Huh? Isn't This A Galgame?

Like the style of the entire Snow Mountain Villa, the altar presented before Wen Nan is also made of a special material evolved from some kind of ice and snow structure, presenting a semi-transparent texture.

Unlike the style of the outside kitchen, which is full of fishy culinary smells, sticky and greasy all over, and stained with blood, this place is spotlessly clean, as white as a crystal palace.

Directly above the altar stands a cylindrical object about the length of a forearm, thin in the middle and thick at both ends, with clean cuts at both ends as if sliced by some sharp blade.

The cylindrical object is milky white, with a smooth surface that reflects a gentle luster.

In front of the cylindrical object, there are three trays, each filled with some fine milky white powder.

Judging from the color of the powder, Wen Nan suspects it was scraped off from the surface of the cylindrical object behind it.

Just as he was contemplating this, he saw Xiao Ji walking to the front of the altar, reverently bowing three times toward the cylindrical object.

Wen Nan took a step forward, asking, "Is this your prized treasure?"

Xiao Ji turned back, nodded with a smile, and then said mysteriously, "This is indeed the treasure that stabilizes our entire Snow Mountain Villa. According to the rules, only official members of the villa are qualified to taste it. I truly regard you as a friend, which is why I brought you here. This matter is just between you and me, it absolutely must not be disclosed to a third person, understand?"

Wen Nan solemnly made a promise to Xiao Ji.

Only then did Xiao Ji feel relieved, turning around and pulling out a drawer from the side of the altar.

Wen Nan leaned over to look and saw that the drawer was neatly filled with small crystal bottles, resembling the wishing bottles young girls might buy at roadside stands for keeping small notes. They were only the size of cigarette butts, sealed with cork stoppers, and had fine strings tied around their necks.

Xiao Ji took three small bottles from the drawer, filled them with the milky white powder from the three trays on the altar, and securely corked them before handing them to Wen Nan.

As Wen Nan gazed at the three small bottles, a system prompt immediately echoed in his mind—

9527: [Congratulations! The side story completion has been updated to 100%!]

9527: [Congratulations, player! You have received a key item reward from the side story 'Chef's Favor'—the powder of Adam's rib.]

9527: [Powder of Adam's Rib: Hidden among the numerous secrets behind the Snow Mountain Villa, the second greatest secret is Adam's rib.

The powder scraped from Adam's rib is the key item upon which the entire Snow Mountain Villa's existence relies.

This item is essential for synthesizing the next tier item, 'Eve's Aromatic Essential Oil'. Please be sure to safeguard it properly.

How to use the item: To be unlocked (related item 'Eve's Aromatic Essential Oil')

Item effect: To be unlocked (related item 'Eve's Aromatic Essential Oil')

]

It seems that this powder of Adam's rib is useless without Eve.

But where to find this 'Eve's Aromatic Essential Oil'?

As soon as this question arose, a system prompt immediately echoed in his mind—

9527: ['Eve's Aromatic Essential Oil' is the only item that can be taken out of this map during the current instance. To find this item, please unlock the side story—The Alchemist's Underground Laboratory.

This side story is not a necessary task for completing the instance. Players can trigger it at any time during the main quest, and the trigger conditions are to be unlocked.]

...Unsurprisingly, it's also to be unlocked?

It seems that the exploration of this map needs to be maximized next.

Putting away the three small powder-filled bottles into his equipment reserve, Wen Nan thanked Xiao Ji and prepared to leave.

Xiao Ji looked at Wen Nan reluctantly, "Are you leaving already?"

Wen Nan nodded, "Doesn't the Xiao Xue Butler have other arrangements?"

As the head chef, Xiao Ji naturally wouldn't dare to oppose the butler's arrangements. She led Wen Nan out, reminding him along the way, "Little Jiujiu, make sure to come back to the kitchen often to see me. If you're thirsty, hungry, or craving something, feel free to find me anytime. I'll definitely treat you with the best food we have here!"

Wen Nan smiled and thanked Xiao Ji for her hospitality.

As they left the kitchen, Jiang Xueying immediately greeted them with a smile, "Mr. Ye Jiu, your timing is perfect. The other guests and I are about to go upstairs to arrange rooms for your stay tonight."

Wen Nan's gaze moved past Jiang Xueying, looking at the group behind her.

The remaining seven players were all present, though they didn't look very well.

Xu Dongsheng was in the worst condition among them, his legs trembling. If it weren't for Liang Yiming and Luo Wei supporting him on either side, he might have collapsed to the ground.

One of the "solo players," upon hearing Jiang Xueying mention "staying overnight," shivered immediately, nervously raising his hand, "L-Little Xue, Little Xue Butler."

Jiang Xueying turned around to look at the player, "Hmm? What's the matter, do you have a question?"

The player swallowed nervously, and cautiously asked, "Do we... have to stay overnight at this manor?"

"Of course not," Jiang Xueying replied with a smile, "You are guests of the manor, not prisoners. You're free to come and go as you please."

Upon hearing this, many players showed expressions of surprise, but before they could speak, Jiang Xueying continued,

"However, it is currently the winter season, and the roads down the mountain are completely blocked. Apart from this manor, the only other place on this mountain is a small, drafty tent nearby.

"During nighttime here, temperatures can drop to minus fifty degrees. Once the manor doors are locked at night, no one is allowed to enter or exit according to the rules.

"If you're not bothered by spending a night outside without any cold-proof measures, feel free to leave now."

In summary, if you are not afraid of freezing to death, go ahead and leave.

After hearing this, the faces of the other players turned even paler, clenching their teeth, they eventually all chose to stay.

Jiang Xueying smiled contentedly, pointing to the spiral staircase beside, "Guests, please head to the second floor."

The players turned with difficulty, one after another, walking up the staircase.

Just as they reached the stair landing on the second floor—

"Roar!"

The cry of a beast echoed from above.

The players were shocked, looking up to see a massive beast three meters tall blocking their way completely.

The beast opened its massive maw, drool dripping from its mouth and landing on the floor—

With a sizzle, the floor was immediately corroded, forming a pit.

The players were too frightened to react, and before they could dodge, the beast leaped forward, lunging directly at them.