C7 It Was like Driving a Speedboat.

After collecting the bubbles, Zhao Dong scanned the area.

No more attribute bubbles were left, so it was time to find a spot to build a fire.

The boat was too small and wooden; lighting a fire on it was out of the question. What if it caught fire?

This boat was his lifeline; he couldn't risk any damage.

He had already considered the dangers.

The dense forest was fraught with peril, especially at night, with the threat of poisonous creatures and wild animals.

His decision was to sleep on the boat, which was undoubtedly safer.

Plus, he had exchanged for plenty of clothes, including a thick cotton coat, so the cold wouldn't be an issue.

He was prepared to depart.

But just then, a few crocodiles that had just landed seemed to take notice of him.

To the crocodiles, Zhao Dong was a prime meal, perfect for satisfying their hunger.

With a splash, the crocodiles, hefty in size, entered the water and swiftly headed his way like driftwood.

"They're targeting me."

The small boat was no match for a crocodile's assault.

He decided to leave immediately. With numerous crocodiles around, each above level four, leaving was the only safe option.

But he had miscalculated their speed; they were incredibly fast and closing in.

These were not your average Earth crocodiles. Larger and more aggressive, he was unsure if his boat could withstand their impact.

"I'll have to use my mental power."

The wooden boat could be manipulated with his wood control ability, a contingency he had planned for.

With that thought, Zhao Dong activated his wood control.

The surge of mental energy he had just experienced was now depleted.

Wincing in pain, he nearly tumbled into the water.

But the result was astonishing.

The boat shot off like a speedboat, accelerating sharply and darting away like an arrow from a bow.

It covered fifty meters before nearly crashing into the shore and coming to a halt.

Zhao Dong was thrilled, "It's like flying!"

In that moment, his heart raced with excitement, envisioning this technique as his ace in the hole.

Future boat trips wouldn't be plagued by sluggish speeds.

The only downside was the substantial mental energy required to steer the boat. Had he not just invested all his attribute points into mental power, he might not have managed.

"Looks like I'll need to focus on building my mental power from now on."

Glancing back, he saw the myopic crocodiles had lost sight of him at the fifty-meter mark and were sinking back into the water, drifting away.

Seizing the moment, Zhao Dong pressed on.

The boat gently rocked on the water, and soon he spotted a clearing along the shore.

The area offered a clear view, with plenty of dry branches and grass nearby, ideal for a campfire.

As he was about to disembark, Zhao Dong's gaze sharpened.

A rustling noise came from the grass ahead, hinting at something concealed within.

Without hesitation, he engaged the Attribute Display.

Suspicious Haystack: On the surface, the haystack seemed unremarkable, but the odd noises coming from within hinted at something bizarre lurking inside—perhaps a terrifying creature.

"Something's definitely off!"

Zhao Dong refrained from disembarking hastily.

Casting a glance at the nearby branches, he summoned one to his hand with a thought, employing his wood control technique.

He then sharpened the branch and took aim at the haystack.

"Fire!"

His wood control power burst forth, sending the sharpened branch soaring into the haystack.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"

Blood sprayed from the other end of the branch.

In the next instant,

A colossal rat, nearly the size of a wolf, burst out, shrieking.

Quite the specimen—it was a massive rat.

Giant Fangrat Level 1: A behemoth of a rat with alarming speed and biting power, fond of dwelling by the water and concealing itself in haystacks or brush, preying on creatures that pass by.

At that moment,

The Giant Fangrat, impaled, gushed blood from its throat.

Its eyes were wide with terror and confusion.

Perhaps it never imagined it would meet its end while on the hunt.

The giant rat, emerging from the haystack, struggled briefly before collapsing lifeless to the ground.

"Buzz!"

At that moment,

A brilliant white light surged from the rat's body into Zhao Dong's forehead.

By slaying a level 1 Giant Fangrat, he gained 10 energy points.

Simultaneously, the display in front of him updated.

Level: L3. (10%/600%)

"So, I need to take down sixty giant rats like this one to level up."

Zhao Dong shook his head, finding the process less satisfying than simply collecting attributes.

And right on cue,

A speed attribute had dropped beside the fallen rat.

Speed +4.

This delighted Zhao Dong, who, after disembarking, hurried over to collect the bubble.

He was about to gather firewood when the unexpected struck—a sudden gust of wind.

The boat was swept away, drifting from the shore.

"Not good!"

The boat was crucial; he couldn't just stand by and watch it drift away.

Zhao Dong sprinted over and grabbed hold of the boat.

With his formidable Strength attribute, he easily secured it.

Yet, his brow furrowed with concern.

"I need to find a rope to tie it down; otherwise, the boat might drift off."

Zhao Dong pondered, scanning the area for a rope. His eyes then turned to the trading zone.

The trading zone was closing in 10 minutes.

Without hesitation, Zhao Dong posted a request: he was in the market for a ten-meter-long, thick hemp rope.

What's this? What does Almighty Zhao need a rope for? Bondage games?

Almighty Zhao, I've got needles, thread, and rope.

Are you kidding me upstairs? I'm so annoyed; I'd have offered my rope if I had any, just to help out Almighty Zhao.

Zhao Dong hadn't realized that he had become something of a legend among the people.

Sadly, ropes were in short supply.

A flurry of useless chatter ensued, but it amounted to nothing.

As the seconds ticked away, Zhao Dong's anxiety mounted.

He needed to get ashore to make a fire, crucial for boiling water and cooking meat.

Without securing the boat, it would be a constant hassle. He couldn't keep watch over it indefinitely.

Only five minutes remained.

Zhao Dong had no choice but to broaden his request: "Smaller ones will do, or even long vines."

This time, the response was overwhelming.

"Almighty Zhao, I've got some vines here. Let me snap a photo for you."

A picture came through quickly.

It showed a thick vine, stripped of leaves, stretching over ten meters.

But it seemed the vine wasn't particularly strong.

"Almighty Zhao, what do you think? We've got just two minutes left for trading. If you don't make a move now, you'll miss out."

Zhao Dong inquired, "What are you looking to trade for?"

He considered that if the demands were modest, the vine might be worth a shot.

After all, something is better than nothing.

"What do you have?"

Zhao Dong listed his items: "Wolf legs, some fish, and a Giant Tusk Rat I've just taken down."

Checking the attribute display for the Giant Tusk Rats, he noted no indication of poison, confirming they were edible.

Not surprising, really – rat meat is known to be quite delicious on Earth.

Zhao Dong offered, "Pick one, and I'll send it your way."