However, as time progressed, some survivors who were originally independent found that with diminishing reserves, they had no choice but to return to the Water Base.

While the Water Base was originally at full capacity, various reasons led to accidents causing the deaths of some residents there.

Therefore, most of the bases built by the Officials began to selectively admit newcomers as the number of survivors seeking refuge grew.

This was precisely why, compared to the earlier days when the Magic City Base No. 3 had no available personnel, the Officials now had the confidence to implement a Contribution System.

After all, it was just like that widely circulated phrase online from capitalists: "If you won’t do it, there are plenty of Parus who will."

Although Zachary was not in the base, since the ZC had already passed unanimously, even though Zachary was not here, once the classification was established for Zachary, they began to deduct the corresponding Contribution Points on a monthly basis.

Although the classification initially granted the same amount of Contribution Points as the Contribution Value, several months had passed, and most of the initially granted Contribution Points were already deducted.

If Zachary delays returning for another two or three months, then once the left side of the Contribution Points is deducted, they will certainly begin to deduct from the right side’s Contribution Value.

Once they start deducting from the Contribution Value, if Zachary delays returning for several more months, it’s estimated that his access rights in Magic City Base No. 3 would fall to the same level as a new entry with elementary privileges.

Zachary carefully checked the monthly Contribution Points deduction needed for his current level, as well as various tasks in Magic City Base No. 3 that granted Contribution Points and Contribution Value.

In normal circumstances, although higher levels require higher Contribution Points deductions each month, after a careful examination, Zachary discovered that earning enough to offset the deductions was not very difficult.

However, to think about raising his Contribution Value and his rank within the base, a normal person must complete the tasks assigned by the Officials at high intensity continuously for three to five months.

Of course, there’s a simpler and more direct option: donating urgently needed supplies within the base. As long as one is willing to spend, raising one’s rank isn’t too difficult.

Although many people often say that problems solvable with money are not problems, the key issue is that everyone is out of money.

While Zachary happens to be one of those who aren’t short of money, as each base begins to stabilize, money is also becoming increasingly important.

Because of the Companion Spiritual Treasure, the market price of Demon Cores has become exceptionally stable. Zachary, who has a collecting habit, although aware that swallowing Elementary Mysterious Cores with the Companion Spiritual Treasure provides negligible growth.

But as long as swallowing has some effect, even if it only increases by 0.00001, Zachary would not choose to give up, especially now, when the survivors’ strength has grown, making it easier to obtain Mysterious Cores, and the quantity available on the market has also gradually increased.

Even though the number of Mysterious Cores flowing into the market continues to increase, due to the practical utility of Mysterious Cores, those Elementary Mysterious Cores have merely dropped from their sky-high prices to levels that the common person, albeit grudgingly, can afford.

You must understand that nowadays, anyone who holds the household registration of any water-based base built by the Officials will receive a Mysterious Core for free.

While those now eligible for household registration surely own a Companion Spiritual Treasure, the Officials still continue this practice, after all, not everyone who was selected to enter the Water Base necessarily has the money or intention to buy Mysterious Cores.

Although the price of the Mysterious Cores continues to fall, for ordinary people, it remains from an unattainable luxury to something they can purchase only by squandering their entire fortune.

To tell the truth, the more we need to band together now, the greater the gap becomes between the higher-ups and the lower classes.

Not to mention cases like Zachary’s, nor bring up any averages, just to speak of Magic City Base No. 3 beginning to distribute Mysterious Cores to all local residents for free.

Even at Magic City Base No. 3, prepared to distribute Mysterious Cores when their prices had dropped to levels similar to today’s, still about eighty percent of the residents did not have Companion Spiritual Treasures.

Among them, at least fifty percent had only heard of Mysterious Cores and had never actually seen one.

The reason the Officials issued Mysterious Cores to registered local residents for free is that at this point in time, in the event of an emergency, as long as one possesses a Companion Spiritual Treasure, one can survive several days on the water.

After checking, the water beneath the boat is not undrinkable seawater; while dirty, it can be consumed directly to quench thirst in extreme scenarios.

As for why the water is dirty, the reason is simple; think about where the garbage and sewage generated daily by the survivors after a flood disaster would end up.

While some propose reducing the garbage produced every day and recycling sewage for future water safety, even if the Officials’ bases could restrict these practices, how would they control private boats?

And to think, like cutting firewood in ancient winters, didn’t the ancients know that deforestation would harm the environment?