Chapter 30:

Yun Shan dared to agree because she was confident in her approach.

Last time, when Lu Ming asked if ten registration codes were enough to repay debts, she said that five would suffice, and she could always request the other five later.

The passing of the engineering academician due to illness had also occurred in a previous life, at the end of 2206.

Yun Shan remembered the remarkable career of the scientific heavyweight, whose death had trended for three days.

It was during that time that she truly realized the enormous contributions this individual had made. To put it bluntly, with his efforts alone, he had changed the course of human history. Although they didn’t know each other personally, as long as they were alive, they could enjoy the convenience brought about by the other party’s innovative technology.

Upon learning of this person, Yun Shan softened her stance and agreed to help.

Otherwise, no matter how much “Courageous to the Extreme” pestered and probed, she wouldn’t have responded.

***

The next morning, Yun Shan logged into the game.

To her surprise, Lu Ming was unusually clear-headed and was discussing matters with You Yi. Upon seeing Yun Shan enter, he took the initiative to say, “I’m aware of the threat posed by the rat infestation. We’ve dispatched people to investigate how many gray rats are near the camp.”

“Zuo Xin has conducted preliminary tests, and as the Divine Doctor mentioned, rat meat contains toxins that can cause poisoning if ingested,” he added.

“We’ve also arranged for announcements in the camp, but unfortunately, we were a step too late. Eight people who consumed rat meat fell into a coma and have been taken to the clinic for treatment.”

“Good,” Yun Shan responded.

She had intended to share her experience of dealing with rat infestations, but Lu Ming had already handled everything after being forewarned in this lifetime.

She couldn’t help but consider that perhaps if they had managed to exterminate the entire rat population before it reached a critical mass, the camp might have been spared from the rat infestation this time.

In the midst of her contemplation, Lu Ming’s eyes revealed a hint of a smile, “If not for your warning, the situation would have been much worse if discovered ten days or half a month later. How can I thank you?”

Upon hearing the word “thanks,” Yun Shan perked up, “We’re all so familiar with each other, there’s no need for formalities.”

After a brief pause, she added, “Five more registration codes will do.”

You Yi, “…”

He could never predict what the Divine Doctor would say next.

“Alright,” Lu Ming readily agreed.

With the registration codes secured, and NPC handling the rat infestation, Yun Shan had accomplished her mission and took her leave. “You carry on, I’m off to train the beasts.”

***

After a period of nurturing, the two-star wolfhound’s size had skyrocketed. They could no longer be called cubs, they were now in the transitional stage between youth and adulthood.

At the sight of Yun Shan, dozens of wolfhounds rushed over, clamoring around her, eager for her attention.

It was a scene full of fur.

Yun Shan casually petted one, then another, and then a third, asking with a smile, “Have you been training well lately?”

The chorus of howls and barks created a lively and affectionate atmosphere.

Yun Shan alternated between petting this one and that one, resembling an ancient emperor bestowing favor upon a harem of three thousand beauties.

As for the white cub, being both a four-star and a tiger species, its growth was slower. At this point, although it had grown significantly, it still maintained a youthful appearance.

Struggling to push through the crowd of competitors, it managed to reach Yun Shan’s side.

Unfortunately, the two-star wolfhound is not a pushover. Everyone joined hands to block its path, determined not to let it get any closer.

Xiao Bai: So frustrating.

Unfazed, it continued to push forward, even attempting to intimidate the wolfhound, putting on a fierce facade.

Dahei lay nearby, watching quietly, with gentle eyes.

“Dahei?” Catching a glimpse from the corner of her eye, Yun Shan quickly walked over and picked it up.

Just as Yun Shan did, Xiao Bai stretched out its neck and stubbornly grabbed Yun Shan’s finger, displaying a rather domineering CEO-like temperament.

Yun Shan obligingly scratched its head.

Xiao Bai closed its eyes, contentedly humming.

Training a beast?

No, her main job was actually to play with them, crucially to soothe the beasts’ restless and irritable moods.

***

Exiting the game, a system prompt sounded, “You have received 5 registration codes.”

Yun Shan claimed the reward, then privately messaged “Courageous to the Extreme,” “Payment, 15 million.”

Almost instantly, Fu Rongling replied, “How did you manage to get it so quickly?”

Yun Shan lied with her eyes wide open, “It’s the final reward given by the system after completing the mission chain.”

Fu Rongling sighed, “Your luck is truly something else.”

Yun Shan felt that it was more about skill than luck. But whatever, she’d let him continue to misunderstand.

One hand exchanged money, the other provided the registration codes.

After the transaction, Yun Shan was about to close the communication, when “Courageous to the Extreme” added, “If you get more registration code rewards in the future, feel free to contact me.”

Yun Shan sternly stated, “There won’t be, not even a drop.”

Courageous to the Extreme said, “The group leader is just being modest.”

Yun Shan wasn’t modest, she simply didn’t plan to sell anymore.

Compared to the massive number of players, the original residents of the Red Maple Camp were not that many. She didn’t want to introduce new forces to disrupt the existing balance just for the sake of making money.

Yun Shan: “Registration codes given, person saved, and that’s it.”

She seemed particularly cold and unfeeling.

Fu Rongling: “Fine, I’m signing off.”

After all, 5 registration codes were enough for him to fulfill his obligation.

***

Hunting gray rats is a thankless and laborious task. Firstly, their fur is the only useful part, which doesn’t yield much. Secondly, they move in large groups, making them challenging to kill.

The sole purpose of hunting them is to prevent their overpopulation and subsequent havoc.

This kind of troublesome and unrewarding work doesn’t interest normal people. It’s usually dealt with by hunting teams when encountered during their outings, as a side task.

The Red Maple Camp attempted to organize NPC squads to eliminate them and also tried hiring players with bounties, but results were minimal.

As the population continued to grow, and the rats became an epidemic, Lu Ming was forced to take action.

On that day, outside the camp, blood flowed like a river. The bodies of tens of thousands of rats piled up, creating a terrifying scene, resembling a purgatory.

After the rat disaster was resolved, the bodies hadn’t been cleared in time, and the rat plague began to spread once again…

Even now, Yun Shan can vividly recall the horrors of that time.

Many people contracted the rat plague. Due to a lack of medicine, some couldn’t survive more than three days, while others barely made it past a week before succumbing to the illness.

By the time the outbreak was under control, the camp’s population had decreased by a third.

“I wonder how it will be this time,” Yun Shan worried.

September 6th.

Yun Shan put on her holographic helmet and before logging into the game, a system prompt appeared: “From September 6th to September 20th, the full server will hold the ‘Autumn Hunt Event.’ Killing gray rats and handing them to the designated NPC will earn contribution points. During the event, these points can be exchanged for valuable rewards.”

Two tables followed.

The first table:

One-star gray rat = 1 contribution point.

Two-star gray rat = 5 contribution points.

Three-star gray rat = 30 contribution points.

Note: Contribution points are non-transferable.

The second table:

4 points = 1 contribution point.

High-quality soft armor = 70 contribution points. (Can be exchanged 100 times)

One-hour training with a four-star coach = 100 contribution points. (Can be exchanged 100 times)

Three-star cheetah cub = 450 contribution points. (Can be exchanged 20 times)

One-year usage rights (rent-free) for xx street shop = 900 contribution points. (Can be exchanged 20 times)

Three-star wolfhound cub = 900 contribution points. (Can be exchanged 10 times)

Four-star black eagle cub = 5000 contribution points. (Can be exchanged once)

Registration code = 10000 contribution points. (Can be exchanged 10 times)

…

Yun Shan remained silent for a while, her mind filled with one thought – the gray rat population was in peril.

***

“Registration code, exchangeable for 10000 contribution points!” Bai Jingjiang was eager to try, wishing to start beast hunting immediately.

Bai Shenghua calmly said, “We’ll split up. I’ll take people to the Red Maple Pharmacy to queue for medicine, and you’ll lead the team to the wilderness for beast hunting.”

His eyes sparkled with an unusual light, showing that his inner state was far from calm at that moment.

“Understood,” Bai Jingjiang was very cooperative.

***

“Three-star cheetah cub, three-star wolfhound cub, four-star black eagle cub…” Kang Zeyang envied them so much that he almost cried, wishing he could splurge and change his fate.

Just imagine, if the game allowed spending money, he could easily obtain a four-star battle pet and successfully form a contract.

Then, what else would he need to do!

He’d have taken his pet to the wilderness for some good battles.

It would have been so effective.

Feng Yao looked at “Registration code = 10000 contribution points” and automatically converted it to “10000 contribution points = 3 million.”

Han Jiaqing calculated that the guild members’ combat strength wasn’t outstanding. In order to exchange for rare items – such as three-star cubs – the entire guild’s strength would need to be gathered.

The problem was, even if they exchanged for a three-star cub, there was no guarantee they could form a contract. So why bother putting in the effort?

“President, the game company has finally organized an event, what should we do?” The guild members eagerly awaited the chairman’s decision.

Han Jiaqing: “Do whatever you want. Those who want to participate in the event can form teams and join, those who don’t can continue as usual. This event seems quite dangerous, so staying alive is the priority.”

Members: “…”

This so-called laissez-faire/retirement-type guild was generally like this.

***

Not all guilds were so lackluster.

The Greedwolf Guild.

President Zhou Feijia looked at the “Three-star wolfhound cub,” “Four-star black eagle cub,” “Registration code” on the exchange table, feeling incredibly excited, “Our time has finally come!”

Although the Greedwolf Guild had only over thirty members, it was because the entry requirements were too high – quality over quantity.

Every guild member was a skilled fighter, with levels all at two-stars and above, and rich combat experience.

In addition, each of them had a two-star wolfhound battle pet! Their combat power effectively doubled!

Vice President Duan Xing speculated, “Most of the gray rats are one-star, not difficult to deal with. The rewards are too generous, and it might ultimately lead to beast stealing.”

“In that case, let’s make the first move.” With a command from Zhou Feijia, all online members set out to the wilderness together.

***

At the same time,

Qin Wan rummaged through the kitchen and found the last two bags of cornmeal, with a worried expression, “Our food reserves are running low.”

“Is that so?” Yun Shan was making green bean soup.

First, she ground the green beans, peeled, washed, cooked, sweetened, and then solidified and cut them into pieces, creating a light yellow, sweet, and refreshing green bean soup. Due to her meticulous filtering, the flavor was exceptionally delicate. Each bite was so delicious, it was hard to stop.

“We have a hundred wolfhounds on the estate, which is no small number,” Qin Wan fretted, “Xiao Bai hunts daily, but just eating meat won’t fill them up, they also need to eat sorghum rice and cornbread.”

“Previously, we had some reserves in the house, and in addition, the wolfhounds are still young, so it should be enough.”

“Now that the wolfhounds are getting older, their appetite has increased dramatically, and the reserves in the estate are almost depleted. What’s left won’t last for more than 2 days.”

“Most stores have purchase limits. Even if we run to several, the amount we can buy won’t be too much.”

“I know.” Yun Shan had raised hundreds of beasts before, so she was well aware of how difficult it was to feed them.

In fact, she had been worried when she logged off yesterday. Yet, today, upon logging in, the Autumn Hunt event began, and she immediately had an idea.

Seeing Yun Shan so confident, Qin Wan didn’t say much and focused on preparing dinner.

***

In the evening, as night fell, the first day of the Autumn Hunt event ended, and the group of paying players wailed in despair.

“Deceiver: I thought there’d be few resources with many people, and we’d be fighting over beasts in the wilderness. The reality proved that I was too naive. The competition was clear from the start, starting from Healing Potions and Revival Elixer!”

“Salty Fish: I waited in line for over two hours, finally bought Healing Potions, can you believe it? How much time did I spend online today? It was all wasted on queuing!”

“Distressed: Killed five one-star gray rats, but couldn’t bring them all back. Who has it worse than me?”

“Savings Expert: On the first day, I killed 7 one-star gray rats and 2 two-star gray rats, earning 17 contribution points. Question: 15 days later, how many contribution points can I earn in total? What’s a fair distribution? Answer: I don’t want to participate in this event anymore…”

As they chatted, the “Most Miserable” event officially began. There’s no “most miserable,” only “even more miserable.”

“I have 300 bottles of Healing Potions, 100 bottles of Revival Elixers, for sale, interested parties please DM. @Everyone”

Yun Shan finished composing the message, ready to send it out, but a chat box popped up first.

“Boss: Leader, are you there? Do you have Healing Potions and Revival Elixers in stock?”

Yun Shan realized that this person was also quite capable.

When there was nothing worth paying attention to, their character was mild, not competing or fighting. But once they wanted something, they pounced on it like a wolf cub eyeing its prey, swift and decisive.

She made a slight adjustment and replied, “I have 300 bottles of Healing Potions, 100 bottles of Revival Elixers, only exchangeable for food.”