Chapter 197: It wasn’t about using them; it was about having them

Chapter 197: It wasn’t about using them; it was about having them

When Lu Yao returned to his rental home, it was already afternoon.

He had the cactus clean up the room first, then brewed himself a cup of hot tea.

Once the house was spotless, he sipped his tea while booting up his computer.

Having been away for half a day, he wondered if there had been any changes in the pixel world.

...

After logging into the Simulator, Lu Yao’s first concern was Yao City.

The state of the world hinged on this place.

Sarina reported to Lu Yao the condition of the mini-world over the past few years.

Things were generally looking up.

Except for a minor episode.

A creature called the blackwater mink had emerged in the pixel world. They had a voracious appetite, reproduced rapidly, and were quite aggressive.

These creatures initially caused quite a bit of trouble for some pixel folk and Transcendent beings, resulting in some casualties. However, under the leadership of Yao City, Salt City, and Sanilo, the western continent quickly completed the encirclement and suppression of the blackwater minks.

Through real combat and testing, Yao City discovered that blackwater minks were afraid of fire, could be restrained by anesthetic juice, and had simple minds. The Divine Oracle even wrote a summary of the blackwater mink habits, making this information public.

Salt City unearthed the commercial value of the blackwater minks: their tongues and claws were top-quality materials, and although there wasn’t much meat in their shells, it was extremely delicious.

Sanilo became the most important faction in this battle.

Numerous Extraordinary Beings teamed up to hunt blackwater minks across the world, partly to obtain special materials and partly to sell them for a good price.

This was because the Dwarf Fortress’s Furnace Clan had assessed that the minks’ tongues, claws, and teeth were all practical, high-grade materials. They continued to purchase them, and with enough such materials, they could craft fine equipment.

Ever since the World City Treasury became renowned, the enthusiasm of Extraordinary Beings for treasures also grew day by day.

After all, no one knew what tomorrow would bring, whether they might suffer severe injuries from natural predators. Possessing fine-grade treasures could potentially turn the tide.

The leading groups already had fine treasures.

Take the merfolk and Cannibal Crabs, for example.

The former, being between Extraordinary life and humans due to their pilgrimages and coastal living, had close dealings with Yao City.

Now the merfolk had obtained many professional positions, such as chefs, doctors, fishermen, and farmers. They thus continued to receive magic potions like anesthetic juice for healing and hunting.

The Cannibal Crabs, on the other hand, had formed a mercenary group. As long as the price was right, they were willing to offer services like bodyguarding, transportation, and even hunting. With their high intelligence and strong teamwork, they were favored by merchants, captains, and city guards.

Not long ago, the Cannibal Crabs established a long-term partnership with the dwarves, always carrying Furnace Mead with them. Relying on this special brew, they could negotiate with other Extraordinary Beings. Plus, with the Cannibal Crabs’ strong radiation in the ocean, they occasionally found special items on the seabed, making it easier to obtain fine treasures after refining.

Owning these Extraordinary treasures brought a sense of security and confidence.

Those without felt anxious.

It wasn’t about using them; it was about having them.

Times had changed.

In the past, there weren’t many Extraordinary Beings in this world, and each could dominate a territory without much conflict.

But with the Divine Oracle’s decrees and the turn of the era, the appearance of the split earthworms... the number of Extraordinary Beings kept increasing, and the old way of living was no longer viable.

Every individual had to flow with the times, and the Extraordinary side was no exception.

The hunt for blackwater minks was just one external manifestation of Extraordinary Beings in the larger environment.

It was an opportunity for the Extraordinary community to rapidly accumulate treasures and advantages.

***

After hearing Sarina’s description, Lu Yao was not surprised.



"In the valley, Pinkman and the White Rose Attendants eradicated all the blackwater minks, turning them into flower fertilizer, which is said to be very helpful for growing roses."

"In the northern new continent, the Yetis and Pasha collected many blackwater mink eggs, hatching them into Darkspawn Blackwater Minks, becoming subordinates of the Dragon Nest. Jimmy ordered them to eat only garbage and feces to keep the Dragon Nest clean and hygienic."

Lu Yao almost spat out his drink.

That was a bit much.

Classic Jimmy.

"My lord, the Dragon Nest has the most mature development of blackwater minks."

Isabella emphasized, "After Pasha transformed them with the Dark Sun, they were given a new mission. As long as one holds Pasha’s dragon saliva, they can control the Darkspawn Blackwater Minks."

"The dwarves were the first to use them."

"A living blackwater mink is a very efficient and magical tool, far more valuable than when broken down into materials."

Lu Yao interrupted her.

He had a question.

Dragon saliva was just that, dragon spit. Could Pasha really keep spitting it out like that?

"My lord, actually, dragon saliva is Pasha’s feces..."

Understood.

Just like ambergris.

In any case, the blackwater mink invasion had been settled by all parties and had been developed for various uses.

Lu Yao shifted his view to the Dwarf Fortress.

At that moment, the dwarf Clever Craftsman Hammer Endless and two assistants were making a piece of equipment.

A dialogue box appeared above Hammer Endless’s head: "The joints in this right hand aren’t flexible enough; we need to add some bones and mink cords to increase the range of motion and flexibility."

"Moreover, the right hand’s endurance isn’t enough; it can be stronger, and there’s still plenty of leeway in the outer shell’s load-bearing capacity."

He grabbed a Darkspawn Blackwater Mink from the wooden table and aimed it at a metal object on the iron felt.

The mink rapidly shot its tongue out, piercing holes in the metal left foot.

Then, the dwarf used the mink’s continuously biting sharp teeth to trim some of the metal shell of the leg, repairing it.

Lu Yao understood.

They were using the blackwater mink as a biological drill and high-strength cutter.

Moments later, a brand-new right arm prosthesis was completed.



【Robust Arm (Right)】【Hammer Endless & Phileas Crafted】: Defense +1.

Health: 394/394



The buyer turned out to be Salt Long, whom Lu Yao hadn’t seen in a while.

Lu Yao opened his panel and found that Salt Long had reached LV19 and acquired new abilities.



【Fire Cloak】: Surrounds oneself with flames, causing continuous fire damage to enemies.



His history also had a new entry.

At the age of 101, to protect three humans, he fought against a horde of blackwater minks and lost his right arm.

Lu Yao felt a warm sense of pride.

The once rebellious and stubborn young man had now become a pillar and role model for many.