A Second Life, A New Power novel Chapter 343

The next morning on the deserted island, the eight guests continued hunting for supplies in the thick forest.

Demi plucked a mushroom and casually tossed it into the basket she was using to collect herbs.

"That one's a mushroom, not a medicinal herb," Felix reminded her, watching from nearby.

"I know. This mushroom's actually great for detoxing," she replied.

"Really?" His eyes lit up. "Show me—I want to find some too."

Demi picked another mushroom and walked over, holding it up for him while explaining the details. Soon, everyone gathered around to listen, including Herne, who came from a long line of traditional medicine practitioners.

"If it's that good, should we throw it into a pot for lunch?" Chad asked excitedly.

"Nope," Demi shook her head. "It's a poisonous mushroom. It's great for medicine, but if you eat it straight, you'll end up poisoned."

"What?" Everyone looked shocked. They'd all been curious to try it.

"What about for snakebites?" Wendy asked. "Would it work for that?"

"Sure," Demi nodded. "But honestly? That'd be a waste. This stuff's better used in proper treatments."

"So it really is valuable," the group murmured, nodding in agreement.

"Could we grow this back home?" Felix asked.

"You could," Demi said, still scanning the area. "But only if you plant it somewhere with strong spiritual energy. Otherwise, it loses its potency. Or it just won't work."

"Spiritual energy? What do you mean?" Herne frowned.

Demi paused. She'd almost explained it with terms of the world of cultivation.

"In simpler terms... somewhere remote and untouched. Fresh air, no people," she said, correcting herself.

"Oh…" Everyone nodded like students taking mental notes.

...

"I swear Demi's a real-life cultivator. First, she talked about swearing to the Great Almighty, and now she's talking about spiritual energy..."

"Or maybe she just reads too many fantasy novels. Teenagers love those, right? Along with games and fanfic."

...

"Demi, you try first," Nigel handed her the rod with a grin. "You know how to use one, right?"

"You guys go ahead. I'm not in a rush," she replied.

Everyone knew Nigel loved fishing—she figured she'd let him have his fun.

He chuckled. "Alright, we'll give it a shot first. If we fail, you're up."

...

It turned out that fishing wasn't as easy as it had looked. An hour passed, and all they had to show for it was a single tiny fish that Nigel had managed to capture.

After another half hour of zero bites, he sighed and handed the rod to Demi. "Okay, your turn."

Demi put down her Indorian book, took the rod without a word, and flicked her wrist. The line arced into the water with a clean, effortless motion.

Nigel blinked, just about to remind her that she needed bait. But then, without even waiting a full second, Demi yanked the rod—and pulled up a fat, flopping fish.

Nigel just stared. What kind of technique was that? She didn't even use a bait and got a fish in no time?

The rest of the group slowly gathered, faces full of stunned disbelief. For a moment, everyone collectively questioned everything they'd ever learned about fishing, logic, and possibly even life itself.