Chapter 369: Dust Settles

Cheng Shuili picks up the item and checks the detailed description.

【Silver Inheritance Bullet】

【Description: A special bullet that was used long, long ago to deal with vampires! Its material is unique, so the item is not a physical attack; after firing it automatically seeks the target, ignoring all defenses! Using it consumes a large amount of resources! Each use then requires a week to recharge; after recharging, it can be used again. Current remaining uses: 2/3】

It's indeed this item.

Cheng Shuili glanced at it a few times, then put the item away, and she also put the safe that held the item away together.

Anyway Li Changyou is going to die, so rather than have these things reclaimed by the system, it's better to let her take them gladly.

Seeing Cheng Shuili open the safe, Li Changyou looked as if his worldview had shattered, his eyes vacant, and he stopped struggling. He only kept muttering, low and repeating something with his lips.

Su Rui leaned in and heard, "Monster… monster… cheated, she definitely cheated…"

"Whoa."

This blow is too great to accept at all.

Su Rui turned her head toward Cheng Shuili; she was picking through Li Changyou's truck, gathering any useful items.

Looking at her skill, someone might think this was her own vehicle.

Su Rui muttered two sarcastic remarks in her mind, but her gaze stayed on Li Changyou.

This guy is truly scheming; who knows if he has other tricks? Definitely better to be more cautious!

If it weren't for Lao Da still choosing that item, Su Rui would have wanted to shoot him right now. The dead old man caused so much trouble, forcing her to merge roads with Cheng Shuili all day long.

Su Rui glanced at the time and couldn't help sighing again.

Perhaps today's bad luck has been exhausted; no further setbacks appeared here for the two.

When they returned to the territory, it had already been set up by members of the Black Feather.

The territory's sky was near dusk; the open ground around the ancient castle was now brightly lit, bustling with voices.

The long tables inside the ancient castle were quickly cleaned and brought out, covered with clean sheets, and loaded with a dazzling array of food in disposable containers!

Xinxue, who had been chatting with a few people, raised her hand to greet Cheng Shuili, "Lao Da!"

Her shout was so loud it drew everyone's attention.

"Lao Da is back!"

"Su Rui sis!"

The back-and-forth greetings rang out; the noisy venue fell silent for a moment, then erupted into even louder cheers.

Many gathered around, faces beaming with excitement and concern.

"Lao Da! You're truly amazing; without the rocket launcher, we'd have been doomed this time!"

"Step aside, who is Lao Da? Even without the rocket launcher, we can still beat them!"

Jiang Tang pushed to the front, eyes sparkling: "Lao Da, can we eat now?"

Cheng Shuili: "..."

Fine, then why the nonsense?

She had once been a staff member, knowing how annoying such pre‑meal chatter is, she raised her hand and declared:

"Dinner!"

Those two words instantly pushed the atmosphere to another climax!

The seating had been arranged early by Xinxue, and everyone sat in order.

Cheng Shuili took the head seat at the central table, with Su Rui and Wan Yi on either side; Xinxue and the others were also at this table.

Their ages weren't far apart, so dining together was lively.

Cheng Shuili's status was special, so she didn't intend to join their idle chatter, quietly eating; Wan Yi suddenly laughed and handed Cheng Shuili a piece of char‑grilled meat: "Try it, we've only had frozen meat from the fridge before; fresh meat is rare."

Cheng Shuili didn't rush to eat, asking, "Fresh meat?"

Before Wan Yi could speak, Jiang Tang rushed over, shouting for credit: "Lao Da! It's me! The trap you made caught prey again! A little pig! Sister Wan Yi said we can use that pig for tonight's meat dishes!"

"Is it still a pig?" Xinxue added, "It's not small anymore, almost a hundred jin! On average each Black Feather member gets a kilo of meat. Anyway our little pig sister made a big contribution!"

Jiang Tang tried to argue, but seeing them about to bicker, Cheng Shuili first nodded approvingly: "Well done."

Those few simple words made Jiang Tang's eyebrows lift and smile, brightening her demeanor.

Wan Yi, unfazed by their noise, lifted a ladle and served Cheng Shuili a bowl of soup: "Stewed all afternoon, try it?"

A rich aroma hit her nose; Cheng Shuili took the bowl, looking at the milky soup and a few pieces of tender meat.

She scooped a spoonful and swallowed; the warm broth, rich with meat scent, melted on her tongue, making her involuntarily squint.

"Delicious."

Cheng Shuili rarely gave such a blunt rating; Wan Yi burst out laughing: "I knew you'd like this."

Cheng Shuili returned a smile, quietly sipping the soup, listening to the lively discussion at the table.

The lively celebration feast continued until the moon was high at midnight.

The air was filled with lingering food aromas and laughter; members cleaned up in small groups, faces showing satisfaction and fatigue.

Cheng Shuili returned to the vehicle, opened the window; the cool night breeze dispersed the interior heat and cleared her drowsy mind from the feast. She leaned by the window, eyes fixed on the monster outside the shield.

Too many events happened today: the counter‑Black Feather Alliance siege, the Dragon Soul's plot and assassination, Li Changyou's Golden Cicada Shedding Shell and final execution…

One link after another, almost suffocating.

Fortunately, the final outcome was good.

Black Feather's prestige, after this series of events, not only remained intact but rose in an even stronger stance.

The voices yearning to join on the regional channel are the best proof.

Cheng Shuili blinked, her fingers gently rubbing the Abyssal Ring, tallying today's gains.

Besides the Silver Inheritance Bullet, there were a large amount of basic materials scavenged from Li Changyou and the few destroyed faction warehouses, some cards, and…

Most importantly, the territories that came in.

Even though it's time‑limited, we still have to let Zhou Zhuxing check whether we can farm.

We can't waste it.

"Huh…"

Cheng Shuili let out a long sigh, temporarily suppressing the tangled thoughts.

She closed the window and collapsed onto the soft bed.

The fatigue in her body surged like a tide, and her consciousness soon dimmed.

The next day at noon, after lunch, Cheng Shuili went to the territory and took another look.

Except for the medical station, all other facilities were put to use, especially the training ground; not to mention the members, Cheng Shuili also adored this place immensely.

The books brought by the upgrade were truly no different from martial‑arts manuals.

Although they are all introductory lessons, in this world fraught with danger, any improvement in combat skill could decide life or death.

Cheng Shuili spent the whole morning training here, essentially recording all the moves.

According to Su Rui, she is still far from true "integration and mastery."

But the training ground doesn't run away, so she can practice at her own pace.

Cheng Shuili watched a few members, originally not good at melee, clumsily yet earnestly practice chopping motions on wooden posts, and couldn't help but slightly narrow her eyes.

The biggest advantage of the training ground is that what it teaches is systematic.

Whereas what Su Rui teaches is all hammer‑here, hammer‑there; if Cheng Shuili weren't exceptionally gifted, it would be learning in vain!

The "exceptionally gifted" label is, of course, Cheng Shuili's own assessment, but that doesn't matter.

She reread "Fundamental Swordsmanship Mastery," made sure she remembered every detail, returned the book to the shelf, and opened the building upgrade page again.

Among these faction buildings, the training ground requires the most materials!

But regarding the training ground's purpose, Cheng Shuili can fully understand it. Apart from gradual accumulation, there is no other way.

She let out a light sigh, used up today's uses of the Taotie Furnace, and was about to return to the vehicle when Zhou Zhuxing's slightly hurried voice came from behind: "Lao Da!"

Cheng Shuili turned around, saw Zhou Zhuxing hurrying toward her, still holding the little notebook she used for notes, his expression somewhat solemn.

"What's the matter?"

"We're running low on seeds," Zhou Zhuxing opened the notebook, pointing to the numbers recorded. "The newly annexed territories have soil conditions better than I expected, and we have more people, so the clearing is rapid. But the seeds I brought, especially those for staple crops, can only cover sowing for two of the plots at most. The remaining land… if we can't replenish seeds in time, it will have to lie fallow for now."

She paused, her tone tinged with sorrow: "What a waste, those are good lands."

Cheng Shuili slightly furrowed her brows.

The territory expanded, planting area grew, but seeds are stuck at a bottleneck—how can that be acceptable?

"Have you checked the Trade Channel?" Cheng Shuili asked.

"I asked Xinxue," Zhou Zhuxing shook his head, "Xinxue said these are all rare goods, occasionally sold in small batches, but the quantity is too little and the price is hiked enormously—just a drop in the bucket. Moreover, the sellers, like the former Yu Bing, are only selling seedlings, so there's really no need to buy them."

Indeed.

Cheng Shuili pondered briefly, still feeling that aside from a trip to Shou Ren Xiao Zhen, there was no other solution.

"The old gardener who gave you the seeds before, where exactly in Shou Ren Xiao Zhen is she?"

"Do we need to find her?" Zhou Zhuxing seemed a bit worried, thought for a moment, then laid it all out: "That old lady has a strange temperament, especially despising customers who show up empty‑handed. If you, Lao Da, go, you'll need to bring some fruit, and it has to be fresh."

Cheng Shuili nodded, calculating in her mind; the sunroom had freshly ripened strawberries, which she could pick and deliver once she found the place, ensuring they're fresh.

"The address?"

"Pass through the central fountain square of the town, head east onto the narrowest alley where the stone slabs are most worn, walk to the end; the door with a string of dried berries and a few bundles of withered golden wheat is the one…"

Cheng Shuili wrote down the address and said to Zhou Zhuxing, "Got it, I'll handle this. You first organize manpower and sow all the land that can be planted."

Zhou Zhuxing exhaled in relief, nodded vigorously, "Alright, Lao Da!"

Cheng Shuili returned to the vehicle, installed the radio battery, and lay down on the sofa beside it.

It has to be Shou Ren Xiao Zhen!

We've been to all the other special buildings; even the safety net should be Shou Ren Xiao Zhen by now, right?

It seemed to hear her thoughts; after a period of silence, the radio finally emitted that familiar, slightly static‑laden broadcast:

【…zzzz…zzzz… Shou Ren Xiao Zhen… welcome, players, to your visit…】

Great! The safety net didn't miss!

Cheng Shuili gave Su Rui a heads‑up, then waited for the station.

Following Zhou Zhuxing's directions to the place, Cheng Shuili first went to the territory, picked a dozen or so of the reddest, plump strawberries, wrapped them in a clean soft cloth, and then lifted her hand to knock on the door.

A rustling sound came from inside; after a moment, the door creaked open a crack.

A heavily wrinkled old face peered out, its murky yellow eyes scanning Cheng Shuili and Su Rui, with unabashed scrutiny.

It was an elderly Badger Clan beastman.

"Who's there? Don't disturb the old lady's rest."

Her voice was hoarse and impatient, and her expression matched.

But Cheng Shuili had been mentally prepared, so it wasn't surprising.

"Hello," she said calmly, "We were referred by Zhou Zhuxing."

"Zhou Zhuxing?" the old lady squinted, as if recalling, "Oh… that somewhat gifted human little girl."

Her gaze swept over Cheng Shuili and Su Rui's hands again; perhaps not seeing what she wanted, she narrowed her eyes and bluntly asked, "She didn't tell you what to bring when meeting the old lady?"

As she spoke, she was about to close the door.

Cheng Shuili, unhurried, gently lifted a corner of the soft cloth in her hand; the fresh strawberries' distinct sweet aroma instantly wafted out, standing out alluringly in the alley thick with stale odors.

The old lady's motion halted; even her nose twitched twice vigorously, and then a glint of light flashed in her murky eyes.

She stared at that splash of red, her throat rolling slightly.

Cheng Shuili felt reassured; it seemed Zhou Zhuxing had been absolutely right.

……Come in.

The old woman's tone softened considerably; although it still wasn't warm, at least she opened the door fully.

Cheng Shuili and the other exchanged a glance, then followed her inside.

The interior was dimly lit, filled with a noticeable herbal scent.

The room was messy, with various cloth bags piled everywhere, plus earthen jars and drying plant roots, stems, and leaves, appearing chaotic yet somehow systematic.

The old badger-woman shuffled over to a low stool covered with animal hide and sat down, her gaze still on the strawberry in Cheng Shuili's hand.

She seemed to be eyeing it hungrily; she swallowed before saying, "Go on, what seeds do you want?"

"I want them all, the more the better."

Cheng Shuili placed the strawberry on an empty wooden box between them as a greeting gift.

The old woman extended her withered finger, picked up a strawberry, examined it closely, sniffed it, and then hummed in satisfaction.

"Not bad quality… It seems your territory has some skill. But, young folks, your appetite is too big—you'll burst."

The old woman slowly set the strawberry down, not eating it right away, instead fixing her cloudy yellow eyes on Cheng Shuili.

"The seeds I have aren't just pebbles by the road—you can have as many as you want. Besides, I don't sell to just anyone; judging by this strawberry's quality, your territory is capable of cultivation."