Farming Games are All About Grinding

After returning home, Han Qiwu did an inventory check of the wood: 223 pieces.

"Not enough, huh." He sighed in resignation.

The rabbit hut needs 300, the fish pond 100, and the intermediate chicken coop 500. Even with the half-price perk, that's still 250.

Altogether, 650 wood is needed. That's quite a gap.

"Looks like I'll have to rely on the Mist Forest." Han Qiwu took out the faulty compass and gave it a good wipe with a cloth.

If only I could wipe it into a divine compass.

First wish would be to get myself a hundred more wishes.

After preparing his supplies, Han Qiwu glanced at the time.

To avoid losing track of time in there and forgetting to remind Xiao Shu to do his homework, he decided to call Yang Yangyang first and asked him to let Xiao Shu answer.

"Handsome brother, what do you need Xiao Shu for?" On the other end, Xiao Shu's child-like voice came through sweetly.

Han Qiwu smiled slightly. This kid's too honest.

"Did you finish your homework today? If you did, I'll bring you some big strawberries—super big, super sweet ones." Han Qiwu said.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Shu dramatically gasped, "Wow! Big strawberries! I'll go do my homework right now! Brother, you have to promise to bring me strawberries!"

"Don't worry, I'll make sure to bring them." Han Qiwu reassured him.

After taking the phone, Yang Yangyang gratefully asked, "Thanks so much. By the way, are you okay with goat's milk?"

"Yeah, I'm fine with it." Han Qiwu replied.

"Great. When you come by later, bring a jar or some kind of container, and I'll pack some fresh goat's milk for you. Tastes great," Yang Yangyang said with a laugh. "I don't have much else that's fancy, so don't mind the simplicity."

"Not at all, not at all. Then I'll gladly accept," Han Qiwu chuckled.

He had stayed with his grandparents when he was younger and drank goat's milk every day, so he had no problem with that distinct flavor.

After taking care of Xiao Shu's situation, Han Qiwu put on his thousand-layered shoes, donned his straw hat, took the faulty compass in hand, strapped Xiao Lai to his back, hopped on his little electric scooter, and leisurely pedaled toward the Mist Forest entrance.

This time, he was brimming with confidence!

My mighty axe is once again craving action!

Passing through the two willow trees at the entrance, Han Qiwu first marked the willow on the left.

No issues finding the way back now.

Next, he squatted down and marked the cobblestone path underfoot.

As for the last marking spot, he planned to save it for the Mist Flower.

Perfect!

Previously, he had received a hint on the stone road: the next area could only be unlocked after thoroughly exploring the current one.

Thorough exploration?

Probably means stepping on every tile, right?

With about twenty minutes left until the refresh time, Han Qiwu decided to start exploring from the left side of the cobblestone path, aiming to walk to the end of the path and loop back to complete the right side.

Though, that's the ideal scenario.

With a plan in mind, Han Qiwu took out a torch and headed left.

Soon after stepping into the misty zone, he spotted two Mist Caterpillars flying his way.

"You're up, Little Electric Bird!"

The airborne Little Electric: "...."

If it weren't for those tasty Mist Fruits, I wouldn't humor your theatrics!

Zap!

The two Mist Caterpillars transformed into Mist Electric Caterpillars.

Han Qiwu put on gloves and collected the caterpillars, saving them to feed the Mist Flower later.

As he walked, he fought.

A few minutes later, Han Qiwu came across a grove of birch trees.

Time to chop!

Chop, chop, chop.

The sharp Crescent Iron Axe quickly reduced the birch trees into planks of wood.

Mid-chop, two Mist Fruits dropped down.

Han Qiwu bent down to pick them up, only for a shadow to flash before him!

"Little Electric, stop it!"

Before he finished shouting the command, Han Qiwu looked up and realized it was Little Electric itself stealing the fruits.

"Chirp chirp!"

Little Electric, cheeks stuffed with fruit, even chirped at Xiao Lai accusingly, its meaning roughly: "That lazy thing hasn't done anything. I've been working so hard. Let me have two first; there'll be more later."

Xiao Lai, perched on Han Qiwu's shoulder, snorted softly, unbothered. It figured it would get to eat sooner or later anyway.

Worst case, it could eat stones.

Stones aren't something Little Electric can steal, are they?

Seeing Xiao Lai indifferent, Han Qiwu chose not to argue, purposely saying, "Then the next two will go to Xiao Lai. Oh, and whichever of you manages to learn a Mist Skill, I'll reward with five extra Mist Fruits to enhance the skill!"

"Chirp chirp!"

Hearing this, Little Electric immediately slowed its chewing, hoping that eating slowly might increase its chances of learning a Mist Skill.

Watching Little Electric's antics, Han Qiwu chuckled as he chopped away.

Little Electric is still so naïve.

A bird with electric abilities competing with a Slime over Mist Skills? Who's it kidding!

Ten minutes later, Han Qiwu found a patch of white birch trees. After some chopping, he harvested three Mist Fruits.

As promised, Xiao Lai received two Mist Fruits.

From its lookout above, Little Electric watched this scene without making a sound, though its beady eyes remained glued to Xiao Lai.

It had tried for ages to mimic Xiao Lai—spitting mist rings, doing anything—but to no avail.

Maybe this is what the master meant by "incompatibility."

Perched on Han Qiwu's shoulder, Xiao Lai took the Mist Fruits, gently rubbed against his neck, then popped both into its mouth.

Its cheeks puffed up adorably, making Han Qiwu unable to resist poking them.

How fun!

He resumed chopping.

The tree he was working on now was the largest in the white birch grove, with a girth as thick as two people hugging it.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh"

After chopping for a while, over a dozen Mist Caterpillars suddenly emerged from the birch tree, aggressively spitting silk at Han Qiwu.

Before Han Qiwu could react, a stream of green mist unfurled from Xiao Lai on his shoulder. Its range was immense, instantly covering a space the size of a cubic meter.

As soon as the Mist Caterpillars entered the mist, they moved as if stuck in mud, their speed dropping sharply, their senses fading.

Within seconds, the Mist Caterpillars fell to the ground like dumplings dropping from a pot.

Little Electric couldn't believe its eyes.

How could it learn so fast?

My fruits!

Ahhh!

[Your pet: Xiao Lai has learned a new skill: Stunning Mist (Consumes 50% stamina to release a mist laced with stunning toxins. Slightly stuns a small number of enemies and slows all enemies.)]

After unleashing the skill, Xiao Lai looked pale, clearly drained.

"Well done. Here's a Mist Fruit for you." Han Qiwu patted Xiao Lai deliberately in front of Little Electric, weighing the fruit in his hand before feeding it to Xiao Lai.

Little Electric: "So jealous I could cry!"

After feeding, Han Qiwu added:

"Oh, by the way, I still owe you four more."

Little Electric: "Ahhh! How's a bird supposed to survive like this?!"