"This place used to be the Food Village, we have to trace back to a long time ago when our ancestors worked as Imperial Chefs." Qu Rou’er started to speak, "When I was a few years old, times were tough, my parents decided to go out to work. Unfortunately, they never returned, and we only found out many years later that they had been murdered on the day they left."

"The day I discovered they were murdered was actually the same day I was killed." Qu Rou’er sighed, "When I was eighteen, there was a famine everywhere, and three young men, about thirty years old, fainted outside the village. The villagers couldn’t just stand by and watch them starve to death."

"At that time, the village still had a decent amount of grain stored, so they let the three young men stay and do some work."

"Who would have thought that allowing them to stay would bring disaster."

"It was an afternoon in the summer; the villagers were drowsy, and I happened to go to the small river in the mountains to wash clothes, giving the three men who had targeted me a chance. In the struggle, they strangled me until I lost consciousness. As they were about to do other things, Brother Yangyang appeared and fought with them. Eventually, Brother Yangyang was killed when they smashed his head with a rock. After killing him, they killed me too, mentioning the couple they had killed down the mountain years ago, who seemed to be my parents. After that, they buried me and Brother Yangyang in the mountains. Afraid of exposure and greedy for the village’s belongings, they decided to poison the villagers and set the village on fire before fleeing with the stolen goods."

"Such a huge case was soon solved, and all three were captured and executed by firing squad."

Ah Chen curiously asked, "If choosing option B, what happens then?"

"You’ll watch helplessly as vengeful ghosts kill the villagers and burn the village. The villagers will turn into fierce ghosts, devouring those three ghosts alive, and the entire village will become a living hell, likely causing severe psychological trauma to those who choose option B." Qu Rou’er said expressionlessly, going as frightening as possible, making sure to keep people awake at night, trembling with fear. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Sister Chenchen, the future levels won’t be so peaceful, you need to be careful, especially in the next stage." She added, "But you have plenty of money, so it should be fine."

The power is still strong, even those playing the three ghosts are worried about being defeated.

Ah Chen said, "Alright."

"Come on, I’ll take you to eat the best food."

In the last day at the Food Village, it should be the most peaceful time, with no need to worry, but still, the rules need to be followed.

At five o’clock in the afternoon, everyone bid farewell to the villagers, disappearing into the Food Village.

Upon returning to the resting space, a notification immediately sounded in their minds: [Congratulations to the adventurers for passing two beginner levels, it’s time to get serious now, the next level will be elimination-based, please prepare yourselves.]

[Reward settlement in progress, settlement complete, please check your rewards.]

Ah Chen looked at her own: Main quest reward of 500 coins, side quest (repairing photos) earned 600 coins, and Intermediate Shield Card×1, hidden quest 1500 coins, Intermediate Substitute Card×1, with card power still related to Food Village.

Then others’ rewards should be the main quest and hidden quest, fairly generous.

She looked up and saw Huo Jingchen’s expression was improved.

Only the thought of saving a thousand coins made him not so pleased, now it only means a Substitute Card is gained. But an Intermediate Substitute Card must be better than a Basic Substitute Card.

According to the world’s rules, the higher the rank of the monsters, the stronger their perception. A Basic Substitute Card doesn’t work well in front of high-level monsters.

Additionally, Ah Chen discovered changes in the shop, with new items added.

The most prominent item was the Resurrection Card.

It seems this world isn’t meant to kill adventurers entirely, it makes sense since death leads to inactivity, leaving them as mere common monsters. Adventurers are more useful living, with all their emotions and actions fueling the energy of this world, which she suspects is the case.

The Resurrection Card has its description—first purchase for 100 coins, second purchase requires ×10 times the price, i.e., 1000 coins, third would be 10000... After ten levels, it refreshes once.

Conditions aren’t harsh, but ordinary adventurers may find it difficult to achieve.

Out of those present, besides her, others can purchase Resurrection Cards twice at most.

The main quest reward for level completion isn’t high, making it hard to gather ten thousand coins; events like Food Village won’t be easily encountered again, this seems like a beginner’s benefit.

Huo Jingchen also noticed the Resurrection Card first, even if it gets expensive, at least it guarantees survival twice.

Only it’s not resurrection within the levels, but resurrection to the resting space, implying level task failure, with no reward at all. Considered both good and bad news: a waste of effort but avoiding crisis, as succeeding in resurrected levels isn’t guaranteed.

Soon he noticed another item: Instant Resurrection Card

This must be for resurrection within the levels, right?

Purchasing conditions aren’t met yet, the interface is gray.

Looking at the price, it’s surprisingly 5000 coins per card, with unlimited purchase, giving a minute of immunity from attacks.

Given Huo Jingchen’s intelligence, he immediately understood this is for high-level adventurers or crucial levels. For levels with rich rewards, unwilling to leave, high-level adventurers might want to try. Unless necessary for that level, using it in lower levels is apparently wasteful.

Huo Jingchen stopped looking; he aims to leave, not staying forever. This place is magical but too much is uncontrollable, he dislikes such feelings.

Ah Chen didn’t pay much attention to the shop items.

She transferred all her coins to Wei Wenlan, along with all her items.

Wei Wenlan received them in surprise, with confusion on her face.

Everyone has a separate resting room here, Wei Wenlan dragged Ah Chen to her room: "What’s going on? Why did you give me all your coins?"

It’s not just partial, it’s all given to her, then what?

Wei Wenlan didn’t feel happy but rather anxious, thinking her good sister wouldn’t do anything rash?

Plus, all the items were given to her.

She even noticed a item named: Tan Sui’s Protection

Surely it’s something valuable, given to her too?

Wei Wenlan panicked; did something happen?

Ah Chen held her hand: "I don’t need these, I relied on my own strength to defeat the three ghosts before, without using any items."

Wei Wenlan widened her eyes, contemplating the truth of her words, soon choosing to believe as Chenchen had no reason to deceive her.

"The next is an elimination level," Ah Chen said, "We might be separated, I can ensure my survival, but I’m worried about you. Over ten thousand coins allow you to resurrect three times; regardless of passing the level, surviving is what matters."