Looking at the pulsating piece of flesh covered in red fuzz, Lin Ye felt thoroughly disgusted. Although the shelter was absolutely safe, the mere thought of his simulation self being infested with those fuzzy worms and having most organs devoured without noticing made him physically uncomfortable.
'Collect fresh sewer worms... What use do I have for these things?'
"Coo Coo."
Coo Coo hopped next to the flesh chunk and pecked up a sewer worm with its beak before swallowing it.
"You're saying these can be processed into high-quality spiritual energy materials? And also serve as emergency rations that taste delicious?"
Lin Ye wasn't particularly prejudiced - Blue Star had plenty of ingredients that looked disgusting but tasted great.
"How should I process them?"
"Coo Coo."
"That sounds troublesome, but I can give it a try."
[Wei Bai's Gift]
[Use to add contact Wei Bai]
[Note: This is a nutritious, deliciously fresh active tentacle - perhaps you should eat it]
"Use."
The tentacle disappeared, and Wei Bai's name appeared in Lin Ye's private chat, though like other survivors from different zones, messages couldn't be sent.
'I wonder when we'll be able to communicate across zones.'
[Purified]
[Consciousness entered the Pure Sea, was purified, then left the Pure Sea]
[Note: Purity has increased]
'So that missing period in my memory was when I got pushed into the Pure Sea?'
Lin Ye tried hard to recall again but still remembered nothing.
After organizing his gains, Lin Ye checked the time. With some hours left before the Nighttime Activity, he decided to play cards in the game room. Talent simulations, Nighttime Activities, spiritual energy circulation, studying runes, crafting spiritual energy items... His daily tasks were overwhelming, but strengthening his physique through spiritual energy circulation was foundational and took priority.
"I'm going to play some cards. You watch the shelter."
"Coo Coo."
The game room remained sparsely populated. Lin Ye randomly picked a table and began his daily spiritual energy circulation. At his skill level, he could still earn pocket money even while distracted by energy circulation.
Not that losing mattered much - at one red coin per game, he could afford to lose all day.
"Wouldn't you prefer something more... special?"
Just as Lin Ye was happily freeloading spiritual energy, the attendant who previously gave him the room key appeared silently behind him.
"You're too eager. First a room key, now this approach? Even an idiot would suspect something."
Lin Ye played his royal flush, leaving only a three of spades in hand.
"There's no harm trying. Excess spiritual energy, items to enhance mental power, rune manuals - all easily obtained by participating in special games."
The attendant remained unruffled, maintaining an enchanting smile.
"Not interested. I suggest you stop wasting time on me. Out of billions of survivors, you picked someone who dislikes gambling."
Lin Ye didn't dislike the attendant - after all, he'd received a room key allowing spiritual energy freeloading - hence he didn't want to waste the attendant's time.
"You're too modest. I've seen many billions, but few merit my personal room keys. Should you ever need assistance, do consider the game room."
The attendant didn't press further, having said his piece.
Lin Ye understood the implication, but barring necessity, he wouldn't join others' gambling setups.
After ninety minutes completing two spiritual energy cycles (each cycle shortening as his mental power grew and familiarity increased), Lin Ye returned to the shelter, flipping his 64 newly-won red coins.
Back at the shelter, Lin Ye studied runes and attempted new spiritual energy items. Though currently useless to him, mastering this valuable skill would prove beneficial eventually.
Under Coo Coo's guidance, Lin Ye learned spiritual material processing methods that greatly aided item crafting - at least he no longer needed to painstakingly cut cloaks into fragments.
Evening arrived quickly. Lin Ye prepared a sumptuous dinner shared with Coo Coo. With time remaining before the Nighttime Activity, he browsed group chats while eating.
"According to experts' predictions, tonight's activity will likely be either Station Mission or War Front."
"Probably Station Mission, saving unseen activities for last."
"Agreed."
"Station Mission's manageable - just hide for rewards. With competent teammates, you can scavenge extra supplies."
"True. Last time I lucked into a box containing shelter upgrade blueprints."
"Same."
"Ditto."
"Me too."
"Damn you all!"
"Someone's salty~ Not naming names though."
Lin Ye posted sewer worm parasite images and system descriptions in chat.
"WTF! Disgusting!"
"Expert's at it again."
"Not while I'm eating!"
"Sewer worms? I think I've seen these before..."
"Remember the intel? Sewer worms infest drainage systems. If shelter security fails, they'll crawl up and devour survivors."
"Seriously? Thank god I upgraded."
"Oh shit! I still need mutation organs!"
"I'm doomed! No blueprints yet!"
"So non-upgraded shelters are death traps? Terrifying!"
Lin Ye: This is my new acquisition. These sewer worms are extremely dangerous with no current countermeasures. Prioritize shelter upgrades. Also, if tonight's Station Mission, could someone disseminate spiritual energy circulation diagrams? Charging is fine, but don't gouge - saving lives matters.
"Roger!"
"Got it."
"Expert's generosity!"
"My thoughts exactly."
"Expert, any new products for sale? I'll pay."
Lin Ye: Actually yes. These aren't prototypes - 10 red coins each.
He shared two new spiritual items' system info:
[Simple Protective Item]
[Spiritual energy activated, generates spiritual shield. Three uses]
[Note: Crafted by Lin Ye]
[Simple Bone Blade]
[Spiritual energy infused, produces cutting-energy blade. Three uses]
[Note: Crafted by Lin Ye]
Lin Ye: Ten of each available in trading area later. Users please provide feedback and suggestions.