Li Huai was in desperate need of mana.
Although he could currently only harness one percent of the power of his Storm King talent, the wind blades that could decapitate a warg were already sufficient.
However, as powerful as the talent was, its mana consumption was equally rapid, leaving him with no excess mana to use his Collection Technique.
Lately, he had mostly been trading meat for materials to upgrade his shelter to level 2.
This was why he had made such a promise after seeing food that could continuously restore mana for ten minutes.
Sixty times the natural recovery rate was no joke. Gu Xiaobei was just starting out, and her dish was very similar to Lan Qingyou’s Crude Mana Potion.
Once she developed further, she would undoubtedly become another Lan Qingyou.
Supporting her was no trouble; it was just a bit of meat.
If necessary, he could send her a whole wolf or cow every day.
Gu Xiaobei: “That works! That definitely works!”
Hearing that someone was willing to process materials for her for free, a brilliant smile immediately broke across Gu Xiaobei’s face.
This meant she only needed to go out and gather herbs or wild vegetables every day.
It significantly reduced the danger she faced while wandering outside.
Li Huai: “Wait for me.”
After sending the message, Li Huai stood up, squared his shoulders, adjusted the collar of his suit with both hands, and walked out of his wooden house.
...
The next day.
After waking up, Lan Qingyou began preparing for the potion-brewing session, just as she had the day before.
Since she had processed a large amount of herbs yesterday, she could save a significant amount of time today.
But she wasn't in a rush for that yet.
She walked over to the magic desk and reached out to silence the piercing beeping sound.
Then, she opened her storage to take a look.
All the materials needed for a level 3 shelter had been gathered. She would upgrade the shelter first. After all, today was the final day of the beginner period.
There was no telling what things would be like when the morning of the eighth day arrived.
Upgrading early brought peace of mind.
【Do you wish to upgrade to a level 3 shelter?】
Yes.
【Please choose the direction for your shelter upgrade:】
【1. Expand the Tree Hole Shelter to three times its current size.】
【2. Expand the Tree Hole Shelter to double its current size and add a third-floor area.】
Lan Qingyou familiarly chose the second option.
【Level 3 Shelter Facilities】
【Bedroom: Wood500, Fur20, Sand*10】
【Living Room: Wood500, Stone100, Fur30, Sand50】
【Storage Room: Wood*600】
【Stove: Wood60, Stone100】
【Fireplace: Stone300, Sand100, Water*20】
【First-floor Platform: Wood50 (Small), Wood100 (Medium), Wood*200 (Large)】
【Third-floor Balcony: Wood50 (Small), Wood100 (Medium), Wood200 (Large). Note: Choosing a balcony of any size will include a matching door: Wood10 (Doors do not count as facilities).】
【Third-floor Terrace: Wood100, Vines10 (Small); Wood200, Vines20 (Medium); Wood400, Vines40 (Large). Note: Choosing a terrace of any size will include matching sliding glass doors: Wood100, Sand300 (Sliding doors do not count as facilities).】
【Bathroom (Expansion): Wood500, Stone100. Note: Choosing this expansion will include a 50-liter water tank: Wood100 (Water tanks do not count as facilities) and an automatic heating system: E-grade magic creature core20 (The automatic heating system does not count as a facility).】
【Apprentice-level Alchemy Workshop (Expansion): Wood500, Stone500, Iron Ore300, Sand100. Note: Choosing this expansion will include a 100-liter water tank: Wood*1000 (Water tanks do not count as facilities).】
【Each shelter upgrade allows for the selection of three facilities for renovation. Please choose carefully based on your needs.】
Well, well, so that’s the catch.
They say the free things are the most expensive, but I didn't expect them to pull this progressive pricing even when charging. Some facility costs have increased tenfold.
Looking at the facilities for the level 3 shelter, Lan Qingyou ultimately chose the storage room, the bathroom, and the alchemy workshop.
She had no choice; the additional conditions were simply too tempting. No one could refuse a shower with automatic heating, and no alchemist would turn down a 100-liter water tank.
Anyone who frequently practiced alchemy knew that brewing potions was a very water-intensive process.
Running back and forth every day was a huge hassle. Even with her Moonlight Stone Dagger equipped, she could only carry two buckets of water at a time.
Now, adding 100 liters at once would be enough for two days of alchemy.
But there was a problem.
Because she had built the level 3 shelter, she was out of materials.
...
“Phew—”
Inside a shelter, a recently awakened Shang Chuan opened a window to air out his home.
His shelter was built into a mound, resembling something like a Hobbit hole.
On the first morning after the forced transmigration, he had specifically gone out to scout the surroundings. His small house was surrounded by trees and very well-hidden, providing him with excellent cover.
The protection here wasn't against magic creatures, but against humans.
As a business elite, he understood the greed of human nature all too well.
However, he didn't quite understand why the world will would assign a business elite like him to a shelter with such a storybook atmosphere.
He had complained a bit at the beginning, but not anymore, because he had already settled into the rhythm.
Currently, he relied on his C-grade talent to monitor commodity prices on his desk every day.
Aside from going out every hour to use his Collection Technique and search for supply chests, buying low and selling high—snagging deals—had become one of his few means of survival in this other world.
After splashing a bit of stream water on his hands and smoothing his hair, he sat down at his magic desk.
It was time to start a new day of market manipulation.
Once he finished today's workload, he would upgrade his shelter to level 2 in the evening to prepare for the end of the beginner protection period.
As a merchant, he already possessed enough materials to upgrade his shelter to level 2, or even level 3.
But he understood the principle that the bird that sticks its head out gets shot.
Moreover, a merchant only cared about profit, not fame.
Even if there were rewards, they didn't hold much attraction for him.
At the very least, he wouldn't make a move until he had enough capital to fully ensure his survival in this world.
He took a deep breath, and then he saw his friend icon flashing.
He opened it, and his vision went dark for a moment.
Lan Qingyou: “Do you allow purchases on credit?”
Shang Chuan: “...”
Does anyone understand this? It’s first thing in the morning, I haven't even opened for business, and someone is already asking for credit!
But he couldn't just ignore the person asking.
This was his big client; he had to greet her with a smile.
Shang Chuan: “Not for others, but for you, yes. Five percent interest per day.”
Forcing himself to stay calm, Shang Chuan typed out the message.
Lan Qingyou: “No need. Get everything on this [List] ready for me. I’ll give you 100 Apprentice-level Mana Potions this evening.”
Shang Chuan looked over the list he received.
Wood2700, Stone600, E-grade magic creature core20, Iron Ore300, Sand*100.
The materials requested weren't too many; it looked like she was planning to upgrade to a level 3 shelter.
Based on current black market prices, he could probably make a 60% profit on the margin.
A big client is a big client; she certainly didn't hold back.
Didn't this count as his first sale of the day?
Shang Chuan adjusted his glasses and then typed a string of text onto the desk...
Rate on N.U.
