Chapter 55

Coincidentally, the hotel mini‑fridge had free drinks, and Lin Meng immediately collected all the bottles and cans into her space, then said to Ye Fan:

"Try these quickly and see if they also help with cultivation."

Ye Fan looked at the variously colored bottled water, which resembled cola, and couldn't help feeling nervous.

But in the end none of the drinks showed a function similar to cola; even Sprite only made Ye Fan burp.

Lin Meng pursed her lips.

"It seems not every little drink can skyrocket in value like cola."

Why cola would become the spiritual water of the Tian Gang Continent is beyond Lin Meng's comprehension; she can only think it's cola's own fortune……

Lin Meng sighed, waved her hand, and said:

"Forget it, don't waste these drinks; remember to finish them, then tell me more about cola."

Ye Fan held the cola bottle and seven or eight small porcelain vials, his expression serious and solemn.

"Immortal sister, I privately poured some cola into the small porcelain vials, planning to go to the sect's market later to trade, hoping to obtain high‑quality Opening Orifices Pill."

After all, medicinal pills have pill toxicity; even high‑grade pills cannot avoid it.

But the cola spiritual water given by the Immortal sister is utterly free of impurities.

For low‑level cultivators, the advantage of spiritual water is obvious; they absolutely vie for it.

It just depends on whether the sect has disciples of illustrious background but modest cultivation.

Lin Meng let Ye Fan go ahead and do it, while she also began to anticipate.

Inside the watchtower of Zone 13, Ye Heng led Sun Hao and two others to visit Luo Song, encountering Song Zhi's team again.

From Luo Song's account, this is a B‑rank exploration team; several visits were to ask Luo Song for manpower.

"Borrow manpower? Is there an urgent task requiring your cooperation?" Ye Heng wondered.

Luo Song waved his hand, appearing indifferent, and said:

"The exploration team's mission is naturally to venture into extremely dangerous areas; reportedly Song Zhi received news that special supplies are hidden in a hazardous zone, and he came to me for manpower to help them."

"Who knows what happens in such dangerous zones; the danger is too high, the mortality rate extreme—I certainly won't let my subordinates go to their deaths."

Luo Song didn't want to say more about Song Zhi, so he quickly changed the subject.

"Brother Ye Heng, what brings you to see me this time? If there's anything I can help with, just tell me."

Upon hearing that, Ye Heng recalled his main purpose for coming and said he wanted to buy a refrigerator.

Luo Song, upon hearing, immediately slapped his chest.

"I'll take care of this; I'll accompany you to the inner city right now."

The civilian status of Ye Heng and his companions indeed attracted attention in the inner city.

Mere civilians daring to walk upright in the special zone's inner city is practically a provocation to those upper‑class citizens!

However, with the defense team captain accompanying them, the upper‑class citizens dared not speak out, yet they all wondered what special quality the other party possessed to merit Luo Song, the captain, personally leading the way.

Luo Song brought Ye Heng and his group to stop at an electronics shop in the inner‑city district, thought a moment, and asked:

"You should know that electronics are expensive, and the required power‑generation equipment is even more so; since you lack upper‑class credits, you can only exchange equivalent resources."

Ye Heng nodded.

"I understand; this time I need a lot, so I specially brought liquor."

Luo Song nodded, then suddenly realized he had just heard the word "liquor"; his eyes widened, he grabbed Ye Heng who was about to go inside and pulled him back, his tone urgent:

"What did you say? You have liquor? You mean you want to buy a refrigerator with liquor!?"

Luo Song struggled to contain his excitement, lowering his voice.

Yet the twisting of his facial muscles and the bulging veins still revealed his inner turmoil.

Ye Heng nodded; Lin Meng seemed not to want him to touch liquor or smoke, and he himself thought the same.

For men, tobacco and liquor in the wasteland world are extreme luxuries, easily leading to decadence and addiction.

Therefore, the tobacco and liquor stored in his space represent a huge trading fund for him and for everyone in the refuge.

He would rather take out liquor to exchange for supplies than use cabbage for trade.

Who would have thought that when Luo Song saw Ye Heng nod, his reaction intensified, as if he wanted to pry open his skull to see inside.

"Do you know the value of liquor? Even in the special zone's noble circles, liquor is a luxury, a top‑tier resource, yet you want to trade it for a refrigerator? You're crazy, you must be crazy—I won't let you do this!"

Ye Heng understood why Luo Song reacted so strongly, but he couldn't tell him that, in the eyes of the noble upper class, his space held two whole cases, a total of twelve bottles, of luxury liquor!

Only if they are used to purchase supplies beneficial to the refuge's development do they have value; otherwise they are merely bottles that temporarily numb nerves.

"Captain Luo, I think I can decide what to use for trade myself; I don't need your interference—please let me in."

Ye Heng's expression turned cold.

Luo Song at this moment also realized he had been overly excited, his words easily misunderstood, so he hurried to explain.

"Brother Ye Heng, I'm not trying to interfere with your affairs; I just feel using liquor to buy electronics is overkill. I have a suggestion that could let your liquor realize its maximum value—but you must first let me see your liquor."

Ye Heng's expression eased, gesturing for Luo Song to continue.

Luo Song quickly pointed to a distant high‑rise building and said:

"Do you see that place? It's the most famous gold‑scraping den in the inner city of Zone 13; nearly all top‑tier resources flow out from there. I suggest you go there and try your luck."

"There's a small auction tonight; your liquor can completely be exchanged for more supplies!"

Ye Heng thought it made sense, yet he worried that exposing himself so openly before the noble upper class would bring trouble to himself and the refuge's people.

So he thought and said:

"Captain Luo, may I entrust you to attend the auction on my behalf? I'll write down the supplies I need; whoever can provide the most will get the liquor."

Luo Song looked at Ye Heng in astonishment: "You're willing to trust me? Aren't you afraid I'll take your liquor and deny it?"

Ye Heng gave a faint smile and said: "I trust you, Captain Luo."

Luo Song is a smart man; although a bottle of liquor may be highly valuable, compared to the fresh vegetables and fruits he can readily produce, he will surely choose to maintain a long‑term friendship with Ye Heng.

As Ye Heng had thought, Luo Song only pondered for a moment before clarifying the stakes involved, and on the spot solemnly swore to Ye Heng:

"Rest assured, Ye Heng brother, I said I'd take care of this matter, so I will certainly not go back on my word; rest assured, hand the wine over to me, I guarantee to secure more resources for you!"

Out of concern for protecting the wine, the group followed Luo Song to a residence, which is his home in the inner city.

"Now, please bring out the wine; although I've only drunk wine twice in my life, I still have some knowledge about it, so I need to first evaluate the wine in your hands."

Ye Heng thought for a moment, and finally chose to take out a bottle of red wine......