Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Nothing Without Passing
It turned out that people from a few districts did know about the Cloud Sprites and had even interacted with them. However, they had no way to make contact. Trying to enter a name directly on the Invitation Card didn’t work; it was ultimately a dead end.
Zachary Pierce reported the situation back to her. After asking for more details, Faye Yardley realized just how useful the All-World Communication feature was.
She then introduced the All-World Communication Phone to Zachary Pierce, a device that could automatically integrate with the system and allow for cross-world communication.
As for how to get one, you could ask the Otherkin, or use an Island Entry Order to reach a civilized city and buy one.
She also explained the currency system of Gold, Silver, and copper, and how the main system could be used to store funds.
Back when she was in Serenia, she hadn’t known about these phones either. Otherwise, she would have definitely found a shop and bought several more.
Zachary Pierce took note of all this, but he feared that other districts wouldn’t have the same good fortune as District 101.
Moreover, when it came to dealing with the Otherkin, the system’s various contracts were very effective constraints. It really went to show that whether between races or between nations, there were no permanent friends and no permanent enemies.
The key was finding a way to coexist and create mutual benefits.
"It seems your method is one only you can use, but you’ve also set an example for us. In the future, if we encounter something good, at least we won’t miss the opportunity. Getting to know more people provides a basis for cooperation, as long as they’re neutral," Zachary Pierce continued. "By the way, about your share from yesterday’s island trip—I sent it to you in a Red Envelope. You haven’t accepted it yet."
Faye Yardley let out a protest. "No, no, no, you don’t have to send me a Red Envelope. Didn’t I take the biggest egg? Afterwards, I was transported to a small, fragrant valley filled with birdsong. There was a statue of a female Snakefolk, and I placed the egg in her palm. A great red light flared up and performed a sort of baptism on me, raising all four of my Attributes by one point each. After that, my Invitation Card’s time ran out, and I was teleported back."
"That just proves your luck is exceptionally good. But what’s yours is yours. We wouldn’t have found that place without you."
"No, no, no, you’re going to make me feel greedy. I’ve already gained more than enough. Oh, right, there’s also a Token I need to give you. Your teammates found it."
As she spoke, Faye Yardley took the Token from her backpack and showed it to Zachary Pierce.
"No need, you keep it."
"How can you tell me to keep it when you don’t even know what it does?"
Zachary Pierce smiled. "Just keep it. And don’t forget to accept the Red Envelope. Anyway, I’ve got to go."
He hung up just like that. Faye Yardley pouted and looked at the Token in her hand. "Ha. So you’re an unwanted, unpopular little thing now. Come to think of it, what do you actually do?"
She accepted the Red Envelope. The most conspicuous item inside was a small, glittering golden box.
The moment she saw the box, Faye Yardley couldn’t help but remember digging it out. It was, however, washed sparkling clean now.
Also in the Red Envelope were a key, two colorful eggs, High Level Wood x10, Intermediate Wood x20, kudzu root x10, ginseng seeds x2, and High Level Brocade x2.
’He gave me this much?!’
She had already given the large ginseng from yesterday to Eamon to plant. She wondered if these kudzu roots could be planted as well.
She actually had more ginseng seeds and High Level Brocade than him. Faye Yardley stared blankly at the items for a moment.
’It doesn’t matter where the ginseng is planted. If they need it, I can just grow some for them. I’ll give these to Eamon later, too.’
’What’s something they don’t have but might need?’
After a moment’s thought, Faye Yardley withdrew 10 gold coins, 1000 silver, and 100 copper from her savings and sent them to Zachary Pierce. Otherwise, even if he did get lucky and find something, he wouldn’t be able to buy it without money.
Zachary Pierce looked at the finely crafted coins and heard the system notification. He thought for a moment and decided to accept them for now.
He didn’t know how he could repay her right now, but perhaps he’d get something special from the system later on.
Just as he was thinking this, he received another Red Envelope.
Faye Yardley tried using the key on the small box’s lock. Sure enough, it was like a master key—it opened right up.
[You have obtained: Guild Residence Qualification Card x1, Giant Clan One-Day Tour Invitation Card x1, Gold Coins x10]
Talent activated... Rewards doubled.
’Whoa, this thing is incredible! And here I was looking down on you, little treasure chest. My bad.’
It was a good thing Zachary Pierce had given her the box. Thanks to her Talent, opening chests always doubled the items she received.
It wasn’t just Zachary Pierce who needed a Guild Residence Qualification Card; her brother would definitely need one, too.
So she sent a copy of the Guild card and the Giant Clan invitation to both of them.
As for the gold coins... ha. She wasn’t stiffing Mr. Pierce; she had just given him money. And her brother had given her plenty last time, so he should still have some left. She decided to keep the gold for herself.
She had just given Zachary Pierce money, and opening this box instantly replenished her funds.
Awesome!
"Yardley, you’ve given me so much. I don’t know how I can ever repay you."
Faye Yardley laughed and replied, "Mr. Pierce, did you forget about that little box? I just got these from opening it. I even kept half the Gold Coins for myself. We all earned this together, so it’s your rightful share. Don’t think about repaying me."
RING RING~
"Bro, what have you been up to??"
Her soaking wet brother appeared in the floating video screen opposite her. Faye Yardley couldn’t help but frown. ’Couldn’t he have showered and changed into some comfortable clothes before calling her?’
’It wasn’t like the two of them had anything that urgent to discuss.’
Ethan Yardley wiped the seawater from his face and grinned. "You’re finally awake! Thanks to you, the sea is calm and the temperature is mild, so my teammates and I went exploring in the water."
He then took out a perfectly round, beautiful pink pearl. "What do you think? It would look perfect on you. I’ll find a master jeweler later to make it into a necklace for you."
"It’s beautiful, but that’s not the important thing right now. Just go rinse off and change your clothes first. By the way, don’t forget to accept the Red Envelope I sent."
"Alright. I’ll call you back in a bit."
But less than a minute after he hung up, he called again.
Faye Yardley looked at her still-dripping brother with an exasperated expression. "What now?"
"Faye, you really are the greatest treasure Mom and Dad left me!"
"So it’s useful for you, right? I know you’re happy, now hurry up and get cleaned up. I can’t stand looking at you like this."
"Hahaha... More than useful? It’s incredible! A residence! This means we can have our own territory, a place other than this raft! Is there anything more exciting than having our own land?! Humans were meant to have solid ground under their feet—that’s the ultimate sense of belonging!"
Faye looked at her brother, who was acting as if he’d already secured the land, and couldn’t resist raining on his parade. "Alright, alright, I get it. But it’s just a qualification card. If you don’t pass whatever test comes with it, it’s useless."
