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The greenhouse for vegetation read: [Can be used to cultivate growth-type plants within the apocalypse game].
The description seemed utterly unremarkable—just a place to grow plants.
But the seed of the Nether Bloom stated: [Can be cultivated in a greenhouse, nourished with blood].
In other words, even seemingly mundane blueprints could have unusual applications when placed within the context of apocalyptic resources.
So perhaps all these seemingly useless blueprints—like the gym, air purifier, or other facilities that appeared to have no practical use in the apocalypse—might, in fact, have extraordinary effects.
Scanning through the listings again, Su Xiao noticed many survivors were parting with such blueprints at bargain prices due to a lack of materials needed to craft them.
They wanted to exchange these “currently useless” blueprints for tools or food supplies. A few were also trading surplus blueprints for materials to craft other equipment.
As a result, the most sought-after items in the Exchange Hub were food, sustenance supplies, crafting materials, and then capacity-expanding tools.
Following the recent earthquake, signs of a food shortage were already beginning to show. People weren’t just trading for game-based resources anymore—even natural resources were becoming valuable.
But using natural resources to exchange for tools was far too costly. It was much more worthwhile to swap them for those discarded blueprints nobody wanted.
Through careful negotiation, Su Xiao managed to trade her remaining small desk lamp, bedding, gas stove, and other items for one-time-use blueprints nobody was interested in: [Fitness Equipment], [Water Purifier], [Air Purifier], and [Temperature-Controlled Air Conditioner].
These blueprints, once used, created fixtures that could only be placed in one’s own safehouse and were non-transferable—single-use only.
On the other hand, items like [Weapon Workbench] and [Sewing Machine] were categorized as crafting stations, while the [Titanium-Core Battery] blueprint fell under sustenance materials.
Items and tools made from those could be traded, which was why nobody was willing to exchange them for mere natural supplies.
For Su Xiao, being able to trade her natural resources for these blueprints was already a win.
At the same time, she messaged Yu Yu: “I still have two purple treasure chests. I’ll let you open both.”
After a long pause, Yu Yu replied in anguish: “Sis, I… I… I’ve got nothing left.”
Su Xiao: “???”
How was that possible?
Yu Yu: “QAQ I just opened a duplicate gasoline blueprint, and I traded away my last two blueprints for it. Now all I have is this one gasoline blueprint. Without another blueprint, I can’t offer collateral to open two chests. If you don’t trust me, then you’ll have to wait until I find another blueprint chest. Not many people are willing to let others open their blueprint chests. Most people’s first instinct is to open them themselves. I’ve been lingering in the Exchange Hub from yesterday to today, and I’ve pretty much exhausted all my options…”
Gasoline!
Su Xiao paused. “Alright. A gasoline blueprint is a sustenance resource. One blueprint can be collateral for two purple treasure chests. Once you see what the chests contain, you can decide whether to trade that gasoline blueprint for one of my blueprints. I won’t force you.”
Gasoline—she definitely wanted that.
If she could manufacture gasoline, maybe her sports car could finally take off!
Yu Yu considered for a moment. “Deal!”
Soon after, Yu Yu opened two different types of blueprints: [Surveillance Projection Equipment] and [Complete Kitchen Stove Facility]—two copies each.
The complete kitchen setup consumed 12 units of space. Since Yu Yu didn’t know how to cook, she’d never considered installing kitchen facilities. The surveillance projection equipment didn’t seem useful for now either. Neither was as valuable as the gasoline, so Yu Yu wasn’t interested.
Su Xiao reluctantly returned the gasoline blueprint to her but didn’t forget to remind her, “If you ever figure out how to produce gasoline, you must let me know.”
Yu Yu replied with a cheerful, “OK~”
After tidying up, the basement had much more space.
The sofa bed could finally unfold into a full-size bed. With blankets, pillows, and a body pillow, plus a small table and stool in front, the space now had the feel of a home. Su Xiao had a few unused scented candles, and lighting them filled the space with a pleasant aroma. With dim lighting and warmth, it created a surprisingly cozy atmosphere.
In the corner were her natural resources—several boxes of water, gas canisters, instant meals, an opened bag of rice, and various seasoning sauces. There were also daily necessities: shower gel, face wash, sanitary pads, soap, toothpaste…
Not much.
Su Xiao stored them here because they were essentials. She had no idea if the apocalypse would affect her menstrual cycle, so she stocked up just in case.
The other side was reserved for apocalyptic resources.
One storage box was filled with dozens of blueprints. Besides that, she had some miscellaneous materials for minor trades.
As for her treasure chests in the warehouse—those were in abundance. Right now, Su Xiao held only Level 1 treasure chests: red, white, blue, and black.
She still had only two red ones, but she had 47 white ones, 24 black material chests, and 3 blue ones.
Most survivors had already figured out that chests might contain Easter eggs. As a result, many were now seeking out survivors with corresponding egg types to open their chests on their behalf.
The handling fees she received were rolling in—this was a guaranteed profit business. Plus, it helped her build a stable client base. As long as those survivors stayed alive, they would continue coming to her for chest openings.
So Su Xiao wasn’t in any rush.
Just then, the rice was ready.
The rice, steamed in a clay pot, was plump and fragrant—excellent quality.
Su Xiao drizzled in a bit of soy sauce, then scooped from her condiment jars: spicy pickled vegetables, Lao Gan Ma sauce, bamboo shoots stir-fried with beef. She sliced a sausage with a small knife, sealed the lid, and let it simmer.
Slow cooking on low heat caused the bottom layer of rice to crisp into a golden crust—perfect clay pot rice.
Technically, the essence of clay pot rice lay in stir-frying the ingredients—like ribs—beforehand.
But in her current situation, where could she find such luxuries?
Eat what you have. In a few days, she might not even have rice left.
After eating, it was nearly 1 p.m.
Su Xiao noticed there hadn’t been any new surface cracks on the map in a while and decided to head outside for a look—and to ventilate the basement.
The oxygen regeneration inside the basement depended on how long she stayed away.
Last night, she’d left for about 15 minutes. When she returned, the oxygen level had replenished to six hours’ worth. That meant if she left for an hour, she could regenerate a full 24 hours of breathable air.
After a whole night, only 9 hours remained inside.
After cleaning the dishes, Su Xiao strapped on her nylon backpack, stuffed the toy car in her pocket, picked up her Level 2 axe, and went out to scout the situation.
The sky at noon was heavy and overcast, as if rain was about to fall.
The earthquake had stopped, but surface fissures were everywhere.
Su Xiao had only walked ten meters before spotting one. It looked about half a meter wide but extended more than 30 meters deep—an impassable chasm for any basement.
And half a meter away from the fissure, near a pile of rubble, she saw the edge of a garment and a hand—dust-covered and bloodstained.
Su Xiao rushed over, pulling away the shattered debris.
A small, crushed body lay in pieces beneath the stones.