40: Gold was discovered, and socks were found upstream.

The next day, the Morning Light was faint, and soft rays filtered through the gaps in the leaves, sprinkling onto Lu Fan's Shelter.

He stretched, getting up from his makeshift bed. Big Horn beside him was already awake, quietly eating Fodder.

Lu Fan stroked Big Horn's head, and Big Horn affectionately rubbed against Lu Fan's hand.

"You really love eating grass."

Lu Fan prepared a bowl of Meat Broth for his breakfast.

"Ah, this feels great. My stomach feels warm."

"Big Horn, let's head to a new area today. Maybe we'll find something new," Lu Fan said to Big Horn while packing his gear.

Big Horn wagged its tail, as if responding to his anticipation.

Lu Fan strapped the sharp Broadsword to his waist, put on his backpack filled with tools and dry rations, grabbed his Spear, and left the familiar camp with Big Horn.

They walked along a little-used path. The surroundings were silent, broken only by the occasional chirping of insects and birds.

As they walked.

[White-bellied Golden Pheasant discovered ahead]

Lu Fan looked up and saw a plump Pheasant.

"Coo coo coo~"

The White-bellied Golden Pheasant is 100-140 centimeters long, with a metallic green crown, the back of its neck covered in white fan-shaped feathers edged with blue-black; its back is metallic green, and its underside is white.

"Damn, it's the Green Hat Bro."

The White-bellied Golden Pheasant stared blankly at Lu Fan, seemingly wondering why there was an Upright Monkey.

"Don't be afraid, come here." Lu Fan lowered his hostility, and under the effect of Animal Affinity, the White-bellied Golden Pheasant was immediately drawn over.

"Hasagi!!"

Lu Fan's two-meter Broadsword flashed, and the Pheasant's head fell to the ground.

The livestream room.

"What a fast saber."

"As expected of the man recognized by light."

[Wilderness Survival Announcement]

[Huaguo Player Lu Fan triggers ten thousand times rebate]

[Healthy White-bellied Golden Pheasant * 10000]

"What? That thing is a White-bellied Golden Pheasant. Isn't that a Protected Animal in textbooks?"

"It became a Protected Animal because the numbers were too low before. Now that there are ten thousand, is it still considered a Protected Animal?"

"Non-rare Protected Animal?"

Meanwhile, in the Wildlife Protection Department, many experts were engaged in a heated debate.

Whether the White-bellied Golden Pheasant still counted as a Protected Animal, and how to deal with the ten thousand White-bellied Golden Pheasants.

Of course, Lu Fan didn't recognize this chicken, and even if he did, it would just be a dish.

He casually tossed it into Big Horn's Basket and continued scouting ahead.

This time, he intended to explore a more distant area.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, a crisp, gurgling sound entered Lu Fan's ears.

[River discovered]

His eyes instantly lit up, and he quickened his pace, running toward the source of the sound.

"Big Horn, there's a River ahead!" Big Horn was also infected by his excitement, following him with light steps.

Soon, a crystal-clear River came into view.

[Wilderness Survival Announcement]

[Huaguo Player Lu Fan triggers ten thousand times rebate]

[On-site detection in progress...]

[River will merge with Stream]

Subsequently, the Small Water Source Lu Fan had triggered the first time immediately expanded and became a River.

The livestream room.

"The Wilderness Survival System is so smart, it can even stack effects!"

"I was still worried about us not having enough land."

"Hahaha, now our Water Resources are much richer."

"Our country had already started Green Space Restoration near the water sources before; now it's even easier."

"Let those Foreign Dogs be envious."

The River water sparkled under the sunlight, like a flowing silver ribbon.

Lu Fan excitedly ran to the riverbank, squatted down, and scooped up some water with his hands. The cool, sweet River water slid down his throat, making him feel incredibly refreshed.

He strolled leisurely along the riverbank, admiring the surrounding scenery while keeping an eye out for any useful resources.

[Gold discovered beneath feet]

"Gold?! Where?" Lu Fan looked left and right but found nothing.

Suddenly, he saw a pitch-black stone in the River.

Lu Fan curiously stepped into the River. The water reached above his knees. He bent down to examine the stone closely and realized it was unusual.

He acted decisively, hitting it with his Iron Pickaxe. A piece of the stone broke off, revealing the golden color inside.

"It really is Gold!"

Lu Fan couldn't believe his eyes. He picked up the Gold and weighed it in his hand.

Its heavy texture and unique luster confirmed that this was genuine Treasure.

[Wilderness Survival Announcement]

[Huaguo Player Lu Fan triggers ten thousand times rebate]

[Gold * 10000]

The livestream room.

"Gold?!"

"Heaven-defying luck, being able to pick this up."

"666! By the way, what use is Gold in the wilderness? To make a Golden Spoon?"

"Big Horn, we're rich!" Lu Fan shouted excitedly toward Big Horn on the bank.

Big Horn merely glanced up before lowering its head to continue eating grass.

Just as he was immersed in the joy of discovering Treasure, a strange object floated toward him along the current.

[A Modern Craft Sock]

Lu Fan's pupils contracted: "A Sock?!"

"What's going on?" Filled with doubt, Lu Fan reached out and scooped up the Sock.

The Sock's material was ordinary, but its style looked somewhat familiar, like it came from a known region.

He examined it closely, and a sense of unease rose in his heart.

How could a Sock appear out of thin air in the wilderness? This meant there must be other people upstream.

Lu Fan's nerves instantly tightened. He vigilantly looked upstream of the River.

In this perilous wilderness, encountering other people, especially those whose identities were unknown, was no small matter.

Various potential danger scenarios involuntarily flashed through his mind.

In the livestream room, the Audience also erupted.

"This Sock looks suspicious. Could someone have set a trap nearby?"

"I have a bad feeling. Could it be those Foreign Contestants with ill intentions? I heard the contestants from Japan are very cunning."

"Great God Lu Fan, be careful! Don't fall into a Snare."

"Maybe it was washed down by the current, but either way, it's better to be careful."

Zhao Hangjun looked at the screen, frowned, and analyzed: "Judging by the material and style of the Sock, there is a high probability that it is a type common in Japan.

The sudden appearance of a Sock in this wilderness demands caution.

The Japanese contestants are known for being unscrupulous in the competition. Lu Fan must proceed with caution."

Lu Fan was well aware of the danger, and he decided to go upstream to find out the truth.

Although his heart was full of vigilance, he also knew that avoidance wouldn't solve any problems.

"Big Horn, let's head upstream and see if we can find anything." Big Horn followed him, stepping into the River, where the water rippled around its legs.

They proceeded cautiously along the River, Lu Fan constantly monitoring the surrounding movements.

Every rustling leaf, every subtle sound, made him instantly alert.

The scenery on both sides of the River gradually became eerie. The dense forest seemed to conceal countless pairs of eyes, secretly observing them.