Soon, they arrived at Qin Yunhuâs treehouse.
It was still completely covered in snow, with only a few patches of green visible, like a giant white snowball.
There were two parasitic treehouses near the main one, but no one peeked out upon their arrival.
"Both of these treehouses are empty," Qin Yunlong explained, "One is an almost dead treehouse from our initial exploration, and the other one is Wen Guixinâs handiwork. Yunhu didnât want other survivors parasitizing here, so he only kept an empty treehouse."
Two empty treehouses.
This Qin Yunhu does have difficulty communicating with others.
"...The more parasitic survivors, the higher the risk," Qin Yunhu suddenly said, "This time, I can share some of the burden with you."
"Haha, Brother Hu is cold on the outside but warm inside," Zhao Xiaochuan said, slinging an arm around Qin Yunhuâs shoulder, which he didnât dodge.
"There still needs to be some parasites," Xu Xin nodded, "Like the current situation, if youâre not there, then someone needs to stay in the treehouse to guard it against attacking beasts and survivors."
Qin Yunhu nodded.
Here too, there was a depression in the snow, likely another lake. The treehouses of the two brothers were by the lakeside, as Xu Xin knew.
The group arrived at the location Qin Yunhu had already selected, activated the coordinates, and connected to Qin Yunlongâs treehouse.
"By the way, what are you using your treehouse core for? I see your armor and weapons are still blue level," Xu Xin glanced at the parasitic treehouse and then at them.
"Just made a boning knife," Zhao Xiaochuan shrugged, "I canât make metal weapons and armor myself. I wanted to ask Brother Chaoyang to make some purple-grade ironware, but he told me Brother Xin had steel here and could directly make purple-grade steel armor and weapons, but due to material scarcity, I followed Brother Chaoyangâs advice and upgraded the wood first since weapons need wood."
Saying that, he took a piece of purple-glowing wood from his backpack: "Brother Xin can tell its grade, right?"
Xu Xin nodded, it was indeed purple-grade wood.
Qin Yunlong also spoke: "Same for me, heard from Ji Chaoyang thereâs steel here, but blue-grade steel was needed for making coordinates, so I didnât bother you and Li Wenxi as blue-grade was enough for now. Now, the second round of the core is charged."
Steel.
Indeed, creating purple-grade steel equipment, especially steel armor sets, consumes a lot of materials.
Besides needing a piece of purple-grade steel for each of the four parts, more blue-grade steel is required. Back then, there werenât even enough coordinates available, so making any for them was out of the question.
If it werenât for the connection problem back then, he wouldnât have made any for himself and certainly couldnât help them.
But now thereâs a coordinate for each person, so the need for coordinates isnât as high. Itâs possible to start making purple-grade steel armor and weapons for them.
"Now the materials should be enough, Iâll go back and ask Wenxi to fit you all with purple-grade sets and weapons."
"Yay, Iâm finally getting purple-grade weapons too!" Zhao Xiaochuan cheered.
"Having Li Wenxi as a miner and logistics support in our exploration team is so convenient," Qin Yunlong lamented.
"Right!" Zhao Xiaochuan agreed, "Look at District 23, who was it again? The person who reached the summit, still flaunts his blue-grade iron armor on the trading platform, causing a wave of envy. Little did he know Brother Xin already wears a purple-grade steel set, and Iâm about to get one too! Haha, when the time comes, Iâll list it for a high price on the trading platform for fun... Right, Brother Xin?"
"Why not?" Xu Xin raised an eyebrow.
He didnât have such intentions, but Zhao Xiaochuanâs words reminded him.
Letting Zhao Xiaochuan flaunt the steel armor might reflect their exploration teamâs strength.
Moreover, Zhao Xiaochuan showing off it represents the entire exploration teamâs prowess. If Zhao Xiaochuan has it, then Xu Xin, Ji Chaoyang, and Wen Guixin ahead of him likely do too, others might not be without it either.
To attract admiration from other worlds again, laying the foundation for future expansion.
Plus, Li Wenxi has quite a bit of green-grade steel, and itâs a chance to sell green-grade steel sets at high prices while maybe getting some new rare items.
"Iâll make a set for you when I get back, and you list it like that, put the steel armor set on the trading platform, yeah, keep it there for a while," Xu Xin turned to Zhao Xiaochuan, realizing the rationale.
"Really making one?" Zhao Xiaochuanâs eyes widened, then a gleeful grin appeared: "Hehe, this thought alone is exhilarating..."
"Youâre really overdoing it," Qin Yunlong teased.
"Alright, letâs go back now. Qin Yunhu, you stay here, the house needs someone to watch it, especially in these unclear times," Xu Xin said.
Qin Yunhu hesitated momentarily but didnât insist, nodding.
Xu Xin stepped into the teleportation portal, with Qin Yunlong and Zhao Xiaochuan following him back to Qin Yunlongâs side of the treehouse.
The two appeared pale and shaken, but managed to stay upright.
After waiting roughly ten minutes, they returned to normal.
"Alright, now letâs head to Zhao Xiaochuanâs treehouse, hmm, Qin Yunlong, you probably shouldnât come? You should check the Transmission Array area, many will come today, someone needs to meet them, Wen Guixin... isnât suitable for this task, right?" Xu Xin said to Qin Yunlong, who wanted to follow.
"Meet?" Qin Yunlong was puzzled, "Canât they come on their own? Wen Guixinâs treehouse is visible by the pit."
"You donât want people?" Xu Xin was exasperated, "Do they all have to parasitize on Wen Guixinâs side?"
Ji Chaoyang mentioned to the explorers he just sent resources sufficient for over 100 people.
This number is small amongst 3000, because some are far and close ones might not want to depend on others, and others are hesitant to act, naturally not counting as too many.
But for them, if these all arrive safely, thatâs indeed a significant boost!
Xu Xin and others could split over ten people each!
This is truly a substantial wave of support coming their way.
"Gather them, Iâll issue teleportation bracelets, sending them to the people they want."
"Makes sense, Iâll go look now. Those who left last night might be nearing arrival," Qin Yunlong nodded.
"Canât fully rely on their intentions, most might want to follow Brother Xin, or Brother Chaoyang," Zhao Xiaochuan remarked, scratching his head, "I want to keep some with me too..."
"Well... maybe, we should choose the people." Qin Yunlong suggested.
"...Letâs decide later, first see their willingness, they willingly abandoned treehouses to join," Xu Xin replied.
Qin Yunlong nodded, activated the teleportation portal.
His mouth twitched at the purple-black vortex before him.
Given the recent side effects, teleporting once more.
Shouldâve gone directly to Wen Guixin just now.
Thinking so, he stepped into it.
"Alright, letâs go too."
Xu Xin and Zhao Xiaochuan moved, starting their westward journey, activating coordinates for two treehouses there.