9: Chapter 9, Section 14: The Greed of the Tribes

Qi Yun opened the remaining supply crate, and its contents immediately came into view:

[Compressed Rations x 13]

[Bikini Swimsuits (Simple Style) x 15 sets]

[Lighter x 1]

[Telescopic Fishing Rod (Basic) x 1]

Looking at these items, Qi Yun had a sudden thought, a vague suspicion forming in his mind.

The items from this white supply crate didn't seem entirely random.

Instead, they subtly corresponded to the Tribe members' most urgent desires or needs.

Because it was white quality, it only provided the most basic items, barely meeting the minimum requirements.

Thirteen rations, corresponding to the thirteen people, including himself, with the strongest hunger pangs.

Fifteen sets of bikini swimsuits that barely covered the essentials, corresponding to the fifteen girls whose need for modesty and dignity outweighed their hunger.

After all, the crude leaf garments were hardly adequate for covering themselves.

That lighter was clearly the tool Mo Lan, who had nearly exhausted herself trying to make fire by friction yesterday, most desperately wanted in her heart.

As for that fishing rod without bait, Qi Yun looked towards the crowd with a complex expression.

In this precarious survival environment on a deserted island, was there really someone whose strongest subconscious desire was fishing?

What kind of legendary, epic-level fishing fanatic must that be!

As for his own compressed ration, perhaps it stemmed from his own deep-seated, intense desire to 'find food for the girls.'

Not one more, not one less, exactly thirty items.

"Alright, quiet down, everyone."

Qi Yun clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.

"The supplies are here. One item per person. Choose what you need most."

As soon as the words were spoken, the girls' eyes snapped to the crate.

Seeing it contained both food and clothing, many visibly relaxed.

The two most basic needs—survival and dignity—seemed to be addressed.

They stepped forward one by one, silently taking the item they desired most.

Each person's face showed relief or joy as they picked up their item.

Many girls murmured softly as they turned away:

"Thank you, Xiao Xue..."

"Thank you, Qi Yun, thank you for the clan leaders blessing..."

"All thanks to last night's... battle..."

Qi Yun's mouth twitched at the words, but he couldn't refute them.

These rewards indeed originated from last night's "deep connection" with Shu Qianxue.

Mo Lan didn't take the lighter but chose the compressed biscuit instead, likely because her needs from yesterday had changed today.

Qi Yun's desire was to solve the food problem for the girls, so there was one extra compressed biscuit to begin with, which Qi Yun didn't mind.

Finally, left in the crate were a fishing rod, a lighter, and one compressed ration.

"Qi Bao, the rations... are there any left? I'm about to collapse..."

Chen Xiaolin, clutching her growling stomach, staggered over.

Just as her fingertips were about to touch the compressed biscuit, her gaze inadvertently swept over the telescopic fishing rod at the bottom of the crate.

Her outstretched hand froze mid-air, her eyes widening in shock.

The weakness dominated by hunger was instantly swept away by a more primitive, more powerful surge of fanaticism!

"A fishing rod?! Is that a fishing rod?! It really is a fishing rod!! Qi Bao, I choose the fishing rod."

Chen Xiaolin's voice suddenly rose, filled with incredulous delight.

Qi Yun: "..."

Mystery solved! So you're the legendary, epic-level fishing fanatic hidden among the people!

"But... there's no bait."

Qi Yun kindly reminded her.

This sentence seemed to touch a nerve. She whipped her head around, the hunger-induced lethargy completely gone from her face, replaced by an expression as if she had been gravely insulted:

"Qi Bao! Are you questioning a fishing enthusiast's basic competence? Bait?"

"That's a problem?! Earthworms, insects, nature is full of bait! If there are no conditions, we create them! We fish regardless!"

Hunger? Fatigue? In her eyes, nothing was as important as fishing.

"Sisters, extra meal tonight! I'll get us fish."

"WOW!!!"

"Fish! We're having fish!"

"Sister Xiao Lin is awesome!"

The girls erupted in cheers once more.

From the despair and oppression upon arriving yesterday, to successively gaining hope for water and food, to now this bold declaration from the "Fishing Master."

The spark of hope burned brighter in everyone's heart.

The last remaining ration was probably for Shu Qianxue, who was still asleep.

Shu Qianxue woke up groggily, saw Qi Yun before her, and mumbled incoherently.

"Qi Bao, you want more? Wait a bit, let me rest. My legs are still weak."

"..."

Qi Yun felt a line of sweat on his forehead, sensing the teasing, amused glances coming from all directions.

He quickly shoved the compressed biscuit directly into Shu Qianxue's still-mumbling mouth.

"Mmph, what did you just shove in my mouth?"

After licking it a couple of times and realizing it was food, Shu Qianxue actually started crying from emotion.

"Wahh... finally, something to eat."

She sniffled, nibbling carefully on the hard biscuit as if it were precious.

That silly, pitiful look softened Qi Yun's heart.

Shu Qianxue always seemed to be that straightforward, slightly scatterbrained Shu Qianxue.

"Eat slowly, don't choke." Qi Yun waited for her emotions to settle a bit before speaking.

"Xiao Xue, there's something you need to decide. The system is giving you a chance to change your class. Two options."

He briefly explained the characteristics of [Life Priest] and [Destroyer].

Looking at Shu Qianxue's silly expression, Qi Yun actually felt a bit reassured.

Shu Qianxue struggled to swallow the last bite of biscuit, choking and rolling her eyes, her voice hoarse and urgent.

"Water, water, water."

Seeing this, Ke Yun hurriedly brought some water in a leaf. Shu Qianxue took the leaf with both hands, poured the water into her mouth, and finally let out a relieved sigh.

"Ah! I'm alive. That almost choked me to death."

Qi Yun shook his head. No matter what happened, Shu Qianxue was still Shu Qianxue.

Once she recovered, she hesitated for almost no time at all. Her eyes shining brightly, she declared firmly, "I choose Destroyer!

"I don't want to just hide in the back and heal. I want to stand by your side. If anyone dares to touch you, I'll knock them flying!"

Shu Qianxue stated emphatically.

Looking into those big eyes, Qi Yun felt genuinely moved.

Qi Yun summoned the blue interface and clicked confirm under Destroyer.

In an instant, Shu Qianxue felt a scorching, surging power erupt from deep within her body, flowing through every limb and joint!

Yesterday's fatigue and soreness vanished completely, replaced by a sense of explosive fullness!

"Wow! I feel like I could punch an ox to death!"

Excited, she wanted to jump up and demonstrate her new power.

However, the moment she impulsively sprang to her feet, her weak, wobbly legs betrayed her the very next second.

"Whoa!"

She cried out in surprise, her body collapsing forward uncontrollably.

Fortunately, two quick-witted girls beside her caught her, one on each side.

Shu Qianxue steadied herself, looked up, and shot Qi Yun a resentful glare. Her eyes were moist, filled with reproach and a hint of subtle, unconscious charm:

"It's all your fault... what you did last night..."

Qi Yun: "..."

...

Meanwhile, at another crude campsite elsewhere on the island.

Tribe 14.

A short, stocky boy with a vicious look on his face

was roughly groping a trembling girl in his arms.

A shifty-eyed boy sidled up and asked,

"Brother Qiang, when are we going to raid that 'beauty nest'? The brothers are getting impatient."

The one called "Brother Qiang," Zhang Qiang, upon hearing this,

thought of that Tribe full of beauties, then looked at the girl in his arms and instantly lost interest. He kicked the girl aside.

"I told you to send people to look. Did you find it?"

Zhang Qiang wore an impatient expression, his tone full of menace.

"Boss, we found that hut by the shore from before. We just need to follow the coastline to find their Tribe."

The shifty-eyed boy had a lecherous look on his face.

"Good!" Zhang Qiang's face broke into a ferocious grin.

He was originally just a tire repairman people looked down on.

If it weren't for that damned rabbit, with his looks and character, he would never have gotten to touch a woman in his life.

But now, not only could he do as he pleased, he even had the chance to seize all those pretty girls who wouldn't have given him a second glance before, corral them, and play with them however he wanted!

"Well done! Tell the brothers to get their tools ready!"

"First, send a few clever ones to scout out the exact location and number of people in their Tribe."

Zhang Qiang licked his lips, his eyes gleaming with greed and cruelty.

"Once we have the intel, we strike immediately! Seize all those bitches! Let the brothers have their fun first."

"Then we use them as bargaining chips to recruit more capable brutes! On this island, fists and women are the real currency!"

In his and Tribe 14's view, that beauty Tribe only had one man, hardly a threat.

Most importantly, they had to get their hands on this batch of top-quality resources before other covetous Tribes did!