A huge thanks to Green KiTea for the Kofis. Enjoy the bonus chapters!

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Jian Xingyi also discovered a mechanic: unopened seeds—like the two S-rank seeds he currently held—had a higher chance of successful synthesis. 

So now he had two choices: one was to directly use the unopened S-rank seeds for synthesis—the best outcome would be an SS-rank seed, the worst would be nothing. The other was to open them immediately and get two S-rank seeds. 

Jian Xingyi paused for a moment, then decided to put this dilemma on hold for now. This was too much to ask of him, the “Lucky One”! 

After Jian Xingyi finished handling the backend system and took a brief rest with Shanhai, they set off for their next destination. Their next stop was Rainforest Mountain, and it took them two days to reach it by car. 

It shouldn’t have taken that long, but the entire journey was plagued by blizzards. Either visibility was severely obstructed, making it impossible to proceed, or avalanches and fallen trees blocked their path from time to time. 

Upon reaching Rainforest Mountain, they encountered a flood at the entrance that blocked the way. The two were stranded on a tree branch for quite some time, forced to wait until the water receded before they could continue. Jian Xingyi and Shanhai exchanged glances and sighed.

No wonder everyone trusted and appreciated him so much. Without the trade route, not only would gathering resources on the map be impossible, but even traveling would be a hassle—there were “unexpected incidents” everywhere. 

Finally, after the water receded, the two were able to reach the center of Rainforest Mountain—the Sacred Tree on the ground. 

Jian Xingyi reasoned that the area near the Sacred Tree was already one of the safest—or rather, highest—places in Rainforest Mountain. 

After all, while his trade portal could withstand natural disasters and wouldn’t be destroyed or flooded by a flood, this presented another problem—unless one dived underwater or used a wooden boat, no one could use the trade portal to teleport, since teleportation required clicking on the registered portal. 

Therefore, the trade portal had to be built in an elevated location, and the Sacred Tree’s massive branches provided the perfect support. 

After completing all this and issuing the announcement, Jian Xingyi asked, “So, should we head to Wave Mountain next, or rest here?” 

Logically, they needed to rest, but it was hard to find a good place to settle in the rainforest, especially since wild beasts could appear unexpectedly in the open areas of this map. 

In the past, the beasts had been confined to specific areas, but now, due to the floods, the creatures on the map were migrating all over the place—it wouldn’t be surprising to encounter anything. 

If you were to suddenly spot a golden giant python in the middle of the night, that would be… quite the thrill. Shanhai pondered for a moment. “Let’s keep moving forward, or just teleport out of here.” 

After all, teleporting back isn’t that hard. 

Just as the two were about to teleport, they heard a scream coming from nearby. 

“H-help—!” 

“Aaaah!! Someone, please help us!” 

Huh? 

The two followed the sound and walked over. Jian Xingyi was stunned—it really was a case of “speak of the devil.” Before them were two severely injured girls and a boy, and standing right in front of them was… 

A giant python. 

It really did show up!! 

Jian Xingyi froze. He turned to look at Shanhai, just as he was about to ask him to help them, only to see Shanhai’s figure vanish in the next instant.

Every split second mattered in this life-or-death situation. In the blink of an eye, Shanhai’s figure appeared beside the Python, plunging a dagger into its eye. 

The Water Python let out a piercing scream, and Jian Xingyi could feel the ground trembling all around them. He just hoped the Water Python wouldn’t attract any more creatures… 

Meanwhile, Shanhai and the python were locked in a fierce struggle. The python’s massive body swept through the area, snapping the surrounding trees with a single twist and swish of its tail. Jian Xingyi hurried forward to help the others escape the fray. 

“Th-thank you…!” 

Jian Xingyi shook his head. “It’s fine. You should get out of here quickly.” 

Jian Xingyi thought to himself that these people must have seen the announcement and location he posted and came over to use the trade portal for teleportation. 

In that case, Jian Xingyi and Shanhai really had to step in and deal with this giant python that had somehow ended up by the trade port—otherwise, it would be no different from setting a trap in the rainforest. 

“B-but…” The girl glanced at the terrifyingly massive python not far away. 

“It’s okay,” Jian Xingyi said gently. “You staying here will only hinder Big Brother Shanhai’s performance.” 

As Shanhai’s travel companion and boyfriend—a former “No. 6” with a current combat rating of 256—Jian Xingyi was well-versed in the art of making a quick exit when he couldn’t be of any help. 

“Oh, oh…” 

After the others left, Jian Xingyi turned to look at Shanhai. 

Shanhai moved nimbly among the trees, dodging the giant python’s attacks, and seized an opportunity to try and gouge out its other eye. Jian Xingyi took a deep breath. Alright, it was time to test the power of his S-class rifle! Seeing the giant python heading toward Shanhai, Jian Xingyi stood at a distance and fired several shots at it. Bang! Bang bang! 

Three bloody holes appeared in the giant serpent’s hard, golden-yellow scales, and Jian Xingyi’s eyes widened. This… it really is S-class! 

This is a huge help!!

Meanwhile, Jian Xingyi’s sudden yet perfectly timed ambush had drawn the giant python’s attention. The python momentarily lost its focus, exposing a weakness, and was immediately pounced upon by Shanhai, who leaped onto its head and plunged a dagger straight into its eye. 

With a sharp “snap,” both of the giant python’s eyes were injured, and it let out a piercing screech before Shanhai finished it off with a single strike. But… 

Shanhai’s gaze hardened. 

Rustling sounds came from all around. 

The golden giant python was one of the rulers and “kings” of this forest; its earlier cries seemed to have attracted quite a few of its kind. “Xingxing!” 

Jian Xingyi felt a dark shadow flash past him. The next moment, he was swept aside by Shanhai, who had lunged over and grabbed him, rolling them both to the side. A serpent just as massive as the previous one appeared where he had been standing. 

Jian Xingyi felt a sharp sting on his ankle and let out a whimper. Jian Xingyi looked around. They… were surrounded by a swarm of snakes. Jian Xingyi swallowed hard. This didn’t look good. 

Shanhai frowned. “Run.” 

Never mind whether fighting here was worth the effort—drawing more snakes to the area wouldn’t do them any good. They had to find a way to lure these creatures away. 

“Okay!” 

Jian Xingyi had intended to say his ankle was sprained, but when he tried moving it, he found he could still walk and even jump, so he followed Shanhai as they made a run for it. 

Shanhai yanked Jian Xingyi to his feet, and they charged forward. 

In the rainforest—especially one ravaged by floods—motorcycles were useless. Jian Xingyi was practically being dragged along by Shanhai, feeling as though he and the two feet were about to fly off. 

Once they reached a relatively open plain, Shanhai immediately pulled out the “cannon” and began sweeping fire behind them. “Boom! Boom—!” 

Jian Xingyi’s eyes widened—Shanhai wasn’t firing at the swarm of snakes, but at the mountain wall beside them!

Boom—! 

The cliff face finally gave way, and the trees atop it tumbled down along with mud and rocks, crushing all the snakes chasing them… to death. 

After the snakes were crushed, calm returned to the area. Jian Xingyi let out a sigh of relief, only to feel the pain in his ankle again. He frowned and looked down, then froze. 

On his ankle, instead of the expected scrape or bruise, were… two tiny bloody holes. Jian Xingyi froze in shock, and when Shanhai saw them, his face darkened. 

—Jian Xingyi had been bitten by a snake. 

It seemed Shanhai hadn’t managed to pull him away in time; besides the giant python, Jian Xingyi had also been entangled by a smaller snake. Jian Xingyi sighed, “I really shouldn’t get in the way when the big shots are fighting… not even with an S-class gun.” 

Shanhai’s face turned ashen. “It’s my fault.” 

Those snakes were small and appeared out of nowhere; it was only natural that Jian Xingyi hadn’t noticed them. But how could he… 

Jian Xingyi patted Shanhai on the shoulder. “It’s fine. You were fighting that giant python at the time—how is this your fault? Don’t worry, it’s just a small cut. I’ll just go to the mall and buy some medicine.” 

He doesn’t have to look this bad… 

Shanhai’s tone was flat. “These snakes have been infected.” 

Jian Xingyi: “…?” 

Jian Xingyi froze. 

He looked down and saw that the skin around the wound had indeed turned blue. Jian Xingyi stared in disbelief. No way… 

He’d survived two grueling zombie hordes and countless S-rank dungeons unscathed—and now he’d actually gotten infected here? Was he… about to mutate? 

Was he going to die?

Jian Xingyi felt a chill run through his veins. 

How could he have made such a mistake here!! 

After a moment, he snapped back to his senses and said, “No, no!” 

Looking at Shanhai—who was speechless, his eyes gleaming with a hint of malevolence as his mind raced to find a solution—Jian Xingyi took his hand and said, “Don’t be afraid! I’ve got the Wish Bottle and the pouch, right? And you’ve still got a pouch of your own!” 

The savior isn’t going to kick the bucket that easily! Shanhai paused. 

“Then see if you can use it.” 

“Okay!” 

Before that… 

Jian Xingyi opened the first-aid kit to prepare a concoction that would delay the onset of the infection. He hadn’t expected it to come in handy so soon—and on himself, no less… What a nightmare. 

Jian Xingyi first went to the marketplace in the Grand Merchant system to buy some growth potions, allowing his fish to grow instantly. After collecting the fish eyes, he combined them with snake gall to create the potion, then applied it to himself. 

Jian Xingyi listed the remaining potions in the marketplace. 

Since the infection-delaying potions were already listed… Jian Xingyi decided to go ahead and synthesize a large batch of healing potions using Sea God Flowers and salt. However, most of the Sea God Flowers were still growing, and since this was the first fish harvest, the yield was low, so the quantity of these potions was substantial. 

Still, it caused quite a stir on the public chat. 

【My Big Shot Xinghe! I feel like he’s getting more and more overpowered, unlocking more and more abilities! Is Dawnbreaker his true calling?!】 

【Aaaah, my god, the injury remedies were already crazy enough, but I never expected there’d be infection-delaying medicine too?!】 

【There aren’t enough!! Waaah, Big Shot, can you put more up for sale?!】 

Many people even sent Jian Xingyi private messages asking if they could buy more from him, offering any amount of dawn coins and resources in exchange. Shanhai looked at the notifications from the guild with a somewhat complicated expression.

Although it usually takes two or three days for symptoms to manifest and lead to death after infection, so there’s theoretically no point in rushing, someone like Jian Xingyi, who’s still thinking about crafting, listing items, and making money… 

…is actually not that uncommon. 

And way too calm about it!! 

Still, this nearly snapped the last thread holding Shanhai together. 

Shanhai took a deep breath, steadied his breathing, and gently took Jian Xingyi’s hand. “Xingxing, stop what you’re doing. Let’s apply the medicine first, then take a look at the Wish Bottle.” 

“Oh, okay…!” 

Jian Xingyi hurriedly applied the two medicines and opened the Savior System. Jian Xingyi wrote down his wish. 

【Remove the infection from the player 

【Xinghe】】 is not highlighted. 

Jian Xingyi frowned. 

Does this mean the system can’t turn an infected person into a healthy one? 

Jian Xingyi decided to try his first-aid kit and wrote down another wish. 

【Obtain Reishi Mushroom】 

【Obtain Red Spider Lily】 

As long as he obtained these two ingredients, combined with the snake venom he already possessed, Jian Xingyi could synthesize a cure for the infection. Both of these wishes lit up, but writing them together caused them to go dark, indicating that a single Wish Bottle could only grant one ingredient. 

But using two Wish Bottles to obtain this one-time-use material was simply too… Jian Xingyi then wrote a slightly different wish. 

【Obtain Plantable Reishi Mushroom Seeds】 

【Obtain Plantable Red Spider Lily Seeds】

The Reishi lit up, but the Red Spider Lily didn’t—it was likely too rare. 

Jian Xingyi thought for a moment, then decided to use the pouch to inquire about the whereabouts of the red spider lily seeds. Jian Xingyi used his last “Pouch of Ingenuity,” and the pouch faithfully provided the answer. 

—When a player is infected, the compass will point the way to the Red Spider Lily for the player who owns it; however, whether they can obtain it depends on the player’s own skills. 

Jian Xingyi understood. 

He gave Shanhai a rough overview of the situation. 

Shanhai frowned and said, “My suggestion is to use two Wish Bottles to cure your infection.” 

Jian Xingyi shook his head. “No… using two Wish Bottles at once is too wasteful, and the materials you get in exchange are one-time use—it’s not worth it. If I cure myself, the compass won’t be able to point me toward the Red Spider Lily anymore. In that case, I might as well… take advantage of this rare opportunity to be infected. Isn’t it better to go find the Red Spider Lily while I’m in this state?” 

The Red Spider Lily is so hard to find—I might as well make the most of this opportunity! 

Shanhai’s voice turned cold. “Being infected isn’t as easy as you think. Your body will start to feel worse and worse.” “Um…” Jian Xingyi scratched his head. “It doesn’t feel bad yet?” 

“Xingxing.” 

Jian Xingyi wrapped his arms around Shanhai’s arm. “It’s a rare chance—just come with me to look for them…” Shanhai took a deep breath, feeling like he was going to lose his mind. 

What on earth is going through Jian Xingyi’s head?!