Next morning, as the sun rose, many people walked out discussing whether others were joining or not. Their voices were filled with doubt, curiosity, and quiet anticipation about what was going to happen next.
Some agreed and felt the rules were good for this world, while some felt restricted, as if their freedom was being taken away. Still, many chose to join, some for hope, some for survival, some for strength, and some for living without worries after seeing the boss's strength.
Li Xuan had already made a note depending on contribution points and working conditions. Food would be categorized as Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, and different categories would have different values. He gave the weighing machine to Rou Xi and Zi Ling to calculate everything properly.
Everything was based on 250 grams of food. Level 1 food cost 3 contribution points, Level 2 cost 7 points, and Level 3 cost 20 points, while water was set as 1 liter for 2 points.
Level 1 food included bread, biscuits, chocolates, chips, fast food, instant noodles, and other instant food items. These were easy to find and less valuable in the long term.
Level 2 included meat, vegetables, canned food, soft drinks, fruit drinks, and similar items. These were more nutritious and useful for survival.
Level 3 included high-calorie food like fish, chicken, beef if found, along with tobacco, alcohol, and wines. These were considered rare and high-value items.
Eggs were priced simply, one egg for one contribution point, making it easy to calculate and distribute fairly among members.
Based on this system, other items would also be categorized, and Rou Xi and Zi Ling would be responsible for managing the structure and keeping records properly.
Level 1 items included paper, notes, books, stationery, normal clothes, and shoes, costing 5 contribution points per 250 grams.
Level 2 included high-quality clothes, thermal wear, coal, and firewood, costing 10 contribution points based on their importance.
Level 3 included watches, clocks, hard disks, electronics, kitchen appliances, and weapons, priced at 20 contribution points per 250 grams depending on condition.
Metals and construction materials were also categorized carefully based on usefulness and rarity in the current situation.
Level 1 included wood, bricks, and cement, costing 5 contribution points for 2 kilograms.
Level 2 included iron, aluminum, and steel, costing 10 contribution points for 2 kilograms.
Level 3 included gold, diamonds, and rare materials, fluctuating between 3 to 30 contribution points depending on availability.
All fuels like gasoline and diesel were priced at 5 contribution points per liter, as they were extremely valuable for survival and movement.
Others would be decided in the future as new situations and needs appeared in the group.
Zhang Xuan and Zhou Xun were made instructors in close combat and long-range combat. They were told that for the first five days training would be free, and after that, it would cost 1 contribution point per hour with 100 people in each batch.
After making all the notes, Li Xuan handed them to Rou Xi and Zi Ling and asked them to bring them to Xu Ming, who would manage everything while he would oversee the overall system.
"Make sure everything is recorded clearly," Li Xuan said calmly, looking at them.
Rou Xi nodded seriously and replied, "Don't worry, we will handle it properly."
Zi Ling added softly, "We will not make mistakes in the calculations."
He also instructed them to select 40 people for the guard team among the members who were willing and strong enough. These guards would receive three meals a day, water, and 20 contribution points.
They were also asked to select 5 chefs and 10 helpers to prepare food for guards and working members. Chefs would receive 15 contribution points, while helpers would receive 10 contribution points along with meals.
Li Xuan further instructed Xu Ming to focus on finding talents in various fields like managing, cooking, and fighting. A list would be made, and contributions would depend entirely on their work and usefulness.
After compiling all notes carefully, he handed them to Rou Xi and told her to deliver them to Xu Ming and manage everything properly. Around them, others had already woken up and were preparing food.
Bai Lingling was also there, helping quietly, and she looked more cheerful than before, as if she had found a place where she belonged.
As Bai Lingling was happily stirring the pot, she suddenly heard Li Xuan calling her name. Her smile disappeared instantly, and she became timid again as she walked toward him carefully.
"Y-Yes… boss," she said softly, lowering her head.
Seeing her demeanor, Li Xuan shook his head slightly and asked her to explain her sequence and abilities clearly.
Bai Lingling explained that her ability, Beast Tongue, allowed her to communicate with beasts, while Beast Contract allowed her to form contracts only with willing beasts.
She added that the contract allowed both sides to share up to 10 percent of physique and spiritual energy, making both stronger together.
Li Xuan was indeed surprised at how useful this ability was, but seeing her timid nature, he felt disappointed, thinking she was not using her full potential.
After that, he asked whether the contract could be canceled, and she replied that it was not possible once formed.
"If the beast dies, I will suffer," she said nervously.
"And if you die?" Li Xuan asked calmly.
"The beast will suffer… but neither of us will die from it," she replied slowly.
She also explained that once a contracted beast died, that contract slot would be permanently closed.
Li Xuan then asked what beast she had contracted first, and Bai Lingling became embarrassed, looking down and playing with her toes nervously.
"…An ant," she said quietly.
Li Xuan paused for a moment, thinking he heard it wrong, but after confirming, he asked her to show it.
She quickly went inside, brought a bag, and from it took out a metal box with small holes for air circulation, then handed it to him carefully.
When he opened the box, he saw an ant about ten times bigger than normal, calmly eating biscuit crumbs without reacting much.
Name: Little Red
Species: Mutated Ant Queen
Life Span: 20 years (Earth life)
Ability: Extraordinary strength, venomous bite
Physique: 0.002
Spirit: 0.003
Seeing this, Li Xuan felt disappointed but did not say anything harsh. Instead, he gave her chocolate and told her to feed the ant properly.
"I will help you find a better beast," he said calmly.
Hearing this, Bai Lingling's eyes brightened, and she nodded happily, feeling that she was finally valued and accepted.
As they sat to eat, Li Xuan called Ariel to join them, and she flew down and sat directly on the table in front of him.
Seeing the food, her eyes sparkled, and without waiting, she started eating noodles with eggs eagerly.
Everyone stared at her in surprise, especially the girls and children, who wanted to touch her but hesitated.
Two little girls kept watching her eat, confused about how such a small being could eat like that.
"Don't disturb her," Li Xuan said calmly.
"Is she dangerous?" one girl asked softly.
He looked at them and replied, "If she gets angry, she can wipe out this entire place."
Hearing this, everyone immediately stayed quiet, not daring to provoke her.
After finishing food, Li Xuan asked everyone to continue training and guide the newcomers as he had instructed earlier.
"I will go check something," he said before leaving, leaving Ariel there to protect them in case of danger.
As he walked away, everyone kept watching Ariel flying around freely, some feeling jealous that they could not fly like her.
Li Xuan wandered around the town, observing as people registered themselves in an orderly manner. Two lines had formed, one for men and one for women, and no one dared to cause trouble.
As he passed by, many people bowed respectfully, and he simply nodded while carefully observing everyone, especially awakened and unawakened individuals.
He noticed that more than 400 people had come to register, including people from other convoys, and many seemed serious about joining.
While observing, he also noticed several women trying to get his attention, but he ignored them calmly.
Suddenly, his attention was drawn to a young girl holding a woman's hand, and the girl looked at him with pleading eyes filled with fear.
Li Xuan stopped a few meters away, watching her quietly as she hesitated, unsure whether to speak.
Then, he spoke directly into her mind.
"Tell me what happened," his voice echoed softly.
The girl was startled and looked around in confusion, wondering if she was imagining things.
"Don't speak," the voice continued calmly. "Answer in your mind."
The girl looked at him again and nodded slowly, trying her best to respond mentally.
"P-please… help… my mother… locked… they hurt us… for contribution loan…"
After understanding the situation, Li Xuan observed carefully to confirm there were no other similar cases nearby before approaching.
As he came closer, the woman holding the girl tightened her grip nervously, clearly trying to hide something.
"What are you doing?" Li Xuan asked calmly.
"She is my daughter," the woman replied with a forced smile.
"Let her go," Li Xuan said coldly.
The woman hesitated for a moment before releasing the girl and glaring at her silently.
Li Xuan immediately called Rou Xi over and instructed her to take the girl, rescue her mother, and bring her back after healing if possible.
Seeing Rou Xi confused, he reassured the girl gently and told her not to worry, and also instructed her not to reveal his ability to communicate mentally.
The girl nodded and quickly led Rou Xi away, while the woman stood frozen, her face turning pale.
Li Xuan then called Xu Ming and asked about the trusted guards from the original convoy, learning that 14 still remained.
He instructed that those 14 would become official guards and ordered Xu Ming and Shen Miao to select 40 to 60 more by evening based on basic fighting ability.
He also added new rules, stating that members could leave only after repaying their debts with interest and introduced a five-class system within the group.
Class 1 would be core members, Class 2 highly talented individuals, Class 3 guards, Class 4 permanent members, and Class 5 non-permanent members.
Permanent members would give 20 percent of supplies, while core members would give only 10 percent but carry more responsibility and authority.
"No one from Class 1, 2, or 3 is allowed to leave," Li Xuan said firmly.
Finally, he ordered the woman to be imprisoned without food or water until judgment the next day.
The woman immediately begged for mercy, but Li Xuan ignored her and walked away, thinking deeply about the future.
There were too many things to manage, and he needed more capable and loyal people.
The foundation of a new world was slowly being built.