Chapter 96: Zhongsun Junhao, Ghost Pearl!
When her eyes fell on the detailed information about the Cleansing Bread, Su Ning couldn’t help but show an awkward expression. She couldn’t help but wonder—how could something this strange even exist?
It was truly baffling. She also found herself incredibly surprised by the dungeon Zhang Li had entered.
After all, who would’ve thought that something originally used as a cleansing item would be made into a bread of all things?
Utterly unexpected. And then you have innocent people like Zhao Fuqing—how were they supposed to handle this situation?
Now, a victim had appeared.
Zhao Fuqing was in tears.
Noticing the conflicted expression on Su Ning’s face, Zhang Li grew even more tense and asked nervously, “Wait… don’t tell me… is this thing poisonous?”
Su Ning paused briefly before replying, “Not exactly poisonous… but it’s definitely not something you can eat casually.”
Hearing this, Zhang Li let out a huge sigh of relief.
But when she looked again at Zhao Fuqing’s contorted face, still wracked with pain, her mind filled with doubt again.
“If it’s not poisonous, then why is Xiao Qing in so much pain? Could it be the bread… went bad?”
But that didn’t quite make sense either. The bread still smelled fresh and delicious—it didn’t look spoiled at all.
Zhang Li fell deep into thought. Could it be that these foods brought back from the dungeon were actually inedible for outsiders like them?
If so, that would be a tremendous waste—she had risked so much to gather those rare dungeon food resources.
Su Ning didn’t quite know how to explain.
“Well… it’s not exactly like that. It’s just…”
She understood that kids at this age had fragile pride, so she didn’t bluntly speak the truth. Instead, she leaned in close to Zhang Li’s ear and whispered everything about the cleansing bread’s actual function.
At first worried and anxious, Zhang Li relaxed significantly after hearing the full story. Her face even lit up a little, and she couldn’t help but laugh softly.
Suddenly, it all made sense. She now understood why Su Ning had looked so hesitant earlier.
Thinking back on how overly nervous she had been just moments ago, Zhang Li couldn’t help but chuckle at herself.
Su Ning noticed Zhang Li’s relaxed expression and shook her head with a quiet reminder:
“We’re not done yet. If you ask me, you’d better take Xiao Qing to deal with… that… immediately.”
That snapped Zhang Li back to reality—Right!
Their dorm didn’t have a private bathroom. To relieve themselves, they had to use the public restrooms. And at this moment, Zhao Fuqing was pale as a ghost, with sweat the size of beans pouring from his forehead.
Su Ning looked at Zhang Li, who was clearly trying hard not to laugh, and could only smile helplessly.
Just as Zhang Li turned to leave, she noticed Su Ning staring intently at the cleansing bread on the table.
So Zhang Li said, “If you’re interested in it, just take all of the cleansing bread with you.”
Then she left with the suffering Zhao Fuqing in tow.
Su Ning didn’t hesitate and happily took them all.
But she wasn’t one to take without giving. With a flick of thought, she took out a plump, fluffy steamed bun crafted by Number 4 from her storage space and placed it on the table.
When Zhang Li and the tomato-red Zhao Fuqing returned, they were stunned by the sight before them—
The cleansing bread had been replaced by several big, fragrant steamed buns.
Zhao Fuqing asked in surprise, “Sister Zhang, what’s going on here?”
Zhang Li’s expression was a bit complicated, her heart full of emotion. “She really hasn’t changed a bit.”
She gently ruffled Xiao Qing’s hair and said warmly, “Go ahead and eat. This is from your Sister Su. You know how she is—she never likes owing people even the tiniest favor.”
Hearing that, Xiao Qing nodded and replied, “Mm! If I ever get any cool treasure from a dungeon in the future, I’ll definitely give it to you and Sister Su!”
Zhang Li smiled gently at his words.
After saying goodbye to Zhang Li, Su Ning didn’t return home right away.
Instead, wrapped in a thick cotton coat, she strode confidently toward the Trade Plaza.
Because of the ongoing blizzard and extreme cold, the temperature had plummeted drastically. Even within the shelter, Su Ning wouldn’t go outside without bundling up in heavy clothes.
At the plaza, crowds bustled. But today was different—people weren’t just trading food.
Many were now scrambling to exchange for warm winter supplies.
“Come take a look! Top-tier thermal down jackets! Don’t miss out!”
A voice shouted loudly, trying to catch passersby’s attention.
Su Ning followed the sound and saw a man selling premium down jackets. She was surprised to find that these jackets looked like genuine high-quality products from well-known flagship brands.
She couldn’t help but glance at the vendor—how did this guy manage to gather so many good items?
[Player: Zhongsun Junhao]
Ability: Spatial Powers – can manipulate spatial forces freely.
Skills: Instant Teleportation, Spatial Backpack
After reading his info, a flicker of surprise passed through Su Ning’s eyes.
“Spatial ability… and his name is Zhongsun Junhao.”
A strange sense of familiarity washed over her.
Su Ning racked her brain—she was sure she’d seen that name or ability before.
“Where have I heard that name before…?”
Then, a memory suddenly surfaced.
In the [Corpse Hell] dungeon, when she and Link #1 were on a zombie-killing mission, they were ambushed by someone named Zhongsun Junzhang.
And his talent? Also spatial manipulation.
“Zhongsun Junzhang… Zhongsun Junhao… Could they be brothers?”
She looked again at Zhongsun Junhao.
After all, the surname Zhongsun was incredibly rare, and there was no way he was from Shelter No. 6.
His stall didn’t just have winter clothes—it had a variety of items from different dungeons.
Su Ning scanned the goods, but then her eyes landed on something that instantly lit up her expression.
A small orb—The Ghost Pearl.
[Item: Ghost Pearl] (Unbound)
Source: “Evil Spirits Descend” dungeon
Special Ability: Phantom Veil – Can hide or alter system info. Even ghost-type creatures can’t see through it.
Gazing at the pearl and reading the description, Su Ning was thrilled.
This was exactly what she needed to conceal her system identity.
With its help, she could better protect her data and profile.
Zhongsun Junhao noticed Su Ning staring intently at one of the items and asked, “Miss, what do you think? These down jackets are premium grade, and the other items on the stall are also quite good.”
Su Ning didn’t respond right away.
She was busy thinking—how could she buy the Ghost Pearl without revealing how valuable it really was?
Clearly, Zhongsun Junhao had no idea what the pearl actually did.
After all, unbound, the Ghost Pearl looked like nothing more than a pretty marble.
Then suddenly—a spark of inspiration.
Her eyes locked onto Zhongsun Junhao. The corners of her mouth curled into a subtle smile—she had a plan.
She looked at him and said confidently, “Mister, I’m guessing… you’re not from our shelter, are you?”
Her tone was calm, but certain.
Zhongsun Junhao’s smile froze immediately.
(End of Chapter)
