Chapter 110 – Upgrade Completion and Docking
During the system upgrade, some functions were unavailable, but the basic exchange feature remained. Lin Jiu exchanged for a lot of raw materials and spent his free time in the advanced kitchen making low-level fruit wine. Not wanting to waste any energy fruits, he turned them all into low-level magic wine, ensuring that even small amounts could have a strong effect.
Supplying the entire country wasn’t something Lin Jiu could handle alone—he needed help and a way to distribute the wine back to his shop.
After discussing with Si Xu, Lin Jiu decided to return to City A for the time being. Searching for the mother parasite would take time, and Lin Jiu could handle other matters in the meantime.
Lin Jiu had been to the South Sea in person and knew where Si Xu’s temporary residence was. With the system’s locator, he could return there anytime through the dimensional gate, traveling from one room to another almost instantly.
Before leaving, Lin Jiu gathered enough fruits on a small island and then returned to his bedroom. He left a large amount of intermediate magic meals for Si Xu.
At the moment, the main material he could use to make intermediate-level magic meals was the giant demon stingray. Even though it could be combined with three-star creatures like the Blue Demon, Bubble Fish, and Shrimp, the energy level still fell short of a pure intermediate meal. Nevertheless, it was the best Lin Jiu could currently offer.
Si Xu’s daily diet consisted entirely of magic meals and magic wine, which nourished his body with energy. If Si Xu wasn’t in a rush to use the advanced gene enhancer, he could continue to improve his body strength slowly and eventually reach a safe standard.
Lin Jiu had considered hunting five- and six-star sea monsters, but Si Xu had stopped him. If Lin Jiu were to hunt, he would have to go with Si Xu, as it was too dangerous for him to go alone.
Si Xu had been busy lately, so Lin Jiu put his hunting plans on hold, waiting for Si Xu to have time so they could go together.
Regarding Lin Jiu’s plan to sell energy fruit wine at the MoYu Shop, Si Xu had already spoken with the “Special Security Department.” Since energy seafood couldn’t be sold, energy fruit wine could indeed alleviate a lot of pressure.
The radiation-blocking serum was unstable and in short supply. The first batch was reserved for those in life-threatening situations due to severe radiation. Those with lighter exposure had to wait, and preventative measures for those not yet exposed to radiation were out of reach.
Even so, the serum wasn’t enough.
Lin Jiu’s proposal to sell energy fruit wine at this time would undoubtedly save many lives. No one understood better than the “Special Security Department” just how effective energy fruit wine was. Not only would they not stop him, but the government would also work to make things easier for him.
Under these circumstances, Lin Jiu announced on the MoYu app and his social media accounts:
“MoYu Shop is offering energy fruit wine and energy fruit drinks at a 50% discount. Limited supply. Customers with severe radiation exposure have priority. Energy fruit drinks are available for those under 18. Important notice: Energy fruit wine and drinks are highly potent, with a maximum serving of 50ml per person. Consuming more could be life-threatening!”
This was the first public announcement from MoYu since the ban on mutated seafood, and it caused an immediate sensation online.
Many longtime customers knew that MoYu offered a fruit wine that made you feel incredibly refreshed after drinking it. However, they weren’t sure if energy fruit wine could block radiation.
Once Lin Jiu’s message was posted, it confirmed that his energy fruit wine and drinks could indeed block radiation.
Some people were confused: wasn’t it the mutated seafood that could block radiation? How could fruit wine and drinks do the same?
Some even accused Lin Jiu of profiting from the national crisis.
Amidst the online debate, an official statement was released.
The announcement stated that MoYu Resturant’s energy fruit wine had been supplied to the “Special Security Department” for its operatives. The energy in the wine was even more potent than that of mutated seafood, but due to the difficulty of production, it had always been limited and expensive.
Now that Lin Jiu was offering it at a discount, it was practically an act of disaster relief.
With official backing, what was there left to doubt? Especially since the energy fruit wine had been used by the “Special Security Department” before. No one questioned its quality—if it wasn’t good, the government wouldn’t have chosen it.
Lin Jiu set the sale date for the energy fruit wine and beverages and started working with Vera.
Lin Jiu instructed Jiang Xiwen to order a large quantity of 50ml small bottles to fill with the fruit wine and beverages. They couldn’t just sell them by the cup; bottles were needed.
Lin Jiu and Vera were busy making the energy fruit wine and beverages, while Jiang Xiwen handled the sales at the shop. The “Special Security Department” also sent a few people to help. Jiang Xiwen, thinking that it might not be enough, hired additional security personnel to maintain order.
On the day of the sale, the old street was packed. It was so crowded that not only were vehicles unable to pass, but even walking was nearly impossible. The number of people coming to buy the energy fruit wine and beverages was overwhelming. Fortunately, Jiang Xiwen had experience managing crowds, and despite the large numbers, everything was orderly, with no chaos.
Making fruit wine was much easier than preparing magic meals. With refrigerated storage to speed up the process, barrels of energy fruit wine were continuously delivered to Vera. Vera and Lottie were in charge of bottling and packing, and part-time ability users were tasked with delivering the bottled wine to the MoYu restaurant for sale.
This unlimited sales model lasted for three days. Afterward, a limit was imposed—10,000 bottles were sold daily, with priority given to those with higher radiation levels.
Selling 10,000 bottles per day equated to five 100-liter barrels of wine, which Lin Jiu could easily produce.
Lin Jiu had already cleared out the smart kitchen’s refrigerators. One batch could yield 100 barrels of 100-liter fruit wine, and it only took half an hour to complete a batch, so producing five barrels a day was no pressure at all.
While there was no stress on Lin Jiu’s end in making the wine, bottling and selling it posed a bigger challenge. Additionally, the fruit on Xipuluo Island was limited, and such large-scale consumption wasn’t sustainable. Lin Jiu also didn’t want to focus solely on fruit wine and beverages for too long.
After storing enough fruit wine and beverages in Vera’s spatial ring, Lin Jiu headed to the South Sea to meet with Si Xu.
The South Sea, besides being home to local residents, had gathered many people due to the crisis. Surrounded by the sea, the radiation levels from unknown energy were only slightly lower than those directly on the ocean, so the people there needed radiation blockers more than anyone.
Lin Jiu’s spatial ring was packed with energy fruit wine, not only including green plum wine but also various magic wines made from different fruits. These served as radiation blockers, with taste being secondary to their effect.
While Lin Jiu was fine with making magic wine, he had no patience for bottling it. So, after passing through the realm gate to the South Sea, he directly donated 1,000 barrels of energy fruit wine and 500 barrels of energy fruit beverages to the local authorities.
Not only did Lin Jiu donate the wine and beverages, but he also handed over the bottles for filling, essentially signaling, “I don’t want to bottle it—you do it.”
When news of Lin Jiu’s donation spread, it caused an uproar online. Especially when people heard the amount he had given, they were left stunned.
If all that energy fruit wine and beverages were sold, it would be worth a fortune!
No one doubted the ability to sell it all—it was MoYu’s exclusive product, and demand would always be high. Yet, Lin Jiu had no hesitation in donating what was needed while selling the rest.
Many netizens commented that this was typical of Lin Jiu. They recalled when he had sold seafood packages to City S, only to turn around and donate all the proceeds to the city, effectively providing the seafood for free.
Many people from the South Sea left messages of thanks on Lin Jiu’s social media.
That previous comment asking when Lin Jiu would help the South Sea resurfaced, with many joking that the commenter must be blessed, since not long after they posted, Lin Jiu had gone to the South Sea to donate supplies. His generosity was unmatched.
Lin Jiu wasn’t paying attention to the online chatter; he was too busy running around the sea with Si Xu, searching for the source of the infestation.
*
Lin Jiu hadn’t expected that when the system said the upgrade would be done soon, it would actually take more than half a month.
While running around the sea with Si Xu, Lin Jiu suddenly heard a cold, mechanical voice.
[Demon Hunter System upgrade complete.]
At that moment, Lin Jiu was standing on the deck, wearing a tight waterproof suit and helmet, nearly jumping into the sea from the shock of the unexpected voice.
Si Xu quickly grabbed his arm. “Be careful.”
Lin Jiu thought to himself, “How can I be careful when this cold, mechanical voice just came out of nowhere? This doesn’t sound like the Demon Hunter System at all!”
Lin Jiu tried to communicate: [System, blink if you’ve been kidnapped.]
The system didn’t respond.
Lin Jiu frowned: [Are you still the Demon Hunter System?]
[Connecting to the Demon Spirit Main System, please wait…]
Lin Jiu: !!!!!!!
Lin Jiu’s instincts told him something was wrong. How could the Demon Hunter System suddenly connect to something called the Demon Spirit Main System? He hadn’t even been given a choice—it just happened!
He grabbed Si Xu, who was scanning the sea, noticing Lin Jiu’s distress. “What’s wrong?”
Lin Jiu tried to calm down. “I need to talk to you.”
Si Xu glanced around at the nearby staff and led Lin Jiu to the cabin. But just before they entered, Lin Jiu heard the system again.
[Connection to the Demon Spirit Main System successful.]
Lin Jiu suddenly stopped, feeling a burst of static in his mind that gave him a splitting headache. He stumbled, almost collapsing, but Si Xu caught him just in time, holding him steady.
Seeing Lin Jiu’s pained expression, Si Xu became concerned and quickly helped him to a rest area.
Si Xu asked worriedly, “Where does it hurt?”
Leaning back in his chair, Lin Jiu closed his eyes, clearly uncomfortable.
Si Xu informed the others and quickly took Lin Jiu back to their temporary residence by speedboat, deeply worried about him.
Once they returned, Lin Jiu finally spoke. “I… I hear someone talking in my head…”
Si Xu: ???
Si Xu’s first thought was that Lin Jiu had been infected by the pests, and they were now fighting for control of his brain.
Lin Jiu seemed to guess what Si Xu was thinking and said, “It’s not the pest. The Demon Hunter System has completed its upgrade, but it did so without my permission, automatically connecting to something called the Demon Spirit Main System. Someone over there is speaking to me now.”
Si Xu’s expression shifted several times. “What are they saying?”
Lin Jiu shook his head. “I can’t make it out. There’s too much static—it’s giving me a splitting headache.”
Si Xu tightened his grip on Lin Jiu’s hand. He really wanted to know if there was any way to remove this Demon Hunter System. However, since the system had already bonded with Lin Jiu, there seemed to be no way to separate it. Now, they were in a passive position, with no idea what these systems’ true purpose was.
Lin Jiu grabbed Si Xu’s hand. “The voice is telling me to go to the Demon Sea dimension. They want to talk to me about something.”
Si Xu’s face turned serious. “Are there other people in the Demon Sea dimension?”
Lin Jiu replied, “There shouldn’t be…”
Lin Jiu paused. “The Demon Hunter System originally said there weren’t.”
By now, they knew that the Demon Hunter System was unreliable, and anything it said was questionable.
With no better option, they decided to go to the Demon Sea dimension. If the voice controlling the Demon Spirit Main System turned hostile towards Lin Jiu, they would have no way to resist.
When Lin Jiu and Si Xu arrived at Xipuluo Island, the voice in Lin Jiu’s mind suddenly became clearer.
This time, not only Lin Jiu could hear it, but the voice also appeared in Si Xu’s mind.
[Greetings, both of you. I am Golofitz of the Demon Spirit Clan.]
Lin Jiu and Si Xu exchanged shocked glances.
They had always thought that the civilization of the Demon Sea dimension had been wiped out. Could there actually be survivors? And from the Demon Spirit Clan?
[There’s no need to be surprised. The Demon Sea dimension indeed experienced a mass extinction event. However, with the level of our civilization at the time, we were able to take precautions, so we didn’t all die during the disaster. We are the survivors.]
Lin Jiu and Si Xu were even more shocked.
Lin Jiu blurted out, “Where are you now?”
[The catastrophe in the Demon Sea dimension was unavoidable and inescapable. Anyone within the dimension would be affected. The Demon Spirit Clan foresaw the coming disaster and, with the collective power of many clansmen, attempted to escape to another dimension through an independent space. However, the independent space was damaged by the impact of the Demon Sea dimension, and we lost our way, becoming trapped in the gaps between countless dimensions. We need an energy supply and guidance to escape.]
Lin Jiu: “…”
Si Xu: “…”
Si Xu said, “So, the Demon Hunter System was something you left behind to collect energy, and the rewards we received were all pre-set by you. The people bound to the Demon Hunter System were just accumulating energy bit by bit for you, correct?”
[That’s one of the contingency plans. We had predicted various potential dangers and prepared responses accordingly.]
[We left behind multiple systems, intending for them to devour and grow, becoming autonomous, evolving systems. They could be destroyed, or they could be awakened. We couldn’t predict which one would evolve into a growth-type system.]
[Once a growth-type system is awakened, it guides its host to gather energy for us. When enough energy has been accumulated, the system upgrades and connects to the Demon Spirit Main System, allowing me to communicate with the host through consciousness.]
[I was quite surprised that the Demon Hunter System evolved into a growth-type system. It was very weak and had limited functionality, so it could only be used in a few situations. Because it was the Demon Hunter System, we were delayed for so long. Each growth-type system has different activation conditions, and the Demon Hunter System’s conditions were: ? A species from the Demon Sea dimension, ? An intelligent life form, and ? Proficiency in hunting sea demons. Only when all these conditions were met would the Demon Hunter System awaken and autonomously bond with a host.]
[Over the years, Lin Jiu, you weren’t the first descendant from the Demon Sea dimension to come here. Members of the five intelligent species had come before, but unfortunately, none of them were able to awaken the Demon Hunter System. Instead, they all died here in various bizarre ways. You are the weakest of them all, yet you managed to awaken the Demon Hunter System, which proves the strength of your spirit.]
Lin Jiu: “…”
Is this one of those situations where two negatives make a positive?
Lin Jiu suddenly felt annoyed. The Demon Hunter System was clearly weak, so what right did it have to call him weak?
No, this wouldn’t do. He had to get some revenge.
Lin Jiu asked, “What happened to the Demon Hunter System? What did you do to it?”
[The Demon Hunter System is still there, but its autonomous consciousness has been suppressed by the Demon Spirit Main System.]
