"Oh? Could there really be such a Curio inside Shopkeeper Sylvester's trash can?"
After receiving a positive answer, Jing Yuan hurriedly pressed further.
"There is, indeed, but if you're only aiming for that particular Curio when opening a trash can, the odds of success are incredibly slim."
It was the first time anyone had obtained a Digi-Egg, and as for the corresponding Planner or Digivice—there wasn't even a shadow of those auxiliary accessories to be found.
Besides, Jing Yuan's enthusiasm for such matters made Sylvester feel somewhat… uneasy.
He said to Jing Yuan, "There is such a thing in my trash cans. They're usually called Planner or Digivice. However, there are actually more legitimate ways to acquire these items."
"Oh? Please, go on."
Jing Yuan's tone remained calm as usual, but inwardly, he was anything but calm.
The Curios inside Sylvester's trash cans were all sorts of bizarre oddities. To get a Digivice from them was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
What's worse, the Xianzhou's quota only allowed forty-nine trash cans to be opened each week—there wasn't even enough haystack space to enjoy the needle hunt.
Under such circumstances, having an alternative option was truly a blessing from the heavens for Jing Yuan.
Gaining the ability to traverse into the Digital World would offer immense benefits, whether for diplomacy or trade.
"That world is far from peaceful," Sylvester explained. "Disasters occur from time to time. Perhaps it's an evil Digimon lord waging war, or data corruption caused by network fluctuations—giving birth to terrifying Digimon filled with a desire for destruction."
He paused, then continued, "Whenever such things happen, the Digital World's own protection mechanism activates. It selects partners in the real world—humans and Digimon who form a special bond. This connection accelerates the Digimon's growth and strengthens their power to face the crisis."
"And generally speaking, that world tends to choose children—those pure and resilient of heart—as its saviors. They are called the Chosen Children."
This…
After hearing all that, Jing Yuan and Feixiao did not look the least bit delighted—instead, their expressions twisted into something closer to discomfort.
What had once been eyes full of anticipation now looked more like 'Are you kidding me right now?'
It wasn't because they weren't children themselves, and thus lost eligibility.
Rather—it was because everything Sylvester said sounded completely absurd!
Children saving the world? A world that chooses its heroes? What programming language was this world even written in? Assembly?
Otherwise, how could it make such ridiculous decisions!
Normally, they would've thought Sylvester was just making things up—but the Curios he'd presented in the past all proved he had no need to lie.
Of course, that wasn't the real issue—the real issue was that they had no grasp whatsoever of how the Digital World worked.
With the mindset of carbon-based lifeforms from the real world, who in their right mind would think, "The world is in danger—let's train a couple of elementary schoolers!"?
Was this what people meant by cultural differences?
But… wasn't this difference a bit too massive?
The Digital World's bizarre logic for handling crises left Jing Yuan utterly dumbfounded; for a moment, he didn't even know how to respond.
Feixiao felt the same way. It was like watching two furious men in the rain, with a woman shouting nearby, "Stop it! Don't fight anymore!"
You'd think they were about to have an epic brawl—but then, as strange background music began to play, the two started breakdancing in the rain, lightly tapping each other with feather-like punches.
Was that supposed to be a fight? At this rate, no one's getting hurt!
And yet… that was exactly how the Digital World fought.
There was no helping it—their way of interaction was something Jing Yuan clearly wouldn't be able to figure out anytime soon.
He sighed, looking down at the Digi-Egg in his hand. Perhaps, only once this little one hatched and grew up would he finally have enough information to devise a proper plan.
Hmm. He'd better summon Fu Qing when he returned and have her run a divination through the Matrix of Prescience Ultima.
Having made up his mind, Jing Yuan said to Sylvester, "The matter of the Digital World is of great importance. For safety's sake, the Six Charioteers must discuss it together before any decision is made. Let's not trouble you further with this, Shopkeeper Sylvester."
"Think nothing of it." Sylvester poured himself a cup of tea and smiled lightly. "I'm part of the Xianzhou as well, and since the Digi-Egg came from my shop, it's only natural that I answer my customers' questions."
"Shopkeeper Sylvester, your integrity does you credit."
After a round of polite commercial flattery, Jing Yuan decided to finish opening the remaining three trash cans as quickly as possible.
And then…
He glanced at the Digi-Egg again.
Although the Digital World issue would have to be put on hold for now, raising this little fellow must not be neglected.
Not only would the original training plan remain unchanged—he'd even have to recruit a few top-tier programmers skilled in network systems to analyze this being from another world.
And afterward…
Well, hopefully, Yanqing would like his new junior disciple.
"Oh, I almost forgot—the payment for this visit hasn't been settled yet."
Jing Yuan handed the Jade Abacus to Sylvester, then turned toward the shelf, where only three trash cans remained.
Behind him, Sylvester deftly transferred six million Credits into his account.
Jing Yuan pulled open one of the trash cans, and a green light shone forth.
When the glow faded, a glove wrapped in flame fell into Jing Yuan's hand.
[Grand Duke's Gloves of Fieryfur:A relic left behind upon the death of Duke Inferno. A pure white glove lined with threads of fire; its gentleness conceals restrained ferocity beneath its silk surface.]
"Shopkeeper Sylvester, what is this item?"
Sylvester replied, "You've heard of Lady Topaz from the Corporation, haven't you? She once obtained Curios known as Relics."
"Of course. I heard she opened two blue-grade Curios, both imbued with the power of Duke Inferno, doubling her combat prowess."
"Exactly." Sylvester smiled. "This one is a companion Curio to those two Relics, but its power is weaker, so it's classified as a green-grade Curio."
Sylvester remembered Topaz's pair of Relics vividly—each substat was the perfect double-crit setup, the kind that could make anyone die of envy.
Jing Yuan's pull, however, was… considerably less impressive.
All its enhancements went into flat HP and flat defense!
While not completely useless, the difference was like heaven and earth.
One was the pinnacle of perfection—the kind that made others green with envy.
The other was a pitiful imitation—the kind that made people die of frustration.