Chapter Fifty-Eight: Yuanda Camp

After passing through the light barrier, Sun Meng once again heard the system’s prompt echo in his mind: “Contestant has entered the safe zone. Locking onto camp objective—Yuanda Camp. Beginning to establish exchange node. Node established successfully. Yuanda Camp is now founded. Congratulations, contestant, you are the fifth to establish a camp and have been awarded: a Tier Two early-stage Spirit Spring Eye.”

At this moment, a cascade of light dots rained upon the camp’s shield. As these points touched the survivors, they transformed into bracelets appearing on their right wrists.

“We’re saved!” shouted the man who had brought Sun Meng into the camp’s range. The others quickly broke into smiles; some even wept tears of joy, embracing those beside them.

Sun Meng had already reached the building ahead. Outside stood a monument-like stone, the exchange site for the natives of this world, while those from outside, like Sun Meng and his companions, exchanged goods inside. However, as the system had previously stated, exchanges could only be made once a month.

Sun Meng tried placing his hand on the stone monument and was greeted by a list of available exchanges. These included basic food, water, daily necessities, and weapons of Tier One mid-level and below. At the top of the stone’s list was an experience bar for upgrading the monument; as its level increased, the range of items for exchange would expand.

Sun Meng took a talisman in his hand, intending to exchange it, and the progress bar instantly filled by one-fifth. Then he received a message: he could use this to exchange for daily necessities.

Turning to the group, Sun Meng said, “This stone monument is your hope for survival. Our time in this world is limited. Many monsters outside are stronger than I am. In the end, you must rely on yourselves.”

With the system’s guidance, the group now understood the challenges ahead: how to earn points and make exchanges. Yet their greatest problem remained; even with weapons, few could slay even the lowest-ranked monsters.

Sun Meng handed a talisman to the man who had brought him in. “Try it. See if you can exchange it for points.”

The man accepted the item and placed it before his bracelet, but discovered it could not be exchanged. However, it could be stored in the bracelet’s internal space. He could use the talisman, but activating it required spending points.

“Looks like I’ll have to lead you monster hunting. I doubt the corpses from monsters I kill can grant you points. You’ll need to land the final blow yourselves.” Sun Meng produced several short knives. “Who wants to be the first to experiment? I can’t guarantee you’ll all return alive—the wilderness is full of surprises—but I promise that anyone who survives will earn a basic share of points!”

Among the gathered crowd, hesitation arose. They had tried hunting monsters before, but if their methods had been effective, they wouldn’t be in such dire straits now.

“I’ll go!” The man who had brought Sun Meng in stepped forward, picking up a knife. “I was a police officer. Watching teammates fall one by one, I hid behind, always telling myself, ‘I’m protecting those who remain.’ But now, with this chance, I’ll shoulder my responsibility.”

“Count me in as well!” A younger man grabbed a knife, looking at another. “Old Three, you witnessed your loved ones die. Didn’t you always want revenge? Now you have your chance. How can you shrink back?”

“Count me in!” Before the other could respond, a woman with short, cropped hair stepped forward, exuding a tomboyish air.

Finally, the previously hesitant man took a knife from his friend. “I’m in.”

“No one else? Then let’s head out.” Sun Meng looked at the four. “Change your clothes.” He exchanged four sets of outdoor combat gear and bulletproof vests, handing them over.

Twenty minutes later, Sun Meng led the four out of camp. They followed closely, their fear palpable, especially the one forced to join, whose footsteps betrayed his anxiety.

At Sun Meng’s signal, the four pressed back to back, gripping their knives and scanning their surroundings.

“Be careful. I’ll bring two monsters here.” With that, Sun Meng vanished from sight in a leap, leaving the group uneasy. The last man nearly collapsed from terror.

“He—he won’t leave us here, will he?” he stammered, nearly in tears.

“Don’t talk nonsense!” the former police officer snapped. “Stay alert— I believe—”

Before he could finish, Sun Meng returned, carrying three rabbit-like monsters. “Believe in what? These rabbits are weak enough; I’ve already half-killed them. Hurry up!”

He tossed the rabbits to the ground. The frightened man sat down, gasping for air.

Surprisingly, the woman was first to act. She killed a rabbit in one stroke. It transformed into a gem-like crystal and a corpse. Her bracelet absorbed the crystal, and she smiled. “I got points! Fifty!”

The two men quickly followed suit, earning the same result.

Sun Meng then caught a bird, concluding that when these natives slew mid-tier Tier One monsters, they received fifty points; exchanging the corpse granted one hundred points. However, after earning the kill points, the corpse could not be absorbed for bodily enhancement.

Sun Meng himself did not produce those blood-colored crystals when killing monsters, but he could still absorb the crystals as energy. Yet for someone of his power, these low-tier crystals offered no improvement, only replenishment.

Sun Meng helped each of them accumulate five hundred points and a dozen small crystals before returning to camp.

Before their exchange, Sun Meng advised, “The energy in these crystals can be absorbed. We don’t know if the monument’s items will strengthen you physically, so I suggest you try absorbing the crystals first.” Helping them get started was enough—he did it out of solidarity for fellow humans; otherwise, he’d have no interest in their affairs.

The four glanced at the crystals in their hands. Absorb? How?

“Place it in your palm, sense the energy, and guide it into your body with your mind,” Sun Meng instructed. This was a basic meditation method developed on Earth, suitable for anyone from toddlers to the elderly.

Yet clearly, this method was unsuitable for this world—after half an hour, the four felt nothing.

“If you ask me, you should split the crystals among everyone. With points, you can exchange for goods, right?” a slightly chubby middle-aged man suggested, and several nearby agreed.

“I saw there are bombs among the exchange goods. When facing monsters, even the weakest can’t withstand heavy firepower. With enough numbers, we can hunt low-tier monsters nonstop and build this place up!” His words rallied many.

Though the place had been a large shopping mall, supplies had dwindled over time.

Everyone here longed for the comfort of their former lives. With the barrier ensuring safety and a channel for exchanging supplies, why not live well?

“Hmph! These are ours. Even if I throw them away, I won’t give them to you freeloaders!” the woman snapped, then tossed a crystal into her mouth.

The crystal melted instantly, releasing pure energy into her body. Her complexion flushed with health.

Seeing this, those around eyed their own red crystals greedily.