Survival in the Core: I'm writing a guide for the entire server.

The dark golden light gradually dissipated, and every detail on the blueprint was deeply imprinted in Lin You's mind.

He held the S-class minecart blueprint, worth 5000 strategy points, his hands trembling slightly.

"The Gold Miner..."

Just hearing the name gives off a bold and rugged vibe.

But soon, Lin You calmed down from her ecstasy.

"Wait... let's look at the cost first."

He unfolded the blueprints again and carefully read each requirement.

20 iron plates, 10 gears, 10 glass, 100 copper ingots, 50 iron ingots, and 10 gold coins.

There is also the most basic prerequisite – a simple mining cart at level 10.

Lin You's smile gradually froze.

"This...this is way too expensive!"

He made a rough estimate.

100 copper ingots require 300 copper ore.

50 iron ingots require 150 iron ore blocks.

As for the iron plate, gears, and glass, even the formula is still unknown.

In addition, there are 10 gold coins. One gold coin is equal to 10,000 copper coins, which is 100,000 copper coins!

Lin You took a deep breath, feeling a chill run down her spine.

This isn't a mining cart, it's a gold-devouring behemoth!

The demand for copper and iron ore alone would keep him mining for several days.

Not to mention high-end currencies like gold coins, he hasn't even seen a single gold coin yet.

"No wonder it's an S-rank blueprint..."

Lin You gave a wry smile and carefully put the blueprints into the innermost layer of her backpack.

The blueprint was tempting, but with his current resources, he couldn't even scrape together a fraction of it.

"We need to set a small goal first."

Lin You opened the upgrade panel of the simple minecart.

……

[Simple Mine Cart]

[Level: 1/10 (White)]

[Durability: 100/100]

[Excavation Level: 1]

[Mining efficiency: 50%]

Light intensity: 50%

[Remaining Fuel: 60/100]

[Additional Function: Basic Worktable]

Upgrade Materials: 100 Copper Coins, 10 Copper Ore

……

"Upgrade the minecarts to the maximum level first; that's the priority."

Lin You made a decision.

While the S-class minecart is powerful, without a basic minecart as a foundation, it's all just empty talk.

Furthermore, upgrading the mining truck itself can improve mining efficiency and fuel capacity, which is very beneficial for subsequent resource collection.

"upgrade."

Lin You chose to use materials to upgrade the simple minecart to level 2.

……

[Consumes 100 copper coins, 10 copper ore]

[Simple Mining Cart Level Upgraded! Current Level: 2/10]

[Mining efficiency: 50% → 60%]

[Fuel cap: 100 → 110]

[Continue upgrading requires 200 copper coins and 20 copper ore]

……

The appearance of the mine cart has undergone subtle changes.

The metal sheeting on the car body seemed thicker, and the drill bit was also slightly larger.

The fuel limit has been increased from 100 to 110. Although it's not much, it's better than nothing.

"Continue upgrading."

Lin You glanced at the copper ore reserves in his backpack.

All the copper ore mined in the secret realm has been smelted into copper ingots, but the furnace is not yet finished burning.

He only has a dozen or so copper ingots on hand, not enough for the upgrade.

"Let's wait until the furnace is finished burning."

Lin You turned off the minecart panel and casually opened the strategy shop.

The items in the strategy shop have been refreshed.

The three items that had already been redeemed have all disappeared.

Instead, three brand-new items were introduced.

.....

【Item 1: Gold Skill Card (Random)】

[Points consumed: 2000]

[Note: This item will randomly grant you a gold skill card of grade 5.]

……

【Product Two: Advanced Expertise】

[Points consumed: 5000]

[Note: Upgrading your "Insightful Eye" from Intermediate to Advanced will allow you to see more detailed information, including hidden areas, player information, and more.]

……

【Product 3: Basic Map Function】

[Points consumed: 3000]

[Note: This feature unlocks the minimap, recording and displaying information such as terrain, resource points, and monsters in your current area, but will only reveal areas you have visited.]

……

Golden Skill Card!

Advanced discerning eye!

Beginner Map!

Lin You stared at the three items, her eyes growing brighter and brighter.

Every single one of them was exactly what he desperately needed!

"Golden Skill Card... Randomly obtain a golden skill."

Lin You licked her lips.

His current combat power mainly relies on the bronze sword and summoned creatures.

Its only active skill is "Smash with Pickaxe", which is of white quality.

If you can acquire a gold-level skill, your combat power will definitely skyrocket.

"A sophisticated eye for detail is also very important..."

The intermediate level of the Eye of Insight has already given him a huge informational advantage.

If you can upgrade to the advanced version, you'll see even more detailed information.

Whether it's writing a guide or exploring the Earth's core, you can gain an advantage.

As for the basic map...

"Unlock the minimap feature to display resource distribution and player locations."

Lin You took a deep breath.

This thing is even more valuable than the previous two!

The Netherworld is pitch black, and players can only rely on minecarts, lanterns, and torches for light.

Having a minimap is like having a full view of the entire map!

Not only can you find resource points, but you can also discover the locations of other players in advance.

In this dangerous subterranean world, information is life.

I want all three... but I don't have enough points.

Lin You glanced at her remaining strategy points.

After exchanging all the S-class minecart blueprints, I only had a pitiful 2 points left.

But the points are jumping rapidly, increasing every second.

"At this rate of growth, it will soon reach 2000."

Lin Youmo silently calculated.

With the new player protection period just ended, players' demand for strategy guides is at its peak.

His "Survival Guide to the Center of the Earth" post has garnered over a million views and more than 100,000 comments.

Every second, thousands of players are reading his guides and contributing points to him.

"Save up 2000 first, then get the gold skill card."

Lin You made a decision.

While advanced Eye of Insight and basic maps are also important, the 5000 and 3000 points required for them are too high.

In comparison, the gold skill card with 2000 points is easier to obtain.

Moreover, skill cards can directly increase combat power, making them the most cost-effective option.

"I'll redeem them slowly once I've accumulated enough points."

Lin You closed the strategy shop and sat back down at the console.

……

Please select the digging direction.

[①: Dig forward, fuel -20]

(Additional information: This excavation will yield 20~30 "stones")

【②: Dig backwards, fuel -20】

(Additional information: You will be returning to your previous location)

【③: Dig to the left, fuel -20】

(Additional information: This mining operation will yield 5~8 copper ore and 10~15 stones.)

【④: Dig to the right, fuel -20】

(Additional information: This excavation will yield 5~8 "Coal")

"Keep digging in the rocky area."

Lin You made her choice.

The rocky area is the best choice for accumulating a large amount of ore materials.

Although fuel consumption has doubled, mineral production has also doubled.

With the added benefit of the Gold Miner's Ring's double output effect, the returns are quite substantial.

"To the right."

Lin You started the mine cart, and the drill bit embedded itself into the rock wall.

The roar echoed through the narrow passage.

……

In the time that followed, Lin You completely transformed into a mining machine.

They moved back and forth through the rocky area, digging again and again.

Stones, copper ore, coal, iron ore...

Various resources were continuously brought into their possession.

Whenever the fuel ran out, he would replenish it with charcoal and coal.

Whenever his backpack was full, he would return to the mine cart to organize the supplies.

The furnace spun non-stop, and the treasure chests were filled with copper and iron ingots.

Time passed by, second by second.

To excavate, collect, smelt, and organize.

They repeat the cycle tirelessly.

……

Meanwhile, survival game forums were also buzzing with activity.

After the new player protection period ended, players' enthusiasm for exploration soared to unprecedented heights.

Posts about new discoveries, new recipes, and new monsters are popping up everywhere.

But the most eye-catching is Lin You's "Survival Guide to the Center of the Earth".

This post has become the "bible" of the 25535 newbie zone.

Almost all players collect and repeatedly browse through them.

"Lin You is invincible! I really don't know how I would live without you!"

"I almost got surrounded and killed by mushroom monsters today, but thankfully I read a pro's guide and learned how to avoid their attacks."

"I made a bronze sword following the expert's recipe, and my monster-killing efficiency has doubled!"

"Thank you, Boss Lin You! You're our god!"

Amidst the praise, there were also some discordant voices.

"Can you guys stop bragging? Lin You just wrote a few strategy guides, what's so great about that?"

"Exactly, anyone can talk the talk but not walk the walk. Who knows who'll be stronger in a real fight?"

"Wait until he crashes and burns, then let's see if you'll still be praising him."

But these comments were quickly drowned out by a sea of ​​praise.

The vast majority of players support Lin You, and any few who disagree are attacked by the group.

"If you're so good, why don't you try writing a guide?"

"They're sharing information for free, and instead of being grateful, you're being sarcastic and cynical. Have you no shame?"

"I suggest you just block Lin You and never look at his guides again. Let's see how long you can survive."

"..."

Lin You was completely unaware of these arguments.

He was so engrossed in the joy of mining that he paid no attention to the ups and downs on the forum.

I don't know how much time passed.

The system notification suddenly sounded, pulling Lin You out of his mining rhythm.

[Announcement: The "Dark Mine" dungeon in the Earth's Core is now open to all players in the newbie zone (No. 25535)]

[Challenge Fee: 50 copper coins/challenge, limited to 1 challenge per day]

[Leaderboard event is now open! Rankings will be based on a combination of factors including completion time and objectives.]

The event lasts for 72 hours, and the top three players will receive generous rewards.

The leaderboard is now open and can be viewed through the game menu.

Lin You stopped what she was doing and raised an eyebrow.

"The secret realm is open? And there's a leaderboard event?"

He opened the game menu and clicked on the leaderboard.

A clean and simple interface appeared before my eyes.

……

[Dark Mine Dungeon Ranking (Newbie Zone #25535)]

Current number of users who have cleared the border: 0

[First Place: None]

Second place: None available.

Third place: None available

[Event time remaining: 71 hours, 59 minutes, and 58 seconds]

……

"The challenge fee of 50 copper coins is not a small amount for ordinary players."

"And the kobolds in the mines aren't pushovers either..."

Lin You muttered with great interest.

Although he has already completed the first clear and obtained the rewards for the dungeon.

But getting an extra leaderboard reward isn't bad.

After all, no one would complain about having too much reward.

"Once we run out of fuel, we'll go challenge the Dark Mine again."

Lin You was about to close the leaderboard when she suddenly noticed a change in the number of people who had cleared the level.

Current number of participants: 1

Immediately afterwards, a name appeared on the leaderboard.

……

[First Place: Lugo - Rating: 65]

Second place: None available.

Third place: None available

……

"Lu Ge?"

Lin You raised an eyebrow.

He hadn't seen this name before; it must be a player with considerable skill.

65 points.

Considering factors such as clearance time and clearance objectives, this score is not high.

"Getting 65 points means you only completed one objective."

Lin You nodded secretly, showing a hint of interest in this "Lu Ge".

But it was only a trace.

He turned off the leaderboard and continued mining.

However, the scene on the forum was quite different at this time.

……