I opened a shop on the Astral Train-Chapter 50

Inside the train, everyone gathered for dinner. Tonight's meal was especially lavish—Yuri and Xiangling had cooked twelve different dishes.

Since it was a communal feast, Yuri decided to serve everything in large bowls. Twelve steaming pots of food and three pots of rice were placed on the table. Everyone could take whatever they liked.

The four little ones sat in their seats, eating and chatting. As children, they naturally couldn't sit still for long.

Jing Yuan, Zhongli, and Welt each took a large bowl, filled it with rice, and topped it with various dishes before making their way to the floor-to-ceiling window. They stood together, eating and talking, enjoying the atmosphere.

Meanwhile, Gepard, Topaz, Bronya, and the others were also eating together, the table filled with lively chatter.

During dinner, the conversation turned to memories of home.

Bronya looked at Jing Yuan curiously. "General, what's your favorite dish from Luofu?"

Jing Yuan chuckled, setting his bowl down momentarily. "Back when I was a child, there was a small street in Luofu called Jinren Lane. There was an old vendor who made the best steamed buns filled with sweet lotus paste. I'd save up just to buy one, and it would make my entire day."

Bronya smiled. "It's funny how food can bring back the strongest memories. In Belobog, we had simple but hearty stews. When I was younger, I'd sneak into the kitchen and watch the cooks prepare them. The warmth of the pot and the scent of simmering broth always made the cold winters more bearable."

Paimon, listening eagerly, interjected, "Well, Paimon thinks the best food is whatever's on this table right now!" She scooped another spoonful of rice into her mouth, savoring the rich flavors.

Zhongli, with his usual calm demeanor, added, "Every culture has its own comfort food. In Liyue, nothing compares to a well-prepared plate of Golden Shrimp Balls and a cup of Osmanthus wine. They remind me of simpler times."

Kevin, who had been eating quietly, suddenly smirked. "I just eat whatever fills me up. But..." He glanced at the pot of ice deer stew. "I have to admit, this dish tonight is something special."

At that moment, Paimon licked the last bit of soup off her spoon and sighed happily. "If food was always this good, Paimon would never leave Yuri's shop!"

The group laughed, continuing their meal with lighthearted conversation. It was one of those rare moments of peace, where no battles or responsibilities loomed over them—just good food and good company.

After dinner, everyone dispersed.

Some sipped tea and played chess, others watched animated films or played video games. A few, exhausted from the day's events, retreated to their rooms to rest.

Kevin placed the high-level essence he had drawn earlier into the essence incubator, checking the timer.

"Twelve hours, huh?" he muttered to himself. Shrugging, he decided to find Silver Wolf for a game to pass the time.

Meanwhile, Bronya, Gepard, and the others visited the bar to browse for items that could help develop Belobog's economy.

With the Company's support, Belobog no longer needed to worry about sales channels. The only thing missing was a product—a unique one.

After much deliberation, they settled on something that even surprised Yuri.

[Product: Icefield Deer Cub]

[Description: This species comes from a fantasy world. Its meat is so delicious that after one bite, you won't be able to stop eating.]

[Price: 50 Star Coins]

Bronya had brought 10,000 star coins and decided to spend it all on this investment.

She had given it a lot of thought.

Agriculture was the most realistic way to build a foundation. Industrial development required raw materials—something Belobog severely lacked.

Sure, they could buy them, but without advanced factories or technology, they wouldn't be able to compete with others in the market.

This chapt𝙚r is updated by freeωebnovēl.c૦m.

Belobog was like a small village in a modern world. Before transitioning to industry, it needed a strong agricultural base.

She recalled what Topaz had told her the night before.

["Any civilization that tries to skip the agricultural age and jump straight into industry is committing suicide."]

Bronya understood.

One step at a time. If one generation failed, then the next would carry on. If the next failed, then another would try. Eventually, Belobog would succeed.

She purchased 200 Icefield Deer calves and returned to Belobog with Gepard and the others.

The glacier deer required harsh cold environments—conditions that Belobog had in abundance.

Her plan? To establish a ranch on the ice fields. Once the deer matured, they would provide a steady stream of income.

And why was she so sure it would work?

Simple.

One of the dishes Yuri had cooked tonight had been made from Icefield Deer meat.

Not a single bite remained.

Paimon had even used the last drops of soup to mix with her rice.

Shortly after Bronya returned to Belobog, she received a message from Topaz.

[Topaz: Bronya, can you reserve two of your Ice Deer for me?]

Bronya smirked and replied instantly.

[Bronya: Done.]

Inside Yuri's shop, Jade and Topaz arrived to shop. After exchanging their Stellar Jade, they turned to Yuri for advice.

"Yuri~ we have a total of 30,000 star coins. Think you can find something to boost our strength?" Jade leaned on the counter, her emerald eyes glinting playfully.

Yuri thought for a moment before pulling up an item.

[Product: Equipment Forging Card]

[Description: This item comes from a game and is used to upgrade and enhance equipment. Note: There is a chance of failure, and the higher the level, the greater the risk.]

[Price: 10,000 Star Coins]

"Your power comes from diamonds, right? Your emeralds and topaz are a type of equipment, after all," Yuri explained. "This is a gamble, but if it works, your strength will improve dramatically."

Topaz's eyes lit up. "This is perfect. Jade, let's buy this. We can each take three back. Then, it all comes down to luck."

Jade smirked. "Alright, I'll trust you, little Yelina."

She reluctantly parted with 300,000 star coins, inserting them into the machine.

In exchange, 30 Equipment Forging Cards appeared in her hands. She pulled out three and handed them to Topaz.

"Here, little Yelina. I'll take the rest back for the others. We'll count on you here."

After a discussion among the Ten Stonehearts, they had decided that Topaz would remain on the train permanently.

To accommodate this, Diamond had spent a fortune acquiring materials to build an additional train carriage, gifting it to Himeko.

The only condition? A room in the carriage had to be reserved for Topaz.

Himeko had immediately agreed. There was no reason to refuse such a generous offer.

With the materials set to arrive tomorrow, Himeko planned to enlist Welt and Clara's help in assembling the carriage. Clara, eager to contribute, had already begun studying the blueprints Himeko had given her.

Jade stepped off the train and onto the warship bound for Pierpoint.

As she gazed at the vast expanse of space stretching before her, she found herself lost in thought.

"A new era is coming," she mused. "And we're the ones shaping it."

She tightened her grip on the Weapon Forging Cards in her hand.

"No more waiting. It's time to make our own future."