience using exercise methods?"
Touching his rumbling stomach, it was clear that the energy for the system's constitution boost was provided by the survivor himself, and Su Luo instantly felt a strong sense of hunger.
"Grumble..." The thunderous rumble from his stomach pulled him back to reality. He spent another hour flipping through most of the second chapter, pausing at the experience points.
[Basic Body Strengthening Technique Level 1 (95/100)]
He couldn't continue; reading any further would starve him to death.
Su Luo stopped and instead opened the [Meditation] skill book.
"Why is it so lively?" Su Luo watched the rapidly refreshing Regional Channel and Forum, understanding the situation.
A survivor named Ye Xu was selling lamp oil at an extremely high price, having traded at least two thousand units. Those who bought it felt ripped off and cursed, while those who didn't buy it also cursed.
[Motherfucker, that son of a bitch Ye Xu, my skill book was estimated at 100 lamp oil on the forum, and he pressed it down to 50!]
[Then why did you sell it?]
[...I, I'm afraid of the dark!]
Currently, the only light source for most survivors was the oil lamp. The wood collected outside couldn't be ignited, as if it wasn't allowed.
The consumption of lamp oil was extremely fast, one unit per hour, and there was almost no surplus lamp oil on the market, so it was quickly traded once it appeared.
Many survivors were still in darkness.
Even staying in a safe shelter, the darkness drove them mad, and the survivors couldn't bear it.
Moreover, without a light source, they couldn't explore outside, which meant they could only consume resources in vain, falling into a death spiral.
Suddenly, Ye Xu, who had the highest transaction volume on the market, was overtaken by a new transaction that kept refreshing.
[Free Tinder]
[Unlimited]
[Note: Follow the post—"How to Illuminate Without an Oil Lamp"]
The Mutual Aid Association intervened, distributing free tinder to the market for lighting.
Su Luo clicked on the new post by the Mutual Aid Association.
[To all, this place has strange physical laws. The wood, cloth, grass, etc., we collect cannot burn, meaning they can't provide light.]
[And most players don't have the talent to illuminate.]
[The only light source seems to be the oil lamp.]
[But some players skilled in exploration have discovered...]
[Our houses—can be burned!]
[With a 7-Day Safety Period, the condition of the house itself doesn't really matter, as monsters won't attack the shelter. So as long as we don't completely destroy the house, we can burn it boldly.]
[But don't ignite it directly!]
[This post will guide you step by step on how to quickly and economically dismantle thatched huts or other types of shelters, burning the materials for lighting...]
...
[In summary, by preserving the main structure of the house, the dismantled parts can burn for about 30 hours.]
[The Mutual Aid Association has provided free tinder. Please follow the guide and prioritize safety to overcome difficulties together!]
The comment section was buzzing.
[Thank you, Mutual Aid Association!]
[Why didn't you say so earlier? I just set it on fire!]
[Lol, what kind of loser needs to burn their shelter...]
Su Luo nodded slightly. This Mutual Aid Association was indeed doing something, and their methods were clever, gaining a huge reputation in one fell swoop.
No longer paying attention, Su Luo opened [Meditation].