"Steamed buns! Freshly baked, fragrant, and crispy—five coppers each!"

  "Noodles! Tender, savory noodles—just eight coppers a bowl!"

  ...

  Wandering the streets of Eastern Ling City, Xia Feng listeo the vendors’ calls, feeling like he’d stepped into a e drama—novel and amusing.

  Too bad his stomach growled relentlessly. Never having gone hungry before, Xia Fe glum, inwardly cursing himself: Why ditch a life of luxury to starve in this damn virtual world, all for no reward? I must be the dumbest guy alive.

  Luckily, those hundred li of mountain roads were roughly seventy li ierms—about thirty-odd kilometers. A full hundred li trek would’ve left him starving even worse.

  Swallowing hard a few times, Xia Feng instinctively patted where his pocket used to be, only to touch the cloak and snap back to reality. He grumbled inwardly: Damn it! Not even a stick of gum!

  Gng at his cloak, an idea sparked, but he quickly dismissed it. If other pyers knew I used this super gear to steal food, they’d ugh their heads off.

  "Hey, a bowl of noodles—load it with chili!" A bell-like voice drew Xia Feng’s attention. Turning, he saw a girl in red settling at a noodle stall by the street.

  Xia Feng wasn’t some try bumpkin, but even he paused, marveling silently: Didn’t expect this game to spawn such a stunning chick!

  The girl sensed his stare, looked up, and locked eyes with him. Unlike most girls’ ess, she fshed a radiant smile before casually taking the bowl and chopsticks from the vendor, eating daintily.

  Xia Feng swallowed again—unclear if it was for her or her noodles. Sauntering over, he poio the stool opposite her, asking politely, “Mind if I sit?”

  “Of course not!” She beamed again, revealing cute dimples and white es. Up close, fine peach fuzz dusted her face, like an unripe May fruit—she couldn’t be hteen.

  "Two big bowls of noodles!" Sitting down, Xia Feng mimicked her earlier tone.

  fident in his looks and charm, he had no cash but figured she’d cover the bill after—maybe even spark something beyond friendship. He alaid firls bae, but desperate times called for a pse in chivalry.

  After wolfing down the first bowl, Xia Feng finally sized her up. She carried a sword, casually id oable, ah her pure beauty, a spirited, heroic air shohrough.

  This feels like a se from a cheesy martial arts flick, he mused, slipping into clichéd dialogue: “May I have the honor of knowing this heroine’s name?”

  “Heroine?” She blihen giggled, c her mouth. “I’m Ji Xuanxuan—you call me Xuanxuan. Heroine? You’re hirious!”

  “Xuanxuan?” Xia Feng’s heart fluttered. First-name basis oing? Just as he’d predicted. A seasoned flirt, he rarely struck gold this fast.

  Maybe Atntis folk are just more open? he reasoned.

  “And you?” She gazed at him with big eyes.

  “Xia Feng—call me A-Feng!” He fshed his most captivating smile.

  “A… Feng!” Her eyes softened, her voice melting.

  “It’s my first time iern Ling City. Care to show me around, tell me about the local vibes?” His smile grew sweeter, though he thought: Now it’s veering into rom- territory.

  “We’re not that close yet…” A shy blush crept over her face, halting her words.

  “Love takes one gnce; fetting takes a lifetime,” Xia Feng gazed at her soulfully, letting y lines flow. Her cheeks fred redder, eyes shimmering. Sensing the moment, he dropped his killer verse: “How deep’s my love? The moon speaks for my heart.”

  Regret hit instantly. Fine for a mirl—she’d ugh it off as a joke—but to an a-setting stranger? She might peg him as a sleazy creep.

  Her rea defied expectations. Eyes wide with awe, she asked, “Are you a poet?”

  “Poet…” Xia Feng nearly choked, then swelled with pride. Real-world memory’s a cheat code—even chasing girls is easier. Spout some love song or rom- lines, and they’re swooning.

  Bet the best poets here ’t match that romance!

  “Uh, sure, I guess.” Thick-skinned with girls, he ow shamelessly. Seeiarry-eyed for poets, he didn’t blush or falter.

  “Amazing! I’ve never met a poet!” She nearly leapt up. Seizing the ce, Xia Feng pressed, “Would you guide a poet arouern Ling City?”

  “Absolutely—I’d be honored!” She paid the bill. Xia Fe his head down, slurping the st dregs, then “fot” the tab, wiping his mouth. “Let’s go. What’s fun around here?”

  “Follow me—I’ll take you to the Sun Temple first.”

  They strolled the bustling streets, chatting and ughing, growing closer. Passing a stall of tris and jewelry, Xia Feng froze, staring at an or, hand drifting to his bare neck. In Real Illusion, his real-wear didn’t carry over.

  “Let me see that!” He poio an aquamarine amulet, eerily like his brother’s. Trying it on, the resembnce grew. He wa, but penniless, he relutly retur.

  “How much?” Xuanxuan, sensing his attat, asked the vendor—an old, wiry man who replied without looking up, “Twelve silver s.”

  “That cheap?” Surprised, she bought it and faste around Xia Feng’s neck. Embarrassed, he mumbled, “Xuanxuan, I’ll pay you back!”

  “Pay me back?” She shot him a pyful gre. “Why so formal?” Her cheeks flushed, avoiding his gaze.

  Sweetness flooded Xia Feng as he took her hand, strolling on together. her noticed a pair of dark, icy eyes watg from a shadowy er nearby.

  Only when they’d gone far did the figure emerge—a slim, short man in a bck robe, pale face half-hidden, radiating a stark, lofty aura.

  Approag the jewelry stall, the vendor whispered, “Sir, as you ordered, I sold that amulet to the guy in white.”

  He nodded silently, tossed a few gold s, and vanished around the er. Moments ter, the vendor clutched his throat, colpsed, eyes rolling back, face purpling as if strangled alive. Onlookers crowded around, stunned.

  “Where are we headed?” After a bit, Xia Feng noticed the streets thinning into a narrow, deserted alley. Xuanxuan didn’t answer, instead ting his steps: “Owo, three—down!”

  As she spoke, dizziness struck. The world spun, and Xia Feng crumpled. His st sight was Xuanxuan’s triumphant, i grin.