Chapter 347: Take the Place of Others

The moment the seed touched the blood, a faint glimmer flickered across its surface, as if it briefly "came to life," then fell silent, yet an invisible link seemed to form between the seed and the soil.

【Shadow Seed planted! Growth cycle: 02:00:00】

【Tip: Do not move the seed out of the decayed soil area during growth!】

Who on earth would move it?

Cheng Shuili mutters a complaint, planning to use the chance to plant a few more Shadow Essences.

All the equipment evolution cards are ready; once the materials are cultivated, only the usage remains.

In a good mood, Cheng Shuili taps the Abyssal Stone with a hammer.

A moment later, Cheng Shuili returns to the underground storage room carrying three unidentified Shadow Seeds.

Even without identification, Cheng Shuili already knows how to plant them; it should be fine, right?

She thinks, digs a small pit in the decayed soil, sprinkles a thin ring of cow blood, then presses the seed into the earth.

The instant the seed contacts the decayed soil, a panel prompt pops up before Cheng Shuili.

【Unidentified seeds cannot be planted! Please find an NPC in Shou Ren Xiao Zhen for identification!】

Cheng Shuili: "……"

Damn system, damn NPC, and most of all! Damn evolution cards!

After the rant, Cheng Shuili quietly puts the seeds away and returns to the vehicle cabin.

It's 4 p. m. now; using the radio now… might be a bit late?

She thinks so, but her fingers honestly jam the radio battery in.

Perhaps the heavens favor her; after thirty minutes of insertion, the radio starts "Zirazira"‑ing.

The person waiting nearby instantly perks up, grabs the radio and tries to adjust the channel.

After turning to the right direction, the radio suddenly becomes clear.

"This is the merchant! Welcome to Jiao Yi Zhan for purchases! Everything you want is here! But note, be sure to bring your Game Coin, you must bring your Game Coin!"

Why is it a Jiao Yi Zhan?

Cheng Shuili feels a bit regretful, but stands up, tells Su Rui, and asks her to watch the roadside buildings.

Soon, the vehicle slowly comes to a halt.

Jiao Yi Zhan has arrived.

Cheng Shuili puts away her weapon, dons a gas mask, and gets out of the vehicle with Su Rui.

Because of the toxic fog, the NPCs here also wear gas masks, looking like a silent, busy horde of ghosts.

The gate guard stands dutifully with hands behind his back, eyes fixed forward.

Cheng Shuili and Su Rui smoothly enter, stroll around outside, and with the famine gone, prices have returned to normal.

But Cheng Shuili is a Tier‑3 VIP of Ten Thousand Beasts Trading Hall, so buying there is still cheaper.

And she's eager to see what this week's rotating goods are.

As Cheng Shuili ponders and plans to head straight into Ten Thousand Beasts Trading Hall, she suddenly spots a familiar figure.

A British‑style suit, a cane in hand, posture elegant yet slightly aloof.

It's the Rat King!

He stands before an unremarkable stall, seemingly selecting something, out of place amid the mildly noisy surroundings.

Cheng Shuili halts, instinctively feeling the wolf fang in her pocket.

What a fruitless search!

She's been craving those rocket launchers used by the Glutton Wolf tribe for ages, and finally gets a chance to buy them!

Cheng Shuili is about to approach, but stops again.

She turns to Su Rui, whispers: "You go into the trading hall first and check this week's special items; I've run into an acquaintance, I'll be back shortly."

Su Rui nods in understanding, and her figure quickly disappears into the doorway of Ten Thousand Beasts Trading Hall.

Only then does Cheng Shuili compose herself and, at a measured pace, walks toward the familiar figure.

A few steps away, she stops, clears her throat, and speaks in just the right volume:

"What a coincidence, meeting again."

The Rat King turns at the sound; the eyes hidden beneath his hat brim are sharp and deep. Surprise flashes across his face, then softens into a gentle authority a senior shows to a junior.

He taps the ground lightly with his cane, posture steady, voice low and resonant:

"Oh? It seems the goddess of luck always favors the prepared, such as allowing me here to encounter my esteemed pen‑friend once more."

Cheng Shuili pauses, her prepared words choked back by his sentence.

How has this little old man become so literary?

And the goddess of luck…

Cheng Shuili mutters inwardly but shows none, offers a polite smile and asks, "You seem to be buying something?"

The Rat King smiles faintly, cane pointing at a few unremarkable fruits and vegetables on the stall: "Trivial little items to maintain my collection. As for you, you look hurried, not here to stroll."

Cheng Shuili sighs lightly and gets straight to the point: "I'd like to buy a batch of weapons from you."

"A batch?"

The Rat King repeats the two words, taps the slightly damp soil with his cane, his gaze returning to Cheng Shuili, studying her before finally saying, "It seems my friend no longer has only an empty name."

His gaze remains gentle throughout; Cheng Shuili doesn't feel offended.

Her attention stays on the Rat King's words.

"No longer just an empty name"

Because of Black Feather?

She is now Black Feather's leader, and the title Supreme King finally becomes reality.

"Whether it's a hollow title or real authority," Cheng Shuili met the Rat King's gaze, "what matters is that I now have the ability and the need to conduct a sufficiently large transaction. I just don't know if it's convenient for you."

The Rat King let out a low, delighted chuckle; he had always admired Cheng Shuili, this human youngster, and now was no exception.

"Convenient? For a true king, my doors are always open."

He gave a slight nod, the shadow of his top hat shifting, "However, this isn't a good place to discuss business. Come with me."

He did not head for the imposing main gate of the Ten Thousand Beasts Trading Hall, but turned, leading Cheng Shuili into a quiet side alley deep within the Jiao Yi Zhan.

At the alley's end stood an unremarkable wooden door; the Rat King tapped it rhythmically with the tip of his cane, and the door slid open silently.

Behind the door was not a shop but a small sitting room arranged like an old study; a warm fireplace chased away the outside chill and the poisonous fog, and the air was tinged with faint tobacco and aged paper.

It stood in stark contrast to the chaotic world outside.

"Sit," the Rat King gestured to the comfortable armchair by the fireplace, then moved to a small liquor cabinet, "Would you like something to drink? Though the setting is modest, there is still a touch of hospitality."

"Plain water will do, thank you."

Cheng Shuili Qing Qing responded.

The black market is this old man's enterprise; could the Jiao Yi Zhan also be one?

Cheng Shuili remained composed, yet contemplated whether she might later be at odds with the Rat King.

If they truly became adversaries, she would have no chance…

What about being replaced?