Ran Qi counted the time before he came online again in two hours. The school had a 90-minute class, plus the time for walking and showering. It was almost just right.
As soon as Ran Qi came online, he heard Soul Chaser and the others discussing something heated in the team channel.
He and Gu Le hadn’t quit the team before going offline. The setting of <Magic Realm> was that the team wouldn’t disband unless everyone else in the team went offline as well. So, they remained in the team when they went offline.
“No, no. Just let Jiang Nan find his own healer. We can’t lend our priest!” Soul Chaser yelled in a loud voice on the team.
“That’s right, that’s right! Why should we lend our priest to them ah?! Let that Jiang Nan guy get away as far as he wants!” Plume Ink immediately chimed in.
“Fight their own Challenge dungeon! When we found a level 15 priest to clear the CD yesterday, that guy was afraid of death and made an excuse not to come. Now that we have passed it, he wants to fight it by himself and wants to borrow our priest. There’s no way!” Sword at Fleeting Time was obviously not satisfied either.
Despite having a bit of a misunderstanding about big boss Bai Ran before, they were convinced after going through some dungeons.
Bigshot Bai Ran is their lucky light! Fire of hope! No one can take away their awesome and soft baby Bai Ran!
“Did he say he wants to borrow him? Even if he really wants to borrow him, it has to go through Bai Ran’s consent.” Night Owl glanced at the angry people here and said calmly, “I just want to know. Who on earth ran in front of Jiang Nan to fool around and flaunt how awesome the priest in our team is?”
The team channel suddenly became as quiet as a chicken.
Ran Qi had already roughly understood the current situation through their conversation.
Yesterday, Night Owl didn’t want to waste CDs and wanted to try out the challenge dungeon, so they went to find the warrior named Jiang Nan. However, Jiang Nan heard that they found a level 15 priest and was afraid that he would die if they couldn’t pass the dungeon, so he excused himself and went offline. Today, they came online only to find that their improvised team had not only taken the first kill of the Shadow Forest challenge dungeon but also passed the Dark Tombs experience dungeon with extreme speed and got the achievement, so they ran over to ask about the situation.
Then someone on the team couldn’t help but brag about how great their priest was. After hearing this, Jiang Nan shamelessly wanted to borrow him, wanting to pass the challenge dungeon.
“Hmm?” Night Owl’s tone rose slightly. Now, the others no longer dared to pretend to be dead.
“I just… said a little… our priest has three skills…” Soul Chaser said with a guilty conscience.
“I just… said that our priest creates food himself…” Plume Ink also hesitated to say.
“I may have accidentally said that our priest makes equipment and expansions…” Sword at Fleeting Time whispered.
“Haha.” Night Owl sneered.
“Boss, we are wrong!!!” the three of them shouted in unison, sliding on their knees in an extremely standard kneeling posture.
However, Night Owl’s heart was like iron. He was not moved at all. “When we go back offline to rest, each of you will fight against me for an hour.”
“Don’t want ahhhhh!”
The three of them immediately wailed and begged for mercy. It was as if fighting against Night Owl was such a terrifying thing, but they only received a cold snort from Night Owl, which was really cruel and heartless.
Ran Qi couldn’t help but chuckle.
However, he forgot that he kept the team channel open, so the rest of the team heard his chuckle clearly.
The team channel fell into an eerie silence again. Finally, Night Owl took the lead and spoke. “Is the class over?”
“That’s right.”
“Where’s Coke?” Night Owl and the others were all scattered in the field, farming monsters and leveling up. They didn’t look at the team panel, so they didn’t notice that Ran Qi was online. After opening the team panel at this moment, they found that Coke wasn’t online yet.
“I don’t know. Maybe something delayed him. He should be online soon.” Ran Qi was also a little surprised. Logically speaking, Gu Le should have been online before him.
Several people didn’t dwell on the issue much and returned to the topic just now.
“Don’t listen to their nonsense. Jiang Nan really had something to do yesterday. He wasn’t making excuses.” Night Owl didn’t know how much he had heard, so he explained specifically, “He’s very nice. You’ll know that later.”
“Yes, yes, yes. We are talking nonsense! We know each other too well, that’s why we are like this!” Soul Chaser also hurriedly said.
Ran Qi nodded and answered, “Okay.”
It seemed that they had an excellent relationship with Jiang Nan, otherwise, they wouldn’t have made a point of explaining things to him. However, when he thought about it, they wouldn’t want to start a guild with each other if they didn’t have enough trust.
Night Owl said, “We will gather when Coke is online. We will complete both challenge dungeons.”
“Okay.” Everyone said in unison.
Hearing Jiang Nan’s fixed team was short of a priest, Ran Qi thought of Feng Tian. He opened his friend list, and sure enough, he saw that Feng Tian was online. His level was already level 16. He thought that Feng Tian had cleared the experience dungeon in the Shadow Forest after coming online.
[Private Chat] Bai Ran: Hi, are you done with the dungeon?”
[Private Chat] Feng Tian:!!!!
[Private Chat] Feng Tian: Brother, you’re finally online!
[Private Chat] Feng Tian: I received your scallion pancake! So delicious! I love you! [heart emoticon]
[Private Chat] Feng Tian: When I came online, I saw that you were already level 20. There was no more experience for the level 10 dungeon, so I didn’t wait for you! You won’t blame me, right? [Cute emoticon]
When the player’s level was higher than the dungeon level, the experience gained would be reduced accordingly. For example, if the player’s level exceeded the dungeon level by 1, the experience would be reduced by 10%; if the player’s level exceeded the dungeon level by 2, the experience would be reduced by 20%, and so on.
[Private Chat] Feng Tian: By the way, I also read the forum. How did you and big boss Night Owl know each other, ah? You guys actually took the first kill together! It’s awesome! Fly and hug the thigh!
[Private Chat] Bai Ran: ……
Before Ran Qi could say anything, Feng Tian’s machine-gun-like message slammed him in the face, and couldn’t help but shake his head in amusement.
[Private Chat] Bai Ran: What’s your equipment rating now?
[Private Chat] Feng Tian: 2800+.
Ran Qi’s current equipment rating was around 3400. He had anonymously climbed into the top ten of the equipment rankings. Of course, Feng Tian’s score could not be compared with Ran Qi’s, but it was still above average. It should be at least a full set of green equipment, and maybe one or two blue equipment. It seemed that Feng Tian was very serious about making equipment matching for himself.
[Private Chat] Bai Ran: Do you want to play the challenge dungeon? There’s a good team missing a priest. The captain is Night Owl’s friend.
[Private Chat] Feng Tian: Wow, of course, I want to go! But… I’m afraid I won’t have enough healing skills… I only have one healing skill… [Fingers pointing to each other emoticon]
Challenge dungeons were still difficult and more demanding for priests. Previously, players saw that Night Owl’s team easily got the first kill of the challenge dungeon. Many people had formed a team to run to challenge it. Although some successfully passed the dungeon, there were still many teams that got destroyed. Soon, the news came to pour cold water on the enthusiastic people. So, after calming down, everyone couldn’t help but become more cautious when forming a team.
Basically, the team members were required to be level 18 or above. The priests could be a bit lower, but their equipment ratings had to be higher than 2500, and it was best to have two skills.
When Feng Tian heard Ran Qi say that the captain of the team was Night Owl’s friend, he immediately became scared. The friend of the big boss must also be a big boss. He was afraid that if he went there, he would drag down the team.
[Private Chat] Bai Ran: Check your mail.
Ran Qi mailed the Recovery skill book he had received previously to Feng Tian.
[Private Chat] Feng Tian:!!!!!!!!!
Ran Qi sensed his excitement from his series of exclamation points and replied with a chuckle.
[Private Chat] Bai Ran: Have you forgotten? I told you when I was in the Novice Village that I would keep the skill book for you next time. This is the one for you.
[Private Chat] Feng Tian: Wohooo, good brother! Next time I get a skill book, I’ll be sure to save it for you too!
[Private Chat] Bai Ran: Okay. Quickly learn the skill book, I’ll greet Night Owl and call you later.
[Private Chat] Feng Tian: Okay!
So Ran Qi spoke up and asked, “Is Jian Nan’s fixed team short of a priest?”
“Boss Bai Ran, don’t go to Jiang Nan’s team ah! How can their team be as reliable as ours ah!” Immediately, Soul Chaser couldn’t hold back and jumped out.
“Yes, yes! Boss Bai Ran, that Jiang Nan person is so dull and boring. It’s definitely not suitable for you to go there!” Plume Ink also hurriedly persuaded him, not caring about the ‘friendship’ brotherhood that he had just explained.
“I didn’t say I’m going…” Ran Qi shook his head in amusement. “I have a friend who is also a priest. He participated in the beta test and has very good skills. His equipment rating is 2800+. He has learned the Recovery skill and wants to go to the challenge dungeon.”
“Okay. I’ll ask Jiang Nan.” Night Owl said.
After a while, Night Owl replied, “He said yes. Let your friend add him as a friend. His ID is Windstorm Jiangnan.”
“Okay!” Ran Qi sent the message the Feng Tian.
At this time, Gu Le finally came online.
“Sorry for being late. There was a sudden call from home just now, so I chatted a bit more!” Gu Le said with some embarrassment.
“It doesn’t matter.” Night Owl informed everyone. “Everyone is here. If you need to clear your bags, please do so quickly. Pay attention to your equipment maintenance. In 20 minutes, we will gather at the entrance of the Shadow Forest dungeon.”
He decided to fight the Shadow Forest first. After all, they had already cleared it once and it would not be difficult to clear it again. The difficulty of the Dark Tomb was higher and there was no need to worry about being robbed of the first kill.
“Understood!”
Taking advantage of the fact that there were still 20 minutes left before the gathering, Ran Qi put on his invisibility cloak and went to the life skills area again. He planned to make a few more new types of food. On one hand, he wanted to save up a little more physical exchange coupons, and on the other hand, it was also to prepare for the Dark Tomb’s challenge dungeon. Hopefully, he could make some food that added magic attack or defense out of it.
Ran Qi went to the grocer to buy flour, glutinous rice flour, and seasonings. Then, he started kneading the dough directly. To save time, he planned to make pies with three different flavors of fillings this time, so that it could be counted as making three kinds of pies. After all, there were multiple flavors of sandwiches offered in the game restaurant as well. They all counted as different foods.
The three flavors of the pie he was going to make were fresh meat, pumpkin, and leek and egg. This way, there would be both sweet and savory flavors. There would always be one that would add magic attributes.
He had collected the ingredients from the field before, but now that he thought about it, it was indeed a waste of time. In the future, he would try to buy them directly from the Trading Hall, which was more cost-effective. He had no money before, but now he was considered a rich man. There was no need to spend time on things that could be solved with money.
Ran Qi used low heat to fry the fresh meat pie until it turned golden brown, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside, with a meaty flavor. When Ran Qi prepared the meat feeling, he also deliberately put some fat meat into it, so that more fat and gravy would taste more flavorful. Anyway, there was no need to think about calories or body shape in the holographic game. They would not gain fat even if they ate to death. Of course, it would be as delicious as it was.
The preparation for pumpkin pie was a little more complicated. He needed to first steam the pumpkin, and then add a little glutinous rice flour and water to mash it into a puree. Then, he needed to add sugar and honey to mix. The pumpkin filling prepared in this way had a more delicate texture and a sweeter taste.
Leek and egg filling was a traditional filling. It had a delicious taste, combining a fluffy egg and smooth leek perfectly. With Ran Qi, the filling was put specially. Each bite was satisfying, without needing to mention it.
Ran Qi was surprised to see leeks in the field. He had never seen leeks in the game <Magic Realm>. However, this holographic version of the game was adapted from information collected from Blue Star. So, the presence of leeks seemed logical.
Since there were leeks, there should be other vegetables as well. There should also be wild game, spices, and other ingredients.
Ran Qi was looking forward to seeing more and more abundant ingredients in the future so that he would be able to make more Chinese delicacies.
People said the holographic game was realistic, but it didn’t require the cooking process, to be exact. It was too time-consuming, so many steps were simplified, especially the frying time for the pies was shortened.
Three sizzling pies were quickly cooked. At the same time, a system beep sounded.
Ran Qi followed, naming each of the three types of pies and then choosing to publish them anonymously, just like in previous times.
Anyway, as long as he didn’t admit it, no one could find out his secret!
[System Announcement] Congratulations to player [Anonymous] for developing a new type of food [Fresh Meat Pie] [Pumpkin Pie] [Leek and Egg Pie], earning 300 points of World Reputation, as well as [Physical Exchange Coupons*3].
As soon as this announcement came out, the world channel became lively again.
[World] Cain: He actually made three kinds of food at once? Great God, let me worship you!!!!
[World] No Happiness: Actually, there are not three types. I think they are all called pies. The recipe should be the same, right? But, what is pie? Is it tasty? Is it the same as the scallion pancake?
[World] Bamboo Pipe: Isn’t the point the attributes of these foods?! It’s simply superb ah! I’ll buy it at a high price ah!!!
[World] My Little Hands are Slightly Cold: Is the big boss who made it this time the same person as the last scallion pancake ah? It will be awesome if they are the same person, right? Those who achieve are the first, so it’s not too much for me to call ‘Daddy’, right?
[World] Sunset Red: It’s not too much! Daddy, look at me! I want to eat a pie ah!
[World] Curling Hair: Don’t you guys have any moral integrity??? Daddy, please make sure you do more! I’m already squatting in the auction house!
…………
Ran Qi was speechless. He had no interest in becoming a ‘daddy’ to a group of strangers.
Ignoring those people who abandoned their moral integrity and howled like ghosts on the World Channel, he quickly mass-produced these pies.
The rating for these three kinds of pies was B-grade. The fresh meat pie could increase the defense power by 5%, the pumpkin pie could increase the basic attack power by 3%, and the leek and egg pie could restore 4 mana points per second. The duration was 15 minutes.
These attributes were simply fantastic. They were good items that could be used no matter whether fighting monsters, leveling up, or going to the dungeons. Ran Qi was quite satisfied with this. All three attributes were way better than he had imagined. He could already imagine how intense the looting would be when these pies were put on the shelves at the Trading Hall.
Ran Qi used up all the available ingredients in one go and made 36 fresh meat pies, 41 pumpkin pies, and 38 leek and egg pies.
He took out 20 of each kind and put them on the Trading Hall at 60 silver each. This price was three times the price of scallion pancakes, but there would definitely be no one who would not buy it because it was too expensive. After all, this was not just items to add attributes, it was also a delicious flavor that had never been tasted. He kept the rest himself or gave it to friends.
Of course, he didn’t forget to go to the forging area to build a shield for Gu Le. He was now level 20, and his life skills had been upgraded simultaneously. He could directly make a level 20 shield this time.
He bought some black iron ore from the Trading Hall and crafted three shields in one breath using Simple Mode, leaving the one with the best attributes behind and then listing the other two shields in the Trading Hall as well at the market price.
Before Ran Qi even walked out of the main city gate, he had already received a notification that all the items were sold. It seemed that as the level increased, the players’ wallets had become plumped up as well.
At this time, the World Channel once again fell into the howling of ghosts and wolves.
[World] Nocturnal Sky: I rushed to the Trading Hall immediately, only to find that it was sold out… You beasts ah!!!!
[World] Raphael: Ahhhhh. The meat pie is so delicious! I beg Daddy to do more ah!
[World] No Happiness: I saw someone next to me eating leek and egg pie. It smelled so good! I shed tears of envy…
