Deep within the forest, Liu Xiaoman struggled forward through tangled vines and thorny undergrowth.
On the system map, that flashing red dot looked like some mysterious beacon, guiding her deeper into this uninhabited region.
The short sickle in her hand swung again and again, slicing through obstructing vines with sharp swish swish sounds. Each motion drained what little strength she had left.
The deeper she went, the darker it became.
Towering ancient trees wove their branches into a vast green net overhead, filtering sunlight into broken fragments.
The ground beneath her feet was slick and muddy. Beneath the thick layer of fallen leaves, who knew what lay hidden. The air was filled with the mixed scent of rotting vegetation and damp soil—raw, wild, and primal.
Her physical exhaustion stood in stark contrast to her rising excitement.
Liu Xiaoman panted heavily, sweat sliding down her dirt-streaked cheeks, yet her eyes shone with startling brightness.
The system’s so-called energy anomaly zone and large natural cave—what kind of surprise awaited her?
That thought pushed her forward, making her forget the soreness in her limbs.
Suddenly, her foot slipped on a moss-covered stone.
“Ah!”
With a short cry, she lost her balance—but instinctively grabbed onto the rough trunk of a nearby tree, barely managing to steady herself.
The cold, slippery texture made her shiver. She frowned. This place was practically impossible terrain.
Still shaken, she didn’t dare be careless anymore.
She took out the beast-repelling powder from her clothes, pinched some between her fingers, and carefully sprinkled it around herself.
The sharp, pungent smell spread through the air. Though irritating, it gave her a strong sense of security.
At least she wouldn’t have to worry about snakes or wild beasts suddenly lunging from the undergrowth.
After nearly half an hour more of arduous trekking, just as her legs began to feel like wood, a faint rumbling sound reached her ears.
At first it was soft, like wind through a valley—but as she moved forward, it grew louder and clearer, until it became the thunderous roar of crashing water.
Her spirits lifted instantly.
Pushing aside the final barrier of massive ferns, the view suddenly opened up.
Before her stood a vast cliff.
A wide waterfall poured down like a silver river from dozens of meters high, crashing into a deep pool below and sending mist spraying into the air.
Sunlight filtered through the mist, forming a brilliant rainbow.
But Liu Xiaoman’s gaze locked onto something else—
Behind the curtain of water, a faint, shadowy darkness.
There!
Her heart pounded wildly. Braving the cold spray, she edged along the slippery rock face beside the waterfall, step by careful step.
The stones beneath her feet were treacherous, the deafening roar of water almost swallowing her senses.
Each step was deliberate. Her fingers turned pale from gripping the rock crevices tightly.
Finally, reaching the side of the waterfall, she held her breath and plunged through the cool curtain of water.
What she saw made her forget how to breathe.
A vast, dry cavern unfolded before her.
The entrance was perfectly concealed by the waterfall, forming a natural curtain—impossible to detect from outside.
Inside, the air flowed freely, without the damp, moldy smell typical of caves. The ceiling soared high above, the ground flat and solid rock. The space was large enough to build three or four huts.
“Heavens…!” Liu Xiaoman nearly cried out.
A surge of overwhelming joy shot through her like electricity, raising goosebumps across her body.
This wasn’t just a cave.
It was a sanctuary gifted by heaven itself.
A perfect, defensible natural fortress.
The long-dormant builder’s instinct within her ignited fiercely.
She immediately ordered the system to scan.
【Cave scan in progress… complete.】
【Structural stability: High.】【Air composition: Normal. No toxic gases detected.】【Ventilation: Good. Multiple micro-vents connected to outside.】【Overall safety rating: A.】
“A-level…”
She nearly jumped in excitement.
That rating was as reassuring as it was thrilling.
She eagerly walked around the cave, running her hands along the dry, solid rock walls, already planning—
Sleeping area here. Stove there. A space for her brother to play.
When she reached the deepest part of the cave, she felt a faint current of air seeping through a crack in the rock.
Curious, she crouched down and brushed aside loose stones.
There, near the ground, was a palm-sized patch of strange clay emitting a faint bluish glow.
She picked up a bit.
It felt smooth, sticky, and warm—completely different from the rough, cold soil elsewhere.
What is this?
Right on cue, the system responded.
【Ding! Rare material detected: Super Clay.】
【Description: A clay containing special minerals. When dried or fired, its hardness, toughness, and waterproof properties far exceed ordinary brick and stone. Ideal for construction and structural reinforcement.】
“Super clay?”
Her eyes lit up like stars.
If finding the cave was a blessing, then this was salvation.
With it, she could not only build partitions—but even construct fortified defenses, turning this place into a truly secure stronghold.
She rubbed her hands excitedly, staring at the cave and the clay in her palm, already sketching grand plans in her mind.
Using this miraculous material—combined with building blueprints from the system shop—
What kind of astonishing hidden paradise could she create?
Squatting in the cave, Liu Xiaoman gently rolled the glowing clay between her fingers.
It felt warm, fine, and slightly elastic—far superior even to the best ceramic clay she had used in her previous life.
The cave was drier and more spacious than expected. From the high dome hung various stalactites, water droplets occasionally forming at their tips and falling.
Drip… drip…
The sound echoed softly in the vast space.
Instead of eerie, it brought a strange, peaceful calm.