Chapter 193: Actively Initiating an Instance

After sending it, Cloud's archrival seemed to think the request was a bit excessive and added another sentence.

Cloud's archrival: However, this watermelon seedling is indeed a bit wilted; if you think it's not worth the price, a single serving of rice is also acceptable.

She swallowed a mouthful of saliva, nervously pinching her own hem. Upon close inspection, she realized a thin sweat was already seeping from her fingers.

This request…

Cheng Shuili squinted; it was indeed a bit pricey.

If it were a regular two‑person meal trade, that would be fine, but now it's a famine, and food prices have skyrocketed.

Even ordinary meals were already expensive before; now it's even worse.

Only a single serving of food…

That could work.

Cheng Shuili hesitated for a moment, but ultimately agreed to that request.

In any case, she bought the meals at the regular price with a discount, while the meat was obtained for free—either Liang Shanbo caught it, or a few people found it in the supply crate.

Either way, it's a profit.

The deal was for an evening meal, and Cheng Shuili promptly initiated the trade. The watermelon seedling from Cloud's archrival arrived quickly, indeed in a pot with soil, and was indeed near death.

Cheng Shuili scrolled through the regional channel again; after confirming no other plants were available, she glanced at the watermelon seedling, which was even more wilted than before and truly could die at any moment.

Cheng Shuili checked the time; it was 2 p. m., a perfect moment to open an Instance.

She lifted her hand, pinched the Instance opening card, silently apologized to any players who might be pulled into the Instance, and then chose to use it.

The hot‑gold card surface suddenly emitted rippling blue light; Cheng Shuili reflexively tried to let go, but found the card winding around her finger like melting metal.

【Instance opening permission detected】

【Retrieving enterable Instances…】

A translucent system panel unfurled before her in a fan shape, the densely packed Instance names swimming like startled fish.

Each title glowed with a different hue: scarlet "Feast of the Glutton" had oily ripples beneath it, while silvery "Snowfield Outpost" was surrounded by virtual snowflakes.

"There are so many options..."

In Cheng Shuili's slightly dilated pupils reflected the swirling specks of light; the quality of these Instances seemed excessively high, in comparison...

Are the things they're joining now really called Instances?

The Instance opening card's page was exquisitely crafted; when Cheng Shuili's gaze lingered on a title, the corresponding description would even suddenly expand:

【Seven‑Day Cicada Song】: Survive until the cicada's chirping ceases to achieve victory.

【Puppet Theater】: Those who can still control their bodies after the performance ends win.

…

Cheng Shuili rummaged through a series of Instances for a long time, finally finding the 【Ashen Soil】 that Guang Hui had mentioned in a corner.

The previously joined 【Mist】, 【Hunt】, and 【Labyrinth Gate】 are all here.

She glanced at the other Instances' exquisite images and their extremely brief descriptions, then looked at a few Instances with only two characters in their titles.

Cheng Shuili suddenly furrowed her brows tightly; surely they aren't all still beginner Instances? This perfunctory, brief text clashes terribly with the meticulously crafted Instances above!

After deliberation, Cheng Shuili's index finger remained on 【Ashen Soil】; after a moment's hesitation, she resolutely clicked it.

The moment Cheng Shuili's fingertip touched the words 【Ashen Soil】, the entire system panel violently trembled. The iridescent Instance names scattered like insects burned by fire, leaving only the selected line of text to warp and swell on the virtual panel.

【Instance selected!】

【Instance details: Ashen Soil】

【Description: You step onto a charred wasteland, the sky veiled by heavy ash, the ground cracked as if licked dry by flames. Withered giant insects roam here; slaying them releases foul slime that seeps into the soil, gradually solidifying into fertile black granules. When an individual consumes too many of its kin's remains, it mutates into a "Nest Mother," spitting corrosive spores that turn the entire area into a breeding ground for digesting life… Do you hear the rustling movement from beneath the earth?】

【Instance will open in five minutes; current participants 1/1!】

Single‑player Instance!

Cheng Shuili immediately sorted the supplies inside the Abyssal Ring, extracting all the energy stones, and after confirming the space was clear, she sent a message to Su Rui about the single‑player Instance.

Su Rui nodded without any change in expression.

She was actually a bit shocked that single‑player Instances even existed, but considering the person was Cheng Shuili, she didn't find it strange.

When the countdown hit zero, Cheng Shuili's vision suddenly warped, as if seized by an invisible hand and hurled violently into an unknown realm.

Opening her eyes again, she stood on a charred wasteland.

The sky, shrouded by heavy ash, displayed a sickly dark red, like a burned wound.

The ground cracked, and within the dried ravines a viscous black liquid could be faintly seen sluggishly crawling, emitting a pungent odor of rot mixed with sulfur.

"So this is 【Ashen Soil】?"

Cheng Shuili muttered softly, her fingertips instinctively brushing the long sword at her waist.

System prompts appeared timely:

【Instance objectives】

【1. This Instance uses a point system: ordinary monsters 20 points, special monsters 80 points! Current difficulty is Hell level! 1000 points to clear!】

【2. Since only Hell‑level Instances are open, this Instance will last four hours; after four hours it will close automatically!】

【3. After reaching the point target, players may choose whether to end the Instance!】

【Finally… survive!!】

This Instance is somewhat similar to 【Hunt】.

Clearing with 1000 points means Cheng Shuili must kill 50 ordinary monsters within four hours.

She inhaled a cold breath; the system didn't specify the penalty for failing the Instance, but she knew it wouldn't be easy! Especially for a player‑initiated Instance, essentially inviting abuse, the system wouldn't let it go lightly.

Cheng Shuili shook her head, raised her hand and brandished the long sword; next was to hunt for monsters.

Rustle rustle.

The ground not far away rose slightly, as if something was writhing beneath the soil.

Cheng Shuili's gaze hardened; this truly is a case of "speak of Cao Cao, and he appears!"

If this is the monster, this Instance is far better than "Hunt".

She lightened her steps and approached slowly.

Puff! — a huge bang sounded; the next second, a monster resembling a withered giant insect burst from the ground, its body covered in honeycomb‑like carapace, its mouthparts writhing, dripping viscous black fluid, and exuding a foul stench.

This was truly disgusting, and with the omnipresent stench, Cheng Shuili couldn't help but gag dryly.

She didn't rush to attack, but first whispered in her mind, "Insight!"