Survival of the Nation: My luck was a tiny bit worse.

As Ou Yun stared at the transparent panel that popped up in front of him, he almost spat out the fruit crumbs in his mouth.

Constitution +1%?

So it was just added so fresh and clean?

He then looked down and examined the half-eaten dark purple fruit in his hand more closely—

The skin was wrinkled, like a plum that had been flattened and rolled into a ball.

The taste... is sweet with a hint of bitterness, and also has a grassy flavor.

Anyway, it wasn't very tasty.

But who doesn't want more attributes?

"Captain Leng, this fruit..."

"What, is it poisonous?"

"Not poisonous, adds attributes."

"?"

Leng Ruolan turned around abruptly.

She looked at the uniquely ugly fruit in Ou Yun's hand, "...Are you sure?"

"Yes, it's confirmed, the notification popped up..."

Ou Yun smacked his lips and frowned. The taste was indeed not very good, but the attribute bonus made up for it.

Leng Ruolan nodded and immediately called out "Maxim".

A burly man weighing nearly 200 pounds appeared out of nowhere like a nimble bear. "Captain Leng! You were looking for me?"

"Go, take some mung beans, and then take a few people to the edge of the Hyena Queen's territory to pick these fruits. Pick as many as you can, go now."

Maxim asked in confusion, "Is there anything special about this fruit...?"

They considered these to be tribute items, so they would not eat them.

Ou Yun smiled and said, "It can add attributes."

"?!"

Maxim was immediately taken aback.

No, are attributes like a stomach—the more you eat, the more you have?

"Add attributes? What attributes? How many? Are there any side effects?"

"It adds 1% to the body's constitution, and so far there are no side effects... right?" Leng Ruolan's answer was concise and to the point.

"...Okay, I'll take some men right away!!"

Maxim ran away immediately.

Leng Ruolan took the fruit pit from Ou Yun and examined it carefully. "If this thing were mass-produced, our team's physical fitness could reach a new level!"

"Isn't that a good thing?"

Ou Yun put his hands behind his head, squinted at the sky, and said, "What we lack right now is time. Seven districts, seven lords, we can't go home until we've finished them all. The more attributes we can add, the more confident we'll be when fighting the bosses."

Leng Ruolan glanced at him but didn't reply.

She knew that although Ou Yun spoke lightly, he actually knew better than anyone else what was going on—

The third phase has officially begun. With the launch of the regional interaction function, they have become a walking piece of fat in the eyes of all the contestants.

After all, they have too many resources.

The supplies increased tenfold, the allies of the mutated behemoths, the furnaces that can forge divine artifacts—any one of these things would be enough for players from other countries to risk their lives to fight for.

Now, the forbidden area is directly installing a radar on all the players.

It was only a matter of time before their camp's coordinates were exposed.

Leng Ruolan put the fruit pit into her pocket, intending to have Chen Hao research whether it could be planted when she got back. She also asked Ou Yun, "What are your plans for today?"

"I want to go to the circular valley."

Ou Yun's expression became unusually serious. "I don't think the canyon and pillar that Mike mentioned before he died are a coincidence."

The third phase just opened up the forest and there was that kind of Gu breeding scene?

Who would believe it has nothing to do with forbidden areas?

"You want to go and investigate?"

"It's not really an investigation, we just wanted to see what that thing was."

Ou Yun took out the Abyss Sword from his spatial ring, examined it, and said, "Besides, the Forest Lord chickened out when he saw this sword last time. Maybe those pillars are related to it too?"

Leng Ruolan wanted to say that what they were doing might not be called being cowardly, but just being tactically polite—she thought for a moment and then nodded: "Okay, I'll go with you."

"That's exactly what I was waiting for!"

"However, we need to set up the camp's defenses before we set off. The area interaction function has just been activated, and someone might already be sneaking in our direction."

"That's alright. Have Nanbei lead the lynx herd to expand the patrol area, and have the monkeys rotate shifts every half hour. Also, let the giant tortoise know to keep an eye on the waterways."

As Ou Yun spoke, he suddenly paused, "By the way, where are Storm Black Hawk and Frost Giant Roc? I haven't seen them these past few days?"

"Those two... they must have had a fight!"

"……ha?"

"Black Hawk wanted to take Little Coalball for high-altitude special training, but Icebird disagreed, saying that Little Coalball was too small and his feathers hadn't fully grown in yet."

Leng Ruolan's expression resembled that of a bystander who had witnessed the entire dispute in her neighbor's house.

"Then Black Hawk said Icebird was meddling too much, and Icebird said Black Hawk was irresponsible. They argued and then flew away separately."

Europe was silent for a moment.

—One was crackling with electricity and sparks, the other was emitting cold air and splashing frost.

Then sandwiched in the middle is a tiny, dead-faced lump of coal, about the size of a palm.

"...What about the little coal ball?"

"They followed the ice bird. But Black Hawk was secretly following behind, probably to protect them."

Leng Ruolan said calmly, "Anyway, the three of them are currently having a family drama in the woods, and they probably won't be back for a while."

Now she reasonably suspects that all these mutated creatures were created by the love of these seven forms!

"Alright."

Ou Yun sighed, "Losing two air units isn't a big deal, we have helicopters now anyway."

However, when helicopters were mentioned, Leng Ruolan's expression instantly became subtle.

The solar-powered attack helicopter is currently parked in the open space behind the camp. Last night, Chen Hao and his brothers from Pakistan and Russia built a makeshift hangar for it.

It was basically just a shed built with wood and vines, covered with several layers of broad-leaved plant leaves, which could barely keep out the wind and rain.

The helicopter itself was in good condition, brand new and shiny, with complete weapon systems, working solar panels, and all the necessary instruments in the cockpit.

The problem is—she's actually not very good at flying helicopters.

She is indeed a former special forces soldier, having driven cars, boats, and tanks, but helicopters are not among her skills.

However, as long as nothing unexpected happens and it just flies normally, there shouldn't be any problems... right?

"Ahem... Alright, let's take the helicopter to the circular valley!"

After much deliberation, Leng Ruolan finally made the decision: "Observing from the air provides a better view and is also safer."

Ou Yun agreed, "Let's go eat first to replenish our energy, and then we'll set off."

"What do you want to eat?"

"Anything but a waffle is fine."

"..."

*

Everyone took their places.

Leng Ruolan went to the helicopter to conduct a final pre-departure check—mainly checking the power of the solar panels and the ammunition reserves of the weapon system.

Although there are no aerial threats in the restricted area, since there are armed forces, they must be able to be used at any time.

Ou Yun then went to the river bend at the foot of the mountain.

The giant tortoise was lying in its private pool, with half of its shell protruding above the water, like a large rock covered in moss.