Whatever. Cheng Shuili shrugged off the cart's outburst, cruising on, flicking to the regional channel now and then. No dungeon escapees had posted—either trapped or stealthy.
Noon hit, and Wan Yi pinged.
Wan Yi: Lunch?
Crow Takes Flight: Yup.
Wan Yi: Just saw your announcement. You're insanely fast. I just got out. What do you want for lunch? Got plenty of pork, but low on spices, green onions, ginger, garlic. Food might taste off in a few days.
Her mind sparked—spices. Her supply packs could refresh those, but not yet. She held back; promising now and flopping would bum them both out.
Crow Takes Flight: Anything's fine, rice and a dish.
Wan Yi: Got it.
She flicked to the regional channel, where dungeon survivors finally piped up.
[Qinglin Bian]: Thought I was fast, then saw Crow boss at 3 minutes? Cheating?
[Love Lamb Skewers]: Wandered three hours to find the way. Good thing it's safe, or I'd be dead. Never joining again—felt so uneasy…
[Circle]: Next time might not be optional.
[Just Pics]: @Crow Takes Flight, what's the boss's reward? Don't hold out, show us!
[Dream Moon]: Damn, I'm curious too! @Crow Takes Flight, spill it!
Her fingers drummed the wheel, eyes skimming the channel's clamor. The awe and shade flitted like noisy sparrows. She smirked—predictable. Reply? Nah. Big shots kept it cryptic.
Wan Yi was lightning. Lunch landed fast:
"You received a gift from player Wan Yi: Homemade Guobaorou x1, Rice x1, Homemade Unknown Drink x1."
Not starving, but cold food was trash. She pulled over, popping the box. A sweet-tangy blast hit—her stomach growled, saliva pooling.
The guobaorou's golden crust, slick with sugary-vinegar glaze, gleamed in the sun. A poke—crack—crisp outside, juicy meat within. The sauce's tart zing, laced with ginger and garlic, set her taste buds alight.
The rice? Perfect—steamy, distinct grains. She scooped a bite, sauce and rice melting into sweet bliss.
Hell yeah. This was living.
After wolfing a few bites, she eyed the "unknown drink"—murky brown, lemon slices and mint sinking. Cola, maybe? She raised it, but Wan Yi's ping stopped her.
Wan Yi: Drink's my own mix. Craved cola, but it's weird. Don't drink.
Too late—she sipped. A vile wave hit: syrupy sweet, herbal-bitter, lemon peel's sour fizz popping. "Pfft!" She nearly spat, chucking the glass aside, tempted to yeet the whole cup.
Crow Takes Flight: …Did you add Banlangen?
Wan Yi: You tasted it? Saw cola had cinnamon and vanilla, so I tossed in stew spices. Not that bad, right?
She begged to differ—touch your heart, man.
Gulping water to dull the taste, she dove back into the guobaorou. Wan Yi babbled apologies, then gave up.
Wan Yi: Fine, I'm great at cooking. Drinks? Either diarrhea or unswallowable.
She stared, floored. Wasting water for this in the apocalypse?
Wan Yi: It's my dream. I'll invent a dozen great drinks, open my own bubble tea shop.
Stubborn as an old lady's constipation—grudging respect.
Crow Takes Flight: Good luck.
Wan Yi: Thanks!
More @s pinged. The channel buzzed with escapees probing her rewards or exit trick.
[Those Years]: Boss, how'd you get out so quick? I followed wall marks, circled ages. How? @Crow Takes Flight
[Ze Cheng]: Wall marks? I followed fog flow—correct paths had different fog speeds.
[Blaze]: Dungeon's vibe was creepy. Thick moss, like no one's been there forever.
Cheng Shuili tuned them out. Air walls were her ace—no leaking that. Moss? No freebies for randos.
Plenty were still stuck, blind to the channel but open to private chats. She scrolled—hints varied, but moss was constant.
Cha-ching. Sellable intel, hot for one day only. She considered Glory, but their haggling soured that. No waiting—she hit the world channel.
Crow Takes Flight: Universal tip: how to clear the dungeon, works for all. Got friends or family stuck? DM me to buy, name your price, I'll trade if it's fair.
[Relief]: What? Selling it? You're a big shot, so stingy? Share for the community! You got all the rewards, still greedy? If I were first, I'd share freely!
[Liang Shanbo & Pig Charge]: Yo, Relief's back with moral blackmail? Who are you to mooch?
Wan Yi: Don't be generous with others' stuff. So noble? Buy from Crow and post it. Who's stopping you?
Cheng Shuili grinned, leaning back. Lunch savored, intel hustled, and the channel eating her dust. Another day, another win.