C3 Unlocking the Farm Game

"I'm sorry, the system has already locked and bound three games on your phone. You won't be able to download any additional games."

"What if I initially had 20 games? Could the system lock all of them?" Yan Cheng inquired.

"Yes!"

Upon hearing this, Yan Cheng felt a pang of distress. He queried, "What exactly do you mean by 'energy'? Are you referring to electrical energy?"

"That's possible, but the energy conversion from electricity isn't very efficient in terms of cost."

"Why not? Isn't it all just energy?" Yan Cheng pressed for an answer.

"Electric energy is a lower-tier form of energy."

The explanation was quite blunt. Yan Cheng then asked, "What can the system actually do?"

"Materialization—it can convert energy into physical objects."

"Well then, conjure up a feast for me. I'm practically starving!" Yan Cheng immediately requested of the system.

"Apologies, but initiating the game requires energy, and the system can only materialize items you already possess."

"What does that mean?"

"Put simply, you need a certain amount of energy to unlock the three games. You must start these games from scratch. Only the items you earn within the games can be materialized, and even materialization consumes energy!" the system clarified.

"But I had energy just now, right? Unlock everything!" Yan Cheng demanded.

"The crystal core you had was a level-one energy crystal core, providing ten units of energy. Currently, that's only sufficient to unlock the farming management game."

"Please check your phone!"

Yan Cheng checked his phone.

Indeed, there was a Materialization System icon. He tapped it, and a high-tech palace interface appeared.

However, the palace was quite bare, featuring only three game icons: Farming, PUBG, and Universal Contest.

Yan Cheng went straight for the Farming game icon.

"Unlocking the Farming game will cost ten units of energy. Proceed with the unlock?"

"This will deplete all my energy. Are you playing games with me?" Yan Cheng grumbled, then selected 'No'. His finger moved to the PUBG icon.

"Unlocking the PUBG game requires one hundred units of energy. You do not have sufficient energy."

"Damn it!"

Yan Cheng swore, then hit 'No'. He continued and tapped on the Universal Contest game icon.

"Unlocking Universal Contest requires ten thousand units of energy. You do not have enough energy."

"System assistant, any chance of a discount?" Yan Cheng asked the system assistant once more.

"Our prices are set and fair. No haggling allowed!"

"Fine, you win. I'll unlock the farming management game first," Yan Cheng conceded.

"Understood. The farming management game is now unlocked. You should level up quickly to gain access to more items. And remember, gathering energy is crucial."

Yan Cheng rolled his eyes. "I'm starving here; I need to find some food first!"

Since the System was of no help, he had no choice but to rummage through the dorm.

Luckily, he stumbled upon some chocolate in Lang Zhe's drawer. He had no idea when it was left there, but he tore into it without hesitation.

"Hey, if someone else gets their hands on this phone, could they use the Materialization System?" Yan Cheng inquired between bites.

"No. Recall the electric arc incident from yesterday?"

"How could I forget? I nearly got electrocuted!" Yan Cheng was still bitter about the experience.

"I've linked you and this phone together. It's just an ordinary phone for anyone else. It only activates the Materialization System when you're the one holding it."

"Is this how I'll have to talk to you from now on?" Yan Cheng asked, concerned about future interactions with others and the risk of revealing his secret.

"You can communicate with me telepathically. No need to speak aloud; I'll respond in kind."

"Is that so?" Yan Cheng pondered silently.

"Indeed." The system assistant's voice echoed in Yan Cheng's mind, leaving the dormitory silent.

"This phone is incredible!" Yan Cheng exclaimed.

"Don't mention it!"

Reenergized, Yan Cheng started playing the game.

The farm management game was just like any real farm; he could plant and harvest crops, and eventually unlock a ranch and various shops.

Yan Cheng diligently cultivated two fields, one with cabbages and the other with rice.

Looking at the thatched cottage on his virtual farm, Yan Cheng sighed, "I don't have enough money to upgrade this cottage yet!"

The farm's level corresponded to the level of the house on the property. Yan Cheng browsed the farm's store and was surprised to discover that at level one, he could plant as many as ten apple trees. "I've completely forgotten how to play this from the start!" he exclaimed.

With a sigh, Yan Cheng planted three apple trees. He would have planted more if not for the fact that he had run out of initial funds—after all, saplings cost money!

"System assistant, could you help me harvest these crops?" Yan Cheng inquired.

"Absolutely!"

"Fantastic. Please take care of planting these two crops for me. Keep the warehouse full, sell half the stock, and use the profits to keep planting. Once the fruit trees mature, repeat the process."

"Sure thing, no problem!"

Once he had set everything up, Yan Cheng realized there was nothing left to do in the game. "I need to find some energy. Otherwise, I won't be able to materialize the things I grow into the real world!" he pondered. "Maybe I should check if there's any power?"

Yan Cheng plugged his phone into the charger, but there was no electricity. "Looks like I'm being forced to fight zombies!" he lamented with a worried expression.

After much deliberation, Yan Cheng decided it was time to venture outside. It was a matter of survival; without leaving, he would surely die of hunger. Without energy, he was powerless to do anything.

Before heading out, he knew he needed a weapon, considering zombies could be lurking anywhere. "I recall someone in the next dorm brought a kitchen knife for cooking. It should still be there," Yan Cheng mused to himself. He cautiously opened his room door and scrutinized the hallway. Finding it safe, he stealthily made his way to the neighboring dorm, listening intently at the door. Hearing nothing, he gently pushed it open.