Chapter 42: An Unexpected Delight

Why would they be described as a pile of strange stones?

Because normal stones, although appearing in various different colors, patterns, and shapes, possess a unique texture that always allows someone to recognize at a glance that they are indeed stones.

However, that pile of stones was not like that at all. Every single one of them was dark cyan, almost entirely devoid of mottled patterns, and the color on every stone was remarkably consistent.

Their shapes were rather random, but judging from the fractured edges, these stones appeared to have been broken off by violent force.

Yet all of this was still considered relatively normal. What truly made Lin Yifan feel strange was this:

That pile of stones... was actually glowing!

Just like the halo behind the head of a Buddha, they were emitting a gentle, faint radiance.

Lin Yifan blinked his eyes hard, almost thinking his vision was playing tricks on him. After blinking three times in succession, he finally confirmed that his eyes were fine and he had not misread the situation.

That pile of stones was truly glowing!

How could he possibly turn a blind eye to such miraculous rocks?

He hurriedly pushed aside the thorny vines blocking his path and quickly walked up to the pile of stones.

It was then that he finally discovered what these stones actually were.

[Exquisite Iron Ore] × 16
Iron Content: 99%
(Special Reminder: Exquisite iron ore cannot be used directly for industrial manufacturing; it must first be forged into pig iron using a forging furnace before it can be utilized.)

"There's even iron ore!"

Lin Yifan picked up a piece of iron ore in astonishment. Although it was only the size of a fist, it weighed a hefty ten kilograms or so.

No wonder the iron content was as high as 99%!

It was just a pity that the iron ore could not be used directly and required a casting furnace to process it.

Over the past two days, Lin Yifan had constantly been acquiring various blueprints, yet he had never once seen the blueprint for a casting furnace.

The blueprints he had obtained over the last two days were actually quite few in number, because the blueprints on the market were basically all of the entry-level variety.

He had already acquired one copy of each that could be of use to him, and there was no need to collect the remaining trivial ones.

As for industrial blueprints like control consoles, synthesizers, and casting furnaces, he had bought up every single one he laid eyes on. Unfortunately, up until now, the only one he had managed to secure was the blueprint for the control console.

Synthesizers and casting furnaces had never appeared.

To say the least, Lin Yifan had been yearning for that synthesizer for a very long time.

The upgrading conditions for the shelter were becoming increasingly harsh, and the required materials were transitioning from entry-level to intermediate.

Entry-level materials could be gathered from the wilderness; for instance, entry-level wood could be obtained by chopping down trees, entry-level fodder by smashing stones, and entry-level clay by digging it up oneself.

Intermediate materials, however, were entirely different. Aside from treasure chests, the only way currently to obtain intermediate materials was by synthesizing entry-level ones using a synthesis room.

Furthermore, the function of a forging table was not limited solely to refining iron ore; if he wanted to craft weapons, a forging table was likewise indispensable.

Especially for weapons of fine quality or higher, not only could they solely be crafted by a forging table, but there were also strict requirements regarding the level of the forging table itself.

For instance, the bronze-grade weapon currently in his possession, the [Wind-Chasing Cloud-Pursuing Bow], required at least an intermediate forging table to be crafted.

Of course, Lin Yifan was currently only asking to possess an entry-level forging table; anything beyond that would be reaching too high.

In truth, if he truly desired a blueprint for a forging table, it was not entirely without a solution.

Ruan Qiantan had already promised him the use of her talent for the upcoming week, which meant that as long as he prepared the treasure chests, he would have a 100% guarantee of obtaining whatever he wanted.

Originally, he had intended to ask Ruan Qiantan to help him obtain a blueprint for a Level 4 shelter.

But looking at it now, the blueprints for the forging table and the synthesis chamber were clearly much more important.

If he failed to acquire these two blueprints going forward, he would have no choice but to expend Ruan Qiantan's talent usage for the next week.

Lost in thought, Lin Yifan nimbly tossed all the ore into his spatial storage, then stood up with a feeling of satisfaction.

Originally, he had intended to continue clearing a path and exploring further, but realizing that lunchtime was fast approaching and noticing a large rock nearby right next to a broad-leaved tree that happened to provide shelter from the rain,

he simply decided to sit down on the large rock, took out the steamed buns he had brought in the morning, and prepared to handle lunch first.

Just at that moment, the small cave situated right beside where the iron ore had been piled suddenly emitted a faint rustling sound.

"What is that?"

Lin Yifan instantly turned his gaze to fixate on the small cave, immediately spotting a dusty rat's head poking out from within.

"A rat?"

Lin Yifan was slightly stunned, and a sense of disappointment washed over him.

He had originally thought that if it were a rabbit, he could catch it to improve his diet, but it turned out to be merely a rat, which instantly extinguished any thoughts of a savory meal.

Had this been a couple of days ago, he certainly wouldn't have turned his nose up at a rat.

But things were different now. Now he had steamed buns, bread, and even wild boar meat in his spatial storage; there was simply no need for him to eat rat meat.

Therefore, when the rat scurried away in panic, frightened by him, he couldn't even be bothered to chase after it.

However, right at that moment, Lin Yifan suddenly noticed that the entrance of the small cave had suffered a massive collapse due to the rat's panicked scrambling.

And then, he saw that deep inside the cave, there was actually a pile of chestnuts!

This was truly a good thing!

Whether they were boiled into a sweet soup to fill his stomach or made into sugar-roasted chestnuts as a snack, they were both exceptionally fine choices.

Moreover, the presence of chestnuts in this rat nest indicated that there must be chestnut trees in the immediate vicinity.

Even though he wasn't entirely sure, if he could locate them, he would be able to build up another portion of reserve food supplies.

Lin Yifan hurriedly scooped out the chestnuts from inside the cave, discovering there were a good four or five pounds of them.

He picked up a chestnut and peeled it; the meat inside was still extremely fresh, and tasting it in his mouth, it was delightfully crisp and sweet.

Unable to restrain himself for a moment, he stubbornly crunched down on four or five raw ones before stuffing all the remaining chestnuts into his spatial storage with deep satisfaction.

Unexpected gains always brought a sense of pleasant cheer!

After storing away the chestnuts, Lin Yifan contentedly sat back down on the rock and resumed gnawing on his steamed buns.

However, thinking about the pile of iron ore—although there were a full 16 pieces, judging by their volume, forging them all into pig iron would probably yield quite a substantial amount—
there would still be countless places requiring pig iron in the future, meaning this little bit was still merely a drop in the bucket.

If only he could find an ore vein!

Iron ore never existed in isolation, let alone exquisite iron ore with a 99% iron content; it undoubtedly originated from the core of an ore vein.

There had to be an iron deposit somewhere nearby!

It seemed that in the afternoon, aside from searching for a water source, iron ore deposits and chestnut trees also needed to be added to his list of search targets.

While he was deep in thought and calculation, the 5 steamed buns he had brought along were completely finished.

Without further delay, he stood up and prepared to continue opening up a path for exploration.

The afternoon rain was even heavier than the morning's, and the dense curtain of rain striking his coir raincoat produced a noisy patter.

Such weather genuinely irritated him to a certain extent, but he managed to steady his mind and pressed on with clearing the path and exploring.

The afternoon's yield was quite decent; by just 1:00 PM, he had already found two treasure chests, and one of them was even green.

This put him in a rather good mood!

However, his pleasant mood lasted a mere four or five minutes before it was shattered by the bizarre scene unfolding before his eyes.

Because right in front of him, a pool of water had appeared!

A pool as pitch-black as an abyss, completely devoid of any visible bottom!