Chapter 2: The Backyard Leads to Immortal Island!

At this moment, Qin Yueran’s feelings were complicated. She took a confused step back to close the back door, took a deep breath, and opened it again.

Good! Nothing had changed! One step forward, and beneath her feet was a beach made of fine sand grains, shimmering under the setting sun.

Not far away, waves gently lapped the shore, and the sea breeze carried the salty scent of the ocean.

Squinting, Qin Yueran looked further out, where it seemed to fade into a pitch-black expanse, forming a dividing line.

Ah! My head itches—it feels like it’s about to sprout brains!

Oh no.

It must be—I'm doomed! It seemed she was really hallucinating from hunger! Otherwise, why would her backyard suddenly be replaced with a completely different place upon opening the door?

Expressionless, she pinched her thigh hard, instantly wincing in pain.

“Phew! Not a hallucination!” The pain brought her back to full awareness, but she hesitated about whether to step inside and see what was going on.

She stroked her chin thoughtfully: was this an opportunity or a trap? Maybe she should go in and take a look; after all, she had nothing to lose.

“Gurgle, gurgle~”

Hearing the sound, Qin Yueran awkwardly crouched down, clutching her stomach, feeling weak again. Realizing no one was around, she sighed: “Ah, I’m so hungry. Well, maybe I should just eat first.”

The world is vast, but food is the greatest! Yet, she really didn’t want to take a detour and tears welled in her eyes.

Suddenly, she stood up abruptly, her vision blackening, and her steps faltered as she entered this unfamiliar place.

As she stepped in, a rush of information flooded her mind. Whether it was because her brain couldn’t handle such a sudden influx or sheer hunger, she spectacularly fainted.

When she woke again, the moon was high in the sky.

Moonlight poured down, silver and delicate like a thin veil.

Qin Yueran had absorbed all the information in her mind, her heart pounding wildly. It seemed she had stumbled upon an opportunity.

Before she could react, a crackling electric current sound accompanied by a mechanical voice echoed.

[Crackle... Binding host... Existing system detected... Crackle... Scanning... Communicating with ****, communication complete... Assimilating... Assimilation complete.]

[Ding! Congratulations on binding the Operation System, Zero Zero Five. From now on, let’s work together to become master operators!]

Qin Yueran: “...”

What on earth was this? She had barely finished receiving the information from this world when she got bound to a new system, which had even absorbed a previous one.

During the time she was unconscious, Qin Yueran received messages from the Heavenly Way of this world.

This was a cultivation realm, but for the past ten years, the central ocean had been covered by a mysterious domain.

The domain indiscriminately pulled people inside. Ordinary people remained ordinary, but cultivators and demons who entered had their access to spiritual or demonic energy sealed. This meant that after using up their internal spiritual or demonic power, they would revert to being ordinary humans.

Their divine senses were also sealed inside their bodies during this time, limiting them to only visual exploration.

Moreover, spiritual tools requiring spiritual power activation became unusable.

Even trying to conserve power was futile; once used, it drained quickly, but even unused, it would slowly dissipate.

The domain was pitch black, shrouded in dark mist, and inhabited by monsters. To leave the domain, one had to either endure three months or find an exit.

However, the domain was so perilous that few managed to escape. Those who did went public with the matter, warning others to prepare for being pulled in.

People, whether ordinary or cultivators, were gripped with fear.

Over time, it became clear that those who had entered the domain once risked being pulled in again.

In ten years, only a few had escaped; most had fallen into eternal slumber.

The Heavenly Way sensed instability in this world, suspected to be linked to the sudden emergence of the domain, and felt ominous enough to take self-preserving measures.

Thus, it used its power to carve out the central island within the domain and brought in outsiders from other worlds, hoping to break the stalemate.

Qin Yueran didn’t have to do much—just cultivate and farm on the island to provide food for those who arrived, replenishing their energy bars.

On the island, she was absolutely safe, with no worry of harm from the newcomers.

But now...

Qin Yueran looked up at the sky.

[Don’t worry, your functions are intact.] Zero Zero Five cheerfully waited to see her expression change before reassuring her. [I’ve communicated with the Heavenly Way here. Managing the business doesn’t conflict with what you need to do. It’s a win-win cooperation.]

The evening breeze blew past, clearing Qin Yueran’s mind a bit; she had no choice but to accept the situation.

So she responded, “Okay.”

After all, nothing could be worse than not finding a job.

[Ding! Newbie Task One: Please draw cards to choose the type of shop you wish to operate.

Reward: 1. Own shop*1 2. Beginner’s Starter Pack*1]

A set of cards appeared before Qin Yueran, instructing her to draw three.

She randomly selected three cards; the rest dissolved into light, leaving only the three she’d chosen floating quietly before her.

[Please choose among the Hot Pot Restaurant, Breakfast Shop, and Inn.] Zero Zero Five advised, [My little suggestion is the Inn.]

Qin Yueran thought for a moment: since people would be coming here, if they needed lodging, an inn would be better.

Besides, inns could also sell food, right?

Pursing her lips, she pointed at the Inn card.

[Are you sure you want to operate the Inn? Once confirmed, this cannot be changed.

Yes, select this / No, I want to reconsider.]

Qin Yueran clicked “Yes.”

[Selection successful, congratulations.]

[Newbie Task One completed; rewards received: Inn and Beginner’s Starter Pack.]

Before she could catch her breath, the system issued the next task.

[Newbie Task Two: Clear an area to place the Inn! (Time limit: 1 hour)

Reward: Beginner’s Operation Pack*1]

Qin Yueran: “...”

“Zero Zero Five... shouldn’t you check the time? It’s already dark, I’m starving to death, and if I die, your host disappears! Can I at least eat something first?!” Her voice grew sharp and choked.

“I just want to eat—is that against the heavenly rules?! Wahhhh.” Years of pent-up frustration, recent work setbacks, and this little event overwhelmed her last shred of composure, causing her to burst into tears.

Startled by her sudden outburst, Zero Zero Five reflected and realized it hadn’t paid attention to the time.

[Sorry, I’ll adjust the time. Host, please don’t cry.] Zero Zero Five reissued the task.

[Newbie Task Two: Clear an area to place the Inn! (Time limit: 24 hours)

Reward: Beginner’s Operation Pack*1]

“Wahhh…”

After sending the task, seeing Qin Yueran still crying, Zero Zero Five dryly remarked: [This is the longest extension possible.]

“Wahhh…”

If it were a person, Zero Zero Five thought, it would be scratching its head anxiously by now.

It had hosted several before, but this was the first time someone cried this hard—it had no experience consoling anyone!

Should it come out early? Zero Zero Five began considering the possibility. Before it could act, Qin Yueran’s sobbing subsided.

After venting her emotions, feeling embarrassed, she wiped her tears roughly and apologized to the system.

“Sorry, it’s my fault. Hic, I vented all my anger on you, sorry. Hic!” She hiccupped again.

[No, no problem. I just didn’t notice the time.] Zero Zero Five sighed in relief seeing her calm down. [Let’s place it tomorrow.]

“Mm…” Qin Yueran got up and went back inside.