Chapter 12: The Legendary Fire Drilling Technique

How could a cold be deadly? Isn’t that a lie?

Yeah, even without medication, it should get better in a week or two, right?

Even for the sake of the show, exaggerating is not good!

“I’m not lying to you.”

Bi Fang shook his head: “Those without outdoor experience may not understand, but it’s actually easy to comprehend if you think about it. The wilderness is different from the cities, and any unforeseen situation here could lead to a series of severe consequences.”

“Diarrhea, colds, these seemingly common minor illnesses can become extremely dangerous.”

“A simple cold could cause you to lose body heat, become weak, and lose muscle strength. In this state, it would be tough to find water and food, and without replenishment, you’ll become even weaker. At this point, the disadvantages would accumulate like a snowball, growing larger and larger, until you completely put your hope of survival in the hands of fate.”

Alright, you’ve persuaded me.

I admit that I was being shallow.

“As long as everyone remembers this, it’s good. If you ever find yourself in the wilderness, never ignore any situation.”

While talking, Bi Fang picked up a sharp stone, dug a small pit about one meter in front of the shelter: “To start a fire, the first step is to choose a location.”

He measured the distance from the pit to the shelter.

“This distance is just right. The heat can enter the shelter without being too close, preventing smoke from affecting sleep or causing poisoning. Most importantly, it can scare away wild animals!”

“Nighttime is when wild animals are most active. Having a fire at this time will allow us to spend a safe night without worrying about being bitten by poisonous snakes or eaten by bears.”

Hmm, scaring the audience, what a classic move by Bi Fang.

No, it’s true. In our village, a man once slept in the fields after getting drunk at night, and a snake ended up coiling around his chest to keep warm. The next day when the man woke up and startled the snake, it bit him in the face. Luckily it was not venomous, otherwise he would have been a goner!

Can you stop scaring us like that?

The real question is, how will Bi Fang start the fire without anything?

Yes, how can he start a fire with nothing?

Many viewers were curious about the method Bi Fang would use to start a fire.

From the start of the show until now, Bi Fang’s series of actions had captivated the audience. They were all eagerly awaiting this moment, not wanting to miss the opportunity.

“Indeed, I don’t have a lighter or flint, but even so, I have many ways to start a fire, such as the fire drilling technique!”

Fire drilling? I always thought that was fake!

I thought it was just a legend!

This is like witnessing a miracle!

Wait for Bi Fang to start the fire, and then send a rocket up!

So many rich viewers today!

As the sun was about to set, Bi Fang stopped looking at the comments. The instructors have always said that you should strategize by underestimating your enemy but tactically value your enemy.

Although he made it sound simple, the fire drilling technique actually has a high technical content, and he needs to treat it seriously.

Bi Fang’s eyes swept around, and he chose a few branches from the dead wood supporting the shelter, then he found several burdock nearby and broke one off directly.

“There are three ways to drill wood for fire: bow drilling, hand drilling, and pump drilling. Today, I’m demonstrating the hand drilling method, which is the version most people have heard of.”

“The forest environment is different from swamps and rainforests. Most of the dead wood here is dry and can be used directly. The most important thing for drilling wood for fire is to have a dry drilling board, a harder drill bit, and tinder.”

Placing a thicker piece of wood on the ground, Bi Fang carefully carved a not-so-smooth hole with a sharp stone.

“There are many details in drilling wood for fire, not just simply creating friction heat. The drilling board needs to have a hole first, the shape doesn’t matter, as long as it securely holds the drill bit, otherwise, it’s hard to gather heat.”

“The drill bit needs to be hard and smooth. In the wild, we can use our fingernails to test its hardness. If it doesn’t leave a mark easily, it’s qualified. That’s why I chose this burdock in my hand. It has a hard, woody stem, and when you peel off the skin, it’s very smooth and won’t hurt your palm.”

“Finally, there’s the tinder. The tinder is the most important part. It’s the key to whether you can start a fire or not. Without it, unless you have a natural talent, it’s hard to ignite a fire.”

Speaking, Bi Fang rubbed a piece of stone against a thin, dried piece of wood and one end of the burdock, quickly creating wood shavings and sharpening one end of the burdock.

His expression was serious and sincere, like an old master grinding jade.

Although his blue wilderness survival skill was powerful, this was his first time drilling wood for fire, and if he failed, it would be utterly embarrassing.

Not to mention losing viewers, the previous wilderness expert persona would probably be rendered useless.

Therefore, to ensure success, the preparations must be complete.

Bi Fang gathered the tinder into a bird’s nest shape, piled it at the hole of the drilling board, stepped on the board to keep it stable, then inserted the peeled, smooth burdock. Finally, he took a deep breath, held the burdock with both hands, and began to rotate it repeatedly at high speed.

“Shhh, shhh, shhh!”

The sound of the rubbing burdock was incredibly clear.

“As long as you can bring out sparks through drilling wood and ignite the tinder, the fire will start up quickly.”

Bi Fang rubbed hard, veins bulging on his hands. From his initial clumsiness, he quickly became proficient, the rough hole was polished much smoother and formed a positive cycle.

“Shhh, shhh, shhh!”

The sound of friction was continuous, but as the seconds and minutes passed, not a single spark appeared, causing the audience to become restless.

It seems so exhausting. It’s been more than ten minutes, and he’s already breaking a sweat. Is it a scam after all?

If the god of the wilderness isn’t worried, why are you?

Go, god of the wilderness!

Bi Fang was fully focused on the drilling wood in front of him, seemingly not bothered by the mocking audience.

Another ten minutes quickly passed, and many viewers watched with sour eyes.

Finally, a faint scent of burning emerged, and it gradually grew stronger, eventually turning into a wisp of blue smoke!

The audience instantly perked up.

Damn, there’s smoke now!

What are we waiting for? Start sending gifts.

Brothers, hurry up!

All the fish balls are yours.

As Bi Fang watched the thick smoke rise, joy filled his eyes. He increased his speed and exerted greater pressure. Since smoke had emerged, would the sparks be far away?

The next second, several specks of red light splashed.

Sparks!

As expected!

Excitement welled up in his heart, and Bi Fang quickly leaned down. He gathered the tinder and blew slowly with wide but gentle breaths, increasing air circulation and oxygen contact.

The blue smoke became thick smoke, and the smell grew stronger, making people shed tears. Despite this, Bi Fang did not avoid it.

Completing the task at once, or he will weaken, then exhaust himself eventually. If he failed this time, it would become even more challenging.

The massive sun was about to sink beneath the forest sea. Its final rays set the clouds in the sky ablaze, making them appear like crimson flames.

Perhaps after a few more minutes, this place would be completely enveloped in darkness.

In the live broadcast, only the sound of Bi Fang’s slow breathing remained.

Everyone focused intently on the thick smoke, staring at the gathered tinder.

One second.

Two seconds.

…

Amidst the dense smoke, a flicker of red light passed.

Damn it, it flickered, it flickered!

Fire!’

Bi Fang hurried to gather the dry leaves and watched as a small flame spread and grew stronger until at last…

POOF!

Fire blazed.

At that very moment, the sun set, and all-enveloping darkness swept across the world. Yet it seemed as if a torch of light continued to exist in the darkness, illuminating Bi Fang’s joyous face.

–You’ve received a bonfire stand.