Ning Xuan browsed the food pictures displayed in the mall's shops: slabs of unknown meat streaked with blood, rows of pitch-black, slimy chunks of meat, and drinks that looked murky, sticky, and dark. The sight alone made her frown. 'What kind of nightmare food is this?'
Disappointed with the prepared meals, Ning Xuan opened a shop that sold only raw ingredients. It was filled with bloody chunks of meat, still with fur attached, taken from various Exotic Beasts or wild animals. When fresh and warm, you could almost see the residual heat from the blood. A palm-sized piece of meat cost between 500 and 3,000 Star Coins. As she scrolled, she came across a picture of clusters of bright red fruit. The color was vibrant. According to the description below, they were Red Lantern Fruit—spicy and astringent, priced at 100 Star Coins. 'This stuff looks like bell peppers.' She scrolled on. After two pages, she saw another picture: a long, cylindrical plant with purple skin, divided into segments. The description said it was as thick as an arm. The plant's profile read: Purple Bamboo Wood, sweet taste, hard and thick skin. From its appearance, it looked exactly like the sugarcane she used to eat. It cost 1,000 Star Coins. She really wanted to buy it to see if it was sugarcane, but she didn't have enough money.
Ning Xuan then clicked into the clothing shops. A simple dress cost between 100 and 1,000 Star Coins. The white dress Ning Xuan usually wore was the cheapest kind of clothing available. A slightly more complex style would cost double.
After looking through the various shops in the mall and then at her account balance of 312 Star Coins, Ning Xuan was speechless. 'What kind of life was the original owner even living?'
No wonder this body was so thin and weak. Not getting enough to eat and being leeched off of… it was a miracle she was even alive.
She rubbed her GROWLING stomach and, resigning herself to her fate, bit open the nutrient solution packet. This body urgently needed to replenish its energy, so she had no choice but to taste this stuff!
Ning Xuan forced herself to swallow the gooey nutrient solution, fighting back a wave of nausea. Although it was disgusting, it at least suppressed her hunger.
Ning Xuan felt that to keep from starving to death, her most pressing task was to make money. Only by getting money and enough nutrition could she improve her physical condition. Only then could her body adapt to the growth of her spiritual power, and only then would it be possible to awaken the dormant Ghost-faced Red Vine.
Just as Ning Xuan was searching for ways to make money on her Light Computer, she received a voice call. The caller's name was listed as Hu Tao. This person seemed to be the original owner's best friend and classmate.
Ning Xuan answered the call and immediately heard an excited girl shout, "Xuanyuan, I can finally get through on your Light Computer! Are you okay? Ning Fei said you went to the Mysterious Barrier Land to find the Purple Gold Vine for Luo Meng, and she even made the letter you wrote to him public! Is that why you're too embarrassed to come to school?"
"You're afraid your classmates will laugh at you, right? Xuanyuan, don't overthink it! Everyone already knew how you felt. Whether that letter was made public or not doesn't really change anything. Just come to school, and I promise no one will dare to laugh at you!" Hu Tao's loud voice echoed throughout the living room.
Ning Xuan suddenly realized that her current identity was still a student—an underage student. According to Federation law, she had to complete her studies or turn 20 years old before she could leave school and choose a profession based on her personal situation.
Otherwise, she was not permitted to hold any job.
Some students might be able to get away with internships or part-time jobs under the cover of their parents' status, but this body's parents were both dead. She had no one to run interference for her.