The seventh challenge was weapon crafting. This wasn't Jian Ning's forte either, so she had to learn while tackling the challenges outside. Summer turned to winter, and a year passed in the blink of an eye.
The number of personnel at the base has increased significantly, and under the maintenance of the troops, order is clearly maintained. Although it is winter, the crops in the greenhouses are still growing well.
This winter, at least we won't lack food. In fact, on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month, the base slaughtered dozens of pigs to improve everyone's meals.
Such a life is already very good; it's what many people dream of.
This winter, the coldest temperature reached below -70 degrees Celsius. Fortunately, the area is close to the mountains, and a coal mine was discovered there during the summer. The military organized personnel to work together to mine it.
The wages are paid in grain and edible food, or in points. Currently, points are the only currency used in the base. There are no other forms of currency for transactions.
Jian Anping also went to participate in coal mining and brought back quite a lot for his own family.
So the fireplaces were still burning in the houses that winter, and both houses were quite warm. People have gradually adapted to this lifestyle with only two seasons a year.
Their ability to withstand the cold has also increased significantly. Like today, there was a pig being slaughtered outside, and even children dressed warmly, wearing hats and scarves, went out to watch the spectacle.
Aunt Wang is busy at home steaming buns, sprinkling rice cakes, steaming bean buns, making frozen dumplings, and frying various kinds of pasta, preparing for the New Year.
Jian Ning couldn't help either; her kitchen skills were not as good as those of little Tian Tian.
Even when she was helping to make dumplings, Tian Tian complained.
"Sister-in-law, you and Fugui should go and rest for a while. Don't cause trouble here. Look at him, his face and body are covered in noodles. It's everywhere. I can wrap it up myself."
"Huang Fugui, get up right now and go wash your face."
When Jian Ning heard what Tian Tian said, she looked up and saw that Huang Fugui's eyebrows were covered in white flour.
I don't know why this child is so stupid, even though she's not much better than it.
But at least they can wrap the dumplings into a roughly approximate shape.
Even if Huang Fugui turned his claws into hands, they wouldn't be very useful. After busying himself for half a day, the dumplings he made were not only shapeless but also mostly broken.
She stood up, grabbed Huang Fugui by the ear, and took him to the restroom.
"Master, let's not stay at home. How about we go out and have some fun? I've already explored all the mountains around here, and there's nothing else to do."
Huang Fugui put his chubby little paws in the sink, looked up at Jian Ning pitifully, and asked.
"Look how fat you are, you can barely walk. It's all snow outside, what's so fun about that?"
Jian Ning didn't want to go out. She hadn't passed the weapon-refining hurdle yet, and she couldn't get many spiritually rich materials here, so she was feeling quite frustrated.
"Let's go up the mountain to find treasures! I saw in a video that there are lots of good things in the mountains of the Miao village. Shall we go and take a look?"
"Not now, it's almost Chinese New Year. Let's go after the fifteenth."
After hearing Huang Fugui's words, Jian Ning felt that they made sense. China is so big; she should go out and see more of the world.
Who knows, we might find something useful somewhere. With a treasure-hunting tool like Huang Fugui, it's a waste of his talents to stay idle at home.
"Then it's settled. I'm going to go play with Bawang. Making dumplings isn't an easy job either."
Huang Fugui wiped his hands clean, his body swayed, and he returned to his original form, dashing away in a flash.
Its fur makes it resistant to the cold, and it can now also hide its two wings.
From the outside, it looks like a long-haired white cat, not very conspicuous. Once it's in the snow, it blends in with the snow and is hard to spot.
Jian Ning ignored it; the wild animals outside were no match for Huang Fugui, and they were all too frightened to move far away from it.
In this area, it and the Overlord are invincible.
It's already good enough that they don't bully others. Besides, the soldiers in the army all know that the cat and dog belong to Xiao Lingfeng, and they are very tolerant of them.
Sometimes when we go out to play, they will even open the gate to the base for us.
Because in this apocalypse, there are basically no pets left, except for the rich second-generation in the villa area who has two big dogs, no one else has any.
Xiao Lingfeng only got a week off on the 29th of the twelfth lunar month. Jian Ning and Jian Anping discussed it and decided that the two families should celebrate the New Year together, which would be more lively.
Now, both Tiger Head and Iron Egg have reached the second level of Qi Refining. Not only are they incredibly strong, but they're also exceptionally robust and sturdy. Their favorite person is Jian Ning.
As soon as she gets close, they snuggle up to her and refuse to get off, because Jian Ning is now at the Golden Core stage and her body is full of spiritual energy. The two children especially love her.
"Xiao Ning, you've been married for almost so long, haven't you thought about having a child yet?"
"Make the most of your youth, look how popular you are with kids." Li Mengyao asked with a smile as she watched her two sons climbing all over Jian Ning.
"No rush, I'm still young, why would I want to have children so early?"
Jian Ning hadn't really considered this issue. Right now, all she could think about was getting to the ninth level as soon as possible and taking complete control of the Immortal Mansion, so that she would have more security in this apocalypse.
Although life seems quite stable now, and everyone is gradually adapting to their current lifestyle.
But we must be prepared for danger even in times of peace. Natural disasters can strike at any time.
If it's just about protecting your own family, there's no need to rush.
However, according to Xiao Lingfeng's wishes, he wanted to protect this base, including the military leaders.
That would be a bit difficult.
Although Jian Ning's skill in formations is already quite high, she can set up a protective formation for the base.
The problem is that there isn't enough spiritual energy to support the array, and we're also short of materials for setting it up. Under the current conditions, we simply can't find all the materials, so we have to abandon this idea.
"How can you look young? You silly girl, Aunt Wang and my mom have been talking about it behind your back for ages."
You also need to consider the elderly; they are all eager to have grandchildren, but they are just too embarrassed to urge you.
You need to be aware of your own limitations; you're busy with something all day long without knowing what you're doing.
They disappear without a trace. We should also consider the elderly's feelings. Besides, having a child is so wonderful; life isn't so lonely. Right now, I'm just looking forward to these two children growing up quickly. With a large and prosperous family, life will only get better and better.”
Jian Ning smiled after hearing Li Mengyao's words.
“Sister-in-law, you’re thinking too much. But I really need to discuss this with Xiao Lingfeng and see what he thinks. If he really wants a child, it’s not impossible.”
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