Immediately, a leaderboard notification popped up right above the light screen.
Qi Xu clicked "View," accompanied by a dazzling special effect as the leaderboard opened.
Like a magical girl transforming, Qi Xu playfully waved her hands and twirled...
This was her way of easing tension—something she did every month. Silly, but it worked!
[Hua Nation 88th Zone, 666 Subzone Novice Protection Period Leaderboard]
[1st Place: Invincible Black Tornado (Distance Traveled: 5,124 km) (Asset Value Score: 15.7)]
[2nd Place: Coach Chen of AA Swimming and Fitness (Distance Traveled: 896 km) (Asset Value Score: 2.1)]
[3rd Place: Wolf Warrior 009 (Distance Traveled: 736 km) (Asset Value Score: 1.9)]
........
[9th Place: Old White Dragon in the Waves (Distance Traveled: 532 km) (Asset Value Score: 1.1)]
Qi Xu immediately clicked to claim her rewards.
"Congratulations, 1st place in Subzone 666! Hello, good evening! Hope you stay in a fantastic mood~"
"Rewards obtained: Survival Coins ×10, Power Pill ×1, Daily Necessities Combo (Rice, Oil, Salt, Soy Sauce, Vinegar, Tea) ×1, Bedding Set ×2, Full Hot Pot Meal Kit (Including Pot & Induction Cooker) ×1, Toilet Paper ×20, Erguotou Liquor ×1, Vehicle Upgrade Card Fragment ×5, Batteries ×10."
[How’s that? Pretty generous, right? Keep it up! Staying at the top comes with extra rewards!]
At that moment, nearly all players were jolted into action.
"Damn, this is insane! The gap between 1st and 2nd place is ridiculous! Tornado’s way ahead of everyone."
"Same seven days, but how the heck is their asset score 15.7 while mine’s just 0.2..."
"@Invincible Black Tornado, share some tips, will ya? If we all get stronger, you’ll have more people to trade with. Don’t just reap the benefits—help the little guys out too."
"Oof, that last comment just made my back teeth ache from the salt."
"Who’s the 2nd place? Never seen them speak in the chat."
Qi Xu glanced at the growing red notification dots in the group chat but had no intention of opening it—until another ping drew her attention.
Retired Magic Boy: "Bowing in shame here... I’m the only one who didn’t make the leaderboard. (╥﹏╥)"
Retired Magic Boy felt like deadweight in a group full of elites.
Chief Beauty Officer: "I barely scraped by at 100th place—pure luck!"
They even posted their rewards in the chat.
"Congrats, lucky duck! For ranking 100th, you’ve received: Vehicle Upgrade Fragment ×1, Self-Heating Rice ×1, Compressed Biscuits ×10, Mineral Water (550ml) ×10."
Chinese Master Chef: "I’m 50th, and my rewards are identical. What kind of junk is this? @Retired Magic Boy, don’t stress."
[Chinese Master Chef sent Retired Magic Boy: Self-Heating Rice ×1, Compressed Biscuits ×10]
Retired Magic Boy: "No, no, I’m not shameless enough to take this. I’ll manage—if I’m really desperate, I’ll ask for help!"
Chinese Master Chef: "Take it. This stuff’s disgusting—I can’t stomach it."
Retired Magic Boy finally accepted but sent back a bundle of green onions in return.
Not out of stinginess—it was all he had. Surprisingly, Chinese Master Chef was thrilled, having nearly run out of onions. Much more useful than those bland rations.
A chef’s palate couldn’t be compromised.
Soon, others shared their rewards too, trading items they needed. Qi Xu joined in, finding the open, trusting exchanges oddly enjoyable. A flicker of worry crossed her mind—could this invite envy or danger? But she shrugged it off. If anyone dared cause trouble, she might just earn more Survival Coins from them.
Chief Beauty Officer: "So jealous of the 1st place rewards! But what are Survival Coins? I got five too."
Wolf Warrior 009: "No idea, but they must be important. Better not trade them carelessly."
Retired Magic Boy: "Anyone been to a supply station? I’ve found two but couldn’t enter without Survival Coins. These are valuable."
Old White Dragon in the Waves: "@Invincible Black Tornado, Boss! Your Erguotou... any chance you’d trade it? Have mercy—I’ve been dry for days!"
Wolf Warrior 009: "Novice protection ends tomorrow. Pace yourself, man."
Old White Dragon in the Waves: "I know, I know. If I had booze, I’d savor it sip by sip. Just need a taste."
Without haggling, Qi Xu sent the Erguotou directly to him.
Old White Dragon in the Waves: "Suddenly, life feels worth living again!"
He immediately sent six batteries in return. "@Invincible Black Tornado, I noticed you collect these. My ride’s gas-powered, so these are useless to me. Hope they help."
Qi Xu, always eager to stockpile batteries, accepted without protest.
Invincible Black Tornado checked the time—it was late. After bidding the group goodnight, she shut the light screen off entirely.
Adequate rest was non-negotiable.
On the first day after the novice protection period ended, Qi Xu woke up to a stomachache.
About to dash outside, she remembered—she had a toilet now!
Stowing the mattress back into her inventory, she installed the toilet at the edge of the truck bed.
The auto-water condenser hooked right up, ensuring flush functionality.
Satisfied, Qi Xu dropped her pants and sat with relief.
Then—
The stench nearly knocked her out. She flung open the "panoramic sunroof" overhead to air it out. That sandwich from the Twin-Tailed Fox yesterday worked wonders—not only curing constipation but boosting her health points by three!
One perk of a garbage truck? Unlike rigid cargo trucks, you could actually open the roof.
Qi Xu luxuriated in her makeshift outdoor toilet—far better than squatting roadside where anyone could stumble upon her.
After finishing, she felt lighter, her stomach noticeably flatter. Seven days in, she’d already shed eight pounds.
The survival game—a dieter’s paradise.
.........
