Although unsure of what kind of life awaits outside, one thing is certain—stumbling upon a bus through time is a stroke of luck. It's unclear which era has been entered, but being prepared and selling some silver is never a bad idea. The valley holds various items: medicinal herbs and spices, fresh melons and fruits, sulfur from the hot springs, bamboo shoots, and more. However, what North desires most are the plump fish, shrimp, poultry, and eggs. While rare treasures are abundant in this space, living creatures are mysteriously absent. The path ahead is uncertain, and the duration of the journey is unknown. How to carry these items out? If luck is on their side, crafting a bamboo raft to follow the river's flow might lead to an exit. But what if they encounter strong currents or waterfalls?
North ponders while gathering yesterday's dried ears of grain, sorting them into red, dark purple, and golden kernels and placing them in natural stone hollows. A tea tree branch is fashioned into a useful tool for pounding the rice into grains, which are then stored in bamboo tubes. Salt is roasted in cylinders of white foam on the hearth to produce a small amount of fine salt. Baskets woven from hemp stalks hold potatoes, yams, kudzu roots, and more. After a stroll in the forest, a variety of items with potential value or exchangeable for silver are gathered.
The dilemma arises when contemplating whether to take the risk of storing items in the space. Perhaps a juicy mountain chicken comes to mind, provoking salivation. If it doesn't work out, North may be ejected from the space again, possibly falling into a deep sleep for an unknown duration. However, if it succeeds, a full stomach and ample firewood are ready, and falling asleep by the food pile isn't a big deal.
Decided! For now, the bottom of the empty medicine basket is filled with leftover chicken bones, wedged between rocks in the clear creek. North crosses the water to the area where the mountain chickens gather, locates a mother hen nesting, reaches out with concentration, softly exclaims, "Collect!" The disappearing mountain chicken, along with about five or six eggs beneath it, reappears on the oasis in the space, causing a slight ripple of energy. Closing the eyes instinctively, North waits for a while. Contrary to concerns, there is no dizziness or physical fatigue. With renewed determination, North confidently collects various breeds of birds, feeling a subtle energy change with each new addition.
Returning to the medicine basket, it's now filled with transparent creek shrimp and a few crabs, destined for the space. These will undoubtedly contribute to future flavorful soups. On the sunny slope, the tea oil trees are in full bloom, buzzing with bees laden with pollen and nectar, traveling between the pure white flowers and the gigantic beehive beneath the rocks. With joyful memories of the sweet fragrance carried by the bees, North decides it's a must to collect this.
Upon placing the large beehive into the space, North senses energy waves emanating from the cave above the waterfall, spreading in three layers to the surroundings. Curiosity leads North's hand to the chest, standing at the edge of the "misty pool" in the cave. The white mist floating on the pool has expanded slightly. Standing at the pool's edge, North can feel its moist sweetness. Suddenly, the dry pool walls begin to seep water droplets, and a small cup's worth of milky liquid appears at the bottom, emitting energy waves.
Without lingering, North quickly steps out. This time, there's no falling asleep. It seems that the increase in energy from the addition of new species not present in the space allows for a certain replenishment of mental strength. To utilize the power of the space, it's clear that North must diligently collect various species. With a solution in hand, North can finally step out with some confidence.
Selecting a few plump mountain chickens, North cuts them open from behind, removes all internal organs, blood, and water, fills them with fresh bamboo shoots, yams, ginger, and salt, wraps them with river mud, and places them on the hearth. Ready for a meal of hot spring-boiled eggs and bamboo-tube rice that will last for three to five days, North quietly goes to sleep, preparing for tomorrow's journey.