Chapter 184: Base Relocation

The pad of her finger brushed across the tree wall. The distinct texture slid across her fingertip, but a chill reached her even before the touch.

She called out in her mind, ‘System, what’s different about this wall?’

[Host, please wait. I’ll scan it first.]

The System scanned for a moment. [This is just an ordinary wall, but it has a very faint energy fluctuation. Moreover, this energy is the same as mine.]

“The same energy?”

[Yes. After my energy was stolen, they have to convert it before they can use it. But the energy on this wall hasn’t been converted. The energy here most likely belongs to another system.

A system that can travel freely through the game world, one whose energy hasn’t been stolen and is quite powerful.]

Shi Zhile sank into thought.

‘If the System is real, then transmigration must be real too.’

‘Based on the transmigration background of Jiang Yuxing and his two companions, they fit the typical protagonist archetype from a novel perfectly.’

‘Is this some kind of face-slapping power fantasy? Or a story about a male lead’s rise to power?’

‘Either way, the ones who suffer because of him are Earth and all of humanity.’

‘And considering the special advantage every protagonist needs, it makes sense that he’d be bound to a system.’

“Last time, you said Jiang Yuxing had a powerful energy about him. Was that coming from his system?”

The System replied, [I’m not sure. Since I couldn’t steal any of its energy, I can’t determine its source. The Energy Balls you ate the other day were created by them converting my stolen energy.

If the energy on the wall does come from Jiang Yuxing’s system, then I can tell you this: that system is an Advanced System, just like me, and it’s overflowing with energy.]

Shi Zhile massaged her temples, her frustration growing.

The power gap between her and the interstellar threat was already huge. Add a fully-powered Advanced System to the mix, and Jiang Yuxing fighting her would be a complete curbstomp.

‘Good heavens, how am I supposed to play this game?’

‘It’s like I’m just getting my face ground into the dirt.’

[I’m going into dormant mode. Call me if you need me.]

“Okay!”

The furniture inside the treehouse was still usable. Shi Zhile collected it into her space, then left the treehouse.

There were still many places on this island she hadn’t explored. No matter where Jiang Yuxing went, the resources here were real. She was going to strip this island bare to soothe her anxious heart.

The forest was vast. Shi Zhile scouted as she walked, eventually finding an iron deposit on the island.

It was a small iron mine, even larger than the one on Stone Island. Shi Zhile emptied all the ice from her infinite backpack and filled it with iron ore. Once she was done, she immediately returned to Stone Island.

‘The Teleportation Gate’s connection to Jiang Yuxing’s island is too dangerous. Anyone can come and go freely even if the Island Master isn’t here. It’s just… ‘

‘Wait, the Teleportation Gate key!’

Shi Zhile found the small treasure chest in her backpack. After opening it, a golden key floated out.

[Teleportation Gate Key: A key that can lock and unlock a Teleportation Gate. Once the holder locks the Teleportation Gate of their island, players from any connected islands can no longer enter this island.]

Without hesitation, Shi Zhile locked the Teleportation Gate connected to Jiang Yuxing’s island.

The world was a silent expanse of ice and snow.

Besides Shi Zhile, there were no other players in the game.

She entered Cursed Island again. This time, she arrived just before lunch.

There were 89 players and 180 seniors with physical bodies on the island.

The seniors’ bodies couldn’t eat, so the base chief had assigned only ten neat and tidy-looking players to prepare lunch.

Shi Zhile took out the three large pots from the day before, which still contained a good amount of meat and vegetables.

The space also had a heat-preservation function, so the food was still warm.

The potent aroma of the spicy dish instantly drew over a few of the players on cooking duty.

Ms. He was also among the cooks. She walked over. “Does this food need to be reheated?”

Shi Zhile replied, “Yes, heat it up. Add some water and more vegetables and turn it into a stew for everyone. We’re all too busy right now; filling our bellies is the priority.”

Though they were leftovers, the dish was rich and hearty. After having experienced true hunger, and with food so scarce now, no one would turn their nose up at it.

Far from scorning it, they would treat it like treasure.

An elderly woman peered into the pot, her expression pained. “My, how much oil did you use in this? We’ve foraged a lot of wild vegetables and mushrooms from the forest. We should add them in later so nothing goes to waste.”

Shi Zhile thought for a moment, then took out some potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn cobs.

The old woman quickly stopped her. “That’s plenty, dear. You can’t just think of us; you need to keep more supplies for yourself.”

“Besides, the base chief has already given us supplies.”

Shi Zhile said, “It’s not for free. I told the base chief I want a house of my own. Consider this payment for everyone’s help.”

Shi Zhile loved sweet potatoes, so she only gave a few of those, offering mostly corn instead.

With that taken care of, Shi Zhile went to the seashore.

She sailed out, but the boat couldn’t go any farther than about a thousand meters from the island.

She knew this was the edge of the instance.

‘If we assume a radius of one thousand meters, then the area of this instance is just over three million square meters. I wonder if it’s possible to move the other islands into this instance.’

She cast her fishing net. A moment later, she pulled it up. A meager dozen or so fish flopped in the mesh—a pitiful haul compared to the outside world.

Before long, another small boat approached on the water. Shi Zhile looked over and saw it was the three base commanders.

Base Chief Ye and Base Commander Zhou were fishing at the bow, while Wen Changming was at the stern, continuously taking video calls.

Upon seeing Shi Zhile, Wen Changming started to smile, but another video call came in.

“Alright, get all the mud-hut roofs repaired. Make absolutely sure they don’t leak.”

“Short-staffed for clearing the land? Not happening. The workforce has to prioritize housing… Right, mhm.”

Hanging up, Wen Changming sighed. “Old Zhou, can’t you…”

Base Commander Zhou sat ramrod straight, staring ahead. “I can’t. I’m good at fighting, but I’m useless at delegating chores. Is Comrade Shi Zhile here too?”

“Old Wen, give me a few people. We can follow Comrade XiaoShixiao out of this instance to find supplies.”

Wen Changming said, “No. I’m short on people too.”

‘Forty people were repairing houses, his old man took fifteen to clear land, ten were patrolling the island and mapping it, ten were on cooking duty, and the rest were with the seniors, hauling felled trees and gathering firewood.’

‘In short, everyone was busy, and every team leader was hounding him for more manpower.’

A moment later, another video call came in.

Wen Bai’s voice came through. “Dad, have you seen Shi Zhile? We want to go hunting with her in the Primitive Forest.”

Wen Changming snapped, “No, I haven’t seen her. Get back to your work!”

Wen Bai, who could clearly see Shi Zhile in the background: “…”

“Everyone’s short on fats and protein right now. Even one extra meal of fish would give people a much-needed protein boost.”

Wen Changming was silent for a moment, then looked at Shi Zhile.

Shi Zhile put the fish she’d caught into her Breeding Space. “The crops in my Planting Space are meant to be seeds, so they can’t be eaten. I don’t know how many supplies you all have left, but I don’t have any more dry rations to spare.”