Chapter 9 [The underground garden was polluted, and some plants died...
Zhao Shu held a black parasol and walked steadily with his teammates through the desolate ruins of the lost city.
The scorching sun was mercilessly burning the earth, and the air was filled with scorching heat waves, making it hard to breathe.
Qi Lecheng wiped the sweat off his forehead with the back of his hand and complained, "This damn weather is getting hotter and hotter. I feel like the soles of my shoes are about to melt."
Peng Yi turned the small electric fan in his hand to the maximum speed and blew it close to his face:
"Don't even mention the soles of my shoes. I feel like my whole body is about to be roasted. Er Feng didn't say anything either. I guess she fainted from the heat."
"I'm not fainted." Er Feng leaned weakly on Qi Lecheng's shoulder, muttering with her eyes closed, "I'm just pretending to be dead."
Zhao Shu raised his eyes and looked forward. Dust was flying in his sight, blurring the surrounding scene, but the red arrow at the entrance of the dungeon was still eye-catching.
She narrowed her eyes slightly and quickened her pace.
Finally, the group returned to the dungeon.
The cool underground air hits you in the face, forming a sharp contrast with the scorching heat outside, making you feel comfortable all over.
Peng Yi stood in the cool garden and took a deep breath: "This is where people should be!"
Zhao Shu put away her parasol and looked around. The familiar underground city environment made her expression relax.
"It's so strange, why do I feel like... I'm home."
Qi Lecheng scratched his head and muttered to himself.
A few people were just about to take the elevator upstairs to rest, but they were attracted by the smell of food.
The tempting aroma instantly whetted their appetite.
Just as everyone was looking around after smelling the fragrance, Er Feng seemed to have suddenly regained her strength. She flew off Qi Lecheng's shoulder with a whoosh, circling around the source of the fragrance, and shouted excitedly:
"Look! There's a new fast food restaurant here! Come over here!"
The group was inspired by Er Feng and hurriedly followed, dragging their tired bodies.
After walking a few steps, the sign of the fast food restaurant appeared in front of us.
The red and yellow facade design makes the store look full of enthusiasm and vitality.
Zhao Shu led his teammates through the door.
The fast food restaurant is decorated in a simple and bright style, with white wooden tables and chairs matched with white walls, creating a clean and comfortable atmosphere.
There is a row of automatic food pick-up windows along one wall, and the screen at each window scrolls to display the dishes and prices. So far, there are five dishes in the store:
Spicy and Sour Potato Shreds: 20 Gold Coins
Scrambled eggs with tomatoes: 20 gold coins
Mapo Tofu: 30 gold coins
Soy Sauce Chicken: 45 gold coins
Stir-fried beef: 45 gold coins
Staple food: White rice: 5 gold coins
There was a detailed description of the meal pickup rules on the wall. Zhao Shu walked closer and took a look. It said that customers only needed to select dishes and place their orders on the ordering screen, get a meal pickup code after completing the payment, and then redeem the meal pickup code at the last empty window to pick up their meals.
It is indeed a true "fast food restaurant". This business model does not require customers to wait, and it is convenient and efficient.
While expressing his feelings, Zhao Shu asked his teammates to start choosing food.
After the three of them got their meals, they found a four-person seat by the window and sat down.
On the table was a large plate of soy sauce chicken, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, mapo tofu and stir-fried beef, the aroma lingering in the air whetted one's appetite.
Peng Yi couldn't wait to pick up a piece of soy sauce chicken, took a bite, and then scooped a spoonful of rice into his mouth, his eyes full of satisfaction:
"It smells so good! I haven't had a proper meat meal since I entered this crappy dungeon. I'm almost vomiting from drinking nutrient solution every day."
"No, let alone these dishes, I can only eat white rice once in a while."
Qi Lecheng picked up a piece of beef from the table and put it into his mouth. He was about to continue speaking when he was suddenly interrupted by Erfeng on his shoulder.
"And me! I want to eat beef!" Er Feng flapped her wings and cried in dissatisfaction, pecking at Qi Lecheng's head with her beak, "Don't eat it all, leave a piece for me!"
"I know, I know." Qi Lecheng didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He picked a small piece from the plate and handed it to Erfeng. "Okay, this is what the captain bought with gold coins. Don't waste it."
"Humph, you're quite sensible." Erfeng pecked at the food proudly.
Although Zhao Shu didn't say anything, she ate the scrambled eggs with tomatoes and nodded slowly, obviously very satisfied with the quality of the food.
After a while, Ji Ying hurried over, holding a serving of spicy and sour potato shreds and a bowl of rice, and sat opposite them.
She tucked her hair behind her ears and gasped:
"Sorry, I'm late. I was just busy responding to transactions upstairs."
Zhao Shu waved his hand: "It's okay, eat quickly."
When everyone had almost finished eating, Zhao Shu asked Ji Ying:
"Is the deal done?"
Ji Ying nodded: "It's done. The other party is very satisfied and wants us to help him get another crystal core of a B-level monster, preferably an earth-type one, but if that doesn't work, a wood-type one will do."
Zhao Shu pondered for a while, put down his chopsticks and said, "Agree to it. We will be staying in the Lost City for the time being anyway. Everyone can check the posts on the trading forum to see if there are other suitable tasks. If you are capable, you can take them all together to save time."
Qi Lecheng echoed, "Indeed, since we are all here, we can earn more resources by completing a few more tasks."
Peng Yi picked up a piece of spicy and sour potato shreds with chopsticks and said vaguely:
"I think I saw an escort mission yesterday. Someone needs to come to the Lost City. The price is quite high. Do you guys want to take it?"
"What? Show me your ID so I can see it."
"good."
“…”
While they were chatting happily over there, a table of people in the corner of the fast food restaurant gradually quieted down after Zhao Shu and others entered the store.
"Vice President, look, isn't that Liuhuo's Zhao Shu over there?"
Wen Luo had sharp eyes and recognized the four people's attire at a glance, and spoke in a low voice.
"And the bird," another member of the Sunflower Union quietly approached the vice president and added in a low voice:
"There are very few summoner players who always carry their summoned beasts with them. And that bird keeps chirping, it must be the parrot named 'Er Feng' that Qi Lecheng raised."
The vice president's eyes fell on the budgie flapping its wings on Qi Lecheng's shoulder.
Members of the Liuhuo Guild appeared here... Could it be that they were planning to move their residence to the dungeon?
He had heard some rumors that the Liuhuo Guild was looking for a new residence, so after confirming the identities of Zhao Shu and his group, he immediately connected the two together.
I don’t know what the relationship is between the city lord here and the Liuhuo Guild.
The vice president speculated in his mind, with a hint of deep thought in his eyes.
Wen Luo didn't think too much about it, and said with a little excitement:
"Since even the people from the Elite Guild are willing to live here, it means the conditions in the dungeon are really good."
The vice president nodded and agreed:
"Indeed, this also proves that we chose the right place. If the dungeon can attract players from the Liuhuo Guild, this place must have great potential."
"But no matter what their reasons for coming here are, everyone just remember to keep their distance and don't cause trouble."
Wen Luo: "I understand. Let's finish eating quickly, go next door to buy a cup of fruit tea and go upstairs. I remember Brother Li mentioned that after he drank a cup of special fruit tea, all his injuries healed."
"Is this true? Fruit tea has additional effects?"
Several members of the Sunflower Union showed surprised expressions.
In order to escape from the pursuit, they were more or less injured, and the healing potions and props in the copy were very expensive.
If fruit tea really has therapeutic effects, then it would be a great deal.
Thinking of this, they couldn't hold back any longer. After quickly finishing the rice in their bowls, they immediately stood up and walked out the door.
*
"Captain, the mapo tofu just now is a bit spicy, let's go next door and buy a cup of fruit tea."
At the entrance of the fruit tea shop, Zhao Shu and his group were about to push the door open, but they bumped into members of the Sunflower Union who were coming out of the fast food restaurant.
"Oh, sorry, I didn't bump into you guys just now?"
Peng Yi took a step back first and spoke with some embarrassment.
"It's okay, we left in a hurry."
Wen Luo waved his hands quickly and his eyes stayed on the bird opposite for a moment.
Zhao Shu's eyes calmly swept over the people in front of her. This was the first time she saw other players in the dungeon.
Judging from the equipment and expression of the opponent, he should be a player from an ordinary guild.
The two groups of people pushed each other in and out of the door, secretly sizing each other up, and a subtle atmosphere filled the air.
Just then, a lazy voice came from not far away: "Hey, I didn't expect to meet you here."
When everyone looked over, they saw a tall man followed by several players walking towards the fruit tea shop.
He had a nonchalant smile on his face, his eyes moving between the two groups of people:
"Zhao Shu from the Liuhuo Guild...it looks like this dungeon is getting more and more lively."
Zhao Shu frowned slightly and recognized the person as Yunze from the Oasis Union.
Vice President Sunflower's expression also changed slightly. He obviously didn't expect that people from the Oasis Union would also come.
The three groups of people fell into a brief silence at the entrance of the fruit tea shop. Then Yunze chuckled, stretched out his hand to push open the door of the fruit tea shop, and said loudly:
"Don't block the road, come in and have a cup of fruit tea."
So three groups of people rushed into the fruit tea shop together, and the atmosphere in the shop instantly became more subtle.
"Shopkeeper, as usual, first give me ten cups of lemon tea..."
Yunze stood in front of the counter, glanced at the menu, raised his eyebrows, and asked in a familiar tone:
"Huh? We haven't seen each other for a few days, and there are so many new items on the menu?"
Zhu Yu heard the familiar voice and looked up, and found that the small fruit tea shop was crowded with people. She glanced at everyone before replying:
"Yeah, do you want to try the new style?"
Yunze: "Then I'll have five cups of 'Coconut Mango' and five cups of 'Raw Coconut Watermelon'. Don't make it too sweet, just 30% sugar."
Zhu Yu responded and quickly entered the order.
At the same time, Yunze looked back at the other two groups of people scattered in different corners of the store. His gaze finally stopped on Zhao Shu, and a vague smile appeared on the corner of his mouth:
"Captain Zhao, our two unions have worked together several times before, so we are acquaintances, right? Do you want to have a drink together?"
Zhao Shu raised his eyes and glanced at him, then nodded lightly as a response, but he didn't intend to continue the conversation, obviously not wanting to continue the conversation.
Seeing the awkward atmosphere, the vice president of the Sunflower Union coughed to resolve the silence, then walked to the counter with the members and politely said to Zhu Yu:
"Shopkeeper, I heard that your fruit tea has special effects and can heal wounds. Which one is it?"
Zhu Yu shook his head: "I'm sorry, the additional effects of the special fruit teas in our store have never been clearly marked. Each special fruit tea may have different effects. How about you try a few more and see which one is suitable?"
After hearing this, the vice president thought for a moment and said, "Okay, then I'll give you a cup of each kind of fruit tea."
Zhu Yu: "Okay, the order has been placed for you, please wait."
When Zhao Shu and the other three heard the vice-president of the Sunflower Union mention that "special fruit tea" might have therapeutic effects, they were stunned for a moment, then looked at each other with surprise in their eyes.
As a team that has been operating outdoors for a long time, they have a deep understanding of the value of items and potions with additional effects.
A seemingly ordinary place like a fruit tea shop may actually hide fruit teas with various additional effects, which undoubtedly makes them re-evaluate the value of this place.
The team already had a tacit understanding, and Zhao Shu just gave a look and Qi Lecheng immediately understood what he meant.
He stood up, walked quickly to the counter, and said to Zhu Yu, "Shopkeeper, one cup of each of our special fruit teas."
"How could you forget about me! And my topping, I want red beans this time!"
Erfeng jumped onto Qi Lecheng's shoulder, pointed at the condiment table with her wings, and spoke anxiously.
"Okay, okay, then I'll have another serving of red bean condiments."
After Er Feng's commotion, and with the fruit tea being prepared one after another, the atmosphere finally eased a little as the three groups of people each got their own drinks.
Just as everyone was drinking fruit tea, the door of the fruit tea shop was suddenly kicked open and hit the wall heavily with a loud noise.
Everyone looked up and saw six strange players walking in aggressively, obviously with ill intentions.
Their equipment was stained with blood, and the weapons in their hands emitted a cold light.
"People from the Sunflower Union, you guys are really good at hiding. I've been looking for you for quite some time."
The leading player said coldly, his eyes sweeping over the vice president and his team.
However, his originally arrogant expression froze when he saw the two union members, Yunze and Zhao Shu, standing in the store.
Several people exchanged glances, and instantly changed their expressions, saying with a smile:
"Everyone, please don't misunderstand. It's nothing serious. It's just a little friction between our union and the Sunflower Union. It's just a small fight."
Wen Luo couldn't bear it any longer. He stood up, his tone full of grievance and anger:
"What a petty fight! It was obviously your Poison Fang Guild that started the trouble, trying to seize the water source we found! You also plotted to kill our president and many members. Now you've chased us here, are you trying to kill us all?"
Wen Luo's words instantly ignited the smell of gunpowder in the air. The other party's face immediately darkened, and one of them clenched his weapon and threatened in a low voice:
"Boy, stop spitting blood!"
At the moment when the atmosphere was tense, a thin peach branch quietly wrapped around the door frame, and a cluster of small flames ignited from the fingertips of Zhao Shu hanging behind him with a "bang".
The group of people were still furious, but after looking at Zhao Shu and Yun Ze's groups, they finally chose to swallow their anger.
The leading player snorted coldly: "Let's go out first. I don't want to waste time talking to you."
Just as they were about to turn around and leave, Zhu Yu's voice suddenly came from behind the counter: "Stop."
Just now, Zhu Yu suddenly heard the emotional feedback from the dungeon:
[The underground garden was polluted and some plants died]
After disconnecting from the dungeon, Zhu Yu frowned and said:
"When you passed through my garden, you killed a lot of my flowers and grass. You must pay for it."
"Compensation?" The leading player paused, gritted his teeth and asked, "Okay, you tell me, how much?"
Zhu Yu: "The value of the flowers and the cost of replanting add up to 6,000 gold coins."
This amount was obviously not small for this group of people. The man's face became even uglier, but he finally walked to the counter.
Just as Zhu Yu was scanning the payment information for him on the cash register, he suddenly let out a burst of poisonous gas.
Just as the purple poisonous gas was about to spread, it was blocked by a layer of transparent ripples on the counter, and the poisonous gas bounced back and dissipated instantly.
The person who poisoned the store suddenly looked unhappy and threw a smoke bomb. Thick smoke immediately filled the store, blocking the sight of all the players.
Taking advantage of the chaos, the six people quickly rushed out of the store. The leader laughed smugly as he ran, "What compensation do you have to pay? How dare you..."
Before he could finish his words, a "whoosh" sound was heard and a sharp arrow pierced his chest accurately.
His expression froze in an instant, and the moment he looked down at the arrow, his entire body turned into ashes and dissipated with the wind.
The people behind had no time to react before the second arrow shot out at high speed and pierced through the back of one of them. The flames instantly engulfed his body, and he turned into ashes before he could even utter a scream.
Several of the fastest runners tried to escape, but the third and fourth arrows came one after another, hitting their vital points accurately.
Their bodies spontaneously combusted into ashes as they ran, disappearing completely with fear and unwillingness.
The smoke in the store gradually dissipated, and everyone stared in amazement at Zhu Yu, who was holding a longbow behind the counter.
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