Chapter 121 - 114: Separate Actions

"Yeah, there’s not much of a difference." The three nodded, but the way they were struggling to hold back their laughter made it clear they didn’t believe him.

"Alright, now that everyone’s here, let’s get down to business." After Qin Ziwen finished speaking, the other three straightened up, their expressions growing serious.

Qin Ziwen dropped a bombshell. "I can confirm that in two days, aside from the newly hatched mayflies from the Mayfly Eggs, there will basically be no more mayflies in the river."

Hearing this news, Deng Guang’s face lit up. ’Without those mayfly water bugs in the river, it’ll be so much safer to go fishing and catch shrimp!’

Zhao Pu didn’t ask Mr. Qin for his source, but instead mused, "Mr. Qin, if that’s the case, we could buy some fishing gear in the next two days. Because of what’s been happening in the river, the prices of things like fishing rods and nets have been dropping. They’re almost half of what they were before."

Qin Ziwen didn’t object. "Sure, you can go acquire some, but don’t buy too much. After all, the map for the next crossover is the Gobi Desert. You should know what that implies. The price of fishing gear will drop even further."

Deng Guang nodded. "That makes sense. Once we get to the Gobi Desert, the price of fishing gear should hit rock bottom."

Li Yue’s eyes widened. ’Such explosive news, am I even allowed to hear this?!’

Everyone outside was still discussing where the next crossover would be, but Brother Qin already knew in advance.

He had already stockpiled some water at home, but now it seemed like it wasn’t nearly enough. ’I have to stockpile more!’

’If the next crossover is to the Gobi Desert, you can never have too much water.’

Deng Guang hesitated for a moment. "There shouldn’t be much fresh water in the Gobi Desert, right? I read online that a person can survive for seven days at most without food, but only three days without water."

Zhao Pu added, "Yes. Based on the amount of water many people have stockpiled, once we get to the Gobi Desert, if they can’t find a water source, I’m afraid they’ll only last half a month at most."

Qin Ziwen said, "I plan to spread the news that the next map is the Gobi Desert three days before the crossover countdown. As for whether people believe it or not, that’s their business."

As soon as he said this, the three of them turned to look at Qin Ziwen in unison.

Qin Ziwen found it strange. "What, you think that’s a bad idea?"

Zhao Pu first shook his head, then nodded. "No, it’s not that. This is good, too."

A smile spread across Deng Guang’s face. "Even if only some people believe it and stockpile more water, more people will survive the next map."

Qin Ziwen said, "And besides the next map being the Gobi Desert, it’s also confirmed that people from another building will be added."

Deng Guang nodded. "Right. The Home interface did say there would be a population supplement in the next stage."

Zhao Pu hesitated. "Mr. Qin, I don’t think the newcomers will necessarily be complete newbies."

"Hm?"

Zhao Pu said, "If it says ’population supplement in the next stage,’ like you mentioned, then is it possible... they’ll be people just like us? It only said it was supplementing the population. It never said it was adding *new* people, did it?"

Deng Guang was curious. "People just like us? Where would they come from?"

Li Yue said, "Brother Deng, you must not read Qidian novels, do you?"

Deng Guang shook his head, looking lost.

Qin Ziwen understood Zhao Pu’s point. "You mean, other Gated Communities have also been transmigrated, they lost some people too, and the two communities are merging into one."

Zhao Pu said, "It might not be a Gated Community. It could be other types of buildings, like a shopping mall, a school, a hotel, or a hospital. Of course, this is all just my speculation. In any case, something as absurd as transmigration has already happened, so it’s not impossible for other things to occur."

Li Yue said wistfully, "I’d hope for a hospital. Then we wouldn’t be short on medicine."

Qin Ziwen said, "Alright, that’s all stuff for two days from now. As for today, I’m planning for us to split up. We’ll form two teams. One will go up the mountain, and the other will head to the stream to retrieve the Earth Cages we set last time. Which team do you want to be on?"

Li Yue asked curiously, "Where’s the stream? And the mountain, is that the one behind us?"

Qin Ziwen nodded. "Yes. Going up the mountain means heading to the northern mountainside. The stream is by the Gated Community’s east gate, in the same direction where you were injured by the wild boar."

Li Yue looked a little embarrassed. "Bro, why the personal attack? I’ll go up the mountain, then. Being chased by that wild boar in the forest last time left me with some psychological trauma."

Deng Guang teased Li Yue, "Don’t worry. You’ve been eating wild boar meat recently, so you’ve gotten your revenge in a way."

Then Deng Guang said, "I’ll go to the stream. I’ll skip the mountain this time."

Zhao Pu mused, "I’ll go up the mountain, then. The trip there is quicker, so we can get back sooner."

Qin Ziwen said, "Alright, then you, Li Yue, and Du Yu will go up the mountain. Deng Guang, Xiaowu, Li Tieshan, and I will go to the stream. Everyone, leave early, come back early, and be careful. Dr. Zhao, you can take the Card that spawns at the mountain altar this time."

Hearing this, Zhao Pu couldn’t hide the excitement on his face. "Okay."

After the teams were set, everyone split up and went their separate ways.

Carrying their gear and holding their Long Spears, they left through the east gate. They hadn’t gone far when a group of people caught up from behind.

"Younger Brother Qin, long time no see."

The crowd parted, and Huang Tao walked out with a smile.

Qin Ziwen glanced at the crowd of people following Huang Tao. There were many unfamiliar faces among them.

"Oh, it’s Boss Huang. Is there something I can help you with?"

Huang Tao looked displeased. "Can’t I come by just to say hello? We’ve worked together several times before, so we can be considered friends, right?" Huang Tao looked up, glancing around above his head, and asked in surprise, "Huh? Where’s that bird of yours?"

"Maybe it’s shy around strangers. It’s probably hiding."

Huang Tao chuckled at his words. "Well, here’s the thing. I came to ask you about a partnership."

"A partnership?" Qin Ziwen looked at the dozen or so people who were vaguely surrounding his group. "This doesn’t seem like a sincere way to discuss a partnership."

Huang Tao quickly waved his men away. "What are you all crowding around for? You’re scaring my Brother Qin."

Just then, a commotion came from behind Huang Tao. He turned his head and saw Zou Jianghe emerging from the east gate with a few people.

Seeing this, Huang Tao cursed inwardly, ’That old fox. He followed me as soon as I came out.’

"Hahaha, Mr. Qin, long time no see." Zou Jianghe enthusiastically extended his hand. "It’s been quite difficult to get a chance to see you these days."

Looking at Qin Ziwen, who was just a few feet away, Zou Jianghe sighed to himself. ’The first time I invited him, it was because I’d heard of his reputation. Back then, the Alliance Association was just starting to expand, and I needed a blade. But Qin Ziwen didn’t come.’

’The second time we met was because of the epidemic. Back then, I wanted to knock him down a peg, so I chose to try and sow discord. Looking back now, it clearly didn’t work.’

’Now, as the Alliance Association has gradually grown stronger, even I, as its original founder, am faintly losing control of this great ship that now spans the entire Gated Community.’

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