Chapter 109 A Tribute to Life [A Feast for the Senses]
Thirty-three days of survival on the highway.
Everything remains the same.
Thirty-four days of survival on the highway.
"Congratulations to player [滴比滴比] for obtaining the S-rank item 'Hundred Families Meal'."
Pei Hening looked at the small, oval-shaped red gemstone earring that had appeared in her hand and subconsciously examined it.
[Feast of a Hundred Families] (S): A life-giving gift raised by the collective will, solidifying the foundation of life. Upon use, grants one 'Blessing of a Hundred Families', allowing you to choose any skill to complete its cooldown, fully restoring your health and mana, and removing all negative status effects except for curses. Cooldown: 12 hours.
(May the blessings of many families bring you peace and safety.)
(This prop was born from the goodwill of living beings and is the most solemn blessing to life itself.)
(It disappeared into the river of time after it was born; I never expected to find it here.)
(The food from a hundred families looks quite nice, but it's not as good as mine.)
Pei Hening ignored the criticism of "[redundant explanation]", took out the magic mirror, pinched the thin nail of "[Hundred Family Rice]", found the thin part of the earlobe in the mirror, and suddenly stabbed the cold and hard nail into the flesh. In the instant the earlobe was pierced by a sharp pain, "[Hundred Family Rice]" was hung on the small hole where blood was seeping out.
It turns out that getting your ears pierced doesn't hurt too much!
After completing her target mileage for the day, she saw an unfamiliar station in the distance.
The site's exterior resembles a giant cluster of pink tulips beginning to wither.
As 002 drove closer, Pei Hening could clearly see the situation around the station. There were many, many creatures moving around inside, including players.
002: "Master, shall we enter the station?"
Pei Hening nodded: "Go in."
002 drove the car to the station. Following the station's signs, the vehicle drove through a narrow path surrounded by medicinal materials—Star Grass—and entered a parking lot that was packed with cars.
"Welcome player [DibiDibi] to the highway service station. Please remember the following rules carefully."
"1. The service station has a rest area, food stalls, car wash and car repair area, and also provides limited refueling and charging services at your own expense."
"2. Damaging equipment within the station is strictly prohibited. If such damage is discovered, the responsible party must compensate the victim with five times the original price of the item."
"3. Fighting and causing trouble are strictly prohibited within the site, and the use of any time-based skills is also prohibited."
"4. Players may not stay in the site for more than four hours."
5. Food waste is strictly prohibited! And bringing outside food is also forbidden!
"Special Notice 1: The performer, Ms. Shirai, and her friend are currently inside the service station. We hope that fans will understand and respect her private time and refrain from disturbing her."
"Special Item 2 (Correction 2): A villain with tens of millions of sin points has appeared. The pursuit team and bounty hunters are continuing their manhunt. If you encounter the police on duty, please cooperate with the investigation. (Note: If you have any relevant clues, please contact us immediately. A large reward awaits.)"
After hearing the rules, Pei Hening understood why there were so many creatures at the service station—they were chasing after the musician, Miss Bai Li.
She got out of the car, saw the automatic charging station next to her, paid the charging fee, and after confirming that the vehicle was charging, she found the sign and checked the guide map.
The service station was bigger than she had expected.
There are over 500 lounges alone, as well as numerous food stalls and car washes.
She noticed a car wash with a Pallas's cat image on the wayfinding map.
She thought of the dumbbell the Pallas's cat had given her. Could it be that the Pallas's cat had a family business?
Pei Hening planned to go and check on the situation.
As she emerged from the parking lot, she bumped into three tree-like beings carrying albums with white pear blossom patterns flowing across their covers.
They were clearly dressed up and styled.
The woman on the left has long, neatly combed green hair, with two white pear blossom-shaped gemstone hair clips adorning her bangs. She wears a flowing white sleeveless dress with a pink and white gemstone belt around her waist. Her racial features are striking – a beautiful, vibrant green hue from her fingertips to the middle of her forearms, fading towards her upper arms and blending into her skin tone, making her quite attractive.
The woman in the middle had her long green hair styled in an updo, adorned with shimmering hair accessories. She wore a long-sleeved dress and a long pear blossom chain, giving her a relaxed appearance.
The woman on the right has her hair in bubble braids in pigtails, wearing a high-waisted short-sleeved top and retro-style jeans, paired with a wide, sparkly belt that's both sweet and spicy.
Pei Hening walked past the three of them without glancing at them and headed towards the Pallas's cat car wash.
Her judgment was correct; recently, human attire has become popular among other races.
She followed the route on the map and quickly found the car wash with the Pallas's cat head logo.
She glanced into the shop. The car wash was simply and elegantly decorated, with a whole row of shelves displaying various tools with Pallas's cat patterns. Pei Hening only glanced at them before immediately looking away and hurriedly taking off her glasses.
Those tools were all props; she was elbowed in the eye by [unnecessary explanation]!
A clear female voice asked in surprise, "You're crying?"
Pei Hening wiped away the reflex tears caused by the irritation to her eye surface and looked up—
She was a woman with a gentle and calm demeanor. She wore a wide-brimmed black velvet hat decorated with pink roses and green leaves, which weighed down her thick, long, red curly hair.
She wore a black lace choker with an elegant bow in the middle.
She paired it with a retro gothic-style black velvet dress, with delicate black lace at the neckline and cuffs.
Pei Hening was unable to determine her race for the time being.
Her light blue eyes held a hint of confusion: "Why are you crying?"
She didn't cry.
Pei Hening said, "I didn't cry, you're mistaken."
Xia Zhi's gaze fell on the corners of her reddened eyes, then moved away.
She wasn't one to meddle in other people's business, and if she hadn't realized that this person was a learner chosen by her initial skill, she wouldn't have bothered with it at all.
Xia Zhi nodded slightly: "Hmm, you're a human who just started surviving on the highway?"
Pei Hening didn't understand why she asked this, but she didn't sense any malice from her, so she nodded.
"yes."
Xia Zhi looked Pei Hening up and down, her gaze falling on the classroom reward she was wearing. Was she still a student at West Asia?
Xia Zhi whispered, "That's strange."
Pei Hening didn't understand what she was trying to do and asked, "Is there something you need?"
Xia Zhi looked at Pei Hening again and asked abruptly, "What do you think of your running away during the battle?"
Pei Hening didn't understand but respected her answer, and gave her own: "If you can't beat them, run away. I have no obligation to risk my life, nor should I suffer so much harm."
Xia Zhi was surprised by this answer. She raised her hand to adjust the brim of her hat, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.
She said, "Pain does not always lead to growth, and endless harm can destroy a life. If you are no longer studying in Xixia, you can come to me. I am Xia Zhi."
Pei Hening asked, "Are you very famous?"
She paused, then continued, "Why did I look for you?"
Pei Hening didn't think there was anything special about her. When Xia Zhi extended an olive branch, her anti-fraud genes, which she had developed over the years, instantly awakened.
Xia Zhi's bright red lips curled up, not feeling offended at all, but rather pleased. She said, "I am indeed very famous. You can verify this with Xixia. It's fate that you came to me."
Pei Hening didn't believe this explanation. She prepared to put on the [redundant explanation] and check the level of the summer solstice.
Just as she was about to make a move, Xia Zhi tossed her a black lace fan.
Pei Hening quickly grabbed the fan that was being thrown at her: "What are you doing?"
When Xia Zhi saw that she had received the fan, her smile deepened: "This is a gift for meeting you. I hope that next time we meet, you will call me teacher."
The fan ribs are made of black jade, exquisite and beautiful, and look extraordinary. It feels slightly cool to the touch, but Pei Hening has no intention of accepting it.
She handed him the fan, saying, "I can't accept it."
Xia Zhi simply smiled slightly, a wisp of floral fragrance wafted by, and she vanished without a trace.
Pei Hening put the [redundant explanation] back on and examined the lace fan with the black jade fan ribs in her hand.
[Listening to the Tides] (Legendary) (Beginner)
I cannot change the course of fate, so I choose to listen.
[Attribute Bonuses]: Strength +10, Agility +10, Stamina +10, Intelligence +60
[Magic Bonus]: Critical Strike Chance +45%, Casting Speed +35%
[Form 1] Twilight Rapier: In this form, attack skill casting speed is increased by 35%, and an additional 20 mana is consumed per minute. Form duration: 20 minutes, cooldown: 25 minutes.
[Form 2] ****: ******* (Unlocked)
[Requirements for Wearing]: Level > 20, Constitution > 50
Pei Hening's heart sank; she didn't believe in free lunches.
The more generous Xia Zhi was, the more suspicious she became of the other person's motives.
She put away the fan, removed the [redundant explanation], and went into the Pallas's cat car wash.
As soon as she stepped inside, a little Pallas's rabbit wearing a green triangular bandana embroidered with a cartoon Pallas's rabbit head came over to greet her: "Hello, welcome! Are you here to wash your car? We offer standard wash, premium wash, and deep interior cleaning. Which one would you like to choose?"
After listening to the long introduction, Pei Hening subconsciously asked, "Is there a price list and project description?"
The little Pallas's cat's eyes lit up, and it recited the car wash services offered by the shop and their corresponding prices.
Looking into its surprised and expectant eyes, she still patronized its business.
"Do you need me to bring the car over?"
The little Pallas's cat shook its head repeatedly: "We can do this dirty and tiring work ourselves, we don't need your help."
As it spoke, it led Pei Hening to the rest area set up for customers in the store and brought her a glass of apple juice.
"I'll give you a prescription now."
After finishing the order, the little Pallas's cat asked Pei Hening for temporary driving rights and happily walked out.
Pei Hening took a sip of apple juice. It tasted pretty good; there were no special additives, it was just ordinary apple juice.
She put down her apple juice, intending to watch the Pallas's cats wash their cars, when she saw a very familiar-looking person.
—[A fairy descends to earth].
She had gotten quite a tan. She was wearing a frayed short-sleeved shirt and a black top, and her hair was clipped back. She looked to be in great spirits.
Judging from her expectant look, it was as if she was waiting for someone.
"Sister! You're here too?"
[The Fairy Descending to Earth] also saw her and took the initiative to greet her.
Pei Hening asked, "Are you waiting for someone?"
[The fairy descended to earth] explained, "I'm waiting for Sister Lemon, Sister Frozen, and Little Fish. I made plans to have dinner with them. Shall we go together?"
Before Pei Hening could speak, she heard a familiar female voice: "Little sister, come with us."
She looked in the direction of the sound and found it was [a lemon tree and lemon fruit].
She wore a light blue baseball cap, a white tank top, a thin blue sun-protective jacket, and skinny jeans, looking casual.
"Sister Lemon".
Someone else said, "Since we've run into each other, let's go together."
The speaker was a woman with light blonde hair, wearing a light pink cheongsam embroidered with rain lilies.
[Lemon Tree Lemon Fruit] took the initiative to introduce her: "This is an escaped mermaid."
After she finished speaking, she looked at Pei Hening with a questioning gaze.
Pei Hening understood and took the initiative to speak: "I am Dibi Dibi."
[The escaped mermaid] suppressed the surprise in her eyes, nodded in acknowledgment, and smiled, "I am an escaped mermaid. Why don't you come with us, little sister? It's fate that we met."
[Fairy Descending to Earth]: "I've messaged Sister Frozen, let's go order some food first."
She genuinely didn't expect that the rich girl and the lemon sister knew each other.
She laughed and said, "It's so rare to run into each other, let's go together, you must be so bored by yourself."
Seeing their enthusiasm and wanting to get a closer look at [the beautiful, frozen lady], Pei Hening nodded.
After asking about their preferences, the fairy took the initiative to order food and paid for the right to use a private room.
Pei Hening followed the three of them into the private room, which was exquisitely and warmly decorated.
[Lemon Tree Lemon Fruit] took off the hat she was wearing and stuffed it into her backpack.
"not bad."
A moment later, someone knocked on the door.
"Enter."
A fennec fox wearing a silk scarf entered, pushing a food cart: "Excuse me, esteemed guests, your dishes have arrived. Enjoy your meal."
After placing the dishes ordered by [Fairy Descending to Earth] on the table, it pushed the food cart away.
"Want some drinks?"
[Fairy Descending to Earth] took out five bottles of colorful cocktails from her backpack: "I learned this from the cicada's song. You guys are getting a great deal."
As she spoke, she deliberately made an expression as if they had gotten a great deal, which made everyone laugh.
Chanming is the master winemaker who previously hosted the wine tasting event.
[The Fairy Descends to Earth] It took a lot of effort to get her to teach him how to brew and mix drinks.
[Lemon Tree Lemon Fruit] leaned back in her chair and smiled, "Thank you so much, thank you, our fairy sister!"
As the group joked around, [Ms. Beautiful and Frozen] pushed open the door and came in. She had her hair tied up in a Y2K-style side-swept bun with two small flower hair clips. She was wearing a loose-fitting, thin, round-neck short-sleeved shirt and a pair of loose, flowing trousers printed with many simple little flowers.
"I'm late, so I'll punish myself with a drink to apologize~"
After she finished speaking, she poured herself a glass of wine in a very generous manner, drank it all in one gulp, and even turned the glass upside down as a gesture.
"sit."