An iron pot wasn't exactly a necessity.
Besides, there was already one in the warehouse, obtained from the raid on the Gnoll camp.
However, *the psychological burden of knowing it had been used to cook human flesh made it unused and left in a corner.*
Now that someone was selling a blueprint for making iron pots, it was the perfect opportunity to craft a new one.
"Okay," the man responded, adding, "Brother Fang Hao, once you learn the blueprint, I'll supply the materials—could you help me make a pot? You know, uh... hehe."
Fang Hao immediately understood the man's intentions.
*What a clever plan he had.*
With the current territory level, one iron pot was sufficient.
The man sold the blueprint to Fang Hao in exchange for three iron axes, then asked Fang Hao to craft an iron pot for him.
Not a bad deal.
"Sure, just make sure to sell me the next blueprint you find," Fang Hao said generously.
*He wasn't particularly bothered.*
With the hundredfold multiplier in effect, crafting was always profitable.
One set of materials yielded a hundred finished products. What mattered wasn't the materials, but the blueprint itself.
"Thanks, brother! I'll list it right away."
Soon enough, the designated trading system displayed the [Iron Pot Crafting Blueprint].
After handing over three iron axes, Fang Hao acquired the iron pot blueprint.
[Iron Pot: Wood 6, Stone 6, Iron 3.]
Craft!
[Hundredfold multiplier triggered: Obtained 101 iron pots.]
A flash of light.
101 iron pots appeared in the clearing before him.
The new iron pots differed from the Gnoll's iron pot. The newly crafted ones included an integrated design, where wood was stacked below and the pot itself perched above.
He selected one pot and traded it to the man, fulfilling their agreement.
Keeping three pots for himself, Fang Hao listed the remaining pots—including the Gnoll's pot—on the trading system.
[Trader: Fang Hao]
[Listed Item: Iron Pot]
[Quantity: 98 pots]
[Price per pot: 5 units of iron ore]
(Note: For special resources, blueprints, or items, feel free to message me.)
...
After wrapping things up, Fang Hao summoned a Skeleton. "You're in charge of boiling water."
The Skeleton delivered the stones it was carrying to the warehouse, then diligently began heating water as instructed.
With 101 buckets of stored water in the territory, there was no need to fetch more from afar.
Fang Hao turned to the Book of Lords and navigated to the [Crafting] page.
He selected [Bath Tub].
[Bath Tub: Wood 5, Rope 3.]
Craft!
[Hundredfold multiplier triggered: Obtained 101 bath tubs.]
Before he could sell all the iron pots, another heap of bath tubs appeared.
The surplus tubs would eventually be sold, though not immediately.
*Selling large quantities of goods too frequently might draw unwanted attention from perceptive individuals.*
No need to rush; they could wait until the next day for public sale.
Fang Hao directed the Skeleton to move the tubs to a nearby clearing.
The water was heated.
Adjusting the temperature, Fang Hao treated himself to a thorough and refreshing bath.
*After bathing, he felt an immediate sense of renewal, brimming with energy and peace of mind.*
Stepping out of the bath tub, he spread his arms wide, letting the breeze dry him off completely.
*The relaxation of his body, coupled with the caress of the morning wind, was undeniably delightful.*
...
Next, Fang Hao began preparing dinner, simmering a pot of meat broth.
He idly opened the [Regional Channel] to pass the time.
"Hey! Has anyone tried Fang Hao's pots yet? Any strange occurrences?"
"Nope. Why do you ask?"
"I picked some mushrooms and wild veggies, made a pot of soup—and I didn't put in any meat! But the entire pot was brimming with grease, and the aroma was just like a meat broth."
"You're full of crap."
"For real. I tasted it just now, and it genuinely tasted like meat soup."
"No way—I made mushroom soup too, but mine's just thin broth."
"I'm serious; one sip, and it was like I was eating meat broth."
"Holy crap, you've hit the jackpot, brother! You've got meat soup for every meal now."
"Guessing here, but your pot might have some sort of hidden attribute."
"Selling it? I'll pay top dollar."
In an instant, the channel erupted with chatter about the iron pots.
Fang Hao's listed pots began selling out rapidly.
Some people bought them out of necessity.
Others purchased them, hoping they'd acquire pots with the meat-soup-from-veggies trait.
*Fang Hao hadn't anticipated something like this happening.*
*The pot that produced grease while cooking vegetables was most likely the Gnoll's pot.*
*Years of boiling meat could've left lingering residues.*
After handling everything, Fang Hao climbed into bed for the night.
...
The next morning, he stepped out of the wooden hut that served as his lord's quarters.
Stretching, he marked the fourth day in his journal.
He lit a fire and cooked breakfast.
Following his meal, he engaged in a slow jog and performed basic exercises like sit-ups around the territory's perimeter.
*His physique had been decent before.*
*His body featured a fair amount of muscle.*
*But since crossing into this world, he found his muscles gradually deteriorating, which was an unwelcome development.*
Today, Fang Hao incorporated morning exercise into his schedule.
After finishing everything, he shifted to a more comfortable position on his bed.
Activating the [God's Presence] skill, he attached his consciousness to a Skeleton soldier.
His task remained the same as yesterday—exploring the surrounding terrain.
Selecting 2,000 Skeleton soldiers, Fang Hao led them marching out of the territory.
Passing westward through the plain, Fang Hao suddenly halted, signaling his troops to stop.
He gazed ahead with a solemn expression.
A few humanoid creatures were wandering aimlessly in the distance.
Their bodies were wrapped entirely in vines with green buds sprouting from their limbs.
[Lost Wood Elemental Servants (Tier 3)]
[Type: Summon (Unclaimed)]
[Abilities: Entangle, Revival.]
(Description: Servants abandoned by their masters, now aimless wanderers, they attack any living beings they encounter.)
More Tier-3 creatures.
Worse—there were three of them roaming in front.
Fang Hao glanced at the Skeletons behind him and issued a command for attack.
"Attack."
2,000 Skeleton soldiers raised their weapons and charged forward.
The large-scale assault quickly grabbed the attention of the [Wood Elemental Servants].
Their bodies emitted a faint green light.
Vines sprouted beneath the Skeletons' feet, writhing like snakes and snaring them, restricting their movement.
But there were simply too many Skeletons.
The entangling vines proved ineffective.
Soon, the Skeleton soldiers closed the gap, and the Wood Elementals transformed their arms into whip-like vines, engaging the Skeletons directly.
The Wood Elementals displayed impressive combat strength.
But against the sheer number of Skeletons, whose attacks were both dense and chaotic...
The Wood Elementals ultimately couldn't hold on.
They disintegrated into green light, dissipating into the air.
Items dropped upon their defeat, including one [Natural Gemstone] and three units of [Trace of the Earth].
Fang Hao collected everything.
"Search the area—see if there's a treasure chest nearby."
The Skeletons spread out rapidly.
Soon enough, they returned carrying a black iron treasure chest.
Fang Hao opened the chest without hesitation.
[Obtained: Spiritual Field Construction Blueprint (Green), Mindful Necklace (Green), Natural Gemstone*5, Trace of the Forest*1, Warfire Coin*15.]
In addition to some materials...
This time, he scored a green blueprint and a green piece of equipment.
[Mindful Necklace (Green)]
[Category: Neck Accessory]
[Item Effect: Increases mental power recovery.]
(Description: A necklace that revitalizes your mind.)
This world had digitized many items.
While it didn't explicitly display health or mental power stats like in a game...
*Using [God's Presence] to possess Skeleton soldiers made spiritual fatigue vividly apparent.*
And this necklace, while not as thrilling as a powerful weapon, was something Fang Hao truly needed.
[Spiritual Field Blueprint (Green)]
[Type: Building Blueprint]
(Description: Construct a Spiritual Field in a suitable location to cultivate crops and enhance their growth rate.)