Chapter 341: The Island Master Won’t Starve
Chapter 341: Chapter 341: The Island Master Won’t Starve
Veridia actually had a fair number of scientific researchers. While not every one of them was a leading expert, even the best minds need qualified assistants to handle the grunt work.
Not to mention, Jay Jonas and Zachary Pierce could only accept a limited number of people. And when it came to living conditions alone, neither of their settlements could compare to Faye Yardley’s Conch Isle.
Building a research lab on Faye Yardley’s island was truly an excellent option.
Besides, it was easy to reach an agreement when both parties had something the other wanted.
Faye Yardley also needed researchers to help properly use the Superpower Crystal Stones, ensuring not a single bit of energy was wasted. This would then give those on the island who wished to advance a chance to awaken their own superpowers.
Then there was the matter of researching vehicle power sources. It would be ideal if they could convert wind power into electricity to be used as a new form of energy for cars.
After all, they all came from a modern civilization. If any of them had specialized in this field, their foundational knowledge would be excellent.
It wouldn’t be difficult for them to pick it up again.
The only issue was figuring out how to find the necessary lab equipment.
’Come to think of it, doesn’t the island still need a hospital, a school, and a security post?’
Faye didn’t think it was that urgent. ’If worst comes to worst, I can just run Dungeon 1 tomorrow and go fight some zombies. Then I can redeem what I need from the Point Shop.’
"Yardley, you’re overthinking it. Spots on your island are highly sought-after. The last group that came over included people with the skills you need. What, you haven’t looked into them yet?"
Faye Yardley shook her head. "No, Thorne didn’t mention it to me."
"They probably haven’t been on the island very long. They need to make sure they can be self-sufficient before deciding on their next steps."
"Perhaps. Thorne is always very thorough. But since we have such experts, we can’t let their talents go to waste. I’ll ask Thorne for a roster later so I can learn about their specializations."
"Right, most importantly, I’d like to buy some Superpower Crystal Stones from you. How about you name a price?"
Faye Yardley didn’t agree immediately, saying, "I think you should hold off on that for now. Besides, I only have one or two Superpower Crystal Stones left."
"That’s a real shame. I thought you’d have a large quantity, like that black seawater from last time."
Zachary Pierce didn’t think Faye Yardley was lying. From his perspective, there was no reason for her to deceive him.
"Well, that’s everything. If you decide to part with your remaining Superpower Crystal Stones, remember to contact me. I’ll also continue to observe and record the conditions of my teammates who have already awakened their superpowers. I’ll send you a detailed report after a while."
"Thanks, Mr. Pierce. I get it. But I’m sure you’ve already guessed—I want to let everyone on my island have a chance to awaken their own superpower."
Zachary Pierce gave a wry smile. "I had a feeling, but a man can hope, right?"
After hanging up, Faye Yardley had no choice but to contact Franklin Yardley to learn more about the skilled individuals among the island’s residents.
’The next batch arriving tomorrow will have about a thousand people. Alright, I’d better just wait for Thorne’s report.’
’I just wonder, if the people on the island awaken their potential, will the system give me some kind of reward, too? If so, that would be incredible.’
She couldn’t help but feel a surge of anticipation.
After making a few calls, Faye Yardley stretched lazily. She glanced at the scorching air outside, which seemed to shimmer and distort in the heat, then put on a sun hat and headed out.
The weather was indeed hot enough to make anyone irritable, and an ordinary person without protection could easily suffer from heatstroke.
But this was no longer the beginning, when she was all alone on her raft at sea.
Everyone had raised their Attributes, to one degree or another.
In weather like this, Faye Yardley wouldn’t feel too uncomfortable even without her temperature-regulating outfit.
These were all tangible changes.
’I’ll fish for treasure chests for a couple of hours, then build the road and the glass factory from the blueprints.’
’Nothing else seems particularly urgent.’
’I just went to Serene Shadow City yesterday, so I don’t really feel like making another big trip for now.’
’Oh, but if the island is short on a lot of things we need urgently, I could always make a trip to Dungeon 1.’
The only thing was, every time she entered the Dungeon, the zombies’ level and strength would increase in proportion to her own.
The system was always so "considerate" in that respect: the stronger you get, the stronger it gets.
It never left any loopholes to exploit.
Faye Yardley sat down in her usual spot under the thatched awning and skillfully cast her fishing line.
Willow Yardley had already placed a block of ice beside her to cool the air, and on a small nearby table, she had set out a plate of washed and sliced fruit along with a glass of chilled, freshly squeezed juice.
"Sister, did the island residents just harvest a batch of their vegetables? There are some extra vegetables from their plots in the warehouse."
Whenever she ran into something she didn’t understand, her first step was to ask the system. Only if it didn’t answer would she go looking for the solution herself.
"System, do I get a cut of the vegetables harvested by the residents of Conch Isle?"
[As the Island Master, you receive a 10:1 income bonus.]
Faye Yardley suddenly felt her math skills were a bit lacking, so she pressed for clarification. "Does that mean for every ten vegetables they harvest, I get one as an extra reward? What about if their chickens lay eggs? Do I get a share of those too?"
After a long moment, the system finally replied. [You can interpret it that way.]
"That sounds like a scumbag’s noncommittal reply."
The system went completely silent.
’So, as long as there are people on the island, and as long as they’re hardworking, the Island Master will never starve.’
’Being the Island Master is actually pretty great.’
’If it weren’t for all the dangers the system brings, I could just live a comfortable life as a slacker Island Master.’
Willow Yardley waited a moment. Seeing that Faye Yardley had finished her silent conversation with the system, she said happily, "Sister, that’s wonderful! That means we don’t have to grow some of those vegetables on the raft anymore. We can clear up space to plant crops that aren’t well-suited for the main island, or ones that have especially long growing cycles."
"Good idea, that’s a solid plan." Faye Yardley said as she pulled up her fishing rod. "We can have Eamon prepare some fast-growing vegetable seeds for them. Oh! Look what I caught! It’s been ages since I’ve had monkfish. Let’s have it for lunch today."
"Okay."
Bonnie Callahan was frantically tagging Faye Yardley in the group chat. Fortunately, Gavin Donovan, who was always active in the chat, saw it and called Faye directly to let her know.
Opening the small group chat, Faye Yardley typed: Miss Bonnie, what’s up?
Bonnie Callahan: Faye, quick! I finally convinced my family! I want to move to the island and become a resident!
Faye Yardley: Okay, send me the list of names and I’ll send the invitations.
Bonnie Callahan: Thanks, hon! It’s just... I have a lot of family members.
Faye Yardley: No problem. Just share their personal profiles in the group chat to make sure I don’t send the invitations to the wrong people.
Bonnie Callahan: Thank you, thank you! Hon, thank you so much! Don’t worry, once we’re on the island, we’ll be law-abiding, model residents.
Faye Yardley wasn’t too concerned about that. ’Anyway, once they’re on the island,’ she thought, ’they’ll quickly learn that Thorne and his people don’t tolerate anyone who breaks the rules.’