Chapter 16 – Copper Mine

It’s just that the materials are a bit difficult to collect.

Producing bullets requires three types of materials: iron, copper, and gunpowder.

Iron and copper are relatively easier to obtain, but gunpowder is still quite scarce at the moment. Currently, it can only be obtained by those lucky enough to find it in chests.

To truly achieve bullet freedom, it would be best to acquire another blueprint for gunpowder and charcoal.

Producing gunpowder requires three materials: charcoal, saltpeter, and sulfur.

Charcoal can be processed from wood.

Sulfur and saltpeter are minerals, and someone might stumble upon them along the way. Acquiring them later wouldn’t require too much cost.

However, since the conditions for producing both the gun and bullets have been met, Xiao Wuwang still wanted to produce a QBU-191 Precision Rifle (Modified) first, just in case.

He took stock of the resources he had on hand and found he was still missing three raw materials: copper, rare metals, and gunpowder.

After returning to the locomotive, he kept an eye on the road ahead while opening the Chat Room.

After the train leveled up to 1, its vision range and safe radius increased to 40 meters. Although the train’s speed had also improved (after spending 5 Infinite Coins to activate Privileges 1), its braking ability had also been enhanced. As long as special situations were spotted in time, the train could still come to a steady stop.

Xiao Wuwang glanced at the chat in the group, where the topic was still centered around Eastern Spider. The arguments not only hadn’t subsided but had intensified.

Those who were struggling seemed to have found an outlet for their emotions, directing their grievances toward Eastern Spider. All sorts of harsh words kept popping up, turning the Chat Channel into a chaotic mess.

Xiao Wuwang frowned slightly and shook his head inwardly.

To ensure he could smoothly acquire the materials he needed, Xiao Wuwang decided to say a few words in the group.

Wuwang Kuangzun: [@Eastern Spider, ignore these losers. Keep doing what you’re doing. Charge what you need to charge. It’s a mutually agreed transaction, so don’t feel any psychological burden.]

Wuwang Kuangzun: [You people with nothing better to do, always thinking about reaping without sowing and enjoying the fruits of others’ labor—I’m telling you, you won’t get far on this path. Instead of wasting time on moral blackmail here, why not put more effort into collecting resources and improving your survival skills?]

Wuwang Kuangzun: [Even if you just pay a little more attention and observe your surroundings more carefully, you might find an extra treasure chest. If you discover a mineral deposit, you might become the next Eastern Spider and turn your fortunes around overnight.]

Wuwang Kuangzun: [I hope you losers stop venting your frustrations in the group and disrupting normal communication for others. I’ll take this opportunity to place an ad: Buying copper, rare metals, and gunpowder. Willing to trade weapons and food.]

Finally, Xiao Wuwang posted information about the Autumn Leaf Blade and the black dagger.

As for food, he only posted the self-heating hot pot.

For most people, the self-heating hot pot was not only delicious but also self-heating, making it more popular.

As soon as Xiao Wuwang’s messages were sent, those who had been verbally attacking Eastern Spider immediately quieted down.

And finally, when everyone saw the pictures Xiao Wuwang posted, the group erupted in excitement again.

808bass: [Wooo… Big Shot, are you sure we’re in the same world? How did you get so many resources?]

Jianshi: [Yeah! All I have is a level 0 axe, and no other weapons at all! And here the Big Shot is already offering level 1 weapons for trade!]

Steel Straight Man: [Big Shot had a Level 2 axe just now, probably traded it for a bullet blueprint. That’s what it means to be one step ahead, staying ahead all the way! Learning from Big Shot!]

Xu Yuesheng: [This damn system is so biased! Envying Big Shot Wuwang… Also, I got 5 units of rare metal from a chest. Wondering if I can trade for that Autumn Leaf Blade? @Wuwang Kuangzun]

Ya Jin Luoyu: [I have 10 units of copper on hand, and I also want to trade for the Autumn Leaf Blade.]

Wuwang Kuangzun: [@Xu Yuesheng, @Ya Jin Luoyu, Autumn Leaf Blade for 10 units of rare metal or 50 units of copper. This is a Level 1 weapon—if not unique, at least in this Server Zone, no one else is likely willing to trade it!]

Xu Yuesheng: [@Wuwang Kuangzun, but I really want the Autumn Leaf Blade. I can’t gather 10 units of rare metal. How about I add this blueprint? Charcoal Blueprint.jpg]

Wasn’t this like a pillow delivered just as sleepiness struck?

Xiao Wuwang paused for a moment before sending Xu Yuesheng a private message.

Wuwang Kuangzun: [5 units of rare metal + the charcoal blueprint, in exchange for the Autumn Leaf Blade.]

Xu Yuesheng: [Deal! Let’s trade!]

Trade completed.

Before Xiao Wuwang could continue lurking in the chat room, a sudden flash of light appeared ahead of the train.

Something’s up!

Xiao Wuwang immediately hit the brakes. The train emitted a sharp screech of friction, gradually coming to a halt.

During the process, Xiao Wuwang also identified the source of the light.

It was a Bronze Treasure Chest.

Xiao Wuwang jumped off the train and stored the chest in his Portable Space.

Just as he was about to turn back to the train, the corner of his eye caught a peculiar lead-gray glint.

He couldn’t help but stop and walk toward a small mound not far away.

That lead-gray glint was coming from a piece of ore on the small mound!

Ores that emit a lead-gray luster include: chalcocite, galena, and stibnite.

Mining it could yield copper or rare metal!

If there really was a mineral deposit here, that would be a huge win!

Xiao Wuwang approached the small mound, crouched down, and carefully examined the ore emitting the lead-gray luster. Drawing on the experience accumulated in his Previous Life, he preliminarily judged it to most likely be chalcocite.

Let’s dig it out and see!

Xiao Wuwang took stock of the tools he had on hand and found that only the Level 0 Iron Axe was usable.

Without hesitation, Xiao Wuwang took out the Iron Axe and swung it at the ore.

“Bang!”

“Bang!”

…

After over a dozen strikes, with the axe’s Durability dropping by 5 points, he finally managed to chip off a piece of ore.

Xiao Wuwang stored the ore in his Portable Space.

The Portable Space immediately Broke Down the ore, yielding 2 units of copper.

It really was chalcocite!

Xiao Wuwang examined the gap—there was still more ore inside!

However, an axe isn’t a pickaxe. Using an axe for mining is not only inefficient but also rapidly depletes Durability.

He needed to acquire a pickaxe!

So, he opened the chat room.

Wuwang Kuangzun: [Buying a pickaxe. Can trade with food.]

808bass: [@Wuwang Kuangzun, I have a Level 0 pickaxe. Do you need it, Big Shot?]

Wuwang Kuangzun: [@808bass, Yes! What do you need?]

808bass: [@Wuwang Kuangzun, Food, please. Do you have anything with a strong flavor? I prefer spicy food.]

Wuwang Kuangzun: [@808bass, How about 3 self-heating pots and two bags of Luosifen?]

808bass: 【@Wuwang Kuangzun, What? You actually have Luosifen? Give it to me! I want this!】

Wuwang Kuangzun: 【@808bass, Alright! Then let’s trade!】

808bass: 【@Wuwang Kuangzun, I should mention in advance, I’ve used this pickaxe a bit, and there are already some chips on it. The Durability probably isn’t much. Are you sure you still want it? Or you could just give me two packs of Luosifen, no need for the self-heating pot.】

Wuwang Kuangzun: 【@808bass, If the Durability isn’t much, its value really isn’t that high. Let’s go with what you said, two packs of Luosifen.】

808bass: 【@Wuwang Kuangzun, Thank you, Big Shot!】

After receiving the pickaxe, Xiao Wuwang first appraised it:

Item Name: Iron Pickaxe

Level: 0

Quality: Excellent

Durability: 7/20

Trait: Mining stamina consumption reduced by 8%

Description: A fairly handy mining tool

——————

The Durability was indeed low, but it was an Excellent Quality pickaxe!

After using it to mine three ore pieces, the Durability dropped to 1.

Then, he began to Trigger his Talent.

【Ding!】

【Talent Trigger successful, Iron Pickaxe upgraded to Black Iron Pickaxe!】

Item Name: Black Iron Pickaxe

Level: 1

Quality: Common

Durability: 40/40

Trait: Mining stamina consumption reduced by 12%

Description: A powerful mining tool

——————

After the upgrade, the pickaxe’s Durability was restored to full!

Just as Xiao Wuwang was about to swing the pickaxe to mine, he suddenly paused, a flash of inspiration crossing his mind.

After a moment of contemplation, he couldn’t help but grin!