At that moment, Pei Guang and Stelle exchanged glances, communicating silently, both knowing what the other was thinking.
Stelle: "Pei Guang! Use your unbeatable gaming experience to figure out what to do next!"
Pei Guang: "Don't rush. Based on my experience, for synthesis like this, we need to put similar items together. Let's start by adding some clothing."
Stelle was shocked. "Clothing can be synthesized?"
Pei Guang nodded seriously. "Of course. We just unlocked the synthesis function, and since this is a real world, it has to follow some logic. You put a bunch of items in, and one item comes out. Makes sense, right?"
Stelle: "…"
Since meeting Pei Guang, she felt that science was drifting further and further away from her. But if Pei Guang said it was logical, then…
Stelle: "Yes! It's totally scientific!"
Pei Guang: "Alright, while March 7th and the others aren't here, let's toss in all the useless stuff and see what we can create."
And so, the two began their bold experiments.
They started with food. Different combinations produced various results in the pot. Some were clearly inedible, while others looked delicious. Unfortunately, the appetizing cake only lasted a single bite before vanishing.
After food, it was time for clothing. Pei Guang had gathered quite a bit on their journey, so he started synthesizing them.
Through trials, he discovered a synthesis logic: similar materials combined into similar results, while completely different materials created unpredictable outcomes.
This logic was common in many games: similar items had a chance to create higher-grade items, but they could also produce worse ones.
He shared this logic with Stelle. Once she learned it, the two started experimenting, throwing all their extra materials into the pot.
While the Astral Express had a universal synthesis machine, Stelle found this pot more fun. The synthesis machine could break if misused, but this pot wouldn't: it would only produce results she couldn't comprehend!
During their play, Pei Guang looked at the still-sleeping Kafka and bowed slightly.
"Miss Kafka, you're the most generous elite I've ever seen. Your generosity should be remembered forever!"
Saying this, Pei Guang took out a trash can and labeled it with 'Elite Enemy' in bold letters before carefully placing Kafka inside. He didn't forget to secure her with a pacifier and IV setup.
Unlike Fu Xuan, Kafka was surrounded by an array of offerings: lavish dishes from the Petrichor Inn and specialties from Belobog. Whatever Kafka's intentions were, they showed her respect.
Thinking back to the space station, where she actively advanced the main storyline, Pei Guang's earlier frustrations now felt like mere seasoning to life. Especially her willingness to surrender and drop loot boosted his opinion of her significantly.
In the future, if Kafka had any missions, Pei Guang would definitely take them.
With Kafka properly secured, Pei Guang and Stelle resumed their synthesis experiments. The trash they had collected was substantial. What was once only good for disposal now had potential with this pot.
The synthesis results were mixed. On average, it took three to five attempts to get something useful. As for the nonsensical items? They kept those too—who knew what they could become…
What kind of nonsense items? Food with mosaic-like appearances and bizarrely shaped clothing. Pei Guang was convinced that while these clothes looked unique, they lacked special effects, so he kept one of each for collection. The clothes, stored in a separate box, only occupied a single slot.
Compared to Pei Guang and Stelle's creative endeavors, March 7th and Welt's progress was more challenging.
Following the mini-map's guidance, the group took turns navigating through paths. But midway, March 7th and Welt realized they were blocked by monsters. It seemed that Pei Guang's earlier flight had drawn many mara-struck soldiers, who had now gathered on this route and, without a target, were patrolling nearby.
From a corner, March 7th peeked out and cautiously checked the mini-map for enemy positions.
"So many enemies! Pei Guang and Stelle are already with Kafka; we need to hurry."
The mara-struck soldiers were blocking their path. To proceed, they'd need to fight, but the mini-map showed that Stelle, Pei Guang, and Kafka were already engaged, making March 7th anxious.
Welt: "March, stay calm. Think about it—how do we handle this many enemies?"
Welt had a way to clear them out in one go, but he was curious to see how March 7th, who had picked up some of Pei Guang's tactics, would solve the problem.
March 7th, not noticing Welt's expression, seriously counted the enemies: "Five… ten… thirty-three mara-struck soldiers, thirteen Fragmentum Creatures. Heh~ luckily Pei Guang left behind plenty of goodies. Let's capture them all."
Was capturing mara-struck soldiers useful? Yes. When they reached Starskiff Haven, Pei Guang and the others had taken a break while Welt observed the situation. Later, a group from the Alchemy Commission mentioned that many mara-struck soldiers, just after succumbing, entered a peculiar state of inertia, and even partially transformed Cloud Knights halted their progression.
But March 7th wasn't going to charge in recklessly. That was something she'd have done in the past. Under Pei Guang's guidance, she had learned to make smart use of available resources.
High IQ: Skillfully using existing resources.
Low IQ: Picking up bad habits.
March 7th quickly ran her calculations and set the trash can she was carrying in front of her. "Hey, little one, we need your help."
Inside the can, Bailu didn't hesitate. The journey had been filled with snacks and games. During this time, she discovered a perfect mental and physical combination: gaming, cola, and chips.
Munching on chips and sipping cola, Bailu licked her fingers before resuming her game.
The dark, confined space felt like a second home to her. When she heard March 7th's call, she paused her game and replied in a slightly exaggerated voice. What? Not exaggerate? No way. Tingyun was nearby, and it wouldn't do to let her recognize her voice!
Bailu: "Ahem~ what task requires my assistance?"
March 7th: "There are enemies over there, please help! Just as planned, feed this to them."
Bailu: "No problem, but what exactly is this? I was studying it just now, and it just seems like some weird liquid disguised as a liquid…"
March 7th: "I have no idea! We picked it up at the Herta Space Station. It might be one of Lady Herta's collections."
Bailu: "Ah, I see. Ahem! Watch this—I'll get it done perfectly."
Peering out from a crack in the trash can, Bailu paused for a moment as she saw the thirty-plus mara-struck soldiers outside. "That's a lot..."
Although she was puzzled by why there were so many mara-struck soldiers gathered here, Bailu knew now wasn't the time to dwell on it. She needed to follow March 7th's instructions.
"Here we go!"