Wilderness Survival with Druid System

Is it a coincidence?

Chen Wen looked at Ji Xiao in shock.

He had turned off the recording equipment and pointed the camera at the roasting meat when he was asking the brown-streaked wren.

That way it avoids making him look like a lunatic.

"Can you really understand? Why don't you talk?"

Chen Wen looked at Ji Xiao and voiced his doubts.

Ji Xiao thought for a moment and let out a soft call.

The call sounded like a softer chick's chirping, but in Chen Wen's ears, it transformed into the voice of a young Asian woman.

[I can understand. I understood from the first time I saw you. I don't speak because I don't like to talk.]

Whoa!

Another special animal!

Chen Wen looked at Ji Xiao in shock.

Ji Xiao tilted its head and continued: [You're amazing. I've seen your kind, but their voices are incomprehensible to me, except yours, which I can understand.]

[Moreover, after hearing your voice, I feel smarter. My success rate in hunting has increased.]

Upon hearing this, Chen Wen frowned tightly.

Perhaps he underestimated the power of communication.

Does it make animals smarter?

This ability is truly insane!

Chen Wen continued chatting with Ji Xiao, asking if it felt anything special.

After a short exchange.

Chen Wen fully understood the effects of [communication].

First, it allows him to communicate seamlessly with special animals.

His voice becomes something special animals can understand.

And the voices of special animals become voices similar to the age and gender of the animals for him.

For example, the bobcat appeared with the voice of a middle-aged woman.

While Ji Xiao sounded like a younger woman.

Second, it makes special animals smarter.

Ji Xiao was an example.

Ji Xiao became more clear-headed after communicating with Chen Wen.

Third, it makes animals grow fond of him.

This might not be a change brought by [communication]; animals can naturally like humans who communicate.

But for now, we'll treat it as the third effect.

As for distinguishing special animals, Chen Wen wasn't sure how that works.

The Ji Xiao and bobcat he encountered had no common points.

The only possible commonality might be that they're both female?

In any case, Chen Wen discovered a truly impressive ability.

The system's ability far exceeds simple entries.

It touches on the rules.

Chen Wen couldn't help but think.

After communicating with Chen Wen, Ji Xiao flew away.

It needed to hunt while it still had time.

Even though smarter, an animal is still an animal.

They prioritize survival instincts above all.

...

After eating meat and drinking soup.

With dessert fruits—the giant column cactus fruits.

Chen Wen lay satisfied in the shelter, pulling up his sleeping bag.

Today went well; the new system ability made Chen Wen very content.

But the system also left Chen Wen a bit exasperated.

There's no beginner's tutorial at all; it's all self-discovery!

...

On the seventh day of survival.

When Chen Wen woke, Ji Xiao was already sleepy.

It greeted Chen Wen and burrowed into its little nest.

Inside was also a blind snake, which Chen Wen tried to communicate with.

But the blind snake wasn't a special animal.

After eating some roadrunner meat, Chen Wen planned to use the morning to set some traps he wove yesterday afternoon around the water source.

This time, Chen Wen didn't encounter the bobcat.

After setting the traps, he returned to the shelter.

He planned to continue making traps.

In this desert, hunting is quite difficult.

The plentiful cacti, rugged terrain, and wide visibility do not favor human hunting.

Even for someone with entries like Chen Wen.

Traps are the way to go.

So after returning to the shelter, Chen Wen continued making traps.

...

At noon, Chen Wen changed the trap-making site to the valley.

He didn't return to the ridge until evening.

The seventh day of survival.

The upcoming period would test all contestants; a hard time was beginning.

The initial novelty had worn off.

With survival stabilizing, what's left is monotonous, tiresome daily life.

In this period, everyone's tasks are about maintaining the status quo, stockpiling food and resources.

Prepping for the final showdown.

But Chen Wen had it a little better; he could chat with Ji Xiao to stave off boredom and occasionally listen to Ji Xiao's stories.

Yet to Chen Wen's surprise, Ji Xiao's stories weren't pleasant.

According to Ji Xiao, she was a young mother.

Not long ago, her child suffered a misfortune.

Two frenzied Gila woodpeckers attacked Ji Xiao's nest.

They drove away Ji Xiao and her mate, occupied the nest, and pecked open Ji Xiao's child's head, sucking out the brains alive.

Hearing this, Chen Wen was horrified.

To be honest, before college, Chen Wen's impression of woodpeckers was as forest doctors.

After all, in the education Chen Wen received, they were portrayed as forest doctors.

But as he learned more about woodpeckers, Chen Wen realized they and the trees were only serving mutual needs.

They might even harm trees to survive.

Far from being doctors.

At that time, Chen Wen did have a fondness for woodpeckers.

This fondness vanished upon hearing about the Gila woodpeckers.

Chen Wen had already turned off the recording device.

The production team was used to it anyway.

Since it wasn't live-streamed, lots of content would be edited out.

Recording or not, it didn't matter.

This is why recorded shows are better than live ones.

Therefore, Chen Wen asked, "Are you sad?"

Ji Xiao tilted its head, looking at Chen Wen: "I was sad, but not anymore."

"This desert is so cruel; surprises happen every day, and I'm accustomed to it."

Accustomed to...

That's a terrifying word!

Chen Wen shook his head: "If I encounter the Gila woodpecker again, I can help you."

The small Ji Xiao isn't advantaged against Gila woodpeckers.

Ji Xiao's voice carried a hint of gratitude: "Sure, sure, but is there anything I could help with?"

Hearing this, Chen Wen pondered for a moment.

Honestly, he couldn't think of anything Ji Xiao could do.

During the day, it sleeps. At night, Chen Wen sleeps.

Cooperation seems impossible!

But soon, Ji Xiao came up with a good idea: "After hunting, I can help keep watch for dangers around you."

Guard duty?

Chen Wen slightly nodded; that seemed like a good idea.

"Then I'll count on you. If you see my kind or other dangers, make sure to alert me."

After parting with Gaston, Chen Wen hadn't slept deeply.

He had to guard against Gaston sneaking up at night.

But with Ji Xiao, Chen Wen could relax a bit.

This little guy has excellent night vision and stays awake at night.

Even after eating, it would perch on the main beam of Chen Wen's shelter to digest.

Having this little one keeping watch gave Chen Wen peace of mind.

He tore some roadrunner meat from the pot and held it in his hand: "Will you eat this meat?"

"Yes, I'll eat any meat."

Ji Xiao flapped up and landed on Chen Wen's hand.

Its claws were truly sharp!

Feeling the pain on his skin, Chen Wen couldn't help but think: No wonder it's a raptor; small as it is, it's fierce!

After eating the meat, Ji Xiao flew back to the main beam again.

This time, it tilted its head towards Chen Wen and suddenly said: "You... I can sense you seem to want to borrow something from me?"

Borrow something?

Chen Wen was stunned.

Ji Xiao didn't mind Chen Wen and continued to tilt its head.

Suddenly, it cheerfully said: "Oh, oh! It's a gift; I can give you a gift!"

"Feel it, I've already sent it over."

Chen Wen was even more bewildered. A gift?

What on earth?

But in the next moment, Chen Wen gasped!

[You've gained a friend's recognition; please extract the entry prepared for you by your friend]