284: Chapter 284 Something with thorns? A rose? No! It's a durian!

Led by the Hippopotamus,

An Ke and his group entered a side path.

After these past few days of exploration, An Ke had come to understand the dungeon's design.

On the main road, you would encounter animals blocking the way.

While side paths and forks had the potential to yield fruit, which could then trigger Thousand Times Materialization.

However, it depended on luck; choosing the main road or a fruitful side path from among a dozen or so forks

was no easy task.

"An s-rank instance is indeed well-deserving of its reputation," An Ke thought with emotion.

If it weren't for the "guide," he couldn't have achieved Thousand Times Materialization for so many fruits in such a short time.

Let alone walk the dungeon's main road without any trial and error.

As they advanced, the water underfoot grew shallower, and soon, a patch of land appeared not far ahead.

Because the terrain here was higher, the water hadn't flooded this area.

Little Wild Leopard and Little Tiger were overjoyed upon seeing the land.

They immediately excitedly rushed over.

Tiger Mom and Leopard Mom couldn't even call them back.

No choice! Most felines dislike water.

In fact, aside from the Old Crocodile Couple and the Python, most animals and savages in the group couldn't stand being in the water for long periods.

So, seeing the land lifted everyone's spirits, and they quickened their pace.

"Boss, those tall trees ahead have fruit on them,"

Barbie Hippopotamus, following beside An Ke, indicated.

An Ke nodded. He had already seen them from a distance.

These trees were incredibly large, looking at least several decades, if not over a hundred years old.

Although there was no sunlight in the cave, the leaves grew luxuriantly.

The green leaves were flat and elongated in shape.

On the branches covered with these green leaves grew huge fruits.

These fruits were mostly oval in shape, though not very regular, and their surfaces were covered in sharp spines.

The animals and savages all wore strange expressions when they saw the fruit the Hippopotamus had mentioned.

"This fruit is covered in thorns; is it even edible?" Little Scar turned his head to ask.

"This young lady thinks, judging by the color of this fruit, the texture probably isn't very good," the Golden Snub-nosed Monkey offered her opinion.

"Giao! Taking a bite of that, wouldn't your mouth be full of blood?"

"..."

Savage Yi stroked his chin, "Those thorns are probably the fruit's shell."

"It's just that we don't know what it looks like inside once the shell is broken open."

"Have to admit, this kind of fruit is really peculiar."

"..."

Meanwhile, in the outside world's live broadcast room:

"Is that thing a rose?"

"Huh? Why say it's a rose?"

"Because roses have thorns!"

"What nonsense rose, roses are flowers!! This is a fruit!"

"No idea what it tastes like; it looks so unique."

"Got a feeling it's not very tasty."

"..."

In the program, Coach Zhao was slightly excited.

But he tried to remain composed and experienced, "Professor Wu, this fruit is called durian, right?"

Professor Wu nodded, "Coach Zhao is correct. This fruit is indeed called durian."

"It..."

"I know, Professor Wu, let me do the science popularization for the audience, okay?"

Seeing Professor Wu about to launch into an explanation, Coach Zhao immediately interrupted.

He was a wilderness survival consultant coach, originally arranged by the authorities to explain some wilderness survival skills.

He could even help An Ke at critical moments.

But An Ke was eating well, drinking well, and had a huge Bamboo Village to rest in, so he didn't need Coach Zhao's help at all.

Coach Zhao was afraid that if things continued like this, his presence would become less and less noticeable.

If this went on, he might even get fired.

Coach Zhao really didn't want to be fired. Staying in the program not only provided a salary but also nutritional supplement subsidies; the benefits were quite good.

He needed to save money so that when resources became more abundant, he would have the funds to buy food.

So, Coach Zhao had to boost his own presence.

"According to records, durian is the fruit of a giant, tropical, evergreen tree belonging to the order Malvales and the family Malvaceae.

In the old era, it was famous for its unique odor and beloved for its rich nutritional value and diverse ways of consumption."

Coach Zhao spoke while observing Professor Wu's reaction.

He was afraid of making a mistake, but fortunately, Professor Wu nodded throughout.

"I didn't expect Coach Zhao to know quite a bit about durian."

"What you said is entirely correct. Its smell is reportedly foul, but it tastes faintly sweet and savory."

"Among many fruits, its texture is quite unique."

Beside them, another expert chimed in:

"In the live stream, what An Ke has encountered is reputed to be the king among durians—

the Black Thorn Durian."

"Reportedly, in the old era, it cost over 100 yuan per jin."

"..."

bullet comments:

"Over 100 yuan per jin in the old era would be considered a mid-to-high-end fruit, right?"

"I'd say so, especially since the average monthly salary back then was reportedly only 3000.

At most, you could buy 30 jin."

"By the way, if this thing smells foul, why does it taste sweet?"

"Is it really delicious?"

"Isn't stinky tofu the same? Smells bad but tastes good?"

"Honestly, I'm a bit curious."

"After Thousand Times Materialization, we'll have a chance to try it."

"..."

Inside the live stream.

An Ke recognized the fruit on the tree as durian immediately.

In his previous life, he lived frugally and rarely bought durian to eat.

Although after transmigrating to Blue Star, he had money, due to resource depletion and drastic environmental changes,

there was nowhere to buy it even if he wanted to.

This time, he could indulge his durian cravings.

Moreover, judging by its appearance, it was the king of durians, the Black Thorn Durian.

An Ke remembered a saying.

Once you've eaten Black Thorn Durian in West Asia, you'll feel that Golden Pillow Durian isn't really durian.

"Let me see just how delicious Black Thorn Durian really is."

At that moment, an announcement appeared:

[Durian Thousand Times Materialization Conditions:

Condition One: Harvest 3 durians to Thousand Times Materialize a durian tree.

Condition Two: Harvest 5 durians to Thousand Times Materialize durian trees of equivalent scale.

Condition Three: Within 10 minutes, harvest 20 durians and consume them.

To Thousand Times Materialize durian trees of equivalent scale, with a monthly yield.]

"Great King, do you wish to eat these fruits?

If so, I will go harvest them," Little Scar volunteered.

The Golden Snub-nosed Monkey also approached, volunteering to harvest the durians: "For Brother, this young lady is happy to endure any hardship."

An Ke looked up at the durians on the branches.

These durians grew well, all very large, estimated to be over 10 jin each.

So he shook his head, "Let King Kong handle it.

It's safer that way."

Mainly, if Little Scar and the Golden Snub-nosed Monkey did the harvesting, they might not be able to pick 20 within 10 minutes.

Let alone finish eating them.

"King Kong, you have 2 minutes to harvest 20 durians."

"Or else you'll be in trouble."

King Kong's eyes widened, "Mother clucker!"

"6 seconds per one? Master, you're really putting makka pakka in a tough spot."

An Ke thought for a moment, then grinned, "You don't need to bring them down personally; just throw them down."

"I'll catch them."

King Kong tilted his head, "For real?"

The animals and savages were collectively startled.

Outside, in the live stream's bullet comments: "???"

...