Chapter 390: Seize the Opportunity

The wall beside the counter, covered in old stains, suddenly rippled like water.

Light there twisted and converged, finally forming an oval portal about a person's height, emitting a soft white glow.

Su Rui jumped, instinctively assuming a defensive stance: "Lao Da, what is this…?"

The monster merchant also realized something new had appeared; it abruptly removed the fan from its face, stared uncertainly at the Light Gate, then glanced at Cheng Shuili, clearly having never seen it before.

Cheng Shuili was also seeing it for the first time, but fortunately she knew its origin.

Amid the monster's and Su Rui's astonished gazes, Cheng Shuili stepped forward without hesitation and entered the gate.

The oval Light Gate sent out several circles of ripples; after her silhouette vanished, the rippling waves slowly subsided, leaving only a normal wall, as if everything had just been an illusion.

Su Rui widened her eyes, incredulously looking at the monster merchant crouched behind the counter.

The monster merchant was equally shocked, its jaw dropped to a degree Su Rui doubted could dislocate it, and indeed it was so.

With a "clang" the monster's jaw actually fell onto the counter, producing a crisp sound.

It clumsily grabbed its own jaw, haphazardly pressed it back, then stared at its hollow eye sockets and asked Su Rui, "She… she… she… where did she go?"

Su Rui hadn't expected this supposedly all‑knowing monster merchant to even ask her a question that day.

Moreover, given the blood‑feud over becoming a slave, it would be strange for Su Rui to answer it at all.

She snorted coldly, crossed her arms and leaned against the wall.

No matter what Cheng Shuili was doing, Su Rui would simply wait here calmly, having entered from this side.

Seeing her like that, the monster merchant, originally a bit angry, thought of the previous incident and dared not press further; it curled up tighter, occasionally glancing at the now‑normal wall, and scratched its hairless head.

It was truly baffled; it had lived here so long yet didn't know a door existed, and the two humans who had come twice actually knew about it.

How uncanny.

Outside the door, quiet returned; inside, it was bustling.

This was not the cold data space Cheng Shuili imagined, but a warm, cozy scene.

Several fluffy light clusters crowded together, chattering around a hovering Light Screen.

"What's going on here? 293, why didn't you report proactively?"

"Was the previous loophole not big enough? Humans have already seen our joke once; the Chief Commander set dozens of rules before, now there's only one left—no losing face in front of humans!"

"Then can't you keep it down? Don't forget we're on duty now! If a human actually comes in, wouldn't that embarrass us?"

The fluffy light cluster that spoke first seemed rather displeased with that remark; it turned, intending to jump and give the constantly retorting fellow a smack.

But as soon as it turned, it met Cheng Shuili's calm, unruffled gaze.

Light Cluster: "!!!"

It froze instantly, its radiance solidified.

The nearby clusters also seemed paused, huddling together motionlessly.

Cheng Shuili eyed these clearly non‑"official system" fluff balls, raising an eyebrow slightly.

So the so‑called system interface is actually managed by this… bunch?

After a few seconds of stalemate, the first‑turned‑around cluster suddenly reacted, its light flickering wildly a few times, and forced out the electronic tone players often hear:

【Warning. Unauthorized access detected. Verifying permissions…】

A slightly smaller cluster beside it thought this was silly and whispered, "She's holding a Legendary Building Voucher, so she has permission…"

Cheng Shuili shifted her gaze back to the speaking cluster, feeling a bit embarrassed for it.

【…Permission verification passed.】

The cluster mustered courage to finish speaking, its electronic tone nearly breaking.

【Player Wu Ya Zuo Fei Ji, human Cheng Shuili, welcome to the Rules Service Interface!】

It tried to maintain a solemn posture, but its trembling aura betrayed its nervousness.

Cheng Shuili watched these fluffy light clusters striving to appear serious and professional yet unable to hide their panic, finding it somewhat amusing, though her face remained composed.

She gently waved the Legendary Building Voucher in her hand and asked directly, "I'd like detailed information on the Newcomer Safety Zone Protection Service."

The clusters seemed to relax, loosening up noticeably.

The original speaker, apparently the leader among them, cleared a non‑existent throat and answered in a steadied electronic tone:

【Service Name: Newborn Safety Zone Absolute Protection Barrier.】

【Service Effect: Provides absolute protection for a player‑established safety zone built with a specific credential for 30 natural days. During the protection period, the zone is immune to any external forces' declarations of war, invasion, reconnaissance, or malicious rule‑level interference.】

【Service Price: Game Coin.】

【Purchase Condition: Must be bought and activated either before the safety zone is formally established or within 24 hours after establishment. Payment must be made in full at once.】

Though she had been mentally prepared, seeing the system formally quote that price made Cheng Shuili's heart sink.

Securing a foothold, indeed, wasn't that easy.

"If… I can't pay the full amount at once, is there a possibility of installments or a loan?" Cheng Shuili probed.

She recalled her 500,000‑coin debt; the more debt, the less worry—if a loan could buy precious development time, it might not be a bad trade.

【Denied.】 The cluster's electronic voice was emotionless, 【Rules Service does not allow credit.】

Another small cluster whispered an explanation nearby: "That's set by the underlying rules; we can't change it… Besides, this is already a discounted price!"

Discounted price?

One million Game Coin is a discount?

Cheng Shuili raised an eyebrow, looking at the small cluster.

The leader cluster seemed to glare at the chatterbox companion, then turned to Cheng Shuili, its tone bearing a scripted pride:

【The Newborn Safety Zone Absolute Protection Barrier is the system's greatest goodwill and investment for potential players; its value far exceeds what currency can fully measure. Players should carefully assess their own abilities and opportunities.】

The subtext was clear: inability to pay is your problem, not the price's.

Cheng Shuili fell silent for a moment.

She knew bargaining here was pointless; the system's rules were cold and absolute.

But having come this far, Cheng Shuili had no intention of leaving just like that: "What services do you have here? Could you show me?"

The light groups were, after all, open for business; if a customer wanted to look, they naturally had no reason to refuse.

Several small dough-like figures busied themselves for a while before finally lighting up the radiance on the body of the leading light group.

A semi-transparent list interface immediately unfolded before Cheng Shuili.

The entries on the list were numerous, the script being some unknown race's writing, but just as in the instance, these things were automatically translated into her native language.

【Rule Services List (partial preview, insufficient permissions to display all)】

【Newbie Safe Zone Absolute Protection Barrier: price Game Coin/30 days.】

【Safe Zone Reputation Initial Value Increase: price Game Coin/100 points.】

【Special Talent Recruitment Guidance Beacon (random): price Game Coin/each.】

【Defensive Facilities Enhancement Module (basic): price Game Coin/set.】

【Information Shielding Field (anti-recon): price Game Coin/month.】

【One‑Way Trade Preferential Agreement (designated faction): price starting at Game Coin (requires counterparty approval).】

……】

The list was long, dozens of items ranging from defense and talent to diplomacy and information warfare, covering almost every aspect of safe‑zone construction.

The prices were equally dazzling, hardly any below five figures.

Cheng Shuili skimmed through it quickly, inwardly gasping.

This is no service list—this is clearly a money‑sink!

Every item looked useful, but each came with a hefty price tag.

"These services… if purchased after the safe zone is established, would that also be possible?" Cheng Shuili asked, pointing to several items later in the list.

【Yes.】The Leader Light Group replied, 【but some services, such as rule‑template customization and initial reputation boost, are most effective and cost‑efficient when bought during the safe zone's initial establishment.】

Another light group muttered quietly: "Just like you humans, when creating a game account you have to grind the initial stats…"

Cheng Shuili: "……"

She suddenly felt that this bunch of light groups was a bit too down‑to‑earth.

The system's mysterious and imposing veil had practically shattered in front of these fluffy customer‑service reps.

She took a deep breath and brought her focus back to the main topic.

The services on the list were good, but almost all of them pointed to one thing—Game Coin.

Without Game Coin, you can't buy anything.

Thinking of this, Cheng Shuili asked again: "Besides Game Coin, do you accept barter?"

The radiance on the Leader Light Group's body flickered rhythmically, as if retrieving information, then it replied in an electronic tone:

【Not accepted! Rule services accept only Game Coin as the sole means of payment!】

Well, it's still a shop that only accepts Game Coin.

Cheng Shuili felt somewhat helpless; after a reluctant glance at the dazzling yet unattainable list, she decisively turned around.

Since the situation was now clear, there was no need to waste more time.

"I understand, thank you."

She said no more, walked straight toward the Light Gate, her figure merging into the light and vanishing within.

Inside the Light Gate, the space was once again filled with the chatter of several light groups after she left.

"She left, she left!"

"Good thing, was she just trying to haggle a moment ago?"

"293, you were so blunt in your refusal just now! What if she complains about our service attitude?"

"Shut up! Never mind whether following the rules could be wrong—can players even find the complaint page? Get back to work, hurry up and close the interface!"

"Next time before my shift, I'll definitely apply to load the Silence Is Golden module……"

……

Outside the Light Gate, Cheng Shuili's figure reappeared.

Su Rui immediately straightened her body and looked over nervously.

The monster merchant behind the counter also furtively pricked up its ears, obviously intending to eavesdrop.

And Cheng Shuili had no time to worry about them.

Upon entering she felt no sensation of passing through the corridor, but upon exiting she felt as if she had stepped into outer space, a strong sense of weightlessness and spatial disorientation seizing her almost instantly!

And just as Cheng Shuili thought something momentous was about to happen, the door spat her out like trash.

That sensation came and went quickly, but for anyone who had experienced it, it felt terribly long.

"Just now… what happened?"

Cheng Shuili still felt a bit palpitant, couldn't help turning back to look at the Light Gate, and muttered softly to herself.

"Boss? What's wrong?" Su Rui approached with concern, simultaneously scanning the surroundings warily, thinking some monster had appeared inside the Light Gate.

Cheng Shuili quickly composed herself, was about to shake her head, when she heard 001's reminder.

【Boss, you've just completed a huge‑sum transaction; you need to confirm it.】

The brows she had just relaxed furrowed again at those words, and she almost instinctively retorted: "What?"

Although 001's main body is on the vehicle, from the last time it unlocked one can tell that this guy essentially follows Cheng Shuili.

Consequently, Cheng Shuili wasn't surprised that 001 knew what she had bought.

But the problem is……

She hadn't bought anything!

Just as Cheng Shuili was dazed, a…… no, a series of pages popped up in front of her!

A line of striking text came into view:

【Transaction completed: purchased Absolute Protection Barrier service for the Newborn Safe Zone, Game Coin points deducted.】

Cheng Shuili's pupils suddenly contracted.

The pages before her kept flashing wildly, notification messages surging out like a burst dam, with dozens of identical deduction records scrolling past each second!

Her Game Coin balance plummeted at an unprecedented speed, instantly breaking past negative one million, negative two million, negative three million……

And it kept plunging, soon breaking into eight figures, though negative.

But what's most important now isn't how much she owes, but what the heck is going on?!

Forced buying and selling isn't supposed to work like this!

Cheng Shuili initially didn't react, but now seeing the balance on her account about to break into nine figures, a flash of resolve crossed her eyes.

It's definitely another stuck bug.

But this time the amount is so huge, the system will surely handle it, right?

She can't hesitate any longer!

No matter what this crazy deduction is, she has indeed been deducted an astronomical amount of Game Coin. According to the rules, she should already have obtained that "Newborn Safe Zone Absolute Protection Barrier" service worth millions!

If she doesn't create the safe zone now, is she supposed to wait for the system to detect the problem, roll back the "erroneous" transaction, and then create it?

Opportunity knocks but once!

She no longer paid attention to the still-flashing deduction prompts, took a deep breath, and pulled out that golden legendary construction voucher.

After selecting Black Feather's territory, she pressed to use it.

"Hum!"

An invisible wave surged outward from Cheng Shuili as its center!

The entire space of the Jia You Zhan seemed to freeze for a moment, even the constantly refreshing system prompts stuttered briefly.

That legendary construction voucher in her hand turned into countless flowing golden runes, swirling around her, finally converging into a golden pillar of light piercing heaven and earth, enveloping her.