Chapter 21: Level Three Vehicle

The public chat was still filled with bickering, and the atmosphere was no longer as relaxed or harmonious as it had been two days ago.

[You were buying up cotton yesterday, and instead of warning everyone, you just bought it cheap. How selfish! We’re all fellow townsfolk; without resources, we’re actually going to die!]
[Especially you, Sicily! Just how much cotton did you hoard!]

Following these remarks, the news that the temperature would continue to drop was no longer a secret. Players still selling cotton rushed to the trading platform to adjust their prices.

PurpleIsSure: [Selling primary crafting benches and anti-slip tire chains, fair prices! Buying raw materials and all kinds of cotton-padded clothes and shoes!]

Yu Jiang took a glance. This player, who had managed to find a Super Wishing Star in less than half an hour after entering the instance, was a professional crafter. There were already three crafting benches listed on the trading platform. Anti-slip chains weren't in high demand yet, but they would be necessities once the snow started, and the pricing was reasonable.

SaveMePlease: [I was bitten by a poisonous snake and I’m still bleeding. @TheKingCalledMeToPatrolTheMountains, you wouldn't just watch me die, would you, Big Brother? Say something! Once I’m better, I’ll definitely return the medicinal materials to you.]

Yu Jiang acted as if she hadn't seen it. Her Tier 3 vehicle had finished upgrading. It was a brand-new green, four-wheeled, double-row electric pickup truck. The design was somewhat reminiscent of a domestic Radar model, though the body was slightly smaller, measuring about 4.6 meters including the truck bed. Finally, it no longer had the flimsy feel of a tricycle; it looked sturdy!

The component card had been applied to the vehicle’s base configuration. With the original 120km range plus the motor expansion card obtained yesterday, the endurance had shot up to 500km. Although pickups weren't as aesthetically pleasing as off-roaders or SUVs, they were highly practical in survival games once converted into campers, thanks to the spacious truck bed. Placing a portable toilet in the back provided a separate space from the cabin, which felt much more comfortable.

Moreover, upgrading gasoline-powered off-road vehicles and SUVs was significantly more difficult. People were already talking about it on the public channel.

WieldingAKitchenKnifeAtPowerLines: [I really regret it, I truly do! In this kind of weather, motorcycles can't cut it anymore. For Tier 3 vehicles, you either choose a truck or an old-fashioned sedan. I suspect SUVs and off-roaders are at least a tier higher, and the materials required for Tier 4 are terrifying! @TheKingCalledMeToPatrolTheMountains @X, what vehicles did you two choose? Are you doing okay?]

PureHeartCockroach: [I chose the "Initial D" pickup truck. Never upgraded it, picked it at the start. I looked at the upgrade requirements and my heart just died.]

BigWheelBike: [??? You guys already have sedans? I'm still stuck with a three-wheeled vending cart.]

ThunderGod: [My heart is bitter.]

He was too embarrassed to mention that his vehicle was a rose-pink delivery truck with cyberpunk-style cat ears on top, and a display screen that could make facial expressions. Just now, upon entering the Parallel Highway, he had encountered an idiot who intentionally tried to rear-end him, hitting him twice. When a man holding an electrified pig-prodding stick stepped out, his expression was quite a sight to behold, and he even called him a "sissy." The cat ears had 10 points of defense, and they could discharge electricity with a 24-hour cooldown.

He had to choose between his pride and his life, and he chose his life.

BangBangBang: [Big Brother SmallDriftWind probably has an electric vehicle, right? Big Brother X bought gasoline.]

WieldingAKitchenKnifeAtPowerLines: [?! Wasn't the electric vehicle just a scooter or an "old man's mobility scooter" at the start? Are you saying the person ranked first in the whole district was tearing through the instance yesterday driving a mobility scooter? I thought he was driving a gas-guzzling beast?]

Yu Jiang couldn't wait to sit in her new ride. She saw the image sent by ThunderGod. It was indeed the medicinal materials she needed. After asking what he lacked, Yu Jiang sent over what she had and offered health potions to make up the difference.

"A part of your vehicle is visible in your photo," Yu Jiang reminded him.

Exposing the interior wasn't a big deal, but exposing such a distinctive exterior would be too eye-catching.

ThunderGod: "Oh crap! I didn't notice. Thanks for the heads-up, Big Brother."

Yu Jiang drove her new pickup onto the Parallel Highway, where the speed limit was 90. She couldn't accelerate past it. Her tires rolled over something, and with a sudden clatter, 5% of her shield was gone. A silver-gray minivan was parked nearby, looking as if someone was repairing it.

"Your tire seems to have hit a rock and is leaking air." A man with a jacket draped over his head knocked on her window and shouted a warning. He looked quite honest.

Yu Jiang glanced at the surroundings quickly. Without opening the window or stepping out, she stepped on the gas and left. Once his minivan stopped, it was impossible to see if there were other small vehicles hidden on the side, but the iron crate was very conspicuous. If it were her, the moment she spotted supplies on the Parallel Highway, she would have taken the crate immediately.

Something was wrong. Not knowing how many people were there or what they were up to, Yu Jiang couldn't risk stopping in the rain to check. She drove another hundred kilometers, ignored the people holding signs for help on the road, and only stopped to inspect the vehicle after leaving the Parallel Highway. Fortunately, the tire wasn't punctured; the shield had taken the hit, or else she would have wasted a repair card.

At 5:00 PM, the rain intensified. The panel issued a warning: one and a half hours until nightfall, beware of strong winds. Yu Jiang originally wanted to find a windbreak, but after looking around, she saw only flat grassland—not even a tree in sight. The canopy was rustling loudly in the wind, so she had to manually reinforce it.

Just as Yu Jiang sat down to catch her breath and wiped the rainwater off her face with a clean cloth, a notification popped up on the trading platform.

SadPigIntestine: [May I ask if you can craft warm clothes and cotton-padded jackets? Big Brother "ColdRiverLonelyShadow" told me about you. I managed to gather some cotton but haven't found any fabric. Can I trade you some food for it?]

He followed up by sending a bag of golden, crispy dumplings that were still steaming.

"Half are chive-filled, half are vermicelli-filled. I used to be a food blogger, I made them myself."

Yu Jiang sat up straight and immediately sent a friend request. "Sure, let me recover some fatigue first."

They looked delicious!

"Great, thank you!" SadPigIntestine promptly sent the items over.

Yu Jiang scanned them with her light screen: *Freshly made dumplings.*

Satisfied, she took a bite. It was exactly that simple, rustic, and comforting taste! It was much better than instant food. Having received the goods, Yu Jiang didn't want to delay. She happened to be crafting warm clothes for friends on her list, so she pulled some materials from that stash and bought some more on the trading platform. Making up for the fabric SadPigIntestine lacked was no problem.

Opening the crafting bench, Yu Jiang’s fatigue was at 82; resting for a while would be enough to craft. She hadn't received any feedback from her friends regarding the stamina drinks yet. Yu Jiang sent a cotton-padded jacket to SadPigIntestine.

"Thank you so much! It's so hard when it gets cold and you don't have warm clothes at night. I asked all day and no one would sell to me, and I even got scammed out of two steamed buns. Big Brother, I have some shredded potato wraps here, I'm sending them to you!"

Yu Jiang accepted the steaming food and sent back a primary health potion. "Let's trade for food again once I find extra insulating materials. Or, I have vehicle upgrade materials if you need them."

Feeling the person was too easy to scam, Yu Jiang added a warning: "It's best not to use the 'gift' method when trading with people you don't know well." She only did this because she had traded with people on her list several times.

"Okay, okay!" SadPigIntestine sent an emotional emoji. A health potion! He knew how expensive these were; the big shot just gave it away! And he had been added to her friend list—another kind person found after ColdRiverLonelyShadow! Heaven knows, he had only set his nickname to SadPigIntestine after being scammed.