Chapter Fourteen: A Frenzy of Profits

The Phantom Sand Lizard was gone.

It departed peacefully.

At least, that was how Fang Tang felt.

The third bullet had luckily struck its head, ending its life.

The true form of the Phantom Sand Lizard gradually revealed itself—a massive, earth-yellow lizard with scales covering its body. With its tail included, it stretched to a full meter and sixty centimeters.

Fang Tang, wielding the Sinister Disassembly Hammer, turned the lizard into a crimson bead and several palm-sized, hard scales.

“Your growth continues to surprise me... Not that I’m truly surprised, stop whatever you’re doing,” came the familiar message.

The moment he saw the subtitles, Fang Tang pressed his thumbs to his temples, curled his index fingers, and placed them around his eyes.

A mischievous grin appeared on his face.

He noticed that spending more time with the Eye was making him... less than dignified? Perhaps a bit wicked?

Was this merely the influence of one's associations, as they say?

Fang Tang refused to believe it was simply a loosening of his true nature.

Within Cave 34, aside from the lizard, there was also a bronze chest.

Fang Tang realized something: his odds of finding these bronze chests had increased.

This was a good omen!

Delighted, Fang Tang opened the chest.

Inside, he found a small quantity of water, a few sausages, and the rest was fiber and glass.

It was his second time encountering glass.

“Are there any blueprints that require glass?” he wondered aloud, his expression peculiar.

“The caverns are vast; nothing is impossible,” came the Eye’s cryptic reply, discouraging further questions.

After dismantling the iron chest, Fang Tang surveyed the surrounding walls.

“I need to earn some Elemental Stones. Let’s make a deal. You know what resources are in these chests, don’t deny it—you’ve let it slip before.”

He paused, but when the Eye didn’t respond, he continued:

“Let’s prioritize today’s search. Elemental Stones and blueprints come first, without question. Next are those special-bead-yielding creatures. Those are our top priorities. Today’s goal is to gather fiber, as much as possible, to make shock-absorbing insoles and sell them for Elemental Stones in the trading zone. Other chest resources, let’s rank by rarity. Any objections? If not, I’ll take your silence as agreement.”

“You’re becoming more and more like a ruthless capitalist. Are you exploiting your esteemed Eye? I could bring you many conveniences. Instead of cherishing me, you wish to squeeze me for more?”

Fang Tang saw the message and laughed softly.

“If you don’t want to work, there’s nothing I can do. My goal is simply to improve my life. If you disagree, we’ll just go on as before.”

“...You caught me off guard—that’s infuriating! All right, I’ll agree to your terms. But let’s be clear: I’m not doing this for you, it’s for my own benefit.”

Fang Tang shrugged, not bothering to argue.

Getting accurate information from the Eye was always a good thing.

He felt he’d finally found a way to make the Eye behave.

“There’s a wooden box with fiber in the next cave.”

Fang Tang grinned, picked up his pickaxe, and strode ahead.

Ten swings, and the passage opened.

He had to admit, these rule-bound tools were remarkably useful.

A simple pickaxe, yet it could open a portal.

Inside the wooden box was only fiber. Combined with what he already had, it was just enough to craft a pair of shock-absorbing insoles.

Eagerly, he made them and listed them in the trading zone.

Then he dashed to the public channel to spread the word.

Fang Tang: “New item for sale! Custom shock-absorbing insoles now available. Jump from any cavern height and feel no impact at all—personally tested, comfortable and effective.”

“Wow, the boss is here again! How many caves have you raided today, boss?”

“I really want to see what Fang Tang looks like. If he’s handsome, maybe I could sneak a kiss.”

“You monster above! I knew you weren’t human. Taste my Heavenly Dragon Might!”

“Boss Fang must have climbed up and down the caves, right? What a savage. Are these insoles really that good?”

“Aren’t the insoles a bit pricey? One Elemental Stone! I dug all day yesterday and only found one.”

…

As he read each message, Fang Tang smiled enigmatically.

The insoles useless on flat ground? Nonsense. If they absorb shocks, they surely reduce fatigue.

After he started wearing them yesterday, he barely felt any exhaustion from walking. Most of his tiredness came from swinging the pickaxe.

So, who wouldn’t fear insoles that could reduce physical strain?

Thinking his explanation wasn’t clear enough, Fang Tang added another message:

Fang Tang: “Shock-absorbing insoles reduce stamina loss from walking. Try a pair—guaranteed satisfaction, returns and exchanges included, free shipping.”

No sooner had he posted this than the insoles vanished from the trading zone—so quickly that even he was surprised.

He had only listed a sample, hoping to attract custom orders, not expecting anyone to actually buy it on the spot.

“Strange. I hope they wear a size 42,” he muttered, glancing at the chat as he sent out another message.

“Currently accepting orders for ****, shock-absorbing insoles, water collectors, and flame muzzle devices. All priced at one Elemental Stone.”

Spectators were momentarily stunned by his list, then the chat erupted with a flurry of messages.

“Boss, you have so many blueprints! Can you make a water collector for me?”

“A water collector? Does that mean endless drinking water?”

“Wow, a water collector! Boss, I’m coming!”

In a flash, Fang Tang received over a thousand private messages, more than ninety percent requesting water collectors.

Only a handful asked about other items.

With so many messages, Fang Tang set up a filter and auto-reply; otherwise, he’d be answering messages until tomorrow.

After a moment’s thought, he posted a clarification in the public channel:

Fang Tang: “Custom orders for any item require one Elemental Stone as commission, no haggling. Thank you for your cooperation.”

Upon posting, the influx of messages dropped sharply.

Still, more than twenty people confirmed their orders with him.

This surprised Fang Tang a little.

Clearly, there were quite a few resourceful people around.

With twenty-two Elemental Stones suddenly in his possession, Fang Tang was nearly euphoric.

“You are now a true profiteer. One Elemental Stone commission—what an appetite! But I like it. With these stones, you’ll be able to exchange for a decent Se... ahem, I’m talking too much. I’ll be quiet now, please don’t speak to me.”

“Se-what?” Fang Tang raised an eyebrow. He knew the Eye wouldn’t answer, but he asked anyway.

After waiting a while with no response, Fang Tang opened a private chat with Xie Ling.

“Do you have any weapon blueprints that require Elemental Stones?”

Not long after, Xie Ling replied:

“I do! But I’ve already added them to my collection. However, I can help you craft one. The cost in Elemental Stones and materials is a bit steep, though.”