Chapter 33: Yunnan Mushroom Chicken Soup Hot Pot + Flame Crystal...
"The latest mushroom hot pot can remove spider venom! Quick! Let the injured and poisoned players place their orders first!"
After hearing these words, the addicted players' eyes lit up. They immediately opened the ordering interface on the panel and couldn't wait to place an order for the mushroom hotpot.
As soon as the payment was successful, the hot pot quickly appeared in front of them.
In an extremely cold environment of more than one hundred degrees below zero, the soup at the bottom of the hot pot was bubbling, and the hot air was rising in the cold air, turning into a layer of warm steam, making the players' faces rosy.
The poisoned players didn't care about etiquette and rushed to grab the bowls and chopsticks. They were the first to get a bowl of mushroom soup and put it into their mouths hastily without even having time to blow on it.
The hot mushroom soup slid down the tip of the tongue into the throat and flowed into the body, dispelling the cold and weakness brought by the spider venom. The players' consciousness, which was originally blurred by the toxin, gradually became clear, and the consciousness in their eyes gradually returned.
"Oh my god, this soup is so delicious, it's so delicious that it makes my eyebrows fall off!"
“Another bowl please!”
"Slow down, no one's competing with you for it. If you drink any more, there won't be any more food left in the pot!"
If the first sip of soup is to remove toxins, then the second sip, the third sip... drinking bowl after bowl, I was completely conquered by the delicious taste of this hot pot.
After the first wave of hotpot orders were placed, the other players who had been watching with envy on the sidelines quickly bought a hotpot.
Of course, Zhu Yu also ordered a pot of authentic Yunnan mushroom hotpot for himself, ready to have a good taste.
The portion of hotpot for one person is not too big. The fresh and tender local chicken pieces are rolling in the soup. A thin layer of chicken oil floats on the golden and translucent soup base. Occasionally, one or two small bubbles emerge, splashing out a few wisps of aroma.
Zhu Yu used chopsticks to flip the ingredients in the pot. Her knowledge of the types of Yunnan mushrooms was limited to the most widely circulated raw ones on the Internet - because after this thing is cut, it will turn into the starry sky background of Van Gogh, which is particularly easy to identify.
But if she put all kinds of mushrooms together to cook hot pot, she could only tell which one was chicken and which one was mushroom...
Fortunately, there happened to be a player nearby who was a native of Yunnan. With his enthusiastic introduction, Zhu Yu finally recognized all the types of mushrooms in his pot.
The thinly sliced tricholoma and chanterelles have a light creamy yellow color, and the bamboo fungus flowers are torn into small net-like pieces and scattered in the soup like light clouds.
Fresh cordyceps flowers are dotted among them like small orange flowers, and there are dark brown outlines of red pine mushrooms and black boletus mushrooms, exuding a unique and rich fragrance.
Zhu Yu picked up a bowl of boiling hot mushroom chicken soup, blew on it carefully, and took a sip.
The moment she entered the entrance, her eyes widened immediately!
No wonder other players can't help but drink up the soup before the ingredients are put into the pot. The mushroom chicken soup is warm and mellow. After taking a sip, the fresh fragrance of mushrooms spreads in your mouth, followed by the sweet taste of chicken blooming on the tip of your tongue. It is so delicious that people can't help but drink it up mouthful after mouthful.
After drinking three bowls of mushroom and chicken soup in a row, Zhu Yu didn’t start to put the ingredients in until a thin layer of sweat appeared on his forehead.
While waiting for the ingredients to cook, she opened the player's backpack and began to check the spoils of the operation.
The conventional materials and equipment on the list did not arouse much interest in her. She quickly browsed through them until she saw a line of words shining with golden light, and her eyes suddenly lit up.
——It’s a golden treasure chest!
Zhu Yu was delighted. Just as she was about to open the box, Tong Qiao beside her suddenly pulled her sleeve excitedly and pointed to the distance: "Zhu Yu, look at the snow-capped mountains over there!"
The weather has cleared up recently, and the clouds that have been lingering above everyone's heads have gradually dissipated, and the view has become broader.
Zhu Yu stood on the small slope, looking up at the rolling mountains in the distance in the direction indicated by Tong Qiao.
The snow-capped mountains glow golden under the sunlight, as if covered with a layer of dazzling golden gauze, standing tall and majestic, so beautiful that it takes your breath away.
Zhu Yu and the other players who were gazing at the view were all mesmerized, feeling an unprecedented sense of tranquility and shock in their hearts.
Holy shit! Isn't this a golden mountain in the snow? What a good omen!
Zhu Yu was stunned for a moment, then reacted.
She immediately put her hands together and bowed in the direction of the snow-capped mountains, praying for good luck in unpacking today.
Then she turned her eyes towards the treasure chest with great anticipation, and with a light click, the lid slowly opened, emitting dazzling golden light, which attracted envious glances from the surrounding players.
When the golden light faded, a brightly colored plant and a scroll emitting strong energy fluctuations appeared in front of her.
Seeing the introduction of these two treasures, Zhu Yu felt excited!
Even though there are only two items in the treasure chest this time, each one is extremely precious. The props and equipment in this game are truly about quality rather than quantity!
The first item is an orange-quality herb - mature nightshade.
Zhu Yu remembered that System 996 had once popularized the miraculous effects of mature Solanum nigrum.
Whether it is taken directly or made into medicine and then taken, it can achieve the effect of reviving the dead, heal bones, and cure all poisons.
She carefully put the nightshade into her backpack and then turned her attention to the second item - an orange-quality advanced archery scroll.
This archery scroll can significantly improve the accuracy and penetration of shooting skills, and is a priceless treasure for Zhu Yu, an archer.
Zhu Yu held the scroll tightly, closed his eyes, and immediately absorbed the skill improvement contained therein.
After checking the spoils, Zhu Yu clicked on the reward for completing the side quest and looked for clues about the flame crystal.
A line of text pops up on the interface:
[The Flame Crystal is hidden in the place with the highest temperature in the entire dungeon, which is also the favorite place of players]
Zhu Yu frowned. The place with the highest temperature?
In this extremely cold copy, the temperature is almost uniformly maintained at more than 100 degrees below zero. How can there be high temperature?
Her thoughts returned to the second half of the clue.
"Players' favorite place" seemed to carry some guidance, and combined with the description in the first half of the sentence, she had a vague guess.
***
Ou Qi stretched and walked out of the room slowly.
Li Qinglan was sitting on the sofa in the living room, wiping a machete in his hand. When he saw her leaving, he raised his eyebrows and asked, "You've been stuck in your room lately. Are you finally planning to go out for some fresh air today?"
Ou Qi nodded, yawned and said, "I received a message from Zhu Yu. She has completed the A-level mission and returned to the fortress. However, the location she arranged this time is a bit strange... It's in the underground hot spring."
"Underground hot spring?"
"Yes, she said she found some clues about the flame crystals... Wait, the flame crystals are not hidden in this hot spring under our feet!"
Ou Qi reacted belatedly, exchanged glances with Li Qinglan in surprise, then quickly ran out the door and toward the nearest hot spring entrance.
******
A familiar figure appeared in his sight. After greeting, Zhu Yu noticed that his friend's eyes were dark and he couldn't help but ask with concern: "What's the matter? Have you not had a good rest recently?"
Ou Qi waved her hands, sighed and said, "It's okay, I just have nightmares recently, maybe I'm nervous. It's not important, let's do business first."
As she spoke, she looked around the hot springs and asked Zhu Yu doubtfully, "Are you sure the flame crystal is here?"
Seeing that the other party had guessed it, Zhu Yu nodded and said in a low voice: "That's right. According to the clues I have, the flame crystal may be hidden in this underground hot spring. But the exact location is still unclear, I need you to use your skills to detect it."
Upon hearing this, Ou Qi made an OK gesture to Zhu Yu, then stood by the hot spring pool and closed his eyes.
After the skill was activated, a faint glow gradually appeared around her, and energy ripples slowly spread around her, gently lapping at the surface of the hot spring pool.
After a while, Ou Qi's hands trembled slightly, and he suddenly opened his eyes, with a hint of excitement in his tone: "The Flame Crystal is really here! I can feel its breath... Zhu Yu, follow me."
After locking the direction, Ou Qi took Zhu Yu and walked quickly towards the depths of the hot spring.
After walking for an unknown amount of time, they stopped beside a wild hot spring pool.
This hot spring pool was the largest one they had ever seen. Unlike other hot springs, a layer of milky white mist floated on the water surface and the air was filled with a strong smell of sulfur.
Zhu Yu sniffed the pungent smell and frowned, "It seems that the sulfur content here is too high. It is probably for this reason that it has not been designated as an area for players to use."
She glanced around and found that apart from the two of them, the surroundings were so quiet that it seemed as if they were isolated from the world.
"The flame crystal should be at the spring of this hot spring. Only such a harsh environment can conceal its strong fluctuations of fire attribute."
Ou Qi continued, "If my speculation is correct, the sulfur concentration and depth of the hot spring here are not something that ordinary people can withstand. If you go in, I'm afraid even your breathing will be affected."
"You don't have to worry about that."
Zhu Yu had a vague premonition before leaving, so he specially prepared a pot of seafood soup base as dinner in advance.
She now has the added benefit of moving 20% faster in water and being able to breathe underwater.
She took off the cloak that was in the way and put it in her backpack, then turned to Ou Qi and said, "You help me keep an eye on the surroundings up there, I'll go down and take a look!"
Ou Qi nodded in response and looked around warily.
Zhu Yu took a deep breath and jumped into the hot spring pool.
The temperature underwater was unexpectedly high, almost giving people a burning sensation.
Fortunately, thanks to her B-level physical fitness and the added effect of the seafood hot pot base, she was able to barely adapt to the high temperature of the hot spring.
But the additional effect of the seafood hotpot is limited in time, and she must find the spring as soon as possible.
Zhu Yu gritted his teeth and dived toward the bottom of the pool with all his might.
After swimming underwater for about ten minutes, she finally saw a vague red light coming out of a crack at the bottom of the spring - that was the light of the flame crystal.
She quickened her pace and approached the spring, and found that the flame crystal was surrounded by thick black crystals, like a natural barrier, sealing it tightly inside.
She first tried to move the crystals with her bare hands, but the black crystals were extremely hard and difficult to break easily.
Seeing this, Zhu Yu took out an ice-blue dagger from his backpack, held it tightly in his hand, and quickly stabbed at the black crystals on the surface of the rock.
As soon as the dagger touched the crystal, icy blue cold air spread rapidly, and the extreme low temperature condensed a light layer of frost on the surface of the crystal.
Under the strong stimulation of cold and heat, tiny cracks finally appeared on the surface of the black crystals.
Zhu Yu seized the opportunity and chiseled the dagger into the crack bit by bit, gradually weakening the hardness of the crystal.
With every blow, the icy blue chill penetrated deeper into the crystal, weakening it bit by bit.
As the dagger continued to penetrate deeper, the black crystal finally broke apart, revealing the hot, deep red flame crystal.
She quickly grabbed the flame crystal, put it into the player's backpack, and then swam upwards, eventually breaking through the water and returning to the shore.
Seeing that Zhu Yu seemed to be a little exhausted, Ou Qi immediately squatted down, stretched out his hand and pulled her up.
After getting ashore, Zhu Yu couldn't help coughing twice, and felt that the heavy feeling of being oppressed by the water flow at the bottom of the spring seemed to still remain in his chest.
She adjusted her breathing for a while, then thanked Ou Qi and said, "Thanks to you this time, the commission has been transferred to your account, remember to collect it. Also, remember to go back and rest early tonight."
Ou Qi yawned, waved his hand lazily, and said with a smile: "Okay, call me next time if you have a mission."
After saying that, she left slowly.
After saying goodbye to Ou Qi, Zhu Yu looked down at his inventory and found that he had almost collected all the materials for the dragon bone wood bow, except for the torso or skeleton of an A-level monster.
Thinking that he was only one step away from his goal, Zhu Yu walked towards the hot pot restaurant in a happy mood.
At this time, the hot pot restaurant's business hours were coming to an end, and the last few tables of guests were leaving one after another.
Zhu Yu picked up a cup of warm sweet corn juice and sipped it while sitting at the counter.
After all the guests left, she stood up and prepared to update the hot pot restaurant.
This update, however, was unexpectedly quiet, with no noticeable changes in store.
Zhu Yu walked out of the store in some confusion, but his eyes lit up - there was an oden cart outside the door!
A variety of ingredients are being cooked in the iron grid of the cart, including sweet and soft white radish, chewy fish balls, golden bamboo rolls, thick tofu cubes, etc. As the ingredients roll in the grid, the oil on the soup surface ripples slowly, emitting a rich aroma. There is a small ceramic stove next to the cart, with the fire flickering slightly, keeping the soup warm and emitting warm steam.
Looking at this particularly warm scene in the cold night, Zhu Yu couldn't help but think of the time when he had just graduated from college and entered the workplace.
In winter, her most enjoyable moment of the day is going to the night market snack street near the company after get off work with her colleagues who have also worked hard all day.
The company where she worked for her first job loved to make promises to employees in the name of "dedication" and often asked them to work overtime until late without pay.
By the time she finishes work, it is often late at night, but this is also the opening time of the night market stalls.
While chatting about the trivialities of today's work, everyone walked through the crowd and finally stopped in front of a small roadside stall.
The steaming pot of oden soup was bubbling in the stall, and the aroma was fragrant.
At that time, she and another young sister who had just graduated were short of money. They held paper bowls in their hands and dared only buy some vegetarian oden such as white radish and bean curd to satisfy their cravings.
Usually at this time, several aunts or older sisters who have worked in the company for many years would always say that they wanted to "lose weight", and then pick out a few pieces of fish balls or Arctic shark fins from their own bowls and put them in their bowls, and then smile at each other.
On a cold night, such a simple snack became her comfort after a tiring day, and her tired mood was relaxed at this moment.
"Eh? Boss, why aren't you leaving after get off work... Wow, it's oden!"
As soon as Mi Xiaotong and Jing Miao came out of the hot pot restaurant, they saw Zhu Yuzheng staring at a small cart in a daze.
After seeing the food in the cart, they both exclaimed in unison.
This shout brought Zhu Yu back from his memories.
She looked back and saw two shop assistants staring at the oden in front of her with sparkling eyes. Behind them, Bai Xiumin and Xun Rong and their spouses seemed more stable, but from their unconscious swallowing movements, they were obviously attracted by the aroma.
"You've come at the right time," Zhu Yu smiled at the four people, "I just unlocked the oden here, come and try it, and help me decide which one tastes the best."
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