Luo Zhe also thought this method was good, much better than searching for a needle in a haystack.
"Lord, what should we use to trade with these Sanctuaries, supplies or equipment?"
"Equipment," Tang Yu pondered for a moment. "There are some materials we are not yet capable of producing, so we'll stockpile those. As for the equipment to be traded, let's pick standard firearms, including pistols, rifles, and light machine guns. Sniper rifles and rocket launchers, those kinds of lethal weapons, we'll hold off on trading for now."
"When trading, prioritize special materials, and not limited to those shown in the photos, especially Transcendent Minerals. We must not miss out on them, we'll take as much as they have. If those Sanctuaries can't offer special materials, then let's trade for Source Crystals."
He could never have too many Source Crystals, no matter how plentiful they seemed.
"Oh right," Tang Yu added after a thought, "bring along one or two rocket launchers, as well as a standard longsword, to serve as bait to see what good items those Sanctuaries can offer."
Luo Zhe noted these down, then seemed to remember something and pulled out a small wooden box from his bosom.
He opened the wooden box, which appeared to contain some type of herb, "Lord, a member of the Patrol Team found this. It resembles a type of medicinal herb you've been looking for. Could you please have a look?"
Tang Yu took the wooden box.
The herb was about the size of a palm, with dark green leaves and a slightly reddish-brown stem. He leaned closer to the box and sniffed, a faint fishy smell wafted up to his nose.
These days, from the market purchase, there were not only blueprints but also potion formulas, among which there was one for Body Tempering Liquid, which Tang Yu valued greatly.
He was currently stuck at the Fifth Tier Awakening, partly because the bottleneck from the Fifth to the Sixth Layer was difficult to break through, and partly because his potential had not yet been fully realized, also not suitable for a breakthrough.
Tapping into potential was not as rapid as refining soul power; it required him to train slowly on his own, or cultivate, both needing a certain amount of time.
This potential, primarily concerned with physical fitness, and Body Tempering Liquid could swiftly unearth one's own physical qualities.
Most of the ingredients for its formula were found by Tang Yu, except for the last main ingredient, Fleshy Fragrant Grass.
"That's right, this is Fleshy Fragrant Grass. Where was it found?" Tang Yu asked.
Luo Zhe thought for a moment, "It was reportedly discovered by the stream where survivors usually fetch water. A team member found it there today during their patrol. Lord, would you like to go see it?"
The two Patrol Team members who discovered the Fleshy Fragrant Grass were very excited.
It just so happened that it was their turn to patrol tonight; they had missed going to the training camp. They were initially annoyed about having duty tonight, especially since they heard that Director Tang had brought new weapons to test at the training camp. But now, to their surprise, Director Tang wanted them to lead the way.
They felt immensely honored.
"Di-Director, it was found right here."
Tang Yu looked over, and it was a rock by the creek, about the size of a basketball.
The Patrol Team member, who discovered the Fleshy Fragrant Grass, explained, "It was found behind this rock, quite hidden. It was only by the flashlight's beam sweeping over it tonight that it was discovered by chance."
Tang Yu stepped closer and noticed that the sand behind the rock was a different color than in other areas; it was reddish-brown.
"Is this blood? It seems that the growing environment for Fleshy Fragrant Grass requires nourishment from the blood of Demonized Beasts," he concluded quickly, having studied Pharmacy.
Moreover, the creekside here was quite damp, and the soil composition probably also had a relationship with the growth of the Fleshy Fragrant Grass.
"Let's follow the creek upwards; we might find more Fleshy Fragrant Grass upstream."
"Director," Luo Zhe suggested, "Perhaps I should summon others, as nighttime is dangerous, and more people would make it easier to search."
Soon Luo Zhe had gathered other Patrol Team members, and a group of them proceeded along the banks of the creek.
As they advanced, the width of the creek gradually increased, with the water rushing against rocks, producing a noisy gurgling sound.
Each member of the Patrol Team held a powerful flashlight, sweeping the light in all directions.
Suddenly, one of the team members shouted, "Look over there."
In the distance, illuminated by the beam of light, were several palm-sized plants that closely resembled Fleshy Fragrant Grass.
The man wanted to move closer and check.
But Luo Zhe suddenly called out, "Be careful, there's something up ahead!"
Tang Yu also raised his eyebrows, his gaze fixed on the darkness ahead.
Water splashed as a dark figure treaded rapidly over the surface of the creek towards the group.
The beam of light passed over, revealing the full form of the shadow.
It had gray scales and a vast mouth that opened to show sharp teeth.
It was a crocodile, a Mutated Crocodile!
It moved incredibly fast, charging up the creek's bank and flicking its tail, sending small stones flying towards the group.
One Patrol Team member, armed with a rifle, decisively opened fire. The bullets struck the crocodile's scales, and met with a clanging sound akin to metal striking metal; sparks flew, and the bullets were completely deflected.
The crocodile drew closer, and ordinary firearms seemed to make no impression on it.
They only made the crocodile angrier.
Suddenly, the crocodile fixed its gaze on Tang Yu, quickly scrambling forward, its whole body leaping up, its mouth wide open exposing savage, sharp teeth.
"Lord, be careful!" Luo Zhe took out his Heavy Sword, guarding beside Tang Yu.
Tang Yu did not respond but kept his gaze firmly ahead, his hands at his waist flashed up like lightning, each holding a Swift Revolver.
Both guns fired, bullets shooting into the crocodile's mouth.
In an instant, blood exploded within the mouth, and under the force of inertia, the crocodile's body flew forward.
After firing twice, Tang Yu casually strolled aside as the crocodile's cumbersome body flew past him, heavily rolling onto the ground, struggling slightly before it lay still.
A vital strike, instant kill!
"It's that kind of revolver!"
"Oh, I'd go broke just to get one of those revolvers!"
"Don't you notice how incredibly cool Director Tang is? Facing the death bite of the mutated crocodile, he was fearless. After firing twice, he didn't even look, just turned and walked away. Why? Because of his confidence! He was confident that his two shots were sufficient to kill the mutated crocodile!"
"You're absolutely right, and remember it's night, that crocodile was extremely fast. Even with the flashlight beams, it was hard to see clearly. And don't forget, this is reality, not the Dream Shooting Range—there are no vital hit markers, no setting for one-shot kills. Yet even so, Director Tang instantly killed the mutated crocodile."
These words of praise, when heard, made Tang Yu feel somewhat embarrassed.
He could instantly kill the crocodile, but truly, it was because of the disparity in their levels—after all, he was a Fifth Tier expert. To others, the crocodile might seem fast, but in his eyes, it appeared sluggish.
Even so, he still had to fire twice.
It felt somewhat embarrassing.
Tang Yu acutely recognized the inadequacy of his shooting skills.