"Ding! Mu Yichun's team has become the first to conquer the Hell-level Frozen Gorge."
"Ding! Due to the players' demand for gourmet food far exceeding the system's provisions, starting today, the Gourmet Life and Culinary Battle systems will be opened."
Upon hearing this system notification, the entire simulation world erupted in excitement. A Hell-level dungeon signified both glory and bountiful rewards! However, the Gourmet Life and Culinary Battle systems left many feeling perplexed.
Simultaneously, a video of the first successful completion would be automatically created by the system and posted as a guide.
Among the footage, there was a particularly strange moment—when Mu Yichun first entered the dungeon, he consumed a bun, a peculiar blue bun.
Instantly, frost appeared from head to toe.
How could this be possible? Although the Frozen Gorge's Hell-level environment was extremely harsh, it shouldn't cause an entire body to be covered in frost. Only Mu Yichun exhibited such a reaction after eating the bun, while everyone else remained unaffected.
Before long, the frost on Mu Yichun dissipated, and a flushed hue emerged on his face. He proceeded to remove his prepared cold-resistant attire without employing any protective artifacts.
This bizarre phenomenon could only be attributed to Mu Yichun's exceptional ice resistance, enabling him to withstand the conditions of the Frozen Gorge!
…
Any discerning observer would inevitably connect Mu Yichun's transformation to that peculiar blue bun, as the changes occurred immediately after he consumed it.
Many individuals watched this video, including the industrious Da Caishen and others. While Da Caishen overlooked this detail, Feng Qingyang certainly did not.
"Wait a moment, isn't that bun Mu Yichun ate from that little stall? Could it be that bun provides ice resistance?" Feng Qingyang remarked.
"Impossible! It should only offer a temporary resistance to burning; its effects wouldn't even rival Dragon's Spicy Rice, and judging by its color, it doesn't resemble the Ice Silk Snow Silkworm Bun!" Though Da Caishen was a hidden foodie, he recognized that the bun in Mu Yichun's hand was distinct from the Ice Silk Snow Silkworm Bun, being far more resplendent.
"Perhaps it's true. As far as I know, this little stall is the only one that has produced an item with attributes. Let's leave this dungeon; if it truly originated from that vendor, we must secure this person at all costs!" Feng Qingyang declared, promptly exiting the dungeon. With the first kill already claimed, their continued presence served no purpose.
…
However, those harboring thoughts similar to Feng Qingyang and Da Caishen were destined to come up empty-handed, for the clever Zhao Shen had already closed his stall and made his escape!
After spending forty-seven days in the novice village, Zhao Shen was ready to explore a different map. Upon reaching the teleportation point, he discovered, to his surprise, that the main city had several districts. He realized he had been limiting himself.
Lingyun City and Jiuyao City stood prominently in his view. After careful consideration, he ultimately chose Lingyun City—not for any particular reason, but because it was the closest main city to Liuyan Village. Most of Zhao Shen's clientele hailed from the vicinity of Liuyan Village, and changing maps could not lead him too far afield; thus, he decisively opted for Lingyun City.
Before teleporting, he spent 100 gold coins to hire a seemingly shrewd child of around fifteen or sixteen.
"Go to the market coordinates xx, xx, and announce for me that Zhao Shen's stall has moved to Lingyun City. Anyone wanting to buy food should come to Lingyun City!"
The child, gleefully clutching the unexpectedly generous 100 gold coins, set off to fulfill Zhao Shen's request. However, just before departing, Zhao Shen didn't hesitate to issue a warning.
"If I find out you shouted a few times and then disappeared, I will place a bounty of 1,000 gold coins on your head!"
The child was so frightened that his legs went weak, quickly hiding his earlier schemes. He internally cursed that the uncle was indeed a shrewd negotiator.
…
After a moment of dizziness, Zhao Shen arrived in the legendary Lingyun City.
This place was far grander than the novice village, with an array of oddly shaped buildings that made it feel like stepping into a fantastical metropolis; ancient-style pavilions and temples were intermingled with modern structures.
The multifaceted blending was executed with exquisite finesse.
Seeing this dreamlike scene, Zhao Shen recalled the days when he had gone door to door seeking chef positions, ultimately landing only a position as a kitchen assistant. It seemed he hadn't truly appreciated the splendor of a bustling city until now.
Closing his eyes and breathing in the air of Lingyun City, he noted that although it was similarly hot, it possessed a refreshing quality absent in Liuyan Village. Perhaps this was what they referred to as the aura of heaven and earth?
"Hey, kid, what are you dawdling for? Given your level, this should be your first time in Lingyun City, right? Are you intimidated? I felt the same when I first came here, haha!" A rugged man behind Zhao Shen called out.
"Yes, it's my first time." Zhao Shen felt elated and engaged in conversation.
"Ha! As a newcomer, you should look for tasks to undertake! Level is paramount; focus on leveling up first!" The rugged man kindly advised.
"No, thank you. I do not wish to level up; I intend to open my own shop!" Zhao Shen replied.
"A shop? Are you certain you're not mistaken? Just an average player's shop here costs several million gold coins and occupies barely sixty square meters. It's even more expensive than real estate prices! You really think you can open a shop? While installment payments are an option, how long will it take to recoup such a substantial investment? Youngster, remember—don't aim too high! Steady leveling and grinding is the priority!" The rugged man cautioned.
"Why is it so expensive?" Zhao Shen furrowed his brow. The task hadn't specified the required size of the shop; he had initially envisioned a grand and luxurious establishment but hadn't anticipated such exorbitant prices!
"Ah, that's something you might not understand. Although the game map is not fully developed, it is limited in size! Many areas are occupied by NPCs, so there are very few shops available for players. Countless individuals linger before the government office each day, yet the property prices here have remained stable, only appreciating without depreciating!" The rugged man explained earnestly before shaking his head and departing.
…
"Installment payments? Government office!"
In Zhao Shen's mind, he retained the two key pieces of information he needed, filtering out everything else.
One minute later, Zhao Shen arrived at the government office, taking advantage of a convenient flying device. This item truly was efficient—a small flying sword allowed him to traverse the skies, covering several kilometers in just one minute.
As expected, the place was teeming with players; however, it lacked the lively ambiance of a bustling sales center. After a sigh of despair, Zhao Shen felt his fate was most unfortunate; ready to purchase property, yet without even encountering the benefit of a charming sales representative.
Instead, he was greeted by an elderly sales manager with silver hair and reading glasses.
"The cheapest option requires a three million gold coin down payment for sixty square meters, located in the fifth ring of the city. No discounts, no negotiations."
Simple and straightforward was Zhao Shen's first impression, but the service attitude seemed rather lacking; it felt as though Zhao Shen were demanding money from him.
In truth, one could hardly blame the old man, as he likely repeated such a phrase thousands of times each day.