9: Chapter 9 Release Order

It was a token glowing with a faint pink aura, its surface covered in complex and mysterious patterns that vaguely outlined the shape of a broken chain.

[release order (Special Item)]

[Effect: Ignores ship level restrictions, immediately designate and rescue one sealed initial crew member.]

[Description: Loneliness is the greatest enemy of Survivor, and this can bring you someone to talk to.]

The moment he saw this, Li Taiping's heart skipped a beat.

According to the rules, he had to first convert his raft into the "Many Children, Many Blessings", then painstakingly collect materials to upgrade it to the second rank before he could get his first rescue opportunity.

In this critical opening stage where every second counted, second rank? How long would that take!

But this token meant he could skip the long development period and bring Su Mei back early!

Not only was her beauty heaven-defying and her personality excellent, but more importantly, she was the key to activating "many children, many blessings"!

Without a crew member, his ship was just a decoration; with a crew member, it would be a mobile buff machine!

"This Li Jun, he's got some luck."

Li Taiping took a deep breath, forcing himself to suppress his inner restlessness.

Immediately after, the chat box flashed again. Seemingly to prove his sincerity, Li Jun sent two more screenshots.

One was a light blue spherical device — [Small Force Field Shield (good grade)].

The other made the corner of Li Taiping's mouth twitch slightly — [comfortable double bed (good grade)].

Li Jun's message followed closely behind, the words revealing the straightforwardness and helplessness of a military man:

"Brother, I won't hide it from you. I chose the golden legendary warship, and I'm going for a pure firepower coverage route. The system prompted me that for every comrade I rescue, I can unlock a weapon blueprint."

"But this damn ship has a fatal flaw — it's too heavy! The initial speed is only 3 knots! And the demand for sulfur is ridiculously high, requiring a full 30 units!"

"I have the foundation of a winter swimming champion and dare to risk my life in the sea, but the things opened from this strange treasure chest... honestly, they are of no help to my current predicament. The shield is passive defense, the comfortable double bed is even more of a burden, and as for this release order..."

Li Jun paused, then sent a voice message, his voice low and hoarse:

"Using it can indeed rescue a comrade. But what happens after rescuing them? In this hellhole, without the ship's mobility and without sufficient firepower, one more person means one more mouth to feed. I'm not afraid of death, but I can't drag my brother down to die with me."

"I must convert the ship first to increase the speed. As long as I can survive, I'll have plenty of opportunities to rescue them later."

"Brother, I see you have quite a bit of sulfur. Can you... help me out?"

Li Taiping looked at this series of messages, his fingers gently tapping on the logs at the edge of the raft.

This guy, Li Jun, was surprisingly honest.

In this dark forest-like survival game, daring to show one's trump cards to a stranger meant either being a fool or having absolute confidence and principles.

Li Jun was clearly the latter.

He was gambling, gambling on Li Taiping's character, and also gambling on this only path to survival.

Li Taiping's brain spun rapidly as he began to evaluate the value of this trade.

According to the drop rates, on the market, 1 piece of normal-quality energy stone could be exchanged for about 2 to 3 units of normal-quality upgrade materials.

Although sulfur was a rigid requirement for the warship, in the eyes of other captains, it was just an ordinary combustion aid.

But for Li Jun, sulfur was life.

And for Li Taiping, that release order was the key to unlocking his cheat.

This was not an equivalent exchange at all, but a high-stakes gamble where each side got what they needed.

"21 units of sulfur."

Li Taiping glanced at his inventory.

Besides the ones kept in reserve, plus the ones he had listed on the trading post earlier that hadn't sold, he happened to have exactly 21 units on hand.

Keeping these things would at most be useful for making gunpowder later, or for patching up non-existent leaks.

But if he gave them to Li Jun, it could create a mobile naval fortress.

This deal was worth it!

More importantly, once a person like Li Jun owed a favor, they would become a loyal ally.

On this perilous sea, having an ally with a warship was definitely much more valuable than having a few more wooden planks.

Thinking of this, Li Taiping no longer hesitated.

He quickly opened the trading post and withdrew the few units of sulfur he had listed there.

Then, he initiated a direct trade request to Li Jun.

[Trade Initiated: Li Taiping]

[Trade Items: sulfur (normal) x21]

[Requested Items: beginner release order (special) x1]

[Note: That's all I have, it's all yours.]

No haggling, no taking advantage of someone in distress.

All in!

The chat box was silent for a moment, seemingly stunned.

Three seconds later —

[Trade Successful!]

[You lost: sulfur x21]

[You obtained: beginner release order x1]

Immediately after, the system notification sounded again, but it wasn't a trade notification; it was a gift notification.

[Friend "Li Jun" gifted you: comfortable double bed (good grade) x1]

Li Jun's message followed immediately, and even through the screen, Li Taiping could feel the excitement:

"Brother... I can't thank you enough! These 21 units of sulfur saved my life and the lives of my comrades!"

"The release order is yours, and that comfortable double bed... ahem, I'm giving it to you too, I have no use for it!"

Seeing the other party's sincerity, Li Taiping couldn't help but chuckle.

"Thanks."

He replied with two words, crisp and direct.

"If you ever need any ammunition materials in the future, just come to me. As long as I, Li Jun, am alive, even if I have to steal them, I'll get them for you!"

After Li Jun sent this vow-like promise, his avatar turned to offline status, clearly racing against time to continue collecting materials.

Li Taiping withdrew his gaze, looking at the pink token lying quietly in his inventory slot, and then at the comfortable double bed, which was now filled with suggestive implications.

The corners of his mouth curled up uncontrollably.

"Everything is ready, the east wind... has arrived!"

He stood up, facing the sea breeze, and looked at the raft beneath his feet with burning eyes.

energy stones, enough.

Upgrade materials, enough.

Key item, also have it.

"System!"

Li Taiping shouted in his heart, his voice filled with uncontrollable trembling and anticipation.

"Convert! "Many Children, Many Blessings"!"

"And... bring that woman back to me!"