Blueprint Markets and Swamp Physics (Part 1)
"What are you talking about, Xiao Jie? The day is far from over."
Lin Jie groaned. "That sounded dangerously like foreshadowing."
Yueru smirked, then turned to the others. "Dafu, Mei, Hua—get some water and clean those Mirehog bones. We'll craft the new torch and test it before nightfall."
"My Lady Lord," they replied in near unison, each moving with the quiet precision of people who'd fought, eaten, and nearly died together—then did it again.
Dafu wiped a smear of fat off his fingers.
"I'll prep the carving bench too. Can't do torchwork without splitting the bone into shafts."
"No skipping steps," Lin Jie called out. "We do this properly. Controlled conditions. Measured inputs."
"We're in a swamp," Yueru said dryly, "not a physics lab."
"But it could be a swamp lab," Lin Jie muttered.
--
They gathered near the firepit—really just a shallow trench Dafu had dug and lined with dry reeds.
The fat from the Mirehogs had already started rendering in a stone bowl balanced over the flame. The smell was… complex.
Yueru stepped back, pinching her nose. "This reeks like boiled gym socks."
"Perfect," Lin Jie muttered. "Methane-producing bacteria confirmed."
He laid the blueprint on the grass beside him. Technically, it was just the UI panel in his vision, but his engineer's brain insisted on visualizing it like old-school schematics. Bone shaft. Bog gland reservoir. Swamp fern alcohol wick.
Each part had its role.
"Alright. We're building this manually to confirm if blueprint dependencies are additive or tiered."
Yueru blinked. "You want to repeat that in not-dork?"
"I want to see if combining materials with synergistic chemical properties actually stacks their effects… or if the system flattens them."
"...Still dork."
Lin Jie ignored her and crouched by the materials. "Dafu, you finished the carving?"
"Yes, My Lord. Mirehog femur—hollowed and smoothed. Reinforced with vine binding. Standard length: 70 centimeters."
He handed over the piece. The shaft was pale white and surprisingly sturdy.
"Good," Lin nodded. "Mei, the fern?"
Li Mei passed over a bundle of swamp ferns. The leaves shimmered with oily moisture.
"These are saturated with ethanol," she said. "Rub them between your fingers."
Lin did. His fingertips tingled.
"Yep. That's alcohol. Flammable and volatile. Dafu, slice these into wicks. One thick, one thin. I want to test both."
As Dafu prepared the wicks, Lin Jie used a crude wooden funnel to pour half-melted fat into a carved reservoir at the torch's head, then slotted in the Bog Gland—firmly seated and secured with a leaf wrapping to prevent leaks.
"Okay," Lin Jie exhaled. "Lighting test. Everyone step back."
--
Yueru held the firestarter—a twisted stick she'd been sparking against stone all day—and handed it over.
Lin Jie knelt beside the wick. "Igniting in three… two…"
FffwwOOOM!
A burst of green-blue flame surged upward, two meters tall, with a hot whoosh that singed his bangs.
"Hot damn!" Dafu whooped. "It works!"
"Two-second ignition spike," Lin muttered, shielding his eyes. "Confirmed. Ethanol triggers the bacteria. Gas compression burns off first. Flame stabilizes after initial burst. Brightness level:… 600 lumens, maybe more."
He looked up, slightly wild-eyed.
"It's not just a torch. It's a swamp-grade flare."
Yueru blinked. "Could we weaponize it?"
"Eventually. But right now?" Lin Jie smiled. "We make five more and sell them."
--
They tried crafting it again. Lin Jie stepped back, hands still slick with mirehog oil and swamp fern sap. The torch flared again—clean, stable, and bright as a miniature green sun.
"Three builds. Consistent ignition. No backfires," he muttered. "That's confirmed viability."
The blueprint UI flickered.
Blueprint Evolution Complete.[Swampflame Torch+] – Tier F Utility Tool (Craftable) A bone-and-gland torch enhanced with ethanol-rich flora. Emits bright green light and a two-second high-heat burst. Effective at scaring off Tier F or lower swamp fauna.
[Traits]: High Luminescence | Scare Effect (Tier F and below) | Firestarter Potential
[Crafting Materials Required]: Mirehog Bone Shaft x1, Bog Gland x1, Swamp Fern Wick x1, Binding Cord x1
"Finally." Lin's shoulders slumped in relief. "System recognizes it. Now I can craft them directly."
Yueru leaned over. "Meaning…?"
"Meaning I don't have to play caveman every time," he said, and tapped [Craft x2].
In a flash of green light, two torches materialized in front of him—formed whole from the materials in his inventory.
"Efficient," Dafu muttered. "No need for benches. Just brainwork."
[Inventory Update]
Swampflame Torch+ x2Status: Tier F ToolNotes: Emits 600–1000 lumens green flame; creatures Tier F or below will flee from ignition burst.Durability: 42/50
Lin swiped open the Regional Trade Channel and posted:
[Trade Listing – Posted by: Lord Lin Jie]
Item: Swampflame Torch+Traits: Bright Green Flame, Ignition Burst, Tier F RepellantQuantity: 2Seeking: Basic Blueprints (any), Dried Food, Plant Resin, HideNote: System-Recognized Blueprint. Tier F mobs flee on ignitio. If used well, you can easily hunt Tier F mobs with this!
He hit [Post].
Instantly, he received a message ping.
[StoneSun]: That torch legit? You using rare mats?[Lord Lin]: It's a trade secret :P.[StoneSun]: …Damn. Gimme 1 torch, It would make my hunting efficient. Got small hammer blueprint. Interested?
Lin's heart jumped.
He tapped back quickly.
[Lord Lin]: Send details.[StoneSun]: Crude Hammer. Bone shaft, stone head. Good for smashing. Not flashy.[Lord Lin]: Acceptable.
[Trade Confirmed]→ Swampflame Torch+ x1 → Crude Hammer Blueprint x1
[StoneSun]: Let's Trade again next time!
[Lord Lin]: Sure. Let me know if you have more blueprints and rare materials.
Lin's eyes gleamed. "Let there be barter."