Gremlin’s Mountain Technology: Nest Shelter
A little gremlin was very mischievous by nature, and their description clearly stated "work efficiency is unreliable." However, Li Hanqiang never expected them to act on their own initiative!
Releasing a Young Black Thorned Turtle made Li Hanqiang feel like he had made a tremendous loss.
The mob of little gremlins were very obedient, and without question they ran forwards to beat up the Green Gremlin who was on his knees begging for forgiveness. Even though they did less than one damage, the Green Gremlin was still very quickly beaten bloody.
"That's enough, stop!" Li Hanqiang immediately shouted and helped the bloodied Green Gremlin up before he spoke with a dark face, "In the future, remember not to release any fish you catch!"
He pointed at them, continuing, "All of you will do well to remember!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The gremlins all replied and in the blink of an eye, they began to somersault and make gremlin pyramids. Even the beaten up Green Gremlin was their friend again, frolicking around.
Li Hanqiang could not help but sigh. He estimated that him giving his order would have the same effect as not giving one. The little gremlins were too mischievous by the design of the system and this was probably unchangeable.
It was a relief that even though the little gremlins knew how to release fish, they still kept items that they fished out. Li Hanqiang emptied out the fish baskets. He received another Small Chaotic Bottle, as well as a piece of blue grade equipment named [Lobster Head Helmet], which boosted one's physical and magical defense characteristics by 15 points.
This 'Shrimp Head Helmet' was also not a bad piece of equipment, however, its appearance was rather strange. It was a lobster's head that was nearly half a meter high and the feelers of the lobster reached upwards. If one were to equip it, they could probably pass as a lobster soldier. Non-pragmatic players or trolls probably would not equip it.
After putting the Lobster Head Helmet away, Li Hanqiang wanted to go check out the Cave Dwelling in Gremlin's Mountain. However he suddenly saw a Green Carp swim past him in the water, its tail creating a splash.
Li Hanqiang suddenly felt curious.
The water of Blue Ripple Pond was clear but was so deep that one could not make out the bottom. Even though it was possible to fish here, Li Hanqiang had never seen a fish swim past him. How was it that he could now see this Green Carp?
"Could it be…"
Li Hanqiang had a sudden epiphany. Could releasing the fish have anything to do with the appearance of a Green Carp in the Blue Ripple Pond?
The mob of little gremlins had released all the fish, and naturally they were all released into the Blue Ripple Pond. Could it be that these released fish would not be deleted by the system, but continue to live in the Blue Ripple Pond?
If that were the case, could it be that releasing was actually closer to rearing?
Li Hanqiang's mind ran wild and countless thoughts ran through his brain. This was not an impossibility.
"I will need to experiment to find out, but the Blue Ripple Pond has hidden conditions that need to be met before it can be leveled up. It might be that releasing fish is one of those hidden conditions." Li Hanqiang murmured to himself. "If releasing fish means that I get to rear them, then that's really good. If I release a Young Black Thorned Turtle today, will I have two tomorrow?"
The more Li Hanqiang thought about it, the more he felt the possibilities were endless. He no longer worried about the little gremlins releasing fish.
He hummed a tune to himself as he left the Blue Ripple Pond, and merrily made his way to the Cave Dwelling in Gremlin's Mountain.
The moment he entered, system notifications began to appear.
[Ding, the little gremlins have cultivated an acre of farmland, maximum little gremlin population in Cave Dwelling in Gremlin's Mountain +5]
[Ding, the little gremlins have researched a new low-level technology: Nest Shelter!]
"Finally, a technology has been researched!"
Li Hanqiang felt curious, and he immediately pulled out the stats and description for the Nest Shelter.
—
Cave Dwelling in Gremlin's Mountain Level 1: Special building belonging to Chaotic City No. 68.
Size: Ten-mile perimeter
Category: Paradise, citizens' accommodations.
Little gremlin level: 1
Current population of little gremlins: 46/105
Ore reserves: 3
Timber reserves: 3
Herbal reserves: 2
Technology unlocked: Nest shelter
Description: Cave Dwelling in Gremlin's Mountain can be upgraded. Please read about the conditions for upgrading.
—
Li Hanqiang was immediately drawn by the [Nest Shelter] technology, and when he checked it out-
[Nest Shelter: Gremlin's Mountain technology, low-level technology. Permits the construction of Nest Shelters at Gremlin's Mountain by little gremlins after it is unlocked. Construction cost is five timber and required five little gremlins to work for 1-10 hours. The nest is a housing building, bound to one player. It permits the player to gain 1 point of experience per second within the Nest without any enemies around. Note: Their Chaotic City Contribution must be that of Citizen to obtain a Nest.]
"Isn't this idling?" Li Hanqiang clasped his hands. He did not care about it being bound to players or Chaotic City Contribution, he just wanted to build a nest to give it a try.
In any case the current Timber reserves in the Cave Dwelling in Gremlin's Mountain were insufficient, and he had no little gremlins near him. Li Hanqiang could only float away to the peak of the mountain.
In front of the stone door on the Mountain Top Cave Dwelling, Li Hanqiang saw the Green Gremlin which had a wheelbarrow. He was still pushing the wheelbarrow around.
At the strategic location of the Cave Dwelling, Li Hanqiang stopped to think.
He had obtained another Small Chaotic Bottle and he did not lack for Chaotic Energy at the moment. He recruited 59 little gremlins and gathered another ten gremlin team.
Committing robberies were a given, as it was the actual function of the little gremlins. Even though it was impossible to avoid making sacrifices, there was always a day that he might make it back. One could not get rich without hardships.
Li Hanqiang decided he may as well throw caution to the wind. He was only at Level 6, what loss was for him if he was reduced to Level 0?
He picked 5 gremlins and sent them to the foot of the mountain. As soon as the Timber reserves were sufficient, the first Nest Shelter could be built.
There were still 49 little gremlins and Li Hanqiang assigned all of them to the Gremlin's Mountain Workshop.
Technology was strength and Li Hanqiang valued the technologies of Gremlin's Mountain.
"Ok, let's continue to make clones and commit robberies!"
Li Hanqiang roused his spirits and brought a ten gremlin team with him to commit three robberies in a row. He failed once and succeeded twice.
With the first two successes, what came out were "Extremely Basic" clones and the stall of a Gnome Peddler appeared. The store owner was still that Gnome Bing Jiujiu, and when they successfully robbed him, he got two small merchant's wheelbarrows.
On the third attempt, what came out was a "Basic" clone and he was met with a Dogman caravan!
One caravan with six large treasure chests was extremely tempting. Even though it was only a Basic clone, the caravan had over 20 Level 10 Dogmen protecting it. Li Hanqiang simply did not dare to attempt it and he gave up the moment he saw it, ordering his group of gremlins to leave.
Three robbery attempts cost him 30 gold pieces and he only got two wheelbarrows. Li Hanqiang felt like it was a loss.
"A ten gremlin team can't even handle a basic clone, so what's the point of robbing Gnome Peddlers? It seems I have to raise the robbing ability of the little gremlins, or else these robberies are just a loss-making business." Li Hanqiang thought to himself and made a note to form a hundred gremlin team.
A hundred gremlin team would definitely have stronger offensive power than a ten gremlin team and might just be enough to take on a basic clone.
In any case the current maximum population that could be sustained by the Cave Dwelling in Gremlin's Mountain was only 105 little gremlins. If he wanted to form a hundred gremlin team, he would need to abandon fishing, land cultivation, farming, lumbering, and other such activities, which was not worth it.