They seem unable to disclose the specifics of the mission.
While carrying out the mission, the couple encountered a black bear.
At first, they thought they could bypass it, but the bear ended up targeting them.
Because it was too close, they didn't even have time to abandon the mission.
To save his wife, Liu Futong pushed her away, allowing Cheng Jie to get teleported out.
The screen went black because Cheng Jie had completely exited, presumably going back to her world through the Star Gate.
Xu Yi and Lu Ke received this message just like the other challengers.
"I hope we don't encounter any missions; they must be dangerous," Xu Yi couldn't help but say, if it was just him, he would definitely find a way to try a mission.
But it was different with Lu Ke around; Xu Yi needed to protect her. So, he couldn't take risks.
"That being said, the rewards must be substantial, right?" Lu Ke touched her nose, looking eager to give it a try.
"Getting ahead of ourselves, let's honestly rely on ourselves," Xu Yi rolled his eyes and continued to carve his stuff.
"Yes, sir." Lu Ke playfully saluted and then stuck out her tongue.
Her adorable demeanor almost made Xu Yi cut his hand.
"Watch the fire, stop daydreaming. After we're full, we'll gather more shells to bring back as the fence hasn't been built yet." Xu Yi said when he saw Lu Ke getting ready to daydream again.
"Ah, what will happen to the shells drying on the stone?" Lu Ke questioned, confused, as they would have at most an hour or so after eating to gather more shells.
"Collect them tomorrow afternoon; they definitely won't be dry today." Xu Yi never planned to bring the shells back today; if they weren't completely dried, they could easily spoil.
"What if it rains tonight?" Lu Ke still felt they should collect them.
"Then we're just unlucky. We don't have a fence yet, and bringing them back to dry may attract other animals inside." Xu Yi explained, if some animal hid in their shelter and suddenly attacked, it would be game over for the two.
Reduce risks where possible.
"Oh, I see, that makes sense. Wow, Xu Yi, how can you think things through so thoroughly?" Lu Ke said somewhat frustrated, as she hadn't thought of any of that.
"It shows you're simple-minded, that's why so many people like you." Xu Yi laughed.
"No, no way." Lu Ke blushed and retorted weakly.
"Why be embarrassed? It shows your big charm," Xu Yi said upon seeing Lu Ke's embarrassed look.
Then, he continued: "But many gentlemen must like you. You look quite youthful yet mature enough for them to legally pursue you."
Lu Ke rolled her eyes and said speechlessly: "I don't care for such superficial likes; they're not genuine, just a preference."
"What about you, are you into 'cute' types?" Lu Ke suddenly asked Xu Yi.
Xu Yi shook his head and replied: "I'm not fixated on anything; liking someone comes from a feeling, not conditions like whether someone is youthful or mature."
"Glad you're not, otherwise, I'd keep my distance." Lu Ke joked, her face still slightly flushed, looking more captivating.
Xu Yi grinned and continued carving his item.
Lu Ke also fell silent, occasionally using chopsticks to stir the shells in the pot.
Shells need to be cooked thoroughly and for a longer time.
Given they don't even have medicine now, any small issue could become a big problem.
"Alright, it's ready. Let's eat first." Lu, seeing the shells cooked for almost 20 minutes, removed the steel pot from the fire.
"Okay." Xu Yi nodded and set down the carved wood dagger, whose shape was becoming discernible.
"Xu Yi, why are you carving a wooden dagger?" Lu Ke asked, puzzled about what use a wooden dagger could be.
"It's to serve as a mold. I still need your help to craft a clay model." Xu Yi explained, then added: "While collecting firewood, I found a piece of iron meteorite and thought of casting a dagger and a machete."
"Your luck is so good, you found an iron meteorite! Seems it's not me who jinxed it, but your special luck at play." Lu Ke looked at Xu Yi in surprise, knowing how rare metal was to them now.
A single engineer shovel is clearly not enough.
Having a dagger and a machete would certainly make things much more convenient.
Xu Yi pursed his lips and didn't respond.
They both ate the shells and quickly finished the pot, even sipping some broth.
"Xu Yi, I'm not full, and you must not be either, should we cook another pot?" Lu Ke asked, feeling unsatisfied.
"Yes, definitely not full, mostly shell," Xu Yi replied, as the shells took up two-thirds of the space, making it impossible for them to feel full.
So, Xu Yi and Lu Ke gathered more shells.
Though Xu Yi put his finds in the backpack, Lu Ke collected hers to cook and eat.
This way, they saved some time.
While picking, Xu Yi felt something brush past his foot.
It turned out to be a piece of seaweed.
Xu Yi immediately picked it up and placed it in the backpack.
He then began searching around.
However, luck seemed to have run out; he found no more seaweed.
After half an hour, Lu Ke called Xu Yi back.
Looking at the backpack, Xu Yi thought they had enough for evening and midnight snacks, so he went ashore and packed up.
"We've collected enough, let's go back after eating, and we need to cut down the tree with the fungi and bring it back." Xu Yi showed Lu Ke the backpack, containing at least seven or eight pounds of shells.
Lu Ke nodded. After having the shells and some broth, they cleaned up and prepared to leave.
They had collected a good deal today: several pounds of mushrooms, shells, and a large piece of metal.
Retracing their steps back took half an hour longer than going there.
Because they brought back a fifty-pound tree trunk.
Originally, Xu Yi planned to carry it himself, but Lu Ke insisted on carrying it together, so Xu Yi agreed.
"Exhausted, never thought I, Lu Ke, could have such stamina," Lu Ke proudly said, as she used to be quite weak.
Now she could carry a fifty-pound item through the woods with Xu Yi.
Achieving this feat, the Body Enhancement Agent surely played a significant role, which Xu Yi was glad he used on Lu Ke.