Starting Off Survival With A Small Treehouse

Chapter 68: Chapter 68: Information Exchange, Koi

”How can I believe the information you give me is true?”

Previously, Ji Chaoyang, after killing the wild cat, sent him a message advising against offering a sacrifice, clearly trying to stop Xu Xin, not wanting him to gain points and materials either. Now, seeing that he dealt with a mutant beast, Ji Chaoyang approached him for cooperation.

This guy’s thinking is very clear. If he decides to suddenly stab him in the back, it would be very hard to guard against.

”You’ve been able to kill another mutant beast, so I think killing a mutant wild cat shouldn’t be impossible for you, right? It might just cost you something, and even if I deceive you, you can kill the wild cat. I would end up making an enemy out of you, which is unnecessary for me to do.

Of course, the same applies to me. I just want both sides to pay less of a price; this is a win-win situation for both of us.”

Ji Chaoyang’s explanation was calm and convincing, and Xu Xin was more or less persuaded by him.

”It’s quite stressful to cooperate with you,” Xu Xin shook his head helplessly.

”Haha, do you think the pressure you give me is small? I can’t read you that well either.” The laugh from the other side also carried a hint of helplessness.

Then, the two exchanged their respective information on mutated beasts.

”By the way, you’ve got higher-level weapons too, right? We can open trading of green-level metal weapons to the organization now.” Xu Xin had tasted the sweetness of capitalism and found it hard to stop.

”Hmm, I think so too.” Ji Chaoyang laughed, ”Just opening green level is good enough.”

Both of them laughed a little.

Just about to hang up, Xu Xin suddenly said, ”Wait a moment, what mutant beasts are on the four pillars of your altar?”

”Cats, rabbits, wolves, pigs, those four.” Ji Chaoyang did not hide it.

”Hmm... I have the same four kinds, since you’re sincere, I’ll let you know I’ve seen the statues on the pillars change before, but I don’t know the reason.”

”...Oh? I got it, thanks.”

According to Ji Chaoyang, the size of the mutant wild cat is roughly comparable to a small tiger, with particularly fast burst speed. Its main attack method is its pair of sharp claws, one swipe could easily break a poplar into pieces, so you must not let it get close. You have to maintain distance from the start, or with the mutant wild cat’s assault speed, there would be no way to avoid it, you might not even have time to raise your hand to block.

But the mutant wild cat has a weakness, a common problem for felines, which is relatively poor stamina.

According to Ji Chaoyang’s account, when he first saw things going badly, he rode his mount and ran far away. The Blood Patterned Cat chased him, leaping forward repeatedly to launch fierce attacks on him. Although he tried his best to dodge, he was still severely injured. Ultimately, it was only when the cat was exhausted that he landed a fatal blow.

The two discussed and reached a consensus: ”Once these blood-patterned monsters are enraged, they will relentlessly pursue the target until either they or the target is dead.”

The wild cat Ji Chaoyang encountered was like this. Usually, feline predators give up if they can’t catch their prey, conserving energy for the next ambush rather than relentlessly chasing. The Blood Pattern Rabbit Xu Xin encountered was the same. Despite being severely injured in the end, a typical beast would’ve already fled in panic, but it became more aggressive, trying desperately to attack Xu Xin, regardless of its own blood gushing out.

These blood patterns can affect the mindset of mutated beasts. Although they make them more aggressive, they also give them obvious weaknesses.

If that Blood Pattern Rabbit hadn’t lost its head and had turned tail and run, with its speed, Xu Xin basically couldn’t have killed it. Similarly, if the mutant wild cat hadn’t pursued relentlessly, it wouldn’t have been exhausted and countered.

Briefly freshening up, Xu Xin lay down on the bed.

Keke, who was originally curled up in a corner, had now somehow sprawled over on the edge of the bed, making Xu Xin chuckle.

This little guy used to sleep curled in a ball when he first got here, but now it’s lying belly-up.

Perhaps it’s because it feels very safe inside the treehouse.

Having been exhausted for a day, Xu Xin closed his eyes.

When he woke up the next day, sunlight was already streaming into the treehouse, shining on Xu Xin’s face.

After getting up and briefly washing, he turned around and saw that Keke and the Silver King were already waiting by the dining table.

While having breakfast, Xu Xin checked the regional channel but found nothing important. After a day of hunting, most people seemed rather pessimistic.

However, the [Explorers] group was lively.

Wang Lei: ”Guys, yesterday I took down several large beasts, I feel assured about making it into the top ten this time!”

Zhao Xiaochuan: ”Wild boars and wolves count as large, so are there super large and super-super large beasts too?”

Wang Lei: ”Hey, you talk as if you took down tigers and brown bears.”

Zhao Xiaochuan: ”Haha, want to have a contest? Last time you surpassed me in ranking, this time I’ll trample on your head!”

Wang Lei: ”Bring it on! Who’s afraid! Whoever loses posts ’I am a fool’ ten times on the district channel!”

Wen Guixin: ”What’s up with you guys, why the fuss so early in the morning?”

Qin Yunlong: ”How many points did you all get yesterday?”

Wen Guixin: ”Why ask? Just wait for tonight’s ranking; you’ll be surprised.”

Zhao Xiaochuan: ”What, you can score higher than Boss Ji and Boss Xu?”

Wen Guixin: ”Huh, who knows?”

Xu Xin: ”After discussing with Ji Chaoyang, we’ve decided to open the trade of iron weapons: crossbows, iron spears, iron swords, iron knives, iron daggers. Bring the price if you’re interested.”

Shortly after Xu Xin sent out the message, a private message arrived from Qin Yunlong. The Qin Yunlong and Qin Yunhu brothers have always been the ones to communicate and trade with him.

”Xu Xin, I’d like two crossbows. I have a special resource over here; not sure if you need it.”

With that, he sent over the resource description.

[Koi (Blue): Consuming it permanently increases luck slightly—can only be consumed once, so eat it soon, as it loses effectiveness if dead for too long!]

Xu Xin: ”!!!”

Koi? A resource from the waters!

Xu Xin hadn’t yet gone after water resources. The lake near his treehouse doesn’t have any high-grade fish or shrimp due to the piranhas. The lake by the Hilly Resource Zone is inhabited by crocodiles, making it temporarily inaccessible.

Mainly, his treehouse’s crafting list doesn’t include rafts or such, and his swimming skills are just at the level of floating in ocean waves, limited to shallow waters.

Didn’t expect there to be such a great resource in the water!

Luck is a valuable thing! It can affect all probability events, like making it easier for him to obtain higher-grade materials, or improve success rates in crafting as mentioned during a chair-making attempt. Although it’s currently 100% successful, Xu Xin guessed that when he starts crafting purple-grade tools and weapons, failures might become possible.

Upon seeing that this [Koi] can only be consumed once, he understood why the other party would sell such a valuable item to him. They’ve probably already consumed it.

The other side, seeing his delayed response, called him.

”One fish for two crossbows; you provide the raw materials, bolts are extra.” Xu Xin felt that this fish with permanent attribute increase was worth two crossbows, but negotiation was still necessary.

”That’s not feasible; you’re practically processing for me in exchange for a blue-grade resource, a permanent attribute improvement. I’m sure Ji Chaoyang also wants this fish.”

After some discussion, Xu Xin exchanged two crossbows for the koi, and the other side provided double the materials to purchase forty bolts.

”Are you good at swimming to acquire high-grade water resources?” Xu Xin asked Qin Yunlong after completing the trade.

”Not bad, my brother and I were diving instructors before coming to this world.”

”Impressive. If you discover something valuable in the water in the future, consider me first. I can make you an offer you’ll be satisfied with.” Xu Xin sent Qin Yunlong eighty bolts, ”The extra forty is my token of good faith.”

This Qin Yunhu has great swimming skills and is in the top ten for strength, so it’s appropriate to maintain good relations.

Although it meant giving an extra forty, he basically just used the opponent’s double materials to produce and give back.

The tone from the other party noticeably softened: ”Alright, if there’s any resource to sell in the future, I’ll consider your offer first.”

”Happy hunting.”

”Mm, may you top the leaderboard again.”

After ending the call with Qin Yunlong, Xu Xin realized that Qi Xuefei also sent him a private message, looking for a crossbow as well.

”Blue-grade hemostatic herb for one crossbow and forty arrows.”

It seems there are still many who are not adept with bows; for ordinary people, shooting at lively beasts with a bow isn’t quite feasible.

A blue-grade hemostatic herb is equivalent to a life, making it a worthwhile deal.

”Provide your own materials for the bolts, and if you want to purchase more bolts later, it will require double the materials.”

”Sure.” The other side agreed without fuss, and the transaction was completed.

Having finished the trade, Xu Xin tentatively asked, ”If I need more blue-grade hemostatic herbs, can I purchase them from you?”

The other side was silent for a moment and then replied, ”Yes.”

Xu Xin pursed his lips; another lucky person, it seems there are quite a few talentabundant survivors here, which means he’ll need to work even harder.