Chapter Twenty-Two: Durian, Oh Durian

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After finishing washing the scythe, Xier returned to find Ye Yun and the others happily eating durian. Even Hook and Clara had been called back; the two little ones sat on stools, joyfully enjoying the fruit. Xier smelled the pervasive foul odor in the air and shook her hand in slight disgust.

“Ew! How can you eat such a stinky fruit?” Clara split her portion of durian in half and offered some to Xier. “Sister Xier, you should try it too. This durian is really delicious.”

Xier glanced at the group; it didn’t seem all that unpalatable. Besides, she had eaten far worse-smelling things before. In this Lower City, survival was the only goal.

She took the durian from Clara and took a bite. “This fruit is surprisingly tasty! Smells awful, but tastes great!”

One durian wasn’t much, and soon they had finished them all. Afterward, Xing licked her fingers, still wanting more.

“Ye Yun, I had such bad luck opening boxes today. How about you treat me to a few durians?”

Everyone except Dan Heng looked expectantly at Ye Yun. Ye Yun promptly bought ten durians, costing only one star coin in total.

Xier looked at the durians, then at the freshly cleaned scythe, hesitating. What to do? Should she use the scythe to cut the durians? But if she did, the scythe would absorb the smell again, and she’d have to wash it once more.

In the end, appetite won over reason. Xier swiftly sliced open a durian with several quick strokes. Xing’s quick hands immediately snatched the freshly opened fruit.

“Hehe, thanks, Xier! Mmm, delicious!”

Seeing this, the others each grabbed a durian for themselves, lining up one after another to have Xier open theirs.

Xier mechanically swung the scythe back and forth. Within seconds, everyone was once again enjoying the sweet durian.

Xier sat on a stool, clutching a durian and devouring it greedily, her face smeared with fruit pulp like a playful kitten.

Sanyueqi swallowed a mouthful of durian and caught sight of one unopened trash bin.

“Xing, you still have one more trash bin unopened.”

Hearing this, Xing lifted her head from the durian, then slapped open the last trash bin’s lid and continued showcasing the durian.

A golden light flashed; the trash bin vanished, leaving behind a game cartridge.

Ye Yun picked it up and scanned it with the system.

【Special Item: Sekiro (Hell Difficulty Edition) Game Cartridge.
Complete the game to obtain the skill: Sword Parry.
This cartridge grants the reward only once.】

Ye Yun clicked his tongue in wonder.

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This item wasn’t too shabby—Sword Parry was not only flashy but also powerful. On the other hand, it wasn’t overwhelmingly strong.

“Xing, this thing’s pretty good. If you buy it from me, it’ll cost 3,000 star coins.”

“Congratulations, you broke even.”

At this, Xing suddenly looked up, scrambling eagerly.

“Really? Is it really worth that much?”

Sanyueqi, Dan Heng, and Xier all cast curious glances toward Ye Yun.

Ye Yun explained, “This game cartridge grants a skill after completion—Sword Parry—which can deflect attacks without taking damage.”

“However, this skill has its limitations: it only works against attacks from the Order-level and below.”

Xing wasn’t very interested in Sword Parry. Compared to this skillful move, she preferred raw power. Like the Greatsword of Heavenly Fire’s Judgement—just swinging it straight at enemies—that was her style.

Suddenly, an image flashed through Xing’s mind.

“Hehe, I know how to make a big pile of money!”

Sanyueqi asked, “What’s your plan?”

Xing smiled mysteriously. “Not telling you.”

With that, she grabbed the game cartridge and dashed out.

Sanyueqi sighed wordlessly and resumed eating durian.

Outside, Xing held the cartridge in one hand and her phone in the other. On her screen, she was chatting with someone.

Xing: Silver Wolf! Silver Wolf! Want to buy a game cartridge?

Silver Wolf: Game cartridge? Xing, I don’t think you have any games I like.

Xing: This one will satisfy you!

Silver Wolf: Oh? Interesting, tell me more.

Xing: This game is extremely difficult!

Silver Wolf: That’s good. I like a challenge.

Xing: The game is well-made, the combat feels great.

Silver Wolf: And?

Xing: Most importantly... after beating it, you get a skill in-game!

Silver Wolf: Oh? That’s intriguing. So, how much?

Xing: What’s the point of money between us?

Silver Wolf: Don’t stall, name your price or I won’t buy it.

Xing: No credit points needed. Do you have star jade? Just 10,000 or 8,000 will do.

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Silver Wolf: Star jade? I have a few dozen. Are you sure that’s what you want?

Xing: Definitely!

Silver Wolf: Fine, I’ll open a portal.

Xing turned off her phone. Nearby, space twisted, and Silver Wolf’s projection appeared.

“Long time no see, Xing.”

Xing grinned, eyes darting toward Silver Wolf’s pocket.

“Long time no see, Silver Wolf. Here’s the game cartridge. Where’s the star jade? Did you bring it?”

Silver Wolf snapped his fingers. The game cartridge vanished from Xing’s hand, replaced by a small pouch containing 40 star jade pieces.

“Here you go. I’m off now. Message me directly if you need anything.”

With that, Silver Wolf’s projection disappeared instantly.

Xing lightly tossed the star jade in her hand, very pleased.

Hehe, as expected, I easily earned 40 star jade. That’s enough for four more trash bin scratch cards. Hehe~

She then turned and returned to the clinic.

Xing didn’t buy the scratch cards immediately but planned to save up until she had 10,000 star coins, then do a ten-draw at once.

After a short rest, Sanyueqi, Xing, and Dan Heng left the clinic to search for clues about the star core.

Sanyueqi thought about asking Ye Yun to help, but he declined.

He planned to return to the train shortly and take Hook and Clara back for some fun.

...

On the Stellaron Express, in the observation car.

“Keqing! Walter! We’re here!”

Lumine and Paimon stepped out of a portal, with Paimon happily greeting Keqing and Walter.

Keqing smiled warmly upon seeing Lumine and Paimon.

“Paimon, Lumine, what brings you here?”

Paimon said, “Hehe, we’re here to buy something from Ye Yun! After we got back yesterday, we found a lot more Primogems.”

Keqing nodded in understanding.

“Then you’ve come at a bad time. Ye Yun isn’t on the train right now.”

Paimon and Lumine looked a bit disappointed.

“What? Why is that?”

Keqing smiled.

“But if you want to buy something, you don’t have to wait for him. You can go to the bar and buy directly—just insert coins into the touchscreen.”

...

The sale is already open. Investors can invest and earn some starting coins.