Chapter 266: Please Ask Qin Yao to Help Recruit Survivors

The hot pot feast was eaten with everyone gobbling it down like wolves and tigers.

During the meal, not a word was spoken; everyone feared that speaking another sentence would mean the food in the pot would be scooped clean before they could take another bite.

They had never in their lives eaten such fresh ingredients or tasted such a special sauce.

More importantly, the wind-return stove sent by the goddess was extremely practical, easy to install and operate, and soon everyone had set one up in their tents.

They lived in a mountain valley, never lacking firewood.

"This wind-return stove really works; how come we never thought of building one like this? It can keep us warm and cook rice, and we don't have to worry about thick smoke not clearing from the room."

"Indeed, befitting our goddess, I think this isn't just a stove but a divine artifact!"

The tents were warm and cozy, and everyone's hearts felt ever more at ease.

Now they wouldn't freeze while sleeping at night.

Although the thick blanket given by the goddess was indeed warm, with ample material and top-notch quality, it couldn't withstand the outside temperature of minus forty to fifty degrees, which was bitterly cold to the bone.

Especially at night, the temperature could drop to minus sixty or seventy degrees, making any exposed head ache from the cold; getting up for a nighttime bathroom break was practically lethal.

Now it's fine: the goddess's wind-return stove can heat the tents nicely without risking oxygen poisoning.

Its fuel needs only firewood, which can be gathered in piles anywhere.

Night fell, and everyone finally got a warm sleep; even Qin Yao and the others who had rushed over to escort them shared in the blessing.

That night, the original inhabitants of the refuge slept extremely soundly, yet many people simply couldn't sleep at all.

In Song Zhi's tent, his wife sat by the stove wearing only a thin shirt, warming herself by the fire as she talked with her husband.

"Coming out with you this time was truly the right choice; I never expected that the refuge managed by Captain Ye would be more comfortable than our lives in Zone 13."

Song Zhi couldn't help but nod, feeling moved; it was only thanks to his spur-of-the-moment invitation to Ye Heng to join the expedition that they'd gotten this blessing, otherwise they wouldn't have had it.

Although now the whole family has to crowd into a single tent for the night, living here is still more comfortable than in their two-story building in Zone 13.

He silently vowed to shine and contribute in the refuge, not letting down Ye Heng nor the goddess.

The next day, Qin Yao and company were to leave; outwardly calm, but inside they were torn, even somewhat reluctant to go.

Last night, their group had squeezed into a single tent to rest; the space was small, but this was clearly temporary.

Qin Yao heard that after this cold season ends, Ye Heng plans to take down all the tents, build houses and erect towers, truly establishing this place.

In the near future, this refuge will surely become a paradise.

"Brother Qin, thank you for bringing my whole family here this time; from now on, whenever you have something to say, we will always be brothers."

After Song Zhi finished speaking, he stepped closer and whispered:

"To be honest, what do you think of this place?"

Qin Yao swallowed, saying, "Not bad; I really admire your daring—most people couldn't truly give up their upper-citizen status."

Song Zhi pondered, then said, "Would you like to join as well? Brother Ye is recruiting survivors; with your and your team's strength, if you truly want to stay, Brother Ye will surely welcome you."

Qin Yao felt somewhat swayed, but he still lacked Song Zhi's resolve for now.

Inside the zone, after all, living facilities are fairly complete; having been born there, abandoning his upper-citizen status would be tantamount to giving up everything he's known since birth.

Seeing Qin Yao hesitate, Song Zhi didn't press further.

The benefits of this refuge will become clear to everyone in time.

At that moment, Ye Heng came over to see them off, with two people carrying a large box behind him.

The heavy box was set down and opened before Qin Yao and company; Ye Heng said:

"Brother Qin Yao, I'd like to ask you for a favor; as thanks, I'm giving you this box of supplies."

Qin Yao never expected Ye Heng to be so generous.

Besides a few round, plump watermelons, the box contained some bright-green fresh vegetables and several jars of seasoning.

Ye Heng then took out two packs of cigarettes from his pocket and handed them to Qin Yao, saying:

"Brother Qin Yao, keep the cigarettes; it's my little token of thanks."

Qin Yao was startled and didn't dare reach out to take them.

He had been lucky enough to smoke one last night; it was top-notch goods, worth a fortune on the market.

Now Ye Heng gave him two fresh packs, still sealed in their plastic wrapping.

No matter how much he desired them, Qin Yao kept his reason.

Such a generous gift of supplies suggests this favor won't be simple; after years of scraping by, he knows he can't take on just any job—staying alive is what matters most.

"Brother Ye, these things are too valuable for me to accept; tell me what the favor is, and I'll see if I can help."

Ye Heng didn't take the cigarettes back, but said:

"There's nothing urgent; I just heard that Brother Qin often goes out on missions and will surely see many scattered survivors, so I only need you to spread the word about our refuge, letting those who wish to join come over."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yao's eyes lit up; the task wasn't hard, as he frequently encounters lone survivors, many of whom are unwilling to join the refuge.

If it's just making introductions, he has no reason to refuse, and it's hardly a major favor that would warrant such precious supplies.

So Qin Yao said:

"I'll take on this favor; rest assured, I'll shamelessly accept this box of supplies, but the cigarettes are still too valuable—I can't take them."

Ye Heng grew more impressed with Qin Yao as a decent person, and still shoved the cigarettes into his hands.

"Don't be polite, brother; these cigarettes are also a gift from the goddess, and few in our refuge smoke them, so please don't stand on ceremony with me."

Song Zhi also said, "Just accept it; Brother Ye is being extremely generous to his brothers. Take his cigarettes, then later help him recruit decent-looking survivors outside—but you must promise not to broadcast our affairs widely, for the refuge hasn't been fully upgraded yet, and if the big refuges find out, it'll cause trouble."

Qin Yao wore a solemn expression: "Rest assured, we've known each other for over ten years; you know my character and that of my brothers, don't you?"

"Then, since that's the case, I'll also shamelessly accept the cigarettes; from today on I'll help you scout survivors outside—rest assured, I won't utter a word about those who seem of poor character, only recommending those who look decent."

After seeing Qin Yao off, Ye Heng had also found an external aide to help him recruit manpower.

Moreover, with Song Zhi and company now added, their squad is strong and can also assist in outward recruitment.

Lin Meng learned that Qin Yao hadn't stayed behind, and felt a bit regretful.

However, Ye Heng had his own rhythm, so she couldn't readily interfere.

Otherwise, simply using inexhaustible material temptations would surely keep people, guaranteed to make them wholeheartedly devoted.

Now Lin Meng's cultivation had broken through to the ninth layer of Qi Refining; reaching great perfection was a matter of course, and next she should proceed to Foundation Establishment.

Before that, she needed to first go see Ye Xiu.

Moreover, the Nine-Eyed Heavenly Pearl seemed to have gained sentience, as if urging her to collect souls; these past few days, whenever night fell, the Nine-Eyed Heavenly Pearl would jump a few times, eerily frightening.

She planned to walk Xiao Jinzi and then go to the Strange World to have a look…