Volume One, Chapter 20: Gaining Another Skill

The method for harvesting the divine fruit was actually quite simple: craft a long pole and attach a net bag to its front end.

Lacking the necessary tools, Zhuang Fan had to rely on the auxiliary system to complete the task.

Fortunately, he had brought plenty of wood and plant fibers in his backpack when he arrived.

However, the pole produced by the system was quite short, requiring him to splice several pieces together.

To do this, Zhuang Fan made numerous ropes from plant fibers—some to form the net bag, others to reinforce the structure.

He quickly gathered some wooden boards and fixed them at the joints to increase the pole’s stability.

Yet, the assembled pole was surprisingly heavy; Zhuang Fan could barely lift it, let alone use it to pick the divine fruit.

No matter, the harvesting method had provided a crucial suggestion.

That was to use the principle of leverage!

Zhuang Fan collected some stones from around, carefully picked a suitable spot, and piled them up.

To prevent the pole from breaking, he laid a layer of grass mats atop the stones.

Then, with great care, he placed the spliced long pole onto the stones.

Sure enough, with this setup, it became easier to maneuver the pole.

After preparing everything, Zhuang Fan began to bring the pole’s front end close to the divine fruit.

Though the pole wobbled precariously, it held firm.

“This is exhausting—please don’t break!” he muttered bitterly.

Still, he gritted his teeth and kept encouraging himself: “Hang in there! A better life is right in front of me!”

Veins bulging on his forehead, sweat beading down, Zhuang Fan struggled to maintain control.

Even with the leverage principle, reaching the fruit just over ten meters away was no small feat.

The spliced pole couldn’t be made too long, or it would fall apart.

If it broke, the divine fruit would plunge into the water below, and all his efforts would be wasted.

Summoning every ounce of strength, he moved the net bag beneath the fruit.

Success or failure hinged on this moment.

After several deep breaths, he pressed down hard on the pole’s handle.

As he did, the other end lifted, successfully enclosing the divine fruit within the net.

He checked several times to make sure the fruit was completely inside, with none slipping out.

Next, he gently shook the pole, trying to coax the fruit to fall into the net.

A minute passed, and Zhuang Fan loosened his grip slightly to see if it had dropped.

Unfortunately, the first attempt failed.

The divine fruit still hung firmly on the branch.

“So tiring... I need to rest first!” he sighed, plopping down and gasping for breath.

***

After a brief rest, Zhuang Fan resolved to try again.

Following the same method, he persisted.

This time, when he gently lowered the pole, he was thrilled to see the divine fruit seemingly come loose.

Overjoyed, he pulled the pole back with all his might.

This step was critical—too fast or too slow, and the pole might snap.

Eyes wide and drenched in sweat, he exerted every muscle.

After pulling the pole a good distance, he carefully steered it toward the right bank.

Exhausted and nearly blacking out, he barely remained standing.

Finally, after great effort, the pole was safely brought ashore.

Zhuang Fan staggered over, heart pounding, silently praying the fruit was still in the net.

From such a distance, he couldn’t be certain it hadn’t fallen into the water.

When he untied the net made of rope, there lay a jet-black fruit, gleaming like ink!

Overcome with excitement, he squatted and eagerly bit into the divine fruit.

It melted instantly in his mouth!

A wave of warmth surged through his limbs and bones.

The sensation was almost heavenly, filling Zhuang Fan with bliss.

But just as he was reveling in this wondrous feeling, a sharp pain suddenly struck.

“Damn, could it... be poisonous?” he gasped.

He collapsed weakly onto the ground, writhing in agony.

After a minute, the intense pain quietly faded.

Struggling to his feet, Zhuang Fan examined himself carefully.

Nothing seemed amiss.

“Yes, system, activate the auxiliary system!” he commanded.

[Skills] – [Active Skills]

[Berserk: Attributes double for half an hour, immune to pain. Afterward, 24 hours of weakness with attributes halved.]

Zhuang Fan was taken aback.

“Is this skill strong or weak?”

“It seems only useful for desperate situations.”

“But doubling my attributes... might be okay. I’m around five points now; doubling that would make me the strongest human.”

Truthfully, he was somewhat disappointed.

He had hoped to learn some supernatural skill—flight, teleportation, or magical arts.

Instead, all he got was a power with a severe side effect.

***

The whole afternoon had passed, and the sun was about to dip below the horizon.

Zhuang Fan hurried to a pit to fetch water.

Using a coconut shell, he scooped water from the pit, which was still murky; boiling would be necessary before drinking.

[Dirty Water 😞]

[Dirty Water 😞]

[Dirty Water 😞]

After considerable effort, Zhuang Fan managed to collect 34 units of this contaminated water.

He quickly packed his belongings and set off at full speed to return.

The water would need filtering before it was safe to drink, but Zhuang Fan already had a plan.

All those survival videos he had binged weren’t wasted; he had absorbed plenty of practical knowledge.

“I wonder how Bear Grylls and Dave Canterbury are doing now.”

“These survival masters have such an advantage—being here is like coming home. But for ordinary people like us, just getting enough to eat can be a struggle.”

“And those skilled in combat could dominate any fight.”

“I should learn some martial arts someday. I can’t just keep poking with a spear forever.”

Lost in thought about his future, Zhuang Fan quickened his pace.

***

As he neared his wooden hut, he suddenly heard the sound of scratching on wood.

Was it Zhong Xiaoniu? Or a monster?

He immediately tensed, gripping his spear tightly as he cautiously approached.

At the doorstep, he was surprised to see a familiar figure.

Little Gray!

The little creature was circling his wooden house, scratching at the walls as if trying to break through.

But the house had long been reinforced by Zhuang Fan; even Feng Tengxiong’s wind-based skills wouldn’t easily damage it.

Seeing this behavior, Zhuang Fan felt a flicker of anger.

“You little rascal, trying to sneak into my home?”

He moved forward slowly, spear clenched tightly, not daring to relax for a moment.

Soon, Little Gray noticed Zhuang Fan’s return.

At that moment, their eyes met once again.

An awkward silence spread instantly at the cave’s entrance.