Chapter 9

After entering this virtual world, Sun Yang did not rush to act, as a virtual screen appeared before him, displaying the identity information that Zero had prepared for him. It showed that he was just an ordinary citizen of Hong Kong Island, which made Sun Yang a bit helpless. Although he knew that the identities were randomly assigned, if he could have been given a better one, it would have been more efficient. However, Sun Yang did not complain and decided to make the most of this virtual world as soon as possible.

"Sir, you have a celestial bone on your forehead, a divine light in your eyes, a celestial being reincarnated, a god descended from heaven, I have finally waited for you."

Just as the virtual screen disappeared and Sun Yang was about to leave, a woman wearing glasses suddenly rushed out from a row of tents and knelt down in front of him, speaking to him with a frenzied expression.

Well, this fortune-teller really tries to deceive everyone. Looking at her face, which somewhat resembled Wan Xidan, Sun Yang didn't know what to say. If it weren't for the fact that she always used the same lines, Sun Yang might have thought she had some skills. Having seen the movie, Sun Yang knew this was just her standard script.

So, Sun Yang ignored the fortune-teller's strong attempts to keep him and left directly. After seeing the fortune-teller, Sun Yang realized where this night market was—it was the one where Double Knife Fire Chicken was located.

Sun Yang casually looked around and easily spotted a woman behind a noodle stand. The scar on her face ran from her forehead to her nose, and her left eye was half-open. Her teeth protruded from her mouth. If it weren't for the fact that he knew she would transform from an ugly duckling to a swan at the end of the movie, Sun Yang would have understood Stephen Chow's choice.

Seeing two characters from the plot in succession, Sun Yang did not approach them but followed a virtual red line in his vision to head towards "home." Since Double Knife Fire Chicken had not yet started making the beef balls, the plot was still in its early stages. Therefore, Sun Yang needed to act quickly. He planned to tidy up and then head to Shaolin Temple to learn culinary skills.

His home, which was part of this identity, was not far from the night market, or rather, it was on a street behind the night market. It was a typical Hong Kong pigeon-cage apartment, less than fifty square meters, and very simply furnished. According to the information he had seen, this identity was also an orphan, so Sun Yang did not have to face the awkwardness of strangers.

On the coffee table in the house, Sun Yang saw a newspaper with news about the food god Stephen Chow. The Hong Kong Supreme Chef Competition was set to begin on the 25th of this month. Looking at the electronic calendar on the wall, it was only the 5th of the month, meaning there were still over twenty days before the plot began. This made Sun Yang quite satisfied, as he had plenty of time.

Sun Yang rummaged through his belongings to find his various documents and money, preparing to head north the next day. Although the map of this virtual world was chaotic, Shaolin Temple was very famous. He might not be able to find the Chinese Culinary Training Academy, but finding Shaolin Temple would definitely not be a problem.

Seeing that the bedding was relatively clean, Sun Yang spent the night in the pigeon-cage apartment. The noise outside continued until around two or three in the morning before gradually subsiding. Sun Yang was truly impressed by these people's nightlife; their energy was really abundant.

The next day was a sunny one. Sun Yang packed a few simple items and left home, heading to the mainland. In this virtual world, Hong Kong was still in 1996, and the return to China was imminent. It was very easy for Hong Kong residents to enter the mainland, with all procedures being prioritized. This was a policy implemented by the state to reassure Hong Kong residents.

Sun Yang smiled bitterly. If you knew that this preferential treatment would turn Hong Kong residents into a different kind of people a few decades later, I wonder if you would still hold them in such high regard.

He took a flight directly to Xiangnan. Indeed, Shaolin Temple was easy to find. Taking a long-distance bus, he arrived at a remote countryside. In this virtual world, Shaolin Temple had not yet been commercialized and was hidden deep in the mountains, a true place of spiritual cultivation.

Arriving at the temple in the middle of the forest, Sun Yang steadied his heart, unsure if he could successfully enter Shaolin Temple to learn. After all, being a monk was not an easy task.

"Sir, our temple is closed today. If you wish to offer incense, please come back in a few days."

When Sun Yang knocked on the door, the main gate of Shaolin Temple opened slightly, and a young monk came out, bowing to Sun Yang and speaking.

"Thank you, little monk. I am not here to offer incense; I wish to join the temple and learn from a master."

Sun Yang quickly said this, which left the young monk a bit at a loss. In this virtual world, Shaolin Temple was still unknown, and only the people from nearby villages would come to offer incense and pray on the first and fifteenth of each month. No one would come to join the temple.

"Sir, please wait a moment. I need to ask the abbot."

The young monk didn't know what to do and went to inform the abbot. Sun Yang patiently waited at the door, knowing that he was the one asking for help and needed to be humble. Besides, he was just an ordinary person and had no reason to be arrogant.

"Sir, the abbot invites you in."

After a few minutes, the young monk came out again, opening the door a bit more and inviting Sun Yang in. Sun Yang nodded in gratitude and followed the young monk into Shaolin Temple.

Upon entering Shaolin Temple, Sun Yang took the opportunity to look around. This world was indeed absurd; not only was the location of Shaolin Temple wrong, but its size was also much smaller. Sun Yang had been to Shaolin Temple before, and its grandeur was far beyond what a magnified quadrangle courtyard could compare to.

However, Sun Yang did not show any reaction. He was here for the "software" of Shaolin Temple, not the "hardware." Hardship is the path to greatness.

"Sir, this is our abbot, Master Mengyi. Abbot, this is the sir who wishes to learn from a master."

The young monk introduced Sun Yang. In fact, Sun Yang could recognize the abbot without the introduction, as the abbot looked just as lecherous as in the movie.

"Very well, you may go."

Master Mengyi said to the young monk, who seemed very afraid, bowed to Master Mengyi, and quickly left.

Next, Sun Yang felt quite uncomfortable, as Master Mengyi looked at him with a lecherous, half-smiling expression. Thinking about how Master Mengyi first met Stephen Chow in the movie, Sun Yang felt a bit uneasy.

"Sir, you wish to join the temple and learn."

After sizing Sun Yang up for a minute, Master Mengyi finally spoke. Sun Yang felt much better, and the fact that the first thing he said was not about offering incense proved that Master Mengyi was somewhat reliable.