Ch 261: Guide to Running a Shop in Another World

Childhood Tutoring Center.

Lu Yao suddenly decided to go out, taking only Harold with her.

Earlier, the local staff and test subjects had received her message and gradually left the center.

Only Budu, Erxin, and Bai Yi remained in the store.

Budu sat in one corner of the sofa, while Erxin lay lazily at his feet.

The chubby cat stretched its paw to tug at Budu’s clothes, and Budu absentmindedly shook Erxin’s tail back and forth.

Sitting across from them, Bai Yi felt a bit awkward.

She considered whether to start a conversation with the child, but after experiencing so many shocks that day, her mind felt like a rock, unable to come up with the right words.

Besides, Budu didn’t seem interested in chatting.

Unlike typical children of his age, Budu was unusually quiet when Lu Yao wasn’t around.

It was like snow resting silently on tree branches—still and cold.

Suddenly, Erxin perked up and turned toward the door, its round eyes full of alertness.

Budu jumped off the sofa and quickly ran outside, with Erxin scrambling to catch up.

When Bai Yi came out, she saw Harold and Budu helping to tidy up the small shop’s shelves, while Erxin was playfully begging Lu Yao for snacks.

Lu Yao paused from her work and turned to Bai Yi. “I’m planning to take a few days off, so you should go home and take a break to calm your nerves.”

Bai Yi had already heard about the break from her colleagues, but no one knew why the owner had suddenly decided to close.

Lu Yao didn’t hide the reason, “By dawn, due to the loss of superpowers, the world will fall into chaos.”

!!!

Bai Yi was stunned. “Superpowers will disappear?”

Lu Yao nodded. “696 tried to take you because, like me, you’re a non-powered individual. I suspect that 696’s organization conducted research and found that using the blood of non-powered individuals as a medium could strip superpowered individuals of their abilities.”

Bai Yi struggled to process this.

Lu Yao continued, “We were too late. But by tomorrow, they will realize that losing superpowers will lead to even greater disasters.”

Bai Yi sensed there was more to what Lu Yao was saying.

A sharp, tingling pain suddenly emanated from Lu Yao’s left wrist. She rubbed it twice, but it didn’t subside. Looking down, she saw a dark red mark appearing under the golden hairband, with a small, pointed tip protruding from the skin opposite her hand.

Harold approached, holding her hand for a closer look with a strange expression. “Who did you encounter?”

Only one name came to Lu Yao’s mind. “Fula. Budu and I met her by the river, and she gave me this hairband.”

Harold frowned. “Do you feel unwell in any other way?”

Lu Yao shook her head. “Just some tingling in my wrist, but nothing else. What’s going on?”

Harold pondered. “It’s probably because she transferred some of her power to you. It shouldn’t be anything bad.”

Lu Yao hung a ‘Closed for Vacation’ notice at the entrance of the Childhood Tutoring Center. Harold returned directly to the continent of Alexander, while the other three left through the star gate.

Back at the shopping street, Bai Yi’s hand showed no unusual signs, and she drove home without incident.

Although Fula’s hairband was stored in Lu Yao’s personal inventory, the mark on her wrist didn’t disappear.

Later, as she checked on her other shops, the non-human staff noticed the mark on her wrist with concern but, after examining it, agreed that it wasn’t caused by anything sinister or unclean. They all relaxed afterward.

The next day, Sanhua City.

Supernatural Research Institute.

Zheng Siyao reached out to turn off her phone and sat up groggily; she had actually fallen asleep in the research lab last night.

She felt as though she had forgotten something. While trying to recall, she picked up her water cup and headed to the break room to get hot water.

There was some commotion outside. Zheng Siyao pushed open the door and stepped out.

“What do we do? I just went to feed Xiaobai, and I couldn’t hear them.”

“I can’t see the temperature of the reagents; I’ve made several mistakes this morning.”

“I just went to the equipment room to move a machine. I usually lift it with one hand, but today, four of us couldn’t manage to lift it.”

…

Zheng Siyao listened to her colleagues’ confused complaints, speechless. They were struggling with tasks easily solved by superpowers—what were they doing?

An Yan walked toward her with a cup in hand, nodding slightly as a greeting as he passed by her side.

Zheng Siyao thought to herself that Professor An was as serious as ever. She quickened her pace, eager to get her water and return.

After a few steps, she suddenly stopped.

Since waking up, she hadn’t heard anyone else’s thoughts.

What was going on?

Nervous, Zheng Siyao grabbed a colleague: “What happened?”

The colleague looked distraught: “It’s gone. All of it is gone!!!”

Zheng Siyao quickly understood what her colleague meant.

That day, not just in Sanhua City but all over the world, people had lost their superpowers.

It was as sudden as when superpowers first appeared, without any warning.

…

An otherwise ordinary morning saw the world erupt like a boiling pot.

Some couldn’t accept it and wept in despair, while others laughed wildly, going mad in the streets.

In the presidential suite on the 66th floor, Xin Xin stood before the vanity mirror, her long, messy hair like a tangled mass.

The old researchers at the institute hadn’t lied—she really did have a superpower after all.

Xin Xin had never shown any signs of superpower potential since childhood, with an ability level so low that even the most sophisticated instruments couldn’t detect it.

Even though her family was immensely wealthy, lacking superpowers made her feel inferior, subjected to endless mockery.

Her family kept taking her for check-ups and consultations with experts, who all reported that she was indeed a superpowered individual, but there was never any data to back it up.

Xin Xin always thought they were deceiving her. But on the day she lost her power, she realized—she truly had been a superpowered individual.

Her power was laughable—her skin had a faint magnetic property that allowed her to smooth out frizzy hair effortlessly, making her hair appear naturally sleek and shiny.

Until now, she had thought it was just good hair care.

This insignificant, comical power was only discovered once it was gone.

Laughing, Xin Xin jumped down from the vanity and called for her aunt to come up and help her do her hair. Without her power, she couldn’t go out looking like this.

Her mood was unexpectedly good, and she wanted to visit the Childhood Tutoring Center to chat with Lu Yao.

Xin Xin wasn’t interested in tutoring but often went there for tea, watching Lu Yao work with students and sometimes engaging her in conversation.

Perhaps because Lu Yao wasn’t particularly enthusiastic about superpowers, Xin Xin liked talking to her.

Xin Xin, full of conversation topics, arrived at the center only to see the notice of closure and couldn’t hide her disappointment.

Closed for five days—was she quitting?

…

Residential apartment.

Xu Xiaoxiao saw the news in the morning and tested her powers by trying to lift a rice sack, confirming that her superpower had indeed disappeared.

She knocked on Xiao Ze’s door.

Xiao Ze hadn’t left for work yet, and the tiny flashlight power in his fingers was also gone.

The two exchanged glances and couldn’t help but laugh.

Those with weaker powers didn’t react as strongly to the event, but for those who had built their careers on special abilities, this was a major headache.

Without superpowers or the clear divide that ability levels provided, the disparities between people would no longer be insurmountable.

…

X stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, as if hearing the distant cries and laughter, a satisfied smile curving on his lips.

Without superpowers, the world would undoubtedly be better.

How could he regret it?

…

In the morning, Lu Yao stopped by the Childhood Tutoring Center, checked online for updates to understand the current situation, and returned to the shopping street.

Erxin had gotten used to working at the Childhood Tutoring Center, so having nowhere to go that morning nearly drove it crazy.

Lu Yao told Budu to take Erxin to the pet cafe to stay for a few days. Erxin tried to run away halfway but was caught by Budu and returned to the familiar underwater world.

The current situation at the Childhood Tutoring Center was too chaotic for Lu Yao to handle. Knowing she couldn’t turn the tide, she decided to look away and avoid unnecessary worry.

She planned to use the free time over the next few days to organize the opening of the snack shop’s new branch.

After careful consideration, Lu Yao decided to accept the reward and open a new branch in Dreamland, focusing on food as the main attraction.

However, she didn’t want it to be overly complicated. It would be a small store selling simple yet delicious dishes that would satisfy customers without taking up too much time.

After breakfast, Lu Yao held short meetings with the otherworldly manicurists, the blind box shop researchers, and the 1042 group from Night light City. Then she prepared to head to the snack shop.

Budu stood at the entrance of the snack shop, frowning. “Mother, I’ll wait for you here.”

Lu Yao was surprised. “Even you can’t go into this shop?”

Budu stiffly nodded. “All beings bound by time cannot escape death. I’m sorry; my power isn’t enough to enter this realm. The Demon God, even among deities, is very special. He commands eternal time, tolls the bells for the living, and can grant eternal life to the dead.”

Lu Yao mentally noted Budu’s hints. “No need to wait for me. Go have fun or find your Uncle Harold.”

The snack shop was as lively as ever, and the staff nearly erupted in excitement when they saw Lu Yao.

Xingzi called out, “What brings you here so early, Boss?”

Xiao Qie chimed in, “boss, I learned latte art from Xiao Qi. Head upstairs later, and I’ll make the cutest eggplant pony for you.”

Mo Cheng added, “Boss, try this new dish I’ve been working on. You haven’t tasted anything like it.”

Ning Yun eagerly suggested, “Boss, lots of customers have been asking for hot pot as a limited-time option. It’s been snowing nonstop in Yaoguang City—it’s perfect hot pot weather.”

…

The other staff, unable to compete with these lively ones, were pushed to the back, smiling at Lu Yao.

Lu Yao quieted them down and smiled slightly. “Let’s put all that aside for now. I have something important to take care of.”

Everyone immediately looked curious and alert, even Qi Chen, who leaned in a bit, blending seamlessly with this group of lonely spirits.

They were genuinely bored and just wanted some excitement.

Lu Yao took a sip of water, calmly dropping the news: “I plan to open a new branch in Dreamland, focusing on food. I’m heading to the park to discuss this with the head guard.”

A new shop?

Now, that was big news!

Not only did the staff react, but even nearby customers who overheard perked up.

“Boss, make it a hot pot shop!”

“Spicy skewers! Spicy skewers!!!”

“If there’s a new branch, the old shop might not be so crowded. Maybe there’ll be more seats for enjoying the snow?”

This season had many visitors who wanted to see the snow, making it harder to get a table at the shop.

With everyone chiming in, it felt as if the new shop was already in sight.

Both the staff and customers pushed Lu Yao out, urging her to go find the head guard and settle this big matter.

At the entrance of the park, Lu Yao ran into the NPC Trio just getting off work and casually chatted with them.

They happily led her to find Bai Jian.

Bai Jian and Qing were having breakfast—a winter porridge set newly introduced by the snack shop. Bai Jian loved it, and upon hearing a knock, he hastily cleaned up the table.

Lu Yao entered and wrinkled her nose. “Did I interrupt your meal?”

Qing remained composed, looking unbothered.

But the head guard’s ears turned slightly red.

Lu Yao sat down and got straight to the point. “It’s just a small matter. I’d like to open another branch. Would that be allowed?”

Bai Jian sat up straight, almost unable to believe what he was hearing.

“You want to open another shop here? Why?”

Bai Jian couldn’t understand. In Dreamland, the only currency was time, and with just one snack shop, Lu Yao never lacked time. Why would she want to take on such a time-consuming and thankless task?

Lu Yao explained, “It’s just a small shop. With balanced management and controlled expenses, the pressure won’t be too much. I just think it would be nice to offer more choices sometimes. If the park agrees, I’ve already decided on the store’s location on my side, and you can decide the location here.”

Bai Jian stood up excitedly. “Of course, that’s not a problem. Can you tell me what kind of shop you plan to open?”

Lu Yao replied, “A noodle shop. Noodles are quick to serve, simple, and delicious. My idea is to let more people enjoy the taste of food in the shortest time possible. The menu can change with the seasons, featuring different regional noodle dishes for variety.”

Bai Jian was already thrilled at this point.

The snack shop had a wide range of dishes, but the menu changed every so often. It had noodles at first, but eventually, they appeared less frequently, likely because they were more complicated to make.

Bai Jian understood the satisfaction and happiness that came with a steaming bowl of noodles, especially in the winter. Dreamland’s weather didn’t change, but seeing the snow in Yaoguang City through the window always made one crave warm food.

Qing suddenly pressed a finger to his lips and walked to the door. With a quick pull, a group of eavesdropping NPCs tumbled inside.

Guards from District E and District M had come to deliver documents to the 99th floor park and overheard the news.

Being assigned to the 99th floor park had become highly coveted because it was next to the snack shop, and one could always find a chance for a meal after work.

If the snack shop’s new branch was in their district, there would be no need to fight for these assignments anymore.

Within half a day, news of the snack shop’s new branch spread across Dreamland, and the location of the new store became a hot topic.

Residents from every district hoped the noodle shop would be in their area. In the end, the head guard made a strong decision and proposed using the traditional method of drawing lots to decide the location.

Originally, the park wanted Lu Yao to come and draw lots, but she refused, saying she was busy preparing the new shop.

It took the park a whole day just to prepare for the drawing, which the head guard eventually did personally.

The lot chosen was District M, where the news had first spread.

The park provided Lu Yao with the new store location in Dreamland, which the Dream Fulfillment System would automatically link to and open the star gate.

Initially, Lu Yao planned to open the noodle shop next to the snack shop. However, after discussions with the park guards and the snack shop staff, she changed her mind.

She chose the vacant store directly across from the snack shop. The space was perfect for a noodle shop—not too big, not too small.

Lu Yao named the new shop “Qingshan Noodle House.”

The sign above read in small letters, “A branch of Lu Yao’s Snack Shop,” followed by the large characters “Qingshan Noodle House.”

The shop initially hired four servers, and Lu Yao planned to transfer Mo Cheng and Yu Cai from the main shop to manage and cook at the new branch.

Since the snack shop was already a nine-star establishment, the branch would inherit the main shop’s star rating without a separate rating.

Thus, Qingshan Noodle House could also have an assistant manager.

Before the opening, the staff asked Lu Yao why this shop wasn’t called “Lu Yao’s Noodle House.”

Lu Yao answered with a knowing smile, “You’ll understand when we open.”

With the location chosen, the premises provided, the star gate opened, and the staff in place, it was as if she had already accepted the reward within the fourteen-day limit.

Saving the world?

That was the task given to Lu Yao, and now, seeing firsthand the suffering of those she cared about, she understood the weight of that responsibility.

She originally intended to finalize the menu for the noodle shop and perfect the flavors, but the system had reminded her that the situation in Sanhua City was already dire, urging her to start the mission as soon as possible.

Lu Yao looked up at the sky and joked, “Is it raining rainbows?”

The system was confused: 【?】

Lu Yao said, “Since when does the system care about my mission progress?”

The system, flustered, retorted: 【You’re so annoying! Of course, I care!】

…

The situation in Sanhua City had indeed become critical.

On the afternoon that superpowers disappeared, people started developing strange symptoms. It began with fever, weakness, and bedridden fatigue. This was followed by muscle aches, and soon, patients would lose their ability to move.

The most terrifying aspect was the excruciating pain that accompanied this illness. Patients, fully conscious, gradually lost control over their bodies.

Within just a few days, the shockwaves of the loss of superpowers had yet to subside when tens of thousands had already contracted this mysterious illness.

No known method could counter this disease. The cause, mode of transmission, and effective treatment were all unknown, plunging the world into a state of panic.

All the local employees of the Childhood Tutoring Center had fallen ill. After checking in on them in a group chat, Lu Yao decided to visit Xu Xiaoxiao, who lived closest to the center.

Lu Yao prepared a fruit basket from the Alexander Continent, filled with beautifully arranged fruit, and set out with Budu.

On a quiet afternoon, the streets were eerily empty. Even the café across from the tutoring center was closed, though its owner, Qin Xing, happened to be picking up some items. He was surprised to see Lu Yao carrying a fruit basket with a child in tow.

After the disappearance of superpowers, people stopped paying attention to the tutoring center and its owner. However, when the strange illness emerged, many recalled the previous live broadcast and began spreading rumors that perhaps the outbreak was an act of revenge by the tutoring center’s owner.

But by then, the tutoring center had already put up a closed sign, and some claimed that the owner had caused the chaos and then fled.

Qin Xing found such statements childish and ridiculous. Lu Yao’s abilities were indeed unique, but it was impossible for her to have affected the entire world overnight. Moreover, the Lu Yao he knew wasn’t the type to hold petty grudges.

Still, he didn’t expect that Lu Yao would remain in Sanhua City, let alone venture out with a child.

Lu Yao reached the apartment to find Xu Xiaoxiao, who could no longer move. The entire building was full of patients being cared for by community-assigned caregivers, but even they were starting to fall ill.

Xu Xiaoxiao’s eyes welled with tears at the sight of Lu Yao. She couldn’t speak, only making muffled sobs.

Lu Yao, feeling distressed, didn’t stay long and soon left.

Hearing that Xiao Ze was also bedridden, she checked on him next door.

Afterward, she visited Hu Jiao.

Hu Jiao seemed more composed.

Lying in bed, his gaze was clear and gentle. “To see you one last time makes it all worth it,” he said.

On the way back to the shop, Lu Yao’s mind was in turmoil.

This was the same despair that Fula had once faced. Her followers had fallen ill with an incurable disease, each one dying in pain. As a goddess, with all her wisdom and power, she had been unable to save them.

Saving the world?

Lu Yao couldn’t help but give a wry smile. Could she really do better than Fula?

She was just human.

Even an ordinary person with ten thousand divine artifacts probably couldn’t compare to a true deity.

Over the past few days, Lu Yao had discussed the situation in Sanhua City with top researchers from different worlds, but there had been no positive feedback.

Lu Yao habitually stroked the golden ribbon on her wrist. The dark red mark on her wrist had been slowly growing, gradually extending up her forearm.

Rolling up her sleeve, she saw that the pattern, which had previously reached the midpoint of her forearm, was now expanding, becoming more intricate and elaborate.

Budu stood on tiptoe to get a better look, his delicate brows knitted together. “It seems to grow faster in this world.”

Lu Yao reached out to touch it, but the prickling sensation persisted.

Lu Yao joked, “Thank you, Lady Fula, for the floral tattoo.”

Budu carefully reached out and traced the dark pattern with cool fingers. Suddenly, he said, “Mother, this looks like a plant. See, it’s already budding.”

Lu Yao bent her arm to take a look. Sure enough, a strange plant with buds was emerging.

“Maybe when it blooms, we’ll know what it is,” Lu Yao thought, finding the idea somewhat amusing, and lowered her sleeve. “Never mind, let’s head back to the shop.”

…

A group of people stood outside the entrance of the Childhood Tutoring Center, quite a number of them.

Someone spotted Lu Yao and Budu and shouted, causing the entire group to turn their attention toward them.

Lu Yao stopped in her tracks with Bu Du in tow. “Do you need something?”

52 stepped out from the crowd and walked over respectfully. “Shopkeeper, X wants to see you.”

Lu Yao scanned the group but didn’t see X, assuming he might have already fallen ill.

Having just visited two sick people, their faces fresh in her memory, Lu Yao shook her head. “Sorry, I have things to take care of at the shop.”

The people behind 52 surrounded Lu Yao and Budu, forming a circle.

Lu Yao’s eyes narrowed. “What’s the meaning of this?”

52’s expression was grave, but he didn’t back down.

Blood-tipped blades emerged from Budu’s pale palm, causing the crowd to stumble back in fear.

In a world now devoid of superpowers, such a surreal scene was downright terrifying.

Even 52 stepped back, his face pale. “Apologies for our boldness. Please, at least grant us this request.”

Lu Yao shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I really have things to handle.”

She didn’t yield to anyone’s request, moving past 52 and heading for the shop.

Just as she was about to enter, a familiar voice called from behind. “Lu Yao, are you open? I want some tea.”

Lu Yao turned. “Xin Xin, what happened to your hair?”

Xin Xin touched her wild, over-curled hair and hurried inside. “Long story. Where have you been these past few days?”

Lu Yao shut the door and walked toward the tea room. “I opened a new shop.”

52 and his companions stood there awkwardly, feeling deeply that the world had changed.

Without their superpowers, they were now at a significant disadvantage, even against a child.

…

In the glass tea room, Xin Xin talked incessantly about recent events in Sanhua City, including how she finally discovered her latent superpower only after losing it.

Lu Yao occasionally handed her some pastries and refilled her cup, listening attentively.

“Xin Xin, I want to take a bone sample from you to make a time key,” Lu Yao said.

Xin Xin blinked. “But I’m already a child. I don’t need tutoring for childhood memories.”

Lu Yao explained, “I want to learn more about your past power level, which you never mentioned before.”

Thoughts raced through Lu Yao’s mind, chaotic and hard to pin down. She needed to sort them out, one by one.

Xin Xin hesitated but finally agreed. “If you show me the moving Alfred, I’ll agree.”

When Lu Yao had been dragged to the research center for testing, Xin Xin had glimpsed Alfred on the live broadcast and had been smitten ever since, wanting to pet and hold him.

Lu Yao stood up. “Of course.”

The shopkeeper exchanged half an hour of Alfred’s freedom for Xin Xin’s bone sample, using it to create a time key.

Holding Alfred tightly, Xin Xin’s eyes sparkled. “Your ability—it’s not really a superpower, is it?”

They had all lost their powers, yet the shopkeeper remained unaffected.

Lu Yao simply smiled without responding.

…

Two days passed, and the situation in Sanhua City, as well as across the entire world, worsened significantly.

More than half of the population fell ill, bedridden and without care, causing the city’s systems to gradually lose functionality.

In the workshop, Lu Yao tinkered away, occasionally holding up a golden mask to inspect it, making adjustments until she was finally satisfied.

Alfred knocked on the door and entered. “Master, the program is fully set.”

Lu Yao placed the mask over her face and stood up to leave. “Then let’s begin tonight.”

Her arm was now completely covered in dark floral patterns, with the most prominent being the swollen bud at the top, which resembled an inflated pufferfish belly but stubbornly refused to bloom.

She took out her key and unlocked the small silver orb Alfred had been carrying.

At that very moment, all the residents of Sanhua City fell into a deep sleep.

X, half-conscious, heard a vaguely familiar voice. He opened his eyes but saw no one.

The voice, however, continued to urge him to get up and go outside, flowing into his mind like a gentle stream trickling through his ears.

Frustrated, X sat up and followed the direction of the voice.

That night, everyone heard the same voice and had the same dream.

“Sixty years ago, the goddess Fula discovered that her people were afflicted by a strange illness…”

Fula tried everything but could not save her people.

Unable to bear watching them suffer and die, Fula expended all her divine power to bestow a blessing upon them that allowed them to resist the illness.

The goddess, drained of her power, faded away, while the humans blessed by her survived.

Mortal beings, influenced by divine power, began to exhibit powers beyond the ordinary, which later generations would call superpowers.

Yet, the world Fula protected with all her might only remained stable for sixty years. This time, the source of the calamity was the goddess’s divine power itself.

Without divine power, humanity would succumb to the illness and face an end.

With divine power, humanity became lost in its pursuit of strength.

The voice asked: Was the goddess wrong?

Those within the dream looked confused.

How could a deity be wrong? Especially one who sacrificed herself to save the masses.

“Yes, she was wrong.”

A cold voice came from above, and the dreamers raised their heads.

On a calm, mirror-like surface of water, a chair had appeared at some point. Seated on it was a figure.

The person had a slender frame, dressed in a luxurious robe woven with gold and silver, and wore an intricately patterned mask that obscured their features, making it impossible to discern their gender.

The dreamers inwardly argued: How could a deity be wrong? Especially one who sacrificed for the people.

The figure on the chair leaned on the armrest and spoke calmly. “Fula’s error was her arrogance. She spoiled humanity, granting them power too easily, fueling their greed and laziness, ultimately failing to guide the world back on the right path.”

And so?

The dreamers felt a peculiar awareness. They understood they were in a dream, seeing and hearing something strange but not probing deeper.

“Therefore, from now on, I will be strict with you,” the figure said coolly.

Morning came, and everyone awoke from the dream.

The familiar ceiling greeted X as he opened his eyes. His body remained as weak as before, but that dream lingered in his mind…

That day, the residents of Sanhua City began discussing the shared dream. Initially thought to be coincidental, as more people joined the conversation, it became unsettling.

The story of the goddess and superpowers also spurred a wave of research and speculation.

Yet, records from sixty years ago, when superpowers first appeared, were scarce.

Someone suggested the time machine at the Childhood Tutoring Center, but the center had long been closed for a break.

On POPO, the official account of the tutoring center was flooded with desperate comments.

“Store owner, please, lend us the time machine!”

“I was so blind before, I’m begging you to lend us the time machine!”

“I’m suffering from an illness that will kill me if I don’t borrow the time machine…”

…

Lu Yao even replied below: “You still have the strength to be online, so it seems you’re doing just fine.”

The comments section became a sea of virtual tears.

…

After listening to the report from 52, X struggled to speak. “Find… the store owner… she must… know something…”

52 left X’s room, barely able to stand, as all the test subjects who had escaped with them were collapsing one after another.

…

“Pop—”

A sound like a cork being pulled echoed through the tutoring center, followed by Lu Yao’s excited shout: “It bloomed! It bloomed!”

The bud on Lu Yao’s arm finally burst open, and at that moment, the system’s prompt chimed.

[Luck at maximum! Lu Yao has received the blessing of the goddess Fula, awakening an SSS-level superpower. Ability description: The user can imbue objects with any attribute they wish, as long as it exists. Limitation: The imbued attribute must be real and not fabricated. Maximum potential: None. Duration: Permanent. Special note: Previous accumulated awakening points have been reset to zero.]

Lu Yao poked at the system. “Can system tasks be coordinated with a goddess?”

The system groaned, [Annoying! Even a deceased goddess meddles with mission rewards.]

Lu Yao chuckled. “Doesn’t that make you seem a little less valuable?”

[… Go complete your final task already!]

Lu Yao stopped bantering with the system.

Fula had fulfilled her promise, and now it was her turn to resolve the problem.

Lu Yao’s approach was straightforward: while there was no immediate cure for the mysterious illness, divine power could temporarily maintain stability.

However, she wouldn’t easily grant humanity blessings or too much power. After some thought, she found inspiration in Xin Xin’s level of superpower. It provided just enough to give people a hint of special abilities but not excessive amounts—a perfect balance.

That night, the residents of Sanhua City once again fell into a dream after hearing the phrase, “Tutoring begins.”

The dream was filled with traps and challenges. Those trapped in the maze had to make choices, either accepting or letting go of certain things, until they escaped and found the “Star” treasure.

The next day, those who managed to escape the traps and claimed the star found their symptoms miraculously relieved and gradually began to recover.

Speculation about this strange experience flooded the internet.

Some students noted that the dream-like adventure resembled the tutoring sessions at the Childhood Tutoring Center. The familiar phrase, “Tutoring begins,” also felt like Lu Yao’s style, prompting many to inquire under the center’s official account.

Lu Yao had no time to respond.

She and Alfred worked tirelessly to sustain the dream tutoring, without rest, for seven straight days, leaving her as thin as a sheet.

Until the last day of the task—

[Mission Complete: World saved. Congratulations, store owner, on successfully saving nineteen percent of humanity through dream tutoring. The completion token is yours, and you may now proceed to the next world!]

Exhausted, Lu Yao slumped onto the table. “Only nineteen percent, and you still passed me?”

The system explained, [Humanity will continue to grow. As long as some survive, the land will thrive again. The store owner’s method of rescue was intriguing, precisely selecting the strongest, wisest, most forward-thinking, and most knowledgeable people suited for survival. Did you really think you alone could save the world?]

“It wasn’t me who saved the world; it was the people who wanted to live that saved themselves,” Lu Yao whispered, taking a breath after each word. “But, I have to say, you were kind of cute this time.”

The system blushed for once.

Lu Yao mustered her remaining strength and drank a recovery potion, regaining just enough energy to sit up. “My store employees should be recovered by now, right?”

The system shifted awkwardly: [It’s a bit odd. Those who completed childhood tutoring were among the first to pass through the dream training, and now they’re bouncing around, full of energy. What are you planning to do?]

Lu Yao replied, “Call them in to work and take over the task of saving the world. I can’t hold on much longer.”

The system was surprised: [The mission is over, and you still want to save more people?]

Lu Yao said, “I can’t just watch them die, can I? Saving even one more person is worth it.”

The system was at a loss for words.

Sometimes, it found the store owner exasperating, with her sharp tongue and shrewd mind.

But at other times, it would feel a sudden, tight squeeze in its heart.

This human was truly something else.

A small piece of paper appeared out of thin air, fluttering down like a butterfly in front of Lu Yao’s face.

Too tired to lift her hand, she glanced sideways and saw four words written on it—“End of the World.”

A new journey was about to begin.

[End of the main story]