Volume 1, Chapter 27: Pandora's Box?

It is no wonder Li Chuan was furious; the game system was simply unreasonable.

[Main Quest 1: Find the secret key hidden in the Forbidden Forest—Completed.]
[Current Secret Key Count: 3/1]
[Quest Rewards Granted: Copper Coins *500, EXP *500, Intermediate HP Potion *5, Intermediate MP Potion *5, Evolution Core (Blue) *1, Backpack Expansion Gem *1.]
[Please wait patiently, player. The Forbidden Land will unlock in two days, at which point you may use the secret key in your possession to depart.]

What a waste of effort to finish the quest so early!

"If I had known, I wouldn't have rushed. I'm going to have to clear the level with everyone else who finished anyway!"

Just as Li Chuan finished setting up his tent, Xiao Lu was so excited it was practically ready to take flight. The scorching heat under the dual suns was a brutal, agonizing ordeal for spirit plants, and many players' spirit vegetation had already withered beyond recognition. It was only because Xiao Lu was of a high level and grade, and because Li Chuan was generous with the water, that it had managed to maintain its vitality.

Once Li Chuan pitched the tent, it blocked nearly ninety percent of the sunlight. While it was still stuffy, at least they didn't have to endure the scorching rays.

"Xiao Lu, I’ve opened all four doors of the tent. If you're still feeling too hot, just poke your head out to cool off."

The "head" Li Chuan referred to was Xiao Lu's largest flower bud. The massive bud leaned toward him and gave a human-like nod.

"Oh, and one more thing: if anyone other than me enters your attack range, don't hesitate! Kill them!"

Xiao Lu nodded again.

Only then did Li Chuan find a spot with the best ventilation, lay down on the ground, and, reciting the mantra that a calm heart keeps one cool, slowly drifted off to sleep.

...

[Ding! Player survival duration target met. System Store is now partially unlocking...]
[System Store has been unlocked. Please check, players.]

Li Chuan was startled awake by the system notification. The store had updated? Finally, it wasn't just bread and purified water anymore.

"I hope there are seasonings. Please, let there be seasonings!"

Li Chuan sat up and opened the updated system store.

"Seasonings, bedding, kitchenware—and they even have shampoo?"

This was incredibly comprehensive. Li Chuan quickly scrolled past the daily necessities section and went straight to the bottom of the store. It was filled with an array of weapons and equipment—swords, guns, spears, halberds, axes, hooks, and forks; every type imaginable. The lowest grade was white, and the highest was blue.

Li Chuan ignored the rest, setting his sights only on the level 15 blue hand crossbow.

[Fere Repeater: Blue]
[Equip Level: 15]
[Attacks inflict a bleeding effect.]
[Armor Penetration +35, Attack Power +20.]
[Additional Skill: Explosive Bolt]
[Description: One of the early works of Fere Drago.]
[Price: 100 Gold Coins.]

Li Chuan checked his total balance: he had just over twelve gold coins. He was still a long way off!

"Huh? The system store added a sell function. If I can sell my other equipment, could I get enough gold to buy the Fere crossbow?"

[Standard Hand Crossbow selling price: 57 copper coins. Sell?]
No!

One hundred copper coins to a silver coin, and one hundred silver coins to a gold coin. His well-maintained crossbow wasn't even worth a single silver coin! What a heartless store!

Li Chuan opened the chat channel, intending to trade his golden keys for resources.

Forbidden Land Regional Chat Channel.
Current surviving players in the region: 173/1000

Donghe Liushui: "This Deadwood Forest is too weird! Has anyone figured out the pattern? I didn't even do anything, and arrows started flying at me. I don't even know who fired them."
Taishang Zhenjun: "There is absolutely no pattern!"
Playboy: "The daily quest death rate is almost fifty percent, and the Deadwood Forest is so dangerous. Does this crappy system want us all to become stragglers?"
Zhi Zhan Hua Bu Re Cao: "Selling golden keys, only two available for now. Equal value items, equipment, or gold are all acceptable."
Yang Liu Xi Yao: "I want one! I want a key!"
Baise Xiaoxiong: "@Zhi Zhan Hua Bu Re Cao, I want one too! I can cook for you, I promise it'll be delicious!"
Zhi Zhan Hua Bu Re Cao: "@Baise Xiaoxiong, I don't trade with profiteers! I won't trade for anything you have! Besides, didn't you see the store update? Can't I just buy salt and cook it myself?"
Yizhao Fengyun Qi: "@Zhi Zhan Hua Bu Re Cao, brother, can we talk privately?"

...

The chat in the channel was refreshing too quickly for Li Chuan to keep up. "Ugh... how am I supposed to see who's saying what like this?"

Just as he was feeling lost, Li Chuan heard footsteps outside the tent, and Xiao Lu’s massive bud instantly shot out through the exit. Someone was here?

Li Chuan dashed out of the tent immediately. Overhead, the scorching ultraviolet rays made his skin burn instantly. The weather marked by the central light screen as "hot" was truly, hellishly hot!

Was it him?

The one who had alarmed Xiao Lu was the player named Xu Fengyun. He was the leader of the "Three Heroes Society," the only other major player organization besides the Illuminati. The fact that this person managed to organize a small faction in just one day was proof enough of his capability.

"President Fengyun, what brings you here?" Li Chuan stepped forward, stroking Xiao Lu's bud, asking a question he already knew the answer to.

Xu Fengyun smiled with great poise. "The chat channel was too noisy. I wanted to trade with you, so I had to come here to find you."

Li Chuan added Xu Fengyun to his friends list amidst a sea of pending requests. "The sun is too fierce. Just send me a private message with whatever you have to offer. I'm going back in."

Xu Fengyun had intended to maintain his air of authority as a leader, shake hands with Li Chuan, and say some pleasantries to win him over. Instead, he was met only with Li Chuan’s retreating back as he ducked back into the tent.

What an arrogant guy!

He had hoped to use this trade to turn Li Chuan into his subordinate, so that everything he owned would belong to him. He hadn't expected Li Chuan to be immune to his tactics, not even willing to spare a few words. Xu Fengyun had no choice but to bite the bullet and send his gathered items to Li Chuan.

Back inside the tent, Li Chuan began silently filtering his friend requests. No trade info? Delete. Insults? Delete. Beggars? Delete.

That Xu Fengyun had the face of a refined scoundrel; his intentions were written all over his face. Li Chuan wasn't falling for that.

Ten gold coins, two pieces of green equipment, and one green accessory. This was the list Xu Fengyun offered for the key. The gold and the accessory were fine, but Li Chuan didn't need the equipment; he was nearly finished assembling a blue set, so he had no interest in green gear.

*Pending.*

Li Chuan continued to scroll through the trade lists sent by others.

*Backpack Expansion Gem?*
Wasn't this a reward for Main Quest 1? Someone actually had one? Li Chuan was immediately tempted. His backpack was already full, and he had to leave many large items under Xiao Lu's roots.

*Pending.*

Three hundred copper coins and a white longsword. *What a pauper. Pass!*
*Pass this one too.*

...

"Pandora's Box?"

Li Chuan spotted an item that piqued his interest more than any other. "There's actually a treasure chest like this?"

If he couldn't claim much else, Li Chuan was certainly the undisputed "Chosen Opener of Chests"!