Li Fenghuang had at least solved his food problem for the next few days; he figured he wouldn't go hungry again soon. Li Fenghuang really hadn't wanted to argue physics with the bakery owner, but the owner had deliberately made things difficult for him.
If others don't offend him, he won't offend them. This was Li Fenghuang's principle of conduct. If the bakery owner had spoken to Li Fenghuang sincerely, without any contempt or humiliation, Li Fenghuang would have genuinely conversed calmly, rather than in a fit of rage.
"I've caused a bit too much trouble today... This is the terraria world, not the real world. Public safety is far worse than in reality. But having solved the food for the next two days, it's time to rein it in a bit. Dying here might actually mean truly dying..." Li Fenghuang had already deduced this relationship when observing the health bar issue. "It seems to be Hardcore Mode, and there's a Hunger Buff. This isn't easy." Li Fenghuang devoured a bread like a whirlwind.
【Fullness Buff: Strength +1, Attack +1, Defense +1, Health Regeneration +0.1/s, Movement Speed -5% Duration: 5 minutes.】
"Oh? There's a Buff too, good, good." Li Fenghuang further understood the mechanics of this world.
"Can't mess around anymore; I need to quickly improve my strength." Li Fenghuang casually placed the bread he was carrying into his system space. "Still no money, a penny can stump a hero..."
As he thought, Li Fenghuang unknowingly arrived in a secluded street, in front of a prop shop.
"Is anyone there, is anyone there?" Li Fenghuang politely knocked on the door.
"Coming!" A young clerk, similar to a doorman, ran out from inside and opened the door. "Hello, how can I help you?" the young clerk said enthusiastically.
This young clerk wasn't very old, only about eleven or twelve, and perhaps because he was currently guarding the prop shop, his face was full of seriousness.
"Hello." Li Fenghuang looked at the young clerk, who was half a head shorter than him, and smiled kindly. "What's your name?"
"Niro." The young clerk's face showed no shyness at all when talking to a stranger.
"Where are your adults?"
"My master went to restock. Only I'm in the shop right now, customer. Do you need anything? I can sell you some items from the shop; as for other things, I don't really know..." The young clerk looked at Li Fenghuang.
"Okay. Let me see what to buy..." Saying this, Li Fenghuang began to carefully observe the items on the display counter.
This prop shop wasn't large, with only one door and window. The light inside was decent, and the facilities were relatively simple, but the items were quite complete. It seemed to be a small business, probably with no other employees, only Niro and the master he mentioned. The old cabinets showcased the history of this prop shop, but the cabinets and the items on them were not dusty at all. It seemed this prop shop was well-maintained, giving people a rustic yet neat and comfortable feeling.
"Cactus... 5 pieces, only 1 copper coin... Sure enough, that bakery owner ripped me off." Li Fenghuang's face, however, showed a look of satisfaction. "Indeed, when it's time to act, you must act..."
"Little brother, how much money does your prop shop earn in a day?" Li Fenghuang conversed with the young clerk while observing the goods. Li Fenghuang was actually very curious about the currency value and prices in this terraria world. If he could figure it out, it would be much more convenient to do things here in the future. At least, he couldn't be scammed by others again. Although nothing happened this time, the incident was quite big, and Li Fenghuang was really worried that the authorities might step in and ban his account. After all, he had done such a big thing before, and he should hurry up and purchase things.
"I don't really know about that; Master always keeps the accounts. Big brother, are you going to make medicine? I can't, but Master can. But Master said in a few more years, I'll be able to make medicine. Seeing Master make medicine, I really feel he's so amazing!" Looking at Niro's face full of admiration, Li Fenghuang seemed to see his own past.
"Yes, it's indeed amazing." Li Fenghuang nodded. He was like this when he was little, not knowing anything, and seeing adults do things, he would feel it was amazing; although childish, it was truly innocent, carefree...
"Big brother, can you make medicine?"
"Me? I guess so..." Li Fenghuang replied.
"Then big brother is also very amazing!" Niro had kept a serious look for work just now, but now when he looked at Li Fenghuang, he also had a hint of admiration.
"You'll learn it in the future, you definitely will." Li Fenghuang simply replied and then started asking questions again. Time was pressing, and Li Fenghuang really didn't have time to have a long talk with him here. "So, what's the daily or monthly wage of ordinary people outside?"
"Master said that some poor people outside can't even earn three copper coins a day, how pitiful." Niro's expression turned worried again. "I heard they can't even get enough to eat."
...
After some conversation, Li Fenghuang discovered that one copper coin here was roughly equivalent to about 10 yuan in his original world, meaning the 20 copper coins in his backpack were equivalent to 200 yuan in the real world. In a sense, it was quite a large sum...
Most people's daily wages here were between seven or eight to ten copper coins, but there would still be significant differences depending on the job.
"Thank you, Niro." Li Fenghuang took out four copper coins and handed them to Niro.
"No need, you don't need this much." Niro hastily refused. "The rope, torch, and resin you want are only three copper coins; these four copper coins are a bit too much..."
"It's fine, you take it." Saying that, Li Fenghuang waved his hand and put these things into his system space, then walked out. "Little brother, may we meet again."
Saying that, Li Fenghuang left the prop shop without looking back. Calculating the time, if that bakery reported him, then the people coming to arrest him should be almost ready. If this incident accidentally implicated this prop shop, Li Fenghuang would still feel bad about it.
...
Li Fenghuang wandered around other places for a few more circles, spending two more copper coins to buy several canvas bags of water and several large pieces of high-quality wood.
By the time Li Fenghuang was almost ready, it was already approaching dusk.
"System, system, I've already put in the wood and resin. First, synthesize a workbench and put it in my backpack, then synthesize wood armor for me!" Li Fenghuang was already eager to wear armor. Although it was the simplest wood armor, it was still armor. Although it only had three defense points in the game, its effect here might not be limited to just three defense points. At the same time, this was his first set of armor, which could at least provide him with some assurance, both practical and psychological.
【Synthesized: wood armor Wood Helmet: Defense +1 Wood Breastplate: Defense +1 Wood Greaves: Ah ba ah ba... Set Bonus: 1 Defense Point. (Equipped)】
【Host: Li Fenghuang Lv.2 Current Rage: 0/100 Adrenaline: 0 Health: 100 Defense: 1 (+3) Strength: 0 Attack: 1 (+5) Mana: 20 Movement Speed: 15 Health Regeneration: 1/s Mana Regeneration: 1/s Skills: None System Backpack: Copper Shortsword (Damage: 5), Copper Axe, Copper Pickaxe, Copper Coins * 14 Equipped: Wood Set (Hidden).】
"Oh? Goodness, the armor can be hidden, and I don't feel anything wearing it, no inconvenience in movement, nice, nice." Li Fenghuang tapped himself twice. His fingers met no resistance and directly touched his skin, yet it felt entirely woody. "Truly amazing..."
"I've gotten stronger, but it's not enough! Since I can't go back... then I'll live well, and I'll definitely find a way back!" As the wood armor was equipped, a confident light flashed in Li Fenghuang's eyes...