With the notion of moving settled, Zhong Shenxiu immediately put his plan into action.

Zhong Shenxiu first conducted a thorough survey of the surrounding area, finally choosing a location for the house construction amidst dense woods and on slightly elevated ground.

The advantages of this selection were twofold: firstly, the deeply rooted trees could be utilized to reinforce the structure during construction; secondly, the house would be safe from flooding during heavy rains.

With the building site chosen, the subsequent tasks became comparatively straightforward.

Zhong Shenxiu took charge of felling timber, while Robin handled the hauling.

For a time, the two were ceaselessly occupied.

Once a sufficient amount of lumber was prepared, the next challenge was assembly.

Since this world lacked anything resembling nails, and Zhong Shenxiu’s magical energy had yet to recover, he was forced to employ a rather rudimentary method: binding the logs together with rope.

Fortunately, Zhong Shenxiu had no intention of erecting a magnificent wooden lodge; his requirement was merely a dwelling that could provide shelter from the elements.

Consequently, the construction was not overly complex.

Having a profound internal energy meant that performing manual labor felt strangely relaxing rather than tiring.

After a flurry of activity, the two finally managed to raise the skeleton of the house.

Next came the roofing, which proved even simpler than raising the frame.

Zhong Shenxiu gathered enormous leaves and layered them across the top, then plastered them over with mud—and that was considered complete.

The structure Zhong Shenxiu built could only be described as serviceable.

Yet, regardless of its shabbiness, it was vastly superior to the broken stone cave, if only because this small wooden house possessed doors and windows.

Beholding the home they had built with their own hands, both Zhong Shenxiu and Robin felt a surge of happiness, fully savoring the joy that self-reliance and sufficiency brought.

The next phase involved taking the horse-drawn cart back and forth to transport jars and containers.

Though none of the items were inherently valuable, there was quite a substantial quantity; the pair made five or six round trips before everything was finally moved and settled.

With that, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin were officially established in their new residence.

A new environment always brought a sense of novelty.

To familiarize himself more intimately with the surroundings, Zhong Shenxiu decided to take a half-day off; no herb gathering today.

He planned to wander about, relax, and enjoy the balance of work and leisure.

Wandering leisurely, Zhong Shenxiu and Robin eventually arrived at the bank of a small river.

To call this stream a "small river" was perhaps inaccurate; the water surface spanned about fifty or sixty meters across! The clear water flowed gently, and a faint mist rose above the surface—truly a fine spot.

Robin stood beside Zhong Shenxiu, stealing glances at him as he gazed intently at the river.

She felt overwhelmingly fortunate, wishing desperately that life could always remain like this: a peaceful, pastoral existence away from the world's affairs.

However, from their time spent together, Robin knew her master was not one to sit still, and she wondered how long such a lifestyle could be sustained.

Zhong Shenxiu was currently watching the fish and shrimp darting and playing in the water, feeling it would be a terrible waste to do nothing about them.

Although the fish and shrimp had caught Zhong Shenxiu’s attention, he lacked the desire to catch them that day.

So, he led Robin onward to explore other areas.

When one is content, time passes swiftly.

In the blink of an eye, night had fallen.

By this time, Robin had prepared dinner and waited for Zhong Shenxiu, who had only recently stepped out.

Not long after, he returned, dragging a substantial bundle of rattan vines.

Robin recognized the tell-tale sign that her master was about to fashion some strange new contraption.

Indeed, after they ate, Zhong Shenxiu spoke to Robin, who was cleaning up the dishes: "Robin, in a moment, I will teach you how to weave fish traps and shrimp baskets." Under Zhong Shenxiu's patient and meticulous, hands-on instruction, Robin lived up to expectations and fully mastered the technique. "Master, can these things really catch fish?" Robin regarded the finished basket with significant doubt.

She genuinely could not fathom how a fish would be so foolish as to swim in and then fail to swim out.

She didn't get it; she truly didn't get it! "You will understand when the time comes," Zhong Shenxiu replied this time without a direct answer to her query.

He felt that unless the young woman experienced it herself, it would be difficult to explain clearly.

When people are adept, all work is done twice as fast.

Zhong Shenxiu and Robin’s hands moved like rapidly spinning kites, weaving swiftly among the rattan strands, and in a short span, they had completed several finished pieces.

The night passed in silence.

The very next morning, Zhong Shenxiu roused Robin early, and the two headed towards the small river, carrying the fish traps and shrimp baskets woven the previous day.

Placing the traps didn't require deep water; the best spots were where fish and shrimp frequented.

Zhong Shenxiu explained the key principles to Robin while demonstrating the process himself.

Robin seemed somewhat excited; she genuinely wanted to see how these items caught aquatic life, so she studied with remarkable focus.

The pair placed several dozen fish and shrimp traps in various locations known for frequent activity.

Now, all they could do was wait for the fish and shrimp to take the bait themselves. "Let's go!" Zhong Shenxiu called out to Robin, who was still observing the traps with intense concentration. "Master, are we just leaving them?" Robin pointed at the deployed traps and asked with curiosity. "Yes, we don't need to bother with them now; we will come back later to collect the catch." "Then why not collect them now?" "Silly, fish and shrimp don't get caught that quickly." Zhong Shenxiu felt a familiar pang of speechlessness; this was the first time he had called Robin foolish.

But in reality, Robin was not foolish at all; quite the contrary, she was exceptionally bright.

It was simply that the knowledge Zhong Shenxiu imparted was entirely novel and unseen to her, making immediate comprehension sometimes difficult.

Robin uttered a rather disappointed "Oh" and followed Zhong Shenxiu away.

On the way back, for some unknown reason, Zhong Shenxiu casually asked, "Robin, can you swim?" "No! I heard that only those favored by the Water Spirit are permitted to swim," Robin replied, lowering her head.

Good heavens! Zhong Shenxiu once again felt the deep-seated nature of the superstitious beliefs in this world. "Where are all these Water Spirits coming from? Swimming is simple.

Given your aptitude, I believe you could learn it instantly.

When we return, I will teach you the 'Turtle Breath Technique,' and once you master it, you will immediately know how to swim," Zhong Shenxiu paused before adding, "From now on, stop talking about spirits or anything similar.

You must remember this: never rely on fate for anything; you must strive for it yourself, do you understand?" "Robin understands." Friends, don't forget to cast a vote for Rat! ╭(╯3╰)╮