Universe Infinite Canteen

"A desktop breeding farm?"

As the name implies, it's a breeding farm that can be placed on a desktop. It was developed to solve the problems of traditional farms taking up too much space, taking a long time for breeding, and having high entry barriers.

It's said to use the latest technology in dimensions and biology; I don't know the specifics, but I do know it contains a complete ecosystem. As long as you don't exceed the natural environment's capacity limit, you don't need to feed it, and it can also speed up growth. Even a complete novice in breeding can use it with ease.

Yan Wu patted the landscape tank, "However, due to the high manufacturing costs, Creation Technology only produced 99 units. The one I have is technically a defective product, with only the volcanic ecosystem operational, and the breeding limit is at 1,000 pounds."

Saying this, Yan Wu also seemed a bit embarrassed, scratching his beard-covered chin.

"There aren't many ingredients that can be bred in a volcano, and the limit of 1,000 pounds is a bit low. But if it weren't for its limited usefulness, a great item like this wouldn't have ended up with a junk dealer in such a remote place like me."

Without betraying any emotion, Ma Lu said, "That phase shifter there, this is very 'river beaver,' and can I have this defective desktop breeding farm as well?"

"Sure, the phase shifter for 60,000 Star Currency, this 'river beaver' for 80,000, and my purchasing price for the desktop breeding farm is 140,000. I won't make a profit off you, so I'll sell it for 140,000. That's a total of 280,000 Star Currency."

"Ah?"

"The price isn't expensive. Although I deal in secondhand and defective goods, I basically earn just about 10% profit for my trouble."

Yan Wu explained, "The main reason is that there are no official routes here, only smuggling, so the freight is quite expensive."

"No, I was mainly wondering what Star Currency is?"

"......"

"You don't have Star Currency?" Yan Wu frowned, "Star Currency is the official currency of The Grand Alliance."

"I'm just a native Earthling who has recently come into contact with these... multiverse matters." Ma Lu looked hopefully towards Old Wang, who was off to the side.

However, Old Wang said, "I also don't have Star Currency."

"Give us one minute."

Ma Lu pulled Old Wang aside and spoke in a low voice, "Didn't you bring a wallet or bank card when you came here?"

"Star Currency is a special digital currency; you need to have an electronic wallet and a key to complete payment."

A premonition of ill fortune rose in Ma Lu's heart, "Your wallet and key wouldn't happen to both be in the damaged sector, would they?"

Old Wang nodded, then said, "The desktop breeding farm is very useful to us; we must obtain it, although it's severely damaged now. But with Number 6..."

Ma Lu placed his hand over his mouth, "I know, I know. You can't lie and are not suited for doing business. Let me handle the rest."

"But we don't have any money."

"No problem, I've had a revelation recently. The highest form of trading is to 'get something for nothing,' just don't say anything later on."

After saying this, Ma Lu returned to face Yan Wu.

The werewolf seemed to still have patience, "How did your discussion go? Have you figured out where to get the money?"

Ma Lu nodded, "We are indeed a bit tight on funds right now, so we were wondering if we could borrow some from you, boss?"

The werewolf's expression turned strange. "You want to borrow money from me to buy my goods?"

"My partner is a Cosmic Chef, and once the restaurant opens up, we will have a way to make money. We can serve clients from different dimensions and earn Star Currency from them, and then we'll be able to pay you back."

Yan Wu shook his head, "In the fourth year of Jinglong, Li Chongmao was still the emperor of the Tang Dynasty, but seventeen days later he ceded the throne to Prince Li Dan. Who can be certain about the future? Although this dimension indeed lacks Cosmic Chefs, 280,000 is not a small amount. It's our first time meeting; it's impossible for me to lend to you just like that."

Ma Lu was ashamed; as a legitimate descendant of the Yan and Huang emperors, he didn't even know who Li Chongmao and Li Dan were and had to look them up on his phone; yet, this werewolf could easily call out their names, and might have even met them before.

But Ma Lu was not in a hurry when he was refused; he promptly came up with another plan, "If you're worried about not getting the money back, we can offer collateral."

Yan Wu's expression softened a bit at this suggestion, "Do you have something worth 280,000 with you for collateral?"

"Well, what about the three high-dimensional artifacts we're buying from you?" Ma Lu cleared his throat, "You yourself deal in secondhand goods, so if you really take them back, you'd probably have an easier time selling them again."

???

Seeing Yan Wu silent, Ma Lu quickly added, "Don't worry, I can assure you that I won't damage those three high-dimensional artifacts. If we can't pay back the money and you take the goods, it definitely won't affect their resale. Plus, once the restaurant opens, you'll be our permanent VIP, with a 30% discount on all dishes."

Yan Wu raised an eyebrow, "40% discount, and besides that, you'll need to prove you have the capacity to repay."

"How do we prove it?"

"You need to make a dish that impresses me enough." Enjoy new chapters from m-v l'e|m,p-y r

Yan Wu grinned, "Just so you know, even though it's been over two thousand years since I've had any delicacies, and I'm not usually picky, satisfying me won't be easy. You'll need to come up with something better than Queen's Crisps. If you can do it, I'll agree to the trade you proposed."

"Okay."

Ma Lu and Old Wang exchanged looks and nodded in agreement.

It turns out the werewolf's nose was really sharp - he could even smell the Queen's Crisps residue on them.

"Good. I'll reserve those three high-dimensional artifacts for you, and won't sell them to other customers for now, but you'd better not make me wait too long."

After finishing his statement, the hardware store owner gestured with his hand, indicating the two could leave.

Yan Wu turned out to be easier to talk to than Ma Lu had expected. If he hadn't agreed to the plan to use my own items as collateral, Ma Lu had prepared a third plan.

It was to pay off the 280,000 Star Currency by helping Yan Wu repair high-dimensional artifacts. But that would surely have revealed Number 6's existence, and it would be hard for him to come back to Jin Xin to grab bargains like the desktop breeding farm again.

In fact, after talking with Yan Wu, Ma Lu realized the value of Number 6 was even greater than he thought.

As long as the reclusive Artisan stays hidden, Number 6 remains the only entity in this cosmic dimension capable of upgrading and repairing high-dimensional artifacts.

Although Yan Wu seemed like a decent guy, he was still a werewolf after all, and couldn't be guaranteed not to get any ideas. Adhering to the principle that one must always guard against others, Ma Lu considered this trading method as a last resort.

If he could avoid using it, he would.

But this meant they had to produce a dish that could move Yan Wu.