"Everyone, let me introduce myself. I'm He Yanghui, a retired soldier from Xianghao Country, currently serving as the security officer of the Breaking Waves. I'm 37 years old. Given our current situation, I believe our first priority is survival. We should gather resources, build a shelter, then try to send a message to request rescue. I know some basic survival skills. If we work together, we should be able to get through this."
This was He Yanghui's speech after gathering everyone.
No one objected or raised any issues with what he said. His words carried both authority and logic.
"First, let's all get to know each other," He Yanghui suggested.
"I'll go first. I'm Lin Qianyi, 17 years old, from Xianghao Country. I was about to study botany in Marayo as a freshman."
Lin Qianyi spoke first, clearly trying to align himself with someone strong.
After resetting his attributes, he was essentially starting from scratch. To maintain control, the best strategy was to ride on others' influence. At the very least, he couldn't afford to be isolated.
After Lin Qianyi, a girl with short golden hair also spoke, using Xianghao language with a slight accent.
Previously, Lin hadn't learned this language, but thanks to the foundational knowledge injected by the "Main God," he understood it.
"Rena Berry, 18, from Marayo. I'm a nursing exchange student, returning home," she said timidly, coming across as quite introverted.
"I'm Su Mandong, 28, an external affairs executive from Poseidon Corp, on a business trip to Marayo," said a woman with long wavy burgundy hair.
Her dress had been ripped in places by sharp debris during the crash. Though uninjured, she looked disheveled not that she was alone in that.
"Zhou Yun, 29, from Xianghao. Just here to work," said the last one, a shirtless, messy-haired man.
Lin Qianyi noticed Zhou Yun avoided eye contact and only showed sharp glances toward Su Mandong and Rena. His introduction was vague no job details, and even his name felt suspicious.
Lin suspected Zhou Yun could be a source of future conflict in the group.
"I know some survival basics. Let's search the nearby wreckage for usable resources food, fresh water, knives. If we can find a communication device, even better," He Yanghui said.
"I'll go that way," Zhou Yun said and walked off without waiting.
"Uncle He, shall we begin too?" Lin Qianyi asked.
"Yes," He Yanghui nodded.
Su Mandong and Rena also joined in.
Though a lot had washed ashore, most of it was just ocean debris. Tons of plastic bottles possibly useful as containers.
Ironically, Lin felt a bit thankful for humanity's pollution of nature.
They found a wooden wreck, clearly not from their ship. It was old and rotten likely from an earlier wreck, with most valuables already taken.
If the ocean had gifted them supplies from their cruise ship, this three-month survival challenge would've been way too easy. There'd be no trial at all.
After scouting a bit and tiring himself out, Lin found nothing useful. His new body was physically weak.
Others were in worse shape exhausted from the recent disaster.
After less than 30 minutes, everyone regrouped and showed their haul: some plastic bottles, a torn fishing net, a few solid wooden planks, a leaky wooden bucket and… a box of bread.
Surprisingly, they'd found a whole box of bread washed ashore thanks to Zhou Yun.
There were 24 buns, palm-sized. Divided evenly, about 5 per person enough for two days if rationed.
Lin thought the "Main God" might be a bit too merciful for not letting him starve from the beginning.
Actually, Lin had some food in his inventory mostly seeds, but also two packs of premium self-heating meals meant for late-night snacks. And worst case, some of the seeds could be eaten for calories.
"We need to find more food and explore for a water source. We also have to find a shelter site quickly," said He Yanghui.
"The authorities will notice the shipwreck soon. Emergency rescue should begin within 24 hours. We'll be fine by tomorrow," Su Mandong interrupted.
She clearly didn't want to move. She was utterly exhausted.
"Sister Su, we should plan for the worst. Officials might not respond that fast," Lin Qianyi replied.
If the Main God wanted him rescued quickly, this whole survival test would be pointless.
He didn't believe for a second that rescue would come before three months.
"Kid, you don't understand. Something this big will trigger a huge public reaction. If the authorities don't act, public pressure and the families of victims will make them act fast," Su Mandong said as she reached for a bun.
She was hungry but so was everyone else.
Her hand was stopped.
"Put it down," Zhou Yun said coldly.
"It's just a bun! I'll buy you a whole bakery when we're rescued!" she snapped back.
"I said put it down!"
His tone turned icy, and he tightened his grip on her hand.
"Ow!" Su Mandong winced and pulled back, cursing, "Are you crazy? That hurt!"
Zhou Yun squinted was that killing intent in his eyes?
Lin Qianyi found it strange who gets murderous over a bun?
As tensions rose, Lin was about to step in, but He Yanghui spoke first.
"Both of you, enough. We need unity now. Food is limited, so we must distribute it fairly. Miss Su, let me handle the bread. I'll divide and distribute it daily, on schedule. Sound fair?" he said casually brushing the pistol on his hip.
The message was clear.
"Let's listen to Uncle He," Lin Qianyi agreed.
Zhou Yun nodded in approval.
"You got no opinion of your own?" Su Mandong snapped at Lin, "Going to college but still just follows others?"
Lin scratched his head, looking awkward.
He was intentionally playing the part of a clueless college kid easy to manipulate, non-threatening. That way, no matter what conflicts arose, no one would target him first.
"After everything we've been through, let's each have one bun now to regain energy before planning the next steps," said He Yanghui.
He truly was a lifesaver calm, strong, and strategic. Lin felt the Main God had really lowered the difficulty by placing him in this group.
Without He Yanghui, the team might've fallen apart immediately.
Still… did Zhou Yun have a problem with women?
Soon, the five each got one bun.
Zhou Yun ate slowly, methodically. Su Mandong devoured hers quickly, as if venting frustration.
Rena chewed carefully, maximizing absorption as expected from a nursing student.
He Yanghui ate only half and saved the rest likely to ration carefully for energy.
As for Lin Qianyi he wasn't very hungry, but knew if he didn't eat, others might get suspicious. So, he slowly chewed his portion.
After eating, He Yanghui started directing the next steps.
Water was now the key. Without it, they wouldn't last.
The island was big fresh water had to be somewhere.
But not everyone could go. Only He Yanghui could tell if the water was drinkable.
So he chose to bring Zhou Yun with him.
Lin Qianyi, Su Mandong, and Rena stayed behind to collect firewood and search the shore for shells or supplies.
They needed smoke signals and fire both for rescue and to survive the night's cold and insects.