"Hah."
Accompanied by a light sound, a dagger flew through the air, embedding its sharp tip into a wooden stake.
Lord Zhenjin slowly retracted his arm, looking thoughtfully at the many wooden stakes before him.
This morning, he had issued orders to gather various ranged weapons.
Bows and crossbows were the most common. Besides those, there were specialized throwing weapons like flying axes and flying pitchforks, as well as throwable items like short spears and daggers.
Now, all these weapons had been thrown by him, accurately striking wooden stakes at varying distances.
As he flexed his fingers, Zhenjin looked at the results before him, silently evaluating himself: "Strictly speaking, daggers are not designed for throwing. But I threw dozens of them without a single miss. I can hit wherever I aim."
"Aside from daggers, the same applies to short spears, flying axes, and flying pitchforks."
Not to mention bows and crossbows.
"If I had darts, I should be able to achieve the same result."
Darts were not common.
On the eastern part of the Holy Bright Continent, there were unique Fighting energy techniques that enabled one to move lightly like a swallow and use darts and throwing knives with great power.
Thus, darts were more prevalent in the eastern regions of the Holy Bright Continent but very rare elsewhere.
"The current results have proven: last night was not a dream, but rather a restored fragment of my memory."
This level of throwing prowess was beyond the previous Lord Zhenjin's ability.
But after one night, he could do this so effortlessly, as if it were instinct.
"No, this should be the result of my past diligent practice. It was just that I couldn't utilize it, and last night's memory was the key to unlocking it."
"Unfortunately, although I recalled the Secret Skill of the Humming Needles, I cannot use it."
"If I could perform such a Secret Skill, the power would be considerable, posing a significant threat to the ferocious monsters on this island."
Zhenjin sighed inwardly.
He still couldn't activate his Fighting energy, and the prerequisite for the Humming Needles Secret Skill was to channel his Fighting energy into specially-made flying needles.
Thus, since he couldn't activate his Fighting energy, he couldn't truly unleash the power of the Humming Needles.
Nonetheless, with the emergence of this memory, Zhenjin's strength had increased a little.
In the past, he had been formidable in close combat with a longsword. Now, with the addition of his throwing abilities, his attack range had expanded to several hundred steps around him.
"Truly worthy of the Hundred Needle bloodline! In terms of precision, the Hundred Needle bloodline ranks among the top five on the entire Holy Bright Continent. Lord Zhenjin, you are the hope of the Hundred Needle Family; you will surely bring glory back to the entire family."
Deep in thought, Zhenjin heard a familiar voice.
He turned around and, as expected, saw Cang Xu.
Cang Xu walked slowly, his face showing respect as he looked at the various throwing weapons embedded in the wooden stakes.
Zhenjin shook his head slightly.
He had come here early in the morning to practice, not just to confirm the memory but also hoping to trigger related memories and comprehend how to activate his Fighting energy.
Unfortunately, he didn't succeed.
In fact, before this, he had asked his subordinates about their Fighting energy techniques and secretly tried to practice them.
But no matter how hard he tried, this island prohibited all low-level Magic and Fighting energy, preventing him from sensing anything and inhibiting the original Fighting energy hidden within him.
He wasn't going to share these frustrations with Cang Xu.
"How are things going at the moment?" Zhenjin asked as he stood still, regulating his breathing as Cang Xu approached him.
It was evident that Cang Xu had come to report.
"Reporting, my lord, no one has died." Cang Xu's first words allowed Zhenjin to breathe a sigh of relief.
Cang Xu continued, "We are indeed lucky to have Lady Zi Di as our pharmacist! These potions have benefited almost everyone. So far, more than half of them have taken the potions. These people are very weak; some have fallen into a coma, some have fevers, and they are all in for heavy sickness."
The potions had been made and were plentiful.
But for safety and prudence, Cang Xu had arranged for the expedition team members to take them in batches.
There were still some who hadn't taken the potions yet.
Zhenjin nodded slightly, asking the key question: "So, to what extent has the physical condition of the first group of potion takers deteriorated?"
Cang Xu shook his head slightly. "The situation is still developing, but based on the current results, these people are very weak, and the degree of decline varies individually. Some are mild, while others are severe. Overall, it's manageable. At least there haven't been any crippling or fatal cases."
Then, with a slightly somber expression, he continued, "My lord, I believe the risk of magic power erosion has been mostly mitigated; it no longer poses a significant threat to our entire team. However, there's another pressing issue."
"Is it food?" Zhenjin's eyes flashed with understanding.
"My lord, you are wise." Cang Xu bowed slightly, his face heavy with worry. "We are indeed short on food."
Zhenjin nodded slightly; this aspect of supply had long been on his radar, so he wasn't surprised.
Originally, Cang Xu had suggested hunting goats extensively to obtain goat meat.
Whether it was the exploration team or the large group of people back at the beach, the demand for food was substantial.
Although the exploration team had started with ample food, they had been away from the beach and in the jungle for a long time, consuming a lot of their provisions.
The food carried by Zhenjin and Zi Di was sufficient initially, but adequate only for two people. With the increased population, the food supply per person became scarce.
Unless Zhenjin decided to abandon these people and prioritize the food supply.
"How much longer can we hold out?" Zhenjin asked further.
The scholar responded immediately, "Roughly calculated, we can last fifteen days."
Half a month.
Zhenjin nodded, feeling satisfied with Cang Xu's report.
"This is the role of a staff member."
"Cang Xu is a competent staff member."
"He can foresee problems and address them in advance. Many matters appear trivial and insignificant, making it difficult for a leader to manage everything. At such times, someone is needed to fill the gaps."
"Fifteen days seem like a long time, but it's already on the edge of the warning line."
A sense of urgency rose in Zhenjin's heart.
Having ventured on this island for many days, he understood how difficult it was to obtain food here.
Cang Xu must have had a deep understanding as well.
Joining the exploration team, he had undergone many hardships and dangers, never once managing to secure a large food haul. One opportunity had been hunting the goat herd, but the goat meat proved problematic, nearly causing the team's demise.
"Do you have any good suggestions?" Zhenjin pondered and asked Cang Xu again.
Cang Xu deliberated, "I am ashamed, my lord, but I am powerless in this matter. However, perhaps Lady Zi Di might have some solutions."
At these words, Zhenjin's heart stirred, and he shot a deep glance at Cang Xu.
Thoughts rose in the young lord's mind.
"Is Cang Xu implying something? Did he see through something?"
"After all… The secret of the roots is hard to conceal forever. Maybe it can fool others, but Cang Xu was watching closely the entire time. His broad knowledge makes it normal for him to perceive this secret."
Zi Di had discovered the grass seemed to be the true cause affecting the goats, instructing Zhenjin to keep it a secret.
Zhenjin's thoughts raced: "Given the facts, a simple solution to the food problem would be having Zi Di brew more potions and administer them to the goats. Once they expel the chaotic magic power, the goat meat would be edible."
"Cang Xu's suggestion seems to point to this method, though he didn't state it directly."
"After all, these unique roots contain rich Ice Magic power, a valuable resource any faction would prudently safeguard."
"Cang Xu perhaps understands the implications but chooses to feign ignorance. As expected from someone who served the nobility for much of their life."
Considering this, Zhenjin couldn't help but feel more appreciative of Cang Xu.
What he admired most about Cang Xu was the elder's understanding of curbing his cleverness, ensuring his wisdom didn't offend others. He knew how to propose his ideas seamlessly, without easily arousing resentment.
Yet, he also adhered to his principles.
Cang Xu knew that for the exploration team, food was of paramount importance. Although the team had ample water with a nearby replenishment point,
food was crucial.
Without enough, the energy intake would drop, leading to a decline in physical strength, combat power, and the team's ability to handle external threats.
If the situation didn't improve, this vicious cycle could drag the entire team into a deadly abyss.
Indeed, everyone was aware of the food reserves. Once they hit a warning line, the psychological pressure on the team would escalate.
This pressure might eventually cause internal conflicts over the scarce food, leading to disputes and the collapse of the team.
In the past, Zhenjin and Zi Di, as a pair, managed to fulfill their food needs. With more people now, although many things became easier, it also introduced more pressure and trouble.
Cang Xu worried Zhenjin might overlook this critical issue and pointed it out because food was vital.
From his perspective, preserving the team's existence meant ensuring his own survival.
As a scholar without Fighting energy, Cang Xu's odds of surviving increased through dependence on others. The larger the team, the greater his intellectual and managerial value.
Cang Xu understood the way to ensure his survival.
"What a talent, truly, one I wish to keep for my use," Zhenjin sighed inwardly.
A mere mortal, Cang Xu possessed vast knowledge, understanding tact, and wise discernment.
"Unsuitable as a housekeeper for a noble; he isn't a Transcendent and lacks the presence."
"But as an advisor, he's more than qualified, even exceptional."
"Cang Xu left his long-term service to author a work. This is a scholar's ambition, understandable. For ordinary people, staying by the noble's side is the best choice. Why risk one's life for an academic pursuit?"
At this thought, an idea dawned on Zhenjin.
"I had planned to leverage Cang Xu's ambition slowly."
"Yet now I think, our current predicament might be the perfect chance to recruit him."
Seeing it this way, Zhenjin's eyes brightened with realization.
He had intended to scheme slowly, but once they reached White Sand City, he wouldn't be the only Holy Temple Knight. At least two others would compete for the position of City Lord.
Thus, the best opportunity wasn't in the future but now.
On this perilous island, Cang Xu needed someone else for survival.
"So, this island is, in fact, my chance," Zhenjin realized for the first time, appreciating the island's charm.