A huge thanks to GreenKiTea and Empires for the kofis, enjoy the bonus chapters!

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Picking up trash? 

Qiyu immediately understood what he meant: “In your Zone 88, is it still getting warmer?” 

Before the Safe Days, Star Forest was already very cold, while the climate in Zone 88 was extremely hot. 

Given the drop in temperature in Star Forest, it wasn’t hard to imagine what conditions were like in the Golden Desert.

Dan Xingyu frowned: “It’s so hot—it feels like the sand is about to melt under my feet.” 

Early this morning, people on the zone channel were already complaining that in this kind of weather, it was practically impossible to go out.

If this were a normal day on Earth, even when temperatures were high, at least the early morning would be relatively cool. Or after the sun went down, when it wasn’t so scorching, you could go out on a Level 4 mission.

But in the survival game, there was no respite: Day is day, and night is night. 

You can’t go out at night.

And during the day, from the moment it starts to get light at eight o’clock, the temperature immediately hits its peak. 

Qiyu thought for a moment: “Let’s eat first, then we’ll go pick up trash together.”

A thought popped into his head, but he didn’t mention it just yet.

The butler hadn’t lied; he’d prepared a wide variety of breakfast dishes in different styles, filling the table to the brim.

While the two were eating, the butler pulled out his little booklet. 

“My Lord, would you mind if I interrupted you while you’re eating?” 

Qiyu was always very focused while eating and wasn’t in the habit of speaking—a habit he’d developed in his previous life.

However, after what had happened that morning, his mindset had clearly shifted a great deal.

Savoring a delicious meal was a pleasure—relaxing and enjoyable.

He smiled and said, “Go ahead.”

Dan Xingyu glanced at him in surprise.

“Very well, My Lord.”

Butler: “First, while on patrol last night, I noticed that the orders you issued to the alchemy puppets in the domain were too simplistic. If you’re willing to delegate management to me, I can refine the puppets’ instructions and provide them with basic military training. ”

Qiyu’s hand holding the bowl paused. 

Dan Xingyu: Wow! 

Now, in front of the butler, there were two astonished country bumpkins. 

I-I mean, is the butler really that authoritative? 

Qiyu immediately replied, “No problem!”

The butler nodded and began to mention the second point: “Regarding the plants within the domain. According to the knowledge in my database, the quality and rarity of the plants in your domain are truly astonishing. This is primarily due to your abilities, My Lord.” 

Upon hearing this, Dan Xingyu looked over at Qiyu.

Sure enough, almost immediately, he saw the local lad’s eyes light up, and his expression clearly showed delight. 

Once you get to know him a little better, you’ll realize he’s actually very easy to read.

Qiyu replied modestly, “Not at all—it’s just good luck.” 

The butler continued, “However, based on my observations, there is still room for improvement. There are several plants that fall outside my area of expertise, so I cannot offer advice on them. But for others, data analysis suggests there may be ways to help them grow even better.” 

“First is the seven-colored flower. I recommend that Your Lordship praise it every morning upon waking and at dusk. If you don’t have the time, this task can be entrusted to the two staff members at the farmhouse or me.”

“As for the Ancient War Trees, you can transplant them alongside the Black-striped Moss. They are companion plants, and this will benefit the growth of both.” 

“I don’t have much advice regarding the rest of the planting—after all, you are so deeply favored by the Goddess of Nature.” 

“Regarding the defenses of the estate, I have the following suggestions…”

In the middle of this, Qiyu suddenly lifted his bowl and drained the porridge in one go, then fixed his gaze intently on the butler as he spoke. 

Dan Xingyu was in much the same state; both of them propped their heads up, deeply shaken. 

The butler was suggesting adjustments to the structure and layout of several aggressive plants within the estate, as well as the removal of some energy towers. 

“Your plants seem to have a low probability of evolving; if that’s the case, they need more combat experience and pressure…”

Dan Xingyu muttered, “You’re not just a butler—you’re practically an all-around military strategist.”

He exclaimed enviously, “I really want one too.” 

From his perspective, this was practically an omnipotent, ultra-intelligent AI. 

It was far superior to those idiotic AI characters that were all the rage on Earth before he entered the survival game. 

“Finally, here’s what I consider to be the most underrated member in the territory right now,” the butler said solemnly. “The Mature Trash Can.” 

Dan Xingyu: ???

What on earth is this? 

The butler said, “It seems you’ve merely been mechanically having the alchemy puppet feed it a single type of trash. I believe this does nothing to bring out its full potential.” 

“The Mature Trash Can is a piece of furniture that has undergone basic programming; it possesses the ability to automatically clean up trash within the territory. I suggest that when you set out to explore the territory, you bring it along to see if it can independently seek out trash to eat.” 

The butler tapped his notebook with a pen: “Perhaps we can also use this to observe the trash can’s dietary preferences. And see what differences there are in the items it regurgitates after consuming different types of trash.”

As soon as the butler finished speaking, he noticed that a figure had suddenly materialized before him.

It was his great Lord. 

The Lord extended a hand and sighed with sincere emotion: “You are truly remarkable, Butler. With you in my domain, it’s as if the fish has returned to its aquatic paradise.”

The butler paused, then extended his hand and shook Qiyu’s: “It is my duty to serve you.”

After thanking the butler, Qiyu eagerly walked over to Dan Xingyu and showed him another of the butler’s achievements.

“Last night, the butler compiled basic combat techniques suitable for beginners.”

He shared his idea: “I want to sell them to players in the region—most of them have absolutely no combat skills at all.”

“I didn’t know how to set the price at first, but now I have a few ideas.”

Qiyu was full of enthusiasm: “Dan Xingyu, what do you think about having them dig up snow? After all, the snow in the Star Forest is so deep that it’s really hard for the average person to get through. They’re going to have to clear the snow anyway, so I can just have them dig up a little extra and bring it all back to you.”

He hadn’t really expected to make money from this combat technique in the first place.

Personally speaking, the more players who survive in the zone, the easier it would be for him to do business and make money.

And if, while looking out for his own interests, he could also do some good and save more lives, it seemed like a very fulfilling thing to do. 

He didn’t hear Dan Xingyu’s reply.

The next moment, he was forcefully pulled into an embrace by a fiery figure, who then gave his back two firm pats. 

After patting him, the person seemed to hesitate for a moment, then patted him gently again. 

“I’m just so excited,” Dan Xingyu’s voice rang in his ear; he seemed to nuzzle against his shoulder as he mumbled, “How can you be so nice, my Lord?” 

Qiyu was still in a daze when he finally snapped out of it and said with a smile, “We’re good friends, after all.” 

He patted Dan Xingyu’s arm: “Put that away quickly—I’ll take you to see something cool.”

Dan Xingyu obediently put it down. Qiyu could see the joy in every line of his face—he was clearly in a great mood.

He followed Qiyu downstairs obediently. Along the way, Qiyu felt like Dan Xingyu’s gaze was fixed on him the whole time. 

He glanced back in surprise, but Dan Xingyu didn’t look away; he just kept smiling at him. 

Qiyu took this to mean that he was just really happy. 

Full of confidence, he said, “Wait a bit—something even more exciting is waiting for you.”

He led Dan Xingyu to the farmland behind the house and pointed ahead: “Look!”

The plants they’d planted yesterday morning were ripe.

Qiyu led him to the farmland where strawberries and cherries were growing and told him, “Soybeans, strawberries, and cherries are all edible. I’ve tasted them all—the strawberries and cherries are super delicious!”

He wanted to share this delicious treat with his good friend: “I was actually planning to put together a platter for you as a gift, but since you’re here, just help yourself.”

Dan Xingyu looked at the fruit trees laden with ripe fruit and shook his head: “Sometimes I really feel like I should just move into your Star Forest.”

Qiyu had sharp ears and heard him: “What do you mean, ‘move into Star Forest’? Can players switch zones?”

Dan Xingyu picked a bright red strawberry and popped it into his mouth, his eyes widening in delight: “This is so delicious!” 

The rich fruity aroma, accompanied by sweet juice, was so much better than those so-called high-end imported organic strawberries she’d scraped together a few hundred yuan for per jin while working part-time before. 

He said with a smile, “I was just joking. We’re in different zones, so we can make better use of the resources in both of them.”

He picked a few strawberries and some cherries, putting them in his backpack for a snack.

“Let’s go. We’ve enjoyed ourselves enough—it’s time to get to work.”

Qiyu stopped him: “You’ve got to change into my clothes first.”

Dan Xingyu was only wearing a light martial arts uniform, and outside the Star Forest, it was a completely frozen, snow-covered wasteland.

Dan Xingyu: “Forget it!”

“Wait for me to go back and change!”

Just as he was about to leave, he turned back: “About that basic combat technique of yours—any ideas on how to expand our market in Server 88?”

“Sure thing,” Qiyu agreed readily.

In his eyes, players from Server 01 and Server 88 were no different.

Dan Xingyu: “OK then, all of us big shots in Server 88 will support you as our most authoritative godfather.”

Qiyu:?

But this time, Dan Xingyu was crafty—before Qiyu could refuse, he had already deftly slipped into the teleportation device.

Qiyu immediately set the combat technique to “On Display” and posted it on his trade page.

The trade item was 200 kilograms of ice or snow. 

Then he entered the zone chat.

【I Love Survival Game: I’ve put together a basic combat guide for complete beginners. Players who need it can check it out.】

【Liver Emperor: ??? Holy crap, Gaming Pro! What’s that trade request? Do you need ice or snow, master?】

【Cockroach Taste Is So Weird: Damn it, someone beat me to the top post. @Liver Emperor, you—turns out it’s not that you lack reflexes; you’re just too lazy to respond to a lot of these threads, right?】 

【Cockroach Taste Is So Weird: Waaah, Game Dad is doing charity again— want snow, right? I wasn’t in the mood to go out at all today, but just you wait—I’m going to change clothes right now and go dig up some snow for you.】

【Reaching for the Moon in the Heavens: @I Love Survival Game, thanks, Gaming Pro. You’re so generous.】

【Irritable Brother: The Gaming Pro really is unbeatable—he’s given everyone in the region so many perks.】

It’s rare that not a single troll showed up in the entire region channel this time. 

Qiyu’s trading section began to pop up with a series of notifications.

The Liver Emperor submitted the required ice and snow for the trade almost instantly. 

However, he didn’t stop there.

【Player “Liver Emperor” purchased 10 units of “Basic Martial Arts.”】

【Player “Liver Emperor” purchased 40 units of “Basic Martial Arts.”】

He wasn’t the only player doing this.

【Liver Emperor: Big shot, just leave that Combat Technique listed. I have to clear out Ice and Snow every day anyway—I don’t need it, so I’ll transfer it all to you.】

【Irritable Brother: +1. Opportunities to give back to the game’s big shots don’t come often. We’ve still got the energy to dig up some snow.】