Chapter 55: Chapter 7: Searching for Materials
Building a shelter requires three steps.
First, find a suitable location; second, find suitable materials; third, build it.
It seems simple, but it requires a lot of work.
Among them, finding suitable materials is the most labor-intensive step.
"How do you identify usable materials?"
Watching Chen Wen looking for suitable tools, Wang Zhi followed and asked.
Chen Wen picked a long spear and said, "Generally speaking, most trees will do, as long as it’s hard and dense wood, it can be used to make the frame of the shelter, but this time we’re looking for trees with better flexibility, the thinner kind."
"Another is large or lush leaves like banana leaves and palm leaves, used to block wind and rain."
"Of course, there’s also vines or ropes, things that can fix the wood and palm leaves."
Hearing this, Wang Zhi was somewhat impressed.
It seems he really has some research!
The two prepared briefly and then went to the surrounding forest to find suitable materials.
However, before leaving, Chen Wen went up to Gan Tieshan and talked with him for a while.
...
"Shan, how do you clear the ground?"
Looking at the open space around the campfire, Zhuo Hongnian was at a loss.
Gan Tieshan, holding a machete, said, "We’ve cleaned it once before, just follow the previous method."
"On one hand, clear the hard objects, like these stones, and the fishbones, fish spines, and crab shells that weren’t cleaned up before."
"On the other hand, uproot these grasses and shrubs, and also these dead branches and leaves, expose the ground as much as possible."
Zhuo Hongnian nodded, then asked, "Why do we need to do this?"
Gan Tieshan frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "One is for comfort, everyone has to sleep on the ground without beds; another is for safety. The island’s insects and venomous snakes usually nest inside, clearing these out and exposing the ground reduces the risk of them approaching."
Zhuo Hongnian was full of admiration: "Shan, you’re really amazing! You know so much!"
Gan Tieshan chuckled bitterly, not taking credit: "It was Chen Wen who instructed me."
Upon hearing this, Zhuo Hongnian felt a bit embarrassed.
After hesitating, he asked, "Shan, do you really need this captain position?"
Gan Tieshan pursed his lips and finally nodded.
"Then Shan, your pressure might be a bit high. I feel Chen Wen will probably build the shelter today."
"And he can also suppress Lu Heng, quite impressive."
Zhuo Hongnian’s words made Gan Tieshan feel a bit helpless.
With his ability, there wasn’t much he could do.
...
Lu Heng and Du Feng started an unpleasant task.
"Damn, who did this, leaving such a big pile!"
Lu Heng pinched his nose and covered it with the sand he brought.
"Ugh!"
Du Feng on the other side started to retch directly.
"Ugh! This job is really fucking hard!"
Lu Heng, influenced by Du Feng, couldn’t help but retch too.
But despite their distaste, Lu Heng and Du Feng gritted their teeth and got to work.
After all, Chen Wen just arrived on the island, showing his edge; it’s not the time to leave the task unfinished.
...
In the forest.
Chen Wen used the long spear to probe the bushes while looking for suitable materials.
"This tree is good!"
Not far away, Chen Wen saw a suitable tree.
Chen Wen didn’t know the name of this tree, but its branches were numerous, very lush, and extremely flexible.
"Chop it directly?"
Wang Zhi took out a machete, which was used as an axe at the camp.
Chen Wen shook his head and noted the location: "Let’s explore elsewhere first, and gather as we return when it feels like we’ve found enough materials."
Makes sense!
Wang Zhi nodded.
If they gathered while exploring, it might end up like a monkey picking corn.
Not only tiring but also might not be able to bring everything back.
Observing the logistics team’s change, discussions about Chen Wen began to increase online.
[Chen Wen’s arrival, and the logistics team has completely changed!]
[Initially thought this brother came to seize power, giving a bad impression, but now it seems, he truly has the ability]
[It’s right for capable people to fight for power, otherwise, following a muddled leader, it’s just one word—doom!]
[Previous logistics team: Xiao Fat, Xiao Lu busy randomly, Old Du slacking, Shan trying hard without results]
[Now logistics team: Each performs their duties, busy yet orderly, highly efficient]
[The show didn’t waste money, truly invited a legend!]
...
In the discussions, an hour almost passed.
Chen Wen felt that they nearly achieved their goal for this round.
"Feels like we can build most of the shelter now."
Chen Wen finally stopped, looking back at the sweating Wang Zhi.
He couldn’t help but joke: "Brother Wang Zhi, from today on, never mind anything else, you will definitely succeed in losing weight."
Wang Zhi gasped for breath, intermittently said: "Don’t... don’t say! It really is! Going back... I’ll directly become... a stylish man!"
After saying "stylish man," Wang Zhi sat directly on the ground.
Couldn’t hold on.
"Then let’s rest for a bit."
Chen Wen also wiped his sweat.
With the enhancement of [Swift], it was relatively easy for him to move in the rainforest.
Many obstacles could be overcome with little effort.
But the physical exertion was considerable.
After waiting for five minutes.
Chen Wen stood up: "Give me the machete, I’ll cut the stuff, and you carry it."
Wang Zhi nodded and handed over the machete.
Chen Wen picked up the knife and started gathering in the lush forest.
"Banana, this thing is also good."
Chen Wen aimed at the banana tree and started by chopping the leaves.
The wide banana leaves are perfect waterproof materials.
As long as they’re fixed on the wood, they’re truly resistant to wind and rain.
And the value of the banana is not only in its leaves.
While chopping banana leaves, Chen Wen also noticed the banana fruits.
These were banana-like fruits, arranged in rows, but much smaller than bananas and still quite green.
This thing... might provide resources.
Chen Wen remembered that the banana fruit is edible.
He thought for a moment and chopped some banana fruits, about ten in total.
"Take them back for everyone to taste, to replenish some vitamins."
Accepting the banana fruit, Wang Zhi gulped.
They had eaten a lot of meat on the island, but had never eaten fruit.
"Continue."
Without waiting for Wang Zhi to speak, Chen Wen continued to guide him in gathering.
The leaves of the second banana tree also couldn’t escape Chen Wen’s grasp.
Crack, crack, crack.
Wang Zhi only heard a few crisp cracking sounds, and in the next second, a bunch of banana leaves appeared in front of him.
Strength and speed.
Truly a born survivor?
Wang Zhi accepted the banana leaves, deeply moved.
After collecting enough banana leaves, Chen Wen focused on the trees.
Many slender saplings were chopped down with his machete.
These trees are excellent materials for building the shelter.
While the two of them gathered materials, chatting as they moved.
Chen Wen, chopping the tree, suddenly looked up.
Before Wang Zhi could react.
Chen Wen’s leg muscles tensed up, and he suddenly jumped backward, pulling Wang Zhi along with him.
Wang Zhi, completely clueless about what was happening, had a confused look.
But in the next moment, a slender-bodied, smooth-scaled, bronze-colored snake suddenly lunged at Wang Zhi from above.
"Snake!"
Wang Zhi saw it clearly, screaming loudly, with its little tongue clearly visible.
Seeing Wang Zhi safe, Chen Wen no longer paid attention to him.
With a push, Chen Wen directly swung the long spear, hitting the snake that had fallen from the tree.
The blow was not light, instantly causing the snake to coil its body and wriggle continuously.
Chen Wen held the long spear, judging the position of the snake’s head.
Under Wang Zhi’s shocked gaze, a spear thrust, pinning the snake to the ground.
Chen Wen added force, the long spear pierced directly into the ground, and the snake’s head was skillfully severed by Chen Wen using the long spear.
"Stop screaming, it’s dead."
Chen Wen exhaled, looking at Wang Zhi with ease.
"No, bro?"
Wang Zhi, staring at the snake’s head in shock: "How did you do it?!"