Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Person My Eyes Adore

The plant cultivation chamber was still in the process of being built; it would take another eight minutes. Fang Tang didn’t wait idly. Instead, he continued searching for the next cave.

"To your left, there’s a scorpion. You know scorpions aren’t worth much, but there’s a valuable element stone inside," came the prompt.

“…”

He silently entered Cavern 66.

No sooner had he stepped in than he heard the sound of something slicing through the air. The reflexes honed through countless battles kicked in—he crouched and rolled forward, steadied himself, and immediately drew his pistol, spinning around quickly.

Bang!

Sparks flew as a hole burst open on the head of the massive earthen-yellow creature.

“Tsk, even though this thing isn’t worth much, it’s better than nothing.”

Fang Tang clicked his tongue and used his deconstruction hammer to retrieve a massive tail barb and two sturdy fangs.

"Friendly reminder: Xiao Ou Emperor has sent you a message," the notification chimed.

“Hm? Already collected enough element stones?” Fang Tang was momentarily surprised and took out his newspaper.

Xie Ling: “Boss, boss, I’ve gathered all the materials for the barbecue grill. Can you help me make it?”

Fang Tang: “...Alright!”

Even though he knew exactly what the outcome would be, Fang Tang couldn’t help feeling a twinge of envy.

So this is what it means to be blessed by luck—whatever you want, you get.

He took the materials Xie Ling sent him and threw them all into the barbecue grill blueprint.

After a moment’s thought, he posted a message in the public channel.

Fang Tang: “Now accepting commissions—****, flame muzzles, water collectors, barbecue grills, shock-absorbing insoles, plant cultivation chambers. All items can be commissioned. Fee: one element stone or thirty silver ingots.”

Because of the mechanical claw arm, Fang Tang was forced to add an alternative payment method.

As everyone acquired more blueprints, the value of element stones kept rising. At this point, it had become very difficult to obtain them from others unless the blueprints were exceptionally useful, such as those for explosive bows or tent upgrades.

So, opportunities had to be seized when they arose—otherwise, it would only become more difficult in the future.

Fang Tang’s message didn’t cause as much commotion in the public channel as before. After all, everyone knew by now that this resource-rich player was a black-hearted businessman—even if he had dropped his price to thirty silver ingots.

To this, Fang Tang was indifferent.

He knew that earning resources through commissions had already become obsolete, so he had come up with a more lucrative method.

He just needed a bit of luck.

After dealing with the handful of private messages, he was about to put away the newspaper when Jintu, who had previously traded with him, contacted him again.

Jintu: “Mr. Fang, if you don’t mind me asking, what is the plant cultivation chamber for?”

Fang Tang: “It shortens the plant growth cycle, requires no fertilization, and plants can survive even if you store them in the newspaper.”

Jintu: “Really? That’s wonderful! Mr. Fang, what materials are needed to make a plant cultivation chamber? I’d like to commission a batch.”

Fang Tang: “A batch? Unless you have enough blue water stones, that’s unlikely. Each one needs three iron ingots, three copper ingots, and one blue water stone.”

Jintu: “...So the plant cultivation chamber requires element stones? That’s going to be a problem. I only have two blue water stones. Also, how large is this plant chamber?”

Fang Tang: “It’s two meters long, one meter wide. Just fill it with soil—no need for watering, as the blue water stone provides all the water the plants need.”

Jintu: “Then I’ll need two. I’ll put the materials up for sale right away. Thank you, Mr. Fang.”

Fang Tang: “It’s business. No trouble at all.”

Looking at Jintu’s link, Fang Tang smiled faintly.

So Jintu was a farming expert.

He sent over the two cultivation chambers he had just made and received sixty silver ingots in return.

Thirty silver ingots per tool—quite reasonable.

He put away the blue water stones floating in the air and picked up his pickaxe.

“Big, big waves! My big waves are just ahead—hurry, I want to see the big waves!” the Eyes shouted excitedly.

Fang Tang: “…”

“What’s so great about the waves? Aren’t the blueprints and element stones more important?”

“I don’t care. I want to see the big waves. If you don’t go, I’m going on strike!”

Fang Tang felt a headache coming on. He rubbed his brow and headed toward the next cave.

“This is the last time. If you pull this again in the future, we won’t be working together anymore.”

Having wasted a chance to open a cave, Fang Tang stepped into Cavern 67.

The moment he entered, he spotted a tattered A-frame tent in the corner—a level one dwelling, barely holding together.

In front of the tent, a campfire burned low. A young woman sat beside it, staring blankly at the newspaper.

The noise of Fang Tang’s arrival startled her. She immediately tensed, but upon seeing that he was alone, she visibly relaxed, though a wary glint remained in her eyes.

“Hello,” Fang Tang hesitated, then approached and awkwardly greeted her. He really wasn’t good at acting and couldn’t even feign surprise.

The woman picked up a wooden stick and eyed him warily. “What do you want?”

Fang Tang spread his hands, showing he meant no harm. “Nothing, really. It’s just… it’s surprising to meet another person in the caves, and I thought maybe we could exchange some information.”

The woman replied, “I don’t know anything. You can leave now.”

Fang Tang: “…”

“I haven’t seen enough yet! Boo-hoo… Can’t even fulfill such a simple wish? The Eyes are feeling lonely, helpless, empty, and lost…”

The Eyes rambled on for hundreds of words, making Fang Tang’s head spin.

He took a deep breath and forced a friendly smile.

“I mean no harm. Judging by your appearance, you probably haven’t eaten in a while. I have some food with me. If you don’t mind, we could share a lunch together.”

At the mention of food, the woman’s eyes flickered, though she remained very wary.

“…Could you give me some food?”

“Of course!”

Fang Tang smiled, took out a bottle of mineral water and a bag of bread, and walked toward her.

“Don’t—don’t come any closer. Just… throw it to me.”

Her voice grew softer, almost embarrassed.

Fang Tang didn’t mind; he laughed, tossed the food over, and sat down on the spot.

“How much longer do you want to watch?” he muttered in a voice only he could hear, addressing the Eyes.

“…Could I watch a little longer? It’s been so long since I’ve seen a woman. Seeing her, I feel like I’ve found my first love. Do you know what a first love feels like, Fang Tang? I’m in love—have a little pity on me!”

“You saw one just yesterday,” Fang Tang retorted with a twitch of his lips.

He’d rescued a woman yesterday. And now the Eyes claimed not to have seen her?

How shameless could he be?

“She wasn’t my type. I thought she was a man… But this one, I really like. If full marks is ten, I’d give her twelve.”

Fang Tang: “…”

“Ten minutes. After ten minutes, I’m leaving.”

Having set a time limit, Fang Tang finally turned his attention to the woman.

She took the bread, tore open the package, and devoured it ravenously—clearly she’d gone hungry for quite some time.

As Fang Tang guessed, he asked, “How many caves have you explored?”

She glanced at him, swallowed a mouthful of bread with effort, and replied softly, “Four. Then I ran into two dogs. After I escaped, I didn’t dare move again.”

“Dogs?” Fang Tang’s eyes cleared with understanding.

So it was her first time encountering cave creatures, and she’d been scared out of her wits.