Chapter 298: Does Your 【cat House】 Reject Animal Performances?
Seeing that the miss didn’t respond, Yuan Zhu also paused his verbal probing and shifted the conversation back to the main topic, asking: “So, are the goods I brought this time up to standard? Can our transaction continue?”
“It can continue.” With that, she continuously picked out four kinds of fungi eroded by Nightmare Aura from the wooden box. “Remember this clearly: these five kinds of fungi meet my standards. I’ll acquire them long-term and in large quantities, but the price won’t be too high—it can only be calculated as the lowest standard ‘Basic Extraordinary Material’.”
Then, she pointed to those colorful and strangely shaped mushrooms that hadn’t passed inspection and said: “Additionally, among this batch of fungi you have, there are no shortage of medicinal herbs containing special energy. If you have a way to remove the ‘Negative Pollution’ inside them and retain only the pure medicinal properties, I can also selectively purchase some categories with health preservation, blood circulation, bone strengthening… effects, add them in, and brew them into medicinal wine. The acquisition price for this kind of ‘medicinal herbs’ will be a bit higher.”
Yuan Zhu’s business acumen kicked in instantly, and he countered: “Since the acquisition price for medicinal herbs is even higher than for Nightmare Mushrooms, why don’t we happily proceed with a ‘medicinal herbs transaction’?”
A Miao charmingly rolled her eyes at Candle, stretched out her finger, and pointed at her head: “Are you stupid? Didn’t you see the sign for my shop before coming in? Cat House is a bar, not a pharmacy. I buy medicinal herbs based on the amount of alcoholic beverages I brew. It’s precisely because the ‘Nightmare Fungi’ you provide aren’t of great quality that I’m racking my brains to create some gimmicks, promote the signboard of ‘health preservation and longevity, nourishing yin and strengthening yang’ to increase appeal, and trick customers into spending a bit more money. What would I do buying medicinal herbs alone? Feed them to you?”
Yuan Zhu looked helpless: “You’re the middleman—do you have any suitable buyers to recommend to me for high-price acquisition of these medicinal herbs?”
A Miao glanced at the colorful polluted mushrooms, shook her head: “This kind of medicinal herbs with unclear origins, high Pollution Degree, and all sorts of weirdness are extremely troublesome to handle. Even if there are buyers willing to acquire them, you’d have to move them in bulk to earn a bit of hard-earned money. I suggest you go to the origin of these ‘Polluted Materials’ and find targeted processing methods.”
In the extraordinary circles, there was a consensus: Polluted Materials like these from Eclosion World, if sold to non-Insect System users, were not only high in pollution degree but also niche and unpopular garbage goods that could only be disposed of at a cheap price.
Conversely, taking this batch of goods to Eclosion World to find an alchemist meant the medicinal herbs were professionally matched, and methods for ‘processing, preparation, refinement’ (Alchemy) had long been summarized.
Once refined into ‘pills’, not only was a large amount of pollution removed, but more hidden medicinal effects could be activated. Even among non-insect cultivator groups, they were highly sought-after cultivation resources.
Lu Rang’s Sword Cultivator path had progressed so quickly and smoothly, built on the foundation of high cost-performance cultivation resources like ‘Blood Eggplant, Buddha Tomato, Insect Pill’ cheaply supplied by Happy Home.
Faced with Cicada City medicinal herbs that were reduced in price and troublesome to handle, A Miao preferred the original soup turned into original food—go to the origin and have the locals process the medicinal herbs into mature pills or magic potions.
It seemed the heavy responsibility still had to be handed to the little girl! She was the ‘alchemist’ A Miao had personally designated.
A Miao closed the lid and, seeing no new actions from Yuan Zhu, couldn’t help but ask in confusion: “The transaction you mentioned isn’t just these four Nightmare Mushrooms, is it?”
Yuan Zhu shook his head: “How could it be? I was afraid of making a wasted trip with all the goods, so I picked one of each for you to inspect. Later, I’ll send over the qualified ingredients.”
In fact, he simply wanted to come to Cat House a few more times to see the miss and cultivate some feelings.
A Miao nodded, lazily leaned back into her seat again, sprawled out without any poise, and waved her hand feebly: “Alright then, you can go. Send the goods early, and remember to close the door on your way out.”
Yuan Zhu tilted his head: “So heartless? We’ve been through life and death together—we’re at least friends. Can’t we chat a bit more?”
“Heh! You have impure intentions toward me, your motives aren’t pure—why should I chat idly with you? I’ve seen plenty of people like you. Superficial, naive, swayed by lust… Though I am indeed very pretty, naturally beautiful and hard to give up, and good at using my appearance to my advantage. But I have to say, I’m really not a scheming green tea bitch, I don’t like keeping backups, and I won’t string you along. Whatever’s on my mind, I say it straight from the heart, never beating around the bush—to avoid everyone guessing wrong, wasting time and energy.”
A Miao suddenly sat up straight, looked at Yuan Zhu, and loudly announced in her pleasant voice: “I’m not interested in romance at all! I just want to find some fun, experience novel and stimulating feelings. The only common point between us is probably that we both like looking at legs. I also like appreciating young pretty girls, but it’s purely appreciation, no lustful thoughts. You’re different—full of evil thoughts, bound to get the Fall Seal sooner or later.”
“…”
Yuan Zhu was full of grievance: You’re actually like this, Miao Miao?
Snake Snake: “Wow! Boss, she’s so unique, I declare! I also love looking at legs~er!”
Yuan Zhu: “Am I really that bad?”
“Actually, it’s not bad. If I really encountered a villain full of evil thoughts, I’d have taken action long ago to eliminate them, cutting the grass at the root. To exaggerate a bit, it’s helping you curb the problem in time, better ‘hold the seal’, keeping Holy Light pure. You, actually, are quite interesting. Wolf King, huh—I’m pretty curious about your future life trajectory. No matter how I look, it doesn’t intersect with ‘Wolf’ at all.”
Hearing A Miao mention Wolf King, an inexplicable sense of shame surged in his heart. So low-class, so tacky title.
So he quickly countered: “And what’s with your Witch? Accurate?”
A Miao, who had been smiling playfully with a hint of teasing, instantly looked pained and fell into the same shame as Yuan Zhu: “Accurate my ass! Nonsense! Get out already! I have no mood to talk to you anymore.”
“Wait, I have two more things to discuss with you! Not to deliberately cultivate feelings—it’s serious business.”
“Oh?!”
A Miao made a curious sound, sprawled into an even more comfortable position again, openly displaying her alluring curves without reservation.
After noticing Yuan Zhu’s improper gaze, she reached from the unseen low-waist shorts at her lower back and drew a large-caliber silver pistol engraved with elaborate patterns, aiming it at his head: “Adjust your line of sight.”
“Sorry, couldn’t help it.”
“No problem, I forgive you. Speak—what are the two things?”
Yuan Zhu: “You just said you like finding fun, right? So, does your Cat House accept animal performances?”
A Miao looked puzzled but clearly not very interested: “Animal performance? Circus? Acrobatics? What animal? Sounds meh.”
Yuan Zhu looked confident, slowly revealing the answer: “Goblin Boxing!”
A Miao’s already uninterested face instantly fell, and she quickly waved her hand, looking unlucky: “Out out, just hearing it kills the mood. If you dare migrate a goblin into Cat House, believe me or not when I say I’ll break your legs? Think about that smell on goblins, that appearance… If they appear in Cat House, how many customers would still have the appetite to drink? Too unlucky! This is your idea of fun?”
Yuan Zhu was annoyed: “The point—grasp the point! Boxing, Goblin Boxing, Goblin Combat… Indiscriminate Goblin Combat Tournament—really no interest at all? Running’s underground boxing ring is always a hot event, held regularly in many places with lots of audience.”
“But that’s trained human fighters, martial artists, fighting spectacularly, and you can gamble on boxing to make money—naturally popular. What’s fun about Goblin Boxing? Skinny as rails—I really can’t think of any appeal.”
A Miao’s face was full of confusion. Unable to understand Earthlings’ thinking.
Yuan Zhu thought for a moment—based on his earlier description, it really didn’t seem appealing—so he earnestly explained: “Wait, I didn’t explain clearly. It’s ‘Goblin Strongmen’ modified by the Power Path, mastering complete martial arts like Red Port Fist, with certain fighting experience, even able to throw a match, coming at each other fast without defense, pursuing flashy visual effects—more hot-blooded than real ‘underground fighting’, even with pre-written scripts, it’s a ‘stage fighting drama’ full of hot blood and real blood. Does such a competition have potential?”
A Miao listened and listened, sat up straight, her face showing serious contemplation.
“Performance match—how much is performance? Does it draw blood?”
Yuan Zhu propped his chin, thought for a moment: “In my plan, performance is less than 30%. They fight for real, but avoid vital spots, full power without reduction, definitely drawing blood for realism. Actually, setting scripts is just to make the match more spectacular, thrilling, captivating… Goblins performing with their lives. But cultivating such a ‘fighting actor’ isn’t cheap, so can’t fight for real—one or two matches and they’re scrapped, can’t recoup costs. That’s why add performance elements, to reuse multiple times…”
A Miao nodded to show she understood: “If that’s the case, if the goblins are cleaned, sprayed with perfume, wear masks to cover ugliness, not so off-putting… As long as they fight intensely and excitingly, it does have some gimmick. But there’s still a fatal problem!”
Yuan Zhu: “What?”
“Can goblins’ intelligence and bodies support the ‘exciting performance match’ you described? Though many braindead holy mothers advocate including ‘goblins’ in the Intelligent Species category, honestly, goblins’ intelligence is indeed far inferior to Ogres. Though goblin groups frequently produce ‘super intelligent individuals’, the vast majority’s intellect doesn’t support systematically learning exquisite martial arts and performing according to preset scripts. Meanwhile, their physical strength—can it withstand Power Modification? Or can your finances withstand it? Feels not worth the cost.”
Miao Miao, who liked finding fun, perked up upon hearing about the Extraordinary Goblin Hot-Blooded Championship and was very interested in the details.
But after simple analysis, she found the plan full of loopholes. Intelligent species discriminate against goblins, always treating them as pests or animal groups for a reason. Just like chimpanzee or monkey behavior mimicking humans—no matter how similar, they’re not sapiens.
According to Yuan Zhu’s plan, cultivating such an ‘extraordinary fighting Goblin Strongman’, teaching them martial arts, applying them live, even competing according to scripts… the cost was way too high. Impossible to break even.
However, all this was without Data Soul Program (Artificial Stupidity) + Brain Eggplant CPU. Great Desolation Immortal Scripture was a bit underwhelming, but in ‘folk low-end gimmicks’, it was extremely excellent.
As long as there were enough samples boxing daily, Immortal Scripture could collect massive data, quickly optimizing a Fighting Program suitable for all goblins.
As for scripts? Performance matches, and acting skills? Snake Snake uses Immortal Scripture’s simulation calculations to write the script, input into Brain Eggplant. Goblins need no acting training—they’d be possessed, fully immersed, emotionally charged, wildly spilling blood and drama…
The only cost was Power Path reinforcement materials. But with Nie Yin + Frog Factory, all at cost price.
Moreover, mass-producing ‘Goblin Strongmen’ was itself the necessary path for Immortal Scripture to collect sample data and crack the Frog-Type System.
Whether profitable or not, he had to mass-produce ‘Goblin Strongmen’. Now they could even perform and sell acts, possibly recouping investment costs, even making a profit? Why not.
Yuan Zhu: “Costs can still be covered. Didn’t I tell you I’m cooperating with a senior student from Rain Courtyard to open a Frog Factory in the suburbs?”
A Miao looked disgusted: “Wow! Not burning Holy Light, switching to frog farming?”
“Investment! Cultivation requires spending, I need to make money too. Extraordinary fighting goblins are also one outlet for my Frog Factory. Simply selling ‘experimental frogs, Basic Body Tempering Fluid ingredients’ earns hard money; cultivating fighting goblins, even goblin fighter stars. Partner with famous shopfronts for performance matches, gradually form a competition format to make big money.”
A Miao nodded: “If you can really cultivate the goblins you described, it does have some gimmick. But my Cat House is high-end, doesn’t accept bloody and dirty animal performances.”
Seeing Yuan Zhu’s face growing darker, she quickly added: “Don’t rush, zero patience. My venue is limited, doesn’t accept goblins fighting to the death, but Cat Street has more than one shop. On the contrary, gun halls, martial arts halls, fighting arenas… plenty. I can recommend bosses to meet you, cooperate, try holding a few ‘Goblin Performance’ matches—if the response is good, naturally people will come to you.”
“Seriously, if you can really cultivate goblin fighters that look robust and powerful, with martial arts moves that look the part, fighting methodically—this could really work. If every match draws blood, bruised black and blue, best if a few ribs or fingers break, visibly so, then this competition can really sell tickets.”
Yuan Zhu finally smiled in satisfaction: “Then I’ll trouble you, Miao Miao. Give me a week, and I’ll send the first batch of goblins for audition.”
A Miao: “What’s the other thing? Say it, let me have some fun.”
Candle: “Related to personal cultivation. Remember at Star Realm Bank, you gave me a knee strike?”
“Wait, was that hitting you? I just couldn’t stand your inefficient use of Breathing Method, helped you reorganize your breathing pattern.”
Yuan Zhu: “Yes, I still need to thank you for optimizing my Holy Light Breathing Technique. Now, I’m planning to try cultivating it, so I’m specially consulting you, the expert: For a Holy Light Cultivator like me, is it possible to reach the physical strength of you knight system ability users by simulating Holy Light Breathing Technique?”
