Likewise, Zhou Bai delivered the killing blow to the demon beasts, not only gaining a lot of Experience Points, but also collecting quite a few supplies.
[Congratulations, Host! You killed lv.3 Demon Rat and received rice*3, Rat Meat*3, Rat Skin*3, Experience Points*30, copper coin*30.]
[Congratulations, Host! You killed lv.3 Demonic Chicken and received rice*3, chicken meat*3, chicken feather*3, Experience Points*30, copper coin*30.]
[... dropped house slippers.]
[... dropped a shirt.]
[...]
Gradually, other special items started to drop as well, and every time something new appeared, the three members of the family grew excited.
At least now, with shirts and shoes, they could change clothes with each other.
When supplies are lacking, anything becomes a treasure.
With this round of monster hunting, time passed quickly, and Zhou Bai's level reached Level 5.
[Dear Host, your level has reached lv.5, meeting promotion condition 3.]
[Promotion conditions 1, 2, and 3 are all met. Please return to your territory to advance as soon as possible.]
Receiving the promotion notification, and noticing the sky had started to darken, with demon beasts growing more numerous and concentrated, Zhou Bai hurriedly reminded her parents. The three of them rushed back to the territory.
**
On the open ground in the territory, someone had already lit a huge bonfire. Most people gathered around it—some trading supplies, some building smaller fires to roast meat, others using small stone stoves to simmer soup with a rolling boil. The aroma drifted around, adding a touch of warmth.
Seeing this scene, Zhou Bai couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Human adaptability really is the strongest!
The three of them moved closer to the bonfire—the darkness had brought a sharp drop in temperature.
Beside the fire, Li Xingteng noticed the three returning late, surprise in his eyes. He spoke directly: "You can stay by the bonfire, but you need to help out by providing some wood."
"No problem," Zhou Zhengping replied, "How much do we need to give?"
"Ten units per person, just add more if it turns out not to be enough."
Zhou Zhengping didn't say much, just handed it over, and after seeing others making stone stoves and stone pots, went forward to ask about trades.
When he came back, he immediately built a small stove on the spot. "Someone tinkered one together with stone, let's make some food too."
"I'll do it," Ding Qiurou rushed in, her great hobby being cooking. Even before the apocalypse, despite the family's wealth, she always cooked for them herself.
"Just rest," Zhou Zhengping said, offering to help and also directing the words to Zhou Bai.
Zhou Bai knew he was intentionally giving her some free time to handle territory affairs.
So Zhou Bai didn't hesitate, finding a spot by the fire and sitting down. Feeling the warmth from the flames, she finally relaxed. Outside, she'd been constantly on alert, watching her surroundings, nerves taut. Back in the territory, she could let her guard down.
Sitting down, she couldn't wait to open the territory control panel.
[Territory: Hope Village]
[Level: 0-Level Village (upgrade)]
[Population: 102/100]
[Tax rate: 10% (adjustable)]
[Wealth: 80 Gold, 12 Silver, 33 Copper]
[Buildings: Lord Mansion (Level 1), fence, Basic Blacksmith Shop, restaurant]
[Mall: Territory exclusive, materials only]
[Current ranking: ***]
[Note: The territory can only be conquered by the Lord. Newbie Protection Period: 1 month]
The moment the panel appeared, a system notification stood out prominently.
[Territory meets promotion conditions. Promote the 0-Level Village to a 1-Level Village?]
"No."
Even though she really wanted to upgrade, Zhou Bai held back; if they upgraded right after returning, suspicious people might start to wonder. She preferred to wait a while.
Calming herself, Zhou Bai shifted her attention to the Buildings above.
She clicked Lord Mansion, immediately seeing many more supplies than before—all exchanged by the territory residents. Wood and Stone were each up by hundreds of units, plus all kinds of furs, linen, etc. Food was scarce, clearly everyone knew how important it was to keep bellies full.
Zhou Bai never considered supplies too much—she continued to collect with no cap.
She figured they'd all be useful sooner or later.
Next, she checked the Basic Blacksmith Shop and restaurant.
The Iron Axes in the Blacksmith Shop had long sold out—the first batch of 10, then another batch of 10, all gone. Estimating the numbers, Zhou Bai stocked 30 more.
As for the steamed buns, she put up another 200.
After finishing, Zhou Zhengping and Ding Qiurou had food ready as well.
A bowl of roasted meat, a bowl of meat soup, and several piping hot steamed buns—the three enjoyed their dinner together.
After eating, night had completely fallen. Both Blacksmith Shop and restaurant had closed, ruining the plans of those who'd hoped to spend the night indoors. More and more people crowded by the bonfire.
Once it got quiet, many stared into the flames silently, faces showing no sign of sleepiness.
In this situation—who can sleep!
"I wonder what it's like outside after dark?" someone suddenly spoke up, their voice standing out in the quiet night.
Many listened, looking outside. The darkness swallowed all light—nothing could be seen, a wave of fear rising for no reason.
They too wondered about it.
The arrival of the Doomsday Game had been too sudden; their whole day had been focused on finding a safe place.
Now they had a place—but other problems came up.
Is this territory really safe? How long could it protect them? Are there other territories out there?
What about their relatives and friends? Are they still alive? Did they find a territory too?
Will the outside environment grow more savage? Must they fight demon beasts to survive?
...
Too many things to consider!
Everyone's thoughts grew chaotic, lost in their own worlds.
With her two most important family beside her and nothing weighing on her mind, Zhou Bai, judging it about time, opened the Lord panel, ready to upgrade the territory!
This time, facing the system's notification, Zhou Bai didn't hesitate and chose "Yes."