It turns out that some things can't be determined by the system as design maps.
Take, for instance, Lin Yue using a dagger to poke dozens of holes into a wooden board.
"Well, it can't be used. Seems like I'll need to think of another way."
Lin Yue looked at the garbage-like item in his hand, frowned, and threw it away.
It seems that I'll need to come up with something else, ideally find a perforated iron plate...
Wait a minute.
Isn't there a place where I can find a perforated iron plate?
Lin Yue looked towards the small forest, where the Ancient Secret Realm Gate still emitted mist.
"Puff chirp?" Little White, sitting on Lin Yue's shoulder, seemed hungry, chirping incessantly.
Lin Yue pondered a bit, took out the mutant sheep meat, placed it on the board, and then cut it into small chunks with a dagger.
Little White was originally a mutant creature, could it eat this mutant sheep meat?
Just as Lin Yue contemplated this, he suddenly noticed the more than one pound of chopped lamb disappeared!
Looking at Little White again, its belly had expanded.
Oh boy, is this considered binge eating?
"Don't eat so fast, you'll get fat, haha." Lin Yue patted its small head; this little fellow truly brought him much joy.
Upon arriving in this world, he had no one to talk to, and those in the group were just strangers whose interaction purposes were straightforward.
They wanted to trade the least amount for his water; to them, he was simply a lucky fellow who found a water source.
Little White appeared in his lonely world, seemingly awakened something, adding more smiles to his face.
After slicing some lamb chunks and placing them in the inventory, they appeared as "lamb fragments".
These were White's rations, although it distinctly preferred instant noodles, meat chunks were undeniably more convenient.
"Little White, shall we venture into the secret realm again?"
Little White suddenly turned over and sat up: "Puff chirp?"
Lin Yue smiled, looked at the inventory, ready to store unnecessary items in the shelter.
However, he discovered two unopened Copper Treasure Chests.
These were trapped earlier this morning by two mutant sheep.
[You gained Wool Design Map X1]
[You gained Iron Spear Design Map X1, two cans of soda]
Oh my.
Wool from sheep, good sheep make good wool, good wool makes good yarn?
Wool design map, huh?
But speaking of wool, it might be useful somewhere?
Lin Yue clicked use immediately.
[Wool: Wool X1]
There's wool here.
Lin Yue collected a bunch from the house with the dagger, promptly showing "Wool X4" in the inventory.
So, let's spin some yarn.
Hm? Why does it sound off?
Soon enough, Lin Yue had four fluffy yarn balls.
Wow, this pure wool yarn is quite prickly.
Looking at the other Copper Treasure Chest content.
Iron Spear Design Map... I've got this; how else do I make this spear?
If I sell it, everyone has one, right?
Seems like this one's a dud?
It's the first useless loot since popping treasure chests for many days.
"Maybe just use it then, don't know where to toss it." Thinking this, a faint light flashed.
[Your Iron Spear Design Map is upgraded!]
Oh heck?
Lin Yue thought he misheard.
Wait, it could upgrade cumulatively? Does crafting an Iron Spear also mean it's upgraded?
[Iron Spear: Wood X4, Iron Block X6]
Wait a minute, seems like it requires more resources to craft than it did before?
Give it a try?
[You gained Fine Iron Spear X1]
[You lost Wood X4, Iron Block X6]
Fine! The quality has improved!
This new spear is quite different from the previous one; the head's volume is nearly double the size.
The spear tip is sharp, the blade quite keen, and the spear shaft utterly smooth.
Lin Yue picked up the Fine Iron Spear, then made sweeping strokes outside in the wild grass!
[You gained Hay X10]
[You gained...]
My goodness, barely did anything yet and got 30 units of hay.
This thing is a merciless mowing machine on the grasslands.
Then, what happens against mutant creatures?
Although considering this, Lin Yue didn't immediately go troubling those black dots.
For him, the priority now was to create a ventilation opening and the necessary materials are only found in the secret realm.
Relying solely on treasure chests for items is too difficult.
He rechecked his equipment.
Wood armor, small round shield, Fine Iron Spear, inventory cleared, leaving only materials, food, and water.
This time Lin Yue didn't forget the lighter, he made two torches with hay and wood promptly.
White lay on his shoulder, seemingly ready.
Lin Yue took a deep breath.
Despite a day passing, he had a more wieldable sharp weapon now, and Little White's abilities grew stronger. Seeking perforated iron plates shouldn't pose a problem.
"Little White, caution first, let's go."
Lin Yue opened the Ancient Secret Realm Gate, the mist enveloping him simultaneously.
Within, boundless mist smothered, Lin Yue took out yarn, fastening one end securely on a boulder at the door with multiple wraps.
He draped the yarn to the ground, placing a piece of wood over it, unwinding as he walked.
This reminded him of a story where a good technique exploring complex mazes was described.
Yarn is more brittle than materials like these, but much easier to handle.
"Puff chirp!" Lin Yue neared the car with the battery he previously took when Little White suddenly chirped.
"What happened?" Lin Yue turned swiftly, looking where Little White pointed, ready for combat!
"Squeak squeak squeak..." echoing cries rushed, Lin Yue tensed his nerves!
Unexpectedly, as soon as entering, the big rats came to welcome him.
Lin Yue raised the wooden shield, retreating towards the ancient gate swiftly.
If worse comes to worst, he might directly withdraw from there.
Soon, his back pressed against the gate, Lin Yue noticed several gray rats approaching him!
He lowered his position in a squat, sweeping instantly as desperate calls filled the air, lapsed back into silence around.
Wait? It's over already?
Maintaining his combat stance, he peered ahead.
Six rats' bodies halved sprawling grimly.
Wow, this iron spear is too sharp!
Marveling at the weapon upgrade, Lin Yue moved ahead again.
Following memories, he ventured deeper.
It didn't take long before he reached the large building from before.
Breathing deeply, Lin Yue entered the room where he previously killed the rats, lit the torch.
This time, even though Little White was constantly on alert, it hadn't raised an alarm.
After the collapsed door, Lin Yue suddenly noticed a large opening in the staircase ahead.
Crossing the opening, a wide street appeared before him.
The street was lined with ordinary shops; the houses were low, like two-story buildings, but most were collapsed.
However, English letters on the shop signs made him realize this place wasn't Tang Country.
Constantly prepared for combat, Lin Yue searched one place after another.
Being here, it seems wasteful not to take anything.
But, reaching a shop entrance, peering through dusty and shattered glass; he suddenly widened his eyes.
"Is this actually here?" He was taken aback.