Graded Water

[Water Purifier Blueprint - Grade: S-level]

[A top-of-the line water filtration and purification system that can purify seawater into Grade A pure water ready for human consumption at a rate of 250ml of pure water per hour. Benefits of Grade A include improving physical fitness, recovering mental clarity, and eradicating dehydration. It is also one condition required to cultivate Grade A plants, fruits, and vegetables. The machine has a maximum capacity of 20L. Seawater must be replenished manually.]

Though Liu Xue should have expected it when he tapped [Confirm] to use the upgrade card on the water purifier, he was dumbfounded to find the system suddenly swelling twice in size. The components of the water dispender was now made of stainless steel instead of plastic, looking thrice as durable, sleek, and modern. The basin with the divot at the top was as big as the transparent blue cylinder that now had labels up to 20L at the bottom. He could even see the filtration process through a glass panel that contained filters, sand, charcoal, medicine, and other parts he could not understand.

He hurriedly detached the basin from the system and carried it into the sea. The twenty liters of seawater did not make a quick way back; he really underestimated it's weight. He had to pause ever so often, grunting and gasping for breaths every few strides. Why had he placed the water purifier so far?

Liu Xue patted the transparent blue cylinder twice that was slowly filling up. His face was red and dripping with sweat. "I can't wait to get stronger, dear Lord. Survival in the wilderness is really hard. I've been spoiled by the city."

He let his exhales return to their normal pace before proceeding with the next task at hand: lunch. He had nothing but few pears for the morning which was not filling. Hunting and then carrying the basin water exhausted all his strength and his stomach let him know of it. It gurgled, growled, and howled like a banshee, such a sight and sounds he did not want Mengmeng or the little fox see or hear.

Liu Xue quickly entered [Construction] and looked for the the barbeque grill.

[Charcoal Barbeque Grill Blueprint - Grade: A-level]

[A top-of-the line barbeque grill commonly used by chefs and grill masters worldwide. Large, sturdy, heat-resistant with sand-proof wheels, handels, customized metal grate, and lid to provide excellent smoky barbecue temperatures and flavor. It is one condition required to cook Grade A food. Charcoal tray is easily accessible. Charcoal must be provided by host.]

[Materials Required: Nails x12, Metal Sheet x34]

The option was dim and he now knew why.

Liu Xue's eyes dimmed as he pulled up his [Storage].

[Tattered Fishing Net]

[Broken Fishing Rod]

[Linen x3]

[Tablecloth x1]

[Wood x136]

[Wooden Board x12]

[Stone x5]

[Metal Sheet x2]

[Nail x13]

[Black Pepper Shaker x1]

[Pear-flavored Juice Box x1]

[Pear x5]

[Pear Seed x2]

[Island Foundation Stone x4]

[Soil (100g) x1]

[Binocular x2]

[Charcoal Grill Blueprint x1]

[Recurve Bow Blueprint x1]

[Bloodied Suit x1]

[Dead Rabbit x1]

The sight made his heart wince. The construction of the wooden house consumed most of the metal he collected, so the barbeque grill was still far and away. He gritted this teeth. Though he wanted to savor the graded pears, there was no quick way to get the necessary metal sheets without trading as the material boxes were too unreliable. He had to trade.

"I'm missing the charcoal too, but that shouldn't be a problem. I can use wood as kindling, right?" Liu Xue muttered. "Trading the pears is too wasteful. I must make good use of the seed and soil after eating. Start a self-sufficient backyard garden right away."

He proceeded on with the transactions by intentionally raising the terms of trade: one pear for ten metal sheets. It was a bad idea: most people were desperate for drinking water, not food. While there was two takers landing him with twenty metal sheets, the unfair transaction quickly became the object of scolding in [Public Channel] with accusations against his character and morality.

Liu Xue did not see any of these messages, but he noted that a few minutes passed and his transactions were being submerged. Noting the lack of demand, he lowered the requirements, trading one pear for five metal sheets instead. They instantly sold. He also put up a binocular for trading, asking for more metal sheets as backup spares, before he exited [Trading] and headed into [Construction].

The lit icon made his lips curl with satisfaction. He quickly hit [Construct (Yes)] and placed the barbeque grill next to the water purifier. Wiping the sweat off his forehead, he made the decision to try the A-grade water before beginning cooking.

The clear taste made Liu Xue's eyes almost pop out. "Wow, is this still water? It's so refreshing, a hundred times better than the 'natural spring water' marketing bullshit."

He downed the whole thing and quickly shut his eyes. A cold ran through his body, not the threatening and chilling kind, but refreshing. His nerves, veins as well as muscle fibers felt as if they were being power washed and rejuvenated at the same time, while his head was being emptied. The incessant wailings of his tinnitus, brain fog, and intrusive thoughts cleared away like clouds after rainfall.

He relished in the meditative trance-like state. He savored it for a few more moments before he opened his eyes and stared at himself. He rolled his shoulder blades, arched the left-side of his back, and flexed his biceps to find their stiffness and soreness had eased considerably.

"Is this water or is this painkillers?" Liu Xue said, body and brain full of energy, amazed. "It's like a miracle drug."

Happier than he had ever been, he hummed a song as he began prepping the rabbit for lunch.