Translator: Henyee Translations  Editor: Henyee Translations

Aupin continuously issued orders, whether it was Yellowteres, Blueteres, Whitesprout, or Palebeard, they all received instructions sternly.

Aupin looked around and saw the uncertain flickering gazes of the exploration team members.

Aupin shouted, “Now, if anyone has a different idea, put it forward immediately! The Templars will never punish anyone who dares to speak out.”

No one talked, but a few people opened and closed their mouths.

Aupin’s expression was dim.

He knew that he still hadn’t established enough leadership prestige.

Palebeard said at the perfect moment, “Sir, your decision is undoubtedly wise. Although the flying squirrel leader can produce electric shocks to kill people, they are quite rare. Your arrows and flying daggers are always right on the dot!

“During the past, we have encountered many herds of animals. Aside from the goat flocks, this group of flying squirrels is the weakest. If we give up, I’m afraid we won’t have such a good opportunity again. Flying squirrels are the most suitable targets.

“My suggestion is that we work hard to conceive tactics. A correct tactic can make it easier for us to defeat these stupid flying squirrels. After all, human brains are much smarter than wild beasts.”

“Very good.” Aupin nodded, showing a look of approval. “Scholar Palebeard, your opinion is pertinent. In fact, we just have to get enough food. We can attract flying squirrels in batches and control the scale of the battle. As long as we hunt enough food, we don’t have to fight with the flying squirrel leader.”

In fact, Aupin was being overly optimistic.

Animal nature is hard to understand. Also, everyone was unfamiliar with these flying squirrels because they had only dealt with them for a short period of time. Life such as these flying squirrels on the island had strong human construction, they were not natural creations. Therefore, it was difficult to say what their habits were.

Whether it was Aupin or Palebeard, they all knew of this.

But after this deliberate conversation, everyone was no longer as shaken as before. Some people’s eyes became confident again and their morale rose to a certain extent.

Aupin’s prestige had not yet been established. Palebeard’s combat power was weak, but the combination of the two’s influence could still mobilize the enthusiasm of the entire exploration team.

Aupin became more and more satisfied with Palebeard.

He secretly thought in his heart, Palebeard knows how to cooperate with me. Perhaps, this aspect is what makes him better than Violette.

Although Violette is the president of a chamber of commerce, she is still too young. Her main time and energy are devoted to magic practice.

Although Palebeard has no combat power, he has served nobles for half his life and has a wealth of experience. He has always assisted me in leading the exploration team.

After breakfast, everyone moved quickly.

This place was a jungle, there were trees everywhere.

To make shortbows, they needed suitable wood.

“We need two kinds of wood. One kind of wood is used to make the bow limbs, for the other kind of wood, we only need the bark to make the bowstring. I don’t know how to choose the wood. I need your guy’s help,” Yellowteres said as he looked at Palebeard and Whitesprout.

The old scholar smiled and said, “Although this island is full of weird mutant beasts, the trees and grasses are relatively normal. I think these few types of trees are our goal.”

Whitesprout said, “Sir Yellowteres, my father and I have cut down trees and made our own hunting bows before. I took a look and found that this kind of tree is the most similar kind.”

Combining Whitesprout’s experience and Palebeard’s knowledge, as well as Yellowteres’s hands-on practice of cutting trees, the three successfully decided on two types of trees.

Then Yellowteres started to chop down the trees.

After all, he was a Bronze-rank warrior, so his strength was far beyond ordinary people.

The blade spider sword was extremely sharp, causing the tree to slowly tilt and fall to the ground.

Whitesprout stepped forward and cut into the trunk with a knife, he then skillfully pried a piece of bark away. The bark was dark green and it was hard on the outside, but when Whitesprout turned the bark over, he could see the inner layers of the bark.

The inner layer of the bark was yellow-green. Whitesprout touched it and felt a slippery sensation on his fingers.

He nodded slightly and commented, “This kind of tree bark should be able to make fine hemp rope.”

The three picked another tree.

This tree was much stronger than the fallen one.

Yellowteres drew out the sharp blade lent by Aupin and was about to start chopping.

Palebeard stopped him. “Don’t use such a sharp weapon, use an axe. Only extraordinary people can use this kind of sharp weapon with real power, but most people still use an axe to cut wood.”

Yellowteres follow the advice and used an axe to chop down the tree trunk.

Cutting wood with iron swords could easily chip the sword. People would not do this unless as a last resort.

The exploration team carried a few axes. Originally it was mainly for collecting food, such as bananas, coconuts and so forth. The other reason was to cut down tree branches blocking a certain path. If they found a stable source of food, having an open path to the food source would be convenient.

Yellowteres waved his strong and thick arm, chopping a dozen times before cutting a dent in the trunk.

“If I could use battle aura, I could chop down this damn tree with one strike!” Yellowteres muttered, not satisfied with his performance.

Although a bronze-rank battle aura couldn’t be used on weapons, nor could it cover the body, after being activated, it could greatly increase a person’s temporary physical fitness. Using different battle spirits, practitioners could also focus on the improvement of strength, speed, endurance, or resilience.

After a few more chops, the dent in the tree trunk finally widened to a significant point.

Yellowteres pushed the tree trunk hard and knocked down the big tree.

Then, he swung his axe to cut out a section of the tree trunk, and cut the core of the trunk into planks.

After seeing the long planks of wood, Whitesprout and Palebeard were very satisfied.

Palebeard also let Yellowteres deliberately bend a plank, which showed the wood’s toughness.

The trio appeared happy as things were going very smoothly.

“We will go back and report to Aupin. We should gather more manpower to cut down these trees,” Palebeard said.

The three of them were near the camp, as this area had been cleared out and was relatively safe.

Soon, the three of them returned to the campsite.

Aupin was leading the overall situation at the campsite.

After hearing the report from the trio, Aupin thought about it and asked Palebeard, “How many more people do you think are needed? How long will it take for us to get enough wood?”

Palebeard had obviously thought about this on the way back, he immediately replied, “Of course the more manpower, the better. But sir, we have a few other problems that we need to pay attention to.

“The first is the safety of the logging team. Generally, when logging in the more dangerous areas, they will be equipped with patrols and guards. Although the exploration team members are fighters, their physical strength is limited. Logging is a demanding physical task. It’s exhausting, and their combat power will drop. If there is a real danger, it will be difficult for the logging team members to resist.

“The second is food. I suggest mobilizing some people to collect as much food as possible. The harvest will certainly not be much, but our food reserves have reached a dangerous level, even more dry rations would be ideal.

“Thirdly, this wood can be used in other areas, not just making shortbows. We can also set up more defenses. On the way back, Whitesprout and I discussed this. He knows how to make hunter traps. We can arrange more and larger traps. Those flying squirrels are all animals. We have a huge intellectual advantage.

“Fourthly, also the most critical and difficult problem to solve, our time is actually very tight. Whether it is the hemp rope for making bowstrings or the shortbow limbs, they all need to be dried. It takes at least one day to make the bowstrings and shortbows. It takes at least two days to dry. There will be very little time for us to train.”

Like before, Palebeard provided many pertinent suggestions for Aupin.

Aupin nodded. Palebeard was as reliable as ever.

Aupin had always believed that Palebeard was the best candidate for an official in charge. Managing personnel was not that simple. In this regard, Violette did not have enough experience. Yellowteres and Blueteres were good at fighting, but according to Aupin’s understanding, this team of brothers knew little about leading others. All they could do was charge in a battle.

As for Palebeard’s worries, Aupin smiled and took out a potion calmly.

Aupin saw Palebeard’s eyes light up.

Aupin said, “I have made preparations for this.

“There are two kinds of potions here, one applied to the bow limb, the other to the torn off tree bark. It will just take one night.

“But be aware that the shelf life of this medicine is only one day.”

These potions were all recently made by Violette.

Aupin and Violette discussed the bows and arrows; the potions were the result of that discussion.

Palebeard was overjoyed. “These are great!”

Insufficient food made the timeframe very critical.

The potions seemed trivial, but it actually solved the biggest problem facing the exploration team.

Aupin then appointed Palebeard to lead the team members to cut the wood.

He also ordered Whitesprout and the others to gather food, with Yellowteres protecting their safety. They also had to clean up the surrounding camp site area.

Yellowteres had Bronze-rank strength, even though he couldn’t activate battle aura, his combat power was much higher than that of ordinary warriors.

“However, everyone has been assigned to the logging team and the food searching team. There is no one guarding the logging team,” Palebeard said with a headache.

The exploration team was originally pretty large, but by the time Aupin took over, there were only a dozen or so people left. Later, they suffered a poisoning incident and their combat power and physical strength fell across the board. A one-person task might now require one and a half, or even two people. Therefore, their manpower was limited.

“Don’t worry, I will personally serve as the guard of the logging team,” Aupin said.

Palebeard was immediately relieved, anyplace Aupin guarded was the safest place!

He previously thought that Aupin would guard Violette. Even though her powers had decreased a lot on this island, she was still a mage after all.

Palebeard said, “So, sir do want to appoint Blueteres to guard the camp?”

Aupin shook his head. “No, it is very important to investigate the enemy. Blueteres still has to investigate the details of the flying squirrel community. He can act alone. Others are not strong enough, they would be a liability if they went.”

Palebeard frowned and reminded him, “So, about Violette’s safety…”

Aupin smiled. “I talked with her, she stays alone at the campsite. She is a potioneer and has the means to protect herself. If there is any danger that is difficult to solve, our logging team will be near the camp, so I can also immediately give reinforcements.”

Palebeard had no other objections. He knew that the exploration team was short of manpower, so Aupin’s arrangement was the best they could do.