```
If Moana were still alive, no one would dare touch this little wolf.
Unfortunately, this renowned Great Pirate died last month.
Her pirate group, having lost their leader, was then besieged and exterminated by other powers!
The treasure and power left behind by the Great Pirate Moana could only be inherited by her child.
Aside from the little wolf, Moana's other offspring were either killed or controlled by hostile forces.
The little wolf had been adrift on Slave Island since childhood, a rare pearl of Canghai dug out with great difficulty by Moana's subordinates.
All the people sent to retrieve the little wolf were killed, and the sole survivor had to promise a hefty reward to entrust the little wolf to the Black Saber Pirate Group.
They hoped to have the little wolf delivered to Sapphire Island, where Moana's close friend from before her death resided.
Unfortunately, these pirates were insatiable wolves who, despite facing a curse, were willing to maximize the little wolf's value.
Of course, these pirates ultimately forfeited their own lives, their souls returning to the sea.
"Can you take me to Sapphire Island?"
The little wolf laid out all she knew and asked once more.
"What's your name?"
Chen Qing suddenly asked an unrelated question, catching the little wolf off guard.
"Daliya, they said my name is Daliya."
The little wolf's eyes brightened as she immediately responded.
"Go rest, Daliya. From tomorrow on, I will take you to Sapphire Island."
A slight smile appeared on Chen Qing's face as she patted Daliya's head and left the kitchen.
Sapphire Island is the territory of the indigenous residents of this world; surely, there will be many things she needs there.
According to Daliya, Sapphire Island is an unregulated neutral zone, making it suitable as the first island for her to land on.
"Thank you so much! I will definitely repay you!"
Daliya pursed her lips and loudly called out to Chen Qing's departing figure.
Chen Qing waved her hand dismissively, not taking Daliya's words to heart.
Rather than repayment, how this child will survive is the real issue.
Chen Qing could only help by delivering Daliya to Sapphire Island; Daliya would have to find her own way from there.
Daliya watched Chen Qing's retreating figure, her eyes sharp with an unknowable train of thought.
Chen Qing returned to her own room, where her private channel and friends list messages had already exploded.
There weren't many people in her private channel; even with a few middlemen, there were only a bit over thirty.
Most of them were brought in by Qing Xian and Chen Qing herself.
Most middlemen were looking to take a cut for themselves; if their big clients were brought into the fray, they would stand to earn much less money.
The private channel already had many offers. In a time where most survivors were using rafts, a triangle sail was undeniably tempting.
These people also tried to probe into how Chen Qing acquired an extra ship, but Chen Qing acted as if she saw nothing.
If there were no issue with Daliya, the source of the pirate ship wouldn't matter much to reveal—it could even intimidate the other survivors.
But now with Daliya in the picture, Chen Qing had to think twice.
[Chen Qing: Priority trade for the triangle sail with mechanical props or blueprints.]
[Chen Qing: (Profession Scroll·Sailor) prioritized for a trade with Mechanic Profession Scroll, or tools like a map pointer.]
[He Congrong: I always feel like you're not playing the same game as us.]
Even the Transcendent Gao Yue couldn't help but marvel at Chen Qing's good fortune.
The majority of survivors in Chen Qing's private channel were actually Transcendents, although everyone was unaware of this fact for now.
```
Perhaps it was the principle of like attracting like at work.
[Wei Lan: I have a green quality disposable pointer.]
[Zhao Fuli: Give it up, sister. You really think a one-time item can trade for Brother Qing's Profession Scroll.]
[Zhao Fuli: Brother Qing, take a look at my (Adventurer Map·White)]
[Wei Lan: Yours is still white quality, and you dare to criticize me.]
[Gao Yue: I say you two, this is a Profession Scroll we're talking about, and you're trying to fob people off with these goods?]
Whether it's the triangle sail or the Profession Scroll, both are items desperately needed by the survivors.
They both greatly increase the chance of a survivor's continued existence.
A Profession Scroll had appeared in the trade channel before, that of a musician. However, it was somewhat embarrassing, having a price yet no market.
Compared to a musician, a sailor was more useful on the high seas.
After sending those two messages, Chen Qing remained silent, waiting for an appropriate trade to come up.
She wasn't inactive, though. Upon defeating the Black Saber Pirate Group, the system awarded her three C-grade Mechanical Diagrams.
[Mechanical Creation·Blast Battle Rabbit], [Mechanical Creation·Water Healing Butterfly], [Mechanical Creation·Super Shield Whale].
Attack, medical, and defense—all three types were covered. C-grade diagrams generally fall between blue to purple quality.
However, Chen Qing currently lacked sufficient materials and strength to craft these.
But on setting foot on Sapphire Island, she could attempt to purchase the raw materials.
The most vital core material for crafting these three Mechanical Creatures was the Mechanical Heart and another thing known as Iron Vein.
Of course, the Power Core was equally indispensable.
The Energy Cores in her warehouse were not powerful enough to sustain the energy demanded by these three Mechanical Creations.
After noting down the required materials, Chen Qing shifted her attention back to the chat channel.
The private channel at that moment was as lively as a marketplace.
Survivors invited to the private channel all possessed considerable fortunes; even without trading with Chen Qing, they could exchange a lot of items they needed with each other.
Of course, the hottest trade item was still Chen Qing's triangle sail.
It might even surpass the Profession Scroll in demand.
The triangle sail was essentially a house, a home.
The Chinese people have an extraordinary obsession with houses and land.
However, it was only the third day into the game; although some survivors were wealthy, very few had anything mechanical related.
But that didn't stump the clever survivors.
If they didn't have it themselves, they'd find other survivors to trade with or pool together resources with friends and family.
Not everyone was an orphan like Chen Qing.
A triangle sail could accommodate at least over twenty people, and many survivors with blood ties were placed in the same or nearby areas.
Three days was enough time for them to get in touch.
By the time Chen Qing had assembled three fishing net machines, someone in the private channel had already made a high bid with thirteen Mechanical Diagrams.
The diagram grades ranged from D to G, and were not priced low.
Chen Qing did not immediately agree; instead, she carefully reviewed the types, functions, and difficulties in gathering materials for these diagrams.
Regrettably, the utility of these diagrams might not even match the three E-grade diagrams Chen Qing initially obtained.
However, another survivor made an offer that did catch Chen Qing's eye.
[Environment Adaptation Device blueprint],[Space Distortion Bracelet blueprint],[Body Enhancement Potion formula].
All three blueprints are extremely useful for Chen Qing, no matter which one.
Aside from the potion recipe, as long as Chen Qing has enough materials, she can mass-produce the items from the other two blueprints.
Especially the Space Distortion Bracelet.
Among the three blueprints' value, the Space Distortion Bracelet ranks highest, the Body Enhancement Potion next, and the Environment Adaptation Device lowest.
However, for survivors, the Environment Adaptation Device plays a significant role during the early stages of the game.
With it, survivors can explore underwater.
Upon the release of these three blueprints, other survivors fell silent. After a long while, a survivor named Zhao Fuli finally spoke up meekly.
[Zhao Fuli: Uh, Brother Qing, if you can make these items, can you supply us first?]
The survivor who produced the three blueprints had this exact idea in mind. She did procure these blueprints, but being able to make items also depended on talent.
Some people might learn it in ten days or half a month; others might never learn it in their lifetime.
[Ming Rang: Give me all three blueprints, the triangle sail, and the Profession Scroll, and the first ten products from each blueprint must be mine.]
[Chen Qing: Are you providing the raw materials?]
In that case, Chen Qing wasn't opposed to agreeing.
[Ming Rang: You provide them.]
When these words were typed out, even someone as good-tempered as Chen Qing had to laugh in irritation.
The Environment Adaptation Device was okay, as its level and grade weren't high, though the manufacturing process was intricate and cumbersome.
Chen Qing could also agree to the Body Enhancement Potion; its materials weren't rare, just somewhat difficult for survivors to obtain.
However, the main material for the Space Distortion Bracelet was the Black Space Stone, a deep-sea mineral, extraordinarily rare and hard to mine!
[Chen Qing: Sorry.]
Chen Qing sat on the edge of the bed and after thinking, added another line.
[Chen Qing: I respectfully decline, haha.]
This sarcastic reply had been learned from Zhao Fuli, and when she said it, it made another survivor extremely angry.
Ming Rang across from her truly choked on Chen Qing's words, feeling an awkward mix of indignation with no outlet for her frustration!
She knew her demands were somewhat excessive, but she had thought that since Chen Qing seemed easy to talk to, perhaps she would agree.
Who knew that Chen Qing would just flatly refuse her and even mock her.
Ming Rang had trouble saving face, but reality forced her to shamelessly approach Chen Qing again.
[Ming Rang: Uh, can we discuss it again?]
[Chen Qing: Go ahead.]
Chen Qing put down the mechanical part she was assembling and briefly replied to Ming Rang.
After a long while, Ming Rang tentatively asked.
[Ming Rang: How about eight units?]
[Chen Qing: I respectfully decline.]
Chen Qing shook her head, putting Ming Rang aside and continued assembling the fishing net and fishing rod, starting to sell them on a private channel.
The freshwater survivors weren't in much shortage temporarily; they had stored some freshwater from the heavy rain the day before yesterday.
The fishing net and fishing rod were priced reasonably by Chen Qing, and with the help of the Repair Ants, her assembly speed was greatly increased.
As time passed, the price of these two items would only decrease, and the survivors were willing to pay a premium only to save time.
Meanwhile, in the private chat, Ming Rang kept lowering her trade conditions, and Chen Qing pretended not to see them.
She wasn't good at bargaining, so she simply waited for Ming Rang to lower the price to an acceptable level before agreeing.
The three blueprints Ming Rang had were indeed rare, but Chen Qing was currently unable to make them and had to keep them sidelined.
Soon, Ming Rang reluctantly lowered the requirements to just one finished product of each kind.
[Chen Qing: Okay.]
For Chen Qing, the production cost wasn't actually a cost, the main issue was raw materials.
A simple "okay" almost gave Ming Rang a heart attack. She had truly misjudged the situation, thinking he was easy to negotiate with, but he turned out to be a ruthless businessman!
[Ming Rang: Deal!]
Those two words were gritted out by Ming Rang, who had no choice but to agree.
The conditions on the raft were too poor. She could endure it, but the children couldn't.
After reaching the trade conditions, they quickly exchanged goods.
This trade was risky for Ming Rang, as the trade channel did not guarantee after-sales service, and Chen Qing could completely fail to deliver the subsequent products.
However, Ming Rang did not believe Chen Qing would do such a thing.
Chen Qing's reputation had always been very good, and it wasn't worth it to ruin his credibility for a slight gain.
And as a sign of good faith, Chen Qing directly gifted Ming Rang a set comprising a fishing net, fishing rod, and seawater.
At this stage, such types of trades could only rely on the survivor's integrity.
Unless Ming Rang could find a better trading partner than Chen Qing.
Looking at the triangle sail and the set she received, Ming Rang felt slightly better.
"Sister Ming, I'm hungry,"
a child tugged at Ming Rang's clothes and said softly, holding his stomach.
"It's so late and you're still hungry, do you think I look like food?"
Ming Rang scolded while poking the child's head, but she resignedly went to prepare food for them.
Having a boat really made things much more convenient!
What kind of life was that guy, Chen Qing, leading, to sell such a good boat?
Ming Rang couldn't help but think.
The life Chen Qing led was, of course, one of diligent and honest hard work.
When the clock struck three, Chen Qing yawned slightly, preparing to finish the last bit of work on a fishing net machine before going to sleep.
Daliya in the next room had already fallen into a deep sleep. She had thought she wouldn't be able to sleep, but unexpectedly she slept very soundly, even snoring extravagantly.
The moment the last fishing net machine was completed, the familiar system notification sound rang in Chen Qing's ear.
[Survivor Chen Qing has independently completed one hundred Mechanical Creations, automatically assuming the role of Mechanic (Apprentice).]
[Survivor Chen Qing has assumed the role of Apprentice Mechanic, acquiring the skills Mechanical Control (Grade E), Mechanical Manufacturing (Grade E), Metal Refining (Grade E), Passive·Basic Mechanical Affinity]
[Beep—Basic Mechanical Affinity is a Lower Passive Skill of Mechanical Perception, undergoing replacement—]
[Replacement successful, please check your personal panel manually.]
This was, unexpectedly, a pleasant surprise for Chen Qing!
Chen Qing quickly checked her panel, and Mechanical Affinity had been replaced with Metal Affinity, slightly enhancing her perception of the internal structure of metals. She could understand metals better and sense their presence more acutely.
Suddenly, it was a double celebration!
With Metal Affinity, if Chen Qing could manufacture the Environment Adaptation Device, she could go to the deep sea to mine!
The seabed was home to many rare minerals.
However, Chen Qing's immediate priority was to get some good rest as the two consecutive days of overwork had already exhausted her.
Accompanied by the sound of the waves, Chen Qing quickly fell into a deep sleep.
A dreamless night…