10: Chapter 10 The Discovery of Iron-Bearing Soils

After the rain had completely stopped, the sky had also darkened.

Lu Fan had laid down many soft leaves inside the Shelter.

He lay inside the Shelter, with a warm fire beside him.

"How boring."

For a young person, a night without a phone or any entertainment was truly difficult to endure.

There was nothing for it; Lu Fan could only let his thoughts wander.

Current survival could only be said to have just begun; he had only temporarily solved the problem of food and clothing. However, there was still a long way to go for long-term survival.

Lu Fan had many things to solve in the near future, such as salt, iron, and a stable food supply. These were all essential to resolve in the short term and played a crucial role in subsequent survival.

Moreover, while surviving, he also needed to search extensively for materials to utilize the ten thousand times rebate and alleviate the nation's resource scarcity, such as coal mines, freshwater resources, and so on.

Thinking and thinking, Lu Fan fell asleep, spending the night peacefully.

When Lu Fan woke up, the sky had already cleared.

He couldn't help but take a deep breath of the fresh air. "So comfortable! After breathing too much city air, the forest's scent is indeed fresher and sweeter."

"City: What do you mean I'm not even as good as a single breath of hers? Ah!"

"I also want to live in the mountains."

"Facing the sea, with spring blossoms. How enviable."

Early in the morning, many people popped up in the livestream room.

As usual, Lu Fan went to the seaside to check his traps and still had a bountiful harvest.

In the livestream room, the host Wang Tao and survival Expert Zhao Hangjun seemed full of energy.

However, Yu Rui couldn't suppress a yawn, looking rather tired, as she had stayed up late watching the livestream last night.

After casually eating a few bites of fish for breakfast, Lu Fan decided to go out and explore today while it was after the rain, as many things would have been washed out by the water.

He brought a basket and two bamboo spears, then prepared to set off.

As Lu Fan went out to explore and search for materials, the viewers in the livestream room followed his steps, as if personally embarking on a wondrous adventure.

Wang Tao and Zhao Hangjun sat at the anchor desk in the livestream room, the two of them excitedly discussing Lu Fan's possible discoveries.

Wang Tao stared intently at the screen and said happily, "Contestant Lu Fan is off again. I bet he'll make a big find today, maybe even stumble upon some treasure."

Zhao Hangjun wore a smile. "Contestant Lu Fan is very capable; wilderness survival is no problem for him."

"Teacher Zhao has that much confidence in Contestant Lu Fan?" Wang Tao asked with interest.

Zhao Hangjun laughed heartily, "I have confidence in our nation's younger generation."

Although Yu Rui was tired from staying up late last night, seeing Lu Fan set off, her eyes instantly brightened again.

She rubbed her eyes, perked up, leaned closer to the screen, and muttered softly, "Lu Fan, you must find something good. I stayed up late waiting to see the results."

The viewers in the livestream room were also extremely lively.

Some excited viewers spammed the chat: "Go Lu Fan! Go find the treasure!"

"There must be a surprise today, or I'll be so disappointed."

Lu Fan used a wooden stick to clear the path. After the rain, a lot of water remained on the plants, quickly soaking his pant legs, which was somewhat uncomfortable.

"Hmm? Dandelions? These are good, I'll pick some."

"Wild chrysanthemums, these are okay too, I'll pick some as well."

"Wild chives?!"

The further Lu Fan explored, the more items filled his basket, mostly medicinal plants or small wild vegetables.

"The Great King sent me to patrol the mountains~ I'll take a turn around the mortal world~"

The abundant harvest along the way put Lu Fan in a good mood, and he unconsciously started humming a tune.

[There is iron-rich soil beneath your feet]

Lu Fan immediately stopped in his tracks, his eyes wide with astonishment.

He crouched down, carefully scooped up the red soil, brought it close to smell it, then rubbed it between his fingers. It felt different indeed—firmer, with a faint metallic scent.

He excitedly shouted, "Haha, heaven is helping me!"

The viewers in the livestream room instantly became curious.

"What did you find? Tell us quickly, I'm dying to know!"

"Animal droppings?"

"Element X? Are we going sci-fi?"

Wang Tao exclaimed excitedly, "Wow, that color looks off. Judging by Lu Fan's reaction, does it have some special component?"

Zhao Hangjun observed carefully for a moment and immediately began explaining, "Looking at the color and texture, it's very likely soil rich in iron. iron ore is a crucial raw material for industry, used to smelt iron and manufacture various metal products. This discovery by Lu Fan is extremely important!"

Although Yu Rui was tired from staying up late last night, seeing this scene, her eyes instantly brightened again.

She rubbed her eyes, leaned closer to the screen, and murmured in pleasant surprise, "Iron? Does that mean he can make iron tools now?!"

Viewers spammed the chat frantically: "Wow, what kind of soil is this? So amazing!"

"Lu Fan is too awesome, making a find as soon as he steps out!"

"Quick, identify it. What's this soil good for?"

Some were already fantasizing: "If this soil is really that useful, Lu Fan's life is going to get even better from now on."

With iron ore, he could make knives, hoes, and pickaxes—the complete iron toolset—and never fear zombies again.

The more Lu Fan thought about it, the more excited he became. He hurriedly took out the basket he carried with him and began carefully collecting the red soil.

As he collected, he hummed a little tune: "Dig dig dig, dig out iron ore and take it home."

Wang Tao teased in the livestream room, "Lu Fan is switching careers to become a miner. Everyone, what do you think of his mining skills?"

Zhao Hangjun, however, analyzed seriously, "This isn't simple mining; it's laying the foundation for future survival. The discovery of iron ore means he can craft more tools and weapons, greatly enhancing his survival capabilities."

Lu Fan filled a basket with the red soil, stood up satisfied, and prepared to take these treasures home.

Lu Fan suspected that beneath this lay a mineral vein. The iron ore had eroded into the soil and was exposed after being washed by the heavy rain.

However, his tools were limited, so he couldn't start mining for now.

He looked back at this piece of land, his heart filled with anticipation and hope.

He knew this was just the beginning; more challenges and surprises awaited him in the future.