Qi Xu enjoyed a satisfying meal, not even leaving a drop of the soup behind.
"Thanks, your cooking skills are amazing—no wonder even monster merchants come knocking."
Chinese Master Chef sent a voice message, laughing heartily, "Hahaha, I can't boast about much, but when it comes to cooking, I’m absolutely confident."
Qi Xu paused for a moment.
Aside from close friends or gang members, few people sent voice messages casually during chats.
A voice could reveal too many clues—including one’s gender.
Chinese Master Chef’s voice was deep and unhurried, giving off a reliable and trustworthy vibe.
Qi Xu replied with two thumbs-up emojis before packing up to leave.
First, the bedpad—with a press of the fold button, it shrank to the size of a palm. If backpack space was tight, it could be stuffed into the car or even a pocket.
Perfect for special dungeons where backpacks and vehicles weren’t allowed.
Either way, trading a dagger for it was definitely worth it.
Today was the last day of the beginner protection period, and Qi Xu planned to push hard.
Leaving a message for Chinese Master Chef: "Don’t bother with lunch for me. I’m rushing today and won’t have time to sit down. These two buns will do."
Chinese Master Chef replied, "No way! I can whip up something quick. How about sushi for lunch? Can you handle wasabi?"
Qi Xu answered, "Sure, thanks."
"Don’t mention it! You upgraded my tractor—I owe you big time."
Qi Xu didn’t respond further. When both sides were grateful and knew their boundaries, interactions were much smoother.
After setting off, Qi Xu sprinted at full speed toward any supply crates spotted along the way, checking for usable items. Otherwise, the throttle was cranked to the max.
But then—traffic lights appeared again!
Qi Xu gasped. Two stations in seven days? What insane luck!
Had rebirth turned a non-believer into the chosen one?
Qi Xu was usually easy to please.
The only hesitation was that stations took time, and today’s travel plans might be ruined.
While passing the traffic lights, a swarm of green-haired monsters suddenly rushed out from both sides! That reminded Qi Xu—forgot to collect green fur!
How could such a money-making opportunity slip their mind? Frustrated, Qi Xu smacked their thigh, hoping no one had tossed the stuff away.
After clearing the lights, Qi Xu messaged Bubbly Girl Guo Degang while moving: "Help me gather green fur. Roughly 30 strands for a pack of crackers, or 10 for basic supplies like glass."
Along with the message, Qi Xu sent over a pile of basic supplies and ready-to-eat food. After indulging in good meals lately, even the once-prized crackers and buns from the last playthrough now felt hard to swallow.
Bubbly Girl Guo Degang’s eyes lit up. Working for a top player was the best—just a little effort for a meal’s worth of rewards.
Perfect, no hunger today.
"Don’t worry, boss! I’ll get you the most green fur for the least resources. You’ll see what I’m made of!"
Qi Xu casually replied with a "Go for it" and closed the public chat.
The station was now in sight.
Qi Xu grinned ear to ear. Though only three crates were found yesterday, maybe all the luck had been saved for today.
This station was a gas station!
Well, not for actual fuel—instead, it offered speed boost packs. Fusing these with a vehicle granted fixed-duration speed bursts!
The attendant was a purple fox who gave Qi Xu a dismissive glance. "Hey, anything to buy? No beggars allowed."
Qi Xu replied flatly, "Money’s no issue. Show me the boost packs."
The fox’s attitude flipped instantly. "Oh, esteemed guest! Forgive my rudeness—I wasn’t fully awake earlier. How may I serve you?"
"No problem. Just list the prices."
The fox smiled obsequiously. "Of course! You’re the most distinguished customer I’ve ever met."
Qi Xu silently scanned the price chart. Was this a joke? Beginner perks were insane!
Last life’s beginner phase had been a barren wasteland.
[Basic Boost Pack: Adjust speed to 100 km/h.]
1 hour: 0.1 survival coins
5 hours: 0.2 survival coins
10 hours: 0.4 survival coins
[Intermediate Boost Pack: Adjust speed to 200 km/h.]
1 hour: 0.2 survival coins
5 hours: 0.4 survival coins
10 hours: 0.8 survival coins
[Advanced Boost Pack: Adjust speed to 500 km/h.]
1 hour: 0.3 survival coins
5 hours: 0.6 survival coins
10 hours: 0.9 survival coins
Qi Xu decided to stock up. These would be invaluable during the final ranking rush—and definitely not at this price post-beginner phase.
At least a 10x markup, making them unaffordable except for top players. Survival coins were painfully hard to earn.
Skipping the basic and intermediate tiers, the real value was covering the most distance in the least time.
"Give me 20 one-hour, 20 five-hour, and 20 ten-hour advanced packs. Where’s the payment scanner?"
Total: 36 survival coins. It stung, but with troublemakers constantly crossing Qi Xu’s path—and the work permit still in hand—coins were never in short supply.
The fox’s jaw dropped, hands stuffed into its mouth. "Oh. My. God! Such a lavish spender, and I treated you so poorly! I deserve to die!"
It slapped its own face dramatically. "As apology, please accept our VIP card!"
Qi Xu took it with a smile. "Thanks."
Assuming it was just a discount card, Qi Xu checked the description—and nearly lost composure again.
[Fox Clan Supreme VIP Card: Grants 20% off all fox-owned businesses and automatic goodwill from all fox-kind. Kid, you’ve hit the jackpot!]
.........
