Chronicles of the infinite reset

Qianqian knew that securing a reliable water source was critical, but the task seemed daunting. The forest surrounding the base was vast, and streams or ponds might not be easily accessible. Equipped with a map, compass, machete, and a basic survival kit, she ventured into the dense greenery.

The journey was grueling. The undergrowth was thick, forcing her to clear paths with her machete. The air was humid, bugs swarmed incessantly, and the ground was uneven, causing her to stumble several times. She relied on Echo for guidance, but even his advice couldn't fully account for the forest's unpredictability.

After hours of trekking, she heard the faint sound of water. Excited, she followed the noise, only to discover a stagnant pond. The water was murky, overgrown with algae, and unsuitable for drinking. Frustrated but undeterred, she pressed on.

On the second day of exploration, exhausted and with her water bottle nearly empty, Qianqian finally stumbled upon a narrow stream. It was flowing steadily, clear, and surrounded by lush vegetation. She tested the water with a purification kit from her system and found it to be drinkable.

"Finally," she sighed, dropping to her knees to splash the cool water on her face.

However, Echo quickly warned her.

"The stream isn't a guarantee. If it dries up during the apocalypse, the base will be in trouble. Keep searching upstream."

Qianqian spent another day following the stream to its source. She discovered a small spring bubbling out from between rocks. It seemed steady and could potentially supply the base with water.

The real challenge began when Qianqian returned to the base and proposed connecting the water source to their system. She explained the plan to the group:

A pipeline would be installed from the spring to the base.

A reservoir would be constructed to store water.

A filtration system would be added to ensure the water was safe.

As she marked the area, she noticed claw marks on nearby trees and trampled vegetation. She realized this water source was likely a hotspot for wildlife.

That night, while camping near the stream, she was startled awake by the growls of a predator—a large black bear.

"I'll need to secure this area if we're going to use this water," she muttered to herself.

The real challenge began when Qianqian returned to the base and proposed connecting the water source to their system. She explained the plan to the group:

A pipeline would be installed from the spring to the base.

A reservoir would be constructed to store water.

A filtration system would be added to ensure the water was safe.

"Sounds simple," Wei Jian remarked, crossing his arms.

"It's not," Qianqian replied. "We'll need to dig trenches, secure the pipes, and ensure the water flow is steady. And we'll need to protect the source from animals."

The trench from the stream to the base spanned nearly 3 kilometers. The group took turns digging, but the rocky terrain made progress painfully slow. Long Hao used his strength to break through larger rocks, while Lei Ming modified their tools for efficiency.

Qianqian used 300 system points to purchase a Terrain Analyzer, which highlighted the best path for the trench. Even with this tool, the process took nearly a week.

Qianqian spent 500 system points on a Water Source Protector, a structure resembling a large grate that fit over the spring. It prevented debris and wildlife from contaminating the water while still allowing it to flow freely. Installing it, however, was dangerous.

When Qianqian, Long Hao, and Wei Jian returned to the spring, they found the bear had returned. This time, it wasn't alone—two cubs were nearby. The team had to work quickly and quietly to install the protector without drawing the bear's attention.

Long Hao acted as a lookout, while Qianqian and Wei Jian secured the grate. At one point, a cub wandered closer, sniffing at their tools, but Long Hao scared it off with a loud whistle.

The pipeline kit from the system (800 points) included durable pipes, connectors, and tools. However, assembling and laying them along the trench proved tedious.

At one point, they discovered a major dip in the terrain, which threatened to disrupt the water flow. He Jun suggested building a makeshift support structure using scrap materials from the base. With teamwork and ingenuity, they built a sturdy bridge for the pipes to cross the gap.

When the pipeline was finally complete, Qianqian used 1000 points to purchase a Water Pump Station, which drew water from the stream and pushed it toward the base.

The reservoir was the final step. Qianqian spent another 2000 points on a Reinforced Water Tank Kit, capable of holding 20,000 liters of water. The system helped automate the construction, but the team had to assemble key components manually.

While working, they encountered another setback: one of the tank's valves was defective. Rui Feng managed to rig a temporary fix using spare parts, but Qianqian decided to spend an additional 200 points for a replacement valve.

In total she spent 4,000 points bringing her total points to:

Points Remaining: 21,150

When everything was connected, Qianqian activated the system. The pump whirred to life, and water began flowing through the pipes into the reservoir. Everyone watched nervously as the tank slowly filled.

However, the pressure was inconsistent, causing water to sputter at the base's faucets. After troubleshooting, they discovered a small leak in the pipeline. Qianqian and Wei Jian repaired it, and the flow stabilized.

Qianqian wiped the sweat off her brow, staring at the clear, steady stream now available in the base's faucets. A familiar ding sounded in her mind, and a translucent screen appeared before her.

"Impressive work, Host! By securing and connecting a sustainable water source, you have ensured the lifeblood of your base. Your perseverance and resourcefulness have not gone unnoticed."

Rewards:

Water Purification System Upgrade: The filtration system now removes 99.99% of impurities, making the water safer for drinking and long-term storage.

Water Reservoir Expansion (Level 2): Your reservoir capacity has increased, now holding up to 50,000 liters.

20,000 System Points: To assist in further base developments.

The message vanished, leaving Qianqian with a sense of accomplishment.

To protect their hard work, Qianqian had Rui Feng set up cameras in the surrounding areas.

The water system was finally operational. The reservoir provided a steady supply of clean water, and the group celebrated their accomplishment.

"This was tougher than I imagined," Qianqian admitted, wiping sweat from her brow.

"But worth it," Jinhai said, filling a glass with fresh water from the kitchen faucet.

Finally, the problem has been sorted out,for now