Chapter 8

Humans can actually predict the future; otherwise, how could there be such a thing as a "raven's mouth"?

Yesterday, Baldy's prophecy of "waking up means it's welfare time" came true for Li Dalong.

On his first night in prison, Li Dalong, the simpleton, slept like a dead pig, seemingly not worried at all about the "tight-fitting curse" around his neck.

Baldy was used to half-asleep sleep, but Lin Zhi was kept awake all night by Li Dalong's snoring.

Breakfast had long been delivered, and it wasn't until lunchtime that Li Dalong finally woke up from his sweet dreams. Not 20 minutes after waking up, the welfare time arrived as expected.

This time, Li Dalong didn't need anyone to remind him; he quickly put on his helmet and logged in.

The weather was a bit gloomy today, and there were few players in the rough village, making it look desolate.

Li Dalong finally met Hound at the warehouse. Hound was just as surprised as Baldy: "What? You got all this in just a few hours yesterday?"

To be honest, it wasn't that much. This amount of material wouldn't make much gunpowder, but after Hound's detailed explanation, Li Dalong finally understood that once a crystal source was fused in, this amount could produce a lot of primitive black powder, more than enough to blow people up.

"Brother, take it, we don't play games with each other." Hound spoke frankly.

Li Dalong saw 50 silver coins in the trade window and immediately felt that his transaction with Ding Dingyu yesterday was a bit of a loss. However, Hound was a friend, and these 50 silver coins definitely included some friendship.

"Um... Brother Hound..." Li Dalong spoke up hesitantly.

Hound looked at him in confusion: "Brother, what's the problem?"

"I'm just curious. Even with a crystal source, the manufacturing process for these three raw materials isn't simple. Are you planning to do it slowly?" This was the question Li Dalong thought about before falling asleep last night.

But this question made Hound look at him with new respect, thinking that Brother Dopey was indeed a capable person, able to hit the nail on the head.

Gunpowder isn't just a simple fusion of materials; it requires a certain ratio, an oxidizer, and some specific processes, and it takes a considerable amount of time.

But since Li Dalong asked, Hound answered him frankly: "Hehe, brother, watch this. This is something I got recently..."

As he spoke, he took out a device that looked like a cigarette box: "This is the Aegean Sea Micro Technology Box, specifically for fusion and packaging."

Under Hound's demonstration, Li Dalong watched in amazement as a batch of gunpowder was made in just half a minute.

The box was opened at one corner, and the raw materials were inserted. Then Hound took out a small metal sheet that glowed with red, yellow, and blue light, about the size of a strip of paper.

Hound explained: "This is the cheapest micro-compression crystal source."

The crystal source was attached to the narrow side of the box. Hound pressed a button, and the box made a rustling sound, presumably fusing the materials. Li Dalong noticed that the crystal source's volume was gradually decreasing, and its light was fading, as if it was being absorbed and fused by the box.

Finally, the crystal source was completely consumed, all the light disappeared, and the box stopped making noise.

Hound opened the box, and a stream of finely ground black powder flowed out, which he caught with a test tube.

"Is it done?" Li Dalong's eyes were wide open. This thing was too damn useful.

"Cough, Brother Hound, I have an idea," Li Dalong said politely.

Hound waved his hand: "Brother, please speak."

Li Dalong whispered: "Brother Hound, can I borrow this thing? I want to make some gunpowder too."

"Ha ha!" Hound laughed heartily, "That's easy. Just open the shared storage space in your inventory."

The shared storage space is a very practical feature. Players can share part of their storage space with designated friends. Any items placed in this shared space can be used by both parties, but the ownership remains with the original owner.

In short, after Li Dalong and Hound shared part of their storage space, Hound could use the Aegean Sea Micro Technology Box even if he was leveling up in the wild. As long as Li Dalong returned to the warehouse, he could use the technology box, but it still belonged to Hound. Hound could reclaim it at any time if he no longer wanted to share, and the shared space also supported trading and swapping.

It's not that Li Dalong was ignorant; he was a newbie and had a lot to learn.

Hound smiled: "Brother, I'll be off. In the future, just put the gunpowder in the shared space, and I'll come to the warehouse to pick it up when I have time. I'll put the money in the space, and you can take it."

Li Dalong was overjoyed. This way, they wouldn't have to call each other every time they traded, saving time and effort.

After making more than 20 batches of gunpowder, Hound left happily to make his explosive arrows and reclaim his territory.

With Hound gone, Li Dalong started his own project.

Since being imprisoned, Fenggoulong had developed a very good habit: acting quickly and working efficiently. Three hours was precious, and every second counted. He had no interest in wandering around, killing lizards, or admiring beauties.

Li Dalong dove into the shabby general store in the village. Don't underestimate that little black house. The NPCs here were low-level and didn't sell high-level items, but it was like a sparrow with all its organs; you could buy all kinds of daily necessities and auxiliary items.

After shopping, Li Dalong returned to the warehouse and worked diligently for a while before setting off with determination.

Where was he going?

The answer was obvious: the mine to the southeast. Where else could he go?

Currently, in "The Ninth Continent," Fenggoulong only knew two places: Rough Village and the mine. It was a pitiful situation.

The mine was as busy as ever today. More players couldn't afford the entry fee than yesterday, and the Wild Cannon Team was blocking the entrance again.

The violent Blood Blade who collected the fee yesterday recognized Li Dalong: "Hehe, brother, you're back? Welcome, welcome."

Of course, he had to smile at Li Dalong because he knew this guy could pay.

These days, whether you were a murderer or a rapist, money made you a lord, and those who could pay were lords of lords.

Li Dalong's vanity was strong. After paying 20 copper coins, he strutted into Cave 5 under the envious and resentful gazes of a group of newbies.

Cave 5 was still empty, but what puzzled Li Dalong was that the tunnel seemed much deeper today. When he reached the end, he found Ding Dingyu there again.

"Hehe, Little Dingding, you're so diligent today." Li Dalong was in a great mood, having earned money and gunpowder, and greeted Ding Dingyu proactively for the first time.

But when he got closer, he was stunned.

Ding Dingyu was holding something that looked like a thermos and shaking it.

Li Dalong knew what it was: a portable semi-automatic micro excavator. In the real world, construction workers used this device, which was very compact and practical. You held the handles, and the probe drilled wherever you pointed it, much more efficient than a shovel or a hammer, at least five times more efficient.

"Did you dig this tunnel deeper today?" Li Dalong asked curiously.

Ding Dingyu was proud: "Hehe, Brother Gua, I had a good harvest today. I found a small piece of gold ore."

Yesterday, when they met, Li Dalong's "mad dog mode" left a deep impression on Ding Dingyu. After returning to the city, he thought about it and realized that his disadvantage was the lack of professional tools. So last night, he spent a lot of money to get this machine.

Due to his low strength and constitution but high magic points, he bought a full bag of mana potions and used the crystal source to power the excavator, digging a 15-meter-long tunnel.

However, when he said he found gold ore, Li Dalong was annoyed. He thought, if I weren't in prison and only had this much time each day, I would have come this morning, and the gold ore would have been mine.

Although Li Dalong didn't know the quality or value of the gold ore, from Ding Dingyu's proud expression, it was clear that the gold ore was valuable.

But the most important thing was that Li Dalong was annoyed.

Why was he annoyed?

Because Ding Dingyu seemed to be showing off: "Brother Gua, look, isn't my Aegean Sea home excavator pretty good? Yes, it's a home model, but it dug this long tunnel in the morning. Hehe, I had several acquaintances send it from Hoefield City overnight. Hoefield City..."

Li Dalong didn't want to listen to his rambling and rudely interrupted him: "Do you think this thing is so great?"

Ding Dingyu was also annoyed: "At least it's better than a spade."

"Tsk!" Li Dalong rolled his eyes, "It's just a few gears turning. What's so great about it?"

Ding Dingyu was不服气: "Can you make a few gears turn too?"

"Do I need to?" Li Dalong's competitive and face-saving mentality was particularly strong.

Ding Dingyu couldn't help but laugh: "Are you feeling guilty? Brother Gua, I'm not laughing at you, but I can tell you don't have it."

"I don't have it?" Li Dalong was angry, "Let me tell you, I spent an hour and created a super mining machine with multiple practical functions. It's called 'Three Thousand Ways to Kill You,' and I finally succeeded..."

Ding Dingyu rolled his eyes and fainted on the spot.