Wu Xiangwang never thought that one day someone would come with a golden rice bowl to exchange for a wooden cart. If it happened on Earth, people would probably call him stupid.
But in this strange world dominated by energy, the value of gold has fallen to almost the same as copper and iron—
"In this strange world, the most precious things are energy coins and energy gems. Forget about the value of precious metals or diamonds on Earth.
Energy coins and energy gems contain energy that can restore life force, and energy gems can also provide energy upgrades for superpowers and weirdos. But gold diamonds and ordinary gems contain nothing.
The red-haired young man continued to educate these newcomers while eating roasted eggs.
“So in this world, there is no difference between a golden rice bowl, an iron rice bowl, or a wooden rice bowl; it’s just a container for holding rice.
Furthermore, because gold itself is highly ductile but not sufficiently hard, in combat, weapons and defensive equipment made of pure gold are not as effective as forged steel."
After the red-haired man finished his popular science explanation, the psychic who could turn stone into gold looked at the old tasker with a very resentful look. The red-haired man was just jealous of him, the rich man who would own a mountain of gold in the future.
Even if the value of gold has depreciated now, as long as he can return to Earth, he will become the richest man on Earth!
And how can the color and texture of wood and other metals compare to gold?! Who doesn't love this golden color?! He pointed out 999 pure gold!
"Well, although I think both wood and iron are good, but... I choose gold." Wu Xiangwang made his choice amidst the expectant eyes of the taskers around him who wanted to exchange.
He just wanted some household items, so it didn't matter if gold wasn't hard enough.
Besides, who can resist that beautiful golden color?
The person who could turn stone into gold laughed proudly, "Brother, you have good taste! A real man and a wealthy man should choose gold! Besides, isn't gold more durable and resistant than wood? If a wooden bowl is broken, it's broken, but if a gold bowl has a hole in it, you can just use fire to refine it and melt it to repair it!"
This is simply something you won’t want anymore once you have it!”
Wu Xiannan nodded in agreement. Only a golden rice bowl could match the status of an immortal man. But as the uncle said, although gold has no value in this world, it still has very good practical value. For example, it is very repairable.
After hearing Wu Xiangwang's choice, the wood-type mutant and the one who could only produce iron rolled their eyes at the one who could turn stone into gold while gritting their teeth. This guy had been showing off his abilities all the way, acting as if he was so awesome.
But in fact, the best his ability can do is to order gold as big as three bowls and then he needs to rest. It is really a useless ability.
In terms of combat effectiveness, their wooden vines and sharp iron rods can easily beat this guy!
But no matter how depressed these two psychics were, they could not change the immortal man's idea of wanting a golden rice bowl.
In the end, only five people from this team of psychics who could turn stones into gold were left by the cart of Wu Xiangwang and the other two. They were also a psychic team formed by themselves and did not join the team of those old taskers.
"Brother, being able to trade with you is fate. My name is Hao Youjin. You can call me Brother Hao, Brother Hao, or just call me by my name.
I originally thought my parents gave me this name to mock me, a poor office worker, but now it seems they really had foresight!
Hao Youjin wiped his face as he spoke, "It's just that the timing and place aren't right for me."
"Okay, brother, whatever pots and pans you want, just go to the river and make them out of mud. I'll turn mud into gold for you.
My special ability is not limited to touching stones. Anything that touches my fingers can be turned into gold within my ability."
"Currently, the supernatural energy in my body can only illuminate gold three times in an hour, within a range of no more than one square meter, and then I have to rest for an hour."
"But it's the same for us when we first awaken our powers, right? We're all short of mana! Anyway, it'll take three days to get to the first main city. You can first use mud to make the pots, pans, and utensils you need. I'll come over and give you some tips when I have the strength along the way. It will only take a day at most to get all your daily necessities, right?"
Hao Youjin was afraid that Wu Xiangwang and his team would think that his gold-making speed was too slow, so he arranged everything clearly in advance.
Wu Xiangwang laughed: "Yes, this is good. It's more convenient than I thought."
Wu Xiangwang thought for a moment and then spoke again: "In that case, why don't you make a mud cart for yourselves? Then you can turn every part from the drum to the floor into gold, and you will have a golden cart, right?"
Hao Youjin immediately waved his hand: "How could we not have thought about this! After all, I will rely on this to survive in this world in the future.
But first, objects made from clay can't be too large, otherwise they'll easily deform and crack. Second, we're not professional clay molders, so even if I draw a circle on the ground, it's not round enough, let alone a wheel. Plus, gold is very heavy, so we're not sure whether making a golden cart will speed it up or slow it down.
“I feel like there are many different ways to use this ability of mine, but I still have to slowly upgrade and explore it myself.
Even though I'm a bit of a jerk right now, my teammates don't mind me, and I don't mind their messy abilities either. We're all overworked people in the same company, and if we're stuck working overtime, we have to leave together and fire our boss!
Hao Youjin chuckled, "Although it's unfortunate to be here, things will get better. Now I've grabbed the cart, haven't I?"
Then Hao Youjin's other four colleagues were laughing and rolling their eyes beside him. It can be seen that they do have a good relationship.
Wu Xiangwang also smiled. Now he really felt that it was a good thing to trade and get to know this Midas Touch team.
"In that case, I'll give you the cart. Haven't you ever hunted a weasel before?" Their team didn't have a single cart.
Hao Youjin was delighted at first, then he glanced in the direction of the main force behind him and sighed dejectedly, "It's not that we didn't fight. It's mainly because our team killed the strange weasel together with another team. But in terms of effort, we contributed less."
"Everyone's awakened powers in our team are a bit... unconventional. Besides a strength-based power and a speed-based power, I'm Midas Touch, Xiao Huang's is Sour Lemon, and Xiao Liu's is a social anxiety-ridden person with the ability 'You Can't See Me.'"
"So, you can understand, right?" Hao Youjin, the office big brother, showed a complicated expression on his face.
Wu Xiangwang thought of the troublesome, kidney-deficient, talkative Mage and the unlucky Mushroom Tank in their team, and his expression suddenly became complicated, just like Hao Youjin's.
He understands so well.
"Brother Jinzi, don't worry, we will definitely have a pleasant transaction!"
Then Wu Xiangwang left Wu Xingyun to make a small fire far away from the crowd to roast eggs, while he went to the river in front with Shang Chong and Hao Youjin to make mud and fetch water.
At least you have to make a golden pot that can be used to boil water and cook, and then make three golden bowls.
As for the golden bucket he wanted...well, it can be used to replenish Brother Jinzi's blood when the time comes.
However, when Monk Wu Xiangwang was about to walk towards the river, Longya and a dozen newcomers from the other old taskers' team also came out.
"Everyone who wants to go to the river to fetch water, listen up! It's not that easy to fetch water from the river in this world.
You must go in groups and cooperate with your partners and teammates to destroy all the plants you can see, preferably by burning them before you can move forward.
Otherwise, all kinds of strange plants and animals in the dense forest by the river that you pass by can kill you unknowingly!
Also, be sure not to stay by the river for too long. I don’t know if there are delicious fish in the river, but there must be strange animals in the river that can eat people!
On the way here, you all saw those strange plants stretching out their vines and branches to bind people, right? There are only more ferocious and strange animals and plants near water sources. After all, in this world, water is the life force for most life forms."
Red Hair shouted out hints, but none of the veteran taskmasters stood up to lead the way to the river.
Obviously, this is a survival skill that every newcomer to this world needs to master on their own. The old people only lead the way and recruit newcomers, and they will leave when they reach the first city.
Many people who wanted to go to the river to drink some water and wash themselves stopped.
On the way here, they were already troubled by the strange trees and vines on the roadside.
Although these branches and vines are not as ferocious as the strange weasels, there are too many of them. If you cut one, there will be another one. If you burn one branch, there will be another one. If you are caught by these vines and branches, you will feel itchy all over and weak at best. If you are unlucky and encounter a branch that is highly poisonous, you will tear off a layer of skin!
They still remember the unfortunate guy's screams when the skin on his entire arm was corroded.
If it weren't for the treatment and repair by the curly-haired girl from the Dragon Fang Legion, the unlucky guy's entire left arm would have been crippled.
The road from the Novice Village to the First City is a main road often traveled by monsters. The weird plants on the roadside are so fierce, so how terrifying will the dense forest ahead, full of different trees, flowers and plants, be?!
Forget it, forget it, it’s better not to seek death.
They still have some water they brought from the village, and maybe they can borrow some from people who have drawn water to exchange for some. Anyway, they will not go there to die!
The first batch of newcomers who walked out of the Novice Village totaled 179 people.
Now, only more than fifty people decided to continue fetching water after listening to what the red-haired young man said.
Wu Xingyun had already started to use the dry branches he had picked up to make fire. After hearing what Hongmao said, he looked at Monk Wu Xiangwang with some worry:
"Brother Wangwang! How about I go with you guys?" It would be safer with his big mushroom blocking the way in front.
Wu Xiangwang shook his head and said, "Your mushroom is not very mobile in the dense forest. Even if it shrinks, it won't stop. Just stay there and make a fire!"
When it comes to living in dense forests, the abilities of the Aedes albopictus are simply perfect.
But why did that guy suddenly call him Brother Wangwang? He was a little suspicious about which Wang he was referring to.
"Did you teach him to yell?"
Wu Xiangwang looked at Shang Chong, who nodded while pinching his little thunder ball: "He's too unlucky, and the things he says unconsciously make him depressed. I'll let him call you Wangwang, and I'll call you Wangwang too. This might make our team prosperous in all aspects! Get rid of the bad luck."
Wu Xiangwang: "...Okay."
In the past, he would never agree to this uncool nickname.
But now... their team needs to be more prosperous!
After everyone made some simple preparations, they headed towards the river together.
A person who had awakened the ability of clairvoyance took the lead and looked into the dense forest leading to the river.
"The distance from our road to the river is less than a hundred meters. I haven't seen any ferocious beasts in the dense forest yet. But I have seen many branches and vines like those we encountered on the road that can wrap people up."
"There are also a lot of low, thorny bushes in the woods, and these bushes are trembling slightly... I think it's best to stay away from them to avoid getting pricked."
The clairvoyant looked hard into the dense forest near the river for a minute, and during this minute he tried his best to tell what he saw and guessed. After a minute, his face showed fatigue and he began to rub his eyes uncontrollably.
Obviously, his current ability only lasts for one minute, and any longer than one minute will cause damage to his eyes.
"I'm sorry I can't provide you with any more information. I need to go and close my eyes and rest for a while."
"It's okay, it's okay. I've already helped a lot! Go and rest. I'll fill your leaf water bottle for you."
Everyone nodded in gratitude to the clairvoyant, then gathered together according to their respective teams and stepped forward.
"Those trees are not easy to cut down, and our fire-type mutants don't have enough power to burn all the vines directly. I'd better arrange the formation a little bit!" The one who spoke was Jin Ge, the new recruit of the Dragon Tooth Legion, who was also a metal-type special sergeant that Shang Chong highly respected.
"Metal-type and slashing-type abilities lead the way, chopping and destroying any vines and branches they come across.
Agility and defensive abilities follow behind, responsible for being alert to the surrounding situation and stepping forward to protect teammates in time when encountering danger.
This triangular formation is a safer way. If there are more of us, we can divide into two groups or three to carry out relays.
As long as the fifty or so of us don't move too far apart or too fast, we can handle any danger."
Wu Xiangwang nodded inwardly as he watched Jun Ge calmly making arrangements. This Jun Ge was indeed quite impressive. It was obvious at first glance that he wasn't some cannon fodder who would die easily.
Then everyone walked into the dense forest by the river together.
The moment he stepped into the dense forest, Wu Xiangwang raised his head like many others.
It was clearly near noon, and the sun was at its brightest outside the forest, but in this dense forest, only a few scattered rays of light leaked through the overly dense leaves, preventing the entire dense forest from being shrouded in darkness.
But even so, the light in this dense forest is a little too scarce, and there is no other sound in the entire dense forest except the occasional rustling sound between leaves and branches. Everyone who enters the dense forest will be nervous at the first moment.
"Everyone, don't be dazed or distracted! Our mission is to get water from the river. Don't worry about anything else! Get moving!"
As Jin Ge said this, he took the lead in transforming both of his arms into hand knives as sharp as steel, and with a clean and decisive move, he cut off the branches and vines above his head and under his feet.
The others were reminded by him and stopped thinking about it. They also began to help Jin Ge cut branches and vines on both sides.
There were twelve psychics chopping branches and vines in front, six people in two rows, and they could probably open a path three meters wide.
Behind them were defensive and agile psychics observing their surroundings, ready to give warnings and defend at any time. It seemed that everyone was cooperating well.
But there are also people who slack off both actively and passively.
After all, some people's abilities can neither chop nor be agile enough for defense, while some people think that since there are people in front of them, it's okay for them to fish for a while. At worst, they can wait until the people in front are tired of opening up, and then they can go up.
But even when they were slacking off, everyone was terrified and cautious.
The rustling of leaves and the sharp, piercing, and ear-piercing sounds of vine branches being chopped off constantly surrounded everyone. Listening to them for a long time made people feel guilty, short of breath, and irritable.
"...Why do I feel like the rustling of leaves seems to be getting more frequent?"
"Oh my god, I really want earplugs right now! The sound of those vines being chopped off is making my head hurt!"
"The speed at which we're chopping branches and vines up ahead is too slow! At this rate, it'll take hours to walk these 100 meters! No, I won't wait any longer. I'm just going to the river to fetch some water, right?! As long as I'm fast, those vines and branches won't be able to catch up with me!"
Perhaps the constant rustling and sharp sounds of breaking branches were too harsh, and a tall, thin young man who looked like a high school student with a bit of an impatient temper finally couldn't stand it anymore. As he spoke, he took a deep breath and moved his wrists and ankles, and it seemed that he was planning to rush forward.
"Liu Ben! Don't try to get yourself killed now! This dense forest is filled with all sorts of strange plants and dangers we don't know about!"
A middle-aged man with Liu Ben couldn't help but frown when he saw him trying to force his way in, wanting to stop him. However, the increasingly frequent rustling and hissing sounds made Liu Ben's face look even uglier. "Old Zhang, don't stop me! You know how fast I am. Those vines along the way couldn't get into me! On Earth, I can run a hundred meters in just over ten seconds, and now I have the bonus of speed and agility! Those vines can't even touch me!"
Having said this, he rushed out without hesitation, causing people around him to exclaim in surprise, some loud and some low.
Jin Ge and the others who were cutting branches and vines in front were also attracted by the sound and looked back.
Then they saw the person running forward, leaving only an afterimage.
“!!”
"Isn't this nonsense?"
Someone shouted out loud.
But many people, including Jin Ge, did not speak, but just stared at the figure running forward with serious expressions.
At least in the first few seconds, the young man named Liu Ben did run through the dense vines and branches very quickly and smoothly, and he also jumped over the low thorny bush with one leap.
This was like a very exciting obstacle race. At least in the beginning, everyone was nervous but also felt the joy for him for passing the obstacles.
Soon Liu Ben's figure disappeared into the depths of the dense forest. The people who were still there looked at each other, hoping that the young man could succeed with his agility and speed, but also feeling inexplicably worried.
"Ten seconds have passed."
A man wearing gold-rimmed glasses who looked very elite suddenly spoke.
If the young man had followed the speed after awakening his superpowers, he should have reached the river by now and even fetched water and was about to return.
No one spoke, and the atmosphere became even more silent. At this moment, the voice of the young man named Liu Ben suddenly came from the front.
"Hahaha, Lao Zhang, I succeeded! I'm back! Hahaha, I said these branches and vines can't catch me, ahhhhhhhhhhh——"
"Teacher...help, help"
The joy on Old Zhang's face had not yet faded when it suddenly turned into shock, anger and pain.
This made his expression look extremely distorted and ferocious at that moment, and he rushed forward regardless of everything: "Liu Ben!"
However, there was a person who was faster than him. Wu Xiangwang rushed out as soon as he heard the young man's scream. His speed was even faster than Liu Ben's.
After a few breaths, Wu Xiangwang saw Liu Ben, whose whole body was entangled with vines, like a small insect caught in a dark green spider web.
He is dead.
In just a few breaths.
At this time, the dark green vines began to fly towards him like a group of snakes.
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