Chapter 5: Guarding the Thorns

Name: Sanctuary Light Shield (Excellent)

Effect: Forms a ten-meter radius light shield centered around the sanctuary.

- The area within the light shield is considered sanctuary territory.

- Within the light shield, slightly reduces the effects of climate, temperature, wind, rain, snow, sandstorms, and other natural environmental impacts.

- Significantly resists attacks from outside.

Introduction: The unparalleled choice for guarding your home!

Following this, a statement from Henry immediately follows.

Henry: "This is an item from the bronze resource box, which greatly improves survival rates in the early stages.

I plan to establish a mutual aid alliance, where members exchange resources with each other.

Currently, we're only recruiting allies with special resources, such as abundant water sources, stones, or scroll outputs.

Those who have opened scrolls should understand that collecting crafting materials is not easy.

Within the alliance, we can provide for each other and offer goods at prices lower than the market.

Those interested can message me privately!

I hope everyone can survive better!"

Is this the beginning of the formation of factions?

Taking advantage of the shock from the 'Sanctuary Light Shield', Henry starts recruiting followers globally.

James is also somewhat tempted.

Everyone is scattered in the world of fog, and the resources around them vary greatly.

Exchanging what one has can greatly improve survival ability.

Moreover, James, with his "Healing Potion Scroll", would definitely become an important ally.

The "Healing Potion Scroll", although only a good-quality item, is undeniably important for its medicinal value.

Also, as an item that appeared on the first day in the bronze resource box, its rarity is guaranteed.

However, James is not in a hurry to join, preferring to wait and see.

Before everyone could react, information about several rare items was released.

Name: Dimensional Backpack (Good)

Effect: Contains a 5 cubic meter dimensional space inside.

Introduction: A divine tool for collecting resources when out and about!

This, although only a good-quality item, has an undeniably versatile function.

Name: Fog Dispelling Lantern (Excellent)

Effect: In a misty area, creates a five-meter radius of clear air.

In a dense fog area, creates a five-meter radius of light fog.

And to some extent, reduces the likelihood of being discovered by other creatures!

Introduction: Dense fog cannot stop my progress!

"Oh my, oh my, oh my!"

"Awesome!"

"Awesome!"

"Great stuff!"

"Big bro, share your good luck!"

"Me too!"

"Me too!"

"+1"

"+1"

"..."

It seems that quite a few people have got their hands on good items.

Although the appearance rate of the bronze resource box is very low, with a base population of 7 billion, there are still nearly a hundred thousand people who have obtained multiple good-quality items.

Even if the probability of an excellent-quality item appearing in the bronze resource box is only 0.1%, that still means nearly a hundred people have obtained excellent-quality items.

On the first day, only wooden resource boxes and bronze resource boxes appear.

Given the rarity of the bronze resource boxes, the quality of the items inside is definitely not low.

James can't help but marvel at how many lucky people there are!

But luckily, his "Healing Potion Scroll" is not bad either.

Subsequently, quite a few other rare items continue to appear.

Name: World Megaphone (Special)

Effect: Speak in the world channel, lasts for one day.

Introduction: Ensure everyone sees your message!

Name: Life Night Pearl (Excellent)

Effect: Within the light of the night pearl, accelerates the growth rate of plants. (Within a radius of five meters)

- Ordinary seeds: Increase by 30%

- Good seeds: Increase by 20%

- Excellent seeds: Increase by 10%

- Rare seeds: Increase by 5%

- ...

The higher the level, the smaller the increase.

Introduction: Let's farm together!

Name: Mist Torch Crafting Scroll (Good)

Materials: (Hidden)

Effect: Creates mist torches that dispel fog in a small area.

Introduction: There should also be light in the fog!

...

A lot of good stuff appears in the chat channel.

James alone sees about 16-17 kinds. Each one is a top-quality item, making everyone itch with desire.

If it weren't for the "Survival Handbook in the Fog", they would have snatched them up already.

Among these people, some are simply showing off.

But many have their own purposes, like Henry, who wants to seek allies or establish small groups.

And the effect is surprisingly good.

Including the officials, who are also quietly stabilizing the situation.

But this is the world of fog, and things must be done according to the rules of the world of fog.

After this night, there will surely be many global loose organizations established.

As well as many regional small organizations.

Whether they are fleeting or long-lasting remains to be seen.

James thinks for a long time, considering whether to join some organizations.

But in the end, he doesn't make a decision.

James is actually not optimistic!

Mutual aid alliances for trading are reasonable, as they can be used for the exchange of rare resources.

But other forces, without constraints, simply cannot be effectively managed.

What, if someone doesn't obey, are you going to run over and beat them up?

In the world of fog, each person is an independent entity.

You can't control the life and death of others, and you can't even control your own life and death.

Now many people have obtained unimaginably magical items, thinking that they are the elite of all humanity and thus no longer fear the dangers of the world of fog.

But James has a premonition that the greatest threat in the world of fog is not other humans!

It's the vast, dangerous, and mysterious world of fog itself!

Perhaps just staying alive is already very difficult!

James, while pondering his future plans, opens an item information.

Guarding Thorns!

James is very interested in this special plant.

Name: Guarding Thorns (Wood Attribute) (Good)

Effect: When planted outside the sanctuary, it effectively prevents enemy invasions.

Grows and reproduces by absorbing plant attributes.

Different attributes have different functional characteristics.

Introduction: The guardian of the home, but please feed it well! It has a big appetite!

This is a type of plant for protecting the sanctuary.

Sold by a woman named Mary.

James has already chatted with her a few times.

There are two of these plants, one is the "Wood Attribute Thorns", and the other is the "Flesh Attribute Thorns".

These two thorn plants did not come from a resource box.

They were found by Mary near a wooden house.

According to Mary, the thorns were growing on rocks, unable to draw nutrients, and were very weak when found. Mary thought they were peculiar, so she dug them up.

Unexpectedly, the system really displayed attributes and they could be sold in the trading market.

Mary plans to use one of them to exchange for 50 units of stone and 30 units of wood.

For the upgrade of the sanctuary.

After all, the fog announcement just released a temporary task.

Upgrade the sanctuary to level two on the first day!

The reward is a beginner's survival pack!

So at this time, the entire trading market and chat channel are boiling.

The value of stone has risen again.

Including the value of wood, which has also increased.

Because many people know they have no hope of getting the reward.

They sell their wood at a high price in exchange for some food and water.

Those who hope to upgrade their sanctuaries are frantically buying wood and stone.

Especially stone, due to the lack of tools, the market circulation is very small.

This gives James a great business opportunity.

James: "How much for this Guarding Thorns?"

Mary: "50 stones, 30 wood."

James: "That's too expensive, you know the current price of stone and wood."

James knows that Mary's goal is definitely to upgrade her sanctuary.

But her price is too high.

Mary: "Someone in the chat channel already reacted, saying that there might be creatures attacking the sanctuary tonight. With this Guarding Thorns, it will be much safer!"

James: "You also said that this thorn is very weak, it needs time to grow and reproduce!"

Mary: "Do you have enough stone?"

James: "Yes!"

Mary: "I need 43 stones, the rest is up to you."

James frowns, still feeling it's not worth it.

At any other time, this price would be absolutely favorable.

But just now, this price is too high!

Now in the market, the demand for stones is huge!

50 stones can be exchanged for most things.

Of course, except for items like "Sanctuary Light Shield" and "Dimensional Backpack".

Just as James hesitated, Mary sent another message.

Mary: "I can exchange some information with you!"

James looks doubtful but is still unwilling to compromise.

"What information? You know, it's hard to believe such words, after all, there's no law here!"

Mary: "I can tell you the information first, and if you think it's suitable, we can trade!"

Worried that James might not agree, Mary sends another message.

Mary: "I have fresh water nearby, I can provide you with fresh water resources for free, if you trust me!"

Saying this, a prompt pops up for James.

[Trade Information: Mary exchanges 561 milliliters of river water for a weed. Click agree to confirm the trade!]

James plucks a weed at the door and then clicks confirm.

Soon, a piece of wood dug out with a hole and filled with water is transported over.

James: "Tell me your information! If it's valuable, I can trade with you!"

James is not moved by Mary's sincerity.

500 milliliters of river water, plus a piece of information that may be true or false, and that can be told to anyone.

It's really too cheap!

Mary quickly sends information.

Mary: "I actually found three Guarding Thorns, one of which, an Earth Attribute Thorn, was traded to Henry. I got this information from Henry!"

James is instantly attracted by this sentence.

Regarding the Earth Attribute being chosen first, James can understand.

Earth, flesh, grass!

Just compare and you know which to choose!

And just by imagination, you know that the Earth Attribute's defensive capability must be better!

Mary: "Henry's Sanctuary Light Shield was actually not obtained from opening a resource box! He entered a secret realm!"

"A secret realm?"

This word appears, and James feels very fantastical.

Has it really become a game world?

There's actually a secret realm?

Mary continues: "Yes! Henry didn't sleep last night, and the first second it was light, he went out."

"Then he found a stone pillar not far from the sanctuary, and approaching it shows secret realm information!"

"The secret realm only appears in the first 3 minutes of the day, and each person can only enter once!"

"According to Henry, after he entered, the secret realm evaluated the ranking of his wooden house among all humanity, and then gave a reward!"