As those around Zhongli gasped at the price of his meal, the news quickly spread. More and more people came to know… the cost of Zhongli's lunch was unbelievably high!
30.5 million Mora!
That was outrageous. Seven dishes… for 30.5 million Mora?! Too expensive! Those who heard could hardly believe their ears. Everyone exchanged bewildered glances.
"What?!"
"Mr. Zhongli spent 30.5 million Mora on a meal?!"
"That's ridiculous... what on earth did he eat?"
"That said, based on experience, everything in Luya's shop has always been worth the price; excellent quality and fair cost."
"There's no way the price wouldn't match the value!"
"So if Mr. Zhongli's meal was that expensive, there must be a reason!"
"Exactly!"
"There's definitely something special... something we don't know."
Zhongli glanced at Hu Tao, who, knowing he was broke again, simply sighed and added the bill to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's account. Hu Tao paid the 30.5 million Mora for him. Still, since the money went to Luya, she wasn't too upset.
After all, Luya had already fulfilled one of her greatest wishes: helping her meet her grandfather again. Although Hu Tao had long accepted her grandfather's passing, being able to bid him farewell in person brought her joy.
Zhongli looked over the bill.
[Marseille Fish Soup], [Pan-Seared Salmon], [Butter-Grilled Fish], [Duck Confit], [Head Chef's Special Roast Steak], [Seared Foie Gras]—those six dishes totaled only 500,000 Mora.
But the [Krabby Burger] alone cost 30 million Mora!
At that, Zhongli understood.
No wonder it was so expensive. Considering its power to reduce erosion and strengthen the body, Zhongli found it worth every Mora. If he were to eat one [Krabby Burger] every so often… he could practically live forever!
To others, 30.5 million Mora seemed absurdly high. Yet to Zhongli, it was a bargain. In fact, he even thought Luya was running a charity.
That [Krabby Burger]—even Zhongli, the Geo Archon Morax himself, felt his erosion ease upon eating it! Imagine the benefits it could bring to ordinary people...
So Zhongli smiled and said to the others:
"My friends, this meal... is not expensive. It's worth every Mora."
"Especially the 30-million-Mora [Krabby Burger]. It has tremendous benefits for the body. I'd say it's a fair price."
Hearing Zhongli's words, the others grew curious. After all, they'd just seen the golden light radiating from him after eating the [Krabby Burger]. They exchanged uncertain looks. So far, only Zhongli had ordered it. Everyone else hesitated at the 30-million-Mora price tag. None dared to try.
Thus, only Zhongli could speak for its value. Seeing how confidently he spoke, the wealthy Xingqiu turned to one of the Dragonmaids and said:
"I'll have one [Krabby Burger] as well."
Xingqiu knew Zhongli's refined tastes and vast knowledge. If even he praised the dish so highly, it had to be special. Hu Tao, too, was tempted… she sat down and ordered a [Krabby Burger] herself.
...
Soon, their [Krabby Burgers] were served. Xingqiu gazed at his burger, swallowing hard. It gleamed with a golden luster; though it looked like an ordinary hamburger, Xingqiu could sense a mysterious power within it—something worthy of Zhongli's reverence. It had to be worth the price.
Xingqiu had never eaten anything this expensive before. He picked it up and took a big bite!
The flavors of meat, vegetables, and soft bread fused in perfect harmony. Just like Zhongli, a golden light radiated from Xingqiu's body! Feeling the surge of strength within, he finally understood why Zhongli had spoken so highly of it.
After finishing the burger, Xingqiu felt his power had risen dramatically—almost doubled! If he were to face monsters now, he could handle them with ease. The rush of newfound energy made him draw his sword and begin to practice.
His movements were graceful and fluid, each strike precise and powerful; his swordsmanship flowed like water, alternating between gentle and fierce, brimming with inner strength. Ripples of sword energy shimmered in the air.
"Whoa! Look at Young Master Xingqiu's swordsmanship!"
"When did he become this strong?!"
"Unbelievable... just the other day, he wasn't nearly this skilled!"
"Could it be... the 30-million-Mora [Krabby Burger]?!"
"It must be!!!"
"Look—Hall Master Hu is eating one too!"
"She's glowing gold as well!"
Just like Xingqiu, Hu Tao's strength skyrocketed after eating hers. Now she, too, understood why Zhongli said it was worth every Mora.
Luya, seeing that everyone had now witnessed the [Krabby Burger]'s miraculous effects, stepped forward to explain:
"This [Krabby Burger] costs 30 million Mora each. Only ten are available per day; first come, first served! Because it requires immense demonic energy to prepare, the Head Chef can only make ten daily. So it must be limited."
"These [Krabby Burgers] not only enhance strength, they also prolong life! They can cure minor ailments, seasonal sickness, even broken bones and incurable diseases—any and all hidden conditions."
Hearing Luya's words, the guests were stunned!
"What?!"
"They can heal diseases?!"
"And extend life too?!"
"That's incredible!"
"No wonder Mr. Zhongli said it wasn't expensive!"
"No wonder his total was 30.5 million Mora… just one [Krabby Burger] is worth 30 million!"
"Still, that effect is amazing!"
"It can even heal broken bones… what kind of divine medicine is this?!"
"Buy it! I'm buying!!!"
"Same here… charge!!!"
...
Thanks to Luya's rising fame at Liyue Harbor, many wealthy customers flocked to his restaurant. So even at 30 million Mora apiece, many scrambled to buy the [Krabby Burgers]!
The rich, often frail and sedentary, saw this as a miracle cure. A burger that could strengthen the body and heal ailments? They went wild.
Soon, the remaining seven [Krabby Burgers] sold out completely.
Seeing the restaurant running smoothly without his direct help, Luya returned to the counter. By now, Ganyu had sold another 30,000 Yu-Gi-Oh! Scratch Cards. Only 70,000 remained!
The day's profit was beyond imagining. The Mora flow was astronomical!
Just from the Nouvelles restaurant [At Table], not counting the other dishes, the [Krabby Burger] alone had brought in 300 million Mora!
"There really are so many rich people out there!" Luya marveled as the burgers sold out instantly.
Fifty thousand Scratch Cards brought in a billion Mora; the [Krabby Burgers], another 300 million; plus revenue from other products... Luya was set to earn over a billion Mora in a single day! And tomorrow would be even more profitable.
At this rate, fifty thousand Scratch Cards wouldn't be enough. He'd need at least two hundred thousand next time.
And this was just his main store. He was already planning to open branches dedicated solely to selling Scratch Cards; that way, he could earn even more each day!
By now, a daily income in the billions of Mora was guaranteed.
By tomorrow, Xianyun's research on the [Portable Game Console] should also bear fruit. Once ready, they could begin mass production, hiring workers from Liyue Harbor to assemble the units.
The thought filled Luya with anticipation. Though it was simple assembly work, the wages he'd offer would be generous! Raising the citizens' income would, in turn, benefit him as well.
Otherwise, if he alone hoarded wealth, Liyue's economy would eventually collapse under him. However, once the production line opened, it would revitalize Liyue's economy… and allow Luya to earn even more!
It would be a mutually beneficial relationship. Otherwise, if he kept draining Liyue's resources, eventually both he and the city would suffer.
Thus, Luya placed great importance on launching his electronics factory for [Portable Game Consoles]. And to do that, he would need to amass enormous capital.
So for now, he would continue gathering Mora like a madman. If Liyue couldn't provide enough… he'd gather it from other nations!
...
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