The shop, named "Taste of Freshness," had an elegant name.
In reality, it was just a small establishment.
Its only claim to fame was the owner's ancestral secret recipe honey-glazed roast chicken.
Lin Feng wasn't here for the culinary delight.
Even though the game's taste feedback was incredibly realistic, he didn't have the leisure for it now.
He had more important matters to attend to.
"Boss, one roast chicken, please."
The owner of Taste of Freshness was a plump middle-aged man with small eyes that twinkled with a captivating smile.
It was the smile of one who craved money.
"Sir, what kind of roast chicken would you like?"
"The best!"
The owner's eyes lit up.
"The best roast chicken is 500 copper coins."
Lin Feng's consciousness sank, and he opened his inventory, checking the displayed amount.
100 copper.
He froze instantly.
In his past life, there was a powerful Golden Immortal-level expert of the Human race named Dong Huang Jian.
He possessed an S-grade talent, yet his strength surpassed many geniuses with SS and SSS-grade talents.
Tracing his rise to power,
From a poor ordinary person to become humanity's first top-tier powerhouse with over ten million combat power.
The turning point was when he entered the game and, due to an accidental mistake, failed to draw a talent.
Who knew it would turn out to be a blessing in disguise?
Upon entering the game, he coincidentally met a starving old beggar and triggered a quest.
Pitying the old man, he used all his wealth to buy a roast duck and gave it to the beggar.
Unexpectedly, the old beggar turned out to be an incredibly powerful NPC who directly gave him a chance to re-fuse a talent.
With just a roast duck, he managed to obtain a powerful S-grade talent.
And became the strongest cultivator of the Human race!
Such an opportunity was more absurd than any novel Lin Feng had ever read.
In his past life, he treated it as an exciting story, even feeling a bit envious.
In this life, Lin Feng intended to seize this ultimate opportunity before Dong Huang Jian!
The first step, naturally, was to forgo the system's random talent draw.
This already placed him beyond 99.9999% of players.
The second step was to buy a roast chicken.
However, the price of the roast chicken seemed a bit off.
Lin Feng's mind raced, and he continued to inquire.
"Boss, how many kinds of roast chicken do you have?"
The owner's enthusiasm began to wane.
Was this a pauper?
His tone became somewhat perfunctory.
"The best, 500 copper coins, only one sold per day.
Mid-grade, 200 copper coins, ten sold per day.
Regular grade, 100 copper coins, as many as you want."
Lin Feng's inner shock was beyond words.
He remembered it very clearly.
Dong Huang Jian's account clearly stated that he used all his nascent wealth, 100 copper coins, to buy a roast chicken.
And then, by chance, obtained his opportunity.
The strongest expert of the Human race, an S-grade talent comparable to SSS-grade, was obtained with the worst quality roast chicken?
If he used the best quality roast chicken, would the talent he received be even stronger?
His heart burned with anticipation, unable to wait.
But at this stage, the exchange between Chinese currency and game currency hadn't opened yet. Where would he get the remaining money?
After a moment of thought, he made a decision.
He reached for the treasured sword at his waist and briskly removed his outer robe.
"This peerless sword that can cut iron like mud, and this exquisite robe imbued with my masculine aura, how much do you think they're worth?"
The boss took them and, ignoring his boastful words, examined them carefully.
"Aren't these the survival tools for you 'Others'? You're willing to sell them?
These 'Others' who descend from the heavens all wear similar outfits.
They look incredibly dashing and handsome.
To be honest, I've wanted to get one for myself for a long time.
And now someone is offering one?"
Lin Feng stated decisively.
"As long as I can buy your shop's best roast chicken, what do these external things matter?"
"Good!"
The boss slapped his thigh forcefully and gave a thumbs-up, his smile filling his plump face.
"Sir, you are magnificent! This old man admires you!
Then I'll trade these two items for 400 copper coins.
You only need to give me another 100 copper coins, and Taste of Freshness's best roast chicken of the day will be yours!"
Lin Feng quickly took out all his wealth, 100 copper coins, and placed them on the counter.
The boss scurried off to the kitchen.
A moment later, he returned with a roast chicken wrapped in oiled paper and respectfully handed it to Lin Feng.
"Sir, your roast chicken!"
Lin Feng's hands trembled slightly as he took it.
This was the key item for his destiny to defy the heavens!
Ignoring the owner's surprised gaze, he took the roast chicken and bolted out of Taste of Freshness, a single thought in his mind.
"Old man, wait for me! Don't let Dong Huang Jian get there first!"
Guided by his memory, he navigated through the city to a desolate area.
Under a large tree, he found his target.
A dying old beggar.
He strode towards him.
From several meters away, the old beggar suddenly scrambled to his feet.
"Where did the roast chicken come from?"
Lin Feng couldn't help but give a thumbs-up and chuckled.
"Your nose is quite sharp, old sir!"
The old beggar chuckled sheepishly.
"As one gets old, these are the only interests left."
He swallowed and said with a trembling voice,
"Young man, could you let me have a bite of this roast chicken?"
Seeing Lin Feng's unresponsiveness, the old beggar smiled mysteriously.
"Give me the roast chicken, and I'll give you a tremendous benefit."
Lin Feng scoffed.
"This is Taste of Freshness's best quality roast chicken. What benefit can you give me?"
A sharp glint shot from the old beggar's eyes.
"The shop's prized possession of Taste of Freshness?
Then this benefit of mine might be difficult to bestow!"
Lin Feng's heart stirred.
Could the reward be enhanced?
He stopped playing coy and respectfully handed over the roast chicken.
"Please enjoy it slowly, esteemed elder!"
The old beggar looked at him in surprise, made no polite refusal, and buried his head in eating.
A moment later, he raised his head, his expression solemn.
"Fated one, thank you for the roast chicken.
As an 'Other' without a talent, perhaps you are the one I seek.
Close your eyes, and I shall bestow upon you a monumental fortune!"
"Got it!"
Lin Feng closed his eyes, his breathing almost ceasing.
A golden light flashed in his mind, and system prompts echoed in his ears.
You have completed the Mythical-grade Unique Quest - Heaven-Bestowed Opportunity.
You used the highest quality item, achieving 100% quest compatibility.
You proactively advanced the quest's progression, increasing quest compatibility by 50%.
Your actions increased the goodwill of the quest giver, increasing quest compatibility by 50%.
Your quest compatibility has reached 200%, with a quest evaluation of SSS.
Do you accept the talent [Chaos Evolution]?
Lin Feng's breath hitched.
Quest compatibility 200%?
An SSS evaluation?
In his past life, that great expert must have used the lowest quality roast chicken, achieving only 50% quest compatibility.
Ultimately obtaining an S-grade evaluation and an S-grade talent.
Was he directly so much stronger than him?
Could it be that after accepting, he would immediately gain the most powerful SSS-grade talent?
One S-grade made him the number one person of humanity.
With his SSS-grade, wouldn't he beat the invaders into submission?
What was there to think about? He had to accept.
Accepting talent...