Magic Farm 68

Chapter 68: Positioning Teleportation Scroll

In the time that followed, Qi Yu found three more wooden treasure chests and two refined iron chests.

And around each chest, there were no mutated creatures at all.

This was a bit abnormal. Qi Yu grew increasingly suspicious—could today really be a “benefit day” granted by the Survival Game to the players?

That was, until he encountered another flock of Rain Swallows.

This time, there was no Rain Swallow Leader among them, and their target wasn’t Qi Yu.

The Rain Swallows were besieging two level-two mutated creatures—two reptilian mutants called Mutated Lizard-Dragons, according to the system.

A single Mutated Lizard-Dragon was definitely stronger than a Rain Swallow, but there were simply too many Rain Swallows, and they were quick.

And, they could fly.

Qi Yu watched as the two level-two mutated creatures were slowly worn down and killed by the Rain Swallow flock.

After defeating their enemies, the Rain Swallows left the area.

Qi Yu quietly followed behind, picking up the white light dropped by the two Mutated Lizard-Dragons as he went.

[Obtained: Level-two Beast Crystal x2.]

He continued to follow the Rain Swallow flock, clearing away dead branches and decaying leaves along the path.

It wasn’t until he saw the Rain Swallows take down a level-two mutated python that Qi Yu realized why he hadn’t encountered any other mutated creatures.

In this area, any mutated creature bold enough to come out had probably already been hunted down by the Rain Swallow flocks.

Since these things were born of the rainy season, and with rain lasting so long, who knew how many had appeared by now.

And spring would last three months—this was only the beginning.

Having figured out the reason, Qi Yu no longer held back. He dropped several Meteor Fire Showers on them.

[Obtained: Rain Swallow Meat 800g, Rain Swallow Feather x70.]

Judging by the distance, it was about time to head back.

On his way, he passed the Black-Striped Moss resource point again. Qi Yu thought for a moment and dug it up to take with him.

Even though the information said it had withered, it was still a resource point. Maybe even dead moss could bring some vitality to the soil?

When he returned to the shelter, it was just three in the afternoon.

This exploration had yielded one brass chest, three refined iron chests, and four wooden chests.

A real haul.

He opened the 01 Survival Squad group chat.

Sure enough, the group’s top information source, Brother Tu Mu, had already mentioned this:

[Brother Tu Mu: According to reports from players in the regional channel, everyone’s harvests have been better than usual since the rain stopped today.]

[Afraid to Open My Eyes: Everyone’s joking that the Survival Game has handed out disaster relief grain.]

[I Love Survival Game: When you went out searching for treasure chests, did you also not encounter any other mutated creatures?]

[Brother Tu Mu: Game master, you finally have time to show up?]

[Brother Tu Mu: Yes, it’s all Rain Swallows lately.]

[Afraid to Open My Eyes: These things aren’t that strong, but they’re fast and can fly. If you can’t beat them, they just fly off and disappear—really annoying.]

[I Love Survival Game: I ran into them today too, and even encountered a level-three Rain Swallow Leader. I suspect that when the flock is large enough, an evolution occurs.]

[I Love Survival Game: Also, I followed a Rain Swallow flock for a while. Whenever they encounter other creatures, they all swarm and attack together.]

[Serenity Brings Distance: A level-three Rain Swallow Leader? That could be a problem.]

[Serenity Brings Distance: The real issue is that Rain Swallows seem to appear because of the frequent rain. If it keeps raining, they might keep spawning endlessly.]

[Brother Tu Mu: Game master, would you mind mentioning the Rain Swallow Leader in the regional channel? I haven’t seen anyone bring it up yet—might be good to warn everyone.]

[I Love Survival Game: Sure.]

He was about to switch to the 01 District regional channel when a friend message suddenly popped up:

[Need a Little Money to Save the World: Game, do you need this item?]

He sent over an item’s information.

[Group Contract Scroll: Can be used to form a team and safeguard group members’ interests.]

[I Love Survival Game: ?]

[I Love Survival Game: I don’t need it, thank you.]

[Need a Little Money to Save the World: Okay!]

Switching to the regional chat, Qi Yu glanced over and saw players were already discussing Rain Swallows.

He briefly described the existence and information about the Rain Swallow Leader and sent it out.

[Cockroach Tastes Weird: Whoa! Game master!]

[Liver King: The region’s number one mystery boss appears, and I’m here to witness it live. Group photo!]

[Grumpy Bro: Rain Swallow Leader? This cursed thing can evolve? Are we supposed to keep playing?]

[Roadside One: The game master actually showed up. The region’s been so lively lately—boss, why don’t you start a guild?]

As soon as “Roadside One” said this, players chimed in, saying that if Qi Yu started a guild, they’d all join.

[I Love Survival Game: I’m busy, no time.]

Every day was already full—if he had any spare time, he’d rather read a few more pages of the “Magical Plant Encyclopedia” or focus on training to improve his strength.

[Bluetooth Headset: Look at the real game master—first on all three leaderboards and still working to improve. Some so-called ‘gods’—could you please just give our stuff back?]

[Little Red Riding Hood: I’ll just say it—Pantheon, just give me my resources back!]

[I’m Very Bossy: What are you all barking about? It’s not like we’re not giving it back—the agreement said the end of the month.]

[Little Red Riding Hood: The agreement also assumed ‘My Fate Is Not Up to Heaven’ would be first on all three leaderboards. Now someone else has taken all three, and the pie you promised us, we’re not getting!]

His friend list flashed.

[Brother Tu Mu: I’m guessing you don’t really care about the regional channel, so here’s a summary of what’s going on.]

He sent a long message, outlining what had happened in the channel.

It all started a couple of days ago, when Qi Yu took first place on the 01 District wealth leaderboard in Golden Cave City.

When Qi Yu became number one on all three leaderboards, his friends congratulated him, and the channel was abuzz.

Most players were just watching the drama, at most speculating whether Qi Yu had some stroke of luck. Only a small group were truly upset.

That group was the players who’d joined Pantheon.

By the time they came to argue in the regional channel, they’d probably already fought in their own guild chat.

It was then that many players learned why Pantheon was able to form a guild so quickly, and why players were willing to hand over resources that were practically their entire net worth to strangers they’d just met.

The reason was an item called the “Group Contract Scroll.”

At this point, Qi Yu couldn’t help but exit and check his chat with Need a Little Money to Save the World to confirm.

It was indeed that item.

Need a Little Money to Save the World really could pull out anything.

With the Group Contract Scroll, players could sign their IDs and form a team. The agreed-upon rules would be written on the scroll, which amounted to a guarantee by the Survival Game itself.

Pantheon members revealed: at first, Pantheon recruited using the name of “My Fate Is Not Up to Heaven,” who was first on all three leaderboards.

That was understandable—players were drawn by the regional top player’s reputation.

Later, Pantheon required ordinary members to keep only the resources they needed for survival and hand over the rest to the guild warehouse, in order to “raise” a few “leaderboard bosses.”

After all, regional rankings awarded high-level treasure chests.

Everyone knew there was something fishy about the chosen “bosses,” but “My Fate Is Not Up to Heaven” personally reassured everyone, promising that once the first leaderboard rewards were distributed, all contributed resources would be returned at 1.5 times the value.

At the same time, all leaderboard members who received resources from the group would give back one-fifth of their rewards, converted to equivalent resources, to the players who contributed.

Pantheon members reluctantly settled down.

But that peace didn’t last long.

First came the disaster of the Calamity Rain, which struck without warning.

District 01 suffered heavy losses, and Pantheon players were no exception. Some players hoped the guild leaders would provide resources to help ordinary members.

Though the matter was suppressed, distrust had already taken root.

Then came the all-important regional rankings.

“My Fate Is Not Up to Heaven” was overtaken by Qi Yu, one leaderboard after another.

Pantheon was made up of strangers with no real bonds, and the guild’s usual practices didn’t foster any loyalty.

Once “My Fate Is Not Up to Heaven” was no longer number one, his greatest value was gone.

With the rain making resources harder to obtain, discontent within Pantheon grew.

Two days ago, when the last wealth leaderboard was taken by “I Love Survival Game,” Pantheon’s resource contributors couldn’t sit still any longer.

Now, the ordinary members are demanding the “leaderboard bosses” return their resources.

With the first month nearly half over, those who benefited at the top naturally don’t want to agree.

[Brother Tu Mu: That’s about it—a mess of an account.]

[I Love Survival Game: Mm.]

In the end, it was all about profit.

In his previous life, even in the brutal environment of the apocalypse, people would betray and use each other for gain—how much more so in the much safer Survival Game.

Nothing new.

[Brother Tu Mu: Now, after all the arguing, the Group Contract Scroll has become a hot item. Lots of small teams want to buy one—after all, nothing gives peace of mind like a contract in black and white.]

[Brother Tu Mu: Holy crap!]

[Brother Tu Mu: Game master, check the group!]

Qi Yu: ?

He knew Brother Tu Mu was a chatterbox, but he never spoke without reason.

He opened the regional channel. Amid the dense chatter, one item had nearly flooded the screen.

[Positioning Teleportation Scroll: Enter any player ID in this region to request access to their shelter.]

It was posted by a player named “Shi Wu Bu Shi Wu,” who had found it in a refined iron chest during today’s exploration.

Shi Wu Bu Shi Wu himself was shocked when he saw the details of the item.

If one such item could appear, there could be a second, a third.

He posted it in the regional channel, originally out of shock and concern.

But then someone @’d him.

[My Fate Is Not Up to Heaven: @Shi Wu Bu Shi Wu, name your price, I want it.]