CHAPTER 180: CHAPTER 171: THE DEFENSIVE BATTLE ENDS, TREEHOUSE UPGRADE!_2

[Detected large pangolin purple crystal statue (green) placed in the treehouse, treehouse decor rating +10, current treehouse decor rating: 166.4]

Half an hour and a beloved concubine statue was finished.

He stood up and glanced outside the window, the ant army was almost completely gone. As if in a final frenzy, the few remaining ants formed a group again, launching one final assault on the treehouse.

Silver King and Mimi were still relentlessly slaughtering, showing no sign of fatigue. But the beloved concubine had stopped, seemingly full, lying about eighty to ninety meters from the treehouse, watching Silver King and Mimi’s battle.

Its Scale Armor had fully repaired, reflecting a bright glow under the moonlight, looking exceptionally beautiful.

Looks like more time is needed, may as well carve another statue.

Xu Xin picked up the carving knife once more.

Half an hour later, he had finished carving a statue of two little pangolins snuggling and rolling together.

[Detected pangolin twins green crystal statue (green) placed in the treehouse, treehouse decor rating +10, current treehouse decor rating: 176.4]

Xu Xin stretched and rubbed his somewhat weary head. He didn’t plan to eat oranges to replenish Spiritual Power; if the situation was resolved, he thought he would sleep well tonight.

"Awoo—" Silver King’s howl echoed beneath the treehouse.

He looked out the window again, finding all traces of ants gone, and vines retracting into the ground.

All the ants were thoroughly wiped out by the attack of the vines and the three beasts.

He glanced at his points, which had increased by 2,400 points. Each ant gave 0.2 points, meaning over 12,000 mutant ants died around his treehouse in those few hours.

...That’s a lot.

Xu Xin descended from the treehouse, reaching the area a hundred meters away. There were many ant corpses flung far by vines, too distant to be absorbed.

He tried using the boning knife to dissect them but did not yield any materials.

Seems like these ants solely came to provide points. Tossing the dissected ant bodies to the ground, Xu Xin returned to the treehouse’s edge.

Mimi was panting heavily, sprawled on the ground. This was a massive test of endurance for it—excited in the fray, yet once it stopped, Mimi wilted, too exhausted to stand.

Silver King, on the other hand, remained majestic, standing tall, though it’d be even more grand without the transparent ant mucus at its jaws.

The beloved concubine kept staring at him, even tugging at his clothes with its paw.

"Ah." Xu Xin understood. He ushered Mimi and Silver King back inside the treehouse, then brought down the still energetic two little pangolins.

The beloved concubine called out and led the two young ones back into the burrow.

...The treehouse’s there, but this burrow isn’t bad either; why don’t Afu and the beloved concubine like living in the treehouse?

Shaking his head, Xu Xin returned to the treehouse, where Mimi and Silver King were already napping in a corner.

On the sofa, Keke was nowhere to be found. Returning to the bedroom, Xu Xin discovered it sprawled out across the bed at some point, occupying his spot.

Moving Keke aside, Xu Xin prepared to rest; those recent carvings had drained most of his energy.

Just then, his watch vibrated, revealing a video call from Li Wenxi.

"Xu Xin! Why’d you make me do logistics? I’m exhausted; I just finished sorting all those items." As soon as the video connected, Li Wenxi spoke, slumping against a wooden chair, looking disheartened.

"Haha, they all say your logistic skills are great; more work for the capable." Xu Xin felt a bit awkward, knowing she’d repeatedly told him she was feeling lazy.

"It’s because during freshman year, being constantly directed to handle these tasks made me not want to do them!" Li Wenxi gave a small eye roll, then turned the camera, showing a row of green-level backpacks, "Finally tidied them up."

"It’s sorted now? It’ll be convenient in the future; any resources received will go directly to you. With everything at your disposal, you’ll use them freely," Xu Xin chuckled.

"Humph, it’s all basic resources anyway; I’m not lacking. If they want them, they’ll have to come to me first—it’s troublesome. But fine, time to help the organization." Li Wenxi twisted her neck and stood up.

From the video, this floor seemed dedicated to storing supplies, filled with shelves and backpacks everywhere.

"By the way, how’s the ant situation over there?" Xu Xin asked.

"Hmm, not many left. In fact, few could break past the blood thorn vines’ attack; they sweep away a large group at once," Li Wenxi descended and sat on a sofa, "Those that got through were burned to ash by the fire circle I ignited."

"The fire circle is still burning?"

"Yes, it’s extremely fire-resistant. No idea when it’ll stop burning."

They exchanged a few more casual words before disconnecting the video. Xu Xin laid back on the bed, closing his eyes.

After a tiring day, it was time to rest. Nothing should happen now. If something does, Afu will alert him.

...

Xu Xin was once again awakened by that mysterious voice.

[Treehouse defense ended; the treehouse will immediately clear threats within the protected zone.]

[Treehouse upgraded successfully! Congratulations to all survivors; your survival rate will greatly increase from now on!]

[With the upgraded treehouse, the protection range expands by three kilometers and the protective capacity greatly enhanced.]

[Additionally, this treehouse upgrade has added new crafting blueprints and functionalities for all survivors. Please check the treehouse console for details.]

[A special leaderboard for this event has been released; everyone on the list will receive a special reward.]

Xu Xin sat up in bed, rubbing his eyes back to normal vision, contemplating the information from the recent message.

Protection range extended by three kilometers, huh...

The event he anticipated yet slightly feared was arriving.

His treehouse’s protection range would inevitably overlap with nearby treehouses’ ranges. Unless by chance, as long as he intentionally searched, today he might see other survivors’ treehouses.

But, what are the new crafting blueprints and functions?

Gently turning his head, Keke beside him was still dozing off. This little guy slept earlier and woke later than him, always seeming so restive.

He was about to swipe his watch to check new functionalities when an alert sounded in his ear again.

[Detected treehouse decor rating exceeding 100, granting today’s random enhancement: hearing enhancement, effective for one day.]

Suddenly, Keke’s snores, Silver King and Mimi’s breathing in the living room, the rhythmic pulse of the plant heart, the rustling of wind through leaves, the sounds of insects and birds, countless sounds flooded his ears, making his mind astonishingly clear.

This was Ji Chaoyang’s ability yesterday, really useful!

Though, a bit noisy.

With the treehouse upgrade complete, can he finally understand the true role of decor rating now?

But before he could collect himself from the newly enhanced hearing, the voice rang out again.

[Unlocking survival world creator permissions]

[Unlock failed, attempting second unlock...]

...Eh? Eh?!!