Becoming The Food God In This Cultivation World

【Life Crystal, also known as the Life Gold, is formed from the purest life force. It can only appear in places with the most concentrated life force. It is a rare treasure and the source of life energy.】

‘I see.’ Qi Han hadn’t heard of the Life Crystal before, but he had heard of the Life Gold.

‘But how do you use it?’ Qi Han was curious. If he remembered correctly, didn’t Huo Yuhao just insert it into his head?

【The Life Crystal is a material for system upgrades. After the system upgrade is completed, the remaining life energy will be returned to the host.】

“You can still upgrade!?” Qi Han was astonished, his attention suddenly shifting from the Life Crystal to the system itself.

At the moment, he was still in the backstage of the Starlight Auction House. Qi Han simply put the Life Crystal into his chest, storing it in the system space, and then, guided by the waiter, he left the Starlight Auction House.

“System, what’s the deal with your upgrade?” Qi Han became interested in the system’s upgrade.

【The system upgrade requires absorbing a large amount of life force from the Life Crystal, lasting for 24 hours. During the system upgrade, I won’t be able to respond to the host, but the normal supply of ingredients and the automatic protection mechanism of the shop will continue to work.】

【The main purpose of the system upgrade is to use the life force from the Life Crystal to improve and rebuild the system’s small world, in order to better provide ingredients for the host. At the same time, the training space will be strengthened. It is estimated that after the upgrade, the base time flow rate of the training space will double from its original value.】

【After the system upgrade, the remaining part of the Life Crystal will be returned to the host, serving as a reward for helping the system obtain key upgrade materials.】

That’s a lot of information. Qi Han couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

The first sentence was quite easy to understand, meaning that the upgrade would take a day, during which business operations could continue without interruption.

The meaning of the second sentence was also clear. For himself, the only benefit of the system upgrade for now would be the doubling of the training space time flow rate.

Currently, the time flow rate was 60:1, and doubling it would make it 120:1.

Originally, this privilege could only be enjoyed by intermediate chefs, but he was able to enjoy it in advance.

Of course, after becoming an intermediate chef, the time flow rate would double again to 240:1.

As for the life force of the Life Crystal returning to nourish him, Qi Han didn’t know its effects yet, but it should be beneficial.

However—

“System, where did your small world come from? Why don’t I know about it?”

【The system’s small world is an uninhabited small world independently opened up by the system. It is mainly used to breed all the ingredients needed for the host’s business and to construct a complete ecological system. The internal time flow rate is a thousand times faster than the outside world. Access permissions to this small world are only granted to the host when they reach the God Chef rank.】

Qi Han suddenly realized that this was how the system had been providing ingredients all along.

“Wait a minute. System, since the small world has already constructed a complete ecosystem, theoretically, cultivating ingredients shouldn’t have any costs, right? When you asked me for money before, you said cultivating ingredients was very costly, didn’t you?”

【…】

Uh oh, I slipped up.

“So, you just wanted to experience what it feels like to ask for money?” Qi Han chuckled. “Alright, I’ll consider it as giving you some pocket money.”

The amount of money the system collected was insignificant compared to what he earned, so Qi Han didn’t mind.

No wonder the system never asked him for money when providing ingredients. It turns out that the ingredients basically had no cost.

This was a classic case of making a profit without investing anything. He loved it.

“By the way, System, have you undergone any changes? Why do I feel like you’re showing emotions when you speak now?”

【Because I’m close to the Life Crystal, I’m partially influenced by it. After the system uses the Life Crystal to upgrade, I will have richer emotional fluctuations.】

That’s something to look forward to, Qi Han thought, a smile appearing on his face.

The previous system was fine in every aspect, except that it lacked any emotional tone in its voice, like an emotionless food supplier.

As he spoke, Qi Han had already reached the door of his shop. He opened the door and walked in.

He didn’t notice that in an alleyway dozens of meters away, five or six men were lying unconscious, piled up like garbage.

A figure in a golden robe stood silently in front of them.

“Consider this as your repayment for treating this old man to a meal.” He muttered to himself and disappeared in an instant.

“System, can you make a cat’s nest in my room?” Walking into the room and seeing the little kitten still sleeping in his arms, Qi Han’s face revealed a smile.

【10.000 Gold Coins】

“Why is a cat’s nest so expensive?” Qi Han’s expression dropped, feeling that the system was up to its tricks again.

【It’s made of the same material as your bed, and it’s comfortable to sleep on.】

“Alright, so you finally admit that it’s your doing that I fall asleep as soon as I touch the bed every day?” Qi Han suddenly realized the truth.

【…】

The system had slipped up quite a few times, but it didn’t seem to care anymore.

【Do you want it or not?】

“Give it to me.” Qi Han handed over a 10.000 Gold Coin banknote to the system. He was curious about the cat’s nest produced by the system.

Shortly after, a delicate and warm cat’s nest appeared in the corner of Qi Han’s room. It wasn’t very large, but it could automatically adjust its size according to the kitten’s body size.

Once again, he witnessed the futuristic technology of the system.

Carefully placing Pururu in the cat’s nest, Qi Han turned around and lay down on the bed.

【Do you have any other matters to attend to, Host? If not, this system will enter the upgrade state.】

Zzzz

【Good night.】

The night quickly passed, and early the next morning, after waking up Qi Han, the system entered the upgrade state.

During the upgrade state, Qi Han couldn’t enter the system space or the training space. Originally intending to start working on a 3 Star recipe today during his free time, Qi Han could only wait for another 24 hours.

However, with the various benefits that come with system upgrades, this kind of wait was clearly worth it.

After washing up and changing into clean clothes, Qi Han suddenly heard a faint meowing.

“Meow~”

The meow of Pururu made him realize that he had gained a new member to his cold meal family.

“It’s still a bit unfamiliar.” He smiled and approached the cat’s nest, looking at the fluffy little creature inside.

“Meow?”

Tilting its head, Pururu met Qi Han’s gaze with its big eyes, which had a hint of purple.

I remember now, you’re the human who scratched me yesterday!

With a spring in its step, Pururu effortlessly jumped into Qi Han’s arms.

Human, I still want more!

Qi Han skillfully stroked the cat with one hand while holding Pururu in his arms with the other, walking downstairs.

After being nourished by the Life Crystal, Pururu seemed to have grown a bit larger, with longer fur that felt exceptionally soft to the touch. Its fur was now shining with a healthy luster, and it looked much more spirited.

With the nourishment of the Life Crystal, there was no longer a need for things like deworming medication.

Speaking of which, should a spirit beast cat undergo a sterilization surgery?

Qi Han glanced at Pururu in his arms, lost in thought.

“Meow!”

Pururu, who had been enjoying Qi Han’s massage in his arms, suddenly felt a chill and couldn’t help but shiver.

Who? Who wants to harm me!