C19 Earth Element Rookie Entry Manual

Actually, it was quite straightforward. Yesterday, when Blind Chung dispatched his men to Han Iron Base, he had Liu Yunshan tail them. Disguising himself, Liu Yunshan followed them to a secluded spot near the base and launched a surprise attack, leaving the victim barely alive and implicating Ocean Mountain Base.

Blind Chung was already seething from not securing the rice he wanted, and the ambush on his men only added fuel to his rage. A clash between the two factions seemed inevitable.

Meanwhile, Shen Chen was thrilled; with several hundred kilograms of rice left in storage, he was about an hour away from completing his mission. Glancing at his fingers, he cursed the system's ruthlessness and wondered if failure really meant losing a digit.

"Mr. Shen, the guys are saying that Han Iron Base's people have arrived. What's our move? Do we sell to them?" Amu burst in with the news.

Shen Chen shook his head. If he sold them the rice, how would he keep them longing for more? "Lock up the shop and tell them the last of the rice is already spoken for by Ocean Mountain Base."

"Got it!" Amu scampered off to carry out the instructions, while Yang Hanshuang gave a dismissive eye roll. "Your strategy of pitting one against the other is clever, but tread carefully. It could easily backfire."

"Don't worry, I've got it under control," Shen Chen reassured her.

The pair left the shop and, sure enough, saw Blind Chung approaching with a sizable entourage.

"Sorry, folks, you're too late. Today's rice is all sold out," Amu relayed as instructed.

The Han Iron Base contingent was livid. "What do you mean, sold out? Every time we come, it's the same story. Isn't that rice right there?"

Indeed, fresh rice was still displayed on the table.

Blind Chung confronted Shen Chen, "Boss Shen, are you still hung up on old grievances?"

"What past are you referring to?" Shen Chen feigned ignorance. "This rice is reserved for Ocean Mountain Base. We value our word in business."

"Is there really no way you can spare us even a portion?" Blind Chung pressed.

"I apologize, but aside from maintaining a good reputation, I have additional dealings with Ocean Mountain Base. If I hand over the rice to you, I won't be able to secure my merchandise."

The goods Shen Chen referred to were a hundred fresh zombies.

This time, Blind Chung made a swift decision. Whether it was due to the fear of Shen Chen's demonstrated strength yesterday or some other reason, he surprisingly turned on his heel and signaled for the Han Iron Base group to depart.

Their arrival and departure were equally abrupt.

"It looks like your trial run yesterday had some impact."

Yang Hanshuang believed that the show of strength had been effective, but Shen Chen saw it differently. Intimidation had its uses, but it was also quite limited. In plain terms, Blind Chung was simply being smart, not wanting to alienate his only rice supplier.

Shen Chen beckoned Amu over and murmured a few words in his ear. Amu's eyes widened in disbelief. "Mr. Shen, that's a pretty ruthless move, but isn't it also a bit wasteful?"

"Wasteful? Fine, I'll just give them the whole lot to boost their strength then."

"No, please don't do that. I'm on it right away."

With that, Amu dashed into the shop.

The brothers from Cloud Mountain Base looked on in bewilderment, and even Yang Hanshuang couldn't help but knit her brows. "What are you up to now?"

"Relax, I won't bring any trouble to Cloud Mountain Base."

Shen Chen kept his plans close to his chest, and Yang Hanshuang didn't press further. She had witnessed the outcome of Shen Chen's 'trial run' the day before. After all, Shen Chen's targets were Han Iron Base and Ocean Mountain Base, and any conflict between them could only benefit Cloud Mountain Base.

Soon after, a contingent from Ocean Mountain Base arrived, many in number and all skilled experts. They had also brought the last hundred fresh zombies as agreed.

Baldie offered a sheepish explanation to Shen Chen, "Fresh zombies are tough to catch. We had to scour numerous places to find them."

Shen Chen was well aware that the frequent appearances of fresh zombies indicated that someone was killing them off as soon as they emerged. It was likely Blind Chung stirring up trouble.

As long as they delivered the promised hundred zombies, there was nothing more to say.

The Ocean Mountain Base personnel began to queue up for the exchange. Shen Chen didn't rush to conduct his experiment, choosing instead to wait until their exchange was complete. This final batch of rice, once traded, would fulfill the system's mission.

As a Level-1 agent, he was entitled to a 10% sales commission. Shen Chen wondered if he'd actually receive the reward this time. With 666 Level-1 Crystal Cores promised, he had more than enough for his experiments.

Lost in thought, a delightful chime unexpectedly echoed in his mind—

[Mission completed. Shen Chen is hereby awarded the status of a Level-1 rice agent, with a 10% commission on sales, totaling 666 Level-1 Crystal Cores. Please verify receipt.]

No sooner had the announcement ended than Shen Chen's pocket burst, spilling Crystal Cores all over the street, leaving onlookers agape.

How could his pocket tear open like that, and with so many Level-1 Crystal Cores!

The folks at Ocean Mountain Base stared in astonishment, unable to fathom what Shen Chen was up to.

Embarrassed, Shen Chen touched his nose, about to ask for help in collecting them, when another crisp voice sounded in his mind.

[New Mission: As a Level-1 rice agent, sell 30,000 catties of rice within ten days.]

[Exchange rate: One Level-1 Crystal Core per catty of rice.]

30,000 catties...

Biting his collar, Shen Chen nearly collided with a wall. He had barely finished one task before being hit with another. This had to be a setup!

"A total of 30,000 Level-1 Crystal Cores."

[Mission failure penalty: Two fingers.]

Shen Chen's jaw quivered. He'd barely saved his fingers, and now he faced such a barbaric penalty.

"What's wrong with Mr. Shen?"

"I have no idea, but Mr. Shen looks like he's about to cry, like a little girl."

Whispers spread among the crowd.

Shen Chen scowled. Well, he could handle a mission this absurd.

Ding, dong!

[Reward: Level-1 Earth-Type Ability Starter Manual.]

Shen Chen listened intently this time. He felt something new in his pocket, but as soon as he reached for it, the book vanished, and a torrent of information rushed into his mind, nearly overwhelming him.

Once the wave of dizziness subsided, Shen Chen could make out the words—"Earth-Type Beginner's Manual."

Beginner...

"Your whole family are beginners!"

Shen Chen felt the sting of the system's insult. It was one thing to be mocked by others, but to be scorned by this blasted system was too much.

"I'm proud, and it's none of your business!"

Under the gaze of onlookers, Shen Chen ranted at thin air as if he'd gone mad, making his way into the supermarket.

Onlookers on the street were stunned, exchanging uneasy glances. They figured he must've had an overdose of rice and lost his wits.

Yang Hanshuang was concerned. She hesitated, ultimately deciding not to follow him inside. The pressure on Shen Chen must have been immense; she had pinned all of Cloud Mountain Base's hopes on him. Reflecting on it, she felt a twinge of guilt. And while Shen Chen was busy outsmarting both bases, she, despite being a level 3 superpowered individual, found herself unable to lend a hand.

Inside the supermarket.

Shen Chen pored over the "Beginner's Guide to Earth-Based Abilities" in his mind, not expecting to stumble upon a surprising find. His eyes lit up with excitement.