Chapter 56 The First Scratch Ticket
Deep in the Rock Fortress, the huge stone chamber that is heavily guarded and not even a fly can get in has become the most mysterious and dangerous core of the entire Dayan Kingdom.
The air was filled with a strong and unique mixed smell of saltpeter and sulfur, and the ground was littered with fine charcoal powder and metal fragments.
The five earth-shaking explosions a few days ago not only stunned the Fuying army, but also woke up the entire Dayan.
A steady supply of top-quality materials—the purest saltpeter, refined sulfur, fine charcoal, thick iron sheets, tough hemp ropes, and specially made fish glue—were given the highest priority by Emperor Nangong Yu and transported to Rock Castle through secret channels day and night.
Arriving at the same time were the absolutely loyal and reliable elite secret guards drawn from the capital and various regions! Dragon Shadow Guards, Tiger Guards, Secret Shadow Guards... Elite soldiers with various names and wearing different uniforms of black filled the stone chamber like ghosts, surrounding it like an iron barrel.
In the Emperor's words:
"If Princess Fuxing loses even a hair, the gatekeepers will be beheaded!"
The center of the stone chamber was brightly lit. Dongfang Yuning was still wearing his dark, dirt-resistant cloth, his sleeves rolled up high. His face was inevitably stained with black dust and sweat, like a kitten that had just emerged from a pile of coal.
But her eyes were as bright as the brightest stars in the night sky, filled with concentration, excitement and a hint of imperceptible fatigue.
After several days of high-intensity research and development, even though she was full of energy, she felt a little overwhelmed.
At this moment, she was commanding the only core tool man in the whole scene - Prince Yong Nangong Ye.
"Brother Aye! Quick! Pour the last batch of gunpowder granules in! Yes, that biggest lump of iron!"
Dongfang Yuning pointed at a giant iron lump on the stone platform. The lump was obviously two times larger than the previous test piece, had a thicker shell, and was inlaid with densely packed sharp cast iron fragments.
This is the upgraded version of the "round" that she and System 118 optimized and designed repeatedly, and Nangong Ye refined it with his inner strength - the fragment-enhanced version!
Nangong Ye said nothing, his expression as focused as if he were carving a piece of exquisite jade. He lifted a heavy wooden barrel with one hand, which contained black gunpowder that had been precisely proportioned and had uniform particles.
His inner energy circulated, the barrel hovered steadily in the air, and the powder flowed precisely into the massive iron shell, as if guided by an invisible funnel. His movements were fluid and eerily precise, as if he were not filling a deadly weapon but performing a work of art.
[System! Density monitoring! Ah Ye's internal force suppression is synchronized!]
Dongfang Yuning gave nervous commands in his mind.
System 118: [Gunpowder charge has reached target. Density monitoring activated... Your Majesty, please begin internal force suppression. Target density: 102% of theoretical value!]
Nangong Ye understood (or was forced to understand). He slowly raised his free hand, palm down, towards the huge iron lump.
An incomparably powerful and condensed internal force surged out, like an invisible heavy hammer, pressing down fiercely with a heart-pounding sense of oppression!
Buzz——!
The entire stone chamber trembled! The thick iron shell groaned under the weight, and the gunpowder particles inside, under the extreme compression of the internal force, increased in density! The air seemed to be distorted by this force.
Density: 98%…99%…100%…101%…102%! Met the standard! Perfect!
The electronic sound of System 118 carried a rare hint of excitement.
[Congratulations, host! 'Round-Up Fragment Enhanced' models 1-20 have all been manufactured! Estimated power is 2.5 times that of the original prototype! Explosion radius increased by 40%, and fragmentation effectiveness increased by 300%!]
[Yeah! It's done!]
The villain in Dongfang Yuning's heart cheered and jumped for joy, wanting to jump up and spin three times.
"5x! 300% fragmentation! This princess has reserved the dog head of Emperor Fuying! Brother Aye! You are truly the best 'human press'! I love you so much!"
In her excitement, she habitually gave Nangong Ye a "Tool Man Good Person Card" in her mind.
Nangong Ye slowly finished his training, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. After several days of intense internal energy output, even with his profound skills, he felt a little tired.
But when I heard her say "I love you so much" from the bottom of her heart, all the fatigue seemed to be swept away in an instant, leaving only full of warmth and indulgence.
He looked at the little cat beside him. She was standing with her hands on her hips, looking at the twenty dark, deadly "round balls" neatly arranged on the stone platform with a smug smile that said "I'm the best in the world".
[Host, a high-intensity mission has been completed, and the mental and physical burden is considerable. The system has detected that you have already met one lucky star scratch-off lottery entry. Would you like to enter now? Try your luck?]
The voice of System 118 sounded at the right moment, with a hint of persuasion.
【Scratch-off lottery?!】
Dongfang Yuning's eyes widened instantly, and the fatigue in them was completely replaced by huge surprise.
[Can I enter the lottery now?! Yes, yes, yes! I remember you told me there were rewards! Quick! Tell me what the prizes are!]
She was so excited that she rubbed her hands together in her mind.
Nangong Ye was wiping the sweat from his forehead with a cloth, and his movements paused slightly. He clearly caught the extremely unfamiliar and strange word "scratch-off lottery" and Ning'er's instantaneous surge of excitement.
He remained calm and pretended not to hear anything, but he wiped more slowly, but his ears were perked up more than anyone else's.
He was also extremely curious about what this mysterious scratch-off lottery ticket of his fiancée was.
System 118's voice suddenly rose in pitch, filled with the passionate demeanor of a salesman (even though it had no physical form):
[Host! I must give you a big pat on the back… ahem, let me solemnly introduce you! Our Lucky Star Scratch-Off lottery ticket brings together unparalleled opportunities from across the universe and the multiverse! It's packed with incredible prizes!]
[For example: A portable planting space with unlimited expansion potential! It comes with its own magical spring, so whatever you plant grows, and eating it will prolong your life!]
[Another example: a cross-dimensional space-time trading system! Sell rare treasures from other worlds with one hand, acquire future technology with the other, and you'll be rich enough to rival the universe without even having to do anything!]
[For example: Midas Touch (Trial Version), Photographic Memory Bread (Permanent Version), Charm Aura MAX (Opposite Sex Version)... There's nothing you can't think of, and our scratch cards can't give you!]
The electronic sound of System 118 is so rhythmic, it sounds just like a street vendor selling magic pills.
Dongfang Yuning's heart surged with emotion when he heard this, and his mouth almost watered (psychologically):
[Holy crap! So awesome?! Portable space? Space-time trading? This… this sounds even more fantastical than my earth-shattering thunder!]
Hurry, hurry, hurry! This princess can't wait! I want to shave! Now! Immediately! Right now! Hahahaha~~~ See what earth-shattering treasure I, the Eastern European Emperor, Yuning, can shave out today!]
Her little face was full of excitement as she was eager to try.
[Ding—Lucky Star Scratch-Off System activated! Host, please concentrate and intuitively choose your favorite from the ten mysterious scratch-off cards that appear in your mind!]
The voice of System 118 became solemn and mysterious.
Dongfang Yuning immediately closed her eyes and focused. Before her eyes (in her consciousness), ten dimly glowing cards slowly emerged. Each one was covered in a flowing, impenetrable silver coating, full of unknown temptations.
[1, 2, 3…7, 8, 9, 10…]
Dongfang Yuning's eyes (consciousness) quickly scanned.
8! I want the 8th one! Lucky number 8! Good luck! This is it!
She made her choice without hesitation.
[Host has selected: Mysterious Scratch-Off Number 8! ]
System 118's voice carried a subtle hint of tension and anticipation.
[Now is the moment to witness a miracle! The mysterious coating... is fading...]
Dongfang Yuning's heart was in her throat. Although Nangong Ye couldn't see the scene in her mind, he could clearly feel her suddenly tense breathing and accelerated heartbeat.
He held his breath and even stopped wiping the sweat off his face.
The silver coating slowly faded from the card like melting ice and snow, and the first thing that emerged was a turquoise pool filled with rich vitality and flowing with fairy air!
The pond is surrounded by several small pieces of land that emit a warm and spiritual light.
【This is……? 】
Dongfang Yuning was a little confused.
System 118's electronic voice suddenly became extremely high-pitched, even with a hint of excitement that broke the note:
[Dangdangdangdang——!!! Congratulations to the host!!! Congratulations to the host!!! You have won the SSR-level incredible prize—Lingquan Portable Space (Basic Edition)!!!]
[Spiritual...Spiritual Spring Portable Space?!]
Dongfang Yuning was stunned.
[That's right! Host! Your luck is incredible! You're such a lucky guy!]
System 118 was so excited that the data stream was running wildly.
[Spiritual Spring! This is a fairy spring that contains the essence of heaven and earth and the source of life force! Living dead may be a bit exaggerated, but flesh and bones are definitely not a problem!
Seriously injured and on the verge of death? A drop of spiritual spring water can save your life! Chronic illness? Drink it regularly to cure illness and strengthen your body! Looking for beauty and nourishment? It's a basic technique! With long-term use, smooth skin and eternal youth are no longer a dream!
[Also! Although this space currently only has a spring and a few spiritual fields (primary version), it can slowly grow as the host's spiritual power increases!
Most importantly, the space is completely controlled by your thoughts, allowing you to store and retrieve items as you wish! Absolutely fresh! Absolutely safe! Ten thousand times better than any royal treasury!
Spiritual spring? Bringing the dead back to life? Curing illnesses and strengthening the body? Beauty and nourishment? Eternal youth? Portable space? Mind-based access?
The string of information was like a bombshell, making Dongfang Yuning dizzy and almost suffocated by the huge surprise! Her face flushed red with excitement, and her body trembled slightly.
[Spiritual Spring…Beauty and Skincare…Eternal Youth…]
These words circulated and magnified endlessly in her mind, instantly overshadowing the medical value of "living dead flesh and bones"!
A business opportunity that was so glittering with gold that it could blind all the women in the world suddenly struck her mind like a comet!
【Ahhhhhhh——!!!】
Dongfang Yuning screamed like a groundhog in the depths of his consciousness.
[System!!! It's happening! This time it's really happening! A super invincible spiral explosion!!!]
[I'll add just one drop of Lingquan... Just one drop! Mix it into my 'Yuejige' premium face cream! Oh my god! The effect... wouldn't that be heaven-defying?!]
Wrinkles? Gone! Spots? Goodbye! Rough skin? Turn into a peeled egg! This isn't just a skincare product anymore! It's a magic pill! A miracle drug for youth!!!
[Limited edition! It must be a global limited edition! No, a universe limited edition! Only sell... ten bottles a year! No! Five bottles! Each one must be priced sky-high! I'll trade it for mountains of gold and silver! I want to make all the ladies in the world go crazy for it!]
An auction, an absolute auction! They'll be fighting over it! Ahhhh... money! So much money! It's waving at me! It's rushing towards me! I see mountains of gold! I see seas of silver! I see... countless small coins!!!
She was completely immersed in the fanatical fantasy that Lingquan Cream = mountains of gold and silver. She danced with excitement and unconsciously let out a silly "hehehe" laugh. Xiaohua's face was filled with an extremely happy and money-loving look, as if she had already seen herself rolling on a mountain of gold.
Nangong Ye, who had been eavesdropping silently:
“…………”
The expression on his face changed from initial curiosity, to shock when he heard about "Lingquan Space", to ecstasy when he heard about "living dead flesh and bones" (which meant Ning'er's safety was more guaranteed!), and finally... froze on extreme helplessness and a dilemma when he heard that Lingquan Cream = mountains of gold and silver.
His little fiancée...
When others get such a heaven-defying opportunity, they either want to achieve immortality or save the world, or at the very least, enhance their own strength.
His Ning'er's first reaction was to use the spring water to make face cream and sell it for money?!
Still want to count the small change? Still want to count the gold and silver mountains?
Nangong Ye looked at the little cat in front of him, who was as excited as a little mouse that had stolen candy and completely immersed in the dream of getting rich, and sighed deeply in his heart.
[Ning'er... your money-grubbing nature... is truly ingrained in your bones. There's no hope for you.]
He shook his head helplessly, but the doting in his eyes was so strong that it could not be dissolved. Never mind, as long as she is happy.
Mountains of gold and silver? Couldn't Nangong Ye afford to let her roll around in a pile of money? Besides... that spiritual spring could keep her safe, healthy, and youthful forever. This was the most important thing.
He reached out and gently wiped away a particularly conspicuous patch of black dust on her cheek with his fingertips, his movements extremely gentle.
"Tired, little cat?"
His voice was low and sweet, with a smile,
"The round balls are ready. Why don't you take a break first? I'll have someone bring you some food."
Dongfang Yuning finally woke up from his dream of getting rich. He met Nangong Ye's smiling eyes, looked at the twenty dangerous weapons on the stone platform, and thought of the magical spiritual spring space in his mind...
A huge sense of accomplishment and happiness instantly overwhelmed her!
"Um!"
She nodded vigorously, a smile brighter than the sun blooming on her little face. She grabbed Nangong Ye's hand and shook it excitedly.
"Brother Aye! We succeeded! A huge success! Not only did Yuanyuan get a level up! I also... I also..."
She almost blurted out that she had won the jackpot, but luckily she braked in time and changed her words.
"I also feel really, really happy! Really, really motivated!"
[Yes, yes, yes! Full of energy! I'll research the formula for Lingquan Cream when I get back! I've even thought of a name! It's called Xianji Yulu Cream! High-end! Classy! And the price... well, let's set a small goal for now: 10,000 taels of gold per bottle!]
Her mind was calculating.
Nangong Ye: “…”
(He held his forehead helplessly again).
[Ten thousand taels of gold... Ning'er, are you planning to empty the treasuries of all the countries?]
He silently took her little hand,
"Okay, I'm glad you're motivated. Let's go, little cat, wash your face first, then eat. A full stomach gives you the energy to... well, count the money."
He said the last two words with a teasing smile.
Dongfang Yuning didn't hear the ridicule at all, instead his eyes lit up even more:
[Right, right, right! Only when you're full can you have the energy to count money! Brother Aye, you understand me so well!]
She happily followed Nangong Ye out, and her mind was already starting to think about the marketing strategy of Lingquan Cream and how to maximize the use of space.
System 118 silently watched as its host was blinded by money and completely ignored the strategic medical value of the Spirit Spring Space. The core processor was speechless for a moment:
[…Host, the strategic value of the Spiritual Spring far outweighs its commercial value. I suggest you prioritize it…]
[Oh, I know, I know! Let me make some money first! We can talk about the strategic value later!]
Dongfang Yuning is obsessed with money and refuses to listen to any advice.
Outside the stone chamber, the guards stood guard, their eyes fixed on their noses and their noses on their hearts, like statues. But their slightly heaving shoulders and desperately pursed lips betrayed the turmoil in their hearts.
[Spiritual Spring?! Portable Space?! Living Dead Flesh and Bones?!]
[The princess... is truly a deity descended from heaven?!]
[However...using the fairy spring water to make face cream and sell it for money...this operation...is worthy of our money-loving princess!]
[Hold it in! Don't laugh! The prince said everything you hear must be kept to yourself! Manage your expression! Manage!]
Far away in the Fuying Kingdom, the Emperor and his ministers were anxiously considering how to respond to the earth-shattering thunder and the declaration of flattening, but they had no idea that the evil star that made them sleepless was now happily planning to use the fairy spring to drain the private money of their wives/mistresses/daughters, and was preparing to use a new batch of more powerful balls to send them collectively to see their ancestors.
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