Chapter 250: 250, Side quest unlocked, Seed!

That afternoon, the wind and snow had grown so fierce that even the officers of Shenji Camp could barely endure it. Those tasked with breaking the path had to wrench each leg free from the snow before taking another step.

Even with shifts rotating, the devilish weather made progress grueling, even on flat ground.

Yet no one dared faint that entire afternoon, fearing Ren Xiaosu would drag them to death in the snow.

"Pitch camp," the Shenji Camp officer said. "We’ll continue once the snow stops."

This was no time for pride—pressing onward might doom them all to perish in the drifts.

At that point, the mission would fail; they might not even reach Shuanglong Mountain.

The Shenji officer felt he could endure, but the private soldiers’ physiques were too frail.

When told they could rest, the private soldiers felt reborn, their bodies trembling as they longed to collapse into the snow. Yet Ren Xiaosu bellowed, "Rise and pitch tents! Without windbreaks, you think you can nap? You aiming to die in the snow?"

In truth, resting without tents was feasible—digging a snow pit and burying oneself could suffice. This wasn’t mockery but the wisest choice for traversing snowbound terrain without shelter.

Many believed snow pits would grow colder, but in reality, they insulated better; the world beyond the pit was far colder.

Ren Xiaosu once heard Zhang Jinglin speak of northern tribes who built ice houses to survive winters.

Now, facing death’s threat, all strained to rise, mustering their last strength to erect tents.

Some squads fared poorly—during their march, they’d carelessly discarded their tents to conserve energy.

At such moments, squeezing into others’ tents was preferable; if refused, they’d gamble on digging snow pits, hoping their bodies could withstand the cold.

Ren Xiaosu instructed Chen Wudi and Li Qingzheng, "I’ll pitch tents. Gather dry firewood or branches. We need a fire to warm ourselves. Each of you drinks a bowl of hot gruel, or none of us will endure."

"Understood," Li Qingzheng replied, his face red with frostbite. "Leave it to me, brothers—follow me to collect some brushwood."

Branches snapped from trees billowed thick smoke when lit, choking to breathe.

Yet compared to the warmth, it was trivial.

At that moment, the Palace spoke in Ren Xiaosu’s mind: "Mission complete: Reward—basic skill learning chart."

Only then did he consider the task fulfilled—this was likely the hardest ordinary mission he’d ever faced.

Now he possessed two skill charts, but Ren Xiaosu had no intention of using them. Nearby, there were no targets to learn from. If he encountered more of Hu’s ramblings, perhaps he’d try—though basic charts couldn’t teach supernatural abilities, Hu’s body must harbor skills Ren could wield. Even by chance, he might snatch something useful.

Yet the Palace wasn’t done. It added, "Side quest complete—new vending machine item unlocked: seeds!"

Ren Xiaosu’s eyes lit up. The side quest had finally ripened. Time had felt endless, yet today was merely the second day of the new year.

He glanced into the Palace, where the vending machine stood silent, its grid beside the Burst Poker now bearing a new slot.

Inside, seeds scattered like beads—each different in appearance. Could their hues dictate the plants they’d yield?

The new slot resembled a candy box in a general store, its multicolored wrappers symbolizing varied flavors, while differently hued seeds hinted at distinct purposes.

He inserted a gratitude coin, and a thumb-sized crimson seed dropped into his palm. The Palace offered no explanation.

"Must I plant it to know?" Ren mused, frustrated. At least describe its growing conditions!

Palace-made, there must be wonders—but their secrets required personal trial.

Take the Burst Poker: without Ren’s ingenuity, it would’ve remained mere playing cards.

What to do? Bury it and test? What if it sprouted instantly, bore fruit in this bitter winter? That would be bliss.

For the Palace’s side quest rewards, Ren held boundless hope, even defying natural laws.

Ren told Chen Wudi, "Guard the tents. Tell them I spotted a wild boar and went to catch it for supper. If I’m late, improvise."

"Understood," Chen nodded.

Ren ventured alone into the snow, only to realize his trust in Chen’s improvisation might’ve been rash.

He trekked northward, seeking a sheltered spot to test the seed’s marvels.

Walking until he found a leeward hollow, he dug through snow and soil, planting the crimson seed.

Patiently, he waited—only to see the freshly buried seed sprout, its thorny shoots spiking outward, spreading across the snow for dozens of meters before halting.

Had he swept away the snow, he’d have glimpsed the crimson brambles webbing the ground, lying in wait for prey.

In that instant, the plant linked to Ren’s consciousness. Stunned, he realized its aggression—if unchecked, it would assault any creature passing by!

What sorcery was this? He’d expected sustenance, not a weaponized flora.

Nay, not attack but defense.

Should Ren and his comrades ever dwell deep in untamed wilds, encircling themselves with these plants would ward off beasts.

Ren eyed the Palace’s other seeds, wondering their capabilities. Surely one would prove edible…

He pondered, then tossed five gratitude coins, exchanging five seeds, burying each in distant soil.

Chen Wudi waited in the tent, Li Qingzheng asking, "Wudi, where’s your master?"

Chen considered and replied, "My master went to catch a wild boar for our supper."

Li Qingzheng: "Why hasn’t he returned?"

Chen mused, "Perhaps the boar refused."