Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Upgrading Restaurant Items

Bai Su couldn’t stand the sticky black grime covering her body, so she quickly got up to take a shower.

The system tallied up her points in her mind. "Host, you’ve accumulated 5600 ordinary points and 2 golden points. Would you like to see what’s for sale in the shop?"

There was an uncontrollable excitement in its voice.

Bai Su earned ordinary points through the Healing Ability infused in the food she sold at her shop. When people ate her food and their ailments were cured, it was another way of doing good deeds.

The golden points were generated from her intimate contact with Lu Tingyan at night.

Although they hadn’t actually gone all the way, his spiritual power had made intimate contact with hers. Thus, the system determined that points should be generated. It was just that because they hadn’t completed the act and she wasn’t pregnant, the number of points was very small. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

As she scrubbed the grime off her skin, Bai Su opened the Ordinary Shop in her mind.

It was filled with everyday items.

As it happened, Bai Su was looking to get some new cookware.

The system began its enthusiastic sales pitch. "The cookware sets in the shop have enhancement properties! Food made with this cookware will have its deliciousness and healing effects multiplied! Green-quality sets double them, blue-quality triple them, purple-quality quintuple them, and gold-quality—the highest tier—multiplies them by ten!"

Bai Su smelled a business opportunity, her merchant instincts flaring. "Since this item can multiply the effect of my food, then the number of points I can get from my customers should also increase, right?"

The system hesitated. "Well..."

Bai Su pressed, "It won’t? If one meal has the effect of ten, shouldn’t the points I receive be multiplied accordingly?"

"I... suppose that makes sense..." the system conceded.

"Besides," Bai Su continued, "I’d be buying a product from your shop. If it doesn’t affect my point acquisition, what’s the point of buying from you at all? I can just get this stuff in the real world, can’t I?"

The system’s voice lacked confidence. "But the cookware in the shop has a multiplying effect..."

"That multiplying effect only benefits my customers; it does nothing for me. I’d still be getting the same amount of points, right? So if I’m using your products, you should adjust the way points are calculated, shouldn’t you?"

"For example, if I use your gold-quality cookware, the points I earn from each meal I sell should also be multiplied by ten. Now *that* would make it worthwhile for me to buy products from your shop."

The system scratched its non-existent head. ’...My head itches. I think I’m growing a brain.’

It was getting a bit confused but had to nod. "Logically speaking, yes. That is the case."

Seeing that her gambit had succeeded, a flicker of a smile crossed Bai Su’s eyes. She said nonchalantly, "Alright then, go ahead and recalculate the point system for me. I’m buying two sets of cookware, and I’ll replace the old set in the kitchen as well."

The system’s eyes widened. "You’re buying two *gold-quality* sets?!"

Gold-quality items were not cheap. Two cookware sets would almost completely wipe out her ordinary points.

Bai Su waved her hand magnanimously. "Purchase."

’It’s just an upfront investment. With a rate of return this high, only a fool wouldn’t take the deal.’

The system nodded excitedly. "Okay! I’ll process the exchange for you now!"

"Gold-Quality Cookware Purchase Successful. Current Ordinary Points Balance: 200."

Bai Su nodded without batting an eye. "Use item."

A new set of cookware appeared in the kitchen, while the old set was instantly made brand new, emitting the cold gleam of polished metal.

’It’s no big deal that the points are gone,’ she thought. ’I’m confident in my cooking. I’ll definitely earn them all back quickly.’

「The next day.」

In high spirits, Bai Su woke bright and early. After making breakfast for the children, she began prepping her ingredients for the day.

The new cookware was a dream to work with, and her cooking efficiency skyrocketed.

The yam and chicken stew that used to require two hours of slow simmering was now ready in just forty minutes, and its quality and flavor were ten times better than before!

That morning, she’d made a pot of lotus leaf congee with the new cookware. In less than ten minutes, it had simmered into a soft, thick consistency, releasing the coveted rice cream and tasting far richer and more fragrant.

The delicious aroma woke the little cubs right up. Not a single one slept in, afraid they’d be too slow to get to the table.

Bai Xiaolang tilted his head back in excitement, his adorable large eyes crinkling into happy crescents. "Mama’s food is so delicious! I’m just so happy!"

Overcome with affection, Bai Su leaned over and affectionately ruffled his little head, then planted several firm kisses on his chubby baby cheeks.

When the other little ones saw this, they also started clamoring for kisses.

Bai Su was overjoyed and gave each of them a kiss.

「Meanwhile.」

In the military headquarters conference room, all the key members of the Lu Family from the Snow Wolf Clan were present, arguing so fiercely their faces were flushed.

"The current Federation Leader has done nothing wrong. Why should he step down and yield his position to someone else?"

"Major General Lu’s spiritual power is back at its peak; it’s only natural that he should take over. Remember how glorious the Federation was when he was in charge? We never feared the Southern Country! And now? Now we’re just a bunch of pathetic cowards!"

"Exactly! You all can live in disgrace if you want, but I refuse! I support Major General Lu’s reinstatement!"

"I support him too!"

Lu Tingyan and the current Federation Leader, Lu Zhen Country, stared at each other from opposite ends of the long conference table.

Lu Zhen Country’s expression remained unchanged. He showed no sign of panic, even as he saw many of the clan’s Beastman elders siding with Lu Tingyan.

Lu Yanhua, slouched in his seat with a devil-may-care air, spoke up. "What’s the point of all this talk? If this is how it is, let’s just vote and pick a side."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Of the dozens of clan elders present, nearly eighty percent voted for Lu Tingyan.

Only a small minority—twenty percent—voted for Lu Zhen Country, and only because he held their sons in his grasp.

In the Beastman World, strength is paramount. Given a free choice, no one would turn their back on a Lu Tingyan whose spiritual power had returned to its peak.

After the vote, the conference room fell into a dead silence.

Lu Zhen Country suddenly began to laugh. "Since everyone has picked their side, I suppose it’s time I showed my hand."

He clapped his hands, and a troop of young Beastman soldiers suddenly swarmed in from outside the conference room.

Every clan elder who had voted for Lu Tingyan had a gun pressed to the back of his head.

They instantly panicked. "Lu Zhen Country, what are you doing?!"

"The internal affairs of the Wolf Beastman are not for you to dictate alone!"

"Do you think this will force everyone to submit to you? Dream on!"

Lu Zhen Country leaned back slightly, looking at Lu Tingyan like a victor. "My dear nephew, today your uncle is going to teach you a lesson. You’ll learn that there’s no substitute for experience."

"Heh..." A scornful laugh escaped Lu Tingyan as his gaze sharpened on his uncle. "Is that so?"

The moment the words left his mouth, an immense spiritual power erupted from him, instantly blanketing the entire conference room.

The soldiers were completely unable to withstand it. Their faces turned deathly pale as they clutched their heads and collapsed. After a brief convulsion, they fell utterly still.

They were brain-dead on the spot.

Lu Zhen Country’s face went white. He stared in disbelief. "You... What did you do?!"

Lu Tingyan watched him with an amused expression, but his eyes held a sharp glint, like a long-dormant beast finally uncaged after biding its time. "I’ve been quiet for so long, I’m afraid you’ve forgotten the power of a Level 9 Beastman, Uncle."

Level 9 was the highest known level of power for a Beastman in the Beast World. The spiritual power of such a mighty individual was not something just anyone could withstand.