After upgrading his farming space, Lin Qianyi felt that this trial space was truly amazing.
Why hadn't they let him in earlier?
Speaking of which, if he completed the remaining tasks, he could earn another 400 points.
It wouldn't be enough to upgrade the land or the sickle again, but it would be enough to buy two more plots of land or expand the warehouse space.
As Lin Qianyi was thinking about this, the tree in front of him fell with his chopping.
Even though his folding sword was being used like this, it barely showed any wear. The quality was top-notch it didn't feel like a mere decorative toy bought for 1,500 yuan.
Of course, even decorative items today involved considerable technological expertise.
Modern metallurgy was leagues ahead of ancient techniques. The material of Lin Qianyi's cold weapon alone likely outclassed the current world's civilization by several decades.
Then again, materials science isn't exactly something you can measure purely in years there's always a bit of luck involved.
---
Day 22.
The few fish that had been fed the "Sea God Pill" were still lively actually, even more energetic than when they were first caught.
Preliminary assessment: at least the stuff wasn't poisonous.
But when it came to human trials, He Yanghui still wanted to test on a mammal first. That wouldn't be hard. On the island, Lin Qianyi had seen squirrel-like creatures. Some had even tried to steal their fish before unsuccessfully.
They could easily lure one with a trap.
After a bit of time, they made some traps out of bamboo and rope and set them near the spot where they hung smoked fish.
They didn't even need to wait until the next day by afternoon, a gray-brown little creature had its leg caught in the trap.
From a distance, Lin Qianyi handed over some fish meat mixed with the Sea God Pill using a bamboo stick.
The little guy sniffed it and then happily started eating.
---
Day 23.
The fish were still alive. The squirrel was full of energy, practically bouncing around.
It clearly showed vitality beyond normal.
If it were just a stimulant, there's no way it would last this long the body would've broken down already.
At this point, it seemed like they really had gained some of the Sea God's power?
"Who's going first?" Su Mandong asked, holding up a freshly made Sea God Pill by the campfire.
He Yanghui stayed silent. Zhou Hong looked tempted but cautious. Rena's eyes were filled only with curiosity.
"I'll try. I'm healthy one pill won't hurt," said Lin Qianyi, taking one from Su Mandong's hand.
"Xiao Yi, let me try it first. You're too important right now. We can't have you vomiting and diarrhea all over the place," said He Yanghui, taking the pill from Lin Qianyi to stop him.
"Hey, Lao He, you're being too much!" Su Mandong said angrily. "We've tested this far already and you still don't trust me? I'll eat it myself!"
She popped one into her mouth and swallowed it with some water.
The gray-green pill was less than a centimeter in diameter, mostly made of plant ash, with only a small amount of Sea God Grass extract.
Seeing Su Mandong take it, He Yanghui hesitated to put his pill in his mouth.
Honestly, he didn't believe in any of this Sea God Grass power nonsense.
Never even heard of it. He was starting to think Su Mandong might be losing her mind.
If not for Lin Qianyi backing her up, he wouldn't have allowed them to gather this herb at all.
Now that Su Mandong was doing human trials herself, he didn't feel obligated to go along with the madness anymore.
"How do you feel?" Lin Qianyi asked.
"It takes at least ten minutes to kick in. What's the rush?" Su Mandong replied.
They started chatting about other things wondering whether the Sea God Pill really could give superpowers or grant immortality.
Su Mandong explained that there was no sign it could make people superhuman, but there was promising evidence it could greatly extend lifespan. Long-term use might allow someone to live 50–60 years longer.
That didn't excite everyone as much as superpowers, but even so, the idea of extra decades was tempting.
As they spoke, Su Mandong's face turned slightly red.
"It's working," she said suddenly. "I feel a surge of energy and blood flow."
She'd felt something similar before when she'd taken the Sea God Evolution Fluid, but it had never been this intense just a mild warmth that faded in a day or two.
But this time, it was different.
She could barely contain the heat surging through her.
The formula was correct, but the dosage was slightly too high.
Did the company usually give her a diluted version?
"No major problems, right?" Lin Qianyi asked.
"No. I'm going to the beach to cool off a bit." Su Mandong replied.
"It's not safe at night I'll go with you," said Lin Qianyi.
She didn't refuse. She quickly made her way to the beach where they usually washed up, with Lin Qianyi close behind.
Once there, she scooped up seawater and splashed it on herself.
Her form-fitting dress clung tightly to her body. Finding it a hassle, she simply took off her outer garment and waded fully into the water.
Lin Qianyi picked up her clothes and asked, "Are you really okay?"
"I'll be fine once I adapt," Su Mandong replied.
She was telling the truth the heat wasn't harmful. It was just her cells rapidly dividing and repairing damage.
Though she'd taken a little too much, it wasn't dangerous.
Watching from the side, Lin Qianyi asked, "Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Come here," Su Mandong said.
Lin Qianyi approached. Su Mandong immediately pressed herself against him.
Her body was hot to the touch seawater wasn't helping much.
"Are you feverish?" Lin Qianyi asked.
"I'm just horny," Su Mandong said with a grin, her face against his chest.
"Be serious," Lin Qianyi said, frowning.
"I am serious. Don't worry it'll pass soon," Su Mandong said earnestly.
"Don't touch me randomly..." Lin Qianyi said, grabbing her hand.
"You can really hold back? Are you even a young man?" Su Mandong whispered into his neck.
Lin Qianyi was silent for a while before saying, "Close your eyes."
Su Mandong obeyed and immediately felt Lin Qianyi's hands begin roaming aggressively over her body.
She opened her eyes with a victorious smile, laughing freely.
She was delighted she could still attract a young man like Lin Qianyi.
His earlier restraint had almost made her doubt herself.
But Lin Qianyi was annoyed by her laughter. He felt mocked.
In an environment like this, it took real willpower to stay in control.
He'd done his best but when someone kept pushing...
He wasn't some chaste romance novel male lead. He had the equipment and wasn't afraid to use it.
Thanks to the Bone Cleansing Herb, his body was strong and youthful...
Su Mandong, despite her attitude, didn't seem that experienced either probably not as much as she let on.
After a brief rinse, Lin Qianyi put back on his somewhat ragged trousers.
Meanwhile, Su Mandong's body temperature had largely returned to normal. She stretched out, feeling refreshed and content.
"Put on your clothes. Do you have an exhibitionist streak?" Lin Qianyi said, tossing her outfit to her.
"Cold-hearted right after putting your pants on?" Su Mandong smiled, taking the clothes.
"Talking about feelings is where you went wrong," Lin Qianyi said.
Su Mandong put on her clothes, then hugged Lin Qianyi from behind. "When you say things like that, it breaks my heart."
"I'll show you a magic trick," Lin Qianyi said.
"Sure, what kind of trick?" she asked.
The next moment, Lin Qianyi reached into the air and pulled out a self-heating beef rice meal.
He was a bit concerned about Su Mandong as an unstable emotional factor. To complete his mission better, he figured a heavy dose of "shock and awe" might stabilize her.
The packaging had images of food, but the text was in a language she couldn't understand. Still, what shocked her more was how he had pulled it out of thin air.
"Here. Want me to show you how to eat it?" Lin Qianyi asked.
"How did you do that?" Su Mandong asked, eyes wide with shock.
"Talent," Lin Qianyi replied.
"Is this a love token?" she asked.
There was now a hint of greed in her eyes. This man's value seemed much higher than she'd expected.
"Heh." Lin Qianyi smirked. "I'd rather call it a transaction."
"Feelings are transactions," Su Mandong said, kissing his cheek. "So how do I eat this? Show me!"
Lin Qianyi opened the package. Inside were ingredients and a built-in heating unit.
Just activate it, wait a few minutes, and it was ready to eat.
Soon, a steaming, fragrant bowl of beef rice was before Su Mandong.
Lin Qianyi had bought the premium kind over 100 yuan per serving.
Even at a regular restaurant, a bad chef might not make something this good.
And here on a deserted island, this meal was more valuable than gold.
Su Mandong took a bite, exclaiming at the heat but happily swallowing it, a look of pure satisfaction on her face.
Lin Qianyi looked away, resisting the urge to drool, maintaining his cold demeanor.
"You eat some too."
"Ah~!"
Cool demeanor shattered.
Before long, the beef rice was gone.
"Can you conjure more later?" Su Mandong asked expectantly.
Lin Qianyi gave her a side glance. "Who knows?"
"So you can't?" she probed.
She was testing him.
No she'd already learned something.
At the very least, Lin Qianyi wasn't as indifferent as he seemed. Even though he called it a transaction, he did care a bit.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have exposed such a secret.
"Don't dig deeper. It's for your own good," Lin Qianyi said, trying to sound mysterious.
Hearing this, Su Mandong obediently fell silent.
She understood: she could only know what Lin Qianyi was willing to show. For the rest, she had to suppress her curiosity.
A smart partner wouldn't provoke suspicion by prying into secrets they had no right to uncover.